Law and Religion Headlines
Monday, 6 February 2023
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)
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)
Iran: Religious issues and persecutions – FORB Monthly digest news January
(Human Rights Without Frontiers International)
WCC receives top honor from Geneva Engage for online engagement with the world
(World Council of Churches)
Does the EU have hijab bans?
(Priyanka Shankar, Deutsche Welle)
France’s updated plan to counter antisemitism will bring students to sites of attacks
(David I. Klein, Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
Idaho Senate introduces measure to allow public funding of religious schools
(James Dawson, Boise State Public Radio)
West’s double standards vis-à-vis Quran desecration allow Islamophobia to prevail
(Maryam Qarehgozlou, International Quran News Agency (IQNA))
Quelling the obsession with burning the Quran
(Omar Suleiman, RNS Column: Islam Beyond Phobia)
The Orthodox Church of Ukraine now has more than 8,000 religious communities, - Metropolitan Epifaniy
(Religious Information Service of Ukraine (RISU))
Ecclesiastical court judgments – January
(David Pocklington, Law & Religion UK)
Statement following the announcement of the Conversion Practices Bill
(Equality and Human Rights Commission)
Marriage and civil partnerships: Minimum age, England and Wales
(David Pocklington, Law & Religion UK)
Plessy, Prince, and me: Law, religion, and the quest for racial justice
(M. Christian Green, Canopy Forum on the Interactions of Law & Religion)
Milestone or missed opportunity? The ECtHR Grand Chamber judgment in Fedotova v. Russia on the legal recognition of same-sex couples
(Giulio Fedele, EJIL: Talk! Blog of the European Journal of International Law)
Blasphemy charges stoke fear among Bangladeshi minority teachers
(Union of Catholic Asian News)
Repression and fear: Life as a hijabi Muslim in Modi's India
(Nabiya Khan, Middle East Eye)
Hindu mobs, enraged by conversions, attack Christians in India
(Gerry Shih and Shams Irfan, The Washington Post)
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