Ellis M. West

Ellis West is emeritus professor of political science at the University of Richmond in Richmond, Virginia, where he taught primarily courses in political theory, constitutional law and relations between government and religion. His scholarly publications pertain mostly to the meaning of the religion clauses of the First Amendment. He has also been an active defender of religious freedom in Virginia and has served on and advised the religious liberty committee of the Baptist General Association of Virginia. He is a member of the River Road Church, Baptist, in Richmond.

Ellis M. West

Judge Kavanaugh: do you believe it’s legitimate for our government to favor Christians over adherents of other religions?

As a teacher of political theory and constitutional law – and as a Baptist Christian – I would like to know the views of Supreme Court justice nominee Brett Kavanaugh on the meaning of religious freedom as guaranteed by the First Amendment. More specifically, I would like to know if Kavanaugh believes it is legitimate for our government to favor Christians over adherents of other religions.

They’re back

In 1963 the U.S. Supreme Court held that school-sponsored prayer and Bible-reading in the public schools violate the First Amendment clause prohibiting laws “respecting an establishment of religion.” The Court said that the clause was intended to protect religious freedom…