Action Alerts
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Media Inquiries
Please phone the Freedom From Religion Foundation office at 608/256-8900 to speak directly with Foundation Co-Presidents Annie Laurie Gaylor and Dan Barker or other staff here in Madison, Wis. We receive an especially heavy volume of e-mails and we don't want to miss an inquiry, so please phone to set up an interview, especially if you are on deadline. We would be pleased to try to answer your questions, or accommodate your request.
Current Action Alerts
Clark County Councilors still trying to add ‘In God We Trust’ to public hearing room
Washington's Clark County Board of County Councilors will hold a second public hearing on a proposal to post "In God We Trust" in the county's main public hearing room, despite already hearing two hours of public testimony and discussing the issue at several meetings. Councilor Tom Mielke…More »
Texas bills seek further privilege for the religious, entangle religion and government
You’re undoubtedly aware that the Texas State Legislature is busy churning out bills left and right to entangle religion and government. This is a heads up on some of that legislation, and what you can do about it. We are asking for action from you…More »
Speak out now against Tennessee bible bill, invocation to ‘Almighty God’
Rather than focusing on real issues facing your state, some Tennessee legislators are instead opting to turn the machinery of government into a sounding board for their personal religious beliefs. State Representative Jerry Sexton and State Senator Steve Southerland have introduced companion bills to declare the…More »
Tell Dallas, N.C. alders to leave nativity in private hands
After the Freedom From Religion Foundation sent a letter after receiving a local complaint about a nativity scene on the courthouse lawn in Dallas, N.C., we succeeded in getting the display moved to private ground late last year. John Beaty, owner of a local auto shop, has offered to permanently…More »
Oppose Kansas statehouse prayer room bill
A bill establishing a room "solely as a place for prayer and meditation" is currently working its way through the Kansas legislature. On Feb. 2, the Committee on Federal and State Affairs recommended the House pass the bill, HB 2075, meaning it will come up for…More »
Six state bills seek to exempt religious from generally applicable laws
Do you remember the Supreme Court’s Hobby Lobby decision that allowed for-profit corporations to exercise their so-called “religious conscience” in order to restrict employees’ access to contraceptives? Have you been watching the legal battles over cake decorators and municipal clerks who want to be able to discriminate against gay…More »
Tell Klamath County Commissioners to vote down In God We Trust display!
A Klamath County Commissioner is proposing to display "In God We Trust" inside the county's public hearing room. "I am really tired of the majority in this country being forced to bend to the minority. When it comes to religion, those who believe in God…More »
Tell Ind. legislators religious discrimination isn't liberty
The Indiana Senate passed Senate Bill 127 on Feb. 3, which seeks to allow religious-affiliated organizations like hospitals and universities to discriminate in hiring based on religion, even if those organizations receive state contracts. Not only does the bill allow religious organizations receiving state funds to give…More »
Ask Tenn. legislators to end government prayer
Last Tuesday, Republican State Senator Frank Nicely invited Pastor June Griffin to give a prayer to open the Tennessee State Senate session. During her prayer, she unleashed a politically charged assault on federal and judicial overreaching, complete with citations to the U.S. Constitution and the…More »
Protest plan to add ‘In God We Trust’ to Clark County public hearing room
The Clark County Board of County Councilors is considering a proposal to post "In God We Trust" in the county's main public hearing room. "A lot of times we drift away from it," said Councilor Tom Mielke, who suggested the display. The proposal falsely equates piety…More »
Thank California mayor for eliminating council prayer
Mayor Lupe Ramos Watson of Indio, Calif., decided to end the Indio City Council's practice of opening meetings with a prayer. "We need to respect all beliefs and absence of beliefs," she said, reported in The Desert Sun. Councilman Mike Wilson has strenuously opposed the change…More »
Speak out against Mississippi bible proposal
Two Mississippi state representatives, Tom Miles and Michael Evans, are proposing to make the bible the state book. Miles said that since Mississippi has a state bird, a state flower and even a state toy, it should have a state book, reported The Clarion-Ledger. Miles "sees…More »
Protest Gov. Cuomo faith-based funding office today!
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo stopped by a Sunday service at Mt. Vernon's Grace Baptist Church Jan. 18 to announce the creation of the Office of Faith-Based Community Development Services. The office's first effort will be a $50-million grant program. The Freedom From Religion Foundation sent…More »
Tell Ohio superintendent: no faith-based partners needed
Ohio recently unveiled plans for Community Connectors, a program that provides funds for local networks of volunteers and organizations to mentor students in disadvantaged schools. Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Richard A. Ross, whose department is charged with administering the program, added an unnecessary requirement:…More »
Educate Indiana theocrat — America is not a ‘Christian nation’
The Freedom From Religion Foundation and two of its courageous Franklin County members, with the help of the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana, are suing Franklin County over a 50-year violation involving a life-sized manger scene on the courthouse lawn every December. Since 2010,…More »
Thank Kentucky Tourism Development Authority for wise decision on Ark Encounter
The Freedom From Religion Foundation applauds Governor Steve Beshear and members of the Kentucky Tourism Development Authority (KTDA) for their wise decision not to subsidize Ark Encounter, LLC, a biblical-themed park currently under construction in northern Kentucky, via state tax incentives. Please take a moment to…More »
Ask your Senators today to vote against land transfer of unconstitutional Mt. Soledad cross
The 43-foot cross atop Mount Soledad, a prominent public park in San Diego, has long been ruled unconstitutional, but political maneuvering has kept the government from dismantling or moving the cross. Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to transfer the public land on…More »
Protest plan to add 'In God We Trust' to Miami-Dade County Commission chambers
A Miami-Dade County Commission committee passed a resolution Nov. 13 to install “In God We Trust” behind the dais where the commissioners sit at meetings. The full commission will vote on the resolution on Tuesday, Dec. 2. The motto “symbolizes the historical role of religion…More »
Tell Pickens County School Board to stop praying and get to work
Members of the Pickens County School Board of Trustees in Easley, S.C., usually open their meetings by praying. They’re considering a change in policy—to bring in local clergy to pray instead. Please contact them now and let them know the only policy change they need…More »
Ask Fayette County Commission to end Good Friday holiday
The Fayette County Commission in La Grange, Texas, will hold a public hearing at their Monday, Nov. 10 meeting to consider whether to continue closing county offices on Good Friday. FFRF sent letters to County Judge Ed Janecka and County Clerk Julie Karstedt in April…More »
2014 protect state/church separation in Hawaii: Vote “No” on Amendment 4
On Nov. 4 voters in Hawaii will decide whether the state should use public money to fund private preschool programs, including religious preschools. The proposed amendment—CON AMEND: Relating to Early Childhood Education—would amend Section 1 of Article X of the Constitution of Hawaii to allow…More »
Ask Baldwin County Commission to approve proposed ‘Atheists in Foxholes’ monument
The Baldwin County Commission in Bay Minette, Ala., will hold a work session on Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 8:30 a.m. to consider a proposed monument to atheists in foxholes at the Baldwin County Courthouse. FFRF sent a letter to the commission on Aug. 20, 2014,…More »
Pulpit Freedom Sunday Action Alert
This Sunday, Oct. 5, is the annual so-called "Pulpit Freedom Sunday." This event, organized and promoted by the Alliance Defending Freedom, a Christian Right legal group based in Arizona, encourages pastors to abuse their tax-exempt status and openly endorse or oppose candidates for office from…More »
Metroplex Atheists plan protest against Rowlett, Texas City Council, demand equal access for atheist invocations
FFRF sent a letter to the Rowlett City Council in June, asking it to end its discriminatory practice of scheduling exclusively Christian prayers before its governmental meetings. In the alternative, FFRF called on the Council to permit atheist and nonbelieving citizens to be given the…More »
Action Alert! Thank Arkansas officials for removing helmet crosses
Arkansas State University is removing a Christian cross decal from its football helmets due to a complaint it received Sept. 6 from Jonesboro attorney Louis Nisenbaum. FFRF was also looking into the issue, but the university resolved the matter before it could file a formal…More »
Ask Allegheny County Council to vote no on proposed ‘In God We Trust’ display
The Allegheny County Council in Pittsburgh, Pa., will vote on Sept. 9 on whether to post a plaque declaring “In God We Trust” in the Gold Room of the County Courthouse. This proposal is the brainchild of State Rep. Rick Saccone, who wants the motto…More »
Oppose display of “In God We Trust” in Ballwin City Buildings
The Ballwin Board of Alderman are considering putting up “In God We Trust” displays on city-owned buildings. The project already has a $750 pledge from the Knights of Columbus. According to News Magazine Network: The Board unanimously approved the motion to consider the design, locations,…More »
Protest plan to put Ten Commandments display at Jackson County Courthouse (Ala.)
The Freedom From Religion Foundation needs your help to keep the Ten Commandments out of a county courthouse in Jackson County, Ala. Although the Ten Commandments represent an unmistakably religious message, the Jackson County Commission is considering a proposal to display the Ten Commandments alongside…More »
Navy wavers on bible removal — act now to retain FFRF victory, remove bibles from naval accommodations
The Freedom From Religion Foundation needs your help to keep pressure on the Navy not to renege on its decision to remove Christian bibles from Navy-run lodges. The Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) issued a quiet directive on June 19 in response to a complaint by FFRF,…More »
FFRF Victory! Bibles to be removed from Navy Lodges after FFRF complaint
Two concerned service members separately contacted FFRF earlier this year to report finding Christian bibles in every Navy-operated hotel room in which they had stayed during decades of service. The Freedom From Religion Foundation is the country’s largest association of atheists and agnostics, with over…More »
Send message of gratitude to Mary’s Gourmet Diner, N.C., for dropping “praying in public” promotion
FFRF had a substantive victory last week, when the owner of a North Carolina diner that offered a 15% “praying in public” discount to diners dropped the discriminatory offer. News stories went viral, prompting many complaints about the discount to FFRF. Staff Attorney Elizabeth Cavell sent…More »
Protest exclusion of secular invokers by Rowlett city council
Despite efforts by the local chapter of Metroplex Atheists to deliver secular invocations, the Rowlett City Council in Texas has censored its request for equal time, maintaining that only eligible clergy members may host governmental prayer. The May 5 Supreme Court ruling in Greece v. Galloway,…More »
Oppose display of “In God We Trust” in Pierce County Council Chambers
The Pierce County Council (Tacoma area) is considering displaying "In God We Trust" in its council chambers at the County-City Government Building. The resolution proposed by councilman Jim McCune will be considered tonight by a subcommittee. It’s on the agenda for final vote at the…More »
Protest proposal to grant Noah’s Ark theme park tax incentives
Take action now! The Kentucky Tourism Development Finance Authority is expected to give approval tomorrow (Tuesday, July 29) of major tax incentives for a proposed $172.5 million Noah’s Ark theme park in Grant County. Ark Encounter is a project of Answers in Genesis, which describes…More »
Ask Congress to counter Supreme Court's Hobby Lobby ruling
Today, in a heated 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court held that for-profit corporations can exercise their so-called religious conscience in order to restrict employees' access to contraceptives. The ruling in Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., absurdly holds that the contraceptive coverage granted by the…More »
Ask Obama to veto prayer addition to WWII memorial
This Monday, the House of Representatives passed S. 1044, a bill adding a religious inscription to the existing World War II memorial in Washington, D.C. If not vetoed by President Obama, the bill will add a plaque to the memorial containing the long prayer that President Franklin…More »
FFRF condemns Louisiana bible bill
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…More »
Protest Brandeis University's withdrawal of honorary degree to Ayaan Hirsi Ali
Brandeis University in Massachusetts has taken the deplorable action of rescinding an honorary degree offered to Ayaan Hirsi Ali, a campaigner for women’s rights and fierce critic of Islam. Brandeis announced the award to Hirsi Ali, along with four others, on March 31. The Massachusetts…More »
STOP ‘In God We Trust’ registration plates
Dear Wisconsin FFRF Member, Please call and email your state senator immediately asking him or her to vote against AB 244, creating a special “In God We Trust” license plate. The bill is on the agenda for a floor vote tomorrow, (Tuesday, March 18). Read…More »
Ask governor to veto ten commandments bill now
On Wednesday, March 12, the Georgia Senate passed H.B. 702, a bill designed to place a Ten Commandments monument within the state capitol building or on its grounds. The bill previously passed the Georgia House. In addition to the Ten Commandments, the proposed granite monument will also…More »
Stop Christian Science health care exemption bill
Next Tuesday (March 11), Christian Scientists are holding a “national call-in” lobbying day in Congress to demand a special exemption for Christian Scientists from the Affordable Care Act’s requirement that all U.S. citizens carry medical health insurance. The so-called “Equitable Access to Care and Health…More »
Oppose unconstitutional Alabama prayer bill now
Dear Alabama FFRF Member: A bill mandating that public schools begin each morning with prayer was approved by voice vote in the House Education Policy Committee in late February. House Bill 318, sponsored by Rep. Steve Hurst, would require teachers and public school students to…More »
Statement: Brewer should veto ‘religious wrongs’ bill
Have you contacted Gov. Jan Brewer yet asking her to veto SB 1026? Phone her office now: (602) 542-4331 Statement by Dan Barker & Annie Laurie GaylorCo-PresidentsFreedom From Religion Foundation The newest threat to religious liberty is the campaign to pass legislation permitting individuals or…More »
Stop Alabama Ten Commandments Bill
Please make a fuss and protest the action of the Alabama House, which, by a 77-19 vote today, passed an absurd constitutional amendment to permit the display of the biblical ten commandments on state and public school property. The amendment would insert into a section…More »
Ask Congress to adopt Darwin Day (once again!)
Darwin Day is celebrated around the world on February 12, the 205th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birthday. Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ) has been working valiantly to designate that date as a national holiday. Last week Holt once again introduced H.R. 467. The resolution "recogniz[es] the…More »
Remove bible from Pinella Park City Council chambers
The Freedom From Religion Foundation has contacted Pinellas Park Mayor Sandra Bradbury to insist that a bible be removed from a dais in the city council chamber, among other complaints. On behalf of local FFRF Members, FFRF Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel sent several letters, the…More »
Pressure Mesa School Board to stay secular
The Mesa Public Schools Governing Board in Mesa, Ariz., recently discontinued prayers to start its meetings after a letter from FFRF. But unfortunately it is now reconsidering its decision after several citizens protested the prayers' absence. The prayers were sectarian and included Christian references such…More »
Join boycott against Hobby Lobby
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is calling a boycott (and “girlcott”) of Hobby Lobby, a national retail craft-store chain. Hobby Lobby characterizes itself as a Christian company, with 561 stores nationwide and revenues of more than $2.28 billion per year. It also employs 21,000 people.…More »
Object to Texas State Board of Education creationist revisions!
The Texas State Board of Education has received nationwide attention after its strong religionist faction pushed an ideological agenda onto revisions of textbook and curriculum standards. As a result of several new requirements, the state board appointed a handful of creationists in their review group.…More »
Defeat "In God We Trust" in the Public Schools!
Legislation is underway in the Pennsylvania legislature to mandate the display of the phrase "In God We Trust" in every public school building. This is a blatant attempt to favor religion with a public statement of faith in every school. House Bill 1728, introduced on…More »
Send the Wausau School Board Your Opinion!
The Freedom From Religion Foundation has encouraged the Wausau School District to ensure its Wis. music curriculum that does not make religion its primary focus. FFRF Staff Attorney Patrick Elliott sent a letter on Oct. 10 to the school board, explaining why religious music in…More »
Protest White House Pro Government Prayer Brief
Statement by Dan Barker and Annie Laurie GaylorCo-PresidentsFreedom 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 »
WI Action Alert - Stop vouchers now!
Dear Wisconsin FFRF'er: FFRF has asked you earlier this year to contact your state legislators to oppose vouchers. It’s time to act again — putting pressure on your state senator and the Joint Committee on Finance. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's recent budget proposal includes major…More »
Protest Pennsylvania House fasting and prayer resolutions!
Below is a copy of a letter from FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor submitted to Pennsylvania newspapers as an opinion piece objecting to HR 17 and HR 51, which designate April 30, 2013 as “National Fast Day” and May 2 as the “National Day of…More »
Tell HHS to stand up to Catholic Bishops on contraceptive health care!
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued a new notice of proposed rulemaking on February 1, with a comment period ending April 8. The rules seemingly broaden the definition of “religious employer” to exempt more groups from the requirement that health insurance plans…More »
Protest ‘state religion’ proposal
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 »
SOS! Oppose prayer of Clark County Board!
The Freedom From Religion Foundation wants your help in contacting the Clark County (Washington) Board of Commissioners to oppose a plan to open civil Board meetings with prayers. The prayers would marginalize nonbelievers and community members who are not in agreement with the proselytizing messages.…More »
Let Texas school district know school sponsored biblical messages are not OK
The Freedom From Religion Foundation wants you to help give perspective to a Texas school district over allowing religious "run-through" banners displayed by school cheerleaders on the field during school football games. The Kountze ISD Board of Trustees has asked for public input.FFRF maintains that…More »
Oppose Congressional storm aid for religious institutions
Please contact your U.S. Senator today and tell him or her to vote against the Senate version of House Resolution 592.The federal government is perilously close to using your tax dollars to directly fund the building, maintenance and repair of "houses of worship," including churches, synagogues,…More »
Urge South Carolina education board to drop prayer
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is asking for your help in persuading the School District of Pickens County Board of Trustees, S.C., to drop prayers to begin its monthly meetings.FFRF Staff Attorney Patrick Elliott sent a letter to the District on Nov. 26, 2012, protesting…More »
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