Friends,

First-responders are on the frontlines fighting to keep us safe, while a large portion of the nation remains on stay-at-home orders, and other parts are slowly reopening (possibly too soon). 

Meanwhile, our scientists are tirelessly researching the vaccines and treatments that will improve the situation and enable us to return to the normalcy that we are all longing for.

However, the religious right has once again reared its medieval head and has lobbied to limit the research that could potentially end this crisis.

How? Why? You guessed it—they’ve decided to use this pandemic to once again attack abortion.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, religious right groups, and various anti-abortion advocates recently sent a letter to the FDA asking them to “incentivize pharmaceutical companies” to not use embryonic stem cells in developing a vaccine, calling the practice “unethical.”

The Secular Coalition for America, along with our member organizations—American Atheists, American Humanist Association, Center for Inquiry, and The Freedom From Religion Foundation—have countered with a letter of our own, requesting that the FDA not “allow unscientific religious ideology to interfere with open scientific inquiry.”

Researchers spend years, often decades, developing the tools and techniques that save and dramatically improve lives. Their hard-earned expertise is critical to ending this pandemic and we will not let the personal beliefs of a vocal minority water it down.

This is not the first attempt by the religious right to take advantage of COVID-19, nor will it be their last.

We will continue to fight alongside our members to ensure the government’s response to this crisis is driven by science and does not use our tax-dollars to fund religious activities. If you are able to support our work, it makes a difference now more than ever before.

Thanks, and stay safe out there.

Sincerely,

Casey Brinck
Director of Policy & Government Affairs
Secular Coalition for America