Explainer: What you should know about Supreme Court opinions

Every year the Supreme Court issues rulings in about a half dozen cases that have significant implications for religious liberty, human dignity, freedom of speech, and other concerns of special interest to Christians. Many Americans, though, find this process vague and mysterious and only hear about the decision the day it is reported by the news media. Here is what you should know about the process and when you can expect Supreme Court rulings.

Are you ready for the Supreme Court decision on abortion?

Right now, the Supreme Court is considering the most important abortion case in a generation: Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. As we prepare for the ruling in this case, we want to be faithful to pray.

This free Dobbs prayer guide contains a list of 48 specific prayer requests to guide you, your family, and your church in your prayers over the coming weeks and months.

This Week in Washington, D.C.

On Monday, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Joseph A. Kennedy, v. Bremerton School District. This is an important religious liberty case about the rights of teachers and coaches to privately express their religious beliefs while working for schools. Coach Kennedy, a high school football coach in Bremerton, Washington, had a tradition of kneeling and quietly praying at the 50-yard line after football games. He was suspended by Bremerton High School, and later fired because of his actions. He filed a lawsuit against the school district, arguing that the school’s actions violated the Constitution.

As Christians, our faith shapes the totality of how we live and the structure of our lives, and the government must allow people of faith to live out their convictions according to their religious beliefs. A teacher, administrator, student, or coach does not shed their religious beliefs simply because they enter the schoolhouse door, or as in this case, the field of play. Kennedy was living out his faith in public, and he should have the ability to do so without being punished.

You can read more about this case and how the ERLC has been involved here.

Featured Podcasts

On this week's episode of the ERLC Podcast, Brent and Lindsay discuss the Coach Kennedy religious liberty case, Madeleine Albright’s funeral, and the economy. They also talk about Elon Musk buying Twitter, the U.S. and the end of the pandemic phase of COVID-19, and Oklahoma’s ban on abortion after 6 weeks.

From The Public Square

New Tennessee bill would require drunk drivers to pay child support for killing a parent
ABC News

Drivers convicted of vehicular homicide, intoxication or aggravated vehicular homicide would be ordered by a court to pay "child maintenance," or child support, if the victim was a parent, according to the bill.

The Mr. & Mrs. Degree: Which Colleges Have the Highest Marriage Rates?
Institute for Family Studies

The top 25 schools overall are almost all religiously affiliated.

Kentucky abortion law blocked in win for clinics
Associated Press

A federal judge has temporarily blocked a new Republican-backed law in Kentucky that led the state's two remaining abortion clinics to halt the procedure.

100 Women Consider Ending Their Pregnancies. How Many Get an Abortion?
Christianity Today

About half of women who consider an abortion get one within four weeks. Among those who encounter a crisis pregnancy center, however, the study found that about 30 percent have an abortion.

What You Need to Read

Hannah Daniel with USCIRF releases 2022 annual report on international religious freedom

On April 25, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released its 2022 annual report. The recommendations in USCIRF’s report are based “on its statutory mandate and the standards in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international documents.” The report assesses religious freedom violations and progress during calendar year 2021 and makes independent recommendations for U.S. policy for both the Biden administration and for Congress.

Chelsea Patterson Sobolik with Explainer: What you should know about religious liberty and the Coach Kennedy case

As Christians, our faith shapes the totality of how we live and the structure of our lives, and the government must allow people of faith to live out their convictions according to their religious beliefs. A teacher, administrator, student, or coach does not shed their religious beliefs simply because they enter the schoolhouse door, or as in this case, the field of play. Kennedy was living out his faith in public, and he should have the ability to do so without being punished.

Carissa Early with When home isn’t safe: A review of “When Home Hurts: A Guide for Responding Wisely to Domestic Abuse in Your Church”

My deepest wounding and my deepest healing have both come within the church. I know what it’s like to be afraid of shepherds, wounded by thoughtless words about abuse and trauma. And I hear countless stories from dear men and women who have been harmed beyond words where they should find safe refuge. A survivor of such abuse may sit in the pew beside you.