Will Missouri Be Next to Undo Constitutional Protections?

Written by Don Byrd
While Florida ponders a constitutional amendment that would remove restrictions on government aid to religious institutions, Missouri seems poised to be next in line. A resolution introduced last week would put the matter before voters.

Utah Supports LDS Church’s Right to Advocate

Written by Don Byrd
The State of Utah is asking a federal judge to throw out a complaint by the Utah Hospitality Association that the Church of Latter-Day States improperly influenced recently enacted state liquor laws.

HHS Says Religious Employers Not Exempt from Contraceptive Requirement

Written by Don Byrd
In a controversial move we are sure to hear more about over the next year, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has clarified a provision in the Affordable Care Act that is being watched closely by many religious institutions. The legislation requires health insurance policies to cover contraception for women. In a decision announced by the Administration yesterday, religious institutions will not be exempt from the requirement to provide such coverage to employees, though they will receive an additional year to comply with the rule.

Do Polling Places in Church Affect Voting Behavior?

Written by Don Byrd
Via Religion Clause , a new study published by the International Journal for the Psychology of Religion (who knew there was such a thing?) concludes that in the presence of church buildings, respondents are more likely to indicate a politically and socially conservative viewpoint, than when in sight of a government building, where they are less likely to do so.