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Vo1. 31 No. 3 Published by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. April 2014 FFRF complaints © A Better Life/Christopher Johnson create buzz

Rebecca Newberger Goldstein and Steven Pinker, photographed for Christopher Johnson’s A Better Life: 100 Atheists Speak Out on Joy & Meaning in a World Without God.

March roared like a lion from begin- the board’s public censure. ning to end in winter-weary Wisconsin, Garnering at least of a week of me- and so did the Freedom From Religion dia attention in March was a letter from Pinker named FFRF’s Foundation, acting on many egregious Co-Presidents Dan Barker and Annie entanglements between religion and Laurie Gaylor to Green Bay Mayor Jim government. Schmitt, reprimanding him for invit- first honorary president FFRF’s complaints stirred up lots of ing the pope to visit the Wisconsin city regional and national news coverage, next year to make “a pilgrimage to the crank mail and crank callers, starting Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help.” with the March 3 announcement that Schmitt’s invitation on city let- religious incursions in science and gov- the Tennessee Board of Judicial Con- terhead was signed “Your servant in ernment, including testifying before duct agreed with FFRF that former Christ” and extolled in excited tones The Freedom From Religion Congress. He prevailed against a pro- magistrate Lu Ann Ballew violated “the events, apparitions and locutions” Foundation is delighted to announce posal at Harvard to require a course on codes of judicial conduct by ordering a in 1859 that “exhibit the substance that world-renowed scientist Steven “Reason and Faith,” saying, “[U]niver- boy’s named changed from Messiah to of supernatural character,” involving Pinker, already an honorary FFRF di- sities are about reason, pure and sim- Martin at an August hearing. “the first and only Blessed Virgin Mary rector, will serve as its first honorary ple. Faith — ­believing something with- Ballew said Messiah is a title “earned apparition approved by the Catholic president. out good reasons to do so — has no by one person, and that person is Jesus Church in the United States.” Pinker, a Johnstone Family Profes- place in anything but a religious insti- Christ.” Staff Attorney Rebecca Mark- While noting Schmitt is “welcome to sor in the psychology department at tution, and our society has no shortage ert’s letter of complaint set in motion personally believe” in the supernatural Harvard University, is on Time’s list of of these. Imagine if we had a require- sighting of the Virgin Mary a century the “World’s 100 Most Influential Peo- ment for ‘Astronomy and Astrology’ and a half ago, the FFRF directors told ple.” As an experimental psychologist, or ‘Psychology and Parapsychology,’ ” Schmitt he’s not free to use his civic of- he’s one of the world’s foremost writers he wrote in an op-ed titled “Less Faith, Inside This Issue fice to promote “your personal (and on language, the mind and human na- More Reason” in the Harvard Crimson Ask a Skeptic: highly embarrassing) religious beliefs.” ture. His research on visual cognition in 2006. Weddings and At a press conference Schmitt called and the psychology of language has In a 2007 interview with Salon.com, communion to defend himself, he admitted his let- won awards from the National Acade- Pinker noted, “Atheists are the most Page 9 ter was a “little heavy” on the religion. my of Sciences, the Royal Institution of reviled minority in the United States, This is not FFRF’s first tussle with Great Britain, the Cognitive Neurosci- so it’s no small matter to come out and Schmitt, who was stopped by FFRF’s ence Society and the American Psycho- say it.” federal lawsuit from putting a nativity logical Association. Pinker is part of an intellectual pow- Jamila Bey: scene atop the entrance of City Hall. Pinker told FFRF, when receiving er couple with his wife, Rebecca New- ‘Coolest job’ FFRF, by the way, also criticized the its Emperor Has No Clothes Award berger Goldstein, a recipient of a Mac- includes invitation to the pope to address Con- in 2004: “I was never religious in the Arthur “genius grant.” A philosopher community gress from Catholic politicians John theological sense. I never outgrew my and novelist, Goldstein was named a building Boehner, U.S. House speaker, and conversion to atheist at 13.” Freethought Heroine by FFRF in 2011, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi: Born in Montreal, Pinker studied at when she spoke poignantly about her Page 12 “Congress needs a visit from the pope McGill University and Harvard, where escape from the strictures of strict Or- like Boehner needs more time in a tan- he earned his Ph.D. He taught at MIT thodox Judaism. ning booth.” for 21 years and also at Stanford. He’s Among her books are 36 Arguments Bart Ehrman Gaylor and Barker also stirred up an the author of six critically acclaimed for the Existence of God: A Work of Fiction, speaks at online hornet’s nest for reprimanding books for a general audience, includ- and the just released nonfiction work, Raleigh Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker for misus- ing The Language Instinct (1994), How Plato at the Googleplex: Why Philosophy Convention ing his official gubernatorial Facebook the Mind Works (1997), The Blank Slate: Won’t Go Away. The Boston Globe calls and Twitter accounts to promote re- The Modern Denial of Human Nature her “a playful, bouyant, witty stylist who Back page ligion. On March 16, Walker posted (2002), and The Better Angels of Our Na- parses intractably difficult philosophi- ture: Why Violence Declined (2011). cal and religious ideas with breaktak- Continued on page 13 Pinker has actively worked against ing ease.” Page 2 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin April 2014

Get your ‘godless’ reward — a ‘clean’ dollar bill Help FFRF grow by recruiting a member! Help the Freedom From Religion a new member who has a U.S. address. Foundation continue to grow in num- Sorry, but renewals for yourself or oth- bers and influence by persuading a new ers do not qualify (“clean” money is member to join today! For each new hard to come by). member a current member recruits, Use the handy, inserted self-ad- ment, PO Box 750, Madison, WI 53701. duo back in 1976 and welcomed its you will receive a “clean,” pre-“In God dressed envelope inside this issue, Or phone 1-800-335-4021 9-5 Central 20,000th official member in February. We Trust” dollar bill. which contains full details. Or mail a weekdays if you’d like to sign up a new (See Ken Knighton’s story, page 3 Please specify whether you want us money order or check for at least $40 member using your credit card. (Sorry, of the March issue, about becoming to send your dollar bill to your recruit earmarked for membership. our online form doesn’t accommodate FFRF’s 20,000th.) or keep it yourself. Include your name and address and this short-term recruitment drive.) All dues and donations are deduct- This offer applies only to current your recruit’s name and address and The offer ends June 30. ible for income tax purposes. FFRF members paying for or recruiting mail to: FFRF, Membership Recruit- FFRF began as a mother-daughter Freedom depends on freethinkers. ‘Immortals’ ensure healthy outlook for FFRF

The Freedom From Religion Foun- her proud.” bequest brochure, please contact Co- 1-800-335-4021 or email Lisa at lisa@ dation is pleased to announce addi- • Linda and Dan Kettner. President Annie Laurie Gaylor or Di- ffrf.org. tions to “The Immortals,” those very • David and Linda Reichert. David rector of Operations Lisa Strand at Freedom depends on freethinkers. generous members who make provi- writes: “I am always very glad to help sions for FFRF, a 501(c)(3) education- FFRF as I am insanely passionate about al charity, in their estate planning. separation of church and state issues The category was suggested by Life and you are so capably working to pre- Lake Hypatia ‘Glorious Members B. Babow and Mike Kirk- vent the U.S. from becoming a theoc- land in hopes it would raise awareness racy. I would be honored to be on ‘The of the importance of legacy planning Immortals’ list.” 4th’ — mark the date! for FFRF’s future. Confidentiality is • Doug Walty. assured. Only “bequesters” giving ex- • Stephanie Smith and Harry Wild- press permission will be listed. gen. FFRF’s newest Immortals include: Thanks to all these kind members • Guy T. Craig. who have taken steps to ensure FFRF’s • Herbert A. Davis, who writes that future. Also taking an unprecedented he doesn’t “need the publicity but am step to encourage future bequests is proud to be a supporter of your orga- Life Member Monty Cleworth, who last nization. Everyone who matters knows year kicked off FFRF’s official endow- I am an atheist and I describe myself ment fund with a spectacular $100,000 as a ‘militant atheist.’ Anne Gaylor is a gift to create it. heroine and you youngsters are doing If you would like a copy of FFRF’s FFRF welcomes 15 new Lifetime Members The Alabama Freethought Asso- Meals are served on the cool lake- ciation, FFRF’s longest-lived current side pavilion, and the area abuts Tall- chapter (based in the “buckle of the bi- edega National Forest. There are both The Freedom From Religion Foun- New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Tex- ble belt”), will hold its annual Glorious formal and informal events at this dation is delighted to welcome its new- as, Wisconsin and the District of Co- Fourth conference on Independence child-friendly event. est “Lifers.” They are: lumbia. Day weekend at Lake Hypatia in rural It opens at 11 a.m. with registration Dr. Bob Allen, Robert Aughen- Individual Lifetime Memberships Munford near Talledega. on Thursday, July 3, continuing all day baugh, Seymour Gloger, Neil Graham, are $1,000, mean never another re- The event takes place at Lake Hypa- July 4 and concluding mid-afternoon Holly Huber, Joan Johnston, Mitch- newal notice, are tax-deductible for the tia “Advance, Not Retreat!” in FFRF’s Saturday. Included are four catered ell Kahle, Gary Joel Katleman, Glen generous donor and go into rainy day air-conditioned auditorium set near meals. Updates on speakers, registra- Likins, Bernard Mazie, Stephen Parker, reserves. woodsy campgrounds owned by Patri- tion, etc., will run in the May issue. Robert Seeman, Esq., N. Lee Skibicki, Warmest thanks to Richard, Ray, cia Cleveland, who generously makes Also check at: Ray Stefanski and Richard VanMetter. Lee, Bob, Stephen, Bernard, Glen, the lakeside area available for primi- ffrf.org/outreach/afa/about-lake- States represented are Arkansas, Gary, Mitch, Joan, Holly, Neil, Sey- tive camping and RVs. There are many hypatia California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, mour, Robert and Dr. Bob! area motels. Freethought Today Notify Us of A Note to Members published by Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. Your Address [email protected] • FFRF.org Your address label shows the expira- P.O. Box 750 • Madison WI 53701 Change Promptly! tion date of your membership in FFRF, (608)256-8900 • FAX (608)204-0422 Email: [email protected] which includes your subscription to Editor: Bill Dunn, [email protected] Don’t miss a single issue! If you Freethought Today and “Private Line.” If move, notify us directly and it says April 2014 or earlier please renew! Production Editor: Scott Colson promptly. The Post Office does Your prompt renewal­ ($40-single mem­ Executive Editor: Annie Laurie Gaylor not forward third-class mail. bership;­ $50-household; $100 gung-ho; Assistant Editor: Lauryn Seering FFRF cannot be responsible for re- $25-student) saves us time and post­ Contributors: Philip Appleman, Jamila Bey, James Davis, Chris Johnson, age, and is tax-deductible. Free­­­thought placing back issues if we have not Mason Lane, Hemant Mehta, Brent Nicastro, Andrew Seidel been notified prior to your move. Today is published 10 times a year, with April 2014 Back issues, while they last, may combined issues in Jan/Feb and June/ be ordered for $2 each. July. Send membership or renewal to The only freethought newspaper in the United States FFRF, Box 750, Madison WI 53701, ffrf.org/donate April 2014 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 3

FFRF 37th annual convention Oct. 24-25 in Los Angeles Scientists, authors, attorneys among FFRF’s honorees

Donald C. Johansen Marci Hamilton

Erwin Chemerinsky Anthony Pinn

annual drawing for “clean” (pre-“In God We Trust”) currency and some entertainment at the piano by FFRF Co-President Dan (“The Singing Athe- ist”) Barker. It is followed by the annu- al membership meeting and meeting of FFRF state representatives Sunday morning. The Biltmore’s eateries include Smeraldi’s and the Rendezvous Court, which offers traditional afternoon tea, as well as the Gallery Bar with jazz Christopher Johnson nights and signature martinis, along with Bugis Street Brasserie, offering au- Sean Carroll Edwina Rodgers Rogers oversees SCA, a coalition to thentic Singaporean-Chinese cuisine. which FFRF belongs, after 20 years FFRF has a successful chal- of service in the U.S. Senate, White Meals lenge on appeal in the federal courts House and private sector. She has a law The Freedom From Religion of the parish exemption. He’ll talk degree. Two optional Saturday meals are of- Foundation’s 37th annual national on “The Vanishing Wall Separating New York-based photographer fered: The Non-Prayer Breakfast and convention will take place Oct. 24-25, Church and State.” Christopher Johnson will give a photo the Saturday Banquet Dinner. 2014, at the legendary Biltmore Hotel, Attorney Marci Hamilton, Cardozo presentation, “A Better Life: Atheists The full breakfast ($30 including 506 S. Grand Avenue in Los Angeles. School of Law, Yeshiva University, will Speak Out on Joy and Meaning.” John- 23% service charge and 9% sales tax) The Biltmore, a luxury hotel and receive a Freethought Heroine Award. son traveled the world photograph- is freshly squeezed orange juice, muf- favorite of dignitaries, is celebrating its Hamilton, a constitutional scholar ing atheists for a fascinating 254-page fin and danish basket, fresh-cracked 90th anniversary this year and is steps who clerked for Justice Sandra Day book, A Better Life: 100 Atheists Speak country scrambled eggs, thick-cut ap- away from the L.A. Live entertainment O’Connor, is the author of God and the Out on Joy & Meaning in a World Without plewood bacon, herb-roasted red pota- complex, Staples Center, Ahmanson Gavel: The Perils of Extreme Religious Lib- God (2014). toes, freshly brewed regular and decaf- Theatre, Walt Disney Concert Hall and erty, newly updated this year. She wrote Other speakers and honorees will feinated coffee and Harney & Son teas. a few miles from Dodger Stadium. FFRF’s amicus brief before the Su- be announced in future issues and on- Vegetarian is all of above, but tomato FFRF is delighted to announce two preme Court in the Hobby Lobby chal- line at ffrf.org/convention/. slice substituted for bacon. distinguished scientists will accept its lenge of the contraceptive mandate. Those who might enjoy a little sight- Dinner ($55 including 23% service Emperor Has No Clothes Award, a Anthony Pinn was the first African- seeing can do so Friday morning, then charge and 9% sales tax) is a choice brass statuette reserved for public fig- American to hold an endowed chair at attend afternoon workshops featuring of chicken or halibut with potato, veg- ures who “tell it like it is” about reli- Rice University after earning degrees staff attorneys and an appetizer recep- etable and dessert (or chef’s choice gion. Honorees are paleoanthropolo- from Harvard and Columbia. He’s tion from 3-5. Registration opens up at vegetarian). Vegan and gluten-free gist Donald C. Johanson, discoverer professor of humanities and religious 2 p.m. and continues through the con- available. of “Lucy,” author of many books and studies and research director at the In- vention. director of the Institute of Human Ori- stitute for Humanist Studies. His books The program begins formally at 7 Hotel gins at Arizona State University in Tem- include Why, Lord? Suffering and Evil in p.m. Friday night, including speakers, pe; and physicist Sean Carroll, senior Black Theology (1995), The End of God- honorees and a complimentary dessert Rates of $169 single or double, $199 research associate in the Department Talk: An African American Humanist The- reception. Saturday begins with FFRF’s triple and $229 quad are being held of Physics at the California Institute of ology and Writing God’s Obituary: How a nontraditional Non-Prayer Breakfast. for FFRF through Sept. 23, 2014 (or Technology and author of The Particle Good Methodist Became a Better Atheist. An all-day program concludes after the as availability lasts). Phone 1-800-245- at the End of the Universe: How the Hunt Secular Coalition for America di- evening keynote speech. 8673 and identify yourself as part of for the Higgs Boson Leads Us to the Edge of rector Edwina Rogers will also speak. The convention will include the the Freedom From Religion Founda- a New World. tion. You can reserve online by going Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of the to ffrf.org/outreach/convention/. Click on University of California-Irvine School Freedom From Religion Foundation the link under “37th Annual National of Law and author of The Conservative P.O. Box 750 • Madison WI 53701 • (608) 256-8900 • ffrf.org Convention – 2014” to reach the Bilt- Assault on the Constitution is accepting more’s registration page. a Champion of the First Amendment Award. What is the Freedom From Religion Foundation? FFRF registration Chemerinsky argued a Ten Com- mandments case before the U.S. Su- Founded in 1978 as a national organization of freethinkers (atheists and agnostics), Registration is $65 for individual preme Court and wrote a brief on the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc., works to keep state and church separate FFRF member, $70 for nonmember/ and to educate the public about the views of nontheists. behalf of the 9th Circuit U.S. Court spouse accompanying member, $105 of Appeals laying out the unconstitu- The Foundation’s e-mail address is [email protected]. Please include your name and for nonmember (includes $40 annual tionality of the parish exemption, a law physical mailing address with all e-mail correspondence. membership). Student registration is which allows ministers to be paid with Foundation members wishing to receive online news releases, “action alerts” and only $10. “housing allowances” that can be sub- “Freethought of the Day” should contact [email protected]. Sign up online at: ffrf.org/convention tracted from taxable income. Page 4 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin April 2014 permission of Universal Uclick for UFS. All rights reserved. Robert with Reprinted Herald-Journal. Spartanburg © 2014 Ariail Heads Up A Poetry Column by Philip Appleman

Never Say Die

I know the rules: I’m old and slow, So one of these days I’ll have to go. Well, I’ll be ready for whatever I get, But – Not just yet! Overheard No one lives forever, they say, And I’ve been around for many a day, Extending free exercise rights to cor- The board of trustees is requiring pro- So it’s only fair that I make way, porations would undercut the rights fessors and staff to sign a statement of actual living, breathing Americans. saying that they believe Adam and Eve But hey – At stake in this lawsuit is whether cor- were created in an instant by God and Not right away! porate chief executives are entitled to that humans share no ancestry with impose their religious beliefs on their other life forms. employees and deny important federal News story on Bryan College’s new rights to those employees. Hobby Lob- policy in Dayton, Tenn., home of the I realize that there’s a season by and Conestoga Wood hire workers 1925 Scopes “monkey” trial For everything: for rhyme, for reason, of all religious faiths and persuasions, Chattanooga Times Free-Press, 3-2-14 but refuse to respect that many of their For bodies slowly turning to mush, employees may have a different set of Your religion is yours; it’s not a code religious views and want and need ac- that the rest of us must live by. If you But – cess to the full range of contraceptives. have an issue with abortion, don’t have What’s the rush? David Gans, Constitutional Account- one. If you have an issue with gay mar- ability Center, op-ed, “These claims riage, don’t have one. shouldn’t have a prayer” Steven Lopez, Sterling, Ill., letter to Los Angeles Times, 3-18-14 the editor responding to one headlined Slow down, there, Mister Inevitable, “Abortion still heinous, godless” This body’s still inhabitable. These companies are not religious or- Sterling Daily Gazette, 2-22-14 ganizations, nor are they affiliated with If we don’t rush ahead like fools, religious organizations. But the owners Today, Michelle and I join our fellow say they are victims of an assault on re- Christians in the United States and Perhaps, while we’re pausing, ligious liberty because they personally around the world in marking Ash They’ll change the rules. disapprove of certain contraceptives. Wednesday. Lent is a season of reflec- They are wrong, and the Supreme tion, repentance, and renewal — a Court’s task is to issue a decisive ruling chance to recommit to loving and serv- © Philip Appleman 2014 saying so. The real threat to religious ing one another, and to deepen our Freethought Today is honored to publish this new poem. liberty comes from the owners trying faith in preparation for the Easter cel- to impose their religious beliefs on ebration to come. thousands of employees. President Barack Obama, White House Philip Appleman is Dis­tinguished Professor­ Emeri­ Editorial board, “Crying Wolf on Reli- statement tus at India­ na­ Univer­ si­ ty­ . His published volumes of gious Liberty” USA Today, 3-5-14 poetry in­clude Perfidious Proverbs and Other Poems: New York Times, 3-22-14 A Satirical Look at the Bible (2012), Darwin’s Ark The weather may have been a factor in (new 2009 edition) and Karma, Dharma, Pudding It’s past the point of wanting the pic- not many people being out and about & Pie (2009). His nonfiction work includes­ the widely tures. I just want them to look at what’s at lunchtime. used Norton Critical Edition, Darwin, and the Nor­ happening. We’re praying that Wal- Linda McVay, St. John’s Episcopal ton Critical Edition of Malthus’ Essay on Pop­ulation. greens learns that the bible doesn’t be- Church pastoral care team member, on His poetry and fiction have won many awards, including a fellowship in long to anyone, it belongs to everyone. why only a dozen people in two hours poetry from the National­ En­dowment­ for the Arts, the Castagnola Award Kelly Taylor, 46, Gulfport, Miss., after availed themselves of “Ashes to Go” from the Poetry Society of America, the Humanist Arts Award from the Walgreens relented after refusing to on Ash Wednesday in downtown Ports- American Humanist Association and the Friend of Darwin Award from the process two prints of bible verses due mouth, Maine National Center for Science Education. His work has appear­ ed in Har­ to concerns about copyright violation Portsmouth Herald, 3-6-14 per’s Magazine, The Nation, The New Republic, The New York Times, Fox News, 2-26-14 The Paris Review, Partisan Review, Poetry, and The Yale Review.. For most of my life, I’ve Christ’s burial is followed by what may been, “Hey, I’m not into He and his playwright wife, Marjorie Appleman, are both “Afterlife” Members be the least necessary title card in cin- it, but I respect your right of the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Phil’s books: ffrf.org/shop. ema history: “Three days later.” Surely to believe whatever you the resurrection comes as no consola- want.” But as time goes on, YOUR WEEKLY ANTIDOTE TO THE RELIGIOUS RIGHT tion to the movie’s Pilate, who scoffs, weirdly, I’m growing less “He’ll be forgotten in a week.” liberal. I’m more like, “No, religion is Ben Kenigsberg, movie review, “His- ruining the world, you need to stop!” TUNE IN TO tory Channel’s ‘The Bible’ is cut into Irish actor Chris O’Dowd, magazine an equally chintzy film, ‘Son Of God’ ” interview FREETHOUGHT RADIO avclub.com, 2-27-14 British GQ, April 2014

produced by the Freedom From Religion Foundation Hosted by Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor

Broadcasts and streams Saturdays at 11 a.m. Central, Progressive Talk The Mic 92.1 FM, Madison, Wis., and over several other stations. iTunes or podcasts archived at: ffrf.org/news/radio Slightly irreverent views, Declare and share your nonbelief in FFRF’s online “Out of the Closet” campaign! news, music & interviews ffrf.org/out April 2014 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 5 ‘Above us only sky’ Donors make Freethought Hall expansion possible

building fund donors will be etched on a 14-foot tall metal wall of honor in the The listing below reports FFRF Anne Nicol Gaylor lobby. (If you want Building Fund donations received to know whether you’re in the run- from Jan. 24, 2014, to March 27. It’s ning, contact bookkeeper Katie Dan- not cumulative except for the total. Do- iel at [email protected] or phone 608/256- nations received before March 27 were 8900.) Names of all other donors who listed in previous issues. Freethought contribute $5,000 or more will appear Anonymous, WA, $100 $5,000 contribution by name. Joyce Today will list subsequent donations in on a separate lobby plaque. Stefanie Moritz and Vince Jenkins, WI, McChesney, PA, also listed as anony- future issues. To protect privacy, con- Other ways to become part of $50 mous previously, has also granted her tributors are not named unless grant- freethought history: Handmade, hand- Anonymous, WA, $40 permission to acknowledge her $1,000 ing express permission (so let FFRF etched vestibule tiles bearing names Anonymous, SC, $25 donation. know!). only (or names in memoriam) are The following donors were inadver- Current summation of “naming still available for $2,500. Paving stones Subtotal: $13,640 tently left out of prior Building Fund rights” donors. FFRF is so grateful to: with names or messages are also still donor listings: • Charlie Brooks,$434,385.44 available for $1,000 (6x12 inches) and New Cumulative Total: David Watkins, WA, $100; James Ber- Auditorium, and grandfather clock $2,000 (12x12). Visit ffrf.org/donate for nard Hampton, FL $200; EJ Breider, dedicated to Anne Nicol Gaylor details. $1,748,123.66** WI, $1,000; Anonymous, PA, $2,500. • Steve and Diane Uhl, $255,500 **Cumulative total has been adjust- Diane Uhl Legal Wing $1,000–$5,000 Steven Bentley, TN, previously list- ed due to fluctuations in stock values Stephen “Friendly Atheist” Uhl Re- Anonymous, CA, $5,000 ed as anonymous, has since granted between receipt and sale. cording Studio, & Dan Barker’s con- The Magic Pebble Foundation, WA, his permission to acknowledge his cert grand piano bearing Diane’s $3,000 name Anonymous, IL, $1,000 • Brian Bolton, $125,000 Anonymous, PA, $1,000 Overheard Brian Bolton Executive Wing Jay Sorensen, VA, $1,000 • Harold Erickson, $100,000 $101-$500 This is an excessive lifestyle. daughter from Kororo Public School Harold Erickson Public Relations Wing Anonymous, AK, $500 Beth Maguire, Cathedral of Christ the in New South Wales after parents vot- • Joel Jandon & Wanda Beers, $100,000 Alex Coyier, WI, $500 King parishioner, Atlanta, on the Cath- ed to retain school prayer Joel Landon & Wanda Beers Library Richard Venti, CA, $275 olic archdiocese spending $4.4 million Sydney Morning Herald, 3-23-14 • Rose Zerwick Memorial, $50,250 Oguz Poroy, IA, $249 on two residences for clergy from a $15 Rose Zerwick Memorial Courtyard In loving memory of Mildred & David million bequest from Joseph Mitchell, According to a survey conducted by & Garden Randolph from Stanley Rosenberg, nephew of “Gone With the Wind” au- the Israeli Science Ministry, the profes- • Very Kind Donor WA, $101 thor Margaret Mitchell sion of rabbi or any other clergyman is “No Heaven Above Us” Cupola $25-$100 Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 3-22-14 the least well-thought-of by the Israeli As yet unnamed: The “No Hell Be- Anonymous, AZ, $100 public. low Us” Mailing Wing, the Editorial Anonymous, CA, $100 We’re not anti-religious. We just think News story in which the medical pro- Wing and the fountain in the court- Ron Fredrickson, CA, $100 a public school should be inclusive for fession was “most admired” in the poll yard. FFRF will also erect a non-church Tyler Matthews, MN, $100 all kids. If they want to have a religious The Algemeiner, 3-25-14 marquee (think of the fun quota- Gary and Jaye Welch, NE, $100 prayer, it should be said in scripture or tions!), which can bear a donor’s name Pam Marcinko, OH, $100 prayer groups, but not during a core What to give up for Lent: Religion. on a plaque. Beverly Board, TN, $100 school activity like assemblies. Hulda Pelzl, Texas FFRF member Names of the 18 most generous Anonymous, TX, $100 Kersten Tuckey, who withdrew her Letter, 3-24-14 Page 6 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin April 2014

FFRF founder has helped 20,000 women Women’s Medical Fund going strong after 4 decades

Hemant Mehta, thefriendlyatheist.com blogger, Illinois public high school teacher ‘Contrary to and FFRF member, featured Anne Gaylor in his blog Oct. 28, 2013, and kindly granted popular opinion, FFRF permission to reprint it in edited form. Playboy readers

By Hemant Mehta rarely went to bed.’

she pulls out a folder with the records of her phone conversations over the Anne Nicol Gaylor, [now 87], is past few days. A sheet near the top an abortion “provider” with no medical documents a call the day before con- training of her own. Her “office sup- cerning a 13-year-old girl who reported plies” consist of little more than a pen, being raped by her 17-year-old brother. paper, checkbook and a telephone. How is anyone even supposed to On a Tuesday morning this past July, process information like this? in a retirement home just outside of Clinics are required to report crimes Madison, Wis., I sat in her living room to the police, so Gaylor doesn’t have to as we waited for calls from women who deal with these reporting issues. Her wanted an abortion but couldn’t afford primary concern is whether the caller one. (in this case, the girl’s older sister) has lor started Zero Population Growth Re- Ties to FFRF She is their last hope for a helping the means to end the unwanted preg- ferral Service (ZPG), where she could hand. nancy. She regularly hears horror sto- direct women to cities where abortion If you called WMF today, using in- As founder of Women’s Medical ries. The youngest caller this year was was available. Before long, Gaylor start- formation available on some older Fund Inc., a nonprofit she started in only 11. ed referring callers to sites in Mexico. websites, you might reach the offices the 1970s, Gaylor asks intimate ques- Gaylor knows the trends, too. Most Abortions were illegal in Mexico and of the Freedom From Religion Foun- tions of strangers with no hesitation. calls come near the end of the week, still are in many parts of the country, dation, another organization Gaylor There’s no time for emotion. There’s when some of the women receive a but police could be bribed to leave founded in the late 1970s. FFRF, based work to be done. paycheck, and around the first of the doctors alone. Referrals to New York in Madison, advocates for state/church Are you single or married? How month when welfare checks arrive. soon followed when that state legalized separation. Gaylor officially retired much money do you make? Did you Women don’t cry as much as they abortion July 1, 1970. from FFRF 2004, though she still holds use contraception? Is the man involved used to. They all cried when abortions Gaylor placed an ad in two newspa- the title of president emerita. Staffers helping you? How much will your pro- were harder to come by, she recalls, pers in 1970 that included ZPG’s post at FFRF still screen the occasional call- cedure cost? Did you see a doctor yet? but now only some shed tears. Most office box and her personal phone ers before referring them on to Anne. Have you had an ultrasound? are just nervous. Emotional. Worried number. The ad urged women to con- After 61 years of marriage, Gaylor’s Gaylor has answered the phone like about how to pay for it. Wondering tact her if their doctors weren’t help- husband Paul died of brain cancer in this more than 20,000 times. Since how they’ll reconcile their religious ing them, and nearly 100 women did. 2011. She moved into the retirement 1995, WMF has raised and spent nearly faith with their decision. Wondering if Playboy magazine later mentioned her home in the summer of 2012. Gaylor $3 million to help women, with most they can keep this a secret from their as a resource, which only ramped up suffers from macular degeneration and of the money (about $200, on average, immediate and extended families. the calls. (“Contrary to popular opin- glaucoma, but her voice, while frail, is per caller) going to a small handful of Do you ever hear back from the ion,” she later wrote, “Playboy readers still strong enough to answer the calls. providers like Planned Parenthood. women who call for help? Gaylor rarely went to bed.”) (Her son-in-law, FFRF Co-President The funding comes mostly from in- shakes her head “no.” Few want to talk In February 1971, Madison provider Dan Barker, said in a 2004 tribute, “She dividual donors. About a quarter of last about the procedure after it’s over. Dr. Alfred Kennan, opened an outpa- may be losing her eyesight, but she is year’s came from foundation grants. Gaylor herself has never had an tient clinic, seeing about 100 patients a not losing her vision.”) WMF’s mission is to make sure that a abortion. In 1958, a few years after giv- week. But there was still great need for Gaylor’s only daughter inherited woman’s right to reproductive choice ing birth to her fourth child, she had sources of funding for indigent women her mother’s activist streak. Annie Lau- is not denied because she doesn’t have a tubal ligation (something she highly and students. rie Gaylor, FFRF co-president, is also enough money. recommends to women who’ll listen). With the help of University of Wis- no stranger to anger from the opposi- It has no paid staffers, only dedicat- I wonder if there’s anything that consin professor Robert West, Gaylor tion. At FFRF’s headquarters, serious ed volunteers. And, for the moment, could help make things better. Paid began Women’s Medical Fund Inc. in threats go in one pile, angry letters in Gaylor is just sitting in her recliner, staffers? Nope. None of that, as the 1972 as an outgrowth of the service she another. waiting for the next caller, waiting to need for funding help is so great that was already providing. It was incorpo- According to Annie Laurie, fight- write her next check. Anne believes all donations should go rated as a nonprofit in 1976 and is now ing for state/church separation is simi- Depending on whom you ask, I’m to help women. She just wishes women said to be the country’s largest and old- lar to fighting for abortion rights, but either sitting in front of a sweet woman had easier access to birth control. She est independent, continuously-operat- “they want to kill you more” when you in the final years of her life or someone wishes young women could more eas- ing all-volunteer abortion fund. do abortion work. who will dread meeting her maker, a ily report instances of rape and get im- The Hyde Amendment, passed by The elder Gaylor is used to that kind modern-day savior and great feminist mediate help, but thinks that “as long Congress in 1976 and still in effect, of hostility, too. When I asked how she activist or, as one newspaper columnist as men keep attacking women, you’re resulted in an even greater demand responded to threats, her voice be- put it, “Granny Blood-Money.” going to have a need” for abortion ser- for Gaylor’s service. The legislation came a little stronger, a little more con- A few prerequisites must be met be- vices. bans the use of federal funds to pay for fident. “I ignore them.” fore a check can be written: The caller abortions, with exceptions made only must live (or plan to get the abortion The early days for rape, incest and to save the life of Plans for future from a very short list of clinics) in Wis- the woman. consin, be more than seven or eight Women’s Medical Fund Inc. unoffi- Because Medicaid funds are in- Just as I’m leaving Gaylor’s apart- weeks pregnant and have already had cially began in March 1970, just after cluded in this ban, poor women are ment, with my computer packed up her first required clinic appointment. Wisconsin’s anti-abortion laws were disproportionately affected and often and my keys in hand, the phone rings. After the woman has had the pro- declared unconstitutional by a federal need financial help. According to the She answers it while instinctively pick- cedure, Ann writes a check for up to district court. The ruling effectively National Network of Abortion Funds, ing up a pen and a form and listens $400 directly to the hospital, clinic or made first-trimester abortions legal. of which WMF is a member, “[T]here quietly for a few seconds while jotting physician. She also refers callers to an- (It wasn’t until 1973 when the U.S. are 15 states that use their own money down some basic information. other national group that may be able Supreme Court, in Roe v. Wade, took a to pay for abortion care as part of their Gaylor asks where she’s from, how to write an additional check, allowing similar position.) Medicaid programs, but there are 35 much the provider is charging and indigent women to owe as little out of Gaylor was already vocal about abor- that do not.” Wisconsin is one of the if she’s visited the clinic for her first pocket as possible. tion rights. In 1967, she wrote an op-ed 35. appointment. There’s an extended She used to give out some of the supporting overhaul of the state’s abor- WMF no longer advertises as it once pause, after which I hear Gaylor gently money as a loan, hoping WMF would tion laws. She joined the Association did, but local clinics are aware of it cut in, “You have to have that appoint- be repaid and could recycle the money for the Study of Abortion and started and frequently refer clients to WMF. ment before I can take your applica- to other women, but she knows bet- the Wisconsin Committee to Legalize It’s not hard to see why: The nonprofit tion, because at that point, they will do ter now. The women are just too poor. Abortion, spoke about the issue on ra- has virtually no overhead and, as the the ultrasound which will confirm ex- Still, she tries to get them to put up a dio and TV shows and wrote letters to group’s financial records show, more actly how far you are, and then they’ll little money of their own, even if it’s the editor. Her phone started ringing. than 99% of its income goes right back be able to tell you exactly what the cost only $25. In 1970, building off a program to paying for abortion care. will be.” When I ask how young callers are, launched by scientist Paul Ehrlich, Gay- Continued on next page April 2014 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 7

Meet a musical member

Name: Andy Shernoff. Where I live: Greenpoint, Brooklyn, I resent the N.Y. stigma attached Family: My beautiful fiancée Carla Rhodes and my rescue dog Duchess. to atheism. Education: P.S. 148, Flushing High School, State University of New York at New Paltz. Show,” focusing on the process not the Occupation: Songwriter/musician/ destination. producer. These are not: Faith, original sin, How I got where I am today: I was people who call themselves “spiritual.” raised in a safe, supportive environ- My doubts about religion started: ment by parents who nurtured an ap- As a child, I found that no matter how preciation for art, music and different hard I prayed, I never got a response. I cultures. They provided me with the eventually realized I was simply talking solid foundation to pursue my dreams. to myself. Probably the only issue in which reli- Before I die: Life is simpler when gion and I are in accord is the impor- you know what makes you happy, and tance of a strong family structure. The I know that every day I make music is world would be a better place if every a good day. I hope to continue to en- child was born from love. Of course, joy its healing power as long as I am on that doesn’t require the supernatural, this planet. just sensible birth control. There’s a reason why many church- Andy Shernoff asks the musical question, “Are You Ready to Rapture?” He Where I’m headed: We come from es open their services with a band and entertained at the 2012 Reason Rally. stardust and we will return to stardust. sing-along. The magic in the music Person in history I admire: John gives the congregation a high, which of religious fanatics, except there are president. Lennon, for inspiring me to become is then misconstrued as being closer to powerful people in government who I would never mock somebody’s re- a musician and setting a high artistic god. I strive to get that feeling without believe this implicitly. It used to be just ligion, but if it’s going to affect public standard. Neil deGrasse Tyson, the delusion. nutjobs standing on a street corner in policy, then I have a right to satirize it. smartest man in the room and a noble Ways I promote freethought: I re- Times Square screaming about the end And if I can get a good laugh out of it, warrior for science, reason and logic. cently released a CD of songs about of the world, now they are running for even better. Quotations I like: “With or without religion and faith. I felt the need to religion, you would have good people take a musical stand and “come out doing good things and evil people do- of the closet.” I resent the stigma at- ing evil things. But for good people to tached to atheism. The nonsense that ‘Are You Ready to Rapture?’ do evil things, that takes religion.” —­ we lack morals and can’t be trusted is Steven Weinberg appalling. According to a recent poll “One man’s theology is another conducted by University of British Co- Andy Shernoff modestly omits his ably wrote 25 verses until I had the man’s belly laugh.” — Robert Heinlein lumbia and the University of Oregon, decades-long musical influence as a right combination of drama, truth and I love to hear Christian apologists atheists are trusted less than rapists! rock journalist and co-founder of the sarcasm.” try to squirm their way out of this one, In my lifetime, I’ve seen blacks and early punk bank the Dictators in the and why does an almighty god need an gays improve their status by demand- mid-1970s, predating the Ramones by Are You Ready to Rapture? apologist anyway? “However, you may ing equal and fair treatment. I think it a year. He later collaborated with Joey purchase male or female slaves from is time for atheist liberation! Ramone and several other groups. The skies part among the foreigners who live among I wish you’d have asked me: What’s Shernoff played at the March 2012 as a light shines through you. You may also purchase the chil- the story behind your song “Are You Reason Rally in Washington, D.C., the guess who’s back dren of such resident foreigners, in- Ready to Rapture?” nation’s largest secular gathering ever. it’s the zombie Jew. cluding those who have been born in I come from New York City, where He released his first solo EP “Don’t your land. You may treat them as your nobody thinks Jesus is actually return- Fade Away” in 2012 and his second He’s really pissed property, passing them on to your chil- ing to Earth. I grew up completely solo EP “On the First Day Man Cre- at the unmarried fornicators dren as a permanent inheritance. You unaware of “the Rapture.” A few years ated God” in 2013. The latter fea- the stem cell crusaders may treat your slaves like this, but the ago, I was surprised to learn that evan- tures “Are You Ready to Rapture?” and the butt hole invaders. people of Israel, your relatives, must gelical Christians were offering finan- “Skeptical,” “Fisher of Men” and “Get never be treated this way.” — Leviticus cial support to settlers on the West on Your Knees for Jesus.” Check out So the towers fell 25:44-46, New Living Translation Bank of Palestine in an attempt to andyshernoff.com and cdbaby.com/cd/ and the earth did quake These are a few of my favorite destabilize the tense situation and ac- andyshernoff3 for more. Google “sher- just a little taste of his vengeance things: Music, wine, barbecue, travel celerate the End Times prophecy. It noff rapture” too see the “Ready to America prepare for your fate. to exotic locales, Jon Stewart’s “Daily could all be dismissed as the rantings Rapture” video. He wrote “Rapture” to poke fun at ’Cause when the trumpets sound, he the late Pastor Harold Camping’s pre- will astound dictions of Armageddon. Shernoff told watch the rivers turn to blood Four decades strong: Dangerous Minds online: “I had the the sinners cry and the dead will rise phrase Jewish zombie rolling through judgment day has come. my brain and wanted to incorporate it into a song. I developed a fascina- Are you ready to rapture? Women’s Medical Fund tion with Christian eschatology and The savior that you spurn researched it extensively. I wanted Loves you forever everything in the song to accurately But the unbelievers must burn Continued from previous page to voice mail and having volunteers represent what these knuckleheads be- When the zombie Jew returns. . . The call lasts only two minutes be- call the women back. For now, Gaylor lieve. It took a few months, and I prob- fore Gaylor hangs up and smiles at me. is able to answer all the calls on her “Ordinarily, they’re more interesting home landline. to listen to,” she jokes. Board member Nora Cusack wrote WMF won’t last — can’t last — to me that if abortion services were much longer in its current form. Gay- covered by health insurance or Med- lor won’t always be around to answer icaid the same way other medical pro- the phone. But a contingency plan has cedures are, the phone might just stop already been drawn up. When the time ringing, or at least not ring as much. comes, the group’s board of directors That, too, would ease the succession and additional volunteers will take problem. over the phone calls and other menial Gaylor’s mission hasn’t changed, tasks that Gaylor has been doing for but as she sits down to wait for the next decades now. call, she reflects on the grander vision They haven’t worked out all the lo- she has for the future: “It would be gistics yet, but thankfully, they haven’t nice to not be needed.” had to. They’re considering getting a Tax-deductible donations to this “pure” dedicated cell phone that is assigned charity can be sent to: Women’s Medical In October 2011, FFRF placed 42 billboards, using five different designs, to volunteers during shifts or getting Fund, PO Box 248 or via Paypal: in Oakland and San Francisco, Calif., to counter Pastor Harold Camping’s a phone number that goes straight wmfwisconsin.org. ridiculous End Times predictions. Page 8 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin April 2014

FFRF Legal Victories

FFRF stops bible ads on ert sent a letter to the district to point school marquee out the constitutional problems with showing Christians films to a captive A high school in North Carolina no audience of students: longer displays church advertisements “The film tells the story of a high on its marquee because of FFRF. Sever- school basketball star named Jake who al proselytizing ads, including “1 Peter loses a former friend to suicide, and 5:7” (“Give all your worries and cares Jake’s path to saving another friend to God, for he cares about you”), were from committing suicide by joining featured on the marquee at South a church group and thus reforming Caldwell High School in Lenoir, N.C. his ways. The film also involves acts of These ads were purchased by “Day 3 premarital sex, drug and alcohol use, Church.” cutting, discussion of abortion and so Staff Attorney Patrick Elliott sent a on. Other films these companies have letter to the district on Jan 8, explain- been involved with have had overt ing why displaying religious messages Christian messages, primarily involving are an egregious violation on public accepting Jesus Christ and the Chris- school property: tian religion.” “Messages on the South Caldwell On March 14, the district respond- High School sign are prominently ed that although the film had indeed featured and are intended to directly been shown during the school day, it reach students. These messages have was an “isolated incident” that does not the imprimatur of the school and are represent and is not consistent with subject to the Establishment Clause. school policy. Advertising on the sign may be prop- The district added, “After speaking erly limited to serve the school’s objec- with the teacher in question, be as- tives.” sured that this film will not be used as a FFRF requested that if the school resource in the future.” would not remove the church ads, FFRF would also purchase ad space it- self. FFRF helps nonbeliever The school district’s attorney become citizen promptly responded that the school had removed all ads, which a photo The Freedom From Religion Foun- sent by a local complainant verified. dation helped nonbeliever Adriana Godly messages will no longer greet the public at this school in Lenoir, N.C. The district has changed its policy to Ramirez, a native Colombian living in ban all nonschool ads on the marquee, California, become a U.S. citizen after the attorney told FFRF. her naturalization application was ini- emonies and ceremonies occurring in teachers took their classes to the guid- tially rejected by the San Diego office Catholic institutions. ance counselor’s office where Gide- of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigra- “We thought this discriminatory ons preached to students and handed Lamb of God off Minn. tion Services. policy was dropped, and here another them each a Christian bible. school menu Ramirez had refused to swear an applicant encounters the same barrier. Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel sent a oath “to bear arms on behalf of the The U.S. government must resolve this letter in December to the district, ex- A public high school in Fertile, United States when required by the problem permanently,” said FFRF Co- plaining the constitutional violation: Minn., will no longer place a nativ- law,” asking for an exemption because, President Annie Laurie Gaylor. “The district may not allow any reli- ity scene in the cafeteria, as it did last she wrote, “The strength of my moral gious groups to enter school property December. According to local news and ethical convictions in this matter to distribute religious literature. Even sources, the display was temporarily re- is greater than any religious training or FFRF letter assures if the students are not forced to accept moved, then put back up after a vote of indoctrination that I may have had in Gideon-free school these bibles, the school sends a clear the school board late last year. my upbringing.” message to the children in its charge Staff Attorney Patrick Elliott sent She also objected to the phrase “so An FFRF letter of complaint en- who are nonadherents ‘that they are a letter to the Board of Education in help me God,” saying, “I do not hold sured that bibles will no longer be dis- outsiders, not full members of the po- December, explaining that the school such religious beliefs.” tributed by Gideons International in a litical community.’ ” may not lawfully maintain, erect, or The agency, which is part of the Tennessee high school. On Feb. 21, the Monroe School Dis- host a nativity scene: Department of Homeland Security, A concerned parent informed FFRF trict responded that it would not allow “The placement of a scene of the responded by writing that “the oath of that the Gideons were allowed to dis- further bible distribution and would legendary birth of Jesus in a public alliegence [sic] must be based on re- tribute bibles at Madisonville Inter- “work diligently to ensure student school places the imprimatur of the ligious training and belief. . . . [Y]our mediate School. A parent reported rights under all laws are upheld.” school district behind Christian reli- unwillingness is not based on religious that at different times during the day, gious doctrine. Endorsements of Chris- training and belief.” tianity in public schools are disturbing On Feb. 21, Staff Attorney Andrew for those parents and students who are Seidel wrote USCIS a forceful com- Overheard not Christians.” plaint letter, noting Supreme Court On Feb. 28, the district’s attorney precedent. “It is shocking that USCIS replied in writing that the board “re- officers would not be aware that a non- Science is not there for you to cherry- science animating his slick words. scinded its previous directive, which religious yet deeply held belief would pick. You know, I said this once and Robert Bowie Johnson Jr., op-ed would allow ‘religious symbols as part be sufficient to attain this exemption. it’s gotten a lot of Internet play, I said Canada Free Press, 3-19-14 of holiday decor as long as it is accom- This is a longstanding part of our law, the good thing about science is that panies by other holiday decor.’ ” and every USCIS officer should receive it’s true whether or not you believe Whatever one might hear on the right The letter added, “The school dis- training on this exemption.” in it. All right? I guess you can decide about a war on religion, in this country trict is fully aware of the current status On March 20, FFRF was informed whether or not to believe in it, but that we still care more about catering to re- of the applicable federal and state stat- that Ramirez received a letter stating doesn’t change the reality of an emer- ligious sensibilities, even in liberal Hol- ues as well as court decisions regarding her application had been accepted gent scientific truth. lywood, than we do about encouraging the issues at hand and intends to pro- and giving information on attending a Neil DeGrasse Tyson, host of “Cos- the open questioning of the claims of ceed in a fashion consistent with the naturalization ceremony. mos: A Spacetime Odyssey” and the faithful. law.” In 2013, FFRF helped Margaret Hayden Planetarium director, on why Lawrence Krauss, physicist and subject Doughty become a U.S. citizen, sur- media shouldn’t give equal time to cre- with Richard Dawkins of the film docu- mounting a nearly identical situation ationists and “flat-earthers” mentary “The Unbelievers,” op-ed ti- School pulls Christian at the Houston USCIS office. The of- “Reliable Sources,” CNN, 3-9-14 tled “Why Hollywood Thinks Atheism film after letter fice relented and let her take the oath Is Bad for Business” without the “bear arms” requirement. As a creationist, I find Neil deGrasse Ty- The New Yorker, 3-5-14 A school in New York will no longer The repeated violations led FFRF to son’s presumption to educate America show the Christian film “How to Save write a comprehensive letter to USCIS on the meaning of science as host of Dead “Snake Salvation” Pastor Jamie a Life” in a sophomore health class. Director Alejandro Mayorkas. Seidel “Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey” repul- Coots Had No Life Insurance FFRF received a complaint from a par- asked Mayorkas to issue a clarifying sive and sad. I am repulsed by Tyson’s Headline about a snake-bitten Ken- ent of a high school student in the policy memorandum to prevent fu- transparent attempt to promote athe- tucky pastor who’s survived by his wife, Jamesville-DeWitte Central School Dis- ture nonreligious citizens from going ism and discredit the Word of God, father, two children and a grandchild trict, DeWitt, N.Y. through similar ordeals. He also took and saddened that so many cannot rec- Christian Post, 2-17-14 Senior Staff Attorney Rebecca Mark- issue with prayers at citizenship cer- ognize the Dark Age a priori pseudo- April 2014 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 9

Ask a Skeptic

Dear Skeptic: attend religious (“fill in the blank”) How can I politely attend the Epis- funerals, typically more about “sin” copal wedding of a close friend’s (again) than the loved one. daughter? The friend and I get along Funerals, especially with open cas- because we don’t talk religion, she ket, are a relic of religion. Emotions knows my facts and I am aware of her are too raw, families are too upset and beliefs. However, whenever we dine at have too much to do to force upon their house, we are invited to bend our them a burial funeral. A memorial ser- heads and say grace. My husband and I vice at most, which can be held when just stare silently at each other. everyone has a chance to make travel The wedding will be heavy on God, arrangements and adapt to grief, is far and my friend has told me I will have more humane and civilized. to suck it up and take communion. I don’t even know what communion is! I Joan Reisman-Brill, “The Ethical Di- do know I don’t want to take it. lemma” columnist: At other church weddings, I’ve You have to politely but firmly tell sat quietly during prayer time and your friend you will not suck up any- changed the words to songs, even us- thing, whether it’s wine and wafers, or ing “dog” for the mythical one. just your own values. If that demotes I don’t think my quiet protests will you to the B-list (or off all lists), so “B” go unnoticed at this wedding though. I it. am also afraid I might shout out some- If you were Jewish or Muslim, would thing inappropriate or start shushing she expect you to take communion? people. Maybe I should just go to the Even if you were Episcopal, it’s out of after-party, where my discomfort is less line — and perhaps even a sin in the likely to be noticed. eyes of the faith — to command any- What would Ann Landers say? one to perform a sacred ritual against — Linda in Virginia their own conscience. P.S. We’re also invited to a Church It’s fine (even fun) during prayers to of England wedding in the U.K. My keep your head up, eyes open and lips friend, who is the only religious one not moving (or moving to alternative in her family, is planning a wonderful words that amuse you). But it would be may be best to just attend the recep- In the Episcopal Church, only bap- party for after the service. She excit- inappropriate for you to register any- tion. The people actually getting mar- tized Christians may take communion. edly told me we were on the A-list. thing that others read as disrespect or ried will not worry about whether the That means it is more respectful of the I wondered what she meant until protest. bride’s mother’s close friend is at the church for you to remain in the pew she explained this meant we were in- If you really do fear you might lose ceremony. You can let them know you rather than to take communion as vited to both the service and the party. control, beg off the ceremony and say care by giving them a personal card your friend told you. The lucky (in my opinion) B-listers how much you want to attend the party. and nice gift. Your friend may not fully Finally, so what if people notice only get invited to the party! Explain to your friend you just aren’t grasp why you may not want to attend that you are not taking communion comfortable at a religious service and a church service, but there is not much or singing hymns? My Roman Catholic Scott Colson, production editor: don’t want to make anyone else un- you can do about that. extended family has never approached I think it’s more offensive to eat the comfortable, but you would want to be On the other hand, attending a me and asked about it even though Jesus cracker because that’s their god, there to celebrate. wedding ceremony is not the end of they know I took the sacraments of first or for Episcopals, a supposedly ade- A friend who isn’t willing to accept the world. As an atheist, I have never communion and confirmation. It may quate representation of him. A cracker you on these terms is not a true friend. declined to attend a wedding service. be noticed, but people are there to see is better than the scary carving of Je- (If you weren’t such a VIP, you could My curiosity won’t allow it, and I don’t a marriage, not to observe who is eat- sus with nails and thorns at some of just show up too late for the vows but want to miss out on the main event. I ing symbolic human flesh. the more graphic churches I’ve seen. in time for the kiss; but that’s not an stand and sit when told but do not oth- Of course, if your blood sugar is Crackers any day. option in this case.) erwise participate by singing or taking running low, there are no gods that will The reception is more fun and a You can do the same for the U.K. communion. smite you for eating a piece of bread. chance to interact with the lucky cou- event. This will make room for some- ple and their family without the for- one on the B-list who’s eager to get pro- malities and incense (unless it’s a Bap- moted to your spot on A. And again, if tist reception — then, run). this friend says not to bother coming at Secular lobbying event all, she’ll have saved you a long expen- Annie Laurie Gaylor, FFRF co-presi- sive trip just for a party, however nice. dent: Even if your friends dump you in June 12-13 in D.C. I vote for the party! There you can a huff, you would do well to leave the truly celebrate the newlyweds, not the door open. Many lovely ladies turn The Secular Coalition for America, Annie Laurie Gaylor will speak, along religion, without artifice or feeling like into Mother-of-the-Bridezillas. It could of which the Freedom From Religion with Jerry Coyne, professor of biology, a hypocrite. No one is likely to notice take time, but maybe they’ll one day Foundation is a member organiza- author of Why Evolution Is True and an your absence at a church wedding, and see things differently and want to re- tion, is holding its 2014 Lobby Day and FFRF honorary officer and Emperor you can circulate and truly enjoy the connect (and perhaps beg forgive- Secular Summit in Washington, D.C., Has No Clothes honoree. reception. ness), which is easier if at least one of on June 12-13. It will include lobbying Other speakers include Eugenie I no longer attend religious wed- you didn’t do any slamming. training, visits with legislators and staff- Scott, who is stepping down as execu- dings (with exception of Unitarian). I ers on Capitol Hill and a policy confer- tive director of the National Center vowed “never again” after being a “cap- Patrick Elliott, staff attorney: ence. for Science Education; “The Think- tive” bridesmaid in my 20s in a Catho- Weddings are supposed to be en- Registration is $50 for students and ing Atheist” video producer and Blog lic wedding for a friend, as the priest joyable for those getting married and $99 for others and includes breakfast, TalkRadio podcaster Seth Andrews; went on for two hours about “sin.” their guests. If the religious ceremony lunch and lobbying training Thursday Jerry DeWitt, first graduate of the Even firmer is my resolve not to is too much for you to handle, than it morning, lobbying visits Thursday af- Clergy Project, who left Pentecostal- ternoon and a pool party and recep- ism after 25 years in ministry; Margaret tion Thursday night. Friday includes Downey, founder of Freethought Soci- They Said What?? breakfast, lunch and a variety of panels ety; Friendly Atheist blogger Hemant and workshops. Mehta, author of I Sold My Soul on eBay A discounted room rate of $159/ and The Young Atheist’s Survival Guide; First off, I want to thank God, because nothing to this program in 10 minutes, night at the Liaison Capitol Hill ex- Wanda Morris, executive director of that’s who I look up to. He has graced zero. And you’re not that smart. You pires May 19. Dying with Dignity Canada; and Caro- my life with opportunities that I know may think you’re smart, but you talk in Visit secular.org/lobbyday2014/. lyn Porco, leader of the imaging sci- are not of my hand or of any other hu- circles. . . . The problem that some of ence team on the Cassini mission cur- man hand. you atheists have is you’re intolerant. ‘No Religion 4’ rently orbiting Saturn, and a popular Matthew McConaughey, accepting the And you’re a punk. So get lost. Get out set in B.C. in May science writer. Best Actor Oscar for his role in “Dallas of here. Sign up to attend and make travel Buyers Club” Radio talk show host Mark Levin, after Rational thought comes to Kam- and accommodation arrangements at The Daily Beast, 3-3-14 a caller disagreed that atheism should loops, British Columbia, May 16-18, imaginenoreligion.ca/. The event begins disqualify a person from being presi- when Humanist Canada and BC Hu- Friday, May 16, at 7 p.m. and continues You know what? You’re an ass. I’ve had dent manists sponsor the fourth annual through Sunday. Beautiful Kamloops is enough of you. You’re a real punk. mediaite.com, 3-17-14 Imagine No Religion conference. in south-central British Columbia. You know that? You have contributed FFRF Co-Presidents Dan Barker and Page 10 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin April 2014

In the News

Millennials quit church gious views,” McAuliffe wrote. The governor’s office said he in- over LGBT issues tends to veto a student religious expres- In a Public Religion Research Insti- sion bill that passed 20-18 in the Senate tute survey released Feb. 26, about a and 64-34 in the House of Delegates. third of millennials who left organized Religion Clause reported that the bill religion said “negative teachings” or would protect voluntary student prayer “negative treatment” related to gays and prayer gatherings before, during and lesbians played a significant role. and after school; wearing of clothing or Of adults between age 18 and 33, jewelry displaying religious messages; 17% said negativity about religion’s and expression of religious viewpoints LGBT issues was “somewhat impor- by neutrally selected student speakers tant” to leaving, and 14% said it was a at graduation and similar events. “very important” factor. The Roanoke Times reported that A majority of the 4.500 Americans McAuliffe’s office said he’ll veto the bill polled (58%) also said religious groups out of concerns about its constitution- are “alienating young adults by being ality and unintended consequences. too judgmental on gay and lesbian is- sues.” Among millennials, that per- centage jumped to 70. Religion trumps rights The polls was conducted in Novem- in Mississippi You got that right ber and December 2013. “Finally, some ‘good news’ that atheists can agree with! I’m still getting over the The Mississippi Legislature has ap- shock of seeing this in 21st century America,” writes Illinois Life Member Al proved a “turn away the gays” bill to Wagner. Religious bills draw let businesses and individuals refuse vetoes in Virginia services to LGBT people on religious grounds. The Republican-controlled rule that corporations have a right to March 7 enjoined enforcement of a Virginia Democratic Gov. Terry House and Senate both passed a con- make religious claims, but that the 2010 county resolution that requires McAuliffe’s March 27 veto of a bill giv- ference report April 1 on the Religious contraceptive mandate does not merit each “limited service pregnancy cen- ing military chaplains wide latitude to Freedom Restoration Act. The House one. The AP called the court “divid- ter” to post to post a sign in English proselytize brought predictable howls vote was 78-43. The Senate vote was 38- ed.” and Spanish in its waiting room that from conservatives. 14. The Wall Street Journal said: reads: The Family Foundation said in an Gov. Phil Bryant has not said if he’ll “Chief Justice Roberts appeared to (1) “the Center does not have a li- e-mail that McAuliffe denied “good sign it. A similar bill was vetoed by Ari- tip his hand when he told [Solicitor censed medical professional on staff” sense and the General Assembly’s vot- zona Gov. Jan Brewer. General Verrilli] that the parade of and (2) “the Montgomery County ing record” in favor of acquiescing “to The Washington Blade reported horribles — all kinds of religious ex- Health Officer encourages women the ACLU’s wishes.” Bill sponsor Sen. that the bill also adds “In God We emptions being claimed by all sorts of who are or may be pregnant to consult Dick Black, R-Loudoun County, said Trust” to the state seal. employers, punching holes in the uni- with a licensed health care provider.” the veto reflects a “sort of unspoken form application of the laws — could The resolution expressed concern antagonism to Christianity that’s based be avoided by a ruling limited to close- that “clients may be misled into believ- on gay marriage and abortion,” the Church ousts Scouts ly held enterprises, like S corporations ing that a center is providing medical Virginian-Pilot reported. but keeps money that pass their earnings through to services when it is not. Clients could In his veto message, McAuliffe said their shareholders. That would leave therefore neglect to take action (such the bill “would seriously undermine Fr. John De Celles, pastor of St. Ray- the issue of, say, an Exxon claiming as consulting a doctor) that would pro- the religious freedom of National mond of Peñafort Catholic Church in religious freedom rights to another tect their health or prevent adverse Guard members by potentially expos- Springfield, Va., ended parish support day. Later, Justice Breyer suggested he consequences, including disease, to ing them to sectarian proselytizing.” for Cub and Boy Scout groups because might be open to that type of resolu- the client or the pregnancy.” Chaplains can minister as they of Scouting’s new policy on gays. De tion.” So-called “crisis” pregnancy cen- choose at voluntary services or in pri- Celles took the popcorn money and Mother Jones reported April 1 that ters are typically operated by religious vate settings but don’t “have the right another $1,200 that Pack 683 had Hobby Lobby has invested millions in groups that try to talk women out of to use official, mandatory events as a raised to sponsor a unit of Trail Life companies that manufacture contra- having abortions while misleading platform to disseminate their own reli- USA, founded in 2013 to offer “Christ- ception and abortion-inducing medi- them about its risks. The court ruled centered” Scouting, reported the cation. the reolution was content-based and Washington Post on March 1. The report said several of its retire- violated the First Amendment. While De Celles had authority to ment plan mutual funds are invested transfer the money, that didn’t sit well in Teva Pharmaceutical and Actavis. In Memoriam with some. “He hurt these children Scottish priests decline for no reason so that he didn’t have to Seek salvation, take in Glasgow parishes Edwin Kagin, 1940–2014 fund his own new program,” said Pack 683 parent Stephanie Curb. home a weapon A March 12 report in the Scottish Edwin Frederick Kagin, 73, Union, “I don’t think it was the moral thing Herald estimated that within 20 years, Ky., died at home March 27, 2014. He to do,” parent Melanie Frola said. The The Kentucky Baptist Convention the Catholic Archdiocese of Glasgow was born Nov. 26, 1940, in Greenville, Frolas are leaving the parish because is leading “Second Amendment Cel- will have only 45 priests, less than half S.C., the son of a Presbyterian minister. of the decision. Their son sold $84.66 ebrations” in which churches give away the number needed to staff current After serving as an Air Force medic, worth of popcorn. guns, which the Baptists are billing as parishes. he earned a J.D. from the University of The Disney Co. announced Feb. 28 “outreach to rednecks” to “point peo- Between 1991 and 2012, attendance Louisville in 1972 and practiced law, it will stop supporting the Boy Scouts of ple to Christ,” said a March 1 story in at funerals in the archdiocese dropped with an emphasis on civil rights and America in 2015 over the Scouts’ ban the Louisville Courier-Journal. 14%, along with a 39% decline at bap- the Constitution. on gay leaders. Disney does not con- Chuck McAlister, the convention’s tisms and declines of 41% at Sunday Ed, a longtime FFRF member, was tribute directly, but employees can do team leader for evangelism, said 1,678 Mass and 54% at weddings. serving as national legal director for volunteer work in exchange for dona- men made “professions of faith” at American Atheists at the time of his tions to organizations of their choice. about 50 such events last year. In Lou- death. He and his late wife, Helen, who One Florida Scout leader said some isville, he said, more than 500 people Sentenced to hang on died in 2010, founded Camp Quest in troops were getting up to $6,000 a year showed up one January day for a gun blasphemy charge 1996 as a way to counter the exclusion through Disney’s VoluntEARS pro- giveaway at Highview Baptist Church, of freethinkers and nontheists from gram. and 61 made decisions to seek salva- A Pakistani judge sentenced a Chris- the Boy Scouts. The idea has spread tion. tian to death for blasphemy, Reuters across the U.S. and into Europe and “How ironic to use guns to lure men reported March 27. Sawan Masih was Canada. SCOTUS hears Hobby in to hear a message about Jesus, who sentenced to hang after a Muslim said He is the author of Baubles of Blas- Lobby challenge said, ‘Put away the sword,’ ” said Rev. Masih insulted the prophet Muham- phemy in 2005 and a contributing au- Joe Phelps, pastor at Independent mad a year ago in Lahore. The accusa- thor to The Fundamentals of Extremism: The Supreme Court heard argu- Highland Baptist Church. tion against Masih sparked a riot dur- The Christian Right in America (2003). ments March 25 on challenges by Hob- ing which than 100 Christian homes Survivors include two sons, Stephen by Lobby Stores and Conestoga Wood were torched. and Eric; two daughters, Heather and Corp. to the Affordable Care Act’s Setback for abortion At least 16 people are on death row Kathryn; a stepdaughter, Caroline; and contraceptive mandate. The firms are rights in Maryland in Pakistan for blasphemy and at least five grandchildren. Christian-owned and claim the law 20 others are serving life sentences. FFRF offers sincere condolences to abridges their religious freedom. In Centro Tepeyac v. Montgomery Coun- No one has yet been executed for blas- Ed’s family and friends. Reuters speculated a majority could ty, a Maryland U.S. District Court on phemy. April 2014 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 11 We swear, blasphemy laws still on the books

Photography by Brent Nicastro of conscience. damn[ing] or swear[ing] by the name god which I do not; but believe that Robert Ingersoll captured the injus- of God, Jesus Christ or the Holy Ghost” their god, with all his moral attributes, tice of blasphemy statutes marvelously a crime, the court held that “God (aside from nature itself,) is nothing while defending C.B. Reynolds of New damn” was not speech justifiably pro- more than a chimera of their own Jersey in 1887: hibited by law. The court referenced imagination.” “By making a statute and by defin- a Supreme Court holding that states • “Universalists believe in Christ, ing blasphemy, the church sought to may not make a “single four-letter ex- which I do not; but believe that the prevent discussion — sought to pre- pletive a criminal offense” and found whole story concerning him is as much vent argument — sought to prevent a “no principled distinction between the a fable and a fiction as that of the god man giving his honest opinion. Cer- expletive in [that case] and the milder Prometheus, the tragedy of whose tainly a tenet, a dogma, a doctrine, is profanity in this case.” death is said to have been acted on the safe when hedged about by a statute In a challenge to a Pennsylvania stage in the theatre at Athens, five hun- that prevents your speaking against it. law prohibiting corporate names con- dred years before the Christian era.” In the silence of slavery it exists. It lives taining “[w]ords that constitute blas- • “Universalists believe in miracles, because lips are locked. It lives because phemy, profane cursing or swearing or which I do not; but believe that every men are slaves.” that profane the Lord’s name” another pretension to them can be accounted The few antiquated blasphemy laws court found the statute violated the for on natural principles, or else is to By Andrew Seidel still on the books in the U.S. discrimi- First Amendment because it restricted be attributed to mere trick and impos- nate against non-Christians. By defi- speech on the basis of viewpoint. ture.” nition, blasphemy must discriminate. The Supreme Court summed it up, • Universalists believe in the resur- Every great idea starts out as blasphe- Any profession of faith in favor of one “from the standpoint of freedom of rection of the dead, in immortality and my.” (Bertrand Russell) sect is blasphemy against another (i.e., speech and the press, it is enough to eternal life, which I do not; but believe “Where there is no belief, there is no blas- you either believe that Jesus was the point out that the state has no legiti- that all life is mortal, that death is an phemy.” (Salman Rushdie, The Satanic son of God, or not; that the angel Ga- mate interest in protecting any or all eternal extinction of life to the indi- Verses) briel spoke to Muhammad, or not; that religions from views distasteful to them vidual who possesses it, and that no in- “Blasphemy is a victimless crime.” (FFRF a dry cracker is the body of a noncor- which is sufficient to justify prior re- dividual life is, ever was, or ever will be T-shirt issued to condemn a 1989 fatwa on poreal being, or not). straints upon the expression of those eternal.” Rushdie for writing The Satanic Verses) views. It is not the business of govern- The aptly named Michael X. Mock- Establishing a religion ment in our nation to suppress real or us was found guilty in 1921 for saying: imagined attacks upon a particular re- • “Mary (meaning the Virgin Mary) Blasphemy statutes place the reli- ligious doctrine, whether they appear had a beau. When her beau called Indonesian civil servant Alexander gious sensibilities of the chosen sect in publications, speeches, or motion one evening (both being young) he Aan was freed Jan. 27 after serving a on a pedestal. As Bertrand Russell pictures.” Joseph Burstyn Inc. v. Wilson seduced her. He brought her a flower year in prison and being fined $8,000 observed of the English common law, (1952). and put her in a family way. No wom- for committing blasphemy. He posted “[C]learly no one ought to speak ill of an can give birth to a child without a words on Facebook that at least 75 mil- Christianity in such a way as to be like- From blasphemers’ mouths man.” lion humans around the globe agree ly to promote a breach of the peace. • “Look how the priests teach you, with: “There is no god.” Those who use this argument do not, American colonial punishment was the falsifiers, thieves. It is not possible Aan was released “on license,” mean- however, propose to extend the same severe. Massachusetts had the death that he could be of the Holy Ghost, ing he’s required to report regularly protection to other religions. If you penalty until 1697, with the later sanc- there must be a man. A young Jew was to authorities. He’s also vulnerable to abuse Lenin to a Communist until he tion of branding the blasphemer’s the father of the Christ. No woman can vigilante retribution. gets so angry that he hits you on the tongue with a hot iron. With the adop- have a child without a man; that never In December, two members of the nose, the Communist is sent to prison. tion of the federal and state constitu- happened and never can happen.” Russian feminist punk band Pussy Riot If the Communist abuses Christ to you tions, these laws dropped into dis- • “The father of Christ was a young were released from prison for commit- until you get angry so that you hit him use. But before that happened, brave Jew and was no Angel Gabriel. Any girl ting “hooliganism and inciting reli- on the nose, it is again the Communist American freethinkers paid a price. who wants a child can call a Gabriel or gious hatred.” Their crime? Singing a that is sent to prison.” Thomas Jefferson Chandler of Dela- some John.” one-minute protest song on the altar of As stated by former Associate Jus- ware was found guilty in 1837 of declar- • “All religions are a deception of Moscow’s main cathedral to condemn tice Abe Fortas in Epperson v. Arkansas: ing that “the virgin Mary was a whore the people.” the Russian Orthodox Church’s social “Government in our democracy, state and Jesus Christ was a bastard.” An- • “There is no truth in the Bible; it is repression and its ties to President and national, must be neutral in mat- other blasphemer, a Mr. Ruggles, was only monkey business.” Vladimir Putin. ters of religious theory, doctrine, and convicted in 1811 for observing “Jesus If you’re accused of blasphemy, Internationally, blasphemy pros- practice.” Christ was a bastard, and his mother you’re in good company. Throughout ecutions are chillingly on the rise. It’s must be a whore.” history, some of the greatest artists and not just places like Pakistan and Iran. Speech and blasphemy A tamer utterance by Abner Upde- writers have been accused of (though Ireland passed a law in 2010 punish- graph in Pennsylvania in 1824 was con- perhaps not criminally tried for) blas- ing blasphemy with a €25,000 fine Freedom of speech is not absolute. demned: “The Holy Scriptures were a phemy. Among them are James Kirk- ($34,000). Fighting words, threats, defamation mere fable, that they were a contradic- up, author of the poem “The Love While such laws clearly violate the and libel are included in prohibited tion, and that although they contained that Dares to Speak Its Name,” Monty First Amendment, America has also speech. Merely uttering a phrase that a number of good things, yet they con- Python for “The Life of Brian,” John seen its share of persecutions. Blasphe- would once have been considered a sin tained a great many lies.” Steinbeck for “The Grapes of Wrath,” my laws turn thoughts objectionable against God must now fall into one of Abner Kneeland of Massachusetts H.L. Mencken (pretty much constantly only to some religionists into “crimes,” those categories if it is to be punished. was convicted in 1838 of uttering the from 1899-1956), Charles Darwin for thereby clearly violating the First In a case challenging a Michigan following: “On the Origin of Species,” Percy Bys- Amendment’s protection of freedom law that made “profanely curs[ing] or • “The Universalists believe in a she Shelley for “Queen Mab,” Thomas Continued on page 13 If you’re accused of blasphemy, you’re in good company

H.L. Mencken Charles Darwin Percy Bysshe Shelley Galileo Galilei Page 12 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin April 2014

FFRF convention speech, Sept. 28, 2013, Madison, Wis. ‘Coolest job’ includes building community Photography by Brent Nicastro (Atheist journalist Jamila Bey spoke to attendees at FFRF’s 36th annual conven- We all have to take tion. The speech was edited for print.) responsibility for By Jamila Bey this democracy in which we live and raise our voices. Thank you one and all for com- ing. Thank you for the work you do. Thank you for showing up and show- ing up the fact that we heathens exist, up those news directors. I need you that we enjoy community and we come to write letters to the editor and say, together. “Why was it that you didn’t — there’s I’m a journalist and reporter and a a university here! Why didn’t you ask radio show host in Washington, D.C. anyone from the biology department? I’ve been a hellraiser since before I was Why would you only interview . . . ? allowed to cross the street by myself. As We all have to take responsibility for a journalist, I really take issue with a lot this democracy in which we live and of what’s happening in this country. raise our voices. I love the fact that I really take issue with the fact that, we’re here, in the heartland, where you frankly, in this modern era, reporters know, this is Jesus country. And it don’t are people who like to be on television, look too Jesus-y ’round here [in this talking in this weird voice, flipping room] to me. That makes me smile. their “helmet hair” and asking ques- Each of us has to do a better job. tions that a really smart 22-year-old We’re doing a lot, but we’re outnum- intern has written for them. There is bered at the moment. However, I love not much critical thought to what they to point out, we own the Internet, folks do. They don’t understand history, and under 30, who are less inclined to be they certainly don’t understand sci- religious. They’re more inclined to be ence. They don’t understand politics, pro-same gender marriage. yet they’re informing our population. I’m going to surround myself with the White House. I defend the First lic school and get that discount. Many I’m really happy to be talking to you people who aren’t hateful, who under- Amendment. When Chelsea Manning of my friends in school were Jewish. now because this morning built upon stand the way things are. I’m really ex- announced to the world who she was, I went to a scholars program where what I want to explain to you. We got to cited that we have a legislator here [Ar- I had two experts from the Human there were a couple of Orthodox Jew- see how the local reports about FFRF’s izona Rep. Juan Mendez]. We need to Rights Campaign on my show to talk ish kids. By the time I was 7, I realized work are kind of skewed. Nobody wants take a page out of that Christian Right about how we talk about transgender that nobody knew what the hell they the picture of our lord and savior Jesus handbook. We need to be running can- issues and rights. My employer is never were talking about, and they were mak- Christ taken down. Why would anyone didates. We need people to get in there going to dictate or mandate my ethics ing up crap as they went along. ever object? Use a different stairwell if at town halls and wear our flair and T- or morals to me. I’ve always been loud and obnox- you don’t like it. shirts: “I am secular and I vote,” that’s Q. Last night, we went to dinner and ious, I cannot have a thought that I My show, the “Sex, Politics and Re- an important one. We need to be ask- as we walked out of the hotel, there don’t express, and if it’s a question, ligion Hour: SPAR with Jamila,” is on ing questions of our politicians. was a man there with a sign that said, it burns until I get it out. It was hard, the radio in D.C., New York, Chicago I can’t remember, if you can help “God loves you atheists.” I wanted growing up. I have a second-grade and Miami. After January, the Voice me on this? The Louisiana legislator you to share with the audience your re- teacher, who’s still friends with my of Russia radio network is going to who was all pro-voucher and then real- sponse when he asked, “What state are mom, who swears that the only differ- broadcast me in English to 166 differ- ized, “Oh my God, a Jew could get this you from?” ence in me then and now is that now ent countries. I’m really excited about money too, oh no! I’m not for that!” A. Hah! I have a firm policy. I do not I’m taller and have a baby. that because voices like mine were not She didn’t want it to go to a Muslim engage with the idiots until after I’ve Yeah, I’ve been pissing people off heard for way too long. school, but Christian schools, it was done my speaking. I need my intellect since I was embryonic. According to The minute I hit 18, I was like, “Yes, just fine. [Rep. Valarie Hodges, R-Wat- and energy for the crowd, but it just Mom. it’s happened. I can say what I want,” son, said later she regretted her vote.] flew out! I just couldn’t stop myself, so Q. I’m wondering how we can get and that’s what I’ve really been work- I guess I’m a radical. I’m very glad I said, “I live in the state of reality!” more politicians who are on our side in ing to do. I am a student of democracy. that today we recognize what will hap- Q. Do people have a right to pray in Washington? I’m a student of this great American pen if we continue to be silent, if we schools and at work? A. I can’t answer that in the time I experiment. We’ve got it right — this continue to be hidden. I need to see A. Can the satanist pray? If the [pub- have. But, I had a lovely exclusive inter- is a nation formed by secular ideals, us on more news programs. I need to lic board] is going to have prayer, we’re view last week with Sen. Ernie Cham- where everyone is valued, but we have see us on more editorial pages, and I going to have a Wiccan come and have bers [1983 Supreme Court victor in to be able to go to the public square certainly need to see more of us having a whole celebration. Nudity is option- Marsh v. Chambers]. Give it up for Ernie and put forth our ideas. lunch at various places wearing shirts! al. Wait, wait, wait, they say. Whoa, they Chambers! He’s been called the scari- At least that’s the way it was sup- I love the shirts, please buy some shirts say. What’s your problem, they ask? est man in Nebraska. They changed the posed to be. The problem and the op- and wear them. And I say, prayers for all! state constitution and instituted term portunity is that in this modern era, I am delighted to be here. FFRF is But I like conflict. I love confron- limits after his 38th year of service. It’s anybody can get up and say anything doing some amazing work and it’s get- tation. I love “going there,” because been two years and now he’s back. He and if you have money behind you, ting noticed. I’m honored that you had there is where the fun happens for me. says there’s no way that anybody who your money equals speech. I’ve got a me here today. Thank you very much! But yeah, it’s madness. speaks honestly the way he does, and huge, huge problem with that. Q. I would imagine you must have who believes in the rights of his con- It’s my obligation as an American to Q&A time come from a religious background. stituents to be served as he does, can try my damnedest to advance the prin- The question is then, what did you get on the national stage. There’s too ciples upon which this great nation was Q. I know that you’re funded by the have to go through to become the per- much money. founded. I understand that we’re not Russians. How do you feel about Vladi- son you are? The way elections happen, I fear perfect. I can give you a whole lot of mir Putin and the “homosexual propa- A. I started doing stand-up comedy that Mr. Chambers is right. I think that reasons why I take issue with the found- ganda” situation? by talking about my family, and people the political system would do well with ers, but let’s not throw the baby out A. Yes, the station that I work for is thought I was doing material, and I go- somebody like me. No way in hell can with the bath water. funded in part by the Russian govern- ing “I’m not being funny, I’m telling I be elected as things stand today. No So I get to be loud and obnoxious ment. The reason I was hired is because you the truth.” My father was raised way, no way. We need to change that. and cheeky and I have the coolest job I’m an expert in American politics. I’m as a Black Muslim, a follower of Elijah Thank you. in the world. But I need some help trained as a health reporter. I’m good Muhammad in Pittsburgh in the mid- from smart folks like you. I need you in live, breaking news situations. They 1950s. My mother was a Southern Bap- Jamila Bey also writes for The Washing- to go back to your respective hamlets hired me for my particular skill set. I of tist, “submit unto your husband, Jesus ton Post blog “She the People” and worked and townships and big cities and I course don’t support [Putin’s anti-gay will stop him from beating you when as a producer and editor for a decade at Na- need you, when you see reporting like views] or that members of Pussy Riot it’s appropriate” type. tional Public Radio. She’s currently writing we saw [in a video] earlier, I need you were jailed for blasphemy. She converted to Catholicism about a book on the role religion plays in the lives to call up those stations. I need you call My bureau is three blocks from when it was time for me to go to Catho- of African-American women. April 2014 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 13 We swear, blasphemy laws still on the books

by cursing or contumeliously reproach- ing or exposing to contempt and ridi- cule, the holy word of God contained in the holy scriptures shall be punished by imprisonment in jail for not more than one year or by a fine of not more than three hundred dollars, and may also be bound to good behavior.” Michigan: “Any person who shall wilfully blaspheme the holy name of God, by cursing or contumeliously re- proaching God, shall be guilty of a mis- demeanor.” Oklahoma: “Blasphemy consists in wantonly uttering or publishing words, casting contumelious reproach or pro- fane ridicule upon God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost, the Holy Scriptures or the Christian or any other religion.” South Carolina makes it a crime to “use blasphemous, profane or obscene Continued from page 11 The Bible’s a Lie. God’s a Ghost.” He the court held that the blasphemy stat- language at or near the place of [reli- Paine and his publisher Richard Carlile was arrested for selling literature with- ute violated the First Amendment. gious worship].” for “The Age of Reason,” Shakespeare out a permit, even though he was giv- Despite the numerous cases over- Blasphemy prosecutions are still contemporary Christopher Marlowe, ing the pamphlets away. In court, he turning blasphemy laws and the fact rampant in many other countries, and arrested for atheism and blasphemy, refused to swear an oath, wishing to that “it is proper to regard the statute not just places like Pakistan and Iran. Galileo Galelei, Aesop (born c. 620 affirm instead. The judge, appalled at before us not only as obsolete, but as re- Ireland passed a blasphemy law in 2010 B.C.E) and Socrates (died 399 B.C.E). his atheism, refused to let him testify pealed by implication in such essential punishing the crime by a €25,000 fine. According to the “Encyclopedia of and fined him for distributing obscene parts as an advanced and enlightened The United Nations debates a “defama- Unbelief,” Charles Lee Smith, in 1928, literature. civilization justifies with due regard for tion of religion” resolution every year. was the last person in the U.S. to be After numerous threats, arrests and the personal liberties of the citizen,” They should instead listen to Dan convicted of blasphemy as a crime. an attack on his storefront, Smith was several states still have them, although Barker, sage and FFRF co-president: Smith had moved to Arkansas to pro- charged with blasphemy. Again he was they’re rarely enforced and would fall “You cannot be convicted of a victim- test the anti-ex`xvolution statute that not permitted to testify and was con- to a constitutional challenge. The fol- less crime.” was about to be passed. (It was over- victed, although the conviction was lowing are still on the books: FFRF Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel grad- turned 40 years later by Epperson.) overturned. Massachusetts: “Whoever wilfully uated cum laude from Tulane University Smith had rented a storefront and In the most recent U.S. case, George blasphemes the holy name of God by with a B.S. in neuroscience and environ- distributed leaflets such as “The Bible Kalman wanted to name his film com- denying, cursing or contumeliously mental science and magna cum laude from in the Balance,” “Godless Evolution” pany “I Choose Hell Productions.” His reproaching God, his creation, govern- Tulane University Law School. Go online to and “The Ape Ancestry of Man.” What choice was rejected by Pennsylvania ment or final judging of the world, or see the complete Blasphemy FAQ: got him into trouble was the sign he because corporation names were not by cursing or contumeliously reproach- ffrf.org/faq/state-church/item/20308- put in his window, “Evolution is True. allowed to be “blasphemous.” In 2010, ing Jesus Christ or the Holy Ghost, or blasphemy FFRF complaints create buzz Continued from front page the words “Philippians 4:13” — a verse are common. A large banner saying breakfast invitations included the of- mingham’s biggest problems is a “lack from the bible reading: “I can do all “Prepare for Glory, 2 Corinthians 4:17” ficial state seal and were sent to most of godliness.” Seidel noted Roper can’t things through Christ, who strength- was displayed at the football field as state employees in violation of the use his public office to “advance pro- ens me.” was a banner with a verse from John state’s Internet policies. mote or endorse one religion over an- FFRF’s press release added that “this 15:13. Several T-shirts and jerseys com- other, or religion over nonreligion.” braggadocio verse coming from a pub- bine the school logo with religious Chief’s prayer walks He also debunked the notion of lic official is rather disturbing” and messages. prayer as a crime-fighting technique, seems more like “a threat, or the utter- Similar constitutional concerns were Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel’s com- citing statistics showing that nonreli- ance of a theocratic dictator than of a voiced to Seminole County Schools, plaint about the police chief of Bir- gious states and nations are safer. (View duly elected civil servant.” including public endorsement of the mingham, Ala., received statewide and a video Seidel created documenting church by district officials, who ap- national coverage. Police Chief A.C. Rogers’s sermons with commentary on Florida school violations peared in a promotional video for the Roper, an ordained minister, created a their legality on FFRF’s YouTube chan- church using their titles. The video Christian ministry called Prayer Force nel.) FFRF sent letters of complaint in was shot on campus. Seminole County United. In his capacity as police chief, March to two Florida school districts Schools agreed almost immediately to he leads monthly prayer walks through FFRF members can sign up to receive in Orange and Seminole counties over end all such ties with the church. different neighborhoods, “claiming FFRF news releases, action alerts, blogs or entanglement with a Christian con- the city of Birmingham for God,” os- daily news links by emailing [email protected] gregation called The Venue Church Idaho, Kentucky letters tensibly to lower crime. and specifying what you’d like sent to your (whose “venue,” ironically, is only in Roper has opined that one of Bir- inbox. public schools). A letter sent by FFRF in November Already, Seminole County Public dominated March news and airwaves Schools has promised to end the con- in Idaho, with more than 100 people stitutional violations outlined by Seidel turning out March 19 at a city meeting in FFRF’s letter. in Sandpoint over FFRF’s request that Orange County allegations detail the Farmin Park Ten Commandments rampant religious activity at Apopka monument be moved to private prop- High School, including weekly servic- erty. The monument is one of several es and other events sponsored by the placed by the Eagles Club. church, which asserts, “We are perma- FFRF also called out Kentucky Gov. nently planting churches in Central Steve Beshear’s use of state resources to Florida Schools.” promote a March 13 prayer breakfast. Other issues: The governor’s home page included a • Regular prayer sessions attended tab promoting the breakfast, and Ken- by football coaches and players, includ- tucky.gov included a link to the event, ing prayers led by Venue Pastor Todd named “Governor’s Prayer Breakfast.” Darwin Day Lamphere, who is also team chaplain. FFRF has received regular com- “Charles Darwin,” aka living history impersonator R.J. Lindsey, spoke Feb. 23 Lamphere is also “bowling team chap- plaints about Beshear’s annual event, at FFRF’s Metro Chicago chapter’s Darwin Day event at the Ethical Humanist lain.” A video shows him and other particularly from state employees who Society. At right is chapter member Allen Cosnow, who along with about 30 adults praying with the team. received two email invitations from others enjoyed the presentation and buffet of Ecuadorian food in honor of • Bible verses on signs and apparel the governor to the event. The prayer Darwin’s voyage to the Galapagos. Page 14 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin April 2014

Graves that denied a name change announced court approval March 18 State/Church Bulletin from James Dean Ingram to Angela of a settlement in Lowe v. The Salvation Renee Ingram after Ingram’s gender Army in which the plaintiffs will receive reassignment surgery. $450,000 in damages and attorneys’ USAF Freethinkers ocratic Sens. Fred Risser and Mark The Associated Press reported it’s fees to two plaintiffs. Miller. Risser, 86, of Madison, is the the second name-change case in the Reuters reported that the decade- Club wins validation longest-serving legislator in the U.S., last two years in which the appeals old federal suit involved now-former The Freethinkers Club at the U.S. first elected in 1956.) court has reversed Graves. He earlier employees who alleged the charity Air Force Academy, which sponsored FFRF has taken issue with the godly rejected a change from Steven Charles pressured them to follow its religious “Ask an Atheist” days, did not violate plates since September and sent an ac- Harvey to Christie Ann Harvey. In both mission while they worked on govern- any rules and can maintain display tion alert to Wisconsin members. Staff cases, he cited specific bible passages as ment-funded projects. tables and offer information to inter- Attorney Patrick Elliott noted in his tes- justification for denial. The Salvation Army’s Greater New ested persons at its annual fair, acade- timony at a public hearing: “Legislators Graves, a former Republican state York division also agreed to provide my officials announced March 19. The are elected to represent all citizens, lawmaker, told the AP he’s very disap- employees of its government-funded group is an authorized cadet club. including those who do not believe in pointed. “We can’t change our sex, the services with a document saying it Military.com reported the school’s a monotheistic god or any gods. Both way God made us. These things are re- won’t ask about their religious beliefs announcement came after seven ca- supporters and opponents of the bill ally counterfeit.” or make them adhere to religious poli- dets, faculty and staff members con- recognize that ‘In God We Trust’ is a After being term-limited, Graves was cies. tacted the Military Religious Freedom religious statement.” replaced by current GOP Rep. Sally The suit was filed in 2004 after the Foundation. Gov. Scott Walker hadn’t signed the Kern, who has called homosexuality a administration of former President bill at press time. greater threat to the U.S. than terror- George W. Bush made it easier for Religious plates win ism. churches to get federal money for Judge’s religious bias Ingram was represented by the so-called faith-based initiatives. The Wisconsin vote ACLU of Oklahoma. greater New York division currently has hit again more than $188 million in government Both houses of the Wisconsin Leg- contracts to provide social services and islature approved a bill to issue special A unanimous three-judge panel of Salvation Army to pay nearly 300 employees are paid with “In God We Trust” license plates. The the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals $450,000 in suit public money. bill passed 91-0 in the Assembly and on March 21 reversed a decision by 30-2 in the Senate (opposed by Dem- Oklahoma County District Judge Bill The New York Civil Liberties Union Overheard

The second goal is that particularly immoral. It’s about a psychotic mass unchurched servers would understand murderer who gets away with it and that not all Christians are rude, impa- his name is God. Genesis says God was tient, lousy tippers. so angry with himself for screwing up Lead Pastor Chad Roberts, Preaching when he made mankind so flawed that Christ Church, Kingsport, Tenn., on he sent the flood to kill everyone — the website he set up named “Sundays men, women, children, babies. What Are the Worst” for restaurant workers kind of tyrant punishes everyone just to vent on to get back at the few he’s mad at? I Kingsport Times News, 3-3-14 mean besides Chris Christie. Entertainer Bill Maher, on the movie All of a sudden he just snaps. [It] just “Noah” that debuted March 28 clicked like that and then he said he “Real Time With Bill Maher,” 3-14-14 hopes I rot in hell. Skyler Joly, 15, accusing his parish And on the 12th day of his murder tri- priest, Fr. Roman Manchester of Our al, Oscar Pistorius broke out what ap- Mark of a feast! Lady of Good Help in Burrillville, R.I., peared to be a bible study guide. Don Cummings, Indiana: “So after a server apologized for the total on my bill, of inappropriate behavior during reli- News story on the South African Olym- I just had to tip accordingly — twice.” Nice work, Don! gion class pian accused of shooting his girlfriend WJAR-TV, 3-12-14 to death on Valentine’s Day 2013 Queen, Apopka [Fla.] City Council in- Tweet on the day of the Academy New York Daily News, 3-19-14 cumbent, adding that someone should Awards by Pastor Matthew Hagee, Cor- In my own parish, several longstanding bring challenger Diane Velazquez to nerstone Church, San Antonio parishioners have ceased all financial Reason has been under siege and Christ. [Velazquez, a former New York Christian Post, 3-4-14 contributions to the parish because been slapped around. Believing things police detective, won 55% to 45%.] they do not want a cent of their gift to on the basis of something other than Orlando Sentinel, 2-26-14 More bothersome than the replace- go to the diocese. evidence and reason causes people to ment of biblical characters with birds Catholic parishioner John Veal, sup- misconstrue what’s good for them. OBAMA HAS RELEASED THE who, for example, gorily get their heads porting a petition to remove Robert Peter Boghossian, author and philoso- HOMO DEMONS ON THE BLACK cut off, is the deliberate portrayal of Finn as bishop of the Diocese of Kan- phy instructor at Portland State Uni- MAN. LOOK OUT BLACK WOMEN. the Christian parents as plastic, phony, sas City-St. Joseph for alleged cover-up versity, speaking to the Freethinking A WHITE HOMO MAY TAKE YOUR mean and indifferent, predictably sim- of clergy sex abuse Frogs student group at Texas Christian MAN. ple-minded and against imagination. Kansas City Star, 3-13-14 University Sign outside Pastor James David This negative portrayal of believing TCU 360, 3-20-14 Manning’s ATLAH World Missionary Christians is part of the left’s ongoing While most invocations are traditional Church in Harlem attempt to demonize Christians. and uneventful, the Rev. Joe Nelms of Unfortunately, Fred’s ideas have not New York Daily News, 2-27-14 Rabbi Aryeh Spero, author of [Push Lebanon, Tenn., garnered national at- died with him, but live on. Not just Back: Reclaiming Our American Judeo- tention in 2011, when he thanked God among the members of Westboro Bap- Am I too WHITE to be your pastor? Christian Spirit, panning “The Bird Bi- for several series sponsors by name tist Church, but among the many com- Sign held by Patrick Kelley, pastor at ble” skit on “Saturday Night Live” and his “smokin’ hot wife” prior to a munities and small minds that refuse River Pointe Church, suburban Hous- theblaze.com, 3-4-14 Nationwide Series race at Nashville Su- to recognize the equality and human- ton, for a promotion to get black peo- perspeedway. ity of our brothers and sisters on this ple to attend his Sunday service honor- Regardless of what some people be- News story, “NASCAR only pro sport small planet we share. . . . [N]or will ing Martin Luther King Jr. lieve, we were not founded to be secu- to televise weekly prayer” this be the last we hear of his words, Houston Chronicle, 3-1-14 lar. Bristol Herald Courier, 3-15-14 which are echoed from pulpits as close Baptist Pastor Chris McCombs, speak- as other churches in Topeka, Kansas, There are [all-night] prayer vigils all ing in favor of prayers “in Jesus’ name” Shakespeare is my religion. Shake- where WBC headquarters remain, and over Ukraine. They are praying for at Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, city council speare has more wisdom and insight as far away as Uganda. peace and for aggression to stop. God meetings, to which FFRF has objected about our lives, about how to live and Nate Phelps, atheist son of Pastor Fred is in ultimate control. We trust him. We Akron Beacon Journal, 3-5-14 how not to live, how to forgive and how Phelps, on his father’s death March 19 never expected Russia to move in so to understand our fellow creatures, Recovering From Religion, 3-24-14 swiftly. We want to tell lots of people about Je- than any religious tract. One hundred Vitaly Sorukun, pastor of New Hope sus by every means available. times more than the bible. HORRIFYING ALERT!!! IF YOU ARE Church in Kharkov, an hour from the Mars Hill Church spokesman Justin Sir Trevor Nunn, British theater direc- A CHRISTIAN, AS I AM, WAKE UP!!! Russian border Dean, Seattle, justifying spending tor Much to my surprise last night, I found Christianity Today, 3-3-14 at least $210,000 to get Pastor Mark The Telegraph, 3-17-14 out that my opponent is not a Chris- Driscoll’s book Real Marriage on The tian. She does not have faith in God Let’s skip the Oscars and take our fam- New York Times best-seller list The thing that’s really disturbing and feels there is no heaven. ilies to see Son of God this weekend. World Magazine, 3-5-14 about Noah isn’t “the silly,” it’s that it’s Facebook post by Marilyn Ustler Mc- #SonofGod #JesusoverOscar April 2014 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 15 Atheist activist in a foxhole

Sergeant Davis is a member of FFRF and the Inland Northwest Freethought Society, This last FFRF’s chapter in eastern Washington and northern Idaho. enlistment, I used ‘gods’ plural, just By Tech. Sgt. James Davis U.S. Air Force to get a funny look.

I’m originally from New York and Thursday. Our growth got the chapel’s have been in the military 16 years. My attention. They even sent a chaplain’s family was mainly secular. My parents assistant to one of our meetings. We never forced me to hold any of their wore PT [physical training] uniforms personal philosophies while I was to remain anonymous. Rank would not growing up. They left that for me to be an issue for anyone, so we were free figure out on my own. to speak our minds. After college and entering the Air The chaplain’s assistant came in Force, I came to a balanced general uniform. I asked her if she was on duty understanding of everything theologi- and attending by direction of her boss. cal but have since stopped wasting my My suspicions were correct. But, all in time on theology. I focus more on a hu- all, she was most likely proved wrong if In Spokane, Wash., Air Force Sgt. James Davis and FFRF Co-President Dan manist and scientific approach to mat- they assumed we just sat around bash- Barker brainstorm where to drop freethought books across enemy lines. (Just ters with practicality and reason. So ing religion. She left actually liking kidding!) I’ve been a freethinker for as long as I how our group discussions went and can remember, probably around when how respectful we were of others’ di- with the base chaplain. We discussed it’s ludicrous to have to swear an oath I found out Santa wasn’t real. verse opinions. and debated a bit back and forth about on behalf of myself and some “Cosmic During my deployment in 2010, my Religion didn’t come up much un- policy and a little philosophy, but Being,” so I decided to do things dif- oldest Air Force friend, Rick Hame- less it was part of another topic. Oth- mainly about what’s right in a govern- ferently before others really started to lin, established the first “official” erwise, it was opinions on general and ment setting. Most of these things I did publicly challenge it. freethought group in the Middle East, miscellaneous science news — unless by myself, since many people here at On one of my enlistments, I left the Southwest Asia Freethought Asso- we had a new member, who would typi- Fairchild AFB who are Freethinkers “God” out of it. I had an officer staring ciation. SWAFA (swafreethought.jimdo. cally unload on us. People were just choose to remain silent about many at me with hand still raised because I com/) was recognized by the base as a coming out as nontheist or had en- things. They have their reasons, so I left that word out, like he was waiting private organization. When I arrived, I dured years of frustration. ask them to tell me and I’ll do it for for me to say it. I didn’t and just gave a helped Rick run it. them. nod to signal I was done. To our surprise, it grew quite fast, Speaking up for others I’ve never asked for help on these This last enlistment, I used “gods” from about five people to 30 or so, in- matters because I believe that most of plural, just to get a funny look. Most cluding freethinkers, Buddhists and a I went to the Equal Opportunity them can be solved at the lowest level, people at work know me well enough Wiccan, who had no support groups. Office in September 2013 with a com- with tactful dialogue and understand- and so they expected it. However, it We welcomed everyone. Our group was plaint about an inappropriate display ing gained throughout. Also, I guess I would have been neat to add a random first met with some doubt and confu- of a religious symbol on government like the challenge. I have talked with “god” of my choice (Zeus, Thor) at sion, even some hostility. People took property (civilian office in the hos- one of the attorneys at FFRF for advice the end of each of my enlistments. At down our signs on the public boards pital). I showed them that it was in- on a complaint and, for another case, one of them, I almost said “Odin,” but and threw out business cards that we compatible with Air Force Culture/ I sought advice from Mikey Weinstein, couldn’t bring myself to do it. handed out. AFI 1-1 and actually won one for once. head of MRFF. Sgt. James Davis is on his sixth deploy- We asked for space in the chapel to The head chaplain went over and told As far as the Oath of Enlistment ment and is headed to Afghanistan after hold our meetings, but Rick had Pas- them the display was not allowed. They topic which came up while talking with completing combat adviser school. SWAFA cal’s Wager pulled on him and was removed it. FFRF Co-President Dan Barker in Feb- membership is open to all personnel current- pretty much told “no.” I have been battling with the base ruary, I have always thought that the ly assigned to the base hosting the 379th Air We were soon holding two meetings over miscellaneous things for the past little injected “God” word at the end Expeditionary Wing, including military, a week and a movie night every other few years and have met several times of “So help me” was pointless. To me DoD civilians and contractors. Former clergy enjoys atheist peace of mind

By Mason Lane offering supplications to the sky Lord. of reality. cycle bin. That is enough for me. As if the emotional turmoil of a crisis My peace emanates from my under- Peace is always with me because my event alone isn’t enough, the theist is standing of verifiable sciences (not an- primary raison d’être is rational: survival. also cast into additional mental chaos cient religious tales), about what and I also determine the purposes of my When I was a Christian, we’d with unneeded irrational and absurd who I am and my place as a living crea- life, not the edicts of superstitious cler- talk about the “peace that passeth thoughts. ture in the universe. ics, past and present. understanding” that neither I nor I saw this first hand at hospice group My peace comes from not having anyone else I knew experienced. I counseling several years ago. It was piti- nonsense and extraneous thoughts Integrity and backbone did frequently see theists uttering in- ful seeing the believers in the group unnecessarily disturbing me, during cantations, while clinging desperately trying to process their grief while also critical times when I need to deal with Science and theistic religion both to their straw of belief, during one of irrationally juggling their God delu- and focus on the crisis and problem at offer explanations for life and the uni- life’s flash floods. sions. hand. verse. Only science offers verifiable, When I was a theist, that was also my The peace I’ve experienced as an Because of the first two reasons, I falsifiable evidence. Monotheistic re- kind of peace. I was taught that atheists atheist for the past 42 years is not some have a solid, clear, unshakable peace. It ligion asks for belief with no evidence never have peace of mind. That was a futile attempt to go past human under- is a philosophical and resilient peace. and often threatens anyone who dares huge lie. standing. To the complete contrary, It’s like a strong safety net, woven from question monotheism’s most ethically Sometimes I see believers on TV it’s based on understanding. I’ve expe- rational information, not fantasy tales. immoral edicts and scientifically ab- with ecstatic happiness on their faces, rienced peace as an atheist in the midst I find the meaning of “philosophi- surd writings and teachings. and in such moments I recall George of terrible relentless pain, frustration, cal” very interesting as it relates to the I find the lives and words of athe- Bernard Shaw’s thought on the sub- death of my spouse, near death myself subject of peace: ists and agnostics like Thomas Edison, ject: “The fact that a believer is hap- and other very stressful and painful hu- (1. Relating or devoted to the study Democritus, Helen Keller, Carl Sa- pier than a skeptic is no more to the man events. So what is the etiology of of the fundamental nature of knowl- gan, Dan Dennett, Andrew Carnegie, point than the fact that a drunken man my atheist peace that’s so very different edge, reality and existence; (2. having Ted Williams, Christopher Hitchens, is happier than a sober one.” from my former theistic kind of peace? or showing a calm attitude toward dis- Neil deGrasse Tyson, George Bernard Since I became an atheist, I’ve ob- As an atheist, I don’t have delusion- appointments or difficulties. Shaw, Stephen Hawking, Linus Paul- served believers under stress, mentally al “God” thoughts confusing, disturb- My knowledge of what and who I ing, Richard Dawkins, Dan Barker, and emotionally struggling with all the ing, complicating, filtering, warping am, how I came to exist and how all my Peter Higgs, Steven Weinberg, Mada- “why, why, why Lord” questions, while and frustrating my daily life and sense atoms will return to the universe’s re- Continued on page 17 Page 16 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin April 2014

Honorable mentions: Graduate/mature student essay contest No to bigotry, persecution

Below: three final essays awarded honor- Let us examine two statements by life and validity were breathed into it able mentions in FFRF’s 2013 graduate/ two different presidents, one in 1811 by the voice of the people, speaking mature student essay competition. The topic: and the other in 2008. The first: “Here through the several State Conven- “Why the U.S. is not a ‘Christian Nation.’ in America you’ll find a nation that tions,” Madison asserted. ” Top-placing essays ran in the October is- welcomes the role of faith in the public In order to maintain our cherished sue. Brian Bolton generously endowed the square.” The other regarded “practical American freedoms, church must al- graduate/mature competition and Dorea distinction between religion and civil ways be separate from state. Many and Dean Schramm kindly added a $50 bo- government as essential to the purity Americans are Christians, but some nus for each honorable mention. The essays of both, and as guaranteed by the Con- are not. A secular government that are edited for space. stitution of the United States.” Can you remains unconcerned with its citi- tell in which year each was made? zens’ chosen deity or deities promotes The first was by George W. Bush freedom and justice by maintaining a when he welcomed Pope Benedict XVI standard that can traverse faith and be to the White House in 2008. The sec- meted out fairly and consistently. ond was by James Madison in his 1811 letter to Baptist churches. The one Jessica Abernathy, 30, a native of Rock- conviction that united the key found- ford, Ill., lives in northern California and ers, despite their religious difference, is a second-year graduate student in U.S. was the principle of the separation of history at San Francisco State University. church and state. Thomas Jefferson stated in his 1802 letter to the Danbury doesn’t support their conclusions. Baptist Association: This country has many citizens who are The United “Believing with you that religion is a Christians, but it is not a Christian na- Secularists of America matter which lies solely between Man & tion. While many of the founders were his God, that he owes account to none themselves Christians, they ensured other for his faith or his worship, that that non-Christians could assume posi- the legitimate powers of government tions in government. reach actions only, & not opinions, I Further, Article I, Section 8 allows contemplate with sovereign reverence Congress the “Power to lay and col- that act of the whole American people lect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises which declared that their legislature to pay the Debts and provide for the By Roksana Stalinski should ‘make no law respecting an common Defence and general Welfare establishment of religion, or prohib- of the Unites States.” Money may be iting the free exercise thereof,’ thus borrowed “on the credit of the United building a wall of separation between States” for many purposes including Church & State.” the promotion of the “Progress of Sci- Not a single day goes by that I The religious views of the Found- ence and useful Arts,” but no church am not grateful to be a citizen of the ing Fathers are irrelevant, what are or religion is mentioned. country [Canada] in which I live. Part relevant are the views they shared on The Constitution reflects the found- of that gratitude is due to the fact that the role of religion in government, and ers’ awareness of how the English and I live in a country where laws and gov- their words are not the words of those colonists had suffered or flourished By Daniel Urban ernmental decisions are not based on who intended for the United States to based on their chosen faith. The religious doctrine. be a Christian nation. American conception of government I surely share this sentiment with As an outsider looking in, I feel that is intended to be representative of all many of my neighbors to the south. I have provided a “not completely bi- of its people. Unfortunately, despite this freedom, ased” perspective. Maintaining the sep- The Christian Nation Foundation Every day we are assaulted by theism (e.g., Christianity) is often fa- aration of church and state as support- website admits it was never the found- Christian propaganda proclaiming vored as the most acceptable form of ed by the First Amendment ensures ers’ intent to make “Christianity the this country to be something it clearly belief (atheists believe in many things, freedom for all citizens, notwithstand- official religion of our country.” But is not. The fact this essay even needs but God is just not one of them) due ing individual religious convictions. the next lines say that the foundation to be written highlights a fundamen- in part to ideas of a “Christian nation.” If Americans continue to recognize “will reclaim and restore our nation’s tal flaw in the consciousness of most Christianity and Christian values be- that religion does not a citizen make, Christian heritage and values by acting Americans. come synonymous with good citizen- then the United States could truly real- as an umbrella organization for all like- The U.S. is not, nor has it ever been, ship in the U.S.. Surely an atheist can- ize its potential as a nation which “to minded Americans of all faiths in the a Christian nation. A not-so-subtle at- not be an upstanding, patriotic citizen bigotry gives no sanction, to persecu- cultural war against secular progres- tempt to shift us toward a theocracy is in a country where the currency avows tion no assistance.” sives.” perpetuated daily by preachers in poli- “In God We Trust,” right? In other words, you can be of any ticians’ clothing and stealthily inching Colonial settlers did practice Chris- Roksana Stalinski, 25, was born in faith so long as you are Christian. But into mainstream culture. tianity, which played a role in shaping Poznan, Poland, and has lived in Ottawa, it’s not just Christians who sacrifice to The greatest victims of the offensive U.S. history and culture, but the Decla- Ontario, since 1994. After earning a bach- preserve American freedom, but peo- are science and education. Legislative ration of Independence makes no spe- elor’s in international studies and modern ple of no faith or other faiths. This is budget cuts and other limitations ham- cific reference to Christian practices or languages, she worked as a federal public also their country. per intellectual and medical gains. The beliefs. Perhaps the drafters and signa- servant. She’s pursuing a law degree at the A government based on religion de- campaign to undermine secular educa- tories believed in a deity, but neverthe- University of Ottawa. nies the concept of liberty and justice tion and the teaching of evolution, in- less, the declaration affirms that “Gov- for all, a principle to which everyone jecting faith in their place, continues ernments are instituted among Men.” who has taken the pledge of allegiance daily, despite years of litigation. The most powerful argument Land of the free has sworn. The U.S. Constitution pro- In light of continued resistance against the notion of the U.S. as a vides a true framework for justice be- to facts, it’s necessary to remind mis- Christian nation is the First Amend- cause it avoids religion. informed citizens of America’s truly By Jessica J. Abernathy ment: “Congress shall make no law re- Christianity allows forgiveness for secular foundation. Upon thorough specting an establishment of religion, crimes in exchange for prayer and reading of our nation’s most impor- or prohibiting the free exercise there- penance based on the arbitrary dic- tant document, the Constitution, one of. . .” Originally, in part to escape re- tates of a priest rather than judgment would observe a rather conspicuous Some find it difficult to accept that ligious persecution, small groups of in a court with a jury of one’s peers. absence. There is neither a specific the Constitution makes no reference Europeans established colonies in the Church structure is one that invites reference nor even an allusion to a to God, Jesus and the like. Some grasp New World. During the American Rev- corruption due to the very private na- god. Surely, a Christian nation would at straws by noting that the date of rati- olution, many brave people died to be ture of church determinations and the not fail to state its founding theology fication is written as “the Seventeenth free from Great Britain’s tyranny and prohibition of dissent or debate. clearly and boldly. Day of September in the Year of our to establish a government that was in James Madison argued in 1796 to One need only read the opening Lord one thousand seven hundred the interest of all of its people rather the House of Representatives that the sentence of the First Amendment in and Eighty seven.” (Fun fact: “Year than a select few. meaning of the Constitution could not the Bill of Rights to find the reason for of our Lord” is the translation of the Today’s “Christian nation” adher- be determined from the intentions of the previous omission. It begins, “Con- Latin Anno Domini. I learned this at the ents claim to know what the founders the founding fathers. The Constitution gress shall make no law respecting an same Catholic high school in Ottawa were thinking when they wrote the “was nothing more than the draft of a establishment of religion.” Incidental- where I learned about evolution.) Constitution, but the document’s text plan, nothing but a dead letter, until ly, Christianity is most assuredly classi- April 2014 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 17 Former clergy enjoys atheist peace of mind

Way beyond Compere The Phoenix-area chapters of FFRF, American Humanists and Americans United held a joint meeting in Arizona in late February. It was organized by Dr. John S. Compere of Chandler, a member of all three groups. Featured speaker was John M. Compere (at podium), Baird, Texas, who addressed the topic “We Have to Fight the Battle of Church & State or the Wall Will Come Tumbling Down: A Patriotic Perspective from the Texas Battleground.” Top, left, are Dolores Compere (John M.’s spouse) and John S. and Joyce Compere. The Arizona Comperes performed a clever church-and-state Mason Lane enjoys picking and grinning about being free from the clerical duet to the tune of “Joshua Fought the collar. Battle of Jericho.”

Continued from page 15 lyn Murray O’Hair, Robert Ingersoll, Marlon Brando, Sam Harris, Gore Vi- Humans do best Honorable mentions: Graduate/ dal, Sigmund Freud, Bertrand Russell, knowing verifiable Katherine Hepburn, George Carlin, mature student essay contest Arthur C. Clarke and Thomas Paine truth. (to name just a few) are testimony to the kind of peace I’ve attempted to ex- fied as a religion, despite Bill O’Reilly’s significant founders, and deists. plain here. assertion that it is merely a humble phi- There is always a vocal party at- As a member of the Clergy Proj- baloney placed in front of them. I losophy. tempting to point out “In God We ect, I recall how my dear fellow mem- greatly admire humans who possessed The next bit of evidence is unques- Trust” on our money and “under God” ber “Grandparaja” recently provided unwavering integrity and backbone, tionably the most damning in its blunt- in the pledge. One would assume from so much wisdom and emanated such even as children. Mark Twain would be ness. The Treaty of Tripoli was initiated the smug contempt by those highlight- peace before his impending death. another with enough common sense while George Washington was still in ing these phrases that they were always What a beacon. I’ll never forget him. and natural perception to write, “It was office and signed by his successor, John present, but the godly additions came But he was not an anomaly. I have nev- the schoolboy who said, faith is believ- Adams. Article 11 of said treaty states, in 1957 and 1954, respectively. er observed an atheist go through the ing what you know ain’t so.” unambiguously, “the Government of In order to consider the U.S. a added emotional turmoil, and the beg- Thomas Edison was not privy to the the United States of America is not, in Christian nation, one would have to ging for answers from the Sky God, that scientific information available to any- any sense, founded on the Christian fundamentally rewrite our founding so many theists do when facing death. one curious enough to search the In- religion.” documents. Sandra Day O’Connor I certainly don’t contend all athe- ternet today. His take on religion was This clear-cut declaration hardly foresaw the error of such an editing: ists have the kind of peace I’ve written frank: “I have never seen the slightest leaves room for misinterpretation. Was “Those who would renegotiate the about, but at least they should be free scientific proof of the religious ideas of such a shockingly candid statement boundaries between church and state of monotheistic bats banging around heaven and hell, of future life for indi- agreed on in secrecy and cleverly hid- must therefore answer a difficult ques- in their mental attics. viduals, or of a personal God.” Also: “So den from the American public? Hard- tion: Why would we trade a system that Reading the bible led to my becom- far as religion of the day is concerned, ly. Major newspapers of the day printed has served us so well for one that has ing an atheist. The explanations about it is a damned fake. . . . Religion is all the treaty in full, and not a peep of pro- served others so poorly?” human life and the universe that I’d bunk.” test was raised. The outcry that would Americans should also recall the been taught all crumbled, and the I think the bunk, in the brain, that rage forth if a sitting president made sage words of Jimmy Carter, “the gov- moral disconnect of blood sacrifice of Edison mentioned makes it impossible such a proclamation today is represen- ernment ought to stay out of the reli- a son became repugnant. for theists to ever experience the peace tative of a shift in public understanding gious business.” Then, as I studied the sciences, I of mind that is possible for an atheist. (based upon a massive misinformation United we stand as a secular nation. found new rational information on The bunk is like opium for the addict, campaign by religious dogmatists). Let’s keep it that way. which to hang my faith hat. I think and it’s still a damned fake. One should also consider the we humans do best knowing verifiable founders’ religious ideologies. It is rea- Daniel Urban, 33, a native of Fairless truth. Florida FFRF member Mason Lane was sonable to assert that James Madison Hills, Pa., joined the Army out of high There are many atheists for whom born Dean Aughinbaugh and changed his and John Adams were among the most school and served eight years on active duty. the sciences are not a major part of name for the music business, from which he’s influential members of the Constitu- Afterward, he was a police officer in Char- their reading or study, but they also retired. Before that he was general manager tion drafting committee with George lotte, N.C., for several years before earning project the kind of atheist peace I’m of WHME-FM Radio (Christian program- Washington overseeing them. Though a B.S. in biology from the University of writing about. Therefore, I conclude ming) and pastor of Christian Faith Church raised with religious backgrounds, South Alabama in 2011. He’s now work- that their peace comes from a lack of in South Bend, Ind., then dean of students Madison was deistic. John Adams was ing toward a Ph.D. in evolutionary devel- delusional nonsense in one’s thought and soccer coach at DeVry University in a Unitarian (whose members notably opmental biology at the University of Illinois process, and does not require the Phoenix. Justifiable Homicide, available on reject the core tenet of Christianity, at Urbana-Champaign, with a particular knowledge of the sciences. Kindle or Nook, is the story of his journey to namely the trinity). Thomas Paine and interest in researching the reptile-to-mammal My wife (and my former wife, who atheism. Google “reverbnation” and “mason Thomas Jefferson, although not part of evolutionary transition. died in 2001), would fit that category. lane” to sample his music online. the Constitutional Convention, were Even as children, they did not eat the Page 18 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin April 2014

Black Collar Crime Blotter Press-Enterprise/KABC-TV, 3-14-14 a lewd act. At the time of the alleged crimes, News & Observer, 2-24-14 Compiled by Bill Dunn Stephen Howard, 54, Fontana, CA: Sus- Moses was pastor at New Mount Zion Church Philip Briganti, 67, El Paso, TX: Crimi- picion of lewd acts with a child under 14, oral and Redeemed Christian Ministries, both in nal sexual contact. Briganti, a retired Catholic Arrested / Charged copulation with a person under 18 and sodomy York, SC. priest, allegedly committed the offense after he Elias Daniel, a Carmelite Order Catholic with a person under 18. Howard, lead pastor at The female victim, now 19, told York police officiated at a November wedding in Prospect priest in Bangalore, India, is charged with mur- Muscoy United Methodist Church, is accused of the incidents started in 2009 when she was 14. Park, NJ. The alleged unwanted contact oc- der along with 2 other persons in the 2013 Eas- molesting 2 boys, now ages 14 and 23, who at- Moses was convicted in 2003 of taking inde- curred with another man on a bus ride to a hotel ter Sunday bludgeoning death of Fr. K.J. Thom- tended his church. cent liberties with a minor in Gastonia, NC, as after the reception. as, 65, rector at St. Peter’s Pontifical Seminary. The 23-year-old alleges his abuse started pastor at Faith Chapel Fire Baptized Holiness The Paterson Diocese, where Briganti Police identified the others only asWilliam Pat- at age 9 and continued into adulthood. The vic- Church. When arrested in 2002, he signed a served before retiring, has suspended him from rick and Peter. tims allege Howard paid them for sex. Source: statement saying “he might have accidentally the ministry. He’s also a former military chaplain Sources said the case is tied to a 3-decade- Press-Enterprise, 3-14-14 rubbed his genitals against both girls.” who retired as a lieutenant colonel. Source: AP, old language dispute. Catholics who speak Kan- Emil S. Payer, 69, Yukon, PA: Theft by de- His sentence included lifetime sex offender 2-21 nada feel they are shortchanged by policy deci- ception, theft by unlawful taking, theft by receiv- registration. The York churches have come August B. Kreis, 59, Columbia, SC: 2nd- sions and appointments, which are dominated ing stolen property and theft by misappropria- under fire for hiring a convicted sex offender. degree criminal sexual conduct and disseminat- by migrant Catholics from neighboring Tamil tion of entrusted property. Payer allegedly took Source: Charlotte Observer, 3-6-14 ing obscene material to a child. Kreis, described Nadu and Kerala states. the money from Seven Dolors Catholic Parish, Samuel Waldman, 52, Brooklyn, NY: Trans- by the Southern Poverty Law Center as a “hot- Five people, including 3 priests, were sub- where he was pastor from October 2008 through porting or distributing child pornography. Wald- tempered, longtime white supremacist and jected to narco-analysis (truth serum). Source: August 2011 and drew a $2,600 monthly salary. man, a rabbi who teaches at a Jewish girls’ Christian Identity minister,” was arrested after Union of Catholic Asian News, 3-20-14 Investigators allege Payer used to money for school, was arrested in a federal sting and al- the mother of an alleged victim went to authori- Matthew Luetke, 35, St. Charles, MO: Pro- personal credit card bills, 6 trips to Rome and legedly admitted downloading videos from shar- ties. moting child pornography. Authorities allegedly mass mailings to recruit people for the junkets. ing sites. Sheriff Leon Lott said Kreis is accused of found 9 indecent images of girls between the The parish was “financially stable” with Videos allegedly depicted girls as young as molesting the victim, a child under age 12, and ages of 9 and 13 on a computer belonging to $65,000 to $70,000 in an operating account in age 4 fellating males and being raped, a boy providing obscene material for about 3 months. Luetke, youth pastor at Good Shepherd Evan- 2008 when Payer became pastor, but that was masturbating and an adult fondling a prepubes- Kreis was sentenced to 6 months in prison gelical Lutheran Church. down to about $1,500 a year later, court docu- cent boy. in 2011 and ordered to pay back over $193,000 An arrest affidavit said he told police he al- ments said. Source: AP/WTAE, 3-12-14 Waldman’s friend Leo Eckstein said he that prosecutors said he received improperly lowed his genitals to be touched by female Michael Kirkpatrick, 68, Plymouth, UK: doesn’t believe it. “I know the gentleman, I from a federal pension. Source: WISTV, 2-19-14 relatives when they were preschool age when Suspicion of a historic sexual offense. Kirkpat- know this person, everything about him. There’s Horace Sheffield III, 59, Detroit: Domestic the family lived in Wisconsin and Minnesota in rick is a Catholic priest at the Cathedral of Sts. not one grain of truth in this alleged situation.” violence assault and battery and preventing a 2004-08. Source: KSDK, 3-19-14 Mary and Boniface. Bishop Mark O’Toole made Source: Daily Forward/NBC 4, 3-5-14 crime report. Sheffield, pastor of New Destiny Tyler D. Bliss, 27, Oakdale, CA: Suspicion the announcement at March 2 Masses. Robert Moore, 52, Mentor, OH, and Rich- Christian Fellowship Church, is charged with as- of receiving or distributing images of a minor “The matter relates to historic offenses ard Muse, 43, Cleveland: Extortion, bribery, saulting his wife in January at their home. Media engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Bliss is a which occurred before the individual entered the theft in office and soliciting or receiving improper reports said they are in the midst of a divorce. youth minister at Bethel Church and is pursu- Catholic Church,” said a statement from Plym- compensation. Moore, pastor at Church Cathe- Source: Free Press, 2-14-14 ing preaching certification with the Assemblies outh police. Source: Plymouth Herald, 3-12-14 dral Worship Center and Richmond Heights Riaz Tasawar, 35, Sydney: Solemnization of God. Scott Sechrist, 61, Bristol Township, PA: 20 school superintendent, allegedly conspired with of a marriage by an unauthorized person. Ta- Google Inc. allegedly found an image of 2 counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse Muse to get cash kickbacks from a firm doing sawar, a native Pakistani imam, is charged with girls about 5 to 8 years old engaged in a sexual with a person under age 16 and 10 counts each business with the school. Muse was district marrying a 12-year-old girl to a 26-year-old man act with an adult male on Bliss’ email account of aggravated indecent assault and statutory buildings director. at the girl’s home. He’s the first person ever and notified authorities. Others, including some rape. The charges stem from the time Sechrist Investigators said the alleged shakedown charged under the 1994 law. of an underage female he was having a relation- was pastor of First Baptist Church of Morrisville. involved about $3,700. Source: WTAM/Sun The girl’s father, a Muslim convert, sup- ship with, were found. “Bliss developed the rela- The alleged victim, now 34, came forward in News, 3-3-14 ported the union and is in custody on 25 counts tionship with the minor female through his work 1992. An unidentified Catholic priest, 61, of sexual intercourse with a child. The Islamic as a youth pastor,” an FBI agent said. She alleged Sechrist’s inappropriate com- Marshfield,New South Wales, faces 14 counts Centre of Newcastle has ended Tasawar’s em- As a handcuffed Bliss was ushered out of ments and touching escalated to intercourse of aggravated indecent assault which allegedly ployment. Source: news.com.au, 2-12-14 court, he mouthed “I love you” to family and and only stopped when she reported them at occurred between 1975-82 at St. Stanislaus Clyde W. Way, 68, Albemarle, NC: 4 counts supporters watching. Source: Modesto Bee, age 12. She later recanted. secondary college in Bathurst. The priest is the each of taking indecent liberties with a child and 3-19-14 At Sechrist’s preliminary hearing, portions of 11th cleric to be charged with child abuse at the indecent exposure. Way, a volunteer student Robert Genevicz, 67, Stratford, CT: Felony an audio recording the woman made last No- school in incidents dating to 1960. ministries team leader for the Stanly Baptist As- larceny. Genevicz, pastor at Stratford Bap- vember were played. A male voice on the re- Two other priests, ages 71 and 73, face sociation, allegedly exposed himself to 4 boys, tist Church, allegedly stole $170,000 from a cording, identified as Sechrist, is heard saying “historical” abuse charges involving boys at ages 10-13, while playing strip poker at a church 71-year-old retired teacher and church member. he wished he knew why he behaved the way Bathurst and St. Mary’s Church in Sydney. retreat in June 2013. He originally faced 24 Police are investigating more allegations involv- he did. Source: AAP, 3-3-14 counts. Source: State Port Pilot, 2-5-14 ing other older parishioners. “I thought about that for years. I babysat my David “Scott” Lemley, 43, Baton Rouge, Genevicz and a female accomplice allegedly nieces. I changed diapers. I don’t know why it LA: Aggravated rape and theft of a motor ve- used some of the money to buy a Mercedes and was you. . . . I don’t know. I can’t answer that.” hicle. Lemley, pastor of New Harmony Baptist Pleaded / Convicted Leo Koppala, 47, Blue Earth, MN: Pleaded a Hummer. Source: AP, 3-18-14 The woman’s husband cried in court while Church, is accused of raping a 20-year-old guilty to 2nd-degree criminal sexual conduct in- Grzegorz K. [last name withheld by police], the recording played. Source: Levittown Now/ disabled woman with the mental capacity of a volving a victim under age 13. Koppala, pastor a Catholic priest at 2 parishes outside Warsaw, Courier Times, 3-12-14 7-year-old. at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church and St. is charged with having sex with a minor and Shalom Dov Wolpo, a Jerusalem Chabad The arrest warrant said the woman’s father Mary’s in Winnebago, admitted fondling a girl showing the alleged victim pornography be- rabbi, and his assistant, Rabbi Shabtai Wein- told her to have sex with Lemley because his while at a dinner at her grandmother’s home. tween 2000-03. The alleged victim complained traub, were indicted for inciting Israel Defense wife had been bedridden. Lemley is accused of The Diocese of Winona put Koppala on to police last October. Forces troops to disobey direct orders. giving away a car, which he was supposed to leave. He will likely be deported to his native The priest has a previous conviction for According to the indictment, the men con- be fixing as a favor, to a church member who India. Source: AP, 3-18-14 molesting an altar boy in 2001, for which he re- tacted soldiers to persuade them to disobey allegedly sold it for $250 to a scrap metal dealer. Gerald Ridsdale, 79, an imprisoned Austra- ceived a suspended sentence. Source: Polskie potential orders to evacuate Jewish West Bank The woman’s father also faces several sex lian Catholic priest, who earlier pleaded guilty Radio, 3-18-14 settlements and outposts. They allegedly of- counts and has been in custody since Novem- to carnal knowledge of a girl and buggery and Police in Greece arrested an Orthodox fered 1,000 shekels ($287) for each day spent ber. Source: The Advocate, 3-3-14 27 counts of indecent assault, appeared in priest, 30, and an unemployed accomplice, in military prison as a result of disobedience. Kevin Lohse, 39, Russellville, KY: 1st-de- Melbourne at a presentence hearing. Charges 45, both unidentified, on fraud charges for al- The indictment centers on an incident in Oc- gree indecent exposure. Lohse, interim pastor stem from incidents with boys and girls between legedly running a job placement scam in Thes- tober 2009. Source: Times of Israel, 3-11-14 at Woodlawn Baptist Church, is accused of ex- 1961-80. saloniki that bilked victims out of $108,500. Jerrold Ketner, 79, Dodge City, KS: Rape, posing himself to a shopper in the juniors sec- Victims testified Ridsdale gave them lolli- Source: AP, 3-17-14 attempted aggravated criminal sodomy, aggra- tion at Burkes Outlet. pops after molesting them. A girl said she went Homer D. Rudd, 61, Bartow, FL: 40 counts vated sexual battery, attempted rape, attempted “In the [store] video, you can clearly see Mr. to a nun and was told, “Good little girls don’t talk of sexual performance by a child. Rudd, who aggravated criminal sodomy, aggravated sexual Lohse manipulating his zipper, then exposing about such things. Off you go.” holds an unspecified “leadership position” at battery and blackmail. Ketner, leader of a min- his penis to the 15-year-old girl,” Detective Sa- Another victim testified Ridsdale called her Lake Hamilton Baptist Church, was arrested af- istry called New Hope on the Plains Inc., is mantha Reeser said. “God’s little angel” and said he took her out of ter a relative gave Rudd’s laptop computer to charged with alleged assaults on a 33-year-old Lohse turned himself in after a still photo the school kitchen where she was cutting up detectives, who allegedly found pornographic woman in 2013 and last March. from the video was made public. He told police vegetables and raped her. Another priest walk- images of girls ranging in age from about 4 to The complaint alleges Ketner blackmailed his 7-year-old son was with him in the store. ing past saw what was happening, she said. 16. the woman so she wouldn’t report the 2013 as- Source: Bowling Green Daily News, 3-1-14 Source: The Age, 3-18-14 A police report said Rudd claimed the im- saults. Source: Hutchinson News, 3-11-14 Daniel A. Dominguez, 21, Ocala, FL: Lewd Matthew Caminiti, 29, and Alina Caminiti, ages would “pop up” on non-porn sites he vis- Abraham Azhakathu, 59, Manning, Al- and lascivious behavior. Dominguez, a student 27, Black Earth, WI: Convicted respectively on ited to look at preteen models. Source: WFTS, berta: Sexual assault and sexual interference. ministry intern at Church at the Springs, alleg- 4 and 3 counts of child abuse for forcefully strik- 3-15-14 Azhakathu is a priest in the Syro-Malabar Cath- edly had sexual contact with a 15-year-old girl ing their children’s bare buttocks with a wooden Christopher S. Kay, 32, Greenville County, olic Church, a missionary order based in India. at the church. dowel and spoon when they were as young as SC: Lewd act on a minor and indecent expo- A minor reported the alleged 2013 assault to The girl told police Dominguez grabbed and 6 weeks old. sure. Kay, a former teacher at Shannon Forest police. Source: CBC, 3-9-14 kissed her and touched her breast over and un- Matthew is the son of Philip Caminiti, who Christian School, is accused of twice touch- Larry Durant, 59, Sumter, SC: 2 counts of der her shirt, her buttocks over her clothes and led the Aleitheia Bible Church, where parents ing himself into a state of arousal in front of a 3rd-degree criminal sexual conduct, allegedly her private area while they were cleaning water were taught to punish their children “biblically” to 12-year-old student and also of touching the involving a 16-year-old female congregation jugs for an upcoming event. Source: Star-Ban- instill proper behavior. Sheriff’s deputies arrest- student once. member during “private sessions of prayer” at ner, 2-28-14 ed several members of the church in November Kay taught and coached baseball at the time Word International Ministries, where Durant was Ronald Norris, 27, Roebuck, SC: 3rd-de- 2010. Philip Caminiti and several others have of the alleged incidents, deputies said. He was pastor in 2012-13. gree criminal sexual conduct. Norris, pastor of already been sentenced. Source: State Journal, fired from the school for unrelated performance Three others have alleged sexual miscon- The Church in Spartanburg, was arrested after 3-12-14 reasons in 2011, a school official said, and now duct by Durant, who’s also charged with forg- police were notified by an official at Woodruff Jeffrey D. Eddie, 41, Muscle Shoals, AL: teaches at Spartanburg Day School, where he ery for allegedly forging the name of a victim’s High School that a girl had been touched inap- Pleaded guilty to 16 counts of sodomy, 3 counts was placed on leave after the school learned of grandmother on a quit claim deed. Source: The propriately multiple times, starting when she of sexual abuse of a child under the age of 12 the allegations. Source: WYFF, 3-14-14 State, 3-11-14 was 16. Source: WSPA, 2-25-14 and 1 count of child pornography. Eddie, chil- Jerome A. Clay Sr., 41, Perris, CA: Suspi- Edwin Mercado Viera, 53, Diocese of Dalvis “Steve” Conerly, 62, Raleigh, NC: 2 dren’s pastor and administrator of Highland cion of rape, oral copulation with a person un- Arecibo, Puerto Rico: Lewd acts. Viera, a de- counts of taking indecent liberties with a child. Park Baptist Church, was arrested after the der 16 and sexual penetration by force. Clay, frocked Catholic priest, allegedly molested a Conerly, a pastor at New Beginnings Fellow- church’s worship arts pastor found pornograph- a pastor at Compassion Church, was arrested 13-year-old altar boy in 2007. He’s the first of 6 ship, is charged with alleged offenses on Feb. 2 ic images of young males on Eddie’s laptop and after sheriff’s officials served search warrants at laicized priests from the diocese to face criminal and Feb. 4 with a 12-year-old girl. The law says saw a child sitting on Eddie’s lap with his hands home and the church. charges. Source: WRAL, 3-6-14 that “liberties” must be “for the purpose of arous- up the child’s shirt. “There was a lot of bad stuff that goes on Cory D. Moses, 38, Charlotte, NC: 1st-de- ing or gratifying sexual desire.” Conerly’s online Eddie told police there were more victims at this church. They say it doesn’t, but it does,” gree assault and battery, criminal sexual con- bio says he’s a licensed professional counselor than he could remember. He has 2 sons and said Perris resident Jordan Egbert. Source: duct with a minor and committing or attempting with a doctorate in spiritual guidance. Source: April 2014 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 19

linquent payments. The IRS also has tax liens of operates a free meals program for poor chil- Pastor Moses said $54,000 against the church. dren, hasn’t paid for thousands of meals cooked Civil Lawsuits Filed A recent newspaper series showed Family for the Holy Temple Feeding Program, alleges Linda Grindstaff, a former member and em- Christian was spending millions on leadership vendor Sherrey McGill. ‘he might have ployee of Emissaries of Divine Light in Glen compensation, travel, meals and jet fuel while McGill said she hasn’t seen a dime and has Ivey, CA, is suing the “global spiritual network” not making mortgage and other payments. lost her business, Sherrey’s Kitchen, after hir- accidentally rubbed for breach of contract, fraud and intentional in- California-based Evangelical Christian Cred- ing 20 people and signing a contract to provide fliction of emotional stress. Founded in 1932, its it Union foreclosed in 2011 against Family Chris- 180,000 meals for $405,000. McGill said she stated mission is to “assist in the spiritual regen- his genitals against tian after the church defaulted on the mortgage delivered 6,300 meals over 11 days to 5 loca- eration of humanity under the inspiration of the for its worship center. The case is still pending. tions. spirit of God,” according to the suit. both girls.’ At the time, church revenues were about $10 Harris’ husband is church bishop. Source: Grindstaff alleges she was forced to work million annually and the monthly mortgage pay- WAVY, 2-26-14 for free and pay monthly fees to live in her own ment was $98,000. home, which she says Emissaries is trying to All 4 condos were eventually sold in a trea- is being divorced by his wife. Source: Baptist sell out from under her. surer’s tax sale because of unpaid taxes. The Removed / Resigned Press, 3-12-14 The complaint says Emissaries doctrine Michael Fugee, 53, New Jersey: Expelled church redeemed one of the condos, with the Stan Hogan, 69, Adelaide, Australia: promotes sexual “triangles” of a man and 2 or from the priesthood by the Vatican. Fugee was bank paying on the church’s behalf to save the Pleaded guilty to accessing child pornography more women, even if they’re married, in order to defrocked for repeatedly defying a 2007 judicial others. Source: NWI Times, 2-21-14 and an aggravated count of possessing child “handle and protect” the man’s spiritual expres- agreement barring him from ministries involv- pornography. Hogan, a Jesuit priest and teacher sion and spiritually purify the women. Source: ing children. He was convicted in 2003 after at St. Ignatius College, admitted to offenses in Courthouse News Service, 3-17-14 Legal Developments admitting he fondled a teen boy’s genitals, but 2012-13. Source: abc.net.au, 3-6-14 Jennifer Herrick, 60, New South Wales, is The 4th District Court of Appeals in Wiscon- the verdict was overruled by an appeals court, David Hellman, 31, Brooklyn, NY: Pleaded suing the Australian Catholic Church. Her- sin upheld 8 convictions of Philip Caminiti, 56, which ruled the trial judge gave improper jury guilty to traveling in interstate commerce to com- rick alleges that when she was 19 and sexually pastor of Aleitheia Bible Church in Black Earth, instructions. mit extortion. Hellman was accused of conspir- naive with a severe physical disability, Fr. Tom who was found guilty in 2012 of conspiracy to Fugee’s interactions with children led to na- ing with 9 others, including 2 rabbis, to violently Knowles started grooming her for sex. They commit child abuse for telling church members tional criticism of Newark Archbishop John J. coerce a Jewish man in New Jersey to give his first had intercourse 3 years later, she alleges, to hit their children to make them behave. Myers, who had repeatedly defended the priest wife a religious divorce known as a “get.” and continued the relationship until Knowles Caminiti claimed his rights to free speech and returned him to ministry. Source: Star-Led- The rabbis charged are Mendel Epstein, ended it when she was 35. and religious exercise were violated, but the ger, 3-18-14 68, and Martin Wolmark, 55. Hellman is the “I’m surprised you hung on as long as you court said the jury could have reasonably in- Archdiocese of Philadelphia Archbishop only person to plead guilty so far. Source: Star- did,” Herrick alleges Knowles said to her at the ferred that Caminiti’s teachings produced law- Charles Chaput permanently removed 2 more Ledger, 3-6-14 time. She lodged a breach of trust claim after her less action, and the state has a compelling inter- Catholic priests from ministry for substantiated Andrea Lewis, 54, Shreveport, LA: Guilty 2011 complaint to Knowles’ order, the Blessed est in preventing child abuse. claims of sexual abuse. Removed were John P. by jury of 3 counts of transportation of minors Sacrament Fathers, resulted in the church con- Caminiti’s attorney, Robert Henak, said he’ll Paul, 67, former pastor of Our Lady of Calvary with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. firming the long relationship and disciplining appeal to the state Supreme Court. Source: Parish, and James J. Collins, 75, professor of U.S. Attorney Stephanie Finley said the crimes Knowles. He was reinstated in December 2012 State Journal, 3-20-14 religious studies at Holy Family University. happened from 1994 to 2000 when Lewis used with no public explanation of his 16 months’ ad- Bernard J. Hartman, 74, Dayton, OH: 2 Church officials said allegations both in- his status as pastor and choir director to coerce ministrative leave. counts each of gross indecency with a child un- volved 17-year-old victims and occurred de- female church members to have sex with him. He was again put on leave in February 2013 der 16 and assault and 14 counts of indecent cades ago, with authorities declining pros- Source: KATC, 3-1-14 after media and victims’ groups started asking assault. Hartman, a Marianist brother, was ex- ecution because the statute of limitations had Tim Lambesis, 33, Carlsbad, CA: Pleaded why priests weren’t subject to the same penal- tradited to Australia to stand trial for molesting 2 expired. Source: The Inquirer, 2-24-14 guilty to solicitation of another to commit murder ties as doctors who have sex with patients. boys and 2 girls more than 30 years ago. and conspiracy to commit a crime. Lambesis, Herrick’s condition, bilateral congenital hip After a committal hearing, Magistrate Jo lead singer for the Grammy-nominated Chris- dysplasia, left her self-conscious but “suddenly Metcalf found sufficient evidence for the case Other Bishop Bobby Davis, 72, Monroe, CT, pas- tian metal band As I Lay Dying, admitted hir- here was a charming and charismatic priest, to proceed. Hartman is accused of molesting tor of Miracle Faith World Outreach Church in ing a hit man to kill his estranged wife, Meggan who was interested in visiting me and didn’t 2 teen boys in 1981-82 at St. Paul’s College Bridgeport, collapsed in front of his congrega- Lambesis, who filed for divorce in 2012. seem to worry about how I walked,” her claim and 2 girls between 1974-78 when he visited tion while confessing to marital infidelity and Lambesis eventually gave an undercover states. Source: Newcastle Herald, 3-7-14 their homes as a family friend. The girls were was pronounced dead at the hospital. agent an envelope with $1,000 for expenses, between ages 6 and 11. “After the service on Sunday, the bishop’s Meggan’s address and gate codes, photos of Hartman returned to the U.S. in 1984 and family asked us to remain in the church and her and dates when he would have the children Civil Lawsuits Settled was working for the church when the allegations Miller County Circuit Judge Kirk Johnson the bishop confessed to us something that hap- and thus, an alibi. Their children are ages 4, 8 were made. Source: The Age, 3-19-14 and 10. Source: NBC, 2-25-14 awarded 7 women $525 million in damages for pened long ago,” said church elder Judy Stovall. Francis P. Cullen, 85, Tenerife: Pleaded physical, sexual and psychological abuse by “He wanted to come clean with all of us. He guilty to 21 counts of indecent assault when imprisoned evangelist Tony Alamo. The Arkan- Allegations wanted to ask our forgiveness.” he was a Catholic priest in the UK. The sexual sas-based 21st Century Holiness Tabernacle Bill Gothard, 79, Oak Brook, IL, was put Davis and his wife Christine co-founded abuse of 7 boys and girls aged 6 to 16 took Church, an arm of Alamo Ministries, failed to on administrative leave after allegations were the church and had been married 50 years. He place from 1957-91 at various parishes. respond to the suit. made of sexual harassment of women who graduated from Vision Christian College in Ra- He was arrested in 1991 but skipped bail The suit also names Alamo and Jeanne Es- worked at his ministry and failure to report child mona, CA, with a doctorate degree in ministry and fled to the Canary Islands. Source: BBC, tates Apartments, operated by the church and abuse. and a master’s degree in theological studies. 2-24-14 controlled by Alamo. Rulings have not been is- Gothard’s Institute in Basic Life Principles Source: Connecticut Post, 3-13-14 sued against those defendants. was popular for thousands of Christian families. Archbishop John J. Myers of the Catholic Alamo, 79, is serving 175 years on a 2009 His Advanced Training Institute conferences Archdiocese of Newark and his Presbyteral Sentenced conviction for taking girls across state lines for were also popular among devotees of the Quiv- Council adopted a policy that allows clergy Patrick Braud, 56, Angoulême, France: 2 sex. Victims in the civil case are among the vic- erfull movement, which promotes large families removed from their posts for credible abuse years’ suspended, mandatory counseling and tims from Alamo’s criminal case. Source: AP, and eschews birth control. charges to be buried in their vestments. €3,000 ($4,170) restitution to 1 of 2 teen sis- 2-27-14 In a statement, Basic Life board chairman The policy also prohibits obituaries from list- ters Braud was convicted of molesting between Jackson County Circuit Judge Jack Grate Billy Boring said, “After completion of the review, ing the time, date or funeral location. Funerals 1994-98 when he was vicar of the Catholic ca- OK’d a $1.275 million settlement in a suit filed the board will respond at an appropriate time, aren’t allowed to take place at a church where thedral of Angoulême. The sisters are now 22 by 2 parents on behalf of their minor daughter and in a biblical manner.” an abusive priest worked or lived. and 32. Source: France 3, 3-18-14 against the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City- Numerous allegations have been posted Victims rights groups such as Road to Re- Gerald A. Poynter, 48, Kansas City: 13 St. Joseph, Fr. Shawn Ratigan and Bishop since 2011 on the Recovering Grace website, covery criticized the policy, including a section years in prison and restitution of $952,000. Robert Finn. including a charge Gothard molested an under- encouraging other clergy to attend pedophiles’ Poynter, aka Brother Jerry Love, encouraged The same week, Circuit Judge Jim Kanatzar age woman in the early 1990s. funerals. Source: Star-Ledger, 3-17-14 people to claim false tax refunds from 2008- approved a $525,000 settlement against the Gretchen Swearingen alleged Gothard, who Carlos Urrutigoity, a Catholic priest ac- 11. Co-conspirators, 11 of whom have pleaded same 3 defendants in a suit filed by 2 other par- is single, arranged in 1992 for them to be to- cused of molesting boys in Shohola and Mos- guilty, shared some of the $3.5 million in refunds ents and their minor daughter. gether on a ride from the airport. “That’s when cow, PA, has been promoted to vicar general for with Poynter’s Jerry Love Ministries as “love do- Including 2 suits it settled in 2013 for nearly he first put his hand between my legs and felt Ciudad del Este Diocese in Paraguay. nations.” Source: Kansas City Star, 3-13-14 $2 million, the diocese has agreed to pay $3.75 me all the way up,” she wrote. Former Diocese of Scranton Bishop Jo- David Yonggi Cho, 78, Seoul: 3 years in million in cases involving Ratigan, with at least Rachel Frost, who also worked at the insti- seph Martino let Urrutigoity transfer even prison for embezzling $12 million from Yoido 2 others pending. A total of $1 million in default tute when she was 16, wrote, “There was a very though court statements alleged he had sex Full Gospel Church, which he founded and is judgments have also been entered against Rati- common grooming pattern of creating emotional with boys in his care, calling it “spiritual direc- said to have the world’s largest Pentecostal gan, sentenced to 50 years without parole in bonds and physical affirmations, the footsie, the tion.” He was one of 3 defendants in a 2002 civil congregation. 2012 for sexually exploiting little girls. Source: leg rubs, the stroking of the hair, the constant case brought by a student in which the diocese Cho allegedly told church officials in 2002 to AP, 2-22-14 comments on physical appearance.” settled for $400,000. buy stocks owned by his eldest son, Cho Hee- A woman who’s involved with Recovering A 2002 diocesan review board said about jun, at 4 times the market value. Cho Hee-jun Grace said 34 women allege they were sexu- Urrutigoity: “In view of the credible allegation was sentenced to 3 years. Finances ally harassed and 4 say they were molested. from the seminarian, his admitted practice of First National Bank of Illinois foreclosed on 4 Cho must also pay back $4.6 million to the Source: Religion News Service, 3-1-14 sleeping with boys and young men and the trou- condos owned by the Family Christian Center church and $3.2 million in taxes he avoided pay- Serena Harris, pastor at Holy Temple Evan- bling evaluation by the Southdown Institute, Fa- of Munster, IN, and senior pastor Steve Mun- ing. The church is affiliated with the Assemblies gelical Christian Church in Norfolk, VA, which ther Carlos Urrutigoity should be removed from sey. The bank says it’s owed $604,447 for de- of God and has more than a million members. active ministry; his faculties should be revoked; Source: Christianity Today, 2-27-14 he should be asked to live privately.” Craig L. Davis, Stone Mountain, GA: 20 “I’m concerned for the children of Paraguay. years in prison with 10 years suspended for 2 From everything I’ve learned, Father Carlos has counts of reckless conduct. A jury found Davis, not stopped. This is a basic child protection is- former pastor of Atlanta’s Full Gospel Church, sue,” said Patrick Wall, a former priest who ad- guilty of knowingly exposing a female congre- vocates for abuse victims. gant to HIV. “This is a grand example of a worldwide “I’m pleased with the sentence,” said the vic- policy that a priest can sexually abuse kids in tim, Ronita McAfee, who agreed to let her name another country and go somewhere else and be used. become vicar general of the diocese,” Wall said. Davis’ 15-year-old son took the stand and Source: Pocono Record, 3-12-14 told the judge his dad “teaches me how to be a A Christian pastor identified only as Rev. man,” adding, “Not only that, he’s the person I Njohi got a lot of international publicity at Lord’s get my good looks from.” Source: Journal-Con- Propeller Redemption Church in Dandora, a stitution/Christian Post, 2-21-14 suburb of Nairobi, Kenya, due to his edict bar- George L. Spencer, 59, New Orleans: ring female congregants from wearing under- 7 years in prison after pleading guilty to child wear. molestation and sexual misconduct with a child. Njohi said the rule would allow God to more Spencer, former associate pastor at Greater easily enter women’s bodies. Mothers were in- Works CME Church in Kansas City, admitted structed to make sure their daughters were in he groped and digitally sodomized a 13-year- compliance. According to the UK Metro, most old girl in 2012 in his church office while she women did comply, although resentment later was naked from the waist up as he exposed his surfaced publicly. Source: nigerianwatch.com, genitals. Her mother and grandmother were at 3-2-14 bible study upstairs. Source: Kansas City Star, Email: [email protected] 2-20-14 Page 20 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin April 2014

Letterbox

‘Blasphemous Brian’ I wanted to hang around and intro- duce myself, but there were too many brought big crowds people around the book table and I couldn’t help but chuckle when I it was getting late for this old lady to read about the attempt [In the News, be out alone. The Council for Secular March14] by the Newtownabbey Bor- Humanism to which I also belong had ough Council in Northern Ireland two events in San Diego last year, both to censor the blasphemous play “The of which were also within a few miles Bible: The Complete Word of God,” from my home. I feel so “blessed.” which led to sold out ticket sales to all The defenders of religion are called subsequent performances. apologists for a reason. They have Back in the mid-1980s, I was teach- much to apologize for. ing a film studies class at a Washington Vee Lordless Ford state college. The Friday night film California screenings were mandatory for my stu- Randy Heine, Florida, writes, “It’s funny how people with a ‘fish’ emblem on dents but were also open to the gener- their cars give me the finger even though their Jesus character tells them not to al public. Normally, about a dozen peo- Grateful for action judge others.” ple from the community augmented my 30 students, but the scheduled film to get Gideons out “The Life of Brian” created a whole I saw reports recently that Gideons age. by the supreme being as his father in new dynamic. would not be able to distribute bibles There are new calves in the fields the womb of a virgin, will be classed The local Baptist church got wind in the Madisonville School District in and hyacinths have poked through with the fable of the generation of Mi- of the movie and created a double Tennessee because of FFRF. I’m not the soil on the sunny south side of my nerva in the brain of Jupiter.” line gauntlet with placards, bibles and sure if any direct communication hap- house. Spring is near! See you all in The man who wrote that incisive, el- scolding at the entrance to the audito- pened or if your other work was just Los Angeles in October. egant sentence was not a Christian. rium in hopes of shaming attendees. noticed by the district. Alice Elliott Dave Pitts Immediately, word got out about the Regardless, I want to thank you be- Montana Ohio confrontation and people began to ar- cause son won’t be proselytized at his rive in droves. By 7:30 we were packed school. This makes me proud to be a ‘Death with dignity’ to the rafters in the 300-seat theater. member. Quotation shows After the first screening, I opened Drew Winder article spurs comments the doors to find another huge crowd Tennessee Jefferson not Christian Thanks to Annie Laurie Gaylor for in the foyer. At 9:30 I cued up the mov- Editor’s note: Yes, FFRF sent a complaint I was taken with the Thomas Jeffer- “Extend death with dignity nation- ie again to a packed house. At 11:30 letter. See legal victories on page 8. son quote about “the Three-headed wide” [March14]. Unfortunately, as the same thing happened. People were Christian Beast-god” [student essay, Ms. Gaylor suggested, ALS sufferers literally sitting in the aisles. I finally got Jan/Feb14]. At second glance, it did like Read Schuster may be helped by home about 2 a.m. Walker’s ‘infinite not sound like it was written in the our Death with Dignity Act only if they Thanks to the Baptists, we had the 18th century, let alone by Jefferson. can still swallow when their doctors say largest turnout in the history of the egotist’ fits God well It appears to be spurious and has they are within a few months of death. film program. (You can find both the Thanks to Barbara Walker for “God a wide Internet footprint, but no one Good judgment and mental health play and the movie on YouTube.) the father, God the son, God the mon- has shown a source for it in Jefferson’s are additional criteria for suicide as- Warren Dunn ster” [Jan/Feb14]. As I read her words writings. The Monticello Foundation’s sistance; one must be thinking clearly California describing the God of the Old Testa- website shows that the quote mirrors and not depressed, despite being near ment as “An infinite egotist, demand- parts of genuine Jeffersonian writing death and often in pain. ing eternal praises, a jealous tyrant, but is not genuine. I hope I will be eligible for a lethal God less you, a monument of cruelty, a constant Here’s a documented Jefferson quo- drug prescription and capable of swal- threat,” it occurred to me that God was tation that I love: “The day will come lowing without help should the need good folks indeed invented by man in his own im- when the mystical generation of Jesus, arise. But my greatest fear is being di- Many atheists celebrated Charles agnosed with Alzheimer’s before suc- Darwin’s birthday Feb. 12. Atheists cumbing to other causes. I can only think evolution will put an end to the hope that, if so stricken, I will have the God idea, which the late Madalyn Mur- ability and will to end my life without ray O’Hair once said has caused more leaving a mess for others to deal with misery to the human race than any or, preferably, the good luck to find other single idea. someone who’ll help me to die neatly God is what you make it, it is said, and painlessly, as did Jack Kevorkian’s and God is make-believe. Without first client, Janet Adkins. proof you have nothing, and without Authors of a study recently pub- nothing, the word God is useless, a lished in the Journal of the American word that does not make any sense. Academy of Neurobiology concluded God less you. that more deaths are attributable to Al- Percy Prestenbach Jr. zheimer’s than are reported on death Louisiana certificates. Obviously, once diagnosed, one can never satisfy the criteria for as- sisted suicide under today’s laws. Apologists have Legal language needs to be devised whereby one can specify the condi- much to apologize for tions under which one wants to be eu- I attended Dan Barker’s debate at thanized and be confident that one’s the Catholic university near where I directives will be fulfilled if said condi- live. I’ve seen Dan entertain on several tions are met. Had Adkins lived in an occasions but not debate. His oppo- enlightened society free of inhumane nent’s arguments seemed very script- religious influence, she and her family ed, and he used the same tired ideas might have enjoyed a few more years that have been proven wrong time and together. time again. Dan’s remarks were more Moreover, her death could have oc- spontaneous and more effective. It curred at home in the midst of loved helped that I agreed with everything ones, attended by respected medical he said. professionals, rather than surrepti- All in all, it was a very enjoyable eve- tiously and alone in the back of an old ning. One interesting argument was Volkswagen minibus. when Dan, in the course of the subject Michael J. Gonsior at hand, brought up the clergy pedo- Oregon phile scandal. The moderator immedi- Equal time • • • ately cut him off. I don’t know if she Chris Stone, Pennsylvania, writes, “I stay in hotels (Marriott) about a third of As a member of FFRF and longtime did it on her own or was instructed to the year for my job. I always leave my Freethought Today as an alternative for right-to-die activist, I want to thank An- do so. Dan’s opponent [Trent Horn of traveling atheists like myself! Keep up the good fight! You do it right! Much nie Laurie Gaylor for her great piece. Catholic Answers], to his credit, force- respect.” This, of course, is the goal of the RTD fully said, “Let him speak.” movement. April 2014 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 21

Forced male circumcision, when scribed hell. compared to the female variety, is “Hell is so horrible, we’re not al- equally barbarous, equally religiously lowed to know how bad it is. There’s based and sanctioned, and equally im- screams, fire, unbearable pain. What moral. did they do to go there? NOTHING!” Jay Clem I thought, “That does it! Even if that California god exists, he’s not worth worship, any • • • more than Molech was worth worship!” Jeffrey Tayler writes, “1. Let’s say Chick’s people call their tracts “soul grace!” Can anyone suggest a more winners,” but this one is a soul loser. diplomatic way of getting the same One of my oldest friends is a born- message across when one is seated at a again who’s tried to save me by the gathering of people one doesn’t know bible. I read the whole King James Ver- well? One wants to point out that not sion but didn’t get saved. We had the everyone believes as they do, not every- following dialogue (paraphrased): one wants to be forced to swallow that “I can’t understand how you could bitter pill. One wants to plant the seed read the bible and not see the Truth!” of critical thinking and healthy skepti- “I can’t understand how you can cism without actually offending others. read the bible and believe it, with all Perhaps one of the wordsmiths those prophecies that didn’t come There’s no ‘i’ in failure among our “flock” can suggest some true. Look at the beginning of Revela- “Proud atheist” Julia Fausette-Bruno, New York, spotted this sign and one with gentler words that achieve these ends? tion, which says the things prophesied a conflicting message less than half a mile away. “I have my own little billboard Thanks, and continued best wishes ‘must shortly come to pass’ and they message on most of my mail: ‘Atheists are honorable, honest, good people who from an ardent member and support- haven’t in nearly 2,000 years!” do not believe in destructive mythologies.’ ” er. “Maybe it doesn’t mean what we J.R. Dreyer think it means. You should read the Massachusetts bible with faith, not logic.” “In order to read it with faith, I As a Hemlock Society member, when concerned with value than price. would have had to have faith before I that organization still existed, and now They couldn’t come up with any Mormon member started reading it. Why did you think it as a member of Final Exit Network, I material differences and questioned would convert me?” greatly appreciate Freethought Today the reliability of the other company. values 1st Amendment “Well, I guess all I can do is pray for bringing this subject to your readers. It I called the cemetery and inquired Although I am not an atheist, the you.” is indeed, the final civil right. about dealing with both companies great importance of preventing an No such luck: She soon sent me a The World Conference of Right-to- and heard no complaints. I went back establishment of a government-spon- list of badly paraphrased verses that Die Societies is in Chicago in Septem- to the first company and asked them sored religion is very critical. I was made God sound like Susan Smith. ber. Check Final Exit’s website for de- if they’d like to match the lower bid. born in 1949 in western Kentucky and “His death was the ultimate expres- tails. They came down slightly, but still hun- grew up in the traditions of Baptists. As sion of love for you.” (John 4:10.) I bet Bernie Klein dreds of dollars above the other. an adult, I discovered the Church of Smith said that to her boyfriend, after Michigan I awarded the job to the cheap guys. Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I was she killed her children because he • • • The stone was completed and installed converted and am now a member. Be- didn’t want kids. Each time I read Freethought To- just fine. My parents would have been ing a member of the Mormon Church, I did learn some interesting things day, I am just amazed that such great proud! I see how it is to be persecuted by main- from the bible. I had always been sick- information comes to me time after Joan Reisman-Brill stream religions — Catholics, Protes- ened by the many priests and ministers time. I read every page (and pass it New York tants and nondenominationals. who sexually abuse children. I thought on). The March issue was no different, Editor’s note: Easter is on 4-20 this year. We cannot have a government-spon- it was simply an extension of “get ’em yet I was surprised and disappointed Just sayin’. sored religion, of which the Roman while they’re young” but discovered that the “death with dignity” stories in- • • • Catholic Church claims to be the “one that there is nothing in the bible which cluded no mention of the organization Thank you for the article by Barbara true church,” and pretty much did forbids sex with children. I believe to be the most important on Walker on funerary rituals. Please con- control governments throughout the Isn’t that strange, because almost all that subject in our nation at this time, vey to Barbara that I have two copies Dark Ages. Then came her Protestant other kinds of sex are forbidden, or at Compassion & Choices. of her Women’s Encyclopedia of Myths and offspring vying to be the governmental the very least tolerated as a lesser evil. May I encourage you to obtain and Secrets and read in them often. religion. Islam is also a great threat. Paul even damns marriage with faint promote information about their pro- Ray Flesher My being a believer probably seems praise: “Better to marry than to burn.” gram, online at compassionandchoices. Colorado strange that I would subscribe to what Moses forbade adultery, incest, male org/? The mailing address is Box seems to be an atheist organization, homosexuality and bestiality. Jesus 101810, Denver, CO 80250-1810. but I have always been an openmind- tightened the divorce laws and praised Keep up the great work. ‘16 ways’ great resource ed freethinker. Protection of the First self-made eunuchs. Paul condemned Richard C. Burrows Amendment is critical, just as protec- fornication and lesbianism (though Washington to counter believers tion of the whole Constitution is criti- that verse is a little ambiguous) but I was delighted to see “16 ways athe- cal. children are apparently fair game. ists can stand up for rationality” by Steven D. Gossum Elizabeth Brooks Joan on getting Jeffrey Tayler [March14]. Tayler con- Kentucky Indiana densed the crucial facts from the many mom fairly ‘stoned’ books written by great authors on this Thank you for the excellent piece subject. Alleged ‘habitual’ Check out ‘skeptics on funerals [March14] by the wonder- This would be great as one of your ful Barbara G. Walker. Her comments pamphlets. I am going to keep the offender shows hypocrisy bible’ for a good time about funerals as a business reminded page and carry it with me, not only to I’m enclosing a Washington Post We’re longtime members and say me of an episode a few years ago, when refer to but to spur me on in my en- article for the Black Collar crime blot- you must see the “Skeptics Annotated my mother passed away four months deavor to let people know that it’s OK ter. Killing one’s newborn [charge a Bible” at skepticsannotatedbible.com/. after my father died. not to believe. student nun faces] is so not “pro-life.” Click on “what the bible says about” Mom had made every possible ar- Even my believer friends have made One might think the Catholic Church and then go to the keywords. It’s an rangement for both of their funerals me feel uncomfortable when they dis- is hypocritical. instant pop-up of all the passages that but was unable to take care of her own agree with me “arguing with people Keep up the good work! Freethought bible thumpers do not want anyone to headstone, since she couldn’t predict about what they believe.” This article Today makes my day. see. It is just fantastic. her date of death. Within a week of reinforced my belief that I am doing Jim Rocca Names withheld by request her passing, I started hearing from nothing wrong in bringing reality to Maryland Wisconsin the company she’d hired to make my people’s attention. father’s headstone, with a proposal for We normally reticent and easygoing Chick gospel tracts are hers and the fee. I also received cards nonbelievers need this encouragement What Is a from other headstone companies. In to speak out and these facts to refer to ‘soul losers’ Judaism, you have a year before you in order to do so. When I first subscribed to Freethinker? “unveil” the stone (in case of resurrec- Ms. Pat Hall, Lifetime Member Freethought Today, I still had some tion?). California weak ties to Christianity. These are free-think-er Since there was no rush, I applied • • • now broken. I have to say, though, that n. A person who the lessons my parents had taught me. Great article by Jeffrey Tayler, ex- this wasn’t due to anything I read in forms opinions I took the specs from the first company cept for one thing. Although he right- Freethought Today. The cause was a about religion and sent them to a couple others. One fully called out religion for the barba- Chick tract. on the basis came back with a proposal for half the rous slicing off of clitorises and labia Chick tracts are those little cartoon of reason, independently price. I contacted the first company majora, he wrongfully failed to men- booklets left lying around in restau- of tradition, authority, or and asked them to help me understand tion the slicing off of baby boys’ penile rants, restrooms, blood-pressure stalls, established belief. why theirs was double, since I was more foreskin. etc. This one, “Why Should I?” de- Page 22 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin April 2014

State/Church Bulletin

Board backs veto of ed by the evangelical Liberty Institute, contends a Christian cross looming church subsidy over the 1954 war memorial has no Milwaukee Common Council mem- religious significance and somehow bers voted 13-1 on March 4 to sustain honors all of the 3,300 veterans whose Mayor Tom Barrett’s veto of a resolu- names are on memorial plaques, even tion giving up to $5,000 to the Retail non-Christians and nonbelievers. Christian Network for a breakfast at the International Council of Shopping Centers convention in May in Las Ve- State pushes bible as gas. ‘official’ book The Journal Sentinel reported that Barrett felt there was no public pur- Louisiana Rep. Thomas Carmody, pose to spend tax dollars to finance R-Shreveport, introduced HB 503 in RCN’s year-round ministry or to sup- the House to declare the bible as the port Higher Call, its parent organiza- official state book, KTSB reported. tion based in Franklin, Tenn. FFRF has formally complained about the constitutional violation to state of- ficials. Idaho kills bill on faith “The official state book shall be the healing Holy Bible, published by Johannes Pre- Thank you, Nick! vel . . . which is the oldest edition of FFRF member Nick Bakker (pictured with his wife, Shawnee) is generously Idaho House leaders denied a hear- the Holy Bible in the Louisiana State sponsoring this FFRF billboard in the Hawley, Pa., area. The iconic billboard’s ing on a bill to address the number of Museum system,” the legislation says. message includes a Lincoln penny altered to read “In Reason We Trust” and children who die because their parents The Prevel bible was published in the bears the Freedom From Religion Foundation name and website ffrf.org/. choose faith healing and not medical early 16th century. Nick is also sponsoring regular ads in his local newspaper. Any other members assistance for religious reasons, The The legislation also proposes that wishing to underwrite such advertising via a tax-deductible contribution may Associated Press reported. the state’s motto should be changed contact FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor at 1-800-335-4021. Judiciary Committee Chairman to read: “A state, under God, united in Rich Wills said Feb. 26 he was told by purpose and ideals, confident that jus- House Speaker Scott Bedke that the tice shall prevail for all of those abiding said during opening arguments. “It is a pose one flavor of religion on people,” bill wouldn’t be brought up. here.” case of government speech.” Hake said. Democratic Rep. John Gannon had The session started March 10. In a Local resident Neil Ridgely and the proposed changes to state law in the March 3 online Times-Picayune poll, American Humanist Association were wake of dozens of deaths of children 62% of respondents said the bible Buddhist student co-plaintiffs with Hake. whose parents belong to the Followers should not be the state’s official book. wins relief in court Two days later, reported the Carroll of Christ in southwestern Idaho. Simi- County Times, Commissioner Robin lar deaths from treatable conditions A federal district court on March Bartlett Frazier opened the board’s have occurred in Oregon, the Follow- Commandments bill 14 ordered the Sabine Parish School budget meeting with a prayer contain- ers’ home base. on governor’s desk District to refrain from unconstitu- ing references to Jesus Christ, Lord, tionally promoting or denigrating re- our Father, merciful Father and the The Georgia Senate gave final pas- ligion. The consent order came after Holy Spirit. She said she’s willing to go Home schoolers lose sage March 12 to a bill that authorizes the ACLU of Louisiana sued on behalf to jail to fight the injunction. but stay anyway placing a Ten Commandments monu- of C.C., a sixth-grader of Thai descent “If we cease to believe that our ment at the Capitol. The bill passed the and a practicing Buddhist. rights come from God, we cease to be The U.S. Supreme Court denied House 138-37 and the Senate 40-10. School officials allegedly told C.C. America,” Frazier said. “We’ve been certiorari March 3 in Romeike v. Holder. The bill prescribes placement of a that Buddhism was “stupid,” suggest- told to be careful. But we’re going to The 6th Circuit earlier denied asylum “historic granite monument” depicting ed he transfer to a school with “more be careful all the way to communism if to a German evangelical Christian fam- the preamble to the Georgia Constitu- Asians,” incorporated prayer into class we don’t start standing up and saying ily seeking to stay in the U.S. because tion, a line from the Declaration of In- and nearly every school event, hung a ‘no.’ ” of Germany’s ban on home schooling, dependence and the Ten Command- portrait of Jesus over the main entry reported Religion Clause. ments. Private funds would be used. and participated in a number of other The appeals court ruled in May Some Democrats said they voted activities that blatantly violated the sep- Tenn. bill boosts 2013 that the Romeikes didn’t have a “no” because such a law won’t survive aration of church and state, said the school religion “well-founded fear of persecution on a constitutional challenge. “The state ACLU’s Heather Weaver. account of race, religion, national- doesn’t necessarily need to endorse In February, C.C.’s mother was ac- The Tennessee Legislature on ity, membership in a particular social private individuals and their expendi- costed while doing yard work, Weaver March 24 passed the Religious View- group, or political opinion,” as U.S. im- ture of money in supporting their own said. “Three people wearing KKK-type points Anti-Discrimination Act requir- migration law requires. religion,” Sen. Steven Henson told a white hoods drove by her and shout- ing schools to let students express their However, on March 4, the Depart- television reporter. ed, ‘You fucking nigger Asian-loving religious views in class, at assemblies, ment of Homeland Security granted Gov. Nathan Deal hadn’t signed the bitch.’ ” over the school’s P.A. system and at the family “indefinite deferred status” bill as of press time. FFRF sent an ac- According to the ACLU, C.C.’s sci- public events such as graduation, the to stay in the U.S., according to Fox tion alert to members March 14 urging ence teacher, Rita Roark, repeatedly Baton Rouge Advocate reported. News. them to tell Deal to veto the bill. told students that the Earth was creat- The legislation, which passed 90-2 The Romeikes moved to Morris- ed by God 6,000 years ago, that evolu- in the House and 32-0 in the Senate, town, Tenn., in 2008 after facing fines tion is “impossible” and that the bible must be signed by Republican Gov. Bill and risking loss of custody of their Arguments heard in is “100 percent true.” Haslam to become law. children for refusing to send them to commandments case The court order also mandated “An evangelical student, for ex- a state-approved school in Germany. in-service training for school staff on ample, could preach the gospel dur- The family was granted asylum in 2010 A federal judge heard arguments their First Amendment obligations. ing a science class, or ‘witness’ during based on religious freedom grounds, March 11 on whether a 6-foot-tall, English,” said David Badash of the but the Obama administration ap- 3,000-pound Ten Commandments New Civil Rights Movement, an online pealed the decision and won. monument in front of City Hall in Jail won’t stop her journal. “Attacks on LGBT people and Bloomfield, N.M., is constitutional. from praying same-sex marriage are automatically The American Civil Liberties Union protected under this bill, offering anti- Soledad cross groups of New Mexico filed the suit against The Carroll County commissioners gay students a state-sponsored license seeks certiorari the city on behalf of two plaintiffs who in Baltimore must stop opening meet- to bully. And of course, a student could practice the Wiccan religion. ings with sectarian prayers, a federal claim they worship Satan and subject In Mt. Soledad Memorial Association v. Attorneys for the city contend that judge ruled March 25 in granting a their classmates to that ‘religious view- Steve Trunk, the association announced “private parties” paid for the monu- preliminary injunction, reported the point’ as well.” March 4 it will seek Supreme Court ment under a 2007 city resolution that Baltimore Sun. Oklahoma state Rep. Sally Kern review of a lower court ruling that the lets members of the public “erect his- U.S. District Judge William Quarles has co-sponsored a similar bill with 29-foot-tall cross must be moved out torical monuments of their choosing,” Jr. said commissioners can continue to the same title. It received unanimous of a public park in San Diego, Calif. reported the Albuquerque Journal. pray at meetings but can’t refer to dei- House passage (with 13 absentions) in Trunk is an FFRF “foxhole atheist” The Alliance Defending Freedom, ties linked to any specific faith. February and was referred to the Sen- member and award recipient. The which calls itself a “legal ministry,” is Plaintiff Bruce Hake, a Catholic im- ate Education Committee as an “emer- cross has been the subject of litigation defending the city. migration attorney, sued last May after gency” bill. since 1989. “This is not a free speech case,” commissioners started taking turns say- The association, which is represent- plaintiffs’ attorney Andrew Schultz ing a prayer. “It’s un-American to im- April 2014 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 23 Roaring, rational ’20s

David Null, director of University Archives and Records Management Services at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, writes: “I was looking at the men’s dormitories (now Adams and Tripp halls) newsletter from 1926-27 to answer a question, when I ran across this article from 1927. I thought you might find it interesting.”

This article in the 1928 yearbook The Badger satirized the godless group.

Christian nation? No way! More than 70 people turned out March 29 in Sacramento, Calif., to hear FFRF Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel discuss the myth that our nation is founded on Judeo-Christian principles. FFRF’s Sacramento chapter, led by Judy Saint, and several other local groups organized the event. A spirited Q&A followed the Meet your editor. talk and several new members joined FFRF. Thank you, Judy! John Lucas, FFRF-Sacramento board member, and Andrea “Andi” Griffith put their freethought heads together.

Sharing the Crank Mail You Suck: Crawl back under your rocks and Gov. Walker: I read your letter in response to STFU! — Jimmy Door, Wisconsin Gov. Walker’s tweet and I just wanted to tell you, Aw, get to your fainting couch, Myrtle, and Some suggested destinations for freethink- in your organization be saved. Every knee will Comment’s on Hannity: I would like to re- stop blighting the public sphere with your pres- ers besides the ever-popular hell and Honduras bow, every tongue confess. — Terri McMahan spond to your assertion that most free societies ence. I would also suggest that your co-presi- (murder capital of the world) come via the crank were free from religion? How did that work in dents do not operate any motor vehicles, as the mail, printed as received. 10 Commandments in park: Take your hea- Russia? China? Burma? Honduras, Venezue- grotesque lack of perspective they demonstrat- then bullshit out of my state and go corrupt shit- la? Nepal? North Korea? Vietnam? Cambodia? ed in that letter means that they would pose a ten commandments: ten commandments consin you wannabe Nazi pigs. — Jake Rogers, Laos? What happened to Christians in Hunga- serious collision threat to both themselves and is every americans rite if you want to change Sandpoint, Idaho ry, Poland, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Czech? What other drivers. — Karl Collins, New York the laws in your state that’s fine stay out of our about Georgia? Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia. They business in north Idaho we love god here if you Police chief’s prayer walks: If you want to be were free of religion weren’t they? — Charles stay out of our religion!!! GOOD GRIEVE choose to walk in darkness that’s your choice a none believer, be one. Don’t interfear with Kunold, California GIVE ME A BRAKE !! WHEN WILL YOU STOP but here we will fight you tooth and nail to keep others freedom of religon. We dont bother you WHEN THERE IS NO RELIGION LEFT AND our rites as americans stay out of our business athiest’s even if you’re gonna burn, it’s you’re I have a Challenge: Apparently, you folks have WE ARE ALL ATHEIST!! YOU REALLY PISS here believe if you want a war on this matter we choice. Don’t try to take the rest of the world allot social & legal clout. Why don’t you go af- ME OFF WITH PUSHING YOU LEFT WING will stay the fuck out of our business go wor- with you, go burn by yourself and mind your ter the Evangelists that are transplanting ap- AGENDA ON US!! JUST SHUT UP!! — Mieke ship the devil and keep working for satin. — tom business. That is one of the biggest problem’s prox.1000 middle east refugees into Appleton Sijen, Long Beach, Calif. johnson, coer d alene, idaho today...Minority’s trying to make majority’s bow & other Wisconsin cities; and other states. You down to there stupid want’s and demand’s. worry about our tax dollars spent in the name of The Bible: It is a love letter from God to us. Why Walker’s religious tweet: Wow, have you two Mind your own fucking business. — Richard religion!! The estimated End cost is 750Grand would you want to deprive people of that! By the lunatics become unhinged! Wanna take me up Lovelace, Crane Hill, Ala. to a million a person. This is really imposing re- way...ALL your efforts are in vain. You can TRY on a public challenge to either of you, Barker or ligion on the general populace at our expense. to remove Him but He is God and on the last Gaylord, for a debate on the Bill of Rights, Con- Atheists and the Bible: You will never con- — Axel Roberts, Menasha, Wis. page of the book you so despise guess what? stitution and Declaration of Independence? Say vince me to your viewpoint, because at one time He wins! You are on a path strait to hell. — Julie YES (which I would crave) and I’ll dissect and I “was” you. You have no idea how wonderful Freedom From Religion Foundation: I Fincham, North Port, Florida dismantle your horribly flawed constitutional the freeing from self becomes once you trust in WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU ONE THING! HOW views. The ball is in your court. Game? — Ned Jesus Christ and His sacrifice and shedding of DOES IT FEEL....TO BE THE ASS-HOLES OF The bible: Who is forcing you to practice any Kareiva blood on the cross just for you! — A. Barry Hess AMERICA? — Stan Knowles, North Carolina type of religion ,you must believe you came from a monkey lie Obama right.? you have no Hello Dan: You sir are a problem. Look at to- Freedom OF Religion: This country was Freedom of Speech: No where in the Consti- power whatsoever to lengthen your stupid life day’s society and ask yourself, is it better now founded on “FREEDOM OF RELIGION”. My tution does it talk about seperation of Church or create anything as god can you can’t turn the with the FFRF crapping in everyone’s cereal or ancestors had to leave Europe because they and State. That came about from a letter from day into night or stop a hurricane let alone cre- was it better in earlier times say before the late were Lutheran Ministers and were threatened Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Paine or vice ver- ate one. I’d like to meet you in person bitch. — 1960’s. Check the statistics on out of wedlock with death. Many of the early European im- sa. Atheism is a religion itself and u can’t even Samuel Ruiz, San angelo, Texas child birth, abortions (hell, half the black preg- migrants got along quite well with the Native see it. You believe in God. You have to believe nancies were aborted in NYC, Eugenicists will Americans and provided much mutual support. in something to deny it’s existence. By the way, U.S. Air Force Academy: If we erase all reli- celebrate that little number). Let me be clear, I Sadly, Atheists and Atheistic Agnostics now God loves u and their is nothing u can do about gion, then isn’t atheism the de facto religion? am an extremely poor example of a Christian, want to force us out of OUR country. I say OUR it. — Robert Jacquart So in fact, you are supporting the idea of a state but for fucks sake, you guys are doing more country because my religious ancestors found- sponsored religion. How the communists and damage to society than the Scott Walkers of the ed it. Hitler was only two month short of world Praying for you: I PRAY IN JESUS’ NAME fascist would love your organization. — Mark world. But, maybe that is what you want. Have domination and the execution of all Jews. Some THAT HE WILL TOUCH EACH MEMBER Lutz, Sanford, S.C. a nice day. — Mike Williams, Blossom, Texas of the Jewish in the 1930’s could run to the U.S. OF YOUR GROUP. I WILL HELP FIGHT IN for safety. But if FFRF gets the IRS and the Jus- BRINGING BACK PRAYER IN SCHOOLS, Pope in Green Bay: The mayor has every right Gideon Bible removal: Prior to sending this, I tice Dept. to persecute us and force religious AND CHRIST IS THE THE REASON FOR EV- to invite whom he pleases, just as the ludicrous have prayed and claimed that the supernatural groups out of the U.S., like Hitler did to Europe ERY SEASON. I KNOW WHERE I AM GOING president obama does. You want some atheist presence of God move through this email to ev- in the 1930’s and 40’s, WHERE ARE WE TO TO SPEND ETERNITY. DO YOU? — Lynne to visit the mayor? Set it up you imbeciles. — eryone in your organization, and that everyone GO? — Burns Searfoss, Colorado Springs Carroll, Toledo, Ohio David Woehning Page 24 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin April 2014 Final call! Raleigh regional FFRF conference: May 2–3, 2014 Freedom From Religion in the bible belt

Kalei Wilson Ben Wilson Mandisa Thomas Todd Stiefel Max Nielson Sophia Winkler

Stuart Watson

Schedule Subject to minor revisions Bart Ehrman Candace R.M. Gorham Matt Killingsworth Michael Nugent Dan Barker Friday, May 2 5 p.m.: Registration opens, continues through conference The Freedom From Religion Foun- Saturday night after the banquet din- (inclusive of 23% service and 7.75% 7: Opening, Greetings, a little music dation, in conjunction with the Trian- ner and final programs. sales tax). Vegetarian option will substi- FFRF Co-Presidents Dan Barker & gle Freethought Society, its Raleigh-ar- Registration costs: $50 for FFRF tute a tomato for meat. A vegan option Annie Laurie Gaylor ea chapter, will hold a lively conference member; $55 for non-FFRF spouse/ is available. All options are gluten-free, Triangle Freethought Society Presi- the weekend of May 2-3 at the Shera- companion accompanying member; skipping the bread basket. dent Harry Shaughnessy ton Raleigh Hotel, 421 South Salisbury $90 for nonmember (includes $40 to Dinner of $40 inclusive includes TFS Board Member Sue Kocher St., in downtown Raleigh, N.C. become FFRF member); and $5 for stu- choices of Chicken Saltimbocca, a 7:30: “Sophia Goes to Good News Phone the Raleigh Sheraton at dents. Registration at the door is avail- chicken breast stuffed with sliced pro- Club,” film by Scott Burdick 1-800-325-3535 and identify yourself as able but early registration and meal or- sciutto, sage and fresh mozzarella Student Activist Award – Sophia a member of the Freedom From Re- ders must be received at FFRF’s office served with penne with garlic cream Winkler ligion Foundation. Convention rates no later than Friday, April 25. Included sauce and sautéed asparagus; or Grilled Remarks by Scott Burdick while offered are $129 single/double, in registration is the complimentary Salmon or Farm-Fresh vegetable plate. 8:30: Complimentary desserts & hot $139 triple, $149 quad and $169 club, Friday night dessert reception and The vegetable plate and salmon are beverages, cash bar, Meet ’n Greet plus tax. hot beverages, and all events includ- gluten-free. All entrees include garden with speakers, activists Formal proceedings start at 7 p.m. ing entertainment to conclude Friday salad, warm rolls with butter, chef’s 9: The Village Idiots Comedy Troupe Friday, May 2 (dinner on your own) evening by The Village Idiots, a local choice dessert, sweet iced tea and Star- with registration opening up by 5 p.m. comedy troupe. bucks coffee. Saturday, May 3 Two optional group meals will begin Meals. A classic breakfast with Don’t delay! Register now: and end Saturday (with Saturday lunch scrambled eggs, bacon, hash browns, ffrf.org/raleighcon2014 8 a.m.: Non-Prayer Breakfast (op- on your own). The event will conclude juice, coffee, tea and pastry rolls is $20 tional) 9: Sales tables/registration reopens 9:30: FFRF/Chapter Welcome, Harry Shaughnessy and Sue Kocher 10: Todd Stiefel, Stiefel Freethought Return with payment to: FFRF, Attn: Convention, P.O. Box 750, Madison, WI 53701 Foundation, “The Importance of Freedom From Religion Foundation’s Being Out” 10:30: Student Activists Awards Raleigh Mini-Convention to Ben and Kalei Wilson Remarks by Max Neilson, student May 2-3, 2014 plaintiff 11: Mandisa Thomas, Black Nonbe- Raleigh, North Carolina lievers “Black Nonbelievers: Past, Present Make checks payable to “FFRF” & Future” 11:30 Sarah Morehead, Executive Number registering Director, Recovery from Religion _____ FFRF member registration(s) @ $50 per person ...... $______“The Consequence of Faith” _____ Non-member spouse or companion accompanying member @ $55...... $______Non-member registration(s) @ $90...... $______Noon to 2 (Lunch/ (Includes $40 annual FFRF Membership) sightseeing) _____ Student registration(s) @ $5 ...... $______2 p.m.: The Clergy Project Panel: _____ Saturday Non-Prayer Breakfast @ $20* per person ...... $______Apostles to Apostates ____ Classic ____ Classic Vegetarian ____ Vegan Emcee, Dan Barker, Panelists Can- All gluten-free minus bread basket dace R.M. Gorham, Randy Bender, _____ Saturday Night Dinner @ $40* per person ...... $______Matt Killingsworth 3: Michael Nugent, founder, Atheist ____ Chicken ____ Salmon ____ Vegetarian/Vegan Total: $______Ireland “Blasphemy is a Victimless Salmon and Veg./Vegan gluten-free Crime” * Meal prices include 23% gratuity & 7.75% sales tax 4: Bart Ehrman Critical bible scholar, author Book signing follows in lobby Name(s) Please include names of all registrants for nametags 6:30: Banquet Dinner (optional) (extra chairs will be brought in after dinner for non-diners) Address Drawing for “clean” money Stuart Watson, Investigative City/State/ZIP Please include phone/email (in case we have a question about your registration) reporter, WCNC-TV Charlotte “Democracy vs. Religion” Socializing with chapter follows.