First Amendment
Judge dismisses SPU lawsuit aimed at halting probe into university’s hiring practices
By Alejandra Molina — October 27, 2022
(RNS) — The ruling shows that Seattle Pacific University, a private school associated with the Free Methodist Church, ‘is not above the law,’ said Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson.
Supreme Court to revisit LGBTQ rights – this time with a wedding website designer, not a baker
By Charles J. Russo — September 23, 2022
(The Conversation) — 303 Creative v. Elenis gives SCOTUS another chance to set precedent about what happens when First Amendment freedoms come at a cost to civil rights.
Indiana court sides with Catholic diocese in teacher firing
By Tom Davies — September 1, 2022
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — An Indiana teacher who was fired from his job at a Catholic high school after entering a same-sex marriage cannot sue the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, the Indiana Supreme Court ruled Wednesday.
In ruling for the praying football coach, what did the Supreme Court really say?
By Thomas Reese — August 10, 2022
(RNS) — Does the decision protect private, personal prayer, or is it the camel’s nose for more prayer in schools?
Washington state confirms probe into Seattle Pacific University’s LGBTQ hiring practices
By Alejandra Molina — July 29, 2022
(RNS) — The attorney general said numerous students, faculty and others reached out to his office to file complaints or to express 'deep concern' that the university policies illegally violate Washingtonians’ civil rights.
Supreme Court: Religious schools must get Maine tuition aid
By Mark Sherman — June 21, 2022
WASHINGTON (AP) — The outcome could fuel a renewed push for school choice programs in some of the 18 states that have so far not directed taxpayer money to private, religious education.
The Supreme Court debates public prayer. So should we.
By Jacob Lupfer — April 26, 2022
(RNS) — Proper spiritual discernment could have sorted out Kennedy v. Bremerton School District years ago.
Tennessee woman baptized by sheriff’s deputy after traffic stop found dead
By Bob Smietana — April 14, 2022
(RNS) — A federal judge ruled that a coerced baptism violated the First Amendment.
Can a Christian flag fly at City Hall? The Supreme Court will have to decide
By Mark Satta — February 7, 2022
(The Conversation) — Shurtleff v. Boston, a case argued before the Supreme Court on Jan. 18, raises important questions about free speech and religion in public spaces.
Ordinance limiting Oregon church meal services violates religious freedom, lawsuit says
By Alejandra Molina — February 1, 2022
(RNS) — The lawsuit claims an ordinance limiting the church to offering free meals just twice a week interferes with the church’s fundamental beliefs of ‘feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, and sheltering the houseless.’
Federal ruling paves way for Mississippi mosque construction project
By Joseph Hammond — January 12, 2022
(RNS) — In at least one instance, a municipal official who opposed the mosque admitted the plan was initially blocked ‘because they’re Muslims.’
Texas judge rules religious businesses exempt from LGBTQ bias claims
By Kathryn Post — November 3, 2021
(RNS) — The ruling allows religious businesses to fire or refuse to hire LGBTQ people without fear of liability.
Will yoga classes in public school lead kids to convert?
By Yonat Shimron — June 11, 2021
(RNS) — Indiana University Professor of Religious Studies Candy Gunther Brown says parents should worry less about where yoga comes from and more about how it's being taught.
Connecticut’s religious anti-vaxxers file suit
By Mark Silk — May 4, 2021
(RNS) — Three mothers say a law eliminating the faith exemption for school vaccinations violates their free exercise rights.
Martin Gugino sues city of Buffalo, mayor and police after fracturing skull
By Yonat Shimron — February 23, 2021
(RNS) — A grand jury declined to indict the Buffalo police officers, but the Catholic social justice activist filed a civil suit alleging his constitutional right to peaceably protest was violated.