separation of church and state
Humanists push for a National Day of Reason
By Kimberly Winston — May 3, 2016
(RNS) Not all Americans pray, and some want an officially designated day to prove it.
A satanic movement seeks political change
By guest — April 27, 2016
The Satanic Temple and the motion picture studio behind "The Witch" have collaborated on a multicity tour called The Sabbat Cycle, which consists of screenings of the film followed by politically driven satanic rituals.
Texas sheriff sued for placing crosses on patrol cars
By Aysha Khan — March 3, 2016
(RNS) A First Amendment watchdog group is suing a Texas sheriff for placing Christian cross decals on several county patrol vehicles.
‘Antidisestablishmentarianism’ isn’t in the dictionary. Let’s change that! (COMMENTARY)
By Tobin Grant — September 3, 2015
(RNS) It's often cited as one of the longest words in the English language. It refers to a concept in church-state relations.
East-West Travelblog: A wake-up call in Washington
By Kimberly Winston — August 21, 2015
WASHINGTON, D.C. (RNS) As a religion reporter, I figure I know what secularism is. But Akram Elias made me see it anew in an almost throw-away line in a presentation he gave on federalism I thought would surely be a snoozefest. Joke's on me!
Church-state separationist James Dunn dead at 83
By Adelle M. Banks — July 6, 2015
(RNS) “The 20th century had no greater champion of religious freedom -- of conscience -- than James Dunn,” said Oliver “Buzz” Thomas, former general counsel of the Baptist Joint Committee.
Tennessee Attorney General: Bible can’t be official state book
By Reuters — April 15, 2015
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RNS) "I am quite confident that the Bible's distinguished place in history will not be diminished in the absence of a state's endorsement," state Attorney General Herbert Slatery said.
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.
German Catholics petition Schleswig-Holstein state to reinstate God in constitution
By Luigi Serenelli — October 14, 2014
BERLIN (RNS) The Schleswig-Holstein parliament voted with a two-thirds majority to exclude mention of God from the new constitution, becoming the seventh of 16 German states to do so.
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.
Hobby Lobby protesters ‘Knit a Brick’
By Kimberly Winston — July 17, 2014
(RNS) The Secular Coalition for America wants anyone upset by the Supreme Court’s Hobby Lobby ruling last month to knit or crochet rectangles, or “bricks,” to shore up what the coalition sees as the crumbling wall of separation between church and state.
Supreme Court won’t wade into fight over graduations in churches
By Kimberly Winston — June 16, 2014
(RNS) In 2012, the Chicago-based 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the decision to hold a public high school graduation ceremony at a Wisconsin megachurch was “offensive” and “coercive.”
House considers a prayer plaque at WWII monument; interfaith coalition says ‘no’
By Kimberly Winston — May 21, 2014
(RNS) A group of Christians, Hindus, Jews and humanists has asked the House of Representatives to reject a prayer plaque proposed for the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Calif. city torn by multiple fights over public crosses
By Kimberly Winston — March 11, 2014
(RNS) “They said they have to take that (cross) down,” local resident Doug Johnson told the Riverside Press-Enterprise. “But they didn’t say anything about putting another one up.”
Muslim majorities open to democracy, but cautious
By Omar Sacirbey — January 9, 2014
(RNS) Large majorities of people in Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Tunisia and Turkey said their country would be better off if religion and government were separated.
