Freedom From Religion Foundation

{{atheism}}
The '''Freedom From Religion Foundation''' (FFRF) is one of the most prominent organized groups protesting against undue favoritism shown to [[religion]] and the religious under [[US]] law. In addition to filing lawsuits, they also engage in some publicity stunts, publish newsletters, and sponsor competitions.<ref>[http://ffrf.org/faq/about-the-foundation/what-does-the-foundation-do/ FFRF.org - What does the foundation do?] (The "!" is ''their'' addition)</ref> They proclaim that "The [[history]] of Western civilization shows us that most social and moral progress has been brought about by persons free from religion."<ref>[http://ffrf.org/about FFRF.org - About FFRF]</ref> The title of the organization is most likely a play on the phrase "freedom ''of'' religion", which is enshrined in the laws of many western countries — and sometimes considered by extreme social conservatives to specifically mean you can have any religion you like, [[Bullshit|but ''no'' religion is not allowed]]. [[Lying for Jesus]], anyone?

==Criticism of all religions==
[[Image:GrimFiaryTailSlur.jpg|thumb|left|The bumper sticker.]]
{{fun}}
The FFRF is famous for selling stickers that describe the 
buybull
 Bible thusly: "The [[Bible]]: A Grim Fairy Tale..."<ref>[http://ffrf.org/shop/products/details.php?cat=bstickers&ID=BS2 The Bible: A Grim Fairy Tale...]</ref> As a Western organization, they naturally focus most of their attention on [[Christianity]] (the majority religion in the West, and therefore the one that is [[The United States as a Christian nation|more likely to attempt to theocratize the US]]), but they are also critical of [[Islam]] as well (this locking the “[[Whataboutism|What About Islam]]” [[escape hatch]] shut),<ref>[http://ffrf.org/publications/freethought-today/item/19487-because-of-religion "Because of Religion..."]</ref> and co-president Dan Barker included a satirical song poking fun at [[reincarnation]] in his album ''Friendly Neighborhood Atheist''.

=== Other acts of braveness ===
[[File:Atheist sign Wisconsin State Capitol.png|thumb|A photo of the sign at the Wisconsin State Capitol]]
According to Wikipedia, the FFRF won the right to display a sign in the [[Wisconsin]] State Capitol during the [[War on Christmas|Christmas]] season, which reads:

{{cquote|At this season of the Winter Solstice may reason prevail.

There are no [[polytheism|gods]], no [[devil]]s, no [[angel]]s, no [[heaven]] or [[hell]].

There is only our [[universe|natural world]].

Religion is but [[myth]] and [[superstition]] that hardens hearts and enslaves minds.}}

They are also noted for sending "stop it{{!!}}" letters (known in some legal circles as cease and desist letters) to a variety of local governmental entities that have led to settlements over religious infringement into politics and everyday life.

==Legal wins and losses==
The FFRF has won and lost these legal issues, according to {{wpl|Freedom From Religion Foundation#Litigation|Wikipedia}} and others.

=== Wins ===
* 
Getting the [[National Day of Prayer]] declared unconstitutional.<ref>[http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2010-04-15-prayer-day_N.htm Judge rules National Day of Prayer unconstitutional] - USA Today</ref><ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/15/national-day-of-prayer-un_n_539771.html National Day of Prayer unconstitutional, Judge declares] - Huffington Post</ref><ref>[http://www.ffrf.org/news/releases/judge-rules-in-favor-of-ffrf-in-suit-against-national-day-of-prayer/ FFRF celebrates National Day of Prayer victory] - Freedom From Religion Foundation website</ref>
 Later vacated per case/controversy clause.<ref>http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/religion/2011-04-15-prayer_court_14_ST_N.htm</ref> That damned Constitution.
* Overturning an unconstitutionally state-sponsored Good Friday holiday — plaintiffs included Foundation staff and state employees.<ref>http://ffrf.org/faq/state-church/item/14016-good-friday-closings</ref>
* Winning a lawsuit barring direct taxpayer subsidy of religious schools
* Removing [[Ten Commandments]] monuments and crosses from public land
* Ending the U.S. Post Office's issuing of religious postage cancellations
* Ending [[Bible]] instruction and forced school prayer in [[public school]]s

===Losses===
* Challenged a Congressional proclamation calling 1983 "The Year of the Bible" (dismissed as moot)
* Challenged a Ten Commandments monument in a public park in La Crosse, Wisconsin (dismissed)
* Filed a federal lawsuit to stop the building of a chapel at the Illinois statehouse (lost in appeals court)
* Went to Colorado state court to remove a Ten Commandments monument on Capitol grounds in Denver (lost in State Supreme Court)
* Challenged "[[In God We Trust]]" on U.S. currency in Colorado (lost in 10th Circuit Court)
* Tried to block the state of Wisconsin from granting $100,000 to assist building a center at St. Norbert Catholic College, DePere, Wisconsin (lost in appeals court)
* Challenged a lighted nativity scene in a public park in Waunakee, Wisconsin (lost in Wisconsin Supreme Court)
* Sued over the removal of its banner, "State/Church: Keep Them Separate," from the rotunda of the Wisconsin State Capitol (lost in federal court)
* Went to federal court in Missouri to sue over the phrase "So help me, God" on tax forms (case was dismissed, then was lost after refiling).<ref>http://www.ffrf.org/legal/legal5.php</ref>
* Claimed taxpayer standing to challenge White House faith-based programs which violated the Establishment Clause (opinion of the court was against existence of such standing,<ref>https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=2489373040996353778&hl=en&as_sdt=6&as_vis=1&oi=scholarr</ref> though [[Anthony Kennedy|Kennedy]], while supporting that determination, nonetheless all but scolded then-President [[George W. Bush]] in his concurrence<ref>https://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/06-157.ZC.html</ref> for not considering the constitutionality of his actions)
* A smattering of cease-and-desist letters regarding prayers at governmental meetings, some of which were ignored and some of which simply led to the invitation of ministers from other religions for variety.<ref>http://blog.al.com/breaking/2012/03/huntsville_city_council_to_put.html</ref> (However, this still does not change the fact that this still excludes [[atheists|irreligious people]]. However, they still claim this as a victory; in fairness, gaining tacit recognition of other faiths in formerly Protestant-only ceremonies is an improvement.)
* Substantially ''increasing'' attendance at various religious events.<ref>http://blog.al.com/wire/2013/08/prayer_caravan_is_strongest_pr.html</ref><ref>http://www.annistonstar.com/news/article_52058e56-7c34-11e4-a9f2-0fd03cdbfa02.html</ref>

==Freedom From Atheism Foundation==
{{main|Freedom From Atheism Foundation}}
The ''Freedom From Atheism Foundation'' is an anti-atheist hate site that 
copied
 modeled their name on the Freedom From Religion Foundation. The ''[[FFAF]]'' opposes “[[militant atheism]]” (an imaginary threat), but believes that promoting 
hatred towards [[Critical thinking|critical thinkers]]
 [[faith]], 
specifically
 especially [[Christianity]], is acceptable.<ref>[http://ffaf.weebly.com/ Freedom From Atheism Foundation (FFAF)!]</ref><ref>https://www.facebook.com/FFAF.International</ref> Perfectly serious citations of [[Conservapedia]] included (!).

==External links==
*[http://ffrf.org Freedom From Religion Foundation official website]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:United States politics]]
[[category:Atheism]]
[[category:Law]]
[[category:Atheist groups]]
[[Category:Organizations]]

Categories: United States politics, Atheism, Law, Atheist groups, Organizations