Press
Releases

Press Releases

BJC releases statements, commentary and analysis of pressing religious liberty issues to members of the media. Contact Karlee Marshall if you are a member of the media who would like to be added to our distribution list.

More than 160 Texas faith leaders oppose state-organized prayer

“We believe in the value of religious instruction,” reads the letter. “We also understand that the responsibility for religious instruction lies with students, their families, and their local faith communities—not with public schools, and not organized or directed by the state”

Statement from Amanda Tyler on members of Congress reaffirming their commitment to the Johnson Amendment

"BJC strongly supports the members of congress who reaffirmed their commitment to the Johnson Amendment, the federal law that protects houses of worship and other 501(c)(3) organizations from the corrosive effects of partisan campaigning."

BJC elects new board leadership

During its 2025 meeting in Washington, D.C., the BJC Board of Directors elected the Rev. Dr. Philip Thompson to serve as chair, the Rev. Dr. Christopher The to serve as vice chair, the Rev. Dr. Elijah Zehyoue to serve as secretary, and Sofi Hersher Andorsky to serve as treasurer.

BJC statement on President Trump’s speech at the Religious Liberty Commission meeting

"President Trump’s speech was not about religious liberty; it was about perpetuating Christian nationalism," said BJC Executive Director Amanda Tyler. "When political leaders suggest that religion is the government’s to promote, they threaten the very freedom they claim to defend."

BJC Executive Director Amanda Tyler on the Shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis

“This is a heartbreaking reminder that our sacred spaces must be safe spaces.”

BJC announces the 2025 class of BJC Fellows

A dynamic group of young professionals are preparing themselves for a lifetime of advocacy at the BJC Fellows Seminar. BJC (Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty) is proud to announce the 2025 class of BJC Fellows — 14 emerging community leaders committed to protecting faith freedom for all and challenging harmful myths about religious freedom in their own communities.

BJC Executive Director Amanda Tyler on the IRS’s Decision to Allow Churches to Endorse Candidates from the Pulpit

"The law has never prevented clergy from speaking out on moral issues or engaging their congregations in civic life," said Amanda Tyler. "But green-lighting tax-exempt churches to endorse candidates from the pulpit creates new pressure on religious leaders to align with partisan candidates and risk division within congregations and entanglement with campaign agendas."

Amanda Tyler on the Signing of the Budget Reconciliation Bill and Creation of a National School Voucher Program

"By creating a national school voucher scheme, Congress has opened the door for taxpayer dollars to fund private religious education—undermining both public schools and religious freedom," said BJC Executive Director Amanda Tyler. "On a day meant to celebrate liberty, this legislation erodes it."