First Liberty Live!

Personal Rights, Authoritarianism, and Post-Pandemic America

Senator Ted Cruz joins Justin and Jeremy on this week’s episode to discuss personal rights during the COVID-19 pandemic and the interplay between religious freedom and authoritarianism. We also discuss Senator Cruz’s thoughts on how the COVID-19 pandemic will affect America’s approach to our foundational freedoms in the future.

If you would like to subscribe to Senator Cruz’s podcast Verdict, which we discussed during this episode, you may find it here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/verdict-with-ted-cruz/

To learn more about First Liberty's response to the COVID-19 crisis, go to https://firstliberty.org/covid-19 

Protecting Your First Freedom

Former First Liberty network Attorney and former Acting Attorney General of the US Matt Whitaker joins Justin and Jeremy to discuss protecting your First Amendment rights as houses of worship begin to re-open. In particular, they will dive into current cases in Kentucky and Washington State.

Guidance for Churches and Reopening America

Jeremy and Justin are joined by Dr. Albert Mohler of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Charmaine Yoest of the Heritage Foundation to discuss the things churches should consider as they prepare for in person worship services and what the path forward for reopening America looks like for people of faith.

When can we go back to church?

First Liberty Institute is committed to ensuring that places of worship can safely balance efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 with the freedom to hold religious services consistent with their faith traditions. As America begins the reopening process, this resource can assist religious, civic, and community leaders, and places of worship, as they gradually reopen their doors.

• Download FLI’s Recommendations for Reopening Places of Worship

 

Religious Liberty in the Time of Pandemic

This week Rep. Vicki Hartzler (MO) joined Jeremy and Justin to discuss recently passed economic relief legislation and offer her thoughts on what religious liberty has looked like during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Then, Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, explained what his conversations with President Trump and Vice-President Pence have revealed about the country’s posture toward religious liberty in the time of pandemic.  Finally, Jeremy and Justin reveal a long awaited for announcement. 

Additional Resources:

• Guidance from TX Attorney Ken Paxton for Churches
• Kelly Shackelford’s Statement Supporting Gov. Abbot, AG Paxton Decision to Allow In-Person Church Services

Major Victories for Drive-In Church Services

First Liberty’s Justin Butterfield and Jeremy Dys are joined by U.S. Senator. James Lankford of Oklahoma and Kevin Gallagher, Senior Associate at WilmerHale to discuss you the latest frontline updates on how to protect religious freedom during the COVID-19 crisis including 2 major victories for drive-in church services in Kentucky and Mississippi.

The "Place to Worship" Initiative

In this episode, Eric Dreiband, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Justice joins Justin and Jeremy to discuss how the U.S. DOJ’s “Place to Worship Initiative” is preserving religious freedom, even during the novel coronavirus.  Then, one of First Liberty’s former clients, Dr. Eric Walsh, joins the call to give his perspective on public health, ministry, and even religious liberty from his unique perspective as someone with a doctorate in public health, a lay minister, and whose religious liberty that was once invaded by the state.

Additional Information

• Place to Worship Initiative
• Religious Freedom and the CARES Act by Justin Butterfield
• Mandatory social distancing is not a threat to religious liberty. It’s essential for humanity. by Kelly Shackelford
• How the Justice Department is standing up for civil rights amid coronavirus pandemic by Eric Dreiband

 

 

Protecting Religious Freedom and Understanding the CARES Act

Justin Butterfield and Jeremy Dys bring you the latest frontline updates on how to protect religious freedom with new government restrictions being imposed during the COVID-19 crisis with special guest Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

The federal government recently passed the $2 trillion COVID-19 Stimulus bill (The CARES Act), which includes some important new adjustments that could directly benefit you, your church or synagogue, plus other religious organizations across the country.

Next they are joined by Matt Martens – Co-Chair, Securities Litigation and Enforcement Practice Group at WilmerHale – to discuss how the COVID-19 Stimulus bill could help churches and religious organizations.

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly of Executive Orders

As government officials continue to try to stem the spread and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, they have imposed restrictions on large gatherings - including churches and other religious institutions.

In this special edition of First Response, First Liberty attorneys Justin Butterfield and Jeremy Dys report on states that have done well when issuing their mandated restriction orders and on states that have not done so well.

How Has Your State Responded to COVID-19?

FLI’s legal team has analyzed all of the COVID-19 orders put into place by each state. Learn how your state has responded by visiting First Liberty's COVID-19 resource web page and downloading your free copy of Religious Exemptions and Language in COVID-19 Orders.

 

Churches Helping Communities

Government officials, trying to stem the spread and effects of the pandemic, have imposed restrictions on large gatherings - including churches and other religious institutions.

How should America's faithful respond? Do these state-mandated restrictions conflict with the First Amendment and religious freedom?

In this week's episode, Justin and Jeremy will share examples of some of the innovative ways houses of worship and people of faith throughout our nation are impacting their communities.

Religious Freedom and the Coronavirus

Millions of Americans are adjusting to the new normal brought on by the Coronavirus pandemic. Government officials, trying to stem the spread and effects of the pandemic, have imposed restrictions on large gatherings—including churches and other religious institutions. How should America’s faithful respond? Do these state-mandated restrictions conflict with the First Amendment and religious freedom?

Join First Liberty Institute attorneys, Justin Butterfield and Jeremy Dys, for an in-depth look at the legality of state-mandated restrictions and your right to live out your faith.

About Justin & Jeremy

Justin Butterfield is the former Senior Advisor for Conscience and Religious Freedom in the Office for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Jeremy Dys is First Liberty’s Special Counsel for Litigation and Communications.