American Atheists
The American Atheists (German: American atheists ) are an American company, which campaigns for the rights of atheists and advocates a complete separation of church and state. She has become known among other things, a series of court cases in which public institutions were accused by religious practices to violate the principle of separation of religion and state, for example, by prayers in schools or the phrase " In God We Trust" on dollar banknotes and coins.
Foundation
Founded in 1963 by Madalyn Murray American Atheists O'Hair. After her assassination in 1995, Ellen Johnson assumed the presidency. On 29 April 2008, Ellen Johnson was deposed in a conference call of the board and the connected cooperatives from not detailed reasons as President. Currently, David Silverman performs the official duties. American Atheists has about 2200 members and is headquartered in Cranford (New Jersey).
Torcaso against Watkins
In 1961 had achieved a legal success later members of AA. The United States Supreme Court had the decision of Maryland canceled in case Torcaso v. Watkins. It found that if the statutory requirement, who always wants to hold public office, would have to believe in God declared unconstitutional. According to the Supreme Court would be in violation of the First Amendment. This decision is taken in favor of the effectiveness of non-religious oaths. Even today require several states in their constitutions (Arkansas, Article 19, Section 1; Maryland, Article 37; Mississippi, Article 14, Section 265, South Carolina, Article 17, Section 4; Tennessee, Article 9, Section 2; Texas, Article 1, Section 4) that the belief in God is a prerequisite for holding public office, but these laws have in fact no longer exist.
Of the AA strenuous trial (selection)
- Murray v. Curlett (1963 ) Protest against Bible classes in public schools in Maryland.
- Murray v. United States ( 1964) test, the Federal Communications Commission to bring to atheistic programs that give equal time as religious programs on the radio.
- Murray v. Nixon (1970 ) Protest against weekly worship services in the White House.
- O'Hair v. Paine (1971 ) protest against the fact that NASA astronauts Bible verses read during a live broadcast.
- O'Hair v. Cooke (1977 ) protest against the fact that at the opening of the City Council meeting in Austin, Texas prayers are held.
- O'Hair v. Blumenthal (1978 ) Protest against the use of "In God We Trust " on government currency.
- O'Hair v. Hill ( 1978) protest against the fact that the Constitution of the State of Texas makes belief in God to a condition of employment for civil servants.
- O'Hair v. Andrus (1979 ) Protest against the provision of facilities of a national park for a papal Mass in Washington, DC.
- O'Hair v. Clements (1980 ) Protest against the nativity play, which was exhibited in the Capitol in Austin, Texas.
Atheist Monument
In May 2013 agreed with the American Atheists Bradford County, Florida, next to a monument that contains the 10 Commandments on public ground an atheist monument to build the first of its kind. The monument consists of a heavy granite block on which quotes from Thomas Jefferson, Madalyn Murray O'Hair, Benjamin Franklin and John Adams are engraved. John Adams ' quote "The United States is in no sense founded on the Christian religion " ( The United States is in no way founded on the Christian religion), which originates from the Peace and Friendship Treaty of Algiers is carved, as well as passages from the Bible which describe offenses punishable by death.