On April 3rd, 2014, The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit upheld (by overturning the judgment of a lower court) the decision of the New York City Board of Education to exclude groups (in this case, churches) from using school facilities outside of school hours “for the purpose of holding religious worship services.”
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Announcements, events, and opportunities related to topics of interest to TIF readers are posted here. Additionally you may find round-ups of news items and brief commentary on current events.
For a listing of all of the events announcements, click here.
For a listing of announcements regarding books, click here.
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The complicated case of Narendra Modi’s visa
by Wei ZhuMonday, May 12th, marked the ninth and final phase of India's general elections, and the results announced in coming hours will likely declare Narendra Modi as India's prime minister. Modi, the candidate of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance, would then lead the world largest democracy—one with a staggering 814.5 million registered voters—but has been denied entry into ours: for almost a decade, the Department of State has banned Modi from entering the United States. Looking back at how this came to be highlights the uneven history of religious freedom as part of American foreign policy.
May 15, 2014
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Free religion and free markets in Guatemala
by Ella WagnerIs freedom of religion really "good for business"?
May 21, 2014
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The imaginary “war on religion”
by Ella WagnerOver at The Atlantic, Peter Beinhart recounts the results of a new survey on religious observance in America.
May 28, 2014
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With Cantor loss, only Christian Republicans in Congress
by Ella WagnerThe unexpected primary defeat of Virginia Representative and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor last night is already having seismic effects on the Republican leadership and Congress as a whole.
June 12, 2014
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Church of England votes to allow women bishops
by Ella WagnerOn July 14th, the General Synod of the Church of England voted to allow women to become bishops, taking a step toward resolving a long-running controversy that has divided traditionalist and progressive Anglicans all over the world, and caused friction between the church and the British government.
July 18, 2014
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Now broadcasting: Atheist TV
by Ella WagnerStarting last week, atheists and nonbelievers everywhere now have a new station to add to their television lineup: Atheist TV.
August 6, 2014
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On Religious-Secular Alliances
by Wei ZhuIn the most recent issue of The Notre Dame Institute for Advanced Study (NDIAS) Quarterly, TIF contributor Slavica Jakelić, in an excerpt from her book manuscript The Practice of Religious and Secular Humanisms, argues that in order to understand the moral foundation and democratic potential of religious-secular alliances, it is important to move beyond the discourse of power.
August 15, 2014
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White House announces new women’s healthcare rules
by Candace E. WestIn the wake of this summer's Hobby Lobby decision and Wheaton College order, the White House has announced a new regulation designed to reconcile recent accommodations for nonprofits and closely-held for-profits with the requirements of the Affordable Care Act.
August 23, 2014
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CFP: Religious and Political Values
by Wei ZhuOn November 26-28, 2014, Adyan and the Lebanese American University will host a conference on “Religious and Political Values" in Byblos, Lebanon.
September 10, 2014