10th Anniversary Year The Problem CHRISTIAN VOTER TURNOUT RESULTING IN TAKEOVER OF REPUBLICAN PARTY 80.0 70.0 60.0 50.0 40.0 CHRISTIAN VOTERS 30.0 20.0 10.0 0.0 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s.
Download ReportTranscript 10th Anniversary Year The Problem CHRISTIAN VOTER TURNOUT RESULTING IN TAKEOVER OF REPUBLICAN PARTY 80.0 70.0 60.0 50.0 40.0 CHRISTIAN VOTERS 30.0 20.0 10.0 0.0 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s.
10th Anniversary Year 1 The Problem CHRISTIAN VOTER TURNOUT RESULTING IN TAKEOVER OF REPUBLICAN PARTY 80.0 70.0 60.0 50.0 40.0 CHRISTIAN VOTERS 30.0 20.0 10.0 0.0 1970s 2 1980s 1990s 2000s Non-affiliated Vote 1980-2012 – By Political Party 3 Creationism in Public Schools Creationism Passed in LA & TN - Fighting in Twelve States 4 The Religious Right spends $390 million dollars a year – The Secular Coalition for America spends just $348,000 5 “We don’t view you as a constituency. We don’t do outreach to that community.” Senior Obama Adviser Broderick Johnson 6 #secularwarrior • Who are secular voters? • What are our issues? • How the Secular Coalition for America is making a difference. • What YOU can do to affect change! 7 Who We Represent:“Nones” 2012, 20% 20% 2010, 18% 18% 16% 2008, 15% 14% 12% 10% 8% 6% 4% 1990, 6% 2% 0% 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 8 Who We Represent: Secular Americans 55% of Americans think political leaders should NOT rely on religious beliefs when making decisions. Yes, they should (40%) No, they should not (55%) It depends (4%) No opinion (2%) 9 Source: ABC News/Washington Post poll, April 2005 and the Association of Religion Data Archives Secular Coalition for America Outreach Initiative Women LGBTQI African Americans Latino Conservatives Journalist Science Groups Religious Groups Under 30 10 Secular Diversity Women are underrepresented in the secular movement. But why is that? Fewer women than men identify as atheist, agnostic or even unaffiliated. Secular Diversity 64% are male and only 36% are female. Of the general population 23% of men and 17% women described themselves as religiously unaffiliated Why Are Women More Religious? Atheism appeals to people in science—where women are underrepresented. Churches provide support structures for women and children: Meals; After school care; Daycare at reduced prices; Free summer programs; and A perceived safe community. Why Women Should Be More Secular Religion has never been an ally for women’s equality. In many religious organizations today women still cannot hold top leadership roles. Religious organizations are the primary opponents of the real-life reproductive needs of women. For women, reproductive control = economic self- determination. How The Secular Movement Can Help In order for women to participate, they need their most basic needs addressed first. For many women this revolves around family obligations. We must create a culture that addresses women's needs. Secular Alternative Plan Provide secular daycare options. Align the movement with groups offering after school activities; Science Clubs Book Clubs Sports This will help stop indoctrination. Align With Allied Groups NOW NARAL Planned Parenthood The Independent Women's Feminist Majority Foundation Forum Association for Women in Science American Association of University Women National Council of Women’s Organizations Older Women’s League Republicans for Choice Girl Scouts of America Junior League League of Women Voters Younger Women's Task Force Big Sisters Secular Woman SCA And Women’s Issues SCA has in the past, and continues to fight legislation that create religious exemptions for issues that directly affect women—such as the HHS contraception mandate. Fighting faith based hiring discrimination—women being barred from doing specific jobs Continuing to lobby on bills like the Violence Against Women Act - SCA lobbied against religious exemptions. Secular Diversity Outreach Diversity is not just about women. Here are some practical ideas to help address the shortfall of women, ethnic minorities and other groups (i.e. Conservatives) in our movement—in an effort to create true diversity within our community. Minority Group Outreach Tailor messaging to minority groups. For example: “Atheist” does not play well in many minority groups—especially the black community. We would do better to use toned-down rhetoric and terms like, “freethinker” when reaching out to minority communities. 20 Diversity In College Organizations like the Secular Student Alliance has a real opportunity to take a particularly active role in promoting diversity. Exposure young adults have in college will help formulate opinions on community for the rest of their lives. Minority Focused Groups Work as a movement to support race-focused organizations. People will feel more comfortable “coming out” when they are surrounded by those they can relate. Shared experiences can help offer a much-needed sense of community. 22 Journalist Outreach National Association of Black 23 Journalists National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association National Association of Hispanic Journalists National Association of Women in Journalism Asian American Journalist Association Non-Secular Outreach By doing outreach to more diverse communities the SCA can attract, engage, and cultivate relationships that will benefit the secular community. Such as: Science Groups Conservative Groups Religious Writers Religious Groups People Under 30 24 It Takes Time Outreach to the minority and non-secular communities is going to be a marathon not a sprint. The first step is to be friendly with these communities and begin to open the conversation while combatting stereotypes. We are battling hundreds of years of religious indoctrination, we must remember that religion and ethnic culture are often difficult to distinguish. 25 Federal Watch HR 973 - "Religious Exemption to the 26 Contraception Mandate" HR 898 - "Religious Organizations Using Taxpayer Money without Limits" HR 718 - Abstinence Education Reallocation Act of 2013 HR 127 - A bill to restore the Free Speech and First Amendment rights of churches and exempt organizations by repealing the 1954 Johnson Amendment HR 23 - A bill to provide that human life shall be deemed to begin with fertilization. S Res 11 - A resolution expressing support for prayer at school board meetings. Keystone Subject Areas 27 Health & Safety Contraception mandate Pharmacists denying emergency contraception Medical neglect of children through faith healing 28 Education Voucher programs Abstinence-only sex education “Creationism” and “Intelligent design” in science classrooms 29 Religious Privileging Tax Policy Houses of Worship endorsing candidates Faith-Based Nonprofits are exempt from IRS reporting Tax subsidies and exemptions for religious organizations $71 Billion 30 Discrimination Employer religious discrimination Landlords violating discrimination laws may - using religion as a justification Government issued marriage license requirements based on religious dogma Adoption discrimination with federal $$$ 31 -Elected to 2 Year Terms -9 Members + ED -4 Calls/Meetings Appointed by the Board -Approximately 20 Organizations -Current Fee Structure -Voting -Approximately 50 Groups -Non-Voting -Fee Structure 10s of Allied Organizations Tens of Thousands of Individuals Thousands of Donors 100s of Endorsing Organizations 10s of Coalitions Secular Coalition for America Member Organizations Unifying the Secular Movement – National Call White House & Congress Judicial Update Secular Events State Chapters Secular News New Research United Nations Coalition Expansion Students Charity Work Thursdays at Noon ET Phone: 559-726-1300 Code: 199568 34 35 120 Mar-13 Feb-13 Jan-13 Dec-12 Nov-12 Oct-12 Sep-12 Aug-12 Jul-12 Jun-12 40 May-12 Endorsing Organizations 140 118 100 80 60 34 20 0 SCA Success Measures 5/12/2012 5/12/2013 300 200 100 0 Media Mentions 60 50 40 30 20 10 36 0 Hill Meetings Speeches and Tabling 37 State Chapters 38 Religiously Motivated State Laws 6 - pharmacists can refuse to dispense 39 emergency contraceptives 8 - do not inspect religious childcare centers 21 - exempt employers from contraceptive coverage 30 - ban all forms of marriage except one-man-one-woman 32 - sex education curricula not medically accurate 44 - require “under God” in Pledge of Allegiance Prayer for Bobby Jindal (R-LA) States Where Bible Curriculum Is Taught in Public Schools •Alabama •Alaska •Arizona •Arkansas •California •Connecticut •Florida •Georgia •Illinois •Indiana •Kansas •Kentucky •Louisiana •Maryland •Massachusetts •Michigan •Minnesota •Mississippi •Missouri •Montana •Nebraska •New Jersey •New Mexico •New York •North Carolina •North Dakota •Ohio •Oklahoma •Oregon •Pennsylvania •South Carolina •South Dakota •Tennessee •Texas •Virginia •Washington •West Virginia •Wisconsin 2013 Scorecards Virginia – Terry McAuliffe Ken Cuccinelli New Jersey – Chris Christie 41 Barbara Buono Example: Secular Policy Guide With Co-Chairs Jacques Berlinerblau and Wendy Kaminer Working with Academics, Policymakers, and Advocates Providing Guidance to Policymakers On: Constitutional Framework Health and Safety Education Discrimination Military Discrimination Tax Policy International Policy Secular Resources National Secular Movement Update Call National Secular Calendar Legislative Tracker Congressional Scorecards Action Alerts Powerpoints – Policy Statements, Research Papers 50 State Chapters 43 Facebook.com/SecularCoalition @SecularDotOrg Secularnewsdaily.com @Secular_coalition www.secular.org MAKE A DIFFERENCE • Vote and hold your local politicians accountable • Get involved in your local Secular Coalition Chapter • Stand up and be heard as a fearless #secularwarrior • Text “secular” to 41444 to pledge a donation to the Secular Coalition for America Today! 44 Speaker Information Edwina Rogers Executive Director Mobile (202) 674 7800 [email protected] Secular Coalition for America 1012 14th St., NW, Suite 205 Washington, DC 20005 Office (202) 299 1091 ext. 207 www.secular.org 45