November 13, 2015 - LAW AND RELIGION FORUM

Posted on November 13, 2015July 26, 2016 by Christina Vlahos

Around the Web this Week

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

Foreign Policy hosts a debate on the roots of violent extremism in predominantly-Muslim countries.
A Marine veteran court-martialed for failing to remove a Bible verse at work when ordered to do so by a superior is on track to plead her case at the military’s highest court.
Last Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear appeals brought by Christian groups demanding full exemption from the requirement to provide insurance covering contraception under the Affordable Care Act.
In Britain, a group of parents and their children are to go to court to challenge the government’s decision to exclude non-religious world views, like humanism, from the new religious studies curriculum.
A Delaware judge is considering the constitutionality of a state law that exempts priests from being required to report suspected child abuse disclosed during confessions — and, if the law is constitutional, whether it should protect elders in a Jehovah’s Witnesses congregation.
The European Court of Human Rights on Tuesday rejected claims by a French comedian that his right to speak freely was denied when he was convicted and fined in France for insulting Jews.
Senegal’s President called for a fight against the “excessive form” of Islam which has led to the growth of jihadi groups.
Catholic leaders in Indonesia have welcomed an announcement that the government will review legislation that critics say restricts constitutional protections to religious freedom.
The EU warned of a looming humanitarian “catastrophe” with tens of thousands of refugees and migrants traveling through the Balkans to northern Europe as winter closes in.
In Texas, a church-based organization has begun to make headway in enacting a “living wage” for San Antonio city employees.
Reprot: Challenges to faith-based organizations are making it increasingly difficult to serve the public while meeting their mission.
A judicial disciplinary commission is hearing accusations against an Oregon judge who refused to perform same-sex marriages.

Posted on November 13, 2015July 26, 2016 by

“Jewish Law Annual Volume 21” (Lifshitz ed.)

In December, Routledge will release “Jewish Law Annual Volume 21” edited by Berachyahu Lifshitz (The Hebrew University of Jerusalem). The publisher’s description follows:

Volume 21 of The Jewish Law Annual adds to the growing list of articles on
Jewish law that have been published in volumes 1- 20 of this series, providing English-speaking readers with scholarly articles presenting jurisprudential, historical, textual and comparative analysis of issues in Jewish law.

Posted on November 13, 2015July 26, 2016 by

“Religion after Secularization in Australia” (Stanley ed.)

In September, Palgrave Macmillan released “Religion after Secularization in Australia” edited by Timothy Stanley (University of Newcastle, Australia). The publisher’s description follows:

Religion’s persistent and new visibility in political life has prompted a
significant global debate. One of this debate’s key features concerns the nature and impact of secularization. This collection of essays draws together leading sociologists, historians, philosophers of religion, and political theorists in order to provide a broad and up-to-date account of religion after secularization. Contributors explore the meaning and conceptual legacies of religion, as well as the unique features of the Australian case such as religion as it relates to law, education, gender, media, and radical political movements. Intervening in the current debate, this book provides summative accounts of the history, culture, and legal interactions that have informed Australia’s relationship to religion and secularization. Contributors critically analyze and engage with secular political theory concerning the public sphere, while also dissecting deliberative politics and democratic practices. This book propels the debate over religion’s place in public life in new directions and promotes urgently needed public understanding.