Law and Religion Headlines
Wednesday, 5 May 2021
USCIRF welcomes President Biden’s announcement to raise the refugee ceiling
(U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom)
Statement by President Joe Biden on the occasion of Orthodox Easter
(The White House)
WEBINAR, 5 May 2021 (9AM EDT): Artificial Intelligence: Challenges and Opportunities
(G20 Interfaith Forum)
Gender-based persecution as a crime against humanity: A milestone for LGBTI rights before the Colombian Special Jurisdiction for Peace
(Susann Aboueldahab, EJIL: Talk! Blog of the European Journal of International Law)
Croatia’s first Bahá’í National Spiritual Assembly established in landmark election
(Baha'i World News Service)
Lantos Foundation challenges Biden to take stance on Uyghurs, other human rights issues
(Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice)
Grandma take me home! Visiting rights of (grand)parents and Roma discrimination in Italy: two systemic problems? – Terna v. Italy
(Francesco Luigi Gatta, Strasbourg Observers)
Religious identity contributing to resilience and inclusivity in Nigeria
(Fola Aina and Nic Cheeseman, Foreign Affairs)
Commission appoints Christos Stylianides as Special Envoy for promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside EU
(gavriella, in-cyprus)
Bob Abernethy, host and founder of ‘Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly,’ dies at 93
(Adelle M. Banks, Reigious News Service)
Philanthropists and politicians: Religion is not a problem to solve, it’s a partnership opportunity
(Michael Wear, Religion News Service)
To break Ramadan fast, many Muslims turn to apricot drink with ‘lunar’ name
(Jospeh Hammond, Religion News Service)
National Day of Prayer to be marked with petitions for racial justice
(Adelle M. Banks, Religion News Service)
Catholic bishops who want to deny Biden Communion may have to reckon with the pope
(Jack Jenkins and Claire Giangrave, Religion News Service)
Pope imposes drastic new anti-corruption rules at the Vatican
(Loup Besmond de Senneville, La Croix International)
The interfaith groups preventing Muslim-Christian violence in Nigeria
(Innocent Eteng, Religion Unplugged)
Weekly highlight #154: COVID-19: Exploring faith dimensions: India’s crisis; seeking distinctive religious responses
(Berkley Center, Joint Learning Initiative, WFDD)
After 2 year vacancy, EU appoints new religious freedom envoy
(ADF International)
9th Circuit hears arguments on Idaho ban of transgender women in sports
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Montana makes it more difficult to obtain transgender name change on birth certificates
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Montana governor signs bill requiring surgery before trans people can amend birth certificates
(John Riley, Metro Weekly)
Seventh Day Adventist loses failure to accommodate claim
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Monthly news digest about Baha’is in Iran in April (05.05.2021)
(Human Rights Without Frontiers International)
Iranian authorities break up mixed-gender party, arrest 16
(Associated Press)
The Biden administration should put human rights at the center of its Iran policy
(Karen Kramer, Foreign Affairs)
USCIRF releases new report on violent Islamist groups in the central Sahel
(U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom)
“A critical moment for the future of faith in Ireland”: Court challenge must continue as Ireland announces partial lifting of worship ban
(ADF International)
When a tweet can land you in jail: Criminal charges brought against Finnish MP
(ADF International)
Meeting in the middle on religious and LGBTQ rights
(Jonathan Rauch, Deseret News Faith)
RFBF Senior Fellow Dr. Susan Kerr appointed to senior role in OSCE body
(Religious Freedom & Business Foundation)
The National Day of Prayer – at work!
(Kent Johnson, Religious Freedom & Business Foundation)
CEC Theological Reflections: Communion in crisis – A perspective from the Methodist Church in Britain
(Conference of European Churches)
Are hate speech law reforms really the best mechanism to make NZ safer and more tolerant?
(Emile Donovan, Stuff.co.nz)
Christians in Myanmar “are hiding in the forest for safety”
(Evangelical Focus)
Muslim group releases bullying survey, gives recommendations
(Associated Press)
Louisiana lawmaker scraps bill to decriminalize prostitution
(Melinda Deslatte, Associated Press)
Catholic leaders praise Biden’s decision to raise refugee cap
(John Lavenburg, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Police called after Argentine priest holds outdoor Mass for First Communion
(Ines San Martin, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
By pledging $100 million for slave descendants, Jesuits are ‘owning’ their history
(John Lavenburg, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Germany’s ecumenical church assembly goes virtual
(Catholic News Service)
What is the ‘religious left’? And what’s it up to right now?
(Kelsey Dallas, Deseret News Faith)
Germany sees 15% rise in politically motivated antisemitic crimes to record high
(Toby Axelrod, Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
Trumpism as threat to religious conservatives
(Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review)
What we lose in the decline of cultural Christianity
(Andrew T. Walker, The Gospel Coalition)
Celebration of Hindu festival runs afoul of anti-evangelism law
(MBKMedia, 4 May 2021, Russia Religion News (Stetson University))
Annual AP report on 'holy fire' ritual offers same old mistakes, raises one big question
(Terry Mattingly, GetReligion)
Did mainstream media distort America's religion-and-politics divide? Are they still doing so?
(Richard Ostling, GetReligion)
COVID-19: latest relaxations for places of worship in Wales
(Frank Cranmer, Law & Religion UK)
Registration of marriages, baptisms and burials in England & Wales
(Frank Cranmer, Law & Religion UK)
Ecclesiastical Court Judgments – April (III)
(David Pocklington, Law & Religion UK)
MBS, Vision 2030 and religious reform: An incoherent blend of modernism and despotism
(Mohammad H Fadel, Middle East Eye)
Christians upset when Egyptian government ignores Easter
(Al-Monitor: The Pulse of the Middle East)
Religious freedom in pandemic times in Europe: A perspective after one year
(Alejandro González-Varas, Canopy Forum on the Interactions of Law & Religion)
Clergy in South Sudan face rising death threats but they refuse to leave
(Juma Peter Maya, Religion Unplugged)
Tribalism disputed as motive of Africa bishop shooting
(Elise Ann Allen, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
U.S. Catholic movement to excommunicate President Biden develops
(Religion Today)
Religion and the COVID-19 vaccine in the United States
(Jason Guy, WESH 2)
The doctor is in; the jury is out
(James Christie, Viewpoints: A blog of the G20 Interfaith Forum)
Tuesday, 4 May 2021
ECHR free Massive Open ONLINE COURSE starts again on 4 May
(Antoine Buyse, ECHR Blog)
WEBINAR, 4 May 2021 (5PM CEST): Tensions among Human Rights: Conflicts between Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Religion
(Javier Martinez Torron, FRIAS Lecture Series - Universität Freiburg)
WEBINAR, 4 May 2021 (12:30PM EDT): The Politics of Vulnerability: A Conversation with Asma Uddin
(Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University)
US Rights Commission: Religious freedom conditions in Pakistan continue to worsen
(Maravi Post)
Monday, 3 May 2021
Report details discrimination faced by American Muslims
(Joseph Hammond, Religion News Service)
Stampede in Israel claims dozens of lives, injures hundreds of Jewish pilgrims
(Michele Chabin, Religion News Service)
Vaccinated faithful throng Jerusalem church for Holy Fire
(Religion News Service)
Chinese authorities slap Catholic with hefty fine for providing chapel for 'illegal' mass
(Leah MarieAnn Klett, The Christian Post)
Sri Lanka's government proposes burqa ban
(Catholic News Agency)
Pope Francis to open event on Italy’s demographic decline
(Courtney Mares, Catholic News Agency)
Israeli watchdog to investigate deadly festival stampede
(Aljazeera)
Israel in shock after 45 Jews crushed to death at festival
(Gil Zohar, Religion Unplugged)
Vandalistic attack in Gussago after priest speaks out
(Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination in Europe)
Philippines: Palace calls for virtual interfaith prayer meet
(Business Mirror)
Religious leaders, govt reject EU resolution: No case of blasphemy laws misuse reported, says Ashrafi
(Sher Ali Khalti, The News International)
No compromise on blasphemy laws: Ashrafi
(The News International)
Most Black Protestants say denominational affiliation is less important than inspiring sermons
(Besheer Mohamed, Pew Research Center Fact Tank)
Governor Lamont signs CT religious vaccine exemption bill into law; Opponents vow legal challenge
(NBC News)
European Parliament: Pakistan blasphemy law incompatible with trade benefits
(Massimo Introvigne, Bitter Winter: A Magazine on Religious Liberty and Human Rights in China)
On Religion: The year when clergy stress zoomed to a new high
(Terry Mattingly, The Ukiah Daily Journal)
WEBINAR, 3 May 2021 (12PM ET): Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Hans Küng
(Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University)
Around 30 killed in attack on village in eastern Burkina Faso, security sources say
(Reuters)
Suit challenges Connecticut elimination of religious exemption to immunization requirement
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
We The Patriots USA, CT Freedom Alliance sue state over removing religious exemptions for vaccines
(News 12 The Bronx)
Articles of interest - 3 May 2021
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
USCIRF congratulates outgoing Chair, Gayle Manchin, welcomes new Chair, Anurima Bhargava
(U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom)
The exoneration of Sarah Halimi’s murderer is about blindness to anti-Semitism, not marijuana
(Mosaic)
"Almighty God" in the Constitution's Preamble (Guest: Dr. Alex Deagon) Podcast
(Jeremy Patrick, Law and Religion Down Under)
Post-liberal religious liberty (Guest: Author Joel Harrison) Podcast
(Jeremy Patrick, Law and Religion Down Under)
School chaplaincy in the High Court (Guest: Plaintiff Ron Williams) Podcast
(Jeremy Patrick, Law and Religion Down Under)
Judge asked to toss South Carolina private school money ban
(Associated Press)
AP photos: Muslim miners in Bosnia break fast underground
(Associated Press)
Lubbock votes to ban abortion, setting up likely legal fight
(Associated Press)
Arkansas legislature refers troubling version of RFRA for public referendum in 2022 as amendment to state constitution
(Don Byrd, Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty)
Election integrity or voter suppression? Faith leaders are divided over voter access laws
(Mya Jaradat, Deseret News)
Head of Ukrainian church blames Patriarch Kirill for Russian aggression
(Religiina Pravda, Russia Religion News (Stetson University))
UOC head urges participants in the Donbass conflict to cease fire on Easter days
(Interfax-Religion)
Plug-In: COVID-19 vaccines are still creating buzz on religion beat – pro and con
(Bobby Ross Jr., GetReligion)
COVID-19 legislation and guidance: update to 8 May
(David Pocklington, Law & Religion UK)
Law and religion round-up – 2nd May
(Frank Cranmer, Law & Religion UK)
UK pastor arrested after sermon on marriage 'between man and woman'
(Peter Kenny, Ecumenical News)
A Muslim history of the UK
(Indlieb Farazi Saber, Aljazeera)
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