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Archive: Barry Lynn
The King hearings: dangerous for America
I challenge our country to rise above this crude and dangerous form of demagoguery.
By Barry Lynn | March 7, 2011; 05:13 PM ET | Comments (1)
Church, state and abortion: Don't let dogma dominate
This struggle is really nothing more than an attempt by some religious groups to use the power of the government to impose their dogma about reproduction, sexuality and the beginnings of life. It is way past time for judges and elected officials to start respecting the wall of separation between church and state.
By Barry Lynn | March 1, 2011; 12:54 PM ET | Comments (26)
Muslim-bashing the GOP's sell?
What we surely don't need on any campaign trail is a discussion of whether Islam is, as former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee claims, "the antithesis of the gospel of Christ."
By Barry Lynn | February 22, 2011; 12:47 PM ET | Comments (5)
Let's set a good example for religious liberty here at home
The United States may have a limited capacity to influence the ultimate outcome of protests in the Middle East. Perhaps we'd be better off securing religious and civil liberties at home. Then, the rest of the world would at least have a very strong model to reflect upon.
By Barry Lynn | February 15, 2011; 12:37 PM ET | Comments (0)
Answering 'the Mormon question'
There really is only one question that needs to be answered: can you faithfully execute the laws of the United States or is there some religious view you hold that you believe transcends that duty?
By Barry Lynn | February 8, 2011; 05:33 PM ET | Comments (26)
'Secular' Is not a dirty word for governments
I don't want to see an officially Islamic Egypt nor an officially Christian America.
By Barry Lynn | February 1, 2011; 02:05 PM ET | Comments (75)
Patients' rights must trump dogma
Religion and health care should not mix. If the church want to use its hospitals to enforce narrow theological doctrines, let its leaders pay from them. As long as these institutions are receiving tax support, they should be required to provide the entire range of health services and respect the wishes and needs of patients.
By Barry Lynn | January 25, 2011; 08:38 AM ET | Comments (6)
Think before you hit 'send'
Sharp exchanges are part of our political life and are here to stay. We can retain those while jettisoning rhetoric that goes over the top.
By Barry Lynn | January 13, 2011; 12:47 PM ET | Comments (0)
Constitutional contrivance: House leadership goes for the gimmick
As a big supporter of the separation of church and state, I'm looking to the Republican's newfound appreciation for the Constitution, particularly the part in the document that says "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
By Barry Lynn | January 5, 2011; 12:11 PM ET | Comments (26)
Blasphemy laws: alive and well in the U.S.?
In Pakistan, a religious offense could lead to your execution. In America, under the Boehner standard as seen in the Smithsonian controversy, such offense may only lead to your work being unavailable for some public exhibition. But it is still censorship.
By Barry Lynn | January 4, 2011; 11:34 AM ET | Comments (14)
Big news is bad news
If outer space aliens saw the Religion Newswriters Association's list of top religious newsmakers, they could only conclude that Earth has a pretty miserable spiritual landscape.
By Barry Lynn | December 28, 2010; 12:24 PM ET | Comments (2)
Take a deep Christmas breath
For several years, I was alleged to be the evil general in charge of a war against Christmas.
By Barry Lynn | December 22, 2010; 02:32 PM ET | Comments (9)
The future of faith-based initiatives
What's so hard about creating a document in line with the Constitution?
By Barry Lynn | December 16, 2010; 10:21 PM ET | Comments (3)
Before morality, let's remember basic economics
Before they even get near the "morality" of tax policy, I'd like to make sure they understand basic economics.
By Barry Lynn | December 15, 2010; 11:53 AM ET | Comments (0)
Marriage isn't obsolete - but it could use some help
let's open up marriage to gay and lesbian couples. Who knows? They may have something about commitment to teach the rest of us.
By Barry Lynn | December 7, 2010; 11:23 AM ET | Comments (11)
Fixing faith-based initiatives: not rocket science
It's very disappointing that despite President Obama's extensive knowledge of the Constitution and civil rights, he allows the injustice of religious distrimination to continue.
By Barry Lynn | December 1, 2010; 12:14 PM ET | Comments (8)
American exceptionalism: exceptionally dangerous
God doesn't play favorites among nations.
By Barry Lynn | November 29, 2010; 03:11 PM ET | Comments (36)
Thanks . . . without presidential blessing
I am thankful for my two great children; the opportunity to do work I think is central to our future; and a wonderful marriage that has lasted over 40 years.
By Barry Lynn | November 22, 2010; 04:17 PM ET | Comments (3)
Opposition to DADT is all about religion
Enough with the euphemisms, please! Opposition to dismantling "don't ask, don't tell" is all about fundamentalist, homophobic, Bible verse "cherry picking."
By Barry Lynn | November 16, 2010; 10:52 AM ET | Comments (5)
