Secular Coalition for America contacts Congressional offices about Boy Scouts commemorative coin bill
The Secular Coalition for America sent letters of appreciation to the eight Congressional members who voted against the Boy Scouts Commemorative Coin bill: Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Barney Frank (D-MA), Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Jim McDermott (D-WA), Pete Stark (D-CA), and Lynn Woolsey (D-CA).
Members of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs received letters urging them to halt the bill so it does not reach the Senate floor. Samples of these letters appear below.
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Also see:
- Secular Coalition for America position paper: Federal funding of the Boys Scouts of America
- Action Alert: Stop the passage of the Boy Scouts commemorative coin
May 22, 2008
The Honorable Pete Stark
United States House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
Re: HR 5872 Boy Scouts of America Commemorative Coin Act
Dear Mr. Stark:
I would like to thank you for your courageous vote against HR 5872. As you know, this legislation would provide federal funding opportunities to the Boy Scouts of America – an organization that explicitly discriminates against nontheists (as well as gays) in admission, employment, and even volunteer opportunities.
The Secular Coalition for America, representing the rights of atheists, humanists, freethinkers and other nontheists, works to educate your colleagues on the need to adhere to our constitutional principles of maintaining a secular government that neither advances nor hinders religion. Providing federal aid to an organization that discriminates based on religion is a clear violation of our American values. As a private membership organization the Boy Scouts of America is permitted to discriminate based on religion; however, our government should not endorse these practices.
Our supporters in your district really appreciate the fact that you took the appropriate, albeit unpopular, stand in voting against this legislation. Thank you again for having the courage to protect the rights of nontheists and the separation of church and state.
Sincerely,
Lori Lipman Brown
Director, Secular Coalition for America
May 22, 2008
The Honorable Christopher Dodd
U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
534 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Re: HR 5872 Boy Scouts of America Commemorative Coin Act
Dear Chairman Dodd:
Although the House overwhelmingly passed HR 5872 by 403 to 8, I am urging you to oppose this legislation. This bill would provide federal funding opportunities to the Boy Scouts of America – an organization that explicitly discriminates against nontheists (as well as gays) in admission, employment, and even volunteer opportunities.
Their policies state, "the Boy Scouts of America will not employ atheists, agnostics, known or avowed homosexuals..." and "Scouting does not accept atheists and agnostics as members or adult volunteer leaders." The Girl Scouts do not have these discriminatory policies.
As a private organization the Boy Scouts of America is permitted to discriminate with regard to membership (but not employment) based on religion; however, our government should not endorse these practices. The U.S. government most certainly should not fundraise for organizations that engage in religious discrimination.
If the Boy Scouts of America discriminated against Jews or Catholics this bill would never have passed the House.
The Secular Coalition for America, representing the rights of atheists, humanists, freethinkers and other nontheists, educates members of Congress on the need to adhere to our constitutional principle of maintaining a secular government that neither advances nor hinders religion. Providing federal aid to an organization that discriminates based on religion is a clear violation of our American values.
Please have the courage to take the appropriate stance and prevent this legislation from reaching the Senate floor. Thank you for considering the rights of nontheists and the need to protect the separation of church and state.
Sincerely,
Lori Lipman Brown
Director, Secular Coalition for America