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{{short description|American nonprofit organization}}{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2022}}

factoids

Annie Laurie GaylorGUTIERREZTITLE=ATHEIST RADIO SHOW HOSTS GET UNWANTED CHRISTMAS PRESENT,weblinkaccess-date=29 May 2020, President (corporation)>Co-presidentDan BarkerSTANGLINTITLE=ATHEIST PRAYERS CAN BE DENIED BY HOUSE CHAPLAIN, APPEALS COURT RULESPUBLISHER=USATODAY, 29 May 2020, President (corporation)>Co-president| leader_name3 = Stephen HirtleChairman>Chair, Board of DirectorsAnne Nicol GaylorHTTPS://WWW.WASHINGTONPOST.COM/NATIONAL/ANNE-NICOL-GAYLOR-WHO-STARTED-THE-FREEDOM-FROM-RELIGION-FOUNDATION-DIES-AT-88/2015/06/17/15F25074-14FB-11E5-9DDC-E3353542100C_STORY.HTMLFIRST=DANADATE=JUNE 17, 2015, The Washington Post, Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) is an American nonprofit organization that advocates for atheists, agnostics, and nontheists. Formed in 1976, FFRF promotes the separation of church and state, and challenges the legitimacy of many federal and state programs that are faith-based. It supports groups such as nonreligious students and clergy who want to leave their faith.

History

File:Madison August 2022 057 (Freethought Hall).jpg|thumb|The Freedom From Religion Foundation's Freethought Hall in Madison, WisconsinMadison, WisconsinThe FFRF was co-founded by Anne Nicol Gaylor and her daughter, Annie Laurie Gaylor, in 1976 and was incorporated nationally on April 15, 1978."Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc." Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. Retrieved August 5, 2017.NEWS, The atheists' calling the Madison-based Freedom From Religion Foundation is taking its latest battle to the U.S. Supreme court. It's a milestone for the often-vilified but financially strong group, which has seen its membership grow to an all-time high.,weblink February 25, 2010, Erickson, Doug, Wisconsin State Journal, Madison, June 30, 2013, The organization was supported by over 19,000 members in 2012NEWS, Elbow, Steven, Crime and Courts: Madison group ramps up national fight against religion in government,weblink The Capital Times, Madison, Wisconsin, June 29, 2013, August 2, 2012, NEWS, Those who don't believe just as adamant as religious folk,weblink Aubele, Michael, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, April 1, 2012, June 30, 2013, WEB, Those who don't believe just as adamant as religious folk {{!, TribLIVE|url=http://triblive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/westmoreland/s_789342.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212113626weblink|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-12-12|date=2013-12-12|access-date=2020-05-27}} and operated from an 1855-era building in Madison, Wisconsin, that once served as a church rectory.In March 2011, FFRF, along with the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science, began The Clergy Project, a confidential on-line community that supports clergy as they leave their faith.NEWS,weblink For clergy, lost faith can lead to lost family, jobs, The Washington Post, April 30, 2012, August 6, 2013, Winston, Kimberly, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20131216054008weblink">weblink December 16, 2013, In 2012, it gave its first Freedom From Religion Foundation and Clergy Project "Hardship Grant" to Jerry DeWitt, a former pastor who left the ministry to join the atheist movement.WEB, Jerry DeWitt receives Freedom from Religion Foundation, Clergy Project Hardship Grant,weblink The Clergy Project website, October 31, 2012, June 30, 2013, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20130602235512weblink">weblink June 2, 2013, FFRF provides financial support to the Secular Student Alliance, an organization that has affiliate groups for nonreligious students on college campuses.WEB, Non-believers taking college campuses by storm,weblink 2013-02-16, Salon, en, 2020-06-01, In 2015, FFRF announced Nonbelief Relief, a related organization that obtained and later gave up its federal tax-exempt status. Nonbelief Relief was unsuccessful in a lawsuit against the IRS because it lacked standing to challenge the Form 990 exemption that applies to churches.WEB, Latest Form 990 Exemption Challenge Dismissed on Technical Grounds,weblink Branaugh, Matthew, Church Law & Tax, January 15, 2020, en, 2020-06-01, Nonbelief Relief is a humanitarian agency for atheists, agnostics, freethinkers, and their supporters.WEB, Church seeks to intervene in lawsuit over IRS tax exemption,weblink 2018-11-26, Baptist News Global, en-US, 2020-06-01, Nonbelief Relief was created by the executive board of FFRF to remediate conditions of human suffering and injustice on a global scale, whether the result of natural disasters, human actions or adherence to religious dogma.WEB, FFRF Suing IRS for Tax Exemption,weblink 2018-10-12, World Religion News, en-US, 2020-06-01,

Media and publications

The FFRF publishes a newspaper, Freethought Today, ten times a year.WEB, Freethought Today,weblink Freedom From Religion Foundation, March 24, 2017, Since 2006, as the Freethought Radio Network, FFRF has produced the Freethought Radio show, an hour-long show broadcast live on WXXM-FM Saturdays at 11 a.m. CDT. It had also been broadcast on Air America before that service ceased operation in March 2010. The show is hosted by the co-presidents of FFRF, Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor. Regular features include "Theocracy Alert" and "Freethinkers Almanac". The latter highlights historic freethinkers, many of whom are also songwriters. The show's intro and outro make use of John Lennon's Imagine song.NEWS, McCarthy, Susan, August 4, 2009, Out, atheist and American, The Guardian,weblink July 12, 2013, Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of the FFRF, is the author of the nonfiction book on clergy child sexual abuse scandals Betrayal of Trust: Clergy Abuse of Children (out of print) and the editor of Women Without Superstition: No Gods – No Masters and the anthology Woe to the Women. She edited the FFRF newspaper Freethought Today until July 2008. Her husband, Dan Barker, author of Losing Faith in Faith: From Preacher to Atheist, Godless: How an Evangelical Preacher Became One of America's Leading Atheists, The Good Atheist: Living a Purpose-Filled Life Without God, Life Driven Purpose, God: The Most Unpleasant Character in all Fiction, and Just Pretend: A Freethought Book for Children, is a musician and songwriter, a former Pentecostal Christian minister, and co-president of FFRF.{{fact|date=November 2023}}

Litigation and issues

Social programs

Social services

In June 2004, the FFRF challenged the constitutionality of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. The Foundation's complaint alleged that "the use of money appropriated by Congress under Article I, section 8, to fund conferences that various executive branch agencies hold to promote President Bush's 'Faith-Based and Community Initiatives{{'"}} conflicted with the First Amendment. The suit "contended that the defendant officials violated the Establishment Clause by organizing national and regional conferences at which faith-based organizations allegedly 'are singled out as being particularly worthy of federal funding because of their religious orientation, and the belief in God is extolled as distinguishing the claimed effectiveness of faith-based social services.{{'"}}WEB, Petition for a writ of certiorari, Case No. 06-157, Paul D., Clement,weblink Office of the United States Solicitor General, Solicitor General, United States Department of Justice, The FFRF also alleged that "the defendant officials 'engage in myriad activities, such as making public appearances and giving speeches, throughout the United States, intended to promote and advocate for funding for faith-based organizations." The FFRF further asserted, "Congressional appropriations [are] used to support the activities of the defendants."NEWS,weblink Test for faith-based programs, Chicago Tribune, 27 February 2007, 31 August 2013, Demirjian, Karoun, In 2007 the Supreme Court ruled 5–4 that taxpayers do not have the right to challenge the constitutionality of expenditures made by the executive branch.COURT, Hein v. Freedom From Religion Foundation, June 25, 2007, U.S., U.S., 551, 587,weblink JOURNAL, Slamming the courthouse door on church-state cases?, American Humanist Association, The Humanist, March–April 2007, 67, 2, 38, Boston, Rob, NEWS,weblink Faith-based case divides justices, Chicago Tribune, 1 March 2007, 31 August 2013, Demirjian, Karoun, In May 2007, the FFRF, on behalf of Indiana taxpayers, challenged the creation of a chaplaincy pilot program for the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA). The FSSA hired Pastor Michael L. Latham, a Baptist minister, in 2006, at a salary of $60,000 a year. In September 2007, in response to the FFRF's suit, Indiana ended the program.NEWS,weblink The New York Times, Indiana, faced with suit, takes chaplain off payroll, Neela, Banerjee, September 28, 2007, July 1, 2013,

Health care

In April 2003, the FFRF, on behalf of Montana residents, sued the Montana Office of Rural Health and its executive director David M. Young along with the Montana State University-Bozeman and the Montana Faith-Health Cooperative. It was alleged that Young favored faith-based nursing parish programs for state funding.NEWS,weblink Federal judge strikes down Montana 'faith-based' program, Associated Baptist Press, November 2, 2004, July 31, 2013, In October 2004, the Federal District Court for the District of Montana held that the state's "direct and preferential funding of inherently and pervasively religious parish nursing programs was undertaken for the impermissible purpose, and has the impermissible effect, of favoring and advancing the integration of religion into the provision of secular health care services." According to the court, the state funding of faith-based healthcare violated the First Amendment.COURT, Freedom From Religion Foundation v. Montana Office of Rural Health, No. CV 03-30-BU-RWA, D. Mont., Memorandum and Order, October 26, 2004. Retrieved July 1, 2013.In April 2006, the FFRF sued to challenge the pervasive integration of "spirituality" into health care by the Department of Veteran Affairs. Specifically stating that the practice of asking patients about their religion in spiritual assessments, the use of chaplains to treat patients, and drug and alcohol treatment programs that incorporate religion violated the separation of state and church.NEWS,weblink Court rejects suit opposing religion in veterans' care, Reading Eagle, August 9, 2008, August 1, 2013, Associated Press, March 3, 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160303211959weblink">weblink dead, The case was later dismissed after the Hein decision because of lack of standing.COURT, Freedom From Religion Foundation v. Nicholson, August 5, 2008, 7th Cir.,weblink 07-1292,

Education

In 2001, the FFRF, on behalf of anonymous plaintiffs, sued the Rhea County School District. The plaintiffs alleged that weekly bible classes were being held for all students in the elementary schools.NEWS,weblink Federal appeals court in Tennessee affirms ban on Bible class at county's public schools, Bowling Green, KY, Daily News, June 7, 2004, August 1, 2013, Poovey, Bill, In June 2004, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district judgment holding that it was unconstitutional for the school district to "teach the Bible as literal truth" to students, including first graders.COURT, Doe v. Porter, 370, F.3d, 558, 6th Cir., June 7, 2004,weblink July 1, 2013, In March 2005, the FFRF filed suit against the University of Minnesota because of its involvement with the Minnesota Faith Health Consortium, a partnership with Luther Seminary, which is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, and Fairview Health Services, stating that state taxpayer funds are helping to fund a faith-based organization. In September 2005, the University agreed to end the partnership and to cease teaching "courses on the intersection of faith and health", with the FFRF agreeing to drop its lawsuit.NEWS, Lederman, Doug, Faith and health part II,weblink Inside Higher Ed, September 12, 2005, July 1, 2013, NEWS, Malladi, Sundeep, Madison-based group sues University of Minnesota,weblink The Badger Herald,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20070307033401weblink">weblink March 7, 2007, March 31, 2005, Madison, WI, In April 2005, the FFRF filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education because of its distribution of funds to the Alaska Christian College, a Bible college run by the Evangelical Covenant Church of Alaska. The foundation stated that in the students' first year at the college, they take only religious-based courses, and finish that year with a Certificate of Biblical Studies. The college, the foundation says, "does not offer traditional college courses, such as math or English".NEWS,weblink Church, state and the academic pork barrel, Inside Higher Ed, April 28, 2005, August 1, 2013, Lederman, Doug, In October 2005 the FFRF and the U.S. Department of Education settled the lawsuit, with the Department of Education agreeing not to distribute $435,000{{Clarify|reason=Was that the entire amount under controversy, or were some federal funds still distributed, and if so, how much?|date=February 2016}} of federal funds to the College.WEB, Lederman, Doug, Education Dept. suspends grant to Christian college,weblink Inside Higher Ed, July 1, 2013, October 11, 2005, A December 2020 article by Hemant Mehta outlined recent FFRF efforts. FFRF argues to limit official role of Pastor Mark Thornton at Boise State. A letter sent by the FFRF Staff Attorney Chris Line included:"Boise State football players have no government-imposed burden on their religion, so there is no need – or legitimate legal reason – for Boise State to provide a chaplain for them."Legal Counsel for the University responded with the following:"We have been in communication with the Athletic Department to provide some education about this issue and to ensure measures are taken now and in the future to resolve the issue and establish appropriate constitutional boundaries. Mr. Thornton did not travel with the football team to our recent game in Wyoming and the university will no longer include a chaplain in its travel party. Written references to Mr. Thornton as the chaplain of the football team have been or are in the process of being removed and no future references will be made in writing or otherwise."Mehta continues: "None of that means students can't seek Thornton out on their own. They’ve always been free to do that. But Thornton can't – and shouldn't – have any sort of official role there."WEB, Mehta, Hemant, Hemant Mehta, Boise State Gets Rid of Football Team's Chaplain After Constitutional Concerns,weblink 22 December 2020,

Criminal justice programs

In October 2000, the FFRF brought suit, as taxpayers in the state of Wisconsin, against Faith Works located in Milwaukee. Their case stated that a faith-based addiction-treatment program should not be used as a court-ordered treatment program using taxpayer funds.NEWS,weblink Funding of Faith Works challenged, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, October 14, 2000, July 31, 2013, Murphy, Kevin, August 13, 2021,weblink dead, In January 2002, the ruling was decided in the FFRF's favor; that receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars in public money is in violation of the Establishment Clause. The judge wrote "Because I find that the Department of Workforce Development's grant to Faith Works constitutes unrestricted, direct funding of an organization that engages in religious indoctrination, I conclude that this funding stream violates the establishment clause."COURT, Freedom From Religion Foundation v.McCallum, 179, F.Supp.2nd, 950, W.D. Wis., January 7, 2002,weblink July 1, 2013, On Appeal, in April 2003, the Seventh Circuit later ruled against the FFRF on the narrower issue of whether prisoners joining specific faith-based programs on their own free will are coerced by government endorsement of religion.COURT, Freedom From Religion Foundation v. McCallum, 324, F.3d, 880, 7th Cir., April 2, 2003,weblink July 1, 2013, The FFRF brought a suit against the awarding of a federal grant to MentorKids USA, a group providing mentors to children of prisoners, alleging that only Christian mentors were hired and that they were to give monthly reports on the children's religious activities.NEWS,weblink Faith-based Grant to Arizona Group Blocked, The Madison Courier, January 5, 2005, August 1, 2013, Ross, JR, Associated Press, In January 2005, the court vacated HHS's funding of this group citing "federal funds have been used by the MentorKids program to advance religion in violation of the Establishment Clause".COURT, Freedom From Religion Foundation v. Towey, No. 04-C-381-S, W.D. Wis., July 1, 2013, Memorandum and Order {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005015301weblink |date=2013-10-05 }}, January 11, 2005. Retrieved July 1, 2013.In May 2006, the FFRF filed suit against the Federal Bureau of Prisons alleging that its decision to fund not only multi-faith-based but also single-faith-based programs violated constitutional standards for separation of state and church.NEWS, FFRF lawsuit halts federal faith prison program, November 9, 2006, Freethought Today, 23, 9,weblink July 1, 2013, FFRF, August 10, 2021,weblink dead, The parties later agreed to a dismissal of that claim, but additional counts within the lawsuit, alleging separate violations, continued.COURT, Freedom From Religion Foundation v. Gonzales, 06-C-0244-S, W.D. Wis., 2006, Complaint, May 4, 2006. Retrieved July 1, 2013.BOOK, Sullivan, Winnifred Fallers, Prison Religion: Faith-Based Reform and the Constitution,weblink July 1, 2013, 2011, Princeton University Press, 978-1400830374, 242,

Religion in the public sphere

Employment issues

In 1995, the FFRF sued the state of Wisconsin for designating Good Friday as a state legal holiday. In 1996, the federal district court ruled that Wisconsin's Good Friday holiday was indeed a First Amendment violation because, in reference to Wisconsin's Good Friday holiday law, the "promotion of Christianity is the primary purpose of the law."COURT, Freedom From Religion Foundation v. Thompson, 920, F.Supp., 969, W.D. Wis., February 23, 1996,weblink July 1, 2013,

Public funding

FFRF opposed the city of Versailles, Kentucky helping a church get federal funding to create a local disaster relief center.WEB, Saitta, Danielle, February 18, 2021, Potential church relief shelter causes controversy,weblink March 30, 2021, ABC 36 News, en-US, The FFRF is filling a lawsuit on behalf of four residents against the state of South Carolina to oppose the funding to Christian Learning Centers of Greenville County to build a private religious school, and the FFRF is challenging that it is unconstitutional. WEB, Pal, Amit, S.C. religious school funding unconstitutional, charges new FFRF lawsuit - Freedom From Religion Foundation,weblink 2022-09-25, ffrf.org, en-gb,

Religious displays on public property

In December 2007, the FFRF, on behalf of a group of concerned Green Bay residents and invoking the First Amendment rights of all of the city's residents, sued the city because of the placement of a nativity scene at Green Bay's city hall. Before the case was heard, the city removed the nativity scene. The judge then dismissed the suit, citing lack of jurisdiction. Since the nativity scene already was removed and a moratorium imposed on future such displays, there remained no basis for continued dispute. He went on to say, "the plaintiffs have already won. ... the Plaintiffs have won a concrete victory that changes the circumstances on the ground."COURT, Freedom From Religion Foundation v. City of Green Bay, 07-C-1151, 2008, E.D. Wis., Decision and Order Granting Defendants' Motion to Dismiss, October 7, 2008. Retrieved July 1, 2013.In 2011, in response to the refusal of the city of Warren, Michigan, to remove a nativity display in the civic center, the FFRF sought to place a winter solstice display. The mayor refused the request and the FFRF brought suit. The suit was dismissed by Judge Zatkoff of the U.S. District Court; the dismissal was upheld by the U.S. 6th Circuit Court in 2013.COURT, Freedom From Religion Foundation v. City of Warren, 6th Cir., 12-1858, February 25, 2013,weblink In September 2011, the FFRF, along with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), sued the Giles County, Virginia, school district on behalf of anonymous plaintiffs. A display of the Ten Commandments had been placed beside a copy of the U.S. Constitution at Giles County public schools. Prior to the suit, in January and June 2011, the FFRF and the ACLU had sent letters to the school board requesting removal of the display. The school superintendent ordered that the displays of the Ten Commandments be removed. The Giles County school board met in June 2011 and voted to overturn the superintendent's decision to remove the display.PRESS RELEASE,weblink Groups promise lawsuit if Giles County School Board orders reposting of Ten Commandments, American Civil Liberties Union, June 1, 2011, July 30, 2013, Giles County, VA, After the suit was filed, the school board in 2012 agreed to remove the display and to pay attorneys' fees.COURT, Doe 1 et. al v. School Board of Giles County, 7:11-cv-00435, 2012, W.D. Va., Complaint, 2011. Retrieved July 2, 2013.NEWS, Salinas, Orlando, Settlement reached in Giles Co. Ten Commandments battle,weblink WDBJ, July 2, 2012, July 2, 2013, Roanoke/Lynchburg, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20130514201024weblink">weblink May 14, 2013, In November 2011, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker referred to the Capitol's Christmas tree as a "Christmas tree" instead of a "holiday tree". The FFRF, which opposed prior efforts to restore the name to "Christmas tree" objected to the title.WEB, It's a Christmas Tree, not holiday tree in state capital rotunda,weblink Inc, Midwest Communications, 1330 & 101.5 WHBL, 2020-05-18, In May 2012, the FFRF, acting on a complaint from a resident, asked the city of Woonsocket, Rhode Island, to remove a Latin cross from a World War I and II memorial on public land.NEWS, Hundreds gather to defend Woonsocket memorial,weblink The Boston Globe, May 2, 2012, Associated Press, Niedowski, Erika, July 3, 2013, The city refused to do so. The FFRF states that it is currently looking for a plaintiff in the area to represent for a suit,NEWS,weblink FFRF hasn't changed stance on monument, The Call (Woonsocket), The Call, March 5, 2013, August 1, 2013, Baron, Jim, Woonsocket, RI, which the FFRF have yet to do, citing the difficulty with another case that occurred with another plaintiff in the state, Jessica Ahlquist, in the case Ahlquist v. Cranston.On July 24, 2012, after receiving a letter from the FFRF, the Steubenville, Ohio, city council decided to remove the image of the Christ the King Chapel at the Franciscan University of Steubenville from its town logo.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}In August 2012, the FFRF, on behalf of a resident, threatened a lawsuit challenging a Latin cross that had been displayed on top of the water tower of Whiteville, Tennessee. After the FFRF wrote three initial letters, but before the lawsuit was filed, the town removed one arm of the cross.NEWS, Whiteville settles lawsuit over cross atop tower,weblink August 10, 2012, Associated Press, Knoxville News Sentinel, July 3, 2013, The removal cost the town $4,000, and as part of the settlement the town paid $20,000 in the FFRF's attorneys fees.NEWS, Whiteville settles cross lawsuit,weblink August 10, 2012, WBBJ-TV, 7 Eyewitness News, July 2, 2013, West Tennessee, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20131005003029weblink">weblink October 5, 2013, The town also agreed never to replace the missing arm and not to place other crosses on public property.In August 2012, the FFRF, on behalf of a Montana resident, sued the United States Forest Service. A special use permit for the placement of a statue of Jesus on federal land was granted in 1954 at the request of the Knights of Columbus.PRESS RELEASE,weblink Media Information Sheet (Montana Jesus Statue – FFRF v. Weber), The Becket Fund, 29 August 2013, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20131007083351weblink">weblink 7 October 2013, The Forest Service continued to grant renewals of the permit until 2010. When the Service declined to renew, the Knights declined to remove the statue citing "tradition" and the "historical" value of the statue.WEB,weblink Monumental Mistake: A Statue Of Jesus In A National Forest Violates Church-State Separation, ACLU, 11 October 2011, 29 August 2013, Brown, Simon, NEWS,weblink Legal Battle Ignites Over Jesus Statue in Montana, The New York Times, 24 November 2011, 29 August 2013, Frosch, Dan, After on-line protests the statue was allowed to stay and the permit granted. The FFRF filed suit in February 2012.COURT, Freedom From Religion Foundation v. United States Forest Service, 2012, Complaint, February 2012. Retrieved 29 August 2013. In June 2013, a federal judge found in favor of the defendants, allowing the statue to remain.COURT, Freedom From Religion Foundation v. United States Forest Service, 2013, Order {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215100134weblink |date=December 15, 2013 }}, 24 June 2013. Retrieved August 29, 2013. In August 2013, the FFRF filed an appeal of the decision.NEWS,weblink Jesus statue in Montana target of Freedom From Religion Foundation, WSAU 550AM, 26 August 2013, 29 August 2013, Lee, Larry, The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected FFRF's arguments and upheld the memorial.WEB, Appeals court upholds decision allowing statue of Jesus on Montana mountain {{!, Fox News|url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/appeals-court-upholds-decision-allowing-statue-of-jesus-on-montana-mountain.amp|website=www.foxnews.com|access-date=2020-05-15}}In 2012, the FFRF wrote several letters to Prudhommes Restaurant, in Columbia, Pennsylvania, explaining that offering a 10% discount to Sunday patrons who present a church bulletin is a violation of state and federal law, specifically the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The individual who brought the matter to the FFRF's attention has filed a discrimination complaint with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission. The FFRF was only involved in an advisory capacity.NEWS, Prudhomme's cites surge of support, patrons after complaint by atheist,weblink July 18, 2012, Hilton, John, July 3, 2013, Lancaster Newspapers, Inc., Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era, dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20131004234539weblink">weblink October 4, 2013, The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission entered a final order allowing the restaurant to continue the church bulletin discount.WEB, PA Human Relations Commission Allows Prudhomme's Church Bulletin Discount to Continue,weblink 2012-11-28, Pennsylvania Family Institute, en-US, 2020-05-15, A lighted cross in a public park in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, was removed by the borough in 2018 after complaints from FFRF. Not far from the park a solar-powered 28-foot cross was erected by a local resident on his own property.WEB, Harrison, Courtney, March 30, 2021, New cross reappears over Honesdale,weblink April 7, 2021, WNEP ABC News, en-US,

Prayer in government/schools

In October 2008, the FFRF filed suit against the U.S. government over the statute establishing the National Day of Prayer (NDoP). In 2010, Federal judge Barbara Brandriff Crabb ruled it unconstitutional as it is "an inherently religious exercise that serves no secular function".National Day of Prayer:

• NEWS,weblink Federal judge strikes down National Day of Prayer statute, Gilgoff, Dan, April 16, 2010, CNN, July 1, 2013,
• NEWS, Federal judge rules National Day of Prayer unconstitutional,weblink The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, OH, Associated Press, Richmond, Todd, April 16, 2010, July 1, 2013,
• NEWS,weblink Legal Skirmish Colors National Day Of Prayer, The Huffington Post, 22 June 2010, 4 September 2013, Banks, Adelle M.,

The FFRF, in January 2013, after receiving a complaint from a resident, asked the city council of Rapid City, South Dakota, to eliminate its practice of beginning each city council meeting with a Christian prayer. After the FFRF sent a second letter in February 2013, the mayor stated at that time that prayers would continue.NEWS, Anti-prayer group fires second salvo,weblink February 17, 2013, July 3, 2013, Orlowski, Aaron, Rapid City Journal, Joseph Richardson, of Lake County, Florida, delivered a secular invocation on behalf of "non-religious citizens" at a county commission meeting on Tuesday, December 6, 2022. Following the invocation the director of Lake County Public Works Fred Schneider took the microphone and delivered a prayer at the request of the Lake County Commissioner Sean Parks.Christopher Line, an FFRF attorney, wrote a letter to the Lake County Commission Chairman Kirby Smith stating, "This Christian prayer, delivered because the invocation Mr. Richardson gave was not sufficiently Christian, was discriminatory, unconstitutional, and a slap in the face to all of Lake County's non-Christian citizens. [...] as long as the board continues to allow citizens to deliver invocations to begin its meetings, it must treat all invocations the same, with no ‘corrective’ Christian prayer offered after a non-Christian prayer has finished."Sean Parks stated that he was, "saddened to hear that Mr. Richardson felt he was mistreated during the invocation" and "We would welcome them [the Central FL Freethought Community] back if they wish to lead the invocation in the future."WEB, Hudak, Stephen, Nonreligious advocate says his invocation was 'not sufficiently Christian' for Lake County,weblink Orlando Sentinal,weblink 9 March 2024, March 9, 2024,

Internal Revenue Service

Parish exemption

The FFRF filed suit against the IRS over the parish exemption that allows "ministers of the gospel" to claim part of their salary as an income-tax-free housing allowance. This was originally filed in 2009, in California,COURT, Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. v. Geithner, 715, F.Supp2d., 1051, E.D. Cal., May 21, 2010,weblink COURT, Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. v. Geithner, 644, F.3d, 836, 9th Cir., May 9, 2011,weblink then subsequently dropped and re-filed in 2011, in Wisconsin,NEWS, Madison atheists sue to end IRS break to ministers,weblink Vielmetti, Bruce, September 16, 2011, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, July 12, 2013, COURT, Freedom From Religion Foundation v. Geithner, 11-CV-626, W.D. Wis., 2011, Complaint {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213084615weblink |date=December 13, 2013 }}, September 13, 2011. Retrieved July 12, 2013. because of standing. In August 2012, a federal judge stated that the suit could go forward. In August 2013, the Justice Department argued that leaders of an atheist group may qualify for the parish exemption. Gaylor states "this is not what we are after",NEWS,weblink Feds say OK to atheists on religion tax break, USA Today, August 20, 2013, August 23, 2013, Smietana, Bob, going on to say that the government should not give religious groups any special treatment.NEWS,weblink Government lawyers advocate For atheism as a religion, Forbes.com, August 18, 2013, August 23, 2013, Reilly, Peter J., On November 21, 2013, a federal judge ruled in the FFRF's favor.NEWS,weblink With court ruling, clergy housing allowances come in for intense scrutiny, Wisconsin State Journal, 22 December 2013, 25 December 2013, Erickson, Doug, COURT, FFRF, Inc., Annie Laurie Gaylor and Dan Barker, v. Jacob Lew and Daniel Werfel, W.D. Wis., 23 November 2013,weblink 25 December 2013, In January 2014, the Department of Justice filed an appeal in federal court.NEWS,weblink Obama administration to appeal clergy tax ruling, apdnews.com, 27 January 2014, 26 February 2014, Dilday, Robert, In November 2014, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit issued its decision, concluding that the federal tax code provision that treats church-provided housing allowances to ministers as income tax-free must stand.WEB, Appeals Court Rejects Atheist Challenge to the Clergy Housing Exclusion, November 13, 2014, Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability,weblink

Electioneering

In November 2012, The FFRF filed a lawsuit against the IRS for not enforcing its own electioneering laws. The FFRF cited in its suit the placement of full-page ads by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association; the diocese requiring priests to read a statement urging Catholics to vote; and the institution of "Pulpit Freedom Sunday". The group claimed that not enforcing the federal tax codes that prohibit tax-exempt religious organizations from electioneering is a violation of the First Amendment of the Constitution.NEWS,weblink How US churches exploit tax exemption to promote faith-based politics, November 20, 2012, July 12, 2013, Stewart, Katherine, Kathern Stewart, The Guardian, NEWS,weblink Freedom From Religion Foundation sues IRS for not enforcing electioneering restrictions on churches, Isthmus (newspaper), Isthmsus, The Daily Page, November 14, 2012, August 23, 2013, Davidoff, Judith, The group stated that the increasing involvement of religious institutions in politics was "blatantly and deliberately flaunting the electioneering restrictions".NEWS,weblink Freedom From Religion Foundation sues IRS over political activity by churches, religious groups, The Huffington Post, November 15, 2012, August 23, 2013, Bauer, Scott, The IRS had filed a motion to dismiss in federal court, but in August 2013 it was decided that the lawsuit could proceed stating that the FFRF "has standing to seek an order requiring the IRS to treat religious organizations no more favorably than it treats the Foundation".NEWS,weblink Atheists can sue IRS over failure to enforce limits on churches' political speech, The Huffington Post, August 21, 2013, August 23, 2013, Wing, Nick, In 2014, the federal judge dismissed the lawsuit after the parties reached an agreement.NEWS, IRS sued for refusing to release secret 'church investigations' procedures,weblink The Washington Times, en-US, 2020-06-01,

990 Form

In December 2012, the FFRF filed suit against the IRS for not requiring the yearly filing of a 990 Form for religious institutions, which is required for all other non-profit organizations.NEWS,weblink Freedom From Religion Foundation sues IRS for not requiring churches to annually maintain tax-exempt status, Isthmus, The Daily Page, December 28, 2012, August 23, 2013, Davidoff, Judith, The case, FFRF v. Werfel, was dismissed for lack of standing.WEB, Hammar, Richard R., 2013, Forced to File Form 990?,weblink May 18, 2021, Christianity Today, en,

State capitol signs

Florida

In December 2013, the FFRF was permitted to hang a banner at the capitol after a nativity scene was placed by a private group.NEWS,weblinkweblink" title="archive.today/20131225172409weblink">weblink 25 December 2013, dead, Group sets up Nativity scene at Florida Capitol, tallahassee.com, 4 December 2013, 25 December 2013, Farrington, Brandon,

Illinois

On December 23, 2009, William J. Kelly, conservative activist and candidate for Illinois Comptroller, attempted to remove a FFRF sign at a Christmas display.NEWS, Furor erupts over atheist display at state capitol,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20100325072837weblink">weblinkweblink dead, WBBM-TV, December 23, 2009, March 25, 2010, Chicago, The case was dismissed on several grounds, including that the lawsuit ran afoul of the First Amendment prohibition against content-based discrimination and that the plaintiff's rights had not been violated.WEB, Illinois Northern District Court, Case No. 1:10-cv-00583,weblink dead,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20131213175628weblink">weblink 2013-12-13,

Washington

A plaque with the same text as the Wisconsin State Capitol sign was displayed for the 2008 Christmas season at the state capitol in Olympia, Washington, next to a nativity scene.NEWS,weblink Woodward, Curt, Atheist sign joins nativity scene, tree at Capitol, December 1, 2008, The Seattle Times, July 3, 2013, Associated Press, NEWS,weblink Nonbelievers' sign at Capitol counters Nativity, Tu, Janet, December 2, 2008, The Seattle Times, July 3, 2013, The sign was stolen and then later found and returned to the state capitol.NEWS, Missing atheist sign found in Washington state,weblink Simon, Mallory, CNN, December 5, 2008, July 3, 2013, The addition of the sign incited a large number of individuals and groups to request other additions, such as a Festivus pole,NEWS, Coming to Capitol: 'Festivus' display,weblink KOMO-TV, Seattle, December 5, 2008, July 3, 2013, May 23, 2011,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20110523062613weblink">weblink dead, a request by the Westboro Baptist Church for a sign stating "Santa Claus will take you to hell" (among other things),NEWS, Group's display an attack on Santa,weblink December 11, 2008, July 3, 2013, The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA, Richard, Roesler, a sign paying homage to the Flying Spaghetti Monster, and many others.File:Atheist sign Wisconsin State Capitol.png|300px|right|thumb|Front (left) and back (right) of sign displayed at the Wisconsin State Capitol. The sign in Washington displays the same message.]]

Wisconsin

The FFRF maintains a sign in the Wisconsin State Capitol during the Christmas season, which reads:NEWS, Thibault, Kate, Foundation adds to holiday display,weblink The Badger Herald, Madison, WI, December 5, 2007, July 3, 2013, {{cquote|At this season of THE WINTER SOLSTICE may reason prevail.There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell.There is only our natural world.Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds.}}In 2013, a natural nativity featuring Charles Darwin, Albert Einstein and Mark Twain as the three wise men, the Statue of Liberty and an astronaut as angels and an African American girl baby doll to represent that "humankind was birthed in Africa" was added.NEWS,weblink Holiday displays at Wisconsin Capitol include Festivus pole, atheists' nativity scene, Star Tribune, 8 December 2013, 25 December 2013, Bauer, Scott,weblink 25 December 2013,

Texas State Capitol

In 2015, the FFRF applied to put a "secular Nativity" scene in the Texas State Capitol. The scene featured the Bill of Rights, three Founding Fathers, and the Statue of Liberty and a sign that wished everyone a "Happy Winter Solstice". The then governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, demanded it be removed. Following a series of legal challenges, in 2018, a three-judge panel of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that FFRF's rights were violated. The Court also vacated the ruling of the trial court and sent the case back for consideration of FFRF's request for an injunction.WEB, Lee, David, Fifth Circuit Upholds Atheist Group's Right to Display Altered Nativity Scene,weblink Courthouse News, 7 October 2020, (File:FFRF's Bill of Rights Nativity.jpg|thumb|FFRF's Bill of Rights Nativity)

Rhode Island

In 2013, the FFRF was allowed to place a sign in the rotunda, after complaints from its members, as a response to the crèches and other religious symbols that are already in place at the statehouse.NEWS,weblink Atheists' Statehouse display generates another Yule controversy, The Times, 17 December 2013, 25 December 2013, Baron, Jim, dead,weblink" title="archive.today/20131225172323weblink">weblink 25 December 2013,

Dayton, Tennessee

On July 14, 2017, a statue of Clarence Darrow was unveiled in Dayton, Tennessee, on the Rhea County Courthouse lawn, funded by a $150,000 donation from the FFRF. The courthouse was the site of the historic 1925 Scopes Monkey Trial wherein Darrow unsuccessfully defended a teacher, John T. Scopes, who was found guilty of teaching evolution in a public school in violation of what was then a Tennessee state law. The statue was placed just a few feet away from a statue of William Jennings Bryan, Darrow's creationist opponent in the trial, which had been erected in 2005 by nearby Bryan College.NEWS,weblink At Site of Scopes Trial, Darrow Statue Belatedly Joins Bryan's, The New York Times, 14 July 2017, 2017-07-15, Fausset, Richard,

Athens, Texas

In 2011, the FFRF filed a letter of complaint regarding the placement of a nativity scene on Henderson County courthouse property.NEWS,weblink Atheist sues city over nativity scene, Athens Daily Review, December 4, 2012, July 14, 2013, Flowers, Rich, After it was decided that the nativity scene would remain, the FFRF petitioned to have its own banner placed on the site, but county officials declined to discuss its placement. The FFRF banner was placed without permission on the courthouse property, but was soon removed. The banner stated: "At this season of the winter solstice, let reason prevail. There are no Gods, no devils, no angels, no Heaven or Hell. There is only our natural world. Religion is but a myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds".NEWS,weblink ETX Nativity scene approved for 2012, atheist banner still pending, KLTV, May 8, 2012, July 14, 2013, Torre, Melanie, Compton, Kerri, Tyler, TX, In April 2012, the county judge denied FFRF's request to place the same banner on the courthouse property.NEWS,weblink County judge denies FFRF's request, Athens Daily Review, October 12, 2012, July 14, 2013, Flowers, Rich,

Events and activities

FFRF has held conventions since 1977, one year after the group formed and one year prior to its official incorporation.History of FFRF conventions:

• NEWS,weblink This Group Pushes Freedom From Religion, The Milwaukee Journal, 16 October 1982, 31 August 2013, Behm, Don,
• NEWS,weblink Atheists gather to push freedom of religion, The Blade (Toledo), Toledo Blade, October 6, 1989, July 30, 2013,
• NEWS,weblink comes down for atheists' meet, San Antonio Express-News, December 6, 1992, July 30, 2013, McCollough, Chuck, {{subscription required |via=NewsBank |s}}
• NEWS,weblink Atheists to convene in Denver, The Denver Post, September 29, 1995, July 30, 2013, {{subscription required |via=NewsBank |s}}
• NEWS,weblink Freedom From Religion holds convention, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, October 22, 2004, July 30, 2013,
• NEWS,weblink Atheists will be among friends at convention, NBCNews.com, Associated Press, NBC News, October 12, 2007, August 7, 2013,
• NEWS,weblink Lawton to speak to Freedom From Religion Foundation convention, Wisconsin State Journal, Madison, September 24, 2010, August 7, 2013,
• NEWS,weblink Portland site of Freedom from Religion national convention, The Oregonian, Portland, OR, August 21, 2012, August 7, 2013,

The Emperor Has No Clothes Award has been awarded by FFRF since 1999 in recognition of what it called "plain speaking" on the shortcomings of religion by public figures.WEB, in 1999, the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Emperor Has No Clothes Award – Freedom From Religion Foundation,weblink 2021-02-25, ffrf.org, en-gb, Past recipients include:{| class="wikitable"|+!Year!Recipient(s)|1999|Steven Weinberg|2001|Jesse Ventura; Ted Turner; Andy Rooney; Janeane Garofalo; George Carlin; Richard Dawkins; Katha Pollitt|2002Robert Sapolsky; Steve Benson (cartoonist)>Steve Benson|2003|Penn & Teller; Roger, Pat and Melody Cleveland; Natalie Angier|2004|Steven Pinker; Ron Reagan; Peter Singer; Robyn Blumner; Anne Nicol Gaylor|2005|Oliver Sacks|2006|Julia Sweeney|2007|Christopher Hitchens|2008|Daniel C. Dennett|2009|Ron Reagan; Ursula K. Le Guin; William Lobdell|2010|Cenk Uygur; Ayaan Hirsi Ali|2011|Jerry Coyne; Charles Strouse|2012|Richard Dawkins|2013Dan Savage; Juan Mendez (politician)>Juan Mendez|2014|Bart D. Ehrman; Sean M. Carroll; Donald Johanson|2015|Ernie Chambers; Taslima Nasrin|2016Lawrence M. Krauss>Lawrence Krauss|2018|Paula Poundstone; Jared Huffman; Salman Rushdie; Adam Savage|2019|Trae Crowder; Anthony B. Pinn|2021|Ann Druyan|2022|John Irving|2023|Lizz Winstead

Finances

In 2013, Charity Navigator gave FFRF a four-star rating and reported that FFRF had revenues of US$3,878,938, with a net surplus (after expenses) of $1,715,563 and net assets of $11,519,770. Officer compensation for the "co-presidents", husband and wife Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor, was $88,700 and $86,500 ($175,200 combined) or approximately 10% of the net surplus.WEB,weblink Charity Navigator Rating – Freedom From Religion Foundation, Charity Navigator, According to the 2011 IRS tax Form-990,WEB, Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax (IRS form 990),weblink Gaylor, Annie Laurie, Annie Laurie Gaylor, March 5, 2012, ffrf.org, June 30, 2013, FFRF spent just over $200,000 on legal fees and services and just under $1 million on education, outreach, publishing, broadcasting, and events. The allotment for legal fees is primarily used in cases supporting the separation of church and state that involve governmental entities.{{citation needed|date=March 2021}}

See also

{{div col|colwidth=20em}}

• Irreligion
  • Anti-clericalism
  • Antireligion
  • Antitheism
  • Atheist feminism
  • Irreligion in the United States
  • Recovering from Religion
• Concepts
  • Ceremonial deism
  • Religious discrimination
• Separation of church and state in the United States
  • Americans United for Separation of Church and State
  • Church tax
  • In God We Trust
• Criticism of religion
  • Forced conversion
  • Freedom of thought
• Organizations
  • American Atheists
  • Freethought Association of Canada

{{div col end}}

References

{{Reflist|30em}}

External links

{{commons category}}

• {{Official}}

{{Irreligion}}{{Skeptic organizations}}{{Authority control}}