American Atheists to Launch World's First Atheist TV Channel; Promises 'Superstition-Free Programming'
The American Atheists group announced that the world's first all-atheist TV channel will launch on July 29 through streaming service Roku, promising "superstition-free programming" for adults and children.
"The launch of Atheist TV is history in the making," American Atheists President David Silverman said in a press release on Wednesday.
"There are hundreds of TV channels dedicated to religious programming, but nothing like this has ever existed before for atheists, and yet the demand is overwhelming. For the first time, atheist video content—from firebrand speeches, to stand-up comedy, to documentaries, to real science-based educational programming, and more—is now available to atheists worldwide, on the air and all in one place. Atheist TV brings consistent, quality, superstition-free programming for children and adults, on the air and on-demand, right from your regular television. This is an idea whose time has come and we're celebrating."
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The secular organization added that it will be celebrating by hosting an invitation-only launch party in Manhattan the night of July 29.
The event is expected to bring together TV producers and personalities, atheist activists and public speakers, video content producers for the channel, and Atheist TV and American Atheists sponsors and donors. The party will feature a speech by Silverman, as well as a countdown to the first broadcast at 7 pm, where a welcome video "starring several well-known atheists and science educators" will air.
American Atheists said in May that it will have a lot of content to offer, including recently digitized television appearances from its 51-year history. It will feature current and achieved episodes of its weekly syndicated TV show, "The Atheist Viewpoint," and will seek to partner with atheist groups, such as the Richard Dawkins Foundation, and atheist YouTube users with large fan bases.
The secular group, which says that it fights for "the civil liberties of atheists and the total, absolute separation of government and religion," has been involved in a number of high-profile lawsuits in recent years.
American Atheists has been campaigning against the 17-foot-tall Ground Zero Cross at the National 9/11 Museum in New York, and has appealed against the federal district court's decision to keep it in place.
In June, however, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals asked the secular group in an order to explain why it finds the artifact, which was fashioned by two steep beams recovered from the Twin Tower's collapse, to be "offensive," "repugnant," insulting to atheists and a violation of the Establishment Clause.
