American Atheists, Inc.
P O Box 140195
Austin, Texas 78714-0195                             For immediate release:
(512) 458-1244                                       April 2, 1997
http://www.atheists.org


                           PRESS RELEASE


                   Atheists Claim "No Difference"
                     Between Cults and Religion
        "Hypocrisy Rampant in wake of "Heaven's Gate" Launching"

    American Atheists today laid the deaths of 39 Heaven's Gate members
squarely at the feet of both the religious community in America and the US
Government.  Both of these institutions promote the very ideas that led to
the deaths, i.e. blind submission the will, outer direction over inner
direction, transmigratory "souls", heaven, life after death, self-mutilation,
and the second-class status of Life.  The Heaven's Gate religion incorporates
all these tenets.  Religions teach them, Congress enacts laws promoting them
and the president lauds them.
    Ms. Ellen Johnson, President of American Atheists, called for our
government to "repudiate religion, and recognize that all theological
businesses in America are cults."  She added, "There is no ideological
difference between the idea of a savior man-god possessing the ability to
rise from the dead and propel himself into heaven in 6 weeks and the
Heaven's Gate members' belief that they could also."
    "Judaism, Catholicism, Protestantism, Scientology, Mormonism, Islam,
Promise Keepers,...they are all cults," chimed in Ronald Barrier, National
Spokesperson for the group.  "The fact that these so-called "acceptable"
cults are criticizing the Heaven's Gate act is definitely the pot calling
the kettle black.  In my opinion, the "Gate" crew showed not only tremendous
faith, but the decency not to involve innocent parties, especially children,
unlike other cults which target such groups."
    "What occured is neither shocking nor rare.  Religion has always glorified
death.  The media is inundated daily of death caused by religious delusions,
visions, and promises of fabulous prizes in the hereafter.  It will only
increase as we approach the impending religious orgasm - the year 2000,"
lamented Mr. Barrier.


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