Christian Right's Alliances Bend Political Spectrum

THE NATION’S NEWSPAPER 2005 Secondary Case

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Court limits file sharing, display of Commandments Freedom of By Joan Biskupic and Toni Locy 5-8

Give ‘em that new-time religion Religion: Summary

By Cesar G. Soriano 8 Religious diversity is one of the basic freedoms protected by the first amendment of the U.S. constitution. Moreover, religious Inside the Iraqi constitution: groups preserve the right to organize and express their beliefs Three main points still about public policy. While the Supreme Court continues to debate remain in dispute where the line between state and church should be drawn, U.S. citizens are freer than those in many other countries. Celebrities By Rick Jervis 9-10 alone demonstrate a variety of religious beliefs, ranging from Kabbala to Buddhism, and are not shy about sharing their beliefs. Chinese Catholics caught This is a marked contrast to other countries, where religion is between churches controlled by the government or considered illegal. On one hand, in countries such as Egypt, Oman, Yemen, Kuwait, Syria and Saudi By Paul Wiseman 10-12 Arabia, religious doctrine has been incorporated into national law. On the other, in China, the government believes that citizens Additional Resources cannot be loyal to the government and to a church at the same time. This case study examines freedom of religion, its impact on 12 society, and situations where it is lacking. Christian right’s alliances bend political spectrum Humanitarian issues at the core of the unlikely coalitions evangelicals have struck with ACLU, Planned Parenthood, the Feminist Majority, liberal Jews and Tibet’s Dalai Lama By Susan Page cease-fire in Sudan, enact legislation aimed at reducing USA TODAY prison rape in the USA and push for more funds to fight AIDS in Africa. WASHINGTON — Many evangelical Christians got In the process, they have forged coalitions with — or involved in politics because of a single issue: abortion. sometimes simply pulled in the same direction as — But in recent years, without much notice, conserva- activists who more often are their adversaries. The tive Christians also have helped force the State occasional allies include liberal Jews and Planned Department to place a higher priority on bat- Cover Parenthood, the Congressional Black Caucus and the tling religious persecution, set the stage for a story ACLU, Gloria Steinem and the Dalai Lama. Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved. AS SEEN IN USA TODAY NEWS SECTION, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2005, PAGE 1A

“Evangelicals have broadened their persuade some Republican senators? Trial debated evolution in 1925, many perspective and widened their Well, you wait and see.” fundamentalist Christian leaders agenda,” says John Green, a political That could be tested in the Senate eschewed politics as a worldly scientist at the University of Akron and debate on the energy bill, which endeavor that risked contaminating co-author of The Values Campaign: opened Tuesday. the sacred. But distress about the The Christian Right in American Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Joe Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision Politics. “It's not as if the social issues Lieberman, D-Conn. have sought in 1973, which recognized abortion have vanished; they still care about evangelicals’ support for their rights, helped galvanize an evangelical them. But foreign policy issues, amendment to limit global-warming political movement. environmental issues, even social pollution. Conservative Christians In the three decades since then, welfare issues have joined the agenda. working on the issue aim to release a fundamentalists have had mixed That has led them to develop broader consensus statement on it this success on abortion. Twenty-nine alliances in some really odd ways.” summer. Their advocacy isstates mandate counseling for women “Conservative Christians will controversial among some evangelicals before they can obtain abortions and continue to fight hard on the life issue and could put them at odds with the 34 states require minors seeking and the definition of marriage,” says White House. abortions to either notify or get Gary Bauer, head of an advocacy group Evangelicals’ engagement on a wider consent from their parents. But a called American Values and a GOP range of issues and their willingness to constitutional amendment banning presidential contender in 2000. “But forge surprising coalitions reflect the abortion is stalled, and a federal law there is a willingness on another day to growing maturity and sophistication of outlawing a procedure that opponents make common cause with liberals.” the most powerful emerging force in call partial-birth abortion is entangled The latest examples: debt relief and American politics today. And while the in court challenges. global warming. Conservative alliances formed on, say, Sudan aren’t On other issues, however, evangelical Christians were among those who likely to change anyone’s mind when Christians in recent years have played pushed for an accord reached in the topic turns to abortion or same- a crucial role in lobbying for laws that London on Saturday by major sex marriage, they could help have reshaped U.S. policy, including industrial nations to cancel at least $40 moderate the bitter tone of the nation’s diplomacy toward such key nations as billion of debt owed by the world's politics. China and Saudi Arabia. Among them: poorest nations to international aid “It offers the possibility on both sides v The International Religious organizations. And the National to derail the demonization process,” Freedom Act, passed in 1998, stipulates Association of Evangelicals and other says Larry Eskridge of the Institute for that promoting religious freedom is a conservative Christian groups are the Study of American Evangelicals at basic aim of U.S. foreign policy and putting their clout behind efforts to Wheaton College, a Christian college in requires the State Department to take limit the “greenhouse gas” emissions Wheaton, Ill. “It maybe offers the specific steps to monitor and promote linked to global climate change. possibility of at least getting both sides it. The measure was pushed by a That campaign has been identified to hear and respect the other’s point of coalition of conservative Christians, with mostly secular, mostly liberal view — initiating dialogue and maybe Jews, Catholics, mainline Protestants, environmentalists who disagree with thinking your political opposite doesn’t Tibetan Buddhists and others. evangelicals on population control, have horns growing out of their head.” v The Trafficking Victims Protection among other things. “The less people see people as uni- Act, passed in 2000, aims to dismantle ‘Critical piece of the pie’ dimensional, the better off we are,” the international crime syndicates that “We offer a critical piece of the pie, says Eleanor Smeal of the Feminist send women and children from the namely that we represent conservative Majority. Her group supports abortion developing world into prostitution and evangelicals who are the mainstay of rights that are anathema to the sweatshops. Its supporters ranged the GOP coalition that's running both evangelical Christian organizations, but from feminist Gloria Steinem to Chuck ends of Pennsylvania Avenue,” says the they joined in lobbying for a law Colson, a former Nixon aide and Rev. Richard Cizik, the vice president against international sex trafficking. founder of Prison Fellowship for governmental affairs at the National ministries. Association of Evangelicals and an Galvanizing a movement v The Sudan Peace Act, passed in energetic supporter of the broader 2002, was promoted by evangelicals, agenda. “You don't think we can For a half-century after the Scopes the Congressional Black Caucus and

Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved. Page 2 AS SEEN IN USA TODAY NEWS SECTION, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2005, PAGE 1A others outraged by the Muslim former secretary of State Madeleine support. Oklahoma Sen. James Inhofe, government's attacks on Christians in Albright says. In a speech at a Republican who as chairman of the the south. The measure and its threat Georgetown University in March, she Environment and Public Works of sanctions are credited with laying said the two extremes “may not Committee is taking the lead on the the groundwork for a cease-fire in always meet, but they do overlap.” energy bill, calls the coalition on global 2003 and a peace treaty in 2004, Albright, a liberal Democrat, last warming “a farce” and an effort by “far- though violence continues in Darfur. month approached Sen. Sam left environmentalists” to divert v The North Korea Human Rights Brownback of Kansas, a conservative attention from family issues. Act, passed last year, directs the Republican, about co-sponsoring a “Those people who are the antithesis administration to do more to help conference in the fall on international of everything we believe are trying to defectors and emphasize human rights human rights issues. He has agreed. divide and conquer ... and they have issues as well as nuclear proliferation in Brownback, a leading figure on divided us,” says Inhofe, who is a born- dealing with the rogue nation. The bill evangelical causes, has worked with again Christian. He calls global warming was pushed by Korean Americans and such liberals as Massachusetts Sen. “a hoax” and says evangelicals should conservative Christians. Edward Kennedy on counseling heed the biblical injunction to worship “In the last decade, evangelicals have families about Down syndrome and the creator, not the creation. provided the grass-roots muscle for California Sen. Barbara Boxer on There is some unease among their the most important human rights women’s rights in Afghanistan. He says new allies, too. movement since the end of the Cold such alliances work best on issues that Rabbi David Saperstein, a veteran War,” says Allen Hertzke, a University are “the right thing to do” but offer lobbyist in Washington for liberal of Oklahoma professor and author of little partisan gain. causes, says he worries about “the Freeing God’s Children: The Unlikely “You get directly at the issue of danger of legitimizing leaders and Alliance for Global Human Rights, abortion, of (same-sex) marriage, viewpoints and organizations who are published in October. He says they you've got pretty hard, dug-in sides deeply problematic to you in other have created “a new architecture for that are well-built into the base of each contexts.” The Reform Jews he human rights in American foreign party,” he says. “They're tough to represents work with evangelicals on policy.” change, and there’s political gain or loss the Sudan and religious freedom but About two dozen leaders from a in those.” disagree with them on school prayer, range of religious organizations, allies judicial appointments, the separation since they worked on the Religious Strains within the movement of church and state and other issues. Freedom Act, continue to meet on Cizik of the National Association of most Tuesdays at the Religious Action The National Association of Evangelicals says critics within his Center for Reform Judaism in Evangelicals, which represents 52 camp accuse him of “sidling up to the downtown Washington. (In the 1960s, denominations with 45,000 churches pro-aborts and the radical enviros.” He the center was a gathering place for and 30 million members across the rejects “environmentalist” as too liberal religious leaders planning the country, approved a sweeping loaded a term to apply to himself; March on Washington and plotting document in October called “For the instead, he describes himself as passage of landmark civil rights Health of the Nation: An Evangelical someone who believes in the “care of legislation.) Call to Civic Responsibility.” The creation.” When President Clinton was in the statement lists seven priorities for But he’s a convert to the concept of White House, left-leaning activists in conservative Christians that include not political partnerships. “It’s the only the group provided access to top only promoting religious freedom and way you get anything done in administration officials. After Bush took opposing abortion but also seeking Washington,” he says. “So be real.” office, evangelical Christian leaders “justice and compassion for the poor Actually, the fact that the were the ones able to arrange sessions and vulnerable” and “labor[ing] to partnerships are surprising —who with senior White House aides. protect God's creation.” knew that fundamentalists and “Within the American political But the move to a broader agenda — feminists agreed on anything? — spectrum, the religious right and the particularly on the environment — has increases their clout. On a polarized internationalist left stand at opposite created strains among evangelicals, issue like global warming, that could poles, but on humanitarian issues, it's and between evangelicals and the make all the difference, says Tim more a circle than a straight line,” Republican Party they generally Profeta, a former Senate aide who now

Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved. Page 3 AS SEEN IN USA TODAY NEWS SECTION, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2005, PAGE 1A heads Duke University’s Nicholas Institute for political orthodoxies that have arisen over this issue,” he Environmental Policy Solutions. says, “and make people look afresh.” “What it will do, hopefully, is break down some of the

Expanding agenda, surprising alliances Evangelical Christians, whose political priorities include opposition to abortion and same-sex marriage, also have worked on other issues that involve some surprising allies. Among them:

Issue Allies v International religious persecution v Tibetan Buddhists, liberal Jews, Catholics

v International sex trafficking v Gloria Steinem, National Organization for Women, Planned Parenthood

v Civil war in Sudan v Congressional Black Caucus members

v Global warming v Environmentalists

v AIDS in Africa v Rock star Bono

v Prison rape v ACLU, Human Rights Watch

Source: USA TODAY research

By Joel Salcido for USA TODAY Allowed: A granite monument showing the Ten Commandments stands outside the Texas Capitol in Austin. over whether such displays — which are present at Exhibits’ overall public buildings in every state — amount to an impermissible government endorsement of religion. message, motive The court struck down the posting of the Ten Commandments on plaques at two Kentucky seen as key factors courthouses in 1999, saying the displays were blatantly religious and a violation of the First By Joan Biskupic and Toni Locy Amendment even after local officials added copies USA TODAY of the Declaration of Independence, the Magna Carta and other documents. WASHINGTON — A divided Supreme Court on Separately, however, a different mix of justices Monday limited governments’ ability to display ruled that a granite Commandments monument the Ten Commandments on public property. The on the grounds of the Texas Capitol was acceptable court said local officials must — in part because the stone, which is surrounded Cover remain neutral toward religion and by other historical monuments, had been there for that such displays will be four decades without drawing objections from the story permitted only if the setting's community. overall message is secular. Together, the rulings put a new spotlight on the The court’s statement came in two 5-4 rulings motives of local elected officials who seek to that reflected deep divisions among the justices display the Commandments. The decisions Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved. Page 5 AS SEEN IN USA TODAY NEWS SECTION, TUESDAY, JUNE 28, 2005, PAGE 1A essentially ensure that governments rash of new lawsuits over such pretty solid. I think in general we got a will not be able to exhibit the displays, particularly those that have message saying that government Commandments alone in the future, been put up in recent years at the buildings can't be decorated like a and they are likely to lead to more behest of evangelical groups. church.” lawsuits challenging existing displays. A key issue in the rulings is when Disputes over other religious In the Kentucky decision, the court’s Commandments displays were put up, displays on public property also could majority — the four liberal justices said Francis Manion, a lawyer with the be affected by Monday’s rulings. and Sandra Day O’Connor, who is at American Center for Law and Justice, In Houston, where a 50-year-old the court's ideological center — which is opposing challenges to display of a Bible outside the Harris stressed that in disputes over Commandments displays in 10 cases County Courthouse was ordered Commandments displays, lower court nationwide. removed by a federal judge, backers of judges should examine what led a “The older ones, you are not going to the display are hopeful that Monday's community to erect a religious get rid of,” he said. “But the newer rulings will aid their case. symbol, as well as the statement the ones, that’s where there may be a Marilyn Fountain, a spokeswoman symbol makes. problem.” for the Star of Hope Mission, said the That drew a scathing dissent from Nathan Lewin, a lawyer who Bible was displayed in a memorial Justice Antonin Scalia, who said the represents the New York-based tribute to William Mosher, a Houston ruling would lead to local officials National Jewish Commission on Law businessman who was a volunteer for being penalized for expressing and Public Affairs, said the court the mission. The display was “religious values.” From the bench offered “little guidance” on the issue. challenged by a local real estate Monday, Scalia declared that the “Rather than resolving the Ten broker, and in August 2004 a federal decision “ratchets up hostility to Commandments issue, it just judge said the Bible should be religion.” encourages a lot of litigation,” he said removed. The issue now is before an In a nod to the tension that roughly of the court’s rulings. “Everybody will appeals court. two-dozen legal disputes over start asking, ‘What’s the history of this “It is encouraging that the justices Commandments displays have monument? and ‘What’s the history of are making a distinction between a sparked across the nation, Justice that monument?’” religious object that is placed for the David Souter, writing for the majority Kelly Shackelford, chief counsel for purpose of proselytizing to the public in the Kentucky case, said that “the the Dallas-based Liberty Legal vs. something that is placed as a divisiveness of religion in current Institute, which represents the monument,” Fountain said. public life is inescapable.” Fraternal Order of Eagles, the group New polls indicate that most But, he added, “this is no time to that donated the Texas monument in Americans don’t mind Ten deny the prudence of understanding 1961, said there is “no doubt” the Commandments displays in public the [Constitution] to require the rulings will lead to more lawsuits over settings. A USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup government to stay neutral on religious displays. However, he called Poll last weekend found that 75% of religious belief, which is reserved for the Texas decision a “99% win” for Americans believe the Supreme Court the conscience of the individual.” supporters of such displays. “The should allow both the Texas and The disputes over Commandments message is: You could put up a Ten Kentucky displays. And a survey by displays nationwide have reflected the Commandments monument today if the First Amendment Center says 56% ongoing tension over how much you want, as long as you do it in the of Americans believe that government should be allowed to proper way,” he said. Commandments displays in embrace religion. Courts have issued The Rev. Barry Lynn, executive government buildings are OK. conflicting rulings, so those on both director of Americans United for The Rev. Rob Schenk, a conservative sides of the debate had hoped for Separation of Church and State, which Christian activist, noted such clarification from the Supreme Court. is involved in four lawsuits over sentiments Monday. “The average Commandments displays, said American has known all along that New displays ‘may be a problem’ confusion over the rulings will force there's nothing wrong with displaying the high court to revisit the issue. these timeless words,” he said. “It’s The justices’ divisions and focus on “Yes, there was a stone taken from taken this long for the Supreme Court the intent of Commandments displays, the wall separating church and state,” to catch up.” however, led legal analysts to predict a he said. “But the foundation still looks

Breyer casts swing vote with a portion of the Hebrew text of the Capitol grounds promotes religion, the Commandments. As several favoring the Christian and Jewish The split rulings came about observers in the court looked up at faiths. because Justice Stephen Breyer, one of the frieze, Souter said that showing The 6-foot-tall, 3-foot-wide the court’s more liberal members, Moses with 17 other lawgivers, most monument was given to the state by voted with four conservatives — Chief of them secular figures, does not the Eagles, as part of a nationwide Justice William Rehnquist and Justices signal government support for campaign to provide youth “with a Anthony Kennedy, Clarence Thomas religion. common code of conduct.” and Scalia — to allow the Texas In emphasizing that courts should Lower courts ruled against Van monument. focus on a government’s purpose in Orden. A U.S. district court said that Breyer said the Texas dispute was a displaying the Commandments, “this passive monument cannot be borderline case. He noted that the Souter noted that the county officials said to advance, endorse or promote monument on the state Capitol in Kentucky had added other items to religion.” An appeals court noted that grounds was near other historical the displays only after being the display is among 17 monuments monuments and that its overall challenged in court. “No reasonable there that commemorate “people, message was not religious. That the observer could swallow the claim that ideals, and events that compose Texas monument has stood for four decades the counties had cast off the objective identity.” In his appeal, Van Orden, without challenge reinforced the so unmistakable in the earlier represented by Duke University law notion that its message was not displays,” Souter wrote. professor Erwin Chemerinsky, said widely viewed as religious, he said. The ruling in the Kentucky case “the placement of the monument ... That, he said, separated the Texas marked a subtle shift in the high means that no viewer could display from the plaques on the walls court’s standard for deciding whether reasonably think that it occupies this of the McCreary and Pulaski county religious displays are permissible. location without the support and courthouses in Kentucky. The Previously, the court had focused approval of the government.” Kentucky displays, Breyer said, squarely on whether a “reasonable After Monday’s ruling against his reflected an effort “to promote observer” of such a display might client, Chemerinsky said, “The court religion, not simply an effort primarily believe that it signals government reaffirmed that there are significant to reflect, historically, the secular support for religion. limits to putting the Ten impact of a religiously inspired In his dissent in the Kentucky ruling, Commandments on government document. ... In a nation of so many Scalia took aim at the majority for property. I think the justices took the different religious and comparable endorsing what he cast as a shifting two cases in the hope that they would non-religious fundamental beliefs, a standard. “What distinguishes the rule offer clarity. Unfortunately, I don’t more contemporary state effort to of law from the dictatorship of a think they did that.” focus attention upon a religious text is shifting Supreme Court majority is the certainly likely to prove divisive in a ... requirement that judicial opinions Contributing: Laura Parker way that this long-standing, pre- be grounded in consistently applied existing monument (in Texas) has principle,” he said. In the Kentucky not.” ruling, the majority “admits that it In his majority opinion in the does not rest upon consistently Kentucky case, Souter stressed the applied principle.” religious nature of the Lawyer Mathew Staver, who Commandments, that they are a represented the Kentucky counties, sacred text in the Jewish and Christian said the message to public officials faiths. who want to exhibit the Ten He said that does not mean that Commandments is: “Everything you they never can be displayed on public say can and will be used against you.” property. From the bench Monday, he The Texas case began when Thomas said that in the justices’ own Van Orden, once a practicing lawyer courtroom, a marble frieze includes who now is homeless in Austin, sued the figure of Moses holding tablets the state, saying the monument on

Breyer’s switch splits decisions

The Supreme Court’s 5-4 decisions Monday in two Ten Commandments cases reflected how divided the justices are over religious displays on public property. The decisions — rejecting Commandments plaques at two courthouses in Kentucky but approving a monument outside the Texas Capitol — came about because Justice Stephen Breyer switched sides: Case: McCreary County v. ACLU of Kentucky Case: Van Orden v. Perry

Ruling: 5-4. Ten Commandments plaques at the McCreary Ruling: 5-4. A 6-foot-tall, 3-foot-wide monument to the Ten and Pulaski county courthouses in Kentucky represent an Commandments on the grounds of the Texas Capitol is impermissible government endorsement of religion. permissible because it is not overtly religious.

Voting with majority: Voting with majority: v John Paul Stevens v William Rehnquist v Ruth Bader Ginsburg v Clarence Thomas v Sandra Day O'Connor v Anthony Kennedy v David Souter v Antonin Scalia

Justice Stephen Breyer joined a decision that said, in part: Breyer offered this concurring opinion: “The case before us “The reasonable observer could only think that the Counties is a borderline case. ... The circumstances surrounding the meant to emphasize and celebrate the Commandments’ display’s placement on the Capitol grounds and its physical religious message. This is not to deny that the setting suggest that the state itself intended the ... Commandments have had influence on civil or secular law. ... nonreligious aspects of the tablet’s message to predominate. The point is simply that the original text viewed in its entirety And the monument’s 40-year history on the Texas state is an unmistakably religious statement dealing with religious grounds indicates that that has been its effect.” obligations and with morality subject to religious sanction.”

Dissenting: Chief Justice William Rehnquist, Clarence Dissenting: John Paul Stevens, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sandra Thomas, Anthony Kennedy, Antonin Scalia. Day O’Connor, David Souter

Sources: USA TODAY research, Supreme Court

AS SEEN IN USA TODAY LIFE SECTION, WEDNESDAY, MAY 26, 2004, PAGE 2D Give ‘em that new-time religion By Cesar G. Soriano Other celebrities in the news because of their outspoken USA TODAY religious views: v Mel Gibson is a traditional Catholic who rejects many Before celebrities flocked to Kabbalah, there was of the Vatican’s liberalizing reforms. He is building a church Scientology. in Malibu, Calif., where Mass will be conducted in Latin. Among its followers: Tom Cruise, John Travolta, Kelly Gibson’s devotion to traditional piety led him to film his Preston, Lisa Marie Presley, Jenna Elfman, Catherine Bell mega-hit The Passion of the Christ. and Kirstie Alley. v Pop singer and reality star Jessica Simpson began her Scientology was founded in 1954 by science-fiction career in contemporary Christian music. The daughter of a writer L. Ron Hubbard. There is no god in this religion. A Baptist minister, she was outspoken about remaining a Scientologist’s ultimate goal is to become “clear,” the term virgin until her 2002 wedding to Nick Lachey. used to describe true spiritual enlightenment achieved by v Actor Richard Gere has been a Buddhist since his early shedding painful past experiences. 20s and is a personal friend of the Dalai Lama. Gere has Adherents reach that goal through therapy-like sessions testified before Congress on the plight of Tibetans and co- called “auditing,” during which they are wired to a device founded New York’s Tibet House, which promotes Tibetan called an E-Meter that measures a person’s spiritual state. art and culture. Critics have labeled Scientology a cult in part, they say, v Pop star Prince has been a devout Jehovah’s Witness because it pushes members into buying expensive courses since 2001. He made news in October when he dropped and auditing sessions. Church enemies are intimidated by the home of a Minneapolis couple and tried to convert with threats and lawsuits, critics say. them from their Jewish faith. Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved. Page 8 AS SEEN IN USA TODAY NEWS SECTION, THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2005, PAGE 6A Inside the Iraqi constitution: Three main points still remain in dispute

By Rick Jervis says Mahmoud Othman, a Kurdish the central government in Baghdad USA TODAY legislator who is on the will distribute oil and gas revenue constitutional committee. to the regions based on population. BAGHDAD — Iraqi legislators are The provision was included as a But poorer regions and those scheduled to vote on a draft way to acknowledge the Kurdistan neglected under Saddam’s rule will constitution today, even though region to the north, which has also initially get a higher cut, the Sunni Arab leaders continue to enjoyed de-facto autonomy since draft says. Sunni leaders worry that voice sharp differences with 1991, Othman says. Sunni leaders means more money for Shiite and Kurdish and Shiite lawmakers. have warned it will lead to other Kurdish areas. Some key questions and answers breakaway regions and the about the state of the ultimate splintering of Iraq. They Q: What does the constitution constitutional process and the want the provision narrowly say about the role of Islam? outstanding issues: applied to Kurdistan, Othman says. A: The draft identifies Islam as “a Shiites and Kurds want the option major source” of legislation and Q: What major issues have open to all provinces. prohibits the creation of laws that been agreed to? contradict its teachings. It also A: Representatives of Iraq’s three Q: What does the constitution prohibits the creation of laws that main factions — Shiites, Sunnis and say about purging Baathists contradict democratic principles Kurds — have agreed to wording from government positions? and basic human rights, a provision describing how Islam will influence A: The Baath Party, which ruled secular Iraqis hope bars Iraq from legislation, the distribution of oil Iraq for nearly four decades, is becoming a hard-line Islamic revenue and the government’s prohibited from being recognized theocracy like Iran. structure. as a political entity. The De- Kurds, who are Sunni Muslim and Baathification Commission, a group generally secular, joined Sunnis in Q: What issues are still being created two years ago to weed out opposing the strong Islamic state debated? former Baath leaders from advocated by some Shiites. A: As of Wednesday, three main government, is allowed to continue One of the most contentious points were in dispute: federalism, its work. issues has been the placing of or allowing semi-autonomous “experts” on sharia, or Islamic law, regions within Iraq; the mention of Q: Why do Sunnis object? on the Iraqi Supreme Court. The Saddam Hussein’s Baath Party in A: Sunni Arabs dominated the exact number of experts and the the constitution; and the division of ranks of the Baath Party, giving method of choosing them will be power among the president, them a stranglehold on power assigned by a law enacted by a parliament and Cabinet. despite making up about 20% of two-thirds vote in the national Iraq’s population. Sunni assembly. Q: What does the constitution representatives argue that only Also at issue was whether to have say now about federalism? Baath leaders accused or convicted sharia judges administrating civil A: The constitution allows for one of crimes should be barred from cases, such as marriages, divorces or more of Iraq’s 18 provinces to government, Othman says. and estates. On Wednesday, hold a referendum and form a negotiators agreed to let “region” that will enjoy limited Q: What has been decided individuals choose the type of autonomy, allowing them to form a about distributing oil revenue? judge to hear their case, Othman parliament, ministries and budget, A: The constitution currently says says.

Q: Is it unusual for Islamic law religious courts, which can limit the have been striving to include Sunnis to be reflected in the rights of women in inheritance, into the political process as a key constitutions of Arab states? marriage and other issues, but it strategy in dismantling the mostly A: Egypt, Oman, Yemen, Kuwait, allows people to choose between Sunni-driven insurgency. Syria and Saudi Arabia are among civil and religious courts. the Arab nations in which Islamic Q: What happens if the law plays a central role. Those Q: Why are Kurds and Shiites so constitution is rejected by voters countries vary, however, in how concerned about appeasing in the Oct. 15 referendum? strictly Islamic law is applied. Sunnis? A: Under Iraq’s transitional law, A: Kurdish and Shiite political the parliament will dissolve if the Q. What does the constitution groups hold 258 seats in the 275- referendum fails. Elections for say about the role of women? member National Assembly and another transitional government A. The draft constitution pledges could pass the constitution. But the will be held before Dec. 15 and the to “pay attention to women and referendum could be voted down if political proces will start over. their rights.” It also requires that no two-thirds of voters in three If it passes, general elections are less than 25% of the seats in the provinces reject it. Sunnis dominate held by Dec. 15 for a permanent assembly be reserved for women. at least three of Iraq’s provinces. government. Iraq’s new legislators The constitution does not mandate Additionally, U.S. and Iraqi officials take office by Dec. 31.

AS SEEN IN USA TODAY NEWS SECTION, TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2005, PAGE 5A Chinese Catholics caught between churches

Roman Catholics around the world Pope was unable to ease There are nearly 1.1 billion Catholics in the world. Breakdown by continent as of January 2003 (in millions): tension between Vatican, 228 Europe 280 North communist government and 110 Central Asia America By Paul Wiseman Soviet bloc 137

USA TODAY comrades into Africa South Australia/ 8 oblivion. “They America 307 New Zealand/ Pacific Islands HONG KONG — The pope who attribute the Reported by Melanie Eversley, USA TODAY helped demolish communism in downfall of Source: Catholic Almanac 2005 Eastern Europe couldn't make a dent communism in USA TODAY in it in China. Eastern Europe to the church,” says Chinese citizens cannot be Pope John Paul II never fulfilled his Audrey Donnithorne, a Catholic activist simultaneously loyal to both their dream of visiting China, never brought in Hong Kong. “It might be true.” government and a foreign-led church. the underground Chinese Catholic But John Paul also hoped to make As a result, mainland China’s estimated Church into the sunlight, never inroads for the church in a country 12 million Catholics are trapped established diplomatic relations where a growing number of the between two churches — one between the Vatican and the nearly 1.3 billion people have been sanctioned by their government, the communist leadership in Beijing. seeking spiritual fulfillment. other operating underground with John Paul’s labors to liberate the China not only rejected the pope’s secret approval from the Vatican. Chinese church from a secular overtures, but it also maintained tight Richard Madsen, a sociologist at the leadership were frustrated by control over the practice of religion University of California, San Diego, and irreconcilable differences with Chinese within its borders. The reason: The author of China’s Catholics, estimates leaders determined not to follow their communist leadership believes that two-thirds of the Chinese church

Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved. Page 10 AS SEEN IN USA TODAY NEWS SECTION, TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2005, PAGE 5A is underground. The underground Vatican has the final say. “China leaders such as the Tibetan Buddhist clergy is not registered with the doesn’t want any compromise,” says Dalai Lama or the pope. government and worshipers often Bishop Joseph Zen, the outspoken A repressive government isn’t the meet in secret to avoid persecution by leader of the Catholic Church in Hong Catholic Church’s only problem. The an officially atheist government. Kong, a semiautonomous region that church is mired in rural China, where enjoys religious freedom unavailable many Catholics attend Mass mainly High hopes for new pope to the rest of China. “They want a because their families always have. As complete surrender.” a result, the church is often insular and Monday, China’s state-sanctioned Even so, the official and clannish, and it has been unable to Catholic Church expressed hope that underground churches overlap. The make significant inroads in fast- John Paul's successor would try to end Vatican last year revealed that it had growing, increasingly wealthy coastal the tension between the Vatican and secretly approved 49 of 79 cities. Beijing, the Associated Press reported. government-sanctioned bishops. “In the cities — Beijing, Shanghai — “We hope the new pope can pick up The communists, who took over you have trouble getting priests. . . . the late pope’s will to promote China- China in 1949, are atheists and There is one priest for three Vatican relations and realize a China ideologically opposed to religion. churches,” says Zen, who is originally visit,” said the Rev. Ma Yinglin, general During the tumultuous rule of Mao from Shanghai. secretary of the Chinese Patriotic Zedong, who claimed a quasi-spiritual The Catholic Church is believed to Catholic Association, who conducted a status for himself, the Chinese be growing anyway, but not nearly as memorial Mass at Southern Cathedral government tried to stamp out fast as popular charismatic Protestant in Beijing. religion. Churches and temples were sects. The association’s vice chairman, the destroyed or confiscated and priests To become a Catholic, would-be Rev. Sun Shangen, also criticized the and believers were imprisoned and converts must receive religious Vatican’s diplomatic ties with Taiwan, sometimes tortured. instruction. “In some of these which China views as a renegade After Mao’s death in 1976, the charismatic groups, you just have to province. Chinese government relaxed the stand up and shout ‘Hallelujah!’ and But in recent years, the diplomatic restrictions on religion mainly you’re in,” says Donnithorne, honorary differences between China and the because it decided it would be research fellow at the University of Vatican have revolved around one key impractical to open China’s economy Hong Kong’s Center of Asian Studies. issue: Beijing’s refusal to let the pope to the world while cracking down on Many Chinese, adrift after the pick his own bishops in China. The private religious worship. collapse of communism and Chinese government insists on unsatisfied with the relentless pursuit appointing loyal apparatchiks to the Repression remains of wealth in an increasingly Darwinian church hierarchy. Catholic activists are economy, are searching for spiritual furious about China’s apparent plans Religious repression has eased, but it sustenance. The Chinese government’s to appoint a bishop in Sichuan has not vanished. Last year, the Vatican “own philosophy is bankrupt. No one province who also sits in the denounced China for arresting 23 believes in communism anymore,” parliament, the National People’s Catholics, including eight priests, says the Rev. Peter Barry, a researcher Congress. apparently for their involvement in the at the Holy Spirit Study Center in Hong “It is a very basic thing. The Vatican underground church. An underground Kong. “The people are hungering and cannot give in,” says Sister Beatrice bishop in central Hebei province was thirsting for something.” Leung, a Catholic nun in Taiwan and detained in 1997 and hasn’t been seen That worries the leadership. The rise author of several books on the Chinese since. A 76-year-old bishop died last of religious movements has signaled church. “The bishop has to do his duty year after being in prison for years; his trouble for dynasties in the past. according to canon law, and the bishop body was delivered to his family with In the second century, a faith- is accountable to the pope.” no explanation. healing Taoist sect staged a rebellion The Chinese government has so far Late last year, the government that helped bring down the Han rejected a compromise that works in issued new regulations that took Dynasty. The Qing Dynasty was communist-controlled Vietnam, effect in March. They are designed to weakened fatally by religious revolts, where the government nominates a ensure once again that religious including the Taiping Rebellion (1850- short list of bishop candidates but the groups in China are not loyal to foreign 1864), in which a failed scholar

Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved. Page 11 AS SEEN IN USA TODAY NEWS SECTION, TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2005, PAGE 5A claiming to be the younger brother of The dispute scuttled for good what demise in Eastern Europe. Former Jesus led an uprising that left 20 had been halting progress between Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, a million Chinese dead. Beijing and the Vatican. man who would know, has said the As recently as Oct. 1, 2000, the day collapse of Soviet communism “would China celebrated the anniversary of Strained relations not have been possible without the the 1949 communist takeover, the presence of this pope.” Vatican enraged Beijing when it In 1999, the two appeared ready to Analysts are skeptical about a new canonized 120 Chinese martyrs (both establish diplomatic relations and to pope’s chances. “China doesn’t have native Chinese and foreignagree on a papal visit to Beijing. The the confidence to liberalize religion missionaries). The government saw — Vatican had signaled the church’s because of the potential for social or professed to see — the decision as a willingness to cut diplomatic relations unrest,” says Leung, a professor of calculated insult to their national pride. with Taiwan. international relations at Wenzao Instead, Zen recounts, the decision But for reasons that remain unclear, Ursuline College of Languages in to canonize the martyrs on Oct. 1 was China sabotaged the emerging Kaohsiung, Taiwan. “China has to an accident. The date originally was rapprochement when it hastily suppress religion continuously.” set for Nov. 1, but the pope’s personal ordained three bishops without “It’s not only about this pope,” Zen secretary decided the weather would Vatican approval in January 2000. says. “It’s about what happened to the be too rainy in Rome so he moved the Can a new pope succeed? communist world.” date. It rained Oct. 1. “It was pouring,” John Paul, a native of Poland, was Zen says with a sad smile. closely associated with communism’s

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