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South Dakota Civil Rights News
Watchdog Group Calls for NBC Apology
Katie Couric Repeats “No Atheists In Foxholes” Canard: Watchdog Group Calls for NBC Apology An Atheist civil rights group is calling for an apology from the NBC television network over remarks made by “Today Show” host Katie Couric in a segment aired on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 that included the statement: “There are no Atheists in foxholes.”
The remarks came in an introduction to Lester Holt’s piece on “God, America & War,” which profiled the role of religious faith in times of military conflict. Couric said: “Perhaps you have heard the expression, ‘There are no Atheists in foxholes,’ and the men who have occupied the oval office have also turned to a higher power.” The program included mention of a book (American Gospel : God, the Founding Fathers, and the Making of a Nation by Jon Meacham) detailing the role of religion in American history. There was NO mention, however, of the secular tradition in the United States, nor was there any critical examination of the claim that “There are no Atheists in Foxholes.”
On Veterans’ Day, 2005, Atheists, Freethinkers, Humanists and other nonbelievers from across the country were in Washington, DC for the first “Atheists in Foxholes” rally (see: http://www.atheistfoxholes.org).
“We are asking for Katie Couric and NBC to issue a statement recognizing that there ARE and have been ‘Atheists in Foxholes’ serving this nation and upholding our secular Constitution,” said Ellen Johnson, President of American Atheists. “It would be unfair and discriminatory to claim, for instance, ‘There are no blacks’ or ‘There are no gays’ in foxholes. We want to educate the public and our media, about this serious misconception.”
Dave Silverman, Communications Director for American Atheists, said that NBC needs to recognize that there are over 30 million people in the United States who profess “no religion” (American Religion Identification Survey).
“It’s wrong to single out a whole segment of Americans by using an inaccurate and disparaging cliché,” said Silverman. “Many citizens have served our country with honor, and this includes Atheists,” said Mr. Silverman.
American Atheists is a nationwide movement which defends the civil rights of nonbelievers, works for the separation of church and state, and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.
Definition:
Discrimination is defined in civil rights law as unfavorable or unfair treatment of a person or class of persons in comparison with others who are not members of the protected class because of race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, physical/mental disability, or reprisal for opposition to discriminatory practices or participation in the EEO process.
Disparate Impact
Definition:
Under EEO law, less favorable effect for one group than for another. Disparate or adverse impact results when policies and practices applied to all employees or applicants have a different and more inhibiting effect on one group than they do on another.
Ethnic Group
Definition:
A group of peoples who share a common religion, color, or national origin. Irish-Americans, Mexican-Americans, German-Americans, Italian-Americans, Hindus, Moslems, and Jews are examples of ethnic groups. Some members of ethnic groups participate in the customs and practices of their groups, while others do not. Discrimination based on these customs and practices is illegal under EEO law.
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