AMERICAN ATHEISTS, INC.
PRESS RELEASE
March 29, 2000

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


           HIGH COURT HEARS CASE FOR MAJORITY-RULE RELIGION
 Texas Gov. Bush supportive of mob-rule tactics and ballot-box prayers

    Today the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in a Santa Fe, Texas
dispute involving the constitutionality of so-called "student led" prayers
at high school football games.
     American Atheists warned that the separation of church and state as
well as the rights of all students hinged on the court's ruling.
    "It's obvious that the groups supporting this activity are using the
issue to try to sneak Christianity into the public schools under the phony
veneer of 'free speech,' " declared Ellen Johnson, President of American
Atheists.
    Ms. Johnson warned that if the Supreme Court upholds the
constitutionality of student-imposed prayer at official school events such
as football games, "it would mean that any and all students - including
those who are Atheists, or embrace a minority religious view other than
'Texas-style' Christianity, must accept their unwilling participation in a
sectarian religious exercise as the price of seeing a football game."
    Ron Barrier, National Spokesperson for American Atheists, noted that
"the issue is whether or not a religious group has the right to co-opt a
public accommodation to perform a religious service simply because they are
in the majority - and have an audience.
    "The idea of pigskin prayers has nothing to do with piety, free speech,
or religious expression," said Mr. Barrier.
    "This is all about political power, exploiting a captive audience, and
using religion to abuse freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and equal
access."


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