coronavirus

Tell the Small Business Administration to Stop Taxpayer Funding for Religious Worship!

The CARES Act, passed by Congress to provide economic stability during the coronavirus pandemic, created a stream of funding for businesses and nonprofits called the Paycheck Protection Program. Unfortunately, however, they did not include important protections for the separation of religion and government. Now, the Small Business Administration (SBA), which…...

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Oppose Religious Exemptions that Help Spread COVID-19

During this crisis, many state governors have wisely issued executive orders or guidelines that limit the size of gatherings, encourage social distancing, and limit nonessential activities to protect public health and prevent the spread of potentially deadly coronavirus....

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Government to Pay Pastor Salaries in $350 Billion Small Business Aid Package

Washington, D.C.—Today, the religious equality watchdog organization American Atheists denounced the Small Business Administration (SBA)’s recently released regulations and guidance on the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act as an unconstitutional giveaway to houses of worship that is ripe for abuse....

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Amid Coronavirus, Governor Whitmer Must Close Dangerous House of Worship Loophole

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s leadership throughout the ongoing public health emergency has been an exemplar of competence and responsiveness. Her actions have given me confidence that my family and loved ones are in good hands....

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Sorry, Senator Hawley. It’s Unconstitutional to Bail Out Churches with $350 Billion Small Business Aid.

Washington, D.C.—Today, the religious freedom watchdog organizations American Atheists, Center for Inquiry (CFI), Freedom from Religion Foundation (FFRF), and Secular Coalition for America (SCA) corrected Senator Josh Hawley’s claim that “the SBA [Small Business Administration] is WRONGLY telling churches and lenders that churches and religious nonprofits don’t qualify for the…...

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$350 Billion Relief Fund Is For Businesses, Not Unaccountable Churches

Washington, D.C.—Today, American Atheists, joined by seven civil rights and religious freedom organizations, provided guidance to the Small Business Administration (SBA) on ensuring that funding programs created by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act are administered constitutionally. ...

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Michigan Residents: Oppose Religious Exemptions for Large Gatherings

Governor Gretchen Whitmer wisely issued an executive order that limits gatherings of more than 50 people in order to prevent the spread of potentially deadly coronavirus in Michigan....

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