Warning: High school essay Join Cecile Richards Project Blitz is contest winners at FFRF's convention coming to your state announced in San Francisco PAGE 6-7 PAGES 14-18 PAGE 24

Vol. 35 No. 6 Published by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. August 2018 Judge: Texas governor violated FFRF’s rights FFRF has triumphed in federal Amendment rights and engaged in court against Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, viewpoint discrimination as a matter who had ordered the removal of its of law when the FFRF exhibit was re- winter solstice Bill of Rights nativity moved from the Texas Capitol build- from the state Capitol in 2015. ing under the circumstances of this In a final judgement, issued June case,” Sparks ruled. 19, U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks, for FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie the Western District of Tex- Gaylor praised the ruling as a very as — Austin Division, de- strong decision for FFRF, for free clared that Abbott violated speech and for the rights of nonbe- FFRF’s free speech rights. lieving citizens. “The Constitution, FFRF, with more than with its precious Bill of Rights, FFRF Graphic 32,000 nonreligious mem- and reason have prevailed over bers, including over governmental censorship With Kavanaugh’s nomination, 1,300 Texas members, and discrimination against had placed a duly per- nonbelievers.” mitted display cele- FFRF received an initial our civil liberties are in trouble brating the winter ruling in its favor that Supreme Court nominee Judge the Duke Ellington song goes, “It don’t solstice and Bill of Abbott and the State Brett Kavanaugh will be a disaster for mean a thing if you ain’t got that swing.” Rights Day in Decem- Preservation Board had the constitutional principle of separa- Kennedy was often a disappoint- ber 2015, in response violated its free speech tion between state and church and tilt ment, but his vote really counted when to a Christian nativity rights in October 2017. the court to the religious right for more it counted. To give Kennedy his due, he at the Texas Capi- But there were two than a generation. has stood up for secularism in at least tol. The whimsical roadblocks to “If Kavanaugh is confirmed, he will four major opinions, although more display, depicting achieving the fi- unquestionably eviscerate the Establish- often voting against strict state/church Founding Fathers nal judgment. ment Clause of the First Amendment,” separation. He even authorized some and the Statue of Liber- First, Abbott ap- warn FFRF Co-Presidents Dan Barker landmark civil rights cases, including ty celebrating the “birth” of the Bill of pealed the district court’s ruling that and Annie Laurie Gaylor. “It seems un- the 1992 Weisman decision evicting com- Rights (adopted Dec. 15, 1791), had he also could be sued as an individual likely the cherished wall of separation mencement prayers and the clergy who the requisite sponsorship from a Tex- (as well as being named defendant in between state and church protecting gave them from public high schools, as legislator. his official capacity as governor). The true religious liberty could survive in- and the Obergefell verdict approving Abbott, as chair of the Texas State district court wished to hold a trial to tact. Many of our hard-won freedoms marriage equality in 2015. (Notably, Preservation Board, ordered FFRF’s decide FFRF’s personal capacity claims would be gutted.” Kennedy did not swing in our direction display taken down only three days af- against Abbott and its Establishment There’s no sugarcoating the when FFRF’s Hein decision was before ter it was erected, lambasting it as in- Clause claims. Since neither of these game-changing nature of Justice Antho- the court in 2007.) decent, mocking and contributing to side issues were necessary to securing ny Kennedy’s retirement announcement public immorality. on June 27. Kennedy was a swing vote. As See Kavanaugh on page 5 “Defendants violated FFRF’s First See Abbott on page 3

FFRF rated ‘least biased’ What’s on your plate? FFRF, CFI: No FFRF news and reports, including Free- thought Today, have been rated as “least biased” state funding by the Media Bias / Fact Check website. According to the site, which rates hun- for ministry dreds of media outlets on a sliding scale from “extreme left” to “extreme right,” FFRF was The Freedom From Religion Foun- right in the middle under “least biased.” The dation and the Center for Inquiry site says that that rating means “these sources are warning the North Carolina Leg- have minimal bias and use very few loaded islature against religious financial words (wording that attempts to influence boondoggling. an audience by using appeal to emotion or The two secular groups were con- stereotypes). The reporting is factual and tacted by several concerned state tax- usually sourced. These are the most credible payers about a proposal to funnel a media sources.” quarter of a million in tax dollars to Under “factual reporting,” FFRF was given a religious ministry, Cross Trail Out- the rating of “high.” fitters. The state’s currently proposed The Media Bias site also wrote in its “Notes” budget for 2019 seeks to give $250,000 section about FFRF: “In review, their news re- from the state Health and Human porting uses minimal loaded words and typi- Services Department to the Christian cally links to low-biased sources. From a polit- FFRF Member Jeff Prebeg shows off his “ATHE1ST” license plate ministry “for purposes of promoting ical perspective, the mission is to simply keep that he was able to get from the state of Pennsylvania after FFRF wellness and physical activity for youth church and state separate. Overall, we rate the stepped in to help. Turn to page 3 to read Prebeg’s story of the seven to 20 years of age.” Freedom From Religion Foundation as least license plate and his activism. biased and high for factual reporting.” See Funding on page 3 Page 2 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | August 2018 ‘Kindness is everything’ Trucker goes from Jew to Buddhist to None Name: Jonnie Benzimra. Dharamsala, India, where the exiled Where I live: Mentor, Ohio. government of Tibet is based. The Where and when I was born: Rich- evangelical Christians would come and mond, Surrey, England. Richmond has thump their bibles on the Dalai Lama’s been swallowed up by Greater London podium proselytizing. Buddhists had to and is now known as Richmond upon just let it happen and not intervene or Thames. I was born in 1954, which use force. Very upsetting. We Buddhists makes me soon to be 64, but I am NOT were accused of being godless (which going to break out into the Beatles song. we were) and not having a real religion Family: Two sisters in Britain and a at all (which I was proud of). I kinda brother in Toronto. Both my folks are believed in reincarnation, but only to deceased. My father was a staunch so- a point. It was the Mahayana Buddhist cialist (a bit of a dirty word here) and teachings of the Hell Realms that finally my mother was a very popular Maltese sent me running, pulling out my hair. Jewish housewife — fiery Mediterra- Not from fear of those hellish realms, nean blood. Here, I have an English but their ridiculous invention to control wife who has two sons from a previous the masses. We do good in this world be- marriage. We both originally married cause it’s the right way to conduct our- Americans and had been divorced for selves. Kindness is everything. Not the about six years each. We met each other fear of going to hell or heaven or sitting through friends who said, “Oh, I know next to God or getting a favorable re- an English girl down the road.” We have birth when we die. “Do good for good- been together 15 years, married for 10 Jonnie Benzimra and his wife Denise Brown. ness’ sake,” my father used to quote. of them. I have removed the word “step” whole food and health food shop in truck stop. It’s amazing how religious I went back to India in 2007 with my from my sons’ introduction. Wales, selling brown rice, rolled oats, these truck drivers are. I am a little quiet present wife. On our last day, we went Education: I went to a Jewish second- buckwheat, Mung beans and honeys about my Noneness, fearing a little ret- around the Delhi Railway Station and its ary school that I had to travel all the way from around the world. A huge young ribution. (I will always remember being lands with a street child who spoke En- across London to attend. Before then I community had emigrated from all shocked during the burning of Beatles glish, who showed us how he used to live was the only Jew in a local primary school points Britain to South Wales for cheap- records after John Lennon said the Beat- and how other kids were copping along and had to stand outside class while they er housing and land. I was now 19 and les were more popular than Jesus.) with the organization to help those street taught Church of gave it all up to go I wish we had a recognizable symbol kids. It was a wonderful chance to see and England stuff. I A R overland to India for Nones. I would hang it up front of understand and help where we could. A remember being and Kathmandu, my truck and leave it to others to de- lady joined our group at the last minute bored, but I didn’t Nepal, in 1973. cipher. I always thought religion was a and purposely pulled out her crucifix know how nice it was to escape that in- I sold the shop, and even with many very private thing, kept to oneself and from her blouse when talking to the kids doctrination. I joined the choir because changes of hands, it still runs today. not forced down other throats. in their home. I thought of all those mis- I loved to sing and ended up “praising I have been a grocery shop owner, a Religion (or lack thereof): I was sionaries trying to corrupt these Hindu/ the Lord” — in song, anyhow. traveler, a truck driver, a roadie for many brought up in a Jewish home. My Mal- Muslim/Nones into her own beliefs. She I didn’t do very well in school. My different rock bands, an arc lamp spot- tese mother kept a kosher kitchen, did not represent the rest of our touristy desperate parents sent me to college light engineer and operator for the en- while my atheist but traditional Jewish group and I asked her to put crucifix hoping I would snap to and become the tertainment industry, and a salesman in Brit of a father took us all out for the away. She didn’t, and voices rose. I felt doctor my mother so wanted. I didn’t. America for the winter months of all the occasional bacon sandwich. truly embarrassed in front of these kids My father, who was considered brilliant, years of the 1980s. I have also been an Although I had my bar mitzvah at 13, and their organizers. reassured me that I wasn’t unintelli- actor and a well-known actor’s assistant. I didn’t believe in any of it. I did it all for My motives were not conversion. Hers gent, but just not so academic — a very I am a long-distance truck driver again. the love of singing, and the grand party, . . .? kind heart. As a driver, I am stunned at how much with presents that came after. My favorite quotation: It is stuck on Occupation: At 17, I became a shop- religion is hung all over passing trucks. When I came back from India, I was the back of my car as an often-renewed keeper, a grocer. For a year and a half, Many trucks have huge crosses lit up so proud that I had not found a guru bumper sticker and has been for more I opened and operated a successful in the front. There is a chapel in every like everyone else. Even my friends and than 10 years: “My karma ran over your family were discovering spirituality with dogma.” one guru or another. ’Twas the times. I The other day I heard on NPR that Take a short survey about FFRF’s videos was an atheist like my dad. FFRF had won another case where re- Fourteen years later, I was in India ligion was forced down our throats Did you know that the FFRF offers video programs? again and looking into Buddhism. I was through the public arena of park areas. a Jew who found Buddhism. A BuddJew, I am very proud of being a member We currently produce three shows (Freethought Matters, as we were known. I dove deep into that of FFRF and hope that kindness given Ask an Atheist and Newsbite) that run on Facebook Live, for three years with my first wife. I lived around the world is done for its own YouTube and some broadcast TV stations. Help us to better and worked at this Buddhist Center in sake instead of heaven’s sake. target these programs to your needs by filling out this short five-question survey. What the hell? Go to: surveymonkey.com/r/FFRF_Media. Thank you!

Published by Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc.

P.O. Box 750 Madison WI 53701 [email protected] FFRF.org P 608.256.8900 F 608.204.0422

EDITOR PJ Slinger [email protected] EDITOR EMERITUS Bill Dunn EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER Annie Laurie Gaylor GRAPHIC DESIGNER Roger Daleiden COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Amit Pal CONTRIBUTORS FFRF Member James Mixson sent us a photo of this church mar- Philip Appleman, Jonnie Benzimra, Paul Epland, Molly Hanson, Chris quee, writing, “It’s been hot in Missouri this year and this church in Line, Jeff Prebeg, Paul Rosenberg, Andrew Seidel, Jake Swenson downtown St. Joseph threatens us freethinkers with even worse!” The only freethought newspaper in the United States August 2018 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 3 ‘ATHE1ST’ plate was first step in my activism

By Jeff Prebeg ing to drive my tiny little car with all its wo years ago, I became an athe- atheist paraphernalia on a big highway ist activist. While I’ve been an in Indiana and see giant trucks come Tatheist for much longer, it wasn’t speeding up behind me. But truth be until some sad and troubled times told, nothing happened at all. No one that I sought a community. Through paid me any attention the entire time podcasts and social media, I recreat- out, there, and back. ed myself and began the fight for the Again, I’m privileged to have had separation of nothing happen. As I’m now a part of church and state. this select club, I pay close attention to But more impor- the news stories of vandalized cars and tantly, I wanted plates bent and damaged. Honestly, I it to be OK for wish all those could have the experi- other atheists to ence I’ve had, and while I hope this, come out and be I know it’s something I signed up for. proud. In that In these troubling times for state- time, I made church separation, I have a big target some lifelong on my back as a soldier in that fight. friends and con- But honestly, as I’ve come to learn Jeff Prebeg nections that aid about myself, I relish it. Discussions me to this day. that have cropped up because of it, In those days, I applied for a vanity while sometimes hard or scary, are license plate — “ATHE1ST” — and was — so I went in with the knowledge that scowls, but the experience has mostly absolutely necessary. Another Twitter promptly denied by the state of Penn- something drastic might happen to it. been very positive. I’ve had the occa- follower told me how he wept as he sylvania. With the help of FFRF, specifi- But I’ve learned not to let the enemies sional horn honks and middle fin- read my news story because his job all cally attorney Andrew Seidel, I was able win in the face of injustice, so I proud- gers flown my way, but the cheers and but prevented him from being an out to receive my license plate. And my car ly have several other atheist bumper thumbs-up far outnumber them. I also atheist but he was so happy an internet has been a billboard for atheist activ- stickers to go along with my license am a cautious and courteous driver. friend could be. ism to this day! plate. I’m privileged enough that I I never want to cut someone off and And I’ve come to learn, that’s my Very recently, an exchange hap- don’t have to terribly worry about the have them think, “That darn atheist!” role in this important fight. I have the pened with that tweet from a fellow car itself, so I’m happy to be a bill- It also has become a rallying point for privilege and ability to be out, so I’m atheist friend from across the country. board. And so far, I haven’t had much my local secular organization. People going to use it to my fullest. I’m going Muffy, as she’s known online, asked me of anything to worry about. know me and my fight and have been to be as out and proud as possible, to how it has been driving around with While living in the relatively reli- very supportive. hopefully aid those who can’t. And if I that plate. Our conversation was inter- gious (Roman Catholic) city of Pitts- I once took a road trip to Indianap- can be honest, I’m so excited for that esting enough for me to have the hon- burgh, it’s still not the Bible Belt or a olis to visit friends (Hi, Dan and Na- day, because it is coming. or of sharing my experiences with you. deeply rural area where such vandal- talie!) and that definitely caused me Jeff Prebeg is an FFRF member from My car is older — a 2005 Chevy Aveo ism is likely to occur. I’ve seen a few some anxiety. I can say it was harrow- Pittsburgh. Funding FFRF welcomes its 10 Continued from page 1 As FFRF and CFI point out in their tism on a child and a video showing letter to Gov. Roy Cooper, Cross Trail an adult leader instructing children to newest Life Members Outfitters’ outdoor activities are un- remove their hats to pray. Testimonials FFRF is proud to announce and States represented are California, abashedly religious in nature. from parents of the group corroborate recognize its 10 newest Lifetime Connecticut, Florida, Louisiana, Cross Trail Outfitters, which de- that the group’s activities in the state Members plus one Immortal. Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New scribes itself as an “independent, in- are heavily religious. The 10 new Lifetime Members Mexico and Washington. terdenominational ministry,” aims to FFRF and CFI underline that North are Thomas V. Claringbold, Hali- One member has become an Im- promote Christianity by “guiding the Carolina’s proposed grant to Cross na Greenstien, Robert Greenstien, mortal: Milton McCune. The Immor- next generation to Christ through the Trail to directly fund its religious mis- Thomas Harburg, Bachir Jirari, tals category is a donation designa- outdoors.” The group’s first stated goal sion violates the Establishment Clause Katherine O’Brien, Michael Polito, tion for those members who have is to “build a relationship with boys of the First Amendment, which pro- Dan Tebbs, Peter Viviano and Jeffrey contacted FFRF to report they have ages 7–20 and lead them to Christ or a hibits the government from financially Worthington. made provisions for FFRF in their es- better understanding of Him. To equip supporting religious activities. Individual Lifetime Memberships tate planning. youth to passionately pursue a lifetime The secular groups are requesting are $1,000, designated as member- FFRF also offers After-Life Mem- of service to Jesus Christ and fellowship assurance that the North Carolina De- ship or membership renewal, and are berships for a $5,000 donation for with Him through the outdoors.” partment of Health and Human Ser- deductible for income-tax purposes, those who want their donation to The ministry’s website features a vices will refuse to disburse any funds as are all donations to FFRF. "live on" after them. photo of two adults performing a bap- to Cross Trail Outfitters.

‘IN REASON WE TRUST’ Abbott Self inking stamp Continued from page 1 FFRF’s right to place its display in the Texas Capitol in the future, it decid- ed to dismiss the claims, clearing the path for the victorious final judgment. The case is Freedom From Religion Foundation v. Governor Greg Abbott, Case No. A-16-CA-00233-SS. FFRF was represented by attorney Richard L. Bolton with FFRF Associate NEW! Counsel Sam Grover as co-counsel. “We’re pleased to finally have this lawsuit wrapped up,” says Grover. “Now we wait to see whether Gov. Ab- bott and the Texas attorney general’s office will follow the law and allow us Carefully crafted to stamp out to place our display again, or wheth- ‘god’ on U.S. currency. Good er they appeal this decision and waste for up to 2000 impressions. more state resources to fight against one of our nation’s most foundational $18 postpaid — Item#ST01 free speech principles.” Gov. Abbott and the executive di- Photo by Arturo De Lozanne Call 608/256-8900 rector of the Texas State Preservation Freethinkers gather around FFRF’s Bill of Rights nativity display in the Texas Cap- Online ffrf.org/shop Board are expected to appeal the itol. A judge has ruled in favor of FFRF’s free speech rights after Texas Gov. Greg decision. Abbott had the display removed in December 2015. Page 4 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | August 2018 HEADS UP ‘Year of our Lord’ not A Poetry Column By Philip Appleman part of Constitution PRAIRIE DOGS FFRF attorney writes “Prairie dog villages used to extend for hundreds of miles article published in across the plains. One city contained more than 400 million Constitutional Studies of these ground squirrels. But 250 of them would eat as much as a cow, so prairie dogs were doomed.” FFRF advocates for our Constitu- —Desert Museum, Tucson, Arizona tion every day. It is, as we regularly point out, a godless Constitution. “We must welcome more babies to the banquet of life.” But every now and then, we meet a —Pope Paul VI theocrat or Christian nationalist who thinks they’ve found a savvy rejoin- Zoologist are all agog der: God is in the Constitution. What At this imposter of a dog they intend to argue is that their god Whose fierce fertility and brains wormed his way into the date that ap- pears on the parchment, “the Seven- Civilized the western plains: teenth Day of September in the Year Taking to himself a wife, of our Lord one thousand seven hun- He made a banquet out of life dred and eighty seven.” And bred a swarm of boys and girls— Christian nationalists and pious politicians use that date to argue A great society of squirrels. Constitutional Studies Journal. that the United Life was simple, life was sport, States is a Chris- er how exactly it was added to the When one day everything ran short: tian nation and parchment during the Constitutional The five-year plan for grass was clouded, to push legisla- Convention, who added it, and what Burrows all seemed overcrowded, tive initiatives significance it may have had for the that promote delegates and scribe. The article also “Too many cows,” they started to fuss, religion. For in- traces the origins of the argument “and what’s more, there are too many of us .” stance, last year, that “Year of our Lord” is consequen- Today, like aardvarks, yaks, and gnus, the Kentucky tial to a preacher writing 50 years af- Prairie dogs are kept in zoos. Legislature re- ter the Constitution was drafted. solved to com- The article is an interesting blend Surviving rodents, may we hope Andrew L. Seidel plete all of its of history, law and detective work. You have a message for the pope? business “in the Seidel examines the evolution of the From Karma, Dharma, Pudding & Pie Year of our Lord” because it wanted various drafts of the Constitution, to “follow the lofty example set in the pointing out that that pious date © Philip Appleman. U.S. Constitution.” appeared on none. There are other Philip Appleman is a Dis­tinguished Pro­fessor Emeri­tus Andrew L. Seidel, FFRF’s director dates within the Constitution itself, at In­dia­na Uni­ver­si­ty. He is editor of the Norton Critical of strategic response and a consti- but none contains religious language. Edition of Darwin. He and his playwright wife, Marjorie tutional attorney, wrote to the Ken- Seidel also explains that that date Appleman, are both “After-Life” Members of FFRF. Phil’s tucky Legislature to explain its error, is not actually part of the Constitu- books: ffrf.org/shop. tired of hearing this misguided claim tion. The legal document ends after and decided to write up the problem Article VII, the attestation clause, to in a more scholarly fashion. which the date was added. As Seidel The resulting article was recently explained it, “When you sign a con- published in the latest volume of Con- tract, that signature is attesting to stitutional Studies. your consent — it is not part of the OVERHEARD The journal is published twice an- terms of the contract. The signatures nually by the University of Wiscon- and dates are not part of the Consti- Drawing from a conservative Chris- Conservatives sin and is affiliated with the Center tution itself.” tian worldview, these groups critical- want to reserve for the Study of Liberal Democracy. “The bottom line is that this ly interrogate media messages in the the right to use It is the first article of this kind that curious little appendage has no legal same way they approach the bible. religion as a an FFRF attorney has individually significance and it’s unlikely the Francesca Tripodi, a researcher at weapon, to con- published. Founders even knew it was there,” said Data & Society, who authored a re- trol other peo- Seidel’s article, “Dating God: Seidel. “The first time any one argued port on how conservatives interpret ple’s bodies and What Is ‘Year of Our Lord’ Doing that it had religious significance was news using “scriptural inference.” to judge some in the U.S. Constitution?” examines a preacher writing nearly 50 years Columbia Journalism Review, 6-25-18 people as less the legal and historical significance after the Constitutional Convention,” worthy of full of the lordly date by piecing togeth- he added. I remember when I was 7, making participation in crucial decisions about the person I Charles Blow the American was going to be. That’s also the age experience be- when I figured out that, oh, someday cause of whom they love, how they I’m going to die, and the age when identify, where they are from or Caption contest winner! I decided I couldn’t believe in God. which God they worship. Congratulations to John Halas I’ve never been as intelligent as I was Charles Blow, newspaper columnist, of Ohio for winning FFRF’s cap- at 7. in “Trump remakes America.” tion contest from the June/July Author Anne Tyler New York Times, 6-28-18 issue. New York Times, 7-6-18 The winning caption is: I de- serve to be presented with an RECRUIT A MEMBER Academy Award for this perfor- mance. — John Halas American Infidel: Sample copies for $2 The top runners-up, in no par- Robert G. Ingersoll Send $2 with the name and ticular order, are: • Isn’t there another way to address of each person you make Mom and Dad happy? By Orvin Larsen wish to receive a sample copy — Dan Fregin Prof. Larsen writes of Freethought Today to: • Taking steps to unbelief. with a ection and — Paul Riley respect of this FFRF • Do I really have to go through illustrious 19th century freethinker. P.O. Box 750 with this? — William Sams Madison, WI 53701 Thanks to all who participated. or images (most likely that you Published by FFRF. We will have another contest in took yourself) that you think would Please send us only names an upcoming issue. If you see any be good for a future caption con- Buy it from FFRF online of likely supporters non-copyright-protected pictures test, send them to [email protected]. shop.ff rf.org Freedom depends upon freethinkers August 2018 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 5

Kavanaugh Continued from page 1

Although Kennedy’s record in keep- ment Clause.” Essentially, Kavanaugh re- ing state and church separate has been lied on a long history of use of the words spotty at best, replacing him with Kava- “so help me God,” supposedly, he wrote, naugh will lead to decisions with majori- dating back to George Washington. But ty opinions that are far more emphatical- Washington never uttered those words. ly hostile to secularism and true religious The history of “so help me God,” is con- freedom. It will go from a 5-4 court with siderably shorter. The phrase has only Kennedy sometimes swinging to FFRF’s been in regular use since World War I. In side, to an entrenched 5-4 “anti” court, any event, that a constitutional violation leaving only Justices Ruth Bader Gins- is longstanding does not make it any less burg, 85, Stephen Breyer, 80, and the a violation. The argument from tradition more youthful Elena Kagan and Sonia is a poor argument which concedes that Sotomayor on the "correct" side. there is no better reason to continue the Further, Kennedy was always a hope- practice, and it is disconcerting that Ka- ful check against the most egregious vanaugh would have relied on it to up- cases of government actors using their hold violations of the First Amendment. position to promote religion. With Kava- naugh, the court will be more willing to Backed voucher scheme accept cases that will allow it to drastically Kavanaugh represented pro-vouch- repeal Establishment Clause precedent er Florida Gov. Jeb Bush in a consti- from the last 70 years, confident that it tutional challenge to Florida’s school will always have the five votes it needs. voucher legislation. Florida plaintiffs Kennedy importantly sided with the — including a branch of the NAACP, preservation of Roe v. Wade in several the Florida Education Association, and major cases. It is frightening to see CNN the AFL-CIO — sued Bush and the legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin tweet his pre- Florida Department of Education over diction: “Abortion will be illegal in 20 the allocation of public funds to private states in 18 months.” schools through a voucher system. The Kavanaugh, a former clerk for Ken- Florida Supreme Court held the vouch- nedy, would be a threat for a host of im- er system Kavanaugh defended was portant progressive and humanist issues. dress, signature. separation — in other words, those of unconstitutional. The 53-year-old Catholic, who currently “In Kavanaugh’s legal world, it bur- us who support the First Amendment — He went back to Florida to help Bush serves on the U.S. Court of Appeals for dens religion to fill out five blanks on as “absolutist[s],” “hostile to religion in litigate the outcome of Florida’s elector- the District of Columbia, has seeming- a form, but it’s not a burden to force a any form,” advocating for an “Orwellian al votes in the disputed Bush-Gore 2000 ly never met a regulation he wouldn’t teenager to carry an unwanted pregnan- world,” and seeking “the full extermina- presidential election. More successful strike down, including regulations to cy. That is alarming,” adds Seidel. tion of private religious speech from the there than with the vouchers, Kavana- prevent another financial collapse as in public schools” and “to cleanse public ugh then went to work in the George W. 2008, to protect clean air, clean water, Kavanaugh’s record schools throughout the country of pri- Bush White House as associate counsel and fight climate change, to enforce Even while working in private prac- vate religious speech.” to the president. Bush nominated him safety standards for the auto industry, tice he submitted amicus briefs on a In an astonishing paragraph, he to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Dis- uphold the Affordable Care Act and pro- number of cases involving the Establish- portrays Christians as beleaguered and trict of Columbia in 2003, and after a tect workers. ment Clause, always on the wrong side. downtrodden folks “below socialists and bitter fight that lasted three years, he Of most relevance to the work of In the landmark 2000 case, Santa Fe Nazis and Klan members and panhan- finally was seated in 2006. FFRF is Kavanaugh’s disturbing history Independent School District v. Doe, the last dlers and ideological and political ad- Would Kavanaugh hold the presi- of working to privilege religion, harm big school prayer case decided by the vocacy groups of all stripes,” rather than dent accountable for wrongdoing? women’s rights and tear down the wall high court, it ruled unconstitutional the privileged majority they are. While still in private practice, Kava- separating state and church. prayers delivered over the school public In one of the most concerning pas- naugh was a key member of Kenneth Two recent decisions illustrate his address system at school-sched- sages in the brief, Kavanaugh Starr’s team investigating President views, revealing that Kavanaugh seems uled, school-sponsored sends a clear signal that he Clinton and was a prominent voice call- “less driven by the law than by ideolo- events, including student does not think the Su- ing for Clinton’s impeachment. But in gy,” notes FFRF Director of Strategic led. FFRF is asking you, preme Court should a turn that seems hypocritical, he has Response Andrew L. Seidel, who, with Kavanaugh wrote even apply legal tests lately written that presidents are un- FFRF’s Strategic Response Team, re- an amicus brief de- our members, to to the Establishment der such extraordinary pressure they searched his record. fending the imposi- call your senators Clause. In other “should be excused from some of the Kavanaugh dissented in a 2017 case tion of prayers upon to strongly oppose words, it appears he burdens of ordinary citizenship while garnering national attention and con- students on behalf would happily over- serving in office.” This statement was cern, involving a pregnant, unaccompa- of U.S. Rep. Steve Kavanaugh: rule the critical rule likely received well by Trump, facing a nied minor immigrant under detention, Largent, a former foot- 202-224-3121 of law laid out in Lem- dogged and productive investigation by whom the Trump administration was ball player. Throughout on v. Kurtzman (1971), special counsel Robert Mueller. preventing from exercising her right to the brief, Kavanaugh ar- known as “The Lemon end an unwanted pregnancy. Kavanaugh gued that the case was about Test.” The Lemon Test simply Another Catholic wrote that forcing the 17-year-old girl to “banning” students’ religious speech. It says a government action violates the The Constitution prohibits reli- continue her pregnancy for so many was really about a public school (with Establishment Clause if it (1) doesn’t gious tests for public office, but one weeks she risked being unable to obtain its own tradition of imposing prayer) have a secular purpose; or (2) has the would think there was a requirement an abortion was not an “undue burden.” handing religious students a govern- primary effect of advancing or inhib- that Catholics hold a majority on the Conversely, in a 2015 case, Priests for Life ment-owned megaphone to impose iting religion, or (3) fosters excessive Supreme Court. Although Catholics v. HHS, he wrote a dissenting opinion the prayers on other students at public entanglement between religion and are about 20 percent of the overall calling it a “substantial burden” on reli- school events. That distinction is crucial, government. Kavanaugh wrote: “In population, five of the nine current gion for a religious organization wanting and Kavanaugh’s inability to grasp it is Establishment Clause cases, the search justices are Catholic, including outgo- to opt out of the contraceptive mandate disturbing. for an overarching test is not always ing Kennedy. The Kavanaugh nomina- to be asked simply to fill out a five-blank Kavanaugh uses inflated language necessary, and can sometimes be coun- tion would retain the lopsided Catho- form — name, corporate name, date, ad- to disparage advocates of state-church terproductive or even harmful.” lic majority, and be a lost chance for more diversity (such as a nonreligious State-church hostility justice or even a Protestant!). The D.C. Circuit dismissed a case tak- The National Review endorsed Ka- Freedom from Religion Foundation en by atheist Michael Newdow challeng- vanaugh partly because of his zealous ing the addition of “so help me God” Catholicism: “He is a lector at his par- P.O. Box 750 • Madison, WI 53701 • (608) 256-8900 • FFRF.org to the presidential oath and inaugural ish, and he volunteers with Catholic What is the Freedom From Religion Foundation? prayers. Notably, religious language is charities, teaches and mentors in Cath- not present in the oath laid out in Ar- olic (and other) schools, and coaches Founded in 1978 as a national organization of freethinkers (atheists and agnostics), the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc., works to keep state and church ticle II of our secular Constitution, yet his daughters’ Catholic Youth Organi- separate and to educate the public about the views of nontheists. FFRF has it is typically added by the chief justice zation (CYO) basketball teams.” more than 32,000 members. FFRF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofi t and donations are tax during inaugurations. FFRF is committed to fighting any deductible for income tax purposes. When the court threw out the case on nominee who is so clearly hostile to FFRF’s email address is info@ rf.org. Please include your name and physical procedural grounds, Kavanaugh wrote American secularism. mailing address with all email correspondence. separately to say that the challengers “This is the legal fight of the cen- FFRF members wishing to receive online news releases, “action alerts” and (including FFRF) should have lost on tury for America. Our nation’s future, “Freethought of the Day” should contact info@ rf.org. the merits “because those long-standing our constitution and our civil rights practices do not violate the Establish- hang in the balance,” says Gaylor. Page 6 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | August 2018 ‘Project Blitz’ pushes Christian nationalism

Its playbook reveals a the Christian Conservative Legal Movement. With same-sex marriage a settled issue, theocratic vision that right-wing Christian groups “will want is in direct opposition to prioritize protection for religious liberty, defined in their specific way. to FFRF’s objectives The Christian legal movement is fight- ing these battles in the court, but these This article first appeared in Salon.com sorts of legislative proposals show how and is reprinted with permission. An online wide-ranging the broader movement’s version remains in the Salon archives. strategy is.” It’s a defensive fight now, but it’s By Paul Rosenberg also laying the groundwork for a possi- ble future counteroffensive. “Although t’s just beginning to dawn on folks Category 3 is divided in three parts, how much Donald Trump’s presi- you could also see it as having two main Idency relies on religious support. All underlying intentions,” said Clarkson. the scandals surrounding Trump have “First to denigrate the LGBTQ commu- brought intense attention to the 81 per- nity, and second to defend and advance cent support he received from evangeli- the right to discriminate. This is one way cal Christians in the 2016 election. that the agenda of theocratic dominion- But the power of the presidency isn’t Photo courtesy of Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation ism is reframed as protecting the right of the only way Christian nationalism is Children and adults stand for the Pledge of Allegiance during the launch of the theocrats to discriminate against those advancing its agenda in America today. Texas Prayer Caucus in February 2017. deemed second class, at best. As the late As Frederick Clarkson, senior research theocratic theologian R.J. Rushdoony analyst at Political ing a close, symbiotic relationship be- is religious war in the minds of those said, ‘Only the Right have rights.’” Research Asso- tween Christianity and civil society is waging it, and they’ve got specific goals ciates, reported significantly associated with a number and strategies in mind. But it’s not easy Discriminatory impact in Religion Dis- of stances like opposition toward same- for outsiders to see what’s going on Bills protecting the “right” to dis- patches, a coali- sex marriage, antipathy toward religious here, as Clarkson explains in his story: criminate against the LGBTQ com- tion of Christian minorities and a tendency toward en- The bills are seemingly unrelated and munity are the most salient example right groups — in- dorsing stricter racial boundaries in ro- range widely in content — from requir- of how Project Blitz aims to produce a cluding the Con- mantic and family relationships.” So, it ing public schools to display the nation- radically altered America in the style of gressional Prayer makes sense, he continued, “that these al motto, “In God We Trust” (IGWT); the Handmaid’s Tale. But even the most Caucus Founda- groups who advocate for a formal recog- to legalizing discrimination against innocent-seeming proposal — intro- Paul Rosenberg tion, Wallbuild- nition of the ‘Christian nation’ narrative LGBTQ people; to religious exemptions ducing the motto “In God We Trust” ers, the National are also seeking to formalize support regarding women’s reproductive health. into schools — has a divisive, discrim- Legal Foundation and others — have for particular definitions of marriage, The model bills, the legislative strategy inatory, damaging impact, sharply at organized a major legislative initiative gender identity and family structure” and the talking points reflect the theo- odds with its presentation. called “Project Blitz.” Its goal is to pass — definitions that elevate some people cratic vision that has animated many in “To an ex-evangelical such as my- an outwardly diverse but internally co- and effectively subjugate others. the Christian Right for some time. In self, Project Blitz is deeply concerning,” hesive package of Christian-right bills at So far this year, the context of Proj- Christopher Stroop told Salon. Stroop the state level, whose cumulative impact supporters of this ect Blitz’s 116-page is a scholar, writer and Twitter personal- would be immense. initiative, and their The authors of the Project playbook, however, ity with a history and humanities Ph.D. The agenda underlying these bills allies, have in- Blitz playbook are savvy they also reveal a from Stanford, who is currently senior is not merely about Christian national- troduced 71 bills purveyors“ of dominionism. highly sophisticat- research associate with the Postsecular ism, a term that describes an Old Testa- nationwide (or — Frederick Clarkson ed level of coordi- Conflicts project. As he says, he spent ment-based worldview fusing Christian carried them over nation that echoes many years in the evangelical world. and American identities, and meant to from last year) — the ALEC, which “When I was growing up in the sharpen the divide between those who and those are only the ones tracked by infamously networks pro-business state 1980s,” Stroop said, “two issues that belong to those groups and those who Americans United for Separation of legislators, drafts legislation, and shares were frequently lamented in my evan- are excluded. It’s also ultimately “domin- Church and State. (Some of the bills legislative ideas and strategies. gelical community were the legalization ionist,” meaning that it doubles down counted are similar in intent, but may The bills are organized into three of abortion and the supposed banning on the historically false notion of Amer- not directly draw on the Project Blitz tiers (see sidebar), “according to the de- of prayer in school — ‘supposed’ be- ica as a “Christian nation” to insist that a playbook.) gree of opposition they anticipate — 1 cause the right-wing evangelicals I grew particular sectarian view of God should Most of those have innocuous or feel- being the least,” Clarkson reports. “The up with usually failed to note that the control every aspect of life, through all good names. The goal is to come across general plan is to begin with the less Supreme Court had only ended offi- manner of human institutions. Chris- as wholesome, apple-pie Americans, controversial measures to get legislators cially school-sponsored prayer, and had tian nationalists are not in a position to while copying the strikingly successful comfortable with the subject matter; to not outlawed private prayer in schools. impose their vision now, and to be fair, approach of the pro-corporate American seek small victories first.” The full mean- Extreme exaggeration of the ostensi- many involved in the movement would Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). ing and significance of the earlier mea- ble persecution we supposedly faced as never go that far. But as explained by The guiding vision behind Project sures will not become readily apparent Christians was prevalent in my child- Julie Ingersoll in Building God’s Kingdom: Blitz is heavily influenced by pseudo-his- until later measures build on them and hood milieu.” Inside the World of Christian Reconstruction, torian David Barton, a leading propa- covert synergies are revealed. The attempt to reverse that imagined dominionist ideas have had enormous gandist for the myth that America was The first tier, “Legislation Regarding persecution can have real damaging ef- influence on the Religious Right, even founded as a “Christian nation.” John Our Country’s Religious Heritage,” aims fects, as Stroop notes. In examining the among those who overtly disavow them. Fea, author of Believe Me, told Salon: at importing the Christian nationalist goal of requiring “In God We Trust” to “The authors of the Project Blitz play- “David Barton has been discredited by worldview into public schools and oth- be displayed in public schools, he said, book are savvy purveyors of dominion- every American historian I know, includ- er aspects of the public sphere. It starts “I cannot help but associate this goal ism,” Clarkson told Salon. “They are in ing evangelical historians who teach at simply with a display of the motto “In with evangelical resentment over legal it for the long haul and try not to say the most conservative Christian colleges God We Trust,” a Cold War replacement limitations on prayer in school, and to things that sound too alarming. But they in the country, including Bob Jones for “E Pluribus Unum” — out of many, see it as an attempt to take a step toward live an immanent theocratic vision, and University and Liberty University. He is one — which better reflects America’s the Christianization of public schools. they sometimes cannot help themselves, a politician who uses the past for his own pragmatic, pluralist foundations. The On its own, posting the motto ‘In God such as when they describe the resolu- political agenda.” second tier, “Resolutions and Proclama- We Trust’ in schools would already em- tions as seeking to ‘define public poli- Nonetheless, Fea continued, Barton tions Recognizing the Importance of bolden Christian nationalists present in cies of the state in favor of biblical values “is one of the most important people Religious History and Freedom,” aims at those schools, leading Muslim, Jewish, concerning marriage and sexuality.’ in American politics today.” How could making government increasingly a part- Buddhist, Hindu, liberal and atheist “Among the ways they are seeking that possibly be true? “If Andrew White- ner in “Christianizing” America. The children to feel alienated and pressured to implement ‘biblical values,’” Clark- head and his colleagues are correct, third tier, “Religious Liberty Protection to conform.” son continued, “is by seeking religious evangelicals supported Trump because Legislation,” has three subcategories, “The American history behind these exemptions from civil rights laws and they believe America was founded as, one dealing with “public policy resolu- initiatives is highly suspect,” Fea said. professional licensing standards.” The and continues to be, a Christian na- tions,” the other two with specifically “Yes, Christianity has deeply influenced two-tiered society this would create re- tion,” Fea said. “No one has promoted targeted but sweepingly conceived “pro- American culture, and one could even flects the essence of Christian national- this narrative more effectively than Da- tections” for religious practices. say that it has held a privileged cultur- ism, as researcher Andrew Whitehead vid Barton.” “Category 3’s focus on religious lib- al position, but this is because most describes it. erty is especially relevant today,” in the Americans have been Christians,” he ex- Whitehead told Salon: “Our work War imagery no accident wake of the Supreme Court’s historic plained. “Now that America has become shows that believing that the United The war imagery conjured up by the Obergefell decision, said Daniel Bennett, more diverse, particularly in the wake of States is a ‘Christian nation’ and desir- name “Project Blitz” is no accident. This author of Defending Faith: The Politics of the 1965 Immigration Act, some conser- August 2018 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 7

Project Blitz playbook

The Project Blitz model bills are grouped into three categories according to the degree of opposition they anticipate, with 1 being the least. Category 1 Legislation Regarding Our Religious Heritage • National Motto Display Act: “An act providing for display of the national motto, ‘In God We Trust,’ in public buildings and on license plates.” • Civic Literacy Act: “An act providing for instruction in the content and meaning of the documents that form the foundation of our country’s con- stitutional republic.” Requires school boards to teach selected founding documents and to allow the posting of others in secondary schools. • Bible Literacy Act: Allows for the teaching of the bible as an elective course in public schools. Photo courtesy of Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation • Religion in Legal History Act: “Endorses a uniform, sound, distinct and ap- A man holds a worn bible during the launch of the Texas Prayer Caucus. propriate presentation of the story of the role of religion in the constitutional history of the United States and this state, which may be publicly displayed in vative evangelicals have gone into panic large, or affect their civil capacities.’ In courthouses and other state and local buildings throughout this state.” mode. They have offered up a one-sided, contemporary English, we might say revisionist view of the past that is more that people’s religious views shall be Category 2 nostalgia than actual history. This ap- neither an advantage or a disadvantage proach to history is one-sided and tends to their status as citizens. Thus, the reli- Resolutions and Proclamations Recognizing the to cherry-pick the parts of the Ameri- gious freedom that Madison and Jeffer- Importance of Religious History and Freedom can past that are useful to the Christian son sought to establish was equality.” right’s political and moral agenda.” Actual study of the Virginia statute • Proclamation Recognizing Religious Freedom Day: Suggests elements that Our actual history stands in ironic rela- and its legacy would show, of course, might be included in an RFD proclamation. tionship to this narrative impulse, Fea ar- that when the United States was found- • Proclamation Recognizing Christian Heritage Week: Lists items for inclu- gued. “One can make a solid case that the ed, “The Constitution didn’t acknowl- sion in such a proclamation, based on proclamations in various states. Founding Fathers’ views on religious lib- edge Christianity or any religion,” as • Proclamation Recognizing the Importance of the Bible in History: Lists items erty anticipated this moment. They were Clarkson told me. “The framers of the for possible inclusion. not founding a Christian nation. They Constitution looked to the Virginia stat- • Proclamation Recognizing the Year of the Bible: Lists items for possible were founding a nation in which religious ute as the underlying principle in how to inclusion. liberty for all faiths must be defended. approach religion and government; this • Proclamation Recognizing Christmas Day: Lists items for possible inclusion. The Christian Right set in motion the claims to be defend- disestablishment Category 3 ing their own reli- The Christian Right has of the colonial-era Religious Liberty Protection Legislation gious liberty here, lost the culture war and its state churches but they can’t be and embarked the Public Policy Resolutions members“ believe that they champions of reli- country on the • Resolution Establishing Public Policy Favoring Intimate Sexual Relations gious liberty and at can somehow turn back the journey towards clock through various symbols Only Between Married, Heterosexual Couples: Resolves “that the public policy the same time pro- greater religious of this state supports and encourages marriage between one man and one mote symbols and and commemorations. equality.” woman and the desirability that intimate sexual relations only take place commemorations Where is all — John Fea between such couples.” claiming America’s this leading, and • Resolution Establishing Public Policy Favoring Reliance on and Maintenance Judeo-Christian how successful can of Birth Gender: Resolves “that the public policy of this state supports and en- heritage and privileged position.” Project Blitz possibly be amid the polit- courages maintenance of the birth gender of its citizens.” This a bill aimed at Stroop offers a complementary argu- ical and cultural turmoil of 21st-century discouraging or limiting recognition of transgender people. ment, arguing that “the vast majority of America? That’s a big question. • Resolution Establishing Public Policy Favoring Adoption by Intact Heterosexual, white evangelicals and other fundamen- “I read this proposed legislation as Marriage-based Families: Aimed at discouraging adoption by same-sex couples. talist Christians in America understand a sign of desperation,” Fea said. “The ‘religious freedom’ as a species of posi- Christian Right has lost the culture war Protection for Professionals and Individuals tive freedom.” In their view, that means and its members believe that they can • Protection for Professionals and Individuals Marriage Tolerance Act (aka not just “the negative freedom from somehow turn back the clock through First Amendment Defense Act): “An act to prohibit discriminatory action state interference in the private practice various symbols and commemorations. against a person who believes, speaks or acts in accordance with a sincere- of their own religion, but the positive They are afraid and, true to their past, ly held religious belief that marriage is or should be recognized as the freedom to impose that religion in the have chosen to respond to social and union of one man and one woman or that sexual relations are properly public square as the norm.” cultural change with an appeal to a nos- reserved to such marriage.” talgic past that may not have ever existed • Preserving Religious Freedom Act (aka Religious Freedom Restoration Pushing a flawed vision in the first place.” Act or “state RFRA”): “This act is intended to ensure that this state ap- Clarkson cites the call for “Religious In some ways this recalls the cultural plies at least the same level of religious liberty protections applied at the Freedom Day” proclamations as partic- and political struggle that led to the federal level in order to ensure that state and local governmental enti- ularly revealing, once you know how to Civil War, when Southern slaveholders ties will not restrict a person’s free exercise rights more than the federal read them. “These measures epitomize waged a futile campaign to preserve a government.” The model bill is similar to bill already on the books in the strategy of going for soft targets first. nonexistent past. That failed, but the several states. But they also reveal how the measures damage to our society was devastating • Child Protection Act: Seeks to allow religious exemptions for adoption and are intended to advance their flawed vi- and in some ways is still with us. foster care agencies in serving same sex couples. sion of the Christian nation that never Let’s hope this new struggle over an • Clergy Protection Act: Allows clergy and religious organizations not to par- was,” he said. imaginary past can end before it does ticipate in marriage of which they disapprove. “Religious Freedom Day, declared similar damage. • Licensed Professional Civil Rights Act: “An act prohibiting discrimina- by Congress in 1991, commemorates Paul Rosenberg is a California-based writ- tion by any individual or organization against an applicant for, or a holder the enactment of the Virginia Stat- er/activist, senior editor for Random Lengths of, an occupational license, due to the professional’s or potential pro- ute for Religious Freedom [written by News, and a columnist for Al Jazeera English. fessional’s sincerely held religious beliefs.” Would provide religious ex- Thomas Jefferson] in 1786,” Clarkson emptions for such professionals as pharmacists, medical personnel and continued. The Virginia Statute “is rec- Woe to the Women: mental health practitioners from providing care to LGBTQ people, and ognized by historians as the forerunner on such matters as abortion and contraception. to the approach taken by the Framers The Bible Tells Me So of the Constitution and later, the First Protection for Teachers and Students Amendment.” By Annie Laurie Gaylor • Student Prayer Certification Act: “An act providing for certain reporting While the Christian Right’s model bill A concise, easy-to-read and certifications by the state board of education and local school districts “celebrates the idea of religious freedom, book that will challenge to comply with federal law.” States are required to certify that they are not it does not even quote from the Virginia your concept of the preventing students from engaging in constitutionally protected prayer. This bible as “a good book.” Statute itself,” Clarkson said — and the bill sets up a mechanism for how to implement. reasons are obvious. Illustrated. 264 pages. • Teacher Protection Act: Provides for state legal assistance if teachers or “The key point in the Virginia Statute Published by FFRF. schools are sued over official religious practices. states that ‘all men shall be free to pro- Buy it from FFRF online • Preserving Religious Freedom in School Act: Provides for legal protection for shop.ffrf.org fess, and by argument to maintain, their Buy it from FFRF online a variety of religious expressions and activities. opinions in matters of religion, and that shop.ff rf.org the same shall in no wise diminish, en- Page 8 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | August 2018 IN THE NEWS New tax law quietly supply women with information about how to end their pregnancies. hits churches, others One of these things is not like the other The case was a clash between state Republicans have quietly imposed a efforts to provide women with facts new tax on churches, synagogues and about their medical options and First other nonprofits, a little-noticed and Amendment rulings that place limits surprising change that could cost some on the government’s ability to compel groups tens of thousands of dollars. people to say things at odds with their The recent tax code rewrite requires beliefs. churches, hospitals, colleges and other Justice Clarence Thomas, writing historically tax-exempt organizations for the five-justice conservative majori- to begin paying a 21 percent tax on ty, accepted the free-speech argument, some types of fringe benefits they pro- ruling that the First Amendment pro- vide employees. hibits California from forcing the cen- That could force thousands of ters, which oppose abortion on reli- groups that have long had little contact gious grounds, to post notices about with the IRS to suddenly begin filing how to obtain the procedure. returns and paying taxes for the first time. Ireland may vote down Many organizations are stunned to law banning blasphemy learn of the tax and say it will be a sig- nificant financial and administrative In October, citizens in the Republic burden. of Ireland will vote in a referendum on whether the blasphemy clause should be stripped from the Constitution. Indiana GOP to keep old “The publication or utterance definition of marriage of blasphemous, seditious, or in- decent matter is an offence which The Indiana Republican Party voted shall be punishable in accordance to keep language defining marriage Rich Sagall of Maryland spotted this sign while traveling in Roswell, N.M. with law,” says Article 40 of the Irish as being “between a man and a wom- Constitution. an” in its platform, rejecting language While Irish “blasphemers” are un- meant to be more inclusive of same-sex Department would expand awareness now goes to the Senate. likely to be punished, the prohibition couples. of a 2000 law to shield religious institu- is still in the Constitution, and a cor- Members at the GOP state party’s tions from overly restrictive zoning reg- Crocodile kills pastor responding law is on the books, with a convention on June 9 overwhelming- ulations and would provide “additional during mass baptism top fine of almost $30,000. ly voted to keep the biblically-inspired training and resources for federal pros- Michael Nugent, a spokesperson language first adopted under then- ecutors,” with an inaugural community Tragedy struck a mass baptism in an for the advocacy group Atheism Ire- Gov. Mike Pence in 2014. outreach event in New Jersey later this African lake when a crocodile leaped land, welcomed the referendum, The Supreme Court in 2015 ruled month. from the water and killed the pastor. saying that even in the absence of that same-sex marriage was legal in the The Rev. Docho Eshete was con- prosecutions the law was causing real United States. N.C. House OKs ‘In God ducting the ceremony June 3 for about damage to freedom of expression in Daniel Elliot, chair of the Morgan We Trust’ in schools 80 people at Lake Abaya in southern Ireland, and to the country’s reputa- County Republican Party, said that the Ethiopia. Eshete died after being bit- tion abroad. concept of marriage being between a After a debate about whether it’s ten on his legs, back and hands. man and woman is central to the be- promoting religion, the North Carolina “He baptized the first person and liefs of “Hoosier Republicans.” state House voted overwhelmingly he passed on to another one. All of S.C. to discriminate “This language . . . recognizes the June 7 to require public schools to a sudden, a crocodile jumped out of against non-Christians reality on the ground that most fam- display in a prominent place the words the lake and grabbed the pastor,” lo- ilies are headed by married couples,” “In God We Trust,” belatedly adopted cal resident Ketema Kairo told BBC. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMas- Elliot said. as our nation's motto only in 1955. After the crocodile struck, congre- ter has intervened with the Depart- Supporters of House Bill 965, which gants and local fishermen attempted ment of Health and Human Services passed 94-15, said that the legislation to save the Protestant clergyman, po- to secure a religious exemption from Sessions: Rule favors would promote the nation’s history liceman Eiwnetu Kanko said, using federal nondiscrimination laws for a religious institutions and identity because it is the national fishing nets to prevent the crocodile Christian foster-care-placement agen- motto. They denied that the bill was an from taking Eshete further into the cy in his state. Attorney General Jeff Sessions attempt to promote religion in general lake. Without the exemption, the place- announced an initiative on June 13 or Christianity in particular. ment agency, Miracle Hill Ministries, aimed at boosting the Justice Depart- But critics said the bill sends the could lose its license because it re- ment’s role protecting religious insti- message that the state is backing one Majority don’t support fuses to place foster children with tutions from supposedly cumbersome religion over another because most denying service to gays non-Christian families. zoning rules. people will assume it’s referring to McMaster acted in February when “Under the laws of this country, gov- Christianity. Most Americans don’t support al- the Department of Social Services ernment cannot discriminate against “I really do believe that it is in our lowing gay Americans to be denied warned Miracle Hill that its license people based on their religion — not best interests for our nation for us services because of the religious con- as a child-placing agency was at risk. in law enforcement, not in grant-mak- not to try to promote the triune God victions of a business owner. It had given regulators “reason to ing, not in hiring and not in local zon- through government,” said Rep. Verla Six in 10 Americans oppose allow- believe” that it “intends to refuse ing laws,” Sessions said in a statement Insko, referring to the Christian doc- ing a small-business owner in their to provide its services as a licensed announcing the Place to Worship trine of the Trinity. state to refuse products or services Child Placing Agency to families who Initiative. All the Republicans voted for the to gay people even if providing them are not Christians from a Protestant The announcement said the Justice bill while it split Democrats. The bill would violate the business owner’s denomination,” according to docu- religious beliefs, according to survey ments obtained by the ACLU. findings published in May by the Pub- lic Religion Research Institute. FFRF’s There are only two major religious School buses to get ‘In groups in which the majority of adher- God We Trust’ decals ‘Freethought ents think that small-business owners should be able to refuse service to gay The Lee County (Va.) School Matters’ mug people for religious reasons: white Board voted unanimously to put “In evangelical Protestants and Mormons. God We Trust” flag decals on their A meaningful message and the logo school buses. of FFRF’s new TV show. Ivory imprint “There’s actually a state law that on tapered burgundy, 9 oz. American requires us to have ‘In God We Trust’ made mug. Anti-abortion pregnancy centers win in court placed in each of our school build- ings so this seems like a natural fol- NEW! Ruling for opponents of abortion low up on that and I think something $20 postpaid — Item#MU02 on free speech grounds, the Supreme around here will appreciate and take Court said June 26 that the state of pride in having on the buses,” Lee Call 608/256-8900 or order online ffrf.org/shop California may not require religiously County School Board member Rob oriented “crisis pregnancy centers” to Hines said. August 2018 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 9 Clergy sex abuse roundup Court blocks release of landmark report

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court vors of clergy sexual abuse. on June 25 struck a blow against cler- gy sexual abuse survivors by ordering Priest accused of sex a stay on a completed landmark re- abuse in Guam missing port that is among the most expan- sive investigations into clergy abuse Father Adrian Cristobal, who was in the country, dating back decades. on sabbatical in Phoenix until re- The order prohibits Judge Nor- cently and is accused of sexually man A. Krumenacker III and Penn- abusing two boys more than 20 years sylvania Attorney General Josh Shap- ago in Guam, has not returned to the iro from publishing the grand jury’s island as ordered by the church. findings, and postpones the report’s Two men filed separate civil suits release indefinitely. in federal court in Guam in April Mark Rozzi, a Pennsylvania state and May accusing Cristobal of sexual representative and clergy abuse vic- abuse. tim, was upset when he heard the re- Cristobal had arrived in Phoenix port wouldn’t be released. in December 2017 for sabbatical with “It’s like the M.O. of the church,” a letter of good standing, the Phoe- Rozzi told the Daily Beast. “The only nix Diocese said in a written state- thing they’re concerned about is ment to The Arizona Republic. The protecting themselves and their own Phoenix Diocese said it removed his image. They’re not concerned about faculties, or his ability to perform protecting the victims. They’ve done church sacraments, after the first what they’ve always done to us: put suit was filed in April. us out on the curb, and hope we go Minn. archdiocese OKs Independent Reconciliation and Diocese spokesman Rob DeFran- away, or we die.” Compensation Program (IRCP), cescso said Cristobal had called them According to one of the few court $210 million payment publicized the names of 42 diocesan in April, saying he was at Phoenix documents that has been made pub- The Archdiocese of St. Paul and priests who had been credibly ac- Sky Harbor International Airport lic, the case has drawn dozens of wit- Minneapolis has reached a $210 mil- cused of sexual abuse of minors and “presumably heading to Guam.” The nesses and nearly a half-million pag- lion settlement agreement with 450 apologized to individual victims. local diocese hasn’t heard from him es of internal church documents. It victims of clergy sexual abuse as part But some victims and their advo- since, DeFrancescso said. has focused on alleged crimes and of a bankruptcy reorganization, offi- cates continue to criticize Malone’s The Guam church has been misconduct by “individuals associat- cials announced June 1. handling of the crisis, saying the rocked by numerous allegations ed with the Roman Catholic Church, At $210,290,724, it is thought to bishop was more concerned with against priests, which came after the local public officials and community be the second-largest payout by the protecting the diocese’s reputation territory lifted the statute of limita- leaders” — and could implicate hun- Catholic church in the United States, and assets than with getting to the tions for child sexual abuse in 2016. dreds of people. according to the Associated Press. It bottom of the scandal, protecting Three Arizona residents are among As a result, the 884-page report comes after nearly four years of bank- children and helping victims heal. those claiming sexual abuse by Cath- was the target of an intense legal bat- ruptcy proceedings and negotiations. The compensation program is olic church leaders on the Pacific tle. A group of unnamed individuals Individual awards have not been being administered by two retired island. have won, at least for now, a fight to determined. judges who were contracted by the withhold its public release. “I have been fighting in court with diocese. The judges will determine Pope ousts bishop in They claimed that “the reputation the church now for 13 years. ... This which applicants get settlements and Chile’s abuse scandal interest of the non-indicted named has been a long day coming, “Jim how much money they receive. persons will be harmed by the release Keenan said, battling tears, according Pope Francis on June 11 accept- of the report.” to AP. “If anybody out there is won- Eight Rochester priests ed the resignations of the bishop According to the Daily Beast, bish- dering, ‘Do I have the legs to stand accused of sexual abuse at the center of Chile’s clerical sex ops from all six dioceses have denied up under my voice?’ You absolutely abuse scandal and two other priests, filing the motion or doing anything do. Even when you’re kneeling. Even A Boston attorney who has spent beginning a purge of the Catholic to inhibit the report’s release. when you’re stumbling. You got the decades representing victims of Church in a country where it had The attorney general’s investiga- legs to stand up and hear your voice,” sexual abuse called on the Roman been damaged by abuse and cover-up tion has zeroed in on six of the state’s he said. Catholic Diocese of Rochester, accusations. eight Catholic dioceses: Allentown, Insurance carriers will pay about N.Y., to release records it may hold A Vatican statement said the pope Scranton, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, $170 million of the settlement while concerning allegations of sexual had accepted the resignations of Greensburg and Erie. the archdiocese and parishes will abuse of children by clergy. Bishop Juan Barros of Osorno, Bish- The grand jury report is not ex- pay about $40 million, according to Mitchell Garabedian named eight op Gonzalo Duarte of Valparaiso and pected to include criminal charges, Abood. priests from the Rochester diocese Bishop Cristian Caro of Puerto Montt. according to people familiar with The largest clergy abuse-related who are accused of sexually abusing Barros, 61, has been at the cen- the content. Yet it is bound to have settlement was in 2007 by the Archdi- minor children. A group of 15 men ter of Chile’s growing scandal ever sweeping legal and political impli- ocese of Los Angeles, which paid 508 and two women, now grown, say they since Francis appointed him bishop cations, including reviving the emo- victims $660 million. were abused by these priests when of Osorno in 2015 over the objec- tional fight in the Legislature over they were children. tions of the local faithful, his own whether victims of long-ago abuse 90+ seek compensation Garabedian said the incidents sex abuse prevention advisers and should have the chance to sue their from Buffalo Diocese took place between 1950 and 1978 some of Chile’s other bishops. They abusers and the people and institu- when the alleged perpetrators were questioned Barros’ suitability to lead, tions who covered it up. More than 90 people filed claims assigned to churches in the Roches- given he had been a top lieutenant “I’m not a politician, but if I was, for sexual abuse compensation with ter diocese. of Chile’s most notorious predator I’d be pretty scared,” said James Fa- the Buffalo (N.Y.) Diocese by its June He called on Roman Catholic Di- priest. luszczak, a former priest in the Dio- 1 deadline. ocese of Rochester Bishop Salvatore In May, Francis summoned Chile’s cese of Erie who was among the vic- Bishop Richard Malone didn’t re- Matano to release any records he church leaders to Rome after real- tims to tell the grand jury about the veal how many people applied, how has about allegations of sexual abuse izing he had made “grave errors in abuse he experienced as a teenager. many priests are being accused in against priests, including so-called judgment” about Barros, whom he A similar investigation in 2016 ex- the claims, or how much money the “secret files,” so the public can know had defended strongly during a visit plored abuse allegations in Pennsylva- diocese is willing to pay out. who the accused priests are and what to Chile in January. nia’s Altoona-Johnstown diocese, and The diocese has been rocked in their supervisors did to respond to Also in Chile, police raided the of- the explosive resulting report found recent months by a continuing scan- allegations. fices of the Catholic Church in two as many as 50 priests and religious dal over its cover-up of clergy sexu- Garabedian is a Boston attor- cities June 13, seizing documents leaders guilty of child sexual abuse— al abuse dating back decades. A re- ney who rose to prominence repre- related to a sex abuse scandal that and many others guilty of participat- tired priest’s admission in February senting survivors of sexual abuse by has led to the resignation of three ing in a nearly 50-year coverup. that he had molested dozens of boys priests there in the 1990s and 2000s. bishops. “This failure was colossal. It was during his stints at multiple parishes He was portrayed by actor Stan- Police targeted the Santiago Eccle- nothing less than organized crime,” in the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s led to rev- ley Tucci in the Oscar-winning film siastical Court and the bishop’s office Pennsylvania state Rep. Mike Vereb elations of other sex abuse cases and “Spotlight,” which chronicled the in Rancagua in the O’Higgins region told The New York Times. “There was the uncovering of how those abuses case. in central Chile. Fourteen priests are no chance, if you were a victim, that were kept secret for so long. To date, his firm has represented accused of performing sexual acts on you were going to get justice.” In March, Malone launched the more than 1,000 victims and survi- minors, the AP reported. Page 10 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | August 2018 FFRF NEWS FFRF condemns court ruling upholding Muslim travel ban FFRF condemns the U.S. Supreme Sotomayor notes this inconsisten- Court’s decision from June 26 uphold- cy in her dissent, writing “the court ing the Trump administration’s reli- recently found less pervasive official gion-based travel ban. expressions of hostility and the failure The Supreme Court, in a 5-4 deci- to disavow them to be constitutionally sion, decided on narrow grounds, ad- significant [citing Masterpiece]. It should opted a recklessly “deferential standard find the same here.” of review” for presidential authority. In A silver lining for state/church sep- light of concerns over “intruding on aration is that the Supreme Court has the president’s constitutional responsi- narrowed the decision’s scope. bilities in the area of foreign affairs,” it “The case before us differs in nu- noted that “the proclamation does not merous respects from the conventional exceed any textual limit on the presi- Establishment Clause claim,” the court dent’s authority.” majority states. “Unlike the typical suit The travel ban blatantly disregards involving religious displays or school the Establishment Clause, as FFRF prayer, plaintiffs seek to invalidate a na- demonstrated in its “friend of the tional security directive regulating the court” brief filed before the Supreme entry of aliens abroad.” Court against the ban. The Trump ad- Another silver lining is Sotomayor’s ministration’s history of excluding from dissent, joined by Justice Ruth Bad- entry to the United States immigrants er Ginsburg. (Justices Elena Kagan and non-immigrants from selected ma- and Stephen Breyer issued their own jority-Muslim countries violated the Es- dissent.) tablishment Clause of the First Amend- “The United States of America is a ment, FFRF had contended. nation built upon the promise of reli- The travel ban also contravenes Ar- gious liberty,” Sotomayor writes. “Our ticle VI of the U.S. Constitution, which the core of executive responsibility.” President Trump’s statements Founders honored that core promise prohibits a religious test for office or “This decision is shocking on two showed that the serial travel ban orders by embedding the principle of religious public trust. fronts. First, America is not supposed were motivated by a desire to discrim- neutrality in the First Amendment. The But the Supreme Court’s decision, to have an imperial presidency. The Su- inate against unpopular religious mi- court’s decision today fails to safeguard written by Chief Justice John Roberts, preme Court failed its duty to check the norities. When Trump issued his most that fundamental principle.” seemingly disregarded the Constitution. president’s unconstitutional decision,” recent executive order on Sept. 27, Sotomayor adds that the judgment After finding that the ban “is square- comments FFRF Co-President Annie 2017, he repeatedly linked it to previous “leaves undisturbed a policy first adver- ly within the scope of presidential au- Laurie Gaylor. “Second, its judgment orders, calling it a “larger, tougher, and tised openly and unequivocally as a ‘to- thority under the [Immigration and will cement the notion of second-class more specific” ban. tal and complete shutdown of Muslims Nationality Act],” Roberts adopted a status for those belonging to minority “The true hypocrisy of this decision entering the United States’ because “deferential standard of review” in light religions or no religion at all.” is evident when comparing it to the the policy now masquerades behind a of concerns over “intruding on the pres- Roberts writes: “. . . because there is Supreme Court’s other major religious façade of national-security concerns.” ident’s constitutional responsibilities in persuasive evidence that the entry sus- freedom decision this term,” notes Importantly, she points out that the area of foreign affairs.” pension has a legitimate grounding in FFRF Legal Director Rebecca Markert. the ruling fundamentally “erodes the The court declined to treat the national security concerns, quite apart “While in Masterpiece Cakeshop the court foundational principles of religious president’s statements regarding the from any religious hostility, we must ac- interpreted mild, factual statements by tolerance that the court elsewhere has discriminatory purpose of the ban as cept that independent justification.” the Colorado Civil Rights Commission so emphatically protected, and it tells direct evidence of a discriminatory in- As Justice Sonia Sotomayor writes as statements of hostility toward a Chris- members of minority religions in our tent and instead only considered “the in her rousing dissent, “the answer is tian baker, in this case a majority of the country ‘that they are outsiders, not full significance of those statements in re- unquestionably yes” as to whether the same court turned a blind eye toward members of the political community,’” viewing a presidential directive, neutral primary purpose of the ban is religious repetitive, openly hostile statements by quoting a previous landmark Supreme on its face, addressing a matter within animus. the president against Muslims.” Court decision. FFRF debunks Voting registration initiative begins Hobby Lobby’s FFRF has proudly kicked off a nation- ally coordinated secular voting registra- To volunteer for a registration annual ad tion drive for the 2018 elections. drive near you or to learn more, It has joined forces with five other go to secularamericavotes.org. Hobby Lobby engaged in its yearly leading national secular groups to Independence Day charade, but FFRF launch the first national secular was there to expose it once again. voter registration initiative: Secular that they are not registered to vote, par- Every Fourth of July, the pious folks America Votes! ticularly younger freethinkers. Secular at Hobby Lobby, the corporation that On June 30, the Inland Northwest voters comprise about 15 percent of the gutted Obamacare’s contraceptive man- Freethought Society, a FFRF chapter electorate, according to 2016 studies. date, run a full-page ad in newspapers working in western Washington and Meanwhile, evangelicals, at only 17 across the country with one message: In eastern Idaho, conducted the first Sec- percent of the population, still make up God they trust. The ad shamelessly tries ular America Votes registration drive more than a quarter of the electorate. to sell the myth that the United States is FFRF used the words of the Founding in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. The vigil and Secular America Votes is intended to founded on the Christian god by using Fathers to rebut a Hobby Lobby news- march were attended by roughly 175- combat the disproportionate influence quotes that are almost all deliberately al- paper ad campaign. 200 people in coordination with the of the Religious Right while drawing tered or pulled out of context to change nationwide “Families Belong Together” attention to the growing secular move- their meaning. run a larger campaign in 2019 to count- demonstrations. ment. It also provides an avenue for indi- Thanks to generous, activist mem- er the Hobby Lobby July Fourth ads, “We knew that 2018 would mark a viduals concerned about America’s poli- bers in Peoria, Ill., and Eugene, Ore., whose insidious purpose is to portray watershed moment for the secular move- tics to do something constructive before FFRF ran a rebuttal advertisement the the United States as a theocracy,” says ment and each passing day confirms the important November elections. week of July 4. Ken and Cheryl Hof- FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor. our instincts,” says FFRF Co-President bauer arranged to make sure the facts Also in 2013, FFRF launched an inter- Dan Barker. “Never has it been more Women Without Superstition: play in Peoria, in its monthly Commu- active website showing all of the errors critical to use the ballot box to stop the “No Gods — No Masters” nity Word. Charles Jones and FFRF’s in Hobby Lobby’s ad that year. encroachment of religious zealotry into Portland, Ore., chapter underwrote An FFRF blog (bit.ly/2KKMJrc) in our secular government.” Collected writings much of a larger ad in the Eugene Reg- 2016 walked readers through Hobby Barker adds that he’s proud of the of 50 women ister-Guard, which ran on July 4. The Lobby’s deception step by step, yet Hob- fact that 97 percent of FFRF members freethinkers of the ads draw on an advertising campaign by by Lobby continues to misconstrue these are registered voters (based on a defin- 19th & 20th centuries. FFRF in 2013 running full-page ads in a quotes, sometimes adding new mislead- itive 2015 survey of our members). Un- 51 photographs. number of dailies to counter the Hobby ing quotes. This year was no different. fortunately, that momentum is not re- Edited by Lobby ad. Every single one of the 16 misleading flected in secular voter turnout at large. Annie Laurie Gaylor “We thank these individuals and our sources FFRF previously exposed re- While “Nones” make up an ever-growing BuyBuy it it from from FFRF online online chapter for their initiative and generos- mains in Hobby Lobby’s ad, without any percentage of the U.S. population at shop.ffrf.orgshop.ffrf.org ity. With member support, we hope to correction or apology. 24 percent, more than a quarter report August 2018 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 11 Biblical basis for immigration policy repugnant FFRF formally objected to the attor- use of religion to justify it is an egre- ney general’s use of the bible as justifi- gious violation of the spirit of the First cation for the Trump administration’s Amendment.” draconian immigration procedures. FFRF points out that the bible “Religion has no place in shaping should not shape public policy — not public policy in our secular nation,” only because it is a behavioral grab bag FFRF Co-Presidents Dan Barker and full of primitive and outdated ideas and Annie Laurie Gaylor wrote in a letter morality, but because we live in a secu- of complaint to Attorney General Jeff lar nation and under a secular govern- Sessions. “Under our godless Con- ment. Imagine the consternation had stitution, which separates state and Sessions preached instead from the church, the bible is not a legitimate Quran. It is equally inappropriate for justification for any action our gov- the attorney general to preach from the ernment takes. In fact, the Supreme Christian bible. Court has said that if a government Ironically, Sessions himself acknowl- action lacks a secular purpose (i.e., it edged his secular duty in the same speech has a religious purpose) that action is in which he preached from Romans 13. unconstitutional.” “But I am a law officer, a law officer for a In his now-infamous June 14 speech nation state, a secular nation state, not a in Indiana, Sessions cited the bible (Ro- theocracy; it’s not a church,” he said. Yes, mans 13) to rationalize the Justice De- America is not a theocracy, FFRF empha- partment’s separation of children from sizes, and that’s why Sessions should stop their refugee and immigrant parents. treating his government office as though FFRF condemned both the child sep- it were a pulpit. aration tactic and Sessions’ use of the mane policies. “The bible has brought vention, FFRF reminded Sessions. The changing demographics of the bible to justify it. out the worst in America and been used The only references to religion in our United States make biblical rational- To this day, the Trump administra- to justify our greatest shames. From slav- godless Constitution are exclusionary. izations even more unsuitable. Today tion is still struggling to reunite thou- ery, to segregation, to the subjugation The United States was first among na- nearly one-quarter of Americans (24 sands of these refugee and immigrant of women, the bible has been used as tions to adopt a secular Constitution percent) are religiously unaffiliated, for children with their parents. an engine of regression since America’s — investing sovereignty in “We the a total of nearly 30 percent non-Chris- Though a so-called holy book should founding,” FFRF noted in its letter. People,” not a divinity. tians. Not only are a huge number of not be used to justify actions by our That is precisely why our Founders “President Trump’s child separa- younger Americans religiously unaffili- secular government, FFRF expressed a adopted our entirely secular Constitu- tion policy is doing serious damage not ated, but 21 percent of Americans born lack of surprise that the White House tion and, when they did so, they did only to parents and children, but also after 1999 identify as explicitly atheist has invoked the bible to defend inhu- not pray at the Constitutional Con- to America,” FFRF wrote. “Sessions’ or agnostic. Nonbelief Relief gives $32K in mid-year grants Nonbelief Relief, a leading free- assistance. Since July 2015, Oxfam members because of Katha Pollitt’s thought charity, has announced its and its partners have reached 2.8 recommendation in a recent Nation mid-year grants intended to “to im- million people with assistance column. “When is a necessity not a prove this, our only world.” that includes water and sanitation necessity?” asks Pollitt, an honorary Nonbelief Relief, a charitable or- services, cash assistance and food officer of FFRF: “When it’s a product ganization created by the executive vouchers. In response to the cholera used by half the population every board of the Freedom From Reli- outbreak — the fastest-growing month for 35 to 40 years, but never gion Foundation, is a humanitarian cholera epidemic in history — Oxfam even once by the other half. In case agency taking charitable action in gal Services — Legal Representation, is delivering water, sanitation, and you haven’t figured it out yet, I’m the name of atheists, agnostics and Education and Advocacy (LEAF) hygiene to help prevent the spread talking about menstrual supplies.” other freethinkers. Nonbelief Re- Project, $10,000. of the disease. The havoc caused in Thirty-six states tax sanitary supplies, lief seeks to remediate conditions of Founded in 1986, RAICES has Yemen is largely due to Saudi Arabia but a drive is on to overturn such human suffering and injustice on a grown to be the largest immigra- using it as a battleground in an anti- taxation. global scale, whether the result of tion legal services provider in Texas. Shiite campaign, proving the divisive “The majority of religions con- natural disasters, human actions or RAICES has received an influx of nature of religion. sider the natural and life-affirming adherence to religious dogma. Such contributions after a couple’s small • Syrian American Medical Society function of menstruation as ‘un- relief is not limited to but includes Facebook fundraiser went viral, and (SAMS), $10,000. clean’ and otherwise stigmatize wom- assistance for individuals targeted has pledged to use the funds to help In 2017, SAMS provided 3,251,639 en,” notes Annie Laurie Gaylor, who for nonbelief, secular activism or any separated immigrant families medical services, treated 2,074,460 is FFRF co-president and administra- blasphemy. and unaccompanied children in any beneficiaries, sponsored 119 medical tor of Nonbelief Relief. “Even today, After its mid-year meeting, the state. The money will go toward le- facilities, and supported 3,072 medi- many women in Nepal are forced Nonbelief Relief board of directors gal fees, bond (so that families can cal and nonmedical workers. into degrading and unsafe ‘men- announces the following timely gifts: be released from detention and find SAMS is a global medical relief struation huts’ in a practice partially • RAICES, Refugee and Immi- their children again), and transpor- organization that is working on the derived from Hinduism. In our part grant Center for Education and Le- tation costs. An individual case can front lines of crisis relief in Syria and of the world, the notion of menstru- range between $2,500 to $15,000 and beyond to save lives and alleviate suf- ation as a ‘curse,’ which is biblically RAICES has pledged to ensure every- fering. SAMS operates 50 primary rooted, has contributed to our soci- FFRF’s classic one needing help is helped, free of health care facilities, including eight ety’s lack of attention to basic needs charge. The Trump administration’s mobile clinics, across Syria, provid- and dignity for women.” ‘Freethinker’ mug initial justification for the program, ing medical care for communicable Members of FFRF and other free- Our classic ‘Freethinker’ mug has which is wreaking such havoc and and non-communicable diseases thinkers are encouraged to make been re-created. White imprint on misery, was biblical in nature, Non- for local populations, internally dis- charitable donations via Nonbelief classic blue, matte finish. 13 oz. belief Relief notes. placed persons and those living in Relief so it can continue to public- American-made mug. • Oxfam America, earmarked for areas. ly donate in the name of nonbelief. NEW! relief in Yemen, $10,000. • Alliance for Period Supplies, Churches have long been credited Yemen is caught in the world’s $2,500. with charitable works because they largest humanitarian crisis and on One in four U.S. women have give on behalf of their congrega- the verge of famine after three years struggled to purchase period prod- tions. Nonbelievers are just as chari- of war and a de facto blockade have ucts in the past year due to income, table, but have lacked the infrastruc- pushed food and fuel prices out of and one in five have lost school or ture to give as a group. Please give, reach, Oxfam reports, leaving peo- work (or even lost jobs) because they if you can, to Nonbelief Relief, via ple without clean water, food, hospi- couldn’t afford adequate supplies. FFRF, by choosing “Nonbelief Relief” tals, and schools. Alliance for Period Supplies is a new in the “where do you want your do- Sixty percent of the population — national organization to help insure nation to be used?” dropdown menu 17.8 million people — doesn’t know that individuals in need have access at ffrf.org/donate, to ensure your con- — Item#MU01 $20 postpaid where they’ll get their next meal, to essential period products required tributions remain deductible for in- and 6.8 million face extreme hunger. to participate fully in daily life. The come-tax purposes. Your donation Call 608/256-8900 More than 3 million people have fled fund is administered by the Nation- will go toward similar charitable gifts Online ffrf.org/shop their homes, and nearly 19 million al Diaper Bank Network, and caught in the future, including endangered people are in need of humanitarian the eye of Nonbelief Relief board nonbelievers. Page 12 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | August 2018 FFRF VICTORIES More pomp, fewer religious circumstances

By Paul Epland On April 12, FFRF Legal Fellow FFRF that a prayer was scheduled at functions. On Nov. 22, 2017, FFRF Se- Christopher Line wrote Dekalb Coun- the high school’s graduation ceremo- nior Council Patrick Elliott wrote to FFRF was able to persuade numer- ty School District’s Chief Legal Officer, ny, and that the school sponsored a Wayne Country Public School Board ous public schools around the country Jennifer Hackenmeyer, to notify the baccalaureate ceremony during the Chairperson Don Christopher West to to end their religious prayers, remarks district that no public school represen- school day. register a complaint regarding prayers and handouts during graduation cere- tative may urge religious points of view On June 6, FFRF Staff Attorney at Spring Creek High School gradua- monies. Here is a round-up of FFRF’s on students, including telling them Madeline Ziegler wrote to Superin- tion ceremony and school board meet- successful outcomes. that they should “magnify the Lord,” tendent Jeffrey Zwiebel to ensure that ings after a local complainant informed “exalt his name,” or “put God first” — the prayer at Friday’s graduation was FFRF that Wayne County Schools has Brimfield, Ill. all things the board member had said cancelled. repeatedly engaged in practices that FFRF’s objection to an Illinois high during school functions. On June 9, the Republican-Herald, violate the Establishment Clause of the school’s religious graduation ceremo- An attorney representing the dis- a local Pottsville newspaper, published First Amendment. ny has made certain that there won’t trict replied to FFRF’s complaint on a story detailing FFRF’s complaint On June 7, legal representatives be any further imposition of religion in June 26, writing that the district “does against the school and the school’s for the district, Richard A. Schwartz the district. not sponsor religious speeches” and subsequent decision to cancel the and Laura E. Crumpler, wrote FFRF to A concerned community member has “provided a secular script for board graduation prayer. confirm that “Wayne Country Public contacted FFRF to report that the members during the 2018 graduation.” Schools has ceased both of the practic- Brimfield High School graduation cer- Shelby, Ohio es” — prayer at high school graduation emony on May 20 included two sepa- Great Bend, Kan. A concerned Ohio resident has re- and board meetings. rate Christian prayers. A copy of the FFRF ensured that employees within ported that Shelby High School in ceremony’s written program includes a Kansas school district will not be pro- Shelby, Ohio, had been advertising and Hicksville, Ohio both an “invocation” and “benedic- moting their personal religious beliefs promoting a baccalaureate service as FFRF has stopped Christian com- tion.” Students were reportedly told to students. On May 23, FFRF’s Chris- part of its graduation events. An adver- mencement handouts at Hicksville to vote on whether there would be a topher Line wrote to Khris Thexton, tisement for the baccalaureate service, High School in Hicksville, Ohio. prayer, then administrative staff in- superintendent of Great Bend public which typically includes prayer or wor- FFRF’s Christopher Line wrote to structed the valedictorians to select school district in Great Bend, Kan., to ship, was published on the front cover Keith Countryman, superintendent of who among them would deliver the issue a complaint against Principal Tim of the Shelby High School graduation Hicksville Exempted Village School, prayers during the ceremony. Friess of the Great Bend High School. program and on the school’s website. on May 31 to issue a complaint about a FFRF Staff Attorney Ryan Jayne Friess made religious remarks to stu- On May 18, FFRF’s Christopher religious packet distributed to students wrote to Brimfield CUSD #309 Super- dents and parents at the 2018 Great Line wrote Tim Tarvin, superintendent during the high school’s commence- intendent Robert Richardson, outlin- Bend High School graduation, begin- of Shelby City Schools, to ensure that ment practice. ing why the imposition of religion was ning his remarks by “thank[ing] God Shelby City Schools does not sponsor A concerned student notified FFRF unconstitutional. The school district for the beautiful day that he has bless- or advertise baccalaureate programs about the constitutional violation, re- was convinced by Jayne’s arguments. ed us with” before relating a religious for its students. porting that every graduating student “Brimfield CUSD #309 confirms to anecdote and concluding his remarks On June 21, Melissa Martinez Bondy, received a packet containing materials you that there will not be scheduled or with “may God bless each of you.” a legal representative for the district, that promoted Christianity, including approved prayer at district-sponsored On June 8, Mark Rondeau, a legal wrote to FFRF assuring it that the a copy of “Evolution vs. God,” an an- events,” Richardson recently emailed representative for the school district, public school will no longer have any ti-evolution film and a religious tract the state/church watchdog. wrote to FFRF to report that Thexton part in “controlling, organizing, and titled, “Are you a Good Person?” The had spoken with Friess, telling him that publicizing the baccalaureate service,” packet also included a letter titled, Dekalb County, Ga. his religious comments were not in ac- and that “the board will remove “Hicksville High School Class of 2018,” A concerned resident reported to cordance with school policies. Friess notice of the baccalaureate service which included religious messages and FFRF that a Dekalb County School assured the superintendent these com- from all graduation materials and a bible verse. Board member had been using her ments would not be repeated. announcements and will not directly An attorney representing the school position to promote her religious be- or indirectly publicize the event.” contacted FFRF on June 21 to commu- liefs to students and staff, including re- Pottsville, Pa. nicate that FFRF’s concerns had been ligious remarks she made at the 2017 FFRF has helped put an end to Goldsboro, N.C. addressed by the school and no such Arabia Mountain High School gradu- prayer at a Pennsylvania high school’s After FFRF intervened, Wayne illegal action will be taken or allowed ation ceremony and the 2017 Dekalb graduation ceremonies. A senior at County Public Schools in Goldsboro, by the Hicksville school district in the County Schools Convocation. Pottsville Area High School informed N.C., will not conduct prayers at school future.

Constitutional music to FFRF’s ears What Is a Freethinker? freethinker n. FFRF was able to help put a stop Mesquite, Texas events scheduled in religious venues A person who forms opinions to the intrusion of religion into three A parent of a student at Mesquite for the 2018-2019 school year.” public music programs recently. Independent School District in Mes- about religion on the basis of quite, Texas, notified FFRF that a stu- Arvada, Colo. reason, independently of tradition, Canal Fulton, Ohio dent choir performed on a stage in FFRF reminded a Colorado city authority, or established belief. A concerned resident alerted FFRF front of a large Latin cross, adjacent to mayor that scheduling a Christian wor- to a constitutional violation at a high a Christian flag on a pole with a cross ship band to perform at city-sponsored school in Canal Fulton, Ohio. on top. The venue was reportedly full events poses a serious violation of A joint concert between the North- of other religious iconography, includ- constitutional separation of state and west High School choir and the Cen- ing wall and ta- church. On April 20, FFRF’s Christo- Include FFRF tral Presbyterian Church choir, which ble art quoting pher Line wrote Marc Williams, mayor In Your Estate Planning took place at a church and includ- scripture, reli- of Arvada, Co., about the city’s regular ed religious music, was described by gious pamphlets scheduling of Christian worship band, Northwest vocal teacher and organist and pews full of Renewed Music Ministries. at Central Presbyterian Church as a bibles and hym- An Arvada resident reported that “culmination of spiritual, musical and nals. The parent the city invited the band to perform at Arrange a bequest in your will theological union.” also noted that the annual Arvada Kite Festival. The or trust, or make the Freedom FFRF’s Patrick O’Reiley Legal Fel- there were many complainant reported that the band From Religion Foundation low Christopher Line wrote to North- alternative, secu- played almost exclusively Christian the bene ciary of an insurance west Local Schools’ Superintendent lar venues avail- music and the members actively dis- policy, bank account or IRA. Michael Schreffler on June 5 request- able to the district at no cost. cussed their religious beliefs on stage. It’s easy to do. ing assurance that the school choir will On Feb. 6, FFRF Associate Council Renewed Music Ministries was the only no longer participate in the religious Sam Grover wrote to Superintendent band to perform at the event and was For related information (or to request a bequest brochure), performances at the church. David Vroonland to issue a complaint also scheduled to perform at the annu- please contact Annie Laurie General counsel for the Northwest regarding the all-city choir concert al Arvada Days event in September. Gaylor at (608) 256-8900, Local Board of Education, Mary Jo at Shiloh Terrace Baptist Church in On June 19, Rachel Morris, deputy info@ rf.org Shannon Slick, responded to FFRF on Dallas. city attorney for Arvada, wrote to FFRF June 29 confirming that the board has On June 19, district representative to confirm that the city does not “plan Freedom depends reviewed FFRF’s concerns and will not Karyn Cummings wrote FFRF to con- in the future, to engage Renewed on freethinkers be holding choir performances in a firm that the “Mesquite Independent for performances at city-sponsored church in the future. School District does not have any choir events.” August 2018 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 13

FFRF discovers hushed Hauck does not use his other coaching City removes church ad featuring police vehicle position on the school’s wrestling team victory in district to further evangelize Rolla High School FFRF was pleased to recently dis- student-athletes. cover a hidden victory for state-church On June 7, Counsel to Rolla Pub- separation in an eastern Texas school lic Schools Thomas Mickes wrote to district. FFRF to relate that the district’s ath- Back in 2014, FFRF was informed by letic director has met with Hauck, and a concerned community member of will conduct meetings with all district the Mt. Vernon Independent School coaches to emphasize First Amendment District that the district was displaying requirements. several religious quotes on the walls of its schools. The quotes included both W. Va. football coach biblical passages and alleged state- ends pregame prayers ments attributed to a variety of prom- inent individuals in American history. FFRF notified a West Virginia school After seeking and obtaining an open A concerned Tupelo, Miss., resi- On Dec. 4, 2017, FFRF Associate district that it is illegal for public school records request in 2015 for a copy of dent contacted FFRF to report that a Council Sam Grover wrote Police athletic coaches to lead their teams in all records related to the selection and Tupelo Police Department vehicle was Chief of Tupelo Police Department prayer or participate in student prayers. display of the quotes on the district’s featured in a recent advertisement for Bart Aguirre to issue a complaint On May 31, FFRF Senior Counsel walls, FFRF found that a significant the Word of Life Church. The ad fea- about department property being Patrick Elliott wrote to Superintendent portion of the quotes on display were tured Pastor Tommy Galloway exiting used in a religious advertisement. of McDowell Country Schools Nelson not only unconstitutionally endorsing a department vehicle, then quoting On June 8, City Attorney Ben Spencer to register a complaint against religion, but also fallacious. the bible as a “warning” to viewers Logan wrote to notify FFRF that Mount View High School football coach FFRF Associate Counsel Sam Gro- that “the wages of sin is death, but the the television advertisement for Larry Thompson, who led his team in ver wrote to Mt. Vernon Independent gift of God is eternal life through Je- Word of Life Church that used a prayer at a team meal this past fall prior School District Superintendent John sus.” He advertised the Word of Life Tupelo Police Department vehicle to the homecoming football game. Kaufman, requesting that the district broadcast as a way to “find out more was “pulled from the air as of Dec. On June 6, Spencer replied, assur- remove the quotes. Courts have time about this free gift.” 12, 2017.” ing FFRF that actions have been taken and again held that public schools may to correct the constitutional violation. not endorse religious messages — in- Spencer reported that “all country prin- cluding texts taken from the bible. cipals will be scheduled for a profes- The original complainant informed Ohio city moves cross of the district inappropriately advanc- sional development session on district Grover that a new superintendent who ing religion. A concerned district par- adherence to the constitutional expec- was hired soon after FFRF sent its 2015 off city property ent reported to FFRF that free back- tations of separation between state and letter to the district quietly removed At FFRF’s behest, the city of Cam- packs containing supplies and a copy church,” in addition to a meeting “with the religious quotes over the summer bridge, Ohio, has moved a Christian of the bible were being distributed at the coach in question and the principal of 2016. cross off of city property. On Aug. 11, Gibson Elementary School. Addition- at Mount View High School to discuss FFRF is thrilled that this assault on 2017, FFRF Legal Fellow Christopher ally, FFRF was informed that some [FFRF’s] letter and review the district’s the right of conscience of Mt. Vernon Line wrote to Cambridge Mayor Thom- teachers had been promoting their expectations for endorsing or promo- students has been rectified. as Orr to request that a Christian cross be religious beliefs in the classroom. tion of religion by its staff.” “We don’t always know the full extent moved off city property. The cross also On June 11, Nelson responded to of our impact, but it is vast,” says Grover. included an image that appeared to be FFRF’s complaint, confirming that FFRF gets Florida school two hands joined in prayer. FFRF wrote the backpacks distributed to stu- to address violation Bible removed from to remind Orr that the display of a cross dents did contain bibles and were school office in N.C. on public property is unconstitutional. packed by a local church. Nelson FFRF has ensured that a Florida pub- On June 19, William Ferguson, law assured FFRF that school district ad- lic school will not continue to distribute FFRF reminded Wayne Country director for Cambridge, wrote to FFRF ministration “will make certain that bibles to students. Public Schools that the Establishment to confirm that the cross had been any future donors of backpacks and FFRF attorney Andrew Seidel wrote Clause prohibits public schools from removed. supplies are aware they must not in- on Sept. 1, 2017, to Richard Shirley, su- promoting the Christian bible or tak- clude bibles or any other religious perintendent of Sumter County School ing any action that encourages stu- Texas school stops literature.” Additionally, the district District in Bushnell, Fla., regarding an dents to read the bible. bible distribution will remind employees that religious incident which occurred on Oct. 19, On Nov. 28, 2017, FFRF Senior “statements cannot be made or ad- 2016, at Bushnell Elementary School. Counsel Patrick Elliott wrote to Dr. vanced by school personnel.” During said incident, outside adults Michael Dunsmore, superintendent were invited into a fifth-grade gym class, of Wayne County Public Schools in FFRF stops evangelizing at which time the students were lined Goldsboro, N.C., to issue a complaint Missouri baseball coach up against the wall and presented with regarding a bible on display on public bibles. school grounds. A parent of a student On May 30, FFRF Robert G. Inger- A Jewish student, who declined the at Rosewood Elementary school noti- soll Legal Fellow Colin E. McNamara bible, was subjected to severe bullying fied FFRF that the school was promi- wrote to Aaron Zalis, superintendent by her Christian classmates as a result of nently displaying a bible in the main of Rolla Public Schools in Rolla, Mo., the incident. Ultimately, the bullying re- office of the school where students to issue a complaint against Mar- sulted in the student leaving the school. and any visitors to the office could see FFRF has put a stop to a Texas ty Hauck, coach of the Rolla High The Sumter County School District’s it. school district’s illegal distribution School baseball team. Hauck used inability to follow the law caused this On June 7, legal representatives for of bibles. On June 6, FFRF Associate his position as head coach to pro- young girl and her family serious finan- the district, Richard Schwartz and Lau- Council Sam Grover wrote to Brian mote his religion to his players, and cial and emotional distress. ra Crumpler, wrote to FFRF to relate Nelson, general counsel for Corpus admitted to praying with the team On June 19, Shirley responded to that “the superintendent has inquired Christi Independent School District before every game. While Hauck has FFRF’s complaint, saying the district is about the practice and assures us it has in Corpus Christi, Texas, to register a since stepped down as coach of the “working to be sure any such potential ceased” and “will not be repeated.” complaint regarding several instances baseball team, FFRF wrote to ensure matters are corrected.” CRANKMAIL Here is our latest installment of mail we re- me its like reading future news, and anyone who obvious but aggregious that the godless in God is inside!: Your project trying to tear ceive that isn’t on the high end of the intelligence tries to doubt these prophecies are very dis- the name of ‘free thought’ seek to dictate the apart communities, trying to take our faith from spectrum, printed as received. honest and has probably evolved into a jackass thoughts and print of others. Where does ffrf us, doesn’t put a damper on our beliefs. God is Your religion: Evolution is Your religion, you and dont have a clue as to whats happening in get off telling anyone, whether gov’t or cviliaan within us. He knows our needs. No matter how believe you came from evolution, everyone else the world today. So how come the christian bi- what or when they can speak or put in print? much you push communities around with your believe they came from their God. Your god is ble knows so much about the future, even you Hypocrites to the enth degree! Pay attention as authoritative ways, you will not take God away evolution, because you put your faith and belief athiests are mentioned in the bible thousands of Creator of heaven and earth makes storms on from us. in evolution, just like all other religions who put years before you evolve from ape to Atheist and the sun, shaking the foundations of the earth You don’t want to pray? Then don’t. No one their their faith and belief in their God, you are its not good news for you. Maybe there is a God with earthqukes, causing volcanoes to erupt is forcing you to pray. Cause you my friend in our no different. Every religion thinks that theirs is after all, the Intelligent designer. — Peter Mollah with hot rocks and fire. Sending storms, floods, community are very much a minority. God knows right, just like you think yours is. Now every oth- No more atheism: “Science Falsifies Athe- wind, and hail to punish the wicked and godless. who is faithful and who will be richly rewarded in er religion knows there are two planes the natu- ism”. The creator & supreme ruler God is what If you do not want salvation that is your busi- Heaven. That’s all I need. Good luck to the peo- ral and the spiritual. but you believe that every- scientists call the laws of nature & forces of phys- ness, but those who thwart others the LORD him- ple of this foundation. We pray for our enemies thing came by natural selection and there is no ics. From launching the big bang creation and self will thwart. ‘Why do the heathen rage, and and those who persecute us. Why? Because God God in that process. But let me ask you about the orchestrating Darwinian evolution, to sustain- the people imagine a vain thing? Taking counsel is love! Therefore we must love others. We will christian bible, there are prophecies in the bi- ing & governing the cosmos, the laws of nature together against the LORD and his anointed. He not be shaken. It’s too late, God is inside! — Kim- ble that was prophesied thousands of years ago calibrate the reality that the forces of physics that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh, the LORD berly Meyers about things that are taking place today as we achieve to actualize all past, present & future re- shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak Crazy: Hi y’all crazy for thinkin the way you speak with accuracy they are happening right ality itself, RIP atheism. — Roedy Green to them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore dis- do lmao you think the world just popped outta in front of our eyes. These prophecies facinates Re:Free Thought: It has become not only pleasure.’ — Anton Jackson nowhere k bye — Blake Pottsfield Jr. Page 14 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | August 2018 FFRF awards $13,000 2018 Essay Contest for High School Students

The Freedom From Religion Foundation is proud to announce the It takes a village numerous winners of the 2018 William Schulz High School Essay Contest. to grade essays FFRF has offered essay competitions to college students since 1979, high The number of entries in school students since 1994 and graduate FFRF’s 2018 William J. Schulz students since 2010. Memorial High School Essay High school seniors were asked to Contest was the largest ever, write a personal persuasive essay based with more than 250 students on this prompt: “Why I believe ‘They submitting essays. who live on love and laughter, don’t To judge them all in a timely mess around with the hereafter.’” The manner and put together our list slightly irreverent lyricist Yip (“Over the of winners and honorable men- Rainbow”) Harburg wrote the above line. Matthew Bergosh, ($600) Maddy Malik, Vanderbilt University tions required a lot of human After carefully reviewing more than Sam Mathisson, University of Benjamin Manzo, Ashland University capital. 250 essays, FFRF awarded 10 top prizes Michigan ($600) Haven Morris, Armed Forces in FFRF would like to thank Lisa and 14 honorable mentions. Sixth place (tie) Germany Treu, FFRF’s director of first im- Winners are listed below and include Trevor Jansen, University of Jonathan Obeda, University of pressions, for the huge task of the award amount and the college or Maryland, Baltimore County ($500) California-Riverside organizing the volunteer readers university they will be attending. FFRF Alden Lecroy, Clemson University John West, University of Minnesota and collating the results so that has paid out a total of $13,000 in award ($500) The high school contest is named for we could better make our final money for this contest this year. Seventh place the late William J. Schulz, a Wisconsin decisions. FFRF also thanks our Ariana Menjivar, Montgomery member who died at 57. He was a volunteer readers who came in on First place College ($400) mechanical engineer and cared deeply their own time and graded each Anh Quoc Nguyen, University of Honorable mentions ($200 each) about FFRF’s work, leaving a bequest that of the essays. They are Don Ardell, Texas ($3,000) Fatima Bartel, Ramapo College funds the award. Linda Aten, Jeff Brinckman, Linda Second place Nick Bellizzi, University of Illinois FFRF also thanks Dean and Dorea Josheff, Dan Kettner, Sue Schuetz Sarah Almstrom, University of Meghan Cashell, University of Schramm of Florida for providing a $100 and Karen Lee Weidig. FFRF staff- Massachusetts ($2,000) Missouri bonus to students who are members ers and interns who contributed Third place Haidee Clauer, Pomona College of a secular student club or the Secular to the judging were Luke Chan- Andreanna Papatheodorou, Bryn Amber Cocchiola, Kent State Student Alliance. The total of $13,000 get, Bill Dunn, Molly Hanson, Amit Mawr College ($1,000) University reflects those bonuses. Pal, Lauryn Seering and Kati Treu. Fourth place (tie) Amber Fehrs, Brown University The students of color essay winners Final decisions of award winners Mackenzie Brown, Arizona State Kenneth Gonzalez Santibanez, will be announced in the September issue, were made by FFRF Co-Presi- University ($750) Princeton University the college student essay winners will be dents Annie Laurie Gaylor and Aisha Galdo, University of Florida Mitchell Griffin, University of Iowa announced in the October issue and the Dan Barker and Freethought To- ($750) Damon W. Jordan, Ohio State grad student essays will be announced in day Editor PJ Slinger. Fifth place (tie) University the November issue. FIRST PLACE struggles of those around me while failing to pull them out of their hardships. The government covers its negligence with the promise of a heaven to ease the worry of A present for the future the poor. But only through the true rejec- FFRF awarded Anh $3,000. During Mass, children starved for the tion of religion can people cast away their weekly bread offering while the parents limitations and begin to take control of By Anh Quoc Nguyen traded their sorrows for moral righteous- their lives. ness. Faith, belief and love all ended with The world is unfair, so we must learn eaven towers above and hell lies be- families going home empty-handed. Ev- to make it fair, not hide away its flaws with low, so where do we stand? Are we ery prayer whispered from my friends religion’s impractical promises. Hjust the middle ground, an insignif- and relatives for relief from suffering One world, one life, one chance. This icant moment in time, that precedes the floated among the silence of the stars. is all we have. We came into this world everlasting peace of heaven or the eternal We solaced ourselves with the thought by chance, but that does not mean we punishment of hell? I stared up at the of an afterlife, but I always knew that do not have a responsibility to uphold. blinking stars, hoping that the god I read these prayers would never come to light. We need to help this world — our world. about would share his answer with me. Days turned to weeks, then months, then Humanity’s future depends on how we Silence. years, but my village still sat forgotten by Anh Quoc Nguyen choose to act in the now. Heaven and hell The stars continued to blink. the government. People trapped within might not exist after our death, but our If I were to describe the universe in their own beliefs of heaven lost the moti- know. No matter what happens, its effects children’s future will continue on along one word, it would be apathetic. Grow- vation for the present. Slowly, the people will come circling back to us. Choosing to with the stars. ing up within the deep jungle of Viet- withered away along with the village. only see the afterlife equates to saying that Anh, 18, graduated from Jersey Village nam, I never heard the church bell I have no hope for religion and its we have already given up on this world. High School in Houston. He was born on echo through our village. Not because promises because believing in such things However, I choose to see the current reali- a cashew farm in Vietnam and moved to we lacked a church; we just could not fails to fix the problems at hand. Our ty, and it desperately reaches out for help. the United States when he was 8. He plans afford a church bell. Poverty ravaged world is not simply just a middle ground Every day, people across the globe suffer to major at the University of Texas in me- my village, yet people swarmed to the for heaven and hell. This planet and just like the people in my village. Holding chanical engineering with an emphasis on church doors every Sunday morning. its opportunities are all that we will ever onto the hope of an afterlife belittles the fluid dynamics and thermodynamics. SECOND PLACE pecially when used on my own family, in particular when a therapist told my sister that she would see a loved one again, that she only need wait until she died. Beyond A better place the irresponsible nature of telling this to a young girl with depression, the presump- FFRF awarded Sarah $2,000. absolute figure, who, without informing tion of her statement angered me most. me, had decided the entirety of my life. How anyone could understand the de- By Sarah Almstrom The most unappealing of these ideas tails of death and its permanence escapes to me, however, is the afterlife as a desired me, and for anyone to pretend they do y grandmother, a deeply religious destination. As a child, I heard countless feels hubristic. Almost all civilizations woman, always comforted me times that the deceased live in a “better” have created their own ideal afterlife, Mwhen I felt stressed. place, an odd description, I would think, each characterized by the deliverance of Angels, she would explain, watch me for a wooden box in the ground. I disliked greater justice, eternal rapture, and, of constantly, and God has plans for me that the euphemistic, light manner in which course, auspicious invention. But, simply I do not understand. Perhaps others find the phrase hides a much darker truth: because an individual chooses one belief solace in these beliefs, but I did not. I felt that people die when they shouldn’t and uneasy at the thought of this omniscient, we are left alone to grieve. I disliked it es- See Almstrom on page 15 Sarah Almstrom August 2018 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 15

SECOND PLACE - Alstrom Continued from page 14 over another does not make that belief fictional intentions and have no real The poor starved and suffered in silence, one we have. correct. bearing on a debate of the afterlife. wasting their real lives to gain a fictitious Sarah, 18, attended Wachusett Regional Troubling inconsistencies exist in Consoling the hungry with promis- one. They, and many others, fail to realize High School in Holden, Mass., and will be every ideology. If God creates grief, as es of food in heaven, sending prayers to that the afterlife is not the betterment of attending the University of Massachusetts, many argue, only so we understand joy, families instead of aid, and more imagi- life, it is the ending. We exist in the only where she hopes to obtain a degree in in- then what interest should I have in a nary charity prevents us from moving “better place” now, and creating a just, ternational relations and politics. She is a place with no misery, only happiness? forward, from taking actual steps to solve kind and benevolent world is our own member of the National Honors Society, as The idea is contradictory at best, insulting real, human problems. Perhaps the best responsibility. well as the Spanish and Music Honors soci- at worst. Any attempt to understand the example of this was the Indian caste sys- Conformity to religious laws and eties. For two years she was the captain of the endless paradoxes of mythology is inane; tem, where reincarnation depended on beliefs doesn’t guarantee an improved mock trial team and the editor of her school the intentions of a fictional god are still an individual accepting his or her fate. life later — it simply worsens the only newspaper.

THIRD PLACE Freedom from the orthodox

FFRF awarded Andreanna $1,000. years at Catholic school, explained that I faster for others. We don’t know how should understand that for people who much we have in our jar. It’s up to us By Andreanna Papatheodorou really believe, hearing that someone to enjoy it fully, to live deliberately, and doesn’t believe is like seeing them in to savor it all. It’s fleeting, and it’s all we he incense stung my eyes. It was front of an oncoming truck. It was their have. pitch black. A man with a long job to get them off the road, or at least I am devoted to social justice. I’ve Tbeard droned on in a language I to warn them. I asked my crush if he helped organize parades and I’ve spo- don’t speak. I fought to stay awake. Next thought I was going to hell. He said yes. I ken at rallies. I’ve handed out lunches to me, my brother poked me and tried cried the whole way home. and helped undocumented men orga- to start some kind of game. My father But it didn’t change my convictions. nize flu shot clinics. Not because I’m hushed us. I understand the historical and evo- afraid I’ll get licked by flames for eternity I really hated Easter at Greek Church. lutionary benefits of organized religion. if I don’t, but because I want to be a force Andreanna Papatheodorou I don’t know if it was in this tenebrous We needed explanations, and so we in- for good. Our world is flawed, imper- drudgery that I discovered I was an athe- vented thunder gods and virgin births. fect, but exquisitely filled with hope and joyous, pushy, hopeful part of that, for as ist, or when my mother’s meditations to All well and good. But we have science possibility. Each of us craft it anew each long as I’ve got. the full moon failed to rouse an interest now, and tools of discovery. No, every- day, but only if we accept the responsi- Andreanna, 18, attended Leonia High in me. All I know is that at 10 years old, thing isn’t perfect, but we’re in a new bility that we are all there is. There is no School in Leonia, N.J. She is trilingual, hav- I decided I would tell the kids at school phase now, and as declining church at- magic chant, no bearded guy in the sky, ing a mother born in Spain and a father from what I’d learned about myself. Some fur- tendance proves, the era of faith is mov- no afterlife where we’ll be rewarded or Cyprus. She has played soccer for the past 14 rowed their brows at me. A boy I had a ing slowly behind us. punished. This is it, here, now, with its years and otherwise volunteers and advocates crush on, the son of a local pastor, gave I don’t mess around with the here- dragonflies and its injustices, its sunflow- for the rights of others, with a majority of that me links to Christian rock songs on You- after. I am brightly, keenly, sometimes ers and its travel bans. work focused on bettering the lives of undoc- Tube. He told me he would pray for me. painfully aware that, like water pouring This is all we have. Today is the day umented immigrants. She will be attending My mom, a veteran of some unhappy from a jar, life ebbs away, slowly for some, to start making it better. I intend to be a Bryn Mawr College.

FOURTH PLACE (tie) If I believed in God or a higher pow- er, it might have been easier to deal with my illness, to think that it was all Time not lost part of a bigger plan. But that would not be real. My illness has made me re- FFRF awarded Mackenzie $750. alize that life is painfully short. There is get to the end of their lives, it seems no time to waste, you can live life freely, By Mackenzie Brown they would want to feel fulfilled, not or you can miss out. left wondering what could have been. I cannot claim to know the meaning s cliched as it sounds, you real- Religion, for many people, is a way of of life. I do not know what happens ly do “only live once.” Everyone avoiding the regrets, because, after all, after death. I do know that I do not A is handed one chance to live, to they can just experience everything in want to die without having lived to the make choices, and to experience what heaven. The harsh truth, though, is that best of my ability. This world matters they want. The reason that life itself is there is no heaven, and there will be no because, while it’s not all sunshine and meaningful is because only one life ex- more time left to experience anything. rainbows, it’s still all we have got. So, ists. The idea of an afterlife makes the The way to making life mean something here’s another cliche: Live like today is meaning of life less, well, meaningful. is to know that what we are doing now your last day (with no afterlife). Religion offers this picture-perfect ex- is what matters. You only get so many Mackenzie Brown Mackenzie, 17, attended Highland High perience after death, but it is more of a shots, so you have to make them count, School in Gilbert, Ariz., during which time false comfort than a reality. Heaven is a because in the “afterlife” there are no nal illness wing. She tells me that was the she put in hundreds of hours of volunteer way to cope with death, but all it actually hoops to shoot through. moment she stopped believing in reli- work. She will be attending Arizona State does is lessen the value of life while alive. My mother used to go to church. But gion. That story has always stuck with me University and is already part of ASU’s Next When people are asked about what then I was diagnosed with a life-long ill- since so many people walk down those Generation Service Corps. She plans to ma- they regret, their answers usually in- ness. And when I was in the hospital for halls and still go to church and believe jor in kinesiology and to become an occupa- volve the things they did not do, rather this illness at the age of 3, my mother in God. I reject religion for the same rea- tional therapist who works with people with than the things they did. When people found her way into the children’s termi- son she did. disabilities.

FOURTH PLACE (tie) Building our own paradise FFRF awarded Aisha $750. countered through many religious texts, heads down and their hands working. Aisha Galdo such as in the New Testament, “Blessed As a woman of color, this promotion are the meek: for they shall inherit the of passivity in the face of oppression of- earth” (Matthew 5:5). It tells us that we fends me to my core. Even though I am he idea that there is a blissful eter- should never stand up for ourselves or young, I know that I will face significant nity waiting for us after death is others, and just let the figures of author- challenges in my career and personal life Tan enticing one. It tells us that if ity, whether they be religious or not, run due to my gender and heritage. I will nev- we wait long enough and go through our lives. It is this very verse that slave er be able to stay idle if I wish to succeed; the motions long enough, we will be owners read to their slaves to keep them there is nothing for me to inherit from rewarded for an empty existence. This complacent; promise them an idyllic life encouragement of passivity can be en- after this one, as long as they keep their See Galdo on page 16 Aisha Galdo Page 16 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | August 2018

FOURTH PLACE (tie) - Galdo Continued from page 15

the earth if I am meek. Throughout his- The price of heaven has always been reach paradise is if we build one right made itself known to us. tory, my people have never inherited any- about keeping others down. The power- here, in this world. Only through fight- Aisha, 18, attended Miami Beach Senior thing from this earth that was not sown ful tell the weak not to fight back or else ing back against this inequality and em- High School in Miami Beach, Fla. She was by our ancestors’ spilled blood and sweat. they’ll lose the promise of heaven. The powering our brothers and sisters can we adopted from an indigenous Chinese tribe, This world is the only one I have, and weak tell their brothers and sisters not hope to one day live in the place that was which led her to do activist work for indige- even if there was a paradise after this exis- to fight back or else they’ll lose what lit- promised to us. nous rights. She is an active member of Am- tence, it was never meant for people like tle they have. I cannot fathom why they This world is the only one we can nesty International and a founding member me. It was never meant for people like us. would believe this. The same people who have now, the only world worth fight- of the chapter at her high school. She will be Heaven has never been for anyone except filled us with these promises are the ones ing for. We cannot wait for a paradise to attending the University of Florida, where those who had it so much better than ev- who pillaged our villages, stole our be- make itself shown to us, we must make she wishes to major in mechanical engineer- eryone else that others could only fanta- longings and ripped apart our families. it ourselves. The meek shall inherit ing. Aisha hopes to attend law school in the size about a paradise half as good as theirs. The only way we will ever be able to this earth, the only earth that has ever future.

FIFTH PLACE (tie) The beautiful game FFRF awarded Matthew $600. foundly changed my life: You don’t I was young. By refusing it, I clear my know you’re sleeping, so why would mind for logic and critical thinking, By Matthew Bergosh death be any worse? And then the re- which I would much prefer over com- alizations kept coming: Don’t be nice fort and faith. Second, there is far too rowing up, I never gave religion for a potential reward after death, much suffering in this world for there a second thought. Even though be nice because it feels nice. Don’t to be a good God, and if God is not GI attended a religious preschool spend a second of your time thinking good, why believe? Third, too much of (for economic reasons), religion was of death, because that’s a second you this anguish is in the name of religion never more than a fairy tale to me. wasted from life. Help people in this for me to find it attractive. It was Santa giving every single kid life, don’t tell yourself they’ll be re- I live my life as if it was a soccer on Earth a present on Christmas, the warded in the next. game: I’m on the clock from begin- Easter Bunny going around and hid- I also noticed that people rely on ning to end (with a break in the mid- ing treats for us, and Jesus breaking religion for strength and they looked dle for my mid­life crisis), fully enjoy- bread and fish into enough pieces to down on my lack of faith as if it were ing every moment because I never feed everyone. Noah’s Ark was a nice a handicap. But I finally understood know when the game ends for me. coloring book scene, and the Nativity that I was the stronger one because I Matthew, 18, attended Vilsech High was a fun story to enact, but that’s all “manage” to be a good person without School at APO, AE in Germany. After mov- it was. A story for those that couldn’t the threat of eternal torture. ing numerous times because of his father’s accept death. That’s what atheism means to me: military career, he and his family settled in I struggled accepting death, too. strength, wisdom and freedom. I de- Matthew Bergosh Germany. Because his mother in German, It’s kept me awake and brought me nounce religion and accept the cold, Matthew is a dual citizen legally, linguis- to tears on many a night when I was uncaring universe. I choose to focus elaborate, I reject religion for several tically and culturally. He will be attending young. But then I had an epiphany, on this life with wisdom and enjoy the reasons. First, I simply do not believe. the University of Southern California in and it may seem small, but it pro- freedom that this choice grants. To That seed was not planted in me when the fall.

FIFTH PLACE (tie) A strange day in kindergarten

FFRF awarded Sam $600. with it then and I still don’t. pearly gates is repent on your death- As a kindergartener, I only knew bed, why live a virtuous life? People By Sam Mathisson what my own family thought — and believe God can forgive their trans- so did Liz. Since then, I’ve had time gressions, but God’s forgiveness is a can only remember getting in trou- to develop my own views. I’ve spent false forgiveness. ble once in kindergarten. That years studying history and learning We, not religion, must provide I spring, my grandma had died. I the impact that religion has had on comfort to those around us. We have was too young to process it proper- our world. Religion is depicted as a a responsibility to each other — to ly, but I knew I would never see her comforting blanket, meant to con- our families, our communities and again. When I returned to kindergar- sole us when our grandmothers die. the human race. And even to our ten, the girl sitting next to me asked Reflecting on that day in kinder- classmates, however misguided they where I had been. garten, I saw the truth: Religion di- may be. “My grandma died,” I told her mat- vides people. It breeds conflict. And Sam Mathisson, 18, attended Rye ter-of-factly. Elizabeth was horrified. it causes rifts in even the smallest of High School in Rye, N.Y., with his twin She shrieked, “You can’t say died! You communities. brother (David). He enjoys writing and have to say ‘passed on,’ because peo- It would have been easier if I had often contributed to the school newspaper ple’s souls go to heaven, and we get to apologized. It would have been easier and literary magazine. He was captain of Sam Mathisson see them again.” to say “passed on.” It would have been his school’s cross country team and has “That’s not true,” I remember say- easier to have a belief that God will participated in cross country and track and as an English and history tutor. Sam ing forcefully. Elizabeth started crying. provide, to believe that everything is (mainly pole vaulting) for four years. He’s will be going to the University of Michi- This attracted the attention of my meant to happen. But I don’t believe. worked at a bike shop, a summer camp, gan with the goal of majoring in history. teacher, who asked what was wrong. I don’t have faith. Religion has been After Elizabeth tearfully explained a destructive force for too long, and I what happened, the teacher pulled me won’t be a part of it. Yip Harburg, aside. Religion prevents people from ad- from his book: “Honey, I’m very sorry about your dressing the world’s problems today Rhymes for the Irreverent grandma. But you can’t go around by shifting the focus to an eternal saying people died, and that there tomorrow. This perpetual focus on isn’t a heaven. It upsets the other the afterlife detracts from the imme- Life is liveable kids. Now go apologize to Elizabeth, diacy of today. It makes our life and They who live on love and laughter and then you can play with blocks.” the work we do on Earth seem in- I refused to apologize, and the consequential. This results in a type Don’t mess around with the hereafter. teacher just put us on opposite sides of global apathy. Missionaries focus of the room. on saving souls rather than saving It would have been easier if I had lives. It doesn’t matter if their flock Published by the Freedom From Religion Foundation apologized to Liz. The teacher would dies from preventable causes; their Buy it from FFRF online - shop.ffrf.org have smiled and Liz would’ve stopped blessed souls will still go to heaven. glaring at me. But I didn’t go along And if all you must do to reach the August 2018 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 17

SIXTH PLACE (tie) The real reason you should be op- posed to the presented idea of an after- life is the damage such an idea causes. By trivializing death to the point where Enjoy life, go to hell being dead is actually (supposedly) bet- ter than living, you create a mindset FFRF awarded Trevor $500. ligious texts that ensure only the “right” where believers have no reason to care people get to be happy when they die. for their health or happiness on Earth. By Trevor Jansen No gays, heathens, bastards, blasphem- With the promise of heaven in front and ers, freethinkers or mixed-fabric wearers the threat of hell behind them, people he afterlife is truly the perfect car- are getting into the Christian heaven. will make themselves miserable by de- rot on the proverbial stick for any Obviously, they get to suffer eternal tor- nying sexual urges, accepting primitive Treligion. It promises pleasure and ment in the pits of hell, but only because conditions, abstaining from pleasurable happiness beyond anything attainable God loves them. activities, and even killing and dying for on Earth, guarantees that those who Noticing these stipulations was a big a meaningless cause. Cults like Heaven’s believe in it will do whatever it takes to wake-up call to me, and should be to Gate and The People’s Temple get all get there, and, best of all, it cannot be others as well. Why does God punish the bad press for convincing their mem- Trevor Jansen refuted or shown to be less than what homosexuality when he created it? Why bers to die to reach heaven, when Chris- was promised since it only comes after did God give us free will, but sends us tianity and Islam do the same thing on a all the religious people are in heaven, death. The afterlife is how every busi- to hell when we decide to question him? much larger scale. I’d much rather go to hell. ness wishes it could reward its employ- What happens to people who worship Promising an afterlife encourages Trevor, 18, attended La Plata High School ees — an empty promise they have no different religions and don’t even know people to ignore the life they already in La Plata, Md. Trevor also enjoys travel, as obligation to keep in exchange for a life- Abrahamic religions exist? Ask these have in pursuit of some goal that is al- he has been all over the United States, as well time of loyalty. questions of any religious practitioner ways just out of reach. Being pious and as France, England and Spain. He will be The intrinsic problem with the and you will no doubt hear a litany of reaching heaven is antithetical to living attending the University of Maryland - Balti- promise of an afterlife is the fine print. their characteristic mental gymnastics your real life to its fullest and experienc- more County, where he plans to study biology There’s plenty of extra conditions in re- and cop-out answers. ing everything it has to offer. Frankly, if and hopes to become a pathologist. SIXTH PLACE (tie) Life, death and Jehovah’s Witnesses

FFRF awarded Alden $500. in playing piano. I find that it is the only tune on the donor. Proponents of this thing that can tie my hectic life together. practice promise “hundred-fold returns” By Alden Lecroy I do not reject religion because I dis- on donations. Donors often expect mir- like going to church on Sunday. Nor acles to happen to themselves or loved nly two things are certain in this do I reject it so I can sin without conse- ones. Religious snake oil salesmen may life: death and Jehovah’s Witness- quence. I reject religion for one simple then spend seed money on lavish private Oes showing up at your door. They reason: There is no proof. I believe that jets and opulent mansions. All the while, come with their promises of fellowship, evidence is the way in which truth is dis- devoted followers choose to seed money eternal paradise — and an endless sup- covered. It strikes me that so many peo- instead of paying for chemotherapy, rent ply of magazines. And while all of these ple can so adamantly believe in a higher or medicine. things may seem desirable to some, power without the slightest morsel of The idea of an afterlife is one that something just does not add up. I have verifiable data. If such a large percentage religions constantly exploit in order to found that if something seems too good of people accept outrageous religious control the followers of religious ideolo- to be true, it usually is. The idea of an teachings, such as talking snakes and tre- gies. If people realized that our religious afterlife is no exception. mendous floods, what are we teaching leaders promised an impossible product, Sigmund Freud believed that reli- the younger generations? Are we effec- this world would be a much more en- gions were created as a form of wish tively suspending the faculties of critical lightened place. fulfillment. The idea of an afterlife is Alden Lecroy thinking? Are we making the world a Alden, 18, graduated from Seneca especially indicative of this idea. We all more gullible place? High School in Seneca, S.C. He enjoys want to think that we have a nice, warm is meant to be spent fulfilling personal But it’s more than that. Many people’s playing piano, practicing martial arts, paradise waiting for us after we die. This goals and doing the things that produce lives are negatively affected by religion. cooking and learning French. He has won idea, however, only serves to steal pres- happiness. There are too many idyl- One of the more deplorable religious three grand championships at interna- ent joy. After all, how can we enjoy this lic, cascading waterfalls and decadent practices of late is seed faith. In many tional martial arts tournaments. Alden life if we’re too obsessed with where chocolate desserts to worry about divine mega-churches these days, religious will be attending Clemson University in we’re going after it? Life is much too rich judgement and eternal Armageddon. leaders ask followers for donations, or the fall, with plans to get a degree in me- to spend memorizing bible passages and But why don’t I mess around with the “seeds.” The religious leader then “sows” chanical engineering and eventually be- praying to an absent deity. To me, life hereafter? Personally, I find satisfaction the seed; he or she asks god to bring for- come a petroleum engineer. SEVENTH PLACE You might go to hell, Ariana

FFRF awarded Ariana $400. along with the inability to understand the possibility of burning in hell. Religion the answers given to me in response to seemed too much like a scare tactic. By Ariana Menjivar the questions I conceived about religion, I became an atheist because I got tired bred anger in me and tore my young of trying to abide to principles I didn’t hen I was 4, my mom introduced mind apart. agree with and pretending to believe in me to a man I couldn’t see. She Christians, Catholics, Muslims, etc., something I didn’t. I don’t live fearful of Wsaid his name was God and that all have their own beliefs about the “af- any possibility of what is beyond life be- he would always be present in times of terlife.” As a former Catholic, I was in- cause I no longer believe in any possibil- need. troduced to three options: Heaven, hell ity. I’m a morally adept being and this is When I was 13, I told my mom that I and purgatory. They were all equally ter- certainly not due to religion. I choose not didn’t believe in God anymore. She told rifying to me. Hell and purgatory were to live in fear of an uncertain or nonexis- me it was OK because I didn’t understand. terrifying for obvious reasons. Heaven tent life. I live for the now. I told her that she didn’t understand and just sounded too obnoxiously perfect. There is humility in admitting that that she would never understand. I didn’t want to live an eternal life in a you aren’t certain about life after death. When I was 17, my co-worker’s mother place that didn’t challenge me. We have a scientific understanding of said to me, “You might go to hell, Ariana; My former religion implanted the idea why we’re here. It’s in our best interests it’s sinful to reject the Lord.” I asked her that I was born solemnly of sin and that to create our own meaning to life. I have Ariana Menjivar why. She told me that it just was. I then following my birth, the entirety of my life one life, I want to do what feels right to said to her, “Well then, I guess I’m going would consist of sins. It also taught me me, and what will benefit me while I am been performing martial arts for 10 years and to hell.” It was a joke, but she got mad. that as long as I confessed my sins, wor- alive and well on Earth. Honestly, if you have been teaching it for four years. She enjoys To be blatantly honest, I never under- shipped God, and was a good human be- really think about it, in a sense we are all watching horror and sci-fi movies. Ariana will stood religion. To a certain extent I also ing; I could still go to heaven. I would of- atheists about any God we don’t follow. be attending Montgomery College in Rock- feared it; especially as a young child. The ten contemplate whether the only reason Ariana, 18, graduated from Watkins Mill ville, Md., and hopes to become a criminal mix of fear and the frustration I had, people want to be good in life is to avert High School in Gaithersburg, Md. She has investigator. Page 18 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | August 2018 FFRF student essay honorable mentions FFRF selected 14 essays from the By Damon W. Jordan By Maddy Malik High School in North Bergen, N.J. She will high school essay contest it deemed Humans have By clinging to the existence of an be attending Ramapo College in Mahwah, worthy of honorable mention status. already existed for afterlife, we often fail to seize every N.J., where she plans to major in business Each of the following students thousands of gener- chance to help others in our waking administration and management. received $200 from FFRF. ations, and it is high- lives. What purpose would it serve to To read each of the honorable ly unlikely that we help others to the fullest extent when a By Meghan Cashell mention essays in full, go to freethought- will cease any time simple prayer grants you access to rap- Despite the com- today.com. soon. Therefore, I ture in the hereafter? plete lack of evidence Here are edited excerpts from already have an af- The ability to “live on love and of a higher power, each one (in no particular order). terlife to look for- laughter” without the ulterior motive people still let their ward to: the lives of of reaching an afterlife is incredibly entire lives revolve By Haven Morris my sons and daugh- important to bettering this life while around what they The question ters. Our job while living on this planet we all still have the chance. must do to be proper of an afterlife, es- is to ensure our children can live on it, Maddy, 18, graduated from Ravenwood members of their re- pecially one with too, and our children’s children after High School in Brentwood, Tenn. She was ligion and make it to such stark dichoto- that. The reason we research science a member of the Science National Honor heaven. People sac- my between reward and technology is to improve the fu- Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Rho Kappa, Na- rifice many forms of and punishment, ture, not just the present. tional Honor Society and Spanish Honor happiness in order to meet the require- takes the place of a Damon, 17, graduated from Thomas Society. She will be attending Vanderbilt ments laid out by their respective faiths. conversation about Worthington High School in Worthing- University with the goal of eventually be- Living your whole life a certain way just intrinsic morality. ton, Ohio. He was a member of his school’s coming a physician. to “make it to heaven” is like spending Ultimately, to give marching band and gave free private lessons all your savings on a house that doesn’t a choice between to local elementary school students. Damon By John West exist. Life is not a waiting period before heaven, a gilded carrot hanging on will be attending Ohio State University and Only when life is the “big event,” it IS the big event. a sanctimonious string which guides hopes to become an English teacher. viewed as a fleeting Meghan, 18, attended Park Hill South someone to morality, or hell, a fiery oasis in the dark sea High School in Riverside, Mo. She will be stick clapped threateningly and eter- By Amber Fehrs of perpetual uncon- going to the University of Missouri, where she nally on an open palm, is not to give Religious dogma, sciousness does its plans to major in biology. She hopes to go to a choice at all. It is the authoritarian especially belief in true value become vet school after earning her bachelor’s degree. parent saying, “My way or the high- the idea of an af- overwhelmingly way.” It is a mobster offering a bribe terlife, encourages clear. It is unfor- By Nick Bellizzi or a set of cement galoshes. complacency. I do tunate that this is Death is an un- Haven, 17, attended Stuttgart High not want to be com- so often ignored. comfortable topic, School in Stuggart, Germany. She is a placent in my life. I When people forget and to reject reli- published poet and has lived on four con- want to have agen- the immense value of their own life, gion leaves people tinents. She plans to major in psychology cy, I want to work to how can they be expected to value the with a cold, nihilistic and minor in film at UC-Boulder. solve my own prob- lives of others? Whether you anticipate view of their cosmic lems, and I want to an afterlife or not, you must acknowl- role. However, just By Benjamin Manzo leave the world a better place than it edge that your current life is a certainty as nihilism can be I don’t quite was when I came into it. I reject reli- and any existence beyond that can only too easily conflated understand why a gion and its promise of an afterlife be- be speculation. with cynicism, it can guy (some would cause, where religion breeds compla- John, 18, attended Cambridge High also provide us with call him Satan) cency, atheism inspires action. School in Milton, Ga. John will be attend- comfort in knowing that we can choose who disagreed with Amber, 18, graduated as valedictorian ing the University of Minnesota with plans to spend our lives however we’d like. In God would be al- from Norfolk Senior High School in Norfolk, to major in microbiology. essence, concepts of the afterlife may lowed to rule hell, Neb. She will be attending Brown University be comforting to some, but too often is would be willing to and plans to double major in physics and By Kenneth Gonzalez Santbanez it used as a tactic to increase a follow- torture those who applied mathematics. Religion is hu- ing. Go to church? Great. Don’t attend? disobey God, and manity’s version of Have fun in an eternity of swimming in would still want to By Amber Cocchiola blinders, for devo- infernal fire pits. mount a holy war against heaven. I cannot imag- tee’s narrow pursuit Nick, 18, graduated from Harry D. Ja- Seems to me he would rather create ine living my life of heaven prevents cobs High School in Algonquin, Ill. He’ll be a sort of “sinner’s heaven” for those for death, yet those them from seeing attending the University of Illinois with the who disobeyed God rather than who wear religious Earth’s potential plan to major in computer science. He hopes punish them. Wouldn’t he want to blinders obsess over as paradise. When to become a theoretical computer scientist or reward those souls who thought the it. To them, this life meaning and signifi- software engineer. way he did? is simply a stepping cance are pushed to Benjamin, 18, graduated from Elyria stone to another life after death, hap- By Mitchell Griffin High School in Elyria, Ohio. He will be life. . . . One of the piness and worldly-improvement are Have you been attending Ashland University and is en- things that makes neglected in life before death. Atheists suffering from reli- rolled in the journalism and digital me- the world, and life, are the most motivated to make posi- giosity? If you have dia production program. His goal is to interesting is that it is made up of tive changes in this world because we experienced any of work as an editor on film and television moments — both good and bad. . . . believe that this is the only world we’ll the following symp- shows. If people took off their blinders, they ever get to experience. toms — delusions of could see everything they’ve experi- Kenneth, 17, graduated from Mesquite cosmic importance, By Haidee Clauer enced that led up to the moment they High School in Mesquite, Texas. He will be wishful thinking, Rather than are in. attending Princeton as an undergrad and speaking to deities, pretend that the Amber, 18, attended Bio-Med Science then plans to go to law school with the hope irrational dehuman- entropy, adversity, Academy in Rootstown, Ohio. She presented of someday becoming a federal district judge. ization of women, and issues around at Battelle Headquarters for the Governor’s or fixation on the afterlife — you may me will resolve Opioid Challenge and attended the Women By Fatima Bartel be suffering from this disease. I was so themselves in an in BioScience Conference in 2015. She will Death is a very worried about the next life that I was afterlife, I am driv- be attending Kent State University. important part of forgetting the value of the life I had en to use all of my life, yet the discus- right in front of me. But then I found abilities to make By Jonathan Obeda sion of it is extreme- Reality. It’s a new prescription drug this world a better As Emily Dickinson so eloquently ly stigmatized. No made by Secular Pharmaceuticals that place. Without a put it, “Forever is composed of nows.” one knows what let me live my best life. I was no longer constant need to maintain a perfect We as a society have lost sight of this happens after we consumed by worries about life after appearance in the spotlight, I work ideology, you cannot expect to look to- die, and so it is of- death or what God thought of me and to shine light on those overlooked ward the future without existing in the ten left up for inter- I was finally able to be my true self. All or unrewarded by society and use my moment. Life isn’t a contest, life isn’t a pretation by the liv- it took was a single dose of Reality and voice to advocate for others. race, and there is no prize at the end of ing. Many religions I was cured. The pills may be hard to Haidee, 18, attended Hyman Brand the journey. promote the “afterlife” as one of the swallow, but the results are worth it. Hebrew Academy in Overland Park, Kan. Jonathan, 18, attended the Los Angeles interpretations. Mitchell, 18, attended Treynor High She was her school’s newspaper editor, Center for Enriched Studies. He finished Instead of dreaming about a post- School in Treynor, Iowa. He will be going student council president, and four-time high school ranked sixth in California death scenario of paradise, people to the University of Iowa in the honors pro- actor in the annual play. She will be go- for parliamentary debate. He is seeking a should instead focus on making their gram. He plans to study political science ing to Pomona College, where she plans to degree in philosophy at the University of own lives a paradise. and journalism and hopes to someday be- study molecular biology and journalism. California-Riverside. Fatima, 18, graduated from High Tech come an investigative journalist. August 2018 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 19 LETTERBOX Thanks for scholarship, of the Bill of Rights? The motto was Nonreligious conversion changed when Republicans held all the support and kindness levers of power in the mid-1950s, and I would like to thank the anonymous Eisenhower signed it into law. I was 4 couple from the Northwest who pro- years old when the motto was changed, vided the money to make possible the so I don’t know whether anyone object- scholarship I received. Thanks to ev- ed at the time. eryone at FFRF for believing in me to Of course, with the current makeup award the $2,000 scholarship along with of Congress and the presidency, the the 2018 Thomas Jefferson Student Ac- motto will stay as it is . . . a violation of tivist Award. [See the June/July issue the Constitution. for his essay.] Jim Martin I cannot express the amount of ap- Florida preciation and gratefulness I have to- Editor's note: FFRF in 1994 sued to have ward FFRF. The organization provides "In God We Trust" removed from currency thousands of people a chance to safely and as the national motto. The lawsuit was resolve and/or pursue challenges of dismissed by a 10th Circuit federal judge state-church separation, allowing ordi- that same year. Michael Newdow has more nary citizens the opportunity to be pow- recently tried to challenge it in court. erful influencers in their local, state and federal governments. Here’s how to really Everyone deserves the right to be teach students the bible free from intrusions that poison our governments and communities with Andrew L. Seidel This is in regard to James Haught’s bias and hate. The power of the peo- FFRF’s Director of Strategic Response Andrew Seidel, while on vacation column in the June/July issue: “The ple rather than the forces of religion in Ireland, saw this former church that was converted into a post office. problem with teaching the bible in pub- should inspire the government. “Progress!” he noted. lic schools.” I hope you know that FFRF has made Why should teaching the bible in a profound impact on my life and will public schools be a problem? continue to do so. Thanks for all your Cemetery: All dressed also appear in the film, and both are If I taught a course on the bible, the help, support and kindness. shown to be contemptuous of religion first thing I’d remind my students is that Daniel Roe (pseudonym) up and no place to go as well. Elle Fanning was terrific as Mary God himself broke two of his own Ten Tennessee I just came across the “German Shelley, and the rest of the cast was fine. Commandments; namely, numbers sev- Liberal Cemetery” located in Medina, Can you guess what book Mary Shelley en and 10. Minn. It is listed on the website of the tries to get published at the end, with He caused Mary to become an adul- After-Life membership can city of Medina under “Community” and difficulty because of her gender? teress, without her consent. Further- be made here and now is apparently one of two remaining free- I highly recommend this film for my more, he not only coveted Joseph’s wife, thinker cemeteries in the state. From fellow heretics. but got her pregnant. With apologies to Lewis Carroll, now the brochure: “The Free Thinkers So- Dennis Middlebrooks Throughout my bible course, I’d is the time the Walrus said to speak of ciety was a movement that began in New York assign my students the task of finding many things, of ships and shoes and Germany during the 1840s as a protest passages in the “Good Book” in which After-Life. against the unquestioning acceptance biblical heroes would surely be tried I’m not seeking an afterlife, but I of authority of the church regarding re- Why is cake’s use even for crimes against humanity and child am seeking FFRF’s After-Life member- ligious truths.” Current cost of a plot is a relevant factor? abuse if they were living in today’s world. ship. As PZ Myers (not related) recently only $2,000. I would also ask them to fill their task said, “I’ll look forward when religion is Sybille Redmond I know it is a little late now, but I books with the bible’s inconsistencies treated as a hobby.” Minnesota still have to ask: How can it be OK for and contradictions. Troy Myers a baker, artist or not, to refuse to bake a And for extra credit, I’d ask them to Washington cake for a person who is gay, assuming find pornography in the bible. Not ro- Hubble book, Shelley one of the gay men offered to pay for mantic love, but pornography. Yes, it’s movie both worth a look it? Did the baker even know who would all right there in the “Good Book.” Louisiana state senator pay for it, since no one else involved in David Quintero is dangerous theocrat I just finished a biography by Gale E. the purchase matters? Why is it relevant California Christianson of the renowned 20th-cen- what the cake was for? Suppose they just In the May issue, there was an “In tury astronomer Edwin Hubble, whose liked his work and wanted to put it on the News” segment about “In God We discoveries revolutionized our under- a shelf somewhere? It was bought for a Kudos to Devin facing Trust” motto being placed in all Loui- standing of the universe (and for whom party; why is it any of the baker’s busi- up to school bullying siana schools. It quoted Louisiana state the Hubble Telescope is named). Al- ness that it was a wedding party, or a Sen. Regina Barrow trying to justify though raised a Christian, by the time wedding party for gay men? Neither the I just got my latest Freethought To- this by saying, “We have an obligation he attained fame at Mt. Wilson by discov- cake nor the baker actually participated day, and after reading the Strong Back- to ensure students have that introduc- ering many other galaxies beyond the in the wedding service and vows. They bone Student Activist Award essay by tion because we cannot always assume Milky Way and determining that these would have been married with or with- Devin Estes, I’m so touched by him. that it’s necessarily happening in the galaxies were receding from the Earth out his cake. How is it possibly conceiv- I can hardly believe that teachers home.” How incredibly arrogant! She’s at velocities in direct proportion to their able that any god would care what was bullied this brave young man! I feel assuming that the state has some kind distance, Hubble, along with his wife, done with a cake? Is it a sin for gay peo- very proud of him, and his parents, of right or duty to overrule parents who had become agnostic. When queried ple to eat cake? The cake would have for standing his ground; it is very choose a superstition-free upbringing about his religious view, Hubble said, been served after they were married, so difficult to do when being bullied by for their children. That is the attitude “We do not know why we are born into is this baker not going to serve anyone adults as well as other kids. Shame of a dangerous theocrat. the world, but we can try to find out what who is gay and married? How about gay, on those folks! With such strength Lee Helms sort of world it is — at least in its physi- but not married? How about bisexual? of character, and with the support of Michigan cal aspects.” On the topic of religion on How would he know? Would he require his parents, I’m sure he’ll go far. May another occasion, he discreetly noted, proof of not being gay for future cus- you be well and happy, Devin! “The whole thing is so much bigger than tomers? What if they agreed not to tell April Hall Sen. Rubio is violating I am, and I can’t understand it, so I just anyone who it was that baked the cake, Pennsylvania state-church separation trust myself to it; and forget about it.” so he wouldn’t be “shamed” by anyone? Edwin Powell Hubble is perhaps the Ron Herman I notice on Twitter that Florida Sen. greatest figure in astronomy since Galil- New Mexico Losing Faith in Faith: Marco Rubio often tweets bible quotes eo, and a great freethinker, as well. From Preacher to Atheist and praises his Christian God. Isn’t this On another topic, I also saw the a violation of the Constitution since it new film “Mary Shelley” and thought Can FFRF seek repeal By Dan Barker suggests that an American senator fa- it was very well done. It centered on of ‘In God We Trust’? How Dan “threw vors one religion over others and is en- Mary Shelley’s relationship with the out the bathwater gaged in proselytizing that religion? married poet Percy Byshe Shelley, who, Has FFRF ever sought repeal of our and discovered I also notice more and more often upon meeting her, boasts that he was current national motto: “In God We there is no baby there.” the network news programs do stories in expelled from Oxford due to his man- Trust” back to the original “E Pluribus which they suggest the power of prayer uscript “On The Necessity of Atheism.” Unum”? Who is “we” in the current Published by FFRF. is more popular and effective than it is. Mary is a kindred freethinking spirit motto? It certainly isn’t me or FFRF, Allan Provost and they soon become a scandalous I’m sure. It really rankles me when I Buy it from FFRF online Florida item. Lord Byron and Dr. Polidori (who see the motto on our currency. Is this shop.ff rf.org thought corpses could be reanimated) not a clear violation of the very first line Page 20 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | August 2018 BLACK COLLAR CRIME

Compiled by Bill Dunn at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Parish, Woodburn’s home, police said. A seized com- and needed a stress reliever.” An online video is accused of abuse of a former altar boy that puter allegedly had least 70,000 Skype chat purportedly showing the pastor having sex led allegedly started while he was pastor at St. Jo- messages between “windwalker” and others. to the charges. Source: WFTV, 5-2-18 seph’s Parish in Ft. Atkinson. The church website said he was among 60 Carlton L. Marks, 60, Henagar, AL: Theft of Arrested / Charged Nolan retired from full-time ministry in 2007. people worldwide selected for a counseling property. Marks, clerk/treasurer at Mt. Pisgah William E. Smith Jr., 48, Palmer, TN: At- A man, now 25, told police in April he had a enrichment program at Focus on the Family in Baptist Church until resigning last September, tempted rape of a child. Smith, pastor at Church “continuous sexual relationship” with Nolan 1991. Source: Detroit News, 5-9-18 is suspected of stealing over $200,000. Source: of God International, was found in a vehicle with from 2006-10. Joseph Cramer, 66, Gardner, KS: Theft of WAFF, 5-1-18 his pants down on top of a girl by deputies look- Police Chief Adrian Bump said there may be property greater than $25,000 and 2 counts of Jerry R. Newton, 54, Slidell, LA: Theft of ing for a stolen pickup in a wooded area, the more victims. “This is a delayed report of almost unlawful use of a computer to defraud or false- government funds. It’s alleged that Newton, complaint said. Deputies said Smith told them 13 years. Based off our interaction and working ly obtain money, property or services. Cramer pastor of Bogalusa Baptist Church, didn’t several times the girl was 18 but she later told closely with the victim, it was identified that a has resigned as pastor of Divine Mercy Cath- disclose to the Social Security Administration them she was 12. Source: WTVC, 6-1-18 concern that there may be other kids out there olic Parish. More than $40,000 is involved. A that he was employed as a pastor and owned Alfonzo Carter, 45, Chicago: Criminal sex- that were assaulted and that resulted in motivat- bail condition bars him from casinos. Source: 2 businesses when he applied for and re- ual assault. Carter, assistant pastor at Greater ing the complainant to come forward.” Source: KMBC, 5-9-18 ceived $95,316 in disability benefits. Source: First Baptist Missionary Baptist Church and fa- WMTV, 5-16-18 Meally M. Freeman, 55, Brooklyn Center, Times-Picayune, 4-27-18 ther of 8, is charged with seducing a 16-year-old Thomas W. Allen, 49, Abingdon, MD: 4 MN: 2 counts of criminal sexual conduct. Free- Philip Smith, 52, Lancaster, PA: Involun- girl from the church in April during counseling for counts of assault. Allen, rector of St. Mary’s man, pastor at Grace Mountaineer Tabernacle tary deviate sexual intercourse and aggravated problems she was having at school. Episcopal Church, is Church, is charged indecent assault of a person under 16 and 15 Prosecutor Jacqueline Marquardt said Car- accused of hitting his with assaulting a related offenses. Smith, a radio host for Chris- ter asked the girl if she was sexually active. wife in the face during 28-year-old woman tian station WJTL, is accused of assaults on a “When [she] told [Carter] that she was not, [he] an argument in May After they had sex, Fr. Bertrand who had gone to him girl from 2013-17, starting when she was 15. asked if he could teach her how to have sex. while driving home told the young woman they for “spiritual guidance” Source: Lancaster Online, 4-27-18 The teen said ‘yes,’ ” Marquardt alleged. from dinner out. Ac- last September. Jermaine Grant, 43, Burlington Township, After she became suspicious, the girl’s cording to the police had ‘fulfilled the second holiest The complaint al- NJ, and Lincoln Warrington, 48, Teaneck, grandmother allegedly found Carter hiding in a report, Allen alleged- sacrifice next to Jesus and Mary leges the woman lost NJ: Tax evasion and conspiracy to defraud the bedroom closet in the house where the girl was ly had been drinking consciousness during U.S. government. Grant, leader of the Israel- staying with her grandmother, Marquardt said. during much of the day on Calvary.’ 2 sessions after Free- ite Church of God in Jesus Christ, and church Source: Sun-Times, 5-30-18 and also assaulted 3 of man gave her small treasurer Warrington allegedly failed to report a Randall K. Carter II, 42, Overland Park, KS: their 5 children, includ- cups of anointing oil combined $5.3 million in income from the church Rape of a child, aggravated criminal sodomy ing kicking his 18-year- to drink and that when from 2007-15, with a tax loss to the government and aggravated indecent liberties with a child. old stepdaughter in the chest as she tried to she awoke after the 2nd session, she found of $1.9 million. Source: Courier Post, 4-27-18 Carter, a youth pastor at an unidentified church help a sibling. Source: Baltimore Sun, 5-15-18 her private areas exposed and covered with Cesar M. Rios Martinez, 35, Laurel, DE: 25 and 5th-grade teacher at Lee A. Tolbert Com- Daniel Ramos, 29, Burbank, IL: Grooming, oil. In a recording made later, he allegedly ad- counts of dealing in child pornography. Martinez munity Academy in Kansas City, is charged with indecent solicitation of a child and 6 counts of mitted touching her genitals and breasts and is pastor at Iglesia El Espiritu Santo in Salisbury, assaults on 2 girls under age 14 between July child pornography. Ramos, youth pastor at said, “We insert things into people” during “de- MD. Source: AP, 4-27-18 2013 and August 2016 when he was teaching Victory Worship Center, is accused of sending liverance.” Source: KMSP, 5-8-18 at Pathway Academy and University Academy. 4 female church members between the ages David Poulson, 64, Oil City, PA: Indecent Pleaded / Convicted Tolbert Academy, a public charter school, of 12 and 17 lewd photos and videos of him assault, endangering the welfare of children and is named after a Pentecostal pastor. Classes masturbating. Some of them sent him photos corruption of minors. Poulson, pastor at several Jerry Gross, 72, and Jason L. Gross, 51, are held in the 24-classroom wing of Victorious of themselves, clothed and unclothed. Source: Catholic parishes in the Diocese of Erie, is ac- Spindale, NC: Pleaded guilty to wire fraud. Fa- Life Church. A woman who knows Carter from Sun-Times, 5-15-18 cused of molesting 2 boys for several years. It’s ther and son, who are business partners and church told a reporter she thinks the allegations Jacob “Yanky” Daskal, 59, Brooklyn, NY: suspected there are more victims. pastors at Word of Faith Fellowship, are ac- are false. Source: fox4kc, 5-25-18 3rd-degree rape, forcible touching, sex abuse, One boy was 8 and was an altar boy when cused of getting dozens of church members to Joshua W. Wright, 67, Donald Jackson, criminal sex act and acting in a manner injurious the alleged assaults started. Prosecutors said falsely file for unemployment benefits in order to 40, and William J. Wright, 46, face 11 counts to a child under 17. Daskal, founder and president Poulson would make him admit the “sins” during funnel money to the church from 2009-13. The related to sexual assault of 4 teen girls enrolled of the Shomrim Brooklyn South Safety Patrol, is confession. The other boy was 15. Nine other Grosses also filed false claims. in a program run by the Oxon Hill Assembly of charged with assaults on a 16-year-old girl in his males told investigators similar abuse stories. A criminal investigation is ongoing into the Jesus Christ in Fort Washington, MD, where the home between ­August and November 2017. Source: Philly Voice, 5-8-18 church’s alleged involvement in physical and Wrights were pastors and Jackson was a con- Shomrim, a private Orthodox Jewish neigh- William H. Randall, 73, Fleming Island, FL: emotional abuse of members. Source: AP, gregant from 2001-08. borhood patrol, received $425,708 in city con- Custodial sexual battery against a victim under 5-25-18 The program, which ended in 2011, was tracts between 2010-15. Daskal has also been 18. Randall, retired pastor at St. Simon Baptist Philip Wilson, 67, archbishop of Adelaide, called Children Having Overcoming Power and a major local political contributor. Source: NY Church, is charged with molesting a girl at the Australia, was found guilty of failing to report provided living accommodations and classes for Post, 5-10-18 church between 2007-15. The girl told police he a serious crime committed by another person. at-risk youth. Source: WUSA, 5-23-18 He’s the highest-ranking Catholic cleric in the Phillip P. Ratliff, 77, Norman, OK: 2 counts world to be convicted of such an offense and of performing lewd acts on a child. Ratliff, pas- faces a maximum of 2 years in prison. tor at Alameda Baptist Church, was arrested Words from the wise Wilson denied under oath that 2 altar boys after a forensic interview of Ratliff’s juvenile told him they were molested in 1971 and 1976 granddaughter and an allegation he had child by James Fletcher, a New South Wales priest pornography on a computer. Source: Norman later convicted of multiple assault counts and Transcript, 5-24-18 who died in prison in 2006. Magistrate Robert Sheldon R. Johnson, 55, Goldthwaite, TX: Stone said he could not accept Wilson’s claim Violating a criminal trespass warning. John- that he didn’t remember the conversations, in- son, pastor of First United Methodist Church, cluding an allegation made to him in the confes- had been barred from any Goldthwaite public sional booth by the boy, who was 11. Source: school after a vehement April 20 argument with NPR, 5-22-18 a middle school administrator when police were Fernando Sayasaya, 53, a Catholic priest called. But on April 26, he returned twice and extradited from the Philippines in December, the school, which Johnson’s child attends, was pleaded guilty to 2 counts of felony gross sexual locked down as a precaution. imposition involving 2 boys under 15 when he The United Methodist Rio Texas Conference served parishes from 1995-98 in Fargo, ND. said in a statement that Johnson will retire July The boys alleged he touched or tried to touch 1. Source: KWTX, 5-22-18 their penises when they visited his apartment. Larry A. Holley and Patricia E. Gray, Flint, One told police Sayasaya showed pornograph- MI: Conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, ic movies and served him alcohol. Source: AP, 2 counts of wire fraud and 4 counts each of 5-18-18 mail fraud and money laundering. It’s alleged Christopher Collins, 32, Buena Vista, VA: that Holley, pastor of Abundant Life Ministries Pleaded guilty to possession of child pornogra- International Inc., and Gray, his Treasure Enter- phy and attempting to send obscene material to prise business partner, bilked about $6.7 million a minor under 16. It was alleged that in Novem- from over 80 investors, many of them church Aura Lee Ferguson of Nebraska, who has been posting themes of “spiritual ber 2016 when an undercover officer posing on- members around the region. Ads were aired on enrichment for passersby” for 17 years on the Unitarian Church Wayside line as a 13-year-old girl contacted Collins (us- Christian radio stations soliciting laid-off auto Pulpit in Lincoln, Neb., recently saw FFRF’s phrase, “Freedom depends on ername NavyGuy4Yng), he sent images of his workers to invest their severance packages. freethinkers” and added that to the marquee. She says it will be up for a erect penis and a video of a male masturbating Source: mlive.com, 5-22-18 and claimed to be a youth pastor. Matthew S. Everly, 25, Bloomington, IL: 11 few weeks to “give folks on A Street something to ponder.” Collins is studying to be a youth pastor, a criminal counts, including aggravated battery government press release said, but didn’t name of a child, aggravated domestic battery and the institution. Source: WLNI, 5-18-18 reckless conduct. Everly, associate pastor of Daniel S. Johnson, 40, Coos Bay, OR: worship arts at Eastview Christian Church in Inés Pérez and Rosa Tróchez Joaqui, coerced her into taking off her clothes and per- Guilty by jury of travel with intent to engage in Normal, is accused of injuring his 2-month-old Catholic nuns who worked respectively as di- forming oral sex on him. Source: WJAX, 5-7-18 illicit conduct, aggravated sexual abuse and 6 daughter in March when she sustained 2 broken rector and assistant at Hogar Renacer Santa Dennis McCarty, Pocahontas, AR: Crimi- counts of engaging in illicit sexual conduct in a legs and a broken arm. Clara in Popáyan, Colombia, are charged with nal mischief. McCarty, pastor at Pyburn Street foreign place. He was accused of molesting 6 The girl was temporarily removed from the aggravated torture of about 65 displaced chil- Church of Christ, is charged with keying a boys aged 8 to 17 while running a Cambodian home but was returned to live with her mother, dren under their care from 2014-17. After neigh- car parked in a handicapped spot and doing orphanage from 2005-13. who’s not criminally charged. Source: WJBC, bors reported screams coming from the facility, about $1,000 damage. The owner, who’s not Johnson’s work with Hope Transitions min- 5-21-18 investigators allegedly found children who’d disabled, said she parked there to run into a istry was funded for several years by Calvary Kenneth Lewis, 56, Arvada, CO: Predatory had their hands burned and their shaved heads college dorm briefly. Baptist Church in Gladewater, TX. Source: Reg- criminal sexual assault of a child. Lewis, a Cath- pushed into toilets as punishment. Source: The pastor, who saw her and told her she ister-Guard, 5-16-18 olic priest defrocked in 2007 after serving in Tul- Newsweek, 5-9-18 didn’t look like she had a handicap, was later Kenneth Butler, 38, Toledo, OH: Pleaded sa, OK, is accused of assaulting a 13-year-old Jackie D. Woodburn, 63, Burtchville, MI: seen next to the car on surveillance video, the guilty to obstruction of a sex-trafficking inves- boy at a hotel in Evanston, IL. His parents filed Producing or attempting to produce child por- complaint said. Source: KARK, 5-5-18 tigation and 2 counts of sex trafficking of chil- a complaint with Tulsa police in 2004. Two more nography, receipt or possession of child pornog- Billy Leveille, 51, Orlando, FL: Sexual ac- dren. “This defendant has admitted to crimes alleged victims have come forward and charges raphy and coercion. Woodburn, associate pas- tivity with a minor. Leveille, pastor at Bethel that include preying on a foster child who was are pending. tor until recently at Colonial Woods Missionary Eglise Haitienne des Adventistes (Seventh-day previously the victim of sexual abuse, and he The diocese sent Lewis to treatment in 1994 Church, is charged with posing as a teen online Adventist), is charged with having sex in late committed these crimes in a house of worship,” but he was allowed the return to active ministry “to sexually exploit minor teenage and preteen 2016 with a 17-year-old girl 3 times at hotels. U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. in 1995. Source: Sun-Times, 5-21-18 girls,” the complaint said. An affidavit said she “did not feel comfortable Butler, pastor at Kingdom Encounter Fami- William A. Nolan, 64, Madison, WI: 6 Among the more than 50 alleged victims is a with this but was scared to tell Leveille anything, ly Worship Center from 2007-12, is accused of counts of sexual assault of a child under 16. 13-year-old Texas girl who chatted with “jd wind- as he was the pastor of her church.” She al- having sex with 2 minor girls. Two other pastors, Nolan, a retired priest-in-residence since 2014 walker” in 2016. That IP address was traced to leged Leveille would say “he was really stressed Cordell Jenkins, 47, and Anthony Haynes, August 2018 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 21

39, also face charges involving the same girls. yer to the diocese. Source: Toledo Blade, 5-14-18 His accuser, now 49, alleged he got her Alan Devine, 74, Stockport, UK: Guilty by drunk and had intercourse with her on her 18th jury of 6 counts of indecent assault on 2 girls birthday when he was 45 and that they didn’t between 1972-76 when Devine was chaplain stop having sex until she was 22. She said she’s at a Catholic school. Prosecutors said he be- still a practicing Catholic, adding, “the fact that came enamored with a 15-year-old, which led the shepherds who were supposed to protect to her getting pregnant and giving the child up their flock decided to protect the wolves instead for adoption. is beyond my ability to accept at this point.” The victim, now 58, didn’t go to police un- Source: Buffalo News, 5-6-18 til 4 decades later. Her sister, now 54, alleged Peter Charland, a New York Catholic priest Devine also molested her during the same peri- who died in 2004 at age 58, molested them in od. He admitted fathering the child but claimed the 1970s, allege 8 men who have filed claims the affair didn’t start until the girl was 18. He lat- with the Diocese of Rockville Centre’s victim er started a relationship with the girls’ mother compensation program. All were members of after her divorce. Source: Daily Mail, 4-30-18 the PJ Folksingers at a Long Island parish. Berl Fink, 57, a Hasidic rabbi from Brook- Steven Werner, 60, said Charland molested lyn, NY, pleaded no contest, paid a $100 fine him over 100 times during “practice sessions” in and received 5 points on his driver’s license the rectory. Group member Barbara Ryan Haus- for eluding a Vermont state trooper on I-91 for man said she first heard abuse stories in 1994 more than 4 miles shortly after midnight Aug. 8. at a reunion. “As I look back, I could see how he Trooper Justin Thompson alleged Fink was go- orchestrated the whole thing.” Charland left the ing 83 in a 65-mph zone and swerved at times. priesthood in 1978. Source: Newsday, 4-27-18 Fink said he didn’t realize at first that he was being pulled over, but that once he did, he looked Removed / Resigned for a safe place to stop. Thompson ordered Fink He was first accused of sexual abuse in 1988 that he has escaped any kind of prosecution, out of the car at gunpoint and handcuffed him but his superiors never reported allegations to even though he has been known as a credible Mark Froehlich, 75, Belmont, OH, was and his wife and 2 sons before releasing them. police. Source: Tribune-Review, 5-4-18 abuser for more than 20 years,” said attorney removed from public ministry by the Catholic A review of video footage concluded Thompson Andrew Rushford, 64, Yantic, CT: 5 years Levi Monagle. Source: KOB-TV, 5-15-18 Diocese of Steubenville during an investigation of acted properly. Source: Valley News, 4-26-18 in prison suspended, 5 years’ probation and St. Paul’s School, Concord, NH, is being historical sexual abuse of a minor. Msgr. Froehlich, John P. Aitchison, 67, Canberra, Australia: $43,000 restitution after pleading guilty to lar- sued by 3 former students whose suit calls the who is retired, denied the allegation: “I’ve been Guilty by jury of 5 counts of rape and 8 counts ceny for stealing from Grace Episcopal Church, school affiliated with the Episcopalian Church a doing this for 50 years,” he said of his time as a of indecency involving against a 13-year-old girl where he had been treasurer since 2013. “haven for sexual predators” that has failed to teacher and priest. “With this crazy #MeToo crap in the 1980s. The woman testified Aitchison first Source: Norwich Bulletin, 5-3-18 protect children for decades. that’s going on, a defendant like me will have a assaulted her after violin practice at the Angli- William J. Walters, 33, Roanoke, VA: 6 Two male plaintiffs attended the school from tough time.” Source: News-Register, 5-30-18 can church where he was pastor. years in prison suspended and restitution of 1966-70 and 1973-76. One alleges he was in- Paige Patterson, 75, was removed by trust- She testified he told her during the assault $180,000 after pleading no contest to 3 embez- appropriately touched by 3 faculty members, ees as president of the Southwestern Baptist to look into the corner and pray she would see zlement counts. He was charged with stealing including Gerry Studds, who later was elected Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, TX, because her pet dog that had died and kept muttering from the church, where he was pastor from to Congress. The other alleges administrator of sexist remarks he made about women and “please God forgive me.” Two men also testi- 2007-15. Source: Roanoke Times, 5-1-18 Coolidge Chapin brought him and other students charges he downplayed the seriousness of rape fied Aitchison molested them as youths.Source: James D. Worley, 45, Gresham, OR: 12½ to a New York City brothel in the winter of 1973- and domestic abuse. abc.net/au, 4-26-18 years in prison and $12,000 compensation to a 74, where Chapin stripped to his underwear and A published report alleged Patterson en- family member he was convicted of molesting ordered students to have sex with prostitutes. couraged a woman not to report a rape in 2003 Sentenced in the early 2000s when she was between the Plaintiff “Jane Doe” alleges the school had a when he was president of the church’s seminary ages of 5 and 7. He was senior pastor of Powell “hypersexualized environment” where older stu- in Wake Forest, NC, and that he told another woman to stay with and pray for her husband Klint Bitter, 35, Omaha, NE: 10 to 20 years Valley Church from 2012 until his arrest in 2014. dents scored points for having sex with younger after he blackened both her eyes. in prison after pleading guilty to attempted sex- Worley’s initial indictment included accusa- ones and that officials failed to report her sexual Another report detailed a 2014 sermon in ual assault. Because most sentences are cut tions from another family member but charges assault during the 2012-13 school year. Source: which he “related a conversation he had with a in half under state law, Bitter will serve 5 to 10 were dropped days before his trial started. The NH Public Radio, 5-4-18 woman while her son and a friend were standing years. He was a youth pastor at Christ Commu- jury deadlocked on 8 other counts. His victim, Chris Cunningham and the Catholic Arch- alongside. As they talked, a teenage girl whom nity Church in February 2017 when he contact- now a teen, read a statement in court. She said diocese of Los Angeles are being sued by at Patterson described as ‘very attractive’ walked ed a male teen to set up a sexual encounter with the smell of Worley’s brand of cologne “makes least 7 male plaintiffs who allege Cunningham by, and one of the boys said, ‘Man, is she built.’ ” a 15-year-old girl and then met her in Bellevue the hairs on the back molested them while The woman scolded the boy but Patterson for sex, prosecutors said. of my neck stand up.” he was pastor at sev- defended him: “I said, ‘Ma’am, leave him alone, The male teen, DeArch Stubblefield, 19, Source: Bend Bulletin, eral parishes from the he’s just being biblical. That is exactly what the pleaded guilty to attempted human trafficking 4-30-18 The girl told the court that mid-1990s to early bible says.’ ” Source: al.com, 5-24-18 and was sentenced to 20 to 40 years. Source: Komar Uddin, 68, 2000s when he was in the smell of Pastor Worley’s Luigi Esposito, 77, was suspended by World-Herald, 5-23-18 Leicester, UK: 15 years his 20s.The suit claims the Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore during Justo J. Ilarraz, an Argentinian Catholic in prison after convic- brand of cologne ‘makes the officials knew about a probe of alleged sexual abuse while he was priest, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for tions for sexually as- Cunningham’s behav- hairs on the back of my neck associate pastor at Our Lady of Pompei Church sexual abuse of 7 boys between the ages of 10 saulting a 19-year-old ior and gave him differ- in the 1970s and the complainant was 14. He and 14 at the minor seminary in Paraná from in her home during a stand up.’ ent assignments until was also a teacher, coach and athletic director 1985-93 where he was prefect of discipline and 2015 exorcism. Uddin 2004 when he left the of Our Lady of Pompei High School from 1964- spiritual guide. Prosecutor Juan Ramirez Mon- worked as an imam at priesthood. He’s now a 1987. Source: WBAL, 5-21-18 trul said it’s clear there are other victims who several mosques after licensed psychologist Shayne Duvall, Louisville, KY, pastor at St. haven’t filed complaints. Source: AP, 5-21-18 entering the country from Bangladesh on a visa in Rhode Island. Source: Daily Breeze, 4-27-18 Raphael Catholic Church, “will be away for a Gary Uhlenkott, 67, Spokane, WA: 6 months in 2006. A married father of 11, he stayed ille- couple of weeks to be on retreat” for his involve- in jail after pleading guilty to viewing minors en- gally before fleeing to Germany after his arrest. Legal Developments ment in an inappropriate relationship with an gaged in sexual explicit conduct. Uhlenkott, a Source: Leicester Mercury, 4-27-18 adult. Jeff Shooner, vicar for priests for the Lou- Catholic priest and Gonzaga University music pro- Branden E. Shumate, 39, Koloa, Hawaii: 45 Osher Eisemann, 61, Lakewood, NJ: Theft isville Archdiocese, told a reporter that “Father fessor, was arrested after federal agents seized years in prison after a jury found him guilty of by unlawful taking, misapplication of govern- Shayne has apologized and hopes to continue videos from his office and apartment in 2013. 3 counts of lewd acts on a child younger than ment property, misconduct by a corporate official as pastor.” Source: Courier Journal, 5-11-18 Among the movies purchased with his credit 14. Shumate was an assistant at Shekinah Fel- and money laundering. Eisemann, an Orthodox Charles Hanel, Pewaukee, WI, was put on card were “Boy Fights XXVIII: Bucharest Hol- lowship in 1997 in Lake Forest, CA, where his rabbi who founded the School for Children with leave as pastor at Queen of Apostles Catholic iday,” “Boys of Europa” and “God or Goat.” father was pastor, when he met the 6-year-old Hidden Intelligence, is accused of using a pri- Parish during investigation of an allegation he Source: AP, 5-16-18 victim whose family attended the church. vate fundraising nonprofit for the school to laun- had inappropriate contact with a minor. Hanel, Wisdom Kusorgbor, 25, Korle-Gonno, The other victim was 10 in 2010-11 when der $630,000 in public tuition funds. who was ordained in 1983, had recently re- Ghana: 24 months’ hard labor for putting his she told her mother that Shumate molested her He’s also accused of transferring another turned from sabbatical when the allegation sur- fingers in a 3-year-old’s vagina and “brushing” while she was drying off after a shower while her $200,000 of school funds into a personal ac- faced in late April. The date(s) of the alleged it with his penis in December 2016. Kusorgbor, family was living with the Shumates. Source: count and then back to school accounts to create incident(s) was not specified. Source: Journal pastor of Soldiers of the Cross Ministries, lived OC Weekly, 4-27-18 the false impression that he was using personal Sentinel, 5-11-18 in the same housing compound as the girl and Jose L. Pizarro, 42, Mansfield, TX: 50 years funds to repay debts he owed the school. The Steven Fink, rabbi at Temple Oheb Shalom her mother. Source: Graphic Online, 5-13-18 in prison after a jury found him guilty of indecen- school receives $1.8 million a month from public in Pikesville, MD, was suspended with pay be- Mark C. Adams, 56, Mt. Carmel, TN: 10 cy and sexual abuse of a child younger than 14. school districts that send students with special cause of “an allegation of an improper incident years in prison after pleading guilty to using Pizarro, pastor of Iglesia de Dios Nuevo Aman- education needs there. Source: nj.com, 5-25-18 of a sexual nature that may have occurred many means of interstate commerce to persuade ecer, was accused of abusing an 8-year-old girl Samuel Mullet Sr., 72, leader of a break- years ago” involving a teen, a temple statement a minor to engage in sexual activity. Adams, at church in 2016 and a 10-year-old girl in 2013. away Amish sect in Bergholz, OH, lost his ap- said. Source: WBFF, 5-3-18 a deacon and Sunday school teacher at Oak Source: Dallas News, 4-27-18 peal for a new trial. U.S. District Judge Dan Larry Bach, Durham, NC, resigned as rabbi Grove Baptist Church, posed in March 2017 as Asaram Bapu, who has founded hundreds Polster ruled that alleged errors raised by Mullet at Judea Reform Congregation after the Central a 17-year-old boy on the Kik app to have explicit of Hindu ashrams in India, was sentenced to life during his trial for hair- and beard-cutting at- Conference of American Rabbis determined he chats with an 11-year-old girl in Michigan. in prison for raping a girl in 2013 when she was tacks in 2011 weren’t prejudicial. committed an ethics violation that was sexual in “He made specific instructions for her to po- 16. He’s in his 70s. He and his son are also ac- Prosecutors alleged the motive was re- nature in March. Bach was reprimanded for a sition her body in front of her camera so that she cused in 2 other cases involving alleged repeat- ligious since hair and beards have spiritual similar violation in 2014 when he served a syn- may take photographs of her genitals,” the plea ed assaults of 2 sisters 10 years ago in Gujarat significance for the Amish. Of the 16 men con- agogue in El Paso, TX. Source: WTVD, 5-1-18 agreement stated. Source: WJHL, 5-8-18 state. Source: NPR, 4-25-18 victed in the case, only Mullet remains impris- Gerry LeBouef, Clawson, MI, pastor at Jacob A. Bertrand, 35, San Diego: 10 Gregorio Martinez, 50, N. Bergen, NJ: 5 oned. He was sentenced to 11 years. Source: Guardian Angels Catholic Church and president years’ probation and a $1,000 fine after plead- years in prison for bail jumping. Martinez, a USA Today, 5-3-18 of Bishop Foley High School, was placed on ing guilty to criminal sexual conduct. Bertrand, Pentecostal deacon and pastor, fled to Nicara- George Pell, 76, Vatican finance minister, leave. Madison Heights police said in a press a Catholic priest, had sex with a young adult gua in 2015 after being convicted of molesting will stand trial on multiple charges of historical release that the department took a “suspicious woman in her Minnesota home after saying a a 13-year-old boy and sentenced to 4 years, sexual abuse. Cardinal Pell is the most senior circumstances” report from a student in April. private Mass there in 2010. Afterward, he told time he just started serving after being extra- Catholic official to face criminal charges for as- Source: Detroit Free Press, 4-27-18 her they had “fulfilled the second holiest sacri- dited. He’s scheduled to face trial for another sault. Allegations stem from his time as a priest Les Hughey, 64, Scottsdale, AZ, resigned fice next to Jesus and Mary on Calvary.” assault on an 18-year-old male. Source: Jer- in Ballarat in the 1970s until the 1990s, when as pastor of Highlands Community Church. Six Minnesota clergy can be charged with sey Journal, 4-23-18 he was archbishop of Melbourne. Details of the women have alleged he assaulted them while 3rd-degree criminal sexual conduct for having allegations and number of charges were not working as a youth pastor at Scottsdale Bible sex with persons they’re not married to while made public. Source: The Guardian, 4-30-18 Church from 1985-96 and earlier at First Baptist being asked for or giving spiritual advice, even Civil Lawsuits Filed Church in Modesto, CA. Source: Arizona Re- if the sex is consensual. Source: WCCO, 5-7-18 Sabine Griego, Las Vegas, NM, a former Allegations public, 4-27-18 Robert D’Aversa, 70, and Anthony Catholic priest, is being sued by 6 men and 1 Samuel Venne, pastor of St. Stephen Cath- Criscitelli, 63, Altoona, PA: 5 years’ probation, woman, now in their 50s, who allege he raped or Fabian J. Maryanski, 77, is the subject of olic Church, Grand Island, NY, and Art Smith, $1,000 fine and costs after pleading no contest molested them between 1968-84. He’s the sole a renewed investigation by the Catholic Dio- pastor of Blessed Mother of Calcutta Parish in to endangering the welfare of children. They are defendant. Past lawsuits have targeted the Arch- cese of Buffalo, NY, into an accusation he had a Depew, NY, were put on administrative leave by Franciscan friars accused of covering up sexual diocese of Santa Fe, which in every case has sexual relationship for several years with a girl the Diocese of Buffalo due to allegations of sex- abuse by fellow friar Stephen Baker in the 1990s. settled out of court to keep the 32 plaintiffs quiet. in the mid-1980s. The priest started his sexual ual abuse of minors. Source: WKBW, 4-23-18 Baker killed himself in 2013, days after an- “The goal in these 7 survivors in focusing on advances when she was a 15-year-old parishio- nouncement of a multimillion-dollar settlement. Griego specifically is to draw attention to the fact ner, according to a 1995 letter sent by her law- Email: [email protected] Page 22 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | August 2018 FFRF’s interns help fight for the cause Here are the profiles of FFRF’s 2018 sum- philosophy, as well as an associate’s in mer interns. legal studies. Currently about to start my Name: Luke Changet third year of law school at Valparaiso. Where and when I was born: Lancast- My religious upbringing was: I was sort er, Ohio, in 1991. of brought up Baptist Family: Parents in southern Kentucky, Brad and Helen, but my parents let me brother Jake, sister research and test dif- Grace and dog Ender. ferent religions once I Education: Ohio was old enough. After State University for some trial and error, I undergrad, Case realized that I didn’t Western Reserve Uni- believe in a god and Luke Changet versity for law school. that I was an atheist. My religious up- Photos by Chris Line Corinne Elayne How I heard about bringing was: Catholic. FFRF has seven interns working at its Madison, Wis., office this summer. Staten and/or chose to be- How I heard about and/or chose to confusing.) those who would tear down the wall sep- come an FFRF intern: become an FFRF intern: I was looking Education: Heading into my junior arating state and church. I learned of the I heard about FFRF when I was an under- for nonprofit jobs in November 2016 in year at UW-Madison. internship through my law school, and it grad freshman and it was a dream to be a the wake of the election, and FFRF had My religious up- was too good an opportunity to pass up. legal intern while in law school. I have al- a posting for an attorney near me. That bringing was: I was What I do here: I work with staff attor- ways been passionate about secular rights sparked my interest, which led me to law raised more or less neys to write complaint letters for Estab- and the separation of church and state, school. So, naturally, when I was looking atheist by my father, lishment Clause violations regarding gov- so this was the perfect internship for me. for summer jobs, I checked if FFRF had since he was raised ernment-sponsored religion. I also track I met Dan Barker my sophomore year anything, and this internship exists, so extremely Christian down proof of violations on social media when I was vice president of my school’s here I am. and broke away. and from journalistic sources. Secular Student Alliance. What I do here: Legal research and How I heard about My professional interests are: Politics What I do here: I draft letters for staff letter writing. My favorite so far has been and/or chose to be- and law. attorneys and try not to drink too much helping draft a letter to Ted Cruz and Mario Fregoso come an FFRF intern: These three words sum me up: Pre- coffee. Rand Paul denouncing their anti-science I heard about FFRF tension isn’t cool. My professional interests are: Being views. through my friend who did the same in- Things I like: Travel, cooking, and in-house counsel for a corporation. I My professional interests are: To do ternship the year before. learning about history. Rewatching “The want to work somewhere where I am good. Whether that is for a nonprofit like What I do here: I do a lot of research. West Wing.” passionate about what the company’s FFRF or ACLU, or working as a public This summer, I have been focusing on Things I smite: Fanatics in any form. mission is. I clerked for a judge last fall defender, or anything else, I want to use school assemblies and churches promot- My loftiest goal: To run for and win and it opened my eyes to possibly being my law degree to help change the world ing political figures. elected office. a judge one day. I like doing things that for the better. My professional interests are: I hope This is a fun fact about myself: While challenge me to think outside the box. These three words sum me up: Nerdy, one day to go to law school and become vacationing in Banff, Alberta, some years These three words sum me up: Socia- accepting, maker-of-bad-jokes. an attorney. Not quite sure what kind ago, I met the guy who plays Jesus at the ble, honest and driven. Things I like: Video games, work- of law I am most interested in yet, but I Holy Land Experience; he’s the same Things I like: Reading, cooking, ex- ing out, tabletop games, my dog, other know I want to represent real people and guy Bill Maher interviewed in the movie ploring new places, learning new areas people’s dogs, pictures of dogs, thinking not huge businesses. “Religulous.” of law, losing track of time, and getting to about dogs. These three words sum me up: Chill, know new people. Things I smite: Patriarchy, capitalism, creative, daring. Name: Bryant Plank. Things I smite: The haters. fascism, nerds (in-game only). Things I like: Murals, hip hop music, Where and when I was born: Eau My loftiest goal: In-house counsel My loftiest goal: Abolish capitalism. Chinese food, debates, Milwaukee, Ma- Claire, Wis., in 1991. for GM or Ford (being from the Detroit This is a fun fact about myself: I am rio Kart. Family: I have five area that is lofty) but really just passing a competitive quidditch player. No, it’s Things I smite: Dry markers/un- sisters and one broth- the bar. not live-action role-playing. Yes, I’ve sharpened pencils, early mornings, sore er who range in age This is a fun fact about myself: broken bones. throats, mosquitoes, coffee. from 18 to 35. I grew up in McCreary County, Ky., My loftiest goal: First man on Mars! Education: B.S. in during the McCreary v. ACLU case, so it Name: Paul Epland. This is a fun fact about myself: I paint political science. Ris- was interesting watching the county go Where and when I was born: Plym- murals and do art in my free time and ing 2L at Marquette crazy over their “religious rights being outh, Minn., in 1997. was recently featured at Summerfest for Law School. taken away.” Family: Parents a live painting of a tiny home. My religious up- Bryant Plank Kris and Mark Ep- bringing was: Pretty Name: Joe Steigmeyer. land, brother Ethan Name: Jackson Marchant. nonexistent. Where and when I was born: Fort (18). Where and when I was born: I was How I heard about and/or chose Wayne, Ind., in 1991. Education: Sarah born in Moscow, to become an FFRF intern: Followed Family: One older Lawrence College. Idaho, but raised in FFRF on Facebook and later interviewed brother, one young- Religious upbring- Spokane, Wash. I’m through law school. I’m studying consti- er sister. ing: Methodist. 25. tutional law so this was the perfect intern- Education: Uni- How I heard Family: Parents ship opportunity. versity of Iowa Col- Paul Epland about and/or chose Kim and Jack, and What I do here: Legal research and lege of Law ’19 to become an FFRF a 3-year-old Chesa- writing. (J.D.), Carleton Col- intern: I heard about FFRF through the peake Bay retriever My professional interests are: Consti- lege ’14 (B.A.). Paul Redleaf internship program at my named Fernie. tutional law and politics. My religious Joe Steigmeyer college. Education: Inter- These three words sum me up: Ambi- upbringing was: Jackson Marchant What I do here: Editorial intern, write national relations tious, diplomatic, efficient. Catholic. “Freethoughts of the Day” and other magna cum laude Things I like: Traveling, cats, activism, How I heard about and/or chose to things. from Eastern Washington University. Ris- good people, football, basketball, family, become an FFRF intern: Hein v. FFRF. My professional interests are: Teach- ing 2L at the University of Washington friends. What I do here: Help write briefs ing, writing. School of Law for my J.D. Things I smite: People who suck, reli- and letters. These three words sum me up: No My religious upbringing was: None. gion, winter, traffic. My professional interests are: outstanding warrants. My parents raised me with a secular and My loftiest goal: Become a U.S. Varied and inconclusive, but my le- Things I like: Cycling, reading, films, freethinking mindset. Thanks, Dad. I’ve senator. gal interests include constitutional spending time with friends/family and always loved learning about human cul- This is a fun fact about myself: I trav- law, criminal law, and copyrights/ my dogs. ture, so when I was a kid and teenager I eled alone to Uganda in 2014. trademarks. Things I smite: Flying. learned a lot about different myths and These three words sum me up: I’d My loftiest goal: Publishing a book. religions out of curiosity. However, as a need four. This is a fun fact about myself: I run student of history, it’s impossible to over- Name: Corinne Elayne Staten. Things I like: Soccer, golf, Faulkner, a radio show with my friends at school! state the horrific influence religion has Where and when I was born: Wyan- jazz, MST3K, Wes Anderson movies. had over almost every war and genocide dotte, Mich., in October 1994. Things I smite: Hypocrisy; I’m also Name: Mario Fregoso since homo sapiens migrated out of Afri- Family: Parents Jennifer and Scott, sad that “The Simpsons” jumped the Where and when I was born: Milwau- ca some 200,000 years ago. and brother Vince. My dog’s name is shark 15 years ago. kee in 1997. How I heard about and/or chose to be- Odin and we have a koi pond. My loftiest goal: To one day pay off Family: I was raised with my Mom Ally, come an FFRF intern: I’ve known about Education: I have a bachelor’s degree my law school debt. my sister Olivia, who we call Lulu, and my FFRF for a long time and have admired in business administrations with a minor This is a fun fact about myself: I was Dad, who is also named Mario. (It gets its fight to protect the Constitution from in human resource management and a competitive gymnast for 12 years. August 2018 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 23 IN MEMORIAM World loses ‘devout atheist,’ Nobel Laureate Paul Boyer Among the many distinguished age 12 and graduated from Brigham and Jens C. Skou “for their elucidation members of the FFRF was Nobel Lau- Young University, where he met his of the enzymatic mechanism underly- reate Paul D. Boyer, who died June 2, wife Lyda, Boyer’s pursuit of science ing the synthesis of adenosine triphos- at age 99 in Los Angeles. during graduate studies at the Univer- phate (ATP).” We were privileged at FFRF to have sity of Wisconsin-Madison altered his As The New York Times obituary met Professor Boyer, who spoke at the perspective. He earned his doctorate put it, he shared the prize “for his 2002 national convention in San Diego in 1943. contributions to understanding the and was a guest on FFRF’s Freethought Moving to Stanford to do postdoc- way all organisms get energy from Radio. Boyer was an enthusiastic Life toral research in a war project, he and their environments and process it to Member, who told us “how pleased” he his wife ceased going to Mormon meet- sustain life and fuel their activities.” was to have found a group like FFRF. ings. By the time he was 25, he had He discovered the underlying mech- In his short autobiography on the “slipped over from agnostic to atheist,” anism for ATP (adenosine triphos- Nobel website, Boyer referred to him- Boyer told Freethought Radio. Lyda, phate) formation. “The concepts of self as a “devout atheist,” and added: too, became an atheist. Boyer’s binding change mechanism “I wonder if in the United States we In 1955, he went to Sweden on a helped to clarify the basic chemis- will ever reach the day when the man- Guggenheim Fellowship. Boyer be- try of life on Earth, what makes life made concept of a God will not appear came a faculty member of the Univer- ‘go,’” according to the University on our money, and for political survival sity of Minnesota, where, in 1956, he of Minnesota at the time Boyer was Photo by Brent Nicastro must be invoked by those who seek to was appointed to the Hill Foundation awarded the Nobel. “Imagine trying Paul D. Boyer represent us in our democracy.” Professorship. Some years later, he to repair a TV if you didn’t know how Boyer pointed out in his talk to atheism . . . Over and over, expanding and his family, including two daugh- it worked. This tells you how the ma- FFRF that, as might be expected, “be- scientific knowledge has shown reli- ters and a son, moved to Los Angeles, chinery of the cell works,” Boyer ex- lief in God and in a hereafter dropped gious claims to be false,” he said in his where Boyer continued research into plained to The Times on the day his considerably as the level of scientific speech, “A Path to Atheism.” “None of biochemistry at UCLA. In 1965, he Nobel was announced. achievement increased.” He pointed the beliefs in gods has any merit.” became director of the newly created He and Lyda traveled widely in re- to a recent survey showing that only Boyer was born in July 31, 1918, in Molecular Biology Institute, where he tirement. He became an advocate of 10 percent of members of the U.S. Provo, Utah, the middle child in a fam- taught chemistry and did research for death with dignity following the ill- National Academy of Sciences, repre- ily of six in a loving home. His mother’s over half a century, studying enzymes, ness and death of his son, Douglas, senting “a pinnacle of achievement for death from Addison’s disease when he the proteins involved in biochemical in 2001. American scientists,” believe in a god. was 15 awakened his interest in study- processes in the animal and plant cells. Paul D. Boyer was a gentle giant “My views have changed from a be- ing biochemistry. Although he became Boyer shared the Nobel Prize in in the world of science, who pursued lief that my prayers were heard to clear a “deacon” in the Mormon church at Chemistry in 1997 with John E. Walker knowledge for the benefit of all. THEY SAID WHAT? Computer programmer

Only one title is given to a woman in The past two months have been all of scripture . . . the title given to a tough for our convention. I believe Thomas Jacobs dies woman is ‘helper.’ God has allowed all of this to happen Tom Jacobs, an agnostic and hus- They moved to Des Moines, where Mark Harris, a Republican running to drive us to our knees. band of FFRF volunteer Judi Jacobs, he worked for the state until they for Congress from North Carolina’s Southern Baptist Convention Presi- died June 7 at age 68 in Sun Prairie, moved to Madison, Wis., in 1976, 9th Congressional District, in a 2013 dent Steve Gaines, following a series Wis. where he was employed by the state of sermon he gave when he was pastor of of sexual misconduct cases — includ- He was born April 3, 1950, in Clin- Wisconsin as a programmer. First Baptist Charlotte. ing rape allegations against former ton, Iowa, to Dick and Merle Jacobs. He Tom then worked for the company The Friendly Atheist, 7-6-18 Southwestern Baptist Theological graduated from Clinton High School which is now known as Great Lakes Seminary President Paige Patterson in 1968 and attended Iowa State Uni- Higher Education Corporation and re- Our country was founded on re- — that has prompted the conven- versity in Ames, Iowa. He served a year- tired in 2015. ligious liberty, but America is at a tion’s socially conservative, all-male and-a-half as an ambulance driver at His wife Judi wrote: "He didn’t know time of crisis as some try to silence leadership to seek forgiveness. Fort Lewis in Tacoma, Wash. if there was an afterlife and wasn’t in- the faithful and remove God from Washington Post, 6-9-18 He returned to Iowa State and grad- terested in finding out. He was inter- the public square. Texas has faced a uated in 1974 in computer science. ested in democracy and social justice.” great deal of adversity, but we’ve re- People speak On Aug. 18, 1973, he married Judi He is survived by Judi, two daughters, lied on our faith to overcome those of varied families, Kopecky. They had twin daughters in two grandchildren, and eight siblings challenges, which has brought us of various kinds of 1978. and their spouses. closer to God. family, [but] the Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, in a news re- family [as] man lease regarding the Southern Baptist and woman in the Conference in Dallas posted on the of- image of God is the ficial governor’s website. only one. Gov.Texas.Gov, 6-12-18 Pope Francis, re- Pope Francis iterating that the I would cite you Catholic Church is to the Apostle Paul not supportive of same-sex parenting. and his clear and NewNowNext.com, 6-18-18 wise command in Romans 13, to obey the laws of the gov- I’ll make you a promise: This pres- ernment because ident, this vice president and our ad- Make your own nontheistic cyber billboard at ffrf.org/unabashed, and you God has ordained ministration will always stand with you. might win an “Unabashed Atheist” tee. them for the pur- Vice President Mike Pence, speaking pose of order. at the Southern Baptist Convention’s Jeff Sessions Attorney General annual meeting. Jeff Sessions, ex- Washington Post, 6-13-18 Your weekly antidote to the Religious Right plaining the administration’s detention of nearly 1,500 immigrant children. We are being told that Western civ- MSN.com, 6-14-18 ilization is the problem in the world. FREETHOUGHT RADIO Our Judeo-Christian ethic is what is PODCASTS AND BROADCASTS It is very biblical to enforce the law, civilization. And that is what is under that is actually repeated a number of attack here and abroad. It also goes FIND OUT MORE: rf.org/radio times throughout the bible. by a different name. Christendom. White House spokeswoman Sarah It’s under attack. And even speaking — Hosted by Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor — Sanders, when asked by CNN’s Jim about it can bring you under attack. Slightly irreverent views, news, music & interviews Acosta about Sessions’ comments Kansas state Sen. Steve Fitzgerald, (above). during a meeting of the Leavenworth Yahoo News, 6-14-18 County Republican Party. CNN, 7-7-18 Page 24 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | August 2018 As convention nears, rooms are going fast! With many high-profile personali- cus, actor John de Lancie, activist Ensaf 2018 CONVENTION REGISTRATION FORM ties (including Cecile Richards, Salman Haidar, comedian Leighann Lord, au- Or register online:  rf.org/convention2018 Rushdie, Adam Savage and Julia Swee- thor Debra Deanne Olson, Ex-Muslims ney) set to speak, FFRF’s convention in of North America co-founder Sarah DISCOUNTED REGISTRATION & MEALS PACKAGE San Francisco from Nov. 2-4 is certain to Haider, and child author Bailey Harris. Get a $20 discount when you bundle two meals and registration. Includes be a great time. But it’s more than just the speakers! Saturday breakfast and dinner. Number Registering Cost But a word of caution: If you have On Friday, Nov. 2, FFRF will also be yet to reserve your room at the Hyatt showing a late-night movie and Satur- Member ___$190 $____ Regency, get on that right away. The day morning features the "Non-Prayer Spouse or Companion ___$195 $____ original block of rooms FFRF reserved Breakfast," complete with the "moment (Non-member accompanying member) for our members filled quickly. An ad- of bedlam." ditional block of rooms has been made It’s a weekend you won’t want to miss! Non-member ___$240 $____ available, but those, too, are going fast. Convention registration is only $60 Child / Student with ID (Meals Only) ___$130 $____ Don’t be left out! FFRF’s 41st annual per member, $65 per companion, $110 convention will be held Nov. 2-4 at the non-member, and free for students and Please indicate number of meals Hyatt Regency, 5 Embarcadero Center. kids. Sign up for the discounted package Saturday Non-Prayer Breakfast The list of speakers for this year’s that includes the two meals on Saturday __# Regular __# Vegetarian __# Vegan __# Gluten Free gathering is as long as it is impres- and save $20. Rooms can be reserved for Saturday Banquet Dinner sive! Richards is the past president of Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at Planned Parenthood, Rushdie is an ac- $235 plus tax. Phone directly to make __# Regular __# Vegetarian __# Vegan __# Gluten Free claimed author, Savage was co-host of your reservations: 1-888-421-1442 and REGISTRATION – NO PACKAGE the poular TV show “Mythbusters,” and use the code “Freedom From Religion Sweeney is a comedian extraordinaire. Foundation.” Or go online at ffrf.org/ Member ___$60 $____ Other speakers include U.S. Rep. Jared convention2018 for full convention infor- Huffman, who is one of the founders mation or reserve rooms directly at bit. Spouse or Companion ___$65 $____ of the newly created Freethought Cau- ly/FFRF2018. (Non-member accompanying member) Non-member ___$110 $____ Tentative convention schedule Or join for $40 and save $10 Child / Student with ID ___Free $____ FRIDAY (Nov. 2) Registration re-opens 11 AM 9:30 AM SELECT MEALS À LA CARTE Registration opens and continues Welcome by Lisa Strand, FFRF Please indicate number of meals through convention. director of operations Saturday Non-Prayer Breakfast ___$60 $____ 1-3 PM “Nothing Fails Like Prayer” award __# Regular __# Vegetarian __# Vegan __# Gluten Free Speakers TBA winner 3 - 3:30 10 AM Saturday Banquet Dinner ___$90 $____ Coffee, light refreshments Speakers TBA __# Regular __# Vegetarian __# Vegan __# Gluten Free 3:30-5 Noon-2 PM Salman Rushdie (Emperor Has No Lunch, sightseeing on your own ⊲ Total $______Clothes Award) 2-5 PM Book signing follows Speakers TBA ☐ I am enclosing a donation to sponsor student convention travel costs. $_____ 5 - 7 PM 6 PM (Make checks payable to FFRF) Return with payment to: Dinner on your own Banquet Dinner (tickets needed) FFRF, Attn: Convention | P.O. Box 750 | Madison, WI 53701 7 PM 8 PM Evening Welcome by Dan Barker & Clean Money Drawing Annie Laurie Gaylor 8:30 PM Names of all registrants (attach extra sheet as necessary) Year in Review Presentation Leighann Lord (“Real Women Do It Music Standing Up”) Address 7:30 PM 9 PM John de Lancie (First “Clarence Adam Savage (Emperor Has No Award” presentation) Clothes Award) City State / ZIP 8:15 PM Julia Sweeney (“Older & Wider” SUNDAY (Nov. 4) Phone* Email* stand up comedy) 8:30 AM 9:30 PM Pastries, coffee available Credit Card Number Expiration Date / Security Code Dessert reception 9 AM 10:15 PM Annual membership meeting (open Late-night film TBA to all current FFRF members) Signature *Contact information for in-house use only. 11:15 AM SATURDAY (Nov. 3) Annual state representatives meeting ☐ Please tell us about any concerns over accessibility or accommodations in 8:00 AM order to fully participate in this convention: Non-Prayer Breakfast (tickets needed)

MOVING? Don’t miss your copy of NOTHING FAILS LIKE PRAYER Freethought Today CONTEST Notify Us of Our goal is to see secular citizens flood government meetings with Your Address Change FFRF Memberships: secular invocations that demonstrate why government prayers $40 single; $50 household; are unnecessary, ineff ective, embarrassing, exclusionary, divisive Promptly! $100 gung-ho; $250 sustaining or just plain silly. Memberships are tax deductible! The person who gives the best secular invocation will be invited EMAIL [email protected] Freethought Today is to open FFRF’s annual convention in 2018, receiving an all- The Post Office does not published 10 times a year. expenses-paid trip to San Francisco Nov. 2-4, along with a plaque forward third-class mail. and an honorarium of $500. FFRF cannot be responsible for replacing back issues if we have not been MORE INFO AT: notified prior to your move. P.O. Box 750 • Madison, WI 53701 ff rf.org/outreach/nothing-fails-like-prayer ffrf.org/donate