Religion & Law

Male Judges Advise Women Lawyers to Lose the Distracting ?Ally McBeal? Look

Posted on May 21, 2009
ABA Journal: After laughter erupted, Bankruptcy Judge Benjamin Goldgar of Chicago offered that the matter needs to be addressed because it is ?a huge problem.? He said sometimes he wishes he could tell the female lawyer before him, "I'd really like to pay attention to your argument...

Douglas Napier on Michael Medved Show: Freedom of Conscience

Posted on May 21, 2009
ADF Senior Legal Counsel Doug Napier appeared on the Michael Medved Show to discuss freedom of conscience. The mp3 runs just under 10 minutes.

?Republicans to Lynch: Veto gay marriage bill, focus on budget?

Posted on May 21, 2009
The Union Leader: "House and Senate Republicans this morning called for Gov. John Lynch to veto the same-sex marriage bills so lawmakers may move on to the critical issues facing the state."

The National Press Club Johnson Amendment debate: Free Speech in the Pulpit

Posted on May 21, 2009
Today?s debate will cover whether the Johnson Amendment?s prohibition on pastors addressing their congregations from the pulpit regarding political candidates and campaigns is constitutional.

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?Is Homophobia the New Anti-Semitism??

Posted on May 21, 2009
Michelle Goldberg writing at American Prospect: "Meanwhile, just as the gay-rights movement has been globalized, so has the religious opposition. 'There are currently two major sources of homophobic thought globally,' says Hossein Alizadeh, the Iranian-born communications coordinator of the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission...

The Orthodox Jewish view of abortion

Posted on May 21, 2009
David P. Goldman writes at Spengler, a First Things blog: "Unlike the Catholic position, which proceeds from natural theology, the Jewish position emerges from the legal consideration of the human person, which requires the community to establish a distinction?and that distinction is the event of birth, the physical separation of the baby from its mother?s body...

Tomorrow: Pro-life march in Chicago

Posted on May 21, 2009
More details about the march can be found on the Americans for Life web site.

Iowa: ?Students say club permission slips unfairly target Gay-Straight Alliance?

Posted on May 21, 2009
Sarah Sleyster reports in the Des Moines Register: "Gay-Straight Alliance student members Molly Richardson and Melissa Sheber said a change to require parent permission slips for clubs unfairly targeted their group. Some parents might keep students from participating in the GSA by not signing the form, Sheber said...

?Continued discharges anger ?don?t ask, don?t tell? critics?

Posted on May 20, 2009
Boston Globe: "A steady number of personnel are being discharged from the US military for being gay, according to the latest Pentagon statistics, which show 619 troops were kicked out last year under the controversial 'don't ask, don't tell' policy that bars homosexuals from serving openly in the ranks...

NY Town Charges Zoning Violations In Cow and Chicken Slaughter

Posted on May 20, 2009
The Religion Clause Blog reports: "Lower Hudson Journal News reports on motions that were granted in the Ramapo, New York town court yesterday in two cases pitting zoning authorities against some of the town's Orthodox Jewish population."

Canadian teachers slam proposals to allow parents to opt-out of sex indoctrination

Posted on May 20, 2009
This weekend, Alberta's teachers slammed proposed new rules that would give parents sweeping rights to pull kids from classes on touchy subjects, and be notified in advance when lessons focus on religion, sexuality or sexual orientation.

?Probe: Old Irish Catholic schools abused thousands?

Posted on May 20, 2009
The allegations set forth in this AP report are so broad based and wide ranging it is difficult not to question its veracity and motivations. But, Alert readers should be aware of its existence. No doubt, we will be hearing more about it and getting more details in the future...

Prostitution, porn linked to human trafficking

Posted on May 20, 2009
The London Free Press: "If you use prostitutes or buy pornography, 'you're probably supporting human trafficking,' said retired superintendent Marty Van Doren."

Taliban?s Reign of Fear Spreads in Pakistani City

Posted on May 20, 2009
Wall Street Journal: "The Taliban often come into the city from surrounding areas to terrorize, to spread panic and fear," Peshawar mayor Mohammed Umar Khan says. "We in Peshawar are paying the price, losing our people, our economy and our businesses...

LA Supreme Court rejects hospital?s appeal in nurse?s rights of conscience lawsuit

Posted on May 20, 2009
Lemly informed hospital staff that she objected to administering the ?morning after? abortion pill because of her religious beliefs. In response, St. Tammany Parish Hospital fired Lemly . . .

Video: O?Reilly covers ADF?s new lawsuit against ?Bash Back? on behalf of a Mich. church

Posted on May 20, 2009
Related ADF press release: ADF files suit against radical group that invaded Mich. church Visit: Fox News O’Reilly Factor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7WMRNT7xFY Visit Site »

German parents convicted after kids miss sex classes

Posted on May 20, 2009
The Christian Institute: "ADF lawyer Roger Kiska said: 'It?s pretty clear that states are not allowed to indoctrinate their children, and that parents have the ultimate right in raising their child according to their own religious and philosophical convictions...

California marriage ruling won?t be released tomorrow

Posted on May 20, 2009
Apparently, California security personnel and police departments have been notified and they are making preparations.

Catholic colleges the heat from pro-lifers and others on Catholic identity

Posted on May 20, 2009
The AP carries this report on the fallout from Notre Dame and stepped up pro-life efforts to bring Catholic colleges into compliance with Catholic doctrine on sanctity of life issues.

7 arrested in NYC prostitution ring on Craigslist

Posted on May 20, 2009
AP: "Seven New York residents have been indicted on charges of running a prostitution ring on Craigslist."

Nev. domestic partner bill passes legislature; gov. warns veto

Posted on May 20, 2009
AP: "The bill provides that domestic partners have the same rights as married couples in matters such as community property and responsibility for debts. It applies to both gay and straight couples.

?Gay Marriage Slow to Draw an Opposition in New York?

Posted on May 20, 2009
"In contrast, groups working to legalize marriage for gay couples have been laying the groundwork for more than four years, lobbying lawmakers and funneling hundreds of thousands of dollars to their campaigns."

Maggie Gallagher: ?Massachusetts Gay Marriage: Five Years Later?

Posted on May 20, 2009
Maggie Gallagher writes at Real Clear Politics: "The NOM/MFI Massachusetts Marriage Poll thus documents a fairly significant level of apprehension among voters who oppose gay marriage about the consequences of speaking openly or acting on their belief that marriage means a husband and wife...

?Mass. campaign urges Obama to nix gay marriage ban?

Posted on May 20, 2009
AP: "A coalition of gay-rights groups wants supporters to send cards to the White House urging Obama to instruct the Department of Justice not to defend the law in court."

Nebraska: ?Transgender boy barred from Catholic school? if he presents as girl

Posted on May 20, 2009
KSBW.com: "'The child is welcomed to come, but it would not be acceptable to change the child?s gender and present as a girl,' said Omaha Archdiocese's Chancellor, the Rev. Joseph Taphorn. Taphorn said having the child attend the school for three years as a boy, and then presenting as a girl would not be a good learning environment for the child or other students...

Shifting Stories: Napolitano?s Recent Comments No Comfort to Patriotic Americans - Lawsuit Proceeds

Posted on May 20, 2009
Thomas More Law Center: "Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano?s May 12, 2009, revised explanation to a congressional subcommittee about her Department?s controversial 'Rightwing Extremism' report raises even more questions about her candor and competence to protect our nation from terrorists...

Germany: Challenge to mandatory government sex-ed grows

Posted on May 20, 2009
"'Parents, not the government, are the ones ultimately responsible for making educational choices for their children,' Kiska said. 'These parents were well within their rights under the European Convention of Human Rights to opt to teach their children a view of sexuality that is in accord with their own religious beliefs ...

Craiglist CEO files lawsuit against South Carolina attorney general

Posted on May 20, 2009
Counton2.com: "Craigslist CEO Jim Buckmaster says in Wednesday?s blog that he filed suit against South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster, seeking declaratory relief and a restraining order. McMaster said he will prosecute Craigslist for posting prostitution ads on the site in South Carolina...

The ?pro-abortion obsession? of the Spanish Prime Minister

Posted on May 20, 2009
Spanish Family Forum"On the subject of abortion, the Government has simply turned a deaf ear to qualified scientific opinion and ignored the scientific evidence that human life exists from the moment of conception. In doing so, it has entrenched the injustice of abandoning women who are contemplating abortion and it ignores not only the protection which the Constitution affords the life of the unborn child but also the public health problem created by the post-abortion syndrome...

ADF takes pro-life license plates to Supreme Court

Posted on May 20, 2009
CitizenLink: "Steven Aden, senior legal counsel for ADF, said the message should not be censored . . . 'ADF is asking the Supreme Court to take the case,' he said, 'because we believe what happened here is unconstitutional discrimination against the pro-life viewpoint, in violation of the free-speech clause in the First Amendment...

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