Today the colors of a tragedy are orange and maroon, the school colors of Virginia Tech. Margaret Downey, president of the Atheist Alliance International has encouraged the atheist community to mourn the loss of innocent lives by wearing orange and maroon clothing today.

Atheists realize that there is only one life and are deeply saddened when it is prematurely taken from anyone.

"We are further saddened by the loss of young people who had so much to offer the world. When a young person dies, we mourn not only the life that was, but also the life that might have been," Downey said.

Speaking of a person's legacy and recounting life stories brings a person back to life in our hearts and minds. Remember them and they will live again.

To enable the atheist community to communicate and grieve together, the Atheist Alliance International has partnered with the Godless Grief website and discussion group. The Internet has become the place for the atheist community to meet, share sorrows and help each other through difficult times, the Godless Grief website provides a much needed link where atheists can communicate with others in times of need.

Downey further stated, "I am hopeful that the press will assist us in reaching those lonely and grief stricken atheists by helping us spread the word that this service is available to not only the atheist community but to all who seek nondogmatic answers to life's tough questions."

To participate in the Godless Grief discussion group please visit:

http://www.godlessgrief.com The Godless Grief website was founded by Cathe Jones and is a recent addition to the Atheist Alliance International's network of services. The Godless Grief website is the only active online community where grief and atheism are subjects of discussion. Cathe Jones writings are represented by Sheree Bykofsy and Associates. Contact her at: Phone: (702) 648-6114 Email: You need JavaScript turned on to see email address

For more information contact:
Margaret Downey
Atheist Alliance International President
P. O. Box 242, Pocopson, Pennsylvania 19366
Phone: (610) 793-2737 • Fax: (610) 793-2569 • Email:

ATHEIST ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL
The Democratic Alliance of Autonomous Atheistic Societies
Website: www.atheistalliance.org

Atheist Alliance International (AAI), founded in 1991, is an umbrella organization for local, autonomous, religion-free groups as well as individual members.

It has 54 member societies in the United States and 10 in other countries. AAI is the only fully democratic atheist organization in the United States.

Its purposes are to help establish and strengthen the religion-free community at the grassroots level and to achieve visibility and acceptance for atheists as respected contributors to discussions of public policy.