Senate Rejects “Conscience” Amendment

Late last week, the U.S. Senate voted down a proposal to ensure health care providers certain rights to refuse service on religious grounds. Religion Clause's Howard Friedman notes that this "clears the way for the Department of Health and Human Services to...

Appeals Court Hearing Weighs Religious Freedom, Animal Sacrifice

The 5th Circuit heard oral arguments Wednesday in the case of a Euless, TX man who says the city's refusal to allow a ceremonial goat slaughter violates his religious freedom as a Santeria priest. City officials claim the practice is at odds with a number of local...

Is Newt Serious?

How else is there to respond to Gingrich's claim that President Obama's proposed changes in the tax code could spell the end of religion in America? How else to describe Gingrich's claim that President Obama's proposed changes in the tax code could...

Air Force Clears Colonel of Promoting Religion, Plus a Question

Stars and Stripes reports that Col.  Kimberly Toney "did not wilfully violate Air Force policy" when she e-mailed those under her command a video promoting Christianity. Stars and Stripes reports that Col. Kimberly Toney "did not wilfully violate...

GOP Boycotts Hamilton Hearing, Church-State Fireworks Defused

Republican Senators on the Judiciary Committee decided to boycott yesterday's confirmation hearing of Judge David Hamilton, complaining the process was moving too quickly. The move short-circuited potentially heated questions over Hamilton's Indiana decision...