Yesterday morning, coffee in hand, I was met with a sobering claim. Our Texas lieutenant governor, Dan Patrick, broke the news: “Separation of church and state is a lie.” Despite my “limitations” — a public-school education, a private college degree…
Texas interfaith coalition speaks up for Muslims’ religious freedom
As Republican elected leaders in Texas seek to limit the activities of Muslim organizations, an interfaith coalition has issued a plea to defend Muslim neighbors and their religious freedom. The open letter was created by George A. Mason and Nancy…
Paxton’s pastor joins faith team for Cornyn
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s pastor has joined the Faith Advisory Council of his opponent, Sen. John Cornyn. After a tough primary campaign that will be settled by a runoff election in May, the Cornyn campaign announced formation of the…
Florida and Texas AGs say they won’t enforce antidiscrimination laws
The chief legal officers of Florida and Texas said they will not enforce state anti-discrimination laws they consider unconstitutional. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier issued a 14-page opinion on Martin Luther King Jr. Day targeting more than 80 anti-discrimination measures…
Trump administration targets Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande
The Trump administration has suspended federal funding to Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande pending the outcome of an investigation into alleged “incomplete and inaccurate” record keeping by the faith-based agency. The ongoing review also could result in a period…
Faith-based groups sue Texas over limitations on investment advice
Business and faith-based investment groups are suing Texas to stop enforcement of a new law that limits expert advice available to investors. “The plaintiffs are faith-based and nonprofit organizations that, as part of their missions, partner with institutional investors to…
Texas schools given conflicting advice on Ten Commandments
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has ordered school districts unaffected by a recent court ruling to comply with a state law requiring Ten Commandments displays in public school classrooms beginning Sept. 1. The Aug. 25 directive came less than a…
Commandments crusading Texas attorney general accused of adultery
The Texas attorney general who has fought to get the Ten Commandments posted in every public school classroom has a problem with No. 7, according to his wife, who has filed for divorce “on biblical grounds.” Last year, Ken Paxton…
Texas Gov. Abbott is spreading a conspiracy theory that attacks Muslims
North Texas is a religiously diverse place. Not only are there numerous Protestant megachurches, there also are Mainline Protestants, Catholics, Buddhists, Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus and more. Many, like myself, consider the religious diversity one of the draws of the area….
The Ken Paxton Cruelty Show continues
Does Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton just sit around his office and think of new ways to be cruel? Sure seems like it. The churchgoing Southern Baptist, who was impeached by the Texas House but spared conviction by Trump loyalists…
Here’s why the assault on Section 504 accommodations matters
Most Americans only encounter Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 if their child is one of the 8.5 million public school children with a 504 Plan. Whether they are dyslexic, have cerebral palsy or a temporarily broken leg,…
MAGA ramps up attacks on US Christian groups
Donald Trump and his allies are widening their attacks on religious groups compassionate toward immigrants, refugees, the poor and LGBTQ people. The Catholic and Episcopal churches have faced the heat from the MAGA movement for some time and are again…