religious liberty
Seeing threat to religious freedom, Jeff Sessions announces special task force
By Yonat Shimron — July 30, 2018
(RNS) — Sessions said the task force was needed because a dangerous movement was 'eroding our great tradition of religious freedom.'
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.
Faith leaders on Kavanaugh: Defender or destroyer of religious liberty?
By Adelle M. Banks — July 10, 2018
WASHINGTON (RNS) — As debates over faith and culture continue, secularists worry Kavanaugh could be a 'disaster' for the principle of church-state separation, while some conservatives think he will be a staunch defender of religious liberties.
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.
Catholic leaders use Religious Freedom Week to highlight social services
By Mark A. Kellner — June 21, 2018
(RNS) — Seeking to transcend ongoing debates over religious liberty and same-sex marriage, Catholic leaders refocus their Religious Freedom Week on serving others.
5 reasons the Masterpiece Cakeshop decision is a victory for all Americans
By Skye Jethani — June 8, 2018
The following is a guest post by Skye Jethani The case of the Colorado baker who refused to create a cake for a same-sex wedding has been a topic of heated debate since 2015. My writings about the case have received criticism from both conservative Christians and marriage equality advocates because I sided with the […]
Justices hand down narrow ruling for Christian baker in wedding cake case
By Jack Jenkins — June 4, 2018
WASHINGTON (RNS) — The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of a Christian baker in Colorado who refused to design a cake for a couple's same-sex wedding, a controversial case that was widely seen as a standoff between claims of religious liberty and LGBTQ rights.
Tony Perkins appointed to US panel on international religious freedom
By Jack Jenkins — May 15, 2018
(RNS) — Tony Perkins, leader of the Christian lobbying group Family Research Council, has been appointed to a U.S. government commission dedicated to 'defending the universal right to freedom of religion or belief abroad.'
Satanic Temple plans to sue Arkansas over Ten Commandments monument
By Yonat Shimron — April 26, 2018
(RNS) — The Satanic Temple, which claims it has 100,000 members around the world, has become a vocal defender of religious freedom.
When adoption agencies can turn away gay prospective parents, what happens to the kids?
By Bobby Ross Jr. — March 23, 2018
OKLAHOMA CITY (RNS) — Those who study the issue say it's hard to tell exactly how such rules governing adoption affect the numbers of children placed in 'forever' homes.
Religious leaders hail, hammer President Trump’s first State of the Union speech
By Adelle M. Banks — January 31, 2018
WASHINGTON (RNS) — In his almost 80-minute speech, the president declared that 'Americans are dreamers too' and reminded, 'The motto is, "In God we trust.'''
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.
Effort to allow partisan politics in church reaches dead end
By Rachel Zoll — December 16, 2017
NEW YORK (AP) — A provision that would have freed churches to make political endorsements has been dropped from the Republican tax overhaul, dashing the hopes of a segment of religious conservatives on what has been a key issue to the Trump administration.
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.)
Church-politics provision removed from tax bill
By Jerome Socolovsky — December 15, 2017
WASHINGTON (AP) — A Democratic senator taking part in talks on the GOP tax package says a provision allowing churches to endorse political candidates and still keep their tax-free status won't be in the final bill.