WASHINGTON, DC—The U.S. Supreme Court announced it denied to review the decision of the United States Court of Appeal for Sixth Circuit in Bormuth v. County of Jackson, which found legislator invocations to be constitutional Thursday, June 28. First Liberty Institute and Supreme Court advocate Allyson Ho with Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher represent Jackson County, Michigan, whose commissioners open public meetings with prayer. “Our country has a long history of legislator-led prayer, just as the Sixth Circuit determined in our favor,” said Kelly Shackelford, President and CEO to First Liberty Institute.  “Thankfully our clients in Jackson County, Michigan will be able to continue their tradition.  We hope the Supreme Court will one day extend that protection across the country.” At the same time the Court declined to review an opposite opinion from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth District in Rowan County v. Lund, which concluded that similar invocations are unconstitutional. While the Supreme Court denied review of both cases, leaving in place the decisions before the Sixth and Fourth Circuits, Justice Clarence Thomas, joined by Justice Neil Gorsuch, dissented from the decision, saying, “For as long as this … [Read more...]

By Tom Strode, Baptist Press WASHINGTON (BP)-- Christians and other teachers in public schools, as well as the school-choice movement, stand to benefit from the U.S. Supreme Court's decision June 27 that public-sector unions may not require fees from nonmembers, supporters of the ruling say. In a 5-4 opinion, the high court ruled against such mandates by government and public-sector unions and overturned a 41-year-old Supreme Court decision in the process. The justices decided such a requirement on workers who refuse to join the union is a violation of free-speech protections in the First Amendment. "States and public-sector unions may no longer extract agency fees from nonconsenting employees," Associate Justice Samuel Alito wrote in the court's opinion. A union procedure that automatically deducts fees from a nonmember's wages "violates the First Amendment and cannot continue," he said. "Neither an agency fee nor any other payment to the union may be deducted from a nonmember's wages, nor may any other attempt be made to collect such a payment, unless the employee affirmatively consents to pay." The ruling offers important implications for Christians and other teachers with faith convictions, according to the … [Read more...]

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Supreme Court summarily reversed a lower court ruling in the case Sause v. Bauer, in which attorneys for First Liberty Institute and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, represent Mary Anne Sause. “The Supreme Court’s decision today is a just outcome for Ms. Sause and a victory for religious liberty,” said Kelly Shackelford, President and CEO of First Liberty. “No American citizen should ever be ordered by government officials not to pray in their own home.” Attorneys for Sause had asked the Supreme Court to reverse the appellate court’s ruling that the police officers, who in 2013 entered Sause’s home to investigate an alleged minor noise complaint, harassed her, and ordered Sause, a devout Catholic, to stop praying in her home were entitled to qualified immunity. The Supreme Court’s decision sends a clear signal that citizens are entitled to religious liberty in their own home. The case was led by veteran U.S. Supreme Court advocate and now judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, James Ho. Ironically, Judge Ho was mentioned today by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz as a possible Supreme Court Justice for the vacancy left by retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy. After Judge Ho took … [Read more...]

By Will Hall, Message Editor DALLAS (LBM)—Vice President Mike Pence gave a rousing report to cheering Southern Baptists about the work of the White House on behalf of Southern Baptists as Americans and as a community of faith, sharing his testimony of salvation and an inspiring message by the three Christians freed from North Korea; but the Twitter-sphere showed not everyone was happy with his remarks. Pence and SBC President Steve Gaines, pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in the Memphis, Tennessee, area, were together in Sutherland Springs, Texas, in November 2017, to minister and offer encouragement to church families and the community following the shootings at the First Baptist Church during which 26 congregants were murdered, including Pastor Frank Pomeroy’s daughter Annabelle Renae, who was just 14 years old, and 20 church members were wounded. PRO FORMA The vice president’s report came amid business reports by SBC national entities and different committees and task forces, and seemed in line with those good news reports about what had been accomplished by each organization during the past year. He received multiple standing ovations, but three instances in Pence’s message were particularly emoting: his … [Read more...]

By Will Hall, Message Editor DALLAS (LBM) — The 9,467 Southern Baptist messengers in Dallas had the opportunity to shape the future of the Convention in a number of ways, with the following items of significant note: -- J.D. Greear was elected SBC president with 5,410 votes to 2,459 votes for Ken Hemphill, after a nominating speech that described Greear as having planted “42 Southern Baptist churches” told a younger generation “we ought to give more to the Cooperative Program”; and, been “a whosever-will Gospel preacher.” -- An attempt failed to dismiss the executive committee of the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary trustee board for ousting Paige Patterson regarding allegations to his handling of a sexual assault incident, as well as statements he made about domestic abuse and women’s physical appearance. -- Despite strong vocal opposition by some, an overwhelming majority of messengers voted to let Vice President Mike Pence speak to the Convention. -- The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission convinced messengers to defeat a trustee candidate presented by the SBC Nominating Committee, and approved instead a nominee seeking a second term. MOTIONS REFERRED TO SBC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Motions … [Read more...]