Written by Don ByrdThe official seal of Deland, Florida includes a heart, an anchor, and a cross. The seal has been in place for 131 years, apparently without complaint, until now. Americans United for the Separation of Church and State has sent a letter to the city on behalf of a resident, requesting the religious symbols be removed from the insignia.
The Daytona Beach News-Journal reports that city officials insist the symbol has great historic significance and does not give the appearance of religious endorsement.
Written by Don ByrdSecretary of State John Kerry last week released a statement calling on Iranian officials to release 3 prisoners including an Iranian-American pastor, Saeed Abedini, who has been detained for nearly a year.
Written by Don Byrda federal court in New Jersey ruled a workplace discrimination lawsuit can proceed against Dollar General for refusing to accommodate the plaintiff’s religious mandate not to work on Saturday. The suit is proceeding not as a civil rights case at this time (though the plaintiff is allowed to resubmit his complaint to properly allege that claim), but as a breach of contract. He claims he and his employer entered into an agreement to allow him not to work on Saturdays in accordance with his faith.
Meanwhile, a new survey from the Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Study shows a disturbingly high level of religious discrimination in the workplace across the country.
Written by Don ByrdA group of churches in Evansville, Indiana will appeal a ruling invalidating their permits to display crosses along the city’s riverwalk.
Written by Don ByrdAssociated Press continues to make news in its investigation of the New York Police Department’s religious profiling practices. AP previously revealed the NYPD was conducting surveillance activities of and keeping files on mosques in New Jersey. A lawsuit was filed and the Department subsequently announced the end of that program.
Yesterday, AP reported the NYPD has “secretly labeled entire mosques as terrorist organizations” to allow the use of informants and surreptitious recordings.
