Want to learn more about the Respect for Marriage Act, the Supreme Court arguments in the 303 Creative case, and congressional testimony that mentions Christian nationalism for the first time? Join Amanda Tyler and Holly Hollman on the Respecting Religion podcast feed. Now is a great time to catch up – search for “Respecting Religion” on this same podcasting provider!

See a list of all episodes of Respecting Religion at https://bjconline.org/respectingreligion/

For new podcast episodes featuring BJC’s Amanda Tyler and Holly Hollman, subscribe to the “Respecting Religion” podcast feed. It is available on this same podcasting provider. There, you’ll find their latest conversations on faith freedom for all, including their reactions to Supreme Court arguments and decisions impacting religious liberty.

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It’s been one year since President Joe Biden took office. What have we seen from his administration in regards to religious liberty? From executive actions to court cases to appointments, Amanda and Holly take a look at this administration’s actions that impact faith freedom for all. In segment three, they talk about how President Biden has continued to practice his private faith in a very public role over the past year.  

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The Christian flag is at the center of a case the Supreme Court hears next week. Amanda and Holly preview Shurtleff v. Boston, share how this situation made it to the highest court, and look at the central legal question presented before the justices. They discuss the best arguments from both sides that the Court will consider when it determines whether this flagpole outside Boston City Hall is government speech or a public forum. In segment three, Amanda and Holly discuss the Christian nationalism aspects to the case, and they talk about the Christian flag’s history, including how this powerful symbol has been appropriated in destructive ways.

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It’s a frustrating day at the Supreme Court when several justices seem not to care about the reasons religion gets special treatment in our constitutional system. Amanda and Holly share audio clips and their reaction to the oral arguments in Carson v. Makin, including spotting some faux outrage from the justices and how six justices seem poised to chart a new and troublesome direction in church-state law. They talk about obvious differences between determining protecting free exercise of religion and requiring taxpayer funding of religious education. In segment three, Amanda and Holly share how they are welcoming the holidays.

SHOW NOTES: Segment one: Why should religion be treated differently? (starting at 00:55):

Amanda and Holly previewed the oral arguments in Carson v. Makin in episode 5: What’s the problem with the government funding religious education? 

Amanda shared her first impressions of the oral arguments on Twitter. You can read her thread here. You can follow her on Twitter @AmandaTylerBJC. 

We played the following clips from the oral arguments, available at this link.

*Michael Bindas, attorney for the challenge to Maine’s program: 1:31-2:09 *Justice Brett Kavanaugh and Deputy Solicitor General Malcolm Stewart, arguing on behalf of the Biden administration 1:31:36-1:32:46

Segment two: Is this a choice program? Is there discrimination between different religions? (starting at 14:40)

We played the following clips from the oral arguments, available at this link:

*Christopher Taub, attorney defending Maine’s program: 42:54-44:14 *Justice Elena Kagan: 29:15-30:04, and then 30:30-31:17

Segment three: The advent of the holiday season (starting at 29:08)

Amanda and Holly talked about this New York Times piece by Tish Harrison Warren: I’m not ready for Christmas. I need to take a minute. 

Amanda wrote a devotional for Word & Way’s Unsettling Advent series. You can read her devotional here, and read the entire series here. Subscribe to get future editions sent to your inbox. 

Respecting Religion is made possible by BJC’s generous donors. You can support these conversations with a gift to BJC. 

What do you do when you’re around the dinner table or visiting family over the holidays and hear someone share misinformation? How do you have productive conversations and truthful exchanges that bring people together? From fake narratives that drive violence to the mundane myths that build a false foundation, Amanda and Holly talk about common misconceptions they hear, what they see when talking about the dangers of Christian nationalism, and how you can find areas of agreement with others. They share some specific ways they would handle difficult statements in one-on-one conversations. In segment three, Holly and Amanda talk about the pros and cons of online worship from their own experience.

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Segment one: Why is misinformation such a problem in Christian communities? (starting at 00:49):

Amanda and Holly discuss this May webinar from the Council on Foreign Relations: Disinformation and Faith Communities, which featured Joan Donovan from the Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics, and Public Policy, along with Ed Stetzer of Wheaton College’s Billy Graham Center. 

They also mention a piece Stetzer wrote for USA Today in September 2020: “Evangelicals need to address the QAnoners in our midst”

Amanda wrote this column for Baptist News Global about Michael Flynn’s troubling comments: If you’re paying attention to Christian nationalism, you won’t be shocked by Michael Flynn’s call for ‘one religion under God’

Segment two: Handling difficult conversations with others (starting at 14:28)

Learn more about the Christian Against Christian Nationalism campaign at christiansagainstchristiannationalism.org.

Amanda referenced this summer’s webinar: White Christian Nationalism: How Racism Undergirds Christian Nationalism

Amanda read this Tweet from author Kaitlyn Schiess: The problem with the “confront your family about politics on Thanksgiving” thing isn’t that we can’t influence our families or shouldn’t have those conversations, it’s thinking one tense dinner will do it. 

Long, compassionate faithfulness > “bold” one-time confrontation.

Here are some resources to help combat misinformation from the Christians Against Christian Nationalism website:

• Frequently asked questions
• Small group curriculum: Responding to Christian Nationalism
• Webinars, including “Confronting Christian Nationalism in Your Congregation” are at this link
• Statement of Christians Against Christian Nationalism

Segment three (starting at 28:41): Online and in-person worship services

Amanda and Holly talked about this NPR story by Deena Prichep: Worshipers found religious homes near and far thanks to virtual services

Respecting Religion is made possible by BJC’s generous donors. You can support these conversations with a gift to BJC. 

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A central concern for BJC in protecting faith freedom for all involves keeping the government out of religion, and that principle is at stake at the Supreme Court next week. Holly and Amanda preview the case of Carson v. Makin, talking about the Baptist beginnings of protecting religious liberty, the importance of religious education, the unique school system in the state of Maine, and how this case is different from cases involving school vouchers. After listening to this episode, you’ll also be able to impress your friends with trivia about Maine’s public school system. In segment three, they talk about a troubling article and share a warning about overreaching arguments.

For show notes and additional information, please find this episode on the "Respecting Religion" feed or visit this link: https://bjconline.org/s3-ep-05-government-funding-religious-education-carson-v-makin/

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Description: The Supreme Court brought the execution chamber into the courtroom as it heard arguments about the activities clergy can perform at the moment of death. Amanda and Holly share clips from the arguments in Ramirez v. Collier and discuss issues raised by the justices. From questions about sincerity of religious belief to the key laws that protect the religious exercise of prisoners, hear what the justices focused on and learn about the arguments made by both sides. In segment three, Amanda and Holly discuss the roles of pastors in cases like this and how churches connect with prisoners. 

Show notes:

Segment one (starting at 00:43):

Amanda and Holly previewed the Ramirez v. Collier case in episode two this season — you can listen to that on your feed and access show notes at this link.

This Texas Tribune article by Jolie McCullough provides a helpful overview of the case: U.S. Supreme Court weighs religion’s place in the Texas death chamber.

During the conversation, Amanda and Holly played clips from the oral arguments. You can listen to the entire argument at this CSPAN link.

The clips played in this segment were:

• Justice Samuel Alito, starting at 16:52 in the oral argument.
• Chief Justice John Roberts, starting at 47:20 in the oral argument.

To learn more about the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (“RLUIPA”), visit BJConline.org/RLUIPA.

Segment two (starting at 19:11)

Read the brief BJC joined in the Ramirez v. Collier case at this link.

The clips from oral arguments played in this segment were:

• Justice Brett Kavanaugh, starting at 9:23 in the oral argument. 
• Justice Amy Coney Barrett, starting at 1:05:31 in the oral argument. 
• Justice Elena Kagan, starting at 1:26:32 in the oral argument. 

Segment three (starting at 34:48)

Amanda and Holly talked about this article by Robert Barnes in the Washington Post that shares background on the pastor at the center of the case: Supreme Court considers a minister’s role at the time an inmate is put to death

Respecting Religion is made possible by BJC’s generous donors. You can support these conversations with a gift to BJC. 

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This week, Amanda and Holly explore questions swirling around vaccine mandates and religious exemptions related to COVID-19. Is there a newfound religious awakening that is leading to new requests? Are people gaming the system? Dive into the issue that is on the mind of employers, government officials and individuals across the country. Amanda and Holly discuss the religious liberty rationale for religious exemptions, the compelling government interest in mandating vaccines and how those values have been balanced in the past and in dealing with the present pandemic. They also talk about some of the difficult decisions employers are facing as they try to keep their workforce safe, healthy and productive. In the third segment, they look at the broader impact of COVID-19, including new reports on the trustworthiness of clergy when it comes to this topic. 

See our "Respecting Religion" podcast feed for comprehensive show notes or visit https://bjconline.org/s3-ep-03-whats-going-on-with-religious-exemptions-to-covid-19-vaccine-mandates/

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The Supreme Court is about to hear arguments in a type of case it usually addresses in its emergency or “shadow” docket: Questions surrounding clergy and religious exercise in the execution chamber. Amanda and Holly review the issue by considering cases over the past few years, including how the justices have shifted over time, with strong words from Justice Elena Kagan and the arrival of Justice Amy Coney Barrett. In segment two, they dive into the first religious liberty case the Court will hear oral arguments this term in Ramirez v. Collier, including the statute at the heart of the case: RLUIPA. In segment three, Amanda and Holly step back to discuss their personal experiences visiting death row early in their legal careers.

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