The people of Alabama did America a favor last night by voting against Roy Moore for a seat in the US Senate. Moore is just what we don’t need right now. His disdain for fundamental American values—from religious freedom to civil rights and equality to the rule of law—makes him a danger to our democracy.
Thank You, Barry W. Lynn, For 25 Years Of Service To Americans United!
Should Religiously Affiliated Hospitals Be Allowed To Ignore A Federal Law That Protects Employee Pensions?
Today the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in a trio of cases that will decide whether religiously affiliated hospital systems must comply with federal pension protections. The large health systems don’t want to; they argue they should get a narrow exemption to the law carved out for houses of worship. But these health systems, with nearly 100,000 employees, are not churches.
For Some Children, "Religious Freedom" Is Detrimental To Their Health
In an article for The Atlantic, journalist Emma Green writes about the children who are harmed by others' religious beliefs, and the laws which enable that harm. Cases of parents using state Religious Freedom Restoration Acts as defense in child abuse trials are starting to make headlines, but the harm some children face because of their caretakers' religious convictions goes beyond physical abuse. For these kids, it can mean death from treatable medical conditions.
Indiana Case Raises RFRA To Justify Child Abuse
False Martyrdom: Another Religious Right Horror Story Collapses
Faith Leaders Against Political Islamophobia: AU Reports Back From Interfaith Summit
God and Government In Indiana: Lessons From An Evening Of Civil Discourse
Ninth Circuit Agrees: Hospital Pension Plans Are Not “Church Plans”
Three circuit courts have now determined that religious healthcare systems cannot qualify for church retirement plans under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. This means that employee pensions from religiously affiliated hospitals will be protected from organizations that attempt to shirk the law.
Cruz Control?: Texas Senator Says Religious Freedom Protects Atheists, Muslims
A False Narrative: Phony Claims Of ‘Religious Persecution’ Are Offensive
Swimming Lesson: Public Pool Reinstates Religiously Motivated Sex-Segregated Hours
Genuine Oppression: The Religious Right Should Study China To Learn What Real Christian Persecution Looks Like
Religious Freedom For Everyone: We’re FOR It
No-Fly Zone: Muslim Kicked Off Flight For Speaking Arabic Is Another Example Of Real Religious Persecution
MTV News Calls On Readers To "Protect Thy Neighbor"
Lousy Landlord: RV Park Owner Allegedly Booted Couple Because His Church Opposes Interracial Marriage
In a move that seems straight out of the 1960s, a Mississippi landlord has asked a husband and wife to leave his recreational vehicle (RV) park for no reason other than the fact that they are an interracial couple. And like so many attempts to discriminate in 2016, the owner of the park is relying on an old tactic, reportedly booting the two because his church opposes such marriages.
Federal Appeals Court Rules That Employee Pensions At Religiously Affiliated Organizations Are Protected
Religious Right Curiously Silent During Management-Muslim Religious Liberty Dispute
Sense-Free Zone: Okla. Gun Range Owners Face Lawsuit For Turning Muslim Customer Away
Arkansas “patriot” Jan Morgan announced to the world two years ago that her gun range would no longer serve Muslim customers. At the time, I noted that her actions violated public accommodation law and that she would lose an inevitable lawsuit; that did not deter Morgan, and it did not deter a number of other gun-range owners from implementing the same policy.