First Freedom Blog

Reflections on religious freedom.

The "Respect for Marriage Act" Stacks the Deck against Religious Freedom

By Cardinal Timothy Dolan

One of the geniuses of our great nation has always been its disposition towards honest debate on matters of great import, coupled with a respectful tolerance of other people’s deeply held beliefs and moral convictions.

More and more these days, though, it seems as if that openness to debate and tolerance is being slowly—or more recently, rapidly—eroded.

Read more.

Discernment, by Christopher Kaczor
July 20, 2022

Development of Catholic Doctrine on Religious Liberty, by Joseph Capizzi
May 22, 2022

The Travail of International Religious Freedom, and of US Leadership, by Tom Farr
March 22, 2022

The Common Good and Religious Liberty, by Joseph E. Capizzi
January 19, 2022

Separation of Church and State? by Richard Garnett
December 14, 2021

Of Human Dignity, by Christopher Kaczor
October 28, 2021

The Christian Origins of Religious Freedom, by Robert Louis Wilken
September 27, 2021

The Call to a Better Kind of Politics: What Do We Mean by “Politics” and How Can We Make It Better?
September 24, 2021

An Excuse for Bigotry? Religious Freedom and Sexual Morality, by Angela Franks
August 30, 2021

What is Religious Freedom? by Richard Garnett
July 26, 2021

For the Good of All, by Cardinal Timothy Dolan
July 21, 2021

God's Servant First Archive

2019

Columns may be reprinted as they appear here (in full and without alteration) without further permission.

To Be More Surely United with Thee, Aaron Mathew Weldon
September 24, 2019

Student Organizations Strengthen Campus Life, Aaron Matthew Weldon
August 14, 2019

The Sacred Heart of Jesus - A Reign of Love, by Sr. Theresa Marie Nguyen, O.P.
June 11, 2019

Religious Minorities Under Siege in Myanmar, Virgina Farris, with Matthew Wilch
June 5, 2019

Sports and Religious Freedom: Challenges and Opportunities Today, Jennifer Bryson
May 29, 2019

Freedom of the Church and the Equality Act, Aaron Matthew Weldon
April 11, 2019

Religious Freedom: The Mission of Our Latter-Day Francis, Daniel Philpott
March 5, 2019

Religious Tests and American Pluralism, Aaron Matthew Weldon
January 30, 2019

2018

Advent and the Bladensburg Cross, Aaron Matthew Weldon
December 20, 2018

Solemnity of Christ the King Reflections
November 2018

Religious Freedom: A Strategy for Security, Daniel Philpott
October 24, 2018

Restoring the Church's Credibility, Aaron Matthew Weldon
September 25, 2018

Christians, Wake Up to Nigeria! Part 2: How do Christians in Nigeria Respond to Persecution, Daniel Philpott
August 29, 2018

Christians, Wake Up to Nigeria! Part 1: Persecution of Christians in Nigeria, Daniel Philpott
August 24, 2018

Inclusion Act myths and reality, Aaron Matthew Weldon
July 25, 2018

Catholic organizations serve the common good, Aaron Matthew Weldon
May 24, 2018

The middle, Tyler Lomnitzer
April 27, 2018

Our hope is in the Lord who brings life out of death, Aaron Matthew Weldon
March 26, 2018

Conscience and dignity, Aaron Matthew Weldon
February 21, 2018

The generosity of the Lomnitzers, Tyler Lomnitzer
January 19, 2018

New FEMA policy helps, but disaster relief fairness should be law, Aaron Matthew Weldon
January 12, 2018

2017

Our King of Peace, Aaron Matthew Weldon
December 14, 2017

Pray for our brothers and sisters in the Middle East, Aaron Matthew Weldon
November 21, 2017

Access to truth, Aaron Matthew Weldon
October 27, 2017

A real rebuild, Aaron Matthew Weldon
September 27, 2017

Eliminating difference? Aaron Matthew Weldon
August 22, 2017

Not by bread alone, Rebecca Samuel Shah
July 24, 2017

Maybe the cure is the problem, Aaron Matthew Weldon
May 25, 2017

Trinity Lutheran should not face discrimination because it is a church, Aaron Matthew Weldon
April 18, 2017