Justice Barrett’s recusal and a 4-4 split complicate assumptions about how faith influences judicial behavior

Justice Barrett’s Recusal Leads to 4-4 Split, Upholding State Court’s Ban on Publicly Funded Religious Education On May 22, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a rare 4-4 decision in the case of Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board v. Drummond, effectively blocking the establishment of St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School, which would have…

Advocacy groups file federal cases targeting student athletics and compelled speech on gender identity In two newly filed federal lawsuits, advocacy groups in Minnesota and Colorado are challenging state policies that they argue violate constitutional and statutory protections related to gender identity. Both cases, filed on May 19, 2025, allege harms to individuals who oppose…

May 15 decision finds federal agency overstepped in interpreting Title VII to require accommodations for transgender employees A federal judge in Texas has sided with the state of Texas and the Heritage Foundation, striking down Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) guidance that directed employers to accommodate transgender workers in accordance with a 2020 Supreme Court…

Ruling clarifies when a “fetal heartbeat” is considered to occur under 2023 state law On May 14, 2025, the South Carolina Supreme Court affirmed that the state’s 2023 Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act bans most abortions after cardiac activity is detectable by ultrasound, which generally occurs around six weeks of pregnancy. The Court…

The Fifth Circuit’s 2025 decision in Carter v. Southwest Airlines shapes how Title VII religious discrimination claims are litigated—offering a framework for plaintiffs and concrete defenses for emp

Court narrows Title VII religious discrimination claims, remands for judgment in favor of airline on belief-based claim

Court rejects Free Exercise claim, says law does not privilege secular reasons for abortion over religious ones A federal judge has ruled that South Carolina’s abortion ban does not violate the religious freedom of physicians who seek to perform abortions in accordance with their religious beliefs, citing the state’s legitimate interests in fetal and maternal…

There’s a remarkable story in Luke 9:51-56 that highlights a profound lesson about religious freedom. As Jesus journeyed toward Jerusalem, He sent messengers ahead into a Samaritan village to prepare for His arrival. But when the village refused to welcome Him, the disciples James and John responded sharply: “Lord, do you want us to call…

President’s imagery and protocol-defying behavior highlight American traditions of church-state separation and religious independence