Supreme Court
Administration, nuns battle over contraception mandate at Supreme Court
By David Gibson — January 3, 2014
(RNS) The Obama administration and faith-based foes of a rule that employer health insurance policies provide free birth control coverage continued back and forth legal filings on Friday (Jan 3.), though with an odd twist: The Justice department says an order of nuns is exempt from the mandate, while the nuns’ lawyers say they are not.
Religion writers agree: Pope Francis is No. 1 newsmaker
By Adelle M. Banks — December 16, 2013
(RNS) He’s Time magazine’s Person of the Year, the most talked about topic on Facebook and the most popular baby namesake in Italy. No surprise, Pope Francis is also the top Religion Story of the Year and the Religion Newsmaker of the Year, according to a poll of Religion Newswriters members.
Gay couples seek court case that might reach the Supreme Court
By Richard Wolf — December 13, 2013
(RNS) Despite two landmark Supreme Court decisions in June that vastly expanded same-sex marriage rights in states from Maine to California, gay and lesbian couples in 35 states remain outside the bonds of holy matrimony. For them, the battle is ongoing.
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.
Steady stream of abortion cases headed toward high court
By Richard Wolf — November 14, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) Justices won't reconsider decisions striking down Oklahoma laws on mandatory ultrasound and abortion-inducing drugs, but more states are seeking to defend their laws.
Supreme Court wrestles with how ‘religious’ prayer should be at public meetings
By Lauren Markoe — November 6, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) "Give me an example of a prayer that would be acceptable to Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists,” Justice Samuel Alito asked the lawyer representing two women who did not like Christian prayers at town meetings. “Hindus. Give me an example of a prayer. Wiccans, Baha'i.”
Supreme Court to consider religious prayer at government meetings
By Lauren Markoe — October 31, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) Starting in 1999, two-thirds of prayers offered at the opening of the Greece Town Council in upstate New York invoked "Jesus" or "the Holy Spirit," and pastors also asked those present to pray with them and recite the Lord’s Prayer.
Supreme Court poised to turn right in 2013 term
By Richard Wolf — October 3, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) Conservative interest groups, perhaps seeing their best chance in years to advance their causes, have argued aggressively in their briefs to the court not only for favorable rulings but for overturning some of the court's time-honored precedents.
Catholic chaplains given marching orders barring service to gay couples
By David Gibson — September 24, 2013
(RNS) Catholic military chaplains cannot be forced to witness or bless a same-sex marriage, nor are they allowed to take part in any marriage counseling retreats that are open to gay couples under new rules issued by the Archdiocese for the Military Services. Participation in funerals of gay service members is also off-limits. But Catholic commanders may be able to facilitate same-sex benefits if they publicly register their objections.
The real fights over gay marriage are just starting
By Susan Page — June 27, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) The demise of the Defense of Marriage Act leaves an expanse of battlegrounds and a patchwork of laws. While every state in New England now recognizes same-sex marriages, for instance, not a single state in the South does.
Video: From DC to KC, reaction to Supreme Court gay marriage rulings
By Sally Morrow — June 27, 2013
We asked faith leaders and members: What does the Supreme Court decision today mean for you in the context of your faith?
Photo Slideshow: From DC to KC, reaction to Supreme Court gay marriage rulings
By Sally Morrow — June 26, 2013
Religion News Service documents reactions to the Supreme Court decision both in Washington, D.C. and Kansas City, Mo.
After high court rulings, what will religious conservatives do?
By David Gibson — June 26, 2013
(RNS) Beyond issuing denunciations, religious conservatives have a number of possible options for responding to the decisions, including renewing calls to protect religious freedom. But can they agree which path is best?
ANALYSIS: A cultural wave on gay marriage reaches the Supreme Court
By Kevin Eckstrom — June 26, 2013
WASHINGTON Justice Anthony Kennedy's 26-page opinion Wednesday (June 26) striking down a federal ban on same-sex marriages offers a window into Americans' rapidly shifting views of same-sex relationships -- a shift that increasingly relies on matters of law and fairness, not moral or religious views.
Supreme Court marriage rulings: Anything but simple
By Richard Wolf — June 19, 2013
(RNS) The Supreme Court rulings are not as simple as whether gays and lesbians can marry or not, and whether they become eligible for federal benefits.
