Religion & Law

Formerly outspoken O?Donnell dodging evangelical, social issues as Delaware Senate nominee

Posted on October 14, 2010
Fox43.com (AP): "Making sure that we've got on the record Ms. O'Donnell's views on things like prayer, abortion and evolution is important," Coons said. "These aren't just random statements on some late-night TV show. These are relevant to her service in the United States Senate, what sort of judges she would confirm, what sort of issues she would take up...

Australia: Abortion couple not guilty

Posted on October 14, 2010
Sydney Morning Herald: "However, in his final directions to the jury, Judge Bill Everson said they had to be satisfied the drugs were noxious to Ms Leach's health, rather than the foetus."

GA: ?Richmond schools: We use abstinence curriculum?

Posted on October 14, 2010
Augusta Chronicle: ". . . schools Superintendent Dr. Frank . . . Roberson said in opening the news conference. "Nor does the Richmond County School System have a partnership with Planned Parenthood, nor any other community, county or state agency, to provide methods or education on abortion or contraceptive education...

Planned Parenthood Launches Campaign to Fund Birth Control Via ObamaCare

Posted on October 14, 2010
Life News: "The Planned Parenthood abortion business has launched a new national campaign designed to promote forcing insurance companies to cover birth control via the ObamaCare health care law."

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

CAIR-NY Seeks Hate Crime Charges in Attack on Muslim Mother, Child

Posted on October 14, 2010
PR Newswire: "The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) today called for state and federal hate crime charges to be brought against a man who allegedly used religious slurs while attacking a Muslim mother and her 4-year-old son...

Left wing religious leaders urge Vander Plaats to denounce American Family Association

Posted on October 14, 2010
GlobeGazette.com: "Calling it an 'extremist hate group' trying to manipulate votes by using fear, religious leaders across the state Wednesday asked Bob Vander Plaats and his group, Iowa For Freedom, to denounce the American Family Association."

Strip club owners sue City of Milwaukee

Posted on October 14, 2010
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: "The operators of a Milwaukee tavern that features erotic dancing are suing the City of Milwaukee, claiming its method of regulating such entertainment is unconstitutional. The suit was filed in U.S. District Court by Six Star Holdings LLC and Ferol LLC...

FL: St. Peters likely to repeal law barring protests at funerals

Posted on October 14, 2010
STLToday: "The threat of a lawsuit has prompted aldermen to consider voting tonight to repeal an ordinance prohibiting protests at funerals. The American Civil Liberties Union of Eastern Missouri sent a letter last month that said it would sue if the city did not repeal the ordinance by Friday...

Judiciary unqualified to rule on military policy

Posted on October 14, 2010
One News Now: "Elaine Donnelly, president of the Center for Military Readiness, argues that a ruling based on "don't ask, don't tell" is flawed -- and points out that Phillips' 'short-sighted conclusion' came after eight days of "one-sided testimony from gay activists...

MA: 6 names on list for chief of SJC

Posted on October 14, 2010
Boston Globe: "The leading candidates include: SJC Justices Margot Botsford, Ralph D. Gants, and Roderick L. Ireland; US District Court Judge Patti B. Saris; state Appeals Court Justice Fernande R.V. Duffly; and Superior Court Judge Barbara A. Dortch-Okara...

Sharia Law?s Threat to Free Speech

Posted on October 14, 2010
Connie Hair writes at Human Events: "An organized effort is underway worldwide orchestrated by a powerful Islamic political body to criminalize speech that "offends" Muslims. As much as that may sound like some fantastic conspiracy theory, these Muslim leaders broadcast their group's every move on their website?yet America's ruling elites refuse to listen...

David Barton: No need for pastors to fear IRS

Posted on October 14, 2010
One News Now: "'You cannot lose your tax exemption as a church because as a church, you have a constitutional standing for tax exemption,' he points out. 'So with that basis, losing your letter means absolutely nothing -- and that's something pastors are now figuring out...

Legal scholars debate whether DADT ruling extends to whole military

Posted on October 14, 2010
"Most federal appellate courts have said that a judge cannot issue a ruling that goes well beyond the parties who sued."

Joseph Farah: How to talk about homosexuality

Posted on October 14, 2010
"That's what is at stake in this debate. Right and wrong. I'm troubled by the fact that so few Americans are willing to stand up and say it."

Anti-Foreigner Attitudes Surge in Germany

Posted on October 14, 2010
NY Times: "The report, on the rise of right-wing extremism, was prepared by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, a research organization affiliated with the opposition Social Democratic Party. Its publication coincides with a emotionally charged debate about immigration and the integration of the seven million foreigners living in Germany...

?The New Wave of Extreme State Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) Legislation: Why It?s Dangerous?

Posted on October 14, 2010
Marci Hamilton writes at Findlaw: "Child safety has routinely been undermined by religious organizations arguing for religious liberty "guarantees" in cases involving medical neglect by faith-healing parents; the regulation of religious schools, camps and social-service providers; and child sex abuse by clergy...

Victor Davis Hanson: America?s Depressed by Being Broke

Posted on October 14, 2010
Victor Davis Hanson writes at Townhall: ". . . there is a growing sense of despair that even vastly increased income taxes cannot cover the colossal shortfalls . . . That bleak reality creates hopelessness -- and anger -- among voters, who feel they are being taken for fools by their elected officials...

Gov. & Former Lt. Gov to oppose effort to dump 3 Iowa justices

Posted on October 14, 2010
Des Moines Register: "A new advocacy group that includes former Iowa Gov. Robert Ray and former Lt. Gov. Art Neu has been formed to campaign in favor of retaining three Iowa Supreme Court justices."

Ontario High Court Says Allowing Witness To Wear Niqab Requires Contextual Analysis

Posted on October 14, 2010
Religion Clause Blog: "In Canada yesterday, Ontario's highest appellate court held that a judge conducting a preliminary inquiry in a criminal case has discretion whether or not to permit Muslim women to testify with her face covered. In The Queen v...

Chaplain Says DADT Injunction Will Impact Ability To Counsel Soldiers

Posted on October 14, 2010
Religion Clause Blog: "Baptist Press yesterday interviewed retired Chaplain (Col.) Keith Travis who is now chaplain team leader for the North American Mission Board, who said: 'In order to best serve soldiers, our chaplains need to be able to practice their faith freely...

Residents Protest Removal of Christian Flag From War Memorial

Posted on October 14, 2010
Religion Clause Blog: "Today's Daily Tar Heel reports that, in response, residents have been protesting. They placed a new Christian flag there on a temporary stand and are guarding it 24 hours a day."

China says backers of Nobel winner support crime

Posted on October 14, 2010
AP: "Awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to imprisoned dissident Liu Xiabo encouraged crime in China, the government said Thursday, while telling his supporters to stop interfering in his case."

Federal appeals court upholds Texas pledge wording

Posted on October 14, 2010
"A federal appeals court has rejected a Dallas-area parent's bid to have "under God" removed from the Texas pledge of allegiance that is recited every day by public schoolchildren."

Nigeria: Islamic sect issues demand for amnesty

Posted on October 14, 2010
AP: "A feared Islamic sect responsible for a recent federal prison break and targeted killings in northern Nigeria has demanded an amnesty offer from the government to stop the violence."

The Great Unweaving: Concepts that converge in marriage have been unlinked

Posted on October 14, 2010
"The notion of marriage as a haven for procreation, a promise to tie the child to her biological father and to keep him from dividing his energies between many families, rarely occurs to them when they discuss marriage. The exceptions, which have always been with us -- some women raise their children alone, some couples adopt or remain childless -- are now viewed as undermining the rule, making it impossible for young adults to view the biological family as a norm or ideal...

Freedom from Religion Foundation threatens Tennessee school over prayers

Posted on October 14, 2010
Freedom from Religion Foundation: "The Freedom From Religion Foundation wrote the superintendent of Hamilton County Schools [Chattanooga, Tenn.] over two serious, recurring state/church violations: Christian-based prayers played over the school's loudspeaker system at high school football games and scheduling Christian prayer at annual graduation ceremonies...

Stop child treaty, Land urges senators

Posted on October 14, 2010
Tom Strode writes at Baptist Press: "Southern Baptist public policy leader Richard Land has urged 11 Republican senators to oppose a United Nations treaty critics say would undermine parental rights and American sovereignty."

Pakistan: violence against Christian girls ?part of daily life?

Posted on October 14, 2010
Catholic Culture: Violence against Christian girls is ?unfortunately common? in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, according to Father Khalid Rashid Asi, vicar general of the Diocese of Faisalabad . . . ?Episodes of violence and abuse of Christian girls are part of daily life,? a Fides source said...

Joe Infranco on the Hugh Hewitt Show: Cal. school district threatens principal for endorsing prayer breakfast

Posted on October 14, 2010
ADF attorney Joe Infranco appeared on the Hugh Hewitt Show to discuss this: Calif. school district threatens to terminate principal for endorsing prayer breakfast. | MP3 Audio 5:39 mins

Pentagon to abide by DADT ruling for now

Posted on October 14, 2010
"The U.S. Defense Department said it will abide for now by a federal court order against enforcement of the military?s 'Don?t Ask, Don?t Tell ban"

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