Washington, DC—Today, in a 24 to 28 vote, an amendment offered by Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) to protect the integrity of the Johnson Amendment failed during a House Appropriations Committee markup session. The amendment would have removed Section 116 of the bill, a rider that prohibits the IRS from…...
Atheists Tells Congress: Hands Off the Johnson Amendment
Washington, D.C.—American Atheists today joined with ten other atheist and secular groups warning the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations against attempts to undermine the so-called Johnson Amendment, an IRS rule that prohibits churches and other houses of worship, as well as 501(c)(3) charities like American Atheists, from engaging…...
Atheists Warn Kentucky Schools About Potentially Unconstitutional Bible Classes
Frankfort, KY—American Atheists today sent a letter to the Kentucky Commissioner of Education reminding him of the state’s obligations under the U.S. Constitution to discuss religion only in an academic context despite the recently enacted “Religious Literacy Law” which allows the teaching of religion and the use of the Bible…...
American Atheists Seeks National Legal & Public Policy Director
Since 1963, American Atheists has protected the absolute separation of religion from government through legal advocacy, innovative education and public relations campaigns, legislative tracking, and community building and engagement. With more than 170 affiliates and local partners nationwide, American Atheists has a network of communities and activists ready to engage…...
American Atheists Bids Fond Farewell to National Legal and Public Policy Director Amanda Knief
Washington, DC—Today, American Atheists announced the departure of National Legal and Public Policy Director Amanda Knief on June 9 after more than five years with the organization. Amanda has served as Managing Director, In-House Counsel, and as National Legal and Public Policy Director during her time at American Atheists....
Atheists Threaten Lawsuit After Trump Executive Order Gives Special Treatment to Churches
Cranford, NJ—After President Donald Trump signed an executive order today instructing the IRS to ignore future violations of the prohibition on electoral politicking by churches and religious groups, American Atheists pledged a lawsuit challenging the unconstitutional preference of houses of worship over secular nonprofits, including American Atheists, in the order.…...
Lawsuit Challenging Pennsylvania House of Representatives Discriminatory Invocation Policy Moves Forward
Harrisburg, PA—A federal district court today has allowed a lawsuit challenging the discriminatory invocation policy of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to move forward. “We’re pleased the court has decided that this lawsuit can continue,” said Amanda Knief, legal director for American Atheists. “There is no question that this policy…...
Atheists Invite San Antonio Mayor to Meet Constituents After Anti-Atheist Remarks
San Antonio—In remarks at a candidate forum this month, San Antonio, TX mayor Ivy Taylor linked systemic poverty to a lack of a “relationship with [a] creator,” adding that those without such a relationship did not have good relationships with their families and communities and were “not being productive members…...
Atheists Decry Confirmation of Gorsuch to Supreme Court
Cranford, NJ—Today, after the rules of the Senate were changed by Republicans to overcome a filibuster, Neil Gorsuch was confirmed as an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court by a vote of 54-45. American Atheists’ National Legal Director Amanda Knief released the following statement: Since the announcement of…...