Blog from the Capital
Written by Don Byrd, the Baptist Joint Committee’s Blog from the Capital informs readers of daily events impacting the debate on church-state separation. If you use an RSS reader, click here to access and connect with the blog’s RSS feed. You can also follow Byrd on Twitter at @BJCblog.
Settlement Ends Disputes Over NYPD Religious Profiling Targeting NJ Muslims
Today’s settlement closes a particularly ugly chapter of post-9/11 religious scapegoating. No person in America should be presumed more likely a criminal because of their faith.
One Lawsuit, One Appeal Granted, Over Religious Expression at Military Retirement Ceremonies
Two disputes over religious expression at U.S. military retirement ceremonies demonstrate that the armed services wrestle with the same tension between public service and private religious exercise as the rest of us.
BJC’s Amanda Tyler on the Role of Religious Liberty in Dr. King’s Ministry and Advocacy
As we reflect on this painful anniversary, it’s worth remembering that Dr. King considered religious freedom and the institutional separation of church and state to be essential forces in his ministry and activism.
BJC’s Hollman joins other scholars in Supreme Court brief arguing ‘travel ban’ is unconstitutional
An amicus brief filed with the U.S. Supreme Court by 30+ constitutional scholars argues that President Trump’s “travel ban” Proclamation is impermissibly based on religious animus toward Muslims.
7th Circuit Upholds Revised School Christmas Spectacular Against Church-State Challenge
A Christmas Spectacular school performance in Indiana was sufficiently altered to pass constitutional muster, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled.
Ten Commandments Constitutional Amendment will be on the November Ballot in Alabama
A state constitutional amendment proposed in Alabama seems designed to clear the way for more Ten Commandment displays on public lands. Voters will decide in November.
Dallas Pastor Jeffress Blames Church-State Separation for School Gun Violence
Dallas megachurch Pastor Robert Jeffress offers a cynical solution to the current debate surrounding gun violence in schools that manages to forsake religious liberty and defy common sense, all at once.
Omnibus Spending Bill Leaves Johnson Amendment Intact After Grassroots Outcry
The long-awaited text of the omnibus spending bill was released Wednesday night and, to the great relief of religious liberty advocates including the Baptist Joint Committee, it does not include language weakening the so-called “Johnson Amendment.”
Tennessee Legislature Passes Law Requiring “In God We Trust” in Schools
A bill passed by the Tennessee legislature requires public schools to display “In God We Trust” prominently on school buildings. Whether lawful or not, is such a requirement a good idea?
Report: Persecution Poisons Educational Opportunities for Religious Minority Children Around the World
A new report examines the impact of religious persecution on the education of religious minority children around the world.
RFRA Proposal in Iowa Sent Back to Committee, Likely Ending its Chances to Advance This Session
A bill to create a Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) in Iowa will apparently fail to move forward as the measure was sent back to committee just before a key legislative deadline.
How and Why do Local Governments Continue to Pile up Legal Bills Defending Church-State Lawsuits?
“What might tempt a small Michigan town to fight a battle that the courts have already decided it cannot win?” Eric Seidel of Religion News Service