It’s cliché to say that those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it, but it’s also true, and so as 2011 comes to a close it’s a good time to look back at the impact of Roger Williams on church-state separation. Read more
The New York Times ran an interesting piece recently about religion in public schools, making it clear that even though the U.S. Supreme Court struck down mandatory, school-sponsored prayer nearly 50 years ago, many problems remain. Read more
Americans United has had its share of church-state separation issues in Texas, so it’s good to see that a judge there recently had a religious display removed from outside the Lubbock County Courthouse even if it wasn’t for all the right reasons.
The display, which was left anonymously, was meant to serve as an act of protest against church-state separation. It contained a cross, a baby Jesus in a crib and a handwritten sign that read: “Reunite the church and state, and separation of church and state is not just wrong, the ‘63 ruling of the Supreme Court is unconstitutional.” Read more
As time passes, the “Ark Park” in Kentucky is beginning to look more and more like a sinking ship.
Americans United has been highly critical of the proposed theme park, which would include a full-scale replica of Noah’s Ark and models of dinosaurs, which Answers in Genesis (AiG), the group heading the project, insists were carried on the biblical boat. Read more
Hanukah began on Tuesday, yesterday was the Winter Solstice, and Sunday is Christmas. With all of this celebrating going on, it can be hard to find time to take a breather. But this is a good time to reflect on religious liberty in America, even if you aren’t celebrating one of these holidays.
Consider Christmas. It occupies an interesting niche in American public life. It’s primarily a Christian holiday, but as years pass, more and more people are celebrating it in a secular fashion. At the same time, others celebrate the holidays of other faiths or choose to ignore them all. Read more
One of the perks of being a member of Congress is access to a “free” mail system. Senators and representatives can send information to constituents about legislation, congressional votes or other government-related matters and “frank” the envelope, with the taxpayer picking up the stamp. (It’s not really free because you and I pay for it.)
The franking system isn’t for personal mail. If you’re a member of Congress and want to drop Aunt Gertrude a note to ask how her gall bladder surgery went, you must pay for the stamp yourself. Read more
The Religious Right’s rigid mindset dictates that its adherents can do things on their own terms no matter what the law or anyone else says. As a student at a Georgia university and the Alliance Defense Fund recently discovered, federal courts don’t support that mentality.
Jennifer Keeton was pursuing an advanced degree in counseling at Augusta State University until it became clear that she intended to impose her religious beliefs on clients in violation of the professional standards of her academic program. Read more
Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC) recently introduced H.R. 3600, “To restore the Free Speech and First Amendment rights of churches and exempt organizations by repealing the 1954 Johnson Amendment.” The Johnson amendment, passed by Congress in 1954, is the law that prohibits churches and other 501(c)(3) organizations from engaging in political campaign activity in support of or opposition to any candidate for public office. This is not the first time Rep. Read more
It is my sad duty today to give yet another basic civics lesson to the far right.
Here it goes: There are three branches of government. They are co-equal. Each performs a check on the other. Each balances out the other. Read more
This month, Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-CO) introduced H. Res. 489, “Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the symbols and traditions of Christmas should be protected for use by those who celebrate Christmas.” Personally I was unaware that Christmas was in a position in need of protection, but of course it is that time of year when the Religious Right launches an endless stream of rhetoric on the “War on Christmas.” Read more