Church-state separation: Alabama Chief Justice’s Christian reasoning in IVF opinion sparks alarm for some, rejoicing for others
PETER SMITH and TIFFANY STANLEY, of Associated Press, look at responses to the recent Alabama Supreme Court ruling that frozen embryos are considered children…
On Super Bowl broadcast, ‘He Gets Us’ ads featuring Jesus stand out for change-of-pace message
United States AP For the second year in a row, a religious Super Bowl ad campaign promised viewers that Jesus “gets us.” Two commercials shown Sunday night centred Jesus’ message to love your neighbours – even across ideological divides. In one, people of different races, classes and gender expressions have their feet washed, including a woman outside […]
Colorado baker fighting ruling over gender transition cake
Denver, Colorado AP The Colorado baker who won a partial Supreme Court victory after refusing on religious grounds to make a gay couple’s wedding cake a decade ago is challenging a separate ruling he violated the state’s anti-discrimination law by refusing to make a cake celebrating a gender transition. A lawyer for Jack Phillips on Wednesday […]
USDA exempts religious schools from non-discrimination rules to keep kids fed
Washington DC, US RNS The US Department of Agriculture has clarified its guidance for participants in a free school lunch program, stating that faith-based schools can seek religious exemptions to federal restrictions that include barring discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. The clarification, delivered via a USDA memo dated 12th August, […]
Designer who won’t make same-sex wedding websites loses case in US court
Denver, Colorado, USAP A US appeals court has ruled against a web designer who didn’t want to create wedding websites for same-sex couples and sued to challenge Colorado’s anti-discrimination law, another twist in a series of court rulings nationwide about whether businesses denying services to LGBTQ people amounts to bias or freedom of speech. A […]
US Supreme Court denies Nevada church’s appeal of virus rule
Reno, Nevada, USAP A sharply divided US Supreme Court denied a rural Nevada church’s request late Friday to strike down as unconstitutional a 50 person cap on worship services as part of the state’s ongoing response to the coronavirus. In a five to four decision, the high court refused to grant the request from the […]
In the US, religious right laments Supreme Court ruling but sees opportunities
Washington DC, USAP The Supreme Court’s decision shielding LGBT people from employment discrimination dealt a blow to religious conservatives – and was penned by a justice they lauded after his nomination by President Donald Trump. The court ruled six to three on Monday that prohibitions against sex-based job discrimination established in the Civil Rights Act […]
Essay: Religious liberty means COVID-19 restrictions cannot target churchgoers
In an article first published on Religion News Service, TONY PERKINS, president of the Family Research Council, argues that the government should not target religious gatherings or activities for restriction during the coronavirus response…
US religious freedom attorneys pick their battles amid pandemic
New York, USAP As states grapple with when and how to reopen establishments amid the pandemic, religious freedom remains a legal flashpoint – particularly for the conservative non-profits that have taken a leading role in representing churches which have challenged stay-home orders. At least a dozen state or federal suits filed since the virus outbreak […]
Court orders extra payment to Christian widows of 14 who died in India riots
World Watch Monitor Following a long-fought campaign, the High Court of Odisha state in eastern India has ensured the disbursal of extra compensation awarded two years ago to dependants of 14 Christians killed in the widespread anti-Christian violence that engulfed Kandhamal district in 2008. In addition, the court has forced the Odisha Government to make […]