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News August 1998 For a printer-friendly version of this page CLICK HERE. Two
Religious Liberty Bills: One’s a ‘Go;’ the Other, No Two Religious Liberty Bills: One’s a ‘Go;’ the Other, No As summer in Washington waxed hot and humid, the U. S. Congress fled the Capitol for its usual August recess. Will religious freedom be on the agenda when the solons return next month? If we’re thinking about the Workplace Religious Freedom Act, the answer is probably No. This bill proposes to provide, at long last, a statutory definition of "undue business hardship," the basic reason Sabbatarians in the American workplace are denied accommodation for religious belief and practice. ("You want off every Friday evening and all day Saturday? No way! It’ll cost too much!") But for this session at least, the bill is quite likely quite dead. On Capitol Hill, there is no surge of interest--or, for that matter, even concern. Compounding the problem, the coalition which is supposed to be pushing for passage isn’t. It appears to lack internal glue. Muslim members question what they think is a Jewish block against other Islamic organizations having places at the table; Christian groups decline to take sides. And at a summer meeting, the coalition’s work plan was plainly unplanned. As for the Religious Liberty Protection Act, there’s hope. Though the House has removed some muscle from the original bill, the Senate version remains whole. Introduced by Senators Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Ted Kennedy (D-Massachusetts), it has the warm support of the Coalition for the Free Exercise of Religion, an umbrella grouping of some 70 organizations ranging from the absolutely liberal (People for the American Way) to the resolutely conservative (National Association of Evangelicals). Even the Christian Coalition and the Family Research Council attended a recent meeting. The RLPA (say " RiLPA") is Congress’ bipartisan effort to get back what the U. S. lost when the Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional most of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. RLPA is regularly and seriously vetted in order to survive judicial scrutiny. By mid-August the coalition, whose motto is "Religious freedom for all," was devising a tactical answer to a strategic question: "How do we shepherd the Senate version to success this year without alienating the House?" Russia
Limits Visas of Foreign Religious Workers Foreign religious workers are allowed to stay in Russia only three months at a time under a new government regulation, religious groups are reporting. While most foreigners in Russia can have their visas renewed for a year without leaving the country, foreign religious workers are now being told they must go to a Russian embassy or consulate abroad for a renewal four times a year. Russia was criticized last year for a law that restricts foreign religious groups, and the latest regulation could further complicate the work of missionaries and churches that come from abroad. "It will make it all much more expensive," said Donald Jarvis, head of the Mormon church’s Ekaterinburg mission in central Russia. Jarvis runs a mission with more than 100 missionaries, most from the United States. He said they may have to travel to Mongolia or some other country every three months to renew their visas. Some see the new regulation as an outgrowth of last year’s law that enshrined the Russian Orthodox Church as the country’s predominant religion and curtailed the rights of many other religions. "This step has been indirectly inspired by the new law," said Mikhail Osadchev, an official of the Russian parliament’s Committee on Public and Religious Organizations. Osadchev called the directive "another move against religious rights and freedoms and another unfriendly act in relation to foreign religious organizations." * * * The Pope on the Web . . . The world can now see and hear many of John Paul II’s public addresses live on the Internet. The pontiff regularly appears Sundays at noon and Wednesdays at 11 a.m. or noon Rome time. Access the web site at www.vatican.va. Download free software from www.real.com. Russia’s new visa rule: How it’ll affect missionaries From IRLA’s Russian representative in Moscow and the passport service office of the Seventh-day Adventist world headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, IRLA Information has learned how the new rule, instituted June 19 by the Foreign Affairs Ministry, will affect foreigners working with religious confessions. Letters of invitation for all foreigners will be issued for three-month visas only. There are 73 classifications of groups which may obtain visas, including religious organizations. Depending on the classification, some double entry visas may be issued. Religious organizations who want the visas of their workers extended by the Foreign Ministry must begin the appeal process with the Commission on Religious Organizations. Meanwhile, the CRO has requested the Russian Foreign Affairs and Internal Affairs ministries to validate the legality of the new regulation and to clarify the legal situation of foreign religious workers. The CRO wants the government report by October 1. Religious Groups Face Difficult Registration Process in Uzbekistan Uzbekistan has set a difficult 10-step process for registration of religious groups. The cabinet’s Religious Affairs Committee says the procedure does not violate the constitution. Baptists and Lutherans in the former Soviet republic were considering whether to refuse even to try to register, and instead, to seek refugee status under the umbrella of a foreign embassy. The leader of a Christian confession seeking recognition asked the registrations director if Islamic centers had to follow the new procedure. Answer: No, because the Koran foresees the destruction of Christianity. Here’s what now has to be done in Uzbekistan: (1) Present notarized documentation that the religious group consists of at least 100 Uzbek citizens 18 years of age or older. (2) Present a notarized copy of the group’s original constitution and two copies of the minutes of the group’s constituency session and the general rules of operation. (3) Declare the financial sources supporting the group’s activities. (4) Present a receipt that state duty has been paid on a minimum of 50 salaries. For religious centers, the minimum is 100 salaries. (5) Present individually notarized biographical profiles of each person in the originating group including, among other items, full name, date/place of birth, residence, telephone, workplace, occupation, and passport number. (6) Provide information about the persons who comprise the group’s elected central authority. (7) Present notarized documentation certifying the religious education of the group’s leaders. (8) Concerning the technical state of the group’s building, present official statements of the architect, inspector of sanitation, and fire marshal, plus the agreement of the regional administration regarding the existence of the group. (9) Present the official permission of the cabinet’s Religious Affairs Committee. (10) Present notarized documentation that the name of the religious organization has been registered and certified by the administration of the city. In Washington, the new procedure was brought to the attention of the U. S. Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe which planned to quiz the Uzbek ambassador in a public forum the envoy pledged to attend. But the meeting was canceled and at press time had not been rescheduled. Lutheran PM of Catholic Poland Sets Nation’s NATO Goals Prime Minister Jerzy Karol Buzek leads the government of one of the newest members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. In Washington to confer with Secretary of State Madeline Albright and to present a series of public speeches, Prime Minister Buzek stated Poland’s three principal objectives for NATO: The development of a new NATO able to take on new tasks, expansion of NATO to the east, and continued cooperation with Russia. Prime Minister Buzek said Poland * Is concerned over the situation in Kosovo. * Wants the term "the West" to include his central European nation. * Considers the Baltic states important to the future of NATO. * Seeks to draw Ukraine closer to NATO. * "Couldn’t agree more" with President Clinton’s objective to pull Russia closer to the West. But NATO is not the only institution for preserving security in Europe, Mr. Buzek said. Poland wants to advance economic security. "Trading goods tends to unite peoples. Poland’s borders are open for business." Russia’s arguments against Poland’s membership in NATO are weak, the prime minister observed. "We have an ongoing dialogue with Russia. The presidents have recently exchanged visits. Russian Prime Minister Sergei Kirienko will visit Warsaw before the end of the year. In time, the opinion will prevail that Poland’s membership in NATO is not a threat to Russia." Poland will always maintain respect for human rights, Mr. Buzek said. Jerzy Buzek became prime minister in October 1997. From 1991-96 he was chairman of the National Congresses of Solidarity, a movement he helped establish in the 1980s. By profession, Prime Minister Buzek is a researcher and lecturer in chemistry and chemical engineering. Considering that Poland is traditionally and devoutly Roman Catholic, it is remarkable that the present leader of the nation’s government is a Lutheran. IRLA
Guest Challenges Anti-Cult Movement in Europe The activities of the anti-cult movement in Europe were challenged by Massimo Introvigne, managing director of the Center for the Study of New Religions in Turin, Italy. At the invitation of IRLA Secretary General John Graz, Dr. Introvigne spent an August afternoon at the association’s headquarters. A sociologist and law professor, Dr. Introvigne expressed great concern over the "sect lists" developed in Belgium, France, and Germany, and the attacks on sects in the European media. "It has become a national obsession," he noted. "Sects are attacked for brain-washing and mind control which is not proven scientifically. They may also be refused status as religions so authorities can argue religious liberty does not apply to them." Though the lists are not legal documents, they have become the sources of discrimination against religious groups. The Belgian list, Dr. Introvigne reported, names the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA), the Quakers, and a number of Catholic groups. The list "is very inaccurate. It identifies Seventh-day Adventists as a sect founded by William Miller in 1963." In France, the sect list is used by hotel chains to deny conference facilities to groups. The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) was denied advisory status to the government simply because the Seventh-day Adventist Church was mentioned in the body of the French report on sects. Dr. Introvigne said he hopes "this witch hunt will subside quickly since it is causing unnecessary suffering for many individuals and groups. I view with concern proposed legislation from this anti-cult perspective." The Center for the Study of New Religions maintains a collection of research materials in Turin. Dr. Introvigne said the CESNUR library has most of the published works of Ellen White, a principal founder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Access CESNUR at www.cesnur.org. IRLA officers . . . Making waves . . . Far and near President Robert Nixon . . . a beach vacation with children and grandkids. / Vice President Leo Ranzolin . . . trips to South America and Papua New Guinea. / Vice President Bert Beach . . . a major visit to China . . . gave university lectures in Korea . . . hosted a quartet of Syrian Orthodox prelates from Aleppo on a coast-to-coast tour of America . . . observed the decennial Anglican-Episcopalian Lambeth Conference in England . . . attended the big Oslo religious freedom convention . . . produced and moderated a series of TV shows for American Religious Town Hall Meeting. / Secretary General John Graz . . . grateful for important contacts established during the China trip . . . preached in Canada . . . addressed the Oslo conference . . . ticketed for an important meeting in Bucharest sponsored by Romania’s president. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + ‘Remember the persecuted . . .’ It’s an international program sponsored by the Voice of the Martyrs. Access it on the web at www.persecution.com. Or phone Chad Hayward at 918.337.1414.
* Chartered in 1893, the IRLA has advocated for religious freedom for 105 years. It is incorporated as a tax-exempt educational organization. The IRLA does not identify with any political party anywhere, nor does it endorse candidates for political office. The IRLA was originally organized by leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, but its purpose is universal and non-sectarian. Various religious organizations are represented on the Board of Directors. The presidency rotates annually among a panel of vice presidents. The president in 1989 was the former general secretary of the Lutheran World Federation; in 1991, the general secretary of the Baptist World Alliance. The IRLA has no paid staff. Officers and directors serve voluntarily. Funding for IRLA operations comes from organizations and individuals supportive of the association’s purpose. * Offices of the IRLA are at 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, Maryland 20904-6600 U. S. A. Phone 301.680.6680. Fax 301.680.6695. President (1998): Robert W. Nixon. Vice Presidents: Bert B. Beach, Matthew Bediako, Denton Lotz, Leo Ranzolin. Secretary General: John Graz. Deputy Secretary General: Richard Lee Fenn. * The IRLA maintains a United Nations liaison office at the Church Center for the United Nations, Room 9-H, 777 UN Plaza, New York, New York 10017-3585 U. S. A. Phone 212.687.6488. The IRLA is represented at the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva. * The IRLA supports the publication of Liberty: A Magazine of Religious Freedom in the United States and Conscience et Liberte in Europe. It plans to issue Religious Liberty: The Journal of the International Religious Liberty Association starting in November this year. * The International Religious Liberty Association has organized and convened 11 world (*) and regional congresses on religious liberty: Amsterdam* 1977; Rome* 1984; New Delhi (Southern Asia Regional) 1986; London* 1989; Nairobi (East Africa Regional) 1991; Moscow (Russia and Confederation of Independent States Regional) 1993, 1996, and 1997; Suva, Fiji (Pacific Rim Regional) 1993; Budapest 1997; and Rio de Janeiro* 1997. * The IRLA Statement of Purpose: (1) To disseminate the principles of religious liberty throughout the world. (2) To defend and safeguard the civil right of all people to worship, to adopt a religion or belief of their choice, and to manifest their religious convictions in observance, promulgation, and teaching, subject only to the respect for the equivalent rights of others. (3) To support the right of religious organizations to operate freely in every country by establishing and owning charitable or educational institutions. (4) To organize national, regional, and local chapters; and to conduct seminars and congresses. U D H R 5 0 : A C E L E B R A T I O N Friday, November 20, 1998 Presented by the International Religious Liberty Association on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
IRLA INFORMATION is issued periodically and distributed to interested parties without cost by the International Religious Liberty Association, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, Maryland 20904-6600 U. S. A. Phone 301.680.6680. Fax 301.680.6695. Robert W. Nixon, J.D., President. John Graz, Ph.D., Secretary General. This issue of IRLA INFORMATION was prepared by Richard Lee Fenn. |
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