Religious Freedom

The Latest SCOTUS Case to Privilege Religion Over Civil Society

by Linda Greenhouse

Historically, the Supreme Court has viewed workplace accommodations for religious workers in terms of protecting minority faiths and relieving undue burdens on employers and coworkers. A pending case brought by a Christian postal worker promises to upend that balance. 

Council of Christian Colleges and Universities Gets Court Win on Exemptions to Discrimination Law

A judge dismissed a lawsuit by LGBTQ students that challenged the faith-based exemptions that Christian colleges can claim from enforcement of antidiscrimination laws. 

For "Religious Freedom Day," Take Back the Term's Revolutionary Meaning

The religious right has hijacked the story of Virginia's Statute for Religious Freedom, obscuring the law's intention to prevent the domination of the religious preferences of the powerful.

Alito Laments "Disrespect" for Faith – But His Dobbs Ruling Will Push More Americans Away

by Juan Cole

"Ironically, even as Alito has managed to impose 20th century Roman Catholic dogma on all Americans, striking down any right to privacy or for women to control their own bodies, he is puzzled as to why anyone would be hostile to his agenda."

A Ghost of Galileo in the English Civil War

by John Heilbron

An obscure English painting containing an image of Galileo's "Dialogues" launches a deep consideration of the political and intellectual stakes of free inquiry during the English Civil War.

Does the "Divided Loyalty" Question Still Dog Catholic Politicians?

by D.G. Hart

Joe Biden will likely do what JFK and Al Smith did, namely, fit his faith into the norms of American politics.

Religious Animus Did Not Drive The Laws The Supreme Court Just Overturned

by Adam Laats

Historical restrictions against "sectarian" use of tax dollars used the term broadly to encompass many religious doctrines. Claims that the laws were based in anti-Catholic bigotry are inaccurate. 

Why Thomas Jefferson Was Really No Friend of Religious Freedom

by M. Andrew Holowchak

Thomas Jefferson, because of the passage of his Bill for the Establishment of Religious Freedom, is customarily viewed by scholars as a paladin of religious freedom. Yet there is reason to question that view.

The Separation of Church and State is About Freedom For Religion not Freedom From Religion

by Christopher Binetti

History shows that the State is more of a threat to the Church than vice-versa.

Do GOP Candidates Want Religious Freedom or the Closing of Mosques?  They Can’t Have Both.

by John Fea

It’s time to stop the hypocrisy of pretending they can.