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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Agriculture Department issues temporary reprieve for sacred Apache land after federal court rejected tribe’s religious freedom claim
Leaders of the Apache and other Native American tribes have urged against a transfer of land in Arizona to mining companies, in part because the conveyance includes land (“Oak Flat”) they consider sacred.
What does supporting public schools have to do with religious liberty? A lot!
February 22-26 is Public Schools Week, an occasion for advocates to celebrate the essential work of public schools in our communities and to call attention to the ongoing legislative efforts to undermine public schools.
President Biden reinstates Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, returns Melissa Rogers to helm
By executive order, President Joe Biden re-established the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships (White House Partnerships Office).
U.S. Supreme Court sides with Alabama death row inmate, declines to lift stay of execution over state’s refusal to allow clergy in chamber
The appeals court halted the execution of Willie Smith over the state of Alabama’s refusal to allow Smith to be accompanied by his pastor in the execution chamber
U.S. Supreme Court halts some California worship restrictions, leaves others in place for now
By a 6-3 vote, the Supreme Court agreed to halt California’s total ban on indoor services in extremely high infection areas, but the Court left in place percentage-based capacity restrictions and the state’s ban on singing and chanting during indoor activities, which applies also to worship services.
Federal appeals court upholds nativity scene, citing memorial cross ruling
A federal appeals court held that the law has changed regarding how courts analyze whether a nativity scene on government land runs afoul of the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause.
Can free parking be a church ministry? Federal court in Florida says yes
A federal court in Florida sided with a community church in St. Pete Beach in a dispute over the congregation offering free parking to the public.
U.S. Supreme Court declines to intervene in Nevada COVID restriction case, sends death row chaplain case back to lower court
New orders issued by the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday addressed two cases of religious liberty interest: one about a death row inmate in Texas and the other about a challenge to Nevada’s worship service COVID restrictions.
Watch a recording of the conversation on Christian nationalism
Biden reverses travel ban on first day in ‘victory for faith freedom’
In one of his first official actions, President Joe Biden reversed one of the most troubling, controversial, and highly litigated policies of his predecessor: the Muslim and African travel ban.