President Obama Renews Faith Advisory Council

Written by Don Byrd
After an active first couple of years, we haven’t heard much from President Obama’s faith advisory council. Perhaps an indication it will be revving back up, the President extended the life of the Council for two years with an executive order Friday, just as the authorization for the Council was expiring.

Virginia County Faces $60,000 Bill Following Legislative Prayer Suit

Written by Don Byrd
When elected officials insist on fighting a losing religious liberty lawsuit, the taxpayer often ends up with the tab. Pittsylvania County, Virginia will be required to pay nearly $60,000 in legal fees if a court approves the motion filed by the ACLU of Virginia.

5th Circuit: Ban on Inmate Beards in Texas Violates RLUIPA

Written by Don Byrd
Last week, the 5th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals sided with a Muslim inmate in his lawsuit against the Texas Department of Criminal Justice over its ban on beards. Willie Garner argued the state could demonstrate the rule is the least restrictive means of achieving a compelling interest, as required by the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA). The court agreed.

Will the Supreme Court Take Action in Graduation Case?

Written by Don Byrd
One of the most contentious areas of church-state battle in recent years has been the use of churches as a venue for high school graduation ceremonies. In Elmbrook, Wisconsin, a federal appeals court last year ruled the trappings of the event represented “an unacceptable amount of religious endorsement and coercion.” The entire 7th Circuit heard the case and voted 7-3 to strike down the arrangement as unconstitutional.

NC Legislators Propose State Religion Bill, BJC Responds [UPDATED]

Written by Don Byrd
A new proposed law in North Carolina asserts that the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause does not apply to states, an argument that would take the legislature back to the hot button topics of the 1800s. That question was resolved definitively by the Supreme Court in 1947, which said that it most certainly does apply to states.