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.
For press inquiries, contact:
Cherilyn Crowe
Director of Communications
[email protected]
202-544-4226 x 305
Cell: 202-670-5877
Remembering Ed Gaustad: a religious liberty champion
Edwin Scott Gaustad, one of the premier historians of American religion, died March 25 in Santa Fe, N.M., at age 87. An exemplar of Baptist principles, he was a staunch advocate of religious liberty and separation of church and state. What a great loss this is. Ed...
Free speech, religious belief and Westboro Baptist
Written by K. Hollyn Hollman, BJC General Counsel
Westboro Baptist Church — the tiny but seemingly ubiquitous church group founded by Fred Phelps of Topeka, Kan., and consisting mostly of his family members — is one of the most notorious religious groups in America. Now adding to the church’s distinction is a U.S. Supreme Court case bearing their leader’s name and upholding their constitutional rights despite the harm caused to a grieving military family. …
Rogers handles hot topics at 2011 Shurden Lectures
GEORGETOWN, KY -- Church-state expert Melissa Rogers joked she had chosen noncontroversial topics for her presentations April 4-5 as speaker for the 2011 Walter B. and Kay W. Shurden Lectures on Religious Liberty and Separation of Church and State. A glance at the...
BJC disappointed in Supreme Court ruling regarding tax credits
High Court says taxpayers in the case do not have the right to bring Establishment Clause suit FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jeff Huett | Phone: 202-544-4226 | Cell: 202-680-4127 Cherilyn Crowe | Phone: 202-544-4226 | Cell: 615-519-0620 April 4, 2011 WASHINGTON – A...
Preventing religion from becoming lethal
The continuing-to-unfold events in the Middle East provide an occasion to think about the relationship between religion and politics among the three Abrahamic faiths: Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Although religion has not been front and center in the democracy...
Voucher debate reflects lines to be drawn in protecting religious freedom
By K. Hollyn Hollman, BJC General Counsel
BJC’s Walker, other faith leaders respond to hearing on ‘radicalization’ in U.S. Muslim community
At Capitol Hill press conference, leaders say national security can be protected without singling out a faith community March 10, 2011 WASHINGTON— Just after Congress convened the first in a series of hearings examining "radicalization" in the American Muslim...
BJC urges Rep. King to broaden scope of Thursday hearing on “radicalization” of American Muslims
March 8, 2011 Contact: Jeff Huett | Phone: 202-544-4226 | Cell: 202-680-4127 Cherilyn Crowe | Phone: 202-544-4226 | Cell: 615-519-0620 WASHINGTON — A Baptist organization committed to religious freedom for all has urged Rep. Peter King and his committee to broaden the...
Fear fuels anti-Sharia initiatives
By K. Hollyn Hollman, BJC General Counsel For years, defenders of religious liberty have noted the challenge of ensuring that Muslims in America have the same rights as others. While our religious diversity is often celebrated as a significant strength of our nation’s...
BJC raises concerns about Congressional hearings targeting American Muslims
WASHINGTON — The Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty joined a coalition to confront scheduled Congressional hearings targeting American Muslims. On Feb. 1, the BJC joined 50 legal, human rights and faith organizations in urging House leaders to raise...
