Law & Court
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.’
Court rehears case to protect Oak Flat, an Apache sacred site in Arizona
By Emily McFarlan Miller — March 21, 2023
(RNS) — ‘A win for Apache Stronghold will be a win for people of all faiths,’ said Luke Goodrich.
Mark Rivera, a former Anglican lay pastor, sentenced to 15 years in prison
By Kathryn Post — March 6, 2023
(RNS) — 'She continues to be impacted every single day by this man’s abuse,' said the mother of the child abuse survivor who first reported Rivera.
How far must employers go to accommodate workers’ time off for worship? The Supreme Court will weigh in
By Charles J. Russo — March 2, 2023
(The Conversation) — Employers navigating employees’ requests for religious accommodations face some confusing guidance. A new Supreme Court case could clarify – and shift the norm.
Poll: Support for abortion rights is strong, even among most religious groups
By Yonat Shimron — February 23, 2023
(RNS) — The outliers are white evangelicals, Jehovah's Witnesses, Latter-day Saints and Hispanic Protestants.
Five Jehovah’s Witnesses charged with sexually abusing children in Pennsylvania
By Kathryn Post — February 7, 2023
(RNS) — The Pennsylvania attorney general's office describes the defendants as having used their religion to access the reported abuse survivors.
