The fight for religious equality and the rights of atheists are a core part of the broader civil rights movement in America, especially now. Showing up, ensuring that the atheist perspective is heard, and building bridges to groups that share our values is the key to protecting our rights.
During the last weekend in April, a broad coalition of supporters of religious freedom — the actual freedom enshrined in the constitution, not the dark and self-serving version the White Christian Nationalist movement tries to sell the public — gathered in Washington, D.C., to discuss strategies to ensure these rights continue to exist for future generations.
The Summit for Religious Freedom, organized by our partners at Americans United, brought together representatives from across the religious spectrum, including atheists, humanists, and the nonreligious, as well as civil rights groups, making it one of the largest gatherings of its kind.
American Atheists leadership, grassroots volunteers, and members were well represented, and both Sam McGuire and I led panel discussions.
Photo by Chris Line for Americans United for Separation of Church & State
The fight for religious equality and the rights of atheists are a core part of the broader civil rights movement in America, especially now. Showing up, ensuring that the atheist perspective is heard, and building bridges to groups that share our values is the key to protecting our rights.
That work is only possible thanks to the generous support of our members. Will you make a tax-deductible contribution today to ensure American Atheists has the resources it takes to continue breaking down the barriers our community still faces?
Sam’s webinar, titled Religious Freedom For All: Rethinking Liberty Beyond Belief, explored the importance of the separation of church and state, and showed the real-life consequences of White Christian Nationalist policies when it comes to bread-and-butter issues like education, healthcare, and civil rights.
My panel looked at America Beyond 250, our collaborative effort to reclaim the U.S. Semiquincentennial from White Christian Nationalists. Here is a short clip where I stress the importance of truth and nonpartisanship in history education.
It was a privilege to represent you, our members, at this crucial event. The work you support with your membership dollars and donations has a real-world impact and secures us nonreligious Americans a prominent seat at the table alongside diverse, dedicated, and powerful allies in the fight for our rights.
PS: It isn’t just members of our staff who are committed to building a broad movement to win the fight against White Christian Nationalism. I was so thankful to see more than a dozen of our State Directors, Secular Advocacy Team members, and grassroots affiliate leaders at the Summit — plus the countless members and supporters I spoke with throughout the weekend. I am incredibly grateful for the deep knowledge of the issues and dedication to our mission that everyone brings to the table.
Nick Fish is the president of American Atheists. He has more than a decade of organizing, advocacy, political, and public policy experience with some of the nation's most prominent civil rights and civil liberties organizations.
Nick Fish is the president of American Atheists. He has more than a decade of organizing, advocacy, political, and public policy experience with some of the nation's most prominent civil rights and civil liberties organizations.
Increasingly, “anti-Christian” is functioning less as a description of legitimate bias against Christians and more as a way to criminalize any views that diverge from or disagree with a particular strain of White Christian Nationalism.
We’re leading the charge to correct the lies and reclaim our country from the oligarchs and special interests behind the Christian Nationalist movement.
