UNTIMELY CENSORSHIP: TIME MAGAZINE OMITS PREACHERS, RELIGIOUS LEADERS FROM "PHONIES AND FRAUDS" SURVEY

American Atheists urges you to speak out against
"religiously correct" censorship in the media!

Time Magazine, considered among the nation's premier weekly news sources, recently conducted a reader's web poll to determine who should be included among the "Phonies and Frauds of the Century." According to the publication's web site, the list was to include those were "candidates for the title of the century's worst scammer, con artist, media manipulator, grifter, liar or charlatan..."

Among those at the top of this list were J.R. Bob Dobbs, reporter Geraldo Rivera, drug abuser Rush Limbaugh, Joe McCarthy and "psychic" Uri Geller.

But some names were deliberately left out. Time admitted: "This list originally included a number of religious leaders. But we are convinced by protests from offended supporters that their inclusion, no matter how well justified in some cases by their behavior, might well stimulate an attitude of contempt for others' religious belief..."

In a statement to news media, American Atheists President Ellen Johnson charged , "This is as egregious an insult to readers as if this prestigious magazine chose to omit any number of the political figures who grace the list simply because editors were afraid, or wanted to not offend the government or select political groups."

"This is a case of 'religious correctness' and censorship that goes over the top."

Speak out -- Let Time Magazine Hear From You!

We encourage you to contact Time Magazine and let the editor know that this sort of "religiously correct" censorship is offensive, dishonest and inappropriate in a society which boasts of transparent media.

* Make your letters and e-mails polite and to the point. Check out the list at http://www.time.com/time/time100/phonies/index.html so you have background on the story. The AA press release can be read at www.atheists.org.

* Be brief and concise.

* Send "snail mail" if possible. Be sure to sign your letter. And ask for a reply from the Editors at Time Magazine.

* Share copies of your letters to and from Time Magazine to American Atheists.

* Address letters to:

Time Inc.
1271 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
(phone: 212-397-4622)

Norman Pearlstine, Editor-in-Chief, Time Inc.
Priscilla Painton, Executive Editor
Lisa Beyer, Assistant Managing Editor
Michael Elliott, Editor-At-Large

You may also send e-mail to letters@time.com

* Share this action alert!

(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.)

[text only]