Religious Freedom
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Utah enacts forward-thinking religious protections in 2021 session
This session, the Utah Legislature enacted two pieces of legislation with important implications for religious freedom.
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The conflicts and controversies behind the Equality Act
The basic aim of the Equality Act would be to add two new categories – sexual orientation and gender identity – to the protections of these earlier laws. Isn’t this already the law, though? The answer is … sort of.
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Sutherland Institute supports SB 244 – Student Religious Accommodations Amendments
We believe this is an ideal approach to implementing these important measures as it would do so without unnecessarily dictating specifics to the Board of Higher Education or the state’s institutions of higher education.
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Conscientious objector cases show how religious freedom is connected to other rights
Whether protecting deeply held moral beliefs about animal rights, healthcare, abortion or military service, the right to conscientious objection is an important example of how the efforts of people of faith and religious organizations to secure their ability to exercise…
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‘Public schools are not religion-free zones’
Being truly educated means students understand one of the most powerful forces in the world: religion. This is part 13 in Sutherland’s new series that seeks to examine how Utah education standards prepare students to be active citizens.
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Sutherland Institute encourages Utah legislators to pass SB 195 – Emergency Response Amendments
The following statement was delivered to all members of the Utah Senate on Monday, Feb. 22, 2021. 2SB 195 was passed unanimously in the Senate after being amended during floor debate on Wednesday, Feb. 24.
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Supreme Court says religious freedom is essential even on death row
While some view religious freedom as divisive, a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling regarding the execution of an Alabama death row inmate illustrates how religious freedom can and does bring together in unity individuals from across political and ideological spectrums.
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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.