Here are some important law-and-religion news stories from around the web:
- The Sixth Circuit held that two anti-LGBT protestors’ free speech rights were violated after they were ordered to leave a public sidewalk for preaching against homosexuality outside the 2015 Nashville Pride Festival.
- Two religious organizations sued Lafayette Public Library in Louisiana alleging discrimination against Christians in an effort to stop the library from hosting an upcoming “Drag Queen Story Time” event.
- Ireland plans to offer free abortions for all women in the wake of the May referendum that legalized the procedure.
- A Texas woman was sentenced to twelve years in prison after being convicted of kidnapping a woman who she believed “brought shame to the Muslim community.”
- An Israeli radio station owned by ultra-Orthodox Jews was fined for refusing to allow women—presenters and call-ins alike—to speak on the air.
- U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson claims private investigators are attempting to spy on Christian student activities at Benton High School on behalf of “Atheist litigation groups” in California—the latest chapter in a lawsuit alleging teachers have promoted Christianity in violation of the Establishment Clause.
- Missouri State Sen. Claire McCaskill gets hit with radio advertisements warning voters that she supports “teaching about Islam” in schools.
- The Vatican accepted a bishop’s request to be temporarily relieved of his pastoral duties following accusations that he repeatedly raped a nun over a two-year span.
- A federal district court struck down a Hawaii law that required pro-life pregnancy centers to inform clients about free or low-cost abortion options.
- India’s government approved an ordinance that criminalizes “triple talaq”—a practice that permits Muslim men to instantly divorce their wives by using the word “talaq” three times but is unavailable to Muslim women.
- Candidates for Governor in Georgia dispute whether the state needs a religious protection bill—a persisting issue since outgoing Governor Deal vetoed such a bill in 2016.
- The Taylor County (TX) DA’s Office responded to accusations that it has unconstitutional endorsed religion by displaying “God Bless America” signs; advocating a bake sale for a Christian-based, nonprofit child-care facility; and allowing employees to display crosses on their desks.
- Following up from last Monday’s AtW: The Vatican has signed a “provisional agreement” with China, accepting seven bishops that were originally appointed without the pope’s consent.