State Department Launches Office of Faith-Based Initiatives

Written by Don Byrd
At an event earlier today, Melissa Rogers – former Baptist Joint Committee General Counsel and current Director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships – joined with Secretary of State John Kerry and Dr. Shaun Casey to announce the opening of the State Department’s Office of Faith-Based Community Initiatives. The purpose of the Office was described succinctly by Casey, will direct it.

$53,230

Written by Don Byrd
That’s the legal bill the Pittsylvania County, Virginia Board of Supervisors will likely owe the state’s ACLU for the cost of bringing the Board to court for opening meetings with sectarian prayer. A magistrate judge made the recommendation for attorney’s fees earlier this week. As the editorial board of the Lynchburg News and Advance notes today, the costly effort of the County’s Board was unnecessary.

Advocates Send Legislative Prayer Arguments to Supreme Court

Written by Don Byrd
Ahead of the arguments, advocates have begun filing friend-of-the-court briefs, including a few high profile groups arguing there’s nothing unconstitutional about local governments opening meetings with sectarian prayer. If you are interested in reading that point of view, here are some links.

Dionne to Political Parties: Your Religious Voters are Diverse

Written by Don Byrd
Columnist E.J. Dionne draws on the results of a recent Pew Forum survey to remind us that the relationship between religious beliefs and political persuasion is complex, a fact that is forgotten at the peril of political parties.

Judge Allows RFRA Defense in Cannabis Case

Written by Don Byrd
A federal judge in Hawaii has ruled the Religious Freedom Restoration Act applies to protect a minister charged with distributing marijuana to parishioners. Reverend Roger Christie argues the use of cannabis is an expression of his religion that because of RFRA may not be substantially burdened by the government without a compelling government interest narrowly tailored. The judge in her ruling last week allowed the trial to go forward with Christie able to use that defense.