by Jayla Ward • 2 minutes
On a recent visit to Rome, Justice Samuel Alito expressed concerns that religious freedom is under siege worldwide, including in America.
“Unfortunately, religious liberty is embattled today,” Justice Alito said during a conference cosponsored by the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See, the Vatican and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The “Jubilee of Justice” event brings together Catholics from the legal profession to “receive God’s mercy and invite participation in acts of mercy in our daily lives and communities.”
“It is a great matter of concern,” Alito added, “and something that I think all Christians should be concerned about and should try to find ways of combating this problem.”
He cited several cases that have come before the U.S. Supreme Court in recent years, showing the extent of religious discrimination and violations happening in America. Alito referenced First Liberty’s landmark victory in Carson v. Makin, which held that states cannot discriminate against religious schools concerning public funding.
He also pointed to a major case from this past term, Mahmoud v. Taylor. That decision held parents have a legal right to opt their children out of lessons in public schools that interfere with their religious beliefs, such as materials or books that teach transgenderism or radical gender ideology.
This isn’t the first time Justice Alito has spoken about threats to religious liberty. In 2022, following the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, Justice Alito delivered the keynote at a religious liberty conference in Rome. He shared that religious liberty is fragile and has always been a pivotal battleground throughout the course of human history.
“One thing I hope they will say is that our country, after a lot of fits and starts, and ups and downs, eventually showed the world that it is possible to have a stable and successful society in which people of diverse faiths live and work together harmoniously and productively while still retaining their own beliefs,” Alito shared. “This has been truly a historic accomplishment.”
“Religious liberty and other fundamental rights tend to go together,” he added, emphasizing how this First Freedom is fundamental to all the civil rights and freedoms we have as Americans.
This Supreme Court Session is Monumental for Religious Freedom
With the Supreme Court session set to begin next week, Justice Alito’s remarks come at an important time.
The Justices have already agreed to hear four cases with huge implications for religious freedom, including First Liberty’s case involving Mississippi evangelist Gabriel Olivier. This is a huge case that’s going to affect the religious freedom and civil rights of every American.
And there could be more. First Liberty has also asked the Supreme Court to hear our Cambridge Christian School case. In that case, the school was banned from praying over the loudspeaker at a football game against another Christian school.
Here are four important cases that will be argued this upcoming term:
1. Evangelist Banned from Sharing Faith in Public Park
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear First Liberty’s case involving Gabriel Olivier, an evangelist who was banned by a local ordinance from sharing his faith in a public park.
Gabe filed a lawsuit claiming his constitutional rights were violated. But he never got the opportunity to plead his case in court. That’s the legal issue the Supreme Court will consider.
This is a major case that presents the nation’s highest court with an opportunity to strengthen protections for religious liberty, free speech and the right of every American to seek relief in court.
2. Rastafarian Inmate Seeks Justice
The Court will hear the case of a Rastafarian who sued state prison officials in Louisiana after guards held him down and shaved him bald in violation of his religious beliefs. Damon Landor’s religion requires him to let his hair grow. The outcome of this case could help ensure that officers and state officials are held accountable when they trample or violate religious liberty.
3. Christian Counselor Forced to Violate Her Beliefs
The Court will hear the case of Kaley Chiles, a licensed counselor and practicing Christian, who wants to help her clients with issues they’re facing—including unwanted sexual identity confusion and same-sex attraction.
This case is primarily about free speech. Still, the outcome could impact faith-based counselors and therapists across America. The outcome could ensure that government officials don’t impose their ideology on private conversations between counselors and clients.
4. Faith-Based Pregnancy Resource Centers
The Court will hear a case of First Choice Women’s Resource Centers, a Christian nonprofit that provides free medical services and support to pregnant mothers, mothers of newborns and fathers.
This case is fundamentally about protecting the right of individuals and groups to seek justice in federal court. The outcome has implications for religious organizations, such as faith-based pregnancy resource centers and social service nonprofits nationwide, specifically their right to go to federal court if their constitutional rights are violated.
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