Imagine you go to prison, and when it’s time for your parole, you get denied because the only way to get accepted into the program is to take a bullshit religious 12-step program.  Would you fight it, or out of desperation to get out, just go along with it.

That wat the dilemma that Andrew Miller faced. I think most of us, with the prospect of freedom on the line, would have just suffered through it and pretended, just like most people, that these types of programs worked.  Credit where credit is do, he chose to stick to his conviction, and even took the matter to a federal court to make it so that no one else like him would need to do the same.

American Atheist, in cooperation with Mountain State Justice, an organization designed to help lower income West Virginians that need legal assistance, won a judgement on behalf of Miller, which included the removal of the requirement for the 12 step program, and $80,000 to cover the legal fees. Now, because of their good work, other criminals who seek to reform themselves won’t have to do so under the guise of religion.

Now, is it our fault that atheists make up a tiny proportion of the prison population? At least now you can rest east knowing that if you commit a crime in West Virginia, your freedom won’t be contingent on some pastor’s bullshit 12-step program. We celebrate the small victories, people.