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”
Category: Religion
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”
Muslim scientists and clerics have called for the replacement of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) with Mecca Mean Time given the more central location of the holy city on Earth. Of course, given yesterday’s report of the Human Rights Watch on Saudi treatment of women, here. MMT could mean making time move backwards. Continue reading “I’m Not Late, I’m On Mecca Time: Muslim Scientists and Clerics Call for Replacement of Greenwich Mean Time with Mecca Mean Time”
Jose Merced, a Santeria Oba or priest, has appealed his challenge to a city ban on animal slaughtering in the home as a violation of his free exercise rights under the First Amendment. At issue is the refusal of the city of Euless, Texas to allow his religious practice. Continue reading “Fifth Circuit to Review Santeria Animal Slaughter Case”
A primary school in Amsterdam had a great idea for its kids aged 7-10 — to expose them to other cultures and religions, including a visit to a Mosque. What they learned, however, at the El Mouchidine mosque was a lesson in hate from its unhinged chairman, Mohamed Guennoun, who allegedly explained to the children that any non-believers were “dogs.” Continue reading “Mosque Field Trip for Children Turns Ugly”
In what could be a major new religion clause case, the Supreme Court has taken a case involving a Ten Commandments monument in a public park in Utah. The Tenth Circuit ruled with little known church that the city it must allow followers of the Summum religion to erect a similar monument displaying the “Seven Aphorisms of Summum.” Continue reading “Supreme Court Takes New Ten Commandments Case”
There is a growing clamor on the Internet over an effort by some Texans to strip Scientology of its status as a religion — a move that would expose the Church of Scientology to both taxes and greater regulation. This move occurs as various countries continue to move against the Church and the Church is threatening lawsuits over the disclosure of confidential tapes and materials. Most recently, Wikileaks has made available the entire secret Operating Thetan (OT) documents — a move that could trigger another round of litigation by the Church. Continue reading “Texans Seek to Strip Scientology of Religious Designation”
Parents of a 15-month-old baby have been criminally charged in her death after they allegedly refused to get medical assistance due to their faith-healing religions. Carl Worthington, 28, and Raylene Worthington, 25, have been charged in the death of their daughter, Ava, on March 2. It is only the latest of a litany of such disturbing cases. Continue reading “Faith-Healing Parents in Oregon Charged With Death of Daughter”
In Wisconsin, another case of alleged religion-based abuse is being investigated after 11-year-old girl Madeline (“Kara”) Neumann died of untreated diabetes as her parents prayed for divine intervention. The last time Kara had reportedly been to a doctor was at age three. Notably, this follows just days after the death of 15-month old Ava Worthington in Oregon in a case that will test one of the new faith healing laws. Continue reading “11-Year-Old Girl Dies of Untreated Diabetes as Parents Pray for Spiritual Healing”
In Alabama, Presiding Covington County Circuit Judge M. Ashley McKathan has long been criticized for his insistence on practice religion and law at the same time. Now, he is being cited for ordering 100 people to form a “circle of prayer” and then dropping to his knees in prayer in his courtroom. Continue reading “Alabama Judge Orders Courtroom into a “Circle of Prayer””
Fundamentalist Islamic nations and leaders are speaking of unleashing a new weapon against those who defame Islam: lawyers. Continue reading “Litigating Against Free Speech in the Name of Free Exercise”
The complications of the faith-based politics seems to be building. First, McCain has been criticized for his support — and warm acceptance of support — from religious bigots and extremists. Now, Obama is facing statements from his minister, Rev. Jeremiah Wright that blame the U.S. for 9-11 and encourage blacks to sing “God Damn America” rather than “”God Bless America.” This recent video also shows Wright attacking Clinton. Continue reading “Obama’s Minister: Sing “God Damn America””
So this is why “there are no atheists in a foxholes.” Army Spc. Jeremy Hall says in a lawsuit that he was told that he could not be promoted because one of the jobs would be to pray with his soldiers. Of course, if true, this would mean that a puppy thrower like Marine Lance Corporal David Motari would be eligible so long as he professes to believe in God. Otherwise, you have no right to die for th e country unless you think that you will go to heaven. This could be a significant case in the making. Continue reading “Atheist in a Foxhole: Soldier Sues Over Discrimination on the Basis of Faith (Or the Fact Thereof)”
All of the major candidates – including Clinton, Obama, McCain, and Huckabee – have made plays for the religious vote by voicing positions on faith and seeking the endorsement of religious leaders. However, they are also discovering that mixing politics and religion is a risky business. This week, both McCain and Obama face some serious baggage that came with religious allies. Continue reading “Getting Entangled in Church-State Relations: Faith-Based Politics Causes Problems for the Leading Presidential Candidates”
Saudi Arabia’s legal system has long been a nightmare for civil libertarians and anyone on this side of the dark ages. However, in the face of the arrest and coerced confession of an American businesswoman for sitting next to man at Starbucks (who was not a relative), the religious police is defending its action in the case. It appears that it was the woman’s fault entirely for committing the offense to Islam — a helpful clarification from those who bring us weekly examples of why the separation of church and state is so essential for liberty. Continue reading “Lattes and Lashes: Saudi Religious Police Defend Their Arrest of American Woman Who Sat Next to a Man at a Starbucks”