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.
For press inquiries, contact:
Cherilyn Crowe
Director of Communications
[email protected]
202-544-4226 x 305
Cell: 202-670-5877
Appeals Court rejects religious liberty challenge to mask requirement for grades K-5 in religious schools
The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declined to halt a mask mandate in Lansing, Michigan, for schoolchildren grades K-5 attending religious schools.
New Hampshire governor signs bill establishing worship services as “essential” in future public health emergencies
New Hampshire is the latest state to enact legislation in response to the controversies surrounding COVID-related restrictions on worship services.
U.S. Supreme Court asked to decide whether social work professor at religious college is ministerial employee under Title VII
In a petition filed with the U.S. Supreme Court, Gordon College argues that the function of every professor at a religious school is ministerial and qualifies for the ministerial exception if the mission of the school is to integrate religion throughout all academic disciplines.
President Biden announces nominations to religious freedom posts
President Biden announced his intention to nominate Rashad Hussain to be U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom. He would be the first Muslim to hold the State Department position.
10th Circuit denies religious exemption to Colorado website designer with objection to same-sex marriage
The latest challenge to Colorado’s anti-discrimination law comes from a website designer who plans to begin offering wedding-related websites but who objects on religious grounds from offering sites devoted to same-sex marriages.
BJC-led coalition urges President Biden to protect sacred Oak Flat from devastating mining operations
A letter signed by nearly 60 religious and religious freedom groups asks for more action from the administration to protect sacred land located in the Tonto National Forest known as Chí’chil Biłdagoteel (translated as “Oak Flat”).
Appeals court says all hostile workplace claims by ministers are barred by ministerial exception
The prohibition on discrimination in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act doesn’t just apply to hiring and firing; it also protects against “hostile” work environments. But, what if your work environment is a house of worship and you are a minister?
Ohio governor signs bill allowing medical workers and institutions with conscience-based objections to refuse to provide or refer health care services
The Ohio law also allows any health care worker or institution with a conscience-based objection to refuse to refer such services to another provider.
U.S. Supreme Court to hear religious school tuition case, declines florist refusal dispute
At the end of its term, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a trio of orders impacting religious liberty cases: Carson v. Makin, Arlene’s Flowers, Inc. v. Washington, and Mast v. Fillmore County, Minnesota.
Texas legislature enacts sweeping law barring state and local government from restricting worship services during public emergency
Some legislatures across the country are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic with bills that would make it more difficult for government officials to curtail in-person religious gatherings during a public health crisis.
