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Alabamans Will Decide if the Ten Commandments Can Go Up in Government Buildings Read More »

Alabama is one step closer to amending its constitution to allow the Ten Commandments to be displayed in all government buildings, including public schools. Senate Bill 181 just passed in the House on Thursday. It had already passed in the Senate. And it doesn’t need the governor’s signature. It’ll go straight on the November ballot, where voters who

Mar 26 2018

Christian Group: Don’t Say We Support Gay Conversion Therapy (Even Though We Do)

Christian Group: Don’t Say We Support Gay Conversion Therapy (Even Though We Do) Read More »

During John Oliver‘s fantastic segment on Last Week Tonight about Mike Pence, he noted Pence’s belief that sexual orientation is a choice. Pence is rumored to be a believer in “gay conversion therapy,” an ineffective and cruel way to supposedly turn gay people straight. Even though that’s not how being gay works, the method is still championed by many evangelical Christians.

Trump official says US is ‘pro-life country’ at closed-door UN meeting

Trump official says US is ‘pro-life country’ at closed-door UN meeting Read More »

An official appointed by President Donald Trump said during a closed-door United Nations meeting that the “US is a pro-life country”, despite the fact both the law and public opinion support a woman’s right to access legal and safe abortion. ethany Kozma, a senior adviser in the office of Gender Equalityand Women’s Empowerment for US Agency for International Development (USAID), made

Don't give Iowa tax dollars to schools that discriminate, LGBTQ advocates say

Don't give Iowa tax dollars to schools that discriminate, LGBTQ advocates say Read More »

Iowa tax dollars could go to schools that deny admission to gay and lesbian students if lawmakers move forward with legislation allowing education savings accounts for K-12 students, according to LGBTQ advocates. Iowa lawmakers are considering Senate Study Bill 3206, which would allow students enrolling in private schools to be eligible for about $4,000 a year in state money. Proponents of the school

Congress blocks DeVos agenda in spending bill

Congress blocks DeVos agenda in spending bill Read More »

Some significant proposals championed by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and President Donald Trump were rejected in the $1.3 trillion spending bill that’s making its way through Congress. DeVos and Trump proposed a budget that would have cut the Education Department’s budget by $3.6 billion and funneled more than $1 billion toward private school vouchers and

Supreme Court Warily Eyes California Law Involving Abortion and Free Speech

Supreme Court Warily Eyes California Law Involving Abortion and Free Speech Read More »

A California law that requires “crisis pregnancy centers” to provide information about abortion met a skeptical reception at Supreme Court arguments on Tuesday. The centers, which are often affiliated with religious groups, seek to persuade women to carry their pregnancies to term or to offer their offspring for adoption. The law requires centers licensed by the state

After Intense GOP Pushback, U.S. Navy Rejects Humanist Chaplain’s Application

After Intense GOP Pushback, U.S. Navy Rejects Humanist Chaplain’s Application Read More »

Despite a recommendation from the Navy Chaplain Appointment and Retention Eligibility Advisory Board, the Navy has denied the application of Jason Heap to become the military’s first Humanist chaplain. Heap is certainly qualified to serve as a chaplain — or, if you’d prefer to think of it, a counselor — to the non-religious members of any branch

Tennessee lawmakers pass bill requiring public schools to post ‘In God We Trust’ motto

Tennessee lawmakers pass bill requiring public schools to post ‘In God We Trust’ motto Read More »

A bill requiring Tennessee schools to prominently display the national “In God We Trust” motto is headed to the governor for his signature. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Susan Lynn, R-Mt. Juliet, overwhelmingly passed the state House on Monday with 81 of the 99 members voting in favor of it. Before the vote, the Republican lawmaker spoke from the

Good News! Congress’ Latest Spending Bill Won’t Repeal the Johnson Amendment

Good News! Congress’ Latest Spending Bill Won’t Repeal the Johnson Amendment Read More »

Another bullet has been dodged. Once again, Donald Trump will fail in his effort to repeal the Johnson Amendment. For more than a year now, Trump has promised the Religious Right that he would sign a repeal of the rule forbidding places of worship from endorsing political candidates if they want to keep their tax exempt status.