Religion & Ethics NewsWeeklyis a production of THIRTEEN Productions LLC for WNET. Visit www.pbs.org/religionandethics for additional information. Show #1744 will be fed over PBS at 5:00 p.m. EST on July 4 (check local listings). 

Religious Reaction to Hobby Lobby Decision – Religious groups are deeply divided over the Supreme Court’s controversial ruling Monday in the so-called Hobby Lobby case. In a 5-4 decision, the justices said despite a requirement in the Affordable Care Act, some for-profit corporations cannot be forced to provide contraception coverage which their owners say violates their religious beliefs. Managing Editor Kim Lawton reports on the various reactions within the faith community. Also, host Bob Abernethy talks with Lawton and Religion News Service editor-in-chief Kevin Eckstrom about wider implications of the decision.

Donor’s Gift of Life – Two years ago on July 4th,  facing a virtual death sentence from cancer,  former veteran CBS news correspondent Phil Jones underwent a stem cell transplant with cells provided by an anonymous donor. As Bob Faw reports, the procedure was effective and a year after the transplant Jones for the first time met the donor, Eric Priest, a navy lieutenant and ordained Baptist pastor who said donating the stem cells was just part of his ministry.

Belief & Practice–Martyrdom of the Bab – On July 9th, Baha’is observe the Martyrdom of the Bab, which marks the 1850 execution in Persia of one of the founders of their faith.  It is one of nine holy days during which Baha’is suspend work and school.  We visited a commemoration program at the Northern Virginia Baha’i Center, guided by Baha’i Educator Hillary Chapman.