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…
How to tell if it’s ‘Christian nationalism’ or not
Identification as a white evangelical doesn’t necessarily mean a Christian has become a follower of Christian nationalism, but it certainly doesn’t rule it out, said Amanda Tyler, executive director of Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty. Speaking during a recent…
Biden administration restores religious protections for those receiving federal social services
Religious liberty advocates are hailing a new Biden administration rule that protects the recipients of federally funded social services from discrimination by the religious groups that administer them. The White House measure is designed to prevent faith-based organizations that receive…
The Supreme Court’s refreshing unity on religious freedom
If you want to read one U.S. Supreme Court opinion from the past term that doesn’t risk raising your blood pressure, I suggest Groff v. DeJoy. Plenty of the court’s decisions display deep divisions among the justices — divisions that both…
High court’s ruling on wedding website designer is fatally flawed, Hollman and Tyler say
The U.S. Supreme Court’s 303 Creative v. Elenis ruling could undermine public accommodation laws historically enacted to end Jim Crow and other discriminatory practices, said Holly Hollman, general counsel for Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty. “It’s not surprising that…
Supreme Court says evangelical web designer doesn’t have to serve same-sex couples
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in favor of Lorie Smith, an evangelical graphic artist who says she wants to create wedding websites and is “willing to work with all people” but not same-sex couples. Her free-speech case was based…
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…
U.S. Department of Education issues guidance on religious expression in schools
“Although a government may not promote or favor religion or coerce the consciences of students, schools also may not discriminate against private religious expression by students, teachers or other employees,” according to new guidance issued by the U.S. Department of…