The (further) Metamorphosis: Letting go rise of Christian From incubation of a lifetime nationalism to organization of guilt PAGES 10-12 PAGE 13-14 PAGE 17

Vol. 34 No. 10 Published by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. December 2017

From all of us at the Freedom From Religion Foundation

Judge dismisses suit after FFRF Hurricane relief forces suspension of bible class

In a legal twist, FFRF’s success sidering an appeal of the ruling in getting a West Virginia school to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of to stop its “Bible in the Schools” Appeals. FFRF Senior Counsel program was the reason a judge Patrick Elliott, serving as co-coun- dismissed its lawsuit to perma- sel, noted that the school district nently ban the practice. has given no assurances it will In May, the Mercer County not resume the inappropriate School District voted to suspend indoctrination. its “Bible in the Schools” classes The case has solid legal for the following school year grounds. after FFRF sued in January over This visual aid, which shows Two of the plaintiffs, Elizabeth the unconstitutional program. Adam and Eve and a dinosaur, Deal and her anonymous child, Because the school was no longer is used among more than 60 “Jessica Roe,” suffered harm due teaching those classes (due to images to help teach elementary to the bible classes. Deal had to the board’s action in response to school students in Mercer County move Jessica out of the school FFRF’s lawsuit), the court said the Schools. system to end harassment at the case was not “ripe” and declared resumes any bible classes. hands of her classmates. Deal dis- Nonbelief Relief gave $2,500 to Atheists of Puerto the case moot. The lawsuit has received na- cussed her daughter’s mistreat- Rico. Ricardo Santiago, left, stands with an FFRF filed a suit on behalf of tional attention, including a seg- ment on the “CBS This Morning” unidentified freethinker among the many bags four plaintiffs against Mercer ment on “CBS This Morning” news segment. of food and water that were delivered directly County Schools, the Board of and coverage in the Washington “They taunted her about it,” to needy families. Santiago writes, “Thanks Education, the superintendent Post. The “Bible in the Schools” she told CBS on Feb. 8. “They to your foundation and others, we were able and a school principal. Senior program, which was offered in told her that she was going to to distribute food and water to an area in the U.S. District Judge David A. 15 elementary schools and three hell, that I was going to hell, that countryside of Puerto Rico in much need of help Faber’s dismissal on jurisdictional middle schools, is financed by do- her father was going to hell.” after the hurricane.” For more about Nonbelief grounds was without prejudice, nations, but administered by the Deal removed Jessica from Relief’s latest donations, including other help to meaning that the case can be school system. Puerto Rico, see page 15. refiled if the school system FFRF and its plaintiffs are con- See Judge on page 2 Page 2 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | December 2017 Better late than never . . .

FFRF legal fellow got job village atheist can be isolating, and the people who despite missing deadline contact us often feel ostracized in their communi- ties for their nonbelief. It’s good to hear from them, Name: Colin Edward McNamara address their problems, and let them know that Where and when I was born: May 14, 1991, in they’re not alone. Niskayuna, N.Y. As a nerdy kid, I thought it was su- What gets old about it: Having some knucklehead per-cool that I share a birthday with George Lucas; tell me that “separation of church and state is NOT as a nerdy adult, I think it’s super-cool that I share a in the Constitution!!!!!” for the millionth time. birthday with the Constitutional Convention. I spend a lot of time thinking about: In a perfect Education: Bachelor of Arts world? Life, the universe, and ev- degree in creative writing and MEET A STAFFER erything. Lately? The constant, philosophy from SUNY-Oswego; looming threat of nuclear holo- JD from the University of Richmond. caust. 2017, amirite? Family: My mom and dad both live in upstate New I spend little if any time thinking about: Football. York. I have one older sister and three step-sisters. Don’t get me wrong, I like sports. I just don’t get why How I came to work at FFRF: It’s a bit embarrass- everyone obsesses over football so much. ing, actually. I didn’t find My religious upbringing was: I was brought up in out about the fellowship what was ostensibly a Baptist church, but seems to until two days after the ap- have had more in common with the modern evan- plication deadline passed! gelical tradition — the bible is the inerrant word of I was devastated. Believe God, the Earth is 6,000 years old, evolution is a dam- it or not, there’s not a lot nable lie from the Pit of Hell . . . all that good stuff. of opportunities to do Es- My doubts about religion started: I struggled with tablishment Clause legal belief almost from the beginning. When I was 9 or 10, practice straight out of a family member that I love and respect asked if I’d law school. I told my girl- ever accepted Jesus as my savior. I said I hadn’t, but friend about this great fel- that I would like to. We closed our eyes, clasped our lowship opportunity that hands, prayed together and . . . nothing happened. I Photo by Chris Line I just missed out on, and Colin McNamara realized that I didn’t feel any different. That was when she just said, “But you’re I suspected that this religion business was all a bunch This is a screenshot from The Daily Progress showing going to apply anyway, right?” So I said, “Honey, of make-believe. I haven’t seriously looked back since. Colin McNamara, who was working as an ACLU the deadline’s already passed.” She just stared at Things I like: Reading and writing fiction, playing observer, after he was tear-gassed at a KKK rally in me and repeated, slowly, “But you’re going to apply guitar, being with my girlfriend and our puppy, and Charlottesville, Va. anyway . . . right?” I took the hint. I sent off my re- devouring irresponsible amounts of sushi. If I could sume with an email basically saying, “I know this is do all four in a 24-hour span, that would be the Is it true that you were recently tear-gassed?: Yeah. late, but I couldn’t forgive myself if I didn’t at least perfect day. I was working for the ACLU of Virginia as a legal try.” A few weeks later, I had the gig! Best gamble Things I smite: Olives, country music and authori- observer at a Ku Klux Klan rally in Charlottesville, I’ve ever made. tarianism. Not necessarily in that order. Va., back in July. The state police popped tear gas What I do here: I’m the Robert G. Ingersoll Legal In my golden years: I’d like to live out my latter canisters on the crowd, so I started backing away to Fellow, which basically means that I’m a lawyer with days in a peaceful cabin in the Adirondacks with get clear . . . just in time for canister to explode right a really cool title. a good book in one hand, a whiskey snifter in the in front of me. I got a ton of the stuff in my eyes What I like best about it: Talking with our com- other, and a shotgun at my side to frighten people and lungs. Tear gas: 0/5 stars. Do not recommend. plainants. I know as well as anyone that being the who step on my porch. Would not try again.

Judge Gloria in excelsis Continued from page 1 Mercer County Schools to avoid more than 75 years until the FFRF law- the divisiveness, sending Jessica to a suit. The curriculum is the equivalent neighboring school district. The “Bible of Sunday school instruction. in the Schools” program and the FFRF’s legal complaint lists ex- treatment Jessica received as a result of amples of the proselytizing curricu- not participating in the classes were a lum. Lesson 2 promotes creationism major reason for her transfer to a new by claiming humans and dinosaurs school, according to FFRF’s amended co-existed. complaint. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled such “FFRF is fighting on behalf both of instruction unconstitutional in the the Constitution and real-life human be- landmark McCollum v. Board of Educa- ings, including the youngest and most tion case in 1948. FFRF won a court vic- vulnerable students,” FFRF Co-Presi- tory before the 6th U.S. Circuit Court dent Annie Laurie Gaylor notes. of Appeals ending similar bible instruc- Bible indoctrination classes were tion in Rhea County (Dayton), Tenn., taught in Mercer County Schools for schools in 2004.

Published by Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc.

P.O. Box 750 Madison WI 53701 FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor participated in a panel discussion [email protected] FFRF.org about religion and politics at the French Embassy’s annual Festival P 608.256.8900 F 608.204.0422 Albertine in New York City on Nov. 4, held in the embassy’s Albertine Bookstore. This year’s event was curated by legendary feminists Gloria EDITOR PJ Slinger [email protected] Steinem (pictured above, signing a copy of her book My Life on the Road for Annie Laurie) and Robin Morgan, an atheist and honorary director EDITOR EMERITUS Bill Dunn of FFRF. The festival took place over five days, including a panel with EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER Annie Laurie Gaylor Planned Parenthood’s Cecile Richards. Annie Laurie’s panel was chaired GRAPHIC DESIGNER Roger Daleiden by Clemence Bouloque, who teaches at Columbia. Other panelists were: COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Amit Pal Algerian-born feminist, writer and lawyer Wassyla Tamzali, French rabbi CONTRIBUTORS Delphine Horvilleur, and Daisy Khan, founder of WISE (Women’s Islamic Initiative for Spirituality and Equality). Annie Laurie thanks Gloria, Robin, Philip Appleman, Dan Barker, Jackie Brown, Nora Cusack, Michelle the French Embassy and its staff, including Benedicte de Montlaur, for Goldberg, Molly Hanson, Ingrid Laas, Chris Line, Alec Loftus, gracious hospitality, a scrumptious post-panel dinner, and for ensuring Colin McNamara, Jake Swenson, Kimberly Veal that a feminist atheist perspective was included. (By the way, Julianne Moore will star as Steinem in a feature film version of My Life on the Road.) The only freethought newspaper in the United States December 2017 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 3 Looking to donate to FFRF? Here’s how!

There are many ways you can donate come a significant boost to FFRF in good news for senior citizens. The do- charitable organization. Visit our to FFRF, including directly through recent years. Many companies offer nation benefit had been allowed to ex- AmazonSmile donation designation our website (ffrf.org/donate). to match (fully or a percentage) their pire in 2008 and then renewed tempo- page and select the Freedom From Ways to give include the Combined employees’ donations to charitable rarily by Congress several times at the Religion Foundation to donate 0.5 Federal Campaign for federal employ- organizations. last minute, creating uncertainty and percent of eligible purchases to FFRF. ees, matching gifts, AmazonSmile, es- Membership dues and donations confusion. The AmazonSmile Foundation is a tate planning, stock transfer and IRA are tax-deductible contributions Because it is available to taxpayers 501(c)(3) private foundation created charitable rollover gifts, which apply to and may be submitted to matching whether or not they itemize their tax by Amazon to administer the Amazon- seniors 70½ or older. gift programs upon organization returns, the rollover helps older Amer- Smile program. All donation amounts approval. icans, who are more likely not to file generated by the AmazonSmile pro- Combined Federal Campaign FFRF receives Charity Navigator’s itemized returns. gram are remitted to the AmazonSmile If you are a federal employee, you highest 4-star rating. 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If you are age 70½ or older, you may If you are interested in donating of the AmazonSmile Foundation; they It is recommended that all CFC do- donate up to $100,000 to FFRF as a stock to FFRF, please call Director are not deducted from the donation nors check the box to include their qualifying 501(c)(3) charitable orga- of Operations Lisa Strand or FFRF amounts generated by purchases on name and mailing address with the do- nization directly from your Individual Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor at AmazonSmile. nation. Donors will receive an acknowl- Retirement Account (IRA). The dis- 1-800-335-4021 or email FFRF (info@ edgment from FFRF when we receive tribution will not be treated as taxable ffrf.org). Estate planning pledge notification (throughout the income, provided the distribution is Leave a freethought legacy in your year). made directly. AmazonSmile name that will significantly help carry FFRF has been a CFC charity since To qualify, contributions must come AmazonSmile is a simple and forward the vital work of FFRF. 2007. Freedom From Religion Foun- from a traditional IRA or Roth IRA, automatic way for you to support Arrange a bequest in your will or dation Inc. appears in the listing of and they must be made directly to FFRF every time you shop, at no cost trust, or make the FFRF the beneficia- “National/International Independent FFRF. Additionally, the donor may not to you. When you shop at smile.amazon. ry of an insurance policy, bank account Organizations,” which is published in receive goods or services in exchange com, you’ll find the exact same prices, or your IRA. It’s easy to do. each local campaign charity list. for the donation and must retain a re- selection and shopping experience as For related information or to re- ceipt from FFRF. Amazon.com, with the added bonus quest a bequest brochure, please Matching grants The IRA rollover became perma- that Amazon will donate a portion of phone Annie Laurie Gaylor or Lisa Matching grant donations have be- nent in December 2015, which is very the purchase price to your favorite Strand at 608-256-8900. OVERHEARD If literature is a religion, the bookstore In a key election for four seats on the is the church. seven-member [school board] panel, Award-winning novelist Alec Patric, voters in wealthy [Douglas County, “Australia’s Amazon Book Battle.” Colo.] rejected a slate of candidates New York Times, 10-22-17 who would have continued on that [voucher program] policy path, and There is no excuse for a supposedly instead chose advocates of tradition- moral institution to wait 25 years to al public schools who oppose school release a pedophile priest’s name. vouchers. The race was marked by an Because of the infusion of hundreds of thousands of church’s immoral dollars both from unions and pro-re- behavior, dozens, form nonprofit organizations, as well if not hundreds, as a plea from Catholic priests to sup- of children have port reform candidates. probably been Valerie Strauss, education reporter for sexually abused by the Washington Post. Photo by Brian Cahn Father Lara, and Washington Post, 11-8-17 Guest-of-honor Barry Lynn, left, speaks with FFRF Member and sculptor Zenos their lives have been Frudakis during Lynn’s retirement party after 25 years of leading of Americans destroyed and their I fear that some women are going to United. Garabedian families’ lives have choose to terminate the pregnancy been destroyed. before they have all the information Mitchell Garabedian, the lawyer repre- they need because of this ban because Happy retirement senting three people who report they it’s putting a rush on you. You have to were abused by Lara between the ages make a decision by 20 weeks, and may- of 9 and 11. Garabedian was portrayed be you don’t have enough information in the Oscar-winning film “Spotlight” to make an informed decision by 20 to AU’s Barry Lynn about clergy sexual abuse. weeks. New York Times, 11-9-17 Kentucky resident Dr. Elizabeth Case, The Freedom From Religion discussing a new law in 2017 that makes Foundation was an official sponsor Charitable nonprofits don’t want to be it illegal for a woman in Kentucky to of Barry Lynn’s retirement after 25 dragged into the toxic political waste- have an abortion at or after 20 weeks. years of leading Americans United, land. CNN, 12-4-17 at a shindig Nov. 2 at the posh (but Tim Delaney, president of the National dark!) National Geographic building Council of Nonprofits, after the House As a rule, Christian practice doesn’t in Washington, D.C. The dinner Ways and Means Committee approved cure broad social problems. Just the party and evening of speakers also a sweeping overhaul of the tax code, in- opposite. . . You’re much safer when celebrated American United’s 70th cluding a provision to do away with the surrounded by skeptics. anniversary year. FFRF had a strong presence at the Johnson Amendment, which Delaney Columnist Steve Chapman, “No, Roy Many FFRF’ers were at the event, event. Pictured, from left, Director of says would make nonprofits vulnerable Moore, God is not going to solve our including Life Member Ellery Strategic Response Andrew Seidel, to political demands by donors. problems.” Schempp (plaintiff in Abington v. Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor, USA Today, 11-10-17 Chicago Tribune, 11-17-17 Schempp), State Representative and Executive Board Chair Stephen Hirtle, Life Member Margaret Downey, Life Legal Director Rebecca Markert and Member Tom Schottmiller, and Life Co-President Dan Barker. Member and sculptor Zenos Frudakis. The event was emceed by comedian of The Leadership Conference on Lewis Black, who lent a light-hearted Civil and Human Rights, and Rabbi air. Speakers included Cecile Richards David Saperstein. Also speaking was (video tribute), Terry O’Neill, Barry’s congressional representative immediate past president of National and state-church supporter, Rep. Organization for Women, Wade Jamie Raskin of Maryland’s 8th Henderson, immediate past president District. Make your own nontheistic billboard at ffrf.org/out. Page 4 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | December 2017

HEADS UP Caption contest winner! Congratulations to Joe Todaro A Poetry Column By Philip Appleman for winning FFRF’s caption contest from the November issue. GOD’S GRANDEUR The winning caption is: “It looks like our prayers have been “God will laugh at the trial of the innocent.” answered.” -Job, 9:23 The top runners-up, in no par- ticular order, are: When they hunger and thirst, and I send down a famine, • I pity the poor bastard who When they pray for the sun, and I drown them with rain, had to deliver the eulogy. — Wayne And they beg me for reasons, my only reply is: Stafford I never apologize, never explain. • This is why we haven’t heard Illustration by Kati Treu from God in 2000 years. — Robert Thanks to all who particpated. When the Angel of Death is black wind around them Kerr We will have another contest in an And children are dying in terrible pain, And these two, which are similar: upcoming issue. If you have any Then they burn little candles in churches, but still • So, Nietzsche was right! — non-copyright-protected images I never apologize, never explain. Tom Drolsum (most likely that you took your- • I always thought that Nietzsche self) that you think would be good When the Christians kill Jews, and Jews kill the Muslims, quote was metaphorical. — Jacob for a caption contest, please send And Muslims kill writers they think are profane, Dowd them to [email protected]. They clamor for peace, or for reasons, at least, But I never apologize, never explain.

When they wail about murder and torture and rape, When unlucky Abel complains about Cain, FFRF welcomes 42 Lifers, And they ask me just why I had planned it like this, I never apologize, never explain. 4 Immortals, 1 After-Lifer Of course, if they’re smart, they can figure it out— FFRF is excited and proud to an- Saeger, Mel Schehlein, Dorothy Sedley, The best of all reasons is perfectly plain. nounce its 45 new Lifetime Members, Debra Spear, Kenneth Veto, David Weit- It’s because I just happen to like it this way— one new After-Lifer and four Immortals. man, Audrey Wennink, Ted Warne and So I never apologize, never explain. Alfred Johnson is our newest Af- Jeffry Wujek. ter-Life Member, a tongue-in-cheek Individual Lifetime Memberships From Karma, Dharma, Pudding & Pie donation category of $5,000 for those are $1,000, designated as membership © Philip Appleman. who want their donation to “live on” or membership renewal, and are de- after them. ductible for income-tax purposes. This poem has been set to music by Dan Barker. The song is available on Our newest Life Members are: Anon- States represented are: Arizona, FFRF's CD, "Beware of Dogma," available at ffrf.org/shop. ymous, Richard Andersen, Cyndi Bar- California, Colorado, Connecticut, thel, Elliott Berenson, Anne Brading, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Mas- Philip Appleman is a Dis­tinguished Pro­fessor Emeri­tus Robert Butler, Becky Carpenter, Matt sachusetts, Maine, Minnesota, North at In­dia­na Uni­ver­si­ty. He is editor of the Norton Critical Carpenter, Fred Drennan, James Farrar, Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Edition of Darwin. His published volumes of poetry Melissa Geiger, Brad Gelineau, Ori Got- Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Ore- include New and Selected Poems: (1956-1996), Perfidious tlieb, Robert C. Hailey, Eric Hall, Carlos gon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Washing- Proverbs and Other Poems: A Satirical Look at the Bible Hernandez-Torres, Vincel Jenkins, Karl ton and Wisconsin. (2012), Darwin’s Ark (new 2009 edition) and Karma, Johnson, Brian Kalman, Stephen King, Jeffrey Davies Bricker, Judi and How- Dharma, Pudding & Pie (2009). His newest book is The Stephen Magowan, John La Marre, ard Frinstein, and Betty S. Waterhouse Labyrinth: God, Darwin and the Meaning of Life. He and Rodney Miller, Marilyn Morgan, Ste- are our latest Immortals, a donation his playwright wife, Marjorie Appleman, are both “After- fanie Moritz, Ann Morris-Cockrell, Nik- designation for those members who Life” Members of FFRF. Phil’s books: ffrf.org/shop. ki Nash, Marilyn Nienkerk, Peter Noth- have contacted FFRF to report they nagle, Marc Orenberg, Gregory Page, have made provisions for FFRF in their Robert Poeschel, Nancy Saeger, Ron estate planning. Volunteer extraordinaire Former board member stays busy helping others Name: Nora Cusack Vietnam era. beliefs on others. Where I live: Madison, Wis. How I got where I am today: After my My doubts about religion started: Where and when I was born: Born business partner and I sold our business, I’ve never had religious belief. I am a in State College, Pa., in 1952 to grad I discussed with my husband taking time second-generation atheist. Both my student parents. Grew up in Califor- out from the paid workforce and volun- parents earned Ph.D.s in the sciences, nia; moved to New York at age 13 and teering for a couple of years. A couple so I grew up with a rational scientific graduated high school there; started of years has turned into 20-plus years. view of the world. college in Madison and never left. Volunteering for social justice causes Before I die: I’d like to see social jus- Family: Husband of almost 45 years, is sometimes frus- tice achieved. I’d Brent Nicastro, age 72, retired photog- trating but usual- like election gerry- rapher. Elderly cat, Touza. ly very satisfying Volunteering for social mandering to end Education: I started at the University work. I like being justice causes is sometimes so that democracy of Wisconsin-Madison in 1969, but nev- not only a witness frustrating“ but usually can be restored. er got a degree. I earned an associate but a participant in very satisfying work. Ways I promote degree from Madison Area Technical democracy. freethought: Be- College in printing, was hired immedi- Where I’m — Nora Cusack ing out as an athe- ately and embarked on a 25-year career headed: Continu- ist, without pros- in graphic arts. I’m a lifelong learner. ing to work for social justice. elytizing. I like people to get to know Occupation: Retired from paid Person in history I admire and why: me, see that I am a nice, moral, honest work. I am a former small-business Photo by Brent Nicastro All the women, famous and not, who person, then find out that I’m an athe- Nora Cusack owner. After my business partner and I have worked for reproductive justice. ist. Maybe change some stereotypes. sold our graphic arts company in 1996, past board member of FFRF, Wiscon- A quotation I like: “If men could Why are you a member of FFRF? I have primarily been doing volunteer sin Women’s Network, NARAL Pro- get pregnant, abortion would be a sac- Because atheists need an effective work, save for a Choice Wisconsin, rament.” — Gloria Steinem/Florynce defense against violations of state/ five-year stint as a MEET A MEMBER Community Shares Kennedy. church separation and an organiza- staffer for FFRF in of Wisconsin. Cur- These are a few of my favorite tion that educates about atheism. Too the 2000s. Past volunteer experienc- rently co-administrator/treasurer of things: Reading, politics, cooking, gar- many people have negative judge- es have included: elementary school the Women’s Medical Fund, an all-vol- dening, watching UW basketball. ments of atheists and think they have reading tutor; permanency plan re- unteer statewide nonprofit abortion These are not: Hypocrites who are never met one. I’ll borrow a saying viewer for kids in out-of-home place- fund. I’ve also been an election poll opposed to government interference from abortion activists (“Everyone ment; helping the Wisconsin Supreme worker for many years. in all things except women’s autonomy loves someone who has had an abor- Court produce the first statewide com- Military service: None. My hus- over their own bodies. Religious folks tion”) and say, “Everyone loves some- pilation of Volunteers in the Courts; band served in the Army during the who want to impose their personal one who is an atheist.” December 2017 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 5 IN THE NEWS Citing bible, EPA ‘Nones’ more accepting due to generational replacement. God.” Among people born before 1940, This is Perrier-Bilbo’s second ap- changes adviser rules of transgender identities a large majority are Protestant, only plication for citizenship, according to Referencing the Book of Joshua, Among “Nones” — those who iden- 20–25 percent are Catholic, and very The Sacramento Bee. The first time EPA head Scott Pruitt announced tify as atheist, agnostic or “nothing in few are Nones or Others. But these was in 2009, when she was offered the sweeping changes to the agency’s sci- particular” — 62 percent say they think numbers have changed rapidly in the chance to participate in a private citi- ence advisory boards. On Oct. 31, the a person’s gender is not necessarily de- last few generations: among people zenship ceremony that would allow EPA announced that scientists who re- termined by the sex they are assigned at born since 1980, there are more Nones her to omit those four words. But the ceive EPA funding cannot serve on the birth, according to a new survey from than Catholics, and among the young- fact that the oath includes them at all agency’s three major advisory groups, the Pew Research Center. est adults, there may already be more is what she’s objecting to now. opening the door to more industry The survey showed that nearly two- Nones than Protestants. participation. thirds (63 percent) of Christians in the However, this view of the data does Pruitt said, “Joshua says to the peo- United States say that whether someone not show the effect of age. If religious GOP legislator quits ple of Israel: Choose this day whom is a man or a woman is determined by affiliation increases or decreases, on after gay sex encounter you are going to serve. This is sort of their sex at birth. Among Christians, 84 average, as people get older, this figure like the Joshua principle — that, as percent of white evangelical Protestants could be misleading. An Ohio Republican state legis- it relates to grants from this agency, believe that gender is determined by lator who consistently touts his faith you are going to have to choose either sex at birth. and his anti-LGBT stances resigned service on the committee to provide Most “Nones” (57 percent) say so- Trump clerical official after being caught having sex with a counsel to us in an independent fash- ciety has “not gone far enough” when promotes racist myths man in his office. ion or chose the grant. But you can’t it comes to accepting people who are Rep. Wes Goodman, who is married, do both. That’s the fair and great transgender, and that transgender indi- The director of community outreach was seen having sex with a man inside thing to do.” viduals should be allowed to use public in the Department of Homeland Secu- his office. The witness told Ohio House A large coalition of science restrooms corresponding to their cur- rity once said that cities become “slums” Chief of Staff Mike Dittoe, who spoke organizations, science advocates, rent gender identity (70 percent). because black residents are afflicted by with House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger, environmentalists, and politicians “laziness, drug use and promiscuity.” who then met with Goodman. Shortly lined up in fierce opposition to the Rev. Jamie Johnson, who directs after the meeting, Goodman resigned policy changes, arguing the rules not Saint statue covered up the Center for Faith-Based & Neigh- due to “inappropriate conduct.” only disqualify top environmental and for being too suggestive borhood Partnerships at Homeland Goodman has consistently talked health researchers from advising, but Security, has also said that the Muslim about “natural marriage” being be- also favor scientists paid for by EPA- faith’s only contributions to the world tween a man and a woman. regulated companies. have been “oil and dead bodies.” Goodman’s Twitter bio describes Johnson has been a frequent guest him as: “Christian. American. Con- on Christian radio shows where he dis- servative. Republican. Husband to @ Israeli paper: Biblical cussed at length the inferiority of black Beth1027.” creation stories fables people, the monetary talents of Jewish people and the threats people of other The bible and its stories about the faiths pose to U.S. Christians. U.S. Rep. Huffman comes first man and the creation of the world out as nonbeliever are not true because there is no physi- cal evidence to back it up, according to Diocese says 8 priests U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) a new lengthy investigation from one sexually abused children has come out saying that he does not of Israel’s top newspapers. believe in God, although he hesitates Haaretz compares accounts in the The Roman Catholic Diocese of to call himself an atheist. bible, from ancients Jews fleeing Egypt Brooklyn revealed that 25 years ago, “I suppose you could say I don’t to descriptions of King David, and dis- Jaime Lara, then known as the Rev. believe in God,” Huffman told the misses them all as fables. James Lara, was defrocked by the Vati- Washington Post. The mounting evidence against the can for sexually abusing children. “The only reason bible means fewer Americans than The Brooklyn diocese hid his secret I hesitate is — un- ever before are trusting scripture as from the public, but posted Lara’s name like some human- gospel. Only 35 percent of Americans A Catholic school in Australia has on its website, confirming that he had ists, I’m not com- read the bible at least once a week, covered up a statue of a saint giving a been defrocked for the abuse. The dio- pletely closing the while 45 percent seldom or never do, loaf of bread to a boy after complaints cese also belatedly posted the names of door to spiritual the Pew Research Center reported in that it was too sexually suggestive. seven other former priests who were de- possibilities.” April. The statue of St. Martin de Porres at frocked for child sexual abuse offenses. He also said Blackfriars Priory School in Adelaide The public posting was meant to there is too much shows the bread being held at crotch partly respond to victims and their Jared Huffman religion in politics. Bible talks with teacher level as the smiling boy gazes up with a advocates who have pleaded for de- “I’ve seen reli- ended after complaints hand reaching for the loaf. cades for the publication of all of the gion wielded in such negative ways The statue was made in Vietnam, names of priests credibly accused or around here, lately,” he said. “[Pres- Hudsonville Public Schools in Mich- but a local sculptor has been hired to defrocked for child sexual abuse, to ident] Trump does it all the time, so igan ended faith-based discussions that redesign it. prevent the abuse of more children. implausibly.” Alward Elementary students were hav- Photos posted online show the stat- About 15 dioceses have published par- Huffman said that he’s not hostile to ing over lunch with a teacher, follow- ue first covered in a dark shroud, then tial lists. religion, and he does not judge other ing complaints by a civil rights group placed behind a black fence. Those seven priests represent a frac- people’s religious views. He added that on behalf of parents. tion of the Brooklyn and Queens cler- he doesn’t believe his religion is neces- “Every public-school teacher, princi- gy implicated in the 233 claims before sarily relevant to the work he does. pal, and superintendent should know Retreat from religion the compensation program, which is that they are prohibited from engag- will accelerate awarding settlements to victims who ing in any activity with students that in- agree to drop further action against Survey: More Americans volves religious beliefs, rituals, or doc- Projections from the General So- the diocese. choose no religion trines,’’ said Mitch Kahle, spokesman cial Survey show that, by 2030, a third for the Michigan Association of Civil of Americans will have no religious A new report shows that more than Rights Activists and an FFRF Lifetime preference. Woman sues to remove one-third of those surveyed are atheist, Member. Since 1990, the fraction of Ameri- phrase from oath agnostic or “nothing in particular,” and Kahle said his group was ap- cans with no religious affiliation has more than half rarely go to church. proached separately by two parents nearly tripled, from about 8 percent to An atheist woman seeking citizen- According to the American Family about teacher-led bible studies that 22 percent. ship in Massachusetts is suing to remove Survey, which asked about views on fami- had been ongoing this semester ev- Over the next 20 years, this trend is the phrase “so help me God” from the ly, politics and social issues, 34 percent of ery Friday at lunch. He said parents expected to accelerate. By 2020, there United States citizenship oath. respondents said they had no religious informed the group that fifth-grade will be more “Nones” than Catholics, Olga Paule Perrier-Bilbo, a French denomination, compared to 33 percent teacher Christopher Karel would read and by 2035, they will outnumber national who has lived in the United who identified as Protestant and 21 per- bible verses, tell a story or show a vid- Protestants. States since 2000 with a green card, cent who said they are Catholic. eo and lead students in prayer. Religious beliefs are primarily says that the inclusion of the phrase Baptists made up the largest Protes- Assistant Superintendent Scott determined by the environment people is an unconstitutional violation of her tant group, at about 32 percent, with Smith said he and Superintendent grow up in, including their family life religious freedom. Her lawyer, Michael 19 percent saying they belong to a Nick Ceglarek met with Karel that and wider social influences. Although Newdow, drew attention for a similar nondenominational or independent day and, after confirming the allega- some people change religious Supreme Court case in 2004, when he church. Twenty-eight percent of those tion, immediately ended the lunch- affiliation later in life, most do not, so argued that the Pledge of Allegiance surveyed consider themselves “born- time talks. changes in the population are largely should be rewritten to omit “under again” or evangelical Christians. Page 6 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | December 2017 FFRF NEWS FFRF gets legal backing in Florida cross case

14 groups have signed tells members of other religions, or of amicus brief in support no religion, that they are excluded, of judge’s decision second-class citizens,” it says. “It co- opts the Latin cross’s spiritual content FFRF’s legal action to remove an for governmental purposes, offending unconstitutional and massive Chris- many Christians. And it divides com- tian cross from a Florida city park has munities along religious lines.” received a major boost. It compellingly concludes, “The More than a dozen organizations judgment here is thus not only doc- have filed an amicus brief in support trinally compelled but also historical- of FFRF’s lawsuit to remove a 34-foot ly justified and critically important to Latin cross towering over Pensaco- prevent religiously based civil strife la’s Bayview Park. Americans United that would intrude on our fundamen- for Separation of Church and State tal commitment to religious freedom is the main group writing the brief, for all.” with 13 other organizations joining The other groups signing on to the in, including the American Civil Lib- brief are: the ACLU of Florida, the erties Union, the Anti-Defamation Central Conference of American Rab- League, the Baptist Joint Committee ry this past summer when Senior U.S. its persuasive arguments. bis, Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist for Religious Liberty, the Center for District Judge Roger Vinson ruled “When government displays a tow- Organization of America, the Jewish Inquiry, Muslim Advocates and the that “the Bayview Cross can no longer ering symbol of one religion on pub- Social Policy Action Network, the Na- Sikh Coalition. stand as a permanent fixture on city- lic land, it communicates an imper- tional Council of Jewish Women, the On the opposing side, 14 states owned property.” Vinson ordered the missible message of favoritism and Union for Reform Judaism, and Wom- previously filed a friend of the court cross removed within a month. exclusion that stigmatizes nonadher- en of Reform Judaism. brief siding with the city of Pensacola Regrettably, the city appealed the ents while also demeaning the faith of The plaintiffs in the case are in its appeal to keep the Bayview Park case to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court many adherents,” the brief states. Amanda Kondrat’yev, Andreiy Kon- cross. Florida Attorney General Pam of Appeals. FFRF and AHA and their The brief powerfully lists the many drat’yev, David Suhor and Andre Ry- Bondi joined 13 other state attorneys co-plaintiffs in November filed an ap- problems with the cross. land. The case was brought by both general in signing on to a brief written peals brief asking the appeals court to “The official display of the Lat- FFRF and AHA, and handled by FFRF by Alabama Attorney General Steven affirm the lower court’s decision. The in cross — the pre-eminent symbol staff attorneys Rebecca Markert and Marshall’s office. amicus brief — and the heft of the of Christianity — sends divisive and Madeline Ziegler and AHA’s senior FFRF and the American Humanist 14 other organizations behind it — harmful messages that are directly con- counsel Monica Miller and legal direc- Association earned a major legal victo- greatly bolsters the secular case with trary to this fundamental objective: It tor David Niose.

While ruling in FFRF’s favor, FFRF to hoist flag Judge should Crabb left open the remedy, giving FFRF, the U.S. government and reli- in N.H. to protest ‘nullify’ housing gious intervenors the opportunity to file supplemental briefs. religious display allowance The options include an injunc- tion requiring the IRS to extend the FFRF is expected to raise a first-of-its- After FFRF’s historic victory benefits to FFRF Co-Presidents Dan kind flag — honoring atheism and free- against the clergy housing tax allow- Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor, thought — to protest a New Hampshire This flag will be raised in Somersworth, ance, the judge’s next move is eagerly who have been designated a housing town’s Ten Commandments display. N.H., to protest a Ten Commandments awaited. U.S. District Judge Barbara allowance by FFRF, or to nullify the FFRF will sponsor the raising of an display. B. Crabb, who in October ruled the entire statute. The IRS has denied “A” flag in Somersworth, N.H. The flag clergy privilege unconstitutional, the pair a housing allowance. FFRF will be up in the “Citizen’s Place” traffic separate church and state.” now must decide how to implement argues that allowing clergy this ben- island Jan. 2 through January to honor Jennifer Soldati reinforced her fel- her ruling. efit while denying it to similarly situ- freethinkers. It was supposed to fly in low council member’s assertion. Crabb, seated in the Western Dis- ated heads of a nonreligious group is December, but the city has postponed “The optics of that little traffic island trict of Wisconsin, ruled in favor of a discriminatory. the date. when you drive through now, especial- tax-code challenge by FFRF, saying it FFRF is asking Crabb to prospec- This year, the city installed two flag- ly since we have flagpoles, are further demonstrates “a preference for min- tively nullify the statute, to order the poles near a contentious Ten Com- poking the eye of the Constitution,” isters over secular employees.” IRS to refund the plaintiffs’ housing mandments monument at the traffic Soldati said. “According to eight out In a fascinating twist, both FFRF allowance and to award plaintiffs le- island for community groups to cele- of 10 court decisions, it does promote and the government are urging gal costs. Nullifying the law would brate events. The addition of something Christianity and it is in violation of the Crabb to nullify this provision, rather mean that Section 107(2) could no other than a Judeo-Christian symbol is Constitution.” than extend the benefits to others. longer be used to provide favorable an attempted gesture by the city to get FFRF agrees with the council mem- That provision, enacted in 1954 tax treatment to clergy and churches. around legal precedent against stand- bers’ eloquent reasoning and has asked to reward “ministers of the gospel” This is FFRF’s second time in front alone Ten Commandments markers on for several years that the Ten Com- for carrying on “a courageous fight of Crabb over this particular ineq- public property. mandments monument be removed. against [a godless and anti-religious uity in the tax code. Crabb ruled in Two City Council members rightly Meanwhile, FFRF wants to even it out world movement],” permits churches FFRF’s favor in 2014, creating near objected to the entire concept. with a freethought perspective. to pay ministers with a “housing al- hysteria by the clerical press. “This plot of land can’t truly be a “We believe the town needs to ‘hon- lowance.” The unique allowance is The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Ap- place for all citizens as long as it exclu- or thy First Amendment,’” says FFRF not a tax deduction but an exemp- peals, however, ruled that Gaylor and sively focuses on a religion not shared by Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor. “With tion, allowing clergy to subtract ma- Barker lacked standing to sue be- all citizens,” Jessica Paradis said. “That is such a religious shrine glaringly on dis- jor portions of their salaries from tax- cause they had failed to apply for a why we have laws that are supposed to play, we have to present our viewpoint.” able income. refund.

American Infidel: JUST PRETEND Robert G. Ingersoll A freethought book for children RECRUIT A MEMBER

A fun, illustrated book By Orvin Larsen allowing children of all sample copy for $2 each Prof. Larsen writes ages to explore myths with a ection and like Santa Claus and Send $2 with the name and address of each person you respect of this compare them with ideas like the wish to receive a sample copy of Freethought Today to: illustrious 19th existence of God. century freethinker. By Dan Barker FFRF • P.O. Box 750 • Madison, WI 53701 Please send us only names of likely supporters. Buy it from FFRF online Buy it from FFRF online shop.ff rf.org shop.ff rf.org Freedom depends upon freethinkers December 2017 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 7 School board Judge orders prayer case Lehigh County enters a to abandon seal A federal judge has ordered a Penn- new stage sylvania county to get rid of its seal that prominently features a Latin cross. The FFRF’s lawsuit against the Chino Val- order follows up on a major court vic- ley Unified School District board for tory the FFRF obtained against Lehigh regularly praying is entering a new stage. County in September. On Nov. 8, the case was heard before “The Lehigh County seal adopted the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals by the Lehigh County Board of Com- in Pasadena, Calif. FFRF is asking the missioners on Dec. 28, 1944, and all appeals court to sustain a lower court subsequent ad- ruling in its favor. aptations and A district court in February 2016 versions of it that granted summary judgment in favor are currently be- of FFRF and its 22 plaintiffs, declaring ing used or dis- the school board’s prayer an unconsti- played and that tutional government endorsement of feature the Latin religion. The decision also ruled that cross (collec- the school board policy and custom tively the ‘Lehigh County Seal’) violate of reciting prayers, bible readings and FFRF files brief against baker the Establishment Clause of the First proselytizing violates the Establishment FFRF has filed an amicus brief in tion be permitted to disregard this Amendment of the United States Con- Clause of the First Amendment. After the famous case currently before the religiously neutral anti-discrimina- stitution,” says the order issued by U.S. FFRF’s victory, the school board voted U.S. Supreme Court about whether tion law. District Judge Edward G. Smith. to appeal the decision in a controversial a baker can refuse a cake to a gay Elevating religion and actions In his decision, the judge noted 3-2 vote at a contentious meeting. couple. based on religious beliefs above the that the Christian cross, which both Chino Valley board meetings Masterpiece Cakeshop Ltd. v. Col- law by granting them exemptions parties agree is “the pre-eminent feature adults — board members, staff orado Civil Rights Commission seeks to general and neutrally applicable symbol of Christianity,” dwarfs other or clergy, nearly always Christian — to radically redefine “religious free- laws will create chaos and have far- symbols on the seal and therefore shows delivering a prayer. dom” as the right reaching effects, unconstitutional county endorsement For example, board member James to impose one’s FFRF maintains. of a particular religion. Na told the audience at one meeting religious beliefs on Elevating religion Discrimination The seal is on documents, letterhead, that “God appointed us to be here.” others. Commercial and actions based on against atheists many official county forms and reports, Another board member, Andrew Cruz, businesses seeking religious beliefs above will increase. The the county’s website, in a display in the told the audience at a meeting that the exemptions from the law by granting bakery admits that Board of Commissioners meeting room board had a goal: “And that one goal anti-discrimination its owner refuses and even on flags displayed prominently is under God, Jesus Christ.” Cruz then laws are a prime them exemptions to to design custom at the entrance of county buildings. read from the bible, Psalm 143:8. example of this general and neutrally cakes that “pro- The board adopted the imagery that The school board argues that it is alarming argument. applicable laws will mote atheism,” appears on the seal in 1944. Allentown, similar to a legislative board, invoking A Colorado baker create chaos and have along with those the third-largest city in Pennsylvania, is two decisions by the U.S. Supreme refused to bake a far-reaching effects. that promote “rac- located in Lehigh County, with a popu- Court that permit, under narrow cake for a gay mar- ism, or indecency.” lation of about 350,000. circumstances, governmental prayer. riage, contending Given that the com- Smith prohibited any use or display But, FFRF contends in its brief, “The his rights under the Free Exercise pany regards selling any wedding of the seal by Lehigh County after 180 meetings of the school board can only Clause of the First Amendment let cake to a gay couple as “promoting days. However, the 180-day timeline will be seen as school functions.” his place of public accommodation gay marriage,” it’s easy to see how not start until any appeal by the county FFRF asserts that the board’s con- discriminate against gay customers. a desire not to “promote atheism” has concluded. duct clearly violates the Constitution — The Supreme Court has histor- might similarly result in a refusal The judge also awarded nominal and that the judicial system will concur. ically rejected free exercise chal- of service based on a customer’s damages to each plaintiff in the amount “We hope the 9th Circuit will agree lenges to neutral laws that regulate atheism. of $1. During the appeal, the county is with our contentions,” says FFRF action, especially actions that harm FFRF’s interest in this case arises prohibited from implementing any new Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor. other citizens. from the fact that most of its mem- uses of the seal beyond those that are “Public school boards can’t engage in There is no logical or practical bers are atheists or nonbelievers, currently being practiced. such outrageously religious behavior way to draw a line between religiously as are the members of the public it The litigation is being handled by and get away with it.” motivated racial discrimination and serves Marcus B. Schneider of Pittsburgh, with David Kaloyanides is representing racial discrimination motivated by FFRF’s Managing Staff Attorney assistance from FFRF Staff Attorneys FFRF and the individual plaintiffs. The nonreligious beliefs. Rebecca Markert is the Counsel of Patrick Elliott and Elizabeth Cavell. judges are Circuit Judges Stephen Rein- The Free Exercise Clause of the Record on the brief, with principal FFRF thanks its four local plaintiffs hardt and Kim Wardlaw as well as Judge First Amendment does not mean writing by FFRF Staff Attorney Eliz- who made possible the lawsuit: John Wiley Daniel, a senior district judge of that anyone with a religious objec- abeth Cavell. Berry, Stephen Meholic, David Simp- the U.S. District Court for Colorado. son, and Candace Winkler.

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Offer exp res Jn 10, 2018 ______M l- n offer onl Not v lble onl ne Donor dt me phone / Em l ddress ( n cse of quest ons) Page 8 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | December 2017 FFRF VICTORIES Taking care of business in Lone Star state By Molly Hanson plaint from a concerned parent that a Pete Slaughter on Oct. 27, informing him FFRF halts Texas wreath with a Latin cross on it was hang- that the high school created the appear- A couple of community members ing on the school’s office door. ance that the district unconstitutionally school prayer walk contacted FFRF to report that two con- FFRF Staff Attorney Sam Grover endorses the event’s Christian message. It was brought to FFRF’s attention stitutional violations took place within wrote to the district superintendent ask- Furthermore, the coach’s actions violat- that Summer Creek High School in the Corpus Christi Independent School ing that the district investigate the situa- ed the Equal Access Act, which mandates Houston hosted a “prayer walk” on District. After a Miller High School tion and ensure that its employees were that school staff may not participate in re- Sept. 10 at the school to commemorate football game in Corpus Christi, Texas, not impermissibly promoting personal ligious events with students. its recent merger with Kingwood High players and coaches had congregated religious beliefs while acting on behalf Slaughter responded on Nov. 3 writ- School. The official Summer Creek in the middle of the field to recite the of the district. ing that he had addressed the violation High School page had promoted the “Lord’s Prayer.” A legal representative of the school with the coach. event under the slogan “Two Schools. FFRF was also informed that teachers district informed FFRF on Nov. 20 that One God.” at Woodlawn Elementary took students the wreath had been taken down. FFRF nixes Jesus FFRF Staff Attorney Sam Grover on a field trip to a pumpkin patch at from Texas school wrote to the school district on Oct. 11, Asbury United Methodist Church. Af- Coaches no longer will informing the district that prayer walks ter exploring the patch, the students See You at the Pole A parent of a student in the Weather- entangle public schools with a religious were gathered for a proselytizing story- ford Independent School District in Tex- message. time session, led by a church volunteer as reported to FFRF that a religious club An attorney representing the district who read books that included pictures called “Kids Beach Club” was permitted responded on Oct. 23, informing FFRF of pumpkins decorated with the Latin to set up a table to advertise during a that the two Facebook posts advertising cross and a “Jesus fish.” Students were recent open house event at Crockett the event were removed from the Sum- told that the cross represented Jesus, Elementary. mer Creek High School newsfeed and that Jesus died on the cross for every- The table had information, fliers and that action had been taken by adminis- one’s sins, that Jesus is “our Messiah” a banner reading, “Make Jesus Cool at trators to address the violation. and other Christian stories. School.” The club describes itself as a In a letter to the school district, FFRF ministry “established to mobilize the Standing up for a right Staff Attorney Sam Grover warned the church to go outside its walls in order to remain seated district superintendent against the con- Coaches are seen praying with students to take the message of Christ in into the stitutional violations. at a See You at the Pole event. heart of its community.” A concerned student contacted FFRF On Nov. 13, a letter from a legal FFRF Staff Attorney Sam Grover to report that teachers within Earl War- representative of the district informed FFRF learned that a football and track wrote to Superintendent Jeffrey Hanks ren High School in San Antonio had FFRF that the principals and administra- coach at Anna High School in Texas had in a Nov. 7 legal letter. been singling out students who chose tors had been reminded of the policies participated in a See You at the Pole “It should not be abused by outside not to stand during the Pledge of Alle- and laws of the school district. event on school property in September, organizations as an opportunity to pros- giance and forcing them to stand during which opened with prayer. Additional- elytize children and promote private the recitation. FFRF wrote on Nov. 10 Religious decor removed ly, the school was advertising a See You clubs to families, many of whom do not asking the district to tell its employees from elementary school at the Pole event in the banner of its subscribe to Kids Beach Club’s religious that they cannot force students to ob- webpage. message,” Grover stated. serve the pledge. Religious decor is no longer on dis- See You at the Pole is a Christian-ori- A legal representative of the school Assistant Superintendent for Second- play in Ricardo Elementary School in ented prayer rally organized each year district responded on Nov. 20, saying the ary Administration Stephen Daniel re- Kingsville, Texas, thanks to FFRF. Action around a bible verse. FFRF Staff Attorney district had retrained its administrative sponded on Nov. 17, saying the situation was taken after FFRF received a com- Sam Grover wrote to Superintendent staff on board policies. would be resolved immediately.

Arkansas violations get Come again? cleared up by FFRF

By Molly Hanson religious or nonreligious upbringing — that right is reserved for parents only. FFRF has had prayer struck from a “Such a practice alienates the performance at an Arkansas elementary students, teachers, and members of the school. community whose religious beliefs are FFRF learned that students at West- inconsistent with the message being side Elementary School in Jonesboro, promoted by the school,” wrote FFRF Ark., were going to perform in a Robert G. Ingersoll Legal Fellow Colin Thanksgiving-themed program with McNamara to Superintendent Scott music and poetry. Students were sent Gauntt. Gauntt responded promptly, This church marquee from the Bella Vista Baptist Church in Edgewater, home with a list of lyrics to memorize, informing FFRF that he had investigated Fla., made some jaws drop for its seemingly overt sexual connotation. including one assigned piece featuring the reported violation and, after finding Representatives of the church told WKMG in Orlando that the sign was a prayer that read: it to be true, had the prayer removed “completely innocent” and was “intended as encouragement to forgive.” “Thank you for the world so sweet, from the program. Church officials apologized for potentially offending anyone and the thank you for the food we eat, thank you message was changed shortly thereafter. for the birds that sing, thank you, God, FFRF serves up law for everything.” FFRF took swift action to remedy this to pizza joint cated that the discount was not being free tickets to a pizza party and church intermingling of secular schooling and A local patron of Johnny Brusco’s offered anymore. services at PBC scheduled that same religion. In a letter sent to the school New York Style Pizza in Bentonville, night. district, FFRF asked that the prayer Ark., informed FFRF that the restaurant No more proselytizing FFRF Staff Attorney Patrick Elliott and any other religious messages be re- was offering and promoting a 10 per- sent a letter on Oct. 18 to the school moved from the school’s Thanksgiving cent discount on Sundays to customers at elementary school district superintendent informing the performance. presenting a church bulletin. It was reported to FFRF that West- district that it is inappropriate to take Teaching a prayer to students is a FFRF Staff Attorney Elizabeth Cavell side Elementary School in Jonesboro, away educational time from students to clear violation of the Establishment wrote to the manager to inform him Ark., hosted a presentation by a Chris- expose them to a Christian proselytiz- Clause, and imposing a prayer as part that the deal favored religious custom- tian minister this September in the ing group. of a holiday celebration is no defense, ers and denied customers who did not school gymnasium. On Oct. 27, FFRF received a writ- FFRF contended. attend church the right to “full and During the presentation, the chil- ten promise from Superintendent Furthermore, FFRF noted in its letter equal” enjoyment of the pizza joint, a vi- dren were given rubber bracelets from Scott Gauntt that the violation would that inducing young and impressionable olation of the Civil Rights Act. The dis- the local Philadelphia Baptist Church not recur and that additional training children to give thanks to God is a usur- count also violated Arkansas state law. that read, “PBC Living God, Serving would be provided to building princi- pation of parental authority. It is not a FFRF received a phone call on Nov. Others, Go Warriors.” At the end of pals as to the law in public school and public school’s role to direct a child’s 17 from the manager, who communi- the assembly, the children received religion matters. December 2017 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 9

It’s all OK: FFRF earns More legal wins by FFRF Alabama Violation: District employees victories in Oklahoma Where: Smiths Station High School gave preferential treatment to the in Lee County. organizers of a “prayer walk” by al- By Molly Hanson Violation: School broadcast a lowing the event to occur without prayer over the loudspeaker prior to submitting an application or having FFRF has stopped some Oklahoma the first football game of the season a district employee present at the middle school kids from being forced and right after the national anthem. event — both of which are require- to regularly listen to Christian music Remedy: Broadcasted prayers have ments of the school district’s rental during the school day. ceased. policy. A concerned parent informed FFRF FFRF attorney who handled case: Remedy: District employees in- that teachers at Adair Middle School Christopher Line. structed to follow policy as written. in Adair, Okla., were playing Christian FFRF attorney who handled case: music during class. One teacher re- Alabama Sam Grover. portedly played KXOJ, the local Chris- Where: Vestavia Hills Elementary tian radio station, whenever students East School. Montana were working on assignments and Violation: A teacher promoted Where: Kila Post Office. she wasn’t actively teaching. Another Needham had spoken with all the “Bring Your Bible to School Day” to Violation: Post office’s bulletin teacher occasionally played Christian coaches regarding the prayer violation students. board and space around it had been music in class and sang along with it. and had instructed coaches not to par- Remedy: School will cease promot- used for several years to advertise It is inappropriate for a public ticipate in student prayers. ing event to students. the Kila Country Church’s summer school teacher to promote religion FFRF attorney who handled case: bible camp. during class, FFRF informed Adair FFRF ends school’s Sam Grover. Remedy: Board has been Public Schools. violations removed. “Federal courts have consistently Illinois FFRF attorney who handled case: rejected the promotion of religious After it was reported to FFRF that Where: Auburn Junior High Madeline Ziegler. viewpoints in the classroom,” FFRF Le- numerous constitutional violations School. gal Fellow Christopher Line wrote to were taking place at Chandler Junior Violation: School had been rais- New York Adair Public Schools Superintendent High School in Chandler, Okla., ac- ing funds to pay for an assembly by a Where: Suffolk County Court- Mark Lippe. tion was promptly taken. FFRF was in- preacher associated with Life Promo- house. FFRF emphasized that public formed that the dress code — which tions, an evangelical organization that Violation: Judge posted fliers on school teachers should be inclusive of had been posted by the school on seeks to convert youth to Christianity. boards around the courthouse pro- all students, particularly considering Facebook — prohibits clothing or Remedy: Assembly has been moting a “Red Mass,” which is “a that about 35 percent of young Amer- jewelry that suggested support of “Sa- cancelled. solemn Mass invoking guidance of icans, those born after 1981, are reli- tanism.” The school’s principal reiter- FFRF attorney who handled case: the Holy Spirit.” giously unaffiliated, while more than ated this code to students. It was also Colin McNamara. Remedy: Fliers have been 43 percent are non-Christian. Demon- reported to FFRF that a teacher in the removed. strating a religious preference to stu- school had a Latin cross on display in Indiana FFRF attorney who handled case: dents is fraught with legal and moral her classroom, and that the school was Where: Noblesville East Middle Rebecca Markert. peril, including the risk of ostracizing selling official school shirts with an School. students, which may lead to bullying, image of a soldier kneeling before a Violation: Administration allowed North Carolina FFRF underlined. Latin cross. a representative of the evangelical Where: Oxford Preparatory FFRF requested that the district FFRF Legal Fellow Chris Line organization Young Life to attend School. take appropriate steps to ensure that wrote to the school district on Sept. the school’s lunch hour to speak with Violation: School held Beta the two teachers weren’t impermissibly 19, requesting that the constitutional students. Club induction ceremonies for new promoting religion to students by violations cease. Line noted that dis- Remedy: No further proselytizing members at St. Stephen’s Episco- broadcasting Christian music and playing a Latin cross sends a message will occur. pal Church, which had religious recommended that the district remind to students that the district endorses FFRF attorney who handled case: iconography displayed during the its staff that they must refrain from Christianity, as does selling shirts that Ryan Jayne. event. promoting their personal religious depict prayer before a cross. This un- Remedy: Future events will be beliefs to students. lawfully entangles the school with a re- Indiana held on campus. The school district took FFRF’s ligious viewpoint. Line also informed Where: Fayette County School FFRF attorney who handled case: recommendations seriously and the district that it is illegal to prohibit Corporation. Patrick Elliott. moved accordingly. students from wearing a particular reli- Violation: The email signature of “It is the policy of Adair Public gion’s symbols, such as satanic symbols. an executive secretary in the district Virginia Schools that no sectarian or religious The school district informed FFRF included the New Testament quote Where: Eagle View Elementary doctrine shall be taught or inculcated on Nov. 9 that the cross in the class- and citation: “Hope anchors the soul. School in Falls Church. into the curriculum or activities of the room has been removed, the T-shirts Hebrews 6:19.” Violation: The school’s Septem- school,” Lippe wrote back. with a cross on them would not be Remedy: Signature no longer has ber e-newsletter included a message “During the middle school October required to be worn by band mem- quote. from a local church that promoted staff meeting, the staff was trained on bers and the dress code policy has FFRF attorney who handled case: a community church block party school policy concerning sectarian or been changed to comply with the Ryan Jayne. along with a worship service. religious doctrine in the curriculum Constitution. Remedy: No further religious or activities of the school. School em- Kentucky messages will be included in ployees will not utilize religious music Christian messages axed Where: Paul Blazer High School in newsletters. in classrooms unless such use serves a It was reported to FFRF that a Ashland. FFRF attorney who handled case: pedagogical purpose related to a les- principal at Little Axe Middle School Violation: School’s football team Patrick Elliott. son plan in band or choir.” in Norman, Okla., gave a Christian employed a chaplain, who regularly invocation at a staff dinner this past led team in prayers. West Virginia Baseball coaches August asking Jesus "to inspire" Remedy: School no longer has Where: Follansbee Middle cease prayers the new teachers. FFRF was also chaplain for team. School in Brooke County. informed that the school’s baseball FFRF attorney who handled case: Violation: Gideons Internation- After a community member re- coach had given out team luggage Rebecca Markert. al distributed bibles to fifth-grade ported to FFRF that coaches for the name tags with bible verses on them. students. Oktaha High School baseball team in FFRF wrote to Superintendent Jay Michigan Remedy: The group can longer Oktaha, Okla., had been praying with Thomas, reminding the district Where: Davison Area Senior hand out bibles in the district. the team, FFRF’s Patrick O’Reiley Le- that, as a government entity, it has a Center. FFRF attorney who handled case: gal Fellow Christopher Line wrote to constitutional obligation to remain Violation: Center advertised and Patrick Elliott. Superintendent Jerry Needham to en- neutral toward religion. Both the promoted a trip to the Creation Mu- sure that the district coaches end un- Christian invocation and the coach’s seum and Ark Encounter, a Chris- Wisconsin lawful endorsements and promotions promotion of a religious message tian ministry run by creationist Ken Where: Reedsburg city park. of religion to district students and on district athletic equipment had Ham. Violation: A “free pantry” with employees. endorsed religion over nonreligion. Remedy: Trip was canceled. religious imagery and wording had Line informed Needham that pub- FFRF received a letter from the FFRF attorney who handled case: been placed in a public park. lic school athletic coaches cannot lead superintendent on Nov. 14 indicating Christopher Line. Remedy: The religious iconogra- teams in prayer, encourage students that instructions had been given to all phy and wording has been removed to pray or participate in student-initi- athletes to remove the bible verse tags Mississippi from the pantry. ated prayer. On Oct. 23, an attorney and that all administration had been Where: Hamilton High School in FFRF attorney who handled case: representing the district responded instructed to not allow prayer in any Amory. Ryan Jayne. to Line’s letter, informing FFRF that future district sponsored events. Page 10 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | December 2017

FFRF convention speech The (further) rise of Christian nationalism This is an edited version of Mi- helped put it into the realm of main- chelle Goldberg’s speech from FFRF’s stream politics was Mike Pence. When 40th annual convention at the Mono- the House voted to defund Planned na Terrace and Convention Center in Parenthood in 2011, the legislation Madison, Wis., on Sept. 15. was called the Pence Amendment. She was introduced by FFRF Com- Then there is Ben Carson, who has munications Director Amit Pal: complained that “secular progres- Just this week it was announced that sives” have succeeded in de facto re- Michelle Goldberg will be a columnist for defining part of the Constitution. And The New York Times. She has written for Betsy DeVos, who has talked about a variety of publications from Slate to Roll- her work in privatizing public school ing Stone to Glamour, New Yorker and The funding as being a way to “advance Nation. And she’s written two prescient, God’s kingdom.” and if I may use the word in this gathering, There’s Mike Pompeo, who’s the almost prophetic books. They are Kingdom head of the CIA. When he was nom- Coming: The Rise of Christian National- inated, I watched some of his old ral- ism, written back in the Bush era, and The lies, including a 2015 “God and Coun- Means of Reproduction: Sex, Power and try” rally in Kansas, where he talked the Future of the World. Her latest book about those values: “We will defend is The Goddess Pose: The Audacious Life our Christian values and American of Indra Devi, the Woman Who Helped exceptionalism with all our heart,” he Bring Yoga to the West. We are really said. And then he said that that bat- pleased to welcome her to speak about the tle is “a never-ending struggle.” Never current state of the United States and the ending, that is, until the rapture. rise of Christian nationalism. So, welcome There have been stories in the news Cutline Michelle. about Mike Pompeo “Christianizing” the CIA — trying to recruit more By Michelle Goldberg white conservative Christians, trying to make bible study more a part of the culture of the CIA. So, you do see hank you so much for having this sort of slow Christianizing of the me. Eleven years ago, I pub- institutions of American government. Tlished the book Kingdom Coming: This is how political change ends up The Rise of Christian Nationalism, which Photo by Ingrid Laas getting made in the absence of legisla- was about a kind of ascendant author- Michelle Goldberg spoke to the FFRF convention audience on Sept.15 at the tion. It’s unlikely that any really strik- itarian fundamentalist movement in Monona Terrace and Convention Center in Madison, Wis. ing Christian nationalist legislation is American politics. I wrote, “America going to be passed in the immediate is full of good people, but something ment installed at the courthouse. A sions would be the attorney general. future, given a gridlocked Congress dark is loose. There is a free-floating judge said he’d have to remove it. He Jeff Sessions is probably best known and a dysfunctional executive. anxiety that easily metastasizes into defied the judge and ended up being among a lot of people for his very stri- paranoia and hatred for the same en- removed himself. And to a lot of peo- dent opposition to immigrants and to Personnel is policy emies always targeted by authoritarian ple in the movement, he was a martyr civil rights law. It probably won’t sur- It’s a longtime truism of Washing- populist movements: homosexuals, to secular tyranny. prise a lot of you that he does not like ton politics that personnel is policy, urbanites, foreigners, intellectuals When I was doing reporting for secularists. He has decried the idea of and the personnel in this adminis- and religious minorities. Rationality is the book, I saw school kids doing a a “wall of separation between church tration are overwhelmingly very, very losing its hold. Empirical evidence is modern dance about his heroism and and state.” He says it’s not constitu- conservative Catholics or fundamen- discounted as the product of a secular mistreatment. He spoke at rallies of tional and not historical. He attacked talist Christians, who are using various worldview or a scheming liberal elite. thousands and thousands of people. Justice Sonia Sotomayor for having a government departments to restrict Democracy suffocates in this atmo- I think most of postmodern rel- funding to family planning providers sphere and space opens up for some- you do know who ativistic secular both here and abroad, to reinstitute thing else to supplant it.” he is. For those In some ways I feel like there mindset that is funding for abstinence education, I think we’re starting to see what who don’t, may- are parts of Kingdom Coming directly contrary and to launch attacks on the Johnson that something else looks like. When be I’ll give a taste to the founding Amendment, which is the amend- I wrote that book, a lot of people said of who he was. In that have now come to fruition, of the republic. ment that stops churches from basi- that it was overwrought or hysterical, 2002, he awarded are some developments since During his confir- cally turning themselves into political and I was never entirely sure wheth- custody of three then that I never in a million mation hearing, action committees. er they were right. There’s something children to their years could have foreseen. he was direct- And you see this in the Justice De- about being a writer; it’s like the Bud- allegedly abusive — Michelle Goldberg ly asked by Sen. partment. You’ve seen a turn away dhist parable of the blind man and the father over their Sheldon White- from enforcing discrimination against elephant. You try to describe what’s lesbian mother, house if a secular women and gay people and Afri- in front of you as best you can, but saying that ho- person could have can-Americans and religious minori- there’s always something that you’re mosexuality was abhorrent, immoral, just as good a claim to understanding ties, and a turn toward investigating missing. You try as best you can to give detestable, a crime against nature. the truth as someone who is religious. discrimination against white Chris- a picture of what you’re observing And then he implied that gay people Sessions hedged and said, “I’m not tians. All this is happening, and in and what the people you’re talking to should perhaps be put to death: “The sure.” some ways it’s extraordinarily strange are saying, but you can never be sure state carries the power of the sword. But he’s not the only enemy of sec- that this would be happening under how representative the people who That is, the power to prohibit con- ularism and proponent of what I then this administration. Here we have a you’re talking to are of a broader duct with physical penalties such as called Christian nationalism. This president who is, among other things, phenomenon. confinement and even execution. It kind of Christian fundamentalism is the first American president that we I thought there was something must use that power to prevent the tied to a very authoritarian, almost know of to have appeared in a soft- really dark and frightening in subversion of children toward this quasi-fascist kind of nationalism. core porn film, the first American the United States. I thought that lifestyle.” He’s not the only exponent of that president to have tried to negotiate a democracy, or at least liberal secular I thought it was chilling to see sort of ideology who’s in the White contract for his wife to appear nude in democracy, was more fragile than a crowds cheering for Moore, to see House. There’s Mike Pence, who Playboy, the first American president lot of us hoped, but I wasn’t entirely children dancing for Moore. But, at once gave a speech saying that it was to have owned a casino with a strip sure. And then Barack Obama was the same time, this system kind of un-American, or wrong, to be teach- club in it. So, in some ways I feel like elected in 2008. For a while it really worked as it was supposed to. He was ing evolution, because every signer of there are parts of Kingdom Coming that seemed like Christian nationalism removed. And I would have never in the Declaration of Independence be- have now come to fruition, and some was, in fact, no longer on the rise. my wildest dreams have imagined 11 lieved in creationism. developments since then that I never One of the figures that I wrote years ago that Roy Moore would soon In 2011, the House voted to defund in a million years could have foreseen. about a lot in Kingdom Coming was Roy be on the cusp of winning a U.S. Sen- Planned Parenthood, which back then It turns out that when right-wing Moore. How many of you are famil- ate seat, which is where we are right was still a radical idea. It’s hard to re- populist authoritarianism came to pow- iar with him? Roy Moore at the time now. member now, but that’s something er in the United States, it wasn’t some had become a martyr to the Christian that even George W. Bush would have kind of radically pious, Calvinist Hand- Right. As chief justice of the Alabama Trump’s acolytes never tried to defund because that was maid’s Tale-like theocratic movement. It Supreme Court, he’d had this 2.6-ton I also never would have imagined just too far out of the realm of main- was, in a lot of ways, a rebellion against granite Ten Commandments monu- in my wildest nightmares that Ses- stream politics. And the person who all moral restraints whose catch phrase December 2017 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 11

going to protect and take care of Christian Americans!” Christian. The idea being that these people have not previously had the authority and cul- tural respect that they deserve. Just as we’ve learned that a lot of the Republican Party never really cared about Paul Ryan’s tax plans, I think we’re learning that a lot of this movement maybe has never really cared about having a sexually chaste leader, never really cared about the moral example of the leader as much as they cared about having their pow- er and authority and cultural prima- cy recognized. And that’s really what Donald Trump does now. And the movement also has a level of pessimism and desperation that didn’t exist when I was covering it all those years ago. The movement always had a dark vision of America. And that’s another reason why I think Donald Trump spoke to it. There were only two major American cultural Photo by Ingrid Laas or political figures that blamed this Michelle Goldberg is a columnist for The New York Times and has written several books. country for 9/11: Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson, who basically said that would be “grab ’em by the pussy.” Like conscious effort to apologize for that Society. There has been a tremendous America had been struck because it’s a lot of people, I was confused by this. past, to repent that past. There was an amount of paranoia in the movement so morally corrupt. I spent a lot of time reporting on understanding that it was embarrass- about the “New World Order,” The When Donald Trump talks about the Trump campaign. I was in Iowa ing. There would be these ceremonies Trilateral Commission, the Rockefel- American carnage, when he talks during the caucuses when you saw a where white pastors would get on their lers. This idea that shadowy powerful about this country basically going to lot of the Religious Right mobilizing knees before African-American and actors are manipulating your life and hell, that resonates with a lot of these to try and stop him and mobilizing to Latino pastors and beg forgiveness for undermining your sovereignty, which people because it looks and feels like try and get Ted Cruz in there. But the the sin of racism. And then they would was key to the Trump administration, they don’t recognize this country Religious Right very quickly coalesced all join hands against the gays. has been part of this movement since anymore. Nevertheless, 11 years ago, behind Trump once he won the nom- Ralph Reed wrote about the move- the beginning. When Trump came George W. Bush had been re-elect- ination and has ment having to along, although in many ways he rep- ed, there was a sense that they were now become real- basically face the resented a style of life that was antithet- on the cusp of retaking the culture. ly the bulwark of A lot of this movement has fact that it was ical to everything that this movement Megachurches were growing. They his support. And never really cared about having on the wrong claimed to be fighting for, he also hit felt like they were culturally ascen- when everyone a sexually chaste leader, never side of the civil a lot of notes or repeated a lot of the dant. Young people were going to Pat- else fades away, really cared about the moral rights struggle. deep story of this movement. And they rick Henry College and then moving you still have this example of the leader as much What happened were able to convince themselves very into the administration and moving 35 percent of dis- is that, in 2008, quickly that he could be their albeit im- up through the ranks of government. proportionately as they cared about having we elected a perfect champion. And, to be honest, There was a sense that they were, not white conserva- their power and authority and black president, he has been. Donald Trump doesn’t re- in the promised land, but on the edge tive evangelicals cultural primacy recognized. and suddenly a ally keep his promises, he’s not a loyal of the promised land. who are loyal to — Michelle Goldberg lot of that racial person, but he does tend to like people It’s telling that one of the main this president. reconciliation who like him. groups from back then was called White evangeli- language and “Generation Joshua,” the ones who are cals actually voted for Trump in high- work went by the wayside. And the Christian identity politics going to retake the land for the chosen er percentages than they voted for white resentment that had been key He has elevated a kind of Chris- people. And that optimism, that that George W. Bush. And you wonder, to the movement since its very begin- tian identity politics so that, although kind of forward-looking momentum, how can that be? ning came roaring back to the fore. So he himself is not a pious man, he really disappeared during the Obama There’s hypocrisy there, but there’s that mapped very easily onto Donald does treat white Christians as having administration, which members of this also something more. I think his Trump’s movement. pride of place in this country. When movement experienced as a profound movement and the Christian Right The Christian Right had also, he says over and over again, “We’re and dislocating trauma. And there was have more in common than it might particularly in the last few decades, going to say Merry Christmas again a great deal of that that was just about immediately be clear — and the be- waged a pretty sustained battle against in this country!” that’s what that’s racism. ginning of that lies with race. what might be called “objective about, right? It’s not, “We’re going to The other day, a friend of mine knowledge” or “objective truth.” celebrate the lessons of Jesus Christ.” said, “I can’t imagine what it must Birth of the Christian Right There was this strangely post-modern It’s kind of, “Merry Christmas. Screw One of the myths that the Christian strain to the Christian Right, especially you!” I’ve seen where he says, “We’re See Goldberg on page 12 Right tells about itself is that it was when I was writing about it 11 years born out of abhorrence to abortion in ago, that basically said that any reality Roe v. Wade. But that’s not really true, is kind of governed or shaped by your because Roe v. Wade was decided in worldview. So, anything that flows 1973 and it took many years for the from a secular worldview or flows from Christian Right to really get rolling. secular premises is itself questionable. Most reliable historians of the Chris- If it doesn’t start with the premise tian Right will tell you that what really of God being supreme, science itself drove that movement was fury when is not reliable. That sort of approach the IRS revoked the tax-exempt sta- makes it very hard to get hold of any- tus of the white, segregated Christian thing. It makes it makes all of reality schools that had popped up in the suspect. I compared it in my book South in reaction to Brown v. Board of to this feeling of being either in the Education. They were called “seg acad- “Matrix” or in a Borges novel where emies,” segregated academies where you could go to a book fair and find a you could send your kids to make sure whole library describing a world that they didn’t have to go to school with didn’t exist, all footnoted to each oth- black people, and the IRS eventually er, completely self-contained so that if said that a tax-exempt school can’t you were inside of it, you would almost discriminate. This sparked enormous have no way to comprehend a reality outrage. outside of it. And that erosion of the The Christian Right has always had reality principle in our national life a sort of strange, contradictory rela- has obviously set the stage for a presi- tionship with race. Its roots lie in Con- dent for whom reality is no constraint federate nostalgia and Southern iden- whatsoever. tity politics. But when I was writing Finally, there’s the conspiratorial Photo by Chris Line Kingdom Coming during the adminis- nature of the Religious Right. Another Michelle Goldberg autographs one of her books for an FFRF member. In the tration of George W. Bush, there was a of its antecedents was the John Birch background is Steven Pinker, who was also signing books for members. Page 12 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | December 2017

Goldberg Continued from page 11 feel like to be a sexual assault survivor and have to live with this president.” My husband said, “Probably how it feels to be a racist and have to live with President Obama.” There is a sense in which this administration defiles the Oval Office, and I thought the other day, “My God, now I know what Catholics felt like when they looked at Andre Serrano’s ‘Piss Christ’” — that famously contro- versial artwork of a crucifix submerged in urine. When I see Trump sitting at the Resolute Desk, it feels unholy. That’s how I think a lot of people in this movement experienced the Obama years, and part of it was just about Obama himself, part of that was about the legalization of gay marriage, the growing cultural intolerance for intolerance. Fundamentalist bakers and florists refuse to cater gay weddings. You see increasingly this sense that we’re not going to take back the culture, but we need to sort of defend our metaphorical borders. This sense that the situation is so dire, they’re so ready to wipe us out that anyone who will fight on our behalf and anything that can be done on our behalf is justified. Right? Photo by Chris Line This sense of extreme Michelle Goldberg says the majority of people in the United States “hate what’s going on” in the country. victimization, even stronger than anything that was there branches of Congress. The majority of people in would say, “Well, this is a republic, not a democracy.” Michelle Goldberg 11 years ago, in turn leads to this country didn’t want this; the majority of people But at least since the late 1900s, popular will and an extreme aggression and kind of a permissive struc- in this country didn’t vote for Donald Trump. They electoral result have coincided, so it was kind of ture to basically allow and forgive almost anything. didn’t vote for Republican senators. The majority of possible to ignore those deeper structural questions. I think it’s extremely unlikely for that spell to break people hate what’s going on. But, of course, in 2000, for the first time in over because the movement that I wrote about in 2006 In 2018, there is the extreme like- 100 years, we got a president who believes that it has a biblical right to rule and that lihood that the majority of people had lost the popular vote. And at being displaced from the top of American society is in this country will vote for Demo- When I see Trump the time this was treated as a fluke. a kind of intolerable, un-biblical, almost satanic state crats for the House and that might sitting at the Resolute People would say, “Well, you know of affairs. not make a difference because of Desk, it feels unholy. if this happens again it might call both gerrymandering and just the — Michelle Goldberg the legitimacy of the whole system Majority in the minority geographic concentration of the into question.” And then, 16 years I want to close by talking about this idea of who population. later, it happened again. It might gets to rule, because I want to make a case that if Some statisticians say the Democrats need as much happen that there are structural factors that are you care about secularism, if you care about religious as 60 percent of the popular vote overall to have a making this more and more likely. And so, in a way, freedom, you need to care very, very deeply about chance of retaking the House. These differentials are it’s not going to matter if secularists are able to voting. manipulated by the Republican Party through voting spread their message — or win converts or win the One of the things that’s so odd about this moment restrictions and gerrymandering. culture wars — if they’re not able to contend for of religious fundamentalists’ ascension in our politics But they are also integral to the Constitution be- political power. is that the movement itself is shrinking, the country cause of the Senate, which gives South Dakota and Again, I would argue that as much as you’re fo- is becoming more secular. California the same number of senators. And it’s also cused on separation of church and state, you know Young people are certainly becoming more the Electoral College, which gives such dispropor- your cause is the same as everyone else in this coun- secular, positions that had a lot of power 11 tionate power to the white rural conservative parts try who is fighting for a more democratic democracy years ago, like opposition to gay marriage, are of this country. and fighting for voting rights and fighting for more increasingly minority and fringe positions, and yet All of this means that we’re entering a period — equitable forms of representation. people who hold these positions control everything. and I feel like this is inadequately understood on our Because the Christian Right, the Christian nation- They control the White House, if you assume that side — of a flat-out minority rule. alist movement that I wrote about in this book, it’s someone besides Donald Trump is in control of most It’s always been true that America was never really a minority of this country, but it’s now the minority things the White House does.They control both designed as a pure democracy. And some people that’s in charge. FFRF referenced in Dan Brown’s latest bestseller The Freedom From Religion Found- going?” But before he can make his an- at Harvard,’ reporting that for the first ation is mentioned by name in author nouncement, chaos ensues. time in the school’s 380-year history, Dan Brown’s latest bestseller, Origin. “Navigating the dark corridors of the freshman class consisted of more Brown became an international star hidden history and extreme religion, agnostics and atheists than Protestants after the 2003 release of The Da Vinci Langdon and Ambra Vidal must evade and Catholics combined. Code, one of the top-selling novels of all a tormented enemy whose all-knowing “Similarly, across the Western world, time. In 2006, the book was made into power seems to emanate from Spain’s anti-religious organizations were a movie that has grossed more $750 Royal Palace itself . . . and who will stop sprouting up, pushing back against million, which puts it among the top at nothing to silence Edmond Kirsch,” what they considered the dangers of 75 highest-gross- reads the synopsis of the book on Dan religious dogma — American Atheists, ing movies of all Brown’s website. “On a trail marked the Freedom from Religion Founda- time. The mov- by modern art and enigmatic symbols, tion, Americanhumanist.org, the Athe- ie features Tom Langdon and Vidal uncover clues that ist Alliance International. Hanks as the lead ultimately bring them face-to-face “Langdon had never given these character, Robert with Kirsch’s shocking discovery . . . groups much thought until Edmond Langdon, who is and the breathtaking truth that has had told him about the Brights — a a Harvard pro- long eluded us.” global organization that, despite its of- Dan Brown fessor of symbol- Here is the reference to FFRF in the ten misunderstood name, endorsed a ogy and religious The novel tells the story of Edmond book: naturalistic worldview with no supernat- iconology. Origin Kirsch, a 40-year-old atheist billionaire “Over the last decade, books advo- ural or mystical elements. The Brights’ is Brown’s fourth and futurist whose high-tech inventions cating rationality over blind faith had membership included powerhouse in- book to have Langdon as the protago- and amazing predictions have made sprung up on nonfiction bestseller lists. tellectuals like Richard Dawkins, Marga- nist. The other two are Angels and De- him a renowned global figure. He plans Langdon had to admit that the cultur- ret Downey and Daniel Dennett. Appar- mons, and Inferno. a worldwide announcement that will al shift away from religion had become ently, the growing army of atheists was Origin is currently No. 3 on The New supposedly answer the two fundamen- increasingly visible — even on the Har- now packing some very big guns.” York Times bestseller list for fiction tal questions of humanity: “Where did vard campus. Recently, the Washington FFRF is pleased to be among those (both hardcover and e-books). we come from?” and “Where are we Post had run an article on ‘godlessness “big guns.” December 2017 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 13

FFRF convention speech Metamorphosis: From incubation to organization Here is an edited version of the room to allow the “Holy Spirit” to teach speech Kimberly Veal gave on Sept. 16 me to read my bible until I came back at FFRF’s 40th annual convention at to my senses. After being forced to go the Monona Terrace Convention Cen- to church one Sunday when I was 16, ter in Madison, Wis. the pastor made a mistake and opened She was introduced by FFRF Staff up the mike, which made its way to me. Photo by Ingrid Laas Attorney Liz Cavell: I asked, “Is it right for parents to force Kimberly Veal spoke about her metamorphosis into a freethinker and how that Kimberly comes to us from Chicago and their children to attend church?” He has affected her social activism. hosts the “Black Freethinkers” podcast and said, “When a child turns 12, they’re is president of People of Color Beyond Faith. able to make those decisions for them- outreach. But there’s a lot more to do. FFRF honorarium to three groups: The Black She worked with FFRF and the Chicago area selves.” And I said, “OK, thank you, it My organization — People of Color Youth Project, Chicago Alliance Against Rac- chapter on a recent billboard campaign. was nice meeting you guys. You’ll never Beyond Faith — focuses primarily on ist and Political Repression, and Assata’s Kimberly is currently creating a scope of see me again.” cultivating and maintaining relation- Daughters.] work that focuses primarily on training, ed- As part of that incubation period, ships within the freethinking com- And that was one of the things that ucating and employing women and girls of you start reading, you start deprogram- munity, and that includes churches. I really enjoyed about the community, color as activists and organizers. Please wel- ming yourself and unlearning certain There’s a church at the end of the seeing a lot of these new organizations come social justice activist, freethinker and things you had been taught over the block where I live. It’s a Unitarian Uni- coming: Nonbelief Relief, the Clergy humanist Kimberly Veal. years, and also things that are being versalist church, so that kind of gives Project. Anybody who knows me knows reinforced by the media. If you’re an you some insight. Its pastor was an I’m absolutely nuts about Daniel Den- By Kimberly Veal activist and an organizer and you’re atheist and the membership includ- nett and the work he has done over not evolving or being enlightened or ed a myriad of faiths and nonbelief. the years. As a matter of fact, the work would like to thank Freedom From growing intellectually, then you’re just It was just a congregation of people of Daniel Dennett, as well as Dr. Valerie Religion Foundation for working spinning your wheels. To know better that came together. They wanted to do Terrigal, is what ultimately helped me to Iwith me over the years. It’s been truly is to do better. good for the greater community and come to this epiphany and be able to go a privilege and an honor to be associ- One of the things that I learned greater humanity. out here and say, “Yes, I am an atheist.” ated with this foundation and its lovely when I started my research — and Anyway, the church has this garden, The biggest problem for me was I didn’t members. learning that there were more people and when I found out what it was doing know what to call it. And I’m not talking Many of you may not be familiar with of color who were nonbelievers than we and what it stood for, I started sponsor- about the atheism. I’m talking about the the “Black Freethinkers” podcast, but had previously thought — is there are a ing some of the plots to make sure that battle that was going on in my mind. you should give us a listen. If you listen number of atheists of color who still at- there was enough food being grown. And Valerie did a seven-part series on and don’t walk away offended, I was tend church. One of the reasons is that It’s extremely important that we build exchristian.net, talking specifically about either having a bad day or you weren’t they enjoy the fellowship. That’s one of these relationships, not only within our cognitive dissonance. I was like, “So paying attention. The tagline for the the things that I miss about no longer community, but with other groups. that’s what’s happening here.” I felt lib- podcast: “We are here to challenge you being a member of a church. I miss a lot erated because I finally realized maybe to think for yourself, not convert you.” of the service-related activities. Research and outreach I’m not crazy. The name of my talk is “Metamor- Many of them remain in church be- I began doing more research and When I would talk to believers, they phosis,” because, over the years, be- cause they want to help out and donate outreach. Any time anyone sends me would say, “Well, all the rest of us believe coming a part of this freethinking com- to the community. In Chicago, we have any money for anything, what I do is this, you’re the only one believing that, munity, you go through this incubation the Greater Chicago Food Depository. take that money, add on to it, and give so what’s really going on, Kim?” And be- period. That’s what it was for me be- One of the things that I want to work it away. I support local groups and lo- ing able to put words to it was lifesaving, cause I was raised in a religious family. on with the church is getting the dona- cal organizations that are doing real at least it was for me, so I will always be My mom was a minister. I was a min- tions in and making sure that we can work and I can actually see the fruit that indebted to them for that. ister. My grandfather was a minister, distribute that food and other items to they’re bearing. It’s very important, and I led a couple of freethinking groups as were several cousins, and so on. My the community. I'm a proud member that’s why I encourage people to find lo- out in Chicago. But trying to organize family is very deeply tied to the church. and the communications director of cal groups and to help them out, send atheists is like trying to herd cats. It’s When I was about 12, I would ask dif- Black Lives Matter Chicago, and our them some money. [Editor’s note: Kimber- ficult questions, only to be sent to my group has been doing quite a bit of ly was true to her word, as she donated her See Metamorphosis on page 14

Photo by Ingrid Laas Kimberly Veal spoke to the FFRF convention crowd of 700 participants on Sept. 16. Page 14 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | December 2017

Veal Continued from page 13 like, we’re going this way, but we want social justice organizing is because to see what’s going on over there. So it of the lack of support that the black was rather difficult. The more I read and community received when Trayvon became part of the secular community Martin was killed: crickets and tum- and explaining to people — especially bleweeds. I didn’t see much from the when you’re talking about marginalized secular community when it’s usually groups, specifically black and Latino, opinionated about everything. And Hispanic, even Indigenous communi- when Mike Brown was killed, noth- ties — is the lack of outreach and the ing. Eventually I saw some statements lack of support that they receive. and press releases that were released Some people say there’s a lot of sup- and that was great. That was a start. port. In theory, yes. But let’s take the ex- However, if you go to the comments ample of Hemant Mehta, the Friendly section, you'll read things like, “Well, Atheist blogger. He wrote several arti- they probably did something to de- cles about Chicago Latino atheists and serve that. The police are the good other groups around the country. The guys, those guys were thugs.” Every problem wasn’t the article; the article excuse in the book. was great. It was the comments section, Many of these same people were and this is what we deal with on a contin- Photo by Ingrid Laas the ones basically bashing President uous basis. “Why do you have ‘black’ in Kimberly Veal is president of People of Color Beyond Faith and president and host Obama because he refused to say “rad- front of your name?” “Why do you have of the Black Freethinkers Radio Network. ical Islamic terrorism.” Yet these same ‘Muslim’ in front of your name?” people have absolutely nothing to say It becomes increasingly frustrating mean what you’re doing is bad, but as though I was about to lose my fam- when Donald Trump refuses to say having to have that conversation over that there’s room for growth. That’s ily, my community, my standing, and “Nazis,” “white supremacists,” “klans- and over again. A friend of mine creat- one of the reasons why I feel that a lot also a part of myself. men.” I don’t understand. And what ed a black atheist FAQ so, when people of the work that we have to do in an It makes you think. It makes you happened in Charlottesville, I was re- start asking questions, we can send them atheist/secular/freethought/human- examine everything that you have ally ashamed of the nonresponse. a link. We tell them to read that. ist community is to make sure that it’s ever learned and were ever taught. One of the reasons I make a lot of I was listening to the convention scaleable. Our work, our mission, our So you’re just minding your busi- people upset who listen to my podcast talks earlier this morning. The FFRF agenda needs to be able to bring in ness, inching along, is that within these legal team was talking about separa- other people and attract other people. and next thing you smaller commu- tion of church and state and what’s The secular community has horri- know you’re going nities, they place been transpiring, especially now that ble public relations. We need to do through that meta- pressure on mar- we have Trump in office. And one better about PR because I’m finding morphosis. You’re ginalized groups of the things that he’s trying to do is out that more and more people are reading, you’re to support them in abolish the Johnson Amendment. And more tolerant of who we are than we learning, you’re dis- what they’re doing. for those of you who aren’t familiar actually realize. There are things that engaging from oth- Yet they are not with that, the Johnson Amendment is we definitely have to do better. There er things and you addressing certain basically an amendment that was put have been some interesting things just go through this issues. They’re not in place by President Johnson in or- that have happened since I’ve become really difficult tran- addressing the rac- der to, through the IRS, force pastors part of this community. sition period. And ism, they’re not ad- and preachers not to endorse polit- One of the examples is from 2010- when you emerge, dressing the sexism, ical candidates and not to disparage 11, when many of the atheists of color you are this little the homophobia, politicians. first started finding each other on butterfly and you the transphobia I think what Donald Trump wants to Facebook. We would go into these don’t know where to and, yes, there is do is abolish that amendment to allow different social media groups that go. You don’t know homophobia and these pastors to endorse candidates. were particularly mainstream and what to say. You transphobia within But there is a second part that goes would talk about social justice and don’t know who you Kimberly Veal the LGBTQ com- with that. He wants to allow churches to other areas of concern. belong to. You’re munity. Don’t let receive political donations, to receive When you take on titles like hu- flying around trying to figure out them tell you otherwise. money, in effect turning the church manist or freethinker, that primarily where you belong, what you should be Well, my time is up, but there is into a political action committee. This tells people what you believe in. We doing. much more. is something that we definitely need to would have these conversations in That’s why I think it’s extremely I’m just going to read a quote from keep an eye on. these social media groups. I would important that we have more safe Martin Luther King Jr., and this is This is a really scary time. And when have some white atheist say to me, spaces, that we afford people a soft where I stand on many things: “I have you are a social justice activist and orga- “Well, I used to be a racist. I used to place to land. I’ve been seeing more almost reached the regrettable conclu- nizer, it’s become even more perilous. be a sexist and homophobic. All of of that over the years. Initially, all sion that the Negroes’ great stumbling They’re passing these ordinances and these negative things. But when I left I saw was the socializing aspect block in his stride toward freedom is laws making it illegal to protest in any religion and became an atheist, all of of atheism — having a barbecue, not the white citizen’s councilor or way whatsoever, even economic boy- that went away.” hosting a potluck, bar hopping. All the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white cotts. They call it “economic terrorism.” Basically, they were tying those neg- of that is fine and wonderful. But I moderate who is more devoted to or- ative characteristic flaws to religion. I was looking for people who were der than to justice, who prefers a neg- Constructive criticism understand this excitement because I more service oriented. And then I ative piece which is absence of tension I’m here to give some constructive was the same way. When I finally ad- ran across this guy who was doing to a positive piece which is presence criticism. Just because you’ve been mitted that I was an atheist, I felt this outreach to the homeless. I thought of justice, who constantly says ‘I agree given constructive criticism, it doesn’t freedom. But I also felt the negative, that was absolutely wonderful. He with you in the goal you seek but I told me about these other groups, cannot agree with your methods of these other people. And I thought, direct action.’ Who paternalistically “Maybe there is a spot for me.” believes he can set the timetable for another man’s freedom, who lives by a mythical concept of time and con- Alliances and education stantly advises the Negro to wait for Last year, I was one of the strategists a more convenient time. Shallow un- for the Black Friday economic boycott derstanding from people of goodwill of businesses in downtown Chicago, is more frustrating than absolute mis- and through my guidance for social understanding from people of ill will. media, I actually got us coverage on Lukewarm acceptance is much more MSNBC and “Democracy Now.” This bewildering than outright rejection.” year’s going to be even bigger. We’ve I’ll give you one example of this. I built up these alliances. We’ve built would ask you all to go out and please up these relationships with other peo- take a look at Sam Harris’ opinions ple, but we’re also educating people. on The Bell Curve and his opinions on And I feel that that is my goal. This Black Lives Matter. is my calling, if you will — to educate Many of you say that you don’t un- people on what’s happening. derstand why you can’t attract more Atheism in and of itself is not black and brown people to the com- enough. There’s more to it than that. munity. That right there is one of the Photo by Ingrid Laas One of the reasons I transitioned out reasons why. FFRF Bookkeeper Eleanor McEntee gets her picture taken with Kimberly Veal. of atheist organizing and more into Thank you. December 2017 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 15 Bangladeshi atheist blogger fears for his life Nonbelief Relief gives chance to abolish the atheists and I stopped going to work. After inform- told me that it was temporary help freethinking community from the ing some of the senior bloggers and only for three months. Understand- Himu Brown $5,000 to country. In 2013, the Islamist parties trusted friends, I went to Dhaka to ing my helplessness, however, Forum escape persecution formed secret sleeper cells to kill the find shelter. Asia extended its support for another bloggers. Our situation became more Unfortunately, I could not stay three months. I requested to Amnes- Here is an edited version of the letter he critical. there long, as I found some unknown ty International via Sayeed Ahmed of wrote to FFRF seeking aid from Nonbelief The first attack was on Jan. 14, people were observing me from the Front-Line Defenders to help aid in Relief. (Himu Brown in a pseudonym.) 2013, and the victim was renowned roof of the opposite building. Chang- the relocation of my wife and child. atheist blogger Asif Mohiuddin, who ing my location, I took shelter at my When the support of Forum Asia was By Himu Brown was knifed, but somehow survived. I father-in-law’s house in the town of over in February 2016, my wife and was alarmed, and, for the first time, Patuakhali. But there, I also discov- child were relocated to Nepal with was a typical Muslim — praying five I felt unsafe. On Feb. 5 that year, the ered two or three people always stood grants from Amnesty International. times a day, fasting, and being in- Shahbagh Movement began against near my in-laws’ house trying to keep Due to these circumstances, we are I volved in religious activities. One the acquittal of war criminal Kader tabs on me. very anxious about our future. We of my teachers introduced me to the Molla, who had Then anoth- don’t know how we will survive here. writings of Aroj Ali Matubbar, the commited atroc- er blogger was We don’t have any job options, as ref- iconoclast of the freethinking move- ities during the The Islamists were so killed on Aug. 7, ugees aren’t allowed to work legally. ment of Bangladesh. After reading 1971 Bangladeshi furious that they started 2015. The killers Sometimes, I think of going back to his writings, I war of indepen- to make hit lists, published even entered his Bangladesh, but it is not possible for was startled to dence. At that home. Hearing many reasons. The situation is worsen- find my old prac- time, I was in Bari- in the blogs, and made the news, I lost ing for atheists like me. ticed religious sal and we, the death threats against us. all my confidence In such a critical situation, I am to- beliefs were secular people of and was psycho- tally at a loss. I cannot return to my nothing but fal- Barisal who sup- logically broken. own country, and yet I don’t have an- lacies! What I ported the Shahbagh Movement, de- I again changed my location, leading other safe place where I can live with- believed from cided to protest the verdict. an unfortunate and panic-stricken out fear. I cannot continue my writing. my childhood Islamist political parties plotted life. With the help of Front-Line De- I appeal to your humanitarian orga- was wrong! against the bloggers who had started fenders and Forum Asia, a well-known nization to help me and my family, so The internet the movement. So, they chose one human rights organization, I was able that I can survive and live. I want to save also introduced atheist blogger to be killed to spread to get safe temporary shelter in Ne- my life not only for myself and my fam- me to a new era Himu Brown panic and stop the movement. On pal, but had to leave my parents, my ily, but also so that I may contribute to of knowledge. I Feb. 15, 2013, Ahmed Rajib Haider, small child and my wife in a vulnera- humanity. If I am compelled to return to joined an atheist online community one of the Shahbagh activists, was bru- ble situation. Bangladesh, Islamists who know me as to debate religious people. I started tally murdered by the Islamists. When the group relocated me, it an atheist won’t hesitate to kill me. to read the blogs of famous atheist On Feb. 25, 2013, I was informed bloggers and enjoyed their strong that there was a hit list of atheists in writings with powerful logic. Then I Barisal. I was alarmed and stopped go- began commenting on their posts to ing outside. The next day, I was called support them. from an unknown number and an Nonbelief Relief aids I started preaching the truth, ra- unknown voice threatened me with tionality, scientific facts to my friends, death. students, and many others. To spread Being afraid, I informed my fellow refugees, Puerto Rico freethinking, I formed a group with bloggers and our secret Facebook several others called Aroz PathChakra thread members. They advised me Nonbelief Relief, a charitable or- (The Discussion Club of Aroj Ali Ma- to not move alone and delete all an- ganization created by the executive tubbar) in Barisal, my hometown. ti-Islamic posts and comments. Some board of the Freedom From Religion Unfortunately, these activities some- suggested informing the police, but I Foundation, has announced an ad- how got leaked to the local Islamists, did not dare, as I heard that the gov- ditional donation for hurricane-be- which is the reason for my current ernment was planning to take action sieged Puerto Rico and new fund- dire situation. against the atheist bloggers. ing to aid the Rohingya refugees in On March 31 of that year, Bangla- Bangladesh. Nonbelief Relief has Nonbelief relief logo was designed Death threats deshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also extended a $5,000 stipend to a by Himu Brown, a graphic artist. The Islamists were so furious that pledged to punish those who made Bangladeshi atheist who is stranded they started to make hit lists, pub- online insults against Islam. The cabi- in Nepal with his wife and child af- Himu Brown. He was relocated to lished in the Islamic blogs, and made net approved an ordinance that would ter fleeing for his life from his native Nepal by Forum-Asia and has been death threats against us. empower law enforcement to arrest country in 2015. (See main story on helped by several groups, including So, some trusted atheist bloggers any person without warrant and in- this page.) Amnesty International, but those formed a private group on Face- crease the highest punishment to 14 Generous donations from nonre- grants have run out. He is not con- book. Despite the Islamists’ constant years from seven years. ligious Americans to Nonbelief Re- sidered a legal immigrant in Nepal threats, we were brave enough to face Because of this, I had to stop all my lief in October have made possible and is trying to relocate to another them with the power of truth and blogging activities and leave Barisal to the new $10,000 grant to Americares, country with the help of some hu- rationality. save my life. I had to take a job in a earmarked for Puerto Rican relief. man rights organizations. But they were helpless and afraid rural nongovernment educational in- Additionally, Nonbelief Relief has Nonbelief Relief Inc. is a human- of our writing, so they started to plot stitution as an English instructor. redirected $2,500, rejected by Boca itarian agency for atheists, agnostics, against us. They were waiting for a During this time, my wife gave birth Helping Hands to aid its work after freethinkers and their supporters to to our daughter on July 3, 2014. Hurricane Irma hit Florida, to Athe- improve this world — our only world. ists of Puerto Rico, for direct aid to It seeks to remediate conditions of hu- Include FFRF Feeling vulnerable Hurricane Maria victims. man suffering and injustice on a glob- In Your Estate Planning On Feb. 26, 2015, after the murder Nonbelief Relief also has given al scale, whether the result of natural of Avijit Roy, the founder of the Muk- $10,000 to Doctors Without Borders, disasters, human actions or adher- to Mona blog, I became terrified and to help its ongoing efforts with the ence to religious dogma. Such relief is felt vulnerable, but could not express Rohingya refugees, who are suffering not limited to but includes assistance my mental condition to anyone, even on a “scale that we couldn’t imagine,” for individuals targeted for nonbelief, Arrange a bequest in your will my wife. according to Kate White, the medi- secular activism or blasphemy. or trust, or make the Freedom The killings of Wasikar Babu and cal emergency manager for Doctors Your donation will make a differ- From Religion Foundation Ananta Bijoy Das, two more bloggers Without Borders in Bangladesh. ence by furthering Nonbelief Relief’s the bene ciary of an insurance and online activists, made me feel that The grants are in addition to ap- work, in the name of atheists, agnos- policy, bank account or IRA. my country was totally unsafe for athe- proximately $100,000 in donations tics and other freethinkers. Nonbe- It’s easy to do. ists and freethinkers. given out by Nonbelief Relief earlier lief Relief has no overheard costs After July 26, 2015, when I went to this fall to secular charities, many of and all donations go for charitable For related information (or to my educational institution where I them providing relief to North Amer- purposes. Nonbelief Relief is a sepa- request a bequest brochure), taught, I found that one young person ican flooding, hurricane or earth- rate entity from FFRF, but donations please contact Annie Laurie Gaylor at (608) 256-8900, was following me. But I ignored this. Af- quake victims, as well as $10,000 to can be given via FFRF, making your info@ rf.org ter completing my classes one day, I saw the nonprofit ConPRmetidos specifi- donation deductible for income-tax others that were coming behind me. cally for Puerto Rico. purposes. Choose the “Nonbelief Re- Freedom depends I felt uneasy, so I hailed a motorcycle Nonbelief Relief is aiding perse- lief” designation in FFRF’s “donate” on freethinkers driver and he helped me get home. cuted Bangladeshi atheist teacher dropdown. After this happened several more times, I could not tolerate it anymore. Page 16 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | December 2017

O come, all ye faithless

FFRF’s Winter Solstice display is Photo by Chris Line back at the Illinois Capitol for the FFRF erected for the first time a ninth year in a row. The exhibit lighted “A” (for atheist, agnostic) was installed by FFRF Member display outside its office in Kathryn Koldehoff in Springfield downtown Madison, Wis., in early on Dec. 1 and will be up until Dec. December. 31. The 8-foot display is in the Rose In 2008, Illinois members asked Zerwick Memorial Courtyard FFRF to erect an equal-time Photo by Chris Line and Garden visible from the FFRF is again proud to be celebrating the features FFRF’s traditional message by display in protest of a decision to street. FFRF thanks staffers Roger winter solstice season by placing signs its principal founder Anne Nicol Gaylor. permit a religious group to plant Daleiden, graphic designer, and and “nativity” scenes on public property It reads: a nativity scene in the Capitol Colin McNamara, legal fellow, to counter Christian displays. “At this season of the Winter Solstice, during the holiday season. A for putting up the eye-catching At the Wisconsin State Capitol, FFRF’s may reason prevail. There are no gods, manger scene and Christmas tree display. Andrew Seidel, Annie Laurie Gaylor and no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. were already set up in the Capitol Sam Grover stand with the FFRF’s Winter "There is only our natural world. when FFRF installed its display Solstice sign, which is being displayed Religion is but myth and superstition that this year. for the 22nd consecutive year. The sign hardens hearts and enslaves minds.”

Reason’s Greetings from the Freedom From Religion Foundation ffrf.org

On Dec. 1 in the Atlanta area, FFRF placed a “Reason’s Greetings” message on a lighted 14-by-48-foot digital billboard on Interstate 75. FFRF member Jack Egger was pivotal in getting the billboard up, paying the cost.

This Bill of Rights “nativity” display For the third year in a row, the was put up at North School Park “May Reason Prevail” statement in Arlington Heights, Ill., and will by Anne Nicol Gaylor is displayed remain until Dec. 30. “FFRFMCC has at the Reason Station in the atrium been placing a display each year of the Warren, Mich., City Hall. since 2012 in the public forum area In 2011, the city of Warren of the park to counter a privately- banned the sign. After two court erected creche by the Illinois cases, Reason Station director Nativity Scene Committee,” Tom Douglas Marshall was allowed to Cara noted. “This is an organization place the wording on the Reason which had pressured the Arlington Station table as a display. Heights Park District to allow them to place a nativity in the public park, threatening the Park District with a lawsuit if they tried to prevent them The Bill of Rights “nativity” and winter solstice sign was set up by FFRF Member from doing this.” Will Meyer at the Grundy County Courthouse in Illinois on Nov. 26 and will be up until the end of December.

FFRF’s Metropolitan Chicago Chapter, directed by Tom For the first time, FFRF’s Bill of Rights “nativity” display went Cara, set up a solstice display at the Daley Center Plaza. up in the Public Square in Cleveland. FFRF Members Marni It was erected Nov. 21 and will remain up until Dec. 28. Huebner-Tiborsky (in the open blue coat) and Sam Salerno The display includes the light-up “A,” which sits above (far left, kneeling), director and secretary/vice president of the the Winter Solstice/Founding Father “nativity” signs. This Northern Ohio Freethought Society, respectively, sponsored is the fourth year for the display, countering a Christian the display. nativity scene on display since 1984. December 2017 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 17 Finding peace Letting go of a lifetime of religious guilt

By Jackie Brown Who was I if not a Christian? Who was I without the church, my family come from a long line of devout and friends? Without those things, I Christians. Before I was born, my had no identity. I grandfather donated a piece of I tried — I really did. I talked to land in our small town in New Mex- friends and family, one of whom ico so that a church could be built told me that believing was a choice there. I could make, even without facts to My parents were married in it in support that belief. She told me she 1959. chose to believe because it gave her That church — with long wooden peace and made her happy, and I was pews, the hymnals with the thin pag- truly happy for her. I would never es edged in red, the preacher’s pulpit begrudge anyone that kind of peace with the fake flowers in front and the and happiness. I often wished for it baptismal behind — was part of my myself. Instead, all I felt was turmoil life from the day I was born. I knew and sadness, considering the enor- every nook and cranny, every room mous chasm — filled with science, and every corner — the nursery logic, reason and truth — that stood where new mothers would nurse their between me and the faith I longed babies, the numbered doors of the for. Sunday school classrooms that lined both sides Guilt and fear of the small Old habits die hard, so in spite of auditorium. my ever-increasing doubts, I would Just inside take my two daughters to church be- the glass cause I was afraid there was a chance front doors, they would be damned because of before the me. Guilt and fear dictated my ac- row of dou- Shutterstock tions until it occurred to me that I ble doors the thought of a woman doing either our hair was often cut short. My fa- was passing that on to my girls. It was that separat- of those things was completely for- ther prohibited the use of tampons a startling realization, but an obvious ed the ves- eign to me. This was my normal. when my sisters and I were teens. I one once I thought about it. I did tibule from I knew all the hymns, went to va- had no control over my body or how not want my daughters to ever expe- the rest of cation bible school every summer, I looked, and that became increas- rience what I had. Instead of remov- Jackie Brown the church, memorized my bible verses for Sun- ingly difficult the older I became. ing all of their power, taking their were pictures day school, attended devotionals Instinctually, I knew that some- identities and individuality, I wanted of church members and their fam- and took trips with the church youth thing wasn’t right. to give them what I never had as a ilies. The small label underneath group. I felt conflicted as I got old- child — the ability to think critical- each picture put names to our faces. er and was attracted to boys. I was Fires of hell ly, make their own choices based on I was as comfortable there as I was at ashamed for flirting. Outwardly, I When I was in first grade, one of truth, not on fear. I did not want home. was a good Christian girl, but inside, my classmates, along with the rest of them to be brainwashed like I was. I always knew I was falling short, and his family, died in a house fire. This I started researching religion Long list of sins guilt was my constant companion. hit me particularly hard because he in earnest when I was in my 30s. I On the surface, the church seemed My father was indeed the master and his family did not belong to the watched every documentary I could innocuous and inviting, even accept- of the house. My mother obeyed him, church and I had been taught that find, read every book on the topic I ing. But the doctrine of the Church as the bible commanded, and never anyone who did not would spend could get my hands on. Dan Brown’s of Christ included a lengthy list of questioned him, or raised her voice eternity in the raging fires of hell. I book The Da Vinci Code had a signif- activities that were off limits, labeled to him, even when he raised his. My believed that my icant impact on sins, that could result in eternal dam- mother took me and my three sisters friend and his me, even though nation. The list of no-no’s was long, to church every Sunday morning, family would nev- it was fiction, and including, but not limited to, smok- Sunday evening and Wednesday eve- er, ever escape It was daunting to Bill Maher’s doc- ing, drinking alcohol, dancing, pre- ning. I can count on my hands the the pain of the think of turning my back on umentary “Reli- marital sex, homosexuality, cursing, number of times he accompanied us fire that had tak- everything“ I’d known. Who gulous” gave me divorce and live instruments in the over the years. The hypocrisy wasn’t en their physical was I if not a Christian? a perspective I’d church building. All hymns were led lost on me. bodies. It didn’t not had before. It — Jackie Brown by an elder or a deacon, and all were It was at church where we learned matter that they was liberating. sung a capella. that if a man looked at a woman and were good peo- It was a long According to biblical teachings, felt lust, it was her fault because her ple. They would road that took wives were to be submissive to their clothing was too revealing or she burn — forever. many years. Eventually, the guilt that husbands, and men were the heads wore too much makeup. Our attire I had nightmares in which I saw had been part of me for so long was of the household, and of the church. was restricted to long skirts, high-col- my friend screaming, pain contort- gone, and I was filled with some- Women were not allowed to speak lared tops, knee-high socks and flat ing his face. We were only 7 and thing I had longed to feel for so long from the pulpit or lead singing, and shoes. Makeup wasn’t allowed, and hadn’t even had the opportunity to — peace. sin yet. His light blue sweater hung I feel it all the time now, when I’m on the hook by our classroom door standing in the middle of the forest, for a long time, reminding me of or when I feel the sun on my face. I NOTHING FAILS LIKE PRAYER him daily, and the thought of him feel it when I’m with my close friends writhing in that fire haunted me for and those family members who have a very long time. It was probably then accepted me as I am and I realize that CONTEST that I started asking questions. I love, and I am loved. I have become I left home after I graduated from more open-minded and accepting, Our goal is to see secular citizens flood government meetings with high school. It was then that I found and thereby more compassionate. secular invocations that demonstrate why government prayers the courage to explore what I per- Realizing that there was no heav- are unnecessary, ineff ective, embarrassing, exclusionary, divisive ceived as the divergence between en or hell, or an omnipotent being or just plain silly. what I knew to be true and the alter- watching me every second, opened nate truth that had been hammered up a world for me I never could have The person who gives the best secular invocation will be invited into the fabric of my being, practical- imagined as a child, and I wish the to open FFRF’s annual convention in 2018, receiving an all- ly since birth. I was emotionally and same for every person who has been expenses-paid trip to San Francisco Nov. 2-4, along with a plaque mentally traumatized by an internal raised, every child currently being and an honorarium of $500. conflict I was too afraid to voice for raised in a strict religious environ- fear of disappointing my family, los- ment. I want to hug them and tell MORE INFO AT: ing my friends and being different them it’s OK not to be perfect, that from the community of people I’d there is no hell, and that heaven is ff rf.org/outreach/nothing-fails-like-prayer known my entire life. what we make it. It was daunting to think of turning Jackie Brown is an FFRF member from my back on everything I’d known. Arizona. Page 18 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | December 2017 LETTERBOX

A secular invocation sense and the War Prayer by Mark Twain Taking your bumper stickers to next level and the so-true song by Philip Apple- for FFRF members man about how ridiculous the story of Here is a variation on your fine idea Noah’s ark is. We have it in our car and of secular invocations. This isn’t for the listen to it two or three times a month general public or your Nothing Fails while stuck in traffic. Like Prayer competition, but for us, Ann Morris-Cockrell the members of FFRF. Colorado Nonbelievers Invocation “Let us bow our heads today to no gods or goddesses. Instead, let us Texas GOP’s manifesto look to ourselves and each other for the courage to continue advocating full of ignorance, hate for the cause of reason in this world, It is incumbent to confront igno- where oppression and intolerance rance, intolerance and dishonesty. The still hold sway over the fearful and following 12 claims and proposals are superstitious. Let us also be kind in taken directly from the Texas Republi- our efforts to educate and lighten, can manifesto: and not succumb to the misguided • The U.S. Constitution is based on practices of the Religious Right. For the bible. though the price of intellectual liber- • Separation of church and state is ty, to echo Jefferson, may be eternal a constitutional myth. vigilance, it needn’t be righteous or • There is a God-given right to car- rude. And finally, whatever the out- Your bumper stickers have inspired me to take it to the next level. I ry a firearm. come of our efforts, know that our had a graphics shop print up some colorful “poop” emojis to get people’s • Religious liberty laws should over- work will be taken up tomorrow by attention and then I put some thought-provoking sayings on my back win- rule public accommodation laws. those we reached today.” dow that get changed out monthly! Keep up the good work at FFRF! • Implementation of foreign law John Pidgeon Dan Vogel should be prohibited. Wisconsin Wisconsin • Only Christian observances should be public holidays. • Climate change is a political agenda Freethought Today like promoted to control Americans’ lives. Geese are proof of being Movie gives false • There is a right to produce and an amazing dinner party sell raw milk. I love you guys! Reading the paper good without God impression of Vatican II • Homosexual couples do not con- is like going to an amazing dinner par- It was nice to read the student es- The movie “Novitiate” got great re- stitute a family. ty, making friends, making discoveries. says on the subject of “Being Good views and one side of my family line is • Bathroom use should correspond Good on you! Without God” in the October issue. Catholic, so I went to see it. to biological sex. Dierdre Petree But I have conclusive proof that one The acting, scripting, directing and • Texas should refuse to enforce all Washington can indeed be good without God. My photography are all top notch, but the laws that permit abortion. home is on a large corner lot at an in- movie tells a great lie when it presents • Women who have abortions tersection. Often, flocks of geese fly The Vatican II manifesto as a change should be criminally prosecuted. Nonbelief Relief gives over the neighborhood. One morn- toward tolerance of other religions Each of these dozen assertions is ing, as I looked out my patio doors, and human behavior. false, irresponsible, illegal, prejudi- aid without expectation I saw a large flock of geese flying In real life, the Catholic Church cial, hateful or laughable. They rep- I am donating $1,000 to FFRF’s over the area. Suddenly, one goose teaches that if Catholics do not mar- resent Republican “alternative facts” Nonbelief Relief fund. dropped from the flock and onto ry Catholics, their children will be and “post-truth.” I’m glad to hear that the aid is giv- my front yard, and lay dead on the nothing. Brian Bolton en without any expectations from the lawn. In a couple minutes, the entire In Ontario, the Catholic separate Texas organization — secular giving makes flock landed on my yard and formed school system, which is subsidized with sense. “Quid pro quo” gifts don’t pass a large circle around the dead goose. government money, was deemed unfair the test of “gift.” Why had they done that? Obviously, in an official United Nations report. We should all work to Wayne Varner they wanted to protect their fallen Everywhere I have worked, the Minnesota partner who had collapsed on the Catholic Church has run employment normalize word ‘atheist’ lawn. Now that was one of the kind- subscriptions lists and manipulated law John Morgan’s letter urging us to re- est and best acts I had seen, but I am enforcement agencies. ject the word “atheist” and define our- FFRF must press ahead sure there was no God in their goose In practice, the Vatican II mani- selves as rationalists or naturalists is too brains that urged them to land and festo is really an edict for hiding the politically correct. with defense of freedom perform that act. Isn’t that conclu- old ways, while continuing to practice “Atheist” only means that we have The possible ascension of Roy Moore sive evidence that one can be good them with better public relations and no theology. The “negative light” to the Senate is a bellwether of things to without God? more unsuspecting victims. comes from those who think that their come. His avowed aim to reform soci- Ted Utchen Charlie McKay own theology has some kind of lock on ety by coercion is well known; and im- Illinois Ontario, Canada morality. peachment of the five Supreme Court To surrender “atheist” to that opin- justices who made same-sex marriage ion is to accept their claim that theolo- legal is high on his to-do list. I’m taking a knee next Convention was great; gy is necessary for morality. My purpose here is to encourage Theists have no qualms about en- your continued zealous defense of time prayer is given CD a fun companion gaging in in-your-face evangelism. I church-state separation. In these times, I’m taking a knee, thanks to Colin Thanks for a wonderful convention. have no qualms about letting them it is destined to fail, but that effort must Kaepernick and all those who bravely I have been to four national conven- know, in equally blunt terms, that I am be driven forward, and to alert as many kneel during the national anthem to tions of atheists, but this was the best of an atheist, and will not be persuaded people as possible to the crucial issue. protest injustice. I now have a won- all. I loved hearing the stories of your by anything less than credible, objec- Other groups like the ACLU, Amer- derful alternative to standing mute victories against people who put up re- tive evidence. icans United and Interfaith Alliance at holiday family dinners and special ligious symbols in public places. I love Instead of hiding from the word have only a sense of the magnitude of occasions when prayer is launched. your headquarters, too! “atheist,” we should be working toward the disaster at hand. They are confident In some cases, it’s often not as much Thanks to all the staff of FFRF. normalizing it. in their ability to stem the tide of the about summoning God as it is about To Dan Barker: We have your CD, Lee Helms assault on liberty facing us. But reason humiliating me. “Beware of Dogma,” of songs that make Michigan is a weak weapon in the face of inflamed From now on, I’m following suit passions. Even if its opponents have no and will take a knee on behalf of all real argument, it doesn’t get a hearing. those suffering injustice in the name The disrupter-in-chief, and others of religion. And should I ever get the like Steve Bannon or Richard Spencer, opportunity to lead the ritual, here will foment such disorder. The time for it is: Dear God, we give thanks this pussy-footing is rapidly disappearing. We day for giving us brains, which, when need not fear the future, but must press applied, we find that you are a myth, ahead with the defense of freedom. amen. Richard Burns Dennis Coyier Tennessee Wisconsin Watch for FFRF’s ‘Winter Solstice’ ad campaign on Patheos.com this month. December 2017 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 19 IT PAYS TO COMPLAIN Pre-play announcement I stand with Darrow FFRF Lifetime Member Rolf Carlsten recently now more welcoming visited the Rhea County Courthouse in Dayton, FFRF Board Member and Portland Tenn., where the newly Chapter founder Cheryl Kolbe sent the installed statue of following note to Cynthia Fuhrman, Clarence Darrow stands. the managing director of the Portland The courthouse was the (Ore.) Center Stage at The Armory. site of the 1925 Scopes “I recently attended ‘Fun House’ (an trial, where Darrow amazing play which was very well done). faced off with William As they were opening the theater doors, Jennings Bryan over the I heard on the loudspeaker the lines teaching of evolution something like: ‘We welcome all races, in a public school. FFRF all religions, all countries of origin, all commissioned sculptor sexual orientations, all genders.’ Zenos Frudakis create “I am definitely in favor of being the bronze statue to all-inclusive. If you continue to say this balance the statue of Bryan on the courthouse at performances, I wonder if you would Cheryl Kolbe consider including nonreligion in some lawn. way. As an atheist, all religions excludes the “all religions” notation, and mak- me, as I do not have a religion. And the ing it “all beliefs and creeds?” I like the courts have been mixed concerning idea of actually removing the word “reli- Social media helps stop pre-meeting prayers whether the term ‘religion’ includes gion,” because many people engage in those who have no religion. According spiritual practices that they would never FFRF Member Karlen Keto showed field with sectarian prayers. Keep the to the IRS, there is a significant differ- classify as a religion; and those of us who the power of social media. wall of separation of church and state.’ ence between a religion and any other don’t really identify with anything orga- Karlen sent FFRF a newspaper clip- “Keith said, ‘How about everyone 501(c)(3) organization. nized around theology could, I think, ping from the May 20 Brunswick (Md.) keeps their religion to themselves so no “Thank you for considering this find ourselves in that language.” Citizen, written by John P. Flannery. one gets offended. If you want to pray, option. According to various studies, Kolbe replied: “What about this lan- Here is an edited version of that article. go to your place of worship.’ Snoots atheists are one of the most distrusted guage? ‘We welcome all races, all na- “At last week’s Brunswick Council heard the debate and has discontin- groups. Being clearly included in your tionalities, all sexual orientations, all meeting, Mayor Jeffrey Snoots had a ued the practice of prayer at the Town statement would be most welcomed and genders, and people of any religion or Christian pastor come to the podium to Council meeting. positive.” — Cheryl Kolbe none at all.’” offer a prayer. What ensued afterwards “Last night was the first and last The response she got from Fuhrman Fuhrman responded: “I like your was a flame of exchanges on social me- opening prayer,” he posted. “I will con- was: “As a fellow atheist, I appreciate solution a lot! Simple and clear. It will dia, debating the question of whether tact the other clergy who have signed your perspective on this (and hope I take us a while to get everything updated the mayor’s impulse was a good idea. up and let them know we ae not con- would even if I wasn’t). I’m open to your (our statement in the printed playbill, “Phil said, as an objection, that it was tinuing the opening prayer.” suggestions on this; and also interested for instance, and the one for the next ‘time to get the Satanists involved if you In his letter to FFRF, Karlen wrote: in trying to be inclusive while not mak- three shows is already printed), but we want religion in government.’ Karlen “I’m so proud that enough citizens ing the laundry list so long that our an- can easily update our announcement! said, if this practice is going forward, spoke up to discontinue prayer at city nouncement isn’t actually heard! How Thanks for your good thinking on ‘Be sure to include secular words of wis- council meetings. Only one prayer and do you respond to the idea of removing this, much appreciated.” dom to open the meetings to even the the practice was halted." CRANKMAIL

Here is FFRF’s latest installment of a variety of sus to take our punishment so we wouldn’t have some of the mail it receives from nonmembers, re- to. Is there anyone you would make that kind of printed as received. sacrifice for? God doesn’t want us to be separated from Him for eternity. We choose. He gave us free I will pray for you: You hate “religion”. Does will. We choose to either accept or reject Him. — this also mean you refuse the existence of God? If Lena Walker so, what joy could you possibly find in life? How MY FREEDOM: EVERYTHING YOU STAND FOR truly sad and miserable you must be when you try IS TAKING OUR CHRISTIAN FREEDOMS AWAY!!!!! to understand life and there’s nothing there to turn PEOPLE LIKE YOU ARE WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY to except your own ignorance. Your ego makes you COUNTRY!!!! I PRAY THAT YOU ACCEPT CHRIST BE- force your uneducated beliefs upon others so they FORE IT’S TOO LATE. LEAVE THE LaPOYNER, TEXAS too will suffer. Are you that sick and twisted? I truly FLAG ALONE, BECAUSE I GUARANTEE YOU THAT pity your God-given souls for what you’re doing. — THOSE THAT BUILT THAT COMMUNITY, WOULD George Rohrs DEFINITELY NOT HAVE WANTED YOU THERE!! — Recent interest in Alabama schools: It Heather D. Montrose-Barker seems to appear that you have nothing better FFRF Ruining America: You are a sad dis- to do than to stick your nose into other people’s grace for an organization. You take rights away be- business, a habit that is prone to people from the cause our country has become too politically cor- northern region of this great nation. You threaten rect. I pray the Supreme Court one day shuts your my school district and now you are after Birming- group down. You will regret one day what you do. ham. Let me tell you this, it was God, Guns and Hell is a hot place. — Ray Mashburn Guts that made this country free. Evidently, you all F*ck You: Stay to hell out of South Georgia do not believe in that, so you can bring your law we will pray when we want to assholes ! Not from books, Supreme Court judges and your sorry ass, Coweta County but now you have my opinion !!! — and I will meet you with my Bible, my guns and my Benjamin Kennedy guts at the Alabama border and we can fight it out Your attack on prayers: I am black male and we will see who is standing when the battle is Religion: You can help me by shoving your I THINK YOU SHOULD FOLLOW THAT PATH AND BE- Christian, and I heard about your attacks on Geor- all over,the gun smoke clears I am fully confident anti Christ agenda up your collective ass. Go screw LIEF SYSTEM TOO & “”LET EVERYONE DO WTF THEY gia high schools saying prayers during football that I will be standing . — Brad Strange yourselves and stop messing in others affairs and WANT TO””!! NO ONES FORCING ANYTHING ON practice. Let me tell you this, you pieces of atheist Alabama: Stay the hell out of Alabama none get the hell out of Alabama. — Alex Johnson YOU!! RETURN THE SAME RESPECT OR IN THE END shit. You are a disgrace to this fucking country. It’s of y’all are welcome. Blow your smoke in California SAD: Sad that such SICK FUCKS as your kind YOU TOO SHALL END UP FULL OF VOID WORDS garbage like YOU that is causing all the “culture they’d love ignorance out there would fit right in. — even breathe. — Robert Clemons AND DESPISED BY THE MASSES!! IS THAT YOUR wars” which will inevitably lead to a civil war. And Richard Haywood Christian flags: Stop messing with Texans. TRUE GOAL?? — Randall Richardson let me tell you this, I am locked and loaded and HTHS: I am a resident of the town of Trussville, There is no separation of Church and state. Consti- God and Country: You need to keep your ass ready to fight you, you sick stupid pieces of fucking Alabama, and a 14 year old who currently attends tutional Attorney KrisAnne Hall can prove that. — out of east Texas. — Garry Thomas shit. You should TRY to tell ME that I can’t say what this high school. I am asking you to step down your Carlina Gottschalk Reading Your Site for an Essay: When I I want to say when I want to say it. I will take great claims from your liberal soft spotted polytheis- Shame on you: There are a lot of scum bag first read some of the content on your site, I was pleasure in first tearing out your fucking atheist tic loving minds. This is a Christian conservative organizatons, but you rank right near the top. De- angry. I was angry because you take texts from eyes with my bare fucking fingers. You are garbage. community, who wants nothing to do with your manding that a Texas school remove a faith flag the Bible and twist them to mean what you want You are trash. You are filth. Get the fuck out of this ridiculous excuse for a “professional” business. I or you will sue. 29,000 sorry ass members and you them to mean, not what they actually mean in fucking country, you pieces of fucking shit! How am asking you now to step down your claims. Your drive the train, BS, scum bags. — William Leach the context they were written. It would be very DARE you try to take away my freedom or the free- “concerned parent” is a butthurt nimrod like the True Freedom From Religion: I AM A easy for a person to believe that nonsense. After doms of my fellow Americans, you filthy fucking rest of your organization. So, get out of our town, HIGH PRIEST IN THE OCCULT!! YET I AM MORE IN I prayed, I felt sorry for you. You don’t know or pieces of fucking shit! My uncle is a pastor, so what and go do something like get a girlfriend and move CONTROL OF MY MUCH DEEPER INTELLIGENT don’t want to admit that God is love. Let me put you got to say about that, you stupid COMMIES!! — out of your parent’s basement for the first time. THOUGHTS & BELIEFS SO AS TO SEPERATE MY- it in simple terms. Jesus had a purpose. Because Terrance DeShawn That is more professional and adult than this joke. SELF FROM MOST OTHER PEOPLE BY ALLOWING we, human beings, are sinful, meaning we don’t Your souls: Save souls separation is devils — Caleb Hickman EVERYONE TO FOLLOW THIER OWN PATHS IN LIFE!! always make good choices, God sent His Son Je- way that is why mess today — Martha Racketa Page 20 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | December 2017 BLACK COLLAR CRIME

Compiled by Bill Dunn he allegedly took her to McDonald’s afterward. He youth convention in Las Cruces and in El Paso, TX. Pleaded / Convicted resigned in 2016 as a teacher at Houston Gateway The assembly is a Pentecostal denomination Academy, a charter school next to the church. founded in 1925 in California to serve Hispanics. Stephen J. Howard, 58, Muscoy, CA: Convict- Arrested / Charged Source: KTRK, 10-18-17 Arellano is president of its New Mexico youth ini- ed by a jury of 32 counts of sexual abuse, including : Murder. Ak- tiative. It’s alleged he knew the girl’s age because lewd acts on a child, oral copulation of a person un- Sayfullo Saipov, 29, Paterson, NJ: 1 count Sunday Uko Akpan, Uyo, Nigeria he helped make a video for her Sweet 16 birthday der 16 and sodomy of a person under 18. Howard, each of providing material support to terrorists and pan, an elder at Light of the World Mission Church, party. Source: News-Sun, 10-10-17 pastor of Muscoy United Methodist Church, was ac- violence and destruction of a motor vehicle caus- is accused of stabbing his 35-year-old wife to death cused of molesting boys as young as 9 going back to ing death. Saipov, a 2010 immigrant from Uzbeki- in the presence of their 3 children, then later chop- Jared M. Thomas, 34, Ridge Manor, FL: 2 1990. Source: San Bernadino Sun, 10-31-17 stan, killed 8 people on a New York City bike path ping up her remains and dumping them in a waste counts of contributing to the delinquency of a Robert Marsicek, 76, Milwaukee: Pleaded on Halloween by running them over with a rental bin. Source: Daily Post, 10-18-17 minor. Thomas, First Baptist Church youth pas- guilty to misdemeanor 4th-degree sexual assault truck. As he jumped out of the truck, he yelled Carl E. Stafford, 78, East Gosford, Australia: tor, is accused of furnishing alcohol to minor after being originally charged with 1st-degree sexual “Allahu akbar” (Arabic for “God is great”), the com- 13 counts of child sexual abuse. Stafford, a Marist girls after a high school volleyball match in Sep- assault, a felony. He’s accused of touching a girl sex- plaint said. Source: NY Times, 11-1-17 priest removed from ministry by the Catholic Dio- tember and touching a girl’s buttocks while mak- ually in 1st through 4th grades while he was pastor Harry Byrne, 96, Bronx, NY: 74 counts of pos- cese of Broken Bay in 2010, is accused of molesting ing sexual remarks. at St. Piux X Catholic Parish and School in 2007-11. sessing a sexual performance by a child. Byrne, a 3 boys in the 1980s and 199Os. Source: Newcastle He allegedly told deputies the girls used The complaint says Marsicek “was asked if he retired Catholic priest “had dozens of photographs Herald, 10-18-17 the alcohol to make drinks named “Sex on the was aroused by boys and small girls and he stated on his computer of girls 8 to 14 years old perform- Klint A. Bitter, 34, Omaha, NE: Sexual assault Beach.” Thomas and his wife record Christian rap ‘certainly I’m aroused — just the cuteness and beau- ing sex acts with men or posing naked,” said Bronx of a child. Bitter, executive pastor of next gen- music and call themselves Beyond Skillz. He’s ty of them.’ He did admit to having erections while District Attorney Darcel Clark. eration ministries at Christ Community Church, also accused of breaking a window in the home dealing with children and admitted that this did Visitors to his room at the St. John Vianney Cen- is accused of assaulting a 15-year-old girl in the after the girl locked him out. Source: Tampa Bay seem odd.” Source: WITI, 10-24-17 ter for Retired Priests saw the photos, Clark said. parking lot of a vacant supermarket last February. Times, 10-9-17 Joel Waltz, 48, Boone, IA: Pleaded guilty to Byrne has criticized the church for mishandling Authorities said the arrest is part of a wider investi- [First name unavailable] Devaraj, 65, Kera- 2 counts of sexual exploitation by a counselor or clergy sex abuse. In 2010 he wrote, “In the U.S., gation into human trafficking. Two other men have la, India: Child sexual abuse. Devaraj, a Church therapist. Court documents say Waltz and the vic- not one cover-up bishop has been arraigned be- already been charged. of South India priest tim, now 20, first met at Grace Community Church fore church authorities for his part in the scandal.” Source: World-Herald, (India’s largest Protes- while he was a youth pastor and she was 11 and in Source: NY Daily News, 10-31-17 10-17-17 It’s alleged Pastor Arellano tant denomination), is foster care. Lent C. Carr, 43, Raeford, NC: Felony worth- Jill S. Docherty, 38, accused of assaulting knew the girl’s age because The girl told officers that Waltz texted her in 2012 less check and uttering a forged instrument with Franklin, PA: Theft by a 10-year-old girl at the and said he was in love with her but not to tell any- false endorsements. Carr is charged with deception deception. Docherty is he helped make a video for church. The girl’s fa- one. They first kissed when she was a high school involving a property where he established Emmaus charged with stealing ther told police he wit- her Sweet 16 birthday party. junior. She sent him nude photos when she turned Greater Pentecostal Assembly earlier this year. $6,596.63 from Tower nessed it when he came 17 and they first had sex on a church trip to Chicago. It’s alleged he wrote a check on Oct. 13 for Presbyterian Church, to pick her up. Source: He resigned as youth pastor in March 2016. Source: $9,050 to the tax office using a check belonging where she worked as The Hindu, 10-9-17 Des Moines Register, 10-13-17 to the previous property owner. Carr found it in- a part-time secretary. An audit allegedly revealed Samuel Neipp, 34, Gilroy, CA: Suspicion of David R. Diehl, 40, Kentwood, MI: Pleaded side the building, which is also his residence, and she had been writing checks to herself. Source: Al- lewd and lascivious acts with a minor under 14, guilty to accosting a child for immoral purposes. signed the prior owner’s name on it, a press release lied News, 10-14-17 oral copulation, extortion and possessing child Diehl, co-pastor with his wife at Church on Fire, was said. Source: Fayetteville Observer, 10-30-17 John E. Harris, 40, Prattville, AL: One count pornography. Neipp is a public school music caught in an online sting in which an undercover offi- A. Gideon Jacob, 62, Tiruchi, India: Multiple each of sexual abuse and facilitating the travel of a teacher. The school band’s website says he’s also cer posed as a man willing to prostitute his daughters. charges related to trafficking of juveniles. Jacob child for an unlawful sex act. Harris resigned Sept. choir director for an unidentified church. Neipp’s “Diehl admitted there was a strong possibility he founded Mose Ministries Home for Children, which 3 as student minister at Glynwood Baptist Church, LinkedIn account says he served as a Mormon would have met with Daddy Dave for the purpose of he started in 1989 and operated with the Christian the church confirmed. missionary in 2002-04 in Estonia. having sex with the 11-year-old girl if there was zero Initiative for India, based in Hamburg, Germany, A testimonial on his website says, “His teach- It’s alleged he had a 3-year sexual relation- chance of Diehl being arrested by police or having before being taken over by authorities in 2015 ing is always pertinent and effective, and he al- ship with a student, starting when she was 13, to go to jail,” police Det. Matthew McLanin wrote in when it housed 89 girls. ways strives to reach even the most distant youth.” and tried to blackmail her with nude photos, said court documents. Police arrested Jacob in Chennai as he returned Source: al.com, 10-13-17 police Sgt. Brian Spears. “We’ve received nonstop Defense attorney Matthew Borgula called Diehl’s from Germany. He’d been sought since 2016, when Rodney McManus, 49, East Palestine, OH: phone calls since 9 a.m. this morning,” he said, online conversation “disgusting” but said he didn’t he claimed he’d rescued the children from infanti- Attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a mi- adding that some calls were from other potential commit a crime, only considered it. Source: mlive. cide. The home was unregistered. Source: The Hin- nor. McManus, New Life Outreach Center pastor, victims. Source: Mercury News/KGO, 10-7-17 com, 10-9-17 du, 10-30-17 is accused of touching a girl’s genital area and Lys W. Vincent, 45, Lawrence, MA: Breaking Ermonte Moliere, 41, Houston: Soliciting placing her hand on his genitals multiple times and entering in the nighttime with intent to com- Sentenced prostitution. Moliere, pastor at First Haitian Com- between January 2014 and August 2017 when mit a felony and burning of a building. Vincent, munity Church, was among 139 men arrested she was 14 and 15. a deacon at Christian Church Voice of Salvation, Trevon Gross, 47, Jackson, NJ: 5 years in pris- during a police sting in which suspects paid an av- He met her at the Coffee Stop, which he owned is allegedly seen on surveillance video leaving on and $12,000 fine for conviction on a scheme to erage $60 door fee and $120 for sex acts. Source: with his wife and used for youth activities and the church 1 minute before the fire started, state help an illegal bitcoin exchange escape scrutiny Houston Chronicle, 10-26-17 church services. Source: WKBN, 10-13-17 police said. from banks and regulators. Prosecutors charged Chandrama Raj, Patna, India: Rape. Raj, pas- Reid Buchanan, 63, Lexington, KY: 2 counts of A motive was not mentioned at his arraign- that Gross, pastor of HOPE Cathedral, took bribes tor of Indian Mission Church, a Pentecostal de- sexual abuse of a minor. Buchanan, associate pas- ment but a prosecutor later said Vincent had be- from the exchange, including $150,000 in dona- nomination, is accused of assaults on 2 women. tor at St. Luke United Methodist Church, is accused come disgruntled with the church. Gasoline odor tions to his church. “The pastor invited a member of his sect to his of multiple assaults on 2 girls. He’s on unpaid leave was also detected on his sandals, investigators The trial followed an investigation into the JP- residence under the pretense of performing spe- from the church. alleged. Source: Eagle-Tribune, 10-5-17 Morgan data breach, which led to charges against 9 cial prayers to cure her of mental disease,” said a One girl told police the abuse started when she James Rhodes, 57, Mesa, AZ: Disorder- people. Source: Reuters, 10-31-17 police report about an accusation. Source: Mat- was 12 and the other alleged it started when she ly conduct and 7 counts of child molestation. Robert D. Wyatt, 51, Thornton, CO: 13 years in ters India, 10-25-17 was in the 3rd grade, including once on a mission Rhodes, who volunteered at Arizona Avenue prison after pleading guilty to sexual assault on a Keith D. Haskell, 55, Owatonna, MN: Imper- trip. Source: WKYT, 10-12-17 Baptist Church in Chandler from 2003-09, met child. Wyatt, assistant pastor at Agape Bible Church, sonating a peace officer, felony use of tear gas to Stephen M. Arellano, 30, Las Cruces, NM: the alleged victim, who was 7 and 8 in 2008-09, started touching the victim inappropriately 3 years immobilize and 5 counts of 5th-degree assault. Attempted production of child pornography, en- through the church. ago when she was 12 and he was home-schooling Haskell, pastor at Bridges of Hope Community ticement of a child to engage in sexual activity and It’s alleged he was known for giving candy to her at his residence. When she was 13, he offered to Church, was charged after he saw 2 teen boys shop- travel to meet a minor to engage in sexual conduct. children and would frequently have them sit on his take her on a field trip but instead took her to a hotel lifting snacks and followed them in his vehicle. Arellano, pastor of the Apostolic Assembly of the lap while working in the church sound booth. He and assaulted her. One of the teens, Abraam Rodriguez, admit- Faith in Christ Jesus, is accused of crimes between was also involved in bible study at the church and in At sentencing, District Judge Don Quick criti- ted the thefts and told police “He’s like, ‘Put your May and August involving a 15-year-old girl at a members’ homes. Source: Arizona Republic, 10-5-17 cized the church and the girl’s father, saying they hands up, put your hands up, I’m a cop. I need you tried to shift blame to the victim and handle the to get out [of] the vehicle.’ ” Haskell told officers he matter internally without police involvement. “I’m was trying to make a citizen’s arrest. Source: WCCO, still shocked at how certain adults responded to 10-25-17 Don’t forget about the Christians! this,” Quick said. Source: KDVR, 10-31-17 Curtis Van Dam, 35, Sioux Center, IA: Felony Rhonda Kemp Shoffner, 41, Middletown, PA: lascivious acts with a child and lascivious contact 2½ to 5 years in prison after pleading guilty to ag- with a minor, a serious misdemeanor. Van Dam, gravated assault of her preteen daughter for failure a teacher at Sioux Center Christian School, is ac- to properly recite bible verses in March. Prosecutors cused of 2 alleged incidents in October. Source: said the girl was forced to kneel on the bathroom KIWA, 10-23-17 floor and had her head slammed into the wall each Clinton Brackett, 32, Lindale, TX: Sexual as- time she made a mistake. sault. Brackett, director of student ministries at Shoffner had been on a 3-day drinking binge. First United Methodist Church, was arrested due Source: Fox 43, 10-26-17 to information obtained from a state trooper’s William C. Pounds III, 49, Macon, GA: Life in traffic stop. Pastor Rick Ivey said although the al- prison with no parole after a jury found him guilty leged incident didn’t involve the church, Brackett of malice murder. Pounds, pastor at King’s Chapel has been fired. Memorial Christian Methodist Episcopal Church and He previously was youth and children’s min- an Air National Guard senior master sergeant, was ister at First Baptist Church in Ballinger. Source: convicted of the 2015 shooting death of his fiancée, Morning Telegraph, 10-20-17 Kendra Jackson, 46. Garry Evans, 72, Rushville, IN: 3 counts of Pounds tried to make it look like Jackson killed child molestation, 4 counts of sexual battery and herself after learning he was also engaged to anoth- 5 counts of child solicitation. Evans, Rushville Bap- er woman. During a 911 call, he can be heard telling tist Temple pastor, is accused of incidents with girls the dispatcher “I was trying to take the gun away ages 3, 5 and 7. from her.” Source: Macon Telegraph, 10-24-17 The 7-year-old alleged Evans touched her James A. Johnson, 58, Martinsville, VA: 11 “nearly every time she went to church” and told years in prison for convictions on distributing child police it happened when she was in his office to get pornography and 4 counts of aggravated sexual bat- candy from him. She said he touched her inside her tery. Johnson, associate pastor at Mountain Valley Photo by Rebecca Markert pants and made her touch his penis. Source: India- Baptist Church, was a family friend of the victim, napolis Star, 10-19-17 This sign was spotted by FFRF Legal Director Rebecca Markert in the small now 16, and touched her sexually when she visited Albert Lavador Jr., 48, Houston: Sexual as- town of Rosendale, Wis. If you see an unintentionally humorous church his home in 2014-15. sault of a child under 17. Lavador, youth pastor at marquee, please take a photo and send it to [email protected]. We may According to testimony, Johnson also had Broadway Baptist Church, is accused of taking a publish it in Freethought Today! neighborhood boys touch her and made a video of 16-year-old girl from the congregation to a motel her touching herself and shared it. Source: Martins- where they had sexual contact twice in June. Once ville Bulletin, 10-21-17 December 2017 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 21

Justin White, 38, Camby, IN: 7 years in pris- tell parents. And they did nothing to reach out to on with 4 years suspended after pleading guilty the survivors for years. Cardinal Dolan should be to 2 counts of contributing to the delinquency of ashamed of this,” said victim Joelle Casteix, who a minor. White, who resigned as senior pastor at was not part of the settlement. Source: NY Daily First Christian Church in March, admitted staging News, 10-25-17 a home burglary with a 16-year-old in order to scam his insurance company. The boy alleged Legal Developments White owed him $11,000 for supplying him with Peter Miqueli, 54, a New York Catholic priest hydrocodone and oxycodone. Source: The Re- sued by parishioners in 2015 for alleged miscon- public, 10-20-17 duct involving a gay “boy toy,” was ordered to re- George Waddles Sr., 69, Chicago: 30 months’ imburse St. Frances de Chantal Parish $22,450 but probation after pleading guilty to aggravated crim- won’t be prosecuted for criminal misconduct, said inal sexual abuse. Waddles, former president of the Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark. “This investi- National Baptist Congress and ex-pastor of Zion gation by the Economic Crimes Bureau found that Hill Missionary Church, was charged with molest- Father Miqueli was improperly reimbursed for per- ing a 15-year-old girl during a counseling session. sonal expenses,” Clark said. “You called my mom every Sunday to see if you “The Archdiocese has attempted to investigate could meet with me again, see if I forgave you and the other, more sensational, accusations of morally not press charges,” the girl said in a victim impact statement. Source: WLS, 10-20-17 abhorrent behavior, but, to date, nothing has been Robert T. Davis, 51, Henrietta, TX: 8 years’ brought forward to substantiate them, and Father deferred adjudication after pleading guilty to Miqueli continues to deny them,” Clark added. sexual abuse of a child younger than 14 the day Source: NY Daily News, 10-30-17 before his trial was to start. Davis, former Henri- Court records of Catholic priests Sabine etta Church of Christ pastor and a teacher/coach Griego, Jason Sigler and Arthur Perrault were or- at Wichita Christian School, was accused of inci- dered unsealed by New Mexico Judge Alan Malott. dents, including sexual penetration, between May The records include correspondence of 3 Santa Fe 2009 and May 2013. He resigned as pastor in 2016 archbishops and “pleadings, deposition testimony, when the warrant was served. Source: Times Re- investigative reports and settlement proceedings.” cord News, 10-18-17 Records available for public viewing won’t in- Samuel Hiller, 59, Queens, NY: 1 to 3 years clude settlement amounts paid by the archdiocese and prison and $4 million restitution after plead- or names of alleged victims. Records were obtained ing guilty to grand larceny for stealing state and in the course of lawsuits filed by attorney Brad Hall, local funds meant for 3- to 5-year-olds with special who has brought more than 70 suits for plaintiffs needs in 2005-12. Hiller, an Orthodox rabbi, was as- since 2011. Source: Albuquerque Journal, 10-12-17 sistant director of Island Child Development Cen- Ibrahim Omerdic, 62, Melbourne, Australia, ter. Source: NY Post, 10-17-17 is appealing to the Supreme Court his conviction Erik Hughes, 51, Mapleton, UT: Concurrent for marrying a 14-year-old girl to a 34-year-old 1-to-15-year terms on 2 counts of forcible sexu- man, claiming the Islamic ceremony in November al abuse and zero to 5 years for tampering with a 2016 was not recognized by the federal Marriage witness. Hughes, a Church of Jesus Christ of Lat- Act so he should not have been charged. ter-day Saints bishop, pleaded guilty to multiple Prosecutor Wendy Abraham said Omerdic, a assaults on 2 teen boys from his church ward over practicing imam since 1987, should know that Is- a period of years starting in 2012. lamic marriages are recognized under Australian One victim alleged Hughes “touched and mea- law. Source: The Australian, 10-9-17 sured his penis” and gave him Viagra. Mormon bishops have duties similar to those of a pastor, Removed / Resigned priest or rabbi but are unpaid. Source: Salt Lake Tri- Kris Bauta, Port Aransas, TX, was removed as bune, 10-11-17 Niland then hunched over J.C. and began penetrat- ex-deacon, John Hubner, 69, convicted in 2002 for pastor of St. Joseph’s Catholic Parish “for the pas- Jeffrey Bondi, 48, Virginia Beach, VA: 10 ing him,” the claim says. Source: Pacific Daily News, lewd acts on a child and now serving a 36-year sen- toral good of the church,” according to a letter from years in prison after a judge found him guilty in 10-31-17 tence. Source: The State, 10-13-17 Bishop Michael Mulvey of the Diocese of Corpus June of felony sexual penetration in 2001 when he The Catholic Diocese of Yakima, WA, is being Joe Bradley Petrey, Brookwood, AL, and 11 Christi. Bauta said in published reports that he was was youth minister at Galilee Episcopal Church. sued by a man, now 21, who alleges he was molest- staff and board members of the Tuscaloosa Coun- not given a specific reason for the removal. Margaret Ann Viola, now 34, testified she was ed in 2012 by Gustavo Gómez Santos, 52, when he ty School System are being sued by Abigail Weis- Media reported that diocesan officials met with babysitting Bondi’s 3 children when he fondled was pastor at St. Juan Diego Parish in Cowiche. The senbach, now 21, who alleges Petrey manipulated parishioners, who were told Bauta was removed and penetrated her digitally on the sofa. His preg- diocese removed him from ministry in June and is her into having sex when she was 17 and he was a because an audit allegedly showed substantial nant wife wasn’t home. Viola reported it the next seeking to have him defrocked. Source: AP, 10-26-17 30-year-old teacher and coach. financial discrepancies over a period of years. day to the church and Bondi resigned but no one The Episcopal Diocese of Oregon and Bishop Their relationship lasted about 18 months, Source: KZTV, 10-23-17 told police. Michael Hanley are being sued for $845,000 by it’s alleged, even though 2 other teachers first Hubertus Leteng, 58, resigned as Catholic Bondi now suffers from Parkinson’s and Mary Macy, former diocesan finance officer who told administrators about it in late 2013. “He kind bishop of the Diocese of Ruteng, Indonesia, after a shakes from tremors. Allegations by 2 other alleges she was fired in 2016 for whistle-blowing of coached me in Christianity and talked to me Vatican probe of allegations he had a mistress and female teens about assaults in 1997 and 1992 about Hanley’s assault on a female priest and mis- a lot about that and would ask me to sit behind secretly borrowed $124,000 from church entities were admitted at trial. “Back then you were pret- use of money. his desk, and it really just grew from there really without accounting for it. ty much a serial sexual abuser and no one did Macy claims Hanley sexually harassed Marga- quickly and it turned into something before I re- Leteng claimed the money was spent to edu- anything about it,” Judge Thomas Padrick said ret McMurren in Salem in 2014 while he visited her ally knew it was going down that path,” Weissen- cate poor children but declined to provide details. at sentencing. “It’s just amazing.” Source: Virgin- congregation, Prince of Peace Episcopal Church. bach told a reporter. The Vatican didn’t explain why Leteng was leav- ian-Pilot, 10-10-17 McMurren’s attorney, Harris Matarazzo, told The The suit alleges Petrey told her that God told ing before the usual retirement age of 75. Source: Richard R. Boyle, 70, Portland, OR: 2 years’ Oregonian that at least him in a dream to tell Crux, 10-11-17 probation, 40 hours’ community service, $200 fine her she was beauti- 6 people witnessed the Oscar Turrion, 49, Rome, resigned as rector of and fees and loss of driver’s license for 90 days af- ful and that he would incidents. McMurren One victim alleged Hughes, the Pontifical International College Maria Mater Ec- ter pleading guilty to reckless driving. Boyle, rector “fondle her under- reported them to the a Mormon bishop, ‘touched clesiae, a Legionaries of Christ seminary. Turrion, of the Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother, was in- neath a blanket” while church hierarchy. After a native of Spain, acknowledged he has fathered a volved in a 2004 crash on Interstate 5 when he was and measured his penis’ he was showing mov- an investigation, Hanley son and a daughter with the same woman. a Catholic parish priest in Cottage Grove. ies in class. She’d earli- was told to have a “fa- and gave him Viagra. The conservative Catholic order said in a state- He wasn’t ticketed at the scene but an arrest er revealed to him she cilitated conversation” ment that Turrion would leave the priesthood. warrant was issued in 2005 after he missed a court was sexually abused as with McMurren to apolo- Marcial Maciel Degollado founded the order in appearance. His attorney claimed that Boyle had no a child. Source: al.com/ gize but that never hap- Mexico in 1941. For decades, the Vatican dismissed idea he’d been charged with reckless driving until pened, Matarazzo said. Source: Oregonian, 10-25-17 NY Post, 10-12-17 recently when he returned to Oregon after serving accusations by seminarians that he’d abused them Robert Genevicz, 67, Stratford, CT, is being sexually but concluded in 2006 that accusations parishes in California and learned he was wanted. sued for reneging on a civil settlement. Genevicz, Civil Lawsuits Settled The accident report said he’d made a U-turn were true. former pastor of Stratford Baptist Church, had A $500,000 settlement from the in front of an oncoming vehicle and told a trooper Catholic After Maciel’s death in 2008, it was revealed agreed to sell a house he owns in Maine to settle was awarded to former he’d fallen asleep. An empty Xanax container was Archdiocese of New York he’d fathered several children with at least 2 wom- a claim brought by Cathy Devack, the daughter of priest Stephen Ryan-Vuotto through the archdi- found in his car, and tests showed the presence of en and used illegal drugs. Source: Reuters, 10-7-17 an alleged victim. He’s accused of stealing nearly ocese’s Independent Reconciliation and Com- Ambien and a prescription antidepressant. Source: Michael Hodges, Birmingham, AL, was re- $400,000 from 2 parishioners, both now deceased, pensation Program. Ryan-Vuotto alleged he was Register-Guard, 10-10-17 moved as pastor of the Greystone campus of and pleaded guilty in February to larceny but assaulted more than 50 times starting at age 14 Robbie Wilkerson, 50, Chicago: 37 months Church of the Highlands, which has 15 branches hasn’t been sentenced. with sex acts that ranged from fondling to sodomy in prison and $440,964 restitution after pleading attended by over 40,000 worshippers. Chris Hodg- “Defendant Genevicz has breached the agree- between 1975-85 by Robert V. Lott, a priest who guilty to wire fraud and money laundering. He’s es, his father and church founder, said the removal ment in that he failed to immediately list for sale worked in the Greenwich Village and Harlem com- founding pastor of New Birth Christian Center, was due to an unspecified “moral failing.” with a licensed realtor that property located in munities until his death in 2002. which in 2008-10 operated a summer food program Michael Hodges had been on the church staff Thomaston, Maine,” states the suit, which seeks an Ryan-Vuotto was ordained in 1995. In 2008, he to provide meals to low-income students when since 2015 with other titles, including director order forcing him to sell the house and turn over asked for a leave of absence after disclosing his schools were not in session. The program claimed of ministry partnership and placement and as a the proceeds. Source: CT Post, 10-23-17 own sexual abuse to superiors and now has left the to have provided about 267,000 meals but actually member of the Highlands College Team. Source: The Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago is being church. Source: West Village Patch, 10-30-17 served fewer than 100,000. al.com, 10-6-17 sued for at least $100,000 by “John Doe,” who al- John Mulubwa, 50, Mansa, Zambia, was or- Tasha Wilkerson, his wife, pleaded guilty to theft leges he was sexually abused as a boy in 2000-06 dered to pay 10,000 kwacha ($990) to Chishala of government funds and was sentenced to 1 year Other by convicted child abuser and former priest Dan- Kalukwembe, 34, for committing adultery with Ka- and 1 day in prison and $40,001 restitution. Three iel McCormack. McCormack, 48, was recently de- lukwembe’s wife. Mulubwa is an elder for Christian The Diocese of Rockville Centre, Long Island, other church officials pleaded guilty in May and were clared by Cook County Judge Dennis Porter to be Missions in Many Lands. Kalukwembe sued after al- NY, is creating a compensation program for victims sentenced earlier. Source: Sun-Times, 10-7-17 a sexually violent person, clearing the way for him legedly catching Mulubwa having sex with his wife of clergy sex abuse. It’s the 8th-largest U.S. Catholic Civil Lawsuits Filed to be incarcerated indefinitely even though he has “in the bush.” They’ve been married for 18 years. diocese with an estimated 1.4 million members. served his entire sentence and was eligible for pa- Source: Daily Mail, 10-26-17 The compensation program will be modeled on The Catholic Archdiocese of Agana, Guam, role in 2009. Source: Sun-Times, 10-19-17 Two New York Catholic dioceses will pay $1.8 ones established by the Archdiocese of New York has now been sued by 142 plaintiffs who allege First Baptist Church, Columbia, SC, its pastor million to settle with 6 victims of childhood sexual and the Diocese of Brooklyn. Victims deemed eli- sex abuse by clergy. Capuchin priest Jack Niland and 2 other staff members are defendants in a suit abuse by priests. Victims’ attorney Michael Reck, gible for compensation must agree not to pursue allegedly raped plaintiff “J.C.” during several con- alleging that youth leader Andrew McCraw mo- in revealing the payouts, also named 2 previously legal action against the church in the future. fessions around 1979 when he was a 10-year-old lested plaintiff “Joel Doe,” now 17, starting when unidentified Bronx priests as predators: Herbert Attorney Michael Dowd said he has at least 35 altar boy. Niland is the 12th priest to be accused. he was 11 and continuing for several years. D’Argenio and Casper Wolf, both deceased. cases in Rockville Centre, 80 cases in Brooklyn and “During one incident, while J.C. was on his To expose the church’s alleged pattern of con- One woman and 5 men were part of the set- 20 in the New York archdiocese. Source: Newsday, knees with his eyes closed confessing, Niland cealing abuse, the suit seeks an order to unseal tlement through the Independent Reconciliation 10-7-17 pushed J.C. forward and pulled J.C.’s pants down. three sealed suits against First Baptist and an and Compensation Program. “They did nothing to Email: [email protected] Page 22 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | December 2017

THEY SAID WHAT? Air Force vet Clem Wiechecki dies You know, am I mad at God? Yeah, I’m It’s disappointing, it’s sad, and this is FFRF Member Clem Wiechecki, mad at him. I wish I had more protec- what you’ll get from the far secular left. 75, died from complications due to tion. I wish this stuff didn’t happen. I People who do not have faith don’t un- pulmonary fibrosis on July 1 with can’t explain it to you. Yeah, I’m mad derstand faith, I guess I’d have to say. his wife Debbie by his side. The last at him. And it is the right words they said to one another were, Bill O’Reilly, discussing the sexual ha- thing to do is to “I love you.” rassment allegations that drove him pray in moments Clem was born July 20, 1941, in out of Fox News earlier this year. like this, because Hammond, Ind., to Clem and Mary CNN, 10-23-17 you know what? (Stankovich) Wiechecki. He was a vet- Prayer works. eran of the United States Air Force, re- Reporters don’t understand religious And I know you tiring in 1980 after 20 years of service. liberty, where it comes from. It comes believe that, and In 1983, he began work at for the U.S. from God, not from the Constitution. I believe that and Postal Service, which is where he met Senate candidate Roy Moore, after he when you hear Debbie. They married in June 1996 was asked if he stood behind his previ- the secular left and worked together until Clem’s re- ous comments that Rep. Keith Ellison Paul Ryan doing this thing, tirement in 2004. The couple, along shouldn’t be in Congress because he’s it’s no wonder with their dogs and cat, enjoyed travel- Muslim. you have so much polarization and ing and visited 42 states. CBS News, 10-31-17 disunity in this country when people In September 2011, Clem was di- Clem Wiechecki think like that. agnosed with IPF (idiopathic pulmo- I hope the president and the GOP will Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, stand- nary fibrosis), a terminal lung disease. put an end to the bull and baloney we ing behind his claim to pray for the vic- Clem and Debbie became advocates with the hope of teaching more Christians have been getting from the tims of the mass shooting in Texas. to spread awareness about pulmonary people about pulmonary fibrosis. He Freedom From Religion Foundation. Huffington Post, 11-6-17 fibrosis and participated in lung walks will be cremated at a later date. A That organization is more a threat to and climbs in Las celebration of life our freedom than North Korea, Iran Vegas as Team IN MEMORIAM was held on July and the Islamic State group. All I really know is that Christians will Clem vs. Pulmo- 29 at his home in Bill Mattern, in a letter to the editor. always be attacked no matter what. It nary Fibrosis. Clem even climbed the Las Vegas. A military burial was held in Lancaster (Pa.) Online, 11-18-17 could be true, it could be false, but he’s Las Vegas Stratosphere, all 1,455 stairs, San Antonio, Texas. Debbie will spread led by God, and that’s all that matters. in February 2016. some of his ashes in the last eight states Work together Alabama resident Pamela Hicks, at a Clem is survived by his wife Debbie, they needed to visit. for love to Dec. 14 campaign stop by Roy Moore, his sister Loretta Hamilton, four sons Donations can be made toward overcome evil, accused by multiple women of preying and their wives, 11 grandchildren and Debbie’s walks and climbs to help raise and do that by on them as teenagers. two great-grandchildren. money to find a cure for lung diseases. working with New York Times, 11-16-17 Clem donated his body to science Go to bit.ly/2hojrll to donate. God. . . You work with God. Texas Gov. Greg If Jesus Christ gets down off the cross Abbott, pushing and told me Trump is with Russia, I Celebrate love, laughter, freethought & Yip Harburg * back against gun would tell him, "Hold on a second. I restrictions the need to check with the president if it’s Gregg Abbott day after a gun- true." $25 Solstice Gift Special . . . man killed 26 Mark Lee, one of six Trump voters to FREE book with T-shirt order people in a Texas church. appear on a CNN panel. Photo by Line Chris Washington Times, 11-6-17 The Hill, 11-20-17 ON THE ROAD

urchase FFRF’s new T-shirt with Yip’s rhyme, “Life is Liveable” P($25 ppd) & receive a FREE copy of Rhymes for the Irreverent, by Yip Harburg. The classic 240-page hardback of iconoclastic light verse, deliciously illustrated by Seymour Cwast ($15 value), is published by FFRF & the Yip Harburg Foundation. Item # YH01 Standing outside the Everett McKinley Dirks Courthouse in Chicago are the FFRF ffrf.org/yip Only $25 ppd (and ACLU) lawyers who were there for the oral arguments in FFRF’s case against the Concord High School live nativity pageant in Elkhart, Ind. Pictured, from left, * The great American agnostic & lyricist of ‘Somewhere over the Rainbow,’ & other classic songs are FFRF Legal Fellow Christopher Line, ACLU of Indiana’s Gavin Rose, FFRF Staff Attorney Ryan Jayne, FFRF Legal Fellow Colin McNamara and FFRF Associate Counsel Sam Grover. Yip Harburg, from his book: Rhymes for the Irreverent Published by the Freedom From Religion Foundation Candle Power Why fret about a little scandal? Go to church and light a candle.

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Buy it from FFRF online - shop.ff rf.org New! Make your own nontheistic cyber billboard at ffrf.org/unabashed. December 2017 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 23 Freethought alive and well in Central America

By Dan Barker God is bloodthirsty and then asked, “Is genocide good?” Portillo respond- entral America has been bat- ed that genocide is parcialmente bueno tered by religion for centuries. — partially good. CToday, the evangelical invasion I was extremely impressed with the is challenging the Catholic Church efforts, connections and successes of in numbers and power. Even though the young professional freethinkers Honduras and Guatemala are offi- working for a secular government in cially secular, their governments are Honduras. entangled with religion. The following day, I flew to Gua- But there is hope! temala City to participate in a con- On Nov. 8, I flew to Tegucigalpa to ference put on by the Guatemalan participate in a number of events at Humanists. The event took place in the invitation of a vibrant new group a chapel in a former Jesuit seminary of freethinkers, Librepensamiento that has been converted by the Span- Honduras (Honduras Freethought). ish government into a cultural arts As soon as I got off the plane, I was center in the city of Antigua, the for- taken to the national Radio Globo mer colonial capital. Political scien- for a lengthy live interview about tist Carlos Mendoza and psychologist atheism and secularism, and to pro- Natalia Marsicovetere joined me as we mote our public events the next day. FFRF Co-President Dan Barker, who is fluent in Spanish, was a guest on a popular discussed “The politics of religion.” I was then interviewed by the famous national morning talk show in Honduras called “¡Nos Vemos!" (See the event at bit.ly/2BaFJ2G) Johnny Lagos, editor and publisher The churches wield enormous power of El Libertador. Because of his work hosted by the famous “Chano,” which On Nov. 10, before sightseeing in in Central America. They can marshal to expose corruption in government, aired later in the week. They were all mountain towns outside of Teguci- the vote, and the government knows Lagos was a target of an unsuccessful interested in my preacher-to-atheist galpa, I was invited to debate Carlos it. When Portillo asked me on the air assassination attempt. story, and in the fact that there are Portillo, a Christian pastor who is the why the church, which is trusted by The next day, I appeared on two active nonbelievers in the country. former minister of religion for the the people, should not try to clean up popular national morning television I also spoke to a group of about Honduran government, on national political corruption, I responded that shows, for more than 30 minutes each, 100 enthusiastic atheists, humanists CHTV, hosted by the well-known Ar- you can’t cure one corruption with and recorded another national TV and feminists at the Hotel Excelsior, mando Villanueva. That show (see another corruption. The best hope show on the right-wing SITV (which and later to a similar-sized group, ac- bit.ly/2z70Bu3) lasted about 90 min- for the world is a completely secular has been compared to Fox News), companied by a local comedy troupe. utes. I pointed out that the biblical government.

Barker was interviewed by “Chano” on SiTV, which has been called the “Fox News” of Honduras, very right- wing and religious.

Barker stands with the editor of El Libertador, Johnny Lagos, who has been persecuted for publishing Barker chats with Susanna, host of “Hoy Mismo,” a popular morning talk show in a liberal monthly newspaper Tegucigalpa, Honduras. in Honduras. Lagos survived an Barker did a 90-minute assassination attempt; when the interview on live gunmen entered his office (where national television on this photo was taken), they did CHTV in Honduras. not recognize him because he was The host on the left is unshaven and wearing a casual Armando Villanuevos, shirt. He refused tens of thousands and on the right is of dollars from the government that Carlos Portillo, former wanted to control three months of minister of religion his newspaper during election time. for the Honduran Barker appeared on National Radio “Integrity is not cheap,” he said. government. Globo, a liberal station.

The Guatemala Humanists include, from left, political scientist Carlos Mendoza, Ana Raquel (no last name given), founder Oscar Pineda, Dan Barker, president David Pineda (no relation to Oscar), psychologist Natalia Marsicovetere, and Daniela (no last name given). Page 24 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | December 2017 Atheists sound off in Secular Town Hall During the lunch break at FFRF’s 40th annual conven- tion on Sept. 16 in Madison, Wis., a dozen freethinkers gath- ered in a side room at the Monona Terrace Convention Center to participate in a town hall-style discussion.

By Alec Loftus

re there secret atheists in Congress?” “Is Google replacing God?” “A You won’t hear these questions in the sleepy political town halls aired on CNN. But partic- ipants teed off on the topics without hesitation at the first-ever Secular Town Hall. The event was produced by the Freedom From Re- ligion Foundation, which works to elevate the voices of America’s fastest-growing religious demographic: nonbelievers. Moderated by Emmy-awarded journalist Cara Santa Maria, the forum was held at the Monona Terrace in Madison this fall, fea- turing a dozen partici- Photo by Ingrid Laas Watch it here: pants from a variety of ffrf.org/townhall states and professions. Cara Santa Maria, center, stands among the 12 participants prior to the start of the Secular Town Hall. The group included Baby Boomers, Gen Xers and students representing are secretly serving in Congress. Now you can just ask Google,” said Hanson. “God isn’t the Millennial generation. Ten of the dozen partici- “It’s statistically inevitable that some of the people as necessary anymore.” pants identified as atheists, with the others identifying in elected office are atheists,” responded Chris Calvey, When asked if atheists face discrimination, Marie as agnostic or secular. a microbiologist from the Midwest. “But they are too Schaub, a mom from Pennsylvania, said that sometimes According to Pew Research, nearly a quarter of afraid to be honest about it because they want to get people confuse atheists with Satanists: “If we don’t be- Americans nationwide identify as nonreligious, repre- re-elected.” lieve in God, we certainly don’t believe in his enemy.” senting a huge increase over the past decade. However, Added Calvey, “It’s currently political suicide to be Schaub told a story about her campaign to remove 91 percent of the 535 members of the U.S. House and open about your nonreligious views, but I think that’s a massive Ten Commandments monument outside Senate are Christians, and no member has publicly changing as the demographics of her daughter’s middle school, stated his or her disbelief in God. are changing.” which was successful with support Santa Maria asked participants if they think atheists New groups like Run for Some- It’s statistically inevitable from FFRF’s attorneys. thing and Our Revolution, born that some of the people in Another UW-Madison student, of the failed campaigns of Hillary elected“ office are atheists. Micayla Batchlor, spoke about Clinton and Bernie Sanders, are — Chris Calvey coming out of the closet as an Af- recruiting thousands of young rican-American atheist and facing candidates to run for office, with tension from her family and oth- an emphasis on supporting LGBTQ candidates and ers in the predominantly Christian black community. candidates of color. “With the stereotypes that go along with (being If these organizations want to break the hegemony black), who would we be if we gave into those same of the Religious Right, they could also issue a call for stereotypes?” said Batchlor. “It’s hard for people to put candidates who are open atheists. me into a box, which I think shouldn’t happen in the According to Pew Research, Millennials are leading first place.” the exodus from organized religion in America. A full To elevate these voices, FFRF has been pushing 35 percent of Millennials now identify as atheist, ag- public broadcasting networks to air the Secular Town nostic or “nothing in particular,” while three-quarters Hall as educational programming to balance out their say they don’t attend church on any regular basis. many hours of dusty, religious-themed shows like “An- Participant Molly Hanson, a recent graduate of the cient Roads: From Christ to Constantine.” University of Wisconsin-Madison who also is an edito- “The secular demographic is the fastest-growing rial assistant at FFRF, said Millennials are turned off by in America, yet the Religious Right controls all three organized religion because of its historically negative branches of government,” said Santa Maria. “This views of LGBT rights and marriage equality. She said town hall is designed to help people learn what secu- Photo by Ingrid Laas that for Millennials, the technology in their pocket is lar Americans are passionate about.” Emmy-award-winning journalist Cara Santa Maria their new religion. FFRF Member Alec Loftus is a Boston-based media con- prepares to host the Secular Town Hall at the “Technology is answering a lot of the mysterious sultant who helped produce the Secular Town Hall. He is a Monona Terrace Convention Center on Sept. 16. questions that people needed religion for in the past. graduate of UW-Madison. Coming Next Month in Freethought Today Woe to the Women: Losing Faith in Faith: The Bible Tells Me So From Preacher to Atheist

From the FFRF convention, By Dan Barker By Annie Laurie Gaylor comedian Julia Sweeney How Dan “threw A concise, easy-to-read out the bathwater gives us her humorous take book that will challenge and discovered your concept of the on recent religious-themed bible as “a good book.” there is no movies. Illustrated. 264 pages. baby there.” Buy it from FFRF online Buy itshop.ffrf.org from FFRF online Buy it from FFRF online shop.ff rf.org shop.ff rf.org

Freedom from Religion Foundation P.O. Box 750 • Madison, WI 53701 • (608) 256-8900 • FFRF.org What is the Freedom From Religion Foundation? The next issue of Founded in 1978 as a national organization of freethinkers (atheists and agnostics), the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc., works to keep state and church Freethought Today separate and to educate the public about the views of nontheists. FFRF has more than 27,000 members. FFRF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofi t and donations are tax is a combined January/ deductible for income tax purposes. February issue that FFRF’s email address is info@ rf.org. Please include your name and physical mailing address with all email correspondence. you should receive FFRF members wishing to receive online news releases, “action alerts” and in early February. “Freethought of the Day” should contact info@ rf.org.