American Humanist News and Actions
Humanists File Appeal in Newdow v. Roberts
Posted April 09, 2009 at 10:26am Attorneys for the 255 individual and 19 organizational plaintiffs in Newdow v. Roberts filed a notice of appeal with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia today. The lawsuit challenges government infusion of religion into Presidential Inaugural Ceremonies—specifically challenging the addition of "so help me God" to the constitutionally prescribed presidential oath of office and the inclusion of religious prayers in the invocation and benediction such as those delivered by Reverend Rick Warren and Joseph Lowery at the 2009 ceremony. The plaintiffs contend that these practices constitute a government endorsement of religion, and thereby violate their First Amendment rights.
Billboard Beckons Atheists on Highway 95
Posted March 24, 2009 at 11:57am "Don’t believe in God? You are not alone." Starting this week, these words will be read by motorists traveling on Highway 95 near Moscow, Idaho. They are part of a highway billboard that features an image of blue sky and clouds with the words superimposed over. The billboard is placed by the American Humanist Association, a national advocacy organization, and is part of an ongoing campaign to raise the public profile of nontheism.
Fred Edwords Accepts Exciting New Position
Posted March 20, 2009 at 1:16pm Fred Edwords, director of communications for the American Humanist Association, has been offered, and has accepted, the position of leading a new freethought organization. The United Coalition of Reason is being created for the purpose of developing coalitions of local humanist, freethought, atheist, Humanistic Jewish, and Ethical Culture organizations all over the country. These coalitions will be modeled on the successful Philadelphia Coalition of Reason.
The Appignani Bioethics Center Hosts Panel Discussion on how HIV Victimizes Women
Posted March 12, 2009 at 7:33am On Tuesday, March 10, the Appignani Bioethics Center, the Population Council and the Guttmacher Institute hosted a panel discussion on "Feminization of HIV & Macroeconomic Policies." The event featured a range of experts on science, ethics and policy who illustrated how HIV victimizes women in particular. It was held in connection with the fifty-third session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (March 2-13, 2009).
Presidential Inauguration Lawsuit: Over 200 Plaintiffs Added Under Seal
Posted March 11, 2009 at 7:33am Today marks a new stage in Newdow v. Roberts, the lawsuit filed December 30, 2008, by atheist Michael Newdow and others to stop plans to include prayer and a religious oath at the inauguration of President Barack Obama. Attorneys for the plaintiffs filed an amended complaint overnight in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, adding 230 plaintiffs (including a number of children) to show the court there are many Americans who object to the infusion of religion into inauguration ceremonies. And just before noon today an attorney for the plaintiffs completed the new filing with an unredacted version of an appendix that includes all the names, addesses and declarations of the new plaintiffs. To protect plaintiffs from potential harassment in connection with the controversial case, a motion has been filed to place their addresses under seal.
Lifting Stem Cell Ban Rebuffs Religious Right, Say Humanists
Posted March 09, 2009 at 7:32am The American Humanist Association (AHA) today hailed President Obama's reversal of a federal funding ban on embryonic stem cell research as a triumph of science over dogma. "This is a victory for scientific integrity and rational public policy, two values threatened when government is unduly influenced by conservative religion," said AHA President David Niose. "When our laws are shaped by scriptural interpretations and religious opinions that have no basis in science or fact, we all suffer."
Will President Obama Endorse Discrimination Against Atheists? Humanists Ask
Posted March 03, 2009 at 6:30am Humanists are reacting to a comment today from a Boy Scouts of America spokesperson stating that President Barack Obama has indicated he will accept the title of honorary president of the BSA."If President Obama does this, it will send an implicit message to nontheists that discrimination against them is permissible," said Roy Speckhardt, executive director of the American Humanist Association.
Coaches Shouldn’t Pray with Students, say Humanists and Supreme Court
Posted March 03, 2009 at 6:28am Yesterday the American Humanist Association hailed the United States Supreme Court for declining to hear a lawsuit that challenged a school district policy that bans sport coaches from participating in student prayer. Marcus Borden, a high school football coach, had sued officials in East Brunswick, New Jersey, after he was forbidden to bow his head and "take a knee" with students before games. A federal appeals court sided with the school board against Borden, and the Supreme Court has allowed that decision to stand.
In Wake of Summum, Humanists Will Target Ten Commandments Monuments
Posted February 25, 2009 at 6:28amIn the wake of today's U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Pleasant Grove City v. Summum, 07-665, the American Humanist Association announced it has been given just what it needs to pursue the removal of Ten Commandments monuments on public property all over America.
"The unanimous decision of the Court is clear," said Bob Ritter, legal coordinator for the Appignani Humanist Legal Center of the American Humanist Association. "A permanent monument owned by a government entity and located in a public park is a form of government speech. Given this, such a monument isn't permitted to violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. And we humanists are ready to argue that Ten Commandments monuments in U.S. public parks are unconstitutional government endorsements of religion."
