Recent News & Columns
Here are recent columns and news items from the Baptist Joint Committee. Visit our blog and read our monthly magazine, Report from the Capital, to stay current on all religious liberty news. You can also read our press releases online.
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Ballot initiatives in Tennessee and West Virginia place archaic laws restricting religion on the chopping block, Arkansans to vote on Religious Freedom Amendment
Is it too early to look ahead to November? Voters will have the chance to weigh some measures that touch on religion in November, including some archaic laws still on the books.
Unanimous Supreme Court holds Boston’s refusal to fly Christian flag violates free speech guarantee in light of practices allowing other flags
By a vote of 9-0, the Court in Shurtleff v. Boston held that Boston’s flag-flying program did not amount to “government speech” and thus did not allow officials to “exclude speech based on ‘religious viewpoint.’”
Supreme Court considers high school football coach prayer case in ‘startling’ oral arguments
The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a church-state case that could have a big impact on protecting public school students from pressure by teachers and school officials to participate in religious activity.
BJC-led coalition of religious freedom advocates urges Congress to protect religious freedom on Earth Day
The clock is ticking on Chí’chil Biłdagoteel, sacred land located in Arizona’s Tonto National Forest. The land, known in English as “Oak Flat,” is sacred to many Tribes in the Southwest but it is slated to be given by the federal government to the company Resolution Copper for destructive mining practices unless Congress takes action.
Court in Tennessee allows claims to go forward against officer for failure to intervene in forced baptism after traffic stop
A court largely denied Officer Jacob Goforth’s motion to dismiss claims against him stemming from his involvement in a bizarre traffic stop. The stop culminated in the baptism of Shandle Riley (the plaintiff in this case) by Hamilton County Deputy Daniel Wilkey.
BJC urges Supreme Court to reject high school coach’s defense of on-field prayers with students
In a friend-of-the-court brief filed with the U.S. Supreme Court, BJC is defending the right of public school students to participate fully in extracurricular activities without religious pressure by teachers or coaches.
U.S. Supreme Court rules 8-1 in favor of death row inmate requesting permission for spiritual advisor to lay hands, pray audibly with him in execution chamber
In Ramirez v. Collier, the Supreme Court found in favor of a prisoner who asked that his pastor be present in the execution chamber, lay hands on him, and pray audibly in his final moments. The Court said the state was not likely to meet its burden under RLUIPA to demonstrate that the regulation barring such activities was necessary to achieve its safety interests.
Ketanji Brown Jackson confirmation hearings: Religious liberty roundup from day three
During the third day of her Supreme Court confirmation hearing, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson was asked about the importance of the free exercise of religion by two members of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Ketanji Brown Jackson confirmation hearings: Religious liberty roundup from day two
Day two of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation hearings included questions on topics related to religious liberty and the role of faith in making judicial determinations.
BJC’s review of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s record
BJC urges the Senate to engage Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson in thoughtful ways about her understanding and approach to the fundamental and foundational right of religious liberty.
