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.
Friday, April 30, 2010
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.
----------
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.
-------
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.
-----------
Anti-Antichrist Bill Dies In Virginia Senate.
--------
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.
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