American Atheists

Rick Wingrove
P.O. Box 774
Leesburg, VA 20178
703.433.2464
E-mail: rwingrove@atheists.org

Virginia State Director’s Report on Case Day,
Langley High School,
Langley, Virginia, March 1 st, 2005

On Tuesday, March 1, Langley High School, located just blocks outside the gates of the CIA in Northern Virginia, and one of the best public high schools in the country, held its 13th annual Case Day. Cases of national interest are brought before a faux Supreme Court, complete with opposing attorneys, oral arguments, and a panel of student Justices who render a verdict at the end of the day. This year, the Student Court, made up of top students in AP Government, heard the two Decalogue cases, McCreary and Van Orden which were to be heard before the Supreme Court the next day.

In case you didn't see it on the news, we are suffering the worst infestation of theocrats since the McCarthy era. They don't seem overly concerned with the finer points of the First Amendment or about the sensibilities of those who don't share their beliefs. It is vitally important that we be constantly mindful of those with a history of contempt towards Atheists.

As American Atheists we depend upon the First Amendment for protection against religion-based bigotry and attacks on our freedom from religion. Without the First Amendment there is little to prevent the majority Christian population from imposing de facto state religion and dominating government, education, and society. Historically this has proven to be a bad idea.

Virginia is a hotbed of reckless rightwing religious aggression. We need to be aware of their activities, whether it be nativity scenes on public property, prayer at public events, creationist nonsense at school boards, ten commandment displays, vouchers (religion tax) or any of the myriad other ways that the power religions seek special status and priveledge. We need to challenge these unconscionable circumventions of the First Amendment by every legal means available to us. This includes protest, letter writing, lobbying, and lawsuits. If never challenged, the churches will continue to think they can ignore our rights and our very existence and dominate the public square. That is why it is important to have a visible and vocal presence - so that they are constantly reminded that Atheists Are For Real!

I would like all Virginia Atheists to feel free to contact me any time, by phone or email, to introduce yourself, or if you have information about any religious activities in your community that violate the separation of state and church. AA is not omniscient, and there are probably lots of local issues which we will miss without input from around the state. But if we hear about it from people around the state, we can be present every time a fundamentalist hands out a pamphlet.

Call me, write me, join me in making our presence known and take part in the protection our right to be free from their religion.