Bronze-level articleFreedom From Religion Foundation

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The '''Freedom From Religion Foundation''' (FFRF) is one of the most prominent organized groups protesting against undue favoritism to religion under US law. In addition to "filing lawsuits!", they also engage in some publicity stunts, publish newsletters and sponsor competitions.<ref>[http://ffrf.org/faq/about-the-foundation/what-does-the-foundation-do/ FFRF.org - What does the foundation do?] (The "!" is ''their'' addition)</ref> They proclaim that "The [[history]] of Western civilization shows us that most social and moral progress has been brought about by persons free from [[religion]]."<ref>[http://ffrf.org/purposes/ FFRF.org - Purpose]</ref> The title of the organisation is most likely a play on the phrase "freedom ''of'' religion", which is enshrined in the laws of many western countries - and sometimes considered by extreme social conservatives to specifically mean you can have any religion you like, but ''no'' religion is not allowed.
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The '''Freedom From Religion Foundation''' (FFRF) is one of the most prominent organized groups protesting against undue favoritism to religion under US law. In addition to filing lawsuits, they also engage in some publicity stunts, publish newsletters and sponsor competitions.<ref>[http://ffrf.org/faq/about-the-foundation/what-does-the-foundation-do/ FFRF.org - What does the foundation do?] (The "!" is ''their'' addition)</ref> They proclaim that "The [[history]] of Western civilization shows us that most social and moral progress has been brought about by persons free from [[religion]]."<ref>[http://ffrf.org/purposes/ FFRF.org - Purpose]</ref> The title of the organization is most likely a play on the phrase "freedom ''of'' religion", which is enshrined in the laws of many western countries - and sometimes considered by extreme social conservatives to specifically mean you can have any religion you like, but ''no'' religion is not allowed.
  
 
==Criticism of all religions==
 
==Criticism of all religions==

Revision as of 08:53, 15 October 2010

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The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) is one of the most prominent organized groups protesting against undue favoritism to religion under US law. In addition to filing lawsuits, they also engage in some publicity stunts, publish newsletters and sponsor competitions.[1] They proclaim that "The history of Western civilization shows us that most social and moral progress has been brought about by persons free from religion."[2] The title of the organization is most likely a play on the phrase "freedom of religion", which is enshrined in the laws of many western countries - and sometimes considered by extreme social conservatives to specifically mean you can have any religion you like, but no religion is not allowed.

Contents

Criticism of all religions

The FFRF is famous for selling stickers that describe the Bible thusly: "The Bible: A Grim Fairy Tale..."[3] and are also critical of Islam.[4] However, as a Western organization they naturally focus more of their attention on Christianity.

Other in-your-face tactics

The bumper sticker.

According to Wikipedia, the FFRF won the right to display a sign in the Wisconsin State Capitol during the Christmas season, which reads:

At this season of the Winter Solstice may reason prevail.

There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell.

There is only our natural world.

Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds.

Legal wins and losses

The FFRF has won and lost these legal issues, according to Wikipedia.

Wins

  • Getting the National Day of Prayer declared unconstitutional.[5][6][7]
  • Overturning a state Good Friday holiday - plaintiffs included Foundation staff and state employees
  • Winning a lawsuit barring direct taxpayer subsidy of religious schools
  • Removing Ten Commandments monuments and crosses from public land
  • Ending the U.S. Post Office's issuing of religious postage cancellations
  • Ending Bible instruction in public schools

Losses

  • Challenged the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives to bar 'religious' charities from Federal funds (defeated in a 5-4 Supreme Court ruling)
  • Challenged a Congressional proclamation calling 1983 "The Year of the Bible" (dismissed as moot)
  • Challenged a Ten Commandments monument in a public park in La Crosse, Wisconsin (dismissed)
  • Filed a federal lawsuit to stop the building of a chapel at the Illinois statehouse (lost in appeals court)
  • Went to Colorado state court to remove a Ten Commandments monument on Capitol grounds in Denver (lost in State Supreme Court)
  • Challenged "In God We Trust" on U.S. currency in Colorado (lost in 10th Circuit Court)
  • Tried to block the state of Wisconsin from granting $100,000 to assist building a center at St. Norbert Catholic College, DePere, Wisconsin (lost in appeals court)
  • Challenged a lighted nativity scene in a public park in Waunakee, Wisconsin (lost in Wisconsin Supreme Court)
  • Sued over the removal of its banner, "State/Church: Keep Them Separate," from the rotunda of the Wisconsin State Capitol (lost in federal court)
  • Went to federal court in Missouri to sue over the phrase "So help me, God" on tax forms (case was dismissed, then was lost after refiling). [8]
  • Hein v. Freedom From Religion Foundation: A case before the Supreme Court over taxpayer standing to challenge White House faith-based programs

Footnotes

  1. FFRF.org - What does the foundation do? (The "!" is their addition)
  2. FFRF.org - Purpose
  3. The Bible: A Grim Fairy Tale...
  4. http://ffrf.org/fttoday/1998/jan_feb98/islamic.html]
  5. Judge rules National Day of Prayer unconstitutional - USA Today
  6. National Day of Prayer unconstitutional, Judge declares - Huffington Post
  7. FFRF celebrates National Day of Prayer victory - Freedom From Religion Foundation website
  8. http://www.ffrf.org/legal/legal5.php
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