Major Supreme Court Argument is Only a Month Away
On Dec. 7, we will argue International Partners for Ethical Care v. Ferguson, a case that impacts two important issues for Americans: parental rights and religious liberty.
The outcome could ensure that parents are not kept in the dark. Winning would affirm that parents have a legally protected right to direct the upbringing of their children.
Your generosity is mission-critical right now, especially in this final stretch when our legal team is devoting hundreds of hours to prepare for argument.
This is a huge opportunity to win for our clients, set precedent, and change the future of religious freedom in our country. There’s a lot at stake and your support can make a huge difference for families across America.
Catholic Church Still Can’t Build a Shrine on Its Property
We’re asking a full panel of judges on a federal appeals court to hear our case on behalf of Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church in Pennsylvania.
The case involves Collier Township, a local municipality that’s imposing unreasonable restrictions on the church and refusing to grant permits to construct a shrine.
A three-judge panel on the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision that said the church would likely win but denied our request to allow the church to move ahead with the project while the case is being heard.
“It’s little comfort to Holy Trinity when judges say it’s likely to win the case, but it has to wait months or years to enjoy the freedom the First Amendment guarantees,” explains First Liberty Senior Counsel Ryan Gardner. “Such a holding is not only incorrect but also relegates the natural right to worship to a second-class status.”
A Joyful Milestone: Anchor Stone Christian Church Holds
First Worship Service
There’s joy and celebration on the day that First Liberty gets to tell our clients they’ve won their case.
That joy is multiplied when we see Americans living out their faith and fulfilling their divinely inspired calling—all because that legal victory restored their rights and freedom.
About a year ago, First Liberty secured a huge win for Anchor Stone Christian Church in Southern California. After we filed a federal lawsuit, the city of Santa Ana agreed to allow the congregation to begin renovating a property it purchased for worship services.
Just last week, Anchor Stone held its first service at their new location! Pastor Steven Lee sent us a heartfelt message expressing his gratitude.
Leading The Conversation
When the Text Matters: Textualism, Religious Liberty, and AI – Executive Director of External Affairs & Senior Counsel Mike Berry | Daily Signal
Voters in 4 States Can Protect Girls’ Rights in Sports – Senior Counsel Stephanie Taub | Daily Citizen
Mental Health Mayhem – Center for Religion, Culture & Democracy Senior Fellow J. Daryl Charles | WORLD Opinions
Podcast | Faith, Freedom and the Midterms – Center for Religion, Culture & Democracy Senior Fellow Hunter Baker | Christ and Culture
We Should Want Our Politicians to Be Hypocrites – Center for Religion, Culture & Democracy Research Fellow Logan Tantibanchachai | The Dispatch
Why We Fight
by Mike Berry, Executive Director of External Affairs & Senior Counsel
Each Veterans Day, I and many of America’s 16-18 million living veterans will undoubtedly encounter someone who says, “Thank you for your service.” For some, it can be an awkward encounter. “You’re welcome” just doesn’t seem a fitting response.
Perhaps one way to think about it is to ask a deeper question: Why do we serve?
Veterans answer the call to defend our nation, protect our families, and preserve our freedom. But freedom is more than the absence of an occupying army or the ability to govern ourselves.
It includes something far more personal: the freedom to live one’s life according to faith and conscience. It is the freedom to embrace a faith—or change one—without fear of government coercion. This Veterans Day, we should remember that we fight to preserve a nation in which people are free to think, speak, worship, and live according to their convictions.
Editors’ Picks
Democrats Plan to Destroy the Supreme Court – Washington Examiner
Secretary Rubio’s Religious Freedom Message Gets to the Heart of America – Daily Citizen
Bible Time In Everett, Washington – WORLD Opinions
Religion Remains Stable in the U.S., With Mixed Signals for Young Adults – Pew Research
