Atheists Need Heroes Too

They may not have gods, but the New York City Atheists aren't immune from a little hero worship. 

The tri-state area's ["foremost atheist organization"](http://nyc-atheists.org/ target=); will honor Matthew LaClair (pictured), a New Jersey high school student who sued his school district for its inaction over a proselytizing history teacher, as its "Hero of the Year" at the annual meeting tomorrow in Midtown.

LaClair secretly recorded history teacher David Paszkiewicz telling students that Big Bang and evolution were unscientific and that those who reject Jesus Christ [belong in hell](http://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=5634 target=).

After the [recordings went public](http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/18/nyregion/18kearny.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin target=), other students complained about their voices being online without their permission.

With the help of his parents, the American Civil Liberties Union and a Manhattan law firm, LaClair sued the Kearny, NJ school district.  The settlement requires the district to educate students and teachers about the separation of church and state.