Religious Equality Under Attack:
2025 State of the Secular States Report
January 16, 8:00 pm ET
We are pleased to announce the publication of the seventh edition of the State of the Secular States report! This groundbreaking report on statewide laws and policies that affect religious equality and the separation of religion and government has been expanded and updated based on the 2024 legislative session. The report examines 60 measures of law, both positive and negative, in every state as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
This report is intended to be a powerful tool for advocates and lawmakers, explaining the laws and policies that affect the separation of religion and government in their states and allowing them to set meaningful and achievable advocacy goals. 2024 was a devastating year for civil rights and religious equality, with widespread efforts by white Christian nationalist state lawmakers to pass legislation that undermines the separation of religion and government. Given the incoming administration, we expect to see continued attacks on our civil rights and our democracy. It is more important than ever for atheists to become engaged in state advocacy.
Our Presenters:
Nick Fish is the president of American Atheists, serving since 2018. Fish first joined American Atheists in 2012 and has spent more than a decade defending the separation of religion and government, advocating for equality under the law, and protecting civil rights for all Americans.
Sam McGuire has a varied background in counseling, education, event planning and volunteer management. As Director of Grassroots Organizing and Advocacy, she works with local grassroots activists, volunteers and affiliates to help them engage on emerging local civil rights issues, advocate for state level legislation, and build thriving communities.
Melina Cohen grew up in rural Iowa and was an outspoken advocate for the separation of church and state from an early age. Prior to joining American Atheists, Melina spent six years fighting harmful school privatization legislation in Nebraska, developing a deep understanding of education policy, a highly effective style of advocacy communications, and a strong aversion to the outsized influence of the religious lobby on government. In 2020, Melina co-founded the Abolish Slavery National Network and guided a constitutional amendment ballot measure to a landmark and landslide victory, making Nebraska one of the first states to prohibit slavery and involuntary servitude without exception.
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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