| Topic: |
Religions > Atheism |
| User: |
"Larry Mundinger" |
| Date: |
18 Feb 2004 03:23:53 PM |
| Object: |
American Atheists press release - February 17, 2004 |
AMERICAN ATHEISTS, INC.
http://www.atheists.org
http://www.americanatheist.org
For more information, please contact:
Ellen Johnson, President (973)729-5500
Dave Silverman, Communications Director 732-648-9333
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - FEBRUARY 17, 2004
ATHEIST CIVIL RIGHTS GROUP FILES AMICUS
BRIEF IN PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE CASE
The nation's oldest active Atheist civil rights group today filed an
Amicus ("Friend of the Court") Brief in the historic NEWDOW case
currently under review by the U.S. Supreme Court. The original suit,
filed by California Atheist Michael Newdow, challenges the
constitutionality of the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance.
That religious terminology was not part of the original Pledge, but was
inserted by an Act of Congress in 1954. Ellen Johnson, president of
American Atheists said that in doing so, Congress discriminated against
millions of patriotic American citizens who did not and do not believe
in any deity, and cannot swear such a religious oath.
"This divisive legislation split our nation along religious lines, and
put the government in the unconstitutional position of promoting
religious belief," said Johnson.
The Amicus brief begins with a frank declaration concerning Atheism
authored by the founder of American Atheists, the late Madalyn Murray
O'Hair. Her case, MURRAY v. CURLETT, was one of two combined case
pivotal in removing mandatory unison prayer and Bible verse recitation
from the public schools in 1963. The brief argues that the Drafters of
the Bill of Rights sought to separate government from religion; that
Atheists are included in the protections offered by the First Amendment;
and that the intent of the 1954 Act of Congress was to "Denigrate and
Disparage" Atheists as part of a political strategy to identify Atheism
with "Godless Communism."
"This is both a First Amendment issue and a civil rights issue for
millions of Atheists, Freethinkers and other nonbelievers who reject
religious creeds and rituals," said Johnson. This is not just about
'religious liberty,' but freedom FROM government promoted religion as
well."
Dave Silverman, Communications Director for American Atheists, added
that a favorable outcome for Michael Newdow would be "a victory for all
Americans whether they embrace religion or not."
"Religious belief or the lack of it is not and should not be a litmus
test for American patriotism or citizenship," said Silverman.
(AMERICAN ATHEISTS is a nationwide movement that defends civil rights
for nonbelievers; 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/>
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