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Pennsylvania archive; updated 2008-10-20 21:55 MST

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2008-10

Boy Scout leaders question district policy

2008-09

Pennsylvania town says couple runs swingers' club inside church

2008-06

A word for nonbelievers

2008-02

Amish community fined over outhouse controversy

2008-01

Priest arrested on perjury charges in alleged mob case

2007-12

Atheists' group sponsors Franklin County billboard
Police expect no charges in youth group diaper skit
Atheism trusts in humanity's potential

2007-09

Judge unties the knot

2007-08

Holy eggplant!

2007-07

Unbelievers explain

2007-06

Judge: Police can ban religious Muslim garb

2007-04

Pennsylvania county agrees to settle lawsuit challenging 'faith-based' jail ministry

2007-03

ADF attorney to debate ACLU president on pornography

2007-02

Lawsuit: School banned Jesus costume
The real theory, fueled by evidence, and the stupid one, powered by vitriol
Group files complaint over TV clip showing pastor going into adult bookstore that led to his suicide

2006-10

Judge received death threats after ruling on intelligent design

2006-07

Bill to ban gay marriage stalls

2006-05

Mariano: Just one more crook who got religion

2006-04

PA: Villanova considering on-campus memorial to 'victims of abortion'
PA: The religious right shows political might

2006-03

Judge in Dover case reports hostile e-mails

2006-02

PA: Nazareth district bows to teen on pledge
Interview: Eugenie Scott on the Dover trial (MP3/ITunes)

2006-01

PA: Board rescinds 'intelligent design' policy

2005-12

Judge rules against 'intelligent design'
Text of Kitzmiller decision on 'intelligent design' (PDF)
Plaintiffs considering perjury charges against ex-Dover board members
Intelligent ruling
Threw the book at 'em
Smackdown in evolution ruling
Judge's stinging decision against intelligent design may have broad impact
Judge Bars 'Intelligent Design' From Pa. Classes
Judge rules against intelligent design

2005-11

Darwin on trial
Creationism's defendants
Raccoon couple wants creche put on county property
Bad news Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore
Smartly decline anti-Darwinians
Dover and Pat Robertson, Topeka and the Wizards of ID
Politics, not science, behind curriculum
Intelligent design trial ends after 40-day run
Pennsylvania intelligent design trial winds up
Court battle over teaching of evolution
In the judge’s hands
End of long trial leaves a void
What’s made Dover unique?
'Intelligent design' trial likely to wrap up
Judge Weighs Evolution Arguments in Pa.
'Intelligent design' friends and foes make final pitch
Evolution battle at center of school election
It's all about bacterial flagella
Academics debate intelligent design, First Amendment
Intelligent-design decision dissected
Origin of board decision probed
Did we mention that Dover is clueless?
'Intelligent design' trial enters final week
Witness: Theory was worth mentioning
Plaintiffs ask: Why choose Thomas More?
Judge grills Dover official
In Dover suit, a day to sweat
'Intelligent design' is school-board election issue in PA
'Creationism' conflict
Intelligent-design textbook debated
Obscure biology textbook evolves as focus of 'intelligent design' trial
Dover official didn't look into intelligent design
Word use still at issue
Buckingham seesaws on the stand
Word: Used or not used?

2005-10

A few more standard (and false) claims about evolutionary biology
Buckingham contradicts self on money for books
Dover board incumbents smear ACLU
Former school board member denies using word 'creationism'
Ex-school trustee 'misspoke' on evolution
This is a fight the Designers have to lose
PA witness: intelligent design needs boost
Of Delusion and Crusades
Intelligent design's plea for help
Of Behe and mammary glands
The makings of a bad defense
Nilsen doesn't recall details
Intelligent Design proponents call their first witness
Behe backs off 'mechanisms'
Scientists, sex mark Day 10
Dover defense testifies
Witness defends broad definition of science. Very broad.
Astrology is scientific theory, courtroom told
Behe's 15th-century science
Biochemist testifies on 'intelligent design'
Pro-ID piece uses rhetorical tricks
Dover statement on intelligent design 'stifles critical thinking,' a science education expert testified Wednesday.
Debate over statement perplexes students
Dover statement bombs, even in Canada
Scientists hit back at Dover video
Teachers: Our input not applied
Evolution of faith
Forrest cross-examination a rambling wonder
Intelligent design part of effort to restore faith in public life
Professor Barbara Forrest to testify about 'wedge' plan
Returning to Dover
PA: Sub has no trouble with intelligent design
Dover intelligent design trial resumes
Philadelphia cardinals 'excused and enabled abuse, covered up crimes'
The Buckingham school: No civil liberties allowed
Dover school board meetings were like revivals
Dover defense will rely on two arguments
PA: Two members applauded the burning of a depiction of evolution, Casey Brown testified
Gov. Rendell backs evolution
150 attend meeting on 'stupid' theory
"It's so you don't grow up to be an idiot like the school board members in Dover, Pa.,'' I tell him.
Have you ever really looked at intelligent design?
Witness bashes intelligent design
Intelligent design a religious notion, scientist testifies
Ex-Dover board member says belief in God was questioned

2005-09

The worst job: Teaching science in Dover
PA: Witnesses testified that board members had a history of talking about creationism.
Parents take stand at Dover trial
Spotlight baffling Dover
Witness: 'Intelligent Design' doesn't qualify as science
Ex-teacher testifies in evolution case
Intimidation alleged on 'intelligent design'
Testimony: Creationism was pressed
PA: Teacher says board effort on evolution was resisted
Pennsylvania school district's intelligent-design statement
Parents take stand on Darwin versus God in school
On the trail of intelligent design
Witness: District downplayed Darwin
Intelligent design on trial
Religion in disguise
Court test is near for 'intelligent design'
'Intelligent Design' Trial Begins Today
A web of faith, law and science in evolution suit
The false choices of intelligent design
All the monkey business starts tomorrow
'Intelligent design' faces first big court test
Probe is harsh on Catholic leaders of Philadelphia
PA: Preacher vows fight over flight 93 memorial design
Even kookier objects to flight 93 memorial

2005-05

PA: 'Intelligent design' voters split along party lines
PA: Dover voters weigh in on intelligent design

2005-03

PA: Parents who favor 'intelligent design' blocked from lawsuit

2005-02

PA: Jail contractor pushes religion, says AU, ACLU
PA: Is God Owens' orthopedist, too? Please.

2005-01

PA: Church can ring bells, despite complaints
PA: Christian group charged with hate crime
The new Monkey Trial
PA: Dover makes intelligent design statement optional
PA: Plaintiffs won't ask for immediate block of 'intelligent design'

2004-12

PA: Evolution, 'intelligent design' share deskspace
PA: Dover will wait before teaching intelligent design
The school of creationism
PA: ACLU to file lawsuit over Dover "intelligent design"
PA: Historic preservationists in feud with religious mission
PA: Menorah to stay in city square
PA: School board member says "the worst is coming" over intelligent design
PA: Dover school board member resigns, says she voted for 'intelligent design' text to be made available as reference
PA: Town fighting to keep commandments wants promised payment from Christian
PA: Dover science faculty uneasy over "intelligent design" mandate
PA: Judge okays selling land around monument in park

2004-11

Unintelligent resign
PA: Spiritual and religious beliefs don't really mix
PA: School district says it will monitor evolution instruction
PA: Pittsburgh tries to get nonprofits to pay 'voluntary' tax
PA: District requires teaching of 'intelligent design'
PA: School board OKs challenges to evolution
PA: School mandates alternate evolution theory
PA: A thought from behind the curtain

2004-10

PA: "Pledge Police" Editorial
PA: Proposal flags kids who won't say pledge
PA: Constitution candidate wants Biblical laws. No word on where he wants to hold the stonings
PA: Dover votes to require 'intelligent design'
PA: Non-Catholic commandments
PA: Atheist activists focus on church-state issues
PA: Ten commandments can remain outside courthouse
PA: School will have creationist book in classes, but not in curriculum

2004-09

PA: Audit of faith-based firm will leave questions unanswered
PA: Witches apparently after local nutcase
PA: Creationism issue still lingers

2004-08

PA: School gets off to a prayerful start in Chambersburg
PA: State supported faith-based program defends itself against critical report

2004-07

PA: Priest charged, despite 'sleep sex' claim
PA: Sidney Schempp of "Abington v Schempp" dies at 91; suit made mandatory bible readings illegal

2004-06

PA: Hanover asks citizens' group to pay commandments tab
PA: Religious channel trying to get on cable says schools teach atheism
PA: Protesters urge bishop to deny communion to pro-choice legislators
PA: Sale of ten commandments monument debated in hearing
PA: Creationist text dispute misdirected
PA: Dover residents join creationism school debate
PA: Dover schools could face lawsuit over book that includes creationism
PA: For Philadelphia Catholics, movies a no-no
PA: Hanover ten commandments ruling may not mirror Salt Lake City's
PA: Politics at churches now routine

2004-05

PA: City council split over issue of verbal/silent prayer
PA: Retired minister asks city council to change spoken prayer to silent
PA: Monumental fight
PA: County mulls endorsing festival that includes "Christian family day"
PA: Atheists may want piece of Wirt park if part is sold for ten commandments
Monument and prayer day controversy in PA
PA: Judge refuses to throw out abuse lawsuits on separation grounds
PA: Nonbelievers hold own rally to protest government endorsement of prayer
PA: People pray for a reason; dispute re National Day of Prayer

2004-04

PA: Governor declares "day of prayer", refuses to declare "day of reason"
PA: Trucks bearing abortion pictures drive through town
PA: Hanover wants to sell small plot of land to keep commandments
PA: Hanover considering ways to keep ten commandments in park
PA: Retailer cancels 'Dress-up' Jesus order

2004-03

Op-ed: PA city council made right decision in not promoting Good Friday
PA: Arlen Specter now thinks vouchers are unconstitutional
PA: Charleroi council passes over Good Friday resolution
PA: Group grows from commandments flap
PA: For both sides, a monumental fight

2004-02

Fred Phelps wants anti-gay monument in PA
PA: Anti-gay rights amendment introduced
PA: Professors debate role of religion in schools
PA: Commandments move consistent with Penn's vision
PA: State candidate wants government to throw more money at commandments
PA/Letter: Violence not justified by beliefs about ten commandments
Letter/PA: Comparison of ten commandments to Kent State inappropriate
PA: Second grader suspended one day for saying "hell"
PA: Store sells T-shirts slamming Americans United

2004-01

PA: Equal protection and Fred Phelps
PA: Possibilities abound for future of Hanover commandments monument
PA: Hanover votes to move ten commandments monument
PA: No agreement reached with city re Scouts' rules banning gays and atheists
PA: Philadelphia public schools 'partnering' with churches; Christian columnist crowing about how much better this will make the world
PA: Philadelphia to discuss Boy Scouts with civil rights leaders
PA: Board drops Lord's Prayer

2003-12

PA: Woman wins "peachy" ruling over religious sign
PA: Principal kicks nativity scene out of school
PA: Polygamy at root of custody fight
PA: Phelps' offensive monument raises debate

2003-11

'Anti-abortion terrorist' alleged to have sent hundreds of hoax anthrax letters to abortion clinics -- and an anti-abortion group, an opthamologist, and a psychologist
PA: Town asked to allow nativity scene
PA: A fight Kaylynne can't win; a ten-year old in the middle of a battle over custody and polygamy
PA: Residents polled re pledge, school board vote: 'It's always been that way'
PA: Mosque wins zoning approval after months of controversy
PA school board on pledge: 'God' in pledge doesn't have to mean god at all. I'm not making this up.
PA: Democratic candidate wins supreme court race; ran on support for abortion rights
PA: Faiths debated at 'religious rumble'
Pa: Americans United concerned with church "character development" program

2003-10

PA: Anti-gay preacher busted for soliciting 14-year-old boy
PA: 'Under god' not local concern
PA: Priest cleared of sex charges
PA: Catholic pastor resigns over Internet pornography charges
PA: Boy scouts propose lip service to satisfy nondiscrimination requirement

2003-09

Commandments removed in Ala., Survive in Pa.
PA: Letter from American Atheists regarding Philadelphia scouts
Op-ed: Time for Cradle to rock the Boys; PA chapter should call the BSA's bluff on discriminatory policies
Editorial/PA: Outing the scouts; city should proceed with eviction of Scouts, unless movement is seen toward more tolerant policy on gays, atheists
PA: Boy Scouts set to lose land deal with Philadelphia
PA: Philadelphia gave funds to Boy Scouts while questioning government support
PA: Abortion services now available in Erie
PA: Deal approved in school cross suspension
PA: City says scouts' use of land is in jeopardy, due to exclusion of gays, atheists
PA: Anti-abortion pastor acquitted of disorderly conduct charge; won't comment on role in this Halloween's parade
Secularist groups won't press PA commandments case
PA: Groups decide not to press suit over Chester County ten commandments display
PA: Trial underway; pastor and followers jumped in front of the 2002 Halloween parade, with posters of dismembered fetuses, to protest abortion
PA: Philadelphia school chief wants to partner with religion

2003-08

PA: School agrees to retain teacher suspended for wearing cross
PA freethought society considering supreme court appeal in plaque case
Street survey: those ten commandments aren't, apparently, particularly easy to remember
PA: Federal appeals court rejects atheist group's request to reconsider plaque ruling
PA: Supervisors reject abortion clinic settlement
PA: Altoona council votes to re-hang ten commandments, citing third circuit appeals court decisions
PA: Beards on Philadelphia cops OK for religious or medical reasons
Conservative Christian legal aid group challenges PA antidiscrimination law
PA school to review flyer policy following suit from student disseminating anti-evolution pamphlets

2003-07

PA: Atheists want rehearing in ten commandments case
PA: ACLU to file appeal to full third circuit re courthouse ten commandments plaque
PA: Sikhs denied entry to clubs for wearing turbans
PA: County courthouse can keep ten commandments posted
PA: AFA attacks high school club for gay students
PA: Op-ed re retaining ten commandments monument for historical reasons
PA: A violation of students rights; Court strikes down law making recitation of pledge of allegiance mandatory in schools
PA: state says it will appeal decision striking down mandatory school pledge law
Senate judiciary committee postpones Pryor vote
PA: Cover removed from courthouse ten commandments plaque at issue in legal battle
PA: Muslim group planning mosque to take a municipality to court; council vote denied permits
PA: Fiery street preacher accused of solicitation

2003-06

PA: Courthouse ten commandments plaque to stay in place; other PA decision cited
PA teachers aide, suspended for wearing cross, reinstated pending hearing
PA: Third circuit appeals court says ten commandments plaque can stay
PA school hears objections to geography textbook because of 'ape men' picture; school doesn't even teach evolution
AHA criticizes Philadelphia-based scouting organization; ousted gay scout despite disavowing discrimination

2003-05

Textbook apparently too confident about evolution for PA school district
Fred Phelps protests Mr. Rogers memorial service

2003-04

Religious conservatives rally behind Santorum
No crossing over, no coming back
PA County Ten Commandments case goes to appeals court Monday

2003-02

Commandment fight expands to Chester County's web site
Forgetting fear a credo for novelist
Non-Christian and living in York, PA
Forum to encourage respect for a diversity of beliefs
Religion in Philly's schools set off 19th-century riots
Indivisible in Pa.? Not exactly.

2003-01

Cops eye faith-healing in PA boy's death
PA school district adds ID to curriculum
ACLU files brief in West Chester commandments plaque case

2002-12

PA: Evolution language morphs mission statement
ACLU Responds to Brief Comparing It to Taliban
Plain people, exotic illnesses

2002-11

Pittsburgh attempts compromise in creche parking dispute
Don't give churches blanket exemptions
Complete history and timeline of PA's Chester County Ten Commandments saga
PA Farm Bureau apparently considers Ten Commandments a farm issue
PA state senate considers "religious freedom" bill
PA bill to require pledge in schools

2002-10

Pittsburgh columnist: Atheists are pretty darn stupid
PA gov race: Fisher e-mails supporters about Rendell's afterlife beliefs
Student asks court to reverse Bible club ban
County says judge overlooked plaque's 'passive nature'
Altoona, PA: proposed rehanging of Commandments sparks controversy
Einhorn defense to invoke paranormal
PA churches organize to support public posting of Ten Commandments
Atheists offer plaque to Altoona City Hall (2nd story on page)

2002-09

Minister reprises 'under God' sermon

2002-08

Clearfield County (PA) spurns bid to remove Ten Commandments marker
PA psychic claims law doesn't apply to him
Retired pastor takes up fight for 'under God'

2002-07

Chester County (PA) hires high-powered legal firms to fight Ten Commandments case
PA town council unanimously supports Ten Commandments, "under God" pledge
Locals disturbed by Gallitzin's freethinking "Atheist Station"
Man kills 8-year-old son, claiming son was "devil"

2002-06

Suicidal maniac: "Rapture is upon us!"
PA school considering teachnig creationism
PA Judge Finds Amish Guilty
Priest's wrestling website shut down

2002-05

Atheist suggests: Replace 10 Comandments with 10 Amendments
Catholic priest creates disturbing web site
Commandments cover stolen from courthouse
There is no middle ground in plaque issue
PA county commissioners back school prayer Amendment
PA county council tries delaying tactic to keep Ten Commandments
Commandments don't belong on courthouse
Pittsburgh-area town now opens meetings with spoken prayer

2002-04

Little is gained by covering of courthouse plaque
Ten Commandments plaque covered after several arrests
Girls, women "married" to God in abstinence vow
PA township commissioners to vote on spoken prayer at meetings
Ex-pastor pleads no contest to more than 100 fraud charges
Councilman vows Ten Commandments courtroom rally despite judge’s ban
PA: Battle rages over Ten Commandments
Tableau is offered to save PA county tablets

2002-03

Controversial ten commandments 'should be covered'
State targets Amish for unlicensed feeds
PA residents post Ten Commandments on storefronts
Honor thy founders
Judge orders removal of Ten Commandments in PA county courthouse
Religious plaque on courthouse wall violates the Constitution, judge says
Pittsburgh removes priests
School board cancels program on creationism
Suit to decide fate of PA county's Ten Commandments plaque

2002-02

Synagogue's cantor arrested for allegedly molesting nephew
Supreme Court declines to hear religious leafletting case
PA county joins school-prayer amendment movement
Local clergy hold varied opinions on courthouse Ten Commandments plaque
PA school learns a lesson in allowing private groups to post documents
Altoona changes outside material policy after ACLU challenge
Canonsburg PA gives its blessing for school prayer
Holy Spirit saves man from cougar attack
Cantor at Pennsylvania synagogue pleads guilty to molesting two girls
Pittsburgh embraces faith-based charities
Pittsburgh puts up $10 million for churches
PA county promotes school-prayer amendment
ACLU protests creationism at school assembly
Freethought Society debates Ten Commandments plaque
Islam-course protest highlights hypocrisy
Volunteers work to put prayer back in public schools

2002-01

PA school board votes to allow creationist speaker
Potter books cause stir in Pennsylvania town
Police department in PA town accuses YMCA of promoting witchcraft
PA county commissioners back school prayer
PA politician seeks resolution supporting school prayer bill
Pastor comes out; congregation cheers

2001-12

Pennsylvania woman lobbies UN for nontheists' rights
AU Directory Lynn speaks to Lehigh University students

2001-11

Ten Commandments actions and lawsuits in AL, TN, PA, FL

2001-10

Woman defends battle vs. courthouse plaque

2001-09

"Unity" rally cheers courthouse Ten Commandments plaque
Pennsylvania county to finance religious schools

2001-08

Ex-pastor, wife plan damage suit against attacker
Amish fight to preserve tradition of employing children
Pennsylvania man faces jail for exposing his daughter to his Wiccan beliefs

2001-07

Bush promotes Faith-Based plan in Baptist church in Philadelphia

2001-06

Faith-healing parents get prison time for daughter's death

2001-05

Saving 7-year-olds
Evolution debate: PA student leads textbook challenge
Amish ask Senate panel to loosen child-labor rules
Amish urge looser rules for child labor
High court denies faith-healing parents' appeal
Couple's faith healing appeal denied

2001-04

Court battle brewing over religious zoning law
Religious belief runs up against traffic safety law

2001-03

Amish sect fights Pennsylvania traffic mandate
Amish vow to continue fight over symbols on buggies
Pittsburgh book burning! Harry Potter, Disney videos, rock CDs, literature burned
Citing love of God, PA church burns books, tapes, CDs
PA county sued over Ten Commandments plaque
Mayor expands controversial program even as Philly faith-based director charged with theft

2001-02

Suit claims Pittsburgh suburb denied man's religious freedom

2000-12

PA law collides with hard-core Amish
Amish man goes to jail rather than install reflectors on his buggy

2000-11

Pastor jailed on fraud charges

2000-10

Psychic claims to be able to photograph dead people

2000-08

Atheists march for civil rights, separation in Philly protest

1999-10

Four US Representatives speak out against church/state separation, atheism

1999-04

Pennsylvania, Rhode Island Courts Declare Bibles Must Be Taxed

Stories on this page are ordered and grouped by dateline.