Written by Don ByrdThe Chattanooga Times Free-Press profiled one elementary school’s efforts to deal with Bible distribution given the county’s policies. Their experience raises emerging issues regarding religious neutrality and equal access in schools. Namely, may school officials allow some outside groups to distribute literature while denying religious groups the same access to children to protect chuch-state separation? Does neutrality require no promotion of religion? Or does it require the promotion of all religions?
Written by Don ByrdRutherford County, Tennessee has seen its share of church-state controversies. Most notably, its Murfreesboro mosque received national attention after a court battle determined its right to be constructed. Back in 2006, an ACLU lawsuit secured the removal of the Ten Commandments from the county courthouse. Now, the sheriff of Rutherford County seems poised to set off another dispute, after posting the Ten Commandments at the county jail.
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 ByrdThe Tennessee legislature is trying again to pass a bill that would allow student groups on college campuses discriminate in membership on the basis of religion. The last attempt was vetoed by Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam, who explained that the state shouldn’t be mandating to private institutions rules regarding student organizations.
Written by Don Byrd
Plaintiffs in Tennessee’s Hamilton County are appealing a judge’s ruling that allowed the County Commission’s revised prayer policy to continue.
