American Atheists

Atheists ask Court to Defend Workers’ First Amendment Rights

American Atheists — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 18:50:26 +0000

Washington, D.C. — American Atheists, a national civil rights organization, filed an amicus brief today in Catholic Charities v. Wisconsin Labor and Industry Review Commission. The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in this case could determine, for the first time, whether nonprofit organizations doing charity work motivated by religious belief must be exempted from paying unemployment taxes. In Wisconsin, the state labor commission denied an application for exemption submitted by Catholic Charities, whose activities were deemed “not religious.” The state Supreme Court agreed with that assessment, finding the organization “did not proselytize, did not conduct worship services, religious outreach, or religious education.” Catholic Charities contends that Wisconsin — and numerous other states with similar unemployment insurance programs — are violating its free exercise rights. The nonprofit is demanding that its employees be excluded from critical government benefits, like unemployment insurance protections, solely because they work for a faith-based organization. American Atheists, which advocates for the separation of church and state, disagrees. “Empathy knows no creed, and charities around the country employ millions of people who each have their own reasons for doing charitable work. Their rights must be protected,” said Geoffrey Blackwell, Legal Director for American Atheists. “For example, if the Supreme Court takes Catholic Charities side in this case, health care workers in places like Durango, Colorado, where the only hospital within two hours is run by a religious organization, would be denied government unemployment protections solely because the hospital where they work has religious reasons for providing health care. That is a situation no American should face.” In the amicus brief filed today, American Atheists maintains the Establishment Clause rightfully and forcefully prohibits the government from using its taxation powers to coerce professions of religious belief, and that Catholic Charities is, therefore, violating the First Amendment by seeking a tax exemption based solely on a profession of religious belief. “The legal theory Catholic Charities is presenting here echoes the very same violations that shocked American colonists and prompted them to ratify our First Amendment,” stated Blackwell. “The Supreme Court has repeatedly found that excluding people from government programs, like unemployment insurance, based on religion alone is unconstitutional.” “Nonprofit employees are public servants, and whether we’re religious or not, we are all motivated by a desire to make a positive impact on our communities,” said Nick Fish, President of American Atheists. “It’s unconscionable that an organization like Catholic Charities would try to deny their hardworking employees public benefits simply because it’s religious.” You can read American Atheists’ amicus brief here. A decision is expected from the U.S. Supreme Court by late June.

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Trump Administration’s School Privatization Order Defies Will of The People

American Atheists — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 23:44:28 +0000

Again and again and again, voters have rejected school vouchers and other privatization schemes that attempt to defund and dismantle the nonsectarian public schools that 90% of U.S. families choose. The mandate from the American people to their state and federal lawmakers is clear: Support public schools. Earlier today, the Trump Administration issued yet another executive order that directly contradicts the will of the people. They justify their wholly unpopular position on school privatization by alluding to a “growing body of rigorous research.” This is a lie. Decades of independent research increasingly demonstrates vouchers do not work. In fact, they exacerbate racial and socioeconomic segregation and lead to declines in academic outcomes. Families in rural areas are particularly harmed by the funding cuts to public schools that accompany these voucher schemes. And far from saving taxpayers money, privatization policies have proven to be egregiously, unsustainably expensive and rife with abuse. For what? The data shows the primary beneficiaries of so-called “school choice” are the corporations who receive exceedingly generous tax credits and the wealthy families who would have sent their children to private schools even without aid. In states like Iowa, religious schools have more than doubled their tuition rates in order to rake in taxpayer dollars while continuing to keep certain families out. The President’s order to “expand opportunities for low-income, working families” indicates he and his Administration either fundamentally fail to understand how these programs operate or, more likely, they don’t actually care about the real-world impact that school privatization policies have on the tens of millions of Americans who choose public schools. Private and parochial schools can, by law, discriminate against students and their families. They are not held to the same rigorous standards as public schools. Until and unless private schools agree to play by the same rules — including nondiscrimination protections and local control — they should not receive a single dollar of taxpayer money. American Atheists will continue to work tirelessly with partners across the country to protect students’ civil rights, defend the separation of religion and government, and ensure that nonsectarian public education receives the funding and support it needs to serve all of our nation’s students.

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American Atheists Reaffirms Commitment to Protecting LGBTQ+ Rights

American Atheists — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 16:00:57 +0000

Cranford, NJ—American Atheists is proud to stand alongside national civil rights organizations and secular advocacy groups today—and everyday—in reaffirming our commitment to vigorously oppose attacks against LGBTQ+ Americans. We unequivocally believe public policy should be based on facts, not faith. For example, when we conducted the largest secular survey ever of over 34,000 nonreligious Americans, 82% of respondents identified protecting LGBTQ equality as an issue organizations like ours should prioritize, with 30% listing it as one of their three most important issues. Given the vitriol LGBTQ+ individuals face in so many faith communities, it is unsurprising nearly half identify as being nonreligious. In fact, religious hostility is the single most cited reason young Americans provide for leaving religion behind. The LGBTQ+ community is an integral part of our secular community. Unfortunately, LGBTQ+ Americans, particularly transgender Americans, are among the groups most impacted by religiously-motivated stigma and anti-scientific misinformation. This misinformation, left unchecked, plays a critical role in producing anti-trans legislation, which has been directly correlated with a statistically significant increase in suicide attempts as compared to states where such laws have not been enacted. Whether anti-LGBTQ+ bigotry is motivated by religious dogma or antiquated pseudoscience, it does not align with our organization’s values or our vision of a society in which all people are guaranteed equality under the law and are free from discrimination in their daily lives. In the latest edition of the State of the Secular States report, American Atheists warned that attacks on trans Americans would continue to escalate in states across the country and at the federal level with the incoming Trump-Vance Administration. Already this year, our policy team is monitoring a record number of anti-LGBTQ+ legislative proposals. Among them are bills that would strip legal recognition from transgender people altogether; books bans that disproportionately target literature featuring LGBTQ+ people and characters; and policies that would force teachers and school professionals to “out” students, even when there is potential for abuse. Despite the recommendation of all major U.S. medical associations, there are continued attempts to limit access to evidence-based health care. It is deeply troubling to see prominent atheists utilize the same bigoted talking points as Christian nationalists and religious extremists. Though they purport to embrace scientific inquiry, they ignore the scientific disinformation> that has shaped public opinion and policy and which fails to withstand scrutiny and the advancement of science. Of course, anti-LGBTQ+ individuals, religious or nonreligious, are free to think, believe, and speak as they will, and they do. Likewise, American Atheists will not remain silent. Although atheists and other religiously unaffiliated Americans are clearly not a monolithic group, an overwhelming majority support, as we do, the rights and dignity of trans people and the entire LGBTQ+ community. “Despite the clear evidence that religious extremists are attempting to foment a moral panic, aimed at pushing LGBTQ+ Americans out of public life—or indeed, out of existence—some people seem content to either ignore this threat or, worse, launder these extremists’ misleading talking points and outright lies,” said Nick Fish, president of American Atheists. “It’s disheartening to see those who hold themselves out as voices of reason […]

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New Analysis Shows Religious Equality Under Threat in Half the States

American Atheists — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 16:00:46 +0000

Washington, D.C.—Today, religious equality watchdog American Atheists released its State of the Secular States report, an in-depth analysis of state-level legislative policies that impact the separation of religion and government. As in previous years, this seventh edition outlines how the white Christian nationalist movement has used legislatures in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C., to proliferate policies that undermine pluralism, democracy, and civil rights. “Since we first published the State of the Secular States report in 2019, it has become a powerful tool for lawmakers, the media, and advocates to understand the nationwide trajectory toward religious extremism,” said Nick Fish, President of American Atheists. “The outsized and intensifying impact of White Christian Nationalist groups must not be ignored in 2025, and we urge the majority of Americans who do not support their hateful ideology and extreme policies to fight back.” In 2024, American Atheists monitored 1,156 bills across the country, and the just-released publication highlights the spread of draconian abortion restrictions, discriminatory anti-trans policies, and a troublingly successful effort to privatize and Christianize public schools. Melina Cohen, Director of Communications at American Atheists, said: “America’s public schools are cornerstones of our communities and our democracy, serving 90% of our nation’s children and teens. We as a nation should be proud of our nonsectarian, inclusive public schools. Instead, we are seeing more and more legislative attempts to inject religion into publicly funded classrooms and divert public funds to discriminatory religious schools.” According to the 2025 State of the Secular States report, the bulk of the dangerous legislation being promulgated by white Christian nationalists targets schools and youth, who are particularly vulnerable to ideological indoctrination. These policies include released time laws, school vouchers, religious displays and curriculum, and attempts to replace counselors with chaplains, as well as measures that seek to censor literature, free thought, or free speech. Ballot measures and initiatives have, thankfully, allowed advocates to advance reproductive rights and oppose school privatization in multiple states. American Atheists expects that this success will continue to result in a backlash against those methods of direct democracy. At the same time, because opponents to universal voucher schemes were defeated in primary elections by their own party leadership in the November election, these measures are more likely to pass this year, even as they’ve proven to be demonstrably harmful for students and disastrous for state budgets. “In the weeks and months ahead, Americans who value their First Amendment rights must understand their state legislatures are increasingly the last bulwark against religious extremism,” said Nick Fish, President of American Atheists. “We know what the federal government, led by Donald Trump and the architects of Project 2025, have planned. And we have seen that we may no longer be able to trust the federal courts to vindicate our rights. That’s why American Atheists will continue increasing our investment in grassroots activism—starting with this powerful tool for advocates in all 50 states.” The 2025 State of the Secular States tracks more than 60 metrics of state-level policy across all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington D.C. and features expert commentary from Kimya Forouzan of the […]

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Atheists Urge Oklahoma School Leaders to “Teach, Don’t Preach”

American Atheists — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 16:40:40 +0000

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“One of the most extreme figures ever nominated”

Nick Fish — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 15:40:46 +0000

American Atheists doesn’t always weigh in on presidential cabinet nominations, so when we do, you can trust enough evidence has mounted to warrant a response. For example, last month, we issued a statement regarding the selection of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. We received some flak for that, but as an organization that values reason and science, ignoring his long history of spreading dangerous misinformation is not an option. Similarly, we cannot remain silent about the nomination of former Fox & Friends weekend co-host Pete Hegseth to head the Department of Defense. It is the federal government’s largest agency, with an annual operating budget of $900 billion and over two million civilian workers and troops. If confirmed, Hegseth would be the least experienced defense secretary in American history. We’re compelled to oppose Hegseth’s appointment not because his résumé is short but because his reputation is long in religious extremism, and we have grave concerns about the consequences of elevating a person who unabashedly romanticizes Christian warfare. Facing allegations of rape, sexual assault, excessive drinking, and financial mismanagement, Hegseth has, in recent days, made an effort to rehabilitate his public image. Only a month ago, he said, “I’m straight up saying, we should not have women in combat roles.” On Monday, he said, “Our best warriors out there are women.” (Though he couldn’t help but observe women have inferior bone density and lung capacity.) In his media appearances and books, Hegseth has long asserted the military is being weakened by “woke” policies as part of a “Marxist agenda.” Besides women, Hegseth also takes issue racial integration and the inclusion of gay and transgender troops. He has said, “The dumbest phrase on planet Earth in the military is ‘our diversity is our strength,’” supported convicted war criminals, and endorsed committing war crimes. As he attempts to recast some of his most offensive statements about war, women, people of color, and the LGBTQ community, it’s notable he’s remaining an unabashed and unapologetic religious extremist. Hegseth has several tattoos that have been flagged by the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism for their adoption by far-right extremists, including mass murderers Mauricio Garcia and Anders Breivik. “Deus Vult,” for instance, is associated with militant white supremacist groups who, like Hegseth, revere the myth of a white Christian medieval past and romanticize the Christian slaughter of Jews and Muslims during the Crusades. One expert on religious violence said, “There is no version of ‘Deus Vult’ that means anything other than a call for violence.” In his books The American Crusade and The War on Warriors, Hegseth wrote openly and at length about his bigotry toward Muslims and his belief that domestic extremism is “fake.” A veteran of the Army National Guard, Hegseth was himself flagged by a fellow service member as a possible “Insider Threat” and was one of a dozen members removed from serving at the Capitol during President Biden’s inauguration for “questionable behavior,” including extremism. A day after his nomination, the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC) confirmed Hegseth is “a member in good standing.” Scholars […]

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Statement from American Atheists on Skrmetti Case at Supreme Court

American Atheists — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 15:39:46 +0000

Washington, D.C. — In response to oral arguments today at the Supreme Court in United States v. Skrmetti, a case challenging Tennessee’s categorical ban on health care for transgender youth, American Atheists president Nick Fish released the following statement: Tennessee’s ban on gender affirming care is an extreme and dangerous assault on the wellbeing — and lives — of trans young people. Unfortunately, this law is just one in the tidal wave of legislation targeting trans Americans across our nation, largely driven by the Christian nationalist movement and its enablers. Denying anyone access to health care simply because of their LGBTQ status is unconstitutional discrimination, period. That’s exactly what this law does. If the Supreme Court has even a modicum of consistency or concern for their own decision in Bostock just four years ago, they should strike down Tennessee’s S.B. 1. Beyond what should be a straightforward legal question is this simple fact: singling out trans young people who simply want to live their lives as their authentic selves, free from discrimination, is wrong. Substituting the medical judgment of doctors and decision making of families with edicts from the state banning safe, effective, and life-saving health care is wrong. And weaponizing fear, misunderstanding, animus, and outright lies to threaten the very existence of an already marginalized minority as a cynical political ploy is wrong. American Atheists will continue to stand with our trans members, supporters, family, and loved ones in the face of these attacks.

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Atheists: Kennedy is a Threat to Public Health and Vector of Disinformation

American Atheists — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 22:26:13 +0000

Cranford, N.J. — Following president-elect Donald Trump’s selection of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, Nick Fish, president of American Atheists, issued the following statement: American Atheists is disturbed, albeit unsurprised, the incoming administration would choose such an unserious person for such an incredibly serious role. With a budget of over $1.5 trillion and oversight of 13 federal agencies, the Department of Health & Human Services wields incredible power over the lives and wellbeing of the American people. Today, Trump and his team decided to propose handing the reins of the Department to a well-documented conspiracy theorist and superspreader of misinformation and junk science. If Kennedy’s unseriousness was insufficient to disqualify him for this role, his promise not to prioritize the research, manufacture, or distribution of vaccines in the face of another pandemic ought to have been, especially as our nation’s epidemiologists warn another public health crisis is imminent. During his first term, Trump’s mishandling of the COVID-19 crisis resulted in the needless and preventable deaths of hundreds of thousands of unvaccinated individuals. American Atheists considers Kennedy’s nomination an actual and imminent threat to the American people. Kennedy’s views regarding science, medicine, and public health are not just incorrect; they’re insidious. His stance on vaccinations goes far beyond healthy skepticism; it’s a dangerous cynicism that threatens to harm not only those who buy into it, but each of us and entire communities – including our atheist community, which reports one of the highest rates of vaccination among the entire population. We have grave concerns about the incalculable damage we can expect from an HHS Secretary who has demonstrated they not only have no understanding of evidence-based public policies or respect for rigorous scientific research and consensus but are willing to actively undermine efforts to save lives by dabbling in misinformation, disinformation, and junk science. Under ordinary circumstances, we would urge the president-elect to reconsider and Senators to oppose his nomination. But these are not ordinary times, and we know Trump will always prioritize rewarding his cronies over the wellbeing of the American people. No matter the outcome of this nomination, we will spend the next four years doing everything in our power to promote science and reason over snake oil and rationalization.

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The United States is Still a Secular Nation — American Atheists intends to keep it that way

American Atheists — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 19:15:49 +0000

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With one day to go, here’s what I know.

Nick Fish — Mon, 04 Nov 2024 19:05:49 +0000

Nick Fish, President of American Atheists: We are, at long last, just one day away from one of the most consequential elections of our lifetime. At the top of the ticket and, for many, top of mind is one of the closest presidential races in recent memory. Together, the consequentiality and closeness of this Election Day are cause for alarm and anxiety for many Americans. I’m sorry to say I can’t assuage all the concerns you might have about the outcome of this election. Anybody who claims to know with any certainty which party will win tomorrow (or in the following days or even weeks) is, at best, waging a guess based on their lived experience. All the available data indicates a statistical toss-up. What I can do for our team, our volunteers, and supporters like you is offer some reassurance: We aren’t going anywhere, no matter what. American Atheists is committed as ever to fighting for the rights, equality, and inclusion of our fellow atheists and all nonreligious Americans. And we won’t rest until our vision is realized: a truly pluralistic nation where religion and government are separate and in which all people can participate freely and fully without facing religiously motivated discrimination or stigma. I’ll admit my eternal optimism about the future of this organization may be a bit biased, but I’ve arrived at it for good reason. Look, I know very well our secular community and the values we share are already under threat. Having worked at American Atheists for over a decade now, my inbox is brimming with legal complaints from nonreligious folks facing discrimination, with daily pleas for assistance from atheists facing persecution around the world, and with news and our own Action Alerts about the myriad of state and federal policies that would codify religious beliefs into law. All of us are witnessing a tremendous and troubling surge of extremism in this country. It’s always been there, of course, but the Religious Right of today has more resources and reach than ever before. Still, I am optimistic. Because we Nones have grown to outnumber any other religious demographic. Because I have seen we can win in courts and legislatures around the country. And because I know this organization — and the larger secular community we’re a part of — is full of tireless activists and dedicated advocates working in all 50 states to protect and advance our rights. When lawmakers in Texas decided to allow chaplains in public schools, we rallied in opposition with a diverse coalition, and the vast majority of districts opted out. When a nonbeliever in West Virginia was forced to participate in religious activities as part of his parole conditions, we filed suit and won. And in Colorado, we helped pass the nation’s first comprehensive health care transparency law requiring religious hospitals to inform patients what services they refuse to provide. Regardless of the election’s outcome, this work will remain critically important, and we’re going to be here to do it. So long as there are groups like Alliance Defending Freedom, PragerU, and the Heritage Foundation, there will be a […]

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