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 is calling upon the National Park Service
and Congress to remove a plaque erected at the Statue of Liberty
by followers of a Hindu religious cult guru named Sri Chinmoy.
    The plaque, a so-called "Peace Blossom" was dedicated during a
ceremony on August 27, where park officials also presented a birthday
cake to the controversial cult figure.  Following that event,
the Park Service then sent out a press release titled "Statue of
Liberty Dedicated as International Symbol of Peace."
    American Atheists President Ellen Johnson denounced the action
of the Park Service, and said that the "peace plaque" was, in reality,
"a disingenuous tactic to gain legitimacy for a religious-cult
sect."  She added: "This situation is no different than if the
Roman Catholic Church, the Christian Coalition, or any other
organization which says that it is a 'spiritual' movement, attempted
to use public property--and coopt a federal agency in the process--
for a cheap publicity grab."
    Ron Barrier, National Media Coordinator for American Atheists,
questioned the extent of the review process at the Statue of Liberty for
groups which erect memorials and plaques, and the credibility of
local officials.  He also referred to a New York Times article which
quoted a former official with the Cult Awareness Network, who
noted that Chinmoy's followers were "very good at enhancing
their image, promoting themselves, linking themselves up to
make themselves look very good."
    Chinmoy's followers also insisted that their guru be
referred to as a "student of peace" rather than a religious
cult figure.  That was just a ploy to avoid what the New York
Times termed "unpleasant implications."
    "The 'unpleasant implications', said Ellen Johnson, are
that the Park Service was taken in by practitioners of mystical
pseudoscience claims, and are violating the First Amendment
by giving the prestige of a government landmark to a Hindu
religious figure and his cult movement."
    Johnson added that American Atheists is also contacting
the head of the National Park Service, Ms. Marie Rust, and calling
upon members of American Atheist to contact officials.
If the plaque is not removed, the group will consider legal action.


                              * * *