Maine RFRA Bill Under Scrutiny

Written by Don Byrd
Proposed legislation in Maine would make the state the 18th (or so, depending on how you count) in the nation to enact a Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Such laws prohibit the state from burdening a person’s religious exercise unless a compelling government interest requires it. A federal law – which is 20 years old this year – similarly constrains the federal government.

Writing in the Bangor Daily News, bill sponsor David Burns defends the law against charges the law would undermine same-sex marriage. Instead, he says, the purpose is to roll back “attacks” on religion.

Watch the BJC’s RFRA Symposium Online

Written by Don Byrd
The Baptist Joint Committee is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act with a symposium at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. featuring leading church-state experts and advocates discussing the history and impact of the legislation. Can’t be there? Don’t worry! You can watch it online here!

DC Appeals Court: Contraception Coverage Mandate Violates Religious Freedom

Written by Don Byrd
The D.C. Court of Appeals yesterday became the latest Circuit to rule on a religious freedom challenge to the contraception coverage mandate in the Affordable Care Act. At issue are the owners of closely-held corporations who object on religious grounds to providing their employees with insurance that includes such coverage. While the law grants exemption to religious organizations, and provides a workaround for institutions affiliated with denominations, there is no exception for the business owner of a secular corporation who merely has strong personal religious beliefs.

A few appeals courts have ruled on this issue, which seems destined for Supreme Court review in the near future. Most recently, the 6th Circuit refused to halt the mandate, agreeing with the government that corporations are not “persons” who can exercise religion according to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The 10th Circuit reached the opposite conclusion, finding corporations are persons for religious exercise purposes. That ruling halted the contraception coverage mandate against Hobby Lobby, which argued that the mandate unlawfully forces a choice between following the company’s religious beliefs and suffering substantial government penalty.

How did the DC Circuit come out on Friday? Read on to find out…

BJC to Commemorate RFRA’s 20 Years with Symposium

Written by Don Byrd
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) of 1993, a law that prohibits the federal government from placing a substantial burden on a person’s religious exercise unless there is a compelling government interest in doing so, and the burden is necessary to achieve that interest. To commemorate the occasion, the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty is sponsoring a symposium at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. on November 7 to discuss RFRA with several fellow advocates for religious liberty.