EEOC to Employers: You Can’t Dismiss Accommodation
Written by Don Byrd
Here’s a good religious freedom story for a Friday. The EEOC settled a case with an Ohio company that refused to consider hiring a Seventh-Day Adventist because he couldn’t work on Saturdays in observance of the Sabbath.
Churches-in-NY-Schools Controversy Takes Another Surprise Turn
Written by Don Byrd
A federal judge in New York has ruled a local church may continue to meet in a public school, despite a city law which prohibits the use of school buildings for religious worship, upheld as constitutional last year by the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals. The Supreme Court surprised many in declining to hear the appeal of the Bronx Household of Faith, leaving the 2nd Circuit’s ruling in place.
House Committee Hearing to Discuss Contraception Rule, Religious Freedom
Written by Don Byrd
The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform will hold a hearing tomorrow,provocatively titled: “Has the Obama Administration Trampled on Freedom of Religion and Freedom of Conscience?”
China Rebuffs Religious Freedom Ambassador, Denies Visa
Written by Don Byrd
When I read a few weeks ago that Dr. Suzan Johnson Cook, the U.S. Religious Freedom Ambassador at Large, was planning a trip to China, I was surprised the story hadn’t made more news. After all, advocates have been pretty tough on the Obama Adminstration – as on the Bush Administration – for not raising religious liberty concerns with China more publicly. Dr. Cook planned to meet with Chinese officials to discuss those issues explicitly.
6th Circuit Rules for Religious Speakers over Festival Restriction
Written by Don Byrd
Via Religion Clause, the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled the Fairborn, Ohio’s Sweet Corn Festival may not prohibit attendees from soliciting for causes, including religious proselytizing. The involvement of the city in hosting and promoting the free, public event, the Court argues, makes the rules of the fair a state action, barred by the First Amendment from limiting speech in that way.
