Having trouble viewing this email? View it in your web browser

Secular Day at the Capitol  March 15 (on Zoom)

2021 has been the most urgent year for our constituency EVER. The State Legislature has been absolutely blitzed with Christian Nationalist legislation. Lawmakers — Democrats and Republicans alike — are letting bills proceed that give religious organizations absolute power over the law. If ever there was a time that lawmakers needed to see the full force of our constituency, that time is NOW.

So join us as we make our voices heard. Learn about some issues. And let's have some fun in the process!

TIME: 10AM - 2:00PM (flexibility and breaks built in so you can participate while tending to children, working, etc.)

We are offering a legislative pre-training on Saturday, March 13 from 2:00PM - 3:30PM. Registration is separate for this meeting.

THANK YOU to our Secular Day Sponsors:

  • Arizona End-of-Life Options
  • Bobbie Howard
  • Bobbie Morgenstern Real Estate
  • Dianne Post
  • Donna Gatehouse
  • Ellen Gittleman
  • Freedom from Religion Foundation - Valley of the Sun Chapter
  • Mark Manoil
  • Martha O'Connor
  • Secular Humanist Jewish Circle

 

 

SECULAR SURVEY

Secular AZ Members and Supporters,

A group of researchers at the University of California, Santa Barbara have taken on a project to survey the secular communities nation-wide. We at Secular AZ have vetted this request and are endorsing it for our members. 

By participating in this survey, you can help give researchers a clear picture of the depth and breadth of secular people in this country.  We encourage you to take the survey by clicking on the following link.

As always, we appreciate all of your help.

Philip Lentz, Interim Chair

Secular Coalition for Arizona

In Memoriam: Dr. Stephen Uhl

Dr. Uhl was a co-founder of Freethought AZ in Tucson, one of Secular AZ's partner organizations. He also authored Out of God's Closet: This Priest Psychologist Chooses Friendly Atheism, a memoir of his journey from the priesthood to freethought. As Steve put it, his book was designed to "help readers enjoy freedom from outdated superstition without any imaginary guilt."

Dr. Uhl and his wife Diane have been instrumental in supporting the work of Secular AZ's legal team and our government affairs programming. Our hearts and thoughts are with the Uhl family at this time. 

CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM IS COMING FOR YOU

Read Secular AZ Legal Director Dianne Post's op-ed in the Arizona Capitol Times. 

"America is special not because we are a chosen people, but because we did not organize a government based on religion. The countries that are based on religion – Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan – are notorious for their violations of human rights, violence toward women, and silencing of those who disagree. Christian nationalism fueled the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021.  We must not underestimate its danger to our democracy.”

TAKE ACTION NOW

Last week, the Republican majority and 7 Democrats voted for a bill (HB2648) that gives religious organizations absolute exemption from the law, using ridiculously broad language wherein any group can be shielded from civil and criminal liability so long as they claim they are practicing their religion.

This bill is now being heard in the Senate - speak out!

  1. Contact your legislators to express your gratitude and/or disapproval with their votes
  2. Join us for meetings with key lawmakers (and more) during the 3/15 Secular Day at the Capitol online.

You can do both things in about 30 seconds using this form.

And if you are a Request to Speak user, don't forget to sign in against HB2648 before it is heard again in Senate Government committee Monday.

 

Please consider making a donation to sustain Secular AZ.

Your support helps us keep fighting to keep church and state separate in our state's laws, public policies, and public schools.

We can't do it without you! Thank you for your support.

Secular Coalition for Arizona | PO Box 19258, Phoenix, AZ 85005

Unsubscribe or Manage Your Preferences