Press Statement For Immediate Release: 2.25.21 Contact: Lacey McNiel, media@firstliberty.org Direct: 972-941-4453 Deceptive “Equality Act” Threatens Existing First Amendment, Federal Legal Protections for Religious Americans Washington, DC—The following statement regarding the “Equality Act,” passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, may be attributed to Kelly Shackelford, President, CEO, and Chief […]
Press Statement For Immediate Release: 2.23.21 Contact: Lacey McNiel, media@firstliberty.org Direct: 972-941-4453 Biden Nominee to Lead Health and Human Services Deemed a Danger Says Religious Liberty Law Firm Washington, DC—The following statement may be attributed to Mike Berry, General Counsel to First Liberty Institute: President Biden’s nominee for Secretary of […]
News Release For Immediate Release: 2.23.21 Contact: Lacey McNiel, media@firstliberty.org Direct: 972-941-4453 Federal Court Urged to Reverse Decision Dismissing Juror Who Sought Divine Guidance During Deliberations Attorneys argue that banning those who believe God answers prayer from civic duty would deny the right to a jury of one’s peers Atlanta, […]
The U.S. Supreme Court’s most recent church autonomy cases have focused on the ministerial exception to employment law. Hosanna-Tabor v. EEOC and Our Lady of Guadalupe v. Morrissey-Berru make it clear that the First Amendment forbids secular courts from hearing employment law claims, such as Title VII claims, that involve ministerial positions at religious organizations. These cases recognize that churches, synagogues, mosques, religious schools, and other religious organizations have a right to choose their own leaders and internal structures. This means, as Our Lady of Guadalupe held, that “courts are bound to stay out of employment disputes involving those holding certain important positions with churches and other religious institutions.”
As we approach the 12-month anniversary of 14 days to slow COVID-19’s spread, several governors who early in the pandemic were trumpeted as heroes for shutting down their states—including halting religious worship—are facing serious backlash. Once the darlings of national media, each has been chastised by federal courts, their legislatures, or citizens growing weary of temporary restrictions that never seem to end.
News Release For Immediate Release: 2.17.21 Contact: Lacey McNiel, media@firstliberty.org Direct: 972-941-4453 Southern Baptist Group Asks Supreme Court to Review Decision Interfering with Church Autonomy First Liberty Institute petition asking Justices to review Fifth Circuit decision in light of the Supreme Court ruling in Our Lady of Guadalupe Washington, DC—First […]
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