Religious Freedom in America Remains Strong, but Important Battles Lie Ahead

As America prepares to celebrate her 250th year, 2025 left little doubt that our nation’s founding promise of religious freedom remains strong. Last year, federal courts consistently protected the right of religious Americans to bring their faith into public life without fear of government punishment. While significant challenges remain, religious liberty is on firmer footing as we enter the New Year.

Our nation’s highest court is a big reason why. In Mahmoud v. Taylor, the Supreme Court handed down its strongest parental rights decision in half a century, affirming that raising children is a core part of parents’ religious exercise. The case began after the Montgomery County, Md., school board revoked parental notice and opt-outs for storybooks pushing gender ideology on kids as young as three. Some of these books told children that a decision to transition doesn’t have to “make sense” and that their pronouns could change “like the weather.”

MR

About the Author

Mark Rienzi

Mark Rienzi is the president and CEO of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty and a law professor at the Catholic University of America.

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As America prepares to celebrate her 250th year, 2025 left little doubt that our nation’s founding promise of religious freedom remains strong. Last year, federal courts consistently protected the right of religious Americans to bring their faith into public life without fear of government punishment. While significant challenges remain, religious liberty is on firmer footing as we enter the New Year.

Our nation’s highest court is a big reason why. In Mahmoud v. Taylor, the Supreme Court handed down its strongest parental rights decision in half a century, affirming that raising children is a core part of parents’ religious exercise. The case began after the Montgomery County, Md., school board revoked parental notice and opt-outs for storybooks pushing gender ideology on kids as young as three. Some of these books told children that a decision to transition doesn’t have to “make sense” and that their pronouns could change “like the weather.”