American Atheists Flash LineNews of Interest to AtheistsDouble Jeopardy for the First Amendment Congress Mulls Scheme to Save Mt. Soledad Cross, Punish First Amendment Litigation- July 30, 2006 “What began earlier this month in the U.S. House of Representatives as a political stunt to cater to the religious right has spread to the other end of Capitol Hill, with serious consequences for the First Amendment.” Lawmakers scheme to keep an unconstitutional religious monument on public land, and discourage legal suits to defend the separation of church and state.(07-30-2006)http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/cong16.htm Republicans Catering to James Dobson House GOP Launches American Values Agenda to Appease Religious Right- July 10, 2006 Capitol Hill Republicans have begun an ambitious effort to energize their party’s religious right base by resurrecting several key bills just in time for the upcoming midterm elections. Dubbed the “American Values Agenda,” the legislation includes bills to outlaw same-sex marriage, protect “unborn children,” ban cloning technology and even discourage legal challenges to violations of the First Amendment’s establishment clause. Televangelist and...http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/cong15.htm Just Another Salem Chester Smalkowski Speaks Out- July 8, 2006 Chester Smalkowski and his family endured harassment, violation of their civil rights and a criminal trial all because daughter Nicole refused to participate in a pre-game prayer circle at her local high school. In the heart of the Bible Belt, Mr. Smalkowski was acquitted of criminal charges. American Atheists is now launching a civil case to address the shabby treatment of the Smalkowski family and defend the separation of church and state in Oklahoma! Here in his own words is Chester...http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/smalko2.htm As High Court Intervenes in Mt. Soledad Case, Cross Supporters Spin Legal, Historical Issues- July 7, 2006 The U.S. Supreme Court stepped into the thick of one of the nation’s longest running First Amendment cases – the dispute over the Mt. Soledad Christian Cross. Atheist Phil Paulson has been fighting for 17 years to have this religious monument removed from public land. Government and religious groups, however, have resorted to every conceivable ploy to keep this enormous sectarian symbol standing.(07-07-2006)http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/cross3.htm |