JONATHAN TURLEY

Pakistani Judge Mian Muhammad Naeem has reportedly ruled that two Christian girls who were kidnapped and then converted to Islam cannot be returned to their family, including Saba Younas, aged 13, who was forced to marry the son of one of the kidnappers. Naeem ruled that the girls “have converted in a legitimate manner to Islam” and therefore cannot be “restored to their family of origin”.

Continue reading ‘Pakistani Judge Rules that Kidnapped Girls Who Were Converted to Islam Cannot be Returned to Family — Including One Married Off at 13′

Oklahoma County Commissioner Brent Rinehart is facing a tough election, so he has taken a page out of one of the oldest books of politics: he has demonized his opponents as “liberal good ol’ boys,” gays and tools of Satan. In this case, however, the book is a juvenile comic book that Rinehart has written and illustrated. He intends to send the comic book to voters depicting his opponents as Satan-following, Gay-loving liberals terrified of . . . you guessed it . . . Brent Rinehart.
Continue reading ‘Sooner v. Satan: Oklahoma Commissioner Reduces Campaign to a Homophobic Comic’

Yusuf Islam, the artist formerly known as Cat Stevens, accepted damages and an apology this week from World Entertainment News Network for a report that he would not speak with women due to his orthodox Muslim views.
Continue reading ‘Yusuf Islam, Formerly Known as Cat Stevens, Wins Libel Action’

Afghan journalist Rahmatullah Naikzad has released a videotaped of the kidnapping and execution of two women, shown below, for their alleged involvement in a prostitution ring. The video is graphic and the viewer can hear that at least one woman screaming. It is another example of the barbarism still carried out by the Taliban under Sharia law. It is also more evidence of the return of the Taliban in a surge of its own in Afghanistan.

Continue reading ‘Shock Video: Journalist Films Taliban Execution of Two Women for Prostitution’

Windsor Hills Baptist had to cancel its plan to give away a semiautomatic assault rifle to a teenager because one of the organizers hurt his foot. While the church has been ridiculed nationally for the event, it is planning to give away the assault rifle next year instead as part of its promotion for its weekend youth conference.

Continue reading ‘High-Caliber Christianity: Oklahoma Baptist Church Plans to Give Away Assault Weapon at Teen Camp’

The council of elders from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints likes its mission Mormons in white shirts and black ties, thank you very much. On Sunday, the council excommunicated Chad Hardy for producing his “Men on a Mission” calendar — showing hunky Mormons sans shirts who are on different missions around the world.

Continue reading ‘Missionary Position: Mormon Church Excommunicates Creator of Shirtless “Men on a Mission” Calendar’

Kentucky pastor, Gregory James Coots, 36, is in jail this week after wildlife officers found dozens of snakes in his possession. He was one of 10 people arrested in the sweep. Coots is the head of Full Gospel Tabernacle in Jesus Name in Middlesboro — a snake handling sect that recently came under investigation with the death of a woman bitten by one of the venomous snakes.
Continue reading ‘Laying Hands On Religious Snake Handlers: Police Arrest Pastor of Fundamentalist Church’

In yet another confrontation between France and the Muslim community, the government has refused to give a woman citizenship because she is too submissive to Islam and to men. In a June ruling, the Council of State found that the Moroccan woman’s religious beliefs are incompatible with French citizenship. Notably, the woman speaks good French, is married to a French national, has lived in the country since 2000, has three children born in France, and has never been arrested for a crime.
Continue reading ‘Muslim Woman Denied French Citizenship for Being Too Submissive’

In Knoxville Tenn., Matt Lincoln wanted to be touched by God when he went to the Lakewind Church. It was the contact with the floor that he did not plan for when he was consumed by the holy spirit. He is not suing the church for negligence in failing to take preparations for those who lose their balance or consciousness when visited by the spirit during services. He is seeking $2.5 million of a more earthly reward.

Continue reading ‘Spiritual Slip and Fall: Knoxville Man Sues for Evangelical Injury After Being Touched By God’

In Grand Rapids, Michigan, Christian publisher Zondervan is facing a $60 million federal lawsuit for allegedly homophobia and prejudicial translations of the Bible. by a man who claims he and other homosexuals have suffered based on what the suit claims is a misinterpretation of the Bible. Bradley Fowler has sued the publisher despite the fact that it is not the translator.
Continue reading ‘A Lawsuit of Biblical Proportions: Christian Publisher Sued for Allegedly Homophobic Translation of Bible’

It appears that extreme Muslims are not alone in demanding death for those who insult their religion. Some Catholics are threatening the life of Webster Cook who stole a wafer or Eucharist in a baggy to show a friend. He then made a video that now has been being accused by the Catholic Church as a hate crime.

Continue reading ‘Cook Steals the Body of Christ; Faces Death Threats and Calls for Hate Crime Punishment’

It appears that mere blogging with flogging is not enough. Beheading bloggers will now be the new rage in Persia. In its race back to the Dark Ages, Iran and its Mullahs have written a new law that would put bloggers to death for any writing that is viewed as advocating corruption, prostitution, or desertion of Islam. Such bloggers would be deemed mohareb (an enemy of God) and “corrupt of the earth.” This category of criminals allows the Iranian “courts” to inflict a range of punishment that includes amputations and execution.

Continue reading ‘Post and Perish: Iran Set to Make Offensive Blogging a Death Penalty Offense’

President Bush has been unsuccessful lately in abridging the Constitution with stinging loses in the last month before the Supreme Court and lower courts. He appears now to be attacking the problem at its source: the Founders. In a July 4th speech at Monticello, Bush cleaned up a famous quote by Jefferson by deleting a line that is viewed as critical of religious superstitions and ignorance. The video of the event and the original quote are below.

Continue reading ‘Jefferson Abridged: Bush Deletes Line from Jefferson Quote that Criticizes Religious Superstition’

An interesting little article has revealed that the Vatican has been using its sovereign status to conduct actual trials, including one of a fake priest trying to hear confessions in the Vatican and a drug case. Who knows a television executives might soon discover “Vatican Court” and the new reality based program.

Continue reading ‘Coping a Plea in the Holy See: Vatican Court Tries Cases From Fake Priest to Drug Possession’

In Jonesboro, Georgia, Chaudry Rashad has been arrested for allegedly kiled his 25-year-old daughter, Sandela Kanwal, after she said that she was unhappy with an arranged marriage. Sandela had had no contact with her arranged husband in Chicago for three months.

Continue reading ‘Culture Shock: Father Allegedly Kills Daughter Who Complained About Arranged Marriage’

A British researcher, Richard Lynn, claims to have found a correlation between intelligence and relgious scepticism. In a study spanning 137 countries, Lynn found that high intelligence produced an extremely high likelihood of the rejection of religious faith.

Continue reading ‘Researchers Link High Intelligence with Atheism’

Lord Chief Justice Lord Phillips has declared that Islamic legal principles can be applied by courts to resolve certain family, marital, or contractual cases. In a speech at an East London mosque, Lord Phillips said that Sharia can be applied so long as it does not conflict with English law.

Continue reading ‘Lord Chief Justice Endorses Use of Sharia Law in Some Cases’

Houston residents are up in arms after receiving free Qurans from the Book of Signs Foundation. While free bibles are routinely left at homes and businesses, residents found the Quran to be outrageous. The campaign was an effort of Muslims to help people get a better understanding of them and their religion.

Continue reading ‘Holy Nuisance: Houston Residents Upset with Free Qurans Left on Doorsteps’

William Randolph Hearst once said “Show me a magazine with a woman, a dog, or a baby on the cover, and I’ll show you a magazine that sells.” Perhaps following that logic, the Tayside Police Department in Scotland thought that they had the perfect postcard to send to citizens: featuring their new telephone number and this picture of a puppy named Rebel sitting in a police officer’s hat. Instead, the new number was inundated with calls from irate Muslims who view dog as “unclean” — even cute ones.

Continue reading ‘Rebel Without a Cause: Muslims in Scotland Object to Use of Puppy in Police Postcards’

John Freshwater has long been a controversial teacher in Mount Vernon, Ohio. Parents and other teachers accused him of not teaching required science subjects while drilling in creationism into his students. Now, a lawsuit accused him of literally impressing his students with Christian values by branding them.

Continue reading ‘Branding for Jesus: Ohio Teacher Accused of Teaching Creationism and Burning Crosses into Arms of Students’

One wonders what it takes for Oregon’s Followers of Christ Church to decide that perhaps it is time to modify their religious guidelines. After the death of Ava Worthington which is now a criminal matter here, now his cousin has died from lack of medical intervention. The sixteen-year-old boy, was the latest victim of the church, which appears willing to run out of children before they run out of faith.

Continue reading ‘Faith-Based Fatality: Another Child Dies From Lack of Medical Care Due to Parent’s Religious Beliefs’

It seems that Tom Hanks may have to ask the Lutherans for a backdrop to the sequel to The Da Vinci Code. The Vatican has banned him from church grounds in Rome after calling his last movie “an offence against God.” I have heard some bad reviews, but this one takes the cake. What is most interesting is that I had previously concluded that the movie was an offense to me after putting down almost $20 bucks for myself and my wife. The Vatican movie review indicates that viewers can expert poor writing, mediocre acting, and guaranteed damnation.
Continue reading ‘Bad Review: Vatican Bans Tom Hanks From Filming Sequel to the Da Vinci Code on Church Grounds’

Maclean Magazine is the latest publication to be called to the dock to answer to the new speech police in Canada. The magazine is accused of hate speech and has had to answer for the publication of an article written by Mark Steyn entitled Why the Future Belongs to Islam. The British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal, a Robespierrean institution that reviews and punishes improper speech, held a week of hearings on the magazine and will soon issue its ruling. The tribunal is an example of an expanding crisis in various Western nations, where free speech is being sacrificed in the name of combatting intolerance.
Continue reading ‘Maclean’s Magazine Faces Speech Police In Canada’

A very disturbing free speech case has emerged out of Canada: another example of how the West is abandoning principles of free speech in its widening definitions of hate speech. The Alberta Human Rights Commission has punished Rev. Stephen Boission and the Concerned Christian Coalition for anti-gay speech, not only awarding damages but censuring future speech that the Commission deems inappropriate. Boission’s offense came in the form of a letter containing anti-gay language.
Continue reading ‘Oh Canada! Alberta Human Rights Commission Punishes and Censures Anti-Gay Speech’

Better Lucknow than Lucklater, it seems. In Lucknow, India, the new Sardar Bhagat Singh College of Technology and Management has finally completed its national search for a chairman. It is Hanumen: the Hindu monkey god. To properly appoint the god-chairman, the school has set aside the large Chairman’s incensed office with computer and chairs for the monkey god and friends. However, even before Hanuman appears, the board and all visitors must enter the conference room with bare feet.
Continue reading ‘Indian Business School Picks Monkey God for Chairman’

The Turkish Constitutional Court delivered a great victory for those fighting to preserve the country’s secular traditions. It upheld the ban on female university students wearing headscarves — despite the efforts of Turkey’s new pro-Islamic president. For secularists, it is a great victory, but it is highly problematic from a civil liberties standpoint.

Continue reading ‘Turkish Constitutional Court Upholds Ban on Students Wearing Scarves’

Chicago Francis Cardinal George has temporarily removed Father Michael Pfleger from his position as pastor of St. Sabina Roman Catholic Church on Chicago’s South Side. The decision follows his racially insensitive remarks at Sen. Barack Obama’s former church.
Continue reading ‘Father Michael Pfleger Removed as Pastor Following Racially Insensitive Speech’

Tyler Hurd, a 23-year-old high school junior in St. Cloud, Minn., felt compelled to leave a teacher-training program at Technical High School when Muslim students reportedly threatened to kill his service dog Emmitt because it is forbidden for Muslims to pet a dog.
Continue reading ‘Student Leaves High School After Muslim Students Threaten to Kill His Service Dog’

Al Qaeda No. 2 leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri has already violated every possible international and domestic law in his career. However, he has now been recorded admitting to a knowing violation of Title VII: the refusal to allow women to serve as terrorists and suicide bombers. If he thought the CIA was dogged, wait until he feels the wrath of NOW.
Continue reading ‘Shattering the Terrorist Glass Ceiling: Al Qaeda Leader Rejects Role of Women as Terrorists and Suicide Bombers’

A French court in Lille, France has annulled the marriage of a young Muslim after the husband discovered on his wedding night that his bribe was not a virgin. The French court agreed that the lack of virginity was sufficient for an annulment in a decision drawing considerable criticism in France.

Continue reading ‘Lille Lie: French Court Annuls Marriage After Muslim Bride Found to Not Be Virgin’

Just a few weeks after 15 women were burned as witches in Kenya, witch burning has continued in India. Last week, an indian woman in Bhuganeswar, India between the latest victim of this international practice.
Continue reading ‘Witch Burnings Continue Worldwide’

Sen. Barack Obama is dealing with yet another screed from a long-time associate and preacher, Michael Pfleger, a Catholic priest. In the video below, Pfleger attacks Hillary Clinton and notions of white entitlement. It is yet another example of the perils of faith-based politics now practiced by both the Republicans and Democrats. What is most annoying, however, are these religious leaders who pander to racial hatred or intolerance — only to immediately apologize when those words become public.
Continue reading ‘Mea Culpa: Rev. Michael Pfleger Apologizes for Racially Insensitive Sermon’

In yet another blow to the Texas officials who ordered the mass removal of children from the Yearning for Zion Ranch, the Texas Supreme Court has agreed with an appellate court that they must be returned. Officials will now have to reunite as many as 450 children with their parents. It is not must a rebuke to Child Protective Services, which adopted the most extreme measures in the case without evidence of individual guilt, but to District Judge Barbara Walther who showed very little concern over the rights of the accused parents in the matter. Continue reading ‘Texas Supreme Court Orders Return of Children in Polygamy Case’

Writer Matt Taibbi has a hilarious account of going undercover to the camp of former John McCain supporter Rev. John Hagee. One highlight is requiring the faithful to throw up “demons” that range from “incest” to “hand-writing analysis.”
Continue reading ‘Puking for Jesus — Writer Details Hagee’s Spiritual Camp’

Eddie Walker, the principal of Irmo High School in Columbia, S.C., is resigning in the wake of a decision by the Lexington-Richland School District 5 officials, to allow the creation of a gay club at his school. He has cited his own religious views for the protest move.

Continue reading ‘South Carolina Principal Resigns in Protest Over Approval of Gay Club at High School’

One of the great divides between the United States and England is the scope and protection given to free speech, particularly when it comes to the media. Now, it appears that even a speech during a protest is regulated by the government. An unnamed teenager was charged criminally after he held up a sign reading “Scientology is not a religion, it is a dangerous cult.” Whether true or not, it is a view shared by many around the world. It also appears to be a crime to utter in England. Continue reading ‘Student Charged Criminally for Using the Word “Cult” to Describe Scientology During London Protests’

Another pastor of a megachurch has been busted. This time it is Joe Barron who was captured in an undercover Internet sting allegedly trying to meet with a 13-year-old girl following sexual communications. The 52-year-old paster of the 26,000 member Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano was actually speaking with a detective.

Continue reading ‘Laying Hands Upon the Kinder: Megachurch Pastor Busted in Internet Sex Sting’

A week ago, Iraqi militiamen made a shocking discovery: a Quran (Koran) used for target practice, riddled with bullets, and the words “F*** yeah” scrawled inside. U.S. officials are scrambling to make amends in fear of a major backlash across Iraq.

Continue reading ‘Iraqi Outcry After Quran Used for Target Practice by U.S. Troops’

For many, the conversion of virulent anti-Catholic Rev. John Hagee to a new pro-Catholic lover of mankind was a bit forced and opportunistic, here. Nevertheless, the sudden reformation of the bigoted preacher de-fused a controversy for John McCain, who sought Hagee’s endorsement. Now, however, there is questions raised about another spiritual adviser and supporter to the campaign: Rev. Rod Parsley. Continue reading ‘Now That Hagee is Reformed, How About Rev. Rod Parsley?’

In another serious move against first speech, the Dutch have arrested a cartoonist for insulting before on the basis of their race and religion. It is a core free speech issue and, while the cartoonist known as Gregorius Nekschot may be obnoxious, it should be a matter of concern for those who believe in an open and robust environment for speech. As noted below, cartoonists appear a new obsession with governments. Continue reading ‘No Laughing Matter: Dutch Arrest Cartoonist for Insulting People’

You’ve got to love the power of redemption. Virulent anti-Catholic and John McCain supporter John Hagee has decided after months of criticism that he actually doesn’t think Catholics are anti-semitic and their church is the “great whore.” He further called the Crusades anti-Semitic and blamed the Church for Hitler’s hatred of the Jews. It turns out that those attacks were only caused by his love for Jews not his hatred of Catholics. I do not know which I disliked more: the hate-filled Anti-Catholic ravings or the opportunistic implausible apology. Continue reading ‘My Bad: Hagee Apologizes for Anti-Catholic Statements and Is Instantly Forgiven’

There will be no expelliarmus orders in English prisons. English inmates have won the right to keep twigs in their cells to use as wands. This is still better than the American prisoner’s demanding to have Thor’s hammer and sword available to them. Continue reading ‘“Casting a Spell, Boss:” Inmates Win Right to Keep “Magic Wands” in Cells’

Abdel-Qader Ali killed his daughter after he learned that she had fallen in love with a British solider, even though she was still a virgin and did little more than admit infatuation. Her brothers helped him kill her. According to father, police congratulated and released him. His only regret? That he did not kill Rand Abdel-Qader, 17, as a baby. Continue reading ‘Father Kills Daughter for Falling in Love with British Soldier; Police Congratulate and Release Him’

In Minnesota, three eighth graders have been suspended for sitting during the pledge of allegiance. The principal of Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton Junior High School states that, while they are not constitutionally required to recite the pledge, they must still stand for the pledge. It is difficult to see how students are protected from pledging but must give the outward appearance of approving or respecting the pledge and flag. Continue reading ‘Pledge or Perish: Eighth Graders Suspended for Lack of Patriotic Respect’

Police in Madison Wisconsin have arrested a religious leader and a mother after discovering a corpse on their toilet. Tammy Lewis was responding to instructions from “Bishop” Alan Bushey, who insisted that 90-year-old Magdeline Alvina Middlesworth would come back to life — after two months. The two adults are facing child abuse and endangerment counts while the two children are now in foster care and protected from further “religious instruction.” Continue reading ‘“Bishop” and Mother Arrested After Making Kids Live with Corpse’

A twelve-year-old Muslim girl and her parents have been told by a German court that she must attend co-ed swimming lessons despite her religious objections to wearing formfitting clothing. The court in North Rhine-Westphalia said that the school’s interest in teaching swimming outweighs the bona fide religious objections of the parents. It appears that free style outweighs free exercise in Germany. Continue reading ‘Sin-chronized Swimming: German Court Holds that Muslim Girl Must Swim Despite Religious Prohibitions’

Catholic priest Father Vincent Inametti, 48, has a particularly hands on approach to ministering to the faithful. Inametti was chaplain at a women’s prison in Texas when he used the position to have sex with two women. He will now serve two years in prison. The Vatican may be equally peeved given the fact that he is not supposed to be having sex with anyone. Continue reading ‘Laying Hands Upon the Faithful: Catholic Priest Gets Jail Time for Sex With Inmates’

Florida is continuing its struggle against the separation of church and state with a new promotion of religion: special license plates for the faithful. The legislature is considering a plate featuring a Christian cross, a stained-glass church window and the words “I Believe.” The sponsor of this unconstitutional measure is Rep. Edward Bullard who sees absolutely no difference between vanity plates and divinity plates. This is no doubt an effort to close the license gap with Iran, which has a “Honk if You Love Allah” plate. Continue reading ‘Honk, If You Love Jesus: Florida Extends State Advancement of Religion to License Plates’