SCOTUS
After religious liberty speech, Alito seems poised to kill off Scalia decision
By Mark Silk — November 16, 2020
(RNS) — After three decades, the late justice's notorious free exercise decision is on the chopping block.
My child with Down syndrome is not a political statement — and neither is Amy Coney Barrett’s
By Amy Julia Becker — October 26, 2020
(RNS) — We stay mired in our polarized political corners if we view women’s choices primarily as political statements when they in fact reflect ethical decisions made in the context of social forces.
Six things you need to know about Pope Francis and gay civil unions
By Thomas Reese — October 23, 2020
(RNS) — Pope Francis' comments about civil unions for same-sex partners in a new documentary have caused a stir. How to understand his positions.
Religious identity and Supreme Court justices — a brief history
By Nomi Stolzenberg — October 19, 2020
(THE CONVERSATION) — Religion has always played a strong role in shaping the composition of the United States Supreme Court. The specific nature of that influence, however, has changed over time.
Barrett hearings will play into Trump’s hopes to claim Catholic high ground
By John Gehring — October 9, 2020
(RNS) — Democrats will walk right into a trap set for them by conservatives if they make her faith the centerpiece of these hearings.
2 justices slam court’s 2015 decision in gay marriage case
By Mark Sherman and Jessica Gresko — October 6, 2020
WASHINGTON (AP) — Justice Clarence Thomas suggested the court needs to revisit the issue because it has ‘created a problem that only it can fix.’ Until then, he said, the case will continue to have ‘ruinous consequences for religious liberty.’
Did RBG beat Trump in cosmic court?
By Tara Isabella Burton — October 4, 2020
(RNS) — As social justice takes on the character of a religion proper, it requires demigods like Ginsburg. It’s a valorization that threatens to rob her, and us, of her humanity.
Amy Coney Barrett’s religion is important but irrelevant
By Thomas Reese — September 26, 2020
(RNS) — People of different faiths, as well as people of no faith, joined together to support or oppose specific policy goals without having to share the same motivations. What mattered was agreement on policy goals, not motivation.
Trump nominates conservative Catholic Amy Coney Barrett for Ginsburg’s seat
By Jack Jenkins — September 25, 2020
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Barrett's position on religious liberty may affect most Americans in any future rulings on the scope of the Affordable Care Act.
With ‘profound sorrow’: Ginsburg lies in state at US Capitol
By Lisa Mascaro — September 25, 2020
WASHINGTON (AP) — The late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is lying in state Friday at the U.S. Capitol, the first woman in American history to do so, in commemoration of her extraordinary life.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg, an incrementalist, not a revolutionary, once questioned Roe v. Wade
By Thomas Reese — September 23, 2020
(RNS) — As we honor Ruth Bader Ginsburg, we may take to heart her advice on maintaining stability and faith in our institutions.
With Ginsburg’s seat open, abortion moves to the center of the 2020 election
By Mark Silk — September 19, 2020
(RNS) — For both candidates, it's an issue that they'd prefer not to deal with.
Trump announces new Supreme Court justice options in apparent appeal to religious base
By Jack Jenkins — September 9, 2020
(RNS) — The president said the potential Supreme Court nominees would protect religious liberty, oppose abortion and keep ‘under God’ in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Religious exceptionalism gains ground at the Supreme Court
By Mark Silk — July 9, 2020
(RNS) — But significant questions remain.
Court: Some employers can refuse to offer free birth control
By Jessica Gresko — July 8, 2020
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court's ruling could leave more than 70,000 women without free contraception.
