Just Liberty

34: Partisan Pulpits and Purple Churches with Stephen Cook

Since 1950s, the so-called Johnson Amendment has been a lightning rod for controversy. Is it an unconstitutional restriction on the speech rights of pastors, as a new lawsuit argues? Or a last line of defense against the politicization of America's houses of worship?
 
Guest:
Dr. Stephen Cook, Senior Pastor, Second Baptist Church, Memphis, TN
FB: https://www.facebook.com/2ndBaptistMemphis Insta: https://www.instagram.com/2ndmemphis/
 
Show Notes:
Liberty magazine article about the Johnson Amendment: Unleashing the Churches, by Michael Peabody. https://www.libertymagazine.org//article/unleashing-the-churches Background on National Broadcasters Association's lawsuit: https://bjconline.org/religious-nonprofit-targets-johnson-amendment-092724/

33: Pride, Prejudice, and Parental Rights - with Will Haun.

When deeply held religious beliefs clash with public school lesson plans, finding workable solutions can be a challenge. What happens, though, when a solution is obvious, but compromise has been taken off the table?
Guest:
William Haun, Senior Counsel, Becket Fund for Religious Liberty
X: https://x.com/BecketLaw
FB: https://www.facebook.com/becketlaw/
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/becketlaw/
Show Notes:
Case details on the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty website: https://www.becketlaw.org/case/mahmoud-v-mcknight/Liberty magazine article exploring the current law around parental rights: https://www.libertymagazine.org//article/are-children-mere-creatures-of-the-state

Season 3 Teaser

Next Tuesday, Jan 28, 2025 we launch Season 3—take a peek at some of our upcoming guests!

32: The Bible Goes to School with Alan and Bettina

Conversation between hosts Alan Reinach and Bettina Krause.
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Oklahoma's school superintendent has told teachers they must integrate the Christian Bible into all their classes. For Christians, is this a welcome development or a reason for concern? And what legal issues are raised by this growing movement in the US to return the Bible to public school classrooms?
 
Show Notes:
 
AP news story about lawsuit in response to Oklahoma's mandate for Bibles in classrooms: https://apnews.com/article/oklahoma-bible-mandate-schools-lawsuit-c5c09efa5332db1ab16f7ff2da7be0b8
 
Liberty magazine article about how our understanding of history shapes our beliefs about whether America is a "Christian nation."
https://www.libertymagazine.org//article/history-lies-we-tell
 

31: Enforcing "God's Law" with Dr. Sima Samar

How did Afghanistan became the world's largest prison for women? Interview with Sima Samar.
The Taliban has ruled Afghanistan since the US and NATO pulled out in 2021. Within days, they began rolling back the hard-won civil rights of women and girls. Today, to be female in Afghanistan is to be legally vulnerable and physically isolated. Sima Samar, a former Minister of Women's Affairs for Afghanistan, now in exile in the US, provides an inside perspective on this human rights tragedy fueled by religious extremism.
Guest:
X: https://x.com/drsimasamar?lang=en
Show Notes:
Liberty article on the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban: "Hidden and Alone" by Matias Perttula. https://www.libertymagazine.org//article/hidden-and-aloneDr Samar's recently published book about her experiences in Afghanistan, Outspoken. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/721723/outspoken-by-sima-samar-with-sally-armstrong/

30: Antisemitism - The Canary in the Coal Mine with Mark Schickman

Antisemitism is on the rise in America and around the world. Interview with Mark Schickman.
Antisemitism has a long and sordid history and over the centuries, it has taken many different shapes. But what does it look like today in 21st century America? What's driving this spike in antisemitism and how can we better recognize and combat this form of hate?
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Show Notes:
News report: "One year later: Anti-Jewish and anti-Muslim hate incidents spike since Oct. 7 attacks," USA Today. https://www.usatoday.com/story/graphics/2024/10/07/hate-crimes-grow-in-us-since-oct-7-attacks/75501456007/

Just Liberty | Back December 3

We're off this week due to the holiday, but we'll be back with a brand new episode on December 3. 
Listen to our library of 30 previous episodes, or check out our Youtube channel: www.youtube.com/@libertymag

29: Terminated Fire Chief case goes to the Supreme Court with Ron Hittle and Wendy Musell

When Ron Hittle was fired by city leaders citing his attendence at a "religious event," Ron faced a choice. Accept the decision and move on or stand up against religious discimination. He chose the more difficult path and has now asked the Supreme Court to hear his case that tests legal protection for people of faith in the workplace.

28: A matter of survival with Steve McFarland

A matter of survival. Why a legal principle called "church autonomy" is again facing scrutiny in the courtroom. An interview with Steve McFarland.
Question: What makes an Adventist school "Adventist" or a Catholic charity "Catholic" or a Islamic humanitarian agency "Islamic"? Answer: In large part, its employees. Without staff members who share the same mission, beliefs, and standards of conduct, a faith-based organization be would just ... an organization. In recent years, though, the hiring practices of religious entities have been challenged, along with a legal principle known as "church autonomy" that has long prevented the government from weighing in on religious practices and beliefs. What could be the consequences if these challenges succeed? We ask Steve McFarland, director of the Law and Religious Freedom Center at the Christian Legal Society, and former vice-president and chief legal officer for the Christian relief agency World Vision.
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Guest:
Steve McFarland, Christian Legal Society
FB: https://www.facebook.com/clsnetLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/christian-legal-society/posts/?feedView=all
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Show Notes:
Legal brief of Christian Legal Society in McMahon v. World Vision: https://www.christianlegalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Ninth-Circuit-Amicus-Brief-Final.pdf Background to McMahon v. World Vision: https://firstliberty.org/news/supporting-world-vision-in-employment-case/

27: Does mixing faith and politics always end in disaster? with Curtis Chang

Suffering a political-party hangover? There's a remedy for that. The creators of "The After Party"--Curtis Chang, Russell Moore, and David French--have some thoughts for Christians trying to navigate America's toxic political landscape. We talk with podcaster, theologian, and evangelical leader Curtis Chang about "The After Party"--an online curriculum, book, and worship album aimed at helping Christians reframe their political identity.
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X: https://x.com/curtischangRB https://x.com/redeemingbabel
FB: https://www.facebook.com/CurtisChangOfficial/
https://www.facebook.com/redeemingbabel
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/curtischang/
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The After Party website: https://redeemingbabel.org/the-after-party/
The Good Faith podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-faith/id1594454747
The After Party worship album: https://redeemingbabel.org/the-after-party/worship-album/