Law and Religion Headlines
Thursday, 16 April 2020
How to build community while worshipping online
(Heidi A. Campbell, The Conversation)
Muslim women who cover their faces find greater acceptance among coronavirus masks – ‘Nobody is giving me dirty looks’
(Anna Piela, The Conversation)
Scapegoating “Christian Nationalists” for the coronavirus pandemic
(Steven Wedgeworth, Public Discourse: The Journal of the Witherspoon Institute)
It’s time for the government to introduce food rationing
(Robert Garner, OUPblog)
DOJ said judges can’t stop immigration hearings over COVID-19. Cleary Gottlieb called that a ‘death trap.’
(Jacqueline Thomsen, The National Law Journal)
Walmart faces wrongful death suit after employee dies from COVID-19
(Molly Stubs, Expert Institute)
Coronavirus crisis makes curtail of religious freedom justifiable — temporarily
(Thomas F. Farr, President, Religious Freedom Institute, National Catholic Register)
U.S. Justice Department sides with church in COVID-19 religious dispute
(Lawrence Hurley, Reuters)
Black clergy memorialize the dead, ask government to address disparities
(Adelle M. Banks, Religion News Service Opinion)
Opposition to Samaritan’s Purse Central Park field hospital grows
(Yonat Shimron, Religion News Service)
Bending the COVID-19 inequality curve
(Thomas Reese, RNS Column: Signs of the Times)
The show must go on: Egypt's Ramadan soap operas defy COVID-19
(Shahira Amin, Al-Monitor: Egypt Pulse)
Egyptians fear coronavirus count falls far short of reality
(Al-Monitor: Egypt Pulse)
Is coronavirus good for health of Turkish-US relations?
(Kadri Gursel, Al-Monitor: Turkey Pulse)
Gazan medical masks make a statement
(Ahmed Sammak, Al-Monitor: Palestine Pulse)
Courtroom access: Faced with a pandemic, the Supreme Court pivots
(Amy Howe, SCOTUSblog)
CEC-CCME take necessary measures in response to COVID -19
(the Conference of European Churches (CEC) and Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME))
Reflections on Christian Communion in a Time of Physical Distancing and COVID-19
(CEC Thematic Group on Science, New Technologies and Christian Ethics, Conference of European Churches)
Buddhist influencer Tyler Knott Gregson offers spiritual tools to cope during COVID-19
(Liza Vandenboom, Religion Unplugged)
Sri Lankan Muslims angry over forced Covid-19 cremations
(UCA News)
Rival Ukraine churches clash over Easter lockdown rules
(Associated Press)
Muslims grapple with Ramadan rituals in coronavirus era
(Mariam Fam, Associated Press)
Justice Department sides with Mississippi church in coronavirus dispute, other suits move forward
(Don Byrd, Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty)
Silence over Easter police raids captures ‘through the looking glass’ moment
(John L. Allen Jr., Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
During coronavirus, Vatican employs spiritual, political silence
(Elise Ann Allen, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
The Justice Department achieves a victory for religious liberty
(Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review)
Joint NGO statement highlights health and security risks from COVID-19 crisis for vulnerable Iraqi communities
(Religious Freedom Institute)
Washington should fund ministers’ salaries
(Michael A. Helfand, The Wall Street Journal (Opinion))
Keeping Baha’i prisoners, Iran threatens the entire country’s health
(Winston Nagan, Religion News Service)
East European Catholics draw lockdown parallels with communist rule
(Jonathan Luxmoore, Catholic News Service)
No, COVID-19 didn’t suddenly empower government to do anything it wants to churches
(Ryan Tucker, The Federalist)
COVID-19 and EJIL
(Sarah Nouwen and Joseph Weiler, EJIL: Talk! Blog of the European Journal of International Law)
Southern Baptist ethicist Russell Moore says churches may apply for SBA loans
(Yonat Shimron, Religion News Service)
Wednesday, 15 April 2020
Thou shalt practice social distancing
(Mustafa Akyol, Foreign Policy)
Religious freedom and the coronavirus
(John Stonestreet and Roberto Rivera, The Christian Post)
Passover, Easter, Ramadan — and interfaith America in action
(Eboo Patel, Religion News Service)
We need to respect the choice not to die of COVID-19 alone
(Charles C. Camosy, RNS Column: Purple Catholicism)
What the Amish can teach us about surviving apocalyptic times
(David Williams, Religion News Service)
In some European Jewish communities, getting the coronavirus carries a stigma
(Cnaan Liphshiz, Jewish Telegraphic Agency: Opinion)
The perils of politics in a pandemic
(The Economist)
At Easter blessing, Pope Francis addresses the world: “This is not a time for indifference”
(Claire Giangravé, Religion News Service)
Priest who dialogued with Muslims and Catholic traditionalists dies of coronavirus
(Nicolas Senèze, La Croix International)
Churches in Malawi flout government restrictions on gatherings due to COVID-19
(La Croix International)
Covid-19 checkpoints targeting out-of-state residents draw complaints and legal scrutiny
(Luz Lazo and Katherine Shaver, The Washington Post)
Churches sue Calif. over order banning in-person religious services over COVID-19 concerns
(Michael Gryboski, The Christian Post)
Pro-Lifers can pray outside abortion clinics in Mich. during coronavirus shutdown, court rules
(Michael Gryboski, The Christian Post)
Knights of Columbus in New Mexico, Hawaii help Native people during coronavirus
(Mary Farrow, Catholic News Agency)
California churches sue governor to allow public worship services amid coronavirus
(Catholic News Agency)
Federal court says chemical abortions can continue despite Texas order
(Catholic News Agency)
Justice department backs Mississippi church over drive-in services
(Catholic News Agency)
Vatican creates commission to address coronavirus aftermath
(Hannah Brockhaus, Catholic News Agency)
Justice Department takes church’s side in 1st Amendment suit
(Emily Wagster Pettus, Colleen Long, and Michael Balsamo, Religion News Service)
Israel’s health minister has the coronavirus. He’s also under fire for allegedly defying his own department’s orders
(Sam Sokol, Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
Cremation under coronavirus restrictions
(David Pocklington, Law & Religion UK)
Suit challenges enforcement of COVID-19 orders against pro-life activists
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
'Why did God let this happen?' Washington Post report on pastor's death asks fair questions
(Terry Mattingly, GetReligion)
Passover Seders without your grandchildren? Coronavirus crisis forced painful changes
(Terry Mattingly, GetReligion)
This journalist did her job: Now she hopes that it didn't expose her to COVID-19
(Bobby Ross Jr., GetReligion)
Sen. Mike Lee: Churches shouldn’t have to sacrifice beliefs for coronavirus relief funds
(Dennis Romboy, Deseret News Faith)
A virus that hits all faiths tests religion’s tie to science
(Elana Schor and Mariam Fam, Associated Press)
Talk of federal aid for local journalism includes religious news outlets
(Dennis Sadowski, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Hindu, Muslims separated based on religion in coronavirus ward in Gujarat's govt hospital
(Sajith Kumar, Deccan Herald)
'Absolutely baseless': Gujarat govt denies report claiming religious segregation of Covid-19 patients
(Times of India)
USCIRF criticism of religious segregation at Ahmedabad hospital based on ‘misguided’ report: MEA
(The Hindu)
Tuesday, 14 April 2020
Solidarity in times of Corona: Invitation to an Interfaith Meeting
(The Elijah Faith Institute)
What can the European Court of Human Rights do in the time of crisis?
(Kanstantsin Dzehtsiarou, Strasbourg Observers)
COVID-19 and the European Convention on Human Rights
(Kanstantsin Dzehtsiarou, Strasbourg Observers)
A new religion debate: Is it wrong for the government to send stimulus money directly to churches?
(Kelsey Dallas, Deseret News Faith)
Religion and the COVID-19 pandemic: vulnerable populations
(Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University)
Compassion in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic: A Christian perspective (Responding to: Religion and the COVID-19 pandemic: vulnerable populations)
(Domenic Marbaniang, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University)
In the time of COVID-19, ventilators are scarce. How do we decide who gets them? (Responding to: Religion and the COVID-19 pandemic: vulnerable populations)
(Rebecca J. Epstein-Levi, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University)
Religion confronts the COVID-19 outbreak (Responding to: Religion and the COVID-19 pandemic: vulnerable populations)
(Jeff Levin, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University)
Chinese Catholics: Lent in the time of COVID-19
(Layne Vandenberg, The Diplomat)
Top evangelicals urge release of some immigration detainees during virus
(Elana Schor, Religion News Service)
7 crew members aboard hospital ship Mercy test positive for coronavirus
(Lara Seligman, Politico)
America's Girl Scouts have been impacting the world for generations. Now they're helping those on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic
(Story by Alaa Elassar, Video by Tawanda Scott Sambou, CNN)
In New York, an LGBT rabbi who confronted AIDS crisis now faces COVID-19
(David Crary, The Times of Israel)
Slavic Gospel Association launches international prayer campaign; responds to coming avalanche of spiritual and humanitarian needs
(Slavic Gospel Association, RNS Press Release Distribution Service)
Hamas jails Gaza Activist for video chat with Israelis
(Omar Shakir, Human Rights Watch)
Egypt intervenes as Gaza warns Israel over medical aid
(Rasha Abou Jalal, Al-Monitor: Palestine Pulse)
No sanitizers, fresh food or distance in some of Gaza's quarantine centers
(Entsar Abu Jahal, Al-Monitor: Palestine Pulse)
With Nepal in lockdown, volunteers feed hungry animals at Hindu shrine
(Binaj Gurubacharya, Religion News Service)
COVID-19 in Yemen – A perfect storm
(Afrah Nasser, Human Rights Watch)
Greece: Free unaccompanied migrant children
(Human Rights Watch)
Sikhs turn to online Vaisakhi
(Simrin Singh, Religion News Service)
Italy in crisis: The pandemic will exacerbate political tensions
(Christopher Caldwell, First Things)
Church challenges to COVID-19 orders proliferate
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
A time for cornerstones
(Duncan Stroik, First Things)
Coronavirus is deepening the divide between Orthodox and liberal Jews
(Jodi Rudoren, Forward Opinion)
Netanyahu accused of breaking his own quarantine rules by having son at Passover Seder
(Aiden Pink, Fast Forward: Quick reads through a Jewish lens)
COVID-19: Protecting worker health
(John Cherrie and Sean Semple, Annals of Work Exposures and Health)
Hospital chaplains try to keep the faith during the coronavirus pandemic
(Emma Goldberg, The New York Times)
John Scalzi on messiahs, the apocalypse, coronavirus and religion in science fiction
(Bob Smietana, Religion News Service)
Quand la propagande djihadiste s’empare de la crise sanitaire
(Myriam Benraad, The Conversation)
Top evangelicals urge release of some detainees during virus
(Elana Schor, Associated Press)
Italian bishop breaks ranks to publicly challenge coronavirus restrictions
(John L. Allen Jr., Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Justice Department speaks out on church closures, condemns religious freedom violations in new statement
(Kelsey Dallas, Deseret News Faith)
Attorney General William P. Barr issues statement on religious practice and social distancing; Department of Justice files statement of interest in Mississippi church case
(U.S. Department of Justice)
Coronavirus is changing the rituals of death for many religions
(Lauren Frayer, Daniel Estrin, Jane Arraf, National Public Radio)
Jehovah's Witnesses are searched despite pandemic lock-down
(Daniil Kuznetsov, 7 x 7 Ivanovskaia Oblast)
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