First Amendment
Finding objective ways to talk about religion in the classroom is tough − but the cost of not doing so is clear
By Charles J. Russo — December 20, 2023
(The Conversation) — Many countries wrestle with whether to include any kind of education about religion in public school lessons, and each one takes its own approach.
ACLU files suit against DC transit agency over refusal to display religious group’s ads
By Fiona André — December 13, 2023
(RNS) — The ACLU said the agency’s advertisement policy discriminated against certain opinions and violated the First Amendment.
Public schools and faith-based chaplains: Texas’ new combination is testing the First Amendment
By Charles J. Russo — October 26, 2023
(The Conversation) — Recent Supreme Court decisions have signaled a shift in how the country’s highest court interprets the limits on religion in schools.
An Arizona school board member was told to stop quoting the Bible. Now she’s suing.
By Kathryn Post — October 2, 2023
(RNS) — Heather Rooks, a Christian who attends a large nondenominational church, says her First Amendment rights to free speech and free exercise of religion have been violated.
Religious liberty is becoming a go-to right for everyone
By Mark Silk — September 27, 2023
(RNS) — A legal strategy pioneered by the right has been adopted by the left.
Drag queen, Christian artist Flamy Grant joins lawsuit over Tennessee’s anti-drag act
By Kathryn Post — August 31, 2023
(RNS) — She joins LGBTQ nonprofit Blount Pride in suing a Tennessee district attorney who threatened to prosecute them over a pride event where Grant is scheduled to headline.
How after-school clubs became a new battleground in the Satanic Temple’s push to preserve separation of church and state
By Charles J. Russo — August 8, 2023
(The Conversation) — The controversial – and often misunderstood – extracurricular groups tend to raise controversy. But under equal access laws, schools can’t discriminate against a club based on its point of view.
Why America’s secularization is good for American democracy
By Phil Zuckerman — August 2, 2023
(RNS) — Belief has benefits for society. But American religion’s decline may nonetheless save the country.
A business can decline service based on its beliefs, Supreme Court rules – but what will this look like in practice?
By Charles J. Russo — July 12, 2023
(The Conversation) — A designer opposed to same-sex marriage argued that a Colorado anti-discrimination law would effectively force her to speak against her beliefs.
New Hampshire bans boycotts of Israel in state procurement and investments
By Associated Press — July 7, 2023
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — The executive order signed by Gov. Chris Sununu makes New Hampshire the 37th state to enact such regulations, according to the Israeli-American Coalition for Action
How the Supreme Court’s conservative majority is making new rules for minorities
By Thomas Reese — July 3, 2023
(RNS) — If the Constitution is what five Supreme Court justices say it is, who controls the presidency and the Senate really matters.
The Supreme Court rules for a designer who doesn’t want to make wedding websites for gay couples
By Jessica Gresko — June 30, 2023
WASHINGTON (AP) — In a defeat for gay rights, the Supreme Court's conservative majority ruled on Friday that a Christian graphic artist who wants to design wedding websites can refuse to work with same-sex couples.
Religious broadcasters seek to reverse California law aimed at quelling online hate speech
By Alejandra Molina — May 19, 2023
(RNS) — The National Religious Broadcasters said the law affects its members 'by having their speech repressed.'
No, the framers were not more about protecting religion from the state than vice versa
By Mark Silk — May 5, 2023
(RNS) — Connecticut is a case in point.
Yes, Virginia, the Constitution does separate church and state
By Mark Silk — April 28, 2023
(RNS) — No matter what they're saying in Texas.
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