Image credit: Pixabay By: William McDonald, Vol. 21 Staff Writer Introduction “Churches exist primarily for the spiritual edification of the adherents of a faith tradition. They are established and operated in accordance with religious precepts. Churches may build sites to house worship, fellowship, community, and teaching. They simultaneously have a secular existence.” These words from … Continue reading (Pastor) RJ Davis on the Court (of Law)
By: Andrew Coyle, Staff Member, Vol. 19 Teachers as “Ministers” In its recent opinion in Our Lady of Guadalupe School v. Morrisey-Berru, the U.S. Supreme Court changed the “ministerial exception” of the religion clauses of the First Amendment. The ministerial exception is a judge-made doctrine that a religious organization can use to bar a … Continue reading A Teacher, A Minister: What’s the Difference? (Quite a Lot, Actually)
By: Kristopher L. Caudle* The First Amendment to the United States Constitution provides two fundamental guarantees for all citizens: The government shall not establish an official religion; and the government shall not infringe upon a citizen’s right to freely exercise their chosen religion. However, the Supreme Court continues to recognize areas where there is ample … Continue reading “Play[ing] In the Joints” of the First Amendment: Application of Montana Constitution’s “No Aid” Provision Violates Free Exercise Clause
Another semester has begun, we have a new writing staff, and we’re excited to bring you the latest First Amendment scholarship! Here are some recent First Amendment headlines: In 2017, former Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin sued the New York Times for defamation after the newspaper published an editorial suggesting that actions taken by Palin’s political … Continue reading NEWSFLASH! 8/5-9/2
By Hillary Li, Staff Member (Vol. 14) “This is a sad day for North Carolina that history will not judge kindly,” Sarah Preston, the acting executive director of the ACLU of North Carolina said in a statement released on June 11, 2015 . That was the day the North Carolina House of Representatives (the “House”) … Continue reading Senate Bill 2 and the Establishment Clause
First Amendment Law Review 