religious freedom
The Latest
DOJ files statement of interest in church suit against Virginia governor
The Justice Department (DOJ) is backing a small community church suing Virginia Governor Ralph Northam, arguing that the state cannot single... Read more
Virginia church sues governor over stay-at-home order
A small Virginia church has filed a lawsuit against the governor, after a pastor was cited for hosting a service with 16... Read more
Bans on religious gatherings cannot last indefinitely, warn law professors
Public religious services cannot be stopped “indefinitely” during the pandemic, especially when liquor stores are considered “essential” businesses, two law... Read more
Kansas governor can't single out churches in COVID rules, judge says
The Kansas governor’s emergency restrictions on church services wrongly treated religious gatherings more strictly than similar activities, a federal judge... Read more
Mississippi city lifts drive-in church ban
The mayor of Greenville, Mississippi, has withdrawn a controversial executive order that levied fines on residents if they attended drive-in church services. Read more
Governor 'wasn't thinking of the Bill of Rights' when banning religious meetings
The governor of New Jersey said on Wednesday that he had not considered the Bill of Rights when issuing an... Read more
California churches sue governor to allow public worship services amid coronavirus
Three Southern California ecclesial communities have filed a lawsuit against Governor Gavin Newsom, alleging that social distancing orders he imposed... Read more
Justice department backs Mississippi church over drive-in services
The Justice Department is supporting a Mississippi church after local authorities fined attendees at a drive-in service during the coronavirus... Read more
Justice Department to act on unfair religious restrictions during coronavirus
The Justice Department (DOJ) has promised to act on any abuses against religious freedom after some state and local governments sought... Read more
With Supreme Court hearings on hiatus, Catholic groups may face wait for justice
After the coronavirus pandemic forced the Supreme Court to postpone oral arguments in cases scheduled in March and April, several Catholic... Read more
NYC mayor threatens 'permanent' closure of churches defying coronavirus ban
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio on Friday, March 27 threatened to “permanently” shut down houses of worship that... Read more
Justice Department highlights state-level religious freedom violations
The Department of Justice is targeting state and local government violations of religious freedom, a senior DOJ official told reporters on... Read more
Maine law removes religious exemptions for vaccinations
Voters in the state rejected an effort to overturn a state law that will go into effect next September. The... Read more
Justice Department weighs in on Kentucky religious freedom case
Chelsey Nelson, a photographer with her own business, sued the city of Louisville over an ordinance she says would compel... Read more
Supreme Court will hear Philadelphia Catholic foster care case
The Supreme Court will decide if the city of Philadelphia was correct to terminate its relationship with Catholic Social Services... Read more
UK health service clarifies policy to deny care to 'homophobic' patients
Britain’s National Health Service has clarified a new policy that will allow patients found to be homophoic, racist, and sexist... Read more
Leak from Xinjiang shows some Uyghurs are detained for family size
A leaked document from a county in China's northwest details the personal information of some 3,000 Uyghurs. It gives violation... Read more
How a new presidential religious freedom adviser could shape US foreign policy
Reports of a new special adviser to the President on international religious freedom could be a game-changer for U.S. foreign... Read more
Pompeo announces new alliance for religious freedom
A new International Religious Freedom Alliance with 27 member states was announced on Wednesday by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Read more
US bishops speak up on school choice as Supreme Court hears case
States should not deny tax credit programs to families who choose religious private schools, said members of the U.S. Conference... Read more
