AMERICAN ATHEISTS, INC.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 18, 2000
http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/rlpa35.htm
(The Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000)

              NEW RELIGIOUS LAND USE BILL DISCRIMINATES
                  IN FAVOR OF RELIGIOUS INDUSTRY
            Bill being fast-tracked under" cover of night"

    American Atheists charged today that the proposed Religious Land Use and
Institutionalized Persons Act (S2869), or RLUIPA, introduced over the
weekend by Sens. Orrin Hatch and Edward Kennedy threatens the separation of
government and religion, and gives the religious cartel a dangerous,
powerful legal instrument not available to anyone else.
    The measure, not unlike the failed Religious Liberty Protection Act, and
the 1993 Religious Freedom Restoration Act which was declared
unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court, would require the government to
use a "compelling interest/least restrictive means" test when dealing with
the marketing schemes of faith-based corporations.
    "This is 'SPECIAL RIGHTS' legislation for churches and other religious
groups," said Ellen Johnson, President of American Atheists.
    Ms. Johnson said that RLUIPA "isn't about legitimate religious
expression - it's about getting the power to build bigger churches in the
middle of residential neighborhoods, ignore local zoning and land-use laws
and flaunt environmental regulations that everyone else has to obey."
    "What gives this bill a particular aroma is the 'cover-of-night' tactics
being used by Sens. Hatch and Kennedy, along with their religious
counterparts.  What are they trying to hide by fast-tracking this
legislation without public hearings?  Any bill or piece of legislation that
affects the religious community affects the Atheist community as well."
    The measure also permits greater latitude in the exercise of religion
within the nation's penal system.  Ron Barrier, National Spokesperson for
American Atheists, warned that "this would give hate-groups, and others that
promote bigotry and prejudice against gays, women, and other minorities
fertile ground to operate within prisons and jails."
    Mr. Barrier added, "RLUIPA wouldn't just apply to some inmate reading a
Bible or Koran; it would also fuel religious division, and give 'faith'
organizations greater protection to promote their message, no matter how
irrational that message may be."
    Mr. Barrier noted that many professional organizations like the nation's
Attorneys General, have opposed RLPA legislation.

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