AMERICAN ATHEISTS, INC.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 31, 2000

For more information, please contact:
Ellen Johnson, President        (973) 334-5110
Ron Barrier, Spokesperson       (718) 967-6453


                   CANDIDATES IN "RELIGIOUS ARMS RACE"
              ATHEISTS CALL FOR LETTERS, FAXES TO LIEBERMAN

    American Atheists, a nationwide civil rights and state-church separation
group charged today that candidates are locked in a shameless "religious
arms race" as they appeal to faith and belief in the quest for votes.  Ellen
Johnson, President of American Atheists, called for a "cease fire" and
announced that her organization was urging Atheists and other nonbelievers
to begin an immediate letter writing campaign to the office of Senator
Joseph Lieberman.
    On Monday, Mr. Lieberman again continued to push the envelope on
state-church separation by declaring in a speech that "religion is a source
of unity and strength in America." He suggested, "This is the most religious
country in the world and sometimes we try to stifle that fact or hide it."
    Meanwhile, GOP presidential hopeful George W. Bush reiterated his
support for faith-based community programs, and said that America is a
"nation chosen by God."
   "Haven't any of these candidates ever heard of the First Amendment, and
Jefferson's 'wall of separation' between church and state?" asked Ms.
Johnson?  "By calling for 'faith-based partnerships,' the candidates are
supporting what amounts to a religious tax on American citizens."
    Ms. Johnson added, "Tens of millions of Americans who profess no public
religion are being insulted, marginalized and excluded by all of this
religious pandering and preaching.
    "We're asking Atheists and other people-of-no-faith to contact Mr.
Lieberman and remind him that we're here, we 'play by the rules,' and we
vote.  We also want our right to 'freedom from religion' respected and
protected."
    Ron Barrier, national spokesperson for American Atheists, questioned Mr.
Lieberman's claim that "religion is a source of unity and strength in
America."
    "The Founders of our Republic new that religion could also inspire
intolerance and authoritarian behavior, which is one reason why they erected
a 'wall of separation' between government and the church," he said.

    The campaign to contact Lieberman is on the American Atheists web site
at http://www.atheists.org/action/lieberman.html

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http://www.americanatheist.org


American Atheists, Inc.
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Tel: (908) 276-7300
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