Judge: Pa. House of Reps. Policy Prohibiting Atheists From Delivering Invocation ‘Discriminates’ on ‘Basis of Religion’

Judge: Pa. House of Reps. Policy Prohibiting Atheists From Delivering Invocation ‘Discriminates’ on ‘Basis of Religion’

HARRISBURG, Pa. — A federal judge appointed to the bench by then-President George W. Bush has ruled that the Pennsylvania House of Representatives may not continue to deny atheists the opportunity to present an invocation before the House, as doing so “intentionally discriminates” on the basis of religion in violation of the First Amendment. “We […]

California Lawmaker Pulls Bill Prohibiting Therapists From Advertising, Offering ‘Any Practices’ Seeking to Change ‘Sexual Orientation’

California Lawmaker Pulls Bill Prohibiting Therapists From Advertising, Offering ‘Any Practices’ Seeking to Change ‘Sexual Orientation’

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A California lawmaker who had proposed a bill prohibiting professional therapists from advertising or selling “conversion therapy” services to those seeking to fight homosexual temptation, attaching the prohibition to existing consumer fraud law, has withdrawn the legislation—for now—after speaking with faith leaders in the state. “I authored Assembly Bill 2943 to ensure a […]

16 States Tell Supreme Court: Congressional Intent of Title VII Was Birth Sex, Not ‘Gender Identity’

16 States Tell Supreme Court: Congressional Intent of Title VII Was Birth Sex, Not ‘Gender Identity’

WASHINGTON — 13 attorneys general and 3 governors, representing 16 states, have joined together in an amicus brief submitted to the United States Supreme Court surrounding an appeal of a ruling out of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, which found it “illegal” under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act for a Michigan funeral home […]

Judge Sides With Boston’s Denial of Request to Fly Christian Flag During Event Recognizing Judeo-Christian Heritage

Judge Sides With Boston’s Denial of Request to Fly Christian Flag During Event Recognizing Judeo-Christian Heritage

BOSTON, Mass. — A federal judge appointed to the bench by then-President Barack Obama has sided with Boston officials who denied a group’s request to fly the Christian flag outside of city hall during an event celebrating the religious history of the city and the contributions made by Christians. According to reports, the group Camp […]

Lesbians Sue Retirement Village ‘Operating in Accordance With Biblical Principles’ for Declining Housing Request

Lesbians Sue Retirement Village ‘Operating in Accordance With Biblical Principles’ for Declining Housing Request

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Two women who identify as lesbians have filed a federal lawsuit against a Christian retirement village for declining their application to live in the senior community due to its longstanding cohabitation policy that only allows married men and women or siblings to share a dwelling. Attorneys for Mary Walsh and Bev […]

Judge Orders Florida Prison System to Allow Man Who Identifies as Woman to Wear Female Undergarments

Judge Orders Florida Prison System to Allow Man Who Identifies as Woman to Wear Female Undergarments

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A federal judge in Florida has ordered the state prison system to allow a male inmate who identifies as a woman to wear female undergarments, grow his hair out, and to have access to makeup customarily available in women’s facilities. U.S. District Judge Mark Walker, appointed to the bench by then-President Barack […]

U.S. Appeals Court Finds Alabama Dismemberment Abortion Ban Unconstitutional

U.S. Appeals Court Finds Alabama Dismemberment Abortion Ban Unconstitutional

(Reuters) — A federal appeals court on Wednesday upheld a permanent injunction blocking Alabama from banning the most common method of second-trimester abortion. But two judges from the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta used the 3-0 decision to cast doubt on the Supreme Court’s abortion jurisprudence, including that terminating a pregnancy is a […]

U.S. Army Rejects Charge Against Chaplain Investigated Over Lesbian Who Wanted to Attend Marriage Retreat

U.S. Army Rejects Charge Against Chaplain Investigated Over Lesbian Who Wanted to Attend Marriage Retreat

FORT BRAGG, N.C. — An official with the U.S. Army has rejected the findings of an investigation into a chaplain who declined to lead a marriage retreat after learning that a lesbian had signed up to attend the event with her partner, and will not charge the chaplain with “dereliction of duty” as an investigator had […]

Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church Worker Who Volunteered With Youth Guilty of ‘Lewd Acts’ With Teen Boys

Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church Worker Who Volunteered With Youth Guilty of ‘Lewd Acts’ With Teen Boys

LAKE FOREST, Calif. — A now former volunteer youth mentor at Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church who reportedly also worked in the “technology, communication and marketing ministries” department has been convicted of committing lewd acts with two teenage boys. Ruven Meulenberg, 33, was convicted by a jury on Wednesday of engaging in inappropriate conduct with twin […]