Judge Tosses Suit Challenging Health Law’s Contraception Requirement

A federal judge in Nebraska has ruled against seven state attorneys general and other plaintiffs challenging a contraception requirement in the Obama administration’s health care law. U.S. District Judge Warren Urbom dismissed the suit on Tuesday, citing a lack of standing, report Reuters, the Associated Press, Bloomberg News and the…

Jul 18, 2012 11:42 AM CDT

Splitting Scientology Couples Sometimes Pressured to Use In-House Divorce Lawyers, Ex-Members Say

High-profile divorce proceedings involving Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes are shining a light on how Scientology deals with divorcing couples. The New York Times spoke with several former Scientologists about their experiences. They told the newspaper that the church sometimes pressures divorcing couples to use in-house lawyers, though in-house chaplains…

Jul 9, 2012 1:05 PM CDT

Christian Photographer to Appeal Bias Ruling Citing Studio’s Refusal to Photograph Gay Ceremony

Lawyers with the Alliance Defense Fund say they will appeal a decision holding that a Christian photographer’s studio violated New Mexico anti-bias laws by refusing to photograph a lesbian commitment ceremony. The fund represents Elaine Huguenin, co-owner of Elane Photography, report the Religion News Service, the Associated Press and the…

Jun 6, 2012 12:26 PM CDT

8th Circuit Tosses 19 Contempt Citations for Defendant Who Refused to Stand for Judge

A federal appeals court has ordered a judge to consider the religious rights of a defendant who claimed her Muslim religion prevented her from standing at the opening and close of court sessions. The St. Louis-based 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ordered Chief U.S. District Judge Michael Davis of…

Jun 5, 2012 1:19 PM CDT

Preach the Children Well: Employment Lawyers Puzzle over ‘Ministerial Exception’

Jun 1, 2012 8:10 AM CDT

Church Lawyer Testifies Everyone Lied to Him About Secret List of Priest Abuse Suspects

The former chief counsel for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia testified on Monday that church officials lied to him about a secret list of 35 priests suspected of abusing children. The list is at issue in the trial of Msgr. William Lynn, accused of allowing priests suspected of abuse…

May 15, 2012 2:16 PM CDT

Lawsuit Challenges Pennsylvania Lawmakers’ Year of the Bible Resolution

The Freedom from Religion Foundation has filed a suit challenging a Pennsylvania House resolution that declares 2012 the Year of the Bible. The suit claims the resolution violates the establishment clause, report the Associated Press and the Philadelphia Inquirer. The lawsuit says the resolution “sends a message to the citizens…

Mar 27, 2012 1:02 PM CDT

South Dakota Governor Signs Law Banning Courts from Enforcing Religious Codes

South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard has signed a bill designed to prevent courts from applying Islamic law. The revised measure bars courts and governmental agencies from enforcing any provisions of any religious code, according to Gavel to Gavel, a newsletter of the National Center for State Courts. The bill was…

Mar 13, 2012 3:48 PM CDT

Law Profs Sign Letter Calling Obama’s Contraception Compromise Unacceptable

Clarification: Several law professors have signed a letter that says President Obama’s compromise on contraception coverage is unacceptable. Primary authors of the letter include Catholic University president John Garvey, Harvard law professor Mary Ann Glendon and Princeton University jurisprudence professor Robert George, the Deseret News reports. Others signing the letter…

Feb 16, 2012 5:29 PM CST

Federal Judge’s Order Takes Swipe at Politicians Who ‘Demagogued’ School Prayer Case

A federal judge whose writing attracted a newspaper’s attention earlier this year is back in the news again, this time for taking a swipe at his critics. U.S. District Judge Fred Biery of San Antonio approved a settlement in a school prayer case last Thursday and added an unusual personal…

Feb 14, 2012 12:00 PM CST

11th Circuit Upholds Dismissal of Suit by Worker Who Wouldn’t Give Same-Sex Relationship Counseling

A federal appeals court has affirmed the dismissal of a lawsuit by a former counselor who claimed her constitutional rights were violated when she was laid off after refusing to provide relationship counseling to a gay woman. In a ruling (PDF) Tuesday, the Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals…

Feb 8, 2012 12:22 AM CST

Student Faces Backlash After Winning Legal Battle Over Prayer Hanging on School Wall

A Rhode Island girl who successfully waged a legal battle to get a prayer removed from the wall of her high school auditorium is now suffering the wrath of her deeply religious neighbors. Jessica Ahlquist, 16, has gotten online threats, and police have escorted her at school. A state lawmaker…

Jan 27, 2012 11:18 PM CST

CAIR Calls Gingrich ‘Relic of an Ugly Era’ over Shariah Law Criticism

The Council of American Islamic Relations is blasting Newt Gingrich for saying he would not back a Muslim for president unless the candidate renounces Shariah law. Gingrich made his remarks Tuesday during a town hall appearance in South Carolina, according to Fox News and the Huffington Post. Asked if he…

Jan 19, 2012 1:20 PM CST

Posner Gets Creative with Photos Again, Pictures Bob Marley in Prisoner Rights Opinion

The federal appeals judge who pictured an ostrich in an opinion has turned to photography again, this time in a decision on a prisoner’s suit over shorn dreadlocks. “Dreadlocks can attain a formidable length and density,” the Jan. 13 opinion (PDF) says. A photo of the late reggae musician Bob…

Jan 17, 2012 11:30 AM CST

Supreme Court Bars Narcoleptic Lutheran Teacher’s Suit Against Church School

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled against a narcoleptic Lutheran school teacher who claimed retaliation when her church school refused to rehire her after disability leave. The unanimous opinion (PDF) by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. found that the school was protected from suit under the “ministerial exception” to…

Jan 11, 2012 3:57 PM CST