Legal

American Atheists Launches Investigation into Trump Administration’s Secretive Church Bailouts

Washington D.C.—Today, the church/state watchdog organization American Atheists announced it is investigating the Small Business Administration (SBA)’s church bailouts, as part of the nearly $700 billion Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)....

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Nonreligious Parents Settle Lawsuit Against Volunteer Mentor and Evangelical Church over Forced Baptism of Special Needs Son

Painesville, OH—Today, the civil rights organization American Atheists announced that clients April and Gregg DeFibaugh have successfully settled their lawsuit against a local church, pastor, youth mentoring organization, and former volunteer mentor. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed....

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Little Sisters’ Supreme Court Case Could Grant Religious Groups Carte Blanche to Ignore the Law

Washington, D.C.—Today, American Atheists joined other secular organizations in filing an amicus brief in the Little Sisters of the Poor v. Pennsylvania case, one of the most important religious exemption cases before the U.S. Supreme Court this term....

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Atheists Urge Supreme Court to Protect Employees from Discriminatory Religious Organizations

Washington, D.C.—In an amicus brief filed today, American Atheists, the Center for Inquiry, and the American Humanist Association urged the Supreme Court to deny attempts by religious employers to ignore non-discrimination laws on the basis of their religion. ...

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The Supreme Court Could Blow a Hole in Church/State Separation Next Term

Washington, D.C.—Today, American Atheists warned about Fulton v. City of Philadelphia, an upcoming Supreme Court case that could allow religious organizations broad exemptions and unfettered freedom to ignore nondiscrimination laws....

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Atheists to Supreme Court: Don’t Open ‘Pandora’s Box’ in Religious Freedom Case

Washington, D.C.—The national civil rights organization American Atheists warned the Supreme Court against a dangerous and unconstitutional expansion of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) to include monetary damages in an amicus brief filed this week in the case Tanzin v. Tanvir....

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Atheists: Supreme Court Should Uphold Montana’s Ban on Taxpayer Money Flowing to Religious Schools

Washington, D.C.—Today, American Atheists joined other secular organizations in filing an amicus brief on Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue, the most important church/state separation case before the U.S. Supreme Court this term....

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Indiana Officials Reverse Unconstitutional Decision to Exclude Atheist Group from Holiday Festival, Following Demand Letter

Valparaiso, IN—On Tuesday, Northern Indiana Atheists (NIA), an affiliate of American Atheists, received approval to participate in the community Holly Days celebration after an initial request was rejected. This reversal comes after American Atheists sent Porter County Commissioners a letter on Monday, November 4, demanding NIA’s inclusion and threatening legal…...

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