NYC ATHEISTS MARCH MONTHLY MEETING

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‘Let’s Play Hardball!’ Says Ellen Johnson

At NYCA Talk, O’Hair Protege’ to Urge

Aggressive Atheist Stance for Elections

Ellen Johnson

As heir apparent to Atheist legend Madalyn Murray O’Hair, Ellen Johnson guarded O’Hair’s legacy and extensive Atheist library for 13 years after O’Hair’s death. Johnson reigned as president of American Atheists in Cranford, NJ for those 13 years.

In 2008, Johnson left AA and has devoted herself to the organization that was, perhaps, always closest to her heart: “Enlighten the Vote,” a non-partisan Political Action Committee working to get Atheists elected to office.

Now, in this election year, Johnson is resolutely back in the ball game, urging Atheists throughout the nation to stand up for our rights as American citizens and voters, and to prepare themselves to run for office.

Tired of Being Ignored?

“Are you tired of being ignored by politicians?” asks Johnson. “Are you tired of the stress that being an Atheist in an overwhelmingly religious society gives you? Are you tired of the religious people always having the upper hand in your community, your place of business, your children’s schools and in the discussions over public policy in our country?”

Those who recall Johnson’s speech to NYC Atheists in 2011 will remember that the beautiful, graceful and outspoken Johnson can make a ringing clarion call to Atheists as no one else can. It is said that Ellen Johnson was “like a daughter” to Atheist martyr Madalyn Murray O’Hair, and it is evident in Johnson’s clear, resounding straight talk that she is carrying on the O’Hair fearlessness, common sense and courage.

“You have the power and ability to prevent the constitutional violations that affect us, to stop the enactment of special rights legislation for the religious and have politicians court your votes,” Johnson insists. “At the same time, you can do things that make it a little easier to live as an Atheist in a nation with so much religiosity.

“How?” Johnson continues. “To do this, we have to play hardball!”

Bring Atheism to the Fore

To find out what Johnson means by hardball, come on Thursday the 29th of March to hear this Atheist icon, a woman who was the protege’ of O’Hair herself and who continues to carry on Madalyn’s hard-hitting vigor, heroism and courage.

Let Ellen Johnson inspire you with her challenge to match the courage of that proud Atheist, Madalyn O’Hair and help bring Atheism front and center in the political arena.

EVENT SUMMARY

WHAT: “LET’S PLAY HARDBALL,” a talk by Ellen Johnson, director of “Enlighten the Vote,” a non-partisan Political Action Committee. Johnson is the former president of American Atheists Inc.

WHEN: THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2012 at 6:30 P.M.

WHERE: SLC Conference Center - 352 Seventh Avenue (29th/30th Street) -16th Floor

COST: We ask for a voluntary donation of $5 to cover the cost of the conference room. Students and unemployed excused.