americanatheists

AMERICAN ATHEISTS applauded this morning’s decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to let stand two lower court rulings upholding the First Amendment’s establishment clause guaranteeing the separation of government and religion.In CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE DIOCESE OF ALBANY v. DINALLO, justices supported the decision of the New York State Court of Appeals that faith-based social service organizations which hire non-Catholic staffers must subsidize birth control/family planning devices as part of prescription drug coverage.In FAITH CENTER CHURCH v. GLOVER, the high court let standing a 9th U.S. Circuit Court decision that while public libraries must accommodate religious meetings as they do other organizations, public facilities may not be made available for religious worship.Ellen Johnson, President of American Atheists said she was pleasantly surprised by today’s rulings.”The high court justices got it right, and drew the legal line when it comes to providing faith-based social programs and other religious groups with special, discriminatory legal protections.”Dave Silverman, Communications Director for American Atheists, said that while today’s Supreme Court decision was encouraging, the effort to protect the First Amendment’s establishment clause must continue.”Religious organizations continue to demand ’special rights’ above and beyond what are provided to private individuals, business and secular groups,” said Mr. Silverman. “We say: there must be a level playing field, and that churches or other religious organizations cannot ignore anti-discrimination statutes or other laws by citing the teachings of their particular faith.”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.American Atheists, Inc.P. O. Box 5733Parsippany, NJ 07054-6733Tel.: (908) 276-7300Fax: (908) 276-7402

WASHINGTON (AP) – Several Jewish organizations criticized John McCain on Monday after the Republican candidate said he would prefer a Christian president over someone of a different faith. In an interview with Beliefnet, a multi-denominational Web site that covers religion and spirituality, the White House hopeful was asked if a Muslim candidate could be a good president. “I just have to say in all candor that since this nation was founded primarily on Christian principles … personally, I prefer someone who I know who has a solid grounding in my faith,” McCain said. “But that doesn’t mean that I’m sure that someone who is Muslim would not make a good president.” Later, McCain said, “I would vote for a Muslim if he or she was the candidate best able to lead the country and defend our political values.” He added that “the Constitution established the United States of America as a Christian nation.”

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/story/0,,-6963010,00.htmlOK Let me make this clear. McCain is a liar. The heritage of this nation is not a matter of opinion, it’s fact. The government is secular (and the world is round), and anyone who says differently is either lying or wrong. I don’t believe McCain is wrong. I think he knows that what he is saying is wrong. He is lying — to the direct detriment of secular people — in order to look good to the Right Wing.Remember that!

ATHEISTS SUPPORT STUDENT PROTESTS OF “GOD PLEDGE”An Atheist civil rights group announced its support today for Boulder,Colorado high school students who are protesting the inclusion of thewords “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance.Students gathered on Thursday for a rally as the Pledge was read overtheir school’s public address system. Members of the Student WorkerClub want school officials to hold the pledge in the school auditoriumduring lunch periods. Protesters also intend to recite their ownversion which omits the reference to a god, and includes mention ofconstitutional rights.The phrase “under God” was not part of the original pledge. It wasadded in 1954 through an Act of Congress.Ellen Johnson, President of American Atheists expressed support for thestudents.”The ‘god’ reference in our Pledge of Allegiance excludes millions ofAtheists and other non-believers, and sends the message that they arenot part of the American way of life,” said Johnson. “It is a religiousdeclaration and has no place in a society which values individualfreedom and the right of conscience.”Dave Silverman, Communications Director for American Atheists, said thatthe 2004 Colorado law that requires schools to recite the pledge doesnot require students to participate.”The students are on firm legal ground here, and the U.S. Supreme Courthas ruled that no one may be required to participate in the pledgeceremony,” said Silverman. “But requiring certain students, includingAtheists to simply remain silent while others recite the pledge isn’t anappropriate solution.”Silverman added that those who choose not to participate risk beingsingled out and made victims of peer pressure, disapproval and evenviolence.AMERICAN ATHEISTS is a nationwide movement that defends civil rights forAtheists; works for the total separation of church and state; andaddresses issues of First Amendment public policy.American Atheists, Inc.P. O. Box 5733Parsippany, NJ 07054-6733Tel.: (908) 276-7300Fax: (908) 276-7402