Society & Culture

The University of Iowa is caught up in a legal fight with a conservative Christian student group that denied a leadership position to a student who is gay. The case pits a university policy barring discrimination based on sexual orientation against the religious beliefs of a 10-member group called Business Leaders in Christ.

Black Protest Has Lost Its Power - Have whites finally found the courage to judge African-Americans fairly by universal standards?

“In my teaching, I have encountered several myths or misperceptions about capitalism from students as well as individuals outside the classroom. Dispelling these myths has become a focus of much of my teaching. Myth #1: Capitalism Was ‘Created’ ” Intellectual Takeout

“In the month since immigrants burned an Israeli flag at Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate and chanted anti-Semitic slogans, politicians have proposed appointing a federal commissioner on hate crimes against Jews” and other measures. RNS

“The U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Jan. 5 a Baltimore ordinance violated the First Amendment’s free-speech clause by mandating pro-life centers display signs saying they do not provide abortions or contraceptives or make referrals for the services. The law does not require abortion clinics to post messages communicating what services they do not provide.” BPNews

“The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) … had urged the State Department in April to re-designate the 10 CPC members of 2016 but recommended it add six governments to the list: Central African Republic, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia, Syria and Vietnam.” They have not been added. BPNews

The marijuana debate illustrates the fact that we cannot legislate morality effectively. Laws compete with each other, as in the case of federal and state laws regarding marijuana enforcement. Laws can be interpreted in various ways. And it is impossible for lawmakers to anticipate every potential ethical problem.

The court ruled that Cochran’s termination was unconstitutional but stopped short of declaring that his freedom of religion had been violated. CPost

On “supporting” the President - I’m no Ziba, I’m no Shimei!