ReligiousLeftLaw.com

Another District Court Finds DOMA Unconstitutional

Yesterday, Disctrict Court Judge Jeffrey White granted the plaintiff's summary judgment motion and ordered OPM to enroll the same-sex spouse of a federal court employee in its benefit program in a 43-page opinion finding DOMA to be unconstitutional on equal protection grounds. White was a George W. Bush appointee.

See http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2017573133_gaymarriage23.html and --- F.Supp.2d ----, 2012 WL 569685 (N.D.Cal.)

WA Marriage Equality Bill Passes with Some Republican Support

The bill which would allow gay marriage in the State of Washington received support from Republicans in both houses. Maureen Walsh (R) from Walla Walla, in the southeastern part of the state, made a particularly passionate plea for bipartisan support that can be viewed here...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRmw1Su21iw

The bill is expected to be signed by the governor on Monday. However, it will not become effective unless and until it receives voter support in a planned referendum and initiative intended to prevent the bill from becoming law (presuming they qualify for the upcoming November ballot).

Marriage Equality Bill Sponsored By Catholic Governor

The Washington State Legislature is poised to pass a marriage equality bill, which will likely make it the 7th state (9th US jurisdiction if one includes DC and the Suquamish Indian Tribe) to allow same-sex marriage. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politicsnorthwest/2017341256_gay_marriage_bill_voted_out_of.html As in Maryland, the Washington bill is sponsored by a Catholic Governor. http://ncronline.org/news/politics/same-sex-marriage-issue-facing-lawmakers-voters-several-states Washington Governor Christine Gregoire has explicitly addressed her discernment process over the past several years. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/28/chris-gregoire-washington-governor-gay-marriage_n_1239058.html

cross-posted at Mirror of Justice

How Can Religious Institutions Hold Leaders Accountable?

The question of accountability has again been raised in this article at Time.com regarding the arrest of a priest in the archdiocese of a prominent cardinal who has advised Pope Benedict on issues related to abuse by clergy. Given the facts presented in the article, the accused priest's arrest is likely an important move.  It will be interesting to follow future reports to see whether Church officials or policies played a role.

The Nature of Secularism

Much of the dialogue surrounding political and legal reform in the Middle East revolves around visions of secularism, which are usually meant to frame the relationship between religion and the state. In the most recent issue of Commonweal, Charles Taylor recasts secularism as the response of the democratic state to diversity. See "Religion Is Not the Problem." See also Charles Taylor's fascinating book, A Secular Age.

Crossposted from Mirror of Justice

Thinking about Egypt as a Person of Faith

Commmonweal currently has interesting pieces on events in Egypt here and here.  A stable Egypt has contributed to peace in the region since the Camp David Accords, but our economic and strategic support of the regime has undoubtedly been in tension with our commitments to democracy and human rights.  As someone who studies the region, I believe that this is a complicated situation that belies simplistic solutions.  Let us pray for leaders in the U.S. and Egypt and most importantly for peace, justice, security and the defense of human dignity in Egypt.

(Crossposted from Mirror of Justice)