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BJC’s Amanda Tyler says the hearings in Congres provide an opportunity for the public to see Christian nationalism for what it is.
On the 5th anniversary of the Charlottesville violence, Amanda Tyler explores the extreme manifestations and implications of white Christian nationalism on display.
BJC’s Holly Hollman and Amanda Tyler preview the Supreme Court’s 2022-2023 term and look at what’s at stake.
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BJC urges HHS to include greater transparency and clarity in final rule concerning religious exemptions to agency grant requirements
Religious liberty advocates, including BJC, are asking the Department of Health and Human Services to go further in articulating all exemption requirements needed to comply with federal religious freedom law.
Federal court declines to require Maryland school district to allow parental opt-out from language arts reading curriculum that includes LGBTQ+ characters
A lawsuit brought by a group of Muslim and Christian plaintiffs appears headed to a federal appeals court, and it bears watching. The families wanted to opt their children out of reading books with LGBTQ+ characters because the books conflict with their religious beliefs.
Texas chaplains caution state’s school boards against creating chaplain programs in public schools
A coalition of Texas chaplains say that training for the chaplaincy counsels against providing such support for school-aged children.
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It’s been quite the week for the Supreme Court, releasing a decision in a case we were watching and responding to the unprecedented leak of a draft opinion in a case that captured the attention of the entire country. In this episode, Holly and Amanda break down Monday’s ruling in Shurtleff v. Boston – about a city flying a Christian flag – and the recent decision in Ramirez v. Collier – concerning religion in the execution chamber. They also react to the big Supreme Court news this week: the leak of a draft opinion for Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the case challenging a Mississippi law that restricts abortion. Amanda and Holly share their reactions to what’s happening at the Court and preview what’s to come.
This week, the Supreme Court discussed a coach-led prayer practice on the football field, hearing two very different versions of the facts. Amanda and Holly review Monday’s oral arguments in Kennedy v. Bremerton in this podcast, sharing their four takeaways and playing key courtroom exchanges. From the fights over the facts to conflating the rights of students and school officials, there are plenty of moments that caused more than fleeting concerns.
A public high school football coach is claiming a right to pray with students on the 50-yard-line immediately after the game while still on duty. What’s the best way to protect religious freedom for everyone in this situation? Amanda and Holly talk about the Supreme Court case of Kennedy v. Bremerton, what’s at stake, and how various groups are portraying what really happened. They go over BJC’s brief, which works to find a solution for everyone that protects the rights of students to be free to make their own choices about what religious practices they want to do and when to do so. Amanda and Holly also discuss the lines between private practice and government speech, and the different rights of students – who are compelled to be at school – and government employees, who represent the government.
The expected and the unexpected came up during Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation hearings to be a Supreme Court justice. Amanda and Holly review key exchanges, including questions about her personal religious belief and religious liberty. Plus, they review the jaw-dropping news about texts from Virginia Thomas – wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas – on January 6 that showcase the prominence of Christian nationalism in the events and conversations that culminated in the attack on the Capitol.
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Introducing the BJC Center for Faith, Justice and Reconciliation
The BJC Center for Faith, Justice and Reconciliation offers a variety of educational programs that expand and deepen our understanding of religious freedom with a broader justice lens.
Is the United States a Christian nation? What does that mean?
BJC General Counsel Holly Hollman shares about the prevalence of the "Christian nation" myth and a special responsibility Christians have.
What is Christian nationalism? How is it different from Christianity?
As a Christian, BJC's Amanda Tyler can’t stand it when her religious tradition is equated with the harmful political ideology of Christian nationalism.
2022 BJC Luncheon: Indigenous Voices on Faith Freedom
Hear from Dr. Kyle T. Mays and Mariah Humphries in an important conversation moderated by the Rev. Dr. Mitch Randall during the 2022 BJC Luncheon.
