Cranford, NJ—American Atheists today applauded the United States Supreme Court in its 5-4 decision guaranteeing the rights of same-sex couples to marry nationwide and joined LGBT Americans in celebrating equality under the law....
On Marriage Equality Case, the Rights of LGBT Americans Trump Religious Dogma
WASHINGTON, D.C.—This morning, the Supreme Court of the United States will hear oral arguments in the case of Obergefell v. Hodges. This is likely the most significant case on the issue of marriage equality to come before the highest court in America in our generation. “American Atheists stands for the rights…...
Leesburg (FL) School Takes Action to End Prayer Led By Baseball Coach
In early, February, American Atheists received information that Leesburg High School head baseball coach Rich Billings and assistant coach John Meier were initiating and leading students and other coaches in prayer every day following baseball practice. On February 10, American Atheists’ in-house counsel Amanda Knief sent an advisory letter to Leesburg…...
North Carolina High School Agrees to Review Policies After American Atheists Calls Out Religious Assembly
Cranford, NJ—Principal J. Wayne Shepherd of the West Wilkes High School in Wilkes, North Carolina, has agreed to review the restrictions about religious activities at the public high school and the policy of distribution of non-school sponsored literature to students after American Atheists sent a letter of concern about a…...
Atheists Decry Punishment of PA Teen for ‘Desecration’
Cranford, NJ—American Atheists on Friday expressed their disappointment at the sentencing of a Pennsylvania teen for “desecration of a venerated object” stemming from photos the teen posted on a social media site with himself and a statue of Jesus in July. “The fact that this teenager was charged with a…...
9/11 Cross Case Ruling Is An Example of Christian Privilege
Cranford, NJ – American Atheists is disappointed in the Second Circuit’s ruling Monday to affirm the dismissal of its case against the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey regarding the equal representation of atheists in the 9/11 National Museum. “The Court relied on the words of religious persons,…...
Atheists Decry Court’s Grant of Religious Rights to Corporations in Hobby Lobby
Cranford, NJ—American Atheists denounced the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Hobby Lobby on Monday that declared a closely-held corporation is a person with religious rights. Using the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, the Court ruled that owners of closely held corporations may opt out of the so-called “birth control mandate” of…...
Oklahoma Judge Denies Motion To Dismiss Atheists’ Ten Commandments Lawsuit
Cranford, NJ—American Atheists announced on Friday that its lawsuit concerning a Ten Commandments monument on the grounds of the Oklahoma State Capitol in American Atheists v. Thompson, et al will proceed as planned after a motion to dismiss was denied by the judge. The 2,000-pound monument, donated to the state…...