Department of Justice files suit against Stafford over blocking of Islamic cemetery

Department of Justice files suit against Stafford over blocking of Islamic cemetery

Current AMAA cemetery on Brooke Road The Justice Department has filed a lawsuit alleging that Stafford County violated the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act by enacting overly restrictive zoning regulations prohibiting an Islamic organization from developing a religious cemetery on land it had purchased for that purpose. “Honoring…

On religion: ‘Utah compromise’ on religious liberty, gay rights?

On religion: ‘Utah compromise’ on religious liberty, gay rights?

Mattingly_Terry_2006 (SHNS photo) No doubt about it: Someone will have to negotiate a ceasefire someday between the Sexual Revolution and traditional religious believers, said Justice Anthony Kennedy, just before he left the U.S. Supreme Court. America now recognizes that “gay persons and gay couples cannot be treated as social outcasts…

MATTINGLY: ‘Utah Compromise’ on religious liberty, gay rights?

MATTINGLY: ‘Utah Compromise’ on religious liberty, gay rights?

No doubt about it: Someone will have to negotiate a ceasefire someday between the Sexual Revolution and traditional religious believers, said Justice Anthony Kennedy, just before he left the U.S. Supreme Court. America now recognizes that “gay persons and gay couples cannot be treated as social outcasts or as inferior…

Religious liberty, gay rights still at odds with ruling

Religious liberty, gay rights still at odds with ruling

No doubt about it: Someone will have to negotiate a ceasefire someday between the sexual revolution and traditional religious believers, said Justice Anthony Kennedy just before he left the U.S. Supreme Court. America now recognizes that "gay persons and gay couples cannot be treated as social outcasts or as inferior…

National Labor Relations Board Reverses Obama-Era Decision Regarding Standard for Asserting Jurisdiction Over Faculty Members at Religious Institutions

National Labor Relations Board Reverses Obama-Era Decision Regarding Standard for Asserting Jurisdiction Over Faculty Members at Religious Institutions

On June 10, 2020, the National Labor Relations Board (the NLRB or the Board) issued a decision that reversed a 2014 Board decision regarding the test for exercising jurisdiction over faculty members at religious institutions. In Bethany College , the Board held that the test for exercising such jurisdiction that…

NLRB Severely Limits Jurisdiction Over Religious Schools

NLRB Severely Limits Jurisdiction Over Religious Schools

On June 10, 2020, a three-member panel of the National Labor Relations Board issued a decision limiting its own jurisdiction over the faculty of self-identified religious educational institutions. The Board’s decision in Bethany College is the latest in a long line of cases reviewing the threshold of when the Board…

USCCB, Other Catholic Groups Urge Court to Protect Faith-Based Foster Care

USCCB, Other Catholic Groups Urge Court to Protect Faith-Based Foster Care

Sharonell Fulton, a foster parent in Philadelphia, is pictured with a young woman and children in a May 23, 2018 photo. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and other Catholic entities have urged the U.S. Supreme Court to protect Philadelphia’s faith-based foster care in a decision expected this June. The…

Symposium: LGBT rights and religious freedom—finding a better way

Alexander Dushku and Shawn Gunnarson are shareholders at Kirton McConkie, where they represent an array of religious institutions on various matters. They were counsel of record on amicus briefs on behalf of religious organizations and religious colleges and universities in support of the employers in Bostock v. Clayton County and…

Lawsuit Charges Illinois With Violating Religious-liberty Rights

Lawsuit Charges Illinois With Violating Religious-liberty Rights

A lawsuit filed last week by the Thomas Moore Society, a non-profit public interest law firm, charged that the state of Illinois is violating its own laws by requiring all insurance policies offered for sale in the state to pay for abortion services. There is no exemption allowed even by…

Nevada church renewing challenge of virus attendance cap

RENO — A rural Nevada church is trying to renew its unsuccessful bid to strike down the state’s cap on the size of religious gatherings, arguing failure to enforce social-distancing guidelines in voter lines during Tuesday’s primary election was further proof churches are being singled out in violation of the…

ADF International CEO Reflects on Religious Freedom in Europe Today

ADF International CEO Reflects on Religious Freedom in Europe Today

Executive Director Paul Coleman oversees the advocacy and operations of the global alliance-building legal organization Alliance Defending Freedom International. (ADF International) ‘We see more cases year on year, and this is, in part, because Christians are becoming more aware of what’s happening.’ One of the major challenges all governments face…

NLRB Declines Jurisdiction Over Faculty at Religious Educational Institutions

NLRB Declines Jurisdiction Over Faculty at Religious Educational Institutions

Roundtable Expert Witnesses Services for Litigators & Legal Professionals – Click her for more info. In a major decision for religious institutions of higher education, the National Labor Relations Board (the “NLRB”) recently ruled in Bethany College, 369 NLRB No. 98 (June 10, 2020) that it has no jurisdiction over…

Nevada church renewing challenge of virus attendance cap

RENO, Nev. (AP) — A rural Nevada church is trying to renew its unsuccessful bid to strike down the state’s cap on the size of religious gatherings, arguing failure to enforce social-distancing guidelines in voter lines during Tuesday’s primary election was further proof churches are being singled out in violation…

Satanist Loses Challenge to Missouri Abortion Consent Law

Satanist Loses Challenge to Missouri Abortion Consent Law

(AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) ST. LOUIS (CN) — Missouri’s law requiring physicians to give women a pro-life booklet and perform an ultrasound before an abortion does not infringe on a Satanist’s religious freedom, the Eighth Circuit ruled Tuesday. Judy Doe, a member of the Satanic Temple, filed a lawsuit in February…

Satanist Loses Challenge to Missouri Abortion Consent Law

Satanist Loses Challenge to Missouri Abortion Consent Law

(AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) ST. LOUIS (CN) — Missouri’s law requiring physicians to give women a pro-life booklet and perform an ultrasound before an abortion does not infringe on a Satanist’s religious freedom, the Eighth Circuit ruled Tuesday. Judy Doe, a member of the Satanic Temple, filed a lawsuit in February…

GOVERNMENT Unclear message regarding religion

GOVERNMENT Unclear message regarding religion

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” — the First Amendment to…

Nevada defends church services cap; Lyon County sheriff won’t enforce

Nevada defends church services cap; Lyon County sheriff won’t enforce

FILE – In this April 12, 2020, file photo, Norma Urrabazo prays while wearing a face mask before speaking at an Easter drive-in service at the International Church of Las Vegas, in Las Vegas. Nevada’s lawyers are stepping up their defense of Gov. Steve Sisolak’s 50-person cap on religious gatherings…

Nevada defends cap on church services; sheriff won’t enforce

Nevada defends cap on church services; sheriff won’t enforce

Nevada’s lawyers are stepping up their defense of Gov. Steve Sisolak’s 50-person cap on religious gatherings in a legal battle with leaders of a rural church. (File: KRNV) RENO, Nev. (AP) — Nevada’s lawyers are stepping up their defense of Gov. Steve Sisolak’s 50-person cap on religious gatherings in a…

Delaware Governor to Back Off Religious Worship Restrictions

Delaware Governor to Back Off Religious Worship Restrictions

Gov. John Carney gives a briefing. Democratic Gov. John Carney plans to back off restrictions he imposed on church worship to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, state attorneys told a federal judge Tuesday. Carney planned to issue new guidance regarding communities of worship either later Tuesday or Wednesday that…

Nevada defends cap on church services

Nevada defends cap on church services

FILE – In this April 12, 2020, file photo, Norma Urrabazo prays while wearing a face mask before speaking at an Easter drive-in service at the International Church of Las Vegas, in Las Vegas. Nevada’s lawyers are stepping up their defense of Gov. Steve Sisolak’s 50-person cap on religious gatherings…