John Irving: The High school Nancy Northup cruel history of the essay contest joins convention anti-abortion crusade winners speaker lineup PAGE 3 PAGES 12-17 PAGE 23

Vol. 36 No. 6 Published by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. August 2019 FFRF, others win atheist invocation case Court of Appeals says Florida cannot stand,” says FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor. “Governmental bodies that county policy is discriminatory open their meetings with invocations must not turn believers into insiders, and nonbe- The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on lievers into outsiders, by excluding dissenting July 8 unanimously ruled that the Brevard points of view.” County, Fla., commissioners’ policy of using The other litigating organizations agree. religious beliefs to determine who can offer Americans United Associate Legal Direc- invocations at public meetings is unconstitu- tor Alex J. Luchenitser, who is lead counsel tional, discriminatory and a violation of reli- in the case, says: “Brevard County Commis- gious freedom. sioners were using religion as the basis for The ruling came in the case Williamson discrimination by allowing only people of v. Brevard County, which was brought by the preferred faiths to offer invocations. Reli- Freedom From Religion Foundation, Amer- gious minorities and nonbelievers are equal icans United for Separation of Church and members of society and they must be treated State, the American Civil Liberties Union equally by their elected officials. The court’s and the ACLU of Florida on behalf of several decision today made clear that no one should nontheists whom commissioners have barred be excluded from civic affairs because of from offering invocations. their beliefs about God.” “The discriminatory procedure for selecting Daniel Mach, director of the ACLU Pro- invocation speakers followed in Brevard Coun- gram on Freedom of Religion and Belief, ty is unconstitutional and it must be rejected,” says: “There should never be a religious lit- writes Judge Stanley Marcus in the opinion. “We mus test for participation in local government need go no further today than to say this: In se- Standing outside the Brevard County (Fla.) Government Center are meetings. The Brevard County Commission- lecting invocation speakers, the commissioners plaintiffs, from left, Ronald Gordon, David Williamson, Chase Hansel, ers have been playing favorites with faith, and may not categorically exclude from consider- Keith Becher and Jeffery Koerbel. we’re pleased that, once again, the courts ation speakers from a religion simply because have told them that enough is enough.” they do not like the nature of its beliefs.” Williamson v. Brevard County was filed in “The commissioners have favored some religions found at the heart of the Establishment Clause.” 2015 to challenge the Brevard County Board of over others, and barred those they did not approve of FFRF is obviously pleased at the ruling. County Commissioners’ unconstitutional policy of from being considered,” adds Marcus. “This plainly “We’re delighted the appeals court has asserted violates the principle of denominational neutrality that such blatant discrimination against nontheists See Invocation on page 10 A shameful legacy for the Supreme Court Says Bladensburg cross doesn’t violate the Establishment Clause It should have been an easy call, but the U.S. Su- preme Court blew it. The government-owned, gov- ernment-maintained, 40-foot-tall Christian cross dominating the landscape in Bladensburg, Md., does not violate the First Amendment, seven justices inexcusably decided on June 20. ‘Jesus’ sign removed One would expect to find a Christian cross — In 2015, the city council of Hawkins, Texas, agreed the pre-eminent symbol of Christianity — on gov- with the Freedom From Religion Foundation and voted ernment property in a Christian theocracy, not in to remove a sign saying “Jesus welcomes you to Hawkins” a country that was first among nations to separate from city property within 30 days. religion from government. Four years later, it was finally removed. The decision was fractured into seven separate a “National Day of Prayer”), some religious language Why did it take so long? FFRF Associate Counsel Sam opinions, concurrences and dissents over 87 pages, in the Northwest Ordinance, and reference to “reli- Grover, who, along with FFRF Senior Counsel Patrick with seven justices eventually voting in favor of the gion and morality” in President Washington’s Fare- Elliott, has been working on the case since 2013, said cross. The majority opinion written by Justice Samuel well Address. The central test for determining these “things got weird” after the city voted to take it down. Alito and joined by four other justices, declares that violations, known as the Lemon test, was set aside in But things were weird all along. the Bladensburg cross, originally erected on private favor of the argument from history, though not ex- Back in 2015, before the council ever voted on the ground to commemorate some World War I soldiers, plicitly overturned by a majority of the justices. sign, Hawkins Mayor Will Rogers defended the sign with does not violate the Establishment Clause of the First “The passage of time gives rise to a strong pre- statements to the media such as, “Jesus is not a religion, Amendment. Alito argues that World War I history, sumption of constitutionality,” writes Alito. Jesus is in every religion across the globe. He’s in Islam, community and sacrifice can obscure the religious In an elegant and thoughtful dissent joined by Buddhism, Hinduism,” and “If you don’t believe that Je- sentiment of the Christian symbol, changing the Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Justice Ruth Bader Gins- sus existed, then he would be fiction. If he’s fiction, and purposes of the monument over time. burg gets it right. (See page 7.) you want to remove his name from everything, then you Ominously, instead of focusing on legal princi- “Using the cross as a war memorial does not trans- need to remove every fiction name that there is across ples, Alito looks to “history for guidance,” trotting form it into a secular symbol, as the Courts of Ap- the country. That means we couldn’t say ‘Superman out typical Religious Right examples — such as leg- peals have uniformly recognized,” the dissent states. islative prayer, the day of thanksgiving George Wash- See Sign on page 9 ington declared (which the court erroneously called See Bladensburg on page 6 Page 2 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | August 2019 Chris Kramer wants to ‘spread the secular gospel’

Name: Chris Kramer. to foster freethinking in young people. There Is No God!’ if religion would just Where I live: Central Missouri. I’ve reached out to a local college free- leave people alone.” Where and when I was born: Louisiana, thought group and offered mentoring. • “We humans are nothing more than 1967. I participate in a local “intellectual social extremely evolved microorganisms, but Family: Married to Stacy. We have three group” and use that forum to win hearts at the same time so much more. We are wonderful kids, plus cats, goats and a dog. and minds. I engage with local religious animated collections of dead stars, shin- Education: A bachelor’s and master’s lay leaders to teach them reality and show ing with an internal light which expresses degree in geology, plus numerous mili- them a better path. I frequently interact itself in the form of wondrous creations tary and other educational and training with elected officials from the local to na- of art and architecture, prose and poetry, opportunities. Informally, I have a lifetime tional levels regarding constitutional vio- the exultation of the pursuit of knowl- of dedicated self-education in the sciences lations and religiously inspired legislation. edge, the love we feel for our families and and many other subjects, plus I have trav- I go to worship services to see what mes- the acts of kindness bestowed on others.” eled to multiple states and countries while sages are being spread that we freethinkers • “The lack of knowledge of their own Chris Kramer in and out of uniform. need to know about. I wear freethought-type and of other faiths is why the devotees Occupation: Retired military officer, risy, uncritical thinking. clothing, especially when traveling through of religion are called ‘believers’ and not still defending the Constitution against Where I’m headed: Hopefully to a airports or at large events. I donate to free- ‘knowers.’ They believe quite a lot, but all enemies, foreign and domestic, as a place where my writing has armed large thought organizations like FFRF and de- don’t actually know very much.” Department of Defense civilian employee, numbers of current and future freethink- fend their actions to local politicians and • “Religion is not a fact-based belief sys- FFRF Lifetime Member and aspiring free- ers with massive amounts of quickly usable citizens. I give freethinking and science tem; it is a belief-based belief system.” thinking writer and warrior for the truth. information and also inspired them to do books to those who are starting down the • “The average person living in the Military service: Served 23 years in their part in the fight against religion and path from religion to freethought. I started ancient Middle East during biblical times uniform. for secular humanism. Also, to a place a publishing company, Reality Publishing, knew about as much about physics, chem- How I got where I am today: Favorable where my words and as a vehicle to foster istry, psychology and other sciences as did genetics and a mother who showed what those assisted by my freethought and crit- the flint-knapping prehumans of a mil- true humanism really is. She also expect- words have convert- A R ical thinking. I never lion years ago. And we should treat their ed me to work to my potential and set the ed large numbers of let an opportunity books accordingly.” conditions for me to do it. I was fortunate the faithful to freethought and mental in- go by to correct or educate someone who • “We again return to the astronomical to always have a supportive family and dependence. I am writing under the pen is wrong about freethinking, religion, mo- arrogance of the believer who says that he great co-workers and friends. Plus, lots of name Max Humana, which is intended to rality and reality, and I encourage everyone personally knows the mind of his god so hard work and some plain old good luck. convey the idea of “maximum humanism.” to do the same! unbelievably well that he can personally I was also very fortunate to not have been Before I die: I want to have been a suc- What are your thoughts on religion?: say which words from the holy book are born female under the Taliban, as a free- cessful husband and father, to have added The best way to express this is through to be taken as literal, which ones are met- thinking heretic during the Inquisition, as another massive brick in the wall between some of the things I wrote in my forthcom- aphor or allegory and which ones can be a slave, into a religious cult, into a totali- church and state in the United States, to ing book, Thank god For Eve: safely ignored.” tarian nation or into any group targeted have added to the global reduction of re- • “When a person feels his god is on his • “To the secularist, nothing is holy by the faithful for persecution or pogrom. ligion, and to have furthered the causes of side, nothing is sacred.” or sacred, particularly religious supersti- Person in history I admire and why: humanism and the betterment of life on • “Absolute power corrupts absolutely, tion, and for a bunch of woman-hating Among many, it would be Charles Darwin this planet. which is why god is absolutely corrupt.” sexless semi-evolved mostly hairless aged for his global and permanent impact. His Ways I promote freethought: After • “Religion doesn’t have the courage male primates to gather around ancient insights revolutionized biology and many two decades of being constrained by the of its convictions. Like an insecure bully, it mythology and use it to come up with the other sciences, had a massive impact on buttoned-down, religiously inclined and has a compulsive need to plaster itself all story that a magic cracker is a reincarnat- philosophy and struck religion a blow dogmatic military machine and its formal over, to unconstitutionally place its statues ed piece of a two-millennia-dead Israeli from which it will never truly recover. and informal rules, I am now far more and signs and teachings in public property demigod preacher who’d already been A quotation I like: “All logical argu- free to act. and in schools. Secularists wouldn’t have resurrected once is an invitation in thou- ments can be defeated by the simple refus- After retiring from the military, I dedi- to go around putting up statues of free- sand-cubit high flaming letters in the sky al to reason logically,” by Steven Weinberg. cated myself to fight for truth, science and thinkers or signs saying, ‘Thank Science for scorn of the highest degree.” This summarizes religion and uncritical freethinking, and have written hundreds thinking. of thousands of words in that campaign. My doubts about religion started: Finishing my first and forthcoming book, Freethought Today caption contest winner! Shortly after conception. My DNA re- Thank god For Eve, which I subjectively be- quires that I see actual evidence before lieve is the most antitheistic and practically Congratulations to Jack Sale for accepting a proposition, so I could never applicable freethinking book ever written, winning FFRF’s caption contest from be religious. was like finally crossing the finish line after the June/July issue. For his winning These are a few of my favorite things: five long years of research and writing. entry, he receives an FFRF T-shirt. Being a husband and father, learning I am strong and persistent, taking the The winning caption is: Nailed it! more every day, helping other people im- Winston Churchill vs. the Neville Cham- Top runners-up include: They prove themselves, spreading humanism berlain approach to defending our free- spelled “scars” wrong. — Rob and performing overt and covert acts of dom from those who would take it away Twohy. kindness. Using the written and spoken in the name of their god. You really can Jesus scares us, this I know, word to “spread the secular gospel” far change some people’s minds; it just some- for the bible tells us so. — Robert and wide and guiding the faithful and un- times takes a different approach, as I de- Hubbard-Van Stell. critical thinkers to the nirvana of secular scribe in Thank god For Eve. This photo really needs no humanism and true enlightenment. I ran for the local school board and will caption. — Joan Reisman-Brill. These are not: Ignorance, stupidity, continue to do so, because critical think- A pastor while swigging evil, intolerance, bigotry, misogyny, hypoc- ing and a positive role model do much vermouth, flubbed the words on a cross — how uncouth! But it must have been fate, that he couldn’t see straight, for what he spelled out was the truth. — Catherine MacLeod. think would be good for a caption Thanks to all who participated. contest, please email them to Published by Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. If you’ve taken any photos that you [email protected].

P.O. Box 750 Madison WI 53701 [email protected] FFRF.org P 608.256.8900 F 608.204.0422 Lead Us Not Into The Born Again Penn Station EDITOR PJ Slinger [email protected] Provocative Pieces Skeptic’s Guide EDITOR EMERITUS Bill Dunn By Anne Gaylor to the Bible By Ruth Hurmence Green EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER Annie Laurie Gaylor A must-have for any freethinker, this A Missouri grandmother GRAPHIC DESIGNER Roger Daleiden gracefully readable debunks the bible as COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Amit Pal book contains Gaylor’s no one has debunked it since Thomas Paine. CONTRIBUTORS classic writings. Ruth Bader Ginsburg, John Irving, Chris Line, Hannah McDaniel, Bailey —Published by FFRF. 80 pages / PB —Published by FFRF. 440 pages / PB Nachreiner-Mackesey, Andrew L. Seidel, Jake Swenson Buy it from FFRF online Buy it from FFRF online The only freethought newspaper in the United States ffrf.org/shop ffrf.org/shop August 2019 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 3 The cruel history of anti-abortion crusade

This article first appeared in The New practice the religion of our choice, and York Times on June 23 and is reprinted with we are protected from having someone permission. else’s religion practiced on us. Freedom of religion in the United States also By John Irving means freedom from religion. The “pro-life” term was adopted by mid the anti-abortion measures anti-abortion crusaders after the Roe being pushed through state legis- v. Wade decision. The anti-abortion Alatures, consider the mazy history cause didn’t promote itself as “pro-life” of abortion in the United States. Wom- until the more punitive-sounding “an- en, capable of determining and manag- ti-abortion” label failed. In 1976, with ing their reproductive rights, have been the passing of the Hyde Amendment, undermined by men in power before. prohibiting the use of federal funds for Prior to the 1840s, abortion was wide- most abortions, opposition to abortion spread and not illegal in our country. In gained support among Republicans. the time of the Puri- The Christian Right was on the rise; tans, America’s deep- their socially conservative policies are ly religious Found- inseparable from today’s Republican ing Fathers, abortion Party. In 1980, aided by the Baptist min- was allowed until the ister Jerry Falwell’s Moral Majority, the fetus was “quick” — pro-life zealots took control of the Re- when the woman publican Party’s platform committee. could feel the fetus Four anti-abortion presidents followed move. Before mod- — Ronald Reagan, George H. W. and ern diagnostic ultra- George W. Bush, and Donald Trump. John Irving sound, abortion was Isn’t it as clear now as it was in the Rea- permissible beyond gan years? Aren’t the same people who the first trimester — up to four or five sacralize the fetus generally opposed to months. Our Founding Fathers got this any meaningful welfare for unwanted right; the choice to have an abortion or children and unmarried mothers? a child belonged to the woman. The prevailing impetus to oppose Beginning in the 1840s, and con- abortion is to punish the woman who tinuing over decades, abortion was out- doesn’t want the child. The sacralizing lawed state by state, becoming illegal of the fetus is a ploy. How can “life” be everywhere in the United States by 1900 sacred (and begin at six weeks, or at — until 1973, when the Roe v. Wade Su- conception), if a child’s life isn’t sacred preme Court decision held that a wom- after it’s born? Clearly, a woman’s life is an had a constitutional right to an abor- never sacred; as clearly, a woman has no tion. For more than two centuries, after reproductive rights. The Roman Cath- the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock, olic Church, and many evangelical and abortion was largely permitted. Why was fundamentalist churches, willfully sub- it prohibited for almost a century? ject women to mandatory childbirth and In the 1830s, women having babies motherhood — procreation is deemed a at lying-in hospitals ran a far greater woman’s primary purpose and function. risk of dying from puerperal sepsis than I’m not overstating. In his 1951 “Address women having babies at home. With (for the most part) unavailable. Maine more meaningful to me that the mov- to Midwives,” Pope Pius XII states that the help of midwives, women had been was one of the first states to make abor- ie also won a Maggie Award — named “the procreation and upbringing of a having babies and abortions at home — tion illegal; I put the orphanage I called after Planned Parenthood’s founder, new life” is the primary end of marriage. since colonial times. Had midwives been St. Cloud’s in Maine. I purposely paint- Margaret Sanger, in recognition of “ex- When The Cider House Rules was pub- as busy performing abortions as deliv- ed my protagonist, Homer Wells, into a ceptional achievement in support of re- lished, some of my younger friends and ering babies? Beginning in the 1840s, corner. Homer is an orphan; his several productive rights.” fellow feminists thought it was quaint doctors sought to gain control of the adoptions don’t work out. Homer keeps I respect your personal reasons not that I’d written a historical novel about reproduction business. Doctors were coming back to the orphanage — St. to have an abortion — no one is forcing abortion. They meant: now that abortion establishing their new profession; mid- Cloud’s is his only home. Dr. Larch, the you to have one. I respect your choice. rights were secure, now that Roe v. Wade wives and homeo- orphanage phy- I’m pro-choice — often called pro-abor- was the law of the land. At the time, I tried paths were their sician (and abor- tion by the an- to say this nicely: competition. But Aren’t the same people tionist), teaches ti-abortion crusad- “If you think Roe v. why did doctors who sacralize the fetus Homer to be a ers, although no Wade is safe, you’re Freedom of religion in lobby for abortion “generally opposed to any doctor. In Larch’s one is pro-abor- one of the reasons the United States also means to be illegal? What meaningful welfare for opinion, Homer tion. What’s un- it isn’t.” Not sur- was their logic? has near-perfect equal about the freedom“ from religion. prisingly, my older unwanted children and Did doctors un- obstetrical and gy- argument is the women friends — derestimate how unmarried mothers? necological proce- choice; the differ- women who were great the need dure. But Homer ence between pro- old enough to for abortion was? doesn’t want to life and pro-choice is the choice. Pro- have had sex before 1973 — knew better We know what the doctors wanted, and perform abortions. He’s an orphan; his life proponents have no qualms about than to imagine that Roe v. Wade would they achieved it; they became the ar- mother let him live. forcing women to go through childbirth ever be safe. Men and women have to biters of women’s reproductive health Homer has no argument with Larch’s — they give women no choice. keep making the case for women’s repro- care. We don’t know the doctors’ rea- decision to give women what they want, Before the Roe v. Wade Supreme ductive rights; women have been making sons for making abortion illegal. In the but Homer has a personal reason (and Court decision in 1973, the opposition the case for years, but more men need to 1840s, the fetus wasn’t yet sacred. Fetal a good one) not to perform abortions. to abortion wasn’t widely referred to speak up. life was still defined by “quickening” — Here’s the corner Homer is painted as right to life. Pope Pius XII used the Of an unmarried woman or girl who when the woman felt the fetus move, into: How can Homer not feel obligat- “right to life” term in a 1951 papal en- got pregnant, people of my grandpar- not before the fourth or fifth month. ed to help women, when women can’t cyclical — an “Address to Midwives on ents’ generation used to say: “She is pay- From the 1840s to 1900, we know the get help from anyone else? If women the Nature of Their Profession.” “Ev- ing the piper.” Meaning, she deserves results of what the doctors did — not have no choice, how can doctors have ery human being, even the child in the what she gets — namely, to give birth their thoughts. a choice? Homer will leave St. Cloud’s; womb, has the right to life directly from to a child. That cruelty is the abiding One job of a society with a social con- he refuses to perform abortions. What God and not from his parents, not from impetus behind the dishonestly named science is to rescue its citizens who are he will encounter, in the world outside any society or human authority,” the right-to-life movement. “Pro-life” always trapped, who are painted into a corner. the orphanage, is a woman who can’t pope told the midwives. Poor midwives was (and remains) a marketing term. I see my job as a fiction writer with a so- get help from anyone else. The death — first doctors stop them from helping Whatever the anti-abortion crusaders cial conscience as the opposite. As a sto- of Larch will bring Homer back to the women, then the pope. I must remind call themselves, they don’t care what ryteller, I look for worst-case scenarios; orphanage — this time, to be the physi- the Roman Catholic Church of the happens to an unwanted child — not my job is to trap my characters. I began cian (and the abortionist) at St. Cloud’s. First Amendment to the United States after the child is born — and they’ve The Cider House Rules, my sixth novel, In a no-choice world, Homer is trapped. Constitution: “Congress shall make no never cared about the mother. in the early 1980s. I purposely wrote a It took 14 years to make the film of law respecting an establishment of re- John Irving is writing his 15th novel, and historical novel, beginning in the 1920s, The Cider House Rules. I won an Oscar for ligion, or prohibiting the free exercise is adapting his fourth novel, The World Ac- when abortion was illegal, unsafe and best adapted screenplay. Over time, it’s thereof.” In other words, we are free to cording to Garp, for television. Page 4 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | August 2019 HEADS UP OVERHEARD The Catholic Conference hired 39 Tara Isabella Burton, in her column, A Poetry Column By Philip Appleman lobbyists to work 50 senators and made “There’s more to wellness than looking sure our bill failed. They’re spending pretty.” GERTRUDE millions and millions, shutting down Religion News Service, 6-14-19 victims who they have damaged, they Gertrude Appleman, 1901-1976 have destroyed. The science is clear and conclusive: God is all-knowing, all-present, and almighty. Democratic Pennsylvania state Rep. sex is not binary, transgender people — A Catechism of Christian Doctrine Mark Rozzi, a survivor of priest abuse, are real. It is time that we acknowledge talking about how the state Senate was this. Defining a person’s sex identity I wish that all the people inundated by lobbyists after the House using decontextualized “facts” is unsci- who peddle God voted to abolish the statute of limita- entific and dehumanizing. The trans could watch my mother die: tions for child-sex-abuse crimes and experience provides essential insights could see the skin and expand the legal window for victims to into the science of sex and scientifical- gristle weighing only file lawsuits against their abusers. ly demonstrates that uncommon and seventy-nine, every stubborn Pennsylvania Post, 6-8-19 atypical phenomena are vital for a suc- pound of flesh a small cessful living system. death. Now, our party doesn’t talk about Simón(e) D Sun, in the column, “Stop us- I wish the people who peddle God that as much, largely for a good reason ing phony science to justify transphobia.” could see her young, which was, we are Scientific American, 6-13-19 lovely in gardens and committed to the beautiful in kitchens, and could watch separation of church Unfortunately, because conservatives the hand of God slowly and state and stand have politicized the highest courts and twisting her knees and fingers for people for any turned them into rubber stamps for the till they gnarled and knotted, settling in religion and people GOP, the biggest factor when filing ma- for thirty years of pain. of no religion. jor lawsuits has to be the political make- But we should up of the courts, not the legitimacy of I wish the people who peddle God call out hypocrisy your arguments. It’s too bad. . . . The could see the lightning when we see it. government is actively discriminating of His cancer stabbing Pete Buttigieg And for a party that against atheist groups with this law even her, that small frame associates itself with Christianity, to if lawmakers never intended for that to tensing at every shock, say that it is okay to suggest that God be the case. her sweet contralto scratchy with would smile on the division of families Hemant Mehta, on FFRF’s decision the Lord’s infection: Philip, at the hands of federal agents, that not to challenge the 7th U.S. Circuit I want to die. God would condone putting children Court of Appeals’ decision regarding I wish I had them gathered round, in cages, has lost all claim to ever use the parsonage exemption (see Page 9). those preachers, popes, rabbis, religious language again. The Friendly Atheist blog, 6-15-19 imams, priests – every Presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg pious shill on God’s payroll – and I during the first Democratic debate. I would think Christians would reb- would pull the sheets from my mother’s brittle body, CNN, 6-27-19 el at the characterization of this deeply and they would fall on their knees at her bedside religious symbol as to be forgiven all their faith. The term “heartbeat bill” and all that “secular.” Certain- From Perfidious Proverbs and Other Poems: it conjures — the image of a baby with a ly, as a Jew, I do not A Satirical Look At The Bible beating heart — is misleading and un- see the cross ever scientific, according to the American as a secular sym- College of Obstetricians and Gynecol- bol. It is the quint- © Philip Appleman. ogists. Which is why the pick up feels essential symbol of so insidious — we use the language be- Christianity. Philip Appleman is a Dis­tinguished Pro­fessor cause it’s what’s in front of us, and no Erwin Chemerinsky, Emeri­tus at In­dia­na Uni­ver­si­ty. He is editor of number of “so-called”s in front of the dean and professor Erwin the Norton Critical Edition of Darwin. He and his term “heartbeat bill” can distract from of law at the Uni- Chemerinsky playwright wife, Marjorie Appleman, are both the fact that it’s still a narrative short- versity of California “After-Life” Members of FFRF. hand meant to weaken abortion rights. Berkeley School of Law, in his column But it’s time to take the narrative back, on the Supreme Court’s Bladensburg de-

Photo by Brent Nicastro Brent by Photo Other books of his, available at shop.ffrf.org, to stop describing these bans as “heart- cision, calling out Justice Samuel Alito’s include Karma, Dharma, Pudding & Pie and beat bills” and describe them as what comment about the cross where “there Darwin’s Ark: Poems by Philip Appleman. they are — arbitrary and punitive six- are instances in which its message is week abortion bans. now almost entirely secular.” Writer Esther Wang, in her article “An- Sacramento Bee, 6-30-19 ti-abortion extremists are controlling the narrative on ‘heartbeat bills.’” Most of them admitted what they did Jezebel, 6-5-19 wrong, [however] there were a couple FFRF welcomes 10 new Lifers of innocents that actually died. But the FFRF thanks and welcomes our 10 land, Texas Virginia, Washington and The death penalty has been ap- public don’t care. The public’s mentali- latest Lifetime Members and five new Wisconsin. plied to at least 222 crimes in the An- ty in the South is, “Kill ’em all and God Immortals. Our new Immortals are Amy Bo- glo-American legal system, including will sort ’em out.” The new $1,000 Lifetime Members caner, Carol and Mike Fahle, and Pam marrying a Jew and stealing a rabbit. Gary Drinkard, a member of Project are Jack E. Church, Norman Dudziak, and Steve Solomon. The Immortals For a time in America, stealing grapes Hope to Abolish the Death Penalty, Sandi Haines, Carol Koester, Thomas category is a donation designation for was punishable by death. So was witch- which is the only anti-death-penalty or- Koester, Margaret R. Mahoney, Rob- those generous members who have craft, as we know from the Salem trials ganization run by death-row prisoners. ert L. Mueller, Martin Stern, Carroll contacted FFRF to report they have . . . Some day, I believe, Americans will Drinkard won his freedom in 2001. Thoms and Maxine Triff. made provisions for FFRF in their es- look back to today’s executions just as The Nation, 4-4-19 States represented are California, tate planning. we now look back at witch burnings Florida, Iowa, Nebraska, Rhode Is- and public hangings, and they will ask, If someone is not a believer, this is What were they thinking? not helping their needs. Columnist Nicholas Kristof in his col- U.S. Circuit Judge L. Felipe Restrepo, umn, “When we kill.” in response to a comment by attor- The New York Times, 6-16-19 ney Karl Myers that “This policy is in- tended to accommodate the spiritual The language of wellness isn’t just needs of legislatures.” The policy in coded diet culture. It’s also encoded question, in front of the 3rd Circuit with religious promise. Court, would reverse a ruling from a Wellness culture may not have an es- year ago when a federal judge found tablished creed, but it has an implicit that guest chaplains and opening in- metaphysic. Energy — nebulously de- vocations for the Pennsylvania state fined — runs through all things. This House of Representatives violated the energy can be good or bad, depending Establishment Clause. Make your own nontheistic cyber billboard at FFRF.org/out, and you might win an on a variety of factors, but it’s definitely Courthouse News, 6-17-19 “Unabashed Atheist” tee, like Paul (above) did. more than a little supernatural. August 2019 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 5 Thomas Kendrick Student Activist Award Parents stand up for son’s right to sit

By Hannah McDaniel have to join the rest of the school popu- lation for the pledge because he was still ur son, Alex, started kindergarten eating breakfast. He can be quite clever the way most children do — full for a 6-year-old. Oof energy and excitement. Unfor- We waited to hear from the district’s tunately, that feeling quickly went by the legal department, but each day Alex was wayside and turned into anguish at the still being sent to the office. Ryan and hands of his principal and our public Sam Grover, another FFRF staff attorney, school district. spoke with us about the possible next step The problem was that Alex did not want of suing the district. Thankfully, shortly to participate in the Pledge of Allegiance thereafter, Ryan received correspondence at his school in Illinois. My husband and from the superintendent. While the su- I are atheists, and we supported our son’s perintendent disputed several factual decision to not participate in the pledge. details about the school’s pledge policy, We’ve always raised Alex with full person- in the end he did concede that students al autonomy, as long as it didn’t harm him must be allowed to opt out of the pledge. or anyone else. What that means to us is Since then, things have gone well for that he has a right to choose his actions Alex. He sits quietly for the pledge every and that all his thoughts/questions/feel- day and is no longer sent to the princi- ings are valid. So, we supported him. pal’s office because of it. It’s no big deal I suppose I had some naiveté thinking Alex McDaniel sits with his St. Bernard dog, Charlie. to him anymore to be able to sit, which is that the process of Alex not participating a wonderful improvement! Our family is in the pledge wouldn’t be a huge deal. Af- I spoke with his principal and it was might take up Alex’s cause and help us. so thankful that the final chapter in this ter all, it has been legally upheld that it is in that moment that I found out she was Thankfully, we received an email from saga ended happily. a student’s right not to participate in the making him participate. She told me that Staff Attorney Ryan Jayne. That email set We would like to encourage anyone Pledge of Allegiance in public schools. him not standing and participating in the in motion so many things to follow. experiencing a separation of church The law is on our side, and I thought that pledge was disrespectful toward HER! Ryan contacted the district and let and state issue to please, speak up! We alone would be enough if we were to run I was baffled. I informed her of the law them know what it was doing was illegal. know that it can sometimes be a long into an issue with a member of the school and contacted the district assistant super- He received correspondence from the and difficult road to be on the right side staff. I never could have imagined the intendent. I spoke with her and she told district superintendent that was callous of history, but know that it is worth it. immense struggle and contention that me that this shouldn’t be an issue and she and, quite frankly, rude. He boldly stated You can do it, though it might seem in- would follow. would speak with the principal. that Ryan was wrong, that we were wrong, surmountable at times. There is support. When Alex came to us and said that We once again instructed Alex to sit too, and that our son had never been sent Reach out to others, reach out to FFRF. he didn’t like reciting the pledge and he quietly during the pledge. Meanwhile, to the principal’s office. We were told in There is a community of like-minded in- didn’t want to participate, we told him the fire grew within him like a slow burn. this first letter from the superintendent dividuals who will band beside you and that he didn’t have to and that he could We found out that when he had been try- that an internal investigation would be rally against injustice. just sit quietly. ing to sit quietly during the pledge, he done. To my knowledge, this investiga- We would like to extend our deepest But after Alex would come home an- was instead sent to the principal’s office tion never happened. gratitude to FFRF in its continued sup- gry and frustrated, we quickly found out each morning. Days passed, and Alex was still sent port in our efforts to advocate for our that his principal was making him stand Alex would seemingly be fine at school to the principal’s office every morning son. Ryan and the entire FFRF team and participate in the pledge. I thought because he was able to bottle up the frus- for attempting to sit quietly during the have worked tirelessly with us as we it must just be some sort of misunder- tration he felt. Then, one day, after this pledge. It got to a point where he would went up against the school district. We standing, and we assured Alex we’d take had happened multiple times, the flood- try very hard to make himself late to are honored that Alex will be the recip- care of it. gates opened and a steady torrent of pent school, so that he could go to breakfast ient of FFRF’s $500 Thomas Kendrick up anguish poured out of him. once he got there and conveniently not Student Activist Award. Obviously, this didn’t sit well with us. We wouldn’t allow our son to be sent to the principal’s office for exercising his constitutional rights. During a meeting with the principal and Alex’s teacher, Alex’s father and I brought up the pledge issue again, but the principal wasn’t letting this go. She wasn’t going to cooperate or follow the law. I knew we were getting nowhere with her and the district. I told her that Alex’s father and I would discuss how we were going to handle it going for- ward. That was the politest way I could let her know that no, we weren’t going to let this go, either. We have our son’s back, always. Reached out to FFRF We chose to reach out to the Free- dom From Religion Foundation to see if it might help us. We had seen the work it’s done, particularly with public school Alex shows off his hockey stick. districts. We desperately hoped that FFRF

FFRF’s ‘IN REASON WE TRUST’ Self inking stamp ‘Freethought Matters’ mug A meaningful message and the logo of FFRF’s new TV show. Ivory Carefully crafted to stamp out ‘god’ imprint on tapered burgundy, 8 fl. oz. on U.S. currency. Good for up to American- made mug. 2000 impressions. $18 postpaid Item # ST01 $20 postpaid — Item#MU02 Call 800/335-4021 or order online ffrf.org/shop Call 608/256-8900 | Online ffrf.org/shop Page 6 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | August 2019 Court chooses Christianity over Constitution

This article first appeared on Slate.com. mongering, but perhaps Alito is truly afraid of a tyrannical majority using the By Andrew L. Seidel government to impose anti-religion zeal on religious citizens. he Supreme Court on June 20 de- We have a safety net against such cided to allow a 40-foot tall, govern- fears, though. Tment-maintained cross to remain It’s the plain legal principle of reli- prominently displayed on a city traffic is- gious neutrality, which the justices set land. In ruling to let Maryland’s “Bladens- aside in favor of unconvincing “hostility” burg Peace Cross” remain in place, the and history arguments. Alito’s repeated court argued that long-standing religious and troubling invocations of “commu- monuments have “secular meaning” and nity” and “community standards” mean that curing old First Amendment viola- little more than this: that a majority of tions would show the community can decide to violate the “hostility toward re- Constitution and the courts cannot cor- ligion.” Until now, rect that majority. This undermines the the Supreme Court very purpose of the Bill of Rights — to had repeatedly re- protect the minority from the tyranny of jected that second the majority. line of argument, But the most alarming aspect of Alito’s going all the way hostility argument is that it solidifies that back to its first state- privilege of the current majority in perpe-

Photo by Chris Line by Photo church decision. tuity. He recognized that demographics Andrew L. Seidel The hostility ar- in the country are shifting rapidly away gument seems to from Christianity, which is fast losing its demonstrate a severe persecution com- majority. plex on the part of Justice Samuel Ali- cure discrimination because the reme- to write that upholding the First Amend- Alito’s opinion laid out a road map to to, who wrote the majority opinion. It dy is hostile to the oppressor should be ment was akin to the French Reign of preserve these monuments to Christian- simultaneously assumes that the cross unimaginable. Unfortunately, the Su- Terror: “A government that roams the ity’s cultural dominance and privilege: does violate the core First Amendment preme Court has made many such de- land, tearing down monuments with re- “As our society becomes more and more principle that the government should cisions over the centuries, including last ligious symbolism and scrubbing away religiously diverse, a community may remain neutral when it comes to reli- term in the Masterpiece Cakeshop case. any reference to the divine will strike preserve such monuments, symbols, and gion but that a free pass is warranted In that case, the court held that Colo- many as aggressively hostile to religion. practices for the sake of their historical for old (read: Christian) symbols. rado showed religious animus to a Chris- Militantly secular regimes have carried significance or their place in a common The backwardness of the logic at tian baker who did not want to make out such projects in the past.” cultural heritage.” work is clear: If removing the cross is wedding cakes for gay couples. Of course, the prohibition against The subtext is clear: As Christians hostile to religion, then displaying the Days later, the court refused to apply state-sanctioned persecution of religion lose their majority and their privilege, cross promotes religion — it is not neu- that same hostility standard to Trump’s does not mean that the state can actively they are in a better position to claim tral and should be found to violate the travel ban, despite stronger evidence promote religion. The founders of this persecution and hostility when that priv- Establishment Clause. that it was motivated by anti-Muslim nation laid out a middle path, where the ilege erodes, which will allow them to The hostility argument also assumes sentiment. The double standard is state does not harass or assist religion. preserve that privilege, even if it violates that the only fix for the violation would transparent. They did so for a number of reasons, the Constitution. have been to essentially bulldoze the Twice in the past two terms, the court including to ensure individual religious In the end, the court painted Amer- cross. In reality, moving the cross to has relied on dubious or self-defeating liberty, because there is no freedom of ica’s Christian majority as persecuted church property would have fixed the claims of hostility to elevate Christianity religion without a government that is and quailing under the hostility of the constitutional violation and saved the — and only Christianity — above the law, free from religion. First Amendment. cross. and only in ways that favor Christians. “Scrubbing,” “militant … regimes,” Andrew L. Seidel is FFRF’s director of stra- In an ideal world, a court refusing to In the cross case, Alito went so far as and “aggressively hostile” read like fear- tegic response and a constitutional lawyer. Bladensburg Continued from page 1

“By maintaining the Peace Cross on a Most disappointingly, Justices Ste- to add that “the court today applies a long been chipped away at, bored public highway, the [Maryland-Nation- phen Breyer and Elena Kagan joined history and tradition test.” through, tunneled under, climbed al Capital Park and Planning] Commis- in a concurrence that Breyer took the It is a troubling sign that the Su- over. But it still stands.” The question sion elevates Christianity over other lead in writing: “I have long main- preme Court even agreed to review the is how much damage this ruling has in- faiths, and religion over nonreligion.” tained that there is no single formu- cross case because an appeals court flicted on that revered wall? Ginsburg persuasively lays out how la for resolving Establishment Clause had properly ruled the cross unconsti- The Supreme Court abandoned such public crosses alienate a large challenges.” tutional. “Watch out,” we had warned. its sacred duty: Its duty to uphold the and fast-growing segment of the U.S. The pair argued that the 40-foot-tall FFRF was aware, for instance, that Ka- secular principles in our Constitution. population. concrete cross now on public property vanaugh, the court’s newest justice, The justices seem to have forgotten “To non-Christians, nearly 30 percent “cannot reasonably be understood as had dismissed the Jeffersonian meta- that when they took their oath of of- of the population of the United States, ‘a government effort to favor a partic- phor describing a “wall of separation fice, they placed their hand on the bi- the state’s choice to display the cross ular religious sect’ or to ‘promote reli- between state and church” as “wrong ble and swore to uphold the Constitu- on public buildings or spaces conveys a gion over nonreligion.’” as a matter of law and history.” tion — not the other way around. message of exclusion: It tells them they Breyer and Kagan did reject the As FFRF wrote in February, “The What a shameful legacy for the Rob- ‘are outsiders, not full members of the idea that the majority opinion adopted constitutional wall of separation has erts Court. political community,’” she writes. a “history and tradition test.” Justice FFRF has been making this exact ar- Brett Kavanaugh, however, concurred gument for years, using the same word- NOTHING FAILS LIKE PRAYER ing and statistics, and has met with suc- cess suing over religious symbols that RECRUIT A MEMBER treat non-Christians as outsiders. CONTEST Sample copies for $2 Our goal is to see secular citizens flood government meetings with Send $2 with the name and secular invocations that demonstrate why government prayers are Women Without address of each person you unnecessary, ineff ective, embarrassing, exclusionary, divisive or Superstition wish to receive a sample copy just plain silly. “No Gods—No Masters” of Freethought Today to: Edited: Annie Laurie Gaylor The person who gives the best secular invocation will be invited to Collected writings of 50 women freethinkers of FFRF open FFRF’s annual convention in 2019, receiving an expenses-paid the 19th & 20th centuries P.O. Box 750 trip to Madison, Wis. Oct. 18-20, 2019, along with a plaque and an ( 51 photographs ). Madison, WI 53701 honorarium of $500. Deadline: August 1. —Published by FFRF. 696 pages / HB Please send us only names MORE INFO AT: of likely supporters Buy it from FFRF online ffrf.org/nothing-fails-like-prayer ffrf.org/shop Freedom depends upon freethinkers August 2019 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 7 Ruth Bader Ginsburg: Cross is not secular

This is an edited and condensed version of the dissent, written by Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and joined by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, in the Bladensburg cross case. In it, she uses quotes from numerous other cases. We removed the references to those cases for ease of reading.

By Ruth Bader Ginsburg

n immense Latin cross stands on a traffic island at the center of a busy three-way intersection in ABladensburg, Md. “Monumental, clear, and bold” by day, the cross looms even larger illuminated against the night-time sky. Known as the Peace Cross, the mon- ument was erected by private citizens in 1925 to honor local soldiers who lost their lives in World War I. “The town’s most prominent symbol” was rededicated in 1985 and is now said to honor “the sacrifices made in all wars,” by “all veterans.” Both the Peace Cross and the traffic island are owned and maintained by the Mary- land-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, an agency of the state of Maryland. Decades ago, this court recognized that the Establish- ment Clause of the First Amendment to the Constitu- tion demands governmental neutrality among religious The Bladensburg, Md., cross sits at an intersection of three roads. faiths, and between religion and nonreligion. Numer- ous times since, the court has reaffirmed the Constitu- provisions followed centuries of “turmoil, civil strife, rection, and Christianity’s promise of eternal life.” The tion’s commitment to neutrality. Today, the court erodes and persecution, generated in large part by established cross affirms that, thanks to the soldier’s embrace of that neutrality commitment, diminishing precedent de- sects determined to maintain their absolute political Christianity, he will be rewarded with eternal life. “To signed to preserve individual liberty and civic harmony and religious supremacy.” say that the cross honors the Christian war dead does in favor of a “presumption of constitutionality for long- Mindful of that history, the fledgling Republic rati- not identify a secular meaning of the cross; it merely standing monuments, symbols and practices.” fied the Establishment Clause, in the words of Thomas identifies a common application of the religious mean- The Latin cross is the foremost symbol of the Chris- Jefferson, to “build a wall of separation between church ing.” Scarcely “a universal symbol of sacrifice,” the cross tian faith, embodying the “central theological claim of and state.” is “the symbol of one particular sacrifice.” Christianity: that the son of God died on the cross, that Every court of appeals to confront the question has he rose from the dead, and that his death and resur- Government may not favor held that “making a . . . Latin cross a war memorial does rection offer the possibility of eternal life.” Precisely be- The Establishment Clause essentially instructs: “The not make the cross secular,” it “makes the war memo- cause the cross symbolizes these sectarian beliefs, it is a government may not favor one religion over another, or rial sectarian.” The Peace Cross is no exception. That common marker for the graves of Christian soldiers. For religion over irreligion.” was evident from the start. At the dedication ceremony, the same reason, using the cross as a war memorial does In cases challenging the government’s display of the keynote speaker analogized the sacrifice of the hon- not transform it into a secular symbol, as the courts of a religious symbol, the court has tested fidelity to the ored soldiers to that of Jesus Christ, calling the Peace appeals have uniformly recognized. principle of neutrality by asking whether the display Cross “symbolic of Calvary,” where Jesus was crucified. Some of my colleagues suggest that the court’s new has the “effect of ‘endorsing’ religion.” The display fails Local reporters variously described the monument as “a presumption extends to all governmental displays and this requirement if it objectively “conveys a message mammoth cross, a likeness of the Cross of Calvary, as practices, regardless of their age. ‘A more contempo- that religion or a particular religious belief is favored or described in the bible,” “a monster Calvary cross,” and rary state effort’ to put up a religious display is ‘likely to preferred.” To make that determination, a court must “a huge sacrifice cross.” prove divisive in a way that a longstanding, pre-existing consider “the pertinent facts and circumstances sur- The character of the monument has not changed monument would not.’” I read the court’s opinion to rounding the symbol and its placement.” with the passage of time. mean what it says: “Retaining established, religiously ex- As I see it, when a cross is displayed on public prop- pressive monuments, symbols, and practices is quite dif- erty, the government may be presumed to endorse its Not a universal symbol ferent from erecting or adopting new ones,” and, conse- religious content. The venue is surely associated with Reiterating its argument that the Latin cross is a “uni- quently, only “longstanding monuments, symbols, and the state; the symbol and its meaning are just as surely versal symbol” of World War I sacrifice, the commission practices” enjoy “a presumption of constitutionality.” associated exclusively with Christianity. states that “40 World War I monuments . . . built in the To non-Christians, nearly 30 percent of the popula- United States . . . bear the shape of a cross.” This figure Cross not suitable for other faiths tion of the United States, the state’s choice to display the includes memorials that merely “incorporate” a cross. Just as a Star of David is not suitable to honor Chris- cross on public buildings or spaces conveys a message Moreover, the 40 monuments compose only 4 percent tians who died serving their country, so a cross is not of exclusion: It tells them they “are outsiders, not full of the “948 outdoor sculptures commemorating the First suitable to honor those of other faiths who died de- members of the political community.” World War.” The court lists just seven freestanding cross fending their nation. Soldiers of all faiths “are united “For nearly two millennia,” the Latin cross has been memorials, less than 1 percent of the total number of by their love of country, but they are not united by the the “defining symbol” of Christianity, evoking the foun- monuments to World War I in the United States. Cross cross.” By maintaining the Peace Cross on a public dational claims of that faith. Christianity teaches that Je- memorials, in short, are outliers. The overwhelming ma- highway, the commission elevates Christianity over oth- sus Christ was “a divine Savior” who “illuminated a path jority of World War I memorials contain no Latin cross. er faiths, and religion over nonreligion. Memorializing toward salvation and redemption.” Central to the reli- In fact, the “most popular and enduring memorial of the service of American soldiers is an “admirable and gion are the beliefs that “the son of God,” Jesus Christ, the post-World War I decade” was “the mass-produced unquestionably secular” objective. “died on the cross,” that “he rose from the dead,” and Spirit of the American Doughboy statue.” That statue, But the commission does not serve that objective that “his death and resurrection offer the possibility of depicting a U.S. infantryman, “met with widespread ap- by displaying a symbol that bears “a starkly sectarian eternal life.” “From its earliest times,” Christianity was proval throughout American communities.” message.” The First Amendment commands that the known as “religio crucis — the religion of the cross.” The Peace Cross, as plaintiffs’ expert historian ob- government “shall make no law” either “respecting Christians wear crosses, not as an ecumenical sym- served, was an “aberration . . . even in the era in which an establishment of religion” or “prohibiting the free bol, but to proclaim their adherence to Christianity. An it was built and dedicated.” Like cities and towns across exercise thereof.” Adoption of these complementary exclusively Christian symbol, the Latin cross is not em- the country, the United States military comprehended blematic of any other faith. the importance of “paying equal respect to all members The principal symbol of Christianity around the world of the Armed Forces who perished in the service of our should not loom over public thoroughfares, suggesting country,” and therefore avoided incorporating the Lat- official recognition of that religion’s paramountcy. in cross into memorials. The construction of the Tomb The commission’s “attempts to secularize what is of the Unknown Soldier is illustrative. When a proposal unquestionably a sacred symbol defy credibility and to place a cross on the Tomb was advanced, the Jewish disserve people of faith.” The asserted commemora- Welfare Board objected; no cross appears on the Tomb. tive meaning of the cross rests on — and is inseparable In sum, “there is simply ‘no evidence . . . that the cross from — its Christian meaning: “the crucifixion of Jesus has been widely embraced by’ — or even applied to — Christ and the redeeming benefits of his passion and ‘non-Christians as a secular symbol of death’ or of sac- death,” specifically, “the salvation of man.” Because of its rifice in military service” in World War I or otherwise. sacred meaning, the Latin cross has been used to mark The Establishment Clause, which preserves the integ- Christian deaths since at least the fourth century. The rity of both church and state, guarantees that “however cross on a grave “says that a Christian is buried here,” . . . individuals worship, they will count as full and equal and “commemorates that person’s death by evoking American citizens.” a conception of salvation and eternal life reserved for “If the aim of the Establishment Clause is genuinely Christians.” to uncouple government from church,” the clause does As a commemorative symbol, the Latin cross simply “not permit . . . a display of the character” of Bladens- Ruth Bader Ginsburg “makes no sense apart from the crucifixion, the resur- burg’s Peace Cross. Page 8 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | August 2019 IN THE NEWS Catholic school gets and a lawsuit. Morrisey’s office has requested med- millions in public money ical records for all priests accused or An Indiana Catholic school that is suspected of sexual abuse, including under fire for terminating a gay teacher whether they were sent to “treatment received over $1 million in public fund- facilities,” which many diocese have his- ing in 2018, according to a report re- torically used as a method of sidelining viewed by HuffPost. The school said it accused priests, ABC News reported, fired the teacher so that it would not be citing a source familiar with the case. forced to cut ties with the Archdiocese Morrisey’s office also reportedly has of Indianapolis. not received all copies of complaints Though Cathedral High School is against priests. private and religious, student scholar- ships to the school are heavily subsi- dized with public money through the Catholics spent $10M to state’s school voucher program. Over stymie sex abuse suits 230 students received $1,136,258 in taxpayer dollars to attend the school The U.S. Catholic Church has spent during the 2018-19 school year, ac- $10.6 million in recent years on lob- cording to a report from the Indiana byists to prevent victims of clerical sex Department of Education. In total, abuse from suing for damages. over the past three years, the school According to a report, the money was has received $3,457,075 through the doled out from 2011 through 2018 in voucher program. eight Northeastern states where bills to Latin. It is the kind of exception to the Court: ‘In God We Trust’ reform statute of limitations laws were celibacy requirement that church ex- either in the works or being considered. Alabama law lets church perts say — and church traditionalists can stay on money In Pennsylvania, where currently hire its own police worry — could be a step toward the or- The Supreme Court rejected an ap- victims of child sex abuse can come for- dination of married men in other areas peal from a group of atheists trying to ward with criminal allegations until the Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed into of the world. get “In God We Trust” off our money. age of 50 and can file civil claims until law June 19 a measure granting the This was the most recent case brought age 30, the church spent $5,322,979 to Briarwood Presbyterian Church the forth by FFRF Member Michael New- keep those limitations in place, accord- right to set up its own law enforcement Greece finally gets rid dow, most famous for his almost suc- ing to the report, “Church Influencing agency to cover its sanctuary, seminary of its blasphemy laws cessful battle over “under God” in the State: How the Catholic Church Spent and sprawling school campuses, despite Pledge of Allegiance. Millions Against Survivors of Clergy criticism from FFRF and others that the As of July 1, blasphemy is no longer a Last August, the 8th U.S. Circuit Abuse.” measure was unconstitutional. crime in Greece. Court of Appeals ruled unanimously Church officials say they need their The change comes as part of a against more than two dozen atheists, own police force to protect its 4,100 wide-ranging overhaul of the Criminal their children, and two groups named in Survey: Arabs becoming members, 2,000 students and two cam- Code. The two previous articles outlaw- the lawsuit. They said the phrase didn’t less religious puses, especially in light of armed at- ing “blasphemy” have been dropped. violate the First Amendment’s Establish- tacks on schools and churches. At the same time, oaths of affirmation ment Clause and Free Exercise Clause, More and more Arabs are saying they Critics say the megachurch already have been overhauled so that everyone the Religious Freedom Restoration Act are no longer religious, according to has private security, and under the new recites the same civil affirmation, as op- (RFRA), or the Equal Protection com- the largest and most in-depth survey un- law it would gain state authority that posed to any religious oath. ponent of the Fifth Amendment. dertaken of the Middle East and North could be abused if officers are answer- The judges inaccurately said that the Africa. able only to church officials. motto was part of an established tradi- The finding is one of a number on Randall Marshall, the executive di- N.Y. ends religious tion in the country going back to our how Arabs feel about a wide range of rector of the ACLU of Alabama, expects exemptions for vaccines founding and that the phrase wasn’t un- issues, from women’s rights and migra- the law will be challenged in the courts. fairly coercive. tion to security and sexuality. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo Since 2013, the number of people signed a bill June 13 ending vaccination across the region identifying as “not Evangelicals say ‘fake exemptions based on religious beliefs Public detective calls religious” has risen from 8 percent to news’ a ‘big problem’ in an attempt to address the growing for execution of LGBTQ 13 percent. The rise is greatest in the measles outbreak, the worst the coun- under 30s, among whom 18 percent A new survey finds that white evan- try has experienced in decades. The Knox County Attorney Gen- identify as not religious, according to gelical Protestants are more concerned Cuomo said plugging the loophole eral’s Office said it is looking into the research. about made-up or “fake” news than any should help slow the increase in mea- a church sermon by a Knox County More than 25,000 people were inter- other major religious group and are sles cases in New York, the state hardest Sheriff’s detective that called for the viewed for the survey — for BBC News also the most likely to blame journalists hit by the uptick in the contagious virus government to arrest and execute Arabic by the Arab Barometer research for creating it. due to low vaccination rates in ultra-Or- LGBTQ community members. network — across 10 countries and the According to a report by Pew Re- thodox communities. In an hour-long video of the ser- Palestinian territories between late 2018 search, 59 percent of white evangelicals The Democratic-controlled Legisla- mon online, Detective Grayson Fritts, and spring 2019. say they believe made-up news and in- ture approved the measure, which also also a pastor at All Scripture Baptist formation is a “very big problem” for eliminates other nonmedical exemp- Church in Knoxville, Tenn., tells his the United States, with an additional 27 tions for schoolchildren across the congregation he believes federal, state percent describing it as a “moderately state. and county governments should ar- big problem.” rest, convict and “speedily” execute MOVING? Fifty percent of white mainline Chris- Survey: Clergy sex abuse LGBTQ people on no more grounds tians, 42 percent of black Protestants an ongoing problem than a cellphone photo showing par- and 46 percent of Catholics describe ticipation in a Pride event. “fake news” as a very big problem. For- More than 15 years after U.S. bishops FFRF wrote the Knox County DA’s of- ty-nine percent of religiously unaffiliat- pledged “zero tolerance” for sexual fice about this disturbing incident. ed Americans also said the same, as did abuse of children by Catholic priests, 50 percent of the general public. reports of previously unpublicized Don’t miss your next issue of misconduct continue to receive wide W. Va. AG says church media coverage. is withholding info Freethought Today Vatican to let some A new Pew Research Center survey married men be priests finds that about 90 percent of U.S. West Virginia Attorney General Pat- Please notify us of your adults have heard at least “a little” rick Morrisey said church leaders in address change promptly! The Roman Catholic Church on June about recent reports of sexual abuse his state “can and should do better” in 17 cracked open the door to ordaining and misconduct by Catholic priests producing documents his office has email: [email protected] married, elderly men to the priesthood and bishops, including a clear majority requested in relation to a sexual abuse FFRF cannot be responsible for to meet the pastoral needs of Catholics who say they have heard “a lot.” And, investigation. replacing back issues if we have not in remote areas of the Amazon. overall, about 80 percent of U.S. adults Morrisey told ABC News in an inter- been notified prior to your move. The proposal would respond to say the recent reports of sexual abuse view released June 6 that the diocese the dearth of priests in the region by and misconduct by Catholic priests and of Wheeling-Charleston has yet to pro- The U.S. Post Office does not ordaining “viri probati,” or men of bishops reflect “ongoing problems that duce several documents that he has re- forward third-class mail. proven character, as they are known in are still happening” in the church. quested through both two subpoenas August 2019 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 9 FFRF NEWS FFRF won’t take clergy housing lawsuit to Supreme Court — yet

For the past decade, the Freedom parish housing allowance when the 7th scrutinize this preferential code and de- to be subtracted from clergy’s taxable in- From Religion Foundation has been lit- U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals shot down clare it unconstitutional. By ending the come. The congressional Joint Commit- igating over a 1954 law whose sponsor FFRF’s lawsuit for the second time in challenge at this time, FFRF is making it tee on Taxation has reported that the ex- said the purpose of the parish housing March, this time on the merits. possible for another challenge to be tak- emption amounts to $700 million a year allowance is to reward clergy for “carry- FFRF has full confidence in the legal en in the future. in lost revenue. Religion News Service ing on such a coura- merits of its challenge of the discrimina- FFRF is proud that, both in 2013 and calculated that the allowance increases geous fight” against tory pastoral housing allowance privileg- 2017, it won major district court rulings the take-home pay of some pastors by up godlessness. es. The IRS code preferentially favors the declaring unconstitutional 26 U.S.C. to 10 percent. Churches benefit, since How’s that for a clergy as a special class, while penalizing §107(2) of the IRS tax code. In 2013, tax-free salaries lower their overhead. secular purpose? those who are similarly situated in other U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb ruled Christianity Today found that 84 per- “Ministers of the 501(c)(3) organizations, particularly secu- in FFRF’s favor in its original challenge. cent of senior pastors receive a housing gospel” receive al- lar groups such as FFRF that work to eman- Crabb’s finding sent “shockwaves through allowance of $20,000 to $38,000 in add- most a billion-dollar- cipate our society from religious dogma. It the religious community,” according to ed (but not reported) compensation to a-year tax benefit, also penalizes ordinary taxpayers. the Evangelical Council for Financial Ac- their base salary. Barker and do not pay their FFRF did not feel the same confi- countability, which bitterly fought the rul- This code rewarding clergy for fight- fair share of taxes dence, however, in how the current Su- ing, along with just about every religious ing the “godless” is unconstitutional. only because they’re religious clergy, or preme Court would rule in the case, had denomination in the country. When FFRF FFRF is pleased that it has helped to even just for possessing ordinations or act- FFRF appealed. After “counting heads,” lost on standing before the appeals court, educate taxpayers about the unfairness ing like clergy. Jewish cantors get the tax FFRF concluded that any decision from it followed their instructions, reconfig- of a benefit exclusively for ministers and benefit. Even ordained basketball coaches the current court would put the kibosh ured the case, and won yet another strong their churches. at parochial schools may receive it. Mega- on challenging the housing allowance for ruling from Judge Crabb in 2017. Crabb It has been eye-opening to see the church pastors can write off up to the fair several generations. ruled that “the plain language of the stat- greed — how aggressively U.S. churches market value of their mega-mansions. FFRF began this challenge years ago, ute, its legislative history and its operation have insisted on maintenance of this pref- But in mid-June, FFRF let the clock run when the composition of the Supreme in practice all demonstrate a preference erential treatment. It’s an indictment of out over its chance to pursue the historic Court was very different. FFRF has (sec- for ministers over secular employees.” the religious establishment that U.S. pas- challenge before the U.S. Supreme Court. ular) faith that someday the Supreme The tax benefit to “ministers of the tors feel no compunctions about not pay- FFRF was winning its third permutation Court composition will again favor the gospel” is a handout allowing housing ing their fair share of taxes. Their charity of the cutting-edge litigation against the Establishment Clause and be willing to allowances paid as part of clergy salary begins at home. FFRF attorney to head civil rights FFRF grant section of Wisconsin state bar FFRF Senior Counsel Patrick El- Patrick originally hails from the helps fund liott has been chosen president-elect neighboring state of Minnesota, but of the Civil Rights & Liberties section has been a resident of Wisconsin ever play on of the State Bar of Wisconsin. The since he enrolled at the University State Bar is, of course, the organiza- of Wisconsin around the start of the tion of lawyers in the Badger State. millennium. He went on to receive Jonestown “The State Bar of Wisconsin is a a law degree from the University of A play about black women’s expe- professional association that pro- Wisconsin Law School in 2009, with rience in the 1978 Jonestown tragedy vides educational, career develop- a special interest in the First Amend- has been aided by a $2,500 grant from ment and other services to its 25,000 ment and constitutional law. FFRF. Photo by Chris Line members,” its website reads. “It also He joined FFRF as a staff attorney The play, “White Nights, Black Par- FFRF Senior Counsel Patrick Elliott is provides public services, including in 2010, the second lawyer to become adise,” is based off the book of the president-elect of the Civil Rights and attorney referrals, public education part of the state/church watchdog. same name by Sikivu Hutchinson, an Liberties section of the State Bar of and reduced-fee legal assistance for Now he is set to also chair the state- atheist author, play- Wisconsin. low-income state residents.” wide legal section that helps educate wright and founder The Civil Rights & Liberties Sec- Wisconsin lawyers and lawmakers with the State Bar and lawyers in of Black Skeptics Los tion of the State Bar focuses on our about civil rights. Wisconsin on civil rights issues,” said Angeles. FFRF inter- basic constitutional freedoms. “I’m looking forward to working Elliott. viewed Hutchinson about the book on Freethought Radio Sign in August of last year. Yur either fer us or agin us “White Nights, Continued from page 1 Black Paradise” is a welcomes you to town.’” historical stage play Sikivu Rogers composed the wording pri- which traces the 30- Hutchinson or to becoming mayor, but had public year history of the Peoples Temple, school students paint it, magnifying the culminating in the massacre of more state/church entanglement. than 900 people, half of them black, in Then, after FFRF got involved with the Jonestown, Guyana, in 1978. It inter- sign, a coffee shop in Hawkins owned by locks stories of African-American wom- Rogers was set on fire. Rogers claimed it en characters against the historical was for anti-religious reasons, though this backdrop of the Great Migration, the was far from the only controversy Rogers rise and fall of the civil rights move- faced as mayor. ment, the women’s movement, and He sued eight city officials and a sever- Black Power and LGBTQ movements. al other residents for, he claimed, resist- Black Skeptics Los Angeles, with ing his attempts to root out corruption project director Hutchinson, has been when he became mayor. He later settled awarded $10,000 for its project by Cal- the lawsuit but lost his re-election bid, ifornia Humanities, which has pledged 239-41. $175,000 in awards to 11 projects for its As for the sign itself, after the council 2019 All Project Grant program. voted to have it removed, a group of sign The two-year play project will be de- supporters claimed that the sign was on veloped with the support of the Museum private property, while the city claimed it of the African Diaspora, the Jonestown was city-owned. A private business called Institute and FFRF. “Jesus Christ Open Altar Church, LLC” FFRF also collaborates with Black brought a lawsuit against the city after Skeptics Los Angeles to choose claiming to have bought the land. FFRF FFRF Member Arelis van Breda sent us this photo of a marquee in Grand- recipients of FFRF’s Catherine Fahringer backed off while the suit was under way. view, Tenn. Arelis writes, “Well, it is the South.” Memorial Scholarship awards, which The city then won that lawsuit on go to minority students who are first in appeal and recently removed the sign. their family to attend college. Page 10 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | August 2019 FFRF VICTORIES

By Bailey Nachreiner-Mackesey cords request to find out if he was simi- Ten Commandments plaque removed larly abusing his position at Cedartown California High School. The records confirmed FFRF’s concerns, indicating that Ce- A California school district has taken dartown High School has an official steps to ensure scheduled prayer does team chaplain, the Rev. Wayne Bene- not persist at school athletic events fol- field, who prays with the team. lowing intervention from FFRF. FFRF Legal Fellow Chris Line wrote A concerned San Ramon Valley Uni- to district Superintendent Laurie fied School District parent reported that Atkins: “We further request that all the two most recent California High coaches be reminded that they may not men’s lacrosse banquets opened with a promote religion while acting in their prayer led by a parent. The school’s prin- official capacity, nor enlist an outside cipal and athletic director were reported- adult to do the same.” ly first notified about this issue via email The district has taken action to in- after the spring 2018 men’s lacrosse ban- form the coach and the school prin- quet, and the current athletic director in- cipal that the chaplaincy program is dicated that the issue would be addressed to “cease immediately.” Additionally, prior to this year’s banquet. Despite this Atkins has ensured that “district and assurance, a prayer was again led by a par- school personnel have a clear under- ent at the 2019 banquet, and the banquet standing that no staff member, nor program specifically listed a “blessing” as non-school-affiliated adult, is allowed part of the event. to promote or endorse religion to FFRF Associate Counsel Liz Cavell students.” wrote to Superintendent Rick Schmitt, alerting him to the unconstitutionality of such school-sponsored prayer. Idaho Schmitt responded to FFRF’s letter Supervisors and principals in the with a detailed account of the actions Post Falls School District have been re- the district has taken to keep this prayer minded by FFRF that religious groups from continuing in the future, including are not permitted to advertise on explaining the legal guidelines surround- school property. ing school prayer to the athletic directors A concerned parent informed and coaches in the district. FFRF that Real Life Ministries, a lo- “Please rest assured we have taken cal church group, came to River City steps to ensure this does not take place Ohio Middle School’s eighth-grade “End-of- again, not only at California High School, New Philadelphia City Schools has removed a 92-year-old Ten Com- Year Celebration” and supplied field but across the district,” Schmitt wrote. mandments plaque from Welty Middle School after the FFRF lodged a games for students to play. The parent complaint against the unconstitutional religious display. informed us that each game station A concerned district parent had reported to FFRF that the school had a banner on display advertising Colorado prominently displayed the plaque near its auditorium entrance. The Su- the church’s logo and times when its Loudspeaker prayers at sporting preme Court has ruled that displays of the Ten Commandments in public middle school youth group meets. Per events have been interrupted in Col- schools violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, FFRF Real Life Middle School’s Facebook orado by a letter of complaint from Legal Fellow Chris Line pointed out to the district. page, it maintains a “close relationship FFRF. New Philadelphia City Schools’ attorney Brian DeSantis responded to with the school and its administration.” A concerned resident reported that FFRF, assuring the state/church watchdog that the “plaque has been tak- Real Life also hosted end-of-year cele- a Colorado High School Activities As- en down and is no longer on display on district property.” brations at Post Falls Middle School sociation baseball game between Mon- and Timberlake Junior High. arch High School and Regis Jesuit High In a letter to Superintendent Jerry School, as part of the Colorado High Keane, FFRF Associate Counsel Eliz- School Baseball Tournament on May inclusion of prayer was inappropri- following a letter of complaint from abeth Cavell reminded the district it 18, began with an adult leading attend- ate and should not have happened. FFRF. cannot allow its schools to be used as ees in prayer over the loudspeaker. She assured FFRF that she will reiter- In March, Cedartown High School recruiting grounds for churches. FFRF Legal Fellow Chris Line wrote ate to the athletic directors that they football coach Doyle Kelley delivered Keane responded to FFRF’s letter to Colorado High School Activities may not go off-script and include re- an alarming sermon at the Georgia with assurances that the district “ad- Association Commissioner Rhonda ligious endorsements in loudspeaker Statehouse, where he discussed how vised the principal of River City Middle Blandford-Green, reminding the asso- announcements. people who do not adhere to his par- School that religious groups are not al- ciation that it may not include loud- ticular brand of religion would be tor- lowed to advertise on any campus or re- speaker prayer as part of events, as it Georgia tured in hell for eternity. Given that cruit students in any way.” Additionally, constitutes an illegal government en- A Cedartown High School coach Kelley abused his position as “chaplain Keane will “reiterate this information dorsement of religion. and an official team chaplain will cease of the day” to promote his personal with all of [the district’s] principals Blandford-Green agreed that this leading prayers with the football team religion, FFRF submitted an open re- and supervisors.”

Invocation FFRF’s classic A note to FFRF Members Continued from page 1 Don’t miss a single issue of ‘Freethinker’ mug Freethought Today & Private Line! excluding nontheists from delivering FFRF by Legal Director Rebecca S. Our classic ‘Freethinker’ mug has invocations at board meetings — an op- Markert and Director of Strategic Re- been re-created. White imprint on portunity that is offered only to citizens sponse Andrew L. Seidel; Americans classic blue, matte finish. 9.5 fl.oz. with favored monotheistic beliefs. United by Luchenitser, Legal Director American-made mug. The U.S. District Court for the Mid- Richard B. Katskee and Legal Fellow dle District of Florida in September Alison Tanner; for the ACLU of Flori- If the expiration date of your FFRF 2017 agreed that the commissioners’ da by Daniel Tilley; and for the ACLU membership on your address label practice of excluding nontheists violat- Program on Freedom of Religion and says September or earlier . . . ed the U.S. Constitution. Belief by Daniel Mach. Please renew now! The plaintiffs in the case include FFRF Memberships: the FFRF chapter Central Florida Free- $40 single; $50 household; thought Community and its director, What Is a Freethinker? $100 gung-ho; $250 sustaining David Williamson; the Space Coast Memberships are tax deductible! Freethought Association and its pres- freethinker n. ident, Chase Hansel; the Humanist 1 A person who forms opinions $20 postpaid — Item# MU01 Community of the Space Coast and its about religion on the basis of reason, Freethought Today is published 10 times a year. president, Keith Becher; Brevard Coun- independently of tradition, authority, ty resident Ronald Gordon and Jeffery Call 800/335-4021 or established belief. P.O. Box 750 • Madison, WI 53701 Koeberl. Online ffrf.org/shop ffrf.org/donate The lawsuit is being litigated for August 2019 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 11

Illinois Missouri of thrift stores — it is a church denom- A city-sponsored basketball league in A Missouri community college has ination with an evangelical mission,” Charleston has been opened up to all reaffirmed its responsibility to uphold Jayne wrote. men regardless of their religious affili- First Amendment rights after FFRF Claremore City Attorney Bryan ation, after FFRF complained about its intervened. Drummond responded to FFRF’s com- exclusionary religious requirement. A concerned Metropolitan Commu- plaints with assurances that the fund- A local resident reported that the nity College of Kansas City employee raising will not continue. city of Charleston was offering a men’s reported to FFRF that Chancellor Kim- “I have spoken with the fire chief church basketball league. The posting berly Beatty’s inauguration ceremony, and police chief and informed them on the city website about the league stat- held on Aug. 24, was rife with preach- that no fundraising activities can take ed that the league was only open to men ing and prayer. Attendance at this event place during duty time or in an offi- who were affiliated with a religious con- was apparently mandatory for all staff. cial uniform,” Drummond wrote. “I gregation or church. A stated purpose The complainant reported that several have also informed them that if indi- of this league was to promote “fellow- speeches were highly religiously charged, vidual members of either department ship,” a term often associated with reli- including two long sermons delivered by or their unions want to do fundrais- gious activity. Because of this religious Southern Baptist preachers. One of these ing activities for the Salvation Army, it requirement, our complainant felt iso- preachers reportedly instructed the au- must be done on non-duty time and lated and excluded from the league. dience to join in prayer. Additionally, not in their official uniforms. Both In a letter to City Attorney Rachael Betty also reportedly stated that she’d chiefs have assured me that they will Cunningham, FFRF Staff Attorney Ryan been selected as chancellor by “divine ensure this does not happen again.” Jayne pointed out the exclusionary na- providence.” ture of the league. FFRF Legal Fellow Colin McNamara Cunningham responded to FFRF’s wrote to the college’s legal representa- Oklahoma letter of complaint with positive news tion detailing the liability associated with A religious message has been re- that the basketball league “will be of- injecting staff events with religion. moved from the Webbers Falls Public fered to all members of the community Metropolitan Community College Schools Facebook page and website and not exclusively members of congre- Chief Legal Officer Sandra Garcia re- after intervention from FFRF. gations or religious citizens.” Addition- sponded with assurances that the “office Multiple area residents reported ally, the league has been renamed the is working with institutional leadership to that district Superintendent Dixie “Men’s Slow Break League Basketball.” assure that future events include prayer Swearingen posted a religious mes- only to the limited extent that such sage on the district’s social media in prayer is constitutionally permissible.” response to catastrophic flood dam- Michigan age in the area. After receiving a complaint letter “Personally, this I know, God will from FFRF, a Michigan public school Oklahoma be glorified! He takes devastation coach has pledged to cease including Both the Claremore Police Depart- and turns it into not just restoration prayer at official school events. ment and Claremore Fire Department but glorification. He takes the broken An Okemos Public Schools parent will no longer use official time and re- and makes all things new,” Swearingen reported that a cheerleader awards ban- sources to fundraise for the Salvation wrote. “He is the creator and the de- quet sponsored by the district began Army after FFRF pointed out the un- liverer. I trust in Him!” The message with a student delivering a prayer after constitutionality of such practices. continued for two more paragraphs. being introduced by the coach. FFRF A local Claremore resident in- FFRF Legal Fellow Chris Line wrote Legal Fellow Chris Line wrote to the dis- formed FFRF that multiple police offi- to the district expressing our sympa- trict urging it to discontinue scheduling cers rang bells for the Salvation Army thy for the devastation facing the dis- prayer at official district programs. during the 2018 holiday season. The trict and the greater Webbers Falls Okemos Public Schools Superinten- Claremore Police Department report- community, but pointing out that dent John Hood responded to FFRF’s edly competed with the Rogers Coun- using an official district social media letter of complaint with assurances that ty Sheriff’s Office and the Claremore page to spread a religious message is the situation had been investigated. Fire Department to fundraise for the both divisive and unconstitutional. “The athletic director spoke with the religious ministry. “The letter has been removed from cheer coach, who was not aware of the FFRF Staff Attorney Ryan Jayne the school website and Facebook impact of these actions,” Hood wrote. wrote to Chief of Police Stan Brown page,” Swearingen responded. “Thank “The cheer coach stated that she would and Fire Chief Sean Douglas to inform you for your concern for the children discontinue the practice. I fully antici- them of the explicitly religious nature of Webbers Falls. I will ensure that no pate that the complained-of situation of the Salvation Army. “The Salvation other posts of this nature are on any of has been addressed.” Army is not merely a charity or chain our social media.” FFRF commends Minnesota council’s pledge decision FFRF applauds a Minnesota city gious promotion and urged the body to Pledge of Allegiance did not include council for its constitutionally correct stand by the decision despite backlash any religious language, FFRF’s letter This is one of FFRF’s ads running in decision to omit a formal Pledge of Al- from some community members. points out. The pledge was codified Scientific American every month. If legiance from its meetings. “It is ironic that protesters in the into law 50 years later, in 1942, but the you would like to help fund future FFRF The St. Louis Park City Council de- audience — purportedly standing up religious phrase “under God” was not advertising, please select the ad fund cided in a unanimous vote on June 17 for American patriotism — jeered and inserted until 1954 as a product of the dropdown at ffrf.org/donate. to skip a formal recitation of the Pledge booed the cite to the U.S. Constitu- McCarthy-era “red scare.” of Allegiance. Councilmember Rachel tion,” Jayne writes to Mayor Jake Spano. “The false patriots who are upset Harris notably explained that a govern- “This irony is lost on them, of course, about omitting the pledge need to be Freethought Matters ment-imposed pledge with the words but it emphasizes the hollowness of reminded that their elected officials A weekly half-hour “under God” violates the principle of their false patriotism. True patriotism is swore to uphold the U.S. Constitu- TV talk show produced by FFRF state/church separation. defending American ideals, including tion, not to perpetuate fundamental- FFRF Staff Attorney Ryan Jayne the First Amendment’s guarantee of a ly un-American traditions from the An antidote to religion on the airwaves wrote to the council commending its secular government, not worshipping a 1950s,” Jayne added. and Sunday morning sermonizing decision to respect the diversity of its flag or chanting ‘USA!’” FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie community by keeping it free from reli- The original 1892 version of the Gaylor comments, “As Christian nation- Watch our show on YouTube! alists continue to inject state legislatures and local councils across the country Donate to FFRF while you shop! with religious rituals and practices, it is reassuring to see representatives taking their commitment to church/state sep- aration seriously.” The Freedom From Religion Foun- dation is a national nonprofit organi- AmazonSmile allows you to support FFRF zation with more than 31,000 members every time you make a purchase — at no cost to you! and several chapters across the country, Go to: ffrf.org/freethought-matters including hundreds of members and for more information Visit smile.amazon.com two chapters in Minnesota. FFRF’s pur- poses are to protect the constitutional “Freethought Matters” will return in and select the Freedom From Religion Foundation principle of separation between church the fall in 12 cities. Visit FFRF’s YouTube to donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to FFRF. and state, and to educate the public on Channel to watch past shows. matters relating to nontheism. Page 12 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | August 2019 FFRF awards $17,750 Winners of 2019 high school essay contest

The Freedom From Religion Founda- The high school contest is named for tion is proud to announce the winners of the late William J. Schulz, a Wisconsin the 2019 William Schulz High School Es- member who died at 57. say Contest. FFRF is awarding an unprec- FFRF thanks Professor Phil edented $17,750 in scholarship money Zuckerman of Pitzer College for the for this year’s contest. prompt. College-bound high school seniors FFRF also thanks Dean and Dorea were asked to write a personal persua- Schramm of Florida for providing a $100 sive essay based on this prompt: “Why we bonus to students who are members of must rely on ourselves, not God, to solve a secular student club or the Secular the world’s problems.” To defend this Student Alliance. The total of $17,750 thesis, they were encouraged to analyze reflects these bonuses. one or two world or personal challenges. FFRF also warmly thanks FFRF After reviewing more than 200 essays, “Director of First Impressions” Lisa Treu FFRF awarded 10 top prizes and nine for managing the infinite details of this honorable mentions. and FFRF’s four other annual student Winners are listed below and include competitions. And we couldn’t judge the college or university they will be at- these contests without our “faithful tending and the award amount. Sixth place Honorable mentions ($200 each) faithless” readers and judges, including: Zoe Nussbaum, 17, (University of Angeline Ajit, 16, (University of Don Ardell, Linda Aten, Dan Barker, Jeff First place Southern California) $1,000. North Texas) Brinckman, Bill Dunn, Annie Laurie Aline Pham, 17, (UC-Irvine) $3,500. Seventh place Talia Bank, 18, (Macalester College) Gaylor, Dan Kettner, William Keys, Jerry Second place Madison “Matt” Mastrolia, 18, Alyssa Boynton, 18, (New College of Ryan, Bailey Nachreiner-Mackesey, Jacob McGee, 18, (Rollins College, Fla.) (Rutgers University-New Brunswick) Florida) Lauryn Seering, PJ Slinger, Karinthia $3,000. $750. Kaitlyn Cochenour, 18, (Youngstown Treu, Lisa Treu and Karen Lee Weidig. Third place Eighth place State University) FFRF has offered essay competitions Shiv Shah, 18, (Arizona State Samuel Talbott, 18, (Millsaps College, Matt Giles, 18, (University of to college students since 1979, high University) $2,500. Miss.) $500. Rochester) school students since 1994 and grad Fourth place Ninth place Natalyn Groke, 17, (University of students since 2010. A new fifth Thomas Ballinger, 16, (Washington Ethan Forde, 18, (Marquette Utah) contest, open to law students, also State University) $2,000. University, Wis.) $400. Sofie Iwamasa, 17, (Case Western debuts this year. Fifth placez Tenth place Reserve University) The college student essay winners Milo Shields, 17, (Tufts University) Katie Scroggs, 18, (University of Ben Keane, 18, (Stanford University) will be announced in the September $1,500. Rhode Island) $400. Anna Miller, 18, (Bryn Mawr College) issue.

FIRST PLACE Working hard beats meaningless prayers FFRF awarded Aline $3,500 for her winning essay. mental health issues, faulty legislation and prejudice. These prayers are merely temporary solutions and en- By Aline Pham courage individuals to unproductively wait around for the “man upstairs” to solve their problems. od makes no mistakes.” Personally, I Rather than throwing baseless words at victims, think he set the oven temperature too we should address problems like gun violence by “Ghigh when he cooked up Agent Orange introducing new laws and electing different politi- in the Vietnam War, when he stirred Jewish bodies in cians. The same students who offered “thoughts and Nazi Germany, when he sprinkled some cockroaches prayers” likely use the bible as their sole “evidence” in the Rwandan genocide. A god did not do that. for discriminating against LGBTQ classmates. I often Humans did. Instead of singing “hallelujah” and wonder if they realize that such baseless claims con- talking to the sky, we should tradict the “Love thy neighbor” hold ourselves accountable for principle. Religion gets in the such atrocities and prevent his- way of so many things and is a As comforting as tory from repeating itself. root cause of many social wars Vietnamese Buddhist funer- they may be to some we fight today. als are very peculiar. For hours believers,“ prayers cannot I draw conclusions about our on end, monks recite prayers heal bullet wounds — or world using evidence provided repeatedly, slurring their words social wounds caused by by Bill Nye, not the bible. I have so much that no one — not mental health issues, faulty always been fascinated by science even the most fluent Vietnamese — biology, in particular. During legislation and prejudice. grandparents — can compre- my first year of high school, my hend. My mother tells me the — Aline Pham passion and drive for biology murmuring chants will allow my class paid off when I was recog- grandfather’s soul to leave his nized as my teacher’s top biology body and move on. I nod my head just to humor her. student at my school’s award ceremony. He’s dead. His body has been cremated. His body is Intending to compliment me, my friend exclaimed, gone, but his memory lives on. We don’t need monks “Aline, you’re so lucky and blessed!” To my surprise, or altars or burning incense to recognize that. my teacher corrected him. He said matter-of-factly, I refused to cope with Grandpa’s death by reciting “No, she’s not. She worked hard to earn it. No luck or meaningless prayers in front of Buddha statues, and blessings needed.” instead vowed to carry on his memory by working hard Looking back, I realize he was right. In biology, I in school and being kind to others. Three years after participated in class discussions, led group projects, his death, I have healed and still continue to fulfill my and created unique experiments. It was my work that promises — without the help of a god. earned me awards, not prayers. After the Parkland shootings, the smell of social Aline, 17, is from La Mirada, Calif., and will be attend- activism lingered in the air as my school led its own ing UC-Irvine, where she plans to be an education sciences student sit-out for common-sense gun control. While I major and would like to be a teacher, principal and eventu- protested in honor of the 17 victims, some of my peers ally superintendent. She was valedictorian of her high school refused to participate, convinced that their “thoughts class and president of two community service clubs. “I like to and prayers” would suffice to heal all wounds. As com- call myself a tree-hugging feminist,” Aline writes. “My senior forting as they may be to some believers, prayers can- class voted me ‘Most Likely to Fight for a Cause,’ and separa- Aline Pham not heal bullet wounds — or social wounds caused by tion of church and state is one of them.” August 2019 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 13

SECOND PLACE Humans, like ants, don’t need a god

By Jacob McGee are complex enough to meet these needs, ism. It feels like an incredibly cruel fate for both in theory and in practice. us to become so self-aware, only to discover ecall the last time you set your gaze Most people over the course of human that no one is aware of us. But, in reality, on any number of ants. If you weren’t history haven’t realized that all tangible we should be grateful of consciousness Rcompelled to get on all fours and progress has been completely godless, without limitation. If anything, it permits ensure the safety and prosperity of those objectively speaking. Religion is a massive us to be the true pantheon of this world. ants no matter what the price to yourself, placebo that convinces a person they pos- That is exactly why we must acknowl- there’s no need to feel guilty. However, sess essential purpose. At a first glance, that edge each other. Do away with the nar- if you were swiftly overwhelmed with re- doesn’t appear to be an issue, but the fun- cissistic assumption that the universe is morse for not investing all your time and damental error of this thinking is people’s invested in us. Accepting the fact that energy into an ant colony you perceive as obliviousness to the subjectivity of their there’s no heaven for us to ascend to in- defenseless, perhaps you will be relieved to personal beliefs. The insistence that every stills us with the urgency to create heaven know that the ants would, at best, be total- proper life must abide by these religious on Earth. Let us rebel together against ly indifferent to your presence; assuming rules has led to oceans of blood spilled. the silence of the skies by shouting our they don’t believe you to be a nuisance or There’s a tragic irony to religious conflict: presence in a unified chorus of love and threat, in which case you would leave not people killing each other because they dis- respect for each other — a chorus com- only feeling useless, but aggressively itchy. agree about what happens after death. posed of individual voices, with the com- No rational person with any remotely ur- Supreme deities are unnecessary and mon goal of living for living’s sake. gent obligations to the rest of the world dangerous intermediary constructs. We Jacob, 18, is from Orlando, Fla., and will be would even consider such a series of ac- have a crippling fear of the possibility of attending Rollins College, where he plans to ma- tions. Not because they believe the ants an arbitrary existence. We’re afraid of the jor in political science. He has volunteered at Sec- would be ungrateful, but because the ants dark not because of what may be there, ond Harvest Food Bank and Guardian Care, have each other. They don’t need a god. but because nothing is likely there. Faith an assisted living facility in Orlando. Jacob has Who’s to suggest that the same logic in gods is freedom from meaninglessness, participated in marches and protests for gun does not apply to humans? Admittedly, but the truth is that meaninglessness is control, gender equality and police brutality. He our needs are more complex than those freedom. Strict adherence to religious doc- also works during the summers hosting national of ants. However, our minds and bodies trines is imprisonment disguised as escap- basketball tournaments. Jacob McGee

THIRD PLACE Paging Dr. God for treatment appendages with infection running would not be able to survive long in his quickly fall toward prayer. Only, they do rampant. condition. not realize that they literally fall during Treatment: Patient has refused treat- “Please sir, please put this on. It will prayer because bacterial and fungal le- ment on account of “God will save us.” help you breathe, I can . . . I will get you sions have set host in their lungs and Having studied and prepared for the doctor!” I exclaimed. He looked in are eroding away at their airway, block- this opportunity, I knew I would not let my eyes and said, “God will save me. I ing any chance of restoring respiration people down. In a small village outside don’t need a doctor. He will save me.” or circulation. Ahmedabad, India, I found myself for- As I pleaded and begged for him to I witnessed countless victims pro- tunate enough to have the opportuni- put on the mask, he simply muttered claiming their love for God and spiting ty to volunteer at a free clinic as a med- the dreadful words, “God will save me.” the aid of healthcare providers. How- ical assistant. With a limited number of The next morning, a lifeless corpse was ever, I learned that where a physician’s physicians, I was entrusted to handle carried off the street while a bereaved practice of medicine is loved, so, too, Shiv Shah tasks to help poor, underserved pa- woman and child slowly and drudgingly is there a love for humanity. Finding tients receive medical assistance. I was trailed it. safety and comfort in the loving arms of excited to take on the challenges of Many in India believe that only health care providers rather than God By Shiv Shah the world. through the devotion to God do beauty, is where we truly find beauty, humanity On the first day, I was greeted with humanity and health grace their lives. and health in the world. iagnosis: Patient presents with ac- pin-drop silence in the waiting room. But what I saw was not beauty. What I Shiv, 18, is from Phoenix and will be tive hemorrhage and hemoptysis. No one entered the clinic. I figured saw was not humanity. What I saw was attending Arizona State University. “My D Treatment: Patient has re- that the office clerk who sneezed ev- the unbearable pain and suffering of family moved from Chicago to Arizona be- fused treatment on account of “God ery minute would be the only person human life. cause, as my dad says, ‘You can’t shovel will save us.” I would treat. Then I walked outside Every day, health forces are stymied sunshine,’” Shiv writes. He plans to study Diagnosis: Patient has a circular, and saw an older man with effaced in their efforts throughout third-world neuroscience and eventually attend medi- third-degree burn with recurring sepsis. ribs and blood drops adhering to his nations, including India, by individu- cal school. He enjoys reading classic books Treatment: Patient has refused treat- chin. I ran inside to the supply closet als who continue to believe that health (Faulkner and Heller are favorites). He is ment on account of “God will save us.” to retrieve an oxygen tank and mask. It derives from devotion to a god. They a laboratory intern at a brain lab studying Diagnosis: Patient has necrotic was clear that he had tuberculosis and ignore much of Western medicine and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

FOURTH PLACE Waiting for God is simply futile By Thomas Ballinger solve our problems. around every corner. Something may The concept of “God” is inherently appear harmless, but, be careful — it ear God, please help my problematic because it introduces the could lead to your eternal damnation! husband to stop drinking idea of good and People who rely and be a good father. Help evil. People who on God obstruct “D Imagine the problems we me to be a better wife and protect me believe in God problem solving and the children from his anger.” are convinced could solve if we abandoned because their arbi- The walls in our house are thin. that their opin- the“ ideas of god, good, trary beliefs about I can hear my mom’s prayer and it ions and tradi- evil and divine intent. pleasing God take makes me so angry! What is wrong with tions are divinely priority over equi- her? If God does exist, he has a terrible ordained, and —Thomas Ballinger ty and practicality. track record. Can’t my mom see this? therefore must be Furthermore, Why does she continue to pray after adhered to. Any- relying on God en- years with no results? Why doesn’t she thing unfamiliar is put through a fil- courages passivity. After all, if God is in do something to help herself — and ter of divine approval. New ideas and control, who am I to suggest change? me? Waiting for God to fix our prob- foreign people are automatically treat- lems is futile. We should take action to ed with suspicion. After all, Satan is See Ballinger on page 14 Thomas Ballinger Page 14 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | August 2019

Ballinger Continued from page 13

If I am suffering, God must be testing Likewise, relying on God excuses There is no divine purpose for will be attending Washington State Uni- me or using me for some hidden pur- the passivity of those who are comfort- suffering. Imagine the problems we versity, where he plans to major in genet- pose. I should thank him! My mother able and do nothing to help others. could solve if we abandoned the ideas ics and cell biology, as well as music per- didn’t believe we were enduring abuse These people believe they are rich be- of god, good, evil and divine intent! If formance. He is a competitive fencer and for no reason. She was convinced that cause they pleased God and, therefore, we had no “righteous” causes, perhaps enjoys playing the piano, and won high God was allowing her suffering — and have been “blessed.” Other people suf- we would cooperate with each other school competitions in both. Thomas teach- mine — to either help someone or im- fer because of their sins. It would be rather than kill each other. If we sim- es classes and manages equipment at the prove our character. When people rely wrong to help others because we don’t ply looked for practical and equitable fencing club that he co-founded. He also on God, they imagine that everything want to interfere with what God is try- ways to live and interact, we would be volunteers with The Nature Conservancy. is part of some greater purpose. As a ing to teach them. They are perfect ex- far better off. Certainly, we could make For a career, he would like to be involved result, they never take ownership of cuses for selfish people who don’t want a better world without God. in genetic research to find ways to decrease their lives. to concern themselves with others. Thomas, 17, is from Reno, Nev., and addictive tendencies.

FIFTH PLACE Blind faith not a capable guide FFRF awarded Milo $1,500. rigid adherence to faith. This type of an era of improvement, we must, as thinking only serves to restrain human a nation, realize that our situation is By Milo Shields beings from success. ours: ours to suffer through and ours to The lottery, for example, is a perver- deal with. We cannot expect divine in- everal years ago, I was tutoring a sion of the American dream. It preys tervention as we enter the most crucial seventh-grader, Madison, in math, on those who believe in odds that will decades of human existence. Swhen I came across a strategy never favor them, who have faith in As I walk down my own path, I don’t that I had never seen before. It wasn’t the impossible, only to avoid the re- expect help from any deities. Through- a formula or an equation, but a belief, ality of their situation. Instead of sys- out high school, my most fulfilling ex- one that Madison thought would earn tems like these, the poor should have periences have been in academics and her a higher grade than my advice ever federally regulated access to financial performing. When I played Bert, a could. literacy and health courses that build starring role in Mary Poppins, I never When I told her that she should the middle class. By blinding the poor crossed my fingers or relied on blind probably skim over the study guide with promises of intangible sums of faith to guide me. Instead, I internal- on her own to get ready for her test money, the industry simultaneously ized each piece of choreography, each the next day, she responded, “Nah.” I makes profit and suppresses the ten- song, and each line. On my own, I got asked, “Why not?” She replied, “I’ll just sion within the most populous and dis- to the point where I was confident in pray to God and he’ll make sure that I advantaged class. my own abilities. I helped to put on a Milo Shields get a good grade.” To truly succeed, humans must ac- fantastic show. I walked out of that house with my cept responsibility for the outcomes At Tufts University, I plan to take God and hoping for the best. jaw open. Somehow, in all my years of of their own actions. We must change classes in computer science, philoso- Milo, 17, is from Maplewood, N.J., and agnosticism, I had never fully realized the narrative from one of passive accep- phy, cognitive psychology and environ- will be attending Tufts University, with the extent to which religion can stifle tance to one of action and change. The mental science. Any success I attain plans to major in computer science and ei- the pursuit of greatness, whether in solution of “thoughts and prayers,” so in these areas will stem from my own ther philosophy or cognitive psychology. He relationships, financial situations or often used by religious groups in Amer- passion to learn, to collaborate and to tutors (both paid and volunteer positions), academia. I began to consider the con- ica, is nonsensical. innovate. There will be no rolling the performs musical theater and leads an a sequences, many dangerous, of such a To prevent tragedy and to usher in dice, no “winging it,” and no praying to capella group. SIXTH PLACE Tired of ‘thoughts and prayers’ based on real decisions or random co- will make me stronger because of it,” in power to forward legislation. I will incidence. It’s not a puppet show craft- that “he is in a better place now.” Al- educate others on reality’s hardships. ed by deities. though I listened, I never heard these And, most of all, I will have faith in People who downplay the world’s meaningless condolences. Instead, myself. Because, to me, a life under misfortunes, claiming it was “God’s I heard my dad’s voice, and remem- a shell of naiveté is not deserving of plan,” are submitting unquestioningly bered the love in it whenever we talk- the passion and drive that I have in my to a life of never-ending violence, suf- ed. And I heard my own voice, pushing heart. Sure, I may have been exposed fering and sorrow, while encouraging me to do all I can to prevent this grief to great pain in my life, but the only impressionable people to grin and from hitting another family like mine. way to prevent future pain is to face bear whatever comes their way. It shuts Mental illness is something treatable, the onslaught head on. out a world of plausible solutions to something preventable. Faux-soothing Zoe, 17, is a twin from San Diego and turn a blind eye to the resources of the claims that it was bound to happen are will attend the University of Southern Cal- world around us. It’s as if a person lost hurtful and offensive. ifornia where she plans to major in bio- in the desert abandoned their water I will not let others facing a similar medical engineering. In high school, she because they believe they’ll stumble situation go gently, as people in my was active as a member of the dance team, upon an oasis. life tried to make me. Instead, I will the chamber choir, the Varsity Academic Zoe Nussbaum Is it truly “God’s plan” when hun- spend hours in a neuro lab and study League, the Link Crew (a community ser- FFRF awarded Zoe $1,000. dreds of thousands of men, women books of detailed brain chemistry. vice group), the Beach Revival Club, the and children die suffering in the Mid- I will be an activist and push people Rotary Club branch and Statistics Club. By Zoe Nussbaum dle East? When schools across the United States lose children to gun vi- he phrases “Everything happens olence? When millions lose mothers, for a reason” and “It’s all a part fathers, sisters and brothers to cancer? American Infi del: Woe to the Women: of God’s plan” pulse dully like a Our world is too far gone in hatred, Robert G. Ingersoll The Bible Tells Me So T By Orvin Larson By Annie Laurie Gaylor monotonous drumline through my life fear and violence to continue sitting and the lives of many. Through trag- pretty. Even to those who believe in a Prof. Larson writes A concise, easy-to-read book that will challenge edy after tragedy, people of religious god, it is naive to obliviously wait for with a ection and respect of this your concept of the faith, instead of focusing their grief on a divine entity to take the wheel that illustrious 19th bible as “a good book.” creating concrete solutions, gravitate humans could. century freethinker. Illustrated. toward accepting divine inevitability. I am tired of accepting thoughts —Published by FFRF. 264 pages / HB As an atheist since childhood, I’ve and prayers. In January 2018, my fa- —Published by FFRF. 316 pages / PB always taken issue with these sayings. ther committed suicide. Every day, Buy it from FFRF online Buy it from FFRF online The world, to me, is an ever-changing I listened to scores of people tell me ffrf.org/shop ffrf.org/shop amalgamation of lives that fluctuates that “God had a reason,” that “God August 2019 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 15

SEVENTH PLACE Cause and effect FFRF awarded Madison $750. ingly, it is the result of the actions of a who have abortions. The justification relatively small group of highly wealthy for the stance of “pro-life” is often fear By Madison “Matt” Mastrolia people.) for the soul of the pregnant person and The floods, storms, droughts and the developing fetus, and the idea that ere’s the long and short of it: Hu- famines are not divine retribution. They the termination of a pregnancy is tanta- man actions have observable ef- are consequences. And just as we have mount to murder. Hfects. Divine actions do not. acted and caused this to happen, we can But the cause and effect are simpler: We cannot attribute any event to a react and prevent it from getting worse. If a pregnant person has an abortion, higher power with certainty. But, we, as We can build a better world because we that person is no longer pregnant. humans, can take action and know with have the power to change the world. There should not be so much moral full certainty that it will have an effect on Gun violence and school shootings weight placed on a medical procedure. us, on others, and on the world around will not be solved by thoughts and Prayers will not save the lives of peo- us. We must rely on ourselves to solve prayers. They could be solved by tak- ple forced to carry pregnancies to term, the world’s problems because we’re the ing a proactive approach to their root and they do not deserve to suffer or die only ones who can. problems. They could be solved by as martyrs for a cause that may not be We cannot wait for God to fix our background checks, limitation on gun their own. God will not save us, so we Madison “Matt” Mastrolia ailing planet. If our grandchildren are ownership or ammunition. They could must rely on ourselves, because only we to have a habitable planet to live on, we be solved by working to build closer theaters because thoughts and prayers have the power to change our world. must take action. We cannot inspire the communities, fostering love instead of are not tangible actions. Madison, 18, is from Rutherford, N.J., divine to save us; we must save ourselves. hatred in the hearts of citizens. They The idea of cause and effect perme- and will attend Rutgers University-New We must be the ones to plant the trees, could be solved by allowing people to ates the debate about abortion. Para- Brunswick. “Matt” is interested in biology, clean the seas, and dismantle the systems think freely and come to their own con- doxically, people believe the “pro-life” with a particular focus on horseshoe crabs, that perpetuate our world’s destruction. clusions. Thoughts and prayers will not cause is worth the effect of potentially and would like to study them. “Matt” scored The current state of the planet is the stop the murder of innocent people in letting pregnant people die of complica- a 4 on the AP biology exam and held highest result of humankind’s actions. (Alarm- schools, nightclubs, concerts or movie tions, or even putting to death people honors for all four years of high school.

EIGHTH PLACE A prayer a day keeps nothing away

FFRF awarded Samuel $500. they had missed the previous day. As I are mostly harmless displays. When this stood that day, waiting for the chaplain starts to be applied to problems in lieu of By Samuel Talbott to ask his god’s blessing, I wondered real solutions, however, it becomes dan- why anyone cared. The day before had gerous. In some cases, prayer becomes a very year in July, my high school’s effectively proven that unblessed food substitute for everything from parenting marching band meets for two weeks was entirely safe. Why were we wasting to medicine. Parents ask their deity to in- Eto prepare for the upcoming com- our time with a ritual that accomplished fluence their children for them, expect- petition season. Lunch is held on site nothing? ing behavioral issues to be fixed through and each day before we would eat, the Growing up in the American South, literal magic. People recommend prayer band’s elected student chaplain would I have spent my life witnessing prayer for ill family members, sometimes pre- pray that the food be blessed. One day, and religious devotion being used to ad- venting them from seeking real medical however, in the summer before my soph- dress every conceivable sort of problem. care. Reliance on prayer can often cause omore year, the band directors forgot Students prayed before sporting events long-lasting damage and can even be- about the prayer and sent us to lunch for the safety of the players. Friends come life-threatening. without it. prayed for help in their relationships. To pray is to wish upon a star. It is, We were eating unblessed food. I The band prayed for a former member at best, an idle diversion and is most could only imagine what horrors my who fell into a coma. Nothing came of certainly not a solution to the prob- submarine sandwich might bring upon it. Players were injured, relationships lems presented by the world around us. Samuel Talbott me. Yet, amazingly, disaster passed us by. fell apart, and the young man in the Life is a results-focused endeavor, and No storms, no plagues, not even a case coma died. prayers and wishes yield no results. Only plans to major in political science and minor of food poisoning. Most people pray when they have no through real action can we address the in history. He is an only child of atheist par- What I found even more amazing was idea what to do. It gives them the feeling issues that we face. ents, raised in the South. He was fourth in that the next day, the band directors that their problems are in some way be- Samuel, 18, is from Olive Branch, Miss., his high school class and has traveled to Eu- restarted the prayers, apologizing that ing addressed. The previous examples and will attend Millsaps College, where he rope three times. NINTH PLACE I don’t rely on God or religion as my crutch

FFRF awarded Ethan $400. hole in my hip that is left behind. sion that I am glad I made at a young age. Following this diagnosis, my doubts and Since doing so, I have gained the responsi- By Ethan Forde hesitations were confirmed: “God” was not bility of holding myself accountable for my going to fix this for me. This god that I had actions and the outcomes of those actions, was raised into an Irish Catholic family. believed in for so long disabled me from as opposed to blaming negative happen- I attended Saint Giles Catholic School doing what I love the most — being active. ings on a god. I am not blindsided by any Ifrom kindergarten through eighth Following each surgery, I spend three news, good or bad, because I do not believe grade, and just recently graduated from months in a wheelchair, one month on that all things in life happen according to Fenwick High School, a private Domini- crutches, and four to six months in phys- “God’s plan.” Relying on myself and others can school. Despite my extensive religious ical therapy to regain my strength. The shows that I have trust in myself and the education, I strayed from Catholicism recovery process is nothing short of excru- people around me. It has enabled me to when I realized that my religious faith was ciating each day, but I have come to realize form the strongest relationships during the not my crutch — I was. that I am my own crutch. My family is my times that I have felt incredibly disabled. At the young age of 13, I was diag- crutch. My friends are my crutch. Religion Religion is not the crutch – I am. nosed with fibrous dysplasia in my right was not going to help me get out of the Ethan, 18, is from Chicago and will attend hip. This rare bone disease enables mul- situation if it let me into the situation in Marquette University, where he hopes to earn a tiple tumors to grow and regrow in my the first place. It is the people surrounding degree in business. He is both a first-generation hip and weaken the bone. It cannot be me each day, and motivating me each day, American and first-generation college student. cured, but only temporarily fixed. I have who get me through this. Ethan works as a caddie and volunteers weekly had three hip surgeries since that diag- Choosing to rely on myself and my sup- at Hephzibah Children’s Association, where he Ethan Forde nosis to remove the tumors and fill the port system over a religious faith is a deci- spends time doing activities with the children. Page 16 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | August 2019

TENTH PLACE Slowing climate change is on us

FFRF awarded Katie $300. month, and then a year, and nothing indifference, I picked up a pen; I wrote happened; Jesus never came back. my own deliverance.” By Katie Scroggs Shocking, I know. But that’s the thing Humanity cannot afford to wait for a about religion — it masks the unknown supernatural entity to save us from the cience says human activity is caus- with a blanket of false security and rea- impending doom brought on by cli- ing the Earth to warm at unprece- soning until fear is replaced with a reas- mate change. We must all do our part Sdented rates. sured, carefree mindset. By the time all to fix it ourselves. We can boycott green- Conservatives say we shouldn’t worry these weather events were long gone, no house-gas producing companies and about it because it’s our planet’s natural one remained worried about them or fisheries. We can vote for politicians who climate cycle. Science says we have mere their implications for our future. But, will support a carbon tax and the Green years before the results are irreversible the thing is, these phenomena are un- New Deal. We can be more energy effi- and catastrophic to the human race. precedented, and they’re the direct re- cient in our homes by using electric cars, Christians say to “Let go and let God.” sult of human-caused climate change. limiting water usage, and being more But climate change is threatening the Most religions preach that their con- conscientious of our individual energy future as we know it, and no one can fix gregation members should put their consumption. Prayers won’t solve this Katie Scroggs it but us. trust in their god or deity, and let that problem, but action from individuals, Growing up in Texas, I knew many of deity fix the world’s problems. However, political leaders, and big businesses can Katie, 18, is from Austin, Texas, and will my peers were Christians, but in the au- this isn’t the case for many of the chal- make a positive impact on the future of be attending the University of Rhode Island, tumn of 2017, I was simply astounded by lenges humanity is facing today. From humankind. where she plans earn a degree in pharmacy the things I saw on social media. After a poverty and famine to climate change In the end, we must accept that cli- and minor in leadership and statistics. She season of “once-in-a-lifetime” hurricanes and an impending nuclear war, you, me, mate change is our problem. The cata- hopes to become a clinical pharmacist with and floods, wildfires, and earthquakes, and every other person on this Earth clysmic weather events that are becom- a specialty in solid organ transplant. Katie I saw my classmates flock to Twitter to must work together and actively prob- ing more prevalent are not the wrath of has been involved in cheerleading, Red Cross retweet a post saying we should not fear lem solve to combat these global issues. an angry god. This is all on us, on the Club, Bowie Buddies, class officers, yearbook, the weather events, for they are preced- As Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote from the human race. We must rely on humani- National Honor Society, Key Club and Kick- ing the return of Jesus. point of view of Alexander Hamilton, ty, not God, to take action and save our- ball Club, holding multiple leadership posi- However, a week went by, then a “When my prayers to God were met with selves from our catastrophic future. tions in those groups. FFRF student essay honorable mentions

FFRF selected nine essays from the By Ben Keane others. We empha- kind of future the world will have. We high school essay contest it deemed wor- The Church of Sci- size the utmost im- have the important job of determining thy of honorable mention status. Each entology’s rejection portance of empathy. what happens in our future, because of the following students received $200 of psychiatry exem- And we preach the there is no higher power that has any from FFRF. plifies the problem Golden Rule: Treat control over it. To read each of the honorable men- of relying on God others the way you A few months ago, I saw on the news tion essays in full, go to freethoughttoday. over humankind’s want to be treated. that a woman and her child had been com. efforts. Mental illness But when we grow trapped in their home after a tornado Here are edited excerpts from each has plagued human- up, there is no one to knocked down some walls. Luckily, the one (in no particular order). ity since the dawn of deal out consequenc- two had gone down into their base- time. es for acting rashly. ment to take shelter from any windows By Talia Bank In the last 50 years, There is no one to hold our hands and upstairs. Once rescued by paramedics, My grandmother, a scientists have developed increasingly tell us what is right and wrong. To recon- the woman said, “I just thank Jesus that religious Jew, believes sophisticated drugs to combat mental nect with communal expectation of de- he was there to help me and my baby that the Holocaust illness. Scientologists, however, believe cency and manners, religion seems the out.” As happy as I am that no one was was sanctioned by that all psychiatry and its related phar- perfect unifier. harmed, this goes to show that humans God because Jews dis- maceuticals have no place in our world. The desire to believe in God is one take care of themselves by taking pre- obeyed him and act- Instead, they argue we should look that is there to comfort us into believing cautionary measures, rather than being ed in a manner that to God to solve our perceived mental we are doing the right thing. Confront- saved by some high power. was irreconcilable illnesses. ing mistakes and hatred head on reveals We, as a human race, must do every- with the way of life he Another prime example of the per- what a god might hide. thing we can to help ourselves going had meant for them. nicious effects of overly dogmatic think- We need to acknowledge and own into the future. While we cannot control On that note, she also ing is the Catholic view of birth control. our faults to see them through. For in- everything, we can control what we put refuses to take her health seriously be- Critically thinking humans, on the other stance, America is still racist. America our resources to, and this should be our- cause “it’s in God’s hands.” hand, recognize that birth control is an is struggling to accept the spectrum of selves, not a higher power. This false reasoning leads many to enormously helpful tool with many ben- sexuality and gender. America is not and Matt, 18, is from Waymart, Pa., and will believe that the world’s issues, from efits that allows for smart and responsi- never was perfect. This is nothing God be attending the University of Rochester with hunger and poverty to climate change, ble family planning, not to mention pre- or a confessional can fix. plans to major in computer science. He played are likewise “in God’s hands.” Some vention of STDs. To give a country, a person, anything its soccer and volleyball in high school, and was even believe that because all is in God’s Although religion disavows it, logical potential, an active force is required. Pas- also a member of the band, jazz band and hands, catastrophe is inevitable if God thinking is one of the most, if not the sivity is not an option. God cannot save us. drama club. wills it and progress likewise impossible most, important skill a person can have. Sofie, 18, is from University Heights, Ohio, without God’s willing it. In such a case, With an emphasis on God instead of crit- and will be attending Case Western Reserve By Alyssa Boynton what use is there in defying God’s will? ical thinking, one can be easily fooled University, where she plans to study chemical I was raised to be- Why fight against the inevitable or fight and manipulated. This in turn can lead engineering. She has participated in lacrosse lieve in God. I went to for progress if any event at all is up to to ignorance, if not outright dangerous and band for eight years and has been an ac- church on Sundays, God? outcomes, such as the rejection of psy- tive volunteer, tutoring in math and French, read bible stories, Instead of relying on God to save our chiatry and birth control. helping the Honors Music Society, earning a and was always told souls, our environment, or our poor and So trust God? I don’t think so. Key Club scholarship and participating in that God loved me our sick, we need to take matters into Ben, 18, is from Poway, Calif., and will clean-ups with environmental club. more than anyone our own hands. Our religious and mor- attend Stanford University, with a goal of else ever could. How- al convictions can serve to guide us, but majoring in statistics. He is an Eagle Scout By Matt Giles ever, on the day of my human perseverance and innovation, who has been an avid hiker for much of his Once I was able mom’s cancer diag- not God’s intervention, will forever re- life. Ben has a passion for music, including to look at religion nosis and in the eight months to follow main the true vehicle of progress. playing the saxophone, piano, and bass gui- from a different until her death, instead of praising his Talia, 18, is from Brooklyn, N.Y., and will tar in jazz and rock settings. He also started a perspective, not as name, I found myself cursing it. be attending Macalester College, planning to seven-piece jazz band two years ago. a brain-washed Sun- How was I to believe in a god who get a degree in the field of journalism. During day School child, it would take away my mother? I spent high school, she traveled in Latin America By Sofie Iwamasa became obvious to countless days thinking about how she with the nonprofit organization Peace Boat, We show our children that actions me just how much would never be there to see me learn which aims to promote peace, sustainability, have consequences. We teach our chil- the human race is how to drive, graduate, get married, or and cooperative action across cultures. dren to raise their hands, to listen to responsible for what have kids. Every big moment in my life August 2019 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 17 would be missed, and it was all God’s fault. Anna, 18, is from Bellingham, Wash., and of Science Olympiad and HOSA-Future Health el softball, jazz band, concert band, marching Eventually, I came to realize I never will attend Bryn Mawr College, with plans of Professionals. band and art club. Following graduation, Kait- had a savior. There is no savior for me ex- studying biochemistry and philosophy. She vol- lyn hopes to own a tattoo shop. cept myself. There was no savior for my unteers with Brushfire, an organization dedi- By Kaitlyn Cochenour mother, although the doctors did all that cated to funding and supporting the education Addiction is a pain- By Natalyn Groke they could. of teen mothers. Anna also teaches weekly pia- ful and devastating I was born and Through my rejection of religious faith, no lessons and plays club soccer. force that needs to raised a proper Mor- I realized that I have faith in myself and be addressed in an mon girl who believed the people around me. We simply must all By Angeline Ajit upfront and honest in God more than she realize that if we desire change, it is our The unceasing fear manner. Leading peo- believed in just about job to make it. of being gunned down ple to believe in some- anything else. I re- Alyssa, 18, is from Slayton, Minn., and will in the places we should thing just to stop them lied on God almost as attend New College of Florida, double major- feel safest. The con- from addiction is not much as I relied on my ing in philosophy and psychology on a pre-law stant practicing of ac- an effective solution. own parents. I would track. After graduation, she hopes to work as a tive shooter drills. We A focus on religion in pray for God to do ev- lawyer for a nonprofit. Alyssa participated in have watched violence rehabilitation leads to the question, “If erything — from heal- Knowledge Bowl (two-time state participant), continue without God wants me to recover so much, then ing my sick relative to guiding me to the speech (two- time state competitor), drama and resolution. We have why am I an addict in the first place?” location of my missing shoe. So, it’s easy Minnesota Honor Society. She was a National watched officials with Focusing on religion instead of practical to imagine that, when my family and I first Merit Commended Scholar, co-valedictorian the authority and pow- solutions leads to empty promises, a loss left the church, I was lost. and graduated with a 4.0 GPA. er to create change fail to do so. This is the of faith and lack of progress. Who was I without God? Who would reality the youth in America faces today. I have experienced this in my own take care of me if not him? It wasn’t un- By Anna Miller Instead, the product of mass life through my older brother. He was til last year that I realized that I needed to Opioids treat suffer- shootings is solely the utterance of diagnosed with cancer in 2012. Follow- be the one who would watch out for me. I ing by preventing the “thoughts and prayers.” And the mag- ing his diagnosis, he fell into a life of needed to take care of my problems. patient from caring nitude of mass shootings exists be- drug abuse, alcoholism and great mental I learned a valuable lesson, and it’s about their pain. But cause not much is happening other struggle. When all of these terrible things one that I think can help the world. We pain serves a purpose. than thoughts and prayers. happened, I tried to tell myself that God shouldn’t passively wait for a god to solve When pain causes suf- These senators and representatives would help him and that things would our problems. fering, we are motivat- are people with the power to change the soon be better. Things only continued to Rather, we should take the initiative. If ed to make changes to world, yet they hide behind meaningless get worse and I felt as though my family there’s a problem, take care of it. Don’t our circumstances. platitudes and hope that their acts of was a victim of God, rather than those who rely on someone else to fix everything — God is the opioid cowardice can be overlooked. he cares for. do it yourself. Look out at the world and that stagnates our When innocent Americans are dying Eventually, my mind began to disprove ask, “What can I do to help?” drive to relieve ourselves of pain. God is and others live in fear of the next shoot- the power of God. If he was so great, then Natalyn, 18, is from St. George, Utah, the opioid that keeps us from seeing the ing, if all you have to offer is your broken why had he allowed all of this to happen and will be attending the University of surgeon for our infected appendix. heart, their blood is on your hands. to a young teenager and his fifth-grade Utah, where she is planning to be in the It numbs us. And it’s not safe to be Thoughts and prayers don’t stop bul- sister? Through chemo, therapy and re- school’s new criminology program. She has numb. Relying on God doesn’t encour- lets. God doesn’t stop bullets. We need habilitation, my brother is making enor- already earned an associate’s degree that age the divergent thinking necessary for to stop wishing for a better world and mous progress. Practical, known solutions she has worked on for the past three years. change, it absolves it. make it. allowed him a chance for success and to “I am both a dog and a cat person, though Using God to relieve ourselves of ana- Angeline, 16, is from Irving, Texas, and be the best version of himself. I prefer dragons above all else,” Natalyn lytical thinking and free us from suffering plans to attend the University of North Texas. Kaitlyn, 18, is from New Castle, Pa., and writes. “I have a great sense of humor — becomes a difficult habit to break. God is She would like to pursue a career in the medi- will attend Youngstown State University with despite what my sisters may proclaim — as the opioid that prevents us from partici- cal field. She volunteers at the Baylor Scott & plans to major in business administration. She I know for a fact that wordplay is the epit- pating in our own self-care. White Medical Center, and is an active member was involved in track, varsity softball, trav- ome of class.” CRANKMAIL Here is our latest installment of some of the mis- you can’t hide from or stop the power of the Lord. You Holy God??? No your retarded brain is too prideful for tians faith, neither. I would never use the NIV as a sives we get from those who don’t seem to agree with will be judged for your behavior and may God have that. Hell is a long time you moron. — Donny Klaehn Christian. They are the root of a heresies and that’s FFRF’s mission. Printed as received. Spoiler alert: mercy on your soul. — Michael Huntington We are a Christian county: You are trying to de- about the only thing they got right. Overall just There is profanity. GO FUCK YOURSELVES: It’s a shame your par- stroy the values this country was based upon. Prayers wannabes promoting their personal views having Pledge: Hey scum bags I will say the Pledhe any ents did not believe in abortion. — David Laity & crosses were acceptable until fairly recently. You are no respect for facts like the one that Paul died for time any where I want to and fuck you — Rick Carter You’re Unholy: I think it’s disgusting that you flying against the values of the majority of the U.S. citi- his beliefs after being a persecutor of the Christians, You need to learn: Every time I read one of your people are on television on Sunday, a church day. zens. I hope you all rot in hell. — Kenneth Sanders that Luke wrote both the book of acts and the gospel complaints, I think to myself, obviously you do not You are gonna be going to hell. You will not be get- Sickening: You can all grab a gun, form two lines, that carries his name and that the writing after 50 understand the first amendment or you choose ting any money from any of us, that’s for sure. But face each other , aim then pull the trigger. What fools years of the events os the best we ever had from the not to. It is not to keep religion out of the public you will be going to hell. — Eddie Prokow you people are. Absolute fools and we’re done mess- ancient history. They do not doubt writings written buildings or places it is that Government does not Get right with God: Our country does not have ing with you. — Don Alexander 3, 4, 5, 7 hundred years but they doubt those written choose one religion over another it has nothing to separation of church and state. Maybe you need to Who are you?: How destructive you are! Every 50 years after? Seriously? — Chris Irinoiu do with Christianity. Christianity is not a religion in study the Constitution. Your actions are communistic time I see your organization in the news, my skin SATANIC PANICK: WOW IF THIS ISN’T THE BIG- it self like Catholic Baptist Methodist etc. — Chandra and atheistic and you seem to be a bunch of bullies crawls. You people are degenerates, depraved anar- GEST LOAD OF BULLSHIT I’VE EVER HEARD!!!!! SA- Kelly who do not even understand our government. We do chists, undoubtedly taking money from some very TANIC PANICK WAS CEEATED TO MAKE THE PUBLIC Losers!: You can be of assistance to me by pull- not have separation of church and state. Stop shov- questionable sources (the Chinese government, the BELEIVE THAT OH IT’S JUST SILLY CHRISTIANS AND ing your bottom lip over your head and swallowing!!! ing your shallow beliefs on others. Get a Crucifix, sit GRU, George Soros and his cabal undoubtedly). Like PEOPLE BEING PARANOID SUCH BULLSHIT!!!! WHY This country and world was founded on the faith in alone in a Church and ask God to explain things to the ACLU once served a legitimate purpose, you all DON’T YOU TELL THE TRUTH YOU SICK PEICE OF our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ whom is very real you. — Carol Hugenberg (SPLC, FFRF, ACLU, etc) are anti-society. The best you SHIT!!! ALL OF THOSE SATANIC RITUAL ABUSE CASES and very alive. You people have zero business going Go away atheists: You can take your Crap and can do for a mission statement is ‘the enemy of my WERE 100 PERCENT TRUE!!!! THOSE SICK SATANIC around this country trying to tell people where they shove it up your you know what and leave our flag enemy is my friend’. Your type don’t have friends. FUCKS WERE 100 PERCENT GUILTY!!! AND WAS AND IS can and cannot display a cross. Go suck a tail pipe alone you People are nothing but trouble Keeping Only people that share your desire and vision to HAPPENING EVERY WHERE!!!! WHY NOT TALK ABOUT you bunch of communists — Jake Cureson and Lowlife Racist. — Debbie Varnadoe destroy. It’s unfathomable. Were all of your parents HOW YOU SATANIC FREAKES RAPE LITTLE CHILDREN FFRF: What makes you atheists think you have Die assholes: May prayer is that A Holy God equally bitter? — Julio Banderas SACRIFICE BABIES RAPE WOMAN AND MEN SACRIFICE the right to remove God from America? God has been strikes you with Cancer or your family with every Traitors: Blah blah blah. Three ignorant indi- PPL TORTURE AND KILL CHILDREN AND ANIMALS ALL around way before you people came along. So, you plague he can send your way to break your arro- viduals, that are clueless about what is important APART OF YOUR SICK RITUALS!!!!!! YOU SICK FULL!!!! say that a cross shouldn’t be displayed in public, what, gance & pride - You Dumb Stupid Asshole of a woman and lack wisdom and understanding, being traitors YOUR RILLIGON HAS BEEN MOLESTING CHILDREN would you rather have a Satanic star? Or a statue of who do you thinks wakes you up every morning??? to their nation as they attack the very foundations AND TORTURING IN UR RITURALS FOR THOUSANDS Satan? What exactly is offensive about a cross? Noth- Are you that stupid...... May God rain Fire & Brimstone of America which is Christianity. They started the OF YEARS TALK ABOUT THAT YOU SIT UP THERE AND ing, you people would rather have a country where on your family to teach you a lesson who is in charge. whole think with obvious mistakes made by the LIE THREW YOUR TEETH!!!! DO YOUR RESEARCH PEO- God doesn’t exist, well guess what, he is everywhere When you die asshole what are you going to say to a hand of man, but are neither relevant to the Chris- PLE!!! — James Buhs

Yip Harburg, from his book: Rhymes for the Irreverent Your weekly antidote to the Religious Right FREETHOUGHT RADIO Core Values PODCASTS AND BROADCASTS Spread your appleseeds today. For time is ever fleeting. FIND OUT MORE: rf.org/radio The apple you can bite today Tomorrow ain’t worth eating. — Hosted by Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor — Slightly irreverent views, news, music & interviews Illustrated by Seymore Cwast, published by FFRF Buy it from FFRF online - ffrf.org/shop Page 18 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | August 2019 FFRF runs advertisement full-page ad in NY Times FFRF ran a full-page ad in The New York Times on June 18 proclaiming that abortion rights can only be se- cured by honoring the separation of state and church. (See adjacent ad.) The dramatic ad depicts a stark image of the Statue of Liberty trans- formed into a “Handmaid” who is holding a help sign instead of a torch. The image is drawn by Pulit- zer Prize-winning cartoonist Steve Benson. Headlined “It could happen here. It is happening here,” the ad warns that Roe v. Wade and privacy rights are in grave peril due to emboldened Christian Nationalists. The ad was followed later by an FFRF digital Times ad campaign. “Many groups are laudably working for reproductive rights,” says Annie Laurie Gaylor, FFRF co-president. “But the root cause of the denial of those rights is religious in nature. That’s why the battle for reproductive liberty will never be secure if we allow politicians to impose their personal religious views on the rest of us.” The ad links to FFRF’s myth-dis- pelling brochure, “What the bible says about abortion.” “Don’t let narrow-minded theocrats oe v. Wade and the right to privacy are in grave peril. Emboldened Christian Nationalists are ramping up their destroy our rights, our lives, our secular relentless, religiously motivated war on reproductive rights. laws, Constitution and nation . . . Sup- R port FFRF in our work for emancipation Organized opposition to abortion and contraceptive rights is exclusively religious in nature. The claim that human from religious dogma,” FFRF urges. personhood starts at conception is a matter of faith, not fact, and is based on the unscientific, religious concept of “ensoulment.” Most Americans reject such views. Legislating anti-abortion faith is as un-American as passing a law that all citizens must attend a particular church. Yet fundamentalist Protestant and Roman Catholic zealots are ruthlessly trying to inflict their punitive religious views upon the rest of us. FFRF promotes Inspired by the Genesis view of sex as shameful, women as sinners and pregnancy as punishment (“in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children”), patriarchal ideologues view women as vessels who may be sacrificed upon the altar of secular interests mandatory motherhood. Don’t let narrow-minded theocrats destroy our rights, our lives, our secular laws, Constitution and nation. The in Washington battle for full equality and reproductive liberty will never be won until the root cause of the denial of those rights — FFRF has been busy recently ad- religion and its control over our government — is ended. vancing the secular cause in the na- Support FFRF in our work for emancipation from religious dogma. tion’s capital. The state/church watchdog has submitted a letter commending a Join House Labor and Education Commit- tee hearing on the misapplication of THE FREEDOM FROM RELIGION FOUNDATION the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Such letters for the record are 1.800.335.4021 FFRF.US⁄PERIL important because they help commit- Read our myth-dispelling brochure, “What the bible says about abortion,” at ffrf.us/abortion. Ask for more tees in their investigative roles. They information, including a sample of FFRF’s newspaper, Freethought Today, and a brochure about our 40-plus years of also enable them to hear from more activism as a state/church watchdog and national membership association of freethinkers (atheists and agnostics). diverse groups in society than are al- lowed to testify in person...... FFRF’s letter takes the perspective FFRF New York Times Ad PO Box 750 Madison, WI 53701 800.335.4021 FFRF.org that the Religious Freedom Resto- I would like to become a member. (includes 10 issues of Freethought Today newspaper.) FFRF, incorporated as a 501(c)(3) I would like to donate to FFRF’s Legal Fund “in Mike Pence’s name.” $ ______educational nonprofit, has more than ration Act is not needed to secure any 31,000 nonreligious members. Our Membership Dues nine constitutional attorneys remedy American’s religious freedom. Howev- Individual ...... $40 over 250 violations of state/church er, FFRF backs the Do No Harm Act, Name Household ...... $50 Gung Ho ...... $100 separation annually. Your membership, which aims to curb the abuses of the Sustaining ...... $250 deductible for income-tax purposes, Address Sponsoring ...... $500 supports FFRF’s ongoing litigation, our Religious Freedom Restoration Act Life Member ...... $1,000 “After Life”...... $5,000 D.C. lobbyist, “Freethought Matters” and which was highlighted in the hear- City/State/Zip Phone/Email “Beyond After Life”....$10,000 TV show, Freethought Radio and other Student...... $25 educational campaigns. ing. Ultimately, FFRF supports the re- Make payable to “FFRF.” Dues and donations are deductible for income-tax purposes. peal of the Religious Freedom Resto- FFRF protects membership confidentiality and does not divulge, rent, sell or give away its mailing list. ration Act. “The First Amendment and the U.S. Constitution already protect the free exercise of religion,” states the let- ter. “So why do we need the Religious Freedom Restoration Act? Why do we need a law to protect that which is al- religion. They reviewed the Depart- misinterprets the Hobby Lobby, Master- The OMB — basically the traffic cop ready so well protected under the Con- ment of Labor’s proposed role based piece Cakeshop and Trinity Lutheran cas- for the regulatory process — reviews stitution? We don’t.” on an Office of Federal Contract Com- es. Should the OMB let the rule pro- government agency rules to make sure FFRF representatives, including pliance Program directive to allow fed- ceed, it is liable to be challenged in they are legal and compliant with fed- FFRF Director of Governmental Af- eral contractors to pick favorites based court and could be overturned. FFRF eral law. The Department of Labor fairs Mark Dann, also met with the Of- on religion. and other secular organizations are at- has submitted the proposed religious fice of Management and Budget over FFRF believes that the proposed tempting to convince the office of this exemption rule for contractors to the the issue of discrimination based on rule is unconstitutional and grossly eventuality. office. August 2019 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 19 LETTERBOX

‘Oprah’ episode showed Editor’s note: Yes, all of the Crankmail So, we’re all coming back? missives are indeed from real mail we re- trio’s courageousness ceive. We literally couldn’t make this stuff I just watched the video of Annie up (or wouldn’t waste our time trying to)! Laurie Gaylor, Anne Nicol Gaylor and Dan Barker on “Oprah” in 1984 and felt compelled to express my com- Non-Christians demand plete admiration. I am overwhelmed rightful place in public by their courage and sagacity at such a time. I was an atheist then, about 25 Today, it’s hard to keep up with all years old, but not nearly as conscious the news. That’s why many Rochester, as they were. I wish I had seen that N.Y., residents may have missed this: show back then. I’ve been listening to The Barna group, a Christian poll- the new atheists debates and shows for ing firm, just released its latest list of the past few years, but it is clear that the most “post-Christian” cities in the those three people were way ahead of nation. Guess what? Rochester, N.Y., all us. (I donate to FFRF via Amazon made it into the Top 10. That’s right, Smile, but will be talking to my wife for over 50 percent of our residents, about becoming members in remem- Christianity has gone by the wayside. brance of that program.) To identify the “post-Christian” places David Quinn-Jacobs on the list, pollsters used 16 criteria New York to identify a lack of Christian identi- ty, belief and practice. Among these criteria were the following: Do not be- Ancestor fought against lieve in God. Identify as atheist or ag- archbishop of Canterbury nostic. Disagree that faith is important in their lives. I went on Ancestry.com recently and FFRF Member Deborah Hilpipre of Minnesota sent us this photo of a mar- All of this will come as no surprise managed to trace one branch of my pa- quee in Eden Prairie, Minn. She writes, “How very Christian to put a mes- to Boston University law professor ternal family tree to Anglo-Norman no- sage out with the words ‘Jesus,’ ‘love’ and ‘death’ together. No thank you to Jay Wexler, whose new book, Our bles in England as far back as the 11th that kind of so-called love.” Non-Christian Nation, describes how century. One of my direct ancestors was atheists and other non-Christians are Ranhulf de Broc, a royal official under demanding their rightful place in Henry II and an ally of the king in his misdemeanor bench in two states, I read Giving memberships as public life. conflict with Thomas Becket, the arch- of your bringing prayer into the court- Linda Stephens bishop of Canterbury, who excommu- room with shame and astonishment. If gifts helps everyone New York nicated Ranhulf de Broc no fewer than the constitutional mandate to keep sep- My partner Laurie and I are proud three times. Way to go, Ranhulf! Three arate church and state is too complex a Life Members of FFRF. As Life Members, was the charm in his case. De Broc was concept for you, then perhaps you ought we are no longer obligated to pay annual Pennsylvania vouchers with the four nobles who murdered to focus on a simpler idea: the summon- membership dues. However, we wouldn’t in effect for 3 years Becket in Canterbury Cathedral in 1170. ing of religious messaging into a court of be Life Members if we did not strongly While the four went inside to confront law is neither relevant nor material. support the FFRF mission. So, we still In the June/July issue, Stephen Van Becket, de Broc ordered armed men “In addition, what you are doing in- send monetary gifts to FFRF as our fi- Eck of Pennsylvania wrote about the under his command to surround the ca- vites the impression that some of the rul- nances permit. backdoor vouchers scheme now active thedral and prevent any interference on ings that you may make could be ground- Over the last few years, we have be- in several states. He wrote, “If my state the part of the townspeople. He was am- ed not upon the law and provable facts, gun to give our periodic donations as ever enacts a plan, I will start my own ply rewarded by Henry II for his loyalty but upon your religious perceptions. The gift memberships whenever we can. This organization” to fund liberal schools. and service. A very interesting anti-cler- valid concern is, in fact, the foundation is money that we intend to donate to I’m writing to say that Pennsylvania ical great-great-grandfather many times of the Founders’ wise prohibition that FFRF’s “use as you choose” fund anyway. has had a plan for the past three years. removed! you now so blithely ignore. A household membership for three years It’s called the EITC plan — Education Dennis Middlebrooks “Perhaps you should rethink your pro- is just $150. Laurie and I get credit for a Improvement Tax Credit plan. New York fessional calling and go into the ministry deductible donation and the satisfaction Recently, Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed leg- rather than the courtroom.” that comes with helping the organiza- islation to increase the amount of this Judge Steven Wallace (retired) tion. FFRF gets the financial support, as backdoor credit by $100 million. The Thanks for your efforts Florida well as a boost in membership numbers. current amount available is $160 mil- against Justice Mack Our friends get a free (to them) mem- lion. We need to stop giving away our bership. We think everybody wins. tax dollars when we are already fund- As a long-standing member of FFRF, Steve Benson IS, not Some of our friends are mildly inter- ing public schools. I wish to thank you heartily for bringing was, an Eagle Scout ested in FFRF, and we hope that their Helen Andrews me news and updates on your organiza- gift memberships will encourage them Pennsylvania tion’s activities. One recent article was I am pleased to see that Pulitzer to continue their memberships and be- of particular interest to me: the con- Prize-winning cartoonist Steve Benson’s come more active and supportive FFRF tinuing effort to bring Texas Justice of art, wit and reason are now part of the members. Others would like to support Finally joining FFRF in the Peace Wayne Mack into compliance FFRF family. I’d like to amend the state- FFRF, but just can’t find the spare bucks. honor of my father with the Constitution. ment made in Freethought Today, how- We are proud to help both types. We It caused me enough heartburn that ever, that Steve Benson “was an Eagle would encourage other FFRF members I just wanted you to know that in rec- I sent Mack a letter about his inability Scout.” Steve Benson IS an Eagle Scout. to do the same for their friends who are ognition of our nation’s errant direc- to conform with constitutional require- Once a young man earns the rank of Ea- not members but would like to be. tion, illustrated by the Supreme Court’s ments in his courtroom. gle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America, Hal Webre decision regarding the Bladensburg Here is what I wrote to him: he is always an Eagle Scout. Florida cross, I have decided (finally) to join “After a professional lifetime in the Bob Jochums FFRF. criminal courts, including 16 years on the Georgia I am starting with a basic individual Crankmail is so bad, it membership, supplemented with a small can’t be real, right? additional contribution, but will shortly Freedom from Religion Foundation settle on a greater annual level. I take I have been a subscriber to Free- this step in honor and appreciation of P.O. Box 750 • Madison, WI 53701 • (608) 256-8900 • FFRF.org thought Today for several years. I value my father and his sharing with me that, What is the Freedom From Religion Foundation? honesty and forthrightness in all of your when it comes to religion, each person Founded in 1978 as a national organization of freethinkers (atheists and articles and columns. However, there is needs and has a right and responsibil- agnostics), the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc., works to keep state one section I find troubling: Crankmail. ity to make her or his own “reasoned” and church separate and to educate the public about the views of nontheists. I find these letters — filled with vulgari- judgment. FFRF has more than 31,000 members. FFRF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and ties, misspellings and shocking ignorance He felt this was a personal decision, donations are tax deductible for income tax purposes. — don’t ring true. Frankly, I wonder if not one that was to be inherited or FFRF’s email address is [email protected]. Please include your name and physical they are made up by your staff members. blindly adopted from another person or mailing address with all email correspondence. Please assure me and your readers these family. I believe he was a wise man and FFRF members wishing to receive online news releases, “action alerts” and letters are authentic. I celebrate the freedom he offered me. “Freethought of the Day” should contact [email protected]. Lawrence Power Collin Minert Florida New Jersey Page 20 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | August 2019 BLACK COLLAR CRIME

ious acts with a minor 14 to 15 years old. McFar- Compiled by Bill Dunn land, head pastor at Orangethorpe United Meth- odist Church, is accused of offenses between 2003-17. He was also charged last December Arrested / Charged with molesting a girl younger than 14 in Escon- Phillip S. Stallings, 40, Durham, NC: 56 counts dido between 2012-13 when he was visiting rela- of sexual exploitation of a minor. Stallings, founder tives. Source: KNTV, 5-18-19 of the Biblical Flat Earth Society, allegedly down- Andrew R. Wilkerson, 28, Shepherdsville, loaded media depicting minors engaging in sexual KY: Prohibited use of an electronic communication acts. He describes himself on his website as “a re- system to procure a minor. Wilkerson, a math and formed Christian Apologist, Theonomist, Kinist and history teacher at Christian Academy of Louisville, a former seminary student.” He has 6,000 followers allegedly planned to meet a 16-year-old girl who on a YouTube channel focused on his flat-earth the- wasn’t an academy student for sex. Source: Couri- ories. Source: News & Observer, 6-21-19 er Journal, 5-17-19 Syed Zaidi, 49, Toronto: Threatening death, Laurent Thuillier, 43, Versailles, France: Rape criminal harassment, breach of trust and 3 counts of an adult, sexually soliciting a minor under age 15 of sexual assault. Zaidi is accused of assaults on and psychological harassment. Thuillier, pastor of a woman starting in 2008 when she came to him St. Michel Catholic Church, is accused by a woman at the mosque where he was imam. He allegedly who alleges a year-long relationship with him that convinced her she was possessed by demons and included harassment of her 13-year-old daughter, needed his help. He was arrested while trying to who was sometimes invited to sleep at the rectory. board a flight out of Canada. Source: Toronto Sun, Thuillier sent over 250 e-mails and 2,500 text 6-20-19 messages to her and her daughter, sometimes with John M. Ward, 45, Westlake, LA: 10 counts veiled threats, the woman alleges. Source: Le Pa- of 1st-degree rape, 40 counts of indecent behav- risien, 5-14-19 ior with a juvenile and 2 counts of pornography Mahmoud S. Shalash, 70, John Sadiqul- involving a juvenile. Ward, pastor of Bellview Bap- lah, 31, and Abdul Hadi, 34, all of Lexington, tist Church since 2012, was fired “because of his KY: Conspiracy and use of interstate facilities in sexual immorality and failure to maintain the high commission for murder for hire. Shalash, imam at standard of integrity for the office of Pastor outlined the Islamic Center, was allegedly recruited at his in the Bible,” a church statement said. married. Source: Denver Post, 6-14-19 Bernard McGarty, 94, La Crosse, WI: 4th-de- mosque “to provide a ‘fatwa’ authorizing the killing” Sheriff’s spokesperson Kim Myers said Ward Michelle R. Lomax, 50, Beloit, WI: Theft in a gree sexual assault. McGarty, a retired Catholic of a man who owed Sadiqullah about $80,000 for confirmed to detectives that he had been molest- business setting/less than $5,000 to $10,000. Lo- priest, is accused of propositioning a woman and a business deal. ing the girl since 2017 when she was 9 and that max is charged with stealing $5,023 in 2018-19 placing her hand in his lap outside the public li- An affidavit said an informant recorded sever- he videoed her twice while she was nude. Source: from First Christian Church in Janesville, where brary May 11. He was identified on video footage al conversations, including one in which Sadiqul- KPLC, 6-18-19 she was secretary. It’s alleged she used the money that allegedly showed him handing her $20. He lah allegedly said, “I want him dead” and offered Noah J. Paradis, 19, Georgia: 5 counts of in- mostly to pay rent on her apartment. Source: Beloit told police he gave her the money because she $10,000. Source: Herald-Leader, 5-10-19 appropriate touching of 2 children alleged to have Daily News, 6-12-19 was homeless. The woman alleged he told her his Daniel F. Heath, 33, Wilson, NC: Sexual ex- taken place in June while he was a staffer at a Heather Matuszek, 32, Clearwater, FL: 2 name was Bill. ploitation of a minor. Heath, associate pastor at Christian camp for 3rd-6th graders in Overgaard, counts of lewd and lascivious molestation. It’s al- McGarty paid a $250 disorderly conduct fine in First Baptist Church, did “encourage” a 16-year-old AZ. The camp is a ministry of LifeWay, an entity leged she sexually touched a 15-year-old girl from 2014 for exposing himself to a Wausau masseuse girl to “engage in sexual activity, perform sexual ac- of the Southern Baptist Convention. Paradis has her youth group at Clearwater Community Church and asking her to rub his genitals. When she re- tivities to herself for the purpose of producing ma- reportedly worked at summer camps “all over the between August 2014 and April 2015. fused, he called her a derogatory name. Source: La terial containing a visual representation depicting U.S.,” said a sheriff’s office press release. Source: Matuszek is also owner/operator of a Chick-fil-A Crosse Tribune, 6-4-19 this activity,” the arrest warrant said. It’s alleged the Religion News Service, 6-18-19 restaurant, a chain that has come under fire for its Michael Comeau, 47, Port Allen, LA: Public activity occurred from December 2017 to April 11. Stephen Bratton, 43, Houston: Continuous anti-LGBTQ stance. The complainant told police intoxication and possession of open container of Source: Wilson Times, 5-9-19 sexual abuse of a child. Bratton, co-pastor at Grace that Matuszek spent the night twice in her bed, alcohol. Comeau, principal at Holy Family Catholic Tony McElveen Sr., 46, Florence, SC: Bank Family Baptist Church, is accused of inappropri- kissed her face and rubbed her body and breasts Elementary School, was arrested at 2:20 a.m. at fraud and aggravated identification theft. McElveen, ate touching of a female relative that escalated to over her clothing. Source: WFTS, 6-12-19 Archibald’s Gentlemen’s pastor of Greater “sexual intercourse multiple times a day or several Benjamin Widrick, 24, Camillus, NY: 3 counts Club in Washington on Faith World Outreach times a week” from 2013 to 2015, starting when the of statutory rape by an authority figure. He’s ac- a complaint about “an in- I wanted to throw my Church, also worked as girl was 13. cused of assaults on a student on Aug. 1, 2018, toxicated man refusing to a supervisor at Branch Bratton told his wife about the abuse in May while serving as a summer intern at Long Hollow pay his bill.” body away.’ Banking and Trust Co. and admitted to co-pastors that he had “sinned Baptist Church in Gallatin, TN. He graduated in Allen, who has re- “ in Rowland, where in grievous ways,” court documents said. A father 2018 from Liberty University in Lynchburg, KY, with signed, was part of a — convicted Tennessee for 3 months in 2017 of 7, he testified in April in support of a Texas bill a bachelor’s degree in pastoral leadership. Source: school field trip to the pastor’s incest victim he allegedly opened to ban abortion and charge women with murder if The Tennessean, 6-9-19 nation’s capital. Students $50,000 lines of cred- they had one. The bill died in committee. Source: Victor A. Trevino Jr., 22, Lansing, MI: Accost- were in their hotel rooms it in 2 victims’ names. AP, 6-16-19 ing a child for immoral purposes, child sexually under the supervision of Both were over age 65. abusive activity, 2 counts of using a computer to other chaperones when Comeau was arrested out- He allegedly withdrew money several times commit a crime and 4 counts of criminal sexual side the strip club. Source: The Advocate, 5-31-19 from the credit lines to obtain checks payable to conduct. Trevino, youth pastor at The Bread House Brandon O. Hernandez, 20, Tempe, AZ: Ag- his church and withdrew money from the church’s South, an evangelical church, is accused of crimes gravated luring of a minor and 2 counts each of account to make mortgage payments. The amount involving a girl between ages 13 and 15 who be- sexual conduct with a minor and sexual abuse. involved is about $107,000. Source: WMBF, 5-7-19 longs to the church. Hernandez is youth leader for a boys group at a Artie M. Sturm, 40, Newport, TN: 3 counts each Over a 2-year period he allegedly touched the Mormon ward. An affidavit alleges he started “sex- of statutory rape by an authority figure and aggra- girl sexually, asked her to send him naked photos ting” a girl in early 2019 whom he has known for vated statutory rape. Sturm, pastor at DaySpring and sent her photos and videos of his penis. His 7 years and that the conduct progressed to illicit Baptist Church, is accused of using his “position of father, Victor Trevino Sr., 47, is charged with mis- touching and mutual oral sex in a secure area of trust or power” to repeatedly assault a teen girl from demeanor failing to report child abuse. He is Bread the chapel. Source: KPHO, 5-31-19 2016 to March 2018. Source: Plain Talk, 5-6-19 House pastor. Source: State Journal, 6-6-19 Bobby J. Blackburn, 26, Prestonburg, KY: Tyler Hedlund, 23, Albion, NE: Intentional Timothy Milley, 65, Deseronto, Ontario: Luring Prohibited use of an electronic communication non-injury child abuse. Hedlund, a physical educa- a child to commit sexual assault, luring a child to system to procure a minor to commit a sex act. tion teacher and head football coach at St. Cecilia commit sexual interference, luring a child to commit Blackburn, pastor of Elevate Church and owner of Catholic High School in Hastings, is accused of invitation to sexual touching, making arrangements a pizza restaurant, is accused of soliciting a minor buying alcohol for a 16-year-old girl and her friends to commit sexual assault and making arrange- girl to have a threesome with another underage girl. at least 3 times. The girl also alleges she had sex ments to commit sexual interference. Milley, pastor Yet another girl alleged to police that Black- with Hedlund 6 or 7 times starting last December, at Catarqui United Church in Kingston, was investi- burn told her to say she sent the messages on his mostly at his home. Charges haven’t been brought gated by an internet child exploitation unit between phone or she would lose her job. Source: Courier on those allegations. Source: WOWT, 5-2-19 March 28 and June 4. Journal, 5-31-19 Zakir A. Naik, 53, an Indian Islamic preacher It’s alleged he used the screen name “redrider” Jerry Zweitzig, 71, Hatboro, PA: Enticing living in exile since 2017 in Malaysia, is charged in Pastor Stephen L. Dunn to communicate with someone he believed to be a minor to engage in illicit sexual conduct and India with money laundering of millions of dollars of under age 16. Source: Canadian Press, 6-6-19 possession of child pornography. He’s accused criminal assets. He’s also accused of inciting ter- Stephen L. Dunn, 68, Chambersburg, PA: Gordon L. Griffen, 57, Whiteville, NC: 2 counts of assaulting a girl “numerous times” between rorism by broadcasting from Dubai on Peace TV, Criminal use of a communication facility and 10 of death by motor vehicle, driving while impaired and 2009-14 when he was pastor at Horsham Bible which has an estimated 200 million viewers. counts of possession of child pornography. Dunn, several traffic citations. Griffen, pastor at Moore’s Church, starting when she was 13. She told police Some countries have banned the channel, in- a Church of God pastor, director of Bridgebuilders Creek Missionary Baptist Church, was driving a Zweitzig took nude photos of her for several years cluding Bangladesh, where it’s accused of inspiring Ministries and adjunct professor at Winebrenner Cadillac Escalade in the wrong lane when it hit a before he started molesting her. Source: Courier a 2016 cafe attack in Dhaka in which 22 people Theological Seminary, is a married father of 4 with Chrysler PT Cruiser head-on. Killed were Jolena Times, 5-31-19 were killed. Source: BBC, 5-2-19 8 grandchildren. Timmons, 51, and her husband, Donald Timmons, Jeffery Parks, 51, Chicago: Predatory criminal Josue Rodriguez, Jersey City, 60: Aggravated He was arrested after the National Center for 41, passengers in the Chrysler. Griffen was treated assault of a victim under 13 and aggravated crim- sexual assault, sexual assault and endangering Missing and Exploited Children reported an image and released from the hospital. Source: Tabor-Lois inal abuse of a victim under 13. Parks, pastor at the welfare of a child. Rodriguez, auxiliary pastor that was viewed or uploaded via Microsoft Bing Tribune, 6-5-19 Good Shepherd Church, “abused two victims on at Templo Refugio, is accused of molesting a girl showed a prepubescent girl with genitals exposed. Naasón J. García, 50, a Mexican national who multiple occasions” by fondling their bodies during under age 13 on unspecified dates several years at During a warranted search, officers allegedly found heads a worldwide Pentecostal church called La tutoring sessions starting in 2017, said a state- the storefront place of worship. It’s part of the Con- 50 printed images in his dresser drawer. Luz del Mundo, was arrested in Los Angeles on 26 ment from police spokesman Michael Carroll. The gregation of Yahweh, which combines elements of “The pictures depicted transposed images of charges, including human trafficking, production alleged victims are twin 12-year-old girls. Source: Judaism and Christianity. Source: nj.com, 5-1-19 [Dunn’s] face and what appears to be transposed of child sex abuse images and forcible rape of a Chicago Tribune, 5-26-19 David N. Kimball, 34, Raleigh, NC: 4 counts of images of various aged females to include images minor. Three women affiliated with the church — Marcin Garbacz, 39, Rapid City, SD: Wire fraud, sexual exploitation of a minor. Kimball, youth and of juveniles,” the complaint said. Most of the imag- Alondra Ocampo, Susana Medina Oaxaca and money laundering and transportation of stolen mon- young adult director at Cornerstone Presbyterian es showed bondage and sado-masochism scenar- Azalea Rangel Melendez — were also charged. ey. He’s accused of stealing money from Catholic Church in Cary, is accused of possessing nude ios. Source: pennlive.com, 6-16-19 Defendants are accused of coercing under- parishes where he was pastor from 2012-18. images of girls between the approximate ages of Stephen M. Houlihan, 28, Colorado Springs, age girls into performing sex acts between June Garbacz, a Polish immigrant, allegedly made 5 and 15. The images were allegedly found on a CO: Attempted sexual assault of a child by one in a 2015 and August 2017. It’s alleged 3 minors and cash deposits into his personal account of over file-sharing network. Source: News & Observer, position of trust, internet luring of a child with intent an adult woman were abused, with 1 child and $150,000. He was arrested May 10 at a Seattle air- 4-30-19 to exploit and wholesale promotion of obscenity to the woman raped. Others were forced to perform port waiting for a one-way flight to Poland. Source: Teri E. Sauers, 35, New Alexandria, PA: Theft a minor. Houlihan, worship and communications sex acts and dances and lick whipped cream from KOTA, 5-23-19 and receiving stolen property. Sauers, treasurer pastor at Fellowship of the Rockies, is accused of each other’s bodies, a complaint said. La Luz was John R. McFarland, 56, Fullerton, CA: 7 at Derry Presbyterian Church, allegedly wrote 17 targeting a 15-year-old girl with explicit text mes- founded in 1926 by García’s grandfather. Source: counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor checks to herself from church accounts between sages, including a request for a nude photo. He is Reuters, 6-5-19 younger than 14 and 4 counts of lewd and lasciv- February 2017 and November 2018. Church staff August 2019 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 21 noticed funds were missing when they went to write family, on various personal expenses and for a doc- false impression that he was using personal funds The Catholic Diocese of Sacramento, CA, a check to buy a new boiler for the building. Source: torate in divinity from a Pennsylvania bible college. to repay debts he owed the school. The money was Holy Rosary Parish in Woodland and Jonathan KDKA, 4-26-19 Source: Houston Chronicle, 6-10-19 returned shortly after it was withdrawn. The school Molina, current Holy Rosary pastor, settled a suit for Luis Clarke, 38, Pembroke Pines, FL: Lewd Douglas Rivera, 40, Baldwin Park, CA: 6 years receives $1.8 million a month from public school $200,000 filed by Dorothy Small, who alleged she and lascivious exhibition by an adult on a child in prison after pleading no contest to lewd act upon districts that send students with special education was sexually assaulted in 2015 by former pastor under 15, 20 counts of sexual battery on a victim a child. Rivera, pastor of God’s Gypsy Christian needs there. Renerio Sabuga Jr. Small alleged church officials between 12 and 18 and 2 counts each of false Church in Glendale, was accused of masturbating Judge Benjamin Bucca said the rabbi’s “selfless failed to rein in Sabuga after she complained. imprisonment and directing a sexual performance in his pickup parked outside a hotel room occupied life is very clear. In many respects this is a very, very Sabuga had offered his services as a “secu- by a child. Clarke, part-time youth pastor at Abra- by 2 girls from China ages 10 and 13. unfortunate situation.” Bucca also said he hopes lar counselor” but used those sessions to groom za tu Sueño Ministry, is accused of assaults on a He exposed himself and stared at the girls for Eisemann can eventually return to the school de- Small for sex, the suit alleged. When she told 15-year-old girl starting in 2016 and forcing a teen about half an hour before knocking on their door, spite the conviction. Source: nj.com, 5-17-19 another priest about Sabuga, the other priest al- boy to watch. forcing his way inside and fondling one of them, Steven Winn, 34, Crandall, TX: 4 years in pris- legedly responded, “What man wouldn’t want a The alleged victim told police Clarke threatened said Covina police Lt. Trevor Gaumer. Surveillance on after pleading guilty to 3 counts of sexual assault piece of a-- every now and then?” to report her family’s illegal immigration status if she video led to his arrest. Source: KNBC, 6-10-19 of a child. Winn, a youth pastor at Open Door Bap- Sabuga was eventually fired and returned to the told anyone. Source: Miami Herald, 4-26-19 Sanji Ram, 61, Kathua, India: Life imprison- tist Church in Mesquite, faces a similar charge in Philippines, where it’s believed he’s still active as a Denver “Dicky” Tackett, 64, McDowell, KY: ment on convictions for murder, gang rape and another county. His father, Larry Winn, 76, also fac- priest. Source: Fresno Bee, 5-21-19 A 16-count federal indictment accuses him of pre- criminal conspiracy. Ram, chief priest at a Hindu es a molesting charge. Former Open Door pastor The Catholic Diocese of Duluth, MN, has scribing opioids that were not reasonable to treat temple, was among 6 men convicted in the 2018 Robert Ross, 71, is charged with failing to report agreed to a $40 million settlement with 125 plain- dental patients, pulling teeth from 6 patients from rape and bludgeoning death of an 8-year-old Mus- sexual abuse of a child. Source: WBAP, 5-11-19 tiffs alleging sexual abuse as children by clergy and 2016-18 who had no need for extractions and sub- lim girl abducted while she was grazing horses in Michael Guidry, 76, Morrow, LA: 7 years in other laypersons in the diocese. The diocese also mitting Medicare claims for procedures he didn’t the Himalayan foothills. prison after pleading guilty to molesting a 16-year- will relinquish secret files on 37 priests credibly ac- perform. Tackett is a part-time pastor at Wayland Two more men got life sentences, while 3 oth- old boy in 2015. Guidry, pastor at St. Peter Catholic cused of abuse. United Methodist Church and his Tackett Family ers were found guilty of destroying evidence and Church, was accused of giving the boy alcohol at Michael DeRoche, “plaintiff No. 1,” said he com- Dentistry website touts its Christian values. got 5 years in prison. Source: NPR, 6-10-19 Guidry’s residence before the assaults. Source: plained to the diocese 20 years ago. “The Catholic Patients like Angel Meade offered online praise Rodney Harmon Jr., 34, Stockton, MD: 37 The Advocate, 4-30-19 Church is big about confessions and doing pen- for the office’s Christian environment. Meade gave years in prison on convictions of displaying an Clinton D. Brackett, 34, Lindale, TX: 8 years ance, and they never owned up to it.” Source: Star it 5 stars in July 2018 and wrote, “It’s also wonderful obscene item to a minor and 3 counts of sexual in prison after pleading guilty to sexual assault Tribune, 5-2-19 knowing you have a true man of God working on abuse of a minor while he was youth director for of a child younger than 17. A plea agreement The Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles will your teeth!” Bayside Community Church, which meets at Po- dropped 3 similar counts dating to when he was pay $8 million to a victim who was sexually abused Fawn Nicole Blankenship wasn’t so pleased, comoke High School. Source: Daily Times, 6-8-19 a youth pastor at First Baptist Church in Ballinger and kidnapped in 2016 by a teacher at her Catholic writing last Feb. 25: “Since he ‘fixed’ two of my back Robert Worthy Sr., 66, Chester, SC: 20 years in 2015. He carried a leather-bound bible into his high school. Juan I. Barajas, then-athletic direc- teeth, I’ve spent thousands (by real dentists) saving in prison after a jury found him guilty of 2 counts sentencing hearing. tor and health teacher at Mission High School in them. If you’re there and want to trade your teeth for of attempted murder and possession of a weapon The victim told investigators the inappropriate San Gabriel, is in prison for repeated assaults of a Percocet, then he’s the one for you. If you want to for shooting his estranged wife and mother-in-law at relationship started on the first Sunday of spring 15-year-old girl. keep your teeth, I suggest finding someone else.” Father Son Holy Spirit Christian bookstore in 2017. break in 2015 when Brackett invited her over to Barajas, now 38, took the girl to Las Vegas Source: Courier-Journal, 4-19-19 Worthy was an associate minister at a Chester watch a movie while his wife and infant son were after his wife found out about the relationship. He church at the time. Source: Rock Hill Herald, 6-6-19 out of town. She alleged they had sex over 20 pleaded guilty to statutory sexual seduction. Sev- Pleaded / Convicted Jerred Peacock, 34, Estero, FL: 6 years’ pro- times, including in the church balcony. Contact eral allegations from 2015 detailed suspicious be- bation after pleading guilty to felony unlawful sex- ended after he took a job as director of youth havior by Barajas at the all-girls school, including George Papadakos, 52, Westfield, NJ: ual activity. Peacock was arrested having sexual ministries at First United Methodist in Lindale. taking the girl into his office over 50 times.Source: Pleaded guilty to wire fraud for embezzling over contact with a 17-year-old girl between March 2018 Source: Standard-Times, 4-25-19 NPR, 4-17-19 $66,000 from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of and August 2018 when he was a youth pastor at David Turpin, 57, and Louise Turpin, 50, America in New York City, where he was director Living Waters Church. Source: WBBH, 6-5-19 Perris, CA: 25 years to life in prison after plead- Finances of finance. Papadakos is accused of unautho- Luckner Stimphil, 55, Brandon, FL: 57 ing guilty to 14 counts of cruelty and false impris- rized use of a church credit card between 2012 months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy onment for the long-term abuse of 12 of their 13 A $650,000 offer from the Buffalo Catholic and September 2017 for personal expenses. to defraud the United States. His daughter, Elwo- children, ages 3 to 30. The children were home- Diocese to make amends for sexual abuse by de- There’s speculation others are involved in finan- fine Dufort, 31, was sentenced earlier to 2 years. schooled, denied food and kept secluded in ceased New York priest Michael Freeman in the cial misdeeds, said Dean Popps, a lawyer leading Stimphil, pastor of First filthy conditions, some- mid-1980s was turned down by James Bottlinger, a church reform movement. Calvary Life Ministry is times in shackles. One now 50. Instead he intends to sue under a new law “There is more unaccounted for money than a well-known figure in Father Fred’ often swaddled daughter, 17, escaped giving plaintiffs a 1-year window to file claims in this,” he said. “More dominos need to fall for jus- Tampa’s Haitian-Ameri- in January 2018 and sex abuse cases previously barred by statutes of tice to prevail.” Source: NY Post, 6-22-19 can community. the boys in ‘Baby Jesus’ called 911. Police said limitations. Gerold Langsch, 75, Austin, TX: Pleaded Stimphil and Dufort costumes,“ preparing them for she was emaciated and “There needs to be a story behind that mon- no contest to misdemeanor assault by contact. operated a tax prepara- appeared to be about ey,” he said. “I don’t want the church to determine Langsch, a Catholic priest working with the tion business that pre- pageants that never took place. 10 years old. ‘Here’s some money, go away.’ ” The offer was the Knights of Columbus, is accused of an October pared fraudulent returns The Turpins are largest in the diocese’s recently concluded $17.5 2018 assault on a woman in home hospice care. and “caused more than Pentecostal and made million compensation program. Source: Buffalo It’s alleged in an affidavit that after he anointed $11 million in losses to the children memorize News, 6-18-19 her with holy water and applied lotion to her chest, the IRS, essentially stealing the tax dollars paid by long bible passages as part of their home school- New Jersey Catholic dioceses started ac- “he massaged her breast and pinched her nipple, honest Americans,” said Special Agent in Charge ing. They believed God called on them to have so cepting claims from residents alleging molestation saying ‘does that feel good?’ ” Mary Hammond. They were ordered to pay $11 many children. by clergy as minors, no matter when it happened. The victim described feeling like a “nasty, dirty The program’s first phase will focus on people who million in restitution. Source: Tampa Bay Times, A statement by their daughter Jessica, 25, piece of meat.” The judge ordered Langsch to previously reported abuse with a deadline to submit 5-28-19 was read by her brother at sentencing: “Though it have no contact with anyone in the victim’s family claims by Dec. 31. The deadline to register a new Ronald Paquin, 76, a defrocked Catholic may not have been the best way of raising us, I’m and to never perform last rites ever again in the allegation is Oct. 31. priest who served a prison term in Massachusetts glad that they did because it made me the person U.S. Source: CBS Austin, 6-13-19 A similar New York program, now ended, paid for molesting an altar boy, was sentenced to 16 I am today. I just want to thank them for teaching Frederick Lenczycki, 74, Berkeley, IL: Plead- out over $230 million. The ongoing Pennsylvania years in prison in Maine for abusing another altar me about God and faith. I pray often for them.” ed guilty to 2 counts of sodomy involving 2 boys program total is up to $35 million. Arizona Gov. boy during trips to Maine in the 1980s. Paquin, Source: L.A. Times, 4-19-19 when he served as a Catholic priest from 1991- Doug Ducey signed a bill in May upping the statute who was portrayed in the movie “Spotlight,” was 94 in Bridgeton and Florissant, MO. Lenczycki of limitations to age 30 from 20. It also opens a win- released from prison in 2015 after completing his was removed from ministry in 2002 when he was Civil Lawsuits Settled dow until Dec. 31, 2020, for people older than 30 to sentence. Source: WRAL, 5-23-19 charged with abusing 3 boys in the 1980s at St. sue. Source: nj.com, 6-17-19 Osher Eisemann, 62, Lakewood, NJ: 60 days Fairfield University in Connecticut and sev- Isaac Jogues Catholic Church in Hinsdale, IL. in jail and 2 years’ probation after a jury found him eral Catholic organizations and individuals will The Illinois victims alleged “Father Fred” re- guilty of money laundering and misconduct by pay $60 million to settle a suit alleging abuse of Legal Developments peatedly molested them, often swaddling them in a corporate official but acquitted him on 2 other Haitian children at a Catholic orphanage who were “Baby Jesus” costumes for pageants that never Texas police raided the Catholic Diocese of charges. Eisemann, an Orthodox rabbi who found- abused by pedophile Douglas Perlitz, a 1992 took place. He pleaded guilty in 2004 and was Dallas headquarters in Oak Lawn, St. Cecilia ed the School for Children with Hidden Intelligence, Fairfield University graduate, who was convicted in sentenced to 5 years in prison. In 2008 he be- Catholic Church in Oak Cliff and a Safesite Inc. was accused of using a private fundraising nonprof- 2010 after admitting he traveled to Haiti from 2001- came the first U.S. priest to be labeled sexually storage facility in Mountain Creek in May looking for it for the school to launder $630,000 in public tuition 08 for illicit sexual activity with boys. violent under Illinois law. Source: Crux, 5-31-19 evidence of sexual abuse by 5 priests: Edmundo funds. The prosecution, which sought 12 years, is A federal court has already approved 150 James M. Oler, 55, Bountiful, BC: Guilty Paredes, Richard T. Brown, Alejandro Buitrago, appealing the sentence. claims under the lawsuit; 20 more are pending. In of unlawful removal of a child. Oler, leader of a William J. Hughes Jr. and Jeremy Myers. He was also accused of transferring another 2014 the same defendants paid $12 million to settle fundamentalist Mormon sect, illegally took his The diocese has said Paredes, longtime pastor $200,000 of school funds into a personal account claims by 24 other victims. Source: National Catho- 15-year-old daughter from Canada to Nevada in at St. Cecilia, was credibly accused of molesting 3 and then back to school accounts to create the lic Reporter, 6-19-19 2004 to marry a 24-year-old man, ruled Justice teen boys over a decade ago. Brown was named Martha Devlin. Oler was acquitted in an earlier tri- by a woman who said he sexually assaulted her al but an appeals court ordered a retrial. niece at Holy Family of Nazareth in Irving in the Devlin said Oler certainly knew the girl would 1980s, along with other victims. be expected to consummate the marriage imme- The affidavit also detailed accusations that diately in order to “fulfill her role in bringing for- Hughes had sexual intercourse with a minor over ward children in line with the divine mandate.” a 6-month period in 1983 and that Buitrago mo- Oler was convicted of polygamy in June 2018 for lested a 5- to 7-year-old girl whose family attended having 5 wives and was sentenced to 3 months’ St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church in Plano. house arrest and 75 hours of community service. Myers was accused of molesting a teen before and Source: Canadian Press, 5-19-19 after the student was expelled from Subiaco Acad- Aryeh Goodman, 35, E. Brunswick, NJ: Plead- emy in Arkansas. ed guilty to interstate travel in aid of racketeering Of those priests, only Paredes has been enterprises in connection with soliciting prostitution. charged with a crime. He’s believed to have fled A plea agreement calls for him to serve 18 months to his native Philippines. Source: Morning News, in prison. Goodman, a rabbi who ran a religious 5-15-19 school out of his home, was among 30 men who The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day had sex with a 17-year-old girl who was coerced Saints has been ordered by a federal court to into prostitution. provide a list of names of all “sister” missionaries Goodman was released from prison in 2016 (women) who were at the Missionary Training Cen- after serving time for indecent assaults in 2001 on ter in Provo, UT, at same time as McKenna Den- boy under age 13 at Camp Menachem, PA, where son. She alleges she was raped in 1984 by Joseph Goodman was a counselor. Source: nj.com, 4-16-19 Bishop, president of the center when she was a missionary. Sentenced The court also wants the names of any other sister missionaries who have alleged misconduct Jerrell G. Altic, 40, Houston: 10 years in prison by Bishop during his 1983-86 tenure. The church after pleading guilty to 1st-degree aggregate theft. previously said another woman had accused Altic admitted stealing over $800,000 while he was Bishop but refused to disclose her name. Source: First Baptist Church pastor from 2011-17. Prosecu- KSL. 5-10-19 tors said he spent the money on overseas trips with Email: [email protected] Page 22 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | August 2019 SECULAR INVOCATIONS

It is what gospel tells them to do. because I sincerely thank all the members Linda Stephens An atheist would absolutely agree with Perry Mitchell of this current board for the smart, dedi- everything Rev. McPherson said about cated hard work they’re doing for us. Greece (N.Y.) this, except for the last part. Atheists be- DeKalb (Ga.) This board, along with CEO Michael lieve we should speak out against hate Thurmond, have, in a short time, turned because of the common values that bind not only the operation but the reputation Town Board humans together. Board of of DeKalb County around. Sure, there are This evening, I would like to follow lots of improvements that still need to be April 15, 2019 the example of Rev. McPherson. On St. Commissioners made, but does anyone here doubt that Patrick’s Day, he challenged the people the county is now headed in a much more Good evening. I’m happy to be in front of him to have the courage to April 9, 2019 efficient, forward-looking direction? here tonight representing the atheist denounce the hate that inspired a young I give credit for this huge turn- community of Rochester. white man to gun down 50 innocents Good morning, commissioners and all around to these folks sitting up there When people hear that an atheist is Muslims in New Zealand. of you. I’m Perry Mitchell and, as you can — and to all of you here today. You’re going to deliver I would like to challenge, you, the see from today’s the kind of concerned citizens who an invocation leaders of this own, to have the cour- agenda, I’m an disrupt your normal Tuesday morning before a gov- age to denounce the hate that inspired atheist. schedules to be here. Without you giv- ernment meet- a 16-year-old boy from our community, I’m also a ing your direct, personal input to our ing, they often along with three other young adults, native Atlantan commissioners, how would they know scratch their three of them Boy Scouts, two of them — old enough how to best channel their efforts? heads and ask, Eagle Scouts, to plot to kill an untold to be born a I want to encourage our commissioners “What’s an athe- number of innocent Muslims in a com- couple of miles to keep their heads held high, knowing ist invocation?” munity far from Greece, N.Y. from here at they are putting DeKalb on a much more It is not, as one Similarly, I would like to challenge Emory Hospi- transparent course, a course of doing the cartoonist de- you to have the courage to denounce the tal, way back hard work of really listening to the many Linda Stephens picted, some- hate that inspired a 22-year-old resident Perry Mitchell when they still diverse viewpoints of our citizens. one standing of the town of Greece to express support had a mater- Every day that you commissioners at the podium for the gunman who killed those 50 wor- nity ward. I’ve come to your office or attend another reading from Charles Darwin’s Origin of shippers and who called for a similar at- owned my home in DeKalb for 49 years neighborhood meeting or spend hours Species, although I do find some humor tack in Baltimore. and I’ve been involved in a number of in your committees hammering out the in that. And just yesterday, in the town of neighborhood groups, so I clearly love nitty-gritty details of sanitation upgrades, No, an atheist invocation is sometimes Greece, a Christian church was vandal- living in DeKalb. library budgets and public safety issues, not that different from an invocation or a ized in what may turn out to be a hate I want to thank Presiding Officer in all of your official actions, I urge you to religious address de- crime. If that is Jeff Rader and his staff for putting out keep one attitude at the forefront: How livered by a religious true, it underscores such a welcoming call for diverse 2019 can you do what’s best? Not what’s easiest, leader — with one Atheists believe we the need for our “Inspirational” speakers. And although not what’s politically expedient, but what notable difference. should speak out against hate leaders’ voices to I can’t speak for all the thousands of is, in your most honest belief, the very best Here’s an example: be heard. atheists, agnostics, freethinkers, secu- course of action for all of DeKalb County. because“ of the common values On St. Patrick’s Day, In conclusion, larists and humanists who live and work In my opinion as an atheist, I don’t President Trump that bind humans together. I would like to alongside you in DeKalb County, I be- see the need for anyone to stand up here attended a church — Linda Stephens leave you with this lieve the board and all of you should and call on a supernatural power to grant service at St. John’s thought. It doesn’t hear an atheist’s viewpoint – especially you that capability, because clearly you al- Episcopal Church matter whether you since you so much more often hear a ready have it. in Washington, D.C. The Rev. Bruce denounce hate because your god expects religious perspective. Day after day, you’ve been demonstrat- McPherson officiated. It was right after you to, or because of the common values In fact, I believe I’m the first atheist to ing your innate willingness and ability to 50 people had been shot to death by a we human beings share. What matters is ever offer these opening remarks — and act in the county’s best interests, and I’m white supremacist in Christchurch, New that you are moved to do it. I hope you’ll hear from more of us — be- confident that in the future you’ll contin- Zealand. When he spoke that day, Rev. Linda Stephens is an organizer for the Athe- cause for DeKalb County to be the kind ue to show that same commitment for ev- McPherson challenged the people in ist Community of Rochester and vice president of progressive, accepting county it needs ery DeKalb citizen. front of him, including the president, to of the Rochester chapter of Americans United for to be, as many different citizens’ voices as Thanks to all of you for listening. denounce the hate that inspired this hor- the Separation of Church and State. She and possible must be heard. Perry Mitchell is retired from a career in ad- rendous act. And Rev. McPherson told Susan Galloway were plaintiffs in the 2014 Commissioner Rader’s chief of staff vertising as a writer/creative director/ad agency the people before him why they should Town of Greece Supreme Court decision that wrote that all “Inspirational” speakers’ re- partner and currently volunteers for several or- do this. He said they should do this be- emboldened nontheists to begin delivering invo- marks should be “positive and uplifting,” ganizations. He and his wife Pam Woodley are cause it is what God expects them to do. cation before government meetings. and I’m happy to follow those guidelines, both FFRF Lifetime Members. FFRF ON THE ROAD

Jerry Coyne, left, professor emeritus in the Department of Ecology and Evolution at the University of Chicago, conducted a sit-down interview with FFRF Director FFRF Co-Presidents Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor, with Rosalyn Mould, cen- of Strategic Response Andrew L. Seidel, center, during a June 11 book-signing and ter, each gave presentations on June 2 before members of Humanists International discussion in Chicago about Seidel’s book, The Founding Myth. Also appearing at (formerly International Humanist and Ethical Union) in Reykjavik, Iceland. Mould is the event was “The Friendy Atheist” Hemant Mehta, right, who will be speaking at president of the Humanist Association of Ghana. FFRF’s convention in October (See page 23). August 2019 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 23 Northup, Benson join Tentative schedule FFRF’s 42nd annual convention convention lineup Schedule is subject to change FFRF is excited to announce the es- teemed Nancy Northup as its latest speak- Friday, October 18 Concurrent book signing for Hemant Mehta er for the 42nd annual convention in and Andrew Seidel in ballroom Madison, Wis., from Oct. 18-20. And ap- MORNING OPEN HOUSE 10:15 PM Film: “Holy Hierarchy: The pearing as our “Convention Caricaturist” Pre-convention event Religious Roots of Racism in America” will be Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist To be repeated at 12:15 p.m. Saturday Steve Benson. 9:30 -11:30 AM OPEN HOUSE Northup, president and CEO of the Freethought Hall in Downtown Madison Saturday, October 19 Center for Reproductive Rights, will be (Free, but reservations required!) receiving FFRF’s Forward Award. She EARLY REGISTRATION OPENS All Saturday events held in Madison was previously the founding director of Complimentary pastries, juice, hot bever- Ballroom, unless otherwise noted. the Democracy Program at the Brennan ages, Champagne, OJ, Mimosas 8:00 AM Nonprayer Breakfast (ticketed Nancy Northup Steve Benson Center for Justice at NYU School of Law, AFTERNOON FORMAL OPENING event) - Exhibit Hall A a prosecutor and deputy chief of appeals Monona Terrace Community & in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the gious Fundamentalism Award on be- 9:00 AM Madison Ballroom Convention Center Sales tables open Southern District of New York, and a law half of Americans United for the Sepa- Monona Terrace, 1 John Nolen Dr. clerk to the Alvin B. Rubin of the 5th U.S. ration of Church & State (AU). Laser is Madison Ballroom 9:30 AM WELCOME Lisa Strand, MUSIC Court of Appeals. president and CEO at AU. Noon REGISTRATION RE-OPENS Dan Barker Benson, who has been providing FFRF Hemant Mehta (continues throughout convention) 9:40 AM Film Preview, Jeremiah Camara, with cartoons for the past several months, Mehta, editor of FriendlyAtheist.com Sales tables open in the Madison Ballroom Director, “Holy Hierarchy: The Religious had been an editorial cartoonist for the blog website, will be speaking on the top- Roots of Racism in America” Arizona Republic for 38 years, until he ic of, “Is atheism still a taboo in politics?” 1:00 PM SHORT WELCOME was let go earlier this year for budgetary He will also be receiving one of FFRF’s Speaker to be announced 10:00 AM Trio of student essay winners reasons. His cartoons are nationally syn- “Nothing Fails Like Prayer” awards and 1:30 PM Henry H. Zumach Freedom From 10:30 AM “Eternal Hostility: The Struggle dicated at at one time appeared in more delivering his winning invocation. Religious Fundamentalism Award Between Theocracy and Democracy” than 120 newspapers. He will be draw- Trae Crowder Rachel Laser accepts on behalf of Frederick Clarkson ing caricatures of convention guests as a He has recently earned national atten- Americans United fundraiser for FFRF. tion for his “Liberal Redneck” series of 11:00 AM Battle of Church & State: Legal 2:00 PM A Conversation with Sarah Also speaking will be the three top viral videos. Accomplishments Vowell with Dan Barker, followed by Q&A prize winners of our college-bound high Frederick Clarkson FFRF Legal Staff & Mark Dann, FFRF school senior essay contest. Their essays He is the author, co-author or editor of 3:00 PM BREAK — Refreshments (lobby) lobbyist can be seen on pages 12-13. several books, including Eternal Hostility: Book signing for Sarah Vowell in ballroom Noon - 2:00 PM LUNCH BREAK For hotel, food and other details about The Struggle Between Theocracy and Democra- concurrent Optional Grab & Go Lunch the convention, turn to page 24 or go cy and Dispatches from the Religious Left: The 3:30 PM “Godless Citizens in a Godly 12:15 - 12:45 PM FILM SCREENING to ffrf.org/convention2019. A registration Future of Faith and Politics in America. Republic: Atheists in American Public Life” “Holy Hierarchy: The Religious Roots of form is also on page 24. See this page for Anthony B. Pinn Authors R. Laurence Moore & Isaac Kramnick Racism in America” the tentative convention schedule. Pinn, who will be receiving FFRF’s Book signing at 5 p.m. Other convention speakers include: Emperor Has No Clothes Award, is the 2:00 PM Freethought Heroine Award Sarah Vowell Agnes Cullen Arnold Professor of Hu- 4:15 PM Forward Award, Nancy Northup, Mandisa Thomas Center for Reproductive Rights She is the New York Times bestsell- manities and professor of religion at Rice 2:30 PM Avijit Roy Courage Award ing author of seven nonfiction books on University. 5:00 PM DINNER BREAK Avinash Patil, on behalf of Maharashtra American history and culture. Avinash Patil Buffet in Grand Terrace/Rooftop gardens Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti Mandisa Thomas He will be given the Avijit Roy Courage (ticketed event) Thomas, who will be named FFRF’s Award on behalf of the Maharashtra And- Book signing for Moore & Kramnick 3:00 PM Emperor Has No Clothes Award 2019 Freethought Heroine, is the found- hashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti, which concurrent Anthony B. Pinn er and president of Black Nonbelievers. is dedicated to fighting superstition in 3:30 PM BREAK Isaac Kramnick & R. Laurence Moore India. Friday Evening Program Book signing for Anthony Pinn Kramnick and Moore will discuss their Andrew L. Seidel 4:00 PM TBA most recent book, Godless Citizens in a Seidel, the director of strategic re- Madison Ballroom Godly Republic: Atheists in American Public sponse at FFRF, recently released his first 7:00 PM EVENING WELCOME, MUSIC 6:30 PM SATURDAY NIGHT DINNER Life. Kramnick is the Richard J. Schwartz book, The Founding Myth: Why Christian FFRF Co-Presidents Dan Barker & Annie (Ticketed event) - Exhibit Hall A Professor of Government Emeritus at Nationalism Is Un-American. Laurie Gaylor: Year in Review Evening program in Madison Ballroom Cornell where he has taught since 1972. Jeremiah Camara 7:30 PM “Nothing Fails Like Prayer 8:00 PM “Clean Money Drawing” Moore is the Howard A. Newman Pro- FFRF will be showing his movie, “Holy Award” Hemant Mehta fessor of History and American Studies Hierarchy: The Religious Roots of Rac- 8:30 PM An Evening with Trae Crowder, “Is Atheism Still Taboo in Politics?” “Liberal Redneck” Emeritus at Cornell University, where he ism in America,” which explains how the Hemant Mehta taught from 1972 until his retirement. belief in a supreme being in colonial Vir- Book signing at evening’s conclusion Sunday, October 20 Rachel Laser ginia led to notions of supreme human 8:00 PM “The Founding Myth: Why She will be accepting the $10,000 beings and how these notions morphed ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING Henry Zumach Freedom From Reli- their way into slavery and the legal system. Christian Nationalism Is Un-American” Andrew Seidel Hall of Ideas FG Book signing at evening’s conclusion 8:30 AM Complimentary pastries & hot beverages View daily quotes at ffrf.org/day 8:30 PM God Gets His Annual Job Performance Review 9:00 AM Annual Membership meeting Mrs. Betty Bowers (America’s Best Open to current FFRF members FREETHOUGHT OF THE DAY Christian™) and Andrew Bradley Annual State Representatives meeting Complimentary gourmet cupcakes and hot ADJOURN BY NOON beverages - Grand Terrace “Backward and forward, eternity is the same; ADRIFT ON A STAR – Music CD already we have been the nothing we dread to be.” Irreverent selections by Dan Barker, Yip Harburg, Charles Strouse, Cole Porter, Herman Melville Gershwin and others. Author of Moby Dick Buy it from FFRF online shop.ffrf.org © 2019 Freedom From Religion Foundation Page 24 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | August 2019 Visit Madison for our 42nd irreverent conference! Enjoy FFRF’s convention from Oct. 18-20 Join the Freedom From Religion $17/day. Valet parking: $20/day. smoked bacon, rosemary wedge pota- etarian option is marinated grilled tem- Foundation in Madison, Wis., for its 42nd Sheraton Madison Hotel, 706 John toes, petite muffin assortment, chilled peh sandwich. Kaiser is replaced with glu- annual convention from Oct. 18-20 at the Nolen Drive, Madison, WI 53713. Call juice, coffee, tea and milk. Veggie/veg- ten-free roll upon request. Served with Monona Terrace Community and Con- 866-716-8134 or 608-251-2300 or visit: an/gluten-free substitutes available. assorted Pepsi-brand sodas. vention Center. For speakers and tenta- reservations.com/hotel/sheraton-madison-ho- Saturday ‘Grab and Go’ Box Lunch, Saturday Dinner, $50: Roasted chick- tive schedule, see page 23. tel, mentioning “Freedom From Religion $25. For your convenience, we offer a box en breast with truffle glaze, potatoes, veg- Foundation.” Rates are $156 (1-4 peo- lunch containing deli-sliced turkey on etable blend, house salad, plated dessert General schedule ple), plus local taxes of 14.5 percent and fresh Kaiser roll, fresh sliced tomato and trio, coffee, tea and milk. Veggie, vegan The pre-convention open house is fees. Parking is free and so is the shut- lettuce with condiments, piece of whole and gluten-free substitutes available. Friday morning, Oct. 18 at Freethought tle to Monona Terrace, a 3-mile walk or fruit, home baked cookie and chips. Veg- Cash bar. Hall, FFRF’s national office. 8-minute drive. The official starting time of the con- Park Hotel Madison, 22 S. Carroll vention, at the convention center (1 St., Madison, WI 53703 (3 blocks from John Nolen Drive) is 1 p.m., Friday, Oct. Monona Terrace). Call 800-279-8811 or FREEDOM FROM RELIGION FOUNDATION 18, continuing through Saturday night. 608-285-8000 or visit parkhotelmadison. FFRF’s membership and state represen- com, mentioning “Freedom From Reli- tative meetings take place Sunday morn- gion Foundation.” Rates are $194 (1-2 NATIONAL CONVENTION ing, ending by noon. people, one bed); $214 (1-4 people, 2 MADISON | OCTOBER 18–20, 2019 The schedule includes irreverent mu- beds); $254 (suite). Two-night minimum sic, FFRF book and merch sales tables and length of stay. Guaranteed parking for book signings, complimentary ice cream one vehicle for overnight guests ($15 per 2019 CONVENTION REGISTRATION FORM and beverages on Friday afternoon and night, valet only). Or register online: ffrf.org/convention2019 complimentary Friday night dessert re- ception. Plus, there is the always-popu- Food! REGISTRATION FEES Number Registering Cost lar drawing for “clean” (pre-“In God We Complimentary receptions include Member ___$60 $_____ Trust”) currency on Saturday night. light brunch fare at the Friday morning Return the handy registration form Freethought Hall Open House, compli- Spouse or Companion (Non-member accompanying member) ___$65 $_____ on this page or sign up at ffrf.org/ mentary ice cream and hot beverages Child (Under 18 Accompanying Registrant) ___Free $_____ convention2019. Friday afternoon after the start of the convention and complimentary dessert Student with ID (Over 18) ___$10 $_____ Hotel reservations reception with cupcakes and hot bever- ☐ I am interested in hotel, meal or travel scholarship FFRF is using three Madison hotels. ages at the conclusion of Friday night. Non-member ___$115 $_____ The Hilton Madison, attached to the Breakfast pastries, hot coffee and tea will Or join for $40 and save $15 ___$100 $_____ convention center, site of the conven- be served at the start of the Sunday morn- Number Registering Cost tion, is the main hotel venue. The oth- ing membership meeting. OPTIONAL MEALS / EVENTS er two hotels offer overflow rooms, and Optional meals include: Friday, October 18 require either a 3-block walk or driving Friday Dinner Buffet, $35: Bucky’s Freethought Hall Open House 9:30–11 AM / Must register to attend ___Free or taking a free shuttle to the conven- Tailgate Buffet includes Wisconsin Wal- tion site. All hotels have blocks Thurs- dorf salad, home-style potato salad, fresh Friday Welcome Party (Dinner Buffet) 5–6:30 PM ___$35 $_____ day through Saturday nights, with a few vegetable and relish tray, beer-boiled Registrant 1 ☐ Regular ☐ Vegetarian ☐ Vegan ☐ Gluten Free more limited rooms Wednesday and Johnsonville Bratwurst with sauerkraut Registrant 2 ☐ Regular ☐ Vegetarian ☐ Vegan ☐ Gluten Free Sunday nights. and chopped fresh onion, grilled bone- Registrant 3 ☐ Regular ☐ Vegetarian ☐ Vegan ☐ Gluten Free Hilton Madison Monona Terrace, 9 E. less chicken breast, black bean burgers, Wilson St., Madison, WI 53703. Call 1-877- fresh sliced tomato and lettuce, vegetar- Saturday, October 19 510-7465 or 414-935-5941, or visit bit. ian baked beans, buns, condiments, and Non-Prayer Breakfast ___$20 $_____ ly/2SPTPlz and mention “Freedom From coffee, tea and milk. Registrant 1 ☐ Regular ☐ Vegetarian ☐ Vegan ☐ Gluten Free Religion Foundation.” Rates are $185 (1-4 Saturday Nonprayer Breakfast, $20: Registrant 2 ☐ Regular ☐ Vegetarian ☐ Vegan ☐ Gluten Free people), plus tax. A self-parking garage is Cheese & chive scrambled eggs, apple Registrant 3 ☐ Regular ☐ Vegetarian ☐ Vegan ☐ Gluten Free “Grab and Go” Box Lunch ___$25 $_____ Enjoy Freethought Hall reception at convention Registrant 1 ☐ Regular ☐ Vegetarian ☐ Vegan ☐ Gluten Free On Friday, Oct. 18, from 9:30-11 a.m., you’re cordially invited to tour the four-story Registrant 2 ☐ Regular ☐ Vegetarian ☐ Vegan ☐ Gluten Free Freethought Hall, enjoy light pastries, Mimosas, orange juice, coffee and tea in the Char- Registrant 3 ☐ Regular ☐ Vegetarian ☐ Vegan ☐ Gluten Free lie Brooks Auditorium, get your photo by the amazingly life-like, full-size silicone model Saturday Dinner ___$50 $_____ of Charles Darwin in the Joel B. Landon & Wanda Y. Beers Freethought Library, and socialize with other members and staff. Please RSVP on registration form. Registrant 1 ☐ Regular ☐ Vegetarian ☐ Vegan ☐ Gluten Free Registrant 2 ☐ Regular ☐ Vegetarian ☐ Vegan ☐ Gluten Free Registrant 3 ☐ Regular ☐ Vegetarian ☐ Vegan ☐ Gluten Free ⊲ Total $______

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Bill and Renate Sperber of Minnesota, who have been FFRF members Credit Card Number Expiration Date / Security Code since 1981, dropped by recently to tour FFRF’s Freethought Hall in Madison, Wis. Bill Sperber at one time served on FFRF’s Executive Board. They are posing next to FFRF’s mannequin portraying Charles Darwin, Billing Name / Signature *Contact information for in-house use only created by Csam Wheatley.