Law and Religion Headlines
Wednesday, 29 April 2020
The secret group of scientists and billionaires pushing a Manhattan Project for Covid-19
(Rob Copeland, The Wall Street Journal)
Reflections on Freedom of Religion or Belief during the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic
(CEC Thematic Group on Human Rights, Conference of European Churches)
Organizations call for release of Iran’s female prisoners of conscience and political prisoners
(Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes)
Calls for release of prisoners of conscience in wake of Covid19
(Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes)
The growing calls for China’s accountability for Covid19 response
(Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes)
USCIRF issues 2020 report on international religious freedom
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Companies enter consent decree in EEOC suit challenging head-covering policy
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Versant Supply Chain and AT&T to pay $150,000 to settle EEOC religious discrimination suit
(U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission)
Temperatures rising quickly - church-state conflicts in Italy and USA
(Marc O. DeGirolami, Law and Religion Forum, St. John's Law School Center for Law & Religion)
NYC mayor takes heat after lashing out at Jewish funeral
(Marina Villeneuve, Michael Hill and Karen Matthews, Associated Press)
Few U.S. sermons mention abortion, though discussion varies by religious affiliation and congregation size
(Dennis Quinn, Pew Research Center Fact Tank)
U.S. panel on religious freedom urges targeted sanctions on India
(Reuters, The New York Times)
China urges U.S. to stop interfering in China's internal affairs under pretext of religion
(Xinhua)
Faith played major role in life of New York ER doctor who took her own life: What was it?
(Terry Mattingly, GetReligion)
Catholic media highlights trend in young people gravitating towards faith during pandemic
(Clemente Lisi, GetReligion)
Tajikistan: Journalist's jailing based on "complete fabrication"
(Mushfig Bayram, Forum 18 News Service)
Moldovan PM backs restrictions on religious services amid Covid-19 pandemic
(Interfax-Religion)
Reacting to packed Orthodox funeral, New York City mayor warns ‘the Jewish community’ and faces swift backlash
(Philissa Cramer, Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
Faith, COVID-19 and the push for a healthy environment
(Inger Andersen and Azza Karam, Deutsche Welle)
English bishops call on Catholic parishes to help victims of domestic violence
(Charles Collins, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Christians remain vital to Iraq, says U.S. lawyer who advises Chaldeans
(Dale Gavlak, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
The birth control wars return to the Supreme Court. And this time, conservatives have the votes.
(Ian Millhiser, Vox)
Turkish students increasingly resisting religion, study suggests
(Bethan McKernan, The Guardian)
French bishops question government’s decision to maintain ban on religious ceremonies
(Catholic Culture.org)
Xinjiang Islamic cleric calls religious persecution rumormongers delusional
(Liu Xin, Global Times)
Hyderabad couple wants no religion in son’s certificates
(Times of India)
LGBT activists outraged as Hungary moves to define gender according to ‘biological sex’
(LifeSiteNews)
Tunisia may have become first Arab country to recognize gay marriage
(Benjamin Weinthal, The Jerusalem Post)
Vimeo brands Christian organisation a ‘terror or hate group’ over pro-marriage stance
(The Christian Institute)
Brazil’s Supreme Court rejects effort to legalize abortion in Zika cases
(Catholic News Agency)
For people with dementia, the coronavirus pandemic is a nightmare
(The Economist)
Is Sweden doing it right?
(Thomas L. Friedman, The New York Times)
Belgian-Dutch Study: Why in times of COVID-19 you should not walk/run/bike close behind each other.
(Jurgen Thoelen, Medium)
No #SURPRISE – Another Womenpriests story offers public-relations ink instead of news
(Terry Mattingly, GetReligion)
Saudi bid for English Premier League soccer team has support of fans, opposition of human rights advocates
(Neil Curry, Al-Monitor: The Pulse of the Middle East)
Tuesday, 28 April 2020
WEBINAR, 28 April 2020 (8 am EDT): Leading in the New Normal of a Pandemic World
(Professor Dr. Azza Karam, Professor Dr. William Storrar and others, Religions for Peace International)
Leading in the New Normal of a Pandemic World (concept paper)
(Center of Theological Inquiry, Religions for Peace International)
Religions for Peace organizes interfaith moment for hope and solidarity
(Fr. Benedict Mayaki, SJ, Vatican News)
WEBINAR, 28 April 2020 (12 noon EDT): USCIRF 2020 Annual Report - Registration link
(U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom)
Katherine Marshall: messages of religious leaders have “extraordinary importance”
(Marcelo Schneider, World Council of Churches)
Advancing a disability-inclusive response to COVID-19
(Syovata Shalon Kilonzo, World Council of Churches)
Beating coronavirus requires faith leaders to bridge gap between religion and science
(Katherine Marshall, The Conversation)
As states release reopening plans, churches prepare for the future with caution
(Kelsey Dallas, Deseret News | InDepth)
Women in seminaries, a slow "cultural revolution"
(Céline Hoyeau, La Croix International)
Law Pod UK episode on medical law developments
(Emma-Louise Fenelon, UK Human Rights Blog)
Hungarian journalists fear coronavirus law may be used to jail them
(Shaun Walker, The Guardian)
Observatoire de l'état d'urgence sanitaire et du confinement
(Commission Nationale Consultative des Droits de l'Homme)
Germans have right to protest during coronavirus pandemic: court
(Joseph Nasr, Reuters)
What relaunching the churches might look like over the next 3–12 months
(Ed Stetzer and Josh Laxton, The Exchange)
In Aceh, Indonesians pray at mosque but bring their own rugs
(Yayan Zamzami, Associated Press)
Pope urges virus lockdown obedience amid church-state debate
(Nicole Winfield, Associated Press)
Religious freedom watchdog pitches adding India to blacklist
(Elana Schor, Associated Press)
Church sues Virginia governor over 10-person gathering limit
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Chincoteague church files lawsuit against Gov. Northam over gathering ban
(Carol Vaughn, Eastern Shore Post)
Study shows extent of COVID-19 restrictions on religious services
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Most states have religious exemptions to COVID-19 social distancing rules
(Virginia Villa, Pew Research Center Fact Tank)
Attorney General warns against COVID-19 orders that violate civil rights
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
AG Barr pushes back on violations of civil liberties
(Liberty Counsel)
New report highlights 29 countries where religious freedom is most at risk
(Kelsey Dallas, Deseret News Faith)
Amsterdam’s Jewish nursing home has lost over 20% of its residents to COVID-19. Could it have done more?
(Cnaan Liphshiz, Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
Religious freedom publication attacked by Russian government
(SOVA Center for News and Analysis, Russia Religion News (Stetson University))
Azerbaijan: Will regime implement alternative service commitment?
(Felix Corley, Forum 18 News Service)
Slavic Pentecostals, coronavirus and California politics make a confusing mix at Sacramento Bee
(Julia Duin, GetReligion)
Dawn of the dead: Faith-based colleges face challenges even bigger than coronavirus
(Terry Mattingly, GetReligion)
German bishops expect decline in church tax revenue due to COVID-19
(Catholic News Service, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Is a global pandemic a de minimis hardship? EEOC guidance on covid-19 and religious accommodation
(The National Law Review)
Religious freedom in India takes 'drastic turn downward,' U.S. commission says
(Tom Gjelten, National Public Radio)
Greek church demands government ease controls on religious services
(Anthee Carassava, VOA)
US religious freedoms panel urges sanctions on China over violations in Xinjiang
(Radio Free Asia)
US agency: Iran’s regime ‘propagates and tolerates antisemitism'
(Benjamin Weinthal, The Jerusalem Post)
Number of non-religious weddings almost same as Catholic, figures show
(Patsy McGarry, The Irish Times)
UK: What has corruption got to do with human rights abuses?
(Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes)
Nancy Pelosi uses scripture to support call for prisoner releases amid pandemic
(Milton Quintanilla, Christian Headlines)
Poland shocked by documentary exposing church pedophilia
(Monika Sieradzka, Der Spiegel)
Monday, 27 April 2020
Covid-19: Experts warn of potential wave of extremism
(Aggrey Mutambo, Daily Nation)
An active faith may hold the key to a longer, healthier life
(Elisa Di Benedetto and Larbi Megari, The Association of Religion Data Archives: GlobalPlus)
In a pandemic, a Buddhist chaplain's Zen practice become purpose
(Micah Danney, Religion Unplugged)
Christian colleges face uncertain future, existential threats amid COVID-19
(Steve Rabey, Religion Unplugged)
For lessons on closed house of worship, look at 1918 flu pandemic
(Bobby Ross Jr., Religion Unplugged)
Religious Administration of Muslims of Ukraine defines the format of the 'quarantine' Ramadan
(Religious Information Service of Ukraine (RISU))
Ugly Reports of Islamophobia and Anti-Semitism Linked to COVID-19 Crisis
(Daily Highlight, Berkley Center, Joint Learning Initiative, WFDD)
Africa adapts to new taste of Ramadan under Covid-19 lockdown
(Christina Okello, RFI)
Muslims in France prepare for muted Ramadan under coronavirus lockdown
(Christina Okello, RFI)
Accumulation of people on holidays and at religious services is the most dangerous thing that can happen today, - the President
(Religious Information Service of Ukraine (RISU))
Sickness amid the cedars: The Lebanese were watching for the virus. But the outbreak in this secluded and stunningly beautiful place was not what they’d expected.
(Sarah Dadouch, The Washington Post)
Church donations have plunged because of the coronavirus. Some churches won’t survive.
(Michelle Boorstein, The Washington Post)
Jewish history explains why some ultra-Orthodox communities defy coronavirus restrictions
(Joyce Dalsheim, The Conversation)
From pews to patients – churches have long served as hospitals, particularly in times of crisis
(Adam J. Davis, The Conversation)
Coronavirus: conspiracy theories and fake videos fuel rise in Islamophobia
(Imran Awan, The Conversation)
Trump team moves to scrap protections for LGBTQ patients
(Dan Diamond, Politico)
Erdogan backs cleric who claims homosexuality brings disease
(Associated Press)
Religious freedom attorneys pick their battles amid pandemic
(Elana Schor, Associated Press)
Mosque’s makeshift morgue shows virus toll on UK minorities
(Jo Kearney and Jill Lawless, Associated Press)
Military chaplains pivot to serve soldiers in virus outbreak
(Sarah Blake Morgan, Associated Press)
US church faces neglect allegations after Haiti child deaths
(Michael Weissenstein and Ben Fox, Associated Press)
Trump administration's religious freedom claims require a closer look
(Melissa Rogers, Canopy Forum on the Interactions of Law & Religion)
Negligent violation of inmate's religious dietary needs did not violate 1st Amendment
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Court says drive-in church services are reasonable compromise for covid-19 limits
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Settlement reached with Kansas churches challenging covid-19 limits on services
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Sri Lanka: One year on from the 2019 Easter Sunday Bombings
(CSWPress, FoRB in Full: A blog by CSW)
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