Legal issues that are common to Christian churches, Christian ministries, Christian businesses and Christian individuals are the focus of topics in this category. This does not refer to Christian law as found in the Old or New Testaments, but to Christian interactions with secular law in the United States, Canada, England, The United Kingdom, Australia or elsewhere. These may include issues of constitutional theory pertaining to Christianity, the religious clause, religious freedoms, the freedom of religious expression, religious exemptions, freedom of conscience, and judicial restraint. Other appropriate topics might include autonomy and the independence of religious communities, land use issues relating to Christian ministries, and legal interpretations that appear to be applied to Christian ministries but not to other similar groups. Issues relating to church buildings and property might also be included here, such as the language used in church bylaws, employee handbooks, facility use policies, and doctrinal language on marriage and sexuality issues, as well as property tax issues. Various school issues might be appropriate here as well, such as school banning the Ten Commandments from the wall of school buildings, bans against Christian emblems, verses or messages on clothing or jewelry, restrictions on the use of Bibles or other Christian literature in the school, the establishment of prayer-free zones, and the disallowance of Bible clubs or other Christian organizations on school grounds. Law firms or legal associations that specialize in fighting for the legal rights of Christians are on-topic here. Examples might include the American Center for Law & Justice, National Legal Foundation, Liberty Counsel, Christian Legal Aid Office, Lawyers' Christian Fellowship, the Victorian Christian Legal Society, and Christian Legal Fellowship.
Recommended Resources
Started in 1994, the ADF has fought for religious freedom, the sanctity of life, marriage and family, and other Christian issues by funding cases, training attorneys, and advocating for freedom in court. With more than 3,000 allied attorneys, 300 allied organizations, and nearly 2,000 attorneys trained, the organization’s history, leadership, financials, and career opportunities are posted, and promotional videos are included.
http://www.adflegal.org/
American Center for Law & Justice
Also known as Christian Advocates Serving Evangelism, the ACLJ is the Christian alternative to the ACLU. Dedicated to the American ideal that religious freedom and freedom of speech are inalienable, God-given rights, the organization engages legal, legislative and cultural issues through advocacy, education and litigation, for the purpose of ensuring that these rights are protected by law. Current petitions are posted, and its work is portrayed in news items, videos and other resources.
https://aclj.org/
The CLA provides free legal advice to Christians who face legal difficulties for following their faith. The web site also presents legal brochures, videos and other resources educating people on topics such as freedom of religion. CLA publications on legal and religious concerns may be purchased through the site. Archives of its Legal Alert radio programs with Attorney David Gibbs Jr. may be accessed online.
http://www.christianlaw.org/
Located in Santa Ana, California, the CLAO is a tax-exempt organization that provides legal services to the poor, as well as to local churches, organizing legal clinics at participating churches to offer free legal assistance through volunteer attorneys and non-attorney volunteers, including law students and staff. Its legal aid services are highlighted, a calendar of events is posted, and volunteer opportunities are offered.
http://christianlegalaidoffice.com/
The CLF is a national charitable association that serves Canada’s legal profession by strengthening the spiritual life of its members, encouraging the integration of Biblical faith with legal, moral, social and political issues within the vocation of law, and advancing the public good by articulating clear legal and moral principles consistent with the Christian faith. Its history, interventions, consultations, and contacts are posted. The CLF also publishes the Christian Legal Journal.
http://www.christianlegalfellowship.org/
Founded in 1961 and based in Springfield, Virginia, CLS is a nationwide fellowship of Christians which defends the religious liberties of all Americans in the legislatures and in the courts, through Christian Legal Aid, which is one of its ministries, the others being The Center or Law and Religious Liberty, Attorney Ministries, and Law Student Ministries, each of which are highlighted here, along with its membership policies and testimonials.
https://www.clsnet.org/
Affiliated with Alliance Defending Freedom, Liberty Counsel and the Rutherford Institute, the non-profit, faith-based, public interest law and educational organization deals with Christian rights issues. The organization also has a full-time chaplain on staff, and offers resources in theology, biblical studies, Christian worldview, the defense of the Christian faith, spiritual formation, and ethics.
http://www.christianrightsministries.com/
Founded as the Lawyers’ Prayer Union in 1852, the LCF has a membership of more than 2,500 Christian lawyers and law students, with a network of regional groups spanning Britain, and links that are particularly strong in East Africa. Its legal work operates in three main areas: the legal workplace, among law students, and young lawyers internationally, encouraging its membership to speak of the Christian gospel and to demonstrate God’s character in their lives and work.
https://lawcf.org/
Liberty Counsel is a Christian ministry that proclaims, advocates, supports, advances and defends the gospel of God in the person of Jesus. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, the tax-exempt organization promotes litigation related to evangelical Christian values, which include the advancement of religious freedom, the defense of human life, protecting marriage and family, and standing with Israel. Current issues are highlighted, and an online store is included.
http://www.lc.org/
Headquartered in Virginia Beach, Virginia, the NLF works to implement strategies that will cause America’s public policy and legal system to support and facilitate God’s purpose for her, protecting the legal system from being usurped to ends that run counter to God’s purpose, using the legal system to undo damage that has been done, pursuing legal and policy means of ensuring that government rewards good and punishes evil, and educating Americans about legal and public policy issues.
http://www.nlf.net/
The PJI is a conservative legal defense organization based in Sacramento, with offices in Santa Ana, Oakland, Riverside and San Diego, California which offers pro bono representation to clients in matters involving the exercise of religion and other civil liberties. Its clients have included individuals, families and churches, coordinating and overseeing large numbers of concurrent court actions through its network of attorneys nationwide.
http://www.pacificjustice.org/
The non-profit organization is based in Charlottesville, Virginia, and dedicated to the defense of civil liberties and human rights. Founded in 1982 by John W. Whitehead, the Rutherford Institute offers free legal services to those who have had their rights threatened or violated through its network of affiliate attorneys across the United States. Articles on current issues and news events are posted, along with a section on the constitution and other resources.
https://www.rutherford.org/
The Victorian Christian Legal Society
Organized in the 1980s and based in Melbourne, the Society is the chief representative body for Christians working in the legal industry in Victoria, Australia. Member services include a mentoring program between its practitioners and student members as well as a book subsidy, and the Society can refer members of the public to a Christian lawyer or law firm. Articles on legal topics are posted, and a calendar of events are included.
http://www.clsvictoria.org/
Based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the Thomas More Law Center seeks to help preserve America’s Judeo-Christian heritage, defend the religious freedom of Christians, restore moral values, protect the sanctity of human life, and promote a strong national defense and a free and sovereign United States. Its key issues are highlighted, and news items, media files, and contacts are posted. Attorneys may sign up as pro bono attorneys through the site.
https://www.thomasmore.org/
The not-for-profit, national public interest law firm is based in Chicago, Illinois, offering pro bono legal services from local trial courts up to the United States Supreme Court, handling cases for pro-lifers and people of faith who face crises of conscience, filing friend-of-court briefs in support of other cases, and providing organizational and legal support for other non-profits. An overview of its cases, office locations, hours, and contacts are posted.
https://www.thomasmoresociety.org/
