Kentucky appeals decision in Homeland Security case

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

For more information, please contact:
Ed Buckner, President 908-499-9200 (cell) or 770-803-5353 (office/fax)
Edwin Kagin, National Legal Director  (859) 384-7000

ATHEISTS: KENTUCKY APPEAL OF HOMELAND SECURITY CASE IS WASTE OF MONEY,
DEFENDS FIRST AMENDMENT VIOLATION
"We're ready to take this to the Supreme Court" says attorney Edwin Kagin

An Atheist civil rights group today criticized the Kentucky Attorney
General's office for appealing a case challenging laws that it says
allowed the Commonwealth to establish religion.

Statutes passed after the September 11, 2001 faith-based attacks ordered
the state Office of Homeland Security office to display a plaque citing
dependence on God as an essential tool in fighting terrorism, and to
incorporate that theme in its training materials.  American Atheists and
10 other plaintiffs filed suit; two weeks ago, a Circuit Court Judge
rejected a state request to dismiss the case, and ruled in favor of the
Atheists.

On Friday, the Kentucky Attorney General's Office announced that it
would appeal.

Edwin Kagin, National Legal Director for American Atheists, accused
state officials of wasting money.  "We're in an economic crisis, and the
Commonwealth of Kentucky continues to squander taxpayer revenue to
defend a bad and unconstitutional practice."

Mr. Kagin challenged a claim by one state attorney that the plaque was
"about God, not religion."

"If this isn't a violation of state-church separation, what is?"

Kagin added, "This case is all about whether the state has the right and
duty to promote religion.  I look forward to fighting this case all the
way to the Supreme Court of the United States if necessary."

Ed Buckner, President of American Atheists, said that the suit is being
watched closely across the country.

"The outcome could determine if, and how far, states can go in promoting
belief in a deity and sectarian religion," said Buckner.  "Saying that
'God is on our side' in the war on terror sends the message that
millions of non-religious people -- Atheists, Freethinkers, Humanists
and anyone else who does not believe in a god or attend church (roughly
half of all Americans) -- is a slacker when it comes to being patriotic."

"As a military veteran, I resent that, and so do other non-believers who
have worn the uniform and fought for this country."

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