On November 6, 2012 voters in many states had the opportunity to make decisions on a number of state laws through ballot measures. Voters in Maine, Maryland, and Washington voted in favor of measures that would legalize same-sex marriage. Voters in Minnesota rejected a proposed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, and voters in North Carolina voted to define marriage as solely existing between one man and one woman.
Marriage
Principled Freedom: Religious Liberty Plays Musical Chairs
By Nicholas P. Miller – It is time to examine a position that provides a principled freedom, both religious and civil, the possibility of a public morality, and a common language with which to discuss and debate the issues. he recent presidential campaign has broken out into a disorienting game of religious liberty musical chairs; Catholic […]
California Senate Approves Controversial Counseling Ban (Pacific Justice Institute)
The California Senate today voted in favor of a groundbreaking bill designed to prohibit counselors and therapists from telling young people it is possible to change same-sex attractions.
U.S. House Committee Votes to Strengthen Military Chaplains’ Liberty of Conscience
The U.S. House Armed Services Committee has adopted Congressman Todd Akin’s (R-Missouri) amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which creates a statutory conscience protection clause for members of the military in general and military chaplains in particular.
Santorum’s Martyr Complex (SLATE)
EXCERPT: Is Rick Santorum suffering for his faith? One of his advisers suggested to the Washington Examiner‘s Byron York that he is, and that Mitt Romney is getting absolution. “Why is Mormonism off limits?” York quotes the adviser as asking. “We’re having to spend days answering questions about Rick’s faith, which he has been open about. […]
Has Obama Waged a War on Religion? (NPR)
NPR’s Barbara Bradley Hagerty addresses this question. Here is an excerpt followed by a link to the article: Americans’ religious liberties are under attack – or at least that’s what some conservatives say. Newt Gingrich warns the U.S. is becoming a secular country, which would be a “nightmare.” Rick Santorum says there’s a clash between […]
ANALYSIS: Bishops Claim Religious Liberty Under Assault
The Church can assert its right speak in the the public square, but it should not assume power it does not have in order to force the rest of society to follow its lead.
Some Thoughts on the Implications of the Same-Sex Marriage Trial for Religious Minorities
Putting the emotional issues aside, this is the cold reality: If the U.S. Supreme Court takes this case and decides to uphold Proposition 8, this outcome could strip away fundamental principles that also protect religious minorities.