The presentations were outstanding and the crowd was friendly and enthusiastic. Congratulations to Jason Frye and everyone involved in organizing the conference, you did a great job. I’m looking forward to next year’s event.
Greg
Missouri State Director
American Atheists
]]>American Atheists had argued that the 14 crosses – all bearing the Seal of the State of Utah — violated the First Amendment separation of church and state and were a government endorsement of religion. Utah claimed that the crosses were simply memorials to fallen state troopers and promoted “safe conduct on the highways.”
Dr. Ed Buckner, President of American Atheists, said that the three-judge panel got it right. “We’re proud that we brought and supported this suit. This isn’t about safe driving or memorializing troopers who died in the line of duty,” said Buckner. “We definitely support appropriate memorials to the members of the Utah Highway Patrol who gave their lives protecting citizens. But Utah officials used this as an excuse to promote religion–one religion, in fact: Christianity. It must be left to religious citizens and the organizations they support to create and maintain religious memorials on privately owned property. A cross is undeniably a Christian symbol, as Christians themselves will attest.”
In its opinion, the court panel wrote: “We hold that these memorials have the impermissible effect of conveying to a reasonable observer the message that the state prefers or otherwise endorses a certain religion.”
Attorney Brian Barnard, who represented the American Atheists, was pleased with the ruling: “The appeals court’s well reasoned opinion is solidly based upon long standing legal precedent. The facts and the law in this case warranted the appellate court’s mandate to enter a judgment in favor of the plaintiffs, without further proceedings in the trial court. Such a direction from an appeals court is unusual.”
Richard Andrews, Utah State Director for American Atheists said: The Court ruled correctly saying that the cross has meaning and because it means something it is unconstitutional to place it on public property with a Utah Highway Patrol symbol on it. The Utah State Attorney General should be ashamed for arguing that a cross is no different than a telephone pole.
AMERICAN ATHEISTS is a nationwide movement that defends civil rights for Atheists, Freethinkers and other nonbelievers; works for the total separation of church-mosque-temple and state; and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.
American Atheists press releases are sent to published media addresses.
If you do not wish to receive them, simply reply with “unsubscribe”
in the subject line and you will be removed from distribution.
American Atheists, Inc. PO BOX 158, Cranford, NJ 07016
Tel.: (908) 276-7300 Fax: (908) 276-7402
]]>Dr. Ed Buckner, President of American Atheists, said that the decision was based on many factors, including value for members, accessibility, an interesting city, and the convention theme: “Atheists Caucus in the Heartland.”
“The major factor, though,” according to Buckner, “was the rapidly growing activism and presence of Atheist, Freethought, Secular, Skeptical, and Humanist groups throughout the region. We have been very impressed by this, and want to do all we can to help and to further energize these groups. In Iowa specifically, groups like Iowa Atheists and Freethinkers, Iowa Secularists, Iowa State University Atheist and Agnostic Society, Siouxland Atheists, University of Northern Iowa Freethinkers and Inquirers, University of Northern Iowa Freethinkers and Inquirers, and Skeptics in the Pub of Central Iowa are making tremendous progress in the never ending struggle for rationality and religious liberty.”
The convention will run from April 21-24, 2011 at the Embassy Suites on the River, 101 E. Locust Street, Des Moines. The hotel has agreed to a fantastic rate of $99 for a suite, with a full breakfast and evening snack. Buckner noted, “Convention registration fees have been set at a low $149 (same as last year), and significant discounts will be offered to members, early registrants, students, and possibly others.” See www.atheists.org for details.
Dave Silverman, Vice President and Communications Director for American Atheists, said the event usually attracts around 500 people from throughout the country. ”We will also have international guests, and we think the 2011 meeting will attract people from throughout the country because of its wonderful central location.”
Silverman added that the Convention includes speakers, panels, activism workshops, and social events.
AMERICAN ATHEISTS is a nationwide movement that defends civil rights for Atheists, Freethinkers and other nonbelievers; works for the total separation of church and state; and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.
American Atheists, Inc. PO BOX 158, Cranford, NJ 07016
Tel.: (908) 276-7300 Fax: (908) 276-7402