What ‘secular’ really means

Written by J. Brent Walker, BJC Executive Director
“Secular” is not a bad word as many religious people and some politicians believe. In fact, it is a good word and, properly understood, is useful to describe our political culture and church-state configuration.

Campaign for politics in the pulpit is flawed

As citizens we are called to work toward a just society. It should be no surprise, then, that people of faith have been engaged in virtually every social reform movement throughout American history. Religious individuals and houses of worship have the right and...

Defining the ‘ministerial exception’

By K. Hollyn Hollman, BJC General Counsel From the October 2011 edition of Report from the Capital On October 5, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in what may be the most significant religious liberty case to reach the High Court in 20 years. If the intense...

In George Washington’s words

Written by J. Brent Walker, BJC Executive Director
Dick Ice’s contributions to the life and work of the BJC are incalculable. He understands and appreciates Baptist principles and the American concept of the separation of church and state like few others. He is also a student of history who can call up the words of our Founders on the spur of the moment and make scholarly presentations on James Madison, Thomas Jefferson and others.