American Atheists
American Atheists is an organization defending the civil liberties of atheists, and advocating the complete separation of church and state. Founded by Madalyn Murray O'Hair in 1963, it was born out of a court case begun in 1959 by the Murray family which challenged prayer recitation in the public schools. The case, Murray v. Curlett (also known as Abington School Dist. v. Schempp, 374 U.S. 203 (1963)) was a landmark case that helped take prayer out of United States public schools.American Atheists has been described as being the "most militant atheist organization in America" and has filed numerous lawsuits against public institutions which in their belief breached the separation of church and state. Latest estimates place the member count at around 2,200 who gather annually for a national convention and numerous regional meetings. The organization's current President is Ms. Ellyn Johnson who has been President since 1995. They are headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey.
