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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U.S. Supreme Court agrees to hear bid to fly Christian flag at Boston City Hall
The Supreme Court will hear a case brought by a civic organization challenging Boston’s denial of their request to fly a Christian flag temporarily outside city hall.
BJC joins brief in Supreme Court case involving prisoner’s request for ministerial act during lethal injection
Ramirez v. Collier was brought under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA), which bars state and local governments from posing a substantial burden on the religious free exercise of inmates unless that burden is necessary to further a compelling government interest.
NY judge: Muslim women’s suit over forced removal of hijab for booking photo can proceed for money damages
Two Muslim women are challenging the policy of the New York Police Department that requires arrestees to remove religious headwear for their booking photo.
Constitution Day reminds us to safeguard the guarantee of No Religious Test
For those of us who pay special attention to the guarantees of religious freedom in our laws, Constitution Day is an important reminder that the extent of those protections we cherish today was not inevitable at our nation’s founding.
September 11 anniversary spurs reflection, regret on legacy of animus toward American Muslims
As we mark the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, among the legacies being remembered is the disturbing rise in anti-Muslim hostility here in the United States that followed that tragic day.
U.S. Supreme Court halts execution, will hear death row inmate’s request for ministerial act during moment of lethal injection
The Supreme Court granted a late-night reprieve to a Texas death row inmate and added a new case to its schedule — the first consideration of a request related to the activities of the minister in the execution chamber.
Vaccine exemption roundup: Cases winding through courts address claims for religious exemption from vaccine mandates
Each vaccine mandate dispute is unique, from the beliefs of the plaintiff and the specific language in the mandate or exemption policy in question to the actions of officials and the state laws that govern them.
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.
