William C. Duncan
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Presidents of both parties unite in recognizing the good that religious groups do
It is no coincidence that this public enterprise focused on the institution of religion has been a source of bipartisan unity despite broad social divisions elsewhere.
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Supreme Court order on CA pandemic worship restrictions should nudge lawmakers in right direction
These justices noted the state’s interest in reducing the risk of infection was “compelling” but faulted it for failing to “explain why it cannot address its legitimate concerns with rules short of a total ban” and “to explain why narrower…
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Research shows religion improves gender equality
One typical criticism of traditional religion is how it treats or views women, especially in family relationships. Evidence, however, points to the opposite conclusion: Religious participation most often means greater gender equality in the home.
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Lessons from the pandemic can light our nation’s path ahead
The COVID-19 pandemic has been one of the darker periods of time in the lives of many people and for our nation as a whole. But vaccines are bringing with them the hope that we can see the light at…
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Which way will Congress go on 3 religious freedom bills?
Currently there are three bills pending in Congress. Each represents a different approach to accommodating the needs of religious organizations and people of faith and to adding sexual orientation and gender identity to federal anti-discrimination law.
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Biden administration could easily avoid religious freedom conflicts. Will it?
Expending the effort to avoid legal conflicts with religious freedom in administration policy decisions would go far toward advancing the president’s aspiration and promise of national unity. He should use the opportunity of the opening months of his administration to…
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University policies vs. student religious practice: Washington state finds a solution
The Washington model illustrates that by recognizing potential conflicts and enacting appropriate accommodations, schools can do their work without unnecessarily infringing the religious exercise of students. It is a model other states, including Utah, should follow.
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Illinois court decision underlines vital religious role of helping families in pandemic
Caring for children and families in vulnerable situations is an undoubted public priority, and everyone willing to provide good-faith help is needed.
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SCOTUS case to address harassment in the digital age
The case involves a regulation issued by the California Attorney General for charitable organizations. Those organizations have long been required to provide financial disclosures, but they had only been asked to file basic financial information.
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What we’ve learned about religious freedom during the pandemic
As the pandemic restrictions were just settling in, Sutherland noted that the situation was an important “stress test” for how the government would treat fundamental rights, like religious exercise. Now that there appears to be light at the end of…