Religious Freedom
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Texas abortion case: a civics lesson on the federal court system
As the U.S. has grown through its history and adapted to new circumstances, so, too, has the judicial branch. Its history suggests that it will continue to do so into the future.
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Supreme Court decisions establish precedent for future cases
Even though the Supreme Court does not resolve a large proportion of the cases that are presented to it, the decisions it does issue reverberate to affect many other disputes through the principle of precedent. Its decisions on a handful…
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Why the judiciary is so distinct: It was designed to react, not initiate action
The judiciary branch is designed as a responsive, not proactive, branch of government. The court can’t tell Congress not to pass an unconstitutional law or tell the president not to issue a legally invalid order. It must wait until after…
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Latest Supreme Court religious freedom case: Boston flagpole dispute
Last week, the court announced it would hear another case involving a claim of unequal treatment.
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Athletic uniforms and religious freedom: Illinois takes a positive step
Recently, Illinois became the first state to enact legislation that would protect the ability of people of faith to participate in school athletics (both in high school and college) without having to abandon their commitment to live consistent with standards…
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Some historical context for Supreme Court abortion case
The specific question the court will consider is whether states are permitted by the U.S. Constitution to allow abortions prior to viability. In the background, however, is a much more significant question: whether the nearly 50-year-old decision by the court…
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A religious freedom preview of the upcoming SCOTUS term
These important cases, and possibly others that will arise in coming months, will provide opportunities for the court to continue to shape the response of states to claims by their citizens that their religious beliefs are being infringed.
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Religion is key factor in connecting men to their families
When the law discourages religious expression, it discourages meaningful religious participation and weakens one of the main drivers of men’s healthy and beneficial engagement with their families.
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Mississippi abortion case more likely than Texas law to impact Roe v. Wade
The real possibility of overturning Roe v. Wade is found in a case pending with the Supreme Court, Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. That case involves a Mississippi law prohibiting abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.
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Knowing courts’ constitutional role, limits can calm reactions
The court’s basic role is to apply existing legal rules – which could be provisions of the Constitution, laws passed by Congress, treaty obligations, etc. – in specific situations.