“Star Trek: Omega #1” Review by Getyourcomicon.co.uk
Getyourcomicon.co.uk has added a new review for Christopher Cantwell and Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing‘s “Star Trek: Omega #1”:
Two and a half years of comics spanning 60 years of Star Trek history, a fair few awards, and more than a few universe detonations, and it’s all been coming to this… Star Trek: Omega is the denouement of the critically acclaimed Star Trek and Star Trek: Defiant storylines, and the first glimpse at all that comes next. The crews of the Theseus, Defiant, and Enterprise set to work restoring the universe to what it should be after the evil android Lore’s intervention. Each hero finds their peace in preordained or unexpected ways, with individual scenes depicted by one of Star Trek’s or Defiant’s mainline artists!
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American secular groups need to oust pseudoscientific bigotry
Tone Madison (Madison, WI)
By Kavin Senapathy
The post American secular groups need to oust pseudoscientific bigotry appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
“Star Trek: Omega #1” Review by Borg.com
Borg.com has added a new review for Christopher Cantwell and Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing‘s “Star Trek: Omega #1”:
It’s not every comic that does what Star Trek: Omega aims to do. It serves as a denouement and ties together IDW Publishing’s story arc with the android Lore taking control across timelines and the multiverse of Star Trek, pulling together the monthly Star Trek comic and the Star Trek: Defiant series. It’s all leading up to new titles Star Trek: Red Shirts, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds – The Seeds of Salvation, and Star Trek Voyager: Homecoming. One of the best features of the comic book medium is the ability to undo, redo, and revisit scenes and series in movies and TV series you like or don’t like. The Lore War story arc did some of that. This story crosses over series and crews. It’s easier to count the fan-favorite Star Trek characters that don’t make it into Star Trek: Omega than those that do.
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Obituaries: Richard Walton “Dick” Hewetson
Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco, CA)
By Staff
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Sixty CEOs and Business Leaders Join Trump Luncheon
NewsBreak
By Roger Anderson
The post Sixty CEOs and Business Leaders Join Trump Luncheon appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
New Star Trek Book: “Star Trek: Discovering the TV Series: Deep Space Nine and Voyager 1993-1999”
Star Trek: Discovering the TV Series: Deep Space Nine and Voyager 1993-1999 by Tom Salinsky has been added to the Star Trek Book Club!
Join a two-year mission through Star Trek’s highs, lows, and behind-the-scenes revelations from Deep Space Nine to Voyager.
How well do you know Star Trek?
Lifelong science fiction fan, podcaster and author Tom Salinsky decided that the answer was “not well enough”, and so at the beginning of 2022, he embarked on a two-year mission to watch everything from the start of The Original Series to the end of Enterprise, at the rate of one episode per day. This book is the second part of that odyssey, covering Deep Space Nine, and the first two seasons of Voyager plus the first two Next Generation movies.
As well as having fun saluting the show’s triumphs, cringing at its lapses in taste, and admiring its willingness to swing for the fences, there’s lots of fascinating behind-the-scenes information here. Was Morn really such a chatterbox? Why was Deep Space Nine allowed to do so much serialisation? Did Star Trek need Michael Dorn more than Michael Dorn needed Star Trek? Just whatever happened to Geneviève Bujold? How is Nicholas Locarno related to Tom Paris?
But you’ll also get the benefit of a complete overview of these hugely successful and beloved spin-offs, which expanded and extended the Star Trek universe to new quadrants, new eras and new modes of storytelling. Plus there are contributions from notable fans, writers, authors and experts, giving their own perspectives on these classic episodes.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan, a casual viewer, or just someone interested in the history of television, you’ll adore coming on this daily journey though the highs and lows of one of the most significant and much-loved media properties in the world.
The book is currently scheduled to be published on May 30, 2025
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“Star Trek: Omega #1” Review by Comicsonline.com
Comicsonline.com has added a new review for Christopher Cantwell and Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing‘s “Star Trek: Omega #1”:
The Lore War is over. The universe as we knew it has been restored thanks to the heroic efforts of Starfleet’s finest. The crews of the Theseus and Defiant have had some incredible adventures over the last few years, but you know what they say about all good things…
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FFRF slams Florida education commissioner’s religious letter to parents
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is strongly criticizing an inappropriate and exclusionary letter that Florida’s education commissioner has recently dispatched statewide.
On July 14, Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas sent a message to parents across the state, ostensibly about parental rights and Florida’s efforts to prevent indoctrination in schools. But the letter itself promotes a very specific religious ideology, declaring that “God created” students and ending with “God bless.” This religious language assumes that all parents and students in Florida believe in a god and subscribe to creationism.
“This is the exact sort of religious favoritism our Constitution forbids,” says Annie Laurie Gaylor, FFRF co-president. “Florida’s education officials can’t talk out of both sides of their mouths — claiming to protect parental rights while telling millions of families what god their children were supposedly created by.”
On July 16, Kamoutsas delivered his first speech to the State Board of Education, where he reinforced his divisive messaging by quoting the bible and promising to work with law enforcement to ensure students aren’t being “indoctrinated.” He stated, “The Book of Psalms says the children are a gift from the Lord. They are a reward from him.”
FFRF sent a formal letter to Kamoutsas on Monday, calling on the Department of Education to rescind its July 14 missive and to commit to avoiding religious references and messaging.
FFRF’s letter points out that the U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly affirmed public schools may not favor religion over nonreligion or promote specific religious views, particularly when they conflict with the private beliefs of families. As FFRF notes, several Florida parents reached out to the state/church watchdog expressing concern over the message coming from the Department of Education.
One parent, describing themselves as agnostic or atheist, said, “This document is obviously referring to the Christian God. As such, it is offensive to both anyone with another religion, and myself. My household is raised to be free to choose whatever religion my children want. … I do not want them exposed to this kind of language.” Another parent added, “The state should be separate from religion. Ending your email with ‘God bless’ proves that the education commissioner is biased.”
FFRF Co-Presidents Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor remind Commissioner Kamoutsas in the letter that “all students have the right to be free from religious indoctrination in their public schools and that parents, not the government, have the right to determine which faith, if any, they teach their children to believe in.”
Florida’s public schools serve families of all backgrounds — religious and nonreligious alike. Nearly a third of Americans today, and almost half of Gen Z members, identify as nonreligious. When the state sends out blanket messages assuming belief in a god, it sends a harmful message that these families don’t belong.
FFRF is urging the Florida Department of Education to revoke the July 14 letter and ensure that all further communications are free from religious bias. “In future, the department must refrain from using religious language or making assumptions about the religious beliefs of Florida’s parents and children,” Barker and Gaylor conclude the letter.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is a national nonprofit organization with over 42,000 members and several chapters nationwide, including more than 2,000 members and a chapter in Florida. FFRF’s purposes are to protect the constitutional principle of separation between church and state, and to educate the public on matters relating to nontheism.
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“Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: Toward The Night” Review by Warpfactortrek.com
Warpfactortrek.com has added a new review for James Swallow‘s “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: Toward The Night”:
When it comes to expanding the Star Trek mythos, James Swallow delivers in full. This book would make an excellent two-part episode of Strange New Worlds – or even a feature film, if the powers that be dared to go there.
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“Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: Toward The Night” Review by Trek.fm
Trek.fm has added a new review for James Swallow‘s “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: Toward The Night”:
In this episode of Literary Treks hosts Casey Pettitt and Jonathan Koan welcome author James Swallow to talk about his Star Trek: Strange New Worlds novel, Toward the Night. We discuss the genesis of the book, the focus, introductions, dynamics, La’An, the Klingons, the planet, in the future, coming soon and our final thoughts.
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Belated to Dayton Ward for being the 2025 IAMTW Faust Award Winner!
Dayton Ward was (sorta) recently awarded the 2025 International Association of Media Tie-In Writer’s Faust Award.
“Star Trek Video Games” Review by Warpfactortrek.com
Warpfactortrek.com has added a new review for Mat Bradley-Tschirgi‘s “Star Trek Video Games”:
Not only does Star Trek feature many computers, it has been played many times on computers too! A year ago, Mat Bradley-Tschirgi wrote Star Trek Video Games: An Unofficial Guide to the Final Frontier, a book about the video games of Star Trek, which he discusses in this exclusive interview.
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DTI Treklit Investigation for the week of July 22, 2025
Here’s a look at the books printed this week in the past.
Derek Tyler Attico on Trekgeeks.com discussing “The Autobiography of Benjamin Sisko”
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Derek Tyler Attico was recently featured on Trekgeeks.com to discuss The Autobiography of Benjamin Sisko:
Warning: This episode could make you fall in love with Star Trek: Deep Space Nine! It may also cause you to go immediately to your local bookstore or jump onto Amazon to purchase The Autobiography of Benjamin Sisko! Either way, this interview with Derek Tyler Attico will inspire you to be a better human and read more! We had a blast talking with Derek about his own story, the story of Captain Benjamin Sisko, and more! The energy and excitement in this episode is tangible! You’ll be smiling the entire time you’re listening, just like we were.
Check out the Derek Tyler Attico author page to view other sightings and a full list of books!
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“Still Just a Geek: An Annotated Collection of Musings” Review by Treatyoshelfbookreviews.blogspot.com
Treatyoshelfbookreviews.blogspot.com has added a new review for Wil Wheaton‘s “Still Just a Geek: An Annotated Collection of Musings”:
Wil Wheaton is an extremely talented writer and actor. I was first introduced to him through his role on the Big Bang Theory. Over the years, I learned more about him through his blog, his web series TableTop, listening to It’s Storytime with Wil Wheaton, listening to his story on PsychCentral’s podcast “Should You Cut Ties with Your Parents?, and then his book Still Just a Geek! This book explores Wil’s experience of growing up in the movie/tv industry, his traumatic childhood, his chosen family, mental health, and individual growth.
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FFRF made sure that the Blacklick Valley School District in Pennsylvania would not allow for explicitly religious assemblies to take place at school-sponsored events (August 2025)
Pennsylvania —
FFRF made sure that the Blacklick Valley School District in Pennsylvania would respect the First Amendment and not allow for explicitly religious assemblies to take place at school-sponsored events.
A Blacklick Valley Elementary parent reported that the school’s Nov. 11, 2024, Veterans Day assembly included school-sponsored prayer. FFRF learned that a pastor was invited to lead a Christian prayer, that the principal knew this would occur ahead of time, and that she elected to prevent non-Christian students from attending the assembly rather than ensure that the school-sponsored event was secular.
“Here, the district crossed the constitutional line by allegedly including a school-sponsored prayer at its Veterans Day assembly and excluding non-Christian children from the event,” FFRF Staff Attorney Madeline Ziegler wrote.
FFRF received a response from district legal representative Ronald N. Repak shortly after sending the complaint letter. “We will ensure that we adhere to the requirement to neither prohibit nor to actively engage in the participation of religion within the school setting,” Repak wrote. “In working with the administration, we will review internal procedures and ensure that there is no favoritism nor prohibition shown in relation to religion and school sponsored events.”
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FFRF brought the Wylie Independent School District in Abilene, Texas, back in line with the Constitution (August 2025)
Texas —
FFRF brought the Wylie Independent School District in Abilene, Texas, back in line with the Constitution after the district allowed multiple official expressions of religious favoritism at school sponsored events.
An employee and community member informed FFRF that the school board had been commencing monthly meetings with prayer. These invocations were scheduled at the beginning of meetings along with the roll call. For instance, an invocation was scheduled at the board’s Nov. 11, 2024, regular meeting. Despite being in public minutes, the district’s actual roll call and invocation were not livestreamed on its official YouTube page. FFRF was also informed that prayers were being delivered over the loudspeaker at district football games.
“By having prayer at official school events, the district abridges that constitutional duty and needlessly marginalizes students who are a part of the 49 percent of Generation Z who are religiously unaffiliated,” FFRF Patrick O’Reiley Legal Fellow Hirsh M. Joshi wrote to the district.
After receiving FFRF’s letter, the district sought legal counsel, and, at a later date, received an email response from Superintendent Joey Light, writing, “We are going to make necessary corrections. Thank you.” While the district did not specify exactly what steps were being taken, they confirmed that changes would be made in response to concerns about official prayer at board meetings and football games.
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The Archuleta School District in Pagosa Springs, Colo., learned not to include bible quotes on school sports attire, thanks to FFRF (August 2025)
Colorado —
The Archuleta School District in Pagosa Springs, Colo., learned not to include bible quotes on school sports attire, thanks to FFRF.
A district community member reported that Pagosa Springs High School approved boys and girls basketball team sweatshirts that feature a religious quote alongside the school’s official logo. FFRF learned that while sweatshirts were donated by a third party, the school’s basketball coaches still exercised some amount of control over the design and approved the addition of scripture. Reportedly, students were able to choose to have one of several bible quotes printed on the sweatshirt with the school’s logo, or the sweatshirt could be printed without a quote.
“Students know that their coaches control their playing time and positions, directly affecting students’ opportunities for college scholarships and recruitment,” FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote to the district. “When coaches approve religious messages on team apparel, student-athletes will likely feel that going along with the majority and getting a biblical quote on their team sweatshirt is necessary to please their coaches and be viewed as a team player.”
After receiving FFRF’s letter, district Superintendent Rick Holt took action. “I have completed my investigation and found that these sweatshirts were created and distributed by parents without school permission,” Holt wrote in an email to FFRF. “Following the investigation, the athletic director is issuing a corrective action memo to all coaches, the involved parent group, and adding a section to the parent athletic handbook to ensure that there are no future incidents.”
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FFRF saw its hard work pay off when multiple violations in the Orange County Public School system in Orlando, Fla., were resolved (August 2025)
Florida —
FFRF saw its hard work pay off when multiple violations in the Orange County Public School system in Orlando, Fla., were resolved.
FFRF received a report that in May 2024, Sunrise Elementary School partnered with Genesis Church in order to promote student attendance at the church’s affiliated summer camp, “IGNITE Summer Camp.” While Genesis Church advertises IGNITE as a sports- and arts-focused camp, an official video from the camp showed attending students praying and participating in what appeared to be religious seminars as part of camp activities. Per its website, part of the camp’s purpose is to be a place “where coaches, trainers, artists and athletes of faith are able to share what they believe and how it has shaped them in various sports or art.”
Further issues arose when the complainant reported that starting the week of Dec. 2, 2024, Sunrise Elementary began broadcasting Christmas music over the school’s PA system during morning drop-off and after the final bell. Sunrise Elementary did not play music over the PA relating to any other winter holiday or tradition, just Christmas.
“We ask that the district take action to ensure Sunrise Elementary School ceases promoting and favoring religion, and specifically Christianity,” FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote.
After FFRF’s letter, district legal representative John Palmerini spoke with school staff regarding the promotion of the religious camp on the school’s Facebook page. “Under our policy KHC, any such ad like that has to have a written disclaimer stating that the materials are not sponsored or endorsed by the School Board of Orange County, Florida,” Palmerini wrote in an email to the Sunrise Elementary principal that was later forwarded to FFRF.
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The Le Mars Community School District in Iowa will no longer allow a Christian organization access to students (August 2025)
Iowa —
The Le Mars Community School District in Iowa will no longer allow a Christian organization access to students after the district partnered with a local religious group to proselytize students.
FFRF learned that on May 1, a religious organization seemingly affiliated with Side by Side Ministries, was permitted by LMCSD to enter Le Mars Community Middle and High School grounds as part of a National Day of Prayer celebration. A Facebook post from the organization on May 1 stated in part, “We had the joy of partnering with Le Mars Youth Network to kick off the National Day of Prayer at Le Mars Community Middle and High Schools. We took time to connect with students and asked them how we could be praying for them. It was a meaningful morning of ministry and encouragement. Join us as we continue to lift up the next generation in prayer.”
The post was accompanied by photos of outside adults on what appeared to be school property, reportedly proselytizing students per the organization’s own post.
“Schools cannot constitutionally allow religious organizations to treat schools as a recruiting ground for their religious mission,” FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote to the district. “LMCSD’s choice to allow outside religious representatives unique access to its students demonstrates unconstitutional favoritism not only for religion over non-religion, but in this case Christianity over all other faiths.”
FFRF’s efforts were met with action from the district. FFRF received correspondence from Rachel R. Fritz, the district’s legal counsel. “As a result of your letter and the concerns raised, the district has taken appropriate steps to ensure that any prayer activities occurring on school grounds are entirely student-led or student initiated, in full compliance with applicable legal standards, including the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment,” Fritz wrote. Fritz further explained that group has been instructed not to facilitate or lead in any prayer or devotional activities involving students on district property.
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FFRF put a stop to a teacher preaching anti-LGBTQ-plus messages in Carter County Schools in Grayson, Ky. (August 2025)
Kentucky —
FFRF put a stop to a teacher preaching anti-LGBTQ-plus messages in Carter County Schools in Grayson, Ky.
A student reported that a teacher at East Carter High school preached the bible to students during class, telling students that God would never love someone if they are gay.
“By telling students that God will never love them if they are gay, [the teacher] creates a hostile classroom environment for his LGBTQ-plus students,” FFRF Anne Nicol Gaylor Legal Fellow Kyle J. Steinberg wrote to the district.
FFRF’s letter received an emailed response from Personnel & Federal Programs Director Joshua Mabry, informing FFRF that the issue had been addressed. “The policy referenced was policy 3.13241 regarding Employee Religious Expression,” Mabry wrote. “While I cannot comment on personnel issues, I can confirm that our staff are directed to avoid promoting religion in the classroom.”
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FFRF made sure that a school district in Missouri would not be using resources to promote or recruit for a Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) club. (August 2025)
Missouri —
FFRF made sure that the Chaffee R-2 School District in Missouri would not be using resources in the future to promote or recruit for a Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) club.
FFRF learned of an FCA club seemingly sponsored by Chaffee Elementary School. On March 14, Chafee Elementary School’s official Facebook account posted photos from that morning’s meeting of the Elementary FCA club, calling it “our” club.
“The district cannot allow its schools to be used as recruiting grounds for religious organizations,” FFRF Anne Nicol Gaylor Legal Fellow Kyle Steinberg wrote to district Superintendent Shawn Nix. “It is well settled that public schools may not show favoritism toward or coerce belief or participation in religion.”
Shortly after receiving FFRF’s letter, Nix looked into the school club to verify the complaint. “The gathering was not of a recognized school club, and the gathering was led by a high school student,” he wrote. “The social media post has been removed, and no further social media posts of this nature will be made.” Nix additionally affirmed that going forward, district would not facilitate, support, sponsor or expend resources on an FCA elementary student school club, nor would it advertise, recruit for or promote such for an outside club.
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FFRF was pleased to hear that Omaha Public Libraries would not be closing on religious holidays after receiving constitutional guidance (August 2025)
Nebraska —
FFRF was pleased to hear that Omaha Public Libraries would not be closing on religious holidays after receiving constitutional guidance from the state/church watchdog.
FFRF learned that the Omaha Public Library system closed all branches on April 20 in observance of Easter.
“Easter is neither a federal holiday nor a Nebraska state holiday, nor even a city-observed holiday despite the library’s announcement declaring that it is a holiday observed by the city of Omaha,” FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote to Executive Director Laura Marlane. “Easter is a day that holds significance only for people who practice Christianity. It is inappropriate and unconstitutional for public libraries to close in observance of a single religion’s holy day.”
Marlane acknowledged the error and confirmed that corrective action was taking place.
“You are absolutely right: Easter is not a federal, state, or city-designated holiday, and the decision to close our branches on that date was an oversight,” Marlane wrote. “The announcement identifying it as a ‘city-observed holiday’ was incorrect, and I take full responsibility for the error.” Marlane confirmed that the closure would not happen again and ensured that library closures going forward would be based solely on secular, government recognized holidays and operational needs, in full alignment with constitutional principles.
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The Belle Center Post Office in Belle Center, Ohio, is now free from religious material being displayed to patrons, thanks to FFRF’s legal advocacy (August 2025)
Ohio —
The Belle Center Post Office in Belle Center, Ohio, is now free from religious material being displayed to patrons, thanks to FFRF’s legal advocacy.
A community member informed FFRF that the Belle Center Post Office in Ohio had literature from two Baptist publications, “Call to Glory” and “Baptist Bread,” on display and available for patrons to take.
“By allowing the display and distribution of religious literature on its grounds, the Belle Center Post Office is demonstrating a preference for religion over nonreligion, Christianity over all other faiths, and Baptists over all other sects,” FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote.
After FFRF’s letter, Postmaster Serina A. Leistritz directed staff to immediately remove any religious items from the post office. Leistritz forwarded FFRF the email with the instructions to her staff, and then informed FFRF that the material had been removed.
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FFRF ensured that the Wagoner Public Schools (WPS) system in Oklahoma put a stop to unconstitutional promotion of religious events (August 2025)
Oklahoma —
FFRF stayed persistent to ensure that the Wagoner Public Schools (WPS) system in Oklahoma put a stop to unconstitutional promotion of religious events using school resources.
In January, a concerned WPS family member reported that WPS was allowing First Baptist Church of Wagoner to hang an advertising banner outside the WPS football stadium alongside several other banners. Additionally, the church was also permitted to display other advertising banners within the stadium that had been removed by the time of the report. The church had reportedly rented the stadium in the past, but it was unclear if the banners on display at the time of FFRF’s letter were related to an ongoing rental, or if it was instead a non-rental related advertisement for the church.
After FFRF’s initial letter went unanswered, FFRF learned of a new violation in May. The complainant wrote that an April 23 post on the official WPS Facebook page promoted and encouraged attendance of a baccalaureate ceremony held at a local church. The post read, “Join us as we celebrate our graduating seniors during a special Baccalaureate service on Sunday, April 27. This meaningful tradition honors their accomplishments and offers encouragement and blessings for the road ahead. Let’s come together as a community to support the Class of 2025 and send them off with love and inspiration!”
“Public schools must remain neutral between religions, and between religion and nonreligion,” FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote to the district.
After FFRF’s second letter, Superintendent Randy Harris acknowledged both complaints, and addressed them accordingly. “The two banners in the picture were both left up after the season without any ill intent and due to sickness, staff resignation, snowy weather, etc., they weren’t taken down at the same time as all other 40-50 fence banners,” Harris wrote. He apologized for the lack of action, and reported that the banners had been taken down shortly after the issue was brought to their attention. He additionally stated that the baccalaureate post should not have been posted, and that WPS had nothing to do with the service and would not post anything similar in the future.
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FFRF ensured that inmates in the Inmate Veterans Associate (IVA) at the Snake River Correctional Institute (SRCI) would not be exposed to unwanted prayer (August 2025)
Oregon —
FFRF worked to ensure that inmates in the Inmate Veterans Associate (IVA) at the Snake River Correctional Institute (SRCI) would not be exposed to unwanted prayer by other inmates after religious chaplains attempted to intrude.
FFRF’s complainant reported that an inmate instructed another inmate to begin a recent IVA meeting with prayer, which was explicitly Christian. SRCI staff appeared to be involved, at least to some extent, in organizing and facilitating the IVA meetings. This event was noted to be a departure from the previous practice of permitting the SRCI chaplain to begin meetings with prayer. FFRF’s complainant expressed concern that IVA leadership within SCRI appeared to be looking for loopholes to begin IVA meetings with Christian prayer even if the facility’s chaplain was no longer leading them.
“While SRCI’s chaplain is no longer leading the prayers, it is still concerning that SRCI’s personnel are reportedly allowing IVA’s leaders to find new ways to insert prayer into IVA meetings, even though all IVA members are not Christians and not religious,” FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote.
Shanon Vincent, a representative of the Oregon Department of Justice, informed FFRF that she had learned of the prayers led by inmates at IVA due to FFRF’s work. “[The correctional facility] has issued a directive to SRCI’s IVA, instructing the group to stop including prayers at its meeting,” Vincent wrote.
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Orange Beach City Schools will not be promoting Fellowship of Christian Athletes after FFRF took issue with the constitutional violation (August 2025)
Alabama —
The Orange Beach City Schools (OBCS) will not be promoting Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) at a district school after FFRF took issue with the constitutional violation at play.
FFRF learned that OBCS staff had been organizing and promoting a FCA club for students at Orange Beach Elementary School. Per a March 12 post on the official Orange Beach Elementary School Facebook page, the school was hosting and potentially organizing the FCA club meeting in the school’s gym. The promotional nature of the post and the fact that it appeared on an official OBCS school social media page suggested that OBCS staff, not students, were running the club.
“Religious clubs for students at elementary schools cannot authentically be student-run, and thus are unconstitutional,” FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote to Superintendent Randy Wilkes.
After FFRF sent its letter, Wilkes informed FFRF via email about the correctional action the district took. “Steps have already been taken to ensure that all school-sponsored activities comply with applicable state and federal laws and Orange Beach City Schools’ policies and procedures,” Wilkes wrote. “Appropriate changes have been implemented to clarify the proper use of school communications and facilities related to non-curricular organizations.”
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New Star Trek Book: “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Omnibus”
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Omnibus by has been added to the Star Trek Book Club!
Two graphic novels that let fans of the classic Star Trek series dive deeper into the world of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine!
Don’t miss out on these exclusive “lost episodes” celebrating the 30th anniversary of the fan-favorite show Star Trek: Deep Space Nine!
An extremely rare purebred corgi from Earth makes its way aboard Deep Space 9 when Quark cuts a deal to procure it for a high buyer. However, all plans are upended when a crew member discovers a Borg component on the pup!
After this, return to DS9 as death casts its shadow on the station in this space noir! With a murderer on the loose, the inhabitants of Deep Space 9 start to divide into factions, made even worse when the Ferengi government gets involved!
Collects the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine miniseries Too Long a Sacrifice and The Dog of War plus the short stories “Latinum Glove,” “Mother’s Walk,” “Frontier Doctor,” “Only You Can Save Yourself,” and “The First Year.”
The book is currently scheduled to be published on February 24, 2026
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“Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: Toward The Night” Review by Paulsemel.com
Paulsemel.com has added a new review for James Swallow‘s “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: Toward The Night”:
Fans of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds are eagerly awaiting the release of the third season, as well as the announced but not yet filmed fourth. But for the ones who just can’t wait, they can actually take a trip in time — way, way back to season 2 — with James Swallow’s new novel Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: Toward The Night (hardcover, Kindle, audiobook).
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“Star Trek: Lore War–Shaxs’ Worst Day #1” Review by Positivelytrek.com
Positivelytrek.com has added a new review for Derek Charm and Ryan North‘s “Star Trek: Lore War–Shaxs’ Worst Day #1”:
The Lore War crossover event continues! In this episode of Positively Trek , hosts Dan and Brandi discuss two comics: Star Trek: Defiant #27 ( Lore War Part 4 of 5), and Star Trek: Lore War: Shaxs’ Worst Day , a one-shot that, quite frankly, should be a full part of the Lore War series! Join us as we talk about Sisko and company’s attempt to thwart Lore’s evil machinations, while at the same time a re-awakened Shaxs tries to destroy all of Starfleet!
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New Star Trek Book: “Star Trek: Picard: To Defy Fate”
Star Trek: Picard: To Defy Fate by Dayton Ward has been added to the Star Trek Book Club! There’s no official cover yet, so keep an eye on the book page for updates!
The book is currently scheduled to be published on February 17, 2026
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“Star Trek #32” Review by Aiptcomics.com
Aiptcomics.com has added a new review for Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing‘s “Star Trek #32”:
The mix of optimism, space-faring, and epic stories that made me fall in love with this franchise.
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Vitsaxaki v. Skaneateles Central School District (2025)
On July 17, 2025, FFRF filed an amicus brief on behalf of the Secular Student Alliance in support of the Skaneateles Central School District in New York. The brief was in defense of the New York school district’s student name/pronoun policy, which was challenged by a parent on religious grounds.
The student, Doe, at the center of this case followed the Skaneateles School District’s policy and asked that their teachers refer to them by a traditionally masculine name and they/them pronouns. Doe also sought counseling from the school’s licensed counselor who then developed a plan to ensure Doe had the support they needed at school. Doe did not initially tell their mother, Jennifer Vitsaxaki, that they asked the school to call them by a different name/pronouns. After learning of Doe’s choice to go by a different name and pronouns at school and seek counseling, Mrs. Vitsaxaki pulled Doe out of the school and proceeded to file this lawsuit. She claimed that the District’s policy was unconstitutional on its face, and that the school specifically violated her right to free exercise of religion, and interfered with her parental rights to direct Doe’s religious upbringing and healthcare decisions.
FFRF’s brief urged the Second Circuit to side with the district and affirm the district court’s ruling that dismissed Vitsaxaki’s claims. The brief argued that the practice of allowing students to use nicknames or preferred names is embedded in the history and tradition of American public schooling. Additionally, the District has a moral and legal duty to protect the welfare and safety of all students, including transgender and gender-nonconforming students.
The post Vitsaxaki v. Skaneateles Central School District (2025) appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
Court should deny parent’s religion-fueled attempt to veto school policy, says FFRF amicus brief
Photo by Karollyne Videira Hubert on Unsplash
The Freedom From Religion Foundation has filed a friend-of-the-court brief on behalf of the Secular Student Alliance in a case before the U.S. 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals defending a New York school district policy being challenged on religious grounds.
This case concerns one parent’s meritless, religion-fueled objections to the Skaneateles Central School District’s policy allowing students to request that their school call them by their preferred name and/or pronouns. The district provides a neutral policy that allows students to inform their school of their preferred address style, consistent with the longstanding school policy on nicknames. The policy is intended to ensure the learning environment is safe and welcoming for all students, including transgender and gender-nonconforming students.
The student at the center of the case, “Jane Doe,” was a seventh grader when Doe, who was assigned female at birth, followed the district’s policy and asked teachers to refer to them by a traditionally masculine name and “they/them” pronouns. Doe also sought counseling from the school’s licensed counselor, who developed a plan to ensure Doe had the support they needed at school. Doe did not initially tell their mother, Jennifer Vitsaxaki, that they had asked the school to call them by a different name/pronouns, likely fearing that she would react negatively.
Unfortunately, after learning of Doe’s choice to go by a different name and pronouns at school and seek counseling, Vitsaxakim, a member of the Greek Orthodox Church, pulled Doe out of the school and filed the lawsuit. She claims that the district’s policy is unconstitutional on its face, and that the school violated her right to free exercise of religion and interfered with her parental rights to direct Doe’s religious upbringing and healthcare decisions.
The district court didn’t buy Vitsaxaki’s arguments, instead ruling in favor of the district, holding that Vitsaxaki failed to show why the policy is unconstitutional or that it specifically violated her rights. Vitsaxaki appealed, represented by the aggressive Christian nationalist organization, Alliance Defending Freedom.
FFRF’s brief urges the appeals court to affirm the district court’s ruling and side with the school district.
First, the practice of allowing students to use nicknames, which are essentially preferred names, is embedded in American history and tradition. The district has formalized a policy that has existed for over a century. Anyone who grew up attending American public schools knows how commonplace nicknames are. Sometimes students’ nicknames have no connection to their legal name. Foreign exchange students often ask to be called by an “American name” that is clearly not their original legal name, and teachers and students accede to the request because using someone’s preferred name is a matter of respect and civility.
Vitsaxaki attempts to turn this American tradition on its head, claiming that the school’s policy is tantamount to indoctrination and interferes with Doe’s religious upbringing. Accommodating transgender and gender-nonconforming students’ name preferences doesn’t take away or harm anyone’s right to believe in or practice their religion, FFRF’s brief asserts.
Second, the district has a duty to protect the welfare and safety of all students, including transgender and gender-nonconforming students. New York state law and education policy require that public schools protect students from gender and sex-based harassment and discrimination. Allowing all students to request their preferred name/pronouns helps ensure that the school environment is an inclusive space where students feel comfortable learning. Both educators and youth psychologists recognize that using students’ preferred names and the corresponding pronouns is part of cultivating a positive learning environment. Not surprisingly, students learn better when they feel respected.
For all these reasons, FFRF averts that the 2nd Circuit should rule in favor of the Skaneateles Central School District.
“School policies that make all students feel safe and welcomed shouldn’t be struck down just because some parents are offended by inclusion,” asserts FFRF Senior Litigation Counsel Sam Grover. “American public schools have a long tradition of accommodating students’ preferences for how they are addressed in class. Religious backlash against these near-universal, common-sense practices is a result of Christian Nationalists cruelly turning LGBTQ-plus children’s existence into a culture war issue.”
The Secular Student Alliance (SSA) is an American educational non-profit organization that aims to educate high school and college students about secularism, scientific reason, and human-based ethics. It provides resources and support for students and their organizations and advocates for the separation of church and state.
The full FFRF brief can be read here.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is the largest national association of freethinkers, representing atheists, agnostics, and others who form their opinions about religion based on reason rather than faith, tradition, or authority. Founded in Wisconsin in 1978 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, FFRF has more than 42,000 members, including more than 2,200 members and a chapter in New York. FFRF’s primary purposes are to educate about nontheism and to preserve the cherished constitutional principle of separation between religion and government.
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New Star Trek Comic Books Announced To Preorder! June 2025 Edition
IDW May 2025 Catalog
IDW June 2025 Catalog
IDW July 2025 Catalog
Sqeak, squaw, sssskkkaaa, eh, eee.
[Translation: Cetacean Ops here! Matt and I have brought the crew of the U.S.S. Cerritos back to the year 1987 for a top-secret mission of great import.]HHHkkkeeeeee, ska, ska, EeeEEAaa. Squaw, squaw. *Click, cliiiiick*
[Translation: That’s right, Kimolu. We need their help to fix what that blowhole Kirk messed up by bringing the whales George, Gracie, and Ronald to Earth without a way for them to repopulate its oceans. What was Ronald supposed to do, have babies with his mother?]
Skkkesaw. Eehhh, ee, ee, AaaaaAa. AH, AH, EeeEE! Sqqqqaw.
[Translation: But the remaining humpbacks have all heard freaky conspiracy theories about what happened to the last pod who went to Earth. To save the species, the Lower Deckers will have to dissuade them of the rumors and convince them Earth is worth inhabiting. Ah-yikes.]
This issue kicks off the penultimate arc of this season’s run, so be sure to order whale ahead of time!
It’s a race to the top as the anti-Federation spies and the Red Shirts summit the towering antenna on Arkonia 89. The spies seek to escape a transporter disrupter and make it back to their ship with their stolen data, and Raad, Grash, Vesta, and Miller will try to stop them by any means necessary. The climb is made all the more difficult by fire raining from above via a cloaked Warbird captained by a young Romulan and a mysterious Tal Shiar officer.
Meanwhile, on the ground, Lanier, Amiga, and DeMatrio realize a hidden secret about the deceased Cromarty’s base. It just might be their ticket out of this mess alive, but as more lives are senselessly lost, the Red Shirts start to wonder if Starfleet would even care if they made it back at all.
“Star Trek: Defiant, Volume 4: The Stars of Home” Review by Comicsonline.com
Comicsonline.com has added a new review for Christopher Cantwell‘s “Star Trek: Defiant, Volume 4: The Stars of Home”:
IDW continues to build on its impressive track record of blending characters from across the Star Trek franchise from The Original Series and The Next Generation, to Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and beyond into a single, interconnected narrative. With each volume of Star Trek: Defiant, the creative team takes some of our most beloved characters and pairs them in ways we never thought possible, weaving together new adventures that feel as fresh as they are familiar. This fourth volume is no exception, bringing unexpected depth to a familiar foe and expanding on the Star Trek universe in ways that we didn’t know we were craving.
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Freethought Radio – July 17, 2025
We report on state/church violations in the White House, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Then, FFRF Rapid Response Attorney Chris Line tells us what it means now that the IRS has announced that places of worship can endorse political candidates. Finally, we speak with distinguished Dartmouth historian Randall Balmer, who is an Episcopal priest, about his new book, America’s Best Idea: The Separation of Church and State.
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DTI Comic Book Investigation for the week of July 17, 2025
Here are all the comics printed this week in years past.
“Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: Toward The Night” Review by Lessaccurategrandmother.blogspot.com
Lessaccurategrandmother.blogspot.com has added a new review for James Swallow‘s “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: Toward The Night”:
The most recent tie-in novel to the best of the Paramount+ Star Trek shows comes from James Swallow, who is probably my second favorite of the current working Star Trek novelists. So this is a combination I was particularly looking forward to, especially as I very much enjoyed the previous SNW novel, Asylum.
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“Star Trek: Omega #1” Review by Fanbasepress.com
Fanbasepress.com has added a new review for Christopher Cantwell and Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing‘s “Star Trek: Omega #1”:
Last week with Star Trek: Omega, IDW brought its current line of Star Trek comics to a close. With the conclusion of Lore War, the crews of the Theseus and the Defiant set out on new paths as they grapple with the monumental events they’ve just experienced.
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IRS Weakens Johnson Amendment—Nonprofits Push Back
Nonprofit Quarterly
By Isaiah Thompson
The post IRS Weakens Johnson Amendment—Nonprofits Push Back appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
St. Isidore lawsuit in Oklahoma County court to be dropped following SCOTUS decision
The Oklahoman
By Murray Evans
The post St. Isidore lawsuit in Oklahoma County court to be dropped following SCOTUS decision appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
Protecting religious liberty, parental rights, and Idaho values in charter school development: The battle lines drawn
Idaho Education News
By Branden Durst
The post Protecting religious liberty, parental rights, and Idaho values in charter school development: The battle lines drawn appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
J. Pharoah Doss: SCOTUS deadlocked on first Catholic charter school…is there an Islamic route?
Chicago Defender
By J. Pharoah Doss
The post J. Pharoah Doss: SCOTUS deadlocked on first Catholic charter school…is there an Islamic route? appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
Liberal groups drop Okla. Catholic charter school lawsuit, declare victory over its rejection
The Christian Post
By Michael Gryboski
The post Liberal groups drop Okla. Catholic charter school lawsuit, declare victory over its rejection appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
“Star Trek: Omega #1” Review by Trekcentral.net
Trekcentral.net has added a new review for Christopher Cantwell and Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing‘s “Star Trek: Omega #1”:
Star Trek: Omega marks the end of an era! The denouement of over two years of storytelling, bridging the gap between Star Trek: Insurrection and Nemesis. Featuring series Star Trek and Star Trek: Defiant, crossover events Day of Blood and Lore War, miniseries Sons of Star Trek, and one-shots like Shaxs’ Best Day, it’s been a hell of a ride.
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Humble Comics Bundle: Star Trek Comics Megabundle
This is an absolutely massive bundle with all of this for just a few Federation credits:
Countdown to Darkness TPB
Star Trek Classics #4 – Beginnings
Star Trek Classics #5 – Who Killed Captain Kirk?
Star Trek Volume 1
Star Trek Volume 10
Star Trek Volume 11
Star Trek Volume 12
Star Trek Volume 13
Star Trek Volume 2
Star Trek Volume 3
Star Trek Volume 4
Star Trek Volume 5
Star Trek Volume 6
Star Trek Volume 7
Star Trek Volume 8
Star Trek Volume 9
Star Trek, Volume Three: Glass and Bone
Star Trek: Alien Spotlight #1
Star Trek: Alien Spotlight #2
Star Trek: Aliens
Star Trek: Assignment Earth
Star Trek: Best of Klingons TPB
Star Trek: Boldly Go TPB #1
Star Trek: Boldly Go TPB #2
Star Trek: Boldly Go TPB #3
Star Trek: Burden of Knowledge TPB
Star Trek: Captain’s Log
Star Trek: Countdown
Star Trek: Day of Blood
Star Trek: Debt of Honor
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Fool’s Gold
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: The Dog of War TPB
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Too Long a Sacrifice
Star Trek: Defiant, Volume 1
Star Trek: Defiant, Volume 2: Another Piece Of The Action
Star Trek: Defiant, Volume 3: Hell Is Only A Word
Star Trek: Discovery – Aftermath TPB
Star Trek: Discovery – The Light of Kahless TPB
Star Trek: Discovery: Adventures In The 32nd Century TPB
Star Trek: Discovery: Succession TPB
Star Trek: Holo-Ween TPB
Star Trek: Khan Ruling in Hell TPB
Star Trek: Khan TPB
Star Trek: Leonard McCoy: Frontier Doctor TPB
Star Trek: Lower Decks – Warp Your Own Way
Star Trek: Lower Decks TPB
Star Trek: Manifest Destiny
Star Trek: Mirror Images TPB
Star Trek: Mirror War TPB
Star Trek: Mission’s End TPB
Star Trek: Nero TPB
Star Trek: New Frontier: Turnaround
Star Trek: New Visions TPB #1
Star Trek: New Visions TPB #2
Star Trek: New Visions TPB #3
Star Trek: New Visions TPB #4
Star Trek: New Visions TPB #5
Star Trek: New Visions TPB #6
Star Trek: New Visions TPB #7
Star Trek: New Visions TPB #8
Star Trek: Picard: Countdown TPB
Star Trek: Picard: Stargazer TPB
Star Trek: Picard’s Academy: Commit No Mistakes
Star Trek: Resurgence TPB
Star Trek: Sons of Star Trek TPB
Star Trek: Spock: Reflections TPB
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy TPB
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: The Illyrian Enigma TPB
Star Trek: The City on the Edge of Forever
Star Trek: The Mirror Universe Saga
Star Trek: The Motion Picture: Echoes TPB
Star Trek: The Next Generation: Enemy Unseen
Star Trek: The Next Generation: Ghosts TPB
Star Trek: The Next Generation: Hive TPB
Star Trek: The Next Generation: Intelligence Gathering TPB
Star Trek: The Next Generation: Mirror Broken TPB
Star Trek: The Next Generation: Terra Incognita TPB
Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Gorn Crisis
Star Trek: The Next Generation: Through the Mirror TPB
Star Trek: The Official Motion Picture Adaptation TPB
Star Trek: The Q Conflict TPB
Star Trek: Volume One: Godshock
Star Trek: Volume Two: The Red Path
Star Trek: Voyager: Encounters with the Unknown
Star Trek: Voyager: Seven’s Reckoning TPB
Star Trek: Warriors of the Mirror War
Star Trek: Waypoint TPB
Star Trek: Year Five TPB #1 – Odyssey’s End
Star Trek: Year Five TPB #2 – The Wine-Dark Deep
Star Trek: Year Five TPB #3 – Weaker Than Man
Star Trek: Year Five TPB #4 – Experienced in Loss
Star Trek: Year Four TPB
Star Trek: Year Four: The Enterprise Experiment TPB
FFRF slams Trump for ridiculing atheists and advancing religious agenda at CEO lunch
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is strongly condemning President Donald Trump’s latest effort to entangle religion and government through a White House event rewarding wealthy business leaders for promoting religion and aligning the federal government with sectarian interests.
FFRF is also taking issue with Trump’s derogatory joke about atheists at Monday’s luncheon in the White House’s State Dining Room. During the event, Trump said: “And you’re all believers… Is there an atheist in the room? Any atheists? I don’t think so. I wouldn’t want to raise my hand if I were. You’d be in big trouble.”
“Trump is not only once again blurring the line between state and church,” says FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor, “but also treating atheists and other nonbelievers as targets.”
She added: “A president shouldn’t be rewarding CEOs for promoting religion or using his public office to advance a ‘faith-centered’ agenda. The government must serve all Americans, not just the religious.”
Trump welcomed more than 60 CEOs and business leaders who donate to faith-based charities. The event was organized by the White House Faith Office, which Trump established by executive order in February. Trump used the occasion to praise religious influence in public life, attack his political opponents and further promote his religious-political agenda.
At the event, during which Trump used an expletive, he continued to erase the existence of nonreligious Americans, telling attendees, “Our country was founded by pilgrims and believers, and every generation since Americans of faith have built our communities and forged new industries and enriched our country by millions and millions of people and ways.” He insisted that “the steady compass of faith has guided the strong hands of American workers, builders and entrepreneurs, like really no other.” He went on to say that “we have to bring religion back into the country. And we’re starting to do that, I think, at a very high level.”
Trump claimed that his 2024 electoral victory was due to Democrats trying to “take God and religion out of your lives,” and reiterated his intent to dismantle the Johnson Amendment — the federal law that bars tax-exempt organizations from endorsing political candidates. The IRS recently has indicated it now considers that the Johnson Amendment permits churches (but not other 501(c)(3) entities) to tell their members who to vote for.
High-profile donors attending the luncheon included Hobby Lobby founder David Green, who underwrote the Bible Museum, Jockey International CEO Debra Waller and leaders from Goodyear and JCPenney. A complete attendee list was not released, but Cabinet officials present included Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler.
The event concluded with a prayer led by Paula White, director of the White House Faith Office, followed by a Christian worship song.
“Trump’s repeated attempts to intertwine religion with government policy betray his duty to our secular Constitution,” Gaylor added. “This event is about building a theocratic political machine with the help of wealthy allies. Faith-based favoritism has no place in a secular democracy.”
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is a U.S.-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting the constitutional principle of separation between state and church and educating the public on matters of nontheism. With more than 42,000 members, FFRF advocates for freethinkers’ rights across the globe. For more information, visit ffrf.org.
The post FFRF slams Trump for ridiculing atheists and advancing religious agenda at CEO lunch appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
“Star Trek: Lower Decks #8” Review by Getyourcomicon.co.uk
Getyourcomicon.co.uk has added a new review for Tim Sheridan‘s “Star Trek: Lower Decks #8”:
The second half of Star Trek: Lower Decks two-part flashback story arrives in comic book stores today. With Dr. Pulaski now taking control of the USS Illinois, the crew beamed off the ship to an unknown destination and mutiny in the ranks, it’s up to Ensign Freeman to attempt to save the day. Can Tim Sheridan steer the Illinois to a smooth landing? Or is Pulaski’s return to Star Trek about to leave another poor taste in fans mouths?
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Star Trek Book Deals For The Middle of July 2025
This month’s ebook deals have landed with 10 books on sale for $0.99 – $3.99 each, books that have never been on sale are in bold:
It’s not a typical sale, these mid month price drops are as ephemeral as a Q’s resolve to not meddle in the affairs of Jean Luc’s life, but if you click quick, you might be able to get these books on the cheap!
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: 14 The Long Night
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: 15 Objective: Bajor
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: 16 Invasion! Book 3: Time’s Enemy
Star Trek: Department of Temporal Investigations: The Collectors
Star Trek: Department of Temporal Investigations: Shield of the Gods
Star Trek: Department of Temporal Investigations: Time Lock
Star Trek: The Next Generation: 5 Strike Zone
Star Trek: The Original Series: The More Things Change
Star Trek: Titan: Absent Enemies
Star Trek: Vulcan’s Soul Book 1: Exodus
Preview of “Star Trek: Red Shirts #1”
Here’s a preview of Star Trek: Red Shirts #1 by Christopher Cantwell which is due to be released this Wednesday on July 16, 2025 at your local comic shop and digital retailers:
They face threats not only from their faceless enemies but from the brutalizing elements and wildlife of a planet far from home. The red shirts’ lives and Starfleet’s sanctity are on the line…and no one is safe.
FFRF rebukes Speaker Johnson’s attack on Johnson Amendment and state/church separation
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is calling out Speaker of the House Mike Johnson for misrepresenting the history of state/church separation while praising the dismantlement of the Johnson Amendment, a crucial safeguard to protect electoral integrity.
In a strongly worded letter to the speaker sent today, the state/church watchdog criticized Johnson’s recent op-ed praising an IRS-proposed consent decree that paves the way for churches to endorse political candidates while maintaining their tax-exempt status. The IRS filing, while technically applicable to only two litigating churches, claims it’s now legal for churches (but not other tax-exempt organizations) to tell their own members how to vote in elections. Johnson falsely portrays the Johnson Amendment, a 1954 tax law provision prohibiting 501(c)(3) nonprofits, including churches, from engaging in partisan electioneering, as a violation of free speech.
FFRF charges that Johnson’s essay is “deeply flawed and historically inaccurate,” and that his advocacy for religious privilege over constitutional neutrality betrays his oath of office.
FFRF’s letter rebuts Johnson’s claims that the Johnson Amendment “censors” religious speech, explaining that houses of worship, like all 501(c)(3) organizations, are free to speak and preach, but may not use tax-subsidized resources to endorse candidates. FFRF also corrects Johnson’s selective historical interpretations by highlighting the secular nature of the U.S. Constitution and the clear intent of the Founders to keep religion out of government:
“The Framers of the Constitution made the United States first among nations to invest sovereignty not in a deity, but in ‘We the People.’ The proscription against religion in government has served our nation well, with the U.S. Constitution now the longest living constitution in history, and our nation spared the constant religious wars afflicting theocratic regions around the world.”
Johnson’s remarks, including his assertion that American politics must be guided by a “fear of eternal judgment,” are especially alarming given his role as speaker, the third-highest constitutional officer in the country.
“Speaker Johnson’s op-ed reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of our secular form of government and our pluralistic nation,” says FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor. “Nonreligious Americans are the largest single ‘denomination’ by religious identification, making up nearly a third of the population, and his words suggest that they and other non-Christians are second-class citizens.”
Johnson’s revisionist history claims the Constitution was designed primarily to protect religion, not to limit its influence on government.
“Your insistence that Thomas Jefferson’s ‘wall of separation between church and state’ was only intended to protect religion from government interference disregards his actual words and his actions,” the letter points out. “Keeping religion out of the government is a fundamental American ideal, essential for true religious freedom, and has been a tremendous asset to our society.”
FFRF warns that gutting the Johnson Amendment would further erode the constitutional wall between religion and government, allowing houses of worship to become unregulated vehicles for political campaigns — subsidized by taxpayers.
FFRF’s letter concludes by calling on Johnson to either uphold his constitutional duty to govern without religious bias or resign.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is a U.S.-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting the constitutional principle of separation between state and church and educating the public on matters of nontheism. With more than 42,000 members, FFRF advocates for freethinkers’ rights across the globe. For more information, visit ffrf.org.
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Trump uses expletive in front of faith leaders in unscripted rant about ‘evil’ Democrats
AlterNet
By David Badash
The post Trump uses expletive in front of faith leaders in unscripted rant about ‘evil’ Democrats appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
Oklahoma St. Isidore lawsuit dropped in light of spring SCOTUS ruling
KGOU (Norman, OK)
By Beth Wallis
The post Oklahoma St. Isidore lawsuit dropped in light of spring SCOTUS ruling appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
Oklahoma parents, faith leaders drop lawsuit over Catholic charter school
Oklahoma Voice
By Nuria Martez-Keel
The post Oklahoma parents, faith leaders drop lawsuit over Catholic charter school appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
Advocates mark victory against religious public school, ending lawsuit against St. Isidore
Fox 25 (Oklahoma City, OK)
By Alexandra Sharfman
The post Advocates mark victory against religious public school, ending lawsuit against St. Isidore appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
Oklahomans challenging nation’s first religious public school declare victory, end lawsuit
Americans United
By Staff
The post Oklahomans challenging nation’s first religious public school declare victory, end lawsuit appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
White House Action Ensures Churches ‘Can No Longer Be Intimidated’ by IRS for Endorsing Candidates
The Washington Stand
By Ben Johnson
The post White House Action Ensures Churches ‘Can No Longer Be Intimidated’ by IRS for Endorsing Candidates appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
DTI Treklit Investigation for the week of July 15, 2025
Here’s a look at the books printed this week in the past.
Oklahomans challenging nation’s first religious public school declare victory, end lawsuit
Declaring victory in the legal effort to block what would have been the nation’s first religious public school, a group of Oklahoma faith leaders, public school parents and public education advocates today filed a notice dismissing their lawsuit to stop Oklahoma officials from sponsoring and funding St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School.
The notice was filed with the District Court of Oklahoma County in the case OKPLAC Inc. v. Statewide Charter School Board. The substantive claims brought in the OKPLAC case were resolved when the U.S. Supreme Court, in May, let stand the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s June 2024 decision that it would be an unconstitutional violation of church/state separation for St. Isidore to operate as a religious public charter school. That decision was issued in a lawsuit similar to the OKPLAC case that was subsequently brought by Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, which was fast-tracked and heard first.
The plaintiffs were represented by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, the American Civil Liberties Union and Education Law Center, and supported by Oklahoma-based counsel Odom & Sparks PLLC and J. Douglas Mann.
“We are pleased that the courts have put a stop to the nation’s first religious public charter school,” said Annie Laurie Gaylor, FFRF co-president. “This outcome upholds the core constitutional principle of state/church separation and affirms that public schools should remain just that — public.”
“OKPLAC has been resolved to stand for students, taxpayers, and religious freedom from the beginning as the original plaintiff in a lawsuit opposing the state’s use of tax dollars to operate a religious public charter school,” said Misty Bradley, chair of OKPLAC, the Oklahoma Parent Legislative Advocacy Coalition. “We are grateful for the organizations and individuals who stood with us and for Attorney General Gentner Drummond’s successful efforts to uphold Oklahoma’s constitution and protect its taxpayers and public schools.”
“Americans United is proud to work closely with Oklahomans to protect inclusive public education and religious freedom,” said Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United. “While we celebrate victory in this case, AU continues to litigate two other church-state separation lawsuits in Oklahoma to stop Ryan Walters and his Christian nationalist allies from imposing their religious beliefs on public school children. We won’t let them turn Oklahoma’s public schools into Sunday schools.”
“The very notion of a religious public school is a legal contradiction in terms,” said Daniel Mach, director of the ACLU Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief. “We’re pleased that the courts stopped this direct assault on public education and religious freedom. Public schools must remain secular and welcome all students, regardless of faith.”
“We are gratified that the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed Oklahoma Supreme Court’s ruling that charter schools, like all public schools, must be open to all students,” said Robert Kim, executive director of Education Law Center. “We will continue to work with public school advocates, parents and faith leaders to ensure that all students across Oklahoma and the nation have the right to attend public schools without barriers to admission.”
The OKPLAC case was the first lawsuit to challenge the state’s approval of St. Isidore. It was filed in July 2023 on behalf of faith leaders, public school parents and public education advocates who objected to their tax dollars funding a public charter school that intended to indoctrinate students into one religion, planned to discriminate against students, families and employees based on their religion and LGBTQ-plus status, and wouldn’t commit to adequately serving students with disabilities.
The plaintiffs include OKPLAC (Oklahoma Parent Legislative Advocacy Coalition), Melissa Abdo, Krystal Bonsall, Brenda Lené, Michele Medley, Dr. Bruce Prescott, the Rev. Dr. Mitch Randall, the Rev. Dr. Lori Walke and Erika Wright.
The plaintiffs also filed amicus briefs in the attorney general’s case, Drummond v. Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board, before both the U.S. Supreme Court and the Oklahoma Supreme Court. The Oklahoma Supreme Court’s opinion incorporated many of the arguments made in the amicus brief that was submitted to it.
The team of attorneys that represented the plaintiffs was led by Alex J. Luchenitser of Americans United and included Luke Anderson of Americans United; Daniel Mach and Heather L. Weaver of the ACLU; Robert Kim, Jessica Levin and Wendy Lecker of Education Law Center; Patrick Elliott of FFRF; Benjamin H. Odom, John H. Sparks, Michael W. Ridgeway and Lisa M. Mason of Odom & Sparks; and J. Douglas Mann.
Media contacts: Requests for information or media interviews should be directed to:
- FFRF: Sara Tetzloff, tetzloffs@ffrf.org, 608.256.8900
- Americans United: Moisés Serrano, media@au.org
- ACLU: ACLU Media, media@aclu.org
- Education Law Center: Sharon Krengel, skrengel@edlawcenter.org, 973.624.1815, x240
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is a national nonprofit organization with over 42,000 members across the country. Our purposes are to protect the constitutional principle of separation between state and church, and to educate the public on matters relating to nontheism.
Americans United is a religious freedom advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1947, AU educates Americans about the importance of church-state separation in safeguarding religious freedom. Learn more at www.au.org.
For more than 100 years, the ACLU has worked in courts, legislatures, and communities to protect the constitutional rights of all people. With a nationwide network of offices and millions of members and supporters, the ACLU takes on the toughest civil liberties fights in pursuit of liberty and justice for all. For more information on the ACLU, visit www.aclu.org.
Education Law Center pursues justice and equity for public school students by enforcing their right to a high-quality education in safe, equitable, non-discriminatory, integrated, and well-funded learning environments. We seek to support and improve public schools as the center of communities and the foundation of a multicultural and multiracial democratic society. For more information about ELC, visit edlawcenter.org/.
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New Star Trek Book: “Star Trek: Ashcan #1”
Star Trek: Ashcan #1 by has been added to the Star Trek Book Club!
Previews of:
- Star Trek: The Last Starship #1
- Star Trek: Voyager: Homecoming #1
- Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: The Seeks of Salvation #1
The book is currently scheduled to be published on July 2, 2025
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Texas Families Sue to Block Law Mandating Ten Commandments in Public Schools
On July 2nd, 2025, FFRF and a coalition filed a lawsuit on behalf of a group of sixteen multifaith and nonreligious Texas families to block a state law requiring all public elementary and secondary schools to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom.
Texas Senate Bill 10 requires all public elementary and secondary schools statewide to display either a “durable poster” or “framed copy” of the Ten Commandments in a conspicuous location within every classroom. The law specifies a particular Protestant version of the Ten Commandments.
The plaintiffs include Jewish, Christian, Baptist, nonreligious, Hindu, and Unitarian families. The complaint argues that SB 10 violates both the Establishment Clause and Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which protects the separation of church and state and guarantees religious freedom.
The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. The plaintiffs are represented by the ACLU, the ACLU of Texas, American United for Separation of Church & State, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, and FFRF. Legal Director Patrick Elliot, Senior Litigation Counsel Sam Grover, and Staff Attorney Nancy Noet are serving as co-counsel.
The post Texas Families Sue to Block Law Mandating Ten Commandments in Public Schools appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
First Liberty Institute takes defendants’ side in 10 Commandments lawsuit in Arkansas
Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette (Fayetteville, AR)
By Edward McKinnon
The post First Liberty Institute takes defendants’ side in 10 Commandments lawsuit in Arkansas appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
‘Unshackling the pulpit’ or ‘a brazen attack’?: 7 reactions to IRS letting pastors endorse politicians
The Christian Post
By Michael Gryboski
The post ‘Unshackling the pulpit’ or ‘a brazen attack’?: 7 reactions to IRS letting pastors endorse politicians appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
IRS lifts ban on churches getting involved in politics and endorsements: What to know
USA Today
By BrieAnna J. Frank and Angele Latham
The post IRS lifts ban on churches getting involved in politics and endorsements: What to know appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
Local Courier-Journal Doggedly Maligns Us Yet Again
Answers in Genesis
By Ken Hamm
The post Local Courier-Journal Doggedly Maligns Us Yet Again appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
FFRF opposes DoD’s coercive bible study classes at Walter Reed Hospital
Photo by Diego González on Unsplash
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is urging the Defense Health Agency, the Department of Defense and staff at Walter Reed Hospital to end coercive religious programming and activities.
A Walter Reed employee informed FFRF that during the week of March 17, an email went out to all Walter Reed Hospital staff inviting them to a recurring “Soul Care Bible Study.” The program was billed as “a spiritual readiness program that supports the Defense Health Agency Director’s spiritual pillar of readiness.” The invitation asserted that the “Department of Defense recognizes that Spiritual Fitness is an essential area that requires some training and development for DoD personnel to be healthy, fit and resilient.” The invitation describes “Spiritual Fitness” as “one of the major components of the Total Force Fitness Framework, first established by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.” FFRF learned that chaplains would encourage staff members to wash their hands with Holy Water.
“The overtly religious practices taking place at Walter Reed are unnecessarily divisive and coercive,” FFRF Anne Nicol Gaylor Legal Fellow Kyle Steinberg writes.
By offering bible study, Walter Reed and the Department of Defense show that Christians (especially those who subscribe to their selected bible version) have preferential status in the nation’s armed services. Blatant endorsement of Christian beliefs disrespects our proud military community — especially those who do not share the DoD’s belief. About 30 percent of individuals in the armed forces have no religious affiliation or identify with a religious belief other than Christianity.
Discussing religion risks dividing the armed forces community among different sects and between believers and nonbelievers. It can disrupt unit cohesion and distract from the “shared purpose” of protecting American interests and freedoms. The Department of Defense cannot express religious favoritism or sponsor religious activity. It cannot contort the mission of the armed forces to support religious beliefs that align with those of its leaders. DoD and DHA policy should focus on universal, secular directives and their shared purpose of constitutional freedom.
Religion by compulsion further defies the ideals that our armed forces community stands by and defends. DHA signals that to reach full “readiness” and military excellence, individuals must pass faith-based standards. In essence, the DHA policy denotes that good soldiers are Christian soldiers; fitness for duty requires fitness of faith. Such mandated orthodoxy is plainly un-American and unconstitutional. DHA’s sponsorship of religious activity would require more from its employees than is necessary and more than the Constitution allows.
To respect the Constitution and the First Amendment rights of all members of the military community, FFRF asserts that the DHA must refrain from sponsoring bible studies.
“Theocrats are embedding Christian nationalism into the highest levels of government, and the effects are already being felt,” says FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor. “America is not a Christian nation, and it certainly does not need members of the armed forces to be ‘spiritually fit’ in order to serve.”
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is a U.S.-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting the constitutional principle of separation between state and church and educating the public on matters of nontheism. With more than 42,000 members, FFRF advocates for freethinkers’ rights. For more information, visit ffrf.org.
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Freethought Radio – July 10, 2025
We criticize Texas Governor Gregg Abbott for using the flood devastation as an opportunity to preach his personal religious views. We point out that in spite of the IRS decision not to punish two churches for politicking from the pulpit, the Johnson Amendment prohibiting such action is still the law of the land. After honoring the life of our friend, the Pulitzer-Prize winning political cartoonist Steve Benson, who died this week at age 71, we talk with attorney Kat Grant about their Freethought Now “Pride Month” blog: ”Don’t make sacrifices on the altar of authoritarianism.”
The post Freethought Radio – July 10, 2025 appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
Happy 2025 Birthday to Steve Mollmann!
(no image available)
Happy birthday to Steve Mollmann!
Steve Mollmann is a writer, author of a number of Star Trek stories.
Check out the Steve Mollmann credit page to view more updates and a full list of credits!
Find Steve Mollmann’s work on Amazon.com
Happy 2025 Birthday to Hans Beimler!
(no image available)
Happy birthday to Hans Beimler!
Hans Anthony Beimler is a writer, producer, and script editor of many Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episodes. He also appeared in Deep Space Nine’s final episode, “What You Leave Behind”, as a holographic guest at Vic’s Las Vegas Lounge.
Check out the Hans Beimler credit page to view more updates and a full list of credits!
Find Hans Beimler’s work on Amazon.com
DTI Comic Book Investigation for the week of July 10, 2025
Here are all the comics printed this week in years past.
Shore Leave 45 Returns July 11–13, 2025, in Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA — Shore Leave, the longest-running fan-run science fiction media convention in the U.S., is back for its 45th year. The event will take place July 11–13, 2025, at the Wyndham Lancaster Resort and Convention Center. Organized by the STAT Club of Maryland, Shore Leave offers a weekend filled with celebrity guests, panels, workshops, and unique fan experiences.
Celebrity Guests
This year’s lineup includes stars from beloved sci-fi franchises:
- Michael Rooker (Guardians of the Galaxy, The Walking Dead, The Suicide Squad)
- Michael Ironside (Top Gun, Total Recall, Starship Troopers)
- Adrianne Palicki (The Orville, Agents of SHIELD, Friday Night Lights)
- J. Lee (The Orville, American Dad, Family Guy)
- James Frain (Star Trek: Discovery, True Blood, Tron Legacy)
- Melissa Navia (Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Billions, Dietland)
- Casper Van Dien and Dina Meyer (Starship Troopers)
- Seth Gilliam and Cooper Andrews (The Walking Dead)
- Tracee Cocco and Stephanie Czajkowski (Multiple Star Trek Series)
- Kathy Coleman and Wesley Eure (Land of the Lost)
Attendees can participate in photo ops, autograph sessions, and the “Fest With Our Guests” dinner event, featuring an Italian buffet and opportunities to dine with select celebrities. Proceeds from this event support St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and the Navy & Marine Corps Relief Society.
Programming Highlights
Shore Leave 45 offers a diverse range of activities:
- Panels on Star Trek, Star Wars, Doctor Who, and more
- Science presentations from institutions like NASA and the Space Telescope Science Institute
- Over 40 Authors performing readings, panels, and autograph sessions Writing workshops led by professional authors
- Stargazing sessions on Friday and Saturday nights
- A 15,000 sq ft Vendor Hall featuring unique merchandise
- A gallery of sci-fi and fantasy artwork
- Gaming rooms, cosplay events, and the “Ten Forward” all-ages dance party
Registration and Accommodations
Weekend memberships are available at the door for $140. Single-day passes and discounted rates for teens and youth are also offered. Active-duty military personnel receive a $10 discount.
Discounted hotel rates are available at several nearby hotels, including the Cartoon Network Hotel and Fairfield Inn & Suites.
For more information, visit www.shore-leave.com.
July 2025 Traffic Just Beat 2024 Total Traffic
Thank you for stopping by, I’m happy you were here! We’ve been on an upward trajectory for the last 3 or 4 years, but I was surprised to notice that with 4 months left in the year, we’ve already beaten 2024. I’m going to be dropping business cards and stickers at Shore-Leave, so if you see me there, be sure to ask for a sticker. I’m sure that this will double the traffic as well!
IRS says pastors endorsing political candidates doesn’t violate Johnson Amendment
The Christian Post
By Leonardo Blair
The post IRS says pastors endorsing political candidates doesn’t violate Johnson Amendment appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
Sorry, FFRF — IRS says churches can give political endorsements from the pulpit
1819 News
By Craig Monger
The post Sorry, FFRF — IRS says churches can give political endorsements from the pulpit appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
Out Today: “Star Trek: Lower Decks #9”
Out today: “Star Trek: Lower Decks #9“, by Tim Sheridan.
On a mission to collect gormangander excrement, the U.S.S. Cerritos is attacked by a Ferengi warship! The Ferengi are hot on the tail of a debt dodger who owes them a fortune-D’Vana Tendi. But as a member of Starfleet, Tendi has no way to earn the money to pay them back, and if she tells her family in the Orion Syndicate, they’ll simply murder her to clear the account. One thing is for certain: If Tendi can’t devise a way to clear her ledger, the Lower Deckers are going to find themselves in deep doo, regardless of whether they find any gormaganders.
Buy From Things From Another World
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IRS refusal to act doesn’t repeal Johnson Amendment, FFRF asserts
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is sharply condemning the IRS’s stunning decision to openly abandon enforcement of the Johnson Amendment when it comes to churches, which could effectively turn them into unregulated political action committees subsidized by taxpayers.
But the state/church watchdog advises that this action, while unconscionable, does not and cannot repeal an act of Congress. Furthermore, the IRS action technically only applies to the two litigating churches, FFRF points out. The case involves a challenge by the Sand Springs Church and First Baptist Church of Waskom in Texas. The IRS is stipulating that it will not fight the lawsuit.
In its recent court filing, the IRS admitted that it will no longer pursue legal action against churches that endorse political candidates from the pulpit to their congregants. This action stems from the baseless lawsuit brought by right-wing Christian organizations, which claim they are being unfairly silenced. Instead of defending its own rules, the IRS folded, asserting that “communications from a house of worship to its congregation in connection with religious services” do not violate the Johnson Amendment.
“This is not the repeal of the Johnson Amendment — this is the IRS choosing to ignore it when churches violate it,” says FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor. “If the IRS is saying that churches and only churches are being given a pass from the Johnson Amendment, this clearly discriminates against other similarly situated 501(c)(3) tax-exempt groups, such as FFRF.”
The Johnson Amendment, enacted in 1954, prohibits all 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofits — including churches — from endorsing or opposing political candidates. The obvious rationale for the federal law is that political contributions are not tax-deductible; therefore, tax-exempt organizations cannot use their tax-exempt resources for electioneering purposes. The Johnson Amendment ensures equal footing on the political battlefield and ensures that tax-deductible charitable donations, intended to serve the community, are directed to charitable works rather than political campaigns.
While the rule has long been unevenly enforced, it remains a cornerstone of the legal firewall separating religion and government. Now, under the Trump Administration, the IRS has not only abandoned its duty to enforce the law, but it has also twisted its interpretation to claim that church endorsements are tantamount to “family discussions,” as the IRS motion puts it, and a matter of religious freedom.
Churches already receive favored treatment over secular nonprofits but they are not entitled to ignore the other rules and laws that apply equally to all 501(c)(3) educational nonprofits. Already, churches are automatically tax-exempt, don’t have to file annual financial disclosures (Form 990s) that all other tax-exempt groups, including FFRF, are required to file and they’re rarely audited. Now, the IRS is telling churches that they can also engage in politics from the pulpit, so long as they cloak their campaigning in religious language. The motion says such endorsements are “on matters of faith in connection with religious services, concerning electoral politics viewed through the lens of religious faith.”
Polls routinely reveal that a majority of Americans think religious institutions should stay out of politics. In 2022, Pew Research found that “about three-quarters of U.S. adults (77 percent) say that churches and other houses of worship should not endorse candidates for political offices. Two-thirds (67 percent) say that religious institutions should keep out of political matters rather than expressing their views on day-to-day social or political questions.”
While secular nonprofits like FFRF must adhere to the law or risk losing their tax-exempt status, the IRS is now granting churches a religious loophole: claiming that endorsements during sermons are akin to private, faith-based discussions and thus protected. The result is blatant favoritism toward religious organizations and unequal treatment under the law.
In 2017, FFRF sued Trump and the IRS after Trump signed an executive order that falsely claimed to “get rid of the Johnson Amendment.” FFRF’s attorneys successfully persuaded the Trump administration to acknowledge in court that the president lacked the authority to revoke a congressional statute by executive fiat. The current action by the IRS similarly cannot invalidate a law passed by Congress. FFRF successfully sued the IRS in 2012 to compel it to enforce its own regulations barring tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofits from engaging in partisan political activity.
While the IRS under the Trump administration may choose not to enforce this provision, the law remains on the books — and so does the possibility of future accountability.
“The law hasn’t changed — but the will to enforce it has,” says FFRF Co-President Dan Barker. “This decision is just the latest item checked off the Project 2025 wish list — the Christian nationalist plan to reshape the U.S. government. The administration is signaling to churches that they can be involved in elections without consequences.”
FFRF remains committed to holding tax-exempt organizations accountable and is exploring all legal avenues to respond to this abdication of responsibility. In the meantime, it urges members of the public and elected officials to demand congressional oversight, press the IRS to reverse course, and support efforts to restore robust, even-handed enforcement of the Johnson Amendment. Vigilance and public pressure are essential to preserving the constitutional principle of separation between religion and government, FFRF asserts.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is a U.S.-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting the constitutional principle of separation between state and church and educating the public on matters of nontheism. With more than 42,000 members, FFRF advocates for freethinkers’ rights across the globe. For more information, visit ffrf.org.
The post IRS refusal to act doesn’t repeal Johnson Amendment, FFRF asserts appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
FFRF Co-President’s op-ed defines stakes of Ryan Walters lawsuit
FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor has written an op-ed featured in Oklahoma’s Tulsa World newspaper detailing the threat to the state/church watchdog’s First Amendment rights posed by a lawsuit from State Superintendent Ryan Walters.
“For the first time in our nearly 50-year history, our nonprofit group, dedicated to the constitutional principle of separation between religion and government, has been taken to court by a public official — a move that challenges the very essence of our work,” Gaylor writes. “Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters and the Oklahoma State Department of Education are currently suing the Freedom From Religion Foundation in federal court because we contacted several Oklahoma public schools on behalf of parents over our constitutional concerns.”
Gaylor continues her examination of the dangerous legal threat by detailing how FFRF stays well within the law when receiving complaints:
This attack on free speech should alarm every Oklahoman who values the First Amendment. Walters has essentially filed a “SLAPP” (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) lawsuit, which is used to weaponize the legal system to punish and silence constitutionally protected speech under the First Amendment. The Bill of Rights protects our right to speak up and criticize the government directly when we think it is violating the law, and it likewise protects our ability to advocate for change.
Notably, Walters’ lawsuit fails to identify any actual violation of law. That’s because FFRF has not violated the law — in fact, we’ve worked diligently to uphold the First Amendment itself.
FFRF concentrates on a particular section of the First Amendment: the establishment clause, which, as President Thomas Jefferson explained in a famous metaphor, builds “a wall of separation between Church and State.” But we could not accomplish our advocacy on behalf of our 42,000 members nationwide (including hundreds in Oklahoma) and those in the public who rely on our assistance without the other essential rights embodied in the First Amendment. Beyond the establishment and free exercise clauses, the First Amendment promises freedom of speech and of the press and the right to peaceably assemble and petition the government for a redress of grievances.
When parents or other members of the public contact our state/church watchdog over entanglements of religion and government, FFRF reviews the complaint, and if we find it likely that a First Amendment violation has taken place, FFRF contacts public officials to remedy it or seek more information.
Many Oklahoma parents have contacted FFRF over such concerns since Walters became state superintendent. Since individuals encountering promotions of religion by a government official are fearful of reprisal, particularly if the violation involves their vulnerable children in a public school setting, FFRF steps in to defend their rights and our views. Our attorneys often remind officials that our nation was founded on a secular Constitution and that honoring true religious liberty requires that the government and its public schools may not take sides over religion.
The piece concludes with a final rebuke of the lawsuit, warning of its true dangers: “FFRF’s defense against Superintendent Walters’ frivolous lawsuit is crucial for the protection of the free speech rights of all organizations, including organizations with which Walters agrees. Walters is attempting to set a dangerous precedent — that government officials have the right to legally muzzle advocacy critical of their policies. This the First Amendment does not tolerate. Rather, it protects the rights of all people to petition the government for a redress of grievances and to hold public officials accountable.”
You can read the full op-ed here.
This column is part of FFRF’s initiative, this time through its legislative arm, to engage with pertinent national and state issues and spread the messages of freethought and nontheism to a broader audience.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is a national nonprofit organization with more than 42,000 members nationwide, including hundreds of members in Oklahoma. FFRF’s purposes are to protect the constitutional principle of separation between church and state, and to educate the public on matters relating to nontheism.
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Most Americans Back Chaplains in Schools
Finish the Race
By Eric Thompson
The post Most Americans Back Chaplains in Schools appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
