Missouri is next on the list to create a state chapter of a national organization that lobbies for strong separation of religion and government.

The Secular Coalition for America typically focuses on separation of religion and government at the federal level. Spokesperson Lauren Anderson Youngblood says the organization hopes to have chapters in all 50 states by the end of this year.

“What we’re seeing recently is that a lot of the most egregious legislation being introduced that attempts to co-mingle religion and government is being introduced at the state level,” Youngblood says.

The organization represents Americans who don’t believe in a god or gods. According to a recent study from the Pew Forum, that’s about 25 percent of Missourians.

The Secular Coalition for America had its first organizing call in Missouri on Thursday, and the group will continue its efforts with another call in late July.

This story was produced in partnership with ColumbiaFAVS.com, a local faith and values website set to launch in mid-July.