AMERICAN ATHEISTS, INC.
PRESS RELEASE
Feb. 21, 2000

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


              AMERICAN ATHEISTS WARN: H.R. 3222 THREATENS
                   SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE,
           FUNDS RELIGION UNDER GUISE OF PROMOTING LITERACY

    A proposal to include religious organizations in publicly funded literacy
programs threatens the separation of government and religion, and opens the
door to sectarian proselytizing at taxpayer expense, American Atheists
charged today.
    Last week, the House Committee on Education and the Workforce passed an
amended version of H.R. 3222, which funds the "Even Start" program as part of
the Literacy Involves Families Together (LIFT) initiative.  A successful
amendment introduced by Rep. Mark Souder of Indiana allows sectarian
religious groups to apply for funding to administer literacy programs, and
still maintain their "religious character."  Groups could also use their
religion to discriminate in hiring and firing of those who work in such
taxpayer-funded programs.
    "This goes far beyond just keeping crucifixes up on the wall," said Ellen
Johnson, President of American Atheists.  "Souder's amendment opens the door
for religious groups to incorporate sectarian symbols and texts into their
programs, at taxpayer expense.  There is no provision in the legislation for
program oversight, and it also means that Americans can now fund groups that
discriminate on the basis of faith."
    Ms. Johnson added that the legislation "brings America closer to the real
goal of turning public money over to religious groups for use in overtly
sectarian, faith-based social programs."
    "Thanks to this measure, we're another step - a big step, in fact -
closer to the public funding of organized religious groups," noted Ms.
Johnson.
    "Millions of Americans are being exploited to pay for programs where
churches create a 'religion friendly' atmosphere, supposedly under the guise
of teaching literacy," charged Ron Barrier, National Spokesperson for
American Atheists.  "If reading and writing were the primary goals, religious
groups wouldn't care if they had to obey the First Amendment and remove
crucifixes or other trappings from an instructional venue, and not try to
sneak religion into the literacy curriculum. But they don't have to - and
they won't!
    "I suspect that Mr. Souder and the religious groups supporting this
scheme really want to 'piggyback' a sectarian message onto social service,
and do it all at public expense."
    The measure still faces a full vote in the U.S. House of Representatives..


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