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What did we learn about religious freedom from the Amy Coney Barrett hearings? To kick off season two of Respecting Religion, Amanda Tyler and Holly Hollman put the Senate\\u2019s confirmation hearings for Justice Amy Coney Barrett into context, spotlighting the religious freedom issues raised \\u2013 or politicized \\u2013 during the event. And, after so much talk about the Constitution\\u2019s prohibition on a religious test for office, they ask an important question: Who was imposing a religious test during the hearings? Plus, in segment three, they look at how religion is showing up in our world today, including in a controversy with one of the Hollywood stars named \\u201cChris\\u201d and a recent statement by Pope Francis about civil unions.

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Segment one: Barrett and Ginsburg, Cruz and Cornyn (starts at 1:09)

Amanda mentioned two pieces BJC wrote about the impact and legacy of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg:

RBG: Defender of equality, principled dissenter, faithful supporter of religious liberty by Holly Hollman, published by Baptist News Global

Ruth Bader Ginsburg\\u2019s legacy in upholding a key religious freedom law by Holly Hollman and Amanda Tyler,\\xa0 published by The Christian Citizen

Click here to read BJC\\u2019s review of Judge Amy Coney Barrett\\u2019s church-state record, which was sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee before the hearings began. It includes questions BJC suggested that senators ask of her.

For clips of discussions of religious liberty during the two days of hearings that involved questions, check out these two articles by Don Byrd on the \\u201cLatest News\\u201d section of our website:

In Day 2 of Amy Coney Barrett\\u2019s confirmation hearing, some religious liberty discussions, though little depth or insight

Religious Liberty discussions on day 3 of Amy Coney Barrett\\u2019s confirmation hearing

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Segment two: What did Judge Barrett say about religious freedom during her hearings? (17:43)

Read the most recent State of the First Amendment Survey at this link, published by the Freedom Forum Institute. It says only 4% of respondents can name \\u201cpetition\\u201d as one of the five rights guaranteed by the First Amendment.\\xa0

Holly mentioned the travel ban issued by President Trump in his first week in office. Read more about that case, which eventually was heard by the U.S. Supreme Court as Trump v. Hawaii: BJConline.org/travelban

Holly mentioned the upcoming Fulton v. Philadelphia case, which focuses on nondiscrimination in government-funded foster care. Learn more at BJConline.org/Fulton

Holly recently presented during a webinar on the future of the Establishment Clause, hosted by the American Bar Association (ABA). You can watch it at this link. The ABA also did a seminar on the Free Exercise Clause, which is available at this link.

Amanda wrote a commentary about Article VI and the \\u201cno religious test\\u201d principle before the confirmation hearings began. You can read it at this link, published by Good Faith Media:\\xa0

This article from The Washington Post that includes the number of times \\u201creligion\\u201d was mentioned: Democrats\\u2019 non-persecution of Amy Coney Barrett.\\xa0

Segment three: Where did we see religion in our world? Recent discussions on religion and LGBTQ rights in our culture (38:40)

Holly mentioned the story surrounding Chris Pratt and his church\\u2019s stance on same-sex marriage. Here\\u2019s an article from The Washington Post: The latest celebrity cause: Defending the honor of Chris Pratt.

Read more on BJC\\u2019s website about the recent statement from Justice Clarence Thomas and Justice Samuel Alito about the Court reconsidering the Obergefell case in 2015 that upheld same-sex marriage. Statement from Justices Thomas and Alito on religious liberty and same-sex marriage makes tensions worse

Amanda mentioned this New York Times article about Pope Francis and his recent support of civil unions: In Shift for Church, Pope Francis Voices Support for Same-Sex Civil Unions