“Star Trek: Picard: The Last Best Hope” Review by Unseenlibrary.com
Unseenlibrary.com has added a new review for Una McCormack‘s “Star Trek: Picard: The Last Best Hope”:
Get ready to dive back into the Star Trek universe with Picard: The Last Best Hope by Una McCormack, the latest Star Trek novel which ties into the events of the Picard television show. The Last Best Hope is an outstanding novel that serves as a bridge between Star Trek: The Next Generation show and the current Picard series.
Buy on Amazon.com
Buy On Books-A-Million.com
Buy On Book Depository.com
Find on E-Bay
“Star Trek: The Original Series: The Captain’s Oath” Review by Unseenlibrary.com
Unseenlibrary.com has added a new review for Christopher L. Bennett‘s “Star Trek: The Original Series: The Captain’s Oath”:
Prepare to venture boldly into a new Star Trek: The Original Series tie-in novel which not only tells a deeply compelling story but also looks at several pivotal moments of Captain Kirk’s early Starfleet career that made him the captain we all know and love.
Buy on Amazon.com
Buy On Books-A-Million.com
Buy On Book Depository.com
Find on E-Bay
Happy 2025 Birthday to J.M. Dillard!
(J.M. Dillard aka Jeanne Kalogridis – Aug 1989 – Star Trek Convention – Tampa, Florida Photo by Alan C. Teeple)
Happy birthday to J.M. Dillard!
Jeanne M. Dillard is a pseudonym for Jeanne Kalogridis. She is an author who has written many Star Trek books as “J. M. Dillard”. She is notable for writing the novelizations for six of the first ten Star Trek feature films. She has also published other fictional works under her real name , mainly her series about vampires.
She is originally from Winter Haven, Florida, and has degrees in Russian and Linguistics. She lived in Washington, D.C. for a while, but now lives in the western USA. She lists her interests as “yoga, Buddhism, quilting, dog training and reading everything ever published.”
Check out the J.M. Dillard credit page to view more updates and a full list of credits!
Find J.M. Dillard’s work on Amazon.com
Out Today: “Star Trek: The Last Starship #3”
Out today: “Star Trek: The Last Starship #3“, by Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing.
The U.S.S. Omega launches into battle! Its adversary? A chaotic Klingon cult whose bloodred path is focused purely on obliterating the remaining vestiges of Starfleet. What’s left of the Federation is falling apart by the moment. Captain Sato, who once dreamed of uniting the galaxy, is now living his worst nightmare. He was raised in a time of peace…but no progress comes without a fight. While the Klingons might be his enemies after centuries of peace, he has Kirk as his ally…and no one knows how to defeat a Klingon better than the Federation’s greatest hero.
Buy From Things From Another World
Buy on Amazon.com
Buy On Books-A-Million.com
“Star Trek: The Illustrated Oral History: The Original Cast” Review by Bottalk.com
Bottalk.com has added a new review for Titan Books‘s “Star Trek: The Illustrated Oral History: The Original Cast”:
Filled with interviews and many, many images this Hardcover book gives us a look at the making of the original series, animated series and first six films.
Buy on Amazon.com
Buy On Books-A-Million.com
Buy On Book Depository.com
Find on E-Bay
“Star Trek: The Last Starship #2” Review by Fanbasepress.com
Fanbasepress.com has added a new review for Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing‘s “Star Trek: The Last Starship #2”:
Last month saw the release of the second issue in IDW’s new flagship Star Trek series, Star Trek: The Last Starship. This new series, written by the same duo who penned the former flagship series, simply titled Star Trek, Jackon Lanzing and Collin Kelly, take Trekkies into an era that has never before been explored.
Buy on Amazon.com
Buy On Books-A-Million.com
Buy On Book Depository.com
Find on E-Bay
DTI Treklit Investigation for the week of December 16, 2025
Here’s a look at the books printed this week in the past.
“Star Trek: Red Shirts #5” Review by Getyourcomicon.co.uk
Getyourcomicon.co.uk has added a new review for Christopher Cantwell‘s “Star Trek: Red Shirts #5”:
The final issue of Christopher Cantwell’s Star Trek: Red Shirts has arrived. Journey’s end. Will any of this poor group of Starfleet officers survive? Or is the ultimate punchline to the classic trope that none shall make off Arkonia 89 in one piece? With the Klingons and Romulans brokering a deal for Starfleet intel, Cantwell has one last twist ready to pull the rug out from under us all…
Buy on Amazon.com
Buy On Books-A-Million.com
Buy On Book Depository.com
Find on E-Bay
“Star Trek: Voyager: Homecoming #3” Review by Comicon.com
Comicon.com has added a new review for Susan Bridges and Tilly Bridges‘s “Star Trek: Voyager: Homecoming #3”:
The USS Voyager is facing a double threat in this issue, so it’s not exactly the homecoming they were expecting. Fans of the show will be drawn to this limited series, which does a good job of depicting the familiar characters both visually and tonally.
Buy on Amazon.com
Buy On Books-A-Million.com
Buy On Book Depository.com
Find on E-Bay
“Star Trek: The Original Series: The Antares Maelstrom” Review by Unseenlibrary.com
Unseenlibrary.com has added a new review for Greg Cox‘s “Star Trek: The Original Series: The Antares Maelstrom”:
My bold new voyage down into the depths of Star Trek extended fiction continues as I review the latest exciting novel tied into Star Trek: The Original Series, The Antares Maelstrom by Greg Cox.
Buy on Amazon.com
Buy On Books-A-Million.com
Buy On Book Depository.com
Find on E-Bay
“Star Trek: More Beautiful Than Death” Review by Unseenlibrary.com
Unseenlibrary.com has added a new review for David Mack‘s “Star Trek: More Beautiful Than Death”:
Prepare to once again dive into the alternate timeline version of the Star Trek universe, known as the Kelvin timeline, in this latest exciting tie-in novel from acclaimed author David Mack, Star Trek: More Beautiful Than Death.
Buy on Amazon.com
Buy On Books-A-Million.com
Buy On Book Depository.com
Find on E-Bay
“Star Trek: The Next Generation: Available Light” Review by Unseenlibrary.com
Unseenlibrary.com has added a new review for Dayton Ward‘s “Star Trek: The Next Generation: Available Light”:
For my latest review, I dive back into the massive universe of extended books that surround the Star Trek television and movie series, with the latest novel from legendary Star Trek fiction author Dayton Ward.
Buy on Amazon.com
Buy On Books-A-Million.com
Buy On Book Depository.com
Find on E-Bay
“Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: The Seeds of Salvation #1” Review by Comicsonline.com
Comicsonline.com has added a new review for Robbie Thompson‘s “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: The Seeds of Salvation #1”:
Star Trek with a Lovecraftian horror twist wasn’t on my bingo card for 2025, but this is a fun adventure for Pike and the crew.
Buy on Amazon.com
Buy On Books-A-Million.com
Buy On Book Depository.com
Find on E-Bay
Preview of “Star Trek: The Last Starship #3”
Here’s a preview of Star Trek: The Last Starship #3 by Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing which is due to be released this Wednesday on December 17, 2025 at your local comic shop and digital retailers:
“Star Trek: The Next Generation: Pliable Truths” Review by Unseenlibrary.com
Unseenlibrary.com has added a new review for Dayton Ward‘s “Star Trek: The Next Generation: Pliable Truths”:
Leading Star Trek author Dayton Ward presents a compelling new tie-in novel that bridges the gap between two of the franchise’s most iconic shows in the outstanding and impressive Pliable Truths.
Buy on Amazon.com
Buy On Books-A-Million.com
Buy On Book Depository.com
Find on E-Bay
“Star Trek #20” Review by Themindreels.com
Themindreels.com has added a new review for Arnold Drake‘s “Star Trek #20”:
The splash page suggests that a passing comet has not only driven a planet mad, but has also affected Dr. McCoy who is locked in space combat with Scotty! Buckle up folks this one looks big!
Buy on Amazon.com
Buy On Books-A-Million.com
Buy On Book Depository.com
Find on E-Bay
“Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: Ring of Fire” Review by Shastrix.com
Shastrix.com has added a new review for David Mack‘s “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: Ring of Fire”:
The Enterprise crew return for a story set mid-season three. Captain Pike is dispatched to help a scientific research station, has to face a tragedy from his own past, and of course it turns out that things aren’t what they seem.
Buy on Amazon.com
Buy On Books-A-Million.com
Buy On Book Depository.com
Find on E-Bay
“Star Trek: The Unsettling Stars” Review by Unseenlibrary.com
Unseenlibrary.com has added a new review for Alan Dean Foster‘s “Star Trek: The Unsettling Stars”:
My continued exploration of the fun and entertaining genre that is Star Trek fiction continues, as I check out the latest tie-in novel, Star Trek: The Unsettling Stars by Alan Dean Foster, an intriguing read which serves as a tie-in to the alternate Kelvin timeline, the spinoff timeline that occurred during the 2009 Star Trek film.
Buy on Amazon.com
Buy On Books-A-Million.com
Buy On Book Depository.com
Find on E-Bay
“Star Trek: Red Shirts #5” Review by Bottalk.com
Bottalk.com has added a new review for Christopher Cantwell‘s “Star Trek: Red Shirts #5”:
This final issue stinks.
Buy on Amazon.com
Buy On Books-A-Million.com
Buy On Book Depository.com
Find on E-Bay
Out Today: “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: The Seeds of Salvation #4”
Out today: “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: The Seeds of Salvation #4“, by Robbie Thompson.
The Seed has taken hold—body, mind, and soul. Now under its control, Una and Jinare have become relentless drones, driven by vengeance. As Chapel struggles to untangle the lies binding them together, La’An, Spock, Scotty, and D6 fight to reconnect with the Enterprise…but first, they must survive the crushing abyss—and a colossal sentient squid guarding the way to the surface.
Aboard the Enterprise, Uhura intercepts a strange signal pulsing from Poilant’s surface—faint, fragmented, and impossible to trace. But Ortegas spots something else: a glowing red light spreading across the terrain, its shape disturbingly familiar. Is it…a ship? Or something far more dangerous?
Buy From Things From Another World
Buy on Amazon.com
Buy On Books-A-Million.com
“Star Trek: The Last Starship #2” Review by Comicsxf.com
Comicsxf.com has added a new review for Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing‘s “Star Trek: The Last Starship #2”:
Gentlemen, I’ve created you from top secret Section 31 research and Borg nanoprobes because the world needs you. They need you… to discuss the new ongoing Star Trek flagship series from IDW, The Last Starship.
Buy on Amazon.com
Buy On Books-A-Million.com
Buy On Book Depository.com
Find on E-Bay
David Mack on Trek.fm discussing “Ring of Fire”
(Photo © David Mack)
David Mack was recently featured on Trek.fm to discuss Ring of Fire:
In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Casey Pettitt and Jonathan Koan chat with author David Mack about his Strange New Worlds novel, Ring of Fire. They dive into the book’s ensemble of characters, high-action set pieces, Spock delivering a memorable beatdown, and Pike’s continued growth as a captain.
Check out the David Mack author page to view other sightings and a full list of books!
Buy on Amazon.com
Find on E-Bay
“Star Trek #22” Review by Themindreels.com
Themindreels.com has added a new review for Gerry Boudreau‘s “Star Trek #22”:
The opening splash page promised a mission that would see the stalwart crew of the Enterprise dealing with the most dangerous war machine ever. And it looks like a cyborg Ent.
Buy on Amazon.com
Buy On Books-A-Million.com
Buy On Book Depository.com
Find on E-Bay
DTI Comic Book Investigation for the week of December 11, 2025
Here are all the comics printed this week in years past.
“Star Trek #18” Review by Themindreels.com
Themindreels.com has added a new review for Arnold Drake‘s “Star Trek #18”:
The comic mentions that we are in the 23rd century, and that the United Federation of Planets (UFP) is documenting solar eruptions in the 83 Beta System. Consequently, the Enterprise is dispatched to render aid to the planet under threat by these solar flares, Styra.
Buy on Amazon.com
Buy On Books-A-Million.com
Buy On Book Depository.com
Find on E-Bay
“Star Trek #17” Review by Themindreels.com
Themindreels.com has added a new review for Arnold Drake‘s “Star Trek #17”:
Let’s just mention that the uniforms are almost the right colours for everyone. Kirk seems to be wearing something orange-ish, however, and a couple of background men seem to be wearing yellow uniforms.
Buy on Amazon.com
Buy On Books-A-Million.com
Buy On Book Depository.com
Find on E-Bay
“It Rhymes With Takei” Review by Comicon.com
Comicon.com has added a new review for George Takei‘s “It Rhymes With Takei”:
When George Takei released his first memoir in 1994 he wasn’t yet able to tell the world his whole truth. Now in his latest graphic novel with artist Harmony Becker and colorist José Villarrubia he’s able to share his coming out story.
Buy on Amazon.com
Buy On Books-A-Million.com
Buy On Book Depository.com
Find on E-Bay
“Star Trek: Red Shirts #5” Review by Comicon.com
Comicon.com has added a new review for Christopher Cantwell‘s “Star Trek: Red Shirts #5”:
As the red shirt body count hits double digits, the creative team delivers a great plot twist. But it’s too little too late for the finale of this limited series that asks us to root for new characters that we know aren’t going to survive for long.
Buy on Amazon.com
Buy On Books-A-Million.com
Buy On Book Depository.com
Find on E-Bay
FFRF: State Department’s new rules reflect Christian nationalist ideology
The Freedom From Religion Foundation emphatically denounces the Trump administration’s unprecedented recent directive to U.S. embassies.
According to news reports, the State Department has issued sweeping new instructions requiring U.S. embassies and consulates to label countries that promote diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies, subsidize abortion care or allow gender-affirming health care for minors as infringing on “human rights.” The “total estimated number of annual abortions” will also account for how the United States categorizes so-called human rights infringements. The guidance will place countries that allow such human rights alongside governments engaging in torture, extrajudicial killing or ethnic persecution.
The new instructions represent a dramatic break from decades of bipartisan human rights reporting that focused on torture, political imprisonment, discrimination, corruption and state violence. Instead, they mirror the administration’s domestic crusades: dismantling DEI, attacking reproductive freedom, imposing forced-birth policies, eliminating gender-affirming care and rolling back protections for LGBTQ-plus communities.
The State Department claims that the guidelines are needed to combat “new destructive ideologies.” A senior official explicitly grounded the policy in the belief that rights are granted “by God, our creator, not by governments.” This sectarian framing confirms that the administration is converting U.S. foreign policy into a vehicle for Christian nationalist doctrine.
“This is a grotesque distortion of human rights,” says FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor. “The Trump administration is trying to cloak a religiously driven political agenda in the language of human rights. Genuine human rights protections uplift women, LGBTQ-plus people, religious minorities, nonbelievers and other marginalized communities.”
References in the guidelines to “official investigations or warnings for speech” harken to the Trump administration’s opposition to internet safety laws being adopted by some European nations to deter online hate speech.
The Trump administration has also warned in a recent policy document that Europe faces “civilizational erasure,” making explicit the administration’s support for the continent’s far-right nationalist parties. Shockingly, the policy seems to promote the racist “great replacement” conspiracy theory, dreading that several nations may soon become “majority non-European.” The Guardian reports, “The thrust of the U.S. text echoes JD Vance’s brutal ideological attack on Europe at this year’s Munich Security Conference.”
Human rights cannot be redefined to suit the whims of a Christian nationalist White House. The Trump administration’s new State Department guidelines and its latest policy document undermine the credibility of the United States on the world stage and endanger democracies and vulnerable communities globally.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation calls on Congress, the diplomatic community and the American public to reject these dangerous, sectarian distortions of U.S. foreign policy. Human rights belong to everyone — not just those favored by a particular religious ideology.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is a U.S.-based nonprofit dedicated to defending the constitutional principle of separation between state and church and educating the public on matters relating to nontheism. With about 42,000 members, FFRF is the largest association of freethinkers (atheists, agnostics and humanists) in North America. For more information, visit ffrf.org.
The post FFRF: State Department’s new rules reflect Christian nationalist ideology appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
“Star Trek #21” Review by Themindreels.com
Themindreels.com has added a new review for John Warner‘s “Star Trek #21”:
Didn’t we just have a spooky story in the previous episode?
Buy on Amazon.com
Buy On Books-A-Million.com
Buy On Book Depository.com
Find on E-Bay
FFRF appalled by Utah teacher’s video blaming mental illness on ‘laziness’ and sin
Photo by Josh Chiodo on Unsplash
The Freedom From Religion Foundation has contacted Utah’s Alpine School District after learning of a video the district required students to watch that pushes religion as a cure for mental illness while also attributing depression to a lack of effort.
A concerned family member reported that on Nov. 17, Cedar Valley High School showed the entire student body a video with overtly religious messaging during class. In the video, a teacher at the school discussed God, Satan, heaven, the “sin” of laziness and stated that students who feel sad or depressed likely feel that way because they haven’t “worked hard enough.” The teacher additionally stated that “If other people don’t think you’re awesome, it’s probably because you haven’t worked hard enough.” The teacher delivered this message while standing in front of the school’s logo, and the video was posted by the school’s official AV group after it was shown in class. The Instagram video was shared by both the original account and the official Cedar Valley High School account.
One student responded to the video, stating, in part, “I’m a student at CV (Cedar Valley High School) and I feel like this was the worst possible way to address” mental health struggles. “So many people in my class, when we saw this, looked around like ‘what the heck.’”
FFRF’s complainant expressed concerns over what students at the school “had to endure” because of a video that promotes Christianity and the erroneous and disturbing myth that those suffering from mental health problems are lazy or sinful.
FFRF is now urging the district to remind all teachers of their duty to abide by the Constitution and respect students’ First Amendment rights before further proselytization occurs.
“Cedar Valley High School’s imposition of religion and religious messaging on students during the school day and on official social media violated parents’ constitutional right to direct their children’s religious or nonreligious upbringing,” FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence writes.
It is unconstitutional for a public high school to film a video of a teacher preaching his personal religious beliefs and then require students to watch it and post and promote it on official school social media. Public schools may not show favoritism toward or coerce belief in religion. Here, Cedar Valley High School and the teacher displayed blatant favoritism towards religion over nonreligion, and Christianity over all other faiths. The teacher’s direct references to God, Satan and “sin” cannot reasonably be interpreted in any way other than a promotion of his own personal religion. Showing this video to students during class and posting the video to the school’s social media violated students’ First Amendment right to be free from religious indoctrination and coercion in their public schools.
Additionally, the school’s actions needlessly marginalized all students who do not subscribe to Christianity. A full 38 percent of the American population is non-Christian, including the almost 30 percent that is nonreligious. More than half of Generation Z (those born after 1996) is non-Christian, including 43 percent who are nonreligious. Further, Cedar Valley High School belittled and shamed everyone, including Christians, suffering from or affected by mental illness. It is deeply concerning that a public high school would promote a message that is not only overtly religious, but also plainly ignorant and insensitive.
FFRF is insisting that the district investigate the situation, and ensure that Cedar Valley High School promptly removes the video from the school’s social media. The district must additionally refrain from creating or showing students videos promoting religion going forward.
“The district needs to immediately take action to officially apologize for showing this offensive video to students,” FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor says. “It should have reined in this teacher, instead of endorsing and distributing the teacher’s ignorant and proselytizing message.”
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is a national nonprofit organization with about 42,000 members nationwide, including hundreds of members in Utah. 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.
The post FFRF appalled by Utah teacher’s video blaming mental illness on ‘laziness’ and sin appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
FFRF: New religious charter school attempts threaten public education nationwide
The Freedom From Religion Foundation vows to remain vigilant in the face of coordinated attempts in three states to establish the nation’s first religious charter school.
After the failed effort to launch the St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School in Oklahoma, religious activists are now pursuing new schemes in Oklahoma, Colorado and Tennessee to force taxpayers to subsidize religious indoctrination. FFRF, which closely monitored the St. Isidore scheme and, with a coalition of civil rights groups, filed a lawsuit opposing it, is on top of these latest developments that threaten the future of public education.
“This is a coordinated national campaign to turn public charter schools into publicly funded religious institutions, which under our First Amendment should be an oxymoron,” says FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor. “Religious groups are trying every possible workaround to make taxpayers pay for their theology. FFRF will not let these unconstitutional plans proceed unchallenged.”
Oklahoma: A new religious charter attempt emerges
Less than a year after the Oklahoma Supreme Court declared unconstitutional the St. Isidore proposal, a ruling left intact after the U.S. Supreme Court this year deadlocked 4–4, another religious group is attempting to fill the void.
The National Ben Gamla Jewish Charter School Foundation has announced plans to apply for charter authorization with the Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board, which had approved the Catholic charter school. Although the formal application is not yet submitted, public statements make the intent clear: The proposed school would integrate Jewish religious instruction with state-approved academic standards. The tenets include “Jewish religious learning and ethical development” alongside “deep Jewish knowledge, faith, and values.”
“This is not a secular charter school that is open to all students,” says FFRF Legal Director Patrick Elliott. “It is an expressly religious school seeking taxpayer support, which is the exact scenario Oklahoma’s highest court has already rejected.”
In a telling twist, Brett Farley, one of the Jewish school’s proponents, previously sat on the board of St. Isidore Catholic, exposing the ideological, not theological, motivation to secure public funding for religious indoctrination by any means necessary.
“The forces behind this effort don’t care whether the school is Catholic, Jewish, evangelical or otherwise religious,” explains Gaylor. “The goal is not pluralism — it’s clearly to crack open the door to taxpayer-funded religious education nationwide.”
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, who successfully sued to stop the Catholic charter school, has already announced that his office will oppose the effort.
Colorado: A covert push to create a ‘public Christian school’
Meanwhile in Colorado, a different, but equally troubling strategy is unfolding. A small Christian school, Riverstone Academy, near Pueblo, has quietly attempted to position itself as a public school by partnering with a Board of Cooperative Educational Service. It describes its curriculum as having a “Christian foundation.”
The arrangement came to light after the head of the Board of Cooperative Educational Service publicly referred to Riverstone as “Colorado’s first public Christian school.” A subsequent investigation by the Chalkbeat Colorado news organization uncovered emails revealing that approval was not an oversight, but was a deliberate test case orchestrated with the legal assistance of Alliance Defending Freedom, an aggressive Christian nationalist litigation outfit. According to reporting from Ann Schmike of Chalkbeat Colorado, the lawyer behind the scheme sought to build a “parallel case” to the St. Isidore litigation specifically to force a federal legal battle over publicly funded religious schools.
Tennessee: Religious charter school lawsuit escalates the campaign
Tennessee has become the latest battleground in this national push.
Wilberforce Academy of Knoxville, which openly describes itself as “unapologetically Christian,” has sued the Knox County Board of Education because Tennessee law correctly prohibits religious schools from participating in its charter school program. Wilberforce argues that this restriction violates the First Amendment’s Free Exercise Clause, since it excludes religious schools by definition.
The school’s filings underscore the explicitly sectarian nature of the proposed charter: Its educational program centers on “biblical foundations,” colonial-era religious teachings, Tennessee-focused civics infused with Christian instruction and an entrepreneurship curriculum grounded in faith-based values.
“This lawsuit is not about equal treatment. It’s about demanding taxpayer money to operate a religious school,” says Elliott. “Tennessee has every right, and indeed a constitutional duty, to keep its public charter system secular.”
With application deadlines for the next school year approaching, Wilberforce is asking a federal court to suspend Tennessee’s ban and order the state to consider its charter school application.
FFRF emphasizes that these are not isolated attacks, but part of a coordinated national plan to label a religious school a public charter school, and get a case before the U.S. Supreme Court again to overturn decades of precedent against such outright subsidy. (The only reason the St. Isidore scheme wasn’t approved by the high court is because Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who had worked with the Notre Dame law clinic behind the St. Isidore scheme, recused herself.)
FFRF is actively monitoring developments in all three states and working with our allies to ensure no public funding flows to religious charter schools.
“Charter schools are public schools. They must be secular, nondiscriminatory and open to all,” emphasizes Elliott. “The First Amendment does not allow any state to take over religious instruction or turn public education into a vehicle for sectarian indoctrination.”
Should religious charter schools be allowed to take root, FFRF warns, the result would be catastrophic for public education. Every religious institution, from megachurches to extremist sects, will have an open invitation to turn public education into a religious ministry.
“This is about the survival of the wall between church and state in our public schools,” Gaylor adds. “And FFRF will always be on the front lines defending it.”
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is a U.S.-based nonprofit dedicated to defending the constitutional principle of separation between state and church and educating the public on matters relating to nontheism. With over 41,000 members, including more than 1,000 members in Colorado and hundreds of members in Oklahoma and Tennessee, FFRF is the largest association of freethinkers (atheists, agnostics and humanists) in North America. For more information, visit ffrf.org.
The post FFRF: New religious charter school attempts threaten public education nationwide appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
A “Demonic” Drag Show May Signal a New Religious Liberty Front
The Wild Hunt
By Manny Moreno
The post A “Demonic” Drag Show May Signal a New Religious Liberty Front appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
Prayer service hosted by Labor Dept. raises so-called ‘constitutional concerns’
American Family News
By Chris Woodward
The post Prayer service hosted by Labor Dept. raises so-called ‘constitutional concerns’ appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
An atheist group has a problem with the Department of Labor
Salem Radio Network News
By Staff
The post An atheist group has a problem with the Department of Labor appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough draws Republican primary challenge from Justice Wayne Mack
Houston Public Media (Houston, TX)
By Kyle McClenagan
The post Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough draws Republican primary challenge from Justice Wayne Mack appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
Organization: Elective Bible course will not be approved for Mingo schools
The Mingo Messenger (Williamson, WV)
By Staff
The post Organization: Elective Bible course will not be approved for Mingo schools appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
W.Va. BOE confirms no elective Bible classes for Mingo County Schools
WCHS Fox 11 ABC 8 Eyewitness News (Charleston, WV)
By Staff
The post W.Va. BOE confirms no elective Bible classes for Mingo County Schools appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
Happy 2025 Birthday to Greg Cox!
(Photograph courtesy of the author)
Happy birthday to Greg Cox!
Greg Cox is an American writer of science fiction, including works that are media tie-ins. He lives in Oxford, Pennsylvania.
He has written numerous Star Trek novels, including The Eugenics Wars (Volume One and Two), The Q Continuum, Assignment: Eternity, and The Black Shore. His short fiction can be found in such anthologies as Star Trek: Tales of the Dominion War, Star Trek: The Amazing Stories and Star Trek: Enterprise logs. His first “Khan” novel, The Eugenics Wars: Volume One, was voted best sci-fi book of the year by the readers of Dreamwatch magazine. Cox can be found in a bonus feature on the “Director’s Edition” DVD of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.
Check out the Greg Cox credit page to view more updates and a full list of credits!
Find Greg Cox’s work on Amazon.com
DTI Treklit Investigation for the week of December 9, 2025
Here’s a look at the books printed this week in the past.
2026 Law School Student Essay Contest
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is excited to announce the 2026 First Amendment Scholars Diane and Stephen Uhl Memorial Essay Competition for Law School Students, with a top prize of $4,000!
Law school students are being asked to respond to the 2025 Supreme Court decision of Mahmoud v. Taylor, in which the court sided with religious parents who objected on religious grounds to public school instruction that included books with LGBTQ-plus themes or characters. Students are also asked to analyze how the principle of “parental rights” has changed from the previous decision, Wisconsin v. Yoder, and to discuss how the court could or should balance competing interests between the expanded understanding of parental rights in the context of the First Amendment in future cases.
FFRF will award cash prizes to the top three essayists ($4,000, $3,000, $2,000) and optional honorable mentions ($500). All eligible entrants will also receive a one-year complimentary student membership to FFRF, which includes a digital version of 10 issues of its newspaper Freethought Today.
Essays will be blinded to avoid unintentional bias. A selection of FFRF attorneys will be on the review panel.
The contest is open to all current law students attending a North American law school. Students will remain eligible to enter even if they are to graduate from law school by the spring or summer of 2026. They are not eligible to enter if they will just be starting law school for the first time in the fall of 2026. They may not re-enter if FFRF has already awarded them for a law student essay.
Any entries must be the original work of the entrant and not the result of AI (ChatGPT or other large language models), plagiarism or ghostwriting.
Essay must be no longer than 1,500 words (not including footnotes), double-spaced, with standard margins and with font size of 11 to 14 point. Include page numbers and the title of your essay on each page. Choose your own title. Indicate word length at the end of the essay. Apply here.
The deadline for entry is Jan. 30, 2026. For complete rules and eligibility requirements, or to enter the contest, click here.
“Young Gen Z attorneys will pave the way,” says FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor. “With a rogue court going unchecked, the future of law needs students willing to stand up for true religious liberty and the separation of state and church.”
The Freedom From Religion Foundation strongly encourages law students to enter the contest. The state/church association offers five other essay contests for other grade levels, which will be announced in March. FFRF has bestowed more than $130,000 in 2025 to winning student essayists and student activists.
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 about 42,000 members, FFRF is the largest association of freethinkers (atheists, agnostics and humanists) in North America. For more information, visit ffrf.org.
The post 2026 Law School Student Essay Contest appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
W.Va. state officials confirm no bible class in Mingo County following FFRF warning
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is pleased to announce that West Virginia education officials have confirmed there are no plans to adopt an elective bible class at Tug Valley High School or anywhere else in Mingo County Schools — following an FFRF request that the unconstitutional proposal be rejected.
During the Mingo County Board of Education’s Nov. 18 meeting, a Tug Valley High School social studies teacher presented a petition seeking approval to launch an elective bible course, reportedly collecting signatures by going door to door. FFRF sent a letter to State Superintendent of Schools Michelle Blatt explaining why such a course would violate the Establishment Clause and expose the district to significant legal liability. The State Board of Education took control of Mingo County Schools in March, so any decision to add a bible class would need approval by Blatt.
In response, the legal counsel for the West Virginia Department of Education notified FFRF via email that “there are no plans to have an elective Bible class in Mingo County Schools.” The reply further clarified that the Mingo County Board of Education currently “has no authority” to act on the teacher’s proposal, and that both the state superintendent and the state-appointed Mingo County Superintendent “have no intent to pursue the matter.”
“Public school bible courses are constitutional minefields,” says FFRF Legal Counsel Chris Line. “The Supreme Court has permitted only narrow, objective courses that treat the bible as literature — not devotionally — and most districts that try to run such a class end up violating those rules in practice. We’re glad to see West Virginia officials recognize the risks and decline to move forward.”
The Supreme Court has ruled that devotional bible instruction in public schools is unconstitutional (McCollum v. Board of Education, 1948). Federal courts nationwide have reinforced this rule — including in a decision in an FFRF case taken against Rhea County, Tenn. The court wrote: “This is not a close case. Since 1948, it has been very clear that the First Amendment does not permit the state to use its public school system to ‘aid any or all religious faiths or sects in the dissemination of their doctrines.’”
FFRF’s letter explained that even an “elective” bible class raises constitutional problems. Courts have repeatedly held that voluntariness does not excuse state-sponsored religious promotion. Students are a captive audience, and opting out does not eliminate coercion or stigma, especially in religiously homogeneous communities like Mingo County.
The letter highlighted the costly precedent from Mercer County, W.Va., where FFRF successfully sued over “Bible in the Schools” classes, resulting in the district paying $225,000 in attorneys’ fees.
The district’s confirmation is significant given demographic realities: More than a third of adult West Virginians are religiously unaffiliated, and nearly half of Generation Z nationwide is nonreligious.
“The district’s duty is to provide an inclusive, secular education,” FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor emphasizes. “We’re grateful that state officials recognize that adopting a bible class would privilege Christianity and violate the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause.”
FFRF appreciates the swift clarification from state and county leadership and urges continued vigilance to ensure Mingo County Schools remain welcoming, neutral spaces for students of all faiths — and none.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is a national nonprofit organization with about 42,000 members nationwide, including more than 100 members in West Virginia. 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.
The post W.Va. state officials confirm no bible class in Mingo County following FFRF warning appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
“Star Trek: Voyager: Homecoming #3” Review by Getyourcomicon.co.uk
Getyourcomicon.co.uk has added a new review for Susan Bridges and Tilly Bridges‘s “Star Trek: Voyager: Homecoming #3”:
We’re returning to Fluidic Space today to catch up with the crew of the U.S.S. Voyager as their predicament takes yet another dramatic turn. Susan & Tilly Bridges’ dynamic tale of Captain Janeway and co. so close to home and yet cut off from everyone they love is kicking in to high gear as we cross the half way point with issue #3, in comic book stores today.
Buy on Amazon.com
Buy On Books-A-Million.com
Buy On Book Depository.com
Find on E-Bay
“Star Trek: The Original Series: Agents of Influence” Review by Unseenlibrary.com
Unseenlibrary.com has added a new review for D.C. Fontana and Dayton Ward and Doug Drexler and Ed Schlesinger and John Van Citters and Kevin Dilmore and Margaret Clark‘s “Star Trek: The Original Series: Agents of Influence”:
One of the leading figures in the Star Trek expanded universe, Dayton Ward, returns with another exciting and compelling novel about the Enterprise, Star Trek: Agents of Influence.
Buy on Amazon.com
Buy On Books-A-Million.com
Buy On Book Depository.com
Find on E-Bay
“Star Trek #19” Review by Themindreels.com
Themindreels.com has added a new review for Arnold Drake‘s “Star Trek #19”:
The story’s opening splash page seems to suggest we’re in for a ghost story. How will that play out? Trek has dealt with these things before, but how did they deal with it back in the 70s?
Buy on Amazon.com
Buy On Books-A-Million.com
Buy On Book Depository.com
Find on E-Bay
Preview of “Star Trek: Lower Decks #14”
Here’s a preview of Star Trek: Lower Decks #14 by Tim Sheridan which is due to be released this Wednesday on December 10, 2025 at your local comic shop and digital retailers:
Preview of “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: The Seeds of Salvation #4”
Here’s a preview of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: The Seeds of Salvation #4 by Robbie Thompson which is due to be released this Wednesday on December 10, 2025 at your local comic shop and digital retailers:
Aboard the Enterprise, Uhura intercepts a strange signal pulsing from Poilant’s surface—faint, fragmented, and impossible to trace. But Ortegas spots something else: a glowing red light spreading across the terrain, its shape disturbingly familiar. Is it…a ship? Or something far more dangerous?
Higher ed timeline: Oklahoma TA on leave after grading controversy
University of Pittsburgh University Times
By Susan Jones
The post Higher ed timeline: Oklahoma TA on leave after grading controversy appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
OU Criticized for Suspending Trans TA After Student Claims Christian Persecution
truthout
by Chris Walker
The post OU Criticized for Suspending Trans TA After Student Claims Christian Persecution appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
OU controversy over student receiving zero grade for citing bible verses for sources intensifies
WLOS News 13 (Asheville, NC)
By Rob Hagan
The post OU controversy over student receiving zero grade for citing bible verses for sources intensifies appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
Leftist Administration Bans Jesus From Bossier Schools
Southern Heritage News
By Staff
The post Leftist Administration Bans Jesus From Bossier Schools appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
What to know about Steve Riggle, one of Houston’s most prominent pastors
Houston Chronicle (Houston, TX)
By Haajrah Gilani
The post What to know about Steve Riggle, one of Houston’s most prominent pastors appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
The Oh-So-Tolerant and Enlightened “Brights”
National Association of Scholars
By Staff
The post The Oh-So-Tolerant and Enlightened “Brights” appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
A bill to boost religious freedom in public schools worries some
The Daytona Beach News-Journal (Daytona Beach, FL)
By Mark Harper
The post A bill to boost religious freedom in public schools worries some appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
“Star Trek: Red Shirts #4” Review by Comicon.com
Comicon.com has added a new review for Christopher Cantwell‘s “Star Trek: Red Shirts #4”:
One of the reasons Star Trek has endured for over half a century is the characters and our emotional investment in them. What will Spock and Dr. McCoy argue about this week? What rousing speech will Captain Picard give the crew of the Enterprise-D? How high will Christopher Pike’s hair get?
Buy on Amazon.com
Buy On Books-A-Million.com
Buy On Book Depository.com
Find on E-Bay
Humble Comics Bundle: Star Trek Comics Megabundle
Pay what you want for >> and support a charity of your choice!
Organization urges OU to reinstate suspended instructor amid essay controversy
KATV ABC 7 (Little Rock, AR)
By Grant Palmer
The post Organization urges OU to reinstate suspended instructor amid essay controversy appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
Opinion: How much does it cost to buy a Minnesota school board election?
Sahan Journal (St Paul, MN)
By Kyle Steinberg
The post Opinion: How much does it cost to buy a Minnesota school board election? appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
Freedom From Religion Foundation demands OU graduate teaching assistant reinstatement
Fox 25 (Oklahoma City, OK)
By Alexandra Sharfman
The post Freedom From Religion Foundation demands OU graduate teaching assistant reinstatement appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
OU grad students seek apology, protection for instructor in essay debate
The Oklahoman (Oklahoma City, OK)
By Alexia Aston
The post OU grad students seek apology, protection for instructor in essay debate appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
University of Oklahoma protest planned over graduate assistant’s leave
KOCO News 5 (Oklahoma City, OK)
By Jessica Schamback and Abigail Ogle
The post University of Oklahoma protest planned over graduate assistant’s leave appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
FFRF asks Labor Dept. to cancel upcoming ‘Secretary’s Prayer Service’
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is raising constitutional concerns after the Department of Labor’s invitation to all employees to attend an official “Secretary’s Prayer Service” scheduled for Dec. 10.
In a letter sent to Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, FFRF has warned that hosting a government-sponsored prayer event crosses clear constitutional lines and improperly mixes official authority with personal religious promotion.
“While Secretary Chavez-DeRemer is free to pray and attend religious services in her personal capacity, she cannot use the machinery of the federal government to organize or promote sectarian religious events,” says FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor. “Government employees have a right to a secular workplace. No one should feel pressured to participate in religious activity — or feel like an outsider for opting out.”
FFRF notes that the email invitation, reportedly sent to the entire Department of Labor workforce, raises immediate concerns about government preference for religion and implicit pressure on employees. Hosting an official “Secretary’s Prayer Service” in a federal building, under the title and authority of the agency’s leadership, violates longstanding Supreme Court precedent mandating government neutrality toward religion.
The Supreme Court historically has emphasized that “no official, high or petty, can prescribe what shall be orthodox in politics, nationalism, religion, or other matters of opinion.” FFRF in its letter highlights subsequent rulings making clear that government-organized prayer is unconstitutional because of its inherently coercive nature.
FFRF points out that federally organized religious events send a message that some employees are insiders and favored, while others — nonreligious employees and those of minority faiths — are outsiders. Nearly one-third of U.S. adults today are religiously unaffiliated.
FFRF is requesting clarification from Chavez-DeRemer’s office, including whether the meetings are mandatory or optional, what government resources are being used, and who is organizing and attending. FFRF has filed a formal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request seeking all documentation, communications and legal reviews related to these meetings.
FFRF is urging the Department of Labor to immediately clarify whether government resources are being used to support this event and to reaffirm its commitment to protecting the religious liberty rights of all employees — which includes the right to be free from religious coercion in the workplace.
“The Department of Labor has a responsibility to the Constitution and to every employee, regardless of belief,” Gaylor adds. “Federal agencies must remain secular. Our government cannot host prayer meetings.”
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 about 42,000 members, FFRF is the largest association of freethinkers (atheists, agnostics and humanists) in North America. For more information, visit ffrf.org.
The post FFRF asks Labor Dept. to cancel upcoming ‘Secretary’s Prayer Service’ appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
Freethought Radio – December 4, 2025
Pamela Nickel Williams, author of the memoir Clearly Lies Are True, tells us what it was like growing up in Scientology, and how she escaped that abusive cult.
The post Freethought Radio – December 4, 2025 appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
Students and faculty speak out at Ten Commandments teach-in
The Arkansas Traveler (Fayetteville, AR)
By Miceala Morano
The post Students and faculty speak out at Ten Commandments teach-in appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
Richardson ISD named in lawsuit over display of Ten Commandments
Lake Highland Advocate (Dallas, TX)
By Austin Wood
The post Richardson ISD named in lawsuit over display of Ten Commandments appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
As appeals court is poised to consider Texas’ Ten Commandments law, other legal challenges mount
Houston Public Media (Houston, TX)
By Jaden Edison, Eleanor Klibanoff, Alejandro Serrano
The post As appeals court is poised to consider Texas’ Ten Commandments law, other legal challenges mount appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
More Houston-Area School Districts Named in Ten Commandments Lawsuit
Houston Press (Houston, TX)
By April Towery
The post More Houston-Area School Districts Named in Ten Commandments Lawsuit appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
FFRF calls for reinstatement of OU TA in phony religious discrimination charge
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is calling on the University of Oklahoma at Norman to immediately reinstate a graduate teaching assistant placed on administrative leave after being falsely accused of religious discrimination.
FFRF, a national state/church watchdog, has sent a formal letter to University President Joseph Harroz expressing deep concern over the institution’s response to a baseless allegation of religious discrimination made by a junior, who received a failing grade for turning in what amounted to a religious sermon instead of the required academic reflection paper.
The TA had correctly awarded the student zero points for the psychology assignment, in which the student described transgender people as “demonic” and asserted that gender roles are “biblically ordained.”
“The student was not persecuted for her faith. She was penalized for not properly completing the assignment,” says FFRF Legal Counsel Chris Line. “Academic standards aren’t anti-Christian.”
The assignment required students to discuss “how people are perceived based on societal expectations of gender” after reading an article about the topic. Instead, Samantha Fulnecky wrote an essay based purely on her own personal religious beliefs.
Fulnecky’s essay devolves into a full-on Christian sermon: “Overall, reading articles such as this one encourage me to one day raise my children knowing that they have a Heavenly Father who loves them and cherishes them deeply and that having their identity firmly rooted in who He is will give them the satisfaction and acceptance that the world can never provide for them. My prayer for the world and specifically for American society and youth is that they would not believe the lies being spread from Satan that make them believe they are better off as another gender than what God made them. I pray that they feel God’s love and acceptance as who He originally created them to be.”
The assignment required students to demonstrate that they had read the article, grappled with its content and offered a critical response grounded in empirical reasoning — the basic expectations of any university-level psychology course. Both the graduate instructor and the course’s supervising professor independently explained that the paper did not meet basic standards of clear academic writing. Despite this, the university placed the TA on leave after Fulnecky claimed she was graded unfairly because of her religious beliefs — an accusation directly contradicted by the written feedback she received from the instructor.
As FFRF’s letter explains, the University of Oklahoma, as a public institution, may not privilege religious viewpoints. The First Amendment protects a student’s right to hold personal beliefs, but it does not exempt students from academic expectations or entitle them to replace scholarly analysis with sectarian declarations.
“This response from the university sends a chilling message: that academic standards may be suspended when a student invokes personal religious belief, and that instructors may face punishment for applying those standards even-handedly when it results in a bad grade for a religious person,” the letter states. Such a precedent would mean any student could claim discrimination whenever they receive a low grade for failing to follow instructions, so long as they mention religion. This result would undermine the very purpose of higher education.
The instructor in question, graduate teaching assistant Mel Curth, has already faced online harassment and attacks from political activists. FFRF warns that the university’s decision to remove the TA from the classroom not only harms their professional standing but also emboldens those seeking to weaponize false religious discrimination claims to undermine educators.
FFRF urges the University of Oklahoma to reinstate the graduate instructor without delay, acknowledging that the instructor acted appropriately and professionally, affirm publicly that academic standards will not be overridden by religious or political pressure and clarify to students, faculty and the public that religious belief does not exempt anyone from meeting course requirements. “Classrooms must remain places of genuine learning, not arenas for political gamesmanship or religious privilege,” Line concludes the letter.
The escalation surrounding this incident has been amplified by the student’s mother, Kristi Fulnecky, who has framed her daughter’s failing grade as part of a religious struggle. In media interviews, she has said that she is “confident God is using Samantha for a purpose,” adding that “God’s protecting us” and that her daughter was “meant to stand for” this moment. Kristi Fulnecky was elected to the Springfield City Council in 2015, where she unsuccessfully pushed to display the motto “In God We Trust” in the council chambers. As an attorney, she has represented clients charged in the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection and has described her legal work as grounded in her Christian convictions.
FFRF will continue to monitor this situation and stands ready to support faculty and students facing inappropriate religious pressure or unconstitutional favoritism at public institutions.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is a national nonprofit organization with over 41,000 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.
The post FFRF calls for reinstatement of OU TA in phony religious discrimination charge appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
Christopher Cantwell on Flickeringmyth.com discussing “Star Trek: Red Shirts”
(no image available)
Christopher Cantwell was recently featured on Flickeringmyth.com to discuss Star Trek: Red Shirts:
Villordsutch chats with Christopher Cantwell and Megan Levens, the creative team behind Star Trek: Red Shirts…
Check out the Christopher Cantwell author page to view other sightings and a full list of books!
Buy on Amazon.com
Find on E-Bay
DTI Comic Book Investigation for the week of December 4, 2025
Here are all the comics printed this week in years past.
Winter Solstice Bill of Rights ‘nativity’ display returns for 8th year to New Hampshire Capitol
The newly formed New Hampshire Chapter of the Freedom From Religion Foundation has returned a display honoring the Winter Solstice and the Bill of Rights for the eighth year in a row to the state Capitol grounds.
The whimsical 6-foot-tall display is set up outside the Capitol building in Concord. The irreverent depicts Founders Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and George Washington kneeling adoringly before a “baby” Bill of Rights in a manger.
The tongue-in-cheek nativity reads:
At this Season of the Winter Solstice
Join us in honoring the Bill of Rights, adopted on December 15, 1791, which reminds us there can be no religious freedom without the freedom to dissent.
Keep religion and government separate!
“All Americans can revere our Bill of Rights and feel united by its pluralistic and secular principles,” comments FFRF Co-President Dan Barker. “This sign also acknowledges the Winter Solstice, celebrated for millennia in the Northern hemisphere with gift-giving, feasts, gift exchange and festivals of light long before Christians crashed the party.”
Barker points out that the religiously unaffiliated, including 19 percent who are atheist or agnostic, make up 48 percent of New Hampshire adults, outnumbering Christians at 45 percent.
The display went up on November 30 and will remain up through December. FFRF thanks the New Hampshire chapter, including Chapter President Ed Killam and other chapter members (pictured above).
FFRF is a national nonprofit organization with more than 41,000 members across the country, including hundreds of members in New Hampshire. 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.
The post Winter Solstice Bill of Rights ‘nativity’ display returns for 8th year to New Hampshire Capitol appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
FFRF stops religious field trips in Arkansas school district
The Freedom From Religion Foundation reminded the Ouachita River School District in Mena, Ark., that school field trips cannot be used to indoctrinate students.
A district parent reported that the Acorn High School Music Department took students on a field trip to Eureka Springs on Oct. 3–5. The field trip included the students singing at a chapel, a two-hour Holy Land tour, and participation in shows with religious content, such as a “Passion Play.” The parent stated that they kept their child home from the field trip because of the blatant school-sponsored religious indoctrination that was going to occur on the trip.
FFRF wrote to the district to ensure that it will stop sending students on religious field trips. Additionally, the state/church watchdog, on behalf of the local complainant, addressed a school-sponsored Christmas concert relying primarily on sectarian songs.
“Students have the First Amendment right to be free from religious indoctrination in their public schools, including when attending school-sponsored field trips and events,” FFRF Staff Attorney Sammi Lawrence wrote.
By organizing, facilitating and taking public school students on a school-sponsored field trip to perform in houses of worship and participate in a “Passion Play,” the Acorn High School Music Department, and thus the district, violated students’ First Amendment rights. Further, the field trip, along with the Christmas concert’s clear Christian lean, signals government favoritism toward religion over nonreligion and Christianity over all other faiths. Even if attendance on the field trip was voluntary, FFRF noted, voluntariness is not a safeguard against violating students’ rights. By hosting this religious field trip, the district further marginalizes and proselytizes a significant number of students in the district who may belong to the nearly half of Gen Z who are nonreligious.
FFRF’s advocacy paid off, as the district acknowledged it will correct the state/church problems.
A school district legal representative confirmed that the district investigated the situation. “As a result, the district administration is clarifying for the music staff that any school music class, and/or music program, should not be taking any field trip that could be perceived to be a religious field trip,” the attorney wrote.
FFRF is pleased with the response and the district’s understanding that student rights to a public education free from religious coercion are not revoked during field trips.
“A field trip should be an educational experience for students to learn in a new environment — not a proselytizing event,” FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor wrote. “Religious instruction must be left to parents. Our public schools exist to educate, not to indoctrinate.”
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is a national nonprofit organization with over 42,000 members and several chapters across the country, including more than 200 members in Arkansas. Its purposes are to protect the constitutional principle of separation between state and church, and to educate the public on matters relating to nontheism.
The post FFRF stops religious field trips in Arkansas school district appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
FFRF opposes proposed Wis. resolution to declare Dec. 25 ‘the birth of Our Lord’
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is strongly opposing an unconstitutional Wisconsin resolution that would formally recognize Dec. 25 as “the celebration of the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ,” a move that would elevate Christian doctrine as the official position of the state.
The proposed resolution (LRB-5522/2 and LRB-5630/1) goes far beyond acknowledging a federal holiday. It retells the biblical nativity narrative and refers to Jesus as “our Lord,” “our Savior” and the “Son of God.” It refers to “His gift of salvation and love,” and states that “it is incumbent upon the legislature” to honor Dec. 25 as a religious observance. It concludes by directing the Wisconsin state Legislature to officially recognize Dec. 25 as a day to honor the birth of Jesus Christ.
“The government must remain neutral on religious belief,” says Annie Laurie Gaylor, FFRF co-president. “These resolutions ask the Legislature to adopt Christian theology as its own. Public officials are free to hold personal beliefs, but they cannot use state authority to promote religious doctrine. That protects everyone, including more than one-third of Wisconsinites who are religiously unaffiliated and four percent who belong to other faiths. The Wisconsin state Legislature has no authority to declare Jesus the ‘Lord’ over Wisconsin.”
The U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly held that the First Amendment mandates government neutrality between religions, and between religion and nonreligion. By adopting a resolution that declares Jesus as “our Lord,” the legislature very obviously would be violating this core constitutional principle and marginalizing residents whose beliefs differ. It would also violate the Wisconsin state Constitution, which states that there should be no preference by law to any religious establishment or mode of worship.
December is a month of rich cultural and spiritual traditions, including Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, the Winter Solstice, HumanLight, and other celebrations that honor family, community, reflection, generosity and the changing of the seasons. Many Wisconsinites celebrate in secular ways, and others choose not to observe any holiday at all. A state resolution promoting a single theological viewpoint ignores this diversity and sends a message that only some residents belong.
FFRF points out that the Winter Solstice — the natural turning point of the year known as “the first day of winter” — is the real reason for the season. It signals the rebirth of the sun and the natural new year. For millennia, our ancestors in the Northern Hemisphere have greeted this seasonal event with festivals of light, gift exchanges and feasts.
FFRF is urging Wisconsin lawmakers to reject the resolution and uphold Wisconsin’s longstanding commitment to the constitutional separation of state and church.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is a national nonprofit organization with over 42,000 members nationwide, including 1,800 members in Wisconsin. 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.
The post FFRF opposes proposed Wis. resolution to declare Dec. 25 ‘the birth of Our Lord’ appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
Out Today: “Star Trek: Red Shirts #5”
Out today: “Star Trek: Red Shirts #5“, by Christopher Cantwell.
Only two red shirts remain. The other ten crewmembers on Mission Squawkbox have plummeted hundreds of feet to the ground, been eaten alive by giant alien insects, or been exploded into a million tiny bits by falling torpedoes. Each death has dealt a blow to Ensigns Raad’s and Miller’s morale… Is Starfleet really the paragon of cooperation it claims to be? Or is it willing to expend its members’ lives for the sake of peace? With both Klingons and Romulans breathing down their necks, Raad’s and Miller’s loyalty will be tested. Are they for Starfleet? Or themselves?
Buy From Things From Another World
Buy on Amazon.com
Buy On Books-A-Million.com
Out Today: “Star Trek: The Original Series: Identity Theft”
Out today: “Star Trek: The Original Series: Identity Theft“, by Greg Cox.
This all-new Star Trek novel celebrates the 60th anniversary of Star Trek: The Original Series—continuing the legacy of Captain James T. Kirk and the crew of the USS Enterprise.
2269: The prospect of peace had seemed unattainable until the assistance of the Federation. Finally, countless ancient enemies have stopped their conflicts simply by listening to one another. On the planet Voyzr, Captain James T. Kirk and his crew aided the planet to realize peace.
2289: Invited to celebrate twenty years of peace, the crew of the USS Enterprise-A is returning to Voyzr as honored guests. Security Chief Pavel Chekov remembers his visit to the planet as a green ensign. He has always believed the negotiations were too easy, and he wondered if there are people on the planet who still long for war—and have been waiting for just the right moment to upend the peace. Unfortunately, Chekov discovers he is right when he finds himself in the middle of a dangerous ploy.
Buy on Amazon.com
Buy On Books-A-Million.com
FFRF condemns Florida attorney general’s baseless claims of anti-Christian discrimination
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is strongly criticizing Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier for a series of misleading and unconstitutional actions in which he falsely accused private and public institutions of “anti-Christian discrimination.” His recent threats against Microsoft, the American Bar Association and the city of Pensacola represent a troubling misuse of government power and a fundamental misunderstanding of the First Amendment.
In the span of one week, Uthmeier issued three separate letters accusing these entities of anti-Christian bias. Each claim collapses under basic constitutional scrutiny.
“Florida is not a Christian state and the United States is not a Christian nation. We are all free to believe as we choose, but no one may use public office to enforce religious dogma or punish perceived ideological opponents,” FFRF attorney Chris Line told a reporter for USA Today. “These actions are completely inappropriate. They show the attorney general is willing to use government authority to advance a narrow form of Christianity.”
Uthmeier’s first letter attacked Microsoft for declining to offer nonprofit discounts to so-called “crisis pregnancy centers,” many of which exist solely to promote a religious agenda under the guise of health services. As a private company, Microsoft is free to set its own discount criteria. Government officials cannot force corporations to subsidize religious groups or grant special treatment for particular faiths.
Next, Uthmeier accused the American Bar Association of discrimination for enforcing its longstanding accreditation and equal opportunity standards. Uthmeier contends that by deeming St. Thomas University College of Law noncompliant with its standards, it is showing “animus toward religiously affiliated schools.” Yet the ABA currently approves dozens of religiously affiliated law schools. The ABA’s responsibility is to ensure law schools meet professional and ethical requirements, not to bend accreditation rules to suit the preferences of state politicians.
Finally, Uthmeier threatened the city of Pensacola for allowing a drag performance in a city-owned theater near Christmas. He claimed permitting the show “may amount to religious discrimination” because some performers joke about Christian themes. This position is legally indefensible. The First Amendment protects artistic expression, satire and performances that some individuals may find offensive. A city cannot censor speech simply because it touches on religion or conflicts with an official’s personal beliefs.
These threats echo a broader national push by the Trump administration and allied Christian nationalist groups to frame Christians as a persecuted minority despite holding overwhelming cultural and political power. Christians make up 62 percent of the population, but nearly 90 percent of Congress and are disproportionately represented at every level of government. Claims that Christians are the primary victims of discrimination distort the reality of religious liberty in America.
“Religious freedom requires government neutrality about religion, which protects everyone’s rights,” says FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor. “The attorney general’s actions turn that principle on its head. This is a shocking attempt to weaponize governmental power to privilege one religion over all others and over non-religion. His actions must be condemned by everyone who supports the First Amendment and true religious freedom.”
FFRF warns that these escalating efforts to label ordinary regulations and protected speech as “anti-Christian discrimination” are part of a deliberate attempt to dismantle the constitutional principle of separation between state and church. Americans should be deeply concerned when top officials use public office to impose sectarian preferences or shield religious institutions from accountability.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is a national nonprofit organization with over 42,000 members nationwide, including more than 2,000 members 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.
The post FFRF condemns Florida attorney general’s baseless claims of anti-Christian discrimination appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
Texas families file new class action lawsuit to stop public school districts throughout Texas from displaying the Ten Commandments
A group of 18 multifaith and nonreligious Texas families filed a class action lawsuit today to stop all Texas public school districts that are not already involved in active litigation or subject to an injunction from displaying the Ten Commandments in every classroom. Even though two federal judges in Texas have ruled that Senate Bill 10 is unconstitutional, school districts across the state continue to display the Ten Commandments. With more than 1,000 school districts in Texas, a class action lawsuit is the most effective way to protect the religious freedom of all Texas public school children and their families.
Ashby v. Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District is the first class action lawsuit and the third lawsuit challenging Senate Bill 10 filed by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, the ACLU and Americans United for Separation of Church and State, with Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP serving as pro bono counsel. In all three cases, the organizations represent Texas families who don’t want their children to be forced to observe and venerate a state-mandated version of the Ten Commandments each school day, in violation of their religious freedom.
The new Ashby v. Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD case is necessary because — even with two federal court injunctions preventing more than two dozen Texas school districts from displaying the Ten Commandments — public school districts continue to violate the constitutional rights of students and their families. The class action lawsuit seeks a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction that would stop any public school district not already involved in litigation from displaying the Ten Commandments.
The plaintiff families, which represent a range of faiths and nonreligious backgrounds, attend 16 school districts not named in the previous two cases. The school districts named as defendants include: Argyle, Birdville, Carroll, Clear Creek, Deer Park, Fort Sam Houston, Hurst-Euless-Bedford, Katy, Liberty Hill, Magnolia, Medina Valley, Pearland, Prosper, Richardson, Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City, and Wylie ISDs. These districts span the Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio metropolitan areas.
Quotes from the plaintiffs
“As a Jewish, Christian and Chinese American family, we teach our children to draw strength from many traditions — not to see one as supreme,” said plaintiff Mari Gottlieb (she/her), whose children attend schools in Carroll ISD. “Forcing the Ten Commandments on my kids is indoctrination, undermines my right to guide their beliefs and perpetuates the feelings of exclusion that our ancestors knew all too well.”
“As Unitarian Universalists, our faith is led by equity, compassion and acceptance of all people,” said plaintiff Caitlyn Besser (she/her), whose children attend school in Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD. “The Ten Commandments posters required by S.B. 10 impose a specific religious doctrine on my children, which directly violates our family’s faith.”
“The posters convey to my children, who are already told they are ‘not real Christians’ because they are Mormon, that they are outsiders in their school community,” said plaintiff Briana Pascual-Clement (she/her), whose children attend schools in Prosper ISD. “I never want my kids or anyone else’s kids to be attacked for what they do or do not believe.”
“I send my child to public school because I do not want the government to push religious beliefs and doctrine on my child,” said plaintiff Kasey Malone (she/her), whose child attends school in Katy ISD. “Yet the government is doing just that by elevating Christianity over my child’s nonreligious beliefs.”
Quotes from the legal team
“It’s imperative to protect a captive audience of public school students, including impressionable children as young as kindergartners, from this zealous crusade to turn schools into places of religious indoctrination,” said Annie Laurie Gaylor (she/her), co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation. “The diversity reflected by the number of religious and nonreligious plaintiffs reveals what a distressing violation of conscience this unconstitutional law is.”
“The courts are clear that forcing displays of the Ten Commandments on Texas students is unconstitutional,” said Chloe Kempf (she/her), attorney at the ACLU of Texas. “Yet Texas school districts won’t stop. Enough is enough. With this class action lawsuit, Texans are coming together to say: Students and families — not the government — should decide how or whether they practice their faith.”
“Politicians in Texas should know by now that public schools aren’t Sunday schools,” said Daniel Mach (he/him), director of the ACLU Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief. “Religious liberty belongs to all public school students and families, not just those who embrace some government officials’ preferred scripture.”
“Politicians are abusing their power to advance a religious extremist agenda and impose one narrow set of religious beliefs on Texas school children. Not on our watch,” said Rachel Laser (she/her), president and CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. “Our Constitution’s guarantee of church-state separation means that families – not politicians – get to decide if, when and how their children engage with religion.”
“This case is critical to reaffirm a bedrock constitutional principle: public schools cannot be used to advance or endorse any faith,” said Jon Youngwood, Global Co-Chair of the Litigation Department at Simpson Thacher. “Families—not the government—must have the freedom to decide how and when their children engage with religion.”
Ashby v. Schertz-Cibolo-Universal ISD is filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas.
Litigation history
The organizations filed their first lawsuit, Rabbi Nathan v. Alamo Heights Independent School District, challenging Senate Bill 10 in July 2025 on behalf of 16 multifaith and nonreligious Texas families. U.S. District Judge Fred Biery issued a preliminary injunction in August preventing the 11 defendant school districts from displaying the Ten Commandments.
Despite the court’s ruling that the displays would be “plainly unconstitutional,” some Texas school districts that weren’t defendants in the Nathan case began to display or announced their intention to begin displaying Ten Commandments posters. In response, the organizations filed a second lawsuit, Cribbs Ringer v. Comal Independent School District, on behalf of a new group of 15 multi-faith and nonreligious Texas families who attend 14 of these districts. U.S. District Judge Orlando L. Garcia on Nov. 18, 2025, issued a preliminary injunction requiring those districts to remove the displays by Dec. 1, 2025, and prohibiting them from posting new displays. Throughout this ongoing litigation, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has issued statements instructing school districts to comply with Senate Bill 10 unless a court has ordered them not to do so, and Paxton has sued three school districts to enforce the law.
The defendants in the Nathan case have appealed that decision and the full U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit has agreed to hear the case (along with a case challenging a similar law in Louisiana) en banc on Jan. 20, 2026. The court injunctions blocking the schools from displaying the Ten Commandments remain in place while the appeal is pending.
Media Contacts:
- ACLU of Texas: Kristi Gross, media@aclutx.org
- ACLU: Ella Wiley, media@aclu.org
- Americans United: Moisés Serrano, media@au.org
- Freedom From Religion Foundation: Sara Tetzloff, tetzloffs@ffrg.org
- Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP: Caroline Fatchett, mediainquiries@stblaw.com
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is a national nonprofit organization with over 42,000 members nationwide, including more than 1,800 members in Texas. 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.
The post Texas families file new class action lawsuit to stop public school districts throughout Texas from displaying the Ten Commandments appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
FFRF solstice display marks 30th year at Wis. state Capitol
The Freedom From Religion Foundation’s annual Winter Solstice display, first erected in 1995, is back up in the Wisconsin state Capitol rotunda in Madison for the 30th year in a row.
The freethought display first went up in the legislative seat of the state/church watchdog’s home state in 1995, after a fight with then-Gov. Tommy Thompson, who tore down FFRF’s permitted sign advocating the separation of church and state.
Composed in protest by the group’s principal founder, Anne Nicol Gaylor, the gilt sign reads:
“At this season of the Winter Solstice, may reason prevail.
There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell.
There is only our natural world.
Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds.”
On the back is a tongue-in-cheek admonition, “Thou shalt not steal,” as well as a short poem by 19th century Wisconsin freethinking poet Ella Wheeler Wilcox (of “Laugh and the whole world laughs with you/ Weep and you weep alone” fame), reading:
The World’s Need
So many Gods, so many creeds,
So many paths that wind and wind,
When just the art of being kind
Is all this sad world needs
After a Christian nationalist advocacy group began placing a Christian nativity scene at the Capitol, FFRF added a second seasonal display — its own “nativity” — celebrating the birth of the Bill of Rights. The irreverent cutout by artist Jacob Fortin depicts Founders Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and George Washington gazing in adoration at a “baby” Bill of Rights while the Statue of Liberty looks on.
A sign reads:
“At this Season of the Winter Solstice, join us in honoring the Bill of Rights, adopted on Dec. 15, 1791, which reminds us that there can be no religious freedom without the freedom to dissent. Keep religion and government separate!”
The exhibits will be up through the end of the month to counter various religious activities and displays in the Capitol.
FFRF reminds Wisconsinites that the Winter Solstice, occurring on Dec. 21, marks the shortest, darkest day of the year, heralding the symbolic rebirth of the sun. It has been celebrated in the Northern Hemisphere for millennia long before Christianity existed, with festivals of lights, evergreens, gift exchanges and seasonal gatherings.
“The Winter Solstice season is for everyone, because it celebrates a natural holiday,” says FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor. “At this time of the year, there has to be ‘room at the inn’ for the views of the one-third of our population today that is nonreligious or religiously unaffiliated.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation, a national state/church watchdog based in Madison, Wis., has over 41,000 nonreligious members and several chapters all over the country, including more than 1,600 members and a chapter in Wisconsin. Photo by Chris Line. Thanks to FFRF Human Resources Specialist Bella Benoy, Events & Outreach Manager Sadie Pattinson, Legal Intake Assistant Daniel Dossey, along with Attorney Chris Line (photographer).
The post FFRF solstice display marks 30th year at Wis. state Capitol appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
“Star Trek: Early Voyages #1” Review by Latestartrek.substack.com
Latestartrek.substack.com has added a new review for Dan Abnett and Ian Edginton‘s “Star Trek: Early Voyages #1”:
I fell short of my arbitrarily self-imposed weekly publication schedule this week, as I was attending the American Academy of Religion — which produced reflections more suitable for my other blog. I actually considered bringing materials for today’s post with me on the trip, in case any downtime would allow me to share my urgently necessary assessment of Marvel’s Star Trek: Early Voyages (1997-1998). In the end, I decided that lugging a comic omnibus around with me on the off chance I’d have time to blog was… inappropriate. But anyway!
Buy on Amazon.com
Buy On Books-A-Million.com
Buy On Book Depository.com
Find on E-Bay
Thank you for helping FFRF guard ‘the Wall’
Despite the tumultuous political year, we are delighted to report that the Freedom From Religion Foundation is thriving, thanks to you and our community of about 42,000 committed members.
We are attaching our impressive report on FFRF’s accomplishments of our 48th year to date. But please take note: It already needs an update! Just last week, FFRF filed its eleventh lawsuit in the past 12 months, and we’ve won not just three but four cases.
Last week, FFRF filed a significant class action lawsuit to stop the crusade to force the Ten Commandments into every Texas classroom. Even though two federal judges have ruled that the Texas law ordering the displays is unconstitutional, Attorney General Ken Paxton is threatening to sue school districts that are abiding by the Constitution by not posting the biblical edicts. We’ve already sued a number of school districts, but since Texas has 1,200 school districts, a class action lawsuit is an effective way to challenge Paxton. We’re proud to represent 18 nonreligious and multifaith families in our newest lawsuit.
Also last week, FFRF successfully ended a lawsuit challenging a scheme to spend six million tax dollars to put Christian bibles into Oklahoma schools! A judge just threw out that case as moot — because Ryan Walters, the notorious former superintendent, has resigned, and the new superintendent has agreed not to pursue this outrageously unconstitutional action.
Giving an end-of-the-year gift to FFRF is one way you can fight back against the unprecedented assaults against our First Amendment’s principle of separation between state and church. You can be assured that your donation to FFRF, which has a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, will go to work to effectively guard the embattled wall of separation between government and religion. Without that wall, all rights and our democracy itself are in jeopardy.
Freedom depends on you — and other freethinkers. To make a donation, deductible for income tax purposes, click here. If you are not currently a member, please join here.
Gratefully,
Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor
Co-Presidents
Freedom from Religion Foundation
Read our fundraising letter here!
The post Thank you for helping FFRF guard ‘the Wall’ appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
2026 student essay contests
The Freedom From Religion Foundation has announced its 2026 essay competition for freethinking law students.
Each of these four contests has 10 top prizes: First place $3,500; second place $3,000; third place $2,500; fourth place $2,000; fifth place $1,500; sixth place $1,000; seventh place $750; eighth place $500; ninth place $400; and 10th place $300. FFRF also offers optional honorable mentions of $200.
The contests cater to students in various age and class ranges.
Students may only enter one FFRF contest annually and may not enter a contest if they have previously won an award in that particular contest.
Requirements: Winners may be asked to send verification of student enrollment. Students will be disqualified if they do not follow instructions, including the word limit and the deadline. Students must submit their essays via the online application and carefully review all contest rules. FFRF monitors for plagiarism. Include links or footnotes for quotes, studies cited, or significant facts relied upon. Entrants must verify that the essay is their original work and that AI was not used in the writing of the text (beyond grammar and spellcheck).
-
- David Hudak Memorial black, indigenous and persons of color student essay competition – watch for announcement in 2026
- William Schulz high school essay contest – watch for announcement in 2026
- Kenneth L. Proulx Memorial essay contest for ongoing college students – watch for announcement in 2026
- Cornelius Vander Broek graduate/older student essay competition – watch for announcement in 2026
- Diane and Stephen Uhl Memorial essay competition for law students – Now open. Deadline: January 30, 2026
Diane and Stephen Uhl Memorial Essay Competition for Law Students
2026 First Amendment Scholars – Law Student Essay Competition Generously Donated by Diane and Stephen Uhl
This Year’s Topic: Analyze how the principle of “parental rights” has changed.
Prompt: In 2025 the Supreme Court extended Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972), citing it repeatedly in Mahmoud v. Taylor, where the Court sided with religious parents who objected on religious grounds to public school instruction that included books with LGBTQ themes or characters.
In 1,500 words or fewer, analyze how the principle of “parental rights” changes from Yoder to Mahmoud. What other constitutional or societal interests might conflict with this expanded understanding of parental rights in the First Amendment context? Discuss how the Court could or should balance these competing interests in future cases.
DEADLINE: January 30, 2026
The full rules can be found here. Please reach out to FFRF with any questions.
All eligible entrants will receive a digital year-long student membership in FFRF.
FFRF appreciates its members who make the effort to contact local high schools, colleges and universities to help publicize its competitions.
FFRF has offered essay competitions to college students since 1979, high school students since 1994, grad students since 2010 and one dedicated to students of color since 2016. A fifth contest, open to law students, began in 2019.
“FFRF is happy to see another generation of freethinkers raising their voices in protest against the continuing threat of Christian nationalism,” says FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor. “The next generation promises to have the greatest population of freethinkers yet, and FFRF is proud to lend its support to keep student advocacy alive and thriving.”
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 over 42,000 members, FFRF advocates for freethinkers’ rights across the globe.
The post 2026 student essay contests appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
Happy 2025 Birthday to Andy Mangels!
(no image available)
Happy birthday to Andy Mangels!
Andy Mangels is a writer of many Star Trek novels, in collaboration with Michael A. Martin. Although some of his novels feature the recurring homosexual character of Ranul Keru (ex-lover of Star Trek: First Contact’s Lt. Hawk), contrary to some claims, he is not the first Trek writer to place a homosexual character in a novel (see The Best and the Brightest by Susan Wright for a minor character, and the Star Trek: SCE series of eBooks). Keru is the first significantly-featured homosexual character in paper novels, however, and Mangels (an openly gay man) and Martin have consistently featured characters of a diverse sexuality, as well as diverse ethnicities, religious backgrounds, and physical abilities, in all of their works.
Check out the Andy Mangels credit page to view more updates and a full list of credits!
Find Andy Mangels’s work on Amazon.com
Charlie Kirk Law To Change Education In Ohio
Newsweek
By Alia Shoaib
The post Charlie Kirk Law To Change Education In Ohio appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
Ohio Bill Aims to Teach Positive Role of Christianity in U.S. History
World Today News
By Emma Walker
The post Ohio Bill Aims to Teach Positive Role of Christianity in U.S. History appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
Ohio’s Charlie Kirk education bill has a great preamble. It goes downhill after that.
Religion News Service
By Mark Silk
The post Ohio’s Charlie Kirk education bill has a great preamble. It goes downhill after that. appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
Religion, history, and classrooms: Ohio launches Charlie Kirk Act, promoting positive lessons on Christianity in schools
Times of India
By Staff
The post Religion, history, and classrooms: Ohio launches Charlie Kirk Act, promoting positive lessons on Christianity in schools appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
School board faces scrutiny from Freedom From Religion Foundation
Shelby Star (Shelby, NC)
By Rebecca Sitzes
The post School board faces scrutiny from Freedom From Religion Foundation appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.
