PRESS RELEASE


For release: 11 January 1993

	American Atheists today asked Bill Clinton to take the
presidential office with his hand on the Constitution
instead of the Bible.

	Jon Murray, president of the group, noted, "The
transition of power from one elected president to his
successor is a secular, not a religious event."

     The inaugural is cluttered with religious events: a
pre-event prayer service at First Baptist Church in D.C.,
Streisand singing "God Bless America," Judy Collins
performing "Amazing Grace," Reggie Jackson [the twelve-year-
old who sang at the Democratic National Convention] singing
"God shed his grace on thee" about "America, the Beautiful,"
the Philander Smith College choir performing "City on the
Hill," and that old badger, Billy Graham, intoning both an
invocation and a benediction.

     With the gauche notion of ringing the "Bells of Hope"
(see attached sheets) it sounds as if the White House is the
"City on the Hill" while sounds of church bells ring out
during the inaugural.

	This is quite obviously a religion-based idea,
referring back to the medieval times of church bell ringing
when kings are crowned. (1) Clinton is not king; (2) He
should pledge to commitment to his office with his hand on
the Constitution of the United States, not the Bible; and
(3) since the transition of power is secular, he should
cancel the religious accouterments and *not* swear "so help
me God."

	All that is lacking is a "Saying of the Rosary," a
wearing of a yarmulke, or perhaps the wrapping of Chelsea
in orange robes in order to complete the religious spectacle
to include other (than the Protestant) religious in the god
manifold.

	The American Atheist message to Clinton is short and
sweet, "Give us a break. If you feel that you must be sworn
in 'so help you God,' who is to help the American people?
As American Atheists understood your campaign, we though you
said *you* could do the job. Why, now, ask your God for
help?"

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