We Dissent

Latest Episodes:

Christians Against Christian Nationalism Apr 18, 2024

Show notes

Alison, Liz, and Rebecca welcome guest Amanda Tyler, executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee and lead organizer of BJC's Christians Against Christian Nationalism campaign. They discuss the urgent threat that Christian nationalist ideology poses to American democracy, how nonreligious and religious Americans alike can fight back, and Amanda explains the strong historical tradition of supporting state/church separation in the Baptist movement.

Show Notes

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Our website, we-dissent.org, has more information as well as episode transcripts.

Tax the Church! Mar 20, 2024

Show notes

Join Rebecca, Alison and Liz for a journey through the history and principles behind the U.S. exempting churches from taxation! We discuss the practice of tax exemption for charitable organizations, including churches, the major cases about the constitutionality of these ideas, and abuses of the Johnson Amendment.

Background

History of churches and taxes
2024 State of the Secular States report
FFRF FAQ on churches and tax exemption
Churchtrac - The State of Church Giving: Trends and Statistics (2024)
IRS requirements for church audits
Other podcasts that talk about church taxation

Cases

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Our website, we-dissent.org, has more information as well as episode transcripts.

State of the State Legislatures in 2024 Feb 21, 2024

Show notes

It's that wonderful time of year when Alison guides Rebecca and Liz through the upcoming legislative sessions in states across the country. We discuss upsetting trends in state legislation and bills we're monitoring that affect the separation of church and state and threaten true religious liberty for everyone.

Background and Resources

Previous episode about the legislative process
Previous episode about Texas
2024 State of the Secular States report
American Atheists State Legislation Tracker
What you can do

FFRF and American Atheists' Action Alerts
Equality Florida
ACLU State Affiliates
Reproductive Freedom For All

Bills Discussed

Religion in schools

School chaplain bills

Oklahoma HB 2962: Would require the display of the Ten Commandments in classrooms
Utah HB 269: Would allow teachers to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms
Arizona SB 1151: Would allow teachers to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms
West Virginia SB 280: Would allow teachers to each intelligent design as a theory of how the universe came to exist

Trans bills

The Guardian - "Missouri is ground zero for the firehose of anti-trans legislation"
Missouri HB1674: Would make it discrimination for a business to allow trans employees to access appropriate bathrooms
Utah HB 257: Would make using a bathroom that does not align with one's sex assigned at birth a criminal trespass offense

Healthcare

Missouri HB 1519: Prohibits discrimination against health care professionals who refuse to assist in trans healthcare
Oklahoma SB 1729: Would recognize abortion as homicide

Idaho HJR001: Would remove the no aid clause from the Idaho constitution

Cases Discussed

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Our website, we-dissent.org, has more information as well as episode transcripts.

You've Got Mail Jan 17, 2024

Show notes

Liz and Rebecca answer your burning questions on religious liberty issues and more! This episode, we reach into the mailbag and take on topics from YOU, our loyal listeners.

Background

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Our website, we-dissent.org, has more information as well as episode transcripts.

Inside the Mormon Church Dec 20, 2023

Show notes

Alison, Liz, and Rebecca interview Anaya Gayle—lawyer, ex-Mormon, and former BYU assistant dean. They discuss the power and influence the church wields and life for LGBTQ+ students at BYU, as Anaya shares her experience inside the insular LDS community.

Background

More about Anaya Gayle

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Our website, we-dissent.org, has more information as well as episode transcripts.

It's Time to Wake Up! With Prof. Marci Hamilton Nov 15, 2023

Show notes

Alison, Liz, and Rebecca are joined by Professor Marci Hamilton, legal icon and leading expert on the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) and extreme religious liberty. Professor Hamilton explains the origin story of RFRA, how it has led us to the emerging theocracy we face, and what Americans can do to reclaim true religious liberty before it's too late.

Submit a question for the holiday mailbag episode here!

Background

Cases

303 Creative LLC v. Elenis (2023)

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Our website, we-dissent.org, has more information as well as episode transcripts.

Back to (Public) School! Oct 25, 2023

Show notes

Alison, Liz, and Rebecca go back to school! They discuss the latest wild and crazy state/church violations in public schools reported to their organizations, the postscript on the Coach Kennedy case, and the alarming move by Oklahoma to create the first religious public school.

Background

Complaints Discussed

Cases

Kennedy v. Bremerton School District (2022)

Engel v. Vitale (1962)

Resources

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Our website, we-dissent.org, has more information as well as episode transcripts.

Let's Talk About Texas Sep 20, 2023

Show notes

Alison, Liz, and Rebecca take a deep dive into Texas for a case study in theocratic government. They discuss recent Christian nationalist legislation advancing in the state, the takeover of state institutions by conservative Christian legal groups, and the many state/church battles their organizations have fought in Texas.

Background

Resources

Bills Discussed

HB 4949/SB 1396 and SB 19: Would allow a period of prayer and reading of the Bible or other religious text in public schools
SB 17: Would have created the right for a public school employee to engage in religious speech or prayer while on duty
SB 1515: Would require the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools
SB 763: Would allow school districts to employ chaplains to perform the duties of school counselors

Cases

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Our website, we-dissent.org, has more information as well as episode transcripts.

Reclaiming Religious Liberty with Liz Reiner Platt Aug 24, 2023

Show notes

Alison, Liz, and Rebecca discuss a better vision for religious liberty with Liz Reiner Platt, director of the Law, Rights, and Religion Project, a law and policy think tank based at Columbia Law School. They talk about using religious exemptions to promote progressive social causes and issues, including the legal fight for a right to abortion based on freedom of conscience.

Background

Resources

Amicus Briefs

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Our website, we-dissent.org, has more information as well as episode transcripts.

Supreme Mess Jul 19, 2023

Show notes

The Supreme Court continues to mess up civil rights for everyone. In this episode Rebecca and Liz discuss the two opinions handed down by the Supreme Court at the end of June, Groff v. DeJoy and 303 Creative v. Elenis. They recap the case, summarize the rulings, and discuss implications of the decisions.

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