Muslim-American terrorism has declined for the third year in a row, a study concludes. Plus: Amish ask judge to keep a beard-cutting renegade Amish cult leader jailed.

The niece of Scientology cult leader David Miscavige speaks out in a new book that is sure to have the controversial ‘church’ in damage control mode.

Also, two FLDS cult towns owe lots in back taxes to Utah, Arizona.

In today’s Religion News Briefs: An appeals court has upheld the capital murder conviction of a woman whose baby was killed during an alleged ‘exorcism.’

The Salt Lake Tribune introduces two new reporters for its Polygamy Blog.

A U.S. publisher is researching the possibility to publish a tell-all book on the notoriously litigious Scientology cult in Canada — despite that country’s antiquated, free-speech curtailing libel laws.

Plus: a baker in Oregon claims his religious convictions prevent him from baking a wedding cake for a lesbian couple.

The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that that France infringed the religious freedom of two religious sects and an evangelical church when it taxed their donations.

The State of Georgia is investigating Scientology front-group Narconon for insurance fraud. Plus: a waitress gets fired over posting a receipt documenting how a ‘pastor’ stiffed one of her colleagues.

Also inside: God and game fixing, Calvary Chapel, and more about the Mexican ‘slavery cult’ that calls itself “Defensores de Cristo” (Defenders of Christ)

‘Psychic’ James van Praagh is concerned that the public will be confused and deceived (but not in the way you might think).

A court has rules that the polygamous cult known as the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS) cannot intervene in the way the State of Utah runs the sect’s property trust.

And Narconon of Georgia, a Scientology front group, is being investigated for insurance fraud.

A witchdoctor and four others were killed in an explosion allegedly caused when the sorcerer tried to behead a goblin for a customer.

Also: a feud between Biblical archeologists leads to a lawsuit. Plus: Mexican officials have broken up a bizarre cult called the “Defensores de Cristo” (“Defenders of Christ”).

The murderer of an Imam deemed to be a heretic has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.

Plus more religion news briefs, including items about Scientology, Colonia Dignidad and the Roman Catholic Church.

Belgium’s federal public prosecutors have decided to prosecute the Church of Scientology in Belgium and several of its high-ranking members.

The charges include extortion, fraud, illegal practice of medicine and violations of privacy legislation.

The Georgia state Department of Community Health has notified Narconon of Georgia it intends to revoke the clinic’s license for misrepresenting itself as a residential drug treatment facility.

The Scientology front group, which bases its treatments on the medical quackery of Scientology cult founder L. Ron Hubbard, has come under increasing scrutiny after the deaths of several of its customers.

Notorious for its abuse of the legal system, the Church of Scientology is about to be part of a secret court hearing in which lawyer Kennan Dandar expects the cult to cause his “utter financial ruin.”

The cult claims Dandar violated an agreement to never again be involved in a lawsuit against the Church of Scientology.

Dandar says his civil rights are being trampled by Scientology through its manipulation of the Florida court system.

In today’s Religion News Briefs: A “guru” who brainwashed a family into parting with their fortune has been jailed.

Also: Tufts University curtails religious freedom in an effort to combat religious discrimination.

Plus: Rabid Muslim hate preacher Abu Qatada is free on bail after a UK court ruled he might not get a fair trial if deported to Jordan to face terrorism charges

Among today’s religion news briefs: A U.S. watchdog charged with investigating violations of religious liberty throughout the world is being sued for religious discrimination.

A dentist has been ordered to pay nearly $350k to settle allegations that he threatened to fire a dental assistant unless she attended a Scientology-related training session.

And seven people will stand trial in the death of a 3-year-old toddler during a botched exorcism.

In today’s issue: Unitarian faith growing throughout the USA. Cheerleaders’ Scripture-Quoting Football Signs Face Constitutional Challenge. And a poll shows that most Americans doubt Scientology is a true religion.

Plus… Filipino students hold naked protest In Manila against Innocence Of Muslims film.

Today: how one business owner makes sure potential customers know he is not a Scientologist. Also: two Private Investigators who say they Church of Scientology hired them to follow and report on former Scientologists are sueing the cult for payments due.

Plus: The Gospel of Jesus’ wife: sensationalism masquerading as scholarship.

Today: Sun Myung Moon is the latest is a long string of self-proclaimed saviors to be buried. Also: Scientology watcher Tony Ortego is leaving The Village Voice in order to pursue a book about the cult in its time of crisis.

Plus: followers of the ‘religion of peace’ riot, pillage and murder in a temper tantrum about a movie deemed offensive to Islam founder Muhammad.

In today’s edition: the upcoming funeral of cult leader Sun Myung Moon, “one of the most preposterous egomaniacs of the post-war world.” Germany’s Federal Office of Criminal Investigation warms of impending attacks by Neo-Nazis. And Scientology front group Narconon does not want to release staff records.

Plus: ‘Death of God’ theologian Gabrial Vahanian dies. More…

The Church of Scientology in Amsterdam says it will take steps against a Dutch tax authorities decision that closed a loophole which allowed members to give tax-deductible donations to the organization.

Last Monday the Tax and Customs Administration announced that Nabesa, one of the church’s front groups, has lost its status as a public benefit organization.

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