Official News – Secular Coalition for Arizona

Can Religious Exemptions Trump Public Accommodations Laws?

Can Religious Exemptions Trump Public Accommodations Laws? On April 12, 2019, a man in west Phoenix, Arizona, shot and killed his wife and two children. Then he drove to another location and shot and killed a man there. When the police stopped him, he …

Revival of the Free Exercise Clause

Revival of the Free Exercise Clause Dianne Post, Secular AZ Legal Director In a follow up to the previous webinar about the decline of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, the American Bar Association’s next topic was the revival of the Fre …

The Decline of the Establishment Clause?

The Decline of the Establishment Clause? Dianne Post, Secular AZ Legal Director The ABA sponsored a 90-minute seminar on October 8 on the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. Marc Stern, general counsel of the American Jewish Committee, moderat …

Phoenix New Times Names Secular AZ “Best Activist Group” for Best of Phoenix 2020

“If you see a state official promoting the Holy Ghost, who you gonna call? The Secular Coalition for Arizona, that’s who. This freethinking organization celebrated its 10th anniversary in the state this year, and many Arizonans are glad to have it. The …

Fulton v. City of Philadelphia, PA: “Let Me Have My Cake and Eat it Too”

Fulton v. City of Philadelphia, PA is another case in which a religious group, in this case Catholic Social Services, seeks to receive money from the government for foster care services but also seeks to ignore laws that prohibit discrimination i.e. le …

INVEST IN EDUCATION ACT: An Initiative for 2020

INVEST IN EDUCATION ACT: An Initiative for 2020 After more than three years work, teachers and their supporters, parents and their children have succeeded in getting the initiative on the ballot for November when the Supreme Court so ruled on August 19 …

AZ Primary Election Analysis: August 7, 2020

AZ Primary Election Analysis – August 7, 2020 AZ’s primary election delivered some surprises, with a handful of incumbents losing in the primary. Competitive districts to watch in November are LD 6, 8, 17, 18, 20, and 28. Check our Secular Scorecard fo …

Supreme Court to Arizona: Discrimination is Legal

Arizona’s charter school system isn’t just defunding public education, it’s opened the door to discrimination in the name of “religious liberty.” It’s been decades in the making as the State created a wild west culture of charter school profiteering, b …

Espinoza vs Montana: Dianne Post Weighs in on SCOTUS’ Judicial Activism

June 30, 2020 Dianne Post, Legal Director Secular Communities for AZ The Supreme Court decision in Espinoza v. Montana illustrates the height of judicial activism and the length to which this politicized court will go to enshrine their religious philos …

Letter to Bullhead City, AZ Mayor & City Council from the Kingman Freethinkers

The Honorable Tom Brady, Mayor Bullhead City, and Council Members, Secular people, including atheists, agnostics, deists, humanists, skeptics, freethinkers, and other nonreligious people, are everywhere. They are your friends, neighbors, coworkers, and …

Secular Speaker Series

UPCOMING (VIRTUAL) PRESENTATIONS: November 1, 2p: Dr. Tom Fitch on The Six Choices We All Have at the End of Our Lives, presented by AZ End of Life Options November 7, 2p: Debbie Allen, Executive Director and Casey Brinck, Director of Policy & Gove …

Coronavirus/COVID-19 Announcement

In light of the Coronavirus/COVID-19 situation, we wanted to let you know that Secular AZ is following the guidelines issued by the CDC and echoed by the Arizona Department of Health. We have suspended Secular AZ meetings and events until further notic …

Christians Only: Nonbelievers Need Not Apply?

The AZ Legislature has a long history of discrimination against atheist legislators, who have been repeatedly hazed, harassed, and belittled for opening legislative sessions with secular invocations. It happened again this week, at our annual Secular D …

Tucson Presentation: David Tamayo

Hey Tucson! Join Freethought Arizona and Secular AZ on Saturday, February 22, at the Murphy-Wilmot Library, for a presentation with David Tamayo, founder of Hispanic American Freethinkers, the first and only national Latinx 501(c)(3) educational organi …

Sunday Speaker at HSGP: David Tamayo

SUNDAY SPEAKER DAVID TAMAYO: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, SECULAR HUMANISM, AND OTHER SCARY THOUGHTS This talk connects A.I. to Humanism, especially about the near future for humanity. David Tamayo is president and founder of Hispanic American Freethinkers …

Secular Day at the Capitol: February 24, 2020

Secular Day at Capitol Map and Short Agenda Final Save the date: Secular Day at the Capitol is February 24, 2020. Calling ALL who support separation of church and state to join us on February 24, 2020, for our 7th Annual Secular Day at the Capitol. Her …

Sunday Speaker at HSGP: Mandisa Thomas of Black Nonbelievers

Join our friends at the Humanist Society of Greater Phoenix on Sunday, December 8, for Sunday Speaker Mandisa Thomas: “How Religion Has Crippled the Black Community.” While the Black community in the United States makes up approximately 12 percent of t …

Secular Summit 2019 Tickets Available

Join us on December 7 for the 5th annual Secular Summit! This members-only event is a day of secular networking, education, advocacy and action, including updates from our legal team and our Director of Government Affairs. (Not a member yet? Become one …

Humanist Society of Greater Phoenix Presents An Evening with Matt Dillahunty & Seth Andrews

Seth Andrews and Matt Dillahunty team up for a one-night event hosted by the Humanist Society of Greater Phoenix. Join us for a fun evening of conversation and plenty of interaction with Seth and Matt, with the option of a VIP Dinner with Matt and Seth …

AZ Supreme Court Upholds Bigotry in the Name of Religious Freedom

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Secular government supporters decry Supreme Court decision upholding religious discrimination against LGBTQ customers (Wed., Sept 17, 2019) Phoenix, Ariz. — The Arizona Supreme Court decided 4-3 yesterday that business owners who …

Happy Hour with the Secular Stars – RSVP Today!

Join us in Phoenix/Tempe or Tucson (or both!) for our annual Happy Hours with the Secular Stars Enjoy drinks and appetizers as you learn about Secular AZ’s successes, meet our Secular Star lawmakers, and mingle with other Arizonans who want church and …

Eat Pizza, Support Separation of Church and State

How? Simply eat at Blaze Pizza on Thursday, August 29th between 4 and 8 pm! Show the flyer (below) when you pay (you can pull it up on your phone or print it), and Blaze will donate 20% of the bill to Secular AZ. It’s a great way to support separation …

2019 Legislative Scorecard and Wrap Up are Here

To provide constituents with an accurate picture of how AZ state lawmakers represented their interests, Secular AZ monitored dozens of legislative issues and bills of interest, and assigned each AZ state legislator points for pro- or anti- secular acti …

Happy Hours in Tucson and Phoenix/Tempe

In Memoriam of Mike Steiner

Secular AZ mourns the loss of our dear friend Michael Steiner, who passed away last week. Mike was a constant presence in the Arizona secular community, serving on the Boards of Secular AZ, Freedom from Religion Foundation – Valley of the Sun Chapter, …

We Did It!! Bill Funneling Taxpayer $ to Fake “Women’s Health Clinics” Defeated

GOOD NEWS! Late night, the AZ Senate voted down a terrible bill that would have funneled taxpayer money into fake “women’s health” clinics that were, in reality, fronts for pro-life groups that seek to thwart access to safe, legal abortion. HB 2 …

TAKE ACTION NOW Against Bills That Funnel Taxpayer $ to Anti-Choice Fake Health Centers

Mirror bills HB2759 and S1547 just passed committee and will likely be heard on the floor this evening. We need your voice to stop them on the floor. Please contact your own legislators as well as targeted Republicans Rep. Steve Pierce (LD-1) [602-926 …

#StopTheBans National Day of Action

Georgia. Ohio. Kentucky. Missouri. Alabama. ALL of these states’ Republican majorities have voted to effectively ban abortion in their states. And there are other states lining up to the be next state to “nearly or effectively ban abortion.” Abortion b …

Secular AZ Asks AZ Congressional Delegates to Support Do No Harm Act of 2019

The Secular Coalition for Arizona requests that Arizona’s Congressional Delegates sponsor and support the Do No Harm Act of 2019, sponsored in the Senate by Senator Kamala Harris (S. 593) and in the House by Representative Joseph Kennedy (H.R. 1450). W …

Religious Messaging on the Governor’s Official Social Media

Why does Governor Ducey appear to be using an official government Facebook page to promote explicit religious messaging? The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution prohibits government sponsorship of religious messages. Al …

“Be the Curators of Inspiration”: Listen to Robert People‘s Secular Invocation

Follow this link to watch Robert Peoples of the Affinis Humanity Coalition deliver a moving secular invocation before the AZ State Senate as a guest of Sen. Andrea Dalessandro and Secular AZ. https://youtu.be/xHvVnrprETQ For a transcript, visit Patheos …

“Be the Curators of Inspiration”: Listen to Robert People’s Secular Invocation

Your Donations Doubled & a Grant Competition

Right now, you have two unique opportunities to support Secular AZ! Thanks to a generous Secular Supporter, all gifts will be matched up to $40,000 and We’re participating in the “A Community Thrives” grant competition. Each week until April 12, non-p …

Secular AZ Responds to Camp Verde H.S. Bible Instruction

Please read Secular AZ’s letter to the Camp Verde Unified School District re: proposed bible instruction at Camp Verde High School. It is well-settled that public schools may not advance or promote religion; the government must not encroach on personal …

Why is AZ Taxpayer Money Funding a Hate Group?

Hey Arizonans… Ever seen those “In God We Trust” license plates? Did you know that $17 for each plate sold goes to the Alliance Defending Freedom, an anti-LGBTQ, anti-reproductive rights organization designated as a hate group by the Southern Poverty …

Meet FFRF’s Dan Barker

Meet FFRF’s Dan Barker Please join Freedom From Religion Foundation- Valley of the Sun Chapter and Secular Communities for Arizona for a special event featuring Dan Barker. Thursday, March 14 6p-9p Humanist Community Center 627 W. Rio Salado Pkwy, Mes …

Executive Director Position at Humanist Society of Greater Phoenix

The Humanist Society of Greater Phoenix, one of Secular AZ’s liaised organiztions, seeks an Executive Director. Please see attached file for more information. If you are interested in this position, please email your resume and any additional informati …

Secular Day at the Capitol

Secular Day at the Capitol MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2019, 9a-3p ARIZONA STATE CAPITOL LAWN 1700 W WASHINGTON STREET PHOENIX, AZ Join hundreds of Arizonans who support secular public policy and make your voice heard at the State Capitol! We’ll enjoy tours, …

Secular Summit: RSVP Today!

Join secular public policy supporters from around the state for the 4th annual Secular Summit! Get inspired and engaged during this day of networking, advocacy training and education as we prepare for the 2019 Legislative Session. When …

YOU DID IT! AZ Science Standards to be Based on Actual Science

Give yourselves a hand, Secular Supporters! You spoke out en masse, and your voices were heard. Thanks in large parts to your activism, the AZ Board of Education voted 6-4 to adopt science standards that recognize evolution and climate change, re …

Board of Education Rally – Superintendent Douglas Complains About Secular Response

Secular Supporters, your voices are being heard! At the Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Diane Douglas gave us her opinion. Take a look at this video to see her comments… and our response. (Here’s a hint: She’s not happy with us!) …

2018 AZ Legislative Voter Guide

Want to know where the candidates stand on the issues? Before you vote, peruse our 2018 Arizona Legislative Voter Guide. Candidates running for Arizona State Senate and State House of Representatives received the Secular Coalition for Arizona’s “ …

Candidate Surveys for November, 2018 Election

We want you to be informed before November’s election! The Secular Coalition for Arizona offered each candidate the opportunity to respond to a survey about their views on secular-related issues. We’ll publish each survey as we receive it. …

Secular AZ Lauds Decision Limiting School Board Prayer

Secular Coalition for Arizona www.secularaz.org Contact: Tory Roberg, Director of Government Affairs – tory@secularaz.org – 623-570-6396 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Secular AZ lauds decision limiting school board prayer (Thurs., July 26, 2018) Phoenix, Ariz …

Reverend Speaks Out Against Removing Evolution from Science Standards

Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas is attempting to limit the use of the word “evolution” in Arizona high schools’ science curriculum, in spite of more than a year of work by 100 educators, parents and community members who drafted …

2018 Legislative Scorecards

Our 2018 Legislative Scorecards are here! How did your representatives vote on the issues?

Evolution Under Attack in AZ Science Standards

We believe that the science education in Arizona schools should be based on scientific fact, not religious dogma… and science teachers from around the world agree! That’s why we’re concerned about Superintendent Diane Douglas’ attempt to cast doubt o …

Secular AZ: Public Schools Should Not Actively Promote Belief in God

The AZ House voted to allow the phrase “God Enriches” – an English translation of the state motto that references the Biblical book of Genesis – to be posted in Arizona’s public schools. Secular AZ’s Tory Roberg has some thoughts on why this violation …

Do We Need (Yet Another) Religious Endorsement in AZ Public Schools?

The Friendly Atheist can’t understand why the AZ Senate passed SB1289, allowing teachers and administrators to post a translation of the AZ state motto, Ditat Deus, in classrooms…. and Secular AZ agrees. Historically, the motto has alw …

Secular AZ in the Media: Jewish News

Secular Day at the Capitol Featured in Jewish News Secular AZ”s annual Secular Day at the Capitol event was featured in Jewish News, including interviews with BOD Chair Zenaido Quintana, Director of Government Affairs Tory Roberg, and Kent Barrabee Vi …

2017 Legislative Wrap Up is Here

The Secular Coalition for Arizona (Secular AZ) ignited our 2017 legislative work in a charged political environment colored by the general election. We started strong, locking arms in solidarity with over 40 anti-discrimination groups during an Opening …

“Nones” Now Largest Religious Demographic in 20 States

A September, 2017 study from the Public Religion Research Institute found that those identifying as non-religious are the largest demographic in 20 states, including Arizona. (Here in AZ, “nones” make up 26% of the population.) Of these, six in 10 iden …

Fighting Against the Unconstitutional Use of Taxpayer Money to Endorse Religion in Fountain Hills

Secular AZ Board member and attorney Dianne Post joined concerned Fountain Hills residents to bring attention to the town’s improper and unconstitutional use of taxpaper money to promote a religious event. At a June 1 Town Council meeting, FH resident …

Phoenix New Times: Whose Higher Power?

The Phoenix New Times published an article on Republican House members’ overreach after Rep. Athena Salman offered a secular invocation on the House Floor earlier this week. As Salman noted, “The Arizona House of Representatives is the people’s h …

Regarding official government prayer

On April 18th, 2017, State Representative Athena Salman offered a humanist invocation written by a member of her community, the Humanist Society of Greater Phoenix. House leadership then ruled that, despite Salman’s assertion that her higher power is “ …

Religious Preference in the House: Rep. Salman and Secular AZ in “The Nation”

Secular Coalition for Arizona was featured in The Nation magazine this week. The article — entitled An Arizona Legislator Gave an Invocation that Didn’t Mention God. You Won’t Believe What Happened Next — detailed the controversy that er …

Deadline: March 8 – Sign into “Request to Speak” against SB1439

Speak up for End-of-Life Choices- DEADLINE: MARCH 8 @ 2PM – SIGN INTO THE LEGISLATURE’S “REQUEST TO SPEAK” SYSTEM IN OPPOSITION TO SB1439 We invite you to join us on March 8 at 2pm at the Arizona House of Representatives, Judiciary and P …

Step-by-step guide on Legislature’s “Request to Speak” System (RTS)

You’ve heard us ask you to sign into the “Request to Speak” system in support or opposition to bills we are following at the Arizona State Legislature. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use this system from the comfort of your own home. …

Weekly Update from the AZ Capitol

First: we’re continuing to fight two subjective morality bills that just passed the Senate. The CAP-written S1367 forces doctors to perform life-saving procedures on aborted and preterm births, even when it is clear resuscitation is futile an …

Secular AZ to Corporation Commission: All or nothing when it comes to prayer

In a January 10, 2017 press release, the Corporation Commission announced that it will start a new practice: starting meetings with a prayer. Contrary to the statements of Chairman Tom Forese, prayer in any form does not encompass all faiths and belief …

Opening Day Rally & the Anti-Hate Pledge

On Monday, January 9, 2017, Secular Coalition for Arizona stood in unity with over 40 groups at an anti-hate rally for the opening day of the 53rd Arizona State Legislature. Watch video of our Government Affairs Director, Tory Roberg, as she rep …

AZ State Legislature – A Look Into 2017

The Secular Coalition for Arizona is dismayed about the results of Tuesday night’s election. We’re especially concerned about preserving secular public education, equal rights for all, safe and affordable access to women’s reproductive health ser …

The Religiously Unaffiliated: An Important and Growing Group

Read more or click here to see the original post written by the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) about their latest national survey that highlights an important and growing group: The religiously unaffiliated. This is why secular activism and …