Editor’s note: For context to this opinion piece, see the news analysis piece also published today titled “Dissident Episcopalians awarded $100 million worth of property as U.S. Supreme Court declines to take up Fort Worth case.” We lost our church…
Dissident Episcopalians awarded $100 million worth of property as U.S. Supreme Court declines to take up Fort Worth case
In a case little heralded outside North Texas and outside Episcopal Church insiders, the United States Supreme Court in February opened the door for more litigation nationwide over disputed church property as churches split over social issues such as women…
Another Friday night, another Supreme Court rapid ruling on churches and COVID
For the second time in two months, the United States Supreme Court on Friday, April 9, issued a late-night, end-of-the-week ruling on a California church’s challenge to public health restrictions due to COVID-19. But there’s something different about the latest…
As COVID cases soar, court’s retreat opens doors of churches
The American legal and political approach to pandemic-era religious gatherings seems to be anything but consistent as Christmas bears down on churches. Challenges to previously approved restrictions on worship attendance are being upheld even as U.S. deaths speed toward 320,000…
Supreme Court declines to consider Indiana case on rights of same-sex parents
An effort by Indiana officials to deny parental rights to same-sex couples was turned away by the United States Supreme Court Dec. 14. Without comment, the high court denied certiorari in the case Box v. Henderson, which means the court…
California remains a hot spot for churches fighting coronavirus restrictions
California remains a hot spot not only for record-breaking spread of coronavirus but also for churches engaged in litigation over holding in-person services. On Tuesday, Dec. 8, a Northern California church and its pastor were held in contempt of court…
What does the Supreme Court’s midnight COVID ruling really mean for religious liberty?
Has Amy Coney Barrett’s arrival on the United States Supreme Court changed the court’s perspective on houses of worship and COVID-19 restrictions? Or, were the restrictions imposed by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo simply more draconian than restrictions in California…
Elections have consequences, and now my marriage may be at stake
Raise your hand if the U.S. Supreme Court decided whether or not you could marry. I see you, folks in interracial marriages and you queer folks. Now raise your hand if justices on the current Supreme Court want to invalidate…
If court reverses same-sex marriage it will do so against what majority of Americans want
While members of the LGBTQ community and their allies expressed fear and outrage over the rushed appointment of Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court this week, new polling data shows the American public is on their side —…