Vol. 33 No. 10 Published by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. December 2016 FFRF gets A message from FFRF The only wall we Ohio village need is between to change seal church and state By Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor FFRF Co-Presidents An Ohio village recently removed a religious seal and declaration after several objections from FFRF. If recent events have left you reel- The seal of the village of Archbold contained a ing over the radically changed political church at its center, nestled within images of ed- landscape and what it will mean for our ucation, farming, forestry and industry. The seal cause, remember: None of us “Nones” was featured in a number of places, including gov- is in it alone. ernment buildings, street signs, village forms and We couldn’t be directing one of the documents, such as utility bills, and on the official nation’s most controversial groups or website. The website also working for one of the most unpopular contained on its history of causes, were we not optimists. page a declaration that The Religious Right never quits. Nor Archbold is a “Christian can we. As Margaret Mead said: “Never community.” doubt that a small group of thought- Such a seal and state- ful, committed citizens can change ment were unconstitu- the world. Indeed, it is the only thing tional, FFRF informed the that ever has.” (With more than 24,000 village several times. members, FFRF isn’t all that small, but “The inclusion of a we’re still vastly outnumbered.) church on the official village seal and declaration It buoys us and fortifies our that the village ‘is a Christian community’ violate the resolve to be in contact every day Establishment Clause of the First Amendment,” FFRF with dedicated and enthusiastic Legal Fellow Madeline Ziegler wrote to Archbold nontheists like yourself, who tell us Mayor Jim Wyse last year. “Federal courts have ruled Have a joyous secular season! they’ve found a home in FFRF, who that similar seals violate the Establishment Clause.” FFRF wishes all of our members a happy and prosperous care “devoutly” about protecting our FFRF suggested to the village that changing the winter solstice season and new year. “Winter Walk,” an original nation’s secular core. seal would make sense in other ways, as well. Nearly watercolor image by artist Jan Rasmussen, is available to Like you, we know that the only af- 30 percent of Americans are non-Christian, includ- purchase in 10-packs of cards through FFRF’s online store, terlife that should concern us is leaving ing 43 percent of Millennials, practicing a minority along with a dozen other choices (shop.ffrf.org). our descendants a pleasant future. And See Seal on page 5 See Wall on page 7

‘IM GOD’ plate denial gives FFRF license to sue Inside This Issue FFRF and the American Civil Liberties Union of Ken- personalized plates from communicating religious, anti- tucky (ACLU-KY) and filed a lawsuit on Nov. 22 on behalf religious or political messages. Following the of a Kentucky FFRF member denied a personalized license Hart had a personalized license plate with the letters star in the east plate reading “IM GOD.” “IM GOD” displayed on his Ohio-issued license plate for 12 page 3 Kentucky Division of Motor Vehicle (DMV) officials ini- years prior to moving to the commonwealth. tially refused Ben Hart’s request early this year, claiming that “I simply want the same opportunity to select a personal the license plate message was “obscene or vulgar,” but then message for my license plate just as any other driver,” says later saying it was because the plate was “not in good taste.” Hart. “There is nothing ‘obscene or vulgar’ about my view The lawsuit challenges certain portions of the regulations that religious beliefs are subject to individual interpretation.” governing personalized license plates as unlawful, namely The ACLU-KY/FFRF lawsuit argues that Hart’s proposed those that allow government officials to deny plates based license plate is fully protected individual speech, which Ken- on vague notions of “good taste” as well as those barring tucky DMV officials may not suppress using content-based, Thou shalt not viewpoint-based, vague or overboard standards. defy the First “Under the First Amendment, government officials do Amendment not have the authority to censor messages simply because page 12 they dislike them,” says ACLU-KY Legal Director William Sharp. “And in this instance, personalized license plates are a form of individual speech equally deserving of First Amendment protection.” “Hart has a right to select a personalized plate message that reflects his philosophical views, just as any other driv- er may select an individual message for their personalized Even after deadly plate,” says FFRF Staff Attorney Patrick Elliott. “Just as oth- attack, the fight ers may select religious messages, Ben Hart, an atheist, has a continues right to comment on religion.” page 14 The story went viral online, earning worldwide media coverage, with international news outlets such as the BBC, Ben Hart shows off the “IM GOD” license plate he had The Guardian, World Religion News, International Business when he was living in Ohio. The same plate was rejected Times, The Independent and Hidayatullah (Indonesia) after he applied for it in Kentucky. each posting a version of the story online. Page 2 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin December 2016

government along with a strong separation of church investigative journalism organization. Or both. Meet an intern and state. I applied immediately and here I am! My personal playlist: Kanye West, Bob Dylan, What I do here: I write action alerts, summarize le- Vanessa Carlton, Beyoncé, Michael Jackson, and gal victories, write Freethoughts of the Day, and help the “Hamilton” musical soundtrack. Name: Molly Hanson. out wherever I am needed. Interesting fact: I ran track and cross country for Where and when I was born: Dodgeville, Wis., on What I like best about it: The working environment the University of Wisconsin Badgers. April 13th, 1994. is awesome! I love the progressive Editor’s note: Molly has been hired as a full-time staff Family: My parents are Joe and and informed atmosphere and member as an editorial assistant. She will begin her new Ann Hanson. I have two sisters thoughtful conversations about position in January following her December graduation Mary, 18, and Michaela, 32. current social and political issues. from UW-Madison. Education: I’m on my final se- I really feel like I leave every day mester of school at the University more educated on something. of Wisconsin-Madison majoring in The people here are passionate journalism with a certificate in gen- about their work here preserving der and women’s studies. democratic values and it’s really My religious upbringing: I was inspiring and energizing. raised Catholic more as ethnic tra- My interests are: Politics, history, dition than true spiritual belief. psychology, tai chi, environmental However, I was never was confirmed preservation, folklore, track and after I stopped attending “CCD.” field, and social justice issues. How I came to work as an FFRF These three words sum me up: intern: I was scrolling through fall Strong-willed, imaginative and internship listings on UW-Madison Photo by Chris Line curious. Molly Hanson Journalism School’s jobsite. I’m in- Things I like: Thai food, willow terested in civic law, and particularly passionate about trees, feminism, gnomes, foxes, hiking, honey, coffee, First Amendment rights, so when I came across an in- learning and exploring. ternship listing for FFRF, I did some research on the Things I smite: Sociopaths, mosquitos, misogyny, foundation and found that its goals and mission really country music. Molly Hanson finished third in the 1500-meter run aligned with my personal beliefs. I’ve always felt free- My loftiest goal: To be the publisher of a travel/ at the NCAA West Preliminaries with a time of 4:19 dom of thought to be necessary for a truly democratic culture/exploration magazine. Or the head of an in May 2014.

In memoriam They said what?

By Melisa Maxey loved a great joke and found people’s The dead body isn’t the private property lives interesting. Those who knew him of relatives, but rather a son of God who Jack Maxey, husband, proud father, loved him and sought his company just is part of the people of God. We have brother, uncle, neighbor and friend, to sit and talk. Always a gentleman, Jack to get over this individualistic thinking. died in April 2016 with his family by his made you feel welcome and special. Vi- Cardinal Gerhard Mueller, author of side. Jack was born in Darden, Miss., in brant, gracious, handsome, charismat- the Vatican’s guidelines for Catholics March of 1927. He lived a life full of ic, humble, self-educated and fun, Jack who want to be cremated, saying their love and concern for people. He trav- remained caring and non-judgmental remains cannot be scattered, divvied up eled extensively throughout the U.S. throughout his life. His personality is or kept at home but instead must stored during his career working for the fed- one that will never be matched. The in a sacred, church-approved place eral government. Jack joined the Navy world has lost a beautiful, one-of-a- Associated Press, 10-25-16 at the tender age of 17, where he spent kind, irreplaceable human being. Meli- time overseas during WWII and wit- sa, Jack’s daughter, placed an itty-bitty nessed the one and only flight of “The “Free Library” in honor of her dad in [World War I and II were] really the Ju- Spruce Goose.” Jack was a member of the place where he was born, for all to deo-Christian West versus the atheists, Mensa and FFRF, and he loved read- enjoy the gift of reading. Jack’s wishes right? . . . We’re at the very beginning ing, politics, chess, Sudoku and the were to offer his body as an anatomi- stages of a very brutal and bloody con- funny papers. He explored progressive cal donation, which the University of flict . . . [that will, absent a firm stand by] thinking, enjoyed nature and science, Nevada-Reno has received. Melissa and her father, Jack Maxey the church militant, completely eradi- cate everything that’s been bequeathed over the last 2,000, 2,500 years. FFRF welcomes 2 After-Lifers, 31 new Life Members Breitbart News founder Steve Ban- non, President-elect Donald Trump’s FFRF is pleased to announce and Jonathan Cepale, Rita Crimmins, An- Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Ne- new chief strategist and counselor, in welcome our 31 new Life Members thony Dasari, Dr. John Anthony Fish- vada, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, remarks to conference at Vatican in and two new After-Life Members. er, Russell Frank, David Glenn, Ellen Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, 2014, as reported by BuzzFeed Warmest thanks to Dianne Centa Jean Goodman, Dan Graly, Dr. Lauro Texas, Virginia, Washington and New York Times, 11/18/16 and Carolsue Clery for becoming Af- Guaderrama, Lisa Hettler-Smith, Dr. Wisconsin. ter-Life Members, which is a slightly Douglas Hobson, Andrew Hyman, Individual Lifetime Memberships tongue-in-cheek category of donation Keith Loring, James Mancini, Peter are $1,000, designated as member- of $5,000 for those who wish their do- D. Matthews, Robert Mendoza, Nikki ship or membership renewal and are Correction nations to live after them. Moungo, Elly Pollock, Clint Smullen, deductible for income tax purposes, FFRF’s 31 new Life Members are Celine Stroinski, David Tedrahn, Bob as are all dues and donations to FFRF, In the November issue we misiden- Thomas E. Ainsworth, Terry Lee Al- Truett, Stephen Van Eck and Michael a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Lifetime mem- tified the grand prize winner of the brecht, Richard Barbieri, Annemo- Wiseman. berships guarantee no more renewal “clean” (pre-In God We Trust) $100 ne Barnett (a gift from her husband States represented are Alabama, notices and go into a reserved “rainy bill at the FFRF convention in Pitts- Jeffrey Barnett), Christine Beard, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Flori- day” fund. Lifetime Members receive burgh. Diane Stenzel of New Jersey was Gregory Alan Bonfiglio, Jesse Card, da, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, a card, a pin and big thank you! the winner. FFRF regrets the error.

Freethought Today A Note to Members Notify Us of Your published by Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. Your address label shows the expiration ADDRESS CHANGE [email protected] • FFRF.org date of your membership in FFRF, P.O. Box 750 • Madison WI 53701 which includes your subscription to Promptly! (608)256-8900 • FAX (608)204-0422 Freethought Today and “Private Line.” If it says December or earlier please EMAIL [email protected] Editor: PJ Slinger, [email protected] renew! Your prompt renewal ($40-single Editor Emeritus: Bill Dunn Don’t miss a single issue! If membership; $50-household; $100 you move, notify us directly Executive Publisher: Annie Laurie Gaylor gung-ho; $250-sustaining) saves us and promptly. The Post Graphic Designers: Roger Daleiden & Jake Swenson time and postage, and is tax-deductible. O ce does not forward Contributors: Philip Appleman, Rafida Bonya Ahmed, Dan Barker, Dianne Freethought Today is published 10 third-class mail. FFRF Centra, Molly Hanson, Ingrid Laas, Chris Line, Melissa Maxey, Hemant times a year, with combined issues in Mehta, Amit Pal, Marie Schaub, Lauryn Seering, Andrew Seidel, RJ Turner, January/February and June/July. cannot be responsible for replacing back issues if we Barbara G. Walker, Madeline Ziegler Send membership or renewal to: have not been notifi ed prior December 2016 FFRF • P.O. Box 750 • Madison, WI 53701 to your move. The only freethought newspaper in the United States  rf.org/donate December 2016 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 3 Following the star in the east

By Barbara G. Walker they could become godlike by eating him sacramentally; then they could go af- ter death to the Paradise of Osiris, where they could live in eternal happiness. History tells us a different my- Osiris was also identified with his fa- thology story about three wise men ther Ra, the sun god, and so was born and a savior than the one you normally at the winter solstice. The father/son hear around this time of the year. amalgamation of Ra/Osiris formed a Thousands of years ago in the land holy trinity with Isis, the Holy Mother. of Egypt, peo- In the Gnostic period, even Christians ple waited anx- viewed the third person of the trinity iously every year as female, depicting her as the dove, for the natural an ancient goddess totem. Though event on which she was later masculinized as the holy all their lives de- spirit, and the all-male trinity accept- pended: the an- ed by the early church, they eventual- nual flooding of ly adopted the official solstitial birth- the Nile, which day of the sun as their own version of ciated it with Anubis the Great Dog, by Gospel writers who invented a flight brought blessed Barbara G. Walker the savior’s birth. (No writings of any jackal god of the dead, who held the into Egypt for their holy family, just so water to irrigate kind had ever mentioned any official soul of Osiris and prepared him for his Jesus could be said to have come from their fields. birthday for Jesus.) annual rebirth. We still call Sirius the there. (The reason given in the Gos- The water came more than 4,000 Egyptian legends told of a time Dog Star, and its constellation Canis pels for their flight — King Herod’s miles from melting snows in the Ru- when the Nile flood had failed for Major, the Great Dog. attack on newborn children — was wenzori, which means Mountains of seven years in a row. The land dried Egyptians also identified the “three quite impossible because Herod died the Moon. Egyptians knew little about up. There was no food; many peo- wise men” who pointed the way to the in 4 BCE.) those distant places beyond their ple starved to death. (The seven-year savior’s birth: The three stars in the belt Eventually the “three wise men” re- southern horizon, where there were famine also made its way into the Old of Orion — Mintaka, Anilam and Alni- ceived the Persian title of Magi (sacred trackless swamps and dark jungles. Testament.) Such stories reminded ev- tak — which rise ahead of Sirius and magicians) from the religion of the Zo- But they did say all waters came from eryone of the vital importance of grain lie in a line pointing directly toward roastrian Savior Mithra, to whom the the moon, which they envisioned as storage techniques, and also of the vi- it. They said the “three wise men” had priests presented symbolic birthday the life-giving breast of Mother Isis, tal necessity of the Nile flood. seen the star of Osiris in the east and gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. who gave birth to the savior. Another Egyptian priests and priestesses anx- announced his coming. When the sav- Christians pretended that the Magi title of the Moon Mother was Nut, the iously studied the night sky to learn ior was born, the Egyptians celebrated traveled from their eastern land to goddess of the sky; her breasts pro- from this celestial calendar just when the Festival of the Inundation, rejoic- present these tokens to the new savior. duced the Milky Way composed of all the rising of the waters could be ex- ing at the savior’s birth and honoring Since Bethlehem lies far to the west the stars. pected. Over the centuries, they alle- the holy mother and child with a tradi- of Persia, isn’t it odd that the “three The savior was the god Osiris, who gorized their observations. They noted tional chant: “The virgin has brought wise men” got there by following a star embodied the grain that grew in their that the star Sirius, the brightest star in forth! The savior is born!” in the east? irrigated fields. Every year he died in the the sky, rose in the east about the time In summoning the spirit of the new Florida FFRF Life Member Barbara G. reaping, and was born again as the new that the flood was due, so they identi- grain from the earth, God said, “Out Walker is the author of Belief and Unbe- wheat sprouted. His flesh was the bread, fied this star with the coming of Osiris. of the land of Egypt I have called my lief, Man Made God, Feminist Fairy his blood was the wine. People thought They called this star Sothis, and asso- son” — a phrase considered prophetic Tales and many other books. Christians commandeered winter holiday By RJ Turner meat was available because it was diffi- they specifically included “no religious cult to provide for the livestock during Christians have a test shall ever be required as a qualifica- colder months. Most beer and wine tion to any office or public trust under made earlier in the year was finally ready habit of claiming the United States,” in the Constitution. It’s OK to say “Merry Christmas” if to consume. And it was just plain good Further, the First Amendment reads: you are an atheist. Or you can think karma to break the winter doldrums by rights to many “Congress shall make no law respecting of it as saying, “Merry Krissmiss,” as I bringing evergreen cuttings inside and an establishment of religion, or prohib- thought it was inviting over a few friends. good things iting the free exercise thereof.” spelled as a young A fellow co-worker who knew I was And even further, “The government child, if it makes an atheist once asked me why I would that we were of the United States is not, in any sense, you feel better. celebrate Christmas. I told him that Je- already doing. founded on the Christian religion,” Many of us sus and God have nothing to do with John Adams affirmed in a treaty ratified have fond mem- Santa Claus, decorated trees, stockings by Congress. It could not be spelled ories of happy and getting together with loved ones. not the “reason for the season.” The out more clearly. Yet, still, Christians Christmases, and And that the word “Christmas” to me, celebration hasn’t evolved so much as frequently attempt to lay claim to this to avoid recog- and many other people that I know, Christianity evolved to make it theirs. country, our money and our celebra- nizing the good isn’t associated with religion or God, Christians have a habit of claiming tions. It’s only a matter of time before RJ Turner parts of it is like but those other things, a happy winter rights to many good things that we they lay claim to Memorial Day, the day throwing out your mother’s apple pie celebration much like that of the early were already doing, as if they could Jesus bought his holy water skis. because someone claimed the apples European “pagans.” not have existed without their God. “Christmas” is a word our family uses were possessed. I like apple pie and I Unfortunately, beloved Christmas That includes not only our winter for our solstice celebrating. Spell it how- don’t care who knows. shows like “A Charlie Brown Christ- solstice celebrations, but also our ever you like, it still has no other mean- But people have a way of forgetting mas” attempted to further hijack the Pledge of Allegiance, which was ing than a happy get-together with fami- history. Denying history (and science) celebration. In it, Linus gives a speech composed in 1892. Christians added ly and friends and a chance to show our is a cornerstone for religion, which has on “The True Meaning of Christmas,” “under God” in 1954, claiming it for appreciation for each other. I was lucky a tendency to massage (or forget) his- which isn’t the true meaning at all, but themselves, thereby making those enough to have a French mother who tory to fit its supernatural beliefs. Win- an attempt to turn a pleasant nonreli- who pledge allegiance to our flag also introduced the word “Noel” to our cel- ter solstice celebrations (which began gious celebration into a reason to wor- pledge allegiance to their God. ebrating. Noel means precisely the same centuries before Jesus was born) have ship their hero. It always made me feel In addition, “E Pluribus Unum” was thing to me, and I prefer “Noel,” but it been commandeered by Christians. a little disenchanted to see one of my originally our nation’s motto, adopted doesn’t play as well on American streets. And because of that, now those of us favorite comic characters take up bible in 1782, and was on our currency, but Every year my mother would put the four who wish to celebrate the season have thumping. “Christmas,” in the current — surprise! — Christians also seized green letters “N,” “O,” “E” and “L” on to give some sort of nod to Christianity. sense of religiosity, didn’t really come that and managed to change the motto our fireplace mantel, and sometime in Long before the solstice celebrations to be until after the Victorian era. to “In God We Trust” in 1956, thanks to the night, someone would change them were connected to Christianity, early In many ways, present-day Christians the Cold War. around to spell: “E.L. N.O.” Northern Europeans celebrated “Yule” are like their New England Puritan Christians even attempt to comman- It means the same thing to me. by burning a large log on Dec. 21 (the ancestors. But they forget that, because deer the United States itself by refer- Merry Christmas. shortest day of the year), feasting until of its known pagan origin, the Puritans ring to it as “a Christian nation.” The FFRF member RJ Turner lives in Ohio, it burned out, which sometimes lasted banned Christmas. Its observance was Founding Fathers were already aware of enjoys woodworking and writing, and for 12 days. There were other reasons illegal in Massachusetts between 1659 the tendency for religions to take over, made the “Freethought Clock” located in the to celebrate during the solstice: Fresh and 1681. They knew that Jesus was also pledge allegiance, which is why Freethought Hall, the offices of FFRF. Page 4 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin December 2016 Heads Up Meet our volunteers A Poetry Column by Philip Appleman Five cats and a husband ET TU GALILEO? Name: Judi Jacobs. Where I live: On a hilltop outside Sun Prairie, Wis., with my husband and “The Eagle has landed.” five cats. — first man on the moon, 1969 Where and when I was born: Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Aug 1. I spent 12 mis- “Maybe Darwin was right, after all.” erable years in Catholic schools, which is why I am no longer religious. — Pope John Paul II, 1996 Family: My husband Tom, also a freethinker, twin daughters Jennifer Here in these devout Italian digs, and Rachel, and my mother (who is Hung with the bleeding hearts and dying Jesus, still Catholic). Education: Iowa State University in TV shows astronauts with little picks Ames. Madison Area Technical Col- Chipping chunks of greenish lunar cheeses. lege. I also did some teaching and spent a summer in Russia (when it was the USSR). The Vatican’s abruptly overrun My day job is/was: A medical cod- With cardinals and bishops in collision— er for UW Medical Foundation. I have also been a veterinary technician and The Pontiff pleads for prayer, but everyone worked in retail. I raised my children Is watching heresy on television. myself until they were teenagers. Why I volunteer for FFRF: I like Oh, Galileo, your retaliation FFRF. It is a nice place to be, and I felt that this was something intellectual I Is palpable as papal persecution: could do. Apollo shines your sunny vindication What I do as a volunteer: I read and Things I smite: Cruelty to animals, evaluate student essays. It has been inter- children or any innocent person; an- On Copernicus, the Pill, and evolution. esting to learn how other people think. ti-abortionists who concentrate on What I like best about it: See above other people’s pregnancies and don’t By satellite, TV now tells the popes: statement. I also LOVE being in the care about any other “life” issues; the FFRF library and skimming all the in- oil industry and Republican politicians Look what comes of knocking telescopes. teresting books! who spread lies about our president Something funny that’s happened and others. I smite a lot of other things © Philip Appleman. at FFRF: I did trade a joke with Dan too numerous to mention. From the book Karma, Dharma, Pudding & Pie. Barker about him and a guest going to How did I become a freethinker? I different schools together. I enjoy the never much liked going to church. I radio program so much. I think athe- always thought it was very convenient Philip Appleman is a Dis­tinguished Pro­fessor Emeri­tus at In­dia­na ists are funnier than religious people. that the things they celebrated and and Univer­ ­si­ty. His published volumes of poetry in­clude Perfidious Prov- These three words sum me up: Cre- tried to teach us took place a long, long erbs and Other Poems: A Satirical Look at the Bible (2012), Dar- ative, artistic, intelligent. time ago, and not even in this country! win’s Ark (new 2009 edition) and Karma, Dharma, Pudding & Pie My freethought heroes are: Thom- In high school, I realized that we had (2009). His nonfiction work in­cludes the widely used Norton Critical as Jefferson, and Anne Gaylor for her our stories, but all other cultures had Edition, Darwin, and the Nor­ton Critical Edition of Malthus’ Essay leadership in helping women to make their stories, and their stories are just on Pop­ulation. His newest book is The Labyrinth: God, Darwin and reproductive choices. as true and sacred to them as ours are the Meaning of Life. His poetry and fiction have won many awards, Things I like: My granddaugh- to us. I did raise my children as Meth- including a fellowship in poetry from the Na­tional En­dow­ment for ter, cats and all other animals, beads, odists. I do have fond memories of the the Arts, the Castagnola Award from the Poetry Society of America, books, fellow progressives, Barack churches and people I met, but finally the Humanist Arts Award from the American Humanist Association and the Friend of Obama. decided religion was just not necessary. Darwin Award from the National Center for Science Education. His work has ap­peared in Harper’s­ Magazine, The Nation, The New Republic, The New York Times, The Paris Review, Partisan Review, Poetry, and The Yale Review.

He and his playwright wife, Marjorie Appleman, are both “After Life” Members of the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Phil’s books: ffrf.org/shop. Helping in the fight

Name: Karen Lee Weidig Where I live: Madison, Wis. Where and when I was born: Long ago in the nouveau riche and lily- white suburbs of Milwaukee. Brook- field, to be specific. Family: I live with an awful hound named Happy. Education: Degrees in cultur- al anthropology, Spanish litera- ture, art history and graphic design (pre-computer!). My day job was/is: Janitor. Why I volunteer for FFRF: Some- body has to fight this fight for me and I am grateful. Plus, I can’t send money commensurate with my gratitude. What I do as a volunteer: Smile, read, collate. What I like best about it: Such in- Happy 95th, Warren! teresting literature. Such fascinating Longtime FFRF Member Warren Smith, shown here sitting with Tim people! Madigan, recently celebrated his 95th birthday in New York City. Warren Something funny that’s happened was known as “the atheist in a foxhole” during his time in the U.S. Army at FFRF: Dan Barker told a joke at from 1942 to 1946. “Were there atheists in foxholes during World War lunch about the aging lovers . . . stand up against the conventions of II?” Smith asked Freethought Today in 1997. “Of course, as can be These three words sum me up: No religious society. verified by my dogtags . . . A veteran of Omaha Beach in 1944, I insisted sense‘a’ humor. Things I smite: Religious people upon including ‘None’ instead of P, C, or J as my religious affiliation.” My freethought heroes are: All of and institutions trying to run my life. the “little” people brave enough to And yours. December 2016 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 5 Religious study Believers understand the world less A report from the University of Hel- skills, mechanical and mental rotation believers to people with autism, saying sinki suggests that religious people are abilities, school grades in mathematics both struggle to distinguish between more likely to have a poorer under- and physics, and knowledge about phys- the mental and the physical, although standing of the world and are more ical and biological phenomena were . . . autistic people are at the opposite end likely to believe inanimate objects have and the more they regarded inanimate of the spectrum because they often human qualities. targets as mental phenomena,” wrote see the world as entirely physical and Ben Kentish of The Independent Marjaana Lindeman and Annika Sved- struggle to understand the mental (U.K.) writes that researchers found holm-Häkkinen, who completed the state of others. that “religious beliefs were linked with study. (The study defined “mental” as Lindeman and Svedholm-Häkkin- a weaker ability to understand physi- having human characteristics such as en asked 258 Finnish people to report cal and biological phenomenon such thoughts and spirit.) how much they agreed that “there ex- as volcanoes, flowers, rocks and wind The researchers said their findings ists an all-powerful, all-knowing, lov- without giving them human qualities.” suggest people’s lack of understanding ing God” and whether they believed Believers were more likely to think about the physical world means they in paranormal phenomena such as that inanimate objects such as metal, Photo by Kenn W. Kiser/Morguefile.com apply their own human characteristics telepathy and visions of the future. oil, clothes and paper can think and Does this angel statue feel the cold? to the whole universe, “resulting in be- They then matched their answers with feel, and agree with statements such as lief in demons, gods, and other super- a range of other factors, including “Stones sense the cold.” in religious or other paranormal phe- natural phenomena.” exam results, survey answers and per- “The more the participants believed nomena, the lower their intuitive physics The scientists compared religious formances on different tests.

In the news

Pope: Female priest $132M offered over AA’s journal gives tyrannical authority, advocate practical common sense and justice, and be di- ban likely forever sex abuse claims nod to freethinkers rected by the human conscience to un- Pope Francis said he believes the Ro- The Roman Catholic Archdiocese AA’s Grapevine, the journal of Al- dertake noble pursuits guided by the man Catholic Church’s ban on women of St. Paul and Minneapolis has of- coholics Anonymous, devoted its Oc- individual will.” becoming priests is forever and will fered to pay $132 million to settle hun- tober issue to atheists and agnostics, a never be changed, in some of his most dreds of child sex abuse claims against first for the publication. definitive remarks on the issue. its clergy under a revised bankruptcy AA’s 12-step program for alcoholics Creationists case ended A Swedish fe- reorganization plan filed in court. has long been met with concern by athe- male reporter The archdiocese, one of 15 U.S. ists because of the heavy involvement of by Supreme Court noted that the Catholic districts and religious orders God as part of the recovery process. Five The Supreme Court decisively end- head of the Lu- driven to seek Chapter 11 protection of the 12 steps include reference to God ed a creationist group’s suit over the theran Church by the church’s sex abuse scandal, said or a higher power, although those have teaching of evolution by declining to who welcomed its plan would mark the second-largest been tempered over the years to be review the case. him in Sweden such bankruptcy settlement of pedo- more inclusive of what the word “God” On Nov. 14, the Supreme Court opt- was a woman, phile priest claims in America. or “higher power” means. ed to not review COPE et al. v. Kansas and then asked The sum is more than double the From the State Board of Education et al. At issue was if he thought the $65 million previously offered by the October Grape- Kansas’s adoption of the Next Gener- Catholic Church archdiocese and rejected by plaintiffs. vine’s Editor’s ation Science Standards, which, ac- Pope Francis could allow wom- But lawyers representing the bulk Letter: “This cording to the plaintiffs, “establish and en to be ordained of nearly 450 claims at stake in St. month, our spe- endorse a nontheistic religious world- as ministers in coming decades. Paul-Minneapolis denounced the lat- cial section fea- view” in violation of the Constitution. “St. Pope John Paul II had the last est proposal as still far too small and tures stories by “This is a case that was frivolous clear word on this and it stands, this accused church officials of trying to atheist and ag- from the get-go,” said National Center stands,” Francis said. conceal their ability to pay much more. nostic AA mem- for Science Education’s Executive Di- Francis was referring to a 1994 doc- bers, some who rector Ann Reid, noting that the feder- ument by John Paul that closed the have many years al courts have consistently recognized door on a female priesthood. The Vat- Coach suspended of sobriety. One “that evolution is not a religion and ican says this teaching is an infallible member quotes our co-founder Bill W., that teaching evolution does not vio- part of Catholic tradition. for ending prayer in a 1946 Grapevine: ‘An alcoholic is a late the Establishment Clause.” The reporter then pressed the Wichita Falls (Texas) Wildcats coach member if he says so … we can’t force pope, asking: “But forever, forever? Tony Curtale has been suspended in- our beliefs or practices upon him.’ In Oklahoma votes down Never, never?” definitely from the junior hockey team editing these stories, we honored the Francis responded: “If we read care- for allegedly ending an on-ice team request of some authors to not capital- church/state proposal fully the declaration by St. John Paul II, prayer. ize the word God, which is our usual Oklahoma’s relationship between it is going in that direction.” According to style. Bill W. intended Grapevine to be church and state was left unchanged Times Record a mirror of the Fellowship. We hope after voters rejected the State Question News, Curtale these stories will shed some light on 790 proposal on Nov. 8. One in five raised in came off the ice the joys and challenges of our atheist The proposal, created in response after an over- and agnostic members.” to the removal of the Ten Command- religiously mixed homes time victory and ments monument from the grounds of A new poll shows that one in five then noticed First Satan Club the Oklahoma Capitol, would have re- U.S. adults grew up in a family with a group of his pealed Article 2, Section 5 of the Okla- more than one religion. players kneeling meeting protested homa Constitution if it had passed. The poll, conducted by the Pew Re- in prayer on the The first official meeting of the Af- Article 2, Section 5 prevents religious search Center, also found that of those ice. He then had Tony Curtale ter School Satan Club at an elementary monuments from being placed on raised this way, most had one Protes- a brief conversa- school in Portland, Ore., drew nation- public grounds and precludes reli- tant or Catholic parent and one reli- tion with a player, who wasn’t dressed al members of the Satanic Temple and gious organizations from taking part in giously unaffiliated parent. for the game, and told that player to Catholic protesters. public programs to the same degree as More Millennials — 27 percent — get the others off the ice. “The club is here to contrast nonreligious organizations. are raised in religiously mixed homes Curtale, a Catholic, said it wasn’t to the presence of the evangelical Opponents of SQ 790 say it than any other generation to date. deny players their religious freedom, Good News Clubs, which are here would have resulted in too close a And about the same number of young but rather to have everyone on the specifically to proselytize to children,” relationship between religion and people — 24 percent — say they were team feel comfortable, regardless of said Lucien Greaves, the Satanic government, creating and strength- raised by at least one parent who did their religious preferences. Curtale Temple’s national co-founder, who ening sectarian lines along faith not have a religious affiliation. said it was the first time he noticed was on hand for the first official among Oklahomans. In addition More people say their mother, rath- his players praying on the ice after the meeting of the club, an open house to faith-based societal strain, there er than their father, was mostly respon- game. for parents, students and staff. were fears that educational fund- sible for their religious upbringing; “I don’t want to single anybody The Satanic Temple is a national ing, already in short supply, would and those raised in mixed-faith homes out, especially young guys. I’m trying organization based in Salem, Mass. Its be distributed to religious teaching are more likely to identify with their to protect them as much as possible,” mission is to “encourage benevolence organizations as well, leaving less mother’s faith. Curtale told the Times Record News. and empathy among all people, reject for public schools. Page 6 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin December 2016 Religion trumps all in election By PJ Slinger Democrat: Clinton garnered 71 percent compared with Trump’s 24 percent. Catholics overall voted for Trump over Clinton 52 percent to 45 percent. The religiously unaffiliated voted in record Mathew N. Schmalz, an associate professor of numbers in the 2012 election, but did not reach the religious studies at the College of the Holy Cross epic heights predicted. in Worcester, Mass., said in Fortune magazine that The religiously unaffiliated, known as “Nones,” Catholics didn’t vote for Trump because of his mor- made up 15 percent of the voting population on als (or lack thereof). Nov. 8, which translates to about 19.5 million votes. “As far as Catholic conservatives are concerned, I In 2012, the Nones made up 12 percent of voters for know many who believe that Trump’s appeals to rac- about 15.5 million votes cast. However, predictions ism and misogyny are not only antithetical to Catho- for the 2016 election had the Nones casting up to 26 lic commitments, but to the values of the Republican million votes. Party,” Schmalz writes. So while the Nones are definitely increasing in Atheist author Sam Harris said that evangelicals number, the group as a whole is still not voting like it. may have unwittingly elected the country’s first athe- “The numbers are in for the religiously unaffili- ist president. ated, who now account for a quarter of U.S. adults, FFRF Member Sam Salerno shows off his shirt after “The irony: 81 percent of evangelicals just elected but still do not tend to vote as a bloc,” writes Lauren he voted on Nov. 8 in Lakewood, Ohio. Salerno is our first atheist president,” Harris wrote on his Twit- Markoe of Religion News Service. secretary of the Northern Ohio Freethought Society ter page the day after the election. (NOFS), which is an Ohio chapter of FFRF. But Hemant Mehta, who writes the Friendly Athe- FFRF members engaged ist blog, disagreed with Harris’ claim that Trump is That a higher majority of Nones are Millennials ‘Let’s make America great again’ — and his last-min- an atheist. — an age that historically, doesn’t turn out to vote ute saying — ‘Look folks, I’m your last chance’ — was “I take issue with the claim that Trump is an athe- — may account for the seeming indifference of the really powerful for white evangelicals who see their ist,” Mehta wrote. “Not because I’m one myself and secular voter. numbers in the general population slipping.” I’d hate for Trump to be lumped in with ‘my tribe,’ “At FFRF, we are proud that 96 percent of our FFRF Co-President Dan Barker agreed, noting the but because I think atheism requires more thought members are registered voters and politically en- evangelicals clearly ceded their claim as “values vot- than Trump gives it. Trump isn’t someone who gaged,” said FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor, ers” in this election. thinks ‘God doesn’t exist.’ He doesn’t think about basing those numbers on a definitive membership “In past elections, the Religious Right used to pro- God, period. You think he spends time pondering survey in 2015. The average age of FFRF members claim that ‘character counts.’ The so-called ‘values deep philosophical questions? Of course not. Don’t is 67. voters’ supported candidates whom they thought ex- confuse apathy with atheism.” Those Nones who did go to the polls voted over- hibited higher ‘Christian’ moral values,” Barker said. whelmingly for Hillary Clinton. She got 68 percent of “In this past election, however, ‘character counts’ Challenge for Nones the religiously unaffiliated vote, compared to just 28 seems to have morphed into ‘political expedience The Nones and other secularists now have their percent for Donald Trump. Among white born-again counts.’ ‘Forget character,’ they are now saying. work cut out for them in the coming years. Christian evangelicals, Trump garnered 81 percent ‘Let’s get anybody into office who will help us force Paul Fidalgo, director of communications for the of the vote. our punitive agenda on the rest of the country.’” Center for Inquiry, told Religion News Service’s Win- “Despite Trump’s not being a particularly reli- Deborah Jian Lee, author of Rescuing Jesus: How ston that a Trump presidency will be a step back for gious person, his platform was seen as anti-secular in People of Color, Women and Queer Christians are Reclaim- secular values. many atheist and humanist circles,” writes Kimber- ing Evangelicalism, told the Huffington Post that “It is time for the secular community to gear up ly Winston of the Religion News Service. “He said Trump’s win underscores a deep racial divide within big-time because we should expect, once again, the he would appoint religiously conservative Supreme evangelicalism. basic tenets of secularism are going to be challenged Court justices, ban Muslim immigrants, favor Chris- “I’ve been hearing from evangelicals leaders very, very hard,” Fidalgo said. “That is the reality.” tianity and repeal the Johnson Amendment, which and lay people who are people of color, women Winston spoke with Sarah Levin, senior prohibits certain tax-exempt organizations from en- and LGBTQ who fiercely opposed Trump and legislative representative for the Secular Coalition dorsing political candidates — issues antithetical to are now stunned to see just how many of their for America, a lobby that represents 19 atheist, organized atheism and humanism.” white fellow believers supported a candidate that humanist and freethought groups in Washington, proudly demeans their humanity,” she wrote. D.C., including FFRF. Evangelicals for Trump “Trump preached xenophobia, racism, sexism, “Our eyes are now on the midterm elections,” Evangelical voters went overwhelmingly for Islamophobia, homophobia, and more, and the Levin told Winston. “We are going to double-down. Trump. white evangelical base said ‘Amen.’” We really have to.” “While earlier in the campaign some pundits and Levin said the Nones need to band together others questioned whether the thrice-married Trump Religious divide better as a voting force as their numbers continue would earn the bulk of white evangelical support, ful- The Pew Research Center showed how the reli- to increase. ly 8-in-10 self-identified white, born-again/evangeli- gious divide shaped the election. According to Pew, “It is important to recognize the Religious Right’s cal Christians say they voted for Trump, while just 16 weekly churchgoers backed Trump over Clinton, 56 agenda doesn’t represent the majority of Americans percent voted for Clinton,” wrote Gregory A. Smith percent to 40 percent. Those who said they attend or even the majority of the faith community,” Levin and Jessica Martinez of Pew Research Center. religious services more sporadically were closely told Winston. “They won the battle, but they didn’t “White evangelicals in this election aren’t values divided. And those who said they don’t attend reli- win the war. The shifting demographics are still in voters,” Robert P. Jones, CEO of the Public Religion gious services at all backed Clinton over Trump by a our favor. That’s going to be a challenge for them Research Institute, told Markoe of Religion News 31-point margin. The Jewish vote looked much as it and it is going to be incumbent for us to increase Service. “They’re nostalgia voters. Trump’s line — did in the past, with overwhelming support for the our turnout.” Freethinkers make their mark on elections

As the number of religiously unaf- Beth Doglio — Washington State Melissa Sargent — Wisconsin State Gayle Jordan — Tennessee State filiated Americans increases every year, House (District 22b). Assembly (District 48). Senate (District 14). so do the number of elected officials Julie Fahey — Oregon State House Tim Smith — New Hampshire State Misty Plowright — U.S. House of who are also “Nones.” Of course, it’s (District 14). House (Hillsborough District 17). Representatives (Colorado – District 5). still an uphill battle, as atheists are still Martha Hennessey — New Hamp- Mark Spreitzer — Wisconsin State Cara Prior — Arizona State House near the top of who-would-you-never- shire State Senate (District 5). Assembly (District 45). (District 16). vote-for lists. Diego Hernandez — Oregon State Lisa Subeck — Wisconsin State As- Scott Prior — Arizona State Senate Freethought Today, with the help of House (District 47). sembly (District 78). (District 16). the Freethought Equality Fund’s candi- Chris Kennedy — Colorado State Ryan Tipping-Spitz — Maine State Misty K. Snow — U.S. Senate date endorsement list, has put together House (District 23). House (District 123). (Utah). a listing of many of the atheist/agnostic/ Pam Marsh — Oregon State House Sam Young — Vermont State House Barbara Stocker — Missouri State freethinking candidates (or others who (District 5). (Orleans-Caledonia-1 District). House (District 115). are friendly to state/church separation) Juan Mendez — Arizona State Sen- Perrin Swanlund — California State who were up for election on Nov. 8. ate (District 26). Not elected Assembly (District 34). Strom Peterson — Washington State Patrick Edwards — Pennsylvania Beth Tuura — Florida State House Elected or re-elected House (District 21, Position 1). General Assembly (District 62). (District 47). Pinny Beebe-Center — Maine State Jamie Raskin — U.S. House of Rep- Talia Fuentes — U.S. Congress (Dis- Beth Weisser — Arizona State House House (District 93). resentatives (Maryland – District 8). trict 5). (District 5). Ernie Chambers — Nebraska State Athena Salman — Arizona State Jennifer Goulet — Washington Mikel Weisser — U.S. Congress Senate (District 11). House (District 26). State House (District 9, Position 1). (District 4). December 2016 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 7

Overheard Match made in Door County, not heaven

One of the difficulties in raising pub- The City Council can, in a purely sec- lic concern over the very severe threats ular environment, make people who of global warming is that 40 percent don’t believe stand before a sign that of the US popu- mocks their disbelief and disbelievers. lation does not But that doesn’t make it right, reason- see why it is a able or humane. problem, since Editorial on the Chesapeake City Christ is return- Council’s decision to erect an “In God ing in a few de- We Trust” plaque on the wall behind cades. About the the council dais same percentage Virginian-Pilot, 11-7-16 believe that the world was creat- In the United States, we know what ed a few thou- happens when we start dividing sand years ago. If Noam Chomsky ourselves along lines of race or religion science conflicts or ethnicity. It’s dangerous. Not just for with the bible, so much the worse for the minority groups that are subjected science. It would be hard to find an an- to that kind of discrimination or, in alogue in other societies. some cases in the past violence, but Noam Chomsky, a cognitive scientist, because we don’t then realize our historian, social critic and political ac- potential as a country when we’re tivist, in an interview after the election preventing blacks or Latinos or Truthout.org, 11-14-16 Asians or gays or women from fully participating in the project of building People should vote their conscience. American life. People should weigh in what is for President Obama, speaking in Athens, their own good and the common good Greece FFRF members Heather but not be influenced by religious or- New York Times, 11-15-16 Mendenhall and Paul ganizations or by churches. McQuillen were married on Father Dermot Rodgers, a pastor at St. When I look at how religion plays it- Aug. 21 in the picturesque Peter of Rome in San Diego self out, religions are so much about gazebo at Cave Point in NBC 7, 11-6-16 controlling women and their sex- Door County, Wis. FFRF uality and freedom, I’m the most Co-President Dan Barker, a The Christians may have the force of personally upset by that part of it. It former minister, officiated Heaven behind them, but the Satanists reinforces a power structure to keep at the freethought ceremony. have the U.S. Supreme Court. people down, basically. I really think Posing after the event are Reporter Rick Anderson, in an article that the whole “submitting” and “sur- Dan, Heather, Paul and Annie about how the founder of the Satanic rendering” yourself — even though Laurie Gaylor. Attendees Temple of Seattle is trying to start an poetically I can really get into those included family and friends after-school Satan Club, but has been ideas — in practical ways, I think it from California, Colorado, rejected by the L.A. Unified School keeps people passive. Texas, Missouri, Wisconsin, District, for now Actor and comedian Julia Sweeney Illinois, Florida, Pennsylvania, Los Angeles Times, 10-20-16 West Michigan Revue, 10-28-16 New York and Ireland.

Wall Continued from page 1

ensuring that — making sure political setbacks don’t undo every good thing to happen to freedom of conscience, scientific progress, personal and civil liberties in our lifetimes — is going to require all our best efforts. On your behalf, FFRF will be fight- ing like hell to ensure that a fluke Christian Right victory is not allowed to trump reason and our First Amend- ment. We’ll be working overtime to This seal has been replaced. safeguard your right, the right of every Photo by Lauryn Seering American, to be free from the imposi- FFRF’s marquee shortly after the Nov. 8 election. Seal tion of religion and religious doctrines Continued from page 1 by our government. And to do this we cy filled by a progressive, so we could a pushover) in the White House for its need your help. make some progress. Instead, Donald aggressions on the wall of separation religion or no religion at all. To have We’re bracing for unrelenting con- Trump has issued an official list of 21 between religion and government, in- a religious seal and declaration alien- gressional legislative battles to turn judicial arch-conservatives drawn up cluding for the imposition of religion ates and ostracizes this huge portion the clock back on secular policies we with help from the Federalist Society. under the guise of “religious liberty” of the population. thought were secure. We’re about to be It’s a cruel blow to know it’ll be “déjà or “conscience clauses.” After three follow-up letters to swamped with new and vicious assaults vu all over again” on the Supreme Since FFRF’s founding in the late the village, FFRF finally persuaded against the Establishment Clause of Court. But we can live with that. The 1970s, we’ve weathered many ups and it to change the seal and remove the the First Amendment. The vice presi- real game-changer will be when the Re- downs, including painful setbacks in church. (The Christian declaration dent-elect, expected to run the new ad- ligious Right packs the court if liberal the battle of church and state. But was removed from the website imme- ministration, has repeatedly boasted, justices retire. Then watch out. we’ve also won many brave victories in diately after FFRF’s first letter.) “I’m a Christian, a conservative and a Last spring when we launched a which reason has prevailed, and wit- The village website now features a Republican in that order.” As Indiana’s challenge grant to raise funds to send nessed positive changes inconceivable “Live Archbold!” motto superimposed governor, he attacked women’s rights FFRF’s expert attorneys to Capitol even a decade ago. Most heartening, on a state of Ohio shape. The new and signed a bill into law last year to Hill, we didn’t realized how critical we’re still witnessing the phenome- motto calls Archbold “A Community permit business owners to discriminate such lobbying efforts would become. nal growth in the United States of the of Character!” against gays and others due to their re- The president-elect campaigned Nones: the quarter of adults and the FFRF is gratified that Archbold ligious beliefs. on the promise to repeal the John- third of Millennials who identify as made the right choice. As you know, President Obama was son Amendment only as it applies having no religion. Our secular move- “We’re happy that we were final- blocked from nominating a Supreme to tax-exempt churches. That law ment cannot be denied. ly able to persuade the village,” says Court justice to replace the vacancy is a safeguard barring entities from It’s on your behalf, and represent- FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gay- left by arch-conservative Antonin Sca- politicking and electioneering with ing your views and rights, that we lor. “The church symbol and the dec- lia’s death this year. After a decade suf- tax-exempt dollars, something FFRF work to promote freethought and laration of Christian heritage were fering under a 5-4 “anti” voting bloc has successfully sued the IRS over to to get religion out of government. blatant endorsements of a particular on the Supreme Court, we’d fervently enforce. The Religious Right appears So help us give the Religious Wrong religion.” looked forward to seeing that vacan- to have found a champion (or at least “hell” in 2017! Page 8 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin December 2016 Georgia school district scraps bible class

A Georgia school district scrapped and gay marriage,” the local newspaper plans for a proposed bible class part- reported. On all these issues, the Learn- nership with a local Christian group ing Center has a theocratic stance, with after FFRF complained. an absolutist approach against abortion, In September, FFRF sent a letter to a dismissal of evolution in preference of Oconee County Schools that detailed creationism, and a condemnation of ho- multiple violations in its school system mosexuality as “sin.” of the constitutional separation of state FFRF warned the school district that and church. A particularly disturbing the partnership was unconstitutional instance concerned a student being and illegal. tormented for not joining in the Lord’s “The Establishment Clause of the Prayer led by the North Oconee High First Amendment prohibits public School head basketball coach, David school sponsorship or involvement in Photo by Scranton Times-Tribune Dunmore High School Coach Jack Henzes prays with his players before a game. Gascho. Other students taunted him on devotional school instruction,” FFRF a school bus with taunts of “Kill the Jew” Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel wrote to and “Massacre the Jews,” according to Oconee County Schools Superinten- the student’s family. dent Jason Branch. “Just as Oconee Among the violations the school dis- County Schools cannot teach the bible Coach ceases trict engaged in was its proposed partner- as truth or creationism as science, it ship with the Oconee County Christian cannot give credit to students who re- Learning Center for religious release ceive those lessons outside schools.” pregame prayer time classes and possibly a bible class for FFRF has received official word credit. The bible class was meant to cover that the school district has abandoned “divisive topics like abortion, evolution plans for the biblical partnership. A public school football coach in official role as the head coach. There- Pennsylvania has been asked to stop fore, he can’t lead his team in prayer, praying with his team after FFRF con- FFRF reminded the school district. tacted his school district. The Dunmore School District Police oath, code changed Dunmore High School Coach Jack heeded FFRF’s advice, albeit after a Henzes was regularly guiding his team bit of a delay. A Wisconsin police department’s rick Mitchell on Oct. 4. “The U.S. in pregame prayers. “The school district has addressed overtly religious oath and code of Supreme Court has held that to re- “It is illegal for public school athletic this issue,” Superintendent John ethics has been changed after FFRF quire a religious oath is a violation coaches to lead their teams in prayer,” Marichak, who replaced McDonald in protested. of both the First and Fourteenth FFRF Staff Attorney Elizabeth Cavell July, said in his recent reply. “We di- The West Allis Police Depart- Amendments of the Constitution.” wrote to Dunmore School District Su- rected Coach Henzes to be sure that ment’s Code of Ethics had includ- Besides requiring officers to take perintendent Richard McDonald back he should not partake in any such be- ed the following line since at least a religious oath, the inclusion of in June. “The Supreme Court has con- havior. We also covered this with all of 2013, a line that was part of the oath the modified Code of Ethics in the tinually struck down school-sponsored our personnel to be consistent and ex- that the police officers take: “I will department’s annual report also prayer in public schools.” haustive in the upholding of the law.” constantly strive to achieve these ob- gave the appearance that all officers Cavell had added that the legal guide- FFRF appreciates that its counsel jectives and ideals, dedicating my- believe in one particular god. This lines are actually even more restrictive. was taken seriously. self before God to my chosen pro- was not only divisive and inaccurate “Public school coaches must refrain “Regardless of the length of the fession . . . LAW ENFORCEMENT.” — fully 23 percent of American not only from leading prayer them- time he was engaging in the activity, “Article VI of the U.S. Constitu- adults are nonreligious — but also selves, but also from participating in Coach Henzes was clearly overstep- tion prohibits the government from unconstitutional. students’ prayers,” she pointed out. “It ping legal and constitutional bound- requiring any kind of religious test “The West Allis Department Code is unconstitutional for public school aries with his public prayerfulness,” for an ‘office or public trust,’ which of Ethics has now been modified employees to participate in the reli- says FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie includes the position of police offi- and is taken verbatim from the Wis- gious activities of their students.” Gaylor. “We’re glad that the Dunmore cer,” FFRF Legal Fellow Ryan Jayne consin Administrative Code,” Mitch- Coach Henzes’ conduct represents School District gave him a talking to wrote to West Allis Police Chief Pat- ell recently responded in a letter. the school and team when he acts in his about his conduct.” FFRF ensures religion-free public school graduation

After a multiyear effort, FFRF has made sure that “As you were informed last year, the Supreme an Ohio public high school’s graduation ceremony Court has continually struck down prayers at will not be infused with religion. school-sponsored events, including public school FFRF initially contacted Dalton Local Schools in graduations,” FFRF Managing Staff Attorney Rebec- the summer of 2015 with its objections to a benedic- ca Markert wrote to Dalton Local Schools Superin- Sheriff fixes issue tion at the Dalton Local High tendent Scott Beatty this July. School graduation that year. “School officials may not invite A California sheriff department has assured FFRF The district assured FFRF that a student, teacher, faculty mem- that it has taken remedial action after an officer par- this would not happen in 2016. ber or clergy to give any type ticipated in a prayer meeting. Instead, it invited Mark Hirst, a of prayer, invocation or bene- Back in May, an undersheriff in the Orange Coun- former member of the school diction at a public high school ty Sheriff’s Department spoke at the Mission Viejo board and a local pastor, to give graduation.” All City Prayer Meeting, held in conjunction with the the “message” at the 2016 grad- After an exchange of let- National Day of Prayer. The undersheriff addressed uation ceremony. His address ters over the past few months, the event in full uniform and made statements such contained overly religious con- FFRF has finally received a sol- as “we know the power of prayer” and “remember to tent, peppered with remarks id assurance from Dalton Local pray, remember to support us.” such as “Our soul calls us to this Schools. Coordinators, speakers and volunteers at task great truth, that we are an unceasing spiritual being “The superintendent will be requiring that any force events must share the view that the bible is with an eternal destiny in God’s great universe” and outside speaker at a district-sponsored event, such as inerrant and that “there is only one savior and one “I want you, class of 2016, to be everything that God graduation, provide a copy of the speaker’s remarks gospel.” Official participation in an event organized created you to be.” to the superintendent for review to ensure that there in concurrence with the National Day of Prayer is FFRF emphasized to the school district that it are no comments that can be construed as prosely- deeply problematic. should have expected this, since Hirst had given sim- tizing,” the school district’s legal counsel recently “The Establishment Clause in the First ilarly prayerful speeches at past ceremonies. The dis- replied. “Any outside speaker will be advised of the Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibits trict has a duty to remain neutral toward religion, the district’s adherence to its obligations under the Es- government sponsorship of religious messages,” organization said, and to guarantee that all school tablishment Clause with regard to not promoting any FFRF Legal Fellow Madeline Ziegler wrote in June to functions, especially graduations, are secular. religion or religious beliefs.” Orange County Sheriff-Coroner Sandra Hutchens.” December 2016 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 9

FFRF state/church victories

FFRF silences school’s to ensure that any film containing re- FFRF gets religious Bible verse display religious hymns ligious messages that was to be shown signs taken down removed from school to students in the future would be ap- proved by a campus principal. After FFRF’s objection, two religious signs are no longer visible during school days at a public elementary school in Ohio district’s team Woodbridge, Va. A community church in the town chaplain, prayer ended that rents the school building for its An Ohio school district won’t be Sunday services was regularly leaving promoting religion through its coach- up signs promoting church services ing staff after FFRF got involved. in front of Penn Elementary School. Thanks to FFRF, the Waikoloa Ele- A concerned parent notified FFRF The signs were being displayed mentary and Middle School in Hawaii that either a coach or a team chaplain throughout the school week and has ended its practice of having stu- had led some of the Warren Local were placed near the driveways to the dents stand and recite the Pledge of Al- Middle School and High School ath- school. legiance and sing religious songs. letic teams in prayer prior to games. FFRF contacted Prince William FFRF received a complaint in Sep- In a letter to the school district, FFRF County Public Schools Superinten- tember that students at the school were Managing Staff Attorney Rebecca dent Steven Walts asking that action Jumoke Academy, a public school being forced to stand and recite the Markert informed Superintendent be taken to ensure the church signs in Connecticut, will be upholding Pledge of Allegiance, and stand to sing Kyle Newton that it is unconstitutional would not be placed in front of Penn its obligation to keep school and “The Star Spangled Banner,” “America for public school employees, such as Elementary School. religion separate after a constitutional the Beautiful,” and “God Bless America,” coaches, to participate in the religious FFRF was informed by the school sys- violation was reported by a school on scheduled days of the week. FFRF was activities of their students. tem on Nov. 7 that the signs had been employee to FFRF. also informed that students who refused Markert also informed Newton removed from school grounds. The employee noticed that an to stand had been disciplined by the that having a spiritual leader for the academic assistant at the school school’s teachers. football team is unconstitutional. was displaying a bible verse on her “Students have a constitutional right Newton responded in a letter on Jehovah’s Witness profile outside of one of the school’s not to be forced to participate in patri- Oct. 24 informing FFRF that he would classrooms. otic exercises,” wrote FFRF Legal Fellow instruct the district’s coaches that display removed Managing Attorney Rebecca Markert Madeline Ziegler to Superintendent they are not allowed to participate in After FFRF got involved, a Jehovah’s informed the school board that the Art Souza. “Students may not be singled team prayer or to permit a chaplain Witness display with religious pamphlets display was an unconstitutional display out, rebuked, told they must stand or or other nonstudents to lead the has been removed from the side of a of religion, and especially inappropriate otherwise penalized for following their district’s athletic teams in prayer. commuter bike path in Madison, Wis. given that nearly 30 percent of Americans freedom of conscience.” A concerned resident contacted FFRF and 44 percent of Millennials are non- Ziegler also informed Souza that to report a “sandwich board” display Christian, either practicing a minority “America the Beautiful” and “God Bless Baptism of player by that was standing in Glenwood Park at religion or no religion. America” were inappropriate songs for the side of the bike path. The display “The display alienates those non- the public school to schedule students coach leads to change held religious literature advertising the religious students, families, teachers, to sing because of the religious lines in Jehovah’s Witnesses Christian sect. and members of the public whose the songs that wrongly equated patrio- In a letter to the Parks Superinten- religious beliefs are inconsistent with tism with piety. dent on Nov. 10, FFRF Legal Fellow Ryan the messages being promoted by the On Oct. 18, FFRF received a reply Jayne informed the city of the display. school,” wrote Markert on June 24. from Souza who wrote that students “This religious display stood as an FFRF received a response on Nov. 7 would no longer be participating in advertisement to bikers and other users from the charter school’s executive di- singing the problematic songs. FFRF of the commuter path,” wrote Jayne. rector, Troy Monroe. Monroe wrote that was also assured that teachers at the “FFRF and our members are concerned the employee who had been displaying school had been told that students were that displays at this location will be a hin- the bible verse had been met with and not to be forced to stand or participate drance on others’ use of the park and the religious display had been removed. in the pledge or the national anthem. A football coach at a public high bike path.” Furthermore, Monroe informed FFRF school in Newton, Miss., will no longer FFRF received a response on Nov. 16 that the school-based leadership team be promoting his religious beliefs to from the Department of Public Works was informed of the expectations to en- District rids classes student athletes after FFRF objected Engineering Division City Engineer Rob- sure Jumoke Academy stays in compli- to the coach’s baptism of one of his ert Phillips, who wrote that the sign had ance with the regulations involving the of religious films players. been removed and was not permitted by separation of church and state. Thanks to FFRF, the Vernon Coach Ryan Smith reportedly the city. — Compiled by Molly Hanson. Independent School District in organized and performed a baptism Texas has enacted policies to end the on one of his players in front of the promotion of religious ideologies to Newton High School football team. students through film. Before the ritual, the coach had ’Tis the season! FFRF received a complaint that given religious remarks to the team teachers in the school district had been promoting Christianity. This included promoting their personal religious be- telling his players how God was calling liefs to students during class through to him, what scripture teaches about religious films. FFRF was informed that being a man, and the importance of a teacher at Vernon Middle School had accepting Christ as a savior. shown a class of sixth-graders the Chris- Staff Attorney Sam Grover wrote tian drama film “God’s Not Dead.” Fur- to Newton Municipal School District thermore, FFRF was told that a former Superintendent Virginia Young on teacher at Vernon High School had Oct. 13 to ensure the school district shown numerous religious films to his investigated the situation. Grover Teen Leadership class. reminded Young that public schools Staff Attorney Sam Grover wrote to are not to advance or promote Vernon ISD Superintendent Gary Har- religion, nor are they to organize, rell on Oct. 20 to ask that the district sponsor, or lead religious activities at ensure that its employees do not use public high school events. the classroom to evangelize. “Coach Smith’s actions are “Teachers have access to a captive especially problematic in the context student audience due to their position of athletics, given the pressure players as public educators,” wrote Grover. feel to conform to their coaches’ “The district has a duty to prohibit re- expectations so as not to disappoint Photo by Tom Cara FFRF’s Metropolitan Chicago Chapter set up its annual holiday display ligious proselytizing by teachers in the coaches or hurt their standing on the on Nov. 22 in Chicago’s Daley Center Plaza. “We had eight volunteers classroom.” team,” wrote Grover. and everything went up very smoothly,” Tom Cara of FFRFMCC said. In a response dated Oct. 26, the dis- The Newton School District attor- “Included were two volunteers from the Kenosha/Racine Atheists and trict told FFRF that the teachers who ney informed FFRF that Young had Freethinkers group (KRAFT).” From left to right: Steve Foulkes, Mike had shown religious films in class were met with Coach Smith and that the Weeda, Rob Moore, Sandra Mesrine, Bob Hunter, Shane Stapley, Rick no longer employed by the school dis- district did not expect that its staff Schuch. Rob and Sandra are from KRAFT. trict. The letter also informed FFRF would promote their personal reli- that Vernon ISD had enacted policies gious beliefs to students in the future. Page 10 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin December 2016 FFRF’s case against Congress enters new stage

The Freedom From Religion Foun- vocation.” But as Barker pointed out, dation’s case against the U.S. Congress every oppressor claims that their prej- has reached a new stage. udice “is done ‘for the good’ of the op- Earlier this year, FFRF sued Speak- pressed” and said that the court must er of the House Paul Ryan and House reject this degrading argument. Albuquerque features Chaplain Rev. Patrick Conroy over the Another of the chaplain’s central refusal to allow Dan Barker, an atheist, claims was that the courts, as a co-equal to deliver the opening invocation be- branch of government, cannot review well-timed billboard fore the U.S. House. The government the House’s actions for constitutional asked the court to dismiss that case. On violations. In its response, FFRF point- FFRF and its Albuquerque chapter incoming administration would do Nov. 14, Barker responded to the gov- ed out that the judiciary has always have put up a billboard with a well-timed well to remember that.” ernment’s specious arguments. reviewed legislative action for consti- message in New Mexico’s largest city. The activists with FFRF’s local chap- The House of tutional compliance. Being a govern- A billboard has been installed at 152 ter are thrilled to spread the word Representatives ment officer is not a license to discrim- Montano Road NW with a patriotic slo- about the organization — especially at begins each day inate and the courts have jurisdiction gan superimposed on the image of a a time like this. in session with to ensure equal treatment for all. waving U.S. flag: “Keep Religion OUT “As our country faces a challenging a prayer. Forty The government also attempted to of Government.” The display, paid for transition, we want to remind its percent of those argue that Barker was challenging the by FFRF, went up on Nov. 14 and will citizens that it is imperative to honor prayers, more prayers themselves, rather than seek- be there for a month. the intentions of our Founders,” says than 900 in the ing an opportunity to deliver a secu- “This is a timely reminder to our new Freedom From Religion-Albuquerque last 15 years, lar invocation. But citizens have been government that our nation was found- Vice President Kristen Gandy. “We also have been given delivering such invocations at govern- ed on the uniquely American principle want to let secular individuals within by guest chap- ment meetings around the country that religion should stay out of the our local area know that they are lains. No nonthe- ever since the U.S. Supreme Court public sphere,” says FFRF Co-President not alone in their values. Nontheists ist has ever been Dan Barker approved this practice. More than 75 Annie Laurie Gaylor. “The framers of have a place in New Mexico to come allowed to open- have been given recently, including in our godless Constitution were wise to to participate in activism, to let their ly give the House invocation, despite state legislatures. realize that wars, strife, terrorism and godless voices be heard, and be the fact that the nonreligious make When the Supreme Court allowed persecution go hand in hand when re- supported in their constitutional rights up almost 24 percent of the popula- legislative prayers in the 2014 case ligion is allied with government. The with our local organization.” tion. From the years 2000 to 2015, 96.7 Town of Greece v. Galloway, it did so percent of the invocations have been partly because the town involved “at Christian, 2.7 percent Jewish and less no point excluded or denied an op- Wisconsin city gets tutored than half a percent Muslim or Hindu. portunity to a would-be prayer giver” The government raised several dis- and “maintained that a minister or turbing arguments for why it should layperson of any persuasion, including on basics of U.S. Constitution be allowed to discriminate against an atheist, could give the invocation.” Barker and other atheists. One of the It was this promise of nondiscrimina- Earlier this year, the Mayor’s Youth THE CITY OF House chaplain’s major claims was that tion that led Barker to seek the guest Commission in Kenosha, Wis., voted Barker does not have legal standing to chaplaincy in the first place. The D.C. 5-2 to give $500 to St. Mark the Evan- KENOSHA bring the lawsuit because he was not district court must now decide whether gelist Catholic Church for an Easter CHART A BETTER COURSE “injured” by the discrimination. Of that language was true and valid or a retreat for two of the church’s youth course, discrimination is itself an inju- meaningless sop thrown to the Nones. groups, God 1st and J-Walkers. FFRF grant, the city must abide by the First ry that courts can redress. Barker is a Lifetime Member of alerted the city that the grant was un- Amendment when it awards funds.” At one point, the government even FFRF and is represented by FFRF attor- constitutional and asked it to refrain FFRF clarified that the Mayor’s argued that religious discrimination neys Andrew L. Seidel and Sam Grover, from awarding such grants in the Youth Commission, which voted to did not harm Barker because he “has who authored the response, and Rich future. grant the money, is a city entity. More- derived more notoriety from the de- Bolton of Boardman Clark. Barker “The Establishment Clause of the over, the city did not warn the me- nial . . . than he could have hoped to sued as an individual, not as co-presi- First Amendment prohibits the gov- morial brick donors that their funds gain from delivering a brief secular in- dent of FFRF. ernment from financially supporting would go toward advancing religion. religious activities,” FFRF Legal Fel- FFRF’s persistence has paid off. In low Ryan Jayne wrote to Kenosha City a recent letter, Pacetti confirmed that Administrator Frank Pacetti in May. Kenosha’s mini-grant program had FFRF abortion ad runs “The city of Kenosha may not fund a been terminated. church’s religious activities, including “The city of Kenosha has been and Easter youth retreats.” will continue to be vigilant in its efforts in Little Rock paper Pacetti replied to FFRF after al- to protect the constitutional rights of most a six-month delay, contending all of its citizens,” Pacetti wrote back. FFRF ran a full-page advertisement that since the funds were private do- “In furtherance of this goal and in the in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette ask- nations raised from sales of memorial hopes of finally putting this disput- ing the question, “What does the bible bricks at a local park, and not from tax ed issue to rest, I wish to advise you really say about abortion?” proceeds, it wasn’t engaging in a con- that the mini-grant program is being The answer, as the ad puts it, is: stitutional violation. discontinued.” “There is no biblical justification for FFRF set the record straight in a FFRF is heartened that it was able the assault on women’s reproductive quick follow-up communication, in- to enlighten the city of Kenosha. rights.” forming Kenosha that the source of “It was not necessary to throw out The ad featured a compelling the funding didn’t make a difference. the baby (the youth grants) with the portrait of birth control crusader “The Establishment Clause pro- bathwater (unconstitutional funding Margaret Sanger, and her quote: for women’s rights “would never end” hibits the city from funding religion, policies), but we’re glad our reason- “No woman can call herself free who until the root cause of women’s op- regardless of how the city acquired ing got through to Kenosha officials,” does not own and control her body.” pression — “religion and its control of the funds,” Jayne wrote. “No matter says FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie It documents that the bible does not our government” — is challenged. how the government categorizes a Gaylor. condemn abortion and, in fact, “shows FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie an utter disregard for human life.” It Gaylor notes that the right to abortion reminds the reader: “We live under remains a major political controversy. Freedom from Religion Foundation a secular Constitution that wisely The ad refers the reader for more separates religion from government, information to Bolton’s article “God P.O. Box 750 • Madison, WI 53701 • (608) 256-8900 • FFRF.org and protects women’s reproductive Is Not Pro-Life” and FFRF’s nontract What is the Freedom From Religion Foundation? rights.” “What Does the Bible Say About Abor- The ad was funded and largely writ- tion?” It ran earlier this year in the Founded in 1978 as a national organization of freethinkers (atheists and ten by Brian Bolton, a retired professor Austin American-Statesman, the Tulsa agnostics), the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc., works to keep state and Life Member of FFRF, in memo- World and in Wichita, Kan. and church separate and to educate the public about the views of nontheists. ry of FFRF’s principal founder Anne FFRF warmly thanks Brian Bolton, The Foundation’s email address is info@ rf.org. Please include your name Nicol Gaylor (1926-2015), who was a professor emeritus who taught in and physical mailing address with all email correspondence. propelled into freethought activism Arkansas, for his generous support Foundation members wishing to receive online news releases, “action alerts” by her experiences working to legalize and commitment. Bolton also spon- and “Freethought of the Day” should contact info@ rf.org. abortion in the late 1960s and early sors FFRF’s annual graduate student ’70s. Gaylor observed that the battle essay contest. December 2016 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 11 Nonbelief Relief gives $20K to Doctors Without Borders

Nonbelief Relief, a humanitarian who are on a hit list because of their agency for atheists, agnostics, freethink- public atheism. ers and their supporters to improve this • World Food Program, USA, world — our only world — recently $20,000 earmarked for Syria, and announced that it has given $20,000 to $10,000 earmarked for Sudan. Doctors Without Borders. • $10,000 for National Center for Nonbelief Relief was incorporated in Victims of Crimes, going directly to 2015, with the Freedom From Religion survivors or victims’ families of the Foundation as its sole member and a Orlando shooting. board created to carry out the donations. • $10,000 for the Livingston Parish Nonbelief Relief seeks to remediate con- ghanistan, killing 22, wounding 37 and make the best use of these funds.” Public Schools, in Baton Rouge, ditions of human suffering and injustice destroying the facility. Now, Nonbelief Many hundreds died, medical struc- following the flooding that destroyed on a global scale, whether the result of Relief is supporting its invaluable work tures were destroyed, 175,000 were dis- school buses and classrooms in natural disasters, human actions or ad- in Nigeria and Haiti. placed and 1.4 million people are in Louisiana in early fall. herence to religious dogma. Such relief “We are giving these funds to this sec- need of aid. Nonbelief Relief will additionally is not limited to but includes assistance ular organization because of its work in Gaylor noted that the Nigerian situ- seek to challenge the Internal Reve- for individuals targeted for nonbelief, Nigeria, where the Boko Haram insur- ation, due to the Islamist Boko Haram, nue Code’s discrimination in favor of secular activism or blasphemy. gency is creating famine and illness, and is critical. church-related charities, which, unlike One of NonBelief Relief’s first gifts in Haiti, following Hurricane Matthew,” Other major donations this year secular charities, are not required to after its creation in 2015 was to Doctors said FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie include: seek tax exemption, file papers, fees or Without Borders, following the bomb- Gaylor. “In wishing to help Haitians, • More than $60,000 total distrib- the onerous Form 990 reports to the ing by U.S. forces of its hospital in Af- we felt Doctors Without Borders would uted to about a dozen Bangladeshis, IRS and public. FFRF files amicus brief over broadcast pregame prayers

FFRF has filed an amicus brief against a Florida broadcast prayer by the association, FFRF contends. Christian school that wants to broadcast pregame This remains true even when private Christian prayers at state championship football games. schools participate. Under the Establishment Cambridge Christian School in Tampa, Fla., filed a Clause, the government may not endorse religion, federal lawsuit last month targeting the Florida High and there is no exception to be made even if most annual Christian-oriented prayer rally. Biloxi Junior School Athletic Association (FHSAA), a state entity, members of the audience would be receptive to the High Principal Scott Powell reminded students over asking that it provide access to a public-address sys- religious message. The Florida High School Athletic the loudspeakers on Oct. 4 and Oct. 5 not to forget tem so that the school’s prayers could be heard loud Association cannot be the mouthpiece of religious to bring their bibles to school on Oct. 6 for “Bring and clear before games. The case stemmed from a organizations or be used to gather event attendees Your Bible to School Day.” This was a privately or- Dec. 4, 2015, game where the school’s request to use to engage in a communal expression of Christian ganized, non-school religious event. There was no the public-address religious worship. disclaimer made that the school was not endorsing We hope the court system for prayers FFRF also argues that a ruling in favor of Cam- the event. was declined by the bridge Christian would harm the public. On Oct. 26, FFRF Staff Attorney Sam Grover sent will see that this is association, which “In this case, an injunction would be adverse to a letter to Biloxi Public Schools Superintendent Ar- not a matter manages game an- the public interest because it would violate the rights thur McMillan about the constitutional violations. nouncements. The of participants, spectators and those who view the “Public school representatives may not organize or of censorship. association recently game broadcast,” it says. endorse a prayer event like See You at the Pole or an — Jocelyn Williamson asked a Florida dis- The Central Florida Freethought Community event designed to promote a religious text like Bring trict court judge to agrees. “We hope the court will see that this is not Your Bible to School Day,” wrote Grover. toss out the lawsuit. a matter of censorship, but the appropriate use of a Grover informed McMillan that FFRF was request- FFRF and its local chapter, Central Florida Free- public facility for a secular sporting event,” says Di- ing that the district investigate the violations and thought Community, have filed a friend-of-the-court rector Jocelyn Williamson. take action to ensure that its employees understand brief asserting that Cambridge Christian has no case and respect their constitutional obligations. to make. FFRF ends school’s religious promotion On Nov. 18, FFRF received a response from Biloxi “Cambridge Christian wants to force a state agen- After an investigation prompted by FFRF’s objec- Schools Board Attorney Edward Donovan. cy to promote its Christian message through a mech- tions, a Mississippi school district will no longer allow “Those responsible for the delivery for an- anism limited to conveying government speech,” religious events to be promoted by administrators nouncements at the junior high and high school FFRF states in the brief. “The Florida High School over the school public address system. have been directly counseled by the Superinten- Athletic Association has rightly declined to do so be- FFRF was informed by a concerned community dent to reinforce their awareness of the need to cause it would violate the Establishment Clause of member that administrators at Biloxi Junior High absolutely avoid announcements which promote the First Amendment.” and Biloxi High had been broadcasting religious any particular religious belief, prayer gatherings Students who participate in the association’s events. At Biloxi High School, there was a broad- or any other activity which could be construed athletic championship competitions or attend the cast announcement reminding students to partici- as the promotion of any sect or religion,” wrote competitions cannot be the subjects of publicly pate in a “See You at the Pole” event, which is an Donovan. Partisan politicking draws complaints

Tax-exempt churches should never FFRF), churches must abide by strict your ballot for Candidate B.” They can tax-exempt or endorse candidates and engage in partisan electioneering. guidelines that prohibit partisan elec- even cross that line by expressing that pay taxes. The choice is theirs. As the Prior to the Nov. 8 election, FFRF tion activity. The code states in relevant sentiment without telling a parishio- law stands, religious leaders are free acted on 15 electioneering complaints, part that 501(c)(3) organizations can- ner directly. Churches should not even to endorse whomever they choose, so sending letters to the IRS reporting not “participate in, or intervene in (in- tacitly express favor or disfavor of a long as they do so on their own time in illegal campaign intervention on the cluding the publishing or distributing particular candidate. their capacity as citizens, not from the part of churches in different parts of of statements), any political campaign Over the years, FFRF has reported pulpit and not as church officials using the country. Some of the most egre- on behalf of (or in opposition to) any hundreds of churches that have violat- church resources. This rule is known gious cases were within the final weeks candidate for public office.” While ed these prohibitions. In 2012, FFRF as the Johnson Amendment, after Lyn- before the election, including a flyer leaders of churches or religious orga- sued the IRS to compel it to enforce don B. Johnson, the Texas senator and distributed at a California church that nizations may express their opinions its own regulations barring church- later president who helped pass the told parishioners: “It is a mortal sin to on political matters as individuals, they es as well as other nonprofit (c)(3)s law in 1954. (President-elect Donald vote Democrat.” In another instance, a are precluded from making “partisan from engaging in partisan political ac- Trump has vowed to repeal the rule, pastor of a Roman Catholic Church in comments in official organization pub- tivity. FFRF is proud that the lawsuit but it is currently the law.) Rhode Island said: “I cannot vote for lications or at official functions of the nudged the IRS to agree to continue James Madison wrote, “to employ Mrs. Clinton, since my immortal soul organization.” to investigate errant churches and religion as an engine of civil policy” would be in peril by cooperating in the In order to cross the line and un- ensure that the tax code is being en- was “an unhallowed perversion of the destruction of innocent human life.” lawfully endorse a candidate, pastors forced evenhandedly. means of salvation.” Like all nonprofits organized under don’t need to say any magic words like Tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations Churches would do well to listen to 501(c)(3) of the tax code (including “Vote for Candidate A” or “Don’t cast may either maintain neutrality and stay this Founding Father. Page 12 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin December 2016 FFRF Atheist in Foxhole Courage Award Thou shalt not defy the First Amendment Marie Schaub is a plaintiff in FFRF’s seem to feel they are the most op- case over a Ten Commandments monument pressed majority in America. in Pennsylvania’s New Kensington-Arnold In response to our combined com- School District. In August, FFRF won an plaint, a few church leaders formed appeal in the case, overturning the initial a little group called “Thou Shall Not judge’s ruling that she (and her daughter) Move.” They fashioned cardboard did not have legal standing. She is the only cutouts of the Ten Commandments, publicly named plaintiff in the case and has which are displayed in people’s yards been vilified because of it. Marie gave the all over town, including my neighbor’s following speech on Oct. 8 during FFRF’s directly across the street from me. It’s 39th annual national convention in Pitts- my understanding that they were go- burgh. She was introduced by FFRF Staff ing to use the raised money to help Attorney Patrick Elliott: fund the legal defense of a similar While small in stature, Marie monument at another public school Schaub will be the force behind lifting approximately 45 minutes away in two tons of granite. Her case against a Connellsville. But that’s already been school district over its Ten Command- ruled unconstitutional and relocated, ments monument is not completed, so the group is now seeking to donate but is nearing its conclusion. In the several monuments to private organi- process of challenging the school sys- zations, which is fine by me. tem, Marie has endured communi- ty backlash, yet she has not wavered Appeal to moderates in her dedication to enforcing the Just as I believe we need to appeal Constitution. I am pleased to present to moderate Muslims to address rad- Marie with FFRF’s Atheist in Foxhole icalism, I think we should approach Courage Award, which is given to those moderate Christians who value the who have demonstrated exceptional separation of state and church. Many courage. Christians who insist on injecting their religion into our secular lives seem to By Marie Schaub be driven by fear and ignorance. If Photo by Ingrid Laas only they could see that the tiny holes Marie Schaub, the lone named plaintiff in FFRF’s lawsuit over a Ten they put in the wall of separation are Commandments monument on public school property, speaks to the the cracks that could pave the way to I can remember the first time I convention crowd on Oct. 8. the Sharia law that they are so afraid saw the nearly 6-foot-tall statue of the of. Maybe then they might be more in- Ten Commandments in front of Val- when it will become part of the public personal relationships. In the begin- clined to respect our right to freedom ley High School. I was confused and record. ning, tensions ran high. Everyone had from religion. sickened, but I didn’t think there was At the beginning of this process, I an opinion. Even though a lot of my Despite being ostracized by my much I could do about it. had to hand over all of my electronic friends said that they agree the monu- community and chastised by my ac- When I heard that a group that accounts, along with my user names ment is in an inappropriate location, quaintances, I’m here to tell you that shared the same ideas about reli- and passwords, to our attorneys and they expressed their distaste for my speaking out is well worth it, and I gion in our government was look- their assistants. Thanks to FFRF, I’ve objection. I’ve lost a couple of so- would do it all over again. While I may ing for other people who opposed been able to work with Marc Schnei- called friends over it, but in my opin- have lost a few friends along the way, the 2,000-pound monument, I was der and his team at Steele Schneider ion, if this subject has caused them to it pales in comparison to the awesome instantly relieved and excited to be in Pittsburgh. They’ve been more avoid me, they obviously weren’t that support my family has received as a a part of such an important cause. I than professional while dealing with good of friends in the first place. result. Before I found FFRF, I felt iso- thought for sure FFRF’s phones were thousands of pages of materials the You see, there’s just no nice way of lated and alone, but being part of the already ringing off the hook with will- district and I have provided for them telling someone that they’re full of largest group of freethinkers in North ing participants who also wanted the to sift through. It was certainly an un- shit. But I try, and you should, too. I America is comforting, inviting and decalogue relocated. comfortable experience to have my really put a lot of effort into criticiz- gives me hope for the future. Well, I soon found out that not personal messages and emails exam- ing the belief — not the believer — in We’re all well aware of what’s been only was my atheist family seemingly ined, but I realized it was a temporary spite of some of the colorful names done to nonbelievers in the past. Even alone in our town, but we were very inconvenience and a small sacrifice, I’ve been called. I struggle with it dai- today, in many countries, expressing unwanted. One of the first signs indi- considering what was at stake. ly, but I think it’s important to focus opposition to religion can be deadly. cating that we were not welcome came Others in my neighborhood found on the discrepancies and negative ef- Luckily, in the United States, most from the school administrators them- social media and letters to the editor fects all religions have on our society, religious fanatics have barks that are selves. The New Kensington-Arnold as an outlet to vent. Almost daily, not just the Christian faith. Christians Continued on the next page School District’s superintendent took there was a new article or post com- to Facebook like Donald Trump takes plaining about my complaint. I recall to Twitter. one post that said my “whole family Superintendent John Pallone post- should be taken out into the street ed a long status about the monument, and shot.” Many people wrote that we saying how the district would defend should leave the country if we don’t its religious rock against the evil, out- like it. Some of the crank mail I’ve re- of-town atheists from Wisconsin — ceived has been both threatening and completely ignoring the fact that at laughable at the same time. It’s be- least four members of my family who cause of these threats that I requested live in the district were included in the my daughter not be named in this law- complaint. The superintendent prior suit, and the judge agreed to allow my to John Pallone was George Batterson, child to proceed as Doe 1. and he also expressed his religious As someone who’s always been out- duty to defend the Ten Command- spoken and a bit feisty, I felt it was in ments, as revealed in private emails to my best interest to be named in this his sister. So it’s apparent that there is complaint because I knew I’d have a a long history of bigotry at Valley High tough time keeping my mouth shut. School in New Kensington. I’m not shy about expressing my non- belief and I share my opinions about No more privacy it with whoever is willing to listen. I Everyone involved in the lawsuit don’t try to convert people by open- was subjected to what I would call a ly advertising that I’m an atheist; my necessary invasion of privacy. Every objective is to let other people like me email, text, social media post, private know that they’re not alone. message, etc., that had anything to do with this case was permissible in court, Relationships affected unless it was a correspondence with Not only has this case caused prob- Photo by Ingrid Laas an attorney. Always be mindful about lems with the school and the com- Marie Schaub is presented with FFRF’s Atheist in Foxhole Courage Award by what you do online. You never know munity, it’s also affected some of my Staff Attorney Patrick Elliott at the convention. December 2016 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 13

It pays FFRF’s Vets Day ad runs in USA Today FFRF took out a Veterans Day ad to complain with USA Today that honors those who have served, especially freethink- ers. About a quarter of FFRF’s mem- bers are veterans or in the military. The ad was in a special edition of USA Today distributed on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, with an initial print run of 800,000. It was sent out for free to the Pentagon, the U.S. Congress, the Army, Navy and Air Force headquar- ters, 250 military bases nationwide, key VA officials and a number of vet- erans organizations. Additionally, 1 million military personnel received a digital copy. The ad appeals to the almost one- fourth of veterans who are nonbe- lievers. “You’ve been fighting for our secular Constitution and our freedom — let us fight for you,” the ad says. It features a photo of World War II veter- an and FFRF Board Member Joe Cun- ningham in front of the “Atheists in By Dianne Centa Foxholes” monument at FFRF’s office building, Freethought Hall, in down- Donald H. Bachtel served admirably town Madison, Wis. The monument, in Vietnam. I met him a few years later which was dedicated last year during (in 1971) and we got married in 1972. a grand opening celebration for the When he died in a motorcycle accident renovated Freethought Hall, is in in 1976, neither of us was yet 30. honor of “ATHEISTS IN FOXHOLES His family and I were glad to have and the countless freethinkers who the city of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, bury have served this country with honor him in the military part of the ceme- and distinction. Presented with hope tery and install a headstone. Donald that in the future humankind may was raised without “the god delusion,” learn to avoid all war.” and I had long since discarded my “Contrary to that tired, untrue Catholic faith. cliché, there are indeed many ‘atheists When I visited the grave later, I in foxholes,’ and we’re reaching out noticed that the city had used a head- to them,” says FFRF Co-President stone with a Christian cross on it. That Annie Laurie Gaylor. bothered me, but in my state of mind, I let it pass. All these years later, though, as “they” shout more and more loud- ly that this is a “Christian nation” and “there are no atheists in foxholes,” I finally decided to rectify the situation. I contacted the cemetery and the De- partment of Veterans Affairs and asked for a stone with an atheist symbol on it. As you can see, this nice marker was Photos by Chris Line installed in the midst of rows of stones Top: FFRF Members and veterans Henry Huemmer, Tim Morton, Brian Erskine with crosses on them. Members of his and Ben Barwick pose next to the Atheists in Foxholes monument during family have thanked me; I’m just sorry a Veterans Day reception on Nov. 11. Middle and bottom: The wreaths and it took me so long to have that horribly flowers were paid for by “an unabashed Arizona atheist” member. Lisa Treu wrong symbol replaced. planned and organized the celebration (including cookies and cupcakes!).

Marie Schaub pact on our society. But just like I nev- to personally thank Americans Unit- Continued from previous page er thought I’d live to see marijuana ed for the Separation of Church and legalized — anywhere — I am optimis- State, the Anti-Defamation League, the bigger than their bites. From what I’ve tically skeptical I’ll see the complete Central Conference of American Rab- seen, the irrational evangelicals resort decline of religion in my lifetime. bis, the Jewish Social Policy Action Net- to vandalism of godless billboards and I understand some people cling to work, the Sikh Coalition, the Union for displays or push empty threats. So the supernatural as a source of comfort Reform Judaism, and, of course, the please don’t let that scare you away or as a way to hand down traditional Freedom From Religion Foundation! from properly reporting any viola- rituals, but being ignorant about social After four years of lengthy litigation, tions that marginalize minorities. And issues and equality in today’s age is a I didn’t expect to make much progress, please don’t stoop to their level. conscious choice. but this past summer the Court of And that brings me to another Appeals, which included a panel of point. I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, Not deterred three judges, unanimously sided with but apparently if you’ve come out of When we filed this lawsuit in 2012 us on the issue of standing. One of the closet as a nonbeliever who thinks — yes, more than four years ago — the judges noted how the unwanted religion is harmful, you are called a my daughter had just started middle contact didn’t have to be as frequent “militant atheist.” But those who told school. We knew eventually she’d like- as the previous judge had ruled and me I should leave the country and ly be attending Valley High and would remanded the case back to district die are considered “true Christians.” have that enormous statue facing her Photo by Ingrid Laas court to be heard on the case’s merits. Don’t get me wrong, I have plenty as she entered the school every day. Marie Schaub Apparently, the sitting judge who of friends who are believers, but I’ve The time came for her to start high originally heard our request is about never gotten death threats from a school, but it was then that we decid- FFRF and Patrick Elliott were with to retire, but in a surprising and recent Muslim, Jew or Hindu, and I’ve yet ed to send her to a neighboring school my family and me throughout this en- change in events, reports say that the to witness any of those groups violate district where her dad resides to avoid tire process. Annie Laurie Gaylor and School District is considering alterna- the separation of state and church. If the situation altogether. After years of Dan Barker were more than helpful tive locations for their Judeo-Christian I did, I’d speak out against those, too. continuances and briefs, Judge Ter- during this time, especially when I monument. Ultimately, we all want to We live in the Information Age and rence McVerry found that we did not told them we were interested in stay- be accepted and feel welcome. The I think these are very exciting times. have legal standing in this case because ing the course and appealing the dis- only way to do that is through under- We’re no longer isolated and, thanks our unwanted contact with the monu- trict court’s decision. We immediately standing and equality. to the internet, nonbelievers and free- ment was infrequent. We were disap- filed an appeal, along with several un- Be brave, stand up for your rights, thinkers can have a major positive im- pointed, but not deterred. expected friends of the court. I’d like even if standing up means taking a seat. Page 14 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin December 2016

FFRF’s inaugural Forward Award Even after deadly attack, the fight continues

Rafida Bonya Ahmed’s speech was deliv- jit’s publishers in their office. They ered on Oct. 8 at FFRF’s 39th annual con- managed to slaughter one in his of- vention in Pittsburgh. She was introduced fice, while the other publisher barely by FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor: escaped along with two other writers. I consider Wisconsin’s motto, “For- Many of these secular bloggers, writers ward,” a perfect motto for the free- and publishers had to flee the country thought movement. to save their lives. The original “Ms. Forward” statue You would think the Bangladeshi was sculpted by Jean Miner in the early government would be outraged by 1890s. FFRF has commissioned a stat- now. Instead, it remained largely uette replica of Forward to bestow as silent as the killing spree continued. a new and important award, for those And while this supposedly secular and freethinkers who are significantly mov- democratic government did eventually ing society forward. speak out, the criticism was undercut Rafida Bonya Ahmed is an Amer- as it shamelessly blamed the victims ican citizen who was born in Bangla- for their own deaths for crossing desh, and married Avijit Roy, meeting “boundaries” and warned against him through the award-winning Ben- writing anything that could hurt so- gali blog, Muktomona, which means called “religious feelings.” Freethought. We are now seeing the inevitable Bonya and Avijit were set upon by results of encouraging a culture of machete-wielding Islamist militants on impunity in Bangladesh. The systemic Feb. 26, 2015, which left Avijit dead pattern of assassinations and attacks and Bonya critically wounded. Bonya, have extended from atheist bloggers thankfully, has made amazing progress to minority Shiite, Hindu or Christian recovering from major wounds and has groups, foreign nationals, progressive, not backed down. In fact, she has be- secular university professors, intellec- come an even stronger proponent of tuals, activists. secularism and freethought. Today, she The machete-wielding terrorists is moderating Muktomona, and work- marched into the apartment of the ed- ing very closely and generously with in- itor of the first Bengali gay magazine ternational and local communities to in April this year and stabbed him — help save other Bengali bloggers and along with his friend — in front of activists, including working with Non- his mother and safely got away. Their belief Relief, FFRF’s new humanitarian crime? They were homosexuals. The charity. terrorists assassinated six people in I have been privileged to spend a that month alone. little time with Bonya and can think of no one braver and more deserving Claiming responsibility of our first “Forward” award. We also Al-Qaida in the Indian Subconti- dedicate this award to the memory and nent and ISIS have been claiming re- works of Avijit Roy that have moved so- Photo by Ingrid Laas sponsibility for these slayings. ISIS, ciety forward. Rafida Bonya Ahmed, an atheist activist who was seriously injured in a machete meanwhile, has featured Bangladesh attack in Bangladesh, speaks at the FFRF convention in Pittsburgh. in its magazine Dabiq multiple times. By Rafida Bonya Ahmed Recently, ISIS’s publication again hospital, and I was gravely injured as a behind homosexuality, and about love vowed to kill the atheists and minori- result of four stabs around my head, from the perspective of evolutionary ties in Bangladesh. and my thumb was sliced off. I have in- psychology. The government’s response has Thanks to the Freedom from Re- juries on both hands and my body. I’ve His larger passions were science and been unbelievable. While it is con- ligion Foundation for the Forward had multiple surgeries to repair the reason. They acted as a gateway for his demning these killings, it is also arrest- Award. Thanks for being a partner damaged nerves and arteries. I contin- curiosity about our world. Still, art act- ing bloggers, writers and publishers, at this critical time, helping the free- ue to suffer from constant headaches ed as a force of change and inspiration closing down publications under the thinkers in Bangladesh from half the and back issues and I have been put on in his life. But two of his books — Phi- guise of the “semi-blasphemy” law — world away. PTSD watch. losophy of Disbelief and Virus of Faith — a very old British colonial law which I am Rafida Bonya Ahmed. I nor- After the attack, it did not make created far greater attention than his has been enforced in recent times mally write with my middle name Bon- sense to continue my job in the cor- previous works. On one hand, they with an increased amount of severity. ya Ahmed. I am a Bangladeshi-Ameri- porate world, so I decided to take made him exceedingly popular among Believe it or not, this new amended can blogger, author and also one of the leave from work. When the University young adults and progressive readers. moderators of the Bengali blog Muk- of Texas at Austin, with a very strong On the other hand, these books fueled tomona, which is the first freethinking South Asian Institute, offered me a vis- hostility and anger toward Avijit from blog in the Bengali language. My late iting scholarship to do research work the Islamist fundamentalists. husband Avijit Roy founded this first on the rise of Islamism in Bangladesh, I guess that would be it, a summary online platform in 2001 as a Yahoo fo- I gladly took it up. I thought this would of his “crimes” in the eyes of the Islam- rum for atheists, freethinkers, human- finally give me the opportunity to work ic terrorist groups, “crimes” that led to ists and the secular Bengali-speaking not for a paycheck, but for something I him being hacked to death. community. always craved to do. I was born in Bangladesh, but I Let me take a minute to show how No government outrage came to do my undergrad here in the my husband and I factor into this situa- Bangladesh is a small country sur- early 1990s and have been living here tion in Bangladesh. rounded by India on three sides and since. My day job used to be in the cor- Avijit and I are, or were, atheists, the Bay of Bengal in the south. The at- porate world, and I was a senior direc- bloggers, writers and, above all, secu- tack on us is not the end of the story, tor of marketing at one of the credit lar humanists who tried to answer the but rather the start. Avijit was perhaps bureaus. My husband was also born in larger questions in life. We wrote in the most prominent victim, but he Bangladesh, earned his Ph.D. in bio- Bengali because we wanted to popu- was neither the first nor the last such medical engineering in Singapore and larize the basics — as well as the cut- victim. After the attack on us, Islamist then moved here in 2006. ting-edge concepts — of science, ra- terrorists killed another two humanist Last year in February we were visit- tionalism, philosophy and art in this bloggers and writers in Bangladesh ing Bangladesh, our home country, for language. I wrote a book on evolution in the same manner within couple a book-signing event. When we were named Along the Path of Evolution a few of months. They vowed to kill one a leaving the well-lit, crowded book fair years ago. month. to get back to our car, Avijit and I were As I said, Avi founded the first on- In August 2015, as our government attacked by Islamic militants. Al-Qaida line platform Muktomona. We wrote stayed completely quiet, the militants in the Indian Subcontinent claimed about science, rationalism, atheism, walked into the apartment of anoth- Photo by Ingrid Laas responsibility for this attack. We were freethinking, literature. He wrote er atheist blogger and stabbed him to Rafida Bonya Ahmed lost her thumb stabbed repeatedly with machetes on and edited 10 books. He wrote books death in front of his partner. In Octo- on her right hand during the attack by the side of the road. Avijit died in the about the origin of life, the science ber last year, they targeted two of Avi- extremists that killed her husband. December 2016 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 15 act has made the criticism of religion ment factories in Bangladesh. We hear or hurting so-called religious feelings about the fatalities from the building on the internet punishable with up to collapses and fires every now and then. 14 years of jail. The government has The country has an export-oriented been systematically harassing and ar- ready-made garment industry, which resting bloggers, writers and journal- employs more than 4 million workers. ists under this law. About 90 percent of garment workers Let me give an example. The Ban- are women. gladeshi government banned a secu- The plight of garment workers is lar progressive blog site called Istition something I have thought about for recently under this law. Its moderator, decades. I worked with these people Nur Nobi Dulal, has been in hiding for side by side, an opportunity that kids almost a year. The Islamic militants as from my socioeconomic class do not well as the Bangladeshi government get. In part, they have shaped my are looking for him. He is living an in- worldview forever. humane fugitive life with two teenage During my time as a garment work- kids and his wife. er, I discovered firsthand that the Thanks to Freedom from Religion whole industry is governed by inhu- Foundation for helping these people mane working conditions, long hours, at the critical moments of their lives. extremely low wages, lack of building The truth is that the liberal progressive safety, child labor, repression, corrupt secular community and minorities of government policies, you name it. It all sorts in Bangladesh now don’t just continues the same way, even now. have to fear Islamic militants, we must By sacrificing the livelihoods of also fear our own government, which these female workers, brands like Old shows no regard for its secular begin- Navy, Walmart, H&M and Gap can nings and chooses instead to appease provide us with clothes at competitive the religious fundamentalists to secure Photo by Ingrid Laas rates here. its vote banks. Rafida Bonya Ahmed, right, stands with FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor Even now the minimum wage for You can say we are caught between a after receiving FFRF’s inaugural Forward Award. these workers is less than $70 a month. rock and a hard place. The workers protested a while back to The government was finally forced a U.S. citizen, was bludgeoned to consequences. get it up to $100 a month, but they had to respond once the ISIS-supported death, another American [Sen. Jim I pause sometimes to consider what to settle for $70 at the end of the negoti- militants took over a restaurant in the Inhofe (R-Okla.)] stood on the floor really happened in Bangladesh in ation with the garments factory owners. affluent diplomatic area of the capital of the U.S. Senate with a snowball in such a short period of time, and what Does it remind you about the work- city on July 1 of this year and slaugh- his hand and claimed that what his is happening in many parts of the ers and the sweatshops here in the tered 20 people with machetes. Most gut told him was a better basis for world? We are seeing a shift toward 19th century? of them were foreigners, working in preparing for the future than the sci- religious fundamentalism and conser- Annie Laurie reminded me of this Bangladesh. entific contributions of thousands of vatism in many parts of the world, in- quote from a 19th-century feminist Afterward, the Bangladeshi govern- individuals, accomplished over thou- cluding here at home. Maybe Bangla- freethinker, Helen Gardener, when ment claimed to arrest quite a few of sands of years. desh, a Muslim country with a secular she heard about my experience in these militants from a couple of Islam- beginning, can act as a test case for us. the garment factory. Helen said, “I do ic terrorist groups. But, we are also A matter of consequence Believe it or not, I was openly an not know of any divine commands. I hearing that many of them are getting “This is why the deaths of these atheist since the age of 13. Not here, do know of most important human killed in so-called crossfire by the po- science advocates in Bangladesh is not in Europe, but in Bangladesh. ones. I do not know the needs of lice before bringing them to justice in a matter of consequence the world My liberal Muslim parents did not a god or of another world. . . . I do the judicial system. There has been over. The global significance of their discourage my lack of religion. We know that women make shirts for 70 an uproar about these crossfires in deaths must not be obscured behind a hosted open debates during dinner cents a dozen in this one. I do know Bangladesh. veil of free speech concern. They died about religion, human rights, politics that the needs of humanity and this because they understood that the risks and history. world are infinite, unending, constant Raising awareness of ignoring what science tells us are As a teenager, I was openly an athe- and immediate. They will take all our I have been continuing to work to too serious to indulge political ambi- ist, with my left political stand. It was a time, our strength, our love and our raise awareness in the internation- tion clothed in a supernatural mantle, little uncommon at that time, but not thoughts; and our work here will be al community, such as the European wherever it occurs.” a punishable act like it has been now. only then begun.” Union, United Nations, and the U.S. Beyond the direct implications I attended medical school in Bangla- Many people ask me what gets me Congress. I’ve also helped out the such as Sept. 11 or the killings in San desh right after my high school in the going after everything that has hap- threatened and displaced bloggers Bernardino, we are seeing a concern- late ’80s. It was only a matter of time pened to me. This is what gets me and writers in different ways. We have ing rise of assaults on our rational way before I dropped out of med school going in this careless, indifferent, val- built a few temporary shelters and of life here at home in America. We and worked in a garment factory for ueless universe in which we live: Be- migrated a few bloggers to the safer see presidential candidates rejecting a year — first as a helper, and then as cause the universe is indifferent, we places. the well-established theory of evolu- a machine operator. My parents got create our own purpose during our To be honest, Europe has been tion, denying the impacts of climate really worried and they forced me to tenure in this little planet. We try to pretty open to take some of these change or attempting to deny wom- leave the country. They were worried create a better world every day with bloggers. Awareness about the rest en’s right to choose. The list can go about my safety. That is when I came every bit we can. of the world is greater there, too. I on. These are all done in the name of to do my undergrad here in 1991. Whenever I start to sink into the am still waiting to get some positive politics and religion. deep sense of my personal loss, I real- response from our government here. Plight of women workers ize that, for all intents and purposes, The Freedom from Religion Foun- We’ve come a long way Some of you may be familiar with I stand before you in a privileged po- dation, PEN America and Center for I think secular humanism is more the tragic fatalities that occur in gar- See Forward Award on page 16 Inquiry have been great partners in important now than ever in the histo- this journey. ry of our species. In last few hundred I know most of the mainstream na- years we have come a long way. We are tional and international media cov- demanding equality for all people, ered the attacks on us and others as an regardless of racial or ethnic back- attack on freedom of expression and ground, sex, gender, religious views freedom of speech. But I really think or political leanings. it is more than that. As my good friend The increase in global wealth is Professor Nigel Hughes from UC-Riv- outpaced only by the widening in- erside wrote in Huffington Post right come inequality. With this much glob- after the attacks on us last year: al wealth, strangely enough, we still “They did not die only for the cause have a large population in the world of free expression. They also died living under extreme poverty. because they believed that the natural Climate change is beginning to explanation of where we come from transform life on Earth. Around the is the correct explanation; that it is globe, seasons are shifting, tempera- factually right, that it speaks the truth. tures are climbing and sea levels are They died because they understood, rising. We need a deeper understand- what science has to tell us about the ing of science and reason to deal with past, has direct consequences for the challenges of the 21st century. choosing how we face the future, and Now our world is connected and in- that science has repeatedly proven to tertwined way more than ever before. Photo by Ingrid Laas be the surest way to do this successfully. We are all a part of a complicated Rafida Bonya Ahmed, right, speaks with convention attendees following her “Yet, on the very day that Roy, web, where all actions contain global speech on Oct. 8. Page 16 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin December 2016

Forward Award conceive. The Islamists are asking for a world of icize Islam or any religion and its extremist views Continued from page 15 Islamic Ummah, something that goes beyond the because of political correctness. shores of any national boundary. To- I think we have come to a point sition here today. I have been given a platform to day’s powerful nations coin their po- in history where it has become our speak, I have a comfortable life, a network of good litical and economic strategies keep- responsibility to condemn imperial- friends and family who will support me through ing the global economy in mind. The istic, political and economic discrim- this ordeal. big corporations innovate thinking inations and exploitation globally and But what about those who have no voice, no agency, about the global markets. locally. no platform? When thousands of men and women We — the humanists — cannot be We should also have the courage to get trafficked through the wild ocean, when millions confined only to the issues related to call out the ingrained religious fun- of people get displaced in wars, when ISIS butchers, our islands. It is easy to place the en- damentalism (including Islam) and beheads, and forces girls into sexual slavery, when tire fault on religion. Within almost all defend secular beliefs, science and Boko Haram abducts young women and sells them religious texts exists justification for reason. We should stand up against off in medieval style, thousands of garment workers heinous intolerance, discrimination, both, not one or the other. fight for their basic rights as human beings, millions hatred, terrorism and violence. But I As humanists, as people free from any of children die in poverty-stricken nations — I see think religion is only one piece of this religious dogma, we need to go beyond that they do not have a voice. big puzzle. Photo by Ingrid Laas the notions of national concerns or These are not isolated events. We need to Religion is more than a belief sys- Rafida Bonya Ahmed only political or religious concerns and understand the global phenomenon, the political, tem, more than a cognitive, social and understand the complicated web of global economic and social connections. I firmly believe that anthropological phenomenon. It’s a tool which hu- connections. This can facilitate a better understanding of we need to have a sense of collective responsibility and manity sharpened into a political weapon through- today’s world, transmit and mingle ideas, form a global consciousness. out history. We should be able to navigate this com- bond of resistance to build a better world. plex dynamics with proper knowledge and reason. Socrates said, “I am not an Athenian or a Greek, World is interconnected But we also see a concerning trend among mod- but a citizen of the world.” We all also need to strive Today’s world is connected in ways we cannot ern liberals and humanists who are scared to crit- to become the citizens of the world. No doubting Thomas Overheard

Historically most people consider I think you’re right, that there are this country a Christian nation, or a certain occupations — probably, most country where Christianity has been prominently, politics — where there central. We may be entering a period would be a bias against somebody where that is no longer true. who’s agnostic or atheist in running Daniel Cox, research director at Pub- for office. . . . We should foster a cul- lic Religion Research Institute ture in which people’s private reli- Religion News Service, 9-15-16 gious beliefs, including atheists and agnostics, are respected. This election has truly shown the under- President Obama, in an interview with belly of the toxic relationship that can Bill Maher develop between politics and religion. Salon.com, 11-5-16 Teryn O’Brien, a Christian who stopped calling herself “evangelical” because of its highly conservative background I look at evangelicals and I wonder, Washington Post, 11-9-16 those values [we try to teach our kids] don’t mean anything to them? All Islam is an idea. Muslims are people. those values to me are more import- Human beings have rights and are enti- ant than anybody’s skill in business or tled to respect; ideas, books and beliefs anything else because it tells who we don’t and aren’t. No belief is sacred, but are, how we want to live and what kind our right to believe what we want is. of people we are. Ali A. Rizvi, author of The Atheist Muslim: San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popo- A Journey from Religion to Reason vich, after the election New York Post, 11-26-16 CBS Sports, 11-12-16 FFRF Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel stands in front of Thomas Jefferson’s second home at Poplar Forest, near Lynchburg, Va. Poplar Forest invited Seidel to take part in a conversation in the Jefferson dining room about religious liberty. Seidel wrote: “I gathered in that dining room with Doug Laycock, John Ragosta — both attorneys and law professors — and about 40 guests to talk about ‘Religious Freedom: Now and in Jefferson’s Time.’ Doug and John have stellar resumes and it was an honor to have a civil conversation with them about such an interesting topic. But the true honor stayed with me throughout our talk — the privilege I had to talk about religious freedom in the house of the man who wrote the Declaration of Independence and the Virginia Statute on Religious Freedom, which toppled the established church in that state.”

NOTHING FAILS LIKE PRAYER

We’d like to see secular citizens flood government meetings with secular invocations that illustrate why government prayers are unnecessary, ine ective, embarrassing, exclusionary, divisiveCon  or just plain silly. The “best” secular invocation will be invited to open FFRF’s annual convention, receiving an all-expenses-paid trip, a plaque and an honorarium of $500. And baby makes four FFRF Staff Attorney Liz Cavell holds her newborn baby boy Simon LEARN MORE AT: Augustus Seidel shortly after his birth on Nov. 26. Husband, father and rf.org/outreach/nothing-fails-like-prayer FFRF Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel reports that Simon was 9 pounds, 9 ounces and that “mother and baby are happy and healthy.” Simon joins his 18-month-old brother Oliver in the Seidel family. December 2016 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 17 FFRF convention speech The founding of The Clergy Project

Linda LaScola’s speech was delivered on Oct. 7 at FFRF’s 39th annual convention I couldn’t figure out in Pittsburgh. how they could then Linda is one of the founders of The Clergy Project and is a clinical social worker with go out and teach and years of experience as a qualitative research- preach something they er and psychotherapist. She is co-author, along with Daniel C. Dennett, of Caught in knew wasn’t true. How the Pulpit: Leaving Belief Behind. could they deal with the She describes how The Clergy Project cognitive dissonance? came about, and her speech was, in essence, a long introduction for former minister Carter Warden, who was known only by the pseudonym “Adam Mann” for years. Warden publicly “came out of the closet” as Then I wrote this email to Adam: an atheist following LaScola’s speech at the “Adam, don’t feel you have to spend convention. a lot of time on this. My feeling is that To read the transcript of the speech by you should be a recipient of this ser- Warden, see the November issue of Free- vice, rather than focusing your ener- thought Today. Or to watch it online, go to gies on helping to plan it.” ffrf.org/warden. This was the immediate response from Adam: “No way am I just going By Linda LaScola to sit back on this one. This is an op- portunity to use my talents and passion for a ‘real’ good cause. Maybe I can be a recipient and contributor at the First, I want to extend my person- same time. I’m just a pup, but you’re al welcome as a western Pennsylva- in league with the big dogs now!” nia native: Hello, younz guys! Any of After that, Adam became an active younz from New Castle? I am. I never member of The Clergy Project team, said “younz” as a kid. My mother told and he and I worked very closely and me it was wrong — and she was born very hard, exchanging emails fast and and raised in Pittsburgh, on the north furiously to get the secret, private Cler- side. I told my girlfriends that if they gy Project website up and running by ever left western Pennsylvania, they Photo by Ingrid Laas March 2011, already with 52 members! Linda LaScola speaks about her work with The Clergy Project during FFRF’s couldn’t say “younz.” It just wouldn’t And then we got the public site up a national convention on Oct. 7 in Pittsburgh. fly outside the tri-state area. few months later. Our relationship So now I’m back saying “younz” had changed from reserved, objective from a podium in a stunning, down- first five participants. Nonbelieving without mentioning it to anyone. I was interviewer and anxious, isolated pas- town Pittsburgh that didn’t exist when clergy were calling him out of des- not happy about this. I thought it was tor to that of colleagues working on a I was growing up. And I am here to talk peration for someone to talk to. They a bad idea. common cause. about something I had no clue about knew he had once been a pastor be- In October of 2010, I carefully craft- Adam was a founder of The Clergy back then — atheist clergy. cause of his 2008 book, Godless: How ed and sent this email: “Hello, Dan B., Project, along with me, Dan Dennett, Thanks, Dan and Annie Laurie, for an Evangelical Preacher Became One of Dan D. and Richard. Our study partic- Dan Barker, Richard Dawkins and an- giving me this opportunity. America’s Leading Atheists. One pastor ipants so appreciated the opportunity other pastor called “Chris.” Adam re- I’m also here to briefly discuss the called Dan on the phone with a fake to speak openly with me about their ceived secular counseling and was the nonbelieving clergy study I conducted name — “Adam Mann” — then agreed situations, I’m sure they’d appreciate first beneficiary of the outplacement with Dan Dennett and with help from to have an initial anonymous phone even more talking to people in simi- program, finding a good public sector Dan Barker. And then how it relates to conversation with me about participat- lar situations, and to counselors who job, which he holds today. a pastor who is not so ing in the study. He was could offer the straightforward assis- He also composed and secretly re- “Caught in the Pulpit.” so concerned about tance that I as a researcher could not. corded some secular hymns with Dan When I made my protecting his identity “I’m leaving Adam off the response Barker and he met Richard Dawkins personal academic that he called from a list for now. I certainly do think he via a secret Skype call made from his study of religion in roadside phone booth could be helpful (as well as helped) in car in a shopping center parking lot. 2005-2006, I learned to my fax line because this effort, but knowing the pain he’s He hasn’t met Dan Dennett yet, but that clergy learn about it didn’t have caller ID. suffering, I wanted to spare him what he’s about to. the mythological basis After that phone call, might start out as an intellectual exer- After all this time, Adam decided for the bible in semi- he agreed to partici- cise that doesn’t provide the immedi- that he wanted not only to be out of nary. As a qualitative pate in the study, and ate support he needs. Perhaps we can religion, but to be open about it, hope- researcher and former trusted me enough to bring him back in when we have some fully helping others who are in the clinical social worker, give me his real name. concrete ideas to run by him.” same spot he was in seven years ago. I couldn’t figure out The pilot study how they could then caused quite a stir and go out and teach and soon Dan Dennett and preach something I had lots of clergy con- they knew wasn’t true. Photo by Ingrid Laas tacting us directly to be How could they deal Linda LaScola in the next part of the with the cognitive dis- study. sonance? I learned that philosopher This is when Dan Barker and Rich- Daniel Dennett had the same question. ard Dawkins saw an opportunity, with So, to make a long story very short, we these newly discovered atheist clergy, teamed up with Tufts University to to start the private online meeting conduct a small pilot study, and then place for apostate clergy that they had a larger study of 35, including current been thinking about since they first and former pastors, seminary students met in Iceland at the 2006 Interna- and professors. tional Humanist and Ethical Union It was a qualitative study, meaning it Convention. was open-ended, with no set list of ques- Soon, what came to be known as tions asked the same way, and done in The Clergy Project was being planned. hour-long interviews. It resulted first I was thrilled by the idea. Emails start- in a paper on the pilot study called ed flying between me, Dan Barker, Dan “Preachers Who Are Not Believers” in Dennett, Richard Dawkins, Todd Stief- 2010 and later in the book, Caught in le and others in the secular movement. Photo by Ingrid Laas the Pulpit: Leaving Belief Behind. To my surprise, “Adam Mann” was also The founding members of The Clergy Project are, from left, Dan Barker, Dan Barker provided three of our on the list. Dan Barker had added him Daniel C. Dennett, Carter Warden and Linda LaScola. Page 18 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin December 2016

Letterbox

Seminarians knowingly anity. The weekly threatening, vitriolic tirades from the Book of Revelation lie to parishioners depressed and frightened me. Grate- Thank you for publishing the excel- fully, my religious mother finally saw lent critical analysis “Christian founda- the darkness behind our faith and we tion crumbles under scrutiny,” by Paul quit the weekly torture sessions. My Davis. So few people have any idea of dad was thrilled and was quickly front the flimsy or non-existent factual base and center to say, “I told you so!“ of Christian doctrine/dogma. From then onward I kept whatev- What makes me even more angry er beliefs I had to myself, constantly and disgusted than the fictional base wary that these dark religious forces of theology is the more modern prac- were mingling with our government tice of moderate and liberal seminar- and infecting our schools. Then one ies’ knowledge of the fraud and yet still day in 2015 I saw Ron Reagan’s FFRF teaching it as truth to the lay public. commercial on TV and my life was For example, as long ago ago as 1955, changed. There was an entire culture I had a birthday party for my seminary I knew nothing about that thought as student husband and invited 11 other I did. I was elated, and shortly thereaf- seminarians and their wives. After din- ter joined the membership and have ner, the men, who had finished their never looked back. final class in Church Management Thank you FFRF! I have truly been that very day, began to worry out loud little for the children they demand to government was shamed into acting. “born again.” about how (not whether) they were be born) that I continue to wonder Now, it turns out those sacrifices didn’t Warren Pender going to lie to their parishioners! how the government can offer them buy even one lifetime of respite from Florida In the 1970s and later in the 1980s, I, tax-exempt status. These institutions hate and bigotry. Religous conviction too, after years of learning how corrupt of dogma and ancient worldviews are laws easily allow legal discrimination the church institutions often are, took at the root of so much that is divisive against anyone for any reason. And out loans so that I could fight against in this country that it pains me to see when we pass the White Voting Act Freethought Today, such lack of social justice by obtaining they receive government endorsement and the White Housing Act, and the FFRF a beacon for us my own degrees. My liberal seminary through tax exemption. Bathroom Protection Act, and on and I applaud your every effort when and university, too, seldom denied the Many of us feel helpless, hopeless on, you can be sure religious leaders people all over the world are suffering falsity of the theology, yet taught us how and cynical after receiving such a blow will be at the forefront of everyone. at the hands of the idiocy of religion. to play down this fraud when we would from this election. Any recommend- Please don’t think I am blaming you! Freethought Today is a beacon for be teaching or preaching. ations for those of us left reeling in It is a Herculean task, and I am con- us; please keep it up! While doing my own research on pain and disgust after this abominable stantly amazed at how much work you Jay Mumford my doctoral dissertation, I learned experience? do. If my membership in FFRF is a con- California about the falsehoods Davis analyzed, I will continue to support FFRF and tributing factor to my being murdered plus some additional facts about which other such groups, but it doesn’t seem in the ethnic cleasing to come, it will the church has lied. to be enough. It simply seems that pub- give me great pride. Does that sound Patricia Highby lic education can not compete with like ridiculous hyperbole? Remember, Pursuit of the truth Oklahoma childhood indoctrination and brain- the people who write the letters where hindered by faith Editor’s note: To find out more about washing by religious parents and many you get your Crankmail column just I want to thank you for publishing what the church has lied about, read Pa- of us feel like simply withdrawing. I feel won the election. Yeah, those people. Julie Stahl’s article in your Septem- tricia’s book The War on Women (2013). so small, helpless, and sad. Linda Palter ber issue. I am her loving father and Marc Clayton Michigan proud of her ability to express herself. North Carolina I don’t think I really knew what We will need to pain was like until I lost my grandson, The sign of the cross Jackson. Julie’s suffering has been, ob- redouble our efforts Elderly atheist couple viously, much greater. That pain can- As a response to the election of a as effective as prayer not be alleviated by the mythology of demagogue, I (through my Infidel appreciative of FFRF The Cleveland Indians beat the promising happiness in an “afterlife.” Foundation) have just donated $1,000 I think we are the oldest atheist Chicago Cubs 6-0 in the opening game We are an imperfect species, saddened to FFRF. While Trump is building his couple at 99 and 101. If I had known of the 2016 World Series. The Cubs with the knowledge that we are bound wall against Mexico, he will also tear of FFRF before we lived so long, we were trailing 3-0 in the eighth inning to die. As a result, many humans down the wall between church and would be Lifetime Members, but liv- when relief pitcher Hector Rondon have avoided the search for truth in state. We need to redouble our efforts. ing this long took the substantial sum was brought in to face the Indians’ Ro- exchange for a faith in organized re- Stephen Van Eck we had saved for retirement, making berto Perez with two runners on and ligion, which has lead to division, dis- Pennslvania us hesitant to risk any further invest- two outs. Before his first pitch, Ron- trust, violence and hatred. ments. Learning of FFRF was our most don went through a ritual of making As an atheist, I applaud your orga- heart-warming experience. Don’t give the sign of the cross with his fingers nization’s search for truth. up. Our days are limited before they in the dirt on the back of the pitch- Don Stahl FFRF convention was fertilize our lawn and organic garden er’s mound, then crossing himself and Maryland No.1 on my bucket list with our ashes. finally patting his forearm where he No words left to thank you enough Alton and Marjorie Eliason has a very large tattoo of a cross. Five for this experience! At 76, attending Connecticut pitches later, Rondon gave up a three- an FFRF convention was No. 1 on my run home run to Perez and the Indi- Support for those bucket list. I will start saving health ans won the game 6-0. Nothing fails whose lives are at risk and “wealth” so as to attend Madison like prayer! Congratulations on another splen- in 2017 and am invigorated to come Did church and state Dan Bell did convention. The speakers were out of the proverbial closet and wear just get married? California excellent and every aspect of the week- my Secular Woman necklace, fight I received my Freethought Today end was well-organized. church/state issues wherever I can. the day after America made hate and Rafida Bonya Ahmed’s account of Peg Lehto violence the law of the land. You have the machete attack by Islamic militants Pennsylvania worked so diligently and patiently to Feeling ‘born again’ that resulted in her injury and the curb the marriage between church after finding FFRF death of her husband reminded me of and state, but I am afraid we failed. Let me start by saying that am nei- the plight of the Jews during the Holo- Because now it is open season on ev- ther an atheist or a nonbeliever. How- caust. The government of Bangladesh Feeling sad, helpless, ery minority, no bag limits and no ever, I feel very strongly that religion has done little to nothing to protect its hopeless after election permits required. And the more evil be kept far apart from government, citizens from these attacks. I think it is I thank you deeply for all you do. and hateful the laws, the more God’s public schools or any taxpayer-sup- important for secularists worldwide to FFRF is one of the few organizations will has to be invoked to justify them. ported institution. unite in their support of these bloggers that offers me hope. I am old enough to actually remember Since my introduction to FFRF, I who have risked their lives to warn of During this election, I heard when we passed the Fair Housing Act have been enlightened. Before I dis- the dangers of Islamic fundamental- from a variety of Catholics about and the Fair Voting Act. These mira- covered the organization over a year ism. For this reason, I am enclosing how their priests stated that their cles occurred only because people ago, I had already given up on orga- $1,000 to Nonbelief Relief c/o FFRF in congregation must vote right-to-life. protested and marched and got beat nized religion. Having been raised support of those whose lives are at risk. I am so sickened by these right-to- up and jailed. And when enough peo- in the Assemblies of God faith, I was Ron Taggart birthers (since after birth they care ple had put their lives on the line, the subjected to the darkest side of Christi- Ohio December 2016 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 19

Letterbox

Glad to contribute to How can I help FFRF’s worthy cause freethought movement?

Thank you for all you do. And a Sometimes I wonder if my commit- special thanks for intervening in the ment to the freethought movement wacky decision by the DMV in Pennsyl- is insufficient. I was raised in a main- vania denying a nonbeliever’s request stream Protestant tradition. I was never for a vanity plate reading “ATHEIST.” exposed to violent extremism or per- Someone has to make the fight and sonal abuse. My parents were religious I’m glad to contribute what little I can but not fanatic. My journey away from to the cause. faith was a very gradual process. My Marc Beauchamp first explicit step was when I joined the California Army and insisted on having “none” in the religion space on my ID “dog tags.” Even years later, I went to church with my mother once a year on Dec. 24. I ‘So help me God’ found it inoffensive and rather nostal- should not be used gic: I could still sing the harmonies I It’s 2016, and I cannot believe that had been taught as a child. It was only the citizens of the state of Wisconsin after I joined FFRF that I thought of Photo by Abbie McMillen and the citizens of the United States myself as an “atheist.” of America are still subjected to swear Should I do more? I reiterate the Love the sin before God before serving in public half-hearted offer that if someone else FFRF Member Abbie McMillen of Maine saw this sign at Emmaus Lutheran office, and as an affirmation to telling wants to start a Maryland chapter, I Church on Route 9 in Falmouth, Maine. “This has to be the weirdest the truth. I personally find it offensive could assist in a limited way. church sign I have ever seen,” she wrote. “What are they thinking . . . that that I have to swear to a God before As an aside, the “In Chef We Trust” you can sin all you want if you are a believer? What a bargain!” I can serve the greater good of the apron FFRF sells puts me in mind of public. a kitchen towel I got for my cousin. It I have been a chief election official read: “Someone lost the corkscrew and for the state of Wisconsin for about we had to live for days on only food and 15 years, and the state oath of office water.” Sharing the crank mail I have to retake every couple of elec- David Shea tions ends in “so help me God.” I have Maryland Here is our most recent installment of cor- would you get involved with what other people written to the county and the Govern- respondence we get from those who don’t un- want to do. — Tim Lavelle ment Accountability Board, but the re- derstand what we do or why we do it and aren’t U.S. Constitution: Have you people ever ply was that the current oath ending in afraid to show their lack of grammar, syntax or heard of the US Constitution? Freedom of re- As new Lifer, excited spelling. ligion? It’s one of the foundations this country “so help me God” is supported by the was founded and built on. Hope your ready for state Legislature. to read speeches You are all atheists: You people have no a Trump administration next year. This country I served on the local school board I am now an FFRF Life Member! respect for the U.S. Constitution, nor do you has had enough of groups like yours interfering and the oath of office I had to take Hard to believe. know how to interpret it. You people care about with our right to worship freely in this nation, ended in “so help me God.” As clerk Perhaps I’ll celebrate being a Lifer no one but yourselves. You all belong in hell. and under Trump you will no longer be allowed You people are not Christians, you people are to interfere and continue to attack that god giv- for the school board, I had to swear in here in Milwaukee as the winter solstice atheists. Your interpretation of the U.S. Con- en unalienable right. — Brian Maters new members with the same oath of rushes our way. At least I will toast this stitution is totally inaccurate. There is nothing Report on my local TV station: I live in office, that ends in “so help me God.” accomplishment with all my freethink- in the U.S. Constitution about “separation of Pennsylvania your located in Wisconsin and Recently I was sworn in as a federal ing friends in southeast Wisconsin. Church and State”. There is a clause known as you wrote a letter a local High School, Dun- grand jury member and again had to I‘m looking forward to reading all the “establishment clause”, which no laws shall more School District, in Lackawanna County, prevent the free exercise ones right to live their PA. YOU are way off base. YOU have some take an oath of office that ends in “so of the speeches from the October con- lives, including where or when they choose nerve and no right to send a letter to a school help me God.” vention in upcoming newspapers. to pray, that includes the 50 yard of a football where they for over 40 years have their team Has FFRF ever tried to change these David Glenn field. What your foundation is trying to do, is to mates gather before a game to “pray for a good oaths? Is the argument akin to the cur- Wisconsin wipe Christianity from this country. What you game and the safety of the players”. They are rent arguments in favor of “In God are doing is wrong. I am disgusted at what your good clean living students with a faith in GOD. foundation represents. You do not have the Because people like you don’t believe in GOD We Trust” on the currency and “under right based a single complaint to tell a school or pray is a very sad state of affairs. I see by God” in the Pledge of Allegiance? Love reading FFRF’s or individual to stop doing what they are doing, your web site you don’t have very many follow- H. Adam Steinberg even if the vast majority of the school does not ers-----that is because you are WRONG in your Wisconsin Special Weekly Report have an issue what is going on in their schools. beliefs. Your motto (such as it is) “critical work Editor’s note: Our attorneys are working Thanks for the Special Weekly Re- Knock it off. — Theresa McDevitt to promote nontheism and defend the consti- God Loves You Anyway: Our creator, tutional separation between religion & govern- on this. port by FFRF Communications Direc- the one we all adore, loves you. Whether you ment”. OK the kids gather in prayer but they tor Amit Pal. All of you deserve a lot of choose to accept his gracious love is up to you, are a high school----not government. The prob- praise for doing some fine work all year but I wish to implore you to accept his love. lem with this world today is the lack of prayer around in fighting the fantasy beliefs Those that do not know his love lead such cold and the belief of a Greater Power-----it’s GOD. Catholics face rules that at least half the population still has and heartless lives, they murder innocent ba- It would be interesting to ask your followers bies through abortion, they marry people who how they think the world got here, how did they for cremated remains in regards to a God and Jesus! Please should not go together through gay marriage, become a person, created inside their moth- Not content with a lifetime of in- continue the good fight to keep reli- and they feel like this benefits people some- er ------it’s the miracle of life and the hand of ducing guilt, endless rituals, countless gion separate from the political arena. how. How does murdering a baby make you God. This is where the problem starts, people obligations, restrictions galore and Paul Loveless feel? —James Barnet of your uneducated caliber start trouble------the fear of endless torture for a single Florida Newton MS baptism: I read an article re- bear in mind the American people will not allow garding your complaint against Newton High you to win your “cause”------we Christians out mortal screwup, now Catholics must because the high school coach baptized a number you jokers millions to one. ­— Dorothy abide by new rules regarding the cre- student after school hours per the student’s Sawyer mated remains of their dead. request. Whew! Thank God you are there to Ashamed: Y’all should be ashamed of Want to scatter, divide or keep the ash- Great to see ad on protest such kind actions! With your assis- yourselves your God created you and will es of a loved one at home in an urn? No abortion in newspaper tance, more people can continue to slide down make you burn in Hell for pushing your beliefs the slippery slope to Hell. Thanks for all you do on others if our school wants to pray guess way. This might somehow stymie a “res- Thanks for sponsoring the full- (sarcasm). — Nancy Duran what we will do so and there will never be any- urrection” of sorts. The faithful must rot page ad — “What the Bible Really Says Dunmore: Give it up people and let these one to stop that. — Leanna Gorrecht in a “consecrated” hole in the ground, so About Abortion” — in the Arkansas kids pray with there coach the 1st Amendment Dunmore high school: what gives you the as not to inflict a “brutal destruction” on Democrat Gazette. We are proud to be applies to them too and the right to pray. Noth- right to even ever tell someone what to do. law the dead body. Besides, someone might members of FFRF. ing about what they are doing is illegal, just not or not this is this school thing and if the parent right in your eyes. Grow up!!!! — Robert Cun- and student are fine with this what gives you a think anything else flirts with “panthe- Linda And Bill Farrell ningham right to set in a say other. are you being affect- ism, naturalism or nihilism” or, worse Arkansas Lies: There is no seperation of church and ed by this. is this hurting you. no its not. this is yet, “individualistic thinking.” That’s state in us constitution it was in a letter of opin- none of your business to set in. you can take just another way of saying “thinking for ion by pres jefferson to danbury baptiat church you law and shove it because you should NEV- yourself.” And that the Church will not inregard to keeping government out of reli- ER SET IN, in what someone believes. what We are once again a gious affairs,not the other way. — Steve Britton someone feels. last I check we live in AMER- abide, or else there will soon enough be Stopping a tradition: Shame on you guys ICA maybe you should brush up on some in- no church and people can do as they like demon-haunted country for getting involved in something that is none formation before you ever come after a child with the ashes of their loved ones — and, This donation is to light 500 candles of you business. This is the problem with our believes. — Matt Evans more importantly, their own lives before in our sadly once-again demon-haunt- country. People get involved with other peo- Trump train: Hey lefty fags, how you do- they reach this state. ed country. Keep on fighting, folks! ple’s business about there tradition and it’s ing now that you have been smashed by the wrong. If teams want to pray before a game TRUMP TRAIN? Your rain of corruption and lies Donald B. Ardell John Richardson that is there right. I’m a Catholic and I don’t is over. Get over it you cry baby snowflakes!!! Florida Washington, D.C. get involved with what your group does so why HaHaHaHa!!! Choo Coo!!! — Jerry Babbitt Page 20 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin December 2016 Black Collar Crime Blotter

“He always had cigarettes for the kids, so Compiled by Bill Dunn if you needed a cigarette you’d go up and see Ron,” said an alleged victim. “Go into Ron’s of- fice and have a smoke and sit on his lap.” Arrested / Charged He pleaded guilty in July 2015 to molesting 3 Gary L. Curtis, 59, Central City, LA: 5 males and was sentenced to 2 years in prison. counts of sexual battery. Curtis, pastor of Sec- He was granted day parole in September after ond Zion Baptist Church, is accused of fondling it was determined he was only a moderate risk 4 minor females as far back as 2007. New Or- to reoffend. The day parole was later revoked. leans police began investigating after a wom- Source: CBC, 10-21-16 an reported an alleged incident involving a Salvatore Anello, 59, Palermo, Sicily: Sex- 12-year-old. ual molestation. Anello, a Capuchin order Cath- Detective Bianca DeIrish then met with an- olic priest and hospital chaplain, is charged with other person described in the report as a “con- inappropriately touching 4 adult women and a cerned elder,” who told her Curtis touched other 12-year-old girl during rituals to free them from girls on their clothed buttocks at the church. demonic possession. Source: The Advocate, 11-10-16 “A healing prayer” involved “repeatedly Samuel Pierre, 35, Orlando, FL: Kidnap- touching their genitals,” a newspaper report al- ping and sexual battery on a child under 12. leged. The Diocese of Palermo said in a state- Pierre, youth pastor at Tabernacle of Prayer and ment that Anello is not authorized to act as an Miracles International, allegedly picked up a girl exorcist. Source: Palermo Today, 10-21-16 and told her mother he was taking her to church Oleh Zhownirovych, 54, Clinton, NJ: Fel- along with other group members. Instead, it’s ony aggravated battery and misdemeanor bat- alleged he took her to his home and gave her tery. Zhownirovych, former pastor at Ukrainian something to drink that caused her to lose con- Orthodox Holy Church, is accused of walking sciousness. Several months later, the mother up to a woman in a Walmart checkout lane in confronted the girl because “she had been act- Overland Park, KS, and grabbing her 4-month- ing different” ever since she went with Samuel old daughter around the neck to pull her out of Pierre, an affidavit said. her carrier. Quisha Hill said her daughter wasn’t Pierre was arrested in 2009 for lewd or las- injured. civious battery in 2009 involving a girl from the The vice president of the church associa- church, whom he also ended up with alone after tion mentioned a drinking problem and said the supposedly telling her she’d be part of a group. group voted to remove Zhownirovych as pastor Charges were dropped in 2012. Source: Orlan- 10 months ago. It wasn’t immediately known do Sentinel, 11-9-16 why he was in Kansas, but when jailed he listed Three unidentified men, all in their 60s, his address as that of the church’s cathedral. Horsham, England: Suspicion of historical sex Source: Kansas City Star, 10-20-16 abuse. They were staffers at Christ’s Hospital Ronald “Romeo” Cooper, 52, Miami: Mul- boarding school, affiliated with the Church of tiple counts of human trafficking, false imprison- England and founded in 1552 by King Edward ment, prostitution and sexual activity with a mi- VI. Assaults are alleged on 9 students in the late nor. Cooper, a youth pastor at Good News Little 1980s and early 1990s. Source: The Telegraph, River Baptist Church, is charged with forcing 4 11-6-16 teens into prostitution by threatening to kill them Sherman R. Smith, 56, Algiers, LA: 9 site says it has more than 700 churches in 30 molesting a 21-year-old seminary student, who if they didn’t agree to have sex with male clients. counts of sexual assault, including incest, al- countries. Source: Sun-Star, 10-30-16 alleged he was coerced into withdrawing a com- All allege Cooper drugged them with crystal leged against 7 minors while he was pastor at Hugh McDowell, 62, Niota, TN: Rape of a plaint he made to church officials. He was later meth, erectile dysfunction, anti-anxiety pills and Second Highway Baptist Church and Bibleway child and 2 counts each of sexual battery by an removed as rector. Source: Business Standard, alcohol before assaulting them. Source: Chris- Missionary Baptist Church between 1989-2001. authority figure and continuous sexual abuse of 10-26-16 tian Post, 10-20-16 It’s alleged he took advantage of his position of a child. McDowell, assistant pastor at Spoken Edward B. Smart, 67, and Marion D. Joao da Silva, 54, Montes Claros, Brazil: trust to rape or otherwise molest girls who of- Word Ministry Church, is accused of assaults Smart, 52, Albany, NY: Grand larceny, welfare Child rape. Da Silva, described in news reports ten were friends of his own children. Source: on 2 girls aged 17 and 12, with the last alleged fraud and offering a false instrument for filing. as an “evangelist Christian priest,” allegedly as- Times-Picayune, 11-3-16 incident on June 21. Edward Smart, pastor of First Israel African saulted a 5-year-old girl during English classes Ronald W. Mitchell, 56, Magnolia, TX: Verizon phone logs showed nearly 1,100 Methodist Episcopal Church, and his wife are at the church. Her parents became suspicious Sexual assault of a child. Mitchell, pastor of calls and 6,000 text messages between Mc- accused of receiving about $12,000 in social after she expressed fear about attending class Body of Christ Ministry, is accused of assault- Dowell and an alleged victim January 2015 and services benefits by understating their income. and found 6 of her drawings that appear to show ing an underage female church member. Apos- June 2016, the complaint said. Source: WATE, Six employees of the Smarts’ nonprofit Is- a rape. tle Mitchell, as he is known, now operates the 10-29-16 rael Community Service Program face similar “One of them that caught our attention church out of his home due to financial rever- Jon Paquette, 56, Birchwood, WI: Bur- charges. It’s also alleged the employees were shows the face of a naked man with an erect sals. Police said a “large cache of weapons and glary. Paquette, pastor at Trinity Lutheran misclassified as independent contractors to penis” looming over a child, said Karine Maia ammunition” was found in the home. Source: Church, is accused of breaking into homes of avoid paying taxes and government fees. of the Delegation for Stopping Crimes Against KTRK, 11-3-16 church members while they were gone and Smart’s salary as pastor is about $100,000 Women. Source: Daily Mail, 10-19-16 William L. Helker, 47, Pine City, MN: 6 taking prescription medications. Source: Lead- a year, including a housing allowance. Source: Andrew L. Jackson, 30, White Hall, AR: counts of possessing child pornography. Helker, er-Telegram, 10-28-16 Times Union, 10-25-16 10 counts of rape. Jackson, youth pastor at an associate pastor at All Saints Lutheran Church, Leo Donaldson, aka Leo Inglima, 30, Terry W. Millender, 52, Brenda Millender, unidentified church, is accused of assaults on a allegedly possessed thousands of images of Bloomfield, MI: Child endangerment, 1st-de- 56, and Grenetta Wells, 55, Alexandria, VA: 16-year-old girl in 2014. The charges stem from children as young as about age 5, including gree aggravated sexual assault, 2nd-degree Conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money an investigation of claims by the girl’s sister children of congregation members on whom he sexual assault by contact and 3rd-degree ag- laundering. Terry Millender is senior pastor of when she was 13 that Jackson raped her. He used PhotoShop to turn innocent images into gravated criminal sexual contact. The alleged Victorious Life Church, which met at West Po- faces 3 rape counts, still pending, from Decem- porn. assaults involve 2 boys under age 18. Donald- tomac High School. His wife and Wells are also ber 2014 on those allegations. Men appear in some videos, including a son teaches and coaches at Bloomfield High affiliated with the church. The older girl denied in 2014 that she had nude man wearing a clown mask and tennis and is parish cantor and youth minister at St. They also operated a company called Mi- been molested but in September was reinter- shoes. It’s alleged Helker shared porn with a Francis of Assisi American National Catholic. cro-Enterprise Management Group that re- viewed and alleged she had intercourse with man in Finland and sought images of preteen He’s been removed from his church position, cruited investors by emphasizing its Christian the married Jackson “at least 10 times,” accord- and teen girls. Source: River Towns, 10-31-16 said Fr. Kerry Walters in a statement: “All lay mission, allegedly to provide small loans to peo- ing to the affidavit, and that he told her if she Lee Kaplan, 51, Feasterville, PA: 15 sexu- and ordained persons in the AANC who minis- ple in developing countries. An estimated $1.2 said anything he would burn her family’s house al assault charges, including rape and statutory ter to children are required, as Mr. Donaldson million was involved, federal prosecutors said. with her and her family inside. Source: Demo- rape, involving 6 sisters, now aged from 8 to 18, was, to have background checks. They’re also Source: WTTG, 10-24-16 crat-Gazette, 10-18-16 who believed they were his wives. Kaplan al- required to abide by Church policy which stip- Jonathan Tucker, 39, New Albany, MS: Rashidun Nabi Bhuiyan, 26, Comilla, legedly told them he learned in dreams that the ulates that at least two adults must be present Touching of a child for lustful purposes, entice- Bangladesh: Murder. Nabi, a member of the arrangement was what God wanted and that he in parish activities involving children.” Source: ment of a child and sexual battery. Tucker, pas- banned Islamist group Ansarullah Bangla, is was God’s prophet. nj.com, 10-27-16 tor of New Birth Community Church, is accused charged in the April death in Dhaka of secular The girls’ parents, Daniel and Savilla Sharon Holder, 44, Kingsport, TN: Theft of molesting a 13-year-old. writer Nazimuddin Samad, 28. When the judge Stoltzfus, Quarryville, PA, former members of over $10,000 but less than $60,000. She’s ac- “It looks like it has been going on for a good asked him in court about the murder, Nabi said, an Amish community, are charged with child cused of stealing money between 2011-14 from while,” said New Albany Police Chief Chris Rob- “I admit that we killed him. Please forgive us. endangerment for allegedly “gifting” their old- the youth group at Victory Apostolic Church in ertson. Source: Daily Journal, 10-21-16 We regret it and apologize to the nation. Please est daughter to Kaplan when she was 14 as collaboration with her husband, Boyd W. Hold- Randi L. Zurenko, 33, Millerstown, PA: pardon me. We were misguided.” payment for his financial help. She and Kaplan er Jr., 45, pastor of the church. He was indicted 13 counts of institutional sexual assault, 153 Since 2013, members of Ansarullah have had 2 children together. for theft and money laundering in May 2015 af- counts of sexual abuse of children, 33 counts Bangla have killed 11 secularists, including According to Sarah Stoltzfus, Savilla’s sister, ter between $70,000 and $100,000 was discov- of unlawful contact with minors, 20 counts of the Bangladeshi-American Avijit Roy. Source: Daniel Stolzfus once told a midwife that “God ered missing from the church’s bank account, dissemination of obscene material to a minor Dhaka Tribune, 10-18-16 gave us desires so we can act on them” and that with a trial set for March. Source: Times-News, and 13 counts of corruption of minors. Zurenko Daniel J. MacKay, 42, Eugene, OR: Pur- he objected to her working in a grocery store 10-26-16 is accused of molesting 2 of her social studies chasing sex with a minor, sexual misconduct, because a woman working outside the home Kevin Gugliotta, 54, Mahwah, NJ: 20 counts students at Bishop McDevitt High School, a patronizing a prostitute, endangering the wel- “was of no use to God.” Source: pennlive.com, each of possession and dissemination of child Catholic school in Harrisburg. fare of a minor, unlawful possession of cocaine 10-31-16 pornography. He was removed as pastor at Holy One alleged victim had “an encounter” in a and using a minor in a controlled substance of- Raul D. Moreno, 52, Merced, CA: 3 counts Spirit Catholic Church in Union after his arrest park with Zurenko before the student graduated fense. MacKay, pastor at St. John the Wonder- of attempted murder. Moreno, pastor of Victory for allegedly possessing illicit images in July on in 2013. The complaint alleges she massaged worker Serbian Orthodox Church, was arrested Outreach International, is charged with shooting a computer at his Pennsylvania vacation home. the student’s back, undid her bra and gave her during a sting conducted after an underage girl his daughter Savannah, 19, her boyfriend, 21, A nationally ranked poker player, Gugliotta alcohol. It’s alleged she started molesting the alleged to police he was involved with her. and another female family member, 17. is also charged with being a fugitive from justice other student in 2015 and continued until Octo- MacKay has a child and is married, ac- Savannah Moreno alleges years of sexual because he failed to turn himself in after being ber, including taking photos of them having sex. cording to the church’s website, which says he abuse preceded the shootings and that Raul notified of the porn charges.Source: nj.com, 10- Source: pennlive.com, 10-21-16 was formerly an adjunct instructor of English Moreno is actually her biological brother who 26-16 Ronald Léger, 78, Winnipeg, Manitoba: 8 literature and composition at Northwest Chris- adopted her at a young age. James Thekemuriyil, 41, Bangalore, In- counts of sexual assault. Four accusers allege tian University. His recent work published by The church was founded in Los Angeles in dia: Wrongful confinement, unnatural offense Léger molested them as children as young as St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press is titled How to 1967 with the mission of “evangelizing and dis- and criminal intimidation. Thekemuriyil, a Cath- 10 during the 1980s and in 2002-04 when he Make Love: Living an Orthodox Understanding cipling the hurting people of the world.” Its web- olic priest, was rector of Deva Matha Seminary was pastor at Holy Family Catholic Parish and of Love Instead of Dying for Romantic Love. in Iritty in May 2015, when he is accused of operated a center called Teen Stop Jeunesse. Source: Register-Guard, 10-14-16 December 2016 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 21

Bobby R. Slagle, 69, New Castle, IN: Fel- field after his parents had given O’Brien permis- pher Leonard, 18. Irwin, pastor of Word of Life Jedediah Stout, 32, Joplin, MO: 63 months ony intimidation and misdemeanor resisting law sion to take him on a road trip. The final assault Christian Church, and 8 church members, in prison and $702,000 restitution after being enforcement. Slagle, pastor at Calvary Baptist on the boy was in his own bedroom on the pre- including the brothers’ parents, have admitted convicted of damage to religious property, vi- Church, allegedly told a brother and sister riding tense of tucking him into bed, minutes after he they beat them during punishment sessions for olating the Freedom of Access to Clinic En- bikes outside the church “that if they did not get had shared a meal with the family. Source: Irish wanting to leave the church, described by some trances Act and 2 counts of arson. Stout, who off his property, he was going to shoot them.” Times, 11-10-16 as a cult. identified himself as a politically conservative The police report said he raised his shirt so they Willie J. Tiller Jr., 53, Oklahoma City: The boys were whipped with an electrical Christian, was arrested for setting a 2012 fire could see the .38-caliber revolver in his waist- Guilty by jury of 10 counts of forgery while he cord on their stomachs, genitals, backs and that destroyed the Islamic Society of Joplin band. The gun contained 4 live rounds. was pastor First Baptist Church in Ardmore in thighs for as many as 14 hours “in hopes that mosque and twice starting fires at a Planned He told police he was frustrated about recent 2013-14. He’s accused of forging $12,000 worth each would confess their prior sins and ask for Parenthood facility. vandalism and “it was his right to tell the kids of checks from the church-affiliated First Touch forgiveness,” an affidavit said. Source: Observ- Stout opposes abortion due to his religious what he did.” Source: Muncie Star Press, 10- Learning Center by using a board member’s er Dispatch, 10-21-16 beliefs and wants Planned Parenthood clin- 12-16 name and made payable to himself. He’s now ics converted to orphanages. Abortions aren’t Tupou Tuoipulotu, 61, Corcoran, CA: Mis- pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church. Source: Sentenced performed at the Joplin clinic. Source: Joplin demeanor battery. Tuoipulotu, pastor at United KXII, 11-9-16 Globe, 10-18-16 Methodist Church, was charged with striking a Stephanie Meakin, 51, Crewe, England: Timothy A. Williams, 51, Woodstock, IL: Vincent G. Ryan, 78, New South Wales, female parishioner on the temple after a Sun- Guilty by jury of failing to notify a change in 30 days in jail, 2 years’ probation and sex of- Australia: 15-month suspended sentence after day service. Jeanne Thomas, also 61, told po- circumstances, which led to her fraudulently re- fender registration after pleading guilty to pos- pleading guilty to molesting a 13-year-old altar lice she had stepped in to defend another pa- ceiving about $46,000 in disability benefits from session of child pornography involving children boy in the 1980s. The acts included forced oral rishioner whom the pastor was yelling at. “She 2001-13. Meakin, pastor of Church of Abundant younger than 13. Williams, a married father of sex, masturbation and attempted penetration. wouldn’t quit saying how she’s the boss and this Life International, claimed she had severe mo- 2 daughters, was pastor of Heritage Baptist He’s already served a 14-year sentence for oth- church is full of evil,” Thomas said. “I didn’t see bility problems but witnesses testified about her Church in Greenwood. Source: Northwest Her- er sex offenses. the punch coming.” walking her lively Rottweiler puppy, dancing at a ald, 10-28-16 Acting Judge Norman Delaney said it was a Ernest Bonilla said he changed the locks on Christmas party, her luxury safari and jogging to Richard Thomas, 78, Allouez, WI: 4 “very difficult decision” to impose a suspended the church and Tuoipulotu was fired. Source: a cash machine, the judge noted. Source: Liver- months in jail and 3 years’ probation after plead- sentence, referring to a report from a psychol- KGPE, 10-10-16 pool Echo, 11-7-16 ing no contest to 2 counts of exposing genitals/ ogist who has been treating Ryan for 6 years Wesley R. Blackburn, 35, New Paris, PA: Sean P. Aday, 39, Lake Forest, CA: Plead- pubic area/intimate parts to a child. Thomas, which states: “[The offender] is fully rehabilitat- Corruption of minors and 84 counts each of fel- ed guilty to 2 felony and 2 misdemeanor counts a Catholic priest, admitted flashing a teen boy ed” and “has shown sorrow and remorse.” ony statutory sexual assault and misdemeanor of sexual battery, each tied to a different vic- passing by his apartment window in March and Delaney said Ryan doesn’t remember the indecent assault. Blackburn, youth pastor and tim. Aday, a youth pastor at Grace Community told the court he “struggled with urges.” He has victim because the abuse was so similar to that Sunday school teacher at Faith Brethren Bible Church, was originally charged with 10 felony 2 previous indecent exposure convictions. he committed against dozens of others. He was Church, is accused of impregnating a 15-year- counts, including forcible rape, sodomy by force The manager of the independent living fa- released in 2010 after serving 14 years for as- old who joined his youth group in 2014. and sexual penetration by a foreign object and cility for retired priests told police that on April 8 saults against 35 boys as young as 6 between An affidavit alleges Blackburn admitted to a force. he found Walsh wearing a bathrobe and stand- 1973-91. Source: abc.net.au, 10-14-16 state trooper that he was the child’s father and “I knew when I met you there was something ing in front of a window in the unoccupied room Victor Barnard, 55, Finlayson, MN: 30 asked his wife for a divorce after revealing his off about you. You can’t even look me in the eye the boy reported seeing him in. Thomas told the years in prison after pleading guilty to 2 counts relationship with the girl. His wife then told the now,” a victim’s mother said in court. Terms of manager he was looking for a place to shower. of criminal sexual conduct, with 57 others senior pastor, who fired Blackburn and contact- a plea bargain call for a sentence of 2 years in Source: WBAY, 10-28-16 dropped in a plea bargain. Barnard, founder of ed police. Source: Tribune-Democrat, 10-9-16 prison. Kevin G. Sloniker, 31, Coeur d’Alene, ID: River Road Fellowship, was charged in 2014 Jacob A. Bertrand, 32, Spring Valley, CA: He was accused of assaults on 4 young Life in prison with no parole eligibility for 35 with molesting 2 girls when they were 12 and 2 counts of 3rd-degree criminal sexual conduct. women on church property or during church years after pleading guilty to 7 counts of lewd 13. In 2010, according to the complaint, Bertrand, trips to Costa Rica, Moldova and South Africa. conduct with a child under the age of 16. Sloni- They were part of a “Maidens Group” of now pastor of Santa Sophia Catholic Parish, Sara Fuentes, 27, testified she was first molest- ker, who worked as a long-haul trucker, met and about 10 girls and young women Barnard lived visited a woman in Minnesota he had met in ed on a trip when she was 19 and that it contin- befriended boys as a youth camp counselor for with and called “brides of Christ.” He fled to Bra- 2009 in Rome while they were studying spiri- ued for 2 years until she left the church. Source: Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Post zil after being charged. tuality and he was a deacon before being or- OC Register, 11-4-16 Falls. The church is part of the conservative So- His attorney, Dave Risk, said Barnard admit- dained. Major L. Hillman, 23, Lynchburg, VA: ciety of Saint Pius X. ted in court that he had intercourse with each Bertrand and the woman, now 30, had sex Guilty by jury of electronic solicitation and in- He was found guilty of molesting 7 boys girl when they were 15 and that the sexual acts after a private Mass in the basement of her decent liberties with a child. Hillman, youth between the ages of 8 and 14 and admitted happened multiple times over a period of years. Mendota Heights home, it’s alleged, and that pastor at Thomas Terrace Baptist Church, was using “hand to genital” contact. At sentencing Source: Pioneer Press, 10-11-16 after Mass he told her they had “fulfilled the sec- charged with crimes against a 14-year-old girl he called himself a “man of the bible” who was Robert P. Claffey, 73, Ballarat, Australia: ond holiest sacrifice next to Jesus and Mary on he was counseling in 2015 for self-esteem is- seeking a sense of companionship because 18 years, 4 months in prison, with no parole Calvary.” sues stemming from an earlier sexual assault. he grew up in an isolated area and was home- eligibility until 2030. Claffey was convicted of The woman alleged to police that Bertrand He admitted using Snapchat to exchange schooled. Source: KREM, 10-28-16 sex assaults on 10 boys and 2 girls, ranging in had “mystically proposed” to her and told her sexually explicit texts, photos and videos but Larry M. Murrell, 63, Klamath Falls, OR: age from 6 to 16, while he served as a Catho- that while he was praying, the Lord had imprint- claimed it was an attempt at therapy for the girl. 30 days in jail with credit for time served and 3 lic priest. His initial victim was a 7-year-old girl ed a vision in his mind of her “naked and strad- The relationship was cut short when the victim’s years’ probation after pleading guilty to 2 misde- preparing for her first communion in 1969. He dling him.” Source: Star Tribune, 10-7-16 father read her diary. Source: News & Advance, meanor counts of sexual abuse. A felony count later used the excuse of providing pastoral care Cherie White, 44, and Keith White, 51, 11-2-16 of sexual abuse was dismissed as part of a plea to a boy, whose brother had died 2 days earlier, Kingston, PA: 9 counts and 5 counts, respec- Khin Par Thaing, 30, Indianapolis: Plead- deal. Murrell was arrested for forcing “deviate before molesting the boy at home. tively, of theft and conspiracy. Cherie White ed guilty to felony battery but a plea agreement sexual intercourse” on a female congregation Former Ballarat bishop Ronald Mulkearns and her husband Keith are accused of stealing told a court last year he knew Claffey “had been $174,000 since 2010 from Holy Trinity Lutheran misbehaving . . . in a sexual way” but didn’t re- Church, where she was church secretary and member any details. Source: The Age, 10-4-16 he was board president. Robert G. Couture, 54, Tecumseh, Ontar- Other board members became suspicious io: 10 months in jail and $75,000 restitution to after receiving past due notices for electric bills. St. Anne Catholic Parish, where he was pastor Asked if he could forgive the Whites if they’re from 2002-10. The exact amount of parish mon- found guilty, Pastor Paul Metzloff said, “That’s ey missing is unknown but according to testi- a very interesting question. Christ preaches for- mony could be as much as $234,000. Source: giveness for everything, and that’s something Windsor Star, 10-3-16 we grapple with.” Source: WNEP, 10-6-16 Joseph Raleigh, 35, Miller, SD: 46 months Gary Spear, 45, Mitchell, IN: Felony child in prison and 3 years’ probation after pleading seduction. Spear, youth minister at Mitchell guilty in a plea bargain to attempted trafficking Church of Christ, is accused of incidents be- with respect to involuntary servitude and forced tween 2011-13 by the alleged victim, starting labor. Raleigh, pastor at First Baptist Church when she was 16 and had gone to Spear for and a married father of 4, answered a Craig- counseling because her parents were divorcing. slist ad set up by law enforcement in 2015: “I’m It’s alleged that Spear told her he considered available all weekend. I’m attractive, clean, her his daughter and thus it was OK to kiss him good build, 30 years old. Looking for some hot and let him fondle her, which she said happened fun.” several times a week in the church, at his home An agent responded: “we here in pierre and and in his truck. Source: WBIW, 10-4-16 she good to go. She 15 and experienced. Prices Francis Ngalande, 44, Mpherere, Mala- very dependin on what u want.” wi: Defilement. Ngalande, pastor of Mpherere Raleigh replied: “Want an hour of all I can Catholic Parish, is accused of sexually defiling get. Do you have a pic?” He agreed to pay $300 a 16-year-old girl he’d arranged to meet to dis- approved by the judge reduced it to a misde- member on Feb. 6, 2015, when he was pastor for “30 to 40 minutes.” Source: Capital-Journal, cuss the new school he’d found for her. A med- meanor and called for 1 year of probation for at the House of Prayer for All Nations. 10-2-16 ical report confirmed the allegation, a police beating her 7-year-old son with a plastic coat In a letter to the court, Murrell argued he was statement said. Source: Nyasa Times, 10-3-16 hanger in February. coerced into performing sexual acts by the vic- Civil Lawsuits Filed Kumar, 52, Shivamogga, India: Rape. Thaing claimed she stopped her son from tim and said the encounter was “not totally my Kumar, a Hindu priest at Durga Chowdesh- behavior that would have seriously harmed his idea.” Source: Herald & News, 10-25-16 Marc L. Disick, 58, Bronx, NY, rabbi at wari Temple, allegedly raped a 15-year-old girl 3-year-old sister. She hit both with the hanger Misty Rae Hopkins, 49, Burnet, TX: 5 life Temple Beth Am in Bayonne, NJ, is being sued whose parents sought his help for the girl’s poor before telling them to kneel and pray for God’s sentences and 4 terms of 20 years, served for nearly $70,000 by clinical psychologist Les- academic performance. It’s alleged that several mercy, court documents said. “I was worried consecutively, after a jury found her guilty of 5 lie Freedman, who alleges he’s been seeing days later he assaulted her when she came to for my son’s salvation with God after he dies. counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child Disick 3 times a week since 2011 and has been receive a Vedic talisman from him. Source: The I decided to punish my son to prevent him from and 4 counts of indecency with a child. Charges paid only $800. Despite the arrears, Freedman Hindu, 10-2-16 hurting my daughter and to help him learn how stemmed from abuse between 1999-2005 by continued to provide therapy until June 2015, Gurjeet Singh, Adampur, India: Act intend- to behave as God would want him to.” Hopkins and her late husband of their daughter. according to the suit. ed to outrage religious sentiment. Singh, a Sikh A doctor noted 36 bruises on the boy, includ- Four of their children testified they were abused Disick, who is also a professional divorce priest, was charged after torn pages of a Sikh ing one on his cheek in the shape of a hook. by both parents. and business mediator, declined to comment to hymnal were found by a village canal. Police Attorney Greg Bowes argued that the Re- John P. Hopkins, pastor of Northside Bap- a reporter. Source: NY Post, 11-13-16 said Singh admitted his culpability, adding they ligious Freedom Restoration Act gave Thaing tist Church died at age 40 on Christmas Day Barry Kallenberg, 64, Alpine, NJ, and haven’t determined a motive. Source: Hindu- the right to discipline her children in accordance 2012. His obituary said, in part, “He was a godly Sunny Isles Beach, FL, is being sued in Ber- stan Times, 10-2-16 with her beliefs. Gov. Mike Pence (now vice man who lived his life for the Lord and left his gen County Superior Court by the New Jersey president-elect) signed Indiana’s RFRA into law legacy for his family.” Department of Banking and Insurance for fraud. Pleaded / Convicted in 2015. The abuse remained unreported until 2014 Kallenberg, a rabbi currently without a congre- Prosecutor Terry Curry has said he expects when all the children had turned 17 and left gation but who officiates at life cycle events Patrick O’Brien, 76, Dublin, Ireland: more defendants to cite religious defenses, home. Source: American-Statesman, 10-21-16 and makes hospital pastoral visits, is accused Pleaded guilty to 48 counts of indecent assault which means the legal system will have to de- Maulana Nurunnabi, 32, Jaldhaka, Ban- of falsely reporting his luggage was stolen 23 and sexual assault. O’Brien, a Catholic parishio- vote time and resources to arguing the merits of gladesh: 3 months in jail after pleading guilty times at Miami International Airport in 2010-12 ner and volunteer at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, was the claim. Source: Indianapolis Star, 10-29-16 to harassment of a 10th-grade girl. Nurunnabi, so he could collect about $35,000 in insurance charged with molesting 14 boys from 1977 to Tiffanie Irwin, 30, Chadwicks, NY: Pleaded imam of Baktiar Para Utachhari mosque, was money. Surveillance video showed him picking 2010, including assaulting a boy in a cathedral guilty to 3rd-degree manslaughter and 2nd-de- accused of repeatedly accosting the girl with up his luggage and later returning to report it storage room while the congregation prayed. gree assault in the 2015 death of Lucas Leon- marriage proposals on her way to and from never arrived, an affidavit said. His first victim was 9 when he was raped in a ard, 19, and the beating of his brother Christo- school. Source: Dhaka Tribune, 10-21-16 He was convicted in Florida in 2014 on 23 Page 22 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin December 2016

photo of a 17-year-old boy during a sexual en- fraud counts and received probation. Source: counter in Lee’s car and posted it online. nj.com, 11-12-16 Lee was court-martialed in 2007 and served James L’Keith Jones, Albuquerque, NM, time for using his position as a priest to prey bishop of the Church of God in Christ, is being on lower-ranking servicemen and failing to tell a sued along with the church for $12.2 million for sex partner he was HIV-positive. Source: News alleged sexual assaults against Kimberly Pol- Journal, 10-3-16 lard, 37, Lubbock, TX. Pollard alleges Jones groomed her into what became a 20-year sexual relationship Allegations and extramarital affair and also tried to groom Anthony Kiplagat, a Kenyan Catholic priest her 6-year-old daughter, telling her she looked assigned since 2012 to several Kansas parishes, “sexy” in her nightgown and saying he’d wait engaged in unprofessional conduct with an adult until she was 18 to date her. woman and “violated clerical continence,” accord- COGIC is one of the largest African-Amer- ing to a statement issued in The Leaven, official ican Christian denominations and has 12,000 newspaper of the Archdiocese of Kansas City. congregations in every U.S. state and 70 coun- Spokeswoman Anita McSorley said the alle- tries. Source: Daily Mail, 11-4-16 gation was forwarded to Overland Park police The Catholic Archdiocese of Guam, Arch- last January. The investigation is ongoing. bishop Anthony Apuron and Fr. Louis Brouil- Court records show a protective order was lard are being sued by 4 men for alleged sexual granted to a woman in February who alleged abuse. Three of the men, now in their 50s, were Kiplagat sexually assaulted her and “told me he altar boys in the 1970s under Apuron. The other had infected me and if I go to the church and man, now in his 70s, was an altar boy in the break my silence he would kill me and harm 1950s, when he says Brouillard molested him. my family.” She said she had tapes of their ar- Brouillard, 95, admitted to The Associated guments, which include alleged comments in Press in August that he may have molested 20 which “he calls me a footstool” and “says God boys during his time in Guam, which recently told him he was to be with me.” lifted the statute of limitations for civil suits in Kiplagat first came to Kansas in 2007 as a child molestation cases. student at the University of St. Mary in Leaven- In a statement related to the lawsuits, he worth. Source: Kansas City Star, 11-8-16 claimed his predatory behavior was known by The Catholic Sisters of Mercy and the other priests and by Apollinaris Baumgartner, Archdiocese of New York each say the other who served as Guam archbishop from 1945-70. entity is responsible for any sexual abuse that Brouillard wrote that Baumgartner approached may have happened to “Don,” who alleges he him to talk about the “situation” and told him was molested 70 years ago by an employee at “try to do better and say prayers as a penance.” St. Michael’s Home for Children, an orphanage Source: Pacific Daily News, 11-1-16 on Staten Island which closed in 1978. The Catholic Legion of Christ, based in Don, who asked that his last name not be Connecticut, is being sued by a man who al- used, told a reporter he was molested for 2 leges he was molested as a teen in the early years by a lay employee at the orphanage. His 1990s by Luis Garza, 58, a priest believed to attorney, Jordan Merson, said church officials be living in the Philippines and who was sec- told him “it was not responsible” because the ond-in-command to the late Legion founder Sisters of Mercy operated the orphanage then, Marciel Maciel. The plaintiff also alleges moles- while the religious order claims the archdiocese tation by Maciel and another priest at a Legion did. boarding school. Source: New Haven Register, Merson can’t subpoena documents to de- 10-29-16 termine who actually ran the home due to the Terry Knighten, New Braunfels, TX, and statute of limitations. Renew Ministries are being sued by 2 parish- The archdiocese’s “policies and procedures” ioners, ages 27 and 32, who allege Knighten outlined in its new Independent Reconciliation molested them. He founded the church, former- and Compensation Program for victims also ly called Celebrate Life Church, in 2006 and Legal Developments bars payment to those abused by laypersons resigned after the suits were filed. The church by someone they trusted. Asking them to come and not clergy, Merson said. Source: Staten Is- website is offline but Knighten’s Facebook page forward is much more than most of them can The state of Queensland, Australia, has land Advance, 11-8-16 says he and his wife Michelle started it after get- handle.” Source: NY Post, 10-23-16 removed the civil statutory time limit for victims Saeed Tousi, 46, a member of Iran’s Su- ting a mandate from God to “Feed the Spiritually The Catholic Church in Argentina was or- of sexual abuse. Previously, child victims had preme Council of the Quran, is accused of sex- Hungry.” dered to pay $50,000 to former seminary stu- only 3 years from the time they turned 18 to ual assaults on 10 boys, all Quran students. The The older woman alleges the misconduct dent Ruben Descalzoa, who alleged he was start civil action. The law lets courts set aside alleged victims took the unusual step of telling started in 2005 and ended with a sexual en- molested in 1992 by Archbishop Edgardo past secret settlements by churches and other their stories to foreign media. One boy alleged counter on Christmas Eve 2015 at the church. Storni, who died in 2012 at age 75 without be- institutions that used the age limit to negotiate he was assaulted in a public bath house at age The 27-year-old alleges she was assaulted in ing criminally charged. Source: AFP, 10-15-16 lower payouts. 12. October 2015 after seeking marriage counsel- The Catholic Archdiocese of Hartford, The bill also changed the law to allow class The initial complaint was lodged in 2010. An- ing. Source: Herald-Zeitung, 10-27-16 CT, settled a suit by an unidentified plaintiff who action suits. Source: The Guardian, 11-8-16 other alleged victim said he has “lost all hope” alleged he was repeatedly molested in 2000-01 Lyle Huddlestun, 44, Bonham, TX, former that justice will be done. when he was 13 by Edward J. Tissera, aka Ed- youth minister at Boyd Baptist Church, must Civil Lawsuits Settled A video interview with the accuser has got- ward Warnakulasooriya, associate pastor at St. stand retrial for 2 counts of sexual assault on a ten about half a million views. “People are be- The Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis John the Evangelist Church in Watertown. teen boy alleged between 2007-09, a state ap- ing abused under the banner of religion . . . and settled a suit for undisclosed terms filed in 2013 Terms weren’t disclosed but court papers peals court ruled. no one is going to be held accountable,” wrote by Pat and Dan Harkins, Florissant, MO, who show the plaintiff offered in March to settle for The boy reported the allegations in 2013, commenter Meysam. alleged their son was molested between 1999- $950,000. Source: CT Post, 10-13-16 claiming the incidents happened when he was “If the victims had been girls, [the authorities] 2002 by former priest Bryan Kuchar. Alex Har- The Catholic Diocese of Ootacamund, In- 13 or 14 during bible studies and sleepovers. would have accused them of being dressed in- kins committed suicide with a handgun in 2009. dia, settled a suit filed by Megan Peterson, a Two previous trials ended in hung juries. appropriately and provocatively. And they would The abuse allegedly occurred at Kenrick-Glen- Minnesota woman who sued for sexual abuse Huddlestun claimed the last mistrial was argue that the assault was understandable,” non Seminary. by priest Joseph Jeyapaul, 61. Financial terms improperly granted and sought dismissal of the wrote Somayeh. Source: BBC Persian, 11-2-16 Kuchar was never criminally charged for weren’t disclosed, but the settlement includes a case. His trial is now set for February. Source: assaults on Harkins but was suspended by provision that Peterson will be informed annu- KXII, 11-4-16 the archdiocese in 2002 and defrocked by the ally of where Jeyapaul is living until he is de- Louisiana Catholic priest Jeff Bayhi was Removed / Resigned Vatican in 2006. The Harkinses sued after the frocked. not required to report alleged sexual abuse of a Scott Crenshaw, Hudson Oaks, TX, was Archdiocesan Review Board denied their claim. Jeyapaul was extradited to the U.S. in 2014, 14-year-old girl, the state Supreme Court ruled: removed as senior pastor at New River Fellow- Kuchar was convicted in 2003 of molesting convicted of criminal sexual conduct and was “Any communication made to a priest privately ship Church because he had “inappropriate im- a 14-year-old boy 8 years earlier and was sen- deported without serving prison time. Peterson in the sacrament of confession for the purpose ages” on his work computer, according to the tenced to 3 years in the St. Louis County Jail. sued after learning the Vatican had approved of confession, repentance, and absolution is a church, which has 3 campuses and over 2,000 “I still believe in God,” Pat Harkins said. “I his reinstatement into ministry in India. Peterson confidential communication . . . and the priest is members. don’t believe in the Catholic Church. How could was 14 when she was molested in 2004 while exempt from mandatory reporter status.” In a statement, Crenshaw admitted viewing I?” Source: Post-Dispatch, 11-10-16 Jeyapaul was serving at Blessed Sacrament In her suit against Bayhi and the Diocese the images, adding, “I have always preached Delbarton School, an all-male Catholic Parish in Greenbush, MN. Source: Star Tribune, of Baton Rouge, Rebecca Mayeux, now 22, al- that New River was not a museum for perfect prep school in Morristown, NJ, and Fr. Luke 10-3-16 leged she told him in 2008 that she was being people, but a hospital for those who are hurting, Travers, the school’s former headmaster, were molested by parishioner George Charlet Jr., jacked up and messed up.” ordered to pay $150,250 in damages to Marc who died in 2009 at age 65. Source: The Advo- Finances The church board’s statement said Cren- MacNaughton, who alleged he was fired in 2005 cate, 10-29-16 shaw “chose not to properly address” the issue for reporting 2 students’ allegations that Travers The Catholic Archdiocese of New York and is “not qualified to lead” the church.Source: touched them inappropriately. announced its Independent Reconciliation and Steven Wolpert, 63, a Catholic priest at Our Star-Telegram, 11-11-16 Travers was later accused in several law- Compensation Program, which allows victims Lady of Perpetual Help in Brooklyn, NY, in the Catholic priest William Moloney, Peterbor- suits of sexually abusing 4 students in the 1980s of clergy sex abuse to collect damages within 1980s and imprisoned in 2008 for molesting an ough, Ontario, was placed on administrative and 1990s, but the jury was barred from hearing 60 days of filing a credible claim if they sign a 8-year-old boy, is being considered for parole. leave as pastor at Immaculate Conception Par- the sexual misconduct allegations. confidentiality agreement and agree not to sue At sentencing, the judge noted Wolpert testified ish due to an allegation he molested a boy at MacNaughton also alleged the defendants the archdiocese over related claims in the fu- he let children sleep naked with him “because Camp Northern Lights, which serves children sabotaged his efforts to obtain teaching and ture. The first phase involves 170 cases, said they were curious and he didn’t want to stifle the between the ages 9 and 13. Spokesperson coaching jobs in order to keep a potential sex Cardinal Timothy Dolan. Administrators include child’s sexuality.” Deirdre Thomas said the diocese learned of the scandal quiet. Source: nj.com, 10-26-16 Kenneth Feinberg, who oversaw compensation “Kids will be safest if Wolpert serves his en- allegations 5 years ago but the alleged victim Yeshiva Torah Temimah, Brooklyn, NY, for victims of the 9/11 attacks. tire sentence of 18 years behind bars,” said Da- did not want to come forward then. settled a suit filed by 2 former students for $2.1 Critics contend the archdiocese is trying to vid Clohessy, of the Survivors Network of those Moloney resigned in June as chaplain for the million. The plaintiffs alleged they were 6 when sweep abuse claims under the rug while cir- Abused by Priests. Source: NY Daily News, 10- Peterborough School Board. Source: Peterbor- molested by teacher and rabbi Joel Kolko in cumventing the Child Victims Act, which would 24-16 ough This Week, 11-8-16 2003 and that the yeshiva and its leader, Lipa abolish the statute of limitations for sex abuse Philip Wilson, 66, Catholic archbishop of Richard Fritz, 69, Bronson, MI, resigned as Margulies, knew for decades that Kolko was lawsuits. State Sen. Brad Hoylman called the Adelaide, Australia, must face trial on charges pastor of St. Mary’s Assumption Catholic Church molesting students. program “a canny legal strategy devised to re- he covered up for a pedophile priest in 1971, and St. Barbara Parish after results of an internal Kolko, now 70, was controversially allowed duce the archdiocese’s liability for decades of ruled New South Wales Supreme Court Justice audit were turned over to Michigan State Police. to plead guilty in 2012 to 2 misdemeanor counts crimes and cover-ups.” Monika Schmidt, upholding a lower appeals The agency is investigating alleged mismanage- of child endangerment, with no jail time or sex The archdiocese has spent $2 million lobby- court decision. Source: Fox News, 10-14-16 ment of parish funds and inappropriate checks offender registry ordered. ing against the bill, which will be reintroduced John T. Lee, 51, Millsboro, DE, had his between 2010 and June 2016. Attorney Marci Hamilton said such settle- next year. sentencing in federal court, first set for March, An attorney for the Diocese of Kalamzoo told ments are rare in New York because victims “Cardinal Dolan sees the writing on the postponed again. Lee, a former Catholic priest investigators that records show over $213,000 must sue perpetrators before age 23 and insti- wall,” said abuse victim Gary Greenberg. “He and Navy chaplain, pleaded guilty in November was allegedly taken. Source: WOOD, 11-3-16 tutions by age 21. “Even as teenagers, it’s im- knows the Child Victims Act will pass next year.” 2015 to production and distribution of child por- possible to process what’s happened to them Source: Church Militant, 10-6-16 nography. Court documents say he took a nude Email: [email protected] December 2016 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 23

FFRF on the road

Photo by Chris Line FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor (center) was a panelist Oct. 20 in a discussion in Madison, Wis., on “How religion is shaping the election.” The Dan Barker debated Thomas Ross of the Mukwonago Baptist Bible Institute event was sponsored by the Capital Times and featured three Christians, a on the topic of “Prophecy and Archaeology Validate the Bible as the Word of Muslim, a Jew, an atheist (Gaylor) and a journalism professor. Cap Times God” at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater on Nov. 10. The event was reporter Jessie Opoien, right, moderated the discussion organized by the UWW Philosophy Club, the Secular Student Alliance and Set Free Ministries. Pictured, from left, are Paul Rains of Set Free Ministries, Thomas Ross, Barker, Matthew Schultz of the UWW Philosophy Club and Josie Thorman, president of the UWW Secular Student Alliance.

Photo by Chris Line Speaking at the Openly Secular Day conference hosted by University of Wisconsin’s Atheists, Humanists and Agnostics (AHA) on Nov. 15 were “The Friendly Atheist” Hemant Mehta, FFRF Managing Staff Attorney Rebecca Markert and actress/ FFRF’s Chicago Chapter participated in “Hug an Atheist Day” on Nov. activist Julia Sweeney. 5, which was organized by Ron McCullough (white shirt, holding white sign) and the Chicago Black NonBelievers. Tom Cara of the FFRF Chicago Chapter (holding yellow sign) writes: “Atheists gathered in both Millennium Park and along Michigan Avenue in Chicago to offer free hugs to passersby. The ‘hugfest’ was very well received by city residents, tourists and even Chicago Park District employees, with many opening their arms and hearts to give some hugs to atheists and showing their appreciation for what we were doing. Several ‘sidewalk huggers’ even opened up about being atheists themselves!”

Photo by Chris Line FFRF Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel points out the silliness of a protester from the Westboro Baptist Church on Oct. 20 in Madison, Wis.

FFRF Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel, second from right, gave a presentation on the Religious Freedom Restoration Act to the FFRF Yip Harburg, from his book Metropolitan Chicago Chapter Board on Nov. 3. Standing with Seidel are FFRFMCC Board Members Tom Cara, Joel Frazin and Brian Rhymes for the Irreverent McCaskill.

“For what we are about to receive, Oh Lord, ’tis Thee we thank,” Include FFRF In Your Estate Planning Said the Cannibal as he cut a slice Arrange a bequest in your will or trust, or make the Freedom From Of the missionary’s shank. Religion Found ation the bene ciary of an insurance policy, bank account or IRA. It’s easy to do. For related information (or to request a bequest brochure), please phone Annie Laurie Gaylor at (608) 256-8900. FFRF • P.O. Box 750 • Madison, WI 53701 Buy it from FFRF online Freedom Depends on Freethinkers shop.ffrf.org Page 24 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin December 2016 What the election means for state/church separation

By Hemant Mehta Pence believes people can be “cured” of their homosexuality. He thinks it’s okay for Christian busi- A s we begin to look forward ness owners to discriminate against from the election, here are some issues LGBT customers. He supported a church/state separation advocates are constitutional amendment to ban gay going to have to deal with in the years marriage. He signed a bill to jail gay to come. couples who simply applied for a mar- Will Donald Trump repeal the John- riage license — and any clerks who son Amendment? gave them one. As it stands, churches (and other Pence was arguably the most anti- nonprofits) do not have to pay taxes. LGBT governor in the nation. At the But that also cy proposals included spending $20 schools. Parents certainly may choose very least, he gave North Carolina’s Pat means they billion to allow students to attend the such an education for their children, McCrory a run for his money. With un- can’t endorse schools of their choice, presumably but no taxpayer should be required to checked powers in the White House, candidates including private religious schools. Be- pay for another‘s religious education.” what will he be able to do? from the pul- sides hurting public schools all over the Will Trump discriminate on the ba- What will Trump do with the Su- pit. Trump country, these taxpayer-funded vouch- sis of religion? preme Court? has pledged to ers would go to some schools that put Trump has already proposed a ban With one vacancy and three more repeal the law indoctrination over education. on Muslim immigrants — or even vis- moderate-to-liberal justices with an av- that says that Americans United for Separation itors — though he hasn’t explained erage age of 80, Trump with his Senate — the Johnson for Church and State suggested that how he’d know they’re followers of majority could push through just about Amendment the religious liberty aspect of this plan Islam. Not all Muslims look the same, any of his far-right evangelical Chris- — and that was a looming disaster: “One of the and not all people from certain coun- tian-approved nominees. Hemant Mehta idea made its most dearly held principles of religious tries are Muslim. What will that mean for transgen- way into the liberty is that government should not More broadly, though, this idea that der rights? Abortion access? The death GOP’s 2016 platform. compel any citizen to furnish funds in people should be treated differently by penalty? The Affordable Care Act? All If he successfully repeals it, evangel- support of a religion with which he or the government on the basis of their those other issues in which religious ical churches around the country will she disagrees, or even a religion with faith goes against everything our na- conservatives go against basic human essentially become arms of that po- which he or she does agree. Voucher tion is supposed to stand for. decency? litical party. Church and state will be programs, however, violate that cen- If Trump and his party promote dis- At the very least, church/state sep- intertwined in a way we’ve never seen tral tenet: They use taxpayer money crimination against religious minori- aration advocates better hope 83-year- before. to fund primarily religious education. ties, who will stand up for them? old Ruth Bader Ginsburg has a few Will Trump use taxpayer money to Indeed, approximately 80 percent of How much influence will Vice Pres- more years left in her. fund private religious schools? the students participating in the D.C. ident-elect Mike Pence have on this Hemant Mehta, a member of FFRF, writes One of Trump’s few specific poli- voucher program attend religious administration? The Friendly Atheist blog on Patheos.com.

Mark your calendar! COMING NEXT MONTH 40th Anniversary of FFRF’s Convention IN FREETHOUGHT TODAY Susan Jacoby’s speech from FFRF’s convention

REMINDER The January / February Monona Terrace Community & Convention Center issue is combined and will be delivered Madison, Wisconsin Sept. 15-17, 2017 in late January.

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