AMERICAN ATHEISTS, INC.
PRESS RELEASE
Feb. 4, 2000

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


          AMERICAN ATHEISTS URGES END FOR HOUSE CHAPLAIN POST
             "Catholic Schools" resolution shows religion
                  is tool for partisan bickering

    American Atheists today urged Congress to not choose a new House
Chaplain and instead abolish the position which is supported annually with
$138,000 in public money.  Congress is taking heat for its selection of Rev.
Charles Wright, a Presbyterian, over Roman Catholic priest Timothy O'Brien.
The Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights is charging that there is
an "anti-Catholic" bias at work, and is demanding that O'Brien be named when
the post is filled.
    "This clearly shows that the House of Representatives is hostage to
Christian bickering," said Ellen Johnson, President of American Atheists.
"The squabble over a House Chaplain sounds like something out of the 19th
century when politicians feuded over whether Catholic or Protestant versions
of the Bible should be used in the nation's public schools."
    "This issue is dividing the nation along religious lines, and even
having a House Chaplain - especially one supported with $138,000 a year in
taxpayer money - is both an antiquated practice and suggests not only
endorsement of religious belief, but a governmental preference toward
Christian beliefs," Ms. Johnson added.
    Ron Barrier, National Spokesperson for American Atheists, said that
political feuding over the post is getting out of hand, and pointed to this
week's introduction of a Resolution praising Catholic schools.
    "Congress has no business composing a paean to the Vatican school
system," he said.
    Mr. Barrier also agreed with capitol hill representatives who are
charging that the resolution (H.R. 409) is politically motivated, and
designed to deflect accusations that some congressional Republicans are
"anti-Catholic."
    "This is the whole Know-Nothing debate all over again, in the year
2000!" Barrier lamented.  "If religion is dividing the House of
Representatives by maintaining this post of House Chaplain, how much longer
until religious bias threatens the integrity of American secular society?"
    "It's time to get rid of this chaplaincy unpleasantness.  Our elected
officials are well- compensated for their time and there is no need to spend
over $100,000.00 in taxpayer funds for something our representatives can get
for free, just like everyone else."

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