In Kennedy v. Bremerton School District, former assistant football coach Joseph Kennedy and the school district disagree over precisely why he was put on administrative leave. According to Kennedy, he wanted to say a “brief, quiet prayer by himself while at school and visible to students.” According to the school district, “Kennedy made a spectacle of delivering midfield prayers at the immediate conclusion of games and insisted that students must be allowed to join.” The State and Local Legal Center (SLLC) amicus brief argues the First Amendment doesn’t protect Kennedy’s speech.
Continue readingSupreme Court Rules in Favor of Capital Inmate’s Religious Request
In Ramirez v. Collier the U.S. Supreme Court held 8-1 that John Ramirez’s claim is likely to succeed that Texas violated the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) by not allowing his pastor to audibly pray and lay hands on him while he is being executed.
Continue readingJustice Breyer Allows Maine Vaccine Requirement to Stand
Justice Breuer rejected a challenge to Maine’s requirement that all healthcare workers be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Continue readingJustice Breyer Rejects Maine Church’s Request for Relief from COVID Restrictions Not Currently in Place
Justice Breyer, acting alone, ruled against a Maine church objecting in an emergency petition to the state’s COVID-restrictions on churches. Justice Breyer issued no written decision explaining his reasons. But it is likely he ruled this way because since May 24, 2021, Maine has had no capacity restrictions on indoor gatherings at houses of worship.
Continue readingSupreme Court to Decide Maine School Choice Case
In Carson v. Makin the U.S. Supreme Court will decide whether Maine has violated the U.S. Constitution by refusing to fund, as part of a generally available student-aid program, attending schools that provide religious, or “sectarian,” instruction.
Continue readingSupreme Court Rules Against City in Same-sex Foster Family Case
The U.S. Supreme Court held unanimously in Fulton v. Philadelphia that the City of Philadelphia violated the First Amendment when it refused to contract with Catholic Social Service (CSS) to certify foster care families because CSS refuses to work with same-sex couples.
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