Misplaced Priorities: Justice Thomas Does The Dishes, But Forgets The Bill Of Rights

by guest blogger Sandhya Bathija

We don’t hear much from Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. He hasn’t asked a question during oral arguments at the high court in more than two years.

So when the George H.W. Bush appointee does agree to speak at a public event, we look forward to hearing his thoughts — especially when he is asked to speak on the Bill of Rights. That’s something we’d like to hope he knows quite a bit about as a Supreme Court justice.

But recently, when Thomas took the podium to address high school essay-contest winners, he seemed to forget he was there to talk about the Constitution.

Backlash To Bias: Obama Inaction On Hiring Discrimination Gaining Attention

by guest blogger Rob Boston

President Barack Obama’s reluctance to overturn a Bush-era executive order permitting religious bias in federally funded “faith-based” programs is not going unnoticed.

The Los Angeles Times was quick to blast the president’s inaction in a Feb. 9 editorial cleverly headlined “Thou may not discriminate.” The newspaper labeled Obama’s decision not to revoke the order an “unpleasant” surprise and called for quick corrective action.

“[I]n exchange for government funds, faith-based programs must not impose a religious test on either those they serve or those they hire,” asserted the paper. “Catholic Charities, for example, informs prospective employees that they will be considered without regard to religion. Obama needs to make it clear that other beneficiaries of federal funds will make the same commitment.”

Who's Missing at the Faith-Based Table?

Rev. Debra Haffner asks "Who's missing at the table?" regarding President Obama's new White House Office on Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.

Fallacious Flier: Religious Right Distorts Real Meaning Of ‘Religious Freedom Day’

by guest blogger Rob Boston

January 16th is “Religious Freedom Day,” an annual event that commemorates one of the greatest documents promoting religious liberty ever written – Thomas Jefferson’s Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom.

Many scholars believe the Virginia Statute was an inspiration for the First Amendment. In eloquent language, the measure ended Virginia’s state church and guaranteed religious liberty for all. If you haven’t read it, you should.

Persecution Complex: Why Religious Right Claims Of Hostility Toward Christians Ring Hollow

by guest blogger Rob Boston

Yesterday I received an e-mail from the Rev. Donald Wildmon’s American Family Association advertising a new DVD titled “Speechless: Silencing the Christians.”

“Facing rising persecution and discrimination, many Christians feel hopeless, uncertain what to do,” reads the promotional copy. The e-mail promises that I will learn “how you can be prepared if you feel the pressure to be silenced for your faith.”

Just to be clear, this video is not about Christians in some place like Saudi Arabia, where it is actually illegal to worship as a Christian. It’s about people here in the United States.

Focus On Unemployment: Cash-Strapped Dobson Empire Cuts Staff After Lavishly Funding Anti-Gay Campaign In California

by guest blogger Sandhya Bathija

Next week, Americans will kick off the holiday season, but sadly, several employees at James Dobson’s Focus on the Family (FOF) probably have lost that festive spirit.

On Dobson’s radio broadcast yesterday, he shared that Colorado-based FOF is “experiencing the same financial shortfall and some of the pressures that have resulted from the economic downturn in this country.” With that said, he announced that 149 filled staff positions and 53 open staff positions are to be cut, 20 percent of the total staff.

“It’s not something that anyone is relishing; it’s been a very difficult week,” Dobson said. “I ask our listeners to be in prayer for us. And be in prayer for those who will no longer be employed here. I have been a little teary-eyed about it for the last week.”

Dear Religious Leader: AU’s Letter On Church Politicking Hits Congregational Mail Boxes Around America

by guest blogger Sandhya Bathija

Americans United has mailed friendly letters to 100,000 clergy and lay leaders reminding them of the provisions of federal tax law and urging them not to endorse candidates from the pulpit.

We got word from a Baptist pastor in rural Georgia who received our missive, and apparently, wasn’t too happy to hear from us. He called yesterday to complain.

This pastor insisted that Americans United has “lost all credibility” in recent years, and that our organization is “hypocritical” and only targets “conservative” churches. He also said he is aware of the law and was not going to be “threatened and coerced.”

‘Christian Nation’ Nonsense: Americans Need Lessons In History And Civics

by guest blogger Joseph L. Conn

Bishop John England of Charleston has always been one of my favorite characters from American religious history.

England, head of the Catholic Diocese of South Carolina from 1820 until 1842, was a staunch advocate of church-state separation. He insisted that the U.S. Constitution gave government no authority whatsoever “to legislate upon religion or morals, directly or indirectly.”

Sermons For Separation: Ohio Pastor Counters Religious Right Church-Electioneering Scheme

by guest blogger Joseph L. Conn

A Columbus, Ohio, minister has come up with a great idea to counter Religious Right propaganda about churches and partisan politics.

On Sept. 21, the Rev. Eric Williams, senior pastor of North Congregational United Church of Christ, is calling on pastors throughout the country to preach sermons on the importance of church-state separation. The action comes exactly one week ahead of “Pulpit Freedom Sunday,” an Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) scheme to draw churches into illegal electioneering.

Federal tax law forbids churches and other tax-exempt organizations from endorsing candidates, but the ADF is recklessly asking ministers to use their pulpits on Sept. 28 to intervene in the upcoming election.

Fast Food Freak-out: The AFA Is Not Lovin’ It At McDonald’s

by guest blogger Rob Boston

I admit to having a weakness for McDonald’s french fries. There’s just something about those thin slivers of golden-fried potatoes, seasoned with just the right amount of salt. I know too much of them isn’t good for me but figure it’s OK to indulge every now and then.

McDonald’s fries might not help my cholesterol count, but eating them does have one benefit: It annoys the Religious Right.

McDonald’s is officially under boycott from Donald Wildmon’s American Family Association (AFA). The AFA, a Mississippi-based Religious Right outfit best known for obsessing over sexual content on cable and network television and its vociferous opposition to the “homosexual agenda,” has been going crazy lately because McDonald’s has made it clear that its family-friendly policy includes gay families.