Explore the differences in free speech rights between Canada and the United States, from legal foundations to hate speech laws. Balancing rights and social interests is key in understanding these distinct approaches.
Tag: First Amendment
Alabama Supreme Court Upholds Methodist Church’s Property Rights Amid Disaffiliation Dispute
The Alabama Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church, dismissing a lawsuit by 44 Methodist churches seeking to disaffiliate over doctrinal disputes about human sexuality while retaining their properties. The court’s decision, based on the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, underscores the limitations of civil courts in resolving ecclesiastical issues, leaving the churches to navigate the UMC’s internal processes for resolution.
Louisiana Bill Mandating Ten Commandments in Public Schools: Controversy and Implications
In Louisiana, controversy brews as the state considers mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms. Critics warn of the dangers to church-state separation.
Guns, Banks, and the Beast: Unpacking the Supreme Court’s Latest Ruling
The Supreme Court’s unanimous ruling in Vullo v. NRA underscores the illegality of using regulatory power to coerce financial institutions to de-bank organizations based on their political beliefs, reinforcing free speech protections.
Wohlberg: Churches Should Not Surrender Right to Assemble
White Horse Media director Steve Wohlberg spoke this past weekend about the ramifications churches may face when they surrender their right to choose to meet or not during the pandemic.
Should churches “stay-at-home”? Martin Luther offers guidance
Although Luther wrote it nearly 500 years ago, his advice on how to handle an epidemic is still valid. Trust God and take precautions.
Bill Would Ban Gov’t Discrimination Based on Religious Views of Marriage
Bills have been introduced in both houses of the U.S. Congress that would prohibit the Federal government from discriminating against individuals, associations, and businesses that act in accordance with their religious beliefs about marriage.
“The Price of Citizenship”? New Mexico Supreme Court rules Christian must photograph same-sex ceremony
Yesterday, the New Mexico Supreme Court ruled that the First Amendment does not protect a photographer’s decision not to photograph a same-sex commitment ceremony even if it would violate the photographer’s deeply held religious beliefs.
States Rights and the Religion Clauses: Examining the North Carolina Resolution
This week, two members of the North Carolina House of Representatives submitted a resolution which would declare that “the Constitution of the United States of America does not prohibit states or their subsidiaries from making laws respecting an establishment of religion.” In other words, the legislation declared that that the state could make its own laws about religion and the federal government would not be able to stop them. Although the resolution is not likely to be approved, it does deserve some serious examination as it reflects a common argument arising in the religious right that the Establishment Clause does not apply to the states.
Mercer University: Religious Liberty in the Constitution
Gary Simson, Dean of Mercer’s Walter F. George School of Law, speaks on religious liberty as established in the constitution and what it means to us. He discusses how the United States was designed to be a country that took religion very seriously but respected the decisions of individuals as to which religion to practice…