The Weekly is a highlight of the work the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission is doing to strengthen you and our churches for God’s glory.
Supreme Court issues two rulings protecting religious liberty
Earlier this week, the Supreme Court issued rulings in two significant cases involving religious liberty. Here is what you should know about those cases.
The Case: Our Lady of Guadalupe School v. Morrissey-Berru
The Background: In this case, a teacher’s contract was discontinued due to exhibiting poor performance. The teacher sued in federal court claiming she had been discriminated against, challenging the school’s right to select their teachers under the ministerial exception. The teacher argued that she should not be considered a minister under the ministerial exemption. However, her job entailed a number of religious duties including daily prayer, preparing the students for Catholic mass, and providing a faith-based education steeped in the Catholic tradition.
This Week at the ERLC
- The ERLC just released a new issue of Light Magazine in a redesigned and easily accessible digital format. Check out our latest issue, “Ministry in Uncertain Times,” here.
- Russell Moore was featured on NPR discussing how his faith informs his perspective during our national crises.
- Trillia Newbell and Travis Wussow were a part of a Saturate webinar about the gospel and politics.
- Jason Thacker appeared on The World and Everything In It to discuss alternative social media platforms and the current social media landscape.
What You Need to Read
As Christians think about this moment in time, we need to consider our place as a distinctive people in a specific culture, called to be a reflection of our identity as citizens of the Kingdom of God over our national and ethnic identities. We do not lose our national or ethnic identity, but as followers of Christ, we are to subordinate our national and cultural identity to the authority of Christ. In other words, if we place supremacy in our cultural identity, then we will adopt its idols, and our affections will be drawn to the idols of culture rather than the Lord.
- Heather Rice-Minus with A call to pray for those in prison during the pandemic
To help you pray more specifically for men and women in prison, check out our regularly updated map of how COVID-19 is impacting prisons in each state and our resource showing how many and through what mechanisms people have been released as a result of the pandemic. We also put together this guide for how you can pray for prisoners, prison staff, and their families during this crisis.
- Josh Wester with Why Christians should care about the latest step in the sexual revolution: Opposing polyamory for the good of society
You probably missed it, but last week The New York Times reported that a city in Massachusetts decided, once again, to broaden the legal definition of marriage. During a recent City Council meeting, elected officials in the city of Somerville opted to expand protections previously reserved for married couples to those participating in polyamorous relationships. In other words, adults engaged in intimate relationships with multiple partners are now able to claim the privileges and benefits of marriage with more than one person.
News From Capitol Hill
This week, the Evangelical Immigration Table (EIT) sent a letter to the White House urging the president to leave DACA in place until "Congress has passed legislation to permanently protect Dreamers.” Still living in a state of uncertainty, many Dreamers remain hopeful for the country to provide a permanent solution to their unique immigration troubles.
Russell Moore, president of the ERLC, called on Congress to "move immediately to protect our Dreamer neighbors” noting that "most Americans agree on this question, which is quite a feat in times as divided as these." Moore continued:
“Dreamers are not an abstraction. They are people created in the image of God, who were brought here as children by their parents. Their entire lives are at stake right now. This Supreme Court decision might address an immediate question of administrative law, but it does not, ultimately, protect our vulnerable neighbors. There is no sending these people ‘back’–in many cases they have no memory at all of the land of their parents’ origin. Those who have lived as good neighbors, contributed so greatly to our country, should be protected from the constant threat of having their lives upended.”
On Capitol Conversations, Jeff Pickering and Travis Wussow interviewed Jose Ocampo, a “Dreamer” and DACA recipient. Ocampo shares his personal experience as a Dreamer and what is next for Dreamers after the Supreme Court’s recent decision. He is currently serving as the worship and youth associate at Iglesia Bautista de Hickory Grove in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Featured Podcasts
On this episode of Signposts, Russell Moore is joined by award-winning director and filmmaker Ken Burns and his producer Dayton Duncan to discuss their latest project for PBS, “Country Music.” They have worked together on several documentaries, including Jazz, Civil War, and Baseball. In their conversation, they talk about American culture, the influences of country music, and the artists who understood the way that country music embodies the deep questions of humanity: identity, sin and redemption, and longing. Listen here.
This week on the WeeklyTech Podcast, Jay Kim, a pastor at Vintage Faith Church in Santa Cruz, California, joins Jason Thacker to talk about his new book, Analog Church. They discuss how his book speaks to this cultural moment, the importance of utilizing technology as tools rather than allowing it to utilize us, as well as our need for community in this digital age. They dive into what it means to be embodied creatures and discuss how to find a balance in our responses to technology in order to utilize technology well. Listen here.
From The Public Square
What the Espinoza Decision Means for Other Aspects of Religious Freedom
Andy Smarick, The Dispatch
It could affect state charter-school laws, professional development dollars, state and federal funding formulas, and much more.
U.S. urges companies to steer clear of Chinese forced labor
Doug Palmer, Politico
The advisory comes as relations between the United States and China continue to deteriorate over a range of issues.
9 Things You Should Know About the U.S. Supreme Court
Joe Carter, TGC
Here are nine things you should know about the most important court in the federal judiciary.
Discovering the Link Between Gender Identity and Peer Contagion
Abigail Shrier, Quillette
In America and across the Western world, adolescents were reporting a sudden spike in gender dysphoria—the medical condition associated with the social designation “transgender.”
