On April 28, 2015, the Supreme Court heard arguments on whether states can ban same-sex marriages, and if so, whether states that ban same-sex marriages must recognize same-sex marriages from states that perform them.
California Court Rules For-Profit Christian School May Require Teachers’ Faith Statements
In March 2015 a Ventura County Superior Court judge upheld the right of a for-profit Christian preschool to compel teachers to make a statement of faith and to obtain a statement by a pastor regarding how frequently they attend church, comment on their faith, and to endorse them as employees a Christian preschool.
Court Rules Adventist Entitled to Unemployment Benefits After Being Terminated for Absences
On March 17, 2015, the a three-judge panel of the Appeals Court of Georgia ruled unanimously that the denial of unemployment benefits to a Seventh-day Adventist who was fired for refusing to work on Saturdays was unconstitutional.
Christianity’s Misguided Battle with Atheism and Secularism
By Brent Buttler – Christianity’s ongoing battle with atheism and secularism is not only misguided, but also not what God intended for His church. [dc]I[/dc] recently heard a story about the evangelist Billy Graham. What piqued my interest was how almost overnight he transitioned from relative unknown to household name. One day in 1949…
Gibson Filming Project Based on War Hero Who Refused to Carry Weapon
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Okinawa, and director and actor Mel Gibson is working on making a film based on the life of one of the soldiers, Seventh-day Adventist conscientious objector, Desmond T. Doss, who won a Congressional Medal of Honor for saving dozens of lives while refusing to carry a weapon.
Understanding RFRA: Is Religious Freedom the New Bigotry?
By Nicholas Miller – Is supporting religious freedom an act of bigotry? This question is seriously being asked in the wake of the recent media eruptions surrounding the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) bills passed in Indiana and Arkansas. The firestorm surrounding these bills has brought the tension between religious freedom and gay rights to a new level of public scrutiny and focus.
Understanding RFRA: Does Indiana’s New Law Allow Businesses to Discriminate?
By Jason Hines – This week, Governor Mike Pence held a press conference in order to clarify the Indiana Religious Freedom Restoration Act that has received so much criticism lately.
Understanding RFRA: A History – From an Adventist Mill Worker to Hobby Lobby
Tracing the history of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act from a Seventh-day Adventist textile mill worker to Hobby Lobby.
Why the EU Should Not Re-Integrate Sunday into the Working Time Directive
Reintegrating Sunday into the European Union’s Working Time Directive would be unlawful, unconstitutional, and result in indirect discrimination says Brighton Kavaloh, founder and director of Adventreligio-legal Perspectives.
Rabbi Saperstein Sworn in as Ambassador for Religious Freedom
On February 20, 2015, Rabbi David Saperstein was sworn in as the United States Ambassador-at-Large for Religious Freedom. Saperstein is the fourth person to hold the post since it was created as part of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998.