Merrick Garland’s record on religious freedom cases

[rug]

By Julie Zauzmer
The Washington Post March 17, 2016'

Some of the most hotly contested issues that come in front of the Supreme Court are based in religion. Our national debates over the death penalty, gay rights, abortion and a host of other topics are often powerfully related to faith. The disputes that the court litigates so often start when people feel that their right to freely exercise their religion has been restricted or their religious values have been violated.

In Merrick Garland’s 19 years on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, cases related to religious freedom have come across his docket several times.

Garland’s rulings do not reveal a pattern that would indicate what guiding principle he might bring to the Supreme Court, if he manages to make it through the Senate. But they do invite curiosity.

In four cases that The Post identified Wednesday, Garland sided twice against people who said they were victims of religious discrimination, and twice in favor.

http://www.cruxnow.com/life/2016/03/17/merrick-garlands-record-on-religious-freedom-cases/

[Agnosticsherbet]

1. I don't see anything here that bothers me.

It appears to this layman, that he is guided by the merits of the case rather than a strong belief on one side or the other of the issue.

[rug]

4. He strikes me as a classic centrist overall.

The trouble with the DC Circuit is that it's flooded with federal agency appeals. I'm waiting to hear what opinions he's issued on more substantive matters.

[Agnosticsherbet]

5. I'm watching this, too.

[Jim__]

2. The rulings as described in that article sound reasonable to me.

Do you disagree with them?

Once again, it's good to see you back, rug.

[rug]

3. No, they appear to be fact-specific application of the existing law.

That's a good thing . Most of these cases are dancing around a fine line. I'm glad Obama picked someone who knows exactly where that line is.

Thanks, Jim. It's good to be able to talk to you again.