Announcing the Church | State Separation Campaign!

[bsabel]

We are very excited to announce the launch of the Iowa Secularist Church | State Separation Campaign!  Each month for the next twelve months the Iowa Secularists will focus on a particular issue related to the separation of church and state.  The Campaign will consist of discussion in our local groups and on the forum of the meaning of church-state separation, a quote of the month, letter writing campaigns to newspapers and elected officials, an Iowa Secularist lobby day at the Iowa Statehouse, and the presentation of a "Friend of the First Amendment" Award at the Annual Conference of the Iowa Secularists.  We will make resources available to help you write letters and advocate for the separation of church and state and for the Iowa Secularists.  Here's what we have planned for March:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."  First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America

Iowa Secularist Lobby Day will be Thursday, March 27, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  Come to the Capitol and speak to your legislators.  Brian J. Sabel, a registered lobbyist for the Iowa Secularists, will be at the Capitol all day speaking to various elected representatives about the importance of the separation of church and state and about the concerns of the members of the Iowa Secularists.  Come out and show your support for the separation of church and state and for the Iowa Secularists!

Local Group Discussion Questions:  In our local group meetings this month we will discuss the Establishment and Free Exercise clauses of the First Amendment.  Consider the following questions:

• The words “Wall of Separation” and “separation of church and state” don’t appear in the U.S. Constitution.  Does it actually exist?
• What government actions violate church/state separation and how far can government go without violating the wall of separation?
• To what extent must religious politicians leave their faith at the door - how much can their religion influence their decisions?
• Where does Free Exercise end and Establishment begin?  Is there a way to tell when the two clauses conflict?
• Do cities have to recognize the wall of separation?

[Zoroaster]

I sure wish I could be there for the Legislature day, as most of you undoubtedly know, I am in Georgia serving active duty with the Army.  I really hope you all will make an effort to come to the capitol and meet your state reps.  If we have  good enough turnout, this will move IS from an unknown group in an email, to real a constituency unafraid to show up and speak out.

Soon, we'll be rolling out the campaign's letter writing campaign so your legislator should be expecting you, and should know the IS name.

Great work from everyone who worked, and continues to work on this!   

[Craig]

This sounds like a great idea! I will go on the 27th. I've been thinking of going to the statehouse (I work from 3:30-11:30 so I could go most anytime) but I don't have a clue what I would do there.

[bsabel]

Next week, on Thursday, March 27, members of the Iowa Secularists will converge upon the Iowa Statehouse in Des Moines for Iowa Secularist Lobby Day to meet with our legislators to discuss the importance of church-state separation and respect for non-religious Iowans.  I hope that you can find some time to visit with your elected representatives on this exciting day.

If you are not able to join us on Iowa Secularist Lobby Day, please send an email to your legislators to make your views as an Iowa Secularist member known.  You can find out who your legislators are and how to reach them by using the search function at this internet address:  http://www.legis.state.ia.us/FindLeg/.  When you write, let your legislators know you are a member of the Iowa Secularists.  You may use the sample letter below or draft your own language.  It is very important that you send this email to let your legislators know that the Iowa Secularists exist and that we expect our elected officials to be mindful of our rights as nonbelievers and secularists.

If you are able to join us on Iowa Secularist Lobby Day, please send an email to your legislators to schedule a time to meet with him or her to discuss Iowa Secularist issues.  You may use the sample language below or draft your own language.  I will be on hand in my capacity as a lobbyist if you would like someone to accompany you when you visit your legislators.  You can learn your legislators' names and contact information by following the link above.  Please email me at bsabel@iowasecularist.org if you plan to attend so I know how many members to expect.

I hope you can join me for Iowa Secularist Lobby Day on Thursday, March 27, 2008, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  This will be a great coming out party for non-religious Iowans and secularists, and I would love to see you there!

--BJS

Sample letter – not attending Iowa Secularist Lobby Day

Dear Representative/Senator ____________:
I write today to let you know about an organization of which I am a member called the Iowa Secularists.  The Iowa Secularists are committed to promoting church-state separation and the rights of non-religious Iowans.
Maintaining the Wall of Separation between church and state ensures that no person’s rights are suppressed because of their religious beliefs--or lack thereof.  Our Founders began a tradition of religious tolerance by disallowing religious establishment and ensuring free-exercise of religion.  I urge you to be mindful of how these values protect all Americans regardless of their religious beliefs.  Non-religious Iowans depend upon your good work to ensure that our rights are not disregarded in the political process.  If you would like more information about the organization I belong to, you can visit our website at www.iowasecularist.org.
I thank you for your time and your service to the people of the State of Iowa.
Sincerely,
Your Name
123 Main Street
Township, IA 50000

Sample letter – attending Iowa Secularist Lobby Day

Dear Representative/Senator ____________:
I will be at the Statehouse on Thursday, March 27, 2008, participating in the Iowa Secularists Lobby Day and would like to meet with you.  I am from [Your Town], a part of the state which you represent.  The Iowa Secularists are committed to promoting church-state separation and the rights of non-religious Iowans.  I would like to talk to you about the ways in which these issues influence your work.  Please email me to let me know what time would be best for me to come visit you..  If you would like more information about the organization I belong to, you can visit our website at www.iowasecularist.org.
Sincerely,
Your Name
123 Main Street
Township, IA 50000