First Amendment
The ‘Splainer: RFRA and the Hobby Lobby case
By Kimberly Winston — June 30, 2014
(RNS) What is this RFRA of which the Supremes speak? Stay with us and there’s ice cream, cake, a puppy and even hallucinogenic drugs in it for you.
Supreme Court won’t wade into fight over graduations in churches
By Kimberly Winston — June 16, 2014
(RNS) In 2012, the Chicago-based 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the decision to hold a public high school graduation ceremony at a Wisconsin megachurch was “offensive” and “coercive.”
Supreme Court prayer ruling may spur new alliances
By Kimberly Winston — May 7, 2014
STANFORD, Calif. (RNS) While the Supreme Court decision allowing sectarian prayer at government meetings was a blow to secular organizations, it may also lead to some unlikely alliances.
COMMENTARY: Town prayers: What does the Supreme Court mean by ‘coercion’?
By John Ragosta — May 6, 2014
(RNS) The heart of future litigation will likely be whether the governmental prayer is sufficiently coercive or proselytizing, a point on which, in this case, the court split.
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.
New Jersey lawsuit seeks to ban Pledge of Allegiance
By Kimberly Winston — April 21, 2014
(RNS) The suit against the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance in New Jersey schools continues a new legal strategy.
Does Hobby Lobby have religious rights? The Supreme Court will decide
By Lauren Markoe — March 18, 2014
WASHINGTON (RNS) Hobby Lobby says Obamacare tramples on its religious freedom. But Hobby Lobby is not a person -- it's a corporation. What religious rights, if any, do corporations have? The Supreme Court will try to answer that question.
COMMENTARY: A parched patch of prejudice
By Tom Ehrich — March 4, 2014
(RNS) What's next? Disobeying traffic signs because a gay-friendly city government put them up? Drawing down on a policeman because he happens to be gay? Obeying only those laws that no gay person supports or benefits from?
Supreme Court takes up contraceptive mandate, will rule on religious rights of corporations
By David Gibson — November 26, 2013
(RNS) The Supreme Court announced Tuesday that it will decide whether for-profit businesses can be treated like religious entities.
Federal judge: Clergy tax-free housing allowance is unconstitutional
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — November 24, 2013
(RNS) A federal judge has ruled that clergy's exemption from paying taxes on housing is not constitutional.
Supreme Court to hear case on prayer at government meetings
By Richard Wolf — May 20, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled last year that the Greece (N.Y.) Town Board violated the separation of church and state when it repeatedly used Christian clergy to conduct prayers at the start of its public meetings.
GUEST COMMENTARY: Something to celebrate on Religious Freedom Day
By John Ragosta — January 15, 2013
(RNS) Wednesday is Religious Freedom Day. Why celebrate? Because our government does not tell us how to pray, or to whom or for whom. Because our government does not use our tax dollars to propagate religion. By John Ragosta.
Religious groups denounce anti-Muslim subway ads
By Jeanie Groh — September 25, 2012
(RNS) Religious leaders are rallying against controversial ads placed in 10 New York City subway stations that insinuate that Muslims are savages. By Jeanie Groh.
Judge blocks New Orleans law that prevents preaching in French Quarter
By Bruce Nolan — September 24, 2012
NEW ORLEANS (RNS) A federal judge has temporarily blocked enforcement of a city law that was recently used to arrest Christian evangelists who were preaching on Bourbon Street during Southern Decadence, the annual celebration of gay culture in the French Quarter. By Bruce Nolan.
Texas cheerleaders clamor for G-O-D at football games
By Kimberly Winston — September 20, 2012
(RNS) Cheerleaders at an East Texas high school are fighting their school district's orders to stop using Bible quotes on their signs at football games. By Kimberly Winston.
