Welcome to the Hub of Atheism
	Atheists For Human Rights has a geodesic dome as its headquarters. This unique architecture was developed by Buckminster ("Bucky") Fuller (1895-1983), an atheist, architect, environmentalist and inventor. Read more ...

Our Philosophy

• Atheism accepts the natural world as all there is.
• To live without god beliefs is intellectually stimulating.
• To find one's own purpose and be responsible for one's own life is exciting.
• To be free of the imagined surveillance of good and evil spirits is liberating.
• To seek a peaceful world through work, friendship, and civic action is life-affirming.
• Organized atheism supports the right to hold religious beliefs but vigorously opposes religious behavior that is politically and socially predatory or harms innocent people.
• We support the social and political right to be religion-free.
• We support state-church separation.
• We oppose religious authoritarians and support all the rights they attack, including abortion rights, gay rights, physician aid in dying, and all the rest.

During its struggle for independence from Britain, India had a term to express their philosophy: satyagraha. It means "to insist on what is true as a social obligation." This is what Atheists For Human Rights will do in our struggle to be religion-free.

Our moral philosophy is inspired by our colleagues at the Atheist Centre in India, whose commitment is to "speak the truth as a social necessity" as they work for social reform.

Join Us!

Out of the Rocking Chair, into the Fray!

The great majority of the U.S. adult population call themselves Christian: 160 million adults. But what group takes second place? Jews? No. For all their formidable electoral clout, the 2.8 million Jews are massively outnumbered by the nearly 30 million non-religious or secular Americans. . . . [I]f the unbelievers of America could only get their act together a tenth as effectively as the legendarily powerful Jewish lobby, what might they not achieve?
-- Richard Dawkins, discussing his new book, The God Delusion

Last year, Atheists For Human Rights went beyond their usual "getting their act together" and began a series of well advertized public forums that is more bold and visionary than anything done by any other atheistic group we know of. Hunkering down in preach-to-the-choir discussions and conferences may be socially satisfying but does little or nothing to advance our cause.

• Bringing in good speakers is not cheap, but with your help we are doing it.
• Running effective print/radio ads in high-reader/listener media is not cheap, but with your help we are doing it

Our Gift to you:

NEW!  DVD of "Evolution Made Easy," which explains evolution in an entertaining and easy-to-understand way. A great DVD to show anyone who is unclear on the concept, including hard core religionists, "cafeteria" religionists, and atheists new to the controversy.	NEW!  DVD of "The Truth about Religion," which totally demolishes any credibility religion is thought to have historically or philosophically or even applying a little common sense.
DVD of Dan Barker's speech, "Beyond Iraq: The Threat to Freedom of an Imperial Presidency," at our Nov 2007 Public Forum.
DVD of former MN Rep. Andy Dawkins talking about civic projects legislation, at our Mar 2007 Public Forum.	DVD of Cong. Keith Ellison's forceful defense of state-church separation, at our July 2007 Public Forum.
DVD of biologist PZ Myers' illustrated presentation on evolution, at our July 2006 Public Forum.	DVD of Michael Newdow's entertaining, informative presentation, at our Nov 2006 Public Forum.
DVD of Richard Dawkins' BBC film, The Root of All Evil?	DVD of Sam Harris's discussion of his best seller, The End of Faith.
April Pedersen's 20-page booklet, May the Farce Be With You, a humorous look at religious claims, with many illustrations and cartoons.	Our own illustrated, full color, 36-page booklet, All About Gods. Solid, concise facts to challenge religious mythologies. Includes bibliography.

About Atheists For Human Rights

If god beliefs were socially benign, those without such beliefs would have neither a need for nor an interest in raising questions about those beliefs. Such has never been the case.

Throughout history, religious authoritarians have imposed their beliefs on society. In the US, despite our secular Constitution, they continue to undermine our First Amendment freedoms, harming women, children, sexual minorities and the hopelessly ill, and hindering medical research and science education.

In such an environment, atheists have an obligation as citizens to provide a secular moral balance to public discussions of these issues. The liberal religionists are wonderful, caring people, but a lot of work needs to be done on the fundamentalists.

Atheists For Human Rights was founded specifically to provide this moral balance in an effort to preserve our civil liberties and human dignity. We add our voice to that of other groups challenging the social agenda of religious authoritarians. We oppose all forms of bigotry and discrimination and advocate for a world where human welfare is not compromised by religious dogma.

We are committed to making atheism visible in the community:

• We produce atheist videos for our website video outreach project and also make them available on CDs.
  
  
• We run high-visibility "bold & proud" ads in mainstream publications at least twice a year.
  
  
• We submit letters and commentary articles to the media that are frequently accepted.
  
  
• We meet with media people to discuss our concerns and encourage fair and balanced coverage of atheism.
  
  
• We meet with public officials to make them aware of the secular community and express our concerns about the intrusion of religion into legislative action and to stress the importance of state-church separation.
  
  
• We wrote a proclamation declaring July 4, 2002, "Indivisible Day," which was signed by Gov. Ventura on our behalf, causing an uproar by "Christian nation" fundamentalists that was front-page news in the St. Paul and Minneapolis papers.
  
  
• Our visibility generates invitations to debate religious-right radio talk show hosts on their political/social agenda and state-church separation.

We are unique among atheist organizations in that, as a matter of official policy, we oppose the religious right's assaults on our freedoms and come to the aid of its victims. We do this with reason, civility, pride, and a passion for truth and justice.

We provide a strong and effective voice for human rights within the atheist community and are developing a national network of citizens who seek the social and political right to be religion-free. We are a member society of Atheist Alliance International (AAI).

We have a Moral High Ground project to provide practical help to those most abused by religious authoritarians. This project includes a scholarship fund for gay/lesbian atheist students, and a fund to help impoverished women pay for abortions where religion-based restrictions make them all but inaccessible, particularly in rural areas. We also contribute, as needed, to legal defense funds set up by established physician-aid-in-dying organizations to protect the right of the terminally ill to determine how and when their lives shall end. In addition, we support the efforts of CHILD, Inc. (Children's Healthcare Is a Legal Duty) to protect children in faith healing families from death and injury due to medical neglect when parents rely solely on prayer for healing.

Very few groups we know of even approach this level of local activism. We walk the talk. Our board consists only of activists willing to help with the tasks of our organization. Our bylaws impose a high level of ethical standards. We operate openly and honestly at all times.

The stronger our organization, the more we can do, so please join us. Membership is open to all who reject supernatural beliefs and support the principles and policies of this organization. We thrive on new ideas and welcome everyone who shares our goals.

We publish a 12-page newsletter, 10 times a year. It has information about our meetings and activities, plus interesting articles. We offer a free 3-month trial subscription. See also our online newsletter for articles, news, and events.

We take action one way or another on a daily basis, but we also know the importance of socializing. We need to get away from all the god-talk that saturates our culture and say what we think and enjoy the company of like-minded people. Join us at these events.

Moral High Ground Project

The Moral High Ground project has chosen these funds to provide support and protection for these groups and to counter the efforts of religious zealots to impose their religious doctrines through law. Other funding mechanisms may be added as resources increase.

Philanthrofund Scholarship

Like the other Moral High Ground funding projects, it is unique in the freethought community. Each year since 2002 AFHR has donated $500 to be awarded to a GLBT openly atheist student at Pfund's major awards ceremony. This has created visibility and respect for AFHR within the GLBT community.

Grants to poor women to help pay for an abortion

At least $200 each will be given annually to funds such as the Women's Medical Fund, administered by Anne Nicol Gaylor from Freedom From Religion Foundation in Madison, Wisconsin, and through the North Dakota WIN (Women In Need) Abortion Access Fund, administered by the Red River Women's Clinic in Fargo. These funds serve poor women in areas where religion-generated abortion laws are irrationally restrictive and punitive.

Support for physician aid in dying

As opportunities arise, we support efforts by physician-aid-in-dying organizations so the terminally ill who want to die with dignity on their own terms have the legal right to do so.

Protection for children harmed by faith healing

As opportunities arise, we support the efforts of CHILD (Children's Healthcare Is a Legal Duty) to protect children from harm where state laws define faith healing as healthcare and exempt parents from prosecution when they allow children to die by substituting prayer for medical care.

Outreach Activities

Atheists for Human Rights is focused primarily on reaching out to the public in morally active ways to advance the atheistic worldview. Our projects include:

Public Forums

This major outreach project was begun in June 2006 and continues. The purpose is to show the public how atheists support our constitutional freedoms, seek rational solutions to issues of civic concern, and promote the common good. These events are heavily advertised in local newspapers and on Air America radio. Speakers through July 2007 have included:

• Rev. Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State
  
  
• Dr. PZ Myers, biologist from the Univ. of Minn.-Morris
  
  
• Susan Sackett, personal assistant to the late Gene Roddenberry, creator of the humanist-oriented "Star Trek"
  
  
• Michael Newdow, who took his challenge to "under God" in the pledge of allegiance to the Supreme Court
  
  
• Andy Dawkins, former state representative who works to strengthen families and create livable communities
  
  
• Dr. Robert Price, the noted biblical scholar who lectures on the non-biblical roots of democracy
  
  
• Rep. Keith Ellison, the first Muslim to be elected to Congress

Charitable Outreach

Every December, as part of our winter solstice celebration, we collect gifts and money for the at-risk teenagers being cared for by secular non-profit Katahdin Program for Youths and Families. Cash donations have increased from $130 in 2003 to $610 in 2006. This has been due to enclosing colorful gift tags in the newsletter and inviting distant members to send them back signed and with a check for warm clothing. The project was started in 1998 by Marie Castle for the freethought community, with Paul Craven providing the slogan, "You Don't Need a God to Have a Heart."

Philanthrofund Scholarship

This is part of our Moral High Ground project. Like the other MGH funding projects, it is unique in the freethought community. Each year since 2002 AFHR has donated $500 to be awarded to a GLBT openly atheist student at Pfund's major awards ceremony. This has created visibility and respect for AFHR within the GLBT community.

Highway Cleanup

In 2005 we took on an Adopt-A-Highway cleanup project. The work is done three times a year in spring, summer and fall. Large highway signs identify AFHR as the cleanup crew for a 4-mile stretch of highway in Lakeville that passes many churches.

May Day Festival

AFHR member Joe Watercott represents us every year at this popular Minneapolis festival. Dressed in a colorful jester costume, he goes along the parade route with his equally colorful cart, collecting litter and telling little jokes to the kids, giving a cheerful image of atheism.

Minnesota Alliance Of Peacemakers

We joined MAP and have participated in several of their events urging peaceful solutions to world conflicts. MAP is a coalition of churches and secular organizations working together in the cause of peace.

Speakers Bureau

Since 2004, about three times a hear, we have been invited to give presentations on atheism to educational and social service agencies for their diversity training programs

Fireside Chats

These monthly discussions are occasionally advertised in the Star Tribune, attracting a variety of religious and nonreligious participants. One Bible believer has become a regular and gives us an opportunity to gain a better mutual understanding of our differing worldviews.

Media Outreach

We continually make efforts to get media attention for the atheist community through letters to the editor, op-ed pieces, news releases and personal contacts with reporters and editors. Although we have some success, it does not reflect the amount of coverage we should get when compared with the attention paid to religious activities. We keep working at this.

Video Outreach

We have a global outreach with our web videos (some of which are distributed locally on public access stations.) These videos feature guests such as authors, educations, elected officials and experts in various subjects, as well as liberal religionists and an occasional exchange with a Christian fundamentalist.

Freethought Community Outreach

We make an ongoing effort to strengthen the freethought community through social interactions and ideas for joint projects. Our happy hours and various lunches and social events get an overlapping support of all local groups. We have an internet-based all-atheist meetup group. We have supported Camp Quest and the Campus Atheists and Secular Humanists in their projects. Our newsletter carries an occasional column provided to us by Bill van Druten, founder of Lake Superior Freethinkers. Our public forum project is supported by members of other local groups and the idea is being picked up by at least one other local group. AFHR members support activities of other local groups, including helping to produce their video programs. We also helped a member of another group promote his freethought music CD by inserting copies in our newsletter. We understand the value of atheist diversity and cooperation and act accordingly.