In 1931, in the landmark case “People v. Blackburn,” the Supreme Court of California stated that claiming an inspired religious knowledge and collecting donations even for a marginal religious movement is part of religious liberty.
Featured Global
Japan’s Religious Donations Law. 2. “Fear” and Religious Fraud
The new law, by prohibiting donations based on “fear” of misfortunes in this or in the next life and on trust in “inspired” teachers, in fact looks with suspicion at all religions.
Japan’s Religious Donations Law. 1. An Ambiguous Text
The Japanese Parliament has passed laws regarding as fraudulent donations motivated by “fear” and where the “free will” of the donors has allegedly been suppressed.
Benedict XVI and Religious Liberty. 4. Seeking a Theoretical Foundation for Freedom of Religion
The German Pope’s argument for a theological and philosophical foundation of freedom of religion did not persuade everybody, but remains a crucial reference.
Benedict XVI and Religious Liberty. 3. The French vs. the American Model of Freedom of Religion
The German Pope recognized that there were two different notions of freedom of religion, and only the “American” one was compatible with Catholicism.
Benedict XVI and Religious Liberty. 2. “Reform in the Continuity”
The German Pope never claimed that between the old and the new Catholic teachings on religious liberty there was perfect continuity. But he said the reform was not a “rupture.”
Benedict XVI and Religious Liberty. 1. Ratzinger and Lefebvre
It was in dealing with Archbishop Lefebvre’s refusal of the Second Vatican Council that Cardinal Ratzinger started reflecting in depth on the foundation of religious liberty.
Spanish Supreme Court: Political Parties Cannot Exclude “Cult” Devotees as Candidates
The judges sanctioned the Podemos party for its discrimination of members based on the sole reason that they belonged to the Prometheus Initiatory School.
Communist Parties and Religion: The Japanese Communist Party’s “Final War” Against the Unification Church
Communist parties in democratic countries have a devious way to attack religions. What is happening in Japan is just the most recent chapter of a long story.
California and Confession. 4. Confessing to More than One Minister
Protecting the secret of the confession only when the penitent confesses to one minister creates an unjustified privilege for some religions.