Stories tagged with: religious liberty

• 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 rules in favor of gay, transgender rights

  by Tom Strode, posted Monday, June 15, 2020 (4 years ago)

  

  Supreme Court photo

  WASHINGTON (BP) -- The U.S. Supreme Court issued a watershed decision on gay and transgender rights today (June 15) by finding longstanding, non-discrimination protections in federal workplace law cover "sexual orientation" and "gender identity."

  The justices ruled in a 6-3 opinion the category "sex" in Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act applies to homosexual and transgender employees. Chief Justice John Roberts and Associate Justice Neil Gorsuch -- typically among the high court's more conservative members -- joined the four-member liberal wing in the majority. Associate Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Brett Kavanaugh dissented. Read More

• Church renewing challenge to Nevada's COVID-19 attendance cap

  by Scott Sonner, posted Monday, June 15, 2020 (4 years ago)

  

  Unsplash photo/Sincerely Media

  RENO, Nev. (AP) -- A rural Nevada Baptist church is trying to renew its unsuccessful bid to strike down the state's 50-person cap on religious gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  The state's failure to enforce social-distancing guidelines in voter lines during the June 9 primary election was further proof churches are being singled out in violation of the U.S. Constitution, Calvary Chapel Dayton Valley contends. Read More

• State Department: Wins, losses for religious freedom in 2019

  by Tom Strode, posted Friday, June 12, 2020 (4 years ago)

  

  State Department photo

  WASHINGTON (BP) -- International religious freedom experienced both gains and losses in 2019, Trump administration officials said upon the release of the U.S. State Department's annual report on the issue.

  While countries such as Sudan, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Uzbekistan made progress, the persecution of religious adherents persisted in China, Nigeria and other societies, reporters were told Wednesday (June 10) in a news briefing that accompanied publication of the International Religious Freedom Report. Read More

• Civil rights probe of state limits on churches urged

  by Tom Strode, posted Thursday, June 11, 2020 (4 years ago)

  

  Screen capture from hawley.senate.gov

  WASHINGTON (BP)—A United States senator has called for a federal civil rights investigation of states that have continued during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic to place strict limitations on religious gatherings while permitting massive protests of the police killing of George Floyd.

  Southern Baptist leaders, meanwhile, encouraged public officials to treat worship services the same as similar events while they loosen restrictions resulting from the pandemic. Read More

• Trump order on global religious liberty praised

  by Tom Strode, posted Wednesday, June 03, 2020 (4 years ago)

  

  Screen capture from C-Span archives

  WASHINGTON (BP) -- Religious liberty advocates have applauded President Trump's new executive order to promote "America's first freedom" globally.

  Describing religious freedom as "a moral and national security imperative," the president issued Tuesday (June 2) an order that calls for the prioritization of international religious liberty in United States foreign policy and at least $50 million a year for programs that boost freedom for religious adherents worldwide. Read More

• Moore: Court's ruling on church falls short

  by Tom Strode, posted Monday, June 01, 2020 (4 years ago)

  

  iStock

  WASHINGTON (BP) -- The U.S. Supreme Court's rejection of a California church's emergency appeal of the state's restriction on worship gatherings failed to provide the clear guidance needed during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Southern Baptist religious freedom leader Russell Moore.

  The high court declined to grant an injunction for a San Diego-area church in a 5-4 decision late May 29. After failing at the federal appeals court level, South Bay United Pentecostal Church in Chula Vista had asked the Supreme Court May 23 to block enforcement of California's limitation on attendance at worship services. Read More

• SBC leaders commend CDC guidelines to churches

  by Tom Strode, posted Tuesday, May 26, 2020 (4 years ago)

  

  iStock

  Southern Baptist leaders commended to churches new federal guidelines for restoring in-person worship gatherings during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, even as efforts to resolve conflicts between state governments and faith communities continue. Read More

• Trump calls churches 'essential' as Baptist leaders urge equal treatment in reopening

  by Tom Strode, posted Friday, May 22, 2020 (4 years ago)

  

  Screen capture from Fox News

  WASHINGTON (BP) -- Southern Baptist leaders are urging government officials to treat churches and other religious groups more justly in their reopening policies regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

  The calls for change came after churches in Minnesota and California told their governors they would begin holding in-person services in defiance of policies they consider to be unequal in treatment. Guidelines issued by Govs. Tim Walz of Minnesota and Gavin Newsom of California are less restrictive on retail businesses than they are on religious groups. Read More