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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RFRA at 20: a retrospective
By K. Hollyn Hollman, BJC General Counsel
A Nov. 7 symposium, organized by the BJC and other groups, will use the occasion of the RFRA anniversary as an opportunity to reflect on the state of free exercise of religion in Americaby examining it in a number of contexts.
From the October 2013 Report from the Capital.
BJC says local government prayer violates consciences, undermines voluntary religion
In Supreme Court brief, Baptist Joint Committee urges limit on government involvement in religion
Official prayer at local government meetings violates the First Amendment and demeans genuine faith, according to the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty in a brief filed at the U.S. Supreme Court.
Public schools are not religion-free zones
By J. Brent Walker, BJC Executive Director
The start of a new school year provides an opportunity to review the many ways religion can properly be exercised, studied and otherwise included on public school campuses in ways that naturally arise in our very religious — and religiously diverse — country, while keeping school officials out of the business of promoting a particular religion or even religion in general.
From the September 2013 Report from the Capital
Disagreements remain after release of final contraceptive mandate rules
From BJC staff reports, with reporting from Religion News Service and Associated Baptist Press
The Obama administration issued final rules June 28 regarding employer-provided birth control coverage under the nation’s health care law.
From the July/August 2013 Report from the Capital
Remembering the bootleg preacher
By J. Brent Walker, BJC Executive Director
When that self-described “bootleg preacher,” Will Campbell, died June 3, heaven became richer and the earth poorer.
From the July/August 2013 Report from the Capital
Religious freedom debated in defense authorization legislation
By K. Hollyn Hollman, General Counsel
In deliberations over the reauthorization of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), religious liberty has become a point of contention.
From the July/August 2013 Report from the Capital
U.S. Supreme Court to hear legislative prayer case
From BJC staff reports
The practice of opening government meetings with Christian prayer will be examined by the U.S. Supreme Court in its upcoming term. The case of Town of Greece v. Galloway will bring legislative prayer before the Court for the first time in 30 years.
From the June 2013 Report from the Capital
The framework of American religious liberty
By J. Brent Walker, BJC Executive Director
Endowed by Our Creator: The Birth of Religious Freedom in America by Michael I. Meyerson is a new and wonderful book that responsibly engages the contentious debate about how the framers understood religion and religious liberty in the formation of our national government.
From the June 2013 Report from the Capital
Tornado coverage highlights voluntary religion and diversity
By K. Hollyn Hollman, BJC General Counsel
While conflicts over the role of religion in society will persist, we are fortunate. Our country protects religious freedom and preserves the religious peace by keeping the government out of the religion business, protecting the rights of the religious and non-religious alike.
From the June 2013 Report from the Capital
Reaching out to our Muslim neighbors
By J. Brent Walker, BJC Executive Director
A more mature understanding of Islam must be accompanied by a better relationship with Muslims. Here, it seems to me, Baptists are making major strides.
From the May 2013 Report from the Capital
