Court Cases

Protecting Religious Liberty in the Courts.

When the right to religious freedom has been violated, the law can be a powerful tool.

With more than eight decades of advocating at the U.S. Supreme Court, BJC vigilantly monitors religious freedom cases. We file amicus curiae (“friend-of-the-court”) briefs at the U.S. Supreme Court and in other venues, often in collaboration with other religious and secular groups.

Drawing on our deep knowledge and grounded in historic Baptist tradition and experience, our litigation efforts defend everyone’s right to religious freedom – people from all faiths and of no faith. Religious freedom is our client.

A group of people stands in front of a neoclassical building with columns, under a clear blue sky.

Previous cases

BJC filed our first amicus brief in 1947. Here are just a few of the cases we’ve been involved in over the past several years.

Respecting Religion Podcast

For more legal analysis, check out our award-winning Respecting Religion podcast, as BJC Executive Director Amanda Tyler and Chief Legal Officer Holly Hollman examine issues at the intersection of religious freedom and the law.

S7, Ep. 10: Court update: Ten Commandments cases, Johnson Amendment dismissal, and SCOTUS actions

S7, Ep. 10: Court update: Ten Commandments cases, Johnson Amendment dismissal, and SCOTUS actions

June 4, 2026

Catch up on all things court-related as Amanda and Holly run through some big decisions and changes...

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S7, Ep. 09: Why is there an upswing in anti-Sharia laws?

S7, Ep. 09: Why is there an upswing in anti-Sharia laws?

May 21, 2026

The “Christian nation” rhetoric and spectacle we’re seeing is not just bad history – it’s having...

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Best of: Were we founded as a ‘Christian nation’?

Best of: Were we founded as a ‘Christian nation’?

April 30, 2026

What do people mean when they say we were founded as a “Christian nation”? Is that true? Revisit...

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Best of: ‘How to End Christian Nationalism’

Best of: ‘How to End Christian Nationalism’

April 16, 2026

Is the separation of church and state in the Constitution? How does Christian nationalism overlap...

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Best of: Inside the ReAwaken America tour

Best of: Inside the ReAwaken America tour

April 2, 2026

Christian nationalism was on full display at the ReAwaken America tour, which was a series of...

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Best of: A decision that continues to create misguided claims: Kennedy v. Bremerton

Best of: A decision that continues to create misguided claims: Kennedy v. Bremerton

March 19, 2026

A 2022 decision from the Supreme Court continues to sow confusion and misguided claims four years...

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Best of: Rob Reiner and ‘God and Country’ director Dan Partland on Christian nationalism

Best of: Rob Reiner and ‘God and Country’ director Dan Partland on Christian nationalism

March 5, 2026

What is the cost of speaking out against Christian nationalism? In 2024, Rob Reiner came on the...

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Best of: But … is it Christian nationalism?

Best of: But … is it Christian nationalism?

February 19, 2026

Is an American flag in a church sanctuary an example of Christian nationalism? What about...

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Best of: Dr. Walter Brueggemann on Christian nationalism

Best of: Dr. Walter Brueggemann on Christian nationalism

February 5, 2026

What does the Bible have to teach us about Christian nationalism? How does that political ideology...

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Best of: The myth of American ‘chosenness’ with Dr. Catherine Brekus

Best of: The myth of American ‘chosenness’ with Dr. Catherine Brekus

January 22, 2026

How does the myth of America being a “chosen” nation lead to the religious nationalism we see today?...

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Best of: A report, a prayer vigil, and a somber anniversary: Remembering the January 6 attack

Best of: A report, a prayer vigil, and a somber anniversary: Remembering the January 6 attack

January 8, 2026

As Amanda’s sabbatical begins, we are revisiting previous episodes of the podcast. This week – in...

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S7, Ep. 08: ‘A vibrant and free civil society is core to religious liberty in our country’

S7, Ep. 08: ‘A vibrant and free civil society is core to religious liberty in our country’

December 18, 2025

In our last show of 2025, Amanda and Holly talk about some of the news from the past week –...

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These cases are often tricky to navigate. The position that best protects religious liberty for everyone may not be the obvious position at first glance. Drawing on our deep knowledge and grounded in historic Baptist tradition and experience, our litigation efforts defend our First Amendment rights of “no establishment” of religion and “free exercise” of religion.

As lawyers, Baptists and Americans, we will stand for our principles even if our positions aren’t popular.

People are walking down the steps of a grand building with large columns.