Lawsuit Challenges Maryland County Commission’s Prayer Policy

Written by Don Byrd
Via Religion Clause, a lawsuit has been filed in Carroll County, Maryland, over the County Commission’s practice of opening meetings with sectarian prayer. Commissioners lead the prayer on a rotating basis. The Complaint alleges the prayers are often explicitly Christian.

After Bible Distribution, Atheist Group Gets a Turn in Florida Schools

Written by Don Byrd
Fair is fair. After a Bible distribution group was allowed on high school campuses in Orange County Florida to make scripture available to high school students, officials realize they must provide the same opportunity to an atheist group. Freethinkers will make pamphlets available tomorrow entitled “What is Wrong with the Ten Commandments?” and “Ten Myths About Atheists.”

US Commission Releases Annual Religious Freedom Report

Written by Don Byrd
Today the US Commission on International Religious Freedom released their annual report. One of the primary features of the annual report is its recommendations for the State Department’s list of Countries of Particular Concern, the most notorious violators of religious freedom in the world.

For the last few years, the CPC list has consisted of 8 nations, while the USCIRF report has recommended 16 for the list, and several others for a watch list. As I dutifully read the introductory material to this year’s report, I noticed something. They only recommended 15 countries for the CPC list this year, not 16. So, a country is actually doing better? It turns out yes. Turkey. Not only is Turkey not recommended for particular concern, it isn’t even on this year’s watch list, which the Commission is now referring to as Tier 2. Read on to see what Turkey is now doing right.

Michigan Bill Would Extend Conscience Provisions

Written by Don Byrd
A bill making its way through the Michigan legislature would provide broad conscience exemptions from paying for or providing health-related services for those with a religious objection. The measure is in part, of course, a response to federal health care legislation requiring insurers to provide contraception. The “Religious Liberty and Moral Conscience Protection Act” would go much further, however.