According to a majority of the 10th Circuit, the businesses owned by the Green family are religious “persons,” and, therefore, can have the benefit of RFRA. But the court’s reasoning is utterly divorced from RFRA’s history and the larger context of federal law generally. It is critical to understand that due to the doctrine of […]
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Hobby Lobby deserves protection
After the U.S. Supreme Court decided to no longer strictly scrutinize most laws that substantially burden religious liberty, outraged people of all ideological hues vowed to restore the legal protection refused by the court. The Senate passed the bill 97-3. The House passed it unanimously. RFRA instructs courts to invalidate any law or government action […]
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Of wellness and worship
Ryan Kiesel Ryan Kiesel, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma, told the Oklahoma City Council and municipal attorney Kenneth Jordan on July 16 all potential trouble spots in the offer by Putnam City Baptist Church “should be resolved” quickly in order to avoid litigation. “A partnership between the city and a […]
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In _____ we trust
Illustration: Brad Gregg What Oklahoman readers didn’t see was a full-page counter-ad released by Freedom From Religion Foundation, a nonprofit committed to preserving the separation of church and state. While Hobby Lobby’s “In God We Trust” ad included quotes from presidents, founding fathers, Supreme Court rulings and even “foreigners” (their words), FFRF’s “In Reason We […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Bullet to the Head
Based on a French graphic novel, Bullet shoots in the so-tired setting of New Orleans, where Sly’s Bonomo plies his trade as a hit man. Following his assassination of a former D.C. police officer, Bonomo finds his own partner killed by a hulking minion (Jason Momoa, Conan the Barbarian) taking orders from corrupt businessman Baptiste […]
Posted inMusic
‘Vital’ signs
Eleven years in, and few alternative bands can claim the sort of consistent success and stability that Anberlin has. With six successful studio albums and tours with 30 Seconds to Mars and Taking Back Sunday under its belt, the group has enjoyed a smooth ride. “A lot of bands can’t keep together a year, let […]
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Slumming it
In the past year, Feed the Children has changed both its focus and its leadership. Now it hopes to educate people about its mission by recreating the atmosphere of an African slum inside an Oklahoma City warehouse. After walking through a hallway lined with pictures of kids in Feed the Children programs, visitors see a […]
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Hard rain’s a-gonna fall
Credit: Brad Gregg The U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals cleared the way last week for Cressman to proceed with a lawsuit concerning Oklahoma’s pesky state plates. In 2011, he filed suit against state officials because he does not want to be forced to advertise “images, messages and practices that he cannot endorse or accept.” […]
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God and tornadoes
Those messages are coming from everywhere. After speaking in Vermont at the annual meeting of United Church of Christ churches in my denomination, this small and cash-strapped body of small New England parishes handed me a check for $5,000 to help with tornado relief. So many people have prayed for us and supported us through […]
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Atheists, assemble!
Credit: Brad Gregg Stand-up comic Doug Stanhope started an Indiegogo campaign called Atheists Unite for Vitsmun and hoped to raise $50,000 in rebuilding funds over a 60-day period. The campaign goal was met in less than 24 hours. A week later, $107,566 had been raised. “Let’s show the world that you don’t need to believe […]