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Our mission is to increase the visibility and respect for nontheistic viewpoints in the United States, and to protect and strengthen the secular character of our government as the best guarantee of freedom for all.
Our purpose is to advocate on behalf of nontheistic and secular Americans.
The Secular Coalition for America was founded in 2002
52.8% of Americans think political leaders should NOT rely on religious beliefs when making decisions.
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Source: ABC News/Washington Post poll, April 2005 and the Association of Religion Data Archives
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Americans with no religious affiliation, “Nones” represent
16.1% of all Americans
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Board of Directors
One representative from each member organization
Advisory
Board
Board Officers
Non-voting members of the
Board of Directors
Executive Director
Endorsing
Organizations
Allied
Organizations and Coalitions
SCA Staff
State Chapters
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The following organization extend their support by endorsing the mission of the
Secular Coalition for America:
Anti-Discrimination Support Network
Arizona Coalition of Reason (ArizonaCoR),
Association of Humanistic Rabbis
Ask an Atheist
Atheist Nexus
Brights Action SCA,
Center for Atheism,
Center for Naturalism
Congress of Secular Jewish Organizations,
EARTHWARD
Foundation Beyond Belief
Freethought Action
Hispanic American Freethinkers
Humanist Chaplaincy at Harvard,
Humanist Institute
Humanist Society
Humanists of Florida
TheInfidels.org
Internet Infidels
LGBT Humanist Council of AHA
Mission of Reason,
Mr. Deity
National Atheist Party
OABITAR
Path of Reason
Project Reason
Rational Response Squad
The Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science
Secular Nations,
South Carolina Progressive Network
Stiefel Freethought Foundation
Unitarian Universalist Infidels
United Coalition of Reason
Washington Area Secular Humanists (WASH)
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The Secular Coalition for America is building the coalition by adding Allied Organizations who may not be able to support the entire mission of the SCA, but share our position on particular issues.
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CARD - Coalition Against Religious Discrimination
NCPE - National Coalition for Public Education
SIECUS - Sexual Inform and Education Council of the
United States
National Advisory Board
IFPC - International Family Planning Coalition
LCCR - Leadership Council on Civil and Human Rights
Coalition for Liberty and Justice
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Heath & Safety
Education
Military
Tax Policy
Discrimination
Government Actions
International
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Medical Professionals Denying Care Based on Personal Beliefs
Religious Employers Denying Healthcare Coverage Based on
Personal Beliefs
Religiously Based Child Abuse and Neglect
Religiously Based Substance Abuse Treatment
Religiously Based Healthcare Policy
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Public Funding of Religious
Schools
Schools Discriminate Against
Nontheistic Students
Religious Influence on Public
School Curriculum
Religious Coercion of Public
School Students
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Military Chaplains Do Not Equally Represent or
Support All Service Members
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Military Promotion of Religion
Military Discrimination Against Nontheists
Tax Free Housing for Clergy
Faith-Based Nonprofits Exempt from Nonprofit Requirements
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Source: How Secular Humanists (and Everyone Else) Subsidize Religion in the United States; Ryan Cragun,
Stephanie Yeager, and Desmond Vega; Free Inquiry Magazine, May 2012
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Religiously Motivated Employment Discrimination
Housing Discrimination by Religious Landlords
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National Ceremonies and Symbols Endorsing Religion
Government Officials Endorsing Religion
Religious Definition of Civil Marriage
Taxpayer Money Furthering Religious Beliefs
Religiously Based Policy
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Religiously Based
International Policy
U.S. Aid to Countries That
Limit Religious Freedom
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National Secular Movement Weekly Update Call
Every Thursday at Noon
559-726-1300 Code: 199568
Legislative and Regulatory Call
Every other Tuesday
Will track and discuss all problematic proposed legislation and regulatory issues
Featuring a government policy decisions maker
Hill Briefings
Federal Legislative and Regulatory Tracking
State Legislative and Regulatory Tracking
Liaisons in Both Republican and Democratic Campaigns
Presidential, gubernatorial and congressional
Attending Republican and Democratic Conventions
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Source: National Council of State Legislatures, Feb. 2011
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Source: National Council of State Legislatures, Feb. 2011
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Source: Washington Post - May 17, 2012
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Source: Cook Political Report, May 2012
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Open Seats:
HI (Akaka)
NM (Bingaman)
ND (Conrad)
VA (Webb)
WI (Kohl)
Incumbents:
MO (McCaskill)
MT (Tester)
Source: Cook Political Report, May 2012
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Open Seat:
ME (Snowe)
Incumbents:
MA (Brown)
NV (Heller)
Source: Cook Political Report, May 2012
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All 435 seats are up for re-election.
Democrats currently have 23 seats listed as Lean or Toss Up.
Republicans currently have 32 seats listed as Lean or Toss Up.
Republicans control the House by a 49 seat majority.
Democrats would need to have a net gain 25 seats to reclaim the majority.
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National Policy Conference and Lobby Day
Conference presents speakers who are major decision makers
Lobby Day educates a large number of secularists in lobbying techniques and sends them to the hill for meetings with congressional offices
National Secular Calendar
Presidential and Congressional Scorecards
Pulling together policy and research resources
Tracking of Major Court Cases
Guidebook on principles of secularism for elected officials
Educating about our issues through educational videos and webinars on our website
State Chapters
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Some of the most egregious violations of church state separation are being promoted and passed at the state level, and we absolutely must act to stop it!
A Secular Coalition for America state chapter is unlike any other nontheistic state organization—it brings together interested organizations and individuals for the exclusive purpose of lobbying government officials.
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We are holding initial organizing conference calls to initiate the development
The initial organizing call for New York will be in mid-July
On the call we will be discussing
the mission, purpose, and goals of the SCA chapters the resources SCA can provide to SCA Chapters the secular lobbying needs of New York, and the organizational structure of the chapters, including leadership positions.
The exact date, time, and further details about how you can participate will be posted on our website and emailed out through state organizations
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6 states have laws that allow pharmacists to refuse to fill an emergency prescription for contraceptives.
21 states offer exemptions from contraceptive coverage for employers with varying degrees of religious affiliation
44 states have laws that require public school classes to recite a Pledge of Allegiance stating we are a nation “under God”
Only 18 states require sex education curricula to be medically accurate
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Kansas - “Health Care Rights of Conscience Act” signed into law in April allows pharmacists to refuse to dispense drugs they believe might cause an abortion
Virginia - SB 131, which was signed into law by the
Governor on April 9, 2012, establishes a tax credit for corporations that make donations for scholarships to religious schools.
Tennessee - SB 893/HB 368 states, under the pretext of fostering critical thinking, that teachers must be allowed to discuss “weaknesses” in scientific theories such as evolution
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Florida’s Amendment 8-To remove from the Florida
Constitution the language that prohibits government funding of religion.
Missouri HB 2051- “prohibits the discussion of sexual orientation in public school instruction, material, or extracurricular activity except in scientific instruction on human reproduction.”
Similar bills in Tennessee and Utah
Michigan HB 5560- increases fines for the criminal disruption of the private property or entrance to private property being used for religious service
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National Secular
Movement Update Call
Every Thursday at Noon
559-726-1300 Code: 199568
National Secular Calendar
Blog
Action Alerts
Website
Facebook.com/SecularCoalition
@SecularDotOrg
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Edwina Rogers
Executive Director
Secular Coalition for America
1012 14 th St., NW, Suite 205
Washington, DC 20005
Office (202) 299 1091 ext. 207
Mobile (202) 674 7800
Edwina@secular.org
www.secular.org