Justice Scalia offers up some of his usual legal wisdom: “The death penalty? Give me a break. It’s easy. Abortion? Absolutely easy. Nobody ever thought the Constitution prevented restrictions on abortion. Homosexual sodomy? Come on. For 200 years, it was criminal in every state,” Scalia said at the American Enterprise Institute. Yes, I’m sure deciding …
Tag Archive: law
Sep 23 2012
Why “religious freedom” arguments about gay marriage fail
This November, Minnesota will vote on an amendment to ban same-sex marriage in the state constitution. Reverend Mark Kuether of the Congregational United Church of Christ recently wrote an opinion piece for the Detroit Lakes Tribune, arguing that religious freedom requires legal recognition of gay marriage. Kuether says: This amendment would tell clergy who they …
Sep 13 2012
Which is more respectful of religious freedom?
A. Allowing military chaplains the option to perform, or refuse to perform, same-sex wedding ceremonies or any other wedding ceremonies on military bases. B. Banning all military chaplains from performing any same-sex wedding ceremonies on bases, regardless of their beliefs or whether they may actually want to perform such ceremonies. If you answered B, congratulations! …
Sep 05 2012
This is an important step
A judge has ruled that Massachusetts prison officials must provide genital surgery for a transgender inmate, Michelle Kosilek, currently serving life in prison for murder. This is an entirely logical conclusion. Prisoners are entitled to health care, the established standards of care for trans people indicate that genital surgery is appropriate for those who need it, …
Aug 29 2012
We must protect the sanctity of civil unions!
In Sao Paulo, Brazil, a notary has approved a civil union between one man and two women, to the outrage of religious groups: Public Notary Claudia do Nascimento Domingues has said the man and two women should be entitled to family rights. She says there is nothing in law to prevent such an arrangement. … …
Jul 20 2012
Let’s support Alexander Aan
Alexander Aan of Indonesia has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for saying on Facebook that he doubted the existence of God and posting cartoons of Muhammad. Just for exercising the same freedom that we do every day, he was beaten by a mob and convicted of “deliberately spreading information inciting religious hatred and animosity”. …
Jun 05 2012
Governor Bryant, There Is No “Non-Denominational” School Prayer
Last week, Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant spoke to a group of high school students at an American Legion Boys State program in Hattiesburg. After telling them that he believed his experience with school-sponsored prayer was beneficial, he explained to the media: I know it’s difficult when you start talking about denominations and different beliefs, but …
Apr 05 2012
Support Bill C-279: Equal protection for transgender Canadians
Did you know that Canada still has no federal law prohibiting discrimination against transgender people? While the Canadian Human Rights Act forbids discrimination on the basis of race, sex, age, religion, nationality, disability, marital status and sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression are not included. Last year, Bill C-279 was introduced to ensure that …
Jan 04 2012
Overstating the case for full decriminalization of prostitution
Perhaps the most controversial portion of the previous guest video was the assertion that sex work is often dangerous and harmful to women, in contrast to certain testimonials that suggest it is a relatively mundane profession. The backlash to this claim has been swift, fierce, and thoroughly informative. Along with assorted criticism of the idea …
Sep 23 2011
“Choice”, homosexuality, and the law
What does it mean to say that being gay is a “choice”? This particular claim is often the focus of arguments that ultimately prove to be aimless, tired and irrelevant. It’s not uncommon for it to be used as some kind of accusation, as though its truth would delegitimize homosexuality itself. Of course, the natural …
About the Author
Recent Comments