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Vol. 28 No. 9 Published by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. November 2011 Photo: Jeff Yardis FFRF Jesus shrine protest sets off firestorm

A letter from the Freedom From Religion Foundation to the U.S. For- est Service protesting an unconstitu- tional Jesus shrine in the middle of Big Mountain in Montana’s Flathead National Forest has ignited a Religious Right firestorm. On behalf of one of its Montana Catherine Fahringer Student Activist awardee Harrison Hopkins addresses a packed house at the 34th annual national members, FFRF Staff Attorney Stepha- FFRF convention in Hartford, Conn. For more convention photos, see Pages 10–15. nie Schmitt sent a letter in May point- ing out that religious symbols may not be posted on federal property. She The Forest Service had quietly ing “public comment,” FFRF also sent the ski area, it points out. filed a Freedom of Information Act re- agreed this summer not to renew the Tidwell representative samplings of The insensitive Rehberg went so quest to review the leasing agreement lease to the conservative Roman Cath- its vicious hate mail on the issue (see far as to create a link, veteransjesus.com, with the Knights of Columbus Council olic men’s club. The violation has been Crank Mail, Page 17), showing how which takes people to his congression- #1328. The lease refers to the purpose going on since the mid-1950s with the statue has given believers a sense al website. In November, he intro- “to provide a site for a religious shrine.” “leases” renewed every 10 years. The that they are political insiders, and that duced legislation to swap private land Documents reveal the government permit was up for renewal this year. nonbelievers are outsiders worthy of from the resort atop Big Mountain for charged no money for the special lease Then, U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg, deportation or even death. the 625 feet of federal land beneath permit for use of 625 square feet of R-Mont., got into the act. In October, The concrete statue is one of thou- the shrine. land near Whitefish Mountain Resort’s he wrote Forest Service Chief Tom sands manufactured by the Knights Chair 2. Tidwell: “Removal of this symbol of of Columbus to place on their lawns. Urgent Action Alert! hope and faith is an insult to the sac- “They overstep their rights when they rifices they so willingly gave our great appropriate federal property to broad- The U.S. Forest Service’s official country.” cast their religious message,” said FFRF “comment period” for whether to re- Forest Supervisor Chip Weber ca- Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor. new the lease for the Jesus shrine lasts Inside This Issue pitulated and announced Oct. 21 that The record shows the idea for the through Dec. 8, 2011. Send your objec- Flathead National Forest was withdraw- shrine apparently originated with re- tions by email to: Thomas ing its decision not to renew the permit turning Catholic veterans from Ka- comments-northern-flathead-tally-lake@ Jefferson and would “formally seek public com- lispell, Mont., who aimed to recreate fs.fed.us Student Activist ment.” Also getting into the act is the the experience of seeing other shrines Please include “Knights of Colum- Jessica Ahlquist Montana State Historical Preservation to Jesus in the Alps. bus Special Use Permit Reauthoriza- Pages 2–3 Office, which absurdly claims “the site “The Knights of Columbus is a very tion Project” in the subject line. in question is eligible for listing on the wealthy organization with ample land Emailed comments will be con- National Register of Historic Places.” where it may place Jesus statues pri- firmed by return email. Only the first FFRF immediately wrote Tidwell to vately, where they belong,” said Dan email from each sender will receive a protest the notion that public opinion Barker, FFRF co-president. confirmation. Atheist in can supersede the Constitution. The The Catholic club demurs and says Mail or fax comments to: Foxhole majority does not rule in matters of the statue is too fragile to be moved. Project Leader Derek Milner awardee personal conscience. Just because a vi- “It’s hardly a Michelangelo!” Gaylor Tally Lake Ranger District olation is long-lasting does not dimin- quipped. 650 Wolfpack Way Steve Trunk ish the violation, FFRF further pointed Forest Service Employees for Envi- Kalispell, MT 59901 Pages 8–9 out — quite the contrary. By that rea- ronmental Ethics, in a Nov. 15 letter of Fax: 406-758-5367 soning, the longer an abuse goes on, objection to the permit, pooh-poohed Please take a moment to comment, the less egregious it becomes. the idea that the statue would be dam- because Religious Right groups such as FFRF also called it a “sham” that the aged. “For a nation that successfully Pat Robertson’s ACLJ have delightedly FFRF shrine to Jesus is belatedly being called put several men on the moon, this latched onto this issue to raise money honors a World War II memorial. The shrine does not appear to be a significant en- and muster their forces. We ask every “Annie” promotes one religion’s deity and ex- gineering hurdle.” FSEEE pointed out FFRF member to chime in and coun- cludes all non-Christians, including the “statue’s historic identity would ter the religious hotheads so reason composer “the many ‘atheists in foxholes’ who be preserved by locating the statue at will prevail! If you are a veteran, please Charles have served our country with distinc- a private location within the ski area mention that status in your comment. Strouse tion and valor,” FFRF wrote Tidwell. resort’s footprint.” In fact, the applica- Sign FFRF’s official White House Page 24 Courts have rejected such ruses. tion’s first choice for locating the stat- petition to President Obama to remove Since the Forest Service was seek- ue in 1953 was on private land within the Jesus shrine: wh.gov/Th8 Page 2 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin November 2011

Thomas Jefferson Youth Activist honoree Teen stands tall for First Amendment All photos: Jeff Yardis Jessica Ahlquist, 16, who is a plaintiff in an ACLU federal lawsuit to force removal When I identified of an 8-foot-tall prayer banner from her Rhode Island high school, spoke at FFRF’s myself as an 34th national convention Oct. 8, 2011, atheist, someone in Hartford, Conn., where she received the Thomas Jefferson Youth Activist Award of gasped. $1,000. This award is endowed by a West Coast couple. The painting was donated to Cranston West by the class of 1963, the first graduating class. [of the School Committee of the city of Cranston] after a parent filed a for- mal complaint with the ACLU. I had been doing research on the prayer, on prayers in schools in general, and dur- ing that time over the summer, another parent kind of beat me to it and made a complaint. There were subcommit- tee meetings because the school didn’t Jessica accepts the $1,000 Thomas Jefferson Youth Activist Award presented on want to just remove it right away. behalf of FFRF by Webmaster Scott Colson. My friend was a student representa- tive on the subcommittee. I spoke at atheist. When I did, someone gasped their breath that I was a “little witch.” the meeting and identified myself as an and someone else whispered under [Jessica is 5 feet tall.] So I didn’t feel very welcome there, obviously, from the very beginning. I attended another meeting, where there were a lot more people wear- ing signs around their necks that said, “Keep original banner.” They were pretty angry. I don’t think all of them knew why they were there though. Some of them seemed really confused. They just said, “Someone’s trying to de- stroy God,” and then they all jumped in a van or something. By Jessica Ahlquist A lot of irrelevant stuff came up at the meetings. People were talking about abortion and how prayers in schools somehow lowered the teen I’m a junior in high school at Cran- pregnancy rate. This was all coming ston West, which is in Rhode Island. from people who didn’t really know You don’t tend to think that Rhode that the prayer mural existed before. I Island is a very religious place. It usu- spoke at that meeting also and could ally has more of a secular connotation feel how much people hated me. They to it. However, I found out that wasn’t stared and glared at me. exactly true. They were angry from the very start, All of this started when I was a soph- and that was reflected at school. After omore, but I first noticed the prayer it was on the news, weird things started when I was a freshman after a friend happening. I would sneeze in class and told me there was one on the wall in people would scream, “God bless you!” the auditorium. I was surprised to see it in my face. and didn’t think that my school would At the final meeting, the full com- have something like that. mittee voted to keep the prayer. The I’ve been an out-of-the-closet athe- ACLU had contacted me, and I told ist only since this started. Before that, I them that I would become the plaintiff didn’t want to talk about it. I didn’t re- in a lawsuit. In April, we filed a lawsuit ally identify myself as an atheist to oth- against the city of Cranston to take the er people. It was really just something prayer down. that I only told my family. I was afraid In school the next day, I went into that I would lose a lot of my friends if homeroom and people were already I did come out, and that actually hap- talking about it. They were saying that I pened. I did lose some friends. was “mad, stupid” and things like that, I went to a subcommittee meeting Proud dad Steve Ahlquist posing with daughter, Jessica, 16. so when we all rose to say the pledge, A Note to Subscribers Send Us Your Freethought Today Address Change published by Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. Your address label shows the expira- P.O. Box 750 • Madison WI 53701 tion date of your membership in FFRF, which includes your subscription to Promptly! (608)256-5800 • FAX (608)204-0422 Freethought Today and “Private Line.” [email protected] • ffrf.org Don’t miss a single issue! If you If your label shows November or ear- Editor: Bill Dunn move, notify us directly and lier, your sub­scription has ex­pired. Your Executive Editor: Annie Laurie Gaylor prompt re­newal ($40-single member­ ­ promptly. The Post Office does Contributing Editor: Dan Barker ship; $50-household; $100 sustaining; not forward third-class mail. $25-student) saves us time and post­ FFRF cannot be responsible for re- Production Editor: Scott Colson age, and is tax-deductible. (Sub­­­­scrip­­­ placing back issues if we have not Contributors: Jessica Ahlquist, Philip Appleman, tion-only is $20/ year.) Free­­­thought To- been notified prior to your move. Charles Strouse, Steve Trunk, Jeff Yardis day is published 10 times a year, with Back issues, while they last, may November 2011 combined issues in Jan/Feb and June/ be ordered for $2 each. July. Send to FFRF, Box 750, Madison The only freethought newspaper in the United States WI 53701. November 2011 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 3

and so on. She ended up going to law school and is now a very successful en- vironmental lawyer. Q: Do you think the stigma lessened or got worse after the initial shock? Are you now in a position to have even more influence on your school district as time goes on? A: I’m hoping to. I think it got worse at first. It’s getting a little bit better now, but I think it’s going to start get- ting worse once there’s a result with the lawsuit. In the long run it could be bet- ter for me because I can start my secu- lar club and maybe make atheists feel a little bit more open and welcome. Q: Thinking of Roger Williams and which I don’t say because “under God” ing the mayor for basically being a com- the founding of Rhode Island, has this doesn’t belong there, people at the ap- plete hypocrite. I sat there and tried Someone else come up as a teachable moment in his- propriate time turned and yelled “un- not to cry. It was really unexpected, not tory class? der God!” at me. That was probably the that I didn’t know what his opinion on whispered that I A: It’s kind of funny. In the first cou- first time that I realized the magnitude it was. He had said on TV once that my ple of weeks of my U.S. history class, of what was happening. family was just looking for money. (In was ‘a little witch.’ the teacher said that when Roger Wil- People who had never talked to me case that comes up, we’re asking for liams founded this state, he was trying before were judging me and calling me $25. The legal advice was to do that, to establish religious freedom. But she names, and it was really hurtful, I was and I don’t want any money from this.) said, “Do you know the one group that really bothered by it. I went home cry- I’m also not lying when I say that Rene Lagueux heard oral arguments nobody wanted in their state or in their ing that day. the banner is offensive. It’s entitled Oct. 13 but hadn’t ruled as of press area?” And she said, “Atheists.” Every- It didn’t stop there. My friend and I “School Prayer” and addresses “Our time.] one in the class turned and stared at were removed from school one day be- Heavenly Father” and ends with I’m trying to start a secular stu- me. cause there was a rumor going around “Amen.” They’ve argued that it isn’t a dent group in my school. It was diffi- Q: My son, a senior this year, is also that someone wanted to beat us up. prayer. They’ve argued that it’s histori- cult finding a teacher sponsor. People an out atheist. I hope this reassures A lot of rumors like that were going cal. They’ve made every claim there don’t want to be associated with me. you, that as time went on, many people around for a long time. That was really is. But one claim that I don’t think Teachers often just don’t really want came up to support him who he never scary because there had been some vio- they can fairly make is that I’m not of- to have any connection with me other thought would. It’s been very good for lence in my school recently. fended by it. Because I am and other than they’re my teacher. The same him. people are, too. Even Christians are. I goes for students. But we did manage A: I’m a little surprised by who came Calling a prayer ‘history’ have a Muslim friend who is. to find a teacher last week, and we’re forward, too, and who didn’t. There They’re trying to keep the prayer in really excited about that. are kids I’ve gone to school with for Despite all of this, I’ve started be- the school simply to push God on peo- years, and they’re only just now telling coming much more open about my ple who don’t want it pushed on them, me that they’re atheists and support atheism and feeling a lot more confi- and they’ve succeeded many times. In Q&A: what I’m doing. That’s a great thing, dent saying that. In school it bothers my school there are atheists who have because you do feel really alone. me a lot, but I’m able to kind of put told me that they disagree with what [Edited for space] Q: Do you have plans for college? it aside and just get through my day. I’m doing. I’m always a little bit sad What would you major in? I do have days when I come home when I hear that, because it seems that Q: It doesn’t sound like you had any A: I don’t know where yet, but I have from school crying. Sometimes when they just haven’t really thought about support from the faculty, and that sort my heart set on writing. I get off the bus, if I’m taking the bus it enough. of amazes me. Q: My husband’s an atheist. He’s that day, people drive past my house When I was younger, I didn’t nec- A: The support I’ve gotten has kind scared to death to say anything at work, screaming things out the window. essarily see religion as something that of been quiet, just between me and and he’s the boss. Have your parents Last year during Diversity Week at needed to be fought all the time. But two faculty members. People are really felt any pressure at work or in the com- school, the Chinese-American mayor the more research I did, the more I nervous because it’s so controversial. munity? [Allan Fung, a Republican] of Crans- learned that religion can be a big prob- They’re worried if they get involved A: I’m very lucky to have the support ton gave a talk about minorities, and lem. That kind of inspired me to start they could possibly lose their jobs. of my parents, mostly my dad. I think said how even as a minority, he had fighting this prayer. Q: [Comment] Unfortunately, he’s had a couple of awkward moments succeeded and became mayor de- It’s been really hard, but I’m go- you’re absolutely right about the fac- at work, but other than that it’s been spite facing discrimination. During ing to get through this, and hopefully ulty supporting you and receiving re- pretty good. the Q&A, a student asked how he felt when I do, the prayer will be removed. tribution. My daughter started teach- Q: I was in high school plays where about the school prayer. He pointed The court hearing for this case is Oct. ing in high school in Virginia and be- they prayed before every play, which to it (we were in the auditorium) and 13, so unfortunately I don’t have a con- cause she started a gay and lesbian made me feel bad. But there was one said, “I would like to see that prayer clusion for you yet. I’ve been writing a support group, within a month she was girl who was also an atheist who helped stay exactly where it is.” lot about it and about the hate I’ve re- told she would no longer be teaching me stand strong. Has there been some- Just about every single person stood ceived and the things that are going on advanced placement courses and could one like that for you? up and cheered and clapped, applaud- at school. [U.S. District Judge Ronald no longer serve on various committees A: Yes, my two best friends, who are in the school. When I first met them, they were religious but they aren’t any more. Q: Throughout New England his- reedom rom eligion oundation F F R F tory, not-so-ancient New England his- Include FFRF P.O. Box 750 • Madison WI 53701 • (608) 256-8900 • ffrf.org tory, Catholics were actually in favor of In Your Estate separation because of Yankee prayers What is the Freedom From Religion Foundation? in school. Rhode Island is probably Planning the most Catholic state in the country. Founded in 1978 as a national organization of freethinkers (atheists and Have you received any support from Arrange a bequest in your will or agnostics), the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc., works to keep state Catholics? trust, or make the Freedom From and church separate and to educate the public about the views of nontheists. A: Not many, and especially not Religion Found­ation the benefi- The Foundation’s e-mail address is [email protected]. Please include your openly. Some of them have sent me ciary of an insurance policy, bank name and physical mailing address with all e-mail correspondence. messages on Facebook saying, “Al- account, or IRA. It’s easy to do. Foundation members wishing to receive online news releases, “action though I’m religious, I still think what For related information alerts” and “Freethought of the Day” should contact [email protected]. you’re doing is the right thing.” When (or to request a bequest I went into this, I wanted to not make brochure), please phone it a “religion versus atheism” kind of Annie Laurie Gaylor at thing, but that’s what it’s become. I (608) 256-8900. don’t know if that’s necessarily a bad FFRF thing. I think it’s shedding some light P.O. Box 750 on something that needs it in Rhode Madison WI 53701 Island. Freedom Depends Jessica Ahlquist, 16, is a junior and plaintiff in an ACLU federal lawsuit to re- on Freethinkers Declare and share your nonbelief in FFRF’s online “Out of the Closet” campaign! move religious imagery from Cranston High ffrf.org/out School West in Rhode Island. Page 4 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin November 2011 Heads Up A Poetry Column by Philip Appleman

Come With Me

Come on, I’ll take you where joy rubs off on your skin, where hope dings a tune along your ribs, a country where no one remembers that old gray landscape of sorrow, where play is a full-time job ­­— just grab my hand and hold on in the dizzying whirl of our dance, euphoria off on a spin Overheard through fiesta todays and tomorrows, where nobody ever looks back, Why am I an athe- whom considered himself religious. ist? I ask you: Why If today’s chaplains and lay religious just deep in your eyes, a look is anybody not an leaders can’t bring themselves to re- that promises nothing but promises, atheist? Everyone spect the beliefs of such men, both and another big show tomorrow. starts out being an of whom performed courageously in atheist. No one is battle, the fault lies not in their faith, born with belief in whatever it may be, but in the narrow, anything. Infants intolerant way they — and the armed are atheists until forces — have chosen to interpret it. they are indoctrinated. I resent anyone Editorial, “There are plenty of atheists © 2011 Philip Appleman pushing their religion on me. I don’t in foxholes, and their beliefs must be Freethought Today is pleased to publish this new poem. push my atheism on anybody else. Live respected” and let live. Not many people practice The Baltimore Sun, 11-8-11 that when it comes to religion. CBS commentator Andy Rooney, who A lot of students come from small, died Nov. 4 at age 92 and was a 2001 conservative towns centered around Philip Appleman is Distinguished­ Professor­ Emeri­tus at recipient of FFRF’s Emperor Has No church where there is not a lot of dis- In­dia­na Uni­ver­si­ty. His published volumes of poetry in­ Clothes Award cussion about atheists, and so they are clude Perfidious Proverbs and Other Poems: A Satirical Boston Globe, 5-30-82 sort of forced to keep their opinion to Look at the Bible (2011), Darwin’s Ark (new 2009 edi- themselves. This group is a chance to tion) and Karma, Dharma, Pudding & Pie (2009). His The FBI released its report [Nov. 14] show the rest of the student body we nonfiction work includes­ the widely used Norton Critical on 2010 Hate Crime Statistics. Of the are just like everyone else. Edition, Darwin, and the Nor­ton Critical Edition of Mal- 6,224 single-bias incidents reported in Nick Shadowen, a philosophy major thus’ Essay on Pop­ulation. His poetry and fiction have 2010, 20% were motivated by religious and member of a secular group await- won many awards, including a fellowship in poetry from the National­ Endow­ ­ bias, second only to racially motivat- ing Duquesne University’s decision to ment for the Arts, the Castagnola Award from the Poetry Society of America, ed hate crimes, which accounted for formally recognize it the Humanist Arts Award from the American Humanist Association and the 47.3% of the incidents. Washington Post, 11-8-11 Friend of Darwin Award from the National Center for Science Education. His U.S. Department of Justice statistics work has ap­peared in Har­per’s Magazine, The Nation, The New Republic, Religion Clause, 11-15-11 Be still and know that I am God. The New York Times, The Paris Review, Partisan Review, Poetry, and The Psalm 46:10 sticker on the garage door Yale Review. He basically told me that if I don’t get at the State College, Pa., home of Jerry He and his playwright wife, Marjorie Appleman, are both Lifetime Members right with God, then I’m worthless — Sandusky, who faces 40 sexual abuse (four times over) of the Freedom From Religion Foundation. They recorded an that if I don’t believe in Jesus, why am I charges for alleged incidents with excerpt of “Noah,” Philip’s comic masterpiece, for the Foundation’s newest mu- in uniform, because this is God’s army, young boys over 15 years sical CD, “Be­ware of Dogma,” featuring Dan Barker. That CD also includes and that I should resign my commis- USA Today, 11-12-11 Phil’s poem “Fleas,” set to the music of “Trees.” New and Selected Poems is sion in order to stop disgracing the available for sale from FFRF for $23 ppd, The Norton Critical Edition, Dar- military. We don’t want a Party of God here in win, is $22 ppd., Karma, Dharma, Pudding & Pie, $27 ppd., Darwin’s Capt. Ryan Jean, U.S. Army intelli- Libya, like Lebanon or Afghanistan. Ark, $23 ppd., and Perfidious Proverbs, $20 ppd. (ffrf.org/shop/). gence officer and member of Atheists We want to build a state on normal, at Fort Meade, on being berated for his modern organizational terms. The best lack of faith by a chaplain in Kuwait man for the job would be a man who The Baltimore Sun, 11-5-11 is a patriot with skills and experience, not someone who counts how many The hoary aphorism that “there are no times he prays each day. atheists in foxholes” is contradicted by, Omar Salem el-Ghaied, deputy head among others, the examples of Base- of the Misrata military council, on who ball Hall of Famer and combat pilot should be defense minister in the new Your Weekly Antidote to the religious right Ted Williams and former NFL player government and soldier Pat Tillman, neither of Wall Street Journal, 11-5-11 TUNE IN TO FREETHOUGHT RADIO

produced by the Recruit a Member Freedom From Religion Foundation Hosted by Dan Barker and Sample Copies for $2 Annie Laurie Gaylor Send $2 with the name and address of each person you wish Broadcasts and streams Saturdays at 11 a.m. Central, Progressive Talk The Mic 92.1 FM, Madison, Wis., and over several other stations. to receive a sample copy of Freethought Today to: iTunes or podcasts archived at: ffrf.org/news/radio FFRF, P.O. Box 750, Madison WI 53701 Slightly irreverent views, Freedom depends upon freethinkers news, music & interviews (Please specify whether the individual is a freethinker.) November 2011 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 5 FFRF ‘cross-eyed’ over mayor’s bizarre ‘fix’

Whiteville, Tenn., certainly isn’t off one arm of the Latin cross, leaving the mayor’s strange action and, his vin- “Pleasantville” for non-Christians with what looks a bit like a gallows (or a bro- dictive and unprofessional statements, James Bellar behind the civic wheel, ken cross!). but we are satisfied, for now, that there but the mayor of that Tennessee town The mayor has called FFRF and its is no longer a Latin cross on govern- finally and very grudgingly agreed that potential plaintiff “terrorists.” mental property,” noted Dan Barker, a water tower cross had to go. After receiving a demand letter FFRF co-president. He warned that if The Freedom From Religion Foun- on behalf of FFRF by Nashville attor- the town restores the Latin cross (an dation called off plans to sue the town ney Alvin Harris, Bellar initially an- action hinted at in the mayor’s letter), over the First Amendment violation. nounced on Oct. 3 that he would move it will sue. But the national state/church watch- the cross. Then he changed his mind. “This intemperate mayor has wasted dog with 17,000 members, including On Oct. 17, Bellar told reporter Dan- nearly $4,000 in tax dollars to essential- over 200 in Tennessee, called Bellar’s iel Wilkerson, WBBJ-TV in Jackson, ly mutilate a religious symbol, rather remedy “bizarre” and is closely moni- Tenn., that “Somebody has to stand up than remove it. A careful administra- toring the situation. to these atheist sons of bitches, and you tor would not have indulged in such Mayor James Bellar sent a letter in can quote me on that.” folly. The town could even have made late October to FFRF’s attorney, ad- FFRF, on behalf of a local complain- some money had it auctioned the cross vising him that “There is no longer a ant, had written four unanswered let- to bidders. We would encourage the Latin cross atop the Whiteville water ters of complaint since last December town council to investigate the mayor’s “Now we are ready for the return tower.” Bellar attached an invoice for to the town of Whiteville protesting the action,” added Annie Laurie Gaylor, of one-armed Jesus” was a local nearly $4,000 from a crane service. illegal lighted display. FFRF co-president. comment on the WREG News website. He inexplicably paid the firm to lop “We’re looking a little cross-eyed at FFRF protests Michigan bullying proposal

The Freedom From Religion Foun- their small charges to pray before their dation spoke out against a provision in milk and cookies, and schools which al- Michigan Senate Bill 0137, passed by low unsupervised Christian youth pas- the state Senate on Nov. 2, which ap- tors to roam lunchrooms in search of pears to exempt bullying in the name souls to save. of religion: In one recent case FFRF is pursu- “This section does not prohibit a ing, a parent reported that a religious statement of a sincerely held religious teacher belittled an eighth grader be- belief or moral conviction of a school cause the parent was divorced. The employee, school volunteer, pupil, or a teacher reportedly said in the class- pupil’s parent or guardian.” room that divorce is a “sin” and the “FFRF’s legal team spends the bulk student’s parents would “go to hell.” of its time trying to enforce neutrality The First Amendment requires not over religion in public schools. We are that religionists be given a free pass on FFRF contests ‘In monitoring coaches, principals, teach- bullying, but that our public schools be ers, student bible clubs, and even other free from religion. Public schools must students who view a captive audience ensure that students are not harassed, of students as recruiting territory,” said preached at by teachers, or bullied by God We Trust’ vote Annie Laurie Gaylor, who co-directs other students in the name of religion. FFRF with Dan Barker. Sen. Rick Jones, a Republican who Abuses FFRF has handled recently had inserted the religious exemption include science teachers who jeer at in the bill, said Nov. 14 that he would FFRF accused the U.S. House of adopted following a religious lobby- evolution, music teachers who make drop his amendment and vote for the Representatives of “playing political ing campaign during the Red Scare in children sing Sunday school praise House version that doesn’t have the football with religion” when it voted, 1956. As FFRF always points out, ‘In songs, principals who post the Ten exemption, Religion News Service re- 396-9, on Nov. 1, to reaffirm “In God God We Trust’ isn’t even accurate. In Commandments on school walls, kin- ported. We Trust” as the official motto of the order for it to be accurate, it would dergarten teachers who illegally train United States, and to support and en- have to say, ‘In God Some of Us Trust,’ courage “the public display of the na- and wouldn’t that be silly?” tional motto in all public buildings, The nine brave “naysayers” were: public schools, and other government Rep. Gary Ackerman, D-N.Y.; institutions.” Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, D-Mo.; The bill was authored by Rep. J. Ran- Rep. Justin Amash, R-Mich.; FFRF objects to ‘probation dy Forbes, co-chair of the Congressio- Rep. Judy Chu, D-Calif.; nal Prayer Caucus, who had previously Rep. Mike Honda, D-Calif.; attacked President Barack Obama for Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga.; officers for God’ invoking the nation’s first motto, “E Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Va.; Pluribus Unum” (“Out of Many, One”) Rep. Pete Stark, D-Calif.; and FFRF sent a letter Nov. 3 to Ala- that Operation ROC penalizes those in a speech last year in Indonesia. Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y. bama Attorney General Luther who do not participate in the pro- In a statement, FFRF noted: “In fact, FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Strange objecting to a proposed gram. The program seeks to push both are national mottos. ‘E Pluribus Gaylor debated Rep. Dan Lungren, sentencing program in Bay Minette, church attendance on offenders and Unum,’ originally chosen by a distin- R-Calif., on national Fox TV over the Ala., that would let offenders serve calls for continued government sur- guished committee of Benjamin Frank- issue. View the video at: ffrf.org/news/ time in church instead of jail. After veillance of offender participation.” lin, John Adams and Thomas Jeffer- video/.To read more about this or sign FFRF objected to Police Chief Mike Participating Pastor Robert Gates, son, appears on the Great Seal of the up for FFRF Action Alerts, visit: ffrf.org/ Rowland’s unconstitutional scheme Police Department chaplain, would United States and is still on currency. news/action/ or to receive FFRF in the in September, the city sought an be in charge, according to the police The religious motto was unfortunately News: ffrf.org/news/releases/ official opinion from the Attorney chief: “The oversight will be Pastor General’s Office on the legality of Gates. Pastor Gates will be the proba- the jail diversion program, called tion officer for God, you might say. “Operation ROC: Restore Our Com- He, Pastor Gates, will be the one the munity.” offenders will report to. The offend- Staff Attorney Patrick Elliott ers will not be calling the church What Is a Freethinker? wrote: “On its face, it should be obvi- to say that they are not coming to free-think-er n. A person who forms opinions ous that giving special treatment to church. They will have to call Pastor about religion on the basis of reason, independently offenders who attend church servic- Gates and let him know, if for some of tradition, authority, or established belief. es is coercive and unconstitutional. reason they miss.” The city admits in its own documents The proposal is currently on hold. Page 6 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin November 2011 FFRF protests Penn State football prayer

The Freedom From Religion Foun- their entire public university teams dation sent a strong letter of complaint participating in Christian prayer in to the interim president of Penn State the middle of the football field with University over the “ostentatious pre- 100,000 stadium spectators watching game Christian prayer” at the Nov. and millions of television viewers,” 12 game between Penn State and Ne- wrote Annie Laurie Gaylor on behalf of braska. The game was the first since FFRF. “This government prayer service disgraced former Penn State Assistant was deeply offensive to many university Coach Jerry Sandusky, a churchgoer, students, parents, faculty, boosters and was charged with sexually abusing spectators. eight boys. Fallout after revelations of a “Our membership is distressed to coverup has led to dismissal of football see a [de facto] public university in the coach Joe Paterno, firing of the school midst of a national scandal wrap itself president and placement on adminis- in piety. Clearly, we need eyes wide trative leave of Assistant Coach Mike open, not further demonstrations of McQueary. blind faith and heads bowed in submis- Penn State Coach Tom Bradley said sion to misused authority,” she added. publicly “it would be a great idea” that In addition to the offense against the Nebraska Assistant Coach Ron Brown Constitution, which the letter detailed, would pray to Jesus at the game. Brown FFRF objected to the offensive prayer intoned: “Father, you would say grace content: “It should not be necessary to and forgiveness in the lives of all of spell out why it is impermissible for a those involved.” At a press conference, public university serving Christians, he added: “The bible says to all of us non-Christians and nonbelievers alike “Brown downplayed the egregious ulty, parents and boosters do not sub- of sin and falsehood of His glory, not to characterize a school football game nature of the allegations and cover-up scribe to, nor should they be expected one of us could stand before God. He as being played to honor Jesus. Given by saying ‘every one of us needs res- to show obeisance to his or Bradley’s forgives us. He restores us. This com- the timing and context of the game, toration.’ Far from being appropriate personal religious views.” munity, this university, and every one the long-winded sermon by Brown that or ‘unifying,’ his message of salvation FFRF chided interim President Rod- of us needs restoration.” his god ‘forgives us,’ no matter the through Jesus was divisive and insult- ney Erickson for his “resounding sup- “The inappropriate prayer spectacle ‘sin,’ is deeply disrespectful to the vic- ing. Brown’s evangelical message is port” for the prayer. on Saturday involved all coaches and tims in this far-reaching scandal. one which many players, students, fac- The Nittany Lions lost 17-14. It Pays to Complain: FFRF Legal Victories

FFRF protects Michigan vising him of the violations. in the current week’s bulletin from FFRF complaint stops state employees DiNicola replied Oct. 12: “Please be your local congregation and everyone faith-based assembly advised that as of Oct. 2, 2011, a presen- at your table will receive $2 off any of FFRF action convinced the Michi- tation which informs or reminds train- the following brunch menu items!” The Chesterfield County [S.C.] gan Department of Human Services ees of the separation between church FFRF Staff Attorney Stephanie School District canceled a student as- (DHS) to change its oath-taking prac- and state has been added to all acad- Schmitt sent a letter Oct. 17 to Brew sembly featuring a presentation by a tice to permit secular affirmations. emy orientation sessions presented to Works: “Offering this discount violates faith-based drug rehabilitation center DHS offices throughout Michigan trainees shortly after their arrival.” the federal Civil Rights Act in addition after FFRF sent a letter Oct. 17 on be- were making employees retake their All religious postings in the gym to provisions of state civil rights stat- half of a local complainant. The assem- oaths of office. The complainant in- have been removed, and the practice utes.” bly was set for Oct. 27 at New Heights formed FFRF that when the oath was of putting bibles in dorms will stop, On Oct. 24, Brew Works said by Middle School in Jefferson, where administered to the employees, the DiNicola said. email that the Sunday brunch discount FFRF successfully contested further phrase “so help me God” was included. had been discontinued. appearances during the school day Employees were not given the option FFRF teaches Madison by Christian rapper B-SHOC and the to either swear or affirm. On Oct. 25, FFRF grounds Alabama planting of Christian crosses on the FFRF Staff Attorney Stephanie Schmitt district a lesson lawn. wrote to DHS Director Maura Corri- football prayer The Oct. 27 assembly was to have gan, alerting her to the constitutional FFRF saved Madison [Wis.] Metro- featured speakers from the Bethel violation. politan School District (MMSD) em- FFRF received a complaint in Sep- Colony of Mercy rehabilitation facility, On Nov. 1, FFRF received assurance ployees from taking part in a nonsecu- tember from a concerned resident of self-described on its website as “mis- from Corrigan that the protocol would lar staff meeting. Lauderdale County, Ala., about Chris- sionaries to the addicted” offering “a be altered. Her letter noted, “[T]o bet- An MMSD staff member was shocked tian prayers over the loudspeaker at 65-day residential program that teach- ter meet the needs of all DHS employ- to find out that middle-school staff de- Brooks High School in Killen before es victory over sin through Jesus Christ ees, I have changed my practice to ask velopment meetings were scheduled to home football games. and the Bible.” FFRF received informa- staff to affirm or swear. Further, I also take place at a Presbyterian church in In a Sept. 15 letter, FFRF Staff Attor- tion that a permission slip to attend the now advise staff that they are welcome late October, at a time when students ney Stephanie Schmitt asked Superin- assembly, with a warning that “there is to omit the words ‘so help me God.’ would not be present in school build- tendent William Valentine to “take im- a possibility of a guest making faith- That language is now entirely option- ings, allowing for ample space and no mediate action to ensure that prayers based statements,” was sent home with al.” need to seek refuge in churches. are not scheduled at any school-spon- students. FFRF Staff Attorney Stephanie sored events. After a follow-up letter FFRF Staff Attorney Stephanie Schmitt sent a letter of complaint to Oct. 17, the district brought a halt to Schmitt’s letter to David Duff, school FFRF stops Tennessee Superintendent Daniel Nerad on Sept. their illegal practice. attorney, noted that the U.S. Consti- in-service prayer 22. In an Oct. 31 response, the district tution’s prohibition against school- Although FFRF received a response enclosed an Oct. 27 memo sent by sponsored religious exercise cannot FFRF stopped prayer and religion at from the district’s legal counsel that Valentine to district administrators be overcome by claiming such activi- a mandatory employee in-service at a “[T]he district intends to move for- and employees saying, “Effective im- ties are “voluntary.” While FFRF un- Tennessee correctional facility. ward with the scheduled staff meet- mediately, football games are not to derstands the importance of drug and An alarmed employee and FFRF ings,” a complainant notified FFRF on be opened with a prayer that is in any alcohol education, Schmitt said, “It is members in Tennessee notified FFRF Oct. 31 that both meetings had been way led, directed, organized or encour- extremely disturbing that the school that the Tennessee Correction Acad- moved to a room in the middle school. aged by Lauderdale County Board of district would select this facility. There emy in Tullahoma was engaging in re- Education employees.” are several other government-run ligious practices at an employee in-ser- Valentine added, “Additionally, no organizations, such as police depart- vice. FFRF was told there were bibles Even in Bethlehem, student, parent, volunteer, or anyone ments, that are secular in nature and in employees’ rooms and prayer while this is illegal else may use the public address system are well-qualified to present anti-drug employees were in formation. It was of the stadium to lead, direct, organize, awareness. also FFRF’s understanding that there FFRF brought an end to a church or encourage prayer.” “Given the overt Christian nature were religious postings in the gym. bulletin discount at Bethlehem Brew FFRF’s complaint received a lot of of Bethel Colony of Mercy, we are ex- FFRF Senior Staff Attorney Rebecca Works in Bethlehem, Pa. A resident local media coverage. tremely concerned that their religious Markert sent a letter Sept. 16 to Acad- sent FFRF a copy of a menu for “ ‘Show focus will bleed into the message pre- emy Superintendent Sam DiNicola ad- Your Spirit’ Brunch!” reading “Bring Continued on next page November 2011 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 7 FFRF stops weekly Florida school flagpole prayer

Photo: Brent Nicastro Rev. Ron Baker, a Baptist pastor who has been praying with students at schools for 12 years, is per- sona non grata af- ter an FFRF letter in October on behalf Schmitt of a local complain- ant. FFRF Staff Attorney Stephanie Schmitt alerted Superintendent Ben Wortham to an illegal “Prayer Around the Flagpole” taking place at 8:15 a.m. every Monday at Clay Hill Elementary in Green Cove Springs, Fla. The Sept. 30 staff newsletter from Principal Larry Davis quoted from a Christian minister who said “Our chil- dren need God back in schools. . . . The First Amendment was for Christi- Temple-Inland replaces Second Timothy anity, not other religions.” North Vermillion Community School Corp., Cayuga, Ind., replaced a religious Davis also stated, erroneously, that sign (pictured at right) at the high school athletic field entrance, after a letter of “Our prayer around the flagpole gath- complaint by FFRF Staff Attorney on behalf of a local complainant. On Oct. 10, erings are [sic] permissible because Superintendent Michael Turner wrote that the signage “has been changed, thus they are community led and take place placing North Vermillion in compliance with the U.S. Supreme Court’s rulings. outside of class time.” Attached you will find photos verifying the change.” “Despite Davis’ disclaimer that this is permissible, the unabashed promo- tion of the event in the school newslet- ter and the repeated use of the posses- sive ‘our’ would lead any reasonable observer to infer that the event is di- It Pays to Complain rectly sponsored by Clay Hill Elemen- tary and the School District of Clay Continued from previous page ber Middle School, where they may and other literature. These options in- County,” Schmitt wrote. “It is grossly have trespassed on school grounds clude a request for law enforcement inappropriate for principals, teachers, sented at the school assembly. There- and allegedly blocked the sidewalk. In personnel to monitor the Gideons’ dis- other public school employees or out- fore, we ask that the district immedi- a Sept. 27 letter of complaint, Elliott tribution.” side adults to actively participate in or ately cancel the presentation to be asked Poudre School District Superin- Elliott wrote a Sept. 22 letter of com- promote student–run religious organi- given by Bethel Colony of Mercy.” tendent Jerry Wilson to “make sure the plaint to the Norwood School District zations and activities.” Duff responded Oct. 25 to say the Gideons’ actions fall within the con- in Norwood, Mo., protesting bible dis- Schmitt noted the historical and “Bethel Colony appearance as a school- fines of the law.” tribution by Gideons at a table directly factual errors in the newsletter: “That sponsored event during the school day, In an Oct. 4 response, an attorney outside the school entrance during a faculty member of an elementary involving students, has been canceled.” for the district responded, “In light of school hours. On Sept. 28, Superinten- school — a principal, no less — would Duff added that it’s his understanding the problems on Sept. 12, 2011, the dent John Eaton replied, “I will write attempt to pass such egregiously false that the group “is to appear and pres- school district is considering various the local Gideons a letter making sure information off as fact displays an ut- ent information following a PTO meet- options to protect students’ rights as they understand that they cannot be ter lack of respect for the school en- ing in the evening on Nov. 17, 2011.” they travel home from school on pub- on school property nor can they try to vironment and the education of the The district has also responded lic streets and sidewalks if and when distribute religious literature during hundreds of children entrusted to his to an FFRF open records request for the Gideons return to distribute bibles school hours.” care.” the lease agreement and fee schedule While many in the community ral- for B-SHOC’s performance at McBee lied around the principal and the flag- High School on Oct. 28, a staff devel- pole prayer, school district attorney J. opment, no-student day. The school Bruce Bickner did not. In an Oct. 27 leased the gym, canteen and restrooms legal opinion requested by the school, for $210 ($15 an hour), from noon to In Madison, it’s Bickner said teachers and administra- 2 a.m. tors may not pray with or in front of students. “Other adults, (i.e., the min- Gideon bibles out after ister) may not come onto the campus ‘O Isthmus Tree’ and prayer with students. There is FFRF complains no right of a minister or anyone else to come onto school grounds to lead FFRF received recent assurances anyone in prayer. Schools, especially from three school districts that they ’Tis the season, already, for theo- tol. “We don’t think the State Capitol elementary schools, are a nonpublic/ would halt illegal bible distributions. crats to use Christmas as an excuse to should be a public forum for religion, closed forum.” A concerned Georgia parent alert- wage a war on secularism. but as long as religion will be in the Bickner called the prayer “a clear ed FFRF in September about bible Wisconsin media in early Novem- Capitol in December, we nonreligious violation of the Establishment Clause distribution by Gideons International ber sought out the Freedom From should be represented there, too,” and a clear case of endorsement of reli- inside Chatsworth [Ga.] Elementary Religion Foundation for comment Gaylor said. gion generally and Christianity particu- School. According to the parents, their when Gov. Scott Walker announced he The Capitol becomes the venue for larly.” He listed nine ways in which the child came home with a bible and said was renaming the state holiday tree a countless choirs, a menorah with godly weekly prayer events violate the law. the teacher had walked students down “Christmas tree.” sign, an interfaith week and other re- Baker and the school district a hallway to a table to receive a New In the 1980s, Gov. Tony Earl had ligious events in December, including reached an agreement Nov. 10 that Testament bible. dubbed the annual rotunda display a a nativity pageant that takes over the he won’t pray at Clay Hill or at three FFRF Staff Attorney Patrick Elliott holiday tree to show inclusivity follow- Capitol for a weekend. other elementary schools. “Reverend noted in a Sept. 27 letter to Murray ing disputes over religious displays in One of FFRF’s first actions in the Baker is free to find locations off of County Schools Superintendent Vickie the Capitol. 1970s was ending city and public School Board property but in prox- Reed: “The district cannot legally al- FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie school subsidies of the pageant. Madi- imity to each of the schools at which low its campuses to be utilized by over- Gaylor, in several interviews, told me- son songwriter Ken Lonnquist has writ- to continue his prayer meetings,” the reaching proselytizers.” dia that “Governor Walker is wrong. ten a clever song about the tree-nam- agreement said. “The School Board, In an Oct. 12 response, the district It’s not a Christmas tree. It’s a Winter ing controversy, “O Isthmus Tree” (the through their attorney, will contact the told FFRF, “We have been advised by Solstice tree. The custom of decorating Capitol stands on an isthmus between Freedom From Religion Foundation the Gideons that their organization will with evergreens is pagan in origin and two lakes in downtown Madison). One to ensure that they are apprised of the no longer be making bibles available at long predates Christianity.” She added, verse says: resolution of this matter.” information tables in our schools.” “Clearly, Governor Walker, by insisting See FFRF Co-President Annie Lau- FFRF was alerted by a Fort Collins, it be called a Christmas tree, intends to While Christians claim you as their own rie Gaylor debate Baker on national Colo., parent about the Gideons hand- send a message of exclusion.” Historically it’s widely known Fox TV, where she called his conduct ing out bibles after school to students FFRF has applied to put up its an- Your origin was pagan when “predatory,” at ffrf.org/news/video/. who didn’t want them outside of Web- nual Winter Solstice sign in the Capi- The Yule tree was plundered. Page 8 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin November 2011

2011 Atheist in Foxhole honoree A cross by any other name . . .

Steve Trunk, an FFRF Board and Lifetime Although the cross stood alone for Member, spoke Oct. 8 at FFRF’s 34th nation- most of its history, it has become the al convention in Hartford, Conn., where he centerpiece of a more extensive war received the Atheist in Foxhole Award. He memorial. This memorial now features is plaintiff in a lawsuit in which the 9th six concentric walls around the base Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in January of the cross, with approximately 2,100 declared the Mount Soledad cross near San plaques honoring individual veterans, Diego, Calif., unconstitutional. Steve sug- platoons and groups of soldiers. Bricks gested FFRF inaugurate an Atheist in Fox- and paving stones also honor veterans, hole honoree, and nominated Philip Paul- and 23 bollards honor community and son to be its first recipient in 2006. veterans organizations. An American flag flies from a large pole. In 1989, two Vietnam veterans, one of whom was Phil Paulson — the first recipient of the Atheist in Foxhole Award — sued the city seeking to re- move the cross from city land. Those two cases were combined. Ultimately the veterans prevailed. The court found that the cross’s location violated the No Preference Clause of the Cali- fornia Constitution. The court held that to the extent that the cross could be construed as a war memorial, it was only a memorial in the sense it would be a sectarian war memorial carrying an inherently religious message and creating an appearance of honoring only veterans of a particular religion. The city of San Diego sold the land to the Mount Soledad Memorial As- sociation, a sale later deemed illegal By Steve Trunk because the open-bid process wasn’t followed. What did follow was a mind- numbing series of appeals, filings, counter filings, special elections, city Thank you, this really is the most council meetings, special city council awesome honor! Although I have to ad- meetings, more special elections, more mit that it does feel just a little bit weird than a few backroom deals and yet an- receiving an award that I thought up. other special election. It’s kind of like, “Here’s your trophy, Mr. Heisman.” I grew up in a religious house- The mayor hold. My dad was hard-core, Deep South Southern Baptist, and my mom, declared in an Church of England. I went to Catholic interview that school. If I ever want a prescription for medical marijuana, that’s all I gotta tell ‘San Diego is a ’em. one of the most picturesque spots in lowed to sell houses to nonwhites or I first had doubts about god the San Diego County. It’s about 43 feet even to Jewish people. It wasn’t until Christian city.’ same time, I guess, as do most kids tall, made of concrete and painted the Scripps Institute of Oceanography when we started to figure out the sci- white. Until 1989, it sat there all by settled in the area that those rules be- ence we were learning didn’t match the itself. Erected in 1954 and officially gan to change, simply because many of technological capability of Santa Claus. named the Mount Soledad Easter the scientists that the Scripps Institute Immediately after that sale, the me- And because in my circle of childhood cross, it overlooked no services recog- hired were Jewish. morial association, led by Charles Li- friends all our fathers were in the Air nizing veterans, no services on Memo- The Klan likely burned crosses atop Mandri of the Thomas More Law Cen- Force, we probably began question- rial Day and none on Armistice Day, on Mount Soledad. But with many mem- ter, started building the memorial that ing even earlier than most. We’re sur- D-Day or VE Day. But you can bet your bers of city government and police now exists under the cross. This is one rounded by the latest and greatest in last dollar, there was a service every being active members, the burnings of the most salient factors in this whole jet fighter and space technology and Easter Sunday morning. would clearly not have been accurately story about the cross being a war me- begin to ask ourselves, “If Santa Claus San Diego is a really conservative recorded. Details are sketchy. What we morial. Up until the cross was declared can do this, why can’t the United States place. The area where the cross sits, La know for sure is that Gregory Peck, unconstitutional on public land, there Air Force?” The only logical conclusion Jolla, is [a corruption of] Spanish for documented in his autobiography, wit- was no indication whatsoever that it was Santa Claus, unlike the Air Force, “the jewel,” and the area is one of the nessed cross-burnings as a young boy existed as a war memorial. Everything probably didn’t exist. And if that was most affluent in the country. In fact, as in the area. Later in life, Peck would that exists now as a memorial was add- true of Santa Claus . . . I was driving Annie Laurie up to the draw on that experience while making ed after the judge’s decision in 1989. I began to have really serious doubts cross a few weeks ago, I commented, the film “To Kill a Mockingbird.” about the truth of religious stories one “You can tell we are in the good part of The cross is not necessarily just a The legal standing issue evening in the basement of the Rose- town; the car behind us is a Maserati.” symbol of Christian love and salvation. dale Baptist Church in Covington, Ky. The earliest record of a cross being To some, it’s a symbol of hatred and In the summer of 2006, I got a I discovered that the blood of Christ placed on the mountain was in 1913. racism. phone call at work. “Steve? It’s Phil was delivered cleverly disguised as Hi-C Considerably smaller than the current Paulson. I’m dying.” grape juice. one and made of wood, it was twice The war memorial He said he needed someone to take So I’ve been an atheist, skeptic, non- knocked down during storms and re- over the case. He had cancer and only believer, freethinker for pretty much placed. The present cross was dedicated in a few months to live. If no one took the most of my life. Shortly after moving to In the 1920s and ’30s, the Ku Klux 1954 “as a reminder of God’s promise case when he died, the case would die San Diego in 1980, I became more out Klan was very active in San Diego. to man of everlasting life and of those with him. and more activist when I connected Roughly a block from my house used persons who gave their lives for our Sometimes, opportunity knocks; with the San Diego Humanist group to be the site of KKK headquarters for freedom. . .” The primary stated objec- sometimes it breaks down the door like while volunteering as clinic defense at San Diego and Imperial counties. La tive in erecting it was to construct “a a DEA raid. the local Planned Parenthood. Then Jolla at the time was a very white place. permanent handsome cast concrete Phil’s death came at the start of a I discovered FFRF when Dan Barker’s It was WASP-only, and that was actually cross and to create a park worthy of huge flurry of activity around the cross. concert tour series brought him to San written into the covenants, conditions this magnificent view and worthy to be The first hurdle to me taking over Diego. Still don’t have the T-shirt. and restrictions. Real estate agents, up a setting for the symbol of Christian- Phil’s case was the issue of my stand- The Mount Soledad cross sits atop until well into the 1960s, were not al- ity.” ing. I had to be able to demonstrate to November 2011 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 9 Convention photos: Jeff Yardis the court that I had standing at least Yeah, I took out a another country. . .” equivalent to Phil’s. Until this point, the ACLU had not Standing is probably the biggest restraining order been involved. It was being handled obstacle we face now with any state/ entirely by Jim McElroy of the South- church separation issue. By question- on W! ern Poverty Law Center. Once this lit- ing standing, courts are quite literally erally became a federal case, a group denying citizens’ access to the judicial called the Jewish War Veterans got in- system and inhibiting their ability to the 2005 budget, designating it as a volved. It’s one of the oldest active vet- right a constitutional wrong. Let me federal war memorial. After that bill erans associations around. It dates to put that another way: If courts deny was signed into law in December 2004, the Civil War and is self-described as a standing on a constitutional state/ the San Diego City Council declined to group that “engages in extensive advo- church issue, they are at the most fun- donate the property on the advice of cacy of religious liberty.” I want to put damental level denying our right to the city attorney, who publicly stated that on my résumé. Once the ACLU redress the government for grievances. that the move would violate the state brought in their big guns, the court If, in 1989, Phil Paulson had been sub- and federal constitutions. combined my case with the Jewish War jected to the same level of qualification The donation question was then Veterans and two other litigants who for standing that he would be now, this submitted to the voters as Proposition are Muslim. case would’ve never seen the light of A, which was approved by 76% of the day. vote, but a state court enjoined its im- Back to federal court So I’ve had to tell the court that I plementation. feel left out. When I see the cross, as a While the appeal of the state court Once the cross, the memorial and veteran who is not represented, I have injunction was pending, a federal dis- the land under it became federal prop- to say I feel that I can’t enjoy the park trict court order directed the city to re- erty, there was a flurry of legal activity because the cross is there. I have to move the cross within 90 days or pay a and motions that sought to relieve the be able to demonstrate some kind of daily fine of $5,000. The city appealed city of any legal burden. The city of San ACLU attorneys take the heat. harm. and sought a stay, pending appeal, Diego was cleared and the case moved Have I received death threats? Not But it’s really the Constitution that’s which the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of to the federal level. directly, but find any article about the harmed. And in that sense, we are all Appeals denied. Justice Anthony Ken- U.S. District Judge Larry Burns cross in any blog and imagine reading harmed. It is disturbing that the courts nedy of the U.S. Supreme Court then (who coincidentally is presiding over the Crank Mail in Freethought To- are inhibiting citizens’ ability to right overruled the 9th Circuit, granting the Jarod Loughner’s case in the Tucson, day. And they’re all addressed to you. constitutional wrongs by denying ac- city’s stay application. Ariz., fatal shootings that injured U.S. That’s what it’s like to read the com- cess to those very same courts. If an In June 2006, Hunter and fellow Rep. Gabrielle Giffords) issued the rul- ments section in your daily newspaper. average citizen can’t bring these cases, Republican Reps. Daryl Issa and Brian ing that the 9th Circuit overturned. Our very own right-wing radio talk who will? Bilbray introduced H.R. 5683, which Burns decided that the cross, because show host Roger Hedgecock has called This is my statement to the court proposed to seize the land beneath the there are so many of them around, for the wholesale roundup and execu- in an answer to an interrogatory: cross by eminent domain. The House was a secular symbol and therefore not tion of atheists. approved the bill 349-74 and the Sen- subject to the Establishment Clause, I’m pretty secretive about my in- The presence of the cross ate by unanimous consent. the Free Exercise Clause or No Prefer- volvement with this case. There’s one makes me feel as if I’m a second- The act authorized the land trans- ence Clause of the California Constitu- person where I work — I go to his class citizen. A clearly Christian fer, “In order to preserve a historically tion. I always said, if I were a Christian, cube, and he’s got maybe a dozen pic- symbol sits atop one of the most significant war memorial designated I would be really upset at this ruling be- tures of the Soledad cross hanging up. significant geographical features the Mount Soledad Veterans Memorial cause a judge just took the preeminent I’m there working on his computer, all of San Diego with the full acquies- in San Diego, Calif., as a national me- symbol of my religion and made it just the time wondering, does he know who cence and encouragement of the morial honoring veterans of the Unit- another logo. I am? How would he react if I told him? local — and more recently, fed- On the other hand, when the issue eral — governments. does come up, I’m upfront about it. That feeling is reinforced by Actually, I found most people are gen- statements by city officials, such erally supportive even if they don’t par- as when then-Mayor Maureen ticularly agree with my position. I just O’Connor declared in an inter- say something along the lines, “You view with TV reporters “San Diego know how NRA members are about is a Christian city.” To put this in the Second Amendment? I’m that way context, imagine the outrage if about the First.” the mayor had said “San Diego is a They usually respond with some- White city.” Implicit in those kinds thing like, “You do know that the of comments, and in this case rep- phrase ‘separation of church and resented by the cross, is an official state’ is not in the Constitution, right?” position of exclusion toward a mi- To which I reply, “Neither is ‘right to nority group. privacy,’ but are you going to deny you If the Mount Soledad Memorial have one?” is to be viewed from the perspec- The critics often ask such, no doubt tive of a tribute to veterans, which On behalf of FFRF, Annie Laurie Gaylor hands Steve Trunk the Atheist in rhetorical, questions like, “What’s of course it wasn’t until 1989, the Foxhole medal and plaque. next? You going to take all the crosses presence of a Christian cross, ab- out of Arlington Cemetery?” Well, first sent any other religious symbols, ed States Armed Forces.” The federal So fundamentally, what the 9th Cir- of all, you’re thinking of the American sends a clear message that the ser- government took possession in August cuit has ruled, is that this particular Cemetery at Normandy, and in the vice of Christian veterans is more 2006. It’s now managed by the Navy. cross is in fact a sectarian symbol. case of a gravesite, while the cemetery significant than that of those with It’s interesting that the cross is main- It is, by any reasonable definition, itself may be on public land, the actual differing beliefs. tained by the Navy. Those of you famil- the preeminent symbol of Christian- gravesite pretty much clearly belongs This is not so much about how iar with the Navy will recall the mantra, ity, and is, by orders of magnitude, the to the dead person. the existence of a cross on a moun- “If it moves, salute it; if it doesn’t, paint dominant feature of that memorial. And no, what I, and the rest of the taintop harms one particular indi- it.” Yet recently when the cross needed But the court saw a sectarian symbol people involved in the lawsuit, want is vidual or a group. It is about the to be painted, the Navy was nowhere even though Reps. Issa and Bilbray and to move the cross from public land and harm done to the Constitution of to be found. A local contractor stepped Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., had clearly quit using the sacrifice and memory of the United States and the Con- up and took on the project. To his indicated the purpose of their bill was veterans to advertise your religion. stitution of California by the un- credit, he donated his time and materi- preservation of the cross on federal constitutional and conspiratorial als and put a fresh coat of paint on the land. I believe they ruled that narrowly [The week after Steve Trunk delivered actions of public officials and leg- cross and, frankly, for a big ugly con- to reduce the potential for an appeal. this speech, the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of islators who enacted a law with the crete replica of the execution device, it The case now goes back to federal dis- Appeals denied an en banc hearing.] express purpose of maintaining a looks pretty good. trict court to find a remedy. Christian symbol. In other words, Phil and I both filed temporary re- The Thomas More Law Center and Steve Trunk joined the Navy in 1972, Congress plainly made a law re- straining orders to stop the land trans- Mount Soledad Memorial Association served a one tour in Vietnam in 1973, got specting the establishment of reli- fer, but the motions were denied for have filed a motion for an en banc discharged, became a born-again Califor- gion and in so doing violated my — guess what? — lack of standing. But hearing before the full panel of the nian, and moved to San Diego in 1980. First Amendment rights. I now have a piece of paper that says, 9th Circuit. He has a Bachelor of Technical Education “Steve Trunk v. George W. Bush, Donald What’s it like having your name on a from National University and works in the Another giveaway Rumsfeld and Does 1-100.” It’s one of case like this? Phil Paulson had earned IT department of a major defense contractor. my proudest possessions. Yeah, I took the unenviable title of “most-hated Steve noted in testimony that he “served his Meanwhile, the city decided to do- out a restraining order on W! I was man in San Diego” and was given a new country during the Vietnam conflict [but] I nate the land beneath the cross to the kind of disappointed that it wasn’t the first name. Whenever there was a news am not a Christian and the memorial sends federal government. U.S. Reps. Dun- sort of restraining order you get for an report that involved Phil, he was always a very clear message to me that the govern- can Hunter and Randy Cunningham ex-spouse. I wanted to be able to call, referred to as “Atheist Philip Paulson.” ment is honoring Christian war veterans facilitated that by slipping a rider into “Hello police? Um, yeah, he’s invading I, fortunately, have the option to let the and not non-Christians.” Page 10 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin November 2011

Broadway composer Charles Strouse, 84, holds his Emperor Has No Clothes FFRF Co-President Dan Barker hands Strouse the statuette, made for the statuette aloft at the conclusion of FFRF’s 34th annual convention in Hartford, Freedom From Religion Foundation by the company that produces the Oscars. Conn., Oct. 7-9, 2011. Strouse composed “Annie,” “Bye Bye Birdie” and Strouse identifies himself as an atheist in his fascinating memoir, “Put on a many other memorable musicals and standards (including the “All in the Happy Face.” Family” theme song, “Those Were the Days”). Strouse, like so many Broadway composers and lyricists, is a stalwart atheist. Honoree Charles Strouse puts on ‘a happy face’ Photography by Jeff Yardis

There was hardly a dry eye in the ballroom after Strouse’s gentle and moving Strouse drew a standing ovation after his remarks and magical concert. Read rendition of “Tomorrow” (from “Annie”), the finale of his concert. A his acceptance speech on back page. View a slideshow of hundreds of other Broadway revival of “Annie” is scheduled for next spring. photographs from the 2011 convention at ffrf.org/outreach/convention/past- conventions/2011-convention-hartford-connecticut/.

Honoree Charles Strouse with student honorees Jessica Ahlquist and Harrison Charles Strouse with FFRF Co-Presidents Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor. Hopkins. His speech and concert ended the freethought weekend on a high Listen to an interview with him on Freethought Radio (6/20/09) at ffrf.org/ note. news/radio/shows/2009/#r-06-20-2009/.

One of his admirers chats with the charming composer. Charles Strouse posed graciously with many fans, including this FFRF’er. November 2011 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 11

Novelist and philosopher Rebecca Newberger Goldstein (left) accepts her Freethought Heroine plaque from FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor.

Emeritus professor Jim Coors (right), an FFRF officer, presents an Emperor Has No Clothes statuette to professor Jerry Coyne, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Chicago and author of the book Why Evolution is True.

Graduate student Dylan Galos, recipient of a $1,000 student activist award, talks about censorship of his FFRF “Out of the Closet” billboard in Columbus, Ohio.

Jessica Ahlquist, 16, received a $1,000 student Harrison Hopkins, 18, received a $1,000 student activist award as plaintiff in a Rhode Island lawsuit activist award for protesting graduation prayers at against a prayer banner at her high school. See her his South Carolina high school. speech on pages 2–3. Honorees &

Steve Trunk, successful litigant in the Speakers Mount Soledad Easter cross case, was named the 2011 Atheist in Foxhole.

34th Annual Joe Taylor, formerly a Christian rocker, spoke about FFRF Convention “Finding My Way by Losing It: A Christian Music Icon’s Hartford, Connecticut Path to Disbelief.” October 7–9, 2011

At right: Steven Pinker, Harvard University evolutionary psychologist and Honorary FFRF Director, spoke Friday night on his new book The Better Angels Of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined. Read his speech in December’s Freethought Today.

Holly Huber and partner Mitch Kahle display their freethought threads. Mitch is 2011 Freethinker of the Year for his victory ending prayers by the Hawaii Senate. Page 12 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin November 2011 Convention Moments

Officer and volunteer Phyllis Rose shows what an atheist looks like!

Student honoree Harrison Hopkins, South Carolina, enjoys a bite to eat. “Let them eat cake!”

Attendees meet authors Steven Pinker and Rebecca Newberger Goldstein The “Moment of Bedlam” — not a prayer — precedes the breakfast. (seated).

Convention volunteer and Mount Holyoke College student Taylor Myers, who Officers Phyllis Rose and Wendy Goldberg. Good cheer abounds at the Non- interned last summer for FFRF, meets awardee Charles Strouse, Broadway Prayer Breakfast with a Texas member (right). composer. November 2011 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 13

FFRF staffer Melanie Knier (left) with student honoree Dylan Galos. Staff Attorney Patrick Elliott.

Publicist Katie Stenz (left) and Bookkeeper/Executive Assistant Katie Daniel. Staff and Volunteers Photography by Jeff Yardis

Webmaster and bibliophile Scott Colson.

From left: Melanie Knier with volunteers Robert Kimbrough and Phyllis Rose. Attorney Alan Goldberg and Wendy Goldberg staff the “clean money” table, selling chances for pre-In God We Trust currency. Wendy is a volunteer and new FFRF officer.

FFRF Co-President Dan Barker opens the convention with music. FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor. Page 14 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin November 2011

Student litigant and and honoree Jessica Ahlquist (red dress), surrounded by her family and friends.

Ajaypal Singh (left) and Camilo Echeverri Bernal are students who traveled from Florida to attend the convention. Camilo is from Colombia. There were members from about 40 states, two Canadian provinces and a participant from Ireland.

Lifetime Member David A. Reichert, M.D., Arizona, asks a question.

Photography by Jeff Yardis Snapshots View complete slideshow: ffrf.org/outreach/convention/past-conventions/2011-convention-hartford-connecticut/

Staffer Scott Colson (left) mans a sales table. A table stocked with FFRF “ammunition” to defend the wall of separation.

Juhem Navarro-Rivera is a research fellow at the Institute for the Study of Secularism in Society and Culture at Trinity College, Hartford, Conn. FFRF Co-President Dan Barker gives a year-in-review PowerPoint presentation. November 2011 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 15 The Irreverent Audience

Kristen Wiley and David Backerborg, Connecticut, with their daughter Lara, 15 Dan Barker announces a “Moment of Bedlam” (not prayer), at the convention months. breakfast. That’s soundman Buzz Kemper (headphones) recording the moment.

Photography by Jeff Yardis

Lara, the youngest attendee. “Lifer” and Board Member Dick Hewetson, California, came prepared for the “Moment of Bedlam.”

Attendees enjoy cake and camaraderie.

Just imagining it can bring a beautiful smile!

Student activist Jessica Ahlquist answers questions from the audiance. View complete slideshow: ffrf.org/outreach/convention/past-conventions/2011-convention-hartford-connecticut/ Area college students brought their enthusiasm to the convention. Page 16 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin November 2011

State/Church Bulletin

Attorney questions “We’re very disappointed. This is a slap in the face,” said David Diskin, school flier policy organizer of Sacramento Freethought Ellen Davis, attorney for the Gra- Day and an FFRF member. “He sup- ham County [N.C.] School Board and ports the National Day of Prayer but Andrews Board of Aldermen, has ad- not a day that celebrates separation of vised officials that it’s time to review church and state.” school policy on sending religious ma- The Sacramento Bee reported that terials home with children. “School- an empty frame sat next to signed children are a captured audience,” Da- proclamations. FFRF Co-President vis told The Andrews Journal in a Nov. Dan Barker was among the speakers at 9 story. “Someone is always coming to the event. principals, and it’s hard for principals to tell a minister you can’t send home a religious flier. Court allows Tennessee “The policy allows just general com- secular display munity information [to be sent home], such as if there’s food drive, but not In order to settle a lawsuit, John- sworn in as Ireland’s ninth president. The message asked for low-sodium if it’s co-mingled with ‘Come to our son County, Tenn., has agreed to dis- Higgins has vowed to remove prohi- items and for fruit, meat, soup and egg church service at 7 p.m.,’ ” Davis said. play Ralph Stewart’s display on state/ bitions against atheists and agnostics dishes such as quiches. church separation in the “public fo- running for president. The church has filed for bankrupt- rum” area of the courthouse in Moun- His swearing-in included a human- cy, and documents show the Schullers ACLJ health care tain City. ist element, alongside the traditional received almost $10 million from the challenge denied Stewart, a “Gung Ho” FFRF mem- religious ones. church’s endowment fund. “They’re ber, sued to have his posters displayed still being chauffeured around in li- On Nov. 9, a panel of the U.S. Court after he wasn’t allowed to place them mos,” Canfield said. “We, the congre- of Appeals for the District of Columbia near a Ten Commandments plaque 31 sentenced for gants, have nothing.” ruled against the American Center for that was ostensibly part of a display on Hindu-Muslim violence Law and Justice, a legal group founded the history of American law. The post- by Rev. Pat Robertson, in its challenge ers are titled “On the Legal History of A court in India imprisoned 31 peo- Faith-based ‘family of the health care law signed by Presi- the Separation of Church and State” ple for life after finding them guilty planning’ gets contract dent Barack Obama. The suit alleges and “The Ten Commandments Are Nov. 9 in the deaths of 33 Muslims, the law violates the religious freedom Not the Foundation of American Law.” who were burned alive in a building in The Shelby County [Tenn.] Com- of those who choose not to have insur- The latter contains the statement, “The 2002 in retaliation for the deaths of 60 mission voted 9-4 on Oct. 17 to award ance because they rely on God to pro- primary source of American law is the Hindu pilgrims in a train fire. the contract for low-income, family tect them from harm, The Associated common and statuary law of England, More than 1,000 people, mostly planning services to faith-based Christ Press reported. NOT the Bible and NOT Christianity.” Muslims, died in three days of riots af- Community Health Services, a setback “That a direct requirement for most The settlement was announced Nov. ter the train fire, which Hindus blamed for Planned Parenthood, the Memphis Americans to purchase any product or 10. It includes a $75,000 payment to on Muslims. Commercial Appeal reported. Planned service seems an intrusive exercise of Americans United for Separation of Parenthood performs abortions but legislative power surely explains why Church and State and $1 to Stewart. Christ Community doesn’t and won’t Congress has not used this authority The Associated Press reported that Limo drivers deliver refer women to facilities that do. before — but that seems to us a politi- Stewart said he’d rather just have the for Schuller’s wife Jeff Drzycimski, a Catholic deacon cal judgment rather than a recognition county remove the Ten Command- and one of several abortion oppo- of constitutional limitations,” Judge ments. An email request for the Crystal nents who spoke before the vote, said, Laurence Silberman, an appointee of Cathedral congregation in Garden “We want our tax dollars not to fund President Ronald Reagan, wrote in the Grove, Calif., to drop off meals for Rev. Planned Parenthood, not to fund the court’s opinion. Utah highway crosses Robert Schuller’s ailing wife Arvella killing of children.” Oral arguments on the 2010 law be- lose again in court brought “mixed feelings of outrage Planned Parenthood spokeswoman fore the Supreme Court are expected and sadness,” according to a Nov. 3 Or- Joan Carr called the decision “political to be heard in March, with a decision The U.S. Supreme Court denied ange County Register story. pandering. It is unfortunate that poli- in June. certiorari Oct. 31 in Utah Highway Pa- The email asked for meals to be left tics trumped people’s needs.” trol Association v. American Atheists Inc. for three to four weeks at the church’s Mary Phillips, 24, testified that and a companion case, thus refusing Tower of Hope for the Schullers’ limo Christ Community’s services some- Court upholds anti-gay to hear an appeal of a 10th Circuit ap- drivers to pick them up at designated times come with a “sermon.” She said funeral picketing peals court ruling that said Utah vio- times. she’d told that “If only my relation- lated the Establishment Clause when Member Bob Canfield got the email. ships with people and God were right, A panel of the 8th Circuit U.S. Court it let the State Patrol put crosses on “These are millionaires who have limos I would have fewer health problems.” of Appeals in Omaha struck down a public land as memorials to members and chauffeurs. Why in God’s name Shelby County will get $1.3 million Nebraska law meant to keep protesters killed in the line of duty. would they want the congregants to de- in grants for family planning. like Westboro Baptist Church mem- Justice Clarence Thomas wrote a 19- liver meals? It’s ludicrous.” bers several hundred feet away from page dissent to the denial of certiorari. funerals or memorial services. The Oct. 20 ruling came in an ap- peal of a lawsuit filed by Shirley Phelps- When Irish skeptics’ Roper, daughter of Rev. Fred Phelps. eyes are smiling In Memoriam Members of the Topeka, Kan., church believe U.S. troop deaths are punish- Reuters reported Nov. 4 on Ireland’s ment for tolerance of homosexuality. decision to close its embassy to the Vat- The suit followed Phelps-Roper’s arrest ican, calling it “stunning” and “a huge Sherrie D. Bryant, 1948–2001 in Bellevue during a 2007 protest at blow to the Holy See’s prestige.” the funeral of a National Guardsman. “This is really bad for the Vatican Sherrie Diane Bryant, 63, Spokane, to stop prayers opening meetings. Her because Ireland is the first big Catholic Wash., died Aug. 8, 2011, in Spokane. motion failed, 11-1. She served on the country to do this and because of what She was born July 2, 1948, in Addison, Spokane Human Rights Commssion, Sacramento freethought Catholicism means in Irish history,” Ill. was a volunteer for domestic violence gets no proclamation said a Vatican diplomatic source who She was the founder and first presi- and rape victims and adopted stray ani- spoke on the condition of anonymity. dent of a Freedom From Religion mals. Sherrie loved music and played California Gov. Jerry Brown’s re- Cardinal Sean Brady, head of the Foundation chapter now called the the fiddle and the banjo with the fusal to sign a proclamation noting the Irish Catholic Church, expressed pro- Inland Northwest Freethought Society. Mountain Musicians. Sacramento Freethought Committee’s found disappointment. The closure Sherrie was a woman of many talents Survivors include Bill Bryant, her 10th annual Freethought Day, which will save Ireland more than $1.7 mil- and interests and was active in many husband of 28 years; four children; took place this year on Oct. 23 at the lion a year. causes. She was a diesel mechanic in four stepchildren; several grandchil- McGeorge School of Law at the Uni- The Vatican has been a sovereign the Army and later owned a bookstore. dren and a great-grandchild. versity of the Pacific, didn’t sit well with city-state since 1929. She taught her daughters to change “Sherrie was a distinguished citizen freethinkers. Former governors, in- The country took another step away their own oil and tires and her sons to with few peers,” noted Frank Bender, cluding Arnold Schwarzenegger, had from the church with the inauguration sew. Spokane-area FFRF member. signed similar proclamations. Nov. 11 of Michael D. Higgins, 70, who As a Toastmasters member, she tried November 2011 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 17

Sharing the Crank Mail

A sampling of less-than-positive feedback Wow How does it feel from religionists that FFRF has received from How does it feel to be a traitor? That’s what around the nation, spelling and grammar uncor- I consider FFR and ACLU and Other organiza- rected: tions like you that should not be allowed to exist. — John Haglund You are fucking communist liars There is no such thing as separation of IN GOD WE TRUST church/state. This is a communist ideal that is you think you know whats good for every being used to force your evil, disgusting hate one,,,,IN GOD WE TRUST stay out of my bus- upon Christians, you fucks. We will stuff the siness im tired of you liberals thinking you know Christmas tree in WI up your collective commu- whats good for everyone GET FUCKED LADY nist lesbian cunts, you pieces of shit. Fuck all of — fred dingleberry you Godless fucks. Whiteville FUCK YOU ! You are all an embarrassment to the human FUCK YOU ASSHOLES. If you don’t like the race. ..You are disgusting people and I hope customs and history of this nation - GET THE nothing but Evil happens to each and every one FUCK OUT of my Country. There are a lot of of you — Michael Pagfors CRAZY people out there who are strongly of- fended by your big fucking mouths! Caution SKUM BAGS would be Wise! — [email protected] you all are a bunch of phucking lo-life Piece Sign up here of SCHIT Phucking Losers. — SEE you in My boot up your ass HELL!!!! Maybe you will think even clearer if I put my One-holer’s out back boot up your backside. — moose airborne Ignorance Lori Martins, Iowa, wonders: “A primitive church for primitive thinkers?” The Your bumper sticker, Sexism - The Original sign is off Highway 11 near Shullsburg, Wis. jesus statue Sin, you may want to remove that one because One day you will go to far and the majority if now your talking about the Bible. And speaking Americans will cook your Butt — John Basilone of and about Sexism - only ugly broads com- favors in the looks department. You communist [Voice mail to Dan Barker] plain about it. The one’s that complain most scum are the ill of this nation. I am offended by “Yes, Dan. I’m calling on behalf of an institu- Your Honorary Board need to lose the lard. Yes I am sexist and damn your breathing my air. Where do I sue for the of- tion. It’s called Freedom of Religion. So you and Your Honorary Board are all a bunch of il- proud of it! ­— Jeff Davis fense you bring to this country,? Fuck the whole your organization, if they have to take the cross literate cum-suckingFuckingASSHOLES!! More lot of you, and die a slow and painful death to down in the small town in Wisconsin, I hope people should express their disgust with your Barking hell. — Jesus Christ they shove it right up your asshole and send you organization. We CAN make you go away, for- Freedom from Religion members eat shit straight to hell. Because our dear Lord, the only ever!!! ­— Jack Mehoff and bark at the moon! — Clark Kent America and religious thought God, Jesus Christ our Savior, will not permit evil In our world, the majority rules, so you lose. motherfuckers like you to take it down. But I say, Jesus Rules Woe to you You are offensive on so many levels, please go I hope they shove the cross right up your ass You fucking assholes. Stay the hell out of It would be better for you if a millstone was away because no one cares about you and your up out your mouth and then put it right back on montana. One of your members ever shows up placed around your neck and you were cast into views! Go back under the rock you were hiding the stand so that the world will see there’s many here, they will never leave. They will be planted the sea. — Iwillpray Foryou under! — Linda Bonidy, Pittsburgh more Catholics than there are atheist mother- with the statue. — Bobbie Thompson fuckers such as yourself. You’re fucking with the I will pray for you. Wisconsin Capitol Christmas tree wrong people. Jesus Statue on Big Mtn. Whitefish, MT I hope you know that even Satin believes in Atheists are the filthy tripe remnants of a fe- This Message is for Annie Laurie Gaylor... God. — Kate Mott cal sewage drain. — The10thAmendment SC school rally Here’s a big FUCK YOU from Montana. STAY What’s the difference between YOU GUYS OUT OF OUR LIVES. PERIOD. — Nolan Mc- Have you no shame? OUR ABYSMAL POLITICAL COWARD- and Al Qyadah? You don’t have anybody trained Cormick You people are twisted, I saw the fox inter- ICE as pilots. — Robert Emanuel, Boca Raton, FL view with your pig rep, have you no shame? As a serving US Marine over 50 years ago, Mountain Jesus Statue in Montana !! — paul stoll, lansdowne, pa I find it impossible not to speak out against your Whiteville, Tenn. Are you people OUT of your “F-in” Mind?? totalitarian - even Orwellian - contempt for our Being a person of color, I have no problem Are you that Stupid?? Jesus is the ONLY Religi- your organization country’s legacy of Freedom of Speech and with the Confederate flag because it’s that per- ion in this Country of the United States of Amer- If you don’t like our holidays then go to Belief. The fact that you hire sleazebag attor- son’s right to honor and believe in what they per- ica!! Knocl it OFF Morons!! —­ Gary Hendricks a country that doesn’t support them. 90% of neys to THREATEN good people who do NOT sonally choose. Another Dictator named Adolph Americans celebrate Christmas & if you don’t share YOUR beliefs simply adds momentum to Hitler did the same thing that you are doing and Jesus statue in Montana like it then don’t let the door hit you in the rear my horror at your behavior. You - along with the look what happened to him, he shot himself in YOU ARE THE MINORITY, SO SHUT THE end on the way out! — Donna Barr, West Vir- Fraud in the White House are acting in the most the head. You are committing suicide yourself HELL UP DON’T PRAY LIVE YOUR LIFE AND ginia contemptible, and arguably treasonous ways. I and that’s why I’m not trying to stop you, but giv- LEAVE THE REST OF US AND OUR RELI- rather look forward to meeting one of your thugs ing you all the rope you need to hang yourself. GIONS ALONE. SURELY THERE IS ANOTH- Learn to read one day. — Tom Childs Unless you turn to Jesus as Saul did on the Da- ER COUNTRY YOU CAN MOVE TO IN WHICH Your all fucking morons. Our founding fa- mascus Road, you’ll do what Hitler did. When YOU WILL NOT FEEL SO OFFENDED. I’LL thers did not want a state sponsered religion. y\’all are so screwed up you stop denying yourself and accept the truth HELP YOU PACK! — Cathy Wright They wanted everyone to worship as they saw y’all need to get over y’all self. i live in the (Jesus Christ), your place in history with Hitler is fit. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS SEPERA- lauderdale county area and all you people and waiting for you. — A Christian You idiots TION OF CHURCH AND STATE. LEARN TO your group memebers need to quit complain- You are the vile underbelly of the earth. FUCKING READ ASS WIPES. Keep pushing ing bout us praying at school. we dont come to You fucking pieces of shit — Christian Person assholes, we will be tolerant of morons like you y’alls office and say we dont want atheist in our So the fuck what? ! Why the hell should for only so long and then the gloves will come town or come to y’all convention and kick y’all you, you god damn low life mother fucking Statue off. — Mike Steel outta the hotel. So we will still pray at sporting have nothing better to do with your miserable There are no atheists in foxholes idiot. games at school y’all will never take it away in worthless lives pieces of shit, want to fuck with — John Kirby, Hempstead, NY Jacksonville our hearts. And how bout y’all read the alabama America?! You and those like you are the scum I know you people will burn in hell. Assholes. constitution we can pray in schools it says. bag devil’s spawn that want to bring America Helena Mont. JESUS ststue — Lock and load — korey b down and we will not stand for it. Show your Our country was founded by Religion and face or your signs in my town and you’ll get a GOD. Who do you think you are to take that Global warming Prayer at Football Games bullet! I would gladly go to prison for the rest away from the BELIEVERS. I see where they Plant Annie Laurie Gaylor six foot under that We are getting sick and tired of issues hav- of my life to put your organization in the sewer want to refurbish the Statue of Liberty what a will get this stupid pile of shit freedom from reli- ing to arise regarding prayer in classrooms and where it should be. You would only get away joke spend all that money. BECAUSE WITH- gion or religion for eternity and shut her up. Stop and school functions. God and Jesus are names with this in America. You’d all be dead or in OUT GOD IN OUR LIVES WE ARE NOTHING! waste good air and causing global warming you which are spoken daily within our household prison anywhere else! You’re time is coming. ­— Lesa Grayson stink turd FREEDOM OF SPEACH — Robert and we are f***ing tired of you son-of-a-bitches Just keep it up! Red dots...red dots are comin... Johnson, Chicago trying to change that by stomping your little feet — Bugs Bunny, Wabbitville TN ASSHOLES and throwing a tantrum. If you don’t like God or Send sonmeone to my house so I can kick Atheists are the lowest form of subhu- Jesus’ name or you don’t believe in the Trinity, GO TO North Korea his fucking ass out of this country - you dumb- man life that’s YOUR choice. Don’t shove YOUR choice You don’t like it- don’t participate. Leave cocksucking muthafuckingassholes! — Barry Just saw your ugly ass face on line. No down our throats. If you don’t like it, leave the the rest of the god-fearing world alone- better Soetoro wonder you hate Christ so much, he did you no function or get the fuck out of our business, you yet get out of our god fearing country. — Jesus petty-ass pieces of shit. — Carl Ostert Christ, God Bless Street

You all are evil You and your group is evil. I served in th US Army to protect our freedoms and your group is set to destroy what makes are country great, Which is it? God! You only attack the one true God the Lord James Louis, Texas, wonders about Jesus Christ. One day you will realize what evil the mixed messages on different days you have committed. Jesus Christ is the way the truth and the light. He died for your sins. The at this Houston church: wisdom the Bible posses is unmatched. We “The love of the lord is the same love need freedom from your false religion! that created worldwide destruction just to get our attention? I thought only the Mafia used violence to get people’s attention.” Page 18 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin November 2011

Black Collar Crime Blotter

Investigators said Wilkerson manipulated Compiled by Bill Dunn closing documents and took possession of the homes, living in one and renting the others. Af- ter about 6 months, straw buyers were told they Arrested / Charged had to start paying off mortgages. Most were Louis “Skip” ReVille, 32, Mount Pleasant, unable. About $3 million of loans went into de- SC: 3 counts of criminal sexual conduct with fault. a minor and 5 counts of lewd acts on a minor. He’s also been charged for writing a Reville was principal at Coastal Christian Pre- $111,000 bad check to buy a Mercedes-Benz. paratory School, tennis coach at Bishop Eng- Source: The Inquirer, 9-30-11 land High School, counselor at Citadel summer camp and a youth leader at Eastbridge Presby- Pleaded / Convicted terian Church. He’s accused of fondling, mas- Rev. David Radtke, 52, Gibbon, MN: Guilty turbating and performing oral sex on at least 10 of 2 counts each of 3rd-degree and 4th-degree occasions, arrest affidavits said. criminal sexual conduct. A jury decided that At Velocity Sports Performance, ReVille Radtke, pastor at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, hosted “lock-in” sleepovers that mixed basket- engaged in sexual activity on multiple occasions ball, bible study and other activities. ReVille with a 16-year-old Spanish exchange student served as a state-sanctioned foster parent who who lived with his family. hosted 4 children in his home between 2004-06. The girl testified he gave her back rubs and “Thank God, nothing happened to my son,” groped her sexually. Once she awoke to find his said the stepfather of a teen who played tennis ministry experience and to further discern his pants while he was sleeping in Campos’ car. hand inside her underwear. Source: Mankato for ReVille. “But Skip got very close, unusually vocation,” said a statement from the Catholic Campos admitted putting his finger into the Free Press, 10-28-11 close, to the boys and, looking back, we gave Diocese of Trenton. victim’s underwear by mistake, police said. Fr. Yvon Doiron, 63, Montreal: Pleaded him plenty of opportunities for, well, whatever.” Burek allegedly tried to lure 4 females, ages Source: Miami Herald, 10-20-11 guilty to 4 counts of defrauding 4 Catholic par- Source: Charleston Post and Courier, 11-7-11 13 to 19, into his car, promising them alcohol Msgr. Thomas Brady, 78, Brooklyn, NY: ishes in New Brunswick of $106,000 between Rabbi Mordechai Elon, Migdal, ISR: In- and $10 for sex. Source: Asbury Park Press, Endangering the welfare of a child and at- 1997 and 2003. decent assault and indecent assault by force. 10-27-11 tempted sexual abuse. Brady, a retired Catholic Doiron and the Diocese of Bathurst were Elon, a Modern Orthodox leader, is accused of Larry R. Gorbet Jr., 32, Chester, CA: Com- priest and fire department chaplain, is accused sued in 2007 by Béatrice Lavoie for $110,000, exploiting his position as an educator and mo- municating with a minor with the intent to com- of preying on 2 minor boys on the same day. the amount he allegedly borrowed and didn’t lesting 2 teens in 2003 and 2005. mit a sexual act and attempting to meet with a Stefanie Gutierrez, diocese spokeswoman, pay back. The suit was settled in 2009. Source: Elon told prosecutors his actions were mis- minor with the intent to commit a sexual act. The said Brady is undergoing chemotherapy for lung Telegraph-Journal, 10-27-11 understood, and that they stemmed from the investigation started when police learned Gor- cancer. She denied there was actual physical Rev. James W. French, 64, Dakota, IL: love of a teacher for a student and were in no bet had been sending text messages, including contact. “His mind just got very foggy.” Source: Pleaded guilty to aggravated criminal sexual way sexual. Source: Haaretz, 11-2-11 one that said he wanted to use her thighs as N.Y. Times, 10-15-11 abuse of a victim under the age of 18. French, Michael Lee, 36, Orlando, FL: Soliciting a “earmuffs,” to a 13-year-old Susanville girl. Francisco A. Hernandez, 53, Elgin, TX: Ag- pastor from 1987-2008 of Indian Grove Country minor. Lee, youth pastor at Eastland Baptist The affidavit said when arrested at the girl’s gravated sexual assault of a child and indecency Church in Rock City, admitted molesting a girl in Church, was among 49 men and 1 woman home, Gorbet had a cooler containing con- with a child by sexual contact. Police described late 2010 in Naperville. caught in a child sex sting called Operation Spi- doms, lubricating jelly, digital camera, tripod, Hernandez as a “traveling pastor” and believe Police were contacted by officials of the derWeb. His arrest sheet said Lee showed up marijuana, marijuana brownies and a bible. there may be other victims. He allegedly held DuPage County Children’s Advocacy Center. thinking he was going to have a threesome with Source: Plumas County News, 10-27-11; The nondenominational services and bible readings When arrested in December, French was an a 13-year-old and her guardian. Smoking Gun, 10-28-11 in private homes as far back as the early 1990s. adjunct history professor at Rock Valley College The sting used a website offering “fun” with Rev. Robin W. George, 57, Wellsville, NY: “We have additional victims . . . multiple vic- in Rockford. He has a master of divinity degree children at a private home. Lee has been fired, 2nd-degree custodial interference and 6th-de- tims,” said Detective Sabrina Nichols. The vic- from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deer- said Pastor Michael Wards. “He was not work- gree conspiracy. George, pastor of Brookside tims ranged from 5 to 13 years old, she said. field. Source: Naperville Sun, 10-20-11 ing with children. He was working with teenag- Wesleyan, is accused in a scheme to help a Source: American-Statesman, 10-14-11 Joshua K. Drucker, 33, McDonough, GA: ers,” Wards said about Lee’s job at the church. Texas man get custody of his 12-year-old son Rev. Victor Rosa, Orlando, FL: Mail fraud A jury found Drucker guilty of 2 counts each of Source: Orlando Sentinel; WFTV News, 11-1-11 despite a court order barring contact with the and felony identify theft. Rosa, who ran a food malice murder and felony murder in the 2004 An unidentified Catholic priest, 46, in boy. Javan P. Smith, 48, Helotes, TX, allegedly pantry called Esperanza Y Buen Samaritano fatal shootings of David A. Robertson, 40, and Salzgitter, GER, was indicted on 267 counts of offered $2 million to anyone who could help him Ministries, is charged of cashing $241,000 of Lora Nikolova, 25. Drucker, who was a youth sexual contact with children. Prosecutors said get his son back. Source: Daily Reporter, 10- pension checks sent to a New York teacher who minister at Global Outreach Church, where he’s accused of repeated sexual assault on at 27-11 died in 2000. The teacher, Maria Sicardo, lived his father was pastor, was also convicted of 2 least 3 boys between ages 9 and 15 since 2004. Travis Branstetter, 29, Logan, OH: 3 counts in the building in the Bronx where the food pan- counts of armed robbery, possession of a fire- In 2006, authorities were criticized for tak- each of sexual battery and unlawful sexual con- try was located. arm by a convicted felon and credit card fraud. ing no action when they learned that the priest duct with a minor. Branstetter, youth pastor at Bank staff told investigators Rosa often Nikolova, a student from Bulgaria, and had slept with a boy in his bed one night. The Church of the Nazarene, is accused of molest- preached about God while waiting in line. Robertson were dating. In a taped statement Diocese of Hildesheim argued that there were ing a 13-year-old girl from the church about 10 Fraudulently notarized documents, purportedly played at trial, Drucker said he killed Robertson no sexual contact allegations at the time. The times over 4 months. signed by Sicardo, were sent to the pension for allegedly supplying drugs to his sister, who priest was ordered to stop seeing the boy af- Investigators said he took the girl on multiple system. Source: Reuters, 10-14-11 later overdosed with permanent brain damage. ter the boy’s family complained. Source: BNO trips to teach her how to hunt and would drive Rev. Rickey A. Reed, 55, Smyrna, TN: Ag- Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 10-10-11 News, 11-1-11 her to a wooded area for sex. Source: NBC4i. gravated burglary. Reed, senior pastor at First Msgr. Kevin McAuliffe, 58, Summerlin, NV: Rev. Matthias Anderson, 41, Hemet, CA: com, 10-26-11 Free Methodist Church, is charged with break- Pleaded guilty to 3 counts of mail fraud involv- Suspicion of unlawful sex and lewd acts with Rev. Gregory Oats, Minneapolis: 4 counts ing into a congregant’s house, allegedly to steal ing the theft of $650,000 from St. Elizabeth Ann a child. Anderson, founder and pastor of New of felony financial exploitation of a vulnerable Lortab, a prescription painkiller. Seton Catholic Church. McAuliffe, the second- Wine Ministries, is accused of having a 2-year adult. Oats, a Pentecostal Assemblies of the Jean Harris set up a video camera after pills highest official in the Diocese of Las Vegas, sexual relationship with a teen girl. World pastor, is accused of exploiting Vern Rol- kept disappearing from her bathroom. She said gambled it all away, parishioners were told. The girl and her mother met Anderson while lins, 78, who has Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, dia- she prayed for “a week and a half” on whether McAuliffe expressed remorse through his living at a women’s shelter that was part of the betes and paranoid schizophrenia. to turn Reed in after he turned up in the video. attorney, Margaret Stanish. “He has donated church, the complaint said. The mother told po- Investigators said Oats took control of Rol- “But if I didn’t, he was going to keep doing this.” his life to serve his church and others,” Stanish lice in 2010 she suspected her daughter, 14, and lins’ finances after moving him to a nursing “You can see [Reed] pull out some sort of said. “He, however, has a gambling addiction. Anderson were having sex. The church website home. Oats allegedly took $16,000 of Rollins’ tool, possibly a credit card, and try to use that Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal, 10-9-11 said he is married with 6 children. Source: Riv- money and neglected to pay another $13,000 in to open up the door mechanism,” said police Sentenced erside Press-Enterprise, 11-1-11 nursing home bills. Sgt. Bobby Gibson. Source: The Tennessean, Rev. Cornelius Breslin, 60, Wilmington, Rev. Allen R. Jeffers, 63, Tulsa, OK: Kid- “When I came back I came here to visit him, 10-11-11 DE: 10 years in prison, with 7 years suspended, napping, lewd molestation and rape by instru- I was told by the nursing staff that there were or- Joe Cheater Jr., 39, Catoosa, OK: 7 counts after pleading guilty to felony theft for embez- mentation. Police arrested Jeffers, pastor at ders that I couldn’t see him,” said his daughter, of lewd molestation and 4 counts of rape. Alle- zling $350,000 from St. Patrick and St. Mary of Summit Park Full Gospel Church, at the church Rachel Rollins. “Then, I knew something was gations against Cheater stem from incidents in the Immaculate Conception parishes. and towed his van from the parking lot. up. Greg and his wife told him they had power 2005-08 with 5 young girls. Cheater has con- Judge Fred Silverman described the sen- The alleged victim, a 15-year-old girl, told of attorney and didn’t want me visiting my dad.” nections as a youth pastor to a church in Tulsa tence as trivial “compared to the judgment the police Jeffers raped her Sept. 6 and dropped All but $89 a month from his Social Security and at least 3 churches in Catoosa, authorities defendant will face in another court at another her off afterward at a McDonald’s. She alleged and disability checks goes to the nursing home. said. and one in Tulsa, Stansill said. time.” they didn’t know each other. Source: Fox News, 10-25-11 “I think there’s a special place in hell for Investigators said Breslin gave much of the Jeffers has California convictions for inde- Rev. Jonathan L. Offt, 41, Cedar Rapids, these people,” said Rogers County Sheriff money to a man who told authorities he had a cent exposure and lewd molestation. His son, IA: Prostitution. Offt, senior pastor at Trinity Lu- Scott Walton. “Certainly, predator would be the sexual relationship with the priest, an allegation Randy Jeffers, told a reporter that he had stuck theran and the father of 3 girls, was caught in a best thing I would say about an individual like Breslin denied. Source: AP, 11-4-11 by his dad’s side “through all of this [the pre- sting with 8 other men. this that would victimize a 9-year-old child, a Rev. Arcadio “Larry” Pineda, 67, Oakley, vious convictions]. Like he said, it happened Marion police Sgt. Lance Miller said it didn’t 14-year-old child.” Source: News On 6, 10-10- CA: 210 days in jail, 5 years’ probation and res- about 20 years ago and we all took time to trust take long for the men to respond to an online ad 11; Tulsa World, 10-13-11 titution to be determined. Pineda, former lead him again. He started pastoring and thought after it went up. “They came very quickly. It was Rev. Christopher R. Olague, 39, Westmin- pastor at Live Oak Community Church, pleaded God had got him through all of this. Now he has fast, at least initially. We were walking some of ster, CA: Suspicion of committing a lewd act on guilty to felony grand theft for fraudulently taking done this and it has totally blown me out of the them out, and there were others coming in.” a child under 14 years of age and dissuading out a $110,000 mortgage on the church in 2008. water.” Source: KTUL News; Tulsa World, 10- Source: Eastern Iowa News, 10-25-11 a witness. Olague, pastor of Refuge Southland Prosecutor Ken McCormick said Pineda 30-11 Fr. Peter Jones, 58, South Grafton, NSW: Church in Buena Park, is accused of molesting used the money to support a lavish lifestyle, in- Rev. Sagaree Govender, 44, Tongaat, Drink-driving. Jones, a priest at St. Patrick’s a girl on her way to play with one of his 5 chil- cluding a $7,000 trip to Israel, in addition to his S.AFR: Murder. Govender, pastor of Faith De- Catholic Church, had a blood alcohol reading of dren. Police said he stopped at a park and al- collecting more than $40,000 in salary. “He took liverance Ministries, is accused with 2 others 0.341 [the limit is 0.5 in New South Wales], and legedly molested the girl in his car, gave her $40 all that money and lived like the pope of Oakley. of the murder of Elaine Pillay, a member of her was reported by a motorist for crossing lanes in and told her not to tell her parents, a request He’s just a greedy, dishonest person — milk- congregation. Govender was allegedly having a Toyota Camry about 1 p.m. she didn’t follow. Source: L.A. Times, 10-7-11 ing the church, getting a salary and being very an affair with Thavan Pillay, the victim’s hus- Jones, who had triple-bypass heart surgery Rev. Michael Wilkerson, 45, Pottstown, secretive about it all. The church is still on the band, who is also charged. earlier this year, was put on medical leave after PA: Scheming to defraud. Wilkerson, pastor of hook to repay that loan.” Source: Contra Costa Cheryl Perumal is accused with Govender of his arrest by the Diocese of Lismore. Source: New Life Millennium Life Restoration Fellow- Times, 11-3-11 strangling the victim and leaving her body in the Sunday Telegraph, 10-23-11 ship, his wife and 2 others are accused by the Russell Lewis, 30, Coral Springs, FL: 29 bushes. Source: Independent Online, 10-30-11 Rev. Jose Campos, 60, Miami: Sexual bat- FBI of engaging in a $6 million mortgage fraud. years in prison after pleading no contest to 3 Marcin Burek, 27, Perth Amboy, NJ: Luring, tery on a minor under 12. Campos, pastor of Wilkerson allegedly had church members counts of sexual battery by a custodial author- prostitution, resisting arrest and disorderly con- Ministerio Nueva Vida En Cristo Jesus Church, and their families act as “straw purchasers.” He ity and lewd and lascivious molestation on a duct. Burek is a Polish national studying at the was arrested after a boy, 11, told his teacher allegedly paid them $15,000 and added $5,000 victim younger than 15. Lewis, a youth pastor Church of St. Catherine Laboure to gain “parish that Campos put his hands inside the boy’s more if they got others to pose as homebuyers. at Church by the Glades, met the victim when November 2011 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 19

City Star, 11-1-11 on 2 counts of felony criminal sexual conduct. ‘I think there’s a Chabad of California, Rabbi Levi Pitzchak He was sentenced to 15 years and can’t serve Cunin and Rabbi Boruch Shlomo Cunin are as a pastor. Source: Winona Daily News, 10- Creeps of special place in hell defendants in a suit filed by Maxine Coe, who 8-11 alleges the father-and-son rabbis are complicit in financial abuse of an elder, fraud and negli- Legal Developments the Month for these people.’ The Diocese of Joliet, IL, reversed a 2007 gent misrepresentation. ruling, calling Dan Shanahan’s allegations Hana Grace-Rose Williams came from A day after Coe’s husband died in 2009, — Sheriff Scott Walton, against Rev. James Burnett “substantiated and Ethiopa in 2008 to live at the home of her “[D]efendants Levi and Boruch Cunin offered to credible.” Shanahan alleged Burnett abused adoptive parents, Carri and Larry Williams bury her husband at the Chabad burial plot in on youth pastor Joe him sexually in the late 1970s and early 1980s of Sedro-Woolley, Wash., who were charged Running Springs, Calif., and to support plaintiff when he was an altar boy at St. Mary Catho- Sept. 29 with homicide by abuse. On the 9-1- financially for the rest of her life. In doing so, the Cheater Jr., Catoosa, OK lic Church in Mokena. He said he thanked God 1 call on the May day Hana died naked of hy- individual defendants coerced plaintiff into sign- when he heard the news from the diocese a pothermia and chronic starvation, Carri told ing documents by misrepresenting to plaintiff year ago. the dispatcher she didn’t know how old she the nature of the documents, which included the she was 12 years old and “groomed” her until After a lawyer representing Bishop J. Peter was: “She’s somewhere between the ages of total transfer of ownership of plaintiff’s multimil- she was 14 in 2009, when sexual encounters Sartain read the letter to Shanahan over the 14 and 16.” She insisted Hana killed herself: lion-dollar family home in Malibu to defendant started. phone last fall that his claims were substanti- “She’s very passive-aggressive.” Chabad.” “I would ask for a second chance at society, ated, Shanahan waited for the diocese to an- Hana was 13. Authorities said she’d en- The suit alleges Coe wasn’t allowed to stay at life,” Lewis told the judge. “I don’t think I’m a nounce it publicly. That didn’t happen, so Sha- dured systematic emotional and physical in her home and that her needs and expenses bad person. I made a huge mistake.” nahan announced it himself. abuse and lost 30 pounds. She was regularly weren’t taken care of as promised. Source: The girl was in court, where a family friend “The more I think about it,” Shanahan said, beaten with a long plastic tube, which is one Courthouse News Service, 10-28-11 read her statement calling Lewis jealous and “how could I be surprised after what they did to of the discipline techniques in Tennessee An amended civil suit alleging sex abuse by belittling. She will always struggle to forget her me?” He said he was molested in the confes- Pastor Michael Pearl’s book To Train Up a priests in the Diocese of Helena, MT, named first kiss, she said. “I said stop, and he didn’t sional, starting when he was 8. Child. Investigators were told the William- Revs. James Barry, Wilson F. Smart and stop. I know he heard me. I do not feel safe Church spokesman Doug Delaney said the ses had the book, which also advises being George Ferguson as alleged abusers. The at church, a place where security and comfort letter wasn’t made public out of respect for Sha- hosed with cold water for toilet training laps- complaint added 44 new plaintiffs to bring the should go hand in hand.” Source: Orlando Sen- nahan’s privacy. Shanahan said he wanted vin- es and discipline that includes being forced total to 117. tinel, 10-28-11 dication, not privacy. to stay outside in cold weather and missing “These cases needed to be turned over to Tommy Joe Pitts, 60, Fairview, OK: 20 The letter said that “a new allegation came meals. police and local prosecutors to be investigated, years in prison and 15 years’ probation after forward regarding Father Burnett.” Delaney said The couple have 6 biological children and and instead they were quietly buried,” said plain- pleading guilty to 4 counts of lewd molesta- Burnett, who denies being an abuser, will never another adopted Ethiopian child, a 10-year- tiffs’ attorney Tim Kosnoff of Seattle. Source: PR tion, 2 counts of forcible oral sodomy, rape by be allowed back in the ministry. old boy. They are charged with 1st-degree Newswire, 10-28-11 instrumentation and assault and battery with a Shanahan’s brother, Tim Shanahan, filed a assault of a child for allegedly beating him. A 19-year-old woman sued the St. Louis dangerous weapon (an automobile). Most of the suit at the same time as his brother’s against Their older biological children sometimes Archdiocese, alleging defrocked priest Jo- counts were related to molesting 3 girls, ages another priest from St. Mary, Rev. William helped administer punishment, authorities seph Ross molested her at St. Cronan’s Catho- 8 to 12. Pitts was pastor of Midway Assembly Virtue. That case was also dismissed. But the were told. Other discipline for Hana was be- lic Church and elsewhere from 1997-2001. She of God. brothers’ attorney, Marc Pearlman, said the dio- ing locked in a closet while the family played alleges church officials knew Ross had pleaded After being confronted by his wife, he tried cese also found Tim Shanahan’s accusations Christian music and read the bible outside guilty to molesting a minor but returned him to to kill himself by driving into a tractor-trailer but credible. Source: Chicago Sun-Times, 11-4-11 the door. a parish setting with children anyway. The suit survived. Source: Enid News & Eagle, 10-25-11 Fr. Lowe B. Dongor, 35, is believed to This is at least the third fatality in which also names Ross and Archbishop Robert Rev. Philip Ferrara, 49, Little Meadows, have fled to his native Philippines after being authorities have said that families used Carlson. PA: 6 to 24 months in prison after pleading no charged with possessing child pornography methods recommended in To Train Up a Ross allegedly told her that she “was doing contest to indecent assault of a 14-year old boy. and stealing small amounts of cash from St. Jo- Child. No criminal charges have ever been what God intended for her,” that he “liked boys Ferrara, a cloistered Melkite priest, molested seph’s Catholic Church in Fitchburg, MA. lodged against Michael Pearl and his wife more than girls,” and she was “helping him to the boy at Our Lady of Solitude Monastery, Diocese of Worcester Bishop Robert Mc- and co-author, Debi. In June in Paradise, overcome that issue.” Source: Post-Dispatch, where he was on retreat with his family. Manus wrote Catholic leaders in the Philippines Calif., Elizabeth and Kevin Schatz were 10-25-11 An affidavit said Ferrara had the boy mas- warning Dongor may be there. sentenced to long prison terms in the beat- John Doe No. 86, a Miami man born in 1964, sage Ferrara’s penis with his feet on the pre- Authorities said images of preteen girls were ing death of their adopted Liberian daughter, alleges in a lawsuit he was molested by Rev. tense that his sperm duct was blocked and found on Dongor’s computer when he took it in Lydia, 7. The Pearls’ teachings also came Lawrence Redmond in about 1974. The Cath- causing intense back pain. for service. Source: Fox News, 11-1-11 up in the trial of Lynn Paddock of Johnson olic Diocese of Orlando is also accused of cov- Ferrara has been removed from public min- Prosecutors won’t pursue a petition to de- County, N.C., convicted in 2006 of the 1st- ering up Redmond’s actions. Before retirement, istry and sent to a supervised facility in Kansas. clare Michael Baker, a former Archdiocese of degree murder of Sean Paddock, her adopt- he was one of then-Bishop Norbert Dorsey’s top Source: Scranton Times-Tribune, 10-21-11 Los Angeles Catholic priest, a sexual predator. ed 4-year-old, who suffocated inside a tightly deputies, known as vicars generals. Demetrius D. Allen, 28, Granada Hills, CA: The designation would have allowed Baker, 63, wrapped blanket. His siblings testified they In the 1990s, at least 6 men alleged Red- 4 years and 4 months in prison and lifetime sex to be locked up indefinitely in a mental hospital. and Sean were beaten daily with a plumbing mond molested them. Source: Orlando Senti- offender registration after pleading no contest to He pleaded guilty in 2007 to 12 felony counts tube and subjected to other abuse, includ- nel, 10-21-11 3 counts of lewd act on a child. Allen was youth of oral copulation with a person under the age of ing being made to eat their own vomit. Lynn A West Virginia woman is suing Open Door pastor at First Baptist Church in Venice. He ad- 18 for abusing 2 boys at parishes in Pico Rivera Paddock’s husband Johnny, with whom she Baptist Church, Mesquite, TX, and the estate mitted a year-long sexual affair with a 15-year- and Los Angeles. had adopted 6 American children, divorced of a former pastor she claims raped her. Mat- old girl from his church. Nine other counts were Baker didn’t plead guilty to any “sexually vio- her while she was awaiting trial and wasn’t thew Jarrell hanged himself with a bed sheet in dismissed as a result of his plea. Source: Tor- lent” offenses, so he can’t qualify as a sexually charged. jail last May after being charged in Charleston, rance Daily Breeze, 10-18-11 violent predator under state law, said a district “We liked Michael Pearl’s [system] be- WV. Rev. Kevin Pushia, 35, Baltimore: Life in attorney’s statement read in court. cause it was quick [and] it didn’t demean E.B. alleges the church was negligent in hir- prison plus 45 years for murder and insurance It’s unclear when Baker was released, but the child and bring their self-esteem down,” ing Jarrell and covered up a previous sexual fraud. Pushia, pastor at Greater Faith Taber- on Nov. 2 he was arrested in Costa Mesa on an Lynn testified. Jurors learned the Paddocks assault charge. Source: West Virginia Record, nacle Church of Deliverance, was found guilty unspecified parole violation. He was originally got $2,200 a month in state subsidies af- 10-17-11 of orchestrating the murder of a blind, develop- charged with 34 counts of molestation involving ter adopting the children. Source: Paradise Rev. John M. Capparelli, 62, Belleville, NJ, mentally disabled man so he could collect $1.4 6 victims. Post, 6-10-11; Seattle Times, 9-29-11; KVAL, is being sued, along with the Archdiocese of million in life insurance. Those charges were dismissed after the 10-13-11; WRAL, 6-9-08 Newark, the Boy Scouts and retired Cardinal Lemuel Wallace was taken from his group U.S. Supreme Court voided a state law allowing Theodore McCarrick, the former archbishop of home in 2009 and shot dead in a park bath- prosecution for acts that occurred before 1988. Newark, by Andrew Dundorf, 48, a chemical en- room. Two brothers were tried for the murder “Mr. Baker repeatedly lied to his superiors, gineer who alleges Capparelli molested him in but were acquitted. Pushia, who also worked therapists and friends and manipulated treat- Our Lady of the Fields in Millersville, MD, in the 1970s and ’80s. as a caseworker for a nonprofit, posed as Wal- ment protocols in order to continue to prey upon the wake of a financial audit, the Archdiocese Capparelli was suspended from the ministry lace’s brother and listed himself as beneficiary young people,” said Tod Tamberg of the arch- of Baltimore said. Nickol had served as pastor in 1992 and started a fetish website that sold on several policies. Source: Reuters, 10-17-11 diocese. Source: San Francisco Chronicle, 10- there since 2003. The audit followed an anony- videos of buff young men engaged in erotic Rev. Gerald Williams, 50, Omaha, NE: 36 6/11-2-11 mous tip. Source: Catholic Review, 10-30-11 wrestling. He now teaches 9th-grade math in months in prison, 3 years’ supervised release Msgr. J. Peter Crynes of St. Therese’s Newark. and $1.3 million in restitution after pleading Allegations Catholic Church in Shavertown, PA, will be rel- “John Capparelli is a predator. He should not Two Italians who allege they were sexually guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire egated permanently to a life of prayer and pen- be allowed to work with children,” Dundorf said. abused by priests finished a 340-mile protest fraud. Williams, pastor of Crossroads Christian ance, the Vatican has ruled. “You don’t have to be penetrated to be molest- walk to the Vatican to demand an independent Center, and his wife, Judith Williams, 50, who Crynes was removed from active ministry in ed. Make no mistake. Sexual abuse is not just inquiry. was sentenced to a year and a day in prison 2006 after being accused of sexual misconduct physical. It involves abuse of power and trust The journey from Savona to St. Peter’s plus the same supervised release and restitu- by 2 women. Crynes “admitted to the Diocese of that invades the core of your being.” Source: Square took 19 days. Francesco Zanardi and tion, used false information to buy 10 homes in Scranton that he had engaged in unchaste be- Star-Ledger, 10-16-11 Alberto Sala were unsuccessful in getting an 2005-06. All went into foreclosure, leaving lend- havior in the past with high school girls,” said a audience with the pope. They handed over ers holding the bag. Source: World-Herald, 10- letter to parishioners in 2006. Source: citizens- Civil Lawsuits Settled a letter demanding that Italian bishops draft 12-11 Two clergy sex abuse victims were awarded voice.com, 10-27-11 judgments totaling $3 million after John Dority, guidelines requiring pedophiles to be defrocked Rev. Daniel Bell, 49, resigned as pastor of Civil Lawsuits Filed a former Boston-area Franciscan priest, failed “without exception.” Jerusalem Lutheran Church, Schuylkill Haven, Retired Bishop Joseph Hart of the Catholic to respond to a lawsuit filed against him. They Zanardi said the pope has never met with PA, after allegations surfaced about inappropri- Diocese of Cheyenne, WY, is a defendant in a alleged they were molested when they were 10 Italian victims of abuse yet has met with victims ate conduct with a female parishioner. A letter Missouri man’s suit alleging Hart sexually mo- and 13. on trips to the U.S., Malta, Britain, Australia and from Bishop Samuel Zeiser said there were no lested him as a priest in Kansas City in 1975-76. Dority, 70, Coventry, CT, served 2 years in Germany. Source: AP, 10-10-11 allegations of “physical molestation or inter- Co-defendants are Thomas J. O’Brien, who prison for child molestation and was released in course.” was also a Kansas City priest at that time, and Removed / Resigned 2007. Earlier this year he told an AP reporter he “People are bound to think the worst, and the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph as co- Fr. William Feeser, 63, was removed from did not respond to the suit because he couldn’t that’s what’s unfortunate”, Bell said. Source: defendants. his duties at Immaculate Conception Parish in afford an attorney and admitted molesting the Republican & Herald, 10-19-11 The suit is the sixth sexual abuse lawsuit Sacramento after a Southern California woman victims. “What I did was completely wrong. I ad- Rev. Eugene Tully resigned from St. The- filed against Hart. The previous suits were set- accused him of sexually assaulting her more mit that. I’m very sorry for the trouble I caused, resa de Lisieux Parish in Billerica, MA, because tled in 2008 as part of a $10 million agreement than 30 years ago at Our Lady of the Assump- the harm I caused.” he let a volunteer facing sexual abuse allega- that involved 47 plaintiffs who sued 12 clergy tion Parish and School in Carmichael. The Sher- A related suit against the New York-based tions chaperone a group of teens. The Archdio- members, including Hart. Source: Cheyenne iff’s Department said the statute of limitations Franciscans, formally called the Order of Friars cese of Boston said Tully “made a serious error Tribune-Eagle, 11-3-11 for the alleged crime likely has passed. Source: Minor Province of the Most Holy Name, is still in judgment” and will be reassigned. Source: Msgr. Thomas J. O’Brien, a retired priest KCRA News, 11-1-11 pending. Source: Boston Globe, 10-22-11 AP, 10-9-11 in the Kansas City-St. Joseph Diocese; Rev. Rev. Gary Schulte, 66, Warren, MI, was re- A jury awarded $1.4 million to a woman Rev. John Warner of Sts. Philip and James Mark Honhart, who left the diocese in 2001; stricted from public ministry by the Archdiocese for being sexually abused by Rev. Donald Catholic Church in Canal Fulton, OH, was put and Thomas Reardon, who left the priesthood of Detroit due to an allegation of sexual miscon- D. Budd, 67, at McKinley United Methodist on administrative leave due to an allegation of in 1989 are being sued by Joe Eldred, 40, of duct involving a male under age 18. Schulte, or- Church, Winona, MN. sexual misconduct with a minor more than 30 Springfield, MO, for alleged sexual abuse in the dained in 1972, moved out of the rectory at St. Budd must pay her $1 million in punitive years ago at a parish in Youngstown. Warner early 1980s when he was between the ages of Sylvester Catholic Church. damages and part of $410,000 in compensatory has been a priest since 1970. The diocese has 9 and 12. Gail Schulte, his sister, doesn’t think the al- damages. The Minnesota Annual Conference reported the allegation to authorities. Source: The suit alleges O’Brien and Reardon plied legation is true. “The people that know him, and of the United Methodist Church, which over- Massillon Independent, 10-10-11 Eldred with drugs and alcohol and molested him his friends, they don’t believe it, either.” Source: sees McKinley, must pay $164,000. in a car and a lake house. Honhart’s alleged Detroit Free Press, 10-31-11 The victim sought counseling in 2003 and a abuse occurred in 1980-84. Source: Kansas Fr. Eugene Nickol resigned as pastor of Email: [email protected] relationship started that led to Budd’s guilty plea Page 20 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin November 2011

your organization, black collar crimes years later after my Catholic physician and the cranky email, we can no longer refused to prescribe birth control pills Letterbox hide. for me. He thought I wanted to prevent We want everyone to know that we a pregnancy. When I explained that I do not believe in a god and that reli- needed them to regulate my cycle so I gion is too ridiculous for us to consider could become pregnant, he prescribed Stalwart Stone bolsters Hartford convention even as a social club. We are thinking them. I wondered why artificial means that for “Christmas” we will ask Santa to prevent pregnancy were forbidden, wall of separation was natural high for our very own “We are Atheists” bill- but artificial means to encourage preg- I was the attorney in 1980 in the Su- I’d always wanted to go to one of the board! nancy were fine. preme Court case of Stone v. Graham, FFRF conventions, and had high hopes Dinah Lopez, David Darrah and the Over time, the cracks spread. Why which successfully challenged a Ken- that this one, only two hours away from gang are women denied meaningful roles in tucky statute that required the posting where I live, would be a high point. It Colorado the church? This stuff I’m receiving at of a copy of the Ten Commandments was everything I’d hoped for and more. communion isn’t flesh and blood, real- in every classroom in the state. I want to thank Annie Laurie, Dan ly, it isn’t. Virginity and conception are Twenty-five years later in 2005, I was and all the staff from Madison, who ‘Beware of Dogma’ is oxymorons. If Jesus was a Jew from the in the Supreme Court to hear oral ar- made it all look easy! I’m still on a Middle East, why is he portrayed with guments in the Supreme Court case of high from the whole experience — the conversation starter light hair and eyes? It went on and on McCreary County v. ACLU of Kentucky, wonderful speakers (not a dud in the I’m really enjoying the email until I made sense of the world thanks frequently referred to as the second bunch), interesting people, the laugh- Freethought of the Day. I also want to libraries and graduate schools. Kentucky Ten Commandments case. ter, the applause (many standing ova- to mention your “Beware of Dogma” It’s all a lie, you see. To an ignorant Although we won two important Su- tions). I was especially impressed with bumper stickers. People ask me what people living thousands of years ago, preme Court cases, it’s obvious to me the three student activists and profes- dogma means. It always opens the door it made some level of sense, but only that the fight to preserve the separa- sor Jerry Coyne, but enjoyed everyone to an interesting discussion of “believ- because there was no science, no sci- tion of church and state has become else. What a terrific group of intelli- ing without evidence.” Please send me entific method to lead the way to true both more difficult and more impor- gent, humorous, upbeat people! And a few more of those stickers. knowledge. Today, it’s all a lie, every tant than ever. how luxuriously refreshing to bask in I also appreciate your objections to word. FFRF’s outstanding work in chal- the comfort of being surrounded by Gov. Rick Perry’s prayer rally. Keep it Because of my strong atheist beliefs lenging the increasing efforts to violate 400 other freethinkers. up. and because Robert Barron evange- the constitutional wall of separation Ironically, the day after I returned James M. Alexander lizes this pack of lies, I object to my and to educate the public on these is- home, for the second time in 17 years Texas PBS station airing his message. If you sues is vital. I’ve lived here in the Berkshire Moun- P.S.: Enclosed is a check for $1,000 must (and you already have), it’s only I’m pleased to enclose my check for tains, two religion peddlers knocked for your good work. fair to air the other side of this story a Lifetime Membership along with a on my door. I was flying so high from — the message of atheism. It’s a strong heartfelt thank you to everyone there the convention that I was kinder to one that’s growing substantially in this for all you do. them than I normally would have What mom doesn’t country. It’s the conviction that if test- William Cameron Stone been, not that I’d have been mean, but able evidence doesn’t exist to support Kentucky I’d have treated them to a mini-lecture know won’t hurt her religion, religion shouldn’t exist. It’s a about not laying their trip on others, In addition to our membership re- powerful demand that separation of ending with that quote from Luke, “Go newal, please find enclosed a check church and state was one of our Found- Hypatia 4th inspires not from door to door.” in the amount of $25, a donation to ers’ wisest decisions. It’s the wave of the As it was, I simply told them I was the Legal Fund. My mother asked me future and the only path to truth. Alabama activist just back from the Freedom from Reli- to send a donation to the Catholic Now that you’ve broadcast lies and Thank you so much for helping gion Foundation convention, and had Church for birthday prayers for her superstitions, it’s time to broadcast the get my story out this past summer absolutely no interest in anything they niece. As we all know, “nothing fails truth. There are numerous sources [about his fight against censorship of a had to say. They asked if I wouldn’t like prayer.” from outspoken journalists such as freethought club at his public school]. want to discuss any biblical concerns I would rather see the money go to Christopher Hitchens to scientists such FFRF did so much for me, not only at all, and I assured them I wouldn’t. a good cause, the separation of church as Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris to with support and publicity but confi- They thanked me for my honesty and and state. the leaders and ordinary members of dence as well. I’m still sometimes un- left. We were all smiles. Tamara Rousso the numerous atheist organizations in able to wrap my head around what all I know I’ll come back to earth at Oregon the United States. Balance your pre- happened. some point, but till then, I’m enjoying sentations. It’s only fair. I have no idea how to show how this feeling! Thanks so much. Patricia Dunlap much I appreciated being awarded a Cathy Groves ‘Great Agnostic’ Maryland $1,000 student activist scholarship at Massachusetts the July 4 Lake Hypatia gathering in • • • served near Whiteville Alabama. Jim McCollum was one of Congratulations on a terrific con- The October article on the water Ode to the most influential people I have ever vention. What extraordinary speakers! tower litigation in Tennessee men- had the pleasure to meet! I will remem- And Steven Pinker, so much in the na- tioned that the mayor of Whiteville was Freethought Today ber this experience forever, especially tional news (front page of The New quoted in the Jackson [Tenn.] Star. There’s something I feel compelled when I spoke. York Times Review of Books when we Jackson is near Whiteville. to say I was amazed at Lake Hypatia at had him among us). Union Army Col. Robert Inger- About your paper, Freethought To- just how many people in the South are Alas, Jerry Coyne’s brilliant com- soll, who later became renowned as day freethinkers. It truly inspired me to do mentary on science and religion not the “Great Agnostic,” was stationed in It puts up an outstanding fight more. The group “AHS Freethinkers” being compatible does not reach far Jackson, Tenn., during the Civil War Against those devils on the religious is now official at my high school, with into the heart of our country, not even and was sent off to nearby Lexington right. over 50 members. At least 20 people into the halls of academe. Look at the to confront Gen. Nathan Bedford For- I enjoy Appleman’s poems every came to the first meeting. passionate arguments put forth there rest, the famed Confederate cavalry time, Duncan Henderson, 9th grader on science and faith — ghastly! commander who was conducting a raid Even the ones that do not rhyme. Alabama Madeline Tiger in eastern Tennessee. Ingersoll’s badly The crimes of the clergy, brought to New Jersey outnumbered command was shattered our attention and he was briefly a prisoner of war be- And the many great articles too nu- FFRF convention ‘most fore being paroled. merous to mention. Asking Santa for Dennis Middlebrooks But the section I’m most pleased unusual Yom Kippur’ New York with, to tell the truth This past weekend [34th annual ‘heathen’s greetings’ Editor’s note: For more about Ingersoll’s Are the well-written essays by our FFRF convention, Oct. 7-9] will always Find enclosed our family contribu- life, read American Infidel: Robert G. freethinking youth. remain in my memory as a wonder- tion to your courageous organization. Ingersoll, a biography by Orvin Larson ful and meaningful event. I was enor- We look forward to our monthly FFRF reprinted by FFRF ($20), ffrf.org/shop/. Please apply the enclosed donation mously impressed with the 400-plus publication. Even if we didn’t get any- to support the College Essay Contest. members attending, as well as the staff, thing, we are so pleased to be able to Harold L. Saferstein, M.D. speakers, etc. I don’t think I’ve met so contribute to your efforts. Sending this Member seeks equal Lifetime Member, Arizona many college professors since my days check is the least we can do, knowing at Brooklyn College. that you are working hard to eliminate time for atheists This was the most unusual Yom Kip- the need for us to bow our heads and [FFRF member Pat Dunlap shares her let- Trunk as monk makes pur that I, as a member of the Society accept their propaganda/traditions/ ter to PBS objecting to the 10-part “Catholi- of Humanistic Judaism, ever experi- prayers in public places. cism” series being aired on about 100 TV trick-or-treater happy enced. Until now we have just been laying stations affiliated with PBS nationwide.] So, I’m handing out candy to the Howard Garrett low to not offend anyone. One of our I’m a former Catholic and a convert trick-or-treaters, my house is all decked New York favorite pastimes as a family is to sit at that. At the “knee” of a personable out for Halloween, and I’m wearing a around the dinner table and make fun priest, I was indoctrinated at age 19, monk’s robe. An older girl (as trick- of our crazy religious community and perhaps too late for it to really stick. or-treaters go, maybe 13 or 14) asked, extended family. After learning about The first crack in the wall came a few “Are you Catholic?” Page 21 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin November 2011

“Not any more,” I replied. “I gave Day” slogan should be a bumper sticker age in the face of violent and irrational that up after high school.” and a T-shirt. Keep up the good work. opposition, even including personal Halloween “I’m so glad to hear that,” she ex- Ullrich Fischer threats to your staff. claimed. “I can’t wait to graduate so I British Columbia Thankfully, the world is becoming Heathens can get rid of this stupid religion!” more and more secular, even if the That made my night. U.S. is not showing leadership in that Steve Trunk Remove religious regard. I am energized and encour- California aged by the work of FFRF and the lead- statues on public land ership of outspoken men and women The Jesus statue residing on Big like Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Daniel Dennett, All of Christianity Mountain in Flathead National Forest Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens and in Montana is an amusing issue. As a Richard Dawkins. seen as scary cult veteran, it’s time for “Statue Jesus” to As an active member, I will continue [A member’s letter to Crawford Broad- move on to a new location, perhaps to support you financially and in spirit. casting Co., “the pioneer in Christian on the lawn or parking lot of the lo- I know you all have thick skin, but I’m broadcasting.”] cal Knights of Columbus. That would sending some extra positive energy Yesterday, I was listening to your be a much more appropriate habitat and support your way. Keep up the concern about having a Mormon for a for him instead of squatting on federal good fight! president due to his beliefs. I also think land, the people’s land, regardless of Matt Runde that they are “out there!” What puzzles their religion or lack thereof, and pay- Wisconsin me, however, is that you guys seem to ing no rent for over 50 years. have no problem with a president who This is an issue of great importance might believe in talking snakes or a to all of us. It’s a simple matter of the Daily freethought man living in a whale’s belly for three Constitution. It’s disheartening that days. Rep. Denny Rehberg, R-Mont., is urg- makes my day I think the Christian cult is really no ing Christians to urge the U.S. Forest Reading the Freethought of the Day less weird than all of the others, and I Service to continue to permit “Statue is such a joy. It’s my lift for the day! Dark Side, dark beer do my part to “spread the word” about Jesus” to squat on public land. What Connie Kane “But, of course, Satan would be a scary cults. part of the First Amendment doesn’t California subscriber,” writes Washington Tom Forss he understand? Editor’s note: FFRF members may sign member Mike Carilli. “Other than California I’m amused that “Statue Jesus” is a up to have the Freethought of the Day — having a guy in a priest costume try to “monument to honor the troops hav- which showcases famous freethinkers, their bless me, it was pretty much a basic ing served with the 10th Mountain Di- accomplishments, thoughts and freethought Halloween party (I told him it was My hat’s off to vision during World War II, and not a credentials in an online calendar — deliv- too late for me, but I could help him religious icon.” Nonsense! ered to their inbox. To start your day on a convert to the Dark Side). Only one student activists If Montanans wanted a statue on freethinking note, sign up at ffrf.org/sign- person asked about my ‘A’ lapel pin. I was very impressed with the two this federal location to honor veterans, up/day/ or make Freethought of the Day When I explained, she said it ‘sounded high school students, Jessica Ahlquist why wasn’t it proposed by the Ameri- (ffrf.org/news/day/) your homepage. cool.’ I did get a free Guinness for my and Harrison Hopkins, on the Oct. 24 can Legion or the VFW? costume though, which was a big win Freethought Radio podcast. I found Ralph Scott for me!” them to be very courageous, intelligent Montana In God We Trust a and inspirational. • • • I was especially impressed with Har- As a former but longtime Montanan pointless bust rison. Having lived in the Deep South and skier at Whitefish Mountain Re- Congress recently demonstrated my whole life, I can sympathize with sort, I thank you for helping get rid of why it’s earned a 9% approval rating by him. It’s tough enough to be a minor- the Jesus statue on Big Mountain. It’s wasting time reaffirming “In God We ity down here, but especially a nonreli- bad enough that our government has Trust” as our national motto. If, like gious minority. My hat goes off to him god in the Pledge of Allegiance, which me, your initial reaction was, ‘In God and to Jessica. Please thank them for in my opinion is religious and flat-out We Trust is our national motto? Since me, and thanks again for the work you fascist, and on our money. when?’ do. I’d also like to point out another Since 1956, it turns out, when Mc- Doug Moore symbol of this Christian cult, a 90-foot- Carthyites promoted a motto that Louisiana tall Mother Mary statue called Our ostensibly differentiates us from the Lady of the Rockies that sits on the “godless commie” bad guys (“under Continental Divide outside Butte, God” was added to the Pledge of Al- Fat-free or fact-free? Tax probe of church Mont., and is not a sight for sore eyes. legiance two years earlier). Of course, Harper Gould, New York, writes: “I My guess is it was put there to give resi- these days the bad guys are the ultra- thought you might get a kick out of was poetic justice dents some false hope that an extra devout Taliban and al-Qaida, who trust this candy I spotted in the Halloween I thought the investigation of a Co- super Jesus injection will heal the en- completely in God — oops! aisle at the supermarket. I guess some lumbus, Ohio, church’s revenue his- vironmental disaster that mining has It’s a remarkably inapt motto for people are trying to put the Christ tory (after its demand that an FFRF caused to the town. the U.S. Our most important docu- back in Halloween as well. I had a billboard be moved) represented The area is beautiful. I don’t under- ment, the Constitution, mentions God wonderful time at the convention in something like poetic justice. Hence stand why people would ruin such a zero times. In fact, the Constitution Hartford!” [The company advises the following lines: view with their religion. It’s a sickening mentions religion only in the context about Jesus Harvest Seeds: “Give sight to my atheist eyes, and I think the of preventing government’s involve- these candy corn treats to trick-or- We infidels will have our say Berkeley pit (their large environmen- ment in it. Many of the key Founding treaters on Halloween for a sweet In a friendly, quiet way. tal disaster) is a much better-looking Fathers (including “Father of the Con- holiday twist!”] But if you plan to block our access spectacle than that statue. stitution” James Madison, Declaration You’d best be current with your Thank you for your service to this of Independence author Thomas Jef- taxes. country and the world. ferson, George Washington, Benjamin which base their governance and au- Thomas Barnes Franklin, etc.) were deists who believed thority explicitly on scripture. Nearly Jeremy M. Harris Oregon the universe’s creator is uninvolved in 20% of Americans are atheists or ag- Ohio Editor’s note: In the mid-1990s, FFRF human affairs, so trust in any god is nostics. A motto that violates the First stopped AmeriCorps funding and volun- pointless. Amendment while marginalizing a teers from working on Our Lady of the America’s founders embraced the fifth of the population is downright Atheist tee brings Rockies. The more things change. . . Enlightenment philosophy that gov- un-American. America needs to con- ernment derives its authority from tinue to empower its people to fix our positive comments the consent of the people — not current problems and ensure a pros- I live in Canada, where religious ‘Hate mail’ funny gods, monarchs, dictators or priests. perous and just future, not cry out for fanaticism is not nearly as big an is- America values people for their abili- celestial help. sue as it appears to be in the U.S. I but frightening ties and ethics, not their parents’ social Much of America’s greatness comes frequently go to Washington state to After reading the illiterate, unin- station. Americans tamed the frontier, from admitting past mistakes and evolv- shop and often wear my FFRF Friendly formed and small-minded “hate mail” provided universal public education, ing toward greater justice and human- Neighborhood Atheist T-shirt. So far, in the last issue of your newspaper, I innovated in business, science and en- ity. How about returning to our previ- I’ve had five strangers come up to me felt a bit queasy. It’s truly appalling to gineering and absorbed millions of tal- ous motto, “E pluribus unum” (Out of to say they like my T-shirt. No one has learn the depth of ignorance in some ented, hard-working immigrants into many, one), or “Liberty, Equality and had a negative comment. I take this as of our fellow Americans. I know you our “melting pot.” America changed Justice For All”? a hopeful sign (not from god) that at publish those letters for the humor, the world because we empowered our A lot of misguided Americans might least in Washington state, the tide may and they are funny, but at the same people, not because we appealed to just get a badly needed history and civ- be turning. time they are frightening. some divine being. ics lesson in the process. If you’ve not done it already, I sug- FFRF does incredibly brave and im- “In God We Trust” might be a great Rob Kalman gest that the “Every day is Judgment portant work, and I admire your cour- motto for the Taliban or the Vatican, California November 2011 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 22

State/Church Bulletin

tery and other nonbiblical behavior- ing. One employee told the Georgia Voice newspaper that the pledge has some fearing “witch hunts” on campus. Oregon faith healers “We now will live in fear that someone get prison sentences who doesn’t like us personally or some- one who has had a bad day will report Dale and Shannon Hickman, Ore- that we’ve been drinking or that we are gon City, Ore., were sentenced Oct. 31 suspected of being gay,” said the male to 75 months in prison and three years’ employee. for the faith-healing death of their in- fant son. The Hickmans, both 26, be- long to Followers of Christ Church. Fetus dolls more They were convicted of second-degree trick than treat Trans-substitution manslaughter. They have two surviving I saw this sign, and thought that this is exactly what we non-believers think. Nice children, ages 7 and 4 months. A lot of parents at a Halloween event of them to say it in writing though! — Joe LaBonte, Texas David Hickman was born two in Loganville, Ga., attended by 3,000 months prematurely in 2009 and lived children, were none too happy at an less than nine hours. Experts testified anti-abortion group for handing out he had a 99.9% chance of surviving rubber fetus dolls to trick-or-treaters, with medical care. the Walton Tribune reported Nov. 6. Overheard Judge Robert Herndon called the “A man handed one of the so- attending unlicensed midwife, who was called toys to my 3-year-old grandson. not charged, “the most dangerous per- He asked what it was. The man that I had been watching this case since filed a complaint about school-spon- son in Clackamas County.” handed it to him told him, ‘This is a the summer, and I thought the court sored prayer at Brooks High School 12-week-old fetus. This is what you would find it hard to resist. That was football games looked like in your mommy’s belly,’ ” a prediction, not a wish; unlike Justice Florence Times Daily, 11-6-11 Christian college said John Ramsey. “There is a time and Thomas, I think the lower court got forces anti-gay pledge place for everything. This event for this one right, and I find the argument As far as I can tell, there is nothing that handing out candy to small children for regarding a collection of 12-foot- pushes you to a lack of faith more than Shorter University, a Southern Bap- was not the time or the place.” high crosses along a state’s highways a belief in the natural world. Curiosity tist college in Rome, Ga., is making its Marti Wood said she was “shocked as anything other than an official en- in why things are the way they are and 200 employees sign a “personal life- and appalled. . . . Hopefully this is dorsement of Christian belief to be al- how they work is kind of the antithesis style pledge,” WSBTV Atlanta reported something that will be considered for most laughably weak. of faith in that way. Oct. 26. next year so the children won’t worry New York Times columnist Linda Shawn Hanrahan, entomology doc- Employees sign a promise to reject about someone putting a fetus in with Greenhouse, on the Supreme Court’s toral student and vice president of the homosexuality, premarital sex, adul- their candy.” refusal (to which Clarence Thomas dis- Agnostic and Atheist Student Group at sented), to hear an appeal of a ruling Texas A&M that barred cross memorials to Utah The Battalion, 10-27-11 state troopers New York Times, 11-3-11 It’s not about prayer, it’s not about re- ligion; it’s about reasonable require- Under his pants, he is ments. FFRF welcomes 17 wearing magic underwear. Hertz spokesman Rich Broome, on Magic underwear. And he the company firing 26 Somalians, who believes that a convicted earn about $9.50 an hour, for not con man got golden tab- “clocking out” during Muslim prayers, ‘Lifers,’ 1 ‘After-Lifer’ lets that no one else could even though that’s part of their union see, and sat with an angel contract to find out that the original Jews of the Associated Press, 10-21-11 The Freedom From Religion Foun- Twork, Jerry Vulstek, Robin Williams bible were living in North America. dation is delighted to welcome a new and Gaetano Zanelli. Crazy, crazy, crazy, crazy. What legal advantage could there pos- “After-Life” Member, Ruth Walker. Lifetime Memberships are priced Atheist Penn Jillette, assessing Repub- sibly be in making the identity of the The slightly tongue-in-cheek member- individually at $1,000 designated for lican presidential candidate Mitt Rom- parent and the Giles County student, ship category of $5,000 is for those who membership or renewal and ensure ney whose welfare they are supposed to wish their support to “live on.” never another renewal notice! opposingviews.com, 11-13-11 be concerned with, known to all, with FFRF also gratefully announces its States represented are Arizona, possibly serious harm coming to them newest Lifetime Members: California, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Ken- Camping has fleeced his followers out from that knowledge? There is none; Leslie Barke, James Cloyd, Neysa tucky, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Tex- of millions of dollars over the years it is, plain and simple, an attempt at Dickey, Environmental Management as, Washington and Wisconsin. without one law enforcement official intimidation of a child and an unholy Services, Mike Fahle, Paul Fleischauer, All dues and donations to FFRF are ever looking into what he was doing hope that fear will change his or her Del Futrell, Steven Gabbard, John Kel- deductible for income-tax purposes to was against the law. When someone mind. How would the school board ly, Myra Lemson, Bill Lundell, Patricia the fullest extent of the law. doesn’t provide a service or the prod- feel if the target was one of their fami- Nutt, William Cameron Stone, Elton uct does not do what it is supposed to, lies? Jesus told the hypocrites, “Prac- a customer is allowed to receive their tice what you preach.” money back or it could be considered Gene St. Clair, letter to the editor, a fraudulent transaction. But I do not “Giles board forgets the Golden see Harold Camping giving one red Rule,” on the plaintiffs’ request for nickel back to his donors or even apol- anonymity in a lawsuit filed by FFRF IRA rollovers benefit senior ogizing for misleading them. and the ACLU of Virginia Marty Angelo, who operates a prison Roanoke Times, 10-19-11 ministry and calls Camping a “Chris- donors; deadline Dec. 31 tian Bernie Madoff” Happy people don’t write apocalypses. Christian Newswire, 10-21-11 That’s why this guy is doing this now. They never show up when things are Individuals 70½ or older who $100,000. This is a direct write-off. Whether or not prayer at school events going well. There’s always this last- make a donation paid directly from The deadline for making a 2011 is illegal is not up for debate. We are ditch answer to solve problems — let the individual’s traditional or Roth qualified charitable distribution is not interested in hearing your prayers, God handle it. The assumption is the IRA to the Freedom From Religion Dec. 31, 2011. FFRF recently opened sir, or in having our impressionable world has become so wicked and evil, Foundation, a 501(c)(3) educational an account with Vanguard, whose children subjected to them by those it will take an act of God to sort it out. charity, receive significant benefits. fees are less than standard stockbro- they see as authority figures. Keep Rebecca Denova, University of Pitts- You may directly reduce from your kers. For more information, phone them at home and at church where burgh religious studies lecturer, on gross income, for the year in which it FFRF Co-Presidents Annie Laurie they belong. Rev. Harold Camping’s End Times was made, the amount of the quali- Gaylor or Dan Barker at 608-256- Letter to the editor by Jeremy Green, predictions fied charitable distribution, up to 8900. Killen, Ala., on whose behalf FFRF Courier-Post, 10-20-11 Page 23 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin November 2011

FFRF ‘fool me once’ campaign targets Rapture madness FFRF was not enraptured over Pastor Harold Camping’s prediction that (once again) the world would end Oct 21. In its “fool me once” campaign, FFRF erected 40 small educational billboards throughout Oakland, Calif., home base of Camping’s Family Radio. FFRF encouraged onlookers to use their judgment not just to reject Camping’s irresponsible predicts of “Judgment Day,” but all unsubstantiated religious claims. FFRF’s message is instead of worrying about the unknown and unknowable and wasting time, money and energy speculating over the nonexistent: “Make this world better.” A number of Camping’s Family Radio followers quit their jobs and even spent their savings to help in his $100 million campaign, which included placing 2,000 billboards around the U.S. last spring warning of “Judgment Day” May 21. We’re still here!

‘Clean money’ — minus ‘In God We Trust’ — dispels myths Photos: Jeff Yardis

Drawing the winners at the Oct. 8 “clean money” raffle at the FFRF convention And the winners are . . . are (left) FFRF staffers Melanie Knier and Katie Stenz, student Taylor Myers, staffer Katie Daniel and students Connie Ward and Alice Obar. In order of denomination (not in seating order), winners of the drawing for FFRF warmly thanks Taylor, Connie and Alice — all students at Mount “clean money” at the 34th annual FFRF convention are: $1 — Rosalyn Berger, Holyoke — for staffing book tables at the conference. Thanks also to Florida, and Michele Tucker, Maryland (both god-free bills donated by Patricia volunteers Luther Weeks and Kevin and Paula Gough for additional convention Karn, Washington); $2 — Joseph Wilkins, Illinois, and Alice Bennett, Indiana; help. $5 — Victoria Usher, Connecticut (donated by the late Irving Kasow, Nevada); $10 — Todd Peissig, Wisconsin, (donated by Craig Thomson, Pennsylvania); More convention photographs can be found on pages 10–15. A slideshow of $20 — Marty Stone, Georgia (donated by Bruce Lowerre, Florida); and two hundreds of convention photos is online: $100 grand prize winners — Mike Barrows, New York, and Rosalyn Berger, ffrf.org/outreach/convention/past-conventions/ Florida (one bill donated by Robert Newbegin, Wisconsin, and the other by Judy Simons, Arizona). November 2011 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 24 Broadway icon Strouse enlivens convention Photos: Jeff Yardis Charles Strouse, composer of the Broadway musicals “Annie,” “Applause,” and “Bye If everyone was Bye Birdie” and many other musicals and songs, spoke and entertained with song at an atheist, there the piano Oct. 8 at FFRF’s 34th national mightn’t be any convention in Hartford, Conn., where he re- ceived an Emperor Has No Clothes Award. foxholes. The award, a golden statutette, is reserved for public figures who make known their dis- sent from religion. Strouse, a forthright athe- Anyway, I’ll just do it in my first show ist, notes his views in his memoir, “Put on a on Broadway, which people account as Happy Face.” He recounted such experiences the beginning of life, like Adam and as serving as chauffeur and accompanist Eve Broadway — “Bye Bye Birdie.” for actress Butterfly McQueen (a Lifetime [Plays and sing “Put on a Happy Face” FFRF member). and “An English Teacher”] And then there was a song, general- ly acknowledged to be one of the worst By Charles Strouse songs ever written in the great Ameri- can song book, but then became very popular because of a certain young I’m overwhelmed, I truly mean this. woman. My beliefs were something I always [“Bye Bye Birdie” title song] kept to myself for no particular reason. I did a show [in 1962] called “All And I never knew there was a group American,” starring one of the great of people that were in a formal way musical performers of our day, Ray not only agreeing with me, but doing Bolger. But frankly, we didn’t want him something about it. I’ve never been an for the role. We wanted a European ac- activist of any sort, and I’m very proud tor because the part was a Russian pro- that you all share my view. I don’t know fessor who comes and falls in love with what else to say except what I’ve done America. It was directed by Josh Logan, is prepare a couple of songs that I’d Lee Adams and Mel Brooks. Logan like to do for you tonight. wanted Ray to do it and signed him. He I never thought that atheists made decided to do the part in his version of speeches, and I’m certainly surprised a Russian accent, and I knew we were to have been asked to. I became an in trouble when Brooks turned to me atheist when my sister died at age 40. one day in rehearsal and asked, “Why She had been an orphan and had been is Ray speaking Japanese?” That was a adopted by my parents and had fought sign of what was going to happen in hard for an identity, married, had four this show, which indeed did. But there With his wife Barbara, a choreographer. More photos on page 10. children and five surgical procedures was one song which was a great favorite for cancer, but died for all her suffer- of Lee’s and mine and Mel’s. opening night. There was an interview [Plays and sings Applause” title song] ing. When a rabbi said to us, “God in [Plays “Once Upon a Time”] scheduled in Bacall’s hotel suite with That was a mistake to sing that be- his mysterious wisdom has chosen to You notice the left hand is not doing the theater critic from Look magazine, cause it was in the wrong key and I take this girl,” that kind of clinched it too much, but you’re very kind. I used which at the time had the largest circu- hurt my hand again. “Golden Boy” for me, but I was headed that way for a to have a great problem. I don’t know lation in America. We were all very jit- was another show, but I’m not going long time. why I’m saying all this to you, you’re tery in her suite. Lee and I were treat- to do it because it’s too much on my I had tested God in my childhood all atheists. This has nothing to do with ing him as if we were servants: “Would hand. “Golden Boy” was a big hit and prayers; he never took it out on me, opened three days before “Fiddler on on the contrary. Later I had, with the the Roof,” so we did not get the Tony assistance of my wife, four children — for that, but it was a wonderful show. three of whom are crazy about me and We were always sold out because one who isn’t, though I like to think Sammy Davis was black and Jewish, and he’s just angry with himself. so we were never without people to fill I am a composer. I never got to serve the seats. As a matter of fact, the show in the armed forces, but was made quite had a lot of book problems. Clifford aware then that there are no atheists in Odets, with whom Lee and I wrote the foxholes, a very powerful statement to show, died the first day of rehearsal. me at the time. Years later, it occurred The book was then finished by a play- to me that if everyone was an atheist, wright by the name of William Gibson, there mightn’t be any foxholes. and as I say, we were always sold out, Two weeks ago I broke my wrist but the first act never matched the sec- in a fall. For the first time, it seemed ond act. There was a first act by Bill, a just vaguely possible that perhaps god second act by Clifford and it was very (although I knew there was no god) painful to watch. But people kept com- was trying to tell me not to make a ing to the show because of Sammy; he speech before the atheist society. On was the Everyman. the remote possibility that this was so I feel so many friends here, even and there was a god, and that it is curi- though I never knew you existed. ously Yom Kippur tonight, a religious Charles Strouse admiring his Emperor after Dan Barker presented it. There was another show I wrote, “May- day of atonement, I thought I should, or,” which my wife Barbara, who is you know, just in case to make abso- anything, these are just things that you like a Coke?” “Sit here, it’s a little here with me tonight, choreographed. lutely sure there was no god, come up happened to me in my life. And since more comfortable.” Betty Comden and [“Mayor” depicted a day in the life of here and make this speech and see if I you’ve been kind enough to give me an Adolph Green [who wrote the play’s New York City Mayor Ed Koch.] In it would be struck down. So broken wrist award and all, I might as well make you book] were being very slavish to him. was a song that I always liked. Many of and all, I’m going to struggle with this share them. Bacall came in and cameras mate- you here, I’ve been told, are from all and play a few songs. I used to lack confidence. I still do rialized, with a lot of flash bulbs pop- over the place, but many of you come To be perfectly honest, I didn’t in a way. We all have doubts about our- ping. Louis Botto was the critic’s name. and visit New York, and there is, you know such a society existed, I thought selves. One of the people who gave me “Well, what did you think of the show?” may have noticed, a way that we have of it was just a very private thing that I a great deal of confidence was Lauren Bacall asked. “I thought it was very in- speaking that is different. And so, if for believed in. I mean, half of the people Bacall, who was the lead in my show teresting.” Botto said. Bacall replied, instance you are here for just a visit. . . who were mentioned [in Dan Barker’s “Applause.” She had balls, she was re- “Go fuck yourself.” [Plays and sings “You Can Be a New introduction], people in my profession ally something. “Applause” opened to At which point, it was like being on a Yorker Too!”] who were atheists, I had no idea. bad reviews in Baltimore [but went on sinking ship that righted itself. He was Well, I’ll do a couple songs from I met Irving Berlin once, Richard to win the 1970 Tony Award for Best being so sweet to us, anyway. “Annie.” They’re hard to play but. . . Rodgers once, obviously nonbelief was Musical, with Bacall winning the Tony I was going to play a song from “Ap- [Plays and sings “I Don’t Need Any- never spoken about. It’s nice to know for Best Actress in a Musical]. plause,” I’ll play it. I forget what key thing But You” and “Tomorrow.”] there is such wonderful company here. We were scared out of our wits on I’m in.