Appeals Court: Religious Freedom Doesn’t Require Guns in Church

Written by Don Byrd
The 11th Circuit turned away a minister’s argument that he has a constitutional right to carry guns in church. Jonathan Wilkins claimed that a Georgia law banning firearms in houses of worship violated his religious freedom rights, but …

Federal Judge Orders Murfreesboro Mosque Open as BJC, Others Offer Support

Written by Don Byrd
A federal judge in Tennessee has issued a temporary restraining order halting a state court’s order prohibiting a mosque in Murfreesboro from opening because the County Commission that granted the building permit violated the state’s open meeting laws in the process. …

Justice Department Backs Religious Liberty Challenge to Prison Tobacco Ban

Written by Don Byrd
The Justice Department has filed a brief on behalf of two Native American inmates in a South Dakota prison. Citing the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, they are challenging the state’s removal of a religious exemption from the general ban on tobacco use that was in place for several years. …

Does State Law Prohibit Snake-Handling Exercise?

Written by Don Byrd
In East Tennessee’s La Follette, Pastor Andrew Hamblin is on a mission to overturn the state’s law prohibiting the ownership of venomous snakes. His argument? That the law conflicts with his religious exercise, which regularly involves snake-handling as a test of faith.

Secretary Clinton in Egypt

Written by Don Byrd
During her trip to Egypt, Secretary of State Hilary Clinton met with newly elected President Morsi and answered questions about that meeting in a press conference. While not mentioning religion and the issue of religious minorities directly, she seemed to point in that direction. …