Freedom of religion

The Latest

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Americans of faith feel less accepted by society, new survey finds

Jan 16, 2024

By Peter Pinedo

Only half of people of faith in the U.S. feel their faith is “completely” accepted or accepted “a good amount,”... Read more

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the media on the opening day of the winter session of the Parliament, at Parliament House, New Delhi, India, Dec. 4, 2023.

U.S. religious freedom watchdog urges White House to list India as country of concern

Dec 19, 2023

By Daniel Payne

The USCIRF said it was “alarmed by India’s increased transnational targeting of religious minorities and those advocating on their behalf.” Read more

The Baphomet statue from the 'conversion room' at the Satanic Temple in Salem, Massachusetts, Oct. 8, 2019.

Iowa Satanic Temple display not protected by First Amendment, Catholic legal expert says

Dec 14, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

A legal analyst for EWTN said the display installed at the request of a prominent atheist group is not religious... Read more

CNA

When an Oregon town told a church to limit its meals to the homeless the DOJ stepped in

Nov 28, 2023

By Daniel Payne

St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Brookings, Oregon, has for years regularly provided meals for homeless people in the area up... Read more

Mid Vermont Christian School is suing the state over a ban from athletic competitions due to the school's transgender policy.

Christian school sues Vermont after ban from sports league over transgender policy

Nov 27, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

The lawsuit, filed by Mid Vermont Christian School, a K–12 school in the town of Quechee, argues that the ban... Read more

The Hall of Justice building in downtown Lansing is home to the Supreme Court of Michigan.

Jewish, Muslim groups call for religious liberty protections in Catholic school lawsuit

Nov 27, 2023

By Daniel Payne

The suit is challenging a Michigan Supreme Court ruling that sexual orientation and gender identity are protected categories under a... Read more

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Are these the best and worst states for religious freedom?

Nov 2, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

First Liberty Institute released its analysis Wednesday ranking all 50 states based on how free its residents are to practice... Read more

Alumni of Loyola Marymount University have launched a petition drive calling for the Los Angeles-area Catholic school to stop encouraging students to use preferred pronouns tied to their gender identity.

Florida judge slams ‘transgender ideology’ in defense of teacher fired over pronouns

Oct 13, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

The judge said the Miami-Dade school district had imposed “transgender ideology” on the teacher, calling it a secular “state-sponsored religion.” Read more

Wichita Bishop Carl Kemme celebrates that diocese's annual "Mass for Life" in October 2022.

Judge’s ruling forces Wichita Diocese to cancel ‘Mass for Life’ in front of abortion clinic  

Oct 13, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

Sedgwick County Chief Judge Jeffery Goering signed a temporary restraining order on Oct. 6, which, in effect, prohibited the Mass... Read more

U.S. Supreme Court, Washington, D.C.

Supreme Court preview: Religious freedom cases on the docket

Oct 10, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

Court watchers are keeping an eye on several cases that could have an impact on religious liberty and free speech... Read more

The Romeike family fled from Germany in order to home-school their children and now faces deportation from the U.S.

Family who fled Germany to home-school their kids faces deportation from the U.S.

Sep 26, 2023

By Daniel Payne

The Romeikes fled Germany in 2009 over the country’s severe compulsory education laws and now face deportation from the U.S. Read more

CNA

Court rules California district can’t bar Christian athletic club from schools

Sep 14, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

According to the ruling, the San Jose Unified School District engaged in a “double standard” when it penalized the group... Read more

Part of the planned Stations of the Cross prayer trail in Genoa Township, Michigan.

Michigan township can’t ban Catholic group’s Stations of the Cross, court rules

Sep 12, 2023

By Kevin J. Jones

A three-judge panel on Monday sided with Catholic Healthcare International and barred Genoa Township from obstructing CHI’s religious displays. Read more

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Catholic bishops take issue with Biden administration’s proposed LGBT discrimination rules

Sep 6, 2023

By Daniel Payne

The bishops warned that within the operation of Catholic charities, an HHS rule would “create conflicts between the [rule’s] requirements... Read more

Dana Nessel, attorney general of Michigan.

Catholic parish challenges Michigan law that would control who it hires

Aug 24, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

The parish sued the state over fears that a state law was being reinterpreted to force them to hire employees... Read more

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Judge pauses religious freedom training order for Southwest Airlines

Aug 24, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

Judge Brantley Starr delayed the enforcement of his order, which would have required Southwest lawyers to take an eight-hour religious... Read more

The Tennes family at their farm, Country Mill Farms, outside of Charlotte, Michigan.

Catholic farmer booted from farmers market for views on same-sex weddings wins in court

Aug 23, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

Because Steve Tennes offers his property as a wedding venue — but not for same-sex weddings — officials said he... Read more

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California Jewish families fight for equal rights in education of disabled children

Aug 15, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

After a judge dismissed their case, the families are continuing their suit against a law that allows families with disabled... Read more

Classroom in a Catholic school.

New Jersey court rules Catholic school can require teachers to follow Catholic teaching

Aug 15, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

The New Jersey Supreme Court unanimously upheld a Catholic school’s ability to enforce an employee code of conduct in line... Read more

Cardinal Manuel Clemente, the patriarch of Lisbon, was the main celebrant for the Tuesday evening outdoor opening Mass for World Youth Day held at Eduardo VII Park on Aug. 1, 2023.

Dictatorship in Nicaragua blocks two priests who attended WYD from returning to the country

Aug 14, 2023

By Eduardo Berdejo

The dictatorship of Daniel Ortega reportedly prohibited two priests from returning to Nicaragua from Lisbon, Portugal, where they participated in... Read more