Scott MacConomy warns you about a bill that would establish a National Hymn

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Dear Friend,

The primary definition of a hymn according to the Cambridge Dictionary is “1. a song of praise that Christians sing to God”.

The House Judiciary Committee began consideration this week of a bill to establish a national hymn. That bill, introduced last year by Congressman James Clyburn (D-SC), proposes “Lift Every Voice and Sing” as the national hymn. It has long been a powerful ode to Black pride and liberation. But there are a number of questions. First, whose God should the national hymn be sung to? There are several candidates and millions of Americans who support each one. Second, why would Congress assume the authority to pick one? Doesn’t this border on making a “law respecting an establishment of religion?” (See First Amendment) The bill does not require people to sing the hymn, but isn’t that the whole idea?

At a time when the nation seems more divided than it has been in decades, is it really useful to endorse a competitor to “The Star Spangled Banner?” Don’t we have enough to disagree on already?

But do we really have to have one? For millions of Americans the idea of a government-endorsed hymn is abhorrent. They don’t sing hymns to anyone and they don’t want the federal government to approve one. This would completely violate the secular approach to government that the First Amendment requires. The Secular Coalition for America opposes H.R. 301 and has written to the Judiciary Committee urging them to prevent Congress from endorsing one more Christian totem for a diverse and increasingly nonreligious nation.

You can add your opposition by going to our Action Alert and contacting your Members of Congress. ([link removed])
Help Fight the National Hymn! ([link removed])
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The Secular Coalition for America held its annual Members Meeting last weekend live and in person. It was a long-awaited opportunity for the leadership of the 20 coalition member organizations ([link removed]) to learn what each group has been doing and how they can best collaborate. We will soon send out a longer recap of the event but the panels of government affairs staff deserve recognition here.

First came the lobbyists: Azhar Majeed of the Center for Inquiry ([link removed]) , Mark Dann of the Freedom from Religion Foundation ([link removed]) , and Ron Millar of the Center for Freethought Equality ([link removed]) . Azhar talked about work CFI is doing at the state level, Mark talked about the federal landscape, and Ron explained how the 20 nonprofits in the room can be effective advocates within the limits placed on them as 501(c)(3)s.

The attorneys on the second panel included Alison Gill of American Atheists ([link removed]) , Nick Little from the Center for Inquiry, Rebecca Markert from the Freedom from Religion Foundation, and Monica Miller from the American Humanist Association ([link removed]) . The conversation covered current Supreme Court cases that address religious freedom issues and the approach being used to bring these cases to the Court and get them on the docket. The two panels gave everyone from all the coalition organizations a clear picture of the challenges facing separation of religion and government and the work the Secular Coalition for America is doing to meet them.

The Secular Coalition for America works on a daily basis, whether through our lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill or working with our coalition partners, to ensure our government protects the equal rights of nonreligious Americans. This work depends on your support. Please click here or the button below if you would like to help us protect and defend evidence and reason based policy in 2022. ([link removed])

Your lobbyist,

Scott MacConomy
Director of Policy and Government Affairs
Secular Coalition for America
I Want To Support Secular Advocacy! ([link removed])
P.S. Please consider leaving a legacy gift to the Secular Coalition for America ([link removed]) . The protection of our secular values requires eternal vigilance.

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