Friends,

Everybody loves a good holiday-themed email, especially me, and I’m sure you’ve received your fair share today.

Organizations like the Secular Coalition—ones that fight on behalf of marginalized communities in our country—have a lot to be afraid of right now, and Halloween lets us highlight the dire, real-world challenges we’re facing with a refreshing bit of humor and moxy.

So don’t get me wrong, we’re absolutely indulging in this time-honored tradition and hopefully hit both trick and treat.

But I also know that Donald Trump, Mike Pence, Bill Barr and their cronies are terrifying, regardless of whether or not they have scary photoshopped costumes. The fun we have today at their expense must be coupled with fierce advocacy against their religious dogma—and lots of garlic.

Vice President Pence offers a perfect example of what we're up against:

Is it a costume? I’m not sure. He doesn’t look any more pale and scary than usual. But, he does make it clear that his personal faith is what guides him as he makes national policy.

No doubt about it, Pence feeds on undermining the separation of church and state—a vampire through and through. And surprise, he has friends.

On the one hand… we need to give Attorney General Barr his due, that’s a fantastic costume. He looks great. 

It also suits him perfectly, because on the other hand he baselessly attacked our community, peddling the tired trope of blaming secular Americans for the ills of society.

Barr's rhetoric offers a bleak picture of the future if this administration remains in power. But the real, most frightening member of the bunch is President Trump himself.

“Forever and always, Americans will believe in the cause of freedom, the power of prayer and the eternal glory of God,” he preached at this month's Values Voter Summit, treating his public office like a pulpit.

Terrifying, truly.

Which is why the Secular Coalition for America and our 19 member organizations work so hard year-round to push back against the continued assault on the separation of church and state.

If the spooky spirit, the words of our own public officials, or... the costumes... scared you, help us do something about it. 

Support our work and help ensure we enter 2020 poised to rebuild the secular nature of our country.

Thank you, have a great night trick-or-treating, and Happy Halloween!


Debbie Allen