Law and Religion Headlines
Wednesday, 28 May 2025
Supreme Court refuses plea to protect Oak Flat
(Becket)
KAICIID showcases leadership in tackling religiously motivated hatred at conference marking International Day to Combat Islamophobia
(KAICIID Dialogue Centre)
The Supreme Court rejects a plea to block a copper mine on land in Arizona that’s sacred to Apaches
(Mark Sherman, Associated Press)
With denial of cert in Apache Stronghold, substantial burden analysis remains confused
(James C. Phillips, The Federalist Society)
High Court won't hear Apache's bid to undo mining decision
(Crystal Owens, Law360)
In the pursuit of freedom: The history of the ICLRS and its commitment to help nations find solutions aligned with each country's values
(Gene Cymmer Ramirez, Ke Alaka'I)
Washington State vs The Seal of Confession: a test for religious liberty in the US
(Massimo Introvigne, Bitter Winter: A magazine on religious liberty and human rights)
Supreme Court’s one-sentence order closes the door to Catholic charter school – but leaves it open for future challenges
(Charles J. Russo, The Conversation)
2024 PRRI census of American religion
(PRRI)
Why Black Americans identify as Christian Nationalists: religiosity, theology, and history matter
(Ansley Quiros, PRRI)
The new spiritual leader on campus: Students are growing less religious. Many chaplains are adapting.
(Cornelia Powers, The Atlantic)
Americans’ trust in one another
(Pew Research Center)
Japan: Unification Church’s President Tanaka speaks. 1. The dissolution verdict
(Fumihiro Kato, Bitter Winter: A magazine on religious liberty and human rights)
India’s religious politics cloud its diplomatic future
(John Singarayar, Eurasia Review)
USCIRF condemns rising attacks on Ahmadiyya Muslims in Pakistan
(European Federation for Freedom of Belief)
Event in Milan on Multi-Faith Rooms
(DiReSoM (Law and Religion in Multicultural Societies))
Legal Spirits 067: Confession and the Constitution
(Law and Religion Forum, St. John's Law School Center for Law & Religion)
Evidence of religious differences between accused and victim did not require reversal of murder conviction
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Prosecuting man for burning Qur’an ‘reintroducing blasphemy law’, UK court told
(The Guardian)
New strategic faith lead to strengthen role of churches in England’s social prescribing efforts
(Chris Eyte, Christian Daily)
Quakers first British church to state belief that genocide underway in Gaza
(Quakers in Britaind)
The Prime Minister receives Sam Brownback, Co-Chair of the International Religious Freedom Summit
(The Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia)
Vietnam: Faith-based grassroots model fosters harmony, religious freedom, and public security in Gia Lai
(Voice of Vietnam)
Christians in Vietnam lose homes but cling to Jesus
(Open Doors)
Suit challenges display of statues of saints on public safety building
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Ghana bishops raise the alarm over illegal mining
(Ngala Killian Chimtom, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
FBI to probe claims of 'targeted violence' against religious groups after evangelicals' protest in Seattle
(Landon Mion, Fox News)
From Inquisition to Eurovision: Spain’s long history of Antisemitism and the politicization of hate
(Combat Antisemitism Movement)
Catholics, Buddhists gather in Cambodia for interreligious meeting focused on peace
(Kristina Millare, Catholic News Agency)
WCC, Swiss Protestant Churches unite in fight for justice in Artsakh/Nagorno-Karabakh
(World Council of Churches)
How North Macedonia religious institutions breach financial reporting rules
(Frosina Dimeska, Balkan Insight)
Virginia students challenge state policies that deny college grants for religious programs
(Alliance Defending Freedom)
Religions and migrations: Practical challenges to democracy (Italian)
(DiReSoM (Law and Religion in Multicultural Societies))
Religious freedom in the mirror of 100 years of Jehovah's Witnesses in Portugal (Portuguese)
(Paulo Mendes Pinto, Visao)
Monday, 26 May 2025
Message from the National Security Council to Israelis in Canada, urging them to exercise increased precaution
(National Security Council)
Liturgical Order, Cultura Dei and the Normative Function of Ritual Power: Considerations on the Effective Forces of the Cultura Dei in the Coronation of King Charles III
(Stephan Winter, Oxford Journal of Law and Religion)
From pulpit to platform: Faith, facts, and the fight for civic trust
(Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University)
Olinga Foundation fosters literacy with moral purpose
(Bahá’í World News Service)
Justice delivered for postal worker forced out over his religious beliefs
(Jorge Gomez, First Liberty)
Islamabad lays foundations for minority rights commission (French)
(religactu)
Religious freedom battle erupts as New Jersey town attempts to turn church property into pickleball courts
(Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Fox News)
A headscarf ban in basketball is benching players in France. A new bill could make it law
(Samuel Petrequin and Alex Turnbull, Associated Press)
Pope prays for Chinese Catholics to be in communion with Rome in first comments on thorny issues
(Nicole Winfield, Associated Press)
Articles of interest - 26 May 2025
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Plaintiff may move ahead with claim that Iowa RFRA protects his religious use of cannabis
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Five years after George Floyd’s murder, church leaders say race relations face retrenchment
(Adelle M. Banks, Religion News Service)
Tens of thousands flock to see a Spanish saint’s remains more than 440 years after her death
(Suman Naishadham and Alicia Leon, Associated Press)
Europe’s bishops hope Pope Leo will move the needle with Trump admin
(Elise Ann Allen, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Law and religion roundup – 25th May
(Frank Cranmer, Law & Religion UK)
Dozens of British mosques urge Starmer to recognise Palestine
(Middle East Eye)
The American Proposition: Whose Truths? Which Strategies?
(Steven D. Smith, Church Life Journal)
Metropolitan of Messinia in OT: Russian Church is attempting an intrusion into Church of Greece as well
(Orthodox Times)
Cambodia: Department of Cults and Religion tells ‘guru’ to stop posting content that affects social security on social media
(Khmer Times)
People of Bangladesh enjoying full religious freedom: Mahfuj
(BSS News)
Nigeria: Two years after Muslim-Muslim ticket, has governance trumped religion?
(Muzha Kucha, Radio Nigeria)
Ghana: Interior Minister urges Christian clerics to partner with government for national peace, security
(Judith Twumwaa, Modern Ghana)
Rights group urges Qatar government to end discriminatory policies against Baha’i minority
(Divyabharthi Baradhan, Jurist)
Legal Journal Number 7 (20): May (Spanish)
(Observatorio de Libertad Religiosa de América Latina y El Caribe)
DESS announces launch of investigation into possible affiliation of the Kyiv Metropolis of the UOC
(Institute for Religious Freedom, Ukraine)
Youth Interfaith Summit highlights spiritual dimension of climate action
(Bahá’í World News Service)
Sunday, 25 May 2025
Texas bill to require Ten Commandments in public schools moves closer to governor's desk
(Erik Ortiz, NBC)
Friday, 23 May 2025
Opinion: OK Charter School Board v. Drummond
(The Supreme Court)
Pope Leo XIV’s Peace Initiative Relative to the Russia-Ukraine War
(Pavlo Smytsnyuk, Talk About: Law and Religion - Blog of the International Center for Law and Religion Studies)
Iraq’s legal crisis through the lens of its personal status law
(Anne Harper, Talk About: Law and Religion - Blog of the International Center for Law and Religion Studies)
Does Southeast Asia lead the world in human flourishing?
(Paul Marshall, The Diplomat)
Greek monk hospitalized after monastery clash linked to decades-old dispute
(Costas Kantouris, Associated Press)
Supreme Court tie vote dooms taxpayer funded Catholic charter school in Oklahoma
(Mark Sherman, Associated Press)
Split Supreme Court blocks first religious charter school in Oklahoma
(Amy Howe, SCOTUSblog)
Supreme Court deadlocks, blocking creation of first religious public school
(Justin Jouvenal, Laura Meckler and Ann E. Marimow, The Washington Post)
California agrees to consent decree allowing sectarian schools to participate in IDEA
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Exclusion of religious organization from non-profit discount challenged under California's Unruh Act
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Prayer service at Pentagon sparks religious freedom debate
(Kelsey Dallas, Deseret News)
New Jersey church's proposed homeless shelter still in limbo after zoning meeting
(Bob Smietana, Religion News Service)
Hindu refugees from Bhutan are being deported to a country they cannot live in
(Richa Karmarkar, Religion News Service)
As US Institute of Peace is ordered reinstated, people of faith must support it
(Tarunjit Singh Butalia, Religion News Service)
Lavrov is opposed to Orthodox delegations negotiating in the Vatican
(Religious Information Service of Ukraine (RISU))
Kyrgyzstan: Up to 7 years' imprisonment for True and Free Adventist Pastor?
(Mushfig Bayram, Forum 18 News Service)
After museum shooting, 40+ Jewish groups call for $1B in federal funding to secure religious institutions
(Ben Sales, Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
France boosts security at Jewish sites after deadly US embassy shooting
(RFI)
Vietnam: Before Macron’s visit to Hanoi, NGOs urge him to press for the release of over 68 religious prisoners
(Human Rights Without Frontiers International)
Common horizons: Interreligious pathways to social cohesion and climate justice in Europe
(KAICIID Dialogue Centre)
India: Marginalizing Sikh rights and religious freedoms
(Muhammad Wasama Khalid, Eurasia Review)
Iran’s takeover of Iraq threatens mass Christian exodus
(William Roberts, Providence)
Sri Lankan court rules arrest of preachers ‘unconstitutional’
(Union of Catholic Asian News)
Washington court holds (2-1) prosecutors didn't improperly "play[] into religious or cultural prejudices" in trial of Iraqi immigrant husband for murdering wife
(Eugene Volokh, The Volokh Conspiracy)
Egypt: Hidden epidemic of violence against Coptic girls and women
(Human Rights Without Frontiers International)
Cuba: Arrests and warnings: Ladies in White face repression (Spanish)
(Ivette Pacheco, Marti)
‘In God We Trust’ will be displayed in all West Virginia classrooms
(Jorge Gomez, First Liberty)
Government’s removal of religion grades from student averages unconstitutional, rules Polish top court
(Notes from Poland)
Romanian State Secretary for Religious Affairs visits Metropolis of Bessarabia in Chișinău
(Orthodox Times)
Scottish government maintains “Tibetan Buddhist community should have the right to choose the next Dalai Lama without external interference”
(Central Tibetan Administration)
Vatican honours Rabbi Fishel Szlajen with diploma of honour and silver medal (Spanish)
(Infobae)
What does persecution of Christians mean today – worldwide and in the heart of Europe? (video in German)
(YouTube Video, ADF International)
The Supreme Court deadlocked over a first-of-its-kind religious charter school. Here’s what will happen next
(Kelsey Dallas, Deseret News)
Thursday, 22 May 2025
EVENT, 22-23 May 2025: Religious Freedom of Minority Groups in Times of Ongoing Crisis (Messina, Italy)
(Università degli Studi di Messina)
Wednesday, 21 May 2025
Ansari introduces “Artemis” Act, named for Christian convert seeking asylum, to protect due process for all
(Yassamin Ansari, U.S. House of Representatives)
Justice Department files religious liberty lawsuit against Troy, Idaho for discriminating against a small Christian church
(U.S. Department of Justice)
Missouri man sentenced to over nine years in prison for church arson
(U.S. Department of Justice)
California agrees to stop penalizing Jewish children with disabilities
(Becket)
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