Talk about a massively important voter awareness initiative.
We at the Freedom From Religion Foundation have crafted a national secular voter campaign to emphasize that 75 million nonreligious adult Americans (nearly one-third of that population) are dedicated to the separation of state and religion — and are voting that way.
The drive is honoring, in round two, the signing of the secular Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787, through a number of billboards as well as full-page ads in 45 Sunday dailies across the nation. (We did round one over the Fourth of July.) Discover more of the details here and visit our website to find out which states we covered this time around. Our Facebook Live “Ask an Atheist” feature this week focuses on the campaign, with FFRF Co-Presidents Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor talking to Mandisa Thomas, president of Black Nonbelievers, about her participation in the project (and about an upcoming Women of Color Beyond Belief conference in Chicago).
An interview with an ex-Muslim gay atheist
Dan and Annie Laurie discuss the Women of Color Beyond Belief Chicago conference FFRF is a financial sponsor of with Mandisa on this week’s Freethought Radio program, too. Then, they interview U.K. psychotherapist Jimmy Bangash, an ex-Muslim gay atheist, on his frightening personal experiences with Islamic discrimination and persecution for blasphemy, apostasy and homosexuality.
Our television spotlight on white Christian nationalism
White Christian nationalism is the focus of our TV show this Sunday. Professor Anthea Butler speaks about her recent book White Evangelical Racism: The Politics of Morality in America on “Freethought Matters.” “A lot of white supremacist groups … might not be explicitly Christian, but use Christian ideals in order to promote racist theologies and beliefs,” she tells Dan and Annie Laurie. You can already watch the show on our YouTube channel. Or find out where you can catch the show on Sunday. By the way, you can meet Anthea in person and get a copy of her book signed at our upcoming national convention in San Antonio. It’s time to register!
The Supreme Court and theocratic senators
We have a host of riveting columns for your edification. Annie Laurie’s blog will fill you in on any major secular developments you may have missed this week. The U.S. Supreme Court, Harvard University and Sens. Josh Hawley and Lindsey Graham are all featured in there. Read it here.
Problematic taxpayer-supported religious schools
Annie Laurie also mentions a laudable New York Times probe into Hasidic religious schools (recipient of huge taxpayer funds), which is the subject of FFRF Attorney Ryan Jayne’s column that highlights the crux of the problem.
“Transparency is not enough,” his piece concludes. “To ensure equitable, adequate and secular education for all students, public funds must go to public schools.”
Cheering abortion rights defenders
FFRF Contributing Writer Barbara Alvarez continues her stalwart coverage of the state of abortion rights around the country. In her piece this week, she cheers those public figures who have recently defended reproductive rights. “We need to see governors, state legislators, and courts — and voters — across the nation stand up for abortion,” she maintains.
All gods are imaginary
Veteran writer and freethinker Jim Haught casts his typically acerbic look at religion, unearthing many gods that are no longer worshipped. “Since thousands of former deities now are seen as fantasies, why should anyone think that today’s supernatural gods are real?” he asks.
We have the same question, and this is why, with your backing, we’re dedicated to spreading freethought and secularism — and getting out the secular vote.
