The Democratic Sin of Congressional Chaplains
Word&Way Editor Brian Kaylor argues in this guest piece at Roll Call that the historic appointment of U.S. House Chaplain Margaret Kibben obscures need to abolish antiquated position. Read full piece
Trump Eases Rules for Religious Social Service Providers
The Trump administration on Monday moved to loosen restrictions on religious organizations that receive federal money to provide social services. The administration said it was clearing barriers that it claimed make it difficult for religious groups to participate in federal programs.
On the 1st Day of Christmas … Teachers Got a Legal Headache Over Blurring the Line Between Church & State
The Supreme Court has yet to set clear parameters about how religious holidays can be celebrated in public schools and whether granting access to all faith traditions is either constitutionally necessary or acceptable.
Why Do So Few Clergy Serve in Congress?
As Rev. Raphael Warnock, the senior pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, campaigns for the U.S. Senate, it raises questions about religion in politics. Why do so few clergy serve in Congress? And what kind of effect might this have on the priorities and policies
When Prayer Masks Injustice
Using prayer to cover up our own misdeeds or guilty inaction isn’t just upsetting but can also be dangerous. Consider the latest move to fight coronavirus undertaken by Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt. Instead of issuing a life-saving statewide mask mandate, he called for an official
Baptist Group Analyzes Supreme Court Nominee’s Record
With the U.S. Senate’s Judiciary Committee starting its hearing Monday (Oct. 12) to consider the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett as a justice for the U.S. Supreme Court, a Baptist group that closely watches church-state cases sent a letter to the senators on the committee.
Alabama Officials Sued Over Voter Registration Form Requiring ‘So Help Me God’ Vow
A secular advocacy group has filed a federal lawsuit challenging a voter registration form in Alabama, arguing the state violates the constitutional rights of applications by requiring them to declare “so help me God” when signing up to vote.
The Weaponization of the Free-Exercise Clause
The Supreme Court’s majority is transforming this onetime protection into a sword to strike down hard-fought advances in civil rights. Read full piece
Baptist Church-State Expert Says Government Can Restrict Church Services
Melissa Rogers, a Baptist expert in church-state issues who previously led White House faith-based efforts, says governments can impose mass gathering bans to temporarily restrict church gatherings during the coronavirus pandemic.
Why Are We Litigating Church Openings?
A federal judge has let a couple of small independent Kansas Baptist churches conduct in-person worship against the express orders of Gov. Laura Kelly, asserting that by limiting church gatherings to 10 congregants, Kelly in all likelihood violated the First Amendment’s guarantee of religious free