News & Blog

Fifty Years of Reason: A Special Message from our President on the Anniversary of the Supreme Court Case that Launched American Atheists

The United States of America in the 1960s was a time of change. In his run for president against Richard Nixon, Senator John F. Kennedy gave a campaign speech on September 12, 1960 to the Greater Houston Ministerial Association about the role of religion in government. In the United States’…...

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Atheist Pride Day

Today is June 6th, Atheist Pride Day! I’ve been out about 4 years now, and it’s the greatest feeling in the world. I feel so free and so happy. This is a feeling I want for all people who are oppressed by religion—anyone tortured by the threat of hell, anyone…...

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Atheists to Unveil Florida Courthouse Monument

Cranford, NJ—Following a settlement with Bradford County, Florida, American Atheists will unveil a new monument in front of the Bradford County Courthouse: a 1,500-pound granite bench engraved with quotations from Thomas Jefferson, Madalyn Murray O’Hair, Benjamin Franklin, and others. The bench will sit adjacent to an existing monument featuring the…...

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Alton Lemon, civil rights activist, dies at 84

Alton Lemon, after whom the “Lemon Test” is named, was an extremely important figure in secular activism in United States history. We are very sad to hear the news of his death, and we will be celebrating his life and work at American Atheists headquarters today. He was 84. If…...

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Atheists Condemn Arizona State Representative’s Prayer ‘Do-Over’ After Secular Invocation

Cranford, NJ—American Atheists announced Friday that it has demanded an apology on behalf of all non-Christians for disparaging remarks made by Arizona state Representative Steve Smith on Wednesday. Smith’s remarks were in response to the secular invocation offered by state Representative Juan Mendez on Tuesday in the state House of…...

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Democratic Representative Juan Mendez of Tempe, AZ opens House session with Carl Sagan quotation

We are very proud of Arizona today! Instead of the “usual” prayer, when it was Mendez’s turn to perform the invocation, he instead quoted Carl Sagan. Progress! We thank Mendez for his willingness to be open about his admiration for one of the greatest scientific minds of the 20th century—who…...

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Everybody Draw Muhammad Day!

Today is Everybody Draw Muhammad Day, and we encourage atheists worldwide to participate! Draw a picture of Muhammad, the prophet of Islam, and post it on your Facebook and/or Twitter. We do this to celebrate freedom of speech. For more information, see this link....

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Atheists to Accept Georgia Governor’s Offer by Sending Atheist Books to State Parks

American Atheists announced Friday that it will send the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GADNR) enough popular atheist books to place one in every state park cabin in the state. The atheist books will be placed alongside Gideon Bibles already in every state park cabin as directed by Georgia Governor Nathan Deal on…...

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