AMERICAN ATHEISTS, INC.
PRESS RELEASE
Jan. 12, 2000

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


        ATHEISTS WARN OF FCC RULING ON RELIGIOUS BROADCASTERS,
         BUT SLAM "SELECTIVE INDIGNATION" OF SECTARIAN GROUPS

    American Atheists today joined the chorus of groups asking the Federal
Communications Commission to reverse its controversial December 29 ruling
which attempted to distinguish between "educational" and "proselytizing"
speech.  The FCC decision requires religious groups holding a nonprofit,
educational station license to devote half of their air time to certain
forms of expression, while not allowing church services or preaching toward
that quota.
    "This decision is bad law, and does put the government in the position
of determining what is and what is not acceptable religious speech,"
declared Ellen Johnson, President of American Atheists.  "But it is such a
sham for religious groups to suddenly unfurl the banner of 'free speech'
when so many of these same organizations wish to violate the free speech
rights of others by legislating restrictions on television content, the
internet, even what magazines may be displayed in supermarket racks."
    American Atheists also criticized religious groups and political
supporters who also denounce the ruling for their hypocritical position
regarding the First Amendment.
    "This decision simply complicates a bad decision made in 1977 which
granted educational television licenses to religious groups," added Ms.
Johnson.  "But the bottom line is that the government cannot be declaring
what type of speech - whether its religious or secular - happens to fall
under the protection of the First Amendment."
    Ron Barrier, National Spokesperson for American Atheists, noted that
"these same religious groups and politicians who oppose this FCC decision
are the same types who want Big Brother determining what movies we may see,
or what lyrics can be sung, or even what books can be read in a public
library."
    "We're supporters of the First Amendment, and we think this FCC decision
is 'bad law'," added Ms. Johnson.  "It may be directed only at religious
speech, but when some forms of expression are threatened by censorship and
government control, all free speech is threatened.  Free speech applies to
everyone, not just religious groups."

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