Vol. 33 No. 1 Published by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. January / February 2016 Texas governor lambasted for censoring FFRF display

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s decision to remove State Preservation Board, to remove the exhibit from FFRF’s Bill of Rights “nativity” display from the State the Capitol’s basement gallery because it “violates Capitol building has been met with a fair amount of general standards of decency and intentionally dis- contempt . . . and deservedly so. respects the beliefs and values of many of our fellow On Dec. 22, just days after the Bill of Rights scene Texans.” He added, “Far from promoting morals and was erected, Abbott, a Republican, ordered the dis- the general welfare, the exhibit deliberately mocks play removed from a lower-level area in the Capitol. Christians and Christianity.” FFRF had a permit and had obtained necessary spon- Hemant Mahta, writer of The Friendly Atheist sorship by a state legislator (Rep. Donna Howard, blog on Patheos, also chimed in. D-Austin) to display the 5-foot-high metal scene. “Even more to Abbott’s point: How is this display FFRF is preparing to file a lawsuit against Abbott. offensive?” he wrote. “It’s the founding fathers, the Dozens of media outlets reported Statue of Liberty, and a Bill of Rights. on the issue in late December, and It’s a loaded gun away from being a several were editorials or op-eds, sid- Republican’s wet dream.” ing with FFRF. Rep. Howard told the Austin A Dec. 24 Fort Worth Star-Tele- American-Statesman how she was gram editorial, “Bill of Rights pro- frustrated by Abbott’s actions. tects this nativity scene,” put it suc- “The governor has, on numerous cinctly and accurately: “Bill of Rights occasions, commented on the im- protections often make people un- portance of his faith as well as the Lauryn Seering photo comfortable. This display should importance of religious freedom,” FFRF’s Bill of Right’s “nativity” display. have come under First Amendment Howard said. “Unfortunately, in re- protection. Abbott’s urging its re- moving this display, he is silencing FFRF Attorney Andrew Seidel wrote in his blog: moval was simply wrong.” a viewpoint which differs from his “In perhaps the greatest stroke of poetic justice I’ve “Actually, it was a small tableau own. I find that very disappointing.” ever seen, Abbott claims that our ‘exhibit promotes stuck in an innocuous corner of the And Texas Monthly writer Doyin ignorance and falsehood’ and cites 17 lines of a building,” writes the Austin Chroni- Oyeniyi pointed out the irony of Ab- George Washington quote — a quote that is fraud- cle’s Richard Whittaker. “The image bott’s decision. ulent. Yes, you read that correctly. Abbott accused in question was placed there by the “It’s safe to say that the display’s our exhibit of ‘promoting ignorance and falsehood,’ Freedom From Religion Foundation, location, which the [Texas] Tribune then quoted, at length, erroneous history to support Texas Gov. Greg Abbott which had been approved to place described as ‘hardly a high-traffic his position.” a depiction of the four figures sur- area,’ would’ve received much atten- Leif Reigstad of the Houston Press also comment- rounding the Bill of Rights, in what can only be seen tion,” Oyeniyi wrote. “By using his position to remove ed on the use of the false Washington quote. “Here as a charming homage to the Nativity scene. This was a display that he personally found offensive, the gov- is a George Washington quote Abbott might want a major honor, especially considering that the Legis- ernor has brought even more attention to it. . . . It’s to consider next time he jettisons a group’s display lature places a Christmas tree in both chambers, but great if Abbott wants to fight for the ‘accommoda- from the Capitol: ‘If the freedom of speech is taken keeps the Menorah outside the Capitol gates.” tion of religion,’ but that accommodation should away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep But Abbott would not have it. He sent a letter on include other religious and nonreligious beliefs, not to the slaughter.’” Dec. 22 telling John Sneed, executive director of the just Christianity.” See you in court, Gov. Abbott. Inside This Issue FFRF wins injunction District flouts live nativity decision Ron Reagan – unabashed, Breaking the spirit of the judge’s Unquestionably, the district, in unfraid injunction, the Concord Community “The Concord Community thumbing its nose at the ruling, com- page 10 School District in Elkhart, Ind., set up pounded the violation by including a a life-sized nativity scene using manne- School District should nativity display at its public school con- quins rather than real people during be honoring the student cert, which is also illegal. its annual Christmas Spectacular. The student plaintiff, and the oth- FFRF and the American Civil Lib- and student’s family for er nonreligious and non-Christian Meet Eryn’s erties Union of Indiana won a prelim- standing up for the First students, had to sit through the four ‘adorable inary injunction in early December concerts involving the illegal religious atheist activism’ halting a longtime constitutional abuse Amendment.” display and eruptions of support for it. page 13 at the annual school concert. It in- — FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor Not only that, but speculation over volved a 20-minute “live” enactment of the identity of the local plaintiffs has the nativity by students while a school been rife and ugly on social media. employee recited bible verses. preliminary injunction. It appears the entire community and FFRF and John and Jack Doe sued As ABC-57 News reported on Dec. school district are aligned against one Brian Bolton Concord Community Schools in Octo- 12: “The sold-out crowd at Concord young student. Graduate Essay ber, with the help of the ACLU. Jack High School erupted with applause That’s why the Supreme Court, for Contest winners Doe is involved in the performing arts following the school’s use of statues more than 65 years, has wisely inter- page 17 department and took part in the 2015 to keep the nativity scene.” Many in preted the Establishment Clause of the concerts. the school district are congratulating First Amendment as barring any reli- U.S. District Judge Jon DeGuilio themselves that they “got around” the gious instruction, devotions or rituals explicitly barred the live nativity in his judge’s ruling. See Injunction won on page 5 Page 2 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin January / February 2016 New editor of Freethought Today joins staff PJ Slinger Dead around the country. est is in high school. Growing up in Green Bay, Wis. (Go I was hired as a copy editor at The Hello, readers. Packers!), my first job was as a paper- Capital Times, Madison’s daily pro- I’m your new editor of Freethought boy for the Milwaukee Sentinel, where gressive newspaper, but held several Today. I am taking over for the inim- I had to haul my sorry butt out of bed titles there, including online editor, itable Bill Dunn, who has been the before junior high school and get those photo editor and data editor. editor since 2009 and has just retired papers delivered. In high school, on a About two years ago I interviewed (although he will still be bringing you whim, I joined the school newspaper FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gay- the Black Collar Crime Blotter). staff as a sportswriter, where I learned lor for a Q&A feature for the Cap I’ve long been an atheist, probably the basics of writing and editing. From Times, and we got to talking after the before I even knew what that word there, I attended college at the Univer- interview. I had expressed my appre- meant. I was raised Methodist, but it sity of Wisconsin-Madison, and I joined ciation for what FRFF does and men- never “took.” the staff of the Daily Cardinal, the dai- tioned something about how it would I don’t believe there was a singular ly student newspaper. After getting my be nice to work there. When it was event that made me a nonbeliever. journalism degree and working at sev- announced publicly in mid-2015 that I I remember going to Sunday school eral odd jobs between graduation and was taking a buyout opportunity at the during my grade school years and Lauryn Seering photo a “real” job, I found (barely) gainful newspaper, Annie Laurie contacted me hearing stories from the bible that PJ Slinger employment at the Marshall, Minn., about the Freethought Today editor seemed unbelievable, especially the Independent as a sportswriter, where I position that would be vacant by the Noah’s ark tale. It was astonishing to you’re good and punishes you if you’re started out at a whopping $6 an hour. end of the year. It was a match made in me that God was so angry with human- bad. And everybody loves him and he It’s there where I met my wife-to-be. I atheist heaven (whatever that is). ity that he would vengefully cover the loves everybody. However, once I real- was smitten, and she could hardly resist So, after 15 years, I said goodbye Earth with so much water that almost ized Santa wasn’t real, it was no leap the allure of the financial windfall that to the Cap Times and hello to FFRF. every person and animal would drown. of (non)faith to believe God wasn’t ei- being married to a young journalist I look forward to hearing from many I even wondered what happened to all ther. By the time I was in high school would provide. of you and helping to find and publish that water once the flood ended. If it I was a full-fledged atheist, although I From there I moved to Mankato, what matters to us in the world of free- covered the whole Earth, where else never thought of myself as that. I just Minn., where I worked at the Free thought, and, of course, state/church could it go? Down the drain? didn’t believe. Press, holding various titles, from violations. Unfortunately, there’s no So little by little, I started question- As for the journalistic chops I bring sportswriter to obits writer to copy edi- shortage of those. In a perfect world, ing (to myself) these tales, and then to FFRF, I have been in the newspaper tor to city beat writer. there would be no need for FFRF, but started questioning the concept of business almost my entire life since I After eight years in Mankato, we as we all know, our world is far from God. I even surmised back then that was 13, save for a few months here and moved to Madison, Wis. The “we” now perfect. I’m proud to be a member God was a lot like Santa: He sees you there when I was out sowing my wild included our three children. The older and happy to be your Freethought To- when you’re sleeping, he rewards you if oats, such as following the Grateful two are now in college and the young- day editor. FFRF welcomes 50 special members The Freedom From Religion Foun- States represented are Arizona, Cali- dation gratefully announces two new fornia, Colorado, Connecticut, District “After-Life Members,” Len Eisenberg of Columbia, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, and Karen Eisenberg, and 48 new Life- Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mas- time Members. They are: sachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Mis- Frederic M. Alper, Gary Boone, sissippi, North Carolina, New Hamp- Wally Borgeson, Joseph Bradway, Sam shire, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Cardea, Roger Chapman, George South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Shackleford Daly, Jr., Jeremy Ertl, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. Carol Fischer (her husband Bob is al- An Individual Lifetime Member- ready a Lifer), Dr. Ed Fisher, Alan E. ships is $1,000 designated for member- Gaus, Brett Alan Greig, Vicky Hagens, ship or renewal, and After-Life, slightly Merrit Heminway, Ryan Herz, Bruce tongue in cheek, is $5,000 for those Hoffmann, John Howieson, M.D., Dr. who want their membership to “live af- Steven Jacobson, George M. Jenks, ter” them. All dues and donations are Peter R. Killeen, Steve Knell, Walter deductible for income-tax purposes. E. Lander, Dr. Leonard Linde, Mi- Lifetime and After-Life Memberships chael Marquez, David A. Nash, David guarantee never another renewal no- O’Brien, Shawn O’Reilly, Jeanne L. tice, and go into a reserved “rainy day” Oliver, William Parker, C.D. Patterson, account. Lifetime Members receive a M.D., Robert Pechar, Jack N. Peterson, card and pin, and After-Lifers a card M.D., Janet Prim, John G. Pusey, Vern and certificate. Many Lifetime Mem- Richards, Matt Runde, Charles Silver, bers join via matching grants, Com- James F. Smith, Sarah Smith-Brady (a bined Federal Campaign gifts (be sure gift from her husband William Brady, to contact us directly), or over time. also a “Lifer”), Paul Smolen, Michael Please explicitly designate each install- Owen it all to biology and love Speyer, Julia Stasch, Joseph C. Stef- ment as for Lifetime Membership. Owen David Markert was born to FFRF Senior Staff Attorney Rebecca Markert fan and his wife Catherine M. Steffan, Our warmest gratitude to Karen and at 3:06 p.m. on Bill of Rights Day (Dec. 15) without an epidural, which didn’t Dylan Michael Taylor, Sandra Van de Len and our generous 48 newest Life- have time to kick in. Owen weighed 7 pounds, 1 ounce and measured 20 Kauter, Jana Wagner and Frederick G. time members. inches. Also pictured are the proud father, Mike Markert, and their two other Wyngarden. children, Dexter, 4, and Audrey, 2.

Freethought Today A Note to Members Notify Us of Your published by Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. Your address label shows the expiration ADDRESS CHANGE [email protected] • FFRF.org date of your membership in FFRF, P.O. Box 750 • Madison WI 53701 which includes your subscription to Promptly! Freethought Today and “Private Line.” (608)256-8900 • FAX (608)204-0422 EMAIL [email protected] Editor: PJ Slinger, [email protected] If it says February or earlier please renew! Your prompt renewal ($40-single Assistant Editor: Bill Dunn Don’t miss a single issue! If you membership; $50-household; $100 gung- move, notify us directly and Production Editor: Jake Swenson ho; $250-sustaining) saves us time and promptly. The Post O ce does Executive Editor: Annie Laurie Gaylor postage, and is tax-deductible. Freethought not forward third-class mail. Contributors: Today is published 10 times a year, with FFRF cannot be responsible for combined issues in January/February and Philip Appleman, Dan Barker, Steven Belstra, Eryn Johnson, replacing back issues if we have C. Boyd Pfeiffer, Ron Reagan, Lauryn Seering, June/July. not been notifi ed prior to your Andrew Seidel, Terry Sunday, Maddy Ziegler Send membership or renewal to: move. Back issues, while they last, January / February 2016 | The only freethought newspaper in the United States FFRF • P.O. Box 750 • Madison, WI 53701 rf.org/donate may be ordered for $2 each. January / February 2016 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 3 Before I’m gone to Golden Pond . . . Bill Dunn spaces. FFRF and like-minded groups need The higher-ups insist that I write freethinkers’ activism and support to something about stepping down as ed- level the playing field as best we can itor, even though I’m more of a word in the face of overwhelming odds, but processor than a writer. Annie Laurie we’re slowly gaining. Slow and steady claims I have a distinctive voice. “Oth- wins the race. erwise, they’ll think you absconded.” outnumbered this “little organization sports levels. The Child Evangelism I can’t say enough good about Dan agrees, after a fashion, that “His that could” is, but will anyway. We have Fellowship oversees more than 3,000 FFRF’s many steadfast supporters, who bark is worse than his bite.” fewer than 20 staffers. One example Christian Good News Clubs in public pay the freight and have provided us In the beginning, the genesis of all from the other side of the state-church elementary schools. How about they with this beautiful new building in this, was a dozen or 15 years ago when divide is the InterVarsity Christian Fel- keep their good news to themselves for which to ply our trade. The pleasure is Annie Laurie wrote a letter on my lowship, also based in Madison, Wis. a change? all ours. And to my fellow tradeswom- family’s behalf to the school district. Evangelical and interdenominational, The claim about Christians being en and men, you’re a total hoot and so My daughter’s middle school teacher InterVarsity boasts that it has 1,137 staff persecuted in the U.S. is pitiful and astute! had handed back tests while comment- members and 985 chapters on 649 U.S. laughable. Muslims are also starting My first Social Security contribution ing (paraphrase), “Don’t worry if you college campuses. Income last year was to get a foothold in public buildings, ($193 for the year) was in 1966. Fifty didn’t do that well. There’s only been $102 million. with space set aside for their seeming- years seems like long enough of the one perfect person in the history of the That’s just one of hundreds of re- ly incessant daily prayer. WhyIslam.org: daily grind. Sleep in on Sundays and world and he died on the cross.” ligious advocacy/legal groups (and “If a woman is sure that no non-Mah- Mondays. From here on in, only dog is Faster than you can say “no one how many tens of thousands of places ram (marriageable man) will enter my co-pilot. died for Kaitlin’s sins,” the principal of worship?) blanketing America with the place where she prays, then there What follows are a few things wrote back that he’d told the teacher myth and superstition. Bonus stats: will be no wrong in praying without plucked from the archives to fill up to keep her religious beliefs to herself The Fellowship of Christian Athletes, wearing socks.” Not to mention (sorry, the rest of the page. Annie Laurie likes in school. That’s when I became a true with 1,200 ministry personnel, had a I am) that courts claim Jewish ritual white space; I’d rather make use of it believer in FFRF’s efficacy. presence in 2013 on 9,000 school cam- enclosures called eruvin are secular in (smiley face). I needn’t remind you how badly puses, including junior high and youth nature and thus permissible in public — Bill Dunn August 2011: How it came to pass that Beer beats Jesus The “Top Ten Reasons Why Beer Is Better than Jesus” is a golden oldie, but from whence did it stem? With help from “the Google,” we found Paul D. Jones credited. In a 1999 letter to Positive Atheism magazine, which had printed “Beer vs. Jesus,” Jones wrote about the list’s gen- esis. The magazine had said “source July 2011 unknown.” FFRF member Ray Bradley (right) of But, Jones wrote, “unknown would the Central North Carolina Atheists be myself. Rather, I had the idea, and and Humanists debaptizes Greydon March 2011 about half of the reasons are from Square at the Rapture After Party in my original list on a [bulletin board] Fr. Stephen Uhl (back, second from called EvilAntiForum at Texas A&M, January 2010 Fayetteville. “I’d like to thank FFRF left), in Bradford, Ind., on the day he for the idea and material for our sometime in ’90 or ’91. I had just seen a In her Meet a Member, Lisa Anne celebrated his first Mass. Ordained in ceremony,” said Bradley. Square, a T-shirt with the ‘Top Ten Reasons Why Auerbach, Los Angeles, said, “I have 1956, he was a Catholic priest for 11 rap musician and atheist, performed Jesus Is Better Than Beer’ list [No. 4: If been using many of Barbara G. Walk- years. Now a major FFRF benefactor the next day at the group’s RAPture you go around saying “Beer loves you,” er’s knitting books for years, but it was with his lovely wife Diane, Steve hangs RAP-Up. The fun was covered by the people will think you’re an idiot, an al- only recently that I discovered that she out with heathens. For all you do, this Fayetteville Observer, with CNCAH coholic or both”], so I rebutted. After was also the author of several books one’s for you, Steve! President Geri Weaver’s comment, some discussion and revision, the list about feminism and mythology, as well “It can be very daunting to stand up was made into a T-shirt, which had two as being a contributor to Freethought and say ‘I don’t believe’ here in the April 2011 printing runs. Today. As a knitter, I’m completely bible belt. Hopefully, events like this Correction: Cenk Uygur’s Emper- “Humorously, the first printer we floored and impressed by her exacting will help raise awareness that nonbe- or Has No Clothes Award acceptance picked out of the phone book had re- patterns and the way she can break lievers are just like other people. We speech [March 11] should have stat- ligious tees all over the walls when we down a design into a series of abbre- don’t cook babies. We aren’t trying to ed that Jacob, not Abraham, “had sex went there. We found another.” viations. As an atheist, I’m intrigued destroy America.” with his wife, her sister, his maid and Another website credits Steve Berry by her take on the godless rituals that his sister’s maid.” The bible recounts of Texas A&M’s agnostic and atheist have been co-opted by contemporary that Jacob was married simultaneously student group. The list: religions.” to Leah and Rachel and that he had 12 sons (the eventual 12 tribes of Israel) 10. No one will kill you for not and at least one daughter with them drinking Beer. and their maidservants, Bilhah and 9. Beer doesn’t tell you how to have Zilpah, whom he also married. sex. Thanks to Henry Steinberger, Wis- 8. Beer has never caused a major consin, for pointing this out. war. 7. They don’t force Beer on minors December 2013 who can’t think for themselves. 6. When you have a Beer, you don’t crank mail knock on people’s doors trying to give NEWTOWN, CONNETICUT: Aren’t it away. you glad there is a HELL where this 5. Nobody’s ever been burned at mass murderer of innocent, young chil- the stake, hanged or tortured over his November 2012 dren is already receiving his just pun- brand of Beer. California member Linda Riggle Davis ishment? Aren’t you glad that there is 4. You don’t have to wait 2,000+ is celebrating the entry of Oklaho- June 2012 a Heaven where these young children years for a second Beer. ma Sam in the 2013 Guinness World Patricia Jones, a native Michigander, are now in Glory with God? Aren’t you 3. There are laws saying Beer labels Records (on page 61) as “Tallest shows which side she is on at her home glad that there is a Heaven where these can’t lie to you. Living Donkey.” Sam, 4, is 15.3 hands, on a plateau in middle Tennessee. “I grieving parents will someday be with 2. You can prove you have a Beer. almost twice the height of the average never thought I’d be living in the South. their children? When you die, will you 1. If you’ve devoted your life to Beer, donkey. “We’ve both been atheists our But in one year’s time, I’ve actually met be with the mass murderer or will you there are groups to help you stop. whole lives,” Linda says. Go ahead more atheists in ‘bible belt’ Tennessee be with these children? — Only Believe, and bray for them, anyway! than I ever did in the North.” Lexington, Ky. Page 4 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin January / February 2016 Heads Up A Poetry Column by Philip Appleman New Year’s Resolution Well, I did it again, bringing in that infant Purity across the land, welcoming Innocence with gin in New York, waiting up to help Chicago, Denver, L.A., Fairbanks, Hon- olulu—and now the high school bands are alienating Dallas, and girls in gold and tangerine have lost all touch with Pasadena, and young men with muscles and missing teeth They said what? are dreaming of personal fouls, and it’s all beginning again, just like To tell you the truth, there is no place and filthy French — or an Australian, those other Januaries in for that [religious neutrality] in our or a Canadian, then rely upon Allah constitutional tradition. Where did that and kill him in any manner or way how- instant replay. come from? To be sure, you can’t favor ever it may be. one denomination over another, but Abu Mohammed Al-Adnani, official But I’ve had enough can’t favor religion over non-religion? spokesman for the Islamic State, call- . . . I think one of the reasons God has ing on Muslims in the West to murder of turning to look back, the old been good to us is that we have done those around them post-morteming of defeat: him honor. Unlike the other countries The New York Times, 11-29-15 people I loved but didn’t touch, of the world that do not even invoke his name, we do him honor. [We need] a total and complete shut- friends I haven’t seen for years, Conservative Supreme Court Justice down of Muslims entering the United strangers who smiled but didn’t speak—failures, Antonin Scalia, speaking to students at States until our country’s representa- a Catholic high school in Louisiana tives can figure out what’s going on. failures. No, Associated Press, 1-2-16 Republican presidential front-runner I refuse to leave it at that, because Donald Trump, which led to Al-Shabab, somewhere, off camera, New Atheism ridicules the “irrationali- al-Qaida’s East Africa affiliate, to use a ty of faith.” But it’s in decline, because clip of this statement in a 51-minute re- January is coming like Venus it’s stale, dull and incredible. It pro- cruitment video for jihad, released on up from the murk of December, re- vides unsatisfactory answers to ultimate Jan. 1. questions. People want to know more. Associated Press, 12-7-15 virginized, as innocent Alister McGrath, professor of science of loss as any dawn. Resolved: this year and religion at the University of Ox- They flout the state liquor laws, and I’m going to break my losing streak, ford, during the annual Parchman they live a libertine lifestyle that is not Lectures at Baylor University’s Truett allowed on campus. I’m going to stay alert, reach out, Theological Seminary Duquesne University President Charles speak when not spoken to, Christian Today, 11-24-15 Dougherty, on students living off-cam- pus rather than in the Catholic univer- read the minds of people in the streets. The erroneous wall-of-separation doc- sity’s residence halls I’m going to practice every day, trine narrows the role of religion in Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, 10-25-15 stay in training, and be moderate public discourse, fueling the view that religion is a private matter rather than If one more person says “Happy Holi- in all things. a fundamental precept of American days” to me I might just slap them. Ei- All things but love. civil society and leading many to fall ther tell me “Merry Christmas” or just prey to the disturbing claim that reli- don’t say anything. © Philip Appleman. gious freedom doesn’t extend much Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid From the book New and Selected Poems, 1956–1996. further than the church door. Miller Philip Appleman is a Dis­tinguished Professor­ Emeri­tus at In­dia­na Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, op-ed, “The twitter.com, 12-17-15 Univer­ ­si­ty. His published volumes of poetry in­clude Perfidious Prov- wall separating faith and public life erbs and Other Poems: A Satirical Look at the Bible (2012), Dar- must be torn down” Anybody who is, in any way, sympa- win’s Ark (new 2009 edition) and Karma, Dharma, Pudding & Pie Washington Times, 11-29-15 thetic to what’s going on today [with] (2009). His nonfiction work in­cludes the widely used Norton Critical Muslims terrorists, who would crucify Edition, Darwin, and the Nor­ton Critical Edition of Malthus’ Essay He says that as long as he believes he children and behead women and stop on Pop­ulation. His newest book is The Labyrinth: God, Darwin and will be saved, he can do whatever he at nothing to try to destroy us and Isra- the Meaning of Life. His poetry and fiction have won many awards, pleases. He is obsessed with the world el and our allies, I’d choose an atheist including a fellowship in poetry from the Na­tional En­dow­ment for coming to an end. . . . He believed he over that! the Arts, the Castagnola Award from the Poetry Society of America, was doing God’s will. Former vice presidential candidate the Humanist Arts Award from the American Humanist Association and the Friend of Barbara Micheau, ex-wife of Rob- Sarah Palin, asked by reporter Michael Darwin Award from the National Center for Science Education. His work has appeared­ in ert Dear, charged with killing three Smerconish if she would ever vote for Harper’s­ Magazine, The Nation, The New Republic, The New York Times, The Paris and injuring nine others in an attack an atheist Review, Partisan Review, Poetry, and The Yale Review. at Planned Parenthood in Colorado CNN, 12-19-15 Springs on Nov. 27 He and his playwright wife, Marjorie Appleman, are both “After-Life” Members of the The New York Times, 12-2-15 We actually went outside and started Freedom From Religion Foundation. Phil’s books: ffrf.org/shop. commanding the winds because God Violence is never the answer but we had given us authority over the winds must start pointing out who is the real — the airways. And we just began to Include FFRF In Your Estate Planning culprit. The true instigator of this vio- command this storm not to hit our lence and all violence at any pph facili- area. We — we spoke to the storm and Arrange a bequest in your will or trust, or make the Freedom From ty, is pph themselves. said, go to unpopulated places. It did Religion Found ation the bene ciary of an insurance policy, bank account, Colorado State Rep. JoAnn Windholz, exactly what we said to do because God or IRA. It’s easy to do. For related information (or to request a bequest Facebook post blaming Planned Par- gave us the authority to do that. brochure), please phone Annie Laurie Gaylor at (608) 256-8900. enthood for the shooting deaths of Sabrina Lowe, Texas resident, saying three people in Colorado Springs she willed a tornado away from her FFRF • P.O. Box 750 • Madison, WI 53701 Colorado Independent, 12-1-15 during a string of tornadoes that killed 11 people on Dec. 26 Freedom Depends on Freethinkers If you can kill a disbelieving American NPR, 12-28-15 or European — especially the spiteful January / February 2016 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 5 Tennessee police department told to end ‘Adopt a Cop’ program A Tennessee police department has department resources for ineffectual been told by FFRF that it needs to dis- Christian programming.” continue its new “Adopt a Cop” pro- The Johnson City “Adopt a Cop” gram because of its religious nature. program is based off a national pro- The Johnson City Police Depart- gram started in California by the In- ment (JCPD) program entails praying ternational Transformation Network, on a daily basis for the officer for his/ which “want(s) to see the presence her safety, emo- and power of God tional strength, meet the felt needs health, wisdom, and the systemic financial stability challenges of our and strength of communities.” This screenshot from the Wisconsin Assembly GOP YouTube channel shows character. In Johnson City, Rep. Scott Allen speaking to constituents about Christmas and tells non-Chris- Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel sent the program is organized by Becky tians to “consider the hope offered by the prince of peace.” a letter of complaint to JCPD Chief Haas, director of the Targeted Com- Mark Sirois. “It is not appropriate for munity Crime Reduction Project and the JCPD to do so through a religious JCPD Chaplain Eileen Zoellner. program that is not actually providing “JCPD’s chaplaincy program is Legislator steps over line any protection for your officers, but also problematic,” Seidel writes. “The only wishing for it in the form of Chris- employment of chaplains, even if vol- tian prayers,” Seidel writes in the letter. unteer, demonstrates government with Christmas video “JCPD should focus on programs that endorsement of religion, which is a vi- Imagine a Muslim state legislator are not Christian, I invite you to con- actually make a difference in police of- olation of both the federal and Tennes- sending out over his official state email sider the hope offered by the prince of ficer’s lives rather than expending any see constitutions.” a Muslim message to constituents, that peace,” he states in the video. not only presumes his viewers share FFRF complained to Assembly his beliefs, but which invites non-Mus- Speaker Robin Vos about this egre- ‘Religious’ hospitals not exempt lim viewers to convert to his religion. gious misuse of the machinery of the Imagine, too, that this video has state — not only to promulgate a legis- from retirement regulations been recorded using a backdrop of the lator’s personal beliefs, but to divisive- The Third Circuit Court of Appeals have been able to contravene ERISA state Capitol, using state equipment ly attempt to convert constituents of ruled Dec. 29 that large healthcare and underfund employees’ retirement and studio time. His message says, in minority or no religious beliefs. companies are not exempt from retire- plans by claiming the church exemp- part: “Merry Ramadan. To me and my Vos claims it’s making a “mountain ment plan regulations, even if they op- tion. The plaintiffs argued the em- fellow Muslims, celebrating the season out of a molehill.” But we know if the erate “religious” hospitals. ployers are not churches, and are not of Ramadan, well, it is one of the most case involved a Muslim legislator, a The Employee Retirement Income operated or funded by religious orga- important celebrations of the year. For Wiccan or an atheist legislator going Security Act (ERISA) regulates retire- nizations, so their employers should those who may watch this who are not overboard, Christian legislators and ment plans, but exempts church plans not be able to claim the exemption. Muslims, I invite you to consider the their constituents would be crying from requirements such as paying in- The district court ruled that Saint hope offered by Muhammad.” foul. surance premiums, meeting minimum Peter’s could not use the exemption Then this legislative video cites Ko- It’s so simple. The government funding standards and disclosing fund- and the Third Circuit has agreed: “The ranic passages that indicate you may may not take sides on matters of reli- ing levels to plan participants. plain terms of ERISA only make these be destroyed if you don’t believe, but gion. Our government is supposed to FFRF filed an amicus brief in 2015 exemptions available to plans estab- if you believe you may be saved. be neutral, and leave the practice of in the lawsuit contending that hospitals lished in the first instance by churches. Now, imagine the uproar. religion to private citizens. There is are not entitled to church privileges. Because St. Peter’s is not a church, the We don’t have to imagine a Chris- no country where religion flourishes New Jersey’s Saint Peter’s Health- exemption is unavailable.” tian legislator making such a state-sup- more, and that is because of our First care System employees filed class-ac- FFRF briefs called the “church plan ported pitch to his religion — because Amendment’s Establishment Clause, tion suits against their employers for exemption” itself unconstitutional un- this is precisely what Wisconsin State which, as Jefferson noted, erects “a claiming the church plan exemption. der the First Amendment because it Rep. Scott Allen, R-Waukesha, has wall of separation between church and These large non-profit hospital systems treats churches preferentially. done. “For those who may watch who state.” NYC ripped for ‘misappropriation’ On Jan. 6, FFRF protested the these funds may “embrace homophobia, transphobia, allocation of nearly $20 million per and other horrific ideologies, and subject our young year in taxpayer money to private people to them on a daily basis in the classroom.” schools, including religious paro- FFRF’s letter points out that a city must ensure its funds chial schools, in New York City. are not used for discriminatory hiring, and “a prohi- Mayor Bill de Blasio signed the bill bition against allowing private schools to discriminate into law Jan. 5. The money is desig- on the basis of religion, gender, or sexual orientation nated for hiring security. would be an impermissible government entanglement FFRF Co-President Annie Lau- with religion.” rie Gaylor objected to the “misap- Bill de Blasio “This is the fourth time we have written to you in propriation” of taxpayer funds in a less than a year regarding the promotion of religion letter to de Blasio. “This action will while acting in your official capacity as the mayor of finance religion with millions of taxpayer dollars,” she New York City,” Gaylor wrote. Among FFRF’s recent said. “This is not in the best interests of all New York concerns: the city’s ticket giveaway for an appearance City citizens.” by Pope Francis in Central Park in September and a “The NYPD is already tasked with protecting stu- “Mayor’s Clergy Advisory Council” in August. dents who attend private schools. If the city sees a need “We are dismayed at the erosion of respect for the for increased protection, the funds should go to the wall of separation between state and church by your NYPD, which would then decide how best to use those office. In our pluralistic modern society, increasingly resources,” FFRF notes. tolerant and irreligious, public funds should not be giv- The letter quotes New York City Councilman Daniel en to private, often dogmatically intolerant, religious Dromm, who said that the religious schools receiving institutions,” concluded Gaylor. On the run On the one-year anniversary of the heinous murders ment,” said FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor. of 12 people at the Charlie Hebdo offices in Paris, Injunction won “It protects us all.” the French satirical magazine came out with this Continued from front page Concord Community School District officials have cover illustration on Jan. 7. The headline, translat- in our public schools. Religion in school creates walls dug their hole even deeper with this contemptuous ed, reads: “One year after: The assassin is still out between children, accentuates differences, turns be- move, and strengthened FFRF’s case through their there.” “It is a caricature representing the sym- lievers into favored “insiders” and nonbelievers or hubris. While we know reason and the law will pre- bolic figure of God,” Laurent Sourisseau, Charlie minority believers into favored “outsiders” (precisely vail, district officials deserve the strongest rebukes Hebdo’s head of publication, told CNN. “To us, the way the majority is acting in Elkhart). for their callous manipulation, FFRF contends. it’s the very idea of God that may have killed our “Instead of figuring out new and creative ways to FFRF and the ACLU are moving forward with friends a year ago. So we wanted to widen our vision violate the Constitution, the Concord Community their challenge to the nativity scene enactment and of things. Faith is not always peaceful. Maybe we School District should be honoring the student and hope to have a final ruling from the district court should learn to live with a little less of God.” student’s family for standing up for the First Amend- before the 2016 performance. Page 6 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin January / February 2016 ‘Resurrection’ fund created for FFRF signs After several FFRF Winter Solstice drive. First, FFRF erected a Winter Sol- banners and signs had been stolen or stice banner on the front lawn of the vandalized, it was time to say “enough Belle Plaine, Minn., police station on is enough.” Dec. 18, next to a privately sponsored Such vandalism has occurred for nativity scene. In less than 24 hours, years with no consequence for the van- our banner was stolen. dals. So why let criminals censor free- Second, on Christmas Eve, the new thought messages and violate our right Franklin County banner was slashed Pieces on Earth? to free speech? to bits in a clear act of aggression. The FFRF’s Winter Solstice sign on the Franklin County Courthouse lawn was cut to So Staff Attorney Sam Grover came second banner included a warning pieces by a vandal on Dec. 24. The first such sign was stolen. up with a great idea to discourage that “dozens of generous freethinkers crimes: create a pledge fund for when have pledged money to FFRF in the this happens again so the banners and event that this banner is stolen or de- displays can be “resurrected” in a time- stroyed.” Though the second banner FFRF has banner year ly manner and the vandals/thieves will was shredded, FFRF’s efforts have con- actually be helping FFRF’s cause. vinced the town of Brookville to move A total of 16 sites were home to Solstice,” Bill of Rights banner and FFRF went to social media and its nativity scene to private property FFRF Winter Solstice signs and Bill of large scarlet “A”) asked our supporters to help protect next December and Franklin County Rights “nativity” displays in 2015. 7. Grundy County, Ill. (Bill of Rights our Winter Solstice displays through- is considering closing the forum on its FFRF offers seasonal displays and nativity) out the country by making a pledge to courthouse lawn. banners, including “Keep Saturn in 8. Franklin County, Ind. (“Happy the Resurrection Pledge Drive. People Third, FFRF’s local chapter in Maine Saturnalia,” (a riff on “Keep Christ in Winter Solstice” sign stolen and re- may pledge any amount they want, but put up a Winter Solstice banner in a Christmas”) to counter religious dis- placed), then defaced. would pay only if any of FFRF’s displays public park in Sanford. The Sanford plays on public property. 9. South Bend/St. Joseph County, are stolen or destroyed. banner was stolen on Dec. 30, less than Here are the locations that hosted Ind. (Bill of Rights nativity) In early December, FFRF’s Winter one week after it had been put up. signs or diplays in 2015: 10. Bulloch County, Ga. (Bill of Solstice banner was stolen from the For all three of these banners, FFRF 1. Springfield, Ill. Capitol (“May Rights nativity) Franklin County, Ind., courthouse called on those who pledged to send Reason Prevail” sign with easel) 11. Sanford, Maine (Stolen) lawn. A new, identical Winter Solstice in their contributions to ensure that 2. Austin, Texas Capitol (Sign re- 12. Warren/Macomb County, Mich. banner was erected there on Dec. 19. FFRF could replace these displays for moved after Gov. Abbott complained. (“Keep Saturn in Saturnalia”) In the inaugural year of the Resur- the 2016 holiday season. See cover story) 13. Belle Plaine, Minn., Police De- rection Pledge Drive, 95 freethinkers If you want to join in the effort to 3. Olympia, Wash. Capitol (“Let partment (Stolen) answered the call, pledging a total of protect FFRF’s freethought displays, Reason Prevail” banner) 14. Hastings on Hudson, N.Y. (“Rea- $889 for each FFRF display that was sto- then join FFRF’s 2016 Resurrection 4. Madison, Wis., Capitol (“May Rea- son’s Greetings” banner) len or vandalized. For the vast majority Pledge Campaign. With your help we son Prevail” with easel, Bill of Rights 15. Manassas, Va. (“Let Reason Pre- of our displays, this new level of protec- can ensure that thieves and vandals nativity) vail” banner) tion worked! cannot censor FFRF’s freethought 5. Arlington Heights, Ill. (Scarlet 16. Milwaukee County Courthouse Unfortunately, three displays were message without triggering a donation “A”) (“May Reason Prevail” sandwich harmed after we kicked off the pledge that will fund even more FFRF displays. 6. Daley Plaza, Ill. (“Happy Winter board) Texas sheriff places cross stickers on vehicles FFRF is calling out the Brewster his plan for the religious decals. Dod- County Sheriff’s Office in Texas for its son is quoted on the sheriff office’s plan to promote Christianity on its pa- Facebook page as justifying the crosses trol vehicles. because “he wanted God’s protection Sheriff Ronny Dodson announced over his deputies.” his intention to place white crosses on Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who is prov- all deputy vehicles. ing to be no friend of the separation “It is inappropriate and unconsti- of state and church (see cover story), tutional for a government entity to backed the sheriff’s decision. display a Latin cross on its property “The Constitution demands respect because it conveys a preference by the for religious expression rather than Sheriff’s Office — and by extension, hostility toward it and Governor Ab- Brewster County — for religion over bott fully supports Sheriff Dodson’s nonreligion and Christianity over all decision to allow his deputies to dis- minority faiths,” explained Staff Attor- play the cross on their patrol vehicles,” ney Sam Grover in his complaint letter Abbott spokesman John Wittman told to the sheriff. “When a sheriff man- MySanAntonio.com. dates the display of a symbol from his “We share Sheriff Dodson’s con- preferred religion on county property, cerns for officer safety,” noted FFRF not only does he unconstitutionally en- Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor, Bully pulpit dorse religion, but also risks alienating “but training, planning, and commu- “Every now and then I go by and see a religious message posted here,” writes the nearly 30% of Americans who are nity relations efforts are far more ef- Tom Yocom about this Lincoln, Ill., business. “It always appears to me to be a non-Christian.” fective than appealing to an imaginary public illustration of a “lot of bull.” FFRF calls on Dodson to abandon man in the sky.” Bus driver tells autistic 5-year-old she will go to hell

FFRF sent a letter to the Juniata to ask Jesus’s forgiveness or they would the district directly, and was told by the vulnerable because “she is more like- County School District in Pennsylania go to hell, and that it was “bad” that transportation director that the driver ly than other children to take these to strongly protest the conduct of a her parents did not have a bible. would be immediately reassigned to threats literally and fixate on them giv- proselytizing bus driver. Indoctrinating any 5-year-old child, another bus while the district investi- en the fear they’ve caused.” This con- A parent reported to FFRF that a bus but particularly one with a known dis- gated. “We commend the district for duct would be illegal regardless of the driver in the Mifflintown, Pa., school ability, is “predatory and an outrageous responding promptly,” wrote Cavell. child targeted, however, Cavell pointed district targeted her 5-year-old autistic abuse of her position,” charged Staff “However, we write to underscore the out. child for religious indoctrination. The Attorney Elizabeth Cavell in the Dec. seriousness of this violation and to The letter requests “immediate cor- driver reportedly told the child that if 14 letter. “The Supreme Court has seek more specific assurances of the rective action,” including a reprimand she doesn’t believe in God, she will go stressed the importance of protecting district’s action.” or dismissal of the driver. The prosely- to hell, describing hell as a place where students from religious promotion by Cavell noted that the driver’s ac- tizing is “a severe betrayal of parental “fireballs” will be shot at her. She also public school districts.” tions “have caused serious trauma for trust that warrants a formal apology told the child that her parents needed The parent reported the matter to this young student,” who was uniquely from the district,” Cavell concluded. January / February 2016 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 7 Coaches haven’t got a prayer against FFRF

Maybe, just maybe, public school On Dec. 8, Legal Fellow Ryan Jayne football programs are beginning to [We are] aware that a coach led sent a letter to Naperville Superinten- understand that it’s not OK to have a dent Dan Bridges, who responded two coach involved in pregame or post- prayer is not appropriate. The head days later. game prayers with students. “Naperville Community Unit School FFRF has led the way in getting many football coach has been instructed District 203 is aware that a coach led high school football coaches around prayer is not appropriate,” he wrote. the country to stop participating in any that neither he nor his staff may lead “The head football coach has been in- form of prayer with their respective structed that neither he nor his staff teams during games, practices or other his players in prayer. may lead his players in prayer.” coaching times. — Naperville Superintendent Dan Bridges • • • The issue came to national attention And in November, FFRF sent a letter in October 2015 when Joseph Kennedy, protesting a praying football coach and a high school football coach in Bremer- prayer. Staff Attorney Sam Grover wrote football games in September and No- other inappropriate religiosity in Flori- ton, Wash., was told to stop praying to the school district on Dec. 1 to object vember. In each instance, a coach took da’s Bay District Schools. after games at the 50-yard-line, where to the practice. “The Fifth Circuit, the both teams to the middle of the field Mosley High School head football many players would join him. But Ken- controlling Court of Appeals in Texas, and led them in prayer. coach Jeremy Brown “knowingly uses nedy did not stop, so the district put has specifically held that coach involve- “We ask that Weslaco ISD commence his position to proselytize and preach him on administrative leave. FFRF has ment in prayer at practices and games an immediate investigation into this to students,” charged Staff Attorney An- backed the Bremerton School District’s is unconstitutional because the prayers situation and ensure that its represen- drew Seidel, citing a recent WJHG-TV decision. “take place during school-controlled, tatives are not organizing, leading, or report in a letter sent Nov. 24 to Super- Since then, several other districts curriculum-related activities that mem- participating in prayer with students,” intendent Bill Husfelt. “Brown mistak- around the county have made sure bers of the [athletic] team are required Grover wrote. enly believes this is merely a matter of their coaches no longer are involved in to attend,” wrote Grover. On Dec. 31, FFRF received a re- not being ‘politically correct,’ when in any religious rituals during their time as Tarkington Independent School Dis- sponse from an attorney for the school fact it is a gross violation of students’ coach or teacher, thanks to FFRF. trict Superintendent Kevin Weldon told district. “The District has counseled its rights of conscience.” In 2015, FFRF sent out 39 letters to Grover on Dec. 8 that the district had staff on these matters and expects com- For Brown, “the most important dozens of school districts complaining addressed the matter with its staff to en- pliance with the law in all respects mov- thing” about coaching has “got to be about coaches involved in prayers. So sure that the district acts in accordance ing forward,” the letter said. sharing Christ with the kids.” Brown be- far, 15 of those have resulted in the pre- with the law. • • • lieves that he is “in the business of earn- ferred outcome of coaches not being • • • And earlier in December, a northern ing crowns and not rings,” referring a allowed to participate in any form of Also in Texas, after FFRF com- Illinois school district agreed to stop passage from the bible that advocates prayer with students. plained twice about instances of coach- allowing a high school football coach “preach[ing] to others.” He measures • • • led prayer in the Weslaco Independent from leading prayers with players at success by whether or not “every kid on After getting a letter of complaint School District, the district has finally games after a local resident complained our football team is saved.” from FFRF, coaches for the Tarkington taken steps to correct the problem. to FFRF that Naperville Central High FFRF has not yet heard back on how High School football team in Cleveland, Grover wrote letters on Sept. 17 and School head football coach Mark Stine the district will handle FFRF’s request Texas, will no longer lead students in Dec. 7 objecting to coach-led prayers at prayed with students during games. for Brown to stop praying with the team.

ered a violation of the First Amend- More legal victories ment and the Establishment Clause,” and assured FFRF that he would review FFRF stops Louisiana stitutes a government endorsement of current practices and ensure that the religion, which violates the Establish- school would be neutral on religion in school’s prayer ment Clause of the First Amendment the future. Students at Mansfield High School and interferes with the personal con- in Mansfield, La., are no longer being science of students,” Markert wrote. Ohio district ends subjected to prayer each day at manda- An attorney for the school district tory morning assemblies. informed FFRF on Nov. 24 that the ties with fundraiser FFRF Staff Attorney Sam Grover superintendent had reminded “the ap- New Lebanon Local Schools in wrote to the Desoto Parish School Sys- propriate parties” of the law on school Ohio will no longer fundraise for the tem in August 2015 objecting to the invocations. Samaritan’s Purse, a religious organiza- school’s practice of selecting a student tion headed by Franklin Graham. to lead the prayer, which was projected Senior center stops FFRF learned that Dixie Elementa- to all students in the room. Students ry School in New Lebanon has asked were also reportedly required to stand mealtime prayers its students to participate in a dona- for the Pledge of Allegiance. Thanks to a series of letters from No more religion in tion drive for “Operation Christmas “The Supreme Court has continual- FFRF, tax-funded senior centers in Kansas publications Child,” a project of Samaritan’s Purse, ly and consistently struck down prayers Maryland have been reminded of their for at least three years. The school sent offered at school-sponsored events, duties to not require prayer for the se- After receiving a letter from FFRF, home pamphlets to children explain- even when led by students,” Grover niors in their care. Unified School District #436 in Caney ing, “Operation Christmas Child part- said. A public school “must not orga- Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel sent Valley, Kan., will ensure that religious ners with churches worldwide to reach nize a means for students to promote letters to three Maryland senior cen- material is no longer printed in its boys and girls with the Gospel of Jesus a decidedly religious message to a cap- ters about reports of unconstitutional yearbooks or newspapers. Christ. After receiving shoebox gifts, tive student audience, thereby isolat- prayers at mealtimes, typically over a Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel wrote many children are discipled through ing and excluding those students who PA system. FFRF’s complainant report- a letter of complaint after a student for- our Bible study course, The Greatest are non-Christian or nonreligious.” ed feeling as though “kitchen staffers warded a picture of the 2014-15 Caney Journey, where they learn to become On Nov. 19, FFRF’s complainant hold our tax-subsidized lunches hos- Valley High School yearbook with a faithful followers of Christ and share confirmed that a moment of silence tage” until a prayer was said. Seidel also single large Christian cross on its cover. their faith with others.” The pamphlet had replaced the prayers, and no stu- sent letters to the two counties where FFRF also complained about a section also instructs readers to, “most impor- dents were being forced to stand for the three facilities are located, writing from the school’s newspaper quoting tantly,” pray for the gift recipient. the pledge. to the Baltimore County Department two students and a faculty member se- “While it is laudable for a public on Aging and the Anne Arundel Coun- lecting their favorite bible verses and school to encourage young students FFRF halts Ohio band ty Department of Aging and Disabil- recommending Matthew 28:18-20, to become active and involved in their ities. The Maryland Department of which is a command to convert “all community by volunteering and do- competition prayer Aging also received a letter from FFRF people in the world” to Christianity. nating to charitable organizations, the After a complaint by FFRF, Louis- objecting to prayers. “School publications, including school cannot use that goal as an ave- ville High School in Ohio will no lon- “Government-run or -funded facili- yearbooks and school newspapers, nue to fund a religious organization ger include invocations at its annual ties should not host, organize, or facil- must remain neutral toward religion,” with a religious mission,” wrote Senior marching band competition. The 2015 itate prayers,” wrote Seidel. “Not only wrote Seidel. The yearbook cross and Staff Attorney Rebecca Markert in a event reportedly began with a minister does scheduling or permitting public newspaper section dedicated to bible Nov. 19 letter to the school district. leading attendees from seven different prayer to be imposed on all diners at verses both create “the appearance On Nov. 24, Superintendent Greg Ohio public schools in prayer. these meals raise concern that the gov- that the district prefers religion over Williams notified Markert that the Senior Staff Attorney Rebecca Mark- ernment is endorsing religion, it also nonreligion and Christianity over all school district’s attorney “has led dis- ert wrote to the Louisville School Dis- violates citizens’ rights to be free from other religions.” trict administration to conclude that it trict on Oct. 21. “Federal courts con- religious proselytizing.” New superintendent Blake A. Var- is not appropriate to continue with this sistently strike down school-sponsored FFRF’s complainant confirmed that gas thanked FFRF for “bringing to project.” prayer in public schools because it con- the pre-meal prayers had stopped. light practices that could be consid- Continued on next page Page 8 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin January / February 2016

FFRF legal victories

Continued from page 7 Prayers ended at FFRF stops concert’s faculty meetings religious script After years of prayers “in Jesus’ name” at Missouri’s Montgomery Missouri’s Iberia Elementary School County R-II School District faculty previously planned on including a rec- meetings, FFRF has ensured that fu- itation of the “biblical meaning” of vers- ture meetings will be secular. es in “The Twelve Days of Christmas” at Staff Attorney Patrick Elliott called its Christmas program. However, after the prayers “unnecessary and divi- receiving a letter from Staff Attorney sive,” pointing out that they alienate Patrick Elliott, the school changed the non-Christian and nonbelieving em- script prior to the concert. ployees. “Their participation in these The religious script claimed reli- mandatory meetings is adversely af- gious meanings for each of the verses fected by these types of prayers, which in the popular, secular holiday song, turn them into outsiders in their own including claims that Jesus is the “true community and workplace,” he wrote. love” referenced in the first day, the An attorney for the school district two turtle doves represent the Old wrote on Dec. 2, saying the district had and New Testaments, and the six geese taken measures to comply with the law a-laying are “the six days of creation.” regarding religious endorsement at Elliott’s Nov. 10 letter informed the The Carver Post Office in Massachusetts had this poster that had three pledges, district events. Iberia R-V School District that “having including a “Pledge to the Bible” and a “Pledge to the Christian Flag.” FFRF young elementary school students re- complained in November and the poster has since been removed. Religious club no cite the purported ‘biblical meaning’ to a gathering of elementary school longer teacher-led students, teachers and parents gives FFRF removes religion official postal materials could be de- The Appleton Area School Dis- the appearance that the school endors- from post offices posited anywhere on postal premises, trict in Wisconsin is taking steps to es the religious message.” Moreover, and regulations prohibiting the display ensure that a Christian club is truly “the content of the script is demonstra- The Carver, Mass., post office has re- of religious materials. student-run. bly false,” and thus, “if music instruc- moved a religious poster from its bul- On Dec. 3, Derror said she had post- FFRF learned that Appleton East tion in the District is meant to educate, letin board after FFRF pointed out the ed Post Office regulations and “will High School circulated a flyer for a the Christmas program script is doing sign’s illegality. (See photo above.) take steps to insure that there is no lit- religious student club, the Fellow- a disservice by spreading false and un- The poster was titled “The Pledges,” erature on the counter daily.” ship of Christian Athletes, but listed a substantiated claims.” and in addition to the Pledge of Alle- • • • teacher’s school email and cell phone FFRF’s local complainant reported giance, printed a “Pledge to the Bible” A painted nativity display was re- number as the contact. “We are writ- on Nov. 24 that the program’s script and a “Pledge to the Christian Flag.” moved and replaced with a secular dis- ing to ensure that the FCA is entirely had been changed to a secular version. FFRF Legal Fellow Madeline Ziegler play in the window of the Rupert Post student-initiated and student-run, as lodged a complaint with the office on Office in Idaho after FFRF lodged a required by federal law,” wrote Legal Future veteran’s events July 22, 2015, pointing out that in addi- complaint. (See photo below.) Fellow Ryan Jayne in a Dec. 7 letter to tion to being unconstitutional, “Unit- Legal Fellow Madeline Ziegler pro- the school district. “In our experience, to exclude prayer ed States postal regulations prohibit tested the display, which also includ- adults often organize and participate Coleman High School in Coleman, the display of religious materials, other ed the words “Christmas begins with in FCA events. If the FCA club is not Wis., will not include prayers in future than stamp art, on postal property.” Christ,” in a Dec. 4 letter to the post- student-initiated and student-run, Memorial Day and Veterans Day as- On Nov. 30, FFRF received word master. “United States postal regula- AEHS should dissolve it.” semblies after FFRF sent a letter to the from an interim postmaster that the tions prohibit the display of religious “School and district administration superintendent. Ceremonies for the postmaster to whom the letter was ad- materials, other than stamp art, on have met with the FCA supervisor and last two years at least have reportedly dressed had retired, and the poster on postal property,” Ziegler wrote. Fur- reviewed FCA meeting practices for included religious prayers and videos. the bulletin board had been removed. thermore, “by displaying a nativity club operations,” wrote Superinten- “We ask that you take action to en- • • • scene and religious statement on its dent Lee Allinger in an emailed reply sure that future assemblies do not in- The Alden Post Office in Michigan grounds, the Rupert Post Office is il- on Dec. 17. “We also took this oppor- clude prayer and otherwise remain has removed religious propaganda legally demonstrating a preference for tunity to reinforce legal and district neutral toward religion,” wrote FFRF from the counter in the lobby follow- religion over nonreligion, and Christi- requirements.” Legal Fellow Ryan Jayne in a Nov. 19 ing a complaint from FFRF. Proselytiz- anity over all other faiths.” Allinger also stated that the objec- letter to Superintendent Douglas P. ing materials subtitled “Evidence for On Dec. 14, FFRF’s complainant tionable flyers had been removed and Polomis. God’s Existence and Identity” had reported that the religious scene had future flyers would not contain super- “We will make every effort to ensure been regularly available in the lobby. been removed, and had been repaint- visor contact information, and thanked that future assemblies do not include Legal Fellow Madeline Ziegler ed with a display reading “Peace on FFRF for sharing its concerns. prayer and remain neutral toward reli- wrote to Postmaster Lynnette Derror earth, good will toward men.” (Maybe gion,” Polomis responded on Nov. 30. on Nov. 23, quoting postal regulations next year they’ll include women!) Evangelists removed providing that no literature other than from high school After FFRF sent a complaint, Bar- num Public Schools in Minnesota will no longer allow evangelists access to students at school. Adults affiliated with the evangelical Christian group Campus Life had been permitted to come into the lunchroom weekly to recruit students to come to church events, a Barnum High School student told FFRF. The group states is purpose as to “minister in the name of Jesus.” “The presence of Campus Life min- isters in the school supports their mis- sion of proselytizing,” said Staff Attor- ney Patrick Elliott in a Dec. 16 letter. “No religious organization should have direct access to students at school. This predatory conduct should raise red flags, especially since these adults are conversing with students without pa- rental knowledge.” Superintendent David J. Bottem re- sponded promptly on Dec. 18, inform- ing FFRF that the district had severed This religious window painting on the Rupert, Idaho, Post Office was removed after FFRF complained, and was repaint- its relationship with Campus Life, “ef- ed with a display reading “Peace on earth, good will toward men.” fective immediately.” January / February 2016 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 9

FFRF quashes Texas the ministry’s religious message, which ronment free from religious prosely- and promote Schroeder’s personal violates the Establishment Clause.” tization and endorsement,” Grover religion, has been removed from gov- teacher’s prayers FFRF’s complainant reported on wrote. ernment property,” Seidel said. “The Teacher-led prayers are no longer Dec. 20 that the county had removed The district’s attorney informed government must remain neutral on part of the lunch hour at Alpha Char- the link. Grover on Dec. 2 that the displays matters of religion and quoting the bi- ter School in Garland, Texas, thanks to had been removed, and that all staff ble is hardly neutral.” action taken by the FFRF. Second set of religious had been reminded to ensure there In an email exchange between sev- A parent reported their child’s sec- were no religious displays on school eral county clerks discussing how to ond-grade teacher to FFRF for leading displays removed grounds. handle same-sex marriage licenses, her students in prayer every day before Schroeder wrote on Aug. 9: “It is a pic- lunch. The school principal had not Police station won’t ture of a bride standing on a hill with taken action despite being made aware the groom walking up the hill to meet of the situation. display nativity again her. On the bottom I have a portion of Public schools “must not promote Next holiday season, the city of Belle the verse in I Corinthians where Paul decidedly religious messages to a cap- Plaine, Minn., will not allow a long- says, ‘Each man should have his own tive student audience, thereby isolating standing nativity scene on public land wife, and each woman her own hus- and excluding those students who are as it previously had. A local church will band.’ And cite the verse.” non-Christian or nonreligious,” Staff display it instead. But after being sent several letters Attorney Sam Grover told the school. Staff Attorney Patrick Elliott and from Seidel and asking to speak with Grover also pointed to FFRF’s recent Legal Fellow Ryan Jayne sent the city a his lawyer, Schroeder apparently re- successful lawsuit against praying teach- letter of complaint on Dec. 15 to pro- lented and removed the poster, at least ers in Emanuel County, Ga., declaring, test the nativity display, which the city from the sight of county constituents. “FFRF is committed to defending the allowed the Rotary Club to place on rights of students in public schools. the lawn of the police department for Church withdraws Given how young and impressionable at least 60 years. In addition to point- these students are, this violation of the ing out the legal issues with the nativ- request for public funds law is particularly egregious.” ity, FFRF requested to put up its own After FFRF objected to a Vermont The school responded on Dec. 17, banner if the nativity was not removed. board’s proposal to give a grant to a saying that they had investigated the The request was granted, although church, the church has rescinded its situation and met with the teacher in FFRF’s banner was later stolen. request. The Waitsfield Select Board question, who now “understands her After persuading the Frisco Inde- FFRF’s local complainant reported had voted to place an item on the responsibility in regards to separation pendent School District in Texas to re- on Dec. 17 that the Rotary had been Town Meeting ballot in March 2016 of church and state.” move a sign reading “Pray more, worry told it would have to move the nativity to give $1,500 to the Waitsfield United less” from the Roach Middle School from 2016 onward. Church of Christ. FFRF brings equality front office in September, FFRF has “The government may not fund prompted the district to remove fur- County clerk removes projects for religious worship,” wrote to prison website ther unconstitutional religious displays Legal Fellow Ryan Jayne on Dec. 8. In Pennsylvania, the York County from district property. religious poster Jayne also pointed out that the Ver- prison system’s website featured a di- Staff Attorney Sam Grover sent a A Colorado county clerk has re- mont Constitution prohibits funding rect link to the website of Good News complaint to the district on Nov. 19 moved an overtly religious poster from of places of worship. Jail & Prison Ministry, a Christian or- to object to religious displays in the the office where citizens, including A Valley Reporter article published ganization, despite the fact that several school district’s Student Opportuni- same-sex couples, get their marriage li- Dec. 24 said that to avoid controversy, other organizations operate in the pris- ty Center. One sign read, “The will censes, following a complaint by FFRF. the church representatives withdrew on. However, the county stopped pro- of God will never take you where the The poster was removed the day their request at the board’s Dec. 21 moting the group on its website after Grace of God will not protect you,” after FFRF Staff Attorney Andrew Se- meeting — though not before casti- FFRF got involved. while another proclaimed that “Prayer idel asked Elbert County Clerk Dallas gating FFRF’s complainant for inviting Staff Attorney Sam Grover contend- does not change God – it changes me.” Schroeder to put him in touch with his “this crackpot Midwestern group into ed that posting the link solely to one The office also contained two crosses attorney. the discussion.” organization “creates the impression with scriptural quotes on them. “All “We’re glad that the poster, which that the county impermissibly favors students deserve to learn in an envi- was meant to intimidate LGBT citizens The Pledge: ‘Under God’or overly godly? By C. Boyd Pfeiffer one nation indivisible, with liberty and patriotic pledge, something not agreed justice for all.” upon by all in this country. This gov- It remained that way, becoming the ernment of the USA is (or is supposed national pledge and called “The Pledge to be) secular, to allow everyone pri- In the seemingly continuous and of Allegiance” by an Act of Congress in vately to practice their own religious contentious kerfuffle between the sec- 1942. The “under God” part, which preferences. The country’s and gov- ular and religious segments of society, many secularists, humanists, agnostics, ernment’s official documents are sec- the “under God” phrase of the Pledge and atheists (myself included) want re- ular and have nothing to do with reli- of Allegiance is constantly tossed about. moved, was not added until 1954. gion of any type. The founding fathers Today there are bumper stickers which This was a time period after World did not try to make this a Christian state emphatically “One Nation Under War II of the Cold War and the fears nation or the Constitution a Christian God.” In statements and speeches, the of the “godless commies,” with us seek- document. point is made that the phrase is from ing a way to differentiate ourselves Most importantly, “under God” in the founding fathers and the forma- from the Soviet Communistic states. Lincoln’s day meant “God willing” far tion of this country and that the “un- As a part of this growing anti-com- different from “under God” of today. der God” part has always been in the mie trend, on April 21, 1951, the New “God willing” means if God approves, pledge. Wrong and wrong. York branch of the Catholic Knights of with God’s permission, with God’s The pledge was not around in the Columbus decided to use the “under blessing. “Under God” today means 1770s and 1780s. As many of us know, C. Boyd Pfeiffer God” part of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Ad- that we are under the control of God, the “under God” part was not a part of dress as a part of the pledge, ultimately obedient to God, that God is our pro- the original pledge. The Pledge of Al- and “fraternity” but demurred, know- encouraging this for all 800 branches tector, and God is watching over us. legiance was written in 1892 as a part of ing that the nation was not ready for throughout the country. They contin- For those who have different beliefs a promotion of The Youth’s Compan- either of these with women (the right ued to push for this and on Aug. 21, and yet are patriotic citizens of the ion magazine to sell flags to schools to vote came in 1920) or blacks. 1952, urged making this “under God” country, that is offensive. The Pledge for the 400th anniversary of Colum- The original pledge was: “I pledge part universal for all of the country and of Allegiance without “under God’ bus’ landing in the new world. The allegiance to my flag and the republic sent resolutions to this effect to the served us well for 62 years. It is time for magazine owner, Daniel Ford Sharp, for which it stands, one nation, indi- president, vice president, and speaker the “under God” part, fearfully cob- thought that the country ­— then less visible, with liberty and justice for all.” of the House of Representatives. bled into an otherwise perfectly good than 30 years since the Civil War — This appeared in the Sept. 8, 1892, Rev. George Docherty pressed this pledge, to go. needed a statement that would bring edition of the magazine, then with the point in a sermon at the New York Av- FFRF member Boyd Pfeiffer is a life-long about a sense of unity and loyalty to widest circulation of any magazine in enue Presbyterian Church in D.C., at- atheist and award-winning writer with 28 the country. the country. Different iterations came tended by President Eisenhower. This books on sport fishing, along with magazine The task of writing this statement almost immediately with “to” added in impressed Eisenhower and the inclu- articles and newspaper columns to his cred- that could be said in less than 15 sec- front of the “the republic” and others sion of “under God” was passed in a it. Recent more serious interest in religion onds was given to editorial staff mem- added up through 1924. The pledge congressional bill and signed by Eisen- and atheism has resulted in his 29th book, ber Francis Bellamy, a Baptist minis- then read as, “I pledge allegiance to hower on Flag Day, June 14, 1954. No Proof at All – A Cure for Christianity, ter, author and Christian socialist. He the flag of the United States of America The problem with all of this is that available at book stores and Amazon. He wanted to include the words “equality” and to the republic for which it stands; it places a religious tone into a secular can be reached at [email protected]. Page 10 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin January / February 2016

FFRF 2015 annual convention speech Ron Reagan – unabashed, unfraid

Ron Reagan’s speech, edited for space, was delivered Oct. 9, 2015, at FFRF’s 38th We were annual convention at Monona Terrace Convention Center in Madison, Wis. He Presbyterian, a sort was introduced by Co-President Dan Barker: I think you all know who Ron Rea- of Christianity Lite. gan is. After leaving the Joffrey Ballet in 1983, he’s worked as a broadcast and print journalist and TV and ra- choose which two got to go on the boat? dio commentator. During his famous Why did God have to drown all the an- speech about stem cell research at the imals? He had a beef with humans, but Democratic National Convention in did the animals have to go, too? 2004, he voiced his opinion on state/ Eventually you get to Abraham and church separation, saying, “It does not Isaac. Little kids identify with Isaac, follow that the theology of a few should who’s trussed up on that rock waiting be allowed to forestall the health and for dad to plunge a dagger into him, well-being of the many.” and that doesn’t seem too cool. Abra- The New York Times in 2004 asked ham’s definitely not the hero here, and Ron in an interview that ran three you start looking at your own father weeks after his father died if he would a little strangely, too. “Hey son, how like to be president. Ron said, “I would about a barbecue tonight?” “No, no, be unelectable. I’m an atheist. And why don’t we just order a pizza, OK, we all know that is something people and put down the knife.” won’t accept.” I don’t ever buy these stories of Last year, as many of you know, he people who say, “Well, you know, I was recorded a 30-second spot for FFRF to religious, and then I became an athe- play on “60 Minutes” and other news ist, and then I went back to religion.” shows. But to our shock, this very ra- No you didn’t, you never became an tional, very benign, slightly irreverent atheist in the first place, because once commercial was banned by several you’re there you’re not going back. networks. Once you’re an atheist, everything that [AD PLAYS]: “Hi, I’m Ron Reagan, somebody religious says sounds like an unabashed atheist, and I’m alarmed “The Mountain God made us do it.” by the intrusions of religion into our It’s all just a little ridiculous. secular government. That’s why I am asking you to support the Freedom No hell below us From Religion Foundation, the na- Andrew Seidel photo Networks did not want my ad for tion’s largest and most effective associ- Ron Reagan shows off the plaque he was presented with at FFRF’s 38th annual FFRF on the air. I understand that they ation of atheists and agnostics, working convention on Oct. 9, 2015. The plaque reads, “Ron Reagan, 2015 Freedom didn’t want to offend viewers, and re- to keep state and church separate, just From Religion Foundation, Not Afraid of Burning in Hell, Unabashed Atheist.” ligious people get offended so easily. I like our founding fathers intended. had a conversation with my brother-in- Please support the Freedom From Re- I’m not abashed to be an atheist all. little chart where the primates get tall- law about this at dinner the other night ligion Foundation. Ron Reagan. Life- I am abashed, I have to say, to be here. er and straighter and finally they’re us. at my place in Seattle. He likes to give long atheist. Not afraid of burning in I am particularly abashed being here So where did Adam and Eve fit into all me crap about stuff, although he’s ac- hell.” with somebody like Taslima, who frank- of that? tually an atheist. DAN: Having somebody of his ce- ly leaves me in a state of awe. We’ve suf- [Ron gets in some zingers about bible sto- “I saw that commercial you did the lebrity status do an ad like that for fered some perhaps for our atheism, ries, summarized here]: other night,” he said. “Don’t you think us has just been an unparalleled, sec- but we do not have a fatwa against us. Apparently trouble is brewing in it was a little, you know, arrogant.” ular blessing, if I can use that word. As Dan said, by age 12 I told my Eden, because Eve gets Adam to eat Arrogant? Why am I arrogant for We thought it would be appropriate parents, “I’m not going to church any- from the tree of knowledge. Even to saying I don’t believe in hell, but you’re to give Ron two tokens of our appre- more. I don’t believe this stuff.” I guess a little kid, knowledge sounds like a not saying that people who claim to ciation. The first one, a T-shirt. Come you could say I grew up in a religious pretty good thing, and it’s a little con- know the entire story of the universe on up here, Ron, unabashed atheist, household, but we weren’t that reli- fusing why God is so upset that his cre- and talk to God the creator are arro- not afraid of burning in hell. And a gious. We didn’t pray before dinner. ation would acquire knowledge. Some- gant? I’m arrogant just for saying “how plaque: “Ron Reagan, 2015 Freedom We were Presbyterian, a sort of Chris- thing’s not right here. do you know”? From Religion Foundation, not afraid tianity Lite. Noah’s ark, another good story for The religious, they’re very arrogant. of burning in hell, unabashed atheist,” I was a little strange as a kid because kids. It’s like a Carnival cruise with In the Muslim community, as Taslima for your wall. at a very early age I became interested stuffed toys, but you get a little older mentioned, it gets pretty crazy. You in prehistoric humans, what I thought and start wondering where the hell are draw a cartoon and suddenly they’re By Ron Reagan of, at age 5, as cavemen. I’d seen that the dinosaurs? How did the animals burning down your country’s embas- sy. You write a book and you’ve got a fatwa against you. They don’t seem to get that they don’t have a right not to Thank you very much. I want to be offended. You don’t have a right, it thank everybody, Dan and Annie Lau- seems to me, to be offended by some- rie, and all of you for having me here body else’s speech. and setting all of this up. I also want to What offended people the most thank our previous speakers, Jeremiah about the ad, which seemed pretty be- [Camara] and Taslima [Nasrin]. We nign, frankly, was the last line about should also be thankful, particularly in hell. Hell is a very touchy topic for the light of Taslima’s remarks, that we live religious, and you can understand why. in a society where we can have a meet- Hell is the way you control people. You ing like this. better do what we say or you go to hell. It’s not a perfect society, plenty of You may do fine in this world, but oh, things wrong, plenty of issues we’re eternity is stretching out ahead of you aware of, but we’re not really worried and it’s all going to be hell. that people are going to storm the hall Sam Harris does an interesting here and gun everybody down or set us thing. He says to an audience, after de- all on fire, and that’s worth acknowl- termining that most are not Muslim, for edging. But don’t make the mistake of example: “All right, you Christians, you thinking that it never could. These are Ingrid Laas photo atheists, realize that there are perhaps a human impulses, and we are human Ron Reagan talks about his controversial 30-second ad for FFRF that aired on billion Muslims on Earth who are dead beings. These sorts of things exist on television. “What offended people the most about the ad . . . was the last line certain that you are going to hell.” He a continuum, and they could indeed about hell. Hell is a very touchy subject for the religious, and you can under- pauses for the kicker: “Notice how little happen here. stand why. Hell is the way you control people.” sleep you’re losing over that thought.” January / February 2016 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 11

Religious folks don’t realize that built the Duomo in Florence and Mi- their warnings about hell are about chelangelo painting the Sistine Chapel something we consider to be imagi- didn’t do it a state of religious fervor. nary. We don’t care. You might as well In order to build those buildings and tell me I’m going to Oz. It’s related create those artworks, they needed rea- to the concept that we’re all athe- son and intellect. Financed by religion, ists. Even the religionists are atheists. yes, but it was the only game in town at They’re atheists about every other god that point. except theirs. The other thing that you always get Not one of them believes in Zeus, a is, “Well, how do you know good from few believe in Vishnu. They’re fine be- evil? How do you know how to behave ing atheists about that. We just go one if you don’t have the book telling you god further. We take it all the way. how to behave?” First of all, that book is not exactly an infallible reference for ‘Bound by disbelief’ behavior. There’s an awful lot of frat- You have to admit, though, that ricide and infanticide and all sorts of this is a little weird, gathering here to- bad lessons in the bible. Abraham and gether. A lot of you came from other Isaac is one of them. places, even other countries, to meet What about Sodom and Gomorrah? here in Madison, Wisconsin. We’re all What kind of a hero is this? The an- bound by disbelief. There’s a certain gels show up. The townspeople gather disadvantage to this, you have to ad- around Lot’s house wanting to rape mit. We don’t have soaring cathedrals. the angels, because you would, you Ingrid Laas photo We don’t have special outfits. We don’t “Blind faith is the abdication of reason,” Reagan said during his keynote speech know. Lot, being the good host that really have rituals. at the convention. “You can’t have a functioning democracy when most of the he is, isn’t going to let that happen. Yes, we do have faith, if you’ll par- people believe in a lot of nonsense.” So what does he do? Leave the angels don the expression, in things like rea- alone. Take my daughters instead and son and facts, scientific inquiry, the do whatever you want with them, be- truth and the pursuit of it. But still, over them. But there are lines that I know from personal experience cause really, they’re just women. we’re all about not believing in some- get crossed, and I think at that point that when you lose somebody close, The answer is easy. It’s inherent thing. And let’s face it, there’s no such you’re obligated to speak up. you very much want to think that you to us. Little children understand au- thing as a Round Earth Society. Religious belief is understandable can be reunited with that person. This tomatically, intrinsically, the Golden We’re a minority. Millions of people from an evolutionary standpoint, so is a natural human urge. Rule that you treat other people like in the United States think we’re going we don’t have to necessarily get angry But it’s not cruel to apply the same you want to be treated. You have to en- to hell. They think we worship Satan, at these people. The question arises standards of discourse to religion as we courage it, but they know it. Animals which is a little ironic since we don’t though, when we’re talking about in- do to politics, our aesthetic judgments, know it, too. believe in him, either. They all think dividuals and not people in positions our taste in music or film. We argue, we’re strident. Strident atheist, angry, of power, should we care what they be- sometimes viciously, about those sorts Kim Davis, bigot aggressive atheist, mean-spirited athe- lieve? Should we bother to talk to them of things, but religion somehow is You all know more about the fight ist. They love playing the victim and about atheism? treated as different. Sacrosanct, if you against the incursion of religion into know the foundation is crumbling a Yes, I think we should, given the will. public life than I do, but there are a little bit. Any critique of religion is re- opportunity, the right circumstances. few things we can talk about. We can garded as an insult. Blind faith is the abdication of reason. start with Kim Davis, the poster child Richard Dawkins is accused of being You can’t have a functioning democ- Religious people for bigotry, the October centerfold in strident when he invokes facts to sup- racy when most of the people believe Bigot magazine. As a county clerk in port critical thinking. Kim Davis, the in a lot of nonsense. If you want good are terribly Kentucky, she decided that not only Kentucky clerk, is fitted for the robes public policy, it has to be based on facts was she refusing to issue marriage li- of martyrdom when she invokes God and evidence. Private beliefs invade insecure. They censes to gay couples, she wasn’t going in defense of bigotry. It’s all about in- public policy. All the politicians you see to let anybody in her office do it either. security. Religious people are terribly invoking God were just private citizens know that She famously invoked God’s authority. insecure. They know that they’re hold- once, and now they are in Congress. Religious bullying is what it amounts ing a weak hand, so they resort to the We should confront people but with they’re holding to. People have tried to make her out absurd. some sensitivity. Religious people are a weak hand, so to be the equivalent of wartime con- Fox News gears up for the war on not necessarily stupid or crazy. Some scientious objectors. If Kim Davis were Christmas. I love Christmas. I cut down of them may be. Are they delusional? they resort to actually a conscientious objector, there a tree every year and put presents un- The fervently religious certainly are, would be a couple of obvious courses der it. It’s a pagan holiday, why not? but again, this is understandable to a the absurd. of action for her. The first one, prob- The war on Christmas? Come on, it’s degree. ably the best: quit. If you were elected the most ubiquitous holiday on Earth. A word about death. We accept that to do a certain job and find that you most religions are predicated on the Questions and answers can’t in good conscience do that job Yes, speak up fear of death. The idea of an afterlife anymore, resign. With the Hubble telescope, we can can be a very powerful thing. I think it I find that asking religious people Her other option was to let her asso- look out into the vastness of the uni- was Sam Harris who reminded people questions is a good idea. They say the ciate clerks do it. But no, Kim couldn’t verse and understand how ridiculous to consider that they may be talking to “Well, you know God made the uni- go with that. She got it straight from it seems to believe that an ostensible a mother who has just lost a child and verse and­ — ” Wait a minute, what is God that they shouldn’t be allowed creator deity made the whole thing don’t make it seem as if you’re saying, God? This turns out to be something to do this. A lot of conservatives were just for us. Why did he wait so long to “Your sincere wish to be reunited with of a stumper for the religious. Most of bright enough to see where this would bring us on to the scene? Some 13.8 that child at some time and place in them really can’t explain to you what inevitably lead. billion years old and we only arrived, the afterlife is ridiculous. You’re never they mean when they invoke God. How would Kim Davis feel if a Mus- you know, the day before yesterday. going to see that child again and the They order their entire lives around lim clerk the next county over decided Well, God had a plan, I guess. It’s what whole thing is just a big joke.” this deity that is just this vague thing we have to practice Shariah law there. they say, God had a plan. to them. Oh, they’ll say, “Well, God is Would she be OK with that? I think What we know from science makes love, God is the creator.” not. I don’t think Kim Davis is really Genesis and the bible story seem rath- Then there is the problem that no into religious freedom as such. She just er tacky and small. I’m going with the religionist can really handle. If God is wants to be free to practice the kind of Hubble telescope. I’m going with Ste- good and all-loving and all-knowing bigotry that she sees in the bible. phen Hawking. and all-powerful, how does he tolerate A lot of constitutional conservatives So what do we do here trapped in the suffering of the innocent, particu- get on the side of people like Kim Da- this strange “Twilight Zone” world with larly small children? Either God sees vis. Constitutional conservatives are a bunch of people who are perhaps this happening and can’t do anything people who think that the only worth- delusional? I’m sure we’ve all been at about it or just doesn’t really care to while thing in the Constitution is the cocktail parties or in a small group and do anything about it. Which is it? They Second Amendment. Clearly, the en- somebody, suddenly out of nowhere, don’t know. tire Constitution was created just so decides to inform you that the hurri- They have questions for us as well, we could carry sidearms into bars and cane that hit the coast the other day which I rather enjoy. “Well, without kindergarten classes. was God’s punishment for being nice religion, where would we get all the to gay people. What do you do in that great art of the Renaissance, the great Planned Parenthood situation? Do you speak up or do you cathedrals and the Sistine Chapel Remember that religion trains your shut up? and all that? If it weren’t for religion, mind to accept the reality of things I say you speak up. You don’t have we wouldn’t have any of that stuff.” that aren’t real and to accept asser- to do this all the time. If somebody It’s true that religion financed a lot of tions based on no evidence whatsoever says “God bless you” when you sneeze, Ingrid Laas photo that kind of stuff. But I can tell you with or demonstrably false evidence. It be- that’s not your invitation to jump all Ron Reagan dead certainty that the people who Continued on next page Page 12 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin January / February 2016

Continued from page 11 want to dress, that doesn’t allow wom- came very obvious that the congressio- en meaningful political participation nal hearing wasn’t about selling fetal equal to that of a man, doesn’t allow body parts or about federal money go- women to drive, doesn’t allow them to ing to Planned Parenthood. It was all leave their home without being accom- about abortion. panied by a male — all the things that I was arguing with a conservative on Taslima was talking about — that’s not the radio the other day. I reminded a culture worth preserving. him that it’s possible to have qualms They may have beautiful paintings about abortion without thinking that and things like that, I think that’s fine. you have to deceive people in order to They may make nice buildings, and make your argument. It’s so frustrating that’s fine, they can keep those. But the that people in the media and in politics rest of that stuff, it’s got to go. Why are act as if the videos that came out show we doing business with countries that Planned Parenthood doing something practice that sort of oppression? illegal. They do not. They were decep- Imagine if tomorrow, France and tively edited and altered in all sorts of Germany decided they would institute ways. Why is that not the story? Why is a dress code for women and deny them the story Planned Parenthood and not political participation and impose all the fact that these people had an agen- these sorts of rules. Imagine what the da and thought it was perfectly OK to reaction would be, imagine the calls lie in order to further that agenda? for boycotts, the calls for internation- And people, mostly on the right, be- al isolation of France and Germany, lieve this stuff. They don’t care that the the shock and revulsion we would all video is fake. They don’t take care that feel if these countries would do some- the facts show something completely thing like that. Yet we continue to do different. This is what religion teach- business with countries that do—Saudi es your mind to accept. If you believe Ingrid Laas photo Arabia, for instance, notable among in the supernatural, you can believe in “We do believe in things as atheists,” Reagan said at the convention. “We be- them. just about anything. Reason goes right lieve in truth, we believe in beauty, we believe in a shared humanity. These are We need to put pressure on coun- out the window. things worth fighting for.” tries to do the right thing, to treat their Did you ever see the discussion be- citizens humanely. I don’t care about tween Richard Dawkins the biologist Congress. Jim Inhofe is in charge of tured, we’ll be stuck down here on a their culture, don’t care about their and Wendy Wright the creationist? Oh the Senate committee that oversees sweltering planet. religion either. Sorry, it doesn’t matter, my god. environmental regulation and has writ- Lamar Smith is a Texas congressman it’s not a culture worth preserving if First of all, Wright is dumb as a post ten a whole book claiming that climate who is sort of Jim Inhofe’s counterpart that’s how you express that culture. and Dawkins is not. She keeps saying change is a hoax. One of his lines of in the House. Smith has claimed that We do believe in things as atheists. “show me the evidence” of evolution. reasoning, if you want to call it that, is there’s been no global warming for the We believe in truth, we believe in beau- Dawkins, of course, keeps explaining that we don’t control the climate, God last 17 years. He says warming stopped ty, we believe in a shared humanity. the evidence to her and offers to take does, and we can’t do anything about in 1998. In fact, 10 of the warmest years These are things worth fighting for. her down the street to the Museum this because God is in charge. on record have taken place since 1998. And don’t forsake the numinous and of Natural History to show her the I did Bill Maher’s show a couple of Lamar Smith — don’t you bet that he the transcendent either. We all know actual skulls and things like that. But weeks ago, so I watched a few of his goes to church on Sunday? — is just that there are experiences we hav- she doesn’t want to see any actual evi- shows to kind of get into the mood. I making stuff up. en’t analyzed that are more than just dence. What an annoying person. caught his interview with Rick Santo- material. rum, in which Santorum made several Doing right You listen to a piece of music, you noteworthy claims. Do you know, he I started by saying that we were see a sunset, whatever it might be, po- asked Maher, that 57% of climate sci- joined in disbelief, and we are. But it’s etry, and you “leave” yourself in a way. If you believe in entists don’t agree that human influ- worth mentioning that we do believe Don’t let religion have a monopoly on the supernatural, ence is responsible for climate change? things as well, and we have certain ob- that kind of experience. It is not spe- Thank God, pardon the expression, ligations. It seems to me those beliefs cific to religions. We need to reclaim you can believe that Maher is a comedian and not a oblige us to behave in a certain way. the numinous and the transcendent as trained journalist, because you would We live in a global society, and there well as all these other things. You are in just about never see Jake Tapper or any of his are many, many Taslimas around the the point of the spear in that, all of us colleagues responding like Maher did: world. We are all complicit to some are. We need to take it seriously, and anything. “Rick, I don’t know what ass you’re degree in their subjugation, their reli- we need to do right by the Taslimas of pulling that out of.” gious oppression. the world, if nothing else. About 97% of scientists agree that People on the left, I have to say, will If nothing else, we have to do right by Climate change humans are driving global warming, often recoil when you start identifying all of the Taslimas of the world. Thank but reality doesn’t matter to people cultures as being repressive, particular- you so much for having us. Thank you. God is often invoked by the climate like Rick Santorum and his fellow re- ly about women. A culture that doesn’t change deniers, particularly those in ligionists. While he’s going to be rap- allow women to dress the way they FFRF ‘delighted’ to win ‘Scrooge’ Overheard award from Religious Right If your children tell you they’re athe- ist, take the time to ask them about FFRF has been named the winner legal attacks, some antagonists deserve bia. Walsh also called evolution a “reli- their beliefs. And then listen. Instead of the 2015 “Scrooge Award” by the special recognition for their particu- gion created by Satan.” of hearing that they hate God or have arch-conservative Liberty Institute, for larly ravenous agenda to strip religious Mikey Weinstein from Military Reli- no values, I expect you’ll be impressed FFRF’s “particularly ravenous agenda liberty from their fellow Americans.” gious Freedom Foundation, for com- at how thoughtful and considerate to strip religious liberty from their fel- “FFRF is delighted to be named an plaining to the U.S. Air Force Acade- they are. low Americans.” ‘antagonist deserving special recogni- my about the football players praying August Brunsman, executive director FFRF’s “ravenous agenda,” of tion’ from Liberty Institute,” says FFRF in public before games. of Secular Student Alliance, op-ed, course, is enforcing the Establishment Co-President Dan Barker, a former The U.S. Department of Health & “How to welcome atheist kids home Clause of the First Amendment to the evangelical minister. “It means we must Human Services, for requiring reli- for the holidays” Constitution. According to the Liber- be doing something right!” gious non-profit organizations to abide Washington Post, 12-23-15 ty Institute, FFRF won the award for FFRF is also proud to be associat- by the Affordable Care Act birth con- “launching a national assault in 2015 ed with the other Scrooge nominees, trol mandate like every other employ- The secularists are winning, not be- on law enforcement officers and the which include: er, or, as Liberty Institute spins it, “at- cause they are “anti-God,” but because national motto. FFRF sent more than Bremerton School District of tempting to force religious, non-profit the forces which have brought about 60 letters to various police departments Bremerton, Wash., for suspending high organizations to provide insurance cov- the diminution and the subsequent and sheriffs’ offices — demanding that school football coach Joe Kennedy for erage for abortion-inducing drugs to abandonment of traditional reli- the officers remove the national motto, praying with players after games. FFRF their employees, with utter disregard gious thinking cannot and will not be ‘In God We Trust,’ from their vehicles.” was also involved in this runner-up is- to the ministries’ rights of conscience.” reversed. Liberty Institute asked voters to sue, sending a letter in support of the In 2014 FFRF was named one of the John Shelby Spong, retired Episco- help determine the victor, telling read- school district in October. seven nominees for the “honor.” The palian bishop, “Building the Case for ers that “2015 saw more hostility to reli- Georgia Department of Public 2014 Scrooge winner was the Military the Death of Theism: The Copernican gious freedom than any year in our na- Health, for firing District Health Direc- Religious Freedom Foundation. Revolution” tion’s history. But among the flood of tor, Dr. Eric Walsh, for his homopho- johnshelbyspong.com, 12-24-15 January / February 2016 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 13

Meet Eryn’s ‘adorable atheist activism’ Overheard By Eryn Johnson You just wouldn’t believe how that sells. We buy a thousand copies from Ran- dom House every year, year after year. A warm hello to all of y’all and Ahmad Saeed, Pakistani bookseller, welcome to a world of activism and on Richard Dawkins’ book The God atheism of the adorable sort. I’ve lived Delusion in this state for a good while, and I cer- New York Times, 11-25-15 tainly hope you’ll enjoy your stay. This isn’t Vegas. What happens here For me, the Islamist groups on the isn’t meant to stay here. It’s meant to ground are like the Ku Klux Klan in spread like wildfire until all the lifeless the U.S., or the Nazis in Germany. In wood is burned to ash and the forest is Iraq, they wanted to legalize marriage renewed. for 9-year-old girls. How can we live I was raised atheist by a brilliant with that? father in the great red state of South Yanar Mohammed, who runs a secret Carolina. The only time to my knowl- network of safe houses for honor-kill- edge that this state was considered ing runaways, rape survivors, war wid- ahead of its time was when it marched ows and other women in her native to the front of the line and became the Iraq first state to secede from the Union New York Times, 11-28-15 in 1860. The Confederate battle flag continued to wave over the statehouse Everyone says he’s in a better place. until this past July when news of the They’re wrong. He should be here in surrender apparently trickled in from my arms and in my house. Appomattox. Joe Wise, Racine, Wis., father of Hunt- I’m 36 with a son nearing his 18th er Wise, 3, scalded to death in a bath- birthday, and I have a drawl that can tub as punishment for soiling his pants melt butter. A Southern spitfire will by his mother’s boyfriend, who was do what she wants when she wants and sentenced to 40 years just how she pleases, and so I became Wisconsin State Journal, 12-1-15 an adorable atheist activist. I don’t remember exactly when I began call- Your “thoughts” should be about ing my particular brand of nonbelief Eryn Johnson’s smile and altruism might just bowl you over. steps to take to stop this carnage. Your “adorable atheism,” but once I did it “prayers” should be for forgiveness if stuck. I went home, talked to my dad- We started small, volunteering to you do nothing — again. I’m a Floridian now and attended dy and made a plan. Did we have the help neighbors and friends with small Tweet by Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., my first FreeFlo conference in No- home or the money to host a big feast? projects. When my brother was de- after the San Bernardino mass shooting vember in Orlando, where I was lucky Not no, but HELL NO! A divorce had ployed to Iraq with the 82nd Airborne, twitter.com, 12-2-15 enough to meet a bucketful of skepti- inverted daddy’s pockets, but we did it we started sending massive soldier holi- cal folks far wiser and kinder than I’ll anyway. day CARE packages (which we still do). I cannot in good conscience continue ever be. I chatted with Seth Andrews, We asked all the foreign exchange We progressed to unfolding newspa- to be part of a council that is exclu- played trivia with Matt Dillahunty, en- students (if they could afford/manage pers and scrubbing poop out of cages sionary or to work with a mayor who joyed a little concert with Dan Barker it) to bring a traditional dish from their at our local Humane Society. is such. at the piano and shared ideas with my home country to pass. We handled the It was there that I spearheaded a ju- Councilwoman Charlene Storey, new favorite altruistic attorney, Andrew great American tradition: turkey, stuff- nior group for ages 11 to 17 where I Roselle Park, N.J., who resigned (for Seidel. Thanks to him, I’ve been af- ing, “mershed perderders,” etc. taught the importance of proper ani- a day) after the city voted to change a forded the opportunity to share in this We also asked everyone to bring mal care (nutrition, vaccination, spay- local ceremony from “A Tree Lighting” space some of the many tenets and tra- folding chairs or be really comfortable ing and neutering) and the dangers to “A Christmas Tree Lighting” ditions of my style of atheism. with the idea of sitting on the floor of animal cruelty and neglect. We did NJ.com, 12-4-15 with the dog. The first year we host- a boatload of fundraisers where I put ed, there was a Canadian, a handful my son in a cage with a puppy and told We are inundated by quick-trigger The point was to of Japanese girls, a strapping Bosnian, people we couldn’t let either of them platitudes of compassion — a flood two Indians, three Kosovar refugees out until they raised enough money to of ‘thoughts and prayers’ that never instill altruism and a half-dozen good old fat, lazy save a fur baby. Shameless, I know, but stops but doesn’t amount to much. ’Muricans. Although we still called it it worked. Herewith, then, a simple, practical ad- for its own sake. Thanksgiving at the time, our tradition In first grade, he had to write what aptation of Miranda: You have a right of Friendsgiving was born and it has he would do if he got a million dollars to your thoughts and prayers — and to grown every year. for Christmas. His response was give remain silent about them. As the “war on Christmas” rages it away to people who really needed it Mark Leibovich, national correspon- around us, I am continuing our Giving The Giving Season because he already had everything he dent for The New York Times Maga- Season, because it’s important to em- needed. (We were paddling against the zine, “Do politicians’ ‘thoughts and brace our holiday traditions. This year My college comrades and I sat current pretty vigorously ourselves at prayers’ mean anything?” we had a traditional feast on the Satur- around eating, intellectualizing and the time!) New York Times Magazine, 10-13-15 day before Thanksgiving, with a mostly batting back and forth strategies to His very Southern, very Christian atheist crowd of new friends here. One build a liberal utopia. In 2000, my teacher called me, concerned that I To oppose the use of “In God We Trust” of the main topics was our potential re- bouncing baby boy Tad was just 2 ten- was making him grow up too fast. If decals on police vehicles is not to insult sponse to the county sheriff plastering der years old. I had a deep desire to you asked him again today, he’d prob- Christians or to drive God out of the “In God We Trust” stickers on all the show him that there was so much more ably buy himself a better car, ask his public square. Rather, it is to insist that patrol cars. to life than material wealth and that mama if she needed anything, pay off public services be offered to all citizens We were doing “Friendsgiving” at helping our fellow man, and woman, my house even when I said no and give in a way that is respectful of their reli- our house while I was in college back was far more rewarding than any toy or the rest away. gious beliefs, and that does not threat- in 2000, a single mother working as a present could ever be. So if I leave you with nothing else, I en to make anyone seeking police and tutor to make ends meet. My favorite We’d never decorated, strung lights must profess the greatest tenet of ador- sheriff services feel marginalized. students were always the foreign ex- or put up a tree. We really didn’t have able atheist activism is this: “People James Croft, op-ed, “Police cars be- change kids, the ones with stories I’d any traditions other than cooking a big first. Stuff later.” long to the public, not God” never heard before. meal on or around the Christmas holi- Happy Giving Season, y’all. St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 12-3-15 After spending countless hours try- day, a veritable repeat of Friendsgiving, ing to drag non-native English speak- but it was time to give birth to some- FFRF member Eryn Johnson’s Flori- We do not represent any religion, what ers through a 10-page research paper, thing more. Thus, the Giving Season da home is often referred to as the Johnson we represent are the laws of the land. you really have no choice but to devel- was born, and there were no virgins House for Wayward Boys as she has opened As far as I’m concerned, there is no op deep and meaningful friendships involved, save my tiny son. her doors not only to atheists shunned by place in government for religion. I’m with them. Before long, the tutoring I decided that I would drag Tad their families, but more recently to a cancer a secularist in that respect. I just don’t lab was always full, whether people along to help me with various service patient without means to medical care and think there’s a place for any kind of needed tutoring or not. projects from the day after Thanksgiv- a homeless transgendered youth. She always religious doctrine in government, be- Before you could say “midterms,” ing until New Year’s Day. I wanted to seems to find room for “just one more” in cause we represent everybody. fall break fell and many of my favor- teach him the importance of giving. need of a soft place to land. Her favorite par- Mayor Bob Scott, Franklin, N.C., after ite scholars found they either had no- Notice I did not say giving back; I said ty crasher is a newly rescued Cane Corso (aka being sworn in on a copy of the Consti- where to go or no means to get there. giving. The point was to instill altruism Italian mastiff). She named him Spaghetti, tution rather than the bible Unacceptable! for its own sake. because what else would you name him? WLOS News, 12-11-15 Page 14 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin January / February 2016

A report to members from the co-presidents Freedom From Religion Foundation Year in Review — 2015 Scientific American featuring testimo- By Annie Laurie Gaylor and Dan Barker Freethought Hall FFRF makes the nials by scientists or scientific thinkers, Grand Opening news every day many of them honorary officers of FFRF, We’re not “believers,” but as executive FFRF’s state/church work, litigation including FFRF’s Honorary President directors of a 501(c)(3) nonprophet non- and educational campaigns generated Steven Pinker. FFRF placed several profit, we “religiously” believe in reporting over 2,394 bonafide news stories about prominent full-page ads protesting the what FFRF does with membership dues. FFRF in daily and online newspapers in pope’s address to Congress in September, Below is a summary of 2015 FFRF actions. 2015, plus more than 304 local and some and a two-page ad in the New York Times Last year was marked by the death of national TV news segments. Among staff on Bill of Rights Day (Dec. 15). FFRF’s principal founder, Anne Nicol Gay- appearances, FFRF Co-President Annie lor, age 88. Anne founded FFRF regionally Laurie Gaylor appeared on national “CBS $35,850 in student in 1976 (with the assistance of Annie Lau- This Morning” on Sept. 3, talking about the essay scholarships rie, then a college student, and Jon Sont- mass baptism of Georgia high school foot- arck, an elderly gentleman from Milwaukee ball players — which our complaint halted In 2015, the Wil- who died in 1977). She was asked to take for the future. She also appeared on Sean liam J. Schultz FFRF national in 1978. When Wisconsin Hannity on July 9, where it was famously Memorial Schol- State Journal’s Doug Erickson asked Anne four against one! You can Google these arship, for col- about FFRF’s “in your face” name, Anne shows, or read and watch media coverage lege-bound high replied: “I’ve never liked euphemisms. If daily at ffrf.org/news/media. school seniors, you have something to say, say it.” The FFRF generates own media. At the helped a record New York Times’ obituary heralded Anne year’s end, we said goodbye to Bill Dunn number of students. as “An atheist who saw religion as an op- as editor of Freethought Today, published Seniors picked from pressor of women and the cause of wars.” two topics, “Why I’m 10 times a year, and welcomed his col- Brian Bolton Anne was one of many valued mem- league, also a former staff member at The good without God” bers FFRF lost last year — including Ingrid Laas photo Capital Times newspaper, PJ Slinger. Bill or “Atheist/Nonbe- FFRF’s honorary director, Oliver Sacks, WWII veteran Joseph Cunningham stands will stay on part-time to continue to com- liever of color.” FFRF awarded top winners M.D. The brilliant author touchingly noted next to the Atheist in Foxholes monument pile Black Collar Crimes. in both categories for a total of 23 students in The New York Times op-ed announcing outside FFRF’s offices. Freethought Radio, a weekly radio and $17,950 in prizes. The college com- his terminal cancer: show and podcast, hosted by Dan Bark- petition, a memorial to Michael Hakeem, “My generation is on the way out, and FFRF hosted more than 400 freethink- er and Annie Laurie Gaylor, celebrated a sociology professor, awarded a total of each death I have felt as an abruption, a ers from around the country during its its 500th show in early December. In De- $9,250 in scholarships to 11 college stu- tearing away of part of myself. There will Grand Opening of the Freethought Hall cember, FFRF hit another landmark, be- dents. Lifetime Member Professor Brian be no one like us when we are gone. . . . expansion on Oct. 9, kicking off the an- ginning to broadcast from its own Stephen Bolton sponsors the graduate student es- When people die, they cannot be replaced. nual national convention in Madison, Wis. Uhl “Friendly Atheist” Studio. The radio say competition, which had eight winners They leave holes that cannot be filled. . . .” Brunch goodies and Champagne flowed show broadcasts originally in Madison, receiving a total of $8,650 in prizes. The past year saw completion and the in the beautiful 4th floor Charlie Brooks Wis., 92.1 FM., streaming on Saturdays Dorea and Dean Schramm provided grand opening of FFRF’s three-year build- Auditorium and music flowed too, with at 11 a.m. CST. All-time stats: Freethought each winning student who is a member ing expansion, attaching a five-story addi- Dan Barker entertaining on the Diane Uhl Radio has had 6.3 million podcast lis- of a secular student club (or FFRF) with a tion to our original pre-Civil War two-story Concert Grand Steinway piano. Mem- teners since 2006, and averages 13,000 $50-$100 bonus. building and topping that with a full-floor bers toured the just-completed Rose Zer- downloads per weekly show. (See wrap for library. We’re luxuriating not just in space, wick Memorial Garden and Courtyard other broadcast cities.) $32,000 awarded to 11 adding many much-needed modest-sized with members’ pavers, the Atheists in FFRF maintains a timely and detailed student activists offices and work areas, but in creating a Foxholes monument honoring freethink- website full of news, views, blogs, ar- showplace for freethought. (More details ing vets, the vestibule with memorial and chives, online versions of Freethought To- Ten thousand dol- on our “reborn” Freethought Hall below.) member tiles, the Anne Nicol Gaylor day, ads, films and photos. FFRF posted lars from the Cath- Also notable, FFRF won five lawsuits in Lobby with plaques naming our gener- and sent media 341 press releases and erine Fahringer 2015, ended more than 200 state/church ous major donors, the Brian Bolton Ex- 49 public action alerts (plus many unpub- Memorial Student entanglements through legal letters, and ecutive Wing and Patrick O’Reiley Ed- lished alerts to members in particular re- Activist Award was launched several necessary new lawsuits. itorial Wing (first floor), the Diane Uhl gions or states). awarded to four on- (More details in the legal section below.) Legal Wing, 2nd floor, the Harold Erick- New Freethought Now! blog. FFRF going, freethinking Here’s to an even feistier 2016, with son Public Relations Wing, the Joel B. posted 87 blogs this year, including 54 college students of your help, in our work for reason to prevail! Landon & Wanda Y. Beers Freethought “Freethought Now!” commentaries at our color with financial Library, and the Stephen Uhl “Friendly new blog site hosted by Patheos. FFRF’s Andrew Seidel photo need, in partnership Atheist” Studio – 3rd floor. The Lower blog is part of the Atheist Channel, which Jarvis Idowu with Black Skep- Level mailing area is named the Harry includes Hemant Mehta’s popular “Friend- tics of Los Angeles. Lonsdale“No Hell Below Us” Wing, and ly Atheist” blog. We thank Staff Attorney Awarded $2,500 each were: Mercedes the cupola with views of the Wisconsin Andrew Seidel for his initiative in sug- Hawkins, Zera Montemayor, Adrienne State Capitol is called the Kenneth Proulx gesting and setting this up. Access FFRF’s Parks and Therrin Wilson. “Above Us Only Sky.” FFRF also erect- blog at patheos.com/blogs/freethought- Three young high school students in ed the first-ever “atheist marquee,” an ed- now/. Analytics show that the blog is intro- New England who challenged their high ucational digital signboard. ducing a younger audience, 46% female, school’s Pledge of Allegiance each re- Csam Wheatley’s silicone sculpture of 54% male, logging more than 275,000 ceived $1,000: Gabriella Ferrell, the Allen Charles Darwin, a life-like, life-sized man- page views and generating a modest in- P. Wilkinson Student Activist Award; nequin, amazes visitors to the library, and come for FFRF. Lily San Giovanni, the Strong Backbone serves as a photo op. FFRF has 351,658 “friends” on Face- Student Activist Award (endowed by a book, and 37,154 followers on Twitter. New York member, age 81); and Morrigan Look for FFRF’s new TV show later this Turner, in memory of Tony Ross. Legal year, produced in the Stephen Uhl Friendly Intern Jarvis Idowu, who worked all three Ingrid Laas photo Atheist Studio! years of law school for FFRF, received FFRF Co-Presidents Dan Barker and Annie $1,000 from the Paul J. Gaylor Memori- Laurie Gaylor PR/educational al Scholarship. Ewan McCartney, grade 8, received the Minglin Zhang Student campaigns continue Award of $1,000 for sitting down for his FFRF reaches more TV advertising. rights (protesting the religious Pledge of than 23,000 members FFRF placed the ef- Allegiance) in Seattle. Benjamin Oyakawa fective Ron Reagan received the $1,000 Thomas Jefferson Welcome to the 2,000 new members TV commercial on Youth Activist Award (endowed by Len who have joined the Freedom From Re- CNN periodically in and Karen Eisenberg) for bravely speak- ligion Foundation last year. FFRF reached 2015 and ran Ron’s ing out against religious entanglements. 23,467 members in 2015. Thank you ad on the penulti- Three special teenagers each received to FFRF’s newest 236 Lifetime Mem- mate “Daily Show” the $5,000 Richard and Beverly Herm- bers, and several “After-Life” Members (a (Comedy Central). sen Student Activist Award for significant Ingrid Laas photo tongue-in-cheek category for those who All other major net- achievement. They include the student wish their membership to live after them). works have cen- Ron Reagan plaintiff in FFRF’s victorious challenge of Increased membership gives FFRF sored our ad. Appar- a Ten Commandments marker at a Penn- more clout as a national state/church ently, when the son of a former Republican sylvania school, and the student involved watchdog and the nation’s largest free- president comes out “unabashedly” as an in similar litigation in another Pennsylvania thought (atheist, agnostic, etc.) associa- atheist, “not afraid of burning in hell,” it’s school. Also receiving $5,000 was Thomas Jake Swenson photo tion. The best source of new members is too powerful a message! Sheedy, a New York teenager who fought other members — you! Please spread the Csam Wheatley shows off the incredibly Print advertising. FFRF is running his school for two years for the right to start life-like mannequin of Charles Darwin he word! a secular club. created. successful monthly one-third page ads in January / February 2016 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 15

FFRF creates • University of Florida added a Thomas Paine quote to a new building. Nonbelief Relief • Norfolk State University included a Nonbelief Relief, Inc., was newly in- secular message at its Founder’s Day corporated in mid-2015, with FFRF as its event. sole member. The board is made up of • Coral Springs and Deerfield Beach, Annie Laurie Gaylor, Dan Barker, Jim Zer- Fla., dropped invocations from city meet- wick, Stephen Hirtle and Lisa Strand as ings. secretary/treasurer. Nonbelief Relief seeks • Chanute Schools (Kansas) removed a to remediate conditions of human suffering Jesus painting from a public school. and injustice, whether the result of natural • “Bible Man” was ousted from Grundy disasters, human actions or adherence to County Schools, Tenn. religious dogma. It also seeks to provide FFRF’s legal team issued a “pray to assistance for individuals targeted for non- play” exposé condemning more than 25 belief, secular activism or blasphemy. Non- public universities for allowing football belief Relief additionally will be challenging coaches to impose their personal religion the IRS’s privileging of churches and their on players by hiring Christian chaplains. charities by seeking tax exemption without The report, released in August, involved Chris Line photo filing the annual Form 990 (although it will more than a year of work and research by FFRF current staff photographed by solstice displays at Wisconsin capitol post the form for the public). In 2015, Non- Staff Attorneys Andrew Seidel, Patrick belief Relief gave $74,500, including: Elliott and interns. lawsuit), then agreed to the displays. After Our staff of 17 is overseen by Lisa $20,000 to Doctors Without Borders FFRF’s banner was stolen (twice!), the city Strand, director of operations. We said after the Oct. 3 aerial bombing by the U.S. of Brookville, which owned the crèche, an- goodbye to longtime employee Katie military of the group’s hospital in Kunduz, nounced it will move it to private property Daniel and welcomed new bookkeeper Afghanistan, killing 22 people and injuring in the future. Eleanor McEntee. We also said goodbye 37. • Georgia. FFRF settled a federal law- to Charlotte Stein and Dayna Long and $10,000: Camp Quest scholarships to suit against Emanuel County Schools, welcomed as new director of “first impres- help needy students who could not other- which inflicted daily prayer and pressure sions” Lisa Treu and new assistant Alys- wise afford to attend 2016 camps. on FFRF’s kindergarten and first grade sa Schaefer. Our first graphic designer, $12,000: Occupy Madison Tiny Hous- plaintiffs. Emanuel teachers received ed- working part-time, is talented Jake Swen- es. For one “tiny house” for a homeless ucational training, the primary offending son. Takara Scott-Johnston and Bekki person who contributes “sweat equity,” in teachers no longer work in the district, and Huelsman provided part-time student sup- Madison, Wis. the Doe family was financially compensat- port. Cheryl Becker and Stephanie Mori- $10,000 pledge to the city of Madison, ed. tz came out of library retirement to oversee contingent on city approval of a proposal to New litigation filed: Florida: Working cataloging of the new library. put permanent lockers for the homeless in with Americans United, ACLU and ACLU Legal staffing. Joining FFRF’s five or near downtown. of Florida, FFRF filed suit in July against staff attorneys (Rebecca Markert, Pat- $2,500: Second Harvest Foodbank of the Brevard County Board of County Com- rick Elliott, Andrew Seidel, Liz Cavell Southern Wisconsin. missioners, for rejecting atheists, human- and Sam Grover) in handling legal com- ists and nontheists from delivering open- plaints over state/church entanglements in $20,000: World Food Program USA, The cover of FFRF’s ‘Pray to Play’ report. designated for Syrian relief. ing messages at governmental meetings. 2015 is super-capable Calli Miller. FFRF Indiana: FFRF, the ACLU and the ACLU debuted FFRF’s first legal followships: the FFRF’s legal FFRF 2015 lawsuit victories! of Indiana filed suit in October to halt an Diane Uhl Legal Fellowship, filled by new annual live nativity enactment at Concord attorney Ryan Jayne (a spring 2015 legal accomplishments – 2015 • Michigan. FFRF and member plaintiff High School in Elkhart, Ind., with a parent extern from Lewis and Clark Law School) Douglas Marshall (named FFRF’s 2015 FFRF logged just under 5,000 requests and student plaintiffs. FFRF won a prelim- and the Cornelius Vanderbroek Legal Freethinker of the Year) won our chal- for help to end state/church violations from inary injunction to halt the live nativity and Fellowship, filled by Maddy Ziegler, a lenge in Warren, Mich., taken with Amer- the public! (All complainants received ed- the case proceeds. New Jersey: FFRF UW-Madison law school grad who’s also icans United and the ACLU of Michigan. A ucational responses.) FFRF’s five staff and its member David Steketee filed suit worked as legal publicist. Katherine Paige federal district court approved a settlement attorneys, with intern help, sent out 1,186 in December against Morris County in completed her legal fellowship, funded by requiring the city to give Doug equal ac- formal complaint letters to public officials state court over egregious public funding William & Mary Law School. cess to city hall. His “reason station” now in 2015, achieving a whopping 241 total of church repairs. Other interns and externs: Jarvis Id- balances a longstanding church “prayer victories (with more to come). That total owu (University of Wisconsin-Madison station” in the city atrium. doesn’t include follow-up letters, open re- Outreach – Campus and Law School); Liana Kapeke-Dale, Chris • Florida. FFRF, our Central Flori- cords requests, or mass mailings, such as Line, Neal Fitzgerald, (both UW-Mad- da Freethought Community chapter and freethought events 420 letters to Wisconsin superintendents ison), Seth Wrinkle (Lewis and Clark plaintiff David Williamson won the right to regarding vouchers. FFRF staff made 43 appearances. Law School in Oregon). Two undergrads unfettered distribution of freethought liter- Top 10 states (with the most state/ Co-President Dan Barker spoke at 29 interns: Bekki Huelsman, UW-Madison, ature to balance a bible table in Orange church violations): 1. Texas 2. Florida events in 16 states, including 4 debates, and Adam Grudman, University of Mary- County (Fla.) public schools. The school 3. Alabama 4. Illinois 5. Wisconsin 6. Mis- 7 FFRF chapter events (Northern Ohio, land. board adopted an even-handed policy, souri 7. Oklahoma 8. Ohio 9. California 10. Sacramento, Denver, Albuquerque, twice Volunteers. FFRF thanks student es- then closed the forum altogether! Georgia in Chicago and Duluth), several local or say readers Jeff Brinkman, Tom Brock, • Pennsylvania. Top 10 issue areas: 1. Violations in regional meetings, such as CFI Indianap- Chuck Hoornstra, Dan Kettner, Bob In August, U.S. Dis- public schools. 2. In God We Trust. 3. Mis- olis, Ethical Humanist Society in Skokie, Ramsdell, Linda Josheff, Sue Schuetz, trict Judge Terrence cellaneous. 4. Religious Displays 5. Nativ- N.J. Humanists, and at 7 college campus- Anita Weier (all Madison, Wis., area). McVerry found in ities 6. Crosses 7. Funding 8. Government es. He addressed 5 conferences, includ- Sue and Linda, who are sisters, also help our favor against a Prayer 9. Legislation 10. Legislative Prayer ing in Cologne, Germany, with Co-Pres- with office work, as does versatile Board Ten Commandments FFRF had 180 school victories, includ- ident Annie Laurie Gaylor. She had six Member Todd Peissig, who volunteers a monument at a junior ing halting: prayer or praying faculty in 40 other events: Texas Secular Convention, day every six weeks. Convention volun- high in Connellsville public school; school board prayer in 5 campuses in Portland (co-sponsored by teers were Eric Lawrence, Jessica Kop- Area School District. districts; 12 bible distributions on school FFRF’s chapter), Northern Illinois Univer- ish and Beth Taylor. On Oct. 9, the mon- grounds plus removing 22 religious dis- sity, and Georgetown, and spoke to Ameri- ument was removed Banished to private plays from public schools. cans United chapter, Rochester, N.Y. from public school property FFRF removed 5 crosses from public FFRF Staff Attorney Rebecca Mark- property, ending the property; 7 other religious displays from ert spoke at the Orange County (Calif.) 3-year-old suit. A twin challenge in New public property (including “Jesus Loves Freethought Alliance. Staff Attorneys Kensington, Pa., in which the same judge You” sign in Hawkins, Texas). Sam Grover and Maddy Ziegler pre- ruled a parent and high school student Five victories stopped public funding sented at the Secular Student Alliance’s lacked standing to challenge a decalog in of religion (including city sponsorship of annual Cleveland conference. Sam spoke front of the high school, is on appeal. Ingrid Laas photos a Gospel Fest in Jonesboro, Ga., and re- at the Southwest Secular Student Confer- • Indiana. FFRF, with the ACLU of Indi- Taslima Nasrin Ernie Chambers scinding of a $3,000 grant from Covington ence in Claremont, Calif. Staff Attorney ana and two local plaintiffs, sued Franklin County, Ala., to a Baptist ministry). Patrick Elliott spoke, along with Staff County over a nativity scene at its court- 39th convention in Pittsburgh Among notable victories: Attorney Andrew Seidel, at Freethought house in Brookville. The county opened it • Portland schools stopped school Festival 4. Andrew, with Dan, appeared at FFRF’s 38th annual national conven- up as a public forum, then refused FFRF’s concerts at the Grotto (Roman Catholic) Freethought Florida Conference. Andrew tion in Madison, Wis., attracted about 600 solstice displays (necessitating a second shrine. spoke to a University of Arkansas student participants from 39 states (plus the Dis- club. trict of Columbia), Australia, Canada and Chapters: FFRF has 20 current chap- Uganda in October. Notably, we had a first, ters run by hardworking volunteers. Look as Madison Mayor Paul Soglin welcomed for one in your area: us. Notable activists, authors and “un- ffrf.org/about/ffrf-chapters abashed atheists” and freethinkers spoke, including “Emperor Has No Clothes” hon- 2015 Office/Staff/Board orees Nebraska State Sen. Ernie Cham- bers and “woman without a country” Tasli- FFRF’s Executive Board of Directors ma Nasrin, under a death fatwa from “holy are: Dan Barker (co-president, half a vote), men” in Bangladesh. Jim Bredeson, secretary; Pat Cleveland, Mark your calendar now for the 39th director at large; Joseph Cunningham, annual FFRF convention at the Wynd- director at large; Annie Laurie Gaylor ham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown Ho- (co-president, half a vote), Stephen Hir- tel, Pittsburgh, Pa., the weekend of Oct. tle, chair, Todd Peissig, director at large, 7-9, 2016. There’s an option pre-conven- Steve Salemson, treasurer, James Zer- tion side trip to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fall- Lauryn Seering photo wick, director at large, and Mike Cermak, ingwater. More details will follow. FFRF attorneys Sam Grover, Liz Cavell, Rebecca Markert, Patrick Elliott, and Andrew Seidel director at large. Page 16 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin January / February 2016

In the news Christians have the Wheaton prof most abortions suspended over Despite strong anti-abortion stanc- comments es, many U.S. churches have very little Larycia Hawkins, a political science influence on women who are seeking professor at the Christian Wheaton abortions, according to a recent survey. College in Illinois, has been suspended A survey done by LifeWay, a Chris- after asserting that the Christian god tian research group, shows that 70% of and the god of Islam are the same. The women who had abortions indicated Christian professor also wore a Muslim their religious preference is Christian, head covering “during the weeks be- including 25% who are Catholic. fore Christmas in solidarity with Mus- According to the survey, 76% of the lims facing religious discrimination,” 1,038 women surveyed said the church reported The New York Times. had no bearing on their decision. Hawkins wrote on her Facebook Only 7% discussed their abortion deci- page: “I stand in religious solidarity sion with someone at church. with Muslims because they, like me, a Other findings: Nearly two-thirds Christian, are people of the book. And (65%) say church members judge sin- as Pope Francis stated last week, we gle women who are pregnant. worship the same God.” A majority (54%) think churches On Dec. 16, the college sent out a oversimplify decisions about pregnan- press release explaining that Hawkins cy options. had been placed on administrative Only 41% believe churches are pre- leave. Wheaton President Philip G. pared to help with decisions about un- The commission, which included Mayor Michael Nutter, taxpayers of Ryken said that it was Hawkins’ words, wanted pregnancies. leading religious leaders from many all backgrounds in Philadelphia are not dress or appearance, which caused Only 30% think churches give accu- faiths, decided in its report that faith on the hook for the pope’s visit. Most the suspension. rate advice about pregnancy options. schools are “socially divisive” and that of the money went for police and fire “Some recent faculty statements selection of kids based on their beliefs protection. have generated confusion about com- Mayor swears by should be ended. Staks Roach writes in skepticink. plex theological matters, and could be The report was quickly denounced com, “It isn’t like the Vatican doesn’t interpreted as failing to reflect the dis- Constitution, not bible by the Church of England, which have the money. They could and tinctively Christian theological identity After being reelected as mayor of said the report was “hijacked by hu- should easily pay the $17 million. Do of Wheaton College,” the press release Franklin, N.C., Bob Scott opted to get manists.” Cabinet ministers also con- you know what isn’t good for families? stated. sworn in on a copy of the U.S. Consti- demned the report, saying it is “seri- Forcing the City to pay for their Pope tution, rather than on the bible, like he ously misguided.” out of the pockets of public education. had done when he was first elected to The report notes the decline in The truth is that the World Meeting the office. Christian affiliation, now around 40%, of Families doesn’t give a damn about It pays to complain “I’ve thought about it for a long the increase in the number of people children or families. They just care time,” Scott told WLOS News in Ashe- with non-religious beliefs and identi- about pushing the Catholic religion. It ville. “But I was talking to [Franklin ties, and the increase in the number of is bad enough that they don’t have to A letter to the director of the Buf- town manager] Summer the other day people of non-Christian affiliation. actually pay taxes, but now they are tak- falo Veterans Medical Center in New and said I’m thinking about taking ing our taxes away from the City and York by an FFRF member has result- this oath on the Constitution. I real- Banning of book families who need it. It is immoral, ille- ed in the removal of a bible and reli- ized we are taking an oath to defend gal, and unconstitutional.” gious-themed poster in a glass-encased the Constitution, pure and simple, and reading backfires display in the main entrance of the those are the laws of the land. And if The conservative Liberty Counsel Death sentence facility. I’m gonna give an oath, that’s what I’m law firm forced the Mount Horeb Area “As a veteran who served eight years giving an oath to. It had nothing to do School District in Wisconsin to cancel overturned of active duty with two honorable dis- with religion — for or against — just a reading and discussion of a book After a prosecutor in a murder tri- charges and several commendations, swearing to protect and defend the about a teen’s gender transition. al quoted the bible to make the case and who has been an atheist since the Constitution.” In November, the Liberty Coun- for the death penalty, a judge recently age of 16, I was deeply offended,” the sel had threatened to sue the district, overturned a 1992 sentence, accord- member, who wishes to remain anon- Zuism makes claiming the event would violate par- ing to a Dec. 8 report in the San Diego ymous, wrote to FFRF. “I realized I ents’ constitutional right “to direct the Union-Tribune. needed to take responsibility [for writ- comeback in Iceland upbringing of their children.” In December, U.S. District Judge ing a letter], since it was I who was most Nearly 1% of Iceland’s population The reading was initially set to Jeffrey Miller said the references and directly affected by this egregious mis- now considers themselves Zuists, a re- take place at an elementary school, quotes of biblical law were used so use of government speech.” ligion that worships ancient Sumerian which has a student who identifies as a much by Deputy District Attorney The complainant says the display gods, according to The Guardian. trans girl. The reading of “I Am Jazz,” James Koerber that it affected the out- was “odd-looking” and included a small But it’s not necessarily the Sumerian co-written by trans teen Jazz Jennings, come of the trial of Rudolph Roybal. dining table with white tablecloth, on gods who are getting the attention, but was intended to educate students. Roybal was originally sentenced to which several items were placed, in- rather a promised tax rebate. But then in early December, a stu- death in 1992 for the killing of neigh- cluding a bible. Behind the table was In the past month, more than 3,100 dent-led group did an early-morning bor Yvonne Weden. a poster on the wall explaining what Icelanders have protested paying part reading of the book outside the high During closing arguments, Koerber each item meant, claiming that the bi- of their taxes to the state church by school, where about 200 people were told jurors: “There is another book, ble “represents faith in a Higher Power becoming Zuists. They will be refund- in attendance. That was followed that written long ago, that mentions the and pledge to our country, founded as ed the taxes earmarked for religion, night by a reading at the public library, crime of murder, and mentions what is one Nation under God.” which is about $80 per person per year. where 600 people showed up. The the appropriate penalty for the crime After sending the letter to the hos- Those who register as Zuists will then following Monday, the Mount Horeb of murder, and that book says a couple pital director, he was surprised at the be unregistered from the National School Board unanimously approved of different things. It says, ‘Thou shalt quick results. “Well, after checking in Church of Iceland, and will get the re- new rules to accommodate transgen- not steal.’ It says, ‘Thou shalt not kill.’ at the hospital today, I am very pleased fund of their “parish fees.” der students. Two attorneys represent- And it says ‘And if he smite with an in- to report that the bible is now gone “Zuists would like to abolish gov- ing FFRF spoke before the vote. strument of iron so that he die, he is and the poster has been rewritten to ernment funding to religious organi- a murderer. The murderer shall surely exclude all references to God and zations in the form of parish fees and Pope’s visit cost be put to death.’” religion!” believe that the ‘state should stop gath- “It’s an appeal to an authority or oth- ering data on the personal religious Philly $8 million er evidence that shouldn’t be consid- beliefs of Icelanders,’ ” the Iceland The city of Philadelphia spent $17 ered by the jury,” said Alex Simpson, a Monitor reports. million on the visit of Pope Francis in professor at California Western School September, but has only sent a bill to of Law. “In reality, the only thing a jury What Is a Freethinker? UK: Get Christianity the World Meeting of Families seeking should do is consider what are the facts about $9 million, according to the Al- and how do the facts inform my deci- freethinker n. out of public lentown Morning Call. That means the sion to vote one way or the other.” 1 A person who forms opinions With almost half of the United King- city is on the hook for about $8 million The ruling means Roybal can be about religion on the basis of rea- dom population now identifying as for the visit of the head of the Catholic granted a new penalty phase trial or be son, independently of tradition, non-religious, a commission calls for Church. resentenced to life without possibility authority, or established belief. Christianity to be removed from the While no money was directly tied of parole. public sphere. to religious activities, according to January / February 2016 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 17

2015 Brian Bolton Graduate or ‘Older’ College Essay Contest winners FFRF awards $8,650 to student essayists

FFRF congratulates the eight grad- Arizona State University ($3,000) Honorable mentions and the use of reason in evaluating re- uate or “older” (ages 25-30) college Second place: Benjamin Schwartz, ligious claims.” students who won last year’s essay 24, Columbia University ($2,000) ($200) each: The competition is generously en- competition. FFRF has offered essay Third place: Alex Flitter, 26, Rut- Sara Rose, 26, Oregon State dowed by Brian Bolton, a Lifetime competitions to college students since gers University ($1,000) University Member who is a retired psychologist, 1979, high school students since 1994 Fourth place: Emilee Prado, 26, Samuel David Capps, 29, Cornell humanist minister and professor emer- and graduate students since 2010. University of Denver ($750) University itus at the University of Arkansas. Students were asked to write 750 to Fifth place: Peter D.A. Wood, 27, “Our scholarships for students are FFRF also thanks Dean and Dorea 950 words on the topic of “Religion Florida State University ($500) FFRF’s investment in the future of Schramm of Florida for providing a and violence: What is to blame for re- Sixth place: Tara Clifford, 30, Mary- freethought,” said Co-President Annie $100 bonus to students who are mem- ligious terrorism?” Recipients, scholar- wood University ($400) Laurie Gaylor. “There are thousands of bers of a secular student club or the ship amounts and schools are: scholarships rewarding orthodoxy and Secular Student Alliance. The total of First place: Candace Kotulski, 30, hardly any rewarding critical thinking $8,650 reflects bonuses. First place: Brian Bolton graduate student college essay contest The role of religion in terrorism

FFRF awarded Candace $3,000. God. A verse such as “Give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, All it takes is a spark By Candace Kotulski but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to to ignite the fire do what is right for the glory of God” that religion has (Romans 6:13) is saying that a person The motivation behind religious must completely surrender their will carefully cultivated. terrorism is complex, rooted in the to God because they owe him for the psyche of the individual and the soci- “new life” they enjoy. This creates an ety they are born into. In America, we entire population of people who are this planet is something fleeting and find it comforting to acquit religion groomed from a young age to submit insignificant in the grand scheme of a as a potential source of such violence unquestioningly to a religious leader promised blissful eternity. This person and death. We whitewash the contents chosen by “God.” All that is needed is is a tinder box. All it takes is a spark to of holy books and their history to fit a charismatic leader to take the wheel ignite the fire that religion has careful- our concept of religion as peaceful and transform that group from average ly cultivated. and positive at best, harmless at worst. people to terrorists convinced of their From a massive strike like that of We attribute religious terrorism to the divine mandate to kill. Sept. 11, 2001, to an abortion doctor twisted minds of lunatics. One of the staples of Judeo-Chris- who is gunned down outside his or her But there is no force in the world Candace Kotulski tian religion is that it holds a unique office, the act of violence may be the as potent as religion in the minds of truth that no other religion or belief choice of the individual, but the pre- its followers. From the passages that This tribal mentality served us well in system can hold. There are no con- disposition and justification for it ema- condone slavery and genocide to the our evolutionary past, but the vestiges cessions for other worldviews or even nate directly from religion. social norms created in churches and of it are seen in the fierce loyalty peo- other versions of the same belief sys- temples worldwide, the very fabric of ple feel toward the groups they associ- tem. This stance of holding a mental “I am a 30-year-old student at Arizona religion is woven to encourage atroci- ate with and the hostility they express monopoly on “truth” and being threat- State University about to graduate with ties in its name. toward opposing groups. ened by any contradictory idea results a B.A. in psychology. I belong to the local Despite the American view of reli- Though the Christian bible lists in devotees who do not understand chapter of the Secular Student Alliance. I gion as loving and peaceful, there are several out-groups, the group with the concepts outside of their own belief currently live in Cottonwood, Ariz., but I many passages contained in the texts of most mandates for violence are nonbe- system and actively fight against any- was born on Sept. 26, 1984, in Alabama. the Judeo-Christian religions that call lievers and followers of other religions. thing foreign to them. I am fascinated by the psychology and so- for the destruction of all other belief This is seen in blatant calls for vio- These facets of modern religion ciology of religion and I hope to investigate systems. Referring to a town of foreign- lence, but it is also present in the sto- coalesce into an environment in the roots and appeal of religion as a social ers with different beliefs, a verse such ries and parables peppering the text. which religious terrorism flourishes. institution. I would also like to investigate as Deut. 13:13-19 NLT states that “you Stories such as that of Noah contain an A person raised in this environment is the psychology of religious leaders, particu- must attack that town and completely underlying theme that those who do taught from birth that the out-group larly those who lead violent religious groups, destroy all its inhabitants, as well as all not serve God are deserving of death. deserves torture and death and there is as well as the psychology of their followers. the livestock.” This passage, and many This binary and simplistic worldview divine justification for punishing evil. Understanding the roots of these movements others like it, shows that Judeo-Chris- easily dehumanizes and demonizes en- Throughout their lives, knowledge is will assist psychologists in helping those who tian holy books directly order the dec- tire groups of people. denigrated as wicked and blind faith are attempting to disentangle themselves imation of those who do not follow Central to Judeo-Christian religions is encouraged. They believe life on from such groups.” their particular deity. Even Jesus states, is the notion that our lives are followed in Matthew 10:34, “Do not suppose by another life, one that is pleasant that I have come to bring peace to the for the in-group and full of pain and earth. I did not come to bring peace, misery for the out-group. This preys on Tune in to but a sword.” people’s fear of death and causes the Directives to kill the nonbelievers believer to strive toward attaining their FREETHOUGHT RADIO are powerful, but the psychological as- admission into the nirvana of the after- pects of religion hold the key to under- life, regardless of cost. Your weekly antidote to the religious right standing the foundations of religious If the purpose of this life is to please terrorism. For many, indoctrination a deity in order to secure a place among BROADCASTS AND STREAMS into a religion begins at a young age, the privileged few, it is meaningless for SATURDAYS AT 11 A.M. CENTRAL when the person is incapable of dis- the nonbeliever and useful only in a tinguishing fact from fiction or think- utilitarian sense for the believer. Thus, PROGRESSIVE TALK THE MIC 92.1 FM | MADISON, WI ing in a logical and analytical man- the ending of this life is significant only AND OVER SEVERAL OTHER STATIONS ner. Children are regaled with stories as the transformation from the human of their deity designed to instill awe world to the ethereal world of the di- ITUNES OR PODCASTS ARCHIVED AT and terror in order to ensure obedi- vine. Rather than being a solemn and FFRF.ORG/NEWS/RADIO ence. Stories such as Noah and Jonah final act, death becomes trivialized and provide a framework of cognition de- ending it becomes far more palatable. PRODUCED BY THE FREEDOM FROM RELIGION FOUNDATION signed to discourage dissension. HOSTED BY DAN BARKER AND ANNIE LAURIE GAYLOR Religion exploits the human ten- Unquestioning submission dency toward in-group/out-group The power in religion to fuel ter- mentality. We prefer to think of the rorism lies largely in its message that Slightly irreverent views, news, music and interviews world in terms of “us” and “them.” people are merely an instrument of Page 18 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin January / February 2016

Second place: Graduate student college essay contest Nothing to fear but faith itself

FFRF awarded Benjamin $2,000. his own. Though we most often think of re- It should come as no By Benjamin Schwartz ligious violence in terms of bombings and shootings, most of the violence surprise that zealots done by religion takes the form of are willing to kill other unseen crimes that depend upon the Whenever religious terrorists perpetrator’s position of authority in people’s children make headlines, commentators per- regard to the victim. It is fitting that because of a perceived form all manner of mental gymnastics the fundamental figure in Western to assure us that the violence is aber- religion is a would-be child murderer, imperative from their rational, completely divorced from considering the pervasive nature of the belief system that its propagators crimes against children within Abra- God when “mainstream” would argue not only condoned their hamic faiths. people of faith celebrate acts of murder, but commanded them. Unlike suicide bombers, child rap- Scholars such as Jessica Stern and Ari- ists do not argue that there is an explic- Abraham for the only el Glucklich echo President Obama’s it justification for their actions within thing that could be more claim that violence indicates a “per- their holy text — yet faith is no less to version” of its culprit’s faith. Violence, blame. It is faith in the rectitude of the monstrous: a willingness however, is no perversion of faith — clergy cultivated in children from birth nor does it stem from one faith in par- Benjamin Schwartz that puts them in danger. to kill his own. ticular. (Those on the far right who Likewise it is adults’ faith that decry Islam as a religion of violence ig- In fact, quite far from being decried spreading the pronouncements of an nore the prolific, bloodthirsty legacy of or even questioned, faith is the most imaginary God is more important than can possibly understand or analyze. Christians, Jews, Hindus, etc., from the valorized virtue within almost every re- the very real lives of victims that creates The violence and terror spawned by Spanish Inquisition to Baruch Gold- ligious doctrine. In the fundamental the pervasive, systematized cover-ups religion — whether by that we mean stein.) Rather, history teaches us that texts of monotheism, it is absolute feal- that occur all over the world. Multiple suicide attacks, systematized cover-ups violence is a direct result and unavoid- ty to the deity’s whims that makes one times, religious leaders were willing to of abuse, or simply the mental anguish able consequence of the most unpar- the most moral, worthy and, ultimate- defend colleagues accused of rape even of holding dusty tautologies to be truer donable, amoral, inextricable aspect of ly, successful. Look no further than after those accusations were made pub- than what our own logical and emo- religion: faith itself. Abraham, the fundamental figure of lic. “That’s not our job to judge,” says tional capacities lead us to believe — This argument is hugely inflamma- Judaism, Christianity and Islam, three one Protestant reverend, stoically. “It’s will continue until faith, and, with it, tory to most religious adherents (“peo- faiths that today count nearly 4 billion the Lord’s job.” Or, to put it even more religion itself, is a point of embarrass- ple of faith”), yet it should come as no followers between them, who is blessed bluntly, as Cardinal Roger Mahoney of ment in our society, not one of pride. surprise. When we expand our scope beyond all others in large part because Los Angeles wrote when discussing his from religious violence to the history of his willingness to kill his only son on decision not to expose a rapist priest, “I was born in Fairfield, Conn., the son of mass acts of evil more broadly, faith the vague orders of an unseen voice. “We could open up yet another fire of a deeply devout Catholic mother and a in the infallibility of a heroic individ- According to the biblical passage, storm — and it takes us years to recov- Jewish father. I graduated from Brown Uni- ual or political system is constantly at Abraham’s virtue resides in his “fear” er from those.” versity with a degree in American Studies, the root of systemic violence. (Often of the Lord, which outweighs his “love” Religious violence will end when we which I decided to put to proper use as a this faith is likened to a “cult” of per- of his son (Genesis 22: 1-12). This hei- cease to valorize “faith,” and instead teacher in a new middle school in the sonality, which derives from the Latin nous moral logic can be reflected today recognize it as an abjection of our Bridgeport, Conn., school district. I am in word for “worship.”) Within such re- in the hierarchical nature of the three most meaningful and most beautifully a master’s degree program in English and gimes, every utterance and piece of monotheistic faiths, which demand human functions: the ability to reason, comparative literature at Columbia Uni- pageantry consciously reinforces the their followers supersede their own empathize, and ultimately decide on versity in New York. I expect to finish my belief that the state contains the single desire, will and logical faculties to the matters of right and wrong, just and degree in May 2016 and hope to return to correct answer to all questions of com- impregnable pronouncements of the unjust, true and false, for ourselves. the field of education before eventually going portment, morality and law, and thus Lord no matter how horrific they may Faith’s demand that we subvert our on to pursue my Ph.D. I hope to continue that any action committed by the state be. It should come as no surprise that own faculties to the dictums of flawed to use my voice to vociferously protest with is by definition justifiable. This abso- zealots are willing to kill other people’s humans or imaginary deities is the ul- every ounce of my being the forces of igno- lutist “faith” is decried in the context children because of a perceived im- timate form of religious violence: The rance, repression and bigotry in American of secular leaders and political regimes perative from their God when “main- schism between the observable uni- life, particularly those voices who attempt to — especially those that commit acts of stream” people of faith celebrate Abra- verse and the dogma that must be ac- hide behind the cloak of faith.” violence — but vehemently defended ham for the only thing that could be cepted unerringly on faith causes pain when it comes in the guise of religion. more monstrous: a willingness to kill and anguish more frequently than we Third place: Graduate student college essay contest What could possibly be the cause of religious terrorism?

FFRF awarded Alex $1,000. ferences in opinions that people have, rationale, if not for the fact that, when and that Marx was actually calling for interviewed, terrorists or supporters of By Alex Flitter more understanding among people terrorism directly quote their religious when he called for a classless society. texts to back up their noxious beliefs. Now, these allegorical Communists In his first statement offering ra- could possibly be more in touch with tionale for why he planted bombs in Let’s say I’m a Communist. But reality than I am. And they could very the Atlanta Centennial Olympic Park, not just a Communist, a devout and well be better people. But simply put, Christian terrorist Eric Rudolph quot- reverent Communist. Reading the I would be the more faithful Commu- ed a passage from the bible (Psalms Communist Manifesto daily brings re- nist. If I were to commit an unspeak- 144:1). When ISIS distributed a pam- lief, peace and direction to my life. I able act to advance the aims of com- phlet describing the proper protocol believe in the book so much that I take munism, would it be realistic to say that for how to treat children and women as every word literally. Moreover, I live my “people are responsible for violence slaves, they offered a direct quote from life trying my best to emulate the words and terrorism” and not the ideology the Quran (23: 5-6). When leader of and actions of Marx. that inspired me? (Just for the record, al-Qaeda Ayman al-Zawahiri released Now let’s say there are other people Mr. Senator, I’m not a Communist.) his classic page-turner “Jihad, Martyr- who call themselves Communists, but I understand why President Obama Alex Flitter dom and the Killing of Innocents,” he they have a much more allegorical take said, regarding ISIS, that “no religion directly quotes passages from the Sun- on the Communist Manifesto. They is responsible for terrorism. People being intentionally myopic. To hear nah and Haddith to justify martyrdom preach that Marx didn’t mean that an are responsible for violence and ter- the president and many others tell the and the murder of innocents. actual revolution was necessary, but rorism,” and I recognize that he needs story of religious terrorism, it’s that This seems to cause cognitive dis- rather a revolution within ourselves. very religious countries to take the lead terrorists use the guise of religion to sonance among the majority of the That the bourgeoisie and the proletar- on combating ISIS. But understanding promote their nonreligious hate and religious that don’t commit atrocities. iat were simply metaphors for the dif- his rationale doesn’t mean he’s not destruction. I suppose I could buy that Continued on the next page January / February 2016 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 19

Fourth place: Graduate student college essay contest The fundamental link between religion and violence

FFRF awarded Emily $750. people in God’s name. According to the God in the bible, these people Extremists may not By Emilee Prado were not innocent; they were wicked sinners who deserved the consequence represent the majority of death. However, a secular look at the of those who share their story of the flood reveals someone who Some people argue that religion slaughtered humans as a castigation religion, but they often cannot be held responsible for violence for not aligning themselves with his directly follow Allah in its name. However, I believe that vi- beliefs. It also perhaps counters Presi- olence is fundamentally linked to both dent Obama’s argument that “no god or God’s example on Islam and Christianity. Of course, reli- condones the killing of innocents.” gious violence is not confined to these Although later God promised never to how to punish those religions but, for lucidity and brevity, flood the earth again, what he did was who do not share in this essay will limit its scope. seen by him and his followers as a righ- Today, perhaps the most recognized teous act. their religious beliefs. religious terrorism comes from the Emilee Prado Killing to overcome wrongful per- Middle East in the form of a group secution in the Quran and killing as a called the Islamic State in Iraq and Syr- drive them out from where they drove punishment for wicked ways in the bi- cated meshwork. Perhaps then, in an ia (ISIS). ISIS follows the teachings of you out. (For though killing is sinful) ble are two instances of virtuous mur- effort to thwart religions terrorism, Islam and supports terrorism as a way wrongful persecution is even worse der. Respectively, these are the very we can preach non-exclusive religion. of achieving its religious goals. Another than killing . . .” (Surah 2.191). Justice same precedents that are at the core of Both Islam and Christianity present a example of a radical terrorist group is and retribution of past injustices are both ISIS and The Army of God. Be- “them” who oppose an “us.” This can The Army of God. This group is made at the heart of this passage. The radi- lieving wrongful persecution is worse be changed by deconstructing these up of Christians who support acts of cal group ISIS takes Allah’s directions than killing, followers of ISIS have no boundaries and emphasizing universal terrorism on those who are not aligned literally and it kills as punishment for qualms about committing terrorist at- tolerance. We should recognize that, with their beliefs. Labeled “extremist,” prior wrongful persecution. People tacks if they are doing it for these rea- taken as a whole, both Islam and Chris- these two groups are often thought not who do not directly oppose Islam can sons. Similarly, The Army of God seeks tianity are flawed and we should accept to represent their religions as a whole. be seen as innocent bystanders in the to punish the wicked, as God com- them as such. Moreover, if we extract However, it is clear that although they eyes of many outside ISIS. However, mands, by sanctioning the murders of the positive messages of love and peace are radicalized in their beliefs, all this group largely follows the “If you’re abortionists. Both of these extremist from these religions, those who seek it forms of religious terrorism, as the not with us, you’re against us” manner organizations therefore embody the can have a spiritual basis that is not term suggests, have underpinnings in of thinking. Although this is a logical violent acts of Allah or God. Extremists overseen by a religious figure whom religion and cannot be separated from fallacy, it is a common human point of may not represent the majority of those both tolerates and commands violence. it. Religious terrorists are extremists view to see life in these terms. More- who share their religion, but they often who share the same foundations with over, this method of exacting justice is directly follow Allah or God’s example Emilee was born in Littleton, Colo. and others of their religion while taking at the heart of the Quran and proves on how to punish those who do not is 25 years old. She received a bachelor’s de- Islam or Christianity to its plausible to be a direct tie between violence and share in their religious beliefs. gree in Film Studies from the University of extents. Despite concurrent messages religion. Teachings of peace and non-vio- Colorado at Boulder in 2013. Emilee is in of peace, violence is an intrinsic part According to the bible, thousands lence are also found in the funda- her first year of graduate school at the Uni- of these religions, and can only be of years ago, God destroyed nearly all mentals of Islam and Christianity. versity of Denver where she will be working stopped by emphasizing universal tol- human life on the planet as a punish- When there are clear calls to violence toward an MFA in creative writing. She is erance among religions. ment for failure to heed him as a di- through commands and examples, expecting to graduate in the spring of 2017 It is important to look at examples vine being (Genesis 6-9). In the story alongside clear calls to peace, it is up and hopes to use her degree to help further from the Quran and the bible in or- of Noah’s flood, God himself commits to the individual which path to follow. her career as a writer and a novelist. Emilee der to investigate how violence and violent acts and commands destruc- Pacifists choose one way and religious is a member of the Secular Student Alliance religion are connected. It is clear how tion. As one of the oldest stories in terrorists choose another. and believes that creativity and freedom of religious terrorists are not “perverting” Western religion, the flood provides After seeing how deeply rooted vi- personal expression are essentials to all hu- their religion, but rather embodying an intrinsic connection between reli- olence is within Islam and Christiani- man life. it. A passage in the Quran reads, “Kill gion and violence, a demand for jus- ty, it becomes clear that violence and them whenever you confront them and tice, and a direct killing of innocent religion are intertwined in a compli-

peaceful religious passages to suit their point where we have hundreds of thou- Alex Flitter essay abhorrent objectives. They are reading “Religious scripture sands of bad eggs in just the past few Continued from the previous page the hateful passages word for word and decades. It’s time for those who only They are unable to reconcile how disregarding common sense and com- is often a veritable praise the good religion brings while books that bring them joy and peace mon decency because they believe that ‘choose your own willfully ignoring the bad eggs to final- could drive many to kill. But one read- it is the literal word of God. ly admit that there’s something wrong through of any of the central religious It may come as a surprise after this adventure’ book.” with the chicken. texts makes it clear how such a discrep- little diatribe that I really don’t hate re- ancy can arise. ligion. I’m not so petty as to ignore the “I am 26 years old and my hometown This is because the holy books of the positive actions that have been done in belong in the 8th century, let alone the is Cherry Hill, N.J. In 2012, I graduated major Western religions are remark- the name of religion. I don’t overlook 21st century. But some aren’t. magna cum laude from Rutgers University ably bipolar, interspersed with count- the money amassed and the hours vol- It’s gotten to a point where after with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. I am less messages of both love and hate at unteered for worthwhile causes that every violent act perpetrated by a re- now attending Rutgers University to earn a a rapid pace. The very same book of were inspired by faith. I’m also willing ligious terrorist, we go into “No True Master’s degree in psychology with an an- the New Testament calls for gay men to to acknowledge that, thankfully, reli- Scotsman” mode, in which we wish ticipated graduation date of May 2016. I be punished (Romans 1:27) and then gious terrorists consist of only a small away the culpability of religion by con- have various interests in the field of psychol- later encourages one to live peacefully fraction of those who follow their reli- vincing ourselves that it’s just that one ogy, including political psychology and so- with all men (Romans 12:18). The Qu- gion and aren’t representative of those bad egg, and not the religion, that’s cial neuroscience. I am also a member of the ran praises those who do good deeds groups. But if a nonreligious person the problem. But it’s also gotten to the Student Secular Alliance.” and notes the forgiveness of God is willing to admit these things, isn’t it (9:91). But that very same chapter also time for the religious community to ad- calls for people who worship a differ- mit the truth about religious terrorism Freedom from Religion Foundation ent god (idolaters) to be murdered or to themselves? P.O. Box 750 • Madison, WI 53701 • (608) 256-8900 • FFRF.org forced to convert (9:5). In every ideology, the more literal- Therefore, religious scripture is of- istic and strident a person’s passion is, What is the Freedom From Religion Foundation? ten a veritable “choose your own adven- the more pure they are to that ideolo- ture” book. If a religious person has an gy. But most ideologies are malleable Founded in 1978 as a national organization of freethinkers (atheists and agnostics), the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc., works to keep state inclination to help people and be kind and evolve over time. However, most and church separate and to educate the public about the views of nontheists. to others, they can find justification to religions are centered around texts act that way. And if a religious person that are thousands of years old and are The Foundation’s email address is info@ rf.org. Please include your name has an inclination toward bigotry and supposed to contain the literal word of and physical mailing address with all email correspondence. supremacism, they can certainly find God. Luckily, the majority of the reli- Foundation members wishing to receive online news releases, “action alerts” justification as well. But when a person gious are selectively ignoring the pas- and “Freethought of the Day” should contact info@ rf.org. does the latter, they’re not contorting sages containing brutality that didn’t Page 20 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin January / February 2016

Fifth place: Graduate student college essay contest Religions are responsible for their unclear teachings

FFRF awarded Peter $500. man” (Luke 3:14), but this same loving God also reminds us that nonbelievers Extremists acting as self- By Peter D. A. Wood will face “fire” and “perdition” on judg- appointed representatives ment day (2 Peter 3:7). When we con- sider doublespeak like this, it is easier of faith are not the to understand how “fighting the good only faces of religion, Since adolescence I have been fight” (1 Timothy 6:12) can mean both taught that I am held accountable for defending the meek and exploited but they are religious what I tell others. As a child, if I told (such as women and minorities), but my younger siblings that a boogie man also eliminating heretics (such as abor- ambassadors nonetheless. was in the basement, my parents held tion-performing physicians) in order me responsible for dealing with their to purify God’s earth. night terrors or overly aggressive rela- Many religious leaders say those pounds drinking lemon juice!” scams). tionship with the basement staircase. guilty of atrocities done in the name of Ambiguities within these texts would Reasonable parents would address religion are radicals not connected to be held as liabilities and not as excused a fear-mongering child like me by the institution. But did these radicals discretions in judgment. Extremists act- telling me to verify my claims before generate their ideas and association ing as self-appointed representatives of they might scare others. As adults we to, say, Islam or Buddhism, in a vacu- faith are not the only faces of religion, are similarly expected to think before um? Is it a coincidence radical Islamists but they are religious ambassadors we preach. Ironically, this type of ac- revere the same Allah as nonviolent nonetheless. As atheists, secularists countability is rarely applied to the Peter D. A. Wood imams? No, because the religion re- and agnostics, we must hold religions self-declared preachers of churches, sponsible for the creation of this fig- accountable for the messages they mosques, synagogues and other hous- how religions function. Organized re- ure (and the promises he makes as a disseminate, rather than shamefully es of worship. ligions produce worldviews, often dog- condition for obeying him) instigated agreeing with their leaders that mod- When faced with the problem of matically, which are essentially “pur- much of the killer-making process. In erate belief is the only form of piety. violent religious extremism, the in- chased” by members of those faiths. this sense, religions are responsible for Religious violence is a polarizing, mul- stitutions that extremists claim to be People buy into religious dogma with both the peaceful and violent products tifaceted phenomenon. Solving it must part of often claim those very groups the understanding that obedience to they inspire. start from within religious institutions to be non-representative outliers. In these instructions will yield terrestrial If radicals are not apt representa- by holding them accountable for their other words, they suggest that because and heavenly rewards. Whether inter- tions of a religion, but instead faulty products, whether they are effective or hateful deviants fail to represent belief pretations of these instructions result products of the system of belief they dangerous. While asking for a recall systems in a marketing-friendly man- in something trivial (such as disinter- try to uphold, isn’t their producer still of bibles, Qurans, and Bhagavad-Gitas ner, their association with the “peace- est in grilled catfish) or something ab- liable? like faulty microwave ovens is a bit am- ful” teachings of mainstream religions horrent (such as genocide), culpability When Barack Obama says extrem- bitious, we should still strive to neutral- must be nullified and rejected. I find needs to be assessed and asserted. ists are misguided, or Pope Francis ize their negative influences. This can at least one viewpoint to be helpful Within Christianity there are nu- says they are religious deviants, we can — and should — be done through firm in exploring such a problem: prod- merous examples of biblical references make a logical connection: These mis- diplomatic pressure toward countries uct liability law. This legal framework to self-sacrifice and later reward. Even interpretations and deviations come tolerant of religions evading responsi- demonstrates how an undeniable con- in the New Testament — the less con- from doctrines which are susceptible to bility for their teachings. Through po- tract, denoted in holy scripture and troversial testament showing a kinder, being misinterpreted. Events like the litical accountability perhaps religious distributed by clergy as a divine bond less megalomaniacal side of God — we Second Vatican Council demonstrate leaders will think twice before deliver- between sinner and creator, exists be- see a producer-consumer type of re- how unclear doctrine is a concern that ing unverifiable sermons based on mis- tween religious bodies and extremists lationship. Here God asks us to offer must be addressed. If similar lack of leading doctrines. committing horrific acts based on the ourselves by praising him (Hebrews clarity inspires thousands to kill in the doctrines and teachings of those reli- 13:15), and in turn we shall receive name of God, these doctrines certainly Peter is a 27-year-old graduate student gions. For success, eternal or other- eternal salvation (1 Peter 1:5). 1 John have not been made clear enough. from Davenport, Iowa. He’s a fifth-year wise, religions must be held respon- 3:23 says that we are to believe in Jesus Religions are producers much like doctoral candidate in geography at Florida sible for the terrestrial results of any and love one another to gain entry into manufacturing companies. The prod- State University in Tallahassee, Fla., and unclear or harmful orders found in heaven. Love, however, takes many ucts they distribute can be wondrous plans to graduate in May 2016. He grad- those doctrines. forms depending on the context. Love or they can be toxic hazards. Imagine uated from Oklahoma State University in Product liability — the concept that is commonly expressed in nonviolent if religions were taxed like manufactur- 2010 with degrees in geography and polit- producers of a product are held re- or peaceful ways, but these options do ers and sold their texts explicitly as in- ical science. He is a member of the Secular sponsible for direct damages induced not form an exhaustive list. Within the struction manuals for reaching heaven Student Alliance at FSU. by that product — is directly related to bible we are told by Jesus to “harm no (much like “get rich quick!” or “lose 50 Sixth place: Graduate student college essay contest Religious perversion: Ignoring the violence

FFRF awarded Tara $400. and destruction. Leviticus 20:13 is a There is an extreme trending theme currently, as it states, By Tara Clifford “If a man lies with a male as with a case of Holy Amnesia woman, both of them have committed going around. an abomination; they shall surely be put to death….” There is a whole oth- The claim that there are only a er list of people who should be put to few extremists in the world perverting Religion requires fundamentalism, death, but this is a fan favorite. Many religion is a very confusing one. Let us and this fundamentalism calls for vio- argue that this was meant for a specific be clear on the definition “to pervert.” lence. To rationalize religion is to go time and place. People will go to great According to the Oxford Dictionary, it against one of the main tenets: that of lengths to make excuses and rational- is to “alter (something) from its origi- blind, unquestionable faith. ize the issue. Nonetheless, the only real nal course, meaning, or state to a dis- There is an extreme case of Holy interpretation is if you see a homosex- tortion or corruption of what was first Amnesia going around. Coined by ual, kill him. Tara Clifford intended.” The only people perverting Professor Philip Jenkins, Holy Amne- Christians of the Western world religion are those who look at their sia is when a follower ignores all of the have a special kind of self-centered as with Christian apologists, they will holy books and ignore all the violence horrendous, cruel and violent texts of Holy Amnesia. They are able to forget argue that you have to look in context and senseless murder, and who see their holy scriptures and only sees what and ignore all the violence in the bi- of time, claim that it was meant for only peace and love. These people try they want. God has never condoned ble, but are more than ready to point specific nonbelievers (definitely not to use critical thinking and common the killing of innocent people? All it out the violence in the Quran. How- for anyone today), or will even fight sense in an area where it does not fit. takes is a quick Internet search on “re- ever, they are both winners as far as fire with fire saying, “Well, the bible To truly follow religion, one cannot ligion and violence” to have access to violence goes. The Quran 8.12 says, says bad stuff, too!” As we all know, two pick and choose. The “cafeteria Cath- hundreds of pages of quotes from all “so strike [them] upon the necks and wrongs do not make a right, and two olic” is wrong; religion is not a buffet. sorts of holy books calling for murder strike from them every fingertip.” Just Continued on page 26 January / February 2016 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 21

Honorable mention: Graduate student college essay contest An explosive mix: Religion and violence

FFRF awarded Samuel $200. helping the poor and marginalized as Billions of religious well as Ayatollah Abdol-Hamid Masou- By Samuel David Capps mi-Tehrani’s teachings of co-existence people around the with the Bahá’í faith in Iran. If reli- world stand by and leave gious violence is to be contained and prevented, followers of all faiths must A blast inside a warehouse causes religion exposed to firmly reject and speak out against it to burn to the ground and kills five extremist interpretation. hateful, divisive, and violent teachings. workers inside. An investigation reveals People of all beliefs must be constantly an arsonist started a fire in a janitori- active in preventing devastating explo- al closet. The emergency sprinklers sions of religious violence. should have been sufficient to extin- curs in much the same way as the ex- It’s easy to see how these principles guish the flames before they spread, plosion. President Obama and others apply to Islamic State of Iraq and Syr- but then it’s discovered that workers are not incorrect in blaming religious ia (ISIS) and other terrorist groups. during an earlier shift inappropriately violence on a handful of extremists, Right now religious violence is focused stored several pallets of explosives next but they are pointing out the obvious; in the Islamic world. The Middle East to the janitor’s closet that allowed the they are blaming the arsonist. The is a hotbed of extremism, hatred and fire to detonate and ultimately burn people who are very often left unmen- bloodshed, and too few Muslims are uncontrollably. Law enforcement and tioned are the billions of religious peo- taking a stand against it. However, vi- insurance companies are now left to ple around the world who stand by and olence has occurred in the name of Samuel David Capps sort out who’s at fault. Most obvious- leave religion exposed to extremist every religion and often simmers just ly, the arsonist should be prosecuted. interpretation. below the surface of all creeds. Even in He started the fire that caused the ex- Religion, like the pallets of explo- the United States, by comparison an in- own religions and to communicate to plosion and did so with destructive in- sives, is often a seemingly neutral factor credibly peaceful and civil country, re- other faiths that fundamentalist acts tentions. But had the explosives been in the promotion of violence. Religion ligious intolerance exists. It is evident are “not in our name.” The failure to properly stored by the earlier shift, is not a person. It does not have free in the hateful, ethnocentric speech of stand up against extreme views is neg- the disaster and deaths likely would will and cannot act on its own. Religion small groups of extreme Christians, in ligence; it’s a failure to safely handle have been avoided. In interviews, the is an idea, and ideas, like explosives, the threatened Quran burning by Ter- powerful systems of belief. employees said they felt the situation are tools made and used by people. ry Jones and his followers, and in vio- Religion in itself is not to blame for was unsafe but followed their super- Explosives go into bombs, but they are lence such as the Sikh temple shooting violence in its name, but a small hand- visor’s orders anyway. The supervisor, also used to build dams, safely demol- in 2012. While these acts may seem un- ful of fundamentalists are not solely the seemingly likely culprit, claimed ish old, disintegrating structures and related and perpetrated by lone wolves, the problem, either. Extremists start company officials assured him the make beautiful fireworks displays. Reli- they share a common religious and the fires, but the rest of us, religious practice was safe, yet he admitted that gions are used in much the same ways: cultural background. Because the vio- and nonreligious, are to blame for he’d asked about safety only once in they can teach people to live togeth- lence is not widespread and rampant, standing by while explosive situations passing. The company’s safety training er peacefully, find deeper meanings too few Americans speak out against it. threaten to ignite the world. program and facilities were found to in life and nourish souls. At the same It is obvious to those in the U.S. that be adequate, but it was revealed little time, religions can divide groups of such hateful acts are not what Christi- Samuel, 29, was born and raised in was done to promote proper safety people, stifle individual freedoms and anity stands for today, but that fact is Vernon, Texas. He is in the graduate archi- protocol in practice. While the arsonist justify wars. Because people feel they not so obvious to those in Muslim coun- tecture program at Cornell University and is clearly to blame for setting the fire, are being called by a higher power, re- tries. Conversely, an alarming number plans to graduate in 2018. As an under- the company and its employees were ligion, like explosive material, has the of Christians believe Islam is inherent- graduate, he attended Texas Tech University negligent for sure, and while they did potential to be extremely dangerous; ly violent and must be countered with where he earned degrees in architecture and nothing to directly cause the explo- but when used carefully and handled violence. It’s that misunderstanding sociology. He hopes to teach architecture at sion, they also did nothing to actively properly, religion can inspire a great between faiths that escalates the intol- a university and also head a small firm de- prevent a potentially deadly situation. deal of good. Recent examples include erance and killing. People must speak signing public buildings. Widespread religious violence oc- Pope Francis’ focus on mercy and on out to quell extremism within their Honorable mention: Graduate student college essay contest Religion as a primary cause of war

FFRF awarded Sara $200. Things, he estimates that 10% of the most deadly wars in human history Religion creates an ‘us By Sara Rose were caused directly by religious con- flict, with the death toll of these wars versus them’ mentality, being 53.5 million people. Of these, which can lead to the majority were fought between R eligion has taken on two major groups of Christians. Tying for second increased willingness roles in war and terrorism since the be- place were Christians versus Muslims, toward violence. ginning of civilization. Religion acts as versus Jews, and versus various Eastern a motivation for violence. One group religions. Another study, called, “God may see the actions of another as an and War: Audit and Exploration,” by thing short of a major cause of war and affront to their god, decency and mo- the BBC, found that religion was a violence. rality. They may wish to defend their major factor in starting 21% of wars in When looking over these statistics god and their morals with swords or recorded history. Even more disturb- it is easy to see where someone might bombs. Religion can also act as justi- ing, Oxford political scientist Monica grab onto the idea that few of these fication for violence, and this role has Duffy Toft found that the instances of percentages are above 30. However, it become more common as globaliza- religion-based civil wars are actually is imperative to understand that analy- tion has increased. In these instances, increasing. According to her research, ses are being made based on the stated we see a group of people who are af- Sara Rose the percentage of civil wars that are reasons for wars. These numbers do ter the resources of another. Instead based on religion has increased from not take into account the myriad times of coming off as criminals, they claim Those who deny the role of religion 22% in the 1960s to 50% in the past de- when religion has not been cited as the religious rights over said resource, and in war are choosing to ignore solid cade. She notes that religiously-based cause of a war, but was employed by po- rush into battle feeling self-righteous. data that proves otherwise. The num- civil wars “tend to last longer than sec- litical leaders as a justification for it. On Political scientists have found that not bers on the subject point very decid- ular civil wars (about two years longer), top of that, we must keep in mind that only is religion one of the most promi- edly to organized religion as a major are more deadly to noncombatants, religion can also be utilized to make it nent reasons for violence, but the very cause or excuse for death and destruc- are less amenable to settlement by ne- easier for soldiers to kill people. nature of religion changes the human tion. Matthew White, librarian, histori- gotiation, and are more likely to recur Religion creates an “us versus them” mind in such a way as to make violence an and writer, has compiled vast statis- than nonreligious wars.” In just three mentality, which can lead to increased against other people easier to commit tics on the subject of death and war. In examples we can see what an outland- willingness toward violence. There and justify. his book, The Great Big Book of Horrible ish statement it is that religion is any- Continued on page 26 Page 22 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin January / February 2016

Letterbox

Thanks to FFRF for Florida gratitude, manners Thank you for sending the photo Biblical family values with the acknowledgement plaque for questionable the building fund. I am famous! It was In her letter in the November issue, very thoughtful and it shows that FFRF Sarah Bates asks sensible questions knows how to express gratitude to your concerning the rotten behavior of donors. Which god taught you such some Christians. gratitude and good manners? It also makes sense to ask: What is Of course, the building is even more taught to the defenseless young by X beautiful. I am so impressed with or Y congregations, and what is taught FFRF’s efficiency and effectiveness. at home, so that they often grow up to Bruce Hilpert feel such behavior is allowed? Arizona All Christian churches teach differ- ent things, and the result is that the Christian message is divided and inco- Speaking out against herent. It is no wonder there is moral religion important dissonance. Since all faiths generally Many of us think that we have a re- exclude all others, animosity by some sponsibility to call out and speak out is likely. against mythical, supernatural and pa- The history of Christianity is mainly tently untrue religiosity. It’s not at all ugly. Christians tend to see the face of difficult for most of us to observe that ‘The Raven, Revisited’ Go see the movie their faith in the mirror of the present, religious beliefs, including Christiani- but after 2,000-plus years, there are ty, are not harmless or benign. was great read ‘Spotlight’ consequences. Just look at the world today and I just had to write to tell you how I don’t go to movies often; howev- It is useful to remember such passag- consider how many of the current geo- much I enjoyed “The Raven, Revisited” er, a friend recommended “Spotlight,” es as Matthew 10:34-36: “Do not think political conflicts have some basis in by Elizabeth Rose [November 2015]. and I am thrilled that she did. that I have come to bring peace to the religion. Great! Spot on! I was gripped by the rapid-fire efforts earth. I have not come to bring peace, Particularly in the U.S., the Chris- I was introduced to Edgar Allan Poe of the Boston Globe’s special investiga- but a sword. For I have come to set a tian majority, Christian privilege and in high school, where we were required tive team, Spotlight. The members of man against his father, and a daughter the countless public and private sourc- to read and recite the classics. This was this impressive team, with the blessing against her mother, and a daughter-in- es which promote and reinforce the in the 1950s. I never dreamed I’d hear of the Globe’s new editor, went where law against her mother-in-law. And a Christian “message” have long enjoyed it rendered in such a much-needed others were afraid to go as they hero- person’s enemies will be those of his dominance in popular discussion and fashion. ically fought to bring the very powerful own household.” Not exactly an exam- the public square. I hope Elizabeth will consider lend- Archdiocese of Boston to account for ple of family values. Consequently, in a strident effort to ing her considerable talents to “revis- the long-standing cover-up of priestly These ill-considered verses imply encourage questioning, rational dis- it” some other classics with a view to sex abuse of youngsters. that the idea of Christian family values cussion and consideration of alterna- expressing the same sentiments she The tearful, angry and desperate would be viewed dimly by their “savior.” tives, some of us who identify as non- so effectively presented in “Raven, details of so many of the adult survivors Robert McCurdy religious and secular may be and often Revisited.” of the 87 (or more) perpetrators will Pennsylvania are perceived by some as speaking out Jim Parsons sear themselves into your heart. Doubt- too often or too loudly against religion. Michigan lessly, my having been a Catholic priest But I suggest that our enthusiasm back in the 1960s deepened my inter- Mr. President: Don’t and action is a matter of conviction, est in the details. Nevertheless, this forget faithless born of our desire to realize a more Source of faith often movie will surely touch deeply anyone Dear Mr. President: rational, scientific, cooperative and unexamined who is personally interested, or has ac- In your recent [Dec. 6] speech to peaceful world. I also suggest that not Brian Bolton’s extraordinary arti- quaintances interested, in the power of the nation, you said, “. . . it is the re- nearly enough of us who reject reli- cle in the November issue mentioned the Catholic Church. sponsibility of all Americans — of every gion, and recognize its deleterious ef- “Christian terrorism,” a term that Stephen F. Uhl faith — to reject discrimination . . .” fects on society and civilization, stand American fundamentalists find terribly Arizona In future speeches, I hope you will up and speak out on this critically im- offensive. Even the media are reluctant Stephen is the author of the book, Out of say “of every faith and of no faith.” portant matter. to link any aspect of terrorism to reli- God’s Closet, (available at ffrf.org/shop) Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, Tam- Gary McIntyre gion itself, especially Christianity. In and the FFRF “Friendly Atheist Stephen Uhl my Faye Bakker and pedophile priests Kentucky fact, they go out of their way to make Studio” is named for him. are among the reasons I have given up excuses for both the Christian and Is- faith. lamic faiths. • • • George M. Caplan Church-state separation There are good people in both Is- “Spotlight” brilliantly conveys the Massachusetts in everyone’s interest lam and Christianity, of course, but evil caused by the Vatican system. Since Regarding the Nov. 22 (Washington those people are good because they I have been unable to reach the pro- Post) front-page article “In first major- haven’t examined the source of their ducers in order for a subsequent mov- God is no Superman ity-Muslim U.S. city, culture shock and faith: the Quran and the bible. Islamic ie to be suggested, I write here for all My journey to atheism started as a fears of loss,” apparently, some resi- terrorism is based on Quran passages FFRF readers and staff. The Vatican boy. Like most boys I enjoyed watching dents in Hamtramck, Mich., are fearful such as: “Do not make friendship with system itself cannot be made into a Superman on television and wished I of the change that a Muslim-dominat- Jews and Christians” (5:51), “fight and good system — ever. had super powers too. I knew Super- ed city council could bring. slay the Pagans, seize them, beleaguer What is generally missed is the fact man was just fantasy, but I thought the Perhaps the council meetings would them, and lie in wait for them” (9:5), that the Vatican mandates all the evils idea of him using his powers to help open with prayers to Allah, or the coun- “murder them and treat them harshly” shown in the movie. It is not caused humankind was just about right. cil would use taxpayer money to erect (9:123), and “fight with them on until solely by neglect that can be cleared Then I was off to church and Sunday Islamic monuments on government . . . religion becomes Allah’s in its en- up. The evils are mandated in pub- school, where I was taught there was a property and favor Muslim interests. tirety.” (8:39) lished documents. god who really did have superhuman Well, thank goodness for the separa- Christian terrorism (whether in the Ann Slowey powers even greater than Superman’s. tion of church and state guaranteed by form of the KKK or Kim Davis) is based Pennsylvania What did he do with those powers? the First Amendment. Oh, wait a min- on biblical passages such as: “whoso- He killed humans: men, women and ute! Christian-dominated city councils ever would not seek the Lord God of children! He also killed millions of an- do these sorts of things all over the Israel should be put to death, whether Bible-free hotel imals and destroyed cities and towns. I country to promote Christianity. small or great, whether man or wom- rooms a great idea quickly learned to hate this god. I hope someday people in this coun- an” (2 Chronicles 15:12-13), “think FFRF’s bible-free hotel room initia- The really sad part for me was that try will realize that it’s in everyone’s not that I am come to bring peace on tive is a spectacularly worthy effort. I knew my entire family, the people I best interests to keep religion out of earth: I came not to bring peace but a Almost daily — no, make that dai- loved and cared about most, all wor- government as the founding fathers set sword. (Jesus in Matt. 10:34) ly (i.e., “Freethought of the Day”) shiped this mass murderer. out to do in writing the Constitution. It doesn’t take a genius to see there — FFRF exceeds expectations in rep- My eventual awakening relieved me Michael R. Ware are many forms of terrorism, and that resenting the interests of those who of a lot of hate, but it also filled me Maryland Christianity comes in for its share as favor reason over superstition, exuber- with sadness to know people were be- This letter was first published in the well as the others. ance over piety and freethought over ing lied to and taken advantage of. Washington Post. Herb McClelland dogma. James Blackburn Ohio Don Ardell Colorado January / February 2016 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 23

Despite backlash, ‘Evidence against FFRF right on grotto interest’ is especially As a board member of the Oregon convincing FFRF chapter, I was fascinated by the I am writing this letter Dec. 15, way a letter from FFRF Staff Attorney the fourth anniversary of Christopher Andrew Seidel to the Portland Public Hitchens’ death. He was fond of point- School Board was able to cause such ing out that “evidence against interest” widespread emotional upheaval in the is especially convincing evidence. “most unchurched city in America.” As an example, global warming When the school board responded by The Maine event skeptic Richard A. Muller was hired by not letting public high school choirs the Koch brothers to conduct indepen- FFRF Maine, which became official in October 2014, currently has 37 members. sing at the Roman Catholic outdoor dent research into the theory of an- The group brought Katherine Stewart, investigative journalist and author of shrine and sanctuary, you would think thropogenic global warming. When he The Good News Club: The Christian Right’s Stealth Assault on America’s Children, that FFRF had single-handedly banned and a dozen of the scientists he worked to speak in Augusta. In 2016, FFRF Maine plans to open the Maine Legislature motherhood, the flag and apple pie. with concluded in 2012 that glob- with a secular presentation, march in the Gay Pride parade and go back to the Even the TV outlets and daily news- al warming science was true, it was a Common Ground Faire. For more information, email Tom Waddell, president paper in this liberal city seemed to line more convincing scientific conclusion of FFRF Maine, at [email protected]. up against FFRF, which was portrayed by virtue of this same evidence against Back row: Jason, Tim, Dick, Kate, Maureen, Sarah, Sharon, Rick, Tom and Bob. as destroying a much-loved tradition interest principle. Front row: Gene, David, Raisa, Marilyn, Susan, David and Karen. of having the choirs sing at their elab- The same sorts of gifts come to us orate Christmas display, which, by the all the time from the religious. This way, reaps a tidy profit for the Catholic brings me to the gift I recently received Church, as they charge admission to Let’s save the children kins said in The God Delusion, “Believing on my Twitter feed from internation- get in. from religion is not something I can decide to do as ally noted Islamic apologist Mehdi Everyone seems to have lost sight of an act of will.” He goes on to say the Hassan. On Dec. 12 he retweeted an the fact that public schools, by taking I have been a proud atheist for many idea that believing is something you all-too-revealing and typically disparag- part in the Christmas festival at The years, ever since I understood what the can decide to do is ludicrous. A Chris- ing ad hominem attack on Ayaan Hirsi Grotto, are raising funds for the church bible writers were saying. My atheism tian book I reviewed agrees, saying, Ali about her receiving the prestigious so well-known for its pedophile priest was a result of a trip to Mexico, where I “Faith can’t be created. You have to Lantos Award for her courageous ad- issues. What rational person wants our witnessed firsthand the sick and dying open your heart and let it enter.” vocacy of human rights. His sarcastic kids raising money for pedophiles? children whom God had forgotten. It I had an open heart for some 50 tweet: “Yeah this’ll help persuade Mus- We aren’t finished. There are still was that moment I realized there were years and all that entered it were lims to turn away from ISIS. This wom- dozens of public schools outside PPS no gods, only humans who should be doubts and questions. an who says Islam should be militarily still sending choirs to sing at The Grot- treating each other much better. Re- Let’s assume for a moment that defeated.” to. Hopefully, in 12 months we will be alizing that all of us are born atheists there is a Christian God. It seems he de- This unwitting admission is evi- able to report that all public schools and only blindly follow religious creeds cides to place faith in some people and dence against interest in Hassan’s own have stopped participating there. because our parents followed blindly, I a questioning nature in others. So God words, which makes it crystal clear that Wes Mahan know we must stop that vicious cycle. denies me the “gift” of faith, but allows Islam is not now and never has been Oregon As Sam Harris said, “The teaching of me to use my God-given intelligence a “religion of peace.” Evidence against faith is not a virtue but a crime espe- to discover that there is absolutely no interest, watch for it. Thank you, Hitch. cially perpetrated on children.” evidence that any supernatural entity Bruce Baldwin Tip to carrier: We’re Julie Fausette has ever existed. Then he condemns Pennsylvania not all Christian New York me to hell for what, in essence, he has I recently got a religious card from done. By using what he gave me, I have Is humanity’s nature my newspaper carrier tucked inside my ‘E Pluribus Unum’ sinned. How is this just? newspaper. I’ll share my email to the I have also disposed of the crippling revealed in heaven? Green Valley News & Sun: beats ‘In God We Trust’ concept of sin. It is a false construct In the November 2015 issue of “The “I don’t mind the idea of receiving In response to David Lubeck’s letter to keep the masses under control. My Smithsonian” was the article, “Slavery’s a holiday card that acts as a reminder in the November issue, I also have for morality comes from my own ability Trail of Tears.” How could people treat to tip my carrier for her service in the some time been correcting the Trea- to determine what is right and what other people this way and not feel last year. I’ve received that sort of thing sury Department’s mistake by replac- is wrong. I find very little of what any- some sort of remorse? Historical apolo- before and it’s fine. ing its religious endorsement with “E one would deem “moral” anywhere in gists would say we cannot judge yester- “What I do NOT appreciate is this Pluribus Unum.” I would encourage the Old Testament, and the virtues of day’s actions with today’s sensibilities. blatantly religious card. On the front, all freethinkers to engage in this act of the New Testament are questionable True to a point, but given the idea that there’s an angel, apparently trumpet- peaceful protest. at best. I avoid doing what I believe is morality does not come from religion, ing the good news over what must be Todd Peterson wrong because it is wrong and I would one would expect even a small spark Bethlehem, which has a star with a Florida feel disappointed in myself if I did it. A of inbred concern when others are in tail hanging over it. Inside, the card’s Christian friend tells me this is sinful. misery. Some semblance of empathy message reads: ‘May we all rejoice in He says I should do right “for fear of should exist, if not then at least now, celebration for having been given the Put Atheists in Foxholes the Lord.” but we all know that slavery is alive and greatest gift of all . . . Jesus Christ. Mer- monument in D.C. I am relieved I am no longer caught well even today and the subjugation ry Christmas.’ As an atheist, I resent Thank you for the Atheist in Fox- up in his nightmare. of people is often backed up by some this. As I would were I anything but holes monument. A copy of the monu- Curtis Bass evangelical religion or even our own Christian — Muslim, Hindu, Wiccan, ment should be installed alongside the North Carolina subliminal thinking. etc. [Carrier’s name] will not be receiv- other war monument on the National I would suggest that cognitive dis- ing a tip from me any time soon, re- Mall in Washington D.C. sonance, coupled with some prevail- gardless of the quality and reliability of Well done! Much appreciation ing religious dogma, fosters branding her service. And I would appreciate it if Peter J. Viviano for FFRF’s work others as subhuman savages, which you would ask her and all your carriers, New Mexico I really appreciate what you do. I en- condemns any feelings of empathy. if they include a greeting card with the joy going through Freethought Today, These beliefs are so deep that the de- paper at this time of year, to make the and it’s always enlightening (and a bit scendants of the perpetrators (and cards secular ones. Thank you.” You can’t just decide disheartening) to read “Crank Mail.” even some slaves) are loath to discuss The editor responded: “Carriers are to have faith It must get a little old and unnerv- this painful period in our history. Of not employees; they are contract work- Although raised in a religious ing having people call you names or course this sort of barbarity is common ers so our oversight is limited to what’s household, I would characterize my threatening the lives of yourselves and even today. So much for society’s val- in the contract. Re: Cards inserted into religious beliefs after age 18 as “noth- your families. Thinking about this, it ues being set by religion. the paper, the only contractual limita- ing in particular.” Without my parents gives an even deeper appreciation for If religion determines one’s moral tion we put on them is that they not to make me go to church, I stopped what all of you are doing on behalf of actions, one must assume one is nat- directly ask for money/tips through going and just didn’t think about it. those of us in “the most hated minority urally immoral and bad. If heaven is the cards. An employee in circulation As I entered middle age, the urge to in America.” the ultimate reward for good behaving looked at the cards from [the carri- seek answers and reexamine my life I’ve enclosed a few goodies from people, what happens after one ob- er] and approved them because they awakened. Having been given a full Michigan for you to enjoy: some tains their ultimate reward? Does the didn’t violate the agreement. You are Southern Baptist indoctrination in my “homegrown” chocolates and coffee. basic nature of people (which religion right, the cards do provide an opportu- youth and an excellent university edu- I have no idea if these products were says is bad) come into play? Once the nity for customers who receive quality, cation, I was able to compare the two produced by freethought hands, but I eternal reward is at hand, can people reliable service to tip the carriers. As bodies of knowledge and come to the can attest to their deliciousness. revert to their true nature so that heav- for the sentiment enclosed, that is up conclusion that the emperor truly had Keep up the great work! en is filled with all kinds of barbaric be- to the carrier.” no clothes. Christianity and indeed Christopher Wright havior? Does heaven become a hell? Is Neysa Dickey most organized religions seemed to be Michigan the objective of a heaven a place where Arizona a sham that offered no answers to the Editor’s note: FFRF staff devoured your one can practice their true nature? questions I raised. phenomenal Drost’s chocolates and special Jack Pedigo Faith is the key issue. Richard Daw- blend coffee. Thank you, Christopher! Washington Page 24 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin January / February 2016 Black Collar Crime Blotter an 11-year-old girl at his art gallery in May Compiled by Bill Dunn The girl’s mother addressed the court for 15 minutes, urging the judge not to accept the deal: “On April 16, 2015, Rabbi Karro took my daugh- Arrested / Charged ter, touched and squeezed her buttocks, placed Kamron E. Reames, Darlington, SC: 2 her on his lap, took off her glasses, touched her counts of 3rd-degree criminal sexual conduct hair, told her how pretty she was, rubbed her involving a minor. Reames, associate pastor for thighs and kissed her up and down her neck.” students at Central Baptist Church, is accused Karro claimed nothing sexual happened and of sexually touching a boy. said he was only trying to cleanse the girl of Police Chief Daniel Watson said “compelling negative energy. Source: CBS Miami, 12-12-15 evidence supporting the complaint was sub- Robert Couture, 51, Tecumseh, Ontario: stantiated.” Guilty by jury of theft over $5,000. Couture al- Reames, in his mid-30s, has been with the legedly stole between $170,000 and $234,000 church since 2002. His online bio says his “love from St. Anne Catholic Parish from 2002-10 by for Jesus and teens is evident through his words stealing from collection plates and donations for and actions.” Source: WBTW, 12-19-15 funerals, weddings, baptisms and Mass offer- Stephen J. Schacter, 55, Toronto: Pos- ings. session of child pornography. Schacter was al- The Diocese of London doesn’t plan to reas- legedly seen viewing child porn on a public com- sign Couture, said spokeswoman Emma Moyni- puter at a social services center. He worked as han. “He will still have the title of priest, but he an elementary teacher for the Eitz Chaim group won’t have any of his faculties,” adding that the of Orthodox day schools from 1986 to 2004, as diocese only tries to defrock priests in sexual an office administrator at United Synagogue abuse cases. Source: National Post, 12-11-15 Day School from 2005-09 and a private tutor René Heuillet, 80, Saint-Lizier, France: from 2008-11. United Synagogue, now called Pleaded guilty to stealing $740,000 from church Robbins Hebrew Academy, is affiliated with the coffers between 1987-2013 as a Catholic parish Conservative movement. Source: Haaretz, 12- priest. The thefts were brought to light by the 19-15 priest who succeeded him. Steven V. Williams, 52, Bowen, KY: Sexual PERP WATCH — Rotten Tomatoes’ movie critics gave “Spotlight” thumbs-up to the tune Prosecutor Karline Bouisset said authorities abuse of a minor under the age of 12 and sexual of 97%. FFRF staff attended a late-afternoon screening of the horrific but riveting story of froze holdings of $712,000 in Heuillet’s bank ac- abuse of a minor under the age of 18. Williams, how the Boston Globe broke the story in 2002 of the Catholic clergy abuse scandal and count. Source: Reuters, 12-1-15 who resigned as youth pastor at First Church of cover-up by the Archdiocese of Boston. God after being arrested, is charged with sexu- Sentenced ally touching 2 girls during a church field trip and other ceremonies and misusing parish debit Wood pleaded not guilty and invoked the First at the church. He also drove a bus for Powell and credit cards. Belleque said casino fliers ad- Amendment at arraignment. He’s apparently Marcello Trebitsch, 38, Brooklyn, NY: County Schools, where he’s been suspended. dressed to Perez were coming regularly in the interested in a case in which an Amish man is 2 years in prison and forfeiture of $5.9 million Source: WKYT, 12-19-15 mail. Source: The Columbian, 12-8-15 charged with wetlands violations. Source: mlive. that Trebitsch, an Orthodox rabbi and Talmud Tommy Joe Newberry, 48, Millry, AL: Henry L. McGee, 68, Round Rock, TX: com, 12-1-15 scholar, defrauded investors out of in a Ponzi 2nd-degree sodomy and sexual abuse, 1st-de- Continuous sexual abuse of a child. McGee, Tiffanie Irwin, New Hartford, NY: 2nd-de- scheme. He pleaded guilty to securities fraud gree sexual abuse and enticing a child to enter lead pastor at First Baptist Church in Austin, is gree murder. Irwin, pastor of Word of Life 3 weeks after his father-in-law, state Assembly for immoral purposes. Newberry, pastor of Red accused of committing sexual acts with a girl, Church, is among 8 people charged in the Oc- Speaker Sheldon Silver, 71, was found guilty Creek Church of God in Buckatunna, MS, and starting in June 2014 when she was 13. tober death at the church of Lucas Leonard, 19. of collecting $4 million in bribes and kickbacks. director of a youth camp, is charged with mo- The girl allegedly told detectives she had Others charged are Traci Irwin, the pastor’s Source: The Forward, 12-17-15 lesting at least 6 underage boys since 2003. An sex with McGee more than 15 times, including mother; her brothers Joseph and Daniel Irwin; Martin Wolmark, 57, Monsey, NY: 38 alleged victim told police Newberry performed in a storage unit, his church office and his home the victims’ father, Bruce Leonard; and 3 other months in prison, 2 years’ probation and oral sex on him numerous times at the pastor’s when his wife was gone. church members. $50,000 fine after pleading guilty to a charge residence. Source: al.com, 12-18-15 First Baptist has a new interim pastor. Black Authorities said “spiritual counseling” spi- of conspiracy to commit extortion. Wolmark, an Cristopher B. Alfaro, 30, Huntsville, AL: tape covers the spot on the church sign where raled into an all-night punishment session for Orthodox rabbi, was recorded by an undercover 2 counts of transmitting obscene material to a McGee’s name had been. Source: Ameri- Lucas and his brother Christopher Leonard be- federal agent posing as a woman seeking a re- child. Police Lt. Stacy Bates said Alfaro used can-Statesman/KXAN, 12-8-15 cause Lucas had indicated he wanted to leave ligious divorce called a “get.” Jewish law makes his position as youth minister at Covenant Pres- Ruben Bahena, 34, Mathis, TX: Failure to the secretive church, which also served as a women 2nd-class citizens by mandating that byterian Church to commit the alleged crimes. appear. Bahena, former senior pastor at First residence and school. Source: Troy Record, 11- the husband grant the “get” for the divorce to Source: WHNT, 12-16-15 Assembly of God, was arrested by U.S. mar- 25-15 go forward. Kenneth L. Dewitt, 67, Newport, AR: 50 shals in November after a warrant was issued Robert B. Azinger, 54, Florida, OH: 1st-de- Mendel Epstein, 70, Lakewood, NJ, an as- counts of 3rd-degree sexual assault. Dewitt is for failure to appear for a court hearing on a gree statutory rape, 4 counts of 1st-degree sociate of Wolmark’s, received a 10-year sen- accused of having sex with 3 female inmates charge of sexual assault of a child for an alleged statutory sodomy and 5 counts of 2nd-degree tence for conspiracy to commit kidnapping. Bin- at an Arkansas Department of Correction fa- 2014 incident. Source: KZTV, 12-8-15 statutory sodomy. Azinger, pastor of St. Peter yamin Stimler, 40, Brooklyn, was sentenced to cility while he was a Protestant chaplain there Curtis W. Blankenship, Powhatan, VA: Lutheran Church, was arrested on a Scott City, 39 months for his role in the scheme. At least 7 in 2013-14, after which he left the prison after Voting more than once in the same election, a MO, warrant that accuses him of alleged inci- others have been charged in the case. reportedly admitting inappropriate contact with felony. Blankenship, pastor of Cumberland Bap- dents with a female in 2006-09 when he was Wolmark told the woman it would cost another chaplain. tist Temple, allegedly voted absentee and then pastor of Eisleben Lutheran church. He moved $30,000 to get the job done. “You need to get Dewitt has ties with Bill Gothard, an evangel- went to a different polling station and tried to get with his family to Ohio in 2009. Source: KFVS, him to New York to harass him or nail him — ical minister with a history of sexual misconduct another ballot Nov. 3, 2015. Source: Powhatan 11-24-15 plain and simple,” he’s heard saying. He told allegations. Source: Arkansas Times/KARK, 12- Today, 12-7-15 Alfredo H. Zavala, 56, Oaxaca, Mexi- her some “tough guys” would use cattle prods 17-15 Amador Medina, 32, Hartford, CT: 5 counts co: Multiple counts of rape. Zavala, pastor of and karate on her handcuffed husband. Source: Nehoray Shabbot, 20, Worcester, MA: of disinterment of bodies, conspiracy to commit Luz del Mundo Christian Church, is charged nj.com, 12-15-15 Assault as a hate crime, aggravated harass- a crime and accessory before the fact. Medina, with raping 2 sisters more than 100 times in a Henry Moloney, 77, Dublin, Ireland: 4 ment as a hate crime, assault and aggravat- a practicing Santería priest, allegedly admitted church office, starting when they were 9 and 10. years in prison with 1 year suspended after ed harassment. Shabbot, a Hasidic Jew, is to police he had bodies stored in his home. Po- They’re now 13 and 14. being found guilty of 2 counts of indecent as- charged with attacking “Elegant” Elliott Offen, lice found remains of 3 adults and 2 children, He allegedly told the girls it was their duty as sault in 1981-82 of a male student at a Catholic 63, a cross-dresser who’s been featured on believed to have been taken Oct. 9 from a mau- Christians to have sex with him. Source: Huff- school in Tipperary. Moloney was defrocked as “The Howard Stern Show,” in December outside soleum in a cemetery in Worcester, MA. ington Post, 11-21-15 a Catholic Spiritan priest earlier in 2015 at his and inside Chabad Lubavitch headquarters in The Caribbean religion uses remains for me- Aaron Gaddis, 55, DeSoto, TX: Sexual as- own request. Brooklyn, NY. dicinal purposes, but remains are usually from sault of a child. Gaddis, associate pastor of Mt. He was convicted of similar offenses in 2000 Police sources alleged Shabbot punched animals. Source: myfoxboston.com, 12-7-15 Hebron Missionary Baptist Church in Garland, and 2009 and served 15 months. and kicked Offen and yelled “You homo, I’m go- Catholic priest “L.S.,” 57, Legnaro, Ita- is accused of molesting a 15-year-old boy in Moloney was choirmaster and played the or- ing to cut off your schmekel!” (a Yiddish profani- ly, is being investigated for embezzlement of 2002. Police said in a release that Gaddis may gan in the school’s chapel. The first incident was ty for penis). Source: NY Post, 12-14-15 $108,000 from the Catholic charity Caritas. He’s have assaulted other children. Source: WFAA, in the organ gallery, the victim told the court, Bryan K. Johnson, 49, Jefferson Parish, alleged to have used the money to buy a car, 11-20-15 when Moloney put his hand under the boy’s shirt LA: Carnal knowledge of a juvenile. Johnson, a scooter, holidays in the Dolomites and Sicily, and down his trousers to his buttocks. Source: pastor of Vineyard Ministries in Westwego and sporting equipment and cosmetic treatments for RTÉ/Irish Times, 12-15-15 Greater Cypress Grove Missionary Baptist his mother. Source: the local.it, 12-4-15 Ronald Joling, 71, and Dorothea Joling, Church in Algiers, is accused of starting a sexu- Lawrence Johnson, 52, Shivaji Nagar, In- 73, Coquille, OR: 8 years and 4 years, respec- al relationship with a 16-year-old girl. dia: Sexual assault of a child. Johnson, priest Black tape covers the tively, in prison for tax evasion. Ronald Joling, The girl’s mother told investigators she sus- in charge at Christ the King Catholic Church, is spot on the church sign pastor of Hope Covenant Reformed Church, pected something was wrong when her daugh- accused of sodomizing a 13-year-old boy who and his wife fled to Arizona during their trial last ter started cutting class, skipping sports practice had stayed after Mass in November. The com- where Pastor McGee’s year for evading taxes of $1.2 million. and talking about Johnson a lot. Source: WWL, plaint alleges Johnson saw him sitting in a pew They asserted the government had no au- 12-11-15 and asked him to help move some items to a name had been. thority to collect taxes, citing biblical author- Brandon McDade, 30, Mission Viejo, CA: storeroom, where the alleged rape occurred. ity used by the “sovereign citizen” movement. Lewd and lascivious acts with a child and child Johnson disappeared after the complaint Source: Register-Guard, 12-11-15 annoyance. McDade, youth pastor at Grace Hills was filed. Acting on a tip, police arrested him at Ubaldo Ocasio, 52, Cleveland, OH: 205 years in prison on convictions for rape, gross Church, is accused of alleged incidents over a a friend’s home. Pleaded / Convicted 2-year period with several teens who were in his Police Inspector Balasaheb Jadhav said a sexual imposition, kidnapping, sexual battery youth group. Source: KABC, 12-10-15 medical exam revealed wounds on the boy’s Ronald C. Williams, 36, Honolulu: Guilty and endangering children. The Pentecostal Armando Sosa Perez, 55, Vancouver, WA: private parts. Source: Times of India, 12-2-15 by jury of lewd or lascivious acts and attempt- pastor of Iglesia Misionera Casa de Misericor- Money laundering and 3 counts of 1st-degree Keith Wood, 39, Big Rapids, MI: Jury tam- ed sodomy of a child under the age of 14. The dia won’t be eligible for parole for 128 years, in theft. Perez, pastor at St. John the Evangelist pering and obstruction of justice. Wood, a for- crimes occurred in 2005 when the victim, a fam- 2143. Catholic Church, is accused of stealing more mer pastor and current self-employed insurance ily friend, was 11 and Williams was director of Ocasio, charged with molesting 4 girls as than $50,000 from the parish between 2011-14. broker, was arrested for handing out pamphlets San Marcos Christian Camp in Santa Barbara young as 9, turned down a plea deal that would He was transferred in July 2014 to a parish about jury nullification outside a county court- County, CA. Source: News-Press, 12-19-15 have recommended a sentence of 30 years. in Renton, the affidavit said. After Perez was house, even though no jury was impaneled. “I’m Steve Karro, 56, Miami Beach, FL: Plead- Source: cleveland.com, 12-10-15 transferred, the Archdiocese of Seattle hired a a disciple of Jesus Christ,” said Wood, a father ed guilty to misdemeanor battery in a plea bar- Abu Bilal Ismail, 47, a Lebanese imam liv- forensic accountant. Tom Belleque, St. John’s of 7. “Jesus said ‘the truth will set you free’ and gain after originally being charged with lewd and ing in Denmark, was fined $1,400 by a German current pastor, alleged in an affidavit that Pe- I want people to know the truth.” lascivious behavior with a minor. Karro, a sub- court for incitement to hatred for a July 2014 rez was “double dipping” by skimming money The flier’s title is “What rights do you have stitute rabbi at Shaare Ezra Sephardic Syna- sermon at a mosque in Berlin in which he said for performing weddings, funerals, baptism and as a juror that the judge won’t tell you about?” gogue Congregation, was charged with fondling “Count them and kill them to the very last one. Don’t spare a single one of them,” calling for the January / February 2016 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 25

destruction of Zionist Jews. Source: Jerusalem Day, all after his death in 1978. Source: news. Post, 12-9-15 com/au, 12-8-15 Ioan Pop, 57, Scarborough, Ontario: 7 George C. Yankey, medical director of St. months in prison and 3 years’ probation for sex- Joseph Hospital in Koforidua, Ghana, is ac- ual assaults on 8 young adult women between cused of serial sexual harassment of female 1999-2013 while he served as a Romanian Or- hospital staff. Various news stories describe him thodox priest. as a Catholic priest, brother or seminarian. One woman testified she was molested after After Yankey allegedly wanted to trade sex seeking help from Pop while her husband was for a promotion, a nurse set a trap, inviting Yan- in a coma after a car accident. Source: Toronto key to her home with the promise of sex in her Sun, 12-8-15 husband’s absence. After some pleasantries, Craig R. Lorick, 54, Adelanto, CA: 40 days Yankey undressed and the husband came in in jail with credit for 2 days served and 3 years’ the room. “The damning video captured the probation. Lorick, senior pastor of Down 2 Earth wretched medical director on his knees begging Christian Fellowship, an Assemblies of God for clemency,” reported Starr News, which put church, pleaded no contest to having unlawful the video online. Source: GhanaWeb, 12-7-15 sexual intercourse with a minor more than 3 The Royal Commission into Institutional Re- years younger than him. A count of lewd or las- sponses to Child Sexual Abuse in Australia and civious acts with a child was dismissed. New Zealand continues to hear horror stories Dennis Morris, co-founder of Moses House of historical sexual abuse by clergy. “BVD” tes- Ministries in Victorville, commented, “[M]y ques- tified that when he was a 9-year-old altar boy in tion is, who is the judge that would let him go so 1978 at Our Lady of Carmel in Sunbury, Catho- easily? That’s a slap on the wrist.” Source: Daily lic priest Peter Searson started molesting him, Press, 12-7-15 ordering him to come inside after washing the Johnny W. Cabe, 56, York, SC: 5 years’ priest’s car. Searson went from drying the boy’s probation after pleading no contest to the un- genitals to raping him nearly every Saturday for lawful practice of medicine. He was indicted in 6 months. “He told me I would go to hell if I told 2010 for contributing to the delinquency of a mi- anyone.” nor and committing a lewd act on a child under BVD said he feels safe now only when he’s 16 at Riverside Independent Baptist Church, tre, NY, and the Vincentian Congregation fiscal year was $3.3 million. home in the dark with the doors locked. Source: where he was pastor. are being sued by a couple who allege pedo- The diocese faces 5 more lawsuits and 12 The Guardian, 11-30-15 Cabe was charged twice in the 1990s but phile priest Augusto Cortez, 52, molested their notices of claims. Source: News Tribune, 12-7- Newly released files on sexual abuse by not convicted on allegations he gave hernia ex- daughter, 8, last year. Cortez, who vanished af- 15 clergy at St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville, ams and had other improper contact with minor ter being interviewed by police, pleaded guilty in Allegations of sexual abuse by a Diocese of MN, show a Catholic priest had sexual contact boys at the church. He spent 7 years in prison 2009 to forcible touching of a 12-year-old girl in Winona, MN, Catholic priest in 1962 were made with over 200 individuals, including children and for a 2001 conviction for stealing $8 million from 2008. He was sentenced to 6 years’ probation public by the diocese and St. Mary’s Parish in adolescents. religious followers in a pyramid scheme. but was allowed to remain a priest. Winona. Both are defendants in a suit alleging The files, made public as part of a court set- Prosecutors said they offered a plea deal to A member of the girl’s family told authorities abuse by Richard Hatch, who died in 2005. tlement, show that as many as 19 abbey monks avoid forcing the boy to testify. Source: Rock Hill last June that she saw Cortez hitching up his At least 3 alleged victims of Hatch have may have molested hundreds of children over Herald, 12-4-15 pants after being alone in the room with the come forward. Source: AP, 12-7-15 decades. Rudolph Walls, 64, Dillon, SC: 15 years child at a family party at her home. Source: AP, Travis R. Smith, 45, California, MO, had Another man recorded the names of dozens in prison after pleading guilty to criminal sexual 11-17-15 a mistrial declared on the first day of his trial of boys he brought to a cabin, some of whom conduct with a minor and failure to register as a on several counts of statutory and forcible rape he sexually abused. Another abuser was paid sex offender. Walls, pastor at Friendly Chapel $30,000 by the abbey to support him after he Civil Lawsuits Settled and sodomy dating as far back as 1998. When Church, admitted molesting 2 boys under age Smith was arrested in 2012, he was pastor of left the clergy. 16 who attended his church. Walls is a regis- Yehuda Berg, 43, Los Angeles, known as First Baptist Church of Stover. The judge de- “We still need to get our voices out to people tered sex offender in N. Carolina and has sev- “rabbi to the stars,” was found liable by a jury for clared a mistrial due to a comment made about who have not come forward,” said Troy Bram- eral convictions on similar charges. Source: inflicting emotional distress on former follower a witness by a potential juror during jury selec- lage, a victim who was included in the settle- WBTW, 12-2-15 Jena Scaccetti, who was awarded $177,500 in tion. ment. Source: Star Tribune, 11-26-15 Edward Belczak, 70, Troy, MI: 27 months damages for sexual misconduct. A jury acquitted Smith in 2011 of 2nd-degree in prison for stealing $573,000 from St. Thom- Scaccetti alleged Berg, former co-director of child molestation. A 2010 statutory rape charge Removed / Resigned as More Catholic Church, where he was pas- the Kabbalah Center, of giving her alcohol and was dropped by prosecutors after they deter- David F. Dzermejko, 66, Braddock, PA, tor for 29 years. Sentencing him, U.S. District Vicodin before groping and trying to overpower mined the alleged victim was 17 and not 15 and incarcerated at the Federal Medical Center in Judge Arthur Tarnow told Belczak to “choose her after she complained about painful kidney thus was able to give legal consent. Source: Devens, MA, since April 2014 on a conviction your friends wisely and you can do some good stones. Berg testified that he only touched her KOMU/Lake Sun, 12-7-15 for possession of child pornography, has been in prison.” leg to see if “anything intimate” might happen. The U.S. Supreme Court left in place the removed from the Catholic priesthood. The Di- Belczak’s reply to Tarnow after hearing his The center was ordered to pay $42,500 of 2011 sexual misconduct conviction of Minne- ocese of Pittsburgh removed Dzermejko from fate was “It’s part of my destiny.” Source: Detroit the total award. Source: Reuters, 11-25-15 sota Catholic priest Christopher Wenthe, 51. ministry in 2009 after allegations he molested Free Press, 12-1-15 He was charged with starting a 15-month sex- children, but he technically remained a priest Caleb Sexton, 28, Lancaster, NY: 6 months ual relationship with a 21-year-old woman who Legal Developments until Oct. 31, when the Vatican’s Congregation in jail after pleading guilty to criminal sexual went to him in 2003 for counseling for an eating for the Doctrine of the Faith dismissed him from conduct. Sexton, who coached soccer and bas- The Pennsylvania Superior Court ordered a disorder. An appeals court threw out the convic- the clerical state. Source: Post-Gazette, 12-23- ketball at West Seneca Christian School, admit- new trial and overturned the conviction of Msgr. tion, which the state Supreme Court reinstated. 15 ted that when he was 26, he engaged in sexual William Lynn, 64, Philadelphia, ruling 2-1 that Source: AP, 12-7-15 Albert J. Gondek, Lexington, NC, was conduct with a 13-year-old girl he met at Hed- the trial judge let jurors hear too much evidence Brian M. Lederer, 30, a Hibbing, MN, Cath- placed on administrative leave as pastor of Our strom Baptist Church in Cheektowaga, where about Catholic priests molesting children. He olic priest, will stand trial on 7 sexual assault Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church due to an his father was pastor. Source: WGRZ, 11-24-15 was sentenced in 2012 to 3-6 years in prison and child pornography charges, ruled Judge allegation he sexually touched a man who was Peter Keeley-Pannett, 71, Brighton, UK: for failure to supervise a priest who assaulted a David Ackerson. Lederer had challenged the 18 about 5 years ago. 32 months in prison for making indecent imag- 10-year-old boy, making him the highest-rank- sufficiency of evidence, based largely on claims Gondek was investigated in 2007 for a es of children and causing or inciting a minor ing Catholic official to face charges for covering by 4 girls aged 10-14 who reported inappropri- similar allegation but was reinstated. Source: to engage in sexual activity. When arrested in up abuse. ate touching by Lederer at Blessed Sacrament WGHP, 12-21-15 2014, Keeley-Pannett was an unpaid deacon in “This ruling rubs salt into already deep and Parish and Assumption Catholic School. John O’Keefe, 70, Pearl River, NY, pas- the Anglican Diocese of Chichester. still fresh wounds of Philadelphia Catholics and Ackerson ruled some evidence couldn’t be tor of St. Margaret of Antioch Catholic Church He used a webcam to meet boys as young victims,” said David Clohessy, Survivor’s Net- used to prove sexual intent, including allega- and former head of Archbishop Stepinac High as 13 in online chatrooms and Skyped with work of those Abused by Priests director. tions Lederer “snapped” the girls’ bras. Source: School, has been accused of twice molesting a them, prosecutors said. Source: premier.org/uk, Lynn’s conviction was also overturned in News Tribune, 12-1-15 11-20-15 2013 by a state appeals court after he’d served minor in the early 1980s and has been placed 18 months, a decision the state Supreme Court on leave during an investigation. The incidents Civil Lawsuits Filed reversed. Source: Reuters, 12-22-15 are beyond the statute of limitations for criminal The Ohio Supreme Court heard arguments prosecution. Source: lohud.com, 12-19-15 Catholic priests Bernard Bissonnette, Sa- in a case involving Brian Williams, former Rabbi Berg testified David Placette, Port Arthur, TX, was bine Griego and Edward Rutowski and the Grace Brethren Church senior pastor convicted placed on administrative leave by the Diocese Archdiocese of Santa Fe, NM, are being sued of sexual battery of congregant Jessica Simp- that he only touched of Beaumont as pastor of St. Catherine’s Cath- by 4 plaintiffs who allege they were molested as kins when she was 15 in 2008. The victim is her leg to see if olic Church during investigation by church and boys as far back as 1968. “John Doe 56” alleges challenging a law that caps compensation at civil authorities of an allegation at the parish he was a 7-year-old altar boy when Bissonnette $250,000 for childhood victims of sexual abuse. ‘anything intimate’ school. He’s been St. Catherine’s pastor since started raping him. A jury awarded her $3.5 million. 2013. Source: Beaumont Enterprise, 12-17-15 Two plaintiffs allege Griego molested them Simpkins testified Williams forced her to per- might happen. James E. Dorff, 68, San Antonio, TX, multiple times as altar boys at Our Lady of Sor- form oral and vaginal sex during a counseling resigned as bishop of the United Methodist rows Parish. Source: The New Mexican, 12-17- session. Robin Weixel, an earlier alleged victim, Church’s Rio Texas Conference, which includes 15 testified that in 2002 when she was 18, she met about 400 congregations. He also surrendered Peter Miqueli, 53, Bronx, NY, pastor of St. with Williams about going on a mission trip. She Allegations his ministerial credentials. Frances de Chantal Catholic Church, is being testified he shared details of his marital sex life, In his letter, Dorff apologized for an extramar- Australian Catholic priest John Day was sued by 14 parishioners for allegedly stealing told her “most men view women as a thing to be ital “transgression” and said he had not “upheld found in a drunken state in a vehicle while con- over $1 million. Miqueli, who has resigned, al- fucked” and shared his views on women dress- the sacred vows” he made at his 1975 wedding sorting with prostitutes in 1956 but wasn’t ar- legedly paid his lover $1,000 per rough sex ses- ing provocatively. to his wife Barbara. Source: Express-News, 12- rested, according to testimony before the Roy- sion. The lover, Keith Crist, is a co-defendant The Ohio Chamber of Commerce supports 8-15 al Commission into Institutional Responses to who made “sex slave” Miqueli call him “master” damages caps, said President Andy Doehrel, Ivan Petunov, 35, was suspended as pastor Child Sexual Abuse. and drink his urine, the suit alleges. because businesses need certainty. “If you don’t of a Russian Orthodox parish in Petrozavodsk. Denis Ryan testified he was among 3 police New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan and have that type of certainty, one — you can’t cov- Petunov is under investigation for killing a fe- officers who pulled over a car that kept bounc- the archdiocese are also named defendants. er it with insurance and, two — you won’t be male pedestrian in the Republic of Karelia with ing off the curb. Day “was pissed to the eyeballs Source: NY Daily News, 12-13-15 able to stay in business.” Source: WCMH, 12- his Skoda Fabia car. with his strides [trousers] around his ankles,” Fellowship Bible Church of Brentwood, 9-15 “If it is confirmed that the priest was indeed Ryan said. The driver was a well-known pros- TN, is being sued for $37.5 million in a lawsuit The Catholic Diocese of Duluth, MN, filed driving while intoxicated, there can be no moral titute named Hazel, who was accompanied by by the parents of a 3-year-old boy who allege for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to become the 15th justification for this,” said a church statement. another prostitute. he was raped in August 2014 at the church by U.S. diocese or religious order to seek protec- Source: Moscow Times, 12-2-15 Ryan testified Hazel said Day was “a regular a male teen volunteer. The teen is not identified tion from sex abuse claims. Jesús Delgado, 77, vicar general of the customer of ours.” He recounted what a police in news stories. A jury awarded $8.1 million in November to Archdiocese of San Salvador, was suspended sergeant later told him: “[He] explained that the The suit alleges the church’s volunteer train- William Weis for his 1978 molestation by James as a Catholic bishop after admitting he molested Catholics looked after the Catholics and the ing video devotes only 45 seconds to preventing Fitzgerald, a priest who died in 2009. The dio- a young girl. Masons looked after the Masons, and short of child molestation and asserts the church “tried cese was held liable for $4.8 million, the Oblates Msgr. Rafael Urrutia, the archdiocese’s head murder, you just didn’t charge a priest.” to blame the [family] for what happened, insist- of Mary Immaculate order for the rest. of external affairs, said Delgado “is willing to Ryan alleged his attempts to investigate child ing the horrors their son described must have Vicar General James Bissonette said that meet with the victim [now 42] to ask her forgive- sex abuse claims against Day in 1971-72 were been something he heard at home.” Source: given the “magnitude of the verdict, the diocese ness.” Source: AP, 11-26-15 stymied by the church and other police officers. The Tennessean, 12-1-15 was left with no choice but to file for reorganiza- The Catholic Diocese of Rockville Cen- At least 15 people eventually claimed abuse by tion.” The diocese’s operating budget for the last Continued on page 27 Page 26 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin January / February 2016

Sharing the crank mail

Our mail is like a box of chocolates, we Sheriff Holley and Vietnam veterans like me, my and petty you are. You are no better than ISIS. est thing for all you folks to hang from the rafters never know what we’re gonna get. But here’s a dad in Ww II , my grandpa in Ww I, you would The school will probably go on with the Nativi- upside down until you heads explode. Fuck you taste, with comments printed as received. not have the rights to express your twisted opin- ty Scene anyway.Please leave our country and and the mothers that bore you. — Bill Winkler ion. — Rob Painter especially Indiana. You’re stinking up our air. — Something you need to know: There is Your website is disgruntled and meaning- Bibles: You offend me but I can’t remove Nancy Erie a God. Something can’t come from nothing so less: Message: Your website has a quiz mock- your face from the internet ....doesn’t that as Freedom: people like you over the years something must be eternal. It can’t be energy ing peoples education about the Bible. Your sound ridiculous? GOD be with you — Laura D have caused a decay in the foundation of this because it would all be unusable by now and questions isolate issues in the Bible, that I know Bullies with no respect: What a bunch country and you obviously do not understand the virtual particles have been proven to be created for a fact your staff HAS NO IDEA how to under- of bullies you are. You go around demanding constitution and twist it in to suit your own agen- by already existing energy. Matter would all be stand. You are not people of the book, you are things from your little itty bitty tiny group of da. If it was good in the 50’s its good now.no new dust by now because of the natural order of de- childish mockers of the book. Your entire orga- “over 22500 members” like your shit doesn’t or updated interpretation needed. Your violating cay. God is the only logical explanation for our nization is a faith group bent on the worship and stink. But you know what you are the minority. their 2nd amendment rights!! — Shawn Harper existence. — Jenifer Carrico zealotry of Richard Darwin’s Study. May God By pushing your extreme agenda you are only Live nativity scene: fuck you and your bull- Tolerance: You folks are no better than the look over you. — Matthew Smithson, California making people hate you more and more and shit non christian family whining about a scene church that wants to shut down the tittie-bar. your uneducated leader Annie Laurie are going to bring about your own demise. You about mary and jesus. FUCK YOU — Kelly Diehl They have a REASON! It might impact… You Gaylor: Your leader Mr. Annie Galor is either make demands like little children and go cry to Ignorant: While in military I was killed....I have a REASON! It might impact… an idiot in search of a village or he is on drugs. some libtard judge until you get your way. — was dead for two hours.....I have walked on the I knw you won’t stop. Why? For the same I would also like to say YOU ALSO HAVE NO Brandon Culp other side of life for two hours I’ve seen heav- reason they won’t $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ FREEDOM FROM RELIGION!! Please be my Bibles in hotels: Please, please, PLEASE en I’ve seen hell...the bible states that everyone YOU ARE BOGUS. and you know it. — Bret guest and go to the middle east, preferably Syr- stop with your inane crusade to remove religion that includes all of you...will one day bow before Loomis ia, and shout you beliefs there. I don’t expect from every place and every event you do not Jesus Christ....in life to salvation, or after death Religious displays in parks: You can be an answer since you have no defense. — Keith like. God was here before you and will be here to punishment...you might not believe in God free from religion if you wish. That’s your right. Rohlmeier, Edmond, Okla. LONG after you leave. If you don’t like some- this side of life but on the other side everyone But we are sick and tired of you treading on our Who started the universe?: If there’s no thing, turn your head, change the channel, or believes.... — Dan Fuller rights for our religion. Back off and stay out of Deity, how did everything get started? — John close the drawer and leave the Bible in there. Bibles in hotels: There were no school Mississippi. We don’t need any help from you to Schwarting, Live Oak, Texas You people are just as bad as the NAACP and shootings until you helped chase prayer out of run our state. The majority is supposed to rule. Your inappropriate networking activities: labor unions. — Douglas Nodurft school. Organizations like yours are as repre- Not one over everyone else. — Gail Williams, Im really fed up with you guys trying to follow A high school nativity play ? You blocked hensible as any terrorist organization — Neil Mississippi my allies around and harass us in one shape that ?: Hey assholes- you people are on my shit English Let me try to figure this out: I will pray or another. Your use of networking into federal list. Keep up your trash. We are Conservative Your lame-ass organization: You assholes that only more conviction will come upon your government is the kind of thing president kenne- Americans, who believe in this nation. Under are no better than the ISIS bastards that are try- scheme of destroying your great nation. Keep dy warned the people about. I will let the Pres- God. We will push back. — David Laity ing to destroy America. Head on back to Russia, looking up because the fairy tale is coming ident of the United States know what kind of Heathens: That crap you pulled at Concord China, Iran where you belong and will most like- soon, or shall I say the reality of Jesus Christ in defamation and civil harassment you guys are Highschool in Indiana proves how ignorant ly get killed by those folks. It would be the sweet- all of His glory. — Brian Plum, London, Ontario engaging in in the name of democracy. Kindly Stop: I need y’all to hear me out. I am 19 cease and desist from your forced marketing ad years old and have been a Christian since I was hosting of the film “Spotlight” as well. I will direct born, even though I was saved and baptized at either the French and or Jeff Mace from Kearny 9. I heard about the ‘In God We Trust’ decal ar- NJ to create undue technical logistical problems ticle and that has crossed the line! My dad is for your harassing media endeavors. You are to an officer and a Christian. Please don’t say I’m cease and desist from entering CBN, Lincoln pushing my religion on y’all because I’m not. Center, Brooklyn New York near DUMBO. Do Y’all are pushing your views on me. Jesus is my you understand? YES? GOOD. — Jean Kim, SAVIOR, not my religion! He can be your Sav- Kearny, N.J. ior, too. I know y’all know that. Anyway, please Concord High School Nativity Scene: Tell email me back? My intention really is not to ver- Annie Laurie Gaylor that since her jaw dropped bally fight, but to further the Kingdom. — Caro- about the Nativity scene she can just suck my line Billiot, Bossier City, La. dick. I know Christians shouldn’t say something You Fags: Hi faggotts. Picketed any fire like that but then someone like her should just stations lately for expressing their freedom of put her mouth to good use. — Connor Kaisch, speech? Screw ALL of you. Hell has a special Texas place reserved just for you!!! — Jerry Babbitt harris county sheriff jolley: I am from you fucking people deserve to go back Waukesha County in the town of Vernon, Wis. to the monkeys you came from: You are truly I left that hellhole of a state. Just as that corrupt a pathetic bunch of douchebags. I hope none governor Doyle was leaving office! You liberal of you asswiping goat fuckers celebrate Christ- jerks are one of the reasons I got the Hell out of mas, you hypocritical bunch of turd ticklers. Get that state and went somewhere free of People a life and please stay out of everyone elses. — like you in East Texas! If it weren’t for men like Tim Delaney

can change God’s word on a whim. then, how can we expect people to go this life for a rewarding afterlife, I will Tara Clifford essay Did you know that God told Warren through their holy book with discern- make this life better because it is all we Continued from page 20 Jeffs to rape little boys and marry and ment, deciding they will only follow have. holy books calling for death do not then rape little girls? Because he is the some of God’s word but not all? The make peace. mouth of God for his sect, his own solution is education. At the very least, Tara Clifford, 30, was born in New Jer- This reminds me of the Mormons. brothers did not even question his ac- if people had an education they would sey but currenly resides in Olyphant, Penn. Like everyone else, they take 15 steps tions as they held down their 5-year old develop reason and critical thinking. She is working toward a graduate degree back when the term “fundamentalist” nephew for Warren Jeffs to rape. Since Then they could pervert their religion in mental health counseling from Mary- is mentioned, but they are in the same it was all in his head, there is no exist- and not follow blindly. wood University, which is where she also got rocky boat as every other religion. Mor- ing reference in a holy book about this To say that religions do not con- a B.A. in communication arts. She plans monism has a hidden gem in it, open- crime, but it was still God’s will after all. done violence, terrorism and senseless to graduate in May 2018 and hopes to be ing it to a whole new world of violence A possible solution seems simple on murder is laughable, at best. All you accepted into a doctoral program. She is a and destruction. The Doctrine and paper, but may be next to impossible have to do is pick up one of the holy 20-year vegetarian who loves reading about Covenants 91-92 state “…the duty of to accomplish. Religion is a system of books and read through their pages. religious cults, dreaming about what the the President of the office of the High brainwashing. It tells you to believe no That is why I am proud to be an atheist. country will be like with Bernie Sanders as Priesthood is to… be a seer, a reve- matter what. One is to abandon reason I will never have to follow something president, and spending time with her hus- lator, a translator, and a prophet…” and critical thinking and just believe blindly or try to make excuses for a god band and two cats. This means that whoever is in charge in things that do not make sense. So and his actions. Instead of destroying

tween the perceived authority a deity ideas for peace that may help to quell lowers to put an end to the extreme Sara Rose essay has over a believer’s body and the ac- such violence in the future, though. religious terrorism of Kaduna. These Continued from page 21 tions that person can be expected to Marc Gopin, director of the Center men serve as an example for the kind are many who feel that their actions take on behalf of their god. If a person for World Religions, asserts that Jewish of change the world’s religious leaders and fate are out of their control and believes that their religion has a say in peacemaking in the Middle East may need to take, and does provide the ti- in the hands of god(s). This absolves what they do to their body, and there need to begin with mourning, which niest glimmer of hope. Unfortunately, them of personal responsibility. Ad- is a significant affront to their religious is a large part of Jewish tradition. The the nature of religion, combined with ditionally, the idea of life after death beliefs, that person could be driven to Quran states, “If God had so willed, he a growing global population, and an may lead people to believe that killing the most extreme acts of religious vio- would have made you one community unwillingness to change among many others is not a way of ending their ex- lence: suicide terrorism. but he wanted to test you . . . ” which groups, still leaves the world at the istence, but merely moving them from The function and scale of religion should act as a call for peace. mercy of religious war. this plane of existence to some other, relating to violence is staggering. Re- Amid the religious turbulence of where they will no longer pose a threat. ligion is meant to provide morals, al- Nigeria, two men have found a way Sara is 26 and grew up in rural Massa- They do not remotely comprehend the leviate fear of death, and attempt to to turn their religious animosity into chusetts. She has lived in 17 homes in nine permanence and absoluteness of their explain the complex. It is outrageous a positive force for their community. cities in four states. She is now residing in actions. Without such influence, many that something which should bring Imam Muhammad Ashafa and Pastor Bend, Ore., and attends Oregon State Uni- soldiers would have difficulty killing order to a person’s life can be twisted James Wuye began their journey as versity. She is majoring in natural resourc- another man without hesitation. Fur- into the driving force of destruction. bitter enemies, but have since come es and minoring in sustainability with a thermore, there is a connection be- A few modern leaders do have some together, and encouraged their fol- planned graduation in June 2017. January / February 2016 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 27

In memoriam

Todd Gardner, 1930–2015 NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Cen- FFRF Life Member Todd Gardner, ter in Huntsville as an information 85, of Palm Springs, Calif., died on specialist. “In plain language, a PR Oct. 15, 2015. man,” Don explained. Among his du- Todd worked for the Fairmont Ho- ties was speechwriter for the center tel in San Francisco from 1951-1998, director, Dr. Wernher von Braun, the and was assistant manager at the time German-born creator of the Saturn V of his retirement. Moon rocket. He was together with his partner As Don pointed out, “Dr. von Braun Gary Gray, also a Life Member, for 30 was also the creator of the V-2 rockets, years, including the last two years as which we used to see flying over our spouses. “We got married by the mayor foxholes in Belgium a decade earlier of Palm Springs,” Gary said. on their way to their targets in Lon- Todd had been a member of FFRF don — to me, a rather ironic, even since 1990 and a Life Member since absurdist, commentary on warfare in 2010. general.” FFRF sends heartfelt condolences to An enthusiasic (“but totally untal- Gary and others who knew Todd. FFRF Life Member Todd Gardner, left, died on Oct. 15, 2015. He is shown in ented”) golfer from age 12 into his 90s, the photo with Gary Gray, his partner of 30 years. Don made four holes-in-one along the Jerry H. Jeffery Jr., way. “The first three were luck,” he ad- 1947–2014 a master’s degree in business adminis- scribed him and read them all to our mitted. “But that fourth one was pure Jerry H. Jeffery Jr., 67, of Maitland, tration from Cal State-Long Beach and Poetry Society, and at the end I told skill.” After a long pause, “Well, maybe Fla., died Aug. 21, 2014. Jerry was born then went to work for Fluor Corp. He them he was an atheist and everyone not.” Aug. 4, 1947, in Newport, Ark. He is retired after 29 years and moved to Ha- applauded!” A paying hobby was teaching ball- survived by his wife Anita and two chil- waii, where he remained active in the FFRF sends its sincerest condolences room dancing, also into his 90s. “I al- dren, Samatha and Michael Jeffery. community. He enjoyed traveling, vis- to Peggy and those who knew Harvey. most made enough to pay for my golf,” Jeffery, an attorney, worked with iting six continents and more than 25 he laughed. He claimed to be the FFRF’s 2014 case against the Orange countries. Don Worrell, 1923-2015 world’s oldest living ballroom dance County (Fla.) School Board for allow- Harry is survived by his wife of 35 Don Worrell, an FFRF Lifetime teacher.” ing a private group to distribute bibles years, Peggy Odell Robertson, and two Member and former Board of Direc- Don is survived by his wife, Naoko, to 11 schools within the district and, al- children, Reed Odell Robertson and tors member representing Alabama, whom he met in 1959, when she was ternatively, to allow FFRF to distribute Kate Robertson Marks. died on Dec. 16, 2015, in Huntsville, his tour guide during his visit to her materials. Peggy wrote the following in a letter Ala., at the age of 92. hometown of Kyoto, Japan. They have to FFRF in November: He was graduate of the Univer- a son, Ken, also of Hunstville. Harry Robertson, “We had been reading Freethought sity of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, with Per Don’s wishes, no funeral sevices 1941–2015 Today for over 30 years and started a degrees in journalism and business were held. Longtime FFRF member Harry Freethought Society here in Maui for administration. He liked the epitaph: “Once I Robertson of Lahaina, Hawaii, died a couple of years. Harry and I would He served as an Infantry rifleman in wasn’t. Then I was. Now I ain’t again.” at Maui Memorial Medical Center on divide the newspaper (Freethought the Battle of the Bulge in World War II, And, to quote Richard Dawkins, “Be- Oct. 8 at the age of 73, after a nine-year Today) as soon as it would come and where his feet were frozen and he was ing dead will be no different than be- battle with cancer. discuss how great it was. hit by artillery shrapnel “right square ing unborn. I shall be just as I was in He was born Oct. 18, 1941, in South “Harry was a gracious, kind, in the buttocks,” Don said, “as Forrest the time of William the Conqueror or Africa and attended school there. He thoughtful scholar and a gentleman Gump put it.” He received the Purple the dinosaurs.” graduated with a degree in chemical that everyone liked, besides being an Heart and the Bronze Star with V for “We will greatly miss Don, a warm engineering from the University of immigrant and accomplishing much in Valor. and vital presence at many national Cape Town, where he was a member of life. I received hundreds of letters and He worked as a reporter and news conventions and events at Lake Hypa- the rowing team that won the South Af- emails from all over the world describ- editor on newspapers in Columbus, tia, Ala., with the Alabama Freethought rican National Championship in 1963. ing Harry as a wonderful man. I wrote Ga., Newport News, Va., Norman, Society chapter,” said FFRF Co-Presi- He came to the U.S. in 1968 and got down four pages of adjectives that de- Okla., and Tuscaloosa before joining dent Annie Laurie Gaylor. Black collar crimes FFRF on the road Continued from page 25 George Passias, 67, Manhattan, NY, was was eventually sentenced to 3 years in prison. officially relieved of his priestly duties at St. Durham told the judge that Neill came from Spyridon Church after a unanimous vote in Is- “a very reputable family deeply committed to tanbul by the Greek Orthodox Holy and Sacred Christian service. He has served as a mission- Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Passias ary across the country leading numerous peo- had resigned after allegations he impregnated ple to accept Jesus Christ as their savior.” the married parish school principal Ethel Bou- According to records made public in Decem- zalas, 45, a native Peruvian. ber, prosecutors sought to indict Durham for fal- Videos were leaked to media showing the sifying the date on 2 prescriptions and trying to couple having oral sex and Bouzalas indulging fill them in 2013. A grand jury declined to indict in “cake porn” (grinding her thong-clad bottom him in January 2014. Source: AP, 12-11-15 on banana bread wrapped in cellophane) as After an unidentified, elderly South African Passias watched. Source: NY Post, 11-30-15 mohel cut off the entire tip of a baby’s penis in- stead of just the foreskin during ritual circumci- Other sion, a formal commission of inquiry has recom- mended accreditation and licensing to oversee After Joseph T. Neill, 39, Shelbyville, TN, a the practice. Baptist youth pastor, was convicted of posses- Accreditation would have to be renewed ev- sion of prepubescent child pornography stem- ery 2 years and take into account factors such ming from a probe of his alleged sexual rela- as “age, state of health of the mohel and any tionship with a 16-year-old female congregant, complaints received . . . which bear on his com- state House Majority Whip Jeremy Durham, petence to continue performing brit mila.” R-Franklin, wrote the sentencing judge a letter Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein confirmed he asking for leniency for Neill. will implement the recommendations and im- Durham declined to say how he knew Neill pose a lifetime ban against the malpracticing and why he wrote the letter using the House let- mohel. Source: Jerusalem Post, 11-30-15 terhead. He said in a text message that media coverage was “just another witch hunt.” Neill ‘Battle of Church & State’ topic of Rochester talk Email: [email protected] FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor spoke to a standing-room only gather- ing on Dec. 7 at the Brighton Memorial Library in Brighton, N.Y., sponsored by the Rochester Chapter of Americans United and local National Organization RECRUIT A MEMBER for Women. Pictured: AU Board Member Jim Swarts, Annie Laurie, FFRF member Carol Hoffman and the famous Linda Stephens, vice president of the Rochester sample copies for $2 Chapter of AU and FFRF Lifetime Member. Linda and Susan Galloway, who Send $2 with the name and address of each person you videotaped the speech, were the determined plaintiffs in Greece v. Galloway, wish to receive a sample copy of Freethought Today to: challenging governmental prayer. Although the Supreme Court decision last year did not go their way, it paved the way for protest “secular invocations,” FFRF • P.O. Box 750 • Madison, WI 53701 including FFRF’s Nothing Fails Like Prayer Contest. Annie Laurie enjoyed the (Please specify whether the individual is a freethinker.) reunion with many longtime FFRF New York friends and members and walking Freedom depends upon freethinkers down the Susan B. Anthony Concourse at the Rochester airport. Page 28 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin January / February 2016 Secular invocations Shop with ease at FFRF online Looking to proudly own. display your atheism? FFRF offers a variety of Want to give the gift of items, including music, freethought? new and used freethought Check out FFRF’s on- books, apparel, greeting line store at ffrf.org/shop. cards, DVDs/video, tote This isn’t just shameless bags, pins, bumper stick- self-promotion, it’s a ers and much more. good way to help FFRF New clothing items fight the battle of church for sale are the “In Chef and state, which is also We Trust” apron, “Un- the title of a Dan Barker abashed Atheist” tee and tune on “Friendly Neighborhood Athe- “Out of the Closet Atheist” and Daw- ist.” The rights you save may be your kins-inspired “A” caps.

Steven Belstra and his daughter, Cambria

Steven Belstra Grandville, Mich., City Council analyst who worked with FFRF in 2013 trying, unsuccessfully, to erect a Winter Dec. 27, 2015 Solstice banner next to a nativity scene in After the Town of Greece vs. Galloway de- Fremont, Mich. cision allowing sectarian prayers at certain public meetings, Michigan resident Steven Terry Sunday Belstra wanted to let his city council know El Paso, Texas, City Council that there were more than just Christians in Oct. 6, 2015 its contituency. “Every time the council had an invoca- FFRF member Terry Sunday, a “retired tion, it was done by a pastor of some local aerospace engineer, inveterate world traveler, church,” Belstra writes. “People who ar- ethnic cook, prolific Amazon reviewer and en’t religious needed some representation. I lifelong atheist,” gave the following secular wouldn’t have done it at all if there weren’t invocation to the El Paso City Council: prayers already taking place at every single other council meeting.” Good morning, Mayor, City Council Here is the invocation given by Belstra: representatives and fellow El Pasoans, As we meet to conduct the business Thank you, Mayor Maas and the of the city of El Paso, we must always Grandville City Council, for having me bear in mind that we all have different speak today. My name is Steven Belstra needs, wants, views and beliefs. We like and I am not an ordained minister or and dislike different things, we harbor priest of any faith. I request from the different notions of right and wrong, council and our community that we we have different levels of tolerance don’t turn toward faith or religion to for others’ lifestyles, and we envision guide government decisions, but rath- our roles in society differently. Gonna find out who’s naughty or nice er good will toward all people in our But surely we can agree that our “While vacationing in Farmington, New Mexico, my husband and I saw this community. actions will succeed only to the extent billboard and couldn’t resist. Both sides are worth a chuckle,” writes Candace I speak for the minorities in the that they best serve the interests of all Kant from Nevada. area who identify as being secular hu- El Pasoans. manists, atheists and one of the fastest While differences in ethnicity, gen- growing groups in America, the non- der identity, age, religious viewpoint, religious. Grandville contains many sexual orientation, skin color, political different people who have different affiliation and other things distinguish beliefs, traditions and cultures, all of each of us from another, in America we which we want to see considered when are all equal under the law. Our com- NOTHING FAILS LIKE PRAYER making decisions for our community. I mon ancestors applied their intellects ask that for today and all future meet- and skills to benefit humankind and ings we can approach decisions this bring us to where we are here today. way. But it isn’t just in our local city We can do no better than to continue council meetings where this should ap- that timeless practice. The U.S. Supreme Court unwisely “blessed” sectarian ply, but in all other aspects of human As we consider issues in today’s prayers at local government meetings in its Town of Greece interaction. meeting: v. Galloway decision. If the Supreme Court won’t uphold our 2015 will be remembered as a year • Let us show each other respect, godless and entirelyCon  secular Constitution — adopted at a that major human rights decisions tolerance and kindness. were made in the Obergefell vs. Hodges • Let us listen intently and thought- prayerless constitutional convention — it’s up to us. case, which granted state recognition fully to each other. to all same-sex couples. This decision • Let us graciously acknowledge It’s up to you! by the Supreme Court of the United and sincerely consider opposing We’d like to see secular citizens flood government meetings States is a great example of what I am viewpoints. alluding to. • Let us demonstrate reason, com- with secular invocations that illustrate why government It is in our best interest as a com- mon sense, cooperativeness and a will- prayers are unnecessary, ine ective, embarrassing, munity to view all of our citizens as ingness to compromise. exclusionary, divisive or just plain silly. equals, regardless of their beliefs about • Let us commit to do what is right an afterlife or their beliefs about hu- and just, not only in letter but in spirit The “best” secular invocation will be invited to open FFRF’s man sexuality. So what I ask of my lo- as well. annual convention, receiving an all-expenses-paid trip cal city council is that you govern with • Let us conduct today’s meeting (next year in Pittsburgh on the weekend of Oct. 7–9, 2016), a reason and empathy toward all people, with honesty, civility, integrity and regardless of the church I do or don’t open-mindedness. plaque and an honorarium of $500. attend, the person who I marry, or the • And finally, let us always act inclu- beliefs that you may or may not share sively, morally, openly, professionally LEARN MORE AT: with other citizens of the community. and in the best interests of all the cit- rf.org/outreach/nothing-fails-like-prayer Thank you for your time, council. izens of El Paso. Now make it so. Steven Belstra, 26, is a business systems Thank you.