50 Years Later, Courage Like Schempp’s Still Needed

Jun 18, 2013 by Don Byrd

Written by Don Byrd
Yesterday marked the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Abington v. Schempp, in which the practice of required Bible readings to begin the public school day was ruled unconstitutional. Then-16-year-old Ellery Schempp staged a protest of the requirement and refused to back down to school officials, ultimately filing suit over the dispute. Schempp and his family received threats but stayed with the case, ultimately a win for the religious liberty of all of us.

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Church-state news digest: June 18, 2013

Jun 18, 2013 by BJC Staff Reports

Take a look at today’s church-state headlines from news outlets across the country.

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New Hampshire Supreme Court Strikes Down Religious Tax Credit Scheme

Jun 17, 2013 by Don Byrd

Written by Don Byrd
The New Hampshire Supreme Court today struck down the portion of a tax credit program that effectively uses public funds for religious education. Noting that the state’s constitution provides stronger protections than the Federal Establishment Clause, the Court ruled the program a violation of a provision prohibiting aid to religious education.

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Church-state news digest: June 17, 2013

Jun 17, 2013 by BJC Staff Reports

Take a look at today’s church-state headlines from news outlets across the country.

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Texas Governor Signs “Merry Christmas” Bill

Jun 17, 2013 by Don Byrd

Written by Don Byrd
Governor Rick Perry (R-TX) signed into law last week a bill that protects students, teachers and school officials who use “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Hannakuh” greetings. While the law is designed to relieve school officials of anxiety over church-state litigation, are there examples of actual lawsuits filed over the mere use of those phrases in school? Problems arise not when students say “Merry Christmas,” but when public schools are used to celebrate a particular religious holiday and give the impression that the school endorses or is affiliated with the religious view expressed in the celebration. Taking reasonable steps to protect against that danger makes sense. And is probably good manners.

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Church-state news digest: June 14, 2013

Jun 14, 2013 by BJC Staff Reports

Take a look at today’s church-state headlines from news outlets across the country.

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House Subcommittee Finds US Commission, Religious Freedom Underused in US Foreign Policy

Jun 14, 2013 by Don Byrd

Written by Don Byrd
a House Oversight subcommittee yesterday held a hearing on the government’s implementation of the International Religious Freedom Act. That legislation, enacted in 1998, established the US Commission on International Religious Freedom as well as the Religious Freedom Ambassador at-Large position within the State Department. Since then, questions over the role of these congressionally-mandated entities in U.S. foreign policy has caused some strain between the Executive and Legislative branches. (The Commission and State Department each issue separate international religious freedom reports, the Commission often makes recommendations regarding policy toward a country that the State Department does not follow, etc.) During recent budget negotiations, some in the U.S. Senate strongly considered de-authorizing the Commission altogether.

It is not completely surprising, then, that some members of Congress feel the Administration is not making proper use of IRFA.