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Membership, Employment, and Service Restrictions Targeting Nonbelievers

Before proceeding, here is some historical context. Excerpts from the Encyclopedia Brittanica of 1771.

How many atheists are there in the U.S.? According to the The Harris PollŪ #80, October 31, 2006 11%. That is an increase of 2 percentage points over the 9% atheists in 2003.

Commerce for believers only?

• ACLU Targets Religious Discounts as Religious Discrimination.
• Kentucky public accommodation exemption for church owned businesses.
• Kentucky governor vetoes civil rights exemption for religious groups.
• Kentucky lawmakers override veto, April 14, 2000.

State religious oath/belief requirement for public office

• Should public office be legally restricted to believers?

Government mandated theistic group therapy

• Can government direct nonbelievers to attend theistic group therapy?

Little League does not discriminate against non-theists

• Children may stand silently during pre-game theistic pledge.

Boys and Girls Club of America "I believe in God"

• Government funding and "I believe in God" membership application

Boy Scouts of America: Nonbelievers need not apply

Please keep in mind that the material on BSA discusses two separate issues. The non-legal issue "Should BSA open membership to non- believers?" and the legal issues such as "Does government violate anti-discrimination law by chartering BSA units?".

BSA: Court cases and legal background

BSA: Policy, organization, and funding

BSA: Government Support.

BSA: Mass media coverage

BSA: Essays, arguments

Veterans of Foreign Wars: 'I believe in God' membership requirement

Should membership organizations dedicating to serving American veterans refuse to admit nonbelievers? Should U.S. Air Force Academy chapels refuse access to military personnel for their wedding because the marriage ceremony is not conducted by a clergyperson or 'their equivalent'?

• Department of Defense religious nondiscrimination policy.
• Veterans organization membership requires belief in a God.
• Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers.
• Atheist in a foxhole in Vietnam.

Utah Elk clubs: Belief in a Supreme Being membership requirement

• Utah liquor licensees subject to anti-discrimination law.

Religious beliefs, society, and non-discrimination: A larger context.

Essays, statements, and general information from various perspectives on related topics.

• Related issues

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There is far too much misunderstanding, stereotyping, and misinformation regarding atheism. Learn about atheism.

To discriminate against a thoroughly upright citizen because he belongs to some particular church, or because, like Abraham Lincoln, he has not avowed his allegiance to any church, is an outrage against that liberty of conscience which is one of the foundations of American life. Written by Theodore Roosevelt in 1908.

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