11/20/12 ... Historic sex abuse cases dating back for decades are difficult not only because of missing evidence and witnesses but because often it is hard to prove whether insurance policies were in place and what they covered. In Helena, Montana, settlement negotiations are going on in hundreds of cases, but church insurers are refusing to cover claims, disputing the existence, terms, or conditions of policies that date back to the 1970s. Both victims and some of the insurers have filed complaints asking for a determination about the scope and extent of the policies.
http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/a8e9ef012a9b4e3caa88cf3fd42f0b2d/MT--Church-Abuse-Montana
Good News Club Files Lawsuit in California
Saturday, 24 November 201211/19/12 ... Child Evangelism Fellowship was denied a request to use school district facilities for its after-school Good News Club in the Buena Park School District (Orange County, CA), despite the fact that other nonprofit youth organizations are allowed to use the facilities at no cost under the California Education Code. CEF has filed a lawsuit alleging violations of the First Amendment and equal protection.
http://aclj.org/us-constitution/aclj-files-lawsuit-against-ca-school-district-on-behalf-of-christian-youth-club
Brent, you are right—perception makes a huge difference. You’ve brought up the idea of ritualizing this “consent” as part of the milestones of moving into missionary service. That is... Read More →
Expectations Are Embedded in Ritualizing Milestones
Wednesday, 21 November 2012 Written by Brent Lindquist, Ph.D.
Theresa – Clearly articulating the vision throughout the life of the missionary, and “ritualizing” it into the developmental milestones (such as a local church dedication service) creates an awareness in all the parts (the church, supporters, family, mission) of the multiple possible futures of this mission life... Read More →
Bronx Church Case Back at Second Circuit
Wednesday, 21 November 201211/19/12 ... The legal battle between the New York City Board of Education and the Bronx Household of Faith continues. In June, Judge Loretta Preska issued a permanent injunction against the City's regulation prohibiting school buildings from being used for religious worship services. The City has appealed that, and the case will be argued to the Second Circuit.
http://newsandinsight.thomsonreuters.com/Legal/News/2012/11_-_November/Appeals_court_hears_arguments_over_worship_in_NY_public_schools/
Temporary Win for Tyndale
Wednesday, 21 November 201211/19/12 ... Tyndale House has won a temporary injunction against the HHS contraception mandate. Judge Walton concluded that the mandate was a substantial burden on Tyndale House's exercise of religion and that the government did not have a compelling interest. Thus, the mandate violates the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
http://www.nationalreview.com/bench-memos/333687/another-victory-challengers-hhs-mandate-ed-whelan
Tyndale House was denied the exemption originally on the grounds that it is not a religious organization, despite the fact that it publishes Bibles. Tyndale was represented by Alliance Defending Freedom.
http://www.alliancedefendingfreedom.org/News/PRDetail/7667
http://religionclause.blogspot.com/2012/11/court-enjoins-requiring-christian.html
Christmas is Different in Santa Monica
Wednesday, 21 November 201211/19/12 ... After considerable pressure from atheist groups, the city of Santa Monica decided to cancel the 60-year tradition of displays at the Palisades Park. A coalition of churches filed a case and asked a federal court to block the city, but a federal judge said the city was within its constitutional rights to end the tradition. Further, the judge said the displays were becoming a drain on the city's resources and negatively impacted the park. There will be another hearing in December.
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/judge-rejects-nativity-displays-santa-monica-17762364#.UK0OEoVidox
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/20/us/federal-judge-denies-request-to-block-nativity-ban.html?_r=0
Hobby Lobby Lost First Round in Federal Court
Wednesday, 21 November 201211/20/12 ... Hobby Lobby, owned by the Greens, had filed a lawsuit against the HHS mandate and was asking for an injunction against the mandate. The court ruled that it was not a substantial burden on the Greens' religious freedom to comply with the mandate. Hobby Lobby will appeal the ruling.
http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/hobby-lobby-loses-to-hhs-mandate-in-federal-court
http://www.alliancealert.org/2012/11/20/judge-hobby-lobby-must-offer-morning-after-pill/
The judge also ruled that Hobby Lobby did not qualify for protection under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, because it is not a "person."
http://www.worldmag.com/2012/11/not_religious_enough
http://religionclause.blogspot.com/2012/11/court-denies-hobby-lobby-and-its-owners.html
Papal Nuncio Speaks on Religious Freedom
Friday, 16 November 201211/13/12 ... Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano spoke at the University of Notre Dame and discussed the threats to religious freedom in the great democracies of the world. He identified fundamental religious liberty threats and also challenged Catholics who have allied with those opposing Church teaching.
http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/papal-nuncio-catholic-division-undermines-religious-freedom/?goback=.gde_3734436_member_185681404
Recasting Arguments in Terms of Rights
Friday, 16 November 201211/15/12 ... In this article in "First Things," Matthew Hennessey argues that conservatives should borrow a tactic from the political left and frame its policy objectives in terms of human and civil rights.
http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/2012/11/rights-language-and-the-right