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Happy Monday!

Welcome to Reads of Reason, a weekly compilation of news-clippings that relate to our work advocating for nontheist Americans and secularism here in Washington D.C. Please share this email with those in your network to enhance our secular outreach.

Over the last week, we have been following much of the analysis of Carson v. Makin which is currently before the Supreme Court and could have massive implications for the separation of religion and government. Below are some writings on the subject we have been reading (including a few we disagree with).

At the Secular Coalition for A ([link removed]) merica ([link removed]) we know that being well-informed is a vital part of being an effective advocate.
News We Care About
(Good to know for protecting the Wall of Separation)
Court suggests religious schools OK to get Maine tuition aid (Washington Post, 12/8/21) ([link removed])
"The Supreme Court appeared ready Wednesday to rule that religious schools can’t be excluded from a Maine program that offers tuition aid for private education, a decision that could ease religious organizations’ access to taxpayer money."

Supreme Court poised to further open the door for taxpayer funding of religious schools (LA TImes, 12/7/21) ([link removed])
"After imposing a strict church-state separation for decades, the Supreme Court appears poised to allow — and in some cases even require — more government funding of church-run schools."

Tim Kaine Drops the National Prayer Breakfast (TYT, 12/8/21) ([link removed])
"Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), a former National Prayer Breakfast co-chair, has “no intention” of attending the event next year, a spokesperson says."

An ‘Alt-Jihad’ Is Rising On Social Media (Wired, 12/8/21) ([link removed])
"The playbook of the “alt-right” is guiding a new generation of fringe jihadists, showing just how complicated extremism is about to become online."

Can officials pray in public? It’s complicated (Deseret News, 12/5/21) ([link removed])
"A lawsuit over a 2014 prayer vigil in Ocala, Florida, helps illustrate the complicated nature of establishment clause cases."

Commentary
(Everyone has an opinion...)

Radicalized Christian nationalism is a growing threat to American democracy (The Guardian, 12/11/21) ([link removed])
"A relatively small but incredibly organized faction is working to turn the country into something resembling a theocracy."

The Supreme Court appears really eager to force taxpayers to fund religious education (Vox, 12/8/21) ([link removed])
"Carson v. Makin appears likely to end in another transformative victory for the religious right."

Do taxpayers have to fund religious education? The Supreme Court may say yes. (Washington Post, 12/5/21) ([link removed])
"People of faith, and those of no religion, should not have to support the inculcation of beliefs with which they disagree."

Supreme Court hints religious schools have right to public funds in Carson v. Makin hearing (NBC, 12/8/21) ([link removed])
"Such a ruling means taxpayers will have to pay for religious indoctrination that's not only contrary to their own values, but also denies their own equality."

The Supreme Court is on a religious crusade (Washington Post, 12/9/21) ([link removed])
"The Supreme Court's majority is determined to keep widening the privileges of conservative Christians, to excuse them from laws others must obey and to force government to change its rules to accommodate their beliefs."

Opposing Views
(Always good to know what they are saying)
The Supreme Court’s Chance to Fight State Discrimination against Faith-Based Schools (National Review, 12/8/21) ([link removed])
"To discriminate against schools on the basis of their religious activity is to discriminate against them because of their religious identity."

Should States Be Allowed to Deny Parents Religious Options in School Choice Programs? (NYT, 21/7/21) ([link removed])
"If Maine has its way in Carson v. Makin, states will have the constitutional ability...to discriminate against parents who want a school that provides both academic and spiritual nourishment."
Secular Americans
(Who are we? What are we up to?)

Atheists find community on YouTube — and in person (RNS, 12/3/21) ([link removed])
"Three YouTube creators share how the platform has helped them share their personal stories and open up discussions on science and religious myths."

The views expressed in the articles included in the Reads of Reason do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Secular Coalition for America or its coalition members--varying opinions may be included in an effort to inform our readers as much as possible. Please let us know of any feedback you might have!
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