American Atheists Viewpoint

Sunday June 18th, 2017 At a recent conservative religious gathering, President Trump promises pastors that they will be able to preach abut whatever is in their heart.  Nick explains how that has never been in jeopardy.  The right religious organizations do not have however, is the right to endorse any individual candidate, unless they want to forfeit their tax exempt status. American Atheists is a national 501(c)(3) organization that defends civil rights for atheists, freethinkers, and other nonbelievers; works for the total separation of religion and government; and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.  Follow our updates on Twitter and Facebook, and download this podcast in iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, your computer, or just by using your favorite podcast listening app. LINKS:  American Atheists Homepage: http://www.atheists.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmericanAtheist Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanAtheists Music by Echologue Creative, all rights rese

Sunday June 11, 2017 At a recent conservative religious gathering, President Trump promises pastors that they will be able to preach abut whatever is in their heart.  Nick explains how that has never been in jeopardy.  The right religious organizations do not have however, is the right to endorse any individual candidate, unless they want to forfeit their tax exempt status. American Atheists is a national 501(c)(3) organization that defends civil rights for atheists, freethinkers, and other nonbelievers; works for the total separation of religion and government; and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.  Follow our updates on Twitter and Facebook, and download this podcast in iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, your computer, or just by using your favorite podcast listening app. LINKS:  American Atheists Homepage: http://www.atheists.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmericanAtheist Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanAtheists Music by Echologue Creative, al

Sunday June 4, 2017 A discussion of changes to the requirement for birth control coverage, how religious exemptions for contraception affect other potential exemptions, and how the new (leaked) proposed exemptions go even further. Nick ends the episode with a brief mention of the Paris accord pull out, and the ridiculous religious motivations behind climate change deniers. American Atheists is a national 501(c)(3) organization that defends civil rights for atheists, freethinkers, and other nonbelievers; works for the total separation of religion and government; and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.  Follow our updates on Twitter and Facebook, and download this podcast in iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, your computer, or just by using your favorite podcast listening app. LINKS:  American Atheists Homepage: http://www.atheists.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmericanAtheist Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanAtheists Music by Echologue Creative, all rights rese

Sunday May 28, 2017 Nick Fish discusses the first budget proposal issued by President Trump, included in the proposal are increases in funding for both abstinence only sex education school vouchers.  One of these is a flawed and ineffective method of birth control promoted by those who seek to promote their religious viewpoints on morality into our secular laws, and the other will unconstitutionally send millions of tax payer dollars into the promotion of religion and religious schools. American Atheists is a national 501(c)(3) organization that defends civil rights for atheists, freethinkers, and other nonbelievers; works for the total separation of religion and government; and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.  Follow our updates on Twitter and Facebook, and download this podcast in iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, your computer, or just by using your favorite podcast listening app. LINKS:  American Atheists Homepage: http://www.atheists.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.

Sunday May 21, 2017 Nick goes over current laws and precedent regarding commencement prayers; when are they allowed and when are they a violation of church state separation.  Nick shares a few specific examples, and also stresses any student complaints forwarded to American Atheists will be kept confidential. To reach American Atheists you can email legal@atheists.org American Atheists is a national 501(c)(3) organization that defends civil rights for atheists, freethinkers, and other nonbelievers; works for the total separation of religion and government; and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.  Follow our updates on Twitter and Facebook, and download this podcast in iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, your computer, or just by using your favorite podcast listening app. LINKS:  2017 American Atheists Convention: https://www.atheists.org/convention2017/ American Atheists Homepage: http://www.atheists.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmericanAtheist Facebook: https://w

Sunday May 14, 2017 This last week Amanda Knief, the National Legal and Policy Director for American Atheists, was on the Fox News program Tucker Carlson.  The topic focused on a religious message on a bench, part of a VFW donated veterans�€™ monument, and the VFW�€™s reaction to the removal of the bench�€�.and it only gets more interesting from there.  Nick Fish goes over this whole story in this week�€™s episode. American Atheists is a national 501(c)(3) organization that defends civil rights for atheists, freethinkers, and other nonbelievers; works for the total separation of religion and government; and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.  Follow our updates on Twitter and Facebook, and download this podcast in iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, your computer, or just by using your favorite podcast listening app. LINKS:  A Bully Bench: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2017/04/30/pa-city-agrees-to-replace-veterans-memorial-bench-that-denigrates-atheists-for-rea

Sunday May 7, 2017 Nick reminds us that The American HealthCare Act just passed the House of Representatives, highlights how we need to contact our representatives to remind them exist, you don't need to have a belief in a god/goddess to care or pay attention.  The bulk of the episode however is in regards to the Johnson Amendment and the recent executive order issued to fix a problem that doesn't exist, specifically inaccurate claims by President Trump and the religious right regarding their free speech being discriminated against. American Atheists is a national 501(c)(3) organization that defends civil rights for atheists, freethinkers, and other nonbelievers; works for the total separation of religion and government; and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.  Follow our updates on Twitter and Facebook, and download this podcast in iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, your computer, or just by using your favorite podcast listening app. LINKS:  American Atheist's response to this Execu

Sunday April 30, 2017 The mayor of San Antonio Texas recently made a statement on poverty, stating the root cause of systemic and generational poverty are broken people without a relationship with their creator.  This statement by the mayor is just the latest in problematic statements she has made, reflecting her voting record, and her time as mayor.  Nick Fish discusses why statements such as these, and the underlying principles of her expressed faith, conflict with the separation of religion and government. American Atheists is a national 501(c)(3) organization that defends civil rights for atheists, freethinkers, and other nonbelievers; works for the total separation of religion and government; and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.  Follow our updates on Twitter and Facebook, and download this podcast in iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, your computer, or just by using your favorite podcast listening app. LINKS:  San Antonio Mayor article and video: https://www.athei

Sunday April 23, 2017 Amanda Knief joins Nick Fish to discuss Trinity Lutheran Church v. Comer and the upcoming US Supreme Court hearing regarding Blaine Amendments that are a part of the state constitution in 38 states.  Blaine amendments prohibit government from directly funding church, in an effort to avoid unnecessary church state entanglements. American Atheists is a national 501(c)(3) organization that defends civil rights for atheists, freethinkers, and other nonbelievers; works for the total separation of religion and government; and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.  Follow our updates on Twitter and Facebook, and download this podcast in iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, your computer, or just by using your favorite podcast listening app. LINKS:  Trinity Lutheran Church Vs Missouri: http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2017/04/19/gorsuch_looks_poised_to_rule_that_states_must_subsidize_churches.html Blaine Amendment: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blaine_Amendme

Sunday April 16, 2017 Nick Fish discusses a new study looking at how many atheists are really in America, especially when considering the stigma some people face when identifying as an atheist. American Atheists is a national 501(c)(3) organization that defends civil rights for atheists, freethinkers, and other nonbelievers; works for the total separation of religion and government; and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.  Follow our updates on Twitter and Facebook, and download this podcast in iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, your computer, or just by using your favorite podcast listening app. LINKS:  Vox article discussing the study for the number of atheists in the US: http://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2017/4/13/15258496/american-atheists-how-many American Atheists Homepage: http://www.atheists.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmericanAtheist Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanAtheists Music by Echologue Creative, all rights reserved, https://so

Sunday April 09, 2017 Neil Gorsuch is confirmed as a United States Supreme Court Justice after some political maneuvering.  Nick discusses past cases Justice Gorsuch has presided over, and highlights an important case in church state separation that is due to appear in front of the court. American Atheists is a national 501(c)(3) organization that defends civil rights for atheists, freethinkers, and other nonbelievers; works for the total separation of religion and government; and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.  Follow our updates on Twitter and Facebook, and download this podcast in iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, your computer, or just by using your favorite podcast listening app. LINKS:  American Atheists Homepage: http://www.atheists.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmericanAtheist Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanAtheists Gorsuch Confirmation: https://www.atheists.org/2017/04/gorsuch-confirmation-vote/      

Sunday April 02, 2017 Allegations of a boy in Ohio being forcibly baptized by a court appointed mentor, the court case filed by American Atheist on behalf of the family, and the public comments related to the alleged occurrence. American Atheists is a national 501(c)(3) organization that defends civil rights for atheists, freethinkers, and other nonbelievers; works for the total separation of religion and government; and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.  Follow our updates on Twitter and Facebook, and download this podcast in iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, your computer, or just by using your favorite podcast listening app. LINKS:  American Atheists Homepage: http://www.atheists.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmericanAtheist Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanAtheists Cleveland Ohio baptism: http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2017/03/eleven-year-old_disabled_boy_w.html#incart_river_home Music by Echologue Creative, all rights reserved, https:

Sunday March 26, 2017 Nick Fish does a wrap up of the Neil Gorsuch confirmation hearings. American Atheists is a national 501(c)(3) organization that defends civil rights for atheists, freethinkers, and other nonbelievers; works for the total separation of religion and government; and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.  Follow our updates on Twitter and Facebook, and download this podcast in iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, your computer, or just by using your favorite podcast listening app. LINKS:  American Atheists Homepage: http://www.atheists.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmericanAtheist Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanAtheists Music courtesy of Lee Rosevere, Biking in the Park, Music For Podcasts: http://leerosevere.bandcamp.com/track/biking-in-the-park

Sunday March 12, 2017 A discussion of how the proposed American Health Care Act changes and addresses the requirements of providing contraception coverage under the Affordable Care Act. American Atheists is a national 501(c)(3) organization that defends civil rights for atheists, freethinkers, and other nonbelievers; works for the total separation of religion and government; and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.  Follow our updates on Twitter and Facebook, and download this podcast in iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, your computer, or just by using your favorite podcast listening app. LINKS:  American Atheists Homepage: http://www.atheists.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmericanAtheist Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanAtheists Music courtesy of Lee Rosevere, Biking in the Park, Music For Podcasts: http://leerosevere.bandcamp.com/track/biking-in-the-park

Sunday March 5, 2017 Nick discusses some of the conversations American Atheists had with individuals at CPAC, the Conservative Political Action Conference. American Atheists is a national 501(c)(3) organization that defends civil rights for atheists, freethinkers, and other nonbelievers; works for the total separation of religion and government; and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.  Follow our updates on Twitter and Facebook, and download this podcast in iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, your computer, or just by using your favorite podcast listening app. LINKS:  American Atheists Homepage: http://www.atheists.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmericanAtheist Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanAtheists CPAC: http://cpac.conservative.org/ American Atheists Announce Plans to Attend CPAC: https://www.atheists.org/why-cpac Music courtesy of Lee Rosevere, Biking in the Park, Music For Podcasts: http://leerosevere.bandcamp.com/track/biking-in-the-park

Sunday February 26, 2017 American Atheists were once again at CPAC, the Conservative Political Action Conference.  Nick uses this time to discuss why representatives for American Atheists attend, what they hope to accomplish, and what they are specifically not trying to do. American Atheists is a national 501(c)(3) organization that defends civil rights for atheists, freethinkers, and other nonbelievers; works for the total separation of religion and government; and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.  Follow our updates on Twitter and Facebook, and download this podcast in iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, your computer, or just by using your favorite podcast listening app. LINKS:  American Atheists Homepage: http://www.atheists.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmericanAtheist Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanAtheists CPAC: http://cpac.conservative.org/ American Atheists Announce Plans to Attend CPAC: https://www.atheists.org/why-cpac Music courtesy of Lee

Sunday February 19, 2017 With Betsy DeVos recently confirmed as the US Secretary of Education, Nick takes an opportunity to discuss a recent document created by the Council for National Policy which is advocating "restoration of education in America...and enshrine historic Judeo-Christian principles" into the public school systems.  President Trump's cabinet has numerous ties with this organization, and the influence it has represents a clear and present danger to the idea of keeping religion and government separate. American Atheists is a national 501(c)(3) organization that defends civil rights for atheists, freethinkers, and other nonbelievers; works for the total separation of religion and government; and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.  Follow our updates on Twitter and Facebook, and download this podcast in iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, your computer, or just by using your favorite podcast listening app. LINKS:  Washington Post story citing DeVos family ties to Council

Sunday February 12, 2017 During the most recent National Prayer Breakfast, President Trump made a promise to abolish the 1954 Johnson Amendment, an amendment which is supposed prevent secular and religious organizations who enjoy tax exempt status, from endorsing any particular candidate.  There is already a systemic hypocrisy in the United States tax policy that allows churches significantly more freedom to ignore the law, avoid IRS audits, and endorse political candidates that is not available to secular 501(c)(3) organizations such as American Atheists.  An abolishment of the Johnson Amendment would only further the divide and privilege religious organizations have in pushing their policy and worldview. American Atheists is a national 501(c)(3) organization that defends civil rights for atheists, freethinkers, and other nonbelievers; works for the total separation of religion and government; and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.  Follow our updates on Twitter and Facebook, a

Sunday February 5, 2017 Nick begins the episode talking about Judge Neil Gorsuch, President Trump's US Supreme Court nominee, and how his views on church state separation have been problematic in the past.  The episode finishes with a discussion going over the leaked, but as yet unsigned, religious freedom Executive Order allowing rampant discrimination by religious groups. American Atheists is a national 501(c)(3) organization that defends civil rights for atheists, freethinkers, and other nonbelievers; works for the total separation of religion and government; and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.  Follow our updates on Twitter and Facebook, and download this podcast in iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, your computer, or just by using your favorite podcast listening app. LINKS:  American Atheists Homepage: http://www.atheists.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmericanAtheist Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanAtheists Neil Gorsuch: http://www.atheistvoter.

Sunday January 29, 2017 Women's March 2017 Nick discusses why American Atheists felt it necessary and important to march, and how this isn't about politics but a protest against bad, dangerous, and potentially unconstitutional, policy.  Issues of prioritizing Christian refugees over Muslim refugees, ending funding for women's health, and religious cabinet choices are just a handful of reasons why American Atheists need your support. American Atheists is a national 501(c)(3) organization that defends civil rights for atheists, freethinkers, and other nonbelievers; works for the total separation of religion and government; and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.  Follow our updates on Twitter and Facebook, and download this podcast in iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, your computer, or just by using your favorite podcast listening app. LINKS:  American Atheists Homepage: http://www.atheists.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmericanAtheist Facebook: https://www.facebook