DefCon: The Campaign To Defend the Constitution is an online grassroots movement combating the growing power of the religious right. We will fight to uphold the First Amendment's guarantee of separation of church and state and will oppose efforts to control and distort religion, education, science and culture in ways that ultimately threaten the health and well-being of American society.

Many of us are people of faith. We respect the right of all Americans to their beliefs and value their freedom to worship. In keeping with the Constitution, this Campaign will seek to ensure not that America is free of religion, but that it protects freedom of religion and freedom from religious coercion.

The framers of our Constitution struck a brilliant balance on many issues, particularly in creating a clear separation between religion and state. A cornerstone of our nation's identity, that principle has provided Americans with unparalleled freedom that has fueled our success and world leadership and enabled scientific achievements that have bettered the lives of millions.

Today, however, a fundamentalist minority seeks to tear down the wall between religion and state and make biblical precepts, not constitutional law, the highest authority governing American life.

Aided by a sympathetic Administration and members of Congress, the religious right has gained extraordinary power and influence. Their voices pervade the media, and they have pursued and attained political power with tenacity and skill, in the process drowning out real experts and credible voices of reason.

We believe these fundamentalists are completely out of step with values held dear by the vast majority of Americans – values including freedom of conscience, tolerance, reason, and moderation.

Mainstream American voices must be heard, not simply responding to the religious Right but proudly expressing their belief in the Constitution and opposing those who would undermine it.

DefCon: The Campaign to Defend the Constitution will work around the clock to:

• Alert the public to the dangers and risks posed by the growing fundamentalist influence in our nation;


• Build and mobilize an online community of concerned Americans willing to raise their voices;


• Mobilize concerned scientists, political leaders, and theologians to help Americans understand what is at stake.

Through DefCon, we hope to ensure that reason, personal freedom, and the rule of law remain as guiding lights of American society.

Within the religious community, we will work with leaders who share the values on which our country was founded. We will expose the religious right who, though purporting to speak for people of faith, espouse values that run counter to the majority of people of faith and of the American public generally.

DefCon will provide mainstream America with a countervailing voice rooted in original American principles, focusing on respect for:

• Separation of church and state as a core value in law and public policy;


• Independence of the judiciary – safeguarding the courts from archconservatives who wish to undermine the Bill of Rights;


• Science, medical research and technology and their crucial role in economic prosperity;


• Individual privacy including the right to decide for oneself whether to have a baby or how to die and equal rights for all couples regardless of gender.

DefCon will become the premiere voice of Americans who are disturbed by the growing power of the religious right, and who are looking for a practical and meaningful way to fight back.

One of their first "Defcon Alerts" is in support of the teaching of science, and not ideology, in our public schools: