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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Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor leaves legacy of civic-minded church-state jurisprudence
Justice Sandra Day O’Connor left a remarkable legacy in church-state jurisprudence when she retired from the Court in 2006 after more than two decades as a Supreme Court Justice.
Justice Department files statement of interest supporting Oregon church’s free meal program
The DOJ’s statement argues that a local ordinance restricting a church’s free meal program to no more than twice per week is a violation of the church’s religious freedom rights under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA).
Dept. of Education issues reminder, offers new tools to federally funded institutions to address and protect against hate-based incidents on campus
In response to a recent rise in violence, harassment, and intimidation on college campuses, the Biden administration continues to emphasize its commitment to addressing religion-based hate here in the United States.
Tyler testifies before Congress on the same day of Speaker Mike Johnson’s election
BJC again provided testimony before Congress last week, this time on the same day that the House of Representatives finally landed on a new speaker.
In primetime address, President Biden denounces rise in antisemitism and Islamophobia in United States as war rages
President Biden addressed Americans on the war in Israel and Gaza, emphasizing that “Israel and Palestinians equally deserve to live in safety, dignity, and peace.”
Appeals court says ‘preserving neighborhood character’ is not a sufficient justification for denying meditation center zoning request
By requiring the government to demonstrate a compelling government interest necessitates a substantial burden on religious exercise, laws like RFRA and RLUIPA provide a workable legal framework for resolving disputes between the government and religious adherents.
9th Circuit agrees with panel, orders California school district to recognize Fellowship of Christian Athletes club
The 9th Circuit ordered the San Jose school district to recognize the Fellowship of Christian Athletes as an official student club, despite the fact that FCA would not agree to abide by the district’s nondiscrimination policy.
BJC urges HHS to include greater transparency and clarity in final rule concerning religious exemptions to agency grant requirements
Religious liberty advocates, including BJC, are asking the Department of Health and Human Services to go further in articulating all exemption requirements needed to comply with federal religious freedom law.
Federal court declines to require Maryland school district to allow parental opt-out from language arts reading curriculum that includes LGBTQ+ characters
A lawsuit brought by a group of Muslim and Christian plaintiffs appears headed to a federal appeals court, and it bears watching. The families wanted to opt their children out of reading books with LGBTQ+ characters because the books conflict with their religious beliefs.
Texas chaplains caution state’s school boards against creating chaplain programs in public schools
A coalition of Texas chaplains say that training for the chaplaincy counsels against providing such support for school-aged children.
