From Secular Coalition for America <[email protected]>
Subject Reads of Reason (January 18, 2022)
Date January 18, 2022 3:00 PM
  Links have been removed from this email. Learn more in the FAQ.
  Links have been removed from this email. Learn more in the FAQ.
[link removed]
Happy Tuesday!

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.

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)
A Public Flagpole, a Christian Flag and the First Amendment (NYT, 11/29/31) ([link removed])
"The Supreme Court will decide whether Boston, which allows many kinds of groups to raise flags outside its City Hall, can reject one bearing the Latin cross."

The Man Behind Shurtleff v. City of Boston (A Public Witness, 1/12/22) ([link removed])
"Despite the circumstances and legal issues of the case drawing significant attention, the man at the center of this First Amendment storm is garnering little notice. Yet, the views of Harold “Hal” Shurtleff, who co-founded and leads Camp Constitution, should not be ignored."

Coach Who Lost His Job After On-Field Prayers Gets Supreme Court Review (Bloomberg, 1/14/22) ([link removed])
"The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal from a football coach who lost his job at a public high school in Washington state after repeatedly praying alongside his players on the 50-yard line after games."

Oklahoma AG John O'Connor draws scrutiny after reportedly advocating for a "God-based nation" (Public Radio Tulsa, 1/11/22) ([link removed] AG John O'Connor draws scrutiny after reportedly advocating for a "God-based nation" (Public Radio Tulsa, 1/11/22))
"Oklahoma Attorney General John O'Connor's reported endorsement of a national legal system based on theology is an affront to the Bill of Rights and the separation of church and state, according to a secular advocacy group."

Scholar: America is still reacting to the religious right, in more ways than one (RNS, 1/13/22) ([link removed])
"The shadow of the religious right is long, and may be hindering the ability of modern-day Christian conservatives to stifle radicalism."

Secular Americans
(Who are we? What are we up to?)

Secular non-profit backs parent’s First Amendment complaint (1/9/22) ([link removed])
"The parent of a student at Pied Piper School reached out to the Freedom from Religion Foundation for help after what they considered discrimination against their child. They believe the school violated the First Amendment by including a nativity scene in their Christmas play."

Freedom of religion has trampled the rights of many American citizens, as well as those who were once enslaved (First Amendment Museum, 1/14/22) ([link removed])
“What is undeniable is that there is still much fear and misunderstanding about [non-believers], not only in the United States, but also around the world.”
Commentary
(Everyone has an opinion...)
Boston was right to refuse to fly Christian flag (Boston Globe, 1/15/22) ([link removed])
"As a Jewish legal advocate and a Baptist minister, we support the arguments of Boston in this critical First Amendment case that Supreme Court justices will hear on January 18."

The Christian right brings a Supreme Court case it actually deserves to win (Vox, 1/16/22) ([link removed])
"The case presents a genuinely difficult free speech dispute."

The White Christian Nationalism Tearing America Apart at the Seams (Common Dreams, 1/11/22) ([link removed])
"As Congress debates voting rights and investing in the people, it’s important to understand the dark forces that underlie the increasingly reactionary and authoritarian politics on the rise in this country."

Christian Nationalism Is One of Trump’s Most Powerful Weapons (New York Times, 1/6/22) ([link removed])
"Christian nationalist symbolism was all over the events of Jan. 6, as observers have pointed out. But the movement’s contribution to the effort to overturn the 2020 election and install an unelected president goes much deeper than the activities of a few of its representatives"

Why the LDS Church Welfare System Cannot Replace Government Assistance (Religion and Politics, 1/11/22) ([link removed])
"Studying the church’s history reveals that the government has done more to alleviate poverty and vault LDS members into positions of financial security than the church’s welfare system."
Opposing Views
(Always good to know what they are saying)
Opinion: In this case, the Constitution requires a city to display a religious flag (Washington Post, 1/14/22) ([link removed])
"Why are we [the ACLU] supporting a Christian organization’s argument in the Supreme Court case Shurtleff v. Boston that it has a right to display a flag bearing the Latin cross in front of Boston’s City Hall? The short answer: The First Amendment requires it."

Introducing integralism (World, 1/11/22) ([link removed])
"A group of Catholic intellectuals challenge America’s democratic founding principles"

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!
To support our work on behalf of nontheist Americans, please click the “I want to help secular advocacy! ([link removed]) ” button to donate to the (C4) division of SCA which is responsible for lobbying congress, or the “I want to help secular education ([link removed]) ! ([link removed]) ” button for a tax-deductible donation to the (C3) division of SCA which works to educate Americans about our movement and values. Every dollar goes to furthering our shared secular agenda.


I want to help secular advocacy! ([link removed])
I want to help secular education! ([link removed])

============================================================
** Facebook ([link removed])
** Twitter ([link removed])
** Link ([link removed])
** Website ([link removed])
Copyright © 2022 Secular Coalition for America, All rights reserved.
1012 14th St, NW, Suite 205, Washington, DC xxxxxx

Contributions to the Secular Coalition for America are not tax-deductible; they support our effective, citizen-based advocacy and lobbying efforts. Tax-deductible donations, including from Donor Advised Funds and IRA Rollovers, can be made to the Secular Coalition for America Education Fund.



You are receiving this email because you requested to receive updates from the Secular Coalition for America.
** Manage subscription ([link removed])
| ** Unsubscribe ([link removed])
Screenshot of the email generated on import

Message Analysis