-Caveat Lector-
from: AMERICAN ATHEISTS
subject: AANEWS for June 20, 1999
A M E R I C A N A T H E I S T S
#594 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6/20/99
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...
* RLPA hearing slated in House, Senate -- sign the letter to the SJC!
* Columbine fallout -- House votes for religious memorials
* Picket the Promise Keepers next Saturday, Detroit
* Falwell publication warns of "demonic" Lilith Fair concerts
* Public aid to religious schools -- what's your opinion?
* Resources
* About this list...
HOUSE, SENATE PREPARE FOR ACTION ON FEDERAL RLPA:
AMERICAN ATHEISTS TO PRESENT LETTERS TO S.J.C.
Possible ction is expected this week on the Religious Liberty
Protection Act (RLPA), a controversial piece of federal legislation
that would require government to use a "compelling interest/least
restrictive means" test when dealing with faith-based groups and
practices. Modeled on the older Religious Freedom Restoration Act, or
RFRA, the RLPA enjoys broad support throughout America's religious
community; there is a growing coalition of other organizations,
though, including American Atheists, which have expressed concerns the
measure could on everything from civil rights and state-church
separation to the application of zoning, environment and land-use
regulations.
The House Judiciary Committee plans a markup on its version of RLPA
around midweek; and at the other end of the hill, the Senate Judiciary
Committee may hold another "quickie hearing" which critics say will
likely again be stacked to hear testimony mostly from groups and
others supporting the proposed act. At earlier hearings, panels were
usually heavily weighted with spokespersons who defended the need for
the Religious Liberty Protection Act, leading critics of the measure
to charge that congress was promoting a "stealth agenda" to smuggle
the issue past public scrutiny.
American Atheists President Ellen Johnson reported that she will be in
Washington, D.C. this week for any RLPA-related hearings, and intends
to present the Senate Judiciary Committee with letters from Atheists
and other separationists who are opposed to the act. "We've mailed
out thousands of letters to our members and supporters in recent
weeks, and we're asking them to let both the House and Senate hear
from them on this important First Amendment issue." She added that a
recent mailing, along with a new "Let The SJC Hear From You!"
campaign on the internet, will hopefully generate a large quantity of
letters which Johnson will personally present to the Senate Judiciary
Committee."
Dr. Marci Hamilton, a constitutional scholar and lead attorney in the
historic U.S. Supreme Court case that struck down the old Religious
Freedom Restoration Act, said that judiciary committees in both the
House and Senate were "stacking the panels" with biased witnesses, and
often gave little advance notice when holding hearings. "They want
RLPA to be a 'done deal,'" Hamilton told AANEWS. "They don't even
have to announce the fact that they are having public hearings until
48-hours before they actually take place." Hamilton noted that she is
often asked to testify "as the token witness opposing the Religious
Liberty Protection Act."
Last week's meeting in the House Judiciary Committee saw a round of
proposed amendments to weaken the RLPA fall short. Rep. Jerrold
Nadler suggested that RLPA include language so that it could not be
used to trump the nation's anti-discrimination laws. That attempt
failed, which means that religious groups or individuals could cite
religion as a basis for denying housing, employment or other services
to gays or anyone else, all on religious-doctrinal grounds. Some
organizations, such as the American Civil Liberties Union, have
reexamined their support for the RLPA; the Union recently announced
that it could not support the measure unless it was modified to not
supersede anti-discrimination ordinances. In several states where
RLPA/RFRA legislation has been introduced, ACLU has also opposed moves
to exempt prison and jail inmates from coverage of the act.
Those wishing to participate in the "LET THE SJC HEAR FROM YOU!"
campaign and sign the Letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee can go
to http://www.atheists.org/action/rlpa.html for further information.
If letters are not submitted this week due to a cancellation in the
Committee schedule, they will be presented by Ms. Johnson at another
appropriate time.
**
COLUMBINE FALLOUT: GOVERNMENT TO AID RELIGIOUS MONUMENT? A Summit On
Violence Turns Into A Pulpit, As Groups Divide Over Issues...
Two months after igniting a debate over alleged cultural decline, the
shooting tragedy at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado,
continues to inspire everything from hyperbole to demands that
government promote religious observance, and even fund a
religious-memorial to the victims.
Late Wednesday evening, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a
slew of amendments to a juvenile justice and crime prevention bill,
including one that permits inclusion of a religious memorial on public
land to honor the 15 victims killed at the April 20 Littleton
slayings. Introduced the Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-Littleton), it follow
a similar proposal put forth by Sen. Wayne Allard. The House
approved the measure 300-127. On Thursday, other amendments inspired
by or linked to the Columbine violence easily cleared the House,
including one to empower states to order the display of the Ten
Commandments in public school classrooms and government buildings.
Rep. Bob Barr (R-GA) defended that proposal, suggesting that the
Columbine High School slayings might not have taken place had the
Decalogue been displayed there.
The Tancredo amendment raises constitutional concerns that sectarian,
religious symbols such as crosses or the Ten Commandments cannot be
erected in public parks. Some citizens want to erect permanent
crosses in Clement Park, where an impromptu memorial for the Columbine
victims sprung up after the shooting. 15 wooden crosses were
constructed and placed by an Illinois carpenter atop Rebel Hill; that
resulted in protests, though, since two of the crosses symbolized the
deaths of the teenage gunmen, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold. There
has been talk of a real estate swap between county officials and a
private land owner, or the possibility of trying to "privatize" a
select sliver of land within the park. If sectarian religious symbols
are erected, though, including Christian crosses, the scheme could run
afoul of the First Amendment separation of church and state.
In other news related to the Columbine shootings:
* The Urban League, NAACP and the Colorado Black Chamber of Commerce
made good on their promise to boycott yesterday's Denver summit on
youth and violence. The Denver Post reported that the day-long event
included representatives "from law enforcement, public office, the
faith community and nonprofit organizations," all advancing their
ideas -- and, likely, quick-fixes -- on such topics as "Parents,
Culture and Raising Healthy Kids" and "Stemming the Tide of Youth
Violence." The latter remains a bit of a puzzle in light of the
statistical evidence which shows that even with media-hyped events
such as the April 20 Columbine killings, the rate of incidents of
violence involving juveniles is actually declining. "While panelists
from all sections of the community and state agreed on similar themes,
there was some finger-pointed at media, parents and schools," noted
the Post. "And some panelists did mention how the summit conflicted
with Juneteenth celebrations just a few miles away." The black groups
objected to the summit, saying there seemed to be insufficient
representation from different racial communities.
* The Columbine High School tragedy continues to be exploited by
different political and religious groups, all pushing their pet
agendas. On Thursday, a group of GOP state legislators in Colorado
declared that posting the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms
would somehow render them safer; the legislators told reporters that
they wish to see the Decalogue displayed in classrooms and at the
entrance to all schools, ostensible to remind students that they are
part of "one nation under God." Led by Sen. John Andrews
(R-Englewood), the lawmakers say that they also want a "moment of
silence" prior to the opening of the official school day. The
proposal is expected to be introduced in the Colorado legislature when
the new session begins in January, 2000.
* Whether it's gun or violent videos, different religious groups are
busy staking out political turf in the volatile political landscape
after Columbine. Yesterday at the Prince of Peace Church of the
Brethren in Littleton, people who turned in a "violent" video or
computer game to the church were given a board game in exchange. Rev.
Sarah Leatherman Young hopes that other churches in the area follow
the example; the Milton Bradley Company provided 500 of its board
games to the church for the swap.
* During a meeting of the Jefferson County Schools safety task force,
at least one 17-year old student warned that the Columbine shootings
should not be an excuse to transform public schools into prisons.
Amidst the talk of armed guards, metal detectors, razor wire fences
and other preventative measures, one high schooler reminded the
32-member panel that. "We need to make sure that every person
realizes that school is a place for them to be... Who wants armed
guards roaming the schools? I hope we don't go overboard so people
feel they're in a prison..."
**
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!
**
FALWELL DENOUNCES LILITH FAIR CONCERT TOUR
A publication operated by Rev. Jerry Falwell is warning its readers
than a music fair highlighted by some of the industry's top female
performers is named for a demon who "refused to be subservient to
Adam" in the Biblical account of human origins. A "Parent's Alert"
column in the latest issue of Falwell's National Liberty Journal
admonishes, "Many young people no doubt attend the Lilith Fair
concerts not knowing the demonic legend of the mystical woman whose
name the series manifests."
Last year, more than 800,000 people attended the Lilith Fair tour
concerts. The new Fair begins July 8 and will feature such hit acts
as Queen Latifah, The Dixie Chicks, and Sheryl Crow. Following word
of Falwell's warning, concert publicist Ambrosia Healey told reporters
that the event took its name from "the character's original aspect, a
woman seeking equality and independence."
The Journal article is signed by Senior Editor J.M. Smith. It tells
how "Lilith claimed equality with Adam because, as her legend
commands, she was created from the earth." Lilith was later exiled
from Paradise "because she refused to be subservient to Adam," and
then realizing her fate, "pronounced the Ineffable Name and flew away
into the air..." according to tales. Pagan legends say that Lilith
"dwelled with the demons of earth," but was then found by God's angels
who ordered her to return to Adam and obey him. "When she refused,
Lilith witnessed the execution of 100 of her children each day,
causing her to go mad with anguish."
The article continues that that the various stories about Lilith have
"been concocted in order to create a politically-correct image of
equality."
"This, sadly, is more important to Lilith admirers, than the holy
promise of eternal life provided by God," warns the Falwell sheet.
The Journal also denounces Lilith proponents for mixing "the truth of
the Bible with dark occultic teachings," and blending "images of sex
into the sacred spiritual relationship that God cultivated for man."
Paintings and other renderings of Lilith supposedly depict her "in
lewd poses, often times kissing a female demonic figure."
"Christian parents'" are urged to "consider" the Lilith legend if
youngsters take an interest in the concerts. National Liberty
Journals adds that while the Lilith Fair donates money to breast
cancer research, "It also supports Planned Parenthood and dispenses
condoms at all concerts..."
The Falwell newspaper recently warned about the popular "Teletubbies"
characters as subversive homosexual role models.
**
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 this coming 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] or send mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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