The Radio Free Hillsdale Hour: Religious Liberty: The First Freedom
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In this episode of The Radio Free Hillsdale Hour, host Scott Bertram engages in a deep conversation with Kelly Shackelford, President and CEO of First Liberty Institute, about the state of religious liberty in America. Shackelford argues that religious freedom is the foundational 'first freedom' of the United States, essential to preserving all other rights. He traces the erosion of this liberty to judicial overreach, particularly the flawed Lemon test from the 1971 case, which established a rigid 'wall of separation' between church and state. However, he highlights a pivotal shift in recent years, including the Supreme Court's reversal of the Lemon decision in the Coach Kennedy case, which has opened the door for religious expression in public life—such as nativity scenes, Ten Commandments displays, and private prayer. Shackelford emphasizes that religious liberty protects not just belief, but the right to live according to one’s faith, even when it conflicts with government mandates. He also defends school choice, arguing that parents, not bureaucrats, should decide their children’s education, and praises First Liberty’s unique model of recruiting top-tier attorneys who volunteer their time for religious freedom cases, resulting in an exceptional 90%+ win rate. The episode also features Dr. Kelly Scott Franklin discussing Emily Dickinson’s poem 'Death Sets a Thing Significant,' exploring how ordinary objects left behind by the deceased become deeply meaningful, symbolizing the enduring presence of the loved one through craftsmanship and memory.
Religious liberty is the foundational 'first freedom'—lose it, and all other freedoms are at risk.
The Supreme Court’s reversal of the Lemon test marks a turning point, allowing religious expression in public spaces like schools and courthouses.
Religious freedom protects not just belief, but the right to act on faith—even when it conflicts with government mandates.
First Liberty Institute’s model of recruiting top attorneys to volunteer for religious freedom cases has led to a 90%+ win rate.
School choice empowers parents to make educational decisions for their children, fostering competition and improving schools.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Introducing Religious Liberty as the First Freedom
“It's the first freedom. Our country was built on religious freedom. It's the first two clauses of the First Amendment. And what I always like to start with on religious freedom is, what if you're not religious? Should you care about this? The answer is absolutely.”
The Founders' Vision and the Erosion of Religious Liberty
Shackelford traces the origins of religious liberty to the American founders, who sought freedom from state-imposed religion. He critiques the misinterpretation of the 'separation of church and state' and explains how the 1947 Everson case laid the groundwork for judicial overreach, culminating in the Lemon test that suppressed religious expression.
The Supreme Court's Turning Point: Reversing Lemon and Restoring Liberty
“Well, it's gone. So what that means is everywhere that a cross was taken down, it can come back up. You know, Ten Commandments that were pushed in the closet, they can come back out.”
Religious Freedom in Action: Schools, Conscience, and Government Overreach
“That's the ultimate intolerance, is not only having a conflict about what somebody's doing, but actually saying, no, no, I need you to be an instrument of the state to do this thing that violates your beliefs.”
First Liberty’s Unique Model and the Rise of a New Generation
“I have been of the belief now as somebody who's lived in this arena for the last four to five years that this is way beyond humanly possible, that this is God is doing something here.”
“I have been of the belief now as somebody who's lived in this arena for the last four to five years that this is way beyond humanly possible, that this is God is doing something here.”
“It's the first freedom. Our country was built on religious freedom. It's the first two clauses of the First Amendment. And what I always like to start with on religious freedom is, what if you're not religious? Should you care about this? The answer is absolutely.”
“That's the ultimate intolerance, is not only having a conflict about what somebody's doing, but actually saying, no, no, I need you to be an instrument of the state to do this thing that violates your beliefs.”
Host
Guests
Kelly Shackelford
person
First Liberty Institute
organization
U.S. Supreme Court
organization
Hillsdale College
organization
Emily Dickinson
person
Dr. Kelly Scott Franklin
person
Coach Kennedy
person
Lemon v. Kurtzman
other
Religious Liberty Commission
organization
Everson v. Board of Education
other
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