Charles Lee Smith

Charles Lee Smith (1887–1964) was an atheist activist in the United States and an editor of the Truth Seeker from 1937 until his death^[1]. He also founded the American Association for the Advancement of Atheism, though the organization didn't survive beyond the demise of his successor, James Hervey Johnson. Smith's greatest claim to fame is the fact that he was the last person to be convicted for blasphemy in the United States—at least in a case of any note.^[2]

His case began when, in 1928, he rented a storefront in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he gave out free atheist literature. The sign in the window read: "Evolution Is True. The Bible's a Lie. God's a Ghost." For this he was charged with violating the city ordinance against blasphemy. Because he was an atheist and therefore couldn't swear the court's religious oath to tell the truth, he wasn't permitted to testify in his own defense. The judge then dismissed the original charge, replacing it with one of distributing obscene, slanderous, or scurrilous literature. Smith was convicted, fined $25, and served most of a twenty-six-day jail sentence. His high-profile fast while behind bars drew national media attention. Upon his release he immediately resumed his atheist activities, was again charged with blasphemy, and this time the charge held. In his trial he was once more denied the right to testify and was sentenced to ninety days in jail and a fine of $100. Released on $1,000 bail, Smith appealed the verdict. The case then dragged on for several years until it was finally dismissed.^[3]

References

1. ^ "List of Past Presidents". Truth Seeker Company. http://www.truthseeker.com/. Retrieved 18 October 2010. 
2. ^ "Blasphemy" in Tom Flynn, editor, The New Encyclopedia of Unbelief, p. 147. Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books, 2007.
3. ^ "Smith, Charles Lee" in Gordon Stein, editor, The Encyclopedia of Unbelief, pp. 633-634. Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books, 1985.

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Name	Smith, Charles Lee
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Date of birth	1887
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Date of death	1964
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