Dear Friend,
We have three big updates for you this week, so let’s get right into it:
First, we are pleased to announce the resolution of a lawsuit brought by our longtime partners at the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) concerning a significant bequest in Arizona. Last summer, we were disappointed to inform our members about this litigation, which sought, in part, to remove American Atheists as a beneficiary of the trust. The case has now been settled and formally dismissed, and we are relieved American Atheists will remain a beneficiary of the trust in accordance with the donor’s clearly stated wishes.
Our team knows our secular community is strongest when we stand together, so we are glad to put this matter behind us and move forward with our full attention and resources focused on the issue that matters most: defending the separation of religion and government.
American Atheists considers supporters, like you, to be valued partners in our work, and we take seriously the trust placed in us to be transparent and responsible stewards of your generous contributions. Planned gifts, in particular, which are meant to leave a last legacy require a heightened level of care and sensitivity. We welcome you to review our Donor Bill of Rights and contact Martina Fern, Senior Director of Development, with any questions or concerns.
Secondly (and just as importantly): In less than two weeks, hundreds of atheists, agnostics, and nonreligious Americans will meet up in Minneapolis for our 2025 National Convention. If you’ve already registered to join us, great work; we can’t wait to see you! If you haven’t yet registered, please do so TODAY so you can take advantage of our special discounted room rates with the Minneapolis Marriott City Center.
We’ve invited some really outstanding speakers, including Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, Seth Andrews of The Thinking Atheist, and so many more. We’re partnering with Camp Quest, so you can bring the whole family for a full weekend of “Fun, Friends, and Freethought.” And, of course, there will be no shortage of opportunities to meet new friends, have fun, and explore Minneapolis. In times like these, community is more important than ever, so don’t miss out: Register today!
Last but not least, on Monday, our legal team will be filing an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board v. Drummond. Back in 2023, the Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board approved what would be the nation’s first religious charter school, St. Isadore of Seville Catholic Virtual School. The online school would have been funded entirely by public dollars but operated by two Roman Catholic dioceses.
In its application, the school stated it would incorporate religious teachings “into every aspect of the School” and acknowledged it would, in accordance with Catholic doctrine, discriminate and deny accommodations to students. In 2024, the Oklahoma Supreme Court rightfully found the board’s approval of St. Isadore violated the U.S. Constitution and state law, which explicitly prohibits the imposition of religious teachings on students in publicly funded schools.
Now, in Oklahoma v. Drummond, the Christian nationalist group Alliance Defending Freedom is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn last year’s decision. Pro-privatization groups, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and even the Trump Administration have all filed amicus briefs in support of St. Isadore and, ultimately, of opening the floodgates of public dollars for religious schools.
This case is about whether a state can effectively outsource part of its public school system to a religious entity. If the justices decide that, yes, it can, it will fly in the face of nearly a century of legal precedent and fundamentally alter how the First Amendment has been interpreted and applied. A favorable decision for the nation’s first religious charter school would be a disastrous blow to the separation of church and state and to the secular public schools that serve 90% of America’s students.
Only public schools are required to serve all children, no matter their background or belief. Private and parochial schools can — and do — discriminate against students and their families. (Remember: St. Isadore even said so!) Plus, we know religious entities will argue their free exercise of religion is “burdened” by even basic requirements, including nondiscrimination protections.
American Atheists is steadfast in our opposition to the use of public dollars to subsidize religion, including religiously motivated discrimination and curricula that’s based on faith rather than fact. That’s why we’ll be urging the Court to uphold the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s decision.
If you believe, as I do, that safeguarding our democratic institutions, including nonsectarian public schools, is the most critical issue of our time, I hope you’ll continue standing with American Atheists by making a contribution in support of our work today.
In solidarity,
Nick Fish
President
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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