AMERICAN ATHEISTS, INC.
PRESS RELEASE
Sept. 30, 1999

http://www.atheists.org
http://www.americanatheist.org


   American Atheists:  Church Squeamish in Public Marketplace of Ideas
     First Amendment Protection must go both ways in museum brouhaha

    American Atheists today lauded the decision of the Brooklyn Museum of Art
to present "Sensations," an exhibit of artistic expression, in spite of the
bullying tactics of Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and the intrusion of Vatican
operatives.
    The exhibit, which opens this weekend, features a series of compelling,
even disturbing images reflecting mankind's various attitudes about life and
faith.
    Reacting to one such piece, an African depiction of the alleged "Virgin
Mary" of Christian mythology, has drawn harsh criticism from New York's Mayor
Rudolph Giuliani, Vatican representative John Cardinal O'Connor and William
Donohue of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights.
    "The use of the term 'blasphemous' by Mayor Giuliani harkens back to a
time when the Vatican routinely tortured and murdered dissendents,
nonbelievers and nonconformers," noted Ron Barrier, National Spokesman for
American Atheists.
    "The Constitution of the United States, specifically the First Amendment,
effectively rendered the crime of blasphemy lifeless and without merit.  The
neck-swelling antics of the Mayor, the Catholic League, and the foreign-based
Catholic Church indicate that the public marketplace of ideas is too risky
for religion - thus the need for all the SPECIAL RIGHTS they can muster," he
said.  "For years the religious right has claimed that no one has the right
not to be offended.  All of a sudden, they have forgotten what they said."
    "The Vatican, as a foreign nation, has no right to try and reinterpret
our First Amendment to fit their dictatorial meaning of 'free speech.'"
    Mr. Barrier continued, "We forget that bigotry, prejudice, the
demonization of others, and the mocking and reviling of nonbelievers is a
staple in the Christian faith.  What's good for the goose is good for the
gander."


For more information, please contact:
Ellen Johnson, President        (973)334-5110
Ron Barrier, Spokesperson       (718)967-6453

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