What is the legal definition of a religion in the United States? When you strip away the ideology and tax benefits, religion is simply an organization of people who agree to come together and follow certain rules. With this simplistic view, an obvious question often arises among so-called non-believers: Why can’t I create my own religion and 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

The Biden Administration has prided itself on embracing diversity, appointing a wide range of individuals to key government positions. One of the inescapable realities of diversity is not only the variations in skin color or religion but also variable points of view. What happens when government employees begin fighting among themselves over divisive issues like Read More

Everyone needs a day off once in a while. Work can become extremely stressful, and although 24 hours might not seem like a long time, it can help employees recharge. These days off might even make workers more productive in the long run, as they return from their breaks feeling refreshed and ready to contribute. Read More

Despite America’s official secular stance, there are many situations in which an American citizen might be asked to swear an oath to God. For example, someone might be ordered to swear that they will tell the truth before testifying during a trial. Often, the witness is required to swear on a Bible. In addition, elected Read More

While the United States was founded on Christian values, it is not a Christian nation. In fact, the nation’s laws clearly highlight the fact that it has no state religion. This means that while no religion enjoys special treatment under the law, each religion must also be treated equally. And although Christians take the headlines Read More

In the United States, the right to express one’s political or religious views is protected. But how far do these protections really go? Time after time, state and federal governments have sought to limit these rights and even penalize those who have expressed their viewpoints in public. A recent case in California initiated by a Read More

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission – also known simply as the “EEOC” is responsible for rooting out all forms of discrimination in America’s many workplaces. Although racial or sexual discrimination often makes headlines, religious discrimination is also apparently quite common across the United States. This was made clear after the EEOC recently filed a slew Read More

All too often, people who dare to challenge the status quo have their careers destroyed. Even if they win their lawsuits, the publicity and the negative stigma might follow them for the rest of their lives. Such is often the case with religious lawsuits, as the topic is inherently divisive in the United States. However, Read More

Believe it or not, there are still many countries with draconian religious restrictions in 2023. Many US residents may be completely unaware of these restrictions. While this might not be an issue if residents choose to stay in the United States, traveling while following one’s faith could prove problematic under certain circumstances and in certain nations. But Read More