church and state

Greece v. Galloway preview

November 5, 2013 Carmen Russell Podcast, Religion 0 Comments

Tomorrow the Supreme Court hears a case which can be summarized thus: Will a New York town be able to start its municipal meetings with prayers?

Host of Due Diligence and frequent SPAR partner Carmen Russell-Sluchansky joins me to argue why this case may not be as clear to decide as State/Church absolutists might believe.

The conversation invokes Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s quote that “(religious) Endorsement sends a message to non-adherents that they are outsiders, not full members of the political community, and an accompanying message to adherents that they are insiders, favored members of the political community.”

Jamila and Carmen enjoy much disagreement about how the Supreme Court will rule in the case.

 

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Florida court gives atheists right to monument next to commandments

July 2, 2013 Carmen Russell Podcast, Politics 0 Comments

A Florida judge ruled that a privately funded monument of the 10 Commandments could indeed stay in front of a Stark County courthouse, and, if proponents of separation of state and church disagreed, they could install their own monument.

Host Jamila Bey spoke with David Silverman, president of American Atheists who went to Florida for the unveiling of the first of about 50 atheist monuments to come with will provide a counterpoint to these monuments around the country, to discuss the story.

 

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Visitors in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior's museum stand next to Roberto Vanadia's work "Like New Bethlehem" at the exhibition "The Christ Nativity Mystery." Photo: ©RIA Novosti.

Nativity Scenes Return, Renewing Church and State Debates

November 26, 2012 Carmen Russell Culture, Religion 00:13:41 0 Comments

As Christmas nears, nativity scenes are popping up in areas across the country and even on courthouse steps and other properties of cities, further enraging people who believe the nativity scenes on public property show a political endorsement of a specific religion.

Almost annually, the issue stirs tempers, renewing fights about separation of church and state.

Host Jamila Bey spoke with Ed Brayton, owner of the Freethought Blog Network, to discuss the issue of nativity scenes and separation of church and state.