Isaac Barnes May
@isaacbarnesmay.bsky.social
Fellow, Information Society Project, Yale Law. PhD in Religious Studies and JD. Author of 2 books on U.S. religion. Book Review Editor, Quaker History. Studies First Amendment (religion, speech, press), tech law, and history
Saddened to learn Jane Goodall died. She devoted a surprising amount of time to the Jane Goodall Center at Western Connecticut State University, where my mom taught. When I was a kid, she was kind and gracious in answering my questions at one of her talks and providing an autograph.
October 1, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Saddened to learn Jane Goodall died. She devoted a surprising amount of time to the Jane Goodall Center at Western Connecticut State University, where my mom taught. When I was a kid, she was kind and gracious in answering my questions at one of her talks and providing an autograph.
I am glad to see that the law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in Texas classrooms was enjoined. The law used the King James Bible's wording, a Protestant translation. This functionally marginalized Catholics and Jews, not to mention other faiths.
Judge Halts Texas’ Law Mandating the Ten Commandments in School
www.nytimes.com
August 20, 2025 at 5:20 PM
I am glad to see that the law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in Texas classrooms was enjoined. The law used the King James Bible's wording, a Protestant translation. This functionally marginalized Catholics and Jews, not to mention other faiths.
Good to see the Pope use one of his first major public appearances to advocate for press freedom. Support for journalists is sorely needed right now.
Pope Leo XIV expressed solidarity with imprisoned journalists and affirmed the “precious gift of free speech and the press.” He spoke in an audience with some of the 6,000 journalists who descended on Rome to cover his election as the first American pontiff.
Pope Leo XIV urges release of imprisoned journalists, affirms gift of free speech and press
Pope Leo XIV has called for the release of imprisoned journalists and affirmed the “precious gift of free speech and the press.”
bit.ly
May 12, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Good to see the Pope use one of his first major public appearances to advocate for press freedom. Support for journalists is sorely needed right now.
Agreed — what distinguishes a charter school from a private one is that it operates as an arm of the state. Letting a charter school promote religion is no different than the government creating a church.
Not for nothing but Oklahoma has said charter schools are public schools. That should end this case.
April 30, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Agreed — what distinguishes a charter school from a private one is that it operates as an arm of the state. Letting a charter school promote religion is no different than the government creating a church.
My brother-in-law got his job back with the National Park Service yesterday, with back pay, thanks to Judge Alsup’s order. The position could still be eliminated, but for now, he has the job he loves.
March 20, 2025 at 2:36 PM
My brother-in-law got his job back with the National Park Service yesterday, with back pay, thanks to Judge Alsup’s order. The position could still be eliminated, but for now, he has the job he loves.
Reposted by Isaac Barnes May
One of the twentieth-century’s greatest and most prolific American church historians has died. currentpub.com/2025/02/26/m...
Martin Marty, RIP
Via Chicago Sun-Times One of the twentieth-century's greatest and most prolific American church historians has died. Here is Martin Marty's obituary:
currentpub.com
February 26, 2025 at 8:48 PM
One of the twentieth-century’s greatest and most prolific American church historians has died. currentpub.com/2025/02/26/m...
I’ve been watching this case closely. Really pleased to see this injunction, and kudos to the team at @democracyforward.org who litigated it. www.nytimes.com/2025/02/24/u...
Judge Blocks Trump Administration Policy Allowing ICE Raids in Certain Places of Worship (Gift Article)
Religious organizations are challenging a Trump administration policy that allows ICE to conduct operations in sensitive locations. The judge declined to pause the policy more broadly.
www.nytimes.com
February 24, 2025 at 10:38 PM
I’ve been watching this case closely. Really pleased to see this injunction, and kudos to the team at @democracyforward.org who litigated it. www.nytimes.com/2025/02/24/u...
Proud of my brother-in-law Josh Barnes, who spoke to the NY Times after being fired from the Park Service by the Trump administration. Josh was devoted to his work as a Park Ranger. The attack on our National Parks is an outrage.
Fired Park Rangers Try to ‘Open Some Hearts’ on Social Media (Gift Article)
Some rangers decided it was worth the risk to speak out online about their firings and share their love of the National Park Service.
www.nytimes.com
February 20, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Proud of my brother-in-law Josh Barnes, who spoke to the NY Times after being fired from the Park Service by the Trump administration. Josh was devoted to his work as a Park Ranger. The attack on our National Parks is an outrage.
Grateful for the invitation to speak alongside such a distinguished panel. Our report on the Press Clause, which we discussed, is available at the link below.
February 11, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Grateful for the invitation to speak alongside such a distinguished panel. Our report on the Press Clause, which we discussed, is available at the link below.
Pope Francis’s statement in point 6 seems like a clear rebuke of Vance’s public statements on theology.
MAJOR BREAKING: Pope Francis has written a letter to US Bishops saying he’s following “major crisis” of “mass deportations;” takes on Vance saying “The true ordo amoris that must be promoted is that which we discover by meditating constantly on the parable of the “Good Samaritan”
February 11, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Pope Francis’s statement in point 6 seems like a clear rebuke of Vance’s public statements on theology.
People rightly worry that the SCOTUS case about Oklahoma funding a Catholic charter school undermines the Establishment Clause. One less-noticed aspect is that St. Isidore, the school, is "virtual." I am skeptical that entirely online K-12 instruction is ideal. stisidorevirtualschool.org/about-us
About
stisidorevirtualschool.org
January 25, 2025 at 2:19 AM
People rightly worry that the SCOTUS case about Oklahoma funding a Catholic charter school undermines the Establishment Clause. One less-noticed aspect is that St. Isidore, the school, is "virtual." I am skeptical that entirely online K-12 instruction is ideal. stisidorevirtualschool.org/about-us
Bishop Budde's sermon struck a nerve with Trump, who condemned her and the National Cathedral. The administration’s support for Christian nationalism increasingly puts it at odds with the Episcopal Church and many Mainline Protestants. apnews.com/article/trum...
Trump demands an apology from bishop who asked him to ‘have mercy’ on LGBTQ+ people and migrants
President Donald Trump is demanding an apology from the Episcopal bishop of Washington after she asked him to have mercy on the LGBTQ+ community and migrants in the United States illegally during a pr...
apnews.com
January 22, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Bishop Budde's sermon struck a nerve with Trump, who condemned her and the National Cathedral. The administration’s support for Christian nationalism increasingly puts it at odds with the Episcopal Church and many Mainline Protestants. apnews.com/article/trum...
This is a good summary of some recent disturbing trends related to press freedom. Even before taking office, Trump has been using lawsuits to suppress journalism.
Trump is already delivering on his promise to go after the press
First Amendment advocates worry about an emboldened Trump using civil litigation to target journalists he dislikes.
www.politico.com
December 18, 2024 at 7:00 PM
This is a good summary of some recent disturbing trends related to press freedom. Even before taking office, Trump has been using lawsuits to suppress journalism.
The fellowship deadline at Yale Law's Information Society Project is approaching. Come hang out with me and a smart and interesting group of folks; it's a great place.
Get involved with the ISP! Apply for our 2025-26 roles:
1⃣ Resident Fellowship
2⃣ The Majority World Initiative (MWI)
3⃣ Wikimedia Initiative On Intermediaries and Information (WII)
Deadline for applications: Dec 18!
law.yale.edu/isp/join-us#...
1⃣ Resident Fellowship
2⃣ The Majority World Initiative (MWI)
3⃣ Wikimedia Initiative On Intermediaries and Information (WII)
Deadline for applications: Dec 18!
law.yale.edu/isp/join-us#...
Fellowships
law.yale.edu
December 16, 2024 at 3:28 PM
The fellowship deadline at Yale Law's Information Society Project is approaching. Come hang out with me and a smart and interesting group of folks; it's a great place.
Reposted by Isaac Barnes May
Very important relist. We’ll see if the Court’s solicitude for religious liberty extends to Native nations and their sacred sites. www.scotusblog.com/2024/12/sacr...
December 12, 2024 at 10:34 PM
Very important relist. We’ll see if the Court’s solicitude for religious liberty extends to Native nations and their sacred sites. www.scotusblog.com/2024/12/sacr...
Reposted by Isaac Barnes May
Indiana Supreme Court allows a preliminary injunction to remain for a religious exemption to the state’s abortion ban. This case goes back to the lower court for further proceedings. This is a setback for the state and a temporary win for the individual plaintiffs and Hoosiers Jews for Choice.
Indiana Supreme Court lets preliminary block to abortion ban stand for religious objectors
The Indiana Supreme Court decided to let stand a preliminary injunction against the abortion ban for plaintiffs making a religious freedom argument.
www.indystar.com
December 10, 2024 at 11:24 PM
Indiana Supreme Court allows a preliminary injunction to remain for a religious exemption to the state’s abortion ban. This case goes back to the lower court for further proceedings. This is a setback for the state and a temporary win for the individual plaintiffs and Hoosiers Jews for Choice.
Reposted by Isaac Barnes May
Good article this morning @rns.org
by Bonhoeffer biographer Charles Marsh: religionnews.com/2024/12/09/b...
by Bonhoeffer biographer Charles Marsh: religionnews.com/2024/12/09/b...
Both right and left claim Bonhoeffer as a champion. Here's why his ideas fit neither.
(RNS) — Bonhoeffer matters precisely because he reminds us that Christian behavior and attitudes are more than calculations for a partisan edge.
religionnews.com
December 10, 2024 at 12:49 PM
Good article this morning @rns.org
by Bonhoeffer biographer Charles Marsh: religionnews.com/2024/12/09/b...
by Bonhoeffer biographer Charles Marsh: religionnews.com/2024/12/09/b...
Rothfeld notes in her WaPo review: "Peterson is cagey on whether Christianity is literally true." There is an increasing trend among right-leaning intellectuals to align with Christianity for its perceived social utility rather than belief.
I've been hoping for Becca Rothfeld to perform dissection without anesthetic on Jordan Peterson and here it is, a gift link for you. So many good lines. 1/
The gospel according to Jordan Peterson wapo.st/3ZGSfUT
The gospel according to Jordan Peterson wapo.st/3ZGSfUT
December 9, 2024 at 5:23 AM
Rothfeld notes in her WaPo review: "Peterson is cagey on whether Christianity is literally true." There is an increasing trend among right-leaning intellectuals to align with Christianity for its perceived social utility rather than belief.
Religion’s most iconic vehicle just got an upgrade. The popemobile now goes 30 mph and has a heated swivel seat.
The new popemobile is also Mercedes-Benz's first fully electric vehicle.
New, fully electric popemobile offers Pope Francis every comfort as Jubilee nears
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — This is the first fully electric vehicle provided to the pope by Mercedes-Benz.
religionnews.com
December 8, 2024 at 2:39 PM
Religion’s most iconic vehicle just got an upgrade. The popemobile now goes 30 mph and has a heated swivel seat.
Reposted by Isaac Barnes May
Congress needs to pass the PRESS Act. Schumer is apparently set on doing it next week. There's nothing else Congress could do right now that would do more to protect press freedom and the public's right to know. www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Opinion | The Senate has a shrinking window to protect press freedom
Senators should make passing the Press Act a top priority before the session ends.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 7, 2024 at 7:54 PM
Congress needs to pass the PRESS Act. Schumer is apparently set on doing it next week. There's nothing else Congress could do right now that would do more to protect press freedom and the public's right to know. www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Reposted by Isaac Barnes May
Given how closely Hegseth has publicly tied his family to Wilson — reading his books, attending church in his denom, suggesting he’d send his kids to his college — seems appropriate to ask Hegseth whether he, himself, is a Christian nationalist and/or thinks the U.S. should be a Christian nation.
Hegseth wants to send his kids to a college run by a Christian nationalist who argues that slavery produced "genuine affection between the races," homosexuality should be a crime and granting women the vote was a mistake. @MikeBaker.bsky.social @ruthgraham.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2024/12/05/u...
Pete Hegseth and His ‘Battle Cry’ for a New Christian Crusade
The veteran picked to lead the Defense Department has praised the brutal religious military campaigns of the past and has called for a Christian approach to governing.
www.nytimes.com
December 7, 2024 at 6:13 PM
Given how closely Hegseth has publicly tied his family to Wilson — reading his books, attending church in his denom, suggesting he’d send his kids to his college — seems appropriate to ask Hegseth whether he, himself, is a Christian nationalist and/or thinks the U.S. should be a Christian nation.
Fascinating article. I’d always blamed Locke for supporting slavery in “The Fundamental Constitutions of Carolina,” and this caused me to rethink that.
This article explores the manuscript evidence in seven versions of The Fundamental Constitutions of Carolina to argue that the clause granting “absolute power & authority … over slaves” in early 1670 was *important* to the development of slavery but was not by Locke.
ojs.lib.uwo.ca/index.php/lo...
ojs.lib.uwo.ca/index.php/lo...
Whose Fundamental Constitutions? Locke, Slavery, & Manuscript Evidence
| Locke Studies
ojs.lib.uwo.ca
November 29, 2024 at 7:36 PM
Fascinating article. I’d always blamed Locke for supporting slavery in “The Fundamental Constitutions of Carolina,” and this caused me to rethink that.
I didn’t think the history of the Quaker Boston martyrs would have relevance in modern politics, but unfortunately, it does.
Related *to* the relatedly, last year I asked Doug Wilson — the Idaho pastor and popular purveyor of Christian nationalism whose denomination, the CREC, includes the church of Trump Defense Sec nominee Peter Hegseth — about the hanging of Quakers by Puritans mentioned here.
This was his response:
This was his response:
November 29, 2024 at 4:39 PM
I didn’t think the history of the Quaker Boston martyrs would have relevance in modern politics, but unfortunately, it does.
Spending Thanksgiving in El Centro, CA, on the border—a region with a rich religious history. It hosted a significant Sikh community in the early 1900s and became home to the U.S.'s second gurdwara in 1948, established in a former Buddhist temple.
November 27, 2024 at 5:54 PM
Spending Thanksgiving in El Centro, CA, on the border—a region with a rich religious history. It hosted a significant Sikh community in the early 1900s and became home to the U.S.'s second gurdwara in 1948, established in a former Buddhist temple.