Law and Religion Headlines
Wednesday, 1 November 2023
Turkey: Experts and missionaries condemn the treatment of Christians
(Evangelical Times)
Advocacy letters to authorities in Cuba, Brazil, Malawi, and Ghana - October 2023
(International Panel of Parliamentarians for Freedom of Religion or Belief (IPPFoRB))
Cuba: Why are Cubas religious leaders going into exile?
(CSW: Everyone Free to Believe)
Sri Lanka: USCIRF delegation travels to Sri Lanka to assess religious freedom conditions
(U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom)
Vietnam: IRFBA Chair’s statement on Vietnamese religious prisoners of conscience: Lê Tùng Vân, Lê Thanh Trùng Dương, Lê Thanh Hoàn Nguyên, Lê Thanh Nhất Nguyên, Cao Thị Cúc, and Lê Thanh Nhị Nguyên
(U.S. Department of State)
Challenges facing FoRB and human rights: Strategies to strengthen the human rights architecture
(YouTube Video, European Union Office of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
Nicaragua: Ortega and the Church: A cautionary tale
(Brandon Van Dyck, Public Discourse: The Journal of the Witherspoon Institute)
The criminalisation of prayer with Isabel Vaughan-Spruce
(Catholic Herald)
Utah Gov. Cox warns America is heading in a dangerous direction
(Jacob Hess, Deseret News)
Campuses feel like political battlegrounds. Can a new initiative change that?
(Jacob Hess, Deseret News)
Perspective: Young people rally for freedom of religion all around the world
(Jacob Hess, Deseret News)
Justices skip religious Maine health workers' Covid vaccine suit
(Patrick Dorrian, Bloomberg Law)
Silently praying woman in Britain cited for ‘thoughtcrime’ for third time: Attorneys
(Mark A. Kellner, The Washington Times)
Catholic Church must elevate role of women, deal with issues of gender: synod report
(Mark A. Kellner, The Washington Times)
Curating Buddhism, Fostering Diplomacy: The “Secrets of the Fallen Pagoda” Exhibition in Singapore
(Jack Meng-Tat Chia and Darryl Kangfu Lim, The Review of Faith & International Affairs)
In Search of a Welcoming Environment for Religions in the “New Kazakhstan”
(Wade Kusack, The Review of Faith & International Affairs)
The Silence of the Roman Catholic Church on the Ukraine War
(Katharina McLarren, The Review of Faith & International Affairs)
A Bridge Over Troubled Water: How Worldview Helps Overcome the Religious-Secular Divide in Development Cooperation and Beyond
(Yannicke Goris and Simon Polinder, The Review of Faith & International Affairs)
Christian Nationalism's Threat to Global Democracy
(Nilay Saiya, The Review of Faith & International Affairs)
On a US tour, Ukrainian faith leaders plead for continued support against the Russian invasion
(Peter Smith, Associated Press)
‘Antisemitism has no place at Harvard’: College creates advisory board to tackle antisemitism in wake of anti-Israel letter
(Rick Sobey, Boston Herald)
Yes, anti-Zionism is antisemitism - editorial
(The Jerusalem Post)
Can we talk about anti-Semitism and Israel without "both-sidesism"?
(Josh Blackman, The Volokh Conspiracy)
Open hatred of Jews surges globally, inflamed by Gaza war
(Andrew Macaskill and Estelle Shirbon, Reuters)
Youngkin issues order aiming to combat antisemitism, other anti-religious hatred
(Associated Press)
Pennsylvania legislature repeals ban on public school teachers wearing religious garb or insignia
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
5 years after a Supreme Court win, Christian baker Jack Phillips’ fight is far from over
(Kelsey Dallas, Deseret News)
India: The Hindu right and India's religious diplomacy
(Ian Hall, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University)
Competing understandings of Islamic codes pertaining to women in the Arab world
(YouTube Video, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University)
Rep. Mike Johnson says he's 'not trying to' make Christianity the national religion
(David Moye, The Huffington Post)
Mike Johnson symbolizes a new turn for the religious right
(Ronald Brownstein, CNN)
‘Only Catholics need apply’: Is religion a barrier to getting a job as a primary teacher?
(Peter McGuire, The Irish Times)
Ecclesiastical court judgments – October
(David Pocklington, Law & Religion UK)
Leave your conscience at the Court: Religious tax protest before and after RFRA
(Samuel D. Brunson, Canopy Forum on the Interactions of Law & Religion)
Muslim women in the West in the crosshairs of Zionists, white ‘feminists’
(Sahar Aziz, Al Jazeera)
Poll: More religious Americans support the use of political violence
(Fiona André, Religion News Service)
Sweden’s soccer fans to be advised against wearing national team clothing on trips abroad
(Steve Douglas and Samuel Petrequin, Associated Press)
Holy See decries racism against migrants and religious discrimination
(Lisa Zengarini, Vatican News)
Ohio State research focuses on interactions among people of different faiths
(Chris Bournea, Ohio State News)
Japan: The proposed freezing of assets of religious corporations the government seeks to dissolve: a danger for all faiths in Japan
(Bitter Winter)
Australia: Voluntary assisted dying is finally being considered in the ACT. How would it differ from state laws?
(Ben White and Lindy Willmott, The Conversation)
10 things to know about China’s policies on religion
(Pew Research Center)
Tuesday, 31 October 2023
VIRTUAL EVENT, 31 October 2023 (9:30 ET): The International Religious Freedom Act at 25
(The United States Institute of Peace)
Monday, 30 October 2023
HYRBID EVENT, 30 October 2023 (5PM MT): Dialogue: What can we learn about bridging divides in America today? (Salt Lake City, UT, USA)
(BYU Law, The University of Utah, Equality Utah, 1st Amendment Partnership, Fairness For All Initiative, Braver Angels, Tolerance Means Dialogues)
Turkish police arrest 28 Daesh/ISIS terror suspects
(Zeynep Yesildal and Mustafa Gungor, Anadolu Agency)
U.S. bishops mark 25th anniversary of International Religious Freedom Act
(Diocese of Scranton)
As Turkey’s Christians celebrate a new church, religious minorities still call for respect
(David I. Klein, Religion News Service)
Statement from President Joe Biden on the 25th anniversary of the International Religious Freedom Act
(The White House)
International Religious Freedom Day – 25th anniversary of IRFA
(Antony J. Blinken, U.S. Department of State)
Canada: Western University fires Muslim chaplain over 'divisive' social media post
(CBC News)
Tynemouth Station: Palestine refugee mural removed after threat
(BBC News)
Law and religion round-up – 29th October
(Frank Cranmer, Law & Religion UK)
Hundreds attend vigil for Israel and Gaza
(BBC News)
Religions for Peace and the International Dialogue Centre – KAICIID announce the reaffirmation of their commitment to strengthening inter-institutional dialogue, cooperation and understanding
(Religions for Peace)
Around the web - 30 October 2023
(Law and Religion Forum, St. John's Law School Center for Law & Religion)
Recent cases of intolerance and desecation
(Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe)
Broad array of religious groups support medical nonprofit at 6th Circuit
(Alliance Defending Freedom)
Creating 21st century religious freedom advocacy
(Knox Thames, Real Clear Politics)
Theo-diplomacy: Peace and reconciliation in international and Islamic law
(Kaleem Hussain, London School of Economics Religion and Global Society Blog)
Can faith groups drive action on climate change?
(Hanane Benadi and James Walters, London School of Economics Religion and Global Society Blog)
States must address prejudice and discrimination based on religion or belief at all levels – UN expert
(Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations)
3 mosques in Germany receive threat messages
(Anadolu Agency)
Religious actors are key to achieving a sustainable future in a multipolar world
(International Partnership on Religion and Sustainable Development)
New book: Secularism and Islam in Bangladesh: 50 Years After Independence
(Abdul Wohab, Routledge)
Centering the Black Muslimah: Interrogating Gendered, Anti-Black Islamophobia
(Rabiat Akande, SSRN)
Gender Equality and the Scope of Religious Freedom in S.A.S. v. France
(Ilias Trispiotis, SSRN)
Resisting hate: A French garden project advocates for peace (video)
(Deutsche Welle)
West Virginia school system mandates religious training following revival assembly lawsuit
(Leah Willi, Associated Press)
In Benin, Voodoo’s birthplace, believers bemoan steady shrinkage of forests they revere as sacred
(Sam Mednick, Associated Press)
India police detain man as suspect in explosion that killed 3 people at Jehovah’s Witness gathering
(Associated Press)
US officials to meet Jewish leaders as anti-Semitism surges on campuses
(Al Jazeera)
Jewish and Muslim chaplains navigate US campus tensions and help students roiled by Israel-Hamas war
(Mariam Fam, Associated Press)
Afghanistan: Islamic State group claims responsibility for an explosion in Afghanistan, killing 4
(Associated Press)
Threats to kill Jewish students at Cornell prompt police to monitor kosher dining hall
(Jackie Hajdenberg, Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
Satanic Temple lacks standing to challenge Indiana abortion ban
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Articles of interest - 30 October 2023
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Palestinian Christians and Muslims have lived together for centuries—and several were recently killed in a historic church
(Christine Shepardson, Religion News Service)
ISW explains why Putin assembled Russia's Orthodox, Rabbis, and Muftis
(Religious Information Service of Ukraine (RISU))
Sierra Leone: Caritas in Sierra Leone calls for national "health emergency" to combat synthetic marijuana abuse
(La Croix International)
Ukrainian religious leaders on navigating Russia-Ukraine war (video)
(C-SPAN)
Russia blames Ukraine for antisemitic riot at airport in Dagestan
(Pjotr Sauer and Andrew Roth, The Guardian)
Examples of conscience, justice, and religious liberty issues in California
(Hans Noot, Bitter Winter)
Vietnam: Official calls for constructive dialogue on religious issues between Vietnam, US
(Vietnam Plus)
Moldova president says church must work for European integration
(Alexander Tanas, Reuters)
Guatemala commemorates International Religious Freedom Day
(GT News)
Positive Biden Administration policy on engaging with religious communities
(Stanley Carlson-Thies, Center for Public Justice)
Sunday, 29 October 2023
CALL FOR INPUT, deadline 29 October 2023: Advocacy of Hatred Based on Religion or Belief - Transformative Responses
(Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations)
Saturday, 28 October 2023
Israel: Arab Israeli Christians share an ‘identity crisis’ and prayers for peace
(Erik Tryggestad, Religion Unplugged)
The unfulfilled promise of the International Religious Freedom Act
(Thomas F. Farr, Real Clear Politics)
Sweden: Report: Quran-burning protester is ordered to leave Sweden but deportation on hold for now
(Associated Press)
Canada: Statement regarding health Canada's fourth annual report on MAiD deaths
(Cardus)
Air Canada apologizes after British MP questioned 'because his name is Mohammad'
(Brishti Basu, CBC News)
China: IRFBA Chair’s statement on Uyghur religious prisoner of conscience, Dr. Gulshan Abbas
(U.S. Department of State)
Building on 25 years of religious freedom advocacy
(Knox Thames and Peter Mandaville, Religion News Service)
West Virginia school settles suit over religious activities
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
China shows off a Tibetan boarding school that’s part of a system some see as forced assimilation
(Ken Moritsugu, Associated Press)
Antisemitism has moved from the right to the left in the US − and falls back on long-standing stereotypes
(Arie Perliger, The Conversation)
OK Supreme Court: Church autonomy doctrine requires dispute over disaffiliation to be dismissed
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Justice Department secures agreement requiring New York village to end discrimination against Orthodox Jewish residents
(U.S. Department of Justice)
Baptist leader, Rep. Maxwell Frost urge Christians to reject Christian nationalism
(Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty)
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