Americans United, Greater Kansas City Chapter

Upcoming Local Events

2011-02-02T20:45:00.004-06:00

Our Feb. 12 meeting happens to fall on Darwin's Day, so if you want to chat informally about Darwin's Day, evolution, science or science education we can do that in addition to our agenda.

As of Feb. 9, our room for the event below has changed to Room 3. Thank you!

The rest of the agenda will include upcoming election of officers, the anti-evolution bill in Missouri, the removal of the Ten Commandments from a courtroom in Ohio, church politicking and the promotion of our next event below.

Feb. 23, Wed. 7pm, we will hold a talk on the US Supreme Court and separation of church and state. Our speaker will be UMKC Professor Doug Linder. He will give a one hour presentation followed by a half hour for questions. The talk will be held at UMKC School of Law, in Room 03 (lower level).

Please see our printable flier here.

We are now on Meetup.com!

--Updated on Feb. 9, 2011

Around the Nation: Recent AU press releases.

2011-02-02T20:43:00.001-06:00

Recent AU press releases.

Feb. 2

Americans United Applauds Decision Striking Down Ohio Judge’s Ten Commandments Display

Courts Should Provide Equal Justice For All, Not Promote Religious Law, Says AU’s Lynn

A federal appeals court made the right call in requiring a state judge in Ohio to remove a Ten Commandments display from his courtroom, says Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled today that James DeWeese, a judge of the Richland County Court of Common Pleas, ran afoul of the Constitution when he put up a display entitled “Philosophies of Law in Conflict” that contrasted the “Moral Absolutes” of the Ten Commandments with the “Moral Relatives” of humanism.

“Judge DeWeese was improperly promoting his personal religious beliefs in his courtroom, and I’m glad the appeals court put a stop to it,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United, which filed a friend-of-the-court brief in the case.

Added Lynn, “Our courts are supposed to provide equal justice for all, not promote religious law. Judges should never send the message that some religious traditions have a preferred place in the courtroom.”

More here.

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Jan. 26

Americans United Opposes House Speaker’s Plan To Give Federal Funding To D.C. Religious Schools

Voucher Program Would Undermine Civil Rights And Civil Liberties And Add To The Budget Deficit, Says AU’s Lynn

House Speaker John Boehner’s plan to subsidize religious schools in the District of Columbia would undercut civil rights and civil liberties and add to the federal budget deficit, while failing to improve education, according to Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

Boehner has announced that today he will unveil a bill that would resurrect and expand the controversial experimental D.C. voucher program, which pays for tuition at private schools for some students in Washington, D.C.

Americans United says the Boehner move is seriously misguided.

“I can’t imagine a worse time to unveil a new federal subsidy for religious schools,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director. “This proposal would add to the federal budget deficit while subsidizing schools that indoctrinate and discriminate in hiring."

More here.

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Jan. 13

Americans United Files Lawsuit Challenging Tennessee County’s Unconstitutional Preference For Christianity

Johnson County Commission Allowed Posting Of Ten Commandments, But Turned Down Local Man’s Church State Display, Watchdog Group Charges

A Tennessee county’s preference for Christianity in its courthouse displays violates the U.S. Constitution, according to a federal lawsuit filed today by Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

Americans United, a Washington, D.C.-based watchdog group, is challenging the Johnson County Commission’s decision to display the Ten Commandments and Christian literature in the courthouse lobby while refusing to display a local man’s posters about the historic role of church-state separation in American law.

“The Johnson County Commission is promoting religion through its displays,” observes the complaint. “In addition, the Commission refuses to allow alternative points of view to be heard. This is a twofold violation of the First Amendment.”

More here.

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Jan. 7

Grassley Investigation of TV Preachers Veers Off Course, Says Americans United

Senate Finance Committee Staffers Are Wrong To Recommend Scrapping Federal ‘No-Electioneering’ Rule For Non-Profits, Says Watchdog Group

A Senate Finance Committee investigation into several high-profile TV ministries went badly off track when staffers recommended that Congress repeal a federal ban on partisan politicking by churches and other non-profit groups, says Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) announced in 2007 that committee staff would investigate six TV ministries that might have been abusing their non-profit status. A staff memo delivered to Grassley yesterday reports on the findings, including lack of cooperation from four of the six ministries being examined.

But the report also includes a recommendation that the Congress do away with the federal tax law ban on partisan political activity by non-profit groups.

“I have to wonder what these Senate staffers could possibly be thinking with this breathtakingly wrong-headed suggestion,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director. “It’s a sign that this investigation has gone seriously off course.”

More here.

Event Announcement: Feb. 23, US Supreme Court

2011-01-19T20:00:00.003-06:00

The US Supreme Court and Separation of Church & State

Presenting: UMKC Constitutional Law Prof. Doug Linder

Wednesday, Feb. 23

7pm-8:30pm

University of Missouri,
Kansas City
Law School

Stoup Courtroom, lower level of law school

One hour program, followed by a short question and answer session.

Location and Parking: UMKC School of Law is located at the corner of 52nd and Oak Streets, at 500 E. 52nd St, Kansas City, MO. The Stoup Courtroom is on the lower level. The visitor parking lot is located on the west side of Oak St. directly across from Administrative Center for $1 per hour. For maps and directions, please see: http://www.law.umkc.edu/map.htm

For more information: http://www.aukc.org, info@aukc.org

Army Faces Questions over Spiritual Fitness Test

2011-01-19T19:45:00.003-06:00

Army Faces Questions over Spiritual Fitness Test

If soldiers received a low score on their spiritual fitness questions, they received an assessment that said “Spiritual fitness is an area of possible difficulty for you. ... Improving your spiritual fitness should be an important goal.”

READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE. HELLO? CAN WE SAY, "WHAT?"
http://www.ethicsdaily.com/army-faces-questions-over-spiritual-fitness-test-cms-17264

Cole -having fun- Morgan

Thanks to Cole Morgan for passing this along. It is not the government's job to decide who is "spiritually fit" or even to make the value judgment that spiritual fitness is a desirable goal. American soldiers have diverse views on the subject of spirituality and this diversity does not in any way negatively impact their bravery or their service to this country.

Anti-evolution bill introduced in MO

2011-01-19T19:34:00.002-06:00

Missouri has introduced anti-evolution legislation, House Bill 195. It is a typical "equal time" bill calling chemical and biological evolution "controversial," even though there's no controversy among biologists or chemists that evolution happens. There are a number of problems with equal time bills, such as:

1- There's only so much time in the school day and science classes need to be devoted to science. Creationism (including Intelligent Design) is not science.

2- In order to understand science, students must understand what is science and what is something else masquerading as science (pseudoscience).

3- Not all ideas are equally valid. Teaching real science alongside nonsense because politicians are pushing a religious agenda will only confuse students.

More information:

Text of the bill here:
http://www.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills111/biltxt/intro/HB0195I.htm

And here's a post on it from the National Center for Science Education:
http://ncse.com/news/2011/01/antievolution-legislation-missouri-006421

Lawyer Jailed For Not Saying Pledge Of Allegiance

2011-01-19T19:29:00.002-06:00

When a Mississippi judge ordered everyone in court to stand for the pledge of allegiance, Danny Lampley stood to his feet silently and would not say the pledge. The judge jailed him for contempt of court, and he was released a few hours later.

More here: http://www.scpr.org/news/2010/10/07/lawyer-jailed-for-not-saying-pledge-of-allegiance/

Upcoming Election of Officers

2010-12-11T09:12:00.003-06:00

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

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Also, we will be meeting this Saturday, 5pm, at Black Dog Coffee House in Lenexa on 87th St. Parkway for our monthly meeting.

It was the Economy, but what about the Constitution?

2010-11-08T10:12:00.000-06:00

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

AU Urges Appeals Court to Strike Down the National Day of Prayer

2010-10-08T18:14:00.001-05:00

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

Illegal Church Policking Round Up

2010-10-07T18:32:00.005-05:00

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
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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
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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
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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

2010-10-07T18:28:00.001-05:00

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

AU Urges Texas State School Board To Reject Resolution On ‘Pro-Islamic/Anti-Christian’ Bias

2010-10-07T18:19:00.000-05:00

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

October meeting canceled

2010-10-07T18:00:00.002-05:00

Sorry, we will not be meeting this weekend after all. See you next month!

Happy Constitution Day & IHOP sues IHOP

2010-09-17T11:55:00.002-05:00

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.

Lazarus Rising: Is The Religious Right Ready To Be ‘Born Again’ In The 2010 Elections?

2010-09-09T14:10:00.002-05:00

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

Ralph Reed Is Betting Evangelical Voters Will Forget His Casino-Lobbyist Past, Says Americans United

2010-09-09T14:08:00.001-05:00

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

Sept. 12 - 50th Anniversary of JFK Speech!

2010-09-09T09:28:00.001-05:00

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.

National Round-Up

2010-09-09T09:24:00.002-05:00

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

Meeting canceled

2010-08-14T12:54:00.001-05:00

Tonight's meeting is canceled. Next one will be Saturday, Sept. 11 at 5pm at the Black Dog Coffee House in Lenexa.

NY City Mayor Bloomberg Defends Mosque Near WTC

2010-08-04T20:35:00.004-05:00

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

Americans United Applauds Court Ruling Against Proposition 8

2010-08-04T17:07:00.001-05:00

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 Applauds Supreme Court Ruling Against Discriminatory Religious Club At Law School

2010-07-10T16:32:00.001-05:00

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

Americans United Urges Senate Panel To Question Kagan On Church-State Views

2010-07-10T16:29:00.000-05:00

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

IRS Should Investigate South Dakota Church That Endorsed Gubernatorial Candidate, Says Americans United

2010-07-10T15:18:00.002-05:00

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

Stay Away From ‘Christians-Only’ Prison Scheme, Americans United Tells Officials In Kansas, OK, CA

2010-05-25T17:17:00.001-05:00

(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.

Attorney General's Statement On 'Faith-Based' Job Bias Is Encouraging, Says Americans United

2010-05-17T00:12:00.000-05:00

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

Supreme Court Decision in Mojave Cross Case Is Disappointing, Says AU's Lynn

2010-04-30T19:31:00.000-05:00

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.

Congressional Earmarks For Religious Groups Raise Church-State Concerns, Says Americans United

2010-04-22T17:03:00.001-05:00

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

Federal Court Rules National Day of Prayer Unconstitutional

2010-04-22T16:59:00.003-05:00

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

Founding Fathers event videos online!

2010-04-13T05:50:00.004-05:00

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.

Federal Roundup (federal courts and IRS)

2010-04-04T15:33:00.001-05:00

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.

Roundup: D.C. and the States

2010-04-04T15:28:00.002-05:00

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.

Late Update Regarding Ft. Leonard Wood in MO

2010-04-04T13:51:00.003-05:00

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

Scott Roeder sentenced to Hard 50

2010-04-02T08:52:00.001-05:00

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

2010-04-02T08:50:00.001-05:00

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.

Supreme Court Decision About Law School’s Anti-Discrimination Policy

2010-04-02T08:41:00.001-05:00

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

What Texas Textbook Changes Mean For You

2010-04-02T08:29:00.000-05:00

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 Truth About the Founding Fathers

2010-03-03T12:34:00.001-06:00

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.

We have videos on YouTube!

2010-02-06T18:13:00.003-06:00

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.

Americans United Joins Broad Coalition Of Groups Asking Obama To Reform ‘Faith-Based’ Initiative

2010-02-05T11:43:00.001-06:00

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.

Tiller's murderer found guilty on all counts

2010-01-29T12:33:00.003-06:00

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.

Hearing on MO constitutional amendment on prayer

2010-01-25T21:08:00.004-06:00

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."

Religious Expression in American Public Life: A Joint Statement of Current Law

2010-01-25T13:31:00.002-06:00

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 )

HB 1651 allows teachers to discuss ´weaknesses´ of evolution

2010-01-25T10:42:00.001-06:00

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.

3 MO bills on malpractice, school prayer, evolution

2010-01-20T18:28:00.002-06:00

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

Americans United Urges Army Officials To Alter ‘Church Retreat’ Program At Missouri Base

2009-12-18T17:29:00.000-06:00

Watchdog Group Says Further Changes Are Necessary To Avoid Religious Coercion At Fort Leonard Wood

December 18, 2009

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, says Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

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 church 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.

Soldiers who chose not to attend were left behind at the base to continue with their military responsibilities. The fort is a training center for new recruits, and the “Church Retreat” program is the only day (other than the day before graduation) off base allotted to enlistees. Officials at the fort had been promoting the program for 36 years.

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 made to work.

Read more here

First Amendment Does Not Protect Criminal Activities By Staff At Religious Organizations, Says Americans United

2009-12-15T14:31:00.000-06:00

Church-State Watchdog Group Joins Legal Brief In Sex-Abuse Case Before Nevada Supreme Court

December 14, 2009

The First Amendment’s religious liberty provisions do not shield houses of worship from liability when their staff members or volunteers commit crimes, Americans United for Separation of Church and State has told the Nevada Supreme Court.

Americans United and several other organizations filed a friend-of-the-court brief Dec. 11 in Nevada’s top court asserting that point.

The case in question, Ramani v. Segelstein, deals with a woman who says she was sexually assaulted by a cantor at her synagogue after a service. When she reported the assault to the head rabbi, he allegedly ignored the complaint and proceeded to solicit her for sexual favors.

“The principle of religious liberty must not be sullied by making it a shield for criminal activity,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United. “The First Amendment was never intended to be interpreted that way.”

Read more here

Americans United Praises Senate Vote Against Nelson-Hatch Amendment

2009-12-15T14:30:00.000-06:00

Health-Care Reform Package Should Not Reflect Religious Doctrine, Says Church-State Watchdog Group

December 8, 2009

Americans United for Separation of Church and State today commended the U.S. Senate for rejecting a religion-based amendment to the health-care reform bill that would have limited women’s access to abortion.

By a 54-45 vote, the Senate tabled the Nelson-Hatch amendment, which would have eliminated abortion coverage from insurance plans that receive federal funds, even if the coverage is paid for with private funds. The proposal, promoted by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, is similar to a controversial amendment added to the health-care bill in the House at the behest of the church hierarchy.

The Catholic bishops and allied Religious Right forces are lobbying aggressively to enshrine their doctrines about abortion in the health-care reform package.

Said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director, “I am glad the Senate defeated this proposal. Health-care legislation should be based on the needs of the American people, not the doctrines of powerful religious interest groups.

Read more here

Supreme Court Should Reject Religious Discrimination At Public Universities, Says Americans United

2009-12-15T14:26:00.000-06:00

Church-State Watchdog Group Calls On High Court To Affirm Lower Court Ruling In Calif. Law School Case

December 7, 2009

The U.S. Supreme Court today announced it will hear a dispute from California involving an evangelical Christian club at a public law school that wants recognition and funding as an official campus organization, even though it discriminates on religious grounds.

Americans United for Separation of Church and State urged the high court to use the case as a vehicle to make it clear that groups seeking public funding and official recognition on public college campuses must be open to all.

“This case is about fundamental fairness,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United. “If the student religious group wins, it will mean some students will be compelled to support clubs that won’t even admit them as members. That’s just not right.”

The dispute involves a branch of the Christian Legal Society at Hastings College of Law at the University of California in San Francisco. The group sought funding and official status from the school, even though it effectively bars gays and non-Christians from membership by requiring all officers and voting members to sign an evangelical Christian statement of faith.

Read more here

Americans United Urges Appeals Court To Give Prison-Chaplaincy Applicant His Day In Court

2009-12-15T14:22:00.001-06:00

Wiccan Clergyman Should Have the Right To Challenge Government-Imposed Religious Discrimination, Says Watchdog Group

December 1, 2009

Religious minorities should have the right to go to court and challenge discriminatory hiring practices imposed by the government, Americans United for Separation of Church and State has told the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

In a friend-of-the-court brief in McCollum v. California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Americans United urged the appellate court to allow Patrick McCollum, a Wiccan clergyman, to challenge a state prison policy that limits paid chaplaincy positions to persons who are Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim or Native American.

“When government discriminates in hiring on religious grounds, those who are left out should have every right to sue,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director. “Job candidates who face this type of religious discrimination should at the least have a chance to go to court and fight for their constitutional rights.”

McCollum is a qualified candidate for a chaplain position at the California Department of Corrections but cannot be considered for the job because of his religious beliefs. He brought a lawsuit against the prison, but a federal district court ruled that he lacked “standing” — the right to sue.

Read more here

Event head count, video & website updates

2009-11-11T20:31:00.002-06:00

Our event last Friday ("150 Years On, What's All the Fuss About Evolution, Science Education and Church & State") was a great success. We expected 50 people, but a head count revealed that 93 people were in attendance! The event was also filmed for those who missed it.

Video files and website news:

Our video files of the event are uploaded to our website on our new Multimedia page; (see navigation menu to your left). There is also a link to it from our Events page.

We also have a YouTube account at http://www.youtube.com/user/GreaterKansasCityAU linked to from the top of the new
Multimedia page. However, the files we have are too big for YouTube, so I'm going to have to do something about that before we start posting there. I did, however, set up our preferences and color scheme.

Our brochure is now in pdf form and uploaded to the site. If you click "About Us" on the navigation bar, that's where it is.

Lastly, we now have a links page; (see navigation menu).

Local news: Underaged marriage; George Tiller murder case

2009-11-10T00:35:00.001-06:00

Man arrested for underaged marriage. The marriage was arranged for religious reasons.
This is why laws must remain religously neutral - so that all children are protected.

Read more here

-----------------
Scott Roeder confesses to shooting George Tiller.

Read more here

Las Vegas Sun Reports: Ensign Leaves C Street

2009-11-08T16:55:00.002-06:00

The Senator’s Scandal:
Ensign moves out of home on C Street
Town house shared with Christian colleagues had gained notoriety because of Nevadan’s affair

By Lisa Mascaro (contact)
Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009 | 2 a.m.

Washington — Sen. John Ensign has moved out of the C Street house, the Christian home he shared with other elected officials on Capitol Hill that came under scrutiny for its residents’ beliefs and practices and their role in trying to end the Nevada Republican’s affair with a campaign staff member.

The red brick town house emerged this summer as the subject of political intrigue — not only as a pivotal location in Ensign’s affair with Cynthia Hampton, but also that of South Carolina Republican Gov. Mark Sanford, who sought guidance there as he wrestled with his own affair.

As fallout from Ensign’s affair continues with a preliminary Senate Ethics Committee investigation and talk of a possible criminal inquiry by the Justice Department, Ensign decided to move out, not wanting to draw further attention to his longtime home...

Read more here

National Issues - and don't forget our local event Friday!

2009-11-04T16:35:00.001-06:00

Religious Right Activists Use Wide Variety Of Tactics To Evangelize In The Classroom by Rob Boston

excerpt: "Religious Right leaders often heap abuse on public schools, calling them “godless” and recommending that fundamentalists put their kids in private academies or educate them at home. At the same time, the Religious Right lusts for influence over public schools, seeing them as a “mission field” for new recruits.

Most public school officials want to do the right thing and realize that pushing religion is not among their duties. But a few won’t accept that and insist on bringing proselytism into the classroom. At the same time, public schools are often assailed by outside forces – local Religious Right groups and right-wing state and local legislators – determined to use them to stoke the flames of the culture wars."
Read more here.

Election Results Suggest Religious Right Remains Force To Contend With, Says Americans United

"Election results in Virginia, New Jersey, New York and Maine serve as a reminder that the Religious Right remains an influential force in political life, according to Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

'I wish I could say the Religious Right is dead, but this election shows that reports of its demise are inaccurate,' said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director. “The pundits who announced the Religious Right’s demise in 2008 were simply wrong..."
Read more here.

Americans United Urges IRS To Take Necessary Steps To Limit Partisan Activity By Churches

"Partisan electioneering by tax-exempt churches is a significant national problem so the Internal Revenue Service must have clear and effective policies in place to respond, Americans United for Separation of Church and State has told the federal tax agency.

The IRS is soliciting comments for new rules governing the enforcement of provisions in federal tax law that bar churches and other tax-exempt religious organizations from endorsing or opposing candidates.

Earlier this year, a federal court issued a ruling about IRS procedure that has required the government agency to clarify its internal policies regarding investigations of houses of worship..."
Read more here.

DON'T FORGET our event with KCFS on Friday! See our Events page or our pdf flier for details. See you there!

CBN Warns of "Demonic" Halloween Candy

2009-10-29T14:33:00.001-05:00

Pat Robertson’s Christian Broadcasting Network Warns Americans Of ‘Demonic’ Halloween Candy : AU’s Lynn Says Religious Broadcaster Should Send ‘Trick Or Treat’ Goodies Over To His House

October 29, 2009

Put aside your fears of swine flu. TV preacher Pat Robertson’s Web site has just issued a bulletin warning Americans of the real threat we face this season: Demons may be lurking in our Halloween candy.

In a column on the Christian Broadcasting Network’s Web site, writer Kimberly Daniels asserts that “demons” sneak into bags of Halloween candy at grocery stores.

“[M]ost of the candy sold during this season has been dedicated and prayed over by witches,” Daniels wrote. “I do not buy candy during the Halloween season. Curses are sent through the tricks and treats of the innocent whether they get it by going door to door or by purchasing it from the local grocery store. The demons cannot tell the difference.”

The Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, urged Robertson and Daniels to lighten up.

Read the full press release at www.au.org

Kansas City Council Repeals Funeral Picket-Restricting Ordinance

2009-10-24T04:23:00.003-05:00

An ordinance restricting picketing at funerals to protect the bereaved from the antics of Fred Phelps and other members of his Westboro Baptist Church (of GodHatesFags.com and GodHatesAmerica.com) was repealed in August.

The repeal cites an Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals decision ruling that restrictions against picketing funerals that are held outside of a private residence violate the First Amendment. However, the 8th Circuit's argument that, "the home is different, and, in our view, unique" offers a possible solution to families wishing to grieve in peace: hold a memorial service at home, or a friend's home.

Meanwhile, a recent Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals (Synder v. Phelps) decision reversed, also on First Amendment grounds, a monetary award against Phelps for picking another funeral.

Read the repeal here: cached version

Read about the Fourth Circuit Court case in the Kansas City Star here: http://www.kansascity.com/news/local/story/1467508.html

Read the Fourth Circuit's opinion here (Scroll to last link): http://pacer.ca4.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/opinions.pl

Our Nov. Event gets co-sponsor: Kansas Citizens for Science

2009-10-16T13:57:00.004-05:00

In recognition of the 150th Anniversary of the publication of Charles Darwin’s "On the Origin of Species"

150 Years On, What’s All The Fuss About Evolution, Science Education and Church and State?

Date: Friday, November 6, 2009
Time: 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Location: Johnson County Community College
12345 College Blvd.
Carlsen Center Rm. 234
Campus Map: http://tr.im/B8tg
Free and open to the public

Speakers:
• Josh Rosenau, “Thoughts From Kansas” blogger (http://scienceblogs.com/tfk), now on staff at the National Center for Science Education (www.ncseweb.org)
“Anti-Evolution Efforts Since the Dover Decision and the Defeat of ‘Intelligent Design’”
• Paul Decelles, Professor of Biology at Johnson County Community College
“Some Myths and Misconceptions About Evolution”
• David Burress, retired KU economics professor and a founding member of Kansas Citizens For Science
“Fighting About Darwin: Who and Why”

Moderator:
Harry McDonald, former Blue Valley biology teacher and President of Kansas Citizens For Science

Co-sponsored by the Greater Kansas City Chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State (www.aukc.org) and Kansas Citizens for Science (www.kcfs.org)

To download this flyer (PDF), go to http://www.aukc.org/Darwin.pdf

150 Years Since "On the Origin of Species": How did a scientific model (evolution) become a church-state issue?

2009-10-01T16:16:00.000-05:00

The Greater Kansas City Chapter of Americans United presents:
150 Years Since "On the Origin of Species": How did a scientific model (evolution) become a church-state issue?

In recognition of the 150th Anniversary of the publication of "On the Origin of Species" by Charles Darwin, the Greater Kansas City Chapter of Americans United for separation of church and state will be presenting a panel discussion on evolution and it's importance to both science education and church-state separation. Afterwards, we will have a question and answer session. This event is open to public. All are welcome!

Date/Time: Friday, November 6, 2009 from 7:00-9:00pm.

Place: Johnson County Community College, Room CC 234 in the Carlsen Center building. Overland Park, KS.

For speakers and other information, please see our full flier, which is in a printer-friendly pdf format.

"Creation" - a film on Darwin to be shown in U.S.

2009-09-25T09:08:00.003-05:00

Earlier we reported that a film about Darwin with distributors in other countries was refused by U.S. distributors as being "too controversial." As it turns out, "Creation" has finally found the U.S. distributor the producers were looking for.

See http://ncseweb.org/news/2009/09/creation-finds-distributor-005069

Update on Origin of Species hatchet job; new Wichita chapter

2009-09-23T16:32:00.002-05:00

(From email) If anyone would like to read the full introduction that Ray Comfort is adding to "The Origin of Species" (and hence slandering science), it can be found here:

http://assets.livingwaters.com/pdf/OriginofSpecies.pdf

-----

Also, a new Americans United Chapter just formed in Wichita, KS.

Darwin, Kirk Cameron and Bananas

2009-09-22T16:57:00.002-05:00

Kirk Cameron's 'Origin of Species' Plan: Ex-Actor to Distribute 50,000
Altered Darwin Books
See: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/22/kirk-camerons-origin-of-s_n_294349.html

Kirk Cameron, along with Ray Comfort, had previously created a YouTube video called Atheists' Nightmare in which they claimed that the banana is proof of intelligent design. Ironically, the modern banana is actually a product of artificial selection by humans who happen to understand how natural selection works.
See this unintentionally hilarious video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sanplNTr6c

"A British film about Charles Darwin has failed to find a US distributor
because his theory of evolution is too controversial for American audiences, according to its producer."
See: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/6173399/Charles-Darwin-film-too-controversial-for-religious-America.html

FBI's investigation of Tiller killing looks at Roeder's jail visitors

2009-08-12T15:43:00.000-05:00

Kansas City Star
FBI's investigation of Tiller killing looks at Roeder's jail visitors

The list of those visiting and communicating with the man accused of killing Wichita abortion doctor George Tiller reads like a who’s who of anti-abortion militants.

Two convicted clinic bombers. The man behind the Army of God Web site. Several activists who once signed a declaration that defended the killing of abortion doctors.

And federal agents have now talked to many of them.

As Scott Roeder sits in the Sedgwick County Jail awaiting trial on murder charges, a federal investigation is under way to determine whether there was a conspiracy involved in Tiller’s death...

To read more, go to: http://www.kansascity.com/637/story/1373179.html

The Coming End of the Culture Wars?

2009-07-21T18:16:00.002-05:00

From www.fivethirtyeight.com:

RT: Yes, that new report is The Coming End of the Culture Wars. In the report, I argue that the culture wars as we have known them are likely coming to an end. Demographic change-- the rise of the Millennial generation, increasing religious and family diversity and the decline of the culturally conservative white working class--is undercutting both the level and salience of conservative cultural views, thereby reducing the effectiveness of such politics. That will not prevent conservative activists around particular culture wars issues from continuing to press their case. Indeed, reaction to their current desperate plight may lead them to intensify their efforts in some states, especially where demographic change has been slow or where local right wing culture war institutions retain strength. But there will be diminishing incentives for politicians to take up these causes for the very simple reason that they are losers.

To link directly to a pdf version of the report, click here.

Americans United Commends Appellate Court Decision Against Bible Distribution In Mo. Public School

2009-07-19T16:39:00.001-05:00

Americans United for Separation of Church and State today praised a federal appeals court decision barring Bible distribution in a Missouri public school district.

The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled unanimously that the South Iron R-1 School District may not allow distribution of Bibles to children in elementary school.

Americans United, which filed a friend-of-the-court brief in the case, hailed the ruling.

"Parents, not school officials, should make decisions about their children's religious upbringing," said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director. "School officials are wrong to allow evangelism by outside groups.

"As a Christian minister, I don't have a problem with the Bible," Lynn continued. "But I do have a big problem with government officials who try to impose religion on school children. They have no right to do that."

Read more here: http://www.au.org/media/press-releases/archives/2009/07/au-commends-appellate-court.html

Ensign's "C Street House" Owned By Group Touting Plans For Christian World Control digg Share this on Facebook Huffpost - stumble reddit del.ico.us Sh

2009-07-19T16:34:00.001-05:00

Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bruce-wilson/ensigns-c-street-house-ow_b_230015.html

Be sure to check out the video halfway down the page.

We're Now Officially a Chapter!

2009-07-13T23:04:00.004-05:00

The chapter formation process is now complete, and we're now officially a chapter of Americans United for separation of church and state!

Star Dreck: Religious Right ‘Federation’ Clings On To Same Old Misguided Mission

2009-07-06T01:21:00.002-05:00

From the national org:

...Several Religious Right organizations came together June 30 here in Washington to announce the formation of the “Freedom Federation” and to unveil a “Declaration of American Values,” a document reflecting the same obsessions that have animated the Religious Right for decades: opposition to abortion, opposition to gay rights, xenophobia, opposition to church-state separation, etc.

...

Groups joining this effort include the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, Liberty University, the Family Research Council, Liberty Counsel, Vision America, Concerned Women for America, the American Family Association, Catholic Online, the Traditional Values Coalition and a host of lesser lights. The federation doesn’t plan to hire a staff or open and office, and it’s unclear what the next step will be. I have been unable to even find a Web site for this federation.

Washington Post reporter Dana Milbank, who specializes in a daily dose of snark, seemed under whelmed. Dredging up the inevitable “Star Trek” comparison, Milbank seemed suspicious of the Federation’s claims that it is politically neutral.

“While ‘we have no allegiance as a federation to either party,’ as Blackwell put it, federation politics are no secret,” wrote Milbank. “Among the many others signed on to the federation are Gary Bauer’s Campaign for Working Families, which is at the moment working on a campaign to ‘stop Obama’s socialism’; Lafferty’s Traditional Values Coalition, which is trying to stop ‘Obamunists’ from destroying private health care; Exodus International, which promises ‘freedom from homosexuality through the power of Jesus Christ’; Morning Star Ministries, which recently hosted the Spiritual Warfare Conference; and the American Family Association, which is promoting a boycott of Pepsi for supporting ‘homosexual activists.’”

In other words, despite the fancy name and all of the rhetoric, this really is your father’s Religious Right. Yawn. Nothing new here. ...

More at AU: http://blog.au.org/2009/07/06/star-dreck-religious-right-federation-clings-on-to-same-old-misguided-mission/

How I Contributed to Dr. Tiller's Murder

2009-06-01T20:40:00.003-05:00

How I (and Other "Pro-Life" Leaders) Contributed to Dr. Tiller's Murder
By Frank Schaeffer

My late father and I share the blame (with many others) for the murder of Dr. George Tiller the abortion doctor gunned down on Sunday. Until I got out of the religious right (in the mid-1980s) and repented of my former hate-filled rhetoric I was both a leader of the so-called pro-life movement and a part of a Republican Party hate machine masquerading as the moral conscience of America...

Hyperbole from the pulpit from religious leaders, be it from my father or from President Obama's former pastor the Rev. Wright, is par for the course. But once in a while someone "does something" about it and then everyone says that they were only speaking metaphorically or "spiritually" when they called for violence or for the overthrow the state or when they said things like "God damn America!" or that "abortionists are murderers like Hitler!"

Angry speech has become the norm in American religion from both the right and the left. Words are spoken which -- when taken seriously -- lead directly to violence by the unhinged and/or the truly committed...

To read more go to: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/frank-schaeffer/how-i-and-other-pro-life_b_209747.html

AU Deplores Murder of Dr. George Tiller

2009-06-01T16:08:00.002-05:00

June 1, 2009

Killing Of Dr. George Tiller Is ‘Affront To Every Moral System Imaginable,’ Says AU’s Lynn

Americans United for Separation of Church and State today deplored the murder of a Kansas doctor nationally known for his work on behalf of women’s reproductive rights.

Dr. George Tiller was shot dead Sunday morning while serving as an usher at Reformation Lutheran Church in Wichita, Kan.

“The murder of Dr. Tiller is an affront to every moral system imaginable,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director. “He had worked relentlessly to preserve the guarantee that women could make their own medical and ethical decisions. Our deepest sympathies go to his family, friends and patients.”

Tiller, who provided abortions to women with problem pregnancies, has been the target of a vicious – and sometimes violent – campaign by extreme Religious Right activists who want to ban all abortions in keeping with their doctrinal mandates.

Americans United is a religious liberty watchdog group based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1947, the organization educates Americans about the importance of church-state separation in safeguarding religious freedom.

Anti-abortion terrorism since 1993

2009-05-31T20:01:00.001-05:00

Recent cases of abortion-related violence

By The Associated Press – 2 hours ago

A look at recent cases of abortion-related violence:

_ May 31, 2009: Prominent late-term abortion provider George Tiller is shot and killed in a Wichita church where he was serving as an usher. The gunman fled but a city official said a suspect is in custody.

_ April 25, 2007: Authorities say Paul Ross Evans placed a homemade bomb in the parking lot of the Austin Women's Health Center in Texas. A bomb squad disposes of the device, which contained two pounds of nails. There are no injuries.

_ Oct. 23, 1998: Dr. Barnett Slepian is fatally shot in his home in a suburb of Buffalo, N.Y. Militant abortion opponent James Kopp is convicted of the murder in 2003 and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.

Read more here: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hsRcaLfmxox4cvkW6UmR36IILNlwD98HGJU8

Anti-abortion terrorism kills doctor in Wichita church

2009-05-31T19:58:00.001-05:00

Wichita abortion provider George Tiller shot to death at Wichita church
BY STAN FINGER AND JOE RODRIGUEZ
The Wichita Eagle

President Obama said this afternoon that he was "shocked and outraged" by the killing of abortion doctor George Tiller, who was shot while attending church in east Wichita.

Wichita Deputy Police Chief Tom Stolz said at a news conference late this afternoon that a suspect in the shooting was in custody and on his way back to Wichita.

"However profound our differences as Americans over difficult issues such as abortion, they cannot be resolved by heinous acts of violence," the president said in a statement issued by the White House.

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/703/story/1225769.html (Kansas City Star)
And at the Los Angeles Times: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-tiller1-2009jun01,0,7068875.story

Americans United Press Releases (national organization):

2009-05-31T19:49:00.000-05:00

IRS Should Review Liberty University's Tax-Exempt Status for Partisan Politicking, Says Americans United

Americans United for Separation of Church and State today asked the Internal Revenue Service to review the tax-exempt status of Liberty University in the wake of the school’s decision to yank official recognition of a student-run Democratic club...

Read more here: http://www.au.org/media/press-releases/archives/2009/05/irs-should-review-liberty.html

Supreme Court Nominee Should Be Closely Questioned On Church-State Views, Says Americans United

The Senate Judiciary Committee should thoroughly question Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor to determine her views on church-state separation, says Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

President Barack Obama today announced the nomination of Sotomayor, currently a judge on the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, to the high court. It appears that Sotomayor has not written widely on church-state issues, meaning the committee has an obligation to ascertain her views...

Read more here: http://www.au.org/media/press-releases/archives/2009/05/supreme-court-nominee-should.html

Americans United Criticizes California Supreme Court Ruling Allowing Ban On Same-Sex Marriage To Stand

Americans United for Separation of Church and State today expressed disappointment with the California Supreme Court ruling upholding Proposition 8, which bans same-sex marriage in the state.

“Marriage is a civil right and should not be subject to majority rule or a religious litmus test,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United...

Read more here: http://www.au.org/media/press-releases/archives/2009/05/au-criticizes-california.html

Americans United Joins Public Education Allies In Seeking End To D.C. School Voucher Plan

Americans United for Separation of Church and State has joined allies in the public education community to demand that Washington, D.C.’s federally funded private school voucher “experiment” not be extended.

Americans United says the program, which pays for tuition at religious and other private schools, was originally conceived as a five-year pilot program. The plan, pushed through by the Bush administration, has failed to boost student achievement, and AU insists it should be discontinued...

Read more here: http://www.au.org/media/press-releases/archives/2009/05/aujoins-public-education.html
Go here to take action:
http://www.au.org/homepage/features/archive/2009/05-vouchers/

Gov. Sebelius signs "In God We Trust" license plate bill

2009-04-27T10:49:00.006-05:00

An April 14 news release from Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' office stated that the Governor had signed 10 bills, including the "Christian License Plate" bill:

‘In God We Trust’ license plates

HB 2704 provides that on and after January 1, 2009, any owner or lessee of one or more passenger vehicles, trucks of a gross weight of 20,000 pounds or less, or motorcycles or travel trailers, may apply for and be issued one In God We Trust distinctive license plate for such vehicles.

The news release didn't mention whether the Department of Transportation would indeed front the $10,000 fee required when new plates are created. The DOT had offered to do so initially. We'll keep an eye out for further news.

In related news, Florida has gone even further in issuing "Christian" license plates. As AU notes, this action may spark lawsuits for violation of First Amendment religious neutrality provisions.

Americans United Warns Legislature Not To Mandate Car Tags Featuring Cross And Crucified Head Of Jesus

Americans United - April 27, 2009
Americans United for Separation of Church and State has urged the Florida Senate to reject a bill creating two “Christian” license plates for state motorists and warned that a lawsuit may result if the measure becomes law.

SB 642 mandates issuance of a plate depicting the crucified head of Jesus complete with a crown of thorns. It also mandates a second plate featuring a large cross, a stained-glass church window and the words “I Believe.”

“These plates clearly violate the Constitution and basic fairness,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director. “It’s wrong for the legislature to favor one faith over others. If this bill passes, it is almost certain to provoke a lawsuit.

Read the full press release at au.org

AU: HHS Should Revoke Bush "Conscience" Rules

2009-04-09T16:00:00.005-05:00

Department Of Health And Human Services Should Revoke Bush-Era 'Conscience' Rules, Says Americans United

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Church-State Watchdog Group Says Bush Medical Regulations Are Unnecessary And Could Violate Patients' Rights

Americans United for Separation of Church and State has called on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to rescind a regulation put in place by former President George W. Bush dealing with religious objections to medical procedures, saying the rule could violate patients’ rights.

The sweeping regulation, implemented by Bush in December, essentially gives health-care workers a right to refuse to take part in any procedure that they say violates their religious beliefs.

“This regulation was a parting gift from President Bush to the Religious Right, and it ought to be returned to sender,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United. “The last thing this country needs is more Religious Right meddling in our health care.”

President Barack Obama has proposed rescinding the Bush regulation, and today is the deadline for public comment on the matter. [Read more.]

[NOTE: If you wish to send a comment to President Obama, go here. But do it before midnight tonight!]

Priest's Prayer Stirs Up Conflict in Kansas House of Representatives

2009-04-06T13:14:00.002-05:00

Church & State Magazine
March 2009

A Roman Catholic priest angered some members of the Kansas House of Representatives in January by delivering a guest invocation that attacked reproductive rights.

The Rev. Brian Schieber, pastor of the Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Topeka, used his time at the podium to rail against legal abortion.

“We remember the over 53 million beautiful, innocent unborn children who have been legally exterminated in our land,” Schieber intoned. “By your grace, guide us to transform this culture of death into a culture of life and a civilization of love.”

The prayer was offered on the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision upholding a woman’s right to abortion. Several legislators said they did not appreciate its political tone.

“Prayers ought to be more ecumenical,” Rep. Tom Sawyer, a Wichita Democrat, told the Associated Press. “It’s supposed to be a prayer that all 125 people will feel comfortable praying.”

Added Rep. Mike Slattery, a Mission Democrat, “That prayer was a little more abrasive than necessary.”

But others praised the prayer.

“It’s always like music when you hear the truth,” asserted Sen. Mary Pilcher Cook, a Shawnee Republican.

[Read more.]

Obama's New Faith Council to Meet Next Week

2009-04-02T12:04:00.006-05:00

President Obama says there will be different rules for his new faith council, versus G. W. Bush's "Faith-Based Initiatives," which handed out money willy-nilly to any evangelical Christian organization that said it could provide "social work," "drug counseling," and other services the organizations were not qualified to provide. Still, it is unsettling to church-state separation supporters that Mr. Obama is even appointing a faith council. However, even before the proposed 25 members are in place, it seems the council has hit a snag with an invitation to former NFL coach Tony Dungy, whose ultra-conservative religious views could pose some political problems.

New Faith Council Expected to Meet Next Week

4/2/09 - Newsweek "God in Government"

We're hearing that the president's faith advisory council will hold its first meeting, an orientation session, next Monday evening in Washington.

The council, which will advise the White House Office on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships on policy, so far has 15 members, and the president is expected to name 10 more shortly.

It's been almost six weeks since the first 15 were named. One possible hold-up for announcing the remaining members is Tony Dungy, former NFL coach. Sources say he's been asked to join the council but hasn't decided yet.

Dungy could be a controversial member because of his remarks at a 2007 banquet at the Indiana Family Institute, which promoted an amendment to the state constitution banning same-sex marriage. Dungy endorsed the institute's position, saying, "I'm on God's side."

The Family Research Council came to Dungy's defense yesterday in a statement that said Dungy had used his celebrity "promote adoption, prison ministry, family values, outreach to the poor, and simple Christian decency."

Faith office director Joshua Dubois did not return calls and e-mails seeking comment.

"In God We Trust" license plates to Sebelius for approval

2009-04-01T19:29:00.005-05:00

Having passed the Kansas House and Senate, Bill 2134 is now going to Gov. Kathleen Sebelius for approval. The bill would exempt promoters of the "In God We Trust" license plate from putting up the usual $10,000 to get the plate manufactured. The Kansas Department of Transportation will give the promoters a pass on the $10K and wait for it to be repaid by purchasers of the license, which will cost $40.

The issue is not that a God-friendly license plate is being made available to Kansas drivers. It is the obvious favoritism toward religious believers in the KDOT's offer to pay the $10,000 upfront fee. To my knowledge, such a deal has not been offered to any other religious, agnostic or atheist group.

The First Amendment demands that the government, or any department of it, shall maintain neutrality in regard to religion, showing favor to no one religion. Something is wrong here, and it is hoped that Gov. Sebelius will see it and veto the bill.

If you are interested in preserving government neutrality in regard to religion, please contact Gov. Sebelius' office and express your concern about this seemingly faulty bill.

To e-mail the Governor, go to http://www.governor.ks.gov/comments/comment.htm

Local News Bites

2009-04-01T17:38:00.005-05:00

Anti-evolution bill introduced in the Missouri House.
House Bill 656, introduced in the Missouri House of Representatives on February 10, 2009, and not yet referred to a committee, is the latest anti-evolution "academic freedom" bill.

See http://ncseweb.org/news/2009/02/antievolution-legislation-missouri-004615

The concept of academic freedom is abused when it is used in a way that results in children becoming less educated. Evolution is the cornerstone of modern biology. Students who don’t understand sound science, including evolution, may have a harder time entering college. Such students would not be able to pursue science careers . They could not compete academically and professionally with students in other countries.

There could also be economic consequences. The Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology, which attracts 2,000 scientists to its annual meetings, boycotted New Orleans for their 2011 conference after Gov. Bobby Jindal signed an anti-evolution bill into law. The Louisiana Coalition for Science said the boycott was, “negative for the state’s economy and national reputation.” (Church & State, April 2009, Vol. 62, No. 4, p. 3) Don't let that happen to Missouri!

====
Supporters of “In God We Trust” license plates got a $10,000 fee break from the Kansas House on Friday.

House Bill 2134 would allow the “In God We Trust” license plate to be produced without the required upfront fee of $10,000 paid to the Division of Vehicles of the Kansas Department of Revenue. Americans United is not opposed to the license plate itself, but believes that all groups seeking religious message license plates should have to follow the same rules. In other words, there should be no favoritism.
This legislation singles out one particular license plate, and in doing so displays favoritism toward religious messages in general and one religious message in particular. This is unfair to other groups who are still required to pay the fee upfront.

It also violates the establishment clause of the First Amendment in that it helps spread one particular religious message without providing similar aid for promoters of competing views. It is also improper use of taxpayer money because Kansas citizens of all religions (or none) pay taxes.

See http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2009/feb/20/backers-god-we-trust-license-plate-get-10000-break/?city_local
Summary of the bill:
http://www.kslegislature.org/supplemental/2010/SN2134.pdf
The full text of the bill can be found here:
http://www.kslegislature.org/bills/2010/2134.pdf

AU: Choice of Tony Dungy for Faith Council Disappointing

2009-04-01T11:56:00.003-05:00

Americans United Issues Statement On Tony Dungy Appointment To Obama Faith Council
Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Church-State Watchdog Group Expresses Disappointment At Selection

Americans United for Separation of Church and State today expressed disappointment at the Obama administration’s decision to ask former football coach Tony Dungy to serve on the president’s Advisory Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships.

“God & Country,” the religion blog of U.S. News & World Report, said today that Dungy has been asked to serve on the council, but he has not yet decided whether to do so.

Dungy, former coach of the Indianapolis Colts football team, has well-known ties with intolerant Religious Right groups. In 2007, for example, he spoke at a fund-raising dinner for the Indiana Family Institute, a James Dobson-affiliated group that opposes gay rights, reproductive rights and separation of church and state.

Said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United’s executive director, “I am surprised and disappointed that Dungy has been asked to serve on the council. His view that civil-marriage law should reflect religious doctrine is not in keeping with the Constitution.”

[Read more here.]

America is not a "Christian nation"

2009-03-30T11:51:00.003-05:00

Manufactured Myth

Church & State Magazine - February 2009

America Isn't a "Christian Nation" As The Religions Right Claims, And The Constitutional Convention Proves It

By Mark Weldon Whitten
Religious Right advocates of “Christian America” make two claims, which they most often confuse.

First, they assert that the American people and their social and cultural institutions have been profoundly influenced by a Christian religious heritage – that the American people have been a “Christian nation” in an historical-cultural sense. Then, they assert that the Founding Fathers intended, and the Constitution instituted, a national government based directly and primarily upon Christianity – that America is a “Christian nation” in a legal-institutional sense.

They are substantially correct concerning the former assertion and radically wrong concerning the latter.

The proceedings of the Constitutional Convention of 1787 constitute the most powerful argument against the claim that the Founding Fathers intended to create a national government based upon the Christian religion. The following facts concerning the proceedings of the Convention are inconsistent with the claim that the United States of America is a Christian nation in any legal-institutional sense of “nation.”

The Convention made a deliberate decision not to begin its proceedings with official public prayers. Since meetings of the Continental Congress had done so, and as the First Congress would create a chaplaincy and implement opening prayers in meetings of Congress, the Convention’s decision is noteworthy. Is this fact consistent with the Religious Right description of the Founders as pious Christian ideologues meeting to create a Christian nation?

During the darkest days of the Convention, Benjamin Franklin offered an eloquent motion noting the omission of prayers and recommending that they be instituted.

Time and time again I have seen apologists for Christian America assume or deceitfully insinuate that Franklin’s motion was well received and that the initiation of prayers in the Convention was the moment of breakthrough, resulting in a miraculous, God-blessed Constitution. In fact, a debate broke out over Franklin’s motion and it was never voted upon.

Franklin wrote that the Convention “except for three or four persons, thought prayers unnecessary.” Is this fact consistent with Religious Right claims concerning “Christian America”?
[Read more here.]

Missouri must issue "Choose Life" license plates

2009-03-27T14:25:00.004-05:00

Friday, March 27, 2009

Missouri must issue "Choose Life" license plates

It's official: "Choose Life" license plates will now be available to Missouri drivers. The court said the law regarding license plates is too vague to prohibit such a thing. Missouri joins Florida, Louisiana, Arizona and Mississippi in offering the license plate.

Court rules for "Choose Life" license plates
Posted: Thursday, 26 March 2009 1:09PM
KMOX - St. Louis, MO

Missouri must issue "Choose Life" license plates

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (AP) __ A federal appeals court has upheld a lower court's ruling that Missouri officials must issue license plates that read ``Choose Life.''

The Alliance Defense Fund sued in June 2006 on behalf of Choose Life of Missouri and the group's president.

The suit alleged lawmakers violated free speech, due process and equal protection rights by rejecting Choose Life's application for the specialty plate, while approving other proposals.

The plate was rejected after two abortion rights members of a state transportation committee objected.

U.S. District Judge Scott Wright last year ruled that the state law governing specialty plates was ``unconstitutionally vague and overbroad.''

The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis on Thursday upheld Wright's decision.

Meeting Notice

2009-03-20T08:27:00.001-05:00

Meeting: 2nd chapter formation meeting
Sat. March 21, 1-3pm
Westport Coffee House
4010 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, MO