Strengthening the Church-State Wall to Protect Democracy
This issue of A Public Witness takes you inside the Summit for Religious Freedom to hear about why church-state separation matters for democracy and the vitality of the Christian witness.
Prominent Baptist Pastor in Military-Ruled Myanmar Detained Again Hours After Release From Prison
The Rev. Hkalam Samson is a prominent advocate for the human rights of ethnic and religious minorities in Myanmar and in 2019 was part of a delegation that met President Trump at the White House.
Louisiana Lawmakers Want Ten Commandments in All Public School Classrooms
A U.S. Supreme Court ruling in June 2022 has given new hope to those who want the Ten Commandments publicly displayed.
Indiana Appeals Court Upholds Injunction on Abortion Ban, Citing Religious Liberty
The ruling was another win for those who say their religious beliefs direct them to have abortions prohibited by the ban.
Some State Lawmakers Want School Chaplains as Part of a ‘Rescue Mission’ for Public Education
Many chaplains and interfaith organizations oppose the campaign, calling the motivation offensive and dangerous — especially without standards around proselytizing or serving students from different religious backgrounds.
Threats to Catholic Charities Staffers Increase Amid Far-Right Anti-Migrant Campaign
Catholic Charities locations have become the target of far-right media personalities, conspiracy theorists, and even members of Congress.
God’s Will … On Unemployment Taxes?
This issue of A Public Witness digs into the hotly debated 'render therefore unto Caesar' Bible verse to consider its usage in a recent notable legal opinion.
A Century Ago, One State Tried to Close Religious Schools − A Far Cry From Today
On April 2, Oklahoma’s Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in a case that could allow a Catholic charter school to open — which critics say would demolish the line between church and state in education.
A Wisconsin Ruling on Catholic Charities Raises the Bar for Religious Tax Exemptions
U.S. religious institutions enjoy tax exemptions, most notably from property taxes. Debate has raged for decades over whether the exemptions are fair.
Texas Judge Temporarily Blocks Attempt to Shut Down Annunciation House
Catholics, including El Paso Bishop Mark Seitz, have rallied around the volunteer-run network of migrant shelters, describing Ken Paxton’s legal actions as violating religious freedom.