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Clemson University, in a five-sentence letter sent April 24 by its legal counsel, claims that the Freedom From Religion Foundation's complaint about religion in the football program included incorrect legal statements and “misconstrued important facts.” FFRF sent a detailed complaint April 10 to the public … More »
The attorney for Owasso Public Schools, Owasso, Okla., told the Freedom From Religion Foundation today (May 1) that no district employee will be allowed in the future to pray or otherwise engage in religious activities with students. FFRF Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel sent a letter … More »
The Bulloch County Courthouse, Statesboro, Ga. Every year, the Freedom From Religion Foundation handles multiple complaints about local government officials inserting themselves into National Day of Prayer events, not as private citizens but in their roles as public employees or appointees. FFRF, a national state-church watchdog … More »
The Colorado Supreme Court will hear oral argument May 1 in Gov. John Hickenlooper’s appeal of a unanimous state Court of Appeals decision ruling in favor of the Freedom From Religion Foundation against a “Colorado Day of Prayer.” The Court of Appeals ruled in 2012 that gubernatorial … More »
“Freedom From Religion in the bible belt” is the theme of FFRF’s May 2-3 conference in downtown Raleigh, N.C., at the Sheraton Raleigh Hotel, 421 South Salisbury St. In conjunction with the Triangle Freethought Society, FFRF’s active Raleigh-area chapter, the gathering will “win … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is strongly criticizing Hobby Lobby’s public school bible course recently approved by Mustang Public Schools in Mustang, Okla. National state-church watchdog FFRF has been eyeing the bible course since November, when Hobby Lobby’s billionaire owner Steve Green personally pitched … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation and its Metropolitan Chicago Chapter condemn the vandalism of the Divine Mercy display in Chicago. The display in Daley Plaza was damaged April 23 when a vandal or vandals punctured a painting of Jesus and broke the glass covering … More »
In response to a Freedom From Religion Foundation complaint about serious constitutional violations within the Clemson University football program in South Carolina, Coach Dabo Swinney issued a statement today. After an investigation, FFRF sent a complaint April 10 about religious entanglements in the program. Swinney's … More »
Click on thumbnail to see high-resolution images. The nation’s largest association of atheists and agnostics this morning is placing a patriotic red-white-and-blue secular display to counter a large Catholic Easter display at Daley Plaza in downtown Chicago that will be hard to miss. Two colorful 8-foot … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is protesting the illegal closure of the public utility in Sun Prairie, Wis., in observance of Good Friday, and the inappropriate use of religious iconography (a crown of thorns) on Sun Prairie Utilities’ website. Within an hour of receiving a … More »
Freedom From Religion Foundation member Douglas Marshall, who previously sued the city of Warren, Mich., when it censored his attempt to place a freethought winter solstice sign in its city atrium, has been censored again by Warren Mayor James R. Fouts. Marshall sought a permit … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation, a national state-church watchdog based in Madison, Wis., is keeping a close eye on the bible course developed by Hobby Lobby President Steve Green for public school students. The school board in Mustang, Okla., voted 4-0 with one abstention … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is leaving on display — as evidence of the divisiveness of religion in government — its mutilated sign saying “Nobody died for our sins,” which was vandalized by a fanatic before noon today in the Wisconsin State Capitol in … More »
Reaching a settlement with the Freedom From Religion Foundation to end FFRF's lawsuit against the city, the Pismo Beach City Council voted April 15 to stop all prayers before its meetings and to abolish the city chaplain position. FFRF and Dr. Sari Dworkin, a Pismo … More »
The Madison-based Freedom From Religion Foundation has a display up in the Wisconsin Capitol in Madison to counter one from the Concerned Women for America, based in Washington, D.C. FFRF's display on the first floor of the rotunda says "Nobody died for our sins. Jesus … More »
In an April 10 letter of complaint to Clemson University, the Freedom From Religion Foundation details several serious constitutional concerns about how the public university's football program is entangled with religion. The school in Clemson, S.C., responded Feb. 25 to FFRF's open records request, … More »
Statement By Annie Laurie Gaylor and Dan BarkerCo-PresidentsFreedom From Religion Foundation It's hard to believe that in 2014 a bill to declare “the Holy Bible the official state book of Louisiana” would gain traction in the Louisiana legislature. Yesterday, a House committee voted 8-5 to approve … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is once again calling out an Ohio town for the constitutional violation of putting Christian crosses on public property. FFRF, a state-church watchdog based in Madison, Wis., complained April 8 in a letter to village of Stratton attorney Frank Bruzzese … More »
Statement by Annie Laurie Gaylor ' Co-President Freedom From Religion Foundation Among the dumber pieces of theocratic legislation being entertained by the Wisconsin Legislature (and that’s saying something), is Senate Joint Resolution 85, “relating to the persecution of Christians on a worldwide scale.” Warning for readers outside Wisconsin: … More »
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is on the receiving end of a letter of complaint from the Freedom From Religion Foundation in Madison for a religious tweet on his official Facebook and Twitter accounts. On Sunday, March 16, either Walker or someone empowered to posted the … More »
By Annie Laurie Gaylor Co-President Freedom From Religion Foundation The fawning invitation by the mayor of Green Bay, Wis., inviting Pope Francis to visit Green Bay next year for the express purpose of making a “pilgrimage” to a local shrine to the Virgin Mary, may … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation sent a letter of complaint and records request March 11 to Birmingham, Ala., Police Chief A.C. Roper objecting to his organizing and endorsing a Christian ministry called Prayer Force United. FFRF, a state-church watchdog based in Madison, Wis., has about 20,000 members … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is protesting an invitation to Pope Francis from Mayor Jim Schmitt to visit Green Bay, Wis., for the express non-secular purpose of making a Virgin Mary pilgrimage. Schmitt's letter inviting the pope to "make a pilgrimage to the Shrine of … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation sent letters of complaint March 7 to public school districts in Orange and Seminole counties and to the mayor of Casselberry, Fla., about government entanglement with a Christian congregation called The Venue Church. FFRF, a state-church watchdog based in Madison, … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is challenging Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear's use of state resources to promote a prayer breakfast March 13 at the Frankfort Convention Center. In aMarch 3 letter to the Democratic governor, FFRF Senior Staff Attorney Rebecca Markert noted that a press release … More »
The Tennessee Board of Judicial Conduct's public censure March 3 of a former magistrate for changing a baby's first name from "Messiah" to "Martin" was set in motion by a formal complaint by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. FFRF is a national state/church watchdog based … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation, based in Madison, Wis., is announcing its 2014 high school, college and graduate/older student essay scholarship competitions, offering more than $23,000 in total cash prizes. FFRF, founded in 1978 as a state/church watchdog and freethought (atheist/agnostic) association, has offered a … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is again demanding that the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services strike an unconstitutional requirement for religious belief that could bar an atheist from becoming a citizen. All naturalization applicants are required to swear an oath: “to bear arms on … More »
Photo by Brent Nicastro Click here to read as a PDF. Barker and Gaylor’s response follows: Tony Perkins, Family Research Council, 801 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20001 Re: Biblical ignorance Dear Mr. Perkins, In speaking with Megyn Kelly on FOX News this week about The Freedom From Religion Foundation’s … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation, a national state-church watchdog based in Madison, Wis., has scored another victory for secularism on public college campuses.Late last year, FFRF persuaded the University of Wisconsin-Madison to remove Gideon bibles from the Lowell Center, its campus inn. Now it … More »
From FFRF’s music CD, “Adrift on a Star” Susan Hofer, a talented jazz vocalist in Madison, Wis., performs Dan’s jazz ballad, a love song, “It’s Only Natural,” inspired by Richard Dawkin’s book, Unweaving the Rainbow, which makes a plea to integrate science and art. It's Only Natural Lyrics Thanks to Gallileo … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation, concerned about dangers to public health posed by ritual circumcision, has contacted New York state, local and national officials about the religious practice.According to reports by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, ultra-orthodox Jewish parents … More »
A court decision allowing an obscure Milwaukee-area church to intervene in FFRF’s nationally significant lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service over church politicking has placed the litigation “on the front line,” said FFRF’s litigation attorney, Richard L. Bolton. “This will put everything in play, including … More »
The Police Department in Searcy, Ark., appears to be doubling down on its efforts to inject religion into government with the addition of another Christian cross on its lawn. The Freedom From Religion Foundation first notified then-Police Chief Kyle Osborne about the violation in March … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is asking the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals to overturn a federal district court decision approving a shrine to Jesus on Big Mountain in Montana."A permanent Catholic shrine on public land is prohibited by the Establishment Clause, every … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation wants the Florida Department of Education to suspend scholarship payments to LifeSkills Academy II, a Christian school in Daytona Beach that receives public funding. The request stems from information FFRF received through Wisconsin open records requests regarding a similar school … More »
An open records request filed by the Freedom From Religion Foundation about LifeSkills Academy, a religious voucher school which closed its doors in mid-December stranding students, has uncovered that it was removed from federal meal programs in March 2012 for appalling violations of federal … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation, working with noted state-church attorney Marci A. Hamilton and groups advocating for the rights of victims of religious abuse, today filed an amicus brief before the U.S. Supreme Court. The brief opposes Hobby Lobby’s claim that for-profit corporations have … More »
The federal government filed notice Jan. 24 that it's appealing the Freedom From Religion Foundation's significant federal court victory declaring the "parish exemption" unconstitutional. Under the 1954 law, "ministers of the gospel" don't pay any taxes on salary designated as a "housing allowance."U.S. District … More »
Statement by Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor Co-Presidents Freedom From Religion Foundation President Barack Obama’s proclamation yesterday calling Jan. 16 “Religious Freedom Day” garnered favorable attention for explicitly recognizing “atheists and agnostics” as equal to believers: Today, America embraces people of all faiths and of … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is sticking to its guns that an unconstitutional Latin cross must be removed from the lawn at the Police Department, in Searcy, Ark. FFRF first notified then-Police Chief Kyle Osborne about the violation in March 2013 after a citizen complained … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation has contacted the Office of the General Counsel of Oakland Unified School District in the wake of complaints it received over the proselytizing nature of a recent assembly at E.C. Reems Academy, Oakland, Calif., intended to honor Jahi McMath.FFRF, … More »
After attempting to end the practice for several decades, the Freedom From Religion Foundation has persuaded University of Wisconsin-Extension in Madison to remove Gideon bibles from its 137 guest rooms.In November, the complainant who encountered the bible at the Lowell Center on the UW-Madison … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation’s Winter Solstice banner in an Arlington Heights city park was cut into shreds by a vandal earlier this week. The banner was slashed with an L-shaped cut, and a carefully buried spotlight cord was wrenched from the ground. The banner … More »
WHAT I WANT FOR CHRISTMASBy Robert Green Ingersoll The Arena, Boston, December 1897 If I had the power to produce exactly what I want for next Christmas, I would have all the kings and emperors resign and allow the people to govern themselves.I would have … More »
An FFRF member took this photo Sunday in Pitman, N.J. The Freedom from Religion Foundation is offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the persons who tried to torch FFRF's "Keep Saturn in Saturnalia" billboard Dec. 17, five days … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation has placed the group's Winter Solstice sign in the Milwaukee County courthouse today for the third year in a row. FFRF, a Madison, Wis.-based state/church watchdog, is the largest association of atheists and agnostics in the nation. FFRF has … More »
Religion "hardens hearts & enslaves minds" declares the Freedom From Religion Foundation on its newly placed Winter Solstice banner challenging a nativity scene on government property near city hall in Prineville, Ore. FFRF is a national state/church watchdog with over 20,000 members nationwide, including more … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation, on behalf its 1,008 Washington members, has erected its Winter Solstice sign in front of the state capitol for the second year. The Madison, Wis.-based national state/church watchdog has nearly 20,000 members nationwide. Thanks to FFRF state representative Darrell Barker, the … More »
An obscure Wisconsin Anglican church with a fanatical anti-abortion bent, represented by a Catholic legal firm, has moved to intervene as a party in the Freedom From Religion Foundation’s federal church electioneering lawsuit. FFRF naturally will oppose the intervention, requested more than a year after … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation and local members placed a sign Dec. 17 in the Rhode Island Capitol in Providence that says there are “no gods” and declaring “At this season of the winter solstice, may reason prevail.” FFRF, a Madison, Wis.-based national state/church watchdog … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation has placed a Winter Solstice banner in Streator's city park today to counter a nativity scene and Christian display on public property. FFRF is a national state/church watchdog with over 20,000 members nationwide, including nearly 760 in Illinois. "Erecting a manger … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation and one of its area members is placing an 8-foot banner in Washington Square near LaSalle Street in Ottawa, Ill., to counter 16 billboard-sized paintings of “the life of Jesus.” The banner depicts a “Bill of Rights Nativity” in … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation, the nation's largest association of atheists and agnostics, is sponsoring a secular holiday billboard in the borough of Pitman, N.J., a location that in the past has shown favoritism to Christianity while censoring nonbelievers. "Keep Saturn in Saturnalia" is the … More »
Critical thinking and state/church separation won a solid victory recently when faith-based speaker Justin Lookadoo was publicly berated for a presentation described as sexist and offensive given at Richardson High School in Richardson, Texas. Students used social media to express their disapproval, adopting the … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is placing a “Bill of Rights nativity” today in the Florida State Capitol proclaiming the Winter Solstice as the “true reason for the season” to counter a nativity scene placed for the first time. The national state/church watchdog based in … More »
'Tis the season . . . for the Freedom From Religion Foundation's gilt Winter Solstice message, which returns today, for its 18th visit to the first-floor rotunda of the Wisconsin State Capitol through December. The solstice message in the Capitol was composed by Anne … More »
Here are photos of the unique display placed by FFRF/FFRF Metropolitan Chicago Chapter taken on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2013, at Daley Plaza, Chicago. (The famous Picasso sculpture is in the background.) Many thanks to Evan Kane for his photographs, and … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation today called on all proponents of women's rights and separation of church and state to boycott (and "girl-cott") Hobby Lobby, a national retail craft-store chain. Hobby Lobby has 561 stores nationwide and revenues of more than $2.28 billion per … More »
What do nonbelievers do during the month of December? They “come out of the closet,” at least in Sacramento, in a way that cannot be ignored. The Freedom From Religion Foundation and its new Sacramento chapter are unveiling 55 separate billboards in December around California’s … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation, which represents over 650 members in Colorado, plus a Denver area chapter, filed its final answer this month in the state’s appeal of its Colorado Day of Prayer victory in state appeals court. The case is now before the … More »
See the full size ad here. The Freedom From Religion Foundation and its Metropolitan Chicago chapter are unveiling a unique “winter solstice” display Tuesday morning to balance Daley Plaza’s traditional and divisive, life-sized nativity display. The national state/church watchdog, based in Madison, Wis., and its area … More »
A radio ad recorded by Ron Reagan promoting the Freedom From Religion Foundation has been running all this month on the Randi Rhodes radio show. In the ad, Reagan says: I’m Ron Reagan, an unabashed atheist, and I’m alarmed by the intrusions of religion into our … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation and its co-presidents Annie Laurie Gaylor and Dan Barker have won a significant ruling with far-reaching ramifications declaring unconstitutional the 1954 “parish exemption” uniquely benefiting “ministers of the gospel.” “May we say hallelujah! This decision agrees with us that Congress … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation, national state/church watchdog, is objecting to a police chief using his position to promote his personal religious agenda and ideology. Police Chief Gary Jones has apparently been using the Department of Public Resources Facebook page in Harlem, Georgia not only … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation has sent open records requests to three Texas school districts which hosted or scheduled presentations by author and "motivational" speaker Justin Lookadoo on dating with content described as heavily sexist. Lookadoo gives "motivational" presentations that sometimes contain faith-based content. In … More »
Statement By the Freedom From Religion Foundation Tuesday marks the sesquicentennial of the delivery of Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address on Nov 19, 1863, at Soldiers National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Penn. On this 150th anniversary we’re being treated, appropriately, to articles and renditions of Lincoln’s most famous … More »
Statement by the Freedom From Religion Foundation The Freedom From Religion Foundation has given $2,000 to Doctors Without Borders, via the Non-believers Giving Aid Disaster Relief Fund (what FFRF dubs the “Non-belief Relief Fund”), for Philippine Typhoon relief. The New York Times reported today that … More »
Want to fire a volley in the skeptics' annual War on Christmas while supporting FFRF's work in shoring up the state-church wall of separation? If so, feel free to shop till you drop as much as you care to at the Foundation's gift store … More »
FFRF has stopped the practice of allowing preachers and pastors to enter Pedro Menendez High School in St. Augustine, Fla., during the lunch period and pressure students to attend their churches and church functions. According to the complainant, youth pastors “quite intrusively butt into conversations” … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation filed a significant lawsuit Nov. 1 in California state court against the city of Pismo Beach, challenging prayers at city council meetings and the city chaplaincy post. The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments Nov. 6 in a related … More »
Austin, TX - After a contentious six-month struggle narrowly avoiding a lawsuit, James Bowie High School has decided to allow senior Nick Montana to form his club. The group in question? A secular student alliance, which would provide a community for nonreligious teens. Principal Stephen … More »
"There Is No Afterlife: Enjoy Life Now" is the message an octogenarian member of the Freedom From Religion Foundation is sponsoring for a month on a billboard in Janesville, Wis.The message is up on a 10-by-30-foot billboard off U.S. 14 East near North Lexington … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation hailed action by the Tennessee Board of Judicial Conduct late last week directing disciplinary charges be filed against a judge who ordered a baby's name changed from "Messiah" to "Martin." FFRF Senior Staff Attorney Rebecca Markert had formally requested the … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation regularly receives complaints about school concerts with many religious songs and objects to treating public school choruses like church choirs. However, a concert held this year by four Pennsylvania public school districts went far beyond those “run of the … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation, a national state/church watchdog with nearly 300 Tennessee members, has recently ended several First Amendment violations in Franklin County schools, Franklin Tenn. Tonight, Oct. 14, the school board will vote on FFRF's remaining complaint over the practice of opening … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation, a state/church watchdog from Madison, Wis., and the largest association of agnostics and atheists in the nation, is telling police departments in Ohio and Alabama to stop proselytizing and start working. Two separate situations occurred where police departments were using … More »
"OMG, there is no god!"That's the lighthearted message the Freedom from Religion Foundation is taking to a Times Square billboard Friday in New York City to counter an anti-atheist billboard by an evangelical group.FFRF, a state/church watchdog and the nation's largest association of freethinkers … More »
The Freedom from Religion Foundation and the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio have settled a lawsuit against the Jackson City School District in Jackson, Ohio, with the district agreeing not to continue to display a portrait of Jesus. FFRF Senior Staff Attorney Rebecca Markert … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation, an educational state-church watchdog with nearly 20,000 nonreligious members nationwide, has awarded $33,000 in cash scholarships to 48 deserving student recipients this year. FFRF has offered essay competitions to college students since 1979. In 1994, FFRF added a separate contest … More »
FFRF recently halted the practice of compelling convicted offenders to attend Miracle Lake Christian Training Center and other similar institutions as a condition of probation in Tennessee. Forced attendance for probation did not offer alternate non-religious, non-spiritual treatment options. FFRF, a state/church watchdog from Madison, … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation, a state/church watchdog representing nearly 20,000 nonreligious members nationwide, is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to declare city council prayers unconstitutional. FFRF’s friend of the court brief was filed Monday with the high court, which will be holding oral arguments … More »
Below is the testimony today of Staff Attorney Patrick Elliott: Wisconsin Assembly Bill 244 would create a religious and exclusionary Wisconsin license plate. Elected officials should not use their government position and influence to promote their religious views. The phrase “In God We Trust” is not … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation and the Atheists, Humanists, and Agnostics at University of Wisconsin- Madison, are teaming up to host an event to celebrate Blasphemy Rights Day called, "Is Blasphemy OK?" Wednesday Sept. 25, from 3p.m to 6p.m., attendees may purchase water balloons … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation has announced the winners for currently enrolled graduates students/25 or older in this year's essay competition. Students were asked to write about "Why the USA is not a 'Christian Nation'" in 850 to 1,000 words. There were six winners … More »
Statement by Annie Laurie GaylorCo-President, Freedom From Religion Foundation The Religious Right, which never gives up in its quest to unite church and state, has met its equal in tenacity with state/church watchdog Michael Newdow. I received a short email from Mike last week, informing me … More »
Click here to see the full page ad. The Freedom From Religion Foundation is celebrating Constitution Day today — marking the 226th anniversary of ratification of the U.S. Constitution in 1787, with a full-page color ad celebrating “our Godless Constitution” in Lancaster Eagle Gazette, Lancaster, … More »
Click HERE to see the high resolution image. The Freedom From Religion Foundation is celebrating Constitution Day, Sept. 17, marking the 226th anniversary of adoption of the U.S. Constitution, with a full-page color ad celebrating “our Secular Constitution” in the Sunday Bloomington Times-Herald., Ind. FFRF, … More »
Earlier this week, a person or persons identifying themselves as representing nonreligious veterans claimed responsibility for two explosions involving the cross memorial in Mingus Park and the Bay Area House of Prayer in Coos Bay, Ore. Local freethinkers, state/church advocates and FFRF had previously … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation opposes the illegal construction of temporary structures called sukkahs that are annually placed on Brooklyn, N.Y., public sidewalks each year for the Jewish holiday Sukkot. Observant Jews eat inside outdoor booths during the festival Sukkot. Sukkahs are intended to represent … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is holding its 36th national convention Sept. 27-29 in its home base of Madison, Wis., where the annual gathering of atheists, agnostics and freethinkers is held every third year. The convention opens Friday at the Concourse Hotel, 1 West Dayton … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation started objecting in 2012 to illegal prayer at South Pittsburg [Tenn.] High School at football games, where the prayer blared over the public address system, according to a local complainant who contacted FFRF. Rebecca Markert, senior staff attorney for the … More »
The Christian trinket-purveyor Hobby Lobby places religious holiday ads in national newspapers reaching in some cases more than 47 million readers. Hobby Lobby’s July 4, 2013 ad features quotes from the founders scattered around huge font screaming, “In God We Trust.” The quotes are meant … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation has been hard at work for the past few years ensuring attendees at several annual festivals in Milwaukee do not need to attend Catholic Mass to receive festival admittance discounts.Polish Festival, Irish Festival, Mexican Fiesta, Festa Italiana, and German … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation was dismayed and shocked to learn of an explosion in Coos Bay, Ore., late last week at a public park where FFRF has formally objected to a Christian cross atop a veterans’ memorial. Fortunately, no one was hurt and … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation, which has three historic lawsuits in federal district court over preferential treatment of churches and ministers by the Internal Revenue Service, says it now has “three bases loaded.” For the second time within three days, a federal judge has ruled … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is working to stop a coach-organized religious service at an Arkansas high school, after the school's football coach invited everyone to the "Bryant Hornet Football Team Worship" at a church.Earlier this week the "Bryant Hornets" Facebook page posted the … More »
FFRF Staff Attorney Patrick Elliott at the Wisconsin State CapitolPhoto Credit: Andrew Seidel Wisconsin’s Religious Right lobby has introduced a dangerous bill, Assembly Joint Resolution 43 and Senate Joint Resolution 38, to amend Wisconsin's State Constitution. This bill, which is the brainchild of Wisconsin’s notorious … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation’s closely watched federal challenge over illegal partisan politicking by churches just got a green light from U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman of the Western District of Wisconsin. Adelman’s decision will allow FFRF’s historic challenge to continue to discovery, so that … More »
This week the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction will randomly select 500 students under Wisconsin’s huge expansion of vouchers to receive vouchers at taxpayer expense to attend 25 Christian schools. Christian schools were the only winners, and more than 80% of such schools are … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation has awarded and sincerely congratulates the 19 currently enrolled college students in this year's essay competitions. Students were asked to write about the topic, "Why I Don't Believe in God" in 750-900 words. There were eight winners in the … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation wants an investigation and possible discipline for a Tennessee magistrate who showed religious favoritism by ordering a child's legal first name to be changed because it apparently offended the judge's Christian sensibilities. According to FFRF's complainants and news reports, Lu … More »
Statement by Dan Barker and Annie Laurie GaylorCo-Presidents Freedom From Religion Foundation What a disappointment to see the White House side with congressional Republicans and theocrats in the upcoming Supreme Court case over opening town councils almost exclusively with Christian prayer. The Obama administration just submitted … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is asking the U.S. Department of Agriculture to adopt more safeguards to separate religion from a free summer lunch program. The state/church watchdog, representing more than 20,000 members nationwide, called on Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to bring the Summer Food … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation has teamed up with the Military Religious Freedom Foundation to change a US Marine Corps policy that calls a "lack or loss of spiritual faith" a risk indicator.FFRF Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel sent Commandant of the Marine Corps General … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation sent a letter on August 1 to the Chancellor of Troy University in Troy Al., explaining the illegal nature of faith-based dormitories on campus. Troy University will open a 376-bed dormitory, the Newman Center, which includes a chapel and three … More »
Thanks to the Freedom From Religion Foundation, a woman who prayed aloud and promoted her religion daily at a New Hampshire high school will no longer be allowed to do so.A concerned resident of the Concord, New Hampshire school district contacted FFRF about the … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation sent a letter to the U.S. Postal Service today to implore them to remove religious iconography from contract vehicles, after receiving a complaint about an image of praying hands on the side of a truck carrying U.S. mail. A concerned … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation has been watching the Wisconsin Legislature inch closer toward the most sweeping expansion of private school vouchers in the state's history. Gov. Scott Walker proposed the voucher expansion and lawmakers modified it in the 2013-15 budget. Starting July 31, parents whose … More »
Ball State University's president issued a statement today agreeing with the Freedom From Religion Foundation about the inappropriateness of teaching intelligent design in public universities.FFRF Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel first alerted Ball State officials to Professor Eric Hedin's "teaching" style in a May 15 … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is asking the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to change VA materials and the VA website, which currently promote "spirituality."FFRF makes this request to support the 23.1% of men and women in the military who identify as atheist, agnostic, or … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation sent a letter to the U.S. State Department on July 25 to object to religious quotations printed on official United States passports. FFRF has been protesting religion in passports since 2007. FFRF, a state/church watchdog based in Madison, Wis., is … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation sent a second letter of complaint to the Cullman County Schools Attorney on July 30 regarding multiple pending violations of the First Amendment. FFRF is a national state/church watchdog based in Madison, Wis., with more than 19,000 members across the … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation contacted the Alabama Public Service Commission and its president urging the PSC to drop its divisive and intrusive practice of opening its official meetings with prayers.At the July 17 meeting, PSC President Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh introduced John Jordan of … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is working to derail a "prayer caravan" that is scheduled for August 10 that flouts church-state separation.The "prayer caravan" will entail school district leaders and members going to every district school in Cullman County, Ala., to say a 10-15 … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is responding to an alarming trend in Pennsylvania's science education, by sending a memo to every Pennsylvania public school district superintendent (nearly 500 of them) on July 25.The memo follows the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's investigative journalism, recently uncovering that 20% … More »
The first outdoor rally/celebration predominantely featuring nontheists of color takes place this Saturday, July 27 at Flushing Meadows Park in Queens, New York City, from 1:30 to 6 p.m., The free and historic event is hosted by Black Atheists of America and Black Non-Believers. Keynote … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation has awarded and sincerely congratulates the 20 college-bound high school seniors in this year's essay competitions. Seniors were asked to write about the topic, "Challenges of being a young freethinker" in 500-700 words. There were ten winners in the … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is asking a Kentucky mayor to quit using her civic 'bully pulpit' as an actual pulpit. Mayor Rita Stephens of Hawesville, Ky., writes a column called "Hawesville City Hall Happenings" once a month with religious content sprinkled throughout every … More »
The U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons released an April 2013 survey of 218,167 prisoners that reports .02% of prisoners are atheists.You read that right. Not 2%, or even .2 percent, but .02% of American prisoners are atheists.Hemant Mehta first reported the statistic on his … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation continues to challenge a discriminatory admission policy by Festa Italiana in Milwaukee, Wis., which offers free admission to Catholic Mass attendees for its ethnic festival on July 21. FFRF, a state/church watchdog from Madison, Wis. with over 19,000 members, sent … More »
Statement by Annie Laurie GaylorCo-President Freedom From Reiigion Foundation Florida Gov. Rick Scott apparently looks on public piety as the perfect "out" in response to the outcry over the not guilty verdict in the Trayvon Martin case. After avoiding a sit-in of peaceful African-American youths, … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation, on behalf of its more than 500 Ohio members, is objecting to a religious design on a Holocaust memorial to be built at the Ohio statehouse. FFRF, a Madison, Wis.-based association of 19,000 atheists and agnostics, is a national … More »
A complaint from the Freedom From Religion Foundation cancelled two constitution classes, to have been based on videos and lessons distributed by right-wing religious groups, which were scheduled to begin this summer in Springboro, Ohio. News outlets in Springboro reported on July 4 that the … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation, the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio and individual plaintiffs have agreed to settle their lawsuit against the public school district in Jackson, Ohio, for displaying a large portrait of Jesus above the entrance to Jackson Middle School. The … More »
A national state/church watchdog is warning that Washingtonians are rapidly losing access to constitutionally protected forms of health care as Catholic medical organizations take over the state system. Soon almost half of Washington's hospital beds will be under the control of the United States Conference … More »
A full-page ad set to run July 4 celebrating ‘our godless Constitution’ by the national Freedom From Religion Foundation was censored by the Daily Oklahoman, apparently to avoid offending the Oklahoma City-based Hobby Lobby. The craft megastore, which is based out of Oklahoma City, has … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is fighting to protect the constitutional rights of Washington residents after more than eight secular hospitals have merged or plan to merge with Catholic hospitals. This is part of a larger phenomenon happening across the country where the merged hospital … More »
Hundreds of freethinkers interested in state/church separation will be gathering on Sept. 27-28 for the 36th annual Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) convention at the Concourse Hotel in Madison. Headliners this year include Dan Savage, an American author, media pundit, activist and newspaper editor. He … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is running a full-page ad celebrating “our GODLESS Constitution” in a number of U.S. dailies on July 4. FFRF, a state/church watchdog based in Madison, Wis., serves as the nation’s largest association of freethinkers (atheists and agnostics). The ad is … More »
FFRF continues to fight proposals in Springboro, Ohio, to promote religion and conservative religious views in public schools. FFRF's first letter to Springboro Community City Schools in 2011 warned the district that a proposal to teach creationism wrapped in history to counter the alleged "controversy" … More »
Last week the Wisconsin Legislature moved the state one step closer to the most sweeping expansion of private school vouchers in the state's history, to the detriment of secular public education, when it passed the 2013-15 budget. The budget is expected to be signed … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation successfully petitioned the United States government to exempt a 64-year-old British atheist immigrant from taking an oath to bear arms. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services tried to force Margaret Doughty to get religious documentation from a church proving her … More »
Statement by Annie Laurie Gaylor and Dan Barker, FFRF co-presidents A shrine to Jesus is not religious? A ski slope is like a museum? In what Alice in Wonderland world do we find ourselves? Answer — in the lame and dishonest world of legal machinations to rationalize violations of … More »
Younger Americans — increasingly nonreligious and not shy about it — are about to have new support in speaking out against intrusions of religion in their educational environment. The Secular Student Alliance, an organization devoted to empowering nonreligious students, and the Freedom From Religion … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is asking the city of Tucson, Ariz., to remove religious shrines or move it to a more appropriate loacation. FFRF received a local complaint about the Our Lady of Guadalupe located at the southeast base of "A" Mountain. "A" … More »
Today the Supreme Court declared DOMA unconstitutional and upheld a lower court decision striking down California’s Proposition 8. This is a great day for all Americans and for our godless Constitution. The secular ideal that all people are equal in the eyes of the law … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation ran a prominent quarter-page ad in yesterday’s New York Times Sunday Review section, challenging Boy Scouts of America’s continuing exclusion of nonreligious boys. “We’re so pleased Boy Scouts of America is moving forward on gay rights, and that it decided … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation has successfully stood up for equal rights of the nonreligious by forcing the US Office of Customs and Immigration Services to strike down a unconstitutional requirement for religious documentation that would have barred an atheist from becoming a citizen. Margaret … More »
Statement By Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor Co-Presidents Freedom From Religion Foundation Lost in the political outrage over the IRS and the tea party scandal is the IRS’s failure to go after church politicking — most of it by Christian Right pastors. Where’s … More »
Statement by Annie Laurie Gaylor and Dan Barker / Co-Presidents Freedom From Religion Foundation Grandstanding pols in Texas last week passed the “Merry Christmas” bill, supposedly to ensure that public school students and teachers can say “Merry Christmas” and “Happy Hanukkah” unimpeded. As MSNBC commentator Rachel … More »
Some 150 members of Congress today voted in favor of allowing nonreligious military chaplains to serve atheists and agnostics in the armed forces. Although that wasn’t enough for an amendment to succeed, it means a lot to American freethinkers. U.S. Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO) offered the amendment … More »
The place of religion in our society is an exalted one, achieved through a long tradition of reliance on the home, the church and the inviolable citadel of the individual heart and mind. We have come to recognize through bitter experience that it is … More »
Read the letter of complaint to the Houston USCIS … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation, a national state/church watchdog, has heard from many of its Michigan members concerned over the mischief-making intent of two state Senate bills discussed in a Committee on Education hearing Wednesday. Although ostensibly relating to history instruction and religion in … More »
Statement by FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor Disgraceful passage by the Wisconsin Legislature today of an unconstitutional bill promoted by Roman Catholics to allow religious employers to bar contraception coverage for women employees is a travesty. SB 202 has major state/church implications. The bill would prohibit … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is asking the Howard-Suamico Board of Education in Wisconsin to reprimand a school district superintendent for exhorting parents to pray in his commencement speech at a Green Bay high school. FFRF, a Madison, Wis.-based state/church watchdog, sent a letter on … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation filed a lawsuit June 13 in U.S. District Court in Florida against the Orange County School Board in Orlando for censoring distribution of freethought materials while allowing unfettered distribution of the Christian bible. Plaintiffs are FFRF, its Co-Presidents Annie Laurie … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation called it “highly disappointing” that the Arizona State Court of Appeals yesterday threw out its bid to declare unconstitutional annual Arizona Day of Prayer proclamations by Gov. Jan Brewer. The case was not lost on its merits, but on “standing.” The … More »
FFRF Statement "Forward" may be the official motto of Wisconsin, but Wisconsin's governor has made an alarming deal with legislative leadership that will take our state educational system backward. Wisconsin's constitutionally created secular common school system is under ruthless attack.The budget approved by the Joint … More »
There are plenty of foxhole atheists, but religionists on the U.S. House Armed Services Committee made sure this week that none will be allowed to serve as secular representatives in the chaplain corps.A stream of invective against atheists followed the introduction of an amendment by … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is objecting to proposals in Springboro, Ohio, that appear to promote religion under the guise of controversial issues and patriotic ceremonies. FFRF, a Madison, Wis.-based state/church watchdog, is concerned that the policies are a ploy to inject religion into what … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is placing the blame for a string of problematic religious violations in Pickens County schools, Pickens S.C., upon its prayerful Board of Education. A valedictorian's open defiance of a non-prayer policy at his June 3 graduation ceremony at Liberty High … More »
Oh no! "Pulpit Freedom Sunday" is back! The Orwellian-named "Alliance Defending Freedom" typically hosts the annual Pulpit Freedom Sunday in the fall, encouraging pastors around the country to openly violate IRS law by endorsing political candidates from the pulpit. This annual event, in which … More »
The Colorado Supreme Court announced earlier this month that it will hear an appeal by Gov. John Hickenlooper of the Freedom From Religion Foundation's victory in the appeals court declaring unconstitutional the governor's "Colorado Day of Prayer" proclamations.Hickenlooper and his predecessors, including Gov. Bill … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation remains concerned at a Texas school districts role in organizing tonight’s performance at a high school auditorium which was paid for by a Baptist Church. FFRF, a Madison, Wis.-based state/church watchdog, was contacted three days before a religious 5th grade … More »
Wilkes-Barre student Justin Vacula, in conjunction with the Freedom From Religion Foundation, has just arranged placement of a colorful banner saying "Nothing Fails Like Prayer" in Public Square in downtown Wilkes-Barre, Penn. The banner is in response to a banner placed by a religious … More »
Statement by Annie Laurie Gaylor and Dan Barker FFRF Co-Presidents We congratulate Boy Scouts of America for lifting its longtime, hurtful ban on gays being members. BSA has taken a major step forward, albeit still barring gay adult leadership. But why does it remain socially acceptable … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation has renewed its objections to constitutional violations occurring aboard U.S. Navy ships. In a May 20 letter to Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, FFRF Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel urged Mabus to order an end to the practice of broadcasting … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation, a Madison, Wis-based state/church watchdog, stopped presentation of a fifth-grade religious musical program in Lindale, Texas. FFRF was contacted by a concerned parent about a 5th grade music program scheduled to take place today at E.J. Moss Intermediate School … More »
Statement by Dan Barker and Annie Laurie GaylorFFRF Co-Presidents State Rep. Steve Smith chastised Mendez yesterday, asking other members to join him in a second daily prayer in "repentence" for Mendez's secular words.Mendez replied: "If my lack of religion doesn't give me the same opportunity … More »
Statement By Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor FFRF Co-Presidents The Freedom From Religion Foundation has a very rare, very elite category of members who are “honorary officers.” The title is reserved for freethinkers who have won Supreme Court cases in favor of the separation of … More »
After receiving a student complaint, the Freedom From Religion Foundation has called for Ball State University in Muncie, Ind., to investigate allegations that a physics and astronomy professor appeared to be teaching creationism at the public university. FFRF, a Madison, Wis.-based state/church watchdog, sent a … More »
Should a church in Madison, Wis., be allowed to proselytize in the Pheasant Branch Conservancy in the adjoining city of Middleton? The Freedom From Religion Foundation, a national state-church watchdog based in Madison, thinks not. The city's Conservancy Lands Committee will discuss a request from Rev. … More »
On Monday a public school district in Muldrow, Okla., confirmed that it has permanently removed Ten Commandment signs which were posted in its classrooms. The final vote is a victory for the separation of church and state. The whistleblower was 16-year-old student Gage Pulliam, who … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation today contacted Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal, protesting his decision to override the Department of Natural Resources and return bibles to all lodge rooms and cabins in Georgia state parks. The DNR, appropriately, had removed the bibles after a guest … More »
An Oklahoma school district is learning a valuable lesson thanks to a student and the Freedom From Religion Foundation. On May 1, FFRF sent a letter to Superintendent Ron Flanagan requesting that he ensure that numerous Ten Commandments postings be removed from Muldrow Public Schools … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is asking Lumpkin County Schools in Georgia to discipline four staffers who left their classrooms unattended and about 50 students who skipped class to join a prayer rally that started in a coach's office.The national state/church watchdog based in … More »
A misguided decision by a state judge in Texas, permitting public school cheerleaders to exhibit Christian bible verses and messages during high school football games, makes Christianity the official school religion in Kountze, Texas.So contends the Freedom From Religion Foundation, whose letter in September … More »
Click ad to enlarge The Freedom From Religion Foundation is taking its objections to the annual National Day of Prayer to "pious politicians" in the seat of federal government, via a full-page ad in today's Washington Post."When we have faith in ourselves, we won't need faith … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation and its Florida chapter, the Central Florida Freethought Community, will be passing out atheist and freethought literature to students in Orange County Public Schools this Thursday.The distribution of freethought literature is set for May 2, the National Day of … More »
After the St. Johns County School Board voted recently against allowing high school graduation prayer in St. Augustine, Fla., a Colorado pastor is offering a $1,000 reward to the first student to flout school policy and break the law. A state law enacted last year … More »
At the urging of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, numerous framed postings of the Ten Commandments have come down in Breathitt County Schools in Kentucky. FFRF contacted the manager for the school system, Larry Hammond, on April 5 about the postings. FFRF Staff Attorney Patrick … More »
The city of Hattiesburg, Miss., shouldn't be using city resources and public tax dollars to promote a May 2 religious observance, FFRF Staff Attorney Elizabeth Cavell told Mayor Johnny L. DuPree in an April 9 letter of complaint. The event being publicized as the "Mayor's … More »
Without intended irony on April Fools' Day, Republican Rowan County Reps. Harry Warren and Carl Ford introduced House Joint Resolution 494 to establish a state religion in North Carolina.Unbelievably, the bill has already attracted 12 other equally ignorant sponsors. It’s no joking matter that … More »
Portrait now hanging in Jackson Middle School challenged today A display of Jesus is just as unconstitutional in a high school as it is in a middle school. That's the message of the amended complaint filed today by the ACLU of Ohio and the Freedom … More »
Pennsylvania state Rep. Tim Krieger has introduced a bill in the General Assembly that would outlaw the use of pseudonyms in litigation challenging religious symbols on public property. In a memo to representatives seeking co-sponsorship, Krieger said the bill is in direct response to lawsuits … More »
Mayan and Balen Essak, student activists Mayan and Balen Essak have each received a $1,000 scholarship from the Freedom From Religion Foundation. The brothers attend Shorewood High School in Shorewood, Wis., a Milwaukee suburb. The brothers received the awards for speaking out in their community and … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation, along with 19 other plaintiffs, is suing the U.S. Treasury for stamping "In God We Trust" on currency. Honorary FFRF board member Mike Newdow is acting as legal counsel in the suit, which was filed in the U.S. District … More »
By Annie Laurie Gaylor Co-President, Freedom From Religion Foundation Not one workday ever goes by that we at the Freedom From Religion Foundation do not give thanks — to the McCollum family for the landmark ruling they won. We must pause this Friday, March 8, … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation, which has been corresponding with Wynnewood Public Schools, Okla., over inappropriate actions by a teacher promoting religion in the classroom, is releasing its correspondence with Superintendent Raymond Cole, in which he preached at FFRF and indicated he rejects evolution.FFRF … More »
An appeals court ruled today that a Michigan mayor can censor nonreligious speech, while continuing to endorse a nativity scene in the city atrium.A 3-judge panel of the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit ruled against the Freedom From Religion Foundation's … More »
Mexican Fiesta will no longer give discounts for attending Catholic Mass per the terms of a settlement with Richard Halasz, a Freedom From Religion Foundation member from Milwaukee.Mexican Fiesta, an annual festival held each summer in Milwaukee on the Summerfest grounds, had advertised a … More »
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's budget proposal includes major increases in taxpayer funding to subsidize vouchers for primarily religious schools, the Freedom From Religion Foundation charges.The governor's budget includes a $73 million increase for voucher schools and a new $21 million program for a statewide … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation filed a brief on Feb. 15 fighting the federal government's motion in support of a permanent shrine to Jesus in the Flathead National Forest, leased at no cost since the 1950s to the Knights of Columbus. The statue is near Kalispell, Mont. "A … More »
Freedom From Religion Foundation’s Dan Barker has teamed up to write a song with Broadway icon (“Annie,” “Bye Bye Birdie”) Charles Strouse, and their irreverent collaboration debuts in FFRF’s newly-released third musical CD, “Adrift on a Star.” Cover: Seymour Cwast … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation and the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio filed a lawsuit today (Feb. 6, 2013) on behalf of plaintiffs who seek removal of a portrait of Jesus from Jackson Middle School in Jackson. FFRF sent an initial letter of complaint … More »
Email or phone the President today urging him as honorary president of Boy Scouts of America to support inclusion of gay and nonreligious members, volunteers and leaders. The White House Comment Line: 202/456-1111TTY/TTD Comment line: 202/456-6213 FFRF letter to President Barack Obama re: BSA policy of exclusion (PDF … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is suing a Rhode Island florist in Superior Court in Providence for refusing to deliver FFRF's order of a dozen red roses to Cranston teen Jessica Ahlquist after she won a court case in January 2012. The complaint, filed Jan. … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation’s first-of-its-kind feature production for use as educational filler on public television affiliates aired more than 1,430 times over three months late last year. This is the first such segment featuring discussion of freethought, atheism and focusing on the specific … More »
U.S. District Judge Terrence McVerry ruled Jan. 22 that the Freedom From Religion Foundation’s challenge to a Ten Commandments monument in front of a Pennsylvania high school will go forward. McVerry rejected a motion to dismiss by the New Kensington-Arnold School District and issued … More »
Statement by Annie Laurie GaylorCo-PresidentFreedom From Religion FoundationThe Freedom From Religion Foundation has asked every president since FFRF was founded, starting with Jimmy Carter, to eschew the use of a bible and the "So help you God" phrase at presidential inaugurations. Staff Attorney Andrew … More »
Note: Below the following call to action is a copy of the letter FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor sent to Washington State Lt. Governor Owen over inappropriate prayer at the Jan. 14 State Senate session. Click here to view the letter as PDF. We … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation's Winter Solstice banner is back up and will hang in the Wilkes-Barre Public Square for six more days — provided that it is not vandalized again. "We are very pleased to hear that the city has rehung the banner and … More »
A Winter Solstice banner placed by the Freedom From Religion Foundation in a public park in Manassas, Va., was stolen over the holidays. FFRF received a permit from the city for its "Let Reason Prevail" banner to counter a nativity scene. It was placed by … More »
From left: Sean Cunningham, Shelly Colanduno, Matt Newcomb and Jason Shainline. "Keep Saturn in Saturnalia" is the message the Freedom From Religion Foundation would have liked to share with Pitman, N.J., residents this holiday season, but the group was stonewalled by borough officials. The state/church … More »
The Freedom From Religion Foundation filed a federal lawsuit yesterday challenging the Internal Revenue Service’s preferential treatment of churches in applying for and maintaining tax-exempt status. The IRS exempts churches and certain other religious organizations from paying expensive application fees and filing the onerous … More »
It was not exactly “good will toward all” at public forums around the country. The Freedom From Religion Foundation’s winter solstice banner or sign, placed in 12 cities to counter religious displays on public property, has been stolen or vandalized in four spots by … More »
Below is a copy of the letter FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor sent to the mayor of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., on Dec. 21 in response to the recent vandalism of FFRF's Winter Solstice banner. It has been five days since FFRF's banner was vandalized by an … More »