Minnesota Independent

Minnesota Catholics unveil legislative agenda: Ban on gay marriage, help for the poor

By Andy Birkey | 01.19.11 | 2:17 pm

The Minnesota Catholic Conference, an organization representing “the united voice of the Catholic bishops of Minnesota on public policy matters,” has released its legislative priorities for Minnesota’s 2012 session. At the top of the list is a constitutional amendment banning relationship rights for same-sex couples. The group also says it will work to protect the safety net for the poor, even advocating tax increases if necessary.

Bachmann, Kline: Obama’s not saying ‘God’ enough

By Andy Birkey | 12.07.10 | 9:45 am

Republican Reps. Michele Bachmann and John Kline, as part of the Congressional Prayer Caucus, chastised President Obama for not portraying America as a more Christian-like nation to the rest of the world. In a letter on Monday, the caucus complained that Obama omitted the word “God” five times during his recent trip to Indonesia and called on him to correct the record.

National Organization for Marriage’s anti-DFL text raises questions of legality

By Andy Birkey | 11.15.10 | 1:48 pm

In the final days of the 2010 campaign, text messages were sent out accusing Mark Dayton and the DFL of Catholic bashing. It has been revealed that those text messages were sent out by the New Jersey-based National Organization for Marriage, and the manner in which they were sent out is raising questions about the legality of unsolicited texts in campaigns.

‘Under God’ becomes campaign issue in 4th District race

By Andy Birkey | 10.26.10 | 2:49 pm

An 8-year-old video of Rep. Betty McCollum leading the U.S. House in the Pledge of Allegiance has become campaign fodder for her Republican opponent, Teresa Collett. Collett says the video shows McCollum omitting the phrase “under God” from the pledge, and she uses it to assert that McCollum doesn’t respect “our heritage of Judeo-Christian values.” McCollum says she’s said the words “under God” many times when she’s led the pledge on the House floor and called Collett’s questioning of her Christian faith “blatantly anti-American.”

Americans United files IRS complaint against church that endorsed Emmer

By Andy Birkey | 10.18.10 | 3:04 pm

Citing reporting by the Minnesota Independent, Americans United for the Separation of Church and State filed a complaint with the Internal Revenue Service Monday against Hastings’ Berean Bible Baptist Church and its pastor, Brad Brandon, for violating the ban on tax-exempt churches endorsing candidates. Brandon endorsed a slate of Republican, Constitution and independent candidates during his Sunday sermon after challenging the “liberal media” to report on his activities. AU urged the IRS to “investigate this matter and fully enforce our laws.”

Hastings pastor endorses Emmer from pulpit

By Andy Birkey | 10.18.10 | 5:30 am

Pastor Brad Brandon of Berean Bible Baptist Church in Hastings followed through on his recent promise: On Sunday he endorsed a slew of conservative candidates from his pulpit, including Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer, in apparent violation of laws governing tax-exempt organizations. Brandon’s church is also distributing an endorsement list that includes nine Republican and two Constitution Party candidates in races across the state. He noted that he arrived at his choices based on the candidates posititions on bringing God into the classroom, opposing abortion and homosexuality, and support for Israel.

Minnesota’s faithful plan event to counter uptick in anti-Muslim rhetoric

By Andy Birkey | 09.17.10 | 1:35 pm

Some of Minnesota’s largest faith organizations are planning an event to counter a recent rise in anti-Muslim sentiment following controversy over a planned Muslim community center in New York City and threats of Koran-burnings by fundamentalist Christians. The event will…

Kline: It’s a Judeo-Christian nation

By Andy Birkey | 09.13.10 | 8:30 am

Rep. John Kline spoke of the need to get back to Judeo-Christian values during a non-partisan forum in Watertown on Thursday evening. The Second District Republican blamed “nameless, faceless people” who he said are trying to “erase God from…

Ellison: Religious bigotry behind recent anti-Muslim fervor

By Andy Birkey | 09.08.10 | 2:15 pm

Rep. Keith Ellison says the anti-Muslim fervor currently being seen around the country is “religious bigotry, nothing more, nothing less,” and in an interview with the BBC he pointed to Fox News as a contributing factor in the…

Minn. religious groups pray against Arizona immigration law

By Andy Birkey | 07.12.10 | 8:30 am

Several of Minnesota’s religious leaders are calling for a week of prayer against Arizona’s “extreme anti-immigrant legislation” which will go into effect at the end of the month. Dubbed “Isaiah 58 Summer,” Minnesota’s week of prayer is part of eight…