Headlines: Separation of Church and State (T23R-2)
Separation of church and state Kern Valley Sun, CA The phrase, Separation of Church and State,has been made one of the most deceptive in our nation‘s history. It is a misinterpretation of the Establishment Clause of First Amendment. The words “Separationâ€, “Church†and “State†are not even mentioned ... |
 guardian.co.uk | Americans United, DC We don't see how a presidential advisory group composed of religious leaders (and the vast majority of the council members are) can be squared with the separation of church and state. And just as troubling, the president has delayed action on ... Video: Riz Khan - Obama's foreign policy - 29 Apr 09 - Part 1 Obama Works to Redefine Role of Faith in First 100 Days |
 Times Online | Christian Conservatives Will Cheer Specter Defection, but Toomey ... U.S. News & World Report, DC 1st time separation of Church and State was ever actually mentioned was when Thomas Jefferson wrote an opinion letter favoring a wall of separation between Church and State but his meaning did not mean keep religion out of public schools, what he meant ... Video: Sen. Specter 2001 Rule to Prevent Party Switching The NJDC wasn't always a fan of Specter Recapping Arlen Specter's Political Career |
Separation of church and sex and state Creative Loafing Tampa, FL A church sex workshop in Melbourne, Florida is shaking things up on the east coast. Melbourne's New Hope Church is presenting a three part series, called “Great Sex for You.†Earlier this month, the New Hope Church mailed 25000 fliers to Melbourne ... Separation of sex and state? Sermon series attracts scrutiny |
Don't divide church and state The Record-Courier, NV The truth is that under the 1st Amendment only the federal government has to maintain a separation of church and state. The local governments and schools are not bound by that restriction. That's why Jefferson called for days of fasting as governor but ... |
 ABC News | Graduation Ceremonies In a Church? ABC News A lawsuit filed last week by Americans United for Separation of Church and State on behalf of nine students and parents in the Elmbrook, Wisc., school district, claims that conducting graduation ceremonies in a place of worship violates the ... |
 WNCT | Censorship at the root of religious license plate debate Sun-Sentinel.com, FL Opponents of Christian-themed speciality plates now being considered by the Florida Legislature say the plates would compromise the separation of church and state, and offend other drivers who don't believe in the Chrisitian faith. ... Picture, Picture, Which To Pick? Keep religion in the home, not on the Turnpike |
Graduation prayers make some uncomfortable Chillicothe Gazette, OH I do not go around asking everyone in a crowded room at school or any public place to join me in a ritual, because I support the separation of church and state, which was upheld in the Supreme Court decision Everson v. Board of Education (1947). ... |
Americans United for Separation of Church and State today filed a lawsuit in federal court to block a Wisconsin public school district from holding graduation ceremonies in the sanctuary of an evangelical church.
The suit, filed on behalf of a graduating senior and several families in the district, challenges the Elmbrook School District’s decision to hold graduation ceremonies for Brookfield Central High School and Brookfield East High School at Elmbrook Church.
“Public schools should schedule graduation ceremonies at public venues where families of all faiths or none will feel welcome,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United. “Some parents and children do not feel comfortable attending commencement in this religious setting. Graduation is too important to leave some families out.”
Elmbrook Church displays a large cross in its sanctuary, and the facility includes other religious iconography as well. Church officials have refused to cover the cross. On at least one occasion, members of the church passed out religious literature to graduation attendees in the lobby.
The plaintiffs, who have chosen to remain anonymous, assert that they are extremely uncomfortable attending graduation at the church, given its religion-permeated environment. The plaintiffs also feel unwelcome at the church because it teaches that non-Christians like the plaintiffs, and even some denominations of Christians, will go to Hell.
Elmbrook is a theologically conservative evangelical Christian church with strong views on contentious religious and political issues. The church says homosexuality is “not an acceptable lifestyle” and is “contrary to God’s will,” attacks atheists as people “who think they are smarter than God” and even condemns TV talk show host Oprah Winfrey for promoting “a spirituality that is at fundamental odds with the historic biblical faith.”
AU’s Lynn, a United Church of Christ minister, said Elmbrook is free to teach its doctrines, but many Americans disagree with them.
“I can understand why gay kids, atheist kids and kids from other non-evangelical faith groups would not want to graduate at a church that condemns them,” Lynn said. “Public school commencement ceremonies ought to be held at a place where every family feels at home.”
AU Senior Litigation Counsel Alex J. Luchenitser, who is lead counsel in the case, added, “Graduating seniors should not be forced to choose between entering a religious environment of a faith to which they do not subscribe and missing their own graduation. Graduation should be a joyous occasion for students and their family members, and it should not be ruined by such religious coercion.”
In its complaint, Americans United notes that there are other facilities available for graduation ceremonies and that virtually all of them are non-religious in nature. Other school districts in the area use them.
Americans United is seeking a preliminary injunction barring the school district from holding its graduation ceremonies, scheduled for June 6 and 7, at Elmbrook Church or any other house of worship.
The complaint and preliminary injunction papers in Does v. Elmbrook Joint School District No. 21 were drafted by Luchenitser and AU Madison Fellow Elizabeth J. Stevens, in consultation with AU Legal Director Ayesha N. Khan. James H. Hall Jr. and F. Thomas Olson of the Milwaukee civil-rights firm Hall Legal, S.C. are serving as co-counsel in the case.
Americans United is a religious liberty watchdog group based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1947, the organization educates ducates Americans about the importance of church-state separation in safeguarding religious freedom.
Americans United for Separation of Church and State today expressed disappointment at the Obama administration’s decision to ask former football coach Tony Dungy to serve on the president’s Advisory Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships.
“God & Country,” the religion blog of U.S. News & World Report, said today that Dungy has been asked to serve on the council, but he has not yet decided whether to do so.
Dungy, former coach of the Indianapolis Colts football team, has well-known ties with intolerant Religious Right groups. In 2007, for example, he spoke at a fund-raising dinner for the Indiana Family Institute, a James Dobson-affiliated group that opposes gay rights, reproductive rights and separation of church and state.
Said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United’s executive director, “I am surprised and disappointed that Dungy has been asked to serve on the council. His view that civil-marriage law should reflect religious doctrine is not in keeping with the Constitution.”
Added Lynn, “It is extremely important for the advisory council to uphold civil rights and civil liberties, and I am concerned that Coach Dungy is far from the best person to do that.”
Dungy, in his remarks at the Indiana Family Institute dinner, supported an Indiana constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage and suggested that public policy ought to reflect religious doctrine.
"I feel like telling people when they look at this issue of same-sex marriage . . . I'm not on anybody's side," Dungy said. "I'm on the Lord's side."
According to U.S. News, Dungy accepted the Indiana Family Institute's Friend of the Family Award and said he "embraced" the IFI’s support for the gay marriage ban.
"IFI is saying what the Lord says," Dungy said. "You can take that and you can make the decision on which way you want to be."
"We're not trying to downgrade anyone else," Dungy added. "But we're trying to promote the family — family values the Lord's way."
Lynn said it is important that the advisory council not advocate views such as Dungy’s that undercut church-state separation.
Concluded Lynn, “I look forward to working with President Obama and his staff as he develops his administration’s position on the faith-based funding issue.”
Americans United is a religious liberty watchdog group based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1947, the organization educates Americans about the importance of church-state separation in safeguarding religious freedom.
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