Daily Archives: April 9, 2010

WBALTV.com: “A debate over marriage license fees unexpectedly turned into a dramatic discussion over same-sex marriage in the Legislature on Friday. . . ”

CitizenLink: “Arkansas’ Act 1 that limits foster care adoptions to married heterosexual couples was in court recently. … [Byron Babione], with the Alliance Defense Fund, is defending the law. … ‘I think it will be quick, because we do have a trial date scheduled in this case for May 10,’ he said. ‘So, he would need to decide on summary judgment before that time.’”

WCSH6: “The State Board of Social Worker Licensure has dropped the two complaints against Don Mendell because of lack of sufficient evidence. Mendell, a social worker and school counselor at Nokomis Regional High School in Newport, came under fire after appearing in a “Yes on One” ad last fall.” | For more information on Mendell’s case, see this ADF Alliance Alert term search.

University of Chicago Medical Center: “Nearly one in ten primary care physicians in the United States has experienced a conflict with a religiously-affiliated hospital or practice over religious policies for patient care, researchers from the University of Chicago report in a paper published early online in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.”

The Baptist Standard: “The Chinese government’s new head of religious affairs has downplayed the role of house churches during his first official visit to Hong Kong, saying they must be registered with the government for their own protection.”

Citizen Link: “Layden is a psychotherapist at the University of Pennsylvania who treats sexual violence victims, perpetrators, sex addicts and members of the sex industry”

“Dawn Johnsen said she was dropping out of the process . . . ”

Religion Clause Blog: “Chicago activist Rob Sherman has taken another step in his campaign to challenge the state legislative appropriations to houses of worship, parochial schools and religious institutions that were placed in last year’s Illinois capital budget. (See prior posting.) On Wednesday he filed a federal lawsuit . . . ”

On Top Magazine (“gay advocacy website”): “The tiny island nation of Iceland (pop. 32,000) is preparing to legalize gay marriage. The government introduced its gender-neutral marriage bill on March 23, CarnalNation.com reported.”

Tony Mauro writes at the National Law Journal (Law.com): “On April 19, the Court will hear arguments in Christian Legal Society v. Martinez, which will make the University of California Hastings College of the Law the next law school in the spotlight. A Christian student group challenged the San Francisco school for requiring it to adopt the university’s nondiscrimination policy if it wants to become a registered student organization . . . The case has drawn 38 amicus curiae briefs, an unusually large number . . . ”

San Diego Union Tribune (AP): “A Missouri couple who recently gave birth to twin daughters and a California couple who donated the embryos they used are suing each other for control of two remaining frozen embryos . . . ”

Radio Free Asia: “Authorities in the troubled northwestern region of Xinjiang have rejected an appeal from an ethnic minority house church leader who was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment on charges of revealing state secrets to overseas organizations.”

Christian Post: “School district officials in Roswell, N.M., said religious discrimination was not a factor in their decision to stop Christian high school students from distributing baby dolls resembling fetuses on campus.”

ADF Senior Legal Counsel Steven H. Aden will be available for media interviews Monday following oral argument in the federal lawsuit Sherley v. Sebelius at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. The suit contends that the Obama administration’s embryonic stem cell research policy is in violation of a law which prohibits federal funds from being used to destroy human embryos for research purposes.

FoxNews: “The Maine Human Rights Commissions taking heat over a proposal to ban schools from enforcing gender divisions in sports teams, school organizations, bathrooms and locker rooms, saying forcing a student into a particular room or group because of their biological gender amounts to discrimination.”

National Law Journal (Law.com): “. . . The conference, called ‘Future Ed: New Business Models for U.S. and Global Legal Education,’ is part of a year-long initiative sponsored by New York Law School and Harvard Law School to build on the findings of the Carnegie Foundation’s influential 2007 report on legal education. The Carnegie report concluded that law schools don’t do a good enough job of helping students develop professional competence and identity. It called for a more integrated curriculum that marries the traditional analytical courses with practical training that gives students a better understanding of what it’s like to practice law . . . ”

The Daily Princetonian: “Paul, the author of ‘Pornified: How Pornography Is Damaging Our Lives, Our Relationships, and Our Families,’ spoke about what she uncovered while writing her book and challenged her critics in a candid lecture on Thursday in McCosh 46. … Paul said she thought compulsive porn-watching has changed male-female relationships and undermines ‘intimacy.’ Both sexes noted that some men felt it necessary to have porn playing in the background as they were having sex.”

Pensacola News Journal: “At the urging of a recent Pace High School class president, and over the warnings of civil libertarians, a House panel this morning unanimously approved a watered-down school-prayer measure that sponsors hope will protect religious freedom. … The bill is a response to a 2008 lawsuit by the American Civil Liberties Union against Santa Rosa schools. The ACLU challenged teacher-led Bible study and administration-promoted prayer.” | CS/HB 31

ADF attorney Byron Babione appeared on AFR Focal Point with Bryan Fischer to discuss the legal battle over Arkansas’ new law restricting adoption by cohabiting adults. More information here.

The MP3 runs approximately 10 minutes.

Christian Newswire: “Today, the Nebraska legislature gave final approval on a bill that would ban abortions after 20 weeks gestation, when pre-born babies are known to feel pain. This bill, which is expected to be signed into law, would severely hamper the late-term abortion business of LeRoy Carhart, and could force him to relocate his late-term abortion business to another state, or close it altogether.”

AP: “Sketches of people likely to be considered by President Barack Obama as he decides on his second nominee to the Supreme Court in as many years. They are listed alphabetically along with pros and cons of their possible nominations . . . ”

“The shadow home secretary, Chris Grayling, today apologised for the offence caused by his comments in which he said that people who ran bed and breakfasts in their homes should ‘have the right’ to turn away gay couples . . . The remarks prompted a furious response from gay groups and other parties.”

East Valley Tribune: “The House gave preliminary approval Thursday to legislation making it illegal for state or local governments to include coverage for elective abortion in their health insurance plans for employees.” | SB 1305

Asia News: “The Ministry of Education should ensure that women – employed in public institutions – are not required to wear the veil or hijab ‘against their will.’ This was ordered by the Bangladesh High Court, in a ruling issued yesterday of historical significance.”

FRC Blog: “The new Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues, first announced over four months ago, is finally getting its member . . . ”

On Top Mag (“gay advocacy website”): “A Pennsylvania lawmaker says he’s preparing to introduce a bill in the House that would recognize gay and lesbian couples with civil unions. Representative Mark Cohen, a Democrat, says he expects to debut his bill by April 14, gay weekly Philadelphia Gay News reported.”

Buenos Aires Herald: “Norma and Ramona got married in Buenos Aires city after having requested for legal protection within the framework of the campaign ‘Same right, same names’ the LGBT Argentine Federation has been carrying out for several months.”

The Rockport Pilot: “Fulton Mayor Russel Cole announced publicly the Town of Fulton received a letter from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) seeking information about the nativity scene which was erected at Fulton Navigation Park during the annual Christmas in Fulton celebration . . . ”

One News Now: “A leading free-market economist says it’s not a stable situation for a republican democracy when half of the citizens aren’t contributing to the cost of the government they’re benefiting from . . . ”

Visit the Social Costs of Pornography website. The sites features video of numerous lectures on the topic.

NCPA Policy Digest: “This week it became impossible in Massachusetts for small businesses and individuals to buy health care coverage after Gov. Deval Patrick (D) imposed price controls on premiums. Under ObamaCare this kind of political showdown will soon be coming to an insurance market near you, says the Wall Street Journal. ”

Montana Family Foundation: “A legal analysis of the Montana Supreme Court’s decision in Baxter v. Montana shows how the decision still allows physicians to be charged with homicide. The analysis of the of the decision was written by attorneys Greg Jackson and Matt Bowman, at the request of the Montana Family Foundation . . . ”

“The Indiana Right to Life Political Action Committee today announced that it has formally adopted a resolution denying endorsements to all Democratic candidates . . . ”

“The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit issued an opinion Friday to reinstate a lawsuit dismissed by a district court in 2008 that sought to keep the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission from rejecting a pro-adoption organization’s ‘Choose Life’ license plates.”

AnnArbor.com: “[Chris] Armstrong is the first openly gay student body president the university has known . . . Armstrong cited two major goals: To establish plans for Saturday night meals at residence halls, and a gender-neutral option in university housing.”

Telegraph: “Lord Donoughue . . . In a letter published in The Tablet, a weekly Catholic magazine, he writes that he has little to add to earlier condemnation of ‘the Labour Government’s disgraceful attack on Catholic adoption societies’. But he goes on: ‘The present situation sadly reflects the extent to which many among the politically correct zealots in all parties now display the same kind of intolerant bigotry towards Christian faith which once was regrettably shown towards the homosexual minority.’”

Taj Hargey writing at Times Online: “This week I not only won a libel case in the High Court but a victory against religious fanaticism within Britain’s Muslim community. Muslim Weekly, a conservative newspaper, had falsely accused me of belonging to a heterodox sect and therefore being a heretic. I was apparently less of a Muslim than the readers of that paper.”

Times Union: “The council’s operations committee on Thursday night unanimously panned Councilman Anton Konev’s pitch to begin each bi-weekly meeting with a prayer.
But Konev, who represents the midtown 11th Ward, said he still plans — despite almost certain defeat — to bring the resolution to a vote before the full council . . . ”

Dr Taj Hargey writing in the Daily Mail: “I am Muslim. But even as a non-Christian, I can see all too clearly the shameful way in which Britain’s national faith is being eroded. Indeed, banning a crucifix makes a mockery of our treasured right to religious freedom.”

Christian Post: “The two young females were arrested March 5, 2009, on charges of anti-state activity and ‘taking part in illegal gatherings’ because of their participation in house church activities. Reports from sources inside Iran said the women were pressured by the Iranian judge and by authorities inside the prison to denounce their Christian faith and return to Islam.”

Austin Business Journal: “San Marcos City Council members have extended rules barring new sexually-oriented businesses from opening in certain parts of the college town.”

The Christian Institute: “A homosexual couple who were denied a double bed at a Christian-run B&B are to decide ‘in the next week’ if they will sue the husband and wife who own the business. Christians Mike and Susanne Wilkinson say if the case goes to court they will argue for freedom to act upon their conscience in their own home.”

Gallup: “Americans’ favorable rating of the Democratic Party dropped to 41% in a late March USA Today/Gallup poll, the lowest point in the 18-year history of this measure. Favorable impressions of the Republican Party are now at 42%, thus closing the gap between the two parties’ images that has prevailed for the past four years.”

Arizona Republic: “A Gilbert zoning-code amendment that would allow religious groups to meet in private homes will go before the Planning Commission for public review Wednesday night. … Gilbert was drawn into the international spotlight last month after a code-compliance officer sent a cease-and-desist letter to a small local church group that had been meeting in the homes of its seven members. … The Alliance Defense Fund, a Scottsdale-based religious legal organization, appealed to the Planning Commission to change the code, which it said discriminated against religious groups.”

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: “The law banning unmarried couples from adopting children and being foster parents doesn’t specifically bar homosexuals, but a judge said Thursday that appears to be the key result. Circuit Judge Chris Piazza said he will rule on whether a challenge to the voter-approved law by a group of families will go to trial sometime before the scheduled May 10 start date. [Byron Babione], an attorney for the Alliance Defense Fund, which is representing the Family Council, said the law does not ‘shock the conscience’ and said the state should not have to ‘concentrate on evaluating settings that we know are more likely to produce unfavorable results.’”

Reuters:

* Netanyahu fears Islamic ambush at conference

* Sends a deputy in his place to Washington

* Republicans say Obama is snubbing Israel

LifeSiteNews: “The Student Society of McGill University (SSMU) has reinstated the club status of Choose Life, the campus pro-life club, but only after forcing them to submit to special requirements that restrict the club’s ability to share the pro-life message.”

LifeSite News carries this C-Fam report by Susan Yoshihara: “In London last Friday, a high ranking United Nations (UN) jurist called on the British government to detain Pope Benedict XVI during his upcoming visit to Britain, and send him to trial in the International Criminal Court (ICC) for ‘crimes against humanity.’ . . . Robertson, a tort lawyer, argued that prosecution at a higher level of the Church is necessary to get more money for victims of clergy sexual abuse in cases where dioceses have gone into bankruptcy.”

“today’s politicians are terrified by the faintest whiff of religion. And their alibi is multiculturalism . . . all this diversity is being used . . . to jettison the deepest sources of our moral life, sources that have underpinned our values for centuries.”

Washington Post: “Southworth warned that teaching a student how to properly use contraceptives would be contributing to the delinquency of a minor, a misdemeanor punishable by up to nine months behind bars and a $10,000 fine. He said it would be promoting sex among minors, who are not legally allowed to have sex in Wisconsin . . . ”

CitizenLink: “There’s a renewed effort in Congress to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). [Tim Tracey], legal counsel with the Alliance Defense Fund, said HR 3017 would give sexual orientation and gender identity protected-class status. ‘It sets the statement that sexual orientation and gender identity are compelling interests, that those should override the religious freedom and free speech rights of religious individuals,’ he explained.”

American Federation for Children: “The State of Florida is poised to dramatically expand a highly popular private school choice program helping disadvantaged children after a bill to strengthen the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program passed the State House of Representatives today with overwhelming bipartisan support, including a record number of Democratic votes . . . ”

ACLU: “Is there a fundamental clash of values between secularism and Islam and between freedom of expression and freedom of religion? In what ways are Muslims living in the West contributing to their democratic societies? Can Islam exist as a Western religion? Is it a Western religion already? AAUP, ACLU, PEN American Center, and Slate present a panel discussion featuring . . . ”

PennLive.com: “In the wake of the indictment of state Sen. Jane Orie, the highest-ranking woman in the Pennsylvania General Assembly, uber-activist and Democratic candidate for the state House of Representatives Gene Stilp has filed a complaint with the Pennsylvania Judicial Conduct Board against Judge Joan Orie Melvin, the state senator’s sister . . . ”

Bluegrass Institute: “Kentucky lawmakers are being invited to see public charter schools in action. Rep. Brad Montell, R-Shelbyville, recently sent a letter to all state legislators inviting them to tour a public charter school in Indianapolis on Tuesday, the day before the state House can consider charter-school legislation already approved by the Senate.The trip is being funded by Phil Moffett, a Bluegrass Institute board member and co-founder of School CHOICE Scholarships in Louisville . . . ”

Citizen Link: “The Missoula, Mont., City Council is considering an ordinance that adds ‘sexual orientation’ and ‘gender identity’ as special classes protected against discrimination.”

Citizen Link: “Tim Tracey, legal counsel with the Alliance Defense Fund, said HR 3017 would give sexual orientation and gender identity protected-class status. ‘It sets the statement that sexual orientation and gender identity are compelling interests, that those should override the religious freedom and free speech rights of religious individuals,’ he explained.”

Religion Clause Blog: “In the Indian state of Kerala, a 2-judge bench of the High Court held that neither the state nor any of its instrumentalities may be involved with the creation of an Islamic banking institution . . . ”

AP: “A fundamentalist Christian political party led entirely by men was told by the Netherlands’ Supreme Court on Friday that it must accept women in leadership roles.”

Politico: “Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.), who had a central role in the health reform fight as the leader of anti-abortion Democrats, plans to announce Friday that he will not run for reelection, a Democratic official said.”

“Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens, the court’s oldest member and leader of its liberal bloc, is retiring. President Barack Obama now has his second high court opening to fill.”