Law and Religion Headlines
Sunday, 16 February 2020
The controversy over conversion therapy
(Barry W. Bussey, Canadian Council of Christian Charities: Intersection)
A day for environmentalist Judaism
(Mark Silk, RNS Column: Spiritual Politics)
Religious harmony in Indonesia: Better late than never
(The Jakarta Post)
Pope Francis backs away from celibacy exception, putting off decision on allowing married priests in the Amazon
(Chico Harlan, The Washington Post)
Pope Francis punts on married priests
(Thomas Reese SJ, RNS Column: Signs of the Times)
Concerning married Catholic priests: Do reporters know they are common in parts of the world?
(Terry Mattingly, GetReligion)
Four members of banned pseudo-religious group convicted in Orenburg Region
(Interfax-Religion)
Nineveh prepares to accept thousands of ISIS members
(Olivia Miller, International Christian Concern)
Religion and politics, Klobuchar, coronavirus and the Eucharist, polygamy, faith-based treatment of vets, no to married priests, state of the church survey
(World Religion News)
What is behind the acquittal of two former Vatican officials?
(Andrea Gagliarducci, Catholic News Agency)
Saturday, 15 February 2020
Will the real pro-life political party please stand up?
(Shane Claiborne, Religion News Service)
USCIRF releases new reports on religious freedom conditions in Bahrain and Iraq
(U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom)
The United Nations once again proves its anti-Semitism
(David Harsanyi, National Review)
Council of Europe passes resolution protecting religious freedom in the workplace
(Evangelical Focus)
“Peaceable and just . . . notwithstanding their spiritual whoredoms”: Roger Williams, civility, and the freedom of conscience
(Cory D. Higdon, Public Discourse: The Journal of the Witherspoon Institute)
Alleged child abuse, confidentiality and the Jehovah’s Witnesses: Lancashire CC v E & F
(Frank Cranmer, Law & Religion UK)
A daughter’s duty: From Boston, a Uighur woman champions her father’s release in China
(Aysha Khan, Religion News Service)
Is Europe 'Christian'? That depends on how, and when, someone asks that question
(Richard Ostling, GetReligion)
Cathedral light show is drawing those who normally don’t darken church doors
(Adelle M. Banks, Religion News Service)
What Pete Buttigieg and Tom Steyer had to say to a room filled with people of faith
(Kelsey Dallas, Deseret News)
Friday, 14 February 2020
Jehovah’s Witnesses and the “two-witness rule”: a comment on BXB
(Elijah Z Granet, Guest Post, Law & Religion UK)
Rape, the Jehovah’s Witnesses and vicarious liability: BXB
(Frank Cranmer, Law & Religion UK)
A Report on Persecution of the Ahmadis in Pakistan - 2019
(Wakalat Tabshir, Ahmadiyya … Foreign Missions Office, Pakistan)
EVENT, 14 February 2020:Women’s Human Rights in the Twenty-First Century: Developments and Challenges under International and European Law
(The European Court of Human Rights in cooperation with Foundation René Cassin-International Institute of Human Rights and with the support of the General Consulate of Japan in Strasbourg)
The 3 most polarizing words in India: “Jai Shri Ram” was meant to be a celebration of a Hindu deity. But the phrase is turning into hate speech—and a dog whistle for attacks on Muslims.
(Snigdha Poonam, Foreign Policy)
Why does President Trump continue to champion an issue associated with liberals?
(Kelsey Dallas, Deseret News)
Pop and President of Hungary discuss upcoming Eucharistic Congress in Budapest
(Deborah Castellano Lubov, Zenit: The World Seen from Rome)
Removal of life support after brain stem death held lawful
(Shaheen Rahman, UK Human Rights Blog)
Sanya Chams Muslim minority in Hainan: Eradicating an identity
(Ling Tian, Bitter Winter: A Magazine on Religious Liberty and Human Rights in China)
Science, sex, and suicide
(Randall Otto, Public Discourse: The Journal of the Witherspoon Institute)
Why BYU and Westminster College are encouraging interfaith conversations
(Deseret News Faith)
Coronavirus (COVID-19) – latest news
(Frank Cranmer, Law & Religion UK)
This week's podcast: Klobuchar making an Obama-esque play to win Democrats in pews?
(Terry Mattingly, GetReligion)
Locust plague in East Africa prompts plea for help
(Paul Wilkinson, Church Times)
Pope Francis offers blessings to CEC and COMECE on their anniversaries
(Press Release, Conference of European Churches)
Thursday, 13 February 2020
EVENT, 13-14 February 2020: Faith-Based ERG Conference
(Religious Freedom & Business Foundation)
Chinese officials hunt for 'pirated' bibles
(Tang Zhe, Bitter Winter: A Magazine on Religious Liberty and Human Rights in China)
Brazil prosecutors seek to remove ex-missionary from indigenous post
(Anthony Boadle, Reuters)
AG Paxton: California’s travel ban undermines national unity; violates U.S. Constitution by punishing those who respect religious liberty
(Texas Attorney General)
9th Circuit OK's school's policy on transgender students
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Suit seeks data on anti-Semitic hate crimes in New York
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
The Forward sues NYPD for refusing to share records of anti-Semitic hate crimes
(Molly Boigon, Forward)
No same-sex marriage to be legitimized in Russia as long as I am president - Putin
(Interfax-Religion)
Russia: Politicians support putting God into the constitution
(Interfax-Religiia, Russia Religion News (Stetson University))
Ideas for amending Russian Constitution aired for Putin
(Vladimir Isachenkov, Associated Press)
Women protesters in Iraq defy radical cleric, take to street
(Qassim Abdul-Zahra, Associated Press)
Hong Kong Catholics suspend Masses over virus
(Associated Press)
Prince Charles extends World Jewish Relief patronage
(Jewish News)
Ecclesiastical court judgments – January (II)
(David Pocklington, Law & Religion UK)
From Ryan Burge and Co. – Has that rising 'religiously unaffiliated' tide started to slow?
(Terry Mattingly, GetReligion)
Lifting every voice in religious freedom
(Sabrina Dent, Religious Freedom Center, Freedom Forum Institute)
Meeting between Francis and Lula causing controversy in Brazil
(Eduardo Campos Lima, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Politics of school prayer
(Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University)
A false narrative of religious freedom threatens Americans’ rights (Responding to: Politics of school prayer)
(Rob Boston, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University)
A Free Exercise argument against Trump’s “religious freedom” rules (Responding to: Politics of school prayer)
(Peter Henne, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University)
A Trumped-up controversy? School prayer in policy, history, and ethics (Responding to: Politics of school prayer)
(K. Healan Gaston, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University)
Claiming a common commitment to religious freedom for all (Responding to: Politics of school prayer)
(Amanda Tyler, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University)
Don’t get stuck on prayers in public schools (Responding to: Politics of school prayer)
(Benjamin P. Marcus, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University)
Looking to a historical argument for present-day consensus on religion in public life (Responding to: Politics of school prayer)
(David Mislin, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University)
Prayer freedom for right, left, and center (Responding to: Politics of school prayer)
(Leslie Griffin, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University)
Prayer in schools and the problem of coercion (Responding to: Politics of school prayer)
(Claudia Winkler, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University)
Religious liberty’s recent triumphs might spell its future demise (Responding to: Politics of school prayer)
(Udi Greenberg, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University)
School prayer guidance may do more harm to religious freedom than good (Responding to: Politics of school prayer)
(Frank S. Ravitch, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University)
The debates over religious freedom in the United States: What debates? (Responding to: Politics of school prayer)
(James W. Fraser, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University)
The religious freedom bill has nothing to do with religion – it excludes and it traumatises
(Van Badham, Guardian (Australia))
Faith-based groups reject latest religious discrimination bill (Australia)
(Stephanie Corsetti, SBS News)
Trump’s low-hanging fruit (Responding to: Politics of school prayer)
(Steven Green, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University)
Court says Greek schools not obliged to teach religious conscience
(The National Herald)
MPs and churches reject Fierravanti-Wells' call to scrap 'flawed' religious discrimination bill
(Paul Karp, Guardian (Australia))
Why the Philippines is the only country where divorce is illegal
(The Economist)
Religious leaders can help build vaccine confidence
(Christine Ro, Forbes)
Utah Senate votes unanimously to decriminalize polygamy
(Benjamin Wood, The Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah Senate committee unanimously approves bill to decriminalize polygamy
(Morgan Gstalter, The Hill)
Woman who escaped polygamy shares mixed feelings about bill to decriminalize it
(Gina Roe, 2KUTV)
LDS church leaders enact a major breakthrough on secrecy next Wednesday
(Richard Ostling, GetReligion)
Wednesday, 12 February 2020
Articles of interest - 10 February 2020
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Synod support IICSA recommendations
(David Pocklington, Law & Religion UK)
More than two dozen countries launch new religious freedom alliance
(Adelle M. Banks, Religion News Service)
International Religious Freedom Alliance established
(Frank Cranmer, Law & Religion UK)
Law and religion round-up – 9th February (two weeks' worth)
(Frank Cranmer, Law & Religion UK)
The world that Christianity made
(Graham McAleer, Law & Liberty)
Still searching for a usable future: Contemplating religion's role today in predicting and projecting possible futures
(Martin E. Marty, Sightings: The Martin Marty Center, University of Chicago Divinity School)
India SC to define scope and ambit of right to religion
(Dhananjay Mahapatra, Times of India)
Indian protesters hold interfaith prayers at Shaheen Bagh
(The International News)
Politics over religion of tribals in census continues in Madhya Pradesh
(Sravani Sarkar, The Week (India))
Radicals attack small congregation in southern India before filing false criminal charges
(International Christian Concern)
Interfaith harmony must to build an inclusive society in Pakistan
(The International News)
Texas sues in California Supreme Court over travel ban to states allowing LGBTQ discrimination
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Dialogue with European Political Institutions
(Conference of European Churches)
News from the Conference of European Churches
“Kairos for creation” publication offers theological response to climate emergency
(World Council of Churches)
Cardinal Marx not to seek re-election as head of German bishops
(Xavier Le Normand, La Croix International)
Courageous response required of the church for Amazon region, pope says
(La Croix International staff (with Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service), La Croix International)
Human Rights in the UK Supreme Court in 2020
(Lewis Graham, UK Human Rights Blog)
Conditional presidential amnesty for a Somalian professor jailed for blasphemy
(Human Rights Without Frontiers International)
Did MI5 break the law? The Round Up (terrorism, etc.)
(Conor Monighan, UK Human Rights Blog)
Claiming ‘private’ to evade democracy? The leviathan gas deal and the Jordanian constitutional court
(Shahd Hammouri, EJIL: Talk!)
Australia: The euthanasia slippery slope is real
(John Keown, MercatorNet)
Elder Soares meets with Guatemala’s President
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
New York’s Cardinal Dolan meets with Cuban President Diaz-Canel in Havana
(Rhina Guidos, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Email Subscription
The International Center for Law and Religion Studies maintains a Law and Religion Headlines service covering news about freedom of religion or belief internationally. All interested may subscribe to this service, free of charge, using the link below.
Subscribe