American Atheists
Encyclopedia
American Atheists is an organization in the United States
dedicated to defending the civil liberties
of atheists
and advocating for the complete separation of church and state
. It provides speakers for colleges, universities, clubs and the news media. It also publishes books and the monthly American Atheist Magazine. It was founded by Madalyn Murray O'Hair
.
and Murray v. Curlett (1959) which were later consolidated. Both Schempp and Murray challenged mandatory prayer
in public schools. Over the years American Atheists has filed numerous lawsuits against public institutions it considers to have breached the wall of separation between church and state. The organization, which has approximately 2,200 members, is headquartered in Cranford, New Jersey
.
In 1959, Murray filed a case on behalf of her son, William J. Murray, who was being forced to attend Bible
readings in school and was being harassed by teachers and school administrators for refusing to participate.
The consolidated case, usually cited as Abington School District v. Schempp (although arguably Murray v. Curlett became the more famous of the two), was argued before the United States Supreme Court on February 27 and February 28, 1963. In her opening statement, Madalyn Murray said, in part:
The justices rendered their decision on June 17, 1963. It was in favor of the petitioners, 8-1. They ruled that state-mandated prayer and unison bible readings in public schools were a violation of the Establishment Clause in the First Amendment
to the United States Constitution
. Justice Potter Stewart
was the sole dissenter.
headquarters, after extorting over $550,000 from the organization, which has never been returned. Ellen Johnson
, a second-generation atheist, assumed control of American Atheists shortly after the disappearance. It was later revealed that the three were abducted, robbed and murdered by an ex-convict and former American Atheists employee, David Waters.
On November 2, 2002, at the Godless Americans March on Washington
, Johnson was one of the featured speakers.
In 2002, American Atheists took Wildwood, Florida
to court for "displaying religious decorations at City Hall."
In 2004, the group held their 30th annual national convention. The convention attracted several best-selling atheist authors and leaders from several other secular organizations.
In July 2006, Lt. Gen.
H. Steven Blum
, chief of the National Guard Bureau, said in an interview that, "Agnostics, atheists and bigots suddenly lose all that when their life is on the line." In response Master Sgt. Kathleen Johnson, who founded the Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers and served in Iraq, said that was "a denial of our contributions" and "A lot of people manage to serve without having to call on a higher power." American Atheists helped organize a campaign against the "no Atheists in foxholes
" claim. The logo of the American Atheists is an allowed "emblem of belief" approved by the US Department of Veterans Affairs
"for Placement on Government Headstones and Markers".
In May 2007, ABC News
featured a report on discrimination the Smalkowski family suffered from government officials in Hardesty, Oklahoma
. The report included information about an ongoing lawsuit, which was filed by American Atheists on behalf of the Smalkowski family. The lawsuit alleges the Hardesty Public School District
violated Nicole Smalkowski's constitutional rights. Also in May, Joe Zamecki organized a national demonstration against the National Day of Prayer, in contrast to the celebration of prayer by many Christians in America on the day.
An announcement posted on the organization's blog on May 2, 2008 stated that Johnson was leaving the presidency of American Atheists for unspecified reasons. It was later revealed that her removal was not voluntary. Frank Zindler was named acting president, followed by presidents Ed Buckner in September 2008, and Dave Silverman in September 2010.
, was formed to endorse political candidates who support the separation of church and state
. Subsequently, atheists have become more outspoken about being an ignored voice in the United States.
The PAC does not want government to associate with religion in any way; it opposes Christmas
being a federal holiday or any mention of God on currency or in the Pledge of Allegiance
.
Carter, et al v Broadlawns Medical Center, et al.... Defense of Secular Medicine in 72 year history of Polk County Hospital never hired a chaplain, US Sup Ct, cert den. 1984-1987
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
dedicated to defending the civil liberties
Civil liberties
Civil liberties are rights and freedoms that provide an individual specific rights such as the freedom from slavery and forced labour, freedom from torture and death, the right to liberty and security, right to a fair trial, the right to defend one's self, the right to own and bear arms, the right...
of atheists
Atheism
Atheism is, in a broad sense, the rejection of belief in the existence of deities. In a narrower sense, atheism is specifically the position that there are no deities...
and advocating for the complete separation of church and state
Separation of church and state
The concept of the separation of church and state refers to the distance in the relationship between organized religion and the nation state....
. It provides speakers for colleges, universities, clubs and the news media. It also publishes books and the monthly American Atheist Magazine. It was founded by Madalyn Murray O'Hair
Madalyn Murray O'Hair
Madalyn Murray O'Hair was an American atheist activist and founder of the organization American Atheists and its president from 1963 to 1986. One of her sons, Jon Garth Murray, was the president of the organization from 1986 to 1995, while she remained de facto president during these nine years....
.
Origin and early legal action
American Atheists was founded in 1963 by Madalyn Murray O'Hair as the Society of Separationists, after the legal cases Abington School District v. SchemppAbington School District v. Schempp
Abington Township School District v. Schempp , 374 U.S. 203 , was a United States Supreme Court case argued on February 27–28, 1963 and decided on June 17, 1963...
and Murray v. Curlett (1959) which were later consolidated. Both Schempp and Murray challenged mandatory prayer
Prayer
Prayer is a form of religious practice that seeks to activate a volitional rapport to a deity through deliberate practice. Prayer may be either individual or communal and take place in public or in private. It may involve the use of words or song. When language is used, prayer may take the form of...
in public schools. Over the years American Atheists has filed numerous lawsuits against public institutions it considers to have breached the wall of separation between church and state. The organization, which has approximately 2,200 members, is headquartered in Cranford, New Jersey
Cranford, New Jersey
Cranford is a township in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the township population was 22,625.Cranford was incorporated as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 14, 1871, from portions of the Townships of Clark, Linden,...
.
In 1959, Murray filed a case on behalf of her son, William J. Murray, who was being forced to attend Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
readings in school and was being harassed by teachers and school administrators for refusing to participate.
The consolidated case, usually cited as Abington School District v. Schempp (although arguably Murray v. Curlett became the more famous of the two), was argued before the United States Supreme Court on February 27 and February 28, 1963. In her opening statement, Madalyn Murray said, in part:
"Your petitioners are atheists and they define their beliefs as follows. An atheist loves his fellow man instead of god. An atheist believes that heaven is something for which we should work now – here on earth for all men together to enjoy. An atheist believes that he can get no help through prayer but that he must find in himself the inner conviction and strength to meet life, to grapple with it, to subdue it, and enjoy it. An atheist believes that only in a knowledge of himself and a knowledge of his fellow man can he find the understanding that will help to a life of fulfillment. He seeks to know himself and his fellow man rather than to know a god. An atheist believes that a hospital should be built instead of a church. An atheist believes that a deed must be done instead of a prayer said. An atheist strives for involvement in life and not escape into death. He wants disease conquered, poverty vanquished, war eliminated. He wants man to understand and love man. He wants an ethical way of life. He believes that we cannot rely on a god or channel action into prayer nor hope for an end of troubles in a hereafter. He believes that we are our brother's keepers and are keepers of our own lives; that we are responsible persons and the job is here and the time is now."
The justices rendered their decision on June 17, 1963. It was in favor of the petitioners, 8-1. They ruled that state-mandated prayer and unison bible readings in public schools were a violation of the Establishment Clause in the First Amendment
First Amendment to the United States Constitution
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution is part of the Bill of Rights. The amendment prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering...
to the United States Constitution
United States Constitution
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It is the framework for the organization of the United States government and for the relationship of the federal government with the states, citizens, and all people within the United States.The first three...
. Justice Potter Stewart
Potter Stewart
Potter Stewart was an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. During his tenure, he made, among other areas, major contributions to criminal justice reform, civil rights, access to the courts, and Fourth Amendment jurisprudence.-Education:Stewart was born in Jackson, Michigan,...
was the sole dissenter.
Johnson's leadership
On August 27, 1995, Madalyn, Jon, and Robin O'Hair disappeared from the organization's former Austin, TexasAustin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
headquarters, after extorting over $550,000 from the organization, which has never been returned. Ellen Johnson
Ellen Johnson
Ellen Johnson is an activist for atheist rights and the separation of church and state in the United States. She was president of American Atheists from 1995–2008.-Career:...
, a second-generation atheist, assumed control of American Atheists shortly after the disappearance. It was later revealed that the three were abducted, robbed and murdered by an ex-convict and former American Atheists employee, David Waters.
On November 2, 2002, at the Godless Americans March on Washington
Godless Americans March on Washington
The Godless Americans March on Washington occurred in Washington, DC on November 2, 2002 with the participation of many atheists, freethinkers, agnostics and humanists.-Timeline of the event:...
, Johnson was one of the featured speakers.
In 2002, American Atheists took Wildwood, Florida
Wildwood, Florida
Wildwood is a city in Sumter County, Florida, United States. The population was 3,924 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2004 estimates, the city had a population of 3,598.-Geography:Wildwood is located at ....
to court for "displaying religious decorations at City Hall."
In 2004, the group held their 30th annual national convention. The convention attracted several best-selling atheist authors and leaders from several other secular organizations.
In July 2006, Lt. Gen.
Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General....
H. Steven Blum
H. Steven Blum
H. Steven Blum is a retired United States Army lieutenant general. He last served as Deputy Commander, U.S. Northern Command, where he concurrently served as Vice Commander, U.S. Element, North American Aerospace Defense Command from January 16, 2009 to May 21, 2010...
, chief of the National Guard Bureau, said in an interview that, "Agnostics, atheists and bigots suddenly lose all that when their life is on the line." In response Master Sgt. Kathleen Johnson, who founded the Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers and served in Iraq, said that was "a denial of our contributions" and "A lot of people manage to serve without having to call on a higher power." American Atheists helped organize a campaign against the "no Atheists in foxholes
Atheists in foxholes
The statement "There are no atheists in foxholes" is an aphorism used to argue that in times of extreme stress or fear, such as when participating in warfare, all people will believe in or hope for a higher power.-Origin:...
" claim. The logo of the American Atheists is an allowed "emblem of belief" approved by the US Department of Veterans Affairs
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs is a government-run military veteran benefit system with Cabinet-level status. It is the United States government’s second largest department, after the United States Department of Defense...
"for Placement on Government Headstones and Markers".
In May 2007, ABC News
ABC News
ABC News is the news gathering and broadcasting division of American broadcast television network ABC, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company...
featured a report on discrimination the Smalkowski family suffered from government officials in Hardesty, Oklahoma
Hardesty, Oklahoma
Hardesty is a town in Texas County, Oklahoma, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the town population was 212.-Geography:Hardesty is located at .According to the town has a total area of , all of it land.-Demographics:...
. The report included information about an ongoing lawsuit, which was filed by American Atheists on behalf of the Smalkowski family. The lawsuit alleges the Hardesty Public School District
Hardesty Public School District
Hardesty Public School District is a public school district in Hardesty, Texas County, Oklahoma, United States.In May 2007 ABC News featured a report on religious discrimination the Smalkowski family suffered from Hardesty school officials. The report included information about an ongoing lawsuit,...
violated Nicole Smalkowski's constitutional rights. Also in May, Joe Zamecki organized a national demonstration against the National Day of Prayer, in contrast to the celebration of prayer by many Christians in America on the day.
An announcement posted on the organization's blog on May 2, 2008 stated that Johnson was leaving the presidency of American Atheists for unspecified reasons. It was later revealed that her removal was not voluntary. Frank Zindler was named acting president, followed by presidents Ed Buckner in September 2008, and Dave Silverman in September 2010.
Godless Americans PAC
In November 2005, the Godless Americans Political Action Committee (GAPAC), an American PACPolitical action committee
In the United States, a political action committee, or PAC, is the name commonly given to a private group, regardless of size, organized to elect political candidates or to advance the outcome of a political issue or legislation. Legally, what constitutes a "PAC" for purposes of regulation is a...
, was formed to endorse political candidates who support the separation of church and state
Separation of church and state
The concept of the separation of church and state refers to the distance in the relationship between organized religion and the nation state....
. Subsequently, atheists have become more outspoken about being an ignored voice in the United States.
The PAC does not want government to associate with religion in any way; it opposes Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
being a federal holiday or any mention of God on currency or in the Pledge of Allegiance
Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance of the United States is an expression of loyalty to the federal flag and the republic of the United States of America, originally composed by Christian Socialist Francis Bellamy in 1892 and formally adopted by Congress as the pledge in 1942...
.
Court cases
American Atheists have won several important cases involving the separation of church and state, and currently have many ongoing lawsuits.- Murray v. Curlett (1963) Challenged Bible reading and prayer recitation in Maryland public schools.
- Murray v. United States (1964) To force the Federal Communications CommissionFederal Communications CommissionThe Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
to extend the Fairness DoctrineFairness DoctrineThe Fairness Doctrine was a policy of the United States Federal Communications Commission , introduced in 1949, that required the holders of broadcast licenses to both present controversial issues of public importance and to do so in a manner that was, in the Commission's view, honest, equitable...
so that Atheists could have equal time with religion on radio and television. - Murray v. Nixon (1970) Challenged weekly religious services in the White House.
- O'Hair v. Paine (1971) Challenged NASA's religious use of the space program to require astronauts to read the Bible during a space flight.
- O'Hair v. Cooke (1977) Challenged the opening prayer at city council meetings in Austin, TexasAustin, TexasAustin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
. - O'Hair v. Blumenthal (1978) Challenged the inclusion of the phrase "In God We TrustIn God We Trust"In God We Trust" was adopted as the official motto of the United States in 1956. It is also the motto of the U.S. state of Florida. The Legality of this motto has been questioned because of the United States Constitution forbidding the government to make any law respecting the establishment of a...
" on U.S. currency. - O'Hair v. Hill (1978) To have removed from the Texas constitution a provision requiring a belief in God of persons holding offices of public trust.
- O'Hair v. Andrus (1979) Challenged the use of National ParkNational parkA national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or owns. Although individual nations designate their own national parks differently A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or...
facilities for the pope to hold a Roman Catholic mass on the Mall in Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
. - O'Hair v. Clements (1980) This case tried to remove the nativity sceneNativity sceneA nativity scene, manger scene, krippe, crèche, or crib, is a depiction of the birth of Jesus as described in the gospels of Matthew and Luke...
displayed in the rotunda of the capitol building in Austin, Texas.
Carter, et al v Broadlawns Medical Center, et al.... Defense of Secular Medicine in 72 year history of Polk County Hospital never hired a chaplain, US Sup Ct, cert den. 1984-1987
- Steel Crosses on Utah Highways (2005) http://www.atheists.org/legal/UHPCrosses-NOVEMBER-30-2005.PDF
- Society of Separationists vs. Pleasant Grove (2004)
- American Atheists vs. Starke, Florida.(2005)http://www.atheists.org/legal/Starkbrief9_05.pdf
- American Atheists, Inc., and Steve Walker vs. City of Detroit, City of Detroit Downtown Development Authority, and Detroit Economic Growth Corporation.
- Clyde Baxley, Grace Brown, Edward Byford, Bill Jager, Al Sundquist, James Woolever, Arlen Acharias, and Dorothy Anne Zappa Vs. State of Alaska.
- American Atheists Inc., Mark W. Butler v. The City of Jacksonville, Florida (2006) (Sued for the city's tax-funded "Faith Day")
- Chester Smalkowski, Nadia Smalkowski, American Atheists v. Hardesty Public School DistrictHardesty Public School DistrictHardesty Public School District is a public school district in Hardesty, Texas County, Oklahoma, United States.In May 2007 ABC News featured a report on religious discrimination the Smalkowski family suffered from Hardesty school officials. The report included information about an ongoing lawsuit,...
, The County Of Texas County, Oklahoma, The Town Of Hardesty, Oklahoma. (Filed August 2006)http://www.atheists.org/legal/Smalkowski/Complaint%20Actually%20Filed%20In%20Federal%20Court%2011%20Aug%202006.pdf - American Atheists Inc., Lon Bevill, v. City Of Stark, Florida. (2007) http://www.atheists.org/legal/Stark/Order%20Granting%20Plaintiffs%20SJ%2020%20March%202007.pdf
- American Atheists Inc., Edwin Kagin, v. Kentucky Office of Homeland Security (2009) http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20090826/NEWS01/908260387/Court+strikes+down+reference+to+God+in+state+law
Presidents of American Atheists
| Name | Term of Office |
|---|---|
| Madalyn Murray O'Hair Madalyn Murray O'Hair Madalyn Murray O'Hair was an American atheist activist and founder of the organization American Atheists and its president from 1963 to 1986. One of her sons, Jon Garth Murray, was the president of the organization from 1986 to 1995, while she remained de facto president during these nine years.... |
1963–1986 (de jure) 1986–1995 (de facto) |
| Jon Garth Murray Jon Garth Murray Jon Garth Murray was the son of Madalyn Murray O'Hair, the first president and founder of American Atheists.From 1986 until his murder in 1995, Garth Murray held the office of President of American Atheists... |
1986–1995 (de jure) |
| Ellen Johnson Ellen Johnson Ellen Johnson is an activist for atheist rights and the separation of church and state in the United States. She was president of American Atheists from 1995–2008.-Career:... |
1995–2008 |
| Frank Zindler | 2008 (interim) |
| Ed Buckner | 2008–2010 |
| David Silverman Dave Silverman Dave Silverman is the current president of the American Atheists, a non-profit organization that supports the rights of nonbelievers and the removal of expressions of religion in public when possibly interpretable as governmental endorsement.... |
2010–present |
See also
- A Secular Humanist DeclarationA Secular Humanist DeclarationA Secular Humanist Declaration was an argument for and statement of support for democratic secular humanism. The document was issued in 1980 by The Council for Democratic and Secular Humanism , now the Council for Secular Humanism...
- Charles E. Stevens American Atheist Library and ArchivesCharles E. Stevens American Atheist Library and ArchivesCharles E. Stevens American Atheist Library and Archives, also known as CESAALA, is a collection of over 40,000 volumes of books, documents, and various other research tools. It was founded by the American Atheists and currently records oral histories of various intellectuals and lecturers...
- List of secularist organizations
- Godless Americans March on WashingtonGodless Americans March on WashingtonThe Godless Americans March on Washington occurred in Washington, DC on November 2, 2002 with the participation of many atheists, freethinkers, agnostics and humanists.-Timeline of the event:...
- Society of Ontario Freethinkers
- Secular Student AllianceSecular Student AllianceThe Secular Student Alliance , founded in May 2000, is an independent, democratically structured organization in the U.S. that aims to serve the needs of freethinking high school and college students. The Secular Student Alliance is based in Columbus, Ohio...
- Humanist Canada
- FFRF
External links
- American Atheists – Official website
- CNN: Dole challenger irate over suggestion she is 'godless'
- American Atheists – No God Blog