FFRF is a proud co-sponsor of the Thomas Paine Memorial Association’s 2026 annual celebration of Thomas Paine’s birthday, an online event celebrating Paine’s life and legacy. The celebration will begin at 6 pm CST on Thursday, January 29, 2026.

Opening remarks will be given by Reps. Jamie Raskin and Victoria Spartz (with a special appearance from Benjamin Franklin portrayed by actor Brian Patrick Mulligan). The keynote speaker is acclaimed historian Jack Kelly, whose book “Tom Paine’s War” explores Paine’s experiences during the Revolution. Award-winning actor Ian Ruskin will perform a dramatic reading from “The American Crisis” synchronized with a slideshow. A veteran will talk, a video showcasing Thomas Paine’s Cottage in New Rochelle, N.Y., will run, there will be musical selections from The Crossing, and cosponsor messages of support.

The event will be co-hosted by TPMA President Margaret Downey and TPMA Board Member Christopher Cameron.

Register now to attend the free event.

Kyle Steinberg, Anne Nicol Gaylor Legal Fellow at the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), will speak to students at the University of Minnesota Law School on Monday, February 2, as part of a lunchtime event hosted by the school’s newly formed Secular Law Society.

Steinberg will discuss the mission and work of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, the religion clauses of the U.S. Constitution, and current legal challenges surrounding the push for religious charter schools. The talk will explore how church–state separation issues are playing out in courts and legislatures, with a focus on the implications for public education and constitutional law.

The event will take place from 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. at the University of Minnesota Law School. This event is open to any students of the University, as well as members of the Secular Law Society. No RSVP registration is required. 

FFRF regularly engages with student groups and academic institutions to promote understanding of the constitutional principle of separation between church and state and to encourage civic engagement on related legal issues.

Freedom From Religion Foundation Co-President Dan Barker headed west in early January for a multi-city series of public events across Washington state, Northern California and Utah, with stops in Olympia, WA, San Francisco, CA, Palo Alto, CA, Sacramento, CA and Salt Lake City and Murray, UT. Audiences can look forward to an energizing mix of thoughtful commentary, live music, and engaging freethought conversations as Barker meets with local communities. All events are open to the public, and everyone, members, friends, and newcomers alike are warmly invited to attend. The events will be hosted by FFRF member Darrell Barker, the San Francisco Bay, Greater Sacramento, and Salt Lake Chapters of FFRF, with the Palo Alto event co-sponsored by the Atheist Community of San Jose and Humanist Community of Silicon Valley. We look forward to seeing you there! See the event details below:

Event Details

Salt Lake City: Saturday, January 24, 2:00 p.m.
An Afternoon with Dan Barker
Sandy Library — Large Conference Room
10100 Petunia Way, Sandy, UT
Hosted by the Salt Lake Chapter of FFRF
Questions: ffrfslc@gmail.com

Salt Lake Oasis Network: Sunday, January 25, 11 a.m.
Music and Discussion with Dan Barker
Parker Theater Studio
3601 S. State St, in Murray, UT
Hosted by Salt Lake Oasis

You are invited!

Watch the live stream of FFRF’s 2025 Winter Solstice celebration!

Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025
1:30 p.m. EST/12:30 p.m. CST/10:30 a.m. PT

You’re cordially invited to view the live stream of Freedom From Religion Foundation’s annual Winter Solstice celebration, via Facebook and YouTube. The program will start at 12:30 p.m. CST on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025.

Special musical guest Kristin Lems, a Midwest topical songwriter, performer and freethinker, will join FFRF Co-President Dan Barker, a talented pianist and songwriter, for a warm and convivial Winter Solstice concert.

The program will kick off with brief remarks from FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor about the real reason for the season, honor the anniversary of the Bill of Rights — and divulge the results of FFRF’s recent membership poll on how members celebrate (or not) the season.

Simply go to FFRF’s Facebook page or YouTube Channel on Thursday, Dec. 18, at 12:30 p.m. CST to watch!

The staff of the Freedom From Religion Foundation wishes you a serene Winter Solstice Season and a bright New Year.

Please come on October 11, 2025 for a presentation by Dan Barker, Co-President of the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Dan is a former minister now an atheist and advocate for secularism and church state separation. He will be discussing the current and future efforts and actions of the FFRF and he may give a short talk on his conversion from religion. If you want more detail about him go to ffrf.org or pick up his book “Godless“. This WILL be a fascinating meeting!

The Humanist Monthly Program is our longest running event and still a community favorite. In the old days it used to be called “Going to HCCO” and we still like to think of it as our flagship event.

Food and drinks will be provided at the event. Feel free to show up a little bit early to hang out and talk.

Going forward our meetings will be hybrid. You can meet us in-person or attend online.

Join Zoom Meeting

(https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836564953?pwd=4Mi57ElZkDIFlb1fnlNwOJ0NiOK4tP.1)

Meeting ID: 878 3656 4953 Passcode: 760812

One tap mobile +19292056099,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (New York) +13017158592,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (Washington DC)

The formal presentation will start at Noon-3pm EDT, 11am-2pm CDT

Columbus Metropolitan Library: Parsons Branch
1113 Parsons Ave
Columbus, OH
43206

The Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania will host a free webinar, Why Courts Matter, on Thursday, September 25, at 6:00 p.m. (EST). The event will explore the critical role of Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court, with a special focus on environmental issues and the upcoming retention vote on Tuesday, November 4, when Pennsylvanians will decide whether to retain several justices on the state’s highest court.

Featured speakers include Ryan Jayne, Senior Policy Counsel at the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), who will discuss the court’s role in protecting civil rights and upholding science-based laws.

For more details and to register, click here.

Faith-based groups are ramping up efforts to gain power and influence by undermining the First Amendment, warns the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF). To shed light on these developments, Patrick Elliott, FFRF’s Legal Director, will present an upcoming talk to the HumanistsMN, examining the growing threats to the separation of state and church at the First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis, MN on Saturday, Sept. 6, at 3 p.m.

Elliott will outline how religious organizations are pursuing lawsuits and lobbying for legislation aimed at injecting religion into public schools and public life. His presentation will highlight what he calls a “power grab” by Christian nationalist movements, as well as recent high-profile cases that illustrate the risks to constitutional freedoms.

The event will also spotlight the legal and advocacy work that FFRF is doing nationwide to defend secular government and protect individual rights. This is a free event open to the public.

To see the event page, and to learn more about HumanistsMN, visit their website.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) is pleased to announce that Co-President Dan Barker will be presenting virtually to the ACCRA Atheists as part of their Reason Rising Monthly Series this September.

Barker’s presentation, titled “From Evangelical Priesthood to Atheism,” will explore themes of humanism, science, human rights, and critical thinking. A former evangelical minister turned leading atheist advocate, Barker brings a unique perspective on the journey from faith to reason.

The event will be held virtually from 5:00–7:00 p.m. GMT (Noon–2:00 p.m. CT).

To learn more about the ACCRA Atheists and their Reason Rising series, please visit the ACCRA Atheists Facebook page.

Join FFRF Legal Director Patrick Elliott for a compelling discussion on recent threats to the constitutional separation of state and church. Elliott will shed light on how religious organizations are advancing their agendas through the courts and legislation—particularly efforts to insert religion into public schools.

The talk will examine key legal cases and the growing influence of Christian nationalism, as well as the work FFRF is doing to protect secular government and First Amendment freedoms.

This free, in-person event is open to the public. No RSVP is required.

Date: Sunday, August 24, 2025

Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM EDT (Doors open at 9:40 AM)

Location: The Craftsman Inn & Suites, 7300 East Genesee Street, Fayetteville, NY 13066

Join Upstate New York Freethinkers for their 2nd Annual Chapter Gathering! This exciting event is open to the public (tickets required) and features a stellar lineup of speakers from the Freedom From Religion Foundation and beyond.

Throughout the day, you’ll have opportunities to meet and chat with our distinguished speakers, including Annie Laurie Gaylor and Dan Barker!

Featured Speakers:

Annie Laurie Gaylor: FFRF Co-President

Dan Barker: FFRF Co-President

Kate Cohen: Author of “We of Little Faith”

The day’s agenda includes insightful presentations, a delicious hot buffet luncheon, and tours of the historic Matilda Joslyn Gage museum (a short drive from the conference). Attendees will also have the opportunity for book signings with the featured speakers.

Optional Saturday Evening Dinner: An optional dinner is available on Saturday, August 23, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at The Craftsman Wood Grille and Tap House (at participant’s expense, ticket RSVP required).

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with fellow freethinkers and engage with leading voices in the movement!

IFT = I Love Freethought

For more details and to purchase tickets, please visit: unyft.org/go

On Saturday, May 10, 2025, at 1:00 PM, the Austin Area Chapter of the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) will host Mickey Dollens, FFRF’s Regional Governmental Affairs Manager and Oklahoma State Representative, for a public talk at the Austin Public Library’s Pleasant Hill Branch, located at 211 E. William Cannon Dr., Austin, TX 78745.

Dollens will provide updates on FFRF’s legal efforts in Texas, discuss national legislative trends, and offer strategies for effectively engaging with state lawmakers.

A Q&A session will follow the presentation. This event is free and open to the public. Those interested in attending are encouraged to consider joining the Austin Area Chapter of FFRF. For more information, please send an email to chapter leader Andrew Bushard.

Sammi Lawrence, Staff Attorney at the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), will participate in an upcoming career panel hosted by Common Wealth Development as part of the Wanda Fullmore Youth Internship Program. The panel is designed to introduce local high school interns to a diverse range of professional career paths and insights from Madison-area professionals.

The Wanda Fullmore Youth Internship Program is a competitive summer initiative that provides more than 25 Madison youth—primarily from BIPOC communities—with hands-on work experience, mentorship, and skill development. One of the program’s cornerstone events is its annual career panel, which offers interns an opportunity to engage directly with professionals from various industries.

While the event is free to attend, it is not open to the public. For more information about the program or how to get involved, click here.

Sammi Lawrence was promoted to FFRF Staff Attorney in September 2024, following her work as the Anne Nicol Gaylor Legal Fellow beginning in June 2022. A native of Southern Wisconsin, Lawrence earned her B.A. in English Literature, magna cum laude, from the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater in 2017. She later received her J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 2022, where she also served as a legal intern for FFRF.

In addition to her legal advocacy work, Lawrence enjoys hiking, baking, and painting.

Sammi Lawrence, Staff Attorney for the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), will speak to members of the Alexandria Freethinkers on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at the Westside Regional Library in Alexandria. Lawrence will provide updates on FFRF’s ongoing legal work and current events related to the separation of church and state.

The event is free to attend but limited to members of the Alexandria Freethinkers. For more information about the group or how to join, click here.

Lawrence was promoted to Staff Attorney in September 2024 after serving as the Anne Nicol Gaylor Legal Fellow since June 2022. Originally from Southern Wisconsin, she graduated magna cum laude from the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater in 2017 with a B.A. in English Literature. She went on to earn her Juris Doctor from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 2022, during which she interned with FFRF.

Outside of her legal work, Lawrence enjoys hiking, baking, and painting.

Patrick Elliott, legal director for the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), will be among the featured speakers at the upcoming Rally for Secular Government and National Day of Reason event at the Minnesota State Capitol, on Wednesday, April 30, at the Minnesota Capitol rotunda with the program beginning at 1:15 pm.

The rally will also feature remarks from Minnesota legislators and representatives from several advocacy organizations, including Minnesota Atheists, HumanistsMN, OutFront Minnesota, and the Minnesotans Against Christian Nationalism Coalition. The event aims to highlight the importance of maintaining a clear separation between religion and government, and to promote inclusive, evidence-based policymaking.

The program will welcome a variety of speakers, including Minnesota state legislators and members of the Minnesota Secular Government Caucus—a group we’re especially proud to have representing the state.

Feel free to bring homemade signs supporting the cause—just remember, no sticks attached. Let’s stand together for reason, inclusion and secular government!

See more details and RSVP here.

In addition to coming to this protest, reach out to your representatives!

Find out who your representatives are here.

Join FFRF Legal Counsel Chris Line, alongside the Metro Denver Chapter of FFRF, for a vital discussion on the growing impact of Christian nationalism and its dangerous push to dismantle the separation of church and state. The event will be held on Saturday, April 26, at 4 pm at the Secular Hub (254 Knox Ct., Denver, CO). Line will provide an update on Project 2025, the sweeping agenda designed to reshape the federal government into a tool of religious extremism, threatening secular democracy, reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ protections, public education, and more.

Line will also break down how religious extremists are working to erode constitutional protections, the legal and legislative battles currently underway, and how FFRF is fighting back through litigation, advocacy, and public education.

Learn what’s at stake, what’s being done to stop this theocratic takeover, and how you can help defend our secular government! The event will be both in person and virtual.

For more information on the event (including registration and virtual meeting link), click here.

For more information on the Metro Denver chapter of FFRF, click here.

More on Chris Line:

Chris Line is Legal Counsel for the Freedom From Religion Foundation, where he works to uphold the separation of church and state and defend the rights of nonreligious Americans. He first joined FFRF in 2015 as a legal intern while attending the University of Wisconsin Law School, and after earning his Juris Doctor in 2017, he transitioned into a full-time attorney role.

Since then, Chris has written thousands of legal letters addressing church-state violations nationwide, successfully resolving hundreds of violations. In addition to his legal work, he is an accomplished photographer, with his work appearing in The Humanist, The Progressive, and FFRF’s own Freethought Today.