religious freedom

The Latest

Prisoners of conscience remembered on International Religious Freedom Day

Oct 27, 2016

By Matt Hadro

Leading religious freedom advocates called for the release of all “prisoners of conscience” worldwide on International Religious Freedom Day.  Read more

New health-share group offers care with Catholic values

Oct 14, 2016

When the Affordable Care Act was enacted in 2010, it immediately prompted concerns about freedom of conscience.  Read more

The danger of forcing doctors to perform gender transitions

Oct 14, 2016

By Matt Hadro

A recent federal rule has come under fire for denying doctors the ability to exercise discretion in deciding whether to... Read more

Massachusetts law could forbid churches to preach on transgenderism

Oct 13, 2016

Four churches and their pastors are challenging a Massachusetts law which they say could regulate their speech regarding gender identity.... Read more

One fewer Christian-owned bakery after religious freedom fight

Oct 10, 2016

A Christian couple has closed their Oregon bakery, which faced heavy fines after they declined to make a cake for... Read more

Pope Francis speaks to authorities in Azerbaijan Oct. 2, 2016.

Civil society must guarantee religious freedom, Pope says in Azerbaijan

Oct 2, 2016

By Elise Harris

In his final speech in Azerbaijan, Pope Francis spoke at length praising the good interreligious relations in the country, but... Read more

Americans, religious liberty and discrimination: a look beyond the numbers

Sep 29, 2016

By Matt Hadro

More Americans are siding against the religious freedom of employers when it may conflict with a “nondiscrimination” policy like access... Read more

Arist: Gerard van Honthorst. Public Domain.

Religious Christmas carols to be allowed in veterans' hospitals

Sep 23, 2016

New clarifications about Department of Veterans Affairs rules have resolved a dispute about religious Christmas carols, gifts and displays in... Read more

The Supreme Court probably won't approve polygamy. Here's why.

Sep 21, 2016

By Kevin J. Jones

A polygamous family featured on a reality TV show has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to strike down a law... Read more

Archbishop William Lori.

Archbishop Lori slams 'reckless' comments by civil rights chair

Sep 14, 2016

By Matt Hadro

After the chair of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights called current appeals to religious freedom “hypocrisy,” one archbishop rebuked... Read more

In Hungary, anti-Christian persecution prompts government action

Sep 12, 2016

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The Hungarian government has established a new office on the persecution of Christians to address both persecutions of Christians in... Read more

Little Sisters of the Poor outside the Supreme Court of the Unite States after oral arguments for their case against the HHS mandate, April 14, 2016.

US Bishops to government: End legal standoff with the Little Sisters

Sep 12, 2016

By Matt Hadro

The United States government has an opportunity to end its legal battle with the Little Sisters of the Poor and... Read more

Legal counsel: Religious freedom never justifies abuse

Sep 2, 2016

An Indiana woman who allegedly beat her 7-year-old with a coat hanger is citing religious freedom as her defense against... Read more

To this Christian woman, headscarves are a religious freedom issue too

Aug 31, 2016

A devout Christian woman has said Alabama county officials violated her rights by forcing her to remove her headscarf for... Read more

Burkini.

Overturn of burkini ban does not end France's cultural debate

Aug 29, 2016

By Mary Farrow

The lifting of a controversial burkini ban in one beach town along the French Riviera may signal an end to... Read more

Doctor.

Could doctors be forced to perform sex reassignment surgeries?

Aug 24, 2016

By Matt Hadro

Following the federal government stating that doctors cannot decline performing sex reassignment surgeries, a group of states, doctors, and hospitals... Read more

Ten Commandments outside of the Texas Capitol.

Challenge to Maryland Ten Commandments statue dropped

Aug 18, 2016

A monument of the Ten Commandments outside a Maryland courthouse is safe, after a lawsuit against it was dropped this... Read more

Hillary Clinton.

Critics find a lot to doubt about Hillary Clinton's pro-religious freedom claims

Aug 17, 2016

By Kevin J. Jones

Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has claimed to be a defender of religious freedom. But does it match the facts?  Read more

California religious colleges dodge a bullet. But what's next?

Aug 16, 2016

By Kevin J. Jones

A bill that threatened to defund California religious colleges that do not accept same-sex marriage and gender ideology has been... Read more

The Supreme Court.

Pittsburgh diocese: Government is violating Supreme Court mandate order

Aug 13, 2016

Despite a Supreme Court order seeming to protect its religious freedom, the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh says the federal government... Read more