SCOTUS
Common ground on abortion is staring us right in the face
By Charles C. Camosy — June 30, 2021
(RNS) — Supporting mothers is so uncontroversial only politics explains why it hasn’t already been achieved.
Transgender rights, religion among cases justices could add
By Mark Sherman and Jessica Gresko — June 28, 2021
WASHINGTON (AP) — This month, the court has already issued big decisions on health care and religious freedom. And next term, the high court has agreed to take on cases about abortion and guns.
Supreme Court unanimously upholds religious liberty over LGBTQ rights – and nods to a bigger win for conservatives ahead
By Morgan Marietta — June 20, 2021
(The Conversation) — In an unanimous decision, the nine justices said the city of Philadelphia was wrong to exclude a Catholic agency from its adoption programs.
High court ruling cited in Kentucky child services dispute
By Bruce Schreiner — June 18, 2021
(AP) — Republicans in the commonwealth pounced on the Supreme Court ruling in Fulton v. Philadelphia to again press the governor to renew a foster care agency's contract.
Court: If bias rules have exceptions, faith groups qualify
By Peter Smith — June 18, 2021
(AP) — A ruling Thursday that favored Catholic Social Services in Philadelphia was far from the constitutional gale wind that would have reshaped how courts interpret religious liberty.
The Fulton Supreme Court decision could increase discrimination against religious minorities
By Samuel D. Brunson — May 28, 2021
(RNS) — While most of the analysis of this case has centered on the possible impact on LGBTQ Americans, we should also be aware of how a potential ruling could affect religious minorities.
Connecticut’s religious anti-vaxxers file suit
By Mark Silk — May 4, 2021
(RNS) — Three mothers say a law eliminating the faith exemption for school vaccinations violates their free exercise rights.
Sex discrimination suit against Florida church tests ‘ministerial exception’ rulings
By Jack Jenkins — April 19, 2021
(RNS) — A woman’s lawsuit alleging gender discrimination may reconcile unanswered questions about the so-called ministerial exception.
How the Supreme Court found its faith and put ‘religious liberty’ on a winning streak
By Steven K. Green — April 13, 2021
(The Conversation) — Prioritizing religious liberty claims over health and bias concerns, the conservative majority has skewed the concept.
How SCOTUS is selectively ‘restoring’ religious liberty
By Mark Silk — April 12, 2021
(RNS) — A court bent on finding an absence of neutrality can always find something.
High court halts Calif. virus rules limiting home worship
By Jessica Gresko — April 10, 2021
(AP) — In November, the high court barred New York from enforcing certain limits on attendance at churches and synagogues in areas designated as hard-hit by the virus.
High court revives ex-student’s suit on religious literature
By Jessica Gresko — March 8, 2021
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is reviving a lawsuit brought by a Georgia college student who sued school officials after being prevented from distributing Christian literature on campus, but was only seeking $1.
Justices: California can’t enforce indoor church service ban
By Jessica Gresko — February 6, 2021
WASHINGTON (AP) — The justices said the state can cap indoor services at 25% of a building's capacity.
Justices rule Muslim men can sue FBI agents over no-fly list
By Mark Sherman — December 10, 2020
WASHINGTON (AP) — The ruling continues a string of decisions friendly to religious interests under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, or the Constitution’s guarantee of religious liberty.
How a Supreme Court bent on protecting religion could harm it
By Benjamin Spratt and Joshua Stanton — December 1, 2020
(RNS) — Even if the Supreme Court allows church and synagogue doors to remain open, it cannot fill the pews.