The Religious Freedom Restoration Act as a Gun
By Matthew Adler, Secular AZ legal intern In a recent unanimous decision, the Supreme Court held that government officials may be sued in a personal capacity for money damages when they violate the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). This decisio …
Urgent: final votes imminent on dangerous religious exemptions bill
On short notice, religious exemptions bill HB2648 has been fast-tracked for final votes at the State Legislature today. Proponents of HB2648 claim that the bill merely protects the right to worship during public emergencies. But the bill is much more e …
52 years after Stonewall, a new call to action
We believe that Pride — observed this month to mark the Stonewall Uprising of June 28th, 1969 — is both a celebration and a call to action. We delight in the size and diversity of the LGBTQ+ community while coalescing around the struggle for justice. 5 …
State budget set to reflect Christian nationalist priorities
Voting resumed at the State Capitol this week after a long deadlock over the state budget. This was an intense week. The majority party pushed through a budget that was neither discussed with nor vetted with the rest of the Legislature. This included s …
Breaking Down Fulton v. Philadelphia
Last week, the US Supreme Court once again ruled in favor of forcing Americans to fund religious organizations — and handed those organizations another special license to discriminate. Under Fulton v. Philadelphia, the Court ruled that the city could n …
On Pride
Intersectionality is at the heart of activism. That’s why we’re taking this month to commemorate June 28, 1969 — the day police raided the Stonewall Inn, a New York meeting place for LGBTQ+ people. When police demanded to do “sex verification” checks o …
Secular Speaker Series: Virtual Presentations
COMING UP: July 25, 10am: Dr. William Woody on “Police Interrogation: The Search for Truth at the Intersection of History, Law and Psychology” presented by HSGP July 31, 7p: Havdalah Celebration RSVP to oradaminfo@gmail.com to receive your Zoom link …
Press release on extreme legal immunity bill for religious groups
Secular Coalition for Arizona – www.secularaz.org Contact: Tory Roberg, Director of Government Affairs – tory@secularaz.org – 623-570-6396 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Extreme legal immunity for religious groups decried by community organizations (Mon., Mar. …
Christian Nationalism is Coming for You
“[Christian Nationalists’] 20-year court packing scheme has resulted in decisions that imprint Christianity in society as privileged, and they use the court system to create exceptions for them. The recent decisions allowing churches to violate public …
HB2648: Unprecedented Legal Immunity for Religious Groups
HB2648 is the single most dangerous piece of Christian nationalist legislation introduced at in years. (Click here to read the bill’s text.) Proponents of HB 2648 claim that the bill merely protects the right to worship during public emer …
8th Annual Secular Day at the Capitol
Curious about what happens at the legislature? Want to meet your lawmaker and connect with other people who care about secular government? Tired of religious intrusions into state statute? Then we have the virtual event for you! Join us Monday, March 1 …
“Warriors for Christ” Fight Against Racial Equality
“Warriors for Christ” Fight Against Racial Equality by Sophie Carney, Secular Communities for Arizona Legal Intern On June 5, 2020, District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser had “Black Lives Matter” painted in block letters two blocks long and the entir …
Does Separation of Church and State Mean Kids Can’t Pray in Public Schools?
Myth: Thanks to separation of church and state, kids can’t pray in public schools. Some Arizona lawmakers have made headlines claiming that we don’t need to keep guns out of schools; we need to bring more prayer in. Once again, a legislator has introd …
Virtual Memorial in Honor of Mark Nisski
Please join us at a virtual memorial service for Secular AZ Board Member and friend Mark Nisski. Late last year, Arizona’s secular community lost a bright light. Mark’s enthusiasm, intellectual curiosity, energy and kindness are sorely missed. On Satur …
Does This Communion Come with COVID?
Does This Communion Come with COVID? by Sophie Carney, Secular Communities for Arizona Legal Intern New York Governor Andrew Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.68 on March 7, 2020 which, in part, placed limitations on the capacity allowances for houses o …
No, Children Cannot Be Required to Recite the Pledge of Allegiance
Children cannot be required to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Let the shenanigans begin. Now that the state legislature has started, lawmakers are working hard to figure out ways to impose group think. Representative Fillmore from the far East Valley …
A Message from the Interim Chair Re: Zenaido Quintana
During Executive Session of the January 9, 2021 Secular AZ Board Meeting, Zenaido Quintana tendered his resignation effective immediately. Not all Board members were present at the time so the remaining members scheduled a meeting on January 10 so all …
No Religious Test for Public Office
No Religious Test for Public Office Today’s political campaigns, from president on down, often include references to the religion of the candidate and how pious the candidate is. This should not be a political bellwether. The only mention of religion i …
Dianne Post: Update
Earlier, I reported on the pages of Black Collar crime from FFRF; one of the cases reported in that edition was two Amish brothers who had impregnated their 13-year-old sister. They were given a 15-year-suspended sentence with 5-years probation, commu …
Are Mormons Christians? The Question and its Implications
Are Mormons Christians? The Question and its Implications by Matthew Adler, Secular Communities for Arizona Legal Intern In a recent Arizona appellate case, the court was confronted with the age-old question of whether Mormons can be considered Christ …
My Dad’s Bigger than Your Dad: When Favorable Treatment isn’t Enough
My Dad’s Bigger than Your Dad: When Favorable Treatment isn’t Enough by Adriana Lujan-Flores, Secular Communities for AZ Legal Intern On November 25, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to stop New York Governor Andrew Cuomo from limiting church capacit …
2021 Legislative Agenda: Biden has a Big Job Ahead
Biden has a Big Job Ahead of Him: Legislative Agenda for 2021 Dianne Post, Secular AZ Legal Director The Americans United for Separation of Church and State group has put out an ambitious agenda for President-Elect Biden. The Christian nationalists ha …
In Memoriam: Mark Nisski
Secular AZ mourns the loss of Board Member and friend Mark Nisski, who passed away this week from Covid-19. Mark was a bright light in Arizona’s secular community. A true secular champion, Mark broke new ground when he founded the Kingman Freethinkers, …
AZ Code: Chock Full of Religious Favoritism
In preparation for what we hoped would be a very different legislative session in 2021, the Secular AZ legal department scoured the entire Arizona code to find all statutes related to religion and determine what needed to be fixed. We searched for “re …
Not a Christian Nation: Constitution and Democracy Mandate Separation of Church and State
The claim that this nation was founded on Christianity directly contradicts the Constitution and more than 200 years of history. The First Amendment says: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exe …
Secular Summit 2020
The Secular Summit has gone virtual! Click here to join the event on Zoom. Join secular supporters from around Arizona at our annual Secular Summit on 12/5/2020 for presentations, networking, education, advocacy and more. Because we’re meeting online, …
“The Power Worshippers”: Post Reviews Katherine Stewart’s Latest (Terrifying) Book
The Power Worshippers”: Dianne Post Reviews Katherine Stewart’s Latest (Terrifying) Book She’s done it again — she’s terrified me. Katherine Stewart has another great book in The Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism. I …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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
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 …
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
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 …
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 …