American Atheists, Inc. Dick Hogan, Texas State Director 101 Woodland Trail Weatherford, TX 76086 Phone: (817) 596-9520, (817) 831-1150 Fax: (817) 831-7363 - Email: dhogan@atheists.org PRESS RELEASE For Release 26 February 1997 American Atheists today exposed another religious scam for Government financing of parochial schools and has called for an immediate cease. Under the auspices of child care, religious institutions become certified for government funds through the Texas Child Care Management Services (CCMS). Funds are IV-A grants and are supposed to be used for secular aid to needy persons qualifying for that service. Religious institutions such as churches may house such programs so long as the program is secular in content and operated by other than church staff. Only rent can be paid to the church for that service. All churches that were part of this investigation, certified by the CCMS in Tarrant and Parker Counties were found to be operating in violation of the Establishment Clause of the Constitution. American Atheists president Ellen Johnson, January 31, 1997 issued a press release exposing the true agenda of the Christian Coalition through efforts called the "Samaritan Project." The covert acts of the Samaritan Project come to the public under the guise of helping the needy when in reality they are nothing more than an organized effort to gain control of government spending. American Atheist National Media Coordinator, Mr. Ronald Barrier calls this "a Christian-Coalition-led raiding party on the American Taxpayer." For more information contact : Dick Hogan Ellen Johnson 817 596-9520 201 334-4033 Texas State Director President of American Atheists American Atheists, Inc. Delivery: Phone: (512) 458-1244 P O Box 140195 7215 Cameron Rd. FAX: (512) 467-9525 Austin, TX 78714-0195 Austin, TX 78752-2973 http://www.atheists.org