News From The Week Of August 5 - August 9, 2019

Hi, Friend:

Last weekend, our country was rocked by two tragic mass shootings in Texas and Ohio. Our hearts are with the victims, their families, and all the people in communities past and present who have had to endure the effects of all forms of gun violence.

In the wake of this news, we saw a return to age-old tactics among the Religious Right and Fox News agitators: blaming rising secularism for acts of violence. I want to make two points clear, friends.

These mass shootings have nothing to do with keeping coercive prayer and worship out of our public schools. Despite what Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said, compelling youngsters to pray in our schools is not the answer to gun violence. Moreover, at the root of this suggestion is the implication that non-Christians are more likely to commit these acts of violence than Christians. Divisive rhetoric like this is offensive and counter-productive.

These mass shootings have nothing to do with the fact that some Americans don’t believe in God. Our Constitution’s First Amendment gives everyone the right to practice any faith they want, including no faith at all, so long as they aren’t harming others. That freedom has been a cornerstone of peace and progress in America since our founding. Those who assert that a “growing distance from God” is to blame for these violent acts distort the reality of our democracy and insult our foundational American principles.

The national conversation around the epidemic of gun violence needs to include all views and opinions. But it must also be grounded in facts and honesty, not division and scapegoating.

Let’s keep working for a safer, more inclusive country for everyone.

In solidarity,

Rachel K. Laser
President and CEO

Separation Of Church And State Didn’t Cause The Recent Mass Shootings:
Failed presidential candidate Mike Huckabee blamed the recent mass shootings on people who "are utterly disconnected from any sense of identity with their Creator and with his love for them and his love for the people that they hate."
READ MORE » [link removed]

Christian Nationalism Is Spreading – And These Christians Have Had Enough:
For too long, Religious Right groups have obnoxiously laid claim to the word "Christian" and sought to twist it for their own (often political) ends. But make no mistake, the "Christian nation" they seek to create reflects only a narrow slice of American Christianity.
READ MORE » [link removed]

These Mo. Teachers Were Told To Attend An Event At An Anti-LGBTQ Church. Their Response Was Perfect.:
The strength of the separation of church and state, especially as a last resort against tyrannical theocracy, comes from the people – not our leaders, not the Founders, not even from the Constitution itself.
READ MORE » [link removed]

Sound Science Education May Start Devolving In Florida:
Public education in Florida must not be tainted with religiously tinged belief systems. Otherwise, students will be subjected to indoctrination by way of poor science and literalist biblical interpretation.
READ MORE » [link removed]

Iowa Man Who Burned LGBTQ-Friendly Books Faces The Law:
Burning books because you don’t like their content is an extreme act of intolerance, but in this case, there was an additional wrinkle: They weren’t his books. He had checked them out of a public library in Orange City.
READ MORE » [link removed]

Follow Us On Twitter: www.twitter.com/americansunited

Follow us On Instagram: [link removed]

Like Us On Facebook: www.facebook.com/americansunited

Our August Match will double your online gift dollar-for-dollar, so don't wait to show your support for religious freedom - Donate Today: [link removed]

Show your support for religious freedom by helping AU fight these battles. Contribute any amount in the month of August to have your gift doubled by our August Match - Donate Today:

Copyright © 2019
Americans United for Separation of Church and State
1310 L Street NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC xxxxxx
www.au.org

unsubscribe: [link removed]
Update your information: [link removed]
Privacy policy: www.au.org/about/privacy-policy
Donate: [link removed]