American Atheists President Ellen Johnson asks for A Seat at the Table in the discussion of First Amendment issues and civil rights for nonbelievers. "For us, today's meeting is a small but significant first-step in building a viable presence on Capitol Hill and inside the beltway..."

Web Posted: May 4, 1998

everal atheists met earlier today with representatives of the White House to speak out on a number of issues, and ask for a "Seat at the Table" in the public discussion over state-church separation and civil rights for nonbelievers. The group conferenced with Maureen Shea, Associate Director of the Office of Public Liaison for the White House, and William Marshall, Associate General Counsel to the President.

   Organized by Chicago civil rights activist Rob Sherman, the atheist delegation included Nancy Powell, a Portland, Oregon mother who has been challenging the discriminatory policy of the Boys Scouts of America and BSA promotion through the public schools system; Don Hirschberg, Arkansas First Amendment activist;Herb Silverman, South Carolina activist who successfully challenged that state's law requiring a religious oath in order to hold a public office; Ellen Johnson, President of American Atheists; Ron Barrier, National Spokesperson for AA; and American Atheists National Legislative Director Robert Zauner.

    In a document presented to the White House, American Atheists "expresses considerable concern that in this great democracy we call The United States of America, a sizeable and influential number of intellectually diverse Atheists, agnostics and other freethinkers are, unfortunately, not being heard at the table of democratic ideals."

   The organization raised several specific concerns including:

• Efforts to enact a Religious Freedom Amendment.

• Efforts to promote "special rights" for religious organizations, practices and beliefs through legislation such as the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in the historic BOERNE v. FLORES case, but now being promoted again at the state level and federal level by a religious coalition.

• A skewed emphasis in the discussion over "religious rights" in schools, the work place and other venues.

    During the one-hour meeting, Ms. Powell spoke at length about her family's experience in challenging the promotion of the Scouts in the Portland, Oregon schools. Mr. Sherman covered the BSA and other issues as well. Mr. Hirschberg noted the discriminatory constitution of the state of Arkansas which restricts the rights of nonbelievers to hold a public trust.

A Small But Important Step

    Ellen Johnson, President of American Atheists, cautioned that while today's meeting was significant -- a "first" in reaching the White House -- "it's only the beginning."

   "Our group (American Atheists) sees today as just the first step. We're focusing our organizational resources on building a presence inside the Beltway, learning the ropes, networking and making contacts." Johnson reiterated her commitment to building the Washington Office of American Atheists, and pointed to the work of Bob Zauner and D.C. Director Chris Prokop as a base.

    "We're not as big as the Family Research Council or the Christian Coalition, but we'll get there!" she said optimistically.

    The "Seat at the Table" Document presented at the White House meeting included a final section which summarized the American Atheists position on today's event.

    "We certainly do not challenge the right of religious organizations, or any other group to be heard in Washington D.C., and anywhere else public policy is decided.

    But the same courtesy, respect and consideration should be extended to us as well.

    No president can be faulted by his political opponents for merely allowing another voice to be heard.

    We ask for a voice in the discussion over public policy, representation when this policy is debated, and a reasonable prospect of having our considered opinions included when it is formulated and announced..."

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