The House of Representatives passed the Equality Act on May 17, 2019, to add to federal civil rights law new prohibitions on discrimination on the bases of sexual orientation and gender identity, as well as other protections. As Stanley Carlson-Thies points out, the Act is unlikely to be taken up by the Senate. This is good news because the Equality Act as drafted and passed would have multiple negative consequences for religious freedom. The article notes major religious freedom critiques, including denominational and other voices proposing a “fairness for all” alternative that would simultaneously protect LGBT and religious rights.
When the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 was put into law, it was with the intent of supporting American businesses and workers. Unfortunately,…
By Dr. Stanley Carlson-Thies Editor’s Note: A more in-depth conversation about the implications of the passage of the Equality Act was featured on the Faith…
In the wake of the recent Dunn v. Ray decision, yet another non-Christian chaplain was denied access to a prisoner’s execution chamber. This time the Supreme Court granted a stay of the procedure. Collin Slowey, an intern with the Center for Public Justice, reflects on what this tells us about the current state of religious freedom in the U.S.
Dr. Stanley Carlson-Thies, a strong and outspoken champion for the rights and freedoms of faith-based organizations, is the 2019 recipient of the Religious Liberty Dinner National Award. Dr. Carlson-Thies, founder and senior director of the Institutional Religious Freedom Alliance (IRFA), has worked for almost two decades to help shape the public discourse in America around the contributions of faith communities to the well-being of society.
Does the age-old wisdom of keeping religion and business separate hold up in the modern workplace? Center for Public Justice intern Collin Slowey examines testimonies from three major companies that have integrated religious diversity and business. He discovers that, in most cases, the benefits of allowing employees to bring their whole selves—including their spirituality—to work outweigh the costs.
By Andrea Rice Human rights today are generally understood to be rights for individuals. The United Nations defines human rights as “rights inherent to all…
Healing Communities is an example of a faith-based nonprofit organization that works collaboratively with other sectors of society, including government, to empower returning citizens with spiritual and physical resource for societal reintegration. This article discusses the how Healing Communities partners with other programs and resources, like Sacred Sector, to build capacity to promote restorative justice. Healing Communities’ coordinator stated at a recent event: “Sacred Sector does have a spiritual calling to provide resources to ministries to do these things. So let them help you do them!”
By Meg Henry On November 15, 2018, IRFA Founder and Senior Director Stanley Carlson-Thies testified at a briefing for the Ohio House of Representatives Community…
A Meditation on Religious Freedom for the Christmas Season
By Chelsea Langston Bombino Along with others who believe in the transcendent, in a greater force that binds and moves humanity, I view everything through…