A 2018 college Jocelyn Bishop student essay Williamson’s Refuted contest winners secular invocations PAGE 3 PAGE 12-16 PAGE 23

Vol. 35 No. 8 Published by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. October 2018 Appeals court upholds cross victory FFRF, AHA sued to have (from 1983), with virtually identical facts that had found a governmental 34-foot-tall cross taken cross unconstitutional. The panel can- down in Florida park not disregard that precedent without it being overturned by the U.S. Supreme A federal appeals court has ruled that Court, or without the full court of the a 34-foot-tall cross in a Florida park is 11th Circuit overruling itself. unconstitutional and must come down. In June of last year, Senior U.S. Dis- The decision is a resounding victory trict Judge Roger Vinson ruled that “the for the Freedom From Religion Foun- Bayview Cross can no longer stand as a dation and the American Humanist permanent fixture on city-owned prop- Association. erty.” The white Latin cross owned, dis- In a pivotal federal decision released played and funded by the city of Pen- Sept. 7, the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of sacola towers over Bayview Park. The Appeals upheld a lower court judgment cross is also the site of numerous Easter that ruled against the promotion of Sunrise services, frequently co-hosted Christianity — and exclusively Christi- by Christian churches. anity — by local government agencies. Vinson ordered the cross removed A federal appeals court ruled that this 34-foot concrete cross in Bayview Park in However, the Becket Fund for Reli- within a month. Lamentably, the city de- Pensacola, Fla., must come down. gious Liberty, which is representing the cided to waste more taxpayer funds by city of Pensacola in the case, announced against the city of Pensacola, Fla., on be- ficials, represents a troubling elevation appealing the case to the 11th Circuit. Sept. 18 it had filed a petition with the half of residents of the city troubled by of Christian faith above other beliefs. The appeals court, in its wisdom, has af- Supreme Court asking the court to hear a large, freestanding cross on city park The three-judge panel begrudgingly firmed the lower court’s ruling. the case. property. The massive cross, located in affirmed a district court decision be- However, the appeals court decision In 2016, FFRF and AHA filed suit Bayview Park and maintained by city of- cause of a previous case, ACLU v. Rabun See Victory on page 2 FFRF slams Supreme Court Citizens United, asked to reverse Huckabee for FFRF victory Morris County, N.J., is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn FFRF’s resounding victory this smear letter spring against taxpayer subsidy of churches. The county, defended by the Catholic Becket It includes numerous falsehoods, Fund, wants the court to overrule the New Jersey Supreme Court’s decision against funding reli- often repeated several times gious worship. The Freedom From Religion Foundation is taking ty and fear-mongering, Huckabee and Citizens Unit- FFRF will be represented by renowned legal Mike Huckabee and the Citizens United Foundation ed are striving to build up a $44 million theocratic scholar Erwin Chemerinsky in opposing the Sept. to task for scurrilously using its name as a fundraising war chest. 19 request. Chemerinsky is the dean of the Uni- gimmick. In one sense, FFRF is flattered, FFRF Co-Presi- versity of California-Berkeley School of Law. FFRF has obtained a recent letter that Huckabee dents Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor write in a The New Jersey Supreme Court unanimously wrote for the Citizens United Foundation. The un- letter to Huckabee and Citizens United. Huckabee’s held in April that state taxpayers cannot be forced dated letter entirely devoted to attacking FFRF runs letter recognizes that FFRF and its legal team have to pay to repair active houses of worship, several to 10 pages and includes a request for a minimum “done more than just about any other group” to but- of which explicitly sought taxpayer funds in order donation of $22 and a petition that recipients are to tress the constitutional wall of separation between to further their worship services. sign and return to Citizens United. The letter states church and state. Huckabee also admits that he “is This decision will save New Jersey taxpayers that it will be mailed to 2 million Americans. (For afraid” of FFRF. many millions of dollars and protects the religious a fun point-by-point refutation, read the letter with However, Huckabee’s letter overflows with lies, dis- liberty of all New Jersey residents. FFRF’s annotations online at ffrf.org/attack.) information and misstatements. The biggest lie ap- Morris County churches are arguing that they Huckabee is a former governor of Arkansas and pears on page two and is repeated 13 times in various are entitled to taxpayer funds, even though the Fox News host. He also lost twice in Republican pres- iterations: “The Freedom From Religion Foundation New Jersey Constitution specifically forbids this idential primaries. Citizens United is an organization has launched a Campaign for an Atheist America religious use of taxpayer funds. One of these that, in 2010, won a U.S. Supreme Court case which that has one goal — to erase any trace of America’s churches sought and received a grant to allow the struck down a federal law prohibiting corporations Christian heritage from the public square.” church’s “continued use by our congregation for and unions from making expenditures in connec- FFRF has launched no such campaign. Never- worship services.” Another received funds “to en- tion with federal elections. In other words, the con- theless, the letter even indicates that Huckabee sure continued safe public access to the church troversial outcome of the case equated corporations and the Citizens United Foundation are familiar for worship.” with people when it comes to political donations. with various stages of the nonexistent campaign: At the heart of the lawsuit, argued in New Jer- The letter from Huckabee and Citizens United is “Urgent action is needed to stop the Freedom sey state court, is the New Jersey Constitution’s not simply dishonest, it contains patently false state- From Religion Foundation’s newest and most guarantee: “nor shall any person be obliged to ments that damage, and are intended to damage, the reputation of FFRF. Worse yet, through this dishones- See Huckabee on page 2 See Supreme on page 2 Page 2 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | October 2018 Victory Continued from page 1 is unprecedented not only because the affirmed that individuals of minority of Pensacola complies with the court’s FFRF believes that the court will deny judges indicated they did not want to faiths or no faith at all are full citizens of direction, it is our hope that this park review or agree that the cross is uncon- rule in the Constitution’s favor, but also this country and may not be excluded becomes an inclusive space for all.” stitutional and must be removed. because two of the judges on the pan- or proselytized by their government.” The Becket law firm offered to ap- The plaintiffs in the case are Amanda el wrote separately to urge the court to The American Humanist Association peal the ruling for the city for free and Kondrat’yev; Andreiy Kondrat’yev; Da- rehear the case en banc. concurs. Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward ac- vid Suhor and Andre Ryland. The case FFRF welcomes the judgment, “It’s reassuring that the court recog- cepted the offer. was brought by both FFRF and AHA, though, regardless of the undercurrents. nized the illegality of an overtly Chris- “The city looks forward to being vin- and handled by FFRF staff attorneys “Reason and the Constitution have tian cross conspicuously displayed in dicated on appeal — as the majority of Rebecca Markert and Madeline Ziegler prevailed,” says FFRF Co-President Bayview Park,” says Roy Speckhardt, the court said it should be,” Hayward and AHA’s senior counsel Monica Mill- Annie Laurie Gaylor. “The court has executive director of AHA. “As the city said in the release. er and legal director David Niose. Huckabee Continued from page 1 frightening plan — the next phase a letter suggesting that a secular me- and crosses in urine are “art,” they firmly be- as art. of their Campaign for an Atheist morial on Capitol grounds was more lieve that they must sue the Heartland into The Huckabee attack letter makes America.” appropriate and inclusive than a sec- accepting these things. many statements that purport to be fac- This appears to be a deliberate lie tarian memorial. Painting an artistic “The clear implication here is that tual but are actually lies. Those state- meant to scare people into donating to suggestion as an anti-Semitic lawsuit FFRF has sued to force people to ac- ments injure FFRF’s reputation — and Citizens United. deliberately and dishonestly casts cept pornography and crosses in urine are intended to injure that reputation. In another lie, the letter states: FFRF in a negative light. as art, an indefensible claim devoid of FFRF is formally requesting that “In Ohio, the Freedom From Reli- Then there is this absurd and harm- any basis in reality,” Barker and Gaylor Mike Huckabee and the Citizens Unit- gion Foundation sued to prohibit the ful paragraph: To the Freedom From Re- write. ed Foundation cease disseminating Star of David from being displayed ligion Foundation, you and I are “narrow The state/church watchdog has nev- what it calls their smear letter or other at a new Holocaust Memorial.” FFRF minded” because we still believe in “old er brought a lawsuit about pornogra- lies about FFRF. The unvarnished truth never sued over this memorial on fashioned” Religious Values. Since you and phy or urine-soaked crosses, much less is the least that their followers — and Capitol grounds. FFRF simply wrote I don’t think that things like pornography one that forced people to accept them this country — deserve. Supreme FFRF welcomes Continued from page 1 14 new Life pay tithes, taxes, or other rates for building or repairing any church or Members churches, place or places of worship, FFRF is excited to announce our 14 or for the maintenance of any minis- newest Lifetime Members and two new ter or ministry, contrary to what he After-Life Members. believes to be right.” Art. I, Para. 3. FFRF’s newest Lifetime Members Morris County is asking the Su- are Leslie Dimmick, Michael Donovan, preme Court to extend a 2017 case, Benjamin Peter Fields, Richard Lunde, Trinity Lutheran v. Comer, which held Anthony Martin, Shane McDaniel, Bri- that Missouri could not exclude a an McDonald, Douglas Pierson, Clif- church-owned playground from a ford Raynor, Elizabeth Rose, Maria Pi- secular funding program. The coun- lar Susterich, Robert Taylor, Sue Taylor ty made the same unpersuasive ar- and Donna Watt. States represented are guments before the New Jersey Su- Alabama, Arizona, California, Idaho, preme Court, which soundly rejected Illinois, Minnesota, New Mexico, New the county’s arguments. The state York, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, high court crucially noted that this Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. case “does not involve the expendi- Individual Lifetime Memberships ture of taxpayer money for nonreli- are $1,000, designated as membership gious uses, such as the playground or membership renewal, and are de- resurfacing in Trinity Lutheran.” The Presbyterian Church in Morristown, N.J. got $1.04 million in grants from Mor- ductible for income-tax purposes. FFRF, with the help of Chemerin- ris County. The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that the county cannot pay for Our two new After-Life Members are sky, will file a response to the coun- the upgrades to that church (and others). The county is now trying to get the U.S. Shawn Flisakowski and William Weiss. ty’s petition, urging the court to re- Supreme Court to take the case. An After-Life Membership is a $5,000 ject the requested review. donation for those who want their do- “We’re confident that the U.S. Su- Plaintiffs in the case are David and Ryan Jayne, who will continue nation to “live on” after them. preme Court will either deny review Steketee, an FFRF member, and as co-counsel. Chemerinsky is one of or will accept the case only to clarify FFRF itself. In New Jersey state court, the most cited legal scholars of all that the New Jersey Supreme Court Steketee and FFRF were represented time and has argued several cases got the case exactly right,” FFRF by outside counsel Paul Grosswald before the Supreme Court. ‘IN REASON WE TRUST’ Co-President Dan Barker said. and FFRF attorneys Andrew Seidel Self inking stamp

FFRF’s classic ‘Freethinker’ mug Our classic ‘Freethinker’ mug has been re-created. White imprint on classic blue, matte finish. 9.5 fl.oz. Published by Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. American-made mug. NEW! P.O. Box 750 Madison WI 53701 NEW! [email protected] FFRF.org P 608.256.8900 F 608.204.0422

EDITOR PJ Slinger [email protected] EDITOR EMERITUS Bill Dunn Carefully crafted to stamp out EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER Annie Laurie Gaylor ‘god’ on U.S. currency. Good GRAPHIC DESIGNER Roger Daleiden for up to 2000 impressions. COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Amit Pal $18 postpaid — Item#ST01 CONTRIBUTORS $20 postpaid — Item#MU01 Philip Appleman, Herb Gartner, Sam Grover, James Haught, Chris Line, Call 608/256-8900 Bailey Nachreiner-Mackesey, Andrew Seidel, Jake Swenson, Chris Todd, Call 608/256-8900 Online ffrf.org/shop Jocelyn Williamson Online ffrf.org/shop The only freethought newspaper in the United States October 2018 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 3

With apologies to Lin-Manuel Miranda . . .

hen news broke of the Catholic (M) Church’s most recent massive Heed Apedophilia Bishop scandal and cover- Refuted up, Bishop Robert Morlino of the (A) WMadison, Wis., diocese was quick to respond, If you repeat yourself again I’m gonna like he was running out of time, with a letter blaming “a homosexual subculture” within the (M/A) Church. When FFRF Scream! Associate Counsel Sam Grover read (A) Morlino’s words, he Honestly, look at me, please don’t read called upon FFRF Director of Strategic (M) Response Andrew With your interests Seidel to respond, invoking Hercules (A) Mulligan’s call to Don’t modulate the key then not debate with me Alexander Hamilton Why should a church survive and collect tithes in the popular after committing such atrocities? Bishop Morlino musical “Hamilton”: “Oh my God, tear (a Catholic) this dude apart!” Which Andrew did, with a Andrew Seidel, please scathing op-ed published in The Capital Times in Madison. (A) Sam and his wife recently had a baby, giving Look, I’d rather be religionless than involved in Sam some late-night bottle-feeding time, when this mess, drop the niceties. it was quiet uptown. In the room where that happens, Sam worked nonstop nourishing (Choir) his creative side (as well as his child). In the Silence! A message from the Church, following verses, Sam takes his shot, recreating A message from the Church, a message from the Andrew’s rebuttal of Bishop Morlino based on Church! two songs from “Hamilton” — “Farmer Refuted” and “You’ll Be Back.” Who can say no to this? (The Church) — By Sam Grover — They say, you’re not buying our lies, that this all can be blamed on the gays. (Bishop Morlino) You cry, that protecting the priests isn’t worth the Hear ye, hear ye my name is Bishop Morlino fate of one more child. And I present free thoughts on the pedophilia scandals within the Catholic Church! Too bad. We thought that we made an Heed not the public who scream “prosecution,” arrangement: your soul for your tithes, now There’re none with your interests at heart. you’re making us mad. Remember, despite all the scandals, we’re still your guide . . . (Sam to Andrew) Oh, my God, tear this dude apart. You’ll be back, soon you’ll see, We still own you psychologically. (Morlino) You’ll be back, time will tell, Quitting the Church is not a solution. You’ll recoil at the threat of hell. Don’t let them lead you astray. Priests get moved, children fall, This scandal is not about me . . . You have kept the faith through it all, And when push comes to shove, (a Catholic) We will scare you with eternal damnation to Let him be remind you of our love!

(Morlino) Da da da da da . . . They’re playing a dangerous game. Sam Grover’s head was Photoshopped onto an I pray that God shows you his mercy. image from the musical “Hamilton.” You say you care for the victims and your heart Shift blame, shift blame . . . is torn But you vote with your attendance every Sunday (Andrew, Morlino repeats) morn’ . . . Yo, he’d have the public deafened to the sound (A) And no, don’t blame the prophets, of screams but some But strangely, your dogma’s the same Cuz you’re our source of profits Prosecution is needed, the Nones are gonna Our sweet and steady profits Win this, it’s hard to listen to you preach (M) From which the Church will profit forgiveness. I pray that God shows you his mercy Forever and ever and ever and ever and ever . . .

Quitting the Church is the only way, honestly you (A) You’ll be back to the pews shouldn’t even talk He’s nonexistent firstly . . . Though you know we haven’t changed our views. What’s this about being gay? There’s no time to take stock That’s not even true, the culprit is you — we must (M) We’re far too busy tending to our flock. talk about scandal Shift blame We will claim we’ve changed our ways, Though we’ll blame the victims and the gays (M) (A) As we work to keep priests safe . . . is not about me Quit the Catholic Church! You can’t trust us based on history, so you’ll trust us based on faith. (A) (M) Ken Ham speaks more eloquently than thee Shift blame Da da da da da . . . Pray with me! (M) (A) (Choir) They’re playing a dangerous game Quit the Catholic Church! Da da da da da . . . Page 4 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | October 2018 OVERHEARD HEADS UP Separation of church and state is Trust” signs with the state seal, which A Poetry Column By Philip Appleman among the most brilliant and crucial does include the phrase. A new Flor- founding principles of this nation. . . ida law requires all public schools to FLEAS . In fact, few things are more danger- post the phrase “In God We Trust” in I form the light, and create darkness: ous to both religious and secular rights a “conspicuous place” on campus. than to pit the two against each other. My Palm Beach Post, 9-5-18 I make peace, and create evil: Newspaper editorial, “Breaching the I the Lord do all these things. wall between church and state,” call- —Isaiah, 45:7 ing out Josh Hawley, Missouri’s attor- My mother is not watching. She says ney general, the state’s Republican she doesn’t like watching white award I think that I shall never see Senate nominee and a former consti- shows because you guys don’t thank a poem as ugly as a flea, tutional law professor, for wanting to Jesus enough. That’s true. The only a flea whose hungry mouth is pressed overturn the Johnson Amendment. white people that thank Jesus are Re- against a buttock or a breast, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 8-28-18 publicans and ex-crackheads. Michael Che, co-hosting the Emmys. a flea that spreads disease all day CBS, 9-17-18 and lifts its little claws to prey: “[Roncalli] should not be rewarded with poems are made by you and me, state dollars if they choose to discrimi- but only God can make a flea. nate against employees simply based on My father, the songwriter and pro- who they love. The actions of Roncalli ducer Richard Rudolph, came from I think that no one ever made High School a family that was agnostic Jewish, be- a poem as powerful as AIDS, have unfolded cause my grandfather didn’t like be- or plagues that may in summer kill in a manner that ing told what to do. I remember my half the bishops in Brazil is contrary to the mom not even saying “God bless you,” ideals I learned She’d say, “Guhbless you,” because and share the good Lord’s Final Answer during my time she didn’t want us to say “God.” with clots and cholera and cancer— there. Actress, comedian Maya Rudolph, for God concocted pox to mock us, Indiana state talking about how her family was com- staph and syph and streptococcus: Rep. Dan For- mittedly nonreligious. poems are made by bards or hacks, estal, in a state- New York Times Magazine, 9-15-18 but only God makes cardiacs. ment about the Catholic high I was quite keen Dan Forestal I think that I shall never smell school that sus- on Jesus and pended a counselor after learning of toyed with Chris- a poem as pungent as a hell, her same-sex marriage. Forestal wants tianity in my where grinning devils turn the screws to introduce legislation that would teens. I went to on saintly Sikhs and upright Jews, block public money supporting Indi- bible classes with giving them the holy scorcher, ana’s school voucher program from the vicar who timeless, transcendental torture: being used at schools that discriminate lived next door, poems can make you want to yell, against employees because of sexual and I remember orientation and gender identity. saying: “My uncle but only God can give you hell. WTHR-13 (Indianapolis), 8-15-18 Emma Thompson is a homosexual, would he be al- From Perfidious Proverbs and Other lowed into heaven?” The vicar paused, I don’t even believe in God, but I’m and at that moment I knew I was done Poems: A Satirical Look At The Bible going to thank her tonight. with religion. © Philip Appleman. Thandie Newton, who won an Emmy Emma Thompson, actor, in an in- for her portrayal of sentient robot terview with Michael Segalov of The Philip Appleman is a Dis­tinguished Pro­fessor Maeve Millay on HBO’s “Westworld.” Guardian. Emeri­tus at In­diana­ Uni­ver­si­ty. He is editor of CBS, 9-17-18 The Guardian, 8-25-18 the Norton Critical Edition of Darwin. He and his playwright wife, Marjorie Appleman, are both “After-Life” Members of FFRF. I have written the Holy Father and I can’t even explain how I am feeling called on him to cancel the forthcom- right now. The long battle has been ing synod on young people. Right now, won. Finally we have been recognized the bishops would have absolutely no by this country. credibility in addressing this topic. Bismaya Kumar Raula, after India’s Caption contest winner! Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Cha- top court decriminalized gay sex. put, asking the pope to cancel a bish- CNN, 9-6-18 Congratulations to Steve Haack for op’s conference focusing on youth winning FFRF’s caption contest from in the wake of the Catholic child sex the September issue. abuse crisis. Woe to the Women: The winning caption was a The Bible Tells Me So limerick (of which we received more USA Today, 9-3-18 than one): By Annie Laurie Gaylor There once was a woman named A concise, easy-to-read Mary, They felt it was inappropriate to have book that will challenge Whose impotent husband was wary, “In God We Trust” on the school. The your concept of the So she claimed it was God, teachers were really upset about it. . . bible as “a good book.” Illustrated. 264 pages. Who had slipped her the rod, . I just don’t think anyone’s offended when they see a state seal. Published by FFRF It was really a shepherd named Larry. Thanks to all who participated. If Top runners-up include: #MeToo you see any non-copyright-protected Palm Beach County School Board BuyBuy it it from from FFRF online online — John Schaeffer and Lois Jean, sent pictures or images (most likely that member Karen Brill, after the board shop.ffshop.ffrf.org rf.org separately. you take yourself) that you think decided to replace the “In God We All I did was go to confession! — would be good for a caption contest, Allen Misher please send them to [email protected].

Freedom from Religion Foundation P.O. Box 750 • Madison, WI 53701 • (608) 256-8900 • FFRF.org What is the Freedom From Religion Foundation? Founded in 1978 as a national organization of freethinkers (atheists and agnostics), the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc., works to keep state and church separate and to educate the public about the views of nontheists. FFRF has more than 32,000 members. FFRF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofi t and donations are tax deductible for income tax purposes. FFRF’s email address is info@ rf.org. Please include your name and physical mailing address with all email correspondence. FFRF members wishing to receive online news releases, “action alerts” and Make your own nontheistic cyber billboard at ffrf.org/out, and you might win an “Freethought of the Day” should contact info@ rf.org. “Out of the Closet Atheist” cap, like Phyllis (above) did. October 2018 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 5 IN THE NEWS

Court approves ‘In God ing Act, Michigan’s Constitution and We Trust’ on money FFRF billboard towers a mile high civil rights laws. They argued that Bay View isn’t A federal appeals court on Aug. 28 affiliated in any meaningful way said printing “In God We Trust” on with the UMC. They operate inde- U.S. currency is constitutional, citing its pendently from it and they’re owned longstanding use and saying it was not by a for-profit company. They also pay coercive. taxes, which proves it’s not church The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Ap- property. And it maintains “state-del- peals in St. Paul, Minn., rejected claims egated police power.” by 29 atheists, children of atheists and atheist groups that inscribing the na- tional motto on bills and coins violated Judge: Christian flag their First Amendment free speech and barred from city flagpole religious rights. While other courts have allowed A federal judge on Aug. 29 rejected the motto’s use on currency, Circuit a Boston resident’s demand that the Judge Raymond Gruender said it also city be forced to fly a flag with a prom- did not constitute an establishment of inent cross over an event he says he religion under a 2014 Supreme Court wants to hold on City Hall Plaza next decision requiring a review of “histor- month. ical practices.” U.S. District Court Judge De- Michael Newdow, a lawyer for the nise Casper rejected Hal Shurtleff’s plaintiffs and an FFRF member, in an FFRF Co-President Dan Barker, bottom with arms outstretched, met on Sept. request. email called it “utterly revolting” that 15 with members of the FFRF Metro Denver Chapter. A few gathered beneath In his request for an injunction, “the history of governmental denigra- FFRF’s large “I’m atheist and I vote!” billboard in downtown Denver. Barker was Shurtleff argued Boston was violat- tion of a suspect class should trump in town to deliver a talk on “The Battle of Church and State” at the Secular Hub. ing his First Amendment rights to get [the] principle” that neutrality be the his Christian flag on one of the three “touchstone” for analyzing claims un- flagpoles on City Hall Plaza. Casper der the First Amendment’s Establish- tend beyond traditional culture war noted that the city has told Shurtleff ment Clause. issues and into policies addressing Atheist ‘churches’ can he could hold his event there and un- poverty. Americans are more likely to improve your well-being furl any flag he wanted, just not from say religion should have at least some a city flagpole. Judge nixes prayer policy influence on poverty than on abor- According to a recent study pub- for Pennsylvania House tion (45 percent) or LGBT issues (34 lished in the journal Secularism and percent). Nonreligion, atheist “churches” can Devout parents arrested A federal judge has halted the At the highest levels of political of- improve one’s well-being. Researchers after son dies during fast Pennsylvania House of Represen- fice, it’s still rare for a politician to showed that congregational-style meet- tatives’ policy banning people who profess that he or she is an atheist; ings improve your well-being the same A Reedsburg, Wis., father and mother don’t believe in God from giving the surveys indicate that roughly 10 per- way it does if you go to church. The were arrested after their 15-year-old son invocations made at the start of each cent of Americans are explicity athe- findings suggest that religious beliefs ar- died during a 40-day fast, according to day’s legislative floor session. ist. Only one member of Congress, en’t as important as previously thought the Reedsburg Police Department. U.S. Middle District Judge Christo- Rep. Jared Huffman, identifies cur- when it comes to well-being. Kehinde Omosebi, 49, walked to the pher Conner sided with the freethink- rently as a nonbeliever. The most important aspect of the police department to report the death of ers, represented by Americans United services in terms of community building his son on Sept. 2. When officers went for Separation of Church and State, Foster care, adoption and friendship formation was socializ- to the family’s home, they had to force who challenged the policy that has lim- program ends in Buffalo ing before and after services. their way in through doors that had pad- ited the opening prayers to those who Results were published in the journal locks on the inside and found the boy believe in God or a divine power. Catholic Charities of Buffalo will end Secularism and Nonreligion. “extremely emaciated and deceased,” Conner said the restrictions on who its foster care and adoption program “Secular congregations may be a Becker said. may serve as guest chaplain violate the because state rules that bar discrimina- good alternative for non-religious peo- An 11-year-old child was also found U.S. Constitution’s prohibition on mak- tion based on sexual orientation con- ple who want the health benefits reli- extremely emaciated but alive along with ing laws that establish a religion. flict with church teachings. gious communities traditionally offer,” the mother, 48-year-old Titilayo Omose- The agency has a contract with the said Dr. Michael Price. bi, who was also emaciated. Erie County Department of Social Ser- The father described himself as a Muslim court canes vices that expires in March. The state “religious minister affiliated with Cor- women for relationship Office of Children and Family Services Batman is an atheist, nerstone Reformation Ministries.” The licenses Catholic Charities and other DC Comics confirms family started their fast on July 19. Two Malaysian women accused of providers of these services. No food was found in the home, and pursuing a sexual relationship were The state requires contracting orga- Batman apparently doesn’t believe the mother and 11-year-old child were caned in an Islamic court. nizations to allow same-sex couples to in God. That revelation comes at the brought to a hospital for medical treat- The women, who were convicted adopt or to raise foster children. That conclusion of Batman #53. ment, but Titilayo Omosebi refused, cit- of “sexual relations between women,” directive, however, goes against the Batman’s religious confessions ing religious restrictions. were each struck six times with a rattan church’s position that marriage is be- begin with Bruce Wayne, who is Bat- cane in front of witnesses in the Shariah tween a man and a woman, Catholic man’s alter ego, talking about his own High Court in the state of Terengganu, Charities said in a statement. theological background, raised as a Fired for not going to officials said. Christian by his father. Though Wayne bible study, worker sues The women, aged 22 and 32, were never quite believed in Christianity as caned by a female prison officer, Malay- Scotland no longer a a small child, he accepted it. That’s A 34-year-old man has filed an sian news outlets reported. faith-based country until his parents were murdered and $800,000 lawsuit against a Albany, N.Y., he lost his faith. construction company, claiming the The Humanist Society of Scotland owner fired him after he refused to at- Voters more open to undertook a survey to better under- tend weekly bible study. nonreligious candidates stand the current spiritual and reli- Christian-only town votes Ryan Coleman’s lawsuit states that gious beliefs among the Scots. The to allow non-Christians he discovered only after he was hired as Just 25 percent of Americans say results show the degree of change that a painter for Dahled Up Construction it’s very or extremely important that has taken place in the country over the After being hit with a lawsuit for that the job entailed more than just fix- a candidate has strong religious be- past few years. With over 1,000 partic- not allowing non-Christians to live ing up homes. According to Coleman liefs, according to a poll by the Asso- ipants, 59 percent of the individuals in their town, members of the Bay and his lawsuit, owner Joel Dahl told ciated Press-NORC Center for Public identified themselves as nonreligious. View Association (which is associated him all employees were required to par- Affairs Research. By gender, 62 percent of the wom- with the United Methodist Church) take in regular bible study sessions led Only 19 percent consider it very or en and 55 percent of the men stated in Michigan recently voted to allow by a Christian pastor during the work extremely important that a candidate they were nonreligious. Other results non-Christians to purchase homes in day, while on the clock. shares their own beliefs, and nearly show that 51 percent of the individuals their neighborhood. Coleman told Dahl that the require- half say that’s not very important or said they don’t believe life exists after The lawsuit filed last year by the ment was illegal, but Dahl wouldn’t not important at all. death, 60 percent say that angels don’t Bay View Chautauqua Inclusiveness budge, according to the lawsuit. In or- But, still, a majority of Americans exist, 65 percent believe evil spirits Group said the housing associa- der to keep his job, Coleman obliged (57 percent) want the influence of don’t exist, and 67 percent don’t be- tion was guilty of violating the First for nearly six months but ultimately told religion on government policy to ex- lieve in divine miracles. Amendment, the federal Fair Hous- Dahl he couldn’t go, the suit says. Page 6 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | October 2018

Clergy abuse roundup Eight more states launch investigations FFRF, survivors want a federal investigation into Catholic Church

Law enforcement officials in at least eight states are considering how to different approach because of the range of laws concerning the convening of investigate potential abuse cases in the Catholic Church after a report from grand juries and who has subpoena power. Attorneys general are gathering a Pennsylvania grand jury found more than 1,000 victims and hundreds of historical records from parishes and dioceses to conduct these investigations. predatory priests over the course of more than six decades. FFRF and sur- The massive stores of private documents relating to sex abuse, compensation vivors of clergy abuse are also urging the Justice Department to initiate a of victims, and transfers of offending priests were instrumental in the forma- federal nationwide investigation. tion and impact of the Pennsylvania report. “The Church’s claim of divine authority gives it coercive power over its Here are the states that have announced investigative initiatives so far: congregants that allows it to get away with widespread crimes,” FFRF Co-Pres- Illinois: At least seven priests with connections to Illinois were named in idents Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor write to Deputy Attorney Gen- the Pennsylvania report, which prompted Attorney General Lisa Madigan eral Rod Rosenstein. “Under Catholic Canon law, adherents are required to ask to meet with state church officials regarding the report and sex abuse to give a ‘religious submission of the intellect and will’ to their church. For more widely. The Archdiocese of Chicago has agreed to meet Madigan. millennia, the Church has used that power to suppress questions, doubts, Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke has also called for a new and dissent. This leads to frequent unprosecuted crimes against child vic- investigation, which the Catholic Church is doing, but she wants the probe tims who are forced to remain silent by their parents under pressure from, to be done by the government, not be left to the Catholics. and fear of, the Church.” “Only the civil authorities — who are solely disinterested, not con- Survivors of sexual abuse by priests say the investigation by the grand jury vened by the church itself — can get to the bottom of how prevalent is should represent just the beginning of the process. The grand jury report this problem,” she said. was released in August. Kentucky: Deputy Attorney General J. Michael Brown announced “Pennsylvania and the attorney general there had the courage to take that he will seek permission from the state legislature to open a statewide on a very powerful institution,” said Tim Lennon, president of the board grand jury investigation. of directors for the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP). Missouri: Attorney General Josh Hawley is working with the cooper- “Any time there’s been an investigation, we find similar kinds of systematic ation of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, which requested the probe, to in- coverup, systematic moving around priests to hide.” vestigate clerical records spanning decades. Missouri’s four Survivors also urged the pope and the U.S. Department of Justice to take other archdioceses are not yet under investigation, al- steps to prevent more abuses and hold abusers accountable. though Hawley has already asked them to hand over “They have plenty of evidence,” said Peter Isely, spokesman for all available records. the group Ending Clergy Abuse. “Let’s launch this investigation. The cooperation of various dioceses is vital to Let’s do it now.” the investigation because in Missouri, the attor- Besides FFRF, SNAP and the Center for ney general does not have the power to sub- Constitutional Rights have also sent a poena documents beyond those voluntari- joint letter to Deputy Attorney Gen- ly provided by the church, or to convene eral Rod Rosenstein demanding an a grand jury. “investigation and prosecution of Hawley, who is running for Senate, high-level officials in the Catho- has appointed a veteran sex crimes lic Church” for sexual crimes and prosecutor to head up the investiga- cover-ups. tion. He said the probe “is fast mov- “It is long past time for the US ing,” but he cautioned that the Penn- Department of Justice to initiate a full- sylvania report took almost two years to scale, nationwide investigation into the investigate and write. Hawley said his of- systemic rape and sexual violence, and cov- fice would eventually issue a public report er-ups in the Catholic Church, and, where ap- detailing its findings. propriate, bring criminal and/or civil proceedings Nebraska: Attorney General Doug Peterson against the hierarchy that enabled the violations,” has asked (but not subpoenaed) the state’s three the groups said in the letter. dioceses for their records. Likely to be particular- As for the states’ investigations, each one will take a ly significant is the conservative Diocese of Lincoln, October 2018 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 7

the only diocese in the United States ted abuse and a further 16 senior not to subscribe to the 2002 Charter for clergymen transferred priests who the Protection of Children and Young had been accused of abuse to new People, which is a zero-tolerance policy locations. of reporting clerical sex abuse to legal The report was based on a 2011 authorities. The diocese is currently in- Dutch Catholic Church report vestigating six priests for alleged abuse. about abuse, victims’ testimony to New Jersey: Attorney General Gur- a commission of inquiry and the bir Grewal announced the creation of a newspaper’s own research. task force, as well as a hotline for abuse survivors to report their experiences di- Pope meets with U.S. rectly with the state. The task force will bishops over abuse be empowered to subpoena records from the state’s six dioceses. Top American bishops met in the The state will be watched closely Vatican with Pope Francis on Sept. because the majority of the allegations 13 to discuss the sexual-abuse crisis against ex-Washington, D.C., Arch- that the leader of the U.S. Catholic bishop Theodore McCarrick, who is Church said has “lacerated” the accused of decades of sex abuse against church. both young seminarians and minors, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Gal- took place there. veston-Houston, president of the U.S. New Mexico: Attorney General Conference of Catholic Bishops, was Hector Balderas demanded that archdioceses and Kristin Hancock, a member of the Diocese of himself accused of covering up the actions of an turn over all documentation concerning child sex Pittsburgh. Both have children in Catholic schools. abusive priest in his archdiocese — prompting abuse to his office. Balderas, who has subpoena O’Connor represents the first class named in the questions about DiNardo’s fitness to lead reform power but has not yet invoked it, wrote in a public lawsuit — victims of clergy sexual abuse — and efforts. letter that he hopes the church will take the initia- Hancock, on behalf of her kindergartner son, “It’s too early to say, but just looking at the tive to make “a full, massive disclosure.” represents the second class — children currently case, it looks very bad. It seems like a violation New York: Attorney General Barbara Under- enrolled in Catholic schools and other programs. — is he the guy who should be leading at this wood has subpoenaed each of the state’s eight dio- They charge in their lawsuit that the eight point?” David Gibson, the director of the Center ceses for records pertaining to child sex abuse. Her dioceses in Pennsylvania are still engaged in an on Religion and Culture at Fordham, a Catholic office has also set up a hotline for victims or witness- attempt to cover up sexual abuse. As evidence, university, said of DiNardo. es of clerical child sex abuse to report incidents di- they say that at least 20 names in the grand jury Amid the crisis facing the church’s leaders, rectly. The attorney general’s office does not have report remain redacted because the church has the bishops who met with Francis said very lit- the authority to unanimously call a grand jury. fought to preserve the anonymity of some peo- tle about what they discussed. Wyoming: Cheyenne police have announced ple accused in the report. And the grand jury re- that they are investigating sexual abuse allegations port remains incomplete, they argue, because the Hotline swamped with against retired Wyoming bishop Joseph Hart, who church failed to document numerous reports of new abuse allegations has been accused of sexually abusing minors in abuse over the years and because church leaders Wyoming as well as in Kansas City, where he pre- discouraged victims from reporting their sexual Since the Pennsylvania grand jury report’s pub- viously served as a priest. The Kansas City allega- abuse at all. lication, people have made more than 1,130 calls tions first surfaced in the late 1980s and early ’90s. to the phone line handling clerical sex abuse tips, At that time, the Kansas City-St. Joseph Diocese Abuse victims top 3,600 which is managed by state Attorney General Josh did not find the allegations credible, but it did in Germany, study finds Shapiro’s office. The attorney general’s office had pay for counseling for one of the victims. More to recruit additional staff from other departments broadly, state police officials have asked clerical More than 3,600 children in Germany, most to keep up. sex abuse victims to come forward. age 13 or younger, were sexually abused by Cath- olic clergy members over the past seven decades, Record settlement a wide-ranging report has found. The report had reached with 4 victims not been made public, but the New York Times obtained a copy. The New York Diocese of Brooklyn and a The study, which was commissioned by the co-defendant have reached a $27.5 million Roman Catholic Church bishops’ conference in settlement with four men who were sexually Germany, found that at least 1,670 church workers abused as boys by a lay church education direc- had been involved in the abuse of 3,677 children. tor, reports NBC News. That is 4.4 percent of the clergy. Each of the men, who have remained anon- The study, conducted by researchers from ymous, will receive $6.875 million from the three universities over more than four years, was diocese and an affiliated after-school program an ambitious effort to understand the scale of the under terms of the settlement. abuse — and how it could have been systematically It is the largest settlement involving abuse covered up for so many decades. of minors by Roman Catholic Church figures. “We are aware of the extent of the sexual abuse The men, who are now ages 19 to 21, said in that is supported by the results of the study,” said court documents that they were repeatedly Bishop Stephan Ackermann of Trier. “It is depress- raped from 2003 to 2009 by Angelo Serrano, Victims of abuse file ing and shameful.” 67, a former director of religious education at They chronicle abuse cases from 1946 to 2014. St. Lucy’s-St. Patrick’s Church in Brooklyn. class action lawsuit Every sixth case of abuse involved rape, research- Pennsylvania Catholics are suing all eight dio- ers found, and most of the victims were boys. ceses in the state, claiming that Catholic leaders Christian Pfeiffer, a criminologist, said the re- there systematically covered up ongoing sexual port, damning as it is, is likely to underestimate the abuse by priests. full extent of the scandal. The bombshell grand jury report released in “The report does not give the full picture, and August brought to light the widespread abuse and is not fully independent,” he said. “The degree of cover-up within the Catholic Church in the state. the cover up is stunning and beyond anything I A victim of abuse and the parent of a Catholic had expected.” school student are inviting others to join them in the class-action lawsuit that they filed Sept. 17 in Half of Dutch cardinals, Allegheny County, Pa. bishops linked to abuse “This lawsuit is brought because defendants cannot be trusted to act on their own,” they wrote A report linking half of the cardinals and in their request to get others involved. “Indeed, bishops who served in the Netherlands between through decades of choosing to defend their pred- 1945 and 2010 to abuse cases has drawn the atory clergy members over the children of Pennsyl- country’s Catholic Church into the church’s vania, defendants have enabled untold abuse and global sex abuse and cover-up scandal. suffering by children, family members, and others, The leader of a group of Dutch victims of and have also created a clear and present danger abuse by Catholic clergy called Sept. 17 for the that must be abated to protect the public from fu- church to make public all it knows about such ture and ongoing harm which is continuing ev- cases if it wants to win back trust. ery day it is not abated.” A report by Dutch newspaper NRC linked Bringing the lawsuit are Ryan O’Connor, who 20 of 39 bishops and cardinals to abuse. The says he was abused by a priest from age 10 to 12, paper reported that four bishops commit- Page 8 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | October 2018 FFRF NEWS Proclamation honors FFRF, ACLU chapters

FFRF and its Florida chapter, the rights and liberties guaranteed to all Clause and the separation between Central Florida Freethought Commu- people in this country by the Consti- state and church. Central Florida nity, the ACLU of Florida and its Cen- tution and laws of the United States; Freethought Community Director tral Florida chapter were honored by and David Williamson invoked the words proclamation at the Kissimmee City WHEREAS the City of Kissimmee of both Presidents Reagan and Ken- Commission meeting on Sept. 4. This honors the important work that the nedy to stress the need for govern- was in response to complaints from Freedom From Religion Foundation ment to remain resolutely secular. the organizations that prompted the and the Central Florida Freethought “We are thrilled to have an oppor- city to revise its prayer proclamation Community do in defending the con- tunity to work with our parent orga- last month. stitutional principles of separation nization the Freedom From Religion In August, the city declared “40 between state and church; and Foundation, as well as the ACLU of days of celebration of life, love and WHEREAS, the City of Kissimmee Florida and Central Florida, to high- family” and announced a “call to applauds the work of all three of these light concerns that Kissimmee resi- prayer” event scheduled for Aug. organizations in defending the Con- dents expressed,” says Williamson. “If 21. The proclamation, the ceremony stitution’s promise of freedom and the citizens are to have freedom OF at the commission meeting and the liberty for everyone in our country. religion, their government must be photos released for the event had the NOW, do hereby THEREFORE, free FROM religion.” appearance of city sponsorship and we the City Commission for the city The Freedom From Religion Foun- endorsement. of Kissimmee proclaim September 4, dation is elated at the official recogni- After the organizations and others and had not used city resources to 2018, as the day the city of Kissimmee tion being accorded to its local chap- complained, the city said it was not promote a specific religion. honors the First Amendment to the ter and the Establishment Clause. their intention that the “city officials’ The proclamation acknowledging United States Constitution in the city “We are delighted that the city of actions and comments were interpret- the important contributions of the of Kissimmee, state of Florida, and Kissimmee is providing some equal ed as promoting a religious message organizations reads in part: our noble nation for the good of all.” time and recognition for secular and advancing religion over nonre- “WHEREAS, the American Civil The groups also conducted a pre- groups and the importance of sepa- ligion.” The city also distanced itself Liberties Union of Florida (ACLU) sentation for the Kissimmee City ration between government and reli- from the prayer event in a city-owned and its Central Chapter work to de- Commission on the importance of gion,” says FFRF Co-President Annie park, stating that it wasn’t a sponsor fend and preserve the individual the First Amendment’s Establishment Laurie Gaylor.

Senator submits letter Congratulations, Hal and Doreen! signed by FFRF in Kavanaugh hearing She also called him out from interfering with our system of gov- ernment and law. Religious practices, if on his stances on state- used to excuse oneself from the law, church separation would ‘make the professed doctrines of religious belief the law of the land, and On Sept. 5, Sen. Mazie Hirono, in effect, to permit every citizen to be- D-Hawaii, submitted into the record of come a law unto himself.’ Historically, Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court con- the Supreme Court, like the Founders firmation hearing a letter organized by before them, has believed such a sys- the Secular Coalition of America and tem to be unworkable.” signed by FFRF urging senators to re- Hirono alerted the American people ject his nomination. to a staggering contradiction between FFRF proudly signed onto this letter, two of his opinions as a federal judge. More than 130 friends and colleagues celebrated the freethinking and hu- which pointed out that Kavanaugh’s Hirono hammered Kavanaugh for manist contributions of Dr. Harold and Doreen Saferstein (couple in center nomination is a his anti-woman hypocrisy in two cases, of photo) in Scottsdale, Ariz., on Sept. 15. The Safersteins are Lifetime threat to the con- Garza and Priests for Life, that he ruled Members of FFRF many times over, and generous supporters of many other stitutional order of on two years apart. secular, humanist, local and national organizations. FFRF was a major the United States In Garza in 2017, Kavanaugh de- co-sponsor helping to underwrite the Safersteins’ arrival in style, the cake and to the religious clared that forcing a teenager to carry (pictured), a plaque and other thank-yous. The tribute dinner was coordi- liberty of all Amer- a pregnancy to term was not an “undue nated by the Humanist Society of Greater Phoenix and various local nonthe- icans. “Judge Kava- burden” on her rights. In Priests for Life istic groups. Pictured with them at left (laughing heartily) is Stephen Uhl, naugh’s record and in 2015, he argued that filling out a two- another major freethought and FFRF benefactor. writings demon- page, five-blank form was a “substantial FFRF Co-President Dan Barker, who could not be there, composed the Mazie Hirono strate support for burden” on religion. following tribute for the Safersteins (Hal is a well-known light versifier the entanglement The stances that Kavanaugh took in himself): of religion and government, and he these two cases are irreconcilable or, as has continuously argued in favor of re- Hirono twice said, his position “defies “A couple with big-hearted latitude ligious coercion above the constitution- logic.” Kavanaugh is perfectly willing to And utterly unselfish genes al guarantees of religious freedom and protect unconstitutional religious priv- individual liberty,” the letter states. ilege and violate the rights of women. Deserves our exuberant gratitude: To safeguard the constitutional sepa- Kavanaugh’s only response was very The generous Safersteins.” ration between church and state, which lame: “precedent.” There’s just one FFRF views as the crown jewel of the problem with that response: He was Bill of Rights, the Senate must reject writing in dissent in both cases. In oth- Kavanaugh’s nomination. (This edition er words, even his colleagues thought The Born Again Skeptic’s American Infidel: of Freethought Today went out before that he was not applying precedent cor- Guide to the Bible Robert G. Ingersoll the vote was taken.) rectly. Hirono made a nice follow-up The letter focused on state-church statement about using precedent when By Ruth Hurmence Green By Orvin Larsen issues, but also the single most import- and how it suits your needs — in these A Missouri grandmother Prof. Larsen writes ant issue any new Supreme Court jus- cases to rule against women’s repro- debunks the bible as with a ection and tice is likely to decide, the Religious ductive rights. As FFRF has warned in no one has debunked it since Thomas Paine. respect of this Right’s attempt to redefine and wea- the past, judicial nominees who claim illustrious 19th ponize religious freedom: “Religious to blindly apply precedent as “textual Published by FFRF century freethinker. freedom means the right to choose a originalists” are usually hiding outright religion, or none at all, without inter- judicial activism. Sen. Hirono exposed BuyBuy it it from from FFRF online online Buy it from FFRF online ference by the government, and simul- this brilliantly — and not a moment too shop.ffshop.ffrf.org rf.org shop.ff rf.org taneously prevents religious authorities soon. October 2018 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 9 FFRF runs ‘quit the church’ ad in New York Times

FFRF ran a full-page ad in The New York Times the final week of August urging people to leave the church, in response to the newest revelations over sexual crimes against children in the Catholic Church. “Disturbing disdain for The ad, headlined “It’s time victims.” to consider quitting the Catholic “Unspeakable Church,” quotes the Pennsylvania crimes committed against countless grand jury report into sex abuse of children.” “The main thing was not to help children, minors by Catholic officials. but to avoid ‘scandal.’ ” Reads the ad: “Six dioceses, three “Priests were raping little boys and girls, hundred predatory priests, a staggering and the men of God who were responsible for them not only did nothing; they hid it all.” 1,000-plus victims. No bishops indicted. —From the Grand Jury report on sex abuse in the Pennsylvania Catholic Church

The pope’s response? All words, no ac- Six dioceses, three hundred predatory priests, a staggering 1,000-plus victims. No bishops indicted. The pope’s response? All words, no action — except, insultingly, to call on the faithful to “pray and fast.”

As an early church whistleblower put it, the Catholic Church appears to be “an organization preaching tion — except, insultingly, to call on the morality while providing sanctuary to perverts,” a church where shepherds routinely prey on their fl ock. I blasphemed in Ireland, Three decades of preying priests, church complicity, collusion and cover-up going all the way to the top. faithful to ‘pray and fast.’ Anyone who continues to support this morally bankrupt global syndicate is complicit. This institutional betrayal of trust epitomizes the dangers of blind faith and obedience to religious authority. “As an early church whistleblower Help FFRF in our work to liberate minds and place humanity above dogma. put it, the Catholic Church appears to Call 1.800.335.4021 to join. Or ask for a report about FFRF’s signifi cant achievements. We’ll also send a complimentary copy of FFRF’s newspaper, Freethought Today. FFRF.ORG/humanity

which is against the law be an ‘organization preaching morality Look for FFRF’s new weekly TV show, FFRF . New York Times Ad . PO Box 750 . Madison, WI 53701 . 800.335.4021 . FFRF.org ‘Freethought Matters,’ debuting in NYC Sundays at 9 a.m. on WPIX-IND. (Ch. 11) I would like to become a member. (includes 10 issues of Freethought Today newspaper.) starting Sept. 2. For other cities, see ffrf. I would like to donate to FFRF’s Legal Fund in Mike Pence’s name. $ ______org/freethoughtmatters. This article, written by FFRF’s Director of ly impossible, because there will be no while providing sanctuary to perverts,’ Membership Dues FFRF, incorporated as a 501(c)(3) Individual ...... $40 educational nonprofi t in 1978, is a Name Household ...... $50 Gung Ho ...... $100 state/church watchdog also serving Sustaining ...... $250 as the nation’s largest association of Strategic Response Andrew Seidel, was first words in which to express it.” a church where shepherds routinely Address Sponsoring ...... $500 freethinkers (atheists and agnostics). Life Member ...... $1,000 FFRF’s nine constitutional attorneys City/State/Zip Phone/Email “After Life”...... $5,000 “Beyond After Life”....$10,000 remedy more than 250 entanglements Make payable to “FFRF.” Dues and donations are deductible for income-tax purposes. Student...... $25 between state and church a year. Membership supports FFRF’s litigation, published on IrishCentral.com. Of course, quoting an English author, prey on their flock. FFRF protects membership confidentiality and does not divulge, rent, sell or give away its mailing list. as well as educational outreach. even one so great as Orwell, may not be “Three decades of preying priests, By Andrew Seidel the way to persuade an Irish reader, so church complicity, collusion and cov- you should know that some of Ireland’s er-up going all the way to the top. chapter placed a full-page advertise- ’m guilty. I admit it. I broke the law. I greatest poets and authors have had trou- Anyone who continues to support this ment in the Sept. 16 Sunday edition did so knowingly and deliberately. But ble with blasphemy. Oscar Wilde, James morally bankrupt global syndicate is of the Portland Oregonian, celebrat- Iin my defense, the law is terrible. Joyce, Augusta Gregory, Bernard Shaw, complicit. This institutional betray- ing “Our godless Constitution” and In Ireland, one of the loveliest coun- W.B. Yeats and Jonathan Swift were all al of trust epitomizes the dangers of Constitution Day. tries I’ve had the good fortune to visit, thought blasphemous by some author- blind faith and obedience to religious Sept. 17 was the 231st anniversary of blasphemy is illegal. It says so in the Irish ities. Frank O’Connor was accused of authority. the adoption of the U.S. Constitution. Constitution: blasphemy for his 1946 translation of the “Help FFRF in our work to liber- The ad, featuring six U.S. Founders, “The publica- poem, “The Midnight Court,” as were ate minds and place humanity above proclaims, “In Reason We Trust.” tion or utterance Brendan Kennelly and Brinsley Mac- dogma.” Cheryl Kolbe, director of FFRF Port- of blasphemous, Namara (John Weldon). FFRF famously first ran ads sug- land Area, notes that on July 4, Hobby seditious, or in- Lately and perhaps most famously, the gesting that Catholics quit the Cath- Lobby ran a full-page ad in the Orego- decent matter is Gardaí (the state police of Ireland) inves- olic Church in 2012, at the time U.S. nian. “Misleading sources and distor- an offence which tigated Stephen Fry for saying, correctly, bishops were targeting women’s re- tions were used to attempt to falsely im- shall be punish- that any god who allows children to suf- productive rights by working against ply that we are a Christian nation,” Kolbe able in accor- fer through bone cancer is “capricious, Obamacare’s contraceptive mandate. says. “Our Portland chapter, with FFRF, is dance with law.” mean-minded, [and] stupid.” In Oregon, FFRF and its Portland very pleased to record set straight.” - Art. 40.6.1. Both Fry and I offered up thought- Well, on a re- ful opinions, but were we blasphemous? cent trip to that Andrew Seidel Some might say we were both guilty of Defenders of the Constitution beautiful coun- being illegally irreverent. Others might try, I uttered what might be considered think Fry’s pointed barbs are more offen- the ultimate blasphemy, writing: “There sive than my postcard. Or vice versa. is no god.” This illustrates why blasphemy, by its Actually, I put it on a postcard to my very nature, is a poorly defined crime. co-workers at FFRF. In full, the postcard That is why treason as a crime is defined read, “Greetings from Ireland! Blasphe- in the American Constitution. Treason, my is illegal here, but there’s still no god. or any other crime, if poorly defined, Cheers.” “furnishes an opportunity to unprin- Prosecutors and believers might dis- cipled courtiers, and to demagogues agree about whether this even rises to equally unprincipled, to harass the inde- blasphemous levels, but we’ll get to that pendent citizen, and the faithful subject, serious problem momentarily. by treasons, and by prosecutions for trea- Thankfully, the blasphemy provision sons, constructive, capricious, and op- will be subjected to a referendum on Oct. pressive,” explained James Wilson, one 26 (on the same day as the presidential of America’s Founding Fathers, in a 1791 election) and we can only hope that it will law lecture. Several FFRF staff members attended the Religious News Association receive the same treatment as the abor- For Irish citizens, this danger is ex- conference in Columbus, Ohio, recently. From left, Communications tion ban, which was recently overturned acerbated by the 2009 blasphemy law, Director Amit Pal, FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor, Associate Counsel by Irish citizens by a 2-to-1 margin. which ludicrously defines the crime in Liz Cavell and Director of Strategic Planning Andrew Seidel participated in Thoreau’s masterful essay on civil dis- relation to an unspecified number of the event. Pal gave a brief speech on FFRF, and Gaylor, Cavell and Seidel obedience says that unjust laws exist, and touchy citizens. Blasphemous statements were panelists on a discussion of church/state separation in the Trump era. then it asks: “Shall we be content to obey are those “causing outrage among a sub- them, or shall we endeavor to amend stantial number of the adherents of that them, and obey them until we have suc- religion.” ceeded, or shall we transgress them at This is a recipe for mob rule and op- Watch ‘Freethought Matters’ on Sundays once?” pression. It encourages people to give in FFRF’s new weekly TV show, “Free- • Chicago, WPWR-CW (Ch. 50), When it comes to laws that seek to cur- to reactionary outrage rather than rea- thought Matters,” began airing in Sundays at 9 a.m. tail speech, confine thought, and protect son and debate and it incentivizes reli- September in eight major cities, plus • Los Angeles, KCOP-MY (Ch. 13), supposedly omnipotent beings, surely gious leaders to whip up fury instead of Madison, Wis., covering more than 22 Sundays at 8:30 a.m. the latter is the correct course. tolerance and understanding. percent of the United States TV mar- • New York City, WPIX-IND (Ch. The abiding sin of blasphemy laws It’s not easy for a country to overcome ket. The show will air for 26 weeks, in- 11), Sundays at 8:30 a.m. is that, by limiting criticism of religion its past. But the rule is outdated, tyran- cluding in four of the top 10 markets. • Phoenix, KASW-CW (Ch. 61), and God, they seek to limit thought. As nical — and a ticking bomb suitable for The intent of the half-hour talk Sundays at 8:30 a.m. George Orwell explained, “the whole nothing but exploitation. show is to introduce communities to • Portland, KRCW-CW (Ch. 32), aim of Newspeak is to narrow the range That law and the sentiments the blas- leading freethought authors, thinkers Sundays at 9 a.m. of thought.” phemy ban embody do not reflect my ex- and activists in a non-threatening and • Sacramento, KQCA-MY (Ch. 58), At their tainted core, they are that perience in Ireland. I found a beautiful positive way. Sundays at 8:30 a.m. most loathsome and dangerous of all country full of lovely conversationalists. In addition to airing in Madison, • Seattle, KONG-IND (Ch. 16). laws, thoughtcrime. By narrowing the It seemed to this traveler that this restric- Wis., at 11 p.m. Sundays on WISC-TV 3 Sundays at 8 a.m. range of thought, Big Brother would tion is unworthy of Ireland and the Irish (the CBS affiliate), “Freethought Mat- • Washington, DC, WDCW-CW (Ch. eventually “make thoughtcrime literal- people and it’s time it is repealed. ters” will air in: 50, digital 15), Sundays at 8 a.m. Page 10 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | October 2018 FFRF VICTORIES Ohio city removes decalog plaque from park

A Ten Commandments plaque has mandments should not be posted on been removed from Murphy Park in government property,” Elliott contin- Steubenville, Ohio, after FFRF sent a ues. “The government has no business letter to the city asking for the religious telling citizens which god they must display to move to private property. have, how many gods they must have, FFRF contacted City Manager Jim or that they must have any god at all.” Mavromatis on Aug. 10 after receiving Mavromatis announced at an Aug. a complaint from a concerned Steu- 14 City Council meeting that the benville resident who objected to the plaque would be moved, thanks to Ten Commandments display and its FFRF’s letter. placement on government property. “Mavromatis reported the city will The complainant has subsequently re- have to remove a Ten Commandments ported that the plaque has been moved plaque from Murphy Field as a across the street to church property. result of a warning letter from the The appearance of this religious Freedom From Religion Foundation message in a public space, FFRF Here are before and after shots of Murphy Park in Steubenville, Ohio, where a Ten of Madison, Wis.,” according to a pointed out, violated the Constitution’s Commandments plaque sat until FFRF got involved. Herald-Star story. Establishment Clause by displaying “We commend the city for taking government preference for religion. endorsement of religion by the city,” community spaces, making non-Chris- swift action to correct this violation,” “Given the content of the display, and writes FFRF’s Senior Counsel Patrick tian and non-religious citizens feel like says FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie the fact that the Ten Commandments Elliott. outsiders in their own community. Gaylor. “Removing the bible plaque originally appeared as a lone display, a Additionally, it is unnecessarily divi- “The First Commandment alone ensures that Murphy Park can be a reasonable observer would view it as an sive to place religious monuments in makes it obvious why the Ten Com- welcoming space to all citizens.”

By Bailey Nachreiner-Mackesey Ohio school handbook was approached by FCA about start- building, that posting about religious no longer has prayer ing a “character coach program.” He club events will no longer appear to be Banners taken down wrote that he allowed a pastor named endorsed by the school, and that both An Ohio school district has re- Robert McTurnal to act as a character the basketball coach and the “charac- in West Virginia moved religious promotion from its coach for his team. He acknowledges ter coach” have been informed that FFRF has caused Jackson County Parent Transportation Handbook after that the team refers to him as “Coach they cannot promote religion to their Commissioners to rewrite their policy FFRF reminded it of the constitutional Robert,” and states that Pastor McTur- players. on allowing religious banners to be obligation to remain neutral regarding nal is “a part of our staff now.” Capps hung on county courthouse property. religion. A concerned parent reported admits that McTurnal does a “weekly Religious books removed In June, FFRF’s complainant re- that the handbook contained “A Bus devotional.” from university hotel ported that a gazebo on the Jackson Driver’s Prayer,” an overtly religious In the video, McTurnal stated, “I County Courthouse lawn displayed appeal to the “Lord.” got involved here because I found out FFRF convinced Dixie State Univer- two banners: one containing a bible “Publishing a prayer in an official that I couldn’t get into this school on sity in St. George, Utah, to remove re- verse, and another featuring crosses publication impermissibly entangles my own. So, I found out through the ligious texts from the DSU College Inn and announcing a National Day of the district with a religious point of umbrella of FCA, I had an opportuni- hotel guest rooms. Prayer in May. view, violating the principle that state ty to come in and serve the basketball A concerned hotel guest reported “No legitimate secular purpose was and church must remain separate,” team as their character coach. that on one stay at the College Inn, she served by the banners’ message,” FFRF wrote FFRF Legal Fellow Chris Line in “Since then it’s been amazing just found two copies of the Book of Mor- Senior Counsel Patrick Elliott wrote in his Aug. 30 letter to the district. getting to know the boys, getting to mon in her room. On another stay, in his letter to the commissioners. Upon receiving FFRF’s letter, the minister them, you know, outside a different room, she found a copy of FFRF received a response from the superintendent ensured the prayer of a church. Meeting them right the bible. county’s attorney that those banners would be removed immediately and where they are has been a fantastic “Regardless of whether the reli- had been removed, and that the coun- reported that new copies of the hand- opportunity.” gious texts were donated by a private ty has adopted a new policy prohibit- book were redistributed in the begin- “CCDS cannot allow a non-school party, the placement of ‘holy books’ ing the placement of any banners or ning of September. adult access to the children in its in guest rooms demonstrates govern- signs on the gazebo to avoid any future charge, and it certainly cannot grant ment endorsement of religion,” wrote entanglements. that access to a minister seeking to FFRF Legal Fellow Chris Line in his FFRF stops 3 violations grow his religious ministry by target- letter to DSU President Richard Biff in Tennessee schools ing students,” wrote FFRF Legal Fellow Williams. Religious ads dropped Chris Line in the letter. FFRF heard from DSU’s general from car hangers The Cumberland County School The legal firm representing the counsel, stating “any religious texts that District in Tennessee has remedied district wrote back to FFRF on Sept. may have been left in any of the guest FFRF succeeded in removing re- several state/church violations after re- 13, ensuring that all three issues have rooms have been removed. Further, we ligious promotion from the back of ceiving a letter from FFRF. been investigated and that the reli- have established a procedure of remov- mandatory car tags at an elementary FFRF wrote to the district’s legal gious signs have been removed and ing any such texts going forward.” school in Tennessee. representation warning them of three that the church no longer rents the Dupont Elementary School in Chat- constitutional violations. tanooga had partnered with Rock First, FFRF’s complainant reported Bridge Community Church by display- that Homestead Elementary School Include FFRF ing an advertisement on the back of (HES) rents its facilities to a church In Your Estate Planning the car hangers parents are required group called “Plant, Grow, Harvest” to hang from their rearview mirror to on Sundays, but allows the group to be allowed to pick up their children advertise at the school during times from school. The advertisement dis- when they are not renting the school played the name of the church and a facilities. Arrange a bequest in your will Latin cross, invited parents to book a Secondly, HES reportedly regularly or trust, or make the Freedom “VIP visit,” and lists the worship times promoted religious events on its offi- From Religion Foundation for the church. cial Facebook page. the bene ciary of an insurance FFRF Memberships: FFRF Patrick O’Reiley Legal Fellow Lastly, Stone Memorial High School policy, bank account or IRA. $40 single; $50 household; $100 gung-ho; $250 sustaining Chris Line wrote that the presence of reportedly posted and shared religious It’s easy to do. the advertisement “communicates a messages on what appears to be an of- Memberships are tax deductible! message of school endorsement of re- ficial Twitter account for its boys’ bas- For related information (or to ligion and is marked by excessive en- ketball team. Additionally, the school request a bequest brochure), Freethought Today is please contact Annie Laurie tanglement between the school district reportedly allowed a pastor to act as a published 10 times a year. Gaylor at (608) 256-8900, and church.” “character coach” for SMHS basketball info@ rf.org The school’s legal representation as- players. sured FFRF that it was unaware the tag In a video posted on Upper Cum- Freedom depends had a religious message on the back. berland Fellowship of Christian Ath- on freethinkers P.O. Box 750 • Madison, WI 53701 The school has since distributed new lete’s Facebook page, SMHS basketball ffrf.org/donate tags free from religious promotion. coach Neil Capps explained that he October 2018 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 11

Biblical verses on sage of endorsement of religion over done about the group that compiles Prayer breakfast ad nonreligion,” Markert wrote in her July it,” and that “if the office resumes send- bulletin boards nixed 16 letter. “Additionally, this memorial ing out these job listings, all religious falsely tied to city FFRF brought two bulletin boards sends a message that the government quotes, attachments and references FFRF helped end a constitutional containing religious verses to the atten- mainly cares about the deaths of Chris- will be deleted.” violation in Fort Myers, Fla. tion of a Tennessee school district which tian soldiers, not other non-Christian FFRF Legal Fellow Chris Line wrote have been subsequently taken down. and nonreligious soldiers.” to the city of Fort Meyers after a com- Midtown Elementary School in FFRF received a response from Di- Posters taken down plainant reported that the city spon- Kingston, Tenn., had displayed two rector Gail Graham stating that the at Arkansas school sored and promoted a “Community bible verses in one of its hallways. display was carved by a Central Iowa Prayer Breakfast” on the National Day One display said “A cord of three Veteran and the family of the deceased Religious posters have come off the of Prayer. strands is not easily broken. Ecc. veteran has modified the display to walls of a middle school classroom in FFRF received a response from 4:12.” The other said, “Whatever your cover the cross. Jonesboro, Ark., after FFRF sent a let- City Attorney Grant Williams Alley, hand finds to do, do it with all your ter reminding the district of its consti- who reviewed the document, which might. Ecc. 9:10.” tutional obligation to refrain from en- called the Day of Prayer a city-hosted The superintendent quickly re- FFRF stops religious dorsing a religion. event. Alley said the publication was sponded to FFRF Legal Fellow Chris messages on flyers A concerned parent reported that incorrect. He further confirmed that Line’s letter that the bulletin boards a Westside Middle School teacher had the city did not pay for the event and would be swiftly removed. The U.S. Probation Office in San decorated classroom walls with multi- the event organizers paid for the use Bernardino, Calif., will cease the dis- ple bible verses, including “Proverbs of all city services and facilities. Alley Cross covered at tribution of job posting flyers with reli- 3:5 — Trust in the Lord with all your assured FFRF the city would attempt Iowa VA hospital gious messaging, thanks to FFRF. heart” prominently displayed directly to correct this advertisement, which is After a probationer reported last alongside a poster listing “classroom not created by the city, should it hap- A religious display was removed September that the flyers he received rules.” pen again in the future. from outside the Out Patient Mental from his probation officer contained On Aug. 23, FFRF Legal Fellow Col- “Please understand the city of Fort Health Clinic building at the Central religious verses in them, FFRF Robert in McNamara sent a letter to Superin- Myers does not want to alienate any Iowa VA Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa, G. Ingersoll Legal Fellow Colin Mc- tendent Scott Gauntt, asking that the people, irrespective of what religion following a letter from FFRF. Namara sent a letter first to the head of district investigate these violations and they are or, as you write, the 24 per- FFRF Legal Director Rebecca Mark- the U.S. Probation Office in the Cen- respond in writing with steps the dis- cent of Americans who are nonreli- ert wrote to the director of the VA tral District of California, then eventu- trict will take to ensure this violation gious,” the city’s letter read. “There Central Iowa Health Care System after ally directly to the Chief Judge Virginia does not recur. exists a fundamental separation be- a concerned complainant reported a Phillips, asking for the religious mes- The legal firm representing Westside tween church and state in American religious memorial that included a sol- saging to be removed. Consolidated School District replied on jurisprudence and the city strives to dier kneeling before a Latin cross. On Aug. 14, Phillips assured FFRF Sept. 7, ensuring that the posters had follow the fluid law as the courts inter- “FFRF has no objection to veterans’ that “all officers will discontinue send- been removed from the classroom. pret them and your opinions are help- memorials. Our objection is to the mes- ing the list until further research is ful in this critical endeavor.”

Oh, the joys . . . CRANKMAIL

Life Member Tom Johnson sent us several photos from throughout his Here’s our October installment of some of the right! Your terrorist organization decided on your amazing life and FFRF shared them with our members. wonderful (read: nasty) mail we get from some own to infringe my right to practice my choice of non-members. Presented to you as received, uned- religion! Your entire organization will be judged ited. (Note: Harsh language below!) one day, I look forward to hearing the repentance Harassment!: Why does your organization of your soiled members attempts to justify your choose to harass people of religion? If the peo- anti-human organizations hate toward everyone ple of WV want to say the Lords Prayer why not ? that doesn’t follow your twisted, hate filled mes- Is someone from Wisconsin there to offend? Not sages. Leave the USA! — Rodney James likely its just a left wing bunch of nuts harassing FFRF: How about leaving people alone .. if you religous people! You have your freedoms and so dont want to believe in god fine.. but how does do the religious people leve them alone. I will other people praying hurt you. If you dint want pray for you and your membership. — David Mont- to hear, leave. You are no better than Hitler , if it gomery isnt your way then you shall ban freedoms. Man Prayer for all: Y’all are some horrible people high school has a right to pray for a good game for trying to shut down prayer at a council meeting theirselves and their team. I dont mind people be- lieving in what they want. Aheck my boyfriend is Tom was born in 1923 and raised, in Parkersburg West Virginia. Its not your or any- body’s place to tell people that they can’t pray. atheist and I love him more than life. ya know why with his sister Rosemary, in the Didn’t you know its not okay to try and shut that because he loves and lets everyone worship eho- small village of Center City, Minn. down. Those people aren’t hurting you. You peo- ever the heck they want and doesnt let it effect ple are horrible people for this. And you look stu- him. That is a truly great person rather than reli- He graduated high school in 1940 pid. — Stephanie Starkey gious nazi’s liie the lot of you. — Jessica Jefferson and then, as a member of the Ma- IN GOD WE TRUST: I’m from Alabama and I for WTF?: Who the fuck is FFRF and why does rine Corps, “was hauled four times one am GLAD that ‘In God We Trust’ is now being your teaser mischaracterize this exchange? I find across the country and as far west allowed in schools and in public places. God is the nothing alarming either, nothing the judge did or said the whole week even began to approach as Guam” during World War II. foundation for EVERYTHING and YOU and your or- ganization will not stop it. God’s WILL will be done alarm or controversy or bias or surprise. What the fuck were you watching FFRF? I smell liberal “Here’s doddering me, shaved regardless of what anybody does. I can’t speak for the rest of the states, but here in Alabama, we are stink ass mother fucker, tainted bs as in Feinstein, and all gussied up to go with my gonna teach our children about God, creation, Je- Booker, Kamala, and Durbin to name one pack daughter Carole to the store for sus, IN OUR SCHOOLS. — Andy England of lying dogs. You, you’re up in the peanut gal- lery lying, with the other nuts and liberal bomb ice cream and other necessities. I Leave us alone!: You can start by enjoying forgot to look for pickled herring!,” your freedom and leaving the rest of us alone! throwers. Did you post the wrong video, did you Fuck you cocksuckers if you don’t like a cross,.. headline it incorrectly, or are you simply a lying he writes. “I call that walking stick pos liberal hack lemming? Retitle it loser, was it ‘Leroy’ and the other one in the leave those who do alone or you’re gonna have a shitload of problems and they won’t be legal,.. you that turwned over the high school confiden- house is ‘Zeke,’ both named after I’ve been listening to the guys who are about to tial to Feinstein, whether you did or didn’t you’re long-gone old friends. Oh, the joys “As an aviation ordnanceman, I take you fuckers out and I hope they do! — George no better than the trash contained in the letter. It of these happy, carefree golden went on a practice dive-bombing Statton does not pay to be a sack of shit liar, wherever life takes you, everyone will know what an under the retirement years, at 95. My charm- mission in North Carolina and found Sickos: You are the main reason this country balls infected sore you are. — Billy Bromberg has gone to hell. By your actions this country now ing cardiologist told me yesterday I wasn’t cut out to be a rear gunner,” Disgusting!: I am very disappointed and dis- my pacemaker is good for another Tom writes. “I got very airsick and has no morals, no respect, no conscious and no ethics. By your actions this country is a cesspool gusted by your discrimination against Christians. seven years. Think I’ll make it?” never went again.” of crime. You are the ones who should keep out Just read a post stating that you all contacted of things that you have no business sticking you a high school complaining about a banner that nose into. It is individuals like you who have ru- some cheerleaders made with scripture on it. So ined this country by your actions. It just makes proud of these girls for standing up for the truth! me sick to know what kind of damage you have By the way, Abraham Lincoln, the very President Women Without Superstition: Lead Us Not Into Penn Station: done in this country. — Connie McCollum to initiate the abolition to slavery, expressed his “No Gods — No Masters” Provocative Pieces beliefs about God in many speeches to the public. Learn to pray: GROW UP IF HIGH SCHOOL Therefore, this contradicts your crazy philosophy FOOTBALL PLAYERS WANT TO PRAY GREAT THOSE that most moral reform has come from “free- By Anne Gaylor Collected writings WHO DO NOT THEN THEY DO NOT AHVE TO WAIT thinkers” who are “free” from religion. The most of 50 women A must-have for TIL YOU STAND BEFORE GOD AND FIND OUT THAT moral reform has come from Christians who put Pat Noy freethinkers of the 19th any freethinker, this HELL IS WHERE YOU ALL ARE GOING — God where he should be, FIRST! Just look at the & 20th centuries (51 gracefully readable Fuck off: if we want to pray with the coach the Protestant reformation for example. These men photographs). book contains Gaylor’s stfu its our right and people like you need to leave where not “freethinkers” but we’re instead some Edited by Annie Laurie Gaylor classic writings. us the fuck alone. DONT FUCKING WORRY ABOUT of the most intelligent men who followed the Word IT FUCK YOOUR SELF — Bradley Musthane Published by FFRF Published by FFRF of God. Also the word “freethinkers” doesn’t truly Get out!: Leave my country! I call it mine exist because there is nothing new under the sun. BuyBuy it it from from FFRF online online Buy it from FFRF online because I served it, lost brothers, defending our May the Lord have mercy upon your soul! God is shop.ffshop.ffrf.org rf.org rights. We didn’t serve so you atheists could try very powerful and almighty and He, in the end, will shop.ff rf.org to divide our country. Religion is an individual prevail. — Brittnee Shepherd Page 12 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | October 2018 FFRF awards $12,750 2018 college students essay contest winners The Freedom From Religion Foun- Parker Maris, University of Calgary dation is proud to announce the 18 Blake T. Miller, IUPUI winners of the 2018 Michael Hakeem William Napp, Grand Valley State Memorial College Essay Contest. University College students were asked to Julianna Schoenwald, Grand Rapids write a personal persuasive essay on Community College the topic of “Why I’m an unabashed Lydia Taylor, University of Denver nontheist, not afraid of burning in hell.” Cameron Zahner, Harvard University Winners are listed below and include the award amount and the college or FFRF has offered essay competi- university they will be attending. FFRF tions to college students since 1979. has paid out a total of $12,750 in award This contest is named for the late Mi- money for this contest this year. FFRF chael Hakeem, a sociology professor thanks Dean and Dorea Schramm of who was an FFRF board chair and ac- Florida for providing a $100 bonus to tive atheist known by generations of students who are members of a secular ($2,000) and Design ($500) University of Wisconsin-Madison stu- student club or the Secular Student Third place Seventh place (tie) dents for fine-tuning their reasoning Alliance. The total reflects those Emily Mickel, Cornell University Emma Rosen, LIU Global ($400) skills. bonuses. ($1,000) Seventh place (tie) FFRF has offered essay competitions Fourth place Truth Muller, College of the Atlantic to college students since 1979, high First place Rachel Bellflowers, Appalachian State ($400) school students since 1994, and gradu- Matthew McFadden, UCLA ($3,000) University ($750) Honorable mentions ($200 each) ate students since 2010 and since 2017 Second place (tie) Fifth place Edon Ademaj, Texas Wesleyan a contest geared directly specifically to Alex Kellogg, University of North Samuel Hagen, Harvard University University students of color. Carolina ($2,000) ($600) Samantha Jones, University of The graduate student essay winners Second place (tie) Sixth place Wisconsin-Madison will be announced in the November Mike Meo, Portland State University Niamh Falter, Savannah College of Art Ashley Levy, Oglethorpe University issue. FIRST PLACE Sacred tyranny, holy violence: Religious hell on Earth FFRF awarded Matthew $3,000. this creation seems more a product of his species unnecessarily doles on his jaded narcissism than love. Far from behalf, or be profoundly and paradox- By Matthew McFadden the charitable and caring deity naively ically incompetent, capable of crafting portrayed by his children, this father is the cosmos in all its complexity, but un- ll persons are children of God, a jealous, egotistical, greedy, possessive, able to effectively communicate with a benevolently formed in his heav- insecure sadist who abhorrently revels in species of advanced apes. In either case, Aenly image, the objects of his the compulsory worship of his creation. I am uninterested in making this God’s unconditional and everlasting love, This father is a celestial dictator, starving acquaintance, let alone squandering an tenderly envisaged within his divine for tribute, quick to punish anything but eternity with him. plan. Gratifying though it may appear, blind credulity. I maintain an utter lack of defensi- beware this ostensible narrative of solic- Not solely reprehensible in essence, ble ground by which any fellow mortal itude. When contrasted with St. John’s this belief readily becomes a moral may admonish me against supernatural pronouncement in John 3:36 (KJV), pretext for the imposition of brutality. punishment. Even were this mythical “He that believeth on the son hath ev- Warfare, torture, terrorism and forced jabberwocky to ultimately exist, I would erlasting life; and he that believeth not conversions, each categorically borne not wish to everlastingly abide with the the son shall not see life; but the wrath out in religious history, carry no ethical indifferent architect of human suffer- of God abideth on him,” a starkly more Matthew McFadden misgivings when juxtaposed to the pre- ing. I do not wish to obsequiously ven- pernicious account is revealed. sumed alternative of unceasing hellfire. erate this megalomaniacal tyrant into Created with supposedly boundless incontrovertible vengeance. These per- Inaugurating hell on Earth is a small perpetuity. I do not wish for God. I am love, the subjects of God are commanded sons, given no say in the matter, are de- price to pay for an eternity of paradise. unafraid of burning in hell. I am an un- to reciprocate this affection upon threat signed, thrust into being, judged and cal- Is it not some God whose word may abashed anti-theist. of perpetual anguish. “Adore me or in- lously condemned by the very engineer be interpreted as justification for the Matthew, 19, from Dana Point, Calif., cur eternal misery!” is the mandate of of their existence, enrolled in a form of dismemberment of limbs, torching of attends the University of California-Los An- the lord. Omnipotent and all-knowing, ethereal Russian roulette in which the heretics or suicidal mass murder? This geles. He plans to minor in neuroscience and he nonetheless conceives of multitudes finger of heaven pulls the trigger. Forged God must either be purposefully ar- eventually wants to pursue medical educa- of beings foreseen to be destined for his as a mere plaything of his enjoyment, cane, and thus delight in the bloodshed tion and employment in psychiatry. SECOND PLACE (tie) Confessions of an ex-evangelical agnostic FFRF awarded Alex $2,000. Year” award two years in a row. As I have traveled and been exposed to None of this was enough, however, to new ideas, I have come across theories By Alex Kellogg expel the gnawing doubts that I was re- that attempt to explain the phenomena ally, truly “saved,” that Jesus had actually of religion. One theory, the one most eligion has been a part of my life forgiven my sins and that I was actually convincing to me, suggests that religion for as long as I can remember. I dis- going to heaven when I died. This doubt is an evolutionary adaptation that allows Rtinctly recall, at the age of 6, coming slowly grew from a fear into a mental ill- humans to act as a cohesive group, effi- down to the church stage, awash in fog ness during which, for three-and-a-half ciently allocates resources among mem- machine smoke and gently playing elec- long years, I was obsessed with how to bers, gives divine moral justification for tric guitar music, to accept Jesus Christ make absolutely sure that I was not go- the group’s actions, and provides an as my personal lord and savior. It would ing to hell. My father, a Christian funda- end goal that rewards adhering to the not be the last time I said that prayer in mentalist, insisted that this was merely a group’s understanding of morality in the my young adult life, though in the future test from God, and that sleep, rest, ex- afterlife, even if it means sacrificing one’s it would not be childlike faith that moti- ercise and morning bible study would own individual will and desires in the vated my prayers, but rather something cure it. In his view, mental illness was the present. By sharing the same epistemo- much more pernicious: the fear of eter- result of sin or divine intervention, not logical universe and by having a divine nal damnation. Over the course of my chemical imbalances in the brain, and Alex Kellogg goal to advance toward, religion could childhood, I attended Christian week- an attempt to cure mental illness with have served as an incredibly effective end retreats, Wednesday youth groups, medication was an affront to God’s plan. although the antics of self-proclaimed mechanism by which to pass the adher- and even won what amounted to my In the years since leaving home, I Christians such as my father make taking ents’ genes on to the next generation. Christian school’s “Best Christian of the have become an unabashed agnostic, up the label of atheist tempting indeed. However, a more interesting, if less October 2018 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 13

charitable, theory states that religion matizing thing to tell a child, the effects philosophy or art instead of submitting him/she/it/they and walk backwards serves merely as a mask for power, pro- of which I am personally well acquaint- to the powerful agent that keeps their into hell. viding the strong with the moral justifi- ed. On a society-wide scale, the divine mind in fetters, be it a parent, partner Alex, 22, from Chapel Hill, N.C., attends cation to do as they please to the weak. threat may have the desired effect of or church? the University of North Carolina. He spent This seems most evident to me in the keeping people in line, but at the cost of It is for this reason that I strongly dis- the summer in Colombia learning about in- Christian doctrine of hell: What better free inquiry, innovation and individual agree with the rationale behind Pascal’s digenous farming practices, spirituality and way to scare someone into obedience ambition. wager, as we have potentially everything resistance to foreign mining companies. Alex than by telling them that they will burn What minds have we lost to the fear to lose in this life by believing we will be is fascinated by ecological processes and the for eternity if they do not submit to your of going to hell that, had they been em- revived in the next. And if he happens ways in which human culture interacts with rules? Intellectual reasons aside, this can powered to make up their own mind, to be correct, should I face God after my them, particularly regarding agriculture and be a profoundly psychologically trau- would have chosen to pursue science, demise, I will, as Twitter implores, face religion. SECOND PLACE (tie) Hell and God are useless ideas FFRF awarded Mike $2,000. It is as useful in revealing the truth of thing harmless, so too can the irrational By Mike Meo the universe as any other unsubstanti- fear of hell transform one’s life in a fu- ated claim. To view it as anything else tile attempt to avoid the nonexistent. here is but one useful way of un- is either dishonest or delusional. To be- Faith — and the intentional ignoring derstanding and interpreting lieve it fact, to use it to determine the of reason — is a mainstay of religion. Tthe universe, and that way is the course of life decisions — building an Society is unfortunately resigned to this scientific method. The slow and steady entire ethic with this claim at its core fact. In no other realm is this type of amassing of truth can only be done by and dedicating a religion on its veracity thinking acceptable. Imagine a world the insistence that evidence must sup- — is dangerous. where public policy was put into place port a claim, and that conclusions rest When one lives life forever afraid of simply on faith, or bridges were de- solely on fact. hell, suddenly the whole point of life is signed by prayer or new medicine was Mike Meo Every human being is already famil- made crystal clear — hell must be avoid- administered on the authority of scrip- iar with the process of making logical ed at all costs. What are a few decades ture. Religion is totally unconcerned ally the superstition and mysticism that deductions based on evidence. The on Earth when compared to an eterni- with honestly examining reality. has steadily held back progress will fade mouse that retreats from an elec- ty of torture? Living by the rules set by I’m an unabashed atheist not afraid away, and the steady introduction of tric shock and over time learns not the faith is then the greatest task achiev- of going to hell because I care about liv- secular values will continue to grow in to make contact with the live wire is able. But if hell doesn’t exist, wouldn’t a ing as I see fit instead of according to influence around the world. Just as con- engaging in a logical way of thinking. life centered on its avoidance be rather someone else’s rules. The truth is im- cepts in science are subjected to intense Yet, in some ways, the humble pain- empty and devoid of meaning? Would portant to me, and in order to be con- skepticism and constant critique, so too averse mouse understands its universe it not be a life wasted? And since belief vinced of something, I’d like to find rea- should religious ideas be scrutinized. better than the theist afraid of the un- in hell has the power to define the pur- sons that support it. Not only do I want When these concepts are placed above substantiated. The wire in question pose of a life, wouldn’t it be extremely to enjoy a pursuit of personal excel- scrutiny, then improvements can never either has an electric current running important to make sure that it’s actual- lence, but I want others to have that op- be made and we are condemned to live through it or it doesn’t. A claim made ly real? A fear of hell takes that which portunity, as well. And when others are in the past. without any test is empty and without stands unproven without any support- shackled by their fear or by their belief, Mike, 19, is from Portland, Ore., and meaning. ing evidence as fact and then leads one I seek to convince them to think criti- attends Portland State University. He is an The existence of a life after death, to throw away precious time alive on a cally about all ideas presented to them. economics major and plans to become a law- potentially full of an eternity of torture, whim. Just as a phobia can debilitate As an unabashed atheist not afraid of yer. His hobbies include running, singing is, at its core, a claim without evidence. someone irrationally afraid of some- going to hell, I’m positive that eventu- and acting. THIRD PLACE Theism in the life of an atheist

FFRF awarded Emily $1,000. the bible as bedtime stories. As I got (Luckily, no one seemed to catch the older, I met some people whose be- reference.) By Emily Mickel liefs made no sense to me. For exam- I even have to be careful around ple, my childhood friend believed the my relatives. I watch what I say around grew up in a vaguely Christian house- Earth began 5,000 years ago and that them because they would easily be hold; my mom is a lapsed Catholic, carbon dating was wrong. Mentioning offended by an irreverent joke. For I my dad is a nontheist and my broth- my dad’s lack of faith horrified her to example, my dad once made a joke er is an apatheist, so none of us agree the point that, even though she was about the phrase “Jesus take the on religion. When I was a kid, my great- only 8 or 9 years old at the time, she wheel,” saying that Jesus was going to aunt used to send little girls’ bibles tried to convert him. get arrested and go to jail because he Emily Mickel and “VeggieTales” movies, but both I quickly learned not to bring up doesn’t have a license. They would’ve always seemed more like fairy tales or my lack of religion in my community, been horrified that he was taking continued to explore our universe, fictional stories than the truth they’re where Christianity is so prevalent that God’s name in vain. This disconnect we’ve found that our planet isn’t as claimed to be. I didn’t ever think of the main road gets backed up every creates awkward moments between unique as we thought. Though many the stories of the bible as real, such as Sunday morning, requiring police to my relatives and me, since they can be phenomena are currently inexplica- that of Moses parting the Red Sea for direct traffic. In high school, I drove overzealous in their desire to “save” ble, it doesn’t mean that their causes the Israelites to escape the Egyptians. my dad’s car to school and I worried me. During our last visit, they wanted are supernatural. It sounded just as fantastical as “The that one of my classmates would be to take my brother and me to a Chris- Besides my confidence that it Frog-King” or “Cinderella,” so I didn’t offended by the Flying Spaghetti tian bookstore, and we didn’t have the doesn’t exist, I’m also unafraid of make a distinction between those and Monster sticker on it and key the car. heart to tell them we’d rather do any- burning in hell because it’s such an thing else. objectionable concept. Who is to de- I am an unabashed atheist because cide who deserves to go there? De- organized religion just makes no pending on who you ask, a murderer sense to me and seems to contradict who repents right before being elec- FFRF’s scientific evidence. The bible says trocuted on the electric chair might ‘Freethought that the entire human race was start- not, while an otherwise morally good ed by two people. Why would anyone and “sin-free” nonbeliever could end Matters’ mug ever believe this over evolution, when up in hell. As an atheist, I don’t wor- there is proof that we have a common ry about some omnipotent presence A meaningful message and the logo of ancestor with other primates? If we watching everything I do, and I don’t FFRF’s new TV show. Ivory imprint on had existed since the beginning of do the right thing to avoid going to tapered burgundy, 8 fl. oz. American- made mug. creation, then we would have coex- hell. I am a good person because I isted with the dinosaurs, who we’ve want to be. found to have lived and then died out Emily, 20, is from Middleburg, Fla., NEW! millions of years before humans ever and attends Cornell University. She plans $20 postpaid — Item#MU02 existed. Some may say it seems like to get a degree in mechanical engineering too much of a coincidence that all and hopes to work in aviation. She enjoys Call 608/256-8900 or order online ffrf.org/shop the conditions necessary to form life running and biking and has volunteered on our planet occurred, but as we’ve at an animal shelter. Page 14 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | October 2018

FOURTH PLACE Perspectives from a Bible Belt atheist FFRF awarded Rachel $750. ble is to silence any temptation to ques- a nontheist is one that is principally de- tion God’s word. Through this adversary funct itself. By Rachel Bellflowers figure, God instills eternal fear and guilt Living in the Bible Belt has forced me in his subjects. In truth, the “worst” the to live a life of nondisclosure. My fami- n my 19 years of life, I have not heard devil ever did was enlighten humankind ly’s lack of faith is a family secret revealed a single claim convincing enough to by enticing Adam and Eve to eat the for- only to those we trust; being ostracized Ientice me into becoming a member bidden fruit of knowledge. Is it not bet- by the religious mothers of my friends of the one of the hordes of religious ter to side with Satan, who rejected the taught me that. In the Pew Research fanatics. With its acceptance of rape, tyranny of God, than to accept passage Center’s 2014 Religious Landscape Rachel Bellflowers genocide, misogyny, murder and slavery, to what will be like a life-long prison sen- Study, they ranked North Carolina as the its ever-conflicting divisional sects, and tence in heaven? tenth-most religious state, with 73 per- than having one body of thought pre- its hypocrisy and questionable “truths,” God possesses the power to create cent of the population believing in God scribed. The only proof that God exists religion proves itself less than unappeal- unthinking, all-obeying creatures, but with “absolute certainty.” These statistics is “faith,” yet I would not accept the exis- ing. However, in the eyes of many, if I do he would rather grant humanity free will reflect the reality that I have lived. I have tence of any invisible thing unless there not believe the tales of a book that offers so that they can be punished if they do sworn on a bible to gain a nonreligious were proof. Consequently, I do not yearn more conjecture than citation, more not obey his will. Why is God so vain that leadership position. I have accepted the to find guidance or strength in religion. mysticism than matter, I am a lost soul in he must punish those who do not will- religious beliefs of others while know- If we are only good enough in the eyes of need of guidance, ignorant of the mir- ingly believe in him? Those who do not ing that they would not respect mine the lord if we abandon our own desires acle of God’s creation. To the contrary, believe in Jesus are undesirable, yet, ac- in return, holding my tongue, lest I be to submit to his commandments, I would I do not believe that deviating from the cording to some sects, merely asking for decried a sinner. In the South, it is an ac- prefer “burning in hell” than becoming traditional path means that I have lost my forgiveness for your wrongs is enough to ceptable practice to force religion upon a part of what is more akin to an abusive way; rather, I have discovered freedom earn your key to heaven. Expressing pen- people at every turn, and I have discov- relationship than to one of love. from an oppressive religious system. ance (whether false or genuine), even in ered that there is little else one can do in Rachel, 19, is from Bessemer City, N.C., The bible paints Satan as the prime the case of an inherently evil individual, this current situation but find like-mind- and attends Appalachian State University. malevolence, all due to his defiance of would cast him or her in a better light ed, nonjudgmental individuals. She plans to get a degree in psychology with a God and subsequent attempt to steal than a moral, honest nonbeliever. A sys- As a freethinker, I would rather con- business concentration. After graduating, she his throne. However, the more probable tem deeming a recurrent child molester sider ideas from multiple philosophies hopes to get a master’s degree in industrial-or- reason for Satan’s appearance in the bi- to be more deserving of forgiveness than to form my own point of view, rather ganizational psychology. FIFTH PLACE Can we learn anything from theists? FFRF awarded Samuel $600. in some human potential to arrive at my own morality. Sure, they may be able moral principles through reason. The to “do all things through Christ,” but By Samuel Hagen concept of divine moral judgment personally, I can do all things through is, as it turns out, logically unsound. myself. I will never burn in some New s an unabashed atheist on campus, Plato knew this. In his Euthyphro, he Testament inferno, but I might suffer I am frequently pained when I aptly points out that it remains unclear — hellishly, perhaps — if I fail to follow A find myself placed in a seminar whether certain actions are morally my own ethical code. Through our class with zealously believing classmates. The commendable merely because God discussion, I began to see theism as a undergraduate seminar room is, after desires them, or if God promotes certain sort of lazy ethic: Rather than reasonably all, a sacred place that values reason actions because they are moral. The first consider the moral stakes of one’s above all; the best ideas win validation by case is problematic, as it implies that actions, theists would rather enter a the professor, while poorly constructed morality — the pursuit of goodness — transactional relationship with God. Do arguments fall flat, or worse, are subject is merely arbitrary dogma; the second x, go to heaven; fail to do x, go to hell. to ridicule. In such an environment, case would mean that God’s judgment I’ve come to realize that theists and it seems unlikely that one could learn remains subservient to some ultimate, atheists both pursue a certain divine anything from theists — especially, Samuel Hagen higher morality, and thus makes God goodness. It’s just that I would label as one often encounters in this great irrelevant to moral reasoning. By either this “reason,” whereas theists would nation, evangelical Christians — because papyrus: “I am pro-life.” formulation, morality could not logically say “God.” My task, then, as I leave the perpetuation of dogma has little to Well, this will be a fun semester, I have anything to do with God, and the the seminar room and look beyond do with reasoned argumentation, let thought. While my believing counterparts concept of hell becomes obsolete. my college campus, is to reclaim the alone our grander project of learning. in the course will remain entrenched in Relieved that reason would let me supreme divinity of reason. The only In a recent course in the university the divine ditch, my reason will win out eschew eternal damnation, I began to hell that reason can conceive of is religion department titled “Theism these discussions every time! After all, wonder if I might learn anything from a land devoid of reason — and the and Moral Reasoning,” I found myself I figured that these theists didn’t have my theistic classmates. As the semester longer we allow theism to flourish, the on the first day of class seated across much to say about moral reasoning, progressed, and our weekly discussions sooner we might be headed for such a from a young man proudly sporting aside from the usual inevitability of my inevitably devolved to the same questions hell after all. a T-shirt featuring a bible quote: “I route as a nonbeliever to hell. of belief, I began to realize that the issue Samuel, 22, is from Gainesville, Fla., can do all things through Christ.” One of the major themes of the course with their theistic reasoning was merely and attended Harvard University, having Continuing my glance around the was the idea of divine moral arbitration, a question of moral ownership. Whereas graduated in May. He majored in theater and room, I spotted another student with that is, the moral judgment of right evangelicals would have us believe that art history and minored in Russian literature. an unavoidably large laptop sticker, and wrong (e.g., God condemning God is the ultimate owner of moral value, Samuel is now working for an entertainment proudly projecting in bold, italicized people to hell), as opposed to the belief I believe that I have full ownership over company in California. SIXTH PLACE I Won’t Go to Heaven (a poem) FFRF awarded Niamh $500. I chewed it happily until It dawned on me what I had done. By Niamh Falter I’d foiled it then, my post-death plan And never told a clergyman I won’t go to heaven, that much is true Just sat in silence and decided If there are pearly gates, then I’m not passing through Sinning is where I was guided. I’m devoted to sin, I have to admit it I’ve tried and I’ve tried, but I just can’t quit it. Then when I was just a teen Exodus 21:17 According to Leviticus 19:11 When my dad came in my room I sinned my first time at the age of 7 And told me that I’d have to clean. Niamh Falter While waiting in line at the grocery store I suppose it is time to make my confession. It was my room, that much I knew I spied an open pack of gum No matter the dirt that you couldn’t see through And I muttered some choice words I thought Mum turned her back and I took one Disgusting, the must and the dust, it was mine! were benign. October 2018 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 15

But little I knew, according to The Book I’ve lied, I’ve been jealous, eaten more than my share. But no. I am happy that Joe married Jack. And Those words that I said, the choices I took But it just doesn’t matter, I just shouldn’t care. creation by God is fiction not fact. They qualified me to be put to the death In schools we should pledge our allegiance to good (It was a small detail that I overlooked.) What use is a world of wonder and light Not just living our life in ways God thinks we If you have to make sure you get everything right? should. And then, again, I gossiped about And it’s not at all easy, rules aren’t always good My neighbor’s new haircut (just belted it out!) They don’t love thy neighbor as much as they should. People are people no matter the way They choose how to love or choose how to pray And In high school, my friend told me that he was gay They pick and they choose I’m a sinner, offender, an infidel Didn’t stop to consider Which rules you should follow So you can have heaven, I’m going to hell. I said “That’s OK.” And some of their guidelines Niamh, 24, is from Summerville, S.C., (although born Before we got married, it might not be clever, Are quite hard to swallow. in Nottingham, England) and attends Savannah College But my husband and I Because I was born as a woman, it seems, of Art and Design. She plans to major in photography after Broke commandments together. (as told by Timothy 2:11-14) years of running her own photography business. And I’m guilty of sloth, I “should learn in quietness and full submission” When I have my off days And do what I’m told, and take what I’m given. I sit on the couch in a do-nothing haze. SEVENTH PLACE (tie) My nonreligious beliefs are worth burning for

FFRF awarded Truth $400. they were bad, but the tutor had no walk. At the wake, the priest said she answers beyond that. I left, furious. I went to God willingly. Then why were By Truth Muller do not understand how choosing not the last words I ever heard her say “I to believe in something makes me a don’t want to die?” hanks to my parents allowing bad person, or should condemn me I don’t believe there is an afterlife. me to grow up as a freethink- to perdition after I die. Science has no proof to offer me. This Ter and choose my own spiritual I don’t identify as an atheist. The I do know: All my friends and I — the path, I am unabashedly nonreligious Webster’s dictionary definition of gays, the nonbelievers, the question- and have been that way since I was atheism — ”The belief that there is ers, the unwed lovers, the contracep- very young. I am spiritual, but I do no god, or denial that God or gods tive users, and the scientists — don’t not believe in God, heaven, or hell. exist” — is worded in such a way as deserve to burn because we think the One of my first arguments I ever to indicate that there is a god, and status quo is wrong. Religion has be- had against religion was “If there is I’m simply too blind to see it. So now come a way of explaining away the a god, then why is there so much un- I’m a bad person, and an idiot, too? unexplainable, denying the undeni- happiness in our world?” If God ex- Religion isn’t exactly winning me able, excusing the inexcusable, and ists, he’s pretty awful to his creations Truth Muller over. regulating things that are untidy or because he lets them suffer and die In a world where the planet is rap- unpleasant. And I think those values, needlessly. Some might counter that couldn’t he stop the devil from do- idly spinning out of control on a cli- not me, can go to hell. those people were sinners, but I say ing all those terrible things? In my matological and social scale, I see no If I’m wrong, if this belief I have this is ridiculous. There are plenty opinion, someone truly all-powerful evidence of a benevolent higher be- is not good enough for God, then he of people who believe in a god who would snuff out the devil like a birth- ing. Some can say that those who’ve can go ahead and send me to hell. have died from natural disasters, day candle. died in earthquakes and genocides, Just bury me with a stick and a bag of wars and starvation, just the same. While I was in my local library, I riots and school shootings, floods marshmallows, because it’d be nice My grandmother has been a “good remember overhearing a so-called and bombings have gone to “a better to have something to do while I burn Catholic” for her entire life, but now “language tutor” use the bible to place,” to the afterlife. I ask, where for what is right. Alzheimer’s disease is slowly erasing teach a Spanish woman English. is the right-now life God supposedly Truth, 18, is from Rock Hill, N.Y., her mind and killing her. What kind The student asked her tutor what an gave them to live? Squandered. If ev- and attends the College of the Atlantic. of reward for good faith is that? An- atheist was. My blood boiled when I erything that happens on this planet He operates an environmental organiza- other person might still counter that heard the answer. “Well, atheists are has a divine purpose, then give me tion, Buddies for Bats, and is a profes- those disasters were somehow caused bad people who do not believe in God’s reason for my aunt, mother sional public speaker and environmental by the devil, another entity I don’t God. They will go to hell.” The stu- of two, dying of brain cancer at 45 writer. believe in. If God is all-powerful, why dent was confused, and asked why after losing her ability to speak and

SEVENTH PLACE (tie) As long as you’re not there

FFRF awarded Emma $400. stringent God-lover. Furthermore, the they think you will burn in hell because concept of hell itself seems to contra- the bible says so. But the bible also By Emma Rosen dict what missionaries on the street tell commands you to keep the Sabbath. you. God loves you, they say. Jesus loves And yet, people work on the Sabbath cannot possibly recall all the times you. If God and Jesus are so loving, why all the time. But they’re not going to I’ve been told I’m going to hell. This do they condemn a significant portion hell because they didn’t grab that com- Isilly notion meant to be an insult has of the population to be tortured in a mandment for their a la carte self-righ- been flung at me mainly because I’m fiery pit? Now, the Old Testament God, teous feast. Jewish (though I’m a secular Jew) and the God of the Jews, seems like the kind A man tried to save my soul once. He Emma Rosen whenever I’ve exhibited behaviors that of deity who would remand you to the said, “You should be one of those Jews religious people deem damning. It’s al- flames. This guy was vengeful, violent, for Jesus, because if you don’t, you’re pect all the people in my community most funny how little an effect this has and could seemingly care less about going to hell.” My response? “As long to fully understand where I’m com- had on me. These people, holding their the majority of human life. Humans are as you’re not there.” I’m an unabashed ing from, as religion is personal and righteous anger close to their hearts doing things that displease God? Send atheist secular Jew, unafraid of burning sacred to family members and some and waving it around like they’re wield- a flood, wipe them all out. Moses was in hell, because hell doesn’t exist. If friends. ing a piece of their God’s power, like to frustrated after leading the Israelites there was a God who sends his more un- Sometimes not believing in God is let me know I will be burning eternally. out of Egypt only to be lost in the des- ruly people to hell, why the hell would a lonely burden. The religious might It has about the same meaning to me as ert? Too bad Moses, you don’t get to go you want to follow that guy? If there was see me as a heathen for this. Maybe someone telling me I’m going to Atlan- to the promised land anymore because a hell, and a God who sent me there, I they’ll even tell me to my face that I’m tis, or Middle Earth, or Hogwarts. And you doubted your God for a second. think I’d enjoy it. Hell would be filled going to hell. Well, as long as you’re the cure for this straight-to-hell diagno- That God wouldn’t think twice about with interesting people, my friends and not there. sis? Let Jesus into your heart! his “children” burning in hell. family, and probably all of my heroes Emma, 24, is from Cincinnati and Arbitrary rules abound when it Yet, it’s the New Testament fans who throughout history. We’ll just avoid the attends LIU Global. She has worked as a comes to who’s going to heaven and take to the concept of hell. Religion murderers in the corner. preschool teacher, an Americorps VISTA at who’s going to hell. The concept falls itself is like a bunch of fables and par- I do not reject religion out of dis- a nonprofit for the homeless, an English apart when you consider the fact that ables being used as justification for any- dain or anger. I reject religion because teacher in Israel, an English teacher for by evangelical standards, a serial killer thing and everything. People choose following a doctrine blindly leads to recent immigrants, a newspaper editor, a could end up playing a harp in heav- what they want to follow and believe: horrible occurrences. This has been nanny, a high school youth adviser and en as long as he repents and becomes a God’s an a la carte buffet. If you’re gay, proven again and again. I do not ex- a tutor. Page 16 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | October 2018 FFRF student essay honorable mentions

FFRF selected nine essays from the By Edon Ademaj opposite. I refuse to be relegated to ship him for eternity, we’re warned college competition that were worthy dark corners for who I love. that we will burn alive. We’re unable of honorable mention status. Each of n my experience, in discussing the Ashley, 20, is from Brookhaven, Ga., to make a “free choice” in any mean- the following students received $200 Iconcept of hell with theologians, I and attends Oglethorpe University. She ingful sense if we’re under threat of (plus an additional $100 for those found each dismissive that this cruel is studying economics and politics. After torture. who are members of a secular stu- dimension could graduation, she plans get an advanced William, 23, is from Kentwood, Mich., dent club). be made possible degree in economics. and attends Grand Valley State Universi- To read each of the honorable by an all-loving, ty. He enjoys music, especially playing the mention essays in full, go to free- compassionate By Blake Miller guitar and drums, and reading. thoughttoday.com. and merciful god. Here are edited excerpts from Somehow, they o accept the concept of hell, By Parker Maris each (in no particular order). come to interpret Tyou must employ a very partic- this horrible place ular style of selective reading and s of this writing, I am completing an By Samantha Jones as a manifestation ignore the entirety of the Old Testa- Ainternship in Uganda, where religi- of our individual ment (as hell, per se, does not exist osity is 99.8 percent. Nearly all girls in have always lived by the phrase, “I Edon Ademaj hells. within those pag- Uganda are told only to practice absti- I believe what I can see.” A holisti- Hell and reli- es, which were nence, while boys are given no sexual cally perfect being in the sky that gious systems exist as a form of gov- penned after a few education at all. will send me to a mythical realm of ernment over the soul, and they are thousand years of Absolutely nothing. fire and suffering devised in such a way to rule with fear, oral storytelling as Zero. How could for having sex or as well as with compassion. This am- the only means of this be possible in refusing to be- bivalent quality is just vague and en- their record-keep- a country where lieve that a jaded compassing enough to work for all ing). Putting crit- roughly 25 percent historical figure is who call themselves believers. ical thinking aside of girls become my personal sav- Edon, 20, is from Fort Worth, Texas, Blake Miller concerning the pregnant before ior isn’t something and attends Texas Wesleyan University. validity of hell, the their 19th birth- that can be prov- He is unsure of his future plans, but may morality of such a place is even more Parker Maris day and 1.4 million en, or to be frank, pursue teaching English in Reykjavík, or alarming. An all-powerful deity who people are suffering Samantha Jones even adequately writing or editing for the New Yorker, or creates the cosmos on a whim — and from HIV/AIDS? justified. I don’t working as a freelancer in graphic design. claims to love its creations — puts its It was common for both students believe that putting blind optimism creations on a world it made full of and teachers alike to discuss “playing and faith into a figure in hopes of ar- By Lydia Taylor pain, disease, death and evil. Then, sex,” as if sex were a game. Despite riving at a promised land is a valuable while giving no indication or proof the clear lack of information, I still use of my time. was always shocked at how some of of existence of itself, it dictates that had multiple teachers approach me While I understand that many I the most intelligent people I knew if you don’t believe it caused all of after the sessions with the opinion churches are now taking progressive depended so heavily on the crutch of existence, you get thrown into a fire- that the talk I gave was unnecessary, stances as our society becomes lib- religion. Couldn’t they see how mis- pit to be tortured for all eternity. as the girls had already been taught eralized, this itself is undermining leading religion is Any reasonable human (who has not “religious values.” It was clear that their integrity: If there really is this now and always has been indoctrinated since childhood conserving religious dogma had be- undeniable figure that is construct- been? Besides all never to question any biblical teach- come more important than protect- ed in this undeniable text, why do of the logical fal- ing) would be incredibly skeptical of ing children’s health. we get to change the meaning as we lacies and embel- such a place and horrified at the im- Parker, 23, is from Calgary, Alberta, see fit? lishments found plications of what qualifies as love to recently graduated from the University of Samantha, 19, is from Rochester, in religious texts those who believe the claimant. Calgary and is now at law school at the Minn., and attends the University of Wis- of all types, the I am unafraid of hell for the same University of British Columbia. consin-Madison. She is an editor for the scientific proof of reason that I am unafraid of Tolkien’s student newspaper the Daily Cardinal. essential processes Nazgûl: They are both constructs of She hopes to attend law school after grad- Lydia Taylor such as evolution, human imagination. How could a By Julianna Schoenwald uation or begin writing as an environ- and the hypocrit- book composed of multiple separate mental journalist. ical nature of many religious icons texts, written in different time peri- hough many arguments can be (such as the abundance of sexual ods, in different geographical loca- Tleveled against belief in God on By Cameron Zahner harassment at the hands of trusted tions, for completely different reasons the grounds of naturalism and moral community priests), people I had be considered a trustworthy coherent philosophy, my fundamental reason ntering high school, I was already once truly respected and admired single source (especially considering for disbelief is fairly simple: There Ea proud atheist who was ready to lost some of their prestige in my eyes those texts don’t even agree with one is not a modicum take on an onslaught of opposing as they continued to bow again and another)? of convincing data opinions for the next four years. At again to religion. Blake, 22, is from Avon, Ind., and at- to suggest that I the time, I simply Lydia, 19, is from Millstadt, Ill., and tends IUPUI. He worked as an editor in the should. I am un- rejected the no- attends the University of Denver. She film industry for a few years before taking der no illusion tion of a god. The volunteers at a day shelter for women, a few semesters at Ivy Tech, then transfer- that I have any ob- idea of an all-pow- children and the transgender communi- ring to IUPUI. He also works at the Avon ligation to provide erful and all-know- ty. She hopes to get a master’s degree in Washington Township Public Library. a reason not to be- ing being was ab- international studies and serve in the lieve in something surd to me. Peace Corps. By William Napp Julianna for which I have I operated un- Schoenwald no evidence. der the assump- By Ashley Levy hy does hell exist at all? It’s con- My desire is tion that religious Wceivable that those who rejected to orient my worldview around ev- Cameron Zahner groups were harm- am an unabashed atheist and not God could simply cease to exist, rath- idence and constantly update my less communi- I afraid of burning in hell because if er than be tormented. And if we must beliefs as new information becomes ties that occasionally took on ser- I do not speak out, who will? Histo- remain conscious available to me. However, this incli- vice projects. I quickly realized how ry has taught that for all eternity, why nation is not shared by much of the wrong I was and how religious con- inaction leads to are there only two believing community. Instead, the cepts, such as hell, had an immense disaster. If no one places to go in the religious approach accepts credulity negative impact on society and pro- ever chooses to afterlife, rather as a virtue, which they call faith. moted uninformed and dangerous speak out against than many? More- Believers opt to forfeit their in- thinking. tyranny, then it will over, in what sense tellectual freedom for the peace Intellectually, religion puts mental be allowed to con- is an eternal pun- of mind brought about by a pack- handcuffs on its adherents. Just imag- tinue. I am privi- ishment propor- aged set of metaphysical and mor- ine a world in which all people ac- leged to be able to William Napp tionate, since no al dogmas, and, as a result, they cepted the fallacy that the Earth was speak out and not finite crime merits become ideal hosts for ideological created only a few thousand years ago Ashley Levy fear for my phys- infinite punishment? This is poten- possession. by a divine, all-knowing entity. What ical safety. There tially hell’s most absurd feature: the Julianna, 22, is from Grand Rapids, a miserable place it would be, devoid are people who are still beheaded for terms and conditions for entry. Fail- Mich., and attends Grand Rapids Com- of science and discovery. being atheist in some countries. ing to sincerely believe the right set munity College. She plans to pursue a ca- Cameron, 20, is from Melrose, Mass., The idea that one should be of propositions is how a sinner finds reer in chemistry, using her eventual de- and attends Harvard University. He is God-fearing is dangerous and teach- himself in the hands of an angry god. gree to engineer sustainability solutions majoring in economics and interns for es people to be cowardly and un- Even if I could choose my beliefs at and research biochemical processes. InnerCity Weightlifting, a nonprofit that questioning. Everything must be will, coercion is still coercion. If we aims to end gun violence in Boston. questioned. Religion teaches the reject God’s generous offer to wor- October 2018 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 17 There’s no stopping the Secular Age FRO OO By James A. Haught The following books are by FFRF oppose Christ. members on the topics of religion or However, white evangelicals keep freethinking. FFRF does not do tradi- ast year, the American Family shrinking, along with other faith tional book reviews. Survey by Brigham Young Uni- groups. I hope their power to sway L versity found that churchless elections disappears. A 2017 report by Abraham on Trial: The Social people have become the nation’s the Public Religion Research Institute Legacy of Biblical Myth largest segment. Asked “What is your said: “Today, only 43 percent of Amer- By Carol Delaney present religion, if any?” Five percent icans identify as white and Christian. $35 (hardcover), $31.57 (paper- replied “atheist,” 6 percent said “ag- In 1976, roughly eight in 10 Ameri- back) Princeton University Press nostic” and 23 percent chose “nothing James A. Haught cans identified as white and identified in particular.” with a Christian denomination.” Through his desire to obey God at all This religionless total of 34 percent members in the past decade. So many That’s a stunning drop in four costs, even if it meant sacrificing his son, outstripped Protestants (33 percent), Catholics have quit that one-tenth of decades. Of course, part of the de- Abraham became the definitive model of Catholics (21 percent), Jews (2 per- American adults now are ex-Catho- cline stemmed from the “browning faith for the major cent), Muslims (2 percent), Mormons lics. As for tall-steeple mainline Prot- of America” — the flood of Hispan- world religions of Ju- (1 percent) and all smaller groups. estants, they have shrunk drastically ics, Asians, blacks, Pacific Islanders daism, Christianity The AFS findings were the highest since the 1960s. United Methodists and others who constantly whittle the and Islam. The book yet in the snowballing trend of Amer- dropped from 14 million to below 7 white majority. explores how the sac- icans who say their religion is “none.” million. Presbyterians fell from 4.2 Pew Research projects that Islam rifice rather than the Previous polls put the growing un- million to 1.5 million. Episcopalians eventually will become the largest reli- protection of children churched tally at about one-fourth. faded from 3.6 million to 1.8 million. gion globally. As for America, it expects became the focus Whatever the correct ratio, it’s The Disciples of Christ sank from 1.9 churchless ranks to grow to 62 million of faith, to the point clear that religion is collapsing in million to 600,000. Meanwhile, Amer- by 2020, and 101 million by 2050. where the abuse and the United States as it did in other ica’s population doubled. Scholars offer various explanations betrayal of children Western democracies. We live in the Although this country is called a for the Western secular surge. has today become widespread and some- long-foreseen Secular Age when gods, “Christian nation,” Mostly, they say times institutionalized. Delaney’s analysis of- devils, heavens, hells, miracles, mes- church statistician that religion thrives fers a new perspective on what unites and di- siahs, prophecies and other church David Olson says The relentless retreat of in low-income, vides the peoples of the sibling religions and, dogmas fade into myth. Church mem- only 17 percent of supernatural religion is undeveloped lands implicitly, a way to overcome the increasing bership and attendance are dropping Americans now at- transforming America’s where people violence among them. relentlessly. tend worship on culture. need supernatural The trend began in Europe after a typical Sunday comfort — but that Contradictions: World War II. Decade after decade, — and he expects need vanishes when Neuroscience and Religion churchgoing dropped until only a a drop to 10 percent by 2050. Thus, life becomes affluent and secure. By Jose M. Musacchio fringe of old people worshipped. nine-tenths of people won’t be in Personally, I think education and in- Pope Benedict lamented: “Europe pews. Churchgoing will become a telligence are involved. Several studies $15 paperback, $19 Kindle has developed a culture that, in a fringe activity. have found that doubters are smarter Springer Praxis Books manner unknown before now to hu- Western civilization evolves than believers. Researchers say Amer- manity, excludes God from the public through epochs: the Renaissance, the ica’s average IQ rises by three points The incompatibility between popular conscience.” Columnist George Will Age of Kings, the Enlightenment, the per decade, while tests are recalibrat- religious beliefs and the scientific view of called the Vatican “109 acres of faith Colonial Era, the Industrial Revolu- ed to keep the median at 100. Many human nature is exposed. The book begins in a European sea of unbelief.” Today, tion, the spread of democracy, etc. intelligent people can’t swallow mag- with a survey of the what’s left of European religion con- Now the Secular Age is blooming. ical claims of religion. Americans are evolution of religions sists mostly of fervent Pentecostalism The relentless retreat of supernatu- becoming smarter, and they’re leaving and their continuing, among tropical immigrants and Islam ral religion is transforming America’s supernaturalism behind. often irrational, influ- that is alien to much of society. culture, although most people hardly Of course, American churches will ences in modern so- Ironically, Europe spent centu- notice. The metamorphosis has deep linger interminably as congregations ciety. Then, based on ries killing people over religion — in social and political implications. age. But they’re increasingly sidelined. his long experience Crusades, Inquisitions, witch hunts, Those who abandon faith mostly Around the world, religion remains in neuroscience, the Reformation wars, pogroms against are young, and they tend to hold lib- powerful in Islamic lands, and Chris- author takes issue Jews, massacres of Anabaptists, etc. eral social values. They generally sup- tianity is booming in less-developed with Descartes about Then finally it decided that faith is port gay marriage, the public safety tropical places — where faith mostly the duality of body and soul. He presents inconsequential. net, legal marijuana, women’s right involves charismatic Pentecostal wor- case studies of patients with brain diseases The secular tsunami spread to Can- to choose abortion, acceptance of ship. In fact, the latter is so strong and from these deduces that the soul, far ada, Australia, Japan, New Zealand minorities and immigrants, etc. They that one-fourth of all the world’s from being separate and supernatural, is no and other advanced societies. At first, shun politics and hardly vote — but Christians now “speak in tongues.” more or less than our way of experiencing America seemed immune, but the they hold the potential to change Culture change isn’t clearly visi- our brains. Convincing clinical findings and trend blossomed in the 1990s and has America’s moral climate. ble while it’s happening, but I think powerful arguments about the universality increased steadily. At first, only about White evangelicals are the core of the Secular Age is rolling in Western of truth make this book a bold contribution 8 percent of American adults told the Republican Party. They tipped the democracies. Every American city re- to the debate about belief and religion. pollsters their faith is “none,” but the 1980 presidential election to Ronald mains graced by lovely church spires ratio rose with remarkable swiftness. Reagan, the 2000 election to George pointing heavenward. However, the su- Accidental Jesus Freak: Southern Baptists lost 1 million W. Bush and the 2016 election to pernaturalism behind them is fading. One Woman’s Journey from Donald Trump. Strangely, those fun- A half-century ago, in The Age of Rea- damentalists contradict the values of son Begins, philosopher-historian Will Fundamentalism to Freedom Jesus. He taught followers to help the Durant wrote that if Christianity dies By Amber Lea Starfire poor, heal the sick, feed the hungry, in Western civilization, it will be “the $16.99 paperback, $2.99 Kindle clothe the naked, comfort the afflict- basic event of modern times.” That ba- MoonSkye Publishing MOVING? ed — basically the agenda of the lib- sic event seems to be in progress. Don’t miss your copy of eral Democratic safety net. Yet white James A. Haught is the editor emeritus Amber Starfire chronicles her journey as evangelicals back the GOP, which tries of West Virginia’s largest newspaper, The Moving? Don’t miss a single issue of Freethought Today Linda Carr into the evangelical church cul- to slash the safety net. In effect, they Charleston Gazette-Mail. ture, where she gives up everything for her husband and their Notify Us of music ministry. But in Your Address Change the process, she loses Your weekly antidote to the Religious Right her most valuable as- Promptly! sets: her identity and sense of self-worth. It EMAIL [email protected] FREETHOUGHT RADIO is only when Linda re- PODCASTS AND BROADCASTS turns to live with her birth family and faces The Post Office does not FIND OUT MORE: rf.org/radio her complicated re- forward third-class mail. lationship with her FFRF cannot be responsible for replacing — Hosted by Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor — mother that she finds new purpose and the back issues if we have not been Slightly irreverent views, news, music & interviews courage to begin to extricating herself from notified prior to your move. the limiting beliefs of her past. Accidental Je- sus Freak is a powerful reminder for anyone who seeks to live a life authentic to who they truly are. Page 18 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | October 2018 LETTERBOX Donation to FFRF moved Send us photos of repurposed churches of us closet atheists. I will have to say, it up after health issues is difficult for many of us. In my job as a physician, I try to avoid any discussions For more than a year now I have of religion, as it may detract from my been dealing with some health issues. efficacy as a surgeon and my neutral- Although not terminal, I’ve decided to ity in such issues. I therefore remain make some changes in my life. mostly in the closet regarding religious I decided some time ago to in- issues. It is pretty bizarre really that we clude FFRF in my will. However, I’m are now more in the closet than gay going to issue that amount now, but people or transgender people. So un- I prefer the donation be private until acceptable, right? after my death. Jim Loddengaard I wish FFRF continued success in California your noble and courageous endeav- ors. (I look forward to each issue of Freethought Today!) Sessions’ citing of Name withheld biblical verse appalling Pennsylvania How shameful that Attorney Gen- eral Jeff Sessions counsels Americans True fact: Nothing that Romans 13 is part of our govern- fails like prayer ment’s laws! Where in the Constitution is Romans Nothing fails like prayer. Photo by Heather Bellow of the Berkshire Eagle 13 cited? And where in that instrument I prayed every day for a year that This former United Methodist Church in Great Barrington, Mass., is currently of law does St. Paul’s signature appear everyone in the world would become being restructured and may house a retail cannabis shop. as one of our Founding Fathers? atheists. Worse yet, which law school graduat- Mary Jo Stirling Member Stephen Carlsen of New York sent us a letter after seeing the ed Jeff Sessions anyway? California photo in the August issue of the repurposed church (now a post office) in David Quintero Ireland. He wanted to point out another one in Massachusetts. (See photo.) California So, in that spirit, FFRF would like you to send us photos of any churches Christian donates to that you know of that have been repurposed for something useful. Include FFRF in place of tithe yourself in the photo, if possible! Please tell us where it is, what kind of Sometimes, it pays to church it was and what it is now and any other details that may be worth directly complain Please accept my donation. I insist it mentioning. We will print them in Freethought Today as space allows. Send be entirely applied to your legal fund. the information and photo to [email protected]. In this age of daily outrage and I donate and write to you with a heavy sadness, I would like to share a small heart. I consider myself a devout Chris- victory. tian. I attend church and tithe regularly. Essayists, be ready for I am always fascinated to read the I recently moved to a conservative I have foregone my usual tithe in order experiences of the many people who area and have chosen letter writing as to donate to your cause. others to deride you tell their stories in your newspaper. I one of my methods of protest. I have thought and struggled with this Dear fellow students of life, I read am particularly struck with the epiph- The head of a nationwide respect- decision for months. Though I am no your winning essays as high school anies of the many young people who ed nature center here uses the word theologian, I do read my bible. I see my students in the August issue. The are brought up in a religious tradition, “blessed” in his newsletter’s opening. donation to FFRF as consistent with its theme, in a word, was the hereafter. who have the “revelation” that their I wrote about feeling excluded and teachings. As an old atheist, I want to warn you: religious faith is only that, and they re- about the fact that language matters. Christians are called to ally themselves Others may shun or deride you be- ject their religious teaching. This is a He quickly responded with a letter and fellowship with people of goodwill to cause you will not pretend to believe difficult thing, and often places them in which he apologized for offending do good things, regardless of their cur- in an afterlife. in conflict with their parents and their me and thanked me for reminding rent place on the path with God. That We know that the hereafter was community. I am impressed — and in- him that words do matter. includes those of little or no faith who born of and evolved through fear and spired by their courage — and their I could not have asked for a better act with integrity. Christians are called to ignorance. Life is a banquet, and yet persistence. outcome. be mindful of weightier societal issues of many among us continue to be mal- For me, I had it pretty easy. My fa- Raye Bransdorfer-Polasek justice, mercy and faithfulness in their nourished on narrow-minded dogma ther was an atheist, and my mother Michigan tithing. Romans calls me to accept those diets. was technically a Christian, but she whose faith is weak without passing judg- The strongest emphasis of religion believed more in some sort of spiritu- ment. We are all on our own individual is not on the existence of God, not alism, practiced her religion privately FFRF’s existence is journeys through life and faith. on God’s will, and, from the looks of and did not inflict it on others. necessary in these times I have periodically read your Crank- things, not on living a moral and eth- I am writing in particular in re- mail. Frankly, I’m appalled at the level of ical life. sponse to the essays written by people I am originally from New Lexing- foulness coming from purported believ- Religions focus on only one ques- in high school for your competition. I ton, Ohio. I can tell you I graduated ers. By chastising FFRF, often vehement- tion: Where and how will I spend am so very impressed by these essays! high school in the ’90s and prayer was ly, Christians are violating a covenant. eternity? It makes the only lives we Such interesting stories. Such elo- always around when I was there. When Admittedly, I am only mildly con- can know trivial. After I die, the uni- quence. Stories of discovery and rejec- I played sports, I always stood at the cerned with my religion influencing verse will go on for billions of years, tion of conventional religious dogma. I back, hovering over, not kneeling or government policies. However, I am but I will no longer exist to experi- love them! I am so very glad the FFRF bowing. I never believed in prayer and concerned with false faiths influencing ence it. gives cash awards for these essays and thought it was a waste of time. Back it. The opposite side of that same coin is There’s an old saying, “Marry in publishes them. then, I didn’t know there was an orga- government influencing religion. The haste, repent in leisure.” Applied to Thank you for your continuing ef- nization like this to look to for guid- bible is teeming with stories of other Christians in the “hereafter,” it might forts in support of secularism, and do- ance or information. So, I just wanted beliefs, governments and leaders per- be, “Sin spontaneously, say you’re sor- ing your best to prevent the insidious to say thank you for existing. secuting Christians for their faith. As ry eventually, be forgiven completely, creep of religion into the public sphere. Kevin Goodfellow a patriotic American, I try to uphold live eternally in leisure.” I am also supportive of the “outing” Ohio and defend the freedom to worship as I Carl Scheiman choose. We must remain ever vigilant to Maine Yip Harburg, retain that freedom. from his book: Rhymes for the Irreverent I believe that the goodwill efforts of Illustrated by Seymore Cwast FFRF are consistent with my faith. I do Student essay writers not have to believe in everything you do are impressive, eloquent in order to support some of the things Three Bolts, No Strikes you do. I am a Lifetime Member of FFRF When lightning struck the steeple Please continue your good works de- and a second-generation atheist. My fa- Of the Church of San Jose, fending my right to worship my God, as ther was raised as a Christian Scientist, It barely missed the brothel my conscience and integrity requires, and decided at age 18 that it was all a and protecting me from any and all re- bunch of crap. I am my father’s son. I That was just across the way. ligious practices being forced upon me. have a scientific education (CalTech), Published by the Freedom From Religion Foundation Name withheld and have a continuing interest in cos- Oregon mology and biological evolution. I am Buy it from FFRF online - shop.ffrf.org an orthopedic surgeon. October 2018 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 19

‘Blessed’ note was not Alliance between wealth Great work, Sacramento chapter! left as sign of approval and religion makes sense I hate to disappoint Howard Bos- This is in response to a piece in tock (from his letter in the September Freethought Today about how the issue), but the “Have a blessed day,” United States is the most religious note left under his windshield wiper wealthy nation. was not from an approving passerby. It Many people wonder how the Re- was left there by a disapproving rah-rah ligious Right can ally itself with plu- Christian. tocrats who seek to keep wealth in Kathleen Yaeglo the hands of the few and away from Michigan the rest of us, as well as make our public education system dysfunction- P.S. Church and state mix very well al. Isn’t Jesus supposed to be on the in your cartoons! side of the poor and forgotten? Ar- en’t Christians supposed to fight for Volunteer has to ride in the oppressed against the strong? The answer can be found in the ‘In God We Trust’ car statistics that show that the more I live in the middle of the Bible Belt, uneducated and poor you are, the where it’s not easy being an atheist. more likely you are to be religious. I was a good friend of Dr. John Hen- Giving people a good education and derson, author of three books about decent income results in their rejec- atheism and a member of FFRF until FFRF’s Greater Sacramento Chapter has been doing great things recently tion of religion. his death a few years ago. I am proud (with the assistance of FFRF’s Nonbelief Relief). In the photo, chapter Secre- To the hard-core Christian this of that fact that he acknowledged me tary Janet Thew, center, and chapter President Judy Saint, right, stand with is horrible. Saving one’s soul is in his last book, which I helped edit. a school coordinator after donating goods. The secular school is designed the most important thing, and if it Currently, I am a volunteer with specifically for homeless and transient young children, often living in cars means pushing people into poverty the Haywood County Sheriff’s Citizen with their parents, who might be in and out of classrooms too often to ben- and ignorance to do so, so be it. To Patrol and drive a patrol car. Unfor- efit from regular public education. The Sacramento chapter also donated them, of course, being a Christian tunately, the vehicle has “In God We to Wind, a secular organization that provides temporary shelter, laundry, blesses you with spiritual wealth Trust” painted on it, which bothers showers, counseling and job placement for youth who have been aged out and a divine knowledge no school me. But I haven’t said anything about of the foster care program, keeping them off the streets. can give. it as my patrol partner is a minister We This belief has lead to a society agreed to not discuss religion. that places dogma over decency and I enjoy Freethought Today very ligent and well-spoken human being, Oddly enough, since I sent that an acceptance of one’s place in soci- much. Keep up the good work! constantly using the word “prayers” email, there has not been one word ety without question. It even has cre- Michael Goode and references to God in his evening about God or prayer from Muir. I ated the most hideous of all dogmas, North Carolina news report. So I sent an email to the held my breath the other night when the prosperity gospel, where the rich station, directed to his show, pointing he talked about Olivia Newton-John’s are seen as God’s chosen ones. The out that these references in a news battle with cancer, but all he said af- more one looks at it, the more obvi- ABC News’ David Muir report are inappropriate and are not terwards was that “we are all pulling ous the alliance between wealth and got the message, maybe? something that I would expect from a for you.” religion makes sense. reputable reporter. I also pointed out Is it possible someone was listening? Peter Hall I may be reporting this premature- the statistics on the dying state of re- Wouldn’t that be nice? Oregon ly, but I got tired of hearing ABC News ligion in this country and the rate of Judy Ellis anchor David Muir, an otherwise intel- atheism among Millennials. Florida THEY SAID WHAT?

If they did [intend for separation of This isn’t intended to slight other have the freedom to follow any belief the American Legion’s Philip B. On- state and church], then why did they religions; it’s about tradition. Govern- system you choose. derdonk Jr. Religious Liberty Award to put ‘one nation under God’ in the ment is based on Christian principles, The (very confused) new prime minis- President Trump. Pledge of Allegiance? and we abide by those . . . . Prayer is ter of Australia, Scott Morrison, a Pen- Legion.org, 8-30-18 Rev. Jerry Carter, Republican candi- important to me. It tecostal who has denounced what he date for the N.C. House, claiming er- puts me in a good sees as the lack of respect for Christian Any time I’m criticized for my belief roneously that the Founding Fathers frame of mind. I beliefs and an opponent of same-sex in Jesus Christ, I just breath a prayer both wrote the pledge and included ask for the ability to marriage, who has described Christian- of praise. . . . This is a nation of faith. “under God” in it, even though that think and to work ity as one of his main motivations for We’ll continue to stand for the things phrase wasn’t added until the 1950s. with people and to public service. that we believe in. Greensboro News & Record, 7-23-18 do the best for my New York Times 8/29/18 Vice President Mike Pence in an inter- constituents. view with the Christian Broadcasting God spared my child and she is com- Brown County One of the things I’m most proud of Network. ing home alive and not in a body bag. Patrick Evans (Wis.) Board Su- is getting rid of the Johnson Amend- USA Today, 8-31-18 Mandi Keller, mother of 15-year-old pervisor Patrick ment. That was a disaster for you. Gillian, who was on the amphibious Evans, a Catholic, in pushing for President Trump, speaking in a closed- There is no reason for us to be ashamed “duck boat” in Branson, Mo., that was a referendum stating: “Should the door meeting with evangelical leaders, of our national motto; it is a vital part consumed by water during a storm, Brown County Board of Supervi- wrongly asserting that his executive of our culture. We which killed 17 people, whom God ap- sors continue to open their monthly order that purported to ease enforce- are one nation un- parently did not spare. board meeting with a Christian-style ment of the Johnson Amendment was der God, and that Friendly Atheist, 7-2-18 (prayer) invocation?” “getting rid” of it. reality should be Green Bay Press Gazette, 7-30-18 NBC News, 8-28-18 reflected in public life, including in Australia is not a secular country. It is a By the time he had left high school, the buildings where RECRUIT A MEMBER free country. This is a nation where you he [Mike Pence] had decided that he our children are be- was going to be president of the Unit- ing educated. Sample copies for $2 Losing Faith in Faith: ed States. . . . He thought God was call- Brandon Reed Kentucky state Rep. Send $2 with the name and ing him to, now, be vice president and Brandon Reed, From Preacher to Atheist function as a president-in-waiting. about a state bill that would require address of each person you Michael D’Antonio, who wrote The schools to display “In God We Trust” wish to receive a sample copy By Dan Barker Truth About Trump, in an interview on in a “prominent location.” of Freethought Today to: CNN. Friendly Atheist, 9-10-18 How Dan “threw out the bathwater and The Hill, 8-28-18 FFRF discovered there is Plenty of space on the Ark for dino- P.O. Box 750 no baby there.” This year’s award recipient wasn’t that saurs — no problem. Madison, WI 53701 Published by FFRF difficult. We have never had a year Joseph Kezele, a biology teacher at when somebody so surpassed anybody Arizona Christian University, who is Please send us only names else in the advances they made for reli- being asked to help review Arizona’s of likely supporters Buy it from FFRF online gious freedom. standards on how to teach evolution in Freedom depends upon freethinkers shop.ff rf.org Kelly Shackelford, president and CEO science class. of First Liberty Institute, in awarding AZCentral.com, 9-13-18 Page 20 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | October 2018 BLACK COLLAR CRIME

Compiled by Bill Dunn In an interview with the newspaper Corri- taught at the school from 1995 to 2012 before KXXV, 7-25-18 ere Fiorentino, he said the encounter was “an returning in 2014 as a part-time volunteer for the Dhanajay Bhave, 51, Mangeshi, India: exchange of affection” that got out of control, boys soccer team and theater program. Source: Outraging the modesty of a woman. Bhave, adding that the victim seemed “much more ma- cleveland.com, 8-3-18 a Hindu priest at Shri Mangesh Temple, is ac- Arrested / Charged ture than she was,” adding, “I thought she was Scott E. Moore, 52, Beaverton, OR: 7 cused of trying to kiss and hug a young Mum- Timothy Urban, 52, Van Alstyne, TX: Sex- at least 15.” Italy’s age of consent is 16 when counts of aggravated theft. Moore, director of bai woman who attends medical school in the ual assault, bigamy and sexual performance a person holds power over another such as a operations at Village Baptist Church until last U.S. She was visiting the temple in June when of a child. Urban is part-time youth director priest or teacher. Source: Newsweek, 8-10-18 March, is accused of stealing at least $70,000 the alleged incident occurred. Source: NDTV, at First United Methodist Church. Alleged in- Seth Welch and his wife, Tatiana Fusari, starting in 2015. Source: The Oregonian, 8-3-18 7-23-18 cidents date back to 2015. According to his both 27, Cedar Springs, MI: Felony murder and Santo J. Alvarado, 30, Baton Rouge, LA: now-deleted biography on the church website, 1st-degree child abuse for the August death of Indecent behavior with a juvenile and sexual Pleaded / Convicted he’s married with 2 children and has coached their daughter Mary Anne, 10 months, from battery. Alvarado, music minister at an uniden- youth soccer teams. Source: KTEN, 8-25-18 malnutrition and dehydration. Fusari admitted tified church, is accused of assaults on a teen Thomas Chantry, 47, Hales Corner, WI: Suphachai Suthiyano, 64, Kanchanaburi, “they failed to reach out for medical help with girl from the church between Feb. 1, 2015, and Guilty by jury of 2 counts of aggravated assault Thailand: Assault resulting in death. Suthiya- their daughter for fear of having her children Feb. 25. He faces similar charges in S. Caroli- causing physical injury. A mistrial was declared no, a Buddhist monk, is accused of battering a removed by Child Protective Services, lack of na. Source WBRZ, 8-3-18 on 4 counts of child molestation after the jury 9-year-old temple novice with a stick and slam- faith and trust in the medical services and reli- Aryeh Cohen, 44, St. Louis Park, MN: couldn’t reach a verdict. When arrested in 2016, ming his head into a pillar after he disrupted gious reasons,” an affidavit said. Soliciting a child or someone believed to be Chantry was pastor at Christ Reformed Baptist a ceremony. The boy died after falling into a They have 2 other children, ages 4 and 2, a child through electronic communication to Church but the charges stemmed from Prescott, coma. Source: AFP, 8-24-18 and Fusari is pregnant. On Facebook, Welch engage in sexual conduct. Cohen, rabbi and AZ, where he was pastor at Miller Valley Baptist Kevin Lonergan, 30, Allentown, PA: Fel- called doctors “priesthoods of the medical cult” director of youth outreach at Minneapolis Com- Church from 1995-2001. ony corruption of minors and misdemeanor and wrote “The righteous shall live by faith. It’s munity Kollel, allegedly responded in February Five alleged victims testified his “discipline” indecent assault. Lonergan, assistant pastor God who is sovereign over disease and those to an ad placed by an undercover agent posing left bruises and marks and in one case turned at the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, is sorts of things and, of course, ultimately deaths.” as a 16-year-old boy on the social networking into molestation. One man said that when he was accused of sexually touching a 17-year-old girl The children weren’t vaccinated, which app Grindr. 10 or 11 he would try to rub his buttocks to soothe he met at another parish and sending her nude Welch opposed: “If evolution believes in surviv- Cohen later sent the agent a photo of his himself after a spanking. “I wasn’t allowed to do photos on Snapchat. al of the fittest, why are we vaccinating every- genitalia and was arrested in an apartment it because he gave me the pain,” the man testi- The girl alleged to investigators in June body? Shouldn’t we just let the weak die off and complex where they were to meet, an affidavit fied. “He said it was OK for him to do it since he that Lonergan embraced her Feb. 1 at St. let the strong survive?” Source: WOOD, 8-8-18 said. Source: Pioneer Press, 8-2-18 delivered the punishment.” Then Chantry would Francis Parish and that she could feel he had rub his bottom for several minutes and eventually an erection before he grabbed her buttocks. start fondling the boy’s genitals. Source: Verde She said she told a priest at Central Catholic News, 8-21-18 High School, who alerted the bishop’s office. Reginald Flynn, Flint, MI: Pleaded no contest Source: Morning Call, 8-21-18 to misdemeanor assault and battery for spanking Ricardo Strachan, 40, Lauderhill, FL: Per- a 6-year-old student with a spatula in February at forming a lewd or lascivious act on a victim be- Foss Avenue Baptist Church, where he is pastor. tween the ages of 12 and 16. Strachan, who The boy was a student at Eagles Nest Academy led Prophetic Worshipers International Church, charter school, which Flynn founded and where is accused of molesting a 13-year-old girl about the boy was allegedly having behavioral issues. 60 times in 2016. Police said he scared her into He was also accused of grabbing the boy’s face keeping the abuse a secret by having her steal and neck. clothes and other items from her family for him Flynn’s attorney claimed Flynn agreed to the to use in voodoo rituals. plea deal because of potential litigation and be- Avo A. Roker, 32, Strachan’s friend and cause he didn’t want the child to have to testify. the girl’s stepfather, is charged with sexual Source: mlive.com, 8-6-18 battery. A website from 2015 listed him as se- John T. Sweeney, 74, Lower Burrell, PA: nior pastor of Believer Community Church in Pleaded guilty to indecent assault in a plea bar- Nassau, Bahamas. The church now appears to gain that dropped a charge of involuntary deviate have new leadership. Source: WPLG, 8-19-18 sexual intercourse. Sweeney, a retired Catholic Bryan Engfer, 57, Ft. Atkinson, WI: Suspi- priest who served 7 different parishes from 1970- cion of theft from a business setting of more than 2008, admitted molesting a 10-year-old boy who $2,500 when he was pastor at Trinity Lutheran attended St. Margaret Mary School in 1991-92. Church, where he no longer works after an audit According to the grand jury presentment, in July found financial irregularities. In 2013 he Sweeney forced the boy to perform oral sex on was a nominee for bishop of the South-Central him in his parish office after he was sent there Synod of Wisconsin for the Evangelical Luther- for being disruptive on a bus. Source: pennlive. an Church in America but lost by a vote of 200- com, 7-31-18 177. Source: WKOW, 8-16-18 Jerry R. Newton, 54, Slidell, LA: Pleaded A senior member of Israel’s Chief Rabbin- guilty to theft of $95,316 in Social Security dis- ate and 4 others were arrested on suspicion Robert R. Browning, 59, Jacksonville, FL: Dustin R. Herrera, Medford, OR: 13 counts ability benefits. Newton, pastor of Bogalusa Bap- of bribery, fraudulence and breach of trust. Lewd battery on a person between the ages of lewd acts on a child under 14 years old and tist Church since May 2007, didn’t disclose to the The rabbinate certifies products as kosher. of 12 and 16, transmission of material harmful sentence-enhancing allegations of targeting government that he had a paid position with the Eight others were detained but not arrested. to minors and lewd and lascivious molestation. multiple victims in a sex crime. Herrera is ac- church and owned 2 businesses when he applied Police announced that hundreds of thousands The complaint alleges the girl performed oral cused of molesting 8 children from 2000-04 for benefits. Source: Times-Picayune, 7-26-18 of shekels were found in suspects’ homes. sex on him as he touched her sexually inside while youth pastor at Yucaipa Christian Church A shekel is worth about 28 cents. Source: Cedar Creek Baptist Church, which operates in Calimesa, CA. Source: Press-Enterprise, Sentenced Haaretz, 8-13-18 a school where Browning taught bible studies. 7-31-18 Darryl Farrier, 38, Franklin, NJ: Child en- Investigators also found an image of male Fernando Hernandez, 50, Brownwood, Donald C. Biggs, 40, Medford, OR: 15 dangerment and possession of child pornog- genitalia allegedly depicting Browning that was TX: Indecency with a child and continuous years 8 months in prison after pleading guilty raphy. Farrier, youth sent from a phone sexual abuse of a young child or children. Her- to transporting with intent to engage in criminal pastor at Freedom number associated nandez, founding pastor of It’s A Challenge sexual activity. Biggs, youth pastor at Mountain Church, allegedly met with him. Source: Church, is accused of assaults on 2 underage Christian Fellowship, admitted taking a 14-year- with a 15-year-old girl I thought she was at Times-Union, 8-8-18 girls in 2010 and 2016. The mother of a 7-year- old girl to California in 2013 to record her in a after using social me- least 15. Orlando Marti- old alleged she didn’t came forward until now bathroom during a church trip. Several other dia to meet her and nez-Chavez, 47, Jer- because when others she knew had, “nothing victims of secret recording later came forward. have explicit chats with “ — Fr. Paolo Glaentzer sey City, NJ: Sexual was done.” Source: KTXS, 7-31-18 At sentencing, 45-year-old Kevin Smith other underage girls. assault, criminal sex- Charles N. Pelkey, 49, Avon, MN: 3rd-de- jumped the railing and started punching Biggs An affidavit alleged he ual contact and en- gree criminal sexual conduct. Pelkey, Avon in the face. He’s the father of 2 of the victims. A possessed over 100 dangering the welfare Community Church pastor, is accused of en- GoFundMe page set up to cover Smith’s legal images depicting sex- of a child when he was pastor at Iglesia Pen- gaging in a sexual relationship with a woman costs raised $15,000 toward a $5,000 goal in 6 ual exploitation and abuse of minors. Source: tecostal Lirio de los Valles. Martinez-Chavez who had gone to him for marriage counseling days. Source: Mail Tribune, 8-24-18. nj.com, 8-13-18 was removed in June after he was accused of in November 2017, which is illegal in Minneso- Christopher R. Gattis, 59, Chester, VA: Siraj Wahhaj, 40, and 4 other adults sending graphic images to a 32-year-old fe- ta. Consent is not a defense. Another parishio- 158 years in prison with all but 33 years sus- who lived in a compound near Taos, NM, male congregant. ner reported the alleged relationship to police. pended after pleading guilty to 3 counts of are charged with child abuse after Wahhaj’s An alleged victim, now 15, told police Mar- Source: KMSP, 7-30-18 1st-degree murder and felony use of a firearm 3-year-old son was found dead and 11 ema- tinez-Chavez touched her genitals inside her Malo “Victor” Monteiro, 45, Colton, CA: in the Nov. 23 killings of his wife, Jeanett Gat- ciated children were also discovered there. pants in November 2012. Another girl from the Intent to commit rape, mayhem or sodomy, tis, 58, his stepdaughter, Candice Kunze, 30, Wahhaj was wanted on a Georgia warrant for church alleges she was 16 when the pastor fon- lewd and lascivious acts on a child and sexual and her boyfriend, Andrew Buthorn, 36. Gattis abducting his son, who suffered from hypoxic dled her breast 5 years ago. He’s also accused penetration by force. Monteiro, youth pastor at was youth ministry director for Grace Lutheran ischemic encephalopathy, in November. of threatening to tell authorities about family Faith Baptist Church, is accused of multiple as- Church in Chester. Parole was abolished for The boy’s body was washed, wrapped in members’ undocumented status. Source: Jer- saults on several juveniles between 1999 and felonies in Virginia in 1995. sheets and buried at the compound, prose- sey Journal, 8-8-18 2017. Source: Press-Enterprise, 7-29-18 Long-term family discord escalated over cutor John Lovelace said. It was believed he Timothy L. Reddin, 67, Fayetteville, AR: James C. Jones, 38, Cross Plains, TN: several days and reached a boiling point on would return as Jesus in 4 months to reveal Attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. Sexual contact with a minor by an authority Thanksgiving night, the prosecution said. Part which of society’s institutions were corrupt Reddin, part-time pastor at Turner Street Baptist figure. Jones, youth pastor at an unidentified of it was captured on a home surveillance and needed to be done away with, a witness Church, is charged with messaging an under- church, was charged with assaulting a girl fol- camera. About 11:15, Gattis used a pistol to said. After a 2017 trip to Saudi Arabia, Wah- cover agent in July to have oral sex with some- lowing an investigation that started in Septem- shoot all the victims, who were playing a board haj and the others performed rituals to “cast one he thought was a 14-year-old boy. ber 2017. Source: WSMV, 7-27-18 game in the kitchen. Source: Times-Dispatch, demonic spirits” out of his son’s body, another Reddin also taught classes at Ecclesia Col- Wilfredo A. Flores, 24, Oklahoma City: 8-15-18 witness alleged. lege, a Christian school, and was chaplain for Rape. Flores, youth pastor at Iglesia Pente- John P. Aitchison, 67, Canberra, Australia: Wahhaj’s father, an imam in Brooklyn, NY, the Singing Men of Arkansas choir. He was costal Unida Hispana, is accused of assaulting 9 years in prison after a jury found him guilty of testified as a character witness for Sheik Omar sentenced to 27 months in prison in 2000 after a 13-year-old in her home in September 2017 5 counts of rape and 8 counts of indecency in- Abdel Rahman, the “blind sheikh” convicted pleading guilty to possessing child pornography. after he brought her Chinese food and a flash volving a 13-year-old girl in the late 1980s. The in 1995 of plotting terror attacks in the U.S. Source: AP, 8-7-18 drive she needed to finish a church project. woman testified that Aitchison first assaulted Source: CBS, 8-13-18 David Myers, 52, Akron, OH: Felony impor- The girl’s mother allegedly found Flores hiding her after violin practice at the Anglican church Paolo Glaentzer, 70, Bagni di Lucca, Ita- tuning. Myers, a former teacher at Cuyahoga in a closet with a blanket over him. Source: where he was pastor. ly: Sexual molestation of a child. Glaentzer, a Valley Christian Academy, is charged with KFOR, 7-25-18 She testified he told her during a rape to Catholic parish priest, is accused of molesting starting an online chat in July with a person Pamela J. Alberts, 54, Whitney, TX: Theft. look into the corner and pray she would see a girl who is 10 or 11 after allegedly being seen he thought was a 15-year-old boy but was ac- Alberts, treasurer for Ministerial Alliance her pet dog that had died, while he muttered naked with her in July in a car parked at a mar- tually an undercover officer. Four days later Whitney, is suspected of stealing as much as “please God forgive me.” Two men also testified ket about 10 p.m. he showed up to have sex with the boy. Myers $85,000 from the nonprofit since 2017.Source: Aitchison molested them as youths. Source: October 2018 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 21

Canberra Times, 8-13-18 website within 30 days and remain online for at iff’s Office has an allegation of sexual abuse priate contact with a minor female in 2004 when Ignacio Villafan, 52, Tulare, CA: 5 years’ least 10 years. Source: KBZK, 8-15-18 involving a 14-year-old boy for whom Mulca- he served at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Tal- probation after pleading no contest to grand hy was a foster parent. Reporters found more lahassee. State Attorney Jack Campbell said theft of personal property worth more than Legal Developments abuse claims targeting boys as far back as his office is investigating. Source: Tallahassee $200,000. Villafan, pastor of St. Rita’s Catholic 1978. Through it all, at various times, Mulcahy Democrat, 8-16-18 Church from 2005-12, is believed to have sto- Joseph H. Hart, 86, Cheyenne, WY, bish- was a hospital chaplain, religion teacher, dioce- Xuecheng (born Fu Ruilin), 51, resigned len about $300,000. op emeritus of the Catholic Diocese of Chey- san personnel department employee and pastor as head of the Buddhist Association of China District Attorney Tim Ward called the sen- enne, is being reinvestigated on sexual abuse at Metropolitan Opens Arms Church in Roches- and abbot of Longquan Monastery in Beijing. tence too lenient: “To think that a person allegations involving an underage male. A 2002 ter, where he retired in 2014. Source: WHAM, A 95-page report written by former monastery could steal such a large sum and not face in- investigation by the Natrona County District At- 8-15-18 monks alleged he “sent suggestive messag- carceration undermines the justice that we in torney’s Office found “no evidence” of abuse William C. Graham and Roland Antus es to two female monks at Longquan Temple the District Attorney’s Office seek every day,” but the Cheyenne Police Department has new were found to be credibly accused of sexual and made unwanted sexual advances toward Ward said. information and has asked any other potential abuse after the Diocese of Duluth, MN, inves- at least four others,” reported the S. China Bishop Armando Ochoa of the Diocese of victims to come forward. tigated claims. Graham was accused of child Morning Post. “Other chapters outlined how Fresno asked the court to take a “restorative Bishop Steven Biegler announced in July abuse in the 1970s at St. Benedict’s Catholic he had overseen the illegal construction of justice” approach because the diocese is short that the diocese had learned of “credible and Church in Duluth. several buildings at the monastery and em- of priests and Villafan could eventually re- substantiated” allegations that Hart had abused Antus was credibly accused of committing bezzled funds.” turn to ministry but have no access to funds. 2 boys. The diocese reported the alleged abuse the same crime in the 1980s at St. James Cath- Xuecheng denied all allegations on Weibo, Restitution will be decided at a later hearing. to police in March, Biegler said in a statement. olic Church in Duluth. Graham is on administra- China’s equivalent of Twitter, where he has over Source: Fresno Bee, 8-10-18 Source: Tribune Eagle, 8-23-18 tive leave and Antus retired in 2008. a million followers. Source: NPR, 8-15-18 Wiraphon Sukphon, 39, Si Sa Ket, Thai- Emiliano Arias, the prosecutor in charge of Graham sued his accuser in 2016 for mak- Jeff Jakes, senior pastor at Orangewood land: 20 years in prison and $877,000 restitu- investigating the sexual abuse scandal in the ing false claims. The suit is unresolved. The list Church and Christian School in Maitland, FL, tion for fraud, money laundering and violating Chilean Catholic Church said several bishops of credibly accused priests in the diocese has resigned after an independent investigation the Computer Crimes Act. Sukphon, a Bud- could face charges in the wake of scheduled 37 names. Source: News Tribune, 8-5-18 criticized the church’s handling of sexual ha- dhist monk who headed Wat Pakhantitham interviews with Richardo Ezzati, cardinal arch- Gerald P. Sheehan, a New York Catholic rassment of a young female intern in 1998. Monastery from 2009-13, solicited donations bishop of Santiago. Arias’ office is investigating priest who died in 2006, has been accused of “Much has been said about events that for “the world’s largest Buddha statue” in jade 38 abuse accusations against 73 bishops, molestation by a woman in her 40s who says happened 20 years ago and though I strongly and gold and for other projects but spent much clerics and church lay workers involving 104 she was between 7 and 14 years old and a disagree with many of the accusations made of it to live lavishly, the court ruled. victims. member of Nativity of Our Lord Church in Or- against me and the conclusions, my heart He was extradited from California last year The office of Santiago Silva, bishop to chard Park when she was assaulted about 200 breaks for those who have been hurt at Or- and faces charges for allegedly raping a girl the armed services, times at her home, at angewood and I pray for healing,” Jakes wrote under 15 over whom he had unofficial custody has been raided in a the church rectory and in a resignation letter. search for evidence. in 2000-01. Source: The Nation, 8-9-18 At pastor Biggs’ sentencing, at various cottages. GRACE, a Christian group that investigates Silva is also president Sheehan was listed as misconduct claims within religious institutions, Civil Lawsuits Filed of the Chilean bishops’ the father of the victim “On leave” in S. Buffalo said it spoke to 76 witnesses and surveyed conference. jumped the railing and in 1976, the time of the more than 600 church members. Orangewood Joseph Everly, pastor of The Quest, a Arias said officials alleged abuse. Source: is Presbyterian-affiliated. Source: Orlando Sen- Christian church in Novato, CA, for the past seized documents punched him in the face. WKBW, 8-3-18 tinel, 8-13-18 15 years until resigning recently, is being sued related to complaints Leonard Kalin, Patrick Barvick, pastor at St. Mary’s Cath- by Kimberly Labozzetta, 34, a church employ- made over 20 years a Nebraska Catho- olic Church in Davey, NE, was removed by the ee who claims Everly manipulated her into a to Silva and his mili- lic priest who died in Diocese of Lincoln. Bishop James Conley said sexual relationship that led to an abortion. The tary predecessor, Bishop Juan Barros. Seven 2008, has been accused of sexual misconduct he told Barvick earlier that “he was not to be church is a co-defendant. more court-authorized raids of senior church by Peter Mitchell, a priest who was laicized in alone with females. His behavior concerns me When she got pregnant in February and officials’ office have been carried out. Source: 2017 for violating his vow of celibacy on multiple and the Diocesan Review Board,” adding, “I told Everly her husband had had a vasectomy, Channel News/Reuters, 8-18-18 occasions. Kalin was vocations director for the have asked him to temporarily step aside from he allegedly promised her they would get mar- Devin Caruthers, Raymore, MO, violated Diocese of Lincoln and pastor of the University his parish while I evaluate this situation.” ried after he left his wife and they could have bond conditions with an appearance at Second of Nebraska Newman Center from 1970 until Steve Thomlison resigned as pastor at St. children later. After the abortion, he ended the Missionary Baptist Church when children were the late 1990s. Stephen in Exeter and St. Wenceslaus in Milli- relationship and told the congregation about present, prosecutors said in a motion to revoke Mitchell alleged Kalin regularly asked semi- gan after Conley met with him to “discuss a past the affair, the suit alleges. Source: Indepen- bail. Caruthers, church youth pastor, is charged narians to help him shower because he was old incident in the military that was a concern” when dent Journal, 8-20-18 with 2 counts of sodomy, attempted child moles- and needed help and would then make sexual he was a National Guard chaplain. Five employees at Bergen Catholic High tation and domestic assault. He’s barred from advances. He also invited them on trips to Las Conley also removed Charles Townsend School, Oradell, NJ, are defendants in a suit contact with his alleged victims or any child un- Vegas and would require them to meet with him as pastor of St. Peter’s Parish in S. Lincoln filed by Anthony Asatrian, now 18, who alleges der 17 except for his own. late at night at the Newman Center. due to an “emotionally inappropriate, nonsexu- sexual abuse, harassment and assault. He It’s alleged that during 2 sleepovers at his Mitchell admitted his own violations of celi- al relationship” with a 19-year-old man. Conley asserts his wrestling coach David Bell pur- home, he touched a boy’s genitals and told him bacy with women. “I am painfully aware, howev- said the relationship involved alcohol and that sued him romantically starting when he was 15 he loved him. He’s also accused of sexually er, that the people to whom my seminary forma- Townsend was sent to the Shalom Center in and that assistant coach Dominick Spataro touching 2 girls. Source: WDAF, 8-7-18 tion was entrusted modeled addictive behavior Houston for treatment. Source: Fremont Tri- showed him and another wrestler pornographic Denis Nolan, 64, a defrocked Irish priest to me and an entire generation of young men bune, 8-13-18 photos on his phone. convicted last year of 6 counts of rape and sex- who are now priests.” Source: Catholic News Steve Timm, Clearwater, MN, resigned Other defendants are Brother Brian Walsh ual assault of a 10-year-old boy he’d hired to do Agency, 8-3-18 as pastor of Rejoice Lutheran Church in July. (then-president of the school), Principal Timo- yard work in 2005-06, had his appeal denied. It Timm told a reporter: “Earlier this year, I was thy McElhinney and Jack McGovern, athletic was based mainly on the trial court’s decision Removed / Resigned involved in a consensual affair with a woman director. The county prosecutor’s office has de- not to give the jury a corroboration warning due at Rejoice.” He called the relationship “mutu- clined to bring criminal charges. to inconsistencies in the victim’s testimony and Frank Gomez, Bridgeport, CT, resigned as al and consensual” and said it was “not in the Asatrian let USA Today examine 94 text complaint. The appeals court said the inconsis- pastor at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church context of counseling.” messages from Bell, sent from February 2016 tencies were minor and not out of the ordinary. rather than undergo “treatment and assess- State law bars clergy members from hav- to early 2018. The last one arrived just before Source: Irish Times, 7-31-18 ment” at a facility in Canada amid accusations ing a sexual relationship with anyone they are he was kicked off the wrestling team. He’s that he texted children and gave them gifts with- counseling, regardless of consent. The behavior since transferred to another school. Source: Allegations out their parents’ knowledge. was also disclosed to the state National Guard, North Jersey Record, 8-16-18 The Diocese of Bridgeport told parishio- where he’s a member of the 47th Chaplain De- Carlo Maria Vigano, archbishop emeritus ners that Gomez, a native of Mexico ordained tachment. Civil Lawsuits Settled and Vatican ambassador to the U.S., said in a in 2009, texted children without their parents’ Timm, who is married with children, worked statement that Pope Francis should resign for knowledge, offered them gifts and had physical with the Guard’s Yellow Ribbon program that The Christian Brothers Catholic religious his handling of sexual abuse allegations against contact that was not sexual but made people trains clergy on how to gain the trust of troops order settled a suit for $727,000 with an Aus- Theodore McCarrick, a cardinal who resigned uncomfortable. “Serious boundary violations” returning from deployment. Source: St. Cloud tralian man who said he’d have been happy in July as archbishop of Washington due to but nothing “illegal or immoral,” said Bishop Times, 8-11-18 with a simple apology for his sexual abuse. claims he molested an altar boy in 1971-72 and Frank Caggiano. Source: CT Post, 8-25-18 Heather Larson, S. Barrington, IL, lead pas- Paul Bradshaw, 74, Perth has terminal cancer. later targeted adult seminarians. Javier Heredia, pastor of S. Carolina Cath- tor at Willow Creek Community Church, and the His alleged attackers — Brothers Lawrence Francis “must be the first to set a good ex- olic parishes in Lancaster and Great Falls, was board of elders resigned after acknowledging Murphy, Bruno Doyle and Christopher An- ample to cardinals and bishops who covered up placed on administrative leave after his arrest the church mishandled allegations that mega- gus — are all dead. Bradshaw reported his McCarrick’s abuses and resign along with all of for inappropriate touching of a girl at a public church founder Bill Hybels engaged in improp- abuse twice as a child and was instead called them,” Vigano said. “He knew from at least June wave pool, said a diocesan press release. Ar- er behavior with women, including his executive a liar and was sent to get psychiatric treatment. 23, 2013, that McCarrick was a serial predator. rest details weren’t available. Source: The assistant, for decades. Hybels resigned in April Bradshaw’s lawyer, Michael Magazanik, . . . [A]lthough he knew that he was a corrupt State, 8-24-18 and alleged victims are still coming forward. said his firm is handling 60 claims against the man, he covered him to the bitter end.” Michael W. Matusak, Uniontown, PA, was Willow Creek has a $77 million budget and Speaking to the press in Ireland, the pope removed by the Diocese of Greensburg as pas- Christian Brothers. Bradshaw is the first to 350 employees spread among its 8 campuses. responded: “I will not say a single word on this.” tor of 5 Catholic parishes due to a credible alle- claim damages for historical sex abuse under Source: Chicago Tribune, 8-10-18 Source: CNN, 8-26-18 gation of child sexual abuse dating back almost recent laws in Western Australia that removed Mark F. Plaushin, Philadelphia, a priest in Edmundo Paredes, pastor for 27 years at 20 years. The accusation is new and isn’t part the time limit for such cases. Source: ABC, residence at Our Mother of Consolation Cath- St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Oak Cliff, TX, of the state grand jury report on child abuse in 8-16-18 olic Parish, was removed from ministry after an before fleeing the U.S. after being removed Pennsylvania. Source: WTAE, 8-22-18 allegation surfaced he molested a minor in 1985 in June 2017 for suspected financial irregular- Steven M. Fink, Baltimore, rabbi at Temple Finances before he was ordained. Plaushin, who is in his ities, is now under investigation for molesting Oheb Shalom, was suspended by the Central early 60s, was ordained as an Oblates of St. The Catholic Archdiocese of New York 3 teen boys in the parish between 10 and 20 Conference of American Rabbis for multiple vio- Francis de Sales priest in 1989. Source: Philly has paid about $4 million from its compensa- years ago. lations of its Ethics Code. Voice, 8-10-18 tion program to 24 sexual abuse victims rep- During the financial probe, in which $60,00 The synagogue sent a letter last May to con- Brett Moser, lead pastor at River City resented by attorney Michael Reck. Payments to $80,000 is involved, church officials received gregants that said it had suspended Fink with Church in Fargo, ND, was placed on leave af- range from $25,000 to $500,000, Reck said. allegations of criminal sexual acts, which have pay due to an allegation of sexual impropriety ter he and his wife, Shannon Moser, met with The latest payment went to an alleged victim in been found to be credible, said Diocese of Dal- with a teen minor that occurred “a number of the board after she was arrested for having sex the 1980s of John T. Meehan, 81, a priest who las Bishop Edward Burns. The church is hiring years ago.” with a 16-year-old student. She teaches middle was a guidance counselor at Cardinal Hayes private investigators to find Paredes, suspect- In January 2007, then-Cantor Lisa Levine school science. High School in the Bronx and was named a ed of being in the Philippines. Source: Morning left the temple abruptly and declined to say why. His photo and biography have been re- monsignor in 2006. Source: NY Post, 8-18-18 News, 8-19-18 She again declined in May. Source: Baltimore moved from the church’s website but there’s no A Montana federal bankruptcy judge ap- James Mulcahy, 74, is accused in a victim’s Sun, 8-20-18 public allegation of his involvement. proved a $20 million settlement between the compensation claim filed with the Diocese of Henryk Pawelec, Pompano Beach, FL, The student alleged he met the teacher in Diocese of Great Falls-Billings and 86 survi- Rochester, NY, of repeatedly molesting a boy in resigned as pastor at St. Coleman Catholic Rendezvous Park in June and that they had vors of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy. 1978 when he was 13 and Mulcahy was reli- Church, the Archdiocese of Miami announced sex in the car along a gravel road. Another Catholic Mutual Insurance will pay $8 mil- gious education coordinator at St. Patrick Cath- in a letter to parishioners. Archbishop Thomas student, now 15, told police in July that Shan- lion, the diocese will pay $5 million, $4 million olic Church in Mt. Morris. The alleged abuse Wenski alleged Pawelec stole over $236,000 for non Moser had shared explicit photos and will come from individual parishes, $2 million wasn’t reported to authorities until 1994 after the “his personal benefit” and said the archdiocese videos on Snapchat starting when he was will be paid by the Catholic Foundation of East- statute of limitations expired. Mulcahy now lives has reported the incident to the State Attorney’s 14. Some of the videos showed the Mosers ern Montana and $1 million by St. Labre Indian in Ukraine and works for Metropolitan Commu- Office.Source: Miami Herald, 8-19-18 having sex, court documents stated. Source: School. nity Churches, where a reporter contacted him Edward Jones was removed as pastor at News Tribune, 7-24-18 Most claims are from 1950-80. The names and was told the allegations lack substance. Florida Catholic parishes in Crawfordville and of 27 priests will be posted on the diocese’s Mulcahy’s file in the Livingston County Sher- Lanark due to a credible allegation of inappro- Email: [email protected] Page 22 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | October 2018 ‘I alone can fix it’ Evangelicals were perfect host for Trump By Chris Todd that a lightning strike transformed Saul religious incursion into traditionally od gave us President Donald into Paul in a flash — were well-pre- secular areas. Public education, for in- Trump. Or, more accurately, pared in the magical thinking necessary Long before they are capable stance, is currently under attack by the Gthe idea of God gave us Donald to believe that Trump, despite his glar- of reason, evangelicals Religious Right, which much prefers Trump. The key to his election was his ing immorality, could suddenly trans- and other fundamentalists charter and private schools where chil- lopsided share of the white, evangelical form into a wise president. “I alone can are conditioned from dren are immersed in whatever set of vote — 81 percent. Trump drew their fix it,” was essentially a religious state- childhood to believe. myths motivate the schools’ founders. votes without living any of the virtues ment, made to an audience groomed to It is crucial that we keep public schools evangelical Chris- believe in biblical miracles. With those alive and well-funded. tians aspire to. In words, Trump attached himself to a We must also become vocal public fact, it was quite the perfectly conditioned host, the believer, and it may well prove more damaging. situations. Many of us have felt reluctant opposite; he is an just as naturally as a lamprey attaches it- For many Trump voters, the foun- to openly criticize statements or actions adulterer and a se- self to a lake trout. dation of magical thinking began with based on religious belief — we’ve been rial liar, he defaults It is too late to avoid some conse- childhood religious indoctrination conditioned to think it rude and intoler- on his debts, gives quences of our current situation, but — and indoctrination it surely is. Five- ant. But to the contrary, it is our responsi- little or nothing to we must do what we can to avoid the year-olds do not choose to commit to bility to help others, especially children, charity and openly election of unbalanced leaders in the a set of religious beliefs any more than see that satisfying, productive lives are boasts of sexual as- future. To that end, our best hope is they choose what language to speak. much more likely without religion. sault. He has also to discourage magical thinking in our Children in Riyadh grow up to be The happiest four countries in the Chris Todd stated that he has children — the belief in miracles, and Muslim believers; children in Atlanta world are Finland, Norway, Sweden and never asked God the expectation that prayer can alter grow up to be Christian believers. And Denmark. It is not a coincidence that for forgiveness — an act that is at the anything outside their own minds. At once children have accepted religious those four are also among the least re- core of evangelical belief. All of this is best, such thinking is relatively harmless magic, it is only a small step to con- ligious and the most literate. “I alone well known and well documented. Why, — for instance, the irrational notion vince them, later in life, that political can fix it” does not sell in such environ- then, did evangelicals vote for him? that we can influence the course of a magic is also possible — that a life- ments. We can only hope that America The answer is that, long before they football game by shouting at our TVs. long narcissist could transform into belatedly joins Scandinavia and Europe are capable of reason, evangelicals and At worst, it is disastrous; “If I blow up a president who would put the public in rejecting religion, and in resisting other fundamentalists are conditioned the World Trade Center, I will be imme- good above his own. those who use religion to exercise polit- from childhood to believe. Voters diately transported to sexual paradise.” In a perfect world, children would ical control. In the meantime, we must brought up to believe incredible stories Trump’s claim that he is the only man not be exposed to religion until their continue to speak out against magical — including Jonah emerging from the who can save our country is no less irra- minds are mature enough to decide interpretations of our world. same end of the whale he entered, that tional than the suicide bomber’s belief among competing ideas, but that is FFRF Member Chris Todd lives in God sent bears to eat 42 children and in a heavenly, virgins-only brothel — not realistic. What we can do is resist Minnesota. Prayer: The ultimate cop-out

By Herb Gartner it’s given to start wars, thwart scientific very time there is a catastrophe, you and medical research, and make com- hear the families, friends, sheriffs munities feel so alienated that they radi- Eand priests say they are praying for calize into violence. the victims. I want to yell out, “Idiots!” Prayer is a cop-out that trains the Insensitive? No. Just the opposite. brain to be weak and dependent on How can anyone forget about the Ho- something that does not exist. It’s fu- locaust, where 6 million people, some tile. People look to prayer for solu- of whom prayed daily, were murdered? tions while often opposing human We’ve all seen pictures of the starving, and technological efforts that can ac- emaciated, desper- tually solve problems. ate people standing at fences in concen- Starts in the home tration camps with We were taught to believe in an tormented, hol- all-powerful, loving, merciful God the low eyes. Did God same time we’re taught to believe in miss that? Can you Santa Claus, Easter Bunny and Tooth Photo by Lovelove/Shutterstock imagine an all-pow- Fairy . . . by our parents. Religion starts erful, loving, mer- in the home and is perpetuated by peer for God? If a boy is setting fire to the cat millions who suffered unspeakably hor- ciful god ignoring pressure and by religious opportunists, and stabbing his sister with a knife, does rible fates by suggesting their loved one that pain and their priests, rabbis, propagandists and un- his mother just sit there allowing the is more worthy of saving than all those Herb Gartner prayers? scrupulous profiteers who feed off peo- child to express his free will? Of course innocent men, women and children A young woman with cancer who was ple’s fears, anxieties and naiveté. not. She yanks the knife away and dous- who came before them. And they pray featured on the news said she knew God Popes continually pray for peace in es the cat. Otherwise, what kind of to their God, who never did a damn would cure her. Well, the doctors might, the Middle East mother would she thing to help those suffering, and now but God won’t! and the world. be? Well, she’d be expect a response to those prayers. It is these religious people who seem How’s that working How far will people go the kind of mother Frankly, and unapologetically, this unaffected by the pain and suffering of out? If God won’t that God seeming- call to prayer annoys the hell out of me. to apologize for God? others. They focus on their own reali- answer the pope’s ly is now, ignoring Their god, by definition, could prevent ty, not that of the millions who prayed prayers, why would pain and suffering any tragedy, but doesn’t, but apparently while suffering through wars, famines, he answer yours? and doing nothing. would for them. That is an intolerable disease, slavery and more. Their needs God is not deaf, dumb and blind . . . The god they pray to has ignored degree of perceived self-worth, egoma- and egos are blind to history and the just nonexistent. wars, famine and diseases for millennia. nia, arrogance, delusion, ignorance or facts. And their blindness does harm. Point out the inefficacy of prayer to Their god allows the worst, most evil of some combination. The more religion is promoted as a believers and minds go blank; brains people to torture the best, most inno- Despite the pain and suffering en- solution to anything, the more power turn to mush. People don’t like being cent people. He allows women to be ab- dured by millions for eons, religious questioned about their belief in God. ducted into slavery and children to be believers pray. They say, “You can’t ques- They become angry, frustrated and raped by priests. He just sits back and tion God.” Sorry. You can and must, What Is a Freethinker? hostile because they are impotent to does nothing. unless you want to choose fear, naiveté give a good answer, including the “free Free will? Last year, over $500 bil- and blissful ignorance over courage, freethinker n. will” argument. lion in property damage was caused intellect and sanity. And if you choose A person who forms opinions Ah, yes, that old standby, free will. by hurricanes alone. Millions of lives prayer, then at least stop imposing your about religion on the basis of A concept taught by priests so their were affected, and families, homes and ridiculous beliefs and superstitions on flocks can hold fast to their beliefs, towns destroyed by natural disasters, everyone else. Keep them to yourself. reason, independently of tradition, keep going to church and keep paying all seemingly under God’s control and FFRF Member Herb Gartner owns an authority, or established belief. the priests’ salaries. not free will. advertising agency and lives in Jackson- How far will people go to apologize The prayerful demean the lives of ville, Fla. October 2018 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 23 SECULAR INVOCATIONS Jocelyn Williamson Osceola County, Fla. Ocoee, Fla. Commissioners Council City Commission July 9, 2018 Thank you, commissioners, city staff and citizens of May 15, 2018 Osceola County. Let us take this moment, before we be- Good evening Mayor Johnson, council members, gin, to pause and reflect on why we have come together. staff and citizens. We assemble today to work together for good of As we convene this evening to focus on the needs the county. of city of Ocoee, let us remember that when we We gather with confidence in the practice of de- share with others that which is most important to us, mocracy and with hearts and minds open to the wis- listening begins. dom in every voice among us. When we acknowledge the concerns of others, when Thomas Jefferson once called town meetings we say those concerns matter, compassion begins. “the wisest invention ever devised by the wit of When we stand united against hatred, violence, and man for the perfect exercise of self-government injustice, courage begins. and for its preservation.” When we experience the full presence of each Jocelyn Williamson We recognize that vigorous debate is essential to de- other, because of our shared humanity, in spite of our mocracy, and part of our revolutionary tradition. disagreements, this is where understanding begins. ment, let us remember that vital role it plays in So, as we gather this afternoon, let there be a free May we be open to others’ ideas and beliefs, connecting and protecting the community. It is and unhampered exchange of ideas, questions and respectful of our differences, not threatened by them. through its concerted effort that we maintain the opinions. May we grow in understanding of our own motives. high quality of life in Deland. Let us be mindful of the standards of tolerance, May we replace fear with knowledge, helping us to be May we openly listen and develop new ways of reason and civility recognizing the diversity with patient and charitable in our dialogue. relating to neighbors and which we thrive and giving While we often focus on our differences, this to the strangers we may the most respect to those of evening let us also seek to understand the ideals and soon call our friend. In our struggles, may we learn differing views. values we share. Let us to find a sense compassion; and in our power, may May we employ our best Today and tomorrow, let us value one another more of humility where we have judgment keeping ourselves we“ learn temperance. than we did yesterday. privilege, and strength impartial and neutral as we where we find and face — Jocelyn Williamson consider the merits and pit- oppression. falls of each matter before us. Deland, Fla. In our struggles, may And may we always act in we learn compassion; and accordance with that which is City Commission in our power, may we learn temperance. best for our community and our fellow citizens. As a community, may we be a safe harbor in a Thank you. May 21, 2018 world that is often harsh toward difference. FFRF Member Jocelyn Williamson, a lifelong atheist, co- This evening, may we lean forward, keeping in founded and is a director of the central Florida Freethought Good evening Mayor Apgar, commissioners, city mind the welfare of all the city citizens, embrac- Community, which is working to build a secular community staff and citizens. ing reason and free inquiry, working harmonious- and to keep religion out of government in central Florida. She We come together at the beginning of another ly together to transform our city through love and also founded the Science League for Kids. week, to listen and address the needs of the peo- to accomplish good works with compassion and She has been named the winner of FFRF’s 2018 “Nothing ple of the city of Deland. consideration for all. Fails Like Prayer” contest and will give one of her invocations Tonight, as you honor the Public Works Depart- Thank you. at FFRF’s convention in San Francisco in November. Why Nones don’t identify with a religion Atheists are more likely than Nones to say that religion is simply ‘irrelevant’ to them

It’s becoming common knowledge that the percentage of Americans who are religiously unaffiliated is growing — and fast. But what maybe isn’t so clear is why. The Pew Research Center last year sampled more than 1,300 of the religiously unaffiliated, also known as “Nones,” as to why they don’t identify with a religion. The most common response was that they question a lot of religious teachings. About 60 percent of American Nones — adults who describe their religious identity as atheist, agnostic or “nothing in particular” — say the questioning of religious teachings is a very important reason for their lack of affiliation. The positions taken by churches on social and political issues, which nearly half (49 percent) of respondents cited, was the second-most common answer. (The combined totals add up to more than 100 percent because each question was asked separately from the others.) Others responded that they dislike religious organizations (41 percent), don’t believe in God (37 percent), consider religion irrelevant to them (36 percent) or dislike religious leaders (34 percent). According to the Pew survey, those who identify as atheist, agnostic or “nothing in particular” gave are more likely than other Nones to say religion is Questioning religious teachings was again among different reasons for their lack of affiliation. simply “irrelevant” to them (63 percent of atheists, the top responses, with a quarter saying it is the Almost 90 percent of self-described atheists 40 percent of agnostics and 26 percent of adults most important reason. Slightly less than a quarter say their lack of belief in God is a very important with no particular religion). of respondents cited lack of belief in God, and 16 reason for their religious identity, compared with Another survey question asked the Nones percent said the most important reason is that 37 percent of agnostics and 21 percent of those in which of the six potential statements is the single they dislike the positions churches take on social the “nothing in particular” category. Atheists also most important reason they are unaffiliated. and political issues. Page 24 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | October 2018 FFRF’s 41st annual convention draws near Join us Nov. 2-4 at Hyatt 2018 Freethinker of the Year David $60 per member, $65 per compan- The convention includes irreverent Steketee, FFRF member and feisty ion, $110 for non-members, and stu- music, complimentary appetizers on Regency in downtown litigant in FFRF’s major New Jersey dents and children get in free. FFRF’s Friday afternoon and a complimentary San Francisco Supreme Court win against taxpayer hotel block is sold out, but you may Friday night dessert reception. Sat- support of churches; California at- call 1-888-421-1442 and use the code urday morning’s annual “Non-Prayer There’s still time to register for torney David Kalyonides, who’ll talk “Freedom From Religion Founda- Breakfast” includes the popular “Mo- FFRF’s 41st annual convention at about FFRF’s appeals court victory tion” to see what’s available. Or you ment of Bedlam.” And on Saturday San Francisco’s downtown Hyatt Re- against school board prayer at Chino can reserve rooms online at bit.ly/ evening, before Leighann Lord and gency, headlined by Salman Rushdie, Hills, Calif., Mohammed Al Khadra, FFRF2018. Or try various online hotel Adam Savage, FFRF hosts its popular Cecile Richards and Adam Savage. founder of Council of Ex-Muslims of booking sources. drawing for “clean” (pre-“In God We FFRF’s registration ends on Friday, Jordan, and Bay Area poet and athe- Convention registration begins by Trust”) currency. Oct. 12. Unfortunately, there will not ist Victor Harris. This year’s Nothing noon on Friday, Nov. 2, with formal For more information on the con- be space for walk-ins or registration Fails Like Prayer award will go to Joc- program promptly at 1 p.m., continu- vention, or to sign up online, go to at the door. elyn Williamson, a Florida member ing through Saturday evening. FFRF’s ffrf.org/convention2018. Or phone Added to the list of speakers are: and chapter activist (see her three membership and state representatives’ 1-800-335-4021 during office hours Larry Decker, executive director of secular invocations, Page 23). meetings take place Sunday morning. (Central Time). the Secular Coalition for America; Convention registration is only (See schedule below.) FFRF Convention schedule Schedule is subject to minor changes FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2 continues through Saturday 11:00 AM Registration opens 9:30 AM Welcome Continues through convention Lisa Strand, Director of Operations “Nothing Fails Like Prayer” Song 2018 CONVENTION REGISTRATION FORM 11:15 AM – 1:00 PM Movie “Nothing Fails Like Prayer” Winner Or register online: ffrf.org/convention2018 “Losing Our Religion” Jocelyn Williamson 86-minute film. Exclusive preview! DISCOUNTED REGISTRATION & MEALS PACKAGE Poetry Reading for Secularists Includes interviews with former clergy, Get a $20 discount when you bundle two meals and registration. Includes Victor Harris including Dan Barker Saturday breakfast and dinner. Number Registering Cost 10:00 AM Report from Secular Friday Afternoon Program Coalition for America Member ___$190 $____ Larry Decker, executive director 1:00 PM Welcome Spouse or Companion ___$195 $____ Emperor Has No Clothes Award 10:20 AM FFRF’s Appeals Court Victory (Non-member accompanying member) U.S. Representative Huffman David Kalyonides, primary litigator FFRF v. Chino Valley School Dist., Calif. Non-member ___$240 $____ 1:30 PM Richard Hermsen Student Activist Award 10:40 2018 Freethinker of the Year Child / Student with ID (Meals Only) ___$130 $____ Bailey Harris, author of David Steketee Please indicate number of meals FFRF & Steketee v. Morris County, N.J Stardust: The Book of Truth Saturday Non-Prayer Breakfast 2:00 PM The Hon. Culbert Olson, 11:00 AM FFRF Legal Report “On a Roll” __# Regular __# Vegetarian __# Vegan __# Gluten Free Governor – Atheist FFRF Attorneys Patrick Elliott, Rebecca Debra Deanne Olson Markert, Andrew Seidel Saturday Banquet Dinner __# Regular __# Vegetarian __# Vegan __# Gluten Free Craig Wilkinson, M.D. , co-authors 12:00 – 2:00 PM Lunch 2:30 PM Free Will: Make Up Your Mind Sightseeing on your own REGISTRATION – NO PACKAGE Dan Barker 2:00 Freethought Heroine & Freethought Concert Sarah Haider Member ___$60 $____ 3:00 PM Break 2:30 PM “What We Think, How Spouse or Companion ___$65 $____ Book Signings for Olson, Harris & We Think” (Non-member accompanying member) Barker Mohammed Al Khadra, founder, Non-member ___$110 $____ Coffee, tea, light refreshments Ex-Muslims of Jordan Open until 5:00 PM Or join for $40 and save $10 2:45 PM Avajit Roy Courage Award 3:30 PM Emperor Has No Clothes Introduced by Rafida Bonya Ahmed Child / Student with ID ___Free $____ Award Recipient: Roopbaan Magazine, SELECT MEALS À LA CARTE Salman Rushdie accepted by co-founder Book signing follows Please indicate number of meals 3:15 PM Henry Zumach Freedom From Saturday Non-Prayer Breakfast ___$60 $____ 5:00 – 7:00 PM Dinner on your own Religion Fundamentalism Award __# Regular __# Vegetarian __# Vegan __# Gluten Free Friday Evening Program Ensaf Haidar 3:45 PM Break Saturday Banquet Dinner ___$90 $____ 6:00 PM Registration re-opens __# Regular __# Vegetarian __# Vegan __# Gluten Free Sales tables re-open 4:00 PM Forward Award A Conversation with Cecile Richards 7:00 PM Evening Welcome Book signing follows ⊲ Total $______Dan Barker & Annie Laurie Gaylor Year in Review Presentation Music Saturday Evening Program ☐ I am enclosing a donation to sponsor student convention travel costs. $_____ 7:30 PM Premiere “Clarence (Make checks payable to FFRF) Return with payment to: Darrow Award” 6:00 PM Banquet Dinner with cash bar FFRF, Attn: Convention | P.O. Box 750 | Madison, WI 53701 Actor John de Lancie 8:00 PM Clean Money Drawing 8:30 PM “Real Women Do It 8:00 PM “Julia Sweeney: Older & Names of all registrants (attach extra sheet as necessary) Wider” stand up comedy Standing Up” 9:30 PM Dessert Reception Leighann Lord Stand up comedy Address 10:00 PM Late night film replay “Losing Our Religion” 9:00 PM Emperor Has No Clothes Night owl showing. 86-minute film. Award City State / ZIP Exclusive preview! Includes Adam Savage interviews with former clergy, SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4 Phone* Email* including Dan Barker 8:30 AM Pastries, coffee, tea available SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3 for members Credit Card Number Expiration Date / Security Code (while they last) Saturday Morning Program 9:00 AM Annual Membership Meeting Signature *Contact information for in-house use only. Open to all current FFRF members 8:00 AM Non-prayer Breakfast ☐ Please tell us about any concerns over accessibility or accommodations in For ticket holders 11:15 AM Annual State Representatives order to fully participate in this convention: Meeting 8:30 AM Concert: Voices of Reason

9:00 AM Registration re-opens Adjourn by Noon FFRF Convention Early Registration closes on Oct. 12, 2018.