Recent measles outbreaks in states such as Washington, New York and New Jersey have cast a spotlight on a group of Americans who receive exemptions from immunizing their children on the grounds that the vaccines violate their religious freedoms. Now the states that suffered outbreaks are taking aim at those exemptions. In recent weeks, lawmakers …
For four years, Bailey Brazzel says, she had employed the same tax preparer, Nancy Fivecoate of Carter Tax Service in Russiaville, Ind. Fivecoate prepared the taxes without issue each time — until this year, when Brazzel brought her new wife, Samantha. Fivecoate declined to serve the couple, citing her religious beliefs. This was the first …
Christian tax preparer turns away lesbian couple on religious grounds Read More »
In 2017, Arizona State Rep. Athena Salman, an openly atheist legislator, delivered an invocation to open up the day’s session. It was a perfectly respectful speech, referring to “the humanity that resides within each and every person here.” Yet it offended Republicans who insisted all invocations needed to invoke a “Higher Power.” One Republican was …
AZ Atheist Lawmaker Gives Invocation, Then Gets Mocked by Christian Colleague Read More »
Death Row inmate Domineque Ray hoped that when he took his final breath, he could find comfort in the presence of his Muslim spiritual adviser. But the Alabama prison where Ray was awaiting execution wouldn’t allow it. Prison officials would only allow their own Christian chaplain to offer the prisoner solace from inside the execution …
Justices Let Alabama Execute Death Row Inmate Who Wanted Imam By His Side Read More »
Now that the shutdown has been suspended, Washington has begun to return to normal business. I wanted to let you know about what has been happening in the first few weeks of the 116th Congress and how we are impacting policy. Committee Assignments for Congressional Freethought Caucus Members Now that the shutdown has been suspended …
A proposed bill in New Mexico would grant medical licenses to fake doctors. SB 135, sponsored by Democratic State Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino, would license naturopathic “doctors” to provide primary care to patients who may not realize they’re not seeing professionals who actually know what they’re doing. Unlike real doctors, who accept science, naturopaths promote …
Proposed Bill in New Mexico Would Grant Medical Licenses to Fake Doctors Read More »
Last year, opponents of Idaho’s faith-healing exemptions marched to the Idaho Statehouse carrying 183 child-sized coffins, meant to represent the children who have reportedly died from medical neglect. This year, it was a smaller and more somber affair. Instead of marching en masse through downtown Boise, a few dozen people gathered in the rotunda of …
Idahoans pray ‘change will come’ with faith-healing exemptions Read More »
Virginia State Delegate Kaye Kory introduced House Bill 2713, the Death with Dignity Act, on Jan. 15. This is the first time in history an aid in dying bill will be considered in the Virginia state Legislature. For Kory (D-Fairfax), medical aid in dying is all about choice. “It’s not assisted suicide,” she said, according …
Virginia bill would legalize ‘medical aid in dying’ Read More »
Next month, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in The American Legion v. American Humanist Association. The case involves the 40-foot-tall “Peace Cross” (a.k.a. the Bladensburg Cross), a World War I memorial in Prince George’s County, Maryland. While supporters of the cross say it’s a perfectly legal war memorial, the AHA argues that it’s …
Here’s Why the Supreme Court Must Say the Bladensburg Cross Is Unconstitutional Read More »
At least 35 people, mostly children, have been diagnosed with measles in Washington state since January 1, prompting the state’s governor, Jay Inslee, to declare a state of emergency. Around 40 more have been diagnosed in New York this month, part of an outbreak there that’s seen at least 186 cases since October. Public health …
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