Unaffiliated/Atheism
How after-school clubs became a new battleground in the Satanic Temple’s push to preserve separation of church and state
By Charles J. Russo — August 8, 2023
(The Conversation) — The controversial – and often misunderstood – extracurricular groups tend to raise controversy. But under equal access laws, schools can’t discriminate against a club based on its point of view.
Atheist and agnostic fired for not attending company prayers win $50K in suit
By Yonat Shimron — August 7, 2023
(RNS) — The two workers declined to participate in a daily prayer circle as the company owner read from Scripture.
Why America’s secularization is good for American democracy
By Phil Zuckerman — August 2, 2023
(RNS) — Belief has benefits for society. But American religion’s decline may nonetheless save the country.
Richard Dawkins has abandoned science to justify his transphobia
By Hemant Mehta — August 1, 2023
(RNS) — It’s jarring to see the world’s most famous atheist use his massive platform to downplay or deny trans identities.
How Sean Feucht helped bring the devil’s music to Indiana’s state capitol
By Heather Greene — July 31, 2023
(RNS) — After Christian musician Sean Feucht brought his God and Country concert to the Indiana Statehouse, Hoosier members of the Satanic Temple demanded access for a concert of their own.
Sinead O’Connor was once seen as a sacrilegious rebel, but her music and life were deeply infused with spiritual seeking
By Brenna Moore — July 28, 2023
(The Conversation) — A professor of modern Catholicism looks back at the ways the iconic Irish singer steeped herself in religion, even as she criticized its institutions.
Just about anybody in America can officiate a wedding, thanks to the internet – and one determined preacher
By Dusty Hoesly — July 27, 2023
(The Conversation) — A professor who has researched the Universal Life Church unpacks why many couples now prefer to hand-pick loved ones to perform their ceremonies.
As witchcraft becomes a multibillion-dollar business, practitioners’ connection to the natural world is changing
By Helen A. Berger — July 26, 2023
(The Conversation) — Practitioners of Pagan religions no longer need to go into a forest to find an object for their altars. Commercialization has meant that sacred objects are available online.
Casper ter Kuile sees America’s religious decline as an opportunity
By Benjamin Spratt and Joshua Stanton — July 19, 2023
(RNS) — Casper ter Kuile’s spiritual entrepreneurship has compelled him to seek ways people can find belonging and community outside traditional houses of worship.
Fort Worth faces legal battle over censorship claims by atheist organization
By Fiona André — July 18, 2023
(RNS) — Metroplex Atheists argues the city violated the group’s freedom of speech and discriminated against its members when the city denied their right to hang banners on public property.
Secular Coalition for America confronts Trump’s attacks against atheists
By Fiona André — July 12, 2023
(RNS) — ‘He has used nonreligious people as a punching bag, as he has with many other groups for many years,’ said the director of the coalition.
Smithsonian Folklife Festival on National Mall explores often-unfamiliar spirituality
By Adelle M. Banks — June 30, 2023
WASHINGTON (RNS) — The lead curator of the 'Creative Encounters' program hopes it will give the public a chance to 'pull back the curtain' on spiritual practices.
A ‘prophetic’ force: Queer songwriter Spencer LaJoye finds resonance outside religion
By Kathryn Post — June 29, 2023
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (RNS) — Since their 2021 song ‘Plowshare Prayer’ went viral, LaJoye, who is spiritual but not Christian, has been invited to perform in churches across the U.S.
Bringing light without God: Humanist chaplain Anthony Cruz Pantojas
By Joshua Stanton and Benjamin Spratt — June 28, 2023
(RNS) — As colleges move to serve the 35% of millennials and 40% of Gen Z who say they are religiously unaffiliated, the number of humanist chaplains is growing.
Choice is the future of religion in America
By Mark Silk — June 1, 2023
(RNS) — Judaism lays bare the complexities of American religion’s new regime of choice.
