Law and Religion Headlines

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Wednesday, 19 August 2020

Christian schools invoke religious liberty to reopen despite warnings of health experts
(Chrissy Stroop, Religion Dispatches)

Religious schools sue Calif. Gov. Gavin Newsom over school closure order
(Michael Gryboski, The Christian Post)

2,500 evangelicals sign pandemic statement warning: Don’t ignore science
(Yonat Shimron, Religion News Service)

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee cites religious liberty, voting access in mask exemptions
(David Floyd, Johnson City Press)

Christians as target during India's lockdown
(Ziya Us Salam, Frontline: India's National Magazine)

BJP leader seeks reform of India's divorce laws
(Bijay Kumar Minj, Union of Catholic Asian News)

Monday, 17 August 2020

Court halts city’s efforts to force KY photographer, blogger to promote same-sex weddings
(Alliance Defending Freedom)

Articles and books of interest - 17 August 2020
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)

Wedding photographer successfully challenges anti-discrimination ordinance
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)

Judge blocks enforcement of Fairness law against photographer who opposes same-sex weddings
(Andrew Wolfson, Louisville Courier Journal)

Pope urges Nile states to continue talks over disputed dam
(Samy Magdy and Frances D'Emilio, Associated Press)

ZOOM EVENT (RSVP required), 17-21 August: G20 Interfaith Forum: North America Regional Consultation
(GS Interfaith Forum, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs)

Fewer people but deep faith on Greece’s Assumption holiday
(Elena Becatoros, Associated Press)

The religious significance of taking a knee
(Kelsey Dallas, Deseret News Faith)

I grew up with anti-Semitism in the UAE. Peace with Israel is a dream come true.
(Mujahed Kobbe, Forward)

Veteran minister and Tennessee lawmaker fights for his political life – as pro-life Democrat
(Bobby Ross Jr., GetReligion)

Why the State must promote religious tolerance (India)
(Mark Tully, Hindustan Times)

Parsis in Hong Kong: what’s the secret behind their growing population?
(Rhea Mogul, South China Morning Post)

Indonesia religious freedom landscape report
(Timothy S. Shah, Religious Freedom Institute)

Sudan’s political change gives hope for young women and girls. Here’s why
(Tamsin Bradley, The Conversation)

Barsa: Religious organizations banding together to help rebuild Beirut
(Christopher Vondracek, The Washington Times)

Turkey’s long tradition of church desecration
(Uzay Bulut, The American Conservative)

Boston censorship of religious viewpoint
(Liberty Counsel)

Religious schools gain 'level playing field' for federal grant funding
(Debbie Kelley, The Gazette)

Exempt churches from mask mandate -- Bryan McDowell
(Bryan McDowell, Wisconsin State Journal)

7th Circuit's limitation on strip searches of inmates protects religious sensibilities
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)

Federal court sides with Muslim advocates in ruling on prison strip searches
(Muslim Advocates)

South Korea pastor tests positive amid virus spike at church
(Kim Tong-Hyung, Associated Press)

Democrats tap array of faith leaders to speak at convention
(Elana Schor, Associated Press)

Nicaraguan government defies Church on celebration of religious festival
(Inés San Martín, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)

As the sound of music returns, Italy’s church/state debate goes silent
(John L. Allen Jr., Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)

Democrats make their pitch for Latter-day Saint votes in a week marked by strong appeals from both parties
(Tad Walch, Deseret News Faith)

Justices appoint Utah law professor to defend structure of Federal Housing Finance Agency
(Amy Howe, SCOTUSblog)

Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers supports the decision to restrict foreign visits to Uman for Rosh Hashanah period
(Interfax-Religion)

The unorthodox life of Kamala Harris: The future of interfaith American politics?
(Bobby Ross Jr., GetReligion)

COVID-19 – Further changes to Church of England guidance
(David Pocklington, Law & Religion UK)

New COVID-19 legislation and guidance: to 22 August
(David Pocklington, Law & Religion UK)

Asylum: may a bogus Christian “convert” be returned to Iran?: MR
(Frank Cranmer, Law & Religion UK)

Law and religion round-up – 16th August
(Frank Cranmer, Law & Religion UK)

The problem with calling Buddhism a science
(Michael Sheehy, Lion's Roar)

I beat addiction without God
(Mary Beth O’Connor, The Wall Street Journal - Opinion)

American Jewry is falling away from Zionism, making adversaries of US Jews
(Ardie Geldman, The Jerusalem Post)

Ban on shofar-blowing lifted for congregation leaders ahead of High Holy Days
(Mathilde Frot, Jewish News)

Racist intolerance is always dangerous language – Archbishop of Dublin
(Zenit: The World Seen from Rome)

Montenegro to hold elections amid coronavirus and religious tensions
(Nikola Đorđević, Emerging Europe)

California court rules John MacArthur’s church must comply with county ban on religious services
(Jordan Davidson, The Federalist)

'It's not religion': In her book 'The Runaways,' Bhutto examines the lure of extremism
(Steve Inskeep, Simone Popperl, Milton Guevara, National Public Radio)

Russia: Special bimonthly FORB digest (01-15.08.2020)
(Human Rights Without Frontiers International)

The motivations of missionary martyrs
(Natalie Morrill, Convivium: Canada's Premier Hub for Faith in Common Life)

Amid the pandemic, are Americans virtually church-hopping out of ease or envy?
(Mya Jaradat, Deseret News)

Judge orders John MacArthur, Grace Community Church to wear masks, social distance during services
(Bob Smietana, Religion News Service)

Church's battle against California indoor worship ban leads to court decisions, and defiance
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)

News media report conflicting responses by Moscow church to turmoil in Belarus
(RISU, Russia Religion News (Stetson University))

Moscow church in Belarus rebukes protesters
(Interfax-Religiia, Russia Religion News (Stetson University))

Beating peaceful demonstrators is ‘grave sin,’ says Belarusian archbishop
(Jonathan Luxmoore, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)

Belgian daily runs cartoon seen to label Jewish neighborhood ‘Coronavirus Village’
(Cnaan Liphshiz, Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

Self-inflicted wounds: The Church and dissipation of Christianity in Europe
(Anna Grzymala-Busse, The Immanent Frame: Secularism, Religion, and the Public Sphere)

Zimbabwe's Catholic bishops denounce State crackdown, drawing sharp counter attack
(Anli Serfontein, Ecumenical News)

Zimbabwe’s Catholic bishops accuse government of abuses
(Farai Mutsaka, Associated Press)

18 Jehovah’s Witnesses sentenced to years in jail in Xinjiang
(Chang Xin, Bitter Winter: A Magazine on Religious Liberty and Human Rights in China)

Several state-run Protestant churches demolished in June
(Lu An, Bitter Winter: A Magazine on Religious Liberty and Human Rights in China)

Friday, 14 August 2020

Medical abortion (reporting on 4th Circuit decision)
(Courthouse News Service)

Belarusian Orthodox Church calls on citizens to observe law
(Interfax-Religion)

4th Circuit refuses to stay injunction allowing mifepristone by mail
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)

Ukrainian Orthodox support protests in Belarus
(RISU, Russia Religion News (Stetson University))

Belarus church leader urges peaceful resolution of conflict
(Interfax-Religiia, Russia Religion News (Stetson University))

AP photos: Across faiths, pandemic alters worship, rites
(Elizabeth Dalziel, Associated Press)

Religion Photos of the Week - 14 August 2020
(Kit Doyle, Religion News Service)

The end of the secular republic (commentary regarding India and Turkey)
(Yasmeen Serhan, The Atlantic)

3 killed in southern India in clashes over Facebook post
(Associated Press)

Three killed in Bangalore clashes over Prophet Muhammad post
(BBC News Asia)

Every idea in India should be open to critique, even religion: Singer Sona Mohapatra
(Navneet Vyasan, Hindustan Times)

Right Thinking: Court must have reason to build a fort to protect religion
(Andrew C. Spiropoulos, The Journal Record)

States should pay attention to Supreme Court justices' comments on 'reopening' orders
(Timothy Snowball and Larry Salzman, The Hill Opinion)

Philadelphia statement: ‘hate speech’ label does damage to civil dialogue
(Catholic News Agency)

21 states move to support Coach Kennedy for round 2
(Nicole Russell, The Daily Signal)

Sen. Hawley issues clarion call for judicial originalism
(Lucas Presson, Southeast Missourian)

4 reasons Kamala Harris' selection for VP concerns Christian leaders
(Michael Foust, Christian Headlines)

Democrats plan interfaith service to kick off convention
(Jack Jenkins, Religion News Service)

Justices for all, Supreme Court roundup: Recent decisions affirm both LGBT rights and religious liberty
(Steve West, World News Group)

Religious schools enter 'level playing field' for federal grant funding
(Debbie Kelley, The Gazette)

US Senator asks attorney general to fight anti-Catholic vandalism
(Catholic News Agency)

Scholars, faith leaders sign Philadelphia Statement supporting civil debate, rejecting 'cancel culture'
(Michael Gryboski, The Christian Post)

Border wall targeted in sacred sites suit: Indian band names Trump, others
(Ken Stone, Times of San Diego)

Indian tribe sues to stop Trump's border wall
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)

Romania passes law designating National Day of Awareness of Violence Against Christians
(Rome Reports)

Thousands of Haitian evangelicals march against the renewal of the Penal Code
(Evangelical Focus)

Outrage as Somali parliament drafts law permitting child, forced marriages
(Nita Bhalla, Mohammed Omer, Reuters)

Gun-toting church safety enthusiasts say regular training is essential
(Michael Ray Smith, Religion Unplugged)

Wayfair pulls towel depicting deity after Hindus object
(Associated Press)

Muslim woman accuses McDonald’s franchisee of discrimination
(Michael Kunzelman, Associated Press)

Slew of church abuse lawsuits hinges on state court decision
(Mark Scolforo, Associated Press)

Conflicting tan lines: The burkini raises debate in Egypt
(Hend Kortam, Associated Press)

Wisconsin man pleads guilty to vandalizing synagogue
(Associated Press)

More US churches sue to challenge COVID-19 restrictions
(David Crary, Associated Press)

Egyptian lawyer: Senior Brotherhood leader dies in prison
(Associated Press)

Opposition calls Venezuelan bishops letter on Dec. elections ‘regrettable’
(Inés San Martín, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)

Church in the Philippines condemns efforts to resurrect capital punishment
(Charles Collins, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)

Mauritius cardinal praises outpouring of solidarity after oil spill
(Jonathan Luxmoore, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)

Ukrainian patriarch seeks change in American practice
(RISU, Russia Religion News (Stetson University))

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