Some interesting law and religion news stories from around the web this week:

• Based on a narrow interpretation of Tennessee’s “spiritual treatment” statute, the Supreme Court of Tennessee upheld the conviction and sentence of a woman who had been found guilty of child neglect.
• A legislator in Tennessee has put forward a bill that would designate the Bible as the “official State Book.”
• Last week, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals held that the accommodation rules allowing religious organizations to opt out of the Affordable Care Act’s contraception coverage requirement do not violate their religious freedom rights under RFRA.
• The Catholic University of America and the Archdiocese of Washington are calling on Congress to overturn two recently-passed laws aimed at combatting discrimination.  Both organizations argue that the laws violate their First Amendment rights.
• A New Jersey Superior Court Judge has held that therapists that treat homosexuality as a mental disease or disorder that can be cured are committing consumer fraud.
• A recent poll shows that “while a plurality of Americans support the legalization of same-sex marriage, a majority believe that the religious liberty of those who object to such marriages should still be respected.”
• A Superior Court Judge in Washington has held that a florist who refused to provide flowers for a same-sex wedding violated consumer protection laws.
  • Read the full ruling here.
• Former Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran, who was ousted from his position after he published a religious book about his faith containing critical passages about homosexuality, has filed a lawsuit against the city alleging he was fired because of his religion.
• Earlier this week, several hundred tombs were defaced at a Jewish cemetery in France.  French President François Hollande described it as an “odious and barbaric act.”
  • Despite an increase in the number of attacks against the Jewish population in Europe, European leaders are rejecting calls from Israel’s leader, Benjamin Netanyahu, for a mass migration of the continent’s Jews to Israel.
• An Italian college has banned Muslim headscarves as a means to prevent further attacks on Muslim students.  The headmaster of the college stated that “outward signs of religion can be seen as provocation” and that the move is intended to “promote tolerance, respect, and equality.”
• Christian Solidarity Worldwide, a group that monitors persecution of Christians, has stated that the Chinese government’s campaign of destroying churches and crosses appears to be slowing down.