separation of church and state
Jessica Ahlquist looks back — and ahead — 2 years after Ahlquist v. Cranston
By Chris Stedman — January 5, 2014
Two years ago this week, Jessica Ahlquist’s life changed forever. On January 11, 2012, a federal judge ordered the removal of a “School Prayer” banner at Cranston High School West in Cranston, Rhode Island, saying that it violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. Ahlquist—then a 16-year-old student at Cranston High School West—was a plaintiff in Ahlquist […]
Humanists warn public schools over Franklin Graham’s ‘Operation Christmas Child’
By Kimberly Winston — November 14, 2013
(RNS) The toys collected by Operation Christmas Child come with an invitation for recipients to accept Christianity. Since its founding in 1993, Operation Christmas Child has sent 100 million boxes of toys to poor children.
Update: New Jersey school district will allow religious holiday songs
By Katherine Burgess — November 5, 2013
(RNS) The ban was met with opposition from the conservative legal group Alliance Defending Freedom, which sent the school board a letter charging that the district lawyer who advised the ban had misunderstood federal rulings on related cases.
Parents appeal judge’s ruling allowing yoga in public schools
By Lilly Fowler — November 1, 2013
LOS ANGELES (RNS) “Our children are not religious guinea pigs and should never be subjected to such misguided religious experimentation,” said Dean Broyles, president of the National Center for Law and Policy.
Court says atheist was wrongly jailed over religious rehab
By Kimberly Winston — August 26, 2013
SAN FRANCISCO (RNS) In a move that could have wider implications, a federal appeals court ordered a lower court judge to consider preventing state officials from requiring parolees to attend rehabilitation programs that are focused on God or a “higher power.”
Atheist group can sue IRS over enforcement of pulpit politicking
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — August 23, 2013
(RNS) U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman ruled that the Freedom from Religion Foundation “has standing to seek an order requiring the IRS to treat religious organizations no more favorably than it treats the Foundation.”
Reformers want Congress to end ban on pulpit politicking
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — August 14, 2013
(RNS) An independent commission recommended that members of the clergy should be able to say "whatever they believe is appropriate" from the pulpit without fear of IRS reprisal.
Is America a Christian Nation?
By Jana Riess — July 4, 2013
On this Independence Day, maybe one of the ways we can best honor our country is to recognize that historical truth is more complex than our slogans can ever capture.
Atheists to unveil first monument to unbelief on public land
By Kimberly Winston — June 6, 2013
(RNS) After years of unsuccessful challenges to religious monuments on public land, atheists are adopting a new strategy: if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.
Robert Ingersoll, in his own words
By Kimberly Winston — May 29, 2013
(RNS) Atheists, humanists and agnostics say Robert Ingersoll's thoughts on civil rights and church-state separation are as relevant today as they were in the late 19th century.
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.
Tax or fee? Pastors push back against city’s ‘annual registration fee’
By Tim Townsend — April 15, 2013
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. (RNS) City officials say a new $100 “annual registration fee” will help defray the costs of building safety inspections. Pastors, however, say it's a tax by another name, and possibly unconstitutional.
N.C. minorities remain worried after religion bill is pulled
By Amanda Greene — April 9, 2013
WILMINGTON, N.C. (RNS) A resolution aiming to give North Carolina the freedom to defy the Constitution and establish its own religion won’t get a vote in the N.C. General Assembly, but religious minorities say it's a dangerous sign for a majority-Christian state with a growing minority population.
Pastors to challenge IRS over political endorsements, and they’re likely to get away with it
By Lilly Fowler — October 4, 2012
LOS ANGELES (RNS) In a matter of days, some 1,400 American pastors are planning to break the law by endorsing a political candidate. And they’re likely to get away with it. By Lilly Fowler.
Judge dismisses Pa. suit over `Year of the Bible’
By Matt Miller / The Patriot-News — October 2, 2012
HARRISBURG, Pa. (RNS) A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by an atheist group that challenged a "Year of the Bible" resolution passed early this year by state lawmakers, but also questioned whether the resolution should have been adopted at all. By Matt Miller.
