Photoshop # White

Will Barrett Winners of Ed Asner: It’s join the grievance grad student essay not easy to conservatives? contest announced challenge religion PAGE 11 PAGES 14-19 PAGE 28 Vol. 38 No. 1 Published by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. January / February 2021 FFRF special report Christian Nationalist takeover of the federal judiciary A new Freedom From Religion Founda- interpretation of the Constitution and its tion report issued on Dec. 15 exposes the impact on our rights, FFRF underscores in Christian Nationalist takeover of the federal its report. The judges on the federal bench courts and the damage this is causing to the are appointed for life, which may be up to separation of state and church. four or five decades. Their influence often Over the past four years, President lasts even longer. Trump has stacked the federal courts with To make matters worse, political calcula- ultraconservative judges, thanks to the tions have dictated Trump’s judicial appoin- blocking of President Obama’s judicial tees. In 2016, 81 percent of white evangeli- appointments and the holding open of va- cal Christians voted for him, and in return cant seats by Senate Majority Leader Mitch they’ve gotten a federal judiciary willing to McConnell. Trump has made three Su- codify religious privilege while stripping the preme Court appointments, 53 appellate rights of minorities. That’s why the federal court appointments and 170 district court judges that have been appointed by Trump appointments, drastically outpacing his are religious ideologues who are dramati- predecessors. In fact, the outgoing presi- cally redefining religious liberty and under- dent vowed to continue nominating judg- mining core, cherished constitutional prin- es through the end of the lame-duck 116th ciples that keep religion out of government. congressional session. “We are only seeing the early stages of the The capture of the courts is alarming, given the power the courts hold over the See Judiciary on page 20

Unmasking the FFRF’s legal team role of religion notches another in the pandemic great year in 2020 By Rebecca Markert importance of state/church By Annie Laurie Gaylor separation. FRF’s Legal Department vangelist Franklin Graham has start- has been busy ensuring Staff changes ed off the New Year with a doozy of a the wall of separation There were some staffing warning. Fbetween state and church is changes in 2020. Our legal team EIn a pair of tweets on Jan. 1, he wrote: “Joe high despite all the obstacles bid farewell to our legal fellow, Biden has warned of a ‘dark winter’ for our thrown our way in 2020. The Dante Harootunian, whose fel- nation. But the dark winter we’re facing is not pandemic changed how and lowship ended in August. just due to Covid-19, it’s due to the moral de- where we work, but it hasn’t We welcomed a new legal cline and political corruption we see through- changed what we do. Last fellow, Joseph McDonald, out the U.S.” and “We year, as our who recently graduated from could face a dark period homes be- the University of Wisconsin of history as God turns came our with a dual degree: a Juris his back on our nation offices, we Doctorate and a Master’s in because of its sins and our Photo by Chris Line still contin- Public Health. Our team wel- politicians embracing, The mannequin of Charles Darwin in the Free- ued to ad- comed a new intake legal as- Science and even flaunting, sin.” thought Hall library shows off FFRF’s “In vocate for sistant, Stephanie Dyer, who Biden, of course, pre- I Trust” face mask. your rights is also a recent graduate from dicted a “very dark winter” religion-embracing ways? and work the University of Wisconsin. Annie Laurie Gaylor if pandemic mitigation Graham has also unctuously praised President to keep Rebecca Markert Both Joseph and Stephanie measures dictated by sci- Trump’s sanctimonious remarks on Dec. 31 that our gov- were onboarded remote- ence, such as mask-wearing and social distanc- “a society without religion cannot prosper.” ernment free from religion ly and have adapted to our ing, continue to be politicized. But isn’t it theo- Shouldn’t the question instead be whether a through litigation, persuasive “work from home” office en- cratic leaders who have led America astray, who letters to government agen- vironment well. should be “repenting” their science-denying, See Religion on page 6 cies asking them to resolve vi- olations, and education on the See Legal team on page 20 Page 2 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | January / February 2021 IN MEMORIAM Ben Bova The bright was science life of Paul fiction author Science fiction author and editor Geisert Ben Bova died of complications of COVID-19 and a stroke on Nov. 29 in Many in the freethought world were Naples, Fla., at age 88. saddened to learn of the death of Paul He was the author of 140 books and Geisert, who succumbed Nov. 17 to edited some of science fiction’s best- COVID-19 due to an outbreak in the known publications and served as the congregate living community near Sac- president of the Science Fiction and ramento, Calif., where he had resided Fantasy Writers of America. the past year. In an interview on FFRF’s Free- An Ohio native, Geisert had a rather thought Radio (July 18, 2009, which eclectic career, living and holding jobs can be heard at ffrf.org/radio by scroll- in 11 states across his lifetime. Besides ing to that date), Bova said, “The Wikimedia Commons owning and running two businesses, all Catholic Church teaches that faith is Ben Bova in 1974 his creative work related in some man- a gift from God, and it’s a gift I never ner to education, with most positions Paul Geisert received apparently. It always seemed America and a science analyst on “CBS being as a teacher and/or instructional kind of strange to me that we’re de- Morning News.” He taught science developer. the need for civic neutrality between re- pending on this supernatural power fiction at Harvard and film courses He pursued undergraduate studies ligion and nonreligion. and there’s no real evidence that it at other institutions. He received the in biology at the University of Toledo, Among other products, he co-pro- exists. . . . When I started understand- Lifetime Achievement Award from the did his master’s level graduate work at duced “Different Drummers: Non- ing how science works, it occurred to Arthur C. Clarke Foundation (2005), the University of Michigan, and then conforming Thinkers in History,” me that there just is no evidence that was elected a Fellow of the American received his Ph.D. in instructional sys- an instructional unit that California there is a God.” Association for the Advancement of tems at Florida State University, co-au- approved for classroom use. He also Attracted to science but fearing he Science (2001) and in 2008 won the thoring with his wife two college-lev- lobbied its Department of Education lacked the math skills for it led him to Robert A. Heinlein Award “for his out- el textbooks on instructional uses of to press for inclusivity of nonreligious study journalism at Temple University standing body of work in the field of computers. persons and points of view, thereby in Philadelphia, which landed him a literature.” He also authored numerous articles inducing new wording for the state’s job in 1954 as a newspaper editor. He Bova’s writings predicted solar pow- in science education and freethought curricular standards for social stud- then worked as a technical writer for er satellites, the discovery of organic publications, taking firm stances on ies teaching. Paul became active in an aircraft company and as a writer chemicals in interstellar space, the behalf of authentic science in the face Objectivity, Accuracy, and Balance In for educational films at MIT. He was space race of the 1960s, virtual reali- of creationist/religious intrusions into Teaching about Religion (OABITAR) working as a writer in 1969 for Avco ty, human cloning, stem cell therapy, public education. and wrote material for several of its Everett Research Laboratory, which the discovery of ice on the moon, elec- Besides his personal freethinking, projects, such as the website, “Teach- built heat shields for the Apollo 11 tronic book publishing and the Strate- Geisert was a nonconformist in sever- ing about Religion in Support of Civic module, when the first men landed on gic Defense Initiative (Star Wars). His al ways, almost approaching iconoclast Pluralism.” the moon. novel Mars Life (2008) explored the status. While on the faculty of the Uni- Atheists and Other Freethinkers, the He earned a master’s in commu- clash between science, politics and versity of Wyoming and being a highly local group that Geisert co-founded in nications from the State University religion. His 1980 article in Discover innovative member of its Science and 1993 and served as an early president, of New York at Albany and a Ph.D. magazine, “The Creationists’ ‘Equal Mathematics Teaching Center (he won continues to be active today (aofonline. in education from California Coast Time,’” became an inspirational clas- a national award for instructional devel- org), as do other nonprofits that he University. sic among freethinkers. opment in college level biology there), helped to get going, such as Sacramen- His increasing renown as a writer He married Rosa Cucinotta in 1953 he unpredictably departed academia to’s Reason Center (reasoncenter.org) in the 1970s brought him the role for while attending Temple University. after making local news by publicly and, of course, The Brights’ Network which he would be most acclaimed, They had a son and a daughter before turning down his academic promotion, (the-brights.net). editor of Analog, the popular sci- divorcing in 1974, when he married choosing to pursue his own pathway as Many who knew Geisert personally ence fiction magazine. As editor, Bova Barbara Berson Rose. She founded a freelancer instead. considered him a Renaissance Man, earned five consecutive Hugo Awards the Barbara Bova Literary Agency. She Geisert is probably best known having proved himself just as handy (1973 to 1977) and another in 1982 as died in 2009 of cancer in Naples, Fla. among organized freethinkers as the under the hood of his Model A or fiction editor of Omni magazine. Bova married Rashida Loya, an anes- person who originated the noun iden- two classic cars as in the bowels of an After his first novel (The Star Con- thesiologist, in 2013. tity term (“a bright”) as a positive way “old house renewal,” where he accom- querors in 1959), Bova wrote 140 futur- Editor’s note: Most of this obituary of presenting one’s all-encompassing plished all the electrical, plumbing, istic and nonfiction books. The latest comes from FFRF’s Freethought of outlook without making reference to carpentry, tiling, locksmith work, etc. in his Grand Tour series was Uranus in the Day entry, which was compiled by religion. Although a great many athe- by himself. July 2020. Bonnie Gutsch and Bill Dunn. To see ists and agnostics would qualify for the Among his many building projects, He served as president of the Sci- other entries in FFRF’s extensive list, descriptor, not all would do so, because Geisert constructed two boats and ence Fiction and Fantasy Writers of go to ffrf.org/day. fitting the definition means going be- even ground the lens for the telescope yond lacking deity-belief. that he built. He was savvy in the kitch- Brights have a naturalistic world- en and at the sewing machine, as well. view, fully free of supernatural and Despite having no deity-belief what- mystical elements. No “woo-woo” for soever and hence functionally an athe-

Photoshop # White them. A bright would not credit as ist, Geisert would not accept the label, existing in reality any of the copious despite friend Michael Newdow’s per- paranormal entities and agencies that suasiveness on the matter. “I see no Published by Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. inhabit human minds. reason to define myself by reference to Geisert co-founded The Brights’ religion; I am a bright.” P.O. Box 750 Madison WI 53701 Network as an international online [email protected] FFRF.org constituency of individuals holding a naturalistic outlook. Several notable P 608.256.8900 F 608.204.0422 freethinkers such as the magicians EDITOR PJ Slinger [email protected] James Randi and Penn and Teller, EDITOR EMERITUS Bill Dunn and scientist Richard Dawkins, joined By Ruth Hurmence Green EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER Annie Laurie Gaylor the network of registered Brights and drew attention to its existence. Unfor- A Missouri grandmother GRAPHIC DESIGNER Roger Daleiden debunks the bible as tunately, the popular attributions were COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Amit Pal no one has debunked it not always accurate, because the ne- since Thomas Paine. CONTRIBUTORS ologism was not invented to be a syn- —Published by FFRF. 440 pages / PB Dan Barker, Steve Benson, Kristina Daleiden, Brian Fitzpatrick, Ryan Jayne, onym for atheist. Chris Line, Bailey Nachreiner-Mackesey, Jake Swenson Drawn to unconventional activities The only freethought newspaper in the United States and unorthodox thinking, Geisert was a firm supporter of public education and January / February 2021 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 3 The man who kept God off the moon By Bill Dunn

n Feb. 20, 1926, Julian W. Scheer, who kept God off a plaque left on the moon in 1969, was born Oin Richmond, Va., to Hilda (Knopf) and George Scheer. He served in the U.S. Merchant Marine during World War II and after the war entered the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, graduating in 1950 with a degree in journalism and communications. After working for a decade as a Char- lotte News reporter, Scheer started working as a consultant for NASA at the end of the Mercury program in 1962 to create an organizational framework for NASA’s public relations efforts. In early 1963, he became NASA’s assistant ad- ministrator for public affairs. He strived to make the public more aware of the program while making flight techni- cians and astronauts more available for interviews. “The program was real- Photo courtesy of NASA ly a battle in the Cold War, and Julian Julian Scheer outside NASA headquarters in Washington, D.C., in September 1965. Scheer was one of its generals,” astro- naut Frank Borman later said. cluding Scheer’s, Nixon wanted God reviewing the inscription submitted by around the world. He left NASA in In preparation for the historic Apollo mentioned on the plaque. Rocket Men: NASA: “We left ‘July 1969 A.D.’ intact 1971 to manage the campaign for for- 11 mission in July 1969 with command- The Epic Story of the First Men on the Moon because it was a shrewd way of sneaking mer North Carolina Gov. Terry San- er Neil Armstrong, command module by Craig Nelson recounts Scheer tell- God in [certainly not NASA’s intent]: ford for the presidency, but remained pilot Michael Collins and lunar mod- ing Nixon aide Pe- the use of the ini- a consultant to the space program and ule pilot Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, Scheer ter Flanigan at the tials for Anno Do- was a trustee of the Smithsonian Insti- helped craft the message on a plaque White House in mini, ‘in the year tution’s National Air and Space Muse- that would be attached to a leg of the early June that not What about the of our Lord,’ would um. He worked for a Washington-based lunar module’s descent stage, which everyone worships people on Earth who do tell space travelers communications consulting firm until would land and remain in an area of the same god, af- not“ worship our God, eons hence that 1976, when he became a vice presi- the moon called the Sea of Tranquility. ter Flanigan tried Buddhists, Muslims and . . . Earthlings in 1969 dent running the Washington offices Scheer drafted the text for the to insert “under had a religious of LTV Corp., whose holdings include plaque as a member of NASA’s Com- God” after “We — Julian Scheer bent; piously, we steel mills. He retired from LTV in 1992 mittee on Symbolic Activities for the came in peace,” made sure that a bi- and returned to his consulting firm. He First Lunar Landing. It said: “HERE with Nixon initial- Damn it, Julian, the ble with both testa- wrote several books, including Light of MEN FROM THE PLANET EARTH ing his approval of president is big on God! ments was included the Captured Moon for children. FIRST SET FOOT UPON THE MOON. the change. “ in the spacecraft’s He married Virginia Williams and JULY 1969, A.D. WE CAME IN PEACE That flew in the — Nixon aide Peter Flanigan cargo.” Safire also they had three children before divorc- FOR ALL MANKIND. President Nix- face of Scheer’s suggested “came ing. After his death in 2001 at 75, he was on’s and the astronauts’ names and sig- wish that the plaque in peace” should survived by his wife, the former Suzann natures were under the statement. should make a universal statement: “Pe- replace the original “come” and it was. Huggan, with whom he had a daughter. According to several accounts, in- ter [Scheer said], there is no universal About six months earlier, on Dec. god.” Flanigan: “Dammit, Julian, the 24, 1968, the Apollo 8 crew (Bill An- president wants that change. The pres- ders, Jim Lovell and Frank Borman) ident is big on God. . . . Billy Graham is had read verses 1-10 from the Book of Freethought here nearly every Sunday. The president Genesis that were broadcast back to wants God on the plaque!” Earth while orbiting the moon. Scheer Scheer, in a 1989 column he wrote wasn’t involved with writing the text of of the Day for the Orlando Sentinel, said NASA what the astronauts said. Scheer slyly This article is a reprinting of administrator Thomas O. Paine asked told a Japanese journalist staying at a the Feb. 20 Freethought of the him on the way back from the White Houston hotel who was looking for the Day on ffrf.org. Freethought of the House what he was going to do. “The transcript: “Open the drawer of the ta- Day is a daily freethought calen- plaque has been put on the spacecraft ble next to your bed. In it you will find a dar brought to you courtesy of the and checked out,” Scheer replied. “I book. Turn to the first page. The words Freedom From Religion Foun- guess the answer is nothing.” Paine an- you are looking for are there.” (Chasing dation, highlighting birthdates, swered, “I didn’t hear that.” the Moon: The People, the Politics, and the quotes and other historic tidbits. Photo by Hugh Morton William Safire, a speechwriter for Promise That Launched America Into the To view the Freethought of the Former NASA consultant Julian Scheer Nixon and Vice President Spiro Agnew Space Age by Alan Andres and Robert Day, go to ffrf.org/news/day. was instrumental in keeping “God” off a at the time, later wrote in a New York Stone, 2019) The mission’s religious Also, to see FFRF’s compilation plaque that would remain on the moon. Times column (July 17, 1989) about intrusion was later upheld by the 5th of famous freethinkers by birth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. date, check out the calendar on After the successful Apollo 11 mis- the outer wrap of each issue of sion, Scheer was awarded NASA’s Freethought Today. NOTHING FAILS LIKE PRAYER highest award, the Distinguished Ser- CONTEST 2021 vice Medal, and led the crew on tours

Our goal is to see secular citizens flood government meetings with Your weekly antidote to the Religious Right secular invocations that demonstrate why government prayers are unnecessary, ineffective, embarrassing, exclusionary, divisive or just plain silly. FREETHOUGHT RADIO The individual who gives the best secular invocation will be invited to open FFRF’s annual convention in 2021, receiving an expenses- PODCASTS AND BROADCASTS paid trip to Boston Nov. 19-21, 2021, along with a plaque and an FIND OUT MORE: ffrf.org/radio honorarium of $500. Deadline: August 1, 2021. — Hosted by Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor — Slightly irreverent views, news, music & interviews MORE INFO AT: ffrf.org/nothing-fails-like-prayer Page 4 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | January / February 2021

Save the date! FFRF welcomes newest Lifers FFRF thanks and welcomes our 35 vin, Stephen McCauley, Lyn McCoy, newest Lifetime Members, six new Charles Miller, David Murdock, Des- Join us in Boston for FFRF’s After-Life Members, two Beyond Af- mond Murphy, Gretchen Niver, Mar- ter-Life members and four Immortals. ilyn Radke, Jeffrey Robinson, Wendy annual convention Richard Lee Hefner and Doug- Robinson, Nicola Savignano, William FFRF’s 2021 national convention is as Hispanic American Freethinkers’ las Royer are our newest Beyond Af- Seale, Sarina Stogel, Sean Trabosh, scheduled for the weekend of Novem- founder David Tamayo and honorees ter-Life Members, which is a member- Kevin Van Laeken, Kristine Walder- ber 19-21, 2021, at the Boston Park such as Black Skeptics Los Angeles ship category of $10,000. bach, David Weinberg, Arne Werchick Plaza Hotel in Boston. founder Sikivu Hutchinson. New speak- Mike Fahle, Carol Fahle, Douglas and Thomas Zibinski. Due to the pandemic, the 2020 con- ers and honorees will include New York Harris, Richard L. James, Beatrice Finally, our four Immortals are vention was deferred to this year. The Times court columnist Linda Green- Kabler and Vanitha Sitaram Singh are Charles Byron Keeling, Christine Pel- amazing roster still includes Margaret house and more to be announced. FFRF’s newest After-Life Members, lican, George E. Snow and Randall So- Atwood, Gloria Steinem and a host of Given many uncertainties and logis- which is a membership category of renson. That category is a designation secular authors such as Katherine Stew- tics to work out, FFRF will be announc- $5,000. for those generous members who have art and Phil Zuckerman, activists such ing details in future issues. Our 35 newest Lifetime Members, contacted FFRF to report they have which is a membership category of made provisions for FFRF in their es- $1,000, are: Mark Alper, Lorraine tate planning. Bartlett, Walt Bilofsky, Michael Boilen, States represented include: Ala- Katherine Bunderson, Jimmy Dunne, bama, Arizona, California, Florida, Freethought Today Crossword Ivan Gendzel, Glenn Greening, Lau- Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachu- ro Guaderrama, Dean Hanley, John setts, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mex- Heider, Frank Heselton, K. David ico, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Heskett, Fred Holden, Paul Kohlmill- Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah,

er, David Charles Lightweis, Julia Lo- Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.

OVERHEARD Through her attention-attracting rapidly increasing nonbeliever popu- assault on the public education sys- lation needs, is for the Supreme Court tem, Betsy DeVos has actually given to keep defining religious citizens as the next secretary of education an being in a class above all others, em- opportunity — to recommit to public powered with the ability to stomp education as a public good, and a cor- out dissent or competing nonreli- nerstone of our democracy. gious views, even within government Jack Schneider and Jennifer programs. Berkshire, in the op-ed, “Trump’s Attorney Tyler Broker, in his column, Longest-Serving Cabinet Official May “Arguments for religious ‘accommo- Start a Revolution.” The two are co- dation’ have become tyrannical.” authors of A Wolf at the Schoolhouse AboveTheLaw.com, 12/14/20 Door. Washington Post, 12-1-20 If I get to the bottom of the Crack- er Jack box and there’s a prize, I’m I once took happy. But if there isn’t, I just enjoy heat for call- the Cracker Jack. My happiness here ing Betsy DeVos doesn’t depend on something that’s “dumb as a bag awaiting me after it. I don’t have a com- of hammers.” But plex orthodoxy; I have a vague spiritu- after her 4 years alism that tells me if I live a good life, as our Education good things will happen. But I don’t Answers on page 25 Puzzle courtesy of Katya Maes for FFRF Secretary, I now have any expected reward or expect- Across aka ____’s bible 26. Opposite of cathode realize an apol- ed afterlife or anything like that. I just 1. Itsy-bitsy bits 61. *Neutral in matters of 27. Object of Tiny Tim’s ogy is owed. To want to make the most of this life and affection 6. Spinning toy religion hammers. make as positive an impact as I can on 29. *Thomas Jefferson’s 9. Unnerve 65. Bound by oath Jared Huffman U.S. Rep. Jared the people around me and be grate- 66. European Union, acr. phrase: “____ of 13. Oil crisis, e.g. Huffman, after ful for their love and attention and try 68. ____-____-la separation between the secretary of education said that to do something worthwhile, and no 14. Hole punching tool 69. Mafia heads church and state” staff should “be the resistance” to the count on getting a do-over. 15. Gourmet mushroom 70. Rap sheet acronym 31. Singer Stewart and Biden administration. Actor Michael J. Fox, in an interview 16. Mythological 71. Green Bay Packers actor Steiger Twitter, 12-16-20 on “Fresh Air.” princess of Colchis QB 32. Poet’s “below” NPR, 12-21-20 17. Romanian money 72. Terrorist org. 33. Lay to rest The last thing this country with a 18. Capital of Ghana 73. Barbie’s beau 34. *U.S. President who 19. *Habitual doubter, 74. Button on electrical was sworn in on a book Brit. spelling outlet of law, not bible 21. *FFRF headquarters 36. Cobblestone Down Freethought Matters 2021 Season location 38. Actress Campbell 23. Skirt’s edge 1. Schools of thought 42. Neil Diamond: “What An antidote to religion on the airwaves and Sunday morning sermonizing 24. Junk e-mail 2. Crude group? a beautiful ____” Freethought Matters TV talk show airs in: 25. Dojo pad 3. Moon pull 45. Form of civil 28. Two-masted vessel Watch our show Chicago WPWR-CW (Ch. 50) 9 am 4. Bet’s predecessor disobedience, pl. Denver KWGN-CW (Ch. 2) 7 am 30. Heavy lifting injury every Sunday! 5. Stone-gray 49. Trigonometry abbr. Houston KUBE-IND (Ch. 57) 9 am 35. Burden 6. After-bath powder 51. Bee’s favorite drink Los Angeles KCOP-MY (Ch. 13) 8:30 am 37. No pain - no this! 7. O in IOU 54. Turf, as opposed to Madison, Wis. WISC-TV (Ch. 3) 11 pm 39. “______in sight” 8. Chubby surf Minneapolis KSTC-IND (Ch. 45) 9:30 am 40. Field mouse 9. Plural of focus 56. Distinctive New York City WPIX-IND (Ch. 11) 8:30 am 41. Of time long past 10. Pendulum paths atmosphere, pl. Phoenix KASW-CW (Ch. 61) 8:30 am 43. Crunchable info 11. *Number of times 57. Fungal spore sacs (Ch. 61 or 6 or 1006 for HD) 44. Written corrections word ‘god’ appears in 58. It was, contraction Portland, Ore. KRCW-CW (Ch. 32) 9 am (703 on Comcast for HD or Ch. 3) 46. Left to a Russian U.S. Constitution 59. Shoshonean people Photo by Chris Line 47. Part of a wine glass 12. Distinctive flair 60. Cupid, in Greek Sacramento KQCA-MY (Ch. 58) 8:30 am Visit FFRF’s YouTube Channel San Francisco KICU-IND (Ch. 36) 10 am 48. #19 Across without ‘c’ 15. Jon Hamm’s TV mythology to watch the shows. 50. Bit attachment show, 2007-2015 61. PET or CAT Seattle KONG-IND (Ch. 16) 8 am 52. 9 to 5, e.g. 20. Insect in adult stage 62. Ulrich of Metallica (Ch. 16 or Ch. 106 on Comcast) 53. Coin throw 22. Ooh and ____ fame Washington, D.C. WDCW-CW (Ch. 50) 8 am 55. Siren’s domain 24. Tiny burgers 63. Medicinal succulent 57. *Thomas Paine’s 25. *Galileo Galilei: 64. Goes with rave Go to: ffrf.org/freethought-matters for more information “The Age of Reason,” “And yet it ____” 67. Increase January / February 2021 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 5 IN THE NEWS guilty on a variety of charges, ranging Court backs religious from membership in a criminal network groups in two states to complicity in the assault. Prosecutors asserted that the 14 de- The Supreme Court on Dec. 15 sid- fendants who received their verdicts ed with religious groups in Colorado Dec. 16 aided the primary assailants and New Jersey that argued that the with money, vehicles and other logis- states’ pandemic-related restrictions tical support. Eleven of the accused on worship services violated religious have been behind bars awaiting trial, liberty rights. while the rest were tried in absentia. In unsigned orders, the justices shot down lower court opinions in challenges that went in favor of the South Carolina court: No states. The New Jersey challenge con- money for private schools cerned restrictions related to limiting South Carolina’s Supreme Court on attendance at houses of worship as Dec. 9 affirmed its rejection of Gov. Henry well as the state’s “mask mandate” that McMaster’s plan to spend federal coronavi- critics said violated the free exercise of rus money on private school tuition grants. religion because there are exemptions The court’s unanimous decision strikes for secular reasons, including health, another blow to the governor’s months- exercise and eating, but masks are only long effort to direct $32 million in feder- allowed to be removed momentarily in their belief. Eleven percent of Amer- of all citizens in Nigeria,” said Andrew al CARES Act aid toward a program that religious settings. icans report being completely uncer- Copson, president of Humanists In- would pay for poor and working-class In the Colorado case, the court ruled tain in their views on God. ternational. “It is time our colleague children to attend K-12 private schools in in favor of High Plains Harvest Church, Mubarak Bala was released immediately South Carolina this year. a small church in Ault. Canadian churches fined and unconditionally and we call upon The ruling also provides no help to 22 The dispute was brought against Jill leaders in Nigeria to respect due process private colleges in South Carolina, includ- Hunsaker Ryan, executive director of $18K for COVID violations and the rule of law.” ing historically black colleges and univer- the Colorado Department of Health and The Royal Canadian Mounted Police sities, who were seeking an exception to Environment, who had issued an order said it has distributed tickets totaling the ruling so they could collect some $12 capping attendance at houses of wor- $18,400 to representatives from three New Zealand votes to million in coronavirus relief. ship to 50 people. places of worship in British Columbia’s The ruling was a follow-up to the state Fraser Valley for violating public health legalize euthanasia Supreme Court’s Oct. 7 also unanimous orders. New Zealand has voted to legalize eu- decision in the same case, where the jus- 53% of Ameri- According to a press release, on the thanasia in what campaigners have called tices ruled for the first time that the state’s mornings of Dec. 6 and 13, 2020, Chil- “a victory for compassion and kindness.” Constitution prohibited the spending of cans believe in God liwack RCMP responded to reports of Preliminary results showed 65 per- public money for private schools. with no doubts groups of people gathering at three cent of voters supported the End of Life “The Supreme Court’s opinion, af- According to findings from the separate churches contrary to the exist- Choice Act. The law allows terminally ill firmed today, is an unequivocal affirma- American National Social Network ing public health order. people with less than six months to live tion of our state Constitution’s prohibi- Survey, 53 percent of Americans re- And on Dec. 17, 2020, police charged the opportunity to choose assisted dying if tion of the use of public K-12 education port they believe in God without any representatives of the congregations approved by two doctors. dollars, allocated in any form, to private doubts at all. Conversely, 6 percent with eight counts of failure to comply The law is expected to take effect in schools,” said Scott Price, executive direc- of Americans say they do not believe with an order of a health officer, includ- November. New Zealand will join a small tor of the S.C. School Board Association. in God and express no uncertainty in ing fines amounting to $18,400. group of countries, including the Nether- their belief. lands and Canada, that allow euthanasia. A majority of Americans (59 per- The legislation authorizes a doctor or Sculptor Zenos Frudakis cent) say it is not necessary for a per- Release humanist, nurse to administer or prescribe a lethal son to believe in God to be moral and dose of medication to be taken under their featured on public TV show have good values, which is a remark- says Nigerian court supervision if all the conditions are met. Renowned sculptor and FFRF Mem- able shift in recent years. A large part A judge at the High Court in Abuja, ber Zenos Frudakis is one of the art- of this change is due to the rise of re- Nigeria, ruled on Dec. 21 that Mubarak ists featured in Season 6 of the Emmy ligiously unaffiliated Americans, who Bala should be immediately released 14 found guilty of aiding Award-winning public television maga- now make up 26 percent of the adult from detention in Kano state, where zine series “Articulate with Jim Cotter.” population. he has been held since April 2020. ‘Charlie Hebdo’ attacks The episode featuring Frudakis, titled Forty-one percent of Americans ex- Bala, president of Humanist Associ- A French court on Dec. 16 convicted “The Monument Man,” aired beginning press at least some uncertainty about ation of Nigeria, was arrested by the 14 people of crimes in relation to Isla- Jan. 15. The series informs audiences their belief in God. Eleven percent ex- state police after being accused of vi- mist attacks in 2015 against the Charlie with stories of how creative thinking press some degree of disbelief in God, olating anti-blasphemy laws for calling Hebdo satirical magazine and a Jewish shapes our world. “The Monument but remain at least somewhat unsure. the Prophet Muhammad a terrorist. supermarket. Man” episode explores the artistic drive Nineteen percent of Americans are in- The ruling, in which the judge de- Brothers Cherif and Said Kouachi behind the creative work of Frudakis, clined to believe in God but are some- clared Bala’s continuous incarcera- stormed Charlie Hebdo’s offices in Paris who, as “Articulate” describes him, “has what less than completely certain in tion as illegal and ordered his imme- on Jan. 7, 2015, killing 12, nearly a de- spent the last 50 years sculpting life out diate release, follows a “fundamental cade after the magazine published car- of bronze, aiming to capture the like- rights” petition detailing how Bala toons mocking the Prophet Muhammad. ness and spirit of his subjects and to MASKS! has been detained without charge for A third attacker, Amedy Coulibaly, killed shine a light on those who have helped Stay Safe & Educate! more than seven months, five months a police officer and then four Jewish hos- foster change in the world.” of which he was denied access to his tages in a kosher supermarket in a Paris Frudakis is the sculptor who, underwrit- Mix & Match! with legal representatives. suburb. Like the Kouachis, Coulibaly was ten by FFRF, created the Clarence Darrow FFRF Mask “Today’s ruling by the High Court in killed in a shoot-out with police. statue outside the courthouse in Dayton, NEW! Item #FM02 Abuja is a victory for the human rights The ruling found the 14 defendants Tenn., site of the 1925 Scopes Trial.

Send in your comments & Lead Us Not Into questions via Facebook or Penn Station — Provocative Pieces [email protected] By Anne Gaylor A must-have for any freethinker, this Available on gracefully readable In Science I Trust Mask book contains Gaylor’s Breathable, hydrophobic, antimicrobial. classic writings. Adjustable ear straps. Black w/white imprint. $12 2 for $20 Item #FM01 Wednesdays —Published by FFRF. 80 pages / PB Buy it from FFRF online at Noon (Central) Buy it from FFRF online ffrf.org/shop ffrf.org/shop Page 6 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | January / February 2021 FFRF seeks summary judgment against Texas judge The Freedom From Religion Foun- Mack, a formerly licensed minister who sistently incorporated. Mack then enters dation has filed a motion for summary attended Jackson College of Ministries, the courtroom, mere moments after the judgment in its federal case against a Tex- where he planned to major in theology, bailiff’s announcement, and after his in- as justice of the peace who regularly foists made the unprecedented decision as a troduction, the chaplain leads a prayer. prayer upon his courtroom attendees. judge to solicit chaplains to open his court Anyone leaving the courtroom becomes FFRF originally challenged the court- sessions with prayer, a practice not repli- conspicuous and the courtroom doors are room prayers in a lawsuit filed in March cated by any other court in the country. By often locked during the prayer. 2017, and due to various technical rea- spring 2015, after receiving scrutiny from FFRF’s motion makes several argu- sons refiled the case against Montgom- FFRF, which lodged a formal complaint ments, including that plaintiffs have stand- ery County Judge Wayne Mack in 2019 to the State Commission on Judicial Con- ing to pursue their claims, that Mack’s with an anonymous local attorney acting duct, Mack began revising his courtroom prayer practice is unconstitutionally coer- as co-plaintiff. The state/church watch- prayer practice. cive and that its primary purpose and ef- dog and attorney “John Roe” are now Now, after attorneys have indicated fect is religious. asking for a swift decision to halt the un- their presence in the courtroom and FFRF seeks a judgment declaring that constitutional practice. Wayne Mack after the docket has been called, but be- Mack’s prayer practice violates the Estab- The plaintiffs assert that Mack has of those who appear in his courtroom,” fore Mack has entered, the bailiff gives a lishment Clause and awards to plaintiffs abused his authority as a judge to il- the motion says. “Because Judge Mack’s brief introductory statement describing reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. legally coerce attorneys, litigants and court sessions coerce court participants the prayer protocol. This announcement FFRF and Roe are being represented other citizens into participating in his into a religious practice, he has violated is supposed to include a statement that by FFRF Associate Counsel Sam Grover, courtroom prayers. one of the strongest, most fundamental those opposed to prayer may leave the with FFRF Associate Counsel Elizabeth “Judge Mack’s courtroom-prayer commands of the Establishment Clause courtroom without affecting the outcome Cavell and Attorney Ayesha Khan of Wash- practice is unconstitutionally coercive of the First Amendment.” of their cases, although it’s been incon- ington, D.C., serving as co-counsels.

Religion Continued from page 1 FFRF speaks out society with religion — at least the kind of theocratic influence on government In the wake of the insurrection and social policy besetting the United at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, a States — can prosper? The entanglement direct consequence of President of religion and politics arguably is, if not Trump’s encouragement, the Free- the cause, then a major contributing factor dom From Religion Foundation of so much that has gone wrong with the called on Congress to take imme- pandemic response in the United States. diate action against him. And the buck stops with the former In a Jan. 6 press release, FFRF president — and those who elected him. said: “There must be consequenc- Whether Trump believed what he was es for any U.S. president who be- saying or was engaging in purely cyni- haves like a strongman dictator cal political pandering, as was widely as- and who continually voices his sumed, is not relevant. What is relevant is refusal to honor election results that Trump — in denying the pandemic, and our nation’s unbroken history ridiculing masks, undercutting his ad- of peaceful succession. Congress ministration’s own scientists, holding su- needs to take action now.” Photo by Shutterstock perspreader events, in short, golfing while FFRF also called on President Franklin Graham, shown here greeting President Trump during a 2017 rally, praised America is burning up with Covid — was Biden to eschew the bible during Trump’s remarks on Dec. 31 that “a society without religion cannot prosper.” playing to his base. That base is white his swearing-in ceremony on Jan. evangelicals and Christian fundamental- Trump unrelentingly attacked science, team has been kept busy contacting public 20 and to refrain from saying, “So ists, 81 percent of whom voted him into Dr. Anthony Fauci, the front-line medical officials over pandemic prayer proclama- help me God.” office (with Trump also winning the lion’s profession and the media for its objective tions, including one by Oklahoma Gov. FFRF has made several state- share of Protestant and Catholic votes in coverage of the pandemic and his role in Kevin Stitt. He largely failed to use his civil ments about the unparalleled 2020). It can be argued that religion and botching the administration’s response. authority to enact pandemic mitigation threats to our democracy and sec- its dumbing down of America got us into Trump undercut testing, endlessly claim- measures, yet felt it his right to direct con- ular Constitution, which may be this political nightmare in the first place. ing “We have more cases because we have stituents to set aside a day of prayer and found under news releases and These evangelicals and fundamental- more testing!” Trump’s religious base, fasting to respond to the pandemic! blogs at ffrf.org/news. ists — many of them Christian National- including QAnon supporters, was en- Trump’s thousands of irresponsible ists inimical to the constitutional principle couraged to embrace conspiracy theories tweets and comments gave many evan- of separation between religion and gov- against the vaccination. gelical ministers a green light to defy ernment, as well as to individual liberties The anti-science policy was set prior to public health orders. Among countless At root, church officials appear to be — themselves are the products of their the pandemic, not only by the Trump ad- megachurch leader deniers is Pastor John smarting over the realization that they are anti-science, anti-intellectual faith. ministration’s dismantlement in 2018 of MacArthur, who maintains “There is no not “essential.” The U.S. Supreme Court, They reject evolution, so is it any won- the federal unit responsible for pandemic pandemic” as he openly defies public remade by Trump’s three appointees, is- der they are “skeptical” of the science of preparedness established by Obama, but health rules at his Los Angeles church sued a shocking Thanksgiving decision infectious diseases? They’ve been taught to by its disparagement of climate-change every Sunday, even though congregants to enjoin New York’s pandemic policy to equate their beliefs and wishful thinking, science. By November 2020, the adminis- have fallen ill and a visiting pastor died limit church gatherings in high-cluster e.g., “alternative facts,” with reality. They’ve tration, driven by fundamentalist “domin- of Covid-19. County health inspectors areas. Unfortunately, with Trump having been indoctrinated to bow down to a male ion” theory, had not only withdrawn from seeking to monitor the church have been appointed more than a quarter of the authority figure. A chilling poll showed that the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, blocked by security guards claiming it’s “a federal judiciary based on Religious-Right 29 percent of white evangelicals believe but had rolled back more than 100 envi- Jesus Life Matters protest.” qualifications, there will be many more that Trump was “anointed by God.” ronmental rules and regulations. Fortunately, many religious leaders, such rulings, long after Trump is gone. And their unlikely messiah never It was a small step, then, during the pan- especially those in mainstream church- For fundamentalists of whatever stripe, stopped playing to his base, regardless of demic to attack science-based health and es, synagogues and denominations, have unfortunately, science remains an enemy. the consequences. One of the most sym- safety policies. Trump appointees in the done the right thing in the pandemic. Yet Since fundamentalists never admit they’re bolic moments of 2020 was when Trump Department of Health and Human Ser- all too many ultraorthodox synagogues wrong, it does look as if our nation is in- triumphantly displayed a bible in front of vices began editing weekly reports from and churches, including several Catho- deed headed for “a very dark winter.” a D.C. church after ordering military po- the Centers for Disease Control and Pre- lic dioceses, continue to sue over state On the bright side, we’ve seen wide- lice to terrify and scatter peaceful citizens vention about the coronavirus. U.S. Rep. restrictions limiting gatherings. In De- spread adoption by the general public to clear a path for his pandering photo-op. James Clyburn, of South Carolina, said his cember, four churchgoers refiled a previ- of pro-science slogans, such as “Science In the earliest days of the pandemic, investigators found a “political pressure ously settled lawsuit against Virginia Gov. works!” “Operation Warp Speed” is proof. while Trump was being briefed on its true campaign” to “cripple the nation’s coro- Ralph Northam, challenging his generous Last year, the House passed the Scientif- nature, he promised, “One day — it’s like a navirus response in a misguided effort to executive order allowing church atten- ic Integrity Act as part of the Heroes Act, miracle — it will disappear.” He has made achieve herd immunity.” dance so long as churches practice basic which would require science-based feder- so many statements asserting the pandem- Extremist governors and legislators distancing and hygiene practices. They al agencies to adopt a scientific integrity ic will “just disappear” that CNN created took their cue from Trump, greatly delay- should be thanking Northam for protect- policy. The Freedom From Religion Foun- an interactive “Covid disappearing Trump ing social distancing and masking orders, ing parishioners. dation will be working to help ensure it comment tracker”! In October, less than including deferring to churches wanting That lawsuit is one of many citing a passes the 117th Congress. a week after contracting Covid-19, Trump to hold in-person worship services. The grievance that “secular work is favored” Annie Laurie Gaylor is co-president of the was terming it “a blessing from God.” Freedom From Religion Foundation legal while “religious activities are disfavored.” Freedom From Religion Foundation. January / February 2021 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 7 FFRF earns perfect charity rating score The country’s premier nonprofit charity rating or- than 1 percent of the thousands of charities rated by ganization has yet again affirmed that the Freedom Charity Navigator have earned perfect scores,” says the From Religion Foundation belongs to an extremely organization’s website. FFRF is, in fact, only one of two select club. charities in the human and civil rights category with a “We are proud to announce Freedom From Re- CHARITY NAVIGATOR 100 percent rating. ligion Foundation has earned our 11th consecutive RECOGNIZES FFRF is delighted at the confidence placed in it by FREEDOM FROM RELIGION FOUNDATION four-star rating. This is our highest possible rating Charity Navigator. and indicates that your organization adheres to sector “We consider ourselves responsible custodians of best practices and executes its mission in a financially our members’ dues and donations, and we’re elated efficient way,” Charity Navigator President and CEO AS A 4-STAR RATED CHARITY that Charity Navigator has, yet again, confirmed this,” Michael Thatcher has recently informed FFRF. “At- DECEMBER 23, 2020 remarks FFRF Co-President Dan Barker, to whom the taining a four-star rating verifies that Freedom From Charity Navigator letter is addressed. Religion Foundation exceeds industry standards and Charity Navigator has a stellar reputation in its field. outperforms most charities in your area of work. Only As its letter to FFRF points out, Forbes, Business Week 2 percent of the charities we evaluate have received at and Kiplinger’s Financial Magazine have favorably pro- least 11 consecutive four-star evaluations, indicating strates to the public its trustworthiness.” filed the organization. “Our data shows that users of our that Freedom From Religion Foundation outperforms FFRF is proud to win such a generous rating. site donated more than they planned to before viewing most other charities in America. This exceptional des- This isn’t all, however. Charity Navigator has placed our findings, and in fact, it is estimated that last year ignation from Charity Navigator sets Freedom From FFRF in the tiny fraction of charities attaining a 100 Charity Navigator influenced approximately $10 billion Religion Foundation apart from its peers and demon- percent accountability and transparency score. “Less in charitable gifts,” the letter states. Rep. Raskin’s remarks ‘Thought crimes that have no actual victims’ The Freedom From Religion Foun- brutal miscarriage of justice condemned dation cheered the U.S. Senate’s and by UNICEF and child advocates all over House’s approval in December of a res- the world. olution seeking the global repeal of blas- You might even belong to the wrong phemy and related laws. Both resolutions sect of the official state religion. In the Is- specifically note that “secularists” are fre- lamic State of Pakistan, for example, peo- quent victims of such laws. ple belonging to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., co-chair of faith are being persecuted as heretics and the Congressional Freethought Caucus, apostates as if this were the Middle Ages. spoke on the floor of the House in sup- At least five Ahmadi Muslims have been port of the anti-blasphemy resolution on killed in Pakistan this year [2020] alone Dec. 7, 2020. The following is a slightly because of their faith. edited version of that speech. Mr. Speaker, the global assault on re- ligious and intellectual freedom today is By U.S. Rep Jamie Raskin taking place in many of the world’s larg- est countries. China confines millions of r. Speaker, in this age of partisan Muslims in miserable re-education camps division, one of the foundational and forces them into slave labor. Russia American values still has the power has decreed that Jehovah’s Witnesses are Mto bring us together across the aisle — the an extremist group and confiscated their defense of every human being’s freedom property, jailed their members and even of religious conscience and freedom of allegedly tortured some of them. India thought against government persecution. recently passed draconian laws burdening With House Resolution 512, we act to- the rights of disfavored Muslim minorities. day to stand up for religious and intellec- With this resolution, Mr. Speaker, tual freedom in a world gone mad with against the new wave of global religious religious discrimination, religious oppres- oppression and persecution, America can sion and religious violence. H.R. 512 calls Screenshot from C-SPAN once again take the lead in defending the for global repeal of laws punishing blas- U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin delivers a speech on the floor of the House on Dec. 7, 2020. basic human rights of religious and intel- phemy, heresy and apostasy — three reli- lectual freedom all over the world. giously defined thought crimes that have are the most common victims of blas- Let us share this principle with the na- no actual victims and thus no place in the phemy and heresy laws. tions of the world with this resolution. criminal law of free nations. You might be a practicing Christian or And, yet, governments in 84 coun- Hindu in an officially Muslim state like tries — from Saudi Arabia and Iran and Libya or Afghanistan or a devout Muslim Somalia to China and Russia and Ban- in a Hindu society like India. You might Raskin family gladesh — still use laws like these to be a nonreligious person targeted by your intimidate, arrest, prosecute and incar- enemies or state authorities. cerate members of minority religions, You might be a 22-year-old Nigerian creates fund Following the death of U.S. disfavored faiths and freethinkers. Put- gospel musician like Yahoo Sharif Aminu, Rep. Jamie Raskin’s 25-year-old ting them in jail or even condemning who is convicted of blasphemy in his son Tommy in late December, them to death for religiously subversive state Sharia Court in Kano State on Aug the Raskin family announced speech was not unknown in the Ameri- 10, and has been sentenced to death by the launch of the Tommy Raskin can colonies. In Massachusetts, Puritan taking religious or intellectual positions hanging for something that he said on a Memorial Fund for People and governors hanged Quakers for their he- at odds with an established religious WhatsApp group on the Internet. Animals. The fund will distribute retical lectures in town squares. But our orthodoxy. Apostasy is breaking away You might be a Sudanese Christian money to causes and charities enlightenment Constitution, especially from a religious orthodoxy or church. like Meriam Ibrahim, who was jailed for championed by Tommy Raskin, in- our First Amendment’s Free Exercise As offensive as we might consider other apostasy because, although she’d been a cluding Oxfam, Give Directly, the and antireligious Establishment clauses, people’s religious views and utterances, devout Christian for her entire life, gov- Helen Keller Institute and Animal put us squarely on the path of rejecting in America today, people’s thoughts and ernment officials demanded that she fol- Outlook. The fund was launched blasphemy laws and these other relics of words about religion are absolutely pro- low her absent father’s Muslim faith. She with an initial contribution of the Inquisition, holy crusades and New tected by the First Amendment. But in was held in jail with her 20-month-old son $50,000 and FFRF has made a England witchcraft trials. many parts of the world where religion and forced to give birth to her daughter donation. Our law has gotten rid of obsolete of- is still actively weaponized by theocratic in prison while her legs were shackled to Condolences or donations can fenses like blasphemy and apostasy be- and authoritarian governments, these the floor. be sent to [email protected]. cause they have a purely religious char- imaginary offenses can still get you You might be a 13-year-old Muslim boy gov or by mail to his district office acter and do not refer to empirical social thrown into jail, harassed and executed, in Nigeria, like Omar Farouk, who was at 51 Monroe Street, Suite 503, harms. Blasphemy is making impious or simply stopped and torn from limb to sentenced to 10 years at hard labor for Rockville, MD 20850. or sacrilegious statements about estab- limb by state-sanctioned lynch mobs. blasphemy when he said something about lished churches or doctrines. Heresy is Religious people of the wrong faith Allah in an argument with friends — a Page 8 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | January / February 2021 FFRF VICTORIES

By Bailey Nachreiner-Mackesey Religious displays taken down at public workplace Religious quote removed Religious displays have been re- from Army signatures moved from government property in Employees of Fort Leonard Wood in Macon County, N.C. Missouri have been instructed not to in- A concerned employee in the Macon clude religious messages in email signa- County Solid Waste Department re- tures from their official Army accounts. ported that religious materials were on A technical support specialist for display in the workplace at Otto Center. Fort Leonard Wood had been includ- These displays included the Ten Com- ing the bible verse “‘With GOD all mandments, as well as various other re- things are possible’ Matthew 19:26” in ligious postings. the signature block of his official U.S. FFRF Legal Fellow Brendan Johnson Army email address. wrote to Recycling Coordinator Shaun FFRF Staff Attorney Chris Line wrote Cribbs requesting that these materials to Fort Leonard Wood Garrison Com- be removed. mander Colonel Jeffrey O. Paine and Cribbs responded via email to in- Command Inspector General Lt. Colo- form FFRF that the religious materi- nel Mary M. Smith asking that this email This cartoon is from Cartoons for the Irreverent: Celebrating the Wit of Don Addis, als have been taken down and that a signature be changed so as not to create available through ffrf.org/shop. This unique collection, published by FFRF, celebrates memo was sent to all staff to ensure the impression of official military en- the wit and irreverence of Don Addis, a legendary editorial cartoonist and atheist. this does not happen again in the dorsement of Christianity over all other (Paperback, 153 pages, $15 post paid) future. religions or religion over nonreligion. Employees were instructed, per Army the field with players, led them in chap- events is coercive, embarrassing and policy, to remove all religious references el the night before games and prayed beyond the scope of a fire department. Texas school district gets from their official email signatures. with players individually before games. FFRF’s letter encouraged the depart- Public schools may not advance or ment to respect its pluralistic class of social media lesson School staff won’t join promote religion, FFRF emphasized. firefighters and cease from including Pine Tree Independent School Dis- “Government chaplains may only prayer at future official ceremonies trict in Texas will train teachers on ap- in religious event exist as an accommodation of a public and events. propriate usage of the district’s social In Illinois, Roxana Community Unit employee’s religious beliefs when the Lake informed FFRF via email that media pages following its impermissible School District #1 staff have been re- government makes it difficult or im- department staff have been directed promotion of a religious event. minded they may not partake in reli- possible to seek out private ministries,” to “discontinue sponsoring or schedul- A local resident reported that Pine gious observance during school events. FFRF Staff Attorney Chris Line wrote to ing an invocation or any other prayer Tree Elementary School used its official A local community member informed Boise State University President Mar- at Fire Academy cadet graduation Facebook page to promote a “See You FFRF that district personnel, including lene Tromp. ceremonies.” at the Pole” event. The post described staff and school board members, attend- Abolishing the team chaplaincy the event as a “national day of student ed and participated in a “See You at the would not alter student athletes’ ability prayer” and indicated that the event was Pole” event last fall. to pray, but it would prevent some stu- Mo. district nixes prayer being hosted by the school. FFRF Staff Attorney Chris Line wrote dent athletes from feeling coerced into FFRF Legal Fellow Brendan Johnson to Superintendent Debra Kreuztrager, participating in prayers to a deity they from future graduations wrote to Superintendent Steve Clugston reminding the district that staff must not may not believe in, FFRF added. A staff prayer issue was resolved in to request that the district refrain from plan, promote or participate in any fu- FFRF’s reasoning seems to have Kirksville R-III School District. endorsing religious events. ture “See You at the Pole” events nor en- scored many points with Boise State, A district community member re- The district sent a letter of response courage students to put on such events. which has pledged to significantly down- ported that during a Kirksville High indicating that it recognizes this as Kreuztrager sent a letter of response grade its chaplaincy program. School graduation ceremony, Super- an “opportunity to educate [its] staff with assurances that “expectations will “We have been in communication intendent Richard Webb included a while continuing to support the rights be communicated to ensure that staff with the Athletic Department to pro- prayer in his remarks to students. of [its] students and will develop a remember to serve only in a superviso- vide some education about this issue He said: “And today, which is the training for district staff who have con- ry role as needed for this event in the and to ensure measures are taken now Sabbath Day, I pray also that you won’t trol over district social media pages ad- future.” and in the future to resolve the issue let memes or social media define the dressing this issue.” and establish appropriate constitution- truth for you, but that you’ll instead see al boundaries,” the university’s legal you as God sees you. That you will listen Daily school prayers counsel recently responded via email. to Him when He whispers the truth of a Jesus picture taken “Mr. Thornton did not travel with the variety of things to you.” stopped in La. school football team to our recent game in Wy- FFRF Staff Attorney Chris Line wrote down at W.Va. school Morning prayers have been stopped oming and the university will no longer to Webb requesting that he refrain from An impermissible religious dis- in the Washington Parish School System include a chaplain in its travel party. abusing his position as superintendent play has been removed from Harri- in Louisiana. Written references to Mr. Thornton as to proselytize. Line pointed out that it is son County Schools property in West A local resident alerted FFRF that the chaplain of the football team have particularly concerning that, as superin- Virginia. Franklinton High School’s student been or are in the process of being re- tendent, Webb is charged with ensuring A community member informed chaplain had been leading the school in moved and no future references will be constitutional compliance in the district, FFRF that a picture of Jesus was on dis- prayer each morning before the Pledge made in writing or otherwise.” but instead used his position to promote play at Robert C. Byrd High School. of Allegiance. his personal religious beliefs to students. FFRF Legal Fellow Brendan John- FFRF Legal Fellow Brendan Johnson The district’s attorney informed son wrote to Superintendent Dora sent a letter to Superintendent Frances Prayer no longer part of FFRF in a letter of response that “em- Stutler reminding the district that it Varnado asking that the district imme- ployees of the district were reminded of may not advance, prefer or promote diately cease scheduling this prayer as fire academy graduation the district’s board policy regarding re- religion and therefore must remove it constitutes illegal religious endorse- Kansas City Fire Department staff ligion at school and were also instruct- this religious photo. ment on the part of the school. in Missouri will no longer schedule ed not to lead students in, or promote, Stutler confirmed in a letter of re- The complainant has informed FFRF prayer as part of fire academy cadet prayer or religion.” sponse the photo has been taken down. that the daily prayers have stopped. graduation ceremonies. FFRF was made aware that the de- partment scheduled invocations as Boise State downgrades part of its cadet graduation ceremo- nies and posted videos of these cere- chaplaincy program monies on its official Facebook page. One of Idaho’s most prominent The 2020 winter ceremony prayer, educational institutions has listened led by one of the department’s fire- to the Freedom From Religion Foun- fighters, called on attendees to “bow dation regarding its unconstitutional [their] heads and come together now football chaplaincy. in prayer.” The national state/church watch- FFRF Staff Attorney Chris Line dog had written to Boise State Univer- wrote to Fire Chief Donna Lake, point- sity about the football program’s official ing out that in addition to violating chaplain, Mark Thornton. Thornton the Establishment Clause, calling on Make your own nontheistic cyber billboard at FFRF.org/unabashed, and you has arranged for post-game prayers on attendees to pray at fire department might win an “Unabashed Atheist” cap, like Michael . January / February 2021 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 9

In Megachurches abuse PPP funds This article first ran on Religion Dispatch- SCIENCE es on Dec. 15 and is reprinted with permission.

We Trust By Andrew L. Seidel Photo Illustration by Chris Line he federal government can’t take our money and give it to Joel Osteen or Robert Jeffress “Tor Paula White — even in the wake of a pandemic,” I wrote back in May 2020. But that’s exactly what Trump’s Small Business Administration has done by giv- ing Paycheck Protection Program funds to churches. Paula White’s church took in between $150,000 and $350,000, Jef- fress’s church grabbed between $2 mil- lion and $5 million and, now we know Feb. 12, 1809 Charles Darwin, Born Feb. that Osteen’s megachurch pocketed $4.4 Science works! million. Other megachurches snagged millions of taxpayer dollars. As time stay safe! passes, the inevitable abuses are coming to light. One megachurch televangelist Wikimedia Commons Joel Osteen’s megachurch took $4.4 million of the government’s Paycheck Help reason even bought a private jet two weeks after receiving $4 million in PPP funds. Protection Program funds. and our secular None of this from that compulsion is religious liber- rife with fraud and abuse. Yet, according Constitution prevail. should ever have ty as we have always understood it. to the SBA’s guidance, churches qualify happened. SBA’s constitutional violation — if for CARES Act funds even if they’ve never Join the nation’s largest The CARES such violations are to be measured in registered as a church with the IRS. Receiv- association of freethinkers Act extended economic terms — is massive. ing these taxpayer funds could be literal- (atheists and agnostics) eligibility for American churches took in as much ly both the first and last time the govern- loans from the as $10 billion in taxpayer funds through ment ever hears of such churches. working to keep religion Small Business PPP loans. More than 400 evangelical None of this is new. The Freedom out of government. Administration churches received loans of at least $1 From Religion Foundation made all to nonprofits, million. The Catholic Church might these points in a formal comment to Join now or get a FREE trial something new. have taken in as much as $3.5 billion. the SBA rule proposing the Paycheck membership & bonus issues But the law did Osteen’s Lakewood Church is prob- Protection Program — the SBA knew of of Freethought Today, not give the Andrew L. Seidel ably the biggest church in the United these dangerous loopholes and forged SBA the power States, with 50,000 or so members. One ahead anyway. FFRF’s newspaper. to extend this eligibility to churches, estimate puts its annual budget at $90 The potential for government audits nor could it — the Constitution pro- million, with more than $25 million go- was supposed to curb some abuse, but hibits government funding of religion. ing to the television ministry. Osteen’s given how favorably the Trump adminis- In fact, the CARES Act only mentions net worth is hard to pin down, but it’s tration treated churches — even hosting religion once, to prevent universities probably around $50 million or $60 mil- secretive White House calls for Trump’s from using taxpayer funds for “capital lion. This isn’t a church that’s hard-up closest faith leaders and church sup- Call 1-800-335-4021 outlays associated with facilities relat- for cash. And with sensible Americans porters to encourage them to apply for ed to athletics, sectarian instruction or worshipping at home, its massive televan- the forgivable loans — churches were ffrf.us/science religious worship.” However, the SBA gelism empire probably only grew. Os- unlikely to worry about enforcement or ignored that language, along with the teen received millions of dollars meant audits. In any event, later rule changes centuries-old bar on taxpayer-funded for small businesses. mean the government forgives loans religious worship, and instead issued Osteen’s church claimed that it used of less than $2 million after a one-page rules and guidance declaring that the $4.4 million in taxpayer funds “to pro- form is filled out. Loans over $2 million forgivable loans distributed under the vide full salaries and benefits, including face an audit. So maybe, just maybe, CARES Act’s Paycheck Protection Pro- health insurance coverage to all of its years from now we’ll know if We the Peo- gram “can be used to pay the salaries employees and their families.” But we’ll ple were defrauded. of ministers and other staff engaged in likely never know. Many of the safeguards We’ll know sooner if journalists start ffrf.org the religious mission of institutions.” that apply to SBA loans and that applied digging. Chris Mathews, a reporter from To do this, SBA had to suspend numer- to other nonchurch entities through the the Houston Business Journal, broke the FFRF is a 501(c)(3) educational charity. ous rules that, correctly, prevented tax- PPP didn’t apply to churches. It’s not just Osteen story. Deductible for income tax purposes. payer funds from flowing to churches. special treatment under PPP that’s prob- Lisa Guerrero of Inside Edition has These discarded rules embody the lematic, but other laws too. Combined, been digging too, and she discovered a separation of state and church, one of this was a recipe for fraud and abuse. private jet likely financed with PPP mon- Thanks to your donations to FFRF’s America’s founding principles. Taxa- For instance, unlike every other 501(c) ey. Marcus Lamb runs Daystar Television, advertising fund, ads like this run every tion without representation sparked (3) and charity, churches file no annual which may have as many as 2 billion view- month in Scientific American. the American Revolution and the rev- financial disclosures with the IRS. They ers and is valued at a quarter of a billion olutionaries later set up a system that are financial black holes. As part of their dollars. Two weeks after it took $4 mil- barred the government’s coercive tax- public trust, all other 501(c)(3) nonprof- lion in taxpayer PPP funds, it bought a ing power from being wielded to force its are required to file an annual report, private jet, a Gulfstream V, valued at be- citizens to support a religion. One of the Form 990, with the IRS that details tween $9 million and $10 million. this country’s first religious freedom specific financial information, tracking Lamb denied using taxpayer funds to laws warned that taxing citizens and every penny donated and spent. Because get the private jet two weeks after it got giving the money to churches is “sinful they entirely lack financial transparency the loan: “We had our own money.” If and tyrannical.” The right to be free and accountability, churches are already so, why didn’t it use that money for their employees? But you know why. Like any kid caught with their hand in the cook- ‘IN REASON WE TRUST’ Self inking stamp ie jar, they denied it and then paid the money back. But only because Guerrero caught them. There are no safeguards in place to prevent churches from defrauding tax- payers. That’s not a bug, but a feature. Carefully crafted to stamp out Trump’s SBA designed the PPP program ‘god’ on U.S. currency. Good that way. The Fourth Estate needs to for up to 2000 impressions. hold the churches accountable, because the government won’t. $20 postpaid — Item#ST01 Andrew L. Seidel is FFRF’s director of stra- tegic response and attorney. His first book is   Buy It Online ffrf.org/shop The Founding Myth: Why Christian Nation- alism Is Un-American. Page 10 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | January / February 2021 Justices ‘play a deadly game’ in church ruling

A statement from FFRF: Cuomo’s policies are more lenient A 5–4 Supreme Court decision en- to houses of worship than similar ac- joining New York state’s pandemic tivities, Sotomayor wrote, and Gor- policy that limited some church gath- such “does not even try to square his erings is wrong, unnecessary and por- examples with the conditions medical tends big trouble ahead for our secu- experts tell us facilitate the spread lar laws and policies. of COVID-19: large groups of people As dissenting Justice Sonia Sotomay- gathering, speaking and singing in or warns: “Justices of this court play a close proximity indoors for extend- deadly game in second guessing the ex- ed periods of time.” She added: “The pert judgment of health officials about Constitution does not forbid states the environments in which a contagious from responding to public health virus, now infecting a million Ameri- crises through regulations that treat cans each week, spreads most easily.” religious institutions equally or more Earlier in 2020, the court had up- favorably than comparable secular in- held health restrictions on church stitutions, particularly when those reg- services in Nevada and California, but ulations save lives.” the vote in Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn v. Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor Trouble ahead of New York flipped. The opinion was a As New York Times Supreme Court rebuke for Chief Justice John G. Rob- reporter Adam Liptak points out, the erts, who’d voted with the majority in ruling is “almost certainly a taste of the earlier rulings, but dissented in things to come.” When Ginsburg was this case. The addition of archconser- alive, Liptak writes, “Roberts voted vative Amy Coney Barrett on the court with the court’s four-member liber- last month, replacing Ruth Bader al wing” in a number of major cases. Ginsburg, has “dealt the chief justice a Ann Telnaes editorial cartoon used with permission of This ruling clearly signals that the new body blow,” as the New York Times put Ann Telnaes and the Cartoonist Group. All rights reserved. SCOTUS majority is ready to move full it. (Not that we should give Roberts, steam ahead to weaponize and rede- who indicated in his dissent that he ligious services.” [emphasis added] ing colleagues as ‘cutting the Constitu- fine religious liberty at the expense of thought the New York rules had gone The majority’s true grievance — tion loose during a pandemic,’ yielding the protections of the Establishment too far, too much credit.) umbrage that governments are not la- to ‘a particular judicial impulse to stay Clause separating religion from gov- The Archdiocese of Brooklyn and beling church services as “essential” — out of the way in times of crisis,’ or ‘shel- ernment. And the consequences, in Agudath Israel of America, an ultra-Or- is revealed in Gorsuch’s concurrence: ter[ing] in place when the Constitution this case, may be deadly. thodox Jewish congregation, were situ- “The only explanation for treating re- is under attack.’” The chief justice said The ACLU’s Daniel Mach puts it apt- ated within the red and orange zones in ligious places differently, seems to be a that no injunctive relief is needed giv- ly, “The freedom to worship is one of Brooklyn and Queens with high COVID judgment that what happens there just en the changing facts, pointed out the our most cherished fundamental rights, infections, and had been restricted to isn’t as ‘essential’ as what happens in court could act quickly on a renewed ap- but it does not include a license to harm 10- and 25-person capacity limits by secular places.” Church officials and plication if the shutdowns begin again, others or endanger public health.” As Gov. Andrew Cuomo. But in response to theocratic public officials have deeply and noted that the Constitution entrusts FFRF has been emphasizing since the a lessening spread, Cuomo had already resented that church gatherings have “the safety and health of the people” to pandemic began, Americans have the lifted the restrictions by the time the not been deemed “essential” by exec- politically accountable officials. right to free exercise, but not to risk request to enjoin the governor reached utives trying to stop the spread of the In his dissent, Justice Stephen Breyer other peoples’ lives. the high court. With the litigants now coronavirus. The majority opinion, underlined that New York’s regulations in a “yellow zone,” they can hold ser- voted on by a bloc of practicing Cath- treat church services more favorably vices at up to 50 percent of capacity. As olics with the exception of Gorsuch than gatherings with comparable risks, RECRUIT A MEMBER Roberts pointed out in his dissent, this (who was raised Catholic, but now at- such as public lectures, concerts or the- is more relief than their suits sought. tends an Episcopalian church), goes atrical performances. Sample copies for $2 The case is due to be heard by a court so far as to claim that those who can’t As usual, the strongest dissent was by of appeals, and hasn’t been fully argued attend Mass are at “risk of suffering Sotomayor, who wrote, “Amidst a pan- Send $2 with the name and or considered, making the action by the further irreparable harm in the event demic that has already claimed over a address of each person you high court especially irregular. of another reclassification.” Most of us quarter million American lives, the court wish to receive a sample copy would consider, when comparing the today enjoins one of New York’s public of Freethought Today to: Decision was wrong harm of missing in-person Mass to risk- health measures aimed at containing The majority of ultraconservatives ing death from COVID-19, the latter to the spread of COVID-19 in areas fac- FFRF on the court — Justices Barrett (widely be the “irreparable harm,” but not the ing the most severe outbreaks.” Citing P.O. Box 750 speculated to have written the unsigned high court’s coterie of true believers. the earlier majority opinions uphold- decision), Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kava- ing church service restrictions, she not- Madison, WI 53701 naugh, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Dissenters urge caution ed they provide a “clear and workable Please send us only names Alito — was clearly eager to act on its In his temperate dissent, Roberts rule”: “They may restrict attendance at of likely supporters newfound power to squelch what it mis- (also a practicing Catholic) responded houses of worship so long as comparable guidedly saw as a case of “religious dis- to the majority and Gorsuch’s charges: secular institutions face restrictions that Freedom depends upon freethinkers crimination.” But stay-at-home orders “To be clear, I do not regard my dissent- are at least equally as strict.” treated religious worship more favorably than movie houses, lectures, plays or indoor sporting events, which were en- Include FFRF In tirely banned. The five justices absurdly Your Estate Planning treated the temporary limitations like a national emergency — dramatically is- suing a ruling minutes before midnight Arrange a bequest in your will on Nov. 25, the eve of Thanksgiving. or trust, or make the Freedom “Even in a pandemic, the Constitution From Religion Foundation the cannot be put away and forgotten,” the beneficiary of an insurance majority chided. President Trump al- policy, bank account or IRA. most immediately tweeted the decision, adding “HAPPY THANKSGIVING.” IT’S EASY TO DO! The heavy lifting was done by Gor- For related information such, whose sarcastic concurring opin- (or to receive a bequest ion lit into the dissenters. He claimed brochure), please contact: the governor deems that “it may be un- safe to go to church, but it is always fine Annie Laurie Gaylor to pick up another bottle or wine, shop at (608) 256-8900 for a new bike, or spend the afternoon [email protected] exploring your distal points and merid- ians [acupuncture].” Gorsuch decried the “burden on the faithful who have Freedom depends lived for months under New York’s un- on freethinkers constitutional regime unable to attend re- January / February 2021 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 11 Will Barrett join the grievance conservatives?

This article first appeared in The New to privilege religious rights over oth- York Times on Dec. 3 and is reprinted with er rights, including the right not to be permission. discriminated against. A case the court heard in November, Fulton v. City of Phil- By Linda Greenhouse adelphia, raises the question whether a Catholic social services agency under ustice Amy Coney Barrett had a contract with the city to place children choice. in foster homes can refuse to consider She could provide the fifth vote same-sex couples as foster parents de- Jon the Supreme Court that Justices Sam- spite the city’s nondiscrimination law. uel Alito, Clarence Thomas, Neil Gor- For religious adherents pressing such such and Brett Kavanaugh needed — and claims, equal treatment is no longer suf- would not have received from the Justice ficient. Special treatment is the demand. Ruth Bader Ginsburg — to place a tem- That’s clear in another COVID-related porary block, in the name of religious case that reached the Supreme Court this freedom, on New York’s pandemic-driv- week. In mid-November, Gov. Andrew en limitations on church and synagogue Beshear of Kentucky issued a temporary attendance. order barring in-person instruction in all Or she could public and private schools. A religious give that pre- school, Danville Christian Academy, cious fifth vote Wikimedia Commons promptly won an injunction from a feder- to Chief Justice Amy Coney Barrett takes the oath prior to the Supreme Court confirmation hearings. al district judge. John Roberts in A three-judge panel of the 6th U.S. the name not injunction itself, pending the appeal to a civil rights laws under a “ministerial ex- Circuit Court of Appeals stayed the in- only of public federal appeals court in New York. May- ception” that goes well beyond members junction this past weekend. The court ob- health but also of be then the case will end up back at the of the ministry; and that employers with served that because the order applied to judicial modesty, Supreme Court on the merits, but, most religious or even vague “moral” objections religious and secular schools alike, it was since the most se- likely, it won’t, because the governor eased to contraception can opt out of the feder- “neutral and of general applicability,” key vere restrictions the restrictions while the case was pending al requirement to include birth control in words that under a 1990 Supreme Court the Catholic and in the court. their employee health plans. decision, Employment Division v. Smith, Linda Greenhouse Jewish organi- The real significance of the decision lay Alito was in the majority in these foreclose a claim under the First Amend- zations were complaining about were no in the which-side-are-you-on test it posed decisions and so, notably, was Roberts. And ment’s Free Exercise Clause for a special longer in effect and the whole case might for the newest justice. I don’t mean the con- both were in dissent five years ago when religious exemption. well disappear into thin air if the Supreme servative side versus the court declared a Claiming that “it is called by God Court simply stayed its hand. the liberal side. Obvi- constitutional right to provide in-person instruction to its History will record the choice Barrett ously, she’s a conser- The Supreme Court has to same-sex marriage students,” the school has gone to Ka- made in the court’s Nov. 25 decision as vative. What matters in Obergefell v. Hodges. vanaugh, who has supervisory jurisdic- the first moment of fruition for the hopes is that a month into become a prize in a war over But while the chief tion over the 6th Circuit, asking him to how“ far the country will go to and fears engendered by her abrupt elec- her tenure, she chose justice seems to have vacate the stay of the injunction. The tion-eve ascension to the Supreme Court to align herself with privilege religious rights over made his peace with 35-page brief skips almost entirely over following Ginsburg’s death in September. what I call grievance other rights, including the right that decision (he was the fact that public schools are under Until then, Roberts had held the line in conservatism: conser- not to be discriminated against. in the majority in the the same strictures, asking instead, favor of public health in similar cases from vatism with a chip on decision in June that “Why can a 12-year-old go to the mov- California and Nevada, each by 5–4 votes. its shoulder, fueled interpreted federal ies along with two dozen other people, Now he was left in dissent, joined by the by a belief that even when it’s winning, it’s civil rights protections as applying to gay but she can’t watch ‘The Greatest Sto- remaining members of his former major- losing, and losing unfairly. and transgender individuals, while Alito ry Ever Told’ with a smaller group in ity, Justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Soto- The embodiment of grievance conser- called the ruling a “brazen abuse” in a 54- bible class?” mayor and Elena Kagan. Barrett, who did vatism is Alito, who, in a November 2020 page dissent accompanied by a 52-page The 6th Circuit panel’s unanimous not express her opinion in writing, was a speech to his fellow members of the Fed- appendix), the implications of Obergefell ruling against the school was somewhat silent member of the new majority. eralist Society, said that “it pains me to say for people with religious objections to unusual because it was issued by one I’d like to think this was a tough choice this, but in certain quarters, religious lib- same-sex marriage still gnaw at Alito. Democratic-appointed judge, Karen Nel- for her, but in the end, this case may sim- erty is fast becoming a disfavored right.” Along with Thomas, he wrote son Moore, and two judges appointed by ply disappear. The Roman Catholic Dio- Alito is a member of a Supreme Court sympathetically in early October about President George W. Bush, John Rogers cese of Brooklyn, along with an Orthodox majority that during his nearly 15-year ten- Kim Davis, the Kentucky county clerk and Helene White. Statistics compiled Jewish organization, was appealing the ure has been more deferential to the de- who refused for religious reasons to issue recently by Zalman Rothschild, a fel- decision of a federal district court judge mands of religious believers than any Su- marriage licenses to same-sex couples. low at the Stanford Constitutional Law not to enjoin the state from enforcing at- preme Court in modern history. Just this While agreeing with the other members Center, show a startling partisan divide tendance limits at worship services. That’s past summer, the court ruled that a state of the court that the clerk’s appeal wasn’t in how federal judges have approached when the Supreme Court stepped in, at that offers a subsidy for private-school tu- suitable for Supreme Court review, the cases involving religious objections to the request of the diocese, and issued the ition must include parochial schools in two justices wrote that “nevertheless, government-imposed limitations related the program; that religious organizations this petition provides a stark reminder to COVID-19. may exclude a substantial category of em- of the consequences of Obergefell.” They In a group of 89 such cases, Democrat- Pansy Freethinker Mug ployees from the protections of federal continued, “By choosing to privilege ic-appointed judges voted to uphold all a novel constitutional right over the the government orders, while Republi- G azed bri iant b ue ceramic religious liberty interests explicitly can-appointed judges did so only 36 per- handcrafted mug with A note to FFRF Members protected in the First Amendment, and by cent of the time. The difference is even pansy meda ion (symbo doing so undemocratically, the court has more stark with judges appointed by Pres- of freethought). American- Don’t miss a single issue of created a problem that only it can fix.” ident Trump. They voted to uphold the made. 12 f . oz. Freethought Today & Private Line! Since the two justices were neither orders in only 6 percent of cases, voting $35 each Item #MU04 voting to grant the appeal nor dissenting 94 percent of the time in support of the $60 for two from its denial, their opinion was entirely religious plaintiffs. Prices include over gratuitous. They simply used the case as a Numbers like this pose an obvious $10 shipping per mug. platform to reiterate warnings about the question: Are Trump-appointed judges threat to religion from official recognition supporting religious claims as a matter NEW! If the expiration date of your FFRF membership on your address label of same-sex marriage. of personal faith, or has voting to uphold says February 2021 or earlier . . . Barrett was not yet confirmed when religious claims become a kind of judicial Please renew now! Thomas and Alito issued this statement. MAGA cap, a mark of political identity? FFRF Memberships: I wonder whether she would have signed At this moment’s legal and political in- $40 single; $50 household; it. It was pure grievance conservatism, flection point, the answer may not matter. $100 gung-ho; $250 sustaining with no effect other than to invite new If Barrett wants company, she clearly has Memberships are tax deductible! cases seeking to overturn Obergefell, and plenty. And the rest of us have plenty to to strike fear in some parts of the LGBTQ worry about. community that it could happen. It won’t. Linda Greenhouse, the winner of the But I’m certain that the pressure on the 1998 Pulitzer Prize, reported on the Supreme Freetougt oda i ulied time a ear court will only grow. Court for The New York Times from 1978 to Buy it from FFRF online o adion There’s no neutral ground: The Su- 2008. You can hear her discuss this column ffrf.org/shop ffrfordonte preme Court has become a prize in on Freethought Radio. Go to ffrf.org/radio a war over how far the country will go and browse to the Dec. 10 program. Page 12 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | January / February 2021 FFRF’s Strategic Response Team making waves

By Andrew L. Seidel Outlets that published FFRF pieces include Religion Dispatches, Friend- FFRF’s Strategic Response Team’s ly Atheist, the Wisconsin State Jour- third full year was a success, despite go- nal, Kentucky State Journal, The Cap ing fully virtual. Times (in Madison), the Salt Lake Tri- The SRT handles FFRF’s rapid re- bune, the Miami Herald and Rewire sponse, legislation and lobbying work. News. Shaping public opinion is not Specifically, the team is tasked with: just about writing op-eds and articles. • Federal lobbying; tracking, analyz- SRT is also building relationships with ing, and educating about pending reporters. legislation around the country; and mobilizing FFRF’s membership with Responded to news action alerts. Since the last convention in 2019, • Responding to current events with we sent 58 statements for FFRF on statements, letters, and articles. a variety of issues from Paula White • Shaping public opinion with articles, calling for all Satanic pregnancies editorials and letters to the editor. to miscarry to the coronavirus and Photo by Shutterstock • Working to stop imminent violations churches violating health regulations. with legal letters. track legislation. We tracked 493 separate Other statements include denounc- The team has three full-time bills in 2020. ing Trump’s Twitter assault on nonbe- members: Andrew L. Seidel, Ryan Jayne By the numbers Of those bills, the most common lievers, protesting a worship service at and Mark Dann. Also attached to SRT are In 2020, SRT completed: state/church-adjacent bills were threats White House that Pence attended, at- Annie Laurie Gaylor, communications • 42 statements for FFRF on a variety to LGBTQ rights. The next most com- tacking nine new rules implemented team members Amit Pal and Bailey of issues. mon were bills that threatened reproduc- by executive agencies, condemning Nachreiner-Mackesey and FFRF’s legal • 39 articles, op-eds, blogs and letters tive rights, such as so-called “heartbeat” Washington Rep. Matt Shea and his team. SRT has leveraged new resources to the editor. abortion bans that are unconstitutional, Christian Nationalist terrorism rhet- (including powerful software) and • 58 press releases for FFRF on legal often deliberately so, and are passed with oric, exposing Trump’s school prayer alliances, to work more effectively on and legislative issues. the hope that they will be challenged guidance, decrying Trump’s voucher FFRF’s dual missions. • 52 rapid response letters written to to give Christian Nationalist judges the plan, and condemning Trump’s State Here’s a look at what SRT accom- prevent impending violations. chance to change overturn Roe v. Wade. of the Union religious allusions. plished in 2020. • Comments on 20 formal rule At both the federal and state level, SRT took the lead in opposing tax- changes the Trump administration we used 116 action alerts to mobilize payer money flowing to churches un- In Congress proposed. FFRF members. More than 15,000 FFRF der the Paycheck Protection Program In 2019, SRT began crafting a legisla- • 72 meetings with legislators on members have made more than 175,745 and when it became clear that even tive agenda for FFRF, and in 2020 it was Capitol Hill. connections with legislators, including our congressional allies had no appe- implemented. A key part of the agenda • 121 action alerts that connected spending more than 27 hours on the tite to oppose the measure, we began was to make FFRF a vital partner in ad- FFRF supporters and legislators phone on 1,181 calls with those offices. to focus on transparency and account- vancing the Congressional Freethought 175,745 times and nearly 1,200 calls. The total number is actually much high- ability. The media responded and we Caucus’ agenda. The caucus had nu- • 493 bills analyzed and tracked. er because this only includes calls and were often the go-to organization for merous victories with FFRF’s urging • Nearly 800 separate SRT projects, a emails to legislators made through our comment and information. We even and assistance such as: 60 percent increase over 2019. system, not those which people made on broke a big PPP story, publishing a • Effectively using the appropriations their own. report and audio for two secretive process to deny funding for reg- That overwhelming response helped phone calls the Trump administra- ulations and entities that seek to • The Scientific Integrity Act prevents us defeat many of these bad bills. In Cal- tion held with evangelical support- discriminate using the guise of reli- political appointees from meddling ifornia and Wisconsin, we helped to stop ers before the PPP process was pub- gious liberty. in publicly funded scientific research. bills that would have treated churches lic, helping to funnel money in their • Opposing Secretary of State Mike It passed, as part of the Heroes Act more favorably than secular nonprofits. direction. Pompeo’s Commission on Unalien- (COVID Relief Bill), 208–199. And in Oklahoma and elsewhere, Project One of our op-eds for Religion able Rights’ and its Christian Nation- • The No BAN Act eliminates the Blitz bills to plaster In God We Trust on Dispatches about churches, especial- alist report. Muslim Ban (which could be turned government buildings, including class- ly megachurches, abusing the tax- • Hosting speakers such as Bonya against atheists abroad seeking a rooms, were soundly defeated. payer-funded Paycheck Protection Ahmed and Katherine Stewart. safe haven), limits presidential au- At the state level, SRT focused on fight- Program went viral. The article, “In- • Supporting key pieces of legislation. thority to suspend or restrict immi- ing Christian Nationalism, specifically evitable megachurch abuse of PPP FFRF has been recognized by the gration and prohibits religious dis- Project Blitz, a nationwide campaign to funds is coming to light—private jet caucus as one of the main thought crimination in immigration-related insert Christian Nationalism into state included,” had people seeing red as leaders in the secular movement. decisions. It passed 233–133. law. Since its inception, we’ve tracked these megapreachers were pulling in Caucus members, including Reps. • The Blasphemy Resolution, which and opposed 123 Project Blitz bills and the green. Jared Huffman, Jamie Raskin, Mark calls on the president and the State only 16 have been enacted. Perhaps one of our biggest jobs Pocan and Eleanor Holmes Norton Department to prioritize the glob- was also one of our most fruitless and have appeared on “Freethought Mat- al repeal of blasphemy laws, passed Stopped violations thankless: opposing Trump’s judi- ters” and Freethought Radio. out of the House and the Senate. Often, FFRF will hear about a viola- cial nominees. From Barrett down to tion happening in the immediate future. Walker, we put countless hours into Legislative wins Expanded our allies SRT works to stop these violations be- this fight. We shifted public opinion FFRF worked closely with the Con- Lobbying progress is impossible with- fore they occur. SRT also wades in when and, we hope, have shown the need gressional Freethought Caucus to en- out allies. We need allies in Congress and fast action can change the typical media for judicial reform. dorse key pieces of legislation. The in the broader progressive movement. narrative. SRT’s ordinary response time Increasingly, as with our work on Do No Harm Act, our highest priority We held 72 meetings with congressional on these letters, from notification to PPP, we are looked at as an authority piece of legislation, which ensures that offices, many dedicated to deepening mailing, is less than an hour. on issues of religion and the law, put- the Religious Freedom Restoration Act our work with the Congressional Free- ting us on a level with the ACLU. can’t be used to discriminate, contin- thought Caucus. Shaped public opinion Andrew L. Seidel is director of strategic ues to move forward. The bill had a We also strengthened our relation- SRT published 39 op-eds, articles, response for FFRF. hearing in the House, and FFRF was a ships with our secular partners and built blogs and letters to the editor. leading organization to obtain its 200- new strategic relationships with civil plus co-sponsors. The Do No Harm Act rights and LGBTQ organizations. We is primed to move in the next Congress. joined the Leadership Conference on Most of FFRF’s key bills have all Civil and Human Rights, which is the passed out of the House or House primary coordinating body of civil and committee and have been endorsed by justice minded organizations. the Caucus. We have seen progress on: We teamed up with a huge coalition • The STOP FGM Act of 2020, which to fight Amy Coney Barrett and other prohibits Female Genital Mutilial- Christian Nationalists. A highlight of tion (FGM) on a minor, was unan- our work on judicial nominations was imously passed by the House and during the fight on Christian Nationalist the Senate in a voice vote. Judge Justin Walker. • The Equality Act, which prohibits discrimination based on sex, sexu- Tracked legislation al orientation and gender identity, In 2019, SRT launched Quorum, pow- passed 236–173. erful legislative software that helped us January / February 2021 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 13 FFRF’s 2021 legislative plan needs your backing social media messaging, press releases By Mark Dann and media mentions on FFRF issues, as well as whether they’ve joined the t is clear that following the 2020 elec- Congressional Freethought Caucus. tions, we’re in a far better place than You’ll be able to identify who are the we were before. The Christian Nation- true champions of the First Amendment Ialist in the White House was not re-elect- and who we need to better engage. ed, while all members of the Congres- Plus, FFRF has been working with sional Freethought Caucus were. With our secular allies to develop a common Democrats winning the Georgia Senate agenda for Congress and the new ad- races in January, the balance of power in ministration to implement. We’re ded- the Senate changes. The House results icated to undoing much of the harm may make for a inflicted on this nation in the last four relatively cautious years and to working to safeguard the chamber that secular future. The legislative agenda could diminish We’re working with our friends in just passed Congress. focuses on judicial nominations, en- the legislative op- the Leadership Conference for Civil We’re looking forward to making gaging the new administration and portunities avail- and Human Rights to help advocate gains with these pieces of legislation. undoing harm from the Trump admin- able to us. Yet the for and nominate high-quality judges However, the entire legislative process istration, and advancing key pieces of Biden administra- who support the separation of state starts again. We will have to work with legislation. tion opens up lots and church. our allies to build co-sponsor lists and Final thoughts of opportunities Key pieces of legislation get all of these bills moving in their We are going to need a lot of help to to undo damage In the 116th Congress, FFRF worked committees, in the legislative chambers make sure our collective voice is heard and to strength- hard to add co-sponsors to the Do No and onto the president’s desk. during this legislative session, and to Mark Dann en the separation Harm Act. We also worked to advance Expanding the Congressional keep Christian Nationalism on the back of state and church, especially in regula- the Equality Act, which adds LGBTQ Freethought Caucus foot. While the Freedom From Religion tions, executive orders and guidances. as a protected class to the Civil Rights The Congressional Freethought Foundation is the nation’s largest mem- Here’s the plan: Acts and prohibits discrimination Caucus, first established with three bership organization of nonbelievers, Engaging the new administration and based on sex, sexual orientation and members in October 2018, has now ex- with about 33,000 members, a larger undoing harm from the outgoing one gender identity, and the No BAN Act, panded to 14 with the recent addition base would mean more power, more The Trump administration enacted which eliminates the of Rep. Don Beyer, engagement and visibility with Con- over three dozen rules, regulations, Muslim ban, limits D-Va. We’ll be work- gress and the administration, and more guidances and commissions designed presidential author- Let’s make some ing diligently to en- holding legislators accountable. The to take away your civil and secular ity to suspend or re- ‘good trouble’ together courage more mem- best thing you can do today is to renew rights. We will be working to encourage strict immigration bers of Congress to your FFRF membership and tell friends and“ get moving. the new administration to reverse and and prohibits reli- join the caucus. Look about FFRF, or better yet, sign them up remove harmful regulations and shut gious discrimination for more opportuni- for a gift membership. down some of Trump’s extrajudicial in immigration-relat- ties to engage your Yes, we need your dues, but more commissions: the so-called Religious ed decisions. The Equality Act and the member of Congress and encourage than that, we need members. We need Liberty Task Force at the Department No Ban Act did pass out of the House them to join the caucus. numbers. of Justice, the Conscience and Reli- in the 116th Congress. Building the movement as Christian Membership equals power. Politi- gious Freedom Division at the Depart- In addition, the Scientific Integrity Nationalism regroups cians listen to their constituents. They ment of Health and Human Services, Act, which prevents political appoin- In 2021, we’re going to be offering might not do exactly what you want, and the Commission on Unalienable tees from meddling in publicly funded some new advocacy tools to make your but when citizens speak up, politicians Rights at the Department of State. scientific research, passed the House as civic engagement more impactful. We prioritize. Members in the upcoming Judicial nominations part of the HEROES act (COVID Re- are planning to better connect you to Congress and in statehouses across the The good news is that the pain of lief Bill). The STOP FGM Act of 2020, lawmakers to make your secular voices country are trying to figure out what court packing from the Trump admin- which prohibits female genital mutila- heard. We’ll be providing you with must be prioritized and what can wait. istration will stop after the presidential tion (FGM) on minors, was just signed the tools to evaluate legislators with a Let’s make some “good trouble” togeth- inauguration. We don’t know how long into law on Jan. 11. The Blasphemy Res- new dynamic legislative scorecard that er and get moving. it will take to rebalance and correct olution, which calls on the president rates members of Congress on votes Mark Dann is FFRF’s director of govern- the courts that have been packed with and the State Department to prioritize and sponsorship or co-sponsorship mental affairs. Christian Nationalist judges. the global repeal of blasphemy laws, of bills, and it will also consider their Secular groups offer agenda for new administration The Secular Coalition for America, in constituency expects of them.” the American Humanist Association, ligious Liberty Task Force, which is dedi- partnership with its 19 member organiza- FFRF fully concurs. remarks. “While there still will be a dif- cated to allowing religious institutions and tions (including the Freedom From Reli- “Our partnership with the ficult fight in Congress, bills like the Do individuals to continue to receive special gion Foundation), has issued a blueprint Congressional Freethought Caucus No Harm Act have consistently gained treatment under the law, and the Com- for the new administration and Congress. has allowed us to advance the secular support over the past few years, and mission on Unalienable Rights, led by The “Secular Agenda for the 117th agenda in ways once unimaginable,” we believe now is the time to see them well-known Christian Nationalist ally and Congress and Biden Administration” says FFRF Director on President-elect former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. includes strengthening and supporting of Governmental Biden’s desk.” “The Trump Administration has used the Congressional Freethought Caucus, Affairs Mark Dann. The assault on The coalition will constitutionally suspect regulations and repealing harmful executive orders, sup- “By coordinating secular values reached an also be working to flagrant misinterpretations of U.S. Su- porting the nomination and appoint- with members of unprecedented“ level during strengthen and aid preme Court decisions to promote reli- ments of judges and other government the caucus and the Congressional gion, attack civil rights, and undermine officials who adhere to and actively pro- their staff, we have the Trump administration. Freethought Cau- the separation of religion and govern- mote and prioritize the separation of been able to fight — Jason Lemieux, cus in its mission to ment,” says Alison Gill, vice president for religion and government, and a slew of back against the Center for Inquiry promote public pol- legal and policy at American Atheists. “We legislative priorities. These include the erosion of the icy formed on the look forward to working with the new ad- Do No Harm Act, the Scientific Integrity wall that separates basis of reason, sci- ministration to reverse these dangerous Act and the CORE Act. religion and government and elevate ence, and moral values, while opposing policies and to restore religious freedom “We are excited to put forth this ambi- the discussion of our common secular discrimination against atheists, agnos- for every American.” tious plan for the new administration and values in Congress. The entire coalition is tics, humanists, seekers, religious and The Center for Inquiry emphasizes the Congress,” states Casey Brinck, director of thankful for the work the Congressional nonreligious persons. importance of the joint secular agenda. policy and government affairs for the Sec- Freethought Caucus does, and we are The 19 member organizations that “The assault on secular values reached ular Coalition for America. “As we move excited to continue to work with it in the make up the Secular Coalition for Amer- an unprecedented level during the forward into the first session of the 117th 117th Congress.” ica will, in addition, be working to repeal Trump administration,” says Jason Le- Congress, we can expect a flurry of legis- Other secular groups agree. the numerous harmful executive orders mieux, director of government affairs lative actions to be undertaken, and want “We have made significant progress issued over the past four years. Listed in at the organization. “Trump and his re- not only our community to understand during the past few Congresses on many the agenda, too, are Trump administra- ligious extremist allies used every trick in what we are working for on their behalf, of our legislative priorities, and we look tion commissions that have been utilized the book to impose Christian National- but also for Congress and the new admin- forward to seeing them pass the finish to blur the lines between religion and ism upon every aspect of public life. The istration to have a better understanding of line in the 117th,” Rachel Deitch, di- government and advance the Christian secular agenda is a step toward true sepa- what our very large and quickly growing rector of policy and social justice for Nationalist agenda. These include the Re- ration of church and state.” Page 14 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | January / February 2021 FFRF awards $17,750 in Brian Bolton competition Grad/‘older’ student essay contest winners The Freedom From Religion Founda- State University, $2,000. tion is proud to announce the 10 win- Fifth place ners and nine honorable mentions of the Rebecca Barrett, 25, Emory University, Brian Bolton Essay Contest for Gradu- $1,500. ate/“Older” Students. FFRF has paid out Sixth place a total of $17,750 in award money to this T. Parker Schwartz, 27, Capital year’s contest winners. University, $1,000. Graduate students up to age 30 or un- Seventh place dergrad students ages 25–30 were asked Ipsha Banerjee, 22, Arizona State to write a persuasive essay on “Why God University, $750. has no place in political debate.” Students Eighth place were asked to make the case for keeping Sonia Bajaj, 28, Benedictine University, “God” and religion out of the political de- $500. bates, and the dangers posed when pub- Ninth place lic officials pander and mix religion with Paula Canales, University of Texas-San government. Antonio, $400. This contest is generously and single- volunteers and staff members, including sue. The honorable mention essays will Tenth place handedly endowed by Lifetime Member Don Ardell, Dan Barker, Darrell Barker, not be reprinted here but can be seen at Michelle Krauser, 30, Coastal Carolina Brian Bolton, a retired psychologist, hu- Bill Dunn, Annie Laurie Gaylor, Stephen freethoughttoday.com. University, $300. manist minister and professor emeritus at Hirtle, Judy Jacobs, Linda Josheff, Dan Note: The essays were written prior to Honorable mentions ($200 each) the University of Arkansas. Bolton is also Kettner, Katya Maes, Bailey Nachrein- the November elections and have been Emella Canlas, 25, California State underwriting FFRF’s Bible Accountability er-Mackesey, Amit Pal, Dave Petrashek, edited, when possible, to reflect the University, East Bay. Project to call attention to the continuing Sue Schuetz, Lauryn Seering, PJ Slinger discrepancy. John Carroll, 25, SUNY Fredonia. harm of the bible to society. and Karen Lee Weidig. Selina Chan, 29, University of FFRF thanks Dean and Dorea Schramm FFRF has offered essay competitions First place Pennsylvania. of Florida for providing a $100 bonus to to college students since 1979, high Miriam Barnicle, 23, Alverno College, Ruth Dickey-Chasins, 26, George students who are members of a secular school students since 1994, grad and $3,500. Washington University. group, student club or Secular Student older students since 2010, one geared Second place Kavitha Kannanunny, 25, New Jersey Alliance. The total of $17,750 reflects specifically for students of color since Kelsey Kane-Ritsch, 26, Columbia Institute of Technology. those bonuses. 2016 and one for law school students University, $3,000. Brionna McCumber, 23, Colorado State FFRF also thanks “Director of First since 2019. Third place University. Impressions” Lisa Treu for managing Winners, their ages, the colleges or Sydni Ham Myers, 29, Virginia Yarrow Mead, 25, Hamline University. the details of the essay contests. And universities they are attending and the Commonwealth, $2,500. Yamiset Trujillo, 28, University of we couldn’t judge these competitions award amounts are listed below. The Fourth place Central Florida. without help from our “faithful faithless” winning essays are reprinted in this is- Nicolle Dirksen (Rann), South Dakota Andrew Young, 22, University of Denver.

FIRST PLACE Threat of religious pandering in a COVID election

FFRF awarded Miriam $3,500. whether politicians will deem them worthy of care. Every American deserves health care that is compe- By Miriam Barnicle tent, compassionate and based on the facts available, rather than religious doctrine. reedom from religion is granted by the U.S. In addition to limiting access to health care, reli- Constitution and has been a right guaranteed gious pandering poses a threat to the general safety to Americans since our nation’s founding. In of the entire country. As COVID-19 cases continue Fthe political debates of 2020, there was no time or to rise, the debate over masks has grown increasingly place for discussing the religious convictions of can- heated. Elected officials have expressed religious ob- didates. The American people deserved to hear how jections to face coverings, such as an Ohio lawmaker candidates would work in service of their constitu- who refuses to wear a mask because he believes it ents, not their God. When considering reopening dishonors God. Additionally, as many states have im- the economy in May, President Trump stated: “I’m plemented mask mandates in public spaces to try to going to have to make a decision, and I only hope to contain the spread of coronavirus, some governors God that it’s the right decision.” have issued exemptions to places of worship despite As economies reopened and coronavirus cases a complete lack of scientific justification. Of course, soared last summer, it is clear that he would have discourse about the factors impacting the spread of benefited from consulting other sources. In 2020, coronavirus and the government’s role in mandat- the mixing of God with ing such measures should political decisions pre- be welcome in America. Miriam Barnicle sented dire consequences Americans deserve not only However, these discus- for the health, safety and sions must be guided by transparency from political officials about economic prosperity of data rather than the reli- into the pockets of religious groups in hopes of polit- where“ tax dollars are going, but also the American people. gious beliefs of individual ical gains. Religious pandering confidence that public money will not lawmakers. The entanglement of religious beliefs with pub- poses an immediate threat be funneled into the pockets of religious Finally, the entangle- lic policy decisions poses clear threats to Americans’ to Americans’ access to groups in hopes of political gains. ment of religious beliefs health, safety and economic well-being. Trump warned healthcare. Trump’s ad- with policy creates econom- that the current situation would probably “get worse ministration was incentiv- ic consequences. At the before it gets better,” and it is clear that the crises fac- ized to enact policies that are favorable among white time of writing, roughly 30 million Americans are re- ing America today will remain at the forefront of po- evangelical voters, a key voting block of Trump’s po- ceiving unemployment benefits, Congress is working litical debates. As our nation grapples with whether litical success, even if such policies present health to roll out another trillion-dollar stimulus package, and how to open safely, we find ourselves in desper- risks. Most recently, the Department of Health and and economists warn that the impacts of COVID-19 ate need of leadership unclouded by religious beliefs. Human Services rolled back regulations that barred will continue for months, if not years to come. The Now, more than ever, public officials must rely on data, health-care professionals from denying care to indi- U.S. government will continue to need to pump mon- science and the voice of the people, not the voice of viduals based on their gender identity or expression. ey into the economy, presenting an opportunity for God. Failure to do so threatens the founding princi- This policy may be welcome to evangelical voters, and costly religious pandering. The $2.2 trillion CARES ples of the United States and the lives and livelihoods advantageous for some politicians. But in the face Act has already poured millions of dollars into the of the American people. of a deadly pandemic, the U.S. government cannot coffers of religious groups, such as religious schools, Miriam, 23, of Milwaukee, attends Alverno College. allow healthcare professionals to deny care based megachurches, and Trump’s own private preachers. “I am working toward a master’s degree in urban educa- on their own religious convictions. Americans who Americans deserve not only transparency from politi- tion. I also work as a special education teacher at a Milwau- profess no faith or hold beliefs different than those cal officials about where tax dollars are going, but also kee high school and enjoy supporting my students as they em- of their elected officials should not have to wonder confidence that public money will not be funneled bark on their own educational and career goals.” January / February 2021 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 15

SECOND PLACE Remove religion bias to fight climate change FFRF awarded Kelsey $3,000. his staunchly Christian former Vice Presi- damaging the blind application of any “re- dent, Mike Pence, who has argued on the ligious justification” can be to fair political By Kelsey Kane-Ritsch floor of Congress that evolution is only decision-making. If God’s word is consid- a theory and that creationism should be ered the final word in politics, whose in- ature is my religion. Growing up, taught in public schools. terpretation of God’s word is correct and while my classmates spent their Therefore, it is no surprise that Trump who gets to decide? weekends in Sunday school, I “blessed” Scott Pruitt with the opportuni- While I’d love to turn to my old forest Nslipped off into the forest for my own spir- ty to run the Environmental Protection friends and let them decide, my own spir- itual and moral instruction. Gentle deer Agency, where Pruitt used interpretations ituality must remain removed from poli- reminded me to listen to others, chatter- of religious texts to conveniently justify de- tics, as well. Our democracy thrives off of ing squirrels taught me the importance of structive EPA policies meant to bring the healthy political debate fueled by a mix of advocating for basic rights, a mother bear president’s powerful industry backers im- economic, scientific, and moral arguments. protecting her cubs displayed the impor- mediate wealth and power. This discourse must continue unen- tance of love, and unapologetic peacocks According to Pruitt, “The biblical cumbered by religious bias in order to prompted me to never be ashamed to worldview with respect to these issues is craft fair policy. It just so happens that sci- show my true colors. Kelsey Kane-Ritsch that we have a responsibility to manage ence, economics and morality are all on My beliefs left me feeling like the pa- the bible as an excuse for environmental and cultivate, harvest the natural resources the same side of the climate change de- riah of the playground ruled by Catho- exploitation. that we’ve been blessed with to truly bate, so removing the Trump administra- lic Girl Scouts. I didn’t realize until later While a series of political horrors have bless our fellow tion’s rules based just how fortunate I was to be defended resulted from this shift (i.e., anti-abortion mankind.” He has on dominionist re- by a public school system that was legally policies, immigration bans and much also argued that If God’s word is considered ligious theory will bound to accept students of all beliefs and more), none is more devastating than “God has blessed the final word in politics, whose clear the path to not take sides in our spiritual schoolyard the assault on the health of our planet. us with natural interpretation“ of God’s word is our own futures. squabbles. This separation of church and Thanks to the skills and values gained resources,” but “the correct and who gets to decide? In keeping with state allowed me to develop my own un- from my forest friends, I now spend my environmental left what I learned derstanding of the world that has shaped days working for the Natural Resources tells us that, though from the squirrels, nearly every personal, educational and Defense Council advocating for the lives we have natural resources like natural gas the people must bury this collection of professional decision I have made. of my fellow inhabitants of Earth and and oil and coal, and though we can feed nuts in order to grow a more sustainable I have joined the ranks of Americans against the destructive climate policies the world, we should keep those things in future. who commit their careers and their votes based on religious rationales. the ground, put up fences and be about Kelsey, 26, is from the Los Angeles area and to maintaining this thin “wall of separa- Climate policies should be based in prohibition.” attends Columbia University. tion.” However, when President Trump sound science. This is not news to world Even the pope strongly disagreed with “During my undergraduate years at Princ- was elected, he assembled an administra- leaders, except perhaps former President these statements. Yet, our federal govern- eton, I focused on anthropology and environ- tion that took a sledgehammer to that wall Trump, who skipped the key climate cri- ment invoked this religious interpreta- mental studies. Today, I work as a program (while building a very different wall along sis talks at the United Nations in 2019 to tion while forcibly suppressing the sound coordinator for the Science Center and Oceans the border). The president handed the chair his own conflicting event on “reli- science calling for the end of extractive team at the Natural Resources Defense Coun- reins of the federal government directly gious freedom.” practices fueling climate change. The sup- cil while pursuing my M.S. in sustainability to the Christian dominionists, who used Promoting science is also unfamiliar to pression of science illuminates just how management.” THIRD PLACE The political ideology of God

FFRF awarded Syndi $2,500. Middle East, in the very land where our of Jesus Christ fanned out from Israel in faith was given life, that’s why under Pres- every direction, but today, these Christian By Sydni Ham Myers ident Trump, America stands with Israel.” communities face unspeakable atrocities In response, my uncle slowly stood up at the hands of radical Islamic terrorism.” n June 23, 2017, Mike Pence de- from his seat, clapping his hands together As a leader of a nation that was found- livered keynote remarks to an en- and said, “Amen.” ed on the Jeffersonian principles of the ergetic crowd in Colorado Springs The room fell silent and the tension separation of church and state, Pence Oat the 40th anniversary celebration of Fo- that followed was palpable. I remember used religion to cushion his extremist cus On The Family, an organization that my father and grandfather scoffing loud- point of view. In doing this, he invoked openly invests in public education cam- ly in reaction to the daring act of praise. a foreign policy that isolated an entire paigns against LGBTQ individuals: “In For it was certainly a bold act, especially group of people based on faith. a very real sense, for a Black man, When Pence or any other politician you’re the hands to openly praise a claims that God is on their side, they not and feet, and the When Pence or any other conservative lead- only confuse Christians and encourage voice in so many er in a room of blind piety, they also use religion to justify ways of the truths politician claims that God is on unwavering Dem- enacting policies that are ethically corrupt. their“ side, they not only confuse found in the scrip- ocrats. Yet, to my During the 2016 vice presidential de- tures,” said Pence. Christians and encourage blind uncle, the deeply bate, Sen. Tim Kaine recounted a mo- “You’ve strength- piety, they also use religion religious referenc- ment, during his time as governor of Sydni Ham Myers ened marriages. . . to justify enacting policies es that enveloped Virginia, when he struggled between up- . You’ve advocated that are ethically corrupt. Pence’s speech politics would encourage citizens to con- holding the state’s death penalty laws and for the timeless were the only thing form to a common denomination. He his Catholic faith. Yet, despite his personal values our society that mattered. believed conflating religion and politics religious views, he upheld the law. needs to hear now more than ever.” With a nod to God, my evangelical un- would also have more severe rippling ef- “It was a real struggle for me,” Kaine Meanwhile around the living room of cle could look past even the most divisive fects — it would lead to the persecution of said, “but I think that it’s important that my parents’ home in Hampton, Va., heads of messages. individuals outside of the common faith. those of us who have deep faith lives shook in confusion and disgust at CNN’s When religion is referenced through- For years, Israel and Palestine have don’t feel like we can just substitute in live coverage of the mystifying words of out political debate, it helps politicians been in conflict over border rights and our own views.” our nation’s vice president. gain automatic support from a large de- control of Jerusalem (as well as Israe- When politicians take the oath of of- Yet one family member remained fixed mographic of the American populace: de- li settlements, Palestinian freedom of fice, ideally, they should sacrifice their on the zealous speaker. In the middle of vout Christians. This blind devotion is an- movement, water rights and many more personal beliefs to do what is legally and the room, my uncle watched on, eyes wide tithetical to the legal framework intended matters). Furthermore, according to its ethically just for the sake of their constit- with awe, nodding his head fervently to by our country’s Founding Fathers. 1997 Status of Jerusalem plan, the United uents. Unfortunately, the politicians of to- every word. In the 18th century, when Christianity Nations aims to one day recognize Jerusa- day still remain to weave Jesus into their Then Pence doubled down with the was the de facto religion of the country, lem as a capital of both states, Israel and ideologies at any opportune chance. promise: “Protecting and promoting reli- Thomas Jefferson introduced the Bill Palestine. Sydni, 29, attends Virginia Commonwealth gious freedom is a foreign policy priority Concerning Religious Freedom to the Yet, in his Focus On The Family ad- University. of the Trump administration. . . . Many be- Virginia Legislature. In it, he urged an dress, Mike Pence likened Palestinians “I’m a young woman passionate about ad- lievers around the world are under assault, amendment to end state support of reli- struggling on the border to radical terror- vertising and writing and a proud Hampton, and nowhere is this more evident than the gion out of fear that combining faith and ists: “Nearly 2,000 years ago the disciples Va., native.” Page 16 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | January / February 2021

FOURTH PLACE Religion is antiquated and irrelevant

FFRF awarded Nicolle $2,000. form and viewed by the masses, un- certainly going to find it, regardless equal representation of belief systems of any objective, scientific truths that By Nicolle Dirksen emerges. This reinforces the false nar- may directly oppose it. This seems to rative that one’s moral compass must be especially true when something as n the current political climate of ex- be guided by a religion and/or higher closely held as religion is at the center treme polarization, religion seeks to power. When more people in Amer- of those biases. If the political system further divide us. While many propo- ica say they would vote for a Muslim continues to incorporate religion in Inents of religiosity view it as a catalyst presidential candidate than an atheist any part of the conversation, this prob- of togetherness, the opposite is true, candidate in a post-9/11 country rife lem will only continue to grow. particularly when religion becomes in- with anti-Muslim rhetoric, it becomes Religion is the most divisive and tertwined with politics. When the two clear that a religious focus reinforces problematic player in the American become enmeshed, policy changes are that morality equals God, any god. A political system. No individual politi- made based on religious values that do Muslim politician is more palatable cal figure could do as much damage as not represent all of a politician’s con- than a lawmaker viewed as amoral, religion has. During this tumultuous stituents. Additionally, religion within even when that politician’s deity is time in American history, it is more the context of politics creates a narra- one whose religious text(s) and belief important than ever for our leaders to tive in which one set of ideas is viewed system are in complete contradiction create policy and make change based as the only path to morality and, most with the voters’. on scientific understanding, not divi- devastatingly, it forces scientific under- A lack of a god belief becomes syn- sive religious values. When religion standing and critical thinking to the Nicolle Dirksen onymous with a lack of morality, fur- has a seat in the political conversation, backseat in policy making. ther polarizing the country and calling people are left out, morality becomes Lawmakers have incredible respon- cal system to do away with any religious any scientific discovery that does not blurred, and critical thinking becomes sibility to their constituents and to the consideration or conversation. When align with religion into question. obsolete. If America wants to move country as a whole. Heading into the politicians involve religion in their Science is the only method through past the polarization and pave a path 2020 elections, the issues that most di- platforms, it will always be the religion which progress can be made. With re- forward, we must view religion for vided the country were heavily based of the majority, because nothing else ligion at the center of political debate, what it is: antiquated and irrelevant. on Christian values. LGBTQ+ rights, makes strategic sense. This is not con- science inevitably becomes an after- Nicolle, 29, attends South Dakota reproductive rights and police reform ducive to creating a government for thought. When a country’s popula- State University, studying human develop- were voted on, by many Americans, the people, but rather a government tion is incapable of critically thinking ment and family studies with a minor in through the lens of biblical principles. for the “right” people, thereby cre- about their own beliefs, the beliefs of psychology. Politicians pander to these Christian ating an “us-versus-them” society. As others, and scientific literature, it is a “Living as an atheist in middle America ideals, regardless of their own con- demonstrated by the current political detriment to that country’s ability to has not always been easy, but it has been mo- victions. While this may seem like a climate, no one wins when extreme advance. In the social media age, this tivating. I have applied to graduate schools strategic plan to politicians, it only polarization runs rampant. lack of critical thinking ability is clear. and hope to use my skepticism and criti- serves to further divide the country This polarization is further high- Confirmation bias and creating an cal-thinking skills to further the pool of re- into Christians and non-Christians. lighted when the question of morali- echo chamber are easier than ever, and search in psychology. Science has become in- Nonbelievers and holders of alternate ty inevitably enters the conversation. if one searches for something hoping creasingly important to me, particularly in religious views are left out of the equa- When religion is part of political con- for an answer that aligns with his/her/ the age of social media ‘truth,’ and I cannot tion, pointing to a need for our politi- versation on virtually every media plat- their biases, he/she/they are almost wait to devote my life to scientific progress.”

FIFTH PLACE Dangers of mixing religion and government FFRF awarded Rebecca $1,500. freedom and chips away at the founda- some those opinions may be. When re- tions of our pluralistic democracy. ligion and politics mix, a difference of By Rebecca Barrett Proponents of religion in public opinion becomes heresy. spaces argue that it is not about pro- If these public spaces could truly be he presence of religion in govern- moting Christianity, because these pub- an open forum to all religious and non- ment has long been contentious. lic spaces are open to all religions who religious viewpoints, I believe we would Despite the First Amendment to want to enter them. But is this actually not have a problem. Unfortunately, the Tthe Constitution, which states, in part, the case? The Satanic Temple has been primacy of Christianity in public spac- “Congress shall make no law respecting a marvelous case study that proves that es, in politics and in public discourse an establishment of religion, or prohib- claims that public spaces are open to is causing the United States to slide to- iting the free exercise thereof,” religion all religions equally are false. Founded ward theocracy. has long been creeping into public life. in 2013, the Satanic Temple has been When Donald Trump stood in front Many politicians are sworn into office formally recognized by the IRS as a of St. John’s Church holding the bible on a bible. Many state legislatures, city church and has 23 official chapters after having violated the constitutional councils and other political bodies be- in the United States, Canada and Eu- rights of protesters to free speech and gin their meetings with an “invocation,” rope. It has applied to have after-school free assembly, he was not just pander- usually given by a priest, pastor or min- clubs, give invocations at city council ing to his conservative Christian base. ister with an explicitly Christian prayer. meetings, and is suing Arizona to be Trump was telling Americans, and the Monuments of the Ten Command- allowed to put a 9-foot-tall statue of world, that the unquestionable and un- ments are put up in public buildings. Baphomet next to the Ten Command- Rebecca Barrett questioning morality of the Christian Advocates of religion in public life say ment’s monument on the statehouse faith was on his side. While Trump’s that religion has a positive influence on lawn. Unlike some Christians, it is not conservative, fundamentalist Christian piety is most likely a performance, real politicians and on the public. They con- trying to be the only voice in the pub- viewpoint is antithetical to the plural- politicians are making public policy de- tend religion in government encourag- lic square. Rather, it only asks to enjoy ism that our democracy is dependent cisions every day not based on science es government officials to behave more the same rights Christians do to have its on. Christian theocrats claim to be but based upon religious belief. This morally, more honestly and with more religion acknowledged in government advocating for “freedom” for all reli- debate is not merely academic. It im- compassion. But the whole idea of “re- meetings and in public spaces. The en- gious people, but really it is about pow- pacts the health and welfare of every ligious freedom” and “religion in gov- suing debate is very revealing. Christi- er. When public officials give primacy American. ernment” is a misnomer. We are really anity in government proponents who to Christianity in public life, they are Rebecca, 25, attends Emory University. talking about a specific form of Chris- find themselves saying, “Why do these knowingly or unknowingly promoting “I have been an atheist and lover of science tianity in government. The evangelical Satanists need to have their religion the superiority of Christians above oth- and reason since age 10. After getting my fundamentalists and pundits bemoan- in public spaces?” must also ask them- er religions. This has a chilling effect bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering, ing the “War on Christmas” on Fox selves the same question. on free speech, as people with other I decided to get my master’s degree specializ- News do not want just any religion in It is clear why freethinkers and peo- religious viewpoints, or Christians who ing in public health policy. I have a partic- government, they want their religion in ple with minority religious viewpoints interpret scripture differently, do not ular interest in criminal justice and prison government. The consistent effort to in- should be concerned by the incursions feel welcome in these spaces. Our de- reform. I am interested in how policy reforms sinuate Christianity into every aspect of of Christianity into public life, but even mocracy depends on the ability of all can radically change the justice system, so it public life is not just an annoyance for other Christians should be concerned. members of our society to voice their can maximize social welfare while still ad- non-Christians, it undermines religious This dominance of a particular type of opinions, no matter how upsetting to dressing harm.” January / February 2021 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 17

SIXTH PLACE ‘God’ as an ideological precedent

FFRF awarded Parker $1,000. far-right Christian factions of his elector- By pandering to America’s historic ate, both as an act of party solidification Judeo-Christian values, the American po- By T. Parker Schwartz and for the sake of self-promotion. The litical establishment risks engendering president’s June 2020 bible-thumping young, future political leaders toward he repercussions of America’s ex- photo-op in front of St. James Church, public promotion of religious values as a pansive political campaign rhetoric amid the George Floyd protests, revealed threshold for seeking elected office. Our attached to “God” and organized his brazen attempts to gain favor with current set of elected political leaders’ re- Treligion will, as always, have measurable Christian elements of the GOP. More- ligious values do not reflect the growing impacts on local, state and federal gov- over, the formation of the president’s ranks of nonbelievers in America’s evolv- ernment policies. While pandering to Evangelical Advisory Board, led by pros- ing voter base. religion certainly creates a litany of poli- perity theologist Paula White, raises seri- As President Obama made the first step cy-related consequences, the implications ous questions about whether our federal of doing in his 2009 inaugural address, of such overridingly religious rhetoric government respects the separation of our public officials must acknowledge our also stoke a widespread and dangerous church and state. growing population of nonbelievers. Fur- ideological precedent for the selection, Trump’s Democratic opponent, for- thermore, our local and state representa- evaluation and cultivation of our coun- mer Vice President Joe Biden, also fo- tives must take the steps to denounce the try’s future political leadership. mented appeals to religiosity for undoubt- influence of religion in the structure of The lack of a historically accepted ed political purposes. Biden initiated a selecting and evaluating the criteria for vi- secular orientation for the evaluation of campaign intent on “stealing votes” away able political candidates. In doing so, our our elected political leaders contributes from Trump’s solidly evangelical Chris- T. Parker Schwartz American political system will become a to an entrenched set of sectarian norms tian voting base, reported Gabby Orr of more conducive environment for the in- that encourages the disenfranchisement Politico. In implementing such a strategy, Gen Z (13- to-18-year-olds), a recent Bar- clusion of intelligent, young and secular of secularists from our political system. Biden crafted campaign messaging with na study revealed that they are twice as leaders who will help move our nation to- Throughout American history, virtual- “religious undertones, and [he] reported- likely as their adult counterparts to iden- ward a set of policies more consistent with ly every president has furthered these ly hosts a weekly call with faith leaders to tify as atheist (13 percent to 6 percent). the separation of church and state. Judeo-Christian values in his inaugural crowdsource policy and personnel sugges- This sizable shift toward an increasing- As a current law school student, and address. In fact, President Trump’s 2017 tions.” In a December 2019 op-ed, Biden ly secular American demography is hardly hopeful future public official, I have little inauguration remarks, opined The Wash- reveled in scripture and quotes from the reflected in the rhetoric and makeup of doubt that I speak for thousands of young ington Post, “was infused with religious pope as examples of foundations for his our publicly elected officials today. As Da- Americans by saying that we yearn for the language . . . [including a] a bible refer- political philosophy. vid Smith of The Guardian wrote in 2019, day when religion is no longer a barrier, ence to Psalm 133” and several explicit This ideological precedent, bent on “nonbelievers [still] remain few and far or litmus test, to seek elected office. mentions of “Jesus Christ.” It was one of promoting religion as a political weap- between in U.S. politics.” Only one mem- Parker, 27, is a law school student at Capi- the most starkly religious inaugural ad- on, must shift as the American citizenry ber of Congress (U.S. Rep. Jared Huff- tal University in Columbus, Ohio. “I previously dresses in collective American memory. becomes increasingly more secular in man of California) identifies as a nonbe- worked as a public and media relations profes- As leaders across party lines elevate nature. A fall 2019 poll by Pew Research liever. Secular candidates have not made sional with Wilks Communications Group. A religion in their personal and political Center revealed that nearly four of every widespread waves in state elections either. 2015 graduate of DePauw University, I ma- platforms, both leading U.S. presiden- 10 Millennials are unaffiliated with any The Center for Freethought Equality not- jored in political science and communication tial candidates pandered to faith-based religion. Moreover, Millennials (23- to ed before the fall election that just over 70 and also have a master’s degree in profession- constituencies as a tacit “rite of passage.” 38-year-olds) are more likely to identify as total state elected officials consider them- al communication from East Tennessee State Trump used his “bully pulpit” to indulge having no religion. For an even younger selves to be atheists or humanists. University.”

SEVENTH PLACE Politics and religion — the oldest con in the book FFRF awarded Ipsha $750. Policies should not be based on a future ostracized by other policymakers. Public possibility but rather current happenings. officials must make decisions in accor- By Ipsha Banerjee If we framed issues and public officials’ dance with their appeal to religious voters, platforms in terms of what is beneficial especially if they hope for reelection and od bless the United States of for us right now, in this moment, without acceptance among others of the same par- America” as the norm to con- fearing the consequences of a supernatu- ty. Finally, viewing politicians through a clude presidential speeches is a ral being that there is no evidence for, we religious lens often obscures what they are “Gpractice no one blinks twice at. Though the would make progress with controversial saying and what they stand for. Even if the separation of church and state has been topics such as abortion, stem cell research, politicians speak or act immorally, those advocated for since the time of the Found- LGBTQ+ rights, and even wearing masks who identify with the politicians’ claimed ing Fathers, politics remains tangled with to curb the ongoing pandemic. In the religious values will often “forgive and for- religion as citizens are constantly remind- end, religious rhetoric and ideology are get” due to their initial presumption of ed of Christian beliefs through nationalist only impeding the political system, both character based on those values. symbols and public officials’ rhetoric. Pol- for voters and public officials, as well as in- Religion is ingrained in politics and iticians’ propagation of their supposed re- creasing civil conflict. used as a means to an end. Based on faith ligious beliefs spurs danger in the form of The intermixing of religion and politics and spirituality, religion has no logic or ev- controversy surrounding important issues, implements bias, influences voter percep- idence that guides its followers. This inher- bias in voters that distracts from platforms, tion, limits public officials and pardons ent mystery surrounding its existence al- Ipsha Banerjee and division of the nation. Continued in- politicians. Because candidates are mold- lows for strategic employment in order to volvement of religion in politics is not only include the nation’s motto “In God We ed to fit religious views of political parties influence, gain power or even conceal cor- absurd — as religion is based on dogma Trust.” Religion and God are subcon- with their public image, marital status, ruption. If religion is replaced with ethics and arcane consequences whereas politics sciously reinforced through repeated ex- church attendance and campaigns, voters and reality, voters and leaders alike would depends on current events and present ex- posure in the name of nationalism and often form an opinion based on the beliefs experience unity, change and growth. Pol- istence — but also harmful as it impedes therefore is implicit in politics. politicians’ claim to espouse rather than itics needs to banish God and faith-based growth and advancement. The primary problem of religion mixed their stances and plans. Voters feel an emo- reasoning because in the end, religion is Politics and religion have been inter- with government comes down to misuse tional connection to candidates through a simply powerful marketing that dupes en- twined throughout the United States’ and obscurity. Instead of being a private supposedly shared identity, creating bias, tire masses with the promise of virtue. history. For example, although it is not choice each person has the right to make, and thus are more likely to support the Ipsha, 22, attends Arizona State University required, presidents are conventionally religion has become a tool of political candidate without considering ability or after graduating from the University of Califor- sworn in using the bible. Additionally, the influence by deliberately priming public platform. Religion provides the opportuni- nia, Berkeley, in May 2020 with a degree in mention of “God” or our “Creator” can response and adding unnecessary points ty for voters to remain ignorant and make integrative biology and psychology. “I volunteer be seen across national documents and of contention to current issues. Religion assumptions based on limited knowledge virtually for Red Cross’ Biomedical Services de- symbols. The Declaration of Indepen- should not be incorporated with politics that then determine our country’s leader- partment to support local and national blood dence states: “they [all men] are endowed because it is based on belief not evidence. ship. When these candidates are elected as drives and delivery and volunteer for the Phoe- by their Creator with certain unalienable Why should something that is a figment of public officials, the religious undertone of nix Children’s Hospital and as a private piano rights.” The Pledge of Allegiance, which humankind’s imagination impact politics, their platform and campaign puts them in and vocal teacher for underprivileged students. some public schoolchildren are required which is tangible and includes our coun- a box, limiting progress. Now, these lead- I also advocate and fundraise for organizations to recite daily, mentions “one nation, un- try’s foreign policies, social institutions, ers must pander to religious beliefs and I’m passionate about, including the American der God.” Even all coins and paper money economic development and civil rights? values to avoid being outcast by voters and Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Arizona.” Page 18 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | January / February 2021

EIGHTH PLACE Religion and science are like oil and water

FFRF awarded Sonia $500. been debated heatedly for decades, is services experiencing greater cuts, it one such example. Religious views on seems unlikely that every fetus, if given By Sonia Bajaj the subject tend to impose a version of the chance at life, would receive the the “correct” response to unplanned care and protection it would need to eligion is not bound by the pregnancy that is at once restrictive thrive. This is but one consideration same constraints as science. and subjugating to women. It denies of many in the efforts to secure re- There can be no conversation a female’s essential right to choice in productive rights in this country. The Rtethered completely in reality that is favor of some “godly” version of vir- lack of respect and empathy afforded guided solely by religious doctrine. By tue. It denies the fact that children to those individuals who choose abor- contrast, scientific debate is typically born without access to proper finan- tion and the continuous, underlying guided by a motivation for the distil- cial, emotional, and environmental threat to their autonomy is yet further lation of truth. Politics is also a fluid resources are less likely to reach de- evidence that religion has no place in process that is, in an ideal world, in- velopmental milestones for their ages. political debate. formed by rational decision-making. It fails to acknowledge the role that Ancient texts should not be doc- Thus, science is relevant to the issue circumstance and experience play in trines for use in any rational discourse. of politics as a methodical, self-reflec- human life. Government is a space which affects tive approach to discerning fact. It simplifies a nuanced issue. each of us, regardless of our political Experiments aim to minimize ex- Religion, when used to inform po- stances. For a free and fair political ternal variables in order to test specif- litical decisions, has devastating con- system to be functioning optimally, it ic hypotheses and determine causality. Sonia Bajaj sequences. Planned Parenthood has must use every resource at its disposal Even non-experimental designs take faced a decades-long battle against to dispel myth, bias and fiction from measures to reduce the influence of process that requires a growing knowl- conservative religious groups. In the its internal process. Only then will fact bias. Errors are certainly made in this edge base, not a stagnant one. past several years, it has experienced reign and truth be preserved from process, but the aim among most re- Religion, by contrast, is a passive defunding and restriction of its low- distortion. searchers is the same: to discover the process. Centuries-old books written er-income patients insured by Title X. Sonia, 28, attends Benedictine Univer- truths of this universe as they are. Sim- by humans are taken to be the word In certain states, entire clinics have sity, studying clinical psychology. “I ap- ilarly, the political process is inherent- of God. Critical review of these doc- been closed. Missouri’s last abortion preciate expressive approaches to therapy, ly an active one. As societies evolve, so trines is frequently condemned, and, clinic in St. Louis was threatened with including art and dance. My professional do their concerns, technology, access in some communities, dissent is pun- closure, but after a year-long battle, goals include supporting individuals who to information and understanding of ished. Like oil and water, religion and fought for its continued existence. have experienced childhood trauma and the world. As new information is add- politics are quite separate entities. The consequences of closure would advancing our understanding of trauma ed to the collective database, growth Where the two intersect, there is tur- have impacted not only individual recovery through research and clinical occurs accordingly. Politics is an active bulence. Abortion, an issue that has lives, but society at large. With social practice.”

NINTH PLACE One nation going under FFRF awarded Paula $400. scientific progress. als, secularism takes a neutral stance There have been few instances on social issues; religious beliefs of al- By Paula Canales in our nation’s history plagued with most any kind are tolerated, without more division among its people than favoring one over others. Rather, po- eligion — specifically the Abra- the present. Domestic terrorist groups litical decisions should be made based hamic belief systems — has have become increasingly empowered, on reason and with the peoples’ best played a large and multifaceted racial and foreign tensions are at an interest in mind, without unequitable Rrole in the development of humanity all-time high, and the very recognition regard to any specific theology’s laws. for the past several thousand years. of a worldwide pandemic has been re- Because of the requirement of faith Historical trends reveal a general de- duced to a political opinion. Despite in the absence of evidence that is the cline in human rights and societal living in the age of free and accessi- foundation of Christianity — render- progress during times of increased ble information, we continue to see ing it little more than a long-held and religiosity and in theocratic societies, the classic religious denial of fact for inherited personal opinion — it is no such as during the European Dark the sake of faith, and near-cult follow- more relevant to political debate than Ages and in countries under strict ob- ing Donald Trump has gained among other arbitrary traits, such as a can- servance of Sharia law. Basing political right-wing Christians. His public dis- didate’s favorite color. Allowing reli- systems on theology can often cre- plays of piety and religious rhetoric gion to interfere in politics is a threat ate a slippery slope into religious ex- have not only gained him forgiveness to progress and to the unity of the tremism and compulsory conversion. for inexcusable displays of character people. Despite being the land of the free in (citing his former racist business de- Paula, 25, attends University of Texas theory, the history of the United States cisions and misogynistic actions and Paula Canales at San Antonio. “I am a mental health tech is scarred with the effects of religious remarks) but have caused nearly half in a children’s psychiatric center in San extremism, as evidenced by Christian of the nation’s population to turn facts such as the evolution of life forms Antonio. Teaching English as a second lan- support of slavery, Manifest Destiny a blind eye to the aforementioned (further evidence of the ignorance of guage and advocating for speakers of other and the forced removal/conversion atrocities. Additionally, Trump’s rhet- the book’s human writers), but they languages has been a goal of mine since of Native Americans, and evangelical oric has caused a belief among many hinder social progress because of their high school. After earning my degree, I hope marginalization of women and homo- Christians that our nation’s problems rigid nature. Of even more concern is to teach abroad to gain experience working sexuals, to name just a few. stem from a rise in rational secularism the damage done by bible-based polit- with multiple language groups. Upon re- The modern political stage has also and thus, reinstitution of mainstream ical policies, such as the call to defund turning to the United States, I hope to teach seen a rise in Christian Nationalism Christian dogma is necessary, despite Planned Parenthood, which would and advocate for multilingual learners.” and its negative effects due to [for- being unconstitutional. We have seen result in greatly limited access to mer] President Trump’s problematic from the Trump presidency how easi- healthcare for underprivileged wom- Losing Faith rhetoric, such as the empowerment ly a cult of personality can be formed en. Additionally, some fundamentalist in Faith: From of Christian domestic terrorist groups based on religious rhetoric, and how Christian sects have pushed for the Preacher to Atheist like the Ku Klux Klan and faith-based this in turn leads to social division and biblical myth of creation to be taught ignorance of COVID-19 precautions permittance of the blatantly unconsti- in public schools as an equivalent and By Dan Barker under the guise of individual rights. tutional. Regardless of one’s political opposing theory to that of evolution. How Dan “threw out the bathwater and Aside from the obvious and overdone affiliation or opinion of Trump, lead- The freedom of religion granted as discovered there is (and often ignored) argument that ers should be elected based on the the most basic of rights in the United no baby there.” the Founding Fathers stipulated a sep- merit of their ideas and applicable ex- States has become confused for bibli- aration of religion and government, perience, rather than feigned divine cal supremacy over the personal lives —Published by FFRF. 392 pages / HB Christian Nationalism is a detriment ordination. of citizens largely due to the willing- $20.00 Item # FB26 to American society and should be The ancient standards of the bible ness of politicians to include such de- kept out of election debates because are purely anachronistic when applied mands in their platforms. Buy it from FFRF online it further divides the nation’s people to modern society. Not only do they Contrary to the myth that Christi- ffrf.org/shop and creates a hindrance to social and contradict well-established scientific anity is under attack by modern ide- January / February 2021 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 19

TENTH PLACE ‘God’ not part of secular Constitution FFRF awarded Michelle $300. white male reigns supreme, women are Egypt and countless other theocracies have subservient to their husbands and those shown. Governments have capitalized on By Michelle Krauser who rebuke extremist Christian values are religion and used it to maintain absolute condemned to eternal damnation. power throughout history. Equally disturb- secular society in which the govern- The inclusion of religious ideology ing, governments have used religion to ma- ment is prohibited from establish- in political discourse is pervasive, as ev- nipulate the masses into detesting others ing a state-sponsored religion or idenced by anti-abortion and anti-lesbi- on the basis of their individual beliefs or givingA priority to a religion is a right ac- an, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer lack thereof, which has led to horrific vio- knowledged in the Establishment Clause legislation. Pro-choice? “Life begins at lence, injustice and oppression across the of the First Amendment to the U.S. Con- conception!” Pro-LGBTQ? “It is against globe. It is not a coincidence that the theo- stitution. The Free Exercise Clause, which God’s will!” Such claims, often touted cratic governments that exist today tend is also found in the First Amendment, by Christian Nationalists and radical to be the most authoritarian and violent, a grants every citizen the freedom to exer- politicians, are an unabashed breach of fate that the United States is not excluded cise any religion freely. The people who the Establishment Clause. In the United from should religion continue to be ex- founded this country recognized that pol- States, Christian Nationalism is a threat ploited as a perverse political tool. The Es- itics mixed with religion is a deadly combi- to secular democracy. Conservative pol- tablishment Clause and the Free Exercise nation — a recipe for conflict, bloodshed iticians have constructed a false war — Clause were incorporated into the Consti- and marginalization. In conjunction with the war on Christianity — to incite fear tution because history has shown that the radical politicians, Christian Nationalists and mobilize the religious voter base. inclusion of religion in politics results in an have demonstrably misinterpreted the Es- Michelle Krauser Controversial topics, such as same-sex anti-democratic state. The Constitution it- tablishment Clause and the Free Exercise marriage and abortion, are used to ma- self is secular. There are, in fact, two words Clause as a right to impose Christian mor- does “Make America Great Again” mean? nipulate individuals into voting against that are intentionally absent in the Consti- al ideology on others through political dis- To many, this slogan is symbolic of a des- their own best interests. Tax cuts for the tution: “God” and “Christianity.” course and legislation. perate struggle to save the United States wealthy? No problem, as long as access Michelle, 30, attends Coastal Carolina Uni- Christian Nationalism, ignited by the from an onslaught of secular “non-Chris- to abortion is restricted. Nepotism? Cor- versity after graduated from Oakland University “Make America Great Again” conserva- tian” ideals and restore the Christian fun- ruption? Crickets. in 2017. “I am researching loggerhead shrikes tive political agenda espoused by Presi- damentals, as interpreted by Christian Christian Nationalists ignore blatant at Coastal Carolina University. I interned with dent Trump, uses the bible to categorize Nationalists, upon which this country abuses of power in favor of their personal the Student Conservation Association at Eliza- non-Christian and nonreligious Amer- was supposedly founded. However, the religious beliefs. beth Morton National Wildlife Refuge in New icans as immoral and unpatriotic, an or- underlying message is more sinister. This Politicians use Christianity as a tool to York and Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge ganized force hell-bent on destroying the propaganda is an attempt by radical poli- influence prospective voters and control in South Carolina. I spend most of my free time sanctity of the United States and establish- ticians to harness the unparalleled power the masses. This is not a new phenomenon, hiking with my dog and hope to pursue a career ing a state of debauchery. But what exactly of religion to create a society in which the as the Roman Catholic Empire, Ancient with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.” Grad/‘older’ student essay honorable mentions FFRF awarded nine students with hon- Brionna McCumber John Carroll — The ical engineering and orable mentions, which included a $200 — The foundation of evangelical chokehold then worked several award for each. Below are their names, America is religious on American elections roles at ExxonMobil. along with the headlines of their essays freedom John, 25, is from I spent three years in and their personal bios. To read their es- Brionna, 23, is from Ballston Lake, N.Y., the oil and gas indus- says, go to freethoughttoday.com. Pleasant Grove, Utah, and attends SUNY try before pursuing a and attends Colorado Fredonia. career in animal care Andrew Young — State University. “I graduated from and public health. Abortion: A gateway McCumber “I am an entry-lev- Carroll SUNY Schenectady For the past two years, to religion el graduate student with a degree in music Chan I have worked with Andrew, 22, is from excited to start a program working with performance and I’m working on a de- animals and communities in the United Bolingbrook, Ill., and zoos and aquariums in the fields of edu- gree in music composition and pursuing States and throughout Latin America.” attends the Univer- cation and conservation. I have worked my masters in musical theatre writing at sity of Denver. “I am in education for the past four years and NYU. I was music director and composed Yarrow Mead — passionate about ac- have a deep love for natural science. I love scores for two shows this year, and I was Let the first-born die: counting and have working with animals and students. My awarded first place in ICareIfYouListen. Christian Nationalists Young had a few internships wife and I recently got married during the com’s 2019 New Voices essay contest for and the inevitable hy- that have only confirmed this belief. My COVID-19 pandemic.” my writing on autism and the concert pocrisy of allowing re- career goal is to pass the CPA exam in Col- environment.” ligion to dictate policy orado, practice for a few years and then to Emella Canlas — Yarrow, 25, is from begin teaching accounting in a university Trump’s America Ruth Dickey-Cha- Finley, Minn., and in Colorado. I want to give back to educa- and religious false sins — Preserving de- attends Hamline Mead tion and influence young people to think pretense mocracy: The dangers University. freely about all ideas in life.” Emella, 25, is from of religion “I am working on my Masters of the Alameda, Calif., and at- Ruth, 26, attends Art of Teaching. I’m a self-employed met- Yamiset Trujillo — tends California State George Washington alsmith, and my capstone project is fo- Conservative Christi- University, East Bay. University. cused on merging the worlds of art and anity is at direct odds “I am Filipino, “I work at the Soci- education by creating curriculum that en- Canlas with LGBTQ+ basic and like many other Dickey-Chasins ety for Science & the courages young students’ confidence and human rights Filipino-Americans, I was raised in a Public as part of the technical skills while also teaching them Yamiset, 28, is very strict Catholic household. By the Outreach & Equity team. I am working on high-level academic writing.” from Miami and at- time I was in high school, I identified my Masters of Public Health, where I plan tends the University as agnostic, in part due to my bisexu- to focus on the mental health impacts of Kavitha Kanna- of Central Florida. ality, and in part due to how hypocrit- climate change. Previously, I have worked nunny — Paradise in Trujillo “I’m a first-gener- ically religion played out in the real with the anti-poverty nonprofit YouthBuild a steel dome ation Cuban-American student. When I world. and as an intern at the Smithsonian Envi- Kavitha, 25, is was six months old, my parents put me “I attended a community college ronmental Research Center. Outside of from Jersey City, N.J., in a little box and smuggled me aboard and then transferred to UC-Davis, school and work, I am part of the Food Re- and attends the New a rickety little boat to cross the sea be- where I participated in the Filipino covery Network, a local feminist percussion Jersey Institute of tween Cuba and the United States. I’ve association called Mga Kapatid, which group, and I am (trying to) learn Arabic.” Technology. taken my lifelong passion for art and seeks to educate and dismantle colo- Kannanunny “My decision to storytelling into just about any artistic nial mentality. Selina Chan — First Amendment un- pursue a master’s de- medium. My art has been displayed in “I have been working as a registered der siege: Trump and the rise of Chris- gree in computer science was motivated galleries, painted on shoes of profes- behavior technician for the last three tian Nationalism by a desire to immerse myself in a compet- sional athletes, and in a 3D-animated years, providing therapy to children Selina, 29, is from Alpharetta, Ga., and itive and challenging environment. With a student film about the dangers of light with special needs and various learn- is in the veterinary program at the Uni- data science specialization, I wish to work pollution on a sea turtle’s life cycle that’s ing disabilities. I am working on my versity of Pennsylvania. in an organization where I can analyze been shown at over 50 film festivals master’s degree in special education.” “I graduated in 2014 from Georgia and generate valuable insights from busi- worldwide.” Tech with a bachelor’s degree in chem- ness data.” Page 20 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | January / February 2021

the court in decision-making and are Legal Team invaluable in contributing the voice of FFRF’s legal team stats for 2020 freethinkers and the nonreligious in Continued from page 1 cases involving religious liberty. Our at- 3. Social media Top states for complaints torneys submitted a record number of 4. Elections Court victories 1. Florida 10 amicus briefs in 2020! Four of these 2. Texas 5. Faith-based organizations • In 2020, FFRF secured two court vic- 6. Religious displays were filed at the U.S. Supreme Court tories and finalized a victory in another 3. California for cases involving religious exemp- 4. Washington, DC (tie) 7. Prayer proclamations case. FFRF, together with Humanistas tions and the Religious Freedom Resto- 4. Tennessee (tie) 8. Government funding to religion Seculares de Puerto Rico (HUSE) filed a 6. Ohio (tie) 9. Legislative prayer ration Act. Two were filed in our home lawsuit against Puerto Rico’s education 5. Georgia (tie) Top school complaints state at Wisconsin’s Supreme Court and secretary and the principal at Luis M. involved religious exemptions to the 8. Kentucky (tie) 1. Religious clubs Santiago School challenging an hour- restrictions involving the pandemic. 9. Alabama (tie) 2. School board prayer long Christian prayer practice led by 10. Wisconsin 3. Coach prayer Others involved other exemptions to teachers at the school every other Mon- Top issue areas 4. Preachers in school stay-at-home orders, prayer at school, day that students were required to at- 5. School rentals a nativity scene on public property and tend. Because of her secular humanist 1. Schools 6. Religious displays the Muslim travel ban. beliefs, our plaintiff mother had been 2. Government prayer 7. Assemblies keeping her children home during Total letters sent: 600 Nonlitigation advocacy the school-led prayers. The children Total victories: 200 (includes 115 additional victories from 2019 and before; In 2020, our intake team processed were threatened with tardy marks for more to come in 2021) over 2,000 contacts from members of arriving late to class in order to avoid the public over state/church concerns. the prayers. At a mediation session in Our staff attorneys and legal fellows March, the defendants agreed to per- its Bill of Rights “nativity” display in the of discriminating against people who sent nearly 600 letters of complaint manently prohibit teacher-led prayers Texas Capitol by Gov. Greg Abbott. The do not belong to mainstream, mono- to government agencies over state/ at the school and to remove any tardy unanimous opinion by the three-judge theistic religions when selecting invoca- church violations. FFRF also sent over marks from the students who avoided court panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court tion speakers to open board meetings. 350 letters in “mass mailings” educating school during the prayers. And im- of Appeals granted FFRF additional re- • Right before the election, FFRF government officials on state/church portantly, the secretary of education lief. The judgment sent the case back to filed a lawsuit on behalf of four Ala- violations, including letters to gover- agreed to circulate a memo on nondis- the district court that previously ruled in bama citizens, challenging a mandatory nors regarding the constitutionality of crimination to Department of Educa- FFRF’s favor, to issue a more expansive voter registration oath that concludes, prohibiting in-person worship services tion employees and to conduct a train- remedy to protect FFRF’s right to place “so help me God.” Alabama is the only during a pandemic. ing for all employees at the school on displays in the future and to ensure a state to require voters to sign a reli- avoiding religious endorsement. similar constitutional violation cannot gious oath in order to register to vote. Judges report • FFRF favorably settled a case it filed happen to other organizations. In all other states, voters are provided Our final achievement for 2020 was with Citizens for Responsibility and • In May, a year after FFRF won a re- a completely secular registration form publishing a report on Trump judges en- Ethics in Washington (CREW) against sounding victory halting millions in tax or are not required to submit an oath titled, “Religious Liberty Under Threat: Secretary Ben Carson’s Department dollars flowing unconstitutionally to or affirmation at all. Our suit seeks a The Christian Nationalist Capture of of Housing and Urban Development. repair churches in Morris County, N.J., declaratory judgment that mandating the Federal Judiciary.” (See summary on HUD had a pattern and practice of de- a judge ruled that FFRF and its attor- the oath, without a secular option, is Page 1.) This report exposes the Chris- nying fee waivers on Freedom of Infor- neys are entitled to attorneys’ fees. The unconstitutional and a permanent in- tian Nationalist takeover of the federal mation Act requests “where disclosure Superior Court of New Jersey ordered junction prohibiting the secretary of courts and the damage this is causing of the requested documents is likely to a total of $217,949.15 to FFRF’s attor- state from requiring voters to swear to the separation of state and church. cast the agency or HUD Secretary Ben neys, including $124,687.50 to outside “so help me God.” It also asks for an The report describes in alarming detail Carson in a negative light.” The agency counsel Paul Grosswald and $28,875 to order to the secretary of state to pro- how over the past four years, President had denied waivers in FFRF’s requests constitutional scholar Erwin Chemerin- vide forms that permit voters to register Trump stacked the federal courts with over records relating to the White sky, who defended FFRF at the Supreme without swearing a religious oath. ultraconservative judges who will now House bible study. In April 2020, we Court level. FFRF was reimbursed the hold their positions for life. settled the case after it agreed to issue remainder for the work of its staff attor- Amicus briefs As you can see, the pandemic has guidance to employees on fee waivers, neys Andrew L. Seidel and Ryan Jayne. One of the most impressive accom- not slowed our legal team. As we en- provide mandatory training, and to pay • FFRF, along with the ACLU and plishments in 2020 was the number of ter 2021, we will continue to fight for the attorneys’ fees to both groups — AU, finalized the victory in a case amicus briefs (or “friend of the court” you and for our right to have a secular which totaled nearly $18,000. against the Brevard County Board of briefs) FFRF was able to submit in state government. • In April, FFRF won its case at the County Commissioners. The board and federal courts across the country. Rebecca Markert is FFRF’s Legal Depart- appeals court level against censorship of agreed not to resume its past practice FFRF submits these briefs to help guide ment director.

July, the Supreme Court allowed public Nationalist justices, religion must occu- “Our godless Constitution separates Judiciary health state-level pandemic restrictions py a place of privilege. This ruling clear- church from state, and federal courts on church services to stand. Just four ly signals that the new Christian Nation- have long defended that founding Amer- Continued from page 1 months later, thanks to newly appointed alist majority is ready to move full steam ican principle,” the report concludes. coming radical changes to how religious Justice Amy Coney Bar- ahead to weaponize “Our nation has always understood re- liberty is defined in America,” the report rett, the court flipped and redefine religious ligious freedom is a protection, not a warns. “As Trump appointees continue on this issue. The Con- To read the full report, liberty, with dangerous weapon. The conservative Christian to decide cases in the decades to come, stitution did not change go to ffrf.us/judicial consequences. Nationalists who’ve captured the courts we will continue to see ‘religious liberty’ — just personnel. The The report places have turned these and other hallowed used to undermine the laws that keep us court ignored the legiti- a spotlight on some principles on their head.” all safe and protect us from discrimina- mate public health reasons for state and prominent Trump appointees, such as Read the full report, principally au- tion. We will continue to see courts give local governments to place restrictions Justices Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh thored by FFRF Attorney Elizabeth their ‘blessings’ to government favorit- on church services that are commensu- and Barrett and Judges Kevin Newsom, Cavell with research and assistance from ism of religion.” rate with restrictions placed on events David Stras and James Ho — and their FFRF Legal Fellow Joseph McDonald, at For instance, in a 5-4 decision in posing similar risks. For the Christian misbegotten judicial philosophies. ffrf.us/judicial. CRANKMAIL

Well, FFRF’s detractors certainly had a field day af- dollars to to Liberty Middle School because of your ha- from getting gilfs...... i hope all you fuckers get shot threaten a fucking school for collecting toys for less ter FFRF persuaded a Kansas school district to discon- rassment. Christians the world over do the most good .....you cunts — Wayne Beard fortunate kids? Like are you fucking shitting me? what tinue fundraising for Franklin Graham’s proselytizing for the poor and disenfranchised. Everyone knows it. Kansas middle school: stick a crucifix up your ass kind of absolute trashy fucking human shit are you? Christian organization. Here is a very small sampling of — Cathy Goracke until it comes out of the top of your skull — Mark Hittle Hope y’all get run the fuck over & your families get the mail we got. (Printed as received. . . including an assholes: go fuck yourselves ffrf,is it true all athi- Evil Website: You are a evil place and should be covid. Scumy motherfuckers. — Janet Belfour abundance of foul verbiage.) est women are sluts,if they would keep thier legs removed from society. You will burn in hell for what Fuck Off!: You can mind your own goddamn busi- Ffrf: By keeping your mother fucking mouths closed they wouldnt need to kill babies but then you you do to this great country. I hope and pray you lose ness is how you can assist me. Keep your nose and shut about kids getting toys fromBGEA.does it make dont believe in god so killing babies is ok.hopefully every battle you try and do. My children will be taught your bullshit out of Fannin county GA. If you don’t you feel good to take toys from children.you all are a all athiest,liberals,progressives get covid and vanish there is a God which by the way there is a God so when like it you can go fuck yourself. You goddamn liberal bunch of bitches for doing that to that school.ill bet from this planet,you people are a plague.liberal,athi- you are on your death bed you will call out to God for cunts!! — Geoff Parsons secretly you do pray to god. — Gordon L. Chambers est,progressives and dems are the biggest terrorist sure. — Michael Wilson Disgusting: Close your doors. After reading your kids toys: What sort of sick fucks are you your ha- threats this country and constitution faces over all Hey!: You really are a disgusting, piece of shit or- page a bit and reading your website this is disgusting. tred of religion has prompted you to send letters and terrorist groups out there infact you fucking pigs are ganization. You’re actions and fucking threats in Pratt, You ARE the reason we have lost all morality in this take kids toys away? you seriously have to be some terrorist.so you think because damentia biden stole KS are reprehensible. Of course, we should all expect world. You have a war on Christmas? Gtfo something sick cock sucking mother fuckers. go fucking your- the election we are going to bow to fucking pig athi- this from a fucked up state like Wisconsin and fucked that brings joy and happiness to so many you want to selves you fucking cunt whore pieces of shit. fucking est,liberals and progressives go fuck your selves you up, Godless people like you are. ROT IN HELL — John dismantle it? Im glad my parents hugged me enough dirty pieces of human shit — Robert Bailey pigs — Andy Konocki Hoehn to not hate someone with a different of opinion. — Kansas Christian: I will be donating $1000’s of xmas: you nasty cunts for stopping those kids Toys are bad: Did you karen motherfuckers really Patrick J. Henry January / February 2021 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 21 Our final freedom The right to decide how, when, where we die

By Lamar Hankins

FRF’s new secular poll results reported in the Oc- tober Freethought Today included one result that got my attention — 98 percent of nonbelievers Fsupport the right to die with dignity. That figure corre- sponds with my impressions working in the right-to-die movement for almost 30 years. In the early 1990s, I joined about a half dozen oth- ers in the Austin, Texas, area to form a local chapter of the Hemlock Society, created in 1980 by Derek Hum- phry. Our purpose was to learn how to take charge of the end of our lives to avoid suffering, should we be unfortunate enough to be stricken with a debilitating illness from which we would not recover. We were not a morbid group in the least. In fact, we were jovial, yet thoughtful and determined to make the best of whatever time we had left. The group — the Aus- tin Hemlock Society — met regularly until 2004, when the national Hemlock Society changed its name to End- of-Life Choices, and then was merged into Compassion in Dy- ing, finally changing its name to Compassion & Choices. Humphry’s 1991 book Final Exit, in a later edition, explains how to use inert gas to have a peaceful, effective and reliable hastened death. The most read- versible illness or intractable pain, when their quality dementia (prior to mental incompetency); or a constel- ily available inert gas at the time of life is personally unacceptable, and the future holds lation of irreversible medical conditions. was helium, but nitrogen is now only hopelessness and misery. Such a right shall be an FEN educates about one other method of hasten- Lamar Hankins most often used. In 1999, at the individual choice, including the timing and compan- ing death — voluntarily stopping eating and drinking urging of psychologist Faye Girsh, then the president of ion, free of any restrictions by the law, clergy, medical (VSED). It is another way to have a good death that Hemlock, the group started a program called “Caring profession, even friends and relatives no matter how is often assisted by hospice. VSED frequently occurs Friends,” which provided trained volunteers to meet well-intentioned. We do not encourage anyone to end naturally near the end of a disease, or it can be in- with an applicant and teach the person how to hasten their life, do not provide the means to do so, and do tentionally pursued to avoid lingering, sometimes for their death using inert gas so that they could avoid suf- not actively assist in a person’s death. We do, however, years. With VSED, dehydration causes the body to fering from a terminal illness or avoid a deteriorating support any [individual] who requests it when medical shut down. Death usually occurs within seven to 10 quality of life. The volunteer also was available to be at circumstances warrant their decision.” days or so after VSED begins. the person’s side when they died to provide emotional Volunteers help implement the FEN Exit Guide FEN has developed a special supplemental directive support — a caring friend. Program in several ways: using VSED and designed for those who have dementia, After the mergers, the new organization discon- • Producing its newsletter. but who want to live only as long as the disease leaves tinued the Caring Friends program to focus on pro- • Serving as senior and associate Exit Guides. them with some enjoyment in living or recognition of moting legislative solutions to aid in dying for termi- • Conducting interviews with program applicants. who they are. More information about VSED can be nal patients (defined as six months or less to live). • Serving as coordinators to answer questions from found at finalexitnetwork.org. When that happened, several longtime Hemlock applicants and those seeking information about Obviously, not everyone will need or want to end leaders formed Final Exit Network (FEN) to contin- the program. their own life before it comes to a natural end. We won’t ue the work of Caring Friends under the name Exit • Participating on FEN’s Medical Evaluation Com- all need medical assistance in dying or inert gas to have Guide Program. Volunteer medical doctors, psychol- mittee (MEC), which consists of volunteer doctors a good death. But many of us who have had a family ogists, social workers and others from all walks of who determine whether the applicant satisfies member or friend with dementia or Parkinson’s or ALS life joined together to establish the program, devel- FEN’s requirements for exit guide educational or cancer or some other condition which makes a good op procedures, start a volunteer-training regimen and training services. death difficult or impossible, often remark that we don’t and build a new organization dedicated to instruct- • Providing training to those interested in becoming want our own lives to end that way. Most of us will die ing and educating those who wanted to hasten their guides. quickly of a heart attack, or in our sleep, or by misadven- death because their quality of life had become, or • Serving on FEN’s board and providing other orga- ture. Still others will find the help of hospice essential to soon would become, unacceptable to them as a re- nizational services. having a good death. But many of us may want to take sult of deteriorating health. In 2017, FEN began an edited blog about end-of-life matters into our own hands, with the help of a clinician and right-to-die issues. The Good Death Society Blog is or the advice and counsel of FEN. My death, my choice searchable and discusses a wide range of issues relevant Unlike medical assistance in dying (MAID), which For the last 40 years, the idea of a right to die to FEN’s mission. is available in 10 U.S. jurisdictions (Montana by ju- has been widely debated in the United States. Most dicial decree, and by law in California, Colorado, people claim this right by refusing ultimately futile Eligibility criteria District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey, medical treatment or procedures, sometimes through Although FEN does not require a client to have a ter- Oregon, Vermont and Washington), FEN operates advance directives. Often, they are aided by hospice, minal illness to be eligible for its educational services, it throughout the country, responding to the suffering which focuses on palliative care of a terminally ill or does require mental competency at the time of applica- of people who have a debilitating illness from which dying patient’s symptoms, whether physical, emotion- tion and at the time the person chooses to exit, as well they will eventually die. FEN’s application process is al or social. For some people, however, palliative care as the physical ability to do so. In addition to the mental comprehensive, and yet available to far more people is ineffective or does not meet their other needs, and competency criterion, FEN requires that applicants than MAID, and is requested often even in those juris- they seek to end their lives rather than continue suf- • Have “existing or reasonably anticipated unbearable dictions that have MAID laws. fering. Many people are surprised to learn that end- suffering or an unacceptable or intolerable quality of The work that FEN does demonstrates that, with ing one’s own life is not against the law. What is pro- life with no reasonable hope of improvement.” appropriate safeguards, it is possible to take con- hibited in most, but not all states, is actively assisting • Demonstrate that they have informed or expressed “a trol of one’s life to avoid additional suffering when someone to end their own life. willingness to inform close family members and inti- facing a debilitating or irreversible illness. Helping Perhaps the most important aspect of ending one’s mate associates of the applicant’s intent.” people in distress at the end of their lives is often life is that it is the individual’s decision to proceed in • Submit a personal statement describing how their challenging for both FEN’s volunteers and their cli- such a fashion. And that focus on each individual’s deci- “medical condition meaningfully reduces or will re- ents, but it has been among the most rewarding work sion is made clear by Final Exit Network’s early billboard duce the applicant’s quality of life, including exam- I have ever done, and the people who are helped campaign “My Life, My Death, My Choice,” which was ples of current physical or mental decline, the appli- are invariably grateful. Their gratitude seems tied intended to promote autonomy in such decisions and cant’s values as they pertain to end-of-life choices, to their desire to exercise that final freedom — the encourage thoughtful discussion about the end of life. and a statement of what the applicant wants from freedom to control the quality of their lives, avoid The “Guiding Principle” of the nonprofit, volun- Final Exit Network.” suffering, and determine the manner and timing of teer-directed Final Exit Network explains its philosophy: In addition to meeting all the general criteria, an ap- their deaths. “Mentally competent adults have a basic human right plicant must have serious physical disease; chronic, se- FFRF member Lamar Hankins lives in Texas with his to end their lives when they suffer from a fatal or irre- vere, somatic pain as demonstrated in medical records; wife, June. Page 22 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | January / February 2021

This ad is solely the opinion of the advertiser, the Freedom From Religion Foundation. To honor Bill of Rights Day, the 229th anniversary of the adoption of the Bill of Rights . . . Back t c l h Ba k t l e l h l e o C o R C l R

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ON JUDICIAL DOo MSDAY Although our nation and the Bill of Rights have dodged a bullet with this fall’s election, the Trump administration’s shameless packing of the courts with extremists threatens civil liberties and the First Amendment for generations. Imperiled are abortion and LGBTQ rights, and our secular Constitution.

Judges hand-selected by the Federalist Society for their Christian Nationalist or reactionary credentials now comprise a quarter-plus of our federal judiciary. A majority of ultraconservatives on the Supreme Court, in a perversion of “religious liberty,” just quashed a New York pandemic health policy limiting church gatherings during the COVID-19 spike. Dissenting Justice Sonia Sotomayor properly warned: “Justices in this court play a deadly game in second guessing the expert judgment of health o cials.” Political and judicial deference to religion over science is sabotaging rational response to the pandemic—and many other policies.

Help FFRF, a state/church watchdog and the nation’s largest association of freethinkers (atheists and seculars), protect the First Amendment and its precious principle of separation between religion and government.

Help FFRF ensure that reason and our secular Constitution will prevail. Join us today. ffrf.us/nyt 1.800.335.4021 Or request a complimentary issue of our newspaper, Freethought Today, ffrf.us/free

FFRF . NYT Ad . PO Box 750 . Madison, WI 53701 . 800.335.4021 . FFRF.org ____ RATING —Charity Navigator I would like to become a member. (includes 10 issues of Freethought Today newspaper.) I would like to donate to FFRF’s Legal Fund. $ ______FFRF is a 501(c)3 educational nonprofit founded in 1978 with over 33,000 Membership Dues members and a team of attorneys. Individual ...... $40 Read our new analysis, "Religious Liberty Name Household ...... $50 Gung Ho ...... $100 Under Threat," at ffrf.us/judicial. Watch Sustaining ...... $250 FFRF's TV show, "Freethought Matters," Address Sponsoring ...... $500 Life Member ...... $1,000 on WPIX-IN (Ch. 11), Sundays at 8:30 “After Life”...... $5,000 a.m. in New York City or via YouTube. City/State/Zip Phone/Email “Beyond After Life”....$10,000 Broadcast info for other cities: Student...... $25 Make payable to “FFRF.” Dues and donations are deductible for income-tax purposes. ffrf.org/freethought-matters FFRF protects membership confidentiality and does not divulge, rent, sell or give away its mailing list.

This ad appeared in the Dec. 15, 2020, issue of the New York Times — thanks to kind donors to FFRF’s advertising fund at ffrf.org/donate. January / February 2021 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 23

CelebratingCelebrating thethe WinterWinter Solstice SeasonSeason 20202020

In the Iowa Capitol, FFRF’s Bill of Rights FFRF’s Bill of Rights nativity display was set up nativity display marks its fourth consecutive Dec. 1 at North Park School in Arlington Heights, year in the legislative heart of the Hawkeye Ill., for the ninth year. Tom Cara, president of state, thanks to the efforts of FFRF State the FFRF Metropolitan Chicago Chapter, writes, Representative Paul Novak. “We’ve had three different displays over the A sign beside the tongue-in-cheek Nativity course of that time — the Winter Solstice ‘Let FFRF Member Jerry Bloom, left, of Shelton, Conn., and John Levin reads: At this season of the Winter Solstice, Reason Prevail’ banner (which was vandalized), erected the “Let Reason Prevail” banner on the Huntington Green Join us in honoring the Bill of Rights, adopted our 5-foot lighted Dawkins scarlet ‘A’ sign and in Shelton. on Dec. 15, 1791, which reminds us that there the Bill of Rights nativity cutout.” can be no religious freedom without the freedom to dissent. Keep religion and government separate!

FFRF’s Bill of Rights nativity display A “Celebrate the Solstice” banner waves across 8th A Bill of Rights nativity display was set up by FFRF Member went up in Ricalton Square in Ave. in downtown Eugene, Ore., thanks to the work Will Meyer next to a Christian nativity scene on the grounds of Maplewood, N.J., thanks to the of FFRF Member Charles H. Jones. the Grundy County Courthouse in Illinois. efforts of Member Steve Merhson.

This FFRF banner in Warren, Mich., was stolen days after being erected near the intersection of Mound and Chicago roads. The Bill of Rights nativity display was up A complaint about the theft of the “Keep outside the Glenview, Ill., Village Hall. It is In Concord, N.H., (from left to right) Elaine Clow, Gary York, Jo Shields, Saturn in Saturnalia” banner has been filed situated in the middle between a lighted, Jack Shields (and Friday the dog, master of all he surveys) show off the with local police. rolled-steel creche decoration with a Bill of Rights nativity display. FFRF thanks local FFRF Members Doug “Keep Christ in Christmas” banner erected Marshall and Scott Elliott for making by a Knights of Columbus group, and a these displays possible menorah put up by a Chabad group,” Tom Cara said. Cara added that another Bill of FFRF has a special fund (donors may Rights nativity display was up for the third choose Resurrection Fund in the Let Reason Prevail! year at Cook Memorial Park in Libertyville, designation dropdown at ffrf.org/donate), Ill. It was put up by Steve Foulkes. to replace “equal time” displays on public forums when vandalized or removed. Page 24 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | January / February 2021 LETTERBOX

Congrats to secular FFRF does magnificent invocation winners State-church separation fight is no small feat job with its fundraising Congratulations to Sarah Ray and We have recently survived Black Fri- Ann Landman for their perseverance day, Cyber Monday and Giving Tues- and courage in achieving the accep- day. On that Tuesday, my inbox had tance of their local city councils in at least 50 requests for donations. In Lake Wales, Fla., and Grand Junction, addition to this, my snail mailbox has Colo., to allow them to give secular in- as many as a dozen requests on a daily vocations. I hope that, in the not-too- basis thought the year. distant future, all local and municipal I am grateful to the Freedom From governments in this country will ad- Religion Foundation for not using here to what our founders intended those methods. Twice a year you make to establish when they wrote the Con- a general request for funds allowing stitution and the Bill of Rights — a us to choose how we want our money permanent wall between religion and to be used. It appears to me that FFRF government. does a magnificent job raising money Steve Taulbee without wasting envelopes, stationery Maryland On a cold Sunday morning in the Twin Cities of Minnesota, our feet are and postage. Thank you. toasty warm with our FFRF stockings and our minds are being stimulated with Dick Hewetson Subtleties of Christian a new episode of “Freethought Matters.” California The opening of this episode is from President John Kennedy, the first Nationalism at work Catholic elected president. In that campaign, he needed to assure Protes- FFRF is an invaluable I received an email invitation from tants and secularists he accepted the constitutional concept of separation of the Wall Street Journal. It’s a subtle government and religion. ally, amazing nonprofit but disturbing approach to estab- “I believe in an America where the separation of church and state is abso- FFRF has been an invaluable ally and lishing “trust” via covenant thinking, lute, where no Catholic prelate would tell the president (should he be Cath- asset to our local freethought community heavily influenced by David W. Miller, olic) how to act, and no Protestant minister would tell his parishioners for here in southeastern Wisconsin. On two director of Faith and Work Initiative at whom to vote; where no church or church school is granted any public funds separate occasions, FFRF lawyers have Princeton. There is also a white paper or political preference; and where no man is denied public office merely written letters in response to violations in link in the invitation. It seems to be an because his religion differs from the president who might appoint him or the our towns of the Establishment Clause. attempt to get corporate leadership to people who might elect him.” Both times were efficient and effective, move in an ethical direction based on FFRF is the premier organization today fighting every day for absolute with a very short response time. the “religious concepts” of ethics and separation of government and religion. “Freethought Matters” is central to In 2017, a teacher in the public school trust. Unbelievably subtle. the communication of that principal to everyday Americans. Thank you and district festooned her classroom with bi- And, the irony is that it’s sponsored keep up the good work. ble quotes and other Christian propagan- by Philip Morris, the same company Shirley Moll and Steve Petersen da. After many complaints and lengthy that spent millions during the 1950s Minnesota meetings with the principal failed to con- and ’60s attempting to create distrust vince the school to remove the material, in the scientific research about the FFRF lawyers drafted a letter challenging link between smoking and lung can- the constitutionality of the displays and cer. Kind of a dark history, indeed! and their perpetrators’ justification for a book by one of the most prominent demanding their removal. The resulting Michael Pettus their behavior on religious grounds. atheists of our generation?” investigation by the school district result- California When I pass my Freethought Today on In several instances, I was all but cer- ed in a sweep of all schools and the even- to friends, they always comment on the tain the plane was going down, based on tual removal of the offending material. Black Collar Crime Crankmail and Black Collar Crime sec- how turbulent it was. (Even the flight More recently, the Racine, Wis., coun- tions as being the most enlightening attendants were visibly terrified, which ty government was discovered to have section is a must-read about the cause of separation of church is never a good sign). That was my ul- been awarding $50,000 annually to an I read in your December issue a let- and state. I would venture to say these timate, “Well, I guess I’m all in” mo- evangelical Christian nonprofit called ter from a reader suggesting that the sections open more eyes than more eru- ment as a nonbeliever, and I can still Youth For Christ in the form of a com- paper should discontinue the Black dite and philosophical articles. remember it as vividly as if it happened munity and cultural grant. Similarly, the Collar Crime section because he has Georgellen Burnett yesterday. Obviously, the flight did land obvious nature of this violation prompt- no interest in the topic. New Mexico safely, but that was the closest thing to a ed a letter from the lawyers at FFRF. Al- I completely disagree with his sug- “near-death experience” that I had ever though the facts of the letter were denied gestion. Frankly, Black Collar Crime Scary flight was true encountered, and I decidedly was not by the county, the grant subsequently dis- is the main reason I read Freethought praying to any deity to get me on the appeared from the next budget, due to Today. It is the way I learned of the test of the nonbeliever ground, but it happened anyway. Mira- fiscal shortfalls. crimes of four local clergy I went to About 10 years ago, I was flying out to cle? Hell no. Just amazing airmanship FFRF is well-run on a rarely seen lev- school with or otherwise worked with Denver, and before boarding, I stopped and modern technology. el. Beside its legal support, it is extremely in the past. in Hudson Books to grab something to Justin Pripusich Please keep up the great work in this read on the flight. I was very familiar Illinois important section of your publication. with Christopher Hitchens’ work, but at Yip Harburg, from his book: David Nason the time I hadn’t gotten around to read- Michigan ing God Is Not Great. (It’s now so ragged Rhymes for the Irreverent and worn that it barely holds together.) . . . I was pleasantly surprised to see it on the MOVING? Written by “Over the Rainbow” lyricist Yip Harburg. shelf, so I bought it. In the recent issue of Freethought The final approach to Denver Inter- Today, you printed a letter in which the national involved the worst thunder- writer stated that Freethought Today storm I’d ever flown in, by far. I was would be a better publication without thinking to myself, “How many of these the inclusion of Crankmail and Black passengers are praying their asses off for Collar Crime. He stated he was “not a safe landing, and here I am holding Don’t miss your next issue of interested in what these looney-tunes think and . . . less interested in what Freethought Today those creeps do to children and vulner- Please notify us of your able adults.” Strike Three address change promptly! I disagree with him. In fact, my fa- A broken clock can tell the time vorite part of Freethought Today is email: [email protected] Correctly twice a day, Crankmail and Black Collar Crime. I ad- or phone: 1-800-335-4021 Astrologers, like broken clocks, mit that my enjoyment does stem from schadenfreude at the knowledge that FFRF cannot be responsible for Are clairvoyant that way. some people have paid for their crimes replacing back issues if we have not committed under the cover of their reli- been notified prior to your move. gious positions. Illustrated by Seymour Chwast, published by FFRF. But, I also think these two sections The U.S. Post Office does not are valuable because they instruct us forward third-class mail. Buy it online @ffrf.org/shop as to the heinousness of these crimes January / February 2021 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 25 available to aid local chapters and mem- However, it was heartening to read your show with John Davidson. Wow Cookbook.” It was my first time mak- bers, including making appearances, that 98.8 percent of the respondents again. I never knew he was a freethinker ing a cake from scratch, and indeed, welcoming visits to Madison, and lend- support legal abortion and Roe v. Wade. and was delighted to hear him sing and it turned out devilishly good (especial- ing support of any kind to chapter ef- As a woman who has attended many play guitar. What an interesting interview. ly with the marshmallow buttercream forts. Both administration and staff are protests for the right of bodily auton- Anyway, I am so grateful for your show. frosting I also made)! unfailingly pleasant, kind, patient and omy, I’ve often been dismayed at how Marilyn Fisher Andrew C. Jones responsive. Every year, FFRF hosts an few men are in attendance. A large Wisconsin Michigan extravagant convention in a different thank you to the old(ish) men (and city around country for the benefit of all all other members) of FFRF for being Thanks to FFRF ‘atheists’ Arthur C. Clarke had it members, everywhere. much needed allies. With podcasts, TV shows, newspapers, I terminated an unattended preg- for county seal change right about religion original entertainment, a world-class nancy only a few years ago in my mid- Michael Powers, county executive On Dec. 16, mention was made headquarters, it’s hard to catalog all the 30s. At the clinic, I was provided with a officer of California’s Ventura Coun- of Arthur C. Clarke in FFRF’s Free- ways in which this nonprofit serves its couple of ibuprofen. Only people with ty, sent me a letter with the recently thought of the Day. So, I thought it constituency and the nation. Its spokes- a driver would be permitted to get the launched new logo, which doesn’t was a good time to write the following people routinely appear before Congress strong meds for the procedure. I was have images of the Ventura Mission, for those FFRF members who are also or on national news outlets to fight for perfectly comfortable with my personal cross or of missionary Junipero Serra. science fiction fans. the rights of all Americans, while simulta- health decision, but I was too embar- An earlier story in the Ventura County Clarke, in The Songs of Distant Earth, neously creating community and solidar- rassed to call a friend to pick me up. Star newspaper noted that “atheists” made a clear statement about religion ity on a grassroots level for its members. Years later, I mentioned my abortion had objected to the county seal. The that I wholly agree with. The “task” Keep up the amazing work!” to a friend. “Oh, yeah, I had one in my new logo is nice, and it seems to count referred to is the winnowing of all Rob Moore 20s,” she said. as a step forward — away from Chris- human thought into compact infor- Wisconsin Given that one out of four women tian imagery in civic life. mation to be sent electronically with terminate a pregnancy by age 45, her Mitchell Dushay colonists to a new planet. What should Unfortunately, ignorance response should not have surprised me. California be included for a fresh human start A year later, my friends, when telling and what deleted? No developed hu- still reigns supreme me about their clinic visits, hopefully ‘Theo-plagiarism’ worthy man brains were being sent (only ge- While Oregon has among the highest were not surprised when I said, “Oh, netic material, in a form unspecified, percentage of “Nones” in the country, yeah, me too.” of adding to lexicon to be turned into humans by robots churches and religious salespeople still And, so, my fellow atheists, agnos- The quote from President Trump for the first generation), so this would dominate this state. tics, humanists and freethinkers, thank in the November “They Said What?” truly be a clean start. Here in Eugene, there are well over you for helping normalize the normal section, thanking the Christian God “The task was, of course, impossible 100 Christian churches and two Chris- and not letting the detriment of Chris- for the treatment Trump got at Walter as well as heartbreaking. With tears tian colleges. Most nonprofits are Chris- tian supremacy affect your commit- Reed Medical Center, is a perfect ex- in their eyes the selection panels had tian-oriented. Yet, there’s hundreds ment to a person’s own bodily autono- ample of “theo-plagiarism,” the act of thrown away the Veda, the bible, the of homeless folks living on the streets my. I’m hoping for a day when none of giving credit to one’s own hypothetical Tripitaka, the Quran and all the im- of Eugene in tents. The hypocrisy is us is uncomfortable calling our friend deity for work done by humans. mense body of literature — fiction mind-boggling. to pick us up, so we can have the good We’ve long needed a word to de- and nonfiction — that was based upon Wouldn’t you think these Christian meds. scribe believers’ nasty habit of thank- them. Despite all the wealth of beauty priests/ministers would feel obligat- Name, state withheld ing their god(s) for firefighters putting and wisdom these words contained, ed to house homeless people in their out fires, doctors saving lives, search they could not be allowed to reinfect churches? These parasites don’t even Circumcision should be parties finding lost hikers, and so on. virgin planets with the ancient poi- pay property taxes! If they did, home- “Theo-plagiarism” seems to fit. sons of religious hatred, belief in the less shelters and other needed commu- added to mutilation bill Lee Helms supernatural, and the pious gibber- nity projects could be funded. Contrary to FFRF’s recommenda- Michigan ish with which countless billions of Christian preschools, bible camps tion, Donald Trump (or Joe Biden) men and women had once comforted and Sunday schools are still screwing up should NOT sign HR 6100, the Stop ‘Freethought Matters’ themselves at the cost of addling their the minds of children with fairy tales of Female Genital Mutilation Act of 2020. minds.” sky gods and divinely inspired books of The president should send it back to showed me I’m not alone So, throw religion out; it does more hate and warmongering. But we allowCartoons Congress for and the demand Irreverent: that boys also be I want to let you know how much I harm than good. What should be in- this brainwashing to continue because included in the ban. And, FFRF should appreciate FFRF TV show “Freethought disputably true is that religion is not it’s supported by our government Celebratingand immediately the amend wit of its Donposition Addis on in- Matters.” I love the people you interview genetic and that anyone has to be ignorant parents/guardians unwilling fant genital mutilation to include all (including Ann Druyan), the music and taught to be religious. It is not part or unable to think for themselves.Great children, regardless of gender. How the testimonials before and after. It has of the human genome. It is a human The major problem we’re facingGift! today can it be not OK to mutilate little girls, been my gateway to people who share meme that we choose to propagate. As is that there are far too many gullible, yet be OK to mutilate little boys? my recently formed thoughts on reli- Clarke says, don’t let that meme infect submissive people accepting the lies of Jay Clem gion and God, so I now feel comfortable the universe. religious salespeople, billionaire psycho- California identifying as an atheist. Karla Martin paths and corporate-funded politicians. Cheryl Thompson Washington This unique collection published Robertby FFRF Simms celebrates the wit and I’m grateful to watch Wisconsin Oregonirreverence of Don Addis, a Will bigots ever accept legendary editorial cartoonist and ‘Freethought Matters’ Editor’s note: FFRF’s TV show “Free- Thanksatheist. Don's to toons those will make who you I was lucky enough to tune in to re- thought Matters,” goes up on FFRF’s same-sex marriages? laugh, then make you think. cent episodes of “Freethought Matters.” YouTube channel every Thursday and Some bigots are shrewd enough to support—153 pages bodily / PB autonomy I knew nothing of Ann Druyan until that now airs in 13 major cities on Sundays. argue that it is they who are the victims As a woman in my late 30s, and a show, to say nothing of her work and To find out if your city broadcasts it, of bigotry. For example, Supreme Court longtime$15 ppd FFRF member,Item # FB109 it was discour- marriage to Carl Sagan. Wow. What a de- check out ffrf.org/freethought-matters. Justice Samuel Alito complained that aging to read in the FFRF membership lightful conversation you had with her. those who oppose same-sex marriage on survey that 80Buy percent it from of respondents FFRF online I loved | it. shop.ffrf.org the basis of their faith are unfairly called are 60 or older and 70 percent male. Then, I just happened to tune into Devilishly good cake was bigots by those who accept it. as good as its name If Alito had lived 100 years ago, I’m I decided to try Paul Gaylor’s “Dev- sure he’d have condemned anyone who Cartoons for the Irreverent: ilishly Good Chocolate Cake” reci- accused faith-based opponents of interra- Celebrating the wit of Don Addis pe from the “World Famous Atheist cial marriage as bigots. “Those against in- terracial marriages are not bigots,” he’d Great Gift! say. “No! They are defending a doctrine Crossword answers of their faith.” Well, such marriages are legal now, and only the bigoted long for a return to the “good old days” when religiosity reigned supreme and imposed its will This unique collection published on all matters, including people’s most by FFRF celebrates the wit and intimate behavior. It is they who con- irreverence of Don Addis, a tinue to insist that for a marriage to be legendary editorial cartoonist and legal, it must be between a man and a atheist. Don's toons will make you laugh, then make you think. woman. My only wish is that someday they’ll —153 pages / PB at least tolerate, if not accept, same-sex $15 ppd Item # FB109 marriage, as they now (I hope) tolerate interracial ones. Buy it from FFRF online | shop.ffrf.org David Quintero California Page 26 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | January / February 2021 BLACK COLLAR CRIME

Lilly is pastor at the Christian Church of Chester, for- Compiled by Bill Dunn merly White Rock Christian Church. The alleged victim told police that in 2017 when she was 16, Lilly started to flirt with her at the market Arrested / Charged where she worked and that they began having sex after she turned 17. Lilly recorded the encounters on Nathaniel S. Myers, 38, Clovis, CA: 6 counts of his cellphone. Source: Haverford Patch, 10-26-20 lewd and lascivious acts with a child. It’s alleged My- ers molested multiple children under age 14 during the last 18 years “while actively working” at an un- Pleaded / Convicted named church and as a landscaper, said a press Robert Shiflet, 50, Denton, TX: Pleaded guilty release from the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office. in federal court in Little Rock, AR, to 2 counts of Online sources list Steve and Peggy Myers as transporting minors across state lines for unlaw- teaching pastors at SouthPoint Church in Fresno. ful sexual activity. Shiflet worked in Denton Bible A Facebook page lists Nate Stephen Myers as a Church youth ministry programs from 1995 to 2001. Worship Team Member at SouthPoint from 1995 to According to the prosecutor, Shiflet assaulted the present. a 15-year-old girl in 1997 on a church camping trip It’s believed there’s “a strong possibility” he may to the Buffalo National River in Arkansas. He also have victimized other children, the release said. pleaded guilty to multiple assaults on a different girl Source: Fresno Bee, 11-26-20 in 2002–03 while working as a youth pastor in Little Robert McKenzie, 49, Brooklyn Park, MN: 2 Rock. Source: Arkansas Times, 11-30-20 counts of 3rd-degree criminal sexual conduct. It’s Manuel LaRosa-Lopez, 62, Richmond, TX: alleged that McKenzie, co-founder of Word of Faith Pleaded guilty to 2 counts of indecency with a Ministries, molested a 17-year-old girl inside a resi- child. A plea bargain calls for him to serve 10 years dence in November. The church holds services at a in prison. La Rosa-Lopez admitted molesting a girl St. Louis Park hotel. and a boy while he was a priest at Sacred Heart Court papers stated he admitted touching the Catholic Church in Conroe from the late 1990s to girl inappropriately, saying he “had a perverted early 2000s. thought.” Source: WCCO, 11-25-20 Prosecutors said victims reported the abuse to Holy Trinity Catholic School, has been arrested sker used his employment as an insurance agent, Michael M. Penkava, 71, Crystal Lake, IL: Mis- church officials at the time but the allegations were in connection with a multi-jurisdictional investi- construction company partner and as a pastor and demeanor violating reporting provisions. Penkava, never relayed to law enforcement. Source: KHOU, gation targeting sexual exploitation of minors via board member at Faith Community Tabernacle to a Jehovah’s Witness church elder, is accused of fail- 11-17-20 the internet,” said a church statement. file fraudulent claims of over $107,000 from 2013– ing to notify police about an allegation that a male Randolph Brown, 65, Cleveland: Pleaded He also volunteered at St. Andrew Catholic 17 and collect the proceeds. congregant was sexually abusing a family member. guilty to 2 counts of compelling prostitution and was School for several months in 2019. Source: WBTW, The church website lists him as administrator, Source: Northwest Herald, 11-25-20 labeled a Tier II sex offender. Brown, pastor at In- 11-23-20 sound manager, Praise Team member and bass Mark A. Korando Sr., 69, Costa Mesa, CA: 2 ner-City Missionary Baptist Church, was arrested in Andrey Kovalenko, 52, Bedford, OH: 10 counts guitar player: “Bro. Malesker assists the church in all counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child with a February 2020 in a sting targeting trafficking of un- of mail fraud. Kovalenko served as a priest at the business aspects of the church. He also preaches.” foreign object, 3 counts of oral copulation or sexual derage girls who had run away from home. Source: Shrine of Mariapoch in Burton, St. John Byzantine Source: Journal-Star, 11-10-20 penetration with a child 10 or younger, 2 counts of WOIO, 11-12-20 Catholic Church in Solon and St. Eugene Byzantine Johnny Monderen, 49, Colorado Springs, forcible lewd act on a child and 7 counts of lewd or Kent R.E. Whitney, 38, Newport Beach, CA: Catholic Church in Bedford. The parishes are part CO: Sexual assault on a child by one in a posi- lascivious acts with a child younger than 14. Pleaded guilty to mail fraud and filing a false fed- of the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Parma. He is a tion of trust, sexual exploitation of a child, misde- Police said Korando volunteered for years as eral income tax return. He used his Church of the native Russian who emigrated to the U.S. in 1996. meanor menacing and unlawful display of sexu- a chaperone for children at a church identified as Healthy Self in Westminster in a scam that took He is accused of looting the churches’ accounts ally explicit matter. located in the 1700 block of Baker Street. The only in $33 million and sent bogus reports to investors, of nearly $399,000 from May 2014 through July Monderen, pastor at Church of the Son, is ac- church in that vicinity is Mesa Verde United Method- prosecutors said. 2018. Source: Plain Dealer, 11-21-20 cused of assaults over a period of 3 years starting in ist Church at 1701 Baker St. He admitted to reporting his income in 2018 as Isaiah J. Thompson, 37, Ft. Smith, AR: 2 counts 2017. It’s alleged assaults occurred after he would His arrest for alleged assaults on 2 sisters, ages $17,539 when it was actually at least $452,872. of rape of a minor under 14 years old. Thompson is enter the child’s room when everyone was asleep 12 and 14, about 2 years ago came after their moth- About $435,000 of that income came from the accused of assaulting 2 male minors when he was and force the child to drink wine and beer. Source: er contacted police in September. As a chaperone, scam. Source: OC Register, 11-6-20 a youth ministry volunteer. KRDO, 11-2-20 Korando helped take church youth groups out of John Allen, 76, W. Manchester Township, PA: Todd A. Foster, 52, McComb, MS: Carnal state on trips to provide services to needy people. One man alleged he was sexually involved with Pleaded guilty to indecent assault and corruption knowledge of a juvenile Source: CBS-LA, 11-25-20 Thompson from the time of minors for assaulting 2 altar boys between 1997 while he was a teacher Timothy L. Waters, 39, Elizabethtown, KY: 1 he was 7 and Thompson and 2002 when he was pastor at St. Margaret Mary count each of 1st-degree sexual abuse, 3rd-de- was about 17 and that the and basketball coach Alacoque Church in Penbrook. gree sodomy and 3rd-degree rape. Elder Ben abuse occurred for over A state grand jury in in 2007 at Christian A plea bargain calls for him to serve 5 years’ Ashlock of The Driven Church said Waters had 15 years. Another man 2018 identified Allen as one Life Academy in Baton probation. A state grand jury in 2018 identified Al- volunteered with the church’s youth about “one who attended the church Rouge, LA. Foster and len as one of 301 “predator priests.” The Diocese year, more or less.” as a child alleged Thomp- of“ 301 ‘predator priests.’ his wife were pastors at of Harrisburg expressed concern about his “sexual An arrest affidavit said Waters was “in a position son started molesting him The Well church in Mc- behavior” as far back as 1970. Source: York Daily of authority” when he allegedly had sexual contact when he was 12. Comb before announcing Record, 11-5-20 with a 16-year-old girl on multiple occasions. Vine Thompson was affili- in October they would be Thomas Humphrey, 79, N. Amityville, NY: Grove Police Chief Kenny Mattingly said his depart- ated pastorally with Christ for the World Pentecostal taking a sabbatical to “allow them a time of rest.” Guilty by jury of forcible touching. Humphrey, pastor ment became aware of the situation when an offi- Church and Bobby Hogan Ministries until he was Sara Gray-Foreman, Foster’s accuser, is a for- at Hollywood Full Gospel Baptist Cathedral, was ac- cer encountered Waters and the girl at a city park. fired in 2018. Source: KARK, 11-20-20 mer Christian Life student who alleges he assaulted cused of sexual touching by a woman who worked Source: News-Enterprise, 11-25-20 Angela J. Wagner, 50, Elm Mott, TX: Theft of her at his home when she was 16. She told depu- with him producing a radio show on multiple occa- Moises Norberto-Guerrero, 43, Greenville, more than $150,000 but less than $300,000. Wag- ties she decided to report the incident because she sions between April and September 2018. Source: SC: Criminal sexual conduct with a minor and ner, secretary/treasurer since 2013 at First Baptist learned he was leading The Well and feared what Amityville Record, 10-29-20 2nd-degree assault and battery involving alleged Church, allegedly stole over $173,000 by using the might happen to other children. Source: The Advo- incidents between 2008–19 with several victims. church debit card for personal expenses. cate, 11-2-20 It’s alleged that Norberto-Guerrero, pastor at Iglesia Her attorney, Rod Goble, said Wagner is “very Kevin F. Hite, 54, Radford, VA: Taking indecent Sentenced Pentecostal Jehovah Jireh, inappropriately touched sorry for her actions” that started in February 2017, liberties with a minor and 10 counts of unlawful Marcin Garbacz, 42, Rapid City, SD: 7 years a 7-year-old who attended church services, said a adding that she has cooperated with authorities carnal knowledge of a child aged 13 or 14. Hite, a and 9 months in federal prison for convictions on 50 report filed Oct. 19. Another alleged victim came from the start. Source: Tribune-Herald, 11-19-20 church deacon and office administrator at HeartCry counts of wire fraud, 9 counts of money laundering, forward Nov. 16 and told police that Norberto-Guer- Shepard Bushiri, Pretoria, S. Africa: Money Missionary Society, allegedly had a sexual relation- transportation of stolen money and 5 counts of filing roro touched him sexually on multiple occasions. laundering, theft and fraud. Bushiri, founder of a ship with a girl, who is now a young adult, “over an a false tax return. Source: WYFF, 11-25-20 church called the Enlightened Christian Gathering, extended period of time, beginning when the child Garbacz was ordered to pay $258,696 in restitu- Venkataramanappa, 68, Chickballapur, India: was arrested in his native Malawi along with his was 13 years old.” tion to the IRS and 3 Catholic parishes he served as Sexual assault. The Hindu priest is accused of rap- wife and 2 others on charges involving alleged A search warrant alleges Hite admitted when in- pastor. He was accused of stealing from parish col- ing a 10-year-old girl after luring her into his house fraud totaling $6.6 million. terviewed by police that he and the girl exchanged lections for several years and was arrested in May next to the temple with promises of snacks. “The girl He claims to be able to cure HIV and blind- nude photos, that he reserved a motel room for 2019 at the Seattle airport with a one-way ticket to was taken to a hospital for a medical examination ness with “miracle oil” and promises to deliver his them and bought her a cellphone and paid for its his native Poland and more than $10,000 in cash. where doctors confirmed that she was raped,” a se- thousands of followers from poverty. Authorities in service. Source: Roanoke Times, 11-1-20 At sentencing, he apologized to parishioners nior police officer said.Source: The Hindu, 11-25-20 Botswana shut down his church. Source: BBC, 11- Sean Higgins, 30, Palmyra, NJ: 28 criminal and said he was angry with Catholic doctrine that Jason Carpintero, 51, Salisbury, NC: 5 16-20 counts, including aggravated sexual assault and considers homosexuality to be “intrinsically disor- counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and in- A prominent rabbi from central Israel was manufacturing child pornography. Higgins, youth dered.” He identifies as gay. decent liberties with children. Carpintero, a high arrested for allegedly molesting several of his stu- pastor and music leader at Harbor Baptist Church He still faces federal charges of engaging in illicit school teacher’s aide with ties to several church- dents. Two complaints have been filed against and a teacher at Harbor Baptist Academy, is ac- sexual conduct in a foreign place and receipt of child es, is suspected of crimes against at least 2 chil- the rabbi, whose identity remains under embargo. cused of posing as a teen girl named “Julie Miller” pornography. The indictment alleges he traveled dren not from the school. Police are investigating if there are others wary of to trick unsuspecting boys on Snapchat and Insta- abroad in 2011 to engage in sexual conduct with Carpintero’s résumé says he received a divinity coming forward. gram. someone under age 18. Source: KEVN, 11-23-20 degree from Asbury Theological Seminary in 2008 The rabbi denies the allegations. Followers “When a boy would send a nude photo of him- Tobias Tissen, Sarto, Manitoba: Fines of $1,296 and that he was a pastor at 5 Methodist parishes claim it is the work of a rival Haredi rabbi. Source: self, Higgins would instantly transform and warn the on each of 2 convictions for violating COVID-19 re- from 2000–08. The United Methodist Church’s on- Israel Hayom, 11-15-20 child, ‘I’ve got you,’ and threaten to circulate that strictions. Tissen, pastor at the Church of God, said line directory confirms several of those pastoral ap- George Swain, 71, Boston: Rape of a child and photo if the child did not engage in additional sex- he felt “honored” to be fined “for doing something pointments as well as several more at other church- indecent assault and battery of a child under the age ual acts on camera for Higgins’s sick gratification,” that God wants me to do.” es. Source: Daily Independent, 11-24-20 of 14. Swain is pastor at Greater Victory Temple, a prosecutor Scott Coffina said. Source: nj105.com, The church itself was fined $5,000 and 5 oth- Ronnie Upshaw, Gainesville, FL: Obstruction Pentecostal church. 10-30-20 ers were given individual tickets of $1,296 after the without violence, breach of the peace and breach- “During the timeframe of 1997 to 2004, the de- Jarod Mills, 33, New Castle, OH: Importun- church tried to hold a large drive-in service. They ing a county noise ordinance. Upshaw, pastor at fendant is charged with sexually assaulting these ing [requesting sexual services] and unlawful were blocked by Mounties, which led to over 100 Church of God the Bibleway, was arrested after three children at the time repeatedly and over sexual conduct with a minor. Mills, pastor at cars lined up trying to get into the parking lot. police received noise complaints from apartment years,” said prosecutor Audrey Mark. “He also pro- Clifton Flats Alliance Church and an instruc- Fines totaling $180,000 were issued to people residents about loud music and preaching. vided them money.” Source: WCBV, 11-14-20 tor at Butler County Community College, was and businesses throughout the province for break- After refusing to stop, Upshaw is heard in a vid- Anthony Laterza, 70, Lakehurst, NJ: 3 counts among dozens of men arrested in a statewide ing public health orders. The area in the vicinity eo saying, “Come on take me to jail, I’m ready to go. of possession of child pornography. Laterza served anti-human trafficking operation. of the Church of God has a COVID test positivity Jesus is the savior, Jesus is lord, Jesus is Christ, as a deacon at St. John’s Catholic Church in 2019. The operation led to 109 victims being res- rate of 40%, among the highest in North America. Jesus is a hero.” Source: WCJB, 11-23-20 A forensic review of electronic devices seized from cued and referred to social surfaces. Source: Source: CBC, 11-23-20 Jacob Ouellette, 24, N. Myrtle Beach, SC: his home revealed apparent images of child pornog- WKBN, 10-26-20 Timothy J. Hallows, 62, Kaysville, UT: 46 2 counts of criminal solicitation of a minor. “I re- raphy, said prosecutor Bradley Billhimer. Source: Edward Lilly, 70, Boothwyn, PA: 10 counts months in prison with credit for 13 months already gret to have to inform you that Jacob Ouellette, Manchester Patch, 11-12-20 each of child pornography possession and depicting served in jail after pleading guilty to possession of director of youth ministry at Our Lady Star of the Codie Malesker, Hastings, NE: 5 counts of a minor child engaging in or simulating a prohibited child pornography. He admitted having images on Sea Catholic Church and former employee at mail and wire fraud. The indictment alleges Male- sexual act and misdemeanor corruption of a minor. his phone of prepubescent children being sexually January / February 2021 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 27 assaulted by adults and sending them to a woman student-athletes sexually assaulting and harassing under 1st Amendment protections. is not currently serving as a priest.” in the Philippines in November 2019. her on campus in 2017–18 were ignored. Three The woman sued the elders, the church and “[T]he NYPD takes sexual assault and rape Hallows, a father of 5, was bishop of the Wel- similar suits were filed recently. its national organization, the Watchtower Bible cases extremely seriously,” said a police state- lington Ward in the Kaysville Stake of the Church The plaintiff alleges as a freshman she was “cat- and Tract Society, in 2016, alleging she cried, ment about its investigation of the allegation. of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when arrest- called” in hallways by males expressing a desire to shook visibly and pleaded for them to stop as Source: Daily Beast, 11-28-20 ed. A probable cause statement said Skype filed have sex and that once she was lifted up with her they played the recording intermittently for at A Vatican investigation revealed how de- a complaint about a user who shared child sexual legs pinned while she was grabbed and struck on least 4 hours in 2008. frocked Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, 90, rose exploitation materials. The user’s screen name was her backside and thighs. She alleges she was 14 when the pepetrator, a through the Catholic hierarchy to become one of “timhallows.” The girl later reported the assault to the head- fellow Jehovah’s Witness, 18, bullied her increas- America’s most powerful prelates despite long- Investigators found files containing videos and master, the dean of students and a guidance coun- ingly and began sexually assaulting her in 2007. standing allegations of sexual misconduct that photos showing nude or partially clothed prepubes- selor, but no action was taken, according to the suit. She gave the congregation’s leaders a recording of ultimately led to his downfall. cent girls, some of whom posed with nude adult The girl’s boyfriend, a Concordia alumnus, also one instance. The church tribunal’s goal was to ex- “Pope John Paul II personally made the males. Source: KSL, 11-18-20 wrote several emails to school officials calling for tract a confession that she had voluntarily engaged decision to appoint McCarrick,” the report said, Mona McGrady, 62, Sonora, CA: 4 years and action on her behalf. in sex outside marriage, her attorneys contend. despite receiving a letter from John O’Connor, 4 months in prison after being found guilty by jury At least half a dozen female students met with “The allegation here is a mental and emotion- the archbishop of New York, that summed up of sexual penetration with a foreign object and 2 administrators to report harassment, the suit al- al equivalent of waterboarding,” Justice Deno Hi- allegations that McCarrick engaged in sexual counts of lewd or lascivious acts with a child aged leges. The plaintiff later transferred to another monas said. “I’ve been a judge for a long time and conduct with another priest in 1987, that he had 14 or 15. McGrady, former volleyball coach and school. Source: Baltimore Sun, 11-13-20 a lawyer for a long time. I’ve never seen, in court, committed pedophilia with his “nephews” and sports coordinator at Mother Lode Christian School, anything like this that’s alleged.” that he shared a bed with young adult men and was acquitted on 8 similar counts. Civil Lawsuits Settled Church lawyer Kara Porter argued that the tri- seminarians. In lengthy testimony, she denied molesting 2 bunal was trying to determine if the girl had sinned, “What is now known, through investigation students between 1995–97 and said she has never Miracle Meadows School in Salem, W.VA, set- a process the government isn’t permitted to meddle undertaken for the preparation of the Report, is been gay. Tom McGrady, her husband of 36 years tled claims with 29 former students for $51.9 mil- in. Church attorneys previously said the teen could that three of the four American bishops provid- who also taught at Mother Lode, testified for the lion. The claimants alleged to have suffered mental, have walked out of the meeting with her parents. ed inaccurate and incomplete information to the defense. “Jane Doe 2” testified but her allegations sexual, and physical abuse by adults who ran the Source: Deseret News, 11-9-20 Holy See regarding McCarrick’s sexual conduct fell outside the statute of limitations. Source: Union Christian boarding school founded in 1987 for at- Roy N. Shoop, 55, Inola, OK, has now been with young adults,” a summary said. Source: NY Democrat, 11-17-20 risk and learning-disabled youth. It was shut down accused of molestation by 5 girls in 3 states, all un- Times, 11-10-20 Bret Welty, 49, Boise, ID: 15 years in pris- by the state in 2014. der age 16 and as young State investigators have named 97 priests on after pleading guilty to sexual abuse of a child School founder Su- as 12, who make similar credibly accused of sexually abusing children younger than 16. Welty, pastor at Hard Rock Reviv- san Gayle Clark and the claims that they were within Florida’s Catholic churches. Prosecutors al Church, was accused of assaulting a 15-year-old Seventh-day Adventist A sandwich shop employee working at Shoop’s farm set up a hotline for clergy sexual abuse in 2018 girl in August 2019. Church-North American or taking riding lessons and received 260 tips. The girl was staying with Welty’s family for the Division were among told police that Fr. Lawlor from him when molested. Investigators concluded none of the 97 can be weekend, as the “family believed that spending time the 14 defendants in the was“ ‘spraying pee all over.’ Shoop is pastor at Cow- prosecuted because they are either dead or the at the pastor’s home would be helpful” because of original suits filed in 2017. boy Gatherin’ Church. statute of limitations has expired. The report also anxiety and family problems she was having, prose- Clark pleaded guilty to Sgt. Bo Williams of revealed 81 priests who were relocated to Florida cutors said. Welty had her undress and touched her child neglect, failure to the Rogers County Sher- after being credibly accused of sexual abuse in oth- sexually for between 30 and 60 minutes, only stop- report and obstruction of justice and received 6 iff’s Office said he believes all 5 were groomed. “Kid- er parts of the country. ping when his wife knocked on the bedroom door. months in jail and 5 years’ probation. ding and joking, subtle touches. Stuff like that. There “I feel bad for the Florida victims of past church They’re now divorced. “The abuse suffered by these children would were statements made that ‘Oh, that’s just Roy be- assaults,” said Eugene Rosenquest of the Florida Welty admitted having “struggled with such be- shock the conscience of any West Virginian,” ing handsy.’ ” Source: News on 6, 11-9-20 chapter of the Survivors Network of those Abused haviors before” but never with someone as young said plaintiffs’ attorney Jesse Forbes. “They were by Priests. “Are they now left to twist in the wind?” as the victim, court documents said. Source: Lewis- stripped naked, handcuffed, sexually abused and Allegations The report underscores the need for stat- ton Morning Tribune, 10-28-20 kept in a 5-by-8-foot room with a coffee can for a ute of limitation reform, he said, and for a “look Edward S. Thompson, 40, Eugene, OR: 125 toilet. This is the stuff straight from a horror movie.” The New Zealand Royal Commission of Inqui- back window” law like New York’s. Source: years in prison for convictions on 4 counts of rape, 5 Although authorities mounted investigations ry into Abuse is hearing from 23 people abused News 4 Jax, 11-9-20 counts of sex abuse and 1 count of sodomy. When as far back as 1999, it was hard to bring them while in the care of the Catholic and Anglican arrested in 2018, he was a music ministry leader at to a conclusion since alleged perpetrators often churches and the Salvation Army. Frances Removed / Resigned Christ Fellowship Church and former member of the came to the school on work visas and would be Tagaloa, 52, testified she was sexually abused Eugene Faith Center. sent back to their home countries before they between ages 5 and 7 by Brother Bede Fitton, a Francis “Frank” Lawlor, administrator of Sa- The female victim, under age 12, told a coun- could be questioned. A state Supreme Court rul- Marist Brothers teacher. cred Heart Catholic Parish in Pittsfield, MA, was selor that Thompson molested her while babysitting ing in 2000 also limited officials’ access to medi- “Brother Bede would be fondling me or would placed on administrative leave by the Diocese for “as long as [she] could remember.” The affida- cal records and their ability to interview students. want me to take my pants off and stand me up on a of Springfield. The leave is effective immediately vit stated the abuse occurred between 2012–18. Source: WV News, 11-12-20 table and get me to read books. I was not sure what “pending the outcome of a private legal matter,” said Source: Register-Guard, 10-17-20 Joseph Stone, pastor of Second Baptist else he was doing because I was reading a book.” a post on the diocese’s website. Church in Starkville, MS, and head deacon Terry Tagaloa said she started processing what hap- According to a police report, Lawlor was charged Civil Lawsuits Filed Miller were found liable by a civil trial jury for over pened to her as a child when she was 17. “It just with open and gross lewdness after urinating out- $500,000 in damages in connection with a failed seemed strange to me that I had to go back to the side a sandwich shop on May 10. He had been The Catholic Archdiocese of Newark, NJ, is construction project that started in 2015. Marist Brothers, to the very organization that al- asked to leave the shop because he was not wear- being sued by a woman who alleges she was sex- The jury found that Stone and Miller conspired lowed the abuse to happen. I had to go back to them ing a mask and following COVID-19 restrictions. ually assaulted by 2 nuns when she was 8 in 1969 with the contractor and that Stone likely took kick- to try and see if they would fix it or do anything about An employee told police that Lawlor was “spray- and in 1971 by a priest at Immaculate Conception backs from the contractor, Donald Crowther, who it, and it made me quite fearful.” Source: Radio New ing pee all over.” Lawlor admitted urinating on some Parish and School in Montclair. William Dowd, the has pleaded guilty to fraud. Source: WCBI, 11-4-20 Zealand, 11-30-20 bushes because he “couldn’t hold it any longer.” The priest, lives now in Brick and was removed from George W. Rutler, 75, a prominent New York case is still pending. Source: Berkshire Eagle, 11- ministry nearly 2 decades ago before being rein- City Catholic priest, author and host on the Eternal 16-20 stated in 2007 after a church trial. The archdiocese Finances Word Television Network, is accused of forcible Carl Lentz, 41, was terminated as lead pastor of settled a suit last October filed by a man alleging The Catholic Diocese of Scranton, PA, paid touching by a Bronx woman, Ashley Gonzalez, 22, Hillsong East Coast, a megachurch in Manhattan, Dowd molested him as a child. Dowd is chaplain for $24.46 million to 213 survivors of sexual abuse who worked as an overnight security guard at his NY. An email from Hillsong founding pastor Brian the New York Giants NFL franchise. through its Independent Survivors Compensation parish, St. Michael the Archangel in Manhattan. Houston cited “leadership issues and breaches of John Baldante, attorney for plaintiff Mary Joy Program, now closed. Eleven offers were rejected She was on her second day of the job Nov. 4 trust, plus a recent revelation of moral failures.” Morgan, said she told a therapist about the abuse by claimants, 25 offers remain outstanding and 46 when she alleges she saw him watching gay por- The church also cut ties with his wife, Laura years ago and in 2018 reported it to a priest at the were determined ineligible. nography on an office computer. Rutler’s weekly Lentz, 40, Hillsong co-pastor. Houston and his wife Montclair parish, now called St. Teresa of Calcutta. Accepting an offer means forfeiting the right to newsletter is carried by Church Militant, a right-wing founded the original Hillsong in 1983 in Australia. It The suit accuses Sr. Maria Michael Garner, a sue. The program was primarily funded by the sale Catholic website that rails against homosexuality. now has locations in 28 countries and, pre-pandem- teacher and administrator at Immaculate Concep- of the diocese’s 3 long-term care facilities, which Gonzalez has shared an 18-second video with me- ic, had an average 150,000 weekly attendees. tion Elementary School, of abusing Morgan several sold for about $26 million. Source: Diocese of dia of him watching the porn. Carl Lentz famously baptized singer Justin Bie- times a week starting in 1969 and Sr. Alice Berna- Scranton, 10-29-20 “He looked at me with a smile, looked away, and ber in a bathtub at the Manhattan home of Knicks dette, of helping restrain her for Dowd in 1971. Both he put his hand inside his pants, and he was playing player Tyson Chandler in 2015. nuns are dead. with himself,” Gonzalez alleged. When she tried to Lentz’s former lover Ranin Karim, 34, a fashion Dowd’s abuse continued until 1975, when Legal Developments leave, she said, “He aggressively threw himself on designer and native of Palestine, detailed her al- Morgan transferred to another school, it’s alleged. The Utah Supreme Court heard arguments in me and grabbed me sexually, aggressively, and I leged affair with him in a news interview: “We were Source: northjersey.com, 11-30-20 a case alleging 4 male elders of a Jehovah’s Wit- was fighting him off of me.” obsessed with each other. He was like a drug to me. The Catholic Diocese of Buffalo, NY, and 3 nesses congregation in Roy forced a 15-year-old The Archdiocese of New York said in a state- I was a drug to him.” Source: Religion News Ser- bishops have been sued by the state Attorney Gen- girl to listen to a recording of a man raping her in ment that Rutler denies acting inappropriately but vice/NY Post, 11-10-20 eral’s Office for cover-up of sexual abuse by priests. 2008. Lower courts found the church was not liable “has voluntarily stepped aside from the parish and The state will try to use civil laws governing religious Other charities and their fiduciaries to prove the diocese failed to follow policies enacted in 2002 by the U.S. Joel Kolko, 74, a New York rabbi accused of Conference of Catholic Bishops. molesting students at the yeshiva where he taught The suit seeks restitution and institutional chang- for years, died of COVID-19 while on a visit to Israel. es and a ban on former bishops Richard Malone Yeshiva Torah Temimah in Brooklyn paid $2.1 mil- and Edward Grosz from management roles in any lion in 2016 to 2 former students who accused Kolko charitable organization. of sexual assault. Attorney General Letitia James alleges the men The boys were 6 at the time of the alleged used bureaucratic maneuvers to shelter more than abuse. The school is facing several more suits ac- 2 dozen priests accused of harming children. Ed- cusing Kolko of abuse. Source: JTA, 11-10-20 ward Scharfenberger is named as a defendant in Paul Shanley, 89, a former Massachusetts his capacity as current interim administrator of the Catholic priest who served 12 years in prison for diocese. Source: NY Times, 11-22-20 raping a boy at a Newton church in the 1980s, died The Vatican’s Holy See is being sued by 4 plain- Oct. 28. A cause of death was not provided. tiffs, “JA Doe 50-53,” men who allege sexual abuse Shanley was a popular street priest who min- by defrocked Cardinal Theodore McCarrick. One istered to gay and troubled youths. Decades later, plaintiff is a priest. Plaintiffs’ attorney Jeff Anderson dozens of men came forward with abuse accusa- said it’s the first time an active clergy member has tions. He was defrocked and moved to an apart- sued the Holy See regarding abuse. ment in Ware in 2017 after being released. Three of the plaintiffs were parishioners who al- Shanley’s outing and conviction were partly at- lege McCarrick, 90, abused them as youths in the tributable to the Boston Globe’s landmark 2002 in- 1980s. The priest alleges McCarrick assaulted him at vestigation that raised questions about widespread a beach house in New Jersey in the 1990s and that a abuse among clergy and whether Archdiocese fellow priest told him to forget what happened “for the of Boston officials had looked the other way. The good of the church.” Source: WNBC, 11-20-20 reporting led to a Pulitzer Prize and the 2015 Os- Concordia Preparatory School (formerly Bal- car-winning film “Spotlight.” Source: NBC Boston, timore Lutheran School) in Towson, MD, and the 11-6-20 Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod are being sued Email: [email protected] by a former student who alleges her reports of male Page 28 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | January / February 2021

Freethinker of the Year Award I’m God and I have the license The Freedom From Religion Foundation then contacted the American Civil Liberties Union in Kentucky, and it agreed to take my case. Later that year, in November of 2016, the to prove it! suit was filed in federal court. The BBC picked up the story and it went around the world in March of Appearing in a pre-recorded video during 2017. The Washington Post called for an inter- FFRF’s “Covid Convention” on Nov. 14 was view; Fox News called for an interview. FFRF Member Ben Hart, who successfully The state filed for dismissal a full year lat- sued Kentucky to get “IM GOD” on his er, but the judge denied the motion. license plates. Because of that, Hart Finally, in January [2020], I was told earned FFRF’s 2020 Freethinker of the my plate was on its way. I asked if it in- Year Award. cluded the phrase “In God We Trust.” I Here is an edited transcript of his was assured it did. acceptance speech: Then I went to pick up the plate, but it didn’t have the phrase on it. I By Ben Hart refused it and they ordered another one. I finally got it — “IM GOD” with the phrase “In God We Trust” y name is Ben Hart and I on it — no extra charge. live in Independence, Ky., with my I now have the most famous license wonderful wife of 64 years, Yvonne plate in the world on the front of my Jeep MHart. I have been named Freethinker of and the most expensive license plate in the the Year by the Freedom From Religion country on the rear, thanks to the Freedom Foundation. And this is the nice plaque From Religion Foundation and the Kentucky that they have given me. It’s a beauty. I’m very American Civil Liberties Union. The state had proud to have gotten it. to pay $150,000 in attorney fees to deny me my We moved to Independence from Cincinnati, rights, and that, my friends, shows the power our just across the river. In February of 2016, I applied for Freedom From Religion Foundation has. the same personalized license plate I had in Ohio for over And for those who are wondering, I’m 12 years — “IM GOD.” The plates also included the phrase not the god of the bible — that’s the guy who “One Nation Under God.” I had no trouble getting it in drowned all the babies in the world. I’m the god Ohio, so I didn’t expect to have any trouble getting it in of the dictionary. The American Heritage Dictio- Kentucky. A week later, I got a letter from the Kentucky nary has six definitions for “god.” Number five Transportation Department rejecting my request, which is “a very handsome man.” And my wife says I’m said it was obscene and vulgar. So, of course, I got in touch a very handsome man. And nobody argues with with the Freedom From Religion Foundation. They sent a my wife. letter telling the Transportation Department that it was de- nying my First Amendment rights. The department replied that the plate wasn’t actually obscene and vulgar, but dis- Ben Hart displays his 2020 Freethinker of the tracting. It still denied my request. Year Award plaque.

Clarence Darrow Award Ed Asner: It’s not easy to challenge religion

Prolific and award-winning actor Ed By Ed Asner Asner appeared via pre-recorded video at FFRF’s “Covid Convention” on Nov. 14. Asner, who recently became part his is a beautiful award. My God, of FFRF’s Honorary Board, accepted it is beautiful. He is so embodied FFRF’s 2020 Clarence Darrow Award. here. And being a junkman’s son, Asner toured the country portray- TI can tell you, this is good metal. This ing William Jennings Bryan in a play is fine metal. You can’t get better metal about the Scopes Trial opposite John than this. Unless you go to gold and sil- de Lancie (portraying Darrow), and ver and titanium, but we won’t go there. has been an outspoken progressive This comes from the heart, this is Clar- activist. The award includes a ence Darrow. bronze statuette, a miniature of I was with your group in Wisconsin, the 7-foot statue by renowned and I felt the same way there that I feel sculptor Zenos Frudakis that with you now. You are brave, wonder- FFRF erected on the lawn ful people, so essential to a democracy of the “Scopes Trial” court- such as America, which needs you bad- house in Dayton, Tenn. ly. It’s not easy to challenge religion in Here is an edited tran- America, but it’s most necessary, very script of his remarks: necessary. And I want to say that Darrow put it so bluntly when he said the most humane Actor Ed Asner shows off thing we can do is to comfort the afflict- the Clarence Darrow Award ed and afflict the comfortable. Keep do- he received from FFRF in ing it. You’re setting a great example for 2020. all freedom lovers. Thank you.