New Poll Shows Public Opposed to School Vouchers
Written by Don ByrdToday the National Coalition for Public Education touted a new survey showing a strong majority of Americans oppose school vouchers.
Are Atheist Leaders Clergy?
Written by Don ByrdAn interesting twist in the cat-and-mouse game currently playing out between the Freedom From Religion Foundation and the Department of Justice over FFRF’s challenge to the IRS’ housing allowance for clergy. Federal officials now argue FFRF leaders, including the plaintiff in the case, qualify for the housing allowance as well.
ACLU Files Suit Over Oklahoma Ten Commandments Monument
Written by Don ByrdA Ten Commandments monument displayed on the Oklahoma State Capitol Grounds is the subject of a new church-state lawsuit filed by the ACLU. The monument was put in place last year with private funding, following legislation in 2009.
LATimes Weighs In On Government Prayer
Written by Don ByrdThe editorial board of the Los Angeles Times urges the Supreme Court to rule government prayer practices unconstitutional in an op-ed this morning. Specifically, they respond to the amicus brief of the United States Government, which argues the prayers must be allowed because judges shouldn’t be “in the business” determining sectarian from non-sectarian prayers.
Read the whole thing, but here’s a snippet.
Appeals Court: Prisoners Must Give Atheist Inmates a Fair Chance
Written by Don ByrdOn Friday, the 7th Circuit ruled that prison officials must treat fairly atheist prisoner requests for religious study groups dedicated to atheism. Overturning the trial court’s dismissal of the inmate James Kaufmann’s case, the appeals court said atheists must be given a chance to demonstrate there are enough of them to warrant creation of a group.
