AMERICAN ATHEISTS


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
ELLEN JOHNSON, PRESIDENT AMERICAN ATHEISTS
VOICE 201-334-4033, E-MAIL EJONBAND@AOL.COM or ej@atheists.org
OR CALL AMERICAN ATHEISTS 512-458-1244


                           PRESS RELEASE


    AMERICAN ATHEISTS OPPOSES LOAN GUARANTEES TO CHURCHES

    American Atheists today announced that it opposes the
Clinton administration's loan guarantee program for churches
which have been destroyed as the result of arson.
    The senate version of the Church Arson Prevention Act of 1996
(S.1890) was approved on June 26.  Section 4 of the proposed
legislation authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban
Development to use up to $10,000,000 of credit subsidy, which
would be used in rebuilding religious houses of worship.  The bill
now moves to the House of Representatives which last week passed
a similar measure, and President Clinton--who originally called for
the program--is expected to sign it.
    Ellen Johnson, President of American Atheists, said that the
loan program is a clear violation of First Amendment state-church
separation.  While condemning arson and violence against churches,
she noted: "About 1% of the arsons committed in the United States
each year involve churches.  This program uses public funds to
guarantee loans to religious organizations, and so involves the
use of taxpayer funds to aid religion."
    While we deplore violence against churches, President Clinton
is being unfair when he asks the 10-15% of Americans who are Atheists,
agnostics and other freethinkers to subsidize the construction of
buildings for the purpose of religious exercise."
    American Atheists is a nationwide movement founded by Madalyn
Murray O'Hair for the advancement of Atheism, the defense of
Atheist civil rights and the separation of government and religion.


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