Category: Religious Intolerance - Page 16

June 6, 2013

Religious Freedom Only Counts If You’re Christian

cartoon showing hypocrisy of those who want unity but exclude Muslims

Two recent church and state stories once again prove that some Christians in this country only believe religious freedom counts if you’re a Christian. Debate over a Defense Department budget bill in Congress and Hecklers at a Muslim Group’s Event In Tennessee shows there are still people on the wrong side of history. This is why we have to remain vigilant against attempts by bigots to violate the separation of church and state.

On Wednesday while Congress was debating a large defense authorization bill, an amendment was offered to allow non-theists to join the armed forces chaplaincy. The reaction from the Christian bigots was intense:

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May 29, 2013

Ohio School District Gives Up Teaching Students Facts

Some religious zealots are so hell bent to force their religion onto public school students that they will try to camouflage the attempt by trying to create a “controversial issues” policy. They include their religious beliefs with other so-called “controversial issues” like global warming and climate change, UN Agenda 21 and sustainable development. This isn’t the first time that Springboro Ohio Community City School District has tried to give up teaching subjects students need to function in the world today. Luckily there are some concerned parents and community members who won’t let this happen without a fight.

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May 2, 2013

National Day of Reason – For Everybody

graphic with words National Day of Reason

National Day of Reason: May 2nd 2013

The first Thursday in May is the National Day of Reason. It was created as a response to the National Day of Prayer held on the same day. the National Day of Reason is to celebrate reason – a concept all Americans can support – and to raise public awareness about the persistent threat to religious liberty posed by government when it takes sides.

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May 1, 2013

Should Religious Liberty Be Used As An Excuse To Hurt People?

Bishop Frederick Campbell leader of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Columbus Ohio

The major conflict in human rights is to balance the rights of all people. You can do whatever you want with your life as long as that action doesn’t hurt others (physically or mentally) and conforms with restrictions from current laws. The basic precept is your rights stop at your neighbors door step. In church and state issues the challenge is to balance religious freedom with the rights set in the US Bill of Rights. In the case of a veteran teacher fired from a Catholic school because it became public she had a same-sex spouse, how far does religious liberty extend.

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April 23, 2013

Some Christians Really Really Hate Atheists

image showing angry face with word Atheists!

A complaint I hear often in debates about church and state is about people who challenge violations who hide their identity. People who oppose separation of church and state think that people who sue should be known publicly as if not knowing their identity makes their case not valid. I respect people who challenge violations of church and state and use their real names, but as a case in South Carolina shows, it’s something you have to be prepared to do with eyes wide open. Some Christians really really don’t like challenges to their privilege especially if the complaint comes from atheists.

In Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Jordan Anderson and his family challenged the systematic proselytizing in his middle school. They won the case but the family was harassed for challenging the Christian privilege in their community.

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March 30, 2013

Judge Says World Trade Center Cross Is Secular – Tosses Atheist Lawsuit

WTC Cross being blessed before installation at the 9/11 memorial in New York

Back in July of 2011, American Atheists filed a lawsuit to prevent a Christian cross from being installed at the 9/11 Memorial Museum in New York. On Good Friday, U.S. District Judge Deborah Batts ruled that the obvious Christian cross was really a secular item. I don’t know who should be more angry with the decision, atheists who don’t have any symbol marking their dead at the site, or Christians who keep having their symbols deemed generic and secular.

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