Conversion therapy is a highly controversial topic. It involves an attempt to shift a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity through various methods. Historically, conversion therapy has targeted children or young adults who are attracted to the same sex. It stems from a pseudoscientific argument that sexuality and gender identity can and should be changed Read More

For the past few decades, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has focused on a wide range of employment discrimination cases. These have included not only religious discrimination but also discrimination based on race, national origin, disability, and gender. However, the new administration could force the EEOC to shift its priorities to a considerable degree thanks Read More

Conservative Christians and many other religious individuals often reject viewpoints promulgated by trans people and trans activists. Progressive ideas on gender and sexuality have long been rejected by traditional religious groups, and this has led to numerous lawsuits throughout the United States. Some might argue that these two different philosophies will never find common ground, Read More

One of the most well-known aspects of the Universal Life Church (ULC) is the ability of its ministers to officiate weddings. Combined with the relative ease of becoming a ULC minister, this makes it an obvious way for LGBTQ couples to marry with help from their friends and loved ones. The motto of the ULC, Read More

One of the most famous legal cases in recent memory was Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission. This lawsuit dates back to 2012, and it involves a Colorado baker refusing to create a custom cake for a gay couple. Although the baker initially lost the discrimination lawsuit, he successfully appealed to the Supreme Court Read More

In theory, everyone in the United States enjoys freedom of speech. As long as they are not inciting violence or threatening others, Americans are free to speak their mind – even if it offends other people. Some might argue that freedom of speech is especially important when people get offended, as this constitutional protection would Read More

American doctors often find themselves at the forefront of religious lawsuits – and for obvious reasons. The freedom to refuse or provide treatment based on religious belief is one of those legal “grey areas” that has confounded the highest courts for decades. What is more important? The right of the patient to healthcare or the Read More

After the Tennessee state legislature passed a law explicitly barring ministers who were ordained online from solemnizing legal marriages in 2019, the Universal Life Church (ULC) immediately filed suit and were successful in obtaining a restraining order blocking the law from taking effect. In August of 2023, the ULC began the trial against the Tennessee Read More

There is a fierce debate in many religious communities about LGBTQ issues, and the United Methodist Church (UMC) is certainly no exception. Due to the unique legal structure of the UMC, this debate is triggering a serious fracture within the church – one that is causing many individual congregations to leave. The process of leaving Read More

Catholicism is one of the strictest religions on the planet, and it has a history of excommunicating segments of the population (or entire nations, as the English can attest). There are reportedly 62 million Catholics in the United States and not all of these individuals always see eye-to-eye with the Vatican. A certain degree of controversy is Read More