THIS WEEK IN SECULAR NEWS

The quiet part is getting very loud: The House Ethics Committee has chosen to not investigate an ethics complaint against Kingman Republican John Gillette, after he called Muslims “f***ing savages,” posted a series of Islamophobic comments on social media, and called Muslims  “terrorists” from “sh*t hole countries” who want to destroy the U.S. How do Muslim constituents feel about their representation in the Arizona legislature, when - according to the AZGOP - this vile, blatant racism and hatred doesn't even merit an investigation? They're really saying the quiet part out loud these days, aren't they.  Read more.

Owning the libs by losing the war on cancer. Finding a cure for cancer has been a scientific goal for decades... and one researchers have come ever closer to achieving, thanks to technological breakthroughs. Until now, that is, because the Trump administration is systematically dismantling scientific research in the U.S. As Jamelle Bouie puts it, "'I suffered and so must you' seems to be at the core of so many of these people and their followers." Bouie's observation was borne out by reality a few years back, when we at Secular AZ asked a GOP legislator (whose father had died painfully and slowly of cancer, and who said medical aid in dying would have been a blessing for all involved) why he consistently voted against death with dignity bills. His reply? "I'm a Christian, and because Jesus suffered as he died, I believe we must all suffer as we die. So I'll never vote for this bill." Yet another reason why public policy cannot be based on religion.  Read more. 

Kirk's true legacy. The week before his death, Charlie Kirk posted on social media  “But a civilization that abandons God will deteriorate and ultimately collapse from the inside out, or because it loses the will to repel a malicious, external force.” This was just was one of many religious messages Kirk tweeted/spoke, all illustrating an uncompromising form of evangelical Christian faith fused with aggressive political conservatism that's become mainstream on the right. Kirk leaves behind a massive network of politically active religious leaders with outsized influence on politics. Read more. 

Reason FTW:  The Congressional Freethought Caucus has grown to 32 members with the addition of Reps. Kelly Morrison (D-MN) and Sarah McBride (D-DE). Morrison, a non-denominational Protestant, and McBride, an ordained Presbyterian elder, are both religious but support the separation of church and state. The caucus, founded by Rep. Jared Huffman in 2018, advocates for the protection of religious freedom for all, including the non-religious. The only Arizona rep on the list is the (amazing)  Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ). May this voice for reason and the Constitution in our nation's capitol keep growing!  Read more. 

Neverending nonsense. In the latest shenanigans from the constant drama that is the Peoria Unified Governing Board, Board President Heather Rooks recently appeared on a far-right podcast. Rooks and Tiffany Benson discussed their shared views on public education, which included Rooks repeating unfounded claims that “groomers” and pedophiles are working in schools, while also stating that LGBTQ+ people are acceptable as teachers as long as they "keep your bedroom out of the classroom." Benson's podcast has a history of publishing anti-LGBTQ+ and other hate-filled content. The conversation also touched on Rooks's ongoing legal issues with the district. Rooks closed the podcast by reiterating her support for school choice, ironically noting that her own children attend public school and warning parents that if they enroll their kids in public schools, they should vote for conservatives to “keep their children safe.” Read more.