What Christians should know about recent Supreme Court decisions
Southern Baptists believe that the government has a God-ordained responsibility to protect lives from harm and that the sanctity of all life, regardless of age, ability, or any other feature, should be upheld and guide decision making from the state.
As each case is decided, the ERLC produces resources to help Christians understand the implications of the rulings and navigate these important issues moving forward in order to shine the light of Christ in our nation.
2025 cases engaged by the ERLC
The ERLC is closely watching several cases awaiting decisions from the U.S. Supreme Court this year. All of these cases relate to issues of the sanctity of life, protecting religious liberty, and championing God’s good design for marriage and family.
True flourishing is possible when religious liberty is protected, God's design for marriage and family is strengthened, and human dignity is honored.
Have questions about the Supreme Court?
Start with SCOTUS 101
Every year, the United States Supreme Court issues rulings in several cases that have significant implications for issues of special interest to Christians.
Get your SCOTUS 101 guide to learn how legal issues make it to the Supreme Court.
Catholic Charities Bureau, Inc. v. Wisconsin Labor & Industry Review Commission
Faith-based tax-exemption case
ERLC President Brent Leatherwood Applauds Unanimous Religious Liberty Ruling by U.S. Supreme Court
Catholic Charities Bureau v. Wisconsin Labor & Review Industry Commission
Washington D.C., June 5, 2025 — In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court of...
Explainer: Supreme Court unanimously upholds vital First Amendment protections in religious autonomy case
Catholic Charities Bureau v. Wisconsin Labor & Industry Review Commission
In a unanimous decision today, the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision granted a significant victory...
Supreme Court appears ready to side with Catholic Charities in religious liberty case
Baptist Press
WASHINGTON (BP) – The Supreme Court heard oral arguments Monday (March 31) in a...
Explainer: Supreme court hears oral arguments in religious autonomy case
Catholic Charities Bureau v. Wisconsin Labor & Review Industry Commission
Yesterday, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a significant religious autonomy case. Catholic...
Explainer: Supreme Court to hear faith-based tax-exemption case
Catholic Charities Bureau v. Wisconsin Labor & Review Industry Commission
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear Catholic Charities Bureau v. Wisconsin Labor &...
Five Supreme Court cases the ERLC is engaged in
As the Supreme Court’s current term unfolds, several high-profile cases will be decided which...
The ERLC joins amicus brief alongside Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptists in support of religious liberty
Last week, the ERLC partnered with the Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist Convention and other multi-faith allies...
U.S. v. Skrmetti
The case on “gender transitions” for minors
What is the Skrmetti Supreme Court case?
In today’s episode, we dive into the Skrmetti Supreme Court case talking about parental...
Explainer: Supreme Court upholds Tennessee law prohibiting “gender transitions” for minors
United States v. Skrmetti
In a major victory today, the Supreme Court issued a 6-3 decision upholding a...
ERLC’s Brent Leatherwood Affirms U.S. Supreme Court Ruling to Uphold Tennessee Law Prohibiting ‘Gender Transition’ Procedures for Minors
United States v. Skrmetti
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 18, 2025—Brent Leatherwood, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission...
ERLC Files U.S. Supreme Court Legal Brief To Stop Gender Transition Surgeries for Minors
United States v. Skrmetti
NASHVILLE, Tenn., October 15, 2024 —The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern...
Explainer: Supreme Court hears oral arguments in Tennessee “gender transition” case
United States v. Skrmetti
On Dec. 4, 2024, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case United...
Explainer: Supreme Court to hear case of Tennessee law prohibiting “gender transition” procedures for minors
United States v. Skrmetti
In June, the United States Supreme Court announced it would hear the case of...
ERLC’s Brent Leatherwood Urges U.S. Supreme Court to Uphold Tennessee Law to Prohibit ‘Gender Transition’ Procedures for Minors
WASHINGTON, D.C., Dec. 4, 2024—Brent Leatherwood, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission...
ERLC files amicus brief in United States v. Skrmetti
United States v. Skrmetti
The ERLC is advocating for “gender transition” procedures to be banned for minors. The ERLC...
The ERLC Supports Proposals to Ban Harmful “Gender Transition” Surgeries and Procedures
Southern Baptists have resolved that efforts to “gender transition” conflict with God’s good design...
Five Supreme Court cases the ERLC is engaged in
As the Supreme Court’s current term unfolds, several high-profile cases will be decided which...
Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton
The case on protecting kids from pornography
Southern Baptists Urge U.S. Supreme Court to Uphold Texas Law Safeguarding Children from Pornographic Content
WASHINGTON, D.C., Jan. 15, 2025—Brent Leatherwood, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission...
Explainer: Supreme Court upholds Texas law protecting kids from pornography
Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton
The Supreme Court ruled today in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton that a Texas...
ERLC’s Brent Leatherwood Lauds U.S. Supreme Court Ruling to Uphold Texas Law Protecting Kids from Pornography
Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 27, 2025—Brent Leatherwood, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission...
Explainer: Supreme Court Hears Case on Protecting Kids from Pornography
Oral Arguments in Free Speech Coalition, Inc. v. Paxton
On Jan. 15, 2025, the Supreme Court heard arguments in an important case about...
U.S. Supreme Court hears case on Texas abortion law
After three years of back-and-forth court decisions, the legal challenge to a Texas law...
ERLC files amicus brief in Free Speech Coalition, Inc. v. Paxton
Free Speech Coalition, Inc. v. Paxton
The ERLC filed an amicus brief in conjunction with both the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention...
Five Supreme Court cases the ERLC is engaged in
As the Supreme Court’s current term unfolds, several high-profile cases will be decided which...
Explainer: Supreme Court to hear case on protecting kids from pornography
Free Speech Coalition, Inc. v. Paxton
On Jan. 15, 2025, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in a case on...
What Southern Baptists should know about the judicial branch
This episode discussing what Southern Baptists should know about the judicial branch continues our...
Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic
The case on states defunding Planned Parenthood
ERLC joins amicus brief in Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic
Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic
On April 2, 2025, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a critical case...
Explainer: Supreme Court allows states to defund Planned Parenthood
Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic
In a historic 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court ruled today that states have the...
ERLC’s Brent Leatherwood Commends U.S. Supreme Court Ruling Allowing South Carolina to Exclude Planned Parenthood from Its Medicaid Program
Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 26, 2025—Brent Leatherwood, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission...
Explainer: Supreme Court hears arguments in case about states defunding Planned Parenthood
Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic
Yesterday, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic—a...
ERLC files amicus brief supporting South Carolina’s effort to defund Planned Parenthood
Baptist Press
WASHINGTON (BP) – The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) filed an amicus brief Monday (Feb....
Supreme Court hears case on South Carolina’s effort to defund Planned Parenthood
Baptist Press
The Supreme Court heard oral arguments Wednesday (April 2) in a case that will...
Explainer: Supreme Court to hear states defunding Planned Parenthood case
Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic
On April 2, 2025, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in a critical...
What Southern Baptists should know about the judicial branch
This episode discussing what Southern Baptists should know about the judicial branch continues our...
Defunding Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood is the largest abortion provider in the United States, responsible for nearly...
Five Supreme Court cases the ERLC is engaged in
As the Supreme Court’s current term unfolds, several high-profile cases will be decided which...
Mahmoud v. Taylor
The case on gender ideology indoctrination
Explainer: Supreme Court to hear gender ideology indoctrination case
Mahmoud v. Taylor
On April 22, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments regarding parental rights and...
Explainer: Supreme Court hears arguments in gender ideology indoctrination case
On April 22, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments regarding gender ideology indoctrination in...
Explainer: Supreme Court protects religious liberty in gender ideology indoctrination case
Mahmoud v. Taylor
The Supreme Court issued a 6-3 decision today in Mahmoud v. Taylor, a landmark...
ERLC’s Brent Leatherwood Celebrates U.S. Supreme Court Ruling to Prohibit Gender Ideology Indoctrination in Public Schools
Mahmoud v. Taylor
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 27, 2025—Brent Leatherwood, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission...
Protecting Parental Rights in Public Schools
Mahmoud v. McKnight and Our Children’s Best Interests
Parents are increasingly concerned that their role as primary directors of their children’s upbringing...
Five Supreme Court cases the ERLC is engaged in
As the Supreme Court’s current term unfolds, several high-profile cases will be decided which...
Past cases engaged by the ERLC
Explainer: Supreme Court fails to resolve challenge to Idaho pro-life law
A ruling on Idaho and Moyle, et al. v United States
On June 27, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court decided on a vote of 5-4...
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Explainer: Supreme Court Unanimously Rules in Favor of Religious Liberty in Postal Worker Groff v Dejoy Case
A decision in Groff v. Dejoy
Today, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously in the Groff v Dejoy case that...
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Explainer: Supreme Court hears oral arguments in 303 Creative case
303 Creative v. Elenis
On Dec. 5, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in 303 Creative...
Read More Explainer: What Christians Should Know About FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine
FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine
This week, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments on access to an abortion...
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Explainer: What Christians Should Know About Kennedy v. Bremerton School District
2022: Kennedy v. Bremerton School District
Allowing displays of faith in the public square is not an establishment of religion....
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Explainer: Supreme Court unanimously upholds free speech in Boston flag case
2022: Shurtleff v. Boston
Today, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the city of Boston violated the...
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Explainer: Supreme Court upholds religious freedom for Maine families
2022: Carson v. Makin
On June 21, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a 6-3 decision that Maine’s...
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Explainer: What Christians Should Know About United States v. Rahimi
United States v. Rahimi
On Nov. 7, 2023, the United States Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the...
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Explainer: What Christians Should Know About Ramirez v. Collier
2022: Ramirez v. Collier
Religious freedom does not end at the execution chamber door. What is this case...
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What Christians Should Know About Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization
2022: Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Org
A “once in a generation” opportunity to affirm human dignity and protect life. What...
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