yn Murray O'Hair -- have been blamed for rising teen pregnancy rates, crime, drug use, violence and youth-related problems. Today, religious groups are insisting that we "put god back in the classroom", and begin to emphasize religion in the teaching of history, civics and other subjects. American Atheists supports the idea that public schools must remain "religion free zones." They feel that school administrators and teachers have no business in promoting religious beliefs or ceremonies stating that such a practice violates the basic liberties of millions of school children (and parents) who have no religious ideology. And official prayer in schools also ignores the growing pluralism in American culture over which religion is "right". Atheists are constantly discriminated against in our society and it is becoming rampant. Perhaps the most extreme violation of religious liberty in modern America is for states legal prohibition of atheists from holding any public office. But general sanction of discrimination against unbelievers is far more harmful than any unjust laws. I dont think it would be possible for an atheist to be elected to Congress because of public animosity. George Bush was so confident in Americas dislike of atheists that he felt comfortable in declaring that atheists shouldnt be considered patriots. Undoubtedly, there are many places where societys hostility makes it hard for an atheist to hold a job. According to some polls, this hostility and discrimination is so widespread and severe that most Americans would deny any atheist the basic right to speak at a town meeting. Student freethinkers from across Canada and the United States developed a Bill of Rights for atheists at a conference held on July 12, 1998. This document contains eleven rights that remain so vital as the violations of the liberties contained therein are largely ignored in a cultural environment steeped in distrust for atheists. This Bill of Rights th...
