Join us in supporting...

The Day That Counts!

Are you one of the 27 million? That's how many people in the United States describe themselves as Atheists, Agnostics, Freethinkers, Secular Humanists -- people who are non-religious, or have serious doubts about religious deities, teachings and practices. Twenty-seven million! That's more people than are counted as members of most leading religious denominations in the United States! There are more of us than there are Mormons, Lutherans, Jews, Presbyterians; and yet, when it comes to public policy, Congress often does not listen to this group of political "outsiders." Our government thinks that you don't count.

The 27 million of us are now threatened with the imposition of a "Religion Tax" in America. If President George W. Bush has his way, we will be forced to open our purses and wallets in order to fund faith-based social programs across the country.

DiIulio

Already, several states -- and even municipalities like Philadelphia, Pa. -- are using public money to operate so-called "faith-based partnerships" with religious organizations. The funding proposals go far beyond just providing social services, though. Recently, federal faith-based office czar John DiIulio declared that Americans -- and that includes us! -- should pay for the physical maintenance and operation of houses of worship, so they may expand their religion-based social outreaches.

We say that all of this is unfair, and unconstitutional!

Are Congress and the White House Listening?

So far, Atheists, Freethinkers, Secular Humanists -- the 27 million of us -- have been excluded from much of the debate over faith-based funding. Some religious groups have objected to the Bush initiative, but they seem less worried with the principle of this government Religion Tax than they are about the possibility that with cash may come state regulation and oversight of their ministries. So far, the momentum is in favor of faith-based programs. On capitol hill, in state legislatures, even in city halls throughout America, "faith-based" has become a political buzz-phrase, and a magic bullet to a variety of social ills. There is no empirical evidence to suggest that religious groups can operate social programs more effectively, or cheaper, than their secular counterparts. And there is considerable evidence to suggest that this government money will eventually be used to promote religious belief and proselytizing.

Neither a state nor the Federal Government can, openly or secretly, participate in the affairs of any religious organizations or groups and vice versa. In the words of Jefferson, the clause against establishment of religion by law was intended to erect 'a wall of separation between church and state.' [Hugo L. Black, U.S. Supreme Court Justice, majority opinion in Everson v. Board of Education, 330 U.S. 1 (1947)]

It's time for the White House and Congress to hear from the 27,000,000!

That's why we are launching THE DAY THAT COUNTS. On July 10, 2001, we are asking representatives of national, state and local organizations -- Atheists, Freethinkers, Agnostics, Secular Humanists -- to join us in Washington DC at the National Press Club as we stand together against the Bush faith-based initiative and similar schemes to divert public money to religious organizations. We want the White House, and the lawmakers in Washington, DC and elsewhere, to know that they must consider US, not just religious, special-interest groups, when deciding how to use the public coin.

We are also asking anyone who is one of us, the twenty-seven million, to contact the President, your Congressional representative, and your US Senators on July 17, 2001. We want millions of faxes, phone calls, and letters flooding into our nation's capital!

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Updates: 19 July, click here for news.
click here for press conference coverage.

How you can support THE DAY THAT COUNTS

• If you are a representative of a freethought group (local, state, national), have your organization participate in THE DAY THAT COUNTS! Become an endorsing organization and, if possible, send a representative of your group to our Washington, DC press conference on July 10, 2001
• Support THE DAY THAT COUNTS as an individual!

• On July 17, 2001, phone, fax or send a personal letter to the White House, your Representative and your US Senator. If you do write, we ask that you send a handwritten or typewritten letter, "snail mail," and avoid e-mail. Public officials pay more attention to such communications. Click Here for writing tips, background and talking points and information on contacting public officials.

• Spread the word about THE DAY THAT COUNTS! Have your organization endorse the action, and try to participate in our Washington, DC press conference. Let others in "the 27 million" know about this important outreach, which seeks to give ALL OF US a voice in the debate over this important issue.

A word about working together...

Atheists, Freethinkers, Agnostics, Skeptics, Secular Humanists -- we all have different labels, and we disagree on many issues. We join different organizations (or we don't join at all), and we have more than our share of differences. Organizing this diverse lot is, well, like trying to herd cats, or butterflies!

The establishment of religion clause of the First Amendment means at least this: neither a state nor the Federal Government can set up a church. Neither can pass laws which aid one religion, aid all religions, or prefer one religion over another. Neither can force nor influence a person to go to or remain away from church against his will or force him to profess a belief or disbelief in any religion. [U.S. Supreme Court justice Hugo Black, Majority opinion Everson v. Board of Education 330 U.S. 1 (1947)]

Despite this, the whole issue of faith-based social programs and the public funding of religious outreaches is one issue that many of us can agree on, and work against on an ad hoc basis. THE DAY THAT COUNTS is only about this one, important issue. It requires no change in our various organizations, and it obligates no one person or group to some larger agenda. It is a single issue -- and an important one crucial to the separation of church and state -- which, we think, many of us can come together around.

You might not agree with everything which every group endorsing THE DAY THAT COUNTS might stand for; but on one crucial issue, we have unconstitutional proposals that affect each and every one of us! No one, especially those who are nonbelievers, should pay a tax to support religious groups or outreaches, no matter how disingenuously they are described.

Whether you represent an organization, or you are just one of the 27 million, speak up on July 17, 2001 and let your voice be heard in Washington, DC!

Can we count you in?