Tag Archives: church-state separation

Church and State, God and God Gene

Posted on October 1, 2016 by Andrew Stuttaford

Whether or not God exists there cannot be much doubt about the existence of (to use a crude shorthand) a ‘God gene’, the innate propensity of  most people to believe in gods and/or the supernatural and, at least to a … Continue reading →

Posted in Church & State, history, Religion | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Church and State, God and God Gene

The Devil Rides Out

Posted on January 11, 2014 by Andrew Stuttaford

Could some Satanic kitsch be about to descend upon Oklahoma City? The Daily News reports: A satanic group unveiled designs Monday for a 7-foot-tall statue of Satan it wants to put at the Oklahoma state Capitol, where a Ten Commandments … Continue reading →

Posted in Church & State | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Having Eyes, See Ye Not?

Posted on September 12, 2012 by Andrew Stuttaford

Cardinal Dolan, absurd: “The threats to our “first and most cherished freedom” are abundant, but let me list just two. One comes from those called secularists, who will tolerate religion as long as it’s just considered some eccentric private hobby … Continue reading →

Posted in Church & State | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Having Eyes, See Ye Not?

“Religious Freedom”

Posted on September 2, 2012 by Andrew Stuttaford

Via The New York Post: Two children are dead, more are injured — yet a group of ultra-Orthodox rabbis say they plan to defy a health order in the name of religious freedom. Less than a year after a Brooklyn … Continue reading →

Posted in Church & State | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Don’t Confuse the Children!

Posted on July 9, 2012 by Andrew Stuttaford

Commenter Kevin S. kindly responded to my earlier posting on Bobby Jindal’s voucher program with a link to this Reuters story. It’s worth paying some attention. An extract: Louisiana’s plan is by far the broadest. This month, eligible families, including … Continue reading →

Posted in Church & State | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Whoops!

Posted on July 7, 2012 by Andrew Stuttaford

Former exorcist and current Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal has (to quote the Friendly Atheist) “pushed for a voucher program that would allow state funds to be used to pay for religious schools.” The Friendly Atheist is not so keen on … Continue reading →

Posted in Church & State | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Balkanization Watch

Posted on April 28, 2012 by Andrew Stuttaford

Via the Washington Post: The Hutterites are Protestants similar to the Amish and Mennonites who live a life centered on their religion, but unlike the others, Hutterites live in German-speaking communes scattered across northern U.S. states and Canada. They don’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Church & State | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Hatch, Back?

Posted on April 22, 2012 by Andrew Stuttaford

As Orrin Hatch is forced to face a primary challenge, here’s a little reminder from 2009 about the (very) long-serving senator’s attitude towards taxpayers’ money: WASHINGTON — Backed by some of the most powerful members of the Senate, a little-noticed … Continue reading →

Posted in Church & State | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Hatch, Back?

The Favored Pew

Posted on August 24, 2011 by Andrew Stuttaford

Via the Wall Street Journal: As Congress scrutinizes every nook and cranny of the budget for possible revenue, a surprising court decision is allowing clergy members to buy or live in multiple homes tax-free. The U.S. Tax Court ruled that … Continue reading →

Posted in Church & State | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Your Tax Dollars at Work

Posted on April 17, 2011 by Andrew Stuttaford

Via the New York Times: In the Hasidic enclave of Crown Heights, Brooklyn, there are many things that women can’t or just don’t do: Be counted as one of the 10 people needed to make up a minyan, or prayer … Continue reading →

Posted in Church & State | Tagged , , | 1 Comment