Hobby Lobby is appealing the ruling. Ultimately, for the Greens, it may come down to the question of whether a business can serve both “God and mammon.” (Matthew 6:24).
Category: Legal Issues
Jackson Sun Interviews Two Religious Leaders Engaged in Trademark Dispute
The Jackson Sun has interviewed Walter “Chick” McGill and Lucan Chartier about their trademark dispute with the Seventh-day Adventist Church (their church is named “Creation 7th Day Adventist”) that has landed both of them in jail for contempt of court. Although later released, McGill and Chartier maintain that they could be incarcerated again if they refuse to change the name of their church, which they believe was given to them by God.
Selfish Freedom: The Overreach of the Illinois Health Care Right of Conscience Act
By Jason Hines – [dc]A[/dc]n Illinois appellate court rendered an interesting decision last week.[1] The court upheld a lower court ruling that Illinois pharmacists do not have to sell “Plan B” pills to customers if they have religious objections to the use of the product. “Plan B” is the brand name of a drug that…
Celebrating California’s New Religious Freedom Law (Washington Post)
Rajdeep Singh writes in the Washington Post about AB1964, recently signed into law by California Governor Jerry Brown. Excerpt: When my Sikh father immigrated to America in 1970 to practice architecture,employers told him that he could have a job only if he removed his turban and shaved his beard. He refused to abandon his faith…
A Document in Common: Leaders Reflect on the 225th Anniversary of the US Constitution
On September 17, 1787, the Constitution of the United States was signed by thirty-nine men who changed the course of history. This year as we celebrate the 225th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution, we reflect on the impact this document has made on societies around the world. I would like to thank…
California Governor to sign workplace religious dress and grooming bill
California Governor Jerry Brown is expected to sign workplace religious accommodation legislation this weekend. AB 1964 will amend Section 12940 of the Government Code, which prevents employers from discrimination based on a person’s religious belief or observance. The existing code reads, “Religious belief or observance, as used in this section, includes, but is not limited…
Kmiec: Is Paul Ryan Romney’s New Religion Problem? (Huffington Post)
Constitutional law scholar Douglas Kmiec shares his views on how the Paul Ryan pick will affect the Catholic vote in an article published today in the Huffington Post. Read the full article at the Huffington Post.
Hawaii Judge Upholds Same-Sex Marriage Ban (Honolulu Civil Beat)
Excerpt: A U.S. District Court judge in Honolulu has rejected arguments from two lesbians who said that Hawaii’s 1998 ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. According to court documents released Wednesday, Judge Alan Kay dismissed the lawsuit, Jackson v. Abercrombie, saying that a decision like this should be left to the Legislature – not the…
LDS, evangelicals share political aims and ‘restorationism’ | Deseret News Mobile
Excerpt: Referring to white evangelical Christians and Mormons as “the twin pillars of the GOP,” author and scholar Mark R. Silk told some 300 Sunstone Symposium attendees that although the two groups are often at odds theologically,their members both tend to embrace a political ideology he called “restorationism.” “The restorationist ideal is as old as…
LDS, evangelicals share political aims and ‘restorationism’ | Deseret News Mobile
Excerpt: Referring to white evangelical Christians and Mormons as “the twin pillars of the GOP,” author and scholar Mark R. Silk told some 300 Sunstone Symposium attendees that although the two groups are often at odds theologically,their members both tend to embrace a political ideology he called “restorationism.” “The restorationist ideal is as old as…