Public Funds Should Not Subsidize Religious Discrimination By ‘Faith-Based’ Charities, Church-State Watchdog Group Asserts
November 13, 2009
The religion exemption in a proposed same-sex marriage bill adequately protects religious freedom, and the District of Columbia Council should not give in to demands from the Catholic Archdiocese that it be broadened, says Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
In a Nov. 10 statement, the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington threatened to drop contracts with the District government to provide social services, unless church programs are broadly exempted from civil rights provisions that will protect same-sex couples.
Catholic Charities DC, the social service arm of the archdiocese, received $16 million of its $23 million budget last year through governmental contracts.
Said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director, “The church’s demand is outrageous. If ‘faith-based’ charities cannot or will not obey civil rights laws, they ought not benefit from public funds.
Read the full press release at www.au.org
Friday, November 13, 2009
Keep Religious Doctrine Out of the Law
Urge Your Representatives to Reject Efforts Like the Stupak Amendment
After months of negotiations and compromise, the House of Representatives was set to vote on landmark healthcare reform legislation last week. But before the legislation could make it to the floor, Speaker Pelosi and a handful of anti-choice Members of Congress received some high-level phone calls from members of the hierarchy of the Catholic Church.
Pelosi's comprehensive healthcare legislation was abortion-neutral, thanks to a compromise amendment included in committee by Rep. Lois Capps (D-CA). And when House Leadership heard objections from some anti-choice lawmakers that the Capps language was not strong enough, they were open to small additional compromises on language. But the Catholic bishops took things much further.
Demanding, in essence, a new ban on abortion coverage in any insurance plan participating in the new insurance "exchange," the Church hierarchy threatened to use its clout in Congress to derail the entire healthcare reform package unless its particular religious view was enshrined in the legislation. Thanks in large part to the extreme influence of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Rep. Stupak's (D-MI) and Rep. Pitts' (R-PA) amendment was passed on the House floor, adding restrictions on access to abortion in the U.S. that are unprecedented and frightening.
For those of us who believe deeply that religion and government must function separately, these events are highly disturbing. As supporters of Americans United, you are well aware that the Constitution mandates a separation between church and state. Yet last week, we saw a new and upsetting development - the Catholic bishops have used their immense power to undermine constitutionally guaranteed rights.
This is unacceptable, and your lawmakers need to hear from you.
We simply cannot allow the interests of a politically powerful religious denomination to undermine the rights guaranteed by the Constitution to Americans of all faiths and none. Please contact your members of Congress to express your views on this issue!
Tell Your Representatives Not to Enshrine Religious Doctrine Into Law
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Federal District Court Rules Against South Carolina’s ‘Christian’ License Plate
Americans United Says Decision Reminds Officials Of Their Duty To Uphold Separation Of Church And State
November 10, 2009
A federal district court ruled today that a special Christian license plate mandated by the South Carolina legislature violates the constitutional separation of church and state.
U.S. District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie held that the plate, which was to feature a large yellow cross, a stained-glass window and the words “I Believe,” clearly gives favored government treatment to one faith. In a summary judgment ruling, she ordered state officials not to issue the plate.
Americans United for Separation of Church and State, which served as counsel in the case, praised the decision.
“This is great news,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director. “Government must never be allowed to express favored treatment for one faith over others. That’s unconstitutional and un-American.
Read the full press release at www.au.org
Tulsa Muslims send their heartfelt sympathy concerning Ft. Hood shooting
For Immediate Release
11-5-09
RE: Fort Hood Shootings
Tulsa Muslims send their heartfelt sympathy to the soldiers and their families who were victims of today’s tragedy at Fort Hood, Texas. As Americans and as Muslims, we categorically condemn the shooting of the soldiers. We value the voluntary service of all who serve in the military and the sacrifices they make in defense of our country. No words can express the sadness we feel that Fort Hood’s moment of celebration and graduation was destroyed in such a horrific way. We trust that a thorough and fair investigation will be pursued and that the responsible parties will be held accountable.
Contact: Sheryl Siddiqui, Director
Community Relations and Outreach
Islamic Society of Tulsa
(918)638-2670
Oklahoma Muslims feel the loss of the murdered soldiers deeply and strongly condemn this despicable act. Thousands and thousands of Muslims have honorably served in the American military since the founding of this nation. The victims of this Fort hood shooter are our compatriots, brothers and sisters in arms protecting this country. We can only imagine that this was an act of illness because no cause, religious or political, is served by such a horrific act.
Jihad is the struggle to do good in this world seeking God’s Pleasure. When it comes to killing, Jihad is a call to war that only a legitimate head of state can make. Individuals and groups cannot unilaterally take this action. This is called murder.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Election Results Suggest Religious Right Remains Force To Contend With, Says Americans United
Movement’s Allies Win Public Offices In Virginia And New Jersey, Roll Back Marriage Rights For Gays In Maine
November 4, 2009
Election results in Virginia, New Jersey, New York and Maine serve as a reminder that the Religious Right remains an influential force in political life, according to Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
“I wish I could say the Religious Right is dead, but this election shows that reports of its demise are inaccurate,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director. “The pundits who announced the Religious Right’s demise in 2008 were simply wrong.
“Many factors played a role in the outcome of yesterday’s elections,” Lynn added, “so it’s important not to exaggerate the Religious Right’s influence. But at the same time, Americans need to know that this movement’s leaders are still influential in American politics. They haven’t given up on their crusade to impose their fundamentalist beliefs on everyone through government action.”
In Virginia, Republican Bob McDonnell won the governor’s office and GOP candidate Ken Cuccinelli won the attorney general’s post. Both men are close allies of the Religious Right. McDonnell is a graduate of Pat Robertson’s Regent University, and the TV preacher and his family made large contributions to McDonnell’s campaign. Cuccinelli is also a Religious Right favorite, drawing financial and logistical support from an array of Religious Right organizations.
Read the full press release at www.au.org
November 4, 2009
Election results in Virginia, New Jersey, New York and Maine serve as a reminder that the Religious Right remains an influential force in political life, according to Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
“I wish I could say the Religious Right is dead, but this election shows that reports of its demise are inaccurate,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director. “The pundits who announced the Religious Right’s demise in 2008 were simply wrong.
“Many factors played a role in the outcome of yesterday’s elections,” Lynn added, “so it’s important not to exaggerate the Religious Right’s influence. But at the same time, Americans need to know that this movement’s leaders are still influential in American politics. They haven’t given up on their crusade to impose their fundamentalist beliefs on everyone through government action.”
In Virginia, Republican Bob McDonnell won the governor’s office and GOP candidate Ken Cuccinelli won the attorney general’s post. Both men are close allies of the Religious Right. McDonnell is a graduate of Pat Robertson’s Regent University, and the TV preacher and his family made large contributions to McDonnell’s campaign. Cuccinelli is also a Religious Right favorite, drawing financial and logistical support from an array of Religious Right organizations.
Read the full press release at www.au.org
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Americans United Urges IRS To Take Necessary Steps To Limit Partisan Activity By Churches
Church-State Watchdog Group Offers Comments On Tax Agency’s Proposed Regulations To Enforce ‘No Politicking’ Rule
November 3, 2009
Partisan electioneering by tax-exempt churches is a significant national problem so the Internal Revenue Service must have clear and effective policies in place to respond, Americans United for Separation of Church and State has told the federal tax agency.
The IRS is soliciting comments for new rules governing the enforcement of provisions in federal tax law that bar churches and other tax-exempt religious organizations from endorsing or opposing candidates.
Earlier this year, a federal court issued a ruling about IRS procedure that has required the government agency to clarify its internal policies regarding investigations of houses of worship.
“The rules need to change to get necessary investigations back on track,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director. “The law forbids tax-exempt churches to intervene in partisan politics, and the IRS needs an effective mechanism to enforce that mandate.”
Read the full press release at www.au.org
November 3, 2009
Partisan electioneering by tax-exempt churches is a significant national problem so the Internal Revenue Service must have clear and effective policies in place to respond, Americans United for Separation of Church and State has told the federal tax agency.
The IRS is soliciting comments for new rules governing the enforcement of provisions in federal tax law that bar churches and other tax-exempt religious organizations from endorsing or opposing candidates.
Earlier this year, a federal court issued a ruling about IRS procedure that has required the government agency to clarify its internal policies regarding investigations of houses of worship.
“The rules need to change to get necessary investigations back on track,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director. “The law forbids tax-exempt churches to intervene in partisan politics, and the IRS needs an effective mechanism to enforce that mandate.”
Read the full press release at www.au.org
Friday, October 23, 2009
AU Issues Update On Proposed Congressional Land Transfer To Michigan Religious School
Michigan Representative Says Coast Guard Property Will Be Sold At Fair Market Value, Not Given To Religious School
October 21, 2009
Americans United for Separation of Church and State today expressed appreciation to a Michigan member of Congress for taking steps to ensure that Coast Guard property in Cheboygan will be sold at fair market value, rather than freely granted to a religious school.
On Oct. 14, Americans United wrote to U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) with concerns about a proposal (H.R. 1291) that would give seven acres of public land to a religious school that has been renting the property.
Americans United subsequently learned that Rep. Stupak will actively pursue an alternative approach to H.R. 1291, contained in the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act (H.R. 3619), which is expected to be considered by the full House of Representatives later this week. Crafted by Stupak, the alternative proposal will ensure that the land will be sold at fair market value, rather than given to Cornerstone Christian School without compensation to the government.
In an Oct. 20 letter to Rep. Stupak, the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director, said Americans United is “very pleased to learn from your letter and e-mail from your staff of the same date that you are not seeking to move H.R. 1291 forward because of the constitutional problems with the bill’s proposed land transfer.” Americans United also restated that “the constitutional problems are not fully addressed by the provision in H.R. 3619 because it grants the right of first refusal to the School.”
complete at: http://www.au.org/media/press-releases/archives/2009/10/au-issues-update-on-proposed.html
Friday, October 16, 2009
Americans United Opposes Proposed Congressional Land Grant To Religious School In Michigan
Giving Seven Acres Of Land To Religious School Would Be Unconstitutional, Asserts Church-State Watchdog Group
October 16, 2009
Americans United for Separation of Church and State has urged U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak (D–Mich.) to withdraw legislation that would grant seven acres of Coast Guard land to Cornerstone Christian School in Cheboygan, Mich.
The school has rented the property from the Coast Guard since 1986. Stupak’s measure, H.R. 1291, would allow the government to convey the land to the school for free.
In a letter to Stupak, Americans United explained that the land transfer would run afoul of the U.S. Constitution’s church-state separation provisions and circumvent federal law governing the disposal of public property.
complete at: http://www.au.org/media/press-releases/archives/2009/10/au-opposes-proposed.html
October 16, 2009
Americans United for Separation of Church and State has urged U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak (D–Mich.) to withdraw legislation that would grant seven acres of Coast Guard land to Cornerstone Christian School in Cheboygan, Mich.
The school has rented the property from the Coast Guard since 1986. Stupak’s measure, H.R. 1291, would allow the government to convey the land to the school for free.
In a letter to Stupak, Americans United explained that the land transfer would run afoul of the U.S. Constitution’s church-state separation provisions and circumvent federal law governing the disposal of public property.
complete at: http://www.au.org/media/press-releases/archives/2009/10/au-opposes-proposed.html
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Prayer Effort Seeks 'Right Thinking' From Liberals
Prayer Effort Seeks 'Right Thinking' From Liberals
by Barbara Bradley Hagerty
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113453702
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October 4, 2009
You can see why Christian conservatives might be in a funk. Democrats control the White House and both houses of Congress. They see a liberal drift in the country's leadership and worry about social issues like same-sex marriage, abortion, stem cell research, health care and immigration.
Now Liberty Counsel, a nonprofit legal, education and policy group associated with the late Jerry Falwell's Liberty University, is pulling out the heavy artillery: prayer.
"We believe in the power of God. We are commanded to pray for our leaders, even those we disagree with," says Mat Staver, who, as head of Liberty Counsel, spends most of his time fighting for Christian causes in court. "And so we are asking people to pray so that our leaders are restored to right thinking."
So far, 11 leaders are on the "Adopt a Liberal" roster: President Barack Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Republicans Sen. Olympia Snowe of Maine and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger made the list for their support of same-sex marriage. Then there's Democrat Barney Frank, Massachusetts' openly gay congressman who, Staver says, is "100-percent committed to the homosexual agenda."
by Barbara Bradley Hagerty
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113453702
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October 4, 2009
You can see why Christian conservatives might be in a funk. Democrats control the White House and both houses of Congress. They see a liberal drift in the country's leadership and worry about social issues like same-sex marriage, abortion, stem cell research, health care and immigration.
Now Liberty Counsel, a nonprofit legal, education and policy group associated with the late Jerry Falwell's Liberty University, is pulling out the heavy artillery: prayer.
"We believe in the power of God. We are commanded to pray for our leaders, even those we disagree with," says Mat Staver, who, as head of Liberty Counsel, spends most of his time fighting for Christian causes in court. "And so we are asking people to pray so that our leaders are restored to right thinking."
So far, 11 leaders are on the "Adopt a Liberal" roster: President Barack Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Republicans Sen. Olympia Snowe of Maine and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger made the list for their support of same-sex marriage. Then there's Democrat Barney Frank, Massachusetts' openly gay congressman who, Staver says, is "100-percent committed to the homosexual agenda."
Watchdog Group Leader Says Liberty Counsel’s ‘Adopt a Liberal’ Program Beats Prayers For His Death
http://www.au.org/media/press-releases/archives/2009/10/au-executive-director-barry.html
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October 1, 2009
Watchdog Group Leader Says Liberty Counsel’s ‘Adopt a Liberal’ Program Beats Prayers For His Death
Americans United for Separation of Church and State Executive Director Barry W. Lynn today said he’s thankful for the prayers being said on his behalf by supporters of a Religious Right group.
Liberty Counsel, a far-right legal organization affiliated with the late Jerry Falwell’s Liberty University, has unveiled a program called “Adopt a Liberal.” Supporters are exhorted to pray for one of 11 liberals on a list. (See more here.)
Lynn is the only person to appear on the list who is not an elected leader or government official.
“This is quite an honor,” Lynn said. “I’m pleased that Liberty Counsel considers me such a threat that I rank alongside President Barack Obama, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.”
Liberty Counsel hopes the prayers of its supporters will lead Lynn and the others to change their political views.
“Please pray daily for the liberal(s) of your choice, so each can become a good influence on our Nation’s culture,” says the group. “Prayer is powerful! It allows God to change the minds of those for whom we are praying. In fact, we fully expect that many of our adoptees will ‘graduate’ from this prayer program with vivid testimonies of God having changed their lives and worldviews!”
Recently, two Religious Right activists, Gordon James Klingenschmitt of Colorado and the Rev. Wiley Drake of California, have announced that they are praying for Lynn’s death. Lynn said he much prefers the approach of the Liberty Counsel.
“As a Christian minister, I obviously believe in the power of prayer,” Lynn said. “I’m also thankful to live in a country where, thanks to the separation of church and state, people have the right to pray whenever, however and for whatever they like.”
But Lynn added that Liberty Counsel shouldn’t expect him to change his views. He also noted that any Liberty Counsel supporter who chooses to adopt him had better be prepared.
“I like to stay up late, and I’m not doing any chores around the house,” Lynn quipped.
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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October 1, 2009
Watchdog Group Leader Says Liberty Counsel’s ‘Adopt a Liberal’ Program Beats Prayers For His Death
Americans United for Separation of Church and State Executive Director Barry W. Lynn today said he’s thankful for the prayers being said on his behalf by supporters of a Religious Right group.
Liberty Counsel, a far-right legal organization affiliated with the late Jerry Falwell’s Liberty University, has unveiled a program called “Adopt a Liberal.” Supporters are exhorted to pray for one of 11 liberals on a list. (See more here.)
Lynn is the only person to appear on the list who is not an elected leader or government official.
“This is quite an honor,” Lynn said. “I’m pleased that Liberty Counsel considers me such a threat that I rank alongside President Barack Obama, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.”
Liberty Counsel hopes the prayers of its supporters will lead Lynn and the others to change their political views.
“Please pray daily for the liberal(s) of your choice, so each can become a good influence on our Nation’s culture,” says the group. “Prayer is powerful! It allows God to change the minds of those for whom we are praying. In fact, we fully expect that many of our adoptees will ‘graduate’ from this prayer program with vivid testimonies of God having changed their lives and worldviews!”
Recently, two Religious Right activists, Gordon James Klingenschmitt of Colorado and the Rev. Wiley Drake of California, have announced that they are praying for Lynn’s death. Lynn said he much prefers the approach of the Liberty Counsel.
“As a Christian minister, I obviously believe in the power of prayer,” Lynn said. “I’m also thankful to live in a country where, thanks to the separation of church and state, people have the right to pray whenever, however and for whatever they like.”
But Lynn added that Liberty Counsel shouldn’t expect him to change his views. He also noted that any Liberty Counsel supporter who chooses to adopt him had better be prepared.
“I like to stay up late, and I’m not doing any chores around the house,” Lynn quipped.
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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