The Religious Liberty Protection Act is on the agenda for fast track legislative action on Capitol Hill. This "special rights" law would discriminate in favor of churches, mosques and other religious groups. American Atheists charges that RLPA marginalizes nonbelief and secular activity.

he Religious Liberty Protection Act MAY be slated for action in the House Judiciary Committee this week. The measure is currently in front of the HJC's Constitution Subcommittee;and the buzz on Capitol Hill is that an effort will be made to "fast track' this legislation prior to the August 9 recess.

    RLPA is a near-copy of the old Religious Freedom Restoration Act which was struck down last year in the historic BOERNE v. FLORES case. It requires that government demonstrate a "compelling interest" before placing any "burden" on religious groups or practice. American Atheists, however, has charged that RLPA discriminates in favor of religion, and marginalizes Atheists, nonbelievers of any kind and any secular activity, whether private or commercial. The Religious Liberty Protection Act has been described as "one of the most general" pieces of legislation affecting the status of the First Amendment in our nation's history. RLPA is also a flagrant demand on behalf of "special rights" for churches, mosques, temples and other religious institutions; it creates a dual-standard of justice, one that favors religion    Nearly every major religious organization in the country has jumped on the RLPA bandwagon. This legislation has been crafted by the Coalition for the Free Exercise of Religion -- an umbrella group of mainstream Protestants, religious-right organizations, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Scientologists, mystics and others. ACLU, Americans United, American Humanist Association have all joined religious right groups like Christian Coalition, Prison Fellowship, Traditional Values Coalition (in California) and the Family Research Council in boosting this proposed measure. In addition to the federal Religious Liberty Protection Act, a slew of "mini-RFRAs" have been introduced in nearly two-dozen states across the country.

    Here's what you can do to stop the Religious Liberty Protection Act...

• Learn more about the Religious Liberty Protection Act. Explore this web site in order to find out the background on this and related legislation. Check out our "Talking Points" about the RFRA/RLPA.

• Contact elected representatives (202-224-3121) via the Congressional Switchboard. Urge them to vote "No" on the Religious Liberty Protection Act! Letters to officials are important, too; while you can always send e-mail, Administrative Aides (who are the people who actually monitor public input for Representatives and Senators) generally place more value on phone calls, "snail-mail" and personal visits.

• Spread the word! AMERICAN ATHEISTS has just produced a special pamphlet for mass distribution, "Does America Need A Religious Liberty Protection Act" available in quantity for the rate of 20/$1. Order from American Atheists, PO Box 5733, Parsippany, NJ 07054-6733. Urge others to write and learn more about this "special rights" legislation for churches and other religious groups!

• Educate others! We encourage you to write letters to your local newspaper and other public opinion media. Speak out against the Religious Liberty Protection Act!

   Our Constitution has does an exemplary job for over two centuries of providing Americans with freedom OF and freedom FROM religion. RLPA erodes the "wall of separation" between church and state by marginalizing individual rights and secular institutions, in order to give Platinum Card treatment to religious groups. Defend your rights as an Atheist -- help us defeat the Religious Liberty Protection Act!

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