Author: Doug

Founder, editor and host of Secular Left - please be gentle

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September 27, 2015
screencap of Pope Francis speaking in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia on Saturday 9-26-2015
Pope Francis speaking in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia on Saturday 9-26-2015

Pope Francis gave a speech about religious freedom in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia. While he made some good points about the importance of religious freedom, any mention of the non-religious was missing. Religious freedom is just as important to secular people as it is to the religious.

Popepalooza hit Philadelphia on Saturday and Pope Francis gave a speech in front of iconic Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were both signed. The topic was religious freedom. I was interested to hear what he had to say about it.

September 24, 2015
screencap of video of Dr. Ben Carson in Findlay Ohio on Wednesday 9-23-2015
Dr. Ben Carson in Findlay Ohio on Wednesday

Dr. Ben Carson, who is running for the GOP nomination for President in 2016, stopped in my hometown for a visit on Wednesday. WTOL in Toledo had video and a reporter on the scene and she asked about his recent comments about Muslims. He didn’t back down and in fact according to Ben Carson, Ben Carson can’t be President.

September 17, 2015
image of the Bill of Rights title

Today is Constitution Day. This is when we celebrate the date, back in 1787, when delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the document in Philadelphia. Our Constitution is currently under attack by conservatives who really believe religion should trump the document of democracy and equality. We need to let our members of Congress know that this is a wrong move.

Back in June the so-called “First Amendment Defense Act” was introduced:

September 4, 2015
mugshot of Rowan County (KY) Clerk Kim Davis after she was found in contempt of court on September 3rd 2015
Rowan County (KY) Clerk Kim Davis after she was found in contempt of court on September 3rd 2015

Rowan County (KY) Clerk Kim Davis was jailed on Thursday 9/3 after being found in contempt of court for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples in her county. She previously lost all of her appeals including a last ditch effort to have the US Supreme Court issue a stay. Of course reaction by the religious right is apocalyptic. The reality is Davis was jailed for not following the law – not for her religious beliefs.

From the Friendly Atheist:

August 13, 2015
official image of Rowan County (KY) Clerk Kim Davis
Rowan County (KY) Clerk Kim Davis

Federal court Judge David L. Bunning ruled against Rowan County Kentucky clerk of courts Kim Davis, Wednesday. Davis had refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples after the June 26th US Supreme Court Obergefell v. Hodges decision. The main points are that Davis’ religious freedom isn’t taken away in doing her sworn duty as clerk but her ‘no marriage licenses’ policy injures all residents of Rowan county.

The 28 page decision is full of delicious statements and rebuttals against Kim Davis’ lame arguments against doing her sworn duty. Here are some highlights:

August 7, 2015