My most recent column was on Christian nationalism and the threat that movement poses to religious freedom. Some would say that is our most basic freedom — to make our own way through the thicket of religions that clamor for…
Louisiana calls lawsuit aimed at Ten Commandments in classrooms ‘premature’
A lawsuit challenging a new Louisiana law requiring posting the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms is premature because the measure has yet to be implemented, state Attorney General Liz Murrill said. Signed into law June 19, the legislation mandates…
Church/state mandates then and now: A tenuous freedom
Church/state mandates began early in the American colonies. On July 19, 1651, three Baptists — John Clarke, Obadiah Holmes and John Crandall — traveled from Newport, R.I., to Lynn, Mass., and the home of William Witter, who requested their visit…
Ryan Walters descends from the Capitol with new commandments for Oklahoma teachers
The handwriting is on the wall for Oklahoma teachers. Anyone who knows the Jewish and Christian Scriptures would understand that statement is a riff on a well-known passage from Daniel 5:5 where mysterious handwriting appeared on the wall with a…
Plaintiffs ask Louisiana judge to bar implementation of Ten Commandments law immediately
Plaintiffs in the lawsuit against mandatory Ten Commandments displays in Louisiana public classrooms have asked a federal court to bar implementation of the new law as their litigation proceeds. Signed into law June 19, House Bill 71 requires the posting…
Jesus and the Ten Commandments
As a person who tries, however poorly, to live as a Jesus follower, I find myself fearing people who have only a casual acquaintance with Christianity might assume all Christians are applauding the recent Louisiana legislation that mandates posting the…
That Ten Commandments law isn’t the worst thing about Louisiana’s ‘Dream Big’ act for public education
Much attention has been given to Louisiana’s House Bill 71 recently signed into law, which requires every public school — including state universities — to prominently display the Ten Commandments in all classrooms. But HB 71 wasn’t the only bill…
Church, state and the ‘Christian agenda’
“With Louisiana Leading Way, More States Are Likely to Take Up Christian Agenda.” That’s how The New York Times began a June 22 story detailing that the governor of Louisiana “signed bill after bill this week on public education in…
Why is this still happening?
Louisiana is making history, and not the good kind. As the only state with a law mandating displays of the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom, Louisiana is a standout among a host of states pursuing legislative measures that…
Fighting Ten Commandments law is part of ‘the civil rights movement of our generation,’ ACLU leader says
“We are in the civil rights movement of our generation,” Alanah Odoms said of the battle to oppose posting the Ten Commandments in every Louisiana school classroom. Odoms, executive director of the ACLU of Louisiana, said the Ten Commandments law…
The Ten Commandments meet the Golden Rule
Last week, Christian nationalists won another skirmish in their ongoing assault on democracy and their misguided struggle for the “soul” of America when the governor of Louisiana signed legislation mandating posting the Ten Commandments on the walls of every classroom…
Gov. Landry gets his wish: Louisiana Ten Commandments law to be challenged in court
The ink was barely dry on Louisiana’s brand new Ten Commandments law before four major civil and religious rights groups declared their intent to sue to prevent the state from posting the Decalogue in public classrooms by the fall of…