We want to share with you some of this year's highlights in our secular advocacy!
Dear Friend,
2021 has been filled with many challenges and our community has had to adapt in unprecedented ways. However, it has also presented opportunities and success. We invite you to take a moment to look back at what has been an unforgettable year, and the work YOU made possible.
January: Christian Nationalism at the Capitol Insurrection
While many ignored or downplayed the role Christian nationalism played in the January 6 attack on the Capitol, the Secular Coalition for American (SCA) and our member organizations put a spotlight ([link removed]) on the rioters' religious extremism. We could not ignore the signs, crosses, shofars, flags, and even a prayer in the Senate Chamber. This start to the year made clear how necessary our work still is.
February: Sending Our Secular Agenda to Congress and the Biden Administration
SCA wasted no time engaging the incoming Congress and presidential administration. After reevaluating our Secular Agenda ([link removed]) , which was publicly released in November 2020, our coalition sent our priorities to the Biden Administration requesting action on the secular community's policy priorities during the first 100 days: including, but not limited to, undoing many of the harmful executive orders of the previous administration.
March: Working With the Congressional Freethought Caucus
The Secular Coalition had the incredible honor of meeting with Congressional Freethought Caucus (CFC) ([link removed]) members to discuss Christian nationalism and what our elected leaders can do to address it. The caucus also welcomed its newest member, Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA). During the duration of 2021, SCA worked closely with the CFC as our point-of-contact for religion/government separation within the Legislative Branch.
April: Getting the NO BAN Act Through Congress
The US House of Representatives passed HR 1333, the NO BAN Act ([link removed]) . While this was a sign of progress for true religious freedom, we are now pressing the Senate to also pass this bill. We are vigilant to ensure our government is never again engaged in this type of religious discrimination.
May: Our Coalition Meets with the White House
The Secular Coalition for America, along with five of our member organizations, met with senior White House officials ([link removed]) and highlighted priorities from our Secular Agenda. We discussed what the administration can do to better uphold the rights of secular Americans, and encouraged the White House to continue engaging with nonreligious Americans to defend the separation of religion and government.
June: Confronting the Supreme Court’s Growing Hostility Towards Secularism
In Fulton v. City of Philadelphia, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the City infringed on a Catholic charity’s free exercise of religion. However, the court issued a narrow ruling that focused only on the contract language used by the City. While it stopped short of a broad consequential ruling, we are up against a court increasingly favorable to religious extremism and willing to prioritize the interests of right-wing religious groups over our basic civil rights.
July: Humanists Advancing Secularism on the Hill
Scott MacConomy, SCA's Director of Policy and Government Affairs, joined humanists ([link removed]) from around the country to meet with lawmakers including Senator Gary Peters, Senator Sherrod Brown, Senator Debbie Stabenow, and Representative Haley Stevens to discuss the importance of passing legislation that upholds the secular values enshrined in our Constitution.
August & September: Advancing the Do No Harm Act in the House and the Senate
SCA’s lobbying team focused on adding support for the Do No Harm Act ([link removed]) which would clarify that existing legislation does not allow discrimination based on religious beliefs in hiring, health care, federal contracting, and other areas. We contacted 70 House offices about cosponsoring the bill and worked with the bill’s sponsor, Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA), to move the bill forward during this Congress.
After Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced the Do No Harm Act ([link removed]) in the Senate we met with nine Senators and staff for a dozen more about becoming cosponsors. The bill has gained 32 cosponsors, showing the value of direct advocacy and grassroots support united around a common goal.
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October: Beating Bad Bills in Congress
When Congressman Estes (R-KS) introduced a bill ([link removed]) to add a religious exemption to the President’s vaccine requirement for federal workers and contractors, we sprung into action getting our supporters to contact their representatives to oppose this harmful bill. We also took swift action when a resolution was introduced in the Senate praising the Pledge of Allegiance and in particular the addition of “under God.” We pointed out ([link removed]) why including this phrase was improper, unnecessary, and cited the litigation that found no student can be forced to recite it. Fortunately, the resolution has not passed.
November: Our Relationship with the Biden Administration has Paid Off
The White House through the Department of Labor began to reverse a “rule” that vastly expanded the scope of the religious exemptions from a Trump "rule", subjecting countless workers to discrimination in the name of religion. November also saw the outright end of a waiver given to three states last year, as SCA requested in May, that allowed service providers such as adoption agencies to discriminate based on religion.
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December: Planning for our 20th Year!
The Secular Coalition for America was established in 2002. When we began, there were only four member organizations, and now we represent 20. Our coalition recently met to strategize about how to most effectively advocate as a group for secular values and separation of religion and government next year and beyond. In recent years, the damage to the wall of separation has been significant, but in 2021 we are seeing progress in building it back up —stronger than ever!
With your support, we will be able to plan strategically for 2022 and continue to:
* Implement our Secular Agenda ([link removed]) during the 117th Congress and Biden Administration
* Work with the Congressional Freethought Caucus ([link removed]) to introduce legislation that strengthens the separation of church and state;
* Meet with lawmakers to educate them about nonreligious Americans, the largest and fastest growing "religious" demographic in the country;
* Fight for secular and science-based policy; and
* Give the secular movement a unified voice on Capitol Hill.
As you can see, 2022 is going to be another big year for the Secular Coalition for America and we can not do it without you. If you appreciate the work we are doing, and want to be a part of our efforts, we hope you will consider giving today by clicking the “I want to help! Double my donation!” ([link removed]) button. Thanks to generous gifts from two of our founders, each dollar you pledge to the Secular Coalition for America from now through December 31st WILL BE DOUBLED up to $25,000!
I want to help! Double my donation! ([link removed])
Wishing you a happy New Year from the team at the Secular Coalition for America!
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