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.
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opinion
US Commission on Civil Rights Fails to Understand Religious Liberty Laws
The United States Commission on Civil Rights has issued a statement slamming what it described as “so-called ‘religious liberty’” laws in North Carolina, Mississippi, Kansas, and Tennessee that supposedly “target members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (‘LGBT’) community for discrimination.” A nine-page dissent released by two members of the eight-member commission defended both the commonsense… -
news
Colorado Supreme Court Refuses to Hear Christian Baker’s Appeal on Gay Wedding Cakes
The Colorado Supreme Court will not review the case of a Denver-area “cake artist” ordered by the state government to bake and decorate cakes to celebrate same-sex marriages. Lawyers for Jack Phillips, owner of Masterpiece Cakeshop in Lakewood, Colo., said they are evaluating his legal options. “We asked the Colorado Supreme Court to take this… -
news
Religious Liberty Bill Inches Forward in House After 10 Months
After more than 300 days, a bill to safeguard religious liberty in the marriage debate appears to be gaining momentum in committee. The legislation has attracted 164 co-sponsors since it was referred in June to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. Now, with “the majority of the majority’s support,” Chairman Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, says… -
news
Missouri Attempts to Send Religious Liberty Bill Straight to the People
As religious liberty bills continue to draw ire from big businesses in North Carolina, Georgia, and Mississippi, another state is bracing for a similar battle: Missouri. Big businesses have already spoken out about a bill currently being debated at the state capitol, arguing that adopting a string of protections for individuals and businesses that don’t… -
news
After 300 Days and 164 Cosponsors, Bill to Protect Religious Liberty Stuck in Congress
After almost a year, a bill designed to safeguard religious liberty has gained significant support but little momentum in the House of Representatives. With 164 cosponsors, the First Amendment Defense Act is a popular piece of legislation in Congress. Still, that popularity hasn’t provided the elevation needed for the bill to advance out of committee,… -
opinion
Mississippi Governor Explains Why He Signed Religious Liberty Law
In an interview with The Daily Signal, Gov. Phil Bryant, R-Miss, explains what his state’s new religious liberty law does and doesn’t do. While many opponents of the law say it will harm Mississippi’s economy, Bryant paints a different picture. He’s lowered taxes a whopping 50 times since taking office and says that, among other… -
opinion
Liberals’ Double Standard on Bathrooms, Boycotts, and Religious Freedom
If it wasn’t for double standards, some liberals would have none at all. That seems to be the lesson from the past few weeks, where liberals have displayed three distinct forms of hypocrisy. Liberal governors and mayors signed travel bans to North Carolina and Mississippi, CEOs of major corporations pledged boycotts and relocations, and Bruce… -
opinion
Disney’s Religious Liberty Hypocrisy Exposed
The Walt Disney Company has long blurred the lines between fantasy and reality, creating alternate universes and new worlds through its theme parks and films. But now, Disney is seeking to completely abandon the encumbrances of reality by perpetuating the most fantastic of myths—that words are meaningless. And by claiming to stand on principle, Disney… -
opinion
Erick Erickson Talks Religious Liberty Fights: ‘The Left Has Overreached’
Erick Erickson talks to The Daily Signal about religious liberty, Hollywood values, bathroom laws, and why the coziness of big business with big government is causing problems for conservatives. -
opinion
Gov. Bryant Stands Up to Liberal Bullying, Signs Mississippi Religious Freedom Bill
Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant, a Republican, has signed the Protecting Freedom of Conscience from Government Discrimination Act, a law that guarantees religious freedom in the wake of last year’s activist Supreme Court decision redefining marriage for the country. The left, big business, and even Planned Parenthood weighed in against the legislation. Mississippi policymakers, reflecting the… -
opinion
Mississippi Moves to Protect Religious Freedom on Marriage
This morning, the Mississippi House passed a bill, HB 1523, protecting religious freedom. If the House disposes of a procedural maneuver that has delayed a final vote until Monday, the bill will go to the governor’s desk for his signature, as the Senate passed the bill earlier this week. The bill is good policy and the governor should… -
news
Sponsors of Georgia’s Religious Freedom Bill Decry Governor’s Veto
The sponsors of the religious liberty bill vetoed by Georgia’s governor say they are disappointed and disheartened by his action. Gov. Nathan Deal, a Republican, vetoed the legislation—called the Free Exercise Protection Act—on Monday, saying the bill did not reflect Georgia’s image as a state full of “warm, friendly, and loving people.” Sponsors said they… -
opinion
Georgia Governor Caves to Big Business, Vetoes Religious Freedom Bill
Georgia’s Republican Governor Nathan Deal has caved to pressure from big business and special interests and vetoed a very modest religious liberty bill. This shows the lack of courage of many in the political class, and it also highlights the extreme nature of the left and the business community. To these groups, even mild religious… -
opinion
Georgia Guts Religious Freedom Bill
On Wednesday night, the Georgia legislature introduced new language to its religious freedom bill and passed the bill in mere hours. Haste makes waste. This new language significantly waters down a religious freedom bill that had real force even though it was, as we pointed out three weeks ago, already lacking in certain respects. The… -
news
A Palm Sunday Convergence of Pro-Life Runners From Across America
When you turn to God after experiencing the raw side of life and run more than 3,700 miles across the entire country, it’s fair to say you’re someone who can endure intense physical, psychological, and emotional trauma. But if you’re Jeff Grabosky, and in you’re in the midst of another long run, you’re not convinced… -
opinion
The ACLU’s Hypocrisy on Religious Liberty
Following the Supreme Court’s redefinition of marriage in Obergefell v. Hodges, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has declared that it will no longer support the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) or state analogues. This is a stunning reversal, considering Religious Freedom Restoration Acts’ history. The federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act was introduced in… -
news
Big Businesses Side With LGBT Activists Against Georgia’s Religious Liberty Bill
Major corporations, including Google and Twitter, are coalescing in opposition to legislation in Georgia that would protect the right of individuals and institutions to practice their religion. Part of the state legislation prevents clergy from being required to perform same-sex marriages if doing so violates their religious beliefs. The state House and Senate last month… -
opinion
Filibusted: Missouri Democrats Fail to Block Religious Liberty Bill Concerning Same-Sex Marriage
A minority of Missouri legislators held a much needed religious liberty proposal hostage in Jefferson City over the last two days. Democrats there filibustered for over 36 hours against SJR 39, a commonsense bill that would let Missouri citizens vote to ban government discrimination against people of faith because of their beliefs about marriage. This was the… -
news
Why Millennials Lean Pro-Life
Millennials lean more pro-life than the generation preceding them because of advances in medical technology and science, leaders in conservative media said Friday. Dana Perino, co-host of Fox News Channel’s “The Five,” moderated the panel on the relevance of conservative principles to the millennial generation. Perino noted that a survey by the Associated Press found a… -
opinion
Two States That Are Working to Protect Religious Liberty
With state legislatures entering the busiest time of their legislative calendar, a number of states are considering Religious Freedom Restoration Acts (RFRA) that would protect citizens’ fundamental rights from unreasonable and unnecessary government coercion. West Virginia and Georgia are among the states that have introduced state-level versions of the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Acts, which prohibit…