National religion briefs for June 14

LOS ANGELES -- Online encyclopedia Wikipedia has banned Scientology's more vocal friends and foes from editing articles about the religion.

Wikipedia has blocked contributions from computers at the Church of Scientology's Los Angeles headquarters, as well as some critics of the religion. The move is aimed at diminishing a long-running war of words between the two groups, said Dan Rosenthal, a spokesman for English Wikipedia.

Some bloggers worry that the site is stifling free speech. Rosenthal said it is standard practice to ban users found violating rules designed to keep people with an agenda from propagandizing.

The case was reviewed by Wikipedia's arbitration committee, a body of volunteer editors elected by users to resolve disputes. Several Scientology computers and about 40 users from both sides of the debate were locked out.

Church spokeswoman Karin Pouw said she did not know of any church members editing Wikipedia but was glad the site had banned Scientology critics.

Appellate panel rejects Commandments display

DENVER -- A federal appeals court has ruled that a Ten Commandments monument outside the Haskell County, Okla., courthouse endorses religion based on public comments made by county commissioners after it was installed.

A three-judge panel of the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the monument, which is part of a historical display, "has the primary effect of endorsing religion."

They sent the case back to Muskogee, Okla.-based U.S. District Judge Ronald A. White so he could issue a new ruling consistent with their ruling. Haskell's attorneys can ask all the judges on the appellate court to review the panel's decision or appeal the case directly to the U.S. Supreme Court.

U.S. sues N.J. county over firing of Muslim

NEWARK, N.J -- The Justice Department has sued Essex County over its firing of a corrections officer for wearing religious headwear.

The suit was filed in federal court in Newark on behalf of Yvette Beshier. It claims Beshier was first suspended and then fired by the county for wearing a khimar, or Muslim head scarf.

The suit seeks monetary damages and also to require Essex to adopt a policy that accommodates the religious observances and practices of employees. A county spokesman declined comment on the lawsuit.

Reformed Church has declaration of unity

HOLLAND, Mich. -- Leaders of the Reformed Church in America have adopted a declaration of human unity, reconciliation and justice written in South Africa during apartheid.

The Belhar Confession is the New York City-based church's fourth "standard of unity" and its first new one since 1619, nearly four centuries ago. The General Synod approved it while meeting in Holland.

The document was written in 1982 by the Dutch Reformed Mission Church, a black denomination in South Africa. It says race "or any other human or social factor" should not divide the followers of Jesus Christ.

The church's other historic standards are the Heidelberg Catechism, the Canons of Dort and the Belgic Confession.