Fuzzy Math, Bad Hearing, Push Outrageous School Prayer Bill Forward in Alabama

Written by Don Byrd
Last week brought one of the strangest state legislation stories to come around in a while (and these days that is saying something). A bill in Alabama that would require schools to start the day with a recitation of prayer was passed out of committee last week, even though more committee members voted against it than for it.

BJC Urges Georgia Lawmakers to Reject RFRA Proposal in its Current Form

Written by Don Byrd
From Kansas to Arizona, state religious freedom legislation has been a troubling news item the last couple of weeks. Now we may need to add Georgia to the list if HB 1023 moves forward as is. The bill is a state version of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), a federal law barring the government from substantially burdening a person’s religious exercise without a compelling interest as justification. The Baptist Joint Committee led the diverse coalition that pushed Congress to adopt RFRA in 1993, but is urging Georgia lawmakers to reject HB 1023 as it is currently written…

7th Circuit Hears Arguments Over Evansville Crosses

Written by Don Byrd
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments yesterday in the challenge to roadside crosses at the popular riverfront in Evansville, Indiana. The city allows private organizations to apply to use the space to publicize events, but plaintiffs argue that approval of the Christian display, which consisted of 31 6-foot crosses, violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment by giving the appearance of a government endorsement of Christianity.