• Accessibility Tools
  • Action Headquarters
  • Media Center
    • Press Releases
    • Press Kit
    • All News

American Humanist Association

Advocating progressive values and equality for humanists, atheists, and freethinkers

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • About
    • About

      For over 80 years, the AHA has proudly served as the leading progressive voice in America on behalf of humanists, atheists, agnostics, and freethinkers.

      Learn More
    • Our Mission
    • Our History
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff
    • Jobs & Internships
    • Financial Info and Reports
    • Contact Us
  • Are You Humanist?
    • Are You Humanist?

      Guided by reason, inspired by compassion, and informed by experience.

      Learn More
    • Definition of Humanism
    • Humanism and Its Aspirations
    • Humanist of the Year Award
    • Famous Humanists in History
  • Key Issues
    • Key Issues

      We are committed to building an inclusive America grounded in an embrace of reason, ethics, scientific inquiry, and compassion- rather than religious dogma.

      Learn More
    • Defending Nontheists and Promoting Humanism
    • Religion and Government Separation
    • Social Justice
    • Scientific Integrity
    • Promoting Peace
    • Resolutions and Statements
  • What We Do
    • What We Do

      We work tirelessly in courts, legislatures, and communities to defend civil liberties, secular governance, and scientific integrity.

      Learn More
    • Legal
    • Legislative
    • Education Center
    • Local Groups
    • Programs and Adjuncts
    • Publications
    • AHA at the Supreme Court
    • National Day of Reason
    • Boycott the Pledge Campaign
    • Humanist Disaster Recovery
    • Speakers Bureau
    • Humanism for All Prisoners’ Project
  • Get Involved
    • Get Involved

      Ready for change? Join our network and be the first to take action. Get the resources and tools you need to make a real difference.

      Learn More
    • Humanist Action Headquarters
    • Report a Violation or Discrimination
    • Find a Local AHA Group
    • Become a Humanist Celebrant
    • Events and Conferences
    • Grants and Programs
    • Resources
  • Ways to Give
    • Ways to Give

      Through winning lawsuits, active lobbying, and effective media campaigns, your contribution can go a long way.

      Learn More
    • Join
    • Renew
    • Donate
    • Online-Only Membership
    • Leave a Bequest
    • IRA Rollover Gifts
    • Other Ways to Give
  • Media Center
  • Take Action
September 7, 2018 News

Roy Speckhardt, AHA Executive Director, Reflects on Kavanaugh Testimony

Facebook Twitter Email Share
September 7, 2018 News

Roy Speckhardt, AHA Executive Director, Reflects on Kavanaugh Testimony

Contact:

Sarah Henry, (202) 238-9088, shenry@americanhumanist.org

As Judge Brett Kavanaugh continues his testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, it has become increasingly clear to us at the American Humanist Association that Kavanaugh is a danger to religious freedom and church-state separation.

More comes to light each day establishing Kavanaugh’s disrespect for our constitutional protections. As recently as 2017, Kavanaugh stated that he believes that the “wall of separation” metaphor, Thomas Jefferson’s historic explanation of the religion clause of the First Amendment, “was wrong as a matter of law and history.”

This week’s hearings have continued to confirm that Brett Kavanaugh is no friend to women, to people of color, to immigrants, or to people of minority religions or no religion at all.

The confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the US Supreme Court would also be a confirmation of religious bigotry and a rebuke of humanist values. The American Humanist Association was honored to join 17 members of the Secular Coalition for America in a July 2018 letter voicing our opposition to Kavanaugh’s nomination. On Wednesday, September 5, 2018, Democratic Senator Mazie Hirono of Hawaii entered that letter into the official record of the hearings, ensuring that the voices of humanist Americans are heard and recognized. We were also pleased to join the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights in a letter to the Senate opposing Kavanaugh, sent September 3, 2018.

The American Humanist Association will continue to oppose the confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh through the coming days of deliberation. Please continue (or start!) calling your senators and reminding them that Kavanaugh is not just a threat to true religious freedom, he’s a threat to humanist values at their core.

Roy Speckhardt

Executive Director, American Humanist Association

More AHA in the News

Latest news from TheHumanist.com

Subscribe Today

Explore Humanism’s Collective Future

Nicole Carr

Support the Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act

Isabella Russian

The Comics Section: Storm Warnings

The Comics Section: Storm Warnings

Representation Matters: Representative Bob Carter

Sarah Levin

Fulfillment, Joy, and Exuberance Await at AHACON23

Meredith Thompson and Nicole Carr
American Humanist Association
1821 Jefferson Place, NW
Washington, DC 20036
202-238-9088
800-837-3792 (toll-free)
202-238-9003 (fax)
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • About the American Humanist Association
  • Are You Humanist?
  • What We Do
  • Key Issues
  • Board of Directors
  • Staff
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Get Involved
  • Report a Violation or Discrimination
  • Press Kit
  • Local Groups
  • Education Center
  • Become a Humanist Celebrant
  • Job and Internship Opportunities
  • Humanist Action Headquarters
  • Sign Up for AHA Emails
  • Privacy Policy
  • Records Policy
  • Site Map
  • Contact Us

©2023 American Humanist Association. All Rights Reserved.

Combined Federal CampaignIndependent Charities of AmericaCharity NavigatorCandid/Guidestar Platinum Seal of Transparency