Introduction
See Also...

The Yellow Pages Test
God on our Coins
Charitable Choice, Faith-Based Partnerships

The Public Square

Introduction

Today, religious groups of many persuasions are clamoring for more power in deciding how our government will operate, and ultimately how we will live our lives. Behind the cry of "One Nation Under God!", or "Putting God back into our lives", they are desperately trying to legislate a religious agenda. Some are endorsing political candidates, often on the basis of their stand on "values" issues like abortion rights, censorship, and prayer in the public schools. Others want government to essentially "hire out" the task of administrating social welfare programs to the churches.

You have both freedom OF religion and freedom FROM religion! While many of the Founders of the United States spoke of a deity, they were often DEISTS who believed in the supremacy of nature. And they built into our Constitution a clause in the First Amendment which prohibits government from "establishing" religious belief.

AMERICAN ATHEISTS has consistently labored on behalf of the total absolute separation of government and religion. Religious belief and ceremony should be a private matter -- not a legislative fiat. Read on to see where we stand on some interesting and important aspects of this debate on state and church!

See Also...

• The Yellow Pages Test
  Let your fingers tell if religious believers are "excluded" from practicing their beliefs!
  
  
• God on our Coins
  Does religious graffiti belong on our money? A President of American Atheists tells Congress where we stand.
  
  
• Charitable Choice
  Charitable Choice and Faith-Based Parnerships. Yet another way to publically fund religion?

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