Center for Liberty of Conscience

This Day in Liberty of Conscience History

Editors — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 00:47:55 +0000

June 19, 1269: In France, Jews found in public without their identifying yellow badge were fined 10 livres of silver on orders from King Louis IX.

Spain’s Government Seeks Prominent Role for Roman Catholic Church

Editors — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 00:44:38 +0000

While the majority of Spain’s citizens claim to be Roman Catholic, fewer and fewer are regularly attend church and the number of practicing Catholics is declining. Yet the ruling conservative Popular Party is aligning with the Roman Catholic Church and legislating Catholic doctrine in moral issues. Not only pending abortion legislation has the majority of Spain’s inhabitants upset with the government but also the government’s requirement that more religion be taught in public schools and the diversion of public funds to semi-private schools, the majority of which are Roman Catholic. As a result of the government’s actions, support for church-state separation is growing.

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Conscience Quote

Editors — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 22:49:51 +0000

. . . their argument simply amounted to this: It is our inalienable right to believe and worship as we choose. It is likewise our inalienable right to compel everybody else to believe and worship as we choose.

But this is no assertion at all of the rights of conscience. The true principle and assertion of the rights of conscience is not our assertion of our right to believe and worship as we choose. This always leaves the way open for the additional assertion of our right to compel others to believe and worship as we choose, should occasion seem to demand; and there are a multitude of circumstances that are ever ready strongly to urge that occasion does demand.

The true principle and the right of assertion of the rights of conscience is our assertion of every other man’s right to believe and worship as he chooses, or not to worship at all if he chooses. This at once sweeps away every excuse and every argument that might ever be offered for the restriction or invasion of the rights of conscience by any person or any power.
– A. T. Jones (his emphasis)

This Day in Liberty of Conscience History

Editors — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 22:40:54 +0000

June 11, 1963: Thich Quang Duc, a Buddhist monk, protesting South Vietnamese government discrimination against the Buddhist majority sets himself on fire after being doused in gasoline. His heart remained, even after another cremation.

Montana Hutterite Colony Appeals to US Supreme Court

Editors — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 22:17:05 +0000

A Montana law requiring Hutterite construction workers obtain workers’ compensation insurance for any contracts performed outside their colony claim that their religious convictions are violated by purchasing such insurance. While a lower court found in their favour a higher court reversed that decision. A Montana lawmaker confirmed that the law mandating workers’ compensation insurance was enacted to create a ‘fair playing field’ as Hutterites were able to underbid their competitors.

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Religious Fanaticism Sways Pakistani Courts

Editors — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 21:49:01 +0000

In 2010 the world watched as Pakistani lawyers risked their lives to uphold the independence of the judiciary. However, since that time, many of those same lawyers have formed groups which now threaten judges unless the judge finds in favour of the lawyers’ client. Two minutes after granting bail to those accused of blasphemy, a judge changed his opinion after a near riot in his courtroom by lawyers opposed to his decision. This is but one example of judges’ loss of independence and lawyers using tactics similar to the Taliban.

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Evangelical Teens Leaving Church Over Climate Change

Editors — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 21:23:47 +0000

Evangelical teens comprise only 13% of the church, another 4% decline, while young agnostics and atheists increased 4%, totalling 35%. Evangelicals’ failure to recognize climate change as a threat is one of the problems. Recognizing climate change and supporting change to prevent it is not only Biblical, but one way to engage and retain Evangelical youth, says Deborah Fikes, Executive Advisor for the World Evangelical Alliance.

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This Day in Liberty of Conscience History

Editors — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 03:41:35 +0000

June 4, 1391: Jews in Seville, Spain were attacked and murdered after Archdeacon Ferrant Martinez preached hatred against Jews. The destruction of Jewish property and attacks against them eventually spread to other areas inhabited by Jews.

Ohio Teacher Wins Discrimination Case Against Archdiocese

Editors — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 03:25:09 +0000

Christa Dias, a teacher in two Roman Catholic schools, was fired for breach of contract after giving birth via artificial insemination. A jury found that the church discriminated against her. She testified that she did not know that artificial insemination violated Catholic teaching. Dias, who is not a Roman Catholic, believed that her contractual terms required only that she live in accordance with her Christian beliefs and understanding of the Bible.

An appeal by the church is anticipated. It is expected that the church will argue that the ‘ministerial exemption’ applies to Dias. The trial court ruled that that issue could not be raised at trial as Dias was not a ministerial employee. However, legal experts state that the U. S. Supreme Court has left vague what the qualifications are for a ministerial employee.

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Anti-blasphemy Law Pending in Russia

Editors — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 02:52:57 +0000

An anti-blasphemy law is awaiting third reading before it can become law in Russia. Critics of the Right to Exercise Religious Liberty bill claim that it is vague and over-broad resulting in not only those of minority faiths and atheists who express contrary religious views violating the bill but also majority believers who express contrary religious opinions. Those supporting the bill disagree claiming that only those who intentionally perform public acts insulting religion violate the bill. Supporters also state that the bill was drafted to include offending the religious sensibilities not only of the Russian Orthodox faith but all major religions found in Russia.

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