Some interesting law & religion stories from around the web this week:
- The Boy Scouts of America voted to lift the ban on openly gay scouts. The prohibition on openly gay adult leaders remains in place.
- On Monday, the State Department released its report on global religious freedom. The report shows little improvement in religious freedom worldwide. Announcing the report, Secretary of State Kerry said that attacks on religious freedom are a national security concern for the United States.
- State Department names Ira Forman as top envoy to combat anti-Semitism.
- The Supreme Court will revisit the issue of separation of church and state in a case about whether a town council can begin most of its meetings with a prayer from a Christian pastor. CLR Forum discusses the case here.
- On Wednesday, the New York City Council passed a resolution calling on state lawmakers to protect churches’ right to rent worship space on Sundays.
- The Church of Scotland’s General Assembly voted to allow actively gay men and lesbians to become ordained ministers.
- Catholic Whistleblowers, a newly formed group of priests and nuns, aims to identify shortcomings in Church policy and to support whistleblowers and victims of sexual abuse by clergy.
- A science course at Ball State University that allegedly endorses creationism and Christianity is being investigated by school officials.
- Russian lawmakers approved a bill that would introduce jail terms and fines for “public actions expressing clear disrespect for society and with the intent to offend the religious feelings of the faithful.” Putin will likely sign the bill.
- Religion for Brooklyn hipsters: Chabad of North Brooklyn released a “Unite the Beards” video. “Hasid and hipster, not as different as you think.”