Subscribe to Americans United: Blog Posts
Blogs
All the most recent posts from all of AU's blogs. All in one place.

Prayer Problem: Congressman’s Sectarian Invocation Muddies Constitutional Waters

May 01, 2012 by Simon Brown in Wall of Separation

U.S. Rep. Todd Akin (R-Mo.), who is chair of the House Armed Forces Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, has been opening subcommittee meetings with Christian prayers.

“Heavenly Father,…help us to be wise, help us to be good planners and good stewards,” Akin said at the start of a March 29 hearing, according to Congressional Quarterly. “And we pray that you help us with the somewhat busy schedule this morning, and the votes and all. And I pray in Jesus’ name.” Read more

Church, State And Individual Freedom: Countering The Religious Right’s ‘War On Women’

April 30, 2012 by Rob Boston in Wall of Separation

I spent Saturday afternoon in the shadow of the U.S. Capitol at the Unite Against the War on Women rally. Overcast skies and cooler-than-normal temperatures didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of this crowd. Attendees were determined to send a message: Americans won’t stand for an oppressive combination of church and state making our personal decisions for us.

Bruce F. Press Photography Read more

Thug Life: TV Preacher Pat Robertson Hangs With A Bad Crowd

April 27, 2012 by Joseph L. Conn in Wall of Separation

Former Liberian President Charles Taylor was found guilty of crimes against humanity yesterday for his involvement in a civil war in neighboring Sierra Leone. I wonder if Taylor’s former business partner Pat Robertson will visit him in jail.

Taylor was convicted by a UN-backed special court on 11 counts of aiding murder, rape, terror and conscription of child soldiers and sex slaves. He supported vicious rebels in Sierra Leone during that country’s 1991-2002 civil war, and in return, received blood diamonds. Read more

Help Wanted (Christians Only): Taxpayer-Funded ‘Crisis Pregnancy Centers’ Proselytize And Discriminate In Hiring

April 25, 2012 by Rob Boston in Wall of Separation

This weekend, Americans will rally all over the country to speak out against what is being called the “War on Women.” Much of this “war” springs from fundamentalist Christian groups and the Roman Catholic hierarchy, which are determined to control the reproductive lives of Americans.

Naturally, this hits women the hardest. They are the ones who get pregnant, after all. Read more

Electioneering Error: Religious Right Is Missing The Point On Bishop Jenky’s Campaign Intervention

April 24, 2012 by Simon Brown in Wall of Separation

As usual, Religious Right leaders are confused. This time it seems that a lot of our opponents don’t understand why Americans United reported the Catholic Diocese of Peoria, Ill., to the Internal Revenue Service for illegal church politicking.

Let me explain. Read more

Shrine Settlement: NY Religious Site Won’t Take Taxpayer Aid

April 23, 2012 by Rob Boston in Wall of Separation

Americans United’s legal staff endeavors to resolve church-state conflicts outside of court whenever possible. Today I’m happy to report on one of those victories.

In late March, Americans United received a complaint from Montgomery County, N.Y., concerning the Board of Supervisor’s plan to give a $750 grant to a shrine in Fultonville. The Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs is dedicated to Kateri Tekakwitha, a member of the Mohawk tribe who converted to Catholicism in the 17th Century.  Read more

Of Grudem, Green Dragons And Dr. Seuss: The Religious Right’s War On Environmentalism

April 20, 2012 by Rob Boston in Wall of Separation

Sunday is Earth Day, a time when a lot of us will be thinking about how we can better care for our planet to ensure it remains habitable for future generations.

Well, not all of us. Some people will be thinking about how the Bible says it’s all right to pretty much do whatever we want with the Earth and not worry about a thing. Read more

Silent Treatment: Obama Faith-Based Official Meets With Bible Society Rep, But Ignores Civil Rights Advocates

April 19, 2012 by Barry Lynn in Wall of Separation

For four years now, Americans United has been urging President Barack Obama to fix the “faith-based” initiative.

In all honesty, “fix” is not our preferred word. We’d rather the administration end the faith-based initiative. But we know that’s not likely to happen, so we’ve been urging the president and his advisors to make some fundamental changes. Read more

Pages