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Source: Independent.ie - Frontpage RSS Feed

JUSTICE Minister Dermot Ahern has defended the introduction of a new crime of blasphemous libel, stating that a new definition was required by the Constitution.

Source: US News & World Report

The Southern Baptist Convention's Richard Land has worked with presidential administrations going back to Ronald Reagan's, but he can't remember any that has convened an advisory council composedised mostly of religious leaders, as President Obama has done.

Source: The Detroit Free Press

The Michigan Civil Rights Commission voted Monday to oppose a proposed rules change that would give judges more discretion over what witnesses wear, including whether a Muslim religious veil, or niqab, should be removed.

Source: The Des Moines Register

At least one Iowa magistrate has decided that he will no longer perform marriages, a response due in part to the Iowa Supreme Court ruling that allows same-sex couples to marry.

Source: The L.A. Times

In a light-filled classroom in Sherman Oaks, gregarious teacher Jenna Zucker dons a straw hat and, in an exaggerated Southern drawl, invites the gathered first- and second-graders to an imaginary picnic.

Source: The Houston Chronicle

SOMERSET — A Native American Somerset High School senior — whose parents filed a federal lawsuit saying his right of religious expression was violated when he received an on-campus suspension — can return to class without having to cut his shoulder-length hair.

Source: pandasthumb.org

On April 2, in the continuation of Freshwater's case in chief (basically, his case to be retained), we heard three witnesses, Pastor Stephen Zirkle, middle school health teacher Wes Elifritz, and middle school teacher Andrew Thompson.

Source: newsbusters.org

The University of Maryland recently decided that prayer is not allowed during commencement addresses, but pornographic films are allowed on campus. University officials cited "academic free speech" as the reason to allow the film.

Source: pandasthumb.org

In my brief post yesterday (just below this post) I described Ben Neilson's testimony to the effect that the injury shown in newspaper photos was not the mark he saw on Zachary Dennis' arm when Freshwater used the Tesla coil on both students (in different classes).

Source: pandasthumb.org

After a cancellation of a session scheduled for March 20, the hearing on John Freshwater's termination as a middle school science teacher in the Mt. Vernon, Ohio, school district resumed today. For links to previous posts on the hearing click here.

Source: beliefnet.com

A proposed bill that would take power from Catholic priests and bishops and turn it over to parishioners has sparked outrage among church leaders, criticism from opposition lawmakers and questions about its legality.

Source: pewforum.org

The economic stimulus legislation signed into law on Feb. 17, 2009, by President Barack Obama authorizes state governments to fund the "modernization, renovation and repair" of buildings on public and private college and university campuses.

Source: The New York Times

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court ruled unanimously on Wednesday, in one of the most closely watched free speech decisions in years, that a tiny religious sect could not force a Utah city to let it erect a monument to its faith in a public park.

Source: US News & World Report

Though invocations have long been commonplace at presidential inaugurations and certain events like graduations or religious services at which presidents are guests, the practice of commissioning and vetting prayers for presidential rallies is unprecedented in modern history, acc …