Secular Coalition for America

Principles and Activities

At the heart of the coalition’s work is the principle that government must remain impartial on religious matters. To advance this aim it pursues several complementary activities: lobbying legislators and government agencies, producing policy analysis and public education materials, coordinating grassroots campaigns, and representing secular perspectives in public debate. The organization generally frames its position as defending religious freedom broadly — including the right to be nonreligious — while opposing government endorsement of particular religious doctrines.

Structure and Membership

The Secular Coalition operates as a coalition of national and regional organizations rather than a single membership body. Its ranks have included many well-known secular and humanist groups as member organizations, such as the American Humanist Association, Freedom From Religion Foundation, Secular Student Alliance, American Atheists, Camp Quest, and others. Individual activists and state-level affiliates also participate in coalition activities, enabling coordinated action at federal and local levels.

History and Development

The coalition emerged in the early 2000s as several secular and humanist groups sought a unified voice in Washington, D.C. By pooling resources and coordinating strategy, member organizations aimed to increase influence on Capitol Hill and in public policy debates. Over time the coalition expanded its outreach, engaged in targeted legislative campaigns, and developed relationships with policymakers, media, and allied civil liberties organizations.

Issues, Campaigns, and Impact

The Secular Coalition focuses on issues where church–state boundaries are contested. Typical concerns include governmental prayer and religious displays, public funding of religious institutions or programs, religious exemptions to public policies, and protections for nonbelievers in public life and the military. The coalition’s activities have included testimony before Congress, public comment on proposed rules, and mobilizing supporters to contact elected officials. Its impact is felt both in shaping specific policy debates and in keeping secular perspectives visible in national conversations.

Distinctive Characteristics

• Nonpartisan advocacy: The coalition generally positions itself as nonpartisan, working with lawmakers from across the political spectrum where secular principles are at stake.
• Coalition model: It amplifies the influence of smaller organizations by coordinating strategies and sharing resources.
• Inclusive identity: While many members identify as atheist or humanist, the coalition emphasizes government neutrality rather than hostility toward religion, and includes allies who are religious but support separation of church and state.

The Secular Coalition for America remains one of the prominent institutional voices in the U.S. advocating for secular governance, working to ensure that public policies are made without preference for any religious viewpoint.