Obama, members of Congress urged to boycott Thursday prayer breakfast
National Desk
February 03, 2010
An Atheist public policy group today joined the call for President Obama and key members of the U.S. Congress not to attend Thursday's 2010 National Prayer Breakfast.
Dr. Ed Buckner, President of American Atheists said his group is joining with other organizations in protesting the event hosted by the shadowy "Fellowship Foundation." According to investigative journalist Jeff Sharlet, author of "The Family: The Secret American Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power," the Foundation spends nearly $1 million per year staging the prayer event. It also operates the notorious "House on C-Street" which has been linked to a number of political scandals and other alleged improprieties. (Mr. Sharlet will be a speaker at this year's 36th National Convention of American Atheists.)
"We're urging President Obama, Sen. Harry Reid, and other key political figures to boycott the event," said Buckner. "The Family' is a secret manipulative group that some are describing as a 'cult' which tries to conceal its political influence, financial holdings and public policy initiatives. Our President, who has championed transparency and openness in government, should avoid participating and endorsing events staged by this 'religious lobby.' "
Dave Silverman, Vice President and Communications Director for American Atheists, noted that the "Family" is behind a Uganda initiative which would mandate the death penalty for homosexuals.
"The Foundation is behind a mean-spirited, authoritarian political agenda that promotes religious -- and specifically Christian supremacy. Our political leaders took an oath to support the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, not a rigid and punitive version of the Old Testament."
Mr. Silverman added that even if another group sponsored the prayer breakfast, political leaders should be careful about participating in public, sectarian religious events.
"President Obama and members of Congress have every right to be religious," said Silverman. "But we want them to uphold the First Amendment separation of church and state and avoid the appearance of officially endorsing a particular religion or religion in general."
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.
Dr. Ed Buckner, President of American Atheists said his group is joining with other organizations in protesting the event hosted by the shadowy "Fellowship Foundation." According to investigative journalist Jeff Sharlet, author of "The Family: The Secret American Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power," the Foundation spends nearly $1 million per year staging the prayer event. It also operates the notorious "House on C-Street" which has been linked to a number of political scandals and other alleged improprieties. (Mr. Sharlet will be a speaker at this year's 36th National Convention of American Atheists.)
"We're urging President Obama, Sen. Harry Reid, and other key political figures to boycott the event," said Buckner. "The Family' is a secret manipulative group that some are describing as a 'cult' which tries to conceal its political influence, financial holdings and public policy initiatives. Our President, who has championed transparency and openness in government, should avoid participating and endorsing events staged by this 'religious lobby.' "
Dave Silverman, Vice President and Communications Director for American Atheists, noted that the "Family" is behind a Uganda initiative which would mandate the death penalty for homosexuals.
"The Foundation is behind a mean-spirited, authoritarian political agenda that promotes religious -- and specifically Christian supremacy. Our political leaders took an oath to support the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, not a rigid and punitive version of the Old Testament."
Mr. Silverman added that even if another group sponsored the prayer breakfast, political leaders should be careful about participating in public, sectarian religious events.
"President Obama and members of Congress have every right to be religious," said Silverman. "But we want them to uphold the First Amendment separation of church and state and avoid the appearance of officially endorsing a particular religion or religion in general."
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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