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Michigan Atheists Newsletter
National Alerts Special Edition
Greg Reich, Editor
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September 13, 2003
In this issue:
-American Atheists calls for campaign against Ten Commandments display bill
-Statement on the Ten Commandments from American Atheists
-Military Atheists to protest prayer ritual at naval academy
SPEAK OUT TO STOP
"TEN COMMANDMENTS BULLYING ACT"
Proposed bill would permit unconstitutional display of religious monuments, remove First Amendment violations from judicial scrutiny!
Alabama Rep. Robert Aderholt has introduced a so-called "Ten
Commandments Defense Act" (HR 2045) to promote the unconstitutional display of the Decalogue and other sectarian religious monuments.
The bill is in response to recent federal court decisions which have ruled that in many cases, presentation of the Commandments on government property is illegal state promotion of religion. In Alabama recently, defrocked State Supreme Court Justice Roy Moore lost his bid to have a 5,280-lb. granite monument of the Decalogue displayed prominently in the Judicial Building. Moore, like Aderholt, believes that states have every right -- even a duty -- to promote "the public acknowledgment of God."
The courts, and the First Amendment of our Constitution, say
otherwise.
Aderholt's bill disingenuously argues that that states have the right to display the Ten Commandments and other religious symbols, mottoes and monuments. It also declares that federal courts "shall exercise ... judicial power in a manner consistent..." with his claims that belief in and recognition of a deity is the basis of all federal and state law, and that states may "recognize God as the source of the blessings of liberty."
This legislation would effectively try to remove any litigation over display of the Ten Commandments (and other religious slogans and symbols) from the authority of the federal courts.
Visit the American Atheists ACTION page at
http://www.atheists.org/action for more on this proposal!
* Your letters, phone calls and faxes are needed now to stop "The Ten
Commandments Defense Act of 2003," HR 2045.
Get contact information for your congressional representative and
check out our TIPS ON CONTACTING CONGRESS. Visit
http://www.atheists.org/action
* Read the text of "The Ten Commandments Defense Act of 2003," HR 2045. (See the link at http://www.atheists.org/action)
* Send us copies of your letters to Congress and we will display them on our Action Alert web site!
* We have several stories on our web site about the recent
controversy over the Ten Commandments.
http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/alabam30.htm
("Alabama commandments monument is down -- but is it gone?" 9/6/03)
http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/alabam29
("Moore suspended as confrontation looms over unconstitutional Ten Commandments monument," 8/22/03)
http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/alabam28.htm
("Time for Moore to roll that rock! Justices, AG says Commandments monument must go!" 8/22/03
http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/alabam27.htm
("Braggadocio, Hyperbole as Commandments supporters rally behind Moore in Montgomery," 8/19/03)
http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/alabam26.htm
("Judge says commandments monument must go, will Moore comply?" 8/7/03)
http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/tenco30.htm
("House attempt to circumvent Constitution, federal courts?
Lawmakers vote against enforcement on Ten Commandments, Pledge decisions," 8-2-03)
http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/tenco28.htm
("On to the Supreme Court? Moore announces appeal...," 7/4/03)
http://www.atheists.org/al
(Office of the Alabama State Director, American Atheists)
http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/alabam20.htm
("Moore files appeal notice on removal order," 12/14/02)
http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/alabam18.htm
("Moore in exclusive film deal with televangelist," 11/26/01)
http://www.atheists.org/church/tencommandments.html
("Rehnquist and the Ten Taboos," by Frank Zindler)
http://www.atheists.org/church/hangemall.htm
("Hang 'Em All -- Completely!" by Frank Zindler)
http://www.positiveatheism.org/crt/whichcom.htm
("Which Ten Commandments," by Cliff Walker)
http://www.americanatheist.org/column/ontar5-28-01.html
(Post The Commandments,Spare Not The Rod!" by Conrad F. Goeringer)
http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/tenco29.htm
("Darby speaks out on Moore press conference," 7/4/03)
http://www.atheists.org/flash.,line/tenco27.htm
("Circuit Court rules for 'aphorisms' as squabbles over religious sloganeering, commandments continue," 8/2/02)
AMERICAN ATHEISTS is a nationwide movement that defends civil rights for nonbelievers; works for the total separation of church and state; and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.
- --
Larry Mundinger (aa#451) American Atheists
Internet Representative <irep @ atheists.org>
<http://www.atheists.org/>
<http://www.americanatheist.org/>
<http://www.atheistviewpoint.tv/
TEN COMMANDMENTS ACT IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT
PROMOTION OF RELIGION CHARGES ATHEIST CIVIL RIGHTS GROUP
A "Ten Commandments Defense Act" introduced by Alabama Rep. Robert Aderholt violates the constitutional separation of church and state, and is a shabby attempt to limit judicial review American Atheists charged today.
Aderholt's bill, HR 2045, would permit states to decide whether or not to display blatantly religious and sectarian symbols like the Ten Commandments on public property. It also stipulates that federal courts must ignore any cases to challenge such a blatantly illegal practice (Sec. 3, c).
American Atheists President Ellen Johnson charged that, if enacted, the measure would be an "end run" around the Bill of Rights and the power of federal courts to protect citizens from government promotion of religion.
"It's the old 'states' rights' argument in a new suit," said Johnson. "Odious practices like segregation and even slavery were once justified as a prerogative of the states. Now comes Rep. Aderholt telling us that government may preach to the people as long as it is done at the state level."
"This isn't about legitimate private expression of faith," Johnson added. "This is about 'majority rule' religion being promoted by state officials, using public buildings and resources."
Dave Silverman, Communications Director for American Atheists, said that the Aderholt measure "continues the demagoguery we have seen coming from Chief Justice Roy Moore down in Alabama."
"Moore and Aderholt overlook an important ethical and legal principle," said Silverman. "When you get government at any level in the business of promoting a particular religion or religion in general, you are telling Americans how to worship, what to believe -- and you're also insulting
millions of good citizens who are Atheists or have doubts about religion, or might even be members of a minority sect.
"Religious belief, or the lack of it, should be a matter of conscience for individuals, not the responsibility of any government," Silverman warned.
American Atheists is a nationwide movement which defends the civil rights of nonbelievers, works for the separation of church and state, and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.
American Atheists, Inc. - P.O. Box 5733 - Parsippany, NJ (908)276-7300
For more information, please contact:
Kathleen Johnson, Military Affairs Director,
kjohnson@atheists.org
MILITARY ATHEISTS PROTEST DECISION TO CONTINUE PRAYER RITUAL AT NAVAL ACADEMY, CALL FOR INVESTIGATION
Atheist Civil Rights Group Charges Decision Ignores Federal Court Rulings and Violates Naval Traineesÿ Civil Rights
Officials at the Naval Academy have decided chaplain-led prayers before lunch will continue, despite federal court rulings that have struck down similar practices at other military academies. Attendance by all 4,000 midshipmen at the weekday lunches and prayer rituals is mandatory and
the Naval Academy is now the only U.S. service academy that coerces prayers before meals.
Military Atheists were vocal in their condemnation of this practice. Kathleen Johnson, American Atheistsÿ Director of Military Affairs and Founder of the Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers, stated "It's shameful that future sailors in training to defend our country and the Constitution apparently have no civil rights themselves."
"This practice violates Department of Defense Directive (DODD) 1350.2 in that it gives preferential treatment to midshipmen with monotheistic religious beliefs," said Johnson. "DODD 1350.2 strictly requires the chain of command to intervene immediately."
Bart Meltzer, the Director of State and Regional Operations for American Atheists, and a retired US Navy veteran stated: "It's sad that theocrats in the Navy have not been kept in check by the command." Meltzer added:
"Violating the rights of Atheists to be free from theistic beliefs is commonplace in the Navy. The practice of forcing theistic beliefs on everyone clearly displays disregard for Navy core values, a lack of leadership, and lack of accountability by the chain of command."
Meltzer also stated: "This practice violates Office of the Chief of Naval Operations Instruction (OPNAVINST) 5354.1E. OPNAVINST 5354.1E, Paragraph 6.d states that any violation of this instruction is punishable by the Uniformed Code of Military Justice (UCMJ)." Johnson and Meltzer are calling for an investigation as to why this divisive practice has not been stopped.
American Atheists called on the Naval Academy to reestablish all midshipmanÿs civil rights by following the lead of the other U.S. service academies and immediately stop this divisive practice that negatively impacts troop morale and fleet readiness.
AMERICAN ATHEISTS is a nationwide movement that defends civil rights for nonbelievers, 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
kjohnson@atheists.org
Bart Meltzer, Director of State and Regional Operations, 973-885-9501,
bmeltzer@atheists.org
Reference:
DODD 1350.2
http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/d13502wch1_081895/d13502p.pdf
OPNAVINST 5354.1E http://neds.nebt.daps.mil/directives/5354%5F1e.pdf