Hemant Mehta's Blog, page 1678

Following Ten Commandments Decision, Oklahoma GOP Wants State Supreme Court Justices Impeached

Well, that didn’t take long.

Following the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s 7-2 decision today to remove the Ten Commandments monument from the Capitol Grounds due to it violation the state Constitution, several Republicans put out a statement calling for those judges to be impeached (where have we heard that one before…?):

Ten Commandments monument in Oklahoma (via James Nimmo)

Several state GOP lawmakers today called for judicial reform and for the impeachment of seven state Supreme Court justices who...

ACLU Joins FFRF in Opposition to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act

This is a guest post by Andrew Seidel. He is an attorney for the Freedom From Religion Foundation.

…

The long overdue celebration over the decision that makes gay marriage just marriage overshadowed an important piece of news for the secular movement. On June 25, the ACLU announced that it would no longer support the Religious Freedom Restoration Act — the federal law Hobby Lobby used to successfully challenge the contraception provisions of the Affordable Care Act.

The Freedom From Religion Fou...

A Renewed Case for Ending Faith-Based Tax Exemptions

Debate over the granting of tax exemptions to religious institutions is not new, but there is most certainly a need to revisit it in light of the Supreme Court’s ruling in Obergefell.

The landmark victory for marriage equality has spurred fear on the Right that this is just the beginning, and they’re somewhat justified in their fears. While falling short of an official designation, the decision in this case sets a precedent that bodes well for the inclusion of the LGBTQI community as a protect...

If Oklahoma’s Ten Commandments Monument is Illegal, Where Will The Satanic Temple’s Baphomet Statue Go Now?

We learned this morning that the Ten Commandments statue on the Oklahoma Capitol Grounds was declared unconstitutional by the state’s Supreme Court.

Ten Commandments monument in Oklahoma (via James Nimmo)

While the ACLU’s lawsuit had been in the court system for years, one of the more interesting side-stories was that members of The Satanic Temple wanted to put up a monument honoring their beliefs. If the Christians could do it, why not them?

State officials said they could not give a definitive...

The Stars of Ray Comfort’s New Anti-Gay Film Audacity Are Really, Really Pro-LGBT Rights

Yesterday, Camille posted a synopsis and review of Ray Comfort‘s new anti-gay propaganda film Audacity:

See the guy in that poster?

That’s the film’s star, Travis Owens. His character, Peter, is a Bible-thumping Christian who wants to save everyone from the “dangers” of homosexuality.

Which is why it’s rather interesting that Owens retweeted some pretty pro-LGBT messages on Friday after the Supreme Court’s decision:

And see this screenshot from the film?

That’s Owens’ co-star Molly Ritter. She pla...

A Hilarious Response to CatholicVote’s Anti-Gay Marriage Video

A few days ago, a group called CatholicVote posted a video called “Not Alone” featuring all sorts of people talking about how they support “traditional” marriage, and how tough it is to hold those beliefs in today’s society. (Because bigotry is soooo hard!)

It ends with the speakers, in tears, saying “You’re not alone”… as if they’re the oppressed ones.

Did that piss you off? Me too.

But don’t worry! YouTubers Nicola Foti, Miles Jai, and Ava Gordy have a response video you’re gonna love:

I learne...

The Simplistic Debunking of the #CharlieCharlieChallenge

Captain Disillusion explains how the Charlie Charlie Challenge works (and whether or not it’s a hoax):

Kids stopped playing this months ago, right? Let’s hope so.

Friendly Atheist Podcast Episode 61: Matt Dillahunty, Master Debater and Co-Host of The Atheist Experience

Our latest podcast guest is Matt Dillahunty, a former fundamentalist Christian who now debates religious apologists.

He was the President of the Atheist Community of Austin for several years and co-hosts The Atheist Experience call-in show. He recently began a video series teaching viewers how to respond to frequently-used apologist arguments.

At the American Atheists 2015 convention in Memphis, Tennessee, Jessica spoke with Matt about his religious upbringing, why he loves debates, and what he...

Tweet Featuring Rainbow Kaaba in Mecca Draws Threats

***Update*** (6/30/15): The folks at Atheist Republic told me why they posted this image:

Legalizing gay marriage in the United States was a step in the right direction. This image was meant to serve as a reminder that there are many others that still live under fear of persecution, physical violence and even death for who they are.

To those who say it’s disrespectful? “If it hurts your feelings, don’t look at it.”

They also added:

This was posted on an atheist Facebook page, an atheist Twitter a...

The Christian Right’s Reaction to Marriage Equality Parallels What Happened After Forced Desegregation

This is a guest post by Lauren Nelson.

…

The reaction of the Religious Right to the decision in Obergefell has been entirely predictable. Rage and apocalyptic predictions intermixed with indignant insistence that marriage is still between one man and one woman. But for one brief, shining, rainbow-colored moment, it was okay. Love had won. It was the law of the land.

But this morning, as cities groggily awake from their Pride celebrations over the weekend, a survey of the landscape is a reminder...