UPDATE -- THE RELIGIOUS FREEDOM AMENDMENT...

The Religious Freedom Amendment was rejected today on the floor of the House of Representatives. It is one of the most serious challenges ever made to state-church separation in America, and would have reversed decades of important judicial rulings which have helped to preserve the rights of Atheists, nonbelievers in general, and even religious minorities.

BACKGROUND on the RELIGIOUS FREEDOM AMENDMENT TALKING POINTS -- RFA AND CIVIL RIGHTS FOR ATHEISTS RELIGIOUS FREEDOM AMENDMENT CLEARS COMMITTEE 16-11 (March 5, 1998) HOUSE COMMITTEE VOTE ON RFA SCHEDULED FOR NEXT WEEK (February 28, 1998) RELIGIOUS FREEDOM AMENDMENT ON FAST TRACK? (January 22, 1998) TAXPAYERS FINANCE RFA WEB SITE ON CAPITOL HILL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM AMENDMENT -- DERAILED AGAIN? (October 17, 1998) RFA BACK ON CONGRESSIONAL AGENDA (October 7, 1998) COALITION ROAD SHOW FOR RFA -- HYPE, HYSTERIA, DISTORTION (May 27, 1997) RELIGIOUS FREEDOM AMENDMENT INTRODUCED IN HOUSE (May 8, 1997)

JUNE 4, 1998
(6:25 p.m.ET)

he House of Representatives this afternoon voted down the proposed Religious Freedom Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Get the latest!

HOUSE VOTES DOWN RELIGIOUS FREEDOM AMENDMENT

June 4, 1998 update (11:00 A.M. et)

debate in the House of Representatives on the proposed Religious Freedom Amendment is about to begin, as Congress winds through the morning round of 1-minute speeches. Check back for more later today!

CHRISTIAN COALITION PLAYS FAST AND LOOSE WITH THE FACTS AS RFA VOTE NEARS

June 2, 1998 update...

FBI LAB: JEFFERSON'S DANBURY LETTER SOUGHT ETERNAL WALL OF SEPARATION BETWEEN CHURCH AND STATE

May 28, 1998 update...

he Religious Freedom Amendment has been scheduled for a vote in the House on Thursday, June 4. Rep. Ernest Istook (R-OK), the main sponsor of this bill, is working hard to line up support for the measure. The Christian Coalition has also launched its publicity blitz; this Sunday, the Coalition will be distributing publicity materials to build support for the RFA through its network of nearly 125,000 churches. The group is also launching a last-minute media blitz, including $550,000 in radio ads, targeted in key congressional districts.

   American Atheists is releasing a statement to the media on the RFA today. You can read that document in our press release section.

n addition to the linked articles to the right, you may familiarize yourself with other background information about the RFA. The legal case which helped to end coercive prayer and Bible verse recitation in the public schools, and was a definitive statement on behalf of atheist civil rights -- MURRAY v. CURLETT -- is discussed on this web site.    We encourage you to check back to this web site for updates on the Religious Freedom Amendment.

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