New Poll says 4 in 10 Americans Believe in Strict Creationism

We no longer can afford to debate the validity of science like evolution that is as commonly accepted as the theory of gravity or heliocentricity.

A new Gallup Poll released last week says that 40% of Americans believe in a strict creationist view of the world in which evolution did not take place and God created humans in their present form about 10,000 years ago. Among those who did not fall into that category, 38% believe that evolution did take place, but was guided by a higher power and 16% believe human life evolved without the involvement of any kind of deity.

click here for the complete report---
http://www.au.org/what-we-do/legislative/legislative-blog/archives/2010/12/new-poll-says-4-in-10-americans-believe-in-strict-creationism.html


Americans United will continue to fight to prevent religious teaching from finding its way into public schools. Help us keep up the fight in the states by visiting our website, http://www.au.org and signing up for alerts!


To see video of Judge John E. Jones, the presiding judge in Kitzmiller v. Dover, in his speech at the November 2010 Americans United board meeting, click here:
Judge John E. Jones: "From Scopes to Kitzmiller and Beyond: Lessons in Judicial Independence."

2011 OK Legislative Bill Preview

2011 OK Legislative Bill Preview
Okla. Chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church & State announces......
www.okau.org



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For Immediate Release
OKC Chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State
Saturday, January 29, 2011 Event
Contact: Mike Fuller, President, 405-570-3244 mf12@sbcglobal.net
Nick Singer, Vice-President, 405-416-3126 nasinger@gmail.com
James Nimmo, Communications Chair, 405-843-3651 james.nimmo@gmail.com


What: 2011 OK Legislative Bill Preview -
Religious vs. Civil Use of Tax Payer Money
When: Saturday, January 29, 2011, 9:30 am to 11:30 am
Where: OK State Senate Chamber, Capitol Building, 2100 N. Lincoln, OKC, OK
Who: OKC Chapter of Americans United for Church & State and the public!


Americans United for Separation of Church & State,
OKC Chapter, Announces Legislative Preview 2011


(Oklahoma City) The Oklahoma City Chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church & State will hold its second annual Oklahoma Legislative Preview on Saturday, January 29, 2011 in the State Senate Chamber, Oklahoma Capitol Building, located in Oklahoma City.


Convening at 9:30 am, this event previews bills submitted by both Houses of the Oklahoma Legislature that involve the use of public tax money or public property to advance religious viewpoints that could violate the state and federal Constitutional prohibitions against mixing religious doctrine with secular government. The event will conclude at 11:30 am.


The language of these bills will be reviewed and discussed in an open meeting with all interested citizens encouraged to participate with questions and comments.


Please note that access to the Senate Chamber will be through the west security entrance of the State Capitol. Ample free parking and handicapped facilities are available.



Americans United (AU) is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to preserving the constitutional principle of church-state separation as the only way to ensure religious freedom for all Americans.


For more information about the Oklahoma City Chapter of Americans for Separation of Church and State please visit http://www.au.org or http://www.okau.org/ or contact Mike Fuller at 405-570-3244, Nick Singer at 405-416-3126 or James Nimmo at 405-843-3651.

Congressional Prayer Caucus Off Base With Attack On Obama, Says Americans United

December 6, 2010

Church-State Watchdog Group Urges President To Ignore Missive Whining About National Motto

Members of the Congressional Prayer Caucus have criticized President Barack Obama for telling an audience in Indonesia last month that the phrase “E Pluribus Unum” is a good summary of the American experience.

The Prayer Caucus, led by U.S. Rep. Randy Forbes (R-Va.), wrote to Obama today complaining that he called “E Pluribus Unum” the national motto during a Nov. 10 speech at a university in Jakarta. The national motto, the caucus insists, is actually “In God We Trust.”

Americans United for Separation of Church and State says members of the Prayer Caucus should reconsider if they think this is an important issue.

“Given the state of the economy, the unemployment rate and the precarious state of world affairs, the president has a lot to do,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United. “Members of the Congressional Prayer Caucus, by contrast, appear to have a lot of time on their hands.”

AU pointed out that “E Pluribus Unum” appears on the Great Seal of the United States, which was codified in 1782, and the phrase is still used on coinage. In citing it, Obama was trying to make the point that even though Americans are of diverse backgrounds, they have joined together as one nation.

The caucus also complained about Obama omitting the word “Creator” when quoting passages from the Declaration of Independence and offered to meet with him about these issues.

“The Prayer Caucus should just admit that it is looking for any opportunity to bash the president,” Lynn remarked. “It’s not very Christian of them, but I expect nothing less from a body that takes its marching orders from the Religious Right.”

Added Lynn, “This is one of the silliest manufactured controversies I’ve ever seen, and I would advise the president to deal with it by tossing the caucus’ letter into the nearest wastebasket.”

Americans United is a religious liberty watchdog group based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1947, the organization educates Americans about the importance of church-state separation in safeguarding religious freedom.