First Amendment
Asma Uddin: If we deprive Islam of its status as a religion, all religion is threatened
By Simran Jeet Singh — April 30, 2019
(RNS) — The argument against Islam, says legal scholar Asma Uddin in a Q&A, has nothing to do with a philosophical interrogation of 'religion,' and everything to do with depriving Muslims of their rights.
The Satanic Temple is a real religion, says IRS
By Menachem Wecker — April 25, 2019
(RNS) — The Satanic Temple says it was recently recognized as a church by the IRS. The group, which is nontheistic and argues religion can be 'divorced' from superstition, has said it should have the same rights and protections as other religious groups.
Unification Church succession case threatens protections for minority religions
By Peter Petkoff — March 21, 2019
(RNS) — If an obscure D.C. court decision about the movement known as 'the Moonies' goes unchallenged, it could weaken religious freedom protections for all Americans.
Christians and Jews agree: The Bladensburg Cross is no secular symbol
By Holly Hollman — February 26, 2019
(RNS) — Claiming that a cross is a generic memorial to all the war dead ignores real differences in our religions' teachings about eternal life and violates the fundamental aspect of religious liberty.
Muslim civil rights group sues Maryland over Israel boycott ban
By Aysha Khan — January 9, 2019
(RNS) — The Council on American-Islamic Relations filed a lawsuit challenging Maryland’s controversial executive order banning state agencies from contracts with businesses that boycott Israel.
Military Bible display at center of religious liberty tussle
By Katelyn Beaty — July 30, 2018
(RNS) — After pressure from the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, the Bible was removed from the base's 'Missing Man' table and will be replaced by a multifaith book.
Why Mark Zuckerberg is wrong about the Holocaust
By Jeffrey Salkin — July 23, 2018
(RNS) — The Facebook co-founder's refusal to kick Holocaust deniers off his platform masks a larger, ugly trend in American society.
Religious liberty: A US birthright for conservatives and progressives alike
By Jacob Lupfer — June 29, 2018
(RNS) — Religious conservatives need to realize that they are not the only ones who believe religious freedom is a sacred right. And progressives, whether religious or not, should not dismiss the entire concept.
Trump’s Muslim ban is an affront to American values
By Rachel K. Laser — April 25, 2018
(RNS) — The Muslim ban’s true intent is to narrow the space for religious diversity in our country and please those who seek to re-establish Christian hegemony in American religious life.
Controversy erupts over Bible in Okinawa naval hospital display
By Mark A. Kellner — April 9, 2018
(RNS) — The investigation follows a formal complaint filed after a Bible was placed on a display table arranged to honor POW/MIAs.
Liberty U’s Falwell ‘censors’ student newspaper coverage of event organized by critics
By Jack Jenkins — April 7, 2018
LYNCHBURG, Va. (RNS) — The two-day event off campus drew speakers Shane Claiborne, the Rev. William Barber and others critical of university President Jerry Falwell Jr.'s support of President Trump.
Kentucky considers law on student prayer
By RNS staff — March 19, 2018
(RNS) — 'A Day of Prayer for Kentucky's Students' would be voluntary, state lawmakers say.
After a rescinded invitation, Ken Ham talks about God at an Oklahoma university
By Bobby Ross Jr. — March 6, 2018
(RNS) — Its president cited the historic commitment of the public university to the critical and civil examination of ideas, no matter how controversial.
Asma Uddin: A new politicization in religious liberty
By Aysha Khan — December 20, 2017
(RNS) — RNS asked Asma Uddin, a lawyer and scholar specializing in religious liberty, to consider what 2018 will mean for religion.
The Bill of Rights, Thomas Jefferson, and the danger of ‘God-given rights’
By Andrew L. Seidel — December 15, 2017
(RNS) — 'Premising our rights on some supernatural benevolence is dangerous,' writes Andrew L. Seidel on the Bill of Rights Day (Dec. 15.)
