The New Definition of Religious Discrimination

The current Supreme Court has gone out of its way to accommodate people that seek an exemption in the name of faith to nearly any law. It has held that their radical interpretation of the 1st Amendment trumps any law not enshrined in the Constitution – including rights to contraception, abortion, and nondiscrimination based on race, sex, gender, religion, or disability.

This is resulting in the most expansive definition of freedom of religion that has ever existed. Instead of being a shield for people of minority faiths, it has become a sword in the hands of the majority faith.

As Arizona conservatives seem poised to consider a major expansion of religious exemptions laws next session, Secular AZ volunteer attorney Beth Houck has penned a detailed breakdown of how we got to this point and what will happen if we don’t take action to stop these laws from passing.  

Nonreligious holiday values on display at the Capitol!

In response to a nativity scene on display at the State Capitol, affiliates at Freedom From Religion Foundation - Valley of the Sun have responded this week by putting up their own holiday display! The banner reads:

"At this Season of the Winter Solstice LET REASON PREVAIL. There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world. Religion is but a myth & superstition that hardens hearts & enslaves minds."

So far the banner has been on display without incident or controversy. FFRF still needs help keeping it that way through tomorrow, though! If you can volunteer a few hours keeping an eye on the sign, please sign up for a shift here.

Last minute gift idea: donate a banned book!

Have a surplus of charitable spirit this holiday season? Donate some censored literature to Secular AZ's banned book drive! Right now, we're collecting for books to take with us to the Tucson Festival of Books March 12th-13th that have been banned or frequently challenged to perpetuate straight white Christian hegemony. We're also ramping up for an effort to make these books freely available to students and encourage their discussion!

Suggestions for titles can be found here, here, and here. To arrange a pick up/drop off, email us at info@secularaz.org or simply have books sent to Secular Coalition for Arizona, PO Box 19258 Phoenix, AZ 85005-9258!

Thank you for helping to build a secular Arizona!

 

Secular Coalition for Arizona | PO Box 19258, Phoenix, AZ 85005

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