Madison, Wisconsin, city officials voted to ban discrimination against those of no religious faith, giving atheists and their ilk the same protections already afforded those who claim religious affiliations.
The Associated Press reported the ban, which bars any form of discrimination against non-religious in the same way it bars bias against race, sexual orientation and religion, is believed to be the first of its kind in the nation.
The author of the ordinance, Anita Weier, says it’s only fair.
“It just seems to me that religion has spread into government more than I feel comfortable with,” she said, AP reported. “It just occurred to me that religion was protected, so non-religion should be, too.”
No one dissented during the city council vote. But afterward, some raised concerns.
“I don’t understand why they would add this to that litany of protections in Madison, of all places,” said Julaine Appling, president of Wisconsin Family Action, AP reported. “I thought this was an April Fool’s joke.”
Madison, where the Freedom from Religion Foundation is headquartered, is a spot known for progressive liberalism.
