Law and Religion Headlines
Wednesday, 31 March 2021
Arkansas governor signs bill strengthening conscience protections for medical professionals
(Alliance Defending Freedom)
DC's capacity restrictions on churches held invalid
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Judge lifts attendance restrictions for DC churches
(Samantha Hawkins, Courthouse News Service)
Blinken ends Trump rights plan promoting conservative agenda
(Matthew Lee, Associated Press)
UN condemns Palm Sunday `terrorist act’ on Indonesian church
(Associated Press)
Indonesia’s cardinal praises national response to suicide bombing
(Nirmala Carvalho, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Pope sends letter to infamous WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange
(Elise Ann Allen, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
COVID-19 and the future of religious freedom
(Kelsey Dallas, Deseret News)
Muslims in pluralistic societies: Rights and responsibilities
(Kenan Malik, The Guardian)
Crimea: Longest jail term so far
(Felix Corley, Forum 18 News Service)
Crimea court sentences Jehovah’s Witness for violating Russian anti-extremist laws
(Fred Porter, Jurist)
Russian bishops’ official concerned about new religion regulations
(Jonathan Luxmoore, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Putin pledges to prevent foreign interethnic conflicts from spilling over into Russia
(Interfax-Religion)
New COVID-19 legislation and guidance to 3 April
(David Pocklington, Law & Religion UK)
Bishop issues Palm Sunday appeal for end to IS-led violence in Mozambique's Cabo Delgado
(Peter Kenny, Ecumenical News)
Georgia faith leaders to leave water bottles around Capitol in protest of new voter laws
(Jack Jenkins, Adelle M. Banks, Religion News Service)
Sudan confirms religious freedom with Nuba Mountains rebels
(Jayson Casper, Christianity Today)
Madhya Pradesh government notifies law against religious conversion
(Hindustan Times)
Gender, religion, and covid-19
(Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University)
Intersectional approaches to covid-19 response and “building back better” (Responding to: Gender, religion, and covid-19)
(Kalina Majercak, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University)
Japanese women leading gender equity efforts in religious and faith-based spaces during the covid-19 pandemic (Responding to: Gender, religion, and covid-19)
(Paola Cavaliere, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University)
Opportunities for faith communities to address the challenges women and girls face due to the covid-19 emergencies (Responding to: Gender, religion, and covid-19)
(Sarah Thompson, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University)
Showing up! Female faith leadership in the covid-19 pandemic (Responding to: Gender, religion, and covid-19)
(Najuma Smith-Pollard, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University)
The role of religion in responding to covid-19: A Baha’i perspective (Responding to: Gender, religion, and covid-19)
(Saphira Rameshfar, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University)
When enough, really is enough: Living in balance after the covid-19 pandemic (Responding to: Gender, religion, and covid-19)
(Danielle L. Bridgeforth, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University)
Women step up: Feminist faith leadership in the covid-19 pandemic (Responding to: Gender, religion, and covid-19)
(Mary E. Hunt, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University)
Battle for the soul of Islam – Analysis
(James M. Dorsey, Eurasia Review Opinion)
Killings of Asians fuel US debate about churches and racism
(Rebecca Paveley, Church Times)
Arkansas legislature passes ban on gender-transitioning for children
(Catholic News Agency)
Catholic priest and six others killed in attack on church in Nigeria
(Courtney Mares, Catholic News Agency)
Survey: Two-thirds of Catholics say Biden should be able to receive Communion
(Catholic News Agency)
Catholic women raise alarm over spike in child abuse during lockdowns
(Courtney Mares, Catholic News Agency)
The Easter Vigil: ‘the mother of all vigils’
(Catholic News Agency)
Iraq fortifies Syria border against Islamic State
(Mohammed Hardan, Al-Monitor: Syria Pulse)
Nike files copyright lawsuit over ‘Satan Shoes’ collaboration with rapper Lil Nas X
(Jeannie Law, The Christian Post)
Fewer than 50% of Americans have formal church membership for first time in 80 years: Gallup
(Leonardo Blair, The Christian Post)
Poll: American Jews report increasing incidents of anti-Semitism, mostly online
(Yonat Shimron, Religion News Service)
Vatican makes moral case for supporting people displaced by climate change
(Claire Giangravé, Religion News Service)
Survey: Most Americans know Biden is Catholic, far fewer know Harris’ religion
(Adelle M. Banks, Religion News Service)
South Dakota Governor issues executive orders on transgender women in sports after vetoing legislation on the issue
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
South Dakota's governor issues executive orders banning transgender athletes from women's sports
(Devan Cole, CNN)
Anti-abortion protesters lose challenge to D.C.'s defacement ordinance
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Challenge to Bible in schools program survives motion to dismiss
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Virginia public school guidance on transgender students is challenged
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Lawsuit targets Virginia’s policies on transgender students
(Denise Lavoie, Associated Press)
Appeals court upholds constitutionality of terror watchlist
(Matthew Barakat, Associated Press)
Health officials: Churches should hold off in-person worship
(Associated Press)
Democrats and Republicans agree Biden is Catholic. But they still see his faith differently
(Mya Jaradat, Deseret News)
French minister blasts new laws over 'suppression of religion'
(Daily Sabah)
Building a mosque in France, never easy, may get even harder
(Norimitsu Onishi and Constant Méheut, The New York Times)
Why is church membership in America on the decline?
(Joe Carter, The Gospel Coalition)
Moscow patriarchate likes changes in religion law
(RIA Novosti, Russia Religion News (Stetson University))
Uzbekistan: Fines, magazine destruction, short-term jailing, beard shaving, threats
(Mushfig Bayram, Forum 18 News Service)
Holocaust denier Alison Chabloz jailed over barrage of antisemitic abuse
(Jewish News)
Labour publishes material to improve antisemitism complaints process
(Jewish News)
China wants to make its Christians more Chinese
(The Economist)
Cotton statement on Chinese sanctions against U.S. religious freedom group
(Tom Cotton)
After China retaliates with sanctions, U.S. religious freedom advocates say they won’t be silenced
(Catholic News Agency)
U.S. religious freedom officials continue advocacy despite new Chinese sanctions
(International Christian Concern)
China: Special bimonthly FORB digest (16.03-31.03.2021)
(Human Rights Without Frontiers International)
Weekly highlight #149: COVID-19: Exploring faith dimensions: Holidays, vaccines, and mental health
(Berkley Center, Joint Learning Initiative, WFDD)
Swiss Parliamentarian raises concern regarding church closures in Algeria
(l, International Christian Concern)
As Passover begins, Jews feel unwelcome in the EU
(Pinchas Goldschmidt, Deutsche Welle Opinion)
Blinken blasts the Trump administration's 'unbalanced' emphasis on religious liberty over other human rights
(Deirdre Shesgreen, USA Today)
Germany's Christian churches in meltdown
(Christoph Strack, Deutsche Welle)
German pastor hopeful in fight to remain in Turkey
(Christianity Today)
On the 200th anniversary of the end of the Inquisition, a new Jewish museum protocol is signed in Portugal – Ora Pois
(KSU Sentinel)
Bahrain appoints first ambassador to Israel
(Gabe Friedman, Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
Kosovo’s top diplomat calls Jerusalem embassy ‘a done deal’
(Zenel Zhinipotoku and Llazar Semini, Associated Press)
Religious tax immunity and the jurisprudence (Portuguese)
(Ricardo Pereira de Oliveira, Estrategia Concursos)
Religious freedom in a pandemic times (Portuguese)
(Marcelo Campelo, Segs.com)
Religious freedom and animal well-being (Portuguese)
(Pedro Vaz Patto, 7 Margens)
Virginia interfaith leaders explain how other states could abolish death penalty just as Virginia has done
(Jeff Brumley, Baptist News Global)
Teens, parents, and religion
(David O'Reilly, Pew Research Center)
WEBINAR, 31 March 2021 (2PM Central): Together We Heal: Recognizing Female Leadership in the Pursuit of Justice
(Parliament of the World's Religions)
First Peoples, First Racism: A discussion with first nation and indigenous leaders
(JoAnne Wadsworth, Viewpoints: A blog of the G20 Interfaith Forum)
Tuesday, 30 March 2021
WEBINAR, 30 March 2021 (11AM EST): Keeping Faith with the Sahel--Virtual Round table with Sahel Religious Leaders
(Catholic Relief Services)
Most Democrats and Republicans know Biden is Catholic, but they differ sharply about how religious he is
(Pew Research Center: Religion & Public Life)
Monday, 29 March 2021
New book — Rethinking Halal: Genealogy, Current Trends, and New Interpretations
(Ayang UtrizaYakin ,Louis-LéonChristians (eds.), Brill)
Régimen Jurìdico de los Ministros Religiosos
(Juan Navarro Floria, Marial Pons)
It takes a village to stop antisemitism: Pittsburgh’s Mayor William Peduto and Poway’s Mayor Steve Vaus spoke of the healing in their communities after the antisemitic attacks there. - Opinion
(Gina Ross, The Jerusalem Post)
Delhi government issues SOP to protect interfaith, inter-caste couples, to provide safe houses
(Scroll.in India)
Another state in India considers expanding anti-conversion law
(International Christian Concern)
Photos: Indians gather for Holi celebrations as virus cases surge
(Sheikh Saaliq, Associated Press)
Vandalism of Muslim prayer space at Pearson airport under investigation as possible hate crime
(CBC News)
No Easter celebrations in Nairobi, Nakuru churches - Interfaith Council
(Nancy Agutu, The Star)
Pişkin v. Turkey: Observations on the failure of the Lawfulness Test and the Engel Criteria within the context of the Turkish Purge
(Hakan Kaplankaya, Strasbourg Observers)
Muslim groups are raising money for Colorado shooting victims
(Alejandra Molina, The Washington Post)
Noose found in courtyard of Episcopal church on Capitol Hill
(Michelle Boorstein, The Washington Post)
‘It is our duty to love and defend’ LGBT Americans: Bishop Stowe breaks with U.S. bishops on the Equality Act
(Michael J. O'Loughlin, America: The Jesuit Review)
How white Christians stand out in new research on LGBTQ rights
(Kelsey Dallas, Deseret News)
Non-discrimination protections are hugely popular--yet far from law
(Philip Elliott, Time)
The geography of terror: A list of camps where ethnic Kazakhs are detained
(Leila Adilzhan, Bitter Winter: A Magazine on Religious Liberty and Human Rights in China)
The best way forward for pro-lifers: legislation, protest, or a culture of life?
(Marvin Olasky, The Gospel Coalition)
Church faces renewed pressure to change Good Friday liturgy that risks fueling anti-Jewish hatred
(David Paulsen, Episcopal News Service)
Montenegro was a success story in troubled Balkan region – now its democracy is in danger
(Marc L. Greenberg, The Conversation)
Suicide bomb hits Palm Sunday Mass in Indonesia, 20 wounded
(Yusuf Wahil and Niniek Karmini, Associated Press)
Newlywed militant suspects blamed in Indonesia church attack
(Yusuf Wahil and Niniek Karmini, Associated Press)
Palm Sunday bombing at cathedral in Indonesia injures Catholics leaving Mass
(Catholic News Agency)
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