Written by Don ByrdThe 8th Circuit Court of Appeals last week reversed the dismissal of a lawsuit brought by an inmate who objected to religious content in an early release program. Randall Jackson, an atheist, claimed his First Amendment rights were violated when he was required to participate in a religious substance abuse treatment program as a condition of his early release on parole.
The District Court dismissed the case, but on appeal that ruling was overturned to allow the suit to continue.
Written by Don ByrdSo many religion-themed bills are being proposed and advanced in state legislatures these days, it’s hard to keep up.
In Texas, a resolution was introduced Monday (pdf) that says the legislature “support(s) prayers, including the use of the word ‘God,’ at public gatherings as well as displays of the Ten Commandments in public educational institutions and other government buildings.”
In North Carolina, meanwhile, a bill would add a Bible study elective to the public school curriculum.
Written by Don Byrd
Lawmakers in Missouri are considering a measure that attempts to insert creationism into the public school curriculum.
Written by Don Byrd
Overriding Governor Jay Nixon’s veto, the Missouri legislature earlier today voted 109-45 to allow broad religious exemptions from the federal requirement that health insurance cover contraception.
Written by Don Byrd
In the Washington Post’s Answer Sheet blog, educator Adam Laats discusses the potential impact of bills recently passed in Missouri and New Hampshire that give students broad rights to opt out of assignments on religious grounds.
