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…...
Statement on ‘The Most Hated Woman in America’ Film
American Atheists would like to thank the producers of the film The Most Hated Woman in America for shining a light on a passionate, devoted, and tireless advocate for the absolute separation of religion from government. Madalyn Murray O’Hair’s contribution to our nation’s history and the direction of atheist activism…...
Atheists File Lawsuit After Child Forcibly Baptized by Court-Approved Mentor
Cleveland, OH—American Atheists today filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Eastern Division, alleging that a developmentally disabled child was forcibly baptized against the expressed wishes of his parents by a minister and a court-approved mentor. The child, referred to as “V” in…...
Atheists Award $4,000 in Scholarships to Student Activists
Cranford, NJ—American Atheists is pleased to announce the seven student awardees of $4,000 in scholarships for the 2017-2018 school year. This year’s winners include an ex-Muslim from Bangladesh, a student who founded an atheist group at his southern university, two women who combine their atheist activism with efforts to ensure…...
Chris Coons Enters American Atheists Letter Into Gorsuch Hearing Record
Washington, DC—During the second day of confirmation hearings of Judge Neil Gorsuch’s nomination to the Supreme Court, Delaware Senator Chris Coons entered a letter co-authored by American Atheists and the National Coalition of Jewish Women, and signed by 17 other faith and secular groups, expressing our profound concerns about Gorsuch’s…...
American Atheists Leads Interfaith Groups in Expressing Concern Over Gorsuch Nomination
In a letter written by American Atheists and the National Council of Jewish Women, a coalition of 19 faith-based and atheist groups expressed serious concerns regarding the nomination of Judge Neil M. Gorsuch to the United States Supreme Court. The letter was sent to the Chairman and Ranking Member of…...