Moving
Secularism
Forward

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Counteracting Florida’s strong right-wing religious contingent is a vibrant, active secular community. It’s not surprising that the state will host one of 2012’s most dramatic church-state battles: In response to a Council for Secular Humanism lawsuit, a measure on Florida’s November 2012 ballot would amend the state constitution to remove language that forbids state funding "directly or indirectly in aid of any church, sect, or religious denomination or in aid of any sectarian institution." The national implications: more than thirty-five other states have similar constitutional provisions (often called “Blaine Amendments”) that bar state aid to religious groups in language stronger than the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment. Opponents of Council’s lawsuit have already attempted to alter the state constitution—three times—in preparation for the case.

At “Moving Secularism Forward,” you’ll learn about the Florida face-off and what you can do to help defend Florida’s Blaine Amendment and ensure the protection of church-state separation in your own state.