admice

Someone somewhere on a thread posted about them. If so, would you reply here?

admice

Toto

Americans United is mentioned frequently here. I think I remember advising someone that they have local branches that engage in activism. What do you need to know?

Philosoft

Although I am a member and a regular contributor, I find the ACLU to be somewhat haphazard in its stances on Church-State separation. I do understand they have a much wider scope of constitutional rights to defend, so I am much more personally active in AU, as C-S separation is something I feel rather passionately about and is something that is quickly coming to the political forefront. My chapter director says, while Barry Lynn is notoriously bad about returning phone calls and responding to emails, the AU legal department, though small, is remarkably responsive.

GaryP

I have found this to be the case numerous times.

admice

Was just going to ask more about them, but have checked their site since then. (At first when someone referenced AU I found Atheist United an LA based group. Then found out it was American's United etc.) Still would like to know what people think of them also, what I would ask is what is the difference between them and FFRF? And why do we need FFRF?

admice

Dark Jedi

As to why do we need the FFRF...

Why not? I prefer options in anything I do. Why trust one organization to do everything? There is nothing wrong with parallel processes.

There is an inherent danger to putting all your eggs in one basket...

Toto

Not sure which pronouns refer to which groups.

Atheists United is a member of The Atheist Alliance, which is composed of democratic (i.e., member controlled) groups. (This is in contrast to American Atheists, which is run by a professional staff and not controlled by its members.)

FFRF is a foundation with stated goals (reflected in its name.) Some people think its spokespeople come off as strident, others think they are refreshingly honest. FFRF is opposed to religion, and posts lists of bible absurdities and atrocities.

Americans United for Separation of Church and State, however, is very pro-religion, as long as that religion is not being forced on anyone or funded by taxes. It is headed by a minister, and its position is that separation of church and state is good for religion. It is very effective in its lobbying and legal work.

theyeti

I'm a member of Americans United. They do a lot of good work on behalf of church/state separation, and provide the mass media with a lot of material on what the Religious Right is up to (for example, Jerry Falwell's absurd tirade against the purple Teletubbie was exposed by AU). Included with your membership is a subscription to Church and State, which itself is worth the price of membership (a whopping $30).

This is one organization that everyone here should be a member of. If you're not already a member, join now. If this proves difficult, simply send me your money and I'll see to it that they get it somehow.

theyeti

admice

I plan on contributing. Have too many this year since getting active and informed again, having to spread them out.

The reason I would object to having multiple organizations with the same goals is dollars going to many places and effectiveness being diluted, but your point is a good one Dark Jedi.

thanks for the input!