Law and Religion Headlines

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Monday, 11 January 2021

Pope Francis changes church law to give women slightly larger role — but says they still can’t be priests
(Chico Harlan, The Washington Post)

Why is the internet abuzz with false claims of a ‘Vatican blackout’?: A CNA Explainer
(Catholic News Agency)

Franciscan friars return to site of Christ's baptism after 50 years
(Hannah Brockhaus, Catholic News Agency)

Islamic scholars, activists call for ban on British film about prophet’s daughter
(Amr Mostafa, Al-Monitor: The Pulse of the Middle East)

Pontifical Biblical Institute in Jerusalem reminds world of European presence in Holy City
(Taghreed Ali, Al-Monitor: Israel Pulse)

Russian parliament views exempting religious bodies from financial oversight
(Interfax-Religiia, Russia Religion News (Stetson University))

Extremists may take advantage of new anti-money laundering regulations for religious organizations - State Duma committee
(Interfax-Religion)

New COVID-19 legislation and guidance to 16 January 2021
(David Pocklington, Law & Religion UK)

COVID-19: guidance for the safe use of places of worship
(David Pocklington, Law & Religion UK)

Law and religion round-up – 10th January
(Frank Cranmer, Law & Religion UK)

DOL issues opinion letters on Administrative Exemption and Ministerial Exception
(Allan S Bloom, The National Law Review)

The steps the Biden Administration needs to take to rescue the U.S. from the precipice of theocracy
(Marci A. Hamilton, Verdict)

Free speech in contention: on offense, faith, and democracy
(Wissam Nasrallah, Evangelical Focus: Middle Eastern Perspectives)

La laicidad, "religión de la libertad"
(José Manuel Rodríguez Uribes, El Español)

Catholic Church in Cúcuta asks to stop violence at the border (Spanish)
(Caracol Radio)

Argentina sets an example, what about Colombia? (Spanish)
(El Espectador)

Catholics, Orthodox, Protestants, Jews, Muslims and Hindus, a united voice against euthanasia (Spanish)
(Religion en libertad)

Embassy of Spain honors Francisco de Roux for his work in favor of peace in Colombia (Spanish)
(Comisión de la Verdad)

Report presented on the evolution of religious pluralism in Malaga and the immediate challenges (Spanish)
(La Vanguardia)

Trump-supporting Christian leaders and their Sunday messages
(Mariam Fam, Elana Schor, and David Crary, Religion News Service)

The role that religion played in shaping President Donald Trump's stunning last stand
(Bobby Ross Jr., GetReligion)

Melania Trump condemns storming of the Capitol: ‘We are one nation under God’
(Ryan Foley, The Christian Post)

The role of religion in President Donald Trump's tragic last stand
(Bobby Ross Jr., Religion Unplugged)

Episcopal Church’s ‘From Many, One’ aims to heal America’s deep divisions one conversation at a time
(David Paulsen, Episcopal News Service)

A scholar of American anti-Semitism explains the hate symbols present during the US Capitol riot
(Jonathan D. Sarna, The Conversation)

'We must all repent': Pastors address their flocks after Capitol siege
(Hamil R. Harris, Religion Unplugged)

A Christian Insurrection
(Emma Green, The Atlantic)

Could Catholic moral theology light the way for a new GOP?
(Charles C. Camosy, RNS Column: Purple Catholicism)

Friday, 8 January 2021

If Biden is to heal America, he’ll need his Church
(John L. Allen Jr., Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)

The bill that could change religious freedom as you know it
(Kelsey Dallas, Deseret News)

Recommendations on US IRF policy for the Biden transition team
(Religious Freedom Institute)

Right to religion not above right to life, says Madras, India high court
(The Times of India, The Times of India)

The arrest of stand-up comic Munawar Faruqui should worry us all
(Sanjay Rajoura, The Indian Express)

Bishop warns ‘democracy is in danger’ in India after anti-Christian attack
(Nirmala Carvalho, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)

India to hold nationwide ‘cow science’ exam
(Aljazeera, Aljazeera)

Texas Supreme Court hears oral arguments in Ecclesiastical Abstention case
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)

Texas Diocese asks Court to toss libel suit over list of accused abusers
(Cameron Langford, Courthouse News Service)

Brazilian women head to Argentina to avoid abortion ban
(David Biller, Almudena Calatrava and Tatiana Pollastri, Associated Press)

Court: Private schools favored over public schools near NYC
(Larry Neumeister, Associated Press)

Catholic leaders condemn violence by Trump supporters in D.C.
(John Lavenburg, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)

Bishop says Central African Republic ‘paralyzed’ by post-election violence
(Inés San Martín, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)

Danish proposal on translating sermons gets pushback from Church
(Catholic News Service)

Rabbis in DC and beyond rush to calm congregants on edge after a day of mob chaos at the Capitol
(Gabe Friedman and Shira Feder, Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

Why religious couples thrive in a pandemic
(Liz HoChing & Spencer James, Real Clear Religion)

Hagia Sophia's conversion into mosque Patriarch Bartholomew's divine retribution - Russian Church head
(Interfax-Religion)

Tajikistan: Three and a half years' jail for "illegal" conscientious objection
(Felix Corley, Forum 18 News Service)

Suspending public worship – Northern Ireland
(David Pocklington, Law & Religion UK)

Northern Ireland bishops suspend public Mass for ‘Common Good’
(Charles Collins, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)

Suspending public worship – England
(David Pocklington, Law & Religion UK)

Americans United denounces Trump Administration rule that allows discrimination in social-service programs
(Americans United for Separation of Church and State)

Western separation of religion and state won't serve interests of Malaysia
(Azril Mohd Amin, New Straits Times)

Campaign 'Yes, I accept' seeks awareness towards the LGBT community (Panama; Spanish)
(YouTube Video, Panamá América)

U.S. Congress certifies Biden as President after mob carrying Christian symbols storms the Capitol
(Hamil R. Harris, Religion Unplugged)

HHS adopts amended rules reducing LQBTQ anti-discrimination protections
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)

HHS ensures faith-based adoption, foster care providers are free to serve kids in need
(Alliance Defending Freedom)

Attacks on Christians: UK MPs seek sanctions against Nigeria
(Vanguard Nigeria)

Religious rights still blocked in Sudan, Christian leaders say
(Morning Star News)

Freedom of religion or belief – an enemy or an ally in our struggle for gender equality?
(Lisa Winther, G20 Interfaith Forum Blog)

Pakistan arrests 7 Shiite militants, foils possible attacks
(Asim Tanveer, Associated Press)

Three sentenced to death for sharing ‘blasphemous material’ online
(Newsweek Pakistan)

US group appeals for Pakistani woman jailed on blasphemy
(Kathy Gannon, Associated Press)

USCIRF Commissioner James W. Carr adopts Ramzan Bibi in Pakistan through the Religious Prisoners of Conscience Project
(U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom)

Indonesia aims for religious halal ruling before COVID vaccine rolls out
(Aljazeera, Reuters, Aljazeera)

Indonesians unknowingly funded hardline group associated with Al-Qaeda behind Bali bombings
(Aljazeera, Aljazeera)

Indonesia’s top Islamic body OKs China’s Sinovac vaccine
(Edna Tarigan, Associated Press)

Indonesia releases radical cleric linked to Bali bombings
(Deutsche Welle)

Warnock, Biden wins give twin thrills to religious liberals
(Elana Schor, Associated Press)

Christian nationalism on display as mob storms Capitol
(Don Byrd, Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty)

An attack done in Jesus’ name
(Amanda Tyler, Good Faith Media)

Piety, populism, and ‘patriots’: Right-wing Catholic media and the Capitol riots
(Paul Moses, Commonweal)

Catholic leaders point to dangers of social media after Capitol violence
(John Lavenburg, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)

Quebec government closes places of worship for a month
(Philippe Vaillancourt, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)

The number of Latter-day Saints in Congress is dropping
(Tad Walch, Deseret News)

New podcast: Who stands in the middle of American politics? Often, that's a religion question
(Terry Mattingly, GetReligion)

Amen, a-woman, and a benediction that dishonored the spirit of religious liberty
(Religious Freedom Institute)

Crises and reinvention mark religion in 2020
(Religion Watch (Volume 36 No. 2), Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion)

Korean American Christians, churches undergoing ethnic revival?
(Religion Watch (Volume 36 No. 2), Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion)

Pagans adopt apocalyptic tone in Trump era and beyond
(Religion Watch (Volume 36 No. 2), Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion)

Pentecostalism in Chile going mainstream and diversifying
(Religion Watch (Volume 36 No. 2), Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion)

Twitter urged to act on China’s ‘violent propaganda’ about Uyghur Muslim women
(Jewish News)

Banned new religious movement reappears in China
(Religion Watch (Volume 36 No. 2), Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion)

Findings & Footnotes
(Religion Watch (Volume 36 No. 2), Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion)

After Israel, will Morocco normalize with Christians?
(Jayson Casper, Christianity Today)

Azerbaijan Archbishop: Our holy mission is to keep peace

The Parliament of the World's Religions calls for invoking the 25th Amendment of the US Constitution to remove Donald J. Trump from Office
(Parliament of the World's Religions)

All too familiar with coups, LatAm bishops voice alarm over US Capitol chaos
(Inés San Martín, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)

Putin grateful to Syrian people for preserving Christian holy relics
(Interfax-Religion)

Uncertain future for Russian Orthodox Church
(Religion Watch (Volume 36 No. 2), Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion)

Massachusetts COVID requirements for church services upheld
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)

Rules for possessing coyotes survive Free Exercise challenge
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)

Catholic Charities Hawaii to launch $6M rent relief program
(Associated Press)

Thursday, 7 January 2021

Japan: court awards damages in unification church case
(Willy Fautré, Forefeurope)

At daggers drawn: international legal issues surrounding the conflict in and around Nagorno-Karabakh
(Bernhard Knoll-Tudor, Daniel Mueller, EJIL: Talk! Blog of the European Journal of International Law)

Charges laid for gathering held at Woolwich Township church
(Katherine Hill, CTV News)

Stamp marks 150th anniversary of Church of Ireland break from British church
(Patsy McGarry, The Irish Times)

Harvest Church officials plan to fight $2,300 fine for holding in-person services
(CBC News, CBC News)

How religious data explains extreme support for Trump
(Ryan Burge, Religion Unplugged)

Could Belarusian authorities liquidate the Belarusian Orthodox Church?
(Byelorussia, Religion Today)

Religious freedom in action: disrupting America’s prisons through religious partnerships
(Michael Hallett, Byron Johnson & Sung Joon Jang, Religious Freedom Institute)

Wednesday, 6 January 2021

As ‘Jericho Marchers’ descend on Washington, local faith leaders brace for attacks
(Jack Jenkins, Religion News Service)

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