American Atheists Missouri

Thanks to the support of a new generation of activists, the Atheist movement in the United States is expanding its visibility in the public eye, and the public policy discussion over what role, if any, religious groups should have in the affairs of government. This new generation of Atheists, freethinkers, humanists and other non-believers , who are intelligent, well educated, positive, and upbeat rather than angry or especially militant, simply refuse to accept the old stigmas and canards regarding the irreligious.

One noteworthy example is Duke University graduate Todd Stiefel, who is using his financial resources and substantial leadership talent to help groups like American Atheists and Secular Coalition for America. His goal, he says, is the encourage the further secularization of America, and change misleading public perceptions about non-religious people.

Mr. Stiefel, 35 and a resident of Raleigh, N.C., has announced a matching grant program of $100,000 to American Atheists as part of “The Stiefel Challenge.” His inspiration was Helen Mitzman of California who last year made a similar offer, successfully met.

“I was really impressed by the Helen Mitzman Challenge and the enthusiastic response to it,” said Mr. Stiefel. “So I decided to offer $100,000 on a dollar-for-dollar basis. I hope this helps to fuel the continued growth of American Atheists so we can better share our message and expand the efforts to maintain what Thomas Jefferson eloquently described as “a wall of separation” between church and state.”

Stiefel’s challenge was revealed to American Atheists members in a recent letter and has already produced a wave of contributions–over $25,000 has already been received, according to president Ed Buckner, including generous contributions from attorney Eddie Tabash and from Helen Mitzman herself.

When he’s not working on behalf of enlightened secularism, Todd spends time with wife and two wonderful children, learning how to play the guitar, and watching Duke basketball

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

Hundreds of people who say they are “good without God” are expected at the 36th annual Convention of AMERICAN ATHEISTS, slated for April 2-4, 2010.

Dubbed the “Newark-New York” convention because of its proximity to Liberty Airport and the Big Apple, the event will feature prominent non-theists and social critics talking about everything of interest – and concern — to Atheists, Freethinkers, Humanists and other non-theists. Speakers include:

* JEFF SHARLET — Author of “The Family” who exposed the machinations of the secretive Christian group and its mysterious “House on C Street” in Washington, DC.

* WENDY KAMINER, Social critic and writer, author of “Sleeping with Extraterrestrials” and other provocative works.

* CECIL BOTHWELL — Writer and City Councilman from North Carolina “whose detractors are trying to remove him from public office based solely on his atheism”

The venue is the Newark Liberty Renaissance Hotel, 1000 Spring St. in Elizabeth.

MEDIA INVITED

Credentialed news media are invited to cover the convention plenary and break-out sessions. In addition, Dr. Ed Buckner (President of American Atheists) and Dave Silverman (Vice President and Communications Director) are available for interviews and general information. Media seeking to cover the event should contact Jim Maciver, Operations Director at the American Atheists Center (908-276-7300) for passes to the convention.

WHAT: American Atheists National Convention

WHERE: Newark Liberty Renaissance Hotel, 1000 Spring St. in Elizabeth, NJ

WHEN: April 2-4, 2010

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

Wednesday, March 17, 2010
San Francisco Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Building

American Atheists California is holding a demonstration at the San
Francisco Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals building on Wednesday,
March 17, calling for Congress to repeal the 1954 act that added
the phrase “under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance.

“The constitutionality of the phrase has been the subject of
litigation for years. This judicial ping-pong has grown tiresome,”
said Dave Kong, American Atheists Director of State Operations. “As
long as these two words remain, the Pledge will continue to be a
wedge in American unity, dividing us along religious lines. Congress
needs to take the lead in restoring the Pledge of Allegiance to
its pre-Cold War text and once again make the United States ‘one
nation indivisible.’”

Dr. Ed Buckner, president of American Atheists, added “The Congress
of the United States acted in the 1950s with a reckless disregard
for the indivisibility of this nation and in opposition to liberty
for all when they inserted a plainly religious phrase into the
Pledge. This nation has now-and has always had-many honest and
decent citizens, including many who serve in the military, who
worship no gods. Congress has no business pretending it can make
religious decisions for citizens.”

Edwin Kagin, National Legal Director for American Atheists, observed
that “Our nation got through the revolution, a civil war, two world
wars, and some other unpleasantnesses just fine without the god talk
that is now causing many to confuse religious belief with patriotism.

“The minister who wrote the pledge didn’t want religion in it and
neither do we.” As to the idea that “under God” and “In God We Trust”
are not religious, Kagin asked, “I wonder how it would look if it
was religious? If this is only ‘ceremonial deism,’ just what is
‘un-ceremonial deism’?”

Local affiliates San Francisco Atheists and East Bay Atheists
will also join American Atheists California in this peaceful
demonstration.

The demonstration will begin at 11:30 a.m.

WHAT: Demonstration calling on Congress to restore the secular
Pledge of Allegiance

WHERE: San Francisco Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals building
(Seventh and Mission),

northeast corner

WHEN: Wednesday, March 17, 2004, 11:30 a.m.

MORE INFO: Ed Buckner, American Atheists President, (770) 803-5353,
ebuckner@atheists.org
Dave Kong, Director of State Operations, (415) 771-9872,
dksf@atheists.org

AMERICAN ATHEISTS is a nationwide movement that defends civil rights
for Atheists; works for the total separation of church and state;
and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.