Latest News
Written by Don Byrd, these updates bring together the latest news impacting the conversation around religious freedom and the separation of church and state.
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In brief to Supreme Court, BJC argues that monetary damages are available under federal religious liberty law for prisoner forcibly shaved
A prisoner forcibly shaved in violation of his religious liberty rights is entitled to monetary damages. That is the legal conclusion of a brief filed with the U.S. Supreme Court in Landor v. Louisiana Dept. of Corrections by BJC and other advocates.
In public schools, Texas Attorney General promotes the Lord’s Prayer and appeals Ten Commandments loss, while Trump promises more prayer
Recent events targeting our long tradition of ensuring religious freedom for all in public schools – both by protecting the free exercise of the students and prohibiting government-imposed religion on all – has me concerned: Will the U.S. Supreme Court revisit Engle v. Vitale, its cornerstone decision about prayer in schools from 1962?
Courts wrestle with religious accommodation disputes, including teacher’s suit over school policy on transgender students’ preferred names
In a changing religious liberty landscape, even a half-dozen years may not be enough to resolve claims for religious accommodation from federal rules and employer policies. Here are updates on Kluge v. Brownsburg, Wright v. Honeywell International, Inc., and an ongoing dispute about contraceptive coverage in health care plans.
BJC among 1,000+ organizations urging President Trump to end attacks on Johnson Amendment, protect nonprofits from partisan politics
The Johnson Amendment has protected nonprofits – including houses of worship – for more than 70 years from political pressure and additional dangers that come with endorsing and opposing candidates.
New memo instructs federal agencies to ‘adopt generous approach’ in granting religious accommodations allowing remote work
This latest guidance establishes religious accommodation as an important basis for allowing federal employees to work remotely, making clear that the Supreme Court decision in Groff v. DeJoy applies to the federal government too.
Newly enacted national school voucher program undermines ‘both public schools and religious freedom’
The national school voucher program in the new law is disguised as a tax credit scheme. It makes a mockery of our Founders’ principled opposition to forcing taxpayer support of religion.
IRS announces new policy regarding houses of worship and endorsement of political candidates in settlement of lawsuit challenge
The IRS has refrained from enforcing the ban on church electioneering in recent years. This announcement makes it official with respect to houses of worship while keeping the so-called “Johnson Amendment,” that portion of the tax code that prohibits 501(c)(3) organizations from opposing or endorsing candidates for office, intact.
U.S. Supreme Court says Constitution guarantees parents the right to opt out of public school instruction that interferes with religious upbringing of children
In Mahmoud v. Taylor, the U.S. Supreme Court sided with parents seeking notice and the opportunity to opt their children out of public school curriculum that conflicts with the parents’ religious beliefs.
