The Secular Coalition for America's challenges and triumphs of 2006
Nov. 28, 2006
Dear Secular Coalition activist,
The Secular Coalition for America had a very active year in 2006, and we are looking forward to the challenges and opportunities of the new 110th Congress. We have a lot of work to do to get the new Congress to focus its attention to the issues atheists, humanists, other nontheists, and our theistic allies care about; but, at the Secular Coalition, we like being busy.
Prior to the November elections, the religious right demonstrated its clout on Capitol Hill as we saw Congress focus its efforts on their narrow and dangerous agenda.
Working with several allied organizations seeking to protect the separation of church and state, the Coalition helped kill the worst elements of their legislative agenda: extending federal funds for religious education, taking away the Court's ability to hear certain cases involving church-state violations, privileging religious free exercise litigants over secular establishment clause litigants in the awarding of attorney's fees for those who prove that their constitutional rights have been violated, and allowing military chaplains to proselytize "the unchurched."
We have been able to present the position of nontheists, often for the first time, to allied organizations and members of Congress and their staff. Our efforts are possible because of support from hundreds of concerned Americans like you. To carry on this important work, we need your continued support.
We have been fortunate to work with Republicans and Democrats, as well as Independents, to protect and strengthen our secular form of government. For more information on our advocacy efforts during the 109th Congress see our August Break Report.
The change in leadership of both chambers for the next Congress will alter legislative priorities; however, on issues regarding our constituency, Congress -- in bi-partisan unity -- has been far too willing to ignore our existence and trample our rights.
The rhetoric during the debate on the so-called "Pledge Protection Act" provides just one example. Todd Akin (R-Mo.) preached that "... if you were to summarize what America stands for, we have always stood for the idea, the simple principle, that there is a God ...," and Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) emoted, "We all agree -- 'one Nation, under God' -- what a beautiful pledge. We all agree."
During this debate we met with members of Congress to dispel these myths and educate them of our existence and our important contributions to American society.
But this message will not have a powerful impact without your active participation in our efforts. We need you to contact your elected officials too. When we send out an e-mail action alert, please contact your elected representatives. Your voice as a constituent helps open doors and minds in Congress to make our advocacy efforts effective. On several occasions, members of Congress and their staff have commented on constituent messages received from our community.
We are already laying the groundwork with key members of Congress to ensure that strict restrictions on proselytizing by military chaplains are secured. We are participating in strategy sessions with allied groups on how to curtail the religious school voucher program in the District of Columbia. The Coalition and our issue allies expect to advance other issues as well in the next Congress, including: preventing pharmacists from refusing to fill prescriptions based on religious objections; promoting comprehensive, factual, and age-appropriate human sexuality programs in our public schools; accountability in faith-based grants and programs; ending federal support of the Boy Scouts of America; and expanding stem cell research.
Working in coalition with our issue allies has been very productive; however, in the next Congress, we will take the next step and develop coalitions around issues of particular interest to our nontheist community.
For the 110th Congress, the Secular Coalition for America will spearhead the introduction of legislation to repeal laws which privilege religion over nonreligion in land use, prisons, criminal law, and other venues. Countering religious objections, we have also launched legislative efforts to ensure that the new HPV vaccine will be covered by medical insurance.
However, our work can only continue with your active support. Please make a financial contribution today. Secure one-time or monthly donations can be made online via credit card or PayPal. We also offer a printable form for those who prefer to mail their contributions.
Your active support will ensure our success!
Sincerely,
Lori Lipman Brown
Director, Secular Coalition for America