Photoshop # White

Why we need Atheist couple An unexpected to reshape the renovates church visit to Scopes federal judiciary into a home trial site in Dayton PAGE 3 PAGE 12-13 PAGE 24 Vol. 38 No. 3 Published by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. April 2021 FFRF stops prayer by school boards in Indiana and Pa. School boards in Pennsylvania and Superintendent Christopher McComb, Indiana have discontinued injecting re- alerting the district to the unconstitution- ligion into their board meetings due to ality of beginning official district meet- intervention by FFRF. ings with prayer, especially when students A concerned Montrose Area School are present.McComb informed FFRF via District community member in Pennsyl- email that “this practice has ceased and This license plate was eventually allowed by the Alabama Motor Vehicle vania alerted the state/church watchdog will no longer continue.” Division after FFRF intervened. that the school board had a practice of And in Indiana, in an email to FFRF opening every meeting with a recitation Legal Fellow Joseph McDonald, the of the Lord’s Prayer fol- school board president lowing the Pledge of Al- acknowledged FFRF’s role All hail FFRF’s victory! legiance. Additionally, For more victories by in the policy change. The Freedom From Religion Foun- nue sent a letter refusing the plate. all nine members of the the FFRF legal team, “We have concluded dation has obtained a victory for sec- Alabama’s regulations concerning board were reportedly see pages 8-9. that it would be in the best ularism and free speech in Alabama. the wording of personalized plates participating in reciting interest of the school dis- An Alabama resident contacted are unconstitutional, FFRF informed this Christian prayer, trict to offer up a moment the state/church watchdog after be- the Alabama Motor Vehicle Division. during which students were sometimes of silence in lieu of prayer,” wrote School ing told that a request for a personal- Just last year, FFRF and the ACLU of present. Board President Kathy Ruesken. ized “S8TAN” plate was “offensive to Kentucky won a three-year legal battle And in Indiana, the Griffith Public The local newspaper reported, “As a the peace and dignity of the state of on behalf of a Kentucky resident who Schools Board of Trustees opened each reaction to court opinions and a letter Alabama” and would not be issued. was denied a license plate saying, “IM of its meetings with a prayer led by a from that watchdog group, the board The individual had been given a tem- GOD.” The state of Kentucky was or- member of the board or a guest, includ- unanimously eliminated the prayer in porary plate for a couple of months, dered to pay more than $150,000 in ing clergy. favor of being neutral with a moment of but then the Motor Vehicle Division In the Pennsylvania case, FFRF at- silence so people can contemplate what- in the Alabama Department of Reve- See S8TAN on page 4 torney Madeline Ziegler sent a letter to ever they wish.” ‘Getting better is taking me so long, Dad.’ memorials and other places you’ll never Avijit Roy was killed six know. I pass by them every day now, as a D.C.-based graduate student at the Uni- years ago in a machete versity of Maryland focusing on investiga- attack in Bangladesh tive journalism. This article first appeared in the Balti- America doesn’t seem to care much more Sun on March 1 and is reprinted with for journalists now. Neither does Bangla- permission. desh. But if you were around, I hope you would say: “Journalist? That’s even better By Trisha Ahmed than a scientist!” Which means I didn’t become the sci- entist you were so excited for me to be. My stepfather, Avijit Roy, was a Bangla- I couldn’t commit to it after what deshi-American writer and engineer. While happened to you. To deal with the trau- visiting Bangladesh, he was violently attacked ma of losing you and nearly losing Maa, with machetes and murdered on the street, as he I became obsessed with other people’s left a book fair with my mother, Bonya Ahmed, stories. I started collecting them in Balti- who was also attacked and suffered life-threat- more as an undergrad at Johns Hopkins, ening wounds. This happened six years ago. and then all over America, finding that so Ten days prior to this distressing anniversa- many others are also dealing with fathers, ry, five of the attackers, members of a terrorist brothers, cousins and friends being killed. group inspired by al-Qaida, were sentenced to You should know that you changed death in a Bangladeshi court. the world, Dad. People marched in the This verdict does not bring me closure — Avijit Roy, center, who was murdered six years ago by religious extremists, stands streets for you. Millions of people learned so many questions about the forces underlying with his wife Bonya Ahmed, right, and step-daughter Trisha in Peru in 2014. your name. I’m sure you would ask me, his murder remain unanswered. If I could talk excitedly: “Does that mean the world is with my dad today, this is what I would say. your blood on the pavement. I think of your glasses on the ground. more rational now?” this image every few months. I’m no better at drawing now than I I don’t think so. Dear Dad, But in the days leading up to the ver- was when you were alive, but I sketched After you died, the attacks contin- People took pictures of you after the dict in your murder (yes, it took almost your glasses on a piece of paper. I drew all ued. Your attackers were affiliated with a attack. One photo shows your glasses and six years for Bangladesh to hear your case sorts of sights around D.C. into the lens- a chunk of your brain, lying in a pool of in court), I couldn’t stop thinking about es of those paper frames: monuments, See Dad on page 14 Page 2 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | April 2021 FFRF’s McDonald relishes working on the front lines Name: Joseph F. McDonald when I can’t discuss grievances and gripes Where and when I was born: Madison, in-person with my fellow attorneys, it Wis., in 1991. makes the work all the more difficult. Education: All from UW-Madison — I spend a lot of time thinking about: B.A. in psychology, ’14; B.A. in social Whether I should exercise first or read. welfare, ’14; Global Health Certificate, It is quite the morning dilemma. I then ’14; Master of Public Health, ’20; Juris seem to default to wondering why I got Doctor, ’20. a kitten as she attempts to bite my feet, Family: I am the second youngest of six which is normally how I start my day. children. I spend little if any time thinking How I came to work at FFRF: I was, and about: It’s counterintuitive to think still am, teaching public education and about something to then say I don’t law at the University of Wisconsin-Mad- think about it. But something I scarcely ison when my mentor let me know that think about? Harry Belafonte. Yeah, that FFRF was hiring a legal fellow. seems random enough. Photo by Ingrid Laas What I do here: I am the Patrick My religious upbringing was: I grew up Todd Peissig sells chances to win “clean money” (without “In God We Trust” on it) O’Reiley Legal Fel- attending a Chris- during the FFRF convention in Madison, Wis., in 2019. low. I primarily have MEET A STAFFER tian African Meth- the great privilege odist Episcopal of advocating on behalf of members and Zion church. I attended Sunday school nonmembers by writing letters to individ- and sang in the choir. Executive Board member uals and organizations who have violated My doubts about religion started: Pret- the Constitution. I also work on various ty young. I’d say 8 years old. I started to legal projects in our litigation and legal see how people would treat certain folks passionate on issue of education teams. in the church differently and even tell What I like best about it: Not only do I me not to associate with certain other state/church separation get to advance the things that I believe in, children. But we were all members of the but I also get to advocate for real people. same church. And, over time, I under- Name: Todd Peissig Three words that sum me up: In- Law school can be an exhaustingly hypo- stood that church was just a social club Where I live: Medford, Wis. quisitive, skeptical and passionate. thetical playhouse. FFRF’s attorneys, lead- and religion was the arbitrary social rule- Where and when I was born: Mil- Person in history I admire and why: ership and members make the legal land- book. By the time I was 13, I realized it waukee in 1966. Michelangelo was an Italian sculptor, scape real and I get to be on the frontlines had little to do with goodness, but a lot to Family: Mother, father and one sis- painter, architect and poet. He seems as a legal advocate. do with social order and money. ter — all atheists and all members of like he was extremely intelligent and a What gets old about it: Working re- Things I like: Napping in a canoe on FFRF. truly enlightened man for his time. In motely! I know it’s not an inherent part of the lake in the summer sun. Education: Bachelor of science de- his lifetime, he was often referred to the job, but it is real, nonetheless. I started Things I smite: People who assume gree in pharmacy from the University as Ill Divino (the Divine One) and it with FFRF remotely and I’ve only met a their own rightness without ever challeng- of Wisconsin-Madison. seems to me that if you are going to be handful of people in-person. I’m excited ing their own assumptions. Why I volunteer for FFRF: I am pas- “divine,” instilling a sense of awe in the for the world to get vaccinated so that we In my golden years: Assuming we’re sionate about state/church separation eyes of your fellow man is one of the can return to the office. talking about the crest of life and not issues. Church violations do a tremen- best ways you can accomplish it. Working from home has been: Exhaust- the classic David Bowie song, I’d like to dous amount of damage to many peo- A quotation I like: “I may not agree ing! It’s by far the toughest part of the job. spend my time leading students on out- ple. I was personally affected with what you say, but I will I’m a very person-centered advocate, so door retreats. for many years, not being defend to the death your able to marry the person I right to say it.” — Voltaire love because same-sex mar- Things I like: FFRF, travel- riage was NOT the law until ing all over the world with my 2015, all because it was op- partner, eating foods from posed by the Religious Right. different ethnic regions, What I do for FFRF: I am reading, collecting art and an FFRF Executive Board antiquing. member, and we meet several Things I smite: State/ times per year making import- Todd Peissig church violations, right-wing ant decisions on the running politics, cold weather and of the organization and its employees, desserts made with coconut. which is not only fascinating, but also Ways I promote freethought: Be- very fulfilling. sides being a Life What I like best A AR R Member of FFRF, about it: A very I am a member enjoyable part of my volunteering is of several other freethought groups, getting to run the “clean money” raf- always trying to educate myself on fles, along with my partner Eric, at the the current trends and issues. I always annual FFRF conventions. However, I communicate freely with friends, fam- consider it a privilege to be just a small ily and co-workers my feelings on free- Joseph McDonald part of FFRF, helping it to fight the thought issues and educate them on battles of the state/church violations. the harm that religion has caused hu- My religious upbringing was: My manity. I like to think that I may some- family was never deeply religious, how “enlighten” them. Photoshop # White however, my mother always thought attending church was important only because it was the “thing to do,” since Published by Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. most people where we lived attended RECRUIT A MEMBER church. She eventually realized the Sample copies for $2 P.O. Box 750 Madison WI 53701 uselessness of church and now calls Send $2 with the name and [email protected] FFRF.org herself an atheist and, along with my address of each person you wish P 608.256.8900 F 608.204.0422 father, is a proud Life Member of FFRF. to receive a sample copy of My doubts about religion started: As Freethought Today to: EDITOR PJ Slinger [email protected] I made my way through middle school, FFRF EDITOR EMERITUS Bill Dunn then high school I became fascinated P.O. Box 750 EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER Annie Laurie Gaylor with science and realized that the re- Madison, WI 53701 GRAPHIC DESIGNER Roger Daleiden ligious teachings made no sense and Or go to: ffrf.us/sample COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Amit Pal many were, in fact, factually impossi- ble. By the time I was 18 years old, I CONTRIBUTORS asked my parents if I could stop going Bonya Ahmed, Trisha Ahmed, Barbara Alvarez, Dan Barker, Steve Benson, to church and they were liberal enough Erwin Chemerinsky, Bailey Nachreiner-Mackesey, Audrey Martinovich, to let me make my own decision. Please send us only names of likely supporters Andrew L. Seidel, Jake Swenson So, I never stepped foot in a church Freedom depends upon freethinkers The only freethought newspaper in the United States again. April 2021 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 3 Why we need to reshape the federal judiciary

This article first appeared in The New the effects of the pandemic, wait times York Times on Feb. 11 and is reprinted with for civil trials in the Eastern District of permission. California were approaching five years and, for average people seeking relief, By Erwin Chemerinsky there seems to be little or no prospect of ever getting their cases resolved. It can be nearly impossible for peo- n just one term, the Trump adminis- ple to get their cases heard in many tration reshaped the federal judiciary. federal courts because of the colossal Working closely with a Republican logjam of cases. District judges no lon- ISenate, the Trump White House ap- ger have time to hear oral arguments pointed more than a quarter of all active in many cases. Litigants often are be- judges, including three Supreme Court ing told that they might want to con- justices and more than four dozen ap- sider other avenues, like arbitration. peals court judges — 245 judges in all, Those with deep pockets may be able more than other to wait it out or pay for arbiters to re- recent presidents in solve disputes privately, but for most their first terms. Americans, the current situation is a The judges have huge barrier to ever getting justice. life tenure and Also, federal judges who are eligible are, by and large, for senior status should take it. Those relatively young. judges can still handle cases, helping Seventy-six percent to increase the capacity of the federal are men; 84 per- judiciary. But by taking senior status, cent are white. And they would also open up their seats and overwhelmingly, give Democrats a chance to replace Erwin they are staunchly them. During the Obama presidency, Chemerinsky conservative. So, a number of liberal appeals court judg- the impact on the federal courts will be es declined to take senior status when significant and extend for decades. they could have. When they eventu- Now that the Democrats have won ally left the bench, it was too late for back the White House and control of very aggressive. As his former Chief of circuit judgeships, Democrats because Republicans had the Senate, the party must grab its op- Staff Josh Holmes put it: “McConnell 61 new district taken control of the Senate. President portunity and focus on nominating and knows that from a legacy point of view, judgeships, and 13 Trump appointed conservatives to take confirming judges. It’s especially ur- from a view of center-right America, this temporary district their place. gent because they have control over the is the most important thing you can do.” judgeships. The importance of the federal courts Senate by a single vote, and it’s unclear The unfortunate fact is that Dem- Court filings cannot be overestimated. Criminal pros- if they will be able to maintain control ocrats have not always made filling have significantly ecutions, civil rights lawsuits, copyright after the midterm elections. judgeships a priority. Clinton took increased since the and antitrust matters, claims of religious To that end, Justice Stephen Brey- office in January 1993 with many un- last time some new freedom and countless other matters er should seriously consider stepping filled judgeships. Two years later, when federal judgeship flow through those chambers. Federal down from the Supreme Court in July the Republicans took control of the Justice Breyer posts were created. courts also address some of the most 2021, at the end of the court’s current Senate, many of those posts remained Our courts have pressing problems of our times. They term. Justice Breyer will be 83 in August open. President Obama was also slow been in crisis as a result. From 1990 are the last protection against abuses by and has been a justice since his 1994 in appointing judges. through the end of 2018, case filings other branches of government. appointment by President Clinton. He The Democrats should increase the in appeals courts grew by 15 percent The Democrats must make haste and should give President Biden the chance number of District Court and Court and in District Courts by 39 percent. follow the example of their Republican to replace him while the Senate is in of Appeals judgeships. Entirely apart For example, in the Eastern District counterparts by making the federal judi- Democratic hands. from helping to restore ideological of California, which covers the Cen- ciary their urgent priority. The Senate’s majority leader, Chuck balance in the federal courts, this in- tral Valley up through Sacramento, no Erwin Chemerinsky is the dean of the law Schumer, must be at least as aggressive crease is desperately overdue. The last new judicial posts have been created in school at the University of California, Berke- in the effort to reshape the judiciary significant expansion in the federal more than 40 years, even as the pop- ley. He is the author, most recently, with How- as his Republican predecessor, Mitch judiciary was in 1990, when the Civ- ulation of that district grew by more ard Gillman, of The Religion Clauses: The McConnell, was. And McConnell was il Justice Reform Act created 11 new than 5.5 million people. Even before Case for Separating Church and State. OVERHEARD No more hopes and prayers, thoughts essential to their existence. they had already embraced a faith that The Supreme Court has increasingly and prayers. A vote is what we need, a vote, Mashal Naseem, daughter of Tahir Na- championed an us-vs.-them militancy, exempted religious believers from gov- not thoughts and prayers. seem, the U.S. citizen who was murdered the denigration of liberals and feminists, ernment regulations, and it is clear by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schum- in Pakistan over blasphemy allegations. the sexual objectification of women, an their statements that individual justices er, vowing that the Senate would vote on Vice.com, 2-23-21 appreciation for coarse language and on the right think religion is under siege the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of even violence when directed at the right in America. 2021, which passed the House March 17 in You used God to enslave my forepar- targets, and a thinly veiled misogyny that Joan Biskupic, in the article, “Right-wing a 227-203 vote. ents. You used God to segregate me in kept women in their (God-given) place. justices think religion is under siege. Fox News, 3-17-21 school. You used . . . Crassness, callousness, righteous vi- Will the full Supreme Court follow?” God to put me in olence, and even sexual aggression are CNN, 2-17-21 I am being made a criminal for post- the back of the signs of God-given, testosterone-driven ing a f****ing photograph on Insta- bus. Have you no masculinity. I’m actually not surprised that evan- gram. . . . We are going backwards in shame? . . . This Kristin Kobes du Mez, in her article gelicals are more likely to believe those time, more backward thinking. It is a is not about God. “No, Rush Limbaugh did not hack your kinds of things. Evangelicals are not so- violation of the most basic human laws. It’s about men who parents’ Christianity.” cially isolated, but they are information- . . . I don’t think the public know the choose to discrim- Religion Dispatches, 2-22-21 ally isolated. details of the level of harassment I have inate against oth- Samuel Perry, a professor of sociology at been through. It is getting monstrous, er people because The case against “education savings the University of Oklahoma, about how and it is a growing tide of censorship Al Green they have the power accounts,” as those attempting to make the QAnon conspiracy theory takes hold and harassment. to do so. vouchers seem more appealing call them, among evangelicals more than others. Polish heavy-metal singer Adam “Ner- Rep. Al Green of New York, just prior is not complicated. There is the issue of FiveThirtyEight.com, 3-4-21 gal” Graski, after appealing a sentence to the U.S. House passing the Equality separation of church and state when for blasphemy after stepping on a photo Act, in a speech targeted to Republi- sending taxpayer money to religious insti- Atheists, in general, are understud- of the Virgin Mary in an Instagram post. cans who have claimed their religion led tutions. Private and charter schools don’t ied. And when they are studied, they are The Irish Times, 2-24-21 them to oppose civil rights protections have to follow the same regulations that not studied well. for LGBTQ persons. public schools do, leaving kids at risk. David Speed, professor of psychology at It was not surprising that the major- The Friendly Atheist, 2-27-21 Amy Moore, in an op-ed, “Iowa should the University of New Brunswick in St. ity of Pakistan chose to hail my father’s renew its public schools, not abandon John, Canada. killer as a hero, as they are brainwashed The truth is, many conservative Chris- them.” Religion News Service, 3-4-21 into believing that blasphemy laws are tians embraced Rush Limbaugh because Des Moines Register, 2-20-21 Page 4 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | April 2021 Freethought Today Cryptogram FFRF’s convention U A J H M W J U W U Q F M F W P F J M Z G M Q U H I H L E U C M Q G E G M Q in Boston still TBD U J M X “E H U, X L G I J W E J U L H G T! J B M F N X L G I J W E J U L H G T! J But save the dates! authors Margaret Atwood, Gloria Stei- nem, John Irving, Katherine Stewart N J T T Z G I H S G J W Z! J Y H T J H I H J M D E Z H G L W W Z G W N Z G W Weekend of Nov. 19-21 and Phil Zuckerman, entertainer John at Boston Park Hotel Davidson, Hispanic American Free- thinkers’ founder David Tamayo, New X F H U C V, C V, C V D C U W A F D H Q F N M, Q F N M, Q F N M. G D H M!” The Freedom From Religion Founda- York Times court columnist Linda tion is cautiously optimistic that its 2021 Greenhouse and Black Skeptics Los An- — Q G M Y G L B H L national convention — scheduled for geles founder Sikivu Hutchinson. the weekend of Nov. 19-21 at the Boston Look for updates and announce- This puzzle is from Freethinking Cryptograms by FFRF Member Brooks Rimes. See Park Hotel, Boston — may take place. ments in future issues of Freethought bottom of page for description and hint for this puzzle. Answer is on Page 21. But, as Dr. Anthony Fauci wisely advises, Today and on our website, ffrf.org/ we must “Let the science speak.” convo-2021. FFRF, like the rest of the nation, We look forward to holding a Freethought Today Crossword awaits pandemic mitigation develop- post-pandemic celebratory bash with ments and advice, and hopes by mid these powerhouse speakers and seeing or late summer to know whether a na- you there, when it’s safe. tional conference will be practical and Please keep in mind future conven- safe. FFRF encourages you to hold that tion sites and dates: Hyatt Regency San weekend open, and will let you know as Antonio Riverwalk, Oct. 28-30, 2022, soon as we know whether we can hold a and Monona Terrace Convention Cen- post-pandemic “bash” this year! ter/Hilton Madison Monona Terrace, The amazing roster still includes Oct. 13-15, 2023.

S8TAN Continued from page 1 attorneys fees as a result of defending its The Satanic Temple functions as a unconstitutional conduct. secular group that works in part to pro- “The Motor Vehicle Division’s restric- mote the separation of state and church. tion of the message because of the view- “Some of the reasons we choose point being expressed violates the free ‘S8TAN’ are that it represents to us free- speech clause of the First Amendment,” thinking, standing for rights, opposing FFRF Staff Attorney Chris Line wrote to injustice, common sense, belief in sci- Alabama Motor Vehicle Division Direc- ence, protecting other’s rights, com- tor Jay Starling. “The Supreme Court passion towards others, treating people has continually struck down viewpoint with dignity and respect,” says FFRF’s discrimination by the government.” complainant. FFRF recently learned from its com- FFRF is pleased at ensuring equal pro- plainant that its communication with tection of viewpoints on license plates in the state of Alabama had an effect and Alabama, where religious messages are that a triumph for free speech was in- permitted. deed achieved. “Our complainant learned that folks “My husband and I are members of at the Alabama Motor Vehicle Division Answers on page 21 Puzzle courtesy of Katya Maes for FFRF The Satanic Temple; its fundamental te- laughed and said that ‘S8TAN’ would Across nets fit with what we believe,” the person never be on a tag in the state of Ala- co-president 14. *Richard ____, emailed FFRF. “The state of Alabama bama,” says FFRF Co-President Annie 1. *”No ____, No 47. Street in Italy author of “The God has no business judging us for our or Laurie Gaylor. “Now look who is having Masters,” Margaret 48. Movie trailer, e.g. Delusion” anyone else’s beliefs.” the last laugh.” Sanger’s slogan and 50. Chinese monetary 19. Silly part of A. L. Gaylor’s unit 22. Kind of humor book title 52. *”E ____ Unum,” 23. *”The Emperor Has 5. Kickable game prop supplanted by “In No Clothes,” e.g. Freethought Matters 2021 Season 8. “Survivor” network God We Trust” 24. Forearm bones 11. One-armed bandit 55. Dyed fabric 25. West and Sandler An antidote to religion on the airwaves and Sunday morning sermonizing 12. Spanish for male wolf 56. Litter member 26. Sheltered, nautically Freethought Matters TV talk show airs in: 13. “J’____,” or “I love 57. Moldy appetizer 27. Crack sealer Watch our show Chicago WPWR-CW (Ch. 50) 9 am you” in Paris 59. Hoard 28. What “12 Angry Men” every Sunday! Denver KWGN-CW (Ch. 2) 7 am 15. Friend in war 60. Singer-songwriter Tori tried to do Houston KUBE-IND (Ch. 57) 9 am 16. Paleozoic and 61. Trend-setting 29. Power of affecting Los Angeles KCOP-MY (Ch. 13) 8:30 am Mesozoic, e.g. 62. Campfire residue taste buds Madison, Wis. WISC-TV (Ch. 3) 11 pm 17. China grass 63. *Nietzsche: “Is 32. Wise man Minneapolis KSTC-IND (Ch. 45) 9:30 am 18. *SSA, a.k.a. Secular ____ one of God’s 33. Under the weather New York City WPIX-IND (Ch. 11) 8:30 am Student ____ blunders? Or is 36. *Ricky ____, English Phoenix KASW-CW (Ch. 61) 8:30 am 20. Goody bag stuff God one of ____’s comedian, actor, (Ch. 61 or 6 or 1006 for HD) 21. Boredom blunders?” writer, director and Portland, Ore. KRCW-CW (Ch. 32) 9 am (703 on Comcast for HD or Ch. 3) 22. Chinese cuisine 64. Viking writing symbol atheist Photo by Chris Line cookware 38. Savory taste sensation Sacramento KQCA-MY (Ch. 58) 8:30 am Down Visit FFRF’s YouTube Channel San Francisco KICU-IND (Ch. 36) 10 am 23. Turkey’s highest peak 40. Arabic garment to watch the shows. Seattle KONG-IND (Ch. 16) 8 am 26. Plant of bruise-treating 1. General Services 41. Terminates (Ch. 16 or Ch. 106 on Comcast) renown, pl. Administration, acr. 44. Sty sounds Washington, D.C. WDCW-CW (Ch. 50, 23, 3) 8 am 30. Roll of bills 2. Paella pot 46. *Agnostic Margaret 31. In a curious manner 3. Cabbage Patch Kid, Atwood’s “The ____ 34. North American e.g. Bride” Go to: ffrf.org/freethought-matters for more information Grappling Association, 4. Hairdresser 48. D’Artagnan’s hat acr. 5. ____copia accessory 35. “Bad news travels fast,” 6. Old-time calculators 49. Kind of sentence e.g. 7. Pinocchio’s lie 50. Thanksgiving tubers Cryptogram hint 37. Bass or Redhook detector 51. The Beehive State A cryptogram is a substitution puzzle in which one letter stands for another. 38. Seize a throne 8. Robin Cook’s 1977 52. Baby carriage If U equals T, it will equal T throughout the puzzle. 39. Ice on a window novel 53. Pakistani language Example: 40. Radiant 9. Prison on a ship 54. Endorse a check UOG RLQTM HYVBF DVP SLACN VWGY UOG KJEZ XVI. 42. Tolstoy 10. “____ Spot run” 55. “Sheep be true! THE QUICK BROWN FOX JUMPS OVER THE LAZY DOG. 43. Get undressed 12. Shanty ___-ram-ewe!” This month’s hint: V = P. 45. *Dan ____, FFRF 13. Match play? 58. Potato bud April 2021 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 5 Biden should abolish ‘faith-based office’ The Biden Administration should effective efforts to serve people in need abolish, not resurrect, the White House across the country and around the world, Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood in partnership with civil society, including Partnerships, as it did with the Feb. 15 ex- faith-based and secular organizations.” ecutive order. But the order doesn’t create an Office of FFRF was the most vociferous critic of Neighborhood Partnerships to Serve Peo- President George W. Bush’s egregious ac- ple in Need, as it should. Instead, it wrong- tion to establish a “faith-based initiative,” ly singles out faith-based aid for special which has created so much bad precedent treatment, buying into the myth that most to entangle religion and government. social services in our nation are religious As FFRF noted at the time, 9/11 was in nature. But in this case as in so many “a faith-based initiative” — and so was the others, churches get the credit . . . and tax- Capitol riot on Jan. 6. payers get the bill. Our lawsuit over the creation of a faith- Biden has tapped Melissa Rogers, who based office in the White House and at the ran the office during Obama’s second cabinet level went all the way to the U.S. term, as its newest executive director. She Supreme Court. In Hein v. FFRF, issued in is the former general counsel for the Bap- 2007, the high court in a 5-4 decision (fol- tist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, lowing the resignation of Justice Sandra which is generally pro-state/church sep- Day O’Connor), ruled that FFRF, Co-Pres- aration and has supported FFRF in some idents Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gay- cases. Josh Dickson, named deputy direc- lor, President Emeritus Anne Gaylor, had Photo from WhiteHouse.gov tor of the faith-based office, helped with no right to sue the executive branch for President Biden signs an executive order on Feb. 15 that resurrects the White House “Humanists for Biden” and co-authored a entangling state and church. Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Brookings Institute report with E.J. Dionne In fact, the ruling made clear that no Said one Bush official, “When I saw one better than previous versions because the entitled, “A Time to Heal, A Time to Build.” citizen would have the right to sue the of those non-Christian groups in the set executive order technically recognizes Apparently taking its title from Ecclesi- president for setting up a faith-based office [of grants] I was reviewing, I just stopped secular aid organizations, the separation astes 3:3, the report recognizes nonbeliev- in the White House. looking at them and gave them a zero. . between state and church, and the exis- ers, stating that “the proportion of Ameri- The Supreme Court did not find the . . A lot of us did.” Bush used the office tence of nonreligious Americans. The or- cans who do not identify with any religious office constitutional, never ruling on the to compensate his supporters — evangel- der says it is establishing the office “while tradition has skyrocketed, especially merits of the case. ical Christians. Former President Trump preserving our fundamental constitution- among the young, and these nonbelievers That office is indeed unconstitution- notoriously appointed televangelist Paula al commitments guaranteeing the equal are an important” political constituency. al, and it has been abused to reward White to run the office. protection of the laws and the free exer- Rogers and Dickson may appreciate the churches that support political candi- When President Obama was elected, cise of religion and forbidding the estab- separation of state and church, but the of- dates, among other things. Christian or- he watered down the office by renaming lishment of religion.” fice itself violates that principle. And the ganizations have been given high pref- it the Office of Faith-based and Neighbor- The order states that the purpose of degree of the violation should not depend erence under previous administrations. hood Partnerships. The Biden iteration is the office is “to assist in organizing more on who’s in the office.

$3,700 donated Spread the word, not the virus Join the to food bank by Thomas Paine FFRF’s Denver Metro chapter Day event Claudette St.Pierre, president of the Please join the Freedom From Reli- Denver Metro Chapter of FFRF and an gion Foundation, the Freethought Soci- FFRF State Representative, described ety, the Thomas Paine National Histori- how the Denver chapter again helped cal Association, the Center for Inquiry the Food Bank of the Rockies. and the American Humanist Association She writes: “Our chapter engages in as we celebrate some sort of community charity support the 2021 Thom- every year. In the past, we have donated as Paine Day via to Atheists Helping the Homeless, Den- Zoom on June 8. ver Pride Fest, as well as the Food Bank Register at of the Rockies. this site: bit.ly/ “We had success with a spring Food Join4Humanity. Bank fundraiser last year when the pan- The program demic was at its peak, so we thought with begins at 6:45 the winter surge and seeing that more p.m. Eastern time and more folks were suffering from food with a 15-minute insecurity, we decided to do another Thomas Paine- fundraiser. We want to show the commu- themed concert by songwriter and re- nity that nonbelievers are just as gener- cording artist James Klueh. ous as the religious folks. Melissa Myers (representing Center “It also helps our members participate for Inquiry) and Margaret Downey (rep- in community support without having resenting Freethought Society) are the to ‘volunteer’ or go out of their bubble event co-hosts. during the pandemic (we do have many After an introductory statement from members who are 65 and older). Our U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin, a welcome mes- chapter matched funds dollar for dollar sage will be given by co-sponsors’ repre- up to $2,000. We donated over $3,700! sentatives Annie Laurie Gaylor, Robyn Our local members are very generous!” Blumner, Mandisa Thomas, Gary Berton The Food Bank of the Rockies said and Downey. the monetary gift would be enough to A summary of the life and work of provide nearly 15,000 meals. Thomas Paine will be presented in sec- tions by Mandisa Thomas of AHA, Tom Flynn of CFI, Andrew Seidel of FFRF, What Is a Freethinker? Doug and Deborah Hilpipre of Illinois stand near FFRF’s “In Science We Trust” Downey of FS and Berton of TPNHA. billboard in Chicago at the intersection of Lincoln and Foster avenues in the Sculptor Zenos Frudakis will show freethinker n. Lincoln Square neighborhood. The Hilpipres were instrumental in getting the progress of the Thomas Paine statue 1 A person who forms opinions the sign displayed. project and Dan Barker, co-president of FFRF, will perform his original song “The about religion on the basis of reason, Tom Cara, president of the Metropolitan Chicago Chapter of FFRF, says the World is My Country.” independently of tradition, authority, billboard sign was scheduled only to be up through the end of February, but After a short break, there will be a was still greeting pedestrians and drivers in early March. or established belief. question-and-answer session to conclude the festivities. Page 6 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | April 2021 FFRF NEWS National Day of Reason Join FFRF, others in ‘Mayday For Humanity’ The Freedom From Religion Foundation and oth- zations operate in a non-discriminatory and secu- er secular and freethinking groups are asking you to lar manner. The program will be interspersed with celebrate National Day of Reason on May 6 by join- messages from co-sponsors, celebrity supporters and ing the Zoom entertainment people who are conducting grass- extravaganza — “Mayday For roots community service projects Humanity.” during the 2021 Secular Week of FFRF, along with members Action (April 30 – May 9). of the Secular Student Alliance, An online auction will also the Secular Coalition for Ameri- take place with items donated ca, the Freethought Society, and by Zenos Frudakis, Ann Druyan, Recovering From Religion are Curt Anderson, the Humanists sponsoring the event. Society of Santa Barbara and The three-hour program will many others. Julia Sweeney begin at 7 p.m. EST, with come- John de Lancie Register for the Zoom event dians Leighann Lord and Ian at: bit.ly/Join4Humanity. Pre-event Harris co-hosting. They will usher in an array of co- donations can be made at: bit.ly/MAYDAY4HUMANI- medians, poets and performers, including Penn & TY. You can also donate via text! Just text the code: Teller, Julia Sweeney, John de Lancie, John Davidson “MAYDAY4HUMANITY” to 44-321. and Ann Druyan. (See below for full list.) Here is the list of performers and guest appearances: The National Day of Reason falls on the same date Ty Barnett, Sandra Booker, Baba Brinkman, John as the National Day of Prayer. But, as the religious Davidson, Ann Druyan, John Fugelsang, Victor Har- community prays, the nontheist community will be Humanity” event, online donations will be collected ris, Jon Huertas, Keith Lowell Jensen, John de Lancie, taking action! to benefit homeless shelters and food banks select- Hemant Mehta, Shelley Segal, Gary Stockdale, Penn During the National Day of Reason’s “Mayday For ed by the event co-sponsors. All beneficiary organi- & Teller, Jill Sobule, Julia Sweeney, Voices of Reason. FFRF welcomes Life members FFRF welcomes and thanks its 21 Amanda Schackart (gifted by Alap Pa- newest Lifetime, three After-Life and tel), Marci Shaver, Larry Shelzi, Steve one Beyond After-Life members, and Sklar, William Stees, Lisa Tilling- those who have become Immortals. ham, Eugene Zabokritski and Marc Michael E. Meek is the newest Be- Zylberberg. yond After-Life member. Beyond Af- The new Immortals are Charles ter-Life is a the very generous mem- Burton, David H. Carroll, Amy Mur- bership category of $10,000. phy-DeMeo, Martin Stern and Jim Frank Bastian, Phil Carskaddan Zerwick (an FFRF Executive Board and Kenneth Krug are FFRF’s newest Member). The Immortals category is After-Life members. After-Life is a the for those who have made provisions highly generous membership catego- in their estate for FFRF. ry of $5,000. States represented are Arizona, Cal- The new $1,000 Lifetime members ifornia, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, are Brad Baker, Al Crafts, Lewis M. Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Cutler, Timothy Douros, John Edel- Montana, New York, North Carolina, son, Larry Gerlach, Dante Cade Ha- Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Washing- This tweet from The Hill shows U.S. Sen Tommy Tuberville speaking to the Senate rootunian (a former FFRF legal fel- ton, Wisconsin and Wyoming. on March 1. low), Brian Kuehn, Caryla J. Larsen, Mark Mabie, Cassidy Maxson-Jones (gifted by Gerald “Jerry” Cummings), Newly elected senator John Randolph Mecredy, Bo Savage, Just Pretend: A Book For Young Freethinkers wrong on school prayer By Dan Barker The Born Again Skeptic’s Illustrated U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, who built on students as an official part of the school Guide to the Bible by Kati Treu a reputation for pushing religion onto day. “So long as there are pop math quiz- By Ruth Hurmence Green Revised and public school football players, repeated zes, there will be prayer in public schools,” adorably his Christian Nationalist talking points on quips FFRF Co-President Dan Barker. In A Missouri $5 Off! illustrated grandmother the floor of the U.S. Senate on March 1. fact, at least half of public schools in the classic. This fun debunks the bible book explores As a coach, Tuberville was instrumen- United States were not scheduling class- as no one has tal in spreading the harmful practice of room or other school-imposed prayer at myths and debunked it since religion from a freethought point of scheduling Christian college football the time of the 1962 and 1963 Supreme Thomas Paine. view, and promotes critical thinking. chaplains to push religion onto public Court decisions protecting student rights —Published by FFRF. 440 pages / PB school athletes. Tuberville played a prom- of conscience. Tuberville wants to inflict Color Edition! Published by FFRF inent role in the Freedom From Religion his brand of religious rituals on all public Foundation’s comprehensive report, school students, as he demonstrated when Buy it from FFRF online Buy it from FFRF online “Pray to Play,” exposing such abuses at he was a football coach. @ ffrf.org/shop ffrf.org/shop the collegiate level. As the report pointed Second, Tuberville is laughably wrong out, Tuberville is personally responsible to say that more religion is the solution to for instituting unconstitutional chaplain- low science scores. Religion has historical- cies at Ole Miss, Auburn, Texas Tech and ly inhibited scientific progress, insisting ‘IN SCIENCE WE TRUST’ Self inking stamp Cincinnati. that gaps in our scientific knowledge must Tuberville today declared from the be filled with dogma rather than by rea- floor, “We’ve got to start teaching our son-based evidence. From the heliocentric young people moral values again. That model of the solar system to evolution, re- starts with putting God and prayer back in ligion has always been there to condemn our schools.” the quest for scientific truth and progress. NEW! Carefully crafted to stamp out Tuberville then lamented that U.S. Religion is the typical justification of ʻgod’ on U.S. currency. Good students are underperforming in read- politicians like Tuberville who reject the for up to 2000 impressions. ing, science and math compared to their science on vaccines, climate change and counterparts abroad. more. Tuberville should reflect on the fact $20 postpaid — Item #ST02 Tuberville is wrong twice over. First, pri- that the countries that have outpaced the vate prayer was never taken out of U.S. pub- United States in terms of academics are, Buy It Online ffrf.org/shop lic schools, except when illegally imposed on a whole, much less religious. April 2021 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 7 FFRF rebukes FBI for promotion of religion FFRF is admonishing the FBI for con- cannot support, promote or otherwise ducting Christian devotions and otherwise endorse religion or engage in religious unconstitutionally promoting religion. exercises,” FFRF Staff Attorney Chris An FBI employee has informed FFRF Line writes to McDermott. “Therefore, it about serious concerns regarding in- is inappropriate for a public institution creased religious promotion within the such as the FBI Academy to schedule an bureau. The FBI reportedly has a chap- invocation as part of a secular graduation lain offer a Christian invocation at FBI ceremony.” graduation ceremonies and allows reli- Furthermore, FFRF adds, a call to FBI gious figures into agents, their families the VIP section and friends, and of- during FBI Acade- ficers — who may be my events. The com- I have restocked the of varying faiths or no plainant has also chapel with bibles, MP3 faith — for collective reported that last sticks“ and tracts for all. prayer is coercive, summer, an FBI su- embarrassing and pervisor (Assistant — FBI Academy chaplain beyond the scope of Director Renae Mc- a government train- Dermott) forward- ing academy. ed an email from the Academy chaplain Prayers at FBI Academy events are es- to all employees reminding them “that pecially coercive. Although the prayer there is a divine power in charge of all may technically have been voluntary, things. You are all very much appreciat- agents would likely interpret a command- Photo by Adam Gray from Twitter ed and I have been praying for you and ing officer’s suggestion to participate in Eric Barber of Parkersburg, W.Va., is alleged to have participated in the insurrection your loved ones each week. . . . I have the prayer as a command and would likely at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. restocked the chapel with bibles, MP3 be unwilling to publicly dissent because of sticks and tracts for all.” potential negative consequences on their Scheduling prayers at FBI events such new career. as Academy graduation ceremonies is un- FFRF has requested the FBI to abide FFRF foe charged constitutional and a violation of rights of by the Constitution and has put in a Free- conscience, FFRF informs the FBI. dom of Information Act request to ensure “It is a fundamental constitutional that the nation’s law-enforcement agency principle that publicly funded institutions indeed does that. in Capitol attack Christian Nationalist Eric Barber, a microphone, pressed the button, and former member of the City Council in shouted, ‘Amen.’” FFRF had highlight- FFRF rips Parkersburg, W.Va., has been charged ed video of his behavior at one of the in connection with the Jan. 6 Capitol council meetings. insurrection. FFRF, which is suing the Barber’s behavior at the City Coun- abortion Parkersburg City Council, had called cil meetings seems to have been true in early January for an investigation of to type. Disturbing video footage his role in the assault. shows Barber in a military-style helmet ban law in Barber was charged March 3 with during the attacks. entering a restricted building, disor- Another Christian Nationalist in Arkansas derly conduct and theft, and was re- West Virginia who seems to be involved leased on a $10,000 unsecured bond. in the insurrection is state Sen. Mike FFRF condemns Arkansas Gov. Asa “If you were to be convicted of any of Azinger, who has been open about his Hutchinson for signing into law a Photo by Shutterstock these charges, you would be exposed to attendance and wish that Trump will near-total abortion ban. years in prison,” U.S. Magistrate Judge call protesters back to D.C. FFRF had The law, scheduled to go into effect Bader Ginsburg by Christian Nationalist Dwane Tinsley told him during an condemned a school bible bill that in late summer, would permit abortions Amy Coney Barrett, makes the future of Roe initial hearing out of the U.S. District Azinger sponsored in the state Senate. only in rare cases to save the lives of v. Wade uncertain as these religion-backed Court for the District of Columbia. “We know from personal experience pregnant women, with no exceptions bills wend their way to the high court. Until recently, Barber was a mem- that Christian Nationalists at all levels for rape or incest. This egregious ban endangers the ber of the council that FFRF and lo- of our government pose a grave threat Hutchinson claims that he is motivated health of millions of women. Studies have cal plaintiffs are suing over its practice to individual liberties and our secular by his “sincere and pro-life convictions.” shown that denying abortion care can of beginning governmental meetings form of government,” comments Annie These so-called “pro-life convictions” are lead to long-term health consequences with an unconstitutional recitation of Laurie Gaylor, FFRF co-president. “Now undermining the lives and constitutional and contributes to poor maternal health the Lord’s Prayer, which derives from we see just how dangerous some of rights of women throughout Arkansas — outcomes. In contrast, abortion is an ex- the New Testament. these Christian Nationalists really are.” and potentially the country. tremely safe procedure and complications Due to his aggressive conduct, FFRF The FBI had received several tips State Sen. Jason Rapert, the bill’s spon- are rare, with no long-term consequences had singled Barber out in reporting identifying Barber’s presence at the sor, has equated abortion to slavery and on a woman’s physical or mental health on developments in our litigation: “At Capitol. CCTV footage from U.S. described the abortion ban as though it after an abortion. least one member of the City Council Capitol Police shows Barber moving were a religious tenet. In a tweet on Feb. The Arkansas abortion ban has dan- has been openly hostile to nonpartici- through the Capitol, taking selfie pho- 22, Rapert described abortion as a “crime gerous consequences for the women of pants,” the lawsuit charges. tographs in the rotunda and searching against humanity” while sharing the Re- this country. As a secular nation, we must “Councilman Eric Barber glared at through C-SPAN equipment at a me- publican Party of Arkansas’ 2020 platform. stand up for science, bodily autonomy and attendees who sat during the prayer at dia station in Statuary Hall, where he Notably, two principles on the platform the human right to health care — includ- a meeting. At the end of that prayer, allegedly unplugged a portable power are “the power of faith in God Almighty” ing abortion. Barber positioned himself near his station and stole it. and “the sanctity of life.” Make no mistake: This anti-abortion law is about imposing religion on a secular nation at the expense Yip Harburg, of women’s health. And it clearly violates Women Without Superstition from his book: Rhymes for the Irreverent “No Gods—No Masters” the rights spelled out in Roe v. Wade. Edited by, Annie That long-established decision ruled Laurie Gaylor that it is unconstitutional to impose a pre-vi- A Nose Is A Nose Is A Nose Collected writings ability abortion ban, which is around 24-26 of 50 women weeks of gestation. Hutchinson has openly Mother, Mother, freethinkers of stated that the goal is to bring it to the Su- the 19th & 20th Tell me please, centuries (51 $5 Off! preme Court in the hopes of overturning Did God who gave us flowers and trees, photographs). Roe v. Wade. Other states, including South Also provide the allergies? —Published by FFRF. Carolina, have recently passed anti-abor- 696 pages / HB tion bills that they, too, hope will lead to Illustrated by Seymore Chwast, published by FFRF $5 Off! the repeal of Roe. The ultraconservative Buy it from FFRF online Supreme Court, whose balance has been Buy it from FFRF online - ffrf.org/shop ffrf.org/shop tipped by the replacement of Justice Ruth Page 8 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | April 2021 FFRF VICTORIES

By Bailey Nachreiner-Mackesey FFRF Staff Attorney Chris Line submit- ted a public records request to the city Religious signatures no and asked for assurances that any deal be- tween the city and Haywood Street Con- longer part of emails gregation/Haywood Street Community An issue of religious promotion by a Development would include provisions teacher and coach has been corrected ensuring that this project would not en- in the Brighton 27J School District in rich the church at the expense of Ashe- Colorado. ville and that the property would not be A district community member alerted used for religious purposes. FFRF that a biology teacher and coach at According to local reporting, the city Brighton High School was sending emails has pulled the proposal to sell the land to from his official district account with a re- the church. ligious signature line. One email included the message: “‘Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will Sheriff’s religious post not stray from it.’ Proverbs 22:6.” FFRF Staff Attorney Chris Line wrote Roberts urging the district to stop any on Facebook removed to Superintendent Chris Fiedler, asking and all prayers occurring within any Religious tweet removed The Elk County Sheriff’s Office has him to ensure that religious email sig- school athletic programs. from school’s account removed a problematic social media natures are removed so as not to create “Public school coaches must re- In Missouri, a religious social media post promoting religion in Ridgway, Pa. the impression of school endorsement frain not only from leading prayers post has been removed from the Weau- A local resident alerted FFRF that of religion. themselves, but also from participat- bleau High School Softball Team’s of- Sheriff Todd Caltagarone posted what FFRF was assured by the Board of Ed- ing in students’ prayers,” Harootunian ficial page. amounted to a sermon on Facebook, ucation that the school principal would wrote. “It is unconstitutional for public The team’s official Twitter account decrying measures aimed at curbing address the issue with the teacher. school employees to participate in the posted Christian scripture that read, the pandemic, such as limits on in-per- religious activities of their students.” “With God there is no limit to what son gatherings, as an assault on free- Assistant Superintendent Adam YOU can do. There is no obstacle dom to worship, and advancing his per- Football coach won’t Blanchard sent a letter of response in- you can’t overcome, through him sonal religious belief that the bible says dicating that the district took this issue ALL things are possible! . . . We give his constituents should sing and praise proselytize in Montana seriously and that it has taken steps to God glory for another day to play! God in church. In Montana, reports of ongoing ensure coaches are not endorsing or #TIGERSTRONG.” FFRF Staff Attorney Maddy Ziegler proselytizing in the Great Falls Public joining in on prayer. FFRF Legal Fellow Joseph McDon- wrote to Caltagarone to alert the sher- Schools football program have been ad- The coach, the district wrote, “has ald wrote to Superintendent Eric iff to the impermissibility of promoting dressed by district leadership. been informed that his involvement in Wilkenm, urging the district to refrain religion on the department’s official FFRF was informed that the head this type of religious activity cannot oc- from posting religious messages to of- social media page. FFRF asked the sher- coach of the Charles M. Russell High cur during school or a school event.” ficial district social media pages as it iff’s office to remove the post, refrain School football team had been promot- constitutes an impermissible govern- from promoting or posting religious ing religion to his players and the public Chicago police won’t ment endorsement of religion. messages on social media, and enforce at large through official district commu- Wilken informed FFRF via email the laws officers swore to uphold, in- nication channels. The coach had been join in religious event that the post has been removed. cluding laws that will reduce the spread praying with his players and the team’s The Chicago Police Department has of Covid-19. official Instagram account was regular- acknowledged its obligation to remain FFRF was informed that the Facebook ly posting religious content. One post, neutral on religious matters. FFRF gets N.C. city to post has been taken down. which selected “Mary, Mother of God” A local resident informed FFRF that as the “Beast of the Day” read: three uniformed police officers on nix deal with church “Mary, mother of Jesus, was a willing ser- horseback attended the annual Feast The city of Asheville, N.C., has revoked Tenn. school district vant who trusted God and obeyed His call. of St. Francis Assisi pet blessing service. a proposal to embark on a development While her life held great honor, her call- During the public outdoor service, deal with a local church. to reassess prayers ing also required great suffering. Though Pastor Amity Carrubba of Grace Place FFRF was alerted to a proposal under A Tennessee district has addressed there was joy in motherhood, there was Episcopal Church recited a Christian consideration by the Asheville City Coun- multiple incidents of school-endorsed great pain in the privilege of being the prayer and blessed more than 60 pets, cil that would have established a partner- prayer in Lexington. mother of the Messiah. Despite these including three police horses. ship between the city and Haywood Street FFRF was informed that a student, things, she responded to God with great FFRF Staff Attorney Chris Line Congregation to build affordable housing. with several staff members standing obedience and submission to his plan.” wrote to Superintendent David Brown, As part of the deal, through a “sepa- behind him with bowed head, led FFRF Staff Attorney Chris Line wrote urging the department and its officers rate” nonprofit, the church would have the audience in a Christian prayer at to Superintendent Thomas Moore, to refrain from participating in reli- received $1.45 million worth of land for last year’s Henderson County School alerting him to this impermissible be- gious events and avoiding endorsing $1 and $1 million in additional funding District graduation ceremony, which havior and urging the district to take religion when acting in their official from the city to develop the land into concluded with “and we thank You for corrective action. government capacity. affordable housing. One of FFRF’s com- Moore informed FFRF in an email Brown wrote in a response letter to plainants stated that when the Housing response that the issues were addressed FFRF that the department will “review and Development Committee considered with the coach and the religious posts [its] policies and procedures in an effort this proposal last year, Vice Mayor Shene- Pansy Freethinker Mug have been permanently removed from to maintain government neutrality and ika Smith noted that she was a woman of G azed bri iant b ue ceramic the team’s social media page. protect the constitutional principles of faith and that is why she voted to approve handcrafted mug with separation between church and state.” this land transfer. pansy meda ion (symbo of freethought). American- Michigan coach won’t made. 12 f . oz. pray with students $35 each Item #MU04 for two A public school basketball coach in NOTHING FAILS LIKE PRAYER $60 Michigan has been asked to stop pray- Prices include over ing with his team after FFRF contacted CONTEST 2021 $10 shipping per mug. his school district. Our goal is to see secular citizens flood government meetings with A district parent informed FFRF secular invocations that demonstrate why government prayers are that a Wyandot Middle School bas- unnecessary, ineffective, embarrassing, exclusionary, divisive or just ketball coach had been leading his plain silly. students in prayer before basketball games. According to the parent, the The individual who gives the best secular invocation will be invited coach would have the players gather to open FFRF’s annual convention in 2021, receiving an expenses- in a circle, make them hold hands and paid trip to Boston Nov. 19-21, 2021, along with a plaque and an then say a prayer. When he finished honorarium of $500. saying his prayer, he would ask any Deadline: August 1, 2021. of the players if they wanted to say a prayer. FFRF Legal Fellow Dante CH Ha- MORE INFO AT: Buy it from FFRF online rootunian sent a letter to Chippewa ffrf.org/nothing-fails-like-prayer ffrf.org/shop Valley Schools Superintendent Ronald April 2021 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 9 sending Your son down to this Earth “While there was no ulterior motive in to die on the cross for our sins. In Je- God’s got your back! the placement of the ballot bin, it is sus’ name, I pray. Amen.” Additional- the impact to the voter that we are fo- ly, FFRF was made aware that a district cused on in this case,” Cochran writes. band instructor led students in prayer “I can assure you all Officers of Elec- at a recent football game. tion will be trained on the learnings FFRF Staff Attorney Chris Line from this concern.” wrote to Director of Schools Steve Wilkinson to inform the district that both these instances of school prayer Church ad taken down in were constitutionally impermissible as they amounted to government en- Georgia school district dorsement of religion. A church advertisement has been re- The district’s attorney informed moved from Cobb County School Dis- FFRF in a letter of response that the trict property in Mariette, Ga. superintendent agreed to “address is- FFRF was informed that Kennesaw sues with faculty concerning prayer in Elementary School, which rents out school and the violation of the Estab- space on Sundays to HighPoint Church, lishment Clause of the Constitution” was permanently displaying two canvas at the next staff meeting. advertisements for the church on the school’s fence. FFRF Staff Attorney Chris Line wrote Religious sign removed to the district’s attorney requesting that the religious display be removed from from Texas polling place school grounds any time the property is A religious sign has been taken down not being rented by the church. from a polling place in Wichita Falls, Tex- The district’s attorney sent a letter of as. FFRF was informed that during early reply alerting FFRF that the district “has voting for the 2020 election, a County Gemma Dehnbostel of Florida sent us this photo from a chiropractic confirmed that the referenced signage is Commissioner building being used as office. “Then why in the world would I spend money on a chiropractor?,” no longer on display.” a polling site displayed a sign that read Gemma wondered. “PRAY FOR PEACE 1 Thess. 3:16.” FFRF Staff Attorney Madeline Ziegler Sheriff’s office removes wrote to County Clerk Lori Bohannon, on the students’ desks. The group was asking the county to take action to pre- also reportedly allowed to pray over Poll site will no longer religious Facebook post vent its facilities, particularly polling plac- every student’s desk, regardless of the have religious images The Pacific County Sheriff’s Depart- es, from displaying religious messages or students’ religious affiliation or lack ment in South Bend, Wash., has taken iconography. thereof. The city of Roanoke, Va., has tak- action to correct religious promotion Bohannon notified FFRF via email that FFRF Legal Fellow Brendan John- en action to address the placement on its social media page. the office would be removing the sign. son wrote to the district’s attorney, of religious iconography at a polling Last fall, the sheriff’s office posted asking the district to refrain from al- location during the November 2020 a Thanksgiving message on its official lowing religious groups privileged ac- election. Facebook page, which included a pho- FFRF humbles Texas cess to public schools and spaces occu- FFRF was informed that during the to of a Latin cross with the message, pied by students. election, a Roanoke polling place, “Blessings” across it. school district The district’s legal representation Christ Lutheran Church, displayed a FFRF Staff Attorney Chris Line wrote Humble Independent School Dis- informed FFRF in a letter of response large portrait of Jesus above the bal- to Sheriff Robin Souvenir illustrating trict in Texas has conducted extensive that she has reviewed the standards lot bin. FFRF Staff Attorney Madeline the constitutional and ethical issues First Amendment training with staff for community groups at school with Ziegler wrote to City Clerk Cecelia which arise when the sheriff depart- after complaints of a state/church vio- district leadership. Additionally, Hum- McCoy alerting the city to this prob- ment endorses Christianity on an offi- lation from FFRF. Cartoonsble ISD for has the conducted Irreverent: a detailed First lematic infringement on free and fair cial website. An area resident alerted FFRF that Amendment training over the sum- voting. Souvenir assured FFRF that the post a local religious group called CoveCelebrating- mer with allthe campus Wit of principals Don Addis and as- Director of Elections and General has been removed and has committed nant on Campus Team was granted sistant principals, as well as represen- Registrar J. Andrew Cochran assured to the department being more diligent access to the classrooms in ParkGreat Lakes tatives from central office leadership FFRF in a letter of response that the in the future to ensure it does not pro- Elementary School to leave messagesGift! and Human Resources. city will take action to rectify this. mote religion. CRANKMAIL This unique collection published Here’sby FFRF your celebrates April version the of emails,wit and letters and so- you are what is wrong with this country! — Jackson third day FACT. The leaders hated him yet they never as 21 weeks. You better do a few more bible studies. cial mediairreverence comments of Don FFRF Addis, receives a from its, shall we Treadle found even a nail of his but an empty tomb. — Chris- — Dennis Harder say, legendarycritics. Published editorial as received. cartoonist and Evidence: like there is no God isnt evidence topher Rathmann Godless: there is no good in a godless society. in Thisatheist. months Don's JOKE toons tv show!! will make: SECULAR you JEWS!!! based at all and cant ever be disproved. There is no Our rights: You have the freedom to be in our a godless world there is no moral laws. you are only OK, laugh,YOU WANT then FREEDOMmake you FROM think. RELIGION. WHAT God and everything created itself please that defies Wonderful Country. We Do To. We Don’t tell you what proving how dumb you god rejecting people are. A GROSS BUNCH OF SCUMBAG LYING SCOUN- the Laws of science the laws of thermodynamics evo- you godless people have no moral foundation. ffrf —153 pages / PB to believe in and you have no right to tell us what we DRELS!!!!!! YOUR MAIN ALLIANCE IS WITH “SECU- lution atheism a pipe dream a fantasy for grown is can do here in our country. If you don’t bwant God to is lying in their book. they promote the religion and LAR”!?!?!?!?$15 ppdWHAT A JOKE.Item CHANGE # FB109 WILL COME AND who dont want the truth because they want wicked- be in your life that’s fine He doesn’t make you do that cult of atheism. godless world view there is no such YOU SCUM LIARS CAN GO WITH YOUR “SECULAR” ness. Theres people smarter than these clowns who either. You Don’t have any Right to change our rights. thing as good. there is no morality in a godless world BED MATES. WHAT SCUM!!!!!!!!!! — Elliot Raj have literally tried to disprove scriptures and ended view. humanist is purely a satanic religious cult just | shop.ffrf.org You do your thing and we’ll do ours. If you don’t want Stop Praying:Buy If you doit notfrom want peopleFFRF pray online- up receiving Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. to pray during a game or what ever your at that prays like atheism is,. — Dean Festiger ing at Osceola County School Board meetings then Jesus died for our sins was buried and rose again the that’s find but Don’t push your stuff on us. I am so FFRF: This organization needs to close! Our foun- dation as a country is based on Christ and the recogni- sick of you people coming in and pushing your ways tion that we are all under GOD! I pray that you change on us. You Choose to Not Believe. Satan Believes in your ways and he forgives you all from the terror that Cartoons for the Irreverent: God and he trembles. Your choice. Don’t bow your you breed. God have mercy for your souls. You’re the head. — Linda Rentmeester Celebrating the Wit of Don Addis problem not the solution ! — Scot Dontang Abortion: You should not mislead people about Biting my tongue: I am a Christian...that said I what god says about abortion. Exodus 21 clearly Great have some decidedly un-Christian things to say to Gift! says life for life. A baby can survive if born as early you regarding your recent threats of a lawsuit. I do hope that you see the irony in bullying people for Lead Us Not Into Penn Station what they believe, as that seems to be the sole pur- pose for your organizations existence, yet, you can’t Provocative Pieces just sit idly by and tolerate (another keyword you By Anne Gaylor hobgoblins like so much but don’t understand fully) that you are not the majority. I’m not going to shout This unique collection published A must-have for by FFRF celebrates the wit and or even espouse hellfire & damnation as that would any freethinker, this only fuel your hatred for every human being oth- irreverence of Don Addis, a gracefully readable legendary editorial cartoonist and er that the infinitesimally small minority.. — Quinn book contains $5 Off! Perkolast atheist. Don's toons will make you Gaylor’s classic laugh, then make you think. Go away!: You are a bunch of atheist who get writings. offended by religious people is absolutely hysteri- —153 pages / PB —Published by FFRF. 80 pages / PB cal. It sounds like you are all nothing but a bunch of lawyers trying to find ways to sue people and make ppd Item # FB109 $15 money. As the saying goes.., the only good lawyer is a Buy it from FFRF online dead lawyer! Now stop bothering people you fucking Buy it from FFRF online | shop.ffrf.org @ ffrf.org/shop assholes! When the time does come you will get what is coming to you! — John Ably Page 10 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | April 2021 IN THE NEWS

U.S. Rep. Don Beyer joins A Superior event Young Black adults Freethought Caucus becoming less religious U.S. Rep. Don Beyer of Virginia is Young Black adults are less religious the newest member of the Congres- and less engaged in Black churches sional Freethought Caucus, which was than older generations, a Pew Research started by Reps. Jared Huffman and Center survey shows. Jamie Raskin. Black Millennials and members of Speaking at the Secular Coalition Generation Z are less likely to rely on for America members’ meeting on prayer, less likely to have grown up in Feb. 6, Beyer said: Black churches and less likely to say re- “I was honored to be invited to ligion is an important part of their lives, join the Congressional Freethought the Pew report states. Fewer attend reli- Caucus in Congress. Congressman gious services, and those who do attend Jared Huffman and Congressman are less likely to go to a predominantly Jamie Raskin are two men I admire Black congregation. immensely. Together, we will do our About one-in-five Black Americans best to minimize the impact and in- are not affiliated with any religion and fluence of religious rules and dogmas instead identify as atheist, agnostic or and intolerances on our laws and our “nothing in particular,” and this phe- budgets. If we are a nation founded nomenon is increasing by generation: on freedom, then it is essential that Roughly three-in-ten Black Gen Zers every person be free to think, believe, (28 percent) and Millennials (33 per- even worship in their own way — to cent) in the survey are religiously unaf- the extent, of course, that it is lawful filiated, compared with just 11 percent and does not impinge on the freedom of Baby Boomers and 5 percent of those of others. in the Silent Generation. “I have four children, none of But Black Americans are still more whom have even the slightest inclina- religious than the American public. tion toward God, religion or church. They are more likely to say they believe Religion means 19 Muslims killing in God or a higher power, and to re- 3,000 people and themselves on 9/11, port that they attend religious services to earn virgins in heaven. It means regularly. They also are more likely to Jerry Falwell and Jerry Falwell Jr., and say religion is “very important” in their the Moral Majority, which was neither. lives and to be affiliated with a religion, It means Shiites vs. Sunnis, Catholics and to believe prayers to ancestors have vs. Protestants, burning at the stake protective power and that evil spirits because you don’t believe in baptism. can cause problems in a person’s life, Religion is equivalent to intolerance the Pew report states. — of skin color, sexual orientation, class, and on and on. Religion means imposing your rules and practices and God belief not needed beliefs on everyone else — especially, especially when it comes to sexuality.” Barbara Stark and Charles Gessert of the Lake Superior Freethinkers (LSF) to tell right from wrong volunteer at Second Harvest food bank in Duluth, Minn. One doesn’t have to believe in God Members of the Lake Superior Freethinkers, a local chapter of FFRF, donated to believe in goodness, according to a Alabama can’t execute their time and $2,063 to the food bank. FFRF donated $1,000 and LSF added survey by the Pew Research Center, an- $1,063 in matching funds. alyzing various values driving the mor- inmate without pastor als of atheists and religious believers. Helping at the event were LSF members Linda Crumpton, Don Fraser, Charles The Supreme Court on Feb. 12 said The poll revealed more than half Gessert, Allen Loken, Tom Patten, Julius Salinas and Barbara Stark. Alabama could not execute a death row (51 percent) of people polled in 34 inmate without the man’s pastor by his countries do not think believing in God side, the Washington Post reported. is fundamental to being moral and hav- The court also indicated that other lates the injunction and gets an abor- ing good values. states must find a way to honor final tion, “the court may hold the respon- Evangelicals more likely Overall, respondents in nations with requests for a spiritual adviser in the dent in civil or criminal contempt and to believe QAnon theory lower gross domestic product are more death chamber. punish the respondent in accordance likely to say that belief in God is neces- The court’s order came an hour be- with the law.” A survey shows that more than a sary to be moral and have good values. fore Alabama’s self-imposed deadline If the bills are passed and approved quarter of white evangelical Protes- Also, individuals with more educa- of executing Willie B. Smith III, con- by the governor, they would take effect tants believe the QAnon conspiracy tion are less likely to say that belief in victed of a 1991 robbery and murder. starting July 1. theory that purports former President God is necessary to be moral. This pat- A lower court had put the execution on Donald Trump was secretly battling a tern closely tracks the connection be- hold, and Alabama asked the Supreme cabal of pedophile Democrats, the tween income levels and the way people Court to step in. Religion’s relevance Religion News Service reports. answer this question, because there is a Justice Amy Coney Barrett sided with It also showed that about half of significant correlation between educa- liberal colleagues, saying federal law re- down in Iran, Middle East the evangelicals expressed support tional attainment and earnings. quires states to make accommodations Several recent surveys in the Middle for the debunked claim that antifa for prisoners like Smith. East show an increase in secularization was responsible for the Jan. 6 insur- Religious institutions not and growing calls for reforms in reli- rection at the U.S. Capitol. gious political institutions, according Experts say the data point to a wid- trustworthy for Gen Z Tennessee bill would to a report by Deutsche Welle. ening ideological divide not only be- Trust in institutions among Ameri- “Personal piety has declined some 43 tween white evangelicals and other cans in general has dwindled over the let man stop abortion percent over the past decade, indicating religious groups in the country, but years and Gen Z — those born between Tennessee lawmakers proposed a bill less than a quarter of the population also between white evangelical Re- 1995 and 2010 — are among the most on Feb. 15 that would let a biological now define themselves as religious,” it publicans and other members of their distrustful, according to a story on the impregnator stop a woman from get- said in the Middle East survey report. own party, RNS reports. Religion In Public blog on Feb. 19. Gen ting an abortion, according to a report In Iran, the survey showed 47 per- There was also significant sup- Z members are also the generation by The Hill. cent reported “having transitioned port among white evangelicals for most likely to self-identify as “atheist” An injunction would only be grant- from being religious to nonreligious.” the claim that members of antifa, or or “agnostic” according to surveys. ed to an individual if there is evidence Pooyan Tamimi Arab, assistant pro- anti-fascist activists, were “mostly re- The State of Religion and Young the woman is considering an abortion fessor of religious studies at Utrecht sponsible” for the attack on the U.S. People 2020 confirmed that trust in or- and if there is evidence the man is the University and co-author of the survey, Capitol — a discredited claim repeat- ganized religion was not very high — impregnator. sees this transition as a logical conse- ed by former Trump lawyer Rudy Gi- around two-thirds of young people rat- However, DNA evidence is not re- quence of Iran’s secularization. uliani and conservative religious lead- ed their trust of religious institutions at quired for the injunction. “Iranian society has undergone ers such as the Rev. Franklin Graham. 5 or below out of maximum of 10, with Once the injunction is issued, the huge transformations, such as the lit- FBI officials have said there is “no in- an overall mean score of 4.5 out of 10. court must hold a hearing with both eracy rate has gone up spectacularly,” dication” antifa played a role in the This compares with an average score of parties within 14 days. If a woman vio- Tamimi Arab said. insurrection. 5.3 for banks. April 2021 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 11

aborted fetal tissue in the 1970s. ilar point, noting additions to state still be allowed in places of worship. Atheist Rep. running for The Archdiocese of New Orle- buildings wouldn’t say, “In Buddha We Lt. Gov. in Pennsylvania ans and Archdiocese of Detroit are Trust” or “In (Prophet) Muhammad Supreme Court: Graduated Pennsylvania State Rep. Brian Sims, among those that have stated that We Trust,” nods to Buddhism and Is- an outspoken progressive who is, ac- the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is lam, respectively. student can seek damages cording to “Friendly Atheist” Hemant “morally compromised” and “morally The U.S. Supreme Court on March Mehta, “openly gay, openly atheist, problematic.” 8 sided with a former Georgia college and never afraid to pick a fight with The decision puts those dioceses Catholic schools hit by student who sued his school after it conservatives who want to use their in conflict with the Vatican and Pope prevented him from expressing reli- power to hurt people,” is running for Francis, who have been aggressive- large enrollment drop gious views in a free-speech zone on lieutenant governor. ly pro-vaccine. Last December, the Enrollment in Roman Catholic campus. The office is up for election in Vatican approved the use of vaccines schools in the United States dropped The 8-1 decision, with only Chief 2022. “that have used cell lines from abort- 6.4 percent from the previous academ- Justice John Roberts dissenting, said If elected, he would become one of ed fetuses in their research and pro- ic year — the largest single-year decline that Chike Uzuegbunam, who was si- the highest-ranking openly atheist of- duction process,” adding it’s “morally in at least five decades, Catholic educa- lenced by Georgia Gwinnett College ficials in the country — and the only acceptable.” tion officials reported March 1, accord- officials even after he had obtained one in statewide office. The U.S. Conference of Catholic ing to ABC News. a permit to proselytize and handout According to the Advocate website, Bishops hedged and said Catholics Among the factors were the closure religious literature, can seek nomi- Sims “once posted a photo of him giv- should get vaccinated, but should or consolidation of more than 200 nal damages despite the fact that the ing Mike Pence the middle finger at push for other options than the John- schools and the difficulty for many school ultimately changed course a protest where Sims and others were son & Johnson one. parents of paying tuition fees that av- and Uzuegbunam subsequently voicing opposition to the Trump ad- erage more than $5,000 for grades K-8 graduated. ministration’s policy of separating and more than $10,000 for secondary First Amendment advocates, in- immigrant families. He has filmed Vatican: Priests can’t schools, according to the National cluding FFRF, called the decision a himself calling out an anti-choice Catholic Educational Association. win for free speech and religious ex- demonstrator at a Planned Parent- bless same-sex unions John Reyes, the NCEA’s executive di- pression. The decision reversed two hood facility in Philadelphia.” In a decree approved by Pope Fran- rector for operational vitality, said the lower court rulings that agreed with cis, the Vatican on March 15 said priests pandemic has been an “accelerant” for the school in calling the case moot. cannot bless same-sex marriages, saying longstanding challenges facing Catho- Being godless might be that such relationships are “not or- lic education. dered to the Creator’s plan,” according Between the 2019-2020 school Pandemic has Vatican good for your health to a report in the Washington Post. year and the current year, nationwide Atheists may be just as healthy as “The blessing of homosexual enrollment dropped by 110,000 to bracing for $60M deficit devoted believers, according to a new unions cannot be considered licit,” the about 1.6 million students. Back in According to a statement released study from Canada called “Godless in church said. the 1960s, enrollment was more than by the Vatican on Feb. 19, Catholic the Great White North,” published in The “explanatory note,” issued by 5 million. Church leaders say the financial toll of the Journal of Religion and Health. the Vatican’s doctrinal watchdog, car- the Covid-19 pandemic on Vatican cof- In some cases, belief in God might ries the weight of a universal ground fers will be more than $60 million. actually be bad for your health. A 2020 rule for the Roman Catholic Church Atheists are most likely Expenses for the tiny city-state this study published in the Review of Reli- — and it regards one of the most con- year are expected to reach almost $376 gious Research found that “doubting troversial inside an institution divided to get Covid vaccine million, while revenues lag behind at theists” — those who believe in God over its stance on sexuality. According to a recent survey report- just above $316 million. but are less certain about those beliefs “The Catholic church has long ed by Religion News Service, atheists The Vatican said that its finances — reported poorer health outcomes. fought against LGBT rights, and past and agnostics scored highest of all reli- were “heavily impacted by the econom- Joseph Baker, a sociologist of reli- popes have called same sex unions de- gious groups in their willingness to get ic crisis generated by the COVID-19 gion at East Tennessee State Univer- viant or a moral evil,” the Washington vaccinated. pandemic,” which shrank donations sity who worked on the study, said Post reports. Ninety percent of atheists and 80 per- and closed the high-earning Vatican that atheism can give people a strong cent of agnostics said they would “defi- museums for months. sense of identity and a clear set of nitely or probably” get the Covid-19 The Vatican has not been particu- values, which may help with their ‘In God We Trust’ to be vaccine. larly forthcoming with the state of its well-being, even if they don’t have the Only 54 percent of white evangeli- finances in the past, but it released its same kind of built-in social support OK in OK state buildings? cals said the same. It was the lowest of 2021 budget, the statement said, “with that religious people do. Oklahoma’s House speaker is push- any religious or nonreligious group. the objective of providing more visibil- ing for the national motto, “In God We White evangelicals are the least ity and transparency to the economic Trust,” to be displayed prominently in likely to say they should consider the transactions of the Holy See.” Archdioceses: Vaccine is state buildings. health effects on their community In the United States, Catholic dio- The Oklahoma House on March 1 when making a decision to be vacci- ceses and other Catholic institutions ‘morally compromised’ passed Speaker Charles McCall’s House nated. Only 48 percent of white evan- received at least $3 billion in feder- The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bill 2085 to add the phrase in 342 gelicals said they would consider the al aid from the Paycheck Protection Bishops and at least six other dioceses state buildings at an estimated cost of community health effects “a lot” when Program. from across the country have released $85,000. deciding to be vaccinated. That com- statements expressing “moral con- Democrats argued that the bill vio- pares with 70 percent of Black Protes- cerns” about using the Johnson and lates the separation of church and state tants, 65 percent of Catholics and 68 ‘QAnon Shaman’ denied Johnson vaccine because cells used to and could alienate Oklahomans with percent of unaffiliated Americans. create the vaccine are derived from diverse religious beliefs. John Fea, a U.S. historian at Messi- request to leave jail Rep. Mauree Turner, who is Muslim, ah University who studies evangelicals, Jacob Chansley, the “QAnon Sha- said whether it’s intentional or not, said he wasn’t surprised that white man” who is facing federal charges the legislation will hurt atheists and evangelicals seemed least likely to want for his role in the Jan. 6 insurrection non-Christians. to take advantage of the vaccine. at the U.S. Capitol, has been denied a MOVING? “This bill sends a message,” she said. “There’s a long history of anti-sci- request to be released until trial, de- “It sends a message to folks who don’t ence within American evangelicalism,” spite appeals to his “Shamanic faith,” believe in religion, to folks who believe Fea said. Religion News Service reports. in different religions and quite frankly, A lawyer representing Chans- it sends a message to me.” ley asked that his client be released Rep. Regina Goodwin, made a sim- Swiss ‘burka ban’ from prison while he awaits trial be- cause of his refusal accept a vaccine Don’t miss your next issue of accepted by slim majority for Covid-19. Chansley’s refusal to Switzerland will introduce a clause be vaccinated, combined with vari- Freethought Today American Infidel: Robert G. Ingersoll in its constitution to outlaw face cov- ous COVID-19 protocols in place at $5 Off! erings, including the Islamic burka prisons where he is being held, have Please notify us of your By Orvin Larson and niqab, in public spaces after a made communication with his attor- address change promptly! Prof. Larson writes with a ection and 51.2 percent to 48.8 percent vote on ney impossible, his lawyer said. email: [email protected] respect of this March 7. But U.S. District Court Judge Royce or phone: 1-800-335-4021 illustrious 19th It will join five other Europe- Lamberth rejected Chansley’s request century freethinker. an countries, including France and on March 8, dismissing several of FFRF cannot be responsible for —Published by FFRF. Austria, who have already banned the arguments — including religious replacing back issues if we have not 316 pages / PB such garments in public. ones. been notified prior to your move. Exceptions to the law will include “To put it plainly, defendant’s re- face coverings for reasons of security, ligious objection to the Covid-19 vac- The U.S. Post Office does not Buy it from FFRF online climate, or health – which means pro- cine is not a relevant reason, let alone forward third-class mail. @ ffrf.org/shop tective masks worn against Covid-19 a ‘compelling reason,’ to grant his are acceptable. Niqabs and burkas will temporary release,” Lamberth wrote. Page 12 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | April 2021

This former Lutheran church in southern Wisconsin was purchased by Audrey Martinovich and her husband and is being renovated into their home. Altared states Atheist couple renovates church into home

By Audrey Martinovich painted it rainbow colored instead of ing most of the construction himself. just putting up Pride flags. During the early stages of con- struction, we lived in an apartment y husband and I live in a Church for sale in another town. We couldn’t call the church. Some people might The congregation from this church church “home” quite yet and, while think it’s weird for outspoken had a new building constructed and cheeky at first, it got old saying we Matheists to have bought and renovated was operating out of that location, were going to church when we meant a former worship site, but it isn’t that leaving the old church empty for our future house. We decided to nick- weird for us. We are more intrigued nearly a year before we looked at it. name the church Castle Grayskull, a by the architecture and novelty of We saw right away that the building nod to He-Man, one of our favorite having our own bell to ring than we was more structurally sound than any- cartoons. We even have a sign that are put off by the small amounts of thing else we had looked at. And it was will go on the front of the building religious imagery super cheap, so we knew we would be where a cross used to hang. that linger. able to afford a big renovation proj- The church left us an organ, pia- Luckily for us, ect to turn it into a house. When we no, three microphones (which was only three of the closed on the church in June 2020, perfect for me, since I own a record- 12 stained-glass our real estate agent congratulated ing studio), a box of bibles, an altar, windows include us with bread and red wine. and some other odd bits of furniture A stained-glass window. religious symbols. We went through everything the The window in church left behind and decided what our son’s room to keep, what to sell, what to burn features an image and what to throw away. We kept any- of the bible in the thing with a name engraved on it — Audrey center. My hus- mostly little name plates on cubbies Martinovich band and I joke where bibles were stored — with the that this window will put the fear of intention of either returning it to the God in our son because we won’t. person or their family, or making it Eventually, we will probably change into a display piece reflecting the the bible to another book. Some con- history of the building. On our first tenders are Lord of the Rings and, of night of church ownership, we invit- course, Dan Barker’s Life-Driven Pur- ed some friends over, projected mov- pose. The other two windows have a ies onto the wall behind where the cross and a goblet of wine, neither be- preacher would have stood, and took ing visible from the main living areas. turns reading some of the names to The church we bought was former- the group, attaching a backstory and ly Lutheran and is located in a small accent to each name. town in southern Wisconsin. I can’t We removed the 26 pews, keeping say that we would have bought the three and selling some off to a camp- church had it been Catholic or other ground for outdoor seating, the rest denominations, with their long track to a county courthouse, and start- records of homophobia, since I’m ed framing some bedrooms in the bisexual. But then again, maybe we sanctuary. Other than electrical and would have bought it out of spite and plumbing, my husband has been do- This is how the main chapel area looked before renovation. April 2021 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 13

a high school homecoming parade town. While we aren’t religious, we that featured a float depicting men recognized that this was significant dressed in sombreros trying to climb for them, so we agreed to participate. over a wall, while men wearing the It was strange to go from the one ex- town’s high school football jerseys treme of literally receiving hate mail beat them off the wall and sprayed to the other extreme of being given a them with silly string. I posted photos quilt to symbolize the warmth of the online which went viral and landed community. on several news stations. Everyone in In the year since, we’re almost the town knew I took the pictures and, ready to move from the basement up- because of the oddity of our house, stairs. The stained-glass windows have also knew exactly where we lived. We protective plexiglass over them and received a couple anonymous letters we’ve added security cameras. The after that. painting is finished and now we have Before the parade float incident, a list of odds and ends to do. Plus, the congregation that had formerly we’ve doubled down on the anti-rac- occupied Castle Grayskull invited us ism message. The church has been named Castle Grayskull, a reference to the Masters of the to participate in a ceremony mark- Audrey Martinovich is an audio en- Universe comic/animation series. ing the end of the church as a site gineer and helps produce FFRF’s Free- and kitchenware. When our apartment’s lease was of worship and to welcome us to the thought Radio program. We donated most of the dishes to up, we turned the church basement, a neighbor who’d lost everything in which had a working kitchen and a fire, but kept some goblets and a bathroom, into a studio apartment pair of elaborate chairs, which can for us to occupy while renovations now be spotted in the background of took place upstairs. The basement the indie horror movie, “The Head- housed the piano the congregation mistress.” Written and produced by left behind. Over the holidays, we clients and friends of mine, “The adorned the piano with Christmas Headmistress” is set in an abandoned decorations that originally spelled nunnery and was in the early stages of “Santa,” but rearranged them to filming when we bought the church. spell “Satan,” one of my favorite sub- My friends asked if we had any items tleties of our decor. It reminds me they could use to dress the set and we of when I was in high school and, happily obliged. although my whole family is life- Unfortunately, the organ was in long atheists, we lived in a different disrepair and turned out to be of no church that had been renovated into value, so we are either going to turn apartments. My mom bought a neon it into a bar or will pass it along to light in the shape of a martini glass an artist friend to create something and kept it in the window, visible new. However, we are keeping the from the street, as a funny way to jux- pipes and have relocated them from tapose “sin” with a church. what is now a bathroom to the living room as a focal point. Once renova- Mixed reception tion is complete, we will be setting The reception of our family into up a Hammond organ, though the the town has been mixed. Three pipes won’t be functional. weeks after our move, the town had An old piano was left behind, as were letters that originally spelled “Santa.”

Conversion of the church into a home continues, with the stained glass The intial framing of the bedrooms. windows remaining part of the design.

An old bell was left behind that the owners will The kitchen is being built on the altar area of the former church. keep. Page 14 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | April 2021 ‘Verdict will not bring peace to my family’ Five sentenced to death in murder of Avijit Roy A court in Bangladesh has sentenced five men to death and one to life in jail for hacking secular blogger Avijit Roy to death six years ago in the capital city of Dhaka. Roy, a U.S. citizen from Bangladesh, was attacked by machete-wielding assail- ants in February 2015 while returning home with his wife, Bonya Ahmed, from a Dhaka book fair. The assault that killed Roy and critical- ly wounded Ahmed Avijit Roy was carried out by the group Ansar Ul- about science, philosophy and religion. lah Bangla, which This verdict is not a closure for me or our is allegedly linked family, I never expected it to be. with al-Qaeda. All six In six years, not one person investigat- men convicted were ing the case in Bangladesh reached out to members of Ansar me — though I am a direct witness and Ullah Bangla. victim of the attack. In January, the state Two of the group lawyer in the case publicly lied, saying that were tried in absen- I did not agree to be a witness in the trial. Photo by Ingrid Laas tia, including former The truth is, no one from Bangladesh’s Bonya Ahmed army Major Syed Zi- government or the prosecution has ever aul Haque, who is accused of leading the contacted me. attackers. He was sentenced to be hanged, Here are my thoughts about this as were four others: Abu Siddique Sohel, verdict: Photo by Ingrid Laas Mozammel Hossain, Arafat Rahman and The main two culprits — Sayed Zi- Bonya Ahmed speaks at FFRF’s convention in Pittsburgh in 2016, just 18 months af- Akram Hossain. Hossain and Haque are aul Haque, the top commander, and ter she and her husband were brutally attacked in Bangladesh. Her husband, secular still on the run. Akram Hossain, the top operative of the blogger Avijit Roy, was killed. “Charges against them were proved be- militant group that attacked us — have yond any doubt. The court gave them the never been caught. Last week (in the this confessional statement from one of restricted further; secular writers, blog- highest punishment,” said public prosecu- verdict following the murder of Avi’s the convicted killers: “In 2015, money gers, activists were forced to leave the tor Golam Sarwar Khan. publisher, Faisal Arefin Dipan, in 2015), used to flow in to kill bloggers, publishers country during and after 2015; a harsh- This following is a statement given by FFRF we learned that Haque continued to and homosexuals in the country.” I want er Digital Security Act has been enact- Lifetime Member Bonya Ahmed on her Facebook mastermind the serial killings of other to know: Who has investigated this flow ed; and bloggers, writers and publishers page on Feb 16. secular writers and publishers for eight of money? Has anyone? What will these have been persecuted for their writings months(!) after Avi and I were attacked. verdicts accomplish, if we don’t get to the on a regular basis. Bangladesh’s prime By Bonya Ahmed And, yet, Bangladeshi authorities failed source of the money — or rather, to the minister is increasingly friendly with to put him behind bars. source of the killings? Hefazat-e-Islam, the Islamist group of Today, civilized countries cannot get On Feb. 26, 2015, Avi and I were in- madrassah teachers and students that n 2015, my late husband Avijit Roy — Avi away with extrajudicial killings. But in vited to meet a group of science writers. demanded “the heads” of secular writers — and I visited Bangladesh, our home 2016, Bangladeshi police carried out the The people who organized that event kept and bloggers in 2014. country, for the annual book fair where extrajudicial killing (via “crossfire,” as us waiting for hours. Finally, we met the Simply prosecuting a few foot-soldiers Itwo of Avi’s books were being published. it’s commonly called in Bangladesh) of group in the evening. After the event, we — and ignoring the rise and roots of ex- We were attacked by Islamist terrorists. Avi Mukul Rana Sharif. He was reportedly a were attacked and Avi was killed. Were the tremism — does not mean justice for Avi’s died and I barely survived and the killing top operative of the militant group that at- organizers of that event ever investigated? death, nor for the deaths of the “blog- spree continued for another year. tacked us. Sharif was in police custody for What was the outcome? gers, publishers and homosexuals” before Today, the courts released their verdict. months before the authorities killed him. Bangladesh’s government has be- and after him as part of the serial killing. They judged whether the attackers mur- Why was Sharif killed? come more autocratic since we were That’s why this verdict will not bring peace dered Avijit for writing books and blogs Dipan’s verdict from last week includes attacked: Freedom of speech has been to my family or theirs.

Dad Continued from page 1 group known as “al-Qaeda in the Indian are the masterminds of the attack? months, instead of seven years. Subcontinent.” They didn’t like what you Why was one leader killed in police Cases like his and yours, which are wrote about science and secularism. custody, years before the trial? only the tip of the iceberg, keep me up Unabashed In the months after your death, ex- “Money used to flow in to kill blog- at night. When I finally sleep, you tend Atheist Mug tremists killed your friends. And your gers, publishers and [gay people]” in to die. I still wake from violent dreams publisher. And a bunch of other people Bangladesh, one of your publisher’s and feel tired all day, desperate for Sunfire red, g azed you didn’t know. The attacks were graph- attackers confessed. So, who funded rest. I might have actually forgotten ceramic handcrafted mug ic, with machetes and ISIS videos and your murder? how to rest. But maybe, like you, I’ve with Unabashed Atheist witnesses who might never forget seeing I thought, if the Bangladeshi in- never known how. meda ion. American-made, their partners die. vestigators don’t have answers, then I remember your late nights writing, 14 f . oz. I’m realizing now, after six years, that maybe journalists will. Unfortunate- your determination to change minds $35 each Item #MU03 the news of each murder gashed fresh ly, Bangladesh — like many countries — but most vividly, I remember your $60 for two wounds into scars that were not done now — is imprisoning journalists for songs. When you couldn’t get topics Prices include over healing for you. Getting better is taking speaking out. you were writing about, like “intelligent $10 shipping per mug. me so long, Dad. I’m still mourning you, Just last year, Bangladeshi journalist design,” out of your head, you’d turn but also them. Shafiqul Islam Kajol mysteriously dis- those words into loud, belted-out tunes. On Feb. 16, some of your attack- appeared for 53 days after criticizing a I remember us dancing to them. I won- ers were sentenced to death. Knowing government official’s alleged sex-traf- der, if you were here now, would you they’re going to die doesn’t make me feel ficking involvement. When he resur- still be singing and dancing with me? better about losing you. Their loved ones faced, Kajol was then sentenced to sev- There’s little point pondering hypo- will mourn them too. en years in prison, under Bangladesh’s theticals. But one hypothesis comforts Though these five were charged controversial 2018 Digital Security Act, me: As long as there are people like Ka- with carrying out your attack, so many which restricts free speech. Two other jol’s son and your daughter, the world more were involved in the planning, journalists were jailed in May under will be forced to provide answers — as execution and silencing of Bangla- the same law. we bend societies toward your vision of deshi bloggers. Some orchestrators Thankfully, Kajol had a kid, who rationality, of equity, of peace. have never been caught, or even iden- fought for his father’s release and Trisha Ahmed is a graduate student at the Buy it from FFRF online tified. After the verdict, Maa asked gained international attention. Ka- University of Maryland and reporter at the ffrf.org/shop questions I wish could answer: Where jol was released from jail after seven Howard Center for Investigative Journalism. April 2021 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 15

FREETHOUGHT BOOKS

The following books are by FFRF members on the topics of religion or freethinking. FFRF does not do book reviews. These books are not offered through ffrf.org/shop.

The Truth Shall Make You Free: How an All-American, Southern Boy and Preacher Became an Atheist By Samuel W. Whitehead $7.20 (Kindle) $7.96 (Paperback) Sam Whitehead was raised in a strict religious family and was a teenage preacher. At age 22, he began a 40-year quest of research and reflection to prove that his faith was the one “true” religion and that Actor and singer John Davidson appeared on “Freethought Matters” in December. God was real. He reluctantly came ‘Freethought Matters’ to the conclusion that there is no God and that no religion is true. Staunch believers in God and readers who are trying to find their own Quality TV for freethinkers truth will find Sam’s journey compelling. This If you haven’t seen FFRF’s “Free- • Ann Druyan, the co-creator of “Cos- Sundays at 9:30 a.m. serious work challenges believers to live up thought Matters” TV show, you’re mos,” possibly the most acclaimed TV • New York City, WPIX-IND (Ch. 11), to their creed and reflects the humor in many missing out on interesting discussions series of all time. Sundays at 8:30 a.m. situations along the way. and intellectual repartee by and for • Prominent British philosopher and • Phoenix, KASW-CW (Ch. 61, or 6 or freethinkers. the author A.C. Grayling. 1006 for HD), Sundays at 8:30 a.m. A Discussion of Humankind’s Hosts Annie Laurie Gaylor and Dan • Robert P. Jones, the CEO and found- • Portland, Ore., KRCW-CW (Ch. 32), Best and Worst Concept: Reason, Barker talk with dozens of freethinkers, er of Public Religion Research Insti- Sundays at 9 a.m. Comcast channel Belief, Faith, Religion and Science politicians, actors, writers and more tute who is an expert on the intersec- 703 for High Def, or Channel 3. about current events as they relate to tion of religious and racial extremism. • Sacramento, KQCA-MY (Ch. 58), By Kenneth Stueben state/church separation, nontheism Sundays at 8:30 a.m. Paperback $14.99 and other topics. Previous seasons included episodes • San Francisco, KICU-IND (Ch. 36), Kindle $2.99 Just take a look at the lineup of great with Ron Reagan, Julia Sweeney and Ed Sundays at 10 a.m. How do each of us come to believe what guests from the most recent season: Asner, as well as U.S. Reps. Jared Huff- • Seattle, KONG-IND (Ch. 16 or Ch. 106 makes up our store of knowledge? What’s • Nate Phelps, the freethinking son of man and Jamie Raskin, co-chairs of the on Comcast), Sundays at 8 a.m. real or true and the notorious founder of the West- Congressional Freethought Caucus. • Washington, D.C., WDCW-CW (Ch. 50 what’s not and why boro Baptist Church Fred Phelps. More than a quarter of the nation has or Ch. 23 or Ch. 3), Sundays at 8 a.m. the difference is • Congressional Freethought Caucus access to view “Freethought Matters” every You can also receive notifications when critically important member Rep. Jerry McNerney. Sunday. But even if you don’t live in one we post new episodes of “Freethought to humankind. It • Indian actor/activist Sushant Singh. of those areas, you can catch current and Matters” by subscribing to FFRF’s You- progresses from • Pundit Eleanor Clift. past shows on FFRF’s YouTube channel Tube channel. mythological • Actor and FFRF After-Life Member (YouTube.com/user/FFRForg). Editor’s note: Tune in or record ac- John de Lancie of “Star Trek” “Q” “Freethought Matters” airs in: cording to the times given above, re- creation myths and fame. • Chicago, WPWR-CW (Ch. 50), Sundays gardless of what is listed in your TV superstitions to • Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Linda at 9 a.m. guide (it may be listed simply as “paid “New Age” beliefs Greenhouse, the country’s leading • Denver, KWGN-CW (Ch. 2), Sundays programming” or even be misidenti- to a summary of analyst of the U.S. Supreme Court. at 7 a.m. fied). To set up an automatic weekly the countless gods • Legislative stalwart and feminist and • Houston, KUBE-IND (Ch. 57), recording, try recording manually by of the past and civil rights pioneer U.S. Rep. Eleanor Sundays at 9 a.m. time or channel. then examines some of the religions that are Holmes Norton. • Los Angeles, KCOP-MY (Ch. 13), And spread the word to freethink- common today. The author also discusses • Eminent public intellectual Professor Sundays at 8:30 a.m. ing friends, family or colleagues about the bible, prayer and miracles, marriage, Steven Pinker. • Madison, Wis., WISC-TV (Ch. 3), this TV show, finally, that is dedicat- abortion, contraception and homosexuality. • Legendary TV host, actor and singer Sundays at 11 p.m. ed to providing programming for The benefits and downsides of religion are John Davidson. • Minneapolis, KSTC-IND (Ch. 45), freethinkers! discussed and that leads to another question­ — Would the world be better without religion?

Crazy Little Thing Called Love Churches favored over science again By Graham Sale The U.S. Supreme Court has engaged tral and did not single out churches. The lenged health orders have flaunted their Paperback $19.99 again in religiously preferential conduct county also filed a letter with the court in- disregard for public health — and have toward churches resisting Covid-19 health dicating that decreasing rates of Covid-19 been coddled by the highest court in the orders, much to the FFRF’s chagrin. would lead to allowing indoor worship land. Harvest Rock Church was granted In an unsigned order issued on Feb. gatherings as early as Wednesday, March an injunction by the Supreme Court on 27, the high court blocked local health 3. Nevertheless, the Supreme Court went Feb. 5. Its most recent Sunday service fea- regulations seeking to slow the spread ahead with its order. tured 30 straight seconds of shouting as of Covid-19 via indoor worship services. Covid-19 cases have topped 114 part of a 40-minute sing-along. A group of churches suing Santa Clara million globally, with more than 2.53 “This reckless behavior is exactly why County, Calif., appealed to the Supreme million deaths. churches should have to follow the same Court after the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of “Given the fact that the United States rules as other gatherings,” adds Gaylor. Appeals left in place limits on indoor wor- is the worst-hit country with the highest Epidemiologists have warned about ship. The court’s brief order simply refers number of cases and deaths, it’s appall- extended worship gatherings that in- to one of its prior decisions: “This outcome ing that the Supreme Court has gone volve singing. Kagan had previously cited is clearly dictated by this court’s decision out of its way to favor churches,” says the state of California’s expert witness, A collection of cartoons on God and in South Bay United Pentecostal Church FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor. who reported that there is an increased religion by Pulitzer Prize-nominated v. Newsom.” Justices Elena Kagan, Stephen “Churches and religious gatherings have risk of community spread where church- cartoonist Graham Sale. His cartoons and Breyer and Sonia Sotomayor dissented. figured highly as super-spreaders. This es have lengthy gatherings that involve illustrations have appeared in newspapers The county had argued that its reg- decision is not based on the science, but singing or chanting. (including Freethought Today), magazines, ulations, which temporarily limited “all on privileging churches.” Unfortunately, the Supreme Court con- advertising, books, clothing and other indoor gatherings of all kinds,” are neu- Other California churches that chal- tinues to favor churches over science. products around the world. Page 16 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | April 2021 Christian Nationalism is un-American of being above all others. This strain By Andrew L. Seidel of religion cultivates a veneration for extreme authority. Studies bear this think that Christian Nation- out: Religious fundamentalism and alism is the biggest threat to a tendency to submit to authoritari- America today. It’s an exis- anism are highly correlated. Trump “Itential threat to a government of the acted like the character evangelicals people, for the people, and by the worship and benefited from their in- people.” grained adulation. Evangelicals were I said that at the Religion News As- simply seeing in Trump a character sociation conference in September of they’d been taught to revere. 2019 to a roomful of 250 religion re- With the evangelicals’ ready heart porters and alongside journalists and comes an overly receptive mind, a authors Katherine Stewart (The Power blind faith in the righteousness of the Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of strongman authority. If he says some- Religious Nationalism) and Jack Jenkins thing, it is true. It becomes an article (American Prophets: The Religious Roots of faith, not an issue of fact or evi- of Progressive Politics and the Ongoing dence or reality. Fight for the Soul of the Country). Evangelicals believe in virgins giving I said something similar at the FFRF birth, talking snakes, and all manner convention a month later: “Do we have of obvious falsehoods. The religious Shutterstock photo a government of the people, for the mind is primed to accept lies. Present- A large wooden cross is carried by insurrectionists outside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. people and by the people? Or is ours a ed with an extraordinary claim, it does government of the Christians, for the compare the Ten Commandments to in and of itself warrant honor,” ob- not demand extraordinary evidence, Christians and by the Christians? That the principles on which America is served Anne Gaylor. but instead engages faith to overcome is our battle right now. America is in a built. All of the Ten Commandments Certainly not all parents are worthy skepticism. Their religion has taught desperate fight against Christian Na- conflict in some way with America’s of honor or respect, so this command- evangelicals to accept, rather than to tionalism, a political theology that is founding principles. (Yes, even the ment is, to use a legal term, overin- question. Trump’s constant waterfall an existential threat to our republic.” ones that you’re thinking about right clusive: It’s a law that protects people of outright lies landed on amenable Two weeks later, now, though you’ll it should not. But curiously, it is also minds. His support was greater among a Christian Nation- have to read the book underinclusive, failing to protect peo- regular churchgoers than among luke- alist preacher, Greg to find out why.) ple it should. Since the code already warm believers. The greater the faith, Locke, who prayed The second edited mandates blind respect, it could eas- the more subordinate healthy skep- for the founder of excerpt is from the ily be improved by extending the re- ticism becomes. So, the biblical fe- the Proud Boys at a final chapter of the quirement to honor to all one’s family, tish for totalitarians may have helped D.C. rally on Jan. 5, book in which I am or better yet, one’s fellow human be- America elect its first. burned my book with literally exhorting ings. However, if blind respect is to be The U.S. Constitution honors in- a blow torch. By that Americans to “take mandatory, perhaps the best formula- dividual rights over naked authority. point, I’d been warn- alarm,” as James Mad- tion would require that every human The fifth commandment is about per- ing about this danger ison once did. deserves the chance to earn respect. petuating religion, ensuring obedi- for five months, ever I did not predict One might justifiably end a moral ence and venerating authority. It had since my book, The that Christian Nation- code there and have done better than no influence on America’s founding. Founding Myth: Why alists would attack our the Judeo-Christian god. Christian Nationalism Capitol to overturn a If the true purpose of this com- Conclusion Is Un-American, came free and fair election, mandment is not to spread familial “It is proper to take alarm at the out in May 2019. but I am not at all sur- bliss, as seems evident by its short- first experiment on our liberties. And, 20 months prised. They believe comings, what might it be? There are “We hold this prudent jealousy to be the after The Founding this is their country, three possibilities: (1) ensuring obedi- first duty of Citizens, and one of the no- Myth was published, given to them by their ence, (2) supporting priests, and (3) blest characteristics of the late Revolution. The Founding Myth can be Christian National- god, that they are act- supporting the clan. All three purpos- The free men of America did not wait till purchased for $20 at ffrf.org/shop. ists would attack the ing on his orders, and es work to perpetuate the religion that usurped power had strengthened itself by U.S. Capitol and try to overturn a free that Donald Trump is “God’s chosen issued the mandate. This command- exercise, and entangled the question in and fair election, proving the subtitle one.” When reality collides with a be- ment is not about honor and respect; precedents. They saw all the consequenc- of the book. lief system like that, violence is almost it is about obedience and power. es in the principle, and they avoided the Warning about the threat Chris- inevitable. The idea is simple: Honor your consequences by denying the principle. We tian Nationalism poses was part of The So, before we turn to the excerpts, God-fearing parents if you want a re- revere this lesson too much soon to forget Founding Myth, but not the point. My one final warning: Christian National- ward. And since parents will worship it.” — James Madison, “Memorial and intent was not simply to refute the ism is not gone simply because Trump the biblical god with no other gods Remonstrance against Religious As- idea that we were founded as a Chris- is out of the White House. It may be before him, this commandment helps sessments” (1785) tian nation. I make the argument that more dangerous now than it ever was. ensure the worship of the “correct” The last mass I witnessed was during America will never be a Christian na- We need the tools and arguments in deity. This commandment teaches a full Catholic wedding. The priest tion because the moment it becomes The Founding Myth to relegate white obedience at an early age and comin- mentioned the happy couple about 60 a Christian nation, it will cease to be Christian Nationalism back to the gles household obedience with obedi- America. fringe from whence it came. ence to god. Christian Nationalists rewrite our Gaylor was correct to describe the A note to FFRF Members history and claim to be the true heirs Chapter 18 fifth commandment as the author- of the American experiment to justi- On Family Honor: itarian culmination of the previous Don’t miss a single issue of fy a hateful, exclusionary movement The Fifth Commandment orders. That authoritarianism — the Freethought Today & Private Line! that is, right now, seeking to privilege “Honor your father and your mother, so veneration of authority — may have conservative Christians over every oth- that your days may be long in the land that helped elect Donald Trump. er American. This is about claiming the Lord your God is giving you.” — Ex- With his immodesty, lack of liturgi- America had a Christian founding so odus 20:12 cal and scriptural knowledge, and “un- that, today, Christians can receive spe- Few assert with any real conviction Christian behavior,” Trump seemed cial treatment under the law while oth- that parental reverence influenced like an improbable choice for Amer- If the expiration date of your FFRF ers are lowered to second class status. the American founding. Culture, yes. ican evangelicals. Yet 81 percent of membership on your address label The two excerpts from The Found- Interestingly, this is the “only com- white evangelicals supported him in says April 2021 or earlier . . . ing Myth below, edited for space, are mandment that comes with an induce- 2016, more than supported Mitt Rom- Please renew now! examples of sounding the alarm. I ment instead of an implied threat,” as ney, John McCain or George W. Bush. FFRF Memberships: chose the first, a portion of Chapter Christopher Hitchens observed. The Trump’s dictatorial tendencies and $40 single; $50 household; 18, because it showcases the brilliance reward is not only long life, but long mendacity, negative attributes for $100 gung-ho; $250 sustaining of one of the co-founders of the orga- life on the land you were given — the many voters, poised him perfectly to Memberships are tax deductible! nization I hold near and dear: Anne Promised Land. manipulate the evangelical mind. Like Nicol Gaylor, who co-founded FFRF The fifth commandment requires the biblical god evangelicals worship, back in 1976. I quote her observations respect simply because of a family Trump is a thin-skinned authoritar- on the authoritarian nature of the Ten connection. But intellectual honesty ian with totalitarian tendencies. He Freethought Today is published 10 times a year. Commandments, which were incisive requires that only those worthy of re- craves love and punishes any disloy- P.O. Box 750 • Madison, WI 53701 and prescient. This edited excerpt is spect receive it. The “biological fact of alty or slight. Evangelicals have been ffrf.org/donate from Part III of the book, in which I fatherhood or motherhood does not taught to worship and adore that type April 2021 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 17 times — a respectable number, given commit this sin — we are asking to re- that we had gathered together to cele- gress. Not to some golden age, but to a brate them. But the priest was also able time “when religion ruled the world . . to mention his church and God more . called the Dark Ages,” to borrow from than 235 times. The Catholic Church Ruth Green. is co-opting the prestige of more illus- The foundational claim of the trious events, people and moments for Christian Nationalist identity — that itself. Two people dedicate their lives to Judeo-Christian principles influenced each other, and religion injects itself in American principles — must be dis- the middle. carded. Christian principles conflict Christian Nationalism excels at this with American principles. type of piracy and imposition. It at- Ben Franklin cautioned, “When a tempts, like the Catholic priest at those religion is good, I conceive that it will weddings, to bask in unwarranted glo- support itself; and when it cannot sup- ry. It seeks to co-opt undeserved great- port itself, and God does not take care ness, accolades and credit. It claims to support it, so that its professors are a nation dedicated to the freedom of obliged to call for the help of the civil and from religion, for one particular power, it is a sign, I apprehend, of its religion. It insists that a nation with a being a bad one.” godless Constitution is dedicated to By seeking to graft their religion on one particular god. to the structure of the American gov- A religion that demands fearful, un- ernment, the Christian Nationalists are wavering obedience takes credit for a simply showing their religion to be “a rebellion and revolution in self-govern- bad one.” Not only bad, but also, ac- ment. It declares that that revolution cording to Thomas Jefferson, errone- was the brainchild of a few Christians ous, for “it is error alone which needs rather than of a group of unorthodox the support of government. Truth can thinkers testing Enlightenment prin- stand by itself.” ciples. It even claims universal human Christian Nationalism, by its very morality as its own invention. existence, admits the weakness of Christian Nationalism also contends Christianity’s truth claims, the frailty that the United States of America is ex- of a morality based on supernatural ceptional because the nation was cho- authority, and the shortcomings of an sen by God, not because the Founders’ antiquated book. As with the Catholic enlightened experiment was successful. Photo by Chris Line wedding, Christian Nationalists’ at- The sad irony of the myths of the Andrew L. Seidel, FFRF’s director of strategic response, speaks at FFRF’s 2019 tempt to co-opt the power and pres- Christian nation, biblical America, national convention in Madison, Wis., about his book, The Founding Myth. tige of the American Enlightenment and Judeo-Christian principles is that for their own ends says far more about they are born out of a misplaced zeal make it great. “We the People” make contribute to progress, though it will their insecurity and the genuine blind- to revive or extend American excep- America exceptional. take credit for what science, rational- ness of their faith than it does about tionalism. Trump and his Christian Religion is the millstone around the ity, experience and observation have America’s founding. Nationalist brethren want a return to neck of American exceptionalism be- accomplished. America succeeded as Andrew L. Seidel is FFRF’s director of a Christian nation; they want to “make cause religious faith denies experience an experiment because it was based strategic response and a constitutional America great again.” But religion did and observation to preserve a belief. It on reason. If we abandon reason in fa- attorney. not make the United States, let alone is for this reason that it is unlikely to vor of faith — or if our elected leaders THEY SAID WHAT? Becoming too closely aligned with mili- President Biden’s support for abortion Fritz Berggren, a mid-ranking Foreign Ser- The Independent, 3-2-21 tias — is that a bad thing? rights in a statement issued on Inaugura- vice officer in the State Department, in a Ryan Kelley, lead organizer of an armed tion Day (that contrasted its Inauguration blog post shortly after the Jan. 6 insurrec- When men or women claim to be protest at the Michigan Statehouse in Day welcome in 2017 to Donald Trump). tion at the U.S. Capitol. Berggren for sev- able to choose their own sexual identity, April, quoted upon announcing his bid Los Angeles Times, 2-8-21 eral years has been publicly calling for the they’re making a statement that God did for governor. establishment of Christian nation-states. not know what he was doing when he cre- The New York Times, 2-9-21 If they start canceling these American MSN, 2-27-21 ated them. . . . When a nation’s laws no presidents, they’re gonna come after bible longer reflect the standards of God, that Not every issue is equal. This [abor- characters next. Mark my words. Well, I’m telling you when you get nation is in rebellion against him and tion] is not climate change or immi- Fox News host Bill Hemmer that, what do you will inevitably bear the consequences. gration of taxes. The sanctity of human Fox News, 2-19-21 care what someone Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., during a life, from conception to natural death, else does, if that per- House debate ahead of a vote on the is a non-negotiable part of Catholic It is a fiction that has been created by son wants to come passage of the Equality Act, which would self-understanding. some people. There is no establishment to a mall and they ban discrimination based on sexual ori- Jose Gomez, archbishop of Los Angeles, of religion. That is very different than the don’t want to get a entation and gender identity. Rep. Jer- president of the U.S. Catholic Bishops prevention of religion. vaccine. This is our ry Nadler responded perfectly: “Mr. Conference, unilaterally condemning Florida state Rep. Randy Fine, sponsor of bodies, this is ‘mark Steube, what any religious tradition de- a bill mandating moments of silence at the of the beast’ stuff.” scribes as God’s will is no concern of beginning of the school day. Mike Lindell, the this Congress.” Include FFRF In Florida Politics, 2-16-21 Gage Skidmore, CC BY SA 2.0 “MyPillow” CEO, RawStory.com, 2-25-21 Your Estate Planning Mike Lindell on how vaccines are Notes on the events of Jan. 6. The il- allegedly, according [If America] loses its white demo- lusion of a participatory democracy has to a quasi-religious conspiracy theory, graphic core and if it loses its faith in Jesus Arrange a bequest in your will been burst. You already live in a cult/the- “the work of the devil and . . . that a per- Christ, then this is not America anymore. or trust, or make the Freedom ocracy — I offer you Christian liberty in a son is unwittingly pledging allegiance to Nicholas Fuentes, organizer and host of From Religion Foundation the Christian nation. Satan.” the “America First Political Action Con- beneficiary of an insurance ference,” which was held concurrently in policy, bank account or IRA. Orlando, Fla., with the Conservative Po- Donate to FFRF while you shop! litical Action Conference (CPAC). IT’S EASY TO DO! Forbes, 2-27-21 For related information I have done some research and would (or to receive a bequest brochure), please contact: like to share it with you on the physical and emotional and even the mental in- Annie Laurie Gaylor jury to our bodies — and possibly even at (608) 256-8900 AmazonSmile allows you to support FFRF every time you make a purchase — at no cost to you! our souls — as healthy individuals are re- [email protected] quired to wear face masks. Idaho Republican state Rep. Karey

Visit smile.amazon.com Hanks, speaking in favor of a bill that Freedom depends and select the Freedom From Religion Foundation would prohibit any mask mandates issued on freethinkers to donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to FFRF. by local government officials. The Friendly Atheist, 3-4-21 Page 18 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | April 2021 FFRF’s 2021 student essay contests begin The Freedom From Religion Founda- Brian Bolton Essay Contest for tion has announced its 2021 essay competi- Graduate and “Older” Students tions for freethinking students — offering Graduate students (through age 30) $70,000 (or more) in total scholarships. and “older” undergrads (ages 25–30) Each of these four contests has 10 top are asked to write on the topic: “The prizes: First place — $3,500; second place dangers of religious extremism in 21st — $3,000; third place — $2,500; fourth century America.” place — $2,000; fifth place — $1,500; sixth Please write about the dangers of re- place — $1,000; seventh place — $750; ligious extremism today in the United eighth place — $500; ninth place — $400; States, whether by individuals, church- and 10th place — $300. FFRF also offers es, public officials or the judiciary. You optional honorable mentions of $200. may wish to address Christian nation- The contests cater to students in differ- alist threats to civil rights or American ent age/class ranges. Students may only principles. Provide some examples and enter one FFRF contest annually and may analysis, and make a case for secularism. not enter a contest if they have previously Word limit: 550–750. Deadline: won an award in that particular contest. Currently enrolled college students Color ages 17–21 (college-bound high 11:59 p.m. July 31. See separate article below on FFRF’s (up to age 24) may write on: “How reli- school seniors to currently enrolled col- Note: In none of the essay competi- Cornelius Vanderbroek Memorial Essay gion divides us, and secularism unites us.” lege students), may write on the topic of: tions are we looking for an opinion or Competition for Law School Students, Write an essay about the divisiveness “What I would like to tell my family (or theory about the origin of religion or which offers a different set of scholarship of religion personally, historically and/or friends) about my atheism or nonbelief.” why religion exists. prizes for law students. Information on politically, and why secularism is unifying. In an essay written in the form of Additional prompts on the topics that contest can also be found at ffrf.org/ You may wish to incorporate analysis of a letter to a religious family member, and contest rule requirements can be studentessay. current events and controversies to make friend or teacher, etc., please tell them found at: ffrf.org/studentessay. Students William J. Schulz Memorial Essay your case. Tell us why you reject religion. what you think is most important to are required to submit their essay via Contest for College-Bound High School The $1,000 prize know about why you are an atheist or the online application, and should Seniors in the ongoing col- otherwise reject religion. (You may pre- carefully review all contest rules. All High school seniors graduating this lege competition fer to describe yourself as an agnostic, eligible entrants will receive a digi- spring and attending college in the fall is now being gen- freethinker, humanist, etc.) You may tal year-long student membership in are asked to write on the topic of “In sci- erously endowed wish to address common misconcep- FFRF. ence I trust.” starting in 2021 by tions or stereotypes about atheism, FFRF thanks Phil Zuckerman, au- Write a personal statement about why actor and FFRF Life- reassure them about your morality or thor and professor of sociology and you trust science over faith, and why you time Member Mr. explain why rejecting religion has im- secular studies at Pitzer College, for think society should do the same. Please Madison Arnold. proved your life. If you choose to dis- suggesting several of the topics for the include an example of how religious faith Madison, who is 89, cuss harm caused by religion, please in- competitions. has obstructed science or analyze a histor- has given a $30,000 clude at least one reason why you also FFRF is appreciative of its members ic or current issue related to religion vs. Mr. Madison endowment as a liv- consider religion to be untrue. who make the effort to contact local science, such as with the pandemic, stem- Arnold ing bequest, what This contest is offered to provide sup- high schools, colleges and universities cell research, climate change, medical he calls a “pre-quest.” port and acknowledgment for freethink- to help publicize its competitions. (See (and psychiatric) science, etc. Word limit: 450–650. Deadline: 11:59 ing Students of Color, as a minority with- “ads” on the back cover of the Free- Word limit: 300–450. Deadline: 11:59 p.m. June 30. in a minority. The other FFRF student thought Today wrap that may be copied p.m. May 31. The David Hudak Memorial Contest contests are open to all students. or cut out and sent to your local schools Michael Hakeem Memorial Essay for Black, Indigenous Students of Color Word limit: 400–600. Deadline: 11:59 or universities.) Or pass on the link: Contest for Freethinking College Students Black, Indigenous and Students of p.m. July 15. ffrf.org/studentessay. FFRF announces 2021 law student essay contest The Freedom From Religion Foundation is announc- You may not re-enter if FFRF has already awarded you ing its third annual Cornelius Vanderbroek Memorial for a law student essay. Essay Competition for Law School Students. Eligible entrants will receive a one-year compli- This year’s topic: “Why ‘history’ shouldn’t justify vi- mentary student membership in FFRF, including a olations of the separation between state and church.” digital version of 10 issues of Freethought Today, The contest will award $10,000 in prize money, FFRF’s newspaper, which publishes winning stu- with $4,000 for first place, $3,000 for second and dent essays. $2,000 for third place, plus $500 discretionary awards Contest entrants must fill out an application form for honorable mentions. online (surveymonkey.com/r/ZP6CDVX), which also de- The topic explores a change in Supreme Court in- tails other requirements, and attach their essay. terpretation that has become central to state/church Deadline: 11:59 p.m. June 14. litigation in recent years. Word limit and formatting: Essay must be no longer In Town of Greece v. Galloway, the Supreme Court than 1,500 words (not including footnotes), double wrote that “the Establishment Clause must be inter- spaced, standard margins, and font size 11 to 14 point. preted ‘by reference to historical practices and under- Include your name and title of your essay on each standings.’” In the wake of that decision, courts have plicable “history test” and, with citation to at least two page. Choose your own title. Pages must be numbered. struggled to define the exact contours of the historical post-Galloway cases, from any courts, define the outer Indicate word length at end of essay. considerations at play, with some courts treating Gallo- boundaries where a history test should be applied. Agreement: By entering, students agree to permit win- way as announcing a broadly applicable “history test,” The contest is open to ongoing law school students ning essays to be printed in full or in part in Freethought while others have continued to apply more traditional attending a North American law school, except those Today, FFRF’s newspaper, and posted online at FFRF’s Establishment Clause tests. starting law school for the first time in the fall of 2021. website. Winners agree to promptly provide a photo- In no more than 1,500 words, identify the dangers Students remain eligible to enter this contest if they will graph suitable for reproduction with their essay. Verifica- in interpreting Galloway as establishing a broadly ap- graduate from law school by spring or summer of 2021. tion of student enrollment may also be requested.

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Poetry and theodicy FFRF underwrites 2 UW fellowships FFRF is underwriting two $1,000 ligiously different than them, who By Ben Sevart fellowships at the University of Wis- demonstrate maturity in their own consin-Madison’s Center for Reli- religiosity, worldview, and/or spir- llen Ginsberg’s “Howl” was not, gion and Global Citizenry. ituality, and who show capacity to I believe, written to be read in a This year’s two student fellows be interfaith leaders on campus book (much less off a screen) but from the Interfaith Fellows Program and in life after graduation,” writes toldA as a warning by a stark raving mad (part of the Center for Religion and David Schulz, who works closely lunatic who accosts you on the street, his Global Citizenry) are Kally Leidig with the center’s director, Ulrich voice alternating between a conspirato- and Ben Sevard. Their essays are re- Rosenhagen. rial whisper and a bellowing denuncia- printed on this page. For the 2020-21 school year, the tion. Nonetheless, I will quote a bit, and The Interfaith Fellows Program center has 25 fellows from a variety make you supply the voices: trains undergraduate students to of backgrounds. What sphinx of cement and aluminum become more knowledgeable about “We aim to have several religious bashed open their skulls and ate up their different religious traditions and (and no religious) traditions repre- brains and imagination? Ben Sevart more skilled at communicating sented, as well as a diverse repre- Moloch! Solitude! Filth! Ugliness! Ash- with people from other religious sentation within traditions,” writes cans and unobtainable dollars! Children ing shriek — a howl. Yes, more so than backgrounds. Schulz. “This year we have Chris- screaming under the stairways! Boys sobbing a 70-year-old political context or a dead “We look for students with an tians, Jews, Muslims, Sikhs, a Hin- in armies! Old men weeping in the parks! eccentric’s dead friends, I hear and feel a eagerness to learn from and be in du, and a couple of nonreligious Moloch! Moloch! Nightmare of Moloch! frenzied epiphanic shout. I realize it is not relationship with those who are re- fellows.” Moloch the loveless! Mental Moloch! Moloch Moloch who stands in judgment above the heavy judger of men! us, demanding sacrifice, but we who look Moloch the incomprehensible prison! Mo- down into the abyss on Moloch, imagin- loch the crossbone soulless jailhouse and Con- ing red eyes in the empty darkness. gress of sorrows! Moloch whose buildings are Reading the laundry list of his crimes, Are we all nonbelievers? judgment! Moloch the vast stone of war! Mo- I realize he is, in fact, innocent, for ev- loch the stunned governments! erything of which he is accused is done By Kally Leidig Moloch whose mind is pure machinery! by us. He is an ancient fiction, powerless. Moloch whose blood is running money! Mo- He does not demand a sacrifice lest the loch whose fingers are ten armies! Moloch crops fail; neither does he raise the edific- onbeliever.” Until very re- whose breast is a cannibal dynamo! Moloch es of torture or sit on war councils in the cently, I thought this was whose ear is a smoking tomb! world’s great capitals. The laws of matter just a semi-patronizing yet Moloch whose eyes are a thousand blind and energy make wheat grow, whereas the “Nendearing term my best friends used to windows! Moloch whose skyscrapers stand in properties of concrete and gunpowder en- describe me or other atheists. the long streets like endless Jehovahs! Moloch able us to exploit them. No demon is in- So, I decided to inquire about it. It whose factories dream and croak in the fog! volved, and nothing except the structure turns out that when they say nonbeliev- Moloch whose smoke-stacks and antennae of society demands we act the way we do. er, it means everyone who doesn’t be- crown the cities! This structure is itself our history, deter- lieve in the Christian God. In hindsight, Ginsberg is speaking of what evil ru- mined through conflicts long-ago settled this makes a lot of sense, but in my athe- ined his friends, the people he saw “de- and those that rage still today. ist mind, everyone who follows faith was stroyed by madness, starving hysterical In this way, we are both innocent and inherently a believer. Kally Leidig naked, dragging them through the negro guilty — innocent of the crimes of our This sparked a series of conversations streets at dawn looking for an angry fix.” ancestors, but thoroughly and egregious- with my friends, whom I would describe me extremely aware that such questions The culprit is Moloch, obviously — not ly guilty of those of today and tomorrow. as both very Christian and pretty liberal. may be divisive or accomplish nothing. the god of the Canaanites per se, but his We are guilty for the crimes of Moloch, I asked about something I really struggle Perhaps being respectful and curious is ideal: his manifestation as war, as murder, even as he is a stand-in for our society’s to comprehend about Christanity — the all that is needed. Despite that, I can’t as avarice and ignorance and arrogance. prevailing ideology. But to expect that coexistence of humbleness and thinking help but be troubled by the idea of “I am Surely a more thorough exegesis could the world’s evils could be ended today there is only one true religion, that oth- right and you are wrong.” and has been done, delving into the poet’s through the massive spontaneous adop- ers result from false prophecy or works of The purpose of this essay isn’t to high- life to find the actual people and events tion of the “correct” religion, ideology or sin. In my mind, there was a pretty large light conversations that may or may not who served as inspiration. Or one could principle is delusion. However, it is equal- disconnect between being humble and be representative of a group, but rather provide a detailed political account, situ- ly unwise to expect a meaningfully better thinking that only your interpretation of to wonder aloud at what the implica- ating the poem and its author in the early world of tomorrow unless things change, the world is right. tions could be of learning about others rumblings of the gay liberation movement that is, unless we change them. I should point out that everyone I talk- and respecting them, but also disbeliev- and a protracted controversy over obscen- This is how I understand evil in the ed to expressed great levels of respect and ing what they say. ity and free expression. world. How do you explain it? tolerance for people, no matter their reli- I often find questions like these are Yet, this is not how I have come to Ben Sevart, from Whitefish Bay, Wis., is gion. There also was a reverence for the much better posed in person — where understand this piece. When I read it, I a junior studying mathematics and religious concept of faith, no matter the belief. you can alter them depending on the per- feel more than anything a scream, a ris- studies. “I grew up in an atheist household, Also, what I have just said is an extremely son, their responses or the situation. But, I so religion was not a part of my life as a child, brief summary of very long conversations hope that everyone can take solace in the yet I have found a secular appreciation for it and is void of some necessary nuances. fact that we are all united in the idea that Losing Faith in Faith: From Preacher to Atheist through my studies here at UW-Madison and by Nonetheless, these conversations led others would consider you a nonbeliever. working at a local synagogue,” Ben writes. “My me to wonder: When fellows are inform- Kally, who grew up in the suburbs of Minne- By Dan Barker academic interests lie primarily in the religious ing you on what they believe, of course apolis, is a senior studying political science, eco- How Dan “threw out traditions of India. As a fellow with the CRGC, you value and respect it, but do you think nomics and environmental studies. “I became the bathwater and I hope to explore the ways that religious commu- it is correct? Are other religions speaking rather disenchanted with my church and started discovered there is nities and leaders in Madison and beyond have the truth? What is at stake for you to say exploring alternatives,” she writes. “My interest $5 Off! no baby there.” responded to the Covid-19 pandemic, which has another religion is true? Or, furthermore, in religion and belief systems has continued to Published by FFRF led many state and local governments to force is your religion true? grow despite me now considering myself an athe- the cancellation of in-person religious services. As I type this, I am surrounded by Ha- ist. I am excited to learn more about new per- Buy it from FFRF online Through this issue, I want to explore deeper nukkah decorations, Christmas decor, spectives both foreign and familiar to me. It espe- ffrf.org/shop questions about religious freedom and the role and one very extensive Pitbull (i.e., Mr. cially fascinates me how people relate or reconcile of the state.” Worldwide) shrine, all of which make political preferences with morals and values.”

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‘Unity’ Super Bowl ad was Blog post calls out too focused on religion Biden’s religious moves The Super Bowl ad by Jeep, featur- I want to thank Annie Laurie Gaylor ing Bruce Springsteen and showing a for her blog post, “Drop the state reli- church in the “center” of the country gion blither-blather — We need ‘a new and promoting unity in the “Re-Unit- day.’” I had inwardly (OK, outwardly, ed States of America” left me flat. too) recoiled when a Christian prayer The current religious make-up in was spoken at the civic observance at the America is about 25 percent nonre- Lincoln Memorial that millions of us ligious. So even though that church were sharing, only to be confronted the is “open to everyone,” as an avowed very next day with that dreadful hymn, atheist, I have never set foot in it de- “Amazing Grace.” spite standing at that very spot. Do you I doubt those will be isolated instanc- think any other non-Christian is likely es in the Biden presidency. He has been to enter that chapel? steeped in the Catholic tea for 78 years. A little history. In 1829, the Del- And, although we can be grateful that awares were the first Indians to sign Biden won’t be grabbing women by a treaty giving them land in what their nether regions or inciting an insur- was to become Kansas. After 1830, rection, he will continue to step on that the Cherokee, Chippewa, Delaware, line separating state from church. Iowa, Iroquois, Kaskaskia, Kickapoo, Your article brilliantly detailed the Munsee, Ottawa, Peoria, Piankashaw, problems these religious actions present Potawatomi, Quapaw, Sac and Fox, Photo by Andrew L. Seidel to a nation not united by Christianity. Shawnee, Stockbridge, Wea and Wy- Joe Cunningham stands next to FFRF’s “Atheists in Foxholes” monument I’ve read it twice, shared it with others andot lived there. Although these emi- outside of Freethought Hall in Madison, Wis. and saved it to read again someday when grant tribes were assured by the feder- I need inspiration. al government that they would not be Joe, 94, gets his Covid-19 vaccine Marian Wiggins moved again, Kansas Territory opened I just received my first Covid-19 shot, but oh, what a runaround I got be- Washington for settlement in 1854 and once again cause I didn’t have a certain bar code. I felt as though I was asking for a million forced the removal of Native peoples. dollars when I went for my vaccination and had to beg as my papers were not Many more settlers moved into Kansas in order. Can we stop Florida’s Territory after the Civil War, accelerat- I said, “Have a heart. My hand shakes so much that I can hardly write my voucher bill from passing? ing the movement of Indians off the name. I do not have a printer on my computer, so I could not print out the bar land. This was displacement by white code.” Apparently, our county has a short supply of vaccine and has to guard Congratulations on the perfect rating Christians citing a “manifest destiny” – it as if it is their money in the bank. Ha! I had zero reaction from the shot; just from Charity Navigator. I’m not surprised, Christian Nationalism. Placing a Chris- frustrated that there was so much red tape to get into the place. as I see the evidence of how my donations tian chapel there has no purpose oth- When I was 17 and entered the Navy, we were given many shots on the same are used every time I read my Freethought er than staking a territorial claim to a day. We walked down a single line, and doctors on both sides of the line were Today (cover to cover). By the way, I love religious (white) supremacy. sticking needles in our arms without even looking at faces. One poor guy stag- the addition of the crossword puzzle. There can be no unity until there gered backwards, and the pharmacists giving the shots, who looked at nothing I’m impressed by and grateful for has been accountability. As of now, except arms, shot him again in both arms. The poor guy then fainted and had FFRF’s accomplishments, transparency half of us don’t believe the other half. to be carried away. and accountability. How does wishing for unity without Our arms were so sore from these shots that we were forced to do pushups However, I am concerned about Flor- recognizing a common reality work? to work the fluids on through our bodies. The next day I could hardly move my ida Senate Bill 48. It expands Florida’s Ignoring facts and history will only get arms. Nothing like that occurs today as we all sit in our cars, roll down our win- school voucher programs to the detri- us further from each other. dows, stick our arms out, and that is that. We didn’t even shut off our motors. ment of public schools and the benefit Jack Shields Instead of hoarding the formulas, the vaccine formulas should readily be of charter and private schools. The bill New Hampshire given to more manufacturers, and the government could reimburse the origi- would reduce the frequency of audits, in- nal developers for their work. crease the yearly growth rate of the vouch- Editor’s note: This (edited) letter Joe Cunningham er programs, and expand the use of pub- was originally published in the Concord Illinois lic funds for parents to “shop” for private (N.H.) Monitor on Feb. 14. schools or homeschool services. I believe Editor’s note: Joe, who turns 95 in April, is a longtime FFRF member who this bill violates the separation of church served on the FFRF Board of Directors for nearly 30 years. and state by using public dollars to pay re- Christian Nationalism ligious or church-affiliated school tuition. Yes, I’m already calling legislators to is a threat to all of us oppose the bill. I thought this might be The horrible events at the Capitol rible as any similar events from history. worth a look for FFRF, or possible legal in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6 were What can we do? I’m not sure what Asner portraying Bryan challenge if (when) it passes. a grim and frightening illustration the solution is. I would hope that all seems counterintuitive Thanks for all you do. of the violent potential inherent in FFRF members will read Andrew L. I found it interesting and beyond Heidi Juhl the Christian Nationalist movement. Seidel`s brilliant book The Founding curious that Ed Asner played the re- Florida The angry mob was seemingly intent Myth and educate themselves concern- al-life character of William Jennings on murder and one police officer was ing the illiberal ideology called Chris- Bryan, impassioned defender of the indeed killed during the tumultuous tian Nationalism. It’s violent and it’s a bible’s veracity, in the play, “Inherit Right-to-die issue has riot. Vice President Mike Pence nar- threat to us all. the Wind,” a drama about the 1925 some important caveats rowly escaped. Robert Hunter Scopes “monkey” trial. During the ransacking of the Cap- Illinois The play’s protagonist, Clarence Thank you for the critical article by La- itol building, some members of the Darrow, in character and real life, mar Hankins on the right-to-die issue in mob paused to pray to their Christian defended the teacher who was being the January/February Freethought Today. god. They truly believed that their vi- Column on end-of-life prosecuted for teaching evolution. My late partner took advantage of our olence was divinely sanctioned. This options was appreciated Playwrights Robert E. Lee and Jerome state’s Death with Dignity (DwD) pro- was the epitome of insane delusional Lawrence laced the Darrow character gram when she was diagnosed with an thinking. Using religion to justify this As a member of Compassion & with brilliant arguments revealing the inoperable brain tumor. I am a promot- horrendous violence calls to mind dark Choices, I appreciated the article on scientific nonsense of Bryan’s unfail- er of both the DwD program and the Fi- chapters of American history, where end-of-life options. My father was very ing allegiance to scripture. nal Exit Network. groups such as the Ku Klux Klan felt ill, and yet he managed to end his life With Asner’s well-known political Some information in the article was that the god of Christianity sanctioned with dignity, but alone. It would have and theological positions, I would new and welcome. However, a couple a racist social system and the violence been better if he could have had com- love to know how he prepared for a of comments are warranted. Outside that was used to maintain it. passionate help. role that is so perfectly opposite of his of Holland and Switzerland, there are I once thought that American soci- On a lighter note: I love reading personal beliefs. no countries that sanction euthanasia. ety had progressed beyond the violent the very thoughtful student essays. Donald Marine Medical Assistance in Dying is not a eu- Christian Nationalism of the past. I am Congratulations to all the entrants. Arizona thanasia program in that one must be no longer so optimistic. A new version And I enjoyed doing the crossword terminally ill to be eligible. Hopefully, of Christian Nationalism and its ac- puzzle. Editor’s note: For the answer, watch over time, that will change. companying violence has arrived, and Kate Retzlaff the “Freethought Matters” interview Also, the term “state-sponsored sui- what we witnessed on Jan. 6 was as ter- Wisconsin with Asner (on YouTube). cide” is not applicable to the DwD pro- April 2021 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 21 grams. When my partner was diagnosed, These are the cautionary lessons we found there were two doctors, living He who lifts our balloons each Crankmail column teaches us. here on our island in Washington, associ- Reason and logic are ineffectual pro- ated with the program. One helped write tections against religion. We need strin- the state law. gent laws to fortify the wall between He told us they went to great extremes state and church. to remove any suggestion of suicide from Jehnana Balzer the bill and that the cause of death was Arizona listed as that which would have killed the person had they not enrolled in the program. This is critical for such things Atheists need to be seen as insurance policies and other benefits as caring and moral that are usually withheld in the case of suicide. Terminology is important. That’s For those frustrated trying to rea- one reason I use the term “god-free” in- son with fundamentalist friends and stead of “godless.” relatives, don’t bother. After years of Jack Pedigo trying to reason with believers, I got Washington nowhere. When one is taught that non- believers are enemies of God, it follows that they must be immoral, and if not Ben Bova was inspiration hated, at least ignored. So, it occurred as author and editor FFRF Board Member and Treasurer Steve Salemson sent us this image. He to me to try something different and writes: “This is for all the science nerds! :-)” nonthreatening. I was saddened to hear of the Those of us who contribute to secu- death of Ben Bova. I was the one who lar charities get “thank you” responses. brought him to FFRF’s attention as I started a pile of these. Of course, they a possible guest on the Freethought ACA, take the time to learn. Child- See the small creatures close. include the testaments from these or- Radio show in 2007. I had met Ben hood trauma, coupled with religious Mountains reveal nothing lasts. ganizations (Doctors without Borders, at the 1993 Isaac Asimov seminar in trauma, is tough to recover from and Make peace with this. Human Rights Watch, Global Fund for New York. Ben was one of the panelists we are here to help. Rivers flow in the direction of days. Women, etc.) as to where the money (who made clear his atheism) at the Julianne Vered Mark the many courses well. goes and why (i.e., to relieve suffering, seminar, which dealt with how space Indiana Woods are where the world breathes. empower women, etc.). exploration could be used to benefit Breathe deeply. I took that pile, put it in a large enve- humanity. We greet you as your way begins. lope and sent it to them with “Positive He was a very congenial person. He Carl Sagan story was Welcome to the planet. news” written on the envelope so they told me that he was a frequent visitor reminder of ‘Planet’ poem Welcome home. wouldn’t throw it away. I left out any to New York City and that his favor- commentary. My goal was to make it dif- ite restaurant was a place near Union Hearing that Carl Sagan held his Eric Paul Schaffer ficult to dismiss atheists as non-caring Square called Paulie & Jimmy’s. I sub- daughter above his head shortly after Hawaii and/or immoral. We need to be seen as sequently dined there a few times and her birth and told her, “Welcome to the compassionate and moral. it became one of my favorites. planet Earth” was a delight. I just heard Carl Scheiman As a science fiction buff, I have read this anecdote in your conversation with Crossword puzzle makes Maine a number of Bova’s novels and enjoyed Sasha Sagan on the Freethought Radio newspaper even better! them all. He was truly a major figure in podcast (Jan. 28), which I listen to every the field of science fiction, both as an weekend as I prepare submissions of my I was very pleased to find a crossword Media failed to tie riot to author and as an editor. poetry to various publishers. puzzle in Freethought Today. I think it Christian Nationalism Dennis Middlebrooks I cannot resist sharing my poem “Wel- makes an already excellent publication New York come to the Planet,” written in 1990 and even better! Keep up the good work. As member and secular citizen, published in 2000 in my third book Por- Darlene Fouquet why is it that the legacy media fails to table Planet. Colorado mention that the insurrection was led There is help for those Thank you for all of your excellent by Christian Nationalist zealots? All with religious trauma work, and I hope you enjoy the poem. we hear about are the ties to white su- Reading Crankmail offers premacy, but not the intersection of I came across the Feb. 3 YouTube Welcome to the Planet a gamut of emotions these two toxic ideologies. Thank you video from “The Hang Up” with Dr. a greeting to newborn humans for the work you do and continue to do Darrel Ray, with special guest Andrew Count mine as a “yes” vote to keep in defending the Jeffersonian wall of L. Seidel. I had no idea about the Free- This day, we welcome you. the Crankmail section in this great separation. dom From Religion Foundation orga- We teach our ways to greet you. publication. Reading those few inches Christopher Kendel nization before that. We are one kind among many the of newsprint every issue, I experience Ohio Anyway, I’m an atheist and I’ve been world encircles. the whole gamut of emotions: laugh- in 12-step recovery for 36 years. I be- Touch all gently. out-loud amusement, of course, and gan an Adult Children of Alcoholics Our people are near us always. admiration for any public school teach- FFRF convention in Texas (ACA) meeting for atheists, agnostics, Find yourself among the best. er who keeps trying to teach grammar may not be safest place freethinkers, humanists and those Cities display our inventions and and spelling and science to such knowl- struggling with the concept of a power designs. edge-resistant students. Since FFRF announced the cancel- greater than themselves. ACA is also a Watch, wonder, and wander away. Then I read the cranks’ outlandish lation of last year’s convention in San critical support need for people with Highways are dark and long, concrete threats (i.e., “Hopefully all atheists get Antonio, Texas, I am hoping that the religious trauma (as it often relates di- and crowded. covid and vanish”) and just feel puz- virus conditions will allow for the 2021 rectly back to childhood dysfunction). Make your own way. zled. Didn’t these born-again MAGA’s conference [in Boston]. I’m also working to start ACA Ag- Birds and beasts bring news of the waste the past year insisting that the vi- However, in the interim, Texas pol- nostica. The need is real. We started planet. rus is just a hoax dreamed up by secular itics have become a national issue. small (two people) but are now up to Good news for your ears only. politicians to stomp on their “religious Considering the profile of their gun three meetings a week with many more The sea foretells the past and future. freedoms”? culture and the ugly rise of Christian participants. If you don’t know about Live now. Now, suddenly, a miracle has trans- Nationalism, it might be a good time Soil is the source of the great and the formed Covid-19 into a horrifying pun- to reconsider the venue that might be humble. ishment for us freethinkers? an attractive target for the radicals in Crossword answers that state. Keep in mind the safety of those who want to participate in these events. Cryptogram answer This is just my vote for a safer loca- tion, as I am looking forward to the re- turn of in-person events that build con- Scientists do not join hands every Sunday and sing “Yes, sensus opinions and community. gravity is real! I know gravity is real! I will have faith! I believe Bette Hammerle Inman North Carolina

in my heart that what goes up, up, up must come down, Editor’s note: FFRF is always cogni- zant of safety issues when hosting its down, down. Amen!” conventions and takes substantial pre- cautions for the safety of its members. — Dan Barker The 2021 convention is planned for Boston and then San Antonio in 2022. Page 22 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | April 2021 BLACKCOLLAR CRIME

acts committed on 7 minor girls between 2002-18. Compiled by Bill Dunn Source: L.A. Times, 2-9-21 Gregory Dow, 61, Lancaster, PA: 15½ years in federal prison and $16,000 in restitution after plead- Arrested / Charged ing guilty to 4 counts of sexual abuse. Dow and his Isaias “Carlos” Vasquez, 44, Oxnard, CA: Oral family started the Dow Family Children’s Home near copulation of a minor, penetration by a foreign ob- Boito, Kenya, in 2008 and operated it for about a ject, 3 counts of lewd acts upon a child and 2 counts decade with funding from U.S. churches and faith- of unlawful sexual intercourse. Vasquez, a volun- based groups, including Dow’s parish, LifeGate in teer at Iglesia Pentecostes Un Nuevo Florecer, is Elizabethtown. accused of assaults on 3 girls he met at the church. Prosecutors said he returned home in 2017 Law enforcement began investigating after a when Kenyan authorities began investigating abuse 14-year-old alleged Vasquez lured her to a motel in allegations. The FBI said he abused 4 girls, includ- January under the pretense of a cleaning job and ing 2 who were age 11 when it started. Prosecutors then assaulted her. After investigators were made said Dow abused girls knowing that his wife, who aware of an alleged victim age 17, another 14-year- helped run the orphanage, had taken them to have old contacted the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, birth control devices implanted in their arms. accusing Vasquez of assault on Jan. 31 in a car “Gregory Dow was the proverbial wolf in sheep’s near Ojai. Source: Fox 11, 2-26-21 clothing,” said Michael Driscoll of the FBI’s Philadel- Alex T. John, 32, Lake Charles, LA: Indecent phia office. Source: CBS/AP, 2-4-21 behavior with juveniles. John, youth pastor at Wa- Michael Mulenga, 49, Mandeville, LA: 5 ters Edge Gathering Church and an adjunct instruc- months in jail after a judge found him guilty of sim- tor in digital arts at Sowela Technical Community ple misdemeanor battery. It’s alleged Mulenga, a College, allegedly had inappropriate communica- visiting Catholic priest from Zambia, reached un- tions with a juvenile under age 17 about 6 years der a 75-year-old woman’s blouse several times in ago. Source: KPLC, 2-26-21 January 2020 while trying to seduce her at an Arch- Brandon Dasilva, 26, Terre Hill, PA: Criminal diocese of New Orleans independent living facility use of a communication facility, 4 counts of sexual where he was chaplain. abuse of children for disseminating child pornogra- Mulenga had administered the “last rites” to the woman’s late husband about 2 months earlier. She phy and 26 counts of sexual abuse of children for ey and return them to the temple. But when the million of fraud through various means. Attorneys is suing him, the facility and its owner — the archdi- possession of child pornography. Dasilva, pastor of COVID-19 pandemic struck, he was unable to raise for the Collinses contend they are guilty only of “bad ocese’s Christopher Homes. Source: WWL, 2-4-21 student ministries at Weaverland Anabaptist Faith funds to redeem the items in time for ceremonies, bookkeeping” with no intent to defraud. Source: del- William A. Metzger, 76, Baraboo, WI: 10 years Community Church in East Earl, was arrested after his lawyer said. Source: The Hindu, 2-16-21 cotimes.com, 1-28-21 in prison and 10 years’ extended supervision after a Homeland Security agent discovered an account Dominic Muscante, 46, Glassport, PA: Inde- pleading guilty to 1st-degree child sexual assault. on the social media app Kik had distributed 4 imag- cent assault, endangering the welfare of children, es of suspected child pornography. Pleaded / Convicted Metzger, pastor at Open Door Baptist Church, was unlawful contact with minors and selling/furnishing He allegedly admitted he had been viewing child accused of assaulting a girl multiple times between liquor to minors. It’s alleged he committed crimes Roger VanRaden, 49, Rantoul, IL: Pleaded pornography for about 18 months and said he was August 2016 and December 2018, starting when at the Assembly of God Church (now River City guilty to 2 counts of criminal sexual assault. The ashamed and “hated himself” for his behavior, ac- she was 6. Church), where he volunteered, and the Glassport state dismissed 2 other counts in a plea bargain. cording to the complaint. Source: Fox 43, 2-25-21 According to the complaint, Metzger told author- Community Outreach food bank. The charges were filed in December 2019 for sexu- Robert M. Blumenthal, 85, Randwick, Austra- ities he had discovered the girl “fondling herself” and One girl told police she was between ages al activity occurring while he was an assistant pastor lia: 2 counts of sexual intercourse with a person un- then showed her how, touching her inappropriately 13 and 15 when Muscante gave her alcohol and and youth pastor at Faith Baptist Church. der the age of 10 and 3 counts of sexual intercourse more than once, though he claimed he didn’t re- touched her sexually on several occasions, includ- The victim was 18 when she revealed that she with a person under 16 who was under authority. member assaulting her about 10 times over a peri- ing during a Christmas party at the church and in his had been having sex with VanRaden for about 5 Blumenthal, a defrocked Catholic priest, is charged od of 2 years as she told her father in 2019. van during travel for the food bank. years, beginning in 2015 when she was 14, often at with assaults on a 9-year-old boy at a school in Onlee Bowden, a Michigan woman, watched The other girl alleged she was 6 when the abuse the church. Source: News-Gazette, 2-22-21 Bathurst in the mid-1980s. the hearing from a video feed in the Sauk County started and 19 when it ended. Source: Post-Ga- Trinity Bible Chapel, Waterloo, Ontario, was Blumenthal is the 14th priest or former priest Victim Witness Office. She alleges Metzger assault- zette, 2-11-21 found in contempt of court after opening for in-per- to be accused by a task force established in ed her in the mid-1960s when she was 6 by telling Christopher D. Lawton, 43, Greenfield, NH: 20 son services and exceeding pandemic crowd limits 2008 to investigate indecent assaults of students her that he was teaching her how to masturbate. counts of aggravated felonious sexual assault with on Dec. 27 and Jan. 3. “Six elders, including the at Bathurst schools between 1960–93. Source: Source: News Republic, 2-3-21 special enhancement. He is accused of assaults on pastor [Jacob Reaume] and the Trinity Bible Chap- Daily Mail, 2-18-21 James Glawson, 76, Exeter, RI: 40 years in a girl when she was 16 and 17 and he was her pastor el corporation” had been charged for hosting a gath- James Johnson, 70, Jacksonville, FL: Lewd prison after pleading no contest to 11 counts of in 2015-16 at Lamplight Christian Church, which he ering exceeding the number permitted, said a state- molestation and offenses against a student by an 1st-degree sexual assault, including counts of oral founded. He was originally indicted on 10 counts in ment from regional officials. Source: CBC, 1-26-21 authority figure. He oversees the high school home- sexual penetration with a “mentally disabled” per- October 2020. Source: Manchester Ink Link, 2-5-21 room at New Beginnings Christian Academy and son and 5 other males in the early 1980s. David Hornbuckle, 51, Fayetteville, GA: Sex- teaches history, science, bible and other electives. Sentenced He volunteered for the Boy Scouts from 1980 to ual battery and 3 counts of child molestation. He is The alleged victim was between the ages of 2018 and served as an assistant Catholic chaplain John Allen, 77, W. Manchester Township, PA: 12 and 16. William Holland, senior pastor, said the lead pastor at Whitewater Church, affiliated with the at a scouting camp in Hopkinton. Glawson apolo- 5 years’ probation after pleading guilty to 5 mis- school principal learned from a parent that a staff Assemblies of God. He and his wife, who have 5 gized in court for his “evil ways” and said “It makes demeanor counts of indecent assault on 2 boys member may have been sending inappropriate children, started the church in 2008. me sick to think of what I have done.” Source: Prov- while he was a Catholic messages to a student. Holland met with the par- He was arrested after the idence Journal, 1-28-21 priest in Harrisburg. De- ent the next day and filed a report with the sheriff’s sheriff was notified of an in- frocked in 2006, Allen was office. cident allegedly occurring in also deemed a sexually vi- Civil Lawsuits Filed According to media, Johnson has posted sev- early January involving “in- FBI: ‘Gregory Dow olent predator and will have eral videos on the Lord’s Lighthouse Ministry’s appropriate conduct” with “a was the proverbial wolf Nicholas DiMarzio — bishop of the Catholic Facebook page of him preaching. Source: WFOX, juvenile known to him,” said to register with state police Diocese of Brooklyn, NY — Holy Rosary Parish Sheriff Barry Babb. Source: in“ sheep’s clothing.’ for life. 2-18-21 in Jersey City, NJ, and the Newark Archdiocese John W. Gill, 63, Middleburg, FL: 2nd-de- Fayetteville Citizen, 2-3-21 One accuser told de- are defendants in a suit filed by a Florida man alleg- gree murder in the shooting death of his brother Drue J. Mordecai, 55, tectives Allen grabbed his ing DiMarzio, 76, molested him in 1979–80, starting Thomas M. Gill after an apparent domestic dis- Santa Rosa, CA: 27 felony buttocks on multiple occa- when he was 6. pute. John Gill had non-life-threatening injuries charges and 2 enhancements, including 9 counts of sions in 1999–2002 when he was 10 to 13 years Plaintiff Samier Tadros is represented by Boston believed to be self-inflicted. assaulting a minor with the intent to commit a felo- old. Another boy accused Allen of touching him on attorney Mitchell Garabedian, who is also the attor- His wife told police he had become emotionally ny and 5 of committing a lewd act with a child. The the buttocks and in the genital area multiple times ney for another man who alleges DiMarzio abused or mentally disturbed and had led the Middleburg alleged victim and Mordecai attended New Vintage in 1997–99. him at St. Nicholas Parish in Jersey City in the Open Bible Church out of their home. Nephew Mat- Church, where Mordecai was a volunteer group A former altar boy filed a lawsuit in 2018 against 1970s. Garabedian said that suit is pending. thew Gill said social media comments have been leader working with students for several years. the Harrisburg Diocese, claiming Allen “lasciviously Since December 2019, when New Jersey sus- very difficult for the family: “It’s being shared back The alleged victim was 12 when the abuse leered at, groped and sexually molested [him] ap- pended the statute of limitations for civil sexual and forth and people that don’t want to see it, it’s started, the complaint said. Source: Press proximately a dozen times in different rooms at the abuse lawsuits for 2 years, 300 suits against Cath- popping up on their [Facebook] timelines. People Democrat, 2-3-21 church” between 1999–2002. The suit is still pend- olic dioceses have been filed. Source: northjersey. saying that ‘It’s Jesus and it’s Middleburg. What do Christian Bileth, 55, Grand Rapids, MI: Em- ing. Source: pennlive.com, 2-16-21 com, 2-22-21 you expect?’ ” Source: News4Jax, 2-18-21 bezzlement over $100,000. He is accused of steal- Hugh Graham, 60, London: 4 years in prison Mitchell T. Rozanski, St. Louis Catholic arch- James Coates, Edmonton, Alberta: 2 counts of ing $812,000 from St. John’s United Church of after pleading guilty to attempting to arrange the bishop, was part of “abhorrent attempts” to protect contravening the Public Health Act and a charge of Christ between 2014–19 when he was president of commission of a child sex offense, attempting to the reputation of the late Christopher J. Weldon, failing to comply with a condition of an undertaking. the church council. incite a child to engage in sexual activity, possess- the former bishop of Springfield, MA, alleges a Mas- Coates was arrested after police and health officials He was also president of Core Audit Consul- ing an extreme pornographic image, possession of sachusetts suit. observed services at GraceLife Church, where he is tants, a company which is where it’s alleged he prohibited images of children and 3 counts each of Other defendants are current and former offi- pastor, and determined the church was again ignor- funneled the missing money. Source: WXMI, 2-3-21 making indecent photos of children and attempted cials of the Springfield Diocese, including longtime ing restrictions calling for attendance to be capped Ira J. Summerlin, 74, York, SC: 3 counts of sexual communication with a child. The offenses diocesan attorney John J. Egan. The plaintiff al- at 15% of capacity and requiring masks and physi- criminal sexual conduct with a minor. Summerlin, took place between May 2018 and December 2019 leges Weldon molested him in the 1960s when he cal distancing. a youth group volunteer and longtime member at when he was pastor at St, Andrew’s United Re- was an altar boy. Coates was jailed after refusing to agree to bail Central Baptist Church, is charged with improperly formed Church in Hampstead. Rozanski, who served as bishop in Springfield conditions attached to his release. He was first is- touching a 6-year-old girl who was sitting on his lap He posed to an undercover officer on the Grindr from 2014–20, is accused of approving an official sued a $1,200 ticket in December for contravening in January at a church function, behavior purported- dating app as a 13-year-old boy. In a message from statement denying the Diocesan Review Board the health orders. Source: CBC, 2-17-21 ly captured on video. Graham to a victim he called himself “an open-mind- found a credible abuse allegation against Weldon Kandasamy Senapathi, 37: 5 counts of crim- Further investigation showed other inappropri- ed perv” who was “not really interested in toddlers.” when that statement was “patently false.” Source: inal breach of trust as an employee and 5 counts ate behavior in 2020, resulting in 2 more criminal In another he wrote, “I’m hoping you aren’t a gang Berkshire Eagle, 2-9-21 of breaching the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and counts. Source: WBTV, 2-2-21 of blokes trying to trap me. I could get into trouble for The Christian Brothers order is accused in a Other Serious Crimes Act. He is chief priest of Keith and Carolyn Collins, 60 and 72, re- chatting to you lol.” class-action suit of moving child abusers from the Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple, the Sri Mariam- spectively, Ridley Park, PA: 12 counts each of theft Over 35,000 illegal images of children as young notorious Mount Cashel Orphanage in Newfound- man Temple. by unlawful taking, theft by deception and receiv- as about 3 and some wearing handcuffs were found land to Vancouver College and St. Thomas More Kandasamy is accused of taking gold cere- ing stolen property — all 3rd-degree felonies — 6 in his possession. One laptop showed its user had School in Vancouver, BC, and to other schools. monial ornaments from the temple and pawning misdemeanor theft counts and 3 felony conspira- been viewing such material since 2012. Source: Lead plaintiff Darren Liptrot alleges he was mo- them to shops between 2016–20. Pawn value of cy counts. The couple, who are co-pastors of the Camden New Journal, 2-11-21 lested by his teacher, Edward English, convicted the jewelry was over $1.5 million, a prosecutor Church of the Overcomer in Trainer, allegedly em- John R. McFarland, 68, Fullerton, CA: 15 years in the 1990s of multiple counts of gross indecen- told the court. Kandasamy, an Indian national, al- bezzled $109,206 from 18 court-appointed guard- to life in prison after pleading guilty to 13 counts of cy and assault against boys at Mount Cashel and legedly transferred about $106,000 in proceeds ianships through Pinnacle Guardian Services, a lewd and lascivious acts with minors while serving sentenced to 13 years in prison. Source: Vancouver out of the country. company they owned. as a United Methodist pastor at several churches. Sun, 2-9-21 His purported modus operandi was to pawn the Co-defendant Gloria F. Byars, Carolyn Collins’ He was first arrested in December 2018 for mo- Ben Lippen School (now called Columbia In- ornaments, redeem them when he had the mon- sister, is facing 763 counts for facilitating about $3 lesting a girl under age 14. The counts stem from ternational University), a Christian school founded April 2021 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 23 in 1940 in W. Asheville, NC, and former teacher and panding the statute of limitations for civil and crimi- Jarvis Love, both 37, $15,000 each and requiring Allegations coach Pamela Kaye Herrington are being sued nal actions in childhood sexual abuse cases. “These them to keep silent about their claims. The pay- by Rachel Howald, 50, New York City, who alleges bills were all about giving victims of child abuse ments were far less than what other Catholic sex Joseph Jablonski, a Catholic priest barred in Herrington sexually assaulted her repeatedly in hope. Hope after a life of hell,” said main sponsor abuse survivors have typically received. “They felt 2014 from serving further in the Diocese of San Ber- 1986–88 when she was 16 and 17. Rep. Austen Schauer, R-West Fargo. they could treat us that way because we’re poor nardino, CA, was allowed to return to priestly duties Herrington was in her late 30s and unmarried Shane Goettle, lobbyist for the State Associ- and we’re Black,” said Joshua Love. Source: ABC in Illinois despite allegations of sexual abuse by a when hired in 1982, claims the suit, alleging “Ra- ation of Nonpublic Schools, testified the bills fo- News/AP, 2-7-21 California boy. The San Bernardino Diocese imme- chel was sexually abused by Defendant Herrington cused unfairly on private organizations. The Cath- Anthony Haynes, 41, former leader of the diately notified Jablonski’s religious order, the Mis- sionaries of the Sacred Heart, whose Chicago-area over and over again. ... This abuse included but was olic Church does not testify on every bill it supports Greater Life Christian Center in Toledo, OH, was headquarters is in Aurora. not limited to, fondling Rachel’s breasts, squeez- or opposes, said Christopher Dodson, general denied compassionate release. At the time of the Records and interviews show that the order ing Rachel’s nipples, and grinding her vaginal area counsel for the state Catholic Conference, adding ruling, Haynes had only served 18 months of a life aggressively into Rachel’s upper thigh or on top of that the church agreed with Goettle’s testimony. didn’t inform dioceses in Rockford and Joliet and the sentence for facilitating a child sex trafficking ring Archdiocese of Chicago about the allegations. “The Rachel’s vaginal area.” Source: Fargo Forum, 2-15-21 with 2 other pastors. Columbia International is a “Christ-centered” Eliezer Berland, 83, leader of the Israeli Shu- provincial at the time didn’t feel any obligation to con- Judge Bernard Friedman denied the request tact any other diocese,” said Richard Kennedy, who pre-K-12 school now located in Columbia. Source: vu Bonim sect, is banned from communicating with because Haynes provided little evidence of health has led the order’s U.S. province since 2018. Citizen Times, 1-29-21 his followers, ruled a Jerusalem court in setting conditions putting him at greater risk of having coro- Jablonski, now in his 70s, is leaving the order, John Asare-Dankwah, New Orleans, is ac- terms of his release to house arrest. He must also navirus complications, while mentioning the severity Kennedy said. “If a complaint were filed today, it’d cused in a suit by “A.A. Doe” of raping him at age 10 post bail of $369,315 and pay for 24-hour private of the crimes. be handled in a much different way.” Source: Sun- while Asare-Dankwah served as a priest in 2008 at security to watch him. “Based on the facts of this case, defendant Times, 2-19-21 Blessed Trinity Catholic Church in Broadmoor, AL. A Berland is accused of sex offenses and defraud- could not be released without seriously endanger- The Catholic Archdiocese of Cologne “severe- Ghana native, he is now pastor of St. Peter Claver ing sick and elderly followers out of millions of shek- ing the community,” Friedman wrote. “This alone ly damaged” the process of owning up to decades of Catholic Church. els and has spent over a year in detention. Source: disqualifies defendant from consideration for com- sexual violence against children, said a report by an The suit alleges Asare-Dankwah anally raped Times of Israel, 2-15-21 passionate release.” Source: Toledo Blade, 2-3-21 independent German secular panel established in Doe while hearing his confession in the anteroom Marcelo D. Krawiec, 44, former rabbi of a Bue- California Catholic bishops are asking a judge 2016. It decried the diocese’s internal review. of a chapel during a 7-day retreat in Montgomery nos Aires synagogue who is accused of sexually to throw out a law allowing accusers of clergy sexual The Berlin-based panel referred to the “Cologne and that he didn’t report it because he was too hu- abusing at least 2 young men between 2010–18, is Archbishopric” but not to Archbishop Rainer Maria miliated. At his grandmother’s funeral in September, being sought by Interpol. He had been living in Isra- abuse to sue even if they were molested decades ago. The state in 2019 provided a 3-year period Woelki by name, and said that the public saw a he saw Asare-Dankwah officiating and had a flash- el since 2019 and re-entered Argentina on Nov. 17, “cover-up.” starting Jan. 1, 2020 to file suits. back, it’s alleged. Source: Times-Picayune, 1-29-21 2020, staying for about a week before disappearing. Cologne cabaret artist and author Jürgen Beck- It also extended the age of people who could Hillsong Church, based in Australia, is be- Source: JTA, 2-13-21 er, delivering a satirical online sermon from St. Ag- sue for childhood abuse from 26 to 40 after the ex- ing sued in Norwalk, CT, and in Australia. The Robert DeLand, 73, a Michigan Catholic nes Church, alleged the archdiocese “systematically Wall Street Theater Co., which Hillsong’s Con- priest convicted of sex crimes against a male teen tension expires and allowed triple damages in cas- covered up the mass clergy sexual abuse for de- necticut branch rented for $6,000 a week, is su- in 2019, was granted parole. He was sentenced es involving a “cover-up” of previous assaults by an cades.” Source: Deutsche Welle, 2-16-21 ing for just over $100,000, alleging unpaid rent, to 2 to 15 years in prison in April 2019. He will employee or volunteer. Ravi Zacharias, who died in 2020 of cancer at theft of venue property and “immoral, oppressive remain on probation for at least 3 years and will Plaintiffs’ attorney John Manly called the bish- age 74, engaged in “sexting, unwanted touching, and unscrupulous” actions. have to register as a sex offender. His status as a ops’ motions “morally reprehensible and hypocriti- spiritual abuse and rape” spanning many years and In Australia, owners of nearly 300 expensive priest will be determined by the Vatican. Source: cal,” adding, “They systematically violated reporting multiple continents, said a report released by Ravi apartments are suing the megachurch and its de- WJRT, 2-12-21 laws ... lied to the families, lied to the media, lied to Zacharias International Ministries, the global organi- velopment and property arm for $20 million, alleging Master’s Ranch West, a Christian facility for the faithful. Now what they are saying is, ‘Don’t allow zation he founded. structural defects that will lower future sale prices. troubled boys near Prescott, WA, is subject to a our victims to hold us accountable.’ ” Source: KSBY, Several months after his death, the magazine Dale Smith, whose company ran Hillsong Con- permanent injunction 1-28-21 Christianity Today reported allegations Zacharias necticut’s venue security, said he found the church barring it from continuing Malka Leifer, 54, had groped and masturbated in front of several to be more of a corporation than a religious insti- to operate. Pastor David accused of 74 counts of women who worked at a pair of day spas he co- tution. “It just seemed like a business, real robotic. Bosley and his wife Tre- Pastor Schaap blamed rape and sexual abuse owned near his ministry’s U.S. headquarters in Al- Even the ones on the payroll seemed to be fighting, sa Bosley opened the between 2004–08 when pharetta, GA. He was married for 45 years. positioning in order to climb that ladder which, in my unlicensed home in early his crimes on the 16-year-old she was principal of an “We believe not only the women who made their opinion, is not what a church is supposed to be.” 2020. They already were girl’s“ ‘sexual aggressiveness’ ultra-Orthodox Jewish allegations public but also additional women who had not previously made public allegations against Source: NY Post, 1-28-21 operating the Master’s school for girls in Mel- Ravi but whose identities and stories were uncov- The Catholic Diocese of Trenton, NJ, is named Ranch Christian Acade- and ‘experience.’ bourne, was extradited ered during the investigation,” the ministry’s board of in 2 complaints alleging sexual abuse by former my in Missouri for about from Israel, where she priests Thomas A. Rittenhouse and Michael J. 7 years. directors said in a statement. fled in 2008 to avoid pros- Former Vice President Mike Pence spoke at his Teta. Rittenhouse is accused of abusing a minor Missouri lawmakers ecution. memorial service in Atlanta, calling him “a man of while serving at Holy Cross Parish in Rumson in are now trying to change the law to require more Australia has tried to extradite her since 2014. faith who could rightly handle the word of truth like 1981-82. He died in 2006 and was later added to oversight of faith-based schools. Three Washington The case centers on the allegations of 3 sisters now few others in our time” and comparing him to Billy the diocese’s credibly accused list. sisters have sued churches in Prosser and Tenino, in their early 30s — Dassi Erlich, Elly Sapper and Ni- Graham and C.S. Lewis. Source: NY Times, 2-11-21 Teta is accused of abusing a minor while assigned claiming David Bosley abused them as children. cole Meyer — who say they were abused by Leifer. An unidentified Romanian Orthodox priest in to St. Joseph’s Parish in Bound Brook from 1974–77. Academy employee Maxwell Shelter, 20, Her trial is likely to be delayed until 2022 Suceava is under investigation after the death of a Source: Rumson-Fair Haven Patch, 1-19-21 pleaded guilty to communication with a minor for The Catholic Archdiocese of New York and St. due to the coronavirus pandemic, said Nick 6-week-old hours after the baby’s baptism. An au- immoral purposes for molesting the daughter of an- Kaufman, her attorney. Kaufman also said that topsy found water in the child’s lungs. The incident Mary’s School in the Bronx are defendants in a suit other staff member and was sentenced to 3 months alleging deceased priest and chess grandmaster publication of photos of Leifer taken during her has sparked calls for the Orthodox Church to change in jail. Source: Tri-City Herald, 2-10-21 baptism rituals that require 3 full submersions. William J. Lombardy molested Anthony Mazzucca extradition undermined her dignity. [Ed.: He did An attempt by the bankrupt Archdiocese of Church spokesperson Vasile Bănescu encour- and Joseph Telesca while they were altar boys and not mention the dignity of her alleged victims.] Santa Fe to block lawsuits accusing it of transferring aged churches to instead sprinkle holy water over St. Mary’s students in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Source: NY Times, 1-25-21 millions of dollars in property to 93 parishes in order recipients. “It’s hard for us to understand why God Lombardy’s mentorship in 1972 of chess icon Numerous priests and other Catholic offi- to shield assets from settlements in sexual abuse let this happen.” Teodosie Petrescu, archbishop of Bobby Fischer when he defeated Boris Spassky cials in North Dakota won’t be criminally charged cases was blocked by a New Mexico judge. Tomis and leader of the church’s conservative wing, was detailed in the 2014 movie “Pawn Sacrifice.” for historical child sex abuse due to the statute of The ruling lets suits by hundreds of victims pro- disagreed: “These canons of faith will be available limitations, said Attorney General Wayne Steneh- The plaintiffs also allege sexual abuse by another ceed. The archdiocese filed for bankruptcy in 2018. for another thousand years. That is why we will not jem. Investigators spent 18 months reviewing files priest at the school, Raymond Foster. Lombardy, The real estate assets could be worth over $150 change. We’re not intimidated.” Source: vice.com, from the Fargo and Bismarck dioceses to determine who was ordained in 1967 and left the priesthood in million, according to Judge David Thuma. 2-5-21 the late 1970s, died in 2017 at age 79. Source: NY Plaintiffs’ attorneys said the number of sur- if charges could be brought. The dioceses released Post, 1-11-21 vivors is close to 2,000. The archdiocese said in lists in January 2020 with the names of 53 priests Removed / Resigned 2019 that least 78 clergy members had been cred- and others facing substantiated allegations. Lee Reddyhoff, senior minister at Faringdon ibly accused of child abuse. Source: Santa Fe New Probable cause was found to bring charges Civil Lawsuits Settled Baptist Church in Swindon, England, resigned after Mexican, 2-7-21 against only 2 priests: Norman Dukart of Dickinson it was revealed he engaged in a secret relationship The Catholic Diocese of Winona-Rochester, A trial for Paul A. West, 60, a Franciscan Cath- and Odo Muggli, a Benedictine at Assumption Ab- with a woman from the congregation. In a letter to MN, announced settlement of clergy sex abuse olic friar accused of molesting students in the 1990s bey in Richardton. church trustees, Reddyhoff acknowledged his con- claims from 145 survivors for $21.5 million. The set- in Mississippi, was moved to April so he could un- Minnesotan Ted Becker, who alleges he was duct had fallen “below that expected” of him. tlement moves forward the diocese’s orrganization dergo a mental evaluation. A grand jury indicted molested in the 1940s, expressed disgust at the He also resigned as an accredited minister from plan in U.S. Bankruptcy Court as part of its Chapter West on 2 counts each of sexual battery and gratifi- news. “They knew that if they kept putting things the Baptist Union due to his “gross misconduct” 11 filing in November 2018. off, eventually the statute of limitations would expire. cation of lust. He also faces a charge in Wisconsin and is considering his future outside of the ministry. The diocese released the names in 2013 of 14 That’s not what a responsible person, much less a of sexual assault of a child. Source: Swindon Advertiser, 2-19-21 priests credibly accused of sexual misconduct with responsible religious person, should do.” Source: The Franciscan order settled sex abuse cases Michoel Green, Westborough, MA, was fired children from the 1960s through the 1980s. Source: by secretly paying cousins Joshua Love and La Fargo Forum, 1-4-21 Winona Daily News, 2-10-21 as rabbi at Chabad of Westborough, a Hasidic com- munity center, for social media posts railing against pandemic-related lockdowns, mask mandates and Legal Developments vaccinations. Jack Schaap, 63, Hammond, IN, a Baptist “It’s NOT immunization. It’s pathogenic priming & pastor serving a 12-year federal sentence since mass sterilization,” Green wrote in January. In 2019 2013 for taking a 16-year-old girl he was counsel- he had argued against getting the measles vaccine. ing across state lines to have sex, had his petition “It became clear that dismissal was our only for early release denied. Schaap told the court he choice,” said Mendel Fogelman, director of the needed to care for his parents, ages 86 and 84, Central Massachusetts Chabad. Source: Times of whose health is failing. Israel, 2-3-21 U.S. District Court Judge James Moody re- jected release, noting Schaap has expressed lit- Other tle remorse and would continue to pose a danger Paul Burak, 74, Palos Heights, IL, a Catholic to others. He has “repeatedly couched his apol- priest accused of striking and killing a teacher and ogies and admissions in excuses, suggesting a injuring another in a hit-and-run accident as they deep-rooted failure to accept full responsibility for were leaving a parish Christmas party in 2019, died his actions,” Moody wrote. in his sleep Jan. 10. In the past, Schaap blamed other factors, in- A witness snapped a picture of Burak’s license cluding the girl’s “sexual aggressiveness” and “ex- plate, followed him and told him to go back to the perience.” He is housed at the Federal Correctional restaurant. Burak returned and remained at the Institute in Ashland, KY, where he and over 300 scene for a short time but didn’t tell police he had others contracted COVID-19 last fall. His scheduled hit the women. release date to a halfway house is Feb. 2, 2023. The DUI charge was dropped but the more seri- Schaap claims to be a “model prisoner” but his ous felony of leaving the scene of a deadly accident record is not spotless, Moody wrote, noting he lost remained. Civil suits were filed against him and he 27 days of good time credit with no visitors for 9 was on electronic monitoring at his condo for the months after he was caught putting his hand in the criminal charge. Source: Orland Park Patch, 1-12-21 “crotch area of a female visitor.” Source: Chicago Tribune, 2-16-21 Email: [email protected] North Dakota lawmakers rejected 3 bills ex- Page 24 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | April 2021 An unexpected visit to Scopes trial site

By Barbara Alvarez former U.S. secretary of state and an ex-Congressman from Lincoln, Neb., who had three presidential nom- inations under his belt. A progressive who had cham- love a good road trip. And it doesn’t necessarily pioned women’s suffrage, Bryan’s devotion to religion have to be anywhere exotic for it to be a worth- caused him to become a fierce advocate against the while journey. teaching of evolution by 1921. Bryan asserted that “evo- I While the pandemic put a damper on travel, I still lution is the merciless law by which the strong crowd itched to get in the car and go somewhere. After consid- out and kill off the weak” and that the bible reflected ering how and where we could road trip safely, thought- “the law of love.” (Bryan’s comparison of evolution and fully and responsibly, my husband and I found a cabin the bible is curious as the god of the bible routinely or- in remote Alabama. We mapped it out so that we could dered mass killings, including 24,000 Israelites.) do the Civil Rights Trail along the way. Clarence Darrow led the defense team. An attorney The Civil Rights Trail is incredible — and I highly and prominent member of the ACLU, Darrow was also recommend it. Stopping in front of the home of the a labor organizer and a freethinker. Although Darrow slain civil rights champion Medg- and Bryan had many commonalities in terms of civil er Evers, seeing the Greyhound rights policies (Darrow had even supported Bryan in his bus station where so many he- first presidential campaign), they had fundamental dif- roically challenged interstate ferences over religion, especially over state and church. segregation laws, and walking Looking at the statues, one can tell that they weren’t across the bridge in Selma is both crafted by the same sculptor, since the likeness of Bry- awe-inspiring and quieting. an is crudely fashioned, picturing him as a young man. At the cabin, we spent sev- The other is an amazingly lifelike rendition of Darrow eral days on the lake, reading, during the trial, complete with his signature forelock relaxing and eating s’mores. askew. On a side of the base is a bas-relief rendering of The night before we were set to the “frenemies” together. I later learned that the statue Barbara Alvarez return, we mapped our journey of Bryan was donated by Bryan College in 2005. Nota- back north through Tennessee. bly, Bryan stood alone until the Freedom From Religion Scanning our route on the mobile map, I noticed Foundation fundraised and erected a statue sculpted by the town of Dayton pop up. Where had I heard of that Zenos Frudakis of the famed attorney three years ago. town before? A cursory Google search revealed that As a new intern for FFRF, this made the spontaneous Dayton, Tenn., was the site of the famous Scopes trial. visit even more worthwhile. The State of Tennessee v John Thomas Scopes, colloquially The Scopes trial endured over eight days and was a referred to as the “Scopes monkey trial,” continues to media sensation. On the seventh day of the trial, on the be one of the most well-known court cases in U.S. his- front lawn of the courthouse, Darrow questioned Bryan tory. The Butler Act, a Tennessee law passed in March on the literal interpretation of the bible. The following 1925, forbade the teaching of evolution in all “universi- day, the jury, after eight minutes of deliberation, hand- ties, normals, and all other public schools of Tennessee, ed down a guilty verdict to Scopes, who was forced to which are supported in whole or in part by the public pay a $100 fine. Two years later, the Tennessee Supreme school funds of the state.” The law claimed that evolu- Photos by Barbara Alvarez Court overturned this verdict on a technicality. tion denied “the story of the Divine Creator of man as This statue of Clarence Darrow was commissioned by The media circus is long-gone, but a museum in the taught in the bible.” Teachers were to be penalized for FFRF and designed and crafted by Zenos Frudakis. basement of the courthouse continues to memorialize imparting the concept to their students. What ensued the famous trial. was a battle over teaching evolution in the classroom — drove by and only a few residents could be seen sipping On our trip back home, I couldn’t help but think of and an epic showdown between state and church. coffee on their front porch. the continued relevance of the trial and of the count- Excitedly, I added the town to our “must-stop” list. Much of this solitude is undoubtedly reminiscent of less examples of Christian Nationalism permeating the I found a guide to the people and places of historic the town in 1925. After the Butler Act was passed, the classroom. For example, in February, a Florida Senate Dayton and spent the final night in the cabin watching American Civil Liberties Union sought to challenge this panel backed the “Parents’ Bill of Rights” to allow par- “Inherit the Wind,” with Spencer Tracy, Fredric March religious law by sending out press releases that offered ents to keep their children out of class on days when and Gene Kelly. to legally defend any teacher who defied it. Meanwhile, topics like evolution, climate change and sex education About 40 miles businessman George Rappleyea of Dayton was looking are taught. Meanwhile, in West Virginia, state senators northeast of bustling for a way to bring much-needed publicity and money to passed a bill that would require local county boards of Chattanooga rests the quiet town. He consulted with Frank E. Robinson, education to offer an elective on instruction of the bi- Dayton, a quiet town known as “The Hustling Druggist,” then the president ble in public high schools. of approximately of the school board and owner of a local drug store. His The battle for science and secularism promises to be 7,000 people seat- house rests at the corner across from the courthouse. a long-drawn one. As we collectively work for the sepa- ed in Rhea County. After meeting with the school’s superintendent, Rap- ration of state and church, Clarence Darrow’s words, When we arrived, it pleyea found a candidate in John T. Scopes, a meek sci- spoken at the trial on July 15, 1925, remain as salient as was an early Saturday ence teacher at Rhea County High School. On May 7, ever: “I do not consider it an insult, but rather a compli- morning. The main 1925, Scopes was arrested. After a grand jury meeting, the ment to be called an agnostic. I do not pretend to know street, which dots the trial proceeded on July 10. It was a media sensation and where many ignorant men are sure — that is all that historic center with business boon as thousands flocked to “Monkey Town.” agnosticism means.” shops, offices and a W.C. Bailey’s Boarding House was the place that Barbara Alvarez, from Sheboygan, Wis., is FFRF’s first bank, hadn’t woken Scopes stayed during his first year of teaching in Day- Anne Nicol Gaylor Reproductive Rights Intern. up yet. Nary a car ton. Joe Mendi, a performing chimpanzee brought to Dayton as a traveling attraction, also stayed at the house, which, according to my travel guide, is now a law office. Among the hundreds of journalists who flocked to Dayton to cover the trial was H.L. Mencken, a pundit who coined the term “Bible Belt” and described himself as “absolutely devoid of what is called religious feeling.” Staying a few blocks from the trial, Mencken was largely cynical of the town and its people, believing that the guilty verdict was predetermined. Departing the town before the trial even concluded, Mencken lamented, “Let no one mistake [the trial] for comedy, farcical thought it may be in all its details. It serves notice on the country that Neanderthal man is organizing in these forlorn backwaters of the land, led by a fanatic, rid of sense and devoid of conscience.” The home that the famed journalist stayed in is still standing. It exists today as an office. Amid the quaint and unimposing scenery stands a proud courthouse where the contentious battle be- tween religion and secularism took place. Two statues appear as you approach the Rhea County Courthouse: one of William Jennings Bryan and the other of Clar- The Rhea County Courthouse in Dayton, Tenn., site of ence Darrow, the two lawyers in the trial. The statue of William Jennings Bryan outside the Rhea the 1925 Scopes “Monkey” trial. For the prosecution was William Jennings Bryan, a County Courthouse.