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| Secular Coalition for America | |
|---|---|
| Name | Secular Coalition for America |
| Abbreviation | SCA |
| Formation | 2002 |
| Type | Nonprofit advocacy organization |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. |
| Region served | United States |
| Leader title | Executive Director |
Secular Coalition for America The Secular Coalition for America is an American nonprofit advocacy organization founded in 2002 that represents secular, humanist, atheist, and freethought organizations before the United States Congress and federal agencies. The Coalition engages in lobbying, public education, and coalition-building with allied civil society groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union, Human Rights Campaign, Common Cause, and American Humanist Association, and frequently interacts with institutions like the Supreme Court of the United States, United States Department of Justice, Office of Management and Budget, and the Federal Election Commission.
The Coalition was founded by leaders from organizations including the American Atheists, Council for Secular Humanism, Center for Inquiry, and the Freedom From Religion Foundation in response to legal and legislative developments like the Religious Freedom Restoration Act debates and decisions from the Supreme Court of the United States such as Engel v. Vitale, Lemon v. Kurtzman, and Town of Greece v. Galloway. Early activities built ties with policymakers from the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate and engaged in advocacy around events like the Terri Schiavo case and controversies involving the Bush administration and officials in the White House and Congressional committees. Over time the Coalition expanded relationships with groups like the National Organization for Women, Students for Liberty, American Association of University Professors, and international actors including Humanists International.
The organization's mission emphasizes separation of church and state, protection of First Amendment to the United States Constitution rights, and representation of nonreligious perspectives in public policy debates involving institutions such as the Department of Education, the National Institutes of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Stated goals include legal advocacy related to precedents like Lemon v. Kurtzman and Everson v. Board of Education, electoral engagement similar to efforts by the League of Women Voters and People for the American Way, and public outreach akin to campaigns run by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Southern Poverty Law Center.
The Coalition is governed by a board drawn from member organizations such as the American Humanist Association, Center for Inquiry, Freedom From Religion Foundation, American Atheists, and regional groups like the Secular Student Alliance. Leadership roles have included Executive Directors and lobbyists who interact with figures in the United States Congress, staff at the Federal Communications Commission, and legal teams that coordinate with litigators from organizations including the Alliance Defending Freedom on opposing sides in court. Internal committees have overseen partnerships with groups like National Public Radio, universities such as Harvard University and Georgetown University, and advocacy networks exemplified by MoveOn.org.
The Coalition lobbies on issues ranging from religious displays and prayer in public institutions—drawing on precedents like Engel v. Vitale and Lemon v. Kurtzman—to health policy debates involving the Department of Health and Human Services and litigation strategies used before the Supreme Court of the United States. It files amicus briefs in cases similar to Town of Greece v. Galloway and collaborates with civil rights groups like the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Religious Broadcasters on church-state separation disputes. The Coalition also engages in policy discussions about federal funding with agencies such as the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health, and participates in Congressional hearings alongside witnesses from organizations like the Family Research Council and the Pew Research Center.
Campaign efforts have included voter education drives comparable to those by the League of Women Voters, public awareness campaigns modeled after initiatives from the Customer Rights Movement and the Human Rights Campaign, and campus outreach like programs by the College Democrats of America and the Secular Student Alliance. The Coalition has organized events timed around national moments such as the Presidential election cycles, coordinated with grassroots groups like Indivisible, and launched communications targeting media outlets including the New York Times, Washington Post, CNN, and Fox News.
Funding sources have included donations, grants, and member dues with ties to philanthropic entities and grantmakers similar to foundations like the Carnegie Corporation, Lilly Endowment, and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation; the organization also reports contributions from individual donors and partner groups including the American Humanist Association and Center for Inquiry. Membership comprises national organizations such as American Atheists, regional groups like the Secular Student Alliance, and allied nonprofits comparable to the Human Rights Campaign; the Coalition maintains transparency practices modeled on nonprofit standards used by organizations like GuideStar and filings overseen by the Internal Revenue Service.
The Coalition has faced criticism from religious organizations including the National Association of Evangelicals, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and the Southern Baptist Convention over perceived stances on issues such as prayer in public settings and conscience protections tied to debates in the United States Congress and courts like the Supreme Court of the United States. It has also been subject to internal critique from member groups and commentators in outlets such as the New York Times and Washington Post regarding strategy, alliances with organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union, and fundraising practices compared to standards exemplified by charities like the Red Cross.
Category:Political advocacy groups based in the United States Category:Secularist organizations