Not since the 1990s has CLS’s Center for Law & Religious Freedom united diverse organizations including the ACLU, Alliance Defending Freedom, the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, the Religious Freedom Institute, the Coalition of Virtue, Prison Fellowship, the National Association of Evangelicals, the Center for Public Justice, and the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. […]
This fall, the U.S. Supreme Court will rule on whether crisis pregnancy centers can be free from state harassment. The New Jersey Attorney General (Platkin) served First Choice Women’s Resources Center with a subpoena demanding it identify—by name—the donors behind nearly 5,000 donations and produce more than 10 years’ worth of documents containing information about […]
Biblical manhood curricula can be found just about anywhere—churches, small groups, and even prisons. For years, Anthony Schmitt taught a Quest course to inmates within the Minnesota Department of Corrections, until an MDOC official “objected to Schmitt’s religious viewpoint” and banned any further teaching. As the Eighth Circuit opinion noted, the MDOC did not oppose […]
In a decisive opinion, a panel of three Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals justices—all Democrat-appointed—overturned a lower court’s ruling, thereby restoring World Vision’s right to control the conduct of its employees. Center Director Steve McFarland noted for the San Francisco Chronicle that the result confirms “the commonsense idea that religious ministries can expect their staff […]
While protections for religious conscience related to participating in same-sex “marriages” have held firm in the non-commercial space (churches, religious institutions), the matter has continued to be contested for those in public spaces—like government employees. Judge Umphress’ case is now heading to the Texas Supreme Court after he refused to officiate such ceremonies for reasons […]
Center Director Steve McFarland and special guest Reed Smith with the Tennessee Attorney General’s office present insights into the holdings and significance of United States v. Skrmetti and Mahmoud v. Taylor decisions impacting minors and parents’ rights. If you missed the live session, please click here to view the replay at your convenience. For those […]
In 2020, Louisiana state prison guards handcuffed a Rastafarian prisoner, held him down, and then shaved his lifelong growth of hair even though the inmate (Landor) had religious beliefs and prior accommodations. The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals condemned the guards’ actions but followed circuit precedent saying that damages are not available to Landor. The […]
Catholic Charities Bureau (CCB) won a decisive victory over Wisconsin at the U.S. Supreme Court after being denied a religious exemption from unemployment tax. The dispute began in 2016 when CCB applied for but was denied Wisconsin’s religious exemption because the state argued the services CCB offered were secular in nature (CCB’s mission to serve and […]
The U.S. Supreme Court split evenly 4-4 (Justice Barrett recused herself) over whether a state can exclude a religious school from qualifying to be a taxpayer-funded charter school. In St. Isidore’s Catholic Virtual School v. Drummond, the Oklahoma Supreme Court had ruled the school could not be so permitted, even though the state charter school […]
The May U.S. Supreme Court denial of certiorari in Apache Stronghold v. United States (in which Gorsuch and Thomas dissented) marks a clear loss for religious freedom. Western Apaches have lived, worshipped on, and cared for Oak Flat land since before history began to be recorded. Many of their most important religious practices must take […]
Christian Legal Society offers legal assistance for those in need through CLS’ network of Christian Legal Aid clinics and Christian Attorneys’ directory. CLS’ Center for Law & Religious Freedom is also available to address issues related to the infringement of religious freedom.