American Atheists, Inc.
P O Box 140195
Austin, Texas 78714-0195                             For immediate release:
(512) 458-1244                                       March 27, 1997
http://www.atheists.org


                           PRESS RELEASE


           ATHEISTS CHARGE AMENDMENT IS "WRECKING BALL" ON
                 FIRST AMENDMENT WALL OF SEPARATION
              Ralph Reed and Rep. Istook competing for
                "Demolition Man" Title, charges AA

    The proposed Religious Freedom Amendment being promoted by the Christian
Coalition is a "wrecking ball directed straight at the wall of separation
between state and church," said American Atheists President Ellen Johnson.
    The measure, to be introduced by Rep. John Istook, disingenuously claims
that its purpose is to "secure the people's right to acknowledge God."
    But Ms. Johnson observed that "religious people in America already have
the right to practive their religion on their own time and at their own
expense.  What this amendment does is turn government -- and our public
schools -- into pulpits for religious proselytizing."  Ms. Johnson added
that the proposed legislation "guts the Establishment Clause of the First
Amendment."
    Ron Barrier, National Media Coordinator for American Atheists, opined:
"Mr. Reed and Rep. Istook seem to be outdoing each other for the title of
'Demolition Man' when it comes to destroying state-church separation in
America."  Mr. Barrier observed that the 52-word amendment has nothing to
do with "freedom" and everything to do with "special rights" for religion.
    "It simply means that any religious group can use any public venue,
including a public school classroom, as a 'worship zone.'  It allows the
religious industry to be the only business that can hawk its products
unregulated on government property to minor children.  It brazenly violates
the rights of anyone who doesn't want to listen, including the 10% of the
American population -- over 26,000,000 persons -- who identify themselves
as Atheist, agnostics, or non-believers of some variety."
    Ms. Johnson announced that American Atheists -- the group founded by
Madalyn Murray O'Hair, who was a plaintiff in the 1963 decision MURRAY v.
CURLETT which helped to remove mandatory prayer and Bible recitation in
public schools -- would ask to present testimony to Congress when the
issue is debated.

For more information please contact:
Ms. Ellen Johnson, President    (201)334-4033    Email: ej@atheists.org
Mr. Ronald Barrier, NMC         (718)356-8658    Email: rbarrier@atheists.org