New York, NY, May 17, 1995...The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today called on Congress to reject a proposed "Religious Equality Amendment," a central feature of the Christian Coalition's proposed Contract With the American Family.

"We believe Congress and the American people will not be fooled by a destructive constitutional amendment with an appealing name," said David H. Strassler, ADL National Chairman, and Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. "This proposed amendment is nothing more than a cleverly-packaged effort to overturn numerous Supreme Court precedents on prayer in schools and church-state separation."

"We understand that many who advocate school prayer see it as a means of addressing a perceived moral vacuum in our society. We support teaching American children moral values, but one such value must be respect for our differences. In a pluralistic, religiously and ethnically diverse society, no matter how troubled, a constitutional amendment on school prayer is not the answer," said Strassler and Foxman.

Last month the Anti-Defamation League joined a broad interreligious coalition of 35 groups in releasing "A Joint Statement of Current Law" on religion in the public schools.

"Religion and religious views have not been banned from public school classrooms," said Strassler and Foxman. "The document released last month -- ironically signed by some of these same groups that are now publicly advocating a new constitutional amendment -- demonstrates clearly that there is no need for a constitutional amendment on school prayer or public religious expression.

"Indeed, this proposed constitutional amendment would threaten religious liberty by eroding the essential separation between church and state."

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.