AUTHOR
Jeffrey Murphy
Paralegal, researcher & amateur historian.
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
I recently read an article in which the author asserted that the purpose of freedom of religion and “separation of church and state” is to protect religion from government (not the other way around).
TOLERANCE
In one of his many letters stressing the importance of education, Thomas Jefferson wrote that, “as long as we may think as we will, & speak as we think, the condition of man will proceed in improvement.
TOLERANCE
In Malaysia this week the heads of its different states (collectively called “the Rulers”) issued a joint statement calling for unity and harmony among its different ethnic and religious groups.
TOLERANCE
The Justice Department has waded into a Supreme Court case involving a Colorado baker who refused to create a wedding cake to celebrate a gay marriage. On September 7, it filed a supporting brief in favor of the baker.
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
A while ago I wrote a post about a squabble in Arizona over whether a humanist could give a benediction to the state legislature that didn’t mention God. There were strong feelings on each side.
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
Many generations of Supreme Court Justices have tried to define the correct balance of church and state.
TOLERANCE
The story of how a new mosque was approved for construction in Bernard Township, New Jersey is a classic case of good news and bad news. First the good news. As of May 30th, Bernard Township will allow the Islamic Society of Basking Ridge to build a new mosque.
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
The Austrian Parliament recently passed a law banning women from wearing garments that cover their face s. As is the norm with such laws that have sprung up in various parts of Europe, it pretends to “neutrally” apply to everyone.
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
An atheist member of the Arizona legislature caused a small stir recently when she offered up a humanist invocation calling on her fellow representatives to “remember the humanity that resides with each and every person here, and each and every person in the city, and in all people in the nation and
MEDIA WATCH
I read your report on Brandon Scott Wolf yesterday in which you make a gratuitous—and false—assertion that the Church of Scientology has in some way avoided paying taxes.
