Author Archive for American Humanist Association

AHA signs Coalition letter to US House to vote no on VAWA Adams amendment

Published

on May 16, 2012

The American Humanist Association has signed a letter from the Coalition Against Religious Discrimination sent to the U.S. House of Representatives asking that they vote down the Adams Amendment to the Violence Against Women Act.

The letter to the entire house can be found here: http://www.americanhumanist.org/system/storage/63/46/b/3129/5-16-12_VAWA_Sign-On_Letter_House_Floor.pdf

The letter sent to the controlling Rules Committee can be found here: http://www.americanhumanist.org/system/storage/63/52/5/3128/5-15-12_VAWA_Sign-On_Letter.pdf

Obama’s Evolving Morality Challenges Religious Absolutists

Published

American Humanist Association

on May 14, 2012

When President Obama announced his support for same-sex marriage last week, he revealed a stance that had “evolved.” Those who oppose his position - usually on religious grounds – often insist that same-sex marriage is immoral, an affront to absolute, unchanging principles that simply don’t “evolve.” Marriage is between man and woman, period.

Thus, once again we find a culture-war issue with social conservatives postured as defending moral absolutes, while liberals wander the treacherous landscape of relativism with a seemingly fluid sense of right and wrong. In a political environment – where “traditional values” have currency and complex ideas don’t – the notion of moral absolutism often resonates, and “moral relativism” can be easily demonized by fear-mongering opportunists. If liberals have a problem with political posturing, few issues illustrate it better than the absolutism vs. relativism debate.

As modernity moves forward, there are constant tensions over challenges to traditional morality. The most obvious area is sex, where the advance of science and technology (especially birth control) has prompted reconsideration of many longstanding norms and taboos, revolutionizing society and transforming life in numerous ways. Not surprisingly, despite much progress, we see frequent hesitation and even fierce resistance to change, especially from pockets of deep religious conservatism.

To read the rest of the Psychology Today article by AHA President David Niose, click here.

Maryland county commissioner creates monthly prayer session

Published

American Humanist Association

on May 13, 2012

A Carroll County commissioner has emailed an invitation to about 850 government employees to attend a monthly prayer session, which she will lead, raising concern among some residents and watchdog groups.

Commissioner Robin Bartlett Frazier drafted the invitation and had a member of her staff send it May 3, to coincide with National Day of Prayer, a day on which the president traditionally calls on the nation to pray for peace and the country’s welfare.

Frazier’s first “time for prayer” is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. June 7 in the basement of the County Office Building in Westminster. The sessions will continue on the first Thursday of each month. She said she has received a few replies from those who have said they will stop by.

“We are doing something encouraging and uplifting,” Frazier said.

She also sees no problem with using a county building for religious purposes, she said.

“Other groups use this same building for noncounty business,” she said.

The five-member, all-Republican commissioner board has scheduled a discussion Thursday on the issue. The board does pray before its open sessions, most often with generic, nondenominational petitions. But even that has drawn opposition from groups advocating separation of church and state, such as the American Humanist Association.

“It is highly inappropriate for a government official to use his or her position to engage employees in prayer,” said Bill Burgess, attorney for the American Humanist Association. “This is government promoting religion and putting pressure on subordinates.”

To read the complete Baltimore Sun article, click here.

Action Alert: Thank President Obama for supporting marriage equality

Published

American Humanist Association

on May 11, 2012

Send a message to President Obama in support of yesterday’s announcement in support of marriage for gay and lesbian Americans.

Yesterday, President Obama made a historic announcement: he supports gay and lesbian Americans receiving the rights and benefits of marriage. The American Humanist Association has long lobbied for marriage equality and support of the LGBT community, and we thank President Obama for standing up for LGBT rights.

Please send a thank you note to President Obama for his support of marriage equality.

Nonbelievers flex their political muscles

Published

American Humanist Association

on May 10, 2012

One of the biggest growth areas in political activism around religion is coming from an unlikely source: the nonreligious. And it’s happening far from the marbled corridors of power in the nation’s capital.

The Secular Coalition for America, an umbrella organization that represents 11 nontheistic groups including American Atheists and the American Humanist Association, is looking to take its secular-based activism out of the nation’s capital and into the states.

Beginning in June, the Washington-based SCA will install directors in 18 states including Hawaii, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Alabama. State directors will meet with local politicians and train and mobilize local nontheists to lobby on behalf of secular issues and causes.

To read the rest of this Washington Post article, click here.

The Religious Right plays the victim

Published

American Humanist Association

on May 9, 2012

Hopefully a time will come where people can believe what they want to believe without telling others what they should believe or how they must behave.

By Roy Speckhardt, May 08, 2012

Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. said, “The right to swing my fist ends where the other man’s nose begins.” Former Supreme Court Justice Holmes had some curious ideas, but this one was on the mark—as was his disregard for ancient texts and divine revelation—for it is basic to our understanding of justice that we don’t have a right to harm others. You can get arrested if you do. Nor do we have a right to limit others’ freedom. That’s why it’s also illegal to keep people in place against their will, or deny people employment based on their ethnicity, gender, and other irrelevant factors. When we’re trying to convince people of our position, we can’t force them to concur, we can only try and make a persuasive argument. Everyone knows this, right?

Not everyone. The Religious Right regularly tries to force others to comply with their own limited concepts of morality. We’ve seen these groups railing against contraceptive coverage provisions for employers and opposing same-sex marriage and gender equality, all the while trying to claim that their religious liberty is being limited. It takes tortured logic to see it from their perspective, but the Christian right has played the victim card in their attempts to impose their views on the rest of us. While the Religious Right cries foul, who is really hurt by their sectarian policies?

To read the rest of this article on Patheos, click here.

National Day of Reason Proclamations

Published

American Humanist Association

on May 7, 2012

National Day of Reason proclamations were issued this year by federal, state and local officials. Rep. Pete Stark was the first to do so:

April 27, 2012
For the Congressional Record
Statement of Congressman Pete Stark

Recognizing the National Day of Reason

MR. STARK: Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Thursday, May 3, 2012 as the 2012 National Day of Reason.

The National Day of Reason celebrates the application of reason and the positive impact it has had on humanity. It is also an opportunity to reaffirm the Constitutional separation of religion and government.

On March 24th, I was proud to address the tens of thousands of Americans who gathered on the Mall for the Reason Rally. These individuals came from all around the country to deliver a simple message: reason must be the guiding principle of our democracy. In a nation of citizens from so many different backgrounds and beliefs, the only way we can solve our problems is through cultivating intelligent, moral, and ethical interactions among all people.

Our nation faces many problems—bringing our troops home from Afghanistan, creating jobs, educating our children, and protecting our safety net from irresponsible cuts. We will solve these issues through the application of reason. We must also protect women’s reproductive choices, the integrity of scientific research, and our public education system from those who would hide behind religious dogma to undermine them.

Finally, the National Day of Reason is about taking time to improve our communities. Every year, events are held on this day that demonstrate the desire of secular Americans to help their fellow citizens and our nation as a whole. Community service events, such as food drives and blood drives, are just some of the ways that people will be working to help those in need on the Day of Reason and throughout the year.

I encourage everyone to join in observing this day and focusing upon the employment of reason, critical thinking, the scientific method, and free inquiry to improve our world and our nation.

(The proclamation can be found here.)

Due to the efforts of the New Orleans Secular Humanist Association, the city of New Orleans issued a proclamation:

New Orleans NDR proclamation

The Charlotte Atheists and Agnostics were able to get the mayor of Charlotte, NC to issue a National Day of Reason proclamation:

Charlotte NDR Proclamatiion

The state of Nebraska issued a proclamation thanks to the efforts of the Omaha Coalition of Reason:

The city of Omaha also issued a proclamation thanks to the efforts of the Omaha Coalition of Reason:

Humanists eager to work with new Secular Coalition for America executive director Edwina Rogers

Published

American Humanist Association

on May 4, 2012

The American Humanist Association is looking forward to working with Edwina Rogers, the new executive director of the Secular Coalition for America, a coalition of eleven nontheist organizations working to protect the separation of church and state. After an extensive search, she was chosen by a committee that included AHA Executive Director Roy Speckhardt.

Rogers has two decades of experience in Washington as an attorney and lobbyist, having worked for a number of Republican officials, including stints as general counsel to the National Republican Senatorial Committee (1994), with Sen. Trent Lott while he was majority leader (1999), and for Sen. Jeff Sessions (2003-2004).

Rogers has also worked in the White House, serving as an economic advisor to President George W. Bush from 2001-2002 as well serving his administration at the National Economic Council. In addition, from 1989-1991 she worked for President George H. W. Bush at the Department of Commerce.

“Edwina Rogers is among the growing number of conservatives who understand that atheist and agnostic Americans deserve equal recognition,” said Speckhardt. “It may seem counter-intuitive for an organization dedicated to America’s secular roots to select someone with a strong Republican background, but her invaluable experience will provide unique access to help grow our movement.”

Rogers most recently worked as executive director of the Patient Centered Primary Care Collaborative where she organized diverse coalition to successfully implement the Patient-Centered Medical Home model.

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On the horizon: National Day of Prayer … and reason?

Published

American Humanist Association

on May 3, 2012

The National Day of Prayer is today. According to organizers, a 1952 joint resolution of Congress, signed by President Harry Truman, declared an annual national day of prayer. The law was amended in 1988 to establish the day as the first Thursday in May. Each year, the president signs a proclamation encouraging all Americans to pray on this day.

Rep. Pete Stark, D-California, is the only known member of Congress to have declared he does not believe in a supreme being. He entered a statement into the Congressional Record in support of the National Day of Reason, which coincides with the Day of Prayer: “The National Day of Reason celebrates the application of reason and the positive impact it has had on humanity. It is also an opportunity to reaffirm the Constitutional separation of religion and government.”

To read the rest of this story from CNN, click here.

Group Counters Day of Prayer with ‘Day of Reason’

Published

American Humanist Association

on May 2, 2012

The National Day of Prayer is scheduled to be held Thursday, May 3. But this year as millions bow their heads, atheists, humanists and other non-theists are planning a holiday of their own.

The American Humanist Association is countering the National Day of Prayer with what it calls The National Day of Reason.

They’re planning protests outside government buildings that hold prayer gatherings. Organizers say they want people to reflect on what they can do for themselves.

To see this video and read the rest of the article from CBN News, click here.

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A Reasonable Celebration

Published

American Humanist Association

on May 2, 2012

Representative Pete Stark (D-CA), the only openly nontheist member of Congress, issued a proclamation recognizing the National Day of Reason, a day celebrating reason and its positive impact on humanity. As in previous years, the

National Day of Reason is scheduled to be a more universally embraceable alternative to the congressionally mandated and federally supported National Day of Prayer. Since the National Day of Prayer’s creation in 1952 by an act of Congress, the federal government observed the National Day of Prayer on the first Thursday of May, which this year will be May 3rd.

With taxpayer-funded faith-based initiatives giving preferential treatment to religious organizations, and Religious Right-supported efforts to remove evolution from our public school science classrooms, there has never been a better time in which to affirm our commitment to the constitutional separation of church and state. Whether you’re a humanist, a freethinker, a Hindu, or a Christian, all are able to celebrate reason as the guiding principle of our secular democracy. Even most fundamentalists, who live a portion of their life outside the bounds of reason, must recognize the value of reason in everyday acts, from putting together Ikea furniture to choosing the best path to get to work.

To read the rest of this article on Huffington Post, click here.

Day of Reason timed to counter Day of Prayer

Published

American Humanist Association

on May 1, 2012

Non-religious Americans are planning counter-events to this Thursday’s National Day of Prayer.

The American Humanist Association has declared this Thursday its National Day of Reason, with protests planned outside some government buildings that host prayer gatherings.

To read the rest of the Associated Press story, click here.

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Rep. Pete Stark Issues National Day of Reason Proclamation

Published

American Humanist Association

on May 1, 2012

Pete Stark (D-CA) is the first openly atheist member of Congress.

The American Humanist Association and the Secular Coalition for America are pleased that U.S. Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA) has officially recognized the National Day of Reason by issuing a proclamation in the House of Representatives. The National Day of Reason, to be observed on May 3, is an alternative to the congressionally endorsed National Day of Prayer.

The proclamation states, in part, “Our nation faces many problems—bringing our troops home from Afghanistan, creating jobs, educating our children, and protecting our safety net from irresponsible cuts. We will solve these issues through the application of reason. We must also protect women’s reproductive choices, the integrity of scientific research, and our public education system from those who would hide behind religious dogma to undermine them.” To view the full text of the proclamation, click here.

“Reason should be the guiding force for public policy,” said Roy Speckhardt, executive director of the American Humanist Association. “The National Day of Prayer excludes millions of Americans who choose not to pray or prefer keeping prayer private. Reason is something that everyone can celebrate.”

Lauren Anderson Youngblood, communications manager for the Secular Coalition for America, agreed.

“Our founders recognized that the best guarantee of freedom for all was a separation of religion and government,” Youngblood said. “The National Day of Reason reminds us of the continued importance of our nation’s founding principles and offers an alternative to the government-sponsored theism that the National Day of Prayer represents.”

The event is scheduled on the first Thursday in May each year to coincide with the National Day of Prayer in order to raise awareness of the threat to religious liberty posed by government intrusion into the private sphere of worship. Many local groups affiliated with the American Humanist Association observe the National Day of Reason by participating in blood drives, holding rallies outside state government building or host social gatherings. Some groups also hold rallies outside state government buildings or host social gatherings. The National Day of Reason website, NationalDayofReason.org, was established by the American Humanist Association and the Washington Area Secular Humanists.

The American Humanist Association and the Secular Coalition for America urge all Americans to support the constitutional principal of church-state separation by recognizing the National Day of Reason. Supporters are encouraged to visit the official website, NationalDayOfReason.org, to post an event in their area, sign a petition to be sent to President Obama, and learn how to encourage local governments to issue a National Day of Reason proclamation.

Humanists Praise Employment Protections for Transgender Americans in EEOC Ruling

Published

American Humanist Association

on April 30, 2012

The American Humanist Association and the LGBT Humanist Council are pleased by the decision last week by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to grant federal protection against discrimination to transgender Americans.

Deciding on Monday, April 23, that Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act protects employees from discrimination based on gender identity, the EEOC has for the first time made a clear ruling on the issue.

“No one should suffer from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity,” said Roy Speckhardt, executive director of the American Humanist Association. “This is a major victory for LGBT civil rights and clarifies that equality is for everyone.”

“Having federal protection against employment discrimination is a major step for transgendered people,” said Jason Frye, Coordinator of the LGBT Humanist Council. “This decision is hopefully one that will provide support for the passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) being considered in Congress.”

ENDA would create a federal law to prohibit employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity by almost all employers.

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Religious Right Wages War on Women

Published

American Humanist Association

on April 27, 2012

In this time of economic hardship, the surprising political issue that’s received a great deal of media coverage and the public’s interest of late is the “War on Women.” Rather than focusing on how to get people working again, Congress and state legislatures across the nation are instead taking up issues that many thought were settled decades ago, such as reproductive rights and equal access to comprehensive health care in the workplace.

Some pundits claim that there is no “War on Women,” but the controversial bills that have been introduced in federal and state legislatures indicate otherwise. For instance, in the first three months of 2012, 45 of the 46 state legislatures that have convened this year saw 944 provisions related to reproductive health and rights. So far, 75 of these are abortion restrictions that have been approved by at least one legislative chamber, with nine being fully signed into law. This anti-woman legislative push is disturbingly effective, but it is a drop from the 127 abortion restrictions approved by at least one legislative body in the first quarter of 2011.

To read the rest of this article on Patheos, click here.

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A day of prayer, or religious pandering?

Published

American Humanist Association

on April 27, 2012

Here it comes again. On May 3, the nation will once again be subjected to the annual fiasco wherein conservative Christians utilize the apparatus of government to publicly exalt their theological beliefs, to ensure that their vociferous anti-secular views are promoted as official state doctrine. I refer, of course, to the religious pandering known as the National Day of Prayer.

As a humanist, I would not bat an eye if the nation’s churches privately banded together to promote a non-governmental National Day of Prayer. If the country’s evangelical leaders, Catholic bishops, and other clerics – without using the machinery of government – felt that a nationwide interfaith event encouraging prayer would be somehow beneficial, they would have my very secular blessing. Enjoy your day of prayer, folks. Knock yourselves out.

To read the rest of this article from Psychology Today, click here.