Texas Apache tribe flies free: Column

USA Today,  July 7, 2016

We went to court, represented by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, and we won, setting new precedent for Native Americans throughout the country. Under theReligious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), our religious rights as Native Americans were protected from unnecessary government intrusion. Last month, the federal government finalized a historic settlement agreement with me and over 400 members of my congregation, recognizing our right to freely use eagle feathers for religious worship. We are now allowed to keep, share, loan, and travel with our eagle feathers, and even obtain new ones from the National Eagle Repository, without any need for a government “permit.” The government also agreed that it will revisit the laws that restrict Native American possession of eagle feathers in the future.

Supreme Court may be converting on religion

August 1, 2016 USA Today

Some defenders of religious freedom don’t share Alito’s fear for the future.

“The court has been responsive to religious liberty claims in most of the cases in recent years,” Eric Rassbach, deputy general counsel at the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, says. “I don’t see a reason to think that the court is going to become deaf to religious claims.”

Read more here.

NCAA, if you don’t like Indiana law, go to Cuba: column

April 2, 2015, USA Today

The NCAA recently took a break from basketball to lecture the nation about diversity and inclusiveness. Responding to the passage of a religious freedom restoration act (RFRA) in Indiana, the NCAA tells us that it is “deeply committed to providing an inclusive environment” for all its events. The NCAA said it is “especially concerned” about the new Indiana law and its impact on student-athletes and employees in connection with next weekend’s Final Four in Indianapolis.

How a Muslim’s beard might shape Obamacare: Column

USA Today, January 23, 2015

When it comes to American law, no religion is an island. Because our laws treat all religions equally, the “rigorous standard” proclaimed by the Supreme Court protecting Muhammad’s religious liberty also protects the religious liberty of churches, synagogues and religious individuals across the country.

Read the full article here.

Contraception mandate turning into abortion mandate? Column

USA Today, April 29, 2014

During a recent Supreme Court argument over the Affordable Care Act’s contraceptives mandate, Justice Anthony Kennedy cut to the heart of the government’s argument. “Under your view,” he told Solicitor General Donald Verrilli, “a for-profit corporation could be forced to pay for abortions.” After some verbal fumbling, Verrilli conceded: “you’re right.” But, he quickly added, there is nothing to fear because there “is no law like that on the books.” Not yet.

N.J. school district sued over ‘under God’ in pledge

USA Today  April 21, 2014

A family is suing a New Jersey school district and its superintendent, seeking to have the phrase “under God” removed from the Pledge of Allegiance that students recite every day. A lawsuit against the Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District filed in Superior Court in Monmouth County, N.J., on behalf of the family, who wish to remain unidentified, and the American Humanist Association claims that the practice of acknowledging God in the Pledge of Allegiance discriminates against atheists, in violation of New Jersey’s constitution.

Religious liberty should trump HHS mandate: Column

USA Today, February 10, 2014

The Green family, through the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, will file its brief with the Supreme Court Monday seeking relief from paying a daily fine of potentially more than $1.3 million for refusing to violate their biblically based views on life.

Religious freedom applies to businesses

USA Today, August 12, 2013

Our society is better because people and organizations remain free to have other values while earning a living. Does anyone really want a society filled with organizations that can only focus on profits and are barred from thinking of the greater good?

Judge: Hobby Lobby won’t have to pay fines

USA Today, June 29, 2013

“The opinion makes it very clear what is a valid religious belief and what is not,” said Emily Hardman, spokeswoman for The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty. The group is representing the companies and their owners, the Green family.