Our annual meeting will take place in February. One of the agenda
items will be to elect officers. If you would like to nominate
yourself or another person for an officer position, please send your
nominations to the following:
Stan Johnston, Secretary
12925 Canterbury Rd.
Leawood, Kansas 66209
or email me at scjohnston@lrf-kc.com
Current officers are as follows:
Lynne Schultz, President
Bill Schultz, Vice-President
Greg Swartz, Treasurer
Stan Johnston, Secretary
--------
Also, we will be meeting this Saturday, 5pm, at Black Dog Coffee House in Lenexa on 87th St. Parkway for our monthly meeting.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
It was the Economy, but what about the Constitution?
From Americans United:
Election Turned On Economic Issues, But Constitution May Suffer Collateral Damage, Says Americans United
Religious Right Forces Are Certain To Demand Action In Congress On Divisive Culture-War Concerns, Says AU’s Lynn
Voters want Congress to focus on fixing the economy, but Religious Right groups are sure to demand that attention be paid to their divisive agenda, according to Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
Exit polls show that more than 60 percent of voters cited the economy as their top concern in yesterday’s voting. The figure was even higher in states hard hit by the financial setbacks.
But the changes in Congress, says Americans United, will empower Religious Right leaders who will insist on action on controversial social issues.
“Voters sent a strong message that they want Congress to focus on fixing the economy,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director, “but the election results may inflict collateral damage on the Constitution. I think the Religious Right will seize this opportunity to advance its agenda in Congress.”
Lynn said he expects the Religious Right to push for religious school vouchers, publicly funded “faith-based” hiring bias, creationism in the public schools, laws allowing electioneering by churches, “Christian nation” resolutions and other measures that undercut church-state separation.
Lynn noted that likely House Speaker John Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor have long records of working with the Religious Right on a wide variety of social issues.
“Americans did not vote to stoke the fires of the culture war,” said Lynn, “but they may have done so inadvertently.”
Lynn noted that many candidates who openly attacked church-state separation were defeated.
Delaware Senate candidate Christine O’Donnell, Delaware House candidate Glen Urquhart and Nevada Senate candidate Sharron Angle all lost. (Colorado Senate candidate Ken Buck was trailing in his race, but a vote count was still under way.)
Lynn noted, however, that the Religious Right remains a potent political force in some situations. In Iowa, for example, a concentrated campaign by the Family Research Council, the American Family Association and their allies resulted in the ousting of three state Supreme Court justices who voted in favor of civil marriage rights for same-sex couples.
“Church-state separation is going to be under sustained fire for the next two years in Congress and in many state legislatures,” said Lynn. “Religious Right leaders are re-energized by the election results, and they are going to want action. Those of us who believe in individual freedom and equality are going to have our hands full.”
Around the Nation
Arizona: Taxpayers Should Have Right To Challenge Aid To Religious Schools, AU Tells High Court
California: Proposition 8 Ban On Same-Sex Marriage Has No Legitimate Basis, Americans United Tells Appeals Court
More on Church Electioneering:
IRS Should Investigate Minnesota Church For Electioneering
Americans United Asks IRS To Investigate Florida Church Whose Pastor Endorsed Slate Of Candidates
Election Turned On Economic Issues, But Constitution May Suffer Collateral Damage, Says Americans United
Religious Right Forces Are Certain To Demand Action In Congress On Divisive Culture-War Concerns, Says AU’s Lynn
Voters want Congress to focus on fixing the economy, but Religious Right groups are sure to demand that attention be paid to their divisive agenda, according to Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
Exit polls show that more than 60 percent of voters cited the economy as their top concern in yesterday’s voting. The figure was even higher in states hard hit by the financial setbacks.
But the changes in Congress, says Americans United, will empower Religious Right leaders who will insist on action on controversial social issues.
“Voters sent a strong message that they want Congress to focus on fixing the economy,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director, “but the election results may inflict collateral damage on the Constitution. I think the Religious Right will seize this opportunity to advance its agenda in Congress.”
Lynn said he expects the Religious Right to push for religious school vouchers, publicly funded “faith-based” hiring bias, creationism in the public schools, laws allowing electioneering by churches, “Christian nation” resolutions and other measures that undercut church-state separation.
Lynn noted that likely House Speaker John Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor have long records of working with the Religious Right on a wide variety of social issues.
“Americans did not vote to stoke the fires of the culture war,” said Lynn, “but they may have done so inadvertently.”
Lynn noted that many candidates who openly attacked church-state separation were defeated.
Delaware Senate candidate Christine O’Donnell, Delaware House candidate Glen Urquhart and Nevada Senate candidate Sharron Angle all lost. (Colorado Senate candidate Ken Buck was trailing in his race, but a vote count was still under way.)
Lynn noted, however, that the Religious Right remains a potent political force in some situations. In Iowa, for example, a concentrated campaign by the Family Research Council, the American Family Association and their allies resulted in the ousting of three state Supreme Court justices who voted in favor of civil marriage rights for same-sex couples.
“Church-state separation is going to be under sustained fire for the next two years in Congress and in many state legislatures,” said Lynn. “Religious Right leaders are re-energized by the election results, and they are going to want action. Those of us who believe in individual freedom and equality are going to have our hands full.”
Around the Nation
Arizona: Taxpayers Should Have Right To Challenge Aid To Religious Schools, AU Tells High Court
California: Proposition 8 Ban On Same-Sex Marriage Has No Legitimate Basis, Americans United Tells Appeals Court
More on Church Electioneering:
IRS Should Investigate Minnesota Church For Electioneering
Americans United Asks IRS To Investigate Florida Church Whose Pastor Endorsed Slate Of Candidates
Friday, October 8, 2010
AU Urges Appeals Court to Strike Down the National Day of Prayer
Congress Has No Authority To Tell Americans When And How They Should Pray, Watchdog Group Says
Americans United for Separation of Church and State has asked a federal appeals court to find the congressionally mandated National Day of Prayer unconstitutional.
In a friend-of-the-court brief filed with the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Americans United urged the panel of judges to affirm a lower court decision that held the National Day of Prayer statute unconstitutional.
In April, U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb of the Western District of Wisconsin ruled that the federal law violates the constitutional separation of church and state. The Obama administration has appealed Crabb’s decision to the 7th Circuit.
“Congress needs to get out of the prayer business,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director. “Prayer is an inherently religious practice, and our Constitution makes it clear that promoting it is not part of the government’s job...
Read more at http://www.au.org/media/press-releases/archives/2010/10/appeals-court-should-strike.html
Americans United for Separation of Church and State has asked a federal appeals court to find the congressionally mandated National Day of Prayer unconstitutional.
In a friend-of-the-court brief filed with the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Americans United urged the panel of judges to affirm a lower court decision that held the National Day of Prayer statute unconstitutional.
In April, U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb of the Western District of Wisconsin ruled that the federal law violates the constitutional separation of church and state. The Obama administration has appealed Crabb’s decision to the 7th Circuit.
“Congress needs to get out of the prayer business,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director. “Prayer is an inherently religious practice, and our Constitution makes it clear that promoting it is not part of the government’s job...
Read more at http://www.au.org/media/press-releases/archives/2010/10/appeals-court-should-strike.html
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Illegal Church Policking Round Up
October 7, 2010
IRS Should Investigate N.Y. Church That Endorsed Gubernatorial Candidate, Says Americans United
Watchdog Group Calls On Tax Agency To Take Action Against Brooklyn Church That Endorsed Cuomo
A Brooklyn church that endorsed Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew M. Cuomo should be investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, says Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
Americans United today sent a letter to the IRS about recent activities at Brown Memorial Baptist Church. The New York Times reported that Cuomo spoke at the church during services on Oct. 3 and that he “delivered a pitch for support in his bid for governor, citing his record as attorney general and assailing his opponent ‘for trying to divide us.’”
Furthermore, the paper reported, “The church’s pastor, the Rev. Clinton M. Miller, quickly encouraged congregants to vote for Mr. Cuomo.”
...In its letter to the IRS, Americans United says these actions violate federal law, which prohibits tax-exempt groups from intervening in politics by endorsing or opposing candidates.
Read more at: http://www.au.org/media/press-releases/archives/2010/10/irs-should-investigate-ny.html
==========
September 30, 2010
Iowa Church’s Election Campaign Against State Supreme Court Justices Merits IRS Investigation Church’s Plan To Oust Judges Violates Federal Ban On Electioneering, Says AU's Lynn
Americans United for Separation of Church and State today urged the Internal Revenue Service to investigate an Iowa church that is organizing a church-based campaign to unseat three justices from the Iowa Supreme Court.
Cornerstone World Outreach, a Sioux City congregation, is sponsoring Project Jeremiah, a church-based campaign to encourage voting against the judges in a retention election on the Nov. 2 ballot. Religious Right activists are seeking the defeat of the judges because they ruled in favor of extending civil-marriage rights to same-sex couples.
The Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director, said the church’s campaign is a clear violation of federal tax law.
“I don’t think I have ever seen a more outrageous effort to politicize churches,” said Lynn. “This deplorable scheme seeks to turn houses of worship into dens of inequity and intolerance. I call on the IRS to move swiftly to put a stop to this outrage.
Read the full press release at http://www.au.org/media/press-releases/archives/2010/09/iowa-churchs-election.html
=======================
September 28, 2010
IRS Should Investigate Oklahoma Church That Endorsed Gubernatorial Candidate, Says Americans United The Internal Revenue Service should investigate an Edmond, Okla., church whose pastor endorsed a gubernatorial candidate from the pulpit, says Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
Pastor Paul Blair of Fairview Baptist Church endorsed Republican hopeful Mary Fallin from the pulpit during services Sept. 26.
Federal law prohibits all 501(c)(3) non-profit groups, which includes houses of worship, from intervening in elections by endorsing or opposing candidates for public office.
“When churches become cogs in any candidate’s political machine, they ought to lose their tax exemption,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United. “I urge the IRS to investigate this matter and apply the law.”
Read the full press release at http://www.au.org/media/press-releases/archives/2010/09/irs-should-investigate.html
====================
September 22, 2010
Americans United Advises Churches To Reject Religious Right's Pulpit Politicking Scheme Watchdog Group’s Letter Campaign Counters Alliance Defense Fund’s Misguided ‘Pulpit Freedom Sunday’
Read the full press release at http://www.au.org/includes/au-advises-churches-to-reject.html
IRS Should Investigate N.Y. Church That Endorsed Gubernatorial Candidate, Says Americans United
Watchdog Group Calls On Tax Agency To Take Action Against Brooklyn Church That Endorsed Cuomo
A Brooklyn church that endorsed Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew M. Cuomo should be investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, says Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
Americans United today sent a letter to the IRS about recent activities at Brown Memorial Baptist Church. The New York Times reported that Cuomo spoke at the church during services on Oct. 3 and that he “delivered a pitch for support in his bid for governor, citing his record as attorney general and assailing his opponent ‘for trying to divide us.’”
Furthermore, the paper reported, “The church’s pastor, the Rev. Clinton M. Miller, quickly encouraged congregants to vote for Mr. Cuomo.”
...In its letter to the IRS, Americans United says these actions violate federal law, which prohibits tax-exempt groups from intervening in politics by endorsing or opposing candidates.
Read more at: http://www.au.org/media/press-releases/archives/2010/10/irs-should-investigate-ny.html
==========
September 30, 2010
Iowa Church’s Election Campaign Against State Supreme Court Justices Merits IRS Investigation Church’s Plan To Oust Judges Violates Federal Ban On Electioneering, Says AU's Lynn
Americans United for Separation of Church and State today urged the Internal Revenue Service to investigate an Iowa church that is organizing a church-based campaign to unseat three justices from the Iowa Supreme Court.
Cornerstone World Outreach, a Sioux City congregation, is sponsoring Project Jeremiah, a church-based campaign to encourage voting against the judges in a retention election on the Nov. 2 ballot. Religious Right activists are seeking the defeat of the judges because they ruled in favor of extending civil-marriage rights to same-sex couples.
The Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director, said the church’s campaign is a clear violation of federal tax law.
“I don’t think I have ever seen a more outrageous effort to politicize churches,” said Lynn. “This deplorable scheme seeks to turn houses of worship into dens of inequity and intolerance. I call on the IRS to move swiftly to put a stop to this outrage.
Read the full press release at http://www.au.org/media/press-releases/archives/2010/09/iowa-churchs-election.html
=======================
September 28, 2010
IRS Should Investigate Oklahoma Church That Endorsed Gubernatorial Candidate, Says Americans United The Internal Revenue Service should investigate an Edmond, Okla., church whose pastor endorsed a gubernatorial candidate from the pulpit, says Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
Pastor Paul Blair of Fairview Baptist Church endorsed Republican hopeful Mary Fallin from the pulpit during services Sept. 26.
Federal law prohibits all 501(c)(3) non-profit groups, which includes houses of worship, from intervening in elections by endorsing or opposing candidates for public office.
“When churches become cogs in any candidate’s political machine, they ought to lose their tax exemption,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United. “I urge the IRS to investigate this matter and apply the law.”
Read the full press release at http://www.au.org/media/press-releases/archives/2010/09/irs-should-investigate.html
====================
September 22, 2010
Americans United Advises Churches To Reject Religious Right's Pulpit Politicking Scheme Watchdog Group’s Letter Campaign Counters Alliance Defense Fund’s Misguided ‘Pulpit Freedom Sunday’
Read the full press release at http://www.au.org/includes/au-advises-churches-to-reject.html
Army Must Cancel Evangelistic Event At Fort Bragg, Says Americans United
Church-State Watchdog Group Demands Military Officials Drop ‘Rock The Fort’ Event Featuring Franklin Graham Ministry
An evangelistic rally jointly sponsored by U.S. military personnel and evangelical Christian churches and ministries violates the U.S. Constitution and must be cancelled, says Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
The “Rock the Fort” event at Fort Bragg this weekend targets both military personnel and adults and children in the surrounding community for conversion to Christianity. This clearly violates the separation of church and state, attorneys with Americans United informed Army officials in a letter today.
“It’s not the Army’s job to convert Americans to Christianity,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United. “This event is totally unacceptable and must be canceled.
“It is particularly shocking that the military would join forces with Franklin Graham,” Lynn continued. “Graham has expressed utter contempt for Islam, Hinduism and other faiths. When our military joins hands with him, it sends exactly the wrong message to the world. Our military defends a nation that includes people of many different faiths and some who follow no faith at all.”
“Rock the Fort” is being sponsored by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) in conjunction with Fort Bragg chaplains and local churches. The current CEO of the Graham Association is Franklin Graham.
In addition to evangelizing soldiers, officials at Fort Bragg have invited members of the surrounding community to attend the Sept. 25 event, which will feature Christian music and sermonizing. Special emphasis will be placed on evangelizing children...
Read more here: http://www.au.org/media/press-releases/archives/2010/09/army-must-cancel-evangelistic.html
An evangelistic rally jointly sponsored by U.S. military personnel and evangelical Christian churches and ministries violates the U.S. Constitution and must be cancelled, says Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
The “Rock the Fort” event at Fort Bragg this weekend targets both military personnel and adults and children in the surrounding community for conversion to Christianity. This clearly violates the separation of church and state, attorneys with Americans United informed Army officials in a letter today.
“It’s not the Army’s job to convert Americans to Christianity,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United. “This event is totally unacceptable and must be canceled.
“It is particularly shocking that the military would join forces with Franklin Graham,” Lynn continued. “Graham has expressed utter contempt for Islam, Hinduism and other faiths. When our military joins hands with him, it sends exactly the wrong message to the world. Our military defends a nation that includes people of many different faiths and some who follow no faith at all.”
“Rock the Fort” is being sponsored by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) in conjunction with Fort Bragg chaplains and local churches. The current CEO of the Graham Association is Franklin Graham.
In addition to evangelizing soldiers, officials at Fort Bragg have invited members of the surrounding community to attend the Sept. 25 event, which will feature Christian music and sermonizing. Special emphasis will be placed on evangelizing children...
Read more here: http://www.au.org/media/press-releases/archives/2010/09/army-must-cancel-evangelistic.html
AU Urges Texas State School Board To Reject Resolution On ‘Pro-Islamic/Anti-Christian’ Bias
September 23, 2010
Measure Undercuts Democratic Values And Stirs Up Fear And Intolerance, Watchdog Group Charges.
Read the full press release at http://www.au.org/media/press-releases/archives/2010/09/au-urges-texas-state-school.html
Measure Undercuts Democratic Values And Stirs Up Fear And Intolerance, Watchdog Group Charges.
Read the full press release at http://www.au.org/media/press-releases/archives/2010/09/au-urges-texas-state-school.html
Friday, September 17, 2010
Happy Constitution Day & IHOP sues IHOP
Today is Constitution Day, and a law school dean says most Americans are Constitutional illiterates.
IHOP pancake house is suing IHOP church for trademark infringement.
IHOP pancake house is suing IHOP church for trademark infringement.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Lazarus Rising: Is The Religious Right Ready To Be ‘Born Again’ In The 2010 Elections?
An Americans United Special Report
The past two years have been difficult for the Religious Right. President Barack Obama opposes the agenda of the religious-political movement, and congressional leaders have generally turned a deaf ear. Some commentators even pronounced the Religious Right dead.
But claims of the Religious Right’s demise are often premature. Like Frankenstein’s monster, the Religious Right has proven hard to kill.
Religious Right groups are waging a massive under-the-radar campaign this fall to register church-going voters, drive congregants to the polls and elect favored candidates. These organizations believe their allies in the Republican Party are poised to make significant advances, and they want to make sure that one or both houses of Congress move to GOP control.
(See the link below for their upcoming events.)
The Religious Right And The GOP: BFFs?
Why so many events and projects that feature voter mobilization or other activities tied to electoral politics?
The Religious Right’s fortunes are closely tied to the Republican Party’s. When the GOP lost power in Washington in 2006 and 2008, the Religious Right also took a hit. Its legislative proposals have stalled, and it finds itself unable to counter legislation, court appointments and other actions it opposes...
What About The Tea Party?
Some political analysts have speculated that the Religious Right has been overshadowed by the Tea Party movement.
This is an oversimplification. The Tea Party remains a wild card, but there’s no reason why this movement cannot exist alongside or in tandem with the Religious Right. Although they don’t see eye to eye on every issue, the Religious Right and the Tea Party share the same goal: drastically changing the political calculus in Washington...
Read more at http://www.au.org/media/press-releases/archives/2010/09/lazarus-rising-is-the.html
The past two years have been difficult for the Religious Right. President Barack Obama opposes the agenda of the religious-political movement, and congressional leaders have generally turned a deaf ear. Some commentators even pronounced the Religious Right dead.
But claims of the Religious Right’s demise are often premature. Like Frankenstein’s monster, the Religious Right has proven hard to kill.
Religious Right groups are waging a massive under-the-radar campaign this fall to register church-going voters, drive congregants to the polls and elect favored candidates. These organizations believe their allies in the Republican Party are poised to make significant advances, and they want to make sure that one or both houses of Congress move to GOP control.
(See the link below for their upcoming events.)
The Religious Right And The GOP: BFFs?
Why so many events and projects that feature voter mobilization or other activities tied to electoral politics?
The Religious Right’s fortunes are closely tied to the Republican Party’s. When the GOP lost power in Washington in 2006 and 2008, the Religious Right also took a hit. Its legislative proposals have stalled, and it finds itself unable to counter legislation, court appointments and other actions it opposes...
What About The Tea Party?
Some political analysts have speculated that the Religious Right has been overshadowed by the Tea Party movement.
This is an oversimplification. The Tea Party remains a wild card, but there’s no reason why this movement cannot exist alongside or in tandem with the Religious Right. Although they don’t see eye to eye on every issue, the Religious Right and the Tea Party share the same goal: drastically changing the political calculus in Washington...
Read more at http://www.au.org/media/press-releases/archives/2010/09/lazarus-rising-is-the.html
Ralph Reed Is Betting Evangelical Voters Will Forget His Casino-Lobbyist Past, Says Americans United
Former Christian Coalition Director Seeks To Regain Religious Right Leadership Role With D.C. ‘Strategy Briefing’
Hoping to reemerge as a leader of the Religious Right, former Christian Coalition Executive Director Ralph Reed will hold a national meeting in Washington, D.C., Sept. 10-11 under the auspices of his new Faith and Freedom Coalition.
Reed will be successful only if evangelical Christians engage in a case of collective amnesia, says Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
“This is the same Ralph Reed who carried water for the casino industry in the Jack Abramoff scandal,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United. “This is the same Ralph Reed who misled his evangelical friends while collecting a lot of dough.”
Read more at http://www.au.org/media/press-releases/archives/2010/09/ralph-reed-is-betting.html
Hoping to reemerge as a leader of the Religious Right, former Christian Coalition Executive Director Ralph Reed will hold a national meeting in Washington, D.C., Sept. 10-11 under the auspices of his new Faith and Freedom Coalition.
Reed will be successful only if evangelical Christians engage in a case of collective amnesia, says Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
“This is the same Ralph Reed who carried water for the casino industry in the Jack Abramoff scandal,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United. “This is the same Ralph Reed who misled his evangelical friends while collecting a lot of dough.”
Read more at http://www.au.org/media/press-releases/archives/2010/09/ralph-reed-is-betting.html
Sept. 12 - 50th Anniversary of JFK Speech!
On Sept. 12, 1960, presidential candidate John F. Kennedy gave one of the most important speeches on church and state in American history. Refuting charges that his Catholic religious affiliation would interfere with his presidential duties, Kennedy outlined the proper constitutional relationship between religion and government.
A half century later, Americans are still struggling with issues of faith and politics. Some candidates trumpet their personal religous affiliations in a crass attempt to secure votes. Others attacks Islam or other minority faiths in a divisive and destructive maneuver to win elections.
The principles and sentiments in Kennedy's speech, therefore, are more important than ever! Listen to the speech and be inspired by his wise words. Urge your family, friends and neighbors to do the same. Support church-state separation and equality for Americans of all faiths as well as those who follow no spiritual path at all.
Watch a portion of the speech, listen to the whole speech or read it here.
A half century later, Americans are still struggling with issues of faith and politics. Some candidates trumpet their personal religous affiliations in a crass attempt to secure votes. Others attacks Islam or other minority faiths in a divisive and destructive maneuver to win elections.
The principles and sentiments in Kennedy's speech, therefore, are more important than ever! Listen to the speech and be inspired by his wise words. Urge your family, friends and neighbors to do the same. Support church-state separation and equality for Americans of all faiths as well as those who follow no spiritual path at all.
Watch a portion of the speech, listen to the whole speech or read it here.
National Round-Up
List of recent AU press releases. To read the full releases, go to http://www.au.org/media/press-releases/.
August 27, 2010 Beck Rallies In Washington Undercut Church-State Separation Fox Pundit And His Religious Right Allies Are Pushing A Divisive Message Of Extremism, Intolerance, Says AU’s Lynn
August 25, 2010 Va. Attorney General’s Advisory On Religious Displays May Lead To Lawsuits If Cuccinelli Wants To See A Nativity Scene, Let Him Put One In His Own Yard, Says AU’s Lynn
August 25, 2010 Congress Should Reject Conservative Religious Groups’ Call For Taxpayer-Funded Job Bias If ‘Faith-Based’ Charities Want To Discriminate In Hiring On Religious Grounds, They Shouldn’t Get Public Funds, Says AU’s Lynn
August 18, 2010 Use of Government Property to Relocate NYC Mosque Raises Serious Legal Questions Church-State Watchdog Group Says Government Can’t Subsidize Religion Or Give It Preferential Treatment
August 10, 2010 AU, Allies Commend House Resolution On Texas School Board’s Biased Social Studies Standards Public School Curriculum Standards Should Not Be Politicized, Says AU’s Lynn
August 4, 2010 AU Applauds Court Ruling Against Proposition 8 Minority Civil Rights Should Never Be Taken Away By Referendum, Watchdog Group Says
August 27, 2010 Beck Rallies In Washington Undercut Church-State Separation Fox Pundit And His Religious Right Allies Are Pushing A Divisive Message Of Extremism, Intolerance, Says AU’s Lynn
August 25, 2010 Va. Attorney General’s Advisory On Religious Displays May Lead To Lawsuits If Cuccinelli Wants To See A Nativity Scene, Let Him Put One In His Own Yard, Says AU’s Lynn
August 25, 2010 Congress Should Reject Conservative Religious Groups’ Call For Taxpayer-Funded Job Bias If ‘Faith-Based’ Charities Want To Discriminate In Hiring On Religious Grounds, They Shouldn’t Get Public Funds, Says AU’s Lynn
August 18, 2010 Use of Government Property to Relocate NYC Mosque Raises Serious Legal Questions Church-State Watchdog Group Says Government Can’t Subsidize Religion Or Give It Preferential Treatment
August 10, 2010 AU, Allies Commend House Resolution On Texas School Board’s Biased Social Studies Standards Public School Curriculum Standards Should Not Be Politicized, Says AU’s Lynn
August 4, 2010 AU Applauds Court Ruling Against Proposition 8 Minority Civil Rights Should Never Be Taken Away By Referendum, Watchdog Group Says
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Meeting canceled
Tonight's meeting is canceled. Next one will be Saturday, Sept. 11 at 5pm at the Black Dog Coffee House in Lenexa.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
NY City Mayor Bloomberg Defends Mosque Near WTC
Plans to build a mosque and cultural center two blocks away from the World Trade Center will continue. Below is a transcript of New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg's remarks:
“We've come here to Governors Island to stand where the earliest settlers first set foot in New Amsterdam, and where the seeds of religious tolerance were first planted. We come here to see the inspiring symbol of liberty that more than 250 years later would greet millions of immigrants in this harbor. And we come here to state as strongly as ever, this is the freest city in the world. That's what makes New York special and different and strong.
“Our doors are open to everyone. Everyone with a dream and a willingness to work hard and play by the rules. New York City was built by immigrants, and it's sustained by immigrants -- by people from more than 100 different countries speaking more than 200 different languages and professing every faith. And whether your parents were born here or you came here yesterday, you are a New Yorker.
“We may not always agree with every one of our neighbors. That's life. And it's part of living in such a diverse and dense city. But we also recognize that part of being a New Yorker is living with your neighbors in mutual respect and tolerance. It was exactly that spirit of openness and acceptance that was attacked on 9/11, 2001.
“On that day, 3,000 people were killed because some murderous fanatics didn't want us to enjoy the freedoms to profess our own faiths, to speak our own minds, to follow our own dreams, and to live our own lives. Of all our precious freedoms, the most important may be the freedom to worship as we wish. And it is a freedom that even here -- in a city that is rooted in Dutch tolerance -- was hard-won over many years.
“In the mid-1650s, the small Jewish community living in lower Manhattan petitioned Dutch governor Peter Stuyvesant for the right to build a synagogue, and they were turned down. In 1657, when Stuyvesant also prohibited Quakers from holding meetings, a group of non-Quakers in Queens signed the Flushing Remonstrance, a petition in defense of the right of Quakers and others to freely practice their religion. It was perhaps the first formal political petition for religious freedom in the American colonies, and the organizer was thrown in jail and then banished from New Amsterdam.
“In the 1700s, even as religious freedom took hold in America, Catholics in New York were effectively prohibited from practicing their religion, and priests could be arrested. Largely as a result, the first Catholic parish in New York City was not established until the 1780s, St. Peter's on Barclay Street, which still stands just one block north of the World Trade Center site, and one block south of the proposed mosque and community center.
“This morning, the city's Landmark Preservation Commission unanimously voted to extend -- not to extend -- landmark status to the building on Park Place where the mosque and community center are planned. The decision was based solely on the fact that there was little architectural significance to the building. But with or without landmark designation, there is nothing in the law that would prevent the owners from opening a mosque within the existing building.
“The simple fact is, this building is private property, and the owners have a right to use the building as a house of worship, and the government has no right whatsoever to deny that right. And if it were tried, the courts would almost certainly strike it down as a violation of the U.S. Constitution.
“Whatever you may think of the proposed mosque and community center, lost in the heat of the debate has been a basic question: Should government attempt to deny private citizens the right to build a house of worship on private property based on their particular religion? That may happen in other countries, but we should never allow it to happen here.
“This nation was founded on the principle that the government must never choose between religions or favor one over another. The World Trade Center site will forever hold a special place in our city, in our hearts. But we would be untrue to the best part of ourselves and who we are as New Yorkers and Americans if we said no to a mosque in lower Manhattan.
“Let us not forget that Muslims were among those murdered on 9/11, and that our Muslim neighbors grieved with us as New Yorkers and as Americans. We would betray our values and play into our enemies' hands if we were to treat Muslims differently than anyone else. In fact, to cave to popular sentiment would be to hand a victory to the terrorists, and we should not stand for that.
"For that reason, I believe that this is an important test of the separation of church and state as we may see in our lifetimes, as important a test. And it is critically important that we get it right.
"On Sept. 11, 2001, thousands of first responders heroically rushed to the scene and saved tens of thousands of lives. More than 400 of those first responders did not make it out alive. In rushing into those burning buildings, not one of them asked, 'What God do you pray to?' (Bloomberg's voice cracks here a little as he gets choked up.) 'What beliefs do you hold?'
"The attack was an act of war, and our first responders defended not only our city, but our country and our constitution. We do not honor their lives by denying the very constitutional rights they died protecting. We honor their lives by defending those rights and the freedoms that the terrorists attacked.
"Of course, it is fair to ask the organizers of the mosque to show some special sensitivity to the situation, and in fact their plan envisions reaching beyond their walls and building an interfaith community. But doing so, it is my hope that the mosque will help to bring our city even closer together, and help repudiate the false and repugnant idea that the attacks of 9/11 were in any ways consistent with Islam.
"Muslims are as much a part of our city and our country as the people of any faith. And they are as welcome to worship in lower Manhattan as any other group. In fact, they have been worshipping at the site for better, the better part of a year, as is their right. The local community board in lower Manhattan voted overwhelmingly to support the proposal. And if it moves forward, I expect the community center and mosque will add to the life and vitality of the neighborhood and the entire city.
"Political controversies come and go, but our values and our traditions endure, and there is no neighborhood in this city that is off-limits to God's love and mercy, as the religious leaders here with us can attest."
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2010/08/bloomberg-stands-up-for-mosque.html#ixzz0vgvsIHbE
“We've come here to Governors Island to stand where the earliest settlers first set foot in New Amsterdam, and where the seeds of religious tolerance were first planted. We come here to see the inspiring symbol of liberty that more than 250 years later would greet millions of immigrants in this harbor. And we come here to state as strongly as ever, this is the freest city in the world. That's what makes New York special and different and strong.
“Our doors are open to everyone. Everyone with a dream and a willingness to work hard and play by the rules. New York City was built by immigrants, and it's sustained by immigrants -- by people from more than 100 different countries speaking more than 200 different languages and professing every faith. And whether your parents were born here or you came here yesterday, you are a New Yorker.
“We may not always agree with every one of our neighbors. That's life. And it's part of living in such a diverse and dense city. But we also recognize that part of being a New Yorker is living with your neighbors in mutual respect and tolerance. It was exactly that spirit of openness and acceptance that was attacked on 9/11, 2001.
“On that day, 3,000 people were killed because some murderous fanatics didn't want us to enjoy the freedoms to profess our own faiths, to speak our own minds, to follow our own dreams, and to live our own lives. Of all our precious freedoms, the most important may be the freedom to worship as we wish. And it is a freedom that even here -- in a city that is rooted in Dutch tolerance -- was hard-won over many years.
“In the mid-1650s, the small Jewish community living in lower Manhattan petitioned Dutch governor Peter Stuyvesant for the right to build a synagogue, and they were turned down. In 1657, when Stuyvesant also prohibited Quakers from holding meetings, a group of non-Quakers in Queens signed the Flushing Remonstrance, a petition in defense of the right of Quakers and others to freely practice their religion. It was perhaps the first formal political petition for religious freedom in the American colonies, and the organizer was thrown in jail and then banished from New Amsterdam.
“In the 1700s, even as religious freedom took hold in America, Catholics in New York were effectively prohibited from practicing their religion, and priests could be arrested. Largely as a result, the first Catholic parish in New York City was not established until the 1780s, St. Peter's on Barclay Street, which still stands just one block north of the World Trade Center site, and one block south of the proposed mosque and community center.
“This morning, the city's Landmark Preservation Commission unanimously voted to extend -- not to extend -- landmark status to the building on Park Place where the mosque and community center are planned. The decision was based solely on the fact that there was little architectural significance to the building. But with or without landmark designation, there is nothing in the law that would prevent the owners from opening a mosque within the existing building.
“The simple fact is, this building is private property, and the owners have a right to use the building as a house of worship, and the government has no right whatsoever to deny that right. And if it were tried, the courts would almost certainly strike it down as a violation of the U.S. Constitution.
“Whatever you may think of the proposed mosque and community center, lost in the heat of the debate has been a basic question: Should government attempt to deny private citizens the right to build a house of worship on private property based on their particular religion? That may happen in other countries, but we should never allow it to happen here.
“This nation was founded on the principle that the government must never choose between religions or favor one over another. The World Trade Center site will forever hold a special place in our city, in our hearts. But we would be untrue to the best part of ourselves and who we are as New Yorkers and Americans if we said no to a mosque in lower Manhattan.
“Let us not forget that Muslims were among those murdered on 9/11, and that our Muslim neighbors grieved with us as New Yorkers and as Americans. We would betray our values and play into our enemies' hands if we were to treat Muslims differently than anyone else. In fact, to cave to popular sentiment would be to hand a victory to the terrorists, and we should not stand for that.
"For that reason, I believe that this is an important test of the separation of church and state as we may see in our lifetimes, as important a test. And it is critically important that we get it right.
"On Sept. 11, 2001, thousands of first responders heroically rushed to the scene and saved tens of thousands of lives. More than 400 of those first responders did not make it out alive. In rushing into those burning buildings, not one of them asked, 'What God do you pray to?' (Bloomberg's voice cracks here a little as he gets choked up.) 'What beliefs do you hold?'
"The attack was an act of war, and our first responders defended not only our city, but our country and our constitution. We do not honor their lives by denying the very constitutional rights they died protecting. We honor their lives by defending those rights and the freedoms that the terrorists attacked.
"Of course, it is fair to ask the organizers of the mosque to show some special sensitivity to the situation, and in fact their plan envisions reaching beyond their walls and building an interfaith community. But doing so, it is my hope that the mosque will help to bring our city even closer together, and help repudiate the false and repugnant idea that the attacks of 9/11 were in any ways consistent with Islam.
"Muslims are as much a part of our city and our country as the people of any faith. And they are as welcome to worship in lower Manhattan as any other group. In fact, they have been worshipping at the site for better, the better part of a year, as is their right. The local community board in lower Manhattan voted overwhelmingly to support the proposal. And if it moves forward, I expect the community center and mosque will add to the life and vitality of the neighborhood and the entire city.
"Political controversies come and go, but our values and our traditions endure, and there is no neighborhood in this city that is off-limits to God's love and mercy, as the religious leaders here with us can attest."
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2010/08/bloomberg-stands-up-for-mosque.html#ixzz0vgvsIHbE
Americans United Applauds Court Ruling Against Proposition 8
Minority Civil Rights Should Never Be Taken Away By Referendum, Watchdog Group Says
Americans United for Separation of Church and State today applauded a federal district court decision striking down California’s Proposition 8, a measure that withdrew the civil marriage rights of same-sex couples in the state.
Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker ruled that the state constitutional amendment imposes a private moral viewpoint without a legitimate governmental interest and tramples on the equal rights of gay and lesbian couples.
Said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, “This is a tremendous step forward for individual freedom and church-state separation. Aggressive and well-funded religious groups conspired to take away the civil marriage rights of same-sex couples in California. That was wrong, and I am delighted that the court has ruled the way it has.”
In a November 2008 referendum, voters narrowly approved Proposition 8, a ballot measure that removed the right of same-sex couples to obtain civil marriages. The referendum was dominated by lavishly funded political front groups representing the Roman Catholic bishops, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons) and fundamentalist Protestant churches.
Read more here: http://www.au.org/media/press-releases/archives/2010/08/au-applauds-court-ruling.html
Americans United for Separation of Church and State today applauded a federal district court decision striking down California’s Proposition 8, a measure that withdrew the civil marriage rights of same-sex couples in the state.
Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker ruled that the state constitutional amendment imposes a private moral viewpoint without a legitimate governmental interest and tramples on the equal rights of gay and lesbian couples.
Said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, “This is a tremendous step forward for individual freedom and church-state separation. Aggressive and well-funded religious groups conspired to take away the civil marriage rights of same-sex couples in California. That was wrong, and I am delighted that the court has ruled the way it has.”
In a November 2008 referendum, voters narrowly approved Proposition 8, a ballot measure that removed the right of same-sex couples to obtain civil marriages. The referendum was dominated by lavishly funded political front groups representing the Roman Catholic bishops, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons) and fundamentalist Protestant churches.
Read more here: http://www.au.org/media/press-releases/archives/2010/08/au-applauds-court-ruling.html
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Americans United Applauds Supreme Court Ruling Against Discriminatory Religious Club At Law School
Church-State Watchdog Group Says High Court Was Right To Rule Against Christian Legal Society Affiliate
June 28
Americans United for Separation of Church and State praised today’s Supreme Court ruling upholding a policy at Hastings College of the Law that prohibits school-subsidized student clubs from engaging in religious discrimination.
“This decision is a huge step forward for fundamental fairness and equal treatment,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United.
Continued Lynn, “Religious discrimination is wrong, and a public school should be able to take steps to eradicate it. Today’s court ruling makes it easier for colleges and universities to do that.”
Read more here
June 28
Americans United for Separation of Church and State praised today’s Supreme Court ruling upholding a policy at Hastings College of the Law that prohibits school-subsidized student clubs from engaging in religious discrimination.
“This decision is a huge step forward for fundamental fairness and equal treatment,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United.
Continued Lynn, “Religious discrimination is wrong, and a public school should be able to take steps to eradicate it. Today’s court ruling makes it easier for colleges and universities to do that.”
Read more here
Americans United Urges Senate Panel To Question Kagan On Church-State Views
Watchdog Group Expresses Concern About Kagan’s Record On Religious Liberty And Civil Rights, As Well As Funding Of Religion
Americans United for Separation of Church and State today urged the Senate Judiciary Committee to question Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan about her views on crucial religious liberty issues.
In a letter to Committee Chairman Sen. Patrick Leahy and ranking minority member Sen. Jeff Sessions, Americans United asked senators to question Kagan about specific records stemming from her service in the Clinton administration and her testimony to the Senate during her confirmation hearing as solicitor general.
Kagan, AU insisted, should be asked whether religious liberty claims outweigh civil rights protections and under what circumstances government can fund religious groups.
The Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director, said he hopes the committee accepts its responsibility to question Kagan on her church-state perspective.
“It is imperative,” said Lynn, “that senators ask Kagan about her stance on religious liberty. We have carefully researched her record, and there are issues that raise concern. I think she should have the opportunity to clarify exactly what her views are.
Read more here
Americans United for Separation of Church and State today urged the Senate Judiciary Committee to question Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan about her views on crucial religious liberty issues.
In a letter to Committee Chairman Sen. Patrick Leahy and ranking minority member Sen. Jeff Sessions, Americans United asked senators to question Kagan about specific records stemming from her service in the Clinton administration and her testimony to the Senate during her confirmation hearing as solicitor general.
Kagan, AU insisted, should be asked whether religious liberty claims outweigh civil rights protections and under what circumstances government can fund religious groups.
The Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director, said he hopes the committee accepts its responsibility to question Kagan on her church-state perspective.
“It is imperative,” said Lynn, “that senators ask Kagan about her stance on religious liberty. We have carefully researched her record, and there are issues that raise concern. I think she should have the opportunity to clarify exactly what her views are.
Read more here
IRS Should Investigate South Dakota Church That Endorsed Gubernatorial Candidate, Says Americans United
Watchdog Group Says Baptist Pastor’s Pulpit Endorsement Violates Federal Tax Law
Americans United for Separation of Church and State today filed a complaint with the Internal Revenue Service about a Rapid City, S.D., church whose pastor endorsed a gubernatorial candidate during a church service.
The Rev. H. Wayne Williams, pastor of Liberty Baptist Tabernacle, endorsed state Sen. Gordon Howie, who was seeking the Republican nomination for governor. Williams’ May 16 endorsement from the pulpit was reported in a press release by the Howie campaign and in the Rapid City Journal.
“This church is tax exempt and may not intervene in elections,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United. “
Read more here: http://www.au.org/media/press-releases/archives/2010/06/irs-should-investigate-south.html
Americans United for Separation of Church and State today filed a complaint with the Internal Revenue Service about a Rapid City, S.D., church whose pastor endorsed a gubernatorial candidate during a church service.
The Rev. H. Wayne Williams, pastor of Liberty Baptist Tabernacle, endorsed state Sen. Gordon Howie, who was seeking the Republican nomination for governor. Williams’ May 16 endorsement from the pulpit was reported in a press release by the Howie campaign and in the Rapid City Journal.
“This church is tax exempt and may not intervene in elections,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United. “
Read more here: http://www.au.org/media/press-releases/archives/2010/06/irs-should-investigate-south.html
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Stay Away From ‘Christians-Only’ Prison Scheme, Americans United Tells Officials In Kansas, OK, CA
(Americans United press release)
May 25, 2010
Church-State Watchdog Group Warns Corrections Departments About Constitutional Dangers Of Proposed Sectarian Facility
Americans United for Separation of Church and State today warned corrections officials in three states not to use public funds to send inmates to a proposed “Christians-only” prison in Oklahoma.
Corrections Concepts, Inc., has proposed building a private prison in Wakita, Okla., that will indoctrinate prisoners in fundamentalist Christianity and will be staffed solely with “born-again” Christians.
The Dallas, Texas-based firm recently announced that discussions are under way with corrections officials in Oklahoma, Kansas and California about signing contracts to house prisoners. In response, attorneys with Americans United wrote to officials in the three states, advising them that using public funds to send inmates to the sectarian facility would likely spark legal action.
Americans United asserts it would be unconstitutional for government to support a prison that indoctrinates inmates in one faith and limits hiring based on religion.
“Taxpayers should never be forced to support religious indoctrination,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United. “This scheme is fraught with constitutional problems, and no state should subsidize it.”
In letters to corrections officials, AU attorneys pointed out that a federal appeals court in 2007 struck down public funding of an evangelical Christian program at an Iowa prison. The Christian prison in Oklahoma, they say, would likely meet the same fate.
“If the Department were to provide funding to Corrections Concepts’ prison, indoctrination would be the inevitable result…,” Americans United asserted. “And, just as inevitably, the funding of such indoctrination would violate the Constitution.”
The AU letters to Oklahoma, Kansas and California were signed by Americans United Legal Director Ayesha N. Khan and AU Staff Attorney Ian Smith.
Corrections Concepts founder Bill Robinson told the Tulsa World recently that the bonding company that has expressed interest in financing the project will not provide funds until states agree to send 285 prisoners to the facility, which is expected to have more than 600 beds.
Robinson first proposed the facility last year. At that time, Americans United wrote to the Oklahoma Department of Corrections and advised it not to back the scheme. Officials there replied that they had no interest in the project. But Robinson now says he has an expression of interest from the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs.
May 25, 2010
Church-State Watchdog Group Warns Corrections Departments About Constitutional Dangers Of Proposed Sectarian Facility
Americans United for Separation of Church and State today warned corrections officials in three states not to use public funds to send inmates to a proposed “Christians-only” prison in Oklahoma.
Corrections Concepts, Inc., has proposed building a private prison in Wakita, Okla., that will indoctrinate prisoners in fundamentalist Christianity and will be staffed solely with “born-again” Christians.
The Dallas, Texas-based firm recently announced that discussions are under way with corrections officials in Oklahoma, Kansas and California about signing contracts to house prisoners. In response, attorneys with Americans United wrote to officials in the three states, advising them that using public funds to send inmates to the sectarian facility would likely spark legal action.
Americans United asserts it would be unconstitutional for government to support a prison that indoctrinates inmates in one faith and limits hiring based on religion.
“Taxpayers should never be forced to support religious indoctrination,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United. “This scheme is fraught with constitutional problems, and no state should subsidize it.”
In letters to corrections officials, AU attorneys pointed out that a federal appeals court in 2007 struck down public funding of an evangelical Christian program at an Iowa prison. The Christian prison in Oklahoma, they say, would likely meet the same fate.
“If the Department were to provide funding to Corrections Concepts’ prison, indoctrination would be the inevitable result…,” Americans United asserted. “And, just as inevitably, the funding of such indoctrination would violate the Constitution.”
The AU letters to Oklahoma, Kansas and California were signed by Americans United Legal Director Ayesha N. Khan and AU Staff Attorney Ian Smith.
Corrections Concepts founder Bill Robinson told the Tulsa World recently that the bonding company that has expressed interest in financing the project will not provide funds until states agree to send 285 prisoners to the facility, which is expected to have more than 600 beds.
Robinson first proposed the facility last year. At that time, Americans United wrote to the Oklahoma Department of Corrections and advised it not to back the scheme. Officials there replied that they had no interest in the project. But Robinson now says he has an expression of interest from the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Attorney General's Statement On 'Faith-Based' Job Bias Is Encouraging, Says Americans United
President Obama Should Take Immediate Steps To End Religious Discrimination In Taxpayer-Supported Social Services, Says AU’s Lynn
May 14, 2010
Attorney General Eric Holder told the House Judiciary Committee yesterday that the Obama administration does not support religiously based hiring discrimination in taxpayer-funded “faith-based” programs.
Americans United for Separation of Church and State said the statement is welcome and urged the Obama administration to back it up by revoking Bush-era executive orders that permit hiring bias by religiously affiliated social services that take public funds.
“We are encouraged that Attorney General Holder has reiterated the administration’s commitment to non-discrimination,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United. “Now is the time to act decisively.”
Holder’s statement came during an exchange with U.S. Rep. Robert Scott (D-Va.). Scott noted that Obama, as a candidate for president, vowed to end religious discrimination in publicly funded faith-based programs but as president has left in place Bush-era policies that permit it.
Read more here
May 14, 2010
Attorney General Eric Holder told the House Judiciary Committee yesterday that the Obama administration does not support religiously based hiring discrimination in taxpayer-funded “faith-based” programs.
Americans United for Separation of Church and State said the statement is welcome and urged the Obama administration to back it up by revoking Bush-era executive orders that permit hiring bias by religiously affiliated social services that take public funds.
“We are encouraged that Attorney General Holder has reiterated the administration’s commitment to non-discrimination,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United. “Now is the time to act decisively.”
Holder’s statement came during an exchange with U.S. Rep. Robert Scott (D-Va.). Scott noted that Obama, as a candidate for president, vowed to end religious discrimination in publicly funded faith-based programs but as president has left in place Bush-era policies that permit it.
Read more here
Friday, April 30, 2010
Supreme Court Decision in Mojave Cross Case Is Disappointing, Says AU's Lynn
Today’s Supreme Court decision in a California cross case is disappointing, according to Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
“I’m very disappointed,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director. “The court majority was clearly determined to find any bogus reason to keep this religious symbol in a public park.”
Added Lynn, “It’s alarming that the high court continues to undermine the separation of church and state. Nothing good can come from this trend.”
Lynn said the ruling in Salazar v. Buono will likely encourage further assaults on the church-state wall.
Read more here.
“I’m very disappointed,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director. “The court majority was clearly determined to find any bogus reason to keep this religious symbol in a public park.”
Added Lynn, “It’s alarming that the high court continues to undermine the separation of church and state. Nothing good can come from this trend.”
Lynn said the ruling in Salazar v. Buono will likely encourage further assaults on the church-state wall.
Read more here.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Congressional Earmarks For Religious Groups Raise Church-State Concerns, Says Americans United
Watchdog Group Urges Obama Administration To Block Ten Grants Unless Constitutional Safeguards Can Be Enforced
April 22, 2010
Americans United for Separation of Church and State today called on the Obama administration to investigate ten earmarks for religious schools and ministries that raise constitutional issues about inappropriate public funding of religion.
In a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder and three other cabinet officers, Americans United urged the administration to examine the congressional earmarks and block the funding unless appropriate legal safeguards can be put in place.
“Taxpayers should never be forced to support religion,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director. “Congress should not approve earmark funding for projects that advance religion. Religious pork is bad for America’s constitutional health.”
Read the full press release at http://www.au.org/media/press-releases/archives/2010/04/congressional-earmarks-for.html
April 22, 2010
Americans United for Separation of Church and State today called on the Obama administration to investigate ten earmarks for religious schools and ministries that raise constitutional issues about inappropriate public funding of religion.
In a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder and three other cabinet officers, Americans United urged the administration to examine the congressional earmarks and block the funding unless appropriate legal safeguards can be put in place.
“Taxpayers should never be forced to support religion,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director. “Congress should not approve earmark funding for projects that advance religion. Religious pork is bad for America’s constitutional health.”
Read the full press release at http://www.au.org/media/press-releases/archives/2010/04/congressional-earmarks-for.html
Federal Court Rules National Day of Prayer Unconstitutional
A US district court judge ruled the National Day of Prayer is unconstitutional. Read more here: http://blog.au.org/2010/04/16/prayer-day-decision-the-religious-right-predictably-gets-it-wrong/
AU's Barry Lynn debates the constitutionality of the National Day of Prayer with Megyn Kelly on Fox News: http://www.au.org/media/videos/archives/2010/barry-lynn-debates-the.html
However, Obama will still issue a National Day of Prayer proclamation anyway. See: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/Religion/post/2010/04/obama-will-still-issue-national-day-of-prayer-proclamation/1
AU's Barry Lynn debates the constitutionality of the National Day of Prayer with Megyn Kelly on Fox News: http://www.au.org/media/videos/archives/2010/barry-lynn-debates-the.html
However, Obama will still issue a National Day of Prayer proclamation anyway. See: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/Religion/post/2010/04/obama-will-still-issue-national-day-of-prayer-proclamation/1
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Founding Fathers event videos online!
We have our March 27 "The Truth About the Founding Fathers" event on video and online! In case you missed it (or want to show it to others)...
For the full length video, click the Multimedia page link in the menu to the left.
For a 15-part series on YouTube go here:
http://www.youtube.com/user/GreaterKansasCityAU (Be sure to view them in order)
Thanks to Tom for filming for us! And thanks to Rob Boston and Fred Whitehead for speaking for us! Thanks also to everyone who helped get the word out, and to the 30+ people who showed up.
For the full length video, click the Multimedia page link in the menu to the left.
For a 15-part series on YouTube go here:
http://www.youtube.com/user/GreaterKansasCityAU (Be sure to view them in order)
Thanks to Tom for filming for us! And thanks to Rob Boston and Fred Whitehead for speaking for us! Thanks also to everyone who helped get the word out, and to the 30+ people who showed up.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Federal Roundup (federal courts and IRS)
Big Brother By Rob Boston
Chancellor Falwell Is Trying To Turn Tax-Exempt Liberty University Into A Partisan Political Machine – And Dominate Lynchburg Elections. Will The IRS Step In?
“This is one of the most blatant and dishonest attempts to influence an election by a non-profit religious organization I have ever seen,” (The Rev. Barry) Lynn said. “We hope the IRS acts swiftly to stop Liberty’s overt partisan politicking.”
Read more here.
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High Court: Okla. Commandments Display Is Not OK
The Ten Commandments must be removed from an Oklahoma courthouse lawn, now that the U.S. Supreme Court has passed over an appeal requesting that the monument remain...
Read more here.
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A contract postal unit cannot promote religion, says the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear the case, which means the Circuit Court decision stands.
To find out more, see Supreme Court Won’t Take Delivery On Post Office Religion Case.
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Church Or B&B?: Infamous ‘C Street House’ Should Lose Tax Break, Clergy Say
A group of clergy has asked the Internal Revenue Service to examine the tax-exempt status of a house in Washington, D.C., connected to a shadowy Religious Right group called The Family.
The residential building in question is located on Capitol Hill near congressional offices. The Family, also known as the Fellowship Foundation, has for years received a tax exemption for the property (formally called the C Street Center), claiming it is a church.
An alliance of Ohio-based ministers challenged that assertion. In a Feb. 23 letter to the IRS, members of Clergy Voice asserted that the C Street house is “an exclusive club for powerful officials…masquerading as a church.”
Read more here.
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Appeals Court Upholds Use Of ‘Under God’ In Classroom Pledge
A federal appeals court has ruled that classroom use of the phrase “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance does not violate the separation of church and state.
The 2-1 ruling March 11 by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is the latest decision in a long-running legal campaign by Michael Newdow to have “under God” declared unconstitutional in the public school context.
Newdow, a California atheist activist, scored an initial victory in 2002 when a separate panel of 9th Circuit judges ruled in his favor. That decision was appealed to the Supreme Court, which vacated it, holding that Newdow lacked the right to sue (“standing”) on behalf of his daughter. (He does not have full custody of her.)
In the more recent decision, the 9th Circuit majority in Newdow v. Rio Linda School District declared that the Pledge is a patriotic exercise. The insertion of “under God” by Congress in 1954, the judges said, does not make the oath religious...
Read more here.
Chancellor Falwell Is Trying To Turn Tax-Exempt Liberty University Into A Partisan Political Machine – And Dominate Lynchburg Elections. Will The IRS Step In?
“This is one of the most blatant and dishonest attempts to influence an election by a non-profit religious organization I have ever seen,” (The Rev. Barry) Lynn said. “We hope the IRS acts swiftly to stop Liberty’s overt partisan politicking.”
Read more here.
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High Court: Okla. Commandments Display Is Not OK
The Ten Commandments must be removed from an Oklahoma courthouse lawn, now that the U.S. Supreme Court has passed over an appeal requesting that the monument remain...
Read more here.
-----------
A contract postal unit cannot promote religion, says the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear the case, which means the Circuit Court decision stands.
To find out more, see Supreme Court Won’t Take Delivery On Post Office Religion Case.
------
Church Or B&B?: Infamous ‘C Street House’ Should Lose Tax Break, Clergy Say
A group of clergy has asked the Internal Revenue Service to examine the tax-exempt status of a house in Washington, D.C., connected to a shadowy Religious Right group called The Family.
The residential building in question is located on Capitol Hill near congressional offices. The Family, also known as the Fellowship Foundation, has for years received a tax exemption for the property (formally called the C Street Center), claiming it is a church.
An alliance of Ohio-based ministers challenged that assertion. In a Feb. 23 letter to the IRS, members of Clergy Voice asserted that the C Street house is “an exclusive club for powerful officials…masquerading as a church.”
Read more here.
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Appeals Court Upholds Use Of ‘Under God’ In Classroom Pledge
A federal appeals court has ruled that classroom use of the phrase “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance does not violate the separation of church and state.
The 2-1 ruling March 11 by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is the latest decision in a long-running legal campaign by Michael Newdow to have “under God” declared unconstitutional in the public school context.
Newdow, a California atheist activist, scored an initial victory in 2002 when a separate panel of 9th Circuit judges ruled in his favor. That decision was appealed to the Supreme Court, which vacated it, holding that Newdow lacked the right to sue (“standing”) on behalf of his daughter. (He does not have full custody of her.)
In the more recent decision, the 9th Circuit majority in Newdow v. Rio Linda School District declared that the Pledge is a patriotic exercise. The insertion of “under God” by Congress in 1954, the judges said, does not make the oath religious...
Read more here.
Roundup: D.C. and the States
Voucher Obsession by Sandhya Bathija
Lieberman Loses Voucher Vote (for D.C. schools) In U.S. Senate, But His Crusade For Private School Subsidies Is Likely To Continue
Read more here.
See also U.S. Senate Votes Against School Vouchers.
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Anti-Antichrist Bill Dies In Virginia Senate.
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Texas GOP Votes For God, Commandments
More than 95 percent of Texas Republicans voting in the statewide primary would like to see governmental promotion of God, prayer and the Ten Commandments in public buildings and schools.
On the March 2 ballot, Texas Republicans could vote on Ballot Proposition 4, which stated: “The use of the word ‘God,’ prayers, and the Ten Commandments should be allowed at public gatherings and public educational institutions, as well as be permitted on government buildings and property.”
Though propositions on primary ballots are nonbinding, critics say the proposition shows muddled thinking about church-state relations...
Read more here.
Lieberman Loses Voucher Vote (for D.C. schools) In U.S. Senate, But His Crusade For Private School Subsidies Is Likely To Continue
Read more here.
See also U.S. Senate Votes Against School Vouchers.
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Anti-Antichrist Bill Dies In Virginia Senate.
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Texas GOP Votes For God, Commandments
More than 95 percent of Texas Republicans voting in the statewide primary would like to see governmental promotion of God, prayer and the Ten Commandments in public buildings and schools.
On the March 2 ballot, Texas Republicans could vote on Ballot Proposition 4, which stated: “The use of the word ‘God,’ prayers, and the Ten Commandments should be allowed at public gatherings and public educational institutions, as well as be permitted on government buildings and property.”
Though propositions on primary ballots are nonbinding, critics say the proposition shows muddled thinking about church-state relations...
Read more here.
Late Update Regarding Ft. Leonard Wood in MO
AU Urges Army To Make Further Changes To ‘Church Retreat’ Program
U.S. military officials should make further changes at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri to ensure that soldiers are not subjected to unwanted religious proselytism, Americans United told Army officials in December.
In July of 2008, Americans United wrote to Department of Defense officials to raise concerns about the “Tabernacle Baptist Church Retreat” (previously known as “Free Day Away”), a program sponsored by a congregation in Lebanon, Mo. Under the program, soldiers are taken to the church for food and recreational activities but are required to attend an evangelistic service while there...
Shortly after AU sent its missive, Department of Defense officials issued guidelines stating that it should be made clear that attendance is voluntary and that soldiers who remain behind should be allotted free time and not be made to work.
But Americans United says that’s not enough. In a follow-up letter sent to Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates Dec. 18, AU suggested that trainees who choose not to attend the church-sponsored event should be offered equivalent recreational activities...
Read more here: http://www.au.org/media/church-and-state/archives/2010/02/au-urges-army-to-make-further.html
U.S. military officials should make further changes at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri to ensure that soldiers are not subjected to unwanted religious proselytism, Americans United told Army officials in December.
In July of 2008, Americans United wrote to Department of Defense officials to raise concerns about the “Tabernacle Baptist Church Retreat” (previously known as “Free Day Away”), a program sponsored by a congregation in Lebanon, Mo. Under the program, soldiers are taken to the church for food and recreational activities but are required to attend an evangelistic service while there...
Shortly after AU sent its missive, Department of Defense officials issued guidelines stating that it should be made clear that attendance is voluntary and that soldiers who remain behind should be allotted free time and not be made to work.
But Americans United says that’s not enough. In a follow-up letter sent to Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates Dec. 18, AU suggested that trainees who choose not to attend the church-sponsored event should be offered equivalent recreational activities...
Read more here: http://www.au.org/media/church-and-state/archives/2010/02/au-urges-army-to-make-further.html
Friday, April 2, 2010
Scott Roeder sentenced to Hard 50
Scott Roeder, the man who murdered Dr. George Tiller, was sentenced to more than 50 years without parole. (The Kansas City Star says 50, MSNBC says 51 years and 8 months.) Read more in the Kansas City Star.
National & Around the Nation Roundup
Rob Boston of AU reports that the religious right is trying to make inroads with the Tea Partiers in Strange BedFellows.
"It's Time for Obama to Fix the Faith-based Initiative" writes the Rev. Barry Lynn in the Huffington Post.
As evidence of the former story, here's one about a publicly funded evangelical charity that won't hire non-Christians here.
A privately funded "Hell is Real" billboard may cost Kentucky $42 million in state funds for transportation, if the state refuses to take it down, because the Federal Highway Administration says the placement of the billboard violates the Highway Beautification Act. Read more here.
"It's Time for Obama to Fix the Faith-based Initiative" writes the Rev. Barry Lynn in the Huffington Post.
As evidence of the former story, here's one about a publicly funded evangelical charity that won't hire non-Christians here.
A privately funded "Hell is Real" billboard may cost Kentucky $42 million in state funds for transportation, if the state refuses to take it down, because the Federal Highway Administration says the placement of the billboard violates the Highway Beautification Act. Read more here.
Supreme Court Decision About Law School’s Anti-Discrimination Policy
Supreme Court Decision About Law School’s Anti-Discrimination Policy Tests Religious Right Power On College Campuses – And Elsewhere
Michael Flynn couldn’t be prouder of his alma mater. Hastings College of Law, where Flynn graduated in 2006, has stood up for his rights and the rights of his classmates – defending them all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Though many other law schools caved to the demands of a Religious Right group called the Christian Legal Society (CLS), the San Francisco school stood its ground. In 2004, Hastings denied official recognition and public funding to CLS, a national organization with student chapters at law schools across the country.
The society requires all its members to sign an evangelical statement of faith and bars students who engage in “unrepentant homosexual conduct” from joining.
But Hastings, which is part of the University of California, requires that student groups remain open to all students in order to receive university funding and recognition. The school told the society it could not make an exception for CLS, but that “if CLS wishes to form independent of Hastings, [the university] would be pleased to provide the organization the use of Hastings facilities for its meetings and activities.”
Read more here
Michael Flynn couldn’t be prouder of his alma mater. Hastings College of Law, where Flynn graduated in 2006, has stood up for his rights and the rights of his classmates – defending them all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Though many other law schools caved to the demands of a Religious Right group called the Christian Legal Society (CLS), the San Francisco school stood its ground. In 2004, Hastings denied official recognition and public funding to CLS, a national organization with student chapters at law schools across the country.
The society requires all its members to sign an evangelical statement of faith and bars students who engage in “unrepentant homosexual conduct” from joining.
But Hastings, which is part of the University of California, requires that student groups remain open to all students in order to receive university funding and recognition. The school told the society it could not make an exception for CLS, but that “if CLS wishes to form independent of Hastings, [the university] would be pleased to provide the organization the use of Hastings facilities for its meetings and activities.”
Read more here
What Texas Textbook Changes Mean For You
Texas Conservatives Win Textbook Change says the New York Times.
The new curriculum will stress "the superiority of American capitalism, questioning the Founding Fathers' commitment to a purely secular government and presenting Republican political philosophies in a more positive light." The word "capitalism" is replaced with "free-market enterprise."
Added to the curriculum will be content about Phyllis Schlafly, the Contract with America, the Heritage Foundation, the Moral Majority, the National Rifle Assocation, and the Black Panthers. Students would also be expected to learn the "unintended consequences" of legislation such as the Great Society, affirmative action and Title IX.
History would be rewritten to be more sympathetic to Joe McCarthy. Meanwhile from a list of figures whose writings inspired revolutions in the late 18th and 19th century, Thomas Jefferson will be removed and replaced with St. Thomas Aquinas, John Calvin and William Blackstone.
The new textbook curriculum is likely to affect the rest of the country since most school purchase Texas-approved textbooks. However, most textbook publishers also have alternative textbooks available. We recommend that you contact your school board and ask how these changes might affect your district. Blue Valley in Kansas says they will stick with Kansas standards and Blue Valley curriculum and that the district often supplements textbooks with other materials to keep the high quality of its curriculum. Coming soon to the website will be a special page with links and information to different local school boards.
The new curriculum will stress "the superiority of American capitalism, questioning the Founding Fathers' commitment to a purely secular government and presenting Republican political philosophies in a more positive light." The word "capitalism" is replaced with "free-market enterprise."
Added to the curriculum will be content about Phyllis Schlafly, the Contract with America, the Heritage Foundation, the Moral Majority, the National Rifle Assocation, and the Black Panthers. Students would also be expected to learn the "unintended consequences" of legislation such as the Great Society, affirmative action and Title IX.
History would be rewritten to be more sympathetic to Joe McCarthy. Meanwhile from a list of figures whose writings inspired revolutions in the late 18th and 19th century, Thomas Jefferson will be removed and replaced with St. Thomas Aquinas, John Calvin and William Blackstone.
The new textbook curriculum is likely to affect the rest of the country since most school purchase Texas-approved textbooks. However, most textbook publishers also have alternative textbooks available. We recommend that you contact your school board and ask how these changes might affect your district. Blue Valley in Kansas says they will stick with Kansas standards and Blue Valley curriculum and that the district often supplements textbooks with other materials to keep the high quality of its curriculum. Coming soon to the website will be a special page with links and information to different local school boards.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
The Truth About the Founding Fathers
Was America founded as a "Christian Nation," as revisionist David Barton and others say?
Learn the truth in this panel discussion with Rob Boston (From Americans United for Church and State National) and Fred Whitehead.
Saturday, March 27 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Antioch Library, 8700 Shawnee Mission Parkway in Merriam, KS
Free admission.
Learn the truth in this panel discussion with Rob Boston (From Americans United for Church and State National) and Fred Whitehead.
Saturday, March 27 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Antioch Library, 8700 Shawnee Mission Parkway in Merriam, KS
Free admission.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
We have videos on YouTube!
Check out our YouTube page at http://www.youtube.com/user/GreaterKansasCityAU
We've just uploaded a 17-part series from an event we had in November called "150 Years On, What's All the Fuss About Evolution, Science Education and Church and State?" that we co-hosted with Kansas Citizens for Science.
We have the same videos in larger segments on the Multimedia page of this site, but for YouTube, to view the videos in their intended order:
First, watch the Paul Decelles videoes: Decelles-Part1, DecellesPart2, DecellesPart3, DecellesPart4
Then the Josh Rosenau videos: RosenauPart1, etc. in 4 parts
Then the David Burress videos: BurressPart1, etc. in 4 parts
Then finally, the Question and Answer session in 5 parts labled as PanelPart1, etc. PanelPart5 is the last video in the series.
Don't forget to subscribe to our channel! You can also view our subscriptions at the bottom, which include the channel for the national Americans United.
We've just uploaded a 17-part series from an event we had in November called "150 Years On, What's All the Fuss About Evolution, Science Education and Church and State?" that we co-hosted with Kansas Citizens for Science.
We have the same videos in larger segments on the Multimedia page of this site, but for YouTube, to view the videos in their intended order:
First, watch the Paul Decelles videoes: Decelles-Part1, DecellesPart2, DecellesPart3, DecellesPart4
Then the Josh Rosenau videos: RosenauPart1, etc. in 4 parts
Then the David Burress videos: BurressPart1, etc. in 4 parts
Then finally, the Question and Answer session in 5 parts labled as PanelPart1, etc. PanelPart5 is the last video in the series.
Don't forget to subscribe to our channel! You can also view our subscriptions at the bottom, which include the channel for the national Americans United.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Americans United Joins Broad Coalition Of Groups Asking Obama To Reform ‘Faith-Based’ Initiative
AU’s Lynn Says President’s Remarks At Prayer Breakfast Give Wrong Impression That Bush Policy’s Constitutional And Civil Rights Flaws Have Been Fixed
February 4, 2010
Americans United for Separation of Church and State today joined 25 national religious and public policy organizations in a letter to President Barack Obama asking him to make major changes to the “faith-based” initiative.
The joint letter to the president lays out a specific set of proposals to protect civil rights and religious liberty in federally funded social services and urges Obama to adopt them. They include banning employment discrimination based on religion in tax-funded projects and issuing uniform guidelines to ensure that no person seeking help in a publicly funded program is subjected to unwanted proselytizing.
In a speech today at the National Prayer Breakfast, Obama insisted that his administration has “turned the faith-based initiative around.” In fact, leaders of civil rights, civil liberties and religious groups say the president has failed to correct Bush-era policies.
“I was surprised and disappointed to hear President Obama suggest that the faith-based initiative has somehow been ‘turned around,’” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United. “In fact, in all significant ways, the Obama faith-based initiative right now is the same as the Bush faith-based initiative.
Read more here.
February 4, 2010
Americans United for Separation of Church and State today joined 25 national religious and public policy organizations in a letter to President Barack Obama asking him to make major changes to the “faith-based” initiative.
The joint letter to the president lays out a specific set of proposals to protect civil rights and religious liberty in federally funded social services and urges Obama to adopt them. They include banning employment discrimination based on religion in tax-funded projects and issuing uniform guidelines to ensure that no person seeking help in a publicly funded program is subjected to unwanted proselytizing.
In a speech today at the National Prayer Breakfast, Obama insisted that his administration has “turned the faith-based initiative around.” In fact, leaders of civil rights, civil liberties and religious groups say the president has failed to correct Bush-era policies.
“I was surprised and disappointed to hear President Obama suggest that the faith-based initiative has somehow been ‘turned around,’” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United. “In fact, in all significant ways, the Obama faith-based initiative right now is the same as the Bush faith-based initiative.
Read more here.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Tiller's murderer found guilty on all counts
Earlier today, KCTV5 broadcast the live reading of the verdict of Scott Roeder, the man charged with killing Dr. George Tiller in Wichita. Roeder was found guilty of all charges. The verdict was unanimous.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Hearing on MO constitutional amendment on prayer
Tomorrow (Tues. Jan. 26) a Missouri Senate committee will hold a hearing on the proposed constitutional amendment regarding prayer (SJR 31).
At that hearing, the president of the St. Louis Chapter will distribute a letter written by the state legislative counsel for Americans United, detailing the problems with the legislation. Among these are that:
* The legislation does not adequately account for the fact that the free speech of government employees, while speaking in the context of their employment, are "somewhat diminished" because they are speaking on behalf of the state.
* The legislation "does not acknowledge constitutional limits on legislative prayer," such as the requirement that prayers be nonsectarian.
* The "proposed amendment may undermine efforts to achieve interfaith understanding."
At that hearing, the president of the St. Louis Chapter will distribute a letter written by the state legislative counsel for Americans United, detailing the problems with the legislation. Among these are that:
* The legislation does not adequately account for the fact that the free speech of government employees, while speaking in the context of their employment, are "somewhat diminished" because they are speaking on behalf of the state.
* The legislation "does not acknowledge constitutional limits on legislative prayer," such as the requirement that prayers be nonsectarian.
* The "proposed amendment may undermine efforts to achieve interfaith understanding."
Religious Expression in American Public Life: A Joint Statement of Current Law
Before we can talk intelligently about how things should be, we need to agree on how things are.
A new document called ¨Religious Expression in American Public Life: A Joint Statement of Current Law¨ sets down exactly what the current law is regarding religious expression in America. You can read it in pdf form here:
http://www.adl.org/religious_freedom/WFU-Divinity-Joint-Statement.pdf
Some excerpts:
"The drafters of this document often disagree about how the law should address issues regarding the intersection of religion and government. For example, some of us are actively urging the Supreme Court of the United States to reverse certain decisions in this area, while others of us are vigorously opposing such efforts.
"Nevertheless, we have come together to provide a summary of how the law currently answers some basic questions regarding religious expression and practice in public life. However much we differ about what the law should be, we agree in many cases on what the law is today...
"Many of the questions concerning religious expression in public life could be better addressed if Americans kept in mind the First Amendment’s crucial distinction between “government speech endorsing religion, which the Establishment Clause forbids, and private speech endorsing religion, which the Free Speech and Free Exercise Clauses protect.” Of course, this reference to “private speech” is not limited to speech occurring “in private,” but describes religious expression attributable to nongovernmental organizations and individuals rather than to the state. This means that individuals and groups have the right to practice and promote their faith, not only within their homes and houses of worship, but also publicly in places such as parks, street corners, the airwaves, open meetings and many other places subject to the same time, place and manner limits that apply to other nongovernmental speech. This statement is a brief summary of some of the ways in which the law applies to various forms of religious speech, expression and
practice..."
(Thanks to Bill Tammeus and his blog, where we found out about this document: http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d834515f9b69e20120a7f34e24970b )
A new document called ¨Religious Expression in American Public Life: A Joint Statement of Current Law¨ sets down exactly what the current law is regarding religious expression in America. You can read it in pdf form here:
http://www.adl.org/religious_freedom/WFU-Divinity-Joint-Statement.pdf
Some excerpts:
"The drafters of this document often disagree about how the law should address issues regarding the intersection of religion and government. For example, some of us are actively urging the Supreme Court of the United States to reverse certain decisions in this area, while others of us are vigorously opposing such efforts.
"Nevertheless, we have come together to provide a summary of how the law currently answers some basic questions regarding religious expression and practice in public life. However much we differ about what the law should be, we agree in many cases on what the law is today...
"Many of the questions concerning religious expression in public life could be better addressed if Americans kept in mind the First Amendment’s crucial distinction between “government speech endorsing religion, which the Establishment Clause forbids, and private speech endorsing religion, which the Free Speech and Free Exercise Clauses protect.” Of course, this reference to “private speech” is not limited to speech occurring “in private,” but describes religious expression attributable to nongovernmental organizations and individuals rather than to the state. This means that individuals and groups have the right to practice and promote their faith, not only within their homes and houses of worship, but also publicly in places such as parks, street corners, the airwaves, open meetings and many other places subject to the same time, place and manner limits that apply to other nongovernmental speech. This statement is a brief summary of some of the ways in which the law applies to various forms of religious speech, expression and
practice..."
(Thanks to Bill Tammeus and his blog, where we found out about this document: http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d834515f9b69e20120a7f34e24970b )
HB 1651 allows teachers to discuss ´weaknesses´ of evolution
2. Neither the state board of education, nor any public elementary or secondary school governing authority, superintendent of schools, or school system administrator, nor any public elementary or secondary school principal or administrator shall prohibit any teacher in a public school system of this state from helping students understand, analyze, critique, and review in an objective manner the scientific strengths and scientific weaknesses of biological or chemical evolution whenever these subjects are taught within the course curriculum schedule.
This Missouri bill is not yet on the calendar and is not yet scheduled for a hearing.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
3 MO bills on malpractice, school prayer, evolution
SB616 - Enacts provisions relating to faith-based community health centers
http://www.house.mo.gov/content.aspx?info=/bills101/sbills/sb616.htm
SJR31 - Proposes a constitutional amendment reaffirming a citizen's right to free expression of religion
http://www.house.mo.gov/content.aspx?info=/bills101/sbills/sj031.htm
HJR 62 - RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN PUBLIC PLACES - McGhee, Mike
http://www.house.mo.gov/content.aspx?info=/bills101/bills/hjr62.htm
SB 616 does seem to be offering faith-based community health centers an exemption from malpractice not available to other community health centers. In terms of church-state separation law, I think a simple removal of the phrase "faith-based" so that it applies to all community health centers would make it legal. It is in a Senate committee right now.
SJR 31 and HJR 62 appear to be Senate and House versions of the same thing - an amendment to the Missouri constitution. Some of the things it would guarantee, we already have. I am concerned about two things, though. On the issue of prayer, of course voluntary school prayer by students is already allowed and no one can be coerced to participate - but what about the right not to be forced to listen to prayers of others (given that students are considered a "captive audience")? It's unclear whether this legislation would respect that concept or is an attempt to undermine it.
Even more troubling is this passage: "that students may express their beliefs about religion in written and oral assignments free from discrimination based on the religious content of their work; that no student shall be compelled to perform or participate in academic assignments or educational presentations that violate his or her religious beliefs;"
This could easily be used by creationists to attack the teaching of evolution in public school science classrooms.
The House bill has not be sent to committee and is not yet scheduled for a hearing. The Senate version is in committee. We'll be keeping an eye on the situation
http://www.house.mo.gov/content.aspx?info=/bills101/sbills/sb616.htm
SJR31 - Proposes a constitutional amendment reaffirming a citizen's right to free expression of religion
http://www.house.mo.gov/content.aspx?info=/bills101/sbills/sj031.htm
HJR 62 - RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN PUBLIC PLACES - McGhee, Mike
http://www.house.mo.gov/content.aspx?info=/bills101/bills/hjr62.htm
SB 616 does seem to be offering faith-based community health centers an exemption from malpractice not available to other community health centers. In terms of church-state separation law, I think a simple removal of the phrase "faith-based" so that it applies to all community health centers would make it legal. It is in a Senate committee right now.
SJR 31 and HJR 62 appear to be Senate and House versions of the same thing - an amendment to the Missouri constitution. Some of the things it would guarantee, we already have. I am concerned about two things, though. On the issue of prayer, of course voluntary school prayer by students is already allowed and no one can be coerced to participate - but what about the right not to be forced to listen to prayers of others (given that students are considered a "captive audience")? It's unclear whether this legislation would respect that concept or is an attempt to undermine it.
Even more troubling is this passage: "that students may express their beliefs about religion in written and oral assignments free from discrimination based on the religious content of their work; that no student shall be compelled to perform or participate in academic assignments or educational presentations that violate his or her religious beliefs;"
This could easily be used by creationists to attack the teaching of evolution in public school science classrooms.
The House bill has not be sent to committee and is not yet scheduled for a hearing. The Senate version is in committee. We'll be keeping an eye on the situation
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