Commentary First, it was the takeover of the Calvary Hospital in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). Now it is the planned removal of payroll tax exemptions for many independent schools in Victoria. These actions by state and territory Labor governments denote a marked hostility towards the not-for-profit activities of religious and other charities in Australia….

Inciting hatred, contempt or ridiculing someone because of their religious beliefs is set to become a crime in New South Wales (NSW). The NSW government has flagged plans to introduce legislation prohibiting vilification on the grounds of religious belief, affiliation or activity. Multiculturalism Minister Steve Kamper says religious vilification is on the rise. “This is…

A Christian preschool has lodged a federal lawsuit against Colorado state officials, claiming it is being compelled to relinquish its religious character and beliefs in order to participate in a universal preschool program. On Tuesday, attorneys from Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado on…

The ACT government’s move to take over Calvary Hospital, a Catholic institution, is driven by ideology rather than operational concerns, says law professor Joanna Howe. “If this decision was just about efficiency, then the government would have its sights set on Canberra Hospital [the largest hospital in the ACT] which is performing far worse than…

In the spring of 2022, Sam Brownback, a former U.S. senator, governor of Kansas, and U.S. ambassador, co-founded the National Committee for Religious Freedom (NCRF) to, in his words, “protect the right to the free exercise of faith for all Americans.” NCRF’s board members decided to set up the non-profit’s bank accounts at JPMorgan Chase….

In the spring of 2022, Sam Brownback, a former U.S. senator, governor of Kansas, and U.S. ambassador, co-founded the National Committee for Religious Freedom (NCRF) to, in his words, “protect the right to the free exercise of faith for all Americans.” NCRF’s board members decided to set up the non-profit’s bank accounts at JPMorgan Chase….

High school senior Josh Alexander, 17, won’t graduate this year. The Ontario student was suspended after protesting transgender bathrooms in St. Joseph’s Catholic High School and hasn’t attended class since February—not since police escorted him out of the building for trespassing. The teen was on Tucker Carlson a few weeks back and has made the rounds…

The chair of the House Judiciary Committee has subpoenaed FBI Director Christopher Wray for all records relating to a leaked internal memo that proposed developing sources in traditionalist Catholic parishes to inform on potential “violent extremists” in those houses of worship. In an April 10 letter (pdf) attached to the subpoena, Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim…

The chair of the House Judiciary Committee has subpoenaed FBI Director Christopher Wray for all records relating to a leaked internal memo that proposed developing sources in traditionalist Catholic parishes to inform on potential “violent extremists” in those houses of worship. In an April 10 letter (pdf) attached to the subpoena, Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim…

Investors who are fighting the politicization of America’s banks scored a rare win last week with a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ruling that allowed a shareholder proposal in favor of political and religious diversity at JPMorgan Chase to go forward, despite the bank’s objections. On March 29, the SEC green-lighted a shareholder proposal that…