Should a Religious Flag Fly Over a Government Building?

Should a Religious Flag Fly Over a Government Building?

Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto A religious volunteer group in Boston, Camp Constitution, asked permission to fly a flag with the Latin cross to commemorate the signing of the U.S. Constitution and the city’s religious history. Although Boston had approved 284 flag-raising requests without a single rejection in the preceding 12 years,…

Supreme Court to decide a key case in separation of church and state

Supreme Court to decide a key case in separation of church and state

One of the smartest things the framers of the United States Constitution did for the future of the government they were designing was to both mandate freedom from state-sponsored religion and freedom to choose one’s own form of worship. These principles were concisely summed up in a single phrase in…

Guest column: Is the United States still a Christian nation?

Guest column: Is the United States still a Christian nation?

Is America a Christian nation? Should it be? What does it even mean for a country to be a Christian nation or a nation of any other religion? These were among the questions Pastor Jim Eaton of Mosaic Church in Frederick, Md., and I discussed for the National Day of…

N.Y. wedding photographer to appeal court ruling compelling gay-wedding photoshoots

N.Y. wedding photographer to appeal court ruling compelling gay-wedding photoshoots

Emilee Carpenter, 27, a wedding photographer in Elmira, New York, will appeal a ruling she said unfairly compels her to violate her religious convictions or lose her business. (Photo courtesy Alliance Defending Freedom) Wedding photographer Emilee Carpenter is appealing a New York federal judge’s ruling that her attorneys say compels…

Does free speech fly at City Hall Plaza?

Does free speech fly at City Hall Plaza?

Next week the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Shurtleff v. Boston , a freedom-of-speech case that concerns a flagpole on Boston’s City Hall Plaza. The facts of the controversy are simple. The issues at stake are profound. Related: Supreme Court agrees to review case involving right to fly…

Religious News From Around the Web January 10, 2022

Religious News From Around the Web January 10, 2022

“Global Respect Act” Disrespects Religious Liberty; Christians Win in European Court of Human Rights; Chinese Communists “Walk in Footsteps of Taliban”; To Forward a Spiritual Revival? University and Smithsonian to Study Role of Religion in Jan 6 Capitol Riot; Patheos Pulls Plug on Negative Religious Criticism “Global Respect Act” Disrespects…

How a Supreme Court ruling might upend Washington charter schools

How a Supreme Court ruling might upend Washington charter schools

A quirk of history and misaligned constitutional provisions soon could kill public charter schools in Washington state. A case before the U.S. Supreme Court would make that happen. A Supreme Court challenge to Maine’s ban on using taxpayer funds to enable rural kids to attend private religious schools might have…

City council discontinues prayer in response to Wisconsin group

City council discontinues prayer in response to Wisconsin group

“Because of Mebane’s conviction that the diversity of our strongly-held beliefs makes us greater, not weaker. And because of our commitment to show respect to all faiths, beliefs, and perspectives, Mebane’s City Council will no longer open with an invocation.” — Ed Hooks, Following a complaint lodged by the Freedom…

Religious News From Around the Web December 27, 2021

Religious News From Around the Web December 27, 2021

Houses of Worship Struggle to Rebuild Attendance; Michigan City Gets Ready for All-Muslim Government; New York Can Force Photographer to Take Pictures for Same-Sex Wedding; Archdiocese sues LAUSD, alleging it kept federal funds from Catholic schools; Maine Tuition Case Before SCOTUS; China Will Ban Foreigners From Offering Online Religious Services;…

Delhi High Court Rejects Suit Against Waseem Rizvi’s Book ‘Muhammad’ For Allegedly Making Incendiary Statements Against Islam & Prophet Mohammed

Delhi High Court Rejects Suit Against Waseem Rizvi’s Book ‘Muhammad’ For Allegedly Making Incendiary Statements Against Islam & Prophet Mohammed

Delhi High Court Rejects Suit Against Waseem Rizvis Book Muhammad For Allegedly Making Incendiary Statements Against Islam & Prophet Mohammed The Delhi High Court has rejected a suit filed against Syed Waseem Rizvi’s Book ‘ Muhammad ‘ alleging that it contained various demeaning and incendiary statements about Islam, Holy Quran…

Following complaint, Mebane to stop beginning meetings with prayer

Following a complaint lodged by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Mebane council members will start their meetings with a moment of silence instead of a prayer. This is according to Mebane Mayor Ed Hooks, who during the Dec. 6 regular session said the city would transition from prayers to a…