Americans United for Separation of Church and State
Evangelicals’ White House meetings illegal, church-state watchdog says
By Adelle M. Banks — August 31, 2018
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Americans United said the informal group is violating the 1972 Federal Advisory Committee Act established to provide greater transparency for the executive branch.
A campaign to blitz the country with ‘In God We Trust’ laws takes root
By Yonat Shimron — July 2, 2018
(RNS) — This year, five state legislatures passed laws mandating that every public school prominently display the national motto 'In God We Trust.'
Texas officials urge Trump to act on FEMA funding for houses of worship
By Adelle M. Banks — September 21, 2017
(RNS) — Their request follows a Sept. 4 lawsuit against FEMA filed by three churches in the state that were damaged by Hurricane Harvey.
Thousands of faith leaders ask Congress to protect Johnson Amendment
By Adelle M. Banks — August 16, 2017
WASHINGTON (RNS) — 'Changing the law would threaten the integrity and independence of houses of worship,' they wrote.
Barry Lynn looks back on 25 years of separating church and state
By Lauren Markoe — June 14, 2017
(RNS) 'I think we have a dizzying level of religious freedom in this country, particularly if you’re in the religious majority,' said Lynn, who will soon step down as executive director of Americans United.
In America, religious groups should pay their own way
By Barry Lynn — April 18, 2017
(RNS) A pending case at the U.S. Supreme Court could dramatically affect the religious freedom of all Americans.
Religiously affiliated hospital pensions at the center of Supreme Court case
By Lauren Markoe — March 27, 2017
(RNS) A 'sleeper' of a case before the Supreme Court pits three hospitals against employees who object to the institutions' religious exemption from the federal law that safeguards pensions.
Church-state separationist Barry Lynn to retire
By Adelle M. Banks — March 15, 2017
(RNS) Over a quarter century, his name was often synonymous with liberal advocacy for secularism in the public square.
Evangelicals and refugees: Care first, conversion maybe later
By Adelle M. Banks — June 24, 2016
(RNS) 'We feel like as a church our first step is to serve and to do that not so that they’ll become Christians, but because we are Christians,' one pastor said.
Critics petition Obama to abolish faith-based hiring bias
By Adelle M. Banks — August 21, 2015
WASHINGTON (RNS) Signatories of the new letter say a 2007 memo is being cited by some government-funded groups to refuse medical care to some sexual abuse victims or discriminate against LGBT employees.
White House proposes rules on faith-based social services
By Adelle M. Banks — August 5, 2015
(RNS) The rules are designed to protect the religious freedom of needy people who receive social services from government–funded religious programs.
2014: The top stories in atheism
By Chris Stedman — December 22, 2014
From the popularity of 'Cosmos' on Fox-TV to the Roku launch of 'Atheist TV', from open atheist James Woods's inspiring congressional campaign to Richard Dawkins's less-than-inspiring tweets, atheists made headlines all year.
Hobby Lobby president’s Bible curriculum shelved by Oklahoma school district
By Adelle M. Banks — November 26, 2014
(RNS) "In summary, the topic of a Bible course in the Mustang School District is no longer a discussion item nor is there a plan to provide such a course in the foreseeable future," Mustang Public Schools Superintendent Sean McDaniel said.
IRS agrees to monitor churches for electioneering
By Kimberly Winston — July 21, 2014
(RNS) - Freedom From Religion Foundation has reached a settlement with the Internal Revenue Service over electioneering in churches, a violation of their tax-exempt status.
From fundamentalist to ‘faitheist’: Meet Sarah Jones
By Chris Stedman — July 17, 2014
We speak with Sarah Jones, who will be guest writing for Chris Stedman over the next two weeks, about feminism, atheism, and why she calls herself a 'faitheist.'
