AMERICAN ATHEISTS, INC.
http://www.atheists.org
http://www.americanatheist.org

For more information, please contact:
Ellen Johnson, President (908) 276-7300
Dave Silverman, Communications Director (732) 648-9333


        ATHEISTS SUPPORT STUDENT PROTESTS OF "GOD PLEDGE"


An Atheist civil rights group announced its support today for Boulder,
Colorado high school students who are protesting the inclusion of the
words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Students gathered on Thursday for a rally as the Pledge was read over
their school's public address system.  Members of the Student Worker
Club want school officials to hold the pledge in the school auditorium
during lunch periods.  Protesters also intend to recite their own
version which omits the reference to a god, and includes mention of
constitutional rights.

The phrase "under God" was not part of the original pledge.  It was
added in 1954 through an Act of Congress.

Ellen Johnson, President of American Atheists expressed support for the
students.

"The 'god' reference in our Pledge of Allegiance excludes millions of
Atheists and other non-believers, and sends the message that they are
not part of the American way of life," said Johnson.  "It is a religious
declaration and has no place in a society which values individual
freedom and the right of conscience."

Dave Silverman, Communications Director for American Atheists, said that
the 2004 Colorado law that requires schools to recite the pledge does
not require students to participate.

"The students are on firm legal ground here, and the U.S. Supreme Court
has ruled that no one may be required to participate in the pledge
ceremony," said Silverman. "But requiring certain students, including
Atheists to simply remain silent while others recite the pledge isn't an
appropriate solution."

Silverman added that those who choose not to participate risk being
singled out and made victims of peer pressure, disapproval and even
violence.

AMERICAN ATHEISTS is a nationwide movement that defends civil rights for
Atheists; works for the total separation of church and state; and
addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.

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