Vol. 29 No. 8 Published by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. October 2012 ‘God should be in school with our children’ FFRF sues school districts over Ten Commandments The Freedom From Religion Foun- spoke to the “crowd” of 50, accord- Dawkins draws nearly 900 to convention dation has filed two lawsuits that con- ing to the Valley News Dispatch. “We God Delusion author Richard Dawkins accepts an Emperor Has test Ten Commandments monuments don’t want it removed. This is part of No Clothes Award on Oct. 12 at FFRF’s 35th annual national at Pennsylvania schools. One suit was our community. They’ll lock up the convention in Portland, Ore. For more coverage, see pages 11-14, filed Sept. 27 in U.S. District Court in churches and we’ll be just like a com- page 22 and the back page. (Photo by Andy Ngo) Pittsburgh against the Connellsville munist country.” Area School District for a marker at a At a similar event in Connellsville, edict, and Doe 2, a student at Valley In 2002, FFRF successfully removed junior high school. a woman told WTAE-4 that the monu- High School, along with Doe 3, parent one of the first such monuments FFRF, on behalf of two local “Doe” ments contain “God’s principles” and and guardian of Doe 2. placed on public property in the city plaintiffs, seeks a declaration that the should stay. “I believe that God should The Valley News Dispatch reported of Milwaukee. Actor Yul Brenner, who display is unconstitutional and should be in school with our children.” that Schaub came to a pro-Command- played Rameses II in the movie, had at- be removed. FFRF is also named as a The legal complaints state that the ments rally. “I just wanted to hear what tended the dedication. plaintiff in both suits. continued presence of the Ten Com- they are saying. I find it amazing that FFRF seeks permanent injunctions A similar federal suit was filed Sept. mandments on school property un- people gather in support of breaking directing the districts to remove the 14 against the New Kensington-Arnold constitutionally advances and endorses the law.” monuments from district property, rea- School District for maintaining a Ten religion. The complaints also note that Doe 5 is an atheist member of FFRF sonable costs and attorneys’ fees and Commandments monument at Valley [each] display “lacks any secular pur- who views the Connellsville monu- nominal damages to plaintiffs. Staff At- High School in New Kensington. FFRF pose,” citing Stone v. Graham, a 1980 Su- ment as usurpation of parental rights torney Patrick Elliott helped draft both first sent a letter of complaint in March preme Court decision which ruled the and who does “not subscribe to the complaints. about the illegal monument. Commandments may not be posted religious statements that are inscribed The Fraternal Order of Eagles do- in public school classrooms, because on the monument.” Her child, Doe 4, nated the slabs to both schools in the “The pre-eminent purpose” for doing attends the junior high and comes in mid 1950s. FFRF has nearly 700 Penn- so “is plainly religious in nature.” regular contact with the prominent sylvania members. Pittsburgh-based Plaintiffs in the suit against the New monument, which is in view of students attorney Marcus Schneider represents Kensington-Arnold School District are boarding or exiting school buses and the plaintiffs in both suits. FFRF member Marie Schaub, who has participating in outdoor gym classes. Inside This Issue Some nonmembers of FFRF were up a child, Doe 1, in the school district The complaint notes, “FFRF and in arms with dire predictions. At a who regularly encounters the bible Doe 5 contend that a public school dis- Members “Save Our Stone” rally at Valley High, trict has no right to instruct its captive give secular New Kensington resident Mike Hresko audience of impressionable students ‘invocations’ on which god to have, how many gods to have, or whether to have any gods Pages 9, 23 at all.” The tombstone-like New Kensing- ton monument, about 6 feet tall, is directly in front of the main school entrance, near two footbridges that FFRF legal victories make news, students, staff and visitors use to enter end violations the building. School Board President Robert Pal- Pages 6–7 lone wrote in March on a Facebook page called “KEEP THE TEN COM- MANDMENTS AT VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL,” that the district would not “remove this monument without a fight !!!!!” Convention ’12 The Eagles’ Commandments cam- coverage paign started when a devout judge and Eagles member, E.J. Ruegemer — who Pages wanted to promote religion and Min- 11–14,22,24 nesota granite — teamed up with film director Cecil B. DeMille, who was ad- The monument at a high school in vertising his 1956 epic “The Ten Com- The monument in Connellsville, Pa. New Kensington, Pa. mandments.” Page 2 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin October 2012 Meet a Member Meet a militant atheist Seidel Photo: Andrew Katie Stenz (left) and Annie Laurie Gaylor wear ”FFRF Staff” caps that Kelly Wagner marched in a Fourth Kelly Wagner knitted. They won the of July parade with the Montgomery staff “lottery.” Village Community Band. good works by other humans do. When I was 15. My family was Catholic, It’s like free speech: The answer and I was depressed, and the oppres- to speech you don’t like is more free siveness of a god who would deliberate- speech; the answer to religion is more Steve and Kelly Wagner rented an RV and drove around the U.S. to celebrate ly inflict depression on someone, and a freethought. their 25th wedding anniversary in May 2010, two months before Steve died. religion that considers women second- Ways I promote freethought: I fill Name: R. Kelly Wagner (the R stands ter than Texas ever did (though Steve class, started to weigh on me. in “militant atheist” as my religion on for Rebecca Ann, or possibly for Robot was born there and I lived there for Why I’m a freethinker: Getting rid of forms that ask. I openly discuss my if one happens to be an Asimov fan). 24 years), and it’s a lot easier to be an organized religion was a start on lifting atheist views with anyone who asks. Where I live: Columbia, Md. atheist here than it ever was in Texas. my depression; getting rid of the idea I wear my “Friendly Neighborhood Where and when I was born: In Chi- As for all the stuff prior to that, I’d say of gods who can do good things for hu- Atheist” T-shirt, and I’m working on a cago, 50-“mumble” years ago, raised on the short answer is whim and random man lives but arbitrarily, capriciously, piece of music for concert band that Long Island around Levittown. turns of fate! and cruelly choose not to, really gave will be called “Freethinkers’ March.” Family: Oh heavens, too many sib- Where I’m headed: Various attempts me a boost. Life is so much easier to When it’s done and I get one of my lings to mention, most of whom are to improve my heart failure via surgery explain, and so much less cruel, once community bands to play it, you’ll get Catholic. The one person I would like haven’t worked out, so mostly I’m spin- we know that evil is the acts of humans a recording of it and rights to it — next to mention would be my late husband, ning my wheels rather than headed only, and that prayers don’t fix it, only spring, with any luck! Steve Harsch, who was also an FFRF anywhere. member until his death in 2010. No Person in history I admire and why: kids, lots of pets. Has Isaac Asimov been dead long FFRF welcomes Education: B.S. in accounting, enough [1992] to count as history? Northeastern University, 1978; MBA And do I even need to explain why? with concentration in federal income A quotation I like: “Do not let the taxation, St. Edwards University, 1988. future disturb you. You will meet it, if 16 ‘Lifers,’ two I’ve also taken coursework toward ad- you must, with the same weapons of vanced degrees in dispute resolution, reason that today arm you against the actuarial science and educational tech- present.” (Marcus Aurelius) nology. My CPA license is currently on These are a few of my favorite ‘After-Lifers’ inactive status. things: Luxury knitting yarns, small I’m a lifelong reader. I’m always pets (especially guinea pigs), playing The Freedom From Religion Foun- paign, and several choose to put these learning something new. I take knit- the saxophone in community bands, dation is pleased to announce and funds toward a Lifetime Member- ting and quilting classes, too. sleeping in till noon on Sundays, au- welcome its newest Lifetime and After- ship. Robertt Brassea is a new “Lifer” Occupation: Before I retired, I tumn leaves, public libraries, the hope Life Members. Lifetime Members are through a CFC contribution. worked as a CPA doing taxes in the for universal health care and the Ud- Charles Bender, Rick Bentley, Lorraine Individual Lifetime Memberships 1980s, then spent 15 years as a finan- var-Hazy Center (part of the Smithson- Holmgreen Bills, Rebecca Bowerman are $1,000 designated as a member- cial analyst for the Texas Department ian’s Air & Space Museum, a great ex- (gift from Lifetime Member Donn Mil- ship or renewal of membership. An of Insurance, doing solvency moni- ample of science and reason).