News

Religious ‘nones’ could shake up American politics — but many roadblocks stand in their way Read More »

In 2016, religiously unaffiliated Americans, or “nones,” represented 21 percent of registered voters, one percentage point more than white evangelical Christians. However, they only accounted for 15 percent of actual voters, according to Pew Research Center and national exit polls. Secular activists see the gap between these two figures as a call to action for 2018 and beyond.

Mar 7 2018

What Medical Aid In Dying Means to Me

What Medical Aid In Dying Means to Me Read More »

When I am faced with an incurable condition and am of sound mind, I, along with a clear majority of Hawaii residents, want to have access to life-ending medications, whether I choose to use them or not. In medical ethics, this choice is based on the principle of autonomy. With a six-month prognosis, I already

West Virginia House opposes constitutional abortion rights

West Virginia House opposes constitutional abortion rights Read More »

West Virginia lawmakers say the main goal of a constitutional amendment they are proposing is to end Medicaid funding for abortions — but opponents say the change could lead to a future ban on abortions altogether. The House on Monday voted 73-25 to pass the resolution, which was approved by the Senate a month ago

Battle Between HHS And Christian College Comes To Dramatic End

Battle Between HHS And Christian College Comes To Dramatic End Read More »

A district court has granted a permanent injunction for a U.S. college, saying that it has unending protection from a Department of Health and Human Services mandate, marking a major shift in the health policy landscape. The “contraceptive mandate” imposed under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires companies and universities to provide contraception in their health plans. While

Don’t weaken the ban on politics in the pulpit

Don’t weaken the ban on politics in the pulpit Read More »

One of President Trump’s favorite bad ideas — making it easier for churches to endorse political candidates — is back. Among several so-called policy riders that Republicans hope to smuggle into an omnibus spending bill is a measure that would weaken the Johnson Amendment, which has been part of the Internal Revenue Code for more

Pastor Preaching to OK State Senate Blames School Shooting on Gay Marriage

Pastor Preaching to OK State Senate Blames School Shooting on Gay Marriage Read More »

The Oklahoma House wants to prevent atheists and religious minorities from delivering invocations because I guess they don’t want to offend the delicate minds of their members. Meanwhile, the Oklahoma Senate had a Christian invocation speaker this week who attributed the school shooting in Parkville, Florida on God’s wrath over marriage equality. “Jacob (Nikolas) Cruz, February the 14th,

Utah’s governor asks people to pray for snow

Utah’s governor asks people to pray for snow Read More »

Governor Gary Herbert has sent a letter to faith leaders across Utah asking them to lead their congregations in prayer for more snow. The letter, sent last week, asks interfaith leaders to urge prayer for snow during the first week in March. The governor references the summer of 2012 when Utah was plagued with wildfires

Florida state senator: Only ‘thoughts and prayers’ will stop evil behind shootings

Florida state senator: Only ‘thoughts and prayers’ will stop evil behind shootings Read More »

A Florida state senator said the only thing that is going to stop “the evil” behind mass shootings is to send “thoughts and prayers.” During a debate on a proposed assault weapons ban in the Florida legislature on Saturday, state Sen. Kelli Stargel (R) said she finds it offensive when people tell her that the

Pruitt tapes revealed: Evolution’s a ‘theory,’ ‘majority’ religions under attack

Pruitt tapes revealed: Evolution’s a ‘theory,’ ‘majority’ religions under attack Read More »

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt dismissed evolution as an unproven theory, lamented that “minority religions” were pushing Christianity out of “the public square” and advocated amending the Constitution to ban abortion, prohibit same-sex marriage and protect the Pledge of Allegiance and the Ten Commandments, according to a newly unearthed series of Oklahoma talk radio shows