US Supreme Court rules in favor of Catholic Social Services
The Supreme Court voted unanimously in favor of a Catholic children’s agency. The Catholic Social Services won their case before the court after a rejection by the city of Philadelphia. The agency which helps with foster and adoption services was rejected for a contract by city officials for not offering services to same sex couples. The CSS’s attorneys added validity to their discrimination claims by revealing that no same sex couples had ever requested to work with the organization. The officials at CSS require all couples who apply to be in a traditional marriage and if a same-sex couple had requested to work with them the group would have simply referred them to another organization. This fact according to CSS attorneys made the rejection unjustified and a clear case of discrimination by city officials. Justice John Roberts wrote in his opinion on the case, “The refusal by the city of Philadelphia to contract with Catholic Social Services was a violation of the organization’s first amendment rights“. First Liberty Institute’s President Kelly Shackleford praised the decision saying Philadelphia officials were punishing a religious organization for acting consistently with their sincerely held religious beliefs. The Christian Alliance for Orphans, a network of over 100 faith based foster care and adoption services, also praised the Supreme Court’s ruling.
Battle in court continues for bakery shop owner
The fight in court for one business owner who supporters believe is being targeted because of his faith.
Jack Phillips, owner of a bakery in Colorado is currently fighting in court based on his refusal to bake a cake for a potential client. Previously Mr. Phillips, who is a Christian refused to bake a cake for a same-sex wedding. That refusal led to a series of lawsuits resulting in the US Supreme Court eventually ruling in favor of Phillips. This time the lawsuit is being filed by a client who wanted to celebrate his gender transition from male to female. When Mr. Phillips refused citing his faith the client filed a lawsuit. This current case has been ongoing for years. Attorneys for Jack Phillips say this lawsuit is a result of targeting by members of the LGBT community. The client in the case according to Phillips’ attorneys is also a lawyer who intentionally targeted him following high profile coverage in the news about his case.
New Israeli administration faces challenges from Hamas
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has lost his bid for re-election. The loss was announced last week after a long process of re-elections for a final result. The new government is already facing challenges. The terrorist group Hamas called for a day of rage last week. The terror organization encouraged followers to mobilize at the Temple Mount for a “day of anger and defiance of the occupier.” The call for protests and violence comes just a few weeks after an eleven-day conflict with Israel. The conflict ended with a tentative ceasefire between Israeli officials and Hamas. The day of rage was scheduled to be held during a National Flag Day parade in Israel with the route of the parade going through East Jerusalem. According to reports there were some clashes and arrests of Palestinian protesters, but no one was seriously injured. Hamas has vowed to remain hostile to the new administration.
SNBC HEALTH report: top honors for a powerful little herb
A little herb with a big impact has won top honors for 2021. Parsley according to the International Herb Association has been named Herb of the year. This plant is sometimes seen as a topping to help brighten a dish, but it has properties that are an important to the human body. Parsley contains flavonoids which are naturally found in fruits, vegetables, chocolate and tea. These flavonoids are antioxidant rich and help fight against diabetes. The herb is antibacterial, and antifungal. Parsley contains anti-inflammatory properties that fight against infection and helps to heal injuries. The herb is also rich in Vitamin K; 10 sprigs of the vegetable would equal the recommended amount of vitamin K needed daily. That same amount of parsley would also include 22 percent of the recommended amount of Vitamin C per day.