The Florida Evidence Code apparently requires clergy to testify about confessions to them, if the penitent allows them to do so -- but Catholic doctrine forbids any such testimony, regardless of the penitent's wishes. Which should prevail?
New York appellate court reverses a judgment (likely prompted by one of the parents' religious beliefs) that bars either parent from feeding the child "fish, meat, or poultry" without the other's consent.
Despite its ruling in favor of a Colorado baker, the Court remains hostile to religious exemptions from anti-discrimination laws.
Why did the Court find that Colorado acted based on hostility to religion -- and thus violated the Free Exercise Clause -- and not just based on hostility to sexual orientation discrimination?
The Supreme Court's ruling was based on state officials' apparent hostility to the bakers' religious beliefs. There is far stronger evidence of such hostility in the travel ban case.
No, says the Iowa Supreme Court, rejecting the claim that such statements (labeled "counterculture practices" by the plaintiffs) were libelous or negligent.
Judges split on whether printing "In God We Trust" on currency imposes a substantial burden under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
So holds the New South Wales (Australia) high court.
The Harvard psychologist splits the difference between Dr. Pangloss and Pope Francis.
He is questioning the legitimacy of private violence against women as valid grounds for asylum
"Of course the voices of actual sex workers are nowhere to be found," says brothel worker and PhD student Christina Parreira.
The justices' comments in the oral argument suggest this will be a close case that could easily go either way. The outcome could well turn on the views of that perennial swing voter, Justice Anthony Kennedy.
But its illiberal tactics against liberal Muslim reformers remain extremely troubling.
"The change in the child's relationship with the father based on the child's fear of his displeasure if she were not a 'true Muslim,' and her belief that he threatened to abscond with her to Morocco, also contributed to the change in circumstances warranting modification" of the custody arrangement.
School choice and cultural pressure are better than government mandates.
An Argentinian bishop in Rome may not be the best authority on Chinese politics.
The religion this church administers is Americanism, a species of nationalism.
India is becoming one, big offense industry
How courts exploit superstition to uncover hidden truths
Rafia Zakaria talks about veils, Islamic politics, and feminism.
Two recent stories in the news, plus a third item about Malaysia.
Nevada Supreme Court holds that trial court wrongly rejected father's preference for religious schooling just because of mother's religious objection.
At the University of Minnesota, wrapped gifts could get you on the naughty list.
Seems inconsistent with a 1995 Supreme Court precedent, but the D.C. federal court allowed this, and the D.C. Circuit seems to agree.
The concern about radicalization by Muslims in the U.S. is a red herring intended to make Americans distrust foreigners and immigration in general.
Friday A/V Club: All hail Sister Rosetta Tharpe
This is a clear-cut case of unconstitutional compelled speech with an easy verdict.
Masterpiece is the first such case to make it to the justices.
Public accommodation laws clash with freedom of religion and compelled speech.
The point seems to elude The New York Times.
Crisis pregnancy centers in California say the state's "Reproductive FACT Act" violates their First Amendment rights.
She started the first secular, pro-market party in Egypt. Then the government sent the secret police after her.
Friday A/V Club: Celebrate Halloween with Gerald Heard, Boris Karloff, and some killer bees.
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