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 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…...
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…...
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…...
Atheists Dismiss Lawsuit After City Rescinds $65,000 Grant to Baptists
Cranford, NJ—American Atheists announced today that is has dismissed its lawsuit against the City of Kansas City (Missouri) over a $65,000 grant that the city’s Neighborhoods Tourist Development Fund had awarded in April to Modest Miles Ministries for the 2016 National Baptist Convention in September. American Atheists sued based on…...