Items included for this subject area come from a variety of sources. The perspectives conveyed may or may not express a Lutheran ethos. They can serve our instruction as discussion-starters, examples (positive and negative), and illustrations of intersections between God’s two kingdoms, intersections sometimes characterized by tension, sometimes by congruence. Inclusion does not imply endorsement.
Religiously affiliated hospitals win Supreme Court pension case: This case study can introduce students to the establishment clause, 7th commandment issues for pension and retirement funds, religious liberty issues, and who says what the church is and is not. The 8-0 ruling reverses lower court decisions that sided with hospital workers who argued that the exemption from […]
Why the US Military Wants Fewer Generic Christians: The general categories of “Protestant, no denominational preference” and “Protestant, other churches” have been removed from the Department of Defense (DoD) list of recognized religions as the US military seeks out more detailed designations for its 1.3 million service members. The Armed Forces Chaplains Board made these changes to […]
Hebrew Teacher’s ADA Suit Barred By Ministerial Exception Doctrine: The Supreme Court’s doctrine of ministerial exception continues to be worked out in the lower courts, including this case in religious education. In rejecting the plaintiff’s argument that her teaching of Hebrew was cultural, not religious, the court nevertheless commented that “a religious organization could abuse […]
In US, Belief in Creationist View of Humans at New Low: The conventional creationist view (down from 46% in 2012) and the God-guided developmental view (up from 32% since 2012) on human origins are currently at parity with 38% each. The evolution-without-divine-involvement view is at 19% (up from 15% since 2012). Gallup has been keeping count […]
San Diego schools sued over anti-Islamophobia campaign: Public schools now often find themselves in untenable situations regarding religious diversity in a society that no longer adheres to a shared narrative of life. Students can use this case to examine conflicting norms, values, and aims in education and the viability of public education in 21st century […]
New Tennessee Law Requires Religious Holy Day Accommodation For School Athletics: This law gives students’ religious observances priority over athletic schedules. The new law provides: “A local education agency, local school board, school, educator, or employee or the employee’s representative may not require a student to attend a school athletic event, or event related to participation […]
The Courts and Religious Employees: these two cases from lower courts are part of the judicial practice around Hosanna-Tabor being worked out currently in the legal system. Defamation Suit Against Minister Not Necessarily Barred By Ecclesiastical Abstention Doctrine Teacher’s Defamation Verdict Against Archdiocese Upheld
Catholic University in Kansas Plans LGBTQ Group: Newman University, a private Catholic school in Wichita, plans to offer a group next year to support its LGBTQ students while continuing to emphasize Catholic teaching that condones sex only in marriage between a man and a woman. Kevin Clack, the group’s first student leader, said he doesn’t agree with […]
An extra-uterine system to physiologically support the extreme premature lamb: Scientists have created an “artificial womb” in the hopes of someday using the device to save babies born extremely prematurely. Study research Dr. Alan Flake says his team has no interest in trying to gestate a fetus any earlier than about 23 weeks into pregnancy: “I […]
SCOTUSblog Post-arguments Sources: Several links to assorted summaries and discussions of the arguments before the Justices and their questions and remarks on the case of Trinity Lutheran Church of Columbia, Inc. v. Comer. Those following this case can consider several perspectives and related concerns on the intersections of civil government and church ministries, and how broadly […]
