USDA Serves Up Rightwing Christian Worship Services
This issue of A Public Witness documents several outlandish events beyond those named in a recent church-state lawsuit by employees or a complaint from the Freedom From Religion Foundation.
Labor Department Cancels Monthly Worship Service After Secretary’s Ouster
While the organizing and hosting of monthly government worship services has been paused at DoL, such services continue at the Pentagon — and this trend has now spread to the Small Business Administration.
Federal Employees Sue USDA Secretary Over Christian Messaging
Asked to comment on the suit, a USDA spokesperson said: ‘While we do not comment on pending litigation, we will keep the plaintiffs in our prayers during this process.’
SNL, Congress, and a Newsletter
Join us as we celebrate five years of our ‘A Public Witness’ newsletter and highlight the best from the 115 pieces we’ve published over the past 12 months exploring the intersection of faith, culture, and politics.
Did the Founders Create a Christian Nation? No, but Religion Did Shape Their Thinking
‘Most — nearly all — serious historians agree that America was not founded as a Christian nation in any meaningful legal, philosophical, or constitutional sense,’ says the group Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
Advocates for Church-State Separation Find Humor, Joy Amid Challenging Work
This week’s Summit for Religious Freedom, organized by Americans United for Separation of Church and State, struck a tone of joyful resistance.
Hey, Fifth Circuit: Keep John Leland’s Name Out of Your Mouth!
A court of appeals ruling just overturned Supreme Court precedent on posting the Ten Commandments in public schools — and the majority opinion conscripted a legendary colonial Baptist figure who fought for church-state separation to justify their actions.
Church-State Separation Is a ‘Lie,’ Says Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission Chair
‘Church-state separation ensures we are all free to live as ourselves and believe as we choose, as long as we don’t harm others,’ Rachel Laser of Americans United for Separation of Church and State countered.
Baptist Pastor Urges Department of Labor to Seek a ‘Living Jesus’ Not a ‘Dead Jesus’ During Monthly Worship Service
Rev. Caleb Morell, a Southern Baptist, offered an evangelistic message about the resurrection of Jesus that stopped just short of a formal altar call as he urged government workers to follow Jesus.
LGBTQ Faith Leaders Say Supreme Court’s Conversion Therapy Ruling Will Harm Youth
‘Within the Christian tradition, Holy Week is a week that reminds us that ultimately, love prevails, death does not win,’ said Rev. Brian Henderson, executive director of the Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists.