religious freedom

The Latest

Helen M. Alvare and Kyle Duncan.

Mandate changes insufficient, say religious liberty groups

Feb 2, 2013

By Michelle La Rosa

 Religious freedom advocates throughout the country are voicing disappointment at suggested changes to the federal contraception mandate aimed at resolving... Read more

Michael P. Warsaw, President and CEO of EWTN.

EWTN says new mandate proposal likely brings no relief

Feb 1, 2013

Eternal Word Television Network said today that the new suggested rule on the federal contraception mandate is likely inadequate to... Read more

CNA

Vatican official hopes legal dialogue will help persecuted Christians

Jan 29, 2013

As the Church celebrates the 30th anniversary of canon law, legal experts at the Vatican are continuing their push for... Read more

Paul Bhatti (R) speaks as Irish journalist John Waters looks on. Photo by Nicholas Erickson, Courtesy of New York Encounter.

Pakistani official: Society flourishes with religious freedom

Jan 23, 2013

By Carl Bunderson

Paul Bhatti, Pakistan's Minister of Minority Affairs, called religious liberty a Christian value that can enhance life in the country... Read more

Judges of the European Court of Human Rights.

European religious freedom ruling greeted as step forward

Jan 17, 2013

By Carl Bunderson

A European court's new decision in the case of four British Christians claiming religious discrimination in their workplaces was received... Read more

Pres. Barack Obama with HHS Sec. Kathleen Sebelius announce the contraceptive mandate at the White House, Jan. 12, 2012. Official White House Photo by Pete Souza.

'Religious Freedom Day' prompts renewed opposition to mandate

Jan 17, 2013

By Michelle La Rosa

President Barack Obama’s designation of a national Religious Freedom Day is leading to calls for his administration to show greater... Read more

Stanford University.

Stanford Law School launches religious liberty clinic

Jan 14, 2013

By Michelle La Rosa

Beginning this term, students at Stanford Law School have the opportunity to gain knowledge and real-world experience by participating in... Read more

Hobby Lobby. Courtesy of the Becket Fund.

Hobby Lobby shifts insurance plan to delay mandate fines

Jan 14, 2013

Arts and crafts retailer Hobby Lobby has found a way to adjust its employee healthcare plan to delay potentially crippling... Read more

Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani in prison.

One Iranian pastor freed, another remains imprisoned

Jan 9, 2013

By Michelle La Rosa

Reports in Iran indicate that a Christian pastor who was arrested on Christmas Day has been released, while a second... Read more

The White House.

White House petitioned to label Catholic Church a 'hate group'

Jan 4, 2013

By Michelle La Rosa

An online petition asking the White House to designate the Catholic Church as a “hate group” for its views on... Read more

Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani in prison during his first incarceration.

Iranian pastor's Christmas arrest worries religious liberty advocates

Jan 2, 2013

By Michelle La Rosa

A Christian pastor who spent nearly three years in an Iranian prison for his religious conversion was reportedly arrested again... Read more

A Hobby Lobby location. Photo courtesy of the Becket Fund.

Hobby Lobby braces for millions in mandate fines

Jan 2, 2013

By Michelle La Rosa

Arts and crafts retailer Hobby Lobby says it is willing to pay fines of $1.3 million per day to follow... Read more

Gov. Lincoln D. Chaffee.

'Holiday tree' dispute wins governor annual Scrooge award

Dec 21, 2012

A law firm has given Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chaffee its 2012 “Ebenezer Award” for his insistence that the 17.5-foot... Read more

A Hobby Lobby store. Photo courtesy of the Becket Fund.

Hobby Lobby turns to Supreme Court for mandate relief

Dec 20, 2012

By Michelle La Rosa

Arts and crafts giant Hobby Lobby will appeal to the nation’s highest court after an appeals court ruled the federal... Read more

CNA

DC appeals court rules new contraception rule must be issued

Dec 19, 2012

By Michelle La Rosa

Religious freedom advocates applauded a federal appeals court’s decision to hold the government accountable for revising its controversial contraception mandate.  Read more

The Nativity display in Warren, Mich. after it was installed by John Satawa on Dec. 15, 2012.

Long-time Michigan roadside nativity resurrected

Dec 18, 2012

By Carl Bunderson

A 67-year-old tradition of placing a nativity scene on a public median in Warren, Mich. has been re-established after a... Read more

Nina Shea and Paul Marshall.

France's new monitoring policy deemed religious liberty threat

Dec 14, 2012

Religious freedom experts are decrying a recent announcement by the French government that it will deport and dissolve groups that... Read more

Mark Rienzi of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty.

Illinois pharmacist ruling praised as conscience victory

Dec 13, 2012

Religious liberty advocates are hailing the end of a seven-year legal battle over the required provision of abortion drugs in... Read more

Conestoga Wood Specialties president and CEO Anthony Hahn.

Mennonite-owned wood manufacturer sues over contraception mandate

Dec 11, 2012

By Michelle La Rosa

Three Mennonite Christians who own a wood manufacturing company in Pennsylvania have filed a lawsuit challenging the federal contraception mandate... Read more

The March 2012 Stand up for Religious Freedom rally in Philadelphia, Pa. with Independence Hall in the background.

Bishops building movement for life, marriage and religious freedom

Dec 7, 2012

By Michelle La Rosa

The U.S. bishops have announced a five-part pastoral strategy that is aimed at creating a movement dedicated to penance and... Read more