Law and Religion Headlines
Monday, 15 March 2021
Russian Orthodox Church concerned about EU plans to introduce Covid passports
(Interfax-Religion)
President's press secretary avoids the question whether Putin observes the Lent
(Interfax-Religion)
New COVID-19 legislation and guidance to 20 March
(David Pocklington, Law & Religion UK)
Kosovo becomes first Muslim nation to open Jerusalem embassy
(Michael Daventry, Jewish News)
Law and religion round-up – 14th March
(Frank Cranmer, Law & Religion UK)
CJ Search: Duterte’s appointees address killings, war on drugs, and church-state divide
(Carmela Fonbuena and Stanley Buenafe Gajete, The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism)
COVID-19: places of worship and the latest Welsh Regulations
(Frank Cranmer, Law & Religion UK)
Why American Jews should reject Israel's Law of Return
(Bernard Avishai, Haaretz Opinion)
Village of Airmont ordered to cease enforcement of zoning code that discriminates against Orthodox Jewish residents and to restore right to home worship
(Southern District of New York, U.S. Department of Justice)
Malaysia government appeals ruling on Christians using 'Allah'
(Channel News Asia)
UPDATE: Vatican says no blessing gay unions, no negative judgment on gay people
(Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service)
Vatican’s doctrinal office: Catholic Church cannot give blessings to same-sex unions
(Catholic News Agency)
Annual Fatima pilgrimage to be virtual due to pandemic
(Catholic News Agency)
Poland objects to EU declaring itself ‘LGBT freedom zone’
(Catholic News Agency)
Israeli Arabs wonder how COVID-19 will shape Ramadan 2021
(Afif Abu Much, Al-Monitor: Israel Pulse)
Algeria’s Islamist parties failing to inspire
(Anthony Skinner, Al-Monitor: The Pulse of the Middle East)
Erdogan’s Islamic credentials no longer a winning hand among Turkey’s Kurds
(Amberin Zaman, Al-Monitor: Turkey Pulse)
Religious news from around the web - 15 March 2021
(World Religion News)
Vatican says Catholic Church can't bless same-sex marriage: God 'cannot bless sin’
(Emily Wood, The Christian Post)
California ‘ethnic studies’ proposal teaches kids white Christians are evil, chant to Aztec gods
(Brandon Showalter, The Christian Post)
Nearly a quarter of churchgoers plan to attend worship more regularly post-pandemic: Lifeway
(Michael Gryboski, The Christian Post)
Nun kneels in front of police to stop Myanmar violence: 'Kill me instead'
(Leah MarieAnn Klett, The Christian Post)
The Archbishop who fears for Joe Biden’s soul
(Emma Green, The Atlantic)
Vietnamese nuns help lepers displaced by seaside project
(Union of Catholic Asian News)
At least 38 killed in Myanmar's bloodiest Sunday
(Union of Catholic Asian News)
Sri Lankan Catholics step up struggle over Easter attacks
(Union of Catholic Asian News)
UN accuses Myanmar military of 'crimes against humanity'
(Union of Catholic Asian News)
UN team to visit victimized Karen Christians in Thailand
(Union of Catholic Asian News)
Thank God, Now Christians In Malaysia Can Use The Word ‘Allah’ Again: Allah, A Journey, Not A Controversy – OpEd
(Dr. Azly Rhamn, Eurasia Review)
‘Aurat March’ And Islamophobia: Debunking Myths About Muslim Women – OpEd
(Haleema Zia, Eurasia Review)
Riz Ahmed first Muslim nominated for Best Actor Oscar
(Joseph Hammond, Religion News Service)
Across Africa, hijab in schools divides Christians and Muslims
(Fredrick Nzwili, Religion News Service)
Faith leaders’ year of pandemic: grief, solace, resilience
(Luis Anders Henao, David Crary, and Mariam Fam, Religion News Service)
Chaldean Christians in the US, delighted with pope’s visit, say it comes too late
(Weam Namou, Religion News Service)
Pope Francis says priests cannot bless same-sex unions, dashing hopes of gay Catholics
(Chico Harlan and Sarah Pulliam Bailey, The Washington Post)
After Vatican says same-sex unions cannot be blessed, White House reaffirms Biden’s support for them
(Catholic News Agency)
Vatican bars gay union blessing, says God ‘can’t bless sin’
(Nicole Winfield, Associated Press)
LGBTQ Catholics stung by Vatican rebuff of same-sex unions
(David Crary and Luis Andres Henao, Associated Press)
Pope Francis shuts down proposals to bless same-sex couples
(Claire Giangravé, Religion News Service)
The hard edge of the Pope’s moral power: The pontiff’s Middle Eastern diplomacy may seem superficial, but it could make a huge practical impact.
(Steven A. Cook, Foreign Policy)
What Pope Francis has said about same-sex marriage and civil unions in the past
(Rick Noack and Adam Taylor, The Washington Post)
Islamophobia on the rise, according to United Nations report
(Joseph Hammond, Religion News Service)
Uyghur women are China's victims--and resistance
(Simina Mistreanu, Foreign Policy)
I was a teacher in a concentration camp: Women and the Uyghur genocide
(Zubayra Shamseden, Bitter Winter: A Magazine on Religious Liberty and Human Rights in China)
China breaches the 1948 Genocide Convention. Bitter Winter’s review of the Newlines Institute report and its aftermath.
(Marco Respinti, Bitter Winter: A Magazine on Religious Liberty and Human Rights in China)
Exclusive: Cardinal Zen says Chinese Church without Vatican's help will 'die out soon'
(Timothy Nerozzi, Religion Unplugged)
100 cyclists visit Kartarpur Gurdwara to promote interfaith harmony
(Associated Press of Pakistan)
Pakistani Christian serving life for blasphemy gets death sentence
(Kamran Chaudhry, Union of Catholic Asian News)
'Love jihad' sparks protests in Pakistan
(Kamran Chaudhry, Union of Catholic Asian News)
Pakistan can’t progress without full participation of minorities: Ashrafi
(Daily Times)
Minority females fight for education in Pakistan
(Kamran Chaudhry, Union of Catholic Asian News)
The Vatican: Inalienable human rights must be defended
(Matt Moran, Union of Catholic Asian News)
Vox asks to eliminate the expression "racist and anti-Semitic motives" from hate crime (Spanish)
(Miguel González, El País)
"Prayers of hope" from Spain at the Western Wall for those affected by covid-19 (Spanish)
(Ecclesia revista)
Saturday, 13 March 2021
Sri Lanka to ban burqa, shut more than 1,000 Islamic schools
(Al Jazeera)
Sri Lanka to ban burqas, close over 1,000 Islamic schools
(Bharatha Mallawarachi, Associated Press)
New Zealand marks 2 years since Christchurch mosque killings
(Nick P, Associated Press)
A year into lockdown, Church in Netherlands fears permanent decline
(Francesco Paloni, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Alabama might overturn its 28-year ban on yoga in schools. Just don’t say ‘namaste.’
(Meryl Kornfield, The Washington Post)
Friday, 12 March 2021
WEBINAR, 12 March 2021 (12PM MST): Interfaith and LGBT Summit on Religious Liberty and Employment Nondiscrimination
(J. Reuben Clark Law Society)
CALL FOR CHAPTER PROPOSALS, due by 12 March 2021: Third Volume of Women in Religion Series
(Parliament of the World’s Religions)
WEBINAR, 12 March 2021 (12PM EST): The Papacy Past and Present: Religious Soft Power and International Diplomacy: A Conversation with Timothy A. Byrnes
(Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University)
Even ‘cyber wars’ have limits. But what if they didn’t?
(Tilman Rodenhäuser and Kubo Mačák, EJIL: Talk! Blog of the European Journal of International Law)
Israel columnist: We must stop enabling haredi domination of religion and state
(Ammiel Hirsch, The Jerusalem Post)
Interfaith organization, Parliament of the World’s Religions, elects first person of Indian descent to Chair of Board
(Parliament of the World's Religions)
Bangladesh at 50: A nation created in violence and still bearing scars of a troubled birth
(Tazreena Sajjad, The Conversation)
Memo banning Afghan girls singing prompts #IAmMySong protest
(Kathy Gannon, Associated Press)
Women in Afghanistan worry peace accord with Taliban extremists could cost them hard-won rights
(Mona Tajali and Homa Hoodfar, The Conversation)
Political dispute over transgender rights focuses on youth sports
(Danielle Kurtzleben, National Public Radio)
How COVID-19 became a cover to reduce refugee rights
(Heaven Crawley, The Conversation)
Are we all evangelicals now? How the term has grown to blur theology and ideology
(Ryan Burge, Religion Unplugged)
A guide to faith communities booming on the Clubhouse app
(Jillian Cheney, Religion Unplugged)
Climate emergency tops global agenda for multi-faith youth
(Stina Tysk and Emina Frljak, Religions for Peace)
Prof. Dr Azza Karam: Thursdays in Black “can build the strongest mountain of human dignity”
(World Council of Churches, Religions for Peace)
World Council of Churches and Religions for Peace make joint commitment to Thursdays in Black
(Religions for Peace and World Council of Churches, Religions for Peace)
Thursdays in Black Campaign: Joint initiative of Religions for Peace and World Council of Churches
(Azza Karam and Ioan Sauca, Religions for Peace and World Council of Churches)
Arkansas enacts law banning virtually all abortions, seeking vehicle for overturning Roe v. Wade
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
California COVID restrictions on singing at worship services upheld
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Communications Decency Act allows video hosting site to Ban conversion therapy promoter
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Gay conversion church loses appeal over Vimeo account
(Bob Van Voris, Bloomberg Equality)
Mississippi bans transgender women from girls' and women's sports teams
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Mississippi gov signs bill limiting transgender athletes
(Emily Wagster Pettus, Associated Press)
Stonehenge, religious manifestation and the ECHR: Halcrow
(Frank Cranmer, Law & Religion UK)
British court upholds convictions of Stonehenge protesters
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Worried about the “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” Movement? – Don’t be!
(Kent Johnson, Religious Freedom & Business Foundation)
Building community
(Johanna Lewis, Cardus Religious Freedom Institute)
Public worship leads to public action
(Andrew Bennett, Cardus Religious Freedom Institute)
Ve'ahavta - A case study on Jewish humanitarian response to poverty
(Andrew Bennett, Cardus Religious Freedom Institute)
The welcome home, Winnipeg
(Andrew Bennett, Cardus Religious Freedom Institute)
Saudi believer facing court cases and threats to his family
(Middle East Concern)
Egypt must secure minority rights before celebrating religious freedom
(Sara Salama and Steven Howard, Providence Mag)
Scottish Goverment hate crime bill becomes law after MSPs vote in favour at final stage
(Andrew Learmonth, Holyrood)
Scottish government announces concessions as legal challenge to worship ban set to begin
(Alliance Defending Freedom)
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK Newsletter
(Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK)
Weekly highlight #145: COVID-19: Exploring faith dimensions: Marking one year of religious responses to COVID-19
(Berkley Center, Joint Learning Initiative, WFDD)
Mainstream media is erasing Middle Eastern Christians | Opinion
(Alex Galitsky, Newsweek)
USCIRF releases factsheet on Indonesia’s state ideology of Pancasila
(U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom)
Vatican diplomat criticizes ‘divisive’ UN Human Rights Council report on Islamophobia
(Catholic News Agency)
Women in the COVID-19 crisis: Disproportionately affected and protagonists of regeneration (PDF)
(Human Development, Vatican Commission: Covid-19)
Photos of the week: Night of Shiva, Myanmar protests
(Kit Doyle, Religion News Service)
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