Just Liberty
Just Liberty: Where Justice and Liberty Meet The whole idea of religious freedom in America has taken a PR hit. For some, it’s a cover for bigotry or tool for Christian nationalists; for others it’s the last line of defense in a society that’s becoming hostile to traditional faith. Is there a better way to think and talk about religious freedom in America that doesn’t buy into political extremes? Join hosts Alan Reinach, executive director of the Church-State Council, who has been litigating religious liberty cases for nearly 40 years, and Bettina Krause, editor of Liberty Magazine, which has been at the forefront of religious liberty conversations since 1906. Together, they interview experts in law, politics, and faith, and tackle tough religious freedom questions, not just from the courts but also from culture. Listen to Just Liberty for a fresh, balanced take on religious liberty and church-state issues. Coming Spring 2024. Subscribe now so you never miss an episode.
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Episodes
Wednesday May 15, 2024
Wednesday May 15, 2024
For a country that claims religious freedom as a fundamental value, America has sometimes had an odd way of showing it--especially when it comes to workplace accommodations for people of faith. Whether it's time off for Sabbaths, or permission to wear religious garb on the job, American workers have had weak legal protection. That is, until now.
What changed with the recent Supreme Court decision in Groff v. Dejoy? And how should people of faith now understand their rights in the workplace?
Interview with Hiram Sasser, Executive General Counsel, First Liberty Institute
Show Notes
First Liberty Institute | Website - https://firstliberty.org
News coverage of Supreme Court win for religious freedom in Groff v. Dejoy - https://firstliberty.org/news/in-the-news-faithful-carrier-victory/
Best practices for employers updating their religious non-discrimination policies - https://firstliberty.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/BusinessCaseOnePager.pdf
Tuesday May 14, 2024
Tuesday May 14, 2024
It's a decision that gave many Supreme Court watchers a bad case of whiplash. For decades, the Court said that direct state funding for faith-based schools was constitutionally forbidden. But in Carson v Makin, the Court said that those same religion clauses require the state to fund religious schools in some circumstances.
What's behind the Court's 180-degree turn on this issue? And how could it potentially transform our educational landscape?
Show Notes
"A Matter of Interpretation" by Alan Brownstein | Article for Liberty Magazine current trajectory of First Amendment jurisprudence
"A Step Too Far"? by Nicholas Miller, Alan Reinach | Article for Liberty Magazine on the landmark Supreme Course case, Carson v. Makin
Monday May 13, 2024
Monday May 13, 2024
Twenty-five years ago, the United States became the first and only nation to link religious freedom advocacy with its foreign policy goals. Why? And what has this achieved?
A former State Department official provides an insider's take on how the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 changed the face of U.S. foreign policy, and what's ahead.
Show Notes
Knox Thames | Website
"Saving International Religious Freedom" by Knox Thames | Article for Liberty Magazine
"Neither Liberal nor Conservative but American" by Knox Thames | Article for Liberty Magazine
Fact-sheet on the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 | Article
Friday May 10, 2024
Friday May 10, 2024
Christian nationalism has been in the media spotlight ever since the tumultuous events of January 6, 2021. But finding an agreed-upon definition for this phenomenon has proved elusive.
What are we really talking about when we call someone a Christian nationalist? And how accurate, really, is that "Christian" label?
Interview with Amanda Tyler, Executive Director, Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty.
Show Notes
Baptist Joint Committee | Website
Christians Against Christian Nationalism | Website
Respecting Religion | Podcast
Sunday Mar 10, 2024
Sunday Mar 10, 2024
Coming Spring 2024 - a fresh, balanced take on religious liberty and church-state issues in a world of polarization.
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