Author Sarah Vowell To gain , U.S. Rep. Huffman to speak at we must not is ‘out’ as nonbeliever FFRF convention remain silent PAGE 3 PAGE 14 PAGE 12

Vol. 36 No. 3 Published by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. April 2019 Validation! Supreme Court declines review of FFRF’s victory The U.S. Supreme Court let stand tax money. At the heart of the lawsuit a huge win for Freedom From Reli- is the New Jersey Constitution’s guar- gion Foundation — and state/church antee: “nor shall any person be obliged separation — in a case about uncon- to pay tithes, taxes, or other rates for stitutional governmental funding of building or repairing any church or churches in New Jersey. churches, place or places of worship, The New Jersey Supreme Court had or for the maintenance of any minis- unanimously held last April that tax- ter or ministry, contrary to what he be- payers in Morris County could not be lieves to be right.” (Article I, Paragraph forced to pay to repair active houses 3.) of worship, several of which explicitly This taxpayer protection predates sought tax money in order to advance the creation of the and is their religious mission. Morris County, a principle that the Founders, includ- defended by the Catholic Becket Fund, ing , saw as an essen- had asked the U.S. Supreme Court to tial guarantee to prevent the govern- take its appeal of FFRF’s resounding ment from forcing citizens to support victory. On March 4, the Supreme religions in which they disbelieve. Court denied Morris County’s petition. Six of the justices declined to re- Morris County had requested the view the case without comment. Justices Supreme Court extend a 2017 case, The U.S. Supreme Court decided to not take the appeal of FFRF’s victory Brett Kavanaugh, Samuel Alito and Neil Trinity Lutheran v. Comer, which held regarding the governmental funding of churches, including the Presbyterian Gorsuch offered two of their own rea- that Missouri could not exclude a Church in Morristown, N.J. sons for the denial, both of which mis- church-owned playground from a sec- characterized the case. First, they stated ular funding program. “This is a big triumph for the nets of our Constitution.” that the court’s refusal to hear the case The U.S. Supreme Court decision of hardworking New Jersey folks,” com- Morris County churches argued that was appropriate because “the factual will save New Jersey taxpayers many ments FFRF Co-President . they are entitled to taxpayer funds, details of the Morris County program millions of dollars and protects the reli- “The Supreme Court made the right even though the state constitution spe- gious of all New Jersey residents. call in refusing to jettison the basic te- cifically forbids such religious use of See Victory on page 9 Portland gives Court panel rules equal status to against FFRF over nonbelievers housing allowance City is the second with A three-judge panel of the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago on March 15 ruled against the ordinance protecting Freedom From Religion Foundation’s historic chal- lenge of a housing allowance in the tax code that against discrimination uniquely privileges clergy. FFRF had won a favorable ruling by a federal judge Portland, Ore., has become the second city in 2017, who found unconstitutional the provision in The coalition that helped pass the Portland, Ore., in the country to give nonbelievers equal status, the tax code that allows “ministers of the gospel” to ordinance protecting nonbelievers includes (from thanks to the efforts of the Freedom From Religion exclude from gross income any “housing allowance” left) Cheryl Kolbe, president, FFRF – Portland Area Foundation and its local chapter. paid by their church. Chapter; Amanda Fritz, commissioner, Portland City On Feb. 27, the Portland City Council The 7th Circuit panel, in a decision written by Council; Kimberly McCullough, policy director, ACLU unanimously approved an ordinance explicitly Judge Michael B. Brennan, found that the plaintiffs of Oregon; Cynthia Castro, policy advisor for Fritz; conferring on nonbelievers the same protections and FFRF had proved their standing, and have prop- Markisha Smith, director, Office of Equity and Human (against discrimination in housing, employment erly alleged a “concrete, dollars-and-cents injury.” Rights; and Koffi Dessou, manager, Office of Equity and public accommodations) granted to religious Nevertheless, it ruled 3-0 against FFRF on the mer- and Human Rights. people. its. The other judges are William Bauer and Daniel “The proposed changes to our civil rights code Manion. may seem like a minor tweak, but they are signifi- In July 2017, FFRF’s Portland chapter contact- A billion-dollar tax benefit to “ministers of the gos- cant for the many, many Portlanders who identify ed ACLU of Oregon and they jointly began work pel,” in the minds of these three judges, “has a secu- as nonreligious,” Commissioner Amanda Fritz said. with Fritz’s office on this project. Cheryl Kolbe, lar legislative purpose, its principal effect is neither “Remarkably, I have not received one email against president of the FFRF chapter, testified earlier in to endorse nor to inhibit religion, and it does not this proposal.” February before the City Council in favor of the cause excessive government entanglement.” The only other city to pass a similar nondiscrim- ordinance. FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor, one of ination regulation has been Madison, Wis., FFRF’s “The question isn’t about which is right or better the plaintiffs, responded: “The housing allowance is hometown, in 2015. This isn’t a coincidence, since — religion or nonbelief,” she said. “It is about so clearly a handout to churches and clergy, and it so FFRF member Anita Weier, supported by FFRF, protection against discrimination. We are not clearly shows preferential treatment and discrimina- was a driving force behind Madison’s statute. FFRF asking for any special rights or privileges. We are tion in favor of ministers.” used that city’s law as a role model in its similar push in Portland. See Portland on page 5 See Housing on page 9 Page 2 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | April 2019 Rocket scientist hopes to launch book Name: Emory Lynn. cult call because there are so many. To pick Where I live: Huntsville, Ala. one, I’ll go with Carl Sagan. He was an ex- Where and when I was born: Savannah, tremely gifted and influential advocate for Ga., 1946. science and secularity. High honorable men- Family: Wife Shealy, son Kevin of Denver tion: Charles Darwin, for obvious reasons; and daughter Christine and granddaughter and Al Gore because of his tireless work to Isabelle and grandson Owen of Huntsville. draw attention to climate change, in spite of Education: B.S. in aerospace engineering the relentless B.S. he has been subjected to. and MBA from Auburn University. A quotation I like: “Some believers accuse Occupation: I retired in 2005 as a launch skeptics of having nothing left but a dull, vehicle design engineer. My career in the cold, scientific world. I am left with only art, aerospace industry, mostly with NASA, in- music, literature, theatre, the magnificence cluded work on the Saturn V and space of nature, mathematics, the human spirit, shuttle programs, and feasibility studies sex, the cosmos, friendship, history, science, on launch vehicle and space systems in the imagination, dreams, oceans, mountains, Advanced Concepts Office at the Marshall love and the wonder of birth. That’ll do for Space Flight Center in Huntsville. The career me.” — Lynne Kelly (Australian science writ- achievement I am most proud of was the de- er, researcher and science educator). velopment of a launch vehicle design (com- These are a few of my favorite things: The puter) program, which took me eight years great outdoors, landscaping around home, to complete. That is now NASA’s standard hunting cagey whitetail bucks in nearby analytical program for creating initial launch mountains with camera or bow and arrow, vehicle designs. The first design for the space reading and forever learning, beagle pup- shuttle replacement vehicle, called the Space pies, an infant’s smile. Launch System (SLS), was achieved with this These are not: Global warming, global Emory Lynn program, as were the initial designs for more warming deniers, science fiction (for me, than 60 launch vehicle concepts from which the SLS to get published soon. It’s called Upon Further Review: real science is too fascinating to spend time on the was selected. America’s plans for returning to the The Search for Truth and Reality in the Abrahamic Faiths. other), the Donald, sloppily written texts and e-mail moon and venturing to Mars are riding on the SLS, The title is a reflection of my journey to nonbelief. messages that make little or no sense, overseas cus- the most powerful rocket ever, that took its first steps My admittedly very ambitious goal is to provide more tomer support personnel who sound like they’re with the program I developed. useful information about what is true and not true speaking in tongues. How I got to where I am today: I was raised in about one religion in particular, Christianity, than is My doubts about religion started: This was a slow Christianity (Methodism) and long professed to be available in any other single source. Consequently, it and steady march beginning in about my late 20s. The a Christian. However, for over 30 years I drifted on a is not a small book. more I contemplated the religion I was raised in, the sea of doubt about the actual existence of anything Where I’m headed: My next task is to get the less sense it made, until I was troubled enough to be- beyond the natural world. I became determined to book published. To introduce it to the public, I’ve gin a “second career”— sorting fact from fiction about eventually do whatever was nec- created a website: emorylynn. religion, beyond any reasonable doubt. essary to sort through it all and A R com. The site thoroughly de- Ways I promote freethought: First, I recently in- arrive at a conclusion I could scribes the book and includes creased my support of FFRF by upgrading my Life confidently base the remainder of my life on. Sorting numerous extensive excerpts that should be en- Membership to After-Life. Second, I hope to become fact from fiction began in earnest a few years before I joyable and informative reading. Feel free to visit a significant freethought influence through Upon retired. I have now spent 17 years rigorously research- the site. I hope to become a significant influence in Further Review. ing every topic I thought might have any relevance to the trend toward nonbelief in America. The book Before I die: Hopefully, I will live to see the suffo- the truth of religion in general, but more specifically contains a wealth of factual information that other cating tentacles of religion withdrawn from American to the truth of the Abrahamic religions of Christian- nonbelievers, who are more skilled at debating and public life because of an expanding awareness of the ity, Judaism and , and even more so to Christi- speaking than I am, can use to more effectively con- poverty of truth and reality in religious doctrine. Also, anity. From this research, I have just finished writing front religious apologetics. I’d like to visit Great Britain and Norway to see where a very comprehensive and in-depth book that I hope Person in history I admire and why: This is a diffi- many of my ancestors came from. Barker has a Prayer FFRF welcomes 21 new Lifers FFRF member Diane Buckner of Georgia was reading FFRF welcomes and thanks our 21 Washington and Wisconsin. the 2013 fiction book, Prayer, by Philip Kerr, when she came new Lifetime Members. FFRF has also learned that one across the name of FFRF Co-President Dan Barker in the text. Included among the new Life Mem- member has become an Immortal: Wil- From Page 24 of the paperback version: bers are five who were given gift mem- liam Fischer of Colorado. “Coogan unzipped the bag and handed me a paperback berships from Lifetime Member Dr. The Immortals category is a dona- book titled All the Possible Gods. The author was Philip Harold Saferstein. (Thanks, Harold!) tion designation for those members Osbourne. As soon as I saw it, I laughed. Those five are Carole Abele, Howard who have contacted FFRF to report ‘Only an hour or two ago Ruth was giving me hell for Johnson, Steve Metzger, Elizabeth Sow- they have made provisions for FFRF in reading this book. And several others like it.’ ell and Lacey Wieser. their estate planning. “‘Oh? Such as?’ The other new $1,000 Lifetime Special thanks to all of our new Life “‘Dawkins, Hitchens, [fictional] Peter Eckman,’ I shrugged. ‘Sam Harris, Members are Darrin Alber, Peter An- Members and Immortal. Dan Barker, Daniel Dennett. . .’ dreae, Duke Dayton, Willy Evans, Coogan chuckled. ‘That’s virtually the whole pantheon of disbelief you Charles Hasseltine, Dr. Kenneth Hoff- have there.’” man, Alec Lothert, Suzanne Marshall, Ronald M. McLaughlin, John Morris, Include FFRF In Elizabeth Mullis, Mark Mullis, Dr. Jon- Your Estate Planning athan Richmond, David Riedl, John Sabourin and Don Terry. States represented are Arizona, Cal- Arrange a bequest in your will ifornia, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Published by Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. or trust, or make the Freedom Missouri, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, From Religion Foundation the P.O. Box 750 Madison WI 53701 beneficiary of an insurance policy, bank account or IRA. [email protected] FFRF.org P 608.256.8900 F 608.204.0422 Lead Us Not Into Penn Station: IT’S EASY TO DO! Provocative Pieces EDITOR PJ Slinger [email protected] For related information EDITOR EMERITUS Bill Dunn By Anne Gaylor (or to receive a bequest EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER Annie Laurie Gaylor A must-have for brochure), please contact: GRAPHIC DESIGNER Roger Daleiden any freethinker, this gracefully readable Annie Laurie Gaylor COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Amit Pal book contains Gaylor’s at (608) 256-8900 CONTRIBUTORS classic writings. info@ rf.org Philip Appleman, Jim Curtis, Cheryl Kolbe, Ingrid Laas, Chris Line, Published by FFRF Bailey Nachreiner-Mackesey, Jake Swenson Buy it from FFRF online Freedom depends The only freethought newspaper in the United States shop.ff rf.org on freethinkers April 2019 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 3

Oct. 18-20 in Madison, Wis. Sarah Vowell to speak at FFRF’s convention who has dedicated her career to making our coun- patches, he broke the story about Project Blitz, a try more inclusive. She has a proven track record of Christian Right state legislative campaign with long- uniting both faith and secular leaders and advocacy range theocratic intentions. organizations to make tangible progress on some of the most important issues of our time. Prior to her Anthony B. Pinn role at AU, she served as the deputy director of the Pinn, who will be receiving Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, direct- FFRF’s Emperor Has No Clothes ed the Culture Program at and worked Award, is the Agnes Cullen Ar- as senior counsel at the National Women’s Law Cen- nold Professor of Humanities ter. She also serves as a national board member of and professor of religion at Rice NARAL Pro-Choice America. University. He received his B.A. from Columbia University, Master Wendy Davis of Divinity and Ph.D. in the study Anthony B. Pinn Photo by Bennett Miller Davis, who gained na­tional of religion from Harvard Uni- Sarah Vowell prominence in 2013 when she versity. He is the founding director of the Center held a 13-hour filibuster to pro- for Engaged Research and Collaborative Learning Best-selling author Sarah Vowell has been add- tect women’s reproductive free- also at Rice University. In addition, he is director ed to the growing list of speakers for FFRF’s 42nd doms in Texas, will receive FFRF’s of research for the Institute for Humanist Studies. annual convention the weekend of Friday, Oct. 18, 2019 Forward Award. The award He is the author/editor of over 35 books, includ- through Sunday, Oct. 20, at the Monona Terrace recognizes those who are moving ing When Colorblindness Isn’t the Answer: Community and Convention Center, 1 John Nolen society forward. Davis, raised by Wendy Davis and the Challenge of Race (2017); Humanism: Essays in Drive, in Madison, Wis. a single mother, herself a mother Race, Religion, and Cultural Production (2015); Writ- Other speakers added recently include women’s by 19, became the first in her family to graduate­ from ing God’s Obituary: How a Good Methodist Became a Bet- rights activist Wendy Davis, Americans United for the college, ultimately graduating with honors from Har- ter Atheist (2014). Separation of Church & State President Rachel Laser vard Law School. Elected to the Texas state Senate in and “Liberal Redneck” comedian Trae Crowder. 2008, she sponsored bills on everything from cancer Andrew L. Seidel As always, it will be a weekend of great speakers, prevention to payday lending to protecting victims Seidel, an attorney and author, awesome people, good food, irreverent music and of sexual assault. In 2016, Davis founded Deeds Not is the director of strategic re- wonderful conversation. See the back page for con- Words to give women the tools needed to make real sponse at FFRF, where he uses his vention information. Or go to ffrf.org/convention2019. progress. law degree to challenge religious Photo by Chris Line by Photo FFRF’s confirmed speakers include: bullies. Seidel’s first book The Trae Crowder Founding Myth: Why Christian Na- Sarah Vowell He has recently earned na- tionalism Is Un-American features a She is best-selling author of tional attention (or notoriety, foreword by author Susan Jacoby Andrew L. Seidel seven nonfictions books on American history and depending on your viewpoint) and a preface by FFRF Co-Presi- culture. Her more recent books include Lafayette in for his “Liberal Redneck” series dent Dan Barker. the Somewhat United States, , The Wordy of viral videos. Crowder has been The Founding Myth comes out in May and is high- Shipmates and . By examining performing his particular brand ly anticipated with positive reviews by many, includ- the connections between the American past and of Southern-fried intellectual ing evolutionary biologist Jerry Coyne (“Seidel has present, she offers personal, often humorous ac- comedy in the Southeast and be- Trae Crowder done a great service, strengthening Jefferson’s wall counts of everything from presidents and their assas- yond for the past six years. between church and state”) and renowned constitu- sins to colonial religious fanatics. Trae’s videos have received more than 70 million tional scholar Erwin Chemerinsky, who described it Vowell was a contributing editor for the public ra- views. He is coming off an 80-plus city sold-out stand- as “a beautifully written book” that “explodes a fre- dio show “” from 1996-2008. She up comedy tour in support of his best-selling book quently expressed myth: that the United States was was one of the original contributors to McSweeney’s, Liberal Redneck Manifesto: Draggin Dixie Outta the Dark. created as a Christian nation.” also participating in many of the quarterly’s read- He has appeared on “,” “Real Time with ings and shows. She has been a columnist for Salon. Bill Maher,” “The View,” “Last Word with Lawrence Mandisa Thomas com, Time, San Francisco Weekly, and is a contribut- O’Donnell,” “WTF with Marc Maron,” and NPR. Thomas, who will be named ing op-ed writer for the New York Times. Vowell has FFRF’s 2019 Freethought Hero- made numerous appearances on the “Late Show with Frederick Clarkson ine, is the founder and president David Letterman,” “Late Night with O’Brien” Clarkson is a senior research of Black Nonbelievers. She has a and the “Daily Show with .” She is the analyst at Political Research As- number of media appearances to voice of teen superhero in “The Incredi- sociates, a progressive think tank her credit, including “CBS Sunday bles,” and its sequel, “Incredibles 2.” in Somerville, Mass. He is the au- Morning,” CNN, and Playboy, The thor, co-author or editor of several Humanist and JET magazines. Mandisa Thomas Rachel Laser books, including Eternal Hostility: Thomas currently serves on the She will be accepting the The Struggle Between Theocracy and Boards for American Atheists and the $10,000 Henry Zumach Freedom Democracy and Dispatches from the Frederick Clarkson Coalition, and previously for Foundation Beyond From Religious Fundamentalism Religious Left: The Future of Faith and Belief and the Secular Coalition for America. Addi- Award on behalf of Americans Politics in America. He has written about politics and tionally, she was named the Unitarian Universalist United for the Separation of religion for a wide range of publications for more Humanist Association’s 2018 Person of the Year. Church & State (AU). Laser is than three decades, from Mother Jones, Church & president and CEO at AU. She is State, and Ms. Magazine to The Christian Science More details and online registration can be found a lawyer, advocate and strategist Rachel Laser Monitor and Salon.com. Last year in Religion Dis- on the back page or at ffrf.org/convention2019.

View daily quotes at ffrf.org/day Freethought Today caption contest! FREETHOUGHT OF THE DAY

“Since it is obviously inconceivable that all religions can be right, the most reasonable conclusion is that they are all wrong.”

FFRF Board Chair Stephen Hirtle sent us this photo. To enter the contest, Christopher Hitchens please write a witty or humorous caption for this photo. Email your “The Lord and the Intellectuals” response to [email protected] by April 24. The winner, chosen by FFRF staff, will receive an FFRF T-shirt! We will announce the winner and runners-up in Harper’s (1982) the May issue. © 2018 Freedom From Religion Foundation Photo by Brent Nicastro Page 4 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | April 2019 HEADS UP IN MEMORIAM A Poetry Column By Philip Appleman Diane Olson, marriage JUDAS Ask Peter, ask Paul — the really unbearable part equality activist, dies at 65 was figuring out those hillbilly parables We understood the straight stuff, “Blessed Diane Olson, who, along with her wife, was the first lesbian plaintiff to are the peacemakers,” and such, but not file a successful lawsuit that brought those constant “It is like unto’s . . .” marriage equality to California, died of They always sent shivers through us—we knew brain cancer on Jan. 16. there’d be catechism after the sermon. Diane was also the granddaughter “It is like unto sowing seeds,” he’d say of California Gov. Culbert Levy Olson, in that Nazarene country drawl, who ran on the platform of “separa- “some of them fall on good soil, tion of church and state.” Her sister is others on rock.” Well, everybody knows that, Debra Deanne Olson, who spoke at but what did he mean by it? FFRF’s convention in San Francisco in He’d only say, “Who hath ears to hear, November. let him hear.” Big help. Diane and her wife, Robin Tyler, Or he’d say, “It is like unto a mustard seed were the first to be allowed to marry in County, because they were that grows into a huge plant.” Mmm-hmm. the first to file suit in California, chal- He’d say, “The kingdom of heaven lenging the law which denied same sex is like unto leaven,” and so on. couples the right to marry. And then, of course, that inevitable Robin and Diane decided to take Diane Olson “Who hath ears to hear,” etcetera. legal action, because Robin was retir- We were always as nervous as cats in a doghouse, ing and her union would not extend their wedding in front of the Beverly John sneaking glances at James, James medical benefits to the couple after Hills Courthouse, surrounded by their dragging his toe in the sand and looking retirement as they were not “married.” families, friends and attorneys. at Thomas, Thomas looking doubtful, Attorney Gloria Allred, a friend of the Olson joined Tyler’s International all of us hoping that someone would understand. couple, agreed to take their case and Tour Company for lesbians and for 20 But we never did, not one single time—finally represent them pro bono. years they travelled around the world. he always had to explain. “The field Diane was raised in Beverly Hills, In 2012, Diane developed lung and for four years Robin and Diane cancer that metastasized into brain is the world,” he’d say, his eyebrows grim went to the Beverly Hills courthouse cancer in 2016. After treatment, they as a tax collector, “The good seed with other activists to demand a mar- continued to participate in LGBT are the children of the kingdom, get it?” riage license prior to Allred’s filing the politics, and travel the world until the Oh, sure, it’s easy when you already suit on Feb. 23, 2004. On June 16, 2008, couple’s last yearly visit to Cancun in know the answer, but media from all over the world covered October 2018. suppose it’d been you, hearing for the hundredth time those words like needles in your nerves, “It is like unto, it is like unto . . . ” Lifer Louise Grant dies at 88 It drives you over the edge, finally, even Lifetime Member Louise Grant, try, wherever work assignments took Peter claiming he didn’t know him, beloved wife of James, died on Jan. 24 them. They also danced on numerous and I . . . Well, at the age of 88 in Tempe, Ariz. She vacation cruises around the world. was a kind and loving, wife, mother Louise is survived by her husband with or without those thirty pieces of silver, and friend. James, her sister Jean, and children it’s a wonder that none of the others Louise was born in New York City Richard, Louise, Linda, and Victo- crossed him first. and later moved to Arizona, where ria, and several grandchildren and From Perfidious Proverbs and Other Poems: she met James. Louise loved to dance great-grandchildren. A Satirical Look At The Bible (square, round and ballroom) and they James is also an FFRF Lifetime danced in many places across the coun- Member. © Philip Appleman. Philip Appleman is a Dis­tinguished Pro­fessor Harold Mann was 35-year member Emeri­tus at In­dia­na Uni­ver­si­ty. He is editor of the Norton Critical Edition of Darwin. He and Longtime FFRF Member Harold spiritual home his playwright wife, Marjorie Appleman, are Mann died in his home on among Unitar- both “After-Life” Members of FFRF. Nov. 20, 2018. ians and secu- Born in 1928, he was raised and ed- lar humanists, Other books of his, available at shop.ffrf.org, ucated in Charleston, S.C. He left in many of whom

Photo by Brent Nicastro Brent by Photo include Karma, Dharma, Pudding & Pie and 1950 to become an Army paratrooper. he admired Darwin’s Ark: Poems by Philip Appleman. His obituary in the Atlanta Jour- for their ef- nal-Constitution states: “Except for forts to build those Army years, he had a series of de- a better world lightful and well-loved dogs, dear com- Harold Mann for us all.” panions who adored him. He had an He is sur- “Freethought Matters” will air through May 31, then will return in the fall. eclectic career from Wall Street to Cox vived by his wife of 43 years, Sally Visit FFRF’s YouTube Channel to watch past shows. Enterprises. He spent much of his life Mitchell. Sally and Harold were instru- haunting libraries and recording many mental in the forming of FFRF’s Ala- Freethought Matters books for the blind. A life-long reli- bama chapter and have been members A new weekly half-hour TV talk show produced by FFRF. gious skeptic and agnostic, he found a of FFRF since 1984. An antidote to religion on the airwaves and Sunday morning sermonizing. Freethought Matters TV Talk Show airs in: Watch our show every Sunday! Chicago WPWR-CW (Ch. 50) 8:30 a.m. Freedom from Religion Foundation Denver KWGN-CW (Ch. 2) 7 a.m. P.O. Box 750 • Madison, WI 53701 • (608) 256-8900 • FFRF.org Houston KUBE-IND (Ch. 57) 9 a.m. Los Angeles KCOP-MY (Ch. 13) 8:30 a.m. Madison, Wis. WISC-TV (Ch. 3) 11 p.m. What is the Freedom From Religion Foundation? Minneapolis KSTC-IND (Ch. 45) 9 ; 9:30 a.m. Founded in 1978 as a national organization of freethinkers (atheists and New York City WPIX-IND (Ch. 11) 8:30 a.m. agnostics), the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc., works to keep state Phoenix* KASW-CW (Ch. 61) 8:30 a.m. and church separate and to educate the public about the views of nontheists. Portland, Ore. KRCW-CW (Ch. 32) 9 a.m. FFRF has more than 31,000 members. FFRF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and Sacramento KQCA-MY (Ch. 58) 8:30 a.m. donations are tax deductible for income tax purposes. Seattle KONG-IND (Ch. 16) 8 a.m. FFRF’s email address is [email protected]. Please include your name and physical Washington, D.C. WDCW-CW (Ch. 15) 8:30 a.m. mailing address with all email correspondence. *(In Phoenix: Ch. 61 or 6 or 1006 for HD) FFRF members wishing to receive online news releases, “action alerts” and Go to: ffrf.org/freethought-matters for more information “Freethought of the Day” should contact [email protected]. April 2019 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 5 FFRF’s student essay competitions offer $72K The Freedom From Religion Foun- Deadline: June 1. dation is pleased to announce its five Michael Hakeem Es- 2019 essay competitions for freethink- say Contest for Freethinking College ing students, including a brand new Students: Currently enrolled college one this year for law school students. students (up to age 24) may write on: Total prizes to be awarded will be more “Living in the here and now — with than $72,000! This year, FFRF has in- ‘no hell below us, above us only sky.’” creased both the number of major (FFRF thanks Phil Zuckerman, author prizes and the scholarship amounts. and professor of sociology and secular “There have never before been so studies at Pitzer College, for suggest- many ‘Nones’ and nonreligious stu- ing the topics for this and the high dents, and we at FFRF are delighted school competition.) Word limit: 450- to offer these contests to reward inde- 650. Deadline: July 1. pendent thinking,” says FFRF Co-Pres- The David Hudak Memorial Con- ident Dan Barker. test for College Students of Color: The four contests, not including Students ages 17-21 (including col- the one for law students, now have 10 lege-bound high school seniors or only endows this contest, but is un- religious rights of service providers prizes: First place — $3,500; second currently enrolled college students) derwriting a new Bible Accountability and the civil and equal protection place — $3,000; third place — $2,500; may write on the topic of: “How has Project with FFRF. Word limit: 550- rights of members of the public most fourth place — $2,000; fifth place — being free from religion enhanced 750. Deadline: Aug. 1. likely to be refused services. Include $1,500; sixth place — $1,000; seventh your life?” They are also asked to re- Essay Contest for Law School Stu- some analysis of what’s wrong gener- place — $750; eighth place — $500; flect on how the secular community dents: This contest is open to all on- ally with any “religious exemption or ninth place — $400; and 10th place can better engage people of color. going law school students up to age refusal” proposal. — $300. (Thanks to Black Nonbelievers Pres- 30 already attending a North Ameri- Word limit: 850-1,000 words. Dead- The prizes for the law school stu- ident Mandisa Thomas for this year’s can law school. You remain eligible to line: July 1. dents’ competition are: First place topic.) This contest is offered to pro- enter this contest if you will graduate Additional prompts on the topics — $4,000; second place — $3,000; vide support and acknowledgment from law school by spring or summer and other important information and third place — $2,000; fourth place — for freethinking students of color, of 2019. You are not eligible to enter if contest rules can be found at: ffrf.org/ $1,000; fifth place — $750; sixth place as a minority within a minority. The you will be starting law school for the studentessay. — $500. three other contests are open to all first time in the fall of 2019. Students are required to submit FFRF also offers optional honor- students. Students may only enter The essay topic is “What’s wrong their essay via the online application, able mentions of $200 for all five con- one FFRF contest. Word limit: 450- with ‘Religious Exemption or Refus- and should carefully review all contest tests. To encourage student activism, 650. Deadline: July 15. al’ laws?” State legislatures across the rules. All eligible entrants will receive Florida FFRF members Dean and Brian Bolton Essay Contest for country are considering or enacting a digital year-long student member- Dorea Schramm are providing a $100 Graduate/“Older” Students: Grad- a slew of “religious exemption” or ship in FFRF. bonus to any winner who’s a secular uate students (through age 30) and “religious refusal” bills. Such bills, FFRF is appreciative of FFRF mem- student club member. “older” undergrads (ages 25-30) will often misleadingly described as “con- bers who make the effort to contact William J. Schulz Memorial Es- ponder the topic: “The bible’s con- science clauses,” may allow providers local high schools, colleges and uni- say Contest for College-Bound High tinuing harm to civil and to refuse services based on the pro- versities to help publicize its compe- School Seniors: High school seniors U.S. society.” They are asked to select vider’s personal religious beliefs. titions. (See “ads” on the back inside graduating this spring and attending at least one destructive or erroneous Pick a religious refusal bill, in any cover of the Freethought Today wrap college in the fall are asked to discuss biblical passage whose influence con- state, under consideration or enact- that may be copied or cut out and sent the topic: “Why we must rely on our- tinues to cause harm today to individ- ed in the current legislative session to your local schools or student ac- selves, not God, to solve the world’s uals, civil liberties or society. Brian and evaluate whether the bill strikes quaintances.) Or pass along this link: problems.” Word limit: 300-350 words. Bolton is a retired professor who not an appropriate balance between the ffrf.org/studentessay. Cheryl Kolbe: ‘Protect all nonbelievers’ from discrimination The following is the testimony given by means they would have the backing This action will show Portland as a Cheryl Kolbe to the Portland, Ore., City of the law. They will know their rights. leader. To the best of my knowledge, Council on Feb. 13 regarding an ordi- Legally, they cannot be rejected for a Portland would be the second city in the nance that would protect nonbelievers from job, fired or treated any differently country to make this clarification. This discrimination. than other employees solely based on change says that Portland chooses to ood morning, my name is Cher- their nonbelief. Their rental applica- make certain that nonbelievers receive yl Kolbe, president and founder tion or request for accommodations the same protection from discrimina- Gof the Freedom From Religion can’t be rejected simply because they tion as those in any form of religion. Foundation — Portland area chapter are irreligious. This is very affirming for those of us who and I am a director on its national As a nonbeliever, I am not alone. Ac- are atheist, agnostic or any other form board. FFRF is a nonprofit organiza- cording to a 2015 study, Portland is the of nonbelief. It is the right thing to do. tion of nonbelievers that works to pro- most religiously unaffiliated metro area I wish to express my deep appreci- mote the constitutional principle of At the Feb. 13 Portland, Ore., City in the nation. This will positively impact ation to all who have been involved in separation of state and church, and to Council meeting, FFRF - Portland many people in Portland. this project — the ACLU for partner- educate the public on matters relating chapter President Cheryl Kolbe speaks This change is supported by Free- ing with FFRF, Commissioner Fritz’s of- to nontheism. It has more than 31,000 about the need for a nondiscrimination dom From Religion Foundation, Hu- fice for taking up this issue and for the members. In Oregon, there are over ordinance for nonbelievers. manists of Greater Portland, Secular excellent work by the Human Rights 1,000 members, including many who Coalition for Oregon, Center for In- Commission. And I thank the City live or work in Portland. should not be left to the interpretation quiry for both Portland and Southeast Council for taking the time today for I am like all of you in many respects. of the courts. Portland and Protect Our Children. this issue. I value freedom and my family. I believe I wish to be very clear. The question in compassion, public service, kindness isn’t about which is right or better — re- Portland and consideration of all. I believe all ligion or nonbelief. It is about protection communities should be welcoming to against discrimination. We are not ask- Continued from page 1 all people. I differ from many in that ing for any special rights or privileges. merely asking for the same protections FFRF hails the ordinance as I simply lack a belief in a god or gods. We are merely asking for the same pro- against discrimination in housing, a landmark for the freethinking What I don’t believe is that this one fac- tections against discrimination in hous- employment and accommodations community. tor, being a nonbeliever, is justification ing, employment and accommodations that are afforded to those in a religion.” “Portland has proven itself to be on for discrimination. The ordinance be- that are afforded to those in a religion. The measure has made certain that the cutting edge yet again,” says FFRF fore you would protect all nonbelievers I own my own home, am retired, it will not be left to a judge’s discretion Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor. in the city of Portland. and am fortunate to not need any ac- to determine whether nonbelievers “City officials have demonstrated that At present, neither the city or the commodations. So why am I passion- are protected. This protection against the rights of nonbelievers are every bit state expressly prohibits discrimination ate about this? For me, this change is a discrimination will be especially bene- as important to them as any other seg- based on nonbelief, leaving it open to validation that I am a human being of ficial in a community as freethinking as ment of the local population.” the courts to determine if nonbelief is the same value to society as my fellow Portland. It is the most religiously unaf- FFRF commends the effort put in protected. Even though existing Ore- Portland community members. It says: filiated metro area in the nation, with by its Portland chapter and its presi- gon courts have thus far ruled that non- My city values me and affirms that it is 42 percent of the city and surrounding dent, Cheryl Kolbe, working together belief is protected, some courts across unacceptable for others to discriminate suburbs self-identifying as religiously with FFRF Director of Strategic Re- the country have ruled in the oppo- against me and others like me. Valida- unaffiliated, according to a 2015 study sponse Andrew Seidel and FFRF Se- site direction. In the real world, opin- tion matters to me. by the Public Religion Research Insti- nior Counsel Patrick Elliott, to make ions change, judges are replaced. This What does it mean to others? It tute (PPRI). this milestone legislation a reality. Page 6 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | April 2019 The problem with ‘sincerely held religious beliefs’

By Jim Curtis diagnosis of “delusion,” the antithesis of “reasonable.” The political pander- recent claim being made by lit- ing by psychiatrists is also practiced by igants and lawmakers as a legal judges who’ve abandoned objectivity A justification to deny rights to because they’re also indoctrinated certain minorities is that the claim- members of a religion. Resultingly, ants’ “sincerely held religious be- having a delusion currently may qual- liefs” give them an exemption from ify one for a legal exemption. That is equal-opportunity laws. Two of the pernicious, offensive and invidious. most visible cases in the public eye involve denial of services to gays and What can be done? denial of health care to females by I have some suggestions for the their employers. government. It could quiz the ap- Thus far, courts have accepted plicants on which specific beliefs claims of “sincerely held religious they’re claiming to get the legal ex- beliefs” on their emption, why they think that belief face without any is justified, and whether is it reason- challenge to the able. For example: “Explain how it is sincerity of the reasonable to conclude that baking a belief, any exam- cake for a gay couple is likely to land ination of what you in a place of post-life eternal tor- beliefs in particu- ture. Describe why it’s reasonable to lar are so offend- believe in a post-life place of eternal ed as to warrant torture. Establish a pattern of evi- legal exemp- errors and absurdities (or fictions) that result. A person who claims that dence that shows you act consistently tions, and wheth- called “The Holy Bible.” baking a cake for a gay person would in accordance with your claimed be- Jim Curtis er such beliefs What makes the baker’s claim so du- doom his or her afterlife existence liefs along a range of doctrines. Show are reasonable. bious is the indisputable fact that the should behave consistently and avoid that the beliefs you are citing to get During the draft for the war in same book (and chapter!) that forbids enabling any action that would brand a legal exemption are exclusively re- Vietnam, many targeted inductees the “laying of a man with a man as one him or her as an accomplice to “sin.” ligious, and not in any way based on applied for Conscientious Objector would a woman” (Leviticus) has at He or she would not “participate” ignorance or bigotry.” status. In order to have the applica- least another dozen “abominations to (their term) in adultery, divorce, Do we award exemptions for sin- tion granted, the U.S. government re- the Lord” that are not enforced by the fraud, lust, greed or envy (coveting, cerely held racist, flat-Earth, anarchist quired that the applicant’s reasoning baker or doesn’t bother the county the lubricant of ) or offens- or libertarian beliefs? Religious be- was sincerely religious, and instituted clerk enough to motivate them to be es against their claimed deity, includ- liefs should not get treated differently standards of evidence for such a claim. fastidious enforcers of morality. ing blasphemy. He or she would nev- from any other fringe beliefs. Until The standards were biased toward the Do the baker or clerk violate any of er serve a customer who exclaimed, such a time that anybody can provide self-described religious, and made a the other written rules in Leviticus? “Oh, my God!” (“taking the Lord’s conclusive scientific evidence of a fallacious correlation between sincere Do they eat shellfish? Wear mixed-fi- name in vain”). deity or any other uniquely religious beliefs and membership in a popu- ber clothing? Work on their Sabbath? If there truly was a place of eternal claims, they reside in the domain of lar religion and a history of public Have they been divorced? Further, do torture where fatuous infractions such fringe, and, no matter how popular, displays of piety. The government re- the baker or clerk bother to question as a failure to believe a dubious prop- do not deserve a scintilla of special quired evidence for a religious claim, all their customers on their eating osition was actu- treatment. and did not accept claims of sincerity habits, wardrobe choices, work sched- ally true, then it Lawyers engag- without challenge. That is precedent. ule or marital status? would be the mor- Religious beliefs should not get ing in litigation The claims that participating in a al obligation of should challenge gay wedding would violate a cake bak- Actions follow beliefs every compassion- treated differently from any claims of sincere- er’s religious beliefs is perhaps the If you believe a snowball is head- ate believing per- other fringe beliefs. ly held religious most famous case where this claim ed for your face, then you will likely son to try their ut- beliefs in cases of sincerely held religious beliefs was duck. If you believe there may be a most to convince and on appeals. made to excuse the baker from equal coyote or mountain lion lurking in everybody they encountered to accept The Supreme Court made a huge opportunity laws. This claim and the your shrubs, then you will likely take the same proposition. It would be as error by accepting Hobby Lobby’s case of Kentucky County Clerk Kim some precaution. If you believe your if one of their neighbors was about to claim of corporations having sincerely Davis over the issuing of a marriage significant other is cheating on you, drink a glass of poison. A moral per- held religious beliefs without a single license for a gay couple are coming al- then you will likely investigate. Ac- son would expend every effort trying challenge to its sincerity, what beliefs most exclusively from self-proclaimed tions follow beliefs, and most beliefs to stop a potential poison drinker. specifically were offended, how that practitioners of Christianity. They are usually backed by some sort of ev- Why aren’t all Christians totally offense squared with other prohibi- cite as the basis of their beliefs an an- idence, unless the believer is prone to hyperaggressive about trying to con- tions (imagined or specified in their cient book larded with contradictions, delusions. Religious believers actually vince nonbelievers not to poison their book of magic) to which it managed do use logic, despite popular skeptics’ souls? Wouldn’t that be a requirement to avoid offense, or most importantly, claim they have abdicated their power of any “good Christian?” Wouldn’t how any corporation can have reli- to use it. However, fallacious logic is that crusade never end until all non- gious beliefs. In an egregious instance ‘IN REASON WE TRUST’ still logic of a kind. believers are convinced otherwise? of judicial delinquency, the Supreme Self inking stamp If there were a malicious all-pow- The evidence shows that most Court erred in Hobby Lobby by not re- erful judge who would sentence your Christians are lackadaisical in regard versing the ludicrous finding of a pre- afterlife self to an eternity of torture to their evangelism, even the ones vious court that corporations are peo- if you didn’t follow the rules, then it who specifically call themselves ple. An insightful joke goes, “I won’t would be logical to always behave as “evangelicals.” Do their actions accept that corporations are people if violation of these rules would have comport with what they claim to until Texas executes one.” Courts or- believe? Since actions follow beliefs, dinarily respect stare decisis, but have we can conclude that a fair percentage made notable exceptions for rectify- of people who claim to believe certain ing prior mistakes. RECRUIT A MEMBER things actually don’t. Since litigation and prosecution NEW! Under “Delusional Disorder” in hinge on “reasonable doubt,” “reason- Sample copies for $2 the American Psychiatric Associa- ableness” and “reason,” we must ask Send $2 with the name and tion’s DSM-5 (the current Diagnos- whether it’s reasonable to believe in tic and Statistical Manual of Mental zombies, virgin birth, magic, demons, address of each person you Disorders), many of the behaviors talking flora and fauna, all powerful wish to receive a sample copy described are in line with claims and super-beings, otherworldly dimen- Carefully crafted to stamp out of Freethought Today to: actions of the religious. However, it’s sions, and indecisive, inconsistent and ‘god’ on U.S. currency. Good worth noting that the APA gives reli- ambiguous rule-makers, and whether for up to 2000 impressions. FFRF gious adherents a pass because reli- the book that contains these elements P.O. Box 750 gion is popular. That’s a shameful pro- is reliable enough to cite as justifica- $18 postpaid — Item#ST01 Madison, WI 53701 fessional breach, but peer pressure tion for those beliefs and the rules it can be immense, even to those who conveys, and whether a self-claimed Call 800/335-4021 Please send us only names study peer pressure. The fears, flights role of public enforcer is ever justified of likely supporters of imagination, beliefs in zombies, or reasonable. Online ffrf.org/shop Freedom depends upon freethinkers magic, ghosts and other-dimensional Jim Curtis is an FFRF member who lives worlds would scrupulously lead to a in Texas. April 2019 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 7 IN THE NEWS Cardinal Pell sentenced about sexual abuse of young people Taking on the Founding Myth by priests. This is up from 22 percent to 6 years in prison who said the same in 2002, the last Australian Cardinal George Pell, time Gallup conducted polling on this 77, was sentenced to six years in question. prison in March for molesting two Over the past year, the Roman 13-year-old choir boys while he was Catholic Church has experienced a archbishop of Melbourne in 1996. A renewed reckoning, as lay Catholics jury found him guilty in December of questioned whether the church’s se- sexual penetration of a child and four cretive, self-protective culture has real- counts of committing an indecent act ly changed since 2002 (when the Bos- with a child. He will be eligible for ton Globe’s investigation into clerical parole after serving three years and abuse and the church’s cover-up in the eight months. Boston area helped expose the scandal Pell, who headed the Vatican’s nationwide). Secretariat for the Economy — the third-highest Vatican post — is the Michigan AG: Hiding most-senior Catholic cleric ever to be sex misconduct is over convicted of child sex abuse. Pell didn’t testify at his five-week tri- Michigan Attorney General Dana al and continues to deny he assaulted Nessel delivered a strong message to the boys after he caught them drink- Photo by Chris Line Catholic churches in Michigan: The ing sacramental wine in St. Patrick’s FFRF Director of Strategic Response Andrew Seidel, left, shown with FFRF era of hiding sexual misconduct is Cathedral. The victim identified as “J” Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor and Dan Barker on the set of FFRF’s “Free- over. gave video testimony seen only by the thought Matters” TV show, has a new book called The Founding Myth: Why Since Michigan launched an in- jury about how Pell forced him to per- Christian Nationalism Is Un-American. Sterling Publications will be releasing vestigation into Catholic abuse in Au- form oral sex. The second alleged vic- the book in early May. FFRF members can order in advance at ffrf.org/shop gust 2018 under her predecessor, Bill tim died of a heroin overdose in 2014 to receive an autographed copy. Andrew is donating royalties for books pur- Schuette, Nessel said law enforcement at age 31. chased through FFRF. Madison, Wis.-area members are invited to Andrew’s received more than 300 tips of alleged Michael Advocate, who’s an abuse first book signing in May at FFRF’s office in Freethought Hall. (If you’re local, sexual abuse. survivor, told reporters “may Pell rot look for an invitation soon.) Michigan is among 44 states that in his cell” and said the sentence was have opened investigations into al- too lenient. “Less than four years’ jail leged misconduct in the Catholic time for destroying the lives of two in- Six charged in murder of six other charges. Church after Pennsylvania’s landmark nocent young boys? Is their life only atheist blogger Avijit Roy Damian’s father, Timothy Hauschul- state grand jury probe uncovered more worth two years each?” tz, 48, is charged with felony murder than 300 “predator” priests accused Trial details were suppressed in Six people have been charged and five other charges. of sexually abusing more than 1,000 the press until February because with the gruesome murder four years Tina McKeever-Hauschultz, 35, is victims. In October, law enforcement Pell faced a second trial in April on ago of atheist blogger Avijit Roy in charged with failing to prevent bodily raided all seven Michigan dioceses, be- charges he assaulted two other boys Bangladesh. harm, and intentionally contributing coming one of the first states to exe- as a young priest in the late 1970s Roy, a Bangladesh-born U.S. nation- to the delinquency of a child. cute statewide warrants. in a public pool in his hometown of al, was hacked to death on a busy road Ballarat. outside Dhaka University in February Abstinence sex education Democrats reintroduce Those charges were dismissed after 2015. His wife, Bonya Ahmed, was crit- on the rise in schools RFRA Do No Harm Act a judge ruled out two key prosecution ically injured in the attack. witnesses. Police investigators said 11 of the 12 From 2000 until 2014, the percent- Congressional Democrats reintro- militants from the outlawed Ansar al age of schools that required education duced on Feb. 28 an amendment to 45% of GOP: God wanted Islam group implicated in the murder in human sexuality fell to 48 percent the Religious Freedom Restoration Trump to be president took part in the street killing. from 67 percent. By 2014, half of mid- Act (RFRA) that aims to ensure the Dhaka police spokesman Masudur dle schools and more than three-quar- 1993 legislation is not used to per- A recent Fox News poll shows 45 Rahman said of the six, two are cur- ters of high schools were focusing on mit discrimination in the name of percent of Republicans believe God rently on the run. abstinence. Only a quarter of middle religion. wanted Donald Trump to be president. schools and three-fifths of high schools The Do No Harm Act states that Another 18 percent indicated that they Calif. bill would force taught about birth control. By contrast, RFRA “should not be interpreted to weren’t sure. priests to report abuse in 1995, 81 percent of boys and 87 per- authorize an exemption from general- In addition, according to the poll, cent of girls reported learning of birth ly applicable law that imposes the reli- a majority of white evangelical Chris- On Feb. 20, California state Sen. control in school. gious views, habits, or practices of one tians, 55 percent, believe that God Jerry Hill said he would file a bill to party upon another.” endorsed Trump for president. Only remove clergy members from a list of South Dakota requires Reintroduced by Rep. Joseph P. Ken- three in 10 evangelicals said categori- those exempt from reporting child ‘IGWT’ in all schools nedy III, D-Mass.; Rep. Bobby Scott, cally that they didn’t think Trump had abuse. D-Va.; and Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Ca- God’s explicit support in the election. As it stands, if someone walks into a South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem lif. — it was first introduced in 2017 in confessional booth and admits to mo- signed into law a bill requiring public response to the Supreme Court’s 2014 West Virginia sues lesting a child, the priest doesn’t have schools to prominently display “In God Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores decision. bishop, diocese to do anything with that information. We Trust.” Compare that to public school teach- Beginning in the 2019-20 school Poll: Trump signing The West Virginia attorney gener- ers, who are required by law to tell a year, every public school will be re- bibles is inappropriate al filed a lawsuit against a retired top social worker if they learn about (or quired to prominently display the bishop and the state’s only Catholic suspect) a child being abused. national motto. The bill requires the A poll released March 18 shows diocese on March 19, saying that they The Church, of course, doesn’t want display to be easily readable and no nearly two-thirds (65 percent) of Chris- “knowingly employed pedophiles.” to play by those rules. Vatican officials smaller than 12 inches tall and 12 tians in the United States found it in- The civil suit also alleges that the claim the “seal of confession” is sacro- inches wide. A prominent location is appropriate when President Trump diocese of Wheeling-Charleston and sanct. Anything said in a confessional defined as a school entryway, cafeteria signed the covers of at least two bibles Bishop Michael J. Bransfield “failed to booth must be kept secret no matter or other common area where students earlier in March at a Southern Bap- conduct adequate background checks” what. are likely to see it. tist church in Alabama while visiting a for employees of Catholic camps and community recovering from a deadly schools, and that they did not dis- Boy dies after punishment tornado outbreak. close “the inherent danger to parents for not knowing verses More Catholics thinking Videos show people holding out who purchased its services for their about leaving the church their bibles to the president and first children.” A 7-year-old boy in Manitowoc, Wis., lady Melania Trump to sign. Photos The lawsuit claims that the diocese was beaten, forced to carry around A growing number of Catholics show the president’s signature scrawled and the bishop violated the state’s a 44-pound log and was buried in are reconsidering their loyalty to the in large writing across the covers of a Consumer Credit and Protection Act. the snow before he died last year. A church as more and more cases of pair of bibles. Criminal prosecutions of individual 15-year-old boy and two adults have clerical sexual abuse and cover-ups be- Trump voters were the least likely abuse cases have often been hampered been charged with the murder of come known. to report they found the current pres- by statutes of limitation, but the West Ethan Hauschultz. A Gallup poll published March 13 ident signing bible covers to be inap- Virginia lawsuit is a civil action, and is The boy was being punished for not shows that 37 percent of Catholics in propriate, almost evenly split between directed at the church’s handling of knowing 13 bible verses the United States have questioned 43 percent who approved the action the problem, according to The New Damian Hauschultz, 15, is charged whether they will remain part of the and 42 percent who disapproved, the York Times. with first-degree reckless homicide and church this year amid recent news Morning Consult poll showed. Page 8 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | April 2019 FFRF NEWS Family-planning programs under assault by directive The Trump administration’s an- dent Annie Laurie Gaylor. “And it’s nouncement barring organizations that also unconscionable that the federal provide abortion referrals from receiv- rule is intended to fund overtly reli- ing federal family planning money is an gious groups seeking to miseducate, assault on women’s health care intend- judge and deny women true health ed to funnel millions of dollars toward care and choices.” religious, anti-abortion groups. Nothing could be more irrational The new federal directive, a domes- than for anti-abortion groups or pol- tic gag rule, in essence, will go into ef- iticians to oppose contraception. To fect in late April and is expected to be state the obvious, contraception, how- immediately tied up in court. The theo- ever imperfect, is the best way to avoid cratic intent behind the new federal unwanted pregnancies and the need rule is clear. House Republican Whip for abortion. Yet thanks to a cabal of Rep. Steve Scalise boasted: “Important- Catholic bishops and Protestant funda- ly, faith-based health organizations will mentalists, Obamacare’s contraceptive no longer be forced to compromise mandate has been in the theocratic their pro-life principles to receive gov- FFRF’s electronic marquee on the side of Freethought Hall in Madison, Wis., re- crosshairs since it was unveiled. The ernment funding.” cently backed Planned Parenthood. right of women workers to receive in- Under assault are the rights of the surance coverage for prescription con- largely low-income population served or contraceptive services — or both — er in many areas of the nation. traception of their choice was seriously by the federal family planning program by Planned Parenthood. Medical staff President Reagan in 1988 also barred eroded by the Supreme Court when it known as Title X. Under Title X, orga- working in facilities receiving Title X Title X clinics from referring or counsel- “blessed” a corporation’s “religious” nizations such as Planned Parenthood support now will not even be able to re- ing about abortions. The U.S. Supreme right to deny women workers insurance that get funds through the federal fer patients for abortions. Court upheld the domestic gag order in coverage if the corporation disapproves family planning program were already Planned Parenthood receives about 1991, but, fortunately, the George H.W. of their contraception choice. prohibited from using those funds for $60 million a year of Title X’s $286 mil- Bush administration did not implement As Margaret Sanger, the freethinker abortion services. Trump’s new rule, lion budget to provide contraception, it, and President Clinton rescinded the who founded Planned Parenthood, ob- however, orders separate books and breast and cervical cancer screening rule in 1993. served, “No woman can call herself free requires any clinic receiving Title X and treatment of sexually transmitted “The domestic gag order will egre- who does not own and control her body. federal funds to perform abortions in diseases. Currently, 1.6 million people giously interfere with a woman’s rights No woman can call herself free until she distinct facilities, which is, of course, receive coverage through Planned Par- of conscience and privacy, and is un- can choose consciously whether she will intended to shut down abortion care enthood — often the only such provid- conscionable,” says FFRF Co-Presi- or will not be a mother.” FFRF feature piece airs on PBS affiliates A short first-of-its-kind feature spot, “More wars have been waged, more defines “freethought” and includes brief “Spotlight on Freethought and the First people killed, in the name of religion interviews with FFRF Co-Presidents Dan Amendment,” produced in conjunction than by any other institutional force in Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor. with FFRF, has begun re-airing on select human history,” says the narrator. “So, Watch for little “cameos,” including national public television af-filiates. with such wildly contrasting beliefs in this appearances by Darwin, Einstein, Susan The spot is guaranteed to broadcast country, why aren’t we at each other’s B. Anthony, and shots of some memen- 500 times through April and reach 3 throats? Here’s why. It’s our Constitution tos at FFRF’s office, Freethought Hall, million people. When and where the and its very core of freedom from reli- a powerful quote by Mark Twain, and South Dakota short program, used as filler, will run gion. Our country was founded in part photographs by FFRF Director of Stra- cannot be announced beforehand. Pub- by refugees seeking freedom, seeking tegic Response Andrew Seidel of the lic TV affiliates decide which fillers are to escape centuries of religious persecu- Reason Rally crowd, and of then-FFRF should rescind needed the very day they are used. If you tions, holy inquisitions, witch hunts.” Staffer Katie Daniel giving the Westboro catch one of the spots on your local pub- The show description sent to affili- Baptists the thumbs down when they endorsement lic TV affiliate, please be sure to thank it ates reads: “America has more diversity, picketed an FFRF event. promptly and encourage it to rebroad- faiths, religions, and cultures than any “We warmly thank FFRF members of the bible cast “Spotlight on Freethought and the other country in the world. And yet we who contributed to FFRF’s advertising/ First Amendment.” all seem to get along pretty well. Only in PR fund, whose generosity made possi- FFRF has urged South Dakota to Larry Cohen was senior producer a country where we can be free of reli- ble the filming and airing of this first-of- rescind permission to print the official of the “Spotlight On” series, which airs gion in our government can we then be its-kind segment,” says Gaylor. state seal on bibles. short informational documentaries free to practice our own or choose not Only the first three months of air- Many South Dakota state legislators as filler on public television affiliates. to follow any faith. This segment focuses ing are monitored by Nielsen Ratings, recently received bibles emblazoned This is still believed to be the first such on our freedom to practice our faith, or but “Spotlight On” segments often run with the seal of the state of South Da- segment featuring discussion of free- no faith — exactly as we want.” far longer. The program is not offered kota on the cover. These bibles were ap- thought, atheism — and the dangers of The message talks about the benefits as a part of any PBS national program parently produced by Capitol Commis- mixing state and church. of the secular U.S. form of government, service. sion, a North Carolina-based Christian ministry that “is committed to making disciples of Jesus Christ in the capitol FFRF co-sponsors freethinking communities of the world.” According FFRF’s classic to Jarvis Wipf, Capitol Commission’s women of color’s gathering “state minister” for South Dakota, the ‘Freethinker’ mug ministry received permission to use the The Freedom From Religion Foun- anti-racism and racial justice action. Our classic ‘Freethinker’ mug has seal from former South Dakota Secre- dation is proudly co-sponsoring the Black Nonbelievers, the Black Skep- been re-created. White imprint on tary of State Shantel Krebs. Women of Color Beyond Belief Con- tics Group and the Women’s Leader- classic blue, matte finish. 9.5 fl.oz. American-made mug. It is well-settled law that government ference in October. ship Project are partnering to put to- offices may not endorse religion, FFRF Scheduled for Oct. 4-6 at the Mar- gether the event. NEW! reminds South Dakota Secretary of riott Midway Hotel in Chicago, it will “The conference aims to create State Steve Barnett. be the first national secular forum ex- more inclusive opportunities in secu- “Giving permission for the state seal clusively focused on the perspectives lar organizing, policy and practice,” to be printed on bible covers sends a of women of color who are atheists, say conference organizers Mandisa clear message that the state of South agnostics, humanists, freethinkers Thomas, Sikivu Hutchinson and Bria Dakota endorses the messages in the and skeptics. It will highlight the work Crutchfield. bible,” writes FFRF Legal Fellow Colin of women of color within the secular FFRF, the largest event co-sponsor, McNamara. community and provide a multiracial, is joined by Secular Woman and the FFRF is requesting that the state re- feminist vision of leadership and activ- American Humanist Association. voke permission to use its official seal ism in . The panels, presen- Scholarship support is available and — Item#MU01 on any religious texts or iconography. tations, workshops and performances child care will be provided by Camp $20 postpaid Additionally, FFRF is requesting public will touch on a range of issues, includ- Quest. The conference invites every- records relating to the granting of per- ing church-state separation activism, one to attend, as a prime objective is Call 800/335-4021 mission for Capitol Commission to use religion in marginalized communities, for women of color to be heard by the Online ffrf.org/shop the state seal on the bible. violence against women, and feminism, rest of the secular community. April 2019 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 9 FFRF seeks to sustain victory against Texas Gov. Abbott A historic triumph for free speech — especially for nonbelievers — in the Lone Star State is being defended in appeals court. FFRF filed its brief Feb. 13 in the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to sustain its win last year in federal court against Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s removal of its winter solstice Bill of Rights “nativity” from the state Capitol in 2015. FFRF had placed a permitted dis- play celebrating the winter solstice and Bill of Rights Day in December 2015 in response to a Christian nativi- ty at the Texas Capitol. The whimsical display, depicting Founding Fathers This is one of a collection of cartoons by Don Addis drawn just for Freethought and the Statue of Liberty celebrating FFRF’s Bill of Rights “nativity” was the “birth” of the Bill of Rights (ad- Today, which will soon be published by FFRF in book form, Cartoons for the Irrev- removed from the Texas Capitol by erent: Celebrating the Wit of Don Addis. Don, who died in 2009, was an editorial opted Dec. 15, 1791), had the requi- Gov. Greg Abbott in 2015. site sponsorship from a Texas legisla- cartoonist for the St. Petersburg Times. In his retirement, he created more than tor. Abbott, as chair of the Texas State also issue an injunction against the cen- 100 cartoons for FFRF. Preservation Board, ordered FFRF’s sorship of FFRF’s display in the future. display taken down only three days af- A second issue on appeal, raised by Housing ter it was erected, lambasting it as in- FFRF, is whether the 5th Circuit should Continued from page 1 decent, mocking and contributing to reverse the lower court’s rejection of public immorality. FFRF’s challenge to the State Preserva- The provision also clearly discrimi- finding sent “shockwaves through the In a final judgement issued last tion Board’s standards of review for dis- nates against nontheistic leaders who religious community,” according to the June, U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks, play applications. FFRF argues that the are similarly situated to clergy, Gaylor Evangelical Council for Financial Ac- for the Western District of Texas — requirement that displays have a “pub- added, especially since the sponsor countability, which bitterly fought the Austin Division, declared that Abbott lic purpose” grants government offi- of the 1954 law challenged by FFRF, ruling. had violated FFRF’s free speech rights. cials unbridled discretion to reject ap- Rep. Peter Mack, argued that ministers In November 2014, the 7th Circuit (FFRF had received an initial ruling in plications for impermissible purposes, should be rewarded with a clergy al- threw out FFRF’s first victory, saying the its favor in October 2017.) such as Abbott’s hostility toward FFRF’s lowance for “carrying on such a coura- trio would need to prove their standing On appeal to the 5th Circuit, Abbott message. The district court ruled that geous fight against this [a godless and to sue by seeking and being denied a re- did not contest the district court’s rul- Abbott’s order was illegal, but FFRF is anti-religious world movement].” fund of their housing allowance. Accord- ing that he violated FFRF’s free speech asking the 5th Circuit to ensure that The clergy allowance is not a tax ingly, they sought the refunds and when rights, explains FFRF Associate Coun- the State Preservation Board cannot deduction, but an exemption — allow- denied, went back to court. sel Sam Grover, so there are only a few abuse the public purpose requirement ing housing allowances paid as part of While Crabb ruled that “the plain lan- remaining contested issues. in the future — by doing away with the clergy salary to be subtracted from tax- guage of the statute, its legislative history The first is whether the court should requirement in its entirety. able income. The congressional Joint and its operation in practice all demon- Committee on Taxation has reported strate a preference for ministers over sec- that the exemption amounts to $700 ular employees,” the appeals court panel FFRF responds after legislator million a year in lost revenue. disagreed, applying what they called “the The co-plaintiffs with Gaylor were historic significance test.” FFRF Co-President Dan Barker and Ian Wrote Brennan: “FFRF claims [this mocks secular invocation Gaylor, representing the estate of Presi- provision] renders unto God that which dent Emerita Anne Nicol Gaylor. FFRF is Caesar’s. But this tax provision falls A brave freethinking Arizona state enforcing praying,” Associate Counsel had designated a housing allowance into the play between the joints of the legislator was again insulted in the Elizabeth Cavell writes to Arizona for the trio, and on that basis they sued Free Exercise Clause and the Establish- House — and FFRF is proud to have Speaker Russell Bowers. “Our nation the IRS. FFRF’s complaint alleged that ment Clause: neither commanded by come to her defense again. is founded on a godless Constitution, the allowance “directly benefits minis- the former, nor proscribed by latter. We On Feb. 11, state Rep. Athena whose only references to religion ters and churches, most significantly by conclude [it] is constitutional. The judg- Salman delivered an invocation that in government are exclusionary, lowering a minister’s tax burden, while ment of the district court is reversed.” included a call such as ‘no religious test shall ever discriminating against the individual The defendants were Steve Mnuchin, to reflect on the be required’ for public office. The plaintiffs, who as the leaders of a non- U.S. secretary of the treasury, and Charles complexity of the United States was the first nation religious organization opposed to gov- Rettig, current IRS commissioner. The natural world: to adopt a secular Constitution, ernmental endorsements of religion case also had religious intervenors as de- “Take a moment investing sovereignty in “We the are denied the same benefit.” fendants. The case was filed on behalf to reflect on the People,” not a divine entity. The This is the second time FFRF had of FFRF by litigator Richard L. Bolton. wonders of the framers did not think it necessary come before the 7th Circuit asking it to Tax law professor Adam Chodorow, universe. Bask to pray during the four-month find the tax code provision unconstitu- who was counsel of record in a friend in the awe and Constitutional Convention. We fail to tional. In 2013, U.S. District Judge Bar- of the court brief on behalf of FFRF, magnificence of see why it is necessary for the House bara Crabb ruled in FFRF’s favor. Crabb’s joined Bolton in the oral arguments. the diversity of to pray to complete its daily business.” Rep. Salman nature. . . . No This is the fourth letter FFRF Victory matter what we has written to this body on such Continued from page 1 may call it, we disparagement of nonbelievers. In give thanks to the awe and inspiring April 2017, for instance, Salman gave are not entirely clear.” However, the Court. power of nature itself.” an invocation that invoked our shared facts of this case are actually clear and The plaintiffs in the case were Da- After these buoyant words, state humanity, after which the floor was have never been in dispute. vid Steketee, an FFRF member, and Rep. John Kavanagh took the floor given to state Rep. Mark Finchem, Second, the three justices asserted FFRF itself. Steketee and FFRF were to mock and disparage Salman’s who complained that her words were that the law still needs development on represented before the Supreme invocation: “Thank you, Mr. Speaker. not a “request for help from God” as the question of “whether governments Court by Berkeley Law School Dean I would like to introduce my guest: required by House rules, offering a may exclude religious organizations Erwin Chemerinsky, local counsel Paul God. God is in the gallery, as He is second invocation “in Jesus’ name.” from general historic preservation Grosswald and FFRF attorneys Andrew everywhere. And the same God who, In March 2016, when, after months grants programs.” This twists the facts Seidel and Ryan Jayne, who served as by the way, created nature, which of being barred, state Rep. Juan of the case, which involves the right of co-counsel. purportedly created this tiny speck of Mendez was allowed to rise and give taxpayers not to be forced to fund ac- “I was elated to see the ruling this a planet in which this tiny speck of a a secular invocation, state Rep. Steve tive houses of worship. The New Jersey morning,” says Steketee, whose speech legislature legislates.” Montenegro called upon the Rev. Supreme Court’s decision did not re- about this case during FFRF’s conven- This history of divisiveness and Mark Mucklow to deliver a Christian quire discrimination against religious tion last year in San Francisco can be disparagement that non-Christian prayer, prompting FFRF’s defense of organizations. In fact, Morris County read on page 15. “Whether or not my invocations engender in the Mendez. provides funds to church-owned sec- fellow New Jersey residents agree with Arizona House is precisely why the Similarly, in 2013, the day after ular historic buildings — and even to the outcome, they nevertheless have Founders chose to keep religion and Mendez delivered a secular invocation, historic churches that are not in use had their rights protected. The mil- government separate, FFRF contends. not just one but two Christian prayers as houses of worship. Such funding lions of residents throughout New Jer- “The House ought not lend its were delivered on the House floor. was neither challenged by FFRF nor sey and I are forever in FFRF’s debt for power and prestige to religion by prohibited by the New Jersey Supreme helping us to stand up for our rights.” Page 10 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | April 2019 FFRF VICTORIES

By Bailey Nachreiner-Mackesey nography will be removed or covered Better to catch and release up if the school uses the room. Here is a state-by-state look at the numer- ous victories FFRF has won recently. KENTUCKY Fayette County ALABAMA Fayette County Public Schools has Huntsville assured FFRF that future constitution- Bob Jones High School in Huntsville al violations will not occur after FFRF will update its dress code to remove a Legal Fellow Colin McNamara wrote to discriminatory rule regarding religion the district about multiple issues. in next year’s policy. A parent of a Beaumont Middle A concerned local resident reported School student reported that a teach- that the current student dress code pro- er at the school and the faculty adviser hibits students from wearing “T-shirts, for the school’s Fellowship of Christian clothing, or other personal items bear- Athletes club had organized two “See ing a reference to alcoholic beverages, You at the Pole” prayer rallies. The tobacco products, drugs, drug-related teacher reportedly advertised both slogans, death, the occult . . .” events over the school’s PA system. Ad- “The occult” is commonly used — ditionally, this teacher reportedly reg- often derisively — to refer to certain ularly proclaimed her personal Chris- neo-pagan belief systems (e.g. Wicca), tian beliefs in class, praising students as well as the various forms of Satan- who expressed concordant beliefs and ism, FFRF Legal Fellow Chris Line making disparaging remarks about points out. atheists. Rik Smith sent us a photo of this marquee from a church in Kennewick, “The district cannot permissibly McNamara wrote to Fayette Coun- Wash. He writes: “I was kind of disturbed by the imagery it presented.” draw a distinction between student ty Schools’ attorney, reminding the religious expression based on which school of its obligation to remain neu- religion they choose to express,” tral on matters of religion and ensure Line wrote to Madison City Schools’ them to the unconstitutional nature of Decatur that any religious events are truly stu- attorney. holding public school events at a reli- Decatur Public Schools students dent-initiated and student-run. Addi- The district’s attorney has assured gious venue. will no longer be subjected to religious tionally, FFRF’s letter urged the district FFRF that the school’s policy has been The district’s attorney responded to promotion in school after a district to ensure its employees are complying updated to be consistent with the cur- FFRF’s concern, assuring that, whenev- parent reported a concerning partner- with their constitutional duties and “re- rent systemwide dress code as set out in er possible, future events will be moved ship between E.J. Muffley Elementary mind district staff that public school the school board’s policy and that the to other locations. School and Calvary Baptist Church. classrooms are no place for advertising discrepancy will be remedied in the Toombs County The parent reported numerous in- one’s religious beliefs, nor for criticiz- handbook for the 2019-20 school year. A Georgia school district will not stances where, during the school day, ing minority religious or nonreligious continue religiously pressuring its Muffley Elementary teachers led stu- beliefs.” GEORGIA high school football team after FFRF dents across the street to events at the The district complied with FFRF’s Cobb County interceded. church, at times facilitating the course requests and confirmed in a letter that The name of a Cobb County Police FFRF had contacted Toombs Coun- of events. no such violations will continue. Department-sponsored public event se- ty Schools in October after a resident Students were taken to the church ries has changed from “Faith Forums” informed it that coaches and an out- and given free shoes and bags with “re- MISSISSIPPI to “Community Forums” after pressure side pastor were praying with the high ligious gospel tracts” inside. Another Benton County from FFRF. school football team and that religious day, students were ushered to a “Trunk The Benton County School District Multiple community members in propaganda was being posted on of- or Treat” event in the church parking has affirmed its commitment to pro- Marietta, Ga., informed FFRF that ficial social media. A video posted on lot and were given candy out of volun- tecting its students’ First Amendment CCPD was sponsoring “Faith Forums,” Facebook showed coaches making re- teers’ cars. Finally, the school reported- rights, thanks to FFRF. which apparently function as commu- ligious statements and initiating a re- ly held a “Winter Program” inside the A local parent reported that teach- nity forums intended to address is- ligious chant with students after the church, where students were brought ers at Hickory Flat Attendance Center sues of teen violence and gangs in the game. In the video, each coach made into the main sanctuary of the church instructed students to read from the community. The goals of the forums a statement before reciting the phrase, where religious iconography lines the bible and to complete religious assign- include “developing results-oriented “God is good,” to which the students walls, including large Latin crosses, ments as part of “Bring your Bible to relationships with institutions of faith” responded: “All the time.” Each coach a Ten Commandments wall display, a School Day.” The school advertised the and to “allow pastors or associate pas- then said, “All the time,” and the stu- nativity scene, a chalkboard with the religious event on its Facebook page tors an opportunity to have an open dents responded: “God is good.” This message “Jesus thinks you are special” and made an additional post the day of discussion with the [police] chief.” was repeated a dozen times. written on it, among other things. the event showing pictures of kinder- According to local media, nearly 300 FFRF reminded the school district FFRF Staff Attorney Ryan Jayne garten students reading bibles at the local law enforcement representatives that such conduct was blatantly breach- wrote to the school district’s attorney, instruction of a teacher. Additionally, “dined with religious leaders” in order ing the U.S. Constitution. reminding him that public school students were reportedly assigned to to discuss further participation “in one “The Supreme Court has contin- teachers “may not use their position complete religious crafts during the another’s events, such as officers at- ually struck down school-sponsored to facilitate the church adopting the day, such as coloring pages depicting tending church events or smaller gath- prayer in public schools,” FFRF Legal school as religious recruiting grounds, bible stories with bible verses printed erings at the house of worship.” Fellow Chris Line wrote to Toombs such as by bringing students to an os- on them. Separately, the parent report- FFRF Staff Attorney Ryan Jayne County Schools Superintendent Barry tensibly secular event and allowing ed that teachers have also adopted the wrote to the police department, point- Waller. the church to give students religious practice of leading students in prayer ing out that “while it is laudable for the FFRF has persuaded the school dis- literature.” before lunch. CCPD to work with the community to trict to mend its ways. The school’s attorney responded to FFRF Associate Counsel Sam Gro- prevent teen violence and gang activi- “It was agreed that staff of the FFRF, stating that the students will no ver wrote to district Superintendent ty, holding a ‘Faith Forum’ that is only Toombs County School System should longer be allowed to enter the sanctu- Steve Bostick asking that the district open to ‘pastors’ sends an impermis- not be participating in any form of re- ary as part of a school-sponsored event, investigate both issues and take steps sible message of exclusion to nonreli- ligious activity with students, on school and, in any other room, religious ico- to prevent employees from promoting gious community members.” property, and, likewise, should not be One complainant has now report- posting any form of religious state- ed that the event’s name has been ments on school-related social media,” changed to “Community Forum” on a the school’s legal counsel recently recent advertisement. wrote back. FFRF’s NEW! Dalton ‘Freethought Future events in the Dalton City ILLINOIS School District will be relocated from Alton Matters’ mug a nearby church after a district parent A parent contacted FFRF to report A meaningful message and the reported their child was forced to per- that an elementary school principal logo of FFRF’s new TV show. Ivory form at the nearby First Baptist Church in Alton was forcing a young student imprint on tapered burgundy, 8 fl. oz. of Dalton. to participate in the Pledge of Alle- American- made mug. Brookwood Elementary School held giance. Staff Attorney Ryan Jayne con- a chorus concert at the church, where tacted the district superintendent and $20 postpaid — Item#MU02 students performed under a giant Lat- received assurances that the student in cross. FFRF Legal Fellow Chris Line would be allowed to sit quietly in the Call 800/335-4021 or order online ffrf.org/shop wrote to the district’s attorney, alerting future. April 2019 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 11 their personal religious beliefs to their with students. Additionally, the princi- students. Religious flavor of the day pal has committed to sending out cor- “While I do believe there was no in- respondence reminding teachers and tent to cause harm or distress, I have staff to “remind everyone of the consti- placed the utmost importance on the tutional issues at play.” requirement we, as a district, must avoid promoting or appearing to pro- TEXAS mote any religious preference in a Hardin County public setting,” Bostick wrote. He fur- A Hardin County officer has re- ther informed FFRF that all staff will be moved a cross pin from his uniform required to attend training and review after FFRF brought the issue to the at- sessions regarding the separation of tention of the sheriff’s office. church and state, and that the district A concerned Hardin County res- is reviewing its policies for individual ident reported that a deputy in the school monitoring at the district level. sheriff’s office wears a religious pin on his official uniform; a Christian cross NEW HAMPSHIRE stylized with a star and a blue stripe. Manchester FFRF Associate Counsel Sam Grover A New Hampshire VA hospital wrote to the sheriff’s office, urging has opted for a more inclusive “miss- Sheriff Mark Davis to ensure the rights ing man” table display after FFRF of conscience of all citizens in Harding intervened. County are being honored. A concerned veteran and patient “As you are aware, citizens interact of the Manchester VA Medical Cen- with and rely on law enforcement of- ter contacted FFRF to report that the Linda Allewalt of Kentucky sent us this photo of a church marquee. “I saw ficers during some of the most urgent center’s “missing man” table display this church sign after spending the day visiting some new distilleries and and vulnerable times of their lives,” honoring POW/MIA soldiers includ- tasting some nice bourbon,” Linda writes. “If God is in bourbon, then I Grover wrote. “These citizens should ed a Christian bible. FFRF took action agree with the sign!” not be made to feel excluded, like po- to ensure that non-Christian service litical outsiders because the local gov- members were being equally honored. ernment they support with their taxes FFRF Associate Counsel Sam Grover pectations related to First Amendment for evangelists.” oversteps its authority by prominently wrote to the Medical Center’s Public .” The district’s new superintendent displaying a religious symbol on their Affairs Officer, Kristin Pressly, asking Hanoverton noted in a response to FFRF that uniform. Nor should the sheriff’s office that the VA remove the bible from the Loudspeaker prayer will not contin- coaches have been made aware of turn religious citizens into ‘insiders.’” display in order to eliminate any ap- ue in United Local Schools after FFRF the situation and assured that such Davis replied, informing FFRF that pearance of religious favoritism. alerted the district to the unconstitu- religious promotion will not occur at unauthorized pins or patches on offi- FFRF’s complainant confirms the tionality of such school-sponsored reli- future team events and that each ath- cer uniforms are not allowed. The de- bible has been moved from the display. gious endorsement. letic camp will be pre-approved by an partment has addressed the issue with A concerned parent reported that administrator and/or athletic director. the employee to ensure compliance. NORTH CAROLINA a prayer was broadcast over the loud- Willis Duplin County speaker prior to a United High School TENNESSEE An unconstitutional, teacher-led The Duplin County School District basketball game. The complainant re- Hamilton County religious club was disbanded in a Tex- has taken action to address concerns ports that an announcer asked every- Staff members at Soddy Daisy High as district following FFRF’s persistent over constitutional violations in its dis- one to remain standing following the School in Hamilton County will be re- interference. trict after FFRF received reports that national anthem, and then a student minded of their obligation to remain A local community member re- the Wallace-Rose High School football led everyone in prayer. The parent un- neutral on religious matters after FFRF ported that a teacher at C.C. Hardy coach led his team in prayer during derstandably felt isolated during this brought a serious violation to the ad- Elementary School had been organiz- team activities. prayer as coaches, referees and school ministration’s attention. ing, promoting and leading “Kats for FFRF Senior Counsel Patrick El- officials took part in this religious A district parent reported that a Christ,” an explicitly Christian club, at liott wrote to Superintendent Austin ceremony. school staff member has been praying the school. Obasohan asking that the district take FFRF Legal Fellow Chris Line wrote with students as part of high school In addition to multiple staff mem- prompt action to stop all school-spon- to Superintendent Lance Hostetler, ROTC events. bers being involved in starting and or- sored prayers occurring within any of urging the district to “take immediate At one event, the district employee ganizing the club, the school’s official its athletic programs. action to end the practice of schedul- reportedly told students and parents account has been used for its The district’s attorney has informed ing prayer at school-sponsored events that they didn’t have to participate if promotion. FFRF that, “among other things, the and end the use of district equipment they didn’t want to, then proceeded FFRF Associate Counsel Sam Grover district’s principals will be advised of to project prayers to the public.” to lead the students in prayer. At an- wrote to Superintendent Tim Harkrid- the applicable laws, rules and policies The district responded to FFRF and other event, he reportedly prayed with er, reminding him that the district regarding religious activities in public committed to investigating the issue students, including the complainant’s must not allow teachers to use public schools at the next principal’s meeting. and, if it is found to have happened child, before a competition. schools to proselytize. “Given that the Principals, in turn, will share this guid- as described, terminating any practice FFRF Legal Fellow Chris Line wrote ‘Kats for Christ’ club was conceived of ance with athletic directors and coach- that occurred. The district also pledged to the district’s attorney and urged the by district employees and that district es across the district.” to ensuring that staff and faculty “un- district to make certain that school employees run the club on campus, derstand that they may not initiate, di- programs do not include prayer and the club is far too entangled with the OHIO rect or lead prayer at school-sponsored that none of its employees is unlawful- school to be allowed to continue,” Gro- Meigs County events.” ly and inappropriately indoctrinating ver noted. A Meigs County school has assured students in religious matters. Our complainant has since report- FFRF that unconstitutional religious The attorney responded, confirming ed that the club has been disbanded at programs will not continue after a Panama City that the employee has been reminded the school and is no longer meeting. complaint that its former coach was Student athletes in Panama City of the First Amendment requirements promoting religion to players. Schools will not be exposed to reli- and has been directed to cease praying FFRF wrote to Meigs Local School gious promotion during official school Superintendent Scot Gheen after a events, following intervention from concerned parent reported that the FFRF. high school football coach was taking The Panama High School football NOTHING FAILS LIKE PRAYER his team to devotionals at a church be- team reportedly attended a football fore every football game and was play- “team” camp at Hackett High School ing Christian music during football in Arkansas. At the camp, the players CONTEST practice. were subjected to religious “testimo- The parents reported that players ny” by evangelist Tyson Simon, an area Our goal is to see secular citizens flood government meetings with felt as though they had to attend these representative for the Western Arkan- secular invocations that demonstrate why government prayers preaching sessions in order to be al- sas Fellowship of Christian Athletes. are unnecessary, ineff ective, embarrassing, exclusionary, divisive lowed to play. According to local news, “Hackett was or just plain silly. FFRF Legal Fellow Chris Line urged the destination, Simon was the vehicle, that the district investigate these inves- and God was definitely the focus, the The person who gives the best secular invocation will be invited tigations and take immediate action to message, and the reason.” to open FFRF’s annual convention in 2019, receiving an expenses- stop all coach-led religious activities FFRF Legal Fellow Chris Line wrote paid trip to Madison, Wis. Oct. 18-20, 2019, along with a plaque occurring within any district athletic to remind the district of the uncon- and an honorarium of $500. programs. stitutionality of subjecting students to The coach in question has since re- overt religious proselytization at an MORE INFO AT: signed but the district writes that it will official team event and to request that ffrf.org/nothing-fails-like-prayer “be sure that future coaches are aware the district “not allow its football pro- of the board’s policy, practices and ex- gram to be used as a captive audience Page 12 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | April 2019 Emperor Has No Clothes Award 2018 Demystifying the perceptions of humanists

This is an edited version of the speech also have a lot of religious fakers and given by U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman on grifters in politics. I’m talking about Nov. 2, 2018, at FFRF’s 41st annual the ones who make a big public show convention in San Francisco. He was in- of their deep faith because it’s useful troduced by Andrew Seidel, FFRF’s direc- to them. I’m thinking of Ted Cruz tor of strategic response: pandering to the evangelical audi- Rep. Jared Huffman was elected to ences by claiming God wanted him, the House of Representatives in 2012 that God told him to run for presi- to represent California’s Second Dis- dent. The most obvious grifter of all, trict. Earlier this year, he formed the of course, is our President Donald historic Congressional Freethought Trump. Wouldn’t you like to know Caucus — the first of its kind. One of what he’s really thinking when he its goals is to “protect the secular char- holds hands and closes his eyes in acter of our government by adhering the Oval Office with those evangel- to the strict constitutional principle of ical ministers and pretends to be in separation of church and state.” prayer? So, the political part of my Before heading to D.C., he spent decision was actually wanting to pro- six years in the California Legislature. vide a counterweight to all this pho- He was a senior attorney at the Nat- niness and hypocrisy. In any event, I ural Resources Defense Council, and did it and wrote before that he used his law degree to a big story on it. My staff and family combat gender and race discrimina- prepared for the big political back- tion. He graduated magna cum laude lash, which never came. But Tuesday from the University of California at [Election Day], after all the votes are Photo by Ingrid Laas Santa Barbara, and was an All-Ameri- counted in the first election that I U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., opened FFRF’s 41st annual convention in San can volleyball player three times. will have since coming out, I am cau- Francisco on Nov. 2, 2018. He received FFRF’s “Emperor Has No Clothes” Award, I’ve had the pleasure of working tiously hopeful that I’ll have my best reserved for public figures who “tell it like it is” about religion. with Rep. Huffman and his talent- numbers ever. [Huffman won with ed staff on a number of issues, and nearly 75 percent of the vote.] I even got to appear on his podcast, the before I came out, you “Off the Cuff,” and talk about religion and politics. can only find one member — Rep. Pete Stark — Avoiding backlash Ladies and gentlemen, the recipient of this who had publicly acknowledged not believing in So how is it that a sitting member of Congress year’s “Emperor Has No Clothes Award,” Rep. God. And that is why my decision to come out last can publicly identify as a nonreligious humanist Jared Huffman. year was not made lightly. I consulted everyone and not get the treatment? I think I could think of: my family and friends, Demo- part of it has to do with my district, which starts at By Jared Huffman cratic leader Nancy Pelosi, and even the House the Golden Gate Bridge and goes all the way up chaplain Father Pat Conroy. No kidding. The re- to the Oregon border. This is a beautiful and also hank you for this award. I think it may be actions I got were the exact very progressive place where, the most unique award I’ve ever received. I opposite of what I thought I for the most part, people once had an environmental group give me would get. I really thought couldn’t care less about my T People couldn’t care less about an award that was a plaque on the end of a canoe when I went to Pelosi, who’s religion as long as I’m doing paddle — a group called Waterkeepers — but a devout Catholic who proba- my religion as long as I’m good work, and as long as I’m nothing comes close to this guy. He really looks bly doesn’t want people asso- doing good work, and as long not trying to impose my reli- like a cross between the Oscar and a naked Donald ciating Democrats as godless as I’m not trying to impose my gious views on any of them. Trump, which is something I don’t like to think heading into the midterm religious views on any of them. The other explanation for about. But I do think it’s going to be the first one election — I thought I’d get how I’ve avoided a political of these that’s ever proudly displayed in the office a lot of concern and may- backlash so far involves how of a United States congressman. And I am look- be even some dissuasion. In I’ve approached the issue. I ing forward to all of the interesting questions and fact, she applauded me for being true to myself. go out of my way to be respectful of other peo- comments I’m going to get because of that. She said she thought that humanism was a beauti- ple’s faith choices. I really try to project that I’m I’m also very thrilled to be in the rarefied air ful thing. So that was surprising. And Father Pat, not trying to convince anyone else to believe like of this convention and to be part of a program who’s not exactly in the business of counseling me. I try not to criticize or patronize or judge oth- that includes the likes of Salman Rushdie and nonbelievers, I thought I owed him the courtesy er people’s religions, as long as they’re not doing Cecile Richards and, of course, to be with all of of a conversation before he read about it in the bad things in the name of their religion or trying you. In fact, when I look out at all of the brilliant, newspapers. He told me he thought it was refresh- to impose it on other people. I also try to have talented, principled people in this room, my ing and that he actually wished more members of some spiritual humility. All of my experiences first thought is that if being a nonbeliever means Congress would just be honest about their faith. and all of my reasoning leads me to be nonthe- I have to burn in hell for eternity, I’m going to So that was surprising. istic, but I’ve also said that I leave a little crack have good company. My second thought, which is On the other hand, the friends and family and actually a much more serious one, is how grateful staff members where I thought I would get the I am, how fortunate I am to be in an era when a most support turned out to be the resistance to member of Congress can come out publicly as a this decision of coming out. And they were con- nonreligious humanist and politically live to tell cerned about what it would do to me politically. about it. It hasn’t always been possible for nation- They have no problem with my lack of religion, al political figures to do things like that. but they felt that it might disqualify me from The example of Thomas Paine comes to mind. higher office. Some felt that, for example, I could One of our great Founding Fathers, someone never someday serve in a cabinet position, and it without whose persuasive writings and leadership might be fun to be secretary of the interior some- we may not have had an . day, God willing, right? That’s a joke. But to a And yet, Thomas Paine decided in 1794, against person, they really all felt I was going to face a the advice of his fellow religious skeptic and deist tremendous and ugly political backlash. For me, Thomas Jefferson, to publish a book called The though, the decision was very personal. It wasn’t Age of Reason, which mocked what he saw as falla- so much about politics. Members of Congress are cies and inconsistencies in the bible. If he hadn’t asked all the time about their religion, and you done that, I am convinced that we would have can get away with ducking the question. You can memorials and monuments and parks and streets hide behind ambiguous labels like “non-denom- and schools named after Thomas Paine today. But inational,” but something in my conscience was because of that, he spent the rest of his life ostra- gnawing at me for not just telling the truth. cized and shunned. Even nearly a century after Now, here’s the part that was political for me. his death, Theodore Roosevelt disparaged him as I was getting increasingly disturbed by the misuse “the filthy little atheist.” and abuse of religion in Washington. Not just the constant incursions into the secular character of Decision to ‘come out’ our government, but also the dishonesty and the Photo by Ingrid Laas Continuing right up to the modern day, reli- hypocrisy. And we all know there’s a lot of won- Rep. Huffman said the political backlash to coming gious skepticism has seemingly been incompatible derful, authentic people of faith, and I deeply out as a humanist wasn’t nearly as bad as many had with our national politics. In fact, in the history of respect and work with so many of them. But we feared. April 2019 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 13

the phone, but who among us would rights and about protecting the only not take that call? planet that we know of in the entire And finally, through the work that universe that sustains life. We feel a I do and the values and the priori- sense of responsibility to future gen- ties that I try to follow and to some erations, and we don’t believe these extent to the faith label that I have things because religion tells us to or chosen — humanist — I try to convey because we’re trying to earn an after- a moral framework that demystifies life — these are just good human val- perhaps what could be mispercep- ues, whether you’re a Muslim, Chris- tions that people would have about a tian, Jew, Hindu, humanist or atheist. person who doesn’t believe in God. I So those of us in the freethought think most people don’t care about a community, along with our progres- politician’s religiosity. In fact, I think sive allies in the faith community, more and more people are turned have a lot of good work to do togeth- off by politicians that are outwardly er. We need to defend the line of religious. But I think people want to separation between church and state. know that their elected leaders have We need to support responsible pub- a moral framework, that they have a lic policies based on facts and science strong sense of right and wrong, that and reason and, of course, we need to Photo by Ingrid Laas they have values and priorities that defeat the War on Festivus. I want to Rep. Huffman (center) shows off his Emperor Has No Clothes Award after they can support and so I try to con- end with that, and thank you for in- receiving it from FFRF’s Director of Strategic Response Andrew Seidel (left) and vey that. Because like probably all of dulging me in a few bad jokes. Thank FFRF Co-President Dan Barker. you in the freethought community, I you very much for this wonderful do have a strong moral framework. award. Thanks for working with me in the spiritual door, and that if God the call. That hasn’t happened in 54 We do care. We care about basic de- on these important issues. ever wants to talk to me — I will take years and I am not exactly waiting by cency and social justice and human Q&A with Rep. Jared Huffman

Here are the questions asked of Rep. Jared Huff- Well, there’s a lot of things that I think we have to man by FFRF members following his speech. do in this moment, but maybe the most urgent and Question: I’ve heard there’s a growing number of needed is the work that you do and that FFRF does. I representatives that have joined your group, the Free- think you’re going to have to lawyer up and be ready thought Caucus. Can you speak a little bit about that? to challenge this thing in the courts. That’s always been Huffman: Yes. What started out as an idea — that I the last line of defense from these incursions into sec- really didn’t expect to have a lot of broad participation ular government. Of course, we need more leaders in in because I know how sensitive these issues are politi- Congress. cally — has grown now to 10 members who are willing As a very recent retiree facing the choice of having to openly identify as part of this caucus. I am still the to pay exorbitant premiums for COBRA now until I’m only one that has publicly acknowledged my nonbelief. 65, or maybe going under the ACA, I’m glad the Dem- Others are in their own place when it comes to how ocrats have embraced health care as a primary cam- they publicly identify, but all of us believe in the mis- paigning point. And as an atheist myself, I’ve always sion statement of the caucus. felt that health care should be a humanist issue, not You mentioned that there are 10 in the caucus, but just science in general because health care is giving the I’ve heard that there are more than twice that many benefits of science to everyone. I think our commu- who are actually nonbelievers, not just nonreligious, nity would grow among young people if we embrace but nonbelievers. Have you had conversations with that despite it being a political point. What are your folks? I’m not trying to put you on the spot on outing thoughts on that? anyone, I’m just curious as to whether that comes up in Well, I strongly agree with you. I think health care is private conversations over lunch or whatever. a human right. I think the progress that we have made It comes up all the time and it is true. I’m not go- toward universal, accessible, quality health care has be- Photo by Ingrid Laas ing to identify and out anyone, but I have had at least come something that is now working in our favor in a Rep. Huffman said that had Thomas Paine not as many members of Congress as the ones who had way that many of us wouldn’t have expected a few years written The Age of Reason, which pointed out the joined tell me: “I totally agree with you. I’m an atheist ago when we were on defense and backpedaling on fallacies in the bible, he would have had “memorials (or agnostic or whatever), but it just would be political the issue. So I’m glad that my party and a lot of future and monuments and parks and streets and suicide.” colleagues all over the country are leading with health- schools” named after him, but instead spent his life With the current makeup of the Supreme Court care. And I think it’s remarkable that in the closing ar- “ostracized and shunned.” having a conservative majority, I’m concerned about gument for all these Republicans all over the country the freedom of movement we have to promote secu- — they’re trying to pretend like they are the champi- stuff — we did do that with health care, we are making lar values in this country. What do you believe is the ons of pre-existing conditions, right. That tells you that incredible progress. So, with the right Congress, if we appropriate approach to respond to this in the present in an age when it’s really tough to get our message to keep this momentum going, we’re going to do some moment? penetrate through all the Twitter noise and the Trump very good things with health care in the years ahead. OVERHEARD

Under that policy, a Christian prison- tations for the Conferences of Catholic out. No one should use religion to harm disgraceful and scandalous place we find er may have a minister of his own faith ac- Bishops to shift the church toward a new another. ourselves as a church. company him into the execution cham- era of accountability and transparency. Ed Fisher in his op-ed column, “The only Sister Veronica Openibo, one of only ber to say his last rites. But if an inmate The New York Times, 2-19-19 wall we need separates church and state.” a handful of women invited to the Vati- practices a different religion — whether Alma (Mich.) Morning Sun, 2-20-19 can summit, on the consequences years Islam, Judaism, or any other — he may We were caught in the story of Chris- of abuse is having on the global Catholic not die with a minister of his own faith by tianity that was centuries and centuries The pope talks and talks, but doesn’t congregation. his side. That treatment goes against the and centuries old, regardless of the fact do anything. NBC News, 2-23-19 Establishment Clause’s core principle of we could say with a lot of confidence that Gianni Bisoli, denominational neutrality. the story was not entirely true — even its who says he was Funds that once went to Planned Par- Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan, writ- most important and sacred beliefs. Once abused by priests, enthood could flow instead to anti-abor- ing the dissent, after the court voted 5-4 I realized that, then I was kind of screwed. beginning at age tion groups that promote so-called nat- to not allow a Muslim man have his imam Atheist minister Gretta Vosper, who re- 9, for seven years ural family planning. Unless the courts by his side as he was executed. alized that her congregants thought she at the Antonio halt the new policy, struggling women The New York Times, 2-10-19 was talking about an all-knowing, all-see- Provolo Institute, who need refills on their birth control ing spirit who answered prayers rather a Catholic school pills could get federally funded lectures If, after so many years, the church than a metaphorical spirit. for the deaf in on the rhythm method instead. feels no urgency, then it cannot expect to The New York Times, 2-1-19 Pope Francis Verona, Italy. Columnist Michelle Goldberg, in her op- stanch the hemorrhage of credibility and The New York Times, 2-22-19 ed, “The Republicans of Gilead,” about trust it has suffered. Those who yearn for this becoming a the Trump administration’s prohibiting Editorial, “The Vatican finally needs to Christian nation are wrong. Now all be- A large number of Catholics are and Title X, a federal family-planning pro- offer more than thoughts and prayers liefs are protected. will be angry and confused. We must ac- gram, from funding organizations that on sexual abuse,” in which it discusses must include freedom from religion. Be- knowledge that our mediocrity, hypocrisy also provide abortions how the Vatican was downplaying expec- lieve what you will, but don’t crowd mine and complacency have brought us to this The New York Times, 2-26-19 Page 14 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | April 2019 Henry Zumach Freedom From Religious Fundamentalism Award To gain freedom, we must not remain silent This is an edited version of the speech generation — a generation of global- given by on Nov. 3 at ization, the internet and blogging. FFRF’s national convention in San Fran- Ideas cannot be censored anymore. cisco. Haidar was the recipient of the 2018 It’s a new change, a new revolution Henry Zumach Freedom From Religious from Morocco to Jakarta. This young Fundamendalism Award, which includes generation is going to determine the a plaque and $10,000. nature of the future and we must aid Mohammed Al Khadra, who spoke ear- them and stand next to them and this lier that day at the convention, served as is where you fit into this change. interpreter for Haidar’s remarks, which The real prisoners are those who were delivered in . are capable of defending freedom Haidar was introduced by Maryam and choose not to. Namazie, an Iranian-born writer and ac- I have talked a great deal and I tivist who was last year’s recipient of the don’t think there is anything you do prestigious award: not know about our case, but I would Ensaf Haidar was born in 1975 in like tell you in short that Raif’s case Jizan, . Against the will is not an individual issue, it’s a socie- of her family, she married Raif Bad- tal issue, an issue of a country and a awi in 2002. Raif, initially arrested homeland. on charges of , which carries Raif Badawi carried his concerns an automatic death sentence, was for the nation in his heart, he ex- convicted in July 2013 for founding pressed his ideas with his pen, his an internet forum that “violates Is- words with ink. lamic values and propagates liberal Change will not be possible if we thought,” and sentenced to 600 lash- let fear censor us. It will not be pos- es and seven years in prison, then sible if silence continues to be our resentenced in May 2014 to 1,000 approach. lashes and 10 years in prison, with a There will be a day when they will major fine added. His attorney was need to follow the international laws then sentenced to five years impris- and treaties of human rights. This onment. Ensaf and their three chil- dream will become a reality. I have dren escaped from Saudi Arabia and Photo by Chris Line trust in that, and I have trust that Raif were finally granted asylum in Cana- Ensaf Haidar speaks about her husband, who has been imprisoned and tortured will stand before you one day and da. In January 2015, Raif was flogged for more than six years for apostasy. then I will rightfully be delighted. 50 times before hundreds of specta- The day of his release will be a great tors, creating an international outcry. Ensaf has when they ask: Mom, I read that only criminals go day for freedom and its supporters worldwide. been desperately fighting to free her husband and to jail. Is Dad a criminal? Thank you for being here and honoring me with raise awareness of Raif’s story across the world. She For heaven’s sake, what shall my answers be? this prize here in San Francisco, a city of freedom. is the president and co-founder of the Raif Badawi I carry to you the message of my husband and Foundation for Freedom. my three children, children who were denied to have their father in their life because he exercised By Ensaf Haidar his right of free expression. I carry to you a message of hope that I will y husband Raif Badawi has been behind the one day see Raif standing here in front of you so cold steel bars of the cells of Saudi Arabia that he would tell you about freedom and human Mfor more than six years. Six years, we’ve rights. So that he can tell you that freedom cannot never grown tired of having hope every single day. be imprisoned, lashed or given a death penalty, no Six years of perpetual waiting. matter how much they try and how far they can go Six years of painful questions, such as when my in their oppression and humiliation. children ask me: When does Daddy come back? Or Yes, I have talked about Raif much and I still do. I described his suffering in many places and occa- sions, and this has always been possible because of people like you. Now, it has been six years and the future is still unknown. The hands of the clock stand still at my house. Part of us is in jail and our pain grows every day. But we haven’t yet lost hope and this is because of all of you. Your solidarity is the true assistance and recognition and your advocacy for freethinkers in the Arabic and Muslim world provides us with more support. If Western governments are genuinely interest- ed in combating Islamic terrorism, then the first thing to be done should be to aid the anti-radical voices within the Islamic world, and all those who defend universal human rights. Photo by Ingrid Laas It is determination that brought me from Qué- Photo by Ingrid Laas Ensaf Haidar, center, hold her plaque while posing bec, , to stand before you and say, with a Maryam Namazie, left, gives a kiss to Ensaf Haidar with Mohammed Al Khadra and Maryam Namazie loud voice and fixed feet, that peaceful change is after presenting her with the Henry Zumach Freedom following her speech on Nov. 3. possible in all authoritarian states with this new From Religious Fundamentalism Award.

Yip Harburg, Your weekly antidote to the Religious Right from his book: Rhymes for the Irreverent Illustrated by Seymore Cwast, published by FFRF FREETHOUGHT RADIO PODCASTS AND BROADCASTS Strike Three A broken clock can tell the time FIND OUT MORE: rf.org/radio Correctly twice a day, — Hosted by Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor — Astrologers, like broken clocks, Are clairvoyant that way. Slightly irreverent views, news, music & interviews

Buy it from FFRF online - shop.ffrf.org April 2019 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 15 2018 Freethinker of the Year Doing what’s right vs. doing what’s good Here is an edited version of the speech Da- result of doing what’s right. The impact vid Steketee gave as FFRF’s 2018 Freethinker of doing what’s right is often less visible of the Year. He delivered it on Nov. 3, 2018, than doing what’s good. at FFRF’s 41st annual convention in San Francisco. He was introduced by FFRF Senior Understand motivations Counsel Patrick Elliott: Whether it’s funding restorations of The Freedom From Religion Foun- religious buildings, or displaying a reli- dation has been awarding a “Freethink- gious banner in a school, or praying at er of the Year” since 1987. The award football games, whether it’s teaching is intended to recognize and honor creationism, or reciting sectarian prayers successful state/church litigants — or before meetings, or putting religious sometimes just very brave ones who mottos on police cars, it is perhaps disin- should have succeeded. genuous to claim they are not trying to David Steketee came to FFRF armed do what’s good. Religious people often with research, documents and a re- act out of the best of intentions, only to sounding indignation over the misap- have less than righteous outcomes. It is propriation of state tax dollars for reli- important that we put ourselves in their gion in his state of New Jersey. So FFRF shoes. It is important we understand and David Steketee went to court, and their motivations. It is important that won a resounding — unanimous — de- we have empathy for those who may not cision by the New Jersey State Supreme respect our perception of what’s right. Court. We’ve won the case, but New Jer- Through that understanding we can sey is asking the Supreme Court to take better argue in ways that appeal to their their appeal. [See Page 1 for story.] sense of good, even if we disagree on We’re pleased to announce that de- what’s right. fending us in that motion is the distin- When I appealed to our local board guished Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of of education to end a drug search pro- Berkeley Law School. He will be filing Photo by Ingrid Laas gram which fell afoul of the Fourth a brief asking the Supreme Court to let David Steketee speaks to the FFRF convention crowd during his Freethinker of Amendment, explaining from a purely stand this important ruling. In other the Year acceptance speech on Nov. 3, 2018, in San Francisco. from a legal point of view fell on deaf words, not to take our case. ears. It was only on my fourth attempt David grew up in St. Louis and stud- Superior Court ruled against us. We What struck me is these politicians when I appealed to what was good that ied journalism at the University of Mis- appealed, and counsels for the coun- don’t care about what’s right. They care the program was finally halted. Rather souri. He has been an avid student of ty and churches requested to move about what’s good. It’s easy to sell some- than explain how the law violated the constitutional law since his years par- the case directly to the New Jersey Su- thing that appears good. It’s easy to get principles of T.L.O. v New Jersey, I asked ticipating in speech and debate in high preme Court, bypassing the appellate votes talking about the good they do them to consider the impact of hauling a school, and became engaged with sepa- court. Oral arguments were held in late for the community. It’s easy to convince high school student, possibly one of our ration of church and state issues when 2017, and in January 2018, the New Jer- people to ignore what’s right with the low-income students, possibly without his neighboring state of Kansas voted sey Supreme Court ruled in our favor, promise of something good. The chal- access to legal counsel, possibly with par- to exclude evolution from the science ending a program which had cost the lenge, of course, is what’s good is more ents who didn’t speak the language, in curriculum. Over the last 20 years, he taxpayers over $11 million. subjective than what’s right. And, peo- front of the county prosecutor and local has advocated for student press rights, ple ascribe different value to being right police because his backpack might smell student privacy rights, and separation of Not admitting defeat or being good. In the best of times, we of marijuana because his grandmother church and state. He is a cloud architect You would think such a resounding can be both. In the context of our case has a medical marijuana license. It was with a large global professional services defeat delivered with unambiguous lan- against Morris County, I suspect we’re this scenario that rang true. It wasn’t the firm. David currently resides in Madi- guage from the New Jersey Supreme right, but not necessarily good. And that appeal to what’s right, but rather an ap- son, N.J., with his wife and two children. Court, composed of both conservative makes this case especially challenging. peal to what was good. It was a deeper David, we have a plaque for you — and liberal judges, would cause any gov- On a half-mile walk through Morris- understanding of the motivations be- naming you Freethinker of the Year ernment official with an eye to justice to town, where the case originated, you’ll hind the program, a genuine desire to 2018. Please come up. admit defeat. But no. pass five historic church buildings. do what was good, that I was able to alter The Morris County Freeholders, all These churches are magnificent histor- my approach, to expose the potential By David Steketee Republican, handed the case over to ic structures representing architecture harm, and to ultimately persuade them the Becket Fund. You may have heard of worthy of preservation. So, I would ar- to do what was right. he New Jersey Supreme Court the Becket Fund. They were behind the gue their preservation is good for the Whether in our case against Mor- ruled unanimously that the use of Hobby Lobby case. The Freeholders were community. And that’s the simple argu- ris County, or drug search programs Ttax dollars for the repair and res- summarily disinterested in my pleas to ment our Freeholders made in support or religious prayer in schools, I think toration of religious buildings through- adhere to the New Jersey State Consti- of spending over $4 million on their we should not always assume those we out Morris County by the Morris County tution — which makes clear no person restoration. That’s the argument which disagree with are acting out of malice. Freeholders was unconstitutional. And shall “be obliged to pay tithes, taxes or reasonably appealed to the communi- I suspect, in most cases, they genuine- yet they’re still fighting it. other rates for building or repairing any ty. That’s the argument which, frankly, ly believe they are doing something But let’s take a step back to where church or churches” — disinterested makes it difficult to argue for what’s good. And so, to the degree we can this all began. In 2011, while strolling in my pleas to adhere to the multitude right, because what’s good is visible to change people’s point of view based through Morristown, N.J., I noticed a of prior case law restricting use of gov- everyone, and what’s right doesn’t real- upon a sense of what’s good, the eas- sign in front of the Church of the Re- ernment funds for sectarian purposes, ly impact anyone because, in this case, ier it is to convince them to do what’s deemer’s Parish House indicating it had and disinterested in the pleas not just nobody’s taxes are actually reduced as a right. received funds from the Morris Coun- from an atheist liberal such as myself, ty Historic Preservation Trust. I later but from church-going conservatives, discovered it almost by accident. The as well. But they will now allow a right- Morris County program was mentioned wing legal group to use the case to erode because Morris County, unlike the oth- the wall of separation between church er grant programs used by the church, and state under the guise of religious has no requirement for a public posting freedom. indicating the source of funds. After It is remarkable to think government doing some research, I discovered this officials, for whom there is no more ba- program had already doled out over $4 sic expectation than to follow the law, million since 2003. would not be persuaded by rational dis- In 2012, I filed a complaint with FFRF. cussion, analysis and facts. I cited Com- But it wasn’t until 2015 that I was able to mittee for Public Education v. Nyquist, and attend public meetings for our county an OLC opinion from 1995 specifically government and argue my point of view. on historic preservation grants. I ex- After grants were approved later that plained the issues with a later 2003 OLC year, I emailed FFRF and asked them to opinion upon which the Freeholders’ proceed with a lawsuit. By this point, the counsel relied heavily in his opinion on program had granted over $9.5 million the constitutionality of the program. I to religious institutions. explained the distinction between the Photo by Ingrid Laas Our case was heard in late 2016, Trinity case and Morris County’s activi- David Steketee won a unanimous decision from the New Jersey Supreme Court and in January 2017, the New Jersey ties. All to no avail. over misappropriation of state tax dollars. Page 16 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | April 2019 Priest rapists are tools of the Church, not of ‘Satan’

By Annie Laurie Gaylor As I asked in my book more than 30 years ago: “Who monitors the clergy? omedian Flip Wilson popularized To whom are they accountable?” the phrase “The devil made me The answer, at long last, is some state Cdo it” in the 1960s. attorneys general. I was delighted when Dana Carvey, portraying “The Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Church Lady” on Saturday Night Live, Shapiro tweeted a statement about the came up with the lampooning line, summit that “it’s clear that the Church “Could it be . . . Satan?” in the 1980s. cannot be trusted to police itself.” Now, the best Pope Francis can offer, If you’ve been wondering about after a four-day summit on priest sexual the rash of self-disclosures from some abuse of children, is to contend that state or regional dioceses regarding these predators are “tools of Satan”? their numbers of abusing priests, it’s At the open- because the Pennsylvania revelations ing of a summit have kicked off investigations in at on church sexual least 15 other states, plus by the U.S. abuse in Rome, attorney general. These dioceses are billed as “histor- into damage control and spinning the ic,” with nearly numbers. For example, Illinois Attor- Photo by Chris Line by Photo 200 priests, bish- ney General Lisa Madigan in Decem- ops and other ber exposed the fact that the Catholic Catholic royalty Church in Illinois withheld the names in attendance, the of at least 500 priests accused of sexu- Annie Laurie Gaylor pope said “simple given undue respect. That’s why many children, then our allegiance clearly al abuse of minors. The dioceses had and predictable victims’ families don’t ask questions or must be with children.” released 185 names, while the AG’s condemnations” aren’t what’s needed, even think twice when a Catholic priest The pope’s “tools of Satan” line office said the real number of priests “concrete and efficient measures are.” starts showing unusual interest in their has reared its head before. Even be- accused of abuse is 690. But, as usual, when it comes to actu- children. They are “men of God,” one fore the conference started, the pope The Illinois AG revelation was one of al reform, the pope and the Catholic step lower than Jesus. deemed those who criticize the Cath- the reasons FFRF sought unsuccessful- Church are all talk. “Simple and pre- That’s why children and minors olic Church “friends of the devil.” ly to run a full-page ad in the Chicago dictable condemnations” are precise- don’t or can’t speak out, can’t often At the pope’s Mass on Feb. 24, he Tribune saying “Stop ignoring the head- ly all the Vatican ended up making. even process what is happening until also proposed prayer — the same lines . . . It’s time to leave the Catholic Nothing could demonstrate better the years later. (Most nonresponse he Church.” A Chicago ad campaign was do-nothing agenda of the Roman Cath- of the crimes oc- made last fall, af- suggested and underwritten by a gen- olic hierarchy than the pope’s embar- cur on church As usual, when it comes ter the Pennsyl- erous FFRF member who had been rassing, pathetic declaration. property or in vania Grand Jury abused at age 13, and who donated his to actual reform, the pope First, of course, there is no “Satan.” church settings.) “ released its report settlement money to FFRF to help avert The idea of a devil is a primitive and What the pope left and the Catholic Church are fingering 600 state future victimization. I’m proud that childish superstition. Belief in “Satan” unaddressed, as all talk. priests for abusing FFRF was able to place a very effective ought not be socially acceptable. But usual, is the Cath- more than 1,000 billboard message in February, among try telling that to a church that still per- olic hierarchy’s children. After other ads, despite the censorship. forms exorcisms. institutional cover-up of these crimes, those revelations, Pope Francis insult- The Vatican summit was indeed Far more damaging is the implication and that cover up goes all the way to the ingly called on every member of the the “same old, same old,” as Tim Law, that the many Catholic officials who’ve top. But unlike President Truman, the Catholic Church to pray and fast in president of the group Ending Clergy raped or molested young parishioners pope’s favorite slogan seems to be: “The penance for the evil of clerical sexual Abuse, put it. But we are finally seeing are not responsible for their own actions. buck doesn’t stop with me.” No, it’s all abuse, once again absolving the preda- many attorneys general in the United If Satan made those priests, monsignors the fault of Satan. tors and the Vatican of true responsibil- States investigating and exposing and bishops sexually assault children As I wrote in Betrayal of Trust: Clergy ity. The York Daily Record reported in Catholic crimes against children. (or cover up their crimes), then that Abuse of Children, the first nonfiction December that 78 priests in Pennsylva- And it’s definitely not the devil that’s certainly relieves the Church hierarchy book about the topic, published by nia accused of child sex abuse are still making them do it. of responsibility. It’s all the fault of the FFRF in 1988: “The egomaniacal and collecting paychecks and pensions. Less Annie Laurie Gaylor is co-president Church’s old adversary — the devil. rapacious drives of a molester who blots prayer and more attention to removing of FFRF. Her 1988 book, Betrayal of Once again, the Vatican absolves itself out all sense of right and wrong, brutal- these clerics from the priesthood would Trust, can be read online under ffrf.org/ of responsibility for the institutionalized ly disregarding the pain he is causing seem to be in order. publications. abuse, although it has knowingly pro- children, have often found a parallel in tected, coddled, promoted and often re- churches bent on protecting themselves warded criminals within its ranks, while at the expense of thousands of victims. muzzling and blaming the traumatized That disregard is a malignancy in the victims and their families. church. . . . If religion or any institution No, Pope Francis, those Catholic depends on the sexual exploitation or priests, monsignors and bishops who subordination of children or women, prey on young parishioners are not then it is better that such institutions instruments of Satan, they are instru- should cease to exist. If it is a question ments of the Church. That’s how they get of the survival of the institution of the access to children. That’s why they are church versus the survival and safety of CRANKMAIL

realize when you die that God does exist and he is F you!: kill this demon an remove him ....you commemorates the birth of Jesus. You know that Here is your April dose of Crankmail, printed as real stop trying to disprove something with no ev- sac of shit demon all of you are a bunch of killers an guy viewed as God’s son/ The savior by people of received, including obscenities. idence we can’t prove God exists other than from scammers you little bastards — Lushion Xazaver Christian belief. I’m actually offended by this. If you Assholes: You can all go Fuck_yourselves. You word of mouth but you can’t prove he doesn’t exist Show me the proof: Hi there! I’m a 19 year old guys can’t admit that this isn’t bigotry on FFRF’s part commie vermin should be lined up and shot. — Ed if you aren’t happy with our Government then move who is a truth seeker! I’ve been studying evolution then you’re just being hypocritical jerks. — Brendan Jacobsen countries — Jordan Stalnaker and creatstiom and seeing which one holds the Roach Why do you hate God??: You all can go to hell. Change your tune: I urge you to remove your truth. From what scholars have found is that the Bi- STAY AWAY: YOU AND YOUR GROUP STAY UP IN What you people think is a church violation in your ad from TV immediately. I’m appalled that you guys ble is 100% true and there are no contradictions in WICOUSIN AND OUT OF GEORGA.., YOUR AND YOUR mind against the U.S. Constitution, may not be. would even try to bring people away from our only it. It has come to me that it is logical to see that God OPPIONS ARE NOT WELCOME IN SOUTH GEORGIA. However, you people hate God and his Jesus. — hope, our Lord Jesus Christ. Don’t you realize all created everything then to believe that we came WE BELIEVE IN GOD AND HIS HOLY PURPOSE AND Theresa Marks the issues in the world happen because many don’t out of nothing. It’s takes more faith I would say to YOU “DEVIL” WORSHIPERS STAY UP NORTH. — Ray- God exists: Why do you want to get rid of Chris- have him??!!! The reason why bad things happen is believe that there is no God. I was wondering if you mond Carroll tianity from our country? God is good and provides because God allows them to happen. God did not would be able to provide concrete evidence on evo- You are Unconstitutional: What your saying a safe and good environment when I was once sui- try to make us as robots to force us to serve him. He lution since all of it has been disproven false and about Toombs county Is pure crap. Saying we are cidal I went to God to help my girlfriend tried to kill gave us a choice to accept his son Jesus. We gotta based on assumptions. I would love the opportunity unconstitutional is in called for everyone on the grill herself and is in the hospital but it was honestly a make that choice!! Otherwise the punishment is hell to speak on your podcast as well!! Thank you and has a say in what they do but they CHOOSE to and miracle she is actually happy now because God for those who don’t accept The Lord. For those who God Bless!! — David Shaptala so does the freaking school system. Saying we are helped her you are trying to falsely force Atheism do, the reward is Heaven, and The New Heaven and Bigots: Can you explain to me why a Wisconsin unconstitutional but isn’t that you are doing saying on people and change our Government and it’s New Earth as described in Revelation. God Bless. based organization has the audacity to tell a city we can’t do this or do that it’s the first amendment. whole foundation let the United States be based on This is dangerous what you guys are doing. You guys hundred of miles away that it can’t have a cross on Learn it. — Cassie Anderson Christianity and help get rid of the evil in the world are playing with fire. — Stephen Jacewicz display? It’s a cross which represents Christianity. God is good!: I STAND WITH TOOMBS COUNTY! instead of giving people a reason to do bad because Go away!: you sick perverted group. hope you I assume you all have brain cells left so you must GOD IS HOOD ALL THE TIME AND ALL THE TIME GOD they think God doesn’t exist at least you will finally enjoy hell. — Bob Smithern know that Christmas is a CHRISTIAN holiday as it IS GOOD! Leave us alone! — Joy Beckum April 2019 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 17 A simple framework for morality FR The following books are by FFRF Mere Morality, the new members on the topics of religion or freethinking. FFRF does not do tradi- book by Dan Barker, is tional book reviews. a compass for how to A Freethinker’s Gospel be good without God By Chris Highland The following is adapted from the $16.95 (paperback) Introduction of FFRF Co-President Dan Pisgah Press, 2018 Barker’s latest book, Mere Morality. It can be purchased through ffrf.org/shop. A former Protestant minister and prison Dan donates all the royalties from copies chaplain, Chris Highland is now a secular purchased through FFRF. freethinker who We need a simple way to picture muses on the morality. The topic can be bewilder- natural world, ing. Hundreds of books, articles, ser- on being a mons, laws, public policy statements, nonbeliever in a and university courses have wrestled highly religious with it for centuries. It’s a sprawling society, and the landscape, but does morality have to commonalities be so complicated? Is it so hard to shared between know how to behave? religions. This I don’t think so. I think we can compilation of boil it down to a simple guide. Mere essays offers his Morality is how one former preacher reflections on who is now an atheist knows how to interfaith work, be good without God. the search for self-discovery, and the In his book Mere Christianity, C.S. commonalities that bind us regardless Lewis attempted to strip away the dis- of social, political, economic, or religious pensable or discretionary doctrines backgrounds. His insights about the of his faith by boiling the essential te- marvelous structure of our natural world nets down to a “mere” minimum that and what nature can teach us, and the would be shared by all Christians, re- way our society is structured, addressing gardless of their denominational dif- humanism, the natural world, and ferences. I am doing the same thing sensitive issues of faith, are enlightening here for morality, reducing essential and challenging. principles to the “mere” minimum Time Is Irreverent 2: that would be shared by all humans, Photo by Chris Line not just believers. C.S. Lewis would Dan Barker shows off his newest book, Mere Morality. Jesus Christ, Not Again! not have agreed with me that religion By Marty Essen is one of the dispensable complica- This book started out as Chapter 2 $14.95 (paperback), $4.99 (Kindle) tions that needs to be stripped away in my book, Life Driven Purpose. That Encante Press, 2019 from ethics, but at least he would chapter is reproduced here, but is Former pastor Dan Barker’s eloquent and subtle Marty Mann and Nellie Dixon are back for have understood my approach. enhanced with material about the “ another irreverent, liberal, twisty, time- This book offers a novel frame- biblical meaning of “evil” and “wick- antidote to Mere Christianity travel comedy. work for thinking about moral behav- ed,” gleaned from my research for shows us by example how The book ior that can clarify our deliberations my book, God: The Most Unpleasant a very good person can get is thought- as we try to negotiate the tortuous Character in All Fiction. along fine without religion, provoking hazards of life with minimum harm. In a discussion of morality, reli- satire that My “Three Moral Minds” model does gion is certainly fair game. But at- inspire others, accomplish great works, and have a answers the not solve any specific problems. Rath- tacking religion is not enough. Just question, er, it serves as a tool that can orient because I am convinced that holy lot of fun in the bargain. “What would our thoughts as we try to unravel eth- books are inferior moral guides does — Daniel C. Dennett, professor of happen if Jesus ical dilemmas. Mere Morality is a com- not mean I automatically have some- philosophy at Tufts University time traveled to pass, not a map. A compass doesn’t thing better. If I claim we can be 2020 America?” tell you where to go, but it does help moral without God, I need to make Would today’s you determine where you are. a positive case for it. evangelical Christians Losing Faith in Faith: accept a profanity-loving brown-skinned From Preacher to Atheist And hate is still hate Jesus, who preached in favor of liberal values? Find out in this hilarious sequel. By Dan Barker Feel the Spin How Dan “threw out By Marshall Moskow the bathwater and $7.99 (Kindle) 2017 discovered there is no baby there.” A young science professor faces off Published by FFRF against ignorance and bigotry in South Carolina 10 years after the Buy it from FFRF online end of the shop.ff rf.org American Civil War. Thomas Just Pretend: A Book For Walters has Young Freethinkers joined the NEW! faculty of Tideland By Dan Barker Illustrated College in the by Kati Treu fall of 1875 as Revised and professor of adorably the recently illustrated Larry Roszkowiak sent us this photo of a church marquee that created a introduced classic. This fun stir in January that ended with the pastor being forced to resign. At the disciplines book explores Trinity Bible Presbyterian Church in Weed, Calif., three women organized a of natural philosophy and astronomy. myths and “Love Rally” in opposition to the sign’s message. Pastor Justin Hoke post- religion from a freethought point of Walters finds himself caught up in the view, and promotes critical thinking. ed on Facebook: “The response we’re receiving from this sign proves that broader conflict between science and it was posted way too late. If a conservative mountain farming community Color Edition! Published by FFRF religion, as well as the bitter struggle is no longer a safe place to call sin, sin, then is anywhere in this country between the ways of the Old South and still safe for real Christians?” Days later, Hoke resigned after hearing that the advance of a new national identity Buy it from FFRF online multiple people threatened to leave if he did not step down as pastor. that embraces social equality, women’s shop.ffrf.org rights, and rationality. Page 18 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | April 2019 LETTERBOX Motel bible already had information to me. Realized early that God, triarchy were the first to be given the Religion is always pushing for high- opportunity to go to heaven. Certain secular words of wisdom er population. We are adding about 78 religion are nonsense criteria are to be met before allowed My husband and I recently visited the million people to the planet each year. I have read many articles, essays, let- in. Monterey, Calif., area for several days, And those births will create even more ters and speeches about how formerly Have women been judged fairly staying in a motel in Pacific Grove. Of births in about 20 years. religious people have gradually or sud- over these two thousand years? Do the course, we arrived with a couple of FFRF For that reason, we support Planned denly lost their beliefs. I think my story young and mentally flawed get a pass? stickers in case the Gideons were lurking Parenthood. The connection is Vice is somewhat different — I was never a Other religious devotees don’t worry in a bedside drawer, and so they were — President Pence, who is using his of- believer. I realized at an early age that about meeting the Abrahamic criteria, but someone else had beat us to it. Writ- fice to promote defunding Planned all the god business was nonsense, like as they answer to other gods and will ten on the bible’s inside cover, in a large, Parenthood. It’s hard to believe that fairy tales. be reborn into something different. firm hand, was the following: “It’s OK to it’s legal for him to use his office for I’m not a convert or lapsed member The limited lot of human beings be an atheist! It’s also OK to be religious . that purpose. Perhaps he should read of some faith. I never could accept the brought before St. Peter must acknowl- . . but just please remember not to use re- Bolton’s article. supernatural — whether God or vam- edge God as the only god and ask him ligion as an excuse to persecute women, Better yet, enclosed is a donation that pires or zombies — and was the only for forgiveness for their imperfect exis- people of other nationalities, LGBTQ you might use to help keep our VP quiet. one not to stand for my school prayer tence — in a world he created. people and other people who have been Keep up the good work. (before it was abolished). Heaven is an elite club. persecuted in the name of religion. Have Bob and Jo Chanaud Many years ago, I discovered the Darlene Prescott a wonderful day!” Arizona Mark Twain quote: “Faith is believin’ Texas In these tumultuous times, there is what you know ain’t so.” Amen to that. still much to be thankful for. Editor’s note: FFRF kindly thanks the Don Thumim Melanie Lawrence Chanauds for their generous donation! New York Being ‘godless’ and California ‘god-free’ aren’t same Reading victories, John de Lancie’s speech I love reading my Freethought To- Church polling place essayists is a joy really hit home day every month! In doing so, I’ve no- stepped over the line ticed along the line that we anti-the- I enjoy reading your monthly is- I enjoy all issues of Freethought To- ists may need to change the language sues and seeing the victories, large day, but I was especially impressed by we use in everyday conversation if we and small. I especially like the essays Clarence Darrow Award winner John want to assert ours as a valid societal and am amazed at the brilliant young de Lancie’s “The Revolutionary Act of viewpoint. minds that are coming to the forefront. Telling the Truth” in the January/Feb- There’s a small but significant dif- Roger Busse ruary issue. ference between being “godless” and California I grew up in a highly religious fam- being “god-free.” A small but impact- ily and social world. My siblings and, ful difference between “I don’t believe as far as I know, all my relatives are in God” and “I don’t believe in a god.” Lifetime Membership believers who, as de Lancie described One of these legitimizes the existence a highlight of my life the process, stepped on that $5 bill of belief and sidelines the other factual and did not subsequently question viewpoint as the “abnormal” one. I want to thank you for all of your the lies they were told. As a lad, I, The widely accepted view in America work. Annie Laurie Gaylor, Dan Bark- too, got caught up in make-believe. is that religion is the norm and anti-the- er, all of the staff and the amazing vol- But, as an adult, I became increasing- ists are the aberration. Additionally, to unteers have so much energy to forge ly uncomfortable believing lies “for say something or someone is ___-less ahead on behalf of us proud heathens a good cause.” I often wonder how I implies that they are missing that thing. to uphold the Constitution. alone, of four children, escaped. I’m They’re less than they could be. They Receiving my Lifetime Membership glad I don’t share the fantasy world of should have it but currently lack it. A has been one of the highlights of my lies that my brother believes, but he is puzzle with a missing piece. We practi- While cleaning out some old files, life and it’s been a real source of plea- convinced I will be among those ex- cally invite ourselves to be “saved.” I found this photo that I thought you sure and satisfaction, which is price- periencing unimaginable torture for Language is important. It defines might find interesting. less. It’s like a gift that keeps on giving eternity because God is so loving (in how we see the world and how we see It was during a same-sex marriage back to me tenfold. I would encourage ways we don’t understand). I am hap- each other. How we classify each other. vote in North Carolina. Our precinct others to make this a goal in 2019. py to be a Life Member of FFRF and How we treat each other. in Raleigh had been changed from a Freethought Today is an excellent to try to live as truthfully as possible in No one walks around “cancerless.” church that had a multipurpose room bonus and I’m grateful for all the this world. But they win when they are cancer-free. to another church, where the setting work and effort that goes into putting James M. Kauffman As do we when we tell the truth about was quite different. We were greeted this publication together. It keeps us Virginia ourselves and tell the world that we are with signs of “Vote No” as we entered abreast of the latest legal battles and God-free. the voting area. outcomes, which is important to me. Thanks for all the valuable work ev- When I came back to vote the next It is through the legal system where Who goes to heaven? eryone at FFRF does. We all appreciate time, I brought a camera. I showed we can make the most changes to keep Life has only been around for a por- it and are encouraged by it every day. the photo to the North Carolina State state and church separate. tion of the Earth’s 4.5 billion years of Lisa Lehman Board of Elections to express my con- I enjoy the “Meet a Member” arti- existence, and only a very small num- North Carolina cerns. I then received a couple of let- cles very much, as reading about their ber of creatures will go to heaven. ters from the board’s lawyers inform- strength increases mine, as does read- The trillions of extinct simple life ing me that taking photos in a polling ing the essays by the high school and forms that had swam in the ancient Try these two books place is illegal. I called them back college students. I am blown away by seas did not have a chance. for more good reading to remind them of the First Amend- the students’ intelligence, courage Not those magnificent dinosaurs ment, Thomas Jefferson’s position on and ability to express themselves so el- that roamed the early continents for Those who enjoyed reading “The state-church separation, etc. oquently. I trust they’re aware of how millions of years. bible isn’t what Christians think it Then, when the national elections much hope they give us as they carry No insects, fish, reptiles, birds, an- is” from the January/February issue rolled round, the polling was in a dif- the mantle onward. imals that nurse their young exist be- would also like reading The Passover ferent room, totally void of anything Joanie Barker Nichols yond their varied and risky lives. Plot by and Those Incredible Christians, associated with religion. When I asked Washington And not our prehistoric “cousins” both by Hugh J. Shonfield. about the change, I was told it was be- — Homo erectus, Neanderthals, and Mildred Walton cause of ADA regulations. many more hominids — who once Washington Joe Hardesty FFRF is exceptional in hunted and gathered on the savan- North Carolina its accomplishments nahs and in the forests for hundreds of thousands of years — had the opportu- The Born Again Skeptic’s I’m a FFRF member. If I had a mil- nity to live for eternity. Guide to the Bible Donation can be used lion dollars, you guys would be first Not even the multitudes of Homo to help stifle Pence and foremost in mind for the largesse. sapiens — who lived and loved before By Ruth Hurmence Green Your work is truly exceptional and I the relatively recent arrival of the One- A Missouri grandmother My wife and I have followed your am continually referring people to Male-God in the — are en- debunks the bible as activities for many years, but have not your website. I have never been a con- joying paradise. no one has debunked it made generous contributions. Now it tinuing dues-paying member of any The long-worshipped Mother God- since Thomas Paine. is time for us to act. organization other than yours. I can’t dess had been discarded. Those old Published by FFRF Brian Bolton wrote a great article on rave enough about what you have pantheons of gods and goddesses were God as the great abortionist. Although accomplished. eventually scorned. BuyBuy it it from from FFRF online online I have been preaching this for many Kevin Gainer The men and women born after shop.ffshop.ffrf.org rf.org years, he has expanded the amount of Ohio the proselytic spread of the Holy Pa- April 2019 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 19

As a 40-year member, his final command to his disciples. The is no God. At this point, she knew she most egregious examples of theocratic predominant feature of evangelicalism would never see her parents again af- intrusion that maximize public and great to see FFRF grow is the missionary impulse to convert ter she died, something she believed political support for our efforts. We At some point the world to faith in Jesus. earlier that had helped her through cannot win without using every tool we during this year — In contrast, the term fundamen- the grief of losing her parents. But her have. I applaud how FFRF has reached and I don’t recall talist applies only to a small subset of new thinking lifted a burden of believ- out to other organizations to help us, exactly when — it Christians. The basic definition of fun- ing something she hoped was true, but for this is how we continue to win. will be 40 years damentalism was propounded at a his- knew wasn’t. Mom wanted me to know Peter Hall since I joined the toric conference in Niagara Falls, N.Y., that she was happy with that reality. Oregon Freedom From Re- in 1895 and subsequently elaborated She took comfort in that knowledge. ligion Foundation. in a series of 12 pamphlets published No rewards and no punishments. (I’d wager that between 1910 and 1915. She had a wonderful sense of hu- Barker’s talk inspired Will Hunn the percentage of The two primary postulates of fun- mor and said she was glad that she my Life Membership current FFRF mem- damentalism are the claim that the wouldn’t be confronted by people and bers who signed up before I did is pret- bible is the inerrant word of God, a deities that she really didn’t want to see I went to Dan Barker’s talk at North ty small.) perfect expression of his divine will, and be with for eternity in the afterlife. Idaho College in Coeur D’Alene on It has been a pleasure to watch and the assertion that all people who At the time of my mom’s revelation, I March 5. It was so excellent that I de- and even offer a small measure of fi- reject Jesus as messiah will be punished was on a long journey from Catholicism cided to get a Life Membership, which nancial assistance to your wonderful throughout eternity, exactly as Jesus to atheism. I had always questioned I just did on your “Donate” page. My organization through the years as it described. what the nuns and priests taught me, husband is already a Life Member, so has engaged battle with the forces of In summary, fundamentalist is the but I was a good Catholic. Without re- now we both are! Your work is so im- unreason, superstition and, yes, plain correct label for these radical Christian alizing it, I embarked on a step-by-step portant and excellent. We need all the stupidity. zealots who want to inflict their un- journey from devout Catholic to think- help we can get here in Idaho. I truly appreciate the effort you and biblical theopolitical beliefs on every- ing hell doesn’t exist to realizing the Suzanne Marshall your talented staff have exerted to ed- body else. Moreover, evangelical is the church is a political organization seek- Idaho ucate the public on the importance of wrong word to describe these fanatics. ing power and wealth to agnosticism to state/church separation, as well as the Journalists, writers and editors spiritualism and, finally, to the freedom value of secular living. There is certain- should insist on the appropriate ter- of atheism. Updating Foxworthy: ‘You ly every reason to think that it will have minology in identifying this dogmatic, I was in my “spiritual” phase when Might Be in a Cult If . . .’ continued success going forward. closed-minded minority of the Chris- Mom had the talk with me about her Wishing you all the best. tian population. change in thinking. I explained my be- Most of us probably remember Jeff Will Hunn Call them what they really are lief system to her and she immediately Foxworthy’s old comedy routine “You Louisiana — fundamentalists! rejected it. Might Be a Redneck If . . .” Well, I’d Brian Bolton She said that there is nothing but like to update it to “You Might Be in Editor’s note: Thank you, Will! Texas this life and nothing magical or myste- a Cult If . . .” We’ve all had our cult rious after this life. Two weeks later, af- moments. Fundamentalist is Mom’s intellect made ter much thought about our conversa- The problem with cults is that you her an atheist in her 60s tion, I turned to Mom and said, “You’re don’t know when you’re in one, which the correct label right.” That realization was incredibly makes it almost impossible to escape. Journalists and writers use a variety liberating. It gave so much more mean- So, I’ve compiled a helpful list of clues of terms to describe the hard-core zeal- ing to life. to try to accomplish just that. I prefer ots of the Christian community, includ- Later that day, I told my wife that I to use the phrase “If you can be con- ing “Religious Right,” “Christian con- was a happy atheist. She said that she vinced” instead of “If you think” be- servatives,” “Christian extremists” and knew and she was one, too. Because cause it lays the blame where it belongs “Christian supremacists.” our two children were not indoctrinat- — on the liars and scammers who got But the most often (mis)used label ed into any religion, they, too, were un- you into the cult in the first place. is “evangelicals.” abashed atheists. I was late to the party. • If you can be convinced that the In fact, the only accurate descriptor I am very proud of my mom. She way to pay for your sins is to have some- for these radical Christian fanatics is was a wonderful mom, a great intellec- one else pay for your sins, you might “fundamentalists.” tualist and an atheist. be in a cult. Furthermore, “evangelicals” is the David J. Riedl • If you can be convinced that we all wrong term, for the simple reason that Wisconsin descended from Adam and Eve, who all Christians are by definition evangel- had no daughters, you might be in a icals, as explained below. cult. The words evangelical and gospel Am I a masochist for • If you can be convinced that one both derive from the same Greek root, enjoying Black Collar? of life’s goals is to believe something euangelion, which refers to disseminat- with no evidence, you might be in a ing the good news or glad tidings of the The first thing I read in your newspa- cult. Christian salvation story to all people. Dorothy Riedl per is the Black Collar pages. I guess I’m • If you can be convinced that the This universal obligation incumbent a masochist. I suppose it is comforting to way to prove the bible is true is to quote on all Christians is reiterated five times I have made my membership re- know that those bastards are revealed. the bible, you might be in a cult. as Jesus’ Great Commission, which is newal in memory of my mother, Dor- I’ve been a strident critic of the • If you can be convinced that the stated near the end of the four canon- othy Riedl. She was born in Milwaukee Catholic Church for decades. This is- best science textbook is the one that ical gospels and in the first chapter of to devout Catholics. Mom married a sue the content was so heavily oriented says the world is flat, you might be in Acts. Catholic and they raised their four to priest abusers that I’m inferring that a cult. It follows that all Christians must be children as strict Catholics. the fact that so many diocese head- • If you can be convinced that our evangelicals, as instructed by Jesus in They sent us to the local Catholic el- quarters are being forced to publish morals come from a book that says slav- ementary school, even though Dad was listings of their pedophile priests and ery is OK, you might be in a cult. the principal of the local public school. the associated documentation gave • If you can be convinced that our That’s how much the church meant to you lots of content. country needs Christian morals, but A note to FFRF Members them. I do admire the way Bill Dunn com- our president does not, you might be Don’t miss a single issue of But Mom was a thinker with a great piles all of those stories, and in every in a cult. Freethought Today & Private Line! intellectual curiosity. She thought case lists the source. • If you can be convinced that the about and questioned everything. Nice Job. God that created our messed-up world When she was in her 60s, she had fi- John Minck is perfect, you might be in a cult. nally come to the conclusion that there California • If you can be convinced that the way to give poor people more money For real change, we all is to give rich people more money, you If the expiration date of your FFRF Woe to the Women: might be in a cult. membership on your address label The Bible Tells Me So need to get involved • If you can be convinced that an- says March or earlier . . . cient people who knew nothing about Please renew now! Freethought Today has touted sev- germs had better cures than modern By Annie Laurie Gaylor FFRF Memberships: eral victories in court over issues of doctors, you might be in a cult. $40 single; $50 household; A concise, easy-to-read separation of church and state. But • If you can be convinced that the $100 gung-ho; $250 sustaining book that will challenge we must not just look to the courts for life of a fetus is worth more than the your concept of the wins, as these could be taken away. Be- life of the pregnant woman, you might Memberships are tax deductible! bible as “a good book.” Illustrated. 264 pages. ing involved as individuals, in getting be in a cult. candidates elected that understand the • If you can be convinced that mov- Published by FFRF importance of that wall of separation ie stars know more about vaccines than Freethought Today is published 10 times a year. and reaching out to the public at large actual doctors, you might be in a cult. Buy it from FFRF online about how we all benefit from that I welcome additions to this list! P.O. Box 750 • Madison, WI 53701 shop.ff rf.org ffrf.org/donate separation, is every bit as important as Alan Wagner court victories. We need to focus on the Illinois Page 20 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | April 2019 BLACK COLLAR CRIME

the verdicts. David Richards and his then-wife Compiled by Bill Dunn took in Amber and her 3 biological siblings as foster children in 2008. She told authorities in 2013 where they might find semen stains in her Arrested / Charged bedroom: on a comforter, bed frame and purple David N. Moss, 51, Lehi, UT: Exploiting rug. The “major contributor profile” of a seminal and patronizing a prostitute, sexual battery sample matched David Richards, a forensic re- and 2 counts of lewdness. Moss, leader of the port said. Source: News Sentinel, 2-12-19 Mill Pond Mormon Church ward, was arrested John Praveen, 38, Rapid City, SD: Plead- during a human trafficking sting on Valentine’s ed guilty to having sexual contact with a child Day. He’s accused of offering to “manage” wom- under age 16. Praveen admitted touching a en by booking clients and helping them avoid 13-year-old girl’s breasts outside her clothes police and exposing himself to 2 undercover offi- Sept. 28 for his sexual gratification while he cers, placing one’s hand on his genitals. was pastor at Cathedral of Our Lady of Per- Capt. Mike Giles, St. George Police, said petual Help in Rapid City and All Saints Church Moss supervised their vice squad but resigned in Eagle Butte. He belongs to the Holy Spirit 7 years ago after becoming involved in a con- Fathers, an order based in Hyderabad, India. sensual sexual relationship that had “an on-duty Source: AP, 2-5-19 component.” Source: KSTU, 2-20-19 David Reiter, 50, South Park, PA: Theft, Sentenced forgery and receiving stolen property. Connie Reiter, 44, his wife, faces 2 counts of receiving Nathan G. Rieger, 53, Winnipeg, Canada: stolen property. David Reiter allegedly stole $1.2 2 years in prison after a jury found him guilty of million from Westminster Presbyterian Church, meeting with a minor for lewd purposes. Rieger, where he’s been administrator since 2001. He pastor at Vineyard Church, was arrested last allegedly falsified accounting data and created August while trying to meet a 15-year-old girl a sham auditor he claimed handled the church’s for sex in Arroyo Grande, CA, while he was on reviews. Source: AP, 2-21-19 vacation with his family. He was actually com- Sripai Biadnok, 48, Las Vegas, NV: Ag- municating online with an undercover officer, gravated criminal sexual abuse and predato- 13 and kidnapping. He’s charged with raping Claire of Assisi Catholic Parish. Source: WJAC, whom Rieger told sex is “much nicer without a ry criminal sexual abuse. Biadnok, a Buddhist a 6-year-old boy at Holy Cross Catholic School 1-30-19 condom.” monk, is accused of assaulting 2 minors at Wat in Santa Cruz, where Archuleta was parish Donald E. Hetherington, 81, Odessa, TX: 2 Detective James Jolly testified that during Phrasriratanamahatatu Temple in Chicago be- pastor in 1986-87. counts of indecency with a child. Hetherington, their chats he told Rieger the girl was 15 and tween 2001-02 when he taught children about The complaint alleges he made the boy pastor of an unidentified church, “intentionally living with her grandmother. Rieger testified he Thai culture and language. Source: Chicago kneel on a chair, wrapped a belt around his and knowingly touched a child with the intent was role-playing and thought the girl also was Tribune, 2-18-19 chest so he couldn’t move and poured a cup of of sexual gratification,” complaints said. Two because she looked older in photos the officer Jeremiah J. Smith, 38, Hudson, FL: Sexual water down his back, telling him it was “holy wa- 15-year-old girls made the allegations. An af- provided, perhaps in her late 20s or early 30s. battery on a victim under 18. Smith is accused ter and would help with the pain.” During the act, fidavit detailed similar past accusations by an Source: KSBY, 2-21-19 of assaulting a 17-year-old boy in 2009 while he Archuleta allegedly told him, “This is God’s love; elderly woman and another member of the Robin Vadakkumchery, 50, Kannur, India: 20 was youth pastor at an unidentified church. His this is how we show God’s love.” congregation. Charges weren’t brought then. years’ rigorous imprisonment and a $4,200 fine accuser told detectives Smith was his youth pas- A warranted search of Archdiocese of San- Source: Odessa American, 1-30-19 and restitution after a judge found him guilty of tor for several years. The arrest affidavit alleged ta Fe records turned up documents showing rape by a teacher or guardian, sexual abuse in an Smith got him to remove his clothes at least 8 Archuleta was “credibly accused” of sex abuse Pleaded / Convicted institution and aggravated sexual assault. Vadak- times to receive full-body massages. earlier by altar boys. He fled to Mexico in the kumchery, a Catholic priest and school adminis- Genesis Preparatory School in New Port mid-1990s but was arrested at his Albuquerque David Turpin, 57, and Louise Turpin, 50, trator, was accused of impregnating a 16-year-old Richey confirmed Smith, who has 3 sons, taught apartment. The archdiocese settled civil claims Perris, CA: Pleaded guilty to torture, 4 counts student who gave birth in February 2017. English and language arts since August 2018 while he was in Mexico. Source: Albuquerque of false imprisonment, 6 counts of cruelty to an The case included the girl’s willingness to after being a substitute. Source: WTSP, 2-12-19 Journal, 2-8-19 adult dependent and 3 counts of willful child cru- live as the priest’s wife and her father falsely Christopher L. Patrick, 30, Ocala, FL: Ob- Benjamin Leese, elty. The Turpins were claiming he had raped her. The court ordered a scene communication using a computer to se- 38, Dillsburg, PA: In- charged with long- probe of allegations that the lower-middle-class duce or solicit a child and cruelty toward a child. decent assault. Leese, Pastor Rieger allegedly term abuse of 12 of family had been under heavy church pressure Patrick, youth pastor at Grace Baptist Church in who resigned in Jan- their 13 children, ages to hide the priest’s involvement. Source: India Belleview, is charged with sending sexually ex- uary as pastor at Gar- told the undercover officer 3 to 30. The children Telegraph, 2-17-19 plicit text messages, including images of male den of Grace Commu- “ were home-schooled, Sarah Kester, 51, Caldwell, ID: 1 year in a that sex is ‘much nicer without genitalia, to a 15-year-old girl in January. The girl nity of Churches and denied food and kept prison treatment program after pleading guilty was in the Grace Alive junior-high youth program as a Lutheran minister, a condom.’ secluded in filthy con- to felony injury to a child. If Kester fails to finish run by Patrick and his wife at the church. Source: is accused of inap- ditions, sometimes in the program, she will have to serve a minimum ocala.com, 2-12-19 propriately touching shackles. One daugh- of 4 years and up to 10 years for failure to report Esmeralda Cruz, Wauchula, FL: Grand theft a 3-year-old girl at a ter, 17, escaped in Jan- her husband’s long-term sexual abuse of their 5 of $10,000 or more and less than $20,000 and church camp in July 2018. The criminal complaint uary 2018 and called 911. Police said she was children because of her religious beliefs. Lester fraud/illegal use of a credit card. Cruz is charged alleged her parents noticed she wouldn’t look at emaciated and appeared to be about 10 years Kester Jr. pleaded guilty in October to 5 counts with making about 125 personal transactions Leese, even though he was a family friend, and old. of lewd conduct with a minor. on a church credit card from June to December said she wanted to go home; when her mother David Turpin’s parents told authorities the The couple is affiliated with the Followers 2018 when she was secretary at Oak Grove Mis- asked later what was wrong, the girl said, “It’s a couple had so many children because “God of Christ Church, who eschew medical care in sionary Baptist Church. Source: WWSB, 2-12-19 secret.” Source: WGAL, 2-7-19 called on them” to do so. The grandparents said favor of faith healing. According to the Canyon Peter W. Cooper, 63, Elmore, AL: Lewd James E. Cude, 54, Mesquite, TX: Online the Turpins are Pentecostal but didn’t have a County Sheriff’s Office, Sarah Kester told in- act on a minor. Cooper is accused of groping a solicitation of a minor. Cude, contemporary mu- church in the area and that their children were vestigators she’d known about the abuse for 17 13-year-old girl under her dress in 1976 during sic pastor and deacon at First Baptist Church made to memorize long bible passages as part years but didn’t report it “because it was against bible study at his home in Spartanburg, SC. At of Whitesboro, allegedly sent “sexually graphic of their schooling. David Turpin was listed as her belief system” to involve agencies such as the time he was a youth intern pastor at Central messages” to an undercover officer posing as a school principal. Source: ABC/AP, 2-22-19 law enforcement or child protection services Church of Christ and later worked at churches 13-year-old boy on the dating app Grindr. He’s Francis McDermott, 75, Biddeford, En- with personal matters. “Instead, she said she in Alabama. also a public high school band director. Source: gland: Guilty by jury of 18 counts of gross in- attempted to protect ... children through praying Loana Cooper Benton identified herself to Herald Democrat, 2-7-19 decency and indecent assault on 6 male and for ‘the demon’ to leave Lester and attempting to media as the accuser who went to police in Al- John H. Simonson, 38, Detroit Lakes, MN: female victims under age 16 or age 14, includ- keep him busy with other tasks.” abama. She said Cooper is her uncle and mo- 3rd-degree criminal damage to property and ing a brother and sister, while he worked as a Deputy Prosecutor Erica Kallin said Lester lested her when she was 4: “When I tried to tell misdemeanor theft. Simonson, pastor at First Catholic priest in 1971-79. Kester was having “intercourse” with the vic- my mom what had happened, I didn’t even know Lutheran Church, allegedly “keyed” a woman’s One boy testified that McDermott was a fam- tims by the time they were 10. Three daugh- the right words to describe what had happened.” car after having an argument with her in a liquor ily friend: “He stayed over in my bed. My parents ters gave statements at sentencing and said Other alleged victims have since come forward. store parking lot in December. Damage was es- would allow this and I thought it OK. It would be their mother rebuffed them in 2015 and earlier Source: WSPA, 2-11-19 timated at about $600. Store video footage al- top and tail. One at [the] top and one at [the] bot- when they asked her to do something to protect Lorenzo R. Washington, 47, Lexington, legedly showed him putting a number of “shoot- tom of the bed. ... I was still in primary school. their youngest sister. Instead of reporting it, she SC: Criminal sexual conduct and attempted ers” (mini bottles of alcohol) in his pocket and He asked me to touch his penis and said my called them “whores” and “sluts” and blamed criminal sexual conduct with a minor. Wash- leaving without paying for them. Source: Detroit mother asked him to tell me [the facts] of life.” them for the abuse. Source: Press-Tribune, ington, pastor of Mt. Hill Missionary Baptist Lakes Tribune, 2-7-19 Source: Bucks Free Press, 2-20-19 2-14-19 Church, is accused of touching a student over Phillip J. Buckson, 32, Boiling Springs, Rodney Harmon Jr., 34, Stockton, MD: Andrea N. Baber, 30, Cottage Grove, OR: her clothes and kissing her on the neck and SC: 4 counts of criminal sexual conduct with Convicted of displaying an obscene item to a 20 months in prison and 2 years’ probation after mouth Jan. 22 in the concession stand at Dor- a minor. Buckson, pastor at Cleveland Chapel minor and 3 counts of sexual abuse of a minor pleading guilty to 6 counts of contributing to the man High School. He’s a booster club member. Baptist Church in Spartanburg, is charged with for preying on at least 7 teen boys from Jan- sexual delinquency of a minor and 3 counts of Source: The State, 2-9-19 having sex multiple times with a girl, starting in uary-July 2018 through his work as a youth 3rd-degree rape. A plea deal dropped 20 more Marvin Archuleta, 81, Albuquerque, NM: 2015 when she was 13. It’s alleged she became group leader for Bayside Community Church. charges, including sodomy and providing mari- Criminal sexual penetration of a child under pregnant twice and had abortions both times. Charging documents allege Harmon sodomized juana to a minor. Source: WSPA, 2-5-19 “Juvenile 2,” age 15, with an adult toy at least Baber worked as a teacher at Logos Chris- Michael McCusker, 36, Creve Coeur, MO: once and performed oral sex on him several tian Academy in Springfield until shortly before 2nd-degree stalking and resisting arrest. Mc- times. being arrested in December 2017. A probable Cusker, a Benedictine monk and teacher at Prosecutors said he promised the boys mon- cause affidavit said the parents received an St. Louis Priory School, was seen hiding in the ey for shooting videos of themselves masturbat- anonymous email asking if they knew about the bushes and running away from a co-worker’s ing but never gave them any money. Source: sexual relationship between their 17-year-old home after she called police about a window WMDT, 2-14-19 son and Baber. Attached were several photos peeper, the complaint said. Source: Post-Dis- David L. Richards Jr., Lenoir City, TN: of them in Baber’s bed. Police discovered that patch, 2-5-19 Guilty by jury of 9 felonies, including rape, in- her husband had reported finding them there to Jeffery Brown, 57, New York City: Endan- cest and sexual battery by an authority figure. Child Protective Services. The boy alleged they gering the welfare of a child and forcible touch- He was accused of assaults on his adopted started a relationship when he was 15. Source: ing. Brown, assistant pastor at the Tabernacle daughter when he was a minister at My Father’s Register-Guard, 2-10-19 of Deliverance for All People, allegedly grabbed House of God and a staffer at Smoky Mountain Timothy L. Reddin, 67, Springdale, AR: 10 a 14-year-old girl’s buttocks while she was help- Children’s Home. Inappropriate touching start- years in prison after pleading guilty to attempt- ing him make copies at the church. Source: NY ed in 2011 when she was 14 and culminated in ed online enticement of a minor. Reddin was a Post, 2-5-19 intercourse in late 2013, about 2 months after part-time pastor at Turner Street Baptist Church Stacy Sindleri, 34, Johnstown, PA: Theft. he texted her about taking the relationship “to in August 2018 when he contacted an under- She is charged with writing herself 104 checks the next level.” cover agent posing as a 14-year-old boy. Court totaling about $250,000 between March 2016 His accuser, Amber Richards, now 21, documents allege he sent the agent a photo of Marvin Archuleta and March 2018 while she was secretary at St. chose to speak on the record to media after his penis, said he could “coach” him to perform April 2019 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 21 oral sex and promised “I’ll never tell! I could go a search warrant at their church-owned home, to jail!” When he was arrested, investigators where the sex allegedly took place. found lubrication, a sexual device and a hotel Strickland said the investigation has been key in his car. difficult for his 8 children. In an interview, State Reddin was sentenced in 2000 to 27 months Police Lt. Chuck Christensen said “At this point, in prison for possessing child pornography and with everything we have done, we believe that had resigned in 1998 as Central Baptist As- it occurred over a period of time on more than sociation director of missions after porn was one occasion.” found on his work computer. Source: KFSM, In an unrelated case in June 2018, murder 2-7-19 suspect Donnovan Lewis alleged he killed his Elijah Mealancon, 58, New Orleans: 4 years girlfriend Aniya Mack, 24, because of her grow- in prison and $25,000 restitution after a bench tri- ing relationship with Strickland, her pastor. Lew- al verdict of guilty to unauthorized use of a mov- is awaits trial. Source: WWMT, 2-5-19 able (property able to be moved to another loca- tion). He was charged with taking $33,000 from Removed / Resigned a victim of Hurricane Katrina but never delivering on his promise to repair her home. Gary Auten and Kimber Auten, Evansville, As lead pastor at Elijah Christian Ministries, IN, who are married, “chose to resign on their Mealancon got several people to sign their own accord” as pastor and day care director, re- federal Road Home grant checks over to him, spectively, at Fireside Chapel, a board member convincing them their grants could go further if said. State records show the day care was cited pooled. Source: nola.com, 2-7-19 for 32 violations after a recent inspection, add- Walter Magaya, 35, Harare, Zimbabwe: ing to 24 violations from the previous inspection. $700 fine and order to cease and desist after At least 3 parents lodged complaints about pleading guilty to contravening the Medicines physical abuse. Violations include missing im- Control Act. Magaya, founder of Prophet- munization records, lack of background checks ic Healing and Deliverance Ministries, was and safe sleep training, frayed duct tape on charged with selling an herbal concoction cribs, mold on a crib sheet, scissors and clean- called Aguma, which he claimed could cure ing supplies within reach of children, bouncy HIV and AIDS in as little as 14 days. He also seats and high chairs with no straps and rat poi- sold lipstick he claimed could lower blood pres- son in the spice rack. The building is locked and sure. Source: BBC, 2-5-19 signs for the day care at the church are gone. Muhammad L. Hasan, 51, Corvallis, OR: Source: WFIE, 2-14-19 4 years in prison and $5,000 restitution after At least 152 Catholic priests in Mexico pleading guilty to 1st-degree attempted sexual have been removed from ministry in the past abuse and 3rd-degree sexual abuse. He admit- 9 years for sexual abuse against minors, ted molesting a girl under age 14 who was tak- announced Rogelio Cabrera, archbishop of ing lessons from him in 2016 at the American Monterrey. Mexico has the world’s 2nd-largest Islamic Center for the Holy Quran in Tigard. It’s Catholic community after Brazil. Source: believed there could be more victims. Source: unidentified priest in 2004 while waiting to for Ethnic Understanding, which promotes , 2-11-19 KCBY, 2-2-19 receive the sacrament of confession. Priests Muslim-Jewish relations, about 30 years ago. John J. Lynch, 79, was permanently re- Ronald W. Mitchell, 59, Magnolia, TX: 75 from other parishes were brought to the church The foundation’s 2016 tax filing lists his salary moved from ministry at Immaculate Conception years in prison after a jury found him guilty of to help that day, “given the number of children at $395,303 plus additional compensation of Catholic Church in Woodbourne, NY. He had 5 counts of sexual assault of a child in 2015- involved,” and “Father John Doe” was one of $44,000. Source: NY Post, 2-9-19 been temporarily removed in September after 16 while he was pastor at the Body of Christ those priests, the suit says. Catholic priest William T. Faucher, 73, Boi- the Archdiocese of New York received a com- Ministry. Many ministry members, including The boy “waited his turn and was directed se, ID, is appealing his 25-year prison sentence plaint of “improper conduct with a minor” from 3 the 15-year-old girl he molested, had moved in by one of his teachers to a room behind the with no parole in December for convictions on decades ago. In a letter to the parish, Cardinal with him and were home-schooled. altar where the door was closed and where 21 counts of sexual exploitation of a child and Timothy Dolan said “the allegation against Fa- The girl testified Mitchell told her if she said he found himself alone with Defendant Father 3 counts of drug possession. According to the ther Lynch has been found to be credible and anything, God would kill her and it would be her Doe. Father Doe made [the child] undress notice of appeal to the Idaho Supreme Court, in substantiated.” Source: Times Herald-Record, fault “the movement” was destroyed. Another completely and stand before him nude for a pe- which he intends to represent himself, the issue 2-7-19 girl alleged Mitchell kicked her out of the house riod of time while Father Doe examined [him], is: “Did the presiding judge abuse his discretion Richard Daschbach, 82, has been de- for being rebellious so she slept outside in a made references to his body and forced [him] in imposition of the sentence?” Source: Idaho frocked as a Catholic priest for sexually abus- truck for several months before being allowed to recite his alleged ‘sins’ or wrongdoing while Statesman, 2-2-19 ing girls. The Pennsylvania native has been back in. Source: KTRK, 1-31-19 being observed by Father Doe.” serving as a Society of the Divine Word mis- William T. Coontz, 51, Ft. Lauderdale, FL: It’s alleged the boy’s teacher said “Don’t Allegations sionary at orphanages in East Timor since 5 years in prison and $755,669 restitution for lie like that” after being told. Source: Clarion 1966 when it was a colony of Portugal. Despite tax evasion and filing false tax return convic- Ledger, 1-31-19 Over 300 tips about alleged sexual abuse in being expelled, Daschbach has been offering tions. Coontz led Rock Wealth International all 7 Michigan Catholic dioceses have been masses, media reported. Ministries in N. Carolina from 2010-14. He also received, said state Attorney General Dana “He admitted that the allegations against him wrote several books on faith and finance such Civil Lawsuits Settled Nessel. The probe started in 2018 under her are true,” said a family member in the U.S., who as “Breaking the Spirit of Debt.” The Benedictine religious order in charge predecessor Bill Schuette. While similar investi- requested anonymity. Source: abc.net/au, 2-5-19 Prosecutors said he boosted his income by of Delbarton School in Morristown, NJ, and the gations are underway in numerous states, Mich- Steven J. Marinucci, 71, Philadelphia, was overbilling churches for travel expenses and former St. Elizabeth’s igan was the first to ex- placed on leave as pastor of St. Matthew Cath- concealing money he made from speeches, School in Linden set- ecute statewide search olic Parish during investigation of an allegation books and other products. Rock Wealth bought tled for undisclosed warrants last October. he molested a minor in the late 1970s. The ac- a $1.5 million condominium in 2012 as a par- amounts suits filed by If an investigator comes Nessel estimated cusation has been reported to law enforcement. sonage for Coontz. Source: WYFF, 1-30-19 2 men alleging sexual there could be over Source: CBS Philly, 2-3-19 abuse while they were to your door and asks to speak 1,000 victims once the Hermann Geissler, 53, resigned as head of students 45 or more “ probe is over in about the teaching department of the Vatican’s Con- Civil Lawsuits Filed with you, please ask to see their gregation for the Doctrine of the Faith after a years ago. The Order badge and not their rosary. 2 years. She asked Hernan Toro, 91, San Jose, CA, is being of St. Benedict earlier dioceses to delay in- former member of a Catholic spiritual commu- sued by a plaintiff who alleges he fondled her settled 5 other suits — Michigan Attorney General ternal reviews until civil nity in Rome accused him of soliciting sex from genitals on 5 occasions in her family’s home involving the schools. authorities are finished her during the sacrament of confession in 2009. from 2011-16. Toro was first convicted of sexu- Plaintiff “John Doe” Dana Nessel and stressed that peo- Geissler, an Austrian native ordained as a priest al misconduct in 1983 and was removed from said he was abused ple shouldn’t go to in 1991, denies the allegation. the Catholic ministry in 1990. by “Brother Tim” church officials with Doris Wagner, a German who joined the He was charged with child molestation in Brennan over 100 claims. “If an investiga- community when she was 19, made her accu- 2017 and was sent to a state hospital for treat- times in 1968-71. Doe, 63, said Brennan mas- tor comes to your door and asks to speak with sation at a November conference in Rome on ment last December. His next scheduled court turbated under his robes while talking to him: you, please ask to see their badge and not their giving a greater voice to female survivors of appearance is in early 2020 to determine if “His favorite thing to say when I was in gram- rosary,” she said, because she’s heard stories clergy sexual abuse. A priest she didn’t identify he’s competent to stand trial. Source: Mercury mar school was, ‘I can’t imagine your young, from people encouraged to take settlements by name, but by a process of elimination was News, 2-20-19 8th-grade [penis].’ ” Source: nj.com, 2-7-19 and sign nondisclosure agreements. Source: determined to be Geissler, asked in 2009 to be “John Doe” is suing the Diocese of El Paso, mlive.com, 2-21-19 assigned as her confessor. “He would keep me TX, for more than $1 million for alleged sexual A statue of Polish priest Henryk Jankow- there kneeling in front of him for hours, and he abuse by deceased Catholic priest Jaime Ma- Finances ski was toppled by activists in Gdansk. Msgr. would tell me how much he liked me and that drid from 1971-72 when Doe was an altar boy. The Catholic Archdiocese of Hartford, CT, Jankowski, who died in 2010, is the subject of he knew that I liked him and even though we Madrid was among 30 priests recently named announced it has paid $50.6 million to settle recent allegations he sexually abused minors, couldn’t marry, there would be other ways,” she by the diocese as credibly accused of abuse. more than 140 claims of sexual abuse, nearly mostly boys. A manifesto by the activists, 3 of alleged, adding that after he tried to hold and Madrid “raped and sexually molested John all occurring before 1990. The average settle- whom were arrested and charged with disre- kiss her, she ran out of the room. Doe repeatedly,” the suit asserts. According ment was about $356,000 and the highest was spectful treatment of a monument, said they Wagner also alleged she was raped by to the diocese, he was defrocked in 2007, the $1.6 million. were protesting failure by church leaders to fully the male head of the consecrated community, year he died. Source: El Paso Times, 2-19-19 The archdiocese will hire a retired judge to investigate the Jankowski case. which also accepts men, in 2008 when she was A class-action suit was filed against the review priest personnel files in an effort to re- They placed children’s underwear in one of 24. She left the community in 2011. Source: Catholic Archdiocese of New York on behalf move the “dark cloud” that still hangs over the the statue’s hands and put a white surplice like Reuters, 1-29-18 of Emmett Caldwell and other plaintiffs who al- Catholic Church, said Archbishop Leonard Blair. those worn by altar servers on its body before lege sexual abuse as children and claim the Source: Hartford Courant, 1-22-19 pulling the statue over with ropes on to rubber Other archdiocese tricked them into waiving their tires to cushion its fall and lessen the damage. right to sue. It was filed the day after Gov. An- Legal Developments Source: AP, 2-21-19 Vernon A. Richardson, 56, Jacksonville, drew Cuomo signed the Child Victims Act. Luigi Ventura, 74, the Vatican’s apostolic FL, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after Plaintiffs’ attorney Jeff Herman said his Marc Schneier, 60, former rabbi of Hamp- nuncio to France, is accused of groping a man a search warrant turned up evidence of child client was convinced to join the church’s In- ton Synagogue in Westhampton, NY, owes Jan. 17 during a mayoral address to diplomats pornography on his church computer. He and dependent Reconciliation and Compensation $64,594 in unpaid child support, according to at City Hall in Paris. Archbishop Ventura has his wife led the children’s ministry at Riverstone Program without the aid of an independent records obtained by the New York Post, which served as ambassador for 10 years. An uniden- Community Church and he was also a sheriff’s lawyer and that the program’s goal is to pay says Schneier was forced out as rabbi in 2016 tified official said it’s alleged Ventura “caressed deputy. victims “pennies on the dollar.” The new law “after he cheated on wife No. 5 with the woman in an insistent and repeated manner” the but- He was interviewed Feb. 1 after the St. extends the statute of limitations in child sex who would become wife No. 6.” tocks of the young man who welcomed him to Johns County Sheriff’s Office received a tip. abuse cases, giving victims until the age of 28 The state of Florida ordered Schneier last the event. Source: BBC, 2-15-19 One image allegedly showed 2 nude boys age to seek criminal charges instead of age 23. September to pay about $5,000 a month to his Strick Strickland, 36, Kalamazoo, MI, pas- 12 to 14 engaged in sex. Two others showed They can also sue for damages until age 55. 19-year-old son Brendan, records show. Bren- tor at Second Baptist Church, has been accused a nude boy age 7 to 9 and a nude girl about It also creates a 1-year litigation window to file dan’s mother, Toby Gotesman Schneier, the by 5 boys ages 14-17 of paying them to have the same age. Court documents said Richard- suits. Source: CBS New York, 2-14-19 rabbi’s 3rd wife (they divorced in 2005), said sex with his wife while he watched, allegations son admitted watching pornography on his cell- The Diocese of Jackson, MS, St. Rich- the New York divorce decree included a support police are investigating and Strickland denies. phone but not child porn: “When asked what he ard Catholic Church and School in Jackson order while Brendan is in college. He’s a sopho- His wife, Jazmonique Strickland, 25, resigned looks up, he stated ‘sex with wives.’ ” Source: and 16 individuals are being sued by “John more at the University of Miami. as a paraprofessional at Phoenix Alternative Christian Post, 2-21-19 Doe,” 24, who alleges he was molested by an Rabbi Schneier founded the Foundation High School the day before authorities executed Email: [email protected] Page 22 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | April 2019 FFRF ON THE ROAD

Barker spoke on March 7 at the University of Texas, Arlington, about his story as a former minister and “The Battle of Church and State” in front of a lively crowd of students and local FFRF members. Pictured are Maverick Secular Society offi- cers Jessica Zizzo, Charlee Vance, Barker, Ryan VandeBrake and Jenni “Kelsifer” FFRF Co-President Dan Barker spoke at five different events in Alaska in late Stinson. February and early March. They were all sponsored by the Secular Community of Anchorage (SCOA). This photo was taken at the ZIP Kombucha Brewery on March 1. From left to right, back row: George, Julie Olson (FFRF member and primary or- ganizer of Dan’s Alaska itinerary), Tony DeHaven (SCOA president), Bharath, Dan Barker, James, Holly. Middle row: Michelle, Kathryne, Lela, Ray Metcalfe (former Alaska state representative and anti-corruption crusader). Front row: Greg and Patrick.

Dan Barker poses with members of the newly forming FFRF chapter in Mesa, Ariz., on March 14. More than 100 people showed up at the event, including Life Member Zenaido Quintana (on far left).

Dan Barker sent out this tweet on Feb. 25: “Had a GREAT time speaking at Dalton (Ga.) State College tonight about ‘The Battle of Church and State.’ It was a packed audience! Thanks to the Secular Student Alliance (President David Peyton) for organizing such a successful event in a religion-drenched part of the country.” Top row (from left): Travis McKie-Voerste, lecturer in psychology; Rin Pell; Anna- belle McKie-Voerste, assistant professor of biology; Kasey Tolzmann, vice presi- dent; David Peyton, president; William Cline; Dylan Matul. Bottom row (from left): Kamren Katona, student government representative; Dan Barker; River Sandoval; Moses Guerrini.

Dan Barker spoke to the Secular Student Alliance group at North Idaho College in Coeur d’Alene on March 5. Barker traveled extensively in February and March, speaking at 15 events in 10 cities (and eight states).

Photo by Roxie Smith On March 18, Dan Barker debated Christian apologist Nick Peters on the topic “Does God Exist?” at the University of North Georgia in Gainesville. The event was organized by The Atheist Nighthawks (a chapter of the Secular Student Alliance) and co-sponsored by Baptist Christian Ministries. There were nearly 200 people in the audience, including many FFRF supporters. The organizer told Barker it On March 1, Dan Barker was in Soldotna, Alaska, to speak with the Last Frontier was the largest event on campus he could remember. In this photo are, from left, Freethinkers, which successfully sued the Kenai Borough to allow nontheistic Joshua Pendley of Baptist Campus Ministries, Nick Peters, Dan Barker and Jeff invocations. On the far left is FFRF Member Julie Olsen of Anchorage, who orga- Burt, president of The Atheist Nighthawks. nized all five Alaska events. April 2019 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 23 FFRF condemns DeVos’ attacks on public education

FFRF denounces the Trump admin- posal in the budget. Echoing many istration’s recent multipronged attack of FFRF’s longstanding criticisms, on the separation of state and church the coalition says that such schemes in public education. undermine public schools, allow for The proposed new federal budget broad, unaccountable use of taxpayer contains $5 bil- funds, exempt the recipient schools lion in tax credits from civil rights laws and do not im- for private school prove academic achievement. education. And Instead of changing course in the Education Secre- face of such realities, DeVos is dou- Following a leadership meeting the weekend of Feb. 8 and 9 hosted by the Secu- tary Betsy DeVos bling down on her unconstitutional lar Coalition for America, a number of representatives of various secular organi- has nixed a stipu- proclivities, as can be seen in her re- zations visited Capitol Hill on Feb. 10. One of the first stops was to visit Rep. Jared lation that forbids cent directive. Huffman, co-founder of the Congressional Freethought Caucus. He gamely posed federal money “DeVos announced that she will no for a group photo. From left: Kevin Bolling (Secular Student Alliance), Robyn from being fun- longer enforce a provision in federal Blumner (Center for Free Inquiry), Margaret Downey (Freethought Society), neled to religious Betsy Devos law that bars religious organizations Rachel Dietch (American Humanist Association), Karylena Cruz (Secular Coalition groups via private from providing federally funded ed- of America), Jason Lemieux (CFI), Paul Grolin (Society for Humanistic Judaism), schools. ucational services to private schools,” Evan Clark (Atheists United), Rebecca Markert (FFRF), Rep. Jared Huffman, Annie Voucher and tax credit programs the New York Times reports. “The Laurie Gaylor (FFRF), Mandisa Thomas (Black Nonbelievers), Neil Polzin (Camp create a host of problems. The lack of move comes after the 2017 Supreme Quest), Mark Gura (Atheist Alliance), CW Brown (Atheist Alliance), Andrew Seidel oversight of voucher schools encour- Court decision, Trinity Lutheran Church (FFRF), Mark Dann (Secular Coaliton of America). ages widespread fraud and misman- of Columbia Inc. v. Comer, in which the agement. Taxpayers cut the checks to high court found that Missouri had such schools, yet have no say in how unconstitutionally engaged in reli- they are run. Because private schools gious discrimination when it denied a receiving vouchers are not subject to church-run preschool publicly funded the safeguards required for public tire scraps for its playground.” schools, abuses are rife, such as lack of DeVos is using the narrow Trinity safe playing spaces, adequate lunches Lutheran ruling to broadly give free and textbooks. rein to religious institutions of higher Such schemes are a cynical way of learning. She’s also targeting state-lev- funneling public funds to religious el “Blaine Amendments,” rules that schools, as FFRF has repeatedly point- rightly prohibit taxpayer money from ed out. In the Wisconsin Parental subsidizing churches, ministers and Choice Program, for instance, virtu- religious organizations. ally all of the schools registered to Secretary DeVos is on a danger- participate in the 2017-18 school year ous calling: to subvert public schools were religious schools. and to advance religious education The National Coalition of Public — while she’s in charge of this coun- Education has published a critique of try’s education system, no less. This is a recent bill, introduced by Sen. Ted highly alarming, and FFRF will spare The secular delegation also visited with U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin, who co-found- Cruz, R-Texas, and backed by DeVos, no effort in pushing back against her ed the Congressional Freethought Caucus with Rep. Huffman. From left: Robyn that’s similar to the tax credits pro- zealous mission. Blumner (CFI), Mark Gura (Atheist Alliance), unidentified intern (Atheist Alliance), Margaret Downey (Freethought Society), Rep. Jamie Raskin, Mark Dann (SCA) and Evan Clark (SSA). Not pictured, but also in the room, is FFRF Co-President Exclusion of nonreligious press Annie Laurie Gaylor and other secular representatives. unconstitutional, FFRF contends The Freedom ed in media calls or events that are THEY SAID WHAT? From Religion open to their religious counterparts.” Foundation is FFRF has requested written assur- calling attention ances from the State Department that I don’t under- A few cranky, persnickety, hairsplit- to the troubling future media calls and events will not stand atheists, ting secularists say, with religious zeal, unconstitutional exclude nonreligious media or other- why they wouldn’t that the cross is now on public land so exclusion of non- wise favor religion over nonreligion. embrace religion. the Establishment Clause is violated. religious media FFRF has also filed a formal Freedom It’s been called . . . If, 58 years later, a few people in from a State De- of Information Act request to obtain the great pacifier this age of hair-trigger rage choose to partment call. Mike Pompeo public records related to the event. of man, to keep be offended by a long-standing mon- A member of “The State Department’s favorit- them in line, the ument reflecting the nation’s culture the State Department press corps re- ism towards ‘religiously based’ media fear of God… You and traditions, those people, not the ported that the State Department had should be appalling to all Americans keep people in First Amendment, need help. limited a “special informational call” regardless of their religious beliefs,” line because they Mike Groene Conservative columnist George Will, on March 18 to “faith-based media,” FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie fear the afterlife. in his op-ed “The Supreme Court has excluding all members of secular me- Gaylor comments. “Not only does it They don’t want to harm you because a chance to clear up decades of confu- dia outlets. FFRF has promptly point- trample the core founding value of one of the tenets is, if they harm you, sion,” writing about the Bladensburg, ed out that such a prohibition violates American democracy that is the free- they can end up in Hell. Md., cross case that the nation’s high both the Establishment Clause and the dom of the press, but it sends the Nebraska state Sen. Mike Groene, re- court will rule on this year. guarantee of the message to the fast-growing number sponding to atheist veteran Thomas The Washington Post, 2-22-19 First Amendment to the U.S. Consti- of nonreligious Americans that they Gray, who questioned the legislators I see the greatest president in histo- tution in a letter to Secretary of State are of secondary concern to their own on which god he and his children ry. Of course he is, he was chosen by Mike Pompeo. government.” should believe in during a hearing on a God. “Holding an informational media The Freedom From Religion Foun- bill that would put the phrase “In God Mike Lindell, CEO of MyPillow, in a call that is open only to members of dation is a national nonprofit organi- We Trust” prominently is every school. speech during the Conservative Polit- the media with your preferred reli- zation with more than 31,000 mem- The Friendly Atheist, 2-14-19 ical Action Conference. gious viewpoint bers and several The greatest man who ever lived The Friendly Atheist, 2-28-19 is anathema chapters across died via the death penalty for you and Trump is offering us a window for to your consti- the country, in- me. I’m grateful to him for our future revival, a window to return to God. tutional obli- cluding mem- hope because of this. Governments What happened in the election was gation to treat bers in every were instituted to execute justice. If not about Trump but about something all Americans state. FFRF’s it wasn’t for Jesus dying via the death much higher, the purposes of God. equally regard- purposes are to penalty, we would all have no hope. Pastor Jonathan Cahn, in The New less of their protect the con- Wyoming state Sen. Lynn Hutchings, York Times article, “The doomsday religious affilia- stitutional prin- who helped defeat a bill to repeal capi- prophet who says the bible predicted tion,” writes FFRF Staff Attorney Ryan ciple of separation between church tal punishment. Trump.” Jayne. “In addition, media that are not and state, and to educate the public on Casper Star-Tribune, 2-15-19 The New York Times, 3-15-19 ‘faith-based’ have a right to be includ- matters relating to nontheism. Page 24 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | April 2019 Visit Madison for our 42nd irreverent conference! Enjoy FFRF’s convention from Oct. 18-20 Join the Freedom From Religion beds); $254 (suite). Two-night minimum petite muffin assortment, chilled juice, sightseeing break Saturday. There are Foundation in Madison, Wis., for its length of stay. Guaranteed parking for coffee, tea and milk. Veggie/vegan/glu- many lunch spots open on the near- 42nd annual convention from Oct. 18-20 one vehicle for overnight guests ($15 per ten-free substitutes available. by Capitol Square and on State Street at the Monona Terrace Community and night, valet only). Saturday ‘Grab and Go’ Box Lunch, (about 5 blocks away). Convention Center. (For information on $25. For your convenience, we offer a box Saturday Dinner, $50: Roasted airline guest speakers, see page 3.) Freethought Hall lunch containing deli-sliced turkey on chicken breast with truffle butter glaze, Reception fresh Kaiser roll, fresh sliced tomato and potatoes, fresh seasonal vegetable blend, General schedule lettuce with condiments, piece of whole house salad, bakery-fresh hard rolls & The pre-convention open house is fruit, home baked cookie and chips. Veg- butter, plated dessert trio (strawberry pis- Friday morning, Oct. 18 at Freethought etarian option is marinated grilled tem- tachio tart, flourless chocolate diamond Hall, FFRF’s national office. peh sandwich. Kaiser is replaced with glu- cake, and white chocolate passionfruit The official starting time of the con- ten-free roll upon request. Served with mousse cup), coffee, tea and milk. Veg- vention, at the convention center (1 assorted Pepsi-brand sodas. gie/vegan/gluten-free substitutes avail- John Nolen Drive) is 1 p.m., Friday, Oct. Note: There is a two-hour lunch and able. Cash bar. 18, continuing through Saturday night. FFRF’s membership and state represen- tative meetings take place Sunday morn- FREEDOM FROM RELIGION FOUNDATION ing, ending by noon. The schedule includes irreverent mu- sic, FFRF book and merch sales tables and NATIONAL CONVENTION book signings, complimentary ice cream MADISON | OCTOBER 18–20, 2019 and beverages on Friday afternoon and complimentary Friday night dessert re- Photo by Chris Line ception. Plus, there is the always-popu- 2019 CONVENTION REGISTRATION FORM Science educator Cara Santa Maria lar drawing for “clean” (pre-“In God We Or register online: ffrf.org/convention2019 stands with the full-size silicone model Trust”) currency on Saturday night. of Charles Darwin during the 2017 Number Registering Cost Return the handy registration form be- REGISTRATION FEES Freethought Hall open house. low or sign up at ffrf.org/convention2019. Member ___$60 $_____ On Friday, Oct. 18, from 9:30-11 Hotel reservations a.m., you’re cordially invited to tour the Spouse or Companion (Non-member accompanying member) ___$65 $_____ Please reserve rooms now to avoid four-story Freethought Hall, enjoy light Child (Under 18 Accompanying Registrant) ___Free $_____ disappointment! pastries, Mimosas, orange juice, coffee FFRF is using three Madison hotels. and tea in the Charlie Brooks Auditori- Student with ID (Over 18) ___$10 $_____ ☐ I am interested in hotel, meal or travel scholarship The Hilton Madison, attached to the con- um, get your photo by the amazingly life- Non-member ___$115 $_____ vention center, site of the convention, is like, full-size silicone model of Charles Or join for $40 and save $15 ___$100 $_____ the main hotel venue. The other two ho- Darwin in the Joel B. Landon & Wanda tels offer overflow rooms, and require ei- Y. Beers Freethought Library, and social- OPTIONAL MEALS / EVENTS Number Registering Cost ther a three-block walk or driving or tak- ize with other members and staff. Please ing a free shuttle to the convention site. RSVP on registration form. Friday, October 18 All hotels have blocks Thursday through Freethought Hall Open House 9:30–11 AM / Must register to attend ___Free Saturday nights, with a few more limited Food! Friday Welcome Party (Dinner Buffet) 5–6:30 PM ___$35 $_____ rooms Wednesday and Sunday nights. Complimentary receptions include Registrant 1 ☐ Regular ☐ Vegetarian ☐ Vegan ☐ Gluten Free Hilton Madison Monona Terrace, 9 E. light brunch fare at the Friday morning Registrant 2 ☐ Regular ☐ Vegetarian ☐ Vegan ☐ Gluten Free Wilson St., Madison, WI 53703. Call 1-877- Freethought Hall Open House, compli- Registrant 3 ☐ Regular ☐ Vegetarian ☐ Vegan ☐ Gluten Free 510-7465 or 414-935-5941, or visit bit. mentary ice cream and hot beverages ly/2SPTPlz and mention “Freedom From Friday afternoon after the start of the Saturday, October 19 Religion Foundation.” Rates are $185 (1-4 convention and complimentary dessert Non-Prayer Breakfast ___$20 $_____ people), plus tax. A self-parking garage is reception with cupcakes and hot bever- Registrant 1 ☐ Regular ☐ Vegetarian ☐ Vegan ☐ Gluten Free $17/day. Valet parking: $20/day. ages at the conclusion of Friday night. Sheraton Madison Hotel, 706 John Breakfast pastries, hot coffee and tea will Registrant 2 ☐ Regular ☐ Vegetarian ☐ Vegan ☐ Gluten Free Nolen Drive, Madison, WI 53713. Call be served at the start of the Sunday morn- Registrant 3 ☐ Regular ☐ Vegetarian ☐ Vegan ☐ Gluten Free 866-716-8134 or 608-251-2300 or visit: res- ing membership meeting. “Grab and Go” Box Lunch ___$25 $_____ ervations.com/hotel/sheraton-madison-hotel, Optional meals include: Registrant 1 ☐ Regular ☐ Vegetarian ☐ Vegan ☐ Gluten Free mentioning “Freedom From Religion Friday Dinner Buffet, $35: Bucky’s Registrant 2 ☐ Regular ☐ Vegetarian ☐ Vegan ☐ Gluten Free Foundation.” Rates are $156 (1-4 peo- Tailgate Buffet includes Wisconsin Wal- Registrant 3 ☐ Regular ☐ Vegetarian ☐ Vegan ☐ Gluten Free ple), plus local taxes of 14.5 percent and dorf salad, home-style potato salad, fresh fees. Parking is free and so is the shut- vegetable and relish tray, beer-boiled Saturday Dinner ___$50 $_____ tle to Monona Terrace, a 3-mile walk or Johnsonville Bratwurst with sauerkraut Registrant 1 ☐ Regular ☐ Vegetarian ☐ Vegan ☐ Gluten Free 8-minute drive. and chopped fresh onion, grilled bone- Registrant 2 ☐ Regular ☐ Vegetarian ☐ Vegan ☐ Gluten Free Park Hotel Madison, 22 S. Carroll less chicken breast, black bean burgers, Registrant 3 ☐ Regular ☐ Vegetarian ☐ Vegan ☐ Gluten Free St., Madison, WI 53703 (3 blocks from fresh sliced tomato and lettuce, vegetar- ⊲ Total $______Monona Terrace). Call 800-279-8811 or ian baked beans, buns, condiments, and 608-285-8000 or visit parkhotelmadison. coffee, tea and milk. ☐ I am adding a donation to sponsor student convention scholarships $______com, mentioning “Freedom From Reli- Saturday Nonprayer Breakfast, $20: Please tell us about any ADA accommodations you need in order to fully participate in this convention: gion Foundation.” Rates are $194 (1-2 Cheese & chive scrambled eggs, apple people, one bed); $214 (1-4 people, 2 smoked bacon, rosemary wedge potatoes, (Make checks payable to FFRF) Return with payment to: FFRF, Attn: Convention | P.O. Box 750 | Madison, WI 53701

Name of Registrant 1

Name of Registrant 2

Name of Registrant 3

Address

City State / ZIP

Phone* Email*

Credit Card Number Expiration Date / Security Code

Photo by Ingrid Laas Billing Name / Signature *Contact information for in-house use only The Forward Marching Band performs during FFRF’s 2017 convention in Madison with the Wisconsin State Capitol in the background.