American Atheists warns Mahmoud v. Taylor ruling undermines public education, pluralism
Washington, D.C. – American Atheists, a national civil rights organization, condemns today’s Supreme Court decision in Mahmoud v. Taylor, agreeing with Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s stark dissent that this decision “threatens the very essence of public education.” The case was brought by a group of Maryland parents who claimed their children should be permitted to “opt out” of reading storybooks featuring LGBTQ+ characters. The plaintiffs claimed these books violated their religious beliefs. In granting parents the broad ability to opt their children out of public school curricula they deem to be objectionable, the conservative justices not only distort the principle of religious freedom but also jeopardize both the ability of schools to serve students and the ability of students to engage with diverse perspectives that are essential in America’s pluralistic society. In April, American Atheists filed an amicus brief in the case, which was joined by the Secular Student Alliance and the Secular Coalition for America. The brief argued that requiring schools and teachers to pre-clear every lesson with every parent for every possible religious objection would be infeasible and antithetical to decades of legal precedent. In her dissent, Justice Sotomayor agreed, “The result will be chaos for this Nation’s public schools… The harm will not be borne by educators alone: Children will suffer too. Classroom disruptions and absences may well inflict long-lasting harm on students’ learning and development.” At a time when classroom censorship and book bans are increasingly prevalent, American Atheists warns today’s ruling will serve as fodder for the far-religious-right’s nationwide campaign to restrict students’ access to inclusive and informative materials. Approximately 90% of kids and teens in the United States attend public schools, and an abundance of research has demonstrated the benefits of multicultural education and culturally responsive practices. Geoffrey T. Blackwell, Legal Director for American Atheists cautioned, “We have two legal systems in this country now. Atheists challenging a 40-foot Christian cross owned and maintained by the government at a major thoroughfare are told “tough luck,” and the Supreme Court says it’s a secular symbol. A high school football coach abusing his authority to force his religion on players? The Court finds he’s just engaging in free speech. But when religious parents object to their children merely being exposed to any idea that conflicts with their beliefs, this Court will tear down our entire public school system to protect their feelings.” As an organization that envisions a pluralistic society where all people can participate fully without fear, American Atheists is gravely concerned about the implications of Mahmoud v. Taylor for free speech, religious freedom, and the rights of students to access information and literature that represents the full breadth of American pluralism and a diversity of perspectives. Since its founding in 1963, American Atheists has argued freethought is foundational to democracy, and the targeted erasure of certain, nonconforming viewpoints in schools is a dangerous step toward silencing the voices of already-marginalized and -maligned communities. “A dangerous precedent has been established today, one that will censor free thought, chill free speech, and fuel the rise of authoritarian policies seeking not just to shelter kids from diverse perspectives […]
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Announcing Relocation of the 2026 World Humanist Congress
American Atheists, in close coordination with Humanists International and Humanist Canada, announces the 2026 World Humanist Congress will no longer be held in Washington, D.C., but will instead take place in Ottawa, Canada, August 7-9, 2026. The decision to relocate comes after a thorough assessment of the social, political, and economic environment in the United States under the current administration. Escalating religious nationalism and executive actions restricting movement, targeting civil society, and eroding human rights protections have created an inhospitable environment for an international gathering rooted in the values of secularism and inclusion. American Atheists planned to host the 2026 World Humanist Congress in the United States capital but concluded it is no longer possible to ensure the admissibility or security of attendees — especially those from South and Central America, the Middle East and Northern Africa, Central Asia, and other key regions. The Trump Administration’s increasingly aggressive stance toward legal immigration, its creation of ideological commissions to police “anti-Christian bias,” and retributive actions against nonprofit advocacy organizations — including humanist groups — pose serious risks to both domestic and international participants. Reductions to the U.S. Department of State’s visa application and approval capacity, combined with attendees’ reluctance to travel to D.C. and American Atheists’ inability to predict and mitigate future threats pose too large a risk to event attendees, staff, and volunteers. In response to the developing circumstances in the U.S., American Atheists, Humanists International, and Humanist Canada have worked quickly and collaboratively to secure a new location for the 2026 World Humanist Congress. “Humanists all over the world are alarmed by the escalating religious nationalism and decline in human rights protections in the United States. As a stable, inclusive, and rights-affirming environment, Canada will allow us to convene an event that truly reflects humanist values,” said Gary McLelland, Chief Executive of Humanists International. “We’ve already had very positive discussions with Canadian authorities about how they can help humanists come together in their country, and Canadian humanists are eager to welcome our global community.” “The necessity of this relocation reflects a deeply troubling reality,” said Nick Fish, President of American Atheists. “The current U.S. government is fundamentally opposed to the ideals of pluralism, religious liberty, and free thought. They are damaging our nation’s reputation overseas and dismantling the institutions and constitutional rights that undergird our democracy here at home.” “Nonetheless, our ability to convene in Canada next year demonstrates the tireless resilience of the secular community,” added Fish. “At a time when our people and values are increasingly under attack, the World Humanist Congress will carry on — not in retreat, but with a renewed purpose to peacefully yet powerfully reaffirm our unshaken support for reason, religious freedom, and equal rights for all.” Further details about the 2026 World Humanist Congress will be available in the coming weeks.
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Atheists: Skrmetti Ruling Rejects Reality & Promotes Ideology Over Liberty
Washington, D.C. — In a deeply troubling 6–3 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth. Even as transgender Americans face widespread discrimination, stigma, and violence, the Court refused to treat anti-trans laws with heightened constitutional suspicion. American Atheists, a national civil rights organization, says the Court’s ruling in U.S. v. Skrmetti is a dangerous assault on equal protection, personal autonomy, and evidence-based policy that will empower Christian Nationalist state legislators to continue targeting LGBTQ+ Americans, particularly trans young people and their families, with minimal legal scrutiny. “For this Court to say that a law banning gender-affirming care is not making distinctions based on sex is the height of absurdity,” said Geoffrey T. Blackwell, Legal Director for American Atheists. “Justice Roberts and the other ultra-conservatives on the Court are not only continuing their detachment from reason and reality but dragging the rest of us along with them.” By endorsing a law that rejects decades of scientific evidence and expert medical consensus, the Court has abandoned its duty to protect the rights and freedoms of vulnerable individuals from political overreach. Justice Clarence Thomas, in particular, argued that “elite sentiment” and “so-called experts” should not override ideologically driven or religiously motivated legislation. American Atheists warns today’s decision not only immediately threatens the well-being of transgender youth and invades their families’ private health care decisions, but also opens the door to broader political interference in medical care for all Americans. “Science is clear: gender-affirming care saves lives. It is supported by every major medical and psychological association in the country,” said Nick Fish, President of American Atheists. “And yet, this decision will encourage lawmakers across the country to introduce and enact harmful legislation that dictates who can receive what type of care, further endangering all Americans’ access to evidence-based health care and opening the door to broader, ideologically driven restrictions on our personal freedoms.” “This ruling is not only a major loss for the LGBTQ+ community but to anyone — religious or not — who believes our laws should be based on facts and freedom for all, not the faith and fears of a few,” added Fish. “To all those impacted by today’s ruling: We see you, we support you, and we will never stop fighting for your right to live free, full, and authentic lives free from religious hate, pseudoscientific bigotry, and state-sponsored discrimination.”
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Atheists Respond to Narrow Catholic Charities Ruling
Washington, D.C. – In March, American Atheists filed an amicus brief in Catholic Charities v. Wisconsin Labor and Industry Review Commission, urging the U.S. Supreme Court to affirm that employees should not be denied critical government benefits, including unemployment insurance, simply because their employer is religious. In its brief, the national civil rights organization said the Establishment Clause firmly – and rightfully – prohibits the government from using its taxation powers to coerce professions of religious belief or otherwise promote religion. As such, American Atheists asked the Court to uphold the lower court’s decision, prioritizing protections for all over the religious beliefs of a few. Today, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously sided with Catholic Charities and overturned the Wisconsin ruling. However, the justices did so on narrow grounds, invalidating only the specific analysis Wisconsin’s Supreme Court conducted in its earlier decision. The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision allows states to continue regulating faith-based entities to ensure their employees are not excluded from government protections, so long as the distinction between secular and religious activities does not rest on theological questions. “The Supreme Court’s decision today returns this case to the Wisconsin court, which must do a better job articulating the line between secular charity work and religious work,” said Geoffrey Blackwell, Legal Director for American Atheists. “Those who perform secular charitable work should not lose the protection of Wisconsin’s unemployment insurance program simply because they happen to work for a charity with religious ties.” Nick Fish, President of American Atheists, added, “Whether their employer is secular or religious, the millions of Americans who devote their lives to public service and the millions more who depend on the nonprofit sector for services deserve the full and equal protection of the law. Today’s decision is yet another unfortunate step away from that guarantee and reinforces the importance of state lawmakers working to close loopholes and narrow existing exemptions.”
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Atheists Applaud Court Decisions Supporting Public Education
Today, in a divided decision and with one recusal, the Supreme Court of the United States ultimately upheld the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s ruling that public funding for religious schools is unconstitutional. American Atheists filed an amicus brief last month urging the Court to recognize a taxpayer-funded religious school would be antithetical to our nation’s history and traditions. The brief was joined by the American Humanist Association, Secular Student Alliance, Secular Coalition for America, and the Center for Inquiry. “Today’s ruling is a major victory for nonreligious Americans and, indeed, for all supporters of church-state separation. The lower court got it right: The First Amendment is clear our government must never compel taxpayers to support a particular religion,” said Nick Fish, president of American Atheists. Also today, a federal judge blocked – at least temporarily – the White House’s unlawful directive to dismantle the Department of Education. The agency has been ordered to reinstate laid-off employees to prevent “the irreparable harm” caused by a “loss of essential services” that are required by Congress, including the enforcement of civil rights laws. “While we celebrate both of these wins, we also know Christian Nationalists will not stop here, and neither will we,” said Fish. “The very principle of religious freedom for all remains under attack. Our nonsectarian public schools are still under attack. Just last night, the House passed a disastrous voucher bill to divert public dollars to unaccountable and discriminatory religious schools. We must remain vigilant and continue fighting every day to defend the First Amendment against revisionists and religious supremacists.”
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