FAITH BRIEFS
Hallucinogen ruling appealed
Advertiser Staff and News Services
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The Justice Department wants the full 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver to rehear a case involving the ceremonial use of hallucinogenic tea by a New Mexico church.
A 10th Circuit panel on Sept. 4 upheld a lower court ruling that the church's use of the tea was likely protected by freedom of religion.
Hoasca tea, brewed from plants found only in the Amazon River Basin, contains a federally banned drug.
The U.S. attorney general, the Drug Enforcement Administration and other agencies are seeking to stop the Brazil-based church, O Centro Espirita Beneficiente Uniao do Vegetal, from using the tea.
The church, sued the Justice Department after 30 gallons of the drink were seized. No one was arrested. The church claims about 130 members around the country, according to court documents.
'Pray in' protests ACLU
LORANGER, La. — A "pray in" before the latest Loranger High School football game drew enough people to surround the football field in what amounted to a protest against the American Civil Liberties Union.
LHS is a target in the third ACLU-related lawsuit over religion filed against the school board in the past nine years.
The latest complaint was filed in federal court on behalf of a Loranger resident identified only as John Doe and his minor sons, who are LHS students.
The complaint alleges the school board endorses prayers or religion at LHS football games, during school and at board meetings, in violation of school policy and the Constitution.
Loranger United Methodist Church sold shirts saying, "Yes, I'll pray," school-board member Sandra Bailey-Simmons said. Community leaders and other church leaders also participated in the event Oct. 17.
Louisiana ACLU director Joe Cook said: "The message that was sent that night was 'only Christians are welcome here at this event.' It also sends a very bad message to students that the majority can trump the rights of those in the minority or those who believe in the separation of church and state."
Church to pick woman leader
LONDON — For the first time in its 443-year history, the Church of Scotland is poised to elect a woman as leader.
Later this month, a committee of church officials will choose between two women nominated to become moderator, or leader, of the church's general assembly, officials said last week. In May, the successful candidate will appear before the general assembly, which is expected to ratify the appointment.
The Church of Scotland is a Presbyterian church and is regarded as Scotland's national church.
