January (Web-only) 2007

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1. Nebraska considers bill barring underage Communion wine
Nebraska's current law allows for "the possession and dispensation of alcoholic liquor by an authorized representative of any religion on the premises of a place of worship, for the purpose of conducting any bona fide religious rite, ritual, or ceremony." A new bill, LB 261, would specifically strip that provision. It's not an oversight. That's the point of the bill—to strip that wording and thus ban houses of worship from dispensing alcohol, like Communion wine—to minors. Oddly enough, the sponsor of the bill, Lowen Kruse, is a retired minister in the United Methodist Church, and his website's home page lists churches in his district. Five other members of the Nebraska legislature signed on as cosponsors. One earlier cosponsor, Annette Dubas, has pulled her support. Now Kruse has, too. Or rather, he'll offer an amendment to his bill, allowing minors to consume up to two ounces of alcohol as part of a religious ceremony. Still, don't expect even such an amended bill to pass. It's shocking that it's under consideration at all.

2. British Airways allows employees' religious wear
Check-in worker Nadia Eweida can now wear her cross.

3. McCain drops support for lobbying reform bill
Recent news items:

"Speaking as a private individual, I would not vote for John McCain under any circumstances."
—Focus on the Family president James Dobson, speaking January 11 on Dallas radio station KCBI.

"McCain to make amends with Dobson"
—Associated Press headline, Jan. 16.

"McCain Does About-Face on Grassroots Reform Bill: Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has told conservative activists that he will vote to strip a key provision on grassroots lobbying from the ...