Law and Religion Headlines
Monday, 28 June 2021
Mexican Catholic bishops call for peace after polls
(La Croix International)
In Egypt, Coptic Christians help Muslims celebrate Feast of Sacrifice
(La Croix International)
Prospects for Ukrainian visit by ecumenical patriarch still uncertain
(RISU, Russia Religion News (Stetson University))
Plug-In: Generations of indigenous children snatched from families and churches took part
(Bobby Ross Jr., GetReligion)
Ultra-Orthodox MK compares Reform Jews to pigs
(Jeremy Sharon, Jerusalem Post)
Muslim man in Canada stabbed has beard cut as assailants yelled about his clothing, religion
(Katherine Fung, Newsweek)
When data privacy becomes a subject of faith
(Aysha Khan, Yes! Magazine)
Controversy over Communion in the Catholic Church goes back some 2,000 years
(Mathew Schmalz, The Conversation)
This tiny minority of Iraqis follows an ancient Gnostic religion – and there’s a chance they could be your neighbors too
(James F. McGrath, The Conversation)
China operated the largest data base of legal decisions in the world. Until it realized it offered ammunition to critics
(Yang Feng, Bitter Winter: A Magazine on Religious Liberty and Human Rights in China)
Friday, 25 June 2021
Why choosing the next dalai lama will be a religious – as well as a political – issue
(Brooke Schedneck, The Conversation)
Mali’s global illicit antiquities trade is decimating the nation’s rich cultural heritage
(Allan Ngari, Daily Maverick)
Religion does not make you exempt from lockdown rules in South Africa, churches told
(The Citizen)
Pride and prejudice among Jews in South Africa – it’s up to us
(Rabbi Greg Alexander, Jewish Report)
South African Judge comes out swinging against apology ruling
(Tali Feinberg, Jewish Report)
A defense against religious critics' critiques of South Africa's amendments to Equality and Unfair Discrimination Act
(Pierre de Vos, Daily Maverick)
Lack of burial space is changing age-old funeral practices, and in Japan ‘tree burials’ are gaining in popularity
(Natasha Mikles, Religion News Service)
Muslim group to petition for burial sites in Japan
(NHK World - Japan)
Does contemporary Japan need religion?
(Michael Hoffman, The Japan Times)
To prevent violent extremism in Tajikistan, promote religious freedom
(Tony Perkins, Nury Turkel, The Diplomat)
Photos of the week: Summer/winter solstice; Manila Archbishop installment
(Kit Doyle, Religion News Service)
Poland backs property restitution reforms slammed by Israel
(Associated Press)
Tens of thousands attend Pride parade in Israel’s Tel Aviv
(Ariel Schalit, Associated Press)
Saving 'friendless' churches from demolition in England and Wales
(Terry Mattingly, Religion Unplugged)
Global Latter-day Saint leaders support measures enhancing spiritual healing of religiously oppressed
(Newsroom: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
Alfeyev & Lavrov: A glimpse into Church-state relations in Russia
(John Chryssavgis, Commonweal)
Legal Journal Number 8 (16): June 2021 (Spanish)
(Observatorio de Libertad Religiosa de América Latina y El Caribe)
Evangelicals of south Russia face charges
(Kavkaz Realii, Russia Religion News (Stetson University))
Russia readies implementation of new law affecting religion
(RIA Novosti, Russia Religion News (Stetson University))
Prosecutor demands harsh sentences for elderly Jehovah's Witness couple
(OVD.Info, Russia Religion News (Stetson University))
Russia: "Extremist organisations" suspended sentences and fines - list
(Victoria Arnold, Forum 18 News Service)
US website seizures targeting Iran cast wide net over dissident and religious broadcasters
(Matthew Petti, The Intercept)
Religion as an instrument for either national unity or division
(Muyiwa Adetiba, Vanguard Nigeria)
The religion behind a divided America and its conflict with China
(Peter T. C. Chang, South China Morning Post)
China implements policies on freedom of religious belief
(Xinhua, Shanghai News.net)
Wednesday, 23 June 2021
Freedom of religion and belief in Turkey: Recent challenges and recommendations in the context of European integration
(Özgür Heval Çɪnar, Talk About: Law and Religion - Blog of the International Center for Law and Religion Studies)
Options for Turkey’s religious and cultural minorities
(Abijah Crawford, Providence Mag)
Advancing religious freedom in different political regimes in theory and practice
(Elizabeth A. Clark, Talk About: Law and Religion - Blog of the International Center for Law and Religion Studies)
Christians, religious minorities protest establishment of Islam as state religion in Bangladesh
(Anugrah Kumar, The Christian Post)
France’s Macron pushes controls on religion to pressure mosques
(Noemie Bisserbe, Stacy Meichtry, The Wall Street Journal)
On Italian ‘homophobia’ bill: will people believe the pope is Catholic?
(Ed. Condon, JD Flynn, The Pillar)
How Evangelical conservatives are gaining power in Brazil
(Chayenne Polimédio, Foreign Affairs)
Guys, interrupted: Indonesian trans men set their sights on more visibility
(Amahl S. Azwar, The Jakarta Post)
Responses to anti-Asian hate crimes
(JoAnne Wadsworth, Viewpoints: A blog of the G20 Interfaith Forum)
A work in progress; progress in the work (religious diplomacy)
(James Christie, Viewpoints: A blog of the G20 Interfaith Forum)
An issue without borders: Finding solutions to the refugee crisis
(Elizabeth Ferris, Viewpoints: A blog of the G20 Interfaith Forum)
Hard-liner Raisi wins Iran presidency amid record low turnout
(Sarbas Nazari, Al-Monitor: Israel Pulse)
Clash at Al-Aqsa Mosque leaves several wounded
(Al-Monitor: Palestine Pulse)
Islamic State revives religious police in northeast Syria
(Mohammed Hardan, Al-Monitor: Syria Pulse)
'Fresh wave of violence' in Mozambique driven by radical jihadist extremists; children beheaded: report
(Emily Wood, The Christian Post)
SBC becomes first US denomination to condemn China's genocide of Uyghurs
(Leah MarieAnn Klett, The Christian Post)
Myanmar military wages war against Christian ethnic minorities
(Union of Catholic Asian News)
Vatican official urges end to Mexico's divisions, violence
(David Agren, Union of Catholic Asian News)
Christians seek removal of Pakistani PM's 'offensive' interview
(Kamran Chaudhry, Union of Catholic Asian News)
The challenges of Christian nurses in Pakistan
(Kamran Chaudhry, Union of Catholic Asian News)
Lao Tzu: The first libertarian intellectual: Opinion
(Ryan Ferries, Acton Institute)
Middle Eastern powers vie in shaping next generation of Muslims – Analysis
(James M. Dorsey, Eurasia Review Opinion)
India’s high court bans conversion therapy: A much needed law
(Bhavyata Kapoor, Jurist)
Why religious tolerance won in Indonesia but lost in India
(Dan Slater, Maya Tudor, Foreign Affairs)
Indian police arrest Muslims in religious conversion case
(Bijay Kumar Minj, Union of Catholic Asian News)
Indian Hindus turn to honoring ‘corona goddess’ to quell pandemic
(Bhavya Dore, Religion News Service)
Indian court orders wide-ranging protections for LGBTIA+ community
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Orthodox Church denied permission to build church in Sudan
(CSW: Everyone Free to Believe)
Amendments to Azerbaijan’s Religion Law place restrictions on appointment of church leaders
(Barnabas Fund)
Newly released “Mapping Migration” study focuses on church response in Europe
(World Council of Churches)
USCIRF condemns recent court decisions in Algeria against Christians
(U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom)
Weekly Highlight #161: COVID-19: Exploring Faith Dimensions: Vaccine Equity and Hesitancy; Religious Freedom and COVID-19
(Berkley Center, Joint Learning Initiative, WFDD)
AP photos: Tibetan traditions threatened by politics, growth
(Associated Press)
China, Canada spar at UN body over human rights failings
(Jamey Keaten, Associated Press)
Siberia, protest and politics: Shaman Alexander in danger
(Marjorie Mandelstam Balzer, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University)
Church leaders preach peace in Nicaragua as they face threats from Ortega regime
(Inés San Martín, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Cuban bishops hit back against resolution to endorse ‘gender ideology’
(Elise Ann Allen, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Ambassadors say Vatican summit should offer some hope for Lebanon
(Doreen Abi Raad, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Russia: More "extremist organisation" trial outcomes: suspended sentences, fines
(Victoria Arnold, Forum 18 News Service)
Israel's religious parties have lost power for now, but they might make a comeback
(Sputnik)
Israel greenlights controversial project in Hebron’s mosque
(Ahmad Melhem, Al-Monitor: Israel Pulse)
Israel's Supreme Court OK's non-profit tax status for Messianic congregation
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
In dramatic victory for religious freedom, Israeli Supreme Court allows tax exempt status for Messianic nonprofit
(Tuvia Pollack, All Israel News)
Israel shifts China policy, condemns its treatment of Uyghurs at UNHRC
(Lahav Harkov, Tovah Lazaroff, Jerusalem Post)
Uzbekistan news site protests at fine over religious reporting
(Eurasianet)
In Central America, Kamala Harris ignored our best hope: Catholic bishops
(Thomas Reese, RNS Column: Signs of the Times)
Religion News Service launches Religion Hub
(Religion News Service)
Uzbekistan: Shia mosque reopenings blocked, Religion Law passed with no published text
(Mushfig Bayram, Forum 18 News Service)
Monday, 21 June 2021
Advancing religious freedom in different political regimes: Personal stories
(Dmytro Vovk, Talk About: Law and Religion - Blog of the International Center for Law and Religion Studies)
Religious freedom in difficult places
(Brett G. Scharffs and Seng Mai Aung, Talk About: Law and Religion - Blog of the International Center for Law and Religion Studies)
Advancing religious freedom in different political regimes
(Ján Figeľ, Talk About: Law and Religion - Blog of the International Center for Law and Religion Studies)
In for the long haul—advocating for freedom of religion or belief
(Mine Yildirim, Talk About: Law and Religion - Blog of the International Center for Law and Religion Studies)
Saving Iraqi religious minorities and their heritage
(Knox Thames, Talk About: Law and Religion - Blog of the International Center for Law and Religion Studies)
Baha’i International Community joins a collective voice for the restoration of ecosystems
(Baha'i International Community)
Lutheran World Federation elects first female general secretary to lead global communion
(Emily McFarlan Miller, Religion News Service)
Spanish court affirmed: Christian view on homosexuality is not hate speech
(Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination in Europe)
How 'People's cathedral' helped form a just and free society in South Africa
(Sam Mathe, Sowetan Live)
Photos of the Week: Southern Baptists meet; historic bell found
(Kit Doyle, Religion News Service)
The business case for international religious freedom
(Vimeo video, Religious Freedom & Business Foundation)
Articles of interest - 21 June 2021
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Local faith communities respond to Venezuelan displacement in Latin America and the Caribbean
(JoAnne Wadsworth, G20 Interfaith Forum Blog)
UN experts call on Holy See to do more against child abuse
(Associated Press)
AP photos: Tourism boom pressures Tibet's historic sites
(Mark Schiefelbein and Sam Mcneil, Associated Press)
Israel arrests Arab suspects in mob killing of Jewish man
(Associated Press)
Pope on Myanmar: Houses of worship serve as neutral refuge
(Associated Press)
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