This morning the Supreme Court unanimously ruled in Shurtleff v. Boston (Dec’d 5/2/2022) that the city of Boston violated the free speech rights of a Christian group when it refused to allow them to participate in a city flag raising program.
Church and State
Active Liberty: A Survey of Justice Stephen Breyer’s Religion Clause Decisions
A comprehensive review of retiring Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer’s decisions in Free Exercise and Establishment Clause cases.
Supreme Court hears argument in football coach post-game prayer case
The Supreme Court will likely find that the coach’s interest in free speech and free exercise of religion is more compelling than a potential Establishment Clause violation.
A Concept in Common: Are Sunday Blue Laws Making a Comeback?
While existing blue laws that specifically prohibit things like Sunday hunting may be disappearing, there is a movement to reintroduce the concept in ways that appeal to across the political divide.
Court refuses to block Maine mandate that allows medical but not religious exemptions
The United States Supreme Court refused to issue a preliminary injunction to temporarily block a Maine rule requiring certain healthcare workers to take the COVID-19 vaccine or lose their jobs or medical practices, allowing for medical but not religious exemptions.
California agrees to stop enforcing restrictions on churches and to pay church attorney fees
After a year of litigation, the state of California is ordered to back down and pay the attorney fees of a church that had to defend its civil right to meet.
California lifts location and attendance limits on churches following Supreme Court ruling
Following Friday’s Supreme Court ruling, California has lifted restrictions on the number of attendees and location of religious services.
US Supreme Court overturns California restrictions on in-home Bible studies
In a decision released Friday night, April 9, 2021, the United States Supreme Court has blocked California’s COVID-19 restrictions on in-home religious gatherings.
Court blocks New York Governor’s COVID Restrictions on Religious Congregations
In a major victory for religious congregations, delivered late on Thanksgiving Eve, the United States Supreme Court blocked the state of New York from implementing gathering restrictions that the Court ruled discriminate against religious congregations.
Church deserves trial on constitutionality of shutdown order rules judge
Contempt of court is a quasi-criminal act, and the court cannot punish someone for breaking a regulation if that regulation is not constitutional.