What’s It Like to be an Atheist Lobbyist?

Posted on September 30, 2011 by Hemant Mehta

What does an “atheist lobbyist” do? Amanda Knief is one of the few people who can answer that question from experience since she’s the Government Relations Manager for the Secular Coalition for America.

You may remember Amanda as the person who asked President Obama why he still permitted taxpayer-funded organizations to practice faith-based discrimination:

At the 2011 Secular Student Alliance conference, Amanda spoke about what she does and what all of us can do to make a difference in our local governments:

Memo to everyone who plans atheist conferences: Please put Amanda on your roster next time around.

About Hemant Mehta

Hemant Mehta is the chair of Foundation Beyond Belief and a high school math teacher in the suburbs of Chicago.
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  • Anonymous

    Thanks for posting this Hemant. Great speaker, great content.

  • Jdnursall

    Funny how Obama becomes nonsensical on the subject. I support his views (or campaign views) it’s interesting how he waxes poetic on the 1st amendment and doesn’t really address the issue at hand. 

  • Kat

    I love her, she’s articulate and engaging! 
    But in a cute way doesn’t she remind you of Mel from Flight of the Concords?:-)

  • Grady

    Lobbying is inherently corrupt.  It should be outlawed all down the line.

    But as to Obama, he lies.

    He lied about the wars.  About keeping unemployment down.  About his health care plan.

    Its his nature. He’s a Chicago thug politician.  What the fuck do you expect?

  • Losangeles

    oh, what happened? I thought Sean Faircloth was the lobbyist there? I preferred his speeches. His speeches were rallying. This speech is much of a muchness… 

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=553145445 Gordon Duffy

    It is hard when there is a clear, obvious, simple, right answer and that answer will draw out the christian mob.

    Yes, god should not be on the money in, the pledge, or in the motto; No, faith groups should not be exempt from equality laws; Yes, all churches should pay tax.

  • http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/ Hemant Mehta

    Sean used to be the Executive Director, in charge of managing the staff. Amanda was the lobbyist.

  • Annie

    That’s who she looks like!!  It’s been bothering me for weeks… thanks!

  • Tony

    It is sooo very hard to defend the indefensible.  Obama knows the best answer but, like the spineless milksop he is, won’t say it.  I’m voting Green in 2012.