Liz and Rebecca take a break from the regular schedule to answer listener questions. They talk about how the founders viewed state/church separation, the issues our movement should focus on, and how to engage women in the cause of secularism. Resources AU’s Project 2025 Hub Abortion resources aidaccess.org plancpills.org How to Contact Your Elected Officials FFRF Join FFRF Donate to FFRF Sign up for action alerts Americans United Join AU Donate to AU Sign up for action alerts Check us out on You...
Feb 19, 2025•48 min•Ep 39•Transcript available on Metacast SCOTUS is considering whether Tennessee's total ban on transgender medical care for minors violates the Equal Protection Clause, and Liz and Rebecca have some thoughts. They explain what the oral arguments last month revealed and what the stakes are for the real people who will be affected by the Court’s decision. Background Case page on SCOTUSblog Oral Arguments Transcript Senate Bill 1 NYT: "Opinion - The Supreme Court Just Showed Us What Contempt for Expertise Looks Like” SCOTUSblog: Supreme ...
Jan 22, 2025•58 min•Ep 38•Transcript available on Metacast Liz and Rebecca process the 2024 election results. They discuss the challenges the new administration will bring, some under-the-radar encouraging election results, and how their organizations plan to continue fighting for secular democracy in the months and years ahead. Background National Women’s Law Center Abortion ACLU of Missouri’s abortion case - Comprehensive Health of Planned Parenthood Great Plains & Planned Parenthood Great Rivers v. Missouri AU’s abortion case - Rev. Blackmon v. Misso...
Dec 18, 2024•48 min•Ep 37•Transcript available on Metacast Alison, Liz, and Rebecca are joined by Jenifer McKenna to talk about the billion dollar crisis pregnancy center industry and its role in the anti-abortion movement. They discuss the massive harms caused by these unregulated fake clinics, Jenifer’s work on the first multi-state CPC investigation, and a new approach to exposing their unethical tactics and fighting back. Show Notes Reproductive Health & Freedom Watch “Designed to Deceive: A Study of the Crisis Pregnancy Center Industry in Nine Stat...
Nov 20, 2024•1 hr 19 min•Ep 36•Transcript available on Metacast Alison, Liz, and Rebecca interview Sarah Posner, author and interviewer. They discuss the evolution of the Christian right, debate how to talk about Christian Nationalism, and break down the sky high stakes of this year’s election. Show Notes Sarah Posner’s Website Sarah’s new book: Unholy: How White Christian Nationalists Powered the Trump Presidency, and the Devastating Legacy They Left Behind Previous episode on Project 2025 Anna Bower, Lawfare: “Will Georgia's New Election Rules Allow Trump ...
Oct 16, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Ep 35•Transcript available on Metacast Alison, Liz, and Rebecca dig into Project 2025, the comprehensive transition project for the next conservative administration. They explain the project and illustrate the throughlines of its policy agenda— Christian nationalist ideology and the obliteration of the separation of church and state. Background SPLC on Alliance Defending Freedom Project 2025’s Four Pillars #1: Mandate for Leadership 2025: The Conservative Promise #2: Presidential Personnel Database & Presidential Administration Acade...
Sep 18, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep 34•Transcript available on Metacast Alison, Liz, and Rebecca speak with Wisconsin State Senator Kelda Roys. They discuss what it’s like to be a nonreligious lawmaker in today’s legislative world as well as the threat of Christian Nationalism to our secular democracy and civil rights like reproductive freedom. Background Senator Kelda Roys' bio Congressional Freethought Caucus Abortion resources aidaccess.org plancpills.org Previous episode that discusses mifepristone Jessica Valenti substack Jill Filipovic substack Check us out on...
Aug 21, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep 33•Transcript available on Metacast Alison, Liz, and Rebecca break down the 2024 Supreme Court term. They explain how the Court decided the two cases affecting abortion access, then they explain several other decisions of the Court that massively disrupt how the government functions and shift even more power away from the people. Cases and Background Mifepristone Case - FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine Previous episode Decision FFRF and AA’s Amicus Brief AU’s Amicus Brief EMTALA Case - Moyle v. US Previous episode Decision...
Jul 17, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep 32•Transcript available on Metacast Alison, Liz, and Rebecca are joined by reproductive rights expert, political strategist, and advocate Maya Rupert. They discuss how the fight for reproductive justice is being waged post-Dobbs and why the personal has never been more political. Background When We Win with Maya Rupert Center For Reproductive Rights National Women’s Law Center Explanation of EMTALA Joint amicus brief Episode 30 - The Mifepristone Case at SCOTUS Cases Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (2022) Moyle v. Uni...
Jun 20, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep 31•Transcript available on Metacast Not two years after overturning Roe v. Wade , the US Supreme Court is considering a case that threatens to take the abortion pill, mifepristone, off the market. Alison, Liz, and Rebecca explain how the anti-abortion activist lawsuit started, how it got to the Court, and what we learned from the recent oral arguments. Background SCOTUSblog Oral arguments transcript FFRF’s Trump judges report Americans United’s amicus brief FFRF and AA’s joint amicus brief New York Times (2021) - “F.D.A. Will Perm...
May 15, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep 30•Transcript available on Metacast Alison, Liz, and Rebecca welcome guest Amanda Tyler, executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee and lead organizer of BJC’s Christians Against Christian Nationalism campaign. They discuss the urgent threat that Christian nationalist ideology poses to American democracy, how nonreligious and religious Americans alike can fight back, and Amanda explains the strong historical tradition of supporting state/church separation in the Baptist movement. Show Notes Amanda Tyler’s Bio How to End Chr...
Apr 18, 2024•55 min•Ep 29•Transcript available on Metacast Join Rebecca, Alison and Liz for a journey through the history and principles behind the U.S. exempting churches from taxation! We discuss the practice of tax exemption for charitable organizations, including churches, the major cases about the constitutionality of these ideas, and abuses of the Johnson Amendment. Background History of churches and taxes 2024 State of the Secular States report FFRF FAQ on churches and tax exemption Churchtrac - The State of Church Giving: Trends and Statistics (...
Mar 20, 2024•53 min•Ep 28•Transcript available on Metacast It’s that wonderful time of year when Alison guides Rebecca and Liz through the upcoming legislative sessions in states across the country. We discuss upsetting trends in state legislation and bills we’re monitoring that affect the separation of church and state and threaten true religious liberty for everyone. Background and Resources Previous episode about the legislative process Previous episode about Texas 2024 State of the Secular States report American Atheists State Legislation Tracker Wh...
Feb 21, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep 27•Transcript available on Metacast Liz and Rebecca answer your burning questions on religious liberty issues and more! This episode, we reach into the mailbag and take on topics from YOU, our loyal listeners. Background FFRF’s Website American Atheists’ Website Alliance for Justice: Statement of Principles: The Biden Administration Must Prioritize Judges Check us out on Instagram , Facebook, and X (Formerly Twitter) . Our website, we-dissent.org , has more information as well as episode transcripts....
Jan 17, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep 26•Transcript available on Metacast Alison, Liz, and Rebecca interview Anaya Gayle—lawyer, ex-Mormon, and former BYU assistant dean. They discuss the power and influence the church wields and life for LGBTQ+ students at BYU, as Anaya shares her experience inside the insular LDS community. Background More about Anaya Gayle Anaya's Bio Interview with the Human Stories podcast News story - “Former BYU assistant dean speaks out against Honor Code” BYU Honor Code controversy BYU Honor Code "The Divine Institution of Marriage": An Overv...
Dec 20, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Ep 25•Transcript available on Metacast Alison, Liz, and Rebecca are joined by Professor Marci Hamilton, legal icon and leading expert on the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) and extreme religious liberty. Professor Hamilton explains the origin story of RFRA, how it has led us to the emerging theocracy we face, and what Americans can do to reclaim true religious liberty before it’s too late. Submit a question for the holiday mailbag episode here! Background Professor Marci Hamilton’s bio CHILD USA, Prof. Hamilton's think tank ...
Nov 15, 2023•44 min•Ep 24•Transcript available on Metacast Alison, Liz, and Rebecca go back to school! They discuss the latest wild and crazy state/church violations in public schools reported to their organizations, the postscript on the Coach Kennedy case, and the alarming move by Oklahoma to create the first religious public school. Background Pray to Play report Prayer Walks and Public Schools report We Dissent Episode 5 – You, Coach Kennedy, are no Tim Tebow Complaints Discussed Auburn University football team baptism Baptism in Charlotte County Pu...
Oct 25, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Ep 23•Transcript available on Metacast Alison, Liz, and Rebecca take a deep dive into Texas for a case study in theocratic government. They discuss recent Christian nationalist legislation advancing in the state, the takeover of state institutions by conservative Christian legal groups, and the many state/church battles their organizations have fought in Texas. Background Texas Monthly - “How a Right-wing Law Firm Shaped the Judge Who Will Rule on the Abortion Pill” The Washington Post - “Texas legislature passes bill allowing chapla...
Sep 20, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep 22•Transcript available on Metacast Alison, Liz, and Rebecca discuss a better vision for religious liberty with Liz Reiner Platt, director of the Law, Rights, and Religion Project, a law and policy think tank based at Columbia Law School. They talk about using religious exemptions to promote progressive social causes and issues, including the legal fight for a right to abortion based on freedom of conscience. Background Liz Reiner Platt bio Law, Rights, and Religion Project We Dissent episode about 303 Creative Resources All Faith...
Aug 24, 2023•57 min•Ep 21•Transcript available on Metacast The Supreme Court continues to mess up civil rights for everyone. In this episode Rebecca and Liz discuss the two opinions handed down by the Supreme Court at the end of June, Groff v. DeJoy and 303 Creative v. Elenis. They recap the case, summarize the rulings, and discuss implications of the decisions. Background Groff v. DeJoy SCOTUS decision SCOTUSBlog - “Justices rule in favor of evangelical Christian postal worker” Vox - “The other big decision handed down by the Supreme Court today, expla...
Jul 19, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep 20•Transcript available on Metacast Alison, Rebecca, and Liz discuss the pending Post Office case—Groff v. DeJoy—another high-stakes case in which the Supreme Court considers how much hardship a business must bear to accommodate the religious practices of employees. They explain how the case threatens to disrupt decades of case law interpreting Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and what the oral arguments may have signaled about the potential outcome. Background SCOTUS Blog Page Oral arguments transcript Freedom From Religion Foun...
Jun 14, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Ep 19•Transcript available on Metacast Rebecca, Liz, and Alison discuss the state of state/church separation with Professor Caroline Corbin, constitutional law professor at the University of Miami. They review the history of Establishment Clause jurisprudence, remind listeners about what the Supreme Court did to the religion clauses in 2022, and discuss where we stand now in regards to rights under the First Amendment. TLDR: If you’re a Christian, rest assured it’s a “Heads I Win, Tails You Lose” court. Background Professor Caroline ...
May 18, 2023•2 hr 34 min•Ep 18•Transcript available on Metacast Alison, Liz, and Rebecca are joined by Katie O’Connor, Deputy Chief Counsel at Demand Justice, to discuss court reform. Katie explains how the Supreme Court and federal courts have been broken, why it’s an existential threat to our secular democracy, and how we can fix it. Background Demand Justice FFRF report on Trump judges Presidential Commission on the Supreme Court of the United States Legislation Discussed Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act of 2023 H.R.1 - For the People A...
Apr 26, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Ep 17•Transcript available on Metacast Alison, Liz, and Rebecca welcome another guest to the pod—Sasha Buchert, senior attorney and director of the Non-Binary and Transgender Rights Project for Lambda Legal. Sasha guides us through a discussion of the history of transgender rights in the courts, the current legislative attacks on trans people we are seeing across the country, and the litigation to overturn anti-trans laws. Background Lambda Legal Sasha Buchert’s bio “Price Waterhouse v. Hopkins at Thirty” by Sasha Buchert Examples of...
Mar 22, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Ep 16•Transcript available on Metacast What is the ministerial exception? Where did it come from? What has the Supreme Court said about this legal doctrine? In this episode, Rebecca, Liz and Alison recount the history of the ministerial exception and break down the two major cases from the Supreme Court on point: Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Church and School v. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Our Lady of Guadalupe v. Morrisey-Berru. Background “The Right’s Religious Liberty Agenda Is on a Collision Course With Labor Law” “S...
Feb 22, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep 15•Transcript available on Metacast Rebecca, Liz and Alison discuss the December 2022 oral arguments in the latest services for same sex wedding case, 303 Creative v. Elenis. This case involves a Christian website designer who would like to expand her business to create wedding websites, but would refuse to do that for same sex couples. The hosts discuss the craziness that was the oral argument and what this case means for religious liberty and gay rights. Background SCOTUS Blog Page Oral Arguments Coalition amicus brief “Colorado...
Jan 25, 2023•1 hr 19 min•Ep 14•Transcript available on Metacast Alison guides us through the legislative process in states and what to expect in the 2023 legislative sessions. We discuss how a bill becomes a law, what bills we’re tracking for next year, and give advice on how you can become an effective advocate! Cases Marsh v. Chambers (1983) Carson v. Makin (2022) Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (2022) Kennedy v. Bremerton School District (2022) New York State Rifle & Pistol Assoc. v. Bruen (2022) Resources American Atheists Sign up for action...
Dec 22, 2022•1 hr 10 min•Ep 13•Transcript available on Metacast Rebecca, Liz, Monica, and Alison discuss the ways in which the separation of church and state surfaces during election season. They’ll break down the Johnson Amendment, the rules and restrictions churches must adhere to in order to be tax-exempt, and then explore the unique complaints they receive involving voting in churches. FFRF , AHA , and American Atheists (like churches!) are 501(c)(3) organizations and therefore do not endorse or oppose candidates for public office. Background The Texas T...
Nov 16, 2022•1 hr 8 min•Ep 12•Transcript available on Metacast Monica, Alison, Liz, and Rebecca discuss religious liberty issues in our jails and prisons. From court-ordered AA to coercive prayer meetings to forming atheist and humanist groups in prisons, there are plenty of ways the separation of church and state affects this vulnerable population. Cases Torcaso v. Watkins (1961) FFRF v. Mosley and Laurel County Correctional Center (2019) Jason Holden v. BOP (2014) AHA & Kwame Teague v. Perry (2019) Kaufman v. McCaughtry (2006) West v. Radtke (2022) Check ...
Oct 20, 2022•1 hr•Ep 11•Transcript available on Metacast Alison guides Rebecca, Monica and Liz through a discussion of another tool we have to keep religion out of government: administrative rules and regulations. The co-hosts give an overview of this body of law, and discuss how it’s been used to erode the wall of separation and what we can do to roll that back. Background Section 1557 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Title IX and new proposals Administrative Procedures Act (1946) Cases Christian Legal Society v. Martinez (2010) Doe ...
Sep 21, 2022•56 min•Ep 10•Transcript available on Metacast 
