Dear Friend,
If you, as someone who cares about church-state separation, have been following the news at all, I don’t need to tell you there’s a lot to feel anxious about right now. This week, I wanted to make sure you also know about some positive developments that are inspiring our Policy Team to keep moving ahead:
American Atheists is officially tracking over 400 bills. In just these first couple weeks of February, we’ve submitted expert testimony on almost two dozen bills. We’ve opposed school chaplain proposals in Indiana, South Dakota, Missouri, and Arizona; supported child marriage bans in Hawaii and Missouri; worked to advance secular recovery options in Minnesota; supported making clergy mandatory reporters in Washington; and so much more.
It’s a lot of work for just three state policy staffers. It’d be easy to burn out, if not for the hundreds of local partners, affiliate groups, and incredible volunteers whose activism inspires us every day.
Consider what our Virginia Secular Advocacy Team has helped accomplish: a ban on gender-affirming care, a religious exemption for vaccinations, and a special privilege for religious property development all died in committee. Meanwhile, constitutional amendments on reproductive freedom, marriage equality, and voting rights have passed both chambers!
American Atheists State Directors in Texas and Iowa organized Secular Lobby Days this month, uplifting nonreligious voices and values in the capitol buildings where we are most underrepresented.
In Oklahoma, where American Atheists has been a vocal opponent of the State Superintendent’s unconstitutional mandates, there was a major and much-needed shake-up this week. Three members of the State Board of Education were dismissed by Republican Governor Kevin Stitt, who rightfully accused Walters of using children as “political pawns.” This intraparty falling-out is terrific news for students, teachers, and parents in Oklahoma.
More good news: A bill that would have required public schools to display the Ten Commandments failed 53-38 in North Dakota earlier this week, as did another one in South Dakota. And in Mississippi, FIVE similar religious display proposals all died in committee. Now we just need to keep that momentum going in the 14 other states where unconstitutional Ten Commandments mandates are still on the table.
I’m hopeful we will, and that’s because of the hundreds of members and volunteers who are taking action in their states to stop these and other harmful policies. Even as a constitutional crisis unfolds at the federal level, we’re seeing that in the states — even in the most unlikely ones — there are still inalienable rights, still uncrossable lines, and still opportunities for each of us to make a difference. We just have to keep showing up.
Showing up can mean a lot of things — attending public hearings, submitting testimony online, writing a letter to the editor, contacting lawmakers by phone or email, or posting on social media to encourage others to do all of the above. Each of us doing whatever we can adds up to achieving positive things in the places I’ve mentioned here and in your state, too.
I saved the best news for last: Our 2025 National Convention is only 61 days away! Be sure to register soon to take advantage of our special, discounted room rates at the Minneapolis Marriott City Center.
We’re still adding names to an already exciting line-up of speakers, including Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison; president of the Norwegian Humanist Association, Christian Lomsdalen; and a leading scholar on the intersection of race, religion, and politics, Dr. Juhem Navarro-Rivera. Please join us, and don’t miss the best chance you’ll get all year to be inspired by these outstanding speakers and a remarkable community of people who prove every day that progress is not only possible — they’re making it happen.
With hope,
Sam McGuire
Director of Grassroots Organizing & Advocacy
PS: The critical work our Policy Team is doing wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of our members. American Atheists’ active members receive a printed membership card, a subscription to our quarterly magazine, bragging rights, as well as the unending gratitude of our entire staff — not to mention the millions of Americans who benefit from our successes.
Please support our advocacy efforts by contributing $45 today or setting up a recurring monthly donation of at least $5.
American Atheists is a 501(c)(3) non-partisan, nonprofit educational organization that relies on the support of members like you. Contributions are tax-deductible. Our Federal Tax ID Number is 74-2466507 and our Combined Federal Campaign number is 52217.
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