Richard Wolf
Richard Wolf is an author at Religion News Service.
All Stories by Richard Wolf
Appeals court ruling clears way for gay marriage in the heart of Bible Belt
By Richard Wolf — July 29, 2014
(RNS) A federal appeals court panel in Virginia became the second one this summer to strike down a state ban against same-sex marriage Monday (July 28), making it more likely that the Supreme Court will settle the issue as early as next year.
Obama to employers: Notify workers if you’re dropping contraceptive coverage
By Richard Wolf — July 18, 2014
WASHINGTON -- The timing of the notice came after the Senate failed Wednesday to pass Democratic legislation that would have reversed the Supreme Court's Hobby Lobby decision on the contraception mandate.
Wheaton College gets a pass from Supreme Court on contraception mandate
By Richard Wolf — July 7, 2014
WASHINGTON (RNS) "Those who are bound by our decisions usually believe they can take us at our word. Not so today," Justice Sonia Sotomayor said after the Supreme Court granted an exemption from the contraception mandate to Wheaton College.
For same-sex marriage pioneer Edie Windsor, a very busy year
By Richard Wolf — June 26, 2014
(RNS) Apart from propelling the judicial winning streak, the landmark case has extended Edie Windsor's 15 minutes of fame to a year and counting.
In heart of Texas, support grows for same-sex marriage
By Richard Wolf — June 5, 2014
GUN BARREL CITY, Texas (RNS) Two men at the center of a legal fight over the state's ban have become minor celebrities in this lakeside community, where they have a weekend home. But they still face plenty of opposition, including from family members.
Gay marriage victories propel cases toward Supreme Court at record speed
By Richard Wolf — May 30, 2014
WASHINGTON (RNS) The race to legalize same-sex marriage in the nation’s state and federal courts has become a self-fulfilling prophecy, fueled by an unbroken string of pro-marriage rulings since the Supreme Court first weighed in on the subject last June. As each decision strikes down state bans, it becomes more difficult for judges to ignore […]
Supreme Court upholds prayer at government meetings
By Richard Wolf — May 5, 2014
WASHINGTON (RNS) The 5-4 decision in favor of the any-prayer-goes policy in the town of Greece, N.Y., avoided two alternatives that the justices clearly found abhorrent: having government leaders parse prayers, or outlawing them altogether.
Justices may decide if photographers can snub gay weddings
By Richard Wolf — March 21, 2014
(RNS) The owners of Elane Photography in New Mexico want the U.S. Supreme Court to focus solely on free speech -- in this case, the freedom not to photograph same-sex ceremonies.
Religious liberty vs. civil rights: A balancing act
By Richard Wolf — February 28, 2014
(RNS) While religious liberty remains a "core value" in Arizona, Gov. Jan Brewer said Wednesday, "so is non-discrimination." And therein lies the balancing act that's at the root of several other disputes.
Virginia judge strikes down gay marriage ban
By Richard Wolf — February 14, 2014
(RNS) A ruling by U.S. District Judge Arenda Wright Allen sets the stage for a possible Supreme Court showdown, though cases from Utah and Oklahoma also are headed that way.
Gay couples seek court case that might reach the Supreme Court
By Richard Wolf — December 13, 2013
(RNS) Despite two landmark Supreme Court decisions in June that vastly expanded same-sex marriage rights in states from Maine to California, gay and lesbian couples in 35 states remain outside the bonds of holy matrimony. For them, the battle is ongoing.
Steady stream of abortion cases headed toward high court
By Richard Wolf — November 14, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) Justices won't reconsider decisions striking down Oklahoma laws on mandatory ultrasound and abortion-inducing drugs, but more states are seeking to defend their laws.
Supreme Court poised to turn right in 2013 term
By Richard Wolf — October 3, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) Conservative interest groups, perhaps seeing their best chance in years to advance their causes, have argued aggressively in their briefs to the court not only for favorable rulings but for overturning some of the court's time-honored precedents.
Gay marriage fight shifts to the states
By Richard Wolf — July 11, 2013
(RNS) In the wake of a decision striking down the Defense of Marriage Act, a flurry of lawsuits aim to reverse state laws and repeal constitutional amendments barring gays and lesbians from marrying.
Supreme Court marriage rulings: Anything but simple
By Richard Wolf — June 19, 2013
(RNS) The Supreme Court rulings are not as simple as whether gays and lesbians can marry or not, and whether they become eligible for federal benefits.
