PODCAST · news
Respecting Religion
by BJC
What's at stake for faith freedom for all in our world today? Join the conversation on religion and the law, including the most significant cases concerning religion and religious liberty at the U.S. Supreme Court and the continuing impact of Christian nationalism. As lawyers and people of faith, BJC Executive Director Amanda Tyler and General Counsel Holly Hollman think these topics deserve respectful conversation -- something that we don't always hear in the public square or our social media feeds.
Episodes
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S7, Ep. 13: Supreme Court preview and farewell to Holly
We return for a bonus episode of season 7, as we look to the new Supreme Court term and say farewell to our co-host, Holly Hollman. Before she leaves, Holly joins Amanda to preview two religious liberty cases the court will hear in the next few months. And, after 25 years of filing briefs with…
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S7, Ep. 12: A disappointing religious freedom decision to end the SCOTUS term
What remedies does a person have if their religious freedom rights are violated in a state prison? In our season 7 finale, Amanda and Holly go in-depth on the disappointing Supreme Court decision in Landor v. Louisiana Department of Corrections – the justices make new law that impacts religious...
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S7, Ep. 11: Immigration is a religious freedom issue
How is increased immigration enforcement impacting the right to religious freedom? Should some "sensitive" locations be treated differently? Get an update on the twists and turns of this legal issue that has real world consequences for religious freedom, houses of worship, schools, hospitals, and...
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S7, Ep. 10: Court update: Ten Commandments cases, Johnson Amendment dismissal, and SCOTUS actions
Get caught up on all things court-related as Amanda and Holly run through some big decisions and changes over the past few months, including the multiple decisions in cases about posting the Ten Commandments, the dismissal of a legal challenge to the Johnson Amendment, and the Supreme Court's...
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S7, Ep. 09: Why is there an upswing in anti-Sharia laws?
The "Christian nation" rhetoric and spectacle we're seeing is not just bad history – it's having real ramifications for religious freedom for all in our country today. Amanda is back from sabbatical, and she and Holly discuss recent developments, including an increase in anti-Sharia legislation…
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New episodes return May 21!
Amanda is back from sabbatical, and Respecting Religion is returning with all-new episodes on Thursday, May 21. Tune in for analysis of various court decisions impacting religious freedom -- including the mulitple decisions about mandates to post the Ten Commandments. Plus, Holly and Amanda will...
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Best of: Were we founded as a 'Christian nation'?
What do people mean when they say we were founded as a "Christian nation"? Is that true? Revisit this 2019 conversation on the political and religious history behind that idea. BJC Executive Director Amanda Tyler talks with Dr. Steven Green, author of Inventing a Christian America: The Myth of…
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Best of: 'How to End Christian Nationalism'
Is the separation of church and state in the Constitution? How does Christian nationalism overlap with white supremacy? Why do we keep seeing so many proposals to post the Ten Commandments? In this wide-ranging conversation from 2024, Amanda Tyler talks about these issues and more as she…
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Best of: Inside the ReAwaken America tour
Christian nationalism was on full display at the ReAwaken America tour, which was a series of conferences that fused Christian language and symbols with conspiracy theories and election denials. Amanda went inside a Miami event in 2023, and she shared her experiences in this podcast – from...
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Best of: A decision that continues to create misguided claims: Kennedy v. Bremerton
A 2022 decision from the Supreme Court continues to sow confusion and misguided claims four years later. Today, we're revisiting our conversation on the Kennedy v. Bremerton decision, where the Court ruled for a public school official and abandoned long-standing Establishment Clause protections…
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Best of: Rob Reiner and 'God and Country' director Dan Partland on Christian nationalism
What is the cost of speaking out against Christian nationalism? In 2024, Rob Reiner came on the podcast to talk about a film he produced, called "God & Country." In this episode from our archives, Amanda Tyler talks with Reiner and Dan Partland, the director of the film. "God & Country" discusses...
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Best of: But … is it Christian nationalism?
Is an American flag in a church sanctuary an example of Christian nationalism? What about faith-based advocacy? Helping voters get to the polls? Saying the Constitution is "divinely inspired"? In this conversation from 2024, Amanda Tyler and Holly Hollman answer some common questions they hear...
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Best of: Dr. Walter Brueggemann on Christian nationalism
SHOW NOTES: Segment one (02:45): Conversation with Dr. Walter Brueggemann This program originally aired August 21, 2019, as episode 4 in our 10-part BJC Podcast series on the dangers of Christian nationalism. One of the most influential Bible interpreters of our time, Dr. Walter Brueggemann was…
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Best of: The myth of American 'chosenness' with Dr. Catherine Brekus
How does the myth of America being a "chosen" nation lead to the religious nationalism we see today? In a presentation first aired in 2023, Harvard Divinity School's Dr. Catherine Brekus talks about how the myth is a complicated mixture of arrogance, exploitation, reform, racism and violence. She...
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Best of: A report, a prayer vigil, and a somber anniversary: Remembering the January 6 attack
As Amanda's sabbatical begins, we are revisiting previous episodes of the podcast. This week marked the 5th anniversary of the January 6 attack on the Capitol. In today's episode of Respecting Religion, hear a conversation two years after the attack. Amanda and Holly share their reactions to the...
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S7, Ep. 08: 'A vibrant and free civil society is core to religious liberty in our country'
In our last show of 2025, Amanda and Holly talk about some of the news from the past week – including an expansion of the travel ban, devastating attacks around the world, and an appearance by Amanda before Congress to talk about the importance of protecting civil society. Plus, get an update on...
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S7, Ep. 07: Religion in the military and the latest from Trump's Religious Liberty Commission
The Trump administration created a "Religious Liberty Commission" in May, and it seems to be a mix of performative posturing and grievance airing, with some policy substance thrown in. Amanda and Holly discuss what this commission has – and hasn't – done so far, and they look more closely at this...
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S7, Ep. 06: Updates on Oak Flat, the Johnson Amendment, and efforts to post the Ten Commandments
Hear Amanda and Holly react live to some breaking developments in today's Respecting Religion podcast. One day after new legislation was introduced in Congress to save sacred Indigenous land, they discuss the history of and need for the Save Oak Flat from Foreign Mining Act. Plus, they talk about…
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S7, Ep. 05: A religious freedom case flying under the radar: SCOTUS hears Landor v. Louisiana Dept. of Corrections
One religious freedom case at the Supreme Court isn't getting the sort of attention as others, despite how it's uniting groups that often disagree. So, why did the justices sound so skeptical in the courtroom? Amanda and Holly review this week's oral arguments in Landor v. Louisiana Department of...
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S7, Ep. 04: Criminalizing Mercy: Sanctuary and Government Repression of Migrant Justice
Today, we are bringing you a special presentation on the contested issue of "sanctuary," which continues to cut into the immigration debates in our country. Dr. Sergio M. González traces the sanctuary movement to its roots in the 1980s and examines how we arrived at a moment where mercy is met…
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S7, Ep. 03: Why is the Johnson Amendment under attack again?
We hear a lot of misinformation about a long-standing part of the tax code that protects the nonprofit sector, and it's newly under attack in a questionable manner. On this episode, Amanda and Holly discuss the Johnson Amendment, what it does and doesn't do, and the concerning way the Trump...
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S7, Ep. 02: Amanda and Holly LIVE on peaceful protests, the impact of the government shutdown, and more
In this LIVE conversation, Amanda and Holly take a moment to catch up and review some of the recent news since last week's program. They discuss how religious leaders have been engaging in peaceful protests of immigration raids, how the ongoing government shutdown is impacting court cases, a…
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S7, Ep. 01: The Supreme Court in a new era
As the Supreme Court begins a new term, we can't ignore what else is going on in our country – attacks on the rule of law, weaponization of the Department of Justice, the militarization of American cities, disruptive and chaotic immigration enforcement, and a government shutdown. Amanda Tyler and...
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Join us for season 7 of Respecting Religion
With attacks on the rule of law, the militarization of troops in American cities, and a new Supreme Court term starting up, there is no better time to tune in to Respecting Religion. Join Holly and Amanda as they return for a new season to share analysis, opportunities for action, and ways to…
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S6, Ep. 18: End of term roundup
On our season 6 finale, Amanda Tyler and Holly Hollman explore some of the consequential decisions from the final days of the Supreme Court term, including Mahmoud v. Taylor – which involves parents who want to opt their children out of curriculum they find in conflict with their religious…
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S6, Ep. 17: Christian nationalism and the Texas public sphere
What's the difference between religious privilege and religious freedom? How does Christian nationalism spread? Why do so many ideas that start in Texas expand to other parts of the country? On this podcast, we bring you a special panel discussion on Christian nationalism in the Texas public...
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S6, Ep. 16: What's going on with the Supreme Court, a new travel ban, and the military in L.A.?
With decisions from the Supreme Court, a new travel ban, and a federally militarized presence in Los Angeles, there are many activities in our world that deserve attention. Amanda and Holly discuss several current events in this episode, including the revival of one of the ugliest policies of the...
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S6, Ep. 15: Religious objections and curriculum opt-outs: Oral arguments in Mahmoud v. Taylor
A case with a thin record is raising plenty of questions at the Supreme Court. In this episode, Amanda and Holly examine the case of Mahmoud v. Taylor, which involves parents who want to opt their children out of public school curriculum they say conflicts with their religious beliefs. But…
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Special LIVE Episode: Vouchers in the budget bill, SCOTUS stops religious charter schools, and new decision on the Dept. of Education
In a conversation broadcast live on May 27, Amanda and Holly provide updates on a day of big news in the religious liberty world. They first look at the surprising 4-4 deadlock from the U.S. Supreme Court in the Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board, et al. v. Drummond case, which preserves a...
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S6, Ep. 14: The blockbuster SCOTUS case over religious charter schools
The most consequential church-state case of this Supreme Court term involves whether the government could – or even must – fund religious charter schools. Amanda and Holly examine key moments in the oral arguments from Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board, et al. v. Drummond, playing clips…
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S6, Ep. 13: Active citizenship: A conversation with Melissa Rogers about promoting religious freedom and the common good
Melissa Rogers joins the podcast for a conversation about how each of us can take steps to promote religious freedom and the common good in the United States today. After leading the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships in the Obama and Biden administrations, she shares...
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Special Episode: Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia and the rule of law
On this special bonus episode of the Respecting Religion podcast, we are featuring a conversation that could not wait until our normal release date. In this still-developing story, Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia was mistakenly removed by the U.S. government from Maryland to El Salvador. His case…
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S6, Ep. 12: Back to SCOTUS: Regular business in disturbing times
There has been no shortage of news from all three branches of government in Washington, D.C., but one thing hasn't changed: the U.S. Supreme Court continues to be interested in religious liberty cases. On today's show, Amanda and Holly review the recent oral arguments in Catholic Charities Bureau...
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S6, Ep. 11: African Americans and Religious Freedom
African Americans' knowledge traditions, religious practices, political cultures and ideas are rich resources that facilitate new concepts of religious freedom. On this episode of Respecting Religion, Dr. Sabrina E. Dent and Dr. Corey D. B. Walker join Amanda and Holly to discuss the book they...
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S6, Ep. 10: March Madness: Department of Education, school vouchers, and a Supreme Court preview
Actions and rumors of actions in Washington, D.C., are continuing to dominate the news cycle and keep people on edge. On this episode of Respecting Religion, Amanda and Holly discuss the devastation of dismantling the Department of Education and the problematic push for a nationwide school…
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S6, Ep. 09: Threats to religious freedom from the Trump administration and a look at the growing resistance
In our second show of the second Trump administration, Amanda and Holly run through a list of recent events that point to a gross misunderstanding of what "religious freedom" means. They review the policy announcements made during the National Prayer Breakfast – including the creation of a task...
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S6, Ep. 08: Ten Commandments and Trump's first week
In this week's show, Amanda and Holly discuss the problems with government mandates to post the Ten Commandments in classrooms, focusing on a case out of Louisiana. BJC and other Christian groups filed a brief in that case to explain why, as Christians, we oppose the Louisiana law and how the...
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S6, Ep. 07: Jimmy Carter: Baptist, president, servant leader
President Jimmy Carter introduced millions of people to what it means to be a Baptist. In this episode, Amanda and Holly reflect on what he meant to our country and to both of them, as fellow Baptists, as well as his impact on faith freedom for all. They share how he is a shining example of the...
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S6, Ep. 06: Oral arguments in U.S. v. Skrmetti: Medical care for transgender youth and the Equal Protection Clause
A Supreme Court case on medical care for transgender youth could have major ramifications – not only for children who have gender dysphoria and their families but also for how other statutes are reviewed under the Equal Protection Clause. In this episode, Amanda and Holly examine the oral…
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S6, Ep. 05: Secularization and the fracturing of the American left w/ John Compton, Angela Parker, and David Gushee
Today's episode brings you a special presentation on the politics of secularization, featuring a presentation from Dr. John Compton and responses from Rev. Dr. David Gushee and Rev. Dr. Angela Parker. Given the week after the 2024 presidential election, the lecture and responses explore how…
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S6, Ep. 04: Election Day 2024: What happened and where do we go from here
Now that Election Day 2024 is in the rearview mirror, what did we learn? Amanda Tyler and Holly Hollman look at the results and what they might mean for our country and the protection of faith freedom for all. They discuss where we saw religion used on the campaign trail, what we might expect to...
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S6, Ep. 03: On the road with 'How to End Christian Nationalism'
Today's episode takes you on the road with Amanda Tyler as she travels the country with her book, titled "How to End Christian Nationalism." You'll hear a conversation with Amanda and the Rev. Dr. Bill Leonard about the problems of Christian nationalism, held October 29 at Knollwood Baptist…
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S6, Ep. 02: Oklahoma and Texas try to force Bible teaching in public schools
We continue to see bold attempts by people who espouse Christian nationalism to influence our youngest population, and news this summer out of Oklahoma and Texas show two troubling examples. In this episode, Amanda Tyler and Holly Hollman talk about the edict from Ryan Walters in Oklahoma to...
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S6, Ep. 01: The Supreme Court is back … and so are we
To kick off season 6 of Respecting Religion, Amanda Tyler and Holly Hollman take stock of the Supreme Court. There is no religion case on the docket – yet – for this term, but there are several cases that do impact religion. They review the most important things we saw out of last year's term –...
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S5, Ep. 30: Season finale
As the weather heats up, so does the pace of Supreme Court decisions. On our season 5 finale of Respecting Religion, Amanda and Holly recap some recent decisions and discuss what we can expect in the next month. Religion is still at play in several cases, even if religious legal statutes aren't…
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S5, Ep. 29: LGBTQ rights and religious freedom
LGBTQ rights and religious freedom are often pitted against one another, but they are not mutually exclusive. This episode of Respecting Religion looks at the recent decision by the United Methodist Church to repeal its ban on LGBTQ clergy and same-sex weddings as well as the broader…
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S5, Ep. 28: Conscience protections in SCOTUS abortion cases
How do religion and religious freedom arguments interact with cases about abortion access? The legal landscape here is beyond complex, and in this episode, Amanda Tyler and Holly Hollman look at how conscience protections were discussed in two recent Supreme Court cases about abortion. There is a...
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S5, Ep. 27: 100 episodes and 100,000 downloads
For the 100th episode of Respecting Religion, Amanda Tyler and Holly Hollman answer listener questions, ranging from the law surrounding the tax-exempt status of religious institutions to their favorite Supreme Court justices. They also look at some of the big Supreme Court decisions and the…
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S5, Ep. 26: Archaic laws and new theories emerge from state abortion debates
The intersection of abortion and religion often grabs headlines, and this episode of Respecting Religion looks at recent developments in two states: Arizona and Indiana. Amanda and Holly discuss an Indiana case that involves free exercise arguments under state law to support abortion, and they...
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S5, Ep. 25: The crisis in teaching constitutional law
Some troubling trends at the Supreme Court are starting to affect the legal profession and how students in law school approach the U.S. Constitution. As SCOTUS continues to upend decades of established precedent in church-state law, Amanda and Holly discuss what's changed since they were in law...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
What's at stake for faith freedom for all in our world today? Join the conversation on religion and the law, including the most significant cases concerning religion and religious liberty at the U.S. Supreme Court and the continuing impact of Christian nationalism. As lawyers and people of faith, BJC Executive Director Amanda Tyler and General Counsel Holly Hollman think these topics deserve respectful conversation -- something that we don't always hear in the public square or our social media feeds.
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BJC
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Respecting Religion have?
Respecting Religion currently has 100 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Respecting Religion about?
What's at stake for faith freedom for all in our world today? Join the conversation on religion and the law, including the most significant cases concerning religion and religious liberty at the U.S. Supreme Court and the continuing impact of Christian nationalism. As lawyers and people of faith,...
How often does Respecting Religion release new episodes?
Respecting Religion has 100 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Respecting Religion?
You can listen to Respecting Religion on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Respecting Religion?
Respecting Religion is created and hosted by BJC.
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