2013

iStockPhoto

Why The Supreme Court Ruling On Legislative Prayer Won’t Affect All Christians

By |

By James Coffin – Whatever the justices decide concerning legislative prayer, their decision will have little impact on what I’ll do when, as a member of the Christian clergy, I’m asked to pray at such gatherings. I don’t wear one of those WWJD? wristbands. But I regularly ask the what-would-Jesus-do question. And I’m convinced about what he’d do regarding legislative prayer.

Why The Supreme Court Ruling On Legislative Prayer Won’t Affect All Christians Read More »

A Mighty Fortress - With Luther's Signature. Wikimedia Commons.

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God – What the Anthem of the Reformation Means to Me

By |

By Bill Cork – I have a long history with “A Mighty Fortress.” I fell in love with it as a teenager, when I was first learning about the history of the Protestant Reformation. Like any teenager, I had my doubts, and fears. And this hymn spoke to me of confidence and trust in God–it not only spoke of confidence, it seemed to fill me with confidence as I sang its lyrics.

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God – What the Anthem of the Reformation Means to Me Read More »

Marriage Proceedings: Making Sense of the Same-Sex Marriage Cases (Liberty Magazine)

By |

On June 26, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court issued two highly anticipated rulings in same-sex marriage cases. First, the Court ruled that the federal government has to legally recognize the marriages of same-sex couples in those states that have legalized them. In a second decision, the Court declined to hear an appeal in defense of a California ballot initiative that had banned same-sex marriage on grounds that the nongovernmental party bringing the appeal lacked standing. For reasons discussed below, both decisions represent incremental steps that will ultimately lead the Court to consider whether same-sex marriage should be a right nationwide.

Marriage Proceedings: Making Sense of the Same-Sex Marriage Cases (Liberty Magazine) Read More »

Washington Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Whether State Law Requires Religious Accommodation

By |

Washington state law prohibits employers from discriminating against employees in compensation or terms or conditions of employment because of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, veteran status, or disability. This case raises the issue of whether a failure to make reasonable accommodation for an employee’s sincere religious beliefs is implied in the statute.

Washington Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Whether State Law Requires Religious Accommodation Read More »

U.S. President Discusses Imprisoned Pastor with Iranian President

By |

On September 28, President Obama picked up the phone and called Iranian President Rouhani who was traveling back to JFK airport after speaking at the United Nations in New York. In addition to discussing Iran’s nuclear-enrichment program, the presidents spoke about Pastor Saeed Abedini, an American citizen, who was arrested because of his faith while visiting Iran over a year ago. This was the first time since the Islamic revolution of 1979 that a U.S. President has spoken with an Iranian president. Secretary of State John Kerry and the U.S. Congress have also been calling for Pastor Saeed’s release.

U.S. President Discusses Imprisoned Pastor with Iranian President Read More »

Religious Liberty News Briefs

By |

On September 19, a bipartisan group introduced a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives that would prevent the federal government from discriminating through the tax code against individual religious believers who hold the principle that marriage is a union of one man and one woman. According to bill author, Rep. Raul Labrador (R-ID)H.R. 3133, the “Marriage and Religious Freedom Act,” “will ensure tolerance for individuals and organizations that affirm traditional marriage, protecting them from adverse federal action.” The bill is co-sponsored by Rep. Steve Scalise, Chairman of the Republican Study Committee, Rep. Mike McIntyre (D-NC), and Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL).

Religious Liberty News Briefs Read More »

Scroll to Top