Written by K. Hollyn Hollman, BJC General Counsel
Recent decisions reflect a proper application of religious liberty case law, recognizing that sectarian prayers by public officials undermine religious liberty and degrade religion by entangling it with government. The Supreme Court was right to deny the public officials’ request for review — in one case, a school board, and in another, a county board of commissioners.
Written By J. Stanley Lemons
In Roger Williams and the Creation of the American Soul: Church, State, and the Birth of Liberty, Barry argues that one of the great fault lines in American history has been the relationship of church and state and the individual and the state.
From the February 2012 Report from the Capital.
Written by K. Hollyn Hollman, BJC General Counsel
So far this term, the U.S. Supreme Court has declined to review lower court decisions in two high-profile religious liberty disputes, one involving cross displays erected along Utah’s highways and another concerning a New York church’s long-term use of a public school building for its weekly Sunday worship services. In the former case, Justice Clarence Thomas issued a 19 page dissent — atypical at the petition stage — expressing his disagreement with the Court’s decision not to grant review.
Book Review by J. Stanley Lemons
John Barry, a prize-winning author whose books have examined George Washington, cancer, the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 and the influenza pandemic of 1918, has produced an outstanding book about Roger Williams. In Roger Williams and the Creation of the American Soul: Church, State, and the Birth of Liberty, Barry argues that one of the great fault lines in American history has been the relationship of church and state and the individual and the state.
Written by Charles C. Haynes, Director of the Religious Freedom Education Project at the Newseum
Religious freedom is hugely popular in America — until, of course, it’s applied to unpopular groups. Consider North Windy Ridge Intermediate School in Buncombe County, N.C. In December, school officials arranged for students to come by the office during break to pick up Bibles donated by the Gideons.
Written by Don Byrd
Baptist historian Bill Leonard was officially installed Jan. 24 as the first James and Marilyn Dunn Chair of Baptist Studies at the Wake Forest University School of Divinity. Named in honor of the Dunns of Winston-Salem, N.C., the endowed chair will provide an ongoing Baptist studies faculty presence at the divinity school.
Faith.
Freedom.
For All.
The targeting of religious minorities.
The rise of Christian nationalism.
The politicization of houses of worship.
BJC brings people together to tackle today’s serious threats to religious liberty.
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Faith.
Freedom.
For All.
The targeting of religious minorities.
The rise of Christian nationalism.
The politicization of houses of worship.
BJC brings people together to tackle today’s serious threats to religious liberty.