Wednesday: Supreme Court Argument in Prayer Case

Written by Don Byrd
The U.S. Supreme Court rarely hears church-state cases. It’s been 30 years since a dispute over government-sponsored prayer made if to the high court. So tomorrow is a big day for church-state observers! Town of Greece v. Galloway involves a challenge to the opening prayer policy of a city council in New York State.

Parents to Appeal Yoga Ruling

Written by Don Byrd
Charisma News reports that plaintiff parents of students in the California’s Encinitas School District are appealing a judge’s ruling earlier this year that a yoga program does not violate the separation of church and state. The parents charge the program unlawfully forces an inherently religious activity into the public school curriculum.

DC Appeals Court: Contraception Coverage Mandate Violates Religious Freedom

Written by Don Byrd
The D.C. Court of Appeals yesterday became the latest Circuit to rule on a religious freedom challenge to the contraception coverage mandate in the Affordable Care Act. At issue are the owners of closely-held corporations who object on religious grounds to providing their employees with insurance that includes such coverage. While the law grants exemption to religious organizations, and provides a workaround for institutions affiliated with denominations, there is no exception for the business owner of a secular corporation who merely has strong personal religious beliefs.

A few appeals courts have ruled on this issue, which seems destined for Supreme Court review in the near future. Most recently, the 6th Circuit refused to halt the mandate, agreeing with the government that corporations are not “persons” who can exercise religion according to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The 10th Circuit reached the opposite conclusion, finding corporations are persons for religious exercise purposes. That ruling halted the contraception coverage mandate against Hobby Lobby, which argued that the mandate unlawfully forces a choice between following the company’s religious beliefs and suffering substantial government penalty.

How did the DC Circuit come out on Friday? Read on to find out…