The history of Western civilization shows us that most social and moral progress has been brought about by persons free from religion.
In modern times, the first to speak out for prison reform, for humane treatment of the mentally ill, for abolition of capital punishment, for women’s right to vote, for death with dignity for the terminally ill, and for the right to choose contraception, sterilization and abortion have been freethinkers, just as they were the first to call for an end to slavery.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation works as an umbrella for those who are free from religion and are committed to the cherished principle of separation of state and church. As FFRF’s principal founder Anne Gaylor noted, “To be free from religion is an advantage for individuals; it is a necessity for government.”
What is FFRF’s purpose?
The purposes of the Freedom From Religion Foundation Inc., as stated in its bylaws, are to promote the constitutional principle of separation of state and church, and to educate the public on matters relating to nontheism.
Incorporated in 1978 in Wisconsin, FFRF is the nation’s largest freethought association with about 40,000 members: atheists, agnostics and skeptics of any pedigree. FFRF is a nonprofit, tax-exempt, educational organization under Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3). All dues and contributions are deductible for income tax purposes.
Why is FFRF concerned with state/church entanglement?
First Amendment violations are accelerating. The Religious Right is campaigning to raid the public till and advance religion at taxpayer expense, attacking our secular public schools, the rights of nonbelievers, and the Establishment Clause. Christian nationalists are using the “free exercise” of religion as a weapon to impose religion, rather than as a shield to protect religious minorities. Hard-won victories for women, LGBTQ-plus and civil rights are imperiled.
FFRF recognizes that the United States was first among nations to adopt a secular Constitution. The Founders who wrote the U.S. Constitution wanted citizens to be free to support the church of their choice, or no religion at all. Our Constitution was very purposefully written as a godless document, whose only references to religion are exclusionary.
It is vital to buttress the “wall of separation between church and state,” which has served our nation so well.
What are FFRF’s legal accomplishments?
FFRF and its robust legal department act on countless state/church entanglements on behalf of its members and the public. Through litigation, education and other persuasive advocacy, FFRF ends a hundred or more violations each year, such as prayers and proselytizing in public schools and events, public funding for religious purposes and religious symbols on public property. FFRF has successfully won countless religion-in-the-public-schools cases in favor of nonreligious students and secular education. These include ending hour-long prayers imposed on Puerto Rican students, commencement prayers at a Big Ten college and half a century of illegal bible instruction in Dayton, Tenn., schools.
FFRF’s lawsuits (numbering more than 100) have ended a wide range of egregious First Amendment violations. From our very first lawsuit halting religious postal cancellations, to winning the first federal case challenging “faith-based” funding of a pervasively sectarian agency, FFRF court cases protect the wall of separation. FFRF lawsuits have removed Ten Commandments and Jesus paintings from public schools, stopped city/school board prayer; halted school subsidy of child evangelism, removed nativity scenes and Christian crosses from public property, and stopped censorship of “equal time” freethought displays and invocations. FFRF maintains cutting-edge litigation defending against some of the most egregious state/church violations. Other court victories include:
- Halting federal funds to a bible school offering no academic classes.
- Ending millions of tax dollars used to repair and maintain churches.
- Halting a government chaplaincy to minister to state workers.
- Winning a federal court decision overturning a law declaring Good Friday a state holiday.
What else does FFRF do?
Publishes Freethought Today, the only freethought newspaper in the United States.
Grants more than $125,000 annually in student essay contests, plus student activist awards and other scholarships.
Conducts lively, annual national conventions, honoring state/church, student and freethought activism.
Has created a (C)(4)lobbying group, FFRF Action Fund, to pursue legislative goals.
Bestows “The Emperor Has No Clothes” Award to public figures for “plain-speaking on religion.”
Promotes freedom from religion with educational books, literature, music.
Provides speakers for events and debates.
Maintains its historic office, Freethought Hall, with a major library, studio, auditorium.
Broadcasts “Freethought Radio,” “Freethought Matters” TV show, FFRF’s “Ask an Atheist” and “We Dissent” podcast.
Places freethought billboards, bus signs and ads.
How can I join FFRF?
FFRF’s modest membership dues (starting at $40 individual; household only $10 more) include 10 issues annually of the newspaper Freethought Today and the biannual “Private Line,” which reports financial and organizational information.
Help strengthen the freethought movement and maintain the treasured wall of separation between state and church.
Complete the membership form attached and mail it today or go to ffrf.org/membership!
Don’t miss out!
Many benefits:
Get 10 issues of Freethought Today, FFRF’s lively 24-page newspaper reporting fully on FFRF lawsuits, state-church complaints, victories and members (Available in print, digitally and mobile friendly).
Receive discounts on convention registration.
Receive your cheering Freethought of the Day via email (ffrf.org/day).
Sign up for FFRF press releases and blogs. FFRF will notify you about any state/church separation actions or FFRF functions in your area and if you sign up to be an advocate at ffrfaction.org, its lobbying adjunct will notify you about legislation.
Receive financial and business information, including FFRF’s annual Statement of Activities, via Private Line’s twice-a-year, member-only newsletter.
Your membership dues support:
FFRF’s activism and hardworking staff of more than 35 full-time employees
Ongoing, significant lawsuits, and a legal team ending hundreds of state/church violations without having to go to court
FFRF’s media and billboard campaigns to heighten freethought visibility
More than 20 regional chapters serving local members
FFRF’s educational campaigns, news releases and our significant website resources and social media outreach
FFRF has received a top (four-star) rating from Charity Navigator for more than a decade, and a perfect score in recent years. “This exceptional designation sets FFRF apart from its peers,” writes Charity Navigator.
Find us online:
Website: ffrf.org
Facebook: ffrf.us/facebook
Youtube: ffrf.us/youtube
Bluesky: ffrf.us/bluesky
Instagram: ffrf.us/instagram
Twitter: ffrf.us/twitter
Tiktok: ffrf.us/tiktok
Freedom depends on freethinkers — FFRF’s motto (coined by Ruth Hurmence Green)
Freedom From Religion Foundation P.O. Box 750 | Madison, WI 53701 608.256.8900 | FFRF.org | [email protected]
