U.S. Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Religious Challenge to Prison Grooming Standards

Written by Don Byrd
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to weigh in on the question of whether prison grooming policies of the Arkansas Department of Corrections, requiring inmates to shave, violate the religious freedom rights under the First Amendment or the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) of prisoners whose religion forbids it. RLUIPA prohibits the state from substantially burdening an inmates’s religious exercise unless the burden is necessary to achieve a compelling government interest.

BJC’s Walker Discusses Contraception Case Briefs, Warns Against Finding RFRA Unconstitutional

Written by Don Byrd
The Baptist Joint Committee’s Brent Walker weighed in today on briefs filed with the U.S. Supreme Court in the contraception mandate cases. Writing for ABP, he rejects the argument raised by a lawyer for the Freedom From Religion Foundation that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, the law at the heart of the contraception dispute, is unconstitutional. Walker makes the case that RFRA is a perfectly acceptable means of strengthening religious liberty guarantees.

Justice Department Argues Contraception Mandate is Not a Substantial Burden

Written by Don Byrd
Politico reports on the brief filed with the U.S. Supreme Court by the Justice Department late Friday in the contraception mandate cases. The government argues the burden placed on religious owners of closely held corporations by the requirement to provide such coverage is not substantial enough to trigger First Amendment protection. The burden, they claim is too indirect.

Supreme Court Sets Oral Argument Date in Contraception Cases

Written by Don Byrd
SCOTUSblog reports the U.S. Supreme Court today released the oral argument calendar for late March and early April. Included in the calendar are high-profile religious cases, Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood Specialties. The arguments will be heard Tuesday, March 25.