Supreme Court Upholds Idaho Ban On Gender Transition Meds For Minors

A law criminalizing gender transition care for minors in Idaho can be applied while two anonymous teenage plaintiffs’ challenge to the law continues in court, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on April 15.

Alito Sounds Alarm After Christians Denied Jury Duty Service In Missouri

The barring of two Christians from jury duty in a trial involving a lesbian is evidence that Christians with a biblical worldview are increasingly seen as bigots, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito said after Missouri asked the High Court to review the ruling.

Sotomayor’s Dissent Sheds Light On Religious Universities Amid Affirmative Action Debate

(ANALYSIS) Sotomayor’s dissent poses an interesting inquiry, regardless of one’s personal opinion of where the court should have landed on affirmative action: Does the Constitution uphold the spiritual and religious freedom of faith-based higher education institutions to engage in holistic, race-conscious admissions practices as an expression of their sincerely held institutional religious beliefs?

A Business Can Decline Service Based On Its Beliefs, But What Will This Look Like In Practice?

(ANALYSIS) As a professor of law who pays particular attention to First Amendment issues involving freedom of religion and speech, I see 303 Creative v. Elenis highlighting tension between two competing fundamental interests — ones that clash routinely in 21st century America.

Revisit Of ‘Due Process’ Rights Led To Reversal Of Roe

States, lawyers and legal scholars are continuing to evaluate the impact of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health, which overturned the decision in Roe v. Wade and subsequent abortion cases and held the U.S. Constitution does not, in fact, recognize a right to terminate a pregnancy.

School Choice For The Next Generation

(ANALYSIS) Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court released a decision clearly stating that religious schools cannot be excluded from state school choice programs. This means, in short, a major potential change for the future of private faith-based education.

Roe v. Wade Overturned, Plus The Supreme Court's 4 Other Biggest Religion Cases Of 2022

This week’s Weekend Plug-in highlights the U.S. Supreme Court’s five biggest religion cases of 2022 — including the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Plus, as always, catch up on all the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.

Is Roe v. Wade About To Be Overturned? And If So, What Are The Implications?

(OPINION) According to an exclusive story on Politico, the Supreme Court is poised to overturn Roe v. Wade when ruling on the Dobbs v. Jackson in June. But what happens if Roe is overturned? Then we will walk straight into an impassioned, even frenzied, potentially violent ideological civil war, one that could quickly divide America into pro-life states vs. pro-abortion states.

5 Faith Facts About Ketanji Brown Jackson, The Supreme Court's First Black Woman

This week’s Weekend Plug-in starts with the historic confirmation of Ketanji Brown Jackson, who will become the first Black woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. Plus, as always, catch up on all the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.

#RNA2022: Nation's Religion Writers Convene — In Person — For Annual Conference

This week’s Weekend Plug-in comes to you from Bethesda, Maryland, site of the Religion News Association’s 2022 annual meeting. As always, Plug-in highlights the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.

Supreme Court Nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson Says Her Faith Sustains Her But Won't Impede Judgments

Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson has been questioned in hearings this week to become the first Black woman to serve on the United States Supreme Court. “I must also pause to reaffirm my thanks to God, for it is faith that sustains me at this moment,” Jackson said.

Carson V. Makin Explained: What's At Stake For Religious Schools, LGBTQ Kids

(ANALYSIS) The Supreme Court will hear a potentially landmark case for religious schools on Dec. 8, Carson v. Makin. Up for discussion is whether Maine’s law, which excludes religious schools from the diversity of schooling options that families have access to in a public student aid program, infringes on First Amendment constitutional protections.

Supreme Court study paints incomplete portrait of religious freedom precedent

(ANALYSIS) The study characterizes the Supreme Court’s previous approach to religious freedom as one that interpreted the First Amendment’s religion clauses to offer “weak but meaningful” safeguards for minority faiths from adverse treatment by public policies that privileged “mainstream Christian organizations, practices, or values.” But the study’s authors also admit that conservative Christian values are no longer mainstream.

Christians, Jews, Muslims and Lobbyists Left and Right Fret Over SCOTUS 'Donor Privacy' Case

(OPINION) What cause could ever possibly unite the Christian Right and the pro-choice left? Non-profit groups cannot operate or raise money in the state of California unless they give its attorney general the names and addresses of their major donors, the same list that's required as an appendix to their federal IRS returns.

OpinionRichard OstlingMarch 12, 2021Opinion, Richard Ostling, SCOTUSComment

Will U.S. Catholics split their vote this year?

(OPINION) Trying to gauge voter enthusiasm is difficult. While Trump voters do seem generally more energized — especially among evangelicals and church-going Catholics — compared to Biden supporters, the events of the past few weeks in Washington may have shifted priorities.

News media ignores church vandalism, but can't get enough of ACB's faith

(OPINION) Vandalism against Catholic churches is a news story. Period. Where is the coverage?

Senate Should Question Amy Coney Barrett About Her Ties To People Of Praise

(OPINION) SCOTUS nominee Amy Coney Barrett has faced questions and criticism about her Catholic faith since 2017. But she has rarely been asked about her ties to People of Praise, a unique Catholic group. Questions like these are necessary to make an accurate choice in appointing Barrett to the Supreme Court.

What you need to know about SCOTUS nominee Amy Coney Barrett's faith

Here’s everything you need to know about Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett’s faith, her past statements regarding abortion and whether religion should impact judicial philosophy.

Most Catholic voters favor Biden, cite the economy as their biggest concern

The newest EWTN News/RealClear Opinion Research poll on Catholic priorities this election season finds that while former Vice President Joe Biden enjoys a 12-point margin over Donald Trump, the president continues to do best among those who regularly attend Mass on Sundays.

Of dice and clergymen: SCOTUS needs to explain why churches, casinos have different COVID-19 rules

(OPINION) A 5-4 Supreme Court ruling in Nevada limits churches in the state to 50 guests, while bars, casinos and other entertainment venues are permitted 50 percent capacity. Doing so sets churches at an unfair disadvantage.

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