By Jason Hines – 2010 has been an interesting year in the area of church-state relations, both at home and abroad. While we cannot cover every event of magnitude that took place this year in this forum, we will touch on some of the more important events have taken place over the last 365 days….
Category: Human Rights
Say No to the Defamation of Religions Resolutions, Yes to the Right to Believe (Open Doors)
This year the Defamation of Religions Resolution will once again be voted on in the UN General Assembly. Its supporters claim that it protects religious freedom… but in fact it does the exact opposite. It allows governments the power to determine which religious views can and can’t be expressed in their country, and it gives…
Respecting the Religion of Your Brother
By Rajmund (Ray) Dabrowski – Authentic religion calls for a respect, sensitivity and acceptance of another’s beliefs and practices. Do unto others ? the saying goes. It really did not matter which one of the muezzins woke me up. The melodic reciting of a call to prayer from one of the minarets at 4:45 in…
In Peru, ‘historic’ religious liberty legislation passes (ANN)
Law recognizes religious pluralism; all faiths to enjoy same ‘rights, obligations and benefits’ 7 Dec 2010, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States Adventist News Network Staff Members of Peru’s congress voted last week to approve legislation guaranteeing the religious liberty of all citizens, a freedom already recognized by the South American country’s constitution. The act comes…
Colorado School’s Rosary Rule Disputed (KKTV)
EXCERPT: COLORADO SPRINGS — An announcement made by a Colorado Springs middle school, stipulating how students can wear rosaries, has the ACLU speaking out against the decision. The group says religious liberty does not stop at the entrance to a public school. [District spokesperson Elaine] Naleski says some students were offended at how others were…
French Court Approves Veil Ban (AJE)
EXCERPT: France’s highest court has approved a law banning full-facial veils in public – with the exception of mosques – eliminating the last hurdle for the ban. Those behind the law argue that it will protect women’s rights. Its critics, however, say that it stigmatises Muslim women and it is a breach of religious freedom….
Mainstreaming Hate in the Netherlands (ForeignPolicy)
Here is an excerpt from an article by former Financial Times writer and Dutch media Middle East correspondent Ferry Biedermann published on ForeignPolicy.com on October 4, 2010. The rise of the far right has hardly caused a ripple in the Netherlands. The Dutch coalition deal was done before the end of September, marking the political…
Stopping US Muslim backlash (AJE)
EXCERPT: Religious leaders – Muslim, Jewish, and Christian – met in Washington, DC, on Tuesday [September 7] to denounce anti-Muslim bigotry. More than 30 religious leaders [were] in one room with one aim: to stop a rise in anti-Muslim sentiment that has already had violent consequences. There was the attack on a Muslim taxi driver…
Liberty and tolerance: Our checkered history with religious equality (OregonLive.com)
Here is an excerpt from a great article by Willamette Law Professor Steven K. Green published on OregonLive.com on September 10, 2010. Liberty and tolerance: Our checkered history with religious equality Published: Friday, September 10, 2010, 9:00 AM By Steven K. Green This seems like a good time for a refresher on an important American…
Petraeus Condemns U.S. Church’s Plan to Burn Qurans (WSJ)
EXCERPT: KABUL-The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan said the planned burning of Qurans on Sept. 11 by a small Florida church could put the lives of American troops in danger and damage the war effort. Gen. David Petraeus said the Taliban would exploit the demonstration for propaganda purposes, drumming up anger toward the U.S. and…