Breaking: Madison, WI becomes first in nation to make 'non religion' a protected class

https://mobile.twitter.com/MSimonReporter/status/583062205911953409?s=04

Passed tonight. Here's a bit on the bill:

Freedom From Religion Foundation
Let's hear it for Alderperson Anita Weier of Madison, Wis., who just introduced an intriguing resolution to add not only the homeless, but atheists, to a long list of protected classes under the city's Equal Opportunity Ordinance. The proposal would prohibit discrimination against the homeless in employment and housing, and against atheists in employment, housing and public places — including civic space and places of business and recreation.

Weier has noted that religion is already a protected class, so lack of religion should have the same protection. It warms my heart that she specifically invoked the Freedom From Religion Foundation, whose offices are in Madison, and concerns FFRF has raised. Violations of the ordinance could result in civil fines paid to the aggrieved parties.

Given the recent targeting of blasphemers — the shocking massacre of irreverent cartoonists for Charlie Hebdo, which bills itself as an "atheist magazine" — it's high time nonbelievers become a protected class.

It made me smile a bit that the proposal lumps "the homeless" with "atheists," although I'm pleased "the homeless" are also being remembered. But it does reveal how low on the totem pole atheists (and the homeless!) are in this country. Nonbelievers are at the bottom of the barrel when it comes to social acceptance. A major study, "Atheists as 'Other,' " published by the University of Minnesota in 2006, revealed that "atheists are less likely to be accepted, publicly and privately, than any others" from a long list of marginalized groups.

- See more at: http://ffrf.org/news/news-releases/item/22319-madison-considers-making-atheist-a-protected-class#sthash.Xd2glIWK.dpuf