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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Appeals Court rejects Apache’s religious freedom argument, likely leaving fate of Oak Flat in Congress’ hands
The court’s ruling is not the last word on this matter. Congress can fix this problem.
BJC’s Tyler, others, discuss ‘structural aspects of bigotry’ – including religious intolerance – in new report
In the essay entitled “Religious Intolerance,” Tyler and co-author Dr. John Corrigan, Professor of History and Religion at Florida State University, explained that “religious bigotry, like all structural bigotry, is exercised in order to hold power.”
Supreme Court upends long-standing religious liberty protection for students, sides with football coach
The dissent highlighted the many facts that the majority ignored or misstated in characterizing Kennedy’s prayers as private and quiet. No student on the field or parent in the stands should have to weigh their participation against the isolating and offending threat of it turning into a religious spectacle.
BJC’s Tyler to CBS News: Christian nationalism continues to fuel former President Trump’s Big Lie
BJC Executive Director Amanda Tyler spoke to CBS News about the ways Christian nationalism “absolutely was on display” during President Trump’s remarks at an event last week and the insurrection itself.
In blow to religious freedom, SCOTUS rules for the first time that a state’s tuition assistance program must fund religious education
In its Carson v. Makin ruling, the Supreme Court sidestepped concerns raised by Maine officials and religious liberty advocates – including BJC – that supporting religious education with taxpayer dollars undermines historic principles of church-state separation that states should have the leeway to protect.
State Department issues 2021 Report on International Religious Freedom, president makes appointment to USCIRF
The U.S. Department of State released its annual Report on International Religious Freedom, as required by federal law
BJC condemns congresswoman’s embrace of Christian nationalism
Greene’s troubling statements represent a stunningly explicit embrace of Christian nationalism — a movement that is becoming more and more brazen.
Vaccine case roundup: Mandates across country largely upheld in recent court decisions
A variety of religious liberty challenges related to vaccine mandates continue to work through courts across the country, and new challenges to COVID-19 vaccine requirements are still being filed.
New study: Government favoritism of religion ‘may harm institutions it is meant to support and protect’
The results of a new study suggest that religious adherents should think twice before accepting state establishment or favoritism, if strengthening the faith is their goal.
Troubling growth of Christian nationalism on display in the pulpit, on the campaign trail
In recent days, several troubling expressions of Christian nationalism have surfaced in the news, which is both a disturbing trend and a reminder of the dangers of equating political identity with religious identity. Unfortunately, Christian nationalism appears to be creeping into our political discourse with increasing ease.