North Dakota Voters Reject Religious Freedom Measure

Written by Don Byrd
Voters in tonight’s North Dakota elections have soundly rejected Measure 3, which would have enacted a state Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The law would have required government to have a compelling state interest before placing a burden on a person’s free exercise of religion, …

In Their Own Words: Romney on School Vouchers

Written by Don Byrd
Today’s NYTimes indicates the campaign of Mitt Romney is urging a change in education policy that would institute a broad federal school voucher program. Citing a speech he gave at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the piece notes that one word Romney did not use in his pro-voucher speech was…

Supreme Court Declines to Hear Candy Cane Case

Written by Don Byrd
The Supreme Court today declined to hear the appeal of a Fifth Circuit decision , ruling that school officials likely violated the First Amendment rights of fifth-grade students by barring the distribution of materials like candy canes and pencils with religious messages to other students. …

House Subcommittee Considers Veteran Funeral Legislation

Written by Don Byrd
One of the high-profile church-state disputes of last year revolved around the National Cemetery in Houston. There, you probably remember, complainants alleged that new policies were restricting religious speech at veteran funerals.

TSA Agent Wins Suit Over Right to Wear Sikh Bracelet

Written by Don Byrd
A Sikh employee of the Transportation Safety Administration has won a religious discrimination lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security, after he was refused the right to wear a Kara (a bracelet worn by many observant Sikhs) at work.