Debate Builds Over Religion in Foreign Policy

The Chicago Council on Global Affairs has started a firestorm with its report, titled "Engaging Religious Communities Abroad: A New Imperative for U.S. Foreign Policy, which recommends that the U.S. essentially recalibrate international relations in areas of the...

What if There is No Such Thing as Secular Purpose?

Stanley Fish's column in yesterday's NYTimes brushes up against a key, if fragile, principle of church-state jurisprudence: the secular purpose test. One element of the Supreme Court's Lemon test says that to be constitutional, government action must have...

Tax Exempt Status of Controversial C Street House Challenged

Via Religion Clause, the Washington Post reports that, fresh off a partial loss of its DC tax-exempt status, the C Street House – home to several Congressmen who claim to also worship and minister to each other there – is being challenged for its federal...

Oregon Legislature Votes to Repeal Religious Clothing Ban

The Oregon legislature took one step closer toward ending the ban prohibiting public school teachers from wearing religious attire in the classroom. The Senate voted 21-9 to send the repeal to Governor Kulongoski, who is expected to sign it.  Champions in the...

NC County to Appeal Prayer Ruling

Despite the strong ruling finding their opening prayer policy unconstitutional, and the near-certain costs to come in continuing the fight, the Forsyth County, NC Board of Commissioners voted 4-3 last night to appeal the decision. The Winston Salem-Journal reports...