Sacramento Chapter of Americans United

Join us Monday, February 6, 2012

2012-01-29T19:28:00.000-08:00

Monday, February 6, 2012 - 7 PM

SMUD Customer Service Center (NOT the Headquarters Conference Center)

6301 S St, Sacramento CA

Please join us and take part in discussions about:

* The 2012 Elections. Do we know at what point the promotion of religion and personal religious beliefs by the candidates, the media and many houses of worship crosses the line and makes a mockery of the First Amendment's Religion Clauses? Do we care? Can we do something about it with any or all of these entities?

* Election and possible expansion of chapter officers in May: please consider taking on an active role.

* Religion in Public Schools: More chilling than you might suspect and we have an opportunity to hear from someone who has been investigating this for several years. Details at the meeting about a potential program on this topic.

* Additional items welcome.

The sign-in sheet will note which room we're meeting in. Free parking is available in the lot across the street.

Questions or items for the agenda?

Carol Velarde, President

916-684-4730 or email

2012 meetings

2012-01-16T21:44:00.000-08:00

Announcing our 2012 meeting dates:
February 6
May 7
October 1

We hope to see you there!

If you have any suggestions for a speaker or other event please email us. Stay update-to-date with national AU Press Releases on the right column of this page. Or, better yet, go to au.org Church & State to sign up for Email Alerts or to become a member and receive their magazine.

Help Wanted at our meeting 9/12/11

2011-09-06T19:26:00.000-07:00

Concerned about the threat to the Establishment Clause posed by candidates seeking election in 2012? Want to help craft a plan of action to address this locally? Then please bring your ideas, energy, curiosity, and brilliance to share with kindred spirits!

Monday, September 12, 2011 — 7:00 PM
SMUD Customer Service Building (NOT the Headquarters Conference Center)
6301 ‘S’ St, Timberline #3,Sacramento, CA

Recent victories

2011-07-29T16:17:00.000-07:00

Did you hear the news?

Earlier today a federal appellate court struck down a North Carolina county’s policy of opening board meetings with sectarian prayers. (They were represented by Americans United for Separation of Church and State and the ACLU of North Carolina.)

Read the rest of the AU press release

Also...

Last Friday, "the State Board of Education voted unanimously to approve sound-science materials for public school biology courses."

Read the rest of the AU blog

We're still here

2011-04-07T16:33:00.001-07:00

Stay update-to-date with national AU Press Releases on the right column of this page. Or, better yet, go to au.org to sign up for Email Alerts or to become a member and receive their Church & State magazine.

P.S. Our meeting that was scheduled for May 9th has been canceled. If you have any suggestions for a speaker or other event please email us.

April 15, 2010 event: Reconciling Conflicting Autonomy Rights: Same-Sex Marriage and Religious Liberty

2010-04-01T16:25:00.000-07:00

Reconciling Conflicting Autonomy Rights:
Same-Sex Marriage and Religious Liberty

Alan Brownstein, Professor of Law, UC Davis School of Law

Thursday, April 15, 2010 — 7:15 PM
SMUD Headquarters, 6201 S Street, Sacramento

Arguments about the need to accommodate religious objections to public
policy mandates have been debated throughout American history.
Religious individuals and institutions have sought exemptions from
prohibitions against polygamy, civil rights regulations prohibiting
discrimination on the basis of race, religion and gender in hiring and
places of public accommodation, hospital policies requiring health care
providers to perform abortions and sterilization's and a host of other
regulatory requirements. That history provides a range of possible
models that may be used to understand claims about the need to
accommodate religious objectors opposed to same-sex marriages. In his
talk, Professor Brownstein will critically evaluate alternative frameworks
for thinking about the current debate and describe what he believes to
be the most appropriate analytic model for resolving these issues.

Sponsored by Americans United for Separation of Church & State and cosponsors:
• American Civil Liberties Union, Sacramento County Chapter • Atheists & Other Freethinkers (AOF) • California Council of Churches • California Church IMPACT • California Faith for Equality, Sacramento Region • Humanist Association of the Greater Sacramento Area • Jewish Community Relations Council, Sacramento Region • Lodi United • Sacramento Lawyers Chapter of the American Constitution Society • Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry-CA •

You won't want to miss our Americans United program Mon., Nov. 2, 7 PM

2009-10-25T15:16:00.000-07:00

Dear Members and Friends of Americans United for Separation of Church and State:

Please join us for our next program...

Guest Speaker: Leigh Johnsen, Ph.D.

"Religion, the American Revolution, and the Founding Generation"

Monday, November 2, 7:00 PMSMUD Headquarters Conference Center, 6201 S Street, Sacramento

Q&A following presentation

How often do we hear that America is a Christian nation, that the political system of the United States was founded on Christian principles and that its legal structure today should reflect those origins? This presentation questions that popular assumption. It examines evidence from the colonial and revolutionary years with the goal of understanding better the intentions of the founding generation.

Leigh Johnsen holds a doctorate in early American history from the University of California, Riverside. His dissertation focuses on the interaction between religion and society during the American Revolution. In 2003, he published the personal papers of Isaac Backus, a dissenting clergyman from the Revolutionary era often compared to Thomas Jefferson because of his importance for church-state relations in early America. Johnsen is currently the archivist/librarian of the San Joaquin County Historical Society.

Please invite your friends. Contact me if you have any questions.

Carol Velarde

President, Sacramento Chapter

Americans United...

(916) 684-4730

Cavelarde@aol.com

Jan 29, 2009 Event: Susan Mogull Presents "Is the Separation of Church and State Relevant Today?"

2009-01-19T18:01:00.000-08:00

The Sacramento Chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State invites you to hear Guest Speaker Susan Mogull present "Is the Separation of Church and State Relevant Today?"

The event will occur Thursday, January 29, 2009 at 7:00 PM, at the SMUD Building at 6201 'S' Street, in the Headquarters Conference Center (HCC).

Why Are Americans United for Separation of Church and State? Some claim it's a myth. Others point out it is America's first First Freedom in the First Amendment. Susan Mogull, past president of the Sacramento Chapter of Americans United will address this question and more.

Audience participation welcomed. Doors open at 6:50 PM.

Directions: heading East on 50, exit at 59, cross over freeway and feed directly into 'S' Street. Heading West on 50, exit at 65, cross 65th Street into 'S' Street. Google Map.

Questions? Call or e-mail Cavelarde@aol.com — 916.684.4730

September 2008 Meeting Notice

2008-09-08T00:00:00.000-07:00

The Sacramento Chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State will meet Monday, Sep 8, at 7:00 p.m. at the SMUD Customer Service Center, 6301 S Street, Sacramento, 95819. We hope to see you there! Please RSVP to president@au-sac.org or call 916-684-4730. We welcome your participation. For more information please contact president@au-sac.org.

May 2008 Election Meeting Notice

2008-05-12T00:00:00.000-07:00

The Sacramento Chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State will meet Monday, May 12, at 7:00 p.m. at the SMUD Customer Service Center, 6301 S Street, Sacramento, 95819. We will elect officers and discuss program plans. We hope to see you there! Please RSVP to president@au-sac.org or call 916-687-0386. We welcome your participation. For more information please contact president@au-sac.org.

Coercive Evangelizing in the U.S. Military

2008-04-06T00:00:00.000-07:00

Presented by Michael L. "Mikey" Weinstein, noted Constitutional Activist, founder and President, Military Religious Freedom Foundation, Honor Graduate, United States Air Force Academy, Attorney and former Active Duty Air Force Judge Advocate (JAG), frequent guest of radio and TV news outlets.

Sunday, April 6, 2008

2:00-4:00 PM

California State Capitol, Room 4203

Reception and book signing to follow

Weinstein's book "With God On Our Side," exposes the systemic problem of religious intolerance permeating America's Armed Forces. He established MRFF to ensure that all members of the U.S. armed forces fully receive the constitutional guarantees of religious freedom to which they and all Americans are entitled by virtue of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

Link to flyer: http://au-sac.org/au-weinstein-program-2008.pdf

AU Sacramento Hosts Local Showing of First Freedom First National Simulcast

2008-03-26T00:00:00.000-07:00

To Members and Friends of Americans United for Separation of Church and State:

First Freedom First.org, a joint project of Americans United and the Interfaith Alliance, will simulcast a film at theaters throughout the country on Wednesday, March 26th at 6:00 PM. The 90 minute movie is hosted by Peter Coyote and features actors, musicians and comedians, as well as community members who have been part of important court decisions regarding separation of church and state. This is a free event. A flyer with more details is attached in Word and PDF. You can rsvp to reserve your seat at: www.firstfreedomfirst.org

This film is a must-see for those who support the Constitution and Bill of Rights. You will leave equipped with questions to ask every candidate running for elective office in November, the idea being that they will get the message that millions of Americans are concerned about upholding the freedoms guaranteed by these documents. Here are the details:

"Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Separation of Church and State

...But Were Afraid to Ask" Natomas Marketplace Stadium 16

3651 Truxel Road

Sacramento, CA 95834

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

6:00 PM

If you have any questions, please e-mail or call me. RSVP at: http://www.firstfreedomfirst.org . We look forward to seeing you on March 26th.

May 2004 Meeting

2004-05-10T00:00:00.000-07:00

The Sacramento Chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State will meet Monday, May 10, at 7:00 p.m. at the SMUD Customer Service Center, 6301 S Street, Sacramento, 95819, in Forestview Room # 2, first floor. Join us at our Annual Meeting to plan events and activities for the coming year. We hope to see you there! Please RSVP to president@au-sac.org. We welcome your participation. For more information please contact president@au-sac.org

2004 Liberty of Conscience Series at Woodside SDA Church

2004-02-28T00:00:00.000-08:00

You are invited to attend a series on liberty of conscience at the Woodside SDA Church in Sacramento. Address: 3300 Eastern Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95821

February 28, 4pm	Speaker: Leigh Johnsen, PhD	Topic: Early American Origins of Church-State Separation	In contrast what many voices at present claim, longstanding and well-known historical evidence from the colonial and revolutionary periods of American history indicate that the roots of church-state separation are deep and enduring in American culture and history.
March 6, 4pm	Speaker: Dr. Alan Brownstein	Topic: Church-State Constitutional Issues	Dr. Brownstein, Professor of Law, UC Davis, is a renowned Constitutional Professor of Law. He has given expert testimony before Legislatures and Courts in church-state issues. Most recently he testified on behalf of KASK, 91.5 FM, a Vacaville SDA radio station, which has been denied a building permit. Dr. Brownstein will discuss current constitutional church-state issues.
March 13, 4pm	Speaker: Dr. Brad Newton	Topic: Church-State Issues at the Legislature	Dr. Newton is the liaison between the SDA Church and the California Legislature. He will present current bills before the Legislature which impact church and state.

January 2004 Meeting Notice

2004-01-12T00:00:00.000-08:00

The Sacramento Chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State will meet Monday, January 12, at 7:00 p.m. at the SMUD Customer Service Center, 6301 S Street, Sacramento, 95819. This is a chapter planning meeting. We welcome your participation. For more information please contact president@au-sac.org

2003 Religious Outreach Committee 4-Week Series at St. Mark's United Methodist Church

2003-11-09T00:00:00.000-08:00

AU Sacramento's Religious Outreach Committee has arranged a 4-week series to discuss the history, issues, and interpretations of the principle of separation of church and state at St. Mark's United Methodist Church, 2391 Saint Marks Way, Sacramento. The second session is Sunday, November 9, 9:30-10:45 a.m. and features Dr. Leigh Johnsen, scholar of religious studies, will speak on the early American origins of church-state separation.

Future sessions will be held Sunday mornings in November and feature:

November 9: Dr. Leigh Johnsen, scholar of religious studies, will speak on Isaac Backus and religious liberty in the 19th Century

November 16: Alan Brownstein, Professor of Constitutional Law at University of California, Davis, will discuss the major church-state issues of the 20th Century

November 23: Carol Venarde, Americans United's California Legislative Liaison, will discuss faith-based initiatives and programs, executive orders and other recent developments.

Sacramento AU Presents Sep 16, 2003 Event: "School Prayer -- Court Decisions from the 1963 Schempp Case to Today."

2003-09-16T00:00:00.000-07:00

"School Prayer -- Court Decisions from the 1963 Schempp Case to Today."

Tuesday, September 16, 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Lecture Hall, McGeorge School of Law
3200 5th Avenue, Sacramento, 95817

FREE PUBLIC PROGRAM

SPONSORS
Americans United for Separation of Church and State, Sacramento Chapter
American Constitution Society, McGeorge School of Law

Speakers trace the history of related court rulings from the 1963 Supreme Court decision to the present.

Ellery Schempp, in 1956 a 16-year-old high school student, wondered why his school had prayer and devotional Bible reading every day in violation of the U.S. Constitution. He asked the question and made history.
Alan Brownstein, Professor of Constitutional Law at the University of California, Davis School of Law, will trace subsequent cases related to the Schempp decision.
Christian M. Keiner, managing partner of the Sacramento office of Girard and Vinson, who won the precedent-setting Cole v. Oroville Union High School District case forbidding proselytizing graduation speech, will give a local focus.

Directions to Lecture Hall, McGeorge School of Law:

From Highway 99: When coming from either the south or the north, exit Hwy 99 at 12th Avenue. If you were driving south on Hwy 99, turn right (west) on 12th Ave. If you were driving north on Hwy 99, turn left (west) on 12th Ave. Drive west one block on 12th Ave. to Franklin Blvd. Turn right (north) on Franklin Blvd. and go about one mile to 5th Ave. Turn right (east) on 5th Ave. and go about two blocks to campus.
Lecture Hall: The lecture hall is on the left side of 5th Ave. across from the main entrance of the campus. Park on the street or in unreserved spaces in campus lots. You can also obtain a parking permit from the Admissions Office.
From Interstate 5: Take Business 80 east, and then take the Hwy 99 South exit. Exit Hwy 99 at the first exit, 12th Ave. (See directions from Hwy 99 South above.) From Interstate 80: At the intersection of Interstate 80 and Business 80, take Business 80 east, then take the Hwy 99 South exit. Exit Hwy 99 at the first exit, 12th Ave. (See directions from Hwy 99 South above.)
From Highway 50: Take the Hwy 99 South exit. Exit Hwy 99 at the first exit, 12th Ave. (See directions from Hwy 99 South above.)

May 2003 Meeting

2003-05-12T00:00:00.000-07:00

The Sacramento Chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State will meet on Monday, May 12, at 7:00 p.m. at the SMUD Customer Service Center, 6301 S Street, Sacramento. This is a planning meeting. Please join us.

May 4, 2003 - Susan Mogull Presents to Humanists of Sun City

2003-05-04T00:00:00.000-07:00

May 4 -- Susan Mogull, President of the Sacramento Chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, will speak on current separation issues at the May meeting of the Humanists of Sun City. The meeting will be held at Sierra Pines on Sunday, May 4, 2003, from 1:00 until 3:00 pm.

April 2, 2003 - Barry Lynn speaks on "What's Happening to the Wall? Faith-Based Funding and Other Church-State 'Hot Topics.' "

2003-04-02T00:00:00.000-08:00

The Sacramento Chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State is proud to announce Barry Lynn will speak on Wednesday, April 2nd, at 7:00 p.m. at the State Capitol, Room 4203, Sacramento.

The topic will be, "What's Happening to the Wall? Faith-Based Funding and Other Church-State "Hot Topics.""

Parking is available along 10th, L and N Streets or in the garage on the corner of 10th and L (enter from 10th street). Enter the Capitol on L Street side (across from 11th Street) just to the left of the main doors. Everyone needs to pass through security. Take the elevator banks at the left end of the main east-west corridor to the 4th floor. Turn right off the elevator; go to room 4203 (left side).

Barry Lynn Event Flyer (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

January 2003 Meeting

2003-01-13T00:00:00.000-08:00

The Sacramento Chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State will meet on Monday, January 13, at 7:00 p.m. at the SMUD Customer Service Center, 6301 S Street, Sacramento. The agenda will include election of officers and program planning.

Sep 28, 2002 Bay Area Pledge Rally in Support of pre-1954 Pledge of Allegiance

2002-09-28T00:00:00.000-07:00

Bay Area Pledge Rally unites believers, non-believers in support of pre-1954 Pledge of Allegiance on Sept. 28 [More Info]

Aug 22, 2002 Panel With Dr. Michael Newdow: Joining Atheists Believers in San Jose for A Discussion on Separation of Church and State

2002-08-22T00:00:00.000-07:00

Dr. Michael Newdow Joins Atheists, Believers in San Jose Round Table on August 22 [More Info]

March 10, 2002: Walt Pontynen and Karen Scott Present "Jefferson's Wall: Its Origin and Meaning"

2002-03-10T00:00:00.000-08:00

ALL ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND a special program provided by Americans United Sacramento Chapter for the UU Forum:

JEFFERSON'S WALL: ITS ORIGIN AND MEANING
presentation by Walt Pontynen and Karen Scott
Sunday, March 10, 9:30 a.m
Unitarian Universalist Society of Sacramento
2425 Sierra Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95825

Walt Pontynen, a leader of the Sacramento Chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, serves on the AU National Advisory Council. Walt, a historian, and Karen Scott, a lawyer, have done extensive research on the history of the First Amendment and have made numerous presentations on the subject to educational groups, churches and lawyers. They are also producers of the video "Roger Williams: Freedom's Forgotten Hero."

Jan 21, 2002 Legislative Training Workshop for Sacramento AU

2002-01-21T00:00:00.000-08:00

Mark Your Calendar! In lieu of our normal January meeting, AU Sacramento will be hosting a free Legislative Training Workshop on Monday, January 21, 2002, at the California Teachers Association (CTA), 1325 S Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 (Parking is accessible via the alley between 13th and 14th Streets on S).

Aside from viewing the web version of the flyer by using the above link, you may also download the Legislative Training Workshop flyer in:

Adobe Acrobat format (114KB);
Microsoft Word 6.0 format (9KB).
Plain text format (2KB).

Oct 14, 2001 - Carol Valarde to Speak to AOF on "Charitable Choice, alias Faith-Based Initiatives"

2001-10-14T00:00:00.000-07:00

Carol Velarde, CA Legislative Liaison for Americans United, will speak at the AOF meeting Sunday, October 12 at noon, at Sierra 2 in Sacramento. Her topic is Charitable Choice, alias Faith-Based Initiatives, or: How our government is turning social services over to religious institutions. Carol has lobbied the CA legislature on a host of bills and regulations concerning charitable choice. If you are interested in this issue, be sure to attend the meeting. Everyone is welcome.

Aug 12, 2001 Event: Sacramento AU President Susan Mogull to Speak at Auburn Unitarian Church

2001-08-12T00:00:00.000-07:00

Sacramento Chapter President Susan Mogull will speak about Americans United at Auburn Unitarian Church at 10 a.m. on Sunday, August 12, 2001. Susan will describe our organization and discuss religion in the public schools and charitable choice (faith-based) issues.

June 28, 2001 Event: John Suarez on "Church/State Issues in the Bush Administration"

2001-06-28T00:00:00.000-07:00

AMERICANS UNITED FOR SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE NATIONAL TRUSTEE DR. JOHN SUAREZ will speak on "Church/State Issues in the Bush Administration" at the Sacramento Chapter #19 meeting on Thursday, June 28, at 7 p.m. at the State Capitol Room 126. Enter on the North side, L Street opposite 11th Street. Everyone is invited to this free event.
Dr. Suarez, a long time social activist, is a founding member of the Los Angeles AU Chapter and chair of the new national AU Committee on Education. He is a former Board member of the Southern California ACLU, former Director of the Section on Law and Psychiatry at UCLA and former Director and Founder of the Center For Legal Psychiatry in Santa Monica. He currently serves as vice chairman of the Center For Inquiry in Los Angeles.
The AU National Trustees meet in July, so this is a wonderful opportunity to share our experiences and interests at the national level. We hope you will attend this very special meeting and let other interested people know about it.
This meeting replaces the previously scheduled July 9th meeting.