Law and Religion Headlines
Wednesday, 26 August 2020
Court enjoins DOE rule favoring funding of private schools under CARES Act
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Funerals and weddings in Northern Ireland
(David Pocklington, Law & Religion UK)
Worshipers went online, but will they stay there?
(Peter Kenny, Ecumenical News)
Church spars with Sicily government over migrant expulsion order
(Elise Ann Allen, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Kenyan religious leaders demand action on alleged theft of COVID-19 funds
(Fredrick Nzwili, Catholic News Service)
The pandemic tips the balance between mosque and state: for Saudi Arabia and Egypt, a pretext to crack down
(Geneive Abdo and Nourhan Elnahla, Foreign Affairs)
Some congregations are in conflict about the coronavirus pandemic
(Kelsey Dallas, Deseret News)
How cannabis (accidentally) helped reopen churches during the COVID pandemic
(Chris Roberts, Forbes)
Judge denies request that would have allowed 3 Christian schools to reopen in Oregon
(Maxine Bernstein, The Oregonian)
Oregon's COVID-19 limits on religious schools upheld
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Iran’s coronavirus death toll hits 20,000 as nation braces for more
(Al-Monitor: Iran Pulse)
Syria could have 2 million cases of coronavirus by Aug. 31
(Judi Dalati, Al-Monitor: Syria Pulse)
Lebanon returns to lockdown after post-explosion surge in virus
(Al-Monitor: Lebanon Pulse)
Coronavirus cases in Israel top 100,000
(Al-Monitor: Israel Pulse)
Why freedom of religion will likely not trump public health interests in Australia with a future COVID-19 vaccine
(Renae Barker, The Conversation)
Latin America’s evangelical churches hard hit by pandemic
(Associated Press)
Monday, 24 August 2020
Quebec’s mistreatment of faith groups during the COVID lockdown draws Cardinal’s ire
(Peter Stockland, Convivium: Canada's Premier Hub for Faith in Common Life)
ZOOM EVENT, 24 August 2020 (11AM EDT): The COVID-19 Emergency in Sri Lanka: Strengths and Challenges
(Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University)
New COVID-19 legislation and guidance: to 29 August
(David Pocklington, Law & Religion UK)
Aerosols and droplets in church – breathing, speaking, shouting and singing
(David Pocklington, Law & Religion UK)
Friday, 21 August 2020
Schools looking for space could turn to churches to host classes – doing so has a rich history
(Andrew Barnes, The Conversation)
EP dialogue seminar: COVID-19 – implications for the future
(Conference of European Churches)
COVID-19 Coronavirus: legislation and guidance
(David Pocklington, Law & Religion UK)
South Korea's latest church-linked coronavirus outbreak is turning into a battle over religious freedom
(Paula Hancocks, CNN International)
In South Korea’s new covid-19 outbreak, religion and politics collide
(Choe Sang-Hun, The New York Times)
South Korean president turns to Catholic bishops to help fight coronavirus
(Elise Ann Allen, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Demands to treat churches and casinos equally may be asking too much and not enough
(Kathleen A. Brady, Religious Freedom Institute)
Why churches are fighting shutdown orders
(ReligiousLiberty.TV)
LA County fails bid to shut down church and must prove why free exercise rights should be infringed
(ReligiousLiberty.TV)
South Texas Christian school defies court order and plans in-person classes
(Isaiah Mitchell, The Texan)
Challenge to California COVID-19 limits on church services rejected
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
New Jersey COVID-19 limits on indoor church services upheld
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Pope Francis calls for COVID-19 vaccine that includes the poor
(Peter Kenny, Ecumenical News)
Navigating a global health crisis: Responses of Baha’i communities around the world
(Bahá’í International Community)
Beyond the state: Our shared duties to cooperate to realize human rights during the evolving risks of a global pandemic
(Diane Desierto, EJIL: Talk! Blog of the European Journal of International Law)
Russia holds church accountable for coronavirus infections
(Interfax-Religiia, Russia Religion News (Stetson University))
Wednesday, 19 August 2020
The Weekly Round-up: A-level Results, Facial Recognition, and Special Educational Needs
(Sam Sykes, UK Human Rights Blog)
Podcast: Will religious liberty prevail?
(Carrie Abbott)
Muslim ICE detainees in Miami forced to choose between pork or rotten halal food, lawyers say
(Aysha Khan, Religion News Service)
Pope: Rich can’t get priority for vaccine, poor need help
(Frances D'Emilio, Associated Press)
What the coronavirus pandemic has taught us about religious freedom and trust
(Kelsey Dallas, Deseret News Faith)
Christian schools invoke religious liberty to reopen despite warnings of health experts
(Chrissy Stroop, Religion Dispatches)
Religious schools sue Calif. Gov. Gavin Newsom over school closure order
(Michael Gryboski, The Christian Post)
2,500 evangelicals sign pandemic statement warning: Don’t ignore science
(Yonat Shimron, Religion News Service)
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee cites religious liberty, voting access in mask exemptions
(David Floyd, Johnson City Press)
Monday, 17 August 2020
ZOOM EVENT (RSVP required), 17-21 August: G20 Interfaith Forum: North America Regional Consultation
(GS Interfaith Forum, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs)
Fewer people but deep faith on Greece’s Assumption holiday
(Elena Becatoros, Associated Press)
Exempt churches from mask mandate -- Bryan McDowell
(Bryan McDowell, Wisconsin State Journal)
South Korea pastor tests positive amid virus spike at church
(Kim Tong-Hyung, Associated Press)
Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers supports the decision to restrict foreign visits to Uman for Rosh Hashanah period
(Interfax-Religion)
COVID-19 – Further changes to Church of England guidance
(David Pocklington, Law & Religion UK)
New COVID-19 legislation and guidance: to 22 August
(David Pocklington, Law & Religion UK)
Ban on shofar-blowing lifted for congregation leaders ahead of High Holy Days
(Mathilde Frot, Jewish News)
Montenegro to hold elections amid coronavirus and religious tensions
(Nikola Đorđević, Emerging Europe)
California court rules John MacArthur’s church must comply with county ban on religious services
(Jordan Davidson, The Federalist)
Amid the pandemic, are Americans virtually church-hopping out of ease or envy?
(Mya Jaradat, Deseret News)
Judge orders John MacArthur, Grace Community Church to wear masks, social distance during services
(Bob Smietana, Religion News Service)
Church's battle against California indoor worship ban leads to court decisions, and defiance
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Friday, 14 August 2020
AP photos: Across faiths, pandemic alters worship, rites
(Elizabeth Dalziel, Associated Press)
States should pay attention to Supreme Court justices' comments on 'reopening' orders
(Timothy Snowball and Larry Salzman, The Hill Opinion)
More US churches sue to challenge COVID-19 restrictions
(David Crary, Associated Press)
On returning to campus: What might we learn from Christian ethics?
(Paul Lewis, Canopy Forum on the Interactions of Law & Religion)
Coronavirus-related legislation: Cytûn’s briefing for churches in Wales
(Frank Cranmer, Law & Religion UK)
Suit challenges California COVID-19 limits on worship services
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Pastor John MacArthur and Grace Community Church sue State of California
(Thomas More Society)
Minnesota’s teacher-turned-governor flunks religious liberties
(Thomas More Society)
Churches challenge Minnesota covid-19 limits on worship services
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
John MacArthur sues California to defend religious liberty
(Capstone Report)
City tells local church to stop in-person worship services
(Andre Coleman, Pasadena Now)
Wednesday, 12 August 2020
115 million American adults turn to prayer during coronavirus
(Religious Freedom & Business Foundation)
Interfaith Council extends time for religious gatherings, relaxes age restrictions
(Tracy Mutinda, The Star Kenya)
Conversation: Digitalization of religion in times of COVID-19
(Marco Ventura, Talk About: Law and Religion - Blog of the International Center for Law and Religion Studies)
Prisoners of an image secularization as an epidemic
(Paolo Costa, Talk About: Law and Religion - Blog of the International Center for Law and Religion Studies)
Digitalizing the Church? Different contexts, similar theological challenges in the Catholic and Orthodox Churches
(Regina Elsner, Talk About: Law and Religion - Blog of the International Center for Law and Religion Studies)
Pagan communities in the time of pandemic
(Stanislav Panin, Talk About: Law and Religion - Blog of the International Center for Law and Religion Studies)
Global church and home church in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
(Jennifer C. Lane, Talk About: Law and Religion - Blog of the International Center for Law and Religion Studies)
The Second Oxford Statement on International Law Protections of the Healthcare Sector During COVID-19: Safeguarding Vaccine Research
(Dapo Akande, Antonio Coco, Talita de Souza Dias, Duncan Hollis, Harold Hongju Koh, James O'Brien and Tsvetelina van Benthem, EJIL: Talk! Blog of the European Journal of International Law)
Boris Johnson visits Catholic schools in London to push for re-starting in-person classes
(Charles Collins, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Israeli women excluded from decision-making on coronavirus
(Rina Bassist, Al-Monitor: Israel Pulse)
NY court condemns religious discrimination
(Overton County News)
International leaders, institutions condemn arrest of Shincheonji church leaders
(The Nation)
Face masks in Strasbourg
(Rosalind English, UK Human Rights Blog)
First COVID-19 case among residents reported in Syrian IS camp
(Al-Monitor: Syria Pulse)
For Italy’s Muslims, few places to pray and fewer places to bury COVID-19 dead
(Lorenzo Bagnoli, Religion News Service)
Bolivia’s bishops offer to mediate destabilizing political crisis as pandemic worsens
(Inés San Martín, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Church defies judge's order not to meet inside; pastor says church is 'essential'
(Deborah Bunting, CBN News)
Churches continue to challenge governors' attacks
(Michael F. Haverluck, One News Now)
Judge won't order sheriff to enforce restraining order at Newbury Park church
(Kathleen Wilson, Ventura County Star)
COVID tips for Christian colleges: Wear masks, social distance, pray — and watch out for tornadoes
(Jamie Aten and Kent Annan, Religion News Service)
Church conflict during COVID-19 growing worry for pastors, says LifeWay Research
(Adelle M. Banks, Religion News Service)
Suit claims mask requirement at church services violates Free Exercise protections
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
California church holds worship services, defying court’s restraining order and public health restrictions
(Don Byrd, Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty)
Monday, 10 August 2020
Monthly round-up: Key actions in our nation’s capital helping to advance religious freedom
(Jorge Gomez and Mia Gradick, First Liberty)
Church and state in Panama working together to fight Covid-19
(James Blears, Vatican News)
Bishops petition US Congress for emergency aid for Catholic schools
(Zenit: The World Seen from Rome)
State Senator Robert Mills works to protect religious liberties of patients during a declared public health emergency
(Will Phillips, Minden-Press Herald)
What Catholic social teaching says about property rights
(Kelly S. Johnson, America: The Jesuit Review)
How attacks on faith, family, and conscience threaten all our freedoms
(Timothy Goeglein, The Daily Signal)
Ethical Society leader: Religious congregations should lead by example and close their doors
(Carolyn A. Parker, The Statesman)
School choice and the value of religious diversity
(Robert Maranto, National Review)
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