Author: Charles C. Haynes

Genocide in Syria: Who lives, who dies, who cares?

The Syrian government targets and kills its own citizens based on their ethnic, religious or political background. According to international observers and reporters, the Bashar Assad regime conducts mass killings, murders civilians using barrel bombs and chemical weapons, destroys hospitals and blocks humanitarian aid.
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Republicans, Democrats and the stakes for religious freedom

Like motherhood and apple pie, religious freedom is universally popular with members of both major parties. But you don’t have to read far in the party platforms to discover that Republican and Democratic definitions of religious freedom could not be farther apart in meaning and application.
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After Orlando, reclaiming our common humanity

Under the First Amendment every voice has the right to be heard in America – however offensive or disturbing. But a free society that would also be civil requires a critical mass of people willing to answer hatred and intolerance with love and compassion.
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‘I am America’

“I am America,” Muhammad Ali famously declared. “I am the part you won’t recognize. But get used to me – black, confident, cocky; my name, not yours; my religion, not yours; my goals, my own. Get used to me.”
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Without virtue, freedom fails

Legislatures and courts alone cannot protect our fundamental freedoms, especially the freedoms protected by the First Amendment. Our freedom is ultimately sustained by the civic virtue of citizens.
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Make America Safe Again: Reject Islamophobia

On the campaign trail, Islamophobia has moved from the crackpot fringe to mainstream political discourse. Only by making America safe again for Muslim citizens will we keep America safe for people of all faiths and none.
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With Bible bill vetoes, governors uphold religious freedom

The culture wars took an expected turn this month when two Republican governors vetoed “Bible bills” in the reliably red states of Idaho and Tennessee.
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Without LGBT rights, religious freedom fails

In a pluralistic democracy, people can and should debate differences about religion, sexual orientation and gender identity. But our common goal must be public policies that uphold both religious freedom and equality – two constitutional principles grounded in the inviolable dignity of every human being.
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Safe Space for Free Speech

When chalked graffiti promoting Donald Trump and his controversial wall appeared overnight on buildings, steps, and other surfaces at Emory University in Atlanta, Ga., last week, student reaction ranged from amusement to outrage.
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Beyond left vs. right, Madison’s vision of religious freedom

Madison, whose birthday the nation largely ignores every year on March 16, would be appalled to see the true meaning of religious freedom, the great cause of his life, lost in the din of charge and counter-charge in our increasingly ugly political arena.
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