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10 th Anniversary Year

10 th Anniversary Year . The Problem. Non-affiliated Vote 1980-2012 – By Political Party. Creationism in Public Schools. Creationism Passed in LA & TN - Fighting in Twelve States. The Religious Right spends  $390 million dollars a year –

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10 th Anniversary Year

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  1. 10th Anniversary Year

  2. The Problem

  3. Non-affiliated Vote 1980-2012 – By Political Party

  4. Creationism in Public Schools • Creationism Passed in LA & TN - Fighting in Twelve States

  5. The Religious Right spends $390 million dollars a year – The Secular Coalition for America spends just $348,000

  6. “We don’t view you as a constituency. We don’t do outreach to that community.” Senior Obama Adviser Broderick Johnson

  7. #secularwarrior • Who are secular voters? • What are our issues? • How the Secular Coalition for America is making a difference. • What YOU can do to affect change!

  8. Who We Represent:“Nones”

  9. Who We Represent: Secular Americans • 55% of Americans think political leaders should NOT rely on religious beliefs when making decisions. Source: ABC News/Washington Post poll, April 2005 and the Association of Religion Data Archives

  10. Secular Coalition for America Outreach Initiative • Women • LGBTQI • African Americans • Latino • Conservatives • Journalist • Science Groups • Religious Groups • Under 30

  11. Secular Diversity • Women are underrepresented in the secular movement. • But why is that? • Fewer women than men identify as atheist, agnostic or even unaffiliated.

  12. Secular Diversity • 64% are male andonly 36% are female. • Of the general population 23% of men and 17% women described themselves as religiously unaffiliated

  13. Why Are Women More Religious? • Atheism appeals to people in science—where women are underrepresented. • Churches provide support structures for women and children: • Meals; • After school care; • Daycare at reduced prices; • Free summer programs; and • A perceived safe community.

  14. Why Women Should Be More Secular • Religion has never been an ally for women’s equality. In many religious organizations today women still cannot hold top leadership roles. • Religious organizations are the primary opponents of the real-life reproductive needs of women. • For women, reproductive control = economic self-determination.

  15. How The Secular Movement Can Help • In order for women to participate, they need their most basic needs addressed first. • For many women this revolves around family obligations. • We must create a culture that addresses women's needs.

  16. Secular Alternative Plan • Provide secular daycare options. • Align the movement with groups offering after school activities; • Science Clubs • Book Clubs • Sports • This will help stop indoctrination.

  17. Align With Allied Groups • NARAL • The Independent Women's Forum • Association for Women in Science • American Association of University Women • National Council of Women’s Organizations • Older Women’s League • NOW • Planned Parenthood • Feminist Majority Foundation • Republicans for Choice • Girl Scouts of America • Junior League • League of Women Voters • Younger Women's Task Force • Big Sisters • Secular Woman

  18. SCA And Women’s Issues • SCA has in the past, and continues to fight legislation that create religious exemptions for issues that directly affect women—such as the HHS contraception mandate. • Fighting faith based hiring discrimination—women being barred from doing specific jobs • Continuing to lobby on bills like the Violence Against Women Act - SCA lobbied against religious exemptions.

  19. Secular Diversity Outreach • Diversity is not just about women. • Here are some practical ideas to help address the shortfall of women, ethnic minorities and other groups (i.e. Conservatives) in our movement—in an effort to create true diversity within our community.

  20. Minority Group Outreach • Tailor messaging to minority groups. • For example: “Atheist” does not play well in many minority groups—especiallytheblack community. • We would do better to use toned-down rhetoric and terms like,“freethinker” when reaching out to minority communities.

  21. Diversity In College • Organizations like the Secular Student Alliance has a real opportunity to take a particularly active role in promoting diversity. • Exposure young adults have in college will help formulate opinions oncommunity for the rest of their lives.

  22. Minority Focused Groups • Work as a movement to support race-focused organizations. • People will feel more comfortable “coming out” when they are surrounded by those they can relate. Shared experiences can help offer a much-needed sense of community.

  23. Journalist Outreach • National Association of Black Journalists • National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association • National Association of Hispanic Journalists • National Association of Women in Journalism • Asian American Journalist Association

  24. Non-Secular Outreach • By doing outreach to more diverse communities the SCA can attract, engage, and cultivate relationships that will benefit the secular community. • Such as:

  25. It Takes Time • Outreach to the minority and non-secular communities is going to be a marathon nota sprint. • The first step is to be friendly with these communities and begin to open the conversation while combatting stereotypes. • We are battling hundreds of years ofreligious indoctrination, we must remember that religion and ethnic culture are often difficult to distinguish.

  26. Federal Watch • HR 973 - "Religious Exemption to the Contraception Mandate" • HR 898 - "Religious Organizations Using Taxpayer Money without Limits" • HR 718 - Abstinence Education Reallocation Act of 2013 • HR 127 - A bill to restore the Free Speech and First Amendment rights of churches and exempt organizations by repealing the 1954 Johnson Amendment • HR 23 - A bill to provide that human life shall be deemed to begin with fertilization. • S Res 11 - A resolution expressing support for prayer at school board meetings.

  27. Keystone Subject Areas

  28. Health & Safety • Contraception mandate • Pharmacists denying emergency contraception • Medical neglect of children through faith healing

  29. Education • Voucher programs • Abstinence-only sex education • “Creationism” and “Intelligent design” in science classrooms

  30. Religious Privileging Tax Policy • Houses of Worship endorsing candidates • Faith-Based Nonprofits are exempt from IRS reporting • Tax subsidies and exemptions for religious organizations • $71 Billion

  31. Discrimination • Employer religious discrimination • Landlords violating discrimination laws may - using religion as a justification • Government issued marriage license requirements based on religious dogma • Adoption discrimination with federal $$$

  32. -Elected to 2 Year Terms -9 Members + ED -4 Calls/Meetings Appointed by the Board -Approximately 20 Organizations -Current Fee Structure -Voting -Approximately 50 Groups -Non-Voting -Fee Structure 10s of Allied Organizations Tens of Thousands of Individuals 100s of Endorsing Organizations 10s of Coalitions Thousands of Donors

  33. Secular Coalition for AmericaMember Organizations

  34. Unifying the Secular Movement – National Call • White House & Congress • Secular Events • Secular News • United Nations • Students • Judicial Update • State Chapters • New Research • Coalition Expansion • Charity Work Thursdays at Noon ET Phone: 559-726-1300 Code: 199568

  35. Endorsing Organizations

  36. SCA Success Measures

  37. State Chapters

  38. Religiously Motivated State Laws • 6 - pharmacists can refuse to dispense emergency contraceptives • 8 - do not inspect religious childcare centers • 21 - exempt employers from contraceptive coverage • 30 - ban all forms of marriage except one-man-one-woman • 32 - sex education curricula not medically accurate • 44 - require “under God” in Pledge of Allegiance Prayer for Bobby Jindal (R-LA)

  39. States Where Bible Curriculum Is Taught in Public Schools

  40. 2013 Scorecards • Virginia – • New Jersey – Terry McAuliffe Ken Cuccinelli Example: Chris Christie Barbara Buono

  41. Secular Policy Guide • With Co-Chairs Jacques Berlinerblau and Wendy Kaminer • Working with Academics, Policymakers, and Advocates • Providing Guidance to Policymakers On: • Constitutional Framework • Health and Safety • Education • Discrimination • Military Discrimination • Tax Policy • International Policy

  42. Secular Resources • National Secular Movement Update Call • National Secular Calendar • Legislative Tracker • Congressional Scorecards • Action Alerts • Powerpoints – Policy Statements, Research Papers • 50 State Chapters Facebook.com/SecularCoalition @SecularDotOrg @Secular_coalition Secularnewsdaily.com www.secular.org

  43. MAKE A DIFFERENCE • Vote and hold your local politicians accountable • Get involved in your local Secular Coalition Chapter • Stand up and be heard as a fearless #secularwarrior • Text “secular” to 41444 to pledge a donation to the Secular Coalition for America Today!

  44. Speaker Information Edwina Rogers Executive Director Mobile (202) 674 7800 Edwina@secular.org Secular Coalition for America 1012 14th St., NW, Suite 205 Washington, DC 20005 Office (202) 299 1091 ext. 207 www.secular.org

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