You’ve reached the activism portion of today’s show. Now that you’re informed and angry, here’s what you can do about it. Today’s activism: Protect Thy Neighbor.
Americans United for Separation of Church and State don’t just run around telling people to take “In God We Trust” off our money and waging war on Christmas. The majority of their work protects the 80% or so of people who believe in one higher power or another. Keeping “church” separate from state fosters acceptance and prevents persecution.
The Protect Thy Neighbor campaign was launched in response to increasing legislation and legal cases using religion to discriminate and deny people their rights. From ProtectThyNeighbor.org:
"We are expanding our work in the state legislatures, Congress, and the courts so that no one is allowed to use religion as an excuse to refuse you service, deny you healthcare, or threaten your safety. We are protecting our neighbors.”
They’ve put together legislative and legal teams, field and faith organizers to help do community organizing training, and a new communications department where you can opt in to receiving alerts tailored to your ZIP code.
At ProtectThyNeighbor.org you can add your name to their pledge to “stand up to those who harm others in the name of religion,” get legal help, and contact your legislators directly about state and national issues. You can also download a Protect Thy Neighbor shield to sign, finish the sentence “I want to protect my neighbor because…” and then post it to their tumblr and social media. They even have suggestions for folks unsure what to write.
With people like Richard Dawkins and Bill Mahr out there making those who advocate for the separation of church and state look like intransigent jerks, now is the perfect time to get involved with a positive campaign like Protect Thy Neighbor.
TAKE ACTION:
Add your name to the Americans United or Separation of Church and State> Protect Thy Neighbor Pledge
Download and post The Shield
Tell your legislators: Protect My Neighbors!
Get Legal Help<?p>
Additional Activism/Resources:
"You Can Now Donate to the Ahmed Mohamed STEM Scholarship Fund” via Mic
"MacArthur High School and Irving TX police: Apologize to Ahmed Mohamed for criminalizing science” via Change.org
Sources/further reading:
The official feed of Ahmed’s family: @IStandWithAhmed
Muslim teen behind #IStandWithAhmed encourages others to follow their dreams: "Go for it!" http://cbsn.ws/1KgQcbI via CBS News
"‘It’s A Trap!’ Paranoid FRC Head Buys Into Ridiculous Ahmed Mohamed Bomb Plot Scenario” via Americans United or Separation of Church and State>
< a href="https://www.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/pope-problems-papal-visit-incurs-significant-taxpayer-expense">"Pope Problems: Papal Visit Incurs Significant Taxpayer Expense” via Americans United or Separation of Church and State>
"Once More, With Enthusiasm: Texas Attorney General Again Refuses To Recognize Marriage Equality” via Americans United or Separation of Church and State>
'God And Government' - Barry Lynn Discusses His New Book on Thom Hartmann's "Conversations with Great Minds” via Americans United or Separation of Church and State> and Thom Hartmann
Hear the segment in context:
Episode #956 "Religion seen through fear (Islamophobia) "
Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich
