American Atheists, Inc.
P O Box 140195
Austin, Texas 78714-0195
(512) 458-1244
http://www.atheists.org

                           PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release:
January 23, 1997

                         ATHEISTS TO NFL -
                         LET REGGIE PRAY!

    American Atheists today appealed to the National Football League to
let Reggie White, ordained minister and participant in one of America's most
violent sport spectacles, express his religious conviction during the Super
Bown in New Orleans this coming Sunday.
    The New York Times today reported that Mr. White, a defenseman for the
Green Bay Packers, expressed a desire to conduct public prayer in front of
the stadium crowd.
    "Why stop him?," noted Ronald Barrier, national media coordinator for
American Atheists.  While Mr. White wished to conduct his prayer during the
post-game moments, Mr. Barrier suggested that the whole ceremony be moved
to halftime.  "Why end it with Reggie?  We should make this a truly
ecumenical event," said Mr. Barrier.  "Every representative of every cult,
sect, and religion, should be present and the entire football field, from
end zone to end zone, would be one gigantic "Conjurethon."
    American Atheists claimed that the observance of a variety of choreographed
rituals would be an excellent way to view the various religions in a
comparative format.  Mr. Barrier also said that "this spectacle, replete with
the costumes, relics, beads, gyrations, and other paraphenalia would afford
us to see just whose god is best.  In that way we can make a logical, educated
selection as to whom we should give our unflagging allegiance."
    "The possibilities are endless," opined Mr. Barrier.  "The idea of a faith
healer trying to mend a broken bone faster than a juju priest from Gahana can
impregnate a 12-year old female slave would generate tremendous interest.
While a Santerian priest slits the throat of a goat on the 30-yard line, a
priest could be performing transubstantiation on the 10.  We could have
snake-handlers, wailing-wall head-bobbers, self-flaggelationists, arm-wavers,
bead-rattlers, and those who fall on the ground and convulse.  There would be
astrologers, crystal-gazers, and new age gurus.  Psychics and readers of palms,
tea leaves, tarot cards and other inanimate objects could also participate."
    "These are all constitutionally protected rites," said Mr. Barrier.
    American Atheists is exploring the possibility of hosting an "Extreme
Conjuring Championships" event some time in early '98 as a pay-per-view
special.

For further information, please contact:

Ronald J. Barrier,              or      Ms. Ellen Johnson, President
National Media Coordinator              (201) 334-5874
(718) 356-8658                          email: ej@atheists.org