Author name: Aidan

Appeals Court Says (Again) Giant Christian Cross in Bladensburg, MD is Illegal Read More »

Late last year, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit ruled 2-1 that a giant Christian cross in Prince George’s County, Maryland was unconstitutional. The Christian groups representing the other side then asked the entire Fourth Circuit to reconsider the case. Today, the Court ruled 8-6against rehearing the case, which means the earlier ruling stands. It’s another loss

Mar 2 2018

Medical aid-in-dying measure gets key House approvals

Medical aid-in-dying measure gets key House approvals Read More »

Two key House committees approved a controversial medical aid-in-dying measure Wednesday, paving the way for the bill to go to a full House vote. And if it passes the full House, it’s likely to jet through the state Senate, which overwhelmingly approved a similar bill last year. “This is a tough bill because it deals with issues

President Trump, Congress honor preacher Billy Graham at Capitol

President Trump, Congress honor preacher Billy Graham at Capitol Read More »

President Trump and congressional leaders praised Billy Graham as America’s pastor during a private ceremony at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday as the preacher lay in honor. Graham, an evangelical preacher who spoke to millions in his lifetime, died Feb. 21 at age 99. His casket was placed in the center of the Capitol Rotunda for the crowded morning

When Religion Becomes an Excuse to Discriminate

When Religion Becomes an Excuse to Discriminate Read More »

This week the Movement Advancement Project launched an ad campaign with a video that shows a widow being denied a funeral service for her deceased wife. I wish this were a purely hypothetical example of the dangers of so-called religious exemption laws and policies, but it was all too real for Jack Zawadski. Jack and his late

Alabama Senate approves bill allowing Ten Commandments to be displayed on public property

Alabama Senate approves bill allowing Ten Commandments to be displayed on public property Read More »

The Alabama state Senate on Tuesday voted to approve a bill that would allow the Ten Commandments to be displayed on public property. The proposed constitutional amendment — which the Senate approved by a 23-3 margin — will now go to the state’s House of Representatives, the Associated Press reported. The bill would have to be approved by

Atheist Groups Demand Equal Treatment for Humanist Nevada Prison Inmate

Atheist Groups Demand Equal Treatment for Humanist Nevada Prison Inmate Read More »

After a federal judge said Humanism doesn’t count as a “religion” when it comes to a non-religious federal prisoner who just wanted the same perks and privileges offered to his religious colleagues, the American Humanist Association is filing an appeal. And they have support from two other major groups promoting church/state separation. This case was originally

Same-Sex-Marriage Flashpoint: Alabama Considers Quitting The Marriage Business

Same-Sex-Marriage Flashpoint: Alabama Considers Quitting The Marriage Business Read More »

Couples – gay or straight — looking for a marriage license in Pike County, Ala. won’t get one from local probate judge Wes Allen. “We have not issued any marriage licenses since Feb. 9, 2015,” Allen says. That’s when a federal judge struck down Alabama’s ban on same-sex marriage. The state’s then-Chief Justice Roy Moore

Pence: Abortion will end in U.S. 'in our time'

Pence: Abortion will end in U.S. 'in our time' Read More »

Vice President Pence predicted Tuesday that legal abortion would end in the U.S. “in our time.” “I know in my heart of hearts this will be the generation that restores life in America,” Pence said at a luncheon in Nashville, Tenn., hosted by the Susan B. Anthony List & Life Institute, an anti-abortion organization. “If

Billy Graham will be only the 4th person to lie in honor at the Capitol

Billy Graham will be only the 4th person to lie in honor at the Capitol Read More »

Congressional leadership announced last week that it would commemorate the life of evangelist Billy Graham by having him lie in honor this Wednesday, a rare accolade for any American and an official embrace of the religious leader from the halls of government. Graham will be only the fourth private citizen to lie in honor, following civil rights