U.S. Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett indicated in her confirmation hearing that she would fit in comfortably with the conservative majority on the high court that has ruled in recent years for an expansive view of religious liberty. During her last day of questioning before the Senate Judiciary Committee…
Justices issue new orders from last week’s conference; Thomas criticizes same-sex marriage ruling
After adding seven new cases to their docket on Friday, the Supreme Court issued more orders on Monday morning from last week’s “long” conference. The justices called for the views of the federal government in three new cases and set the latest chapter of a long-running water dispute between Florida…
Key Amy Coney Barrett Quotes on Religion, Precedent, Abortion and More
Open gallery view U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit Judge Amy Coney Barrett, a law professor at Notre Dame University, poses in an undated photograph obtained from Notre Dame University September 19, 2020 Some notable quotes from Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett, a former Notre Dame law…
Amy Coney Barrett quotes: What Trump’s Supreme Court nominee says about religion, abortion and more
Supreme Court Vacancy AP Explains(Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Some notable quotes from Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett a former Notre Dame law professor and current judge on the Chicago-based 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. President Donald Trump on Saturday announced he was nominating Barrett…
The Constitution Was Not Made Only For A Religious People
Last week, a ruling out of the Seventh Circuit presented the latest example that this country is facing an increasingly theocratic judiciary seeking to expressly favor religion and religious citizens at the great expense of nonbelievers. To be clear, the case is only at the preliminary injunction stage, so the…
San Fernando Valley church, L.A. County square off in court over indoor ban
Grace Community Church in Sun Valley has continued to hold Sunday services despite county and state health orders. On Tuesday, Aug. 25, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge denied a temporary restraining order sought by county officials to prohibit indoor services at the church. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los…
San Fernando Valley church, L.A. County square off in court over indoor ban
Grace Community Church in Sun Valley has continued to hold Sunday services despite county and state health orders. On Tuesday, Aug. 25, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge denied a temporary restraining order sought by county officials to prohibit indoor services at the church. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los…
Think tank proposes requiring legislative approval to extend public health emergencies
Louisiana’s governor should be required to seek legislative approval before extending a state of emergency beyond 30 days, an attorney for a conservative think tank argues. Under current law, the governor can declare or renew an emergency declaration by executive order, though a majority of either chamber of the Legislature…
Think tank proposes requiring legislative approval to extend public health emergencies, restrictions
A musician plays his trumpet as pedestrians walk by on Royal Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Thursday, July 9, 2020. An increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations at the time forced bars in the tourist-dependent city to shut down again just a month after they were allowed…
Think tank proposes requiring legislative approval to extend public health emergencies, restrictions
Gov. John Bel Edwards (The Center Square) – Louisiana’s governor should be required to seek legislative approval before extending a state of emergency beyond 30 days, an attorney for a conservative think tank argues. Under current law, the governor can declare or renew an emergency declaration by executive order, though…
Ky. court upholds wedding photographer’s liberty
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Chelsey Nelson runs a wedding photography and blogging business here. She is involved in a suit against the local metro government. (Alliance Defending Freedom photo) LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP) — A court decision in support of a Kentucky photographer who declines to shoot same-sex weddings is a victory…
Religious liberty ruling for wedding photographer commended
Alliance Defending Freedom photo Chelsey Nelson runs a wedding photography and blogging business in Louisville. She is involved in a suit against Jefferson County Metro Government. A court decision in support of a Kentucky photographer who declines to shoot same-sex weddings is a victory for religious freedom , advocates for…
Judge decides it’s OK for a photographer to refuse to work a same-sex wedding – even though no one has ever asked her to
Chelsey Nelson (Alliance Defending Freedom) A federal judge has decided that it’s OK for a photographer to refuse to work a same-sex wedding – despite the fact that nobody has ever asked her to do so. Chelsey Nelson, of Chelsey Nelson Photography, describes herself on her website as “a Louisville,…
Federal judge rules Louisville wedding photographer can refuse service to same-sex couples
Louisville wedding photographer Chelsey Nelson filed a federal lawsuit to block the Fairness Ordinance LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A federal judge said the city of Louisville cannot enforce its Fairness Ordinance against a local business owner who does not want to photograph same-sex weddings. Chelsey Nelson filed a lawsuit in…
California Megachurch Sues State Over COVID Mandates
Within days of opening his church to worship services in July, Pastor John MacArthur of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, received a “cease and desist” order from Los Angeles County. The order started off gently: “The County requests that you immediately cease holding indoor worship services or other…
Supreme Court: States can limit church attendance during coronavirus pandemic
Supreme Court of the United States (STOCK PHOTO) Friday, Chief Justice John Roberts angered conservatives when he ruled with the four liberal justices that the state of Nevada does have the power to limit Church attendees to just 50 in a 5 to 4 decision that was a serious blow…
Commentary: How the idea of religious freedom is being used to undermine other rights
“Religious discrimination.” It’s an accusation we hear with increasing frequency. Indeed, discrimination on the basis of religion is one of the few common concerns our divided society has left. But even here, political polarization has left its mark. As conservatives use it, “religious discrimination” carries a meaning that is largely…
Court upholds abortion-related ruling against Catholic Church
ALBANY – A mid-level appeals court Thursday unanimously rejected the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany’s effort to challenge a state regulation that requires health insurers to cover medically necessary abortions. In a 5-0 decision, the Appellate Division of state Supreme Court’s Third Department upheld a January 2019 ruling by state…
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…
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…
Court Suggests That Lockdown Exemptions for Religious Institutions Violate the Establishment Clause,
In Friday’s Spell v. Edwards , Judge Brian A. Jackson (M.D. La.), rejected an argument that Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards’ shutdown order (which limited indoor church gatherings, among other gatherings, to at most 10 people) violated the Free Exercise Clause. But the court also suggested that an exemption specifically…
Federal judge sides with Janet Mills in fight over in-person church services
Noah Finnemmore, 5, sticks his head out of the sun roof during the Calvary Chapel drive-in service on Sunday. Click here for the latest coronavirus news, which the BDN has made free for the public. You can support our critical reporting on the coronavirus by purchasing a digital subscription or…
Federal judge sides with Janet Mills in fight over in-person church services
Calvary Chapel pastor Ken Graves leads a recent drive-in service in Orrington. (BDN) BANGOR (BDN) — A federal judge on Saturday ruled that Gov. Janet Mills’ prohibition on in-person worship services does not violate the First Amendment. Calvary Chapel in Orrington and its pastor, Ken Graves, sued the governor in…
Jim Dey | Governor wins Round 1 of religious-services fight
Targeted with a “cease and desist order” and fearing criminal or civil actions, officials at the Beloved Church in northern Illinois’ Stevenson County filed a federal lawsuit accusing the state of violating members’ First Amendment right to religious freedom by banning church services. The Rev. Steve Cassell, represented by the…
Gov. Kelly strikes court deal with two churches, hints at easing coronavirus shutdown
The governor and two churches that sued over a stay-at-home order have reached a temporary truce in a case that entangles the coronavirus outbreak with issues of religious liberties. Wichita, Kansas — Gov. Laura Kelly filed a joint motion this weekend with two churches suing her over stay-at-home orders, signaling…