Religious

Malaysia’s Top Court Invalidates State Laws, Raising Concerns for Religious Courts

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KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Malaysia’s highest court has recently invalidated more than a dozen state laws based on Shariah, citing that they infringe on federal authority. This decision has drawn criticism from Islamist leaders, who argue that it undermines the religious courts. The ruling does not overturn Sharia law but rather restricts the states from passing their own versions of Sharia law. The federal government maintains that separate standards cannot be set at the state level. The decision by the top court reinforces the presence of Islamic law in Malaysia, stating that Sharia law applies … Read more

Religious Studies Professor S Brent Rodriguez-Plate Takes on The Berlin International Film Festival: An Ecumenical Journey Through Diverse Films

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Berlin, Germany – Professor of Religious Studies S Brent Rodriguez-Plate recently had the honor of being a member of the ecumenical jury at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival, also known as the Berlinale. As a longstanding tradition, the ecumenical jury at the Berlinale recognizes and celebrates outstanding international films. Over the course of ten days, Rodriguez-Plate and the jury watched more than 30 films, encompassing a diverse range of genres and settings. This year, the ecumenical jury presented awards in three categories: the main competition, panorama, and forum. The top prize in the main … Read more

Former Correctional Officer Files Lawsuit Over Masking Policy at Centralia Correctional Center, Claiming Religious Exemption

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Centralia, Illinois – A former officer at the Centralia Correctional Center has filed a federal lawsuit after being fired for his alleged failure to comply with the mandatory masking policy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Garrett Rose, a resident of Salem, claimed that his religious beliefs prevented him from wearing a mask from March to May 2022, resulting in his denial of entry to the prison each day. According to Rose’s lawsuit, he initially followed the mask mandate but later came to believe that wearing a mask contradicted his duty to obey God, based on his … Read more

San Diego City Attorney Proposes New Legislation to Safeguard Access to Healthcare and Religious Services

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San Diego City Attorney Mara Elliot plans to introduce updated legislation in March that aims to protect residents’ access to healthcare, religious services, and school meetings. The legislation will have a broad impact, but it is specifically framed around women’s reproductive rights in honor of Women’s History Month. According to Elliot, the proposed laws will provide safeguards for individuals seeking vaccines, gender-affirming care, or any other healthcare services they deem necessary for their own well-being. The legislation seeks to update San Diego’s existing laws, some of which are over two decades old, and include an … Read more