Religious News From Around the Web June 7, 2021

Photos of Thai Buddhist Temples, Two Churches Win Cases against California, Fulton vs. City of Philadelphia to Determine Foster Care Placements, Bible and Preferred Pronouns Create School Controversies, Religious College Fights Order to Open Dorms and Showers to Opposite Sex

Photos of Thai Buddhist Temples
Buddhism is the main religion practiced by Thais, and visiting temples is part of the culture. But, you don’t have to be a Buddhist to appreciate the stunning architecture and innate details adorning the temples.

Two Churches Win Cases against California
The state of California has agreed to pay $1.6 million in attorney’s fees to settle a lawsuit filed by South Bay United Pentecostal Church. It also agreed to pay $550,000 in attorney’s fees to settle a lawsuit filed by a Catholic priest. “Restrictions on churches cannot be more severe than restrictions on retail. We are pleased with the final results in these two important cases,” said a representative of the Thomas Moore Society which filed the cases.

Fulton vs. City of Philadelphia to Settle Foster Care Rights
In March 2018, Philadelphia ended its foster-care contract with Catholic Social Services (CSS) because CSS does not place children with same-sex couples. In response, CSS filed suit, claiming the policy violated its First Amendment right to religious exercise and free speech. The case is now before the U.S. Supreme Court which is expected to rule on the case – Fulton v. City of Philadelphia – this month.

Bible and Preferred Pronouns Create School Controversies
When a second-grader was forbidden to bring her Bible to school and read it during recess, the parents appealed and the school reversed its stand. And a Virginia elementary school PE teacher was suspended for objecting to an LGBTQ preferred pronoun policy, saying at a meeting: that, “… I will not affirm that a biological boy can be a girl and vice versa because it’s against my religion.”

Religious College Fights Order to Open Dorms and Showers to Opposite Sex
College of the Ozarks’ filed a suit against the Biden Administration challenging a directive from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which forces religious schools to open their dormitories – including dorm rooms and shared shower spaces – to members of the opposite sex. A federal district court denied the motion for an injunction.