U.S. Supreme Court
California legislator wants religious services deemed essential during state of emergency
By Alejandra Molina — February 15, 2021
(RNS) — Sen. Brian Jones, a Republican in San Diego County, introduced a piece of legislation on Friday (Feb. 12) that would allow a religious organization to file a claim for relief if it has been subjected to 'government overreach.'
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.
With his inauguration, Biden makes his return to ‘Catholic Washington’
By Jack Jenkins — January 20, 2021
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Between the institutions representing conservative and liberal Catholic Washington is a thriving local community of ordinary Catholics living out their faith.
The Supreme Court ups the ante on religious liberty
By Mark Silk — December 3, 2020
(RNS) — With a new conservative majority on the court, the free exercise clause is due for an upgrade.
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.
High court blocks NY coronavirus limits on houses of worship
By Jessica Gresko — November 26, 2020
(RNS) — In an unsigned opinion the court said the restrictions "single out houses of worship for especially harsh treatment."
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.
Amy Coney Barrett and the American wars of religion
By Eboo Patel — September 30, 2020
(Interfaith America) — Support for the diverse faith and philosophical convictions that shape American public life should be a matter of bipartisan pride.
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.
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.
Religious exceptionalism gains ground at the Supreme Court
By Mark Silk — July 9, 2020
(RNS) — But significant questions remain.
Supreme Court lifts ban on state aid to religious schooling
By Mark Sherman — June 30, 2020
WASHINGTON (AP) — In a 5-4 ruling, the Supreme Court made it easier for religious schools to obtain public funds, upholding a Montana scholarship program that allows state tax credits for private schooling.
Abortion foes vent disappointment after Supreme Court ruling
By Elana Schor — June 29, 2020
(RNS) — The ruling delivered a defeat to anti-abortion activists but could intensify interest in the November election among religious conservatives who are a key part of Trump's base.
Measuring the religious significance of the Supreme Court’s LGBT decision
By Mark Silk — June 15, 2020
(RNS) — Dashing the hopes of social conservatives, two justices President Trump nominated to the Court took a relaxed view of the religious implications of expanding LGBTQ rights.
