It’s Graduation Time!

Written by Don Byrd
It’s May. That means flowers are blooming, the cover’s coming off the gas grill, and lawsuit threats are flying from all directions over commencement prayers. Am I the only one that gauges the time of year based on the church-state disputes in the air?

After complaints that last year’s graduation ceremonies contained too much inappropriate religious talk, Houston County schools in Georgia are going to try following the law this time around.

Pentagon Debunks Rumor of Religious Expression Policy Shift

Written by Don Byrd
Military chaplains minister to the spiritual needs of personnel, but are barred from proselytizing their religious point of view to servicemen and women unless they are seeking guidance voluntarily. In the same way, military officials may not use their positions of authority to promote religion or mandate religious activities. Neither may they base rewards and punishments on personnel’s religion. These are not new policies.

But you would never know that by following the recent tempest after the Pentagon reiterated that position last week.

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.