MORE ARTICLES FROM ‘Religion Commentary’
10th Circuit rejects inmate’s lawsuit over special diet
Colorado man might have had better luck pursuing his claim through federal or state religious-liberty laws than through free-exercise clause.
In 2013, escalating battles over claims of conscience
Attempts by the state to burden religious practices are always hotly contested – and that’s as it should be in a nation founded on religious freedom.
In 2012, the rise of a new religious America
Why the end of the Protestant hegemony in America will be no loss for religious people of any tradition, including Protestants.
Pharmacists win religious-freedom victory
Illinois attorney general’s decision not to appeal ruling protecting two pharmacies from punishment for refusing to dispense ‘morning-after’ pills may have national implications.
Religious freedom: not just for the religious
Atheists, humanists and other nonreligious people face discrimination and persecution in many parts of the world, but nonbelief should also be a protected human right.
Sentencing teen to church crosses First Amendment line
Oklahoma judge’s order, which has drawn a judicial-conduct complaint from the ACLU, ignores that faith is a matter of personal choice, not judicial discretion.
In Christmas wars, it’s all or nothing
Maybe it’s time atheists declared victory and stay home for the holidays — let Christians set up Nativity displays in public spaces unanswered in December and save atheist messages for another time.
Mitt, Mormons, and the religious test that wasn’t
With Romney’s candidacy, we moved closer to the First Amendment promise of full religious freedom — a level playing field in the public square for citizens of all faiths and none.
In East Texas, does cheering for God erase church-state line?
If cheerleaders in Kountze, Texas, prevail in defending their practice of holding up Bible-verse banners at football games, their victory could open the door for more student religious expression at school-sponsored events, delivered by members of various school groups.
When faith and football don’t mix
Pre-game prayers have been at the heart of a flurry of recent incidents; a safer course for public schools would be to call for a moment of silence.
What is the truth about American Muslims?
It’s time for voices of reason to counter dangerous and often vicious propaganda with balanced and accurate information about Muslims in the U.S.
Paying the price for religious illiteracy
Educating the public, starting with public school students, about world religions could help turn down the heat in our ugly culture-war fights over religion.
Proposed blasphemy ban unwise and unworkable
Arab League head’s U.N. call to make any offense to any religion a crime would mean almost any cultural expression would be punishable because it would offend someone’s religious sensibilities.
Anti-Islam film: defending the indefensible
Though much of the world doesn’t agree, the American commitment to the First Amendment demands that we uphold even the most odious speakers’ right to free expression.
The First Amendment Center is an educational organization and cannot provide legal advice.
Ken Paulson is president and chief executive officer of the First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University and in Washington, D.C. Previously, Paulson served as the editor and senior vice president/news of USA Today.
Gene Policinski, senior vice president and executive director of the First Amendment Center and president and chief operating officer of the Diversity Institute, is a veteran journalist whose career has included work in newspapers, radio, television and online.
John Seigenthaler founded the First Amendment Center in 1991 with the mission of creating national discussion, dialogue and debate about First Amendment rights and values.
Dr. Charles C. Haynes is director of the Religious Freedom Education Project at the Newseum. He writes and speaks extensively on religious liberty and religion in American public life.
David L. Hudson Jr. is an expert in First Amendment issues who writes for firstamendmentcenter.org and for other publications. Hudson teaches law and was a scholar at the First Amendment Center.
Tiffany Villager is director/First Amendment studies at the First Amendment Center, which she joined in 1993. She also served as the center’s research manager and research coordinator, and developed the center’s library.
Featured Post • Inside the First Amendment • Religion Commentary | Charles C. Haynes
Perils and politics of inaugural prayers
In today’s deeply divided America, who prays the ceremonial prayers is fast becoming a religio-political weathervane pointing in the direction cultural winds are blowing.