POCOPSON, Pa. (November 26, 2007) - As with Mark Twain and J. D. Salinger before him, Philip Pullman, author of The Golden Compass, has become the latest victim of censorship.

The Atheist Alliance International (AAI) condemns the Catholic League's boycott of the movie, slated to be released on December 7, 2007, on the premise that it "promotes atheism." A number of school boards have also censored the Pullman trilogies in student libraries despite the fact that Pullman has received numerous awards including the winner of the Carnegie Medal for Children's Literature.

"Any attempt to censor an art form should be seen as a sad remnant of the Dark Ages," said Margaret Downey, President of AAI. "The Golden Compass represents the epitome of freethought and imagination in today's society and encourages people to seek their own paths," Downey continued.

AAI applauds Mr. Pullman's courage in expressing his atheistic views, principles and convictions in the face of formidable opposition.

In order to fight the religious boycott and encourage families to discuss and consider the ideas presented in Pullman's movie, AAI has declared Sunday, December 9, 2007 as the "Follow-Your-Own-Compass Day." All those who seek to consider all points of view should see the movie and discuss its message, free from censorship and prejudices.

During the release of movies such as The Passion of the Christ and Jesus Camp, AAI did not promote censorship in any form. AAI, in fact, encouraged its members to experience these films and discuss them freely in order to discover their own truths. AAI is only asking for the same consideration and respect from the religious community.

"AAI stands firm against censorship and totalitarianism in any form, no matter what the source," Downey concluded.

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.