Dwayne Leslie, Legislative Affairs Director for the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists shares his perspective on the current U.S. Congress. EXCERPT: “The more voices, the more diverse points of view heard from, the better the chances we can collectively continue to ensure the ability for all people to follow their conscience. Together we thrive.” Read…
US Supreme Court to hear Arguments on DOMA and Prop 8 on March 26
The U.S. Supreme Court has scheduled two days of oral arguments on two separate but related cases beginning on March 26, 2013. The Court will be hearing arguments on California’s Proposition 8 which amended the state constitution to disallow same-sex marriage is constitutional and the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).
Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom Established Separation of Church and State
The Act, written by Thomas Jefferson, allowed Virginia to become the first state to separate church and state and remains part of Virginia’s constitution. It was later used as a model for other state constitutions as well as the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
Workplace Religious Freedom Act of 2013 Introduced in U.S. Senate
On December 17, 2012 Senator John Kerry (D-MA) introduced “The Workplace Religious Freedom Act of 2013” (S.3686) which would Amend Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of religion specifically in the areas of “garb, grooming, and scheduling.”
Top Religious Liberty Stories of 2012
Here are some of the top religious liberty stories of 2012, in no particular order.
A Critique of Employment Division v. Smith (1990)
Black Friday and Blue Laws: Renewed Calls for Uniform Rest Days
In a world of religious diversity coupled with a common system of of commerce, the institution of a common day of rest and its enforcement would necessarily require coercive methods to prevent individuals from carrying out interpersonal business activities, and place greater pressure on observers of other days of rest to violate their conscience by working on their rest days.
December 18, 2012 – PBS to Premiere First Freedom: The Right for Religious Liberty
FIRST FREEDOM: The Fight for Religious Liberty is the human story of how the Founding Fathers viewed faith, and how they radically broke with the Western tradition of religion-by-law to create a nation in which belief in God is a matter of choice. For more information visit PBS. Watch First Freedom: The Fight for Religious…
Federal Judge: Christian Owned For-Profit Company Must Comply with HHS Mandate
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).
The Results: Voters Decide on Same-Sex Marriage, Marijuana, gambling and religious freedom
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.