Friday Link Farm

1. CNN Politics.com: The Senate passed groundbreaking legislation Thursday that would make it a federal crime to assault an individual because of his or her sexual orientation or gender identity and sent it to Obama for his signature. Obama has pledged to sign the measure, which was added to a $680 billion defense authorization bill.
2. The Advertiser: The Archdiocese of New Orleans and Catholic Charities has agreed to pay more than $5 million to settle 20 lawsuits, most alleging sexual and physical mistreatment of children decades ago at homes for boys from troubled families.
3. The Guardian: The Anglican communion ended 20 years ago.
4. Catholic News Agency: Vatican could handle the Society of St. Pius X by applying a personal prelature strategy like the one applied to Anglicans, says the Superior General of SSPX, Bernard Fellay:

   He also noted that the controversy unleashed by Bishop Richard Williamson’s statements on the Nazi holocaust “was a well-planned attack, not against the Society, but directly against the person of Pope Benedict XVI, in order to tarnish his gesture.”

5. Sandro Magister "L'espresso": The ecumenism of Pope Ratzinger appears increasingly influenced by fidelity to tradition. That's the way it is with the Lefebvrists. And even more so with the Eastern Orthodox Churches.
6. Religion Clause: 9th Circuit Denies En Banc Review Of Arizona Tuition Contribution Tax Credits:

   In the case, a 3-judge panel ruled that, as applied, Arizona's tax credit of up to $500 to individuals who contribute funds to nonprofit "school tuition organizations" violates the Establishment Clause.

7. Rapid City [South Dakota] Journal: Stealing religion is ignored if it's Native American.

   I'm referencing, of course, the recent Arizona fiasco where three people paid $9,000 each to die in a sweat lodge under the guidance of their white "spiritual leader." Unfortunately, this doesn't surprise me. What does is reports that the white "medicine man" who hosted this "Spiritual Warrior" event "declined to be interviewed" by the local sheriff's department after the deaths.

8. Boxing Scene: Muslim Khan, orthodox Jew Salita tell the media to leave religion out of it and focus on the sweet science itself.
9. Houston Chronicle: Marge Simpson's Playboy cover occasions Christian uproar.