Separation Of Church And State Archives - Universal Life Church Monastery Blog

Evangelical Pastor Arrested for Holding Church Service During Coronavirus Pandemic

April 3rd, 2020

Evangelical pastor Rodney Howard-Browne has been arrested for continuing to hold church services in spite of a countywide order to close all non-essential businesses due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy | 83 Comments »

Atheist Groups Furious After Oklahoma House Passes Bill Requiring 'In God We Trust' Signs in All State Buildings

March 5th, 2020

Oklahoma is considering a law that would require all 342 state buildings to display 'In God We Trust' signs. Atheists are outraged over what they believe to be a blatant violation of separation of church and state. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy | 58 Comments »

Sweet Home Alabama? Alabama Ranked One of Worst States for Religious Equality

February 6th, 2020

An atheist activist group has ranked Alabama as one of the worst states nationwide for religious freedom. In their rating, the group took many things into account, from abortion bans to challenges to same-sex marriage. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy | 63 Comments »

Religious Freedom Group Condemns Space Force's Use of 'Official Bible'

January 15th, 2020

The blessing of the "official Bible" of the Space Force, the U.S.'s newest military branch, didn't fly with everyone. A religious freedom advocacy group is crying foul, launching some out-of-this-world controversy. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Science & Technology, Political & Religious Controversy | 37 Comments »

U.S. Military Blocks Army Logo From Appearing on Dog Tags Alongside Scripture

December 11th, 2019

A faith-based company is under fire for selling replica dog tags that feature official U.S. military logos alongside Biblical scripture. They're fighting back, calling the situation unconstitutional censorship. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy | 54 Comments »

Atheists Raise Hell Over “In God We Trust” Decals on Florida Cop Cars

November 8th, 2019

A Florida Sheriff’s Department is facing backlash after proudly announcing it will be stamping the words "In God We Trust" on the back of all its police cars. Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey says the move is part of an effort to make his police cruisers more patriotic, but atheist groups aren't buying it. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy, Christian | 153 Comments »

Texas Pastor Burns Book About Atheism, Claims USA is a “Christian Nation”

October 24th, 2019

An online feud between an attorney representing the Freedom For Religion Foundation (FFRF) and an outspoken Texas pastor escalated this week when the pastor posted a book-burning video to his official Twitter account. But by some accounts, the move backfired. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy, Christian | 62 Comments »

Kentucky School Gets Around 'In God We Trust' Requirement by Framing Dollar Bill

August 23rd, 2019

Kentucky requires schools to prominently display the national motto, "In God We Trust", somewhere in every public school in the state. One school district came up with a clever workaround to protest a law they view as unconstitutional. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy, Christian | 17 Comments »

Cross on Pennsylvania County's Seal Ruled Constitutional

August 14th, 2019

The official seal of Lehigh County, Pennsylvania can stay, says the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The Lehigh County seal, which prominently features a large cross front and center, was challenged by the Freedom From Religious Foundation as discriminatory, but the court ruled the seal's 'broader meaning' and cultural familiarity in Lehigh County trumped any religious significance the cross might have. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy, Christian | 13 Comments »

City Removes "Lord" References From Police Monument

August 2nd, 2019

“Thou shall not utter the Lord’s name in vain” is one thing, but what are the rules for erasing it entirely? That’s the question faced by a South Carolina city that’s still trying to recover from a high-profile controversy involving a memorial to fallen police officers that was installed on city property. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy, Christian | 31 Comments »