Here are some important law-and-religion news stories from around the web:
- The U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments in 303 Creative v. Elenis, where plaintiff Lorie Smith wanted to expand her business to design custom websites for couples planning weddings but would not provide her services for same-sex weddings.
- The U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals granted a stay pending appeal of a district court order barring the display of a creche on the historical county courthouse lawn. The appeal on the merits in the case was argued before the 7th Circuit last week.
- The U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals remanded to the district court RLUIPA claims by a Buddhist group that its rights were violated when the city Planning Commission and City Commission refused to approve its proposed meditation center.
- The U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the dismissal of a civil rights claim brought by the High Priestess/ Property Manager of Green Faith Ministry who objected to an attempt by a police officer and fire marshals to inspect the ministry’s building.
- An Oregon federal district court denied a preliminary injunction to three Christian schools challenging Gov. Kate Brown’s COVID-19 executive order that limits the schools to remote instruction.
- Suit was filed this week in D.C. federal district court challenging the constitutionality of the city’s refusal to allow protesting groups to paint a mural reading “Black Pre-Born Lives Matter” on the street near a Planned Parenthood Clinic.
- A New Jersey federal district court held that a seventh grade World Cultures and Geography course presentation of material about Islam did not violate the Establishment Clause.
- Per New York law, which requires court approval (or approval by the Attorney General) for sale of assets of a non-profit educational corporation, the sale of Nyack College’s South Nyack campus to Yeshiva of Viznitz D’Khal Torath Chaim in Ramapo was approved.
- The West Virginia Supreme Court held that the deceptive practices provisions of the state’s Consumer Credit and Protection Act cannot be applied to educational and recreational services offered by a religious institution.
- The FBI released its 2019 Hate Crime Statistics. According to the Report, of the 7,103 single-bias incidents, 19.9% of the offenses, and 21.4% of the incidents, were motivated by religious bias.