Written by Don ByrdAhead 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.
Written by Don ByrdColumnist 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.
Written by Don ByrdA 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.
Written by Don ByrdBilly Coleman, the superintendent of Alabama’s Cullman County schools also happens to be Reverend Billy Coleman, a minister in a local church. When he organized a traveling community prayer event to be held outside each public school, it raised some church-state eyebrows. The Freedom From Religion Foundation accused Coleman of using his official public office to promote the prayer event, an allegation the school board
Written by Don ByrdAs I posted last week, the 3rd Circuit recently ruled (in Conestoga) that for-profit, secular corporations cannot exercise religion. A few weeks before that, the 10th Circuit determined exactly the opposite (in Hobby Lobby) in halting the contraception mandate for a closely-held corporation owned by a family with strong religious beliefs.
Slate’s Dahlia Lithwick offers a helpful primer on the inevitable Supreme Court showdown over the religious freedom rights of corporations. Notably, she takes a step back to view this dispute in the larger context of employer-employee relationships and the neverending task of balancing interests.
Written by Don ByrdTroy University, a public institution in Alabama, is under scrutiny from church-state advocates for opening “faith-based dormitories” on campus for students who with to integrate their faith more fully into the college experience. The faith-based forms are being leased by private institutions, but some believe that may not be safeguard enough to ensure church-state separation.
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.
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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.