AAI PRESS RELEASE: September 15, 2005
[for immediate distribution as news report, letter or commentary]

Atheist Group Salutes Ruling as Upholding American Values
The Atheist Alliance International celebrates U.S. District Judge Lawrence Karlton's decision, which prohibits school districts from coercing children to recite the religious oath in the Pledge of Allegiance, as a victory for all Americans. "All children need to learn that we are indeed 'one nation indivisible,' that tolerance and inclusiveness are important American values," said Bobbie Kirkhart, AAI president.

The organization notes that the 1954 insertion, "under God," excluded not only atheists but children whose families follow Hinduism, the Native American Church, Wicca, Buddhism, and many other world views.

Parents who believe that this nation operates under the god of Christianity, Judaism and Islam have ample opportunity to teach their children in home and church. Parents who believe this nation operates under the principles of law have a right not to have the schools contradicting our Constitution. All children have a right to be taught how to live in a pluralistic society with respect for our common values of freedom and responsibility.

The organization deplores the hyperbole of some religious leaders who see the absence of religion in the classroom as an attack on religion. "Certainly," says Ms. Kirkhart, "most religious people have enough faith in their god that they don't need their beliefs constantly reinforced by the state, yet the idea that the absence of religion is somehow anti-religious suggests the opposite. No atheist is calling for a daily oath, 'one nation, without God, indivisible.' I hope that we can soon return to the pledge we recited when we fought and won the two world wars and become 'one nation indivisible' again."




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