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Humanist Legal Society Launches with Press Club Panel

The Humanist Legal Society’s aim is to provide a way for like-minded legal professionals—whether identifying as humanist, secular, atheist, agnostic, or something similar—to unite in advocating for principles consistent with the organization’s mission statement: the protection of civil liberties, strict separation of religion and government, legislation and public policies informed by sound scientific evidence, ethics in government and law enforcement, and respect for the diversity of individuals. americanhumanist.org

Christian Nationalism Linked to Authoritarian Attitudes Towards Crime in the United States

The study, published in the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, provides evidence that the Christian nationalist ideology is associated with the belief that troublemakers should be harshly punished. psypost.org

When Religious Teachings Become Immoral

Religious teachings that once made sense sometimes become harmful under changing conditions. That can put believers in the awkward position of defending practices—either historical or current—that are now widely perceived to be either immoral or questionable at best. valerietarico.com

‘Weeping’ Virgin Mary’s Tears Are Olive Oil, Bishop Says. Investigators Are Mystified

Church officials collected samples of the fluid seeping from the bronze statue at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Hobbs, the Las Cruces Sun News reports. “And we determined it was olive oil, a scented olive oil,” Bishop Oscar Cantu of the Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces told the newspaper Friday, updating a church investigation that began two months ago when parishioners first noticed the statue “weeping.” kansascity.com

The Religious Right Wants You to Boycott Target Because the Store is Nice to LGBTQ People

The American Family Association is still angry with Target for being too nice to LGBT people. And they really want you to be angry too. The far right religious group has been in a tizzy since the corporation announced that they don’t police their bathrooms and dressing rooms to see if transgender people are using them. lgbtqnation.com

God Has Nothing to Do With Trump Being President

If I hear one more Evangelical claim that God chose Donald Trump, I’m swear I’m gonna rapture myself. Christian Trumpers really need to stop spiritualizing the man, his campaign, and his Presidency. johnpavlovitz.com

Oklahoma Republican Declares That Rape is the ‘Will of God’

If Oklahoma state GOP Rep. George Faught has his way, rape will be on the path to being legal in the state. At least that’s what rapists are hoping for after Faught made a frightening statement on the subject during a debate on House Bill 1549, which restricts abortion. churchandstate.org.uk

Mike Pence, Holy Terror

There are problems with impeaching Donald Trump. A big one is the holy terror waiting in the wings. That would be Mike Pence, who mirrors the boss more than you realize. He’s also self-infatuated. Also a bigot. Also a liar. Also cruel. nytimes.com

Religion Does Not Determine a Person’s Morality

Most religious people think their morality comes from their religion. And deeply religious people often wonder how atheists can have any morality at all. alternet.org

Longtime Gay-Rights Opponent Tony Perkins Named to U.S. Religious Freedom Panel

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell appointed Family Research Council President Tony Perkins to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. nbcnews.com

Netflix Won’t Stream Louis Farrakhan Documentary

A company spokesperson on Tuesday said that reports that the streaming service would add the documentary “My Life’s Journey Through Music” next month were the result of a communication error. variety.com

Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Wear Hijabs?