AMERICAN ATHEISTS, INC.
                P.O. Box 140195  Austin, TX 78714-0195
                           (512) 458-1244

http://www.atheists.org                               For Immediate Release
PRESS RELEASE                                         Sept. 15, 1997

                  Atheists Oppose "Flag Pole" Prayers
                Exploitation of Peer Pressure Questioned

    American Atheists today expressed concern over the upcoming "See You At
The Pole"(SYATP) event scheduled for this coming Wednesday, September 17, at
schools throughout the nation.  Religious groups are urging students to
gather at flag poles prior to classes at their respective schools for prayer.
    "We're very concerned about the potential for abuse with SYATP," said
Ron Barrier, National Spokesperson for American Atheists.  "Especially in
the early grades, there is considerable peer pressure to conform and 'go
along' with the crowd.  The adult organizers of 'See You At The Pole' are
exploiting that, and fostering a potential situation where young people
could end up facing rejection or even outright hostility if they don't comply.
The current situation in Alabama schools illustrates this danger."
    Ellen Johnson, President of American Atheists, said that events like
SYATP could raise serious state-church separation problems, especially if
teachers or school officials participate.
    "Thanks to the First Amendment, students have the right to gather for
voluntary activities, but teachers and administrators should not be promoting
or publicizing this event, and certainly not joining in."  Johnson warned
that school authorities could create the impression that "See You At The Pole"
is an official activity, or that students might be penalized if they choose
not to participate.  The problem with activities like this in the public
schools," added Ms. Johnson, "is that they force youngsters to publicly
declare their religious beliefs as a condition of acceptance among their
peers.  This discriminates especially against students, and families, who
profess no religion."
    Mr. Barrier noted that the groups behind "See You At The Pole," including
the Southern Baptist Convention and the Family Research Council, all support
a wider, prayer-in-schools agenda.  "Right now, they're talking about
religious rights and asking students to meet in front of the flagpole before
school.  But the real agenda is to bring prayer inside to the classroom,
during the school day."

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