Last Thursday, President Donald Trump marked the National Day of Prayer with an executive order that at most expressed the administration’s desire that the Department of the Treasury should not unnecessarily threaten the tax-exempt status of religious non-profit organizations if they engage in political activity. Despite stating during the campaign that he would “destroy” the Johnson Amendment, the administration ultimately made a benign gesture affirming existing law while describing its parameters and limits.
Tag: religious freedom
Vetting the Veeps: Pence and Kaine on Religious Liberty
This week, both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton have chosen relatively centrist running mates who are not well known outside of their states. Both Trump and Clinton, who have been battling high disapproval ratings and facing a close election in November, have made “safe picks.” But how do the vice presidential candidates compare when it comes to religious liberty?
EU not a greater guarantor of religious liberty than UK
There will be risks to our human rights and religious liberty protections if citizens of the United Kingdom choose to leave the European Union. However, I do think as well that there will also be risks on our human rights and religious liberty protections if voters choose to remain in the EU, and we need to keep a balanced view on the Brexit/Remain debate over human rights and religious liberty.
Federal bill introduced to prohibit religion-based denial of immigration
On May 12, Rep. Donald Beyer (D-Va) and 103 co-sponsors introduced legislation that would prohibit immigration authorities from refusing to admit aliens on the basis of religion or lack of religion.
Mississippi legislature passes law to weaponize churches
There are two distinct reactions to gun violence. One is to tighten gun regulations in an effort to get guns off the street. The other is to arm more people so they can kill would-be attackers. The Charleston, South Carolina, shooting at a church last year has provided the Mississippi legislature with a pretext to do the latter.
Why Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland deserves serious consideration
This morning President Obama threw a straight pitch directly into the strike zone when he nominated Judge Merrick Garland to the United States Supreme Court to fill the vacancy left by Justice Antonin Scalia. Garland, currently the chief judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, was confirmed to that court in 1997 with bipartisan Congressional support and has been well regarded by both Democrats and Republicans.
Four Chaplains – The Path of Understanding, Compassion, and Self-Sacrifice
By William Cork – Thirty years ago next month I raised my hand, took the oath of office, and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant, Chaplain Candidate, in the US Army Reserve. That summer, as a student in the Chaplain Officer Basic Course at Fort Monmouth, NJ, I first heard the story of the four chaplains: George Fox, Alexander Goode, Clark Poling, and John Washington. Four men of different faiths, bound by love–love for God, love for their country, love for each other, and love for their soldiers.
Of Faith and Focus: The battle that matters most is in the heart, not in politics
By Rich DuBose – When we rally to fight evil, however we may define it we are confronting symptomatic issues as opposed to the underlying core affliction that plagues humanity. Our problem is not our symptoms. It is that we are disconnected from the Source of wisdom and life.
Religious Liberty Advocate John Stevens Has Died
We are saddened to learn that long-time religious liberty advocate John V. Stevens passed away on November 30, 2015.
Adventist Church Releases World Religious Liberty Report
The Seventh-day Adventist Church has released a 408-page report outlining international religious liberty demographics and issues.