Oklahoma City, OK—The Oklahoma State Supreme Court has ruled that the controversial Ten Commandments monument placed on state capitol grounds is a violation of the Oklahoma Constitution and ordered its removal. “This is a victory for anyone who values religious neutrality from their government,” said American Atheists President David Silverman.…...
Atheists Celebrate Supreme Court Ruling Affirming Marriage Equality
Cranford, NJ—American Atheists today applauded the United States Supreme Court in its 5-4 decision guaranteeing the rights of same-sex couples to marry nationwide and joined LGBT Americans in celebrating equality under the law. “This is a victory too long in the making,” said American Atheists President David Silverman. “The Court…...
On Marriage Equality Case, the Rights of LGBT Americans Trump Religious Dogma
WASHINGTON, D.C.—This morning, the Supreme Court of the United States will hear oral arguments in the case of Obergefell v. Hodges. This is likely the most significant case on the issue of marriage equality to come before the highest court in America in our generation. “American Atheists stands for the rights…...
Leesburg (FL) School Takes Action to End Prayer Led By Baseball Coach
In early, February, American Atheists received information that Leesburg High School head baseball coach Rich Billings and assistant coach John Meier were initiating and leading students and other coaches in prayer every day following baseball practice. On February 10, American Atheists’ in-house counsel Amanda Knief sent an advisory letter to Leesburg…...
North Carolina High School Agrees to Review Policies After American Atheists Calls Out Religious Assembly
Cranford, NJ—Principal J. Wayne Shepherd of the West Wilkes High School in Wilkes, North Carolina, has agreed to review the restrictions about religious activities at the public high school and the policy of distribution of non-school sponsored literature to students after American Atheists sent a letter of concern about a…...
Atheists Decry Punishment of PA Teen for ‘Desecration’
Cranford, NJ—American Atheists on Friday expressed their disappointment at the sentencing of a Pennsylvania teen for “desecration of a venerated object” stemming from photos the teen posted on a social media site with himself and a statue of Jesus in July. “The fact that this teenager was charged with a…...
9/11 Cross Case Ruling Is An Example of Christian Privilege
Cranford, NJ – American Atheists is disappointed in the Second Circuit’s ruling Monday to affirm the dismissal of its case against the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey regarding the equal representation of atheists in the 9/11 National Museum. “The Court relied on the words of religious persons,…...
Atheists Decry Court’s Grant of Religious Rights to Corporations in Hobby Lobby
Cranford, NJ—American Atheists denounced the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Hobby Lobby on Monday that declared a closely-held corporation is a person with religious rights. Using the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, the Court ruled that owners of closely held corporations may opt out of the so-called “birth control mandate” of…...
Oklahoma Judge Denies Motion To Dismiss Atheists’ Ten Commandments Lawsuit
Cranford, NJ—American Atheists announced on Friday that its lawsuit concerning a Ten Commandments monument on the grounds of the Oklahoma State Capitol in American Atheists v. Thompson, et al will proceed as planned after a motion to dismiss was denied by the judge. The 2,000-pound monument, donated to the state…...
Atheists’ Lawsuit Challenging Special Treatment of Churches by IRS Dismissed
American Atheists announced on Monday that its lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service in American Atheists v. Shulman was dismissed on standing by the Eastern District Court of Kentucky. The case alleged that the IRS discriminates in its filing requirements for nonreligious nonprofit organizations compared to its requirements for religious…...
Atheists File Federal Lawsuit to Remove Christian Monument at OK State Capitol
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday Jan 13, 2014 Text of the lawsuit is available here. Oklahoma City, OK—American Atheists filed a federal lawsuit on Monday against members of the Oklahoma State Capitol Preservation Commission for placing a 2,000-pound Ten Commandments monument at the north entrance of the Oklahoma State Capitol in…...