Religion
Religious Freedom and the Sanctity of the Confessional
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?
Child Custody and Vegetarianism
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.
SCOTUS May Yet Approve Gay Wedding Cake Demands
Despite its ruling in favor of a Colorado baker, the Court remains hostile to religious exemptions from anti-discrimination laws.
The Court's Religious Discrimination Reasoning in the Masterpiece Cakeshop Case
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?
How the Masterpiece Cakeshop Decision Strengthens the Case Against Trump's Travel Ban
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.
Minister Has Sex with Married Parishioner -- Can Church Be Liable for Saying the Parishioner Committed Adultery?
No, says the Iowa Supreme Court, rejecting the claim that such statements (labeled "counterculture practices" by the plaintiffs) were libelous or negligent.
Divided Sixth Circuit Panel Rejects Legal Challenge to "In God We Trust"
Judges split on whether printing "In God We Trust" on currency imposes a substantial burden under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
Judge Didn't Err by Refusing to Let Witness Testify With Her Face Covered
So holds the New South Wales (Australia) high court.
Steven Pinker Loves the Enlightenment
The Harvard psychologist splits the difference between Dr. Pangloss and Pope Francis.
Would AG Sessions Have Sent Ayaan Hirsi Ali Back to Somalia to be Killed?
He is questioning the legitimacy of private violence against women as valid grounds for asylum
Anti-Sex Work Crusaders Now Coming for Legal Prostitution in Nevada
"Of course the voices of actual sex workers are nowhere to be found," says brothel worker and PhD student Christina Parreira.
Thoughts on the Travel Ban Oral Argument
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.
Southern Poverty Law Center Scraps Its Anti-Muslim Hate List
But its illiberal tactics against liberal Muslim reformers remain extremely troubling.
Child Custody, Religion, and Children's Reactions to a Parent's Religious Demands
"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.
Catholic School Parents Fight Lesbian Teacher's Firing. Here's Why That's Good.
School choice and cultural pressure are better than government mandates.
Vatican Official Says China, Which Persecutes Christians and Murders Dissidents, Is the Country 'Best Implementing the Social Doctrine of the Church'
An Argentinian bishop in Rome may not be the best authority on Chinese politics.
No Freedom From the Church of America
The religion this church administers is Americanism, a species of nationalism.
The Insane Hindu Protests Against a Bollywood Movie
India is becoming one, big offense industry
Split the Baby. Drink the Poison. Carry the Hot Iron. Swear on the Bible
How courts exploit superstition to uncover hidden truths
What Feminists—and Islamists—Don't Get About Burqas: Podcast
Rafia Zakaria talks about veils, Islamic politics, and feminism.
Atheist Arrested in Bangladesh -- Atheism Might Be Banned in Egypt
Two recent stories in the news, plus a third item about Malaysia.
Family Court Must Not Discriminate Against Religious Schooling
Nevada Supreme Court holds that trial court wrongly rejected father's preference for religious schooling just because of mother's religious objection.
Report All Inappropriate Christmas Decorations to the Proper Authorities
At the University of Minnesota, wrapped gifts could get you on the naughty list.
D.C. Allowed to Exclude Religious Ads from Buses
Seems inconsistent with a 1995 Supreme Court precedent, but the D.C. federal court allowed this, and the D.C. Circuit seems to agree.
Trump and Associates Can't Stop Scapegoating Immigrants
The concern about radicalization by Muslims in the U.S. is a red herring intended to make Americans distrust foreigners and immigration in general.
The Original Rock 'n' Roll Guitar God Was Actually a Goddess
Friday A/V Club: All hail Sister Rosetta Tharpe
Kentucky Top Court to Consider Shop's Refusal to Print Gay Pride T-Shirts
This is a clear-cut case of unconstitutional compelled speech with an easy verdict.
Can States Compel You to Bake a Cake Against Your Will? The Supreme Court Will Decide.
Masterpiece is the first such case to make it to the justices.
Supreme Court Today Mulls Whether Bakers Can Be Forced to Make Gay Wedding Cakes
Public accommodation laws clash with freedom of religion and compelled speech.
Declining to Bake a Gay Wedding Cake Is Not the Same As Banning Gay Marriage
The point seems to elude The New York Times.
Supreme Court to Weigh Rules for Anti-Abortion Pregnancy Centers in California
Crisis pregnancy centers in California say the state's "Reproductive FACT Act" violates their First Amendment rights.
Egyptian Dissident Cynthia Farahat: The Middle East Is Hungry for Free Markets and Free Speech
She started the first secular, pro-market party in Egypt. Then the government sent the secret police after her.
