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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New Study: 68% of Americans disagree with Christian nationalism beliefs
A solid majority of Americans disagree with beliefs associated with Christian nationalism, according to a new survey by the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) and Brookings.
State appeals court rules against Masterpiece Cakeshop in yet another Colorado anti-discrimination case
A Colorado appeals court ruled in favor of customer Autumn Scardina, who filed suit against Masterpiece Cakeshop under the CADA law for refusing to make her a pink birthday cake with blue frosting.
U.S. Supreme Court to review threshold for when employers must accommodate an employee’s religious practices
Gerald Groff is a postal worker who faced discipline after refusing to work on Sundays in accordance with his faith. He filed suit under Title VII of the Civil Rights Acts, which bars employers from discriminating against employees on the basis of religion.
Biden administration proposes new rules reinstating important religious liberty protections for beneficiaries of federal funds
Nine agencies of the Biden administration announced new proposed rules that would strengthen religious liberty protections for beneficiaries of federally funded social services.
Top 10 religious liberty stories of 2022 and what we’re watching for in 2023
Here are my top 10 religious liberty stories of 2022 and some of the questions they leave unanswered for this new year.
President Biden signs Respect for Marriage Act, BJC’s Hollman praises law as ‘affirmation of religious freedom’
As Holly Hollman explained in a statement lauding the bill’s enactment, the Respect for Marriage Act is a historic achievement for both marriage equality and religious freedom.
BJC’s Tyler warns U.S. House subcommittee of Christian nationalism’s relationship to white supremacy in America
In testimony before Congress, BJC Executive Director Amanda Tyler explained the relationship between Christian nationalism and white supremacy, and she suggested a helpful formula for distinguishing Christianity from Christian nationalism.
U.S. Supreme Court questions whether a web designer has a Free Speech right to refuse wedding pages for same-sex couples
Even though 303 Creative v. Elenis was taken on Free Speech grounds, there are significant reasons for religious liberty advocates to care about how this case is decided.
U.S. Senate passes bill protecting interracial and same-sex marriages after votes on religious liberty amendments
New federal legislation that would require states to recognize marriages that are lawfully performed in other states – including same-sex and interracial marriages – appears poised to become law after an amended version of the Respect for Marriage Act passed the U.S. Senate this week on a 61-36 vote.
Religious freedom election results, including a slim rejection of a religious freedom amendment in Arkansas
Ballot measures in Arkansas, Tennessee, and West Virginia involved religious freedom in 2022, and the results were a mixed bag.