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Happy Tuesday!

Welcome to Reads of Reason, a weekly compilation of news-clippings that relate to our work advocating for the rights of nonreligious Americans and the separation of religion and government.

At the Secular Coalition for A ([link removed]) merica ([link removed]) (SCA) we know that being well-informed is a vital part of being an effective advocate. If there is an issue that inspires or concerns you, please reach out and we can take action as your voice in Washington D.C!

News We Care About
(Good to know for protecting the Wall of Separation)
Families sue W.Va. school district over Christian assembly (AP, 2/17/22) ([link removed])
"A group of parents and students are suing a West Virginia school district for allowing an evangelical preacher to hold a religious revival assembly during the school day earlier this month that some students were required to attend."

LGBTQ students say hopes dashed after feds drop BYU investigation (Salt Lake Tribune, 2/10/22) ([link removed])
"The Department of Education was looking into whether the private religious school was exempt from Title IX."

New Report on Christian Nationalism and the J6 Insurrection Shows Just ‘how dire the threat is” (Religion Dispatches, 2/15/22) ([link removed])
“America is a shared idea. And Christian nationalism refuses to share. It excludes non-Christians and the wrong kind of Christians, as this report shows…. This is the choice we face as a nation: Christian nationalism or America? We cannot have both.”

Potential Supreme Court nominee faces questions on religious rights case (The Washington Post, 2/29/22) ([link removed])
"Leondra Kruger argued 12 cases at the Supreme Court, representing the United States in both Republican and Democratic administrations, and one of them is receiving special scrutiny as President Joe Biden decides whether to nominate her to the bench."

Many faith leaders wary of religious exemptions for vaccine (AP, 2/12/22) ([link removed])
"By the thousands, Americans have been seeking religious exemptions in order to circumvent COVID-19 vaccine mandates, but generally they are doing so without the encouragement of major denominations and prominent religious leaders."
Secular Americans
(Who are we? What are we up to?)
Organizer without a prayer: A. Philip Randolph (OnlySky, 2/14/22) ([link removed])
"Black History Month Secular Profile: As a labor leader and civil rights activist, Randolph made his secular values powerfully explicit"

Do you taboo? On the silence of nonreligion (OnlySky, 2/16/22) ([link removed])
"I want us to think for a moment about the taboo of the word “atheism” and how creating some daylight between “atheism” and “science” is going to affect us all, going forward."

Making New Black History and Elevating Humanism in Racial Justice (The Humanist, 2/15/22) ([link removed])
"Education helps to improve strategies, and places us all on the right side of history."

What do students’ beliefs about God have to do with grades and going to college? (The Conversation, 2/14/22) ([link removed])
"The U.S. is the most devout wealthy Western democracy. Does a religious upbringing influence teens’ academic outcomes?"
Commentary
(Everyone has an opinion...)
Christian nationalism drove Jan. 6: Now it's embraced the Big Lie, and wants to conquer America (Salon, 2/1/22) ([link removed])
"America has a choice between democracy and Christian nationalism, says author of new report: "We can't have both"

A Tennessee couple's struggle to adopt shows religious freedom is under siege in America (CNN, 2/15/22) ([link removed])
"No one should be denied the ability to provide a loving home for foster children because of their religious beliefs."

Separation of church and state? Let's get real — that's over. So what do we do now? (Salon, 2/12/22) ([link removed])
"Jefferson's "wall of separation" is history. There are other, better ways to fight the Christian right's onslaught"

Should governments shun work with religious groups that don’t serve Jews? (Jewish News Syndicate, 2/16/22) ([link removed])
"A Jewish couple seeks to overturn a Tennessee law that says a Christian adoption agency shouldn’t be forced to work with non-Christians. But if they win, that won’t be good for the Jews or religious freedom."

France is on a dangerous collision course with its Muslim population (CNN, 2/5/22) ([link removed])
"French lawmakers last month voted to ban women and girls from wearing hijab while playing sports -- showing the world once again that when it comes to further politicizing, targeting and policing European Muslim women, our clothing choices and bodies, France is in a league of its own."
Opposing Views
(Always good to know what others are saying)
Tilting at Windmills: The Threat of Christian Nationalism (Standing For Freedom, 2/8/22) ([link removed])
Mark David Hall on how we are over-reacting to threat of Christian nationalism...

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!
There's a lot going on in the world, and we SCA is cutting through the noise to make sure your rights are upheld. To support this work, 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 making sure your voice is heard on Capitol Hill!


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