Atheist public policy group blasts Christian Coalition head Ralph Reed
Newswire Services
July 15, 2009
RALPH REED'S NEW GROUP -- YES, IT IS "YOUR DADDY'S CHRISTIAN COALITION" DESPITE DENIALS.
An Atheist public policy group today blasted Christian Coalition head Ralph Reed over claims that his latest political venture -- the "Faith and Freedom Coalition" -- does not share the tactics and objectives of its predecessor.
Reed told reporters that the new group "younger, hipper, less strident and more inclusive" than previous attempts to elect dogmatic Christians to public office, and diminish the separation of church and state.
Reed is once again in the limelight after being linked to political scandals. One involved disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff and a plot to defraud Native American Indian tribes in a dispute over gambling rights.
"Despite his questionable record on being forthright and a squeaky-clean crusader, Reed is a savvy political hit man with big ambitions," said Dr. Ed Buckner, President of American Atheists. "This new organization seems to be just the latest effort in promoting religious-right candidates, and demolishing the 'wall of separation'
between church and state in America."
Dave Silverman, Communications Director for the Atheist group, charged that Reed's claim of being "more inclusive" and "less strident" than the old Christian Coalition does not ring true. "This is a guy who helped Pat Robertson and his allies seize control of the Republican Party in nearly three-dozen states, and talked about running stealth candidates, 'body bags' for political opponents and bringing the country 'back to Jesus."
"I usually prefer to give people the benefit of the doubt, but Mr.
Reed's history speaks for itself. Politics should not be about religion, but Mr. Reed has always been about Christians in politics, and Christianity in policy. He is no more deserving of a second chance than Pat Robertson."
"We'll be watching this very, very closely," promised Mr. Silverman.
AMERICAN ATHEISTS is a nationwide movement that defends civil rights for Atheists; works for the total separation of church and state; and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.
An Atheist public policy group today blasted Christian Coalition head Ralph Reed over claims that his latest political venture -- the "Faith and Freedom Coalition" -- does not share the tactics and objectives of its predecessor.
Reed told reporters that the new group "younger, hipper, less strident and more inclusive" than previous attempts to elect dogmatic Christians to public office, and diminish the separation of church and state.
Reed is once again in the limelight after being linked to political scandals. One involved disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff and a plot to defraud Native American Indian tribes in a dispute over gambling rights.
"Despite his questionable record on being forthright and a squeaky-clean crusader, Reed is a savvy political hit man with big ambitions," said Dr. Ed Buckner, President of American Atheists. "This new organization seems to be just the latest effort in promoting religious-right candidates, and demolishing the 'wall of separation'
between church and state in America."
Dave Silverman, Communications Director for the Atheist group, charged that Reed's claim of being "more inclusive" and "less strident" than the old Christian Coalition does not ring true. "This is a guy who helped Pat Robertson and his allies seize control of the Republican Party in nearly three-dozen states, and talked about running stealth candidates, 'body bags' for political opponents and bringing the country 'back to Jesus."
"I usually prefer to give people the benefit of the doubt, but Mr.
Reed's history speaks for itself. Politics should not be about religion, but Mr. Reed has always been about Christians in politics, and Christianity in policy. He is no more deserving of a second chance than Pat Robertson."
"We'll be watching this very, very closely," promised Mr. Silverman.
AMERICAN ATHEISTS is a nationwide movement that defends civil rights for Atheists; works for the total separation of church and state; and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.
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