EXPLAINER: Department of State undermining work of faith-based foreign aid providers
Last month, the ERLC joined public comments with other faith-based organizations in response to two Department of State proposed rules that would undermine the vital work being done by faith-based international aid providers.
Jewish plaintiffs, others claim religious exemption to state abortion ban
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (BP) – Hoosier Jews for Choice and four others can proceed in a class action challenge to Indiana’s abortion ban, claiming it violates their individual rights under the state’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), an appeals court ruled April 4.
Iowa governor signs Religious Freedom Restoration Act
DES MOINES, Iowa (BP) – Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) in a ceremony Tuesday night (April 2). The legislation is similar to the federal act signed by President Bill Clinton in 1993. More than half of U.S. states have passed their own versions of the law since 1997.
U.S. funding bill mixed bag on pro-life, biblical gender, religious liberty
WASHINGTON (BP) -- The latest Congressional spending package allows federally funded gender transitions and essentially bypasses current restrictions on government-funded abortions, the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) told Baptist Press.
ERLC urges revision of proposed federal foreign assistance rules
NASHVILLE (BP) – The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) joined several other religious organizations in filing public comments on Tuesday (March 19), urging the U.S. State Department to revise two proposed regulations related to nondiscrimination in foreign assistance that they say would “subordinate faith-based organizations.”
China most religiously restrictive government globally, Pew says
WASHINGTON (BP) – China is the most religiously oppressive government globally, Pew Research Center said in its latest study of 193 countries, citing the banning of religious publications, broadcasting and worship among 20 categories of persecution.
Religious Freedom Restoration Act sees revival of state support
ATLANTA (BP) – Iowa and Utah are the latest states to pass legislation protecting religious freedom from governmental intrusion, with related legislation active in Georgia and four other states.
Royalty rates push religious webcasters out of market, asserts SCOTUS appeal
WASHINGTON (BP) – Noncommercial religious broadcasters are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review copyright royalty fees, alleging they favor secular speech over religious expression.
Justice Alito sounds alarm after Christians denied jury duty in state court
WASHINGTON (BP) – The barring of two Christians from jury duty in a trial involving a lesbian is evidence that Christians with a biblical worldview are increasingly seen as bigots, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito said after Missouri asked the High Court to review the ruling.
Texas church opens its doors to persecuted Chinese
MIDLAND, Texas (BP) – A persecuted church from China now worships in the facilities of First Baptist Church in Midland.
