Sorry Jennifer, but I think MTR has every right to be embarrassed about her religion if she wants to be.

It certainly is the first time I have heard of someone threatening to sue for defamation because they were called a Baptist though. I bet the Baptists are a bit miffed that a feminist believes that being called a Baptist, even erroneously, is somehow derogatory or defamatory and may cause emotional anguish and/or damage to ones reputation.

Poirot,
I agree that one should “reveal” one’s CV, probably including religious or secularist afilliation. (thou not a complete list of all what one beliefs on the background of one’s world-view, be it religious, deist, atheist. or what you have) when applying for a public job, e.c. an official “bioethics adviser”.

However, this shoal not be the case when entering an intellectual debate about some FACTS, and how to interpret them, or evaluating a variety of OPINIONS (irrespective of where they originally come from or what word-views happen to have influenced them)

Pericles,
I am somewhat surprised, but glad, that I can agree with every word you wrote in your last post.

*As vanna pointed out, she is not obliged to discuss them, or even disclose them.*

Pericles, she is not obliged to. But if an author has a religious
background and there are reasons to suspect that their religious
beliefs are affecting public policy, then its quite reasonable for
others to point that out and discuss their possible motivation.

Personally I have far more respect for somebody who comes clean
about their beliefs, so we all know where we stand

For these days we have freedom of religion, so why not freedom
from religion, for those who choose so?

I unfortunately do not have time to read all the other comments atm.
Jennifer, I like your article. I agree with most, if not everything you have said.(the exception, or question I have for you will be my one disagreement) I am a christian that is is very happy to let it be known that that is who I am, and that is the worldview I am coming from. I agree, your worldview does color your attitudes, beliefs, opinions, values and actions. I am not even going to deal with the issue that christian's opinions are so very often written off simply beacause they are christians.. I'm sure that will be there somewhere in the existing 20 comments.

My question to you is, though you are not a christian, and though many are not christians in our society, would you and those same people be prepared to live in a world that has not had the underpinning of the bible for the last 1000 years? I have recently read a book that really made me think and examine my understanding of western culture. The guy who wrote it, travels in the USA regularly, though is from a culture which does not have christian history. His wife STILL cries tears of amazement and joy whenever an ambulance rushes past to the aid of some poor unfortunate person. In her culture, people are not valued. True, the actual ambulance man may not value that person.. but the system does. The question for you to really consider is, how did the system develop?
sorry if this seems random,but i am addressing your issue with being in a system that reflects bible values.. and I thought that it was a point worth making, and a book worth reading....
ps my personal willingness to be known is not meant to be a negative reflection on Melinda. I am ver much in support of her work
I do hope you two can work things out. I am praying that you do.

“Tankard Reist ... says it's not being called Christian she objects to, but the claim that she is ''deceptive and duplicitous about her religious beliefs''. (see e.g. http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/antiporn-activist-threatens-to-sue-blogger-over-religion-claims-20120116-1q39d.html).

So although I know nothing about the case, nevetheless am inclined to think that MRT should not have sued Jennifer. There would be very few of us on this OLO if we had a skin that thin. Also, on this OLO there is one runner, who knows exctly what atehism is all about but many Jennifers who know exactly what Chrisanity is, or ought to be, all about. We, the more reluctant to make sweeping statements, just have to live with both kinds.

However, as far as possible reasons to sue, there is certainly a difference between being called a “Christian” and being called “deceptive” (giving an appearance or impression different from the true one; misleading, in my dictionary) and “duplicitous” (deceitful : treacherous, in my dictionary).

Jennifer, badgering MTR about her religious affiliation won't get you any more answers. You wrote an article saying it's unethical to not disclose one's religion. While religious and ideological beliefs may inform someone's morality, no one is fully aware of exactly how. None of us, it is to be hoped, engage in so much self-analysis that we can trace every last influence on our moral decisions. You seem to think that the "Christian faith" can be blamed for anything its adherents say or do. If someone is a feminist and has the view that male kittens should be drowned, it might be enlightening to know she's a feminist, but at the end of the day her views are abhorrent on their own merit. Should all feminists be blamed for the views of one?

If you have a problem with MTR's views, attack her views, not where they come from.

As for ultrasounds, of course there are non-religious reasons. Firstly, there are people who oppose abortion who are not in any way religious, who accept what any biologist will tell you, that life begins at conception. Secondly, if a woman is going to have an abortion, I believe she should know exactly what she is doing. I believe she has a right to be fully informed. She also has a right to proper medical attention. I have had a D&C, which is the same as abortion except the foetus is already dead. It was necessary for me to have a vaginal ultrasound beforehand to ensure that the foetus was actually in the womb and not elsewhere - a mere pregnancy test will not show an ectopic pregnancy, and an abdominal ultrasound won't show the foetus in early stages of pregnancy. (I know because I've had an ultrasound technician tell me I wasn't pregnant when I was, only to clearly see my baby's heart pumping on a vaginal ultrasound the next day.) But you blame religion for these laws.... I think that shows very clearly why someone would have good reason to not want to disclose their religious views to you.