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Ellen Johnson is the current president of American Atheists. She has been active in the organization since 1978 and president since 1995. She describes herself as a "second-generation atheist" who has been an atheist all her life. Her educational background consists of Bachelor's Degrees in Environmental Studies and Political Science, and a Master's Degree in Political Science from The New School for Social Research.

The American Atheists are a nationwide organization who defends civil rights for nonbelievers, works for the total separation of church and state, and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy in regards to religion. Johnson took over as president in 1995 after then-president and founder Madalyn Murray O'Hair went missing along with her son and granddaughter (they were later found to have been abducted and murdered by a former American Atheists employee).

In November 2002, Johnson announced the formation of the Godless Americans Political Action Committee (GAMPAC), a PAC to endorse political candidates who support the separation of church and state. She is the executive director of that organization.

Currently, she is the co-host for "The Atheist Viewpoint" television program, which is available "on dozens of cable systems throughout the nation and on the Internet." She has remained the co-host since 1994.

On December 20, 2005 she appeared on an ABC special interviewed by Barbara Walters for "Heaven – Where Is It? How Do We Get There?" She appeared on Larry King Live in April 2005, Good Morning America in December 2005, MSNBC's Scarborough Country December 2004, appeared on Fox News three times in November and December 2003, and MSNBC's Phil Donahue.

See also

• Charles E. Stevens American Atheist Library and Archives

Media and Articles

• Atheist Politics and Power in America, Speech to Freethought Association, July 28, 2004
• Atheist leader wants godless to unite like Christians, Grand Rapids Press, August 7, 2004
• "A Time of Doubt for Atheists ; With the religious making inroads in popular culture and politics, nonbelievers yearn for higher power in Washington," Los Angeles Times, July 18, 2005 Monday, Home Edition, Part A; Pg. 1.
• "American Atheists Group Is Moving to New Jersey," The New York Times, April 3, 1999
• "Atheists and Believers: about Ellen Johnson," The New York Times, September 20, 2000
• "Atheists Don't 'Despise' Others," The New York Times, February 2, 1997.
• "Atheists reach out in S.F.; Conclave designed to turn nonbelievers into activists," The San Francisco Chronicle, May 20, 2005, Friday; Pg. A1.
• "Dear God: Dee-Fense!," The New York Times, December 11, 2005 Sunday, Section 14NJ; Column 2; Pg. 6.
• "Defending and protecting Atheism worldwide," American Atheist Magazine, June 22, 2005.
• "Encore Presentation: What Happens After We Die?," CNN, Larry King Live, April 24, 2005.
• "Heaven, Does it exist?", ABC News, Good Morning America, December 19, 2005
• "Heaven – Where Is It? How Do We Get There?," ABC with Barbara Walters. December 20, 2005.
• "Scarborough Country for Dec. 14," MSNBC, December 15, 2004
• Goodstein, Laurie. "Public Lives; It's a Harsh Political Climate for a Believer in Nonbelief." The New York Times. September 16, 2000, Section A, Page 9, Column 1,
• Sella, Marshall. "Faith Is a Fraud; Godless And Proud of It," The New York Times, December 7, 1997.
• Steinfels, Peter. "Beliefs; Among struggles with boundaries are those facing Godless Americans and advocates of polyamory." The New York Times, August 17, 2002.
• Stewart, Barbara. "Atheist in the Foxhole," The New York Times, January 26, 1997
• Stunsky, Steve. "Communities: Atheists Come to Lobby For What They Believe," The New York Times, April 11, 1999.
• "The Menorah On the Town Green," The New York Times, January 7, 1990.
• "Three Top Leaders Missing, Atheist Group Is Adrift," The New York Times, April 21, 1996
• "True Non-Believers; In California, One Convention So Over God," The Washington Post, April 12, 2004 Monday; C01.

References

1. Welcome from the President of American Atheists American Atheists
2. ^ AA Press Release: Ellen Johnson Slated for Donahue/MSNBC
3. Ellen Johnson Live on MSNBC/Carlson Program February 20, 2006
4. What Happens After We Die? CNN Larry King Live, April 14, 2005
5. Scarborough Country for Dec. 14 MSNBC December 14, 2004

External links

• American Atheists Official page
• Godless Americans Political Action Committee Official page.
• Atheist View Point TV Show Official page.
• CNN'S Larry King Live Transcript

• Atheist thinkers and activists
• American atheists
• Living people