Wonders of the Best way For minorities, universe written to honor is to reason can lead in Stardust become an ally to equality PAGE 13 PAGES 14-15 PAGE 24

Vol. 35 No. 10 Published by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. December 2018

Convention attention FFRF sues over Wisconsin’s DOJ chaplaincy program

The Freedom From Religon 4, but had been in the works Foundation is legally contesting for at least a year. a Wisconsin religion-centered Schimel claims that the counseling state program. chaplaincy program is a “crit- In a lawsuit filed Nov. 13 in ical component” of the DOJ, a Dane County court, FFRF is and has urged other state challenging agencies to contact the DOJ the constitu- staff to start their own chap- tionality of a laincy programs. Six all-white faith-based men from Christian faiths, employee many conservative, have been chaplaincy formally appointed DOJ chap- that Wis- lains. Although unpaid, the six consin At- agency chaplains are under the torney Gen- direction of a paid DOJ chap- eral Brad laincy program coordinator Schimel cre- Brad Schimel and have received training and Photo by Ingrid Laas ated at the reimbursement at taxpayer Comedian Julia Sweeney (right) takes a selfie with former Planned Parenthood president state Department of Justice. expense. They’re issued DOJ Cecile Richards during FFRF’s national convention in San Francisco the weekend of Nov. Schimel, who was defeated identification and building ac- 2-4. A record 986 people attended this year’s convention, from 42 states, Puerto Rico and in his bid for re-election on cess cards and are not prohib- Washington, D.C., and from Canada and the U.K. For more photos from the convention, Nov. 6, announced the chap- ited from soliciting donations see the eight-page special insert. The speeches given by child author Bailey Harris and Ex- laincy program in mid-October or proselytizing employees. Muslims of North America co-founder Sarah Haider are also reprinted in this issue. while campaigning. The pro- gram became effective on Oct. See DOJ on page 2 New art makes FFRF, AHA ask Just Pretend high court to let more colorful, cross win stand Two of the country’s leading secular groups have lively, engaging asked the U.S. Supreme Court to let stand their vic- tory declaring unconstitutional a massive cross in a FFRF Co-President Dan Barker’s book for chil- Florida city park. dren, Just Pretend: A Book for Young Freethinkers, has FFRF and the American Humanist Association been given a deluxe makeover. filed a brief Nov. 19 opposing the city of Pensaco- Originally published in 1988, the book had a Photo by Chris Line la’s efforts to overturn the recent 11th U.S. Circuit second edition printed in 2002 in a smaller format. Artist Kati Treu and author Dan Barker show off the Court of Appeals decision declaring the city’s mas- Both were printed in black and white. The new updated version of the children’s book, Just Pretend. sive Christian cross towering over Bayview Park a vio- 2018 edition lation of the First Amendment. is printed in a The filing argues that Supreme Court review is un- glossy paper- showed them to Dan, and we got them sharpened warranted because the law is clear and does not need back format with more and then I did the final illustrations,” Treu to be disturbed. Numerous court decisions already dozens of color- said. “My favorite drawing is of ‘Imagination Anon- make it clear that religious displays motivated by a ful illustrations ymous,’ where I got to create my version of all religious purpose are unconstitutional, so there is no drawn by art stu- those fictional characters.” need for review. dent Kati Treu. Just Pretend is a children’s book that teach- “Of the 33 federal cross cases, not a single circuit “We realized es kids (and adults) how to think clearly, how to has upheld a stand-alone Latin cross, let alone one that we should question authority when necessary, and how to motivated by a purely religious purpose,” the brief utilize the ar- separate fantasy from fact. It gets children to think states. “That uniformity is proof that this court’s tistic talents of about and explore myths like Santa Claus (spoil- jurisprudence currently provides more than suffi- Kati to make the er alert!) compared with ideas like the existence cient guidance to the lower courts to yield consistent book more at- of God. Just Pretend encourages children to apply results.” tractive,” Barker said. “This edition is really driven the tests of reason to any idea, fairy tale, myth, or The two groups filed their initial lawsuit on be- by the art. In fact, we edited some of the copy to religion. half of local residents in the U.S. District Court of better fit the great artwork.” “Children are smart,” Barker said. “They can Northern Florida in 2016. The case contended that Treu illustrated each page to bring the book to think for themselves.” the 34-foot-tall cross overwhelming Bayview Park and life. Order the book ($12 postage-paid) at shop.ffrf. “I just started with some rough sketches, then org/books-and-lit. See Cross on page 4 Page 2 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | December 2018

FFRF in DFW Helping refugees rewarding for Executive Board member

Name: Stef Moritz Where I live: Downtown Madison, Wis., just a few blocks from Free- thought Hall. Where I was born: Elgin, Ill. Family: Husband Vince Jenkins and 17-year-old cat, Ginger. Education: I have a master’s de- gree in what they used to call “library science.” Occupation: Retired public librari- an. For 28 years, I worked in libraries in Illinois and Phoenix. How I got where I am today: I have a stubborn streak, inherited from my Photo by Dr. Zach Moore late mother. Sometimes it’s a liability, FFRF Co-President Dan Barker (second from right) traveled to the Dallas- but, on the positive side, it makes me Forth Worth area to speak with members of the DFW FFRF chapter in persistent! Where I’m headed: Well, not into October. Pictured, from left to right, are: Aaron Cott, Karen Hoenig, Stef Moritz Courtney Stewart, Jenny Del Toro, Owen Younger, Rex Burks, Barker and the afterlife, for sure. I just want to Randy Hoenig. live a good life while I’m here, respect The final break came after the dev- the planet and its myriad, diverse astating attacks on 9/11, when I ful- “Thank you so much for coming to Dallas and supporting the new forms of life, and ly realized what a chapter here,” Younger writes. “You and FFRF have a committed group when my time is R destructive force of supporters down here and we want to do everything we can to help finished, donate religion could be. protect the wall of separation and to try and make some more freethinkers my brain to dementia research. Since then, religion has played no while we’re at it.” FFRF welcomes its newest chapter. Person in history I admire and role in my life and I am at peace with why: Charlotte Bronte, because she that. I’m OK with people who get invented the admirable, strong char- something out of religion, as long as Continued from page 1 acter, Jane Eyre. they don’t try to force their beliefs on A quotation I like: “The only prob- anyone else. DOJ lem in your life is your mind’s resis- Before I die: I’d like someone, Their explicit duties include providing there could be life-and-death conse- tance to life as it unfolds.” — Dan somewhere, to feel that I changed consultation and spiritual guidance to quences due to the fact that the agency Millman. their life for the better. DOJ employees and their families, and chaplains aren’t required to have nec- These are a few of my favorite Ways I promote freethought: I the chaplaincies are integrated into essary mental health/substance abuse things: Orange tabbies, extra-dark serve as secretary on FFRF’s Execu- DOJ programs, including new employee training. chocolate, gummy bears, quiet eve- tive Board and support other orga- classes and orientation. “There’s absolutely no need or jus- nings on the couch reading with my nizations which champion not only “The DOJ Chaplaincy Program does tification for the DOJ to provide reli- hubby, traveling to new and exotic freethought, but freedom of expres- not include, and affirmatively excludes, gious counseling as an accommodation, places. sion. As a former librarian, I abhor secular mental health professionals,” such as can be argued that the military These are not: People who call censorship and believe that we can- FFRF’s legal complaint asserts. The is obliged to offer,” adds FFRF Co-Pres- mainstream media “fake news,” cre- not have a free society without free- complaint notes that the program sets ident Annie Laurie Gaylor. “This is pure ationists, climate-change deniers, dom of expression. up a religious test as a condition for em- and simple a case of governmental pro- racists and bigots. (Do you see a pat- How I like to spend my free time: ployment: Chaplains must be ordained motion of religion to state employees, tern here?) I volunteer in a number of capacities, or licensed clergy in good standing of a and it’s not only unnecessary, it also goes My doubts about religion started: but what is most rewarding is helping faith group. Yet they aren’t required to against both the Wisconsin and U.S. Actually, later on in life. I was raised recent refugees adapt to their new be professional mental health providers, Constitutions.” in a devout Catholic family and my lives in the United States. I enjoy one- or be licensed or otherwise regulated by FFRF is asking the circuit court to education in parochial schools did on-one English language tutoring the Wisconsin Department of Safety and declare the program a violation of not encourage me to question the and am currently working with some Professional Services, like other mental Wisconsin State Constitution, Article tenets of the religion. In adulthood, refugee women from Iraq. I also vol- health professionals. 1, Section 18, and of the Establish- I became aware that my personal unteer on a regular basis for the Wis- FFRF points out that DOJ employees ment Clause of the First Amendment beliefs were more and more out of consin chapter of The Nature Con- are not in any way inhibited by their of the U.S. Constitution, and to enjoin sync with church teachings regard- servancy, where they have bestowed employment from freely exercising the DOJ from providing chaplaincy ing homosexuality, birth control and upon me the title of “Land Inquiries any religious preference they may have services. the exclusively male power structure. Specialist.” for religious counseling services. State The plaintiffs are FFRF, a Wiscon- employees, including nonreligious sin-based national group of 32,000 and non-Christian employees, are be- members on behalf of its 1,400 Wis- American Infidel: The Born Again Skeptic’s ing encouraged to seek out Christian consin members, and Gaylor and FFRF Robert G. Ingersoll Guide to the Bible counseling, while being denied secular Co-President Dan Barker, in their capac- counseling services by bona fide men- ity as state taxpayers and as FFRF Life- By Orvin Larsen By Ruth Hurmence Green tal health practitioners. FFRF alleges time Members. Prof. Larsen writes A Missouri grandmother debunks the bible as with a ection and no one has debunked it respect of this since Thomas Paine. illustrious 19th century freethinker. Published by FFRF

Buy it from FFRF online BuyBuy it it from from FFRF online online shop.ff rf.org shop.ffshop.ffrf.org rf.org Published by Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc.

P.O. Box 750 Madison WI 53701 [email protected] FFRF.org Freedom from Religion Foundation P 608.256.8900 F 608.204.0422 P.O. Box 750 • Madison, WI 53701 • (608) 256-8900 • FFRF.org EDITOR PJ Slinger [email protected] What is the Freedom From Religion Foundation? EDITOR EMERITUS Bill Dunn Founded in 1978 as a national organization of freethinkers (atheists and EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER Annie Laurie Gaylor agnostics), the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc., works to keep state and church separate and to educate the public about the views of nontheists. GRAPHIC DESIGNER Roger Daleiden FFRF has more than 32,000 members. FFRF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Amit Pal donations are tax deductible for income tax purposes. CONTRIBUTORS FFRF’s email address is [email protected]. Please include your name and physical Philip Appleman, Sarah Haider, Bailey Harris, Ingrid Laas, Chris Line, mailing address with all email correspondence. Stef Moritz, Bailey Nachreiner-Mackesey, Steve Pinski, Andrew Seidel, FFRF members wishing to receive online news releases, “action alerts” and Yonat Shimron, Jake Swenson, James C. Wiseman “Freethought of the Day” should contact [email protected]. The only freethought newspaper in the United States December 2018 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 3

40th anniversary of Jonestown tragedy IRS must reform church reporting policy

By Annie Laurie Gaylor have to ejaculate at least 25 times a day.” He claimed to have the world’s biggest e recently passed the 40th an- male organ and inaugurated bizarre niversary of the horrific mas- public rituals around his boast. Church Wsacre of more than 900 peo- members were forced to “confess” they ple at the behest of Rev. Jim Jones in were gay. Marital sex was forbidden. He Jonestown, Guyana. We now know not preyed sexually on women and men, to “drink the Kool-Aid.” But our so- and sadistically meted out public pun- ciety is still blind to the fact that this ishment with a 2-foot-plus wooden pad- atrocity was made possible in large part dle, which would be used on children because Jones’ and adults alike as many as 150 times. ministry was Microphones would be held up to the given a pass mouths of screaming victims, who on by the govern- penalty of further beatings, were then ment of the required to say to Jones, “Thank you, United States. Father.” Sometimes Jones would gig- The U.S. gle during the beatings. Members were government, encouraged to believe the world would in fact, gives soon end, and were told they would die every minister without Jones’ protection. and every re- All of this took place in the Unit- ligion a pass. ed States prior to the Peoples Temple Photo by Chris Line Because dona- move to Guyana. Annie Laurie Gaylor tions to 501(c) Of course, Jonestown is and was (3) groups are an aberration in American churches. deductible for income-tax purposes, Most churches in our nation, thank- tax-exempt groups are essentially sub- fully, will not devolve into suicide cults. sidized by the American public. There- Some denominations faithfully release fore 501(c)(3) nonprofits must ac- financial statements to their own mem- count to the public about what they do Jim Jones was the American religious cult leader who was responsible for a mass bers. A very few, largely Unitarian, vol- with tax-exempt donations — except suicide and mass murder in Jonestown, Guyana, on Nov. 18, 1978. untarily even file the Form 990, bless for churches. The Internal Revenue their secular hearts. Service waives all religions, churches, pened without a peep or a protest from God: Life Inside Rev. Jim Jones’s Peoples temples, synagogues and mosques from governments of the time. Temple, noted that Jones controlled Financial secrecy having to file the annual Form 990 in- his followers through fear, using flog- But there are all too many exam- formation return that other 501(c)(3) Cautionary tale gings, beatings, psychological and sex- ples of the harm that occurs through entities must file every year in order to Jonestown also wouldn’t have hap- ual humiliation, and pitting followers church secrecy over finances. That very retain their tax-exempt status. pened, of course, were it not for the against one another. Mills, who left the secrecy may attract or develop wing- In October, FFRF (which, by the way, undue deference religion and min- Peoples Temple in 1975 as one of the nuts, charlatans and criminals. Look faithfully files the annual Form 990 ac- isters receive in our society, of which first public defectors, had helped coor- at David Koresh and the Branch David- counting for its tax-exempt finances) the Form 990 exception is but one dinate the on-site investigation by Rep. ians in Waco or the renegade polyga- renewed its important court challenge symptom. Jim Jones is a cautionary tale Ryan. Tragically, she herself was later mous Mormon church, many of whose of this discriminatory and preferential not only about why churches should murdered in 1980, along with her hus- communities survive on welfare and IRS treatment of churches. report finances to the IRS, but why band Al and their 16-year-old daugh- engage in child rape and marriage. It’s The Form 990 legal issues can seem it’s essential to safeguard the Johnson ter, Daphene. Jones’ last words, record- obvious that any church involved in a a little academic or dry . . . until you Amendment, which bars tax-exempt ed on tape right before the Jonestown crime or scandal will benefit from the look at Jonestown, and realize how its entities from en- massacre, were lack of reporting accountability to the IRS-blessed financial secrecy spawned gaging in poli- orders to kill Mills IRS. One has only to observe the insti- one of the late 20th century’s most hei- ticking. Jones was and her husband. tutional crimes against children by the nous massacres in the name of religion. praised to the hilt Because his church lacked any Mills’ family, Roman Catholic Church and the U.S. by public officials formal accountability, Jones like other mem- bishops to see how hidden finances Residents enslaved in San Francisco was able to amass a veritable bers, were ex- have protected the churches and aid- Approximately 80 percent of in the early 1970s, treasury and armory. pected to donate ed its massive cover-ups. How many of Jonestown residents were Afri- gaining their trust all their savings, these crimes occur precisely because can-Americans, seduced or terrorized by offering social houses, insurance churches are financial black holes? into supporting Jones, who assured programs and pro- and jewelry to the The question FFRF always asks is: them that only he could protect them viding campaign workers. He was pho- church, and contribute their full-time Why wouldn’t a church want to be from a prophesied Nazi uprising. tographed with many local and national salaries. Jones, who had 8,000 San Fran- transparent about its finances, to meet Residents were wretchedly enslaved, politicians — appearing at events with cisco followers, accounted for none of the same standards as other tax-exempt sleep-deprived, abused, starved and Rosalynn Carter, Gov. Jerry Brown and this plunder or riches to anyone, much nonprofits? In a sense, by continuing denied outside contact. At least a third San Francisco Mayor George Moscone, less to the government. Had the Peo- to hold church doctrine as unquestion- of the more than 900 victims were who appointed Jones in 1976 to the ples Temple been required to fill out able, and churches and ministers as children or minors. Also slaughtered city’s Housing Authority Commission. the basic federal information return, above the law and above accountabil- were three journalists and a member The Peoples Temple former attorney there would have been many red flags ity, we Americans are still voluntarily of Congress, the admirable Rep. Leo Timothy Stoen analyzed, “There wasn’t about finances that might have caught drinking the Kool-Aid. Ryan, who had listened to constituents anything magical about Jim’s power. It the eye of governmental officials. In- Annie Laurie Gaylor is co-president and who had family trapped in Guyana and was raw politics. He was able to deliver stead, governmental officials refused co-founder of FFRF. flown down to investigate. He and the what politicians want, which is power. to investigate defectors’ numerous reporters were shockingly shot down And how do you get power? By votes. complaints of kidnapping, child abuse, on a runway after his fact-finding vis- And how do you get votes? With peo- battery. RECRUIT A MEMBER it, precipitating the killing and suicide ple. Jim Jones could produce 3,000 Mills recounted how Jones attract- spree by the mentally unhinged Jones. people at a political event.” ed followers through “faith healing.” Sample copies for $2 Mainstream Christian denomina- He would shove a rotting chicken liver Send $2 with the name and tions quickly distanced themselves The horror into a victim’s mouth, camouflaging it from the events of Nov. 18, 1978, but Those of us who were alive when with a towel. When the individual would address of each person you it’s important to remember that Jones Jonestown occurred will never for- retch it out, Jones would pronounce it wish to receive a sample copy had an ordination from the Christian get the horror: The aerial footage of was a cancer passing out. He employed of Freethought Today to: Church-Disciples of Christ, a mainline what at first glance looked like bright church sleuths to spy on members and denomination. In plain sight, because carnival colors, that turned into an raid their garbage cans. Then he’d use FFRF his church lacked any formal account- endless ocean of bodies splayed out the information as though it was a “rev- P.O. Box 750 ability, Jones was able to amass a ver- in gruesome death. (Cyanide poison- elation” or to publicly humiliate mem- Madison, WI 53701 itable treasury and armory, and even ing, contrary to Jones’ reassurances, is bers from the pulpit. The megaloma- state-subsidized foster children, carting very painful. When it came to be Jones’ niac would hand out questionnaires to Please send us only names away money, guns and children from turn to die, the hypocrite ordered a every church member asking if he or she of likely supporters American shores and secreting them lackey to shoot him in the head.) Jean- wanted to have sex with him. He would Freedom depends upon freethinkers to a remote jungle spot. All of this hap- nie Mills, in her book, Six Years With claim: “I have so much sperm that I Page 4 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | December 2018 HEADS UP Richard Kirschman A Poetry Column By Philip Appleman ‘always a step ahead’ AN EYE FOR AN EYE Life Member Richard Kirschman, a “Are you saved?” he asks me, philanthropist and innovator, died on Nov. 6 at the age of 85. sunrise in the corner of his eye, Richard was born on Long Island on a snag at the edge of his voice. Dec. 27, 1932, to Lewis Kirschman and Dorothy Freeman. He attended Buck- In a blur of memory, I see the others: nell University, briefly served in the the preacher who used to trounce my tender sins, Marines and later the Navy from 1955 until 1958. kids at church camp, their brimstone choirs Richard was the author of sever- shrill with teenage lust gone underground, al books, including the PG-13 Bible, true believers come knocking to tell me a printing of the text of the first five books of the Old Testament with the that flaming hell is real. most offensive passages “in bold to And those twisted faces on the tube: help parents easily find the parts about slaying, lying, killing, pillaging, ston- Christian gunmen in Beirut, their hot eyes ing, etc.” Richard Kirschman exploding in the beds of sleeping children; Doris Ober, Richard’s wife, wrote the righteous hatreds of Belfast, lighting to FFRF after his death. “He was a re- how the world’s troubles unfold. I will markable man who led a remarkable miss music, beauty of all kinds, wild Irish eyes like a tenement fire; life. Always a step ahead, he wrote his creatures, the natural world and intel- the eyes of the Ayatollah, squinting with joy own obituary, which I’ve copied below. ligent conversation. He was a great admirer of your organi- “But it is people I will miss most. My at the blood of his blindfolded prisoners. zation [and a mem- beloved wife and It smolders in the windows of the soul, ber since 2010].” IN RI companion in life, “I made it all the Doris Ober, whose that holy blaze, never so bright way to the end. At least that’s the way love, warmth, good humor, intelli- as in human sacrifice, it feels to me. Didn’t get cut off early gence, talent and values have enriched never so proud as in crimson crusades, as too many have. Had the exquisite my life for decades. My sister Ellen for pleasure of living a life of curiosity and her affection, many accomplishments, the glorious, godlike destruction. learning that allowed me to try many and take on life. . . . And my dear things and live in many places. To feel friends — whose names my forgetful From Perfidious Proverbs and Other Poems: free and safe in this great country. mind dares not list for fear of omitting A Satirical Look At The Bible “What I will miss most — a ridicu- someone dear and cherished. lous notion for someone who has nev- “I leave with these thoughts: Oppose © Philip Appleman. er believed in life after death, God, war, be kind to each other, make music angels, or supernatural anythings — is and art, travel and speak out against Philip Appleman is a Dis­tinguished Pro­fessor being around to see what comes next. intolerance, ignorance, and supersti- Emeri­tus at In­dia­na Uni­ver­si­ty. He is editor of Lots of nexts. Next in new discoveries tion. Embrace humor, responsibility, the Norton Critical Edition of Darwin. He and his in medicine and science. Next with honesty and respect for the truth.” playwright wife, Marjorie Appleman, are both “After-Life” Members of FFRF. Other books of his, available at shop.ffrf.org, NYU law student wins Paul J. Gaylor include Karma, Dharma, Pudding & Pie and New and Selected Poems, 1956-1996. Memorial Student Activist Award FFRF is proud to announce that Washington Square News, the student Mickey Desruisseaux has earned the newspaper of New York University. Paul J. Gaylor Memorial Student Activ- Mickey, 25, graduated from the ist Award of $1,000. University of Chicago in 2015 with a Cross The award is an- degree in political science. He is now nually endowed by a law student at New York University Continued from page 1 Annie Laurie Gay- and plans to graduate in 2021. He was lor in honor of her born and raised in Chicago, and has maintained by the city of Pensacola father, Paul. Mickey a passion for writing, politics and the represents a clear preference for the was given the award Chicago Bulls. While undecided about Christian faith over other beliefs and for his defense of the what type of law he will practice, he nonbelief. views of nonbeliev- feels strongly about criminal justice re- The district court sided with the na- ers. His article, “Why form and civil rights defense, or “may- tional secular organizations in a June do we portray athe- be constitutional law as a backdoor 2017 decision, ordering the removal of Mickey ists as broken believ- back into the world of politics. And as the city’s massive Christian cross. In ear- Desruisseaux ers?” was published I mentioned before, I have a vested in- ly fall of 2018, the 11th Circuit upheld in the November issue of Freethought terest in seeing the 45th president out the decision, agreeing that the govern- Today after originally appearing in the of office in two years.” ment-funded, freestanding cross un- constitutionally entangles the govern- ment with the Christian faith. On Sept. FFRF Legal Director Rebecca Markert. 17, the city petitioned the U.S. Supreme “There’s simply no reason the Court FFRF welcomes 23 Life Members Court to issue a writ of certiorari urging needs to review the sound decision by FFRF is pleased and proud to an- Karen Roy, Allen Sharples, Karen the high court to overturn the ruling. the 11th Circuit.” nounce our 23 newest Lifetime Mem- Sielbeck, Jon Taggett, David Tuck- The brief reflects the determination of FFRF contends that a city has the bers, our three new After-Life Mem- er, Chuck Weller, Rose L. White and the two organizations to protect their duty to equally serve all its residents. bers and our new Immortal. Joshua Wiens. constitutional triumph. “This huge city-sponsored cross im- The three new After-Lifers are States represented are Arizona, “The city failed to present a question permissibly signals that Pensacola has Norman Wayne Lauritzen, Ruth Ann California, Connecticut, Florida, Ha- that demands Supreme Court review,” a Christian government and that Chris- Lauritzen and Hal F. Mather. An Af- waii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, New explains AHA Senior Counsel Monica tian citizens are favored,” says FFRF ter-Life Membership is a $5,000 mem- Hampshire, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Miller. “Federal courts have uniformly Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor. “We bership level for those who want their Virginia and Washington. Individual recognized that a government’s free- are legally and morally in the right, and donation to “live on” after them. Lifetime Memberships are $1,000, standing Christian cross display violates our victory should stand.” FFRF’s 23 newest Lifetime Mem- designated as membership or mem- the Establishment Clause. This is espe- The AHA concurs with this bers are Elizabeth Bouve, Carlton bership renewal, and are deductible cially true of crosses maintained for ex- perspective. Cum’arah Khem Bronner, William for income-tax purposes. clusively religious ends, such as Pensaco- “All residents of Pensacola have Cabell, Raymond Dodge, Mynga Fu- The new Immortal is Joe Annino. la’s cross, which serves as the centerpiece the right to enjoy the parks that their trell, Richard Heldmann, Jamie A. The Immortals category is a donation for annual Christian worship services.” tax dollars maintain,” says Roy Speck- Henson, Robert Hunter, Tim W. Jen- designation for those members who “Courts have marched in virtual lock- hardt, AHA executive director. “We kins, Jennifer Johnston, Steve Kahn, have contacted FFRF to report they step in striking down Christian cross are looking forward to a city park that Barbara Kwiatek, Robert J. Morgan, have made provisions for FFRF in displays on government property,” adds is welcoming to all.” Harvey Motulsky, Jerome Rampelt, their estate planning. December 2018 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 5 FFRF Life Member donates kidney to stranger

By Steve Pinski made the surgery turn out great. And the surgery did, indeed, turn out great! donated my kidney to a complete My kidney was removed at 7:30 a.m., stranger. on July 31, packed in ice, and shipped to I For me, this was a very simple deci- Madison, Wis., on the same day it was re- sion — it was the right thing to do. I have moved. Someone received it later in the two brothers-in-law with Huntington’s afternoon that very day. disease. They, in turn, had two children When donating, it is possible to know each with Huntington’s disease. Hun- who received the kidney, although it’s tington’s is a terrible genetic disease that not always a sure thing. Both parties — eventually takes everything from you. If the donor and the recipient — have to I could donate a kidney, liver or arm to want to communicate. The first com- help them, I would, without hesitation. munication is strictly done through the Unfortunately, there is nothing I can do health center coordinators. except visit them in a total care facility, I wrote to my kidney recipient and I which my wife and I do as often as possi- received a reply. We plan to have further ble. There is no cure. communications, and hopefully we can Obviously, I don’t think this decision meet some day. was influenced by God, since I don’t be- What I learned about my recipient is lieve in a personal Santa Claus god. My that he had been on dialysis for 5 ½ years religion didn’t help me donate a kid- and now he says he’s doing “great.” ney, because I believe all religions on What I also know is my recipient’s wife Earth are man-made and false. Further- was willing to donate her kidney to her more, while I believe “nothing fails like a husband, but she was not a match. My prayer,” I also believe “nothing succeeds recipient’s wife promised to donate her like true compassionate action.” You can kidney to a second stranger when her be good without a personal god. husband received a kidney. And then I merely figured if I couldn’t help the chain continued one more time for a my family members who have a genetic third kidney recipient. So, three separate disease, I might as well help whomever people received kidneys because I started I could. People are dying every day wait- the chain with a donation to a stranger. ing for a kidney and I have two good I didn’t care what race, religion or ones. With my decision made, I just had sex my kidney recipient was. I am just to find out if I was eligible to donate pleased that person has the chance to live and then do it. a happy healthy life in honor of my family members with Huntington’s disease. Data speak volumes I’m an engineer, and I really like data. Quick recovery Checking out the National Kidney Foun- Steve Pinski rests in his hospital bed after surgery on July 31. I was walking the morning after sur- dation website, I found the following I had to complete the NKR screening all religion about 10 years ago. My psy- gery. I was walking two miles within a statistics: via the website and then, once clearing chologist looked at me and said, “That’s week. I was walking four miles within two • There are currently 121,678 people that step, I had to fill out my full medical interesting.” I asked why he thought that weeks. I could walk/run four miles with- waiting for lifesaving organ transplants in history on the website. From there, I had was interesting. He then told me that, in in four weeks. A few precautions I now the United States. Of these, 100,791 await to select the NKR medical center where I his experience, most of the people who take include not using meds such as as- kidney transplants. wanted the surgery performed. (I chose donate to complete strangers are nonre- pirin, Ibuprofen, etc., keeping my salt in- • The median wait time for an indi- the University of Colorado Health Cen- ligious. I guess humanism really is mak- take low and checking my blood pressure vidual’s first kidney transplant is 3.6 years ter in Denver.) ing the world a better place. occasionally. Other than that, I feel great and can vary depending on health, com- Three days later, I was contacted by Other than my wife and kids, I had and I’m back doing everything I was do- patibility and availability of organs. the UC Health living donor coordinator. not told anyone until I was cleared to ing prior to the surgery. • In 2014, 17,107 kidney transplants I then underwent complete workups and donate. I figured I didn’t need to tell And, yes, I would donate my kidney took place in the United States. Of these, labs. Getting cleared for donation took anyone unless it was really going to again in a heartbeat. (If you thought I 11,570 came from deceased donors and about eight weeks. happen. In addition, I have five sisters, meant donating my second kidney, that 5,537 came from living donors. At that point, NKR organizes the and my mother — who are all nurses. I would be a “no.”) I never felt pressured Also, on average: chain of people to get kidneys. (In my was about to break the cardinal rule the to donate. As a matter of fact, I was as- • More than 3,000 new patients are case, it was three). nurses in my family taught me: Never go signed a “donor advocate,” who told me added to the kidney waiting list each Finally, there was the pre-op followed into a hospital and have surgery unless over and over that I could back out at any month. by the surgery on July 31. I now have to it’s absolutely necessary. So, I couldn’t tell time. I also never felt nervous, even as I • 13 people die each day while waiting go to post-op appointments to review any of my family nurses until it was over. was wheeled into the operating room. My for a life-saving kidney transplant. my health at six months, one year and I told my brother and he was very happy surgeon was incredible and the entire op- • In 2014, 4,761 patients died while two years. for me. eration/post-op team was amazing. Even waiting for a kidney transplant. Another, But I also couldn’t tell several of my the hospital food was fantastic. 3,668 people became too sick to receive a Psychological interview sisters and mother, prior to the surgery, While donating a kidney may not be kidney transplant. If you are a non-directed donor (do- because of religion. The very religious an option for everyone, it is worth consid- While there are several different ways nating to someone you do not know), among them would have started prayer ering if you are in good health. to go through the process of donating an you must see a psychologist. They want chains all over the country. I prefer to be FFRF Life Member Steve Pinksi of Colorado organ, here’s the process I went through. to understand why you want to donate in the hands of science and not give them owns a small cinematography drone business First, I went to the National Kidney Reg- an organ to a complete stranger. One the satisfaction of thinking their prayers and is an FAA-certified drone pilot. istry (NKR) website and clicked the but- of the very interesting anecdotal things ton, “I am considering donating my kid- I was told during my psychologist inter- ney.” The NKR process then went into view had to do with religion. I explained high gear. I used to be very religious, but I had left Freethought Matters A new weekly half-hour TV talk show produced by FFRF. An antidote to religion on the airwaves and Sunday morning sermonizing.

Watch our show every Sunday! Freethought Matters TV Talk Show airs in: Chicago WPWR-CW (Ch. 50) 9:00 a.m. Los Angeles KCOP-MY (Ch. 13) 8:30 a.m. Madison, Wis. WISC-TV (Ch. 3) 11:00 p.m. New York City WPIX-IND (Ch. 11) 8:30 a.m. Phoenix* KASW-CW (Ch. 61) 8:30 a.m. Portland, Ore. KRCW-CW (Ch. 32) 9:00 a.m. Sacramento KQCA-MY (Ch. 58) 8:30 a.m. Seattle KONG-IND (Ch. 16) 8:00 a.m. Washington, D.C. WDCW-CW (Ch. 15) 8:30 a.m. *(In Phoenix: Ch. 61 or 6 or 1006 for HD)

Go to: ffrf.org/news/freethought-matters for more information Steve Pinksi, left, and his son Kevin, finish a construction drone job on Oct. 25. Page 6 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | December 2018 ELECTION ROUNDUP Secular voters becoming more powerful

By Andrew L. Seidel came out as nonreligious. Convention- As this trend continues, religious al wisdom and several past studies on pandering will be less of a political iven the intensity of the news cycle voting for hypothetical atheist candi- necessity and it may even become a li- during election week, you might dates held that doing so would hurt his ability, and we will see its decline. This Ghave missed the biggest story of re-election chances, even in California. coming shift will have important policy the election: the surge of the “Nones.” But Election Day proved otherwise, with ramifications, though there will a lag Voters hit two important milestones Huffman winning by nearly 50 points. time before we see them. The attempt in the 2018 midterm. First, Protestants His lack of religion didn’t dent his to redefine religious freedom will be were not the majority of the electorate, share of the vote. (Laws on the books stopped, in the legislatures if not the according to Religion News Service. in eight states bar atheists from hold- courts. The political power of the Cath- Second, as white evangelical Christians ing public office, though such laws are olic Church will be checked to an ex- Andrew L. Seidel (who carried Trump into office on a unenforceable.) tent, though its money will always buy wave of Christian nationalism) are bare- away from religion is going to continue Voters elected more freethinkers it influence. In general, the halting ly maintaining their share in the elec- and probably accelerate. The shift in — an umbrella term for everyone and even rollback of Christian privilege torate, nonreligious people are gaining. the electorate likely means a coming who rejects religion, be they atheist, might begin. “Nones” — those who self-identify as shift in those being elected and in what agnostic, skeptic, humanist, or sim- There are many principled reasons nonreligious on surveys like those con- makes a candidate electable. ply nonreligious — this year than in to stand against religious pandering, ducted by the Pew Research Center — The signs are already visible. This any other election. The Freethought but politicians do it because it is sharply increased their share of the U.S. year, three U.S. representatives formed Equality Fund, a PAC dedicated to fruitful. But the more secular “We the electorate, from 11 percent in 2006 to the first ever Congressional Free- increasing the number of office hold- People” (and especially we the voters) 17 percent in 2018. That’s a massive 55 thought Caucus, which is dedicated ers who are religiously unaffiliated, become, the less politicians will cater percent increase. to four goals, including promoting announced that 47 openly nontheists to religious sensibilities. Eventually, A second, similar metric shows the “public policy formed on the basis of or humanists won elections at the fed- we’ll hit a tipping point where the same growth: The number of people reason, science, and moral values;” and eral and state levels, nearly triple the pandering is not simply worthless, but in the United States who enter the “protect[ing] the secular character of number currently in office. There are actually harmful. voting booth but not church is also our government by adhering to the seven new members of the House of It’s time for politicians to take note: surging, from 18 percent in 2014 to strict constitutional principle of the Representatives who are religiously Secular people are a powerful and 27 percent in 2018. That’s another separation of church and state.” unaffiliated: Katie Hill (Calif.), Sean growing voting bloc. Pander to the big jump of 50 percent. Nones are The caucus quickly grew to 10 mem- Casten (Ill.), Sharice Davids (Kan.), evangelicals and you ignore, malign, or also younger and the fastest-growing bers, all of whom won their re-election. Tom Malinowski (N.J.), Antonio Del- offend secular values voters. Politicians religious identification. That means Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., was the gado (N.Y.), Chrissy Houlahan (Pa.), who do so may soon find that they are as evangelicals age out, Nones replace principal founder of the Congressional and Jennifer Wexton (Va). Kyrsten not rewarded with higher office, but rel- them in age groups that are more like- Freethought Caucus. Before announc- Sinema, Arizona’s new senator, also egated to obscurity. ly to vote. ing the caucus and against the advice “ascribes to no religion,” as The New Attorney Andrew L. Seidel is the director In other words, the electorate’s trend of friends and family, he courageously York Times reported. of strategic response for FFRF. Religious groups voted along usual lines ‘Nones’ made up 17% in their congressional district, which showed a small shift in Catholic vot- gious services at least once a week is nearly the same as the share of reli- ing patterns. Catholic voters were backed Republican candidates over of 2018 electorate, the gious Nones who voted for Democrat- pretty evenly split: 50 percent favored Democrats in their congressional dis- highest percentage ever ic candidates in 2014 and 2010. the Democratic candidate for Con- tricts by an 18-point margin. Those Pew Research analysis of the reli- gress, while 49 percent favored the who attend services less often tilted An analysis of the 2018 midterm gious composition of the 2018 mid- GOP’s nominee. In the past two mid- in favor of the Democratic Party, in- elections by the Pew Research Center term electorate shows that 17 percent term elections, Catholics leaned to- cluding two-thirds (68 percent) of shows that there was strong continui- of voters were Nones, the highest ward Republican candidates by mar- those who say they never attend wor- ty in the voting patterns of many key ever. Nones were 12 percent of the gins of roughly 10 percentage points. ship services. religious groups. electorate in both 2014 and 2010. Among Protestants, 56 percent Meanwhile, 47 percent of voters White evangelical or born-again Three-quarters of white voters who voted for Republican congressional in 2018 were Protestants, down from Christians backed Republican candi- describe themselves as evangelical or candidates and 42 percent backed 53 percent in 2014 and 55 percent in dates for the U.S. House of Represen- born-again Christians voted for Re- Democrats. Among those who iden- 2010. tatives at about the same rate they did publican House candidates in 2018, tify with faiths other than Christian- There was little change in the in 2014, while religiously unaffiliated according to National Election Pool ity and Judaism (including Muslims, share of voters who identify as Cath- voters (known as “Nones”) and Jew- (NEP) exit poll data. That’s close to Buddhists, Hindus and many others), olic, Jewish or with other faiths. And ish voters again backed Democratic the share who did so in midterm elec- 73 percent voted for Democratic con- the 26 percent segment of voters who candidates by significant margins. tions in 2014 (78 percent) and 2010 gressional candidates while 25 per- were white and identify as born-again About 70 percent of the Nones (77 percent). cent supported Republicans. or evangelical Christians is similar to voted for the Democratic candidate The 2018 midterm exit polls Voters who say they attend reli- other recent midterm elections.

In 2018 midterms, most white evangelical Christians continued to support FFRF’s classic Republican candidates; most religious ‘Nones’ continued to back Democrats. ‘Freethinker’ mug Our classic ‘Freethinker’ mug has % who voted for ______candidate for Congress in their district been re-created. White imprint on classic blue, matte finish. 9.5 fl.oz. 2006 2010 2014 2018 American-made mug. Dem. Rep. Dem. Rep. Dem. Rep. Dem. Rep. NEW! Among those who are ... % % % % % % % % Protestant / other Christian 44 54 38 59 37 61 42 56 Catholic 55 44 44 54 45 54 50 49 Jewish 87 12 n/a n/a 66 33 79 17 Other faiths 71 25 74 24 67 31 73 25 Religiously unaffiliated 74 22 68 30 69 29 70 28

White, born-again / evangelical Christian 28 70 19 77 20 78 22 75 $20 postpaid — Item#MU01 Note: Data on Jewish voters in 2010 are not included due to insufficient sample size. Source: National Election Pool national exit polls. 2018 data from NBCNews.com Call 608/256-8900 PEW RESEARCH CENTER Online ffrf.org/shop December 2018 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 7 How secular candidates fared in the midterms Election winners FL House District 53 Phil Moore Atheist FL House District 77 Alanis Elizabeth Garcia Agnostic District Name Nonreligious Label FL House District 79 Mark Lipton Spiritual but not religious U.S. Senate GA House District 5 Brian Neil Rosser Agnostic GA House District 7 Rick Day “Does not hold Arizona Kyrsten Sinema Religiously unaffiliated supernatural beliefs” U.S. House GA House District 47 Andrea Nugent Unitarian Universalist D-CA (District 2) Rep. Jared Huffman (i) Humanist GA House District 49 Krishan Bralley Unitarian Universalist D-CA (District 25) Katie Hill Religiously unaffiliated ID House District 13B Chris Ho Agnostic D-IL (District 6) Sean Casten Religiously unaffiliated ID Senate District 34 Robert Nielsen “Realist” D-KS (District 3) Sharice Davids Religiously unaffiliated IN House District 84 Curtis Nash Spiritual but not religious D-MD (District 8) Rep. Jamie Raskin (i) Jewish and “humanist” IN House District 91 Kevin Leineweber Humanist D-NJ (District 7) Tom Malinowski Religiously unaffiliated IN Senate District 6 Ryan Farrar Humanist D-NY (District 19) Antonio Delgado Religiously unaffiliated IA Senate District 11 Sara Ramsey Not religious D-PA (District 6) Chrissy Houlahan Religiously unaffiliated KS House District 19 Stephen Wyatt Atheist D-VA (District 10 Jennifer Wexton Religiously unaffiliated KS House District 59 John Hall Humanist D-WI (District 2) Mark Pocan Religiously unaffiliated KS House District 67 Alex Van Dyke Atheist KY House District 66 Roberto Henriquez Agnostic atheist State Legislatures ME Senate District 15 Kellie Julia Religiously unaffiliated AZ House District 18 Jennifer Jermaine Religiously unaffiliated MD House District 29C Julia Nichols Humanist AZ House District 26 Rep. Athena Salman (i) Atheist MD House District 31B Harry Freeman Secular AZ Senate District 26 Sen. Juan Mendez (i) Atheist MD House District 37B Dan O’Hare “Inventor of religions” CA House District 20 Rep. Bill Quirk (i) “Scientist” MA House Bristol 3 Emily Farrer Agnostic CO House District 23 Rep. Chris Kennedy (i) Agnostic MI House District 56 Ernie Whiteside Atheist, secular humanist CO House District 27 Brianna Titone Spiritual but not religious MI House District 79 Joey Andrews Religiously unaffiliated CT House District 88 Rep. Joshua Elliott (i) “Agnostic atheist” MI House District 82 Christopher Giles Agnostic atheist CT House District 96 Rep. Roland J. Lemar (i) “Agnostic and humanist” MN House District 13B Heidi Everett Agnostic FL House District 49 Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith (i) Agnostic MN House District 18A Justin Vold Spiritual but not religious FL House District 69 Jennifer Webb Spiritual but not religious MN House District 21A Lori Ann Clark Atheist ME House District 93 Rep. Pinny Beebe-Center (i) Unitarian Universalist MN House District 29A Renee Cardarelle Religiously unaffiliated MD House District 20 Rep. David Moon (i) Nonreligious MO House District 13 Mitch Weber Spiritual but not religious MA House Bristol 2 Rep. Jim Hawkins Religiously unaffiliated MO House District 101 Genevieve Steidtmann Atheist MA House Essex 18 Tram Nguyen Spiritual but not religious MO House District 111 Phoebe Ottomeyer Religiously unaffiliated MA Senate Second District Sen. William Brownsberger (i) Nontheist MO House District 114 Dennis McDonald “None” NE District 8 (Unicameral) Megan Hunt Atheist MO House District 133 Cindy Slimp Religiously unaffiliated NV House District 15 Howard Watts Agnostic MO House District 134 Derrick Nowlin Agnostic NV House District 16 Rep. Heidi Swank (i) Atheist MO House District 161 Elizabeth Lundstrum Religiously unaffiliated NH House Cheshire 5 Rep. John Bordenet (i) Unitarian Universalist MT House District 9 Robert Peterson Naturalist NH House Grafton 8 Rep. Suzanne Smith (i) Religiously unaffiliated MT House District 97 Patrick Maloney Atheist NH House Grafton 8 Joyce Weston Atheist NV House District 26 June Joseph “Believes in science” NH House Hillsborough 17 Rep. Tim Smith (i) Atheist NV House District 32 Paula Povilaitis Spiritual but not religious NH House Hillsborough 21 Wendy Thomas Spiritual but not religious NV House District 36 Lesia Romanov Spiritual but not religious NH House Hillsborough 28 Rep. Jan Schmidt (i) Nontheist NH House Belknap 3 Carlos Cardona Humanist NH House Hillsborough 38 Chris Balch Spiritual but not religious NH House Belknap 5 Michelle Carter Atheist NH House Hillsborough 42 Jacqueline Chretien Humanist NH House Belknap 6 Justin Bordon Atheist NH House Strafford 16 Rep. Sherry Frost (i) Atheist NH House Carroll 6 David Owen Unitarian Universalist NH House Strafford 25 Rep. Amanda Gourgue (i) Religiously unaffiliated NH House Hillsborough 6 Eric Emmerling Spiritual but not religious NH Senate District 5 Sen. Martha Hennessey (i) Agnostic NH House Hillsborough 21 Brenda Grady Religiously unaffiliated NY House District 74 Rep. Harvey Epstein (i) Agnostic NH House Merrimack 2 Scott Burns Religiously unaffiliated OR House District 5 Rep. Pam Marsh (i) Religiously unaffiliated NH House Rockingham 4 Ben Geiger Atheist OR House District 11 Marty Wilde Unitarian Universalist NH House Strafford 24 Rep. Brandon Phinney (i) Atheist OR House District 14 Rep. Julie Fahey (i) Religiously unaffiliated NY House District 64 Adam Baumel Secular OR House District 28 Rep. Jeff Barker (i) A “religious skeptic” NY House District 105 Laurette Giardino Humanist OR House District 33 Rep. Mitch Greenlick (i) Atheist NY House District 135 Andrew Gilchrist Agnostic OR House District 47 Rep. Diego Hernandez (i) Openly agnostic NC House District 77 Bonnie Dawn Clark Spiritual but not religious PA House District 182 Rep. Brian Sims (i) Openly non-religious NC House District 117 Gayle Kemp Religiously unaffiliated TX House District 135 Jon Rosenthal Agnostic NC Senate District 48 Norman Bossert Humanist VT House Orleans- ND House District 1 Crysta Parkinson Agnostic atheist Caledonia District Rep. Sam Young (i) Agnostic ND House District 5 Zachary Raknerud Agnostic humanist VT House Wash. District Rep. Warren Kitzmiller (i) Humanist ND House District 45 Tim Hoye Agnostic VT Senate Windsor District Sen. Dick McCormack (i) “Governs with reason” ND Senate District 31 Rachele Hall Atheist WA House District 21a Rep. Strom Peterson (i) Agnostic OH House District 16 Cassimir Svigelj Atheist WA House District 22b Rep. Beth Doglio (i) Agnostic OH House District 89 Joe Helle Religiously unaffiliated WA Senate District 47 Mona Das Religiously unaffiliated OK House District 76 Forrest Mayer Atheist WI House District 48 Rep. Melissa Sargent (i) Agnostic OK Senate District 22 William Andrews Agnostic WI House District 57 Rep. Amanda Stuck (i) Unitarian Universalist OR Senate District 30 Solea Kabakov Atheist WY House District 45 Rep. Charles Pelkey (i) Agnostic PA House District 92 Shanna Danielson Agnostic PA House District 97 Dana Hamp Gulick Agnostic Election non-winners SD House District 3 Justin Roemmick Agnostic U.S. House SD House District 5 Brett Ries Agnostic D-CA (District 42) Julia Peacock Humanist SD House District 34 George Nelson Agnostic Green-IA (District 3) Paul Knupp, Jr. Humanist SD Senate District 3 Cory Allen Heidelberger Atheist D-KY (District 1) Paul Walker Humanist TN House District 19 Edward Nelson “Not a believer” D-LA (District 3) Rob Anderson Spiritual but not religious TX House District 11 Alec Johnson Deist D-NE (District 1) Jessica McClure Religiously unaffiliated TX House District 23 Amanda Jamrok Not religious TX House District 130 Frederick Infortunio Spiritual but not religious State Legislatures VT House Orange- AK House District 29 Shawn Butler Spiritual but not religious Washington-Addison Dist. Larry Satcowitz Atheist AL House District 41 Emily Anne Marcum Atheist WA House District 7b Mike Bell Agnostic AR State Senate District 5 Jim Wallace Agnostic WA House District 9a Jennifer Goulet Secular Humanist CA House District 5 Carla Neal Spiritual but not religious WA House District 35a James Thomas Atheist CA House District 9 Harry He “Not religious” WI House District 15 Lillian Cheesman Secular Humanist CA House District 67 Michelle Singleton Religiously unaffiliated WI House District 22 Aaron Matteson Religiously unaffiliated CA Senate District 28 Joy Silver “culturally Jewish” WI House District 27 Nanette Bulebosh Religiously unaffiliated CO House District 16 Andrew Smith Agnostic WI House District 53 Joe Lavrenz Religiously unaffiliated FL House District 24 Adam Morley Agnostic WI House District 84 Erica Flynn Religiously unaffiliated

(i) = incumbent Special thanks to the Center for Freethought Equality and “The Friendly Atheist” Hemant Mehta Page 8 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | December 2018 FFRF NEWS FFRF warns: Acting AG ‘Freethought’ window image a Christian nationalist part of traveling exhibit

By Andrew L. Seidel can-Americans were not human. No, Whitaker “would start with the idea of A man who has a “biblical view of Marbury v. Madison. . . . All New Deal justice” is now running the Depart- cases that were expansive of the federal ment of Justice. government. . . . Then all the way up to Acting Attorney General Matthew the Affordable Care Act and the indi- Whitaker (appointed by President vidual mandate.” Trump on Nov. 8 minus the required Marbury is the seminal case that Senate approval process) is a Christian established the federal judiciary au- nationalist. He has asserted that all thority to review and declare laws un- judges must be “people of faith” with constitutional; it ensured that the judi- “a biblical view ciary is the third, separate and co-equal of justice.” branch of our government. It is a criti- At a 2014 fo- cal check and balance. Needless to say, rum for candi- it’s not considered to be controversial dates vying to be or suspect — indeed, it is foundational the next Repub- to U.S. law. lican nominee On abortion, Whitaker’s Christian for U.S. senator extremism again rears its head with a in Iowa, Whitak- “life begins at conception” mentality. er staked out an He also opposes same-sex marriage extreme Chris- on religious grounds: “It’s tradition- Whitaker tian nationalist ally been up to the churches and to position — even God to define that.” There’s also talk An image of a stained-glass window in FFRF’s library will be on display more extreme than any other speak- that Whitaker, as a federal prosecutor, with 14 other images in a traveling art show. er at the right-wing summit. He crit- went after LGBTQ politicians because With just the word “Freethought,” the simple colored glass panel was icized other speakers who said that of “anti-gay bias,” which of course has deemed to be one of the best by the Interfaith Conference of Greater our Constitution and law “come from deep biblical roots. Milwaukee for the exhibit, “Gratitude: Faith/Diversity.” God” as not going “far enough.” What would a biblical view of jus- The photo was taken by Katrina Treu, FFRF’s part-time office assistant. Whitaker would demand of his tice look like? Capital punishment for judges — and presumably this would such non-crimes as worshipping gods The 15 photos selected will be printed as banners that will be hung hold for people who work under him other than the Judeo-Christian god, at Milwaukee City Hall, the Jewish Community Center and Milwaukee at the DOJ, espe- blasphemy, sab- Institute of Art and Design. cially given that bath-breaking, dis- The guidelines for the project were listed, partly, as: “Submissions his predecessor And if they have a secular obeying a parent, should consider not only what we are grateful for, but for what shared this view worldview, where this is all we a woman who isn’t gratitude means both philosophically and theologically in our lives. The — be “people of “ a virgin on her representation of diverse beliefs and unique contributions of all people have here on Earth, then I’m faith” and “have wedding night, or going to be very concerned and all faiths are welcome and encouraged.” a biblical view of witchcraft. Biblical justice.” about how they judge. law forces victims “As long as they — Matthew Whitaker of rape to marry have that world- their rapists and it view, then they’ll punishes innocent FFRF celebrates repeal be a good judge,” he has said, despite children for the crimes of their parents, our Constitution’s prohibition of a “to the third and fourth generation.” religious test for public office. “And if Whitaker has joked that he prefers of Irish blasphemy law they have a secular world-view, where New Testament justice to “Levitical” this is all we have here on Earth, then justice, but has apparently forgotten FFRF applauds Irish people for protect ideas from criticism, and our I’m going to be very concerned about that Jesus supposedly said, in the voting to repeal the nation’s consti- media outlets will no longer have to how they judge.” Beatitudes no less, that he came to tutional ban on blasphemy. self-censor themselves.” It’s not just Whitaker’s Christian na- fulfill the law of the prophets, not to The theocratic provision, which For several years, Congress has tionalism that is problematic. abolish it. dates back to 1937 and was rein- failed to pass proposed bipartisan He ran a group formed and ded- Whitaker’s biblical ignorance is forced with a 2009 statute, had nev- resolutions calling for the global icated to preventing Judge Merrick matched by his blatant disregard for er been actively enforced. But it was repeal of blasphemy laws. “Freedom Garland from taking a seat on the Su- America’s founding principles and the a national embarrassment for Ire- of expression and religion are preme Court. Constitution, which was the first to pro- land and was lampooned by figures fundamental human rights that are And when asked what some of the hibit religious tests for public office. such as English comedian Stephen the bedrock of any open society,” worst Supreme Court cases were, His statements show a disregard for the Fry, who was initially slapped with Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del, stated upon Whitaker didn’t begin with, say, Dred rule of law. That alone makes him unfit blasphemy charges that were later introduction of this year’s resolution. Scott, which essentially held that Afri- to run the DOJ. dropped. Following the Oct. 27 vote, FFRF is encouraging supporters to the Irish may now blaspheme to their contact their elected representatives hearts’ content. and ask them to protect the rights of Atheist Ireland, which worked dil- freethinkers worldwide. Promoting NOTHING FAILS LIKE PRAYER igently to educate about the referen- secularism and the right to speak dum, was thrilled, saying that when critically of religion is a universal win the repeal takes effect, “our laws can for freedom of speech and religious CONTEST then protect people from harm, not liberty. Our goal is to see secular citizens flood government meetings with secular invocations that demonstrate why government prayers Women Without Superstition: Lead Us Not Into Penn Station: are unnecessary, ineff ective, embarrassing, exclusionary, divisive “No Gods — No Masters” Provocative Pieces or just plain silly. By Anne Gaylor The person who gives the best secular invocation will be invited Collected writings of 50 women A must-have for to open FFRF’s annual convention in 2019, receiving an all- freethinkers of the 19th any freethinker, this expenses-paid trip to Madison, Wis. Oct. 18-20, 2019, along with a & 20th centuries (51 gracefully readable photographs). plaque and an honorarium of $500. book contains Gaylor’s Edited by Annie Laurie Gaylor classic writings. MORE INFO AT: Published by FFRF Published by FFRF ff rf.org/outreach/nothing-fails-like-prayer BuyBuy it it from from FFRF online online Buy it from FFRF online shop.ffshop.ffrf.org rf.org shop.ff rf.org December 2018 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 9 FFRF contacts IRS over church’s electioneering

FFRF has raised the alarm over a Florida church’s of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public of- blatant electioneering. fice,” FFRF reminds the Internal Revenue Service. FFRF learned that on Election Day, Grace of FFRF has asked the IRS to commence an imme- God Church, which serves as a Pasco County poll- diate investigation of the Grace of God Church and ing location in New Port Richey, Fla., posted a po- take appropriate action to remedy any violations of litical sign on its property. The placard was planted 501(c)(3) regulations. on church property 100 feet away from where bal- “By permitting signs opposing political candidates lots were cast and read, “Don’t vote for Democrats to be erected on its property, particularly on Election on Tuesday and sing ‘Oh, How I Love Jesus’ on Day while serving as a polling location, the church Sunday,” followed by an exclamation point drawn appears to have inappropriately used its religious out of a cross. organization to participate in a political campaign,” Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Cor- FFRF Associate Counsel Elizabeth Cavell wrote to the ley asked Pastor Al Carlisle to remove the sign. Car- tax authorities. “It violated IRS regulations, appar- lisle admitted he had put it there, but he refused to ently with full knowledge and disregard of its obliga- remove it. The Church of God posted the sign on ble, which he said explains that God established bor- tions under the tax code, by expressing opposition its Facebook page. In response to suggestions that ders for the Garden of Eden,” reports the Tampa Bay to a group of candidates for political office. Given it had violated Section 501(c)(3) of the tax code, Times. “If people are offended by his sign, Carlisle these partisan activities, Grace of God Church vio- the church indicated it was willing to “risk losing said, they have a problem, not him. And their prob- lated the 501(c)(3) tax-exempt rules, which prohibit our 501(c)(3) and honor our sacred rights to free lem is with God.” electioneering.” speech.” IRS regulations specify that 501(c)(3) organiza- The state/church watchdog is also commending Carlisle was upfront about his political motivations. tions, which include churches and other religious Pasco County election officials for announcing that He “criticized Democrats in favor of open bor- organizations, are prohibited from “[participating in they will look for an alternative polling place to the ders, saying they oppose Christian values in the bi- or intervening in] any political campaign on behalf church the next time around.

FFRF urges Supreme Court not FFRF gets holiday displays in Illinois to review its unanimous N.J. win FFRF is urging the U.S. Supreme was significantly different, rejecting Court to let stand its recent victory on each of the county’s arguments. behalf of New Jersey taxpayers. FFRF also emphasizes that “the New The state/church watchdog filed a Jersey Supreme Court decision is sup- brief Nov. 26 with the U.S. Supreme ported by history tracing back to the Court, encouraging it to reject a re- earliest days of this country,” and that it quest that it review a unanimous FFRF “does not conflict with decisions of this win at the New Jersey Supreme Court. court or other courts.” So, there is no This April, the state’s top court held, reason for the Supreme Court to review 7-0, that New Jersey taxpayers cannot it. The New Jersey Supreme Court’s be forced to pay to repair active houses decision, FFRF’s brief points out, is of worship, several of which explicitly “consistent with a tradition that is as sought taxpayer funds in order to fur- old as the United States itself,” with the ther their worship services. New Jersey constitutional provision at At the heart of the lawsuit, ar- issue dating back to 1776. FFRF under- gued in New Jersey state court, is the scored that this taxpayer protection is a New Jersey Constitution’s guarantee: principle that the Founders, including FFRF has put up an exhibit honoring the Bill of Rights at an Illinois “nor shall any person be obliged to Thomas Jefferson, saw as an essential courthouse to counter a Chrstian creche. The display was installed by pay tithes, taxes, or other rates for guarantee to prevent the government FFRF Member Will Meyer at the Grundy County Courthouse on Nov. 23 building or repairing any church or from forcing citizens to support reli- and will be available for public viewing until the end of December. churches, place or places of worship, gions in which they disbelieve. The mainstay of the tableau is FFRF’s playful Bill of Rights “nativity.” or for the maintenance of any min- The plaintiffs in the case are David The irreverent cutout by artist Jacob Fortin depicts Founding Fathers ister or ministry, contrary to what he Steketee, an FFRF member, and FFRF Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and George Washington gazing believes to be right.” itself. In New Jersey state court, Steke- adoringly at a “baby” Bill of Rights in a manger while the Statue of Despite this clear language, Morris tee and FFRF were represented by out- Liberty looks on. A sign beside the tongue-in-cheek nativity states: County churches are arguing that they side counsel Paul Grosswald and FFRF “Happy Winter Solstice. At this Season of the Winter Solstice, we honor are nevertheless entitled to these tax- attorneys Andrew Seidel and Ryan reason and the Bill of Rights (adopted Dec. 15, 1791).” At the bottom, it payer funds, asking the Supreme Court Jayne, who will continue as co-counsel. reads: “Keep State & Church Separate.” to expand its contentious decision FFRF is represented in front of the Su- from last year, Trinity Lutheran v. Com- preme Court by the widely renowned er. FFRF’s brief points out that the New Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of the Uni- Jersey Supreme Court analyzed Trinity versity of California at Berkeley School Lutheran at length and unanimously of Law and one of the most-cited legal agreed that Morris County’s program scholars of all time. FFRF challenges NYC grant to Muslim group FFRF is calling attention to a con- The Islamic Council received an al- stitutional violation by the New York location of funds from the City Coun- City Council. cil for fiscal year 2019 totaling $20,000. A concerned New York taxpayer As part of the Muslim Empowerment contacted FFRF to report that the city Initiative, these funds were reportedly has awarded a grant to the Islamic Cir- meant to be used to “educate Muslim cle of North America (ICNA) as part of New Yorkers on their fundamental the Muslim Empowerment Initiative. rights, conduct case management and FFRF’s Winter Solstice display has proudly been on view at the Illinois The group reportedly intends to use provide referrals for various legal, so- Capitol for 10 years running, to balance a Christian nativity display. The these taxpayer funds to pay for several cial and health care services.” exhibit was installed by FFRF Member Kathryn Koldehoff in Springfield religious events. The Islamic Circle of North Ameri- and will be up until the end of December. ca is, at its core, a proselytizing organi- The green and red sign contains a secular message, composed by the zation. Its website states that “Dawah late Anne Nicol Gaylor, FFRF’s principal founder: What Is a Freethinker? has always been the top priority of ICNA.” Dawah is a two-pronged con- “At this season of the Winter Solstice, may reason prevail. freethinker n. cept consisting of external and inter- “There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. A person who forms opinions nal Dawah. Internal Dawah involves about religion on the basis of teaching Muslims about aspects of “There is only our natural world. reason, independently of tradition, Islam, while “external Dawah” is “Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and to invite non-Muslims to Islam and authority, or established belief. enslaves minds.” teach them about Islamic beliefs and practices. Page 10 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | December 2018 FFRF VICTORIES

By Bailey Nachreiner-Mackesey Medical Center. Don’t forget to flush! A volunteer at the medical center reported that a large cross display was School board opts for put up in October at the Malcolm Ran- invocation revocation dall VA Medical Center in Gainesville. The display also featured a religious A school district in California has prayer. ceased scheduling invocations before FFRF Legal Director Rebecca Mark- board meetings after receiving a letter ert sent a letter to the center, alerting of complaint from FFRF. it to the unconstitutionality of such a FFRF Associate Counsel Liz Cavell display and also pointing out that the initially sent a letter to the Ceres Uni- display is exclusionary of non-religious fied School District Board of Trustees service members. last October after a community mem- “Veterans are frequently compelled ber reported that the Board of Trust- to come to the center to receive med- ees opens its regular meetings with ical care and other services,” Markert prayer. The district’s attorney sent wrote. “The over 23 percent of military a response letter, declaring that the personnel who either express no reli- board disagreed with the conclusion gious preference or are atheists should of a federal district court in Califor- not be made to feel offended, exclud- nia that the legislative prayer anal- ed, and like ‘outsiders, not full mem- ysis in Marsh v. Chambers and Town bers of the political community’ be- of Greece v. Galloway is inapplicable cause the center, a government facility, to prayer practices in public school Member Michael Rowe sent us this photo of a marquee from the Voice of contains prominently placed religious board meetings. Calvary Church in Altoona, Fla. statements.” FFRF sent a second letter to the FFRF received a call from the cen- district after FFRF’s Chino Valley vic- ter that the display has been removed tory against school board prayer came events appear to be entangled with re- Bible to School Day.” Other events from the lobby. down from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court. ligious sponsorship. promoted by the school include a “Since the time of your letter, the A Milwaukee resident contacted Christian revival event called “Fields 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has FFRF to report that the Medical Cen- of Faith” and the Christian-orient- Cereal killer: City ends joined the 3rd and 6th Circuits in hold- ter co-sponsored and advertised a ed prayer rally “See You at the Pole.” ties to prayer breakfast ing that a school board’s prayer prac- “Bike Blessing” event in June. Posters School employees also apparently have tice violates the Establishment Clause advertising the event indicated that it participated in these events alongside The city of Noblesville, Ind., has of the First Amendment,” Cavell wrote. was co-sponsored by the VA Chaplain students. All of these events appeared separated itself from a prayer breakfast FFRF received a response from the Service and included the VA seal at the to have been promoted, in part, at the after FFRF pointed out the unconstitu- district stating that the board has de- bottom, along with text that said, “U.S. request of the Fellowship of Christian tionality of a city-sponsored religious cided to suspend placing an invocation Department of Veterans Affairs / Vet- Athletes (FCA), which is a private club event. on its agenda for meetings. erans Health Administration / Milwau- operating at the school. A concerned Noblesville citizen kee VA Medical Center.” “We write to ensure that the district contacted FFRF to report that Mayor “Setting aside the VA chaplaincy does not allow its employees to orga- John Ditslear had, in his official ca- Loudspeaker prayers itself, any Medical Center promotion or nize, promote or participate in future pacity, sponsored, promoted and par- ended in West Virginia organization of a religious event poses religious events while acting on behalf ticipated in a prayer breakfast. The serious constitutional concerns,” FFRF of the district,” wrote FFRF Associate self-described “prayer and worship In August, FFRF contacted a West Associate Counsel Sam Grover wrote in Counsel Sam Grover in his Oct. 30 let- service” included the community’s Virginia school district regarding a his Sept. 5 letter to the medical center. ter to the legal firm representing the “men and women of faith glorifying report that the high school in Logan “Advertising this event and including district. “Additionally, the district must God and asking his blessing on our County was broadcasting a Christian the VA seal on those advertisements take steps to disassociate itself from the community, schools, families, public prayer over the loudspeaker prior to a sends the message that the VA endorses FCA and ensure that its employees are services and churches.” football game. the blessing ceremony’s religious not promoting their personal religious Judge Steven R. Nation was the key- “The prayers at district football message.” beliefs to students.” note speaker and shared “how faith games are inappropriate and uncon- FFRF received a response from the The district’s attorneys replied, as- has guided his life.” stitutional,” FFRF Patrick O’Reiley Le- VA stating that, in the future, “there suring FFRF that all of the complaints The mayor’s official Twitter ac- gal Fellow Chris Line wrote in his let- will be no marketing that would imply had been addressed by the schools. count was reportedly used, in addition ter. “Not only is the district endorsing VA sponsorship of the event, and [it] The superintendent passed on the to the city’s website, to promote this these prayers by allotting time for them will additionally ensure that marketing message that both “Bring Your Bible to religious event. at the start of games, but it is also pro- materials clearly state that any religious School Day” and “See You at the Pole” FFRF Staff Attorney Ryan Jayne sent viding the prayer-giver with the public aspects of the event are not sponsored events are not to be officially promoted a letter to the mayor asking that the address system needed to impose these by the VA.” or endorsed by the school. Additional- city cease promotion and coordination prayers on all students and community ly, the FCA webpage was taken off the of this prayer breakfast. members at the games.” school website. FFRF received a response email FFRF received notice that loud- Texas district addresses from the Mayor’s Office stating that speaker prayers have ceased at the numerous violations the city has “taken steps that will take football games. Later, subsequent vi- VA Medical Center in the city out of the prayer breakfast. The olations were reported in the district A Texas school district has addressed Florida removes cross 2019 prayer breakfast will be hosted by and FFRF is pursuing these issues. multiple state/church violations after a local nonprofit who will manage the hearing from FFRF. Thanks to FFRF, a cross was re- entire event. City funds have not been A community member contact- moved from the lobby of a Florida VA used for this event.” Wisconsin VA distances ed FFRF to report that employees of itself from religion Whitney Middle School in Plano have promoted multiple religious events to After getting a letter from FFRF, students this year. Teachers reportedly the Milwaukee VA Medical Center will used the school’s public address system take measures to ensure that no future to remind students about “Bring Your

Make your own nontheistic cyber billboard at FFRF.org/out, and you might win an “Unabashed Atheist” tee, like Aracely (above) did. December 2018 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 11

Texas coach counseled moting on the school’s official Face- A sweet gesture book page a church service and a after FFRF intervenes “prayer walk” hosted by the church. After intervention from FFRF, a FFRF Legal Fellow Chris Line wrote tennis coach at a Texas high school to the district to ensure it remove such has been instructed to cease pressur- social media posts and refrains from ing students to participate in religious promoting any future religious events. activities. “It is illegal and inappropriate for A local parent contacted FFRF af- Carroll County Schools, and Provi- ter a tennis coach at Friendswood dence Elementary School in partic- High School reportedly encouraged ular, to create an event on Facebook students to attend a prayer breakfast for a worship service and an accompa- in September. As FFRF understands, nying prayer event,” Line wrote in his the coach told his players that while letter to the district’s legal representa- he couldn’t “force them to attend,” tion. “To do so shows that the district he would be “checking to see who at- is ‘appear[ing] to take a position on tended” and that he wanted the whole questions of religious belief.’” team there “in solidarity.” The district’s attorney responded At least one student reportedly felt with assurances that the posts have pressured to attend the prayer break- been removed from the school’s of- fast because the student feared pun- ficial Facebook page and the admin- ishment if he/she were to forego the istration has reviewed with their staff event. FFRF Associate Counsel Sam the obligation to avoid any appear- Grover sent a letter to the district’s le- A member of the Dallas-Fort Worth FFRF chapter made some cookies for ance of public school endorsement of gal representative to assure that coach- FFRF Co-President Dan Barker’s visit in October. Our tastebuds thank you. or participation in religious events. es are not pressuring students to at- tend or participate in religious events. “Athletic coaches are entrusted Colin McNamara sent a letter asking “prayer partners” on its official Face- Colorado school backs with a tremendous amount of pow- that the bible verse be removed from book page. out of ministry event er and influence over their players,” the display. “Providing students with age-ap- Grover wrote in his Oct. 29 letter. “This religious display is especially propriate reading materials is of FFRF commends a Colorado school “Using this influence to encourage inappropriate given that about 38 great benefit to many families, but district for cancelling its attendance at players to attend religious events is percent of Americans born after Bridge City Elementary cannot pur- a sermonizing session that an evangeli- unacceptable and unconstitutional in 1987 are not religious,” McNamara sue that goal through a partnership cal group is a key part of. the public school context. It appears writes. “The display alienates those that advances the mission of a reli- The Todd Becker Foundation, a that [the coach] coerced the students nonreligious students, families, gious organization,” wrote FFRF Asso- Christian ministry, was scheduled in his care to participate in the prayer teachers and members of the ciate Counsel Sam Grover. “The dis- to appear at a Burlington Middle breakfast.” public whose religious beliefs are trict may only accept donations that School assembly on Nov. 28. FFRF The legal firm representing the inconsistent with the message being are free from the condition that the sent letters to the Burlington School school sent a response to FFRF, stating promoted by the school.” school promote a religious message.” District and several area school dis- that the coach has been “counseled The district superintendent quickly The district’s legal representation tricts that were scheduled to attend on this matter and now full recognizes responded to FFRF with assurances responded to FFRF’s letter of com- the event, warning them that it will that he cannot encourage student that the bible quote was promptly plaint, stating that the administration involve members of the Todd Beck- attendance to religious events.” removed. was unaware the books contained per- er Foundation reading from the bi- Additionally, before the upcoming sonal religious messages. ble and praying with students, which spring prayer breakfast, coaches will “Appropriate disciplinary action is in violation of the Establishment again be reminded they may not Texas school grows a was taken as well as discussion of dis- Clause. The school systems that were in any way encourage or endorse spine, ends book deal trict policy and practice of non-affil- slated to be present at the event in- participation in the breakfast. iation with religious organizations,” cluded Cheyenne County School A Texas elementary school has sev- the firm wrote to FFRF. “The district District, Hi-Plains School District, Kit ered a partnership with a religious expects that this will resolve the issue Carson School District and the Arri- Averse to the verse: group after hearing from FFRF. but will ensure compliance by staff.” ba-Flagler School District. School removes quote A concerned district community However, the Cheyenne County member reported that several teach- School District, after hearing from A bible verse was removed from a ers at Bridge City Elementary School Religious promotion FFRF, did not send its students to this Veterans Day tribute wall in a Missou- had partnered with a religious group ends at Georgia school religious assembly. ri public school after the school re- and allowed them to minister directly The Todd Becker Foundation trav- ceived an FFRF complaint. to students through donated books. Religious promotion in a Georgia els throughout the Midwest and the When a local resident contacted In one class, students received a book, school will cease, thanks to a letter Rocky Mountain states putting on as- FFRF concerned that Seymour R-II sent to them by their “prayer partner,” from FFRF. semblies in public schools with the ex- School District was displaying a bible that contained personalized, prosely- A local resident alerted FFRF to plicit purpose of converting students verse as part of a Veterans Day display, tizing notes. Additionally, Bridge City the fact that Providence Elementary to its brand of evangelical Christian- FFRF Robert Ingersoll Legal Fellow Elementary publicly thanked these School in Gainesville, Ga., was pro- ity. Oftentimes, it infiltrates public schools under the guise of offering a secular presentation, despite its pur- Who’s the problem? pose being laid out in no uncertain ‘IN REASON WE TRUST’ terms on its website. Self inking stamp Ohio district stops loudspeaker prayers FFRF has brought an end to school-sponsored prayer over the loudspeaker prior to sporting events in an Ohio school district. After a local resident reported that NEW! Green High School in Franklin Fur- nace was broadcasting a prayer over the public address speaker before its football games, FFRF Legal Fellow Chris Line sent a letter alerting Green Local School District to the unconsti- Carefully crafted to stamp out tutionality of such a practice. ‘god’ on U.S. currency. Good An attorney representing the dis- for up to 2000 impressions. trict sent a response informing FFRF that the district will no longer sched- $18 postpaid — Item#ST01 ule school-sponsored prayers to occur Richard Packham saw this church marquee in Roseburg, Ore. “My at events sponsored by the district and immediate thought was, ‘Yes! God is a greater problem than any problem Call 608/256-8900 that district-owned equipment will I have.’ It also listed a time for ‘Sun worship’ and I thought, ‘Gee, a sun- no longer be used to project prayers Online ffrf.org/shop worshipping church?’” to the public at events sponsored by Green Local School District. Page 12 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | December 2018 IN THE NEWS The so-called Peace Cross, made of Texas keeps Moses in granite and cement, was built in 1925 as U.S. history curriculum Getting out the secular vote! a tribute to local men who died during The Texas State Board of Education World War I. It was paid for by local fam- voted Nov. 14 to keep Moses in high ilies, businesses and the American Le- school U.S. history standards. gion. But the giant cross sits on a piece Ken Mercer and other conserva- of land that has been owned since 1961 tive members of the board argued by a state commission that pays for its for keeping Moses in as an influence maintenance and upkeep. on the country’s Founding Fathers. The challenge to the cross began with They cited Gov. Greg Abbott, who had the American Humanist Association. weighed in on the matter on Twitter in September, saying, “Eliminating Moses as one of our law-givers is con- Atheist minister allowed trary to factual history and to #SCO- to keep her job TUS precedent.” “Gov. Abbott . . . [is not one of] our Atheist Toronto United Church min- Founding Fathers,” Board member Er- ister Gretta Vosper will be allowed to ika Beltran replied, arguing no proof keep her job. exists that Founding Fathers were influ- Toronto Conference, the Rev. Gretta enced by Moses. Vosper, and West Hill United Church said in a joint statement Nov. 7 that the parties had “settled all outstanding issues Report: Saudi Arabia between them.” worst in world for atheists The General Council of the United Church of Canada had started proceed- In its seventh Freedom of Thought ings in a formal hearing to decide wheth- report, the International Humanist and er to place the ordained minister on the Ethical Union listed Saudi Arabia as Discontinued Service List (Disciplinary). the worst place in the world for athe- Prior to the midterm election, Rae Howard (pictured) and Janet Thew A Toronto Conference interview com- ists. Others near the bottom of the list of the Greater Sacramento Chapter of FFRF set up a voter registration mittee said in a September 2016 report include Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan and table over several days at a community college and coffee house in the that it had found Vosper unsuitable for the Maldives. Sacramento area. They registered 21 voters and shared FFRF items, ministry, because she was no longer in Saudi Arabia passed a law in 2014 that including stickers, buttons, brochures and issues of Freethought Today. “essential agreement” with the church’s describes atheist thought as a kind of ter- statement of doctrine and was “unwill- rorism. The country also has been prose- ing and unable” to reaffirm the vows she cuting liberal campaigners and activists. made when she was ordained in 1993. At the top of the list for best places for ‘Pro-life’ bill could allow However, he is opening a civil in- atheists are, in order, Belgium, the Neth- vestigation under his authority to en- erlands, Taiwan, Sao Tome and Principe, for death penalty force D.C. law governing nonprofit Appeals court sides Nauru, Japan and France. Ohio Republicans are consider- organizations. with state over busing ing a bill that would redefine and ban abortion, and potentially punish Federal judges backed Wisconsin Greece to separate people with severe criminal penal- Alaska archdiocese state schools Superintendent Tony Evers’ church and state ties if they perform or undergo an launches commission decision to not require a public school abortion. district to provide busing to students at- Greek Prime Minister Alex Tsipras The bill, HB 565, was introduced The Archdiocese of Anchorage is tending a private religious school. announced plans in early November in March and is currently awaiting launching an independent commission Parents of students at St. Augustine to disestablish the Church of Greece. consideration in the health commit- on sexual abuse to review all personnel School and a conservative legal firm sued Tsipras, whose Syriza party was elected tee. From fertilization to birth, the files of those who have served in the Evers and the Friess Lake School District on a secular manifesto in 2015, has se- “unborn human” would be included region since 1966 and plans to release in 2016 after the district and Evers said cured the backing for the move from under the definition of person in the names of any Catholic church workers the students did not qualify to ride dis- Archbishop Ieronymos II, head of the criminal code. in their purview with credible sexual mis- trict buses to school for free. Greek Orthodox Church. Also in Ohio, the House, in Novem- conduct claims against them. Under state law, public school dis- The prime minister intends to ber, passed one of the most restrictive The move mirrors that of other tricts are required to bus private school amend the Constitution of Greece to abortion bills in the country. It would U.S. dioceses that have launched sim- students, but only to one school per re- remove references to the church and penalize doctors for performing an ilar efforts in an attempt to respond to ligious denomination in an attendance define the Greek state as ‘religiously abortion when a fetal heartbeat can the ongoing sexual abuse crisis in the area. neutral.’ In exchange for the church’s be detected, as early as six weeks into Catholic Church. Because students were already being support for secularization, the govern- the pregnancy, often before women bused to another Catholic school, the ment has agreed to award an annual are even aware they are pregnant. St. Augustine students were denied free fixed subsidy to the church. Priests will There are no exceptions for rape, Nevada Hilton replaces transportation by Evers’ Department of cease to be counted as government incest or danger to the life of the bibles with Constitution Public Instruction and the district. employees. pregnant person. The parents appealed a lower court’s In place of the bible so often found in ruling siding with Evers and the district. bedside drawers throughout the nation’s On a 2-1 vote, a panel of the 7th U.S. AG opens probe into hotels, the ownership of the Hilton Gar- Circuit Court of Appeals upheld that abusive priests in D.C den Inn in Nevada has opted for a copy ruling Nov. 8. of the U.S. Constitution. D.C. Attorney General Karl A. Ra- Management at the hotel confirmed cine said Oct. 23 that his office has that there are copies of the U.S. Con- Vatican: U.S. bishops begun an investigation of sexual stitution in every room but declined to must delay taking action abuse by Catholic clergy in the Arch- provide more details on the change. diocese of Washington, the latest in Some hotel chains looking to The Vatican has told the US. Con- a string of state-level law enforce- attract younger Millennial guests — ference of Catholic Bishops to delay ment officials now looking into the dubbed the least religious generation voting on measures to hold bishops ac- Catholic Church’s handling of abuse in American history — have eschewed countable for failing to protect children FFRF Memberships: complaints. bibles. from sexual abuse, the president of the $40 single; $50 household; Pope Francis accepted Cardinal conference said in a surprise announce- $100 gung-ho; $250 sustaining Donald Wuerl’s resignation as Wash- ment Nov. 12. Memberships are tax deductible! ington’s archbishop amid an uproar Supreme Court to take For weeks, the U.S. Catholic bishops over a Pennsylvania grand jury report Bladensburg cross case have trumpeted a series of reforms they Freethought Today is that depicted systemic abuse in the had hoped to make after what one cardi- published 10 times a year. Catholic Church across the state, in- The Supreme Court agreed Nov. 2 nal called the church’s “summer of hell.” cluding in Pittsburgh, where Wuerl to decide whether a 40-foot cross in the Those reforms must be approved by the had been a bishop. median of a busy suburban Maryland U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Racine has limited power to pros- highway is a secular memorial to those The Vatican’s late intervention, or- P.O. Box 750 • Madison, WI 53701 ecute crimes in the district, where who died during World War I or an un- dered by its Congregation for Bishops, ffrf.org/donate felony cases are handled by the U.S. constitutional government endorsement essentially puts the American bishops’ attorney’s office. of religion. reforms on hold. December 2018 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 13 Richard and Beverly Hermsen Student Activist Wonders of universe written in Stardust This is an edited version of the speech But even at the new school, the Book Bailey Harris gave at FFRF’s 41st annual of Mormon and Jesus were frequent convention in San Francisco on Nov. 2. She topics and the fact that I didn’t go to was introduced by FFRF Program Manager church was a topic almost every day. I Monica Schwartz. also continued to be told that I was go- Bailey Harris is a 12-year-old au- ing to be sent to hell. thor on a mission to inspire a love of This is when my parents decided to science and a sense of wonder about move out of the holy land of South Jor- the universe with her Stardust series dan up to Salt Lake City, where we could of books for young readers, which she be somewhere with more diversity. This has co-written with her father, Douglas. has been very good for our family! The first book in the series, My Name Is Now on to the happy part of the Stardust, was released in 2017 and has story! sold thousands of copies worldwide. My family loves science, so when Bailey and Douglas developed a sto- “Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey” ry to teach children this concept, along came out, we watched it every Sunday with other areas of science such as evening. evolution and astronomy. The second In one episode, host Neil deGrasse book in the series, Stardust Explores the Tyson said, “The planets, the stars, Solar System, is hot off the press. the galaxies, we ourselves and all of Because of her extraordinary initia- life — are the same star stuff.” I was so tive and accomplishment, FFRF is de- excited! I couldn’t believe that every- lighted to give Bailey Harris its Beverly thing on Earth was made of stardust, and Richard Hermsen Student Activist including our bodies. I ran upstairs to Award of $5,000. Come on up, Bailey! the family computer and started typing Photo by Chris Line a book. By Bailey Harris Bailey and her father Douglas Harris promote their new books, My Name is My dad came up after the episode Stardust and Stardust Explores the Universe. was over and asked what I was doing. ello, everyone. It is such an honor I told him that I was writing a book to be here with you today. Thank school were Mormon. Unfortunately, me and told me that I had to go to about how we are made of stardust Hyou very much to the Freedom that year in school ended up being the library at lunch to read anti-bully- because I wanted all children to know From Religion Foundation for having very hard for me and that excited little ing books. She made me watch videos how amazing this is. me here to speak. And a special thank 8-year-old girl went through some very about bullying and I had to sit in the My original title was The Book of Truth. you to Beverly and Richard Hermsen difficult times. I don’t tell you this part corner to eat my lunch by myself. I knew that the kids at my school thought for this amazing student activist award. of the story because I want you to feel After my mom learned about this, that the Book of Mormon made them hap- First, a little bit about me. I am the sorry for me at all. I tell it because it she went in to the school to talk with py. The things that I was writing about in third child in my family and I have two will help you understand why I wrote the assistant principal. My mom told this book made me happy, so I made my older brothers and a little sister (and my My Name is Stardust. her that I shouldn’t be required to play book title sound a lot like their book title. dog, Lady). I love to play soccer and I One thing that began to happen with a girl who is harassing me about My dad and I worked on the book to- am the striker for the club team Impact that year is that my classmates wanted religion. The assistant principal said to gether for the next two years and it was United. I am in seventh grade and I love me to read a book that was very special my mom, “You moved here from Cali- a lot of fun. We found a very talented il- my school and friends there. My parents to them. Everyone wanted me to read fornia. What do you expect?” lustrator and realized that it would cost are secular and they teach our family the Book of Mormon. They told me that She told my mom that if I was go- a lot of money to have the illustrations humanist values. this book made them happy and that it ing to be out at recess and lunch with done the way that we wanted them. So, And while Utah is highly religious, would make me happy if I read it. the other children, I couldn’t refuse to we launched a Kickstarter to raise some there is a great secular community in Because of this, my parents present- play with this girl or anyone else. My money, and the campaign did much bet- Salt Lake City, where we live now. We ed a family lesson about world religions mom called my dad and he immediate- ter than we expected! We were also ap- even have a female, openly gay, liberal and, as part of this, taught us about ly left work and went to the school. He proached by a couple of publishers and mayor! But we didn’t always live in Salt Mormonism and the Book of Mormon. tried to talk to the assistant principal ended up signing a publishing deal for a Lake. I learned that the book was made — and she stood up in the office and told book series based on Stardust. This was a I was born and raised in Utah, which supposedly translated — by a man who him to get out. dream come true for me! is known for quite a few things, includ- put his face in a hat and saw the words My mom and dad then spoke with the We then started writing a second book ing the worldwide headquarters of the magically appear on a rock. I learned principal the next morning. He apolo- called Stardust Explores the Solar System, Mormon church — I mean, the Church that the book came from golden plates gized and said that I could refuse to play which was just released. We are currently of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, as it that were delivered by an angel and with people and that I was welcome to go working on a third book called Stardust likes to be called now. that nobody except for the Mormon in to his office at recess or lunch if I ever Explores Earth’s Wonders, which will be re- On my first day of third grade at prophet ever saw them. needed to. He also said that he would be leased in May. Eastlake Elementary School in South I tried to be nice about it, but I sim- discussing this with the assistant princi- We are excited to be able to continue Jordan, Utah — yes, the city was named ply let them know that I wasn’t interest- pal, and we assume that this is why she to use the books to support our mission after a river in the bible — I was so ed in their book. But then these class- lost her job a few weeks later. to inspire a love of science while teach- excited! mates started asking me if I believed My parents ended up pulling me ing the scientific method to children and What I didn’t know then was that in Jesus. I told them that I didn’t. And out of this school and put me in a char- families as they navigate our world to find the children were all scheming about this is where things REALLY started to ter school. truth. how to turn me into a Mormon. Over change for me. Not believing in the 90 percent of the children at this Book of Mormon was one thing, but not believing in Jesus was simply crazy! One girl in particular started fol- lowing me around at recess and lunch and always wanted to talk to me about religion. She told me that I would go to a place called hell. I ran away and hid from her. This classmate went to the yard duty official and told her that I was refusing to play with her, so I was taken to the assistant principal. I was crying. The assistant principal told me that I couldn’t refuse to play with someone. I told her that the girl wouldn’t stop talking about religion and telling me that I was going to be sent to hell. The assistant principal told me that I was being a bully by refusing to play with her. This went on for a few weeks and I Photo by Chris Line cried almost every day. Bailey Harris was watching Neil deGrasse Tyson’s “Cosmos” series when The assistant principal punished she came upon an idea for a book, My Name is Stardust, which has now sold Bailey Harris thousands of copies. Page 14 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | December 2018 Freethought Heroine Best way to honor is to become an ally Here is an edited version of the speech exists. A family with a dishonorable Sarah Haider gave on Nov. 2 at FFRF’s member is pressured to take action to 41st annual convention in San Francisco. stop the bad behavior of their kin, lest She was introduced by FFRF Legal Assis- the bad actions of a relative cast shame tant Kristina Daleiden. on them. Honor violence is, on some It’s my pleasure to introduce FFRF’s level, self-preservation. 2018 “Freethought Heroine.” So, it is in some sense disorienting Sarah Haider is an American writer, to find myself honored for the same speaker and activist. Born in Pakistan actions for which I could find nothing and raised in Texas, Sarah spent her but great dishonor in my former faith early youth as a practicing Muslim. community. It proves, if nothing else, She left her faith in her late teens, and the malleability of our societies. It is a later co-founded Ex-Muslims of North testament to our capacity to evolve, to America (EXMNA), which advocates progress, to be the masters of our cul- for the acceptance of religious dissent tures and communities, not merely to and works to create local support com- be mastered by them. We are cultural munities for those who have left Islam. beings, but that doesn’t mean we are In addition to atheism, Sarah is pas- only passively shaped by the contexts sionate about civil liberties and wom- we are born into, but that they, too, en’s rights. She directs EXMNA’s “Life are shaped by us. Beyond Faith” mini-documentaries, a But it doesn’t always feel that way. series of video portraits of ex-Muslim Faith-based communities, in partic- atheists and humanists. Sarah is also ular, often have coercive elements in heading EXMNA’s Normalizing Dis- them, elements which are most strong- sent tour, and travels the United States ly enforced on women. In conversa- and Canada to cover a range of issues tions about choice and freedom, the related to apostasy in Islam. She is Photo by Ingrid Laas social costs of deviance can be difficult currently a columnist for Free Inquiry Sarah Haider, co-founder of Ex-Muslims of North America, spoke about the need to factor in. Unlike physical coercion magazine. for freethinkers to ally themselves with the courageous people who are fighting or laws which restrict practices, social Please welcome Sarah Haider. for a freer world. forces are not often as visible or easily quantifiable. By Sarah Haider have brought deep, unrelenting dis- apostates, those who have supposedly honor in the community in which I seen the light of God and chosen to Oppression of women hank you to everyone at Freedom was raised. refuse it, who are cast as the most cor- As feminists have long noted, reli- From Religion Foundation for There are other speakers here with rupt, as near to villainy as an ideologi- gious convictions of right and wrong Trecognizing me with this award. my background, so this idea won’t be cal choice can be. and social pressure to conform have I am deeply grateful and humbled. I too unfamiliar to this audience. I was played an acutely devastating role in also want to take this time to thank born in Pakistan and raised Muslim, Leaving the faith the lives of women. As ex-Muslims, our FFRF for the numerous occasions in and come from a culture which highly So, it is no surprise that the decision mothers often have a large role in our which they have assisted us at Ex-Mus- values honor, particularly the honor to leave the faith, particularly in Mus- oppression, particularly for ex-Muslim lims of North America. On multiple of men. This honor can be tarnished lim communities, is often met with ex- women. This was true for me, as well. occasions, FFRF has helped us fight by the actions of your kin, particularly treme hostility, even violence. My mother didn’t just disagree with discrimination against ex-Muslims and female kin. Numerous public opinion polls my religious choice, she would incur we are grateful for their counsel and In this context, leaving the faith demonstrate the hatred for ex-Mus- a great social cost for my behavior. aid. In addition, earlier this year, FFRF — choosing to walk away from God’s lims throughout the Muslim world. And in this way, social pressures throt- also gave us a grant to fight a false al- path to deny his word — is a disgrace- Sixty-three percent in Egypt, 58 per- tle freethought in a truly insidious legation against an ex-Muslim teen- ful life choice. Walking away from cent in Jordan and 64 percent in Pa- manner. ager who was in danger from honor faith is considered indistinguishable kistan believe ex-Muslims should be It is difficult to study or to general- violence. from walking away from morality itself, killed for their disbelief. But one does ize because of the multifaceted nature I thank Annie Laurie Gaylor, Dan and to forsake God is to forsake good- not need to solely rely on this data to of social pressure and coercion, which Barker and everyone else at FFRF for ness. It is inconceivable to many faith- gauge the alarming levels of intoler- plays out differently in different places. their steadfast support and for this ful that the choice one makes to leave ance for apostasy. Across the Muslim It’s insidious because we are not ac- great honor. And I’ve been think- religion might be one based in reason, world, vigilante mobs threaten those curate reporters of what is happening ing about that! The concept of hon- an embrace of a different source of who leave the faith, and too often fam- to us. We cannot often understand the or. What it means to have this sort ethics rather than an abandonment of ily members may be those one must forces playing out within ourselves, of recognition. Honor is interesting all that is right. fear the most. and we lie to ourselves to feel better in that it reflects as much on the val- Due to this misconception of the In the West, the actions of family about our own inability or unwilling- ues of those who give it as it does on nature of disbelief, those who walk members — whether that be shun- ness to act. Sometimes we lie to feel the accomplishments of the honor- away from faith are routinely deprived ning, abuse or violence — loom on the powerful in a powerless situation, oth- ees themselves. As it so happens, the of basic human dignities, even the minds of those who leave. er times to preserve the self-deception very same achievements which bring right to life. While all nonbelievers are However, even if you are lucky that we are good actors. me honor here today are those which considered morally compromised, it is enough to have a family which chooses When I was a young Muslim wom- not to hurt or disown you, it is taken an, I parroted ideas which are contra- for granted that you should have dictory and even ridiculous. I thought enough decency and tact to stay silent my modesty was entirely a free choice, about your lack of faith, to keep your and I was prepared to defend it. For immorality to yourself. You can choose the sake of this comforting rational- to do otherwise, but it will come at ization, I ignored all obvious ways in a high cost — extreme shame and which my choice was influenced by my dishonor, which will cast a shadow over upbringing. I couldn’t be immodest any relative. This is why honor violence even if I wanted to, so I allowed myself

Yip Harburg, from his book: Rhymes for the Irreverent Illustrated by Seymore Cwast

Shall I Write A Letter To My Congressman? Each Congressman has got two ends, A sitting and a thinking end, And since his whole success depends Upon his seat — why bother, friend? Published by the Freedom From Religion Foundation Photo by Chris Line Sarah Haider talks with Phil Ferguson of Illinois following the Saturday evening Buy it from FFRF online - shop.ffrf.org dinner. December 2018 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 15 the mercy of rationalizing a choice I hadn’t made as a choice I would have made anyway. My family was led by a reluctant pa- triarch, for which I am grateful. Toler- ant by nature, my father was unwilling to enact force upon those weaker than him. This allowed me the space I need- ed to explore ideas bigger than those I was raised with. Although I had to abide by standard Muslim dress and behavioral codes, I was not restricted intellectually by my family. But I was formed by the soci- ety I grew up in. I took for granted the truth of the claims made in the Quran, because those were the beliefs of the people I trusted most in the world – my parents. If there is one message I wish to emphasize here today, it’s that literal, physical restrictions to thinking and acting freely are but one of many.

Self-assuring deception Photo by Ingrid Laas Now, there is such a thing as born Nearly a thousand convention attendees listened to Sarah Haider’s heartfelt and powerful speech on Nov. 3. skeptics, for whom doubt is the natu- ral state. There are also those who can lowed to participate in sports at all due a moment of crisis, when the stakes manage to think without the interrup- to concerns of modesty. This, alone, seem highest, we are asked to fall in tions of ego. But the vast majority of us should have caused outrage. Further, line or risk dooming our side. Now is do not fit this bill. We might like to be- she wasn’t the only Muslim athlete at not the time to ask questions, now is lieve that our reasoning faculties func- the Olympics that year — Dalilah Mo- not the time for introspection, nor for tion independently, that our emotions hammed ran hurdles for the U.S. team criticism of our own side — because and actions are a response to deliber- and placed higher, earning individual this is war. ate, careful reason. But that in itself is gold. But Dalilah did not wear the hi- But I urge you to resist this urge to a self-assuring deception. Too often, jab, which means she was ignored for conform. our reason does not act as the driv- the more politically useful story. By this time, at this incredible con- er, but instead plays assistant to other Every freethinker from a Muslim ference, you have already met people emotions and ego-preserving desires. background will tell you this: They who exemplify courage. And many I fear that we, the people in this feel, to some extent, abandoned by of you will come to them, now and room in particular, are vulnerable to people like you. How they feel that you after the conference, to thank them this kind of self-reassurance. have chosen your immediate political for their work. These comments are It is too easy to imagine that be- urgencies over their great struggle. appreciated more than I can put into cause we have left faith-based dogma This past month, the European words. behind, because we can now look back Court of Human Rights upheld an But there is something you can do objectively at religious faith and ana- Austrian decision to fine a woman. that is more meaningful than any note lyze and dissect its effects on social Her crime was to of thanks. Photo by Ingrid Laas function, that we are no longer suscep- speak about Mo- If you see some- Sarah Haider tible to similar kinds of behavior. hammed’s life and We are often more one that inspires Salman Rushdie mentioned in his reasonable. And just as we can under- describe his mar- you, honor them influenced by a desire talk Friday about his fears of a secular stand “rational” religious apologism riage with a 9-year- “ not with thanks or form of religion, of a regression to the to be post-hoc reasoning, we should old child as pedo- to be seen as good, than applause, but with instincts of heresies, blasphemies and assume we, too, are capable of employ- philia. Regardless to actually do good. allyship. Tell them inquisitions. Those are fears I share, as ing this reasoning more often than of the validity of the — Sarah Haider they will not be well. we’d like to acknowledge. claim, the fact that alone — because And, in fact, it is dangerous to pre- We are, for better or worse, influ- a European court you will stand with sume that we are more likely to spot enced by our social nature and this is adjudicating issues of religious sen- them. That you will place your own dogma when we experience it now be- distorts our judgment and choices we sibility — in essence, reintroducing skin in the game as they have, that you cause we have seen it before, particu- make. We are often more influenced blasphemy laws — is something that will bear the costs of failure. And, in larly when it involves social pressure. by a desire to be seen as good, than to should concern us deeply. your life, where and when you find We may have recognized and con- actually do good. A month before that, a conservative an overwhelming urge to correct a quered one form of dogma, one form I bring it to this point because as British politician defended a woman’s wrong, to highlight a misconception, of irrationality, however, this says little an ex-Muslim, I routinely find myself right to wear the face-covering niqab. to stand up even to your own team, about our resistance to other forms of frustrated with the ways in which we in In doing so, he also mocked the con- that you will do so. That you will not unreason. the broader United States engage with cept itself. He was deemed a hate-mon- choose to be bullied or scared into Remember, that although we con- Islam and Muslim practices. ger for what was ostensibly defending silence. sider religion to be averse to at least To give one example, I see thought- a woman’s right to choose, to choose And it will feel difficult and unnat- some forms of rationality, the religious less celebrations of the hijab — depic- things he himself despised. ural — because it is difficult and un- layman considers his faith to be quite tions of smiling or triumphant women natural. But it is no less worth doing in headscarves are more common- Moving away from nuance because of it. place today than they were 10 or even Rather than moving toward great- Include FFRF five years ago. The intent of such de- er nuance in the way we address the In Your Estate Planning pictions is, of course, to stand up for challenges of this faith, we are mov- the rights of minorities. However, in ing further away from it. And while the ham-fisted attempts at appearing I’m speaking specifically about Is- “tolerant” and “diverse,” we gloss over lam, this is only one avenue in which oppression and very real sexism in there is a deeply troubling polariza- Arrange a bequest in your will conservative Muslim communities. tion of discourse into black and white or trust, or make the Freedom I remember the 2016 Olympics, choices. From Religion Foundation when there was wall-to-wall coverage And I’d wager many of you know the benefi ciary of an insurance on the first hijabi Muslim woman who what I’m talking about here, who have policy, bank account or IRA. won bronze for team fencing. Gush- felt, as I have, a strong pressure to be It’s easy to do. ing headlines and shows highlighting more simplified, dare I say, more trib- Ibtihaj Muhammad. The story was of al, in our thinking, particularly in this For related information (or to a “triumphant Muslim woman, victori- political atmosphere, as the social dis- request a bequest brochure), ous in an Islamophobic society.” What course instead increasingly resembles please contact Annie Laurie Gaylor at (608) 256-8900, was glossed over? a battlefield. info@ff rf.org Fencing was the only choice left to And what happens in a time of war? Photo by Ingrid Laas her. While she played a variety of sports No matter who we are, how peaceful Sarah Haider, raised Muslim, said Freedom depends growing up, fencing was chosen by her by nature, we all feel an urge to rally that “the decision to leave the faith, on freethinkers parents, as it was the sport in which around the flag, which most of us can- particularly in Muslim communities, is her body and hair would remain cov- not resist. We collapse ourselves into often met with extreme hostility, even ered. Many Muslim women are not al- one-dimensional figures, because in violence.” Page 16 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | December 2018 Godless Citizens mentions FFRF extensively

By PJ Slinger of two tablets listing the ten “sins” of the Catholic Church, including ‘Ban- n their new book, Godless Citizens in ning Contraception,’ ‘Criminalizing a Godly Republic, Isaac Kramnick and Abortion,’ and ‘Denying Catholic IR. Laurence Moore discuss the laws Women’s Rights to Religious Equality,’ and legal cases of nonreligion and the ad text read: Regardless of what atheism in the United States. They Pope Francis’ message is, Congress heavily reference FFRF’s role in the shouldn’t be ‘blessing’ him or handing chapter, “The Atheist Awakening,” in- him a government-endorsed pulpit. cluding calling FFRF a “pesky atheist The framers of our godless Constitu- activist organization.” tion wisely envisioned what John F. Kramnick and Moore, longtime Kennedy described as ‘an America that professors of government and history, is officially neither Catholic, Protestant respectively, at Cornell University, also nor Jewish — where no public official wrote the classic book The Godless Con- either requests or accepts instructions stitution: A Moral Defense of the Secular on public policy from the pope . . . State in 1996. where no religious body seeks to im- “I had been working some on the pose its will directly or indirectly upon concept of religious freedom, that the general populace or the public acts there were ways in which it was becom- of its officials. ing a claim of privilege,” Moore has said previously. He added that “those Isaac Kramnick (left) and R. Laurence Moore recently wrote the book, Godless ‘A memorable highlight’ with no religious belief are the fast- Citizens in a Godly Republic. “The FFRF’s 2015 ad, with its tear- est-growing segment of the popula- sue in 2001 was the county allowing out reply form to join the foundation tion. Atheism is the strongest form of students from Bryan College, named at the bottom of the page, was a memo- that, and historically, it was despised in after the trial’s religious hero, Wil- rable highlight of a day rich in the sym- early American history.” liam Jennings Bryan, to teach the bolism and contradictions of the Amer- The book gives a shout-out to FFRF bible to public elementary school ican secular government’s embrace of Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor and students for thirty minutes a week God. Pope Francis spoke in the House her late mother, Anne Nicol Gaylor. during the school day in three county of Representatives below the inscrip- They write: “Strikingly, even though schools. Bryan College refers to itself tion of ‘In God We Trust’ and before, Madalyn Murray O’Hair founded the as a Christian school and its motto is among others, nine Supreme Court American Atheists in 1963 and led it ‘Christ Above All’: its mission state- justices, six of them Catholic and three for many years, most leaders of athe- ment reads, ‘Educating students to Jewish. None was from America’s Prot- ist and secular organizations today are become servants of Christ to make a estant majority. men. (An important exception is the difference in today’s world.’ In June “Not quite two years later, on May mother-daughter team Anne and An- 2004 the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals 25, 2017, the FFRF took out another nie Laurie Gaylor. The former in 1978 upheld a lower District Court judg- full-page ad in The New York Times founded the Freedom From Religion ment that the school board’s prac- after President Trump delivered the Foundation, based in Madison, Wis- tice of allowing the teachings of the commencement address at Jerry Fal- consin; the latter still leads it.)” Christian bible as religious truth was well’s Liberty University. The founda- a violation of the First Amendment’s tion replied to Trump’s proud decla- Brief history of FFRF Establishment Clause. Not content ration there that ‘America is a nation The book offers a brief description To purchase a copy of the with just its court victory, the FFRF of true believers.’ Above a huge carica- of the founding and history of FFRF: book, go to: has spent $150,000 to place a statue, tured head of the president that took “The Freedom From Religion erected in 2017, of Clarence Darrow, up nearly half the page was the retort: Foundation is among the largest or- shop.ffrf.org/books-and-lit. the famous agnostic lawyer who de- ‘Mr. President — We are NOT a Nation ganizations of atheists and agnostics fended Scopes, in front of the Rhea of Believers.’ Below the president’s pic- in America. It was founded in 1978 County Courthouse to stand near the ture, the text insisted, ‘We are one na- in Madison, Wisconsin, by Anne statue of Bryan put there in 2005 by tion under a Godless Constitution. We Nicol Gaylor, who, after graduating Women Without Superstition: No Gods Bryan College. the people are free to believe or disbe- from the University of Wisconsin at — No Masters (1997), is a 600-page “The FFRF wins 75 percent of its lieve,’ followed by the assertion that ‘a Madison, owned and managed sever- anthology of writings of 19th- and cases, but sometimes loses on pro- quarter of the U.S. population today al small businesses, ran a suburban 20th-century women freethinkers.” cedural grounds. The foundation in in nonreligious — true nonbelievers. weekly newspaper, and was an abor- But Kramnick and Moore save much 2004 brought suit against President . . . Join the Freedom From Religion tion-rights activist. As head of the of their discussion of FFRF for its legal Bush’s executive order establishing a Foundation.’” FFRF from 1978 to 2005, she grew its fights: faith-based initiative to fund religious “By far the most controversial membership from the three people “It has won some important victo- charities, since faith-based organiza- atheist use of television occurred in around her kitchen table to an activ- ries. Following a 1995 suit brought by it tions are ‘singled out as being particu- 2014, when the FFRF produced a ist group [now] with 33,000 members against its home state of Wisconsin for larly worthy of federal funding because 30-second commercial with President in 50 states and Canada. Gaylor, who designating Good Friday a legal holi- of their religious orientation, and the Reagan’s son, Ron Reagan, proudly died in 2015 at the age of eighty-eight, day, the federal District Court ruled in belief in God is extolled as distinguish- proclaiming his atheist convictions. has been succeeded by co-presidents 1996 that the holiday was indeed a vio- ing the claimed effectiveness of faith- It was refused by CBS, NBC, ABC, Annie Laurie Gaylor, her daughter, lation of the First Amendment because based social services.’ When Hein v. Fox, and Discovery, and shown only and her son-in-law, Dan Barker, an ‘the promotion of Christianity is the FFRF reached the Supreme Court in on CNN and Comedy Central. Three ex-evangelical Christian minister. primary purpose of the law.’ In anoth- 2007, the court ruled 5-4 against FFRF, years later, in 2017, [MS]NBC final- The FFRF has published two popular er case rich with historic symbolism, holding that taxpayers had no standing ly agreed to run it along with CNN books by Annie Laurie Gaylor, which the FFRF brought suit against the Rhea to challenge executive actions taken by again. In it the president’s son says to echo Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s atheist County School District in Tennessee the White House, only legislative gov- the TV audience, ‘Hi, I’m Ron Rea- writing. Woe to the Women — The Bible for allowing religious instruction in the ernmental action.” gan, an unabashed atheist, and I’m Tells Me So is about sexism in religion, county’s public schools. alarmed by the intrusion of religion and, since publication in 1981, has “The Scopes trial put Rhea County ‘In-your-face’ ads into our secular government. That’s been reprinted five times. The other, on the world’s map in 1925. The is- Godless Nation also gives FFRF much why I’m asking you to support the credit for its “in-your-face” advertising, Freedom From Religion Foundation, in newspapers, on billboards, and, per- the nation’s largest and most effec- Your weekly antidote to the Religious Right haps most notably, on television. tive association of atheists and ag- “Newspaper ads have been a partic- nostics, working to keep church and ularly favored promotional tool for the state separate, just like our Founding FREETHOUGHT RADIO FFRF. . . . FFRF, as we note at length Fathers intended. Please support the PODCASTS AND BROADCASTS below, has become the pre-eminent Freedom From Religion Foundation. gadfly of American civil religion in the Ron Reagan, lifelong atheist, not FIND OUT MORE: rf.org/radio last decade with its numerous lawsuits afraid of burning in hell.’ and in-your-face atheist billboard cam- “Michael Reagan, the adopted son — Hosted by Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor — paigns. Nothing better illustrates its of the late president and a conservative Slightly irreverent views, news, music & interviews role in the Atheist Awakening than its commentator, is now boycotting NBC full-page ad in The New York Times and CNN for airing this commercial on Sept. 24, 2015, on the occasion of and took to Twitter to note that ‘our Pope Francis’ address to a joint session father is crying in heaven.’” of Congress. Under a huge picture PJ Slinger is editor of Freethought Today. December 2018 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 17 Climate change is state/church matter

By Andrew L. Seidel that we, human beings, would be able to change what he is doing in the cli- nother mundane “miracle”: a mate is to me outrageous.” He also stu- cross left standing in the wake pidly tried to disprove climate change Aof a hurricane that killed 33 by bringing a snowball to the floor of people. God didn’t save the people or the Senate. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, even the church from Hurricane Mi- who’s been a good friend to the secular chael. Instead, he saved a torture-de- community, utterly destroyed Inhofe’s vice-turned-religious symbol. idiocy. This religious myopia is remarkably It’s not just that more zealous believ- consistent. After Hurricane Harvey, ers deny climate change; their religious Christians claimed blinders also prevent them from viewing that their god saved reality. Those following literalist strains a cross and let over of religion are particularly primed to re- 100 people die. And ject clear facts, such as evolution, the fact it might not have that virgins don’t give birth, and that hu- been a cross, just a man beings don’t resurrect themselves. telephone pole. Many believers are perfectly willing to re- Shutterstock image To see these as ject claims without evidence — or even miracles, one must continue to believe that climate change be disagreement among scientists over in spite of the evidence. be blind to just about is also a state-church issue. the anthropogenic nature of climate Religion’s view of the afterlife also Andrew L. Seidel everything else. It’s Denying anthropogenic climate change. That disagreement tends to cen- hinders our collective ability to tackle cli- not focus or positivity, it’s ignoring change is based on the rejection of facts ter on a small proportion of scientists, mate change. The only afterlife we ought facts and reality and death. It’s willful and reality in favor of blind faith, wish- usually pegged at around 3 percent, who to care about is leaving our descendants blindness. ful thinking, or willful denial. Many of tend not to be climate scientists and who and our planet a secure and pleasant That same willful blindness is actually the climate denialists in politics, such as may disagree with some aspect of anthro- future, as FFRF Co-President Annie Lau- contributing to the hurricanes. It leads Vice President Mike Pence, Sen. James pogenic climate change. rie Gaylor has pointed out. Systems that people to claim that there is a scientific Inhofe, and has-beens such as Scott I encountered this 3 percent argu- deny facts and reality must not be used debate and dispute about anthropogen- Pruitt, Michele Bachmann and Rick ment for the first time in the office of to dictate public policy. ic climate change. Santorum, deny climate change for ex- a conservative Christian U.S. senator We get one shot at life and we get it As fires rage out West and hurricanes plicitly religious reasons. who shall remain unnamed, but who’s on this one planet. Carl Sagan famously devastate the Southeast and Gulf Coast There is a correlation between reli- a big fan of “thoughts and prayers” over wrote in Pale Blue Dot, “The Earth is the (which tend to be the more religious giosity and climate denial. While other concrete action. I was so stunned by only world known so far to harbor life. areas of the United States), I continu- factors, such as political party affiliation, the deliberate ignorance that, instead There is nowhere else, at least in the ally wonder when we’ll break through race and ethnicity, are strong predic- of choosing a persuasive analogy (it’s near future, to which our species could this deliberate ignorance, this head- tors of views about climate change, the like refusing to get treatment for cancer migrate. Visit, yes. Settle, not yet. Like in-the-sand hope for a better future. It Pew Research Center found “it is the when 97 doctors say you have cancer it or not, for the moment the Earth is was only two months ago that the U.N. religiously unaffiliated, not those who and three say you don’t), I pointed out where we make our stand.” Intergovernmental Panel on Climate identify with a religious tradition, who that more people deny the Holocaust By ignoring our role in climate Change (IPCC) published the report are particularly likely to say the Earth than scientists deny human-caused cli- change we are not just ignoring reality, warning humanity that we’ve got about is warming due to human activity. . . mate change. we are kneeling before and bowing our a decade to ensure that our children White evangelical Protestants stand out The staff did not appreciate being heads to the same willful ignorance that have a habitable planet. This is not an as least likely to have this view.” lumped in with Holocaust deniers. I has driven religion from one genera- environmental issue, or rather, it’s not President Trump denies climate did not appreciate them denying reality tion to the next. And I, for one, refuse just an environmental issue. This is also change as creationists deny evolution, and risking the only planet we have. to bend my knee to any ignorance — be a security issue, a food issue, an immi- citing no science or facts, but arguing Inhofe once cited Genesis to bol- it rooted in religion or elsewhere. gration issue — and so much more. that he’s got a “natural instinct” for sci- ster his denial of reality: “God’s still up Andrew L. Seidel is the director of strategic The willful ignorance is one reason I ence while citing what he believes to there. The arrogance of people to think response for FFRF. Is American religion exceptional? Maybe, maybe not

By Yonat Shimron exceptional? the intense religious category the U.S. For example, only 6.6 percent of Exceptionalism is the deep-seated is declining, if very slowly,” said Chaves, Americans attended church more than This article first appeared on the Reli- conviction that the U.S. marches to a professor of sociology and religious once a week between 2012 and 2016, a gion News Service site on Nov. 20. It is re- a different drummer. While some ar- studies at Duke University. drop from 8 percent in 1973. printed with permission. gue this distinctiveness is proof it has Both teams examined five indica- Asked if “the bible is the actual word merica is more religious than Eu- been blessed by God, most scholars tors of intense religion: strong reli- of God and is to be taken literally, word rope, almost everyone agrees. who use the term mean that the Unit- gious affiliation, more than weekly at- for word,” 31 percent said “yes” be- A Two-thirds of U.S. Christians ed States is simply different. tendance at religious services, biblical tween 2010 and 2016, a drop from 35 pray daily, compared with a median In an article published in Sociolog- literalism, affiliation with an evangeli- percent between 1984 and 1990. of just 18 percent of ical Science on Nov. 15, David Voas cal religious group and praying multi- The reason for the overall drop? It’s Christians across 15 and Mark Chaves, of University Col- ple times per day. generational, argue Voas and Chaves. countries in Europe, lege London and Duke University, re- Voas and Chaves argue that between “Each successive birth cohort is less to cite just one re- spectively, maintain that U.S. religious 1973 and today there’s been a significant intensely religious than the one be- cent survey. devotion may be higher than in other drop in religious Americans’ responses fore,” they wrote, “and there is little But there is dis- Western countries but it too is slowly in three key indicators: affiliation, the sign of people becoming more intense- agreement brewing declining and essentially no different number of religious services people at- ly religious with age or over time.” among sociologists from other developed nations in its tend each week and their belief that the Yonat Shimron is a Religion News Ser- over whether the growing secularization. Bible is the literal word of God. vice national reporter and senior editor. Yonat Shimron intense religious de- On the other side are two graduate votion that has long students, one at Harvard and the oth- characterized a segment of the United er at Indiana University, who argue the States is impervious to anti-religious most devout Americans have remained trends in Europe, where all the mark- so and the decline is coming from ers of faith have dramatically slipped those with moderate religious habits. over the past few decades. “There’s a short uptick during Ron- In dueling articles posted to the ald Reagan’s presidency, but other journal Sociological Science, two than that, it’s been steady from the groups of scholars have sized up de- 1970s to today,” said Landon Schnabel, cades’ worth of survey data generated a Ph.D. candidate at Indiana. by the massive General Social Survey Voas and Chaves counter that even stretching back to 1973 — and arrived the intensely religious segment of the at different conclusions. American population is shrinking. Just At the heart of the throwdown di- as Europe has become more secular, so viding sociology of religion circles is too has America, just at a slower rate. Photo courtesy of Creative Commons the question: Is American religion “The fact of the matter is, even on People worship at Marble Collegiate Church in New York. Page 18 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | December 2018 LETTERBOX America’s founding was State-church separation secular, not sectarian Legal titans fight is a noble cause

Factual, historical and lawful articles I so appreciate all the good work on America’s secular founding, secular you do to beat back all the ridiculous Constitution and secular government religious crap going on in our country provoke irrational over-reactions from today. regressive religionists falsely claiming Your work and your publications them to be “anti-religion.” Nothing all seem relevant and well presented. could be further from the truth. More than anything, I appreciate the Secular refers to matters that are donation of time to this worthy cause. not religious, not “anti-religion.” Thank you all! Sectarian refers to matters that are Bill Cabell religious. For example, one of 2,000 Virginia vastly different versions of American Christianity or 10,000 distinct world religions. Evolution of religion America’s lawful founding doc- should be on T-shirts uments and their recorded history Photo by Chris Line clearly establish our nation was cre- Jim McCollum, who was the school sion out of Champaign, Ill., keeping “Polytheism ated as a secular republic and not a boy at the center of the famous religious indoctrination out of our Monotheism sectarian republic. 70-year-old Supreme Court case, public schools. The McCollum case Atheism The Constitution’s First Amend- McCollum v. Board of Education, was the precedent on which is based It’s evolution!” ment that guarantees belief freedom recently visited Freethought Hall all subsequent Supreme Court deci- How about printing this on a for every American is neither pro-re- to tape an episode of FFRF’s “Free- sions against prayer and devotions in bumper sticker or T-shirt? ligion nor anti-religion, but reli- thought Matters” TV show. Jim met public schools. It was the first case to Bob Nilson gion-neutral. Its historic trinity of reli- with FFRF’s legal staff and is pictured incorporate, under the 14th Amend- New Hampshire gious liberty clauses provides freedom (center, tartan tie) with them and ment, the Establishment Clause of from religion, freedom of religion FFRF’s co-presidents. Next to Jim the First Amendment, meaning the and freedom for religious speech. (right) is his daughter Vashti, name- clause protection separating religion We enjoyed watching We were the first nation in history sake of Jim’s mother, who brought and government applies to state as ‘Freethought Matters’ to provide individual belief freedom and won the landmark court deci- well as federal citizens. in our founding and governing Con- My wife and I just watched your stitution. We also provided a genesis new program, “Freethought Matters,” for the historic Universal Declaration on WPLX-Channel 11 in New York. of Human Rights that declares “. . . the grand opening, and we were happy Religion is all around, Annie Laurie and Dan did a great job everyone shall have the right to free- to find our brick installed right in front and guest Larry Decker (executive dom of thought, conscience and reli- of the book drop-off. Not as eye-catch- even in Pennsylvania director of the Secular Coalition for gion,” adopted by the United Nations ing/impactful as one of your great bill- I thought Pennsylvania was way above America) did a great job — I think he in 1948. boards but, we think it’s kinda cool. the Bible Belt. But no. There are so has a wonderful future. Keep up the American freedom of any religion Thank you for all the hard work that many roadway signs proclaiming “Truth” good work. or no religion freely flourishes. It is a you do! and Jesus’ love. I found this new one par- Gary Grub precious liberty for which every patri- Kevin Castellano ticularly upsetting: Jesus with a hole in New Jersey otic American can be proud. And that Pennsylvania his hand beckoning us on. Another one is not anti-religion. I found to be funny was about the denial John Compere of evolution. It has a red bar line strik- FFRF offers logical, Texas Hawaii bishop misusing ing out the symbol for evolution, the one moral support his power over Catholics that shows four bodies, from monkey to man. Even in Ohio, there are the Ten Thanks to the Ron Reagan ad on Let’s literally put God The front page of the Hawaii Cath- Commandments lining I-71 north of MSNBC, I immediately joined FFRF. I on the ballot in 2020 olic Herald has Bishop Clarence Sil- Cincinnati. They have taken to using law- read Freethought Today from cover to va’s decree against the Our Care, Our yers’ terms now — Beyond reasonable cover. I find it enlightening and enter- Here is an idea to ensure that the Choice Act (i.e., death with dignity act) doubt. “Jesus is alive beyond reasonable taining. I am encouraged by the Black Religious Right will go down in defeat which will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2019. doubt.” But I doubt, I still doubt. That’s Collar Crime reports and the vindi- in the 2020 presidential election: Put He writes, it’s “contravening the law of one thing I am sure of is doubt. cation that it must surely bring to the “God” on the ballot as the Republican God. . . . I must put the goal of eternal The other day, I was having such a victims in some small measure. I can presidential candidate. Every Republi- life with God as my top priority for the nice time shopping, but that all ended recall verbal abuse from the nuns and can ballot will be cast for that, and since people of this state.” when a cashier said, “Have a blessed the attempted indoctrination by the there is no such thing, the election will This is sickening that a man can mis- day.” I replied, “No thanks. I don’t want priests. That brainwashing is so dam- be won by the most capable candidate. use his power over Catholics and thinks to be blessed. I don’t want people to feel aging to young minds; the guilt still af- Robert Laub he controls “the people of the state.” absolved for not taking on responsibility fects me today to some degree. Missouri He’s denying separation of state and for wishing me well in the name of their Richard Heldmann church. Poor delusional man. This not god or religion. ‘Have a great day’ is just Connecticut a theocracy but a republic with a Bill of fine. Thanks for your custom.” Library reopens, as Rights and a Constitution! Let’s be more aware that people’s re- does the eye of reason I’m sooo glad I’m not a Catholic ligion is their own personal business and anymore!!! not to be forced down other people’s The public library in my neighbor- Carolyn Golojuch throats. hood (Belmont Hills) recently reopened Hawaii Jonny Benzimra MOVING? after some renovation, which included a Ohio Don’t miss your copy of new outdoor brick patio on the side of Moving? Don’t miss a single issue of Freethought Today the building. Earlier this year, they gave residents the option to purchase and customize an engraved brick. FFRF’s Notify Us of Jacqueline and I wanted to choose Your Address Change a thought-provoking “atheistic” quote ‘Freethought and decided on one from Ben Franklin. Promptly! Fast forward to a couple weeks ago at Matters’ mug EMAIL [email protected] A meaningful message and the logo of FFRF’s new TV show. Ivory imprint on tapered burgundy, 8 fl. oz. American- The Post Office does not made mug. forward third-class mail. FFRF cannot be responsible NEW! for replacing back issues $20 postpaid — Item#MU02 if we have not been notified prior to your move. Call 608/256-8900 or order online ffrf.org/shop December 2018 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 19 Convention accolades

‘It was positively true piece of numismatic history. phenomenal’ We look forward to attending fu- Keeping us safe from cat-astrophe! ture conventions. I don’t often write notes of praise Patrick McGinnis after attending a big event, but this California time I just have to. This weekend’s conference wasn’t just good, wasn’t just great, it was positively phenome- ‘Brings tears to my eyes’ nal. Not just one or two, but a whole I just attended the convention on lineup of great speakers, all of whom Saturday afternoon, and the ex-Mus- were terrific. Not just that, but the lim speakers from around the world whole event was so smooth and well blew me away. And then to have Annie organized. I know a thing or two Laurie Gaylor and Cecile Richards in about what goes on behind the scenes conversation. Thank you so much. It to put on a big event like this (I’ve actually brings tears to my eyes, think- helped to do so, several times), and I ing about it. know it’s not easy, but FFRF made it Joy Hahn happen flawlessly. My wife and I had California previously decided just to attend FFRF conferences when they come to the West Coast, but after this weekend, ‘Community for she’s pushing to go to all of them freethinkers’ from now on, just because this one re- ally was that good. Please make sure to I would like to join Debra Deanne thank everybody who had anything to Olson in thanking you for producing do with putting this together, because such a wonderful conference. I agree everybody did a fantastic job!!! with Debra that we need to forward the Brian Madsen secular revolution. I am a proud FFRF member and both sleep peacefully knowing every- California I think the most important thing love reading Freethought Today ev- one at FFRF is working hard to keep FFRF does is provide a community for ery month. And once I’m finished, religion out of our democracy. freethinkers. You give us a home base my cat, Pinky, loves sprawling out Katelyn and Pinky Shearer ‘Wonderful’ for like-minded people. and taking a nap on the paper! We Virginia Thanks so much for all your efforts Dr. Craig Wilkinson to host the San Francisco convention. Utah The speakers and entertainment were wonderful. ‘The best ever’ ‘Inspired me’ Dan Bell ‘Very satisfying’ I wanted to praise this year’s conven- The wonderful convention in San California I just want to thank all of you for tion. They’ve all been wonderful, but I Francisco has inspired me to become a very satisfying experience. My first think this year’s was the best ever. You a Life Member. FFRF convention lived up to all my continue to outdo yourselves, and I was David Tucker ‘All inspiring’ expectations. Thank you to Dan Bark- especially impressed with the lineup of California My wife Francy and I enjoyed the er and Annie Laurie Gaylor, as well as speakers this time and the impact of convention in San Francisco. The the many others who made this possi- their presentations — especially Sal- speakers were all inspiring, especially ble. And special thanks for the terrific man Rushdie and the enormous value John de Lancie, Salman Rushdie and speakers. My son David accompanied of your legal team. They are at the very Correction Cecile Richards. me, and he also enjoyed the experi- center of what FFRF does, and they are In the October issue, Kathleen I mentioned to a friend about the ence. I think before I become immor- superb! The hotel was comfortable, Yagelo’s name was misspelled in “clean money” drawing and he of- tal, I’ll be able to completely convert beautiful and centrally located for the the Letterbox section. FFRF offers fered to donate a bill for next year’s him. enjoyment of San Francisco. I came its apologies to Kathleen. event. This bill is more than 100 years Marjorie Holden two days early to do just that. old and includes a quirky note to California Sherry Chapin counterfeiters on the back side. It is a New York CRANKMAIL We present to you, unedited and unfil- for life to exist? Why is every planet round and not Read the constitution: Other than read the sticking their noses in other peoples’ business for tered, the latest correspondence from those square or oval? Huh! Some of your atheists like constitution you can’t! The constitution says “free- the greater glory of Satan. I have known Billy for Vivien Castillo denies her very existence and is a to- dom of religion”, not freedom from religion! You many, many years, and you cannot find a better who don’t appear to become FFRF members tal retard with an IQ which must be below 40. What may not think so, but you are as much involved in man anywhere. I am nowhere as good as he is, so any time soon. can one expect when they worship a pagan god religion as the Staunchest Catholic, Baptist of Mus- I tell you from my heart, go fuck yourselves and Cowards!: Just heard on the radio that you are like Muhammed the murderer of thousands. Why lim. With little common sence you should realize leave us the fuck alone, you atheistic assholes. God “taking on” an elementary school for posting in the worship him when you don’t believe in God. Every that Atheism is as much a religion as any of these. Bless You. — James Terrell Jr. lunchroom “Give us this day our daily bread.” IF atheist believes in God. They just don’t desire to do — Richard Vought Stay away!: Your organization is a joke. STAY THIS IS INDEED TRUE, how cowardly and pathetic the will of God which is peace, love, mercy, forgive- Stop bullying!: No one likes a bully. I do not do THE F*** OUT OF OUR BUSINESS IN CHEROKEE. — you all truly are! Taking on a grade school full of ness, the govt. of the eternal one. — Billy Thompson well with bullies. Bullies never remain on their feet Tim Jones innocent children who seek our wonderful Saviour, Stop dividing us!: Please take your religious when they are around me. I will not be bullied by It’s CHRISTmas: We don’t appreciate you the Lord Jesus Christ...what cowards and despica- hate somewhere else. You are trying to divide this you. Stop it! — Don Vanderhoof targeting our small town in Dover, Ohio over our ble creatures you all truly are. — Philip Merhalski country and the residents of Honesdale, Pa want to Repent now!: you out to be ashamed of your- CHRISTmas displays! We have our freedom of Atheists: Heard that there are atheists in your be left alone. It is sickening what you people do to selves- trying to take God, the Almighty one who speech and display. If you don’t like CHRISTmas, group, right? People who deny God’s existence small towns across the United States. Are you fund- formed you in your mother’s womb, out of every- fine, don’t display anything! Keep your noses in wonder how they were made like some ameba or ed by George Soros and Hillary Clinton? Why don’t thing. some day you will be reprimanded and will Wisconsin and OUT of Ohio! — Jed Lombard paramecium or just a body making itself and giving you come to my house and try and take my cross rot in hell. — Dave Ribort Read this: I come from Europe. I watched Athe- itself life. Big bang? There’s going to be one soon! down. You are nothing but liberal trash. — Michael You’re dumb: Obviously you have never actu- ists like you people destroy Christianity only to Shocking! Why is every planet in its perfect order Seaman ally read the U.S. Constitution or you would know later submit to the actual societal oppression and in rotations? Why is every planet in the exact place Christianity: Christianity IS freedom from reli- that the “separation of church and state” was proselytizing that Islam forces onto public life. — gion!! Christianity is not a religion, it is a reality!! set up to protect the CHURCH from undue influ- Rambo Baggins — Paul Lauricella ence by the STATE!!! Not the other way around as You bigots!: You haven’t won shit....smh Com- you depict it. Maybe you are referring to another mon anti-religion bigots — Natasha Tomlinson Losing Faith in Faith: Constitution rather than the U.S. Constitution.... Losers: No body watched this retarded pa- From Preacher to Atheist Woe to the Women: because ours quite clearly states the purpose of thetic out cry about religion, any more. — Tshaaj “separation of Church and State”....not to mention Thomas The Bible Tells Me So that our Constitution was drafted using Christian Fools: I love watching Atheists squirm when By Dan Barker Biblical principles as their guideline. Please crawl confronted with the truth reality science. That is By Annie Laurie Gaylor How Dan “threw out back into whatever hole you crawled out of. — Jeff why I love the Ark encounter... #atheists have a the bathwater and A concise, easy-to-read Bookout hard time explaining the reality in regards to geol- discovered there is book that will challenge Explain: All freedoms should be outlawed and ogy. They can’t explain adequately coal formations no baby there.” your concept of the banned should people who practice them should and why there are corals and shells fossil layers be- bible as “a good book.” they go to jail as I believe in the literal interpreta- low and above these Carboniferous layers... they Published by FFRF Illustrated. 264 pages. tion of no religion ie if people practice religion in deny the flood of Noah’s Day In spite of the mas- Published by FFRF home they go to prison explain — Kelly Lee sive amounts geological evidence that supports a You are Satanists: Regarding your attack on global flood. I have to laugh when I hear the name Buy it from FFRF online BuyBuy it it from from FFRF online online the character of Sheriff Billy Rowles of Newton called the ‘thinking Atheists’ which is obviously an shop.ffrf.org County Texas, I am of the opinion that you are a oxymoron. The fool says in his heart there is no shop.ff rf.org shop.ff rf.org bunch of Godless bastards that want to go around God! — Kurt Sensabaugh Page 20 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | December 2018 BLACK COLLAR CRIME

Compiled by Bill Dunn James F. Talbot, 80, a defrocked Jesuit priest living in a Missouri treatment facility, was sentenced to 10 years in prison with all but 3 Arrested / Charged suspended after pleading guilty to gross sexual assault and unlawful sexual contact for molesting Jody Sambrick, 58, W. Lampeter Township, a boy between the ages of 8 and 9 in 1997-98 in PA: 4 counts of dissemination or possession of Freeport, ME. He served 6 years in Massachu- child pornography and 2 counts of criminal use setts after pleading guilty in 2005 to sexually as- of a communication facility. Multiple devices were saulting 2 of his students at Boston College High seized in a search at his home. Sambrick is pas- School in the 1970s. tor at Hopeland United Methodist Church in Lititz. The Maine victim, now 30, told the court Tal- Source: Penn Live, 10-24-18 bot stole his childhood. “What was supposed to Paxton D. Singer, 24, Sugar Grove, IL: Sex- be a man from God . . . turned out to be a dis- ual exploitation of a child and disorderly conduct. gusting animal.” Talbot had married his parents. Singer, youth director pastor at Harvest Bible “I hope you rot in hell and I hope you die in jail,” Chapel, “knowingly enticed a person under 17 the boy’s father said at sentencing. “How can years of age to remove their clothing for the pur- the Catholic Church allow this stuff to go on?” pose of sexual arousal or gratification of the de- Source: WGME, 9-24-18 fendant or the child” between October 2016 and August 2017, a press release said, adding that Civil Lawsuits Filed there was no known physical contact. Source: Daily Herald, 10-23-18 The Vatican Holy See is being sued in San Hernan Toro, 90, San Jose, CA: 6 counts of Francisco for alleged failure to stop sexual abuse child molestation. Toro is one of 15 priests named of children. Kathy Stonebraker alleged she was recently by the Diocese of San Jose as being molested by Stephen Kiesle, pastor at St. Jo- credibly accused of abusing children. He was seph Parish in Pinole, CA, in the early 1970s convicted in 1983 and registered as a sex offend- when she was about 11. Once he took her into er but went on to serve several parishes before the confessional and pushed himself against her retiring in 1990. with his pants down, the suit alleged. “Bishop McGrath is saddened and infuriated Sept. 28. Source: Rapid City Journal, 10-3-18 and violating her under the guise of performing Plaintiff Jim Keenan, St. Paul, MN, alleged he that additional innocent children are the recent Andrzej Skrzypiec, 63, Salt Lake City: Pa- a religious “deliverance.” Source: KMSP, 10-3-18 was abused as a child by an unidentified priest victims of horrific acts by Hernan Toro,” the di- tronizing a prostitute. Skrzypiec, pastor at St. Am- Otho Schilling, 59, Mount Hermon, LA: and that he was later offered a settlement by the ocese said in a statement. Spokeswoman Liz brose Catholic Parish and chaplain at J.E. Cos- Pleaded guilty to theft of government funds. Schil- Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Source: Sullivan said such cases were handled differently griff Memorial Catholic School, allegedly offered ling, while he was pastor at New Beginning Bap- KTVU, 10-24-18 in the past. “We now know, based on the current an undercover officer $30 for oral sex in August tist Church in 2005-2016, received over $200,000 Zia Ul-Haq Sheikh, former imam of the Is- psychological best practices, that returning these and arranged to meet her at a nearby hotel. He in Social Security benefits he wasn’t entitled to. lamic Center of Irving, TX, is accused by plaintiff men to ministry was a misguided attempt at reha- denied he was looking for sex and told police he He’d arranged to have the church pay his per- “Jane Doe” of grooming her for sex starting when bilitation.” Source: Mercury News, 10-20-18 was there to get food from a taco stand. Source: sonal expenses in lieu of getting a direct salary, she was 13 in 2010 while seeing him for mental Gary J. Ray, 56, Arlington, WA: 3 counts of Salt Lake Tribune, 10-1-18 concealing his earnings and employment, pros- health counseling. She alleges he “offered him- aggravated theft by a person in a position of trust. Scott Patschke, 53, Wausau, WI: Child en- ecutors said. Source: Times-Picayune, 10-3-18 self as a potential husband” even though he was Ray is accused of stealing about $40,000 in do- ticement. Patschke, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Hafiz A. Pirzada, 76, Northolt, UK: Guilty more than twice her age and already married. nations for families devastated by a 2014 mud- Church, allegedly shared a photo of his geni- by trial of 8 counts of sexual assault with a fe- After “sexting on a daily basis” and engaging slide that killed 43 people while he was pastor at tals with members of a citizens group posing male under 13 and 2 counts of causing a child in other sexual behavior online, Sheikh had inter- Oso Community Chapel. At least $6,000 was also as a 15-year-old boy and arranged to meet at a to engage in sexual activity. Pirzada, an imam, course with her at a Motel 6 in Grapevine in De- reported missing from Restoration Church Cama- Walmart in Rib Mountain, where he suggested was accused of molesting sisters between the cember 2016 after she turned 18, the suit claims. no, where he worked after leaving Oso. Source: they could “go into the bathroom and see what ages of 9 and 11 in 2007-09 while teaching them Source: Star-Telegram, 10-19-18 Daily Herald, 10-17-18 happened.” Group members met Patschke and about Islam and the Quran. Source: Newham The Catholic Conference of Illinois and all 6 Abednigo Mongo, 28, Hazyview, S. Africa: recorded the interaction, then shared it with po- Recorder, 10-2-18 state dioceses are being sued by 3 men and a Assault and 2 counts of rape. Mongo, pastor of lice, who discouraged the group’s actions but woman alleging sexual abuse by priests decades the Prophetic Ministry of the Nations, is accused charged Patschke. Source: WSAW, 9-28-18 Sentenced ago. The suit filed by attorney Jeff Anderson seeks of assaults in August on a 15-year-old girl who Allen Price, 58, Quarryville, PA: Over 100 to compel dioceses to provide names of all priests was a church member. He allegedly told her on counts of child abuse, assault and sex offense. Wayland Y. Brown, 76, Baltimore: 20 years accused of child molestation. Source: AP, 10-18-19 social media to come to the church so they could Charges stem from Price’s time as a volunteer at in prison after pleading guilty to 9 counts of Catholic dioceses in Rockville Centre, NY, pray together. Source: IOL News, 10-17-18 Grace Bible Chapel in Rising Sun, MD, from 1987 criminal sexual conduct with a minor in Geor- and St. Petersburg, FL, and their respective cur- Rigoberto Gamez, 52, Chicago: Misdemean- to 2001. He’s accused of molesting 5 girls ages gia between 1978-88. Brown, a now-defrocked rent bishops John Barres and Gregory Park- or battery and 2 counts of criminal sexual abuse 11 to 16 who attended youth group meetings. priest, was accused of assaulting 2 students at es are defendants in a suit alleging deceased involving force. Gamez, pastor at Our Lady of Te- Source: WBOC, 9-28-18 St. James Catholic School in Savannah between priest Robert Huneke molested Mark Cattell, peyac Parish and liaison for Hispanic charismatic John E. Harris, 41, Prattville, AL: Sexual as- ages 11 and 13. He was convicted in 2003 and then age 9, in Tampa in 1981 after Huneke was renewal for the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago, sault, enticing a child for immoral purposes and served 5 years in Maryland after pleading guilty transferred there from New York. The abuse oc- is charged with assaults on women ages 17, 18 facilitating the travel of a child for an unlawful sex to performing sex acts on a teen boy and his curred even though John Salveson repeatedly and 27 starting in 2016. Source: WLS, 10-12-18 act. Harris was a student pastor at Glynwood younger brother between 1974-77. Source: Is- warned church officials in writing that Huneke Betty Lou Wheaton, 79, Belpre, OH: Grand Baptist Church be- land Packet, 10-24-18 had abused him for years starting in 1969 while theft. Wheaton, treasurer at Bethel Lighthouse fore resigning in Anthony Mauro, 45, Beachwood, NJ: 180 he was pastor at St. Dominic Catholic Church in Baptist Church for the past 41 years, is accused September 2017. days in jail and lifetime probation after pleading Oyster Bay, according to the suit and Salveson. of stealing $515,000 from the church. Prose- The alleged victim is guilty to 2 counts of possessing child pornogra- Source: Newsday, 10-17-18 cutor Amy Graham said she doesn’t know how a teen boy. Source: phy. When arrested in August 2017, he was a vol- Trinity Life Baptist Church in Garland, long Wheaton could have been stealing from The Advertiser, unteer Youth Team leader for St. Barnabas Cath- TX, failed to report sexual abuse by youth pas- the church. “[Bank] records only go back seven 9-27-18 olic Church in Bayville. Source: nj.com, 10-19-18 tor Dalton Lanphier, a suit filed by Julia Da- years. I think she sent a lot to her family and they Ryan Mutch- Ralphael J. Robinson, 41, N. Aurora, IL: 14 vis, mother of an alleged 2014 victim, asserts. didn’t know.” Source: Marietta Times, 10-11-18 ler, 30, Beaverton, years in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated Lanphier is serving 30 years for multiple felony Curtis W. Abbott, 47, Nixa, IL: Unauthorized OR: Online sexual criminal sexual assault of a minor while in a po- convictions involving at least 5 boys. Source: practice of medicine or surgery and 2 counts of corruption of a child sition of trust and authority and failure to report Morning News, 10-16-18 child endangerment. Abbott, who has a ministry and luring a minor. an address change. Robinson, pastor of Kingdom The Vatican Holy See is being sued by Man- called Restore Bible Culture, is accused of ille- Mutchler, youth pas- Church, was required to register as a sex offend- ny Vega, 52, Oxnard, CA, who seeks the release gally circumcising 2 teens in May. Documents tor at Mountain Park er for the rest of his life after a 2004 conviction for of the names of all sexual offenders within the filed by Abbott in his recent divorce said his wife Student pastor Church in Lake Os- molesting a 16-year-old girl. He’ll have to serve at church worldwide. The suit alleges Fidencio decided to end the marriage after his “decision John Harris wego, allegedly met least 7 years. Source: Daily Herald, 10-9-18 Silva-Flores, pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe to officially go back into the ministry after hav- a 14-year-old girl at Juan M. Riojas Martínez, Piedras Negras, Church, abused Vega between 1979-84. ing multiple prophetic communications.” Source: church camp in June and started exchanging text Mexico: 15 years in prison without parole and un- Silva-Flores was charged with 25 counts of News-Leader, 10-10-18 messages, which were seen by her parents. An specified compensation to victims after a 3-judge molestation in 2003 but the case was dismissed Mitchell R. Fields, Montgomery, AL: Rape. undercover officer later used her phone to text court convicted him of sexual assault of a minor because of the amount of time that had passed. Fields, pastor of True Grace Fellowship Com- with Mutchler, who allegedly expressed a desire when Riojas was director of a Catholic seminary Although Vega reached a settlement with the munity Church, was indicted by a grand jury. The to have sex with her. Source: Oregonian, 9-24-18 and the boy was in his care. Another boy later Archdiocese of Los Angeles in 2007, that doesn’t alleged victim, to whom Fields is related, was a came forward to allege abuse when he was 15. release the Vatican from responsibility, the lawsuit teen at the time of the alleged assault. Source: Pleaded / Convicted Source: Mexico News Daily, 10-5-18 says. Source: AP, 10-3-18 The Advertiser, 10-4-18 Felix D. Broussard, 52, Breaux Bridge, LA: 5 The California Catholic Conference, all 12 William Townsend, 28, East Point, GA: Theft Timothy L. Reddin, 67, Fayetteville, AR: years’ hard labor after pleading guilty to posses- California dioceses and the Archdiocese of by taking and fraud. Townsend, a youth pastor Pleaded guilty to attempted online enticement of sion of pornography involving juveniles. Brous- Chicago are being sued by Thomas Emens, Ca- at unidentified churches, is charged with steal- a minor. Reddin, part-time pastor at Turner Street sard, pastor at St. Bernard Catholic Church and marillo, CA, who alleges he was molested for 2 ing about $20,000 as a leasing consultant for an Baptist Church, was charged with messaging an chancellor of the parish school, was charged in years starting in 1978 when he was 10 years old apartment complex. Four underage girls have undercover agent in July to have oral sex with July 2016 with 500 child porn counts. A repair by Msgr. Thomas J. Mohan. The priest, now de- also come forward with allegations of inappro- someone he thought was a 14-year-old boy. He technician discovered the images on Broussard’s ceased, came to Anaheim in the early 1970s from priate touching, sexual text messages and cash sent the agent a photo of his penis and said he personal computer. Source: KLFY, 10-4-18 the Archdiocese of Chicago. in exchange for sexual favors, a court employee could “coach” him to perform oral sex. James R. Martin, 68, Hot Springs Village, AR: Attorney Jeff Anderson said the suit’s goal is said, but charges haven’t been filed in those cas- Reddin also taught classes at Ecclesia Col- 5 years in prison and $137,658 in restitution after “to abate the continuing nuisance” of abuse by or- es. Source: WXIA, 10-4-18 lege, a Christian school, and was chaplain for pleading guilty to theft of property over $25,000 dering each diocese to name all accused priests, Jonathan L. Jenkins, 57, Riverside, CA: the Singing Men of Arkansas choir. He was while he was secretary at Leonard Street Baptist detail their history of alleged assault and identify Aggravated sexual assault of a child. Jenkins, a sentenced to 27 months in prison in 2000 after Church. Pastor Jimmy Holland said the church their last known addresses. Source: AP, 10-2-18 youth pastor at Starlight Baptist Church, allegedly pleading guilty to possessing child pornography. reached out to Martin several times before his James Grear, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Par- assaulted a 13-year-old congregant in a church Source: KFSM, 10-18-18 arrest in July 2017 but got no response. Source: ish and the Catholic Diocese of Layfayette, bathroom in March. David L. Poulson, 65, Oil City, PA: Pleaded Sentinel-Record, 10-4-18 IN, are defendants in a suit filed by “John Doe He was arrested while going into a liquor store guilty to indecent assault, corruption of minors Fernando Sayasaya, 53, a Catholic priest 1,” who alleged Grear molested him in 1982 at a in Santa Ana. Jenkins has a “long criminal histo- and endangering the welfare of children. Poul- extradited from the Philippines, was sentenced to youth rally. Grear was ordained in 1970 and left ry,” said police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna, including son was charged with multiple assaults on boys 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to 2 counts the ministry in 2007. convictions for robbery, burglary, criminal threats as young as 8 while serving as a priest in the of gross sexual imposition involving 2 boys un- Doe alleges he told then-Bishop Raymond and narcotics violations. Source: KTLA, 10-3-18 Catholic Diocese of Erie. Source: Daily Record, der 15 when he served parishes from 1995-98 in Gallagher during confession at a different par- John Praveen, aka John Praveen Kumar 10-17-18 Fargo, ND. ish that he was molested and that Gallagher “in- Itukulapat, 38, Rapid City, SD: 2 counts of sexual Meally Morris Freeman, 56, Brooklyn Cen- The boys alleged he touched or tried to touch structed John Doe to forget about the abuse, to contact with a child under 16. Praveen, a native ter, MN: Guilty by jury of 2 counts of criminal sex- their penises when they visited his apartment. ask God to forgive him, and not to disclose the of India serving as a Catholic priest at the Cathe- ual conduct. Freeman, a Liberian immigrant and One told police Sayasaya showed pornographic abuse to anyone else.” Gallagher resigned as dral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, is accused of pastor of Grace Mountaineer Tabernacle, was movies and served him alcohol. Source: Fargo bishop in 1982 and died in 1991. Source: Journal sexual contact with a 13-year-old on Sept. 3 and found guilty of drugging a female congregant, 28, Forum, 10-1-18 & Courier, 9-25-18 December 2018 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 21

The Diocese of Greensburg, PA, is being Source: WGN, 10-24-18 for alleged ethical violations. himself as a priest” due to “credible and substan- sued by “John Doe,” who alleges sexual abuse in The Catholic Diocese of San Jose, CA, re- Fink’s attorney, Andrew Graham, said Fink tiated” allegations of sexual misconduct, said a the 1970s by Catholic priest Joseph Tamilowski, leased a list of 15 priests “credibly accused” of wants Oheb Shalom to honor its contracted finan- notice from the Archdiocese of New York. The who died in 1994. Doe alleges the diocese knew sexually abusing children from 1961-2006. Five cial obligations and to recognize how its public statement added that the Holy See will decide on about abuse accusations against Tamilowski at are still alive. The list includes their current where- comments have damaged his reputation. Source: an appropriate penalty. “However, it is certain that least a decade before he met Doe when he was abouts. The diocese said more names could be Baltimore Sun, 10-21-18 Msgr. Boyle will never serve as a priest again.” 13 or 14 and was an altar boy at St. Hyacinth Par- added as certain criteria are met. John Schouten resigned as pastor of VGF Source: silive.com, 10-9-18 ish in Monessen. Source: WPXI, 10-16-18 Joey Piscitelli of the Survivors Network of Church (formerly Vineyard Grace Fellowship) in Patrick Doyle, Indianapolis, was suspended those Abused by Priests provided the names of 6 Heath, OH, because of a “sexual sin” commit- as pastor at Nativity Catholic Parish, said a state- Civil Lawsuits Settled more priests whose names do not appear on the ted over 30 years ago before he was a minis- ment from the Archdiocese of Indianapolis: “The diocese’s list. He suspects there are others yet to ter, said a statement by church elders. It called single allegation from decades ago involved a The Court of Appeals ordered the Catholic be named who may still be working in ministry. “It Schouten’s actions “wrong, evil and illegal.” vulnerable female adult, age 18, who was an ad- Archdiocese of Santiago, Chile, to pay 3 vic- sounds way short,” Piscitelli said. Source: Newark Advocate, 10-18-18 olescent when at least the emotional aspects of tims of predator priest Fernando Karadima 450 Several days later, Minnesota plaintiffs’ attor- Bill Coates, 63, resigned as pastor of First the relationship began.” Source: WTHR, 10-8-18 million pesos ($663,000). James Hamilton, Juan ney Jeff Anderson released a list identifying 212 Baptist Church in Gainesville, GA, due to sexu- Robert Gerl, a Michigan Catholic priest, had Carlos Cruz and José Andrés Murillo accused priests in the Dioceses of San Jose, Oakland al misconduct with a female former church staff his priestly permissions removed due to a “credi- Archbishop Emeritus Francisco Errázuriz and and San Francisco as being accused of sexual member, said an email to the congregation. It ble allegation of sexual assault of an adult male” Archbishop Ricardo Ezzati of covering up Karad- misconduct involving allegedly occurred in which occurred decades ago, said a statement ima’s abuses. minors. Anderson called 2005 or 2006, said from the Diocese of Lansing. Source: State Jour- Pope Francis defrocked Karadima, 88, in the diocese’s San Jose executive pastor Kent nal, 10-8-18 September for serially molesting minors while he list “deficient.” Source: Rinpoche had young Murphey, claiming it John J. Lynch, Woodbourne, NY, was placed was pastor at a Santiago parish. Source: Santia- Marin Independent was neither a crimi- on leave as pastor at Immaculate Conception go Times, 10-21-18 Journal, 10-23-18 women followers called nal nor a civil offense. Catholic Church after a complaint was filed with William Mac- ‘angels’ wipe his backside Source: Gainesville the New York Archdiocese for “improper conduct Legal Developments Curtain, 84, Bour- Times, 10-15-18 with a minor” about 30 years ago. Source: Sulli- nemouth, UK, a Je- for a specific reason. Nelson Beaver, van County Democrat, 10-4-18 A witness in the case of Indian Catholic Bish- suit priest accused of Lexington, OH, was Mark Cyza, Nebraska City, NE, chief adminis- op Franco Mulakkal, 54, accused of raping a molesting a 13-year- placed on leave as trative officer of Lourdes Central Catholic School nun 13 times between 2014-16, died several old boy at a home- pastor of 2 Diocese of and pastor of St. Benedict Parish, was placed on weeks after testifying at pretrial hearings. The less shelter in 1989 Toledo Catholic parishes due to an allegation of leave due to inappropriate conduct with a woman, death of Kuriakose Kattuthara, 62, also a Catho- in South Africa, should be extradited, William sexual abuse of a minor over 25 years ago when said a statement by Bishop James Conley. “Fa- lic priest, is being investigated. Mulakkal is free on Segodisho said at a Johannesburg press con- he served Sacred Heart Parish in Montpelier, ther Cyza has repented of his failings,” the state- bail. Source: CNN, 10-22-18 ference. Segodisho detailed sex acts MacCur- announced Bishop Daniel Thomas. Beaver was ment said. Four priests have been removed by Arthur J. Perrault, 80, had his bail motion de- tain allegedly had him perform in exchange for ordained into the Lutheran ministry in 1969 but 3 the diocese since August. Source: Journal Star, nied by a federal judge. Perrault, a Catholic priest clothing, meals and schooling. years later became a Catholic. Source: WKYC, 10-3-18 who fled New Mexico in 1992 and was arrested in A statement by the British Province of the 10-15-18 Louis S. Dolinic, 77, Depew, NY, was the Morocco in 2017, is charged with aggravated sex- Society of Jesus said Segodisho had received Joseph Reschick, 67, Greenfield, PA, 15th priest placed on administrative leave by the ual abuse and abusive sexual contact for alleged a sincere apology and an ex-gratia payment was placed on leave as pastor at St. Rosalia’s Buffalo Catholic Diocese since March. He retired assaults decades ago at Kirtland Air Force Base (made out of a moral rather than legal obligation). Catholic Church due to an allegation of abuse in 2010 from Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish. and Santa Fe National Cemetery while he served Source: BBC, 10-10-18 of a minor from nearly 3 decades ago. Source: No details were given about the alleged abuse. a Catholic parish. Source: AP, 10-17-18 The Catholic Diocese of San Bernardino, KDKA, 10-15-18 Source: Buffalo News, 10-3-18 Kenneth Kauchek, a Michigan Catholic priest CA, released a list of 34 priests accused of sex- Jason Wasserman, 53, resigned as pres- Thomas Kreiser, Bronxville, NY, was re- ordained in 1976, had his libel and defamation ually abusing children since 1978, when the dio- ident of Temple Beth Hillel in S. Windsor, CT, moved as pastor at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church claims filed in 2017 dismissed against 2 newspa- cese was formed. Six were ultimately convicted. after it was revealed he pleaded guilty and re- due to an allegation of inappropriate behavior pers and the Survivors Network of those Abused Fourteen of the 34 are dead, 14 are listed as hav- ceived probation in 2008 for his attempt to com- with a minor. Kreiser pleaded guilty in 2011 to by Priests. Kauchek claimed SNAP, the Detroit ing been permanently banned by the diocese and mit enticing a minor by computer and attempt to stealing about $25,000 from St. Gregory Barbari- Free Press and the Macomb Daily wrongly report- 5 as having been “removed from the priesthood.” commit risk of injury to a minor. Jeffrey Glick- go Church and was sentenced to 5 years’ proba- ed he had molested a 16-year-old girl in 1976. Source: San Bernardino Sun, 10-8-18 man, 58, rabbi at Beth Hillel for 24 years, was tion. Source: NBC New York, 10-2-18 The newspapers based their stories in part Sogyal Rinpoche, 71, a Buddhist teacher aware of Wasserman’s sex offender registration William Breslawski, pastor at St. Anthony of on a 2016 Archdiocese of Detroit press release whose The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying but chose to keep it from the congregation. He Padua Catholic Church in Rocky Point, NY, has that said the sexual misconduct allegation made has sold more than 3 million copies, is accused has resigned from the town council and as a fire “agreed to step away from the ministry” while the in 2009 had been “deemed substantive.” The by ex-devotees of sexual, physical and emotion- department chaplain. Diocese of Rockville Centre investigates allega- court ruled that a libel plaintiff has to establish al abuse and of using donations to fund a lavish Wasserman, now 53, had been caught in a tions of sexual abuse involving a teen in 1980 and a statement is false and that a defendant has lifestyle. His organization includes 130 centers in sting after he went to Glastonbury to engage in 2 adults in 1984. The Nassau and Suffolk County no burden to prove it’s true. Source: Cincinnati 30 nations. sexual activity with a person he thought was a district attorney’s offices have been notified about Enquirer, 10-16-18 Former followers said Rinpoche surrounded 13-year-old girl but was a detective. Source: The the complaints, first lodged in 2002 and recently The Catholic Diocese of Winona-Roches- himself with young women he called “dakinis” (an- Forward, 10-14-18 renewed. Source: WLNY, 10-1-18 ter, MN, may not be off the hook after all after the gels), whose duties included wiping his backside. Archbishop Emeritus Francisco José Cox Gerald Baker, a Kentucky Catholic priest on state Court of Appeals overturned a district court A woman in her 40s alleged “Sogyal and the girls Huneeus and Bishop Emeritus Marco Antonio temporary suspension since 2016, was perma- judge’s ruling there wasn’t enough evidence that thought everything that went into him and came Órdenes Fernández, retired Chilean clerics, nently suspended by the Diocese of Owensboro. the diocese knew priest Richard Hatch was dan- Three juveniles have accused him of abuse. gerous. The plaintiff’s suit alleges he was about A State Police spokesman said investigators 14 when Hatch, now deceased, molested him at have determined criminal charges won’t be filed. St. Mary’s Parish School in Winona in 1962. Source: Courier Journal, 10-1-18 A 1961 letter from Bishop Edward Fitzgerald Francis Aning Amoah, a Catholic priest serv- chastised Hatch for taking 2 teens with him on a ing since July at Sacred Heart Parish in Chariton, Florida vacation. The appeals court affirmed the IA, will return to his home diocese in Ghana. The judge’s decision to dismiss claims against the Diocese of Des Moines suspended Amoah in parish due to lack of evidence it had access to August due to a “serious violation of boundary the bishop’s letter or knew about Hatch’s alleged issues” involving allegedly unwanted advances misconduct. Source: Winona Post, 10-8-18 toward an adult woman. Source: KCCI, 9-27-18 Florida Catholic clergy who may have sex- Andy Dwyer, pastor of St. Vincent de Paul ually abused victims are the subject of an inves- and St. Theresa’s parishes in Windsor, Ontario, tigation launched by state Attorney General Pam has been removed from his duties while the Cath- Bondi, who said more than 15 persons have olic Diocese of London investigates allegations of contacted her office after announcement of the inappropriate conduct from “many years ago,” a probe. A confidential tip site — myfloridalegal. statement said. Source: Catholic Register, 9-27- com/priestabuse — has been established. 18 “As far as how widespread this is, frankly we Gerald Moran, Danville, CA, was put on have no idea right now,” Bondi said. “We love the leave as pastor of St. Isidore Parish by Diocese of Catholic Church, we love youth organizations and Oakland Bishop Michael Barber after he learned we love schools. But abuse is abuse.” Source: Moran let a priest who was removed from minis- WUWF, 10-8-18 try over a child abuse accusation celebrate Mass The Archdiocese of Detroit and Michigan and sacraments at St. Isidore. Catholic dioceses in Gaylord, Grand Rapids, “Father Patrick Foley was removed from Kalamazoo, Lansing, Marquette and Saginaw priestly ministry due to inappropriate behavior were served search warrants from state Attorney with children,” Barber said in a letter to parish- General Bill Schuette as part of a probe into cler- ioners. Although Foley was removed by the gy sex abuse. The AG’s website said the investi- Diocese of San Diego in 2015, he continues to gation will be “independent, thorough, transpar- represent himself as a priest and maintains a out of him was holy. So the girls wiped his ass.” ent and prompt” and will “find out who knew what, were defrocked by Pope Francis “as a conse- website that describes himself as an “itinerant In a report commissioned by the organization, and when.” Source: CNN, 10-4-18 quence of manifest abuse of minors,” the Vatican papist preacher” based in Sacramento. Source: a student told of his “abject humiliation” when Rin- The Society of Christ Fathers in Poland was announced. Source: NPR/AP, 10-13-18 Mercury News, 9-25-18 ordered by an appeals court to pay 1 million zlo- poche grabbed his testicles in front of a group. Robert Witkowski, 83, has been restricted Rinpoche stepped down in 2017 as spiritual tys ($270,000) to a woman who alleged she was from public ministry after credible allegations of leader after students went public with allegations. Other abducted and sexually abused when she was 13 sexual abuse involving minors during the early Source: The Sun, 9-22-18 by a Catholic priest identified only as Roman B., years of his priesthood, the Catholic Archdiocese Pierre-Yves Fumery, 38, Gien, France, 42. He was arrested in 2008 and convicted of pe- of Detroit announced. Most recently he was pas- hanged himself in the Catholic church where dophilia. Source: AP, 10-2-18 Removed / Resigned tor at St. Faustina Parish in Warren, MI. Source: he served after being questioned but not Detroit News, 10-10-18 charged by police about allegations of sexual James W. Clark, Uniontown, PA, put on Allegations Justin Langille, 65, San Diego, is no longer assault of a child under 15. In a similar inci- leave by the Catholic Diocese of Greensburg in allowed to function publicly as a Catholic priest. dent in September involving a Rouen Catholic Basil J. Hutsko, pastor at St. Michael Byz- June, will not be returning to active ministry. The Langille was accused of inappropriate contact priest, Jean-Baptiste Sebe, also 38, hanged antine Catholic Church in Merrillville, IN, was diocese announced that an allegation about an with a female teen in the early 1990s but the himself in his church. A woman had alleged he incident before Clark was ordained in 1984 “has not beaten at the church as he claimed, said Diocese of San Diego dismissed the allegation assaulted her adult daughter but at the time of been found to be both credible and substantiat- a statement from the Eparchy of Parma, OH. in 1995 and 2002. The case came before the his death no formal complaint had been made. ed.” At the time he was working as a janitor at The eparchy “has recently verified with a mem- diocese’s Independent Review Board again in Source: BBC, 10-22-18 St. James Parish in Apollo. Source: Post-Gazette, ber of Father Basil Hutsko’s immediate family September. Louis Brouillard, 97, a retired Catholic 10-21-18 that the incident Father Basil Hutsko reported A professional investigator hired by the board priest accused in more than 130 lawsuits of The termination of Steven M. Fink as rabbi on Aug. 20, 2018, did not occur,” the statement found new information that “substantially under- molesting children on Guam, died in Minnesota. by trustees at Temple Oheb Shalom in Baltimore said. Police had called in the FBI to investigate mined the credibility of Fr. Langille and his deni- Brouillard, a Minnesota native, was ordained on was upheld by a 515 to 91 vote of congregants. it as a hate crime. als,” the diocese said. Source: NBC San Diego, Guam in 1948 and served as a pastor, teacher Fink, temple rabbi since 1999, denied unspecified Hutsko has also been placed on leave in 10-9-18 and Boy Scout leader until 1981. The most re- allegations of misconduct and ethical violations response to a credible accusation of sexual Francis Boyle, former pastor at Blessed Sac- cent suit was filed Oct. 4. Source: Pacific Daily that arose in May, the same month the Central misconduct involving a minor that alleged- rament Catholic Church in W. Brighton, NY, “has News, 10-11-18 Conference of American Rabbis suspended him ly occurred 35 years ago, the statement said. been suspended and may not function or present Email: [email protected] Page 22 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | December 2018 IT PAYS TO COMPLAIN Member helps get bibles removed from convention hotel

Like many other FFRF members who do you do this? Do you favor or prefer more enjoyable and more welcoming. attended the convention in San Francis- Christians (that’s the way it looks, since Brad co, Life Member Steven Lowe contacted you provide only one religion’s text the front desk at the Hyatt Regency to or materials)? Thank you for your reply. I encour- request there be no bible in his room. Why do you age and hope that you will modify your (FFRF always requests that the rooms presume all policy. It matters not that the bibles are where members will be staying are bi- of your guests free to you. You are still making the de- ble-free, but that request was not fulfilled are Christian? cision to place and replace them in your completely.) (We aren’t). guest rooms. This action speaks of your “I always ask for a ‘religion-free’ room Why don’t decision and position. Make your rooms when I make a reservation,” Lowe said. you think this welcoming to all. Have the courage to be “It usually doesn’t work (because most would not be secular and to end this traditional yet bi- hotels don’t pre-assign rooms before you off-putting or ased practice. My only request is that you check in). But, it puts it in the system. even offensive keep me informed as to your decision to When I find the bibles, I always return to non-Chris- keep or change your policy regarding them to the front desk and ask to speak Steven Lowe tians? (It is.) the placement of religious books in your to a manager and convey, civilly, a com- Why do you guest rooms. Thank you. plaint. I send a similar letter to most ho- risk offending Steven Lowe tels where I stay and find a bible.” ANY client in this way? Are you suggest- After getting a “welcome to the hotel” ing that we should all become Chris- Hi Steve, email from the Hyatt’s reservations man- tian? Probably not, but it could be I just wanted to let you know that ager, Lowe sprang into secular action. implied. I would prefer a religion-free we are removing all the bibles from the Below is the (edited for clarity) email room from any hospitality vendor, in- Hi Steve, rooms in the hotel. We certainly didn’t chain that helped get the bibles removed cluding Hyatt. I am asking you to stop Apologies for the uncomfortable mean to offend anyone by having them from the rooms. doing this. If you must, please consid- position that we put you by having that in there, but in the interest of a more er keeping these books (and others in the room. We certainly meant no of- universal viewpoint and out of respect Welcome to the hotel! I just wanted to of other religions) at your front desk fense by that. The bibles are provided for you and your group, we will be taking touch base and see if there was anything and make them available upon request free of charge by another company and them out of the rooms for the foresee- I could do to ensure everything is to your by a guest. As a world-class hospitality we never meant for it to make anyone able future. Let me know if you have any satisfaction during your stay. vendor, you should not be presuming uncomfortable. Due to your concerns, questions or concerns and I will be happy Brad the religion or the religious needs of however, we are reviewing our policies to assist with anything during your stay. Reservations Manager your guests, or favoring one over oth- to adopt a more global perspective. Brad ers. I am going to return this unwant- Hyatt is very sensitive to all religions, Dear Brad, ed book, with its unwelcome implied creeds, genders, and we strive to em- Well, I am impressed with the speed Thank you for asking. The hotel is message, to the Front Desk with a pathize with everyone to make for the with which you were able to make this wonderful with great architecture and complaint. Please feel free to share my most caring and comfortable place to policy change. And I couldn’t be happi- service, so far. My only problem, the feedback with your general manager, stay. And just because this policy has er with your decision. I hope the “fore- same problem I have at many hotels, is who can, perhaps, decide to change been around for a long time doesn’t seeable future” is forever. Thank you your policy of placing religious materi- your presumptive pro-Christian (and mean it is the correct one. Again, I want and congratulations. All are welcome. als (a Protestant Christian bible) pre- anti-non-Christian) policy. to sincerely apologize and see if there Secularly yours, sumptively in your guest rooms. Why Steven Lowe is any way we can do to make your stay Steven Lowe THEY SAID WHAT? The anti-religiosity in this country not God’s way. for previously endorsing Faith Goldy vote in the midterm elections. that is somehow in vogue and funny John H. Pruitt, who ended up not win- in her race for Toronto mayor, even Huffington Post, 11-1-18 — to make fun of faith, to constantly ning the election to be on the Chino though she recited the 14-word mani- be making fun of people who express Valley Unified School Board, which festo used by neo-Nazis, and retweet- If [judges] have a secular world religion, the late-night comedians, was successfully sued by FFRF over ing a prominent Nazi’s anti-immigra- view, then I’m going to be very con- the unfunny people on TV shows. It’s religious discussion during meet- tion message. cerned about how they judge. always anti-religious. . . . This is no ings, costing the district more than The New York Times, 10-31-18 Matt Whitaker, who replaced Jeff Ses- time to be driving god out of the pub- $200,000 in legal fees. sions as acting attorney general, at an lic square, no time to be making fun Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, 10-29-18 They’re going to show up for me April 25, 2014, Family Leader debate. of people.” because nobody’s done more for Friendly Atheist, 11-8-18 Kellyanne Conway, White House I will retweet the devil if the devil Christians or evangelicals or, frankly, counselor, trying to blame the anti-re- tweets, “I Love Jesus.” It’s the message, religion than I have. I mean, this is my job, this is what ligious for the clearly anti-Semitic kill- not the messenger. President Trump, in an interview with I’m supposed to do, and I’m missing ing done at the Tree of Life synagogue Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, defending the Christian Broadcasting Network, out there. I’ve got just to trust in what in Pittsburgh on Oct. 27. himself after coming under attack about how he expected Christians to I’m doing and trust that my Lord and CNN, 10-29-18 Savior Jesus Christ makes no mistakes. For whatever reason, that was the day We just ask you now to take con- I was supposed to have. trol, to take total Cody Parkey, kicker for the Chicago control of these Caption contest winner! Bears, after the ball hit the uprights elections. That Congratulations to Jeanne Thanks to all who participated. If an incredible four times during the you call up the Lombardo of Arizona for winning you see any non-copyright-protected game on Oct. 11 against the Detroit people that you FFRF’s caption contest from the pictures or images that you think Lions. would have to November issue, voted on by staff would be good for a caption contest, Chicago Sun Times ,11-11-18 move forward, members. For her winning entry, please email them to [email protected]. to vote, to stop she gets an FFRF T-shirt! What is crooked cannot be made and block any The winning caption was: Jesus straight, and you cannot count what is of Satan’s work, doesn’t save, but you can! not there. Ecclesiastes 1:15. any of his de- Top runners-up include: Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., tweeting a Mike Bost mons’ work, and We’ll make your car rapture- bible verse amid his criticism of the anything that ready. — Paul Riley of New York. Florida recounts. would be a lie, and block that. Savior Auto, where finding a The Hill, 11-14-18 Illinois state Rep. Mike Bost, during a reliable used car is a real miracle! “prayer call” on Oct. 19 for the group — Jay Hufton of Virginia. God’s punishment for liberal Intercessors for America. At Savior Auto, we’ll nail down California. Friendly Atheist, 10-20-18 the problem and resurrect your car Dave Johnson, Republican Party in three days! — Kyle Dreifus of chairman in Columbiana County, True believers don’t go after each California. Ohio, in a tweet blaming liberals for other like that. They work together. If California’s ravaging fires. you are going to vote me out, that’s The New York Post, 11-20-18 December 2018 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 23

Former churches with better missions

Photos courtesy of CincinnatiRefined.com the oldest Protestant parish in the Queen City. Young Billy Taft may have even sauntered past, his cheeks still stained with gooseberry pie. Unbeknown to him, this structure would carry on his own legacy. Young Billy would go on to become Supreme Court Chief Justice, Yale Bonesman, and 27th U.S. President, William Howard Taft. He was a collegiate heavyweight-wrestling champion, could bury a two-seam fastball through the backside of a catcher’s mitt, and made the most brazen ham tremble with a single glance. Our city was without Life Member Cheryl McCutcheon told us about built in 1850 and held its final service in 1984. its fabled folk hero for too long, but at last the Taft’s Ale House in Cincinnati, housed in the From the Taft’s website: “Constructed in 1850 mythos of Big Billy has been restored. The legend historic and renovated St. Paul’s German amidst the burgeoning Over-the-Rhine brewing of Cincinnati’s prodigal son lives on inside the Evangelical Protestant Church (top), which was industry, St. Paul’s Evangelical Church was once hallowed halls of Taft’s Ale House.”

Member Larry Lubetsky of Maryland sent us this photo of a repurposed church in Baltimore’s Hampden neighborhood. The former Mount Vernon United Methodist Church (right) now houses Chesapeake Systems, a technology company. The 200-year-old building was struck by lightning in 2008 and the congregation was unable to rebuild after the resulting fire. The church remained vacant for 16 months until the CEO of Chesapeake Systems stepped in to buy the building and update it for his company’s needs.

Life Member Richard FFRF Member Nancy McClements, a retired librarian, stands outside a Gagnon sent us this photo former church (Saint-Jean-Baptiste, above) that now houses a library of the South Berwick Public (Bibliothèque Claire-Martin) in Quebec. Library, which used to be St. Nancy sends us this biographical information of Claire Martin (1914- Michael’s Catholic Church 2014): Claire Montreuil was born in Quebec City. After studying with the in Maine (right). Gagnon Ursulines of Quebec and the sisters of the congregation of Notre-Dame writes: “I was baptized and de Beauport, she worked as a secretary and, in the 1940s, as a radio confirmed in this church — announcer. It was at this time that she adopted the name of her mother, till I broke free. It makes a Martin. After marrying Roland Faucher in 1945, she moved to Ottawa, better library than it ever did where she did translation before publishing a first collection of short a church.” stories in 1957. Claire achieved notoriety with the publication of her In 2010, the town of memoirs, published in 1965 and 1966. She continued her career as a South Berwick purchased writer by publishing two other collections of short stories and novels, the church, rectory and including The Fire Purifier, released when she was 94. properties. Extensive exterior work and a new addition were completed in 2011. The Friends of the South Berwick Public Library raised over $1 million in a campaign that was key to helping finish the interior renovation and furnish the library with furniture and equipment. Occupation of the entire space began in 2012.

Life Member David M. Shea of Maryland informed us of a repurposed church in Ellicott City, Md. (left), that now houses the Howard County Historical Society Museum. The former First Presbyterian Church was built in 1837, but collapsed during renovations in 1894. Rebuilt that year, the church had a Gothic-style structure with a 100-foot bell tow- er, steeply pitched roof and stained and leaded glass windows. The church was donated to the Howard County Historical Society in 1960 by Mrs. James (Alda Hopkins) Clark.

If you see or know of any former churches that now serve a secular purpose, please send us a photo and a brief description of the property. Send it to [email protected]. Page 24 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | December 2018 For minorities, reason can lead to equality

By James C. Wiseman enough to gather the support of the minority commu- nities. That theme must be “equality.” would first like to thank the Freedom From Religion Religion is the most divisive thing humanity has ever Foundation for its service to this country. We the people invented. While Christians pay lip service to brotherly Ineed FFRF and I will always support your efforts. love, there are very clear racial lines drawn in the theo- The reason I am writing today concerns an issue logical sand. FFRF offers the only possible cure: reason. that FFRF is already well aware of — that of the black The Book of Mormon clearly says that every proph- American atheist. As a member of that demographic, I et was white. At their plantations, slave owners would would like to speak freely, without fear of being misun- often invite pastors to give the “[N-word] sermon,” a derstood. All life matters. Sound reasoning and DNA collection of bible stories that speaks on the right of analysis dictate that there is no difference between a slave owner to beat his slave, and that submission black, white, red or yellow people. There’s no differ- to the master is righteous. There are still churches in ence between gay and straight, theist or atheist. Yet, we the South that refuse to marry interracial couples. The are all aware of the divisive nature of our culture, our Ku Klux Klan is a Christian organization, which says it language and our ideologies. burns the cross to allow the light of Jesus to cleanse the After careful study, I have become disenchanted with sins of the wicked. I even witnessed evangelical pastor the Abrahamic mythologies. I find that my views are in James Kennedy once speak against tolerance. On the the minority among other minorities. Even blacks who Family Channel, of all places, he gave a speech saying consider themselves freethinkers are very hesitant to that being tolerant to other lifestyles and cultures is the cross the line that greatest sin that we can teach our children. borders agnostic James C. Wiseman I realize that we must pick our battles carefully. Religion is the territory. When Nothing I am suggesting here will be quick or easy. most divisive thing man we briefly look being misconstrued about an issue that they don’t But when I spoke to other black men about the 2016 “ at the history of fully understand. There is also a great deal of pressure, election, almost all of them told me they would not vote has ever invented. American slavery, from both sides, pushing for the American idea of the for Hillary Clinton because “the bible says a woman —James C. Wiseman it is easy to see “typical black person.” Anyone stepping out of the should not be in charge of men.” I found this same how the Jewish mold is often ostracized, accused of “acting white,” as attitude in the Hispanic community. Clearly, this is a mythologies be- if a specific value system or type of education is the problem that greatly undermines the efforts of FFRF. came so entrenched into black society. The question exclusive right of the white male. These are some of On a personal, and closing note, I truly believe that becomes: How can the minority communities, a very the biases that help to keep the black community in the reason is the great equalizer. The cure to racism. The significant voting bloc, be shown that evangelical repre- evangelical singularity. key to education. No one wants to be ignorant. Yet sentatives are not voting in their best interest? I’m not suggesting an easy or immediate solution to when every part of our culture encourages ignorance, There is a great deal of psychological damage on this complicated issue. Inviting black speakers to your it is difficult to step into the light. It is my hope that both sides of the racial divide. Blacks believe heavily in events and promoting essays from black students are FFRF will become the lighthouse that guides us all out tradition, even when those traditions are cumbersome, all a very good start. Yet even highlighting such uni- of ignorance. outdated or harmful. Whites in America largely avoid corns will not be enough to get minority attention en James C. Wiseman, from Ohio, is an artist and devoted the issue of race for fear of being labeled racist or masse. There has to be a campaign with a theme strong father and currently lives in Georgia.

Happy Winter Solstice from FFRF!

Photo by Chris Line FFRF and all of its staff members wish you and your family and friends a joyful Winter Solstice season and a Happy New Year!

Save The Date! Oct. 18-20, 2019 Next issue will arrive 42nd Annual FFRF Convention in late January.

The next issue of Freethought Mark your calendar now for the 2019 FFRF National Convention in Madison, Wis. It will be held Today will be the combined Oct. 18-20 at the Monona Terrace and Convention Center. See you there! January/February issue. It will arrive in late January. December 2018 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 1

Photo by Chris Line This majestic view of the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge is from near the Ferry Building, a block east of the Hyatt Regency in San Francisco, site of FFRF’s 41st annual convention.

Photo by Ingrid Laas Photo by Chris Line Photo by Ingrid Laas (From left) Honorees Ensaf Haidar, Trisha Ahmed and Awardee and speaker Sarah Haider, co-founder of Richard Ray Halasz and Jana Halasz Maryam Namazie watch Rasel Ahmed’s speech. His Ex-Muslims of North America, talks with a convention of Texas enjoy the opening of the magazine, Roopbaan, was awarded the first annual guest during the Saturday evening dinner. convention. FFRF Avijit Roy Courage Award.

Photo by Ingrid Laas Photo by Chris Line Photo by Chris Line Elle Harris smiles as her sister Bailey signs Attorney David Kaloyanides, who spoke at (From left) Candace Ede, Julie Ede and Colin copies of her book My Name is Stardust. the convention during the Saturday morning Ede came all the way from Alaska to attend Bailey received the $5,000 Richard and program, gestures during a discussion with the convention in San Francisco. Beverly Hermsen Student Activist Award. FFRF Legal Director Rebecca Markert.

Photo by Chris Line Photo by Ingrid Laas FFRF Senior Counsel Patrick Elliott (blue shirt) tries to handle the Activists working toward freethought and freedom for Muslims and ex-Muslims horde of customers flocking to the merchandise tables prior to gathered for a photo during the convention. Salman Rushdie’s speech. Photo by Chris Line by Photo

Photo by Chris Line Photo by Ingrid Laas Poet Victor Harris enjoys a laugh with David Williamson of the Central Florida Freethought A group of convention attendees enjoy the camaraderie his mother, Gwendolyn Olson, and Julia Community asks a question of Salman Rushdie during the Non-Prayer Breakfast. Sweeney. during the Friday afternoon session. Page 2 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | December 2018

Acclaimed author Salman Rushdie, right, shows off his Emperor Has No Clothes Award while posing with FFRF Co-President Dan Barker (center) and FFRF Communications Director Amit Pal. The award celebrates “plain speaking” on the shortcomings of religion by public figures. Ensaf Haidar (right) earned the Photos by 2018 Henry H. Ingrid Laas Zumach Freedom From Religious Fundamentalism FFRF this year introduced the new Avijit in 2015 by Islamist terrorists. The Award. Last Roy Courage Award, which includes inaugural award was given to the LGBTQ+ year’s recipient a crystal plaque and $5,000. The magazine Roopbaan, and was accepted Maryam Namazie award honors the life and work of the by co-founder Rasel Ahmed. Avijit Roy’s presented her Bangladeshi-American atheist and author surviving spouse Bonya Ahmed, presented with the award, assassinated in Dhaka, Bangladesh, him with the honor. which includes a $10,000 prize.

FFRF, recognizing the special contributions of women to freethought and the battle to keep Cecile Richards, state and church former president separate, bestowed of Planned the 2018 Freethought Parenthood, Heroine Award to Sarah speaks with Haider (left), co-founder Chris Line by Photo a convention of the Ex-Muslims of attendee after North America. She was receiving FFRF’s presented the award Forward Award, by FFRF Legal Assistant which goes to a Kristina Daleiden. freethinker who significantly moves society forward. John de Lancie was given FFRF’s new Clarence Darrow Award, which is a bronze statuette that is a FFRF Senior miniature version of the 7-foot-tall Counsel Patrick statue of Darrow created for FFRF Elliott (right) Photo by Chris Line by Photo by sculptor Zenos Frudakis, now presented David standing on the lawn of the Rhea Steketee with County Courthouse in Dayton, FFRF’s Freethinker Tenn., where the Scopes trial of the Year award, took place. The award is an all- given to recognize purpose award to recognize civil successful libertarians, those who promote defenders of the science and/or freethought, as constitutional Darrow advocated. Presenting the principle of award to de Lancie was atheist separation activist Margaret Downey and between church Frudakis (not pictured). and state.

Debra Deanne Olson (left) and Craig Jocelyn Williamson earned FFRF’s Wilkinson were each given the Courage Nothing Fails Like Prayer Award, U.S. Rep. Jared Huffmann (center) stands with FFRF Director of To Tell the Truth Award, honoring the late which is given for the best secular Strategic Response Andrew Seidel (left) and FFRF Co-President California Gov. Culbert Levy Olson, Debra’s “invocation” at a government Dan Barker after receiving the Emperor Has No Clothes Award, grandfather. They co-authored a book about meeting. Williamson gave four secular given out annually since 1999 to public figures who make known the atheist governor, who is pictured with invocations in 2018. Presenting the their dissent from religion. hand in pocket, not on a bible. FFRF Board award was Freethought Today Editor PJ Member Stef Moritz presented the awards. Slinger. December 2018 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 3

Leslea Mair and Leif Kaldor discussed their movie prior to the initial screening at the begining of the convention. They were given access to the then-600 (now 900+) members of The Clergy Project, which is a Convention attendees watch “Losing Our Religion” film in rapt attention. safe haven for clergy from all faiths who no longer believe.

Former pastor Brendan (on screen, left) found that coming out as an atheist not only caused him to lose his job, but also friends, family and a sense of community.

A poster for the movie “Losing Our Brendan’s wife (above), who is still a believer, remained by his side even though Religion,” a feature-length documentary they were ostracized from their friends and family for his apostasy. about ex-clergy members and clergy who are still undercover about their atheism. Photos by Ingrid Laas Photo by Chris Line by Photo

FFRF’s 2018 State Representatives Front row (from left): Sheridan Chapin, N.Y.; Steven Lowe, Wash. D.C.; Margaret Downey, Pa.; Claudette StPierre, Colo.; Annie Laurie Gaylor, Wis.; Photo by Ingrid Laas by Photo Dan Barker, Wis.; Jocelyn Williamson, Fla.; Stef Moritz, Wis.; Bonnie Stormo, S.D.; and Gary Stormo, S.D. Back row: Rob Moore, Wis.; Stephen Hirtle, Pa.; Randy Pelton, Ohio; Steve Trunk, Calif.; Cheryl Kolbe, Ore.; Paul Novak, Iowa; Robin Buckallew, Neb.; David Williamson, Fla.; Steve Salemson, Wis.; Aleta Ledendecker, Tenn.; Mike Cermak Jr., Pa.; Todd Peissig, Wis.; and Tom Schottmiller, Pa. FFRF State Representatives gathered at the Hyatt Regency in San Francisco during the convention for their annual meeting. Page 4 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | December 2018

Comedian Leighann Lord entertained the crowd to Julia Sweeney performed her new stand-up act, “Julia Sweeney: Older and Wider” to close out the Friday conclude the convention on Saturday evening. portion of the convention at the Hyatt Regency in San Francisco. Nearly a thousand convention attendees enjoyed Sweeney’s very funny 90-minute comedy routine. Photo by Chris Line by Photo

Sweeney has created and performed several award-winning one- woman shows, including “Letting Go of God” and “God Said, Ha!”

Besides being a CFI certified secular celebrant, Lord has written two books, including Leighann Lord’s Dict Jokes: Alternate Definitions for Words You’ve Probably Never Heard But Will Definitely Never Forget. Members of the audience laugh in delight at Lord’s comedy routine.

Sweeney talked about her mixed feelings about her role as the Lord is a veteran stand-up comedian, having been seen on androgynous “Pat” character she created for “Saturday Night Live.” Lifetime, VH-1, Comedy Central, HBO and “The View.” Catch her next year on Hulu’s “Shrill!” with Aidy Bryant. December 2018 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 5

Photo by Ingrid Laas Members of FFRF’s legal team include Senior Photo by Chris Line Associate Patrick Elliott, Legal Director Rebecca FFRF’s Director of Strategic Response Andrew Seidel speaks with convention attendees at one of the sales Markert and Director of Strategic Response tables following the afternoon session on Friday, Nov. 2. Andrew Seidel.

Photo by Ingrid Laas Working the registration table at the start of the convention Photo by Ingrid Laas Photo by Ingrid Laas were (from left) Legal Assistant Kristina Daleiden, Director FFRF Legal Fellow Chris Line FFRF Co-Presidents Dan Barker and Annie Laurie of Operations Lisa Strand, volunteer Cynthia Struye and helped out with his photography Gaylor. Bookkeeper Eleanor McEntee. skills at the convention.

Photo by Ingrid Laas Photo by Chris Line Photo by Chris Line FFRF’s Director of Communications Amit Pal looks over Salman Program Manager Monica Freethought Today editor PJ Slinger Rushdie’s shoulder as he signs books for convention attendees. Schwartz works the sales table, introduces the 2018 Nothing Fails Like In the background at right is FFRF’s Multimedia Producer Bruce selling books, including Salman Prayer Award winner. Johnson. Rushdie’s Joseph Anton.

Photo by Chris Line “Honorary Staff Member” Buzz Kemper takes Photo by Chris Line a break from his role as audio technician to FFRF’s Office and Membership Manager Jackie Douglas helps a couple introduce FFRF Co-Presidents Annie Laurie Gaylor get signed in to the convention. and Dan Barker. Page 6 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | December 2018 Photos by Ingrid Laas by Photos

Lifetime Members and volunteers Todd Peissig (left) Randy Turner (left) and Marty Bishop Arellano, both of Washington, look over the pre-“In God and Eric Lawrence handled the ticket sales for the We Trust” money. Arellano collected the money for Emma Chase, who was the winner of the “clean money” drawing. Thank you, Todd and Eric! $10 bill.

Buzz Kemper (with microphone), Monica Schwartz (center) and Dan Barker show their excitement when they realize that Mark Harrison of California shows Dolores Salomon (background, reaching forward) has won the $100 bill of “clean money” after already winning a $2 bill. off his newly won “clean” $1 bill.

Denomination / year Donor Winner

$1 1935 Series E Gary and Marcy Garb (Pa.) Mark Harrison (Calif.) $1 1935 Series E Michelle Bock & Ruth Lilly (Tex.) Randy Turner (Wash.) $1 1935 Series F Diane Uhl (Ariz.) Bob Kresek (Calif.) $1 1935 Series G John C. Shepherd (Ga.) Dick Kerr (Calif.) $1 1935 Series G Nancy Harris (Wis.) Gail Jones (Calif.) $2 1953 Raymond Greenbank (Ohio) Dolores Salomon (Calif.) $2 1953 Series C Charles & Sheri Bender (Ind.) Becky Carter (Ore.) $5 1950 Series E Lynne Hills (Conn.) Helga Crisp (Ky.) $10 1950 Series B Craig Thomson (Pa.) Emma Chase (Wash.) $20 1934 D.A. Rickards (Ohio) Claudette StPierre (Colo.) $50 1929 Ron Locatelli (Calif.) Coyote Herron (Wis.) $100 1934 Shirley R. Moll (Minn.) Dolores Salomon (Calif.)

Each year during the convention, FFRF holds a “clean money” drawing of bills that were printed prior to 1957, when the words “In God We Trust” were added. Here, this year’s winners show off their newfound riches.

FFRF’s Executive Board Front row: Stef Moritz, secretary; Dan Barker, co-president; Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president; Sue Kocher, director; Todd

Photo by Ingrid Laas by Photo Peissig, director.

Back row: Cheryl Kolbe, director; Stephen Hirtle, chair; Steve Salemson, treasurer; Mike Cermak Jr., director; Jim Zerwick, director. December 2018 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 7 Photos by Ingrid Laas by Photos

Katie Sharp, music director for Voices of Reason, Photo by Chris Line leads the group in song. “We’re all just good people Following the Non-Prayer Breakfast, the Southern California-based Voices of Reason a cappella trying to be better and trying to make the world a group opened the Saturday convention program with a 15-minute concert. better place,” she told Religion News Service.

One of the songs the group performed for the convention crowd was FFRF Co-President Dan Barker (right) joined in on keyboards, sing- “Every Sperm is Sacred,” a funny spoof of anti-abortion Christians from ing “Nothing Fails Like Prayer,” during the set by Voices of Reason. the movie “Monty Python’s Meaning of Life.”

Bay-area poet Victor Harris delighted the audience with some of his inspi- Larry Decker, executive director of the Secular Coalition of America, gave rational secular works. a rousing talk during the Saturday morning program.

FFRF Chapter Presidents Front row: Claudette StPierre, Denver chapter; Aleta Ledendecker, FFRF East Tennessee; Jocelyn Williamson, Central Florida Freethought Community.

Photo by Ingrid Laas by Photo Back row: Rob Moore, FFRF- Southeastern Wisconsin/ Kenosha- Racine Atheists & Freethinkers; Cheryl Kolbe, FFRF Portland (Ore.) Area; Randy Pelton, Northern Ohio Freethought Society; David Williamson, Central Florida Freethought Community. Page 8 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | December 2018

Photo by Ingrid Laas Famed sculptor Zenos Frudakis (left), who created both the Clarence Darrow and Forward awards statuettes, stands with Margaret Downey and her husband Tom Schottmiller, both FFRF state representatives. Photo by Chris Line My Name is Stardust author Bailey Harris poses with renowned author Salman Rushdie during his book-signing event.

Photo by Chris Line Hundreds of miniature cupcakes were offered to convention Photo by Chris Line Photo by Chris Line guests following Julia Sweeney’s TV screens are set up around the room in the lower ballroom during the A convention guest brought her skeptic comedy show to end the Friday Friday afternoon session. support dog to Friday’s sessions. evening session.

Photo by Chris Line FFRF Director of Operations Lisa Strand (left) helps handle getting Photo by Chris Line people signed in at the registration table at the start of the convention in The crowd applauds after Victor Harris performed some of his poetry San Francisco. during the Saturday morning program.

Photo by Chris Line Photo by Ingrid Laas Photo by Ingrid Laas Dick Hewetson of California speaks to FFRF Angela Robbins (left) and Marie Schaub, both of Penn- Mohammed Al Khadra, founder of Ex-Mus- Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor prior to receiv- sylvania, pose for a photo during the Non-Prayer lims of Jordan, gives his speech, “What We ing an award from her for his extended service Breakfast. Think, How We Think,” during the Saturday to FFRF since the 1970s. afternoon program.