RSA Daily

For atheists, rationalists and secular humanists in Australia

Wednesday, June 7, 2023

Good morning ,

Loads of articles this morning announcing the first publicly funded religious school in the US - see our Other Articles section for just one of them. But note also the article that follows: the move has been immediately challenged as unconstitutional. 

Those of us who've been fighting against publicly-funded religious schools for decades, if not centuries, can only look with envy at the US's strict separation between church and state when it comes to schooling.

Lead stories

There are some theologians who actually do understand what genuine secularism means. Michael Bird, from Ridley College in Melbourne, Australia, is one of them. Here he is speaking about his new book “Religious Freedom in a Secular Age: A Christian Case for Liberty, Equality, and Secular Government.” Should be more of it.

The United Nations has called for a ban on religion being used to select pupils in England. Predictably, religious leaders and MPs have branded a “secular-inspired attack” on faith schools.

Victor Franco is persevering in his battle to represent the large number of his constituents who are not card-carrying religionists. You can help him by giving your views on replacing religious worship at council meetings with a period of silent reflection that accommodates everyone's worldview. Our article tells you how.

Clever Finland: speeding fines there are linked to the offender's income. 

Other stories of interest

US: school board approves application for first publicly funded religious charter school in the nation

US: 'Unconstitutional' religious charter school immediately hit by legal challenges in Oklahoma

UK: how taxpayers subsidise evangelism!

Got a comment on any of these stories? 

Write to me at president@rationalist.com.au

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