American Humanist Association
2023 Freedom of Thought Report; The Year in Religion News
By Ray Kirstein — December 16, 2023
Host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush reviews the 2023 Freedom of Thought Report with Nicole Carr and Gary McLelland, and gets the top five religion news stories of 2023 from journalists Adelle Banks and Jack Jenkins
Richard Dawkins has abandoned science to justify his transphobia
By Hemant Mehta — August 1, 2023
(RNS) — It’s jarring to see the world’s most famous atheist use his massive platform to downplay or deny trans identities.
Orthodox Jewish parents sue California for ban on special ed funds to religious schools
By Alejandra Molina — March 14, 2023
(RNS) — ‘It takes a special kind of chutzpah to deny Jewish kids with disabilities equal access to special education benefits,’ said Eric Rassbach, an attorney representing the parents.
Black atheist leaders quit Black Nonbelievers over alleged misconduct by president
By Bob Smietana and Alejandra Molina — December 20, 2022
(RNS) — Mandisa Thomas said she mishandled a ‘personal situation’ during a recent cruise held by the prominent Black secular group.
California congressman demands more transparency from health care sharing ministries
By Alejandra Molina — September 6, 2022
(RNS) — ‘These are businesses … masquerading as health plans that somehow follow biblical principles,’ said U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman.
1 in 5 Latino Americans have no religion, the Latinx Humanist Alliance says
By Alejandra Molina — April 1, 2021
(RNS) — In less than a decade, the number of nonreligious Latinos in the U.S. has increased 67%, doubling from about 4 million to more than 8 million, the Latinx Humanist Alliance found.
American Humanist leader Roy Speckhardt stepping down to make room for diverse leaders
By Emily McFarlan Miller — February 5, 2021
(RNS) — Speckhardt told Religion News Service his decision was prompted by a lot of 'humanistic soul searching, especially during the pandemic.'
Supreme Court determines cross on Maryland highway can stay
By Adelle M. Banks — June 20, 2019
WASHINGTON (RNS) — In a 7-2 decision, the high court determined that the Bladensburg Cross erected by the American Legion does not violate the Constitution’s establishment clause.
Supreme Court seems inclined to retain cross on public land
By The Associated Press — February 28, 2019
WASHINGTON (AP) — Even liberal justices Elena Kagan and Stephen Breyer suggested that they could join a narrow ruling upholding this particular memorial.
Religion or remembrance? Supreme Court to mull cross-shaped war memorial
By Adelle M. Banks — February 22, 2019
BLADENSBURG, Md. (RNS) — The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a lower court’s decision and ruled that the monument had 'the primary effect of endorsing religion and excessively entangles the government in religion.'
‘Nones’ get their first congressional caucus
By Emily McFarlan Miller — May 1, 2018
(RNS) — The new caucus comes as the religious 'nones' — those who claim no religious affiliation — jumped from about 16 percent of the U.S. population in 2007 to nearly 23 percent in 2014, according to the latest Pew data.
‘Peace Cross’ is unconstitutional, court rules
By Kimberly Winston — October 19, 2017
(RNS) — When is a cross on government land a violation of the establishment clause?
Religious leaders react to the violence in Charlottesville
By Emily McFarlan Miller — August 15, 2017
(RNS) — Some religious leaders criticized President Trump's initial response denouncing hatred and violence 'on many sides,' while a few conservative evangelicals rushed to defend the president.
Religious leaders celebrate denial of easement for Dakota Access pipeline
By Emily McFarlan Miller — December 5, 2016
(RNS) 'With this decision we look forward to being able to return home and spend the winter with our families and loved ones, many of whom have sacrificed as well,' said Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Chairman Dave Archambault II in a statement.
Humanists seek ban on evangelical gift boxes in schools
By Kimberly Winston — November 16, 2016
(RNS) The will argue in court that the Christian charity's alliance with a Denver public school district is a violation of the separation of church and state.
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