freethought (atheist, humanist, agnostic)
Humanist Jamie Raskin wins Freethought PAC endorsement
By Kimberly Winston — August 5, 2015
(RNS) The group said Raskin is "the first candidate who openly identifies as a humanist" and praised his commitment to preserve the separation between church and state.
Let Cecil the lion’s death shine light on Zimbabwe’s human rights abuses
By Brian Pellot — July 29, 2015
The Internet melted when news broke that a Minnesota dentist had killed Zimbabwe’s most beloved big cat. Allow me to steal Cecil’s spotlight for a moment with five facts about the country’s egregious human rights record.
Federal prisons agree inmates can be ‘humanists’
By Kimberly Winston — July 28, 2015
(RNS) Under the settlement, the Federal Bureau of Prisons agreed to acknowledge humanism as a “worldview” and allow its adherents the same rights and recognition enjoyed by inmates of other faiths.
Told ya so! The UAE’s new ‘anti-discrimination’ law is already being abused to censor critics
By Brian Pellot — July 28, 2015
Last week’s royal decree, which leaders touted as a shield against religious hatred and discrimination, is already being used as a sword to suppress government critics.
‘Free speech’ or criminal front? Armslist, Ashley Madison and Silk Road blur legal and moral lines
By Brian Pellot — July 24, 2015
Are websites that facilitate the exchange of guns, drugs and sex "free speech forums," as many claim, or something far more sinister?
Armslist website linked to Tennessee shooting denies it sells guns
By Reuters — July 24, 2015
(Reuters) The website where friends of the Tennessee shooting suspect said he had purchased guns before last week's attack denied on Thursday that it was in the business of selling weapons, saying it instead offered "a free speech forum."
‘Muslim-free’ gun store owner to host Muslim leader at gun class
By Reuters — July 22, 2015
(Reuters) A Florida gun dealer who received national attention for declaring his store a "Muslim Free Zone" will host a Muslim civil rights leader in his gun class on Saturday, both men said.
The UAE’s new anti-discrimination law is a wolf in sheep’s clothing
By Brian Pellot — July 21, 2015
Anti-discrimination laws should protect people. The United Arab Emirates’ new law, issued by royal decree, criminalizes the criticism of religions and ideas. It should be scrapped.
United against violence in the name of religion…up to a point
By Brian Pellot — July 20, 2015
If freedom of expression and freedom of religion or belief are mutually reinforcing rights, why are we still arguing over the rules of engagement and sidelining key stakeholders?
Overwhelming majority of U.S. women don’t regret abortion
By Reuters — July 20, 2015
(Reuters) More than 95 percent of women surveyed in a new U.S. study said they didn't regret having an abortion and felt that the procedure was the right decision for them.
Gay marriage * Ramadan deaths * Abortion drone: June’s Religious Freedom Recap
By Brian Pellot — July 2, 2015
America remains buried under three feet of glitter. More than 1,000 people have died during a Ramadan heatwave in Karachi. And an “abortion drone” was spotted dropping pills over conservative Poland. Read on.
Texas attorney general says county clerks can refuse gay couples despite SCOTUS ruling
By Reuters — June 29, 2015
County clerks in Texas who object to gay marriage can refuse to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples despite last week's landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said on Sunday.
South African lesbians counter violence with visibility in ‘African Pride’
By Brian Pellot — June 11, 2015
In South Africa’s townships, where homosexuality is widely considered “un-African” and “un-Christian,” the rape and murder of lesbians is often met with indifference and impunity. Filmmaker Laura Fletcher shows how local activists are fighting for dignity, and their lives.
China’s Panchen Lama promises president he will uphold national unity
By Reuters — June 11, 2015
BEIJING (Reuters) A youth named by China as the second-highest figure in Tibetan Buddhism, but reviled as a fake by many Tibetans, told President Xi Jinping he would strive to meet the Communist Party's expectations.
Obey?! Asking people what prepares children for life
By Tobin Grant — June 10, 2015
Religious groups America share many of the same values. But some groups are more likely to value obedience.