Get Ready for the Secular Coalition Lobby Day
Photo credit: Mary Barczak & secular.org
The Military Association of Atheists & Freethinkers participates in several coalitions, including the Coalition Against Religious Discrimination, Coalition for Liberty & Justice, and the Forum on the Military Chaplaincy. Through these efforts, we provide key insights to ensure that nontheists in the military are represented in a variety of policy areas. Our most important coalition effort is the Secular Coalition for America. SCA increases the visibility of and respect for nontheists in America while protecting the secular character for our government.
The 2013 Lobby Day for the Secular Coalition for America is shaping up to be one of the most unique events in the movement this year — and one that you certainly won’t want to miss. The Secular Summit will provide two days of training culminating in the Lobby Day trip to Capitol Hill to engage directly with legislators and decision makers on the issues important to the secular community. We are expecting two members of Congress, a representative from the White House and a host of other important speakers.
The Summit and Lobby Day will be held April 24-26 at the Hyatt Regency Washington, DC on Capitol Hill (discounted room rates available for attendees!). Registration is available at the SCA website.
One of the key topics will be school vouchers that, among other things, provide a loophole for government funding of Creationism in schools. This weekend, Nationally-known host Bill Moyers will be talking to Zack Kopplin about laws and voucher programs that let publicly-funded creationist curriculum in the back door of American classrooms. You can learn about how Kopplin is fighting to maintain the secular character of our schools. Preview the episode Fighting Creeping Creationism (and find broadcast times in your local area or watch online).
You can also get insight into Creationist ideology and thought: On Mar 1st, Jason Torpy of MAAF is on Crosstalk with Peter Lavelle on RT or at the crosstalk website. The other two guests are pundit Rob Taub and Creationist Laurence Tisdall. The question is “Is Atheism the next religion”? The video be online on Monday the 4th. Also see Torpy’s recent response to the same question in the NY Times.
And with the Secular Coalition you can stay informed with weekly updates on the Secular Movement update call every Thursday at noon eastern: Phone Number: 559-726-1300 Code: 199568. This is a critical way to stay up to date on vouchers, military policy, tax policy, health care, and so much more, including federal support for the Boy Scouts who discriminate against atheists. Hear Feb 23rd Interfaith Alliance State of Belief podcast with Jason Torpy on Boy Scout federal support.
- Michael Gamel-McCormick, Education Policy Advisor to the US Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions
- Barry Kosmin, Director of the Institute for the Study of Secularism in Society and Culture and Research Professor, Public Policy & Law Program at Trinity College
- Leslie Griffin, a William S. Boyd Professor of Law at UNLV Law School
- Brad Jacklin, Program Manager: Public Policy and Government Affairs at theNational Gay and Lesbian Task Force
- Steve Hill, Comedian, for the opening night reception! “They say if you want to start an argument, talk about religion or politics . Where should we start first?” – Steve Hill