Letter To Members | June 2009

Link: http://www.militaryatheists.org/newsletter/ltm200906.html

MAAF Intro

The Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers is a community support network that connects military members from around the world with each other and with local organizations. In addition to our community services, we take action to educate and train both the military and civilian community about atheism in the military and the issues that face us. Where necessary, MAAF identifies, examines, and responds to insensitive practices that illegally promote religion over non-religion within the military or unethically discriminate against minority religions or differing beliefs. MAAF’s activities are in the areas of community building, civilian and military education, and member advocacy.

MAAF needs your support to continue these efforts. Ensure your contact information is up-to-date. And ensure all of your friends join MAAF as well; a larger constituency is our most valuable commodity. MAAF also asks that members send pictures of themselves, preferably with some atheist/humanist/nontheist sign or pin to show that we are out there serving.
Also consider financial support. A donation of $15 defrays the cost of membership and the website. A donation of $50 puts a MAAF advertisement in a small market. A donation of $100 helps fund a local area MAAF event. A donation of $1000 reaches a large-market media outlet. Please contact MAAF for more opportunities to donate time or funds. Read on to see more about what MAAF has been doing.
Join or Support

Community

MAAF continues to provide the community that the military does not provide. Service members continue to join MAAF stating how happy they are to have found a supportive community.

MAAF membership grew to over 1100 members around the world. Our membership is supported by the MAAF Network – welcoming local organizations in over 30 states and overseas. At member request, MAAF has referred over 40 members so far to coalition organizations through our new member referral program.

MAAF has sent speakers to present at events of the American Atheists, Atheist Alliance International, American Humanist Association, and American Ethical Union conferences this year. MAAF has also presented recently to the Ethical Humanist Society of Philadelphia, Greater Worcester Humanists, American Humanist Association National Convention, and Center For Atheism Cable Show.

MAAF collaborates with NYC Atheists tabling events to hundreds if not thousands of passers-by at NYC’s Columbus Circle each Summer Saturday.

Education

MAAF policy, information, and news provides members and coalition organizations the information to advocate for MAAF to the media, government, and the local community. This also assists with outreach to the military community so they can help the nontheists community directly.

MAAF has submitted recent Freedom of Information Act requests for demographics to show the comparison between stated religious preferences of the general populations and chaplains. MAAF will publish official reports when all information is received.

MAAF continues to collaborate with partner organizations for military policy issues. The most recent events include Bagram Bibles issue and the recent Secretary of the Army and DoD Inspector General appointments.

The MAAF website now includes a watch list of 10 ongoing issues for the use of membership and partner organizations. This provides a continuing list of information and talking points for editorial letters and advocacy to representatives.

Representatives from the Humanist Institute, American Humanist Association Humanist Society, and the American Ethical Union are partnering with MAAF to develop comprehensive chaplain support and education programs to ensure chaplains can advocate for nontheists. Education programs include information packets, liaisons to serve as points of contact for chaplains.

Advocacy

MAAF continues to work with partner organizations to advocate for member interests where necessary.

The Military Religious Freedom Foundation continues to be a powerful ally to lend legal and media visibility on violations. MAAF has recently referred a new plaintiff for MRFF lawsuits in addition to the existing primary plaintiff, Dustin Chalker.

Chaplains and others repeating that the myth denying atheists in foxholes are highlighted on the MAAF website to help us reach out to uneducated chaplains. We have also received apologies, proving that chaplains are willing to change.

Last November, MAAF joined the Secular Coalition for America to present recommendations to President Obama and conduct a press conference at the National Press Club.

Plans for 2009-2010

This can't happen without you. Continue to be involved with your local and national affiliates in addition to your involvement with MAAF directly.

Sincerely,
Jason Torpy
President, MAAF

About MAAF

The Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers an independent 501(c)3 project of Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs. Donations are tax-deductible. Contact information and references mentioned in this letter can be found at the MAAF website: http://www.militaryatheists.org