Here are the biggest stories dealing with atheism and the separation of church and state from 2004. The reasoning behind some choices will be obvious, but not always. In general, I chose not always those with the largest impact around the world, but often those which generated a great deal of attention and discussion both on this site and elsewhere. In many cases, the individual article is part of a long-running story or issue.
The United States Supreme Court delivered a decision on Michael Newdow’s challenge to the phrase “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance: they dismissed it on a technicality and ruled that Newdow didn’t have “standing” to challenge the Pledge in the first place.
There is no organized political group representing the interests of atheists, agnostics, and other nonbelievers in America - at least, there wasn't until this year. Out of the "Godless Americans March" in Washington two years ago has sprung the "Godless Americans Political Action Committee," or GAMPAC, a group that focuses on supporting political candidates who will do more to separate religion from government.
The decision to ban Muslim headscarves (as well as other ostentatious religious symbols) from public schools led to widespread criticism of France. Many argued that it was simply anti-Muslim legislation and had nothing to do with preserving French secularism. I have, however, found an excellent defense and explanation of the decision by one of the people who served on the commission that recommended the ban.
The city of San Diego, California, had been locked in a legal battle with the ACLU over a generous lease which the Boy Scouts had with the city for the use of a park. The ACLU had been fighting to get the lease ended and, along with it, the preferential treatment being given to that organization.
You have probably heard of the Unitarian-Universalist church. They have organizations in every state and churches in most communities. They have roots going back hundreds of years and some of America’s most prominent leaders have belonged to it. Texas, however, tried to end their designation as a religion because they don’t require members to believe in God.
The label "Bright," chosen in order to have something more positive for atheists and freethinkers than the label "atheist," has not met with universal acclaim among those the term was chosen to describe. In fact, a great many object to the apparent arrogance of it and refuse to use it at all.
Catholic Charities in California is being forced to provide
contraception coverage to employees because they don't qualify as a "religious organization" under the law. Their appeal to the Supreme Court was turned down - so the law stands.
In Tampa, Florida, an atheist was allowed to deliver an invocation before the meeting started - but three members (half the council) was so incensed that an atheist could be given the same consideration as a Christian that they walked out rather than stay and listen to what he had to say. <a href="http://atheism.about.com/b/a/102733.htm">Falllout...</a>
Because the Boy Scouts were successful in defending their right to discriminate against gays and atheists, others have been successful in getting government organizations to cut their ties to the group. After all, their right to discriminate doesn't include a right to public support for discrimination. Now, the Defense Department is breaking away from them as well.
