Posted on 03/10/2004 4:10:36 AM PST by Libloather
Press Release -- 8-March-2004
LAUNCH OF "GODLESS AMERICANS" PAC
TOMORROW AT NATIONAL PRESS CLUB
Tuesday, March 9, 2004 9:00 AM
MEDIA INVITED
The Godless Americans Political Action Committee (GAMPAC) will host a press conference on Tuesday, March 9, 2004 at 9:00 AM, the National Press Club in Washington, DC.
GAMPAC grew out of the historic Godless Americans March on Washington (November, 2002) which brought to the nation's capital thousands of Atheists, Freethinkers, Secular Humanists and other nonbelievers, for an unprecedented display of unity. GAMPAC will members of this diverse, secular community an alternative in having more of a voice in political and legislative affairs.
Media is invited.
WHAT: Launch of the "Godless Americans Political Action Committee"
WHEN: Tuesday, March 9, 2004 at 9:00 AM
WHERE: National Press Club, 529 14th St., NW, 13th Floor (Lisagor Room), Washington, DC
The time is now!" says GAMPAC TASK FORCE Executive Director Ellen Johnson.
On Tuesday, March 9, 2004, the Godless Americans Political Action Committee (GAMPAC) officially launches during a press conference in Washington, DC. Johnson, along with Margaret Downey, Woody Kaplan others representing the GAMPAC Advisory Board, along with Political Director Jeff Lewis, will deliver remarks and field media questions concerning the goals and strategies of the new organization.
"Every other group you can think -- gun owners, gays, pharmaceutical companies, labor unions, teachers, doctors, religious groups -- they all have political committees and a presence in Washington allowing them to support candidates and legislation," said Johnson. "Now, Atheists, Freethinkers, Secular Humanists and other nonbelievers have another alternative in giving voice to our concerns, and letting candidates for public office know that they must now start recognizing US as a potential force in American politics.
The idea behind GAMPAC came out of the November, 2002 Godless Americans March on Washington. Over 3,000 nonbelievers marched on the National Mall, and assembled in front of the U.S. Capitol Building for a program of speeches, including pleas for political action.
Johnson told the crowd: "Today, it's politics 101."
GAMPAC will be a voice for nonbelievers "inside the beltway," promises Johnson. The new group will monitor and take action on legislation concerning civil rights and state-church separation. It will also work to inform its potential constituency of over 30 million people who, according to the American Religious Identification Survey, "identify with no religion," of issues affecting them.
And the PAC will track the legislative voting records of candidates for public office.
"We intend to 'grow" GAMPAC into a useful and effective vehicle for giving Atheists, Freethinkers, Humanists and other nonbelievers more of a say at the ballot box and in the halls of Congress and state legislatures," said Johnson. "Everyone else has a 'place at the table' in the democratic process. It's now our turn."
Some public schools have, over the years, required classes to recite or listen to prayers in violation of the First Amendment. Court rulings have steadily rolled this practice back, recognizing that not all people believe in the same god and not all people believe in a god at all. Some vocal members of the majority religion have fought these decisions, attempting to keep whatever artifacts of their religion they can in front of the public, especially kids. This bill is another attempt to circumvent the no-prayer rulings.
Under the guise of very questionable and subjective FINDINGS claiming the 'benefits' of 60 seconds of quiet reflection for everyone, especially the "Nations young citizens", the bill mentions a secular purpose for the moment of silence. This is followed by the emphasis that the bill "shall not be construed as prohibiting or restricting constitutionally protected prayer". Since students already have the right to pray anywhere anytime (as long as they are not disruptive), this is clearly intended to give a legal basis for a majority-rule religious practice whereby Christian students, for example, will use the moment for prayer and attempt to coerce others to do the same, either subtly or not so subtly.
We are already having a hard time keeping the 'Pledge of Allegiance' with its 'under God' clause, out of the public schools. There is no need to introduce another practice giving the green light to the majority religion to press its views on others in a captive public classroom.
Another chilling aspect of this bill is it forces the arbitrary regimentation of school-age children emanating from the federal government as a condition for the schools' receiving federal funds. Using the power of the federal purse for such a narrowly focused agenda item is unbecoming of a country that prides itself in the freedom of its people.
First association that crossed my mind when I read the headline was the tagline "Godless Atheist." Mind you, not that I assume you agree with the holdings of the GAMPAC.
I'm wondering why they don't call themselves Satanless Americans...
From your Mouth to God's ears!
WHAT: Launch of the "Godless Americans Political Action Committee"
Here goes some lightning: Heavenly Father, I ask that Godless politicians would be irresistably attracted to GAMPAC like flies to dung. That their Godlessness would be exposed in full to the United States of America and that our churches would be forced to respond. I ask it that this nation would be turned away from Godlessness for the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Kingdom, that the righteous may shine forth yet once again.
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