Religion Dispatches
…d back in 2014, defended itself by invoking section 18 of the Human Rights code, which allows a religious group to restrict participation to the faithful. So while AA presents itself to the public as a “spiritual” program, distinguishing itself from “religious” groups, it nevertheless claimed “religious” legal status in order to protect itself. Although the definition of “religion” is generally assumed in common parlance, it is not in any sense ea…
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…key function of their official capacity, and legally recognize a marriage between two people of the same sex. While several county clerks offices have already implemented procedures to allow clerks to hand off marriage license duties to another clerk if they have a religious conviction, SB 522 goes much further, the Tribune notes. The bill goes into great detail about the chain of recusal, laying out the protocol if a county clerk, their deputy c…
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…d back in 2014, defended itself by invoking section 18 of the Human Rights code, which allows a religious group to restrict participation to the faithful. So while AA presents itself to the public as a “spiritual” program, distinguishing itself from “religious” groups, it nevertheless claimed “religious” legal status in order to protect itself. Although the definition of “religion” is generally assumed in common parlance, it is not in any sense ea…
Read More…ould satisfy both religious conservatives and advocates for greater social freedoms. “Religious rights are important rights but they need to be protected in a way that balances other rights,” he said. “There is a difference between the right to believe in religion and the right to practise by discriminating against other people.” Meanwhile, LGBT activists are figuring out the movement’s next steps: Easier gender changes on birth certificates. Prev…
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…? Why? In addition to Mitch Duneier’s Sidewalk, I would say Eli Anderson’s Code of the Street. It’s such a wonderful example of using the ethnographic method to dig beneath common stereotypes and reveal the social dynamics underlying a supposedly well-understood phenomenon. In his case, he’s looking at the situation of inner-city violence among young African American men. By carefully observing, listening, documenting, and then analyzing, he is ab…
Read More…ces when Parliament attempts to legislate protections for basic rights and freedoms, such as freedom of religion. “The Government is particularly concerned to prevent uncertainties caused by generally worded Bill of Rights-style declarations. “This will be a timely expert stocktake to inform consideration of any necessary legislative reforms.” LGBTI activist Rodney Croome called for LGBTI representation on the panel, saying, “Genuine religious fre…
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…l from Alabama’s Supreme Court—twice. While there is a clear hierarchy and code of judicial ethics for state and federal judges, no such restrictions are placed on Senators. It’s exceedingly rare (though not unheard of) for a Senator to be removed from office by colleagues for some kind of ethical or procedural breach. This reality only adds to the motivation for Moore to stick with the schtick that got him elected, and which demonstrably appeals…
Read More…oliticians do not need to make these arguments. Which brings us back to the 2020 election. Coons suggested that the Democrats inject more religion into their party. Buttigieg seems to agree and is using it as a cudgel against Republicans. A better suggestion, one that both parties should employ, is the one Tara Isabella Burton made over at Religion News Service in a story about some campaigns hiring faith engagement specialists: “In coming years,…
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…the question and was able to assure the public he would draw a bright line between his personal religious practice and his public duties. Flash forward nearly sixty years and such questions are being asked in a completely different context. Law schools like Ave Maria and Regent are literally training lawyers for the culture wars. The Hobby Lobby decision showed that an ascendant conservative-Catho-Christian legal establishment has flipped the defi…
Read MoreElizabeth Warren was on CNN the other day, and did a crackerjack job expressing how her faith and politics fit together. Meanwhile, South Bend Indiana mayor, first openly gay candidate running in a major party’s primary, and general whiz-kid Pete Buttigieg was on The View, doing…not so well. https://twitter.com/TheView/status/1109213160555184128 Let’s get a couple of quick points out of the way before we get down to the central issue. First, towa…
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