American Atheists Action Alert Update


 Religions > Atheism > American Atheists Action Alert Update

LINK TO THIS PAGE  


rating :  0   |  0


  Page 1 of 1
Topic: Religions > Atheism
User: "Larry Mundinger"
Date: 09 Sep 2005 01:33:15 PM
Object: American Atheists Action Alert Update
American Atheists Action Alert Update
September 9, 2005
http://www.atheists.org/action/alert-06-sep-2005.html

Letters, E-Mails and calls are pouring in to ABC calling for a
retraction of Bill Weir's hasty and inappropriate claim made last
weekend that "There are no atheists in foxholes
or hurricane zones..."

Mr. Weir, an experienced TV journalist, made the gaffe on the air last
Sunday on the "Good Morning America" Weekend program. With a new
weekend approaching, we hope that ABC executives will "get the message"
and apologize to Atheists and other nonbelievers. The GMA Weekend
program would be an appropriate venue for such a retraction.

So, let's keep the pressure on! We urge you to read and circulate the
Action Alert below, and contact ABC as soon as possible. Ask the
network to issue an apology this weekend! Details below...

URGE ABC, GOOD MORNING AMERICA AND HOST BILL WEIR TO
RETRACT "NO ATHEISTS IN FOXHOLES OR HURRICANE ZONES..."
-- Ellen Johnson: Remark is "inappropriate and inaccurate
http://www.atheists.org/action/alert-06-sep-2005.html

During the Sunday, September 4, 2005 airing of the popular "Good
Morning America" television program on ABC, co-host Bill Weir made the
claim that there are "No atheists in foxholes or hurricane zones..."

The statement was made at the end of a segment about church services in
the disaster zone following Hurricane Katrina. Correspondent Mike Von
Fremd reported on conditions in towns like Gulfport, Mississippi and
the impact of the Katrina tragedy on members of church congregations.

"People know this will be tough and they are leaning on fellow members
of their church to get through it," said Von Fremd before turning the
narrative over to Mr. Weir.

The remarks are reflected in a transcript of the program obtained by
American Atheists.

"Inaccurate, inappropriate"

In a statement to media, American Atheists President Ellen Johnson said
that Mr. Weir's comments were both inaccurate and inappropriate.

"There were many Atheists and other nonbelievers affected by Hurricane
Katrina, and Atheists across the country are donating generously to the
many secular relief organizations that are helping victims to recover."
Johnson noted that American Atheists has established a resource and
contributions guide on its web site (http://www.atheists.org),
and that Atheists in the Gulf Coast region were also active "on the
ground" in the relief efforts.

"Mr. Weir was wrong on another point, too" added Johnson. "There are,
and have been many 'Atheists in Foxholes' who defend this nation and
our Constitution." She pointed to groups like the Military Association
of Atheists and Freethinkers (MAAF), and that on Veterans Day, November
11, 2005 there will be a massive "Atheists in Foxholes" rally in
Washington, DC (http://www.atheistfoxholes.org).
CONTACT ABC, GOOD MORNING AMERICA TO
ASK FOR AN IMMEDIATE, ON-AIR RETRACTION!

Can you imagine a major television network allowing this type of
comment to be made about an ethnic, religious or sexual minority?

Claims like "There are no Atheists in Foxholes or hurricane zones" are
inaccurate and inappropriate!

American Atheists urges you to join our campaign and ask ABC and Good
Morning America to make an on-air retraction of the statement made by
Mr. Bill Weir on the September 4, 2005 program.

* Comments to ABC/GMA should be cordial, polite and to the point.

* State facts. For instance, the American Religion Identification
Survey reflects that over 13% of Americans consider themselves to be
nonreligious. Many use terms like "Atheist," "Freethinker" or
"Humanist" to describe their philosophy of life.

* State that you are contacting the network about comments made by Mr.
Bill Weir on Good Morning America, September 4, 2004 where he made the
(inaccurate and inappropriate) statement: "No atheists in foxholes or
hurricane zones..."

* There ARE "Atheists in Foxholes" and "Atheists in hurricane zones."
Atheists and other nonbelievers are responding to the need for aid in
the wake of Hurricane Katrina
(see http://www.atheists.org).

* Urge ABC and Good Morning America to make an on-air retraction of
this statement which stereotypes Atheists, insults millions of
Americans, and is not factually sound.

* Be sure to ask for a reply to your message! Include your name and
address in any communication. If sending a letter, be sure to sign
your missive.

* Send copies of your e-mail or letters and any responses to American
Atheists and we will post them on our web site!
Visit http://www.atheists.org/action/alert-06-sep-2005.html

Contact Information

You may reach ABC through their web site at
http://abcnews.go.com/Reference/story?id=54216
which includes a list of different programs. Click on "Good Morning
America." Or, send e-mail directly to:
. Snail mail
may be sent to: ABCNews, 7 WEST 66th Street, New York, NY 10023.

(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.)
--
--
Larry Mundinger (aa#451) American Atheists Internet Representative
<irep @ atheists.org> <http://www.atheists.org/>
<http://www.americanatheist.org/> <http://www.atheistviewpoint.tv/>
.


  Page 1 of 1


Related Articles
 

NEWER
pg.3585     pg.2749     pg.2106     pg.1612     pg.1232     pg.940     pg.716     pg.544     pg.412     pg.311     pg.234     pg.175     pg.130     pg.96     pg.70     pg.50     pg.35     pg.24     pg.16     pg.10     pg.6     pg.3     pg.1

OLDER