Victory! Growing Church Overcomes Unlawful Zoning Ordinance
After a three-year legal battle, a growing church has overcome an unlawful zoning ordinance that sought to keep it from using its own property to minister to the community. This victory continues a string of wins by First Liberty Institute having a common theme: a house of worship—including churches and synagogues—running […]
America’s Next “Religious Freedom Generation” Off to a Fast Start!
By Racheal Carlyon, 2016 Fellowship Alumna and First Liberty Intern Editor’s note: Modern America began with a strong “religious freedom generation” fleeing religious persecution in Europe. Since then, our history has depended on successive generations who renewed or revived the religious freedom at our country’s core. First Liberty Institute began […]
Right to Pray Denied
The right to pray in one’s own home without retaliation or government harassment is a fundamental aspect of religious freedom. Mary Anne Sause — a retired Catholic nurse on disability — went to court to vindicate this right. In 2013, Sause was ordered to “stop praying” in her own apartment […]
Another Victory in California! State Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Attacking Synagogue
A California judge issued a ruling in state court in favor of Chabad of Irvine, a synagogue under attack for a traditional religious ritual. This is the second court since May to rule in favor of the synagogue. Activist animal rights groups sued Chabad of Irvine in both state and […]
Federal Appeals Court Holds “En Banc” Hearing over Jackson County Legislative Invocations
It’s the kind of case that makes constitutional attorneys think, “Here we go again!” Legislative invocations have a long American tradition and heritage. Despite court challenges, the Supreme Court has upheld this practice twice in the past few decades—once in 1983 and again in 2014. However, depending on the rulings […]
Huge Win for Religious Liberty at U.S. Supreme Court!
Before Monday, June 5, ministries and church-affiliated organizations feared that the federal government might severely restrict or even end their work due to suddenly subjecting them to suffocating regulations and red tape. For years, these ministries and church-affiliated organizations were exempt from certain regulations under the Employment Retirement Income Security […]
