Written by Don ByrdVia Religion News Service, a new study commissioned by the American Bible Society suggests that a solid majority (66%) of Americans want public schools to teach the “values found in the Bible.” Even those who do, however, recognize the inherent dangers in doing so.
Written by Don ByrdEach year since 2006, the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty has conducted an essay contest for high school juniors with prizes including scholarship money and a trip to Washington, D.C. The winners for this year have been announced!
Written by Don Byrd
I missed this in last week’s news, but a federal judge in Wisconsin has ruled a lawsuit brought by the Freedom From Religion Foundation against the IRS can proceed against arguments by the government that it should be dismissed. The suit claims the IRS has failed to enforce its prohibition against electioneering by tax-exempt churches.
Written by Don ByrdThere is a big difference between praying with students and educating students about religions of the world. It is the difference between promoting religion and studying about religion. To be sure, walking that line can be tricky and should be only done thoughtfully. It sure sounds like officials of the Minneha Core Knowledge Elementary School in Wichita, Kansas were trying to do just that in exposing children to elements of religions. But outcry over a bulletin board describing the Five Pillars of Islam convinced them to remove it.
As Charles Haynes notes in his column today, if we are going to allow teaching *about* religion – as the Constitution allows – then we have to be willing to include in that discussion Islam and other culturally influential faiths.
Written by Don Byrd The New Mexico Supreme Court today ruled that Elane Photography violated the state’s Human Rights Act by refusing to provide services for a same-sex wedding ceremony, saying that such a refusal is barred by the law “in the same way as if it had refused to photograph a wedding between people of different races.” The company argued that such an interpretation of the law is an unconstitutional infringement on their free exercise and free speech rights under the First Amendment and the state’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act, but the Court disagreed.
The majority found that the NMHRA is a neutral law and is generally applicable. Therefore, the Court concluded, the right to freely exercise religion does not relieve Elane Photography from its enforcement. Additionally, it found the New Mexico RFRA doesn’t apply here because it applies only when the government is a party to the action. Here, the dispute is between two private parties, the photography company and the same-sex couple who were denied service.
Perhaps the most striking section of the opinion, however, is from concurring Justice Richard Bosson, who tackled head-on the very delicate and difficult religious liberty issues raised by this case and others like it. With obvious respect for the religious views of the plaintiff photographers, the Huguenins, Justice Bosson explains why he finds against them.
Faith.
Freedom.
For All.
The targeting of religious minorities.
The rise of Christian nationalism.
The politicization of houses of worship.
BJC brings people together to tackle today’s serious threats to religious liberty.
Follow
Follow
Faith.
Freedom.
For All.
The targeting of religious minorities.
The rise of Christian nationalism.
The politicization of houses of worship.
BJC brings people together to tackle today’s serious threats to religious liberty.