Religion & Law

Medical Board Should Revoke Licenses of Tiller Abortion Associates, Group Says

Posted on June 12, 2009
LifeNews: "A Kansas pro-life group says the state medical board should move ahead with efforts to revoke the medical licenses of abortion practitioners who were colleagues of slain late-term abortion practitioner George Tiller."

Senator Cornyn?s ?Daily Question? for Judge Sotomayor

Posted on June 12, 2009
Jonathan Adler writes at the Volokh Conspiracy: "Senator John Cornyn has announced that he will pose a 'daily question' raised by Judge Sotomayor's record and opinions every business day from now until the start of the confirmation hearings on July 13...

Guam debates civil unions bill

Posted on June 12, 2009
Guampdn.com: "Bill 138 would allow same-sex couples who have lived on Guam for at least five years to apply for civil union licenses."

EQCA Executive Director Geoff Kors Issues Statement on President Obama?s Support of Defense of Marriage Act

Posted on June 12, 2009
Equality California: "We are outraged the Obama Administration filed a brief defending the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act -- a law Obama promised to repeal when running for President. It is unacceptable that he is defending DOMA instead of supporting its repeal as unconstitutional...

To access this complete feed in the blog feed reader login or register for free.

We?re a Church, Not a Lobby, Catholic Bishop tells ethics probers

Posted on June 12, 2009
"'I don't know what the motive of the Office of State Ethics was or is, but I do know that their actions stem directly from our attempts to defend ourselves in the face of two pieces of legislation that were unfriendly to the day-to-day mission of the church,' Lori told FOXNews...

Uganda: U.S. ambassador warns on trafficking

Posted on June 12, 2009
The New Vision: "The US Ambassador, Steven Browning, yesterday expressed concern at the pace at which human trafficking was spreading. He said it was now the third most lucrative crime after the drugs and illegal weapons trade, and warned that Uganda has not been spared by the vice...

AIDS foundation calls for ?condoms in porn? legislation

Posted on June 12, 2009
Business Wire: "After the Los Angeles Times reported today that an actress in the adult entertainment industry recently tested HIV-positive, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) renewed its call for California legislation that would require the use of condoms by actors performing in porn videos produced by California?s multi-billion dollar adult entertainment industry?a mainstay of the San Fernando Valley economy...

Journal of Critical Care Medicine pushes Futile Care Theory as social duty

Posted on June 12, 2009
Wesley J. Smith writing at Secondhand Smoke (now a First Things blog): "The Journal of Critical Care Medicine, has long supported Futile Care Theory?the putative right of doctors to refuse wanted life-sustaining treatment based on their values as to the quality of the patient?s life ...

Porn industry healthcare clinic not cooperating, public health officials say

Posted on June 12, 2009
The LA Times staff blog reports: "Public health officials said today they have had no cooperation from the adult entertainment industry health clinic that recently confirmed a porn actress had tested positive for HIV, hampering their efforts to investigate how she contracted the virus...

California: More porn performer HIV cases disclosed

Posted on June 12, 2009
LA Times: "L.A. County health officials say at least 16 performers have been infected in addition to one reported this week. That brings the number of HIV cases in porn performers to 22 in the last five years."

Book review: ?The same-sex future?

Posted on June 12, 2009
David Cole reviews four books on same-sex "marriage" in the New York Review of Books: "Eskridge, Spedale, and West also argue that the best forum for achieving lasting victory is legislatures, not the courts. That seems less clear. There is no question that those seeking change cannot restrict their advocacy to the courts; a multitiered strategy is critical...

Belarus Continues To Act Against Unregistered Churches

Posted on June 12, 2009
Religion Clause Blog: "Forum 18 yesterday reported on the ongoing battles between the government and unregistered churches in Belarus. The Council of Churches Baptist refuses to accept registration requiremen."

NY Senate: Could marriage maneuvering undermine Democratic claims for control?

Posted on June 12, 2009
Sen. Pedro Espada Jr: "We all want the Senat Democrats to come in and participate,? he said. ?As I get the same sex marriage bill on the floor, they?ll take their seats, they?ll debate it.?

Sotomayor?s Ruling in Child Porn Case Defies Liberal, Conservative Labels

Posted on June 12, 2009
Tony Mauro writes at the National Law Journal: "A ruling last year in a child pornography case is one of dozens of Judge Sonia Sotomayor's opinions that defy easy categorization as liberal or conservative. It shows an ex-prosecutor's understanding of law enforcement needs, an appellate judge's deference to Supreme Court precedent and a liberal's empathy for a defendant ensnared primarily because his e-mail address was found in the wrong place...

ADF Announces Pew Scholarship Competition 2009-2010

Posted on June 12, 2009
ADF has announced and released rules for the 13th Annual William Pew Religious Freedom Scholarship Competition for law students. Click here for rules and details. The winner of the competition receives a cash award in the amount of $2500. The writing topic for this competition: "Scholarly material of publishable quality that advocates a legal position consistent with ADF?s perspectives and mission as set forth on its web site at www...

Maryland: Schools Struggle with Rising Tide of Homelessness

Posted on June 12, 2009
EducationNews.org: "Since 2007, the number of homeless students in Charles County has grown more than 50 percent. 'It?s certainly going to go over 400 for the year,? Student Services Director Keith G. Grier said in early April.'"

Spanish media reports government considering suppression of religious symbols

Posted on June 12, 2009
CNA: "Publico, a newspaper closely allied with Spain's ruling Socialist party, reported this week that the government is studying the idea of suppressing religious symbols in military barracks, hospitals, jails and public schools, as well as during State funerals or inauguration ceremonies for public officials...

Former Miss Calif: ?Tolerance needs to be a two-way street.?

Posted on June 12, 2009
AP: "Prejean . . . calls her firing a set up. She says 'tolerance needs to be a two-way street.'"

?DOJ moves to dismiss first fed gay marriage case?

Posted on June 12, 2009
AP: "The U.S. Justice Department has moved to dismiss the first gay marriage case filed in federal court, saying it is not the right venue to tackle legal questions raised by a couple already married in California."

Is there a value in religious pluralism?

Posted on June 12, 2009
Christopher O. Tollefson writing at The Witherspoon Institute's Public Discourse: "The ECHR statement suggests that democracy is a necessary condition for pluralism, but this seems unlikely. Far more plausible is the claim that the existence of democratic society is sufficient for a high degree of pluralism...

Okla. commandments nixed

Posted on June 12, 2009
OneNewsNow reports: "'Haskell County allowed Mike Bush, who is a citizen, to put a monument on the courthouse lawn, along with several other historical monuments, along with the Ten Commandments,' Theriot notes. 'They have a monument to the veterans, a monument to the Choctaw Indians, to the class of 1955, and several other historical-type of monuments...

DC marriage ordinance in the spotlight

Posted on June 12, 2009
OneNewsNow reports: "Attorney Tim Tracy of the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) says proponents of the Council's decision argue banning homosexual marriage violates the city's human rights law on the basis of sexual orientation. He labels the situation 'kind of anomalous...

DC: ?Gay marriage ruling awaited?

Posted on June 12, 2009
Gary Emerling reports in the Washington Times: "'This referendum would do nothing more than maintain the status quo of what marriage has been and is in the District of Columbia - a union between a man and a woman,' said Brian Raum of the Arizona-based Alliance Defense Fund, which is working with referendum supporters...

UCLA allows student to thank Jesus in graduation statement

Posted on June 12, 2009
Christian Examiner: "'Christian students shouldn?t be silenced when expressing their beliefs at public universities and are entitled to the same rights as all other students,' said ADF Litigation Staff Counsel Heather Gebelin Hacker. 'We are pleased that UCLA officials understand that denying religious liberty to students is a violation of the First Amendment, not a requirement of it...

?Jesus vs. Muhammad - What Christians need to know about the Muslim plot to control the world?

Posted on June 12, 2009
Randy Jelinek writes at One News Now: "The world is changing much faster than we realize. Europe will be a Muslim continent in less than 50 years. In fact, the only Western country that is currently regenerating itself as a Christian nation is the United States -- and the only reason that is occurring is due to the steady stream of immigrants flowing in from Mexico...

Boston Catholic Health Agency Seeking Changes in Deal Involving Abortion Coverage

Posted on June 12, 2009
Catholic Culture: "Caritas Christi, the health-care agency affiliated with the Boston archdiocese, is hoping to make 'acceptable modifications' in an agreement under which it will provide state-subsidized care for low-income Massachusetts residents. The state government contract requires coverage for abortion and other procedures condemned by the Church...

?Gay marriage used as bait in NY Senate,? vote on Monday?

Posted on June 12, 2009
365Gay.com: "WNYC is reporting that the uproar in the New York Senate continues. Now, the two Democrats who voted with the Republicans to start a 'coalition' government are saying they will bring gay marriage to a vote on Monday - so that Democratic senators will be forced to come to the chamber, and thus recognize the new leadership...

Massachusetts strip club may lose license over shooting

Posted on June 12, 2009
Matthew Campbell reports at CBS Springfield: "Days after a shooting rampage at a Springfield strip club, the establishment has closed, and it's license may be revoked."

10th Circuit upholds restrictions on student speech

Posted on June 12, 2009
Citizen Media Law Project: "In a recent decision, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a Colorado District Court?s rejection of a student?s First Amendment and Equal Protection claims over a forced apology resulting from her valedictory address . ...

Are charters a drain on traditional public schools?

Posted on June 12, 2009
LA Times: "Is it really a bad thing that charters put pressure on low-performing public schools? Lisa Snell and Ralph E. Shaffer finish their debate."

Bloggers, promote your law blog by nominating your blog for inclusion in USLaw.com's Law Blog Directory and RSS Reader. Benefits described.