Shedding light, not bringing heat

Written by J. Brent Walker, BJC Executive Director
Less than six months out from the 2012 fall elections, religion continues to be a part of the campaigns. I predict it only will accelerate. Four years ago I offered this conundrum as a challenge: …
From the June 2012 Report from the Capital

Churches and political campaigns

Written by K. Hollyn Hollman, BJC General Counsel
In an election year, many people feel the heightened sense of responsibility that comes with living in a democracy. We all should. Despite the problems of excessive partisanship, negative campaigning and corporate influence over our elections, the right to vote and get involved in campaigns is a privilege that shouldn’t be taken for granted. …
From the June 2012 Report from the Capital

Working from the wilderness

By J. Brent Walker, BJC Executive Director
We are still on Capitol Hill, but we have recently left our familiar digs on the third floor of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Building and moved to temporary quarters one floor down. Why? We are making way for our expanded, improved and altogether welcomed new quarters, a Center for Religious Liberty on Capitol Hill. …
From the May 2012 Report from the Capital

Religious freedom in the workplace

In April, the BJC was invited to speak via Skype to members of the First Baptist Church of Tallahassee, Fla., who have recently organized a church initiative called WorkFaith. The group, which meets monthly for lunch hour discussion and devotion, is part of a larger...

The will of the majority and the rights of the minority

  By J. Brent Walker, BJC Executive Director President Barack Obama’s recent remarks about “unelected judges” thwarting the will of the elected political branches provides an opportunity to think about several fundaments of our democratic form of government and...

Conscience, contraception and conflict over religious freedom

By K. Hollyn Hollman, BJC General Counsel
The constitutional challenge to the Affordable Care Act is clearly the biggest story in the ongoing national health care debate. A significant subplot, however, is the implementation of rules requiring contraception coverage in health insurance plans as applied to objecting religious employers. …
From the April 2012 Report from the Capital