Americans United staff and activists have remained busy promoting separation of religion and government in a series of virtual events.
Here’s an update:
Americans United President and CEO Rachel Laser appeared on the “The Thinking Atheist” podcast May 4. Laser discussed Christian nationalism, threats to church-state separation, how AU brings together people of faith and atheists and other issues with host Seth Andrews, an ex-evangelical and former Christian radio host. It is available on Apple Podcasts and other platforms.
AU Senior Faith Adviser Sabrina E. Dent, D.Min., participated in a May 20 panel discussion titled “Healing the Nation in a New Administration,” sponsored by the Philadelphia branch of the National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications.
Rob Boston, senior adviser and editor of Church & State, updated the Humanists of San Diego on current threats to separation of church and state May 2. On May 3, Boston addressed Imagine Action OC, an activist group based in Orange County, Calif., on the history of church-state separation and recent developments.
On May 5, Maggie Garrett, vice president for public policy, took part in a debate about school vouchers titled “Parents or the Public: Who Holds Schools Accountable?” The event was co-sponsored by Reinventing America’s Schools, Bellwether Education Partners, and The 74.
The Nashville Chapter of Americans United celebrated its 20th anniversary with a virtual party May 13. Founding members of the chapter were on hand, and AU’s Boston addressed the group and made special congratulatory remarks.
AU’s Triad Chapter in North Carolina on May 4 hosted Dr. Bill Leonard, founding dean of the Wake Forest University Divinity School, who addressed the topic “White Religious Nationalism.”
On April 22, AU’s Atlantic Coast Chapter in Florida hosted Dr. Sarah “Sally” Butzin, president of the League of Women Voters of Tallahassee and lead author of a report examining the state’s school voucher program.
