2018 - Page 5 of 6 - ReligiousLiberty.TV / Founders' First Freedom® - News and Updates on Religious Liberty and Freedom

Trump administration forms office to protect doctors’ religious beliefs

Posted on March 4, 2018March 4, 2018 by Kelly Larios

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) has announced the creation of a Conscience and Religious Freedom Division in their Office for Civil Rights. The division aims to address concerns over sensitive subjects such as birth control, abortions, and treatment of the LGBTQ community. In addition to providing a center for complaints regarding religious discrimination, the division is pushing for the approval of a motion that seeks to protect medical personnel who refuse to perform treatments that violate their personal beliefs. The move has caused concern from human rights groups, who believe this office could be used to discriminate.

Supreme Court hears public sector union compulsory speech case

Posted on February 26, 2018February 13, 2019 by Michael Peabody

Today the United States Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case involving whether it constitutional to require government employees who do not join their respective unions to still pay fees to the unions for the cost of negotiating and administering their employment contracts.

Why pastors must train to address abuse situations

Posted on February 22, 2018February 24, 2018 by Marion Duncan

A pastor is most often the first person an abused person goes to for help, but studies have shown that they are often least effective.

Analysis: CA judge rules pending trial, baker can refuse same-sex wedding cakes

Posted on February 8, 2018February 8, 2018 by Michael Peabody

Last week, a judge in Bakersfield, California made a preliminary ruling that a baker can continue to refuse to bake same-sex wedding cakes until the case goes to trial in June.

The real definition of religious liberty

Posted on February 3, 2018February 10, 2018 by Michael Peabody

In the book, 1984, George Orwell paints a bleak portrait of a future where Big Brother is watching everything you do, and the thought police can practically read your mind. In order to gain the support of the population, an ironically named Ministry of Truth twists the meaning of words to make terrible concepts seem acceptable with slogans such as War is Peace; Freedom is Slavery; and Ignorance is Strength.

WA Court finds fired firefighter’s religious free speech rights were violated

Posted on February 2, 2018February 2, 2018 by Kelly Larios

The Washington Supreme Court ruled last week that a Spokane fire captain met his burden of proving that his free speech rights were restricted in violation of the First Amendment. The court ruled that the burden now shifts to the employer to show that it would have taken the same action even if he had not engaged in the protected religious conduct.

#MeToo isn’t enough – act now to prevent and stop sexual abuse

Posted on January 31, 2018February 3, 2018 by Michael Peabody

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.

Pro se “RICO” case against CA mandatory vaccination law dismissed

Posted on January 30, 2018 by ReligiousLiberty.TV

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

Posted on January 26, 2018January 26, 2018 by Ray McAllister

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

Posted on January 24, 2018February 2, 2018 by Kelly Larios

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.