The Truth Behind the "Creator" Bill
For General Release

Saturday, June 12, 1999

The General Assembly of New Jersey has just passed the "Creator Bill,"
which requires students in all public schools to recite a line from the
Declaration of Independence each day.  While there has been some discussion
about this bill, very little has centered around the true intention of the
effort: injecting religion into schools.

The sponsors of the bill, long time supporters of school prayer, have once
again cloaked their efforts in the guise of patriotism and tolerance.
However, with only a little consideration one can see clearly through their
veil of feigned neutrality and see the true intentions of the Christian
Coalition.

The line sponsored is the only place in either the Constitution or the
Declaration of Independence which can be interpreted as favoring religion.
Indeed, by requiring the teachers to mention and discuss the "Creator"
clause, the right-wing extremists will have succeeded in impressing on our
children that our founding fathers were all religious and intended this
country to be religiously oriented.

Of course, any education in the true law of the land, the Bill of Rights of
the Constitution, would negate such an impression, but this would not be
taught under this bill.  Only one paragraph, without context, without
background, and without explanation, would be required.

While the sentiments echoing equality and liberty mirror the very things
that make America great, the law itself would negate some of that very
liberty and equality, by making the nonbelieving students feel even further
isolated from their community.

American Atheists urges the rejection of this dishonest bill.  If the
sponsors of this bill truly wish to increase patriotism, as they claim, we
suggest a daily lesson in the Bill Of Rights as opposed to the memorization
and recitation of a phrase which is outdated, misleading, and out of
context.

American Atheists is the nation's oldest and largest non-profit
organization dedicated to preserving the civil rights of the nonbelieving
community.

David Silverman
NJ State Director
American Atheists, Inc.

This letter is intended, and permission is hereby granted, for the
publication of this document, all or in part, at any time, by anyone.
Source can be verified if needed at the numbers below.


American Atheists, Inc.  P.O. Box 5733  Parsippany, NJ 07054-6733
Tel: (908)276-7300  Fax: (908)276-7402