High-Stakes Supreme Court Case: Your Constitutional Right to Protect Your Children
Since when does the government decide that parents are no longer in charge of raising their children?
That’s what’s at stake at our upcoming Dec. 7 argument in International Partners for Ethical Care v. Ferguson. We’re fighting to make sure government cannot push parents aside when their children need them most.
This case is centered around a crucial legal principle. State law says that parents would have to wait until their child runs away—and potentially suffers serious harm—before a court will even hear their case.
Constitutional protections mean little if Americans cannot go to court and seek relief of credible threats to their freedoms. Ultimately, winning this case is about strengthening the ability of parents to challenge government interference before the damage is done.
The outcome will impact parental rights and religious freedom for families across America. This case isn’t just about parents and children in Washington. It’s about whether all parents can protect their constitutional rights before their families suffer irreparable harm.
Save the Date: Next Supreme Court Argument Set for Jan. 20
It’s official, we have a court date for our second Supreme Court case!
We’ll argue Missionaries of Saint John the Baptist v Frederic on January 20, 2027.
Missionaries of St. John the Baptist, Inc.—a private religious organization in Park Hills, Kentucky—was banned from building a modest shrine on church property. We will argue that it is a violation of federal law to ban a Christian organization from using its property to carry out its mission.
Federal law protects religious organizations’ right to use their property without the government putting up barriers on what they are or are not allowed to build.
This is a massive case for religious liberty because it presents an opportunity for the Supreme Court to affirm a milestone federal law that protects religious land use. It has the potential to impact every single zoning law in the country. Winning will set a precedent that strengthens protections for religious organizations, churches and houses of worship across America.
The Future of Religious Liberty Is Bigger Than One Election
by Jacqueline Isaacs, MBA, Center for Religion, Culture & Democracy Fellow
Last week’s midterm elections dramatically reshaped America’s political landscape. For Americans living in traditionally conservative states that are now turning “blue” (or at least “purple”) who are concerned about religious liberty, the results may be leading you to wonder what comes next.
Five years of Religious Liberty in the States research have demonstrated that progress is possible in states with very different political environments, like Illinois and Mississippi. We’ve also learned that the work is never finished. Even the highest-ranking states have opportunities to improve, and protections already secured must not be taken for granted.
Now, with five editions published, the index has documented an expanding range of legal protections (a total of 50 in 2026, compared to 29 in 2022), identified opportunities for reform, and observed different states rise and fall in the rankings. Along the way, several important lessons have emerged that offer a roadmap for the years ahead.
Leading The Conversation
The Amish Versus New York: When Vaccine Mandates Clash with Faith – President, CEO & Chief Counsel Kelly Shackelford | The Hill
Religious Liberty Attorney: Danger Ahead if 2028 Election Is a Midterms Repeat – President, CEO & Chief Counsel Kelly Shackelford | Decision
Veterans Day, a Crippled Phantom, and National Legacy – Executive Vice President & Chief Legacy Officer Dave Holmes | Townhall
Firefighter Who Battled COVID on Front Lines Says He lost Career for Refusing Vaccine: ‘I’m on Team Jesus’ – Senior Counsel Cliff Martin | Fox News
A Collapse of the Coalition – Center for Religion, Culture & Democracy Senior Fellow Hunter Baker | WORLD Opinion
Why Are So Many Christians Voting Socialist? – Center for Religion, Culture & Democracy Research Fellow | Religion & Liberty Online
In Texas, Opponents Are Wasting No Time
in Attacking Religious Freedom
by Jorge Gomez, Director of Content Strategy
In just the course of the past week, First Liberty has learned of two alarming attacks on religious freedom happening in Texas, where we are headquartered.
Shortly after the midterm elections, newly elected Democrat Maggie Ellis, the next Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court, stated her intention to eliminate a religious accommodation that allows judges to publicly refrain from performing a marriage that conflicts with his or her sincerely held religious beliefs.
On Monday, State Senator Jose Menendez—a Democrat representing District 26—pre-filed a bill for the 2027 legislative session that would repeal the Texas requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public school classrooms.
Rest assured, we’re ready to fight back against opponents who are trying to dismantle religious liberty in the Lone Star state.
Editors’ Picks
Mandate for Inclusivity, or Religious Discrimination? – WORLD Opinions
Texas’ ‘LGBTQ+’ Chief Justice-elect Vows to End Religious Accommodation for Judges Refusing Same-sex Weddings – Christian Post
Replacing Alito or Thomas in the Lame-Duck Session Would Guarantee Democratic Court-Packing – National Review
Tennessee’s Ban on Religious Charter Schools Unconstitutional, Judge Rules – Christian Post
President Trump, Mike Lee Push for Judicial Confirmations – Deseret News
