RALPH REED'S NEW GROUP -- YES, IT IS "YOUR DADDY'S CHRISTIAN COALITION"
DESPITE DENIALS
An Atheist public policy group today blasted Christian Coalition head
Ralph Reed over claims that his latest political venture -- the "Faith
and Freedom Coalition" -- does not share the tactics and objectives of
its predecessor.
Reed told reporters that the new group "younger, hipper, less strident
and more inclusive" than previous attempts to elect dogmatic Christians
to public office, and diminish the separation of church and state.
Reed is once again in the limelight after being linked to political
scandals. One involved disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff and a plot to
defraud Native American Indian tribes in a dispute over gambling rights.
"Despite his questionable record on being forthright and a
squeaky-clean crusader, Reed is a savvy political hit man with big
ambitions," said Dr. Ed Buckner, President of American Atheists. "This
new organization seems to be just the latest effort in promoting
religious-right candidates, and demolishing the 'wall of separation'
between church and state in America."
Dave Silverman, Communications Director for the Atheist group, charged
that Reed's claim of being "more inclusive" and "less strident" than the
old Christian Coalition does not ring true. "This is a guy who helped
Pat Robertson and his allies seize control of the Republican Party in
nearly three-dozen states, and talked about running stealth candidates,
'body bags' for political opponents and bringing the country 'back to
Jesus."
"I usually prefer to give people the benefit of the doubt, but Mr.
Reed's history speaks for itself. Politics should not be about
religion, but Mr. Reed has always been about Christians in politics, and
Christianity in policy. He is no more deserving of a second chance than
Pat Robertson."
"We'll be watching this very, very closely," promised Mr. Silverman.
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
PO BOX 158
Cranford, NJ 07016
Tel.: (908) 276-7300
Fax: (908) 276-7402
