About This Report
The 2024 State of the Secular States report is the sixth edition of our annual review of state law and policy that affects religious equality and the separation of religion and government.
Since launching the report in 2018, we have tracked the proliferation of state policies advanced by a network of extreme, well-funded, and well-organized groups aligned with white Christian nationalist ideology. Regardless of their claims about valuing religious freedom, the actions of these white Christian nationalist groups make it clear that their agenda is entirely focused on eroding civil rights and entrenching Christian supremacy.
However, we have opportunities in states throughout the nation to undo the damage that’s been done by this harmful ideology and to make real progress toward religious equality. This year’s State of the Secular States Report identifies areas of policy where progress is possible and where taking action will make a real difference in the lives of our fellow Americans.
American Atheists has been at the forefront of opposing state-level threats to religious equality. Our staff, volunteers, and grassroots advocates have taken the lead in opposing Project Blitz, and tracking state legislation that affects the separation of religion and government and religious equality. You can sign-up to receive action alerts from American Atheists about relevant bills and ongoing advocacy in your state.
In this sixth edition of the State of the Secular States report, we continue to expand the number of evaluated law and policy measures to better understand these issues.
This report now assesses more than 60 statewide law and policy measures, both positive and negative, pertaining to religious equality and the separation of religion and government in every state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
American Atheists supporters rally at Capital Pride in Washington, DC on June 9, 2019. | Photo by Jer123 via Shutterstock
Issues We’re Tracking
State laws have a massive impact on your day to day life. See how your state protects religious equality, defends the rights of atheists, and closes religious loopholes.
See our summaries of the issues.
Key developments in state law & policy in 2023
The Legislative War on Bodily Autonomy
Perhaps the most noteworthy change in state legislation over the past year has been the abrupt shift in laws targeting trans young people
Responsive Protections for Health Care
In the face of the legislative attacks against bodily autonomy, state lawmakers who support reproductive freedom and the civil rights of trans people have not been idle
Denial of Care and State Approaches to Access
Another threat to the provision of necessary health care is the rise of broad denial of care laws, which allow religious hospitals, providers, and payers (such as employers and insurance companies) to deny providing or paying for any type of health care they oppose
Education, Indoctrination, and “Parental Rights”
Beginning in 2021 as attacks on “critical race theory,” the bills we sometimes refer to as “parental rights” bills have continued to evolve and grow into vague and punitive mandates resulting in censorship and surveillance in schools
Looking Ahead to Next Year
Even as advocates and state lawmakers reel from the vicious rhetoric and attacks on civil rights during the 2023 state legislative session, 2024 is shaping up to be even more fractious.
It is more important now than ever for individuals and organizations to engage the lawmakers elected to represent them, to organize and raise their voices to fight for civil rights and equality, and to actively vote for the future of our country.
