Written by Don ByrdA yearly street festival in Dearborn, Michigan has celebrated Arab-American business and culture for the last 15 years. Recently, though it has been known for something else – clashes between Muslim attendees and Christian protestors. The disputes have led to arrests, a lawsuit, and widely circulated videos of backlash against the provocations of the protestors. Indeed, provoking an angry response would seem to be the only explanation for some of the anti-Muslim sentiment launched at the festival attendees.
Written by Don ByrdVia Raw Story, the American Humanist Association has filed suit against a Mississippi public high school claiming officials required students to attend blatantly proselytizing assemblies led by a local Baptist church. The lawsuit alleges disturbing details. Students were not made aware of the content of the assembly before they arrived. The assembly itself consisted of direct Christian proselytizing, encouraging students to follow Christ. Many students were of course uncomfortable, but none were allowed to leave or choose a study hall as an alternative.
Written by Don ByrdThe Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2013 was introduced in the U.S. Senate today by Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley. The bill would prohibit employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. It exempts businesses with fewer than 15 employees as well as religious organizations.
Written by Don ByrdRutherford County, Tennessee has seen its share of church-state controversies. Most notably, its Murfreesboro mosque received national attention after a court battle determined its right to be constructed. Back in 2006, an ACLU lawsuit secured the removal of the Ten Commandments from the county courthouse. Now, the sheriff of Rutherford County seems poised to set off another dispute, after posting the Ten Commandments at the county jail.
Written by Don ByrdA prisoner’s communication with a person reasonably believed by that prisoner to be clergy, who regularly engages in prison ministry, does not have to be ordained for those communications to be privileged.That is the conclusion of a federal judge in Kansas, overturning a magistrate judge’s ruling that such communication could be used to prosecute the prison minister because she was not ordained.
