| Topic: |
Religions > Atheism |
| User: |
"Larry Mundinger" |
| Date: |
27 May 2004 02:43:12 PM |
| Object: |
American Atheists Action Alert |
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AMERICAN ATHEISTS ACTION ALERT
GET READY FOR
PLEDGE DECISION DAY!
It may be one of the important days in the history of Atheist
civil rights and the First Amendment! Now is the time to begin
preparing for action...
In June, the Supreme Court of the United States will hand down a
ruling inthe NEWDOW case. Dr. Michael Newdow, a California
Atheist and physician, has fought through the legal system
to address one of the most egregious wrongs inour nation's
history - the inclusion of the words "under God" in the Pledge
of Allegiance. He has argued that this practice violated his
rights as a parent,and the constitutional separation of church
and state.
The justices may agree with his reasoned arguments.
They might instead finda rationale to declare that the disputed
portion of the Pledge has "nothing todo with religion" (despite
the vehement declarations of politicians and clergy that this is
all about religion…). Or they may rule that Dr. Newdow
lacks proper "standing" in the case, thus skirting the important
constitutional issues involved.
America's Atheists, Freethinkers, Secular Humanists
And Other Nonbelievers Should Be Ready to
Respond to any verdict in the NEWDOW Case!
AMERICAN ATHEISTS urges all nonbelievers and nonbeliever groups
throughout the country to mobilize around the upcoming decision
in NEWDOW. Whatever the ruling, this historic case will have
far-reaching consequences.
* IF MICHAEL NEWDOW PREVAILS, expect a cultural firestorm as
religious leaders and politicians close ranks to denounce the
decision. Expect a constitutional amendment to be introduced in
Congress, and orchestrated acts of "religiousresistance" against
the decision!
* IF SCOTUS RULES AGAINST NEWDOW, whatever the "reasoning," this
will ignite a round of self-congratulatory declarations that "we
are a religious nation,"and that the law affirms the country's
alleged "dependence on God."
* IF SCOTUS FINDS AGAINST NEWDOW ON STANDING, the justices have
ducked a major constitutional issue. Expect a new suit to
follow!
In any scenario, the NEWDOW ruling will be all the more
significant due to the upcoming Presidential election.
RESPOND TO THE RULING!
AMERICAN ATHEISTS is urging all Atheist, Freethought, Humanist
and other nonbeliever individuals and groups to prepare and
respond when the ruling in ELKGROVE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT v.
NEWDOW is announced.
SCOTUS usually hands down its decisions on Mondays around 12 noon
PM. Watch this web site for alerts pertaining to a ruling. Visit
our Pledge Action webpage at http://www.atheists.org/pledge to
sign up for action alerts!
* We join in the call from the American Humanist Association for
non believersto organize rallies the day the ruling is announced.
If the pledge decisionis made public in the morning, please
schedule your rally for the same day. If the decision is
announced after 2 PM, please rally on the following day at 9AM.
We will have a greater media presence by coordinating these
events nationwide!
* Get the word out to your members, and have them be prepared to
move on relatively short notice! Flexibility is essential here.
You will have to prepare demonstration signs and banners on short
notice, or have them ready inadvance! Ideas include:
"Again, a Pledge For Everyone!"
"One Nation, Indivisible"
"Separate Church and State"
"One Nation Under The Constitution!"
Feel free to send us your recommendations! Visit
http://www.atheists.org/pledge
* Network with other organizations in your area! Enlist their
support, agree on a rendezvous location, and set up a phone tree
or other ways of reaching out to the maximum number of people.
* Encourage an aggressive letter-writing campaign in your local
newspaper. Letters should be thoughtful, even conciliatory should
there be a favorable ruling. (Point out, for instance, how ALL
Americans benefit when the principle of state-church separation
is affirmed by our courts.) Radio talk programs also should be
covered.
* Prepare a statement for distribution to local media.
* Check back at this web site for updates and strategy
recommendations! Also, when you have a tentative location for
your demonstration, let us know so wecan post it! Visit
http://www.atheists.org/pledge
WHAT: Nationwide demonstrations in support of the Newdow case,
First Amendment
WHEN: June ??? -- When SCOTUS announces its ruling in ELK GROVE
UNIFIEDSCHOOL DISTRICT v. NEWDOW
WHERE: We recommend a venue near your local federal courthouse or
otherfederal building.
MORE INFO: http://www.atheists.org/pledge
(AMERICAN ATHEISTS is a nationwide movement that defends civil
rights fornonbelievers; works for the total separation of church
and state; and addressesissues 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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