AMERICAN ATHEISTS, INC.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 30, 2000

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


             PRES. CLINTON SHOULD "REPRESENT ALL AMERICANS,"
           AND REFUSE TO ISSUE GOVERNMENT PRAYER PROCLAMATION

    American Atheists today called upon President Clinton and other public
officials to live up to their role of representing all Americans, and refuse
to issue any government proclamations or endorsement of next week's National
Day of Prayer activities slated for Thursday, May 4.
    "We urge President Clinton, as well as the nation's governors, mayors
and other elected officials to remember that millions of Americans have no
religious beliefs, don't believe in any gods, or disagree with the Christian
message behind the National Day of Prayer," said Ellen Johnson, President of
American Atheists.  "Government has no legitimate authority to urge or
suggest that people pray or engage in any other religious activity, or
submit their wills to any theological concept."
    Ms. Johnson added that in recent years, proclamations by elected
officials on behalf of the National Day of Prayer have divided communities
and even resulted in litigation.
    "It's telling that Christianity must depend on the civil government for
legitimacy. In some cases, courts have had to intervene as in Arizona, where
elected officials got carried away in their exclusive support of
Christianity," Ms. Johnson said.  She added that members of American
Atheists across the country will be protesting any unconstitutional NDOP
events, and monitoring the national prayer fest to make sure that there is
no government funding or other entanglement.  "Why should Atheists and other
non-religious people have their tax money expropriated to subsidize a
Christian requirement of intellectual submission and emotional surrender?"
Johnson asked.
    "The National Day of Prayer is a potential legal minefield," warned Ron
Barrier, National Spokesperson for American Atheists.  "The organizers of
this religious event are inviting government officials to act as 'prayer
salesmen' by using their position and authority in encouraging citizens to
submit to the Christian religion."
    "Not only does it get expensive, but the taxpayers always foot the
bill!"
    "There are 350,000 churches, mosques, temples, synagogues and other
houses of worship in America," added Mr. Barrier.  "Religious groups should
thank America for our constitutional tradition of state-church separation,
and stop trying to turn the local city hall or statehouse into a revival
tent."

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