A federal judge took Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to school on the First Amendment in siding with a nonprofit organization’s right to air a TV ad promoting an abortion rights measure on the Nov. 5 ballot. Chief U.S. District Judge…
The Supreme Court at a crossroads
Every four years, the people who are most politically engaged in American law and politics tend to focus their autumn energy on the upcoming November election. The annual October kickoff of the U.S. Supreme Court term may be overlooked. That…
Why is this still happening?
Louisiana is making history, and not the good kind. As the only state with a law mandating displays of the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom, Louisiana is a standout among a host of states pursuing legislative measures that…
Texas attorney general sets off religious liberty alarms by attacking a Catholic charity in El Paso
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s effort to shutter a Catholic nonprofit helping migrants in El Paso is intended to intimidate other church-based groups engaged in compassionate ministries throughout the state, immigration advocates say. This week, Paxton filed suit against Annunciation…
Praying football coach returns to field, not sure he’ll stay the season
Update: On Wednesday, Sept. 6, Joseph Kennedy quit his part-time job at Bremerton High School, having been present for only one game. The part-time assistant high school football coach who took his desire to pray at the 50-yard-line after…
Most Americans love the First Amendment, but some are confused
Americans deeply value the First Amendment, but increasing numbers of people don’t understand the protections and limits of the doctrine, according to new research by the Freedom Forum. And while support for the five freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment…
7 reasons religious liberty matters
Religious liberty, the freedom to practice one’s faith without intimidation or persecution, is a cornerstone of democratic societies around the world. Our Baptists ancestors were among the many who contended for this liberty for people of all faiths or no…
Oklahoma’s OK for nation’s first religious charter school to be challenged in court
Legal, political and faith-based opposition is mounting against Oklahoma’s action clearing the way for the nation’s first religious charter school. Americans United for the Separation of Church and State announced preparations are under way for legal action after the Oklahoma…
Armed with high court’s praying coach decision, more conservative Christians hope to score religious discrimination claims
Attorneys in three ongoing freedom of religion cases are urging federal judges to consider recent U.S. Supreme court decisions when ruling on their disputes. The development was pointed out by Don Byrd, author of Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty’s…