What ‘secular’ really means

Written by J. Brent Walker, BJC Executive Director
“Secular” is not a bad word as many religious people and some politicians believe. In fact, it is a good word and, properly understood, is useful to describe our political culture and church-state configuration.

Religious Liberty in 2011: The Year in Review

America’s religious freedom robust, but tough challenges remain Religious liberty is alive and well in the United States. A review of the news from 2011 confirms that America’s commitment to the freedom of religion, rooted in the institutional separation of church and...

Campaign for politics in the pulpit is flawed

As citizens we are called to work toward a just society. It should be no surprise, then, that people of faith have been engaged in virtually every social reform movement throughout American history. Religious individuals and houses of worship have the right and...

In George Washington’s words

Written by J. Brent Walker, BJC Executive Director
Dick Ice’s contributions to the life and work of the BJC are incalculable. He understands and appreciates Baptist principles and the American concept of the separation of church and state like few others. He is also a student of history who can call up the words of our Founders on the spur of the moment and make scholarly presentations on James Madison, Thomas Jefferson and others.

Defining the ‘ministerial exception’

Written by K. Hollyn Hollman, BJC General Counsel
On October 5, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in what may be the most significant religious liberty case to reach the High Court in 20 years. If the intense questioning by the justices was any indication, it may also be one of the most difficult.