Law & Court
Mental illness played no role in Pittsburgh synagogue massacre, prosecution expert testifies
By Associated Press — July 6, 2023
PITTSBURGH (AP) — He said Bowers' toxic views about Jewish people were reinforced by antisemitic material he viewed online and were not the result of a delusion or psychosis.
SCOTUS corrects an old mistake on religious rights
By Mark Silk — July 5, 2023
(RNS) — Liberal justices of the past would applaud a 9-0 decision in favor of religious pluralism.
The Supreme Court rules for a designer who doesn’t want to make wedding websites for gay couples
By Jessica Gresko — June 30, 2023
WASHINGTON (AP) — In a defeat for gay rights, the Supreme Court's conservative majority ruled on Friday that a Christian graphic artist who wants to design wedding websites can refuse to work with same-sex couples.
Supreme Court ruling in favor of mail carrier celebrated across religious spectrum
By Yonat Shimron — June 29, 2023
(RNS) — Many U.S. religious minorities said the ruling was a much-needed corrective to the challenges they face in balancing their work with their sincerely held religious practices.
Gunman used social media to attack Jews before deadly Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, jurors learn
By Associated Press — June 14, 2023
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Bowers’ Gab profile said “Jews are the children of Satan,” and he posted, liked or shared a stream of virulently antisemitic content.
Amid horrific testimonies, Pittsburgh Jews hold each other up
By Yonat Shimron and Kathryn Post — June 2, 2023
PITTSBURGH, (RNS) — The long-awaited trial of Robert Bowers has reopened old wounds and resurfaced painful memories.
Chaplains in the Texas public schools. Really.
By Mark Silk — May 30, 2023
(RNS) — According to a law passed by the state's Legislature last week.
In fight against ‘tyranny,’ Michigan board declares itself ‘constitutional county’
By Yonat Shimron — May 24, 2023
(RNS) — In drafting the resolution to become a ‘constitutional county,’ commissioners relied on the writings of a Wisconsin pastor who promotes the idea of resistance to civil authorities.
Faith-based refugee resettlement agencies denounce new asylum rule
By Yonat Shimron and Alejandra Molina — May 11, 2023
(RNS) — The new rule, which goes into effect May 16, rejects asylum claims for most people who cross the border but do not first seek asylum in Mexico.
No, the framers were not more about protecting religion from the state than vice versa
By Mark Silk — May 5, 2023
(RNS) — Connecticut is a case in point.
Religious zealots go postal (again)
By Mark Silk — April 20, 2023
(RNS) — The current Supreme Court religion case harks back to a 19th-century fight over Sunday mail.
Conservative Christians aren’t the only ones asking for accommodation in mailman case
By Yonat Shimron — April 18, 2023
(RNS) — Religious minorities — Jews, Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Seventh-day Adventists — have filed briefs asking the Supreme Court to overturn a ruling that gutted a civil rights statute’s protections for religious accommodation.
Abortion pill rulings undermine religious freedom, interfaith leaders say
By Yonat Shimron — April 14, 2023
(RNS) — Multiple faith groups object to Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk’s ruling on mifepristone, saying it is motivated by a sectarian version of Christianity that tramples over their beliefs.
Mark Rivera pleads guilty to felony sexual assault, sentenced to 6 more years
By Kathryn Post — April 12, 2023
(RNS) — The former Anglican lay pastor has already been sentenced to 15 years for separate child sexual abuse crimes.
Can a teacher put John 3:16 in email signature? District says no; her lawyers say yes
By Adelle M. Banks — April 10, 2023
(RNS) — An official of a Virginia school district said its ‘determination is not based on any particular religious viewpoint.’
