William C. Duncan
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Social benefits of religious schools extend beyond education
Research suggests that students educated in private schools are more likely to vote as adults. Another study found students “educated in Protestant secondary schools are considerably more likely than other young people to continue to volunteer.”
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Religious Freedom 101: A brief history of America’s first freedom
Religious freedom has always been an essential part of the American experiment. Original colonists in the 1600s fled religious oppression and founded four of the first American colonies. Later, the new United States enshrined religious freedom in the First Amendment.
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Football coach who lost job after post-game prayers heads back to Supreme Court
Coach Kennedy’s attorneys will again seek review by the Supreme Court. This could provide the court an opportunity to clarify what rights public employees have to privately act on their beliefs. That clarity would be helpful for employers and employees…
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Decision on Colorado wedding website designer may have big implications
A recent decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit – the regional federal court that includes Utah – raises significant issues of free speech and religious freedom that are likely to reverberate into the future.
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Biden’s on a judge-nominating streak – here’s a primer on federal courts
A recent news story pointed out that President Joe Biden has begun his administration with a strong record for getting new federal judges confirmed. Since taking office, he has managed to secure the confirmation of eight federal judges, more than…
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Are religious-freedom conflicts linked to lack of religious affiliation?
The report not only describes national affiliation trends, but also includes county-level data on religious affiliation. This allows for a high-level look at possible correlation between government limitations on religious practice and the percentage of a state’s population that is…
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Studies show religion can help protect against drug abuse risk
The protection offered by religion and religious practice against drug abuse and addiction is so strong that Grim argues “the decline in religious affiliation presents a growing national health concern.”
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Small shifts in religious affiliation and law may improve climate for religious freedom
As significant legal and demographic changes have spread across the country in the past few decades, conflicts involving religious freedom have also increased. Recent developments may signal a shift in some of these areas – providing modest hope that religious…
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Religious freedom at the Supreme Court: Where we are, and what’s next
Over the past few years – in the face of lamentable congressional impotence and inaction on most difficult policy issues – the U.S. Supreme Court has actively shaped the legal climate for religious freedom.
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How religious practice is linked to healthy habits
There are significant indications that religious practice helps people to live better lives and that, in turn, benefits society more generally.