AMERICAN ATHEISTS, INC.
PRESS RELEASE
May 3, 2000

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


              ATHEISTS PRAISE VENTURA FOR REFUSING TO ISSUE A
                  NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER PROCLAMATION
"Only error needs the support of government. The Truth can stand by itself."

    American Atheists today praised Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura for not
issuing an official proclamation on behalf of the National Day of Prayer.
American Atheists noted that it was the second year in a row that Ventura
"resisted the temptation to turn his political office into a religious
pulpit by endorsing a Christian-instigated event."
    The so-called National Day of Prayer will be slated for tomorrow,
Thursday May 4.
    "As a group interested in protecting the civil rights of Atheists and
the integrity of the wall of separation between government and religion, we
find it admirable that Gov. Ventura is standing firm in treating sectarian
belief - or the lack of it - as a strictly private matter," said Ellen
Johnson, President of American Atheists.
    "No public official, from the President of the United States down to the
local mayor or city council representative, has any business telling
Americans to pray, and setting a time and place for any religious exercise."
    Ron Barrier, National Spokesman for American Atheists, said that the
group is launching an e-mail and letter-writing campaign to support Ventura.
    "Politicians are browbeaten by religious groups all the time.  What
we're trying to do is let the Governor know that tens of millions of
Atheists, freethinkers and other folks who don't believe in religious
creeds, appreciate his effort to keep government neutral in respect to
overtly aggressive sectarian ideologies."
    Mr. Barrier added that American Atheists has called upon President
Clinton to "do the right thing" and not issue a proclamation in support of
tomorrow's prayer event.
   "There are hundreds of thousands of taxpayer subsidized churches,
mosques, temples and other houses of worship in the United States," Barrier
noted.  "Religious groups should stop trying to turn the White House, state
capitol building or local city hall into a prayer tent."
    "Everyday is an occasion to pray for most religious groups.  Why
Christians need the imprimatur of a secular government speaks volumes about
how much insecurity and insincerity this particular group breeds."
    Mr. Barrier suggested that those who disagree with Gov. Ventura "read
Thomas Jefferson, who noted that 'only error needs the support of
government.  The truth can stand by itself.'"

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