Atheist Students and Leaders Participate in White House Briefing

This story originally appeared on Unreasonable Faith on March 1, 2010. Used here with permission.

By Jesse Galef

The atheist movement made a big step last Friday when the Secular Coalition for America arranged a policy briefing with White House officials. A delegation of about 60 nontheists convened in the nation's capital to engage with the administration. I can't repeat what the administration said - these meetings are held off the record - but I can say that I've never felt more proud and optimistic about the political status of atheists.

The Secular Student Alliance delegation inside the briefing room. Left to right: Catherine Blackwell, president of SSA at UMBC; Lyz Liddell, Director of Campus Organizing; Hemant Mehta, Chair of the Board; Jesse Galef, Director of Communications; Matthew LaClair, Board Member; August Brunsman, Executive Director; Shelley Mountjoy, Board Member.

The topics we focused on were: protecting children from religiously-motivated medical neglect, ending the coercive religious climate in the military, and fixing the faith-based initiatives. To discuss the issues, we met with representatives from the departments of Health and Human Services, Defense, and Justice. My friend Paul Fidalgo, now a spokesman for the Secular Coalition for America, told reporters that we were "encouraged by the reception we got today" and said the meeting went "very, very well." I have to agree.

While various groups have been treated to this sort of meeting before, it was the first time our community was recognized as deserving the same treatment. That's the key point: we're hoping for secular Americans to be a part of the political process like all the other religious identities. Leaders of religious communities frequently get to speak with administration officials; we want the same thing. It seems only fair.

A quick point about expectations: try to remember that we are one group among many. True, secular Americans are a sizable minority, but we don't - and won't - call all the shots. Some people complain to me that the administration isn't perfect on our issues. Well, duh. We can hope for perfection and work toward it, but it's not reasonable to expect. It is, however, reasonable to expect and demand that we be recognized as part of the process and that our voices be heard. And it's starting to happen.

Most of the reaction in the media - and there's a lot! - is even-handed and represents us accurately. Story (McClatchy) after story (USA Today) after story (Washington Post) after story (ABC News) mentioned the meeting's novelty and listed our concerns.

And then there's the expected teeth-gnashing from religious zealots (such as my old friend Bill Donohue.) But the real prize for crazy response goes to Hannity, whose mangling of reality is breathtaking (from MediaMatters):

HANNITY: The Obama administration earlier today rolled out the red carpet for a coalition of atheist groups. Now, among the individuals in attendance was Michael Newdow. That's the California man who sued unsuccessfully to have the words "under God" removed from the Pledge of Allegiance. Now, religious groups, however, have not received this kind of treatment from the Obama White House. Now, last year, the President distanced himself from the National Day of Prayer, cancelling the formal service traditionally held in honor of the day and refusing to attend a Catholic prayer breakfast. So what's going on? Has the administration demonstrated a pattern of hostility towards religion, or is this merely a coincidence?

Media Matters does a great job demonstrating that religious groups HAVE received this kind of treatment from the Obama administration. Actually, they often receive better treatment - Obama met personally with religious leaders.

The truth of the matter is that religion is starting to lose its unfair position of privilege in American government. That change appears to be scaring some people. Expect more terrified flailing in the future, because we're gaining momentum in our campaign for equal treatment. Friday's meeting was a big step, but we're going to accomplish so much more.

Jesse Galef is the Communications Director for the Secular Student Alliance. He has worked for the Secular Coalition for America and the American Humanist Association.

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