The Constitution of the United States of America is fairly straightforward regarding freedom of religion and religious tests. This is especially true when you consider the fact that it was written over 200 years ago by men who had no idea what life in the USA would be like in 2016. Yet their words and Read More

As another Halloween comes and goes, we are reminded that what was once a holiday for children’s parties and trick-or-treating has become a multi-million-dollar industry focused on adult costumes and theme parties for one night of make-believe intrigue.  It is also a time of great excitement for many college students, as Halloween provides a brief Read More

Ever since the Supreme Court’s decision came down in favor of gay marriage (which can now be included fully in the more traditional word ‘marriage’), the news has been full of stories of individuals practicing their religion in very public ways.  While attaching justification phrases similar to “protecting religion,” “exercising a right,” or “defending against Read More

Recently, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a three-judge panel decision after reviewing the case en banc.  The case overturned a ban on a very controversial film that had been released on YouTube.  Without going into specifics of the film, other than to say that those who have viewed it have stated that it Read More

In light of recent tragedies across the nation that involve potential terrorist activity, it is mindful to remember that such actions occur regardless of whether a country’s government is capitalist, monarchic or dictatorial.  Jealousy and misguided anger are sometimes unfortunate side effects of the freedoms that our country provides its inhabitants.  What is lamentable, however, Read More

There is arguably no constitutional amendment that causes more division among people because of its own provisions than that caused by the First Amendment.  As much as one group of individuals looks to the text of the amendment to protect one set of rights, another group seeks the same protection from a different portion of Read More

Every time a group such as the Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) is in the news for some new, outrageous “protest” that their members engage in, many people wonder just how this organization is allowed under the law to do what it does.  This often leads to discussions on other groups, whose messages and beliefs run Read More