Not even counting the election of Donald Trump, 2016 was a sucky year for many reasons. Progressives lost ground on the political landscape. Too many of our favorite celebrities passed away. Laws were passed in GOP controlled state houses allowing for religious persecution of non-Christians and LGBTQ community members. Too many people were shot and killed by rogue police officers. Gun deaths at the hands of toddlers finding unsecured weapons in homes. The list goes on…
Probably the most annoying and constant irritation was Christian fundamentalists trying to shove their religion into schools and other public places. Here are some of the most publicized stories involving the separation of church and state from 2016:
1. Kentucky Noah’s Ark Museum
Idiot Creationist extraordinaire, Ken Ham, built a ridiculous museum dedicated to the Bible story of Noah’s Ark. He ended up using a lot of taxpayer money from the state, which is ABSOLUTELY wrong. The project ended up with a whopping $18 MILLION in tax incentives!
On a rather hilarious note, the entire exhibit might go broke by the end of 2017 as visitors to the attraction are few and far between. It would seem that this ark won’t float through the floods after all. If you do decide to visit the attraction you won’t have trouble finding a parking place!
2. Roy Moore… Again
Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore was finally suspended (again) last summer. After the Supreme Court’s ruling on same-sex marriage, Moore sent letters all over the state telling judges not to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. This idiot actually said:
“Separation of church and state was never meant to separate God and government.”
Now, Moore is on the short list to take Senator Jeff Sessions’ seat if Sessions becomes the Attorney General in Donald Trump’s administration. Expect the line between church and state to become very thin in that district.
3. Charlie Brown Poster
A nurse’s aide in a Texas middle school decided to make a poster of Charlie Brown with the Bible quote that was used during the classic cartoon special. She was ordered to take it down and is now in a lawsuit with the school. The biggest issue arose when:
“Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said that making her take it down is ‘an attack on religious liberty.'”
Using a popular family-oriented cartoon and turning it to religious or political purpose is just wrong, no matter how you look at it.
4. First Amendment Defense Acts Introduced In A Few States
Georgia, Missouri, and several other states passed or attempted to pass First Amendment Defense Acts (FADA). These laws basically allow people to refuse to accept certain laws because they disagree with them on a religious basis. Georgia Governor Nathan Deal vetoed the law in his state, saying:
“I do not think we have to discriminate against anyone to protect the faith based community in Georgia of which my family and I are a part of for all of our lives.”
5. Tennessee Tried To Make The Bible Their Official Book
The state of Tennessee tried to pass a law to make the Bible their official state book. ACLU lawyer Hedy Weinburg said that this was a:
“… Thinly veiled effort to promote one religion over other religions clearly violates both the United States and Tennessee Constitutions.”
This bill would’ve alienated about 20 percent of the population and further blurred the line of separation between church and state.
6. Tennessee Tries To Pass Ridiculous Bill For Mental Health Professionals
Tennessee also tried to pass a bill that would allow mental health professionals to turn away patients on the basis that the patient’s lifestyle or religion (or lack of religion) conflicted with the religious beliefs of the mental health professional. If an atheist needs help, this law would’ve allowed a therapist or other mental health professional to turn them away. So much for the Hippocratic Oath. Luckily, this bill didn’t pass.
7. Electing Donald Trump Who Wants To Kill The Separation Of Church And State
We have voted in a president, Donald Trump, who will likely tear down the wall separating church from government. He pandered to the religious right during his campaign, He wants to pass more “religious freedom” bills that allow people to discriminate and use their religion as an excuse.
This month, he made a big deal out of people saying “Merry Christmas” during this holiday season. We all know Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence are no friends to people of other religions. Trump is going to have a few pastors and a rabbi give prayers at his inauguration; this includes the “prosperity gospel” preaching pastor, Paula White, leading the prayers.
8. SCOTUS Justice Antonin Scalia Dies Leaving A Legacy
Justice Antonin Scalia consistently ruled against the separation of church and state during his 30-year tenure. Before his death he could be counted on to side with religious zealots regardless of what the constitution said. Here is what he said on that principle:
“To tell you the truth, there is no place for that in our constitutional tradition. Where did that come from? To be sure, you can’t favor one denomination over another but can’t favor religion over non-religion?”
9. Utah Approves Secular Caucus (RWNJs Lost This One – Yay)
Here is some good news for the inclusion of non-religious people. Utah (yes, Utah) approved a secular caucus. The co-founder, Daisy Thomas, said:
“… We want people of all beliefs, including nonreligious Utahns [sic], to have the same opportunity to shape politics in our state, and we believe a clear separation between church and state protects all of our freedoms.”
Here is a lecture on the concept of the separation of church and state:
Featured image via Twitter.
