Civil Rights | Religious Freedom

2010-03-18: Headlines

St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Cardinal George defends religious freedom at BYU 2010-03-18
He devoted the bulk of his remarks to yet another mutual interest of Catholics and Latter-day Saints, namely the defense of religious freedom ...
Dallas Baptist Standard: Subscribe to our FirstLook weekly 2010-03-18
... which consequently favor one religion over all others, are generally less peaceful and civil than countries where religious freedom is guaranteed.
Bay Area Reporter: Online Extra: Political Notes: Straight lawmakers author majority of LGBT bills 2010-03-18
Leno is the main backer of the remaining bills: SB 906, the Civil Marriage Religious Freedom Act, which ensures religious leaders will not be prosecuted ...
Balkans.com Business News: US: Turkey is already playing a crucial role as a transit hub for energy ... 2010-03-18
Furtherprogress on promoting human rights and religious freedom, including importantsteps like reopening the Halki Seminary, will move Turkey's EU ...
Scoop.co.nz: NZ: Our Commitment to Human Rights, Record Clear 2010-03-18
He also expressed concern about the exercise of religious freedom in the country. He asked if any member of the delegation was Maori.
Pakistan Christian TV: Sheikh Incites Muslims to Attack Christians in Egypt 2010-03-18
On the same day that violence erupted in Marsa Matrouh, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released a report denouncing Egypt' ...
Weekly Alibi: On the seventh anniversary of the Iraq invasion, a New Mexico nurse discusse ... 2010-03-18
... was more than they got on the outside, and enjoyed many of the freedoms our prisoners in America get (mail, visitors, newspapers and religious freedom).
MiamiHerald.com: Battle over prayer in school heats up 2010-03-18
The controversial religious ban enforced by the Santa Rosa County School District last summer has incited national debate over religious freedom ...
Jakarta Post: Religious orthodoxy and the blasphemy law 2010-03-18
They would be seen as an expression of religious freedom. This is, of course, the opposite of a religious perspective, which always perceived them ...

2010-03-17: Headlines

San Angelo Standard Times: LETTER: State Board shenanigans 2010-03-17
... educating our children to live in the United States of America refuse to let them “learn why the US was founded on the principle of religious freedom”?
Christian Today -- Australia: Government actions cast doubt on Morocco's commitment to religious freedom 2010-03-17
Morocco, one of the most moderate Arab Muslim countries, has sent shock waves throughout the expatriate community there. Since March 6th more than 40 ...
AlterNet: Texas Set to White Wash US History 2010-03-17
Not religious freedom—but the Bible. And the folks down in Texas continue to furl their brow wondering why the drop out rate of minority students is so high ...
Media Matters for America: WND distorts Wallis to falsely claim he "labeled" US "destroyer of human life" 2010-03-17
by wookie (March 17, 2010 3:01 pm ET) Actually, Wallis's comments should fit in nicely with right wing fear of the state as threatening religious freedom.
Contra Costa Times: Rancho Cucamonga in controversy again over religious gatherings 2010-03-17
... staff attorney with Sacramento-based Pacific Justice Institute, a non-profit legal defense organization specializing in religious freedom issues.
Firedoglake: On The Protection Of Hateful Speech -Westboro Baptist Church 2010-03-17
On the religious freedom argument they are going to run into the problem of asking the State to decide between two religious beliefs, Westboro's or ...
Rampage: College Favors Students in Ruling Against Professor 2010-03-17
... hired by the Pacific Justice Institute, a Sacramento-based nonprofit organization that specializes in defending religious freedom and civil liberties.
BBC News: Missing Chinese lawyer Gao Zhisheng 'is fine' - brother 2010-03-17
But he began to take on highly controversial cases, dealing with corruption, religious freedom, and - most sensitive of all - China's treatment of member ...
International Solidarity Movement: Israel's repression leaves dozens wounded in Jerusalem 2010-03-17
Justice, religious freedom and unfettered access to the third holiest site of one's religion never seemed to enter the discourse.
NEWS.com.au: Scientologists forced me to have two abortions, ex-disciple says 2010-03-17
It will not examine Scientology's beliefs, following concerns an inquiry would impinge on religious freedom. Senator Xenophon believes his bid could ...
Tibetan Culture & News Online: Tibet's human rights issues raised at the 13th session of UN Human Rights Council 2010-03-17
Tibetan delegates made two statements yesterday and one this morning raising issues on torture, religious freedom, disappearances and forced resettlement ...
Christian Post: Lao Officials Threaten to Burn Shelters of Expelled Christians 2010-03-17
... shelters built by expelled Christians unless they recant their faith, according to advocacy group Human Rights Watch for Lao Religious Freedom (HRWLRF).
Forum 18: TURKEY: Conscientious objection a test of Turkish religious freedom 2010-03-17
The refusal of the European Court of Human Rights to address the religious freedom aspects of the Ãœlke case ignored the prosecution – trial – punishment ...
US Department of State: The United States and Turkey: A View from the Obama Administration 2010-03-17
Further progress on promoting human rights and religious freedom, including important steps like reopening the Halki Seminary, will move Turkey's EU ...
CathNews India: Obama visit positive: faith leaders 2010-03-17
US President Barack Obama's upcoming visit to Indonesia will positively impact politics, human rights, democracy and religious freedom in ...
Christian Web News: Lao Officials Threaten to Burn Christian's Shelters 2010-03-17
Christian Web News - According to advocacy group Human Rights Watch for Lao Religious Freedom (HRWLRF), within the next 24 hours, officials in southern Lao ...
Telegraph.co.uk: Pope Benedict XVI to address 500000 Catholics on historic British state visit 2010-03-17
However he is also likely to repeat his criticism that the Government has restricted religious freedom in the name of equality, in a “major speech” ...
Daily Mail: Pope Benedict XVI's UK September visit clouded by equality row 2010-03-17
The leader of Roman Catholics in England and Wales sounded a warning over equality laws and religious freedom as he joined ministers at the official ...
The News International: No religion talks about persecuting women: expert 2010-03-17
Safiya Ghori, who served as South Asia analyst at US Commission on International Religious Freedom, has said that none of the religi ...
America Magazine: Surprise victory for UK Catholic adoption agency 2010-03-17
The clash between anti-discrimination laws and religious freedom is new in Britain, and suggests that secularism has taken root in the leadership of ...
Macleans.ca: Making their bed 2010-03-17
Blackmore, alleged to have at least 19 wives and 100 children, calls the law an “unjustifiable infringement of my congregation's and my religious freedom.
VivirLatino: Texas + History=Revisionist 2010-03-17
Mavis B. Knight, a Democrat from Dallas, introduced an amendment requiring that students study the reasons “the founding fathers protected religious freedom ...
Leagle.com: MARPAUNG v. HOLDER 2010-03-17
Id. Ms. Marpaung asserts that the BIA erred in its assessment of the Country Reports and the Religious Freedom Report and that she would be subject ...
Falls Church News Press: Anything But Straight: Texas Fool Board 2010-03-17
... and exclusionary vision of America is a radical and dangerous departure from the ideas of religious freedom embraced by our Founding Fathers.
ChristianToday: Denham unveils £1m fund to strengthen voice of faith groups 2010-03-17
The launch of the fund comes at a time when many Christians have been questioning the Government's commitment to religious freedom. The Evangelical Alliance ...
The Associated Press: World's richest man visits Lebanon, ancestral home 2010-03-17
Slim said that his father, Julian, immigrated in the early 20th century from Lebanon looking for religious freedom from the Ottoman Empire.
Opposing Views: Americans United Commends Senate for Rejecting School Voucher Proposal 2010-03-17
... DC Founded in 1947, the organization educates Americans about the importance of church-state separation in safeguarding religious freedom.
The Suburban: In Quebec 'we want to see your face' 2010-03-17
She has filed a complaint with the Commission des droits de la personne, citing the religious freedom defence. In an interview with The Suburb ...
Hurriyet Daily News: Turkey asked to change religious minority rules 2010-03-17
The report also said the denial of the title constitutes interference with the religious freedom of the Orthodox community. Despite this, decisions from ...
News & Observer: Voices of faith: Should I intervene if a friend is way off base in her beliefs? 2010-03-17
The Second Vatican Council in its Declaration on Religious Freedom taught that, premised on the dignity of the person and the respect due to the conscience ...
Kashmir Media Service: JKLF-R flays curbs on religious freedom 2010-03-17
He pointed out that even British rulers did not impose restrictions on religious freedom of Indians during their rule but Indian authorities on the contrary ...
Culpeper Star Exponent: PERSPECTIVE: A victory for liberty in Va. debate over discrimination 2010-03-17
The founders did not call for freedom from religion, but neither did they produce a religious document in the Constitution. Their emphasis was on liberty ...
So Md News: New president of college makes his first impression 2010-03-17
"That word goes a long way back on this college and setting," referring to the founders of St. Mary's City seeking religious freedom.
Brunswickian: Quebec's "values" exclude tolerance 2010-03-17
One debate that never seems to get old, especially in Quebec, is just how far religious freedom should go. Questions regarding the integration of immigrant ...
Americans United: Lost In Austin: Texas School Board Majority Takes Hard-Right Turn Down Wrong Road 2010-03-17
... the Founding Fathers protected religious freedom in America by barring government from promoting or disfavoring any particular religion over others.
ChristianityToday.com: Protecting the least among us in health care reform. 2010-03-17
... to join other Christians in signing the Manhattan Declaration, which supports the sanctity of life and the rights of conscience and religious freedom.
Rome News Tribune: Is God here to stay? 2010-03-17
... the First Amendment prohibits all reference to God by the government, and may, for all we know, establish a right to freedom from religion.
Australia.TO: Greens' policies under Christian spotlight in lead up to Tasmanian election 2010-03-17
... polices on indigenous issues, homelessness, mental health and climate change to abortion, palliative care, religious freedom and prostitution laws.
The Epoch Times: Entrepreneur: The Vocalist Voice Is Better Than the Three Tenors 2010-03-17
In terms of the scene depicting the present day persecution of Falun Dafa practitioners, he said, “It is a pity that there is no religious freedom in China.

2010-03-16: Headlines

AlterNet: Right-Wingers Write Jefferson Out of Texas Schoolbooks 2010-03-16
Mavis B. Knight, a Democrat from Dallas, introduced an amendment requiring that students study the reasons “the founding fathers protected religious freedom ...
Common Dreams: Universities May Deny Funding To Student Clubs That Discriminate, Groups Tell ... 2010-03-16
... DC Founded in 1947, the organization educates Americans about the importance of church-state separation in safeguarding religious freedom.
Rampage: College Favors Students in Ruling Against Professor 2010-03-16
... hired by the Pacific Justice Institute, a Sacramento-based nonprofit organization that specializes in defending religious freedom and civil liberties.
Dallas Morning News: Palestinians pose obstacle 2010-03-16
The US and Israel have a solid relationship based on shared values such as democracy, civil liberties and religious freedom, to name just a few.
CathNews Asia: Religious freedom fears for Nepal 2010-03-16
Nepali religious leaders are urging increased peace efforts as the May deadline for framing a new constitution looms amid increasing calls for the Himalay ...
Daily Mail: Pope's September visit shrouded in controversy over claims about equality laws 2010-03-16
The leader of Roman Catholics in England and Wales sounded a warning over equality laws and religious freedom as he joined ministers at the official ...
Washington Post: Pastors must relate to their congregations honestly 2010-03-16
New leaders were elected and unprecedented emphasis was placed on creedal orthodoxy, biblical literalism, pastoral authority and a form of religious freedom ...
Order of St. Andrew, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate: AsiaNews reports on 'Europe is asking Ankara to recognize the Ecumenical ... 2010-03-16
The committee also reminded Turkey of compliance with Article 9 of the Treaty on Human Rights, which establishes the right to religious freedom ...
Fordham University: Religious Movements' Entry into Political Sphere Gets Close Attention 2010-03-16
“Human rights reports cover every kind of human rights infraction you can think of—torture, political and civil rights, labor issues, religious freedom ...
The Concordian: The niqab debate 2010-03-16
Quebec does, of course, guarantee religious freedom in its Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms. But this seems to be a contradiction: how can it give every ...
Pakistan Christian TV: Vietnam: USCIRF Statement on the Release of Father Ly 2010-03-16
We urge the US Ambassador to meet with Father Ly and call for the release of all human rights and religious freedom dissidents. While this is good news ...
Independent Catholic News: Vietnam: Fr Nguyen Van Ly released from prison 2010-03-16
Father Nguyen Van Ly, a Catholic priest and prominent human rights activist, has advocated for religious freedom, open media, and democracy in Vietnam ...
Los Angeles Times: MOROCCO: Christians deported, accused of proselytizing to orphaned children 2010-03-16
The Moroccan constitution guarantees religious freedom, but Islam is the official state religion, and converting people to another religion is punishable ...
my.hsj.org: The Broadcaster: Don't Ask, Don't Tell trivializes, threatens civil right ... 2010-03-16
For centuries people have fought for things like religious freedom, civil rights and gender equality. Since the beginning of the Iraq war the military h ...
OmniNerd: RE: The true solution 2010-03-16
It irritates me to no end that they're used as a symbol of early America, with the idea that they sought “religious freedom”. Like hell—they sought to ...
Forum 18: UZBEKISTAN: Internet censorship continues 2010-03-16
Many of these websites include news of violations of religious freedom in Uzbekistan as part of their coverage. Political opposition sites as well ...
Associated Baptist Press: Baptists decry Texas board's votes on textbook standards 2010-03-16
... the Founding Fathers protected religious freedom in America by barring government from promoting or disfavoring any particular religion over all others.
East Valley Tribune: Gilbert embroiled in religious freedom flap 2010-03-16
... Week with much fanfare is now trying to wade its way out of an embarrassing controversy over First Amendment protection on religious freedom.
Christian Web News: City No Longer Outlawing Bible Studies 2010-03-16
We understand the importance of maintaining religious freedom.” On Friday, the Alliance Defense Fund reported that the city had demanded a group of seven ...
Mormon Times: today in the bloggernacle 2010-03-16
Religious freedom: Michael Otterson defends "Religious expression: a fundamental right" at The Washington Post's On Faith blog this week.
The Daily Cougar: God phrase is no longer necessary 2010-03-16
If the idea of the national anthem invoking the name of Hastur gives you chills, you're probably in favor of freedom from religion.
Pakistan Christian TV: Religious Hiring Developments Could Affect Churches, Ministries 2010-03-16
He was the first executive director for the US Commission on International Religious Freedom. ECFA in-house counsel John Van Drunen, director of compliance ...
Colorado Springs Independent: Browse Special Issues 2010-03-16
... person in Colorado Springs — by promoting TRUE American values: diversity, equality and religious freedom, including separation of church and state.
Memphis Commercial Appeal: Ceremony for new citizens is civics lesson for students 2010-03-16
Yang said those freedoms, especially religious freedom, are not lost on him. "China is an atheist country. If we stayed in China we would have never known ...
Dallas Morning News: TEXAS FAITH: Time to tax religious groups? 2010-03-16
For the government to tax churches would assert control over churches, which destroys religious freedom. The government taxes individual income and pr ...
Zee News: Niqab cartoon fuels debate on Muslim woman's status in Canada 2010-03-16
Canadian Constitution, that provides religious freedom to all communities, must be respected by the government, he said. President of the Muslim Council ...
Schenectady Gazette: Texas conservatives changing textbooks 2010-03-16
The board voted down an amendment that would have mandated students to study why “the founding fathers protected religious freedom in America by barring ...
First Things: Where is the Ambassador for Religious Liberty ? 2010-03-16
A 1998 law mandates that the US government have an Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom to advance religious liberty around the world ...
Jornal.us News Agency: AILA Applauds Sen. Patrick Leahy's Introduction of The Refugee Protection Act ... 2010-03-16
Authorize the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom to conduct a new study on the effects of expedited removal authority on asylum ...
News from Rutgers: Global Scholar on Islamic Law and Religion to Deliver the Donald C. Clark Jr ... 2010-03-16
He was appointed by President George W. Bush to serve on the US Commission for International Religious Freedom, and also served as a member of the Board ...
The Herald: Pope will say Mass in park to 150000 2010-03-16
... equality campaigners when he said that UK legislation designed to protect against discrimination threatens religious freedom and violates natural law.
Manila Bulletin: SC upholds “Ang Dating Daan” suspension 2010-03-16
The court said the exercise of religious freedom can be regulated by the state “when it will bring about the clear and present danger of some substantive ...
Louisville Courier-Journal: Discrimination, religious liberty case began with chicken allergy 2010-03-16
... to the case by the commission, denied the society's motion to dismiss the food allergy case in November, rejecting the religious-freedom argument.

2010-03-15: Headlines

Huffington Post: Celebrating "Under God" Whether There is a God or Not 2010-03-15
And before everyone starts screaming, let me explain both why I make that claim and why the upside for those who value religious freedom is actually far ...
Washington Post: A breach in the church-state wall 2010-03-15
... of Jefferson and Madison, who cut the Gordian knot that had long held government and religion together to the detriment of the religious freedom of all.
U.S. Catholic magazine: Peace requires elimination of corruption, injustices, pope tells Sudan 2010-03-15
While respect for religious freedom has grown in the southern part of the country since the peace treaty took effect, religious liberty is still severely ...
Campus Progress: Putting Afghans Back in the Afghanistan Debate 2010-03-15
“Citizens of both countries value liberty, justice, religious freedom, peace, safety, and education [for its people]. These are all universal goals.
EnerPub: India: Police demand Christians to cease distributing literature 2010-03-15
This is just one of the latest examples of the incidents that show the considerable deterioration of respect for human rights and religious freedom in ...
Catholic Culture: Most of world's population lives with restricted religious freedom, Vatic ... 2010-03-15
Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the Office of the United Nations and Specialized Institutions in Geneva, lamented the fact ...
Tucson Citizen: The Pledge of Allegiance and the Ninth US Circuit Court 2010-03-15
Certainly another loss for religious freedom, but then in a country where the Congress has to get its laws vetted by the Conference of Catholic Bishop ...
Mormon Times: Bloggernacle: Nibley, Bednar, Church growth 2010-03-15
Religious freedom: Michael Otterson defends "Religious expression: a fundamental right" at The Washington Post's On Faith blog this week.
Christian Web News: Texas Approves New Social Studies Curriculum 2010-03-15
Among the decisions, it denied an amendment that would demand students to study the reasons “the founding fathers protected religious freedom in America ...
The Canberra Times: Views sought on halal killing 2010-03-15
The Government will have to weigh up any possible contradictions of the ACT Animal Welfare Act with the need to preserve religious freedom as set out in ...
AFP: Vietnam frees ailing dissident priest: lawyer 2010-03-15
Leonard Leo, the chair of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, a government advisory body, welcomed Ly's release and urged the U ...
Associated Baptist Press: Uzbekistan levies massive fines on Baptists for meeting without a license 2010-03-15
... 100 times the nation's minimum monthly salary, an international news service that tracks stories about abuses of religious freedom reported March 15.
Chicago Tribune: Zorn's view is one of radicalism 2010-03-15
Pretty radical to punish conscientious objectors and religious freedom based on your arbitrary disagreement on its actions. An Eric Zorn world of arbitrary ...
Newstime Africa: Morocco Defends Expulsion of 20 Christian Workers 2010-03-15
Under Moroccan law religious freedom is guaranteed but the act of proselytism is banned. Christian groups have claimed that the authorities are deliberately ...
ChristianityToday.com: Do You Party With Tea? 2010-03-15
Their websites explore the morality of debt and the risks to religious freedom posed by growing government. Like the tea party activists, they reverently ...
Minneapolis Star Tribune: Uncle who 'married' 10-year-old girl charged with sex crimes 2010-03-15
"From a religious perspective this is very unusual," said Risk, who does not expect to use polygamy or religious freedom as a defense.
AFP: N.Korea gives access to detained American 2010-03-15
North Korea freed Park, with its official news agency quoting the missionary as saying that the atheist state ensured religious freedom.
Leagle.com: NEWDOW v. LEFEVRE 2010-03-15
... violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment or the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 ("RFRA"), 42 USC §§ 2000bb et seq, or both.
Bellingham Herald: Universities need protection from continuing budget cuts 2010-03-15
... epitaph: "Author of the Declaration of American Independence, of the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom, Father of the University of Virginia.
Spero News: Russia: As Russian Lutherans come under suspicion for “terrorism”, police ... 2010-03-15
By Asia News Moscow – By targeting Evangelical Christians and Jehovah's Witnesses, Russian police continues to undermine religious freedom in the name ...
TestCountry.com: Officials in Nevada Oppose Legalization of Marijuana 2010-03-15
The RFRA (Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993) allows Native American Church members to eat peyote, which functions like LSD. Americans shouldn't need ...
NTDTV: German Officials Praise Shen Yun in Frankfurt 2010-03-15
Therefore this is very important—freedom of thought, freedom of speech, religious freedom are all essential elements which we need.
Cape Breton Post: Facial garments fuel debate 2010-03-15
... an affront to the Canadian values of tolerance and accommodation, or an assertion of different but also Canadian values, personal and religious freedom.