# ReligiousLiberty.TV

> ReligiousLiberty.TV is your source for news and updates on religious liberty and freedom. Stay informed on important issues and legal battles.


## Posts

- [Moral Power and Presidential Muscle: The Global Reckoning of 2026](https://religiousliberty.tv/moral-power-and-presidential-muscle-the-global-reckoning-of-2026/): “Yeah, there is one thing. My own morality. My own mind. It’s the only thing that can stop me.” – Donald Trump, January 8, 2026. By Michael Peabody – The United States in 2026 is no longer arguing about policy. It is arguing about authority. The argument is no longer between left and right in any traditional sense, but between restraint and certainty, between institutional limits and moral confidence. Abroad, American power is asserted with a directness unseen in generations. At home, the political middle has thinned to the point of near extinction, squeezed from both sides by movements that […]
- [Developing Explainer: Extraction Without Process: Venezuela’s Fall and the Return of Resource Politics](https://religiousliberty.tv/developing-explainer-extraction-without-process-venezuelas-fall-and-the-return-of-resource-politics-2/): The 2026 U.S. operation that captured Nicolás Maduro raises old questions about law, resources, and who really controls the post-dictator future of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro – Photo by Trump Administration Friday night, Nicolás Maduro was captured by the U.S. in January 2026. While his dictatorship lacked legitimacy, the method of removal without public legal process or international mandate raises questions about the rule of law. Venezuela’s oil industry was originally built by U.S. firms and left buried under debt. Its untapped silver reserves had begun to attract BRICS-aligned interests. Maduro’s economic pivot away from the dollar-based order may have sealed […]
- [Before the First Amendment: Tertullian, Rome, and the Long Road to Religious Freedom #America250](https://religiousliberty.tv/before-the-first-amendment-tertullian-rome-and-the-long-road-to-religious-freedom-america250-2/): As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, ReligiousLiberty.TV explores the ancient roots of religious freedom. Long before the First Amendment, figures like Tertullian argued that belief must be voluntary and not coerced. Ancient Persian rulers practiced pragmatic tolerance, and early Jewish and Christian thinkers defended the right to live by conscience. These ideas form the foundation of modern legal protections. This year, the blog will revisit the long road that led to one of the central values in American law. In this 250th year of the American Republic, we’re heading way, way back. Before the Founders. Before Luther. Before […]
- [From Papal Bulls to Presidential Messages: The Doctrine of Discovery, the Monroe Doctrine, and the Catholic Church’s Earlier Role](https://religiousliberty.tv/from-papal-bulls-to-presidential-messages-the-doctrine-of-discovery-the-monroe-doctrine-and-the-catholic-churchs-earlier-role-2/): In light of the emergence of Donald Trump’s “Donroe” doctrine following the arrest of Venezuela’s Maduro, we’re going to take a few moments to explore the history of the Monroe Doctrine and the earlier Doctrine of Discovery. The Doctrine of Discovery, issued through fifteenth-century papal bulls, allowed Christian rulers to claim land occupied by non-Christians. Though the Papal States and the Holy Roman Empire dissolved by the early nineteenth century due to Napoleon and the French Revolution, the doctrine persisted. In 1823, the U.S. Supreme Court case Johnson v. M’Intosh relied on it to deny land ownership rights to Indigenous […]
- [Supreme Court Asked to Decide if States Can Block Grants for Ministries That Hire Only Christians](https://religiousliberty.tv/supreme-court-asked-to-decide-if-states-can-block-grants-for-ministries-that-hire-only-christians-2/): The Ninth Circuit ruled that religious autonomy is a defense against lawsuits rather than a valid legal claim for restoring government funding. Supreme Court Asked to Decide if States Can Block Grants for Ministries That Hire Only Christians The Ninth Circuit ruled that religious autonomy is a defense against lawsuits rather than a valid legal claim for restoring government funding. TLDR Youth 71Five Ministries has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse a Ninth Circuit ruling that allows Oregon to deny public grants to religious groups that hire only coreligionists. The ministry argues that Oregon enforces non-discrimination rules against religious […]
- [US Claims of Hemispheric Primacy: The 15th Century Roots of the 'Donroe Doctrine'](https://religiousliberty.tv/us-claims-of-hemispheric-primacy-the-15th-century-roots-of-the-donroe-doctrine-2/): On January 3, 2026, US forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. They cited a new “Donroe Doctrine” as justification. This policy updates the 1823 Monroe Doctrine. It asserts US primacy in the Western Hemisphere to exclude foreign adversaries. Legally, this framework mirrors the 15th-century “Doctrine of Discovery.” That doctrine granted European powers title to land based on superior “civilization” and religious authority. Both doctrines rely on the premise that one dominant power holds the ultimate right to determine sovereignty over a specific region. This analysis examines the legal lineage from Papal Bulls to the current US intervention in Caracas. The […]
- [9th Circuit: Religious Organizations May Require Non-Ministerial Staff Employees to Share Faith Beliefs](https://religiousliberty.tv/9th-circuit-religious-organizations-may-require-non-ministerial-staff-employees-to-share-faith-beliefs-2/): The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has affirmed a preliminary injunction against Washington state officials. This ruling prevents the enforcement of the Washington Law Against Discrimination (WLAD) against the Union Gospel Mission of Yakima. The court held that the First Amendment’s church autonomy doctrine extends beyond the “ministerial exception”. It protects a religious organization’s decision to hire only co-religionists for non-ministerial roles—such as IT technicians or operations assistants—when that decision is based on a sincerely held religious belief. The court found that internal management decisions regarding personnel are essential to a religious institution’s central mission. This […]
- [Religious Liberty: The "Constitutional Veto" on Collectivism](https://religiousliberty.tv/religious-liberty-the-constitutional-veto-on-collectivism-2/): Religious liberty functions as a “hard exception” to collectivist governance because it legally privileges individual conscience over the “general will” of the state. While collectivism relies on universal compliance to function (e.g., everyone must pay the tax, everyone must follow the mandate), the Free Exercise Clause allows individuals and institutions to opt out of these universal rules if they burden sincere religious beliefs. Under current Supreme Court precedents like Fulton and Hobby Lobby, this creates a fragmented legal landscape where the state’s “collective” power is constantly punctured by religious exemptions. Zohran Mamdani Inaugural Address – January 1, 2026 The Conflict […]
- [Religious Liberty: The "Constitutional Veto" on Collectivism](https://religiousliberty.tv/religious-liberty-the-constitutional-veto-on-collectivism/): Religious liberty functions as a “hard exception” to collectivist governance because it legally privileges individual conscience over the “general will” of the state. While collectivism relies on universal compliance to function (e.g., everyone must pay the tax, everyone must follow the mandate), the Free Exercise Clause allows individuals and institutions to opt out of these universal rules if they burden sincere religious beliefs. Under current Supreme Court precedents like Fulton and Hobby Lobby, this creates a fragmented legal landscape where the state’s “collective” power is constantly punctured by religious exemptions. Zohran Mamdani Inaugural Address – January 1, 2026 Religious freedom […]
- [9th Circuit: Religious Organizations May Require Non-Ministerial Staff Employees to Share Faith Beliefs](https://religiousliberty.tv/9th-circuit-religious-organizations-may-require-non-ministerial-staff-employees-to-share-faith-beliefs/): The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has affirmed a preliminary injunction against Washington state officials. This ruling prevents the enforcement of the Washington Law Against Discrimination (WLAD) against the Union Gospel Mission of Yakima. The court held that the First Amendment’s church autonomy doctrine extends beyond the “ministerial exception”. It protects a religious organization’s decision to hire only co-religionists for non-ministerial roles—such as IT technicians or operations assistants—when that decision is based on a sincerely held religious belief. The court found that internal management decisions regarding personnel are essential to a religious institution’s central mission. This […]
- [US Claims of Hemispheric Primacy: The 15th Century Roots of the 'Donroe Doctrine'](https://religiousliberty.tv/us-claims-of-hemispheric-primacy-the-15th-century-roots-of-the-donroe-doctrine/): On January 3, 2026, US forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. They cited a new “Donroe Doctrine” as justification. This policy updates the 1823 Monroe Doctrine. It asserts US primacy in the Western Hemisphere to exclude foreign adversaries. Legally, this framework mirrors the 15th-century “Doctrine of Discovery.” That doctrine granted European powers title to land based on superior “civilization” and religious authority. Both doctrines rely on the premise that one dominant power holds the ultimate right to determine sovereignty over a specific region. This analysis examines the legal lineage from Papal Bulls to the current US intervention in Caracas. The […]
- [Supreme Court Asked to Decide if States Can Block Grants for Ministries That Hire Only Christians](https://religiousliberty.tv/supreme-court-asked-to-decide-if-states-can-block-grants-for-ministries-that-hire-only-christians/): The Ninth Circuit ruled that religious autonomy is a defense against lawsuits rather than a valid legal claim for restoring government funding. Supreme Court Asked to Decide if States Can Block Grants for Ministries That Hire Only Christians The Ninth Circuit ruled that religious autonomy is a defense against lawsuits rather than a valid legal claim for restoring government funding. TLDR Continue Reading This article was originally published on Substack. Subscribe to get updates directly to your inbox. Read Full Article on Substack
- [From Papal Bulls to Presidential Messages: The Doctrine of Discovery, the Monroe Doctrine, and the Catholic Church’s Earlier Role](https://religiousliberty.tv/from-papal-bulls-to-presidential-messages-the-doctrine-of-discovery-the-monroe-doctrine-and-the-catholic-churchs-earlier-role/): In light of the emergence of Donald Trump’s “Donroe” doctrine following the arrest of Venezuela’s Maduro, we’re going to take a few moments to explore the history of the Monroe Doctrine and the earlier Doctrine of Discovery. The Doctrine of Discovery, issued through fifteenth-century papal bulls, allowed Christian rulers to claim land occupied by non-Christians. Though the Papal States and the Holy Roman Empire dissolved by the early nineteenth century due to Napoleon and the French Revolution, the doctrine persisted. In 1823, the U.S. Supreme Court case Johnson v. M’Intosh relied on it to deny land ownership rights to Indigenous […]
- [Before the First Amendment: Tertullian, Rome, and the Long Road to Religious Freedom #America250](https://religiousliberty.tv/before-the-first-amendment-tertullian-rome-and-the-long-road-to-religious-freedom-america250/): As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, ReligiousLiberty.TV explores the ancient roots of religious freedom. Long before the First Amendment, figures like Tertullian argued that belief must be voluntary and not coerced. Ancient Persian rulers practiced pragmatic tolerance, and early Jewish and Christian thinkers defended the right to live by conscience. These ideas form the foundation of modern legal protections. This year, the blog will revisit the long road that led to one of the central values in American law. Continue Reading This article was originally published on Substack. Subscribe to get updates directly to your inbox. Read Full […]
- [Developing Explainer: Extraction Without Process: Venezuela’s Fall and the Return of Resource Politics](https://religiousliberty.tv/developing-explainer-extraction-without-process-venezuelas-fall-and-the-return-of-resource-politics/): The 2026 U.S. operation that captured Nicolás Maduro raises old questions about law, resources, and who really controls the post-dictator future of Venezuela Friday night, Nicolás Maduro was captured by the U.S. in January 2026. While his dictatorship lacked legitimacy, the method of removal without public legal process or international mandate raises questions about the rule of law. Venezuela’s oil industry was originally built by U.S. firms and left buried under debt. Its untapped silver reserves had begun to attract BRICS-aligned interests. Maduro’s economic pivot away from the dollar-based order may have sealed his fate. With his removal, oil, silver, […]
- [Three Ways to Talk About One Holy Day:
Charlie Kirk, Judith Shulevitz, and Seventh day Adventists on the Sabbath](https://religiousliberty.tv/three-ways-to-talk-about-one-holy-daycharlie-kirk-judith-shulevitz-and-seventh-day-adventists-on-the-sabbath-2/): TLDR (Too Long / Didn’t Read Summary) Charlie Kirk’s posthumous bestseller, Stop, in the Name of God: Why Honoring the Sabbath Will Transform Your Life, urges Christians to keep a Friday to Saturday Sabbath as a way to unplug from technology, reduce anxiety, and recover family and spiritual life. Judith Shulevitz’s Atlantic essay, “There Were Two Charlie Kirks” (link), reads the book as a serious, if conflicted, defense of Sabbatarian theology that mixes spiritual depth with sharp right wing polemic. Seventh day Adventists, who have practiced a seventh day Sabbath for generations, welcome renewed attention to the topic but measure […]
- [Response to “Why We Should Abolish the Family”: When Family Fails, the Answer Is Repair—Not Removal](https://religiousliberty.tv/response-to-why-we-should-abolish-the-family-when-family-fails-the-answer-is-repair-not-removal-2/): Lily Sánchez writes from a place of personal pain. That deserves respect, but the solution lies in rebuilding families, not discarding them. TLDR (Too Long / Didn’t Read Summary): The 2022 Current Affairs article by Lily Sánchez argues for abolishing the family, citing its failures and its links to capitalism and inequality. The piece is written from a place of clear personal pain where family did not provide the care and protection it should have. That experience is valid and real. But the answer to family failure is not abolition. It is building a system that strengthens caregiving, repairs broken […]
- [Connecticut Court Preserves Religious Freedom Claim in Vaccine Mandate Challenge While Dismissing Constitutional Counts](https://religiousliberty.tv/connecticut-court-preserves-religious-freedom-claim-in-vaccine-mandate-challenge-while-dismissing-constitutional-counts-2/): On December 16, 2025, the Superior Court of Connecticut dismissed seven out of eight counts in a lawsuit challenging Public Act 21-6, the law repealing religious exemptions for school vaccinations. Judge Rosen ruled that the doctrine of sovereign immunity and the binding precedent of Spillane v. Lamont barred the plaintiffs’ state constitutional claims regarding free exercise, equal protection, and the right to education. However, the court denied the motion to dismiss Count Three. This count relies on General Statutes § 52-571b, a state statute protecting religious freedom. The court found that the legislature implicitly waived sovereign immunity for claims brought […]
- [Court Rules: Fear of Firing Is Not "Adverse Action" in Religious Prayer Case](https://religiousliberty.tv/court-rules-fear-of-firing-is-not-adverse-action-in-religious-prayer-case-2/): The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that an employee cannot sue for religious discrimination if they never faced actual discipline. Mouatasem Zienni, a Muslim assembly line worker at Mercedes-Benz, was told he could not take unscheduled breaks to pray. He prayed anyway and was never punished. The court held that without a firing, demotion, or formal reprimand, Zienni suffered no “adverse employment action.” Even under the Supreme Court’s new Muldrow standard—which lowered the bar for proving harm—fear of discipline or psychological stress is not enough to sustain a lawsuit. This decision clarifies that employees essentially must suffer a tangible […]
- [Alberta Proposes “Peterson Law” to Protect Professional Expression](https://religiousliberty.tv/alberta-proposes-peterson-law-to-protect-professional-expression-2/): New legislation aims to limit how regulatory colleges discipline professionals for speech unrelated to their clinical practice. Alberta has introduced the Regulated Professions Neutrality Act, popularly known as the “Peterson Law.” This legislation seeks to prevent regulatory bodies from sanctioning health professionals for expressing personal or political opinions outside of their professional duties. The law responds to high-profile cases where professionals faced disciplinary action for public comments. It requires colleges to distinguish between professional misconduct and protected speech. Regulators must ensure that disciplinary actions do not infringe upon the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The law aims to provide […]
- [Puerto Rico Enacts SB 504: Fetal Personhood Law Claims Alignment with Biology](https://religiousliberty.tv/puerto-rico-enacts-sb-504-fetal-personhood-law-claims-alignment-with-biology-2/): On December 21, 2025, Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer González-Colón signed Senate Bill 504 (Law 183-2025), officially recognizing the unborn child (nasciturus) as a “natural person” from the moment of conception. The law explicitly aims to align the Civil Code with the biological reality of unique genetic identity at fertilization. While it does not immediately amend the Penal Code on abortion, it grants fetuses civil rights like inheritance and legal standing. This creates a “conflict of laws” similar to the Scott Peterson trial, where a fetus was a person for homicide charges but not for abortion. This article examines the new […]
- [How Employers Can Document Religious Accommodation Requests After Groff v. DeJoy](https://religiousliberty.tv/how-employers-can-document-religious-accommodation-requests-after-groff-v-dejoy-2/): After Groff v. DeJoy (2023), employers must show written evidence if they deny a religious accommodation request. Courts will expect documentation of what was requested, how it was evaluated, and why it was denied—if it was. Vague concerns or undocumented conversations won’t satisfy the legal standard. Employers should adopt clear procedures, keep detailed records, and handle all requests through a consistent, transparent process. This isn’t just about compliance. It’s about creating a system that treats belief with the seriousness the law now requires. In Groff v. DeJoy, 600 U.S. 447 (2023), the Supreme Court unanimously held that employers cannot deny […]
- [250 Years of the American Spirit: A Nation Born for Liberty of Conscience](https://religiousliberty.tv/250-years-of-the-american-spirit-a-nation-born-for-liberty-of-conscience-2/): As the United States enters its Semiquincentennial, the founding ideal of religious freedom remains central to our identity. As the United States enters its 250th year in 2026, religious freedom remains central to our identity. The First Amendment protects both the free exercise of religion and bars government from establishing religion. The year ahead will be filled with reflection and renewed legal challenges. From landmark decisions to public discussions, the meaning of liberty of conscience will remain a focus throughout the Semiquincentennial. On this New Year’s Day in 2026, the United States marks the first hours of its 250th year. […]
- [Secularism Push Reaches Private Schools: Quebec Ties Funding to Admissions Changes](https://religiousliberty.tv/secularism-push-reaches-private-schools-quebec-ties-funding-to-admissions-changes-2/): The province introduces sweeping new measures to tighten secularism laws just months before the high court reviews Bill 21. Quebec has introduced new secularism laws that prohibit prayer in public institutions and restrict religious food options. The bill bans prayer rooms at public universities and CEGEPs, outlaws public street prayers, and prevents public daycares from serving exclusively halal or kosher menus. It also gives subsidized private religious schools three years to end religious student selection or risk losing funding. These measures come just ahead of the Supreme Court of Canada’s hearing on Bill 21, which begins March 23, 2026. The […]
- [Secularism Push Reaches Private Schools: Quebec Ties Funding to Admissions Changes](https://religiousliberty.tv/secularism-push-reaches-private-schools-quebec-ties-funding-to-admissions-changes/): The province introduces sweeping new measures to tighten secularism laws just months before the high court reviews Bill 21. Quebec has introduced new secularism laws that prohibit prayer in public institutions and restrict religious food options. The bill bans prayer rooms at public universities and CEGEPs, outlaws public street prayers, and prevents public daycares from serving exclusively halal or kosher menus. It also gives subsidized private religious schools three years to end religious student selection or risk losing funding. These measures come just ahead of the Supreme Court of Canada’s hearing on Bill 21, which begins March 23, 2026. The […]
- [250 Years of the American Spirit: A Nation Born for Liberty of Conscience](https://religiousliberty.tv/250-years-of-the-american-spirit-a-nation-born-for-liberty-of-conscience/): As the United States enters its Semiquincentennial, the founding ideal of religious freedom remains central to our identity. Continue Reading This article was originally published on Substack. Subscribe to get updates directly to your inbox. Read Full Article on Substack
- [How Employers Can Document Religious Accommodation Requests After Groff v. DeJoy](https://religiousliberty.tv/how-employers-can-document-religious-accommodation-requests-after-groff-v-dejoy/): After Groff v. DeJoy (2023), employers must show written evidence if they deny a religious accommodation request. Courts will expect documentation of what was requested, how it was evaluated, and why it was denied—if it was. Vague concerns or undocumented conversations won’t satisfy the legal standard. Employers should adopt clear procedures, keep detailed records, and handle all requests through a consistent, transparent process. This isn’t just about compliance. It’s about creating a system that treats belief with the seriousness the law now requires. In Groff v. DeJoy, 600 U.S. 447 (2023), the Supreme Court unanimously held that employers cannot deny […]
- [Puerto Rico Enacts SB 504: Fetal Personhood Law Claims Alignment with Biology](https://religiousliberty.tv/puerto-rico-enacts-sb-504-fetal-personhood-law-claims-alignment-with-biology/): On December 21, 2025, Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer González-Colón signed Senate Bill 504 (Law 183-2025), officially recognizing the unborn child (nasciturus) as a “natural person” from the moment of conception. The law explicitly aims to align the Civil Code with the biological reality of unique genetic identity at fertilization. While it does not immediately amend the Penal Code on abortion, it grants fetuses civil rights like inheritance and legal standing. This creates a “conflict of laws” similar to the Scott Peterson trial, where a fetus was a person for homicide charges but not for abortion. This article examines the new […]
- [Alberta Proposes “Peterson Law” to Protect Professional Expression](https://religiousliberty.tv/alberta-proposes-peterson-law-to-protect-professional-expression/): New legislation aims to limit how regulatory colleges discipline professionals for speech unrelated to their clinical practice. Alberta has introduced the Regulated Professions Neutrality Act, popularly known as the “Peterson Law.” This legislation seeks to prevent regulatory bodies from sanctioning health professionals for expressing personal or political opinions outside of their professional duties. The law responds to high-profile cases where professionals faced disciplinary action for public comments. It requires colleges to distinguish between professional misconduct and protected speech. Regulators must ensure that disciplinary actions do not infringe upon the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The law aims to provide […]
- [Court Rules: Fear of Firing Is Not "Adverse Action" in Religious Prayer Case](https://religiousliberty.tv/court-rules-fear-of-firing-is-not-adverse-action-in-religious-prayer-case/): The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that an employee cannot sue for religious discrimination if they never faced actual discipline. Mouatasem Zienni, a Muslim assembly line worker at Mercedes-Benz, was told he could not take unscheduled breaks to pray. He prayed anyway and was never punished. The court held that without a firing, demotion, or formal reprimand, Zienni suffered no “adverse employment action.” Even under the Supreme Court’s new Muldrow standard—which lowered the bar for proving harm—fear of discipline or psychological stress is not enough to sustain a lawsuit. This decision clarifies that employees essentially must suffer a tangible […]
- [Connecticut Court Preserves Religious Freedom Claim in Vaccine Mandate Challenge While Dismissing Constitutional Counts](https://religiousliberty.tv/connecticut-court-preserves-religious-freedom-claim-in-vaccine-mandate-challenge-while-dismissing-constitutional-counts/): On December 16, 2025, the Superior Court of Connecticut dismissed seven out of eight counts in a lawsuit challenging Public Act 21-6, the law repealing religious exemptions for school vaccinations. Judge Rosen ruled that the doctrine of sovereign immunity and the binding precedent of Spillane v. Lamont barred the plaintiffs’ state constitutional claims regarding free exercise, equal protection, and the right to education. However, the court denied the motion to dismiss Count Three. This count relies on General Statutes § 52-571b, a state statute protecting religious freedom. The court found that the legislature implicitly waived sovereign immunity for claims brought […]
- [Response to “Why We Should Abolish the Family”: When Family Fails, the Answer Is Repair—Not Removal](https://religiousliberty.tv/response-to-why-we-should-abolish-the-family-when-family-fails-the-answer-is-repair-not-removal/): Lily Sánchez writes from a place of personal pain. That deserves respect, but the solution lies in rebuilding families, not discarding them. TLDR (Too Long / Didn’t Read Summary): The 2022 Current Affairs article by Lily Sánchez argues for abolishing the family, citing its failures and its links to capitalism and inequality. The piece is written from a place of clear personal pain where family did not provide the care and protection it should have. That experience is valid and real. But the answer to family failure is not abolition. It is building a system that strengthens caregiving, repairs broken […]
- [Three Ways to Talk About One Holy Day:
Charlie Kirk, Judith Shulevitz, and Seventh day Adventists on the Sabbath](https://religiousliberty.tv/three-ways-to-talk-about-one-holy-daycharlie-kirk-judith-shulevitz-and-seventh-day-adventists-on-the-sabbath/): TLDR (Too Long / Didn’t Read Summary) Charlie Kirk’s posthumous bestseller, Stop, in the Name of God: Why Honoring the Sabbath Will Transform Your Life, urges Christians to keep a Friday to Saturday Sabbath as a way to unplug from technology, reduce anxiety, and recover family and spiritual life. Judith Shulevitz’s Atlantic essay, “There Were Two Charlie Kirks” (link), reads the book as a serious, if conflicted, defense of Sabbatarian theology that mixes spiritual depth with sharp right wing polemic. Seventh day Adventists, who have practiced a seventh day Sabbath for generations, welcome renewed attention to the topic but measure […]
- [Europe Floats Selling U.S. Debt as U.S. Peace Deal Talks Continue; Gabbard Says ‘Deep State’ Blocking Peace](https://religiousliberty.tv/europe-floats-selling-u-s-debt-as-u-s-peace-deal-talks-continue-gabbard-says-deep-state-blocking-peace-2/): European officials quietly warn of dumping Treasuries if U.S. peace deal undercuts Ukraine, while Tulsi Gabbard, at a TPUSA event, claims entrenched forces resist peace European officials are privately discussing a dramatic financial countermeasure against the United States if Washington finalizes a peace deal with Russia on terms they see as unfavorable to Ukraine, according to a report this week. In parallel, U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, speaking at a Turning Point USA (TPUSA) summit, accused entrenched U.S. government elements of opposing peace negotiations, illustrating deep divisions over how the conflict should be resolved. According to The Economic […]
- [From Roman Prison to Nicene Creed: The Forgotten Life of Saint Nicholas](https://religiousliberty.tv/from-roman-prison-to-nicene-creed-the-forgotten-life-of-saint-nicholas-2/): Long before sleigh bells and North Pole legends, Nicholas of Myra stood in chains for his faith and walked into a council that would shape Christian belief for millennia. Detail of a late medieval Greek Orthodox icon showing Saint Nicholas of Myra slapping Arius at the First Council of Nicaea He never meant to become Santa Claus. The man we now wrap in red velvet and sleigh bells once sat in a Roman prison cell, bruised and likely malnourished, for refusing to call Caesar “lord.” Long before he was the patron saint of children and sailors, Nicholas of Myra was […]
- [The Great Silver Breakout: Panic in the Paper Casino](https://religiousliberty.tv/the-great-silver-breakout-panic-in-the-paper-casino-2/): For forty years, the silver bug has been the whipping boy of the financial world—the lunatic in the corner shouting about the end of days while the rest of the party got rich on tech stocks and imaginary internet coins. While real estate and crypto rocketed into the stratosphere, silver stayed glued to the floor, mocked and forgotten. It was the only asset on Earth that seemed allergic to inflation. But if you’ve been watching the ticker tape since late last week, you know the vibe has shifted. The beast has finally woken up. Silver smashed through $65 an ounce […]
- [Federal Court Strikes Down California School Rules That Withhold Gender Identity Info from Parents](https://religiousliberty.tv/federal-court-strikes-down-california-school-rules-that-withhold-gender-identity-info-from-parents-2/): Read more
- [Fear Isn’t Enough: Muslim Worker’s Prayer Break Lawsuit Dismissed Over ‘Speculative Harm’](https://religiousliberty.tv/fear-isnt-enough-muslim-workers-prayer-break-lawsuit-dismissed-over-speculative-harm-2/): Appeals court rules that prayer break denials, without discipline or job impact, don’t meet Title VII harm standard The Eleventh Circuit upheld a summary judgment for Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc. in a case brought by Mouatasem Zienni, a Muslim worker who requested prayer breaks. The court ruled on December 22, 2025, that Zienni did not suffer an adverse employment action under Title VII, as he continued to pray without discipline or job-related consequences. The case clarifies how religious accommodation claims are evaluated post-Muldrow v. City of St. Louis, emphasizing that speculative harm or emotional distress alone does not suffice to […]
- [Fear Isn’t Enough: Muslim Worker’s Prayer Break Lawsuit Dismissed Over ‘Speculative Harm’](https://religiousliberty.tv/fear-isnt-enough-muslim-workers-prayer-break-lawsuit-dismissed-over-speculative-harm/): Appeals court rules that prayer break denials, without discipline or job impact, don’t meet Title VII harm standard The Eleventh Circuit upheld a summary judgment for Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc. in a case brought by Mouatasem Zienni, a Muslim worker who requested prayer breaks. The court ruled on December 22, 2025, that Zienni did not suffer an adverse employment action under Title VII, as he continued to pray without discipline or job-related consequences. The case clarifies how religious accommodation claims are evaluated post-Muldrow v. City of St. Louis, emphasizing that speculative harm or emotional distress alone does not suffice to […]
- [Federal Court Strikes Down California School Rules That Withhold Gender Identity Info from Parents](https://religiousliberty.tv/federal-court-strikes-down-california-school-rules-that-withhold-gender-identity-info-from-parents/): Read more Source: ReligiousLibertyTV on Substack
- [The Great Silver Breakout: Panic in the Paper Casino](https://religiousliberty.tv/the-great-silver-breakout-panic-in-the-paper-casino/): For forty years, the silver bug has been the whipping boy of the financial world—the lunatic in the corner shouting about the end of days while the rest of the party got rich on tech stocks and imaginary internet coins. While real estate and crypto rocketed into the stratosphere, silver stayed glued to the floor, mocked and forgotten. It was the only asset on Earth that seemed allergic to inflation. But if you’ve been watching the ticker tape since late last week, you know the vibe has shifted. The beast has finally woken up. Silver smashed through $65 an ounce […]
- [From Roman Prison to Nicene Creed: The Forgotten Life of Saint Nicholas](https://religiousliberty.tv/from-roman-prison-to-nicene-creed-the-forgotten-life-of-saint-nicholas/): Long before sleigh bells and North Pole legends, Nicholas of Myra stood in chains for his faith and walked into a council that would shape Christian belief for millennia. Detail of a late medieval Greek Orthodox icon showing Saint Nicholas of Myra slapping Arius at the First Council of Nicaea He never meant to become Santa Claus. The man we now wrap in red velvet and sleigh bells once sat in a Roman prison cell, bruised and likely malnourished, for refusing to call Caesar “lord.” Long before he was the patron saint of children and sailors, Nicholas of Myra was […]
- [Europe Floats Selling U.S. Debt as U.S. Peace Deal Talks Continue; Gabbard Says ‘Deep State’ Blocking Peace](https://religiousliberty.tv/europe-floats-selling-u-s-debt-as-u-s-peace-deal-talks-continue-gabbard-says-deep-state-blocking-peace/): European officials quietly warn of dumping Treasuries if U.S. peace deal undercuts Ukraine, while Tulsi Gabbard, at a TPUSA event, claims entrenched forces resist peace European officials are privately discussing a dramatic financial countermeasure against the United States if Washington finalizes a peace deal with Russia on terms they see as unfavorable to Ukraine, according to a report this week. In parallel, U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, speaking at a Turning Point USA (TPUSA) summit, accused entrenched U.S. government elements of opposing peace negotiations, illustrating deep divisions over how the conflict should be resolved. According to The Economic […]
- [Church Fined $1.2 Million for Worship During COVID Restrictions Asks Supreme Court for Relief](https://religiousliberty.tv/church-fined-1-2-million-for-worship-during-covid-restrictions-asks-supreme-court-for-relief-2/): Calvary Chapel San Jose says state orders punished religious exercise while exempting comparable secular activity Calvary Chapel San Jose wants the U.S. Supreme Court to answer a question that goes to the heart of constitutional protections: Can a church be fined more than $1.2 million for holding worship services during the pandemic when the same state rules allowed exemptions for secular activities like dining, sports, and haircuts? The church, along with its senior pastor, Mike McClure, filed a petition for certiorari on December 13, 2025, asking the Court to review a California appellate ruling that upheld the fines. Their argument […]
- [When Canada's Health System Says “No”, Its Assisted Suicide System Says “Yes”: The Van Alstine Case](https://religiousliberty.tv/when-canadas-health-system-says-no-its-assisted-suicide-system-says-yes-the-van-alstine-case-2/): TL:DR – Jolene Van Alstine, a Canadian woman with a painful but treatable condition, was approved for assisted death after being unable to access surgery through her provincial health system. Canada’s MAiD law allows nonterminal patients to qualify based on suffering alone. There is no evidence she was coerced, but her case shows how assisted death can become the default when health care access fails. In the United States, she would not qualify for medical aid in dying because her illness is not terminal. The case raises policy questions about whether assisted dying should be available when treatment exists but […]
- [Federal Judge Dismisses Former Priest’s Discrimination Lawsuit Against Archdiocese of New Orleans](https://religiousliberty.tv/federal-judge-dismisses-former-priests-discrimination-lawsuit-against-archdiocese-of-new-orleans-2/): A federal court in New Orleans has dismissed a lawsuit filed by former Catholic priest Kesiena Dennis Obienu, who alleged employment discrimination, retaliation, and unequal treatment by the Archdiocese of New Orleans and senior clergy. The court ruled that the First Amendment’s “ministerial exception” prohibits secular courts from reviewing employment claims brought by members of the clergy. On December 11, 2025, U.S. District Judge Barry Ashe granted the Archdiocese’s motion for summary judgment, holding that all of Obienu’s remaining claims were barred as a matter of constitutional law. The decision ends the case in the district court, though Obienu may […]
- [Inmate’s 47 Days in Isolation Sparked a Constitutional Lawsuit — But the 2nd Circuit Said the Law Wasn’t Clear Enough](https://religiousliberty.tv/inmates-47-days-in-isolation-sparked-a-constitutional-lawsuit-but-the-2nd-circuit-said-the-law-wasnt-clear-enough-2/): Joe Baltas claimed prison officials denied him religious freedom, basic hygiene, and due process while in solitary. A federal appeals court upheld the dismissal of his case on qualified immunity grounds. Joe Baltas spent 47 days in a restricted housing unit at Garner Correctional Institution, locked down under “Chronic Discipline” status. He said it wasn… Read more
- [Rethinking Hell: Justice, Mercy, and the Return to Eden](https://religiousliberty.tv/rethinking-hell-justice-mercy-and-the-return-to-eden-2/): The Old Tale That Still Haunts People There is a story passed down in many churches, the kind where you sit stiff in a wooden pew while the preacher shouts about fire and smoke and souls that scream forever. It isn’t told as a parable or a metaphor. It’s told straight: God loves you, but if you don’t respond the right way, He’ll send you to burn for eternity. The fire never goes out. The pain never stops. You live on forever, but in torment. Somehow, that was supposed to be comforting. Or motivating. But for many, it was terrifying. […]
- [Federal Appeals Court Blocks Michigan Ban on Talk Therapy Aimed at Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Change](https://religiousliberty.tv/federal-appeals-court-blocks-michigan-ban-on-talk-therapy-aimed-at-sexual-orientation-and-gender-identity-change-2/): Sixth Circuit says Michigan law likely violates First Amendment by discriminating against religious viewpoint TLDR (Too Long / Didn’t Read Summary) On December 17, 2025, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a lower court and ordered a preliminary injunction against Michigan’s ban on talk therapy that seeks to help minors change sexual orientation or gender identity. The court found that the law likely violates the First Amendment by discriminating based on viewpoint—allowing speech supporting gender transitions but banning speech affirming clients’ biological sex. The decision emphasizes that counseling through speech is constitutionally protected. The case returns to the lower […]
- [Federal Appeals Court Blocks Michigan Ban on Talk Therapy Aimed at Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Change](https://religiousliberty.tv/federal-appeals-court-blocks-michigan-ban-on-talk-therapy-aimed-at-sexual-orientation-and-gender-identity-change/): Sixth Circuit says Michigan law likely violates First Amendment by discriminating against religious viewpoint TLDR (Too Long / Didn’t Read Summary) On December 17, 2025, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a lower court and ordered a preliminary injunction against Michigan’s ban on talk therapy that seeks to help minors change sexual orientation or gender identity. The court found that the law likely violates the First Amendment by discriminating based on viewpoint—allowing speech supporting gender transitions but banning speech affirming clients’ biological sex. The decision emphasizes that counseling through speech is constitutionally protected. The case returns to the lower […]
- [Rethinking Hell: Justice, Mercy, and the Return to Eden](https://religiousliberty.tv/rethinking-hell-justice-mercy-and-the-return-to-eden/): The Old Tale That Still Haunts People There is a story passed down in many churches, the kind where you sit stiff in a wooden pew while the preacher shouts about fire and smoke and souls that scream forever. It isn’t told as a parable or a metaphor. It’s told straight: God loves you, but if you don’t respond the right way, He’ll send you to burn for eternity. The fire never goes out. The pain never stops. You live on forever, but in torment. Somehow, that was supposed to be comforting. Or motivating. But for many, it was terrifying. […]
- [Inmate’s 47 Days in Isolation Sparked a Constitutional Lawsuit — But the 2nd Circuit Said the Law Wasn’t Clear Enough](https://religiousliberty.tv/inmates-47-days-in-isolation-sparked-a-constitutional-lawsuit-but-the-2nd-circuit-said-the-law-wasnt-clear-enough/): Joe Baltas claimed prison officials denied him religious freedom, basic hygiene, and due process while in solitary. A federal appeals court upheld the dismissal of his case on qualified immunity grounds. Joe Baltas spent 47 days in a restricted housing unit at Garner Correctional Institution, locked down under “Chronic Discipline” status. He said it wasn… Read more Source: ReligiousLibertyTV on Substack
- [Federal Judge Dismisses Former Priest’s Discrimination Lawsuit Against Archdiocese of New Orleans](https://religiousliberty.tv/federal-judge-dismisses-former-priests-discrimination-lawsuit-against-archdiocese-of-new-orleans/): A federal court in New Orleans has dismissed a lawsuit filed by former Catholic priest Kesiena Dennis Obienu, who alleged employment discrimination, retaliation, and unequal treatment by the Archdiocese of New Orleans and senior clergy. The court ruled that the First Amendment’s “ministerial exception” prohibits secular courts from reviewing employment claims brought by members of the clergy. On December 11, 2025, U.S. District Judge Barry Ashe granted the Archdiocese’s motion for summary judgment, holding that all of Obienu’s remaining claims were barred as a matter of constitutional law. The decision ends the case in the district court, though Obienu may […]
- [When Canada's Health System Says “No”, Its Assisted Suicide System Says “Yes”: The Van Alstine Case](https://religiousliberty.tv/when-canadas-health-system-says-no-its-assisted-suicide-system-says-yes-the-van-alstine-case-3/): TL:DR – Jolene Van Alstine, a Canadian woman with a painful but treatable condition, was approved for assisted death after being unable to access surgery through her provincial health system. Canada’s MAiD law allows nonterminal patients to qualify based on suffering alone. There is no evidence she was coerced, but her case shows how assisted death can become the default when health care access fails. In the United States, she would not qualify for medical aid in dying because her illness is not terminal. The case raises policy questions about whether assisted dying should be available when treatment exists but […]
- [When Canada's Health System Says “No”, Its Assisted Suicide System Says “Yes”: The Van Alstine Case](https://religiousliberty.tv/when-canadas-health-system-says-no-its-assisted-suicide-system-says-yes-the-van-alstine-case/): TL:DR – Jolene Van Alstine, a Canadian woman with a painful but treatable condition, was approved for assisted death after being unable to access surgery through her provincial health system. Canada’s MAiD law allows nonterminal patients to qualify based on suffering alone. There is no evidence she was coerced, but her case shows how assisted death can become the default when health care access fails. In the United States, she would not qualify for medical aid in dying because her illness is not terminal. The case raises policy questions about whether assisted dying should be available when treatment exists but […]
- [Church Fined $1.2 Million for Worship During COVID Restrictions Asks Supreme Court for Relief](https://religiousliberty.tv/church-fined-1-2-million-for-worship-during-covid-restrictions-asks-supreme-court-for-relief/): Calvary Chapel San Jose says state orders punished religious exercise while exempting comparable secular activity Calvary Chapel San Jose wants the U.S. Supreme Court to answer a question that goes to the heart of constitutional protections: Can a church be fined more than $1.2 million for holding worship services during the pandemic when the same state rules allowed exemptions for secular activities like dining, sports, and haircuts? The church, along with its senior pastor, Mike McClure, filed a petition for certiorari on December 13, 2025, asking the Court to review a California appellate ruling that upheld the fines. Their argument […]
- [Nativity](https://religiousliberty.tv/nativity-2/): The road into Bethlehem ran black under a sky that looked too large for the world. Joseph counted his steps because counting was the only thing that kept the fear down. Mary swayed on the animal with both hands at her belly. She breathed like a woman holding back a tide. The town where they went to sign in for the census should have felt like home. Joseph’s blood ran through its alleys, through doors he knew by name, through the stories that fathers told their sons. He knocked anyway, quiet first, louder next, finally with his whole arm. Faces […]
- [Village Enforcement of Septic Code Was Lawful, Not Discriminatory, Court Says](https://religiousliberty.tv/village-enforcement-of-septic-code-was-lawful-not-discriminatory-court-says-2/): Illinois court tosses religious discrimination claim where faith met wastewater management On December 4, 2025, the Illinois Appellate Court ended a three-year legal effort by John Schoff and Jane Stoller-Schoff to frame a zoning dispute as a matter of religious liberty. In Schoff v. Illinois Human Rights Commission, 2025 IL App (1st) 250148-U, the couple claimed that South Barrington used its septic ordinance to punish their Christian mission of housing asylum seekers, refugees, and missionaries. The court ruled otherwise. There was no evidence, the court said, that the Village targeted the Schoffs for their religion, or for the race or […]
- [United in the Gospel, Divided on Hell: The Cameron-Comfort Schism](https://religiousliberty.tv/united-in-the-gospel-divided-on-hell-the-cameron-comfort-schism-2/): By Michael Peabody – It is a rare and courageous thing to see a man who is comfortable in the orthodoxy of his peers suddenly stop, look at the text in his hand, and say that it does not mean what they think it means. We are witnessing such a moment with Kirk Cameron. For decades, Kirk Cameron and Ray Comfort have been the undisputed Batman and Robin of American evangelism. They are the Dynamic Duo of the street corner, and they are the men who took the flabby, therapeutic “God has a wonderful plan for your life” sermon and […]
- [How Plato and pagan myth shaped the traditional Christian doctrine of hell](https://religiousliberty.tv/how-plato-and-pagan-myth-shaped-the-traditional-christian-doctrine-of-hell-2/): Note: After I posted about the differences between the Kirk Cameron and Ray Comfort’s beliefs about hell, an alert reader contacted me and asked if I had the specific quotations from Plato that undergirded the traditional (and I would argue extra-Biblical) view of eternal torment. I realized that this is something that a lot of people probably would simply accept but others require receipts, so here are the receipts. These are long quotations and I’ve included photos of excerpts from Plato’s writings with links to the originals so you can read them for yourself. I would also advise that this […]
- [Seventh Circuit Upholds Dismissal of Religious and Constitutional Challenges to Chicago’s COVID-19 Vaccine Policy](https://religiousliberty.tv/seventh-circuit-upholds-dismissal-of-religious-and-constitutional-challenges-to-chicagos-covid-19-vaccine-policy-2/): Court finds plaintiffs failed to show how vaccine mandate burdened religious beliefs under Free Exercise Clause or Illinois RFRA Scott Troogstad and over 130 other employees of the City of Chicago lost their appeal this week in the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. In a ruling issued on December 9, 2025, the panel affirmed the dismissal of their claims that the city’s COVID-19 vaccine policy violated their rights under the First Amendment, the Illinois Religious Freedom Restoration Act (IRFRA), and the Fourteenth Amendment’s guarantee of substantive due process. The decision closes a chapter in a years-long […]
- [The Silver Madness of 2025: Markets Gone Feral and the Shiny Metal at the Heart of It](https://religiousliberty.tv/the-silver-madness-of-2025-markets-gone-feral-and-the-shiny-metal-at-the-heart-of-it-2/): Silver is ripping through the financial jungle, and the herd is spooked. This isn’t just a bull run. It’s a stampede in a minefield. Chart from JM Bullion 12/11/2025 There’s blood in the ticker tape and fire in the eyes of traders who haven’t slept since Halloween. Silver, that ancient, underdog cousin of gold, has burst through $60, then $63, now flirting with $65 like a bar brawler looking for a fight. This isn’t just about shiny coins or fancy jewelry. This is a raw economic pulse, pounding through the walls of the American market machine. If you listen close, […]
- [Parents Appeal Dismissal of Lawsuit Over Transgender Rooming Policy in Colorado Schools](https://religiousliberty.tv/parents-appeal-dismissal-of-lawsuit-over-transgender-rooming-policy-in-colorado-schools-2/): Federal lawsuit challenges overnight school trip rooming rules based on gender identity, raising questions beyond religion Four families are asking the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit to reverse a federal judge’s dismissal of their lawsuit against Jefferson County Public Schools. The appeal, filed November 19, 2025, contests the district’s policy of assigning students to overnight accommodations based on gender identity rather than biological sex, without informing parents or offering opt-outs for families with religious or privacy concerns. The case is framed around claims under the First and Fourteenth Amendments, but the families argue that the implications go […]
- [Parents Appeal Dismissal of Lawsuit Over Transgender Rooming Policy in Colorado Schools](https://religiousliberty.tv/parents-appeal-dismissal-of-lawsuit-over-transgender-rooming-policy-in-colorado-schools/): Federal lawsuit challenges overnight school trip rooming rules based on gender identity, raising questions beyond religion Four families are asking the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit to reverse a federal judge’s dismissal of their lawsuit against Jefferson County Public Schools. The appeal, filed November 19, 2025, contests the district’s policy of assigning students to overnight accommodations based on gender identity rather than biological sex, without informing parents or offering opt-outs for families with religious or privacy concerns. The case is framed around claims under the First and Fourteenth Amendments, but the families argue that the implications go […]
- [The Silver Madness of 2025: Markets Gone Feral and the Shiny Metal at the Heart of It](https://religiousliberty.tv/the-silver-madness-of-2025-markets-gone-feral-and-the-shiny-metal-at-the-heart-of-it/): Silver is ripping through the financial jungle, and the herd is spooked. This isn’t just a bull run. It’s a stampede in a minefield. Chart from JM Bullion 12/11/2025 There’s blood in the ticker tape and fire in the eyes of traders who haven’t slept since Halloween. Silver, that ancient, underdog cousin of gold, has burst through $60, then $63, now flirting with $65 like a bar brawler looking for a fight. This isn’t just about shiny coins or fancy jewelry. This is a raw economic pulse, pounding through the walls of the American market machine. If you listen close, […]
- [Seventh Circuit Upholds Dismissal of Religious and Constitutional Challenges to Chicago’s COVID-19 Vaccine Policy](https://religiousliberty.tv/seventh-circuit-upholds-dismissal-of-religious-and-constitutional-challenges-to-chicagos-covid-19-vaccine-policy/): Court finds plaintiffs failed to show how vaccine mandate burdened religious beliefs under Free Exercise Clause or Illinois RFRA Scott Troogstad and over 130 other employees of the City of Chicago lost their appeal this week in the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. In a ruling issued on December 9, 2025, the panel affirmed the dismissal of their claims that the city’s COVID-19 vaccine policy violated their rights under the First Amendment, the Illinois Religious Freedom Restoration Act (IRFRA), and the Fourteenth Amendment’s guarantee of substantive due process. The decision closes a chapter in a years-long […]
- [How Plato and pagan myth shaped the traditional Christian doctrine of hell](https://religiousliberty.tv/how-plato-and-pagan-myth-shaped-the-traditional-christian-doctrine-of-hell/): Note: After I posted about the differences between the Kirk Cameron and Ray Comfort’s beliefs about hell, an alert reader contacted me and asked if I had the specific quotations from Plato that undergirded the traditional (and I would argue extra-Biblical) view of eternal torment. I realized that this is something that a lot of people probably would simply accept but others require receipts, so here are the receipts. These are long quotations and I’ve included photos of excerpts from Plato’s writings with links to the originals so you can read them for yourself. I would also advise that this […]
- [United in the Gospel, Divided on Hell: The Cameron-Comfort Schism](https://religiousliberty.tv/united-in-the-gospel-divided-on-hell-the-cameron-comfort-schism/): By Michael Peabody – It is a rare and courageous thing to see a man who is comfortable in the orthodoxy of his peers suddenly stop, look at the text in his hand, and say that it does not mean what they think it means. We are witnessing such a moment with Kirk Cameron. For decades, Kirk Cameron and Ray Comfort have been the undisputed Batman and Robin of American evangelism. They are the Dynamic Duo of the street corner, and they are the men who took the flabby, therapeutic “God has a wonderful plan for your life” sermon and […]
- [Village Enforcement of Septic Code Was Lawful, Not Discriminatory, Court Says](https://religiousliberty.tv/village-enforcement-of-septic-code-was-lawful-not-discriminatory-court-says/): Illinois court tosses religious discrimination claim where faith met wastewater management On December 4, 2025, the Illinois Appellate Court ended a three-year legal effort by John Schoff and Jane Stoller-Schoff to frame a zoning dispute as a matter of religious liberty. In Schoff v. Illinois Human Rights Commission, 2025 IL App (1st) 250148-U, the couple claimed that South Barrington used its septic ordinance to punish their Christian mission of housing asylum seekers, refugees, and missionaries. The court ruled otherwise. There was no evidence, the court said, that the Village targeted the Schoffs for their religion, or for the race or […]
- [Nativity](https://religiousliberty.tv/nativity/): The road into Bethlehem ran black under a sky that looked too large for the world. Joseph counted his steps because counting was the only thing that kept the fear down. Mary swayed on the animal with both hands at her belly. She breathed like a woman holding back a tide. The town where they went to sign in for the census should have felt like home. Joseph’s blood ran through its alleys, through doors he knew by name, through the stories that fathers told their sons. He knocked anyway, quiet first, louder next, finally with his whole arm. Faces […]
- [Quebec’s Bill 9 tightens secularism rules and places new pressure on Christian schools that receive public funding](https://religiousliberty.tv/quebecs-bill-9-tightens-secularism-rules-and-places-new-pressure-on-christian-schools-that-receive-public-funding-2/): Cold November air settled over Montreal when Quebec introduced Bill 9 on November 27, 2025. The bill placed group prayer on public streets under a permit system. It ordered universities and CEGEPs to close prayer rooms by September 2026. It widened religious symbol limits for employees in subsidized private schools and child-care centers. It restricted exclusive halal and kosher meal service in public institutions. It also rewrote funding requirements for private religious schools. Christian schools that accept government support now face a direct test of their admission and staffing practices. Bill 9 fits into the long arc of Quebec’s shift […]
- [Federal court rules “In God We Trust” does not violate religious rights under RFRA or the Constitution](https://religiousliberty.tv/federal-court-rules-in-god-we-trust-does-not-violate-religious-rights-under-rfra-or-the-constitution-2/): A Florida federal court has dismissed a lawsuit brought by a self-represented plaintiff who challenged the presence of “In God We Trust” on U.S. currency, arguing it violated his religious beliefs and excluded him from full civic participation. David Morris Clayman, who identifies as a religious Jew, filed suit against multiple federal officials. His core claim was that the motto on U.S. coins and bills forced him to come into contact with what he viewed as a sacred name, thereby desecrating it. According to Clayman, his religious convictions prevent him from handling, carrying, or destroying currency bearing that phrase. The […]
- [The Damsky Order: A Campus Meltdown Collides With First Amendment Absolutism](https://religiousliberty.tv/the-damsky-order-a-campus-meltdown-collides-with-first-amendment-absolutism-2/): Preston Damsky v. Chris Summerlin, in his official capacity as Dean of Students, University of Florida, No. 1:25-cv-275-AW-MAF (N.D. Fla. Nov. 24, 2025) Decision link: https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/26314056/954597806-damsky-order.pdf THE DAMSKY DECISION: WHY ANYONE WITH A PULSE SHOULD CARE (And why writing this feels like sticking my hand into a live fuse box.) Covering Damsky v. Summerlin is like wrestling a malfunctioning electrical cable. The facts jump. The rhetoric burns. The whole case pulses with the kind of unstable energy that makes you check your surroundings before continuing. But a federal judge has issued a ruling that sits dead center in the clash […]
- [Supreme Court Weighs Whether New Jersey Subpoena of Pro-Life Group’s Donor List Violates First Amendment](https://religiousliberty.tv/supreme-court-weighs-whether-new-jersey-subpoena-of-pro-life-groups-donor-list-violates-first-amendment-2/): Case tests scope of federal court access in disputes over compelled disclosure of nonprofit donor identities The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments on December 2, 2025, in First Choice Women’s Resource Centers, Inc. v. Matthew J. Platkin, a case that could reshape when and how nonprofit groups may challenge government attempts to compel disclosure of donor identities. The case pits First Choice, a New Jersey-based pro-life pregnancy resource center network, against the state’s attorney general, who issued an administrative subpoena requesting the names, addresses, and contact information of donors. First Choice says the subpoena chills the organization’s free speech […]
- [Explainer: Why Supreme Court Arguments Often Skip the Big Issue Everyone Else Is Talking About](https://religiousliberty.tv/explainer-why-supreme-court-arguments-often-skip-the-big-issue-everyone-else-is-talking-about-2/): Think of it like a baseball game where the umpires spend the first inning arguing over whether the game should be played at all By Michael Peabody – When the Supreme Court agrees to hear a case that’s dominating the news, many expect to hear arguments about the headline issue — abortion, free speech, religion, or gun rights. But once the lawyers begin and the justices start asking questions, it often sounds like they’re talking about something else entirely. Why are they focused on whether someone has “standing”? Why are they asking if the case is “ripe”? Why are they […]
- [Are Religious Voters Becoming Republicans? The Real Story Behind the Numbers](https://religiousliberty.tv/are-religious-voters-becoming-republicans-the-real-story-behind-the-numbers-2/): If you’re wondering why traditionally apolitical religious groups are suddenly voting like they’ve got a Sean Hannity subscription, Ryan Burge’s chart based on data from the Cooperative Election Study (Harvard) might offer a clue. Burge, a political scientist who tracks religion and politics like a hawk, looked at how different denominations voted between 2008 and 2024. His data shows that Seventh-day Adventists have increased their Republican vote share by 18 points. The National Baptist Convention is up 21. The American Baptist Churches USA? Also up 18. These aren’t evangelical megachurches in Dallas. These are historically cautious, sometimes skeptical, and often […]
- [Supreme Court Hears Case of Preacher Challenging City Law Without Overturning Conviction](https://religiousliberty.tv/supreme-court-hears-case-of-preacher-challenging-city-law-without-overturning-conviction-2/): Gabriel Olivier says Brandon, Mississippi, law unfairly targets his religious speech but insists he is not trying to erase his criminal record Gabriel Olivier, a Christian street preacher, was arrested and convicted for preaching in a public park in Brandon, Mississippi. Now he is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to let him challenge the city law that led to his arrest. He is not asking the Court to erase his past conviction. Instead, he wants to stop the city from using the same law against him again in the future. On December 3, 2025, the Court heard arguments in Gabriel […]
- [Supreme Court Hears Case of Preacher Challenging City Law Without Overturning Conviction](https://religiousliberty.tv/supreme-court-hears-case-of-preacher-challenging-city-law-without-overturning-conviction/): Gabriel Olivier says Brandon, Mississippi, law unfairly targets his religious speech but insists he is not trying to erase his criminal record Gabriel Olivier, a Christian street preacher, was arrested and convicted for preaching in a public park in Brandon, Mississippi. Now he is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to let him challenge the city law that led to his arrest. He is not asking the Court to erase his past conviction. Instead, he wants to stop the city from using the same law against him again in the future. On December 3, 2025, the Court heard arguments in Gabriel […]
- [Are Religious Voters Becoming Republicans? The Real Story Behind the Numbers](https://religiousliberty.tv/are-religious-voters-becoming-republicans-the-real-story-behind-the-numbers/): If you’re wondering why traditionally apolitical religious groups are suddenly voting like they’ve got a Sean Hannity subscription, Ryan Burge’s chart based on data from the Cooperative Election Study (Harvard) might offer a clue. Burge, a political scientist who tracks religion and politics like a hawk, looked at how different denominations voted between 2008 and 2024. His data shows that Seventh-day Adventists have increased their Republican vote share by 18 points. The National Baptist Convention is up 21. The American Baptist Churches USA? Also up 18. These aren’t evangelical megachurches in Dallas. These are historically cautious, sometimes skeptical, and often […]
- [Explainer: Why Supreme Court Arguments Often Skip the Big Issue Everyone Else Is Talking About](https://religiousliberty.tv/explainer-why-supreme-court-arguments-often-skip-the-big-issue-everyone-else-is-talking-about/): Think of it like a baseball game where the umpires spend the first inning arguing over whether the game should be played at all By Michael Peabody – When the Supreme Court agrees to hear a case that’s dominating the news, many expect to hear arguments about the headline issue — abortion, free speech, religion, or gun rights. But once the lawyers begin and the justices start asking questions, it often sounds like they’re talking about something else entirely. Why are they focused on whether someone has “standing”? Why are they asking if the case is “ripe”? Why are they […]
- [Supreme Court Weighs Whether New Jersey Subpoena of Pro-Life Group’s Donor List Violates First Amendment](https://religiousliberty.tv/supreme-court-weighs-whether-new-jersey-subpoena-of-pro-life-groups-donor-list-violates-first-amendment/): Case tests scope of federal court access in disputes over compelled disclosure of nonprofit donor identities The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments on December 2, 2025, in First Choice Women’s Resource Centers, Inc. v. Matthew J. Platkin, a case that could reshape when and how nonprofit groups may challenge government attempts to compel disclosure of donor identities. The case pits First Choice, a New Jersey-based pro-life pregnancy resource center network, against the state’s attorney general, who issued an administrative subpoena requesting the names, addresses, and contact information of donors. First Choice says the subpoena chills the organization’s free speech […]
- [The Damsky Order: A Campus Meltdown Collides With First Amendment Absolutism](https://religiousliberty.tv/the-damsky-order-a-campus-meltdown-collides-with-first-amendment-absolutism/): Preston Damsky v. Chris Summerlin, in his official capacity as Dean of Students, University of Florida, No. 1:25-cv-275-AW-MAF (N.D. Fla. Nov. 24, 2025) Decision link: https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/26314056/954597806-damsky-order.pdf THE DAMSKY DECISION: WHY ANYONE WITH A PULSE SHOULD CARE (And why writing this feels like sticking my hand into a live fuse box.) Covering Damsky v. Summerlin is like wrestling a malfunctioning electrical cable. The facts jump. The rhetoric burns. The whole case pulses with the kind of unstable energy that makes you check your surroundings before continuing. But a federal judge has issued a ruling that sits dead center in the clash […]
- [Federal court rules “In God We Trust” does not violate religious rights under RFRA or the Constitution](https://religiousliberty.tv/federal-court-rules-in-god-we-trust-does-not-violate-religious-rights-under-rfra-or-the-constitution/): A Florida federal court has dismissed a lawsuit brought by a self-represented plaintiff who challenged the presence of “In God We Trust” on U.S. currency, arguing it violated his religious beliefs and excluded him from full civic participation. David Morris Clayman, who identifies as a religious Jew, filed suit against multiple federal officials. His core claim was that the motto on U.S. coins and bills forced him to come into contact with what he viewed as a sacred name, thereby desecrating it. According to Clayman, his religious convictions prevent him from handling, carrying, or destroying currency bearing that phrase. The […]
- [Quebec’s Bill 9 tightens secularism rules and places new pressure on Christian schools that receive public funding](https://religiousliberty.tv/quebecs-bill-9-tightens-secularism-rules-and-places-new-pressure-on-christian-schools-that-receive-public-funding/): Cold November air settled over Montreal when Quebec introduced Bill 9 on November 27, 2025. The bill placed group prayer on public streets under a permit system. It ordered universities and CEGEPs to close prayer rooms by September 2026. It widened religious symbol limits for employees in subsidized private schools and child-care centers. It restricted exclusive halal and kosher meal service in public institutions. It also rewrote funding requirements for private religious schools. Christian schools that accept government support now face a direct test of their admission and staffing practices. Bill 9 fits into the long arc of Quebec’s shift […]
- [The Silicon Prophets: When the Children Go Silent and the Rocks Start Preaching](https://religiousliberty.tv/the-silicon-prophets-when-the-children-go-silent-and-the-rocks-start-preaching-2/): The dirt speaks, the rocks hum, and the gospel goes live from a pile of melted sand. The children were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David.” The priests hated it. That’s always the way with the truth. People in charge want it quiet. Jesus stared them down and gave them a line they didn’t forget. “If these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” Most took it as metaphor. A poetic jab. But fast-forward two thousand years and take a hard look at your phone. The rocks are crying out, and they’re doing it through glass, silicon, and […]
- [Church at the Crossroads: Why Adventist Engagement with the United Nations Deserves Careful Study, Not Sudden Exit](https://religiousliberty.tv/church-at-the-crossroads-why-adventist-engagement-with-the-united-nations-deserves-careful-study-not-sudden-exit-2/): Letter calling for withdrawal from UN consultative status raises important questions but needs fuller understanding of what that status actually involves On November 19, 2025, a group of Seventh-day Adventist members submitted a letter to leaders of the General Conference (GC), ADRA, and the International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA), requesting immediate termination of the Church’s consultative NGO status with the United Nations. The letter expresses concern that this status aligns the Church with global political and religious powers in ways that conflict with Scripture and the Spirit of Prophecy. It also calls for a meeting by December 19 to begin […]
- [Shortcuts and Shields: Why Legal Workarounds Threaten the Longevity of Religious Freedom](https://religiousliberty.tv/shortcuts-and-shields-why-legal-workarounds-threaten-the-longevity-of-religious-freedom-2/): Churches seeking exceptions should tread carefully. When everything becomes a right, the system stops working. There’s a quiet strategy playing out in the case of Dad’s Place in Bryan, Ohio — and in courtrooms across the country. When regulatory pressure builds, religious organizations don’t just fight on the facts. They pivot to constitutional claims. They don’t just argue that the rule is unfair. They say it’s illegal to apply it to them. They reframe operations as expressions of belief, not choices, and challenge the government to prove its authority. This can work. It’s working here. The Ohio Sixth District Court […]
- [Born Under Judgment: The Scandalous Birth and Triumph of Mercy](https://religiousliberty.tv/born-under-judgment-the-scandalous-birth-and-triumph-of-mercy-2/): By Michael Peabody Scandal Before It BeganShe was young. A girl, really. Barely old enough to carry a child, let alone carry the weight of scandal. Mary knew what had happened. She knew the angel’s words, the promise from heaven, the mystery of what was growing inside her. But heaven’s assurances are not always easy to explain in a small town. Nazareth was the kind of place where everyone knew everyone else—and everyone had an opinion. A pregnancy before marriage was not something you could hide. And people didn’t ask for the story. They just assumed they already knew it. […]
- [“Before the Knock” Video Offers Urgent Advice on Immigration Enforcement](https://religiousliberty.tv/before-the-knock-video-offers-urgent-advice-on-immigration-enforcement-2/): Thanksgiving is a time when families come together. But for many immigrant families across the United States, a knock at the door could mean separation instead of reunion. It’s hard to give thanks when you’re afraid to answer the door. That fear is real—and it’s growing. As families plan holiday meals, others are quietly making different preparations: gathering passports, locating birth certificates, and explaining to their children what to do if a parent is detained. This is not about politics. It’s about planning. Yesterday, the Church State Council released a practical, nonpartisan YouTube video titled “Before the Knock: How to […]
- [“Before the Knock” Video Offers Urgent Advice on Immigration Enforcement](https://religiousliberty.tv/before-the-knock-video-offers-urgent-advice-on-immigration-enforcement/): Thanksgiving is a time when families come together. But for many immigrant families across the United States, a knock at the door could mean separation instead of reunion. It’s hard to give thanks when you’re afraid to answer the door. That fear is real—and it’s growing. As families plan holiday meals, others are quietly making different preparations: gathering passports, locating birth certificates, and explaining to their children what to do if a parent is detained. This is not about politics. It’s about planning. Yesterday, the Church State Council released a practical, nonpartisan YouTube video titled “Before the Knock: How to […]
- [Born Under Judgment: The Scandalous Birth and Triumph of Mercy](https://religiousliberty.tv/born-under-judgment-the-scandalous-birth-and-triumph-of-mercy/): By Michael Peabody Scandal Before It BeganShe was young. A girl, really. Barely old enough to carry a child, let alone carry the weight of scandal. Mary knew what had happened. She knew the angel’s words, the promise from heaven, the mystery of what was growing inside her. But heaven’s assurances are not always easy to explain in a small town. Nazareth was the kind of place where everyone knew everyone else—and everyone had an opinion. A pregnancy before marriage was not something you could hide. And people didn’t ask for the story. They just assumed they already knew it. […]
- [Shortcuts and Shields: Why Legal Workarounds Threaten the Longevity of Religious Freedom](https://religiousliberty.tv/shortcuts-and-shields-why-legal-workarounds-threaten-the-longevity-of-religious-freedom/): Churches seeking exceptions should tread carefully. When everything becomes a right, the system stops working. There’s a quiet strategy playing out in the case of Dad’s Place in Bryan, Ohio — and in courtrooms across the country. When regulatory pressure builds, religious organizations don’t just fight on the facts. They pivot to constitutional claims. They don’t just argue that the rule is unfair. They say it’s illegal to apply it to them. They reframe operations as expressions of belief, not choices, and challenge the government to prove its authority. This can work. It’s working here. The Ohio Sixth District Court […]
- [Church at the Crossroads: Why Adventist Engagement with the United Nations Deserves Careful Study, Not Sudden Exit](https://religiousliberty.tv/church-at-the-crossroads-why-adventist-engagement-with-the-united-nations-deserves-careful-study-not-sudden-exit/): Letter calling for withdrawal from UN consultative status raises important questions but needs fuller understanding of what that status actually involves On November 19, 2025, a group of Seventh-day Adventist members submitted a letter to leaders of the General Conference (GC), ADRA, and the International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA), requesting immediate termination of the Church’s consultative NGO status with the United Nations. The letter expresses concern that this status aligns the Church with global political and religious powers in ways that conflict with Scripture and the Spirit of Prophecy. It also calls for a meeting by December 19 to begin […]
- [The Silicon Prophets: When the Children Go Silent and the Rocks Start Preaching](https://religiousliberty.tv/the-silicon-prophets-when-the-children-go-silent-and-the-rocks-start-preaching/): The dirt speaks, the rocks hum, and the gospel goes live from a pile of melted sand. The children were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David.” The priests hated it. That’s always the way with the truth. People in charge want it quiet. Jesus stared them down and gave them a line they didn’t forget. “If these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” Most took it as metaphor. A poetic jab. But fast-forward two thousand years and take a hard look at your phone. The rocks are crying out, and they’re doing it through glass, silicon, and […]
- [They Picked Up the Children Rome Left to Die](https://religiousliberty.tv/they-picked-up-the-children-rome-left-to-die-2/): In the Roman Empire, unwanted newborns were regularly exposed to die. Left near trash heaps or at the edge of cities, these infants, especially girls or those born with deformities, were not hidden but openly discarded. Exposure was not a crime. It was a socially accepted and legally protected practice. Against this brutal norm, early Christians responded in ways that shocked their neighbors. They rescued abandoned children and condemned abortion. These actions were grounded in conviction, not in public recognition or theological consensus. Their efforts began decades before the Church developed formal doctrines about the soul or personhood. The Didache, […]
- [From Ceremony to Liability: Cowichan Title Ruling Changes the Stakes of Land Acknowledgments](https://religiousliberty.tv/from-ceremony-to-liability-cowichan-title-ruling-changes-the-stakes-of-land-acknowledgments-2/): When the British Columbia Supreme Court confirmed on August 7, 2025, that the Cowichan Tribes hold Aboriginal title to part of Richmond, including fee-simple land, it added legal weight to a phrase that institutions across Canada and the U.S. have repeated for years: “unceded Indigenous land.” But Indigenous writers and advocates are now making clear that acknowledgment without accountability may do more harm than good. The Cowichan ruling in Cowichan Tribes v. Canada (Attorney General), 2025 BCSC 1490, made a legal finding many Indigenous peoples have asserted for generations. The land was never ceded, and governments cannot rely on historic […]
- [Today’s spotlight: The growing divide between mainline pastors and their pews](https://religiousliberty.tv/todays-spotlight-the-growing-divide-between-mainline-pastors-and-their-pews-3/): Today we’re stepping aside to highlight a post from another blog that’s digging into a key issue: the widening political gap between clergy and the people they serve. In this must-read piece, political scientist Ryan Burge lays out new data showing that many pastors—especially in more “liberal”denominations—are far to the left of their congregations. Meanwhile, in conservative churches, clergy and members are more politically aligned. The result is a striking mismatch that’s shaping how churches engage with politics, culture, and each other. Read the full article on Ryan Burg’s Blog here: https://open.substack.com/pub/ryanburge/p/how-big-is-the-political-divide-between It’s a sharp look at a quiet shift […]
- [Quebec City Sued for Cancelling Christian Worship Event Featuring Sean Feucht](https://religiousliberty.tv/quebec-city-sued-for-cancelling-christian-worship-event-featuring-sean-feucht-2/): Burn 24/7 Canada claims city violated religious freedom and freedom of expression over cancelled concert Sean Feucht at Charlie Kirk memorial service. Newbury Park, California. September 13, 2025. Photo by author. On July 23, 2025, Quebec City abruptly cancelled a Christian worship event scheduled for the next day, citing concerns over the appearance of American evangelical artist Sean Feucht. The cancellation came just hours after Parks Canada and the cities of Charlottetown and Moncton withdrew permits for related events due to public protest threats. Now, the organizers are suing, alleging religious discrimination and violation of constitutional rights. Burn 24/7 Canada, […]
- [Federal Court Dismisses Religious Liberty Lawsuit Against Trump Over Historical Narrative Order](https://religiousliberty.tv/federal-court-dismisses-religious-liberty-lawsuit-against-trump-over-historical-narrative-order-2/): Plaintiff alleged executive directive violated religious obligation to confront systemic injustice; court found no legal basis under RFRA, First Amendment, or Section 1983 Brandon Jeanpierre, founder of a religious group called the Black Flag, sued former President Donald Trump earlier this year, claiming that Trump’s Executive Order 14253 interfered with his religious freedom. On November 18, 2025, U.S. Magistrate Judge Daphne A. Oberg dismissed the suit with prejudice, ruling that it failed to state a valid legal claim. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah under Jeanpierre v. Trump, No. 2:25-cv-00290, challenged an executive […]
- [Mayor-Elect Mamdani’s 'Misuse of Sacred Space' Claim Raises Alarm in Jewish Community](https://religiousliberty.tv/mayor-elect-mamdanis-misuse-of-sacred-space-claim-raises-alarm-in-jewish-community-2/): Critics say mayor-elect’s framing echoes campus targeting of Jews and misapplies legal standards During a protest outside Park East Synagogue in Manhattan on November 19, 2025, demonstrators shouted anti-Israel slogans alongside antisemitic slurs. The synagogue was hosting a public event by Nefesh B’Nefesh, an organization that facilitates Jewish immigration to Israel. Protesters stood outside yelling “globalize the intifada” and “death to the IDF,” and were recorded using explicit slurs directed at Jewish attendees, including “f—ing Jewish pricks.” In response, New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani issued a statement through his press secretary. He acknowledged that “every New Yorker should be […]

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