Keeping Church & State Separate
The Baptist Joint Committee is the only faith-based agency devoted solely to religious liberty and the institutional separation of church and state. Since 1936, the BJC has continuously provided reliable leadership on church-state issues as it leads coalitions of groups striving to protect both the free exercise of religion and to defend against its establishment by government. Read more.
Why Religious Liberty?
Baptists value religious freedom and separation of church and state because we suffered the hard lessons of history. The Baptist commitment to religious liberty is centered on our freedom to worship without efforts by the government to advance or restrain religion. God has made us all free – free to say yes, free to say no, and free to make up our own minds about our spiritual destiny. The BJC believes that a threat to anyone’s religious liberty is a threat to everyone‘s liberty. Read more
Why church-state separation?
The separation of church and state is a shorthand metaphor for expressing a deeper truth: religious liberty is best protected when church and state are institutionally separated and neither tries to perform or interfere with the mission and work of the other. It does not require a “segregation” of religion from public life, but it serves both religion clauses in the First Amendment, insisting upon no establishment of religion and ensuring the free exercise of religion. Read more
Plaintiffs Argue Utah Medical Marijuana Initiative Violates the Rights of Religious Objectors in New Lawsuit
A medical marijuana ballot initiative in Utah is being challenged in court as an unlawful restriction of religious liberty rights of those who object.
NYTimes: Religious Freedom Focus Undermined by Political Agenda
A NYTimes editorial praises U.S. efforts to promote religious freedom abroad, but warns that politicization, religious favoritism, and hypocrisy is jeopardizing its message.
Masterpiece Cakeshop Owner Files New Complaint over Cake Refusal Dispute
We may be headed toward Masterpiece Cakeshop, Round 2, after the cakemaker filed a new lawsuit accusing state officials of engaging in unconstitutional bullying after he was again charged with violating the state’s public accommodation law.
Change on the high court: Kennedy and Kavanaugh
The BJC is reviewing D.C. Circuit Court Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s record and looking at the potential impact of this nomination on religious liberty. When viewed in light of Justice Kennedy’s church-state legacy and ongoing conflicts, it is clear that living up to our country’s promise of religious liberty for all remains an uphill battle.
A tour through history raises questions for our time
BJC Executive Director Amanda Tyler shares a learning experience she had during the summer of 2018.
Amanda Tyler comments on the new Religious Liberty Task Force
We must all advocate for a more complete and inclusive understanding of religious liberty for people of all faith traditions and those who do not adhere to any religion.
