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 today announced that it is contacting
representatives on both sides of the aisle on the House Judiciary
Committee to demand that an officer of the group be given a chance
to air views concerning the Hyde-Religious Equality Amendment.
Hearings on the proposed amendment which would amend the
constitution to legitimize "student-led" prayer in publis chools are
scheduled for this coming Tuesday, July 23.
    Ellen Johnson, President of American Atheists, stated: "The
Hyde version of the Religious Equality Amendment was just another
ruse to sneak prayer back into the schools.  In addition, by trying
to bring the measure up for a vote in Congress, prayer backers were
trying to compile a hit list for use in the November elections.
The Christian Coalition plans to distribute millions of voter guides
and will use school prayer as another litmus test for public office."
    Ms. Johnson called upon the House Judiciary Committe which is
holding the hearings to not discriminate against Atheists.
"It is only appropriate that the movement which sprung from the
battle against prayer recitation in schools over thirty years ago should
once again be given an opportunity to participate in this important
debate."  Johnson was referring to the U.S. Supreme Court case of
MURRAY v. CURLETT which helped to end prayer and bible recitation
in public schools, and was initiated by Madalyn Murray, the founder
of American Atheists.  "It is the epitome of intolerance that we are
being excluded", Johnson said.


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