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...]
Supreme Court disappoints pro-lifers with abortion ruling
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...]
Missouri Senator urges civil rights probe of state limits on churches
WASHINGTON (BP) – A United States senator has called for a federal civil rights investigation of states that have continued during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic to place strict limitations on religious gatherings while permitting massive protests of the police killing of George Floyd. Southern Baptist leaders, meanwhile, encouraged public officials to treat worship services the same as similar events while they loosen restrictions resulting from the pandemic. Sen. Josh Hawley, … [Read more...]
‘Biology is not bigotry’ – Supreme Court decision threatens ‘religious freedom, privacy, safety’
WASHINGTON (BP) – The U.S. Supreme Court left multiple questions regarding religious liberty unanswered but provided some hope in its landmark decision for gay and transgender rights, said advocates for the First Amendment freedom. In a 6-3 opinion, the high court ruled June 15 that the category "sex" in Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act encompasses "sexual orientation" and "gender identity," thereby providing non-discrimination protections for homosexual and transgender employees. … [Read more...]
Civil rights probe of state limits on churches urged
WASHINGTON (BP) — A United States senator has called for a federal civil rights investigation of states that have continued during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic to place strict limitations on religious gatherings while permitting massive protests of the police killing of George Floyd. Southern Baptist leaders, meanwhile, encouraged public officials to treat worship services the same as similar events while they loosen restrictions resulting from the pandemic. Sen. Josh Hawley, … [Read more...]
SCOTUS delays arguments: religious liberty, abortion rulings await
WASHINGTON (BP) – The U.S. Supreme Court has paused part of its work in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) with decisions in important cases regarding religious liberty, sexuality and abortion still to be announced. The high court announced March 16 it has postponed oral arguments scheduled for March 23-25 and March 30-April 1 to abide by recommendations offered in response to the continuing spread of the coronavirus. The court said it would study the alternatives for rescheduling … [Read more...]
Kentucky high court rules for print shop owner
FRANKFORT, Ky. (BP) – Religious freedom advocates commended a Kentucky Supreme Court decision Oct. 31 in support of a business owner who declined to print T-shirts for a gay pride festival. The state high court ruled unanimously the Gay and Lesbian Services Organization (GLSO) did not have "statutory standing" under a local ordinance to bring the challenge against Hands On Originals, giving the Lexington shop and managing owner Blaine Adamson their third legal victory. Two lower courts … [Read more...]
Michigan adoption agency wins in court
LANSING, Mich. (BP) – Faith-based adoption and foster care agencies seeking to practice their religious beliefs gained an important victory Thursday (Sept. 26) in Michigan. Federal Judge Robert Jonker issued a preliminary injunction blocking Michigan from canceling the state-approved contract of St. Vincent Catholic Charities to provide foster care and adoption services. St. Vincent will be able to continue partnering with the state while the court case continues. The Catholic agency … [Read more...]
Abortion continues to ebb, the reasons for decline debated
WASHINGTON (BP) – After a record low in the U.S. abortion rate, pro-life advocates and an abortion rights research organization have offered differing explanations. The Guttmacher Institute announced, Sept. 18, the abortion rate was 13.5 abortions per 1,000 women age 15 to 44 in 2017, the latest year for which it has statistics. That rate marked an 8 percent drop from the previous figure of 14.6 in 2014. Guttmacher was a Planned Parenthood affiliate from 1977 to 2007, when the abortion … [Read more...]
‘Analytical tool’ or ‘Marxist ideology’? – Critical Race Theory, Intersectionality resolution debated at SBC annual meeting
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article includes additional reporting from Pathway associate editor Benjamin Hawkins, in the section about the resolution on critical race theory and intersectionality. BIRMINGHAM (BP) – Messengers to the 2019 Southern Baptist Convention advocated for the vulnerable against abortion, sexual abuse and religious persecution in approving 13 resolutions, June 12. The resolutions also addressed a variety of other noteworthy issues in the convention and the world, including … [Read more...]
Supreme Court issues major religious liberty win
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Supreme Court ruled June 20 a 40-foot cross on public land that serves as a memorial to World War I soldiers does not violate the First Amendment's prohibition against a government establishment of religion. In a 7-2 decision, the justices reversed the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals' opinion that a Latin cross in Bladensburg, Md., violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment under a nearly 50-year-old test by promoting Christianity. The American … [Read more...]
High court upholds only part of Indiana pro-life law
WASHINGTON (BP) – The U.S. Supreme Court upheld May 28 an Indiana law that requires the humane disposal of aborted babies but refused to weigh in on the same state's ban on abortions based solely on ethnicity, sex or disability. The high court's refusal to review Indiana's appeal regarding its 2016 prohibition on abortions of certain classes of unborn children left standing a Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals decision that invalidated the measure. The action also rejected requests by some … [Read more...]
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