Contact: David Reinbold, dreinbold@americanhumanist.org

(Washington, D.C., July 30, 2024) – The American Humanist Association applauds President Biden’s call for reforms on the rogue Supreme Court, including his endorsement of a binding code of conduct for the high court, disclosures on gifts received, and term limits for Supreme Court Justices.

After another egregious Supreme Court term that, among other political decisions, provided the presidency immunity from prosecution, overturned the Chevron doctrine (giving political hacks the power to overrule scientists and other experts on key issues), threatened abortion rights, and delivered a devastating blow to common sense gun reform by overturning a federal ban on bumpstocks, it could not be more clear that we are in the midst of a judicial crisis that requires immediate congressional action.

“There is no time to waste. I applaud the Biden administration’s endorsement of critical court reforms and continue to call on Congress to take immediate action to get the job done. Congress has the power to act today on several key reform bills and it is incumbent upon them to rise to the gravity of this moment. Democracy and our basic civil rights cannot wait,” said Lily Bolourian, Legal and Policy Director for the AHA.

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The American Humanist Association (AHA) works to protect the rights of humanists, atheists, and other nontheistic Americans. The AHA advances the ethical and life-affirming worldview of humanism, which—without beliefs in gods or other supernatural forces—encourages individuals to live informed and meaningful lives that aspire to the greater good of humanity.

The post AHA Applauds President Biden’s Call for Court Reform appeared first on American Humanist Association.

Contact: David Reinbold, dreinbold@americanhumanist.org

(July 19, 2024, Washington, D.C.) — Last month, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida ruled in favor of plaintiffs represented by the American Humanist Association, granting a Motion for Summary Judgment in a longstanding battle with the City of Ocala, FL, over a public Christian prayer vigil that the city’s police force unconstitutionally orchestrated. As noted in the Court’s decision, “because the City conceived, organized, promoted, and conducted the Prayer Vigil, it violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.”

Unfortunately, the City of Ocala has announced its decision to appeal the court’s judgment. The AHA is prepared to fight this case on behalf of our plaintiffs and the First Amendment until the very end.

“The American Humanist Association works tirelessly to uphold the Establishment Clause of our Constitution. We were very pleased with the judge’s decision last month and are obviously disappointed about the plans to appeal. We applaud the bravery, earnestness, and dedication of the plaintiffs who have been on this journey with us for nearly ten years,” said Nicole Carr, AHA’s Interim Executive Director. “At a time when the separation of religion and government is under threat from those who care neither for ethics nor for democracy, this is a critically important case that reminds the nation that our Constitution is still a bulwark that protects Americans against those who would prefer to have a theocratic regime.”

Plaintiff’s attorney Ayesha Khan stated, “Police departments should not take sides in matters of religion. The trial judge got it right and we intend to defend his decision on appeal.”

“The AHA scored a major victory in this case for democracy and the Constitution despite a tumultuous legal landscape for the Establishment Clause following the Supreme Court’s decision in the Kennedy v. Bremerton School District case in 2022. We maintain that the City of Ocala violated the Establishment Clause of the Constitution when its police force organized and held a public Christian prayer vigil using taxpayer resources. We are undeterred by an appeal and will continue to fight in this case to protect the line that separates religion from government in our secular democracy. The other side — and others who would consider violating the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment — should continue to expect fierce resistance from us in court,” said Lily Bolourian, Legal and Policy Director for the AHA.

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The American Humanist Association (AHA) works to protect the rights of humanists, atheists, and other nontheistic Americans. The AHA advances the ethical and life-affirming worldview of humanism, which—without beliefs in gods or other supernatural forces—encourages individuals to live informed and meaningful lives that aspire to the greater good of humanity.

The post AHA Legal Center Secures Major Establishment Clause Victory in Ocala, Florida, Stands Ready to Face Appeal appeared first on American Humanist Association.

Contact: David Reinbold, dreinbold@americanhumanist.org

(July 1, 2024, Washington, D.C.) — Today, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in Trump v. United States that Presidents and former Presidents have absolute immunity in the course of their core constitutional powers.

Writing for the majority, Chief Justice Roberts said that “under our constitutional structure of separated powers, the nature of Presidential power requires that a former President have some immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts during his tenure in office. At least with respect to the President’s exercise of his core constitutional powers, this immunity must be absolute.”

Even more troubling, the Supreme Court issued little guidance in its opinion in determining what makes something categorically a “core constitutional power.” With regards to the ongoing litigation regarding former President Trump at the center of this case, issues about which of his actions are afforded immunity are left for the lower courts to decide.

This is a monumental blow to humanist and secular values, the rule of law, and hundreds of years of established democracy. In our representative government, no single person should ever have absolute legal immunity; in today’s decision, the Supreme Court has failed the American people and fundamentally altered our democracy.

Today marks a watershed moment for the US. From this day forward, there will be a stark divide in history: the America where no one was above the law, and the America where it became possible for some to rise above it. As Justice Jackson wrote in her dissent, “Presidents alone are now free to commit crimes when they are on the job, while all other Americans must follow the law in all aspects of their lives, whether personal or professional.”

During the past several weeks, the Supreme Court has handed down numerous decisions that are devastating to humanist values and the American people. From upending decades of legal precedent and enfeebling the Executive Branch with Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, to ensuring that the legal and medical landscape for abortion nationwide remains a tapestry of confusion in Moyle v. U.S., to weakening the protections around official government proceedings and enabling insurrectionists in Fischer v. U.S.; this Supreme Court has shown its blatant disregard for our democratic institutions and the American people.

“Today, the Christian nationalist majority on the Supreme Court attacked the rule of law, checks and balances, and the fundamentals of our constitutional republic by granting partial immunity to former President Trump from prosecution for his key role in the violent January 6th insurrection,” said Lily Bolourian, Legal and Policy Director for the American Humanist Association. “The precedent that the Supreme Court has established today has brought us to a new, dangerous chapter in the United States: complete lawlessness from the most powerful with no consequences, while the most marginalized among us remain subject to mass incarceration for minor offenses or no offenses at all. The Supreme Court has greenlit corruption and criminal behavior never before permissible in the executive branch and even given permission for extremists and seditionists to take up arms and violently overthrow our government.”

With the Supreme Court gone rogue and unchecked for years and another disastrous term of opinions, it is imperative for Congress to act expeditiously and decisively to pass court reform measures, including the Judiciary Act and the Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act, among other urgent initiatives.

“We cannot waste another second under the thumb of these rogue Justices: The House and the Senate must stop delaying, rise to the importance of the moment, and immediately pass the Judiciary Act to counteract the extremist justices the Trump administration rammed through,” said Nicole Carr, Interim Executive Director for the American Humanist Association. “We call on the Biden administration to immediately publicly support the Judiciary Act; the Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act; the Judicial Ethics Enforcement Act; and the High Court Gift Ban Act to restore balance to the Court.”

To borrow language from Justice Sotomayor’s powerful dissent about today’s decision in Trump v. United States: With fear for our democracy, we dissent.

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The American Humanist Association (AHA) works to protect the rights of humanists, atheists, and other nontheistic Americans. The AHA advances the ethical and life-affirming worldview of humanism, which—without beliefs in gods or other supernatural forces—encourages individuals to live informed and meaningful lives that aspire to the greater good of humanity.

The post AHA Demands Court Reform Following a Disastrous Docket of Supreme Court Decisions appeared first on American Humanist Association.

Contact: David Reinbold, dreinbold@americanhumanist.org

(June 28, 2024, Washington, D.C.) — Today, the Supreme Court handed down a far-reaching decision by voting to overturn the Chevron doctrine in deciding a pair of consolidated cases: Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo (6-2) and Relentless Inc. v. Department of Commerce (6-3).

The Chevron doctrine, foundational for decades, was a legal precedent that ensured judges deferred to subject-matter experts within federal agencies when challenges arose around the interpretation of ambiguous regulatory statutes. It allowed for experts to weigh in on matters such as health and public safety, environmental protections, food safety, and so much more – and for their expertise to be reasonably respected.

But in a chilling power grab, the far-right justices on the Supreme Court have decided today that judges know better than experts and scientists. With the Chevron doctrine dismantled, deference on matters of regulatory statutes now rests in the hands of judges – who may not understand the science or evidence involved – instead of scientists or subject-matter experts. Moving forward, for instance, when a legal challenge arises about the safety of a medicine, elected or appointed judges will determine if it is safe, not scientists. If a legal challenge is brought regarding environmental protections, judges will make the final determination, not experts in the field.

Today was a flagrant power grab by the ultra-conservative majority on the Supreme Court, and their decisions today will reverberate and undermine our democracy for years to come.

Overruling the Chevron doctrine has opened the floodgates to empower Christian nationalist judges to rewrite rules in favor of special interests, billionaires, and major corporations at the expense of the American people.

“Today’s ruling changes governance and democracy as we know it,” said Nicole Carr, Interim Executive Director of the American Humanist Association. “While the dangers of today’s decisions may not be as obvious to the public as say, Dobbs was, it’s important to note that it will have far-reaching implications. Congress must act to restore balance to the Supreme Court before there is nothing left for it to dismantle.”

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The American Humanist Association (AHA) works to protect the rights of humanists, atheists, and other nontheistic Americans. The AHA advances the ethical and life-affirming worldview of humanism, which—without beliefs in gods or other supernatural forces—encourages individuals to live informed and meaningful lives that aspire to the greater good of humanity.

The post AHA Strongly Condemns SCOTUS Power Grab in <em>Loper Bright</em> and <em>Relentless</em> Cases appeared first on American Humanist Association.

Contact: David Reinbold, dreinbold@americanhumanist.org

(June 27, 2024, Washington, D.C.) — Today the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to dismiss Moyle v. US, lifting a stay it had previously placed on a federal district court order in Idaho to limit emergency abortions there. With the court’s decision today, emergency abortions can resume in Idaho to protect the health and safety of pregnant patients.

While we welcome today’s decision, it is by no means a victory for abortion and reproductive rights. The district court order will stay in place while the litigation moves forward, likely to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Today’s Supreme Court decision was arrived at as “improvidently granted,” indicating the court’s apprehension to answer broader questions about the intersection of state abortion bans and a federal law enacted in 1986 called The Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA). EMTALA requires hospitals with emergency departments that receive federal Medicare and Medicaid funding to examine and treat individuals with an emergency medical condition.

Without further guidance on this issue, pregnant patients requiring emergency abortions who are in other states with ongoing abortion bans could experience similar legal and medical roadblocks as seen in Idaho.

In short, our highest court in the land had the opportunity to clarify that states cannot preempt federal laws like EMTALA and to decisively put an end to the chaos and confusion that surrounds conflicting laws around abortion care. Instead, the Court’s majority chose to kick the proverbial can down the road rather than take decisive action to save lives. The Court’s diffident decision today shows a flagrant disregard for the lives of pregnant people and threatens their wellbeing in a medical emergency.

“The same Supreme Court that erroneously overturned Roe v. Wade could never be trusted to protect emergency abortion care. While the Supreme Court plays politics and forces through a highly unpopular agenda aimed at controlling all pregnancy outcomes in the United States, people’s lives hang in the balance,” said Lily Bolourian, Legal and Policy Director for the American Humanist Association. “I am relieved that people in Idaho can exhale a bit today but this fight is far from over. We renew our calls for accountability on the high court and immediate Congressional action to save thousands of lives.”

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The American Humanist Association (AHA) works to protect the rights of humanists, atheists, and other nontheistic Americans. The AHA advances the ethical and life-affirming worldview of humanism, which—without beliefs in gods or other supernatural forces—encourages individuals to live informed and meaningful lives that aspire to the greater good of humanity.

The post AHA Statement on SCOTUS Decision in <em>Moyle v. U.S.</em> appeared first on American Humanist Association.

Contact: David Reinbold, dreinbold@americanhumanist.org

(June 13, 2024, Washington, D.C.) — Today the Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the anti-abortion group that brought a challenge to Mifepristone, a common abortion drug, did not have standing to bring this case. The American Humanist Association is pleased with this decision and is proud to have been a part of an amicus brief in support of the Federal Drug Administration and the accessibility of Mifepristone.

While we are relieved that the Supreme Court did not strike down access to this important prescription medicine today, we are clear that this fight is far from over. Since the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade, Congress has still failed to replace those protections, throwing patients and providers into a chaotic legal landscape that makes it almost certain that additional challenges to this safe and effective drug will continue to be brought forward by Christian nationalists.

“While today we feel relief, we know that the fight for abortion access is far from over. The AHA calls on Congress and the Administration to act by swiftly passing the Women’s Health Protection Act and the Abortion Justice Act to codify strong protections for abortion access and reproductive justice across the nation,” said Lily Bolourian, AHA’s Legal and Policy Director.

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The American Humanist Association (AHA) works to protect the rights of humanists, atheists, and other nontheistic Americans. The AHA advances the ethical and life-affirming worldview of humanism, which—without beliefs in gods or other supernatural forces—encourages individuals to live informed and meaningful lives that aspire to the greater good of humanity.

The post AHA Applauds SCOTUS Decision in <em>FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine</em> appeared first on American Humanist Association.

Coinciding with the National Day of  Reason (annually on May 4) and the Secular Week of Action, the inaugural Congressional Reason Reception celebrated the invaluable role of reason in public policy and honored the enduring legacy of Thomas Paine, who wrote “The Age of Reason” and strongly supported the concept of separation of church and state during the nation’s founding. The event featured the wit and wisdom of advocates and members of Congress, and served as a strong contrast to the doom and gloom and victimization that is pervasive in Christian nationalist circles.

The reception was attended by the Co-Chairs of the Congressional Freethought Caucus, Representatives Jamie Raskin and Jared Huffman, Congressional Freethought Caucus Member Representative Greg Casar, and numerous Congressional staffers, community members, and religious and secular activists.

Representative Huffman commented that the Congressional Reason Reception is a  “counterweight to the National Prayer Breakfast.” Representative Greg Casar discussed that he was “sent here from my constituents in Texas because we badly need help back home here at the Federal level fighting to make sure we are working on inclusion and kindness and helping people and not relying on old theocratic ideas in order to bully people.”

“Our people have had it with conspiracy theories, disinformation, fake news and propaganda. It’s time to stand up strong for reason, science and Enlightenment values,” said Representative Raskin. “I was delighted to attend the inaugural Congressional Reason Reception with my friend, the co-founder and co-chair of the Congressional Freethought Caucus, Congressman Jared Huffman, as well as the Secular Coalition for America, Freedom From Religion Foundation, and the American Humanist Association. With democracy under siege, we’re putting truth, critical thinking and common sense back on the public agenda.”

The full house enjoyed the program packed with insightful discourse, wit and humor. Doug Lindner, a democracy advocate for a major environmental rights group, kicked off the inaugural event. “When I was asked to speak here tonight, I hesitated. I thought about it and I prayed. And something miraculous happened. It was a rainy day and the gray skies parted over H Street, and from betwixt the clouds a mighty pillar of fire descended from the heavens, and touched down outside my window. And from the pillar of fire, I heard the deafening ethereal voice of the Almighty himself. The Lord spoke to me and he said, ‘Thou shall go forth and join your friends in the mockery of Mike Johnson.’”

Attendees had the pleasure of hearing speaker Kate Cohen, Washington Post columnist and author of “We Of Little Faith,” deliver a keynote address, where she warned about the “elevation of religious belief above other kinds of belief” and the “increasing willingness to ignore our country’s foundational dividing line between government and religion.”

Three awards channeling Thomas Paine writings were bestowed. Rep. Huffman stated, “we are proud to present tonight three annual Freethought awards in Thomas Paine’s honor. The awards will recognize the brightest luminaries of Paine’s legacy, and we’ll also call out one individual who exemplifies everything Thomas Paine opposed.”

Representative Casar from Texas’ 35th Congressional District presented the Age of Reason Award to Texas State Representative James Talarico. “I am so proud that our members voted overwhelmingly to give the award to a rising star in Texas Politics,” adding that Talarico “is a theologian against theocracy.”

It is more important than ever for Americans to know about the dangers that Christian nationalist ideologies pose to our democracy. As award recipient Talarico put it, “There is nothing Christian about Christian Nationalism. From the schoolhouse to the statehouse, Christian Nationalists are gaining power and pushing legislation to take away our freedoms — perverting Christianity and subverting democracy.”

Representative Huffman from California’s 2nd Congressional District introduced the Common Sense Award, which is dedicated to someone who has stood up for reason, secularism, science and church-state separation. Huffman presented the award to Rev. William Barber who, “has been for years an outspoken critic of Christian nationalism. He refers to it as a well funded, coordinated political movement that has co-opted his faith tradition and exploits so-called traditional values to undermine democracy and divide people across the land.”

Kate Cohen, in announcing the Uncommon Nonsense Award, prefaced her remarks by noting it was a “crowded field that includes Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Tom Parker, with an opinion citing God 40 times.” But, Cohen added, “There’s still a clear winner. This year it goes to a man who has said that God put him in the job to which American citizens elected him, that his position on every issue can be found in the Bible, that America is a Christian nation, and that ‘separation of church and state’ is a ‘misnomer’: My Speaker of the House and yours, Mike Johnson.”

Given the success of this year’s event, the secular community plans to return next year on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 to celebrate the next Congressional Reason Reception.

About the Secular Coalition for America:

The Secular Coalition for America is an advocacy organization representing secular Americans. Its mission is to increase the visibility and respectability of nontheistic viewpoints in the United States and to protect and strengthen the secular character of our government.

Contact: Nnenna Onwukwe
Communications Manager
nnenna@secular.org

About the Freedom From Religion Foundation:

The Freedom From Religion Foundation is a national nonprofit organization based in Madison, Wisconsin, with members from all 50 states. The organization promotes the constitutional principle of separation of state and church and educates the public on matters relating to nontheism.

Contact: Amit Patel
Director of Communications
amit@ffrf.org

About the American Humanist Association:

The American Humanist Association works to protect the rights of humanists, atheists, and other nontheistic Americans. The AHA advances the ethical and life-affirming worldview of humanism, which—without beliefs in gods or other supernatural forces—encourages individuals to live informed and meaningful lives that aspire to the greater good of humanity.

Contact: David Reinbold
Communications Manager
dreinbold@americanhumanist.org

The post With Wit and Humor, Secular Organizations Host Inaugural Congressional Reason Reception appeared first on American Humanist Association.

Contact: David Reinbold, dreinbold@americanhumanist.org

(Washington, DC, May 1, 2024) — Today, Congressional Freethought Caucus Co-Chair Representative Jamie Raskin, joined by Caucus Co-Chair Representative Jared Huffman, and other Congressional Freethought Caucus members, introduced a resolution to recognize May 4, 2024 as the National Day of Reason.

The National Day of Reason celebrates science, logic, and reason as guiding principles of our secular democracy, and promotes greater awareness of the constitutional separation of religion and government. The resolution “encourages all citizens, residents, and visitors to join in observing this day and focusing on the central importance of reason, critical thought, the scientific method, and free inquiry to resolving social problems and promoting the welfare of humankind.”

“We proudly stand with Rep. Raskin, Rep. Huffman, and the entirety of the Congressional Freethought Caucus, in elevating the National Day of Reason,” said Nicole Carr, Interim Executive Director for the American Humanist Association. “With Christian nationalist influence proliferating in Congress, and with the threat to our judiciary looming large, it has never been so important to reaffirm our commitment to the constitutional wall of separation between religion and government, and to celebrate reason as the guiding principle of our secular democracy.” 

Humanist and nontheist communities around the country will celebrate the National Day of Reason as part of a nationwide Secular Week of Action, an opportunity to make positive change in their communities through volunteerism. 

Those interested in demonstrating their support for a National Day of Reason are encouraged to visit nationaldayofreason.org to find information for organizing local action and a template to request a proclamation recognizing the National Day of Reason in their communities, read government statements and media coverage from previous years, and extend official organizational endorsement. Folks also are invited to attend the livestream of the inaugural Congressional Reason Reception on May 1, 2024, from 6:30-8 p.m. ET. This event, co-sponsored by AHA with the Freedom From Religion Foundation and the Secular Coalition for America, will feature members of Congress and keynote speaker Kate Cohen. 

“During the past year, we have witnessed numerous intrusions of religious ideology into all spheres of government,” said Lily Bolourian, Legal and Policy Director for the AHA. “This onslaught has included battles to display religious iconography in public spaces, the use of religious reasoning to restrict access to reproductive services, the ramped up repression of LGBTQIA+ people and their families—particularly trans* youth—and so much more. We proudly stand with our allies in Congress in support of science, reason, and critical thought in shaping and guiding our secular democracy, in opposition to religious zealotry.”  

Learn more about the National Day of Reason at nationaldayofreason.org.

Read the National Day of Reason resolution introduced by Reps. Raskin and Huffman here.

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The American Humanist Association (AHA) works to protect the rights of humanists, atheists, and other nontheistic Americans. The AHA advances the ethical and life-affirming worldview of humanism, which—without beliefs in gods or other supernatural forces—encourages individuals to live informed and meaningful lives that aspire to the greater good of humanity.

The Center for Freethought Equality (CFE) is the advocacy arm of the American Humanist Association dedicated to lobbying and political advocacy. The CFE significantly increases humanist activity in key Washington coalitions, and has established a permanent lobbyist on the Hill that fights for issues secular Americans care about like the separation of church and state and protecting civil liberties.

The post Humanists Laud National Day of Reason Resolution Introduced in the US House of Representatives appeared first on American Humanist Association.

Contact: David Reinbold, dreinbold@americanhumanist.org

(Washington, D.C., April 24, 2024) – Today the Supreme Court of the United States heard arguments in consolidated cases Idaho v. U.S. and Moyle v. U.S. that threaten the lives of pregnant people across the country by jeopardizing access to emergency abortion care. If the Supreme Court sides with anti-abortion extremists and Christian nationalists, the results will be catastrophic.

As anti-abortion zealots roll out their unpopular agenda to systematically dismantle access to life-saving abortion care across the country – prompted by the disastrous decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization – the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), a nearly 40-year-old law, now finds itself in their crosshairs.

The American Humanist Association was proud to join 98 other organizations in signing on to an amicus brief in support of EMTALA protections for abortion care led by the National Women’s Law Center, In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum, and the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice.

As humanists, we recognize that coordinated attempts to roll back abortion protections not only constitute a public health crisis and violate basic human rights, they also threaten the secular fiber of our democracy and the constitutional guarantee of separation of religion from government.

“The Supreme Court must protect access to emergency abortion care. Without it, people will die. Christian nationalists have waged war on every single aspect of our lives but they fail to recognize that the majority is with us. The Supreme Court must get this decision right as millions of lives hang in the balance,” said Lily Bolourian, AHA’s Legal and Policy Director.

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The American Humanist Association (AHA) works to protect the rights of humanists, atheists, and other nontheistic Americans. The AHA advances the ethical and life-affirming worldview of humanism, which—without beliefs in gods or other supernatural forces—encourages individuals to live informed and meaningful lives that aspire to the greater good of humanity.

The post American Humanists Demand SCOTUS Protect Emergency Abortion Access appeared first on American Humanist Association.

Contact: David Reinbold, dreinbold@americanhumanist.org

(Washington, DC, March 26, 2024) — The American Humanist Association proudly joined an amicus brief in support of the Federal Drug Administration and abortion access in FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, a case in which oral arguments were heard today at the Supreme Court. Over 100 organizations joined together in the brief to champion reproductive health, rights, and justice in a case that threatens the legality and availability of mifepristone: a drug that, when administered with misoprostol, is the most common method of medication abortion in the United States.

Mifepristone is safe, effective, and supported by more than two decades of scientific and medical evidence. This medication can be self-administered, allowing people to end early pregnancies in a comfortable setting of their choice. According to a study released by the Guttmacher Institute last week, “there were approximately 642,700 medication abortions in the United States in 2023, accounting for 63% of all abortions in the formal health care system. This is an increase from 2020, when medication abortions accounted for 53% of all abortions.” At a time when people are increasingly relying on the use of medication abortions to terminate their pregnancies, the need to protect access to mifepristone could not be more vital.

In today’s oral arguments, the Alliance argued that no one in the country should have access to mifepristone because seven of its members–who are doctors–face the remote possibility that one day they might have to provide emergency care to a person who has used mifepristone to end a pregnancy.

The government defended the FDA’s actions to keep mifepristone safe and available for women across the country. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar challenged the Alliance’s ability to bring this suit in the first place, as mere disagreement with the right to abortion does not grant the Alliance the right to challenge the well-founded decisions of a government agency.

General Prelogar further argued that to allow such sweeping relief based on the “conscience objections” of a few religiously motivated individuals would lead to profound harm: harm to the FDA, harm to the pharmaceutical industry, harm to the entire healthcare system, and harm to countless women who rely on mifepristone for safe and accessible reproductive care.”

Anti-abortion zealots across government have made it clear since the landmark decision was handed down in Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion on the federal level in 1973, that they will not stop their crusade until all reproductive and pregnancy outcomes that do not result in live birth are banned, investigated, and criminalized across the United States. The extremist justices’ abhorrent ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization successfully ripped away the bodily autonomy of people and their right to make their own private healthcare decisions. Ending the use of mifepristone is the next step in their plan to end all access to abortion.

“Access to abortion is a fundamental human right and an issue of chief concern for humanists. We have seen how attacks on abortion access are strongly rooted in the dangerous ideologies of Christian nationalism, and the AHA will continue to wholeheartedly defend abortion and reproductive freedom,” said Nicole Carr, Interim Executive Director for the AHA. “Blocking access to abortion is not only immoral and a public health crisis, it is also an infringement on religious freedom, a right that applies to humanists and nonbelievers as equally as to religious individuals.”

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The American Humanist Association (AHA) works to protect the rights of humanists, atheists, and other nontheistic Americans. The AHA advances the ethical and life-affirming worldview of humanism, which—without beliefs in gods or other supernatural forces—encourages individuals to live informed and meaningful lives that aspire to the greater good of humanity.

The post AHA Supports Abortion Rights at Risk in Today’s SCOTUS Oral Arguments appeared first on American Humanist Association.