WASHINGTON (BP) – Southern Baptist leaders and other religious liberty advocates applauded the U.S. Supreme Court’s latest decision supporting the free exercise of religion in the face of government restrictions related to COVID-19. In a ruling issued late April 9, the high court granted an injunction blocking enforcement of a California policy that either limits or prohibits at-home, social gatherings such as Bible studies, prayer meetings and worship services. For the fifth time, the … [Read more...]
Colorado cake artist again defending religious liberty
DENVER (BP) – Colorado cake artist Jack Phillips is again defending his freedom to practice his Christian faith in a case that is part of the ongoing, legal faceoff between religious liberty and sexual liberty. Phillips – who won a significant, though limited, victory at the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018 – appeared as the defendant in a state-court trial that began March 22 as a result of a discrimination lawsuit filed for his refusal to provide a cake celebrating a gender transition. … [Read more...]
ERLC plans record 10 ultrasound donations
NASHVILLE (BP) – The Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission announced Thursday (Dec. 10) it will donate a record 10 ultrasound machines to pregnancy resource centers in the next six months. The ERLC will make the donations to Gospel-focused, pro-life centers across the United States through its Psalm 139 Project, which helps purchase sonogram technology and fund the training of staff members to operate the machines. Since 2004, the ministry – which is funded by … [Read more...]
Ruling on Nevada church restrictions applauded
SAN FRANCISCO (BP) – Religious freedom advocates applauded a federal appeals court decision Tuesday (Dec. 15) that blocked enforcement of Nevada’s pandemic-related restrictions because they treat various secular events and businesses “significantly better” than worship gatherings. A three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals – generally considered the most liberal of the federal appellate courts – unanimously granted a preliminary injunction against the state for attendance … [Read more...]
Court ruling on Medicaid funds for Planned Parenthood praised
NEW ORLEANS (BP) – Southern Baptist leaders praised a federal appeals court decision that enables states to prohibit abortion giant Planned Parenthood from receiving Medicaid funds. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans ruled Nov. 23 the states of Texas and Louisiana have the right to find that Planned Parenthood affiliates are unqualified to participate in their Medicaid programs. The decision also affects Mississippi, the other state within the Fifth Circuit. The opinion … [Read more...]
Court permits Tennessee to enforce disability abortion ban
NASHVILLE (BP) – Southern Baptist and government pro-life supporters welcomed a federal appeals court ruling that enables the state of Tennessee to enforce its ban of abortions based on disability, ethnicity or sex. The Sixth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati reversed Friday (Nov. 20) a federal judge’s order that had blocked enforcement of the “reasons ban,” as it is known. The measure – which prohibits an abortion when a doctor knows the request for the procedure is driven by … [Read more...]
Ky. court upholds wedding photographer’s liberty
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP) — A court decision in support of a Kentucky photographer who declines to shoot same-sex weddings is a victory for religious freedom, advocates for the First Amendment right said. In an Aug. 14 order, federal judge Justin Walker blocked the city of Louisville from enforcing a law against Chelsey Nelson that requires her to provide her services for a same-sex ceremony if she does so for a wedding between a man and a woman. Walker’s decision enables Nelson, a Christian, … [Read more...]
Silver lining appears for pro-lifers in court ruling
WASHINGTON (BP) — A silver lining has appeared for pro-life advocates in the U.S. Supreme Court’s otherwise disappointing decision in June regarding the protection of women who undergo abortions. The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis overturned Aug. 7 a federal judge’s ruling that had blocked enforcement of four pro-life laws in Arkansas. In doing so, the three-judge panel based its decision on a concurring opinion by Chief Justice John Roberts in the high court’s June 29 … [Read more...]
Religious access to state programs affirmed
WASHINGTON (BP) – The U.S. Supreme Court narrowly upheld June 30 a state tax credit scholarship program that includes religious schools, thereby maintaining its recent support of the right of faith groups to participate in government programs. The high court voted 5-4 to overturn a Montana Supreme Court decision that invalidated a state program that provides a tax credit of up to $150 for a donation to a Student Scholarship Organization (SSO). Contributions to SSOs finance scholarships … [Read more...]
Religious employment, insurance convictions protected
WASHINGTON (BP) – The U.S. Supreme Court reaffirmed in two 7-2 rulings July 8 that churches and religious organizations are free to make employment and health insurance decisions based on their convictions. In one ruling, the justices reiterated their support for a “ministerial exception” that enables churches and other religious bodies to hire and fire based on their beliefs. They had ruled unanimously in 2012 in favor of such an exception. In consolidated cases, two Catholic schools in … [Read more...]
‘Grievously wrong’ – Court’s abortion ruling disappoints pro-life advocates
WASHINGTON (BP) – Pro-life leaders expressed deep disappointment with the U.S. Supreme Court’s refusal June 29 to uphold a Louisiana law designed to protect the lives and health of women by requiring hospital admitting privileges for doctors who perform abortions. In a 5-4 decision, the high court ruled the law – which mandated a physician must have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of a facility where he or she performs an abortion – violated the U.S. Constitution by … [Read more...]
High court affirms religious access to state programs
WASHINGTON (BP) – The U.S. Supreme Court narrowly upheld Tuesday (June 30) a state tax credit scholarship program that includes religious schools, thereby maintaining its recent support of the right of faith groups to participate in government programs. The high court voted 5-4 to overturn a Montana Supreme Court decision that invalidated a state program that provides a tax credit of up to $150 for a donation to a Student Scholarship Organization (SSO). Contributions to SSOs finance … [Read more...]
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