What does it take to spend decades defending free speech, religious liberty, parental rights, and educational freedom?
In this conversation, Kurt and Kristen Luidhardt talk with constitutional attorney Mike Farris about some of the major legal battles that have shaped his career.
He explains the Johnson Amendment and why its restrictions on political speech by churches remain an important free speech issue, including the current legal effort challenging how the law is applied.
Mike also looks back on arguing NIFLA v. Becerra before the U.S. Supreme Court, where pro-life pregnancy centers challenged California requirements compelling them to communicate information about abortion.
He shares the preparation behind the case, including the moment Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg asked the exact question he had prepared for.
The conversation expands into Mike's work with the Homeschool Legal Defense Association, Patrick Henry College, Alliance Defending Freedom, and decades of litigation surrounding religious and parental liberty.
He explains why meaningful legal change can take years or even decades, and why faith requires trusting both God's sovereignty and His goodness through that process.
Mike closes with a warning that freedom cannot be secured by one generation and assumed to last forever. It has to be understood, practiced, defended, and passed on to the next generation.
00:00 Arguing Before the Supreme Court
01:44 What Is the Johnson Amendment?
06:11 Unequal Enforcement and Church Speech
10:38 Challenging the Johnson Amendment
14:09 Winning NIFLA v. Becerra
18:03 Preparing for the Supreme Court
22:20 Ruth Bader Ginsburg's First Question
25:01 Defending Freedom Internationally
27:57 Why Legal Battles Take Years
28:53 Trusting God's Goodness While Waiting
31:59 The Beginning of Mike's Legal Calling
34:13 Why He Founded Patrick Henry College
40:20 The Next Free Speech Battles
44:22 Why Personal Relationships Protect Freedom
48:54 Legacy and the Next Generation
National Religious Broadcasters
Alliance Defending Freedom
Homeschool Legal Defense Association
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