2007 has been a milestone for us at the American Atheist Center! Let me tell you just some of the things we have accomplished – and why your continued support is so necessary. * We’re getting our message out! I remember when using “the A-word” was a near-impossible obstacle when courting the media or trying to give our position on social issues to lawmakers and other politicians. That has changed! In 2007, thanks to rallies, news interviews and other outreach programs, American Atheists reached record numbers of viewers, opinion makers and officials with our message! I personally appeared on CNN’s Glen Beck Show, “Paula Zahn Now” (four times!), “The Live Desk” at Fox News, “20/20″, a and the prestigious CBS Sunday Morning program. Representatives of American Atheists were interviewed in the media an average of ten times a month on different issues. In the last two months that number has jumped to 25 interviews a month! They also made public appearances across the country before civic, educational and other organizations. Greg McDowell spoke at the University of South Florida, and Arlene-Marie, our capable activist State Director in Michigan addressed a freethought organization at Wayne State University. Dave Silverman (National Communications Director) and our Washington, DC Representative Rick Wingrove also gave speeches. At the American Atheist Center, we receive a constant flow of inquiries from students who are doing school reports on Atheism, state-church separation, Madalyn O’Hair and other topics. We also receive e-mails and letters about an overwhelming amount of e-mails from Atheists who have questions, have legal problems and who just need some advice concerned with being an Atheist. Richard Andrews, a veteran Atheist activist who serves as our Utah State Director helps by personally answers dozens of these kinds of questions every month because we think it’s important to answers as many e-mails as possible. I host our monthly Atheist Viewpoint cable television program which is carried throughout the country. As you probably know, the cable TV industry has been rolling back the “public access” component of their operation; but we managed to add five new networks, including the “in house” station operated by the Illinois Department of Corrections! The Viewpoint is also available on the internet and as a podcast. I also do a brief weekly commentary on our web site at http://www.atheists.org which is posted to the ever-popular YouTube website. * Activism Counts! Our national network of State Directors worked throughout the past year with local Atheist, Freethought and other nonbelievers groups to impact their communities and keep our issues “front and center” in the media! Let me give you just a couple of outstanding examples of what these hard-working volunteers have accomplished. — In Kentucky, State Director Edwin Kagin (who also serves as National Legal Director for American Atheists) organized a “Rally for Reason” at the opening of the Creationist Museum in Petersburg, KY. Over 400 people attended throughout the day carrying banners and signs with messages like “Support Real Science.” Mr. Kagin and others with the R4R gave dozens of interviews to a small army of international media. — Joe Zamecki, our new Texas Director organized the first Texas State Rally for the Separation of Church & State held in early September on the steps of the Capitol in Austin, TX. Atheist and other nonbeliever groups came together to speak out against a slew of “religious enabling” bills by the state legislature, including provisions requiring students in Lone Star public schools to swear allegiance to a “god.” On the legal front. With the help of attorney and National Legal Director Edwin Kagin, American Atheists continues to expand our litigation in defense of Atheists civil rights and the First Amendment separation of church and state. In the last ten months, we have responded to over one hundred legal inquiries from members and other concerned citizens about possible state-church violations in the military, workplace, schools, prisons and other public venues. You know, of course, that the founder of American Atheists Madalyn O’Hair was a plaintiff in the historic MURRAY v. CURLETT case that challenged organized prayer and Bible verse recitation in our nation’s public schools. The number of requests for legal assistance pouring in to the American Atheists Center confirms to me that even after more than forty years and some significant courtroom victories, religious groups continue a relentless campaign to erode our First Amendment rights. Their resources are seemingly endless. The Alliance Defense Fund, Pat Robertson’s American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) and other pro-religion advocacy groups have hundreds of attorneys and plenty of money to spend defending unconstitutional practices in court. I’m happy to report, though, that even with this formidable challenge, American Atheists continues to enjoy success on the legal front. We received a favorable, mediated settlement in AMERICAN ATHEISTS v. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, FL where we contested the use of public funds to organize a municipal “prayer rally” ostensible to reduce the crime rate. We successfully challenged the placement of an enormous Christian cross on city property in Stark, Florida. This case could have implications regarding other religious symbols on government land and buildings elsewhere. We filed amicus briefs, including one in a challenge to President Bush’s federal faith-based initiative. As this fundraiser is being sent out, we are continuing the fight in a Detroit, Michigan lawsuit contesting the use of taxpayer money for building improvements to two churches. And American Atheists just won a lawsuit which challenged a Boone County, Kentucky policy of giving tax exemptions to clergy. We have two lawsuits in Utah and another in Oklahoma. Your memberships and financial support make it all possible. At the American Atheist Center we house the Charles E. Stevens American Atheist Library and Archives which contains over 20,000 books and thousands of Atheist, Humanist and other Freethought periodicals. Some of our materials date back to the 1700’s. This is only part of what we do at American Atheists. YOU have made our work all possible. For that we are very grateful. A membership in American Atheists gives you privileges, discounts and our monthly magazine. You can view a sample copy at http://atheists.org/aam/ A donation to American Atheists allows us to continue to work for you. We support you, we defend your civil rights and we celebrate you in our magazine. You can complain about the power of religion in our society or you can do something about it by supporting American Atheists. Fight back! Please send a donation to American Atheists today! You’ll be glad you did. Thanking you in advance, ELLEN JOHNSON, President, AMERICAN ATHEISTS American Atheists PO Box 5733, Parsippany, NJ 07054-6733 Information about Tax Deductions IRS rules state that the tax-deductible portion of membership dues can be found by subtracting the fair-market value of any goods or services that you receive in return. For most of our membership types, your dues are actually LESS than the fair-market value ($40 per year) of a subscription to our magazine. This means that your membership dues are NOT tax-deductible. Life membership dues are also NOT tax-deductible. (If we sold Life magazine subscriptions, they would cost at least as much as life memberships.) The only membership type that is fully tax-deductible is the Associate membership because Associate members do not receive a magazine subscription. For the Couple/Family ($60) and Wall-Builder ($150) membership types, $40 covers your magazine subscription. The remainder of your dues ($20 for Couple/Family and $110 for Wall-Builder) are considered to be a tax-deductible donation. For multiple-year memberships, the same fraction of your dues (1/3 for Couple/Family and 11/15 for Wall-Builder) is tax-deductible (in the year that those membership dues were paid). Also, any donations that you make IN ADDITION TO your membership dues are fully tax-deductible.
I’m impressed!
Thanks for the nudge, I’ve been meaning to join and have just done so.
I got a fund raising letter in the mail last week and will contribute when it’s feasible. Right now is a little tight.
I noticed several typographical errors in this message, confirming the complaint about what comes from the official AA headquarters. Someone really should be proofreading for a more professional appearance.
It’s great that there were so many TV appearances, but how many of them were related to the sales of books by Dawkins and Hitchens? Can air time be acquired now that they are out of the limelight?
I just sent in $200. I challenge anyone to match or top that!
We can blog all we want, but it’s the money that talks.
One of the funniest comic strips I’ve ever read:
http://www.nearingzero.net/random.html
Wow…the “tax free” church of American Atheists…please pass the collection plate.
Physics 101…what’s the difference between you giving $200 to AA and me giving $200 to my church…?
Perhaps Ellen should take a trip to officially “Atheist (Red) China”…I’m sure chi-coms would give her the red carpet treatment…
It appears that, dare I say it, christianity is surging in a nation founded on atheism…
http://www.theconservativevoice.com/article/29904.html
And we all know how trustworthy and well researched are phreedm’s sources…
No credibility.
[[[[[?Demand (for more Bibles in China) has grown to the point that the foundation plans to open a new, 515,000-square-foot (48,000 sq. m.) printing plant next year, which will allow Amity Printing company to turn out more than a million books a month. It's thought to be one of the largest Bible production facilities in the world? per TIME?s Austin Ramzy.]]]]]
Ooops! I think that is my fault! I went over there one time and accidentally made Christianity look good by being a really cool guy. Uh, guys, we’re kind of up against China and Japan here! Anyhow, a challenge is always a good thing! HAPPY NEW YEAR!
One million bibles a month and “largest bible production facility” are all relative. It’s freaking CHINA! Even if every single bible churned out of that place was bought for an entire YEAR, that’s only 0.8% of the population. wow. It sure is popular over there. Not to mention the printing plant will probably be staffed by children. But I guess that’s ok according to the Old testament.
If Phreedm was better educated, he would knew that religious sociologists have, since the end of the Cold War, found that in many Commie countries religious practice went on much, abet underground.
This is why after WWII, you see all those Russian Orthodox bishops being driven around in limouisines on Stalin’s dime.
Hoodlum,
Phreedm doesn’t seems to let facts, evidence, or logic get in the way of his Truth.
I couldn’t make this up if I tried…
Speaking of being “better” educated…
Comment from: Hoodlum
Comment from: HeatheNZ
Now I know why you couldn’t follow the study…English must be your 2nd language…
Comment from: Dangerman
You assume that this is the only printing press turning out bibles…
Here we have a nation officially founded on atheism…the cure to all of mankinds ills according to many on this blog…
And yet…Christianity is flourishing, even with arrest, jail and executions…
If atheism is so great and so much better for man then why isn’t atheism flourishing? Or does it take government to force it upon it’s citizens to give the illusion of superiority…?
OK phreddy, if you want to petty, I’ll start pointing out all the mistakes you make on a regular basis.
phreedm
You sell yourself short. I have no doubt that you are a master at making things up.
Phreedm – no credibility.
[[[If atheism is so great and so much better for man then why isn't atheism flourishing?]]]
It is fluorishing. I think, what you mean to ask is “why is christianity growing in China?”
I think the answer to that is that the population density of China is so huge that bible thumping christians are bound to run into someone who will listen to them. If you’ve ever seen the results of a rapidly booming and largely unregulated industry in combination with a government that represses foriegn viewpoints, well, some people have an obligation to trade bullshit for bullshit.
[[[Or does it take government to force it upon it's citizens to give the illusion of superiority...?]]]
The US government doesn’t force any religious or secular viewpoints on its citizens. American Atheists is doing a good job at calling the politicians out on it when they violate this basic human right.
By the way, did any of you see Obama’s wife speaking yesterday? I have a sneaking suspicion that Obama wants to control us all through church-based initiatives, but I haven’t got any proof though. It did sound like a church sermon though….I fear that Obama believes this hocus pocus about how “we are blessed and rich nation” and therefore “we have plenty of blessings to pay taxes with” and magically “blessings come back to us when we take the time to bless others with our blessed blessing gifts”.
Vote for Ron Paul instead of Obama!
Comment from: quantum_flux
No…I didn’t hear Obama’s wifes speech but there is not doubt he’s a dyed in the wool tax and spend liberal. Actually the top 3 Dems are trying to outdo each other with spending. I’m sure you’ve seen Hilary’s Christmas message…
Ron Paul has some interesting positions but doesn’t seem to have answers on how to get there…
What basic human right are you referring to?
HNZ…I have no credibility? Stay tuned.
Pha thought the same thing…
phreedm,
Nothing would give me greater pleasure than if you were to demonstrate credibility.
You’ll pardon me if I don’t wait with baited breath.
ron paul doesn’t answers. yeah the other candidates have answers its called treason.
btw israel wants america to pay aid in euros now. i’m sure the traitor scumbags we have for a president and congress will submit.what a sad sight to see a great nation heading for the trash can of history.
phreedm
china has state churchs and has for some time.
heathenz,phreedm and anyone else
? given the choice of peoples republic of china or kingdom of saudi arabia which would you choose to live in.
reason,
Since circa 1990 I would choose PRC.
If what I have read is even close to accurate I would in no way want to have lived in China during the tenure of Chairman Mao. I struggle to think of a worse regime, and I include Nazi Germany here.
All,
Off topic… Does anyone know how many American Atheists there are?
Thanks,
Atheon
…AA members?
Atheon
heathenz i concur.
atheon i believe the number of us who are members is quite small.more important is how we perform as citizens if we are lawless or lazy then we have no right to be taken seriously if we advocate an adgenda of hate we deserve to be repudiated.so far we are on the right track because as our statement of principles shows our goal is to be productive citizens contributing to the common good.
Reason,
I agree completely; however, I personally believe at some point we should take a count of our people and launch an agressive, yet peaceful, effort to increase our membership numbers.
If time is on my side, I plan to do just that…
Atheon
No one has met my challenge? Do we really care about this, or is it all about free blogging and whining?
Who here will put there money where there mouth is and support this cause?
We need to expand membership, and raise money, or surrender.
Here is an easier challenge: Will just ONE of you frequent bloggers give just $20 to the AA today and support this important cause?
Physics…why not clearly explain what your “cause” is all about…?
And exactly what war you’re in…?
[[[[What basic human right are you referring to?]]]]
The basic human right to use one’s own mind in order to discern what is true and what is not true….It is an intolerable crime against the human intellect whenever a government actively imposes a religion of any kind on its citizens.
101
I will meet the challenge. 200 it is.
quantum_flux
Phreeky loves intolerable crimes. He still thinks invading Iraq was a good idea.
One further note:
Everyone will agree that a secular reality truly exists, and that this reality itself is governed by a very specific and precise set of physical laws….whereas nobody agrees on anything concerning the how of supernatural laws, whether it actually exists or not, nor do people have any evidence to support any of the arbitrary claims that religious institutions have made.
Therefore, it only stands to reason that the consent of the governed should be a stricly secular institution.
Some arbitrary claims made by various religions:
{Heaven exists, Hell exists, god(s) exist, devils, angel(s), demons, goblins, souls, reincarnation, ghosts, holy spirit, possessings, moral absolutes, miracles, resurections, raptures, nirvanas, et al.}
Anyhow, a secular government need not concern itself with that which has no solid proof, and especially has no business enforcing belief in the absurdities of religious beliefs of any kind.
There are a bunch of delusional crazies out there who do believe this stuff. My prudent advice is that they should only practice their religion in a manner that does not harm or impose upon any other citizens. Also it should be noted that their religion does not, in any way, make them immune to the laws of the secular government which they are citizens.
What
Thanks for meeting the challenge!
Feels great, doesn’t it?
Anybody else?
phreedm,
Oh, your negativity is endlessly amusing to an atheist like myself.
You drip venom against democrats and atheists because, of course, if everyone only knew what you knew and agreed with all of your hate the world would be such a better place.
Did it occur to you that perhaps ALL bibles are being manufactured in china because they are cheaper and your religion decided to save some big bucks by doing business in china? Do you think maybe those bibles are being given away as opposed to being purchased?
I know it is common practice in our country for a person to buy truckloads of their own books in order to inflate sales and get on the NYT’s bestseller list? *cough* Ann Coulter *cough*, but I am sure your religion would never do anything like that…
If you don’t think atheism is growing then why are you here? You obviously see us as a threat, how could that be if there aren’t more and more of us?