Dear Friend,
As you know, one of our nation’s bedrock principles — what Thomas Jefferson famously called a “wall of separation” between church and state — is under siege.
Defending that wall is the founding mission of American Atheists. And our work is especially vital right now, as every day seems to bring a new Christian nationalist wrecking ball to that secular foundation.
This week, there was some rare and welcome news out of D.C., as members of the Congressional Freethought Caucus introduced a resolution (H. Res 773) to oppose “extreme right-wing Christian nationalism and all forms of religious extremism…” and to reaffirm the House’s “commitment to protecting the separation of church and state, and true religious freedom for every individual, as core American values.”
American Atheists’ policy team is proud to lend our support to this resolution, alongside our partners at the American Humanist Association and Americans United. But we need your help to get it passed.
Legislative resolutions are sometimes seen as purely symbolic measures, but in a moment where secular voices are being silenced and civil rights organizations vilified, this statement is both profound and essential. It explicitly recognizes American Nones and says, unequivocally, that “every individual is free to practice any faith, or no faith at all, without fear or discrimination or hostility from the Government.”
Plus, it brings receipts, citing the Founding Fathers, Supreme Court decisions, and two stand-out speeches on the matter: one by John F. Kennedy in 1960 and another from President Ulysses Grant back in 1875, in which he said, “[religious matters should] forever be left to the family, church, and private schools, and not involve government funding or influence.”
If passed, the resolution’s message that religious freedom is for all Americans will stand in stark contrast to the Christian nationalist narrative that this country and its Constitution are only for them. Theirs is a dangerously authoritarian, ahistorical, and anti-American view, and it’s precisely why we must be even louder and clearer.
>>> Click here to urge your Representative to cosponsor House Resolution 773 (or thank them if they already have)!
>>> Click here to make a contribution to support our work.
The future of our secular democracy is on the line. Now is not the time to cower or kowtow. It’s time to raise our voices, together, and demand that every member of Congress stand up for true religious freedom and ensure our country remains one in which all beliefs — including nonbelief — are protected.
With resolve,
Sam McGuire
Director of Grassroots Organizing & Advocacy
FYI: House Resolution 773 is sponsored by Reps. Yassamin Ansari (AZ), Jared Huffman (CA), and Jamie Raskin (MD). It is currently cosponsored by Becca Balint (VT), Suzanne Bonamici (OR), André Carson (IN), Lloyd Doggett (TX), Lizzie Fletcher (TX), Hank Johnson (GA), Pramila Jayapal (WA), Jerry Nadler (NY), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Andrea Salinas (OR), Shri Thanedar (MI), and Rashida Tlaib (MI). Read the full text here.
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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