He was a leading figure on the religious right, but now amidst scandal has resigned as head of the powerful National Association of Evangelicals. The Rev. Ted Haggard is just the latest in a long list of religious leaders who led a double-life, and engaged in the very behaviors they denounced from the pulpit. (11-5-06)

Ralph Reed, the man once dubbed "God's Right Hand" and Former Christian Coalition head, was at the center of an influence peddling scandal run by disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Find out about the latest House Reform Committee report and how evangelicals were manipulated for political gain and big bucks. (10-13-06)

In a 242-173 vote, the U.S. House of Representatives has passed a controversial measure to deny compensatory legal fees in First Amendment court cases. The misnamed “Public Expression of Religion Act” is meant to discourage litigation over government endorsement or promotion of faith. Critics warn if approved by the Senate, this dangerous policy would close the courthouse door to many groups and individuals seeking to protect our freedom from majority-rule religion! (9-27-06)

The U.S. House of Representatives will debate a measure on Tuesday that would make it more difficult and expensive for citizens to challenge unconstitutional government practices in respect to religion. American Atheists President Ellen Johnson warns that that “Public Expression of Religion Act” is a threat to our First Amendment separation of church and state. (9-25-06)

President Bush has signed into law a bill transferring the controversial Mt. Soledad Christian Crossto the federal government. The move is meant to derail litigation begun 18 years ago by California Atheist Phil Paulson. Undeterred by this disingenuous maneuver, Mr. Paulson says the legal fight against this unconstitutional religious shrine will continue. (8-21-06)

Despite a last minute effort by American Atheists to obtain an injunction, government officials and religious leaders in Jacksonville held a highly-publicized “Day of Faith” Rally to combat a rising crime rate. (8-13-06)

American Atheists filed suit in federal court on Friday over a case involving “prayer bullying” and conspiracy to violate the rights of an Atheist family in Oklahoma. Chester Smalkowski and his family have been taking a stand for freedom from religion, and now charge a battery of local officials with illegal behavior and conspiracy. (8-12-06)

“What began earlier this month in the U.S. House of Representatives as a political stunt to cater to the religious right has spread to the other end of Capitol Hill, with serious consequences for the First Amendment.” Lawmakers scheme to keep an unconstitutional religious monument on public land, and discourage legal suits to defend the separation of church and state. (7-30-06)

Capitol Hill Republicans have begun an ambitious effort to energize their party’s religious right base by resurrecting several key bills just in time for the upcoming midterm elections. Dubbed the “American Values Agenda,” the legislation includes bills to outlaw same-sex marriage, protect “unborn children,” ban cloning technology and even discourage legal challenges to violations of the First Amendment’s establishment clause. Televangelist and “values” guru James Dobson is the man behind this latest attack on the separation of church and state. (7-10-06)

Chester Smalkowski and his family endured harassment, violation of their civil rights and a criminal trial all because daughter Nicole refused to participate in a pre-game prayer circle at her local high school. In the heart of the Bible Belt, Mr. Smalkowski was acquitted of criminal charges. American Atheists is now launching a civil case to address the shabby treatment of the Smalkowski family and defend the separation of church and state in Oklahoma! Here in his own words is Chester Smalkowski’s version of this harrowing experience. (7-8-06)

The U.S. Supreme Court stepped into the thick of one of the nation’s longest running First Amendment cases – the dispute over the Mt. Soledad Christian Cross. Atheist Phil Paulson has been fighting for 17 years to have this religious monument removed from public land. Government and religious groups, however, have resorted to every conceivable ploy to keep this enormous sectarian symbol standing. (7-7-06)

The warnings are dire – powerful storms and hurricane damage is predicted for the Gulf Coast region, raising the possibility of another Katrina disaster. In Washington, DC, however, the response is to promote public funding of “faith-based” emergency preparedness involving churches and other houses of worship. Is the separation of church and state in America “gone with the wind”? (6-27-06)