Americans United for Separation of Church and State

Judge approves settlement in Baptist children’s home case

By Adelle M. Banks — July 3, 2014
(RNS) A federal judge has approved a settlement in a 14-year legal battle over government funding of Baptist homes for children in Kentucky.

Planned Parenthood leans on stereotypes to argue view on Hobby Lobby case

By Cathy Lynn Grossman — June 25, 2014
However the Supreme Court rules, images of ogre bosses ruling women's reproductive lives don't inform the contraceptive mandate debate.

Supreme Court won’t wade into fight over graduations in churches

By Kimberly Winston — June 16, 2014
(RNS) In 2012, the Chicago-based 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the decision to hold a public high school graduation ceremony at a Wisconsin megachurch was “offensive” and “coercive.”

Supreme Court to consider religious prayer at government meetings

By Lauren Markoe — October 31, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) Starting in 1999, two-thirds of prayers offered at the opening of the Greece Town Council in upstate New York invoked "Jesus" or "the Holy Spirit," and pastors also asked those present to pray with them and recite the Lord’s Prayer.

COMMENTARY: The truth about religious freedom in the military

By C. Welton Gaddy — July 15, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) Let's be clear: Christians in the military are not under threat of constant, widespread persecution.

Princeton Seminary and yeshiva shouldn’t get state funds, suit says

By Kelly Heyboer — June 25, 2013
TRENTON, N.J. (RNS) A respected Christian seminary and a Orthodox Jewish yeshiva should not receive state grants for infrastructure upgrades, two leading church-state watchdog groups say.

Supreme Court to hear case on prayer at government meetings

By Richard Wolf — May 20, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled last year that the Greece (N.Y.) Town Board violated the separation of church and state when it repeatedly used Christian clergy to conduct prayers at the start of its public meetings.

Churches, synagogues press for federal rebuilding aid after Sandy

By Solange De Santis — January 10, 2013
NEPONSIT, N.Y. (RNS) The waterlogged West End Temple and other nonprofits aren't included in the $51 billion aid package to help rebuild areas devastated by Superstorm Sandy, and civil liberties groups think that's how it should stay. Others say churches and synagogues should be eligible for federal rebuilding funds. By Solange De Santis.

Okla. judge defends sentencing teenager to church even if it’s not legal

By Greg Horton — November 19, 2012

MUSKOGEE, Okla. (RNS) A district judge in Oklahoma who sentenced a 17-year-old boy to 10 years of church attendance is standing by his sentence as the right thing to do -- even if it may not have been the constitutional thing to do. By Greg Horton.

Texas cheerleaders clamor for G-O-D at football games

By Kimberly Winston — September 20, 2012

(RNS) Cheerleaders at an East Texas high school are fighting their school district's orders to stop using Bible quotes on their signs at football games. By Kimberly Winston.

NEWS ANALYSIS: Baptist leader stands his political ground on Todd Akin’s campaign

By Tim Townsend — August 28, 2012

ST. LOUIS (RNS) A church-state watchdog group in Washington has filed a complaint with the IRS accusing the Missouri Baptist Convention of violating federal tax law by intervening in two campaigns for public office, including Rep. Todd Akin's controversial Senate campaign. By Tim Townsend.

Missouri to vote on prayer amendment as critics warn of legal nightmares

By Tim Townsend — August 3, 2012

ST. LOUIS (RNS) Missouri will vote next week on a constitutional amendment to protect Missourians' right to pray in public, but critics say it will open the door to all manner of unintended and costly consequences including endless taxpayer-funded lawsuits. By Tim Townsend.

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