Religion Commentary

From a 5th-grader, uncomfortable truth about religious conflict
By Charles C. Haynes — December 26, 2013
If schools don’t teach young kids (or allow them to discuss) the truth about religious strife in history, then what exactly do they teach?

Don’t worry, Santa, the ‘war on Christmas’ isn’t real
By Charles C. Haynes — December 14, 2013
Belief in Santa perpetuates a spirit of joy and goodwill. But the “war on Christmas” narrative does little more than stir up anger and ill will.

On Thanksgivukkah, give thanks for religious freedom
By Charles C. Haynes — November 28, 2013
Both Hanukkah and Thanksgiving are rooted in the struggle for religious liberty, but neither marks a lasting triumph.

When God-talk by kids is protected speech
By Charles C. Haynes — September 19, 2013
Fortunately, a growing number of schools are getting the message that the First Amendment doesn’t mandate a religion-free zone in public schools.

To stop the madness, put a face to faith
By Charles C. Haynes — September 5, 2013
Success of Face to Faith program in schools worldwide reminds us that In a world torn by sectarian violence and hate, we can – and must – do much more to help young people experience our common humanity.

By removing Islam display, Kansas school surrenders to ignorance
By Charles C. Haynes — August 22, 2013
Bulletin-board posting was part of what public schools are supposed to be doing in teaching about Islam, Christianity and other faiths in ways that are constitutionally and academically sound.

Dispelling the myth of a ‘Christian nation’
By Charles C. Haynes — August 8, 2013
The Framers of our Constitution knew the time had come to break from the precedents of history and bar any religious group from ever imposing itself on the nation.

For most Americans, gay equality trumps religious objections
By Charles C. Haynes — August 8, 2013
Advocates for marriage equality draw the line on religious freedom when religious groups take government funds.

A right for the religious is a right for the nonreligious
By Charles C. Haynes — July 14, 2013
Pushback from atheists on religious monuments, military chaplains and other issues is triggered by frequent lack of equal treatment for the nonreligious in a society that often privileges religion.

Democracy minus freedom equals tyranny
By Charles C. Haynes — July 5, 2013
In Egypt, the Morsi government's drive for power produced a constitution that ignored religious freedom, free speech and other basic rights.

Perils and politics of inaugural prayers
By Charles C. Haynes — January 25, 2013
In today’s deeply divided America, who prays the ceremonial prayers is fast becoming a religio-political weathervane pointing in the direction cultural winds are blowing.

In 2013, escalating battles over claims of conscience
By Charles C. Haynes — January 10, 2013
Attempts by the state to burden religious practices are always hotly contested – and that’s as it should be in a nation founded on religious freedom.

In 2012, the rise of a new religious America
By Charles C. Haynes — December 28, 2012
Why the end of the Protestant hegemony in America will be no loss for religious people of any tradition, including Protestants.
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