The #MeToo movement has opened the floodgates on sexual abuse allegations. Now it is up to churches, schools, and institutions to prevent it, and for parents to know the signs of sexual abuse to protect their children.
Archives for January 2018
Pro se “RICO” case against CA mandatory vaccination law dismissed
A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit that alleged that the State of California exceeded its powers when it passed a law removing all but medical exemptions to mandatory vaccination laws. In June 2015, California Governor Jerry Brown signed SB 277 into law, removing the ability of parents to claim religious belief exemptions to otherwise […]
Dangerous Money: Gov’t money to churches has strings attached
Would you choose to mount a sixteen-foot maraschino cherry on the roof of your church? You probably wouldn’t, but would you consider doing so if it were part of a deal where your church would receive a large donation? This situation may seem ridiculous, but many times government money offered to religious institutions has very troubling “strings” attached.
PA Court flushes Amish free exercise claim after 8-year sewer battle
An eight-year conflict has left a Pennsylvania family struggling to practice their faith against a sewage ordinance in Sugar Grove Township, Pennsylvania. Joseph and Barbara Yoder, an Old Order Amish family, have been ordered by local courts to install an electric pump in their outhouse, an action that directly contradicts their religious beliefs.
Court orders parties to brief Establishment Clause issue in travel ban case
On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear Trump v. Hawaii (Docket No. 17-965) and directed the parties to prepare briefs and arguments on the issue of whether President Donald Trump’s travel ban, Proclamation No. 9645, also known as Executive Order 3 (EO-3), violates the Establishment Clause.
Proposed New York guidelines could permit public school districts to regulate private schools
The state of New York is considering guidelines that could dramatically change the relationship between public and private schools.
10th Cir. reverses summary judgment in Title VII Sabbath accommodation case
On January 17, 2018, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a lower court improperly granted summary judgment against plaintiffs in a holy day observance case.
The Turn at the Gate: What Jesus Knew about the Separation of Church and State
Christians everywhere are driven by the same passion—to share God’s love with the world. But not all agree on how that’s best accomplished. Some insist that civil authorities should be involved—making it harder to run afoul of the Bible’s timeless principles. Others feel compelled to witness on their own. Perhaps it’s time to ask the age-old question: What would Jesus do? Good news. He answered that question two thousand years ago
When Not to Tell the Story: The Ethics of Announcing a Religious Conversion
Churches like nothing more than to have a wonderful and exciting conversion story to proclaim to the world. What happens if proclaiming such a story puts lives in danger? What happens when a person is put in danger against his will? These questions have been at the center of a fascinating legal case, Doe v. First Presbyterian Church U.S.A. of Tulsa, (OK Sup. Ct., Dec. 19, 2017), involving a church that announced on the internet how one converted from Islam to Christianity.
Supreme Court declines Establishment Clause challenge to Mississippi LGBT law
On Monday, January 8, 2018, the United States Supreme Court declined to review both Barber v. Bryant and Campaign for Southern Equality v. Bryant, two suits filed against Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant contesting the state’s law (HB 1523) which allows public officials and businesses to deny services to LGBT people for religious reasons.