ERLC agenda: Working on multiple tracks in 2020
WASHINGTON (BP)—The Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) plans in 2020 to continue its work with not only Congress but the Trump administration and the states on priority issues such as abortion and religious freedom. The ERLC released its annual Legislative Agenda in early February in the face of another year of a divided legislative branch. Democrats control the House of Representatives and Republicans...
High court gives hope on scholarship program
WASHINGTON (BP)—Supporters of a state tax credit scholarship program that includes religious schools found hope Wednesday Jan. 22 that the U.S. Supreme Court would agree the plan passes constitutional muster. The high court heard oral arguments regarding a program created by the Montana legislature that provides a tax credit of up to $150 for a donation to a Student Scholarship Organization (SSO). Contributions to SSOs finance...
ERLC: U.S. takes ‘critical’ steps on religious liberty
WASHINGTON (BP)—Two federal government actions shortly before Christmas are vital to protecting international religious liberty, a Southern Baptist public-policy leader said. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Dec. 20 the re-designation of Burma (Myanmar), China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan as “countries of particular concern” (CPCs), a category reserved under...
Court to review ‘ministerial exception’ rulings
WASHINGTON (BP)—The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to rule once again on the freedom of churches and other religious organizations to make employment decisions without government interference. The justices announced Dec. 18 they would review opinions by the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals that found two Roman Catholic schools in California do not have the right to fire teachers for the purpose of the “ministerial...
Fairness for All Act draws opposition from both sides
WASHINGTON (BP)—A new congressional proposal seeking to balance religious freedom and gay rights is a misguided effort that will fail to achieve its stated goals, according to the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission. The Fairness for All Act, H.R. 5331, gained introduction in the House of Representatives Dec. 6 as an attempt to address the ongoing conflict between religious liberty and sexual liberty. The bill...
