Religions > Atheism > AA Action Alert,spread the word, defeat move to penalize church/state lawsuits
| Topic: |
Religions > Atheism |
| User: |
"Larry Mundinger" |
| Date: |
11 Jul 2006 05:34:58 PM |
| Object: |
AA Action Alert,spread the word, defeat move to penalize church/state lawsuits |
American Atheists Action Alert
Update July 11, 2006
– Updated: July 11, 2006
DEFEAT CONGRESSIONAL MOVE TO END LEGAL FEES FOR FIRST AMENDMENT
LITIGATION! http://www.atheists.org/action/alert-13-mar-2006.html
“Public Expression of Religion Act” threatens separation, encourages
government prayer bullying!
In Washington, House Republicans have launched a campaign to fast-track
several bills affecting our constitutional separation of church and
state. The “American Values Agenda” includes measure to protect “unborn
children,” ban cloning and penalize legal challenges to violations of
the First Amendment’s establishment clause.
A bill introduced by Rep. John Hostettler (R-IN) would amend a section
of the United States Code and eliminate attorney fees in legal cases
where government violated the constitutional separation of church and
state.
H.R. 2679, disingenuously titled the “Public Expression of Religion
Act” claims that attorneys working organizations that defend the First
Amendment and challenge unconstitutional governmental practices in
respect to religion are enriching themselves and even violating the
rights of believers. The American Legion has launched a national
campaign to support PERA, and is calling for “a ground swell of public
demand on lawmakers” to pass the bill immediately. A “guide” to PERA
issued by this group states: “There simply is no reasonable basis to
support the profiteering in attorney fee awards ordered by judges in
these (Establishment Clause) cases. The very threat of such fees has
made elected bodies, large and small, surrender to … demands to
secularly cleanse the public square.”
The House Judiciary Committee recently held a little-publicized,
one-day hearing on the “Public Expression of Religion Act.” Only one of
the four experts invited to give testimony spoke out against the
legislation. American Atheists expects the committee to vote shortly on
PERA. The measure could then move to the full House for a floor vote
within the next two to three weeks. Congressional representatives need
to hear from us now regarding this dangerous, unconstitutional measure!
Pera is About Government Promotion of Religion, Not “EXPRESSION OF
RELIGION”
American Atheists President Ellen Johnson says that the Hostettler
measure “is not for the benefit of the taxpayer, but for government and
religious leaders who insist on eroding the wall of separation between
church and state.”
“They know, as do we, that most attorneys are simply unable to work on
long-term, complex litigation if they don’t receive some compensatory
fee,” Johnson noted. “We’re not talking about donating a few free hours
‘to the cause.’ These cases require an enormous amount of time and
effort.”
Governments are often quite willing to squander taxpayer funds in order
to defend their unconstitutional practices. The Hostettler bill
conveniently ignores this fact.
“Whether it is school prayer or defending a religious monument in the
public square, state and local governments are frequently very
short-sighted and belligerent when caught doing something that violates
the First Amendment,” said Johnson. “If the Legion and Rep. Hostettler
really wish to save all of us some money, they should work to stop
unconstitutional practices that promote religion.”
Congress Needs to Hear From Us Now to Stop the PERA
Once Again, Atheists, freethinkers, Humanists and other non-believers
must speak out and tell our elected representatives in Washington, DC
that we oppose legislation aimed at eroding the separation of church
and state – bills like the “Public Expression of Religion Act”!
* PERA lowers the penalty bar when government is caught in flagrant
violation of the Establishment Clause.
* The bill penalizes attorneys and organization that defend the
separation of church and state, but does nothing to prevent political
leaders from draining the public treasury to defend unconstitutional
practices in court.
* This legislation has nothing whatsoever to do with legitimate
religious expression. It is all about government sponsorship and
promotion of religion.
* Contact your congressional representative now!
* Check out our “Tips on Contacting Congress” Page
* Be sure to ask for a written response to your concerns. Make your
letters, faxes and e-mail concise and to-the-point. Be polite. Be sure
to sign your communique.
* Share you letter and any responses you receive and we will post
them on this web site
* Spread this Action Alert! If you are in an Atheist/freethought
group, consider posting this message to your newsletter, web site and
e-mail lists. Urge others to circulate this Alert, too!
(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.)
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Larry Mundinger (aa#451) American Atheists Internet Representative
<irep @ atheists.org> <http://www.atheists.org/>
<http://www.americanatheist.org/> <http://www.atheistviewpoint.tv/>
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