AMERICAN ATHEISTS ACTION ALERT

February 28, 2003

THE NINTH CIRCUIT HAS SPOKEN (AGAIN)!

Now it's time for Atheists, Freethinkers, Secular Humanists and other nonbelievers to speak out and win the "culture war" debate over the Pledge of Allegiance!

Today (Friday, Feb. 28, 2003), the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected efforts by the Bush administration to reconsider its earlier decision that found the "under God" portion of the Pledge of Allegiance to violate the constitutional separation of church and state. The federal government will likely appeal, and continue its efforts to bully American citizens into a profession of religious faith as a sign of patriotism and loyalty.

This clearly ignores the fact that 30 million citizens -- roughly 14% of the population -- have no religion according to the American Religion Identification Survey.

As a reaction to the Ninth Circuit ruling, there will also probably be calls in state legislatures to mandate Pledge of Allegiance recitation along with the "God module," and possibly even a renewed effort on Capitol Hill to enact a constitutional amendment overturning the court decision.

We need to speak out now!

AMERICAN ATHEISTS is urging nonbelievers everywhere to join in defending the Ninth Circuit Court decision! Our political leaders, news media and fellow citizens need to hear from us now.

* JOIN THE CULTURE WAR DEBATE IN MEDIA! Write letters to your local and nation media -- from your daily paper to national magazines -- and speak out on this important issue.

* RESPOND TO MEDIA POLLS! Although they are not usually scientific, local polls conducted by news media -- whether call-in or on the internet -- give us a measure of where the public stands. We need to mobilize our 30 million fellow nonbelievers, and show that many Americans approve of the decision.

* LET CONGRESS AND OTHER LAWMAKERS HEAR FROM YOU! Letters, faxes, phone calls, E-mails and personal visits to decision makers are an important way in shaping public policy. Religious and political groups will be mobilizing their constituency to condemn the Ninth Circuit ruling, and endorse a policy of government "prayer bullying." We need to counter this by presenting cogent arguments articulating why the Pledge of Allegiance should be a secular statement of unity, not an excuse for government promotion of religion.

Visit our section on CONTACTING CONGRESS. Urge officials to resist any calls for a constitutional amendment to have "under God" included in the Pledge of Allegiance.

TIPS AND TALKING POINTS...

* This case was brought by Dr. Michael Newdow, a California physician and attorney. The decision by the Ninth Circuit Court did not declare the Pledge of Allegiance to be unconstitutional. It stated that the inclusion of the phrase "under God" violated the Establishment Clause, which prohibits government endorsement of religion.

* The original Pledge of Allegiance did not include the phrase "under God." That wording was inserted by Congress at the behest of religious groups in 1956, thus trying to link patriotism with belief.

* It's wrong to require any citizen -- from school children to adults -- to profess belief in a deity or deities as a "test" of loyalty to the United States. America is unique as a nation -- the First Amendment to our Constitution prohibits government from promoting or establishing religion and religious belief.

* The Pledge of Allegiance should be secular. It is, ideally, a statement of unity for a free people, regardless of whether one believes or disbelieves in religious teachings.

* Spread the word! Circulate copies of this Action Alert!

SPEAK OUT NOW...

Join our campaign to DEFEND THE DECISION! Send us copies of your letters to media and public officials, and we will post them on this web site...

BACKGROUND
(Check back for updates...)

• Utah solon wants God pledge... 1/16/03)
• White House, DOE push Tuesday 'Pledge Across America' event 9/16/02
• Aftermath of Pledge Ruling: Bush, pols push 'under God,' call for constitutional amendment 7/6/02
• Furor builds in wake of circuit court ruling against religionized pledge 6/26/02