Law and Religion Headlines

---

Monday, 6 February 2023

Spiritual advisers offering final comfort in execution rooms
(Jim Salter, Associated Press)

Pope, Anglican, Presbyterian leaders denounce anti-gay laws
(Nicole Winfield, Associated Press)

Photos of the week: Pope Francis in Africa; Candlemas
(Kit Doyle, Religion News Service)

Articles of interest - 6 February 2023
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)

How a painting of Jesus ended up behind a curtain at this military service academy
(Kelsey Dallas, Deseret News)

Catholics press for prison reform in post-Bolsonaro Brazil
(Eduardo Campos Lima, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)

Brazil: Transcending divisions through a shared identity
(Bahá’í World News Service)

Outrage over far-right Israeli government has American Jewish leaders stewing
(Yonat Shimron, Religion News Service)

California senator announces bill to protect religious practices of incarcerated individuals
(Alejandra Molina, Religion News Service)

New effort surveys Sikh students about bullying and school climate in the US
(Alejandra Molina, Religion News Service)

Federal Court Germany rejects headscarf ban for teacher
(Christian Network Europe)

Iran: Wife of imprisoned church leader released on bail
(CSW: Everyone Free to Believe)

Churches reach out with care and prayers in wake of powerful earthquake in Turkey and Syria
(World Council of Churches)

Jewish communities embrace security staff in face of rising antisemitism
(Ella Bilu, Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

Turkey arrests ISIS members allegedly targeting Istanbul synagogues
(David I. Klein, Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

Philippines: Ending clan wars crucial to sustaining peace
(Ana P. Santos and Jezreel Ines, Deutsche Welle)

Rights advocate Figel’ says ‘human dignity’ at root of freedoms
(Mark A. Kellner, The Washington Times)

'I felt very unsafe': Gay fathers confronted at Arizona religious school accepting vouchers
(Renata Cló, Arizona Central)

Introductory Note: Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities (December 1992)
(Heiner Bielefeldt and Michael Wiener, Audiovisual Library of International Law)

Diplomats, faith leaders urged to advance religious tolerance
(James Martone, Union of Catholic Asian News)

Church slams bid to tighten Japan's immigration law
(Union of Catholic Asian News)

Explainer: Hunter v. U.S. Department of Education religious liberty case
(Jordan Wootten, Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission)

Conversion therapy bans: an ongoing threat to Biblical Christianity – Part 1
(Rick Plasterer, Juicy Ecumenism, Institute on Religion and Democracy)

Same-sex marriage row looms over Church of England synod
(Harriet Sherwood, The Guardian)

U.K. prosecutors ‘discontinue’ charges against woman in silent prayer near abortion clinic
(Mark A. Kellner, The Washington Times)

Law and religion round-up – 5th February
(Frank Cranmer, Law & Religion UK)

British Muslims express ‘deep concern’ over Church of England ‘gay blessing’ proposals and ‘identity politics’ in church schools
(Paul Eddy, Anglican Ink)

Friday, 3 February 2023

Remarks for International Religious Freedom Summit 2023 “Documenting International Religious Freedom”
(Beth Van Schaack, U.S. Department of State)

Administrator Samantha Power’s conversation with Ambassador Rashad Hussain at the International Religious Freedom Summit
(United States Agency for International Development (USAID))

Administrator Samantha Power’s meeting with leaders of faith-based organizations working in development and humanitarian assistance
(United States Agency for International Development (USAID))

RFI plays leading role in 2023 International Religious Freedom Summit
(Religious Freedom Institute)

Remarks by President Biden at the National Prayer Breakfast
(The White House)

Biden tells dueling prayer breakfasts that ‘diversity is one of our greatest strengths’
(Adelle M. Banks, Religion News Service)

Pope in South Sudan warns leaders as peace process stalls
(Nicole Winfield and Deng Machol, Associated Press)

Why are people turning to psychedelics like ayahuasca?
(Michael Casey, Associated Press)

Smithsonian staff kick out Catholic students for wearing pro-life hats
(Kevin J. Jones, Catholic News Agency)

Faith-based resource center for homeless sues over right to serve snacks to its clients
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)

Chabad's long-running suit over land use dismissed in part
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)

Clergy protest legislation targeting transgender children in Missouri
(Emily McFarlan Miller, Religion News Service)

2023 G20 Interfaith Forum UAE | Summary Document (PDF)
(G20 Interfaith Forum)

Taiwanese leader denounces Beijing’s ‘assault on religion’
(Susan Crabtree, Real Clear Politics)

Religious freedom summit highlights atrocities in China, Russia, Nigeria
(Susan Crabtree, Real Clear Politics)

US called out for criticizing Xinjiang on religion
(Wang Qingyun, China Daily)

The war and religion in Ukraine: The role of NGOs in evidence collection for future international trials
(Michelle Coleman, Talk About: Law and Religion - Blog of the International Center for Law and Religion Studies)

Ukraine: Draft law better than others, freedom of religion or belief concerns remain
(Dmytro Vovk, Forum 18 News Service)

Occupied Ukraine: "Disappeared" clergy, seized places of worship, library purge
(Felix Corley, Forum 18 News Service)

We must do everything we can so that next year we will be able to pray with thanks for the obtained salvation from evil - Volodymyr Zelenskyy's address to the participants of the National Prayer Breakfast in the United States
(Volodymyr Zelenskyy, The Presidential Office of Ukraine)

Gay marriage, civil rights, and Christian virtue: An interview with David French
(R. J. Snell, Public Discourse: The Journal of the Witherspoon Institute)

World Hijab Day Conference 2023
(World Hijab Day Organization)

European Muslim Forum condemns burning of Quran in Sweden, Netherlands
(Burc Eruygur, Anadolu Agency)

India: Supreme Court refuses to refer conversion issue to Law Commission
(The Hindu)

Tibet: Rights group reveal new findings of Drago County desecration
(Tenzin Nyidon, Phayul)

As Palestine ambassador Ibrahim Khraishi visits, WCC general secretary reiterates solidarity of the WCC
(World Council of Churches)

Bishop Kizito: May February be dedicated to Human Trafficking Awareness
(Phuti Makgabo, The Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference)

Russia: Religious persecution and issues – Bimonthly digest Jan 16-31
(Human Rights Without Frontiers International)

In the news: Breaking religious freedom stories across the country - 3 February 2023
(First Liberty)

Swiss army recruits more chaplains
(Christian Network Europe)

Lords to debate Bill to replace RE with ‘Religion and Worldviews’
(Humanists UK)

Charity volunteer arrested for praying seeks clear verdict in court after prosecution drop charges, but suggest further proceedings
(ADF UK)

Iran's Sunni leader says secular people should be in government
(Iran International)

Is ‘Jewish supremacy’ translating into anti-Christian violence in Jerusalem?
(Daoud Kuttab, Religion News Service)

New laws protect religions in Brazil (Portuguese)
(Ricardo Russell Brandão Cavalcanti, Conjur)

Brazil: Religious freedom is not yet a reality': the harsh reports of intolerance attacks in Brazil (Portuguese)
(Andre Bernardo, UoL)

Dutch court: Banning conversion therapy violates religious freedom
(Tamás Orbán, The European Conservative)

Center for Law and Religion hosts conversation on SCOTUS religion cases
(St. John's University)

Thursday, 2 February 2023

EVENT, 2 February 2023 (1PM ET): Preserving Identity in the Face of Oppression: Religious Freedom and National Identity in Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia (Washington, DC)
(Religious Freedom Institute)

Wednesday, 1 February 2023

Battle continues between Iowa church and IRS over use of hallucinogenic drug during services
(Anne Stych, Religion Unplugged)

Comparing the rise of the religious ‘nons’ to the nones, nips and nonverts
(Richard Ostling, Religion Unplugged)

Why Democrats are less religious than Republicans
(Ryan Burge, Religion Unplugged)

Atheist leader supports protecting religious rights to safeguard nonbelievers
(Mark A. Kellner, The Washington Times)

[Sam Brownback] is saying it’s time to take religious freedom movement to a Super Bowl level
(Tad Walch, Deseret News)

Religious freedom under threat; summit highlights actions by China, developments in Japan
(Mark A. Kellner, The Washington Times)

Taiwan legislative leader says island has religious freedom, which China lacks
(Mark A. Kellner, The Washington Times)

China: Religious persecution and issues 16-31 Jan – Bimonthly digest news
(Human Rights Without Frontiers International)

EVENT, 31 January - 1 February 2023: IRF Summit 2023 (Washington, DC)
(IRF Summit 2023)

CALL FOR PAPERS, deadline 1 February 2023: 2023 Eastern International Regional Meeting of the American Academy of Religion
(Queen’s University)

USCIRF calls for accountability of Tatmadaw at two year anniversary of coup in Burma
(U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom)

In its repression of religious freedom, Cuba targets Muslims, too
(Teo A. Babun, Miami Herald)

Global Interfaith Monitor No. 7
(Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University)

Eritrea likened to ‘giant prison’ as latest mass imprisonment of Christians takes place
(Tola Mbakwe, Premier Christian News)

World Interfaith Harmony Week-February 1-7
(United Religions Initiative)

Music teacher forced out for his religious beliefs
(Alliance Defending Freedom)

Indonesia still denies religious minorities freedom to worship
(Haeril Halim, The Jakarta Post)

Indonesia upholds ban on interfaith marriage
(Union of Catholic Asian News)

Religions for Peace and UNHCR host field mission to Moldova by Multi-Religious Council of Leaders
(Religions for Peace)

Moldovan church urges govt to reject LGBT couples’ rights
(Madalin Necsutu, Balkan Insight)

In Congo, activists look to Pope to boost forest protections
(Wanjohi Kabukuru, Associated Press)

Celebrations planned for Ireland’s new St Brigid’s Day bank holiday this weekend
(Fiona Audley, The Irish Post)

South Korean court says stolen statue must return to Japan
(Kim Tong-Hyung, Associated Press)

Indiana justices won’t hear 2nd abortion case for now
(Arleigh Rodgers, Associated Press)

Australia: Police ask court to ban protest at Cardinal’s Sydney funeral
(Rod McGuirk, Associated Press)

Fourth Circuit rules against Virginia church in liquor license dispute
(Joe Dodson, Courthouse News Service)

4th Circuit: Church loses challenges to zoning restrictions
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)

Coverage of certain preventive services under the Affordable Care Act: Proposed rules
(Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services)

5th Circuit: FFRF's suit against Texas governor is moot
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)

Podcast S4, Ep. 11: The National Prayer Breakfast and religious freedom
(Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty)

State appeals court rules against Masterpiece Cakeshop in yet another Colorado anti-discrimination case
(Don Byrd, Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty)

Should clergy be mandated reporters? New York’s CARE Act says yes
(Kathryn Post, Religion News Service)

Two years after the coup, we must do all we can to stop the carnage in Myanmar
(FoRB in Full: A blog by CSW)

French government presents plan to fight anti-Semitism
(Christian Network Europe)

Search

Go!

Filter by Category

Events

International

Europe

United States

Filter by Topic

Abuse Adoption Blasphemy / Offense to Religion Children and Youth Church-State Relations Citizenship Constitutional Space COVID-19 COVID-19 Resources Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (abortion case) Ecclesiastical Abstention Education Environment Espinoza v. Montana (SCOTUS school funding case) Eugenics Extremism Family Law Freedom of Expression Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) Fulton v. Philadelphia (faith-based adoption agencies and same-sex couples) G20 Interfaith Forum Gender Genocide George Floyd Health and Wellbeing Human Dignity Human Fraternity ICLRS Symposium Identity Interfaith Dialogue Jewish Law June Medical Services (SCOTUS abortion case) Little Sisters of the Poor v. Pennsylvania Our Lady of Guadalupe School (SCOTUS ministerial exception case) Politics Poverty Property Race Religious Food Practices Religious Freedom Religious Holidays Religious Literacy Rule of Law Russia's Extremism Laws Slavery Social Service Spirituality Technology, Innovation, Infrastructure The Economy Ukrainian Autocephaly Violence Women / Equality Abortion Accreditation Activism Advocate Health Care Network v. Stapleton Affordable Care Act/HHS Mandate Al-Qaeda Annual International Law and Religion Symposium Anti-Christian Sentiment Anti-Islam Film Anti-Muslim Sentiment Anti-Semitism Apartheid Apostasy Articles & Speeches Asylum Australia Same-Sex Marriage Vote Bakery cases Billy Graham Blaine Amendments Boko Haram Bostock v. Clayton County (LGBT employment rights case) Boy Scouts Braidwood v. Becerra (Affordable Care Act) Brexit Calls for Papers / Contests Canada's Office of Religious Freedom Censorship Charlie Gard Case Charlie Hebdo Circumcision Climate Change Conscientious Objection Copenhagen Declaration (2018) Counter-terrorism Death Penalty Defamation Definition of Religion or Belief Democracy Derogation Desecration Discrimination Dissent ECHR/ECtHR ENDA ERISA Ethics Ethnic Cleansing EU Guidelines on Freedom of Religion or Belief European Court of Justice Euthanasia/Assisted Dying Events Eweida and Others Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Faith Based Law Schools Family FIDELA First Amendment Defense Act (FADA) Franciscan Alliance v. Burwell (Texas Transgender Mandate Case) Freedom of Assembly Freedom of Movement Globalism Gloucester County School Board ("Transgender Bathroom case") Government Funding of Religion Government Obligations Ground Zero Cross Hate Crimes Hate Speech Headscarf / Veil / Burqa HHS Transgender Mandate Hobby Lobby case Holt v. Hobbs Honor Killing Human Genomics Debate Human Rights Human Trafficking Humanitarian Aid Immigration Inequality Inhumane Treatment Interfaith International Law ISIS / ISIL / Daesh / "Islamic State" Jehovah's Witnesses v. Wall (Canada) Jerusalem passports case Jurisdiction Justice Scalia Kelley v. Becerra (Affordable Care Act) Kentucky Clerk Case Lee v. Tam (trademark case) Legislation & Religion LGBTQi+ issues Magna Carta Malaysia Allah Case Margin of Appreciation Marrakesh Declaration Marriage / Divorce / Civil Union Masterpiece Cakeshop Case Mexico Massacre Middle East Migration Military Ministerial Exception Minorities Missionary/Proselytism Mt. Soledad Cross Multiculturalism Narratives Neutrality New Religious Movements Newsletter NIFLA v. Becerra (compelled-speech case) Oaths of Allegiance Obergefell v. Hodges Orlando Massacre Pan-Orthodox Council Parental Rights Parliament of the World's Religions Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Peacebuilding Pluralism Politics & Religion Pope Francis Pornography Prejudice Prisoner Free Exercise Prisoners Privacy Private and Family Life Proselytism / Evangelism Public Cross Cases Public Morals Public Prayer Publications Pussy Riot case Quebec Charter Plan Radicalization Refoulement Refugee/Migrant Crisis Registration Religion & Culture Religion & Government Religion in the Public Sphere Religious Accommodation Religious Autonomy Religious Clergy Religious Clothing Religious Conversion Religious Demographics Religious Demonstration Religious Diversity Religious Exemption Religious Free Exercise Religious Freedom & Business Religious Harmony Religious Hatred Religious Hostilities Religious Incitement Religious Intolerance Religious Oppression Religious Persecution Religious Registration Religious Symbols Religious Tolerance Reparations Restrictions on Religion RFAR RFRA Right to Effecitve Remedy Right to Fair Hearing Right to Life RLUIPA Roe v. Wade Romney Sacred Spaces Same-sex unions Secularism Security Social Justice Social Media Sovereignty Sterling v. United States (RFRA) Stormans v. Weisman (Pharmacists' Case) Surrogacy Sustainable Development Syria Tax / Finance and Religion Terrorism The Vatican Third-party intervention Title IX Torture or inhuman treatment Travel Ban Treaties Trinity Lutheran Church v. Comer Trinity Western University Ukraine UN Human Rights Council UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief US Constitution US State Department Religious Freedom Reports USCIRF Utah Compromise Victims War Crimes Wedding vendor cases Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt (Texas abortion case) Workplace / Employment Zubik v. Burwell ("Little Sisters of the Poor")

Filter by Country

Afghanistan African Union Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas, The Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Brazil Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cabo Verde Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Colombia Comoros Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of the Cook Islands Costa Rica Côte d'Ivoire Council of Europe Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czechia Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Eswatini Ethiopia European Union Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Polynesia Gabon Gambia, The Georgia Germany Ghana Greece Greenland Grenada Guam Guatemala Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Holy See Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kosovo Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Lao PDR Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macau Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Mauritania Mauritius Mexico Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar (Burma) Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherland Antilles Netherlands New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue North Macedonia Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestinian Territories Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Romania Russia Rwanda Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino São Tomé and Príncipe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Sweden Switzerland Syria Taiwan (Republic of China) Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Tibet Timor-Leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Türkiye Turkmenistan Tuvalu Uganda Ukraine Union of Soviet Socialist Republics United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United Nations United States Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela Vietnam Virgin Islands, British Yemen Yugoslavia Zambia Zimbabwe