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

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

While religious organizations in the United States enjoy many financial freedoms and exceptions, these organizations still run the risk of serious consequences if they operate in an unlawful manner. This was made clear after two religious organizations in the United States were accused of financial crimes.  Christian University Accused of Financial Crimes over Tuition Tuition 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

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

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

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

People in the United States must be careful about retaliating against each other purely on the grounds of religion. Although it might seem like some religious views are “evil” or “wrong,” the Constitution specifically protects freedom of speech and freedom of religion. Discrimination is also unlawful in many situations, and it is all too easy Read More