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.
Report: Global Restrictions, Harassment Directed at Religious Groups Continues to Rise
A new study indicates the number of countries in which religious groups suffer harassment at the hands of government or social groups continued to rise in 2016 to “the largest number… since the start of these analyses in 2007.”
U.S. Supreme Court Declines to Hear Legislative Prayer Cases
At the end of their term last week, the Supreme Court issued an order denying a request to hear a pair of legislative prayer cases, despite the seeming conflict between the appeals court decisions in question.
U.S. Supreme Court Upholds “Travel Ban” Against Religious Liberty Challenge
The BJC’s Amanda Tyler expressed “deep disappointment” in the Supreme Court’s ruling issued today upholding the Trump Administration’s “travel ban.”
Supreme Court Returns Florist Accommodation Case to Washington for Reconsideration
Today’s decision requires the Washington Supreme Court to analyze again the case of Arlene’s Flowers, this time in light of the reasoning from the Masterpiece Cakeshop case.
ICE Ordered to Stop Pressing Iraqi Religious Minorities Into Deportation Agreement
A judge has ordered ICE to stop coercive tactics designed to pressure Iraqi detainees facing religious persecution at home into agreeing to deportation.
Report Identifies 139 Bills Across the Country Related to Religious Liberty
A new detailed report identifies and catalogues state legislation across the country related to religious liberty as part of a 6-month investigative study.
Study: Assault, Harassment, Denial of Services Plague Many Religious Communities in NYC
In a new study, one in ten NYC residents reported being the victim of physical attacks while wearing religious garb. An astonishing one in five reported being shoved while standing on subway platforms. Most incidents go unreported.
AG Sessions Cites Scripture to Question Religious Criticism of Immigration Policy
Those of us who advocate for religious liberty insist on the institutional separation of church and state for a reason. The purpose of “swinging room” is to allow the church to take a swing when the moment demands it. If not now, when?
Justice Department Announces New RLUIPA Awareness Initiative
A powerful legal tool in federal religious liberty protections is getting a profile boost, thanks to a new awareness initiative announced by the Justice Department.
In Address to SBC, Vice President Pence Advocates for More Politics in Houses of Worship
In an address to Southern Baptists, Vice President Mike Pence made clear that the Johnson Amendment is still in the cross-hairs of politicians.
Kentucky Board of Education Approves Public School Standards for Bible Literacy Courses
Controversial new Bible literacy classes in Kentucky’s public schools now have more guidance from the state, following new standards recently approved by the Education Board.
North Carolina Study: Most Voucher Schools Present “Biblical World View”
A 2018 study of the North Carolina “Opportunity Scholarship” school voucher program reveals that 76% of voucher schools use their curriculum to promote religious doctrine.