Church bells a nuisance? A town hall in southern England has ruled its 14th century village church has just as much right to ring its bells as the villagers have to operate their noisy lawnmowers and hedge trimmers. Some residents in Aldeburgh, Suffolk, had griped for months that the racket from peal practice at St. Peter and St. Paul Anglican Church — some lasting nearly three hours — disturbed their weekend tranquility, and they wanted it stopped. But the South Coastal District Council, noting residents rarely complained about the din raised by their own garden-trimming activities, said locals shouldn't be complaining about the church's bellringers and ruled it had no reason to take action on ground of noise nuisance.
Court says doctors cannot discriminate against gays. California's Supreme Court ruled doctors cannot discriminate against homosexuals even if they believe their religious freedom will be violated during a course of treatment. The case involved a San Diego County lesbian, Guadalupe Benitez, who informed doctors that she and her partner wanted to pursue fertility treatments. Two doctors in a Vista, Calif., practice said their religious beliefs would prevent them from performing an artificial insemination for Benitez. Benitez sued, citing California's civil rights act, and the court ruled on her behalf. Lawyers for the doctors are considering an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Head of faith-based office resigns. Jay Hein, director of the White House Office of Faith-based and Community Initiatives, has resigned to care for his father, who is battling cancer. Hein, 43, had led the office two years. The office, which George W. Bush began soon after becoming president, previously was led by University of Pennsylvania political science professor John DiIulio and Saint Vincent College President Jim Towey.
Fourth-century Bible to go online. The Codex Sinaiticus, thought to be one of the world's oldest Bibles, has gone online in a project led by the British Library to reconnect all its 1,600-year-old parts spread across Europe and Egypt's Sinai desert. A preview of the manuscript, which dates from the 4th century and includes what's believed to be the oldest surviving copy of the New Testament, is available free at www.codex-sinaiticus.net. The Codex is a “unique treasure” that “only a few people have ever had the opportunity to see more than a couple of pages,” said Scot McKendrick, the British Library's head of Western manuscripts.
Sheriff drafts worshippers as special deputies. Citing recent high-profile shootings across the country, a Tennessee sheriff has introduced a new plan to train worshippers as law enforcement officers. Under the Church Protection Plan, churches in Bradley County can nominate members to serve as special deputies during Sunday services. Under the program, churches with nonprofit status and more than 50 members would have the option of submitting two names to the sheriff's office to serve as special deputies. If appointed, special deputies would be required to participate in 40 hours of training each year and be authorized to carry firearms. Their authority would be restricted to church services and events.
Compiled from Religion News Service