Two court decisions announced this week have received contrasting responses from American Humanists. A decision ordering the removal of a religious banner from a state school in Rhode Island was applauded by Humanists, whereas a Supreme Court decision to exempt religious groups from laws against employment discrimination was strongly criticized.

"The continued government sponsorship of the National Day of Prayer threatens the foundation of church and state separation that this country thrives on," said Roy Speckhardt, executive director of the American Humanist Association, "the president of the United States has no business recommending prayer to a diverse nation, many of whom do not rely on prayer."

The largest ever Humanist advertising campaign launches in the United States on November 9. It will include a spot on the prime time news show NBC Dateline on Friday, November 12, as well as other television adverts, that directly challenge Biblical morality and fundamentalist Christianity. The “Consider Humanism” campaign, sponsored by the American Humanist Association (AHA), will also include adverts in major national and regional newspapers and magazines. The adverts emphasize that Humanist values are consistent with mainstream America and that fundamentalist religion has no right to claim the moral high ground.

The American Humanist Association (AHA) today called on Congress to quickly pass legislation to lift the military's ban on openly serving gays and lesbians. The AHA statement follows Thursday's ruling by a federal judge in California that the military's controversial "don't ask, don't tell" policy is unconstitutional.