americanatheists

RESOLUTION TO INCLUDE MORE RELIGION AT DC VISITOR CENTER WASTES TAX
MONEY, DISTORTS HISTORY, INSULTS AMERICA'S NONBELIEVERS

An Atheist public policy group today urged Congress to reject a House
Resolution that would use more tax money to display religious mottos in
the new Capitol Visitors Center (CVC) in Washington, DC.

Introduced by Rep. Dan Lungren (R-Ca.), the measure instructs the
Capitol Architect to erect displays at the Center which include revised
versions of the national motto ("In God We Trust) and the Pledge of
Allegiance (includes "Under God.").

Dr. Ed Buckner, president of American Atheists, said that displaying
religious slogans on government property "violates the letter and spirit
of the First Amendment, and is an insult to the millions of Americans
without religious beliefs."

"Every American who cares about religious liberty should oppose this
divisive establishment of religion which uses public tax dollars to
support religious bigotry," added Buckner.

Dave Silverman, Communications Director for American Atheists, noted
that the national motto was "E Pluribus Unum" ("One out of Many") until
1956.  The words "under God" were added to the Pledge in 1954 at the
behest of certain religious and civic groups. Both practices continue to
be challenged in the courts.

"These slogans are inappropriate today, especially at the Capitol
Visitor Center which was built with over $600 million in public money to
welcome all Americans to our nation's capital," said Mr. Silverman.

Buckner said that American Atheists will be urging its members to speak
out against the Lungren plan.

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