July/August 2017 Church & State - July/August 2016

Mass. Town Approves ‘God Bless’ Statement

  AU admin

With a 10-4 vote, the Holyoke, Mass., City Council approved adding a phrase to council rules that allows members to invoke God after reciting the Pledge of Allegiance during meetings.

“God Bless America, God Bless the city of Holyoke and all its citizens and God Bless the City Council,” the phrase, introduced by Councilmember Kevin A. Jourdain, reads.

The phrase, its supporters argue, has been “a tradition for decades,” but some opposing it argue that it raises church-state separation concerns. 

Opponents also argue that the phrase excludes non-Christians and those who don’t believe in God. 

BREAKING NEWS

Americans United & the National Women’s Law Center file suit to challenge Missouri’s abortion bans.

Abortion bans violate the separation of church and state. Americans United and the National Women’s Law Center—the leading experts in religious freedom and gender justice—have joined forces with thirteen clergy from six faith traditions to challenge Missouri’s abortion bans as unconstitutionally imposing one narrow religious doctrine on everyone.


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