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Stories tagged with: supreme court

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  • High court's order on Nevada church draws dissent
    by Tom Strode, posted Monday, July 27, 2020 (4 years ago)

    iStock
    WASHINGTON (BP) -- Religious freedom advocates and four justices expressed strong disagreement with the U.S. Supreme Court's refusal to grant relief to a church seeking equal treatment under Nevada's coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions.

    The high court denied July 24 a request from Calvary Chapel Dayton Valley (Nev.) to block enforcement of Gov. Steve Sisolak's order that limits religious gatherings to 50 worshipers regardless of the size of the building. Meanwhile, his directive permits casinos, gyms, bowling alleys and some other venues to operate at 50 percent capacity regardless of their size. Read More

  • High court delivers 2 religious liberty wins
    by Tom Strode, posted Wednesday, July 08, 2020 (4 years ago)

    iStock
    WASHINGTON (BP) -- The U.S. Supreme Court reaffirmed in two 7-2 rulings Wednesday (July 8) that churches and religious organizations are free to make employment and health insurance decisions based on their convictions.

    In one ruling, the justices reiterated their support for a "ministerial exception" that enables churches and other religious bodies to hire and fire based on their beliefs. They had ruled unanimously in 2012 in favor of such an exception. In consolidated cases, two Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles chose not to renew contracts for two fifth-grade teachers based on what they said was poor performance. Read More

  • High court affirms religious access to state programs
    by Tom Strode, posted Tuesday, June 30, 2020 (4 years ago)

    iStock
    WASHINGTON (BP) -- The U.S. Supreme Court narrowly upheld Tuesday (June 30) a state tax credit scholarship program that includes religious schools, thereby maintaining its recent support of the right of faith groups to participate in government programs.

    The high court voted 5-4 to overturn a Montana Supreme Court decision that invalidated a state program that provides a tax credit of up to $150 for a donation to a Student Scholarship Organization (SSO). Contributions to SSOs finance scholarships given to families for student tuition at private schools of their choosing. The program approved by the state legislature includes Christian and other religious schools. Read More

  • Court disappoints pro-lifers with abortion ruling
    by Tom Strode, posted Monday, June 29, 2020 (4 years ago)

    iStock
    WASHINGTON (BP) -- Pro-life leaders expressed deep disappointment with the U.S. Supreme Court's refusal Monday (June 29) to uphold a Louisiana law designed to protect the lives and health of women by requiring hospital admitting privileges for doctors who perform abortions.

    In a 5-4 decision, the high court ruled the law -- which mandated a physician must have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of a facility where he or she performs an abortion -- violated the U.S. Constitution by imposing an "undue burden" on a woman's right to the procedure. The justices found the Louisiana measure was nearly identical to a Texas admitting privileges law they struck down in 2016. Read More

  • Religious conservatives look to the next Supreme Court rulings on religious liberty
    by Yonat Shimron, posted Thursday, June 18, 2020 (4 years ago)

    AP file photo/Jose Luis Magana
    WASHINGTON (AP/RNS) -- Religious conservatives lost a culture war battle over gay and transgender rights in the workplace this week.

    In a 6-3 ruling Monday (June 15), the Supreme Court said the rights of gay and transgender people are protected from workplace discrimination. The ruling was a defeat to religious conservatives who wish to hold on to traditional definitions of sexuality. Read More

  • Religious liberty questions remain after court's ruling
    by Tom Strode, posted Tuesday, June 16, 2020 (4 years ago)

    Supreme Court photo
    WASHINGTON (BP)—The U.S. Supreme Court left multiple questions regarding religious liberty unanswered but provided some hope in its landmark decision for gay and transgender rights, said advocates for the First Amendment freedom.

    In a 6-3 opinion Monday (June 15), the high court ruled the category "sex" in Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act encompasses "sexual orientation" and "gender identity," thereby providing non-discrimination protections for homosexual and transgender employees. Religious liberty defenders said the justices' decision left employers with biblical convictions on sexuality open to legal challenges. Read More

  • Supreme Court considers abortion mandate again
    by Tom Strode, posted Wednesday, May 06, 2020 (4 years ago)

    iStock
    WASHINGTON (BP) -- The Trump administration and an order of Roman Catholic nuns urged the U.S. Supreme Court Wednesday (May 6) to uphold federal rules that protect the rights of employers with religious or moral objections to the Obama-era, abortion/contraception mandate.

    For the third consecutive day, the justices heard oral arguments by means of a telephone conference because of restrictions brought on by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The religious freedom case was among 10 in which the high court postponed oral arguments from late March and April. Read More

  • Court delays arguments; religious liberty, abortion rulings await
    by Tom Strode, posted Friday, March 20, 2020 (4 years ago)

    iStock
    WASHINGTON (BP) -- The U.S. Supreme Court has paused part of its work in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) with decisions in important cases regarding religious liberty, sexuality and abortion still to be announced.

    The high court announced March 16 it has postponed oral arguments scheduled for March 23-25 and March 30-April 1 to abide by recommendations offered in response to the continuing spread of the coronavirus. The court said it would study the alternatives for rescheduling arguments based on developments with the virus. Read More

  • Court weighs state's pro-life effort to protect women
    by Tom Strode, posted Wednesday, March 04, 2020 (4 years ago)

    Photo by Tom Strode
    WASHINGTON (BP) -- The U.S. Supreme Court grappled Wednesday (March 4) with whether the state of Louisiana can seek to protect the lives and health of women by requiring hospital admitting privileges for doctors who perform abortions.

    The justices appeared closely divided as they heard oral arguments regarding a state law that is similar to one they struck down four years ago. In the 2016 Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt opinion, the high court ruled 5-3 against a Texas admitting privileges law. Read More