Religious News
The Daily Signal reports on faith and religion in America, covering Christian, Jewish, and other faith communities, with analysis and commentary on cultural trends, religious liberty, and moral issues that influence public life.
-
- Opinion
Distinguished Group of Scholars Defends a Christian Baker’s First Amendment Rights
Jack Phillips is a Christian baker from Colorado. Should he be forced to bake a cake for a same-sex wedding in violation of his deeply held religious beliefs? A group of leading legal scholars and economists says “no.” Not only would this violate Phillips’ individual conscience, it would also violate the Constitution and have negative…Monica Burke -
- Opinion
Watch Ryan Anderson Spar With LGBT Rights Advocate on Christian Baker Case
On Fox News’ “Outnumbered,” The Heritage Foundation’s Ryan T. Anderson, a senior research fellow who focuses on religious liberty and marriage, discusses the Jack Phillips case with Wayne State University’s philosophy professor John Corvino. Watch above.Daily Signal Staff -
- News
Meet the Lawyer Who’ll Argue at Supreme Court for Christian Baker’s Right to Free Speech
As far back as grade school, Kristen Waggoner’s father taught her to seek God’s purpose for her life. This paternal counsel, after much prayer, resulted in her knowing her calling at age 13. But growing up in a small mill town in Washington, she could not have guessed that, little more than 30 years later,…Ken McIntyre -
- Opinion
Podcast: Why Free Speech Is at Stake in Christian Baker Case
The Heritage Foundation’s Emilie Kao breaks down why the case of baker Jack Phillips, being heard by the Supreme Court Tuesday, has wide-ranging implications for free speech and for people of faith in many professions. Plus: Why President Donald Trump’s use of “Merry Christmas” matters.Katrina Trinko -
- Opinion
As Christian Baker Heads to Court, Hundreds of Artists Speak Out to Defend Free Expression
The Supreme Court is gearing up to hear one of the most important cases of the 2017 term. In Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, the court will consider whether the state of Colorado may compel cake artist Jack Phillips to create custom wedding cakes for same-sex weddings in violation of his religious beliefs….Zachary Jones -
- News
Pro-Life Students Sue Miami University Because It Won’t Let Them Erect a Cross
Students at the Miami University in Ohio are suing the school after it wouldn’t let them erect a cross on its campus to express their pro-life message. Filed by the Alliance Defending Freedom on behalf of Miami University’s Students for Life, the lawsuit alleges that the university violated their rights to free speech and expression…Grace Carr -
- Opinion
If a Christian Baker’s Rights Are Violated, We All Lose. Here’s Why.
Religious freedom has set our nation apart from the very beginning. Among its many benefits, religious freedom allows religious individuals and groups to make unique contributions to the public good. And those contributions are massive—from founding countless universities and hospitals to funding charities and the arts. The economic byproduct of religious liberty is also noteworthy….Monica Burke -
- Opinion
This Large Group of Public Officials Backs a Christian Baker’s First Amendment Rights
In September, a large group of policymakers from across the nation filed three different amicus curiae (“friend of the Court”) briefs in support of Jack Phillips, the Colorado baker whose case—Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission—will soon be heard by the Supreme Court. Phillips is being sued by the state of Colorado for declining…Amy Swearer -
- Opinion
California Tried to Force Pro-Life Centers to Promote Abortion. Now, the Supreme Court Is Weighing In.
On Nov. 13, the Supreme Court announced it will hear arguments in a case with serious implications for free speech nationwide. In NIFLA vs. Becerra, the court will decide whether pro-life advocates must refer clients to abortion clinics or face fines, penalties, and possible closure. The basic question the court must decide is whether the…Thomas Glessner -
- News
Texas Budget to Include $20 Million for Pro-Life Options
Texas has allocated $20 million in its 2018-2019 budget to go to a pro-life program that offers alternatives to abortion and provides services to new parents. “If they’re self-sufficient through the process of childbirth and afterward, that saves the state money and makes for much happier women and children and families,” Texas Alliance for Life…Grace Carr -
- News
Supreme Court Will Review California Law Requiring Pro-Life Groups to Promote Abortion
The U.S. Supreme Court Monday agreed to hear a challenge to a California law requiring pro-life crisis pregnancy centers to post information about state-funded abortions. A coalition of pro-life groups challenging the law say it explicitly targets and coerces religious counseling centers into pro-abortion expression with which they disagree. The law, called the Reproductive FACT…Kevin Daley -
- News
Bill Would Protect Pro-Life Nurses Like These 3 Women
Pro-life members of Congress have introduced legislation to protect health care providers from being compelled to provide abortions under threat of losing their jobs. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., held a press conference on the House Triangle outside the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday to promote the Conscience Protection Act. The bill is designed to “end discrimination…Ian Snively -
- News
Senate Confirms Barrett as Judge; Democrats Decline Cruz Dare to Defend Religious Liberty
Every Democrat in the Senate has an opportunity to stand for religious liberty this week in a vote to confirm a nominee for a federal appeals court, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said Monday. But only three Democrats crossed over Tuesday afternoon to vote to confirm Notre Dame law professor Amy Coney Barrett as a federal appeals…Casey Ryan -
- News
Black Leaders Discuss Religious Liberty, Difference Between Civil Rights Movement and LGBT Movement
Black leaders, including a former Atlanta fire chief who was fired for his personal beliefs and an Emmy Award-winning video producer, reject the assertion of liberal activists that support for the traditional definition of marriage is the equivalent of racism. “It never crossed my mind that in the United States of America … the same…Casey Ryan -
- News
Gay Coffee Shop Owner Kicks Out Pro-Life Customers
The gay owner of a coffee shop in Seattle kicked a group of Christians out of his coffee shop Sunday after declaring in obscene terms that he would like to sodomize Jesus Christ. The owner heatedly tells the Christians to leave his shop immediately in a video posted to Facebook by Abolish Human Abortion, a…Amber Randall -
- Opinion
Promise Kept: Trump Administration Protects Americans’ Religious Freedom
The Justice Department fulfilled President Donald Trump’s promise to provide clear guidance on the administration’s commitment to restore robust protection of religious freedom across all federal agencies and executive departments Friday. This fix was sorely needed in the wake of actions by President Barack Obama’s administration that harmed Americans’ religious liberty. The May 4 executive…Emilie Kao -
- Opinion
Trump Administration Undoes Obamacare’s Egregious Assault on Religious Freedom, Conscience Rights
The Trump administration issued interim final rules Friday that will provide much-needed relief to those with moral or religious objections to one of Obamacare’s most egregious assaults on rights of conscience and religious liberty: the HHS mandate. The mandate, from the Department of Health and Human Services, requires that nearly all insurance plans must cover abortion-inducing…Melanie Israel -
- News
Trump Administration Reverses Obama-Era Policies on Religious Freedom
The Trump administration came out strongly in defense of religious freedom Friday, with new legal guidance and a move to reverse one of the most controversial Obamacare mandates. “Every American has a right to believe, worship, and exercise their faith,” Jeff Sessions says. The Justice Department guidelines direct attorneys and agencies that freedom of religious…Fred Lucas -
- Opinion
Trump Should Defend Life and Religious Liberty at UN General Assembly
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump will address the General Assembly of the United Nations for the first time when it opens its 72nd session. While this General Assembly session opens before the backdrop of several ongoing international crises—such as North Korea’s nuclear provocations and continued conflicts in Syria and the Middle East—there are some other…Grace Melton -
- News
Judicial Crisis Network Launches Ad Against Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s ‘Religious Litmus Test’
The Judicial Crisis Network is launching ad campaigns against two Democratic senators who are blocking President Donald Trump’s judicial nominees. The two campaigns are against Sens. Al Franken, D-Minn., and Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. Franken is refusing to return the blue slip for Justice David Stras, nominated to serve on the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of…Casey Ryan