Occult Features of Anarchism
An anthropologist examines secret societies, revolutionary movements, and esoteric ideas.
Religion
Short Circuit Podcast on the First Amendment and Student Newspaper Funding,
religious organizations' right to discriminate in some employment decisions, and federal funding conditions preferring local agencies that help federal immigration enforcement.
The Babylon Bee Satirizes the Absurdities of American Politics
Snopes doesn’t seem to get the joke.
"Islam Is RIGHT About Women"
That's what flyers posted in Winchester (Massachusetts) say.
The Supreme Court's Next Big School Choice Case
What’s at stake in Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue.
Arizona's Supreme Court Rules Christian Calligraphers Can't Be Forced to Make Gay Wedding Invitations
Justices rule that invitations are expressive speech and businesses cannot be compelled to write messages they oppose.
Catholic School Pastor Thinks Harry Potter's Spells Are Real, Bans the Books
Harry Potter and the Baffling Return of Religious Panic
Neal Stephenson Wants To Tell Big Stories
An economist and a science fiction author discuss cryogenics, mythology, philanthropy, fragmentation, and simulation.
No Qualified Immunity for Kim Davis
Government officials fail to follow Supreme Court decisions at their own risk.
China's Mass Internment of Uighurs Is a 'Modern Cultural Genocide'
Activist Nury Turkel discusses the vast network of camps that may hold over a million Uighurs in western China.
Videographers' Free Exercise Clause Objections to Having to Create Same-Sex Wedding Videos
The mysterious "hybrid rights" doctrine comes up again—but might not matter.
Christian Satire Site The Babylon Bee Is So Good Snopes.com Treated It Like Real News
Editor in Chief Kyle Mann talks about being taken literally by fact checkers, whether any subject (even a mass shooting) is off limits, and the libertarian sensibility of his humor.
Video of Rep. Ilhan Omar Allegedly Calling for People to 'Be More Fearful of White Men' Is Fake News
The viral clip was misleadingly edited, and stripped of important context
Marianne Williamson Wants To Win the Presidency With the Power of Love and Miracles
The long American spiritual tradition that gave us Marianne Williamson—and Donald Trump
If Children "Will Be Enrolled and Be Participants in the Catholic Religion," Does This Require Taking Them to Mass?
The enrolled/participants requirement was part of a divorcing couple's custody agreement -- may a court interpret this as requiring the parent with Sunday custody to take the children to mass, or give up the relevant part of her parenting time?
OK to Let Muslim Witness Testify "Wearing a Scarf Over Part of Her Face"
So holds a Pennsylvania appellate decision.
Does Letting Witness Testify Wearing Partial Veil Violate the Confrontation Clause?
Depends on how much of the face it covers, the California Court of Appeal seems to suggest.
State May Vaccinate Children in Its Custody, Even Over Parents' Objection
So a New Jersey appellate court held today.
Washington Court Reaffirms That Florists Must Serve Same-Sex Weddings
The U.S. Supreme Court had sent the case back down to be considered in light of the (narrow) Masterpiece Cakeshop decision.
The New Theocrats Are Neither Conservative Nor Christian
By rejecting classical liberalism, Sohrab Ahmari and his ilk deny the dignity of the human person.
David French Is Right: Classical Liberalism Is the Best Framework for Protecting Religious Freedom
In which First Things throws a temper tantrum
Connecticut AG Opinion on Repealing Religious Exemption from Vaccination Rules
Such a repeal wouldn't violate the Constitution, the opinion says (correctly, I think).
"John and Mother's Religious Reasoning Is Incongruent with Scripture"
Not the sort of reasoning that's supposed to appear in American court opinions.
Hail Satan? A New Documentary Shows Devil Worshipers Are Unlikely Defenders of the First Amendment
Director Penny Lane chronicles the rise of the Satanic Temple, a group that combines theatrical stunts with political activism.
The Satanic Temple Sues After a City Rejects Its Pentagram-Covered Veteran Monument
The group takes its First Amendment crusade to a public park in Minnesota.
Hail Satan? A New Documentary Depicts Devil Worshipers as Unlikely Defenders of the First Amendment
Director Penny Lane chronicles the rise of the Satanic Temple, a group that combines theatrical stunts with political activism.
India's Prime Minister Plays the Fear Card After Botching Economic Reforms
He's promising voters protection from made-up threats instead of prosperity.
Sex-Segregated Swimming Hours at Condo Violate Fair Housing Law
So holds the Third Circuit, though in a narrow opinion.
The Trial Court "Did Not Consider American Law and Fundamental Precepts of Due Process"
The Appellate Court of Illinois reverses a trial court decision that deferred to a Muslim divorce from India.
Conservative Twitter Pounces on Obama, Clinton for Expressing Sympathy for 'Easter Worshippers' Killed in Sri Lankan Attacks
Is referring to someone as an "Easter worshipper" really an attempt to minimize their Christian identity?
Veil-Wearing Witness's Religious Concerns Trump Public Trial Rights
A Pennsylvania court decision said they can (though relying on cases generally allowing restrictions on Public Trial Clause and First Amendment trial access rights in the interest of preventing embarrassment to witnesses).
Does Yale Law School's Antidiscrimination Policy on Subsidies for Student Employment Discriminate on the Basis of Religion?
The answer is no, despite conservatives' claims to the contrary. But that does not entirely resolve questions about the wisdom of the policy.
Texas Would Rather Ban All Chaplains from Execution Chambers Than Placate One Buddhist Inmate in His Final Moments
Equal treatment under the law can mean everyone is treated equally poorly
District Court Allows Challenge to School's Locker-Room-of-Your-Choice Policy
The court held that plaintiffs' sexual harassment claims (under Title IX) and religious objection claims (under the Illinois RFRA and under the Free Exercise Clause) could go forward, at least for now.
Does Middle East Peace Require a Two-State Solution or a Palestinian Defeat? A Debate
Should Israel negotiate with Hamas and Fatah, or are they unwavering enemies in a protracted struggle?
Brett Kavanaugh Explains Why He Voted to Grant Buddhist Inmate's Stay of Execution
The Supreme Court ruled 7-2 last night to grant Patrick Murphy's petition for a stay.
Supreme Court Stays Execution in Death Penalty/Religious Liberty Case
The facts of this case are very similar to those of Dunn v. Ray, a recent ruling in which the Justice let the execution proceed, and thereby attracted a firestorm of criticism.
Arthur Brooks Wants You To Love Your Enemies: Podcast
The president of the American Enterprise Institute says we need to reboot politics and that libertarians may hold the key.
Squawking NIMBYs Fail To Doom Halal Chicken Slaughterhouse
The Alexandria City Council voted to approve the butchery's special-use permit.
