Written by Jorge Gomez & Lauren Moses
According to a recent survey conducted by the Freedom Forum, fewer people in our country consider religious freedom as the first and most foundational freedom.
It’s indeed alarming to see there’s waning knowledge about religious liberty being the cornerstone of a free society, the wellspring from which all other liberties flow.
We’re at a point in our nation’s history when religious freedoms—indeed all of our constitutional rights and freedoms—are under attack like never before.… Continue Reading
Written by Jorge Gomez
The Biden administration appears to be testing the idea of putting together a list of Americans who have religious objections to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
Recently, the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the District of Columbia announced a new records system that will store the names and “personal religious information” of all employees who make “religious accommodation requests for religious exception from the federally mandated vaccination requirement.”
But this is only one agency implementing this type of tracking system.… Continue Reading
Written by David E. Smith
As the new year approaches, we close out 2021 with a nativity-focused edition of Spotlight. In our first segment, we feature the homily given by the Most Reverend Thomas John Paprocki, Bishop of the Springfield Diocese, at the blessing of the nativity scene displayed in the Capitol rotunda of the Illinois Statehouse. The nativity crèche is a public expression of Christian faith and is presented, through private funding, by the Springfield Nativity Scene Committee.… Continue Reading
Written by Jorge Gomez
U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ)—joined by more than two dozen of his Democratic colleagues as co-sponsors—recently reintroduced the “Do No Harm” Act (DNHA), a bill they claim would help “restore the Religious Freedom Restoration Act’s (RFRA) original intent.”
To refresh your memory, RFRA is a federal law crucial to the protection of religious liberty. Signed into law in 1993 by Democratic President Bill Clinton, RFRA has stood for over a quarter century as a legal bulwark and helped protect Americans from government infringement on their constitutional rights.… Continue Reading
Written by David E. Smith
This week, Illinois Family Spotlight focuses on current issues regarding religious freedom and the U.S. judicial system. To start the podcast, Monte Larrick interviews well-known Colorado baker and cake artist, Jack Phillips and general counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom, Kristen Waggoner.
Phillips describes the persecution and targeting he has endured at the hands of the LGBT faction in his ongoing battle for religious freedom within the context of his business.… Continue Reading
While attending the National Religious Broadcasters Convention near Dallas, Monte Larrick had the opportunity to speak with Kelly Shackelford, President and CEO of First Liberty Institute, the largest legal firm in the U.S. solely focused on protecting religious freedom for all Americans. Their conversation begins with a discussion of the dangers of the Equality Act, or as Newt Gingrich calls it “the LGBT Supremacy Act.” Mr. Shackelford explains how passage of this act would gut the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) by launching a far-reaching assault on religious freedom in all areas of society.… Continue Reading
Written by Daniel Horowitz
James Madison once wrote, “Government is instituted to protect property of every sort” and that “conscience is the most sacred of all property.” Yet just before July 4 weekend, the U.S. Supreme Court, by denying an appeal in an important religious liberty case, has essentially abrogated both property and conscience rights, as well as the right to use one’s own property in accordance with deeply held religious beliefs. So much for self-evident truths, inalienable rights, and the institution of government to secure these rights.… Continue Reading
Tags: Amy Coney Barrett, Anthony Kennedy, Arlene's Flowers, Barronelle Stutzman, Brett Kavanaugh, Calvin Coolidge, Jack Phillips, John Roberts, Joseph Story, Masterpiece Cakeshop, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, SCOTUS, U.S. Supreme Court
Religious Liberty | David E. Smith | 
July 8, 2021 7:00 AM | 
Comments Off on Justices Kavanaugh and Barrett Deal Crushing Blow to Religious Liberty
Written by David Limbaugh
Colorado baker Jack Phillips is a perpetual offender. He simply will not do. His offense? Unswervingly honoring his deeply held, and constitutionally protected, religious beliefs.
We’ve all heard of Phillips and his travails. Leftist bullies have been tormenting him for years, beginning in 2012, when the Colorado Civil Rights Commission targeted him for refusing to make a custom-designed cake to celebrate a same-sex wedding.
After several setbacks in various tribunals, Phillips was finally vindicated in a 7-to-2 U.S.… Continue Reading
Written by Jorge Gomez
June could be a critical month for religious freedom in America like never before. Over the next few weeks, the U.S. Supreme Court is likely to release most of the decisions for its current term—including cases in which First Liberty is fighting to defend people of faith and religious organizations.
Below, we’ll recap several First Amendment cases pending before the nation’s highest court and how the outcome in each of these could be a turning point for the constitutional freedoms of millions of Americans.… Continue Reading
Tags: Americans For Prosperity v. Becerra, Catholic Social Services, Citizen Power Initiatives for China, education choice, First Liberty, Fulton v. Philadelphia, Joe Biden, North American Mission Board, Richard Blumenthal, Roe v. Wade, school choice, SCOTUS, Stephen Breyer, U.S. Supreme Court
Religious Liberty | David E. Smith | June 12, 2021 5:00 AM | Comments Off on Why June Could be Decisive for Religious Freedom and the Future of the Nation’s Highest Court
Written by Jorge Gomez
For those who think that America could never descend into dictatorship, let this be a warning sign that tyranny could already have arrived on our shores.
The latest indication comes from examining China’s newest rules for religious personnel that went into effect earlier this month. Set by China’s State Administration for Religious Affairs (SARA)—a Big Brother-style religious oversight body—these regulations outline the rights and characteristics of religious work in China, and the obligations of those with religious roles.… Continue Reading
