Some recent Church and State auctions on eBay:
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[wprebay kw=”church+and+state” num=”13″ ebcat=”-1″]
[wprebay kw=”church+and+state” num=”14″ ebcat=”-1″]
NEW The Religious Left and Church-state Relations – …
Church of Scientology Decision Protecting Religious Freedom in European Court of Human Rights
Los Angeles, Ca (PRWEB) October 1, 2009
Today, the European Court of Human Rights ruled unanimously in favor of two Scientology religious groups in Russia (European Court of Human Rights: Case # 7683601 and 32782/03), finding that they have the right to be registered as religious organizations under Russian law. This decision determines that members of the Church of Scientology of Surgut and the Church of Scientology of Nizhnekamsk have the right to religious freedom and freedom of association pursuant to Articles 9 and 11 of the European Human Rights Convention.
The Church’s human rights counsel, Bill Walsh, stated: “The judgment of the European Court of Human Rights today is a great victory for religious freedom in Russia and in all 47 member countries of the Council of Europe. The case is given the highest rating of importance by the Court itself as it effectively kills the repressive 15 Year Rule, denying religious organizations rights until they have existed in the country for 15 years. Moreover, the ruling will have great impact on countries throughout the European Community that have passed similar restrictions to repress religious freedom. So it is not only a victory for religious freedom in Russia, but for religious freedom everywhere in the Council of Europe.”
In 1997, the Russian government passed laws preventing religious organizations from forming legally unless they could prove they had been in existence in their respective state(s) for 15 years. Such a law obviously discriminates against religions not established in a state for 15 years and has now been ruled as unlawful by the European Court of Human Rights.
In reaching this decision, the Court “established that the applicants were unable to obtain recognition and effective enjoyment of their rights to freedom of religion and association in any organizational form. The first applicant could not obtain registration of the Scientology group as a non-religious legal entity because it was considered to be a religious community by the Russian authorities. The applications for registration as a religious organization submitted by the first and second applicants as founders of their respective groups… were denied by reference to the insufficient period of the groups’ existence. Finally, the restricted status of a religious group for which they qualified… conveyed no practical or effective benefits to them as such a group was deprived of legal personality, property rights and the legal capacity to protect the interests of its members and was also severely hampered in the fundamental aspects of its religious functions. Accordingly, the Court finds that there has been an interference with the applicants’ rights under Article 9 interpreted in the light of Article 11.”
Along with the recent decision of the Court in favor of the right of the Moscow Church of Scientology to be registered as a religious organization under the Religion law, these cases represent precedent-setting rulings that guarantee the freedom of religion and right of association for Scientologists and people of all faiths throughout the 47 nations that comprise the Council of Europe.
The Court concluded that “In the light of the foregoing considerations, the Court finds that the interference with the applicants’ rights to freedom of religion and association cannot be said to have been ‘necessary in a democratic society.’ There has therefore been a violation of Article 9 of the Convention, interpreted in the light of Article 11.”
The Scientology religion was founded by L. Ron Hubbard. The first church was established in the United States in 1954. It has grown to more than 8,000 churches, missions and groups and millions of members in 165 nations. The Russian Federation has more than 70 Scientology Churches and missions from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok.
For more information about Scientology, see www.scientology-moscow.ru, www.scientology.org.
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Find More Freedom Of Religion Press Releases
Religious Freedom in Iraq Called For by World Compassion Petition
(PRWEB) July 20, 2005
Dr. Terry Law, founder of World Compassion, has released a petition calling for the addition a human rights declaration on religious freedom to the new Iraqi constitution.
“It is my opinion that this war in Iraq isn’t over until there is a guarantee of religious freedom and basic human rights in the new constitution being created at this very moment,” said Dr. Law.
Article 18 of the United Nations’ ratified Universal Declaration of Human Rights document states, “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance.” According to Dr. Law, the addition of freedom of religion to the constitution is necessary in order to uphold basic human rights.
“I believe we have a moral, political, and spiritual responsibility to demand freedom of religion for Iraqis,” said Dr. Law. “Most nations of the civilized world have accepted this UN document. The new Iraqi constitutional committee must do the same.”
Dr. Terry Law will be meeting with Iraq’s new Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari, as well as members of the Iraqi constitutional committee, during the first week of August 2005, to encourage religious freedom. This trip follows on the heels of Dr. Law’s meeting with the former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi and Iraq’s Deputy National Security Advisor Georges Sada in June of 2004.
“We’re not asking that a specific religion be practiced,” said Dr. Law. “We only want to ensure that the Iraqi people have the freedom to choose for themselves.”
The new constitution is scheduled for completion by August 15. World Compassion encourages the signed petitions to be returned by July 25, 2005 so they can be shipped to the Prime Minister’s office in Baghdad in early August.
Visit www.WorldCompassion.tv to download the petition for religious freedom in Iraq and learn about other ways to get involved with World Compassion’s volunteer network.
About World Compassion
World Compassion is a non-denominational, faith-based international organization founded by Dr. Terry Law in 1969 to assist churches in meeting the physical and spiritual needs of people in their communities. For over 35 years, World Compassion has worked specifically in nations that are difficult to access with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Positive results have been achieved through the distribution of Christian literature, food, clothing, medical supplies, school supplies, and through psycho-social counseling among populations devastated by years of war and/or oppressive regimes. World Compassion conducts humanitarian-related projects in education, emergencies, health, family, and religious freedom.
Press Release Writing and Optimizing by Xeal Inc.
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Egypt refutes US religious freedom complaints
Egypt refutes US religious freedom complaints
Egypt on Saturday angrily dismissed complaints from the United States concerning religious freedom in its key Middle East ally, saying that Washington has no right to hand down judgments.
Read more on AFP via Yahoo! News
Group wants prayer discontinued at council meetings
The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) sent a letter to Rowlett Mayor John Harper on Aug. 27 requesting that that the council disallow invocations during city council meetings.
Read more on The Rowlett Lakeshore Times
Religion briefs: Convoy of Hope benefits community
The No Limits Church will present Freedom Zone Conference 2010 at 7:30 p.m. today at Bossier Inn & Suites, 2015 Old Minden Road, Bossier City. The 2010 Women of Purpose Conference will begin with a Meet and Greet at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at Canaan Baptist Church, 171 Mansfield Road, Stonewall.
Read more on The Shreveport Times
Financing Religious Use Property – Churches are Businesses Which Also Need Financing
Financing Houses of God
Church lending can be intimidating even to the most seasoned loan officer or loan originator. However, financing a church and its dreams are not too difficult to master. The church loan or loan for religious use are not ordinary by any stretch of the imagination. Yet they can be rewarding and you can even make some money in the process.
Lending Fears
There are a few basic fears that keep most from lending on Churches.
Foreclosure. Foreclosing on a ‘House of God’ and ridding a community of it’s place of worship turns a majority of lenders off from the get go (not us, we love church loans).
Single Use-Special Use Property Type.The uniqueness of most church properties is another turn off for most lenders. What do you do with a building that has a steeple, choir loft, stained glass, naives, aspy’s, altars, pews for 300? What kind of resale market is there? How long will it take to sell? What if grounds also contain a cemetery? Now what?
Qualifying. Churches are not-for-profit organizations. So, they don’t have tax returns nor do they have traditional methods of determining income for qualifying. So, again most lenders will steer away from anything that is not traditional.
Lending is simple on Churches
When lending on a church the first criteria is to determine the denomination. Yep, denomination. Reason being that not all loan programs will lend to just any denomination. A statistic I picked up from the US State Department, is that there are 565 organized and recognized religions in the world. From mainstream to off beat, they exist. Since loan funds are derived from various sources or pools of funds, it is important to match the correct denomination with the correct sources. For example, you wouldn’t want to seek financing for a Temple or Shrine from a Christian Pastoral Retirement Trust Fund. These practices are not congruent in their belief systems with each other. The end game may be the same for all, however the path and practices to get there are very different and can be offensive to each other.
The next item is responsibility for the proposed loan. You need to determine if personal guarantees are going to be an issue with the religious organization. If not, you have just openned the door for sources to finance the church. However, over 85% of the time personal guarantees will be a big deal to the church and the sources that want the guarantee are out of the picture.
The third issue is banking business requirements. Some sources require the church to move most or all of its banking business to the institution that is writing the loan. About 50% of Churches don’t like this covenant either.
What is the basic information that you will need?
Church Questionnaire (a form of application)
Church’s Statement of Faith
Church’s Organizational Documents with a statement of Good Standing from the state of organization
3-yrs financials (e.g. Quick Books) + YTD profit and loss
Pastor’s or Church Leader’s Resume
Use of funds letter
Authorization to Lend Letter
Evidence of tax exempt status
Color Digital Photos of church property
Primary church contact or liaison person(s)
Although there are many additional items and steps, with these basics you are well on your way of being able to professionally present a package to a lender.
Rates, Fees, Making an Income
I almost forgot these key items. Church loans current have rates in the 6.50% to 9.50% range, with fees running in the 3-6% of loan amount. This is the norm and is most typical. I know that there are times when Church’s obtain financing outside these norms, but that has to do with hundreds of variables specific to that organization.
As far as making income–in you think you are going to be earning 2-3 pts. on the deal…Stop. Not going to happen. Church loan sources are very strict about what you can earn, so if you get 1/2 to 1 pt on the deal, be grateful. When you do a great job for a church, Pastors, Deacons, Bishops, and other leaders talk–word gets out you treat them fairly, more deals will come your way.
By the way, if you missed it, we love church loans and we’d love to be of assistance. I can be reached via cfrgroup@att.net or visit our web site at www.mycommerciallendingpro.com
Gregg S Cochran, President of CFR Mortgage Group, Inc. a wholesale commercial lender based in Tustin, CA.
Alan Keyes on religious liberty
SIGN THE PLEDGE FOR AMERICA’S REVIVAL!! www.americasrevival.com/pledge.php On April 1, 2004, an interview with Alan Keyes and Betty and James Robison was aired on Life Today. In this excerpt, Dr. Keyes discusses religious liberty.
