William C. Duncan
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Contentious Supreme Court nominations are relatively new
The Supreme Court nomination process we are used to – when the nominee appears before the Senate Judiciary Committee to answer questions – is relatively new in our nation’s history.
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Religious teachings, sense of community encourage people of faith to help others
Why does religion seem to influence the common good? Many religious teachings endorse care for others in need. Religions also tend to foster community and make it easier for people to combine charitable efforts.
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Supreme Court’s active exercise of judicial review has fluctuated over the decades
Supreme Court invalidation of federal laws or regulations may seem like an annual occurrence. But this is a fairly modern development in the civic history of the federal judiciary.
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Coach’s case at Supreme Court may clarify scope of 2 religion clauses
The Supreme Court agreed to hear a case involving a high school football coach who alleges he lost his job because he was exercising his free exercise right to offer a personal prayer on the field after a game.
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The basic civics principle at heart of 2 vaccine mandate cases
Last week’s Supreme Court decisions in two vaccine mandate cases demonstrate how relevant foundational civic questions are to current controversies.
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Understanding religious freedom’s effects on society can increase support for it
The teachings and practices of religious groups and people of faith have powerful, wide-ranging benefits for society. A wider understanding of this could strengthen the nation’s commitment to religious freedom protections.
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How the Civil War amendments – 13, 14 and 15 – moved U.S. closer to equal rights
As the Civil War drew to a close, the U.S. Congress returned to the issues the court had botched and began the process of addressing the underlying injustices that had given rise to the war. In the post-war years, Congress…
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Supreme Court’s focus on constitutional procedure in Texas decision is healthy
The decision won’t settle the abortion issue, but it provides direction to courts that might be tempted to undermine the constitutional separation between state and federal courts.
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What does 2022 hold for religious freedom?
Supreme Court decisions of 2021 continued a streak of strong protections for religious freedom – not only in the context of pandemic restrictions, but also in social services, education and employment. So what will 2022 hold?
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Supreme Court and Amish plumbing: how a minority’s dedication can benefit society
An entire society can benefit from the dedication of a minority. The role that Quakers played in the movement to abolish slavery is one example. A recent Supreme Court decision, involving an Amish community in Minnesota, illustrates another.