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 Guttmacher Institute, Miranda Estes at SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change, Sarah Levin with the Center for Freethought Equality, and Geoffrey T. Blackwell at American Atheists.
Read the full report at www.atheists.org/states.
Perspective From Grassroots Advocates
Oklahoma
In no state has the fight to Christianize public schools been more prevalent than in Oklahoma, where American Atheists recently launched a campaign for Oklahomans to contact their school administrators regarding the State Superintendent’s unconstitutional mandate to incorporate the Bible into classroom curriculum.
Tim Ward, Oklahoma State Director for American Atheists, has been an outspoken opponent of Superintendent Ryan Walters, calling for his impeachment and urging fellow Oklahoma parents to take action. “Religious equality is not, as Mr. Walter seems to think, just for Christians, it is for all Oklahomans. And while he’s entitled to his personal beliefs, he is not entitled to force them onto the rest of us.”
Colorado
Despite an influx of Christian nationalist policies, advocacy organizations like American Atheists have continued to help advance some positive legislation. For example, the Patients’ Right to Know Act is now fully implemented in Colorado. As the nation’s first comprehensive health care transparency law, it will considerably improve the ability of Coloradans to make informed decisions about their health care by requiring hospitals to inform patients if they deny services for non-medical, including religious, reasons.
Sheryl Kallivrousis, co-chair of American Atheists’ Colorado Secular Advocacy Team, said, “I’m proud to live in a state that will serve as a model for legislatures and boards of health across the country.” She added, “This law will protect all Coloradans, but it’s especially important for our state’s most vulnerable populations, those who are harmed the most by denial of care, including women, LGBTQ folks, and people who live in rural areas.”
Minnesota
Minnesota continues to stand out as a leader in advancing secular and inclusive policies, including forming a Secular Government Caucus. 2025 will see further progress with the introduction of the Secular Recovery Options bill. This groundbreaking legislation aims to expand access to evidence-based recovery programs that do not rely on religious frameworks, ensuring support for all Minnesotans seeking the help they need.
Stephanie Zvan, Minnesota State Director for American Atheists, highlighted the importance of this effort, stating, “This bill is a vital step toward ensuring that everyone has access to recovery options that respect their beliefs and personal autonomy.” She added, “I’m thrilled to be in Minnesota at such a pivotal time. We’re making meaningful progress here, and I can’t wait to welcome advocates and allies from across the country to the American Atheists’ National Convention in Minneapolis this April.” The convention will provide a platform for celebrating Minnesota’s successes while strategizing to combat the challenges posed by religious extremism nationwide.
