Lauren Nelson is an advocate and aspiring ally focused on intersectional justice. When she's not gabbing on social media or chasing after her precocious seven year old, you'll find her researching and writing extensively on the subjects of politics, policy, culture, neurodiversity, and faith for The Friendly Atheist and Rethink the Rant.
While religious extremists do more harm than good, it’s hard to argue that they don’t provide entertainment every now and then. One of their favorite rallying calls of the past several decades has been to predict God’s apocalyptic wrath due to the acceptance of homosexuality in America. Unsurprisingly, the recent Supreme Court affirmation of marriage equality has brought out the nuts once more. Evangelical leader Franklin Graham warned: I do believe God’s judgment will come upon this nation. When we read the scripture, God’s judgment would come upon Israel, time and time again, when they turned their back on Him. Here’s the thing, though: if we’re willing to suspend our (dis)belief and assume there is a Higher Power out there who is all too willing to dole out punishment for sin, aren’t there a slew of other travesties that should have prompted such rage? Read more
Debate over the granting of tax exemptions to religious institutions is not new, but there is most certainly a need to revisit it in light of the Supreme Court’s ruling in Obergefell. The landmark victory for marriage equality has spurred fear on the Right that this is just the beginning, and they’re somewhat justified in their fears. While falling short of an official designation, the decision in this case sets a precedent that bodes well for the inclusion of the LGBTQI community as a protected class. Advocates will be the first to tell you that there’s still much work to be done in terms of preventing discrimination against members of the community in arenas like housing, employment, and healthcare. The battle has only begun, and already, religious leaders are clutching their pearls over the prospect that they will be compelled to treat members of the LGBTQI community as — GASP! — human beings. Read more
The reaction of the Religious Right to the decision in Obergefell has been entirely predictable. Rage and apocalyptic predictions intermixed with indignant insistence that marriage is still between one man and one woman. But for one brief, shining, rainbow-colored moment, it was okay. Love had won. It was the law of the land. But this morning, as cities groggily awake from their Pride celebrations over the weekend, a survey of the landscape is a reminder of just how much work is ahead. This is bigger than the laughable social media temper tantrums seen hours after the ruling. We’re talking about states in outright revolt and Christians waving their victim flag high. Read more
In the wake of any tragedy, victims and their families often struggle to understand why something so terrible has happened. In the wake of the Charleston shooting at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, that question was rapidly asked and answered. The targeted location, statements made during the act by the shooter Dylann Roof, and the quickly discovered propaganda he embraced made it quite clear that the “why” was vile racism. Clear, that is, unless you were a member of the Religious Right. Read more