Some interesting law and religion news stories from around the web this week:
- The Obama Administration is set to ensure access to birth control coverage for employees of closely held companies that object to contraception on religious grounds.
- Religious groups are disappointed with the proposed adjustment to the HHS mandate as it still requires provision of the objectionable coverage.
- Federal Court of Appeals judge Richard Posner reacted negatively to arguments made in defense of gay marriage bans during oral arguments made in the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, signalling the laws may be in trouble.
- The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals granted Utah an extension to file its appeal in the same-sex marriage recognition case.
- A historical Episcopal parish that counts U.S. President George Washington among its past vestry members has hosted its first blessing of a same-sex union, in Falls Church, Virginia.
- American’s United for the Separation of Church and State argues that a North Carolina law encouraging public school faculty and staff to participate in prayer and worship with students violates the establishment clause.
- The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals has held that a Ten Commandments monument in North Dakota is permissible under both Supreme Court and 8th Circuit precedents.
- An Arkansas pizzeria has received criticism from an atheist group, claiming that its 10% church discount violates the Civil Rights Act.
- A Puerto Rican Federal District Court has held that a police officer had adequately stated an Establishment Clause claim. The police officer was required to attend police officer formations beginning and ending with Christian prayers.
- The Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma City has dropped a law suit filed against a Satanic cult that planned to perform a “Black Mass” in the city now that the cult has returned a stolen consecrated host to the church.
- A U.S. District Court Judge in Utah has struck down a portion of Utah’s polygamy ban, arguing it violates the Free Exercise Clause.
- Read the court’s full opinion here.
- A senior Muslim cleric in Crimea has been found guilty of possession of religious extremist literature, the first such case since Russia’s annexation of Crimea.