Perhaps in recognition of the long-term perils faced by both parties, the Court today took on the role of a mediator and even outlined a potential pathway toward resolution.
A number of religious organizations have filed amicus briefs in support of a church that is suing the state of Missouri for discrimination when churches are categorically denied funding under the state constitution, but at the same time want to reserve the right to discriminate against groups and individuals when it comes to the use of state-funded church-based infrastructure. Trinity Lutheran Church v. Pauley is ostensibly only about the availability of direct funding for a church playground, but will this open the door to state regulation of access to the funded infrastructure in the future?
By recognizing the sincerity of opposing positions on the issues and deriving specific areas of accommodation, the conversation moves from ideology and conflict to one of mutual and practical problem-solving.
This morning President Obama threw a straight pitch directly into the strike zone when he nominated Judge Merrick Garland to the United States Supreme Court to fill the vacancy left by Justice Antonin Scalia. Garland, currently the chief judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, was confirmed to that court in 1997 with bipartisan Congressional support and has been well regarded by both Democrats and Republicans.
This is no longer the age of the elder George H.W. Bush where the people could be sold on a “thousand points of light” and promote a “kinder, gentler nation.” Americans want to see carnage – the enemy destroyed and the American way of life vindicated.
In an effort to understand the longest-serving Justice’s influence and the importance of his replacement, here is a brief survey of how Scalia decided in several key cases.
Hacksaw Ridge, the $55 million Mel Gibson-directed World War II film that tells the story of Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Desmond Doss completed filming in December 2015 and is now in post-production with a targeted release date of early November 2016 in time for Oscar consideration.
The Supreme Court has agreed to decide whether Missouri taxpayers can be compelled to pay for “non-sectarian” church upgrades. Case: Trinity Lutheran Church v. Pauley
We are saddened to learn that long-time religious liberty advocate John V. Stevens passed away on November 30, 2015.
When the religious beliefs of a government official conflict with the civil rights of citizens, who has the power and who wins?