Freedom of religion and freedom of speech are deeply interwoven, and a threat to one is a danger to the other, representatives from more than 20 faith and civil rights organizations said. “We come together as librarians, diverse clergy, constitutional…
Revival needed to respond to Christian nationalism, Raushenbush says
The United States is witnessing the spiritual revival needed to face the threat to democracy and religious freedom posed by the Trump administration and Christian nationalism, according to Paul Raushenbush. “I have become convinced that we are indeed experiencing what…
CBF and Alliance join others in promoting safe and fair elections
Religious groups are pulling out all the stops with training and strategy-sharing events to promote and defend the right to vote in the coming midterm elections. “We’re all looking at how can we be authentic to our faith and still…
Trump-appointed judge sees no problem with Religious Liberty Commission
A lawsuit against the Trump administration’s Religious Liberty Commission has been dismissed by a federal court, plaintiffs’ legal representatives announced July 27. A multifaith coalition filed the legal action in February to challenge the legality, secrecy and religiously narrow makeup…
Supreme Court’s support for birthright citizenship draws partisan reactions
The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of birthright citizenship in a June 30 ruling striking down President Donald Trump’s executive order that sought to end the historic right. The 6-3 decision affirms the long-held understanding of the 14th Amendment,…
Religious liberty ‘is not a sword to harm others,’ Laser says
Religious freedom is a radical invention that allows all Americans to believe or not believe as they choose, but on the condition that others are not harmed, said Rachel Laser, president of Americans United for Separation of Church and State….
Complacency is greatest threat to same-sex marriage, report warns
Complacency has become one of the biggest threats to marriage equality since the U.S. Supreme Court recognized the constitutionality of same-sex unions in 2015, according to a report by Interfaith Alliance. The landmark ruling in Obergfell v. Hodges held that…
Texas Ten Commandments law likely headed to US Supreme Court
Texas’ Ten Commandments law may be headed to the U.S. Supreme Court after an appellate court ruled it does not violate church-state separation under the U.S. Constitution. A majority of the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans…
In historic first, Baylor will allow gay Christian advocates on campus
Faced with a mounting backlash against a Turning Point USA rally to be held on campus, Baylor University administrators have granted a coalition of student groups permission to hold a counter-event on campus with two well-known gay Christians as speakers….
Interfaith leaders call for next steps beyond No Kings Day
The rise of U.S. authoritarianism requires Americans to be deliberate in living their faith, Sojourners founder Jim Wallis said during a webinar hosted by Interfaith Alliance. “Faith has to be strategic. It’s deep in our conviction. It’s in who we…
Coalition wants to block Religious Liberty Commission report
President Donald Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission has been assailed from the beginning as a front for advancing evangelical grievances, and now a coalition has sued to stop a forthcoming report from the body. The lawsuit, Interfaith Alliance, et al. v….
As high court hears birthright citizenship case, faith leaders rally
American clergy must stand up and preach against President Donald Trump’s attack on birthright citizenship and call it what it is, civil rights activist Bishop William J. Barber II said during a rally in Washington, D.C. “To end birthright citizenship…