First Amendment
Final exam: When should we limit religious freedom?
By Mark Silk — December 12, 2017
Take the test and I'll grade it.
On the cake case, David Brooks gets it wrong
By Gene Robinson — December 7, 2017
(RNS) The most egregious assertion Brooks made is that 'it’s just a cake. It’s not like they were being denied a home or a job, or a wedding.'
Saving the First Amendment from extinction
By Joyce S. Dubensky — December 6, 2017
(RNS) — A win by baker Jack Phillips would begin the unraveling of our anti-discrimination laws, leaving people of all faiths — including Christians — at risk.
A Muslim perspective on the Masterpiece Cakeshop case
By Ilhan Cagri — December 6, 2017
(RNS) — Islam does not permit one to discriminate in providing services to individuals because they believe or behave in a way counter to one's understanding of Islamic teachings.
Christian bakers? Atheist bakers? Cake meets faith at the Supreme Court
By Lauren Markoe — December 5, 2017
WASHINGTON (RNS) — As usual, Justice Anthony Kennedy appeared to be the up-for-grabs justice, offering each side reason for hope.
Supreme Court cake case laced with clashing ideas of religious liberty
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — December 4, 2017
'We can’t take for granted what ‘religious freedom’ is and what it protects,' says Tisa Wenger, an associate professor of American religious history at Yale.
Opponents in LGBT case agree: It’s not about wedding cake
By David Crary — December 3, 2017
(AP) — In a legal case with profound implications for LGBT rights and religion's place in public life, the opposing sides agree on this: It's not about the cake.
‘Peace Cross’ is unconstitutional, court rules
By Kimberly Winston — October 19, 2017
(RNS) — When is a cross on government land a violation of the establishment clause?
Supreme Court asked to review North Carolina county prayer ruling
By Jerome Socolovsky — October 13, 2017
WASHINGTON (AP) — A lower court ruled that county commissioners' practice of leading the prayers themselves and inviting the audience to join, always in the Christian faith, violated the First Amendment by establishing Christianity as a preferred religion.
The ‘Splainer: A wedding cake for the Supreme Court
By Kimberly Winston — October 3, 2017
(RNS) — The court will hear the 'cake case,' which may not be a yummy delight for all.
Some Americans don’t believe Muslims, atheists have First Amendment rights
By Kimberly Winston — September 15, 2017
(RNS) — On the eve of Constitution Day, a survey shows many Americans know very little about the document and who it protects.
Ten Commandments monument installed on Arkansas Capitol grounds
By N'dea Yancey-Bragg — June 27, 2017
(USA Today) The American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas and other opponents have vowed to sue over the controversial display.
America’s real first freedom? Secular government
By Michael De Dora — April 24, 2017
(RNS) The “first freedom” is not the free exercise of religion — it is freedom from established religion.
To avoid government meddling, the state should not fund churches
By Holly Hollman — April 20, 2017
(RNS) To avoid unconstitutionally funding religion or unnecessarily meddling in church affairs, Missouri has in the past wisely chosen to prohibit state funding of churches altogether.
