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AMERICAN ATHEISTS, Inc.
Southwest Office
P O Box 3684
Tucson, AZ 85722-3684

Dial-An-Atheist: (602) 623-3861

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release March 7, 1994

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    ATHEISTS REJECT INTERFAITH COUNCIL DEMANDS AS "HYPOCRISY"

       RELEASE DOCUMENT SHOWING $176 MILLION IN RELIGIOUS

               TAX-EXEMPT HOLDINGS FOR PIMA COUNTY


     The Arizona Representative of AMERICAN ATHEISTS today
criticized demands by the Pima County Interfaith Council for
multi-million dollar social programs as "hypocritical and
burdensome to taxpayers," in lieu of religious tax exemptions in
Pima County. AMERICAN ATHEISTS also released a county document
(enclosed) indicating that there is over $175 million ($28
million assessed value) in church-owned properties just on the
1992 county tax rolls. The obtained document is dated May 28,
1993.

     Conrad Goeringer of AMERICAN ATHEISTS charged the Interfaith
Council with "shaking down elected officials, and ultimately the
taxpayers, to fund programs, while the churches remain tax
exempt." He noted: "We doubt that the political agenda of this
religious Council includes putting its properties on the tax
rolls to take some of the pressure off of taxpayers." Mr.
Goeringer also cited studies done by AMERICAN ATHEISTS indicating
that the average American taxpayer must spend over $160 more per
year on taxes because religions are tax exempt. "That figure is
based only on the *known*, public record, as is the case here in
Pima County. It soars when you include stock dividends, rentals,
gifts, and other enterprises operated by religious corporations."

     Goeringer suggested that Interfaith Council members
voluntarily place their holdings on the tax rolls, and make a
full disclosure of their earnings in order to fund the social
programs they insist others pay for.


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