
By: Robin Murray-o'hair
Re: Re: AGA/Nat. Day of Prayer

American Gay Atheists, Inc.
American Gay & Lesbian Atheists
P O Box 66711
Houston, TX 77266-6711

PRESS RELEASE

CHRISTIAN TERRORISTS TO HOLD U.S. HOSTAGE ON MAY 4;
ATHEISTS CALL FOR A "JUST SAY 'NO!' TO RELIGION DAY"

April 26, 1995
For Release: The week prior to or including May 4, 1995
Contact Person: Don Sanders, 713-863-9537

     The leader of the nation's largest Atheist group catering
specifically to the needs and concerns of gay and lesbian Atheists is
calling upon freedom-loving persons in the United States to make
themselves aware of this year's upcoming NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER in which
right-wing Christian groups will hold prayer vigils and religious
ceremonies at city halls around the nation.

     According to Don Sanders, national director of American Gay and
Lesbian Atheists, National Day of Prayer "is yet another religious event
which stems from the red-baiting, queer-hunting days of the 1950s when
right-wing Senator Joseph McCarthy destroyed the lives of hundreds,
perhaps thousands, of good Americans. Today's Christo-fascists wish to
have us return to those 'good old days,' " notes Sanders. Sanders also
states emphatically that "Just as patriotic, white Christian males have
become blatant terrorists (in reference to the bombing of the Federal
Building in Oklahoma City), those who sponsor the National Day of Prayer
are just as dangerous as they are _constitutional terrorists_ who are
trying to subvert our secular form of government and turn it into a
theocracy."

     It was during 1952 that Congress passed a joint resolution, signed
by President Truman, establishing the National Day of Prayer. Then in
1988, as a last hurrah to an overly zealous religious presidency,
President Reagan permanently set the day as the first Thursday in May.
This day has become a rallying point to force local, state, and federal
governments to supplicate to religious intimidation.

     For the past several years, American Gay & Lesbian Atheists, its
members, friends, and supporters, have demonstrated at Houston's
participation in National Day of Prayer ceremonies on the grounds that
such an event, sponsored and sanctioned by the mayor and other appointed
and elected officials, violates the First Amendment's call for separatio
between state and church. Last year, Houston Mayor Bob Lanier used the
power and prestige of his secular office to urge "all citizens" of the
fourth largest city in the nation, a city with a diverse make-up of
cultures, peoples and religions, to engage in Christian prayer.

     The JUST SAY "NO!" TO RELIGION DAY activities will coincide with th
National Day of Prayer ceremonies to be held at the steps of Houston Cit
Hall, 901 Bagby Street, in downtown Houston in front of the Reflecting
Pool. As with all AGLA protests, this one, too, will be peaceful. It is
important that elected and appointed representatives know that state and
church should not be mixed and that all citizens of the city, state, and
nation are not Christians, do not wish to be Christians, and most
importantly, do not wish to be told we need to pray and engage in purely
sectarian exercises to solve problems.

     Those interested in participating in JUST SAY "NO!" TO RELIGION DAY
are urged to arrive at the east side of the City Hall Reflecting Pool on
Thursday, May 4, between 11:30 and 11:45 A.M. Signs will be provided or
bring your own, provided they are in good taste.

     American Gay & Lesbian Atheists is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3)
educational foundation dedicated to keeping state and church separate an
educating the public, and gay men and lesbians specifically, that
"Religion is the Problem, Not the Solution."


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