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

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

            SENATE "RUSH TO JUDGMENT" OVER PASSAGE OF RELIGIOUS
              LAND USE ACT IS CRITICIZED BY AMERICAN ATHEISTS

    American Atheists tonight criticized Thursday's passage in the U.S.
Senate of the controversial Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons
Act (RLUIPA), S. 2869.  The measure requires that government use a "compelling
interest/least restrictive means" test when dealing with faith-based groups
and practices, particularly in matters related to land use, zoning and the
environment. The Senate suspended its rules early Thursday evening and passed
the measure without extensive debate or public hearings.
    Ellen Johnson, President of American Atheists, criticized officials for
rushing the legislation through. "Yesterday's New York Times editorial on the
RLUIPA said that the 'first responsibility of Congress is to slow things down
and allow for hearings on a complicated matter'...That wasn't done, and the
Senate has passed a piece of legislation that will seriously erode the
separation of church and state."
    Ms. Johnson charged that the measure "discriminates in favor of religious
groups," and could allow them to circumvent zoning, land use and environmental
codes "that everyone else, from private businesses to homeowners, must obey."
    Ron Barrier, National Spokesperson for American Atheists, noted that this
is the second time this week that federal lawmakers suspended rule to rush
through a measure related to the First Amendment.  He cited Monday's passage
of a resolution in the House of Representatives that acknowledged the "In God
We Trust": motto, and called for its display in public buildings. "It's not
enough that it's printed on the millions of dollars in corporate donations
that pass through their hands everyday!" he said.
    "Our so-called 'anti-big government' conservatives seem to clamor for
BIGGER GOVERNMENT when it favors religion," Mr. Barrier declared.
    "The stealth passage of RLUIPA demonstrates that politicians don't want
very much discussion of these matters in public. They seem to get awfully
nervous about debating how their actions will affect the separation of state
and church.  Maybe we should consider privatizing religion," he added.
    Mr. Barrier also predicted that RLUIPA would eventually be declared
unconstitutional in the courts.  "The predecessor of RLUIPA was the Religious
Freedom Restoration Act, which was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in
1997.  All the Senate is doing is trying to favor organized religion, and
force another constitutional challenge."

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

     Americn Atheists, Inc.  P.O. Box 5733  Parsippany, NJ 07054-6733
            Tel: (908) 276-7300   Fax: (908) 276-7402