MEDIA CENTER
Thought Leadership
FEATURED
BJC’s Amanda Tyler says the hearings in Congres provide an opportunity for the public to see Christian nationalism for what it is.
Holly Hollman looks at the stakes in the Supreme Court case of Kenedy v. Bremerton and how many are buying in to a false narrative.
BJC’s Holly Hollman on what’s at stake in the Carson v. Makin case heard by the Supreme Court in December 2021.
Read
U.S. senator draws criticism for espousing dangerous Christian nationalism mythology
A recent speech by Sen. Josh Hawley provides a clear example of the troubling reasoning of Christian nationalism, insisting that “without the Bible, there is no America.”
Supreme Court declines to expedite another religious liberty dispute, majority requires applicant to exhaust lower court options first
By a somewhat surprising 5-4 vote this week, the Court rejected the application of Yeshiva University to halt a New York state court order requiring it to recognize an LGBTQ group as an official student organization pending the outcome of litigation over the matter.
Citing state’s RFRA and Free Speech principles, federal court sides with wedding photographer in dispute over same-sex wedding objection
A federal judge in Kentucky enjoined enforcement of Louisville’s Fairness Ordinance against a wedding photographer who objects to same-sex marriage on religious grounds.
Listen
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.
Watch
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.
Christian nationalism and the January 6 insurrection:
Hear from contributors to a new report on how Christian nationalism emboldened and intensified the January 6 attack. This project was a collaboration between BJC and the Freedom From Religion Foundation.
The Flag and the Cross: White Christian Nationalism and the Threat to American Democracy
Dr. Samuel Perry and Dr. Philip Gorski join Amanda Tyler for a conversation about their new book and ways to counter Christian nationalism.
Three years of the Christians Against Christian Nationalism Campaign
BJC joined with others to launch the Christians Against Christian Nationalism campaign in 2019, BJC's Amanda Tyler notes the successes and looks at the work that lies ahead.
