Atheist Group Threatens to Sue Over National Motto on Police Vehicles

Religious Freedom, , ,

“In God We Trust” has been the official motto of the United States of America for almost 60 years. It has appeared on many coins minted by the U.S. government since 1864.

However, the Freedom From Religion Foundation, based in Wisconsin, has threatened to sue law enforcement agencies in Arkansas if they do not remove the phrase “In God We Trust” from their police cruisers.

The Associated Press writes,

The organization sent letters to the Cave City Police Department and the Hempstead County sheriff’s office after both placed the saying on their patrol vehicles. The foundation’s co-president says she intends to sue if the phrase isn’t removed, but didn’t give further details.

The Cave City mayor says he has seen the letter but has yet to make a decision on whether to strip the message from the city’s police cars. The Hempstead County sheriff he says he won’t remove the logo despite the foundation’s letter.

“In God We Trust” was adopted as the official motto of the United States in 1956, but its history dates all the way back to the American Civil War. Then Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase urged the U.S. mint in Philadelphia to begin minting coins with a motto honoring God, saying, (more…)

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10 Facts Every Student Must Know About Religious Rights in School

Religious Freedom,

Liberty Institute in Texas has put together a list of 10 facts every student (and, we would add, public school) must know about religious liberty. This is a great list to look over as students head back to school.

Liberty Institute’s list includes:

  1. Students have the right to First Amendment protections in public schools.
  2. Students have the right to read their Bibles at school during free reading times.
  3. Students have the right to pray before an athletic competition, school assembly, or other extra-curricular activity.
  4. Students have the right to pray during free time, such as lunch or recess.
  5. Students have the right to share their faith with their peers.
  6. Students have the right to talk about religion with teachers and school employees.
  7. Students have the right to write or talk about God in class or school assignments.
  8. Students have the right to start a religious club at their public school.
  9. Students have the right to distribute informational flyers and use school resources for their religious club.
  10. Students have the right to wear jewelry and clothing that expresses their religious beliefs.

Liberty Institute expounds on the facts on this list on their website, and they also provide additional resources to help people understand, exercise, and protect religious liberties. Click here for more information.

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Must J.P.s Officiate Same-Sex Weddings? A.G. Says It Depends

Religious Freedom,

In response to questions over whether or not former and current Justices of the Peace must officiate same-sex weddings in Arkansas, Attorney General Leslie Rutledge’s office has released an opinion essentially saying it depends on the circumstances.

Senator Bruce Maloch (D–Magnolia) sent a series of questions to the Attorney General regarding the extent to which a Justice of the Peace can be forced to solemnize marriages. Under Arkansas law, a Justice of the Peace can choose to be authorized to solemnize marriages, and a retired J.P. who has served at least two terms on the county quorum court can solemnize marriages even after leaving the quorum court.

Here is a brief overview of the Attorney General’s opinion.

Ministers Are Protected

One thing the Attorney General made extremely clear: Ministers cannot be forced to solemnize same-sex marriages if doing so violates their deeply-held religious convictions. 

Sen. Maloch asked A.G. Rutledge if a minister who is also a current or retired J.P. can be forced to solemnize a same-sex marriage. Under Arkansas law, marriages solemnized by ordained ministers are recognized by the state; the Attorney General’s opinion makes it very clear: If a minister is solemnizing a marriage in a ministerial capacity, the state cannot force that minister to solemnize a union in violation of their deeply-held religious convictions.

The opinion states, (more…)

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