Law and Religion Headlines
Wednesday, 29 April 2020
For people with dementia, the coronavirus pandemic is a nightmare
(The Economist)
Is Sweden doing it right?
(Thomas L. Friedman, The New York Times)
Belgian-Dutch Study: Why in times of COVID-19 you should not walk/run/bike close behind each other.
(Jurgen Thoelen, Medium)
No #SURPRISE – Another Womenpriests story offers public-relations ink instead of news
(Terry Mattingly, GetReligion)
Saudi bid for English Premier League soccer team has support of fans, opposition of human rights advocates
(Neil Curry, Al-Monitor: The Pulse of the Middle East)
Tuesday, 28 April 2020
WEBINAR, 28 April 2020 (8 am EDT): Leading in the New Normal of a Pandemic World
(Professor Dr. Azza Karam, Professor Dr. William Storrar and others, Religions for Peace International)
Leading in the New Normal of a Pandemic World (concept paper)
(Center of Theological Inquiry, Religions for Peace International)
Religions for Peace organizes interfaith moment for hope and solidarity
(Fr. Benedict Mayaki, SJ, Vatican News)
WEBINAR, 28 April 2020 (12 noon EDT): USCIRF 2020 Annual Report - Registration link
(U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom)
Katherine Marshall: messages of religious leaders have “extraordinary importance”
(Marcelo Schneider, World Council of Churches)
Advancing a disability-inclusive response to COVID-19
(Syovata Shalon Kilonzo, World Council of Churches)
Beating coronavirus requires faith leaders to bridge gap between religion and science
(Katherine Marshall, The Conversation)
As states release reopening plans, churches prepare for the future with caution
(Kelsey Dallas, Deseret News | InDepth)
Women in seminaries, a slow "cultural revolution"
(Céline Hoyeau, La Croix International)
Law Pod UK episode on medical law developments
(Emma-Louise Fenelon, UK Human Rights Blog)
Hungarian journalists fear coronavirus law may be used to jail them
(Shaun Walker, The Guardian)
Observatoire de l'état d'urgence sanitaire et du confinement
(Commission Nationale Consultative des Droits de l'Homme)
Germans have right to protest during coronavirus pandemic: court
(Joseph Nasr, Reuters)
What relaunching the churches might look like over the next 3–12 months
(Ed Stetzer and Josh Laxton, The Exchange)
In Aceh, Indonesians pray at mosque but bring their own rugs
(Yayan Zamzami, Associated Press)
Pope urges virus lockdown obedience amid church-state debate
(Nicole Winfield, Associated Press)
Religious freedom watchdog pitches adding India to blacklist
(Elana Schor, Associated Press)
Church sues Virginia governor over 10-person gathering limit
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Chincoteague church files lawsuit against Gov. Northam over gathering ban
(Carol Vaughn, Eastern Shore Post)
Study shows extent of COVID-19 restrictions on religious services
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Most states have religious exemptions to COVID-19 social distancing rules
(Virginia Villa, Pew Research Center Fact Tank)
Attorney General warns against COVID-19 orders that violate civil rights
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
AG Barr pushes back on violations of civil liberties
(Liberty Counsel)
New report highlights 29 countries where religious freedom is most at risk
(Kelsey Dallas, Deseret News Faith)
Amsterdam’s Jewish nursing home has lost over 20% of its residents to COVID-19. Could it have done more?
(Cnaan Liphshiz, Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
Religious freedom publication attacked by Russian government
(SOVA Center for News and Analysis, Russia Religion News (Stetson University))
Azerbaijan: Will regime implement alternative service commitment?
(Felix Corley, Forum 18 News Service)
Slavic Pentecostals, coronavirus and California politics make a confusing mix at Sacramento Bee
(Julia Duin, GetReligion)
Dawn of the dead: Faith-based colleges face challenges even bigger than coronavirus
(Terry Mattingly, GetReligion)
German bishops expect decline in church tax revenue due to COVID-19
(Catholic News Service, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Is a global pandemic a de minimis hardship? EEOC guidance on covid-19 and religious accommodation
(The National Law Review)
Religious freedom in India takes 'drastic turn downward,' U.S. commission says
(Tom Gjelten, National Public Radio)
Greek church demands government ease controls on religious services
(Anthee Carassava, VOA)
US religious freedoms panel urges sanctions on China over violations in Xinjiang
(Radio Free Asia)
US agency: Iran’s regime ‘propagates and tolerates antisemitism'
(Benjamin Weinthal, The Jerusalem Post)
Number of non-religious weddings almost same as Catholic, figures show
(Patsy McGarry, The Irish Times)
UK: What has corruption got to do with human rights abuses?
(Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes)
Nancy Pelosi uses scripture to support call for prisoner releases amid pandemic
(Milton Quintanilla, Christian Headlines)
Poland shocked by documentary exposing church pedophilia
(Monika Sieradzka, Der Spiegel)
Monday, 27 April 2020
Covid-19: Experts warn of potential wave of extremism
(Aggrey Mutambo, Daily Nation)
An active faith may hold the key to a longer, healthier life
(Elisa Di Benedetto and Larbi Megari, The Association of Religion Data Archives: GlobalPlus)
In a pandemic, a Buddhist chaplain's Zen practice become purpose
(Micah Danney, Religion Unplugged)
Christian colleges face uncertain future, existential threats amid COVID-19
(Steve Rabey, Religion Unplugged)
For lessons on closed house of worship, look at 1918 flu pandemic
(Bobby Ross Jr., Religion Unplugged)
Religious Administration of Muslims of Ukraine defines the format of the 'quarantine' Ramadan
(Religious Information Service of Ukraine (RISU))
Ugly Reports of Islamophobia and Anti-Semitism Linked to COVID-19 Crisis
(Daily Highlight, Berkley Center, Joint Learning Initiative, WFDD)
Africa adapts to new taste of Ramadan under Covid-19 lockdown
(Christina Okello, RFI)
Muslims in France prepare for muted Ramadan under coronavirus lockdown
(Christina Okello, RFI)
Accumulation of people on holidays and at religious services is the most dangerous thing that can happen today, - the President
(Religious Information Service of Ukraine (RISU))
Sickness amid the cedars: The Lebanese were watching for the virus. But the outbreak in this secluded and stunningly beautiful place was not what they’d expected.
(Sarah Dadouch, The Washington Post)
Church donations have plunged because of the coronavirus. Some churches won’t survive.
(Michelle Boorstein, The Washington Post)
Jewish history explains why some ultra-Orthodox communities defy coronavirus restrictions
(Joyce Dalsheim, The Conversation)
From pews to patients – churches have long served as hospitals, particularly in times of crisis
(Adam J. Davis, The Conversation)
Coronavirus: conspiracy theories and fake videos fuel rise in Islamophobia
(Imran Awan, The Conversation)
Trump team moves to scrap protections for LGBTQ patients
(Dan Diamond, Politico)
Erdogan backs cleric who claims homosexuality brings disease
(Associated Press)
Religious freedom attorneys pick their battles amid pandemic
(Elana Schor, Associated Press)
Mosque’s makeshift morgue shows virus toll on UK minorities
(Jo Kearney and Jill Lawless, Associated Press)
Military chaplains pivot to serve soldiers in virus outbreak
(Sarah Blake Morgan, Associated Press)
US church faces neglect allegations after Haiti child deaths
(Michael Weissenstein and Ben Fox, Associated Press)
Trump administration's religious freedom claims require a closer look
(Melissa Rogers, Canopy Forum on the Interactions of Law & Religion)
Negligent violation of inmate's religious dietary needs did not violate 1st Amendment
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Court says drive-in church services are reasonable compromise for covid-19 limits
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Settlement reached with Kansas churches challenging covid-19 limits on services
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Sri Lanka: One year on from the 2019 Easter Sunday Bombings
(CSWPress, FoRB in Full: A blog by CSW)
Proposed amendments to discrimination complaint handling
(Neil Foster, Law and Religion Australia)
Women’s stories of breaking the mould as Muslim preachers in Kenya
(Hassan Juma Ndzovu, The Conversation)
Legal Spirits Episode 022: Church closings in the time of coronavirus
(Law and Religion Forum, St. John's Law School Center for Law & Religion)
Americans in both parties want an ethical president, but Democrats more likely to say that’s ‘very important’
(Jeff Diamant, Pew Research Center Fact Tank)
Northern Ireland Secretary ‘exceeded powers in allowing abortion’
(Michael McHugh, Belfast Telegraph)
Sudan moves to scrap death penalty for leaving Islam
(Karen Alecho, Uganda Christian News)
How the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints responds to the COVID-19 emergency (Responding to: Religious action on COVID-19: Efforts in the field)
(Coby Vail, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University)
Italian bishops threaten break with government over Mass
(Elise Ann Allen, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
In spat over Mass, Italy’s PM may need the bishops more than they need him
(John L. Allen Jr., Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Biden marks Poway synagogue shooting anniversary with plan for increased protections for Jews and others
(Ron Kampeas, Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
What’s next for North Korea’s Christians?
(Arielle Del Turco, Real Clear Religion)
Thinking with Ryan Burge: Why it would be dangerous for most churches to reopen
(Terry Mattingly, GetReligion)
Those seeking lessons on locked houses of worship can study the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic
(Bobby Ross Jr., GetReligion)
The “elderly actress” and the first petitioner
(David Pocklington, Law & Religion UK)
Law and religion round-up – 26th April
(Frank Cranmer, Law & Religion UK)
China's religious persecution in the time of coronavirus
(Susan Crabtree, Real Clear Politics)
Engaging religious leaders in public health policy
(WortFM Radio)
Daily Highlight #53: Japan’s Religious Communities React to COVID-19
(Katherine Marshall, Berkley Center, Joint Learning Initiative, WFDD)
Saturday, 25 April 2020
Virus divides as Ramadan begins under lockdown
(Edited by Anna Jones, https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-52391744)
New podcast: Faith-based colleges face coronavirus crisis (and hard identity questions, too)
(Terry Mattingly, GetReligion)
Iraqi on genocide charges in Germany for IS killing of child
(David Rising, Associated Press)
Indian Muslims face stigma, blame for surge in infections
(Aniruddha Ghosal, Sheikh Saaliq and Emily Schmall, Associated Press)
Reading between lines of recent surveys: Is the worst of the Sexual Revolution over?
(Richard Ostling, GetReligion)
Welsh Government: Coronavirus update
(Frank Cranmer, Law & Religion UK)
Dutch Supreme Court approves euthanasia in cases of advanced dementia
(Sanne Gerrits, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Advocates fear threats to religious freedom, health in northeast Syria
(Dale Gavlak, Catholic News Service)
Bishops criticize immigration restrictions, say they will hurt families
(Julie Asher, Catholic News Service)
Was Christian speech the victim of 'religious freedom'?
(Bill Donohue, Newsmax)
Scotland proposes repeal to blasphemy law
(Agence France-Presse, Raw Story)
Malema defends cops asking Muslims defying lockdown in South Africa: ‘Muhammad is bigger than the president?’
(Charles Cilliers, The Citizen)
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