The significance of Supreme Court review

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.

Defining the ‘ministerial exception’

By K. Hollyn Hollman, BJC General Counsel From the October 2011 edition of Report from the Capital 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...

Marking anniversaries and continuing the fight!

This year marks the BJC’s 75th year of defending and extending religious liberty for all, a milestone we celebrated at our annual Religious Liberty Council luncheon. The luncheon was held in conjunction with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s General Assembly in...

Free speech, religious belief and Westboro Baptist

Written by K. Hollyn Hollman, BJC General Counsel
Westboro Baptist Church — the tiny but seemingly ubiquitous church group founded by Fred Phelps of Topeka, Kan., and consisting mostly of his family members — is one of the most notorious religious groups in America. Now adding to the church’s distinction is a U.S. Supreme Court case bearing their leader’s name and upholding their constitutional rights despite the harm caused to a grieving military family. …

Fear fuels anti-Sharia initiatives

By K. Hollyn Hollman, BJC General Counsel For years, defenders of religious liberty have noted the challenge of ensuring that Muslims in America have the same rights as others. While our religious diversity is often celebrated as a significant strength of our nation’s...