Religious

Florida Nurse Practitioner Settles Religious Accommodation Lawsuit with CVS, Ending Year-Long Battle Over Contraceptive Prescriptions

by

Tequesta, Florida — A Florida nurse practitioner, Gunna Kristofersdottir, who sought exemption from prescribing contraceptive drugs due to her religious beliefs, has reached a settlement with her employer, CVS Health Corporation and its MinuteClinic subsidiary, concluding more than a year of legal contention. The terms of the settlement have not been disclosed. Senior Counsel at First Liberty, Stephanie Taub, representing Kristofersdottir, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the case, stating that it brings resolution to the nurse’s grievances. Kristofersdottir has been employed at the CVS MinuteClinic in Tequesta for several years. The issue began when … Read more

Federal Judge Temporarily Halts Immigration Enforcement Actions in Selected Religious Sanctuaries

by

WASHINGTON — A federal judge has recently issued a temporary halt on immigration enforcement operations at certain religious sanctuaries, marking a significant intervention in the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement and the sanctity of worship spaces. The decision temporarily bars U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from staging raids in these protected spaces, which have historically served as refuges for undocumented immigrants. The injunction was granted as part of a broader lawsuit concerning the rights of individuals taking sanctuary in religious venues to avoid deportation. The move has been seen as a preventative measure to … Read more

Judge Dismisses Lawsuit After Denver Employee Fails to Properly Request Religious Exemption for COVID-19 Vaccine

by

DENVER — A federal judge has determined that a former Denver International Airport supply specialist, who challenged the city’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate by filing an incomplete request for a religious exemption, did not have his rights violated when the city denied his application. The judge’s decision underscores the importance of adhering to established protocols when seeking exemptions for mandatory health measures. In summer 2021, Denver mandated that all city employees must be inoculated against COVID-19 unless they obtained an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Of the 297 requests for religious accommodations filed, the city … Read more

Madison Community Members and FFRF Challenge Religious Tax Exemptions in Court

by

Madison, WI — A legal challenge is fermenting in the heart of Madison where a lawsuit was initiated on Jan. 14 by the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) along with three city residents. The suit aims to eliminate the religious tax exemptions granted to two student housing centers, citing a potential breach of the Wisconsin Constitution. At the center of this controversy are the Presbyterian Student Center Foundation and St. Raphael’s Congregation. The Presbyterian Student Center Foundation runs the Pres House Apartments located on East Campus Mall, while the St. Raphael’s Congregation operates the Lumen … Read more