AMERICAN ATHEISTS, INC.
http://www.atheists.org
http://www.americanatheist.org

For more information, please contact:
Ellen Johnson, President (908) 276-7300
Dave Silverman, Communications Director (732) 648-9333


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 19, 2006


        APOLOGY NEEDED AS NATIONAL GUARD GENERAL BLASTS
       "AGNOSTICS, ATHEISTS, BIGOTS" DURING NAACP SPEECH


In a shocking "about face," the Chief of the National Guard Bureau
praised American diversity and the role played by minorities in our
nation's military defense, but then suddenly chastised "Agnostics,
atheists and bigots."

Lt. Army Gen. H. Steven Blum made the remarks while speaking to the
NAACPs Annual Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Awards Dinner in
Washington, DC on July 18.  The story, including quotes from Blum's
talk, was reported in an American Forces Press Service dispatch.
According to writer Rudi Williams:

"As for the military's diversity, Blum said, the battlefield might be
the greatest equalizer. 'Agnostics, atheists and bigots suddenly lose
all that  when their life is on the line,' Blum said.  'Something that
they lived with their whole life believing gets thrown out the door, and
they grasp the comrade next them, and they don't care what color their
skin is, and they don't care where they pray...' "

American Atheists President Ellen Johnson said that much of Blum's talk
emphasizing themes such as tolerance and diversity was "stained by an
animus directed at Agnostics and Atheists."

"Why is he singling out the millions of Americans who simply have doubts
about religion or do not believe in religious teachings, and then
comparing this group to 'bigots'?"

Johnson said that if religious groups and ethnic minorities deserve
praise for their role in defending America, the patriotism and
intellectual integrity of Atheists, Agnostics and other Freethinkers
should be respected as well.

Dave Silverman, Communications Director for American Atheists said that
Lt. Gen. Blum's remarks suggest that the military still has a problem
when it comes to religious belief.

"We've had the scandal at the Air Force Academy where officials were
promoting Christian fundamentalism, and we have a problem with military
chaplains insulting service men and women who happen to be Atheists,"
said Silverman.  "Now the top official in the National Guard is singling
out Atheists with  these narrow and unfair remarks."

Silverman added that Atheists have always been present in the military,
and noted that last year "Foxhole Atheists" from across the nation
rallied in Washington, DC on Veterans Day.

"Religious belief, or the lack of it, shouldn't be a litmus for
patriotism, on or off the battlefield." said Ellen Johnson.  "Officials
with the National Guard need to issue an apology for these
ill-considered remarks made by Gen. Blum."

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 5733
Parsippany, NJ 07054-6733
Tel.: (908) 276-7300
Fax: (908) 276-7402