Indiana Judge Halts South Bend Land Transfer Plan

A federal judge in Indiana has halted the plans of South Bend that would transfer land to a Catholic church for use as an athletic field. The arrangement would violate the First Amendment, Judge Robert Miller ruled yesterday: Governmental programs or actions that...

Poll Shows American Tension over Religious Difference

Brookings' Public Religion Research Institute has found good news and bad in a new poll surveying Americans' attitude toward religion. The good news is that 88% agree that the country was founded on principles of religious liberty for everyone, even those of...

Justice Department Continues Enforcement of RLUIPA

The Justice Department yesterday announced a settlement with Henrico County, Virginia over its refusal to grant a zoning request allowing for a mosque on land purchased by a Muslim group. The agreement resolves a lawsuit charging the county with violating the...

Are Religious Leaders Necessary for 9/11 Ceremony? Which Ones?

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is taking heat for his decision not to include clergy or a prayer at Sunday's September 11 commemoration ceremony. A spokesperson for the Mayor emphasizes that religious leaders have also not been a part of previous official...

Candidates Discuss Free Exercise Issues

Howard Friedman at Religion Clause has compiled statements from presidential candidates at this weekend's tea-party forum relating to religious freedom issues. Newt Gingrich wins for the most outrageous assertion about qualifications for president: I think anyone...