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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Cherilyn Crowe
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Are private, religious schools exempt from school opening restrictions? Texas, California go in different directions
As school systems and states across the country struggle with reopening plans, the ability of religious schools to claim a religious freedom exemption from restrictions designed to protect public health may lead to a new round of legal disputes every bit as hotly contested as those surrounding worship service restrictions.
Coronavirus updates: NM court upholds worship service limits, CA Gov tightens restrictions, U.S. Navy reverses policy
While coronavirus infections expand across the country, lawsuits challenging public health restrictions on in-person worship services continue to wind through courts.
U.S. Supreme Court upholds administration rules expanding religious accommodations from the contraceptive mandate
In Trump v. Pennsylvania, the U.S. Supreme Court again waded into a question about religious accommodations from the Affordable Care Act’s contraceptive mandate.
U.S. Supreme Court: First Amendment protects religious schools from discrimination claims brought by teachers who teach the faith
Responding to the ruling on the ministerial exception, BJC General Counsel Holly Hollman emphasized that the Supreme Court’s opinion heightens the importance of good communication between religious employer and employee about their role and expectations.
Federal court in New York halts worship service restrictions, citing George Floyd protests
But wait. Didn’t the Supreme Court recently uphold state restrictions on worship services as constitutional?
U.S. Supreme Court issues troubling decision in religious school funding case
In a 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court in Espinoza v. Montana Dept. of Revenue held that states subsidizing private education cannot under the First Amendment exclude religious schools from those funding programs, even when state law explicitly bars funding religious schools out of church-state concerns.
BJC to host national conversation on white supremacy and American Christianity
BJC is hosting a national conversation on white supremacy and American Christianity on June 26, and you are invited to attend this free, online event.
BJC celebrates the life of Babs Baugh and mourns her passing
BJC celebrates the legacy of Babs Baugh, who lived a life committed to protecting faith freedom for all.
Ohio legislature sends student religious liberties bill to governor
The Ohio House of Representatives approved legislation this week that aims to protect the religious freedom of public school students. Of course, the First Amendment already protects students’ rights of religious expression.
Labor Department issues new guidance ensuring religious organizations’ access to federal grants, includes some church-state protections
Last month, the U.S. Labor Department released new guidelines, as directed by the Office of Management and Budget, regarding religious organizations and federal grants.
