-Caveat Lector-
from: AMERICAN ATHEISTS
subject: AANEWS for June 17, 1999
A M E R I C A N A T H E I S T S
AANEWS
#591 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6/17/99
http://www.atheists.org
ftp.atheists.org/pub/atheists/
http://www.americanatheist.org
---------------------------------------------
A Service of AMERICAN ATHEISTS
"Leading The Way For Atheist Civil Rights
And The Separation Of State and Church"
----------------------------------------------
In This Issue...
* Aderholt Commandments Act passes in House
* Picket the Promise Keepers, June 26 in Detroit!
* Government aid to religious schools -- what's your opinion?
* Resources
* About this list...
HOUSE APPROVES TEN COMMANDMENTS DISPLAY IN STATES
The House of Representatives today voted to pass legislation which
allows states to display the Ten Commandments in public school
classrooms and other official government venues. Introduced as the
Ten Commandments Defense Act by Rep. Robert Aderholt of Alabama, the
measure was approved 248-180, and was an amendment on a larger package
of juvenile justice and gun control legislation still being debated.
On Wednesday night, Aderholt told the House that the nation "was
founded upon Judeo Christian principles," and that his proposal --
which would legalize the display by states of the Decalogue on public
property -- did not favor one religion over another. "We have freedom
of religion," declared the combative Alabama congressman, "not freedom
from religion." Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.) then rose, and pointed out
that the act would have little or no impact on juvenile crime, and
clearly violated the separation of church and state. "I understand
that simply posting the Ten Commandments will not instantly change the
moral character of our nation," replied Aderholt. "However, it is an
important step to promote morality, and an end of children killing
children."
The Ten Commandments Defense Act was bogged down last year as
legislators took up the matter of the Starr report and the Clinton
impeachment fiasco. Aderholt had succeeded in persuading
representatives and senators, though, to pass a measure recommending
that the Ten Commandments be displayed in classrooms, government
buildings and other official venues. That non-binding resolution was
in support of Alabama county judge Roy Moore, who has attracted
national coverage for displaying a copy of the Commandments in his
courtroom, and opening judicial proceedings with a Baptist invocation.
In the wake of the Columbine High School shootings in April, Aderholt
persuaded key Republicans, including members of the "Values and Action
Team" (VAT) to fast-track the Decalogue proposal. Unlike the
non-binding capitol resolution which simply supported and
"recommended" the display of the Commandments, the Ten Commandments
Defense Act would have given the states power to erect such monuments.
Dan Carney, an analyst with Congressional Quarterly, told CSPAN that
the Aderholt act was attached as an amendment to the juvenile justice
crime bill, with the latter becoming "a catchall for everyone's
personal agenda." A slew of other amendments attempted to condemn the
entertainment industry, or propose rating controls on movies, videos
and even musical lyrics.
Legislators divided sharply over Aderholt's proposal. Ten
Commandments supporter Rep. Bob Barr (R-GA) said recently that had
the Decalogue been displayed at Columbine High School, the shootings
there in April would not have occurred. Democrats like Rep. Jerrold
Nadler of New York, though, warned that the proposal excluded millions
of Americans, and asked, "Whose Ten Commandments? The Christian
version, the Protestant version or the Jewish version? They're
different, you know."
Even if the measure wins support in the Senate and becomes law, it is
sure to be challenged in the courts. In 1980, the U.S. Supreme Court
struck down as unconstitutional a Kentucky law which required schools
to post a copy of the Decalogue in all classrooms. Courts have ruled,
however, that in courthouses or other settings the Commandments may be
displayed if they are "secularized" as part of a setting with other
documents such as state constitutions or the Bill of Rights.
**
AMERICAN ATHEISTS TO PROTEST PROMISE KEEPERS "SOLEMN
ASSEMBLY," SATURDAY, JUNE 26 IN DETROIT
American Atheists will hold a peaceful protest at the Promise Keepers
rally in Detroit, Michigan on Saturday, June 26, 1999. The
demonstration will take place outside the Joe Louis Arena, from 10:00
a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Appropriate signs and banners will be provided in
keeping with the theme of this demonstration, and members and
supporters of American Atheists are cordially invited.
We'll meet on the ground level sidewalk across the street from the
main entrance ticket office, ground level. This is a peaceful
demonstration, which emphasizes the American Atheist opposition to the
Promise Keepers agenda, and a defense of atheist civil rights and
First Amendment separation of church and state.
Parking is available at the Joe Louis Parking Garage, or the nearby
Cobo Hall parking facility. Expect to pay an hourly rate. After the
picket, we will gather at a nearby restaurant -- details at the
picketing.
Visit the Michigan Atheists web site at
http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/affilmic.htm for more information,
or contact AA State Director Henry Morgan through [EMAIL PROTECTED],
or (734)-326-5794. We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, June
26th in Detroit!
**
GOVERNMENT AID TO RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS -- WHAT'S
YOUR OPINION?
The U.S. Supreme Court has announced that it will review a
controversial Louisiana case which challenges government aid to
parochial schools. A decision is expected next year -- and it could
open the door for more taxpayer funding of religion. What's your
opinion on this important First Amendment topic?
The new American Atheists Magazine on-line poll wants to know. Pay us
a visit at http://www.americanatheist.org, get the background on this
subject, answer our polling questions and leave your opinion for
others to read. But hurry ... the voting ends next Wednesday, June
23.
**
RESOURCES FROM AMERICAN ATHEISTS...
* For information about American Atheists, send mail to
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Please include your name and postal mailing
address.
* For a free catalogue of American Atheist Press books, videos and
other products, send mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Kindly include
your postal mailing address.
* The American Atheist Magazine is now on the web! Check out select
articles from the current or back issues, as well as special web-only
features. Visit us at http://www.americanatheist.org
* If you are a current member of American Atheists, sign up for our
e-mail discussion group, aachat. We have over 120 participants who
discuss topics such as Atheism, religion, First Amendment issues and
lots more! Contact Margie Wait, the Moderator, through
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
ABOUT THIS LIST...
AANEWS is a free service from American Atheists, a nationwide movement
founded by Madalyn Murray O'Hair for the advancement of Atheism, and
the total, absolute separation of government and religion.
You may forward, post or quote from this dispatch, provided that
appropriate credit is given to AANEWS and American Atheists. Edited
by Conrad Goeringer, [EMAIL PROTECTED] Internet Representative for
American Atheists is Margie Wait, [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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