KillBait NewsMay 20

Jefferson and Madison’s Views on Religious Freedom and Government

📰 Original title: What Jefferson and Madison would have thought about 'rededicating' the US to God

🤖 IA: It's not clickbait ✅
👥 Users: It's not clickbait ✅

View full AI summary: https://en.killbait.com/jefferson-and-madison-s-views-on-religious-freedom-and-government.html?utm_source=mastodon_world&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=killbait.mastodon_world

#history #churchstate #foundingfathers

Jefferson and Madison’s Views on Religious Freedom and Government

On May 17, 2026, thousands of Americans gathered at the National Mall for 'Rededicate 250,' a prayer rally aimed at honoring the United States ahead of its 250th anniversary. Led by U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson and other conservative figures, the event sought to 'rededicate the United States of America as one nation under God.' While the rally drew political and religious attention, it also sparked criticism for blurring the lines between church and state. Historical analysis shows that Founding Fathers Thomas Jefferson and James Madison championed religious freedom and strict separation of church and state. Jefferson authored the Virginia Bill for Religious Freedom, ensuring liberty of conscience and protection from government interference in religious affairs. Madison defended similar principles in his 'Memorial and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments,' opposing government funding for religious instruction. Both men were committed to ensuring broad religious liberties as essential to freedom of inquiry and conscience, a principle echoed in their correspondence and writings. The article contrasts their commitment to separation of church and state with modern political debates and Supreme Court decisions that have increasingly allowed government support for religious activities. Jefferson and Madison’s collaboration is presented as a foundational example of protecting religious freedom, which the author argues remains relevant and should be celebrated today.

KillBait
KillBaitMay 20

Jefferson and Madison’s Views on Religious Freedom and Government

📰 Original title: What Jefferson and Madison would have thought about 'rededicating' the US to God

🤖 IA: It's not clickbait ✅
👥 Users: It's not clickbait ✅

View full AI summary: https://en.killbait.com/jefferson-and-madison-s-views-on-religious-freedom-and-government.html?utm_source=mastodon_social&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=killbait.mastodon_social

#history #churchstate #foundingfathers

Jefferson and Madison’s Views on Religious Freedom and Government

On May 17, 2026, thousands of Americans gathered at the National Mall for 'Rededicate 250,' a prayer rally aimed at honoring the United States ahead of its 250th anniversary. Led by U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson and other conservative figures, the event sought to 'rededicate the United States of America as one nation under God.' While the rally drew political and religious attention, it also sparked criticism for blurring the lines between church and state. Historical analysis shows that Founding Fathers Thomas Jefferson and James Madison championed religious freedom and strict separation of church and state. Jefferson authored the Virginia Bill for Religious Freedom, ensuring liberty of conscience and protection from government interference in religious affairs. Madison defended similar principles in his 'Memorial and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments,' opposing government funding for religious instruction. Both men were committed to ensuring broad religious liberties as essential to freedom of inquiry and conscience, a principle echoed in their correspondence and writings. The article contrasts their commitment to separation of church and state with modern political debates and Supreme Court decisions that have increasingly allowed government support for religious activities. Jefferson and Madison’s collaboration is presented as a foundational example of protecting religious freedom, which the author argues remains relevant and should be celebrated today.

KillBait
KillBait NewsMay 18

Critics Raise Concerns Over DHS Posting Christian Message on Social Media

📰 Original title: Trump agency's 'our savior' post deemed 'deeply shocking and offensive' by critics

🤖 IA: It's clickbait ⚠️
👥 Users: It's clickbait ⚠️

View full AI summary: https://en.killbait.com/critics-raise-concerns-over-dhs-posting-christian-message-on-social-media.html?utm_source=mastodon_world&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=killbait.mastodon_world

#politics #homelandsecurity #churchstate

Critics Raise Concerns Over DHS Posting Christian Message on Social Media

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) faced widespread criticism after posting a Bible verse on its official social media account during a large evangelical-style event on the National Mall called 'Rededicate 250: A National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise & Thanksgiving,' which was endorsed by President Donald Trump. The post cited 2 Peter 3:18 and referred to Jesus Christ as 'our Savior,' prompting backlash from legal scholars, academics, and commentators who argued it violated the principle of separation of church and state. Critics pointed out that a federal agency should not appear to endorse a specific religious belief, as it serves citizens of diverse faiths and those with no religious affiliation. Experts, including professors from Georgetown and Johns Hopkins, emphasized that government messaging should remain neutral to uphold democratic values and protect all Americans. Social media reactions ranged from concerns about religious exclusivity to satirical commentary linking the term 'our Savior' to political figures. Longtime federal employees and observers also described the post as inappropriate and legally questionable. The incident highlights ongoing debates over government communication, religious neutrality, and the blending of political and religious messaging in federal agencies.

KillBait
KillBaitMay 18

Critics Raise Concerns Over DHS Posting Christian Message on Social Media

📰 Original title: Trump agency's 'our savior' post deemed 'deeply shocking and offensive' by critics

🤖 IA: It's clickbait ⚠️
👥 Users: It's clickbait ⚠️

View full AI summary: https://en.killbait.com/critics-raise-concerns-over-dhs-posting-christian-message-on-social-media.html?utm_source=mastodon_social&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=killbait.mastodon_social

#politics #homelandsecurity #churchstate

Critics Raise Concerns Over DHS Posting Christian Message on Social Media

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) faced widespread criticism after posting a Bible verse on its official social media account during a large evangelical-style event on the National Mall called 'Rededicate 250: A National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise & Thanksgiving,' which was endorsed by President Donald Trump. The post cited 2 Peter 3:18 and referred to Jesus Christ as 'our Savior,' prompting backlash from legal scholars, academics, and commentators who argued it violated the principle of separation of church and state. Critics pointed out that a federal agency should not appear to endorse a specific religious belief, as it serves citizens of diverse faiths and those with no religious affiliation. Experts, including professors from Georgetown and Johns Hopkins, emphasized that government messaging should remain neutral to uphold democratic values and protect all Americans. Social media reactions ranged from concerns about religious exclusivity to satirical commentary linking the term 'our Savior' to political figures. Longtime federal employees and observers also described the post as inappropriate and legally questionable. The incident highlights ongoing debates over government communication, religious neutrality, and the blending of political and religious messaging in federal agencies.

KillBait
Todd BattistelliApr 22

Reading David C. Hoffman's American Freethought (2025) and saw the National Liberal League's 1880 presidential platform, including this plank:

"Universal education the basis of universal suffrage in this secular republic."

As true now as it was then.

#history #nonreligion #freethought #ChurchState

Steve Dustcircle 🌹Dec 26

Top 10 #ReligiousLiberty and #ChurchState Developments of 2025

https://religionclause.blogspot.com/2025/12/top-10-religious-liberty-and-church.html

#Religion News Association Announces Top 10 Religion Stories of 2025

https://rna.org/news/press-release-religion-news-association-announces-top-10-religion-stories-of-2025

Top 10 Religious Liberty and Church-State Developments of 2025

Each year in December, I attempt to select the most important church-state and religious liberty developments of the past year.  My choices ...

Ian ChaiOct 20, 2025

Russia isn’t just waging war abroad—inside its borders, the state is channeling religious authority through the Russian Orthodox Church to bolster control.

“In today’s Russia, there’s just one officially approved way to be Christian…”

#Russia #ReligiousFreedom #ChurchState https://www.mnnonline.org/news/war-is-peace-peace-is-war-russian-government-uses-orthodox-church-to-expand-control/

War is peace, peace is war – Russian government uses Orthodox Church to expand control - Mission Network News

Russia (MNN) — There are Russian Orthodox priests who oppose war and persecution. Their fate? Shunned.

Mission Network News
Hacker NewsSep 1, 2025

Catholic churches in France have a bad landlord: the French government

https://thecatholicherald.com/article/catholic-churches-in-france-suffer-from-a-bad-landlord-the-french-government

#HackerNews #CatholicChurches #France #Government #Landlord #ReligiousIssues #ChurchState

Catholic churches in France have a bad landlord: the French government

In a fine example of Gallic counter-intuitiveness, almost all of France’s Catholic churches are owned by the State – and most don't appear to be doing well out of the unusual arrangement

Algernon D'AmmassaJul 23, 2025

Today, Doña Ana County commissioners voted to drop invocations from their business meetings. Residents have taken to public comments to debate the practice of ceremonial prayers before meetings for a couple of years, culminating in a passionate debate and today’s vote.

https://www.abqjournal.com/news/article_987dcb64-62cd-4ea4-9696-1d66e5aa4d09.html

#NewMexico #churchstateseparation #churchstate #prayer

Doña Ana County Commissioners drop invocations from public meetings

LAS CRUCES — "The beginning of a governmental business meeting is not the time for prayer," Jan Thompson told the board of Doña Ana County Commissioners on Tuesday.

Albuquerque Journal
Steve Dustcircle 🌹Mar 27, 2025

#CHURCHSTATESEPARATION #NEWS -

The #SupremeCourt’s new #religion case could devastate #American #workers

#YeshivaUniversity Settles With #LGBTQ+ #StudentClub

State #lawmakers want #chaplains to counsel #students at #publicschools

Quincy statues raise concerns of price, transparency and #religiousfreedom

The #Texas Taliban are hard at work in #Austin

Have you been harmed by #churchstate separation violations? Your story matters.

https://flipboard.com/@dustcircle/church-state-separation-g5hp0m0uy
#separationofchurchandstate #SOCAS

Church-State Separation | @dustcircle | Flipboard

The First Amendment secular right of the separation of church and state, the wall between religion and government. Critical of Theocracy, Dominionism, and Christian Nationalism, and exposing the "American Taliban" cult. If you'd like to be a contributor, email [email protected]

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