SPRING 2000 VOL. 20 No. 2 Introductory Price $5.95 U.S. / $6.95 Can. f free inquiry Celebrating Reason and Humanity THE AFFIRMATIONS OF HUMANISM: A STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES

We are committed to the application of reason and science to the understanding of the universe and to the solving of human problems. We deplore efforts to denigrate human intelligence, to seek to explain the world in supernatural terms, and to look outside nature for salvation. We believe that scientific discovery and technology can contribute to the betterment of human life. We believe in an open and pluralistic society and that democracy is the best guarantee of protecting human rights from authoritarian elites and repressive majorities. We are committed to the principle of the separation of church and state. We cultivate the arts of negotiation and compromise as a means of resolving differences and achieving mutual under- standing. We are concerned with securing justice and fairness in society and with eliminating discrimination and intolerance. We believe in supporting the disadvantaged and the handicapped so that they will be able to help themselves. We attempt to transcend divisive parochial loyalties based on race, religion, gender, nationality, creed, class, sexual orientation, or ethnicity, and strive to work together for the common good of humanity. We want to protect and enhance the earth, to preserve it for future generations, and to avoid inflicting needless suf- fering on other species. We believe in enjoying life here and now and in developing our creative talents to their fullest. We believe in the cultivation of moral excellence. We respect the right to privacy. Mature adults should be allowed to fulfill their aspirations, to express their sexual pref- erences, to exercise reproductive freedom, to have access to comprehensive and informed health-care, and to die with dignity. We believe in the common moral decencies: altruism, integrity, honesty, truthfulness, responsibility. Humanist ethics is amenable to critical, rational guidance. There are normative standards that we discover together. Moral principles are tested by their consequences. We are deeply concerned with the moral education of our children. We want to nourish reason and compassion. We are engaged by the arts no less than by the sciences. We are citizens of the universe and are excited by discoveries still to be made in the cosmos. We are skeptical of untested claims to knowledge, and we are open to novel ideas and seek new departures in our thinking. We affirm humanism as a realistic alternative to theologies of despair and ideologies of violence and as a source of rich personal­ significance and genuine satisfaction in the service to others. We believe in optimism rather than pessimism, hope rather than despair, learning in the place of dogma, truth instead of ignorance, joy rather than guilt or sin, tolerance in the place of fear, love instead of hatred, compassion over selfish- ness, beauty instead of ugliness, and reason rather than blind faith or irrationality. We believe in the fullest realization of the best and noblest that we are capable of as human beings.

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free inquiry OP-ED FEATURES 5 God at Work Christopher Hitchens BEST OF 6 Jesus and the HUMANISM Politicians 27 Introduction:

Wendy Kaminer The Road to Humanism 8 Why Kids Need Lewis Vaughn Real Science SPRING 2000 VOL. 20, NO. 2 29 On Entering the Katha Pollitt ISSN 0272-0701 Third Decade: Personal 9 Stem Cells and Reminiscences Immortal Souls Paul Kurtz Peter Singer 39 Two Decades of FI: 10 When Vouchers A Retrospective Entangle Church Great Commentary, and State Analysis, and Quotes from Previous Issues Nat Hentoff 42 100 Humanist 11 Censorship Inc. Events That Mark Crispin Miller Changed the World FI Editors’ Picks from 12 The Wall Under the Last 1000 Years Siege Barry W. Lynn 47 Some of FI’s Best Ever Cartoons 15 When Creationism Goes to School 48 Happy 20th Anniversary, A Teacher’s perspective ree nquiry F I Thomas J. Geelan Greetings from the best 18 A Student’s View and the brightest Raina Lipsitz 52 Faith, Hope, and Clarity 20 The Opposite of Looking for Meaning in Love All the Right (and Wrong) Matt Cherry Places Lewis Vaughn 55 Mind, Morality, and REVIEWS Evolution An Interview with 68 Varieties of African Steven Pinker American Religious Experience 58 The ‘Miracle’ at by Anthony Pinn Knock Norm R. Allen, Jr. The Anatomy of a Hoax Melvin Harris 70 The Great Deception, And What Jesus Really Said and Did by Gerd Lüdemann Robert M. Price DEPARTMENTS 72 An Uppity Old Atheist Woman’s Dictionary Carol C. Faulkenberry 22 Frontlines Norm R. Allen, Jr. 26 Letters 73 Exodus to Humanism: Jewish Identity Without Religion 66 Church-State by David Ibry Update Norm R. Allen, Jr. Kentucky Passes Anti- 73 Violence in Nigeria: The Crisis of Religious Politics and Atheist Law Secular Ideologies Tom Flynn Toyin Falola 74 Humanism at Large Norm R. Allen, Jr. Matt Cherry FI Editorial Editorial Board Editor-in-Chief Paul Kurtz Chairman Editor Lewis Vaughn Timothy J. Madigan Executive Editor Matt Cherry Robert Alley Managing Editor Andrea Szalanski Professor of Humanities Emeritus, Univ. of Richmond, Virginia Deputy Editor Norm R. Allen, Jr. Hector Avalos Senior Editors Vern L. Bullough, Richard Dawkins, Thomas W. Flynn, Martin Gardner, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, Iowa State University James A. Haught, Gerald A. Larue, Taslima Nasrin Joe E. Barnhart Columnists Professor of Philosophy, Nat Hentoff, Christopher Hitchens, Wendy Kaminer, Mark Crispin Miller, North Texas State University Katha Pollitt, Peter Singer H. James Birx Professor of Anthropology, Associate Editors Molleen Matsumura, Wendy McElroy Canisius College Contributing Editors Jo Ann Boydston, Paul Edwards, Albert Ellis, Roy P. Fairfield, George Bishop Professor of Political Science, Charles Faulkner, Antony Flew, Levi Fragell, Adolf Grünbaum, Marvin Kohl, University of Cincinnati Thelma Lavine, Joe Nickell, Lee Nisbet, J. J. C. Smart, Svetozar Stojanovic, Rob Boston Author, Americans United for Thomas Szasz, Richard Taylor Separation of Church and State Barbara Forrest Editorial Associates Warren Allen Smith Associate Professor of Philosophy, Southeastern Louisiana Univ. Production Paul E. Loynes, Sr., Lisa A. Hutter, Janine Wythe Stewart Guthrie Cartoonist Don Addis Professor of Anthropology, Fordham University Webmaster Terese Rozelle William Harwood Author, Mythology’s Last Gods Cover Illustration Gerald Fried Stuart Jordan Senior Staff Scientist, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Council for Secular Humanism Alfred Kisubi Chairman Philosopher, Poet, Paul Kurtz University of Wisconsin Board of Directors Vern Bullough, Jan Loeb Eisler, Jonathan Kurtz, Joseph Levee, Lena Ksarjian Committee on the History of Culture, Kenneth Marsalek, Jean Millholland, Robert Worsfold University of Chicago Executive Director Matt Cherry Ronald A. Lindsay Lawyer, Philosopher Chief Operating Officer Thomas W. Flynn Michael Martin Professor of Philosophy, Coordinator, Alliance of Secular Boston University Humanist Societies Erika B. Hedberg John Novak Professor of Education, Brock University Coordinator, Campus Freethought Jean-Claude Pecker Astronomer, Educator, Author, Alliance Austin Dacey Professeur Honoraire, Collège de France Director, African Americans Anthony Pinn Associate Professor of Religious Studies, for Humanism Norm R. Allen, Jr. Macalester College Robert M. Price Chief Development Officer Anthony Battaglia Professor of Biblical Criticism, Center for Inquiry Institute Director of Libraries Timothy Binga Theodore Schick, Jr. Fulfillment Michael Cione, Michelle Keiper Professor of Philosophy, Muhlenberg College Staff Pat Beauchamp, Sandy Lesniak, Georgeia Locurcio, Jennifer Miller, Victor J. Stenger Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Anthony Santa Lucia, Ranjit Sandhu, John Sullivan, Kathy Vaughn, University of Hawaii Vance Vigrass Edward Tabash Civil Liberties Attorney, Honorary Chair, Executive Director Emeritus Jean Millholland Center for Inquiry West

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FREE INQUIRY (ISSN 0272-0701) is published quarterly by the Council for Secular Humanism, a nonprofit educational cor- poration, P.O. Box 664, Amherst, NY 14226. Phone (716) 636-7571. Fax (716) 636-1733. Copyright ©l999 by the Council for Secular Humanism. Periodicals postage paid at Buffalo, N.Y., and at additional mailing offices. National distribution by International Periodicals Distributors, Solana Beach, California. FREE INQUIRY is available from University Microfilms and is indexed in Philosophers’ Index. Printed in the United States. Postmaster: Send address changes to FREE INQUIRY, P.O. Box 664, Amherst, NY 14226-0664. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors or pub- lisher. No one speaks on behalf of the Council for Secular Humanism unless expressly stated. OP-ED

NEW CHRISTOPHER HITCHENS COLUMNIST

we learn that:

The Equal Employment Opportunity God at Work Commission reports a 29% spike since 1992 in the number of religious-based discrimination charges, making those the third fastest-growing claim, after n arguments over prayer in school, sexual harassment and disability. I used to take the line of “Why stop Ithere?” There are so many other It’s a fair bet that such figures rep- locations where a moment of spiritual resent an under-counting. On a recent reflection might be mandated. Prayer in edition of Warren Olney’s chat show the stock exchange, for example, or a “Which Way LA?,” I was paired with “moment of silence” while the commut- a lady from Atheists United against er plane waits, stranded on a runway, a panel of drivellers who cited things for the corporate jets to take off. Prayer Milwaukee law offices. And, as Business like the spiritual quality of Ben and on the trains or the buses could also be Week phrases it, getting nearer to the Jerry’s ice cream. My ally had been facilitated by the public-address sys- bottom line this time: fired from her job after refusing to tem. My satirical intent was obvious to take an interest in her boss’s reli- Perhaps the largest driver of this the point of banality: the religious want gious bull-sessions. As she reasonably religion in the schools because there, trend is the mounting evidence that spiritually-minded programs in the pointed out, when asked whether or unlike the milieux of adult life, they workplace not only soothe workers’ not she had sued, it was very hard to can hope for a captive and malleable psyches but also deliver improved prove such a complaint, and she had productivity. audience of the sort on which they have in any case made haste to find a better traditionally relied. job elsewhere. One of the co-authors of a recent vol- But one should beware of one’s own Frightening, though, were the ume, the Spiritual Audit of Corporate tiny satires. I pick up my seventieth remarks of the other “enlightened” America, writes that “spirituality could anniversary number of Business Week participants. One and all, they kept be the ultimate competitive advantage.” to find a special cover story, “Religion in on stressing that “participation” in However, a little further on in the article the Workplace: The Growing Presence religious exercises at work of Spirituality In Corporate was “completely voluntary” or America.” With excited prose, “optional.” Why, I demanded the article instructed me that: to know, did they keep saying

Executives of all stripes are mix- Janine Wythe this? (No one had demanded the ing mysticism into their man- assurance; they just repeated agement, importing into office it like a mantra, or like some- corridors the lessons usually thing they had been coached doled out in churches, temples and mosques. Gone is the old to say.) If an employer shows taboo against talking about God a strong commitment to reli- at work. In its place is a new gion at work, how “voluntary” spirituality, evident in the prayer or “optional” is the echo of this groups at Deloitte & Touche and interest among employees? How the Talmud studies at New York law firms such as Kaye, Scholer, to measure the enthusiasm, as Fierman, Hays and Haroller. between craven or genuine, or extorted or coerced? One way According to something called is of course quite simple. An The Fellowship for Companies exceptionally pious boss may for Christ International, there invite his employees to join him, are 10,000 workplace Bible and on their own time, for whatever prayer groups meeting regularly. rite it is that he follows. On The Dalai Lama’s book Ethics the weekend, or in the evenings. for the New Millennium is “a This of course would not protect business best-seller.” Muslim those who declined the offer, if prayer-mats are being rolled out in they were later downsized, from

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the suspicion that they had been singled but it could equally underline the essen- itate” on the job. This is scandalous out. But it would protect the boss from tial distinction between freedom of reli- twice; both as coercing employees and some part of the suggestion that he cre- gion, and freedom from it. Innumerable as violating the separation provisions of ated a bizarre or hostile working envi- activities and advocacies are forbidden the Constitution. It seems that the word ronment. (It would also mean, for those or discouraged at work, including in spiritual needs a little deconstruction of us kept on hold as consumers, that many cases the distinctly work-related here. Why should it be assumed, even we could assume the staff were putting question of whether or not a union can by materialists and secularists, that in a full day.) be formed. One would not want to inten- any money-making and control-oriented But of course, there would still be sify the situation where, as the American outfit, dealing in unfalsifiable babble, cases like the one filed by Jennifer Civil Liberties Union once put it, the is axiomatically “spiritual”? And what Venters, once a radio-dispatcher in the First Amendment­ ceases to operate at would be my chances of getting the boss police department of Delphi, Indiana. the factory gate. However, there are to set aside a room for my public read- According to her complaint, a new places called churches and synagogues ings of Shelley or Byron, just because police chief turned up one day, to inform and mosques, within easy reach of most I believe that employees and indeed her that: He had been sent by God to workplaces, so it cannot be said that all humans are more than animals or save as many people from damnation religious expression is the issue here. machines? Even to ask these questions as he could. Things got worse, alleges And, since attendance at a place of paid is to be reminded that the place for Venters in court documents, when he employment is only in the most exiguous religion is in the heart, and the place to objected to her female roommate, asked sense a “voluntary” thing—having this practice it is in the home: in other words her if she had entertained male police in common with school attendance —it’s that it must be self-inflicted. fi officers with pornographic videos, and clear that freedom from is the one that accused her of having sex with family takes precedence. Christopher Hitchens’s comments on members and sacrificing animals in Recent reports have disclosed that culture, politics, and religion have Satan’s name. U.S. government agencies, including the been widely broadcast and published This of course could be held to be Federal Aviation Administration and the in numerous magazines and journals. everyday harassment by a nutball supe- Pentagon, used public funds to pay cult He is the author of The Missionary rior (the case was settled without admis- organizations, even as extreme as the Position, an exposé of Mother Teresa. sion of liability for a trifling $105,000), Scientologists, to “counsel” and “facil-

NEW WENDY KAMINER COLUMNIST

talk. General references to God have always been part of civic life. It’s true that Jesus religious particularity, mainly evangelical Christianity, has occasionally intruded into political campaigns, most notably through William Jennings Bryan. But in and the modern America, major party candidates have generally steered clear of sectarian- ism. Why is it emerging today, at a time of Politicians increasing religious diversity? Conventional political wisdom asserts ow that almost all the presidential “phi- that today’s religious revivalism reflects candidates have declared their alle- loso- a concern about character and a search Ngiance to Christ, reporters and pun- for “authenticity” created by the Clinton dits have finally noticed that religiosity, scandals. Never mind that the only evi- not secularism, is in vogue. A democratic dence for this assertion is its popularity operative announces that “the Democratic pher/ among pundits. Never mind that Clinton Party is going to take back God this time,” think- himself is quite religious; to a skeptic, (making the Almighty sound like a child er,” and other Republic­an candidates fol- his political and personal failings are evi- in a custody dispute), and soon Al Gore low suit. Suddenly, the media notices that dence of religion’s irrelevancy to charac- confides to millions of Americans that he the campaign is suffused with God talk. ter, not religion’s virtues. But voters who too has been born again. George Bush It would be more accurate to point out assume that religion—true religion—is famously chooses Christ as his favorite that the campaign is suffused with Christ essential to virtue are apt to dismiss

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Clinton’s religiosity as false and persist But, oddly enough, the current wave they involve addiction and recovery or in their efforts to reform public life with of religious sectarianism also reflects sin and redemption (consider George the one and only Truth. some nonsectarian, quasi-religious influ- Bush’s “irresponsible” youth) and named While we are indeed a country of ences—notably the influence of popular or unnamed Higher Powers. many religious faiths, Christianity main- therapies. Presidential candidates are Of course, sectarianism in the politi- tains its dominance, even if its market regaling us with stories of their personal cal sphere is considerably more danger- share is slipping. In part, the preva- odysseys, as if the nation were one large ous than the vague spiritual nostrums of lence of Christ talk in the presidential support group. Can they help it if all their popular therapies and the tiresome pen- campaign is an obvious testament to journeys point toward Christ? It’s worth chant for testifying. Sectarianism­ threat- the visibility and influence of right-wing noting that, before Al Gore testified to his ens religious freedom. It favors govern- Christians. Twenty years ago, Jimmy relationship with the Lord, he offered up ment support of popular sects, often Carter’s status as a born-again Christian his personal development stories, focus- at the expense of religious minorities. seemed almost exotic, in the Northeast, ing on searing familial experiences—his It creates two classes of citizens—the at least. Not everyone knew quite what sister’s death from cancer and his son’s saved and the unsaved. (George Bush has it meant to be “born again” in Jesus. near fatal accident. Before Bill Clinton acknowledged that he does not decide Today, the rhetoric of Christian evange- asked for forgiveness from God and the who will get into heaven, but I bet he lism is part of the vernacular. nation at a highly publicized prayer thinks he knows who won’t.) Spirituality All the candidates indulging in Christ breakfast in 1998, he told us about his movements, however, generally cele- talk are Christian—members of the dom- alcoholic stepfather, dysfunctional fam- brate spiritual diversity. Pop gurus are, inant faith and that is no coincidence. Try ily, and his own role as family mediator, after all, sensitive to the demands of a to imagine a candidate for national office explaining his penchant for compromise. pluralistic marketplace, and the vaguer choosing Muhammad as his hero, instead The Christ talk that marks political their theologies, the wider their audi- of Christ, or advertising his Hindu her- discourse today is one form of thera- ence. The therapeutic culture will never itage. Or consider a simple historical peutic politics, derived partly from, the look good to me; but lately, it seems a example: When John Kennedy ran for recovery movement. Denizens of the little less bad. fi president in 1960, he carefully (and nec- spiritualized, mainly liberal therapeutic essarily) stressed his belief in the sepa- culture have inadvertently collaborated Wendy Kaminer is an attorney, social ration of church and state, not his reli- with conservative Christians in creating critic, and public policy fellow at gious belief, which placed him in a then a public appetite for confessional testi- the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced suspect minority. As a Catholic, Kennedy mony. Both Oprah and Pat Robertson, Study. She writes on popular non­ encountered religious bigotry; he needed and their ilk, have cultivated the popular sense and is the author of Sleeping to assure voters that he would heed their taste for stories about personal epipha- with Extra-Terrestrials: The Rise of Irra­ voices, not the dictates of the pope. nies and “growth experiences,” whether tionalism and the Perils of Piety. The Minnesota Wrestler by Martin Gardner

Under the spreading repartee Ventura never goes to church. The St. Paul wrestler stands. Religion’s not for him. The “Body,” a mighty man is he, He much prefers to stay at home, With large and sinewy hands; And pump iron in his gym. And the muscles of his brawny arms But faith, he grants, gives comfort to Are strong as iron bands. Poor souls whose wits are dim. Ventura’s hair, once black and long Toiling, rejoicing, blustering, Departed long ago; On through his term he goes, His brow was wet with honest sweat Proposing this, reforming that, When he worked as a wrestling pro. But will they work? Who knows? Opponents get the hammerlock. It’s slouching toward the White House that He fears not any foe. Keeps Jesse on his toes. Reporters coming home from work Thanks, thanks to thee, my awesome friend, Look in through his open door. For the lessons thou hast taught; They love to see his biceps bulge, That on the wrestling mat of life And hear his bellows roar, Our fortunes must be wrought, And catch the crafty spins that fly And one can rise in politics Like lies on the senate floor. Without a serious thought.

With apologies to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Jesse Ventura has since grown impatient with, and quit, the Reform Party.

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NEW KATHA POLLITT COLUMNIST

truly ominous. In France, where the curriculum is national and firmly in Why Kids Need Real the hands of educational authorities, it doesn’t matter how many ordinary citi- zens think the Earth is only 10,000 years old. In Kansas, it matters. Science Ignorance and indifference, as much as religiosity, are what lie behind those polls that say two-thirds or more of y daughter is 12 and she already Americans would like both creationism knows more science than I do. and evolution to be taught in school, MWhen I quiz her for her weekly and only a small minority favor the physics test, I’m the one who struggles exclusive teaching of Darwin. It’s not over the answers (Not a newton, Mom, that people don’t respect facts or tech- a Joule!). Sophie is lucky: she’s in an nology or the practical benefits of sci- academically accelerated New York City ence. It’s more that they don’t under- public middle school program where the stand how science is done: how ideas science and math teachers enjoy chil- are thought up and tested, how they dren and really know their stuff, and come to be accepted, rejected, revised. where the kids don’t think it’s weird to (my school required only one year of No one would believe me if I said God be interested in learning or to want high-school science, and I took chemis- told me that batteries work because to do well. Sophie’s program may be try) it may have been in underequipped they contain tiny angels that give off housed in a typically drab and depressing labs, from teachers without a real back- heat and light. Batteries are part of building, where classes are too big and ground in science themselves—there’s the down-to-earth world of practical “frills” nonexistent—gym, as far as I can a nationwide shortage of certified math inventions, of which Americans have a make out, seems to consist of student-or- and science teachers. No wonder that famously firm grasp. But evolution is ganized soccer free-for-alls—but she’s for many science is not the gateway to different. It’s just a theory, right? As in, learning a lot more science and math than understanding the mysteries of life—it’s unproved, untested, up in the air, let’s I did at the expensive, private, single-sex just another mystery, another dreary wait and see, and meanwhile, why not school my parents sent me to, back in the subject to be learned by rote, memo- hear what the other side has to say? dark ages when girls weren’t supposed to rized for the test, and then dumped in Those of us who oppose religion in know or care about such things. the mental trashcan along with irreg- the schools need to think not just about Which brings me to the subject of ular Spanish verbs and the Edict of what we are against, but also what we science and the general public. When Nantes. are for—a well-educated population that we talk about the way creationism and According to a recent article in the enjoys speculation, learning, logic, that other religious doctrines are filtering Washington Post, one in five Americans can evaluate complicated and contro- into education, we tend to focus on thinks the sun goes around the Earth versial issues in an informed way, and the power of devotees to enforce their (don’t feel too bad, though— it’s one uses knowledge to increase its range of beliefs in what should be a secular in four Germans, and one in three choices. Spending the money and find- setting. But what about the other side Britishers). I’m sure those latter-day ing the teachers to give every child the of the story? The problem isn’t just that followers of Ptolemy had been taught kind of thorough and exciting science too many Americans want to push their the map of the solar system at some education my daughter is getting in her religious views on others; it’s also that point (remember making planets out of “accelerated” program isn’t just a mat- vast numbers of Americans don’t have papier mâché and suspending them ter of fairness—or the best way to fight the knowledge or critical-thinking skills from clothes hangers?); they just forgot, creationism in the long run. It’s also part to make a cogent case against them, because no one had made them see how of a social vision in which democracy or even see why they should try. Take the Earth going around the sun was and equality and freedom are realities evolution. How many Americans, even part of something large and important and not just buzzwords. fi before creationists succeeded in alter- and interesting and worth remembering. ing textbooks and modifying the curric- Given the important role parents and Katha Pollitt is the author of ulum, have spent enough time studying local school boards and politicians play Reasonable Creatures: Essays on Darwinism to understand it, except to in determining educational policy in the Women and Feminism. She has won get a couple of answers right on a mul- public schools, misunderstandings that numerous honors for her poetry and tiple choice test? If they studied biology would otherwise just be comical become essays.

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NEW PETER SINGER COLUMNIST

experiments were badly designed, and so used scarce research funds for no Stem Cells and good purpose.) Opposition to the use of embryo stem cells comes overwhelmingly from those with a religious viewpoint: they believe Immortal that embryos have immortal souls, and that is why they are worthy of great- er protection than nonhuman animals. Peter Singer If people who hold these beliefs are Souls successful in preventing research on embryo stem cells in the United States, they will merely have demonstrated the hen a human embryo con- extent to which nonreligious citizens of sists of not more than 64 the United States continue to be disad- W cells, its cells are, like a vantaged by the strength of religious young dog, able to learn new tricks. If belief in this country. injected into a diseased kidney, they Research on embryos should be pro- take on many of the properties of hibited if there is any possibility that ordinary kidney cells, and may help conception, a living, innocent human the embryo is capable of suffering—but the kidney to perform its normal func- being. But the morality of using a no one would argue that an embryo tion. This seems to hold for any organ, being for research should depend on consisting of 64 cells could be capable even any kind of cell. This is exciting what the being is like, not on the spe- of suffering. A developed brain and medical researchers, because it means cies to which it belongs. Other things nervous system is a pre-requisite for a that, at least in theory, the cells from being equal, there is less reason for capacity to suffer. Apart from belief in an early embryo could cure leukemia, objecting to the use of an early human immortal souls, it is sheer species-bias enable people with diabetes to manu- facture insulin, treat Parkin­son’s and Alzheimer’s disease, and repair the nerve systems of quadriplegics. But medical researchers aren’t the The National Conference only ones excited by the prospects of of Catholic Bishops has using embryo stem cells. In the United lobbied Congress to prevent States, 70 members of Congress have opposed a proposal from the National the use of federal funding for Institutes of Health, the major govern- the research of stem cells. ment funding body for medical research, to sponsor work using human stem cells. The National Conference of Catholic Bishops has lobbied Congress embryo—a being that has no brain, is that makes us permit all kinds of trivial to prevent the use of federal funding not, and never has been conscious, and uses to be made of sentient non­humans, for the research, and when a coalition has no preferences of any kind—than and then prevents much research that called Patients’ Cure began to cam- there is for objecting to research on is far more significant from being car- paign for embryo stem cell research, rats, who are sentient beings capable ried out because it requires cells from Cardinal William Keeler of Baltimore of preferring not to be in situations early, nonsentient human embryos. fi wrote to the American Cancer Society, that are painful or frightening to them a sponsor of Patients’ Cure, to urge it to (Note the qualification “other things reconsider its position. The American being equal.” If the people from whom Peter Singer’s books include Animal Cancer Society withdrew its support the egg and sperm were obtained would Liberation, Practical Ethics, How Are We from Patients’ Cure. be distressed to know that an embryo to Live?, and Rethinking Life and Death. Opponents of research on human conceived from these gametes was He is DeCamp Professor of Bioethics embryos usually start and finish their used in experimentation, that would at the University Center for Human argument with the claim that the be a reason why it might be wrong to Values at Princeton University.­ human embryo is, from the moment of do so. The same would be true if the

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NEW NAT HENTOFF COLUMNIST When Vouchers Diverting public Entangle funds to religious schools weakens Church the resources for and State public education.

ationally, one of the most intense- ly controversial First Amend­ Nment issues is whether providing tax money to religious schools violates the “establishment clause” (there “shall be no law respecting an establish- ment of religion”). As Justice David Souter said in Lee v. Weisman (1992), that clause in the First Amendment applies both “to acts favoring religion generally” or “acts favoring one religion over another.” In other words, as the Court made clear in Lemon v. Kurtzman (1971), any law involving any state aid to reli- gious schools cannot create “excessive entanglement” between church and state. Entanglement is the fundamental test in the current debate about vouchers. inten- There is another argument that diverting tion- public funds to religious schools weak- ally ens the resources for public education, incul- many— but that is not a constitutional argument. cating Milwaukee’s What the Supreme Court will eventu- all stu- Blessed Trinity School ally be confronted with is how vouchers dents insists that parents of voucher to religious schools actually work in in their students sign a “Parent Commitment practice. The Court refused to review the classes with Statement” that pledges: the particular voucher program in Milwaukee, but the I will support the religious founda- facts on the ground in Milwaukee cannot religion of that school, tions of our school and my child will be evaded for long. despite the voucher law that allows par- participate in daily classroom prayer, Research by both People for the ents to opt out of religious classes for daily religious classes, and prayer ser- American Way and the Milwaukee their children. vices. . . . I will assume the role of For example—and this is one of religious educator by sharing faith in National Association for the Advance­ the home. ment of Colored People reveals beyond question that the religious schools now At the Saint Sebastian School, par- getting their public tax money are ents are required to sign a form “rec-

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ognizing it as a Catholic school” and promising that “I will assume the roll of religious educator by sharing faith in the home.” The advocates of vouchers for reli- NEW MARK CRISPIN MILLER gious schools argue that the state itself is COLUMNIST not involved in supporting these religious practices because the tax money goes to the parents, and they make the choice of paying it to the school. However, the Supreme Court declared Censorship Inc. in Committee for Public Education v. Nyquist (1973) that: ow that all those nines have turned The Establishment Clause is violated to zeroes, we can feel especially whether or not the actual dollars given Nrighteous in deploring the fat hand find their way directly into sectarian of censorship, whether it comes down in institutions. Whether grant of public Kabul or in New York City. With its money is labeled a reimbursement, a echoes of the Inquisition, or the Chekists, reward, or a subsidy, its substantive impact is still the same. or the Nazis, such bald coerciveness (would-be or actual) seems really old— books burned in Afghanistan, reporters That decision has never terrorized in Cuba, Pakistan, Colombia been overruled and has been and Kosovo, and, in this free coun- followed by similar High Court try, theaters menaced by the Catholic rulings that such vouchers— League, an art museum threatened by provided directly and indirect- Mayor Giuliani, high school libraries ly—are not religion-neutral cleaned out by Christian cadres, and, on because thereby, a class of the stump, a range of citizens is “singled out for ultra-rightist That sort of thing seems way paro- a special unconstitutional tri- chial in 2000—the first year of the benefit” (Sloan v. Lemon, Century of the Internet—and so it’s 1973). easy for enlightened peo- And Chief Justice ple to condemn it. But Warren Burger pointed out there are other efforts in Lemon v. Kurtzman at suppression that are that, to safeguard the harder to attack, in part separation of church because they aren’t and state, the state as obvious as, say, would have to keep a crackdown by the surveilling those reli- Taliban; and in part gious schools getting because deploring tax money to deter- them could well mine—by on-school prove hazardous to visits—that those the careers of those schools are not doing what the religious enlightened people— schools in Milwaukee are doing right Gerald Fried many of whom either work now. And that is “entanglement” of for, or would like to work for, or church and state. fi are otherwise inside the pock- ets of, the same great interests Nat Hentoff is a regular columnist bunes that effect this cooler, more per- for The Village Voice, Legal Times, shout- vasive kind of censorship, day Washington Times, and Editor & ing for in, day out. Publisher, a syndicated columnist the Of course, there is a world of differ- through United Media, and the reinstatement ence between the zealot’s or dictator’s author, most recently, of Living the of those “moral terroristic drive to snuff out all dissent Bill of Rights (University of Cali­ values” that are and/or to wipe out independent jour- fornia Press). alleged to matter deeply to nalism, and that far more peaceful, “our Lord.” quasi-automatic sort of censorship (if

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we can call it such) that goes on here because that game is simply worth too don’t account for every kind of modern and now. And yet, while the respective much to TV’s own proprietors. For that (or postmodern) censorship. Of course, methods of suppression are as unalike matter, Bergman added, no U.S. anchor those reasons do explain the general as night and day, the two approaches or TV reporter ever has, or ever will, avoidance of disturbing information on are effectually the same. A population report distressingly on anyone with the media machine itself—its giant own- in the dark is in the dark, whether folks assets greater than $1 billion—not even ership, its costly lobbying, its long col- are scared to death or fat and sassy. Robert Maxwell, not Steve (or Malcolm) lusion with the government and adver- This point is made most artfully Forbes, not even Donald Trump. tisers. But there are some strokes of in Michael Mann’s The Insider, the My future columns will elaborate on censorship that “business reasons” per quiet corporate thriller that came out Bergman’s points, and on my argument se don’t explain—such as the weird last year (released, with qualms, by above: for the truth about the truth is persistence, over ten years after com- Disney). Based on the infamous case never simple. First of all, the rational munism’s disappearance, of Cold War of CBS ordering “60 Minutes” not to news management that takes place over mythology throughout the U.S. media, air a damning interview with corpo- here is not so cleanly antithetical to and the concomitant neglect of all dis- rate whistle-blower Jeffrey Wigand, late those ferocious crackdowns carried out senting scholarship. About this subtle of Brown & Williamson Tobacco, this abroad, because our corporate news tendency I will say more in my next col- astounding film (based on a script by machine, for business reasons, often umn. fi Eric Roth) conveys, with purely visu- helps the harshest governments by fail- al subtlety, the actual equivalence of ing to report the ugly news about them. *The full transcript of his remarks is avail- pre- and post-Enlightenment suppres- Not long ago, those reporters terror- able on the Web site of the Project on Media Ownership, at www.mediaownership.org.­ sion. In the opening sequence, CBS ized in Cuba, Pakistan, Colombia, and producer Lowell Bergman (Al Pacino) Kosovo were showily honored by the sits blindfolded in a darkened garret Committee to Protect Journalists. The Mark Crispin Miller is profes­ somewhere in Iran, trying to persuade group said nothing, on the other hand, sor of Media Ecology at New York the portly leader of Hezbollah to appear about the lot of journalists in China—a University, where he also directs on “60 Minutes.” He succeeds, the cler- huge potential market for those media the Project on Media Ownership ic vanishes, the journalist takes off giants that support the CPJ. (PROMO). his blindfold—and then he throws the And yet those “business reasons” heavy curtains open, to reveal, beyond that dusky room, a clear and brilliant panorama of Teheran. The same shot recurs throughout the film—only it’s the comforting expanse of bright Manhattan The Wall Under Siege that lies glittering in the background later on. That visual echo deftly makes the movie’s disconcerting point that that fat hand is working even here, and in Barry W. Lynn the most sophisticated places. Recently Lowell Bergman came to New York University to talk about the n January 30 the New York writes, “How the wall [of separation movie, and about his long career in Times Magazine ran a major arti- between church and state] went up and journalism. He spoke at length about Ocle on the separation of church why it came down is in large measure the true scope of corporate censor- and state. Unfortunately, the piece by the story of the relationship between ship today, pointing out that the reality Jeffrey Rosen, a law professor at George Protestants and Catholics in America.” was—and is—actually far worse even Washington University, was a bewilder- Wrong. When the First Amendment, than that powerful movie indicates. ing mishmash of poor reasoning, bad including its church-state separa- Aside from telling of another, earlier history, and inaccurate conclusions. tion provision, was adopted in 1791, case of CBS (in cahoots with ABC) To start with, Rosen’s article says vir- Catholics were a tiny minority. The killing an inconvenient major story,* tually nothing about Thomas Jefferson framers added this separationist lan- Bergman offered a wry commentary and James Madison, the pioneering guage because they knew the tyranny on the kinds of revelation that the TV Founding Fathers who gave us church- that church-state union had produced news will never bring us, regardless state separation. Analyzing church-state in Europe and early America. While the of how many ratings points they might separation without mentioning Jefferson relationship between Protestants and rack up. From the journalists of General and Madison is like writing a history of Catholics has been significant in the Electric, Disney, News Corporation, evolution that does not discuss Charles legal and political battle over tax aid to Viacom, and AOL/Time Warner, there Darwin. The result will be useless. religious schools, other major church- will never come a word of troubling Rosen’s biggest mistake is that he state questions involved different faith- news about the ownership of any fran- starts in the middle of the story (which group configurations. The conflict over chise in the National Football League, he manages to get wrong anyway). He religion in public schools, for example,

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often involved conservative Christian he would have us believe is a bold, groups that wanted to impose prayers new theory of church-state relations, and other religious devotions on all one that makes more sense than strict children. In addition, the attempt to ban separationism because the new model instruction about evolution and instead requires government to give certain teach “creationism” in science classes benefits to all religions on an equal sprang from fundamentalist activists. basis with secular institutions. Rosen’s second faulty premise is his There is one problem: Rosen’s “new” statement, offered without evidence or model of church-state relations is not examples, that “strict separationists” really new at all. In fact, it is a variant sought the removal of private religious of an old and discredited notion. The expression from the public square. idea that government can provide aid This is nonsense. Defenders of sep- to all religions on an equal basis is aration of church and state have never called “non-preferentialism.” This type sought to remove private expressions of of arrangement was common in some religion from public life. This is not and Colonies prior to the Revolution,­ when never has been what we favor. Through­ some states gave tax support to five or six Christian denominations. It was rejected by the Founding Fathers for an obvious reason: If it is wrong to force citizens to support one officially estab- lished church through taxation, it only Skeptical Inquirer is the official jour- Rosen’s ‘new’ compounds the problem to force them nal of the Committee for the Scientific to support five, 50, 500, or 5,000 denom- Investi­gation of Claims of the Para­ normal. On a bimonthly basis, Skeptical model of church- inations. When all is said and done, the Inquirer publishes critical scientific evalu- church-state accommodationists (whom state relations is ations of paranormal claims and informed Rosen parrots) want government to be not really new at discussion of all relevant issues. able to support religion through taxes all. In fact, it is a Contributors have included Isaac and other forms of aid. This is little more Asimov, Martin Gardner, Carl Sagan, variant of an old than an unworkable eighteenth-century Stephen Jay Gould, Richard Dawkins, and and discredited model of church-state relations in mod- hundreds of other scholars and investigators ern dress. worldwide. notion. From here Rosen descends into To start receiving Skeptical Inquirer a series of cheap shots. He writes, now, just fill out this form and mail today. “It was Justice Hugo Black, the for- YES, enter my subscription mer Alabama Senator, Ku Klux Klan o 1 year $35.00 (6 issues) member, and enthusiastic anti-Papist, o who announced­ in 1947 that ‘the First 2 years $58.00 (12 issues) out the course of our 53-year existence, Amendment has erected a wall between o 3 years $81.00 (18 issues) Americans United for Separation of church and state. That wall must be Payment in U.S. funds drawn on a U.S. bank must accompany Canadian and for- Church and State (AU) has bent over kept high and impregnable.’” eign orders. Please add US$10 per year sur- backwards to make it clear that we So now the KKK is responsible for face mail. Canadian and foreign customers believe mandatory, coercive, or govern- church-state separation? Rosen should are encouraged to use Visa or MasterCard ment-sponsored religious worship is be ashamed of himself for putting o Check or money order enclosed prohibited by the Constitution. Volun­ this malarkey in a national magazine. o Charge my __ MasterCard __ Visa tary expressions of religion are protect- Jefferson first used the expression “wall # ______ed. Thus, while we oppose mandatory of separation between church and state” programs of religious worship in public in an 1802 letter to a group of Danbury Expiration Date ______schools, we support the right of students Baptists who chafed under Connecticut’s Name ______to pray voluntarily on their own time. tax-supported Congregationalist­ Church. Address ______We oppose giving tax money to religious The first reference to the Jefferson’s schools, but defend the right of every wall metaphor at the Supreme Court City ______American to contribute to the houses of came in 1879 when the justices said the State ______ZIP ______worship of his or her choosing. AU and expression “may be accepted almost as Mail to Skeptical Inquirer, Box 703, other separationist groups have fought an authoritative declaration of the scope Amherst, NY 14226-0703 to prevent government from endorsing and effect of the [First] Amendment.” Or call toll-free or aiding religion. We have never worked (The case involved a ban of Mormon plu- 1-800-634-1610 to deny that right to private citizens. ral marriages.) Thus, the wall metaphor Rosen then goes on to trumpet what had a long history in America before it

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was adopted by Justice Black in the 1947 He writes that liberal and evangelical nities in states where voucher referen- Everson case. Protestants dropped their opposition to da have been on the ballot have voted Black’s membership in the Ku Klux parochial school aid once they began against those proposals. This has been Klan, while deplorable, occurred while opening their own private schools and the pattern in 16 states and the District he was a young man in Alabama. realized that not all of the state money of Columbia from 1967 through 1996. Most would agree that he more than would go to Roman Catholic schools. Many African Americans know that redeemed himself as a justice by cham- This is simply factually incorrect. Few vouchers were first used in this country pioning individual and civil rights. (For liberal Protestant denominations today in the South in the 1960s when politi- example, in 1954 he voted with all of maintain private schools, and those that cians tried to subsidize segregationist the other justices in Brown v. Board of do founded those schools long ago. As academies. (The federal courts struck Education, which ended the racial seg- down these programs on constitutional regation of America’s public schools.) grounds.) Black’s allegedly anti-Catholic conclu- Rosen and the law professors of sion about church-state separation in whom he speaks admiringly who want Everson was supported by the rest of to knock down the wall of separation the high court, including its Catholic between church and state, such as member, Frank Murphy. Thanks to Michael McConnell of the University of Everson dealt with the legality of separation, Utah, might think they are smarter than state-funded busing services for Catholic religion in the Jefferson and Madison—but they aren’t. schools. Rosen does not mention that The separation of church and state has Black’s majority opinion, while it spoke United States is given Americans more religious freedom eloquently of the importance of church- vibrant and than any people in world history. state separation, ultimately declared multi-faceted. Thanks to separation, religion in the the busing aid to be constitutional. It’s a United States is vibrant and multi-facet- curious type of anti-Catholic bigot who Our citizens ed. Our citizens enjoy the right to attend writes an opinion giving the church just enjoy the right the house of worship of their choice or what it wanted! to attend the attend none at all. Children of many dif- Rosen takes a cheap shot at ferent faiths and none are free to attend Americans United, too, implying that house of public schools, and their parents do not our group was anti-Catholic because it worship of their have to worry that they will be forced to opposed the political goals of the Roman take part in worship or coerced to adopt Catholic Church in the 1940s and 50s. choice or attend different religious beliefs. No American Anyone who remembers those times none at all. can be taxed to pay for religion, and will recall that the Catholic Church Parents do not houses of worship thrive thanks to the of the 1950s was a lot different than support millions of Americans have cho- today’s church. In the 1940s and 50s, have to worry sen to give them voluntarily. Free from the Catholic Church had a rather hos- that their the shackles of the state, religion retains tile view of the separation of church children will its prophetic voice and participates in and state. American bishops attempted public life to a greater degree than in to use the political process to enforce be forced to other Western nations. church beliefs—such as restricting take part in Church-state separation is the only access to birth control or censorship of worship. vehicle that can deliver meaningful reli- books and films the church found offen- gious, philosophical, and intellectual sive. We make no apology for opposing freedom. Rosen and his cohorts (past that repressive agenda. and present) may think they have a These days, Rosen writes, AU better idea than separation, but they “demonizes Pat Robertson.” AU does are wrong. Were their views to prevail, not “demonize” any religion or reli- for evangelicals, many opened their own they would ultimately be sorry for the gious leader. We do strongly oppose the schools because public schools would not shameful role they played in undermin- political agenda of Robertson and his sponsor prayer, offer devotional Bible ing Jefferson’s wall. fi Christian Coalition. Robertson has made study, or include fundamentalist dogma his contempt for the separation of church in science classes. Barry W. Lynn, a United Church of and state well known, and AU believes it Rosen also says, “African-Americans Christ minister and an attorney, would be remiss in its duties not to speak became enthusiastic supporters of is executive director of Americans out against any person or organization school vouchers.” This is speculative at United for Separation of Church that attacks church-state separation. best. The NAACP, the most prominent and State in Washington, D.C. An Again, we will not apologize for this. African-American civil rights group in expanded version of AU’s analysis On the question of parochial school the country, remains strongly opposed can be found on their Web site at aid, Rosen is similarly uninformed. to vouchers. African-American commu- www.au.org.

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also summarized a number of important court decisions that support teaching When Creationism evolution, prohibit school districts from requiring creation science in the science curriculum, and guarantee the right of school districts to prohibit individu- Goes to School al teachers from teaching creationism under the guise of academic freedom. Sadly, in spite of this unequivocal A teacher’s perspective professional position, and against the backdrop of a new era in education char- acterized by strict standards, profession- Thomas J. Geelan al accountability, and curricula reform, many teachers are unwilling and/or unable to deal with the issue directly. A he great geneticist Theodosius that scientists do not debate the fact 1982 national survey revealed that 30% Dobzhansky is often quoted as of evolution any more than they debate of the nation’ s biology teachers would Tsaying, “Nothing in biology means the fact of gravity, and they are not any teach creationism if given the choice, and anything except in the context of evolu- less sure about evolution than gravi- 19% incorrectly believed that humans tion.” Evolution is, indeed, the central ty. Certainly this anti-intellectual non- and dinosaurs coexisted. By 1996 little organizing theme in all biology, yet most sense only contributes to the “dumbing had changed. A survey conducted by the biology curricula are pitifully deficient down of America” as it becomes an National Science Foundation reported in their treatment of it. Not only do most that 64% of Americans have no under- ignore it as the central theme, but many standing of scientific inquiry, and only are further compromised by the highly 2% understand what a scientific theory organized efforts of scientific creation- is! My personal experiences and infor- ists. This occurs against the backdrop of mal surveys at professional meetings apparent creationist setbacks resulting support these data, although there is a from the U.S. Supreme Court decision growing teacher population dedicated of Edwards v. Aguillard in 1987, which Very few to quality science education, and more unequivocally reaffirmed that scientif- students are ever determined than ever to fight the plague ic creationism was pseudoscience, and of scientific ignorance that is at the core must not be taught as science in U.S. exposed to the of this problem. public schools. truth, that evolu- One might be shocked to learn that Nevertheless, scientific creationists tion is both fact our national biology teacher population continue their efforts. Equal time for is so functionally fragmented. Isn’t it creation “science” has been replaced and theory. Fewer reasonable to expect that biology teach- by efforts to have school boards adopt still are able to ers be united in their stand to keep the same philosophy under the euphe- explain why. science education robust and free from misms “abrupt appearance,” “intelligent the metastasizing cancer of pseudosci- design,” and “irreducible complexity.” ence? Aren’t they the ones on the front Some allow the teaching of “alternative lines of this war, which so significant- scientific theories,” falsely implying that ly influences the minds of America’s there is more than one. Creationists have youth? Science teachers, like it or not, been elected to local school boards and sit are the “defenders of the faith” and are on textbook and curriculum committees. the central players in a powerful polit- Enormous pressure has been placed on increasingly hi-tech, but scientifically ical struggle. textbook publishers, boards of education, illiterate, society. Why, then, is there such a wide diver- and teachers to capitulate with respect to In 1996, the National Association sity with respect to the degree to which evolution. The results, while mixed, have of Biology Teachers published an they commit to teaching a concept so been alarmingly successful. This was extensive updated position statement fundamental to their discipline? The rea- dramatically illustrated when the Kansas regarding the teaching of evolution. The sons, while numerous and convoluted, School Board voted to effectively remove strongly worded statement describes can be reduced to a few major categories. evolution from the state science curricu- the nature of science as a constantly lum this past summer. self-correcting way of knowing about Professional Ignorance Very few students are ever exposed nature and natural phenomena. It I am continually amazed by how defen- to the truth, that evolution is both fact addressed the central role of evolution sive science teachers become when con- and theory. Fewer still are able to in biology and why creation science has fronted with the creationist mantra, explain why. Most do not understand no place in the science curriculum. It “Evolution is just a theory!” The idea

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that evolution is both is not a very discussions in the context of science who aggressively defend evolution may difficult concept to grasp. However, I as a way of knowing is that it becomes be accused of pursuing a personal agen- am not aware of any text that spe- relatively easy to neutralize arguments da perceived as conflicting with local cifically addresses this point. A great categorized as “evidence against evolu- community standards and/or dominant deal of confusion could be eliminated tion.” Only the most intransigent under- religious philosophy. by discussing the topic within the con- stand the fallacy of trying to prove New teachers are concerned with text that evolution (and all scientific creationism correct by trying to prove obtaining tenure and are rightfully theories) explain the facts. The fact of evolution false. Almost all creationist focused on securing it. This consciously evolution is completely independent of arguments attack evolution as a theory, and/or subconsciously permeates every evolutionary theory and thus unaffect- not the fact of evolution. These can be professional nook and cranny until ed by modifications, revisions, or even dismissed by assuming that, for the sake achieved. Few new teachers would be rejection. Clarification of this would go a of discussion, all creationist attacks on willing to risk what they may consider long way toward reducing the confusion professional suicide if they teach in a surrounding the debate and diffusing school/district lacking a strong, commit- creationist rhetoric. By contrast, dis- ted, and supportive administration. claimers like the one the the Alabama Controversy over evolution is often State Education Department requires not worth the risk. The fact that the in biology textbooks only perpetuates It is very easy New York State regents biology sylla- ignorance and confusion: to show that bus contains a required unit on evolu- creationist ideas tion but does not treat it as a unifying This textbook discusses evolution, a theme may encourage a teaching strat- controversial theory some scientists and rhetoric do egy that leaves the unit until the end present as a scientific explanation of the year. Time restrictions, and the for the origin of living things, such as not meet the increasing pressures associated with plants, animals, and humans. No one criteria that was present when life first appeared the impending examination make it on the earth, therefore, any statement define science. easy to present the topic in a less than about life’s origins should be consid- thorough manner. In September 2000, ered as theory, not fact. the old syllabus will be replaced by the Living Environment­ Core Curricu­ An associated problem involves igno- lum. The new document is not meant rance of science itself. Everyone should to be a syllabus, but rather is intended be able to agree that the role of the sci- evolutionary theory are correct. Even if only to describe the content and skills ence teacher is to teach what has been that were the case, the impact on evolu­ that will be assessed. The intent is to learned through the process of science. It tion as a fact would be nil. The fact that give individual teachers a great deal of is very easy to show that creationist ideas evolution occurred is independent of the leeway in how the new standards are and rhetoric do not meet the criteria that theory that explains it. addressed. While it does state that evo- define science, and thus has no valid Teachers may feel a need to avoid lution is the central theme in biology, it place in the science curriculum. Students controversy, especially with respect to would be up to individual teachers, or understand that it is not scientifically topics not in the syllabus or required districts, to teach it that way. It appears valid to begin with a conclusion (e.g. the for an exam used to assess both student that it would remain relatively easy Bible can’t be wrong) and then set out achievement and professional compe- to simply give the topic minimal treat- to prove it so. If scientific creationism tence. Teaching evolution (when not ment. Nevertheless, when the perceived were true science, with credible support- required) leaves teachers open to crit- risk associated with teaching evolution ing re­search, the peer review process icism and attack by students, parents, is high it is easy to avoid the issue. would validate its claims and creationist administrators, school board members, Students suffer and creationists win. theory would replace evolution as the and organized adversarial groups with best scientific explanation of origins to a political agenda. Some groups appear The Creationist Trojan date. Confusion about this greatly favors to be comprised of concerned local cit- Horse creationists because they tap the psyche izens, but in fact are supported by of democracy. Creationists demand that national organizations that offer politi- One of the ironies of this struggle is the students be presented “all theories” so cal expertise and legal support. fact that creationist strategy, itself, is that they can “weigh the evidence” and Not many teachers relish the pos- always evolving. Balanced treatment decide which is “correct.” Science is not sibility that they may be the subject of strategy characterized the 1980s and a democracy, and it is not proper for creationist attack, or that every pro- resulted in “successful” legislation in at science teachers to ask students to deter- fessional move could be scrutinized by least two states. In 1987, after the U. S. mine what is poor science and what isn’t. their school board. After all, they have Supreme Court struck down Louisiana’s That’ s what scientists do—not teachers, mortgages to pay and families to feed, statute requiring equal time for “cre- and certainly not students! so avoidance of controversy may appear ation science” in Edwards v. Aguil­ Another advantage to framing class to be a good survival strategy. Those lard, creationist strategy changed.

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Since then it has continued to mutate the State of Minnesota’s Third Judicial directly address the creationist threat in a constant attempt to identify loop- Court by the American Center for Law to quality science education in pro- holes that provide routes of entry to the and Justice—a Christian legal organi- grams that prepare students aspiring to science classroom. The Supreme Court zation launched by Pat Robertson. The be science teachers and administrators. decision allowed for the teaching of case is significant because it may be the This should be a significant part of their all scientific theories of origins. When first time employment discrimination is training and must include an explora- creationist attempts to sell “intelligent claimed against a district that stands up tion of the legal and social issues relat- design theory” or “abrupt appearance to creationist pressure. ed to evolution and creationism. theory” as alternative scientific theories 5. Citizens must resist attempts to fell short, creationists took a different What Next? introduce school vouchers that can be tack. By confusing the issue about what In light of our increased dependence used to send students to private schools the law allows, creationists found fertile on technology, the constant creation- with public money without assurances ground for their ever-evolving strategy. ist presence, political efforts, and that the standard and quality of science When teachers present creationist ever-adapting strategies pose a very instruction meets the same criteria as ideas in their classrooms it often may serious threat to quality science edu- in the public sector. We must not allow go unnoticed or unchallenged. In the cation in the United States. We have school vouchers to be used in a way so early 1990s creationists asserted that been charged with the task of preparing as to support the teachings of creation teachers had a legal right to teach cre- our children to be scientifically literate science. fi ation science. In the case of Webster v. citizens capable of making informed New Lenox School District a teacher decisions regarding the many challeng- Thomas J. Geelan teaches biology and claimed his right to free speech was es society must face in the near future. evolution at City Honors School in violated when he was ordered to cease Continuous advances in biotechnology, Buffalo, New York. teaching creation science. In Peloza v. medicine, scientific research, warfare, Capistrano School District, a teacher and communications will demand the claimed that his right to free exercise most of our leaders, legislators, judges, of religion was violated by his district’s lawyers, executives, teachers, religious Pass It On requirement that he teach evolution. institutions, and citizens. We can hardly Both arguments were eventually rejected make informed decisions while ignorant by the courts, but these failed legal strat- about what science is, how it functions, egies certainly did not end the matter. and what its limitations are. We must $ Using Justice Scalia’s dissent to rise to the challenge and deal with the 14.95 plus $3.00 Edwards v. Aguillard, creationists issue head on. Indecision and equivocal- shipping and claimed that the Supreme Court has ity in science education are cancers that handling given them the “right” to teach anti-evo- must be aggressively eliminated. To lution. In 1996, the Ohio House of Repre­ accomplish this I suggest the following: sentatives Education Committee voted 1. Strengthen all science curricula down HB 692, a bill requiring that evi- by requiring that science as a way of You know what an essential tool dence/arguments both supportive and knowing be taught in detail. This should Free Inquiry’s Fifteen-Year Index is problematic be presented whenever be the framework for all that follows. in researching the best writings on evolution is discussed as part of an 2. Address the evolution-creation secular humanist thought in the world today. Please share the order form Ohio instructional program. The reality, controversy head on. Biology curricula with others who need this invaluable however, was that “evidence against need to establish evolution as the cen- resource. evolution” was just another euphemism tral organizing theme. All units need to for “creation science.” reinforce the concept that everything l Visa l MasterCard The National Center For Science in biology is evolution. Curricula need l Check l Money Order Education recently reported in its pub- to discuss why creation science does #______lication Reports of the National Center not meet the criteria for being science. Exp.______for Science Education, 19[3]:24–26 Students must understand that evolu- Sig.______about an interesting twist to the asser- tion is both fact and theory. They must Addre tion that teachers have the right to also understand that religion is a deeply ss______teach “evidence against evolution.” In personal experience completely outside, City______this case, Rodney LeVake, of Fairbault, and independent from, the process of State_____­­_____ Minnesota, claimed employment dis- science. Zip______crimination due to his religion (among 3. Colleges and universities must Day Phone other things) because the district reas- also teach the nature of science and (____)______signed him from a biology class to a evolution as a central organizing theme Mail to: Free Inquiry, P.O. Box 664, general science class after learning of within their science programs to rein- Amherst, NY 14226. his creationist activities. A complaint force pre-college reforms in these areas. Or Use Visa or MC and call toll-free was filed on Mr. LeVake’s behalf with 4. Colleges and universities must 1-800-458-1366. Fax charges to 716-636-1733.

17 fi spring 2000 OP-ED

A Student’s View Raina Lipsitz n 1859, Charles Darwin and his the Reverend Drzymala wants to do in Have it taught as an idea born of the book Origin of Species were Buffalo is to give creationism “equal- fundamentalist movement in history Ivilified, cast as immoral tools of time.” He doesn’t want to get evolution class, or as a tenet of Christian funda- the Devil, and run out of the public out; he wants to get “scientific cre- mentalism in a comparative religion schools by decent, God-fearing folks. ationism” in. class. But rather than being phased out by We listened to an National Public The worst thing that could possibly the vast modern scientific advanc- Radio broadcast on this subject in happen is that the ICR would suc- es and dramatic increases in public class and one young woman called in ceed in ridding the public schools of knowledge, the voices of the righteous to say that they should just teach both evolution. Evolution is a cornerstone religious have, while decreasing in theories in school and let kids decide of modern science, whether or not number, increased their volume con- for themselves which one they believe. you believe in it. The U.S. already siderably. In the year 2000, the faith- After all, America is a democracy— ranks abysmally in international edu- ful few remain an insidious, invidious shouldn’t we be presented with all the cation polls. It will be a source of acute threat to the quality of education in options and allowed to pick one? national embarrassment if local school American public schools. There are several problems with boards are manipulated or cowed into As a senior at City Honors School this idea. Darwin’s theory is a valid scrapping a basic scientific principle in Buffalo, New York, I feel fortunate scientific theory because Darwin to appease a certain religious group. to be enrolled in the only evolution followed the scientific method and The second worst thing that could course currently offered in this state. released his results to be tested for happen to our public education sys- Recently my teacher invited three errors by his colleagues. The creation- tem is the concept of equal time. The speakers to our classroom to give us ists have in their research, such as ICR likes to paint a faux-patriotic, a broader perspective on evolution it is, not a shadow of the scientific faux-democratic picture of both the- and creationism. The first two were method, or even any method at all. ories being presented equally and pro-evolution, anti-creationism in the Their only clear objective is to muddy allowing students a choice. In reality, public schools. The last and most con- the waters of public discourse with the equal-time laws would make a troversial speaker was the Reverend their trumped-up, out-of-context “sci- mockery of our system of education, Daren Drzymala, a local leader of entific facts” and to appeal to the our constitutional principle of sepa- the National Institute for Creation religiously inclined with passionate ration of church and state, and even Research’s crusade to get creationism Bible-thumping literalism. our ability to differentiate between taught in science class. The second problem with this legitimate scientific theory and funda- Reverend Drzymala spoke to us equal-time approach is that it is illogi- mentalist biblical literalism shabbily about his religious belief that the cal. The Supreme Court has ruled that dressed up as such. world was created by a “divine being.” you can’t teach it in the science class- To allow what happened in Kansas He tried to present it as a scientific room unless it is legitimate science. and what the Reverend Drzymala theory, but he lacked any kind of It is perfectly appropriate to present is threatening in Buffalo to spread evidence that might enable him to do students with two or three tested, across the country would be a nation- so. When I asked him if the idea that legitimate scientific models and form al disgrace. As a student in a public the world was created by one God was an opinion from there as to which school, I would like to trust that what I not a religious belief and therefore one seems to be the most accurate, am being taught is academically valid inappropriate for a public school sci­ as most teachers and textbooks do and not based on a literal interpre- ence classroom, the Reverend kindly with, for example, theories regard- tation of the Bible. I would like to be explained that it wasn’t necessarily ing the structure of the atom. But to taught facts and legitimate theories one God, as is his personal belief, present students with two options, one and ideas, rather than religious doc- but one “creator” or “divine being.” of which is not really science at all, trine. That will not happen if we reject Funny, that sounds like God to me. and instruct them to decide for them- evolution or introduce creationism The latest victory for the ICR and selves which one makes more sense is into the science curriculum. If we its minions was the well-publicized as ludicrous as allowing English stu- wish to retain any sense of educa- embarrassment of the Kansas school dents to decide whether Shakespeare tional integrity, we must fight the board’s vote to remove evolution ques- or Nietzsche was a more important creationists wholeheartedly. fi tions from the state science exam. figure in the field of English literature. This move will effectively strike evo- Why not teach creationism as the Raina Lipsitz is a senior at City lution from the curriculum. But what religious theory it so blatantly is? Honors School in Buffalo, New York.

free inquiry 18 Fund for Futurethe ™ Bracing for the Millennium . . . and Beyond

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are urgently needed. A three-year pledge can make substantial giving surprisingly affordable. We can also help you construct How a wide range of planned giving arrangements—in total confi- Can I Help? dence, of course. Free Inquiry receives no government grants and little foun- dation assistance. We depend on individuals’ generosity. Your To learn more, return the postpaid reply card. You’ll receive Fund for the Future gift will help ensure the Council’s ability detailed information on our campaign, a copy of the Council’s to tackle important issues that go beyond magazine publishing. Ten Year Plan, and our new campaign video. Gifts of cash, appreciated securities, and other liquid assets Combined 10-year endowment goal of the Council for Secular Humanism, Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP), and Center for Inquiry™ Inc. is $20 million. All are tax-exempt nonprofit educational organizations. OP-ED

mal democratic party will not only make racist politics more acceptable in Austria, The Opposite of Love it will also provide encouragement to the many other ultra-nationalist politicians in Europe and further afield. If the Freedom Party is accepted as a respectable main- Matt Cherry stream party, it may not be long before other racist parties, such as France’s ertolt Brecht’s parable on the rise Freedom Party will control key ministries, National Front, are invited into govern- of Nazism—“The Resistable Rise including justice and defense. ment coalitions. Bof Arturo Ui”—concludes with a The new Austrian government was Austria should be taught there is a pungent warning about the threat of new immediately condemned by the outside price to pay for electing racists. If South Hitlers gaining power: “The bitch that bred world—or at least by governments in those Carolina can lose tourist dollars and him is in heat again.” Fortunately, the parts of the world that had been bitten business for flying the Confederate flag, far Right never gained power in post-war once before by a racist Austrian. Israel then surely Austria should be boycotted Germany, and the Federal Republic of withdrew its ambassador to Austria. The by tourists and businesses who oppose Germany did more than any other coun- European Union (EU)—of which Austria racism. Governments, people, and private try to confront and learn from its terrible is a member—is downgrading diplomatic institutions should unite in their condem- past. In another part of the Third Reich— relations with Austria. The 14 other EU nation and active opposition to the racist Hitler’s fatherland of Austria—there was member nations said they would avoid Freedom Party. little attempt to face up to the people’s bilateral meetings with Austrian minis- Like Brecht, the writer Günter Grass responsibility for the horrors of Nazism. ters. Some EU countries also vowed to explored how his fellow Germans allowed And it is in Austria that the bitch has bred adopt economic sanctions against Austria. the Nazis to gain power and commit geno- again: in February 2000 the Nazi-friendly As Free Inquiry went to press, neither cide. Why did such a civilized nation toler- Freedom Party was brought into a new the United States nor the United Nations ate the Nazis? The problem, Grass decided, right-wing coalition government. had yet announced any actions against was not that the majority of Germans The Orwellian-named Freedom Party Austria. It is to be hoped that they will supported Hitler’s murderous hatred of the rose to power by appealing to the pro-Nazi join the EU in opposing the Austrian gov- Jews. The problem was that they did not nostalgia of older voters and by using the ernment. care enough to oppose it. “The opposite of job insecurities of younger voters to stoke The moves against the Austrian gov- love is not hate, it is indifference,” conclud- fears of immigration. The party’s char- ernment—on the basis of nothing more ed Grass. The people of Austria and the ismatic leader, Jörg Haider, has praised than the odious opinions of one of its con- world cannot afford to be indifferent to the Hitler’s “orderly” employment policies and stituent parties—have been criticized by Freedom Party. fi applauded veterans of the Waffen SS as some civil libertarians. Nadine Stroessen, “decent people of good character.” Another president of the American Civil Liberties Matt Cherry is executive editor of Free Freedom Party leader claimed that immi- Union (ACLU), commented that, “to pro- Inquiry and executive director of the grants were receiving fertility treatments tect democracy and human rights, the Council for Secular Humanism. in order to outbreed native Austrians. In Europeans have adopted the very author- claiming that immigration threatens jobs, itarian methods that they say they are the Freedom Party resurrected the ugly acting to forestall.” term überfremdung, which literally means The question of how far to tolerate the Preserve the future of “over-foreignization.” Überfremdung was intolerant is always problematic. Yet while humanism…provide for a term favored by Nazi propaganda chief supporters of freedom and human rights Josef Goebbels. And, like Goebbels, the may debate where exactly to draw the Free Inquiry in your will. party uses racist stereotypes in its cam- line in tolerating the new Austrian govern- Please remember FREE INQUIRY (the Council paign posters. ment, they can and should still take steps for Secular Humanism) when planning your The Freedom Party is the first ultra-na- to demonstrate opposition. The Freedom estate. Your bequest will help to maintain the vitality and financial security of humanism in tionalist party to gain power in post-war Party is free to state its beliefs, princi- a society often hostile toward it. Depending Western Europe. It received 27% of the ples, and policies; and others—including on your circumstances, a charitable bequest vote in the last general election but the con- the citizens and governments of foreign to FREE INQUIRY may have little impact on servative People’s Party invited Haider’s nations—should have the right to condemn the net size of your estate—or may even result in a greater amount being available to party into a coalition in order to secure and oppose the Freedom Party. your beneficiaries. a parliamentary majority—just as other Like the Nazis before them, many mem- We would be happy to work with you and conservative parties brought the Nazis bers of the Freedom Party are political your attorney in the development of a will or into power in 1933 Germany. Although opportunists pandering to popular prej- estate plan that meets your wishes. Herr Haider will not hold office in the new udice for the sake of power and prestige. For more information, contact Anthony government—he says he prefers to remain Wherever legally possible, that power and Battaglia, at (716) 636-7571. All inquiries out of office until he is strong enough to prestige should be withheld from them. are held in the strictest confidence. become Chancellor—other members of the Treating the Freedom Party like a nor-

free inquiry 20 Thursday, May 4 to Sunday, May 7, 2000 At the Wyndham Hotel near Los Angeles Airport, Southern California. Featured Speakers Include: •Paul KURTZ •E.O.WILSON •Taslima NASRIN •Senator Alan CRANSTON •Steve ALLEN •Jill TARTER •William B. DAVIS •Jared DIAMOND •Ibn WARRAQ

Thursday, May 4 Speakers: Jill TARTER, Jared DIAMOND. Registration opens at 4:00 p.m. Noon–2:00 p.m.: Gala Luncheon: Speaker E.O WILSON 6:30–7.30 p.m.: Reception. 2:00–3:30 p.m.: Concurrent Sessions 8:00 p.m.: Paul KRASSNER Live in Concert. $15 per person. The veteran A. Brave New World: Will Technology Enslave Humanity or Set Us Free? satirist will record this show as his fourth comedy album. B. ASHS and Regional Directors Meeting. C. Morality in a Secular World Friday, May 5 D. Defusing the Population Bomb 8:00–9:30 a.m.: Breakfast Meeting. “Towards a Y2K Compliant Humanism.” Speaker: Babu GOGINENI (Executive Director of 3:45–5.00 p.m.: Concurrent Sessions International Humanist and Ethical Union). A. The Student Freethought Revolution B. Society without Religion: The Good News from Europe. 10:00–10.50 a.m.: “Secularist Prospects for the Twenty-First Century”: C. The Mormon Challenge Speaker: Paul KURTZ D. Obscenity and Censorship in Broadcasting 11:00–Noon: “Secular Humanism and Politics” Saturday Night 7:30–9:30 p.m. Speakers: Matt CHERRY, Jerry REITER. Twentieth Anniversary Banquet: Hosted by Paul KURTZ, with Awards Noon–2:00 p.m.: Luncheon: “Confronting Religious Extremism” Ceremony. Speaker: Taslima NASRIN. Admission free with general registration. Anniversary Address: Senator Alan CRANSTON on “Humanism in Politics” 2:00–3:30 p.m.: Concurrent Sessions A. Humanist Politics for the New Millennium. Sunday, May 7 B. Building Humanist Communities 9:00–10.00 a.m.: Concurrent Sessions C. Rage Against the Veil: Women’s Rights in Islam Humanism in Hollywood D. How Will Technology Change Sex? Humanist Renewal Meeting 3:45–5:00 p.m.: Concurrent Sessions 10:30–Noon: Plenary: Reason and Superstition in the Entertainment A. First Amendment Task Force Industry: Round table with William B. DAVIS B. Serving the Needs of the Non-religious 12:45–5:30 p.m.: AFTERNOON TOUR: Tour bus leaves at 12:30 p.m. C. Institute for the Secularization of Islamic Society Follow the footsteps of the stars at Mann’s Chinese Theater then visit the D. Humanist Manifesto 2000: Developing a New Global Ethics world-famous Griffith Observatory and Planetarium. Return by 5:30 p.m. Friday Evening Cost: $20 (includes all admission fees.) Dinner and/or trips on your own Conference registration is $175. You must register by April 10 to guar- antee a hotel room. Registration includes free luncheon, conference packet, 8:00 p.m.: Live Music & Comedy at the Wyndham Hotel. Blues, Rock, and folk from The Heathens, plus a variety of musical and comic talent and entrance to all sessions. For additional conference information visit our from Los Angeles. $8 per person. Web site at: http://www.secularhumanism.org. Accommodations: Single and double rooms are just $95 with conference 8:00 p.m.: Theater Night at Center for Inquiry West with Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS). Scenes from famous plays. discount at the Wyndham Hotel; includes courtesy transport from airport. $10 per person. Hotel contains outstanding recreational facilities: including Olympic-size swimming pool, whirlpool, sauna, gym, and spectacular views of L.A., Saturday, May 6 mountains, and ocean. Call 1-310-670-9000 to reserve your room now— 9:00 a.m.–Noon: “Scientific Revolutions of the Twenty-First Century.” mention “Free Inquiry” to receive your discount rate. ( ) YES! I/We will attend the Council for Secular Humanism’s Twentieth Anniversary Conference “Imagine There’s No Heaven: A Future Without Religion.”

[ ] Registration(s) for ____ at $175 each $______[ ] Visa [ ] MC [ ] Check or Money Order Total $______[ ] Speaker Breakfast ____ at $25 each (Fri., May 5) $______Acct.# ______Exp. ______[ ] Paul Krassner live in concert ____ at $15 each (Thurs., May 4) $______Signature ______[ ] Live Music & Comedy ____ at $8 each (Fri., May 5) $______Name ______Daytime Phone ______[ ] Theater Night at Center for Inquiry West___ at $10 each $______Address ______[] 20th Anniversary Banquet for ____at $50 each (Sat., May 6, evening) $______City ______State/Country______ZIP ______[ ] Gala Luncheon for _____at $35 each (Sat., May 6) $______Return to: Twentieth Anniversary Conference, Council for Secular [] 20th Anniversary Banquet for _____at $50 each Humanism, PO Box 664, Amherst, NY 14226-0664. Charge orders may be faxed to 1-716-636-1733. (Sat., May 6, evening) $______Please add another sheet for additional registrations. FRONTFRONT LinesLines

Laura Schlessinger Marital- Flunks Type Tolerance 101 Benefits Paramount is meeting with representatives of the Gay for Same-Sex Couples & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) in n a sweeping decision, Vermont’s Supreme Court the wake of its decision has ruled that the state cannot deny marital-style to market a television pro- legal benefits to same-sex couples. Chief Justice Jeffrey gram hosted by Dr. Laura I L. Amestoy’s decision invalidates Vermont’s marriage statutes, Schlessinger. The nationally and directs the state legislature either to amend them or to draft syndicated radio personal- domestic-partner legislation so that same-sex couples will enjoy the ity has increasingly turned her attention to criticizing same hospital visitation, medical decision-making, insurance access, homosexuality. inheritance, and homestead-protection privileges afforded to legally Schlessinger has called married couples. homosexuality “deviant” Religious Right and other antigay groups were predictably out- and a “biological error” and raged, charging that the court had made “an act that until recently has advocated controversial was a crime everywhere—sodomy—the qualifier for receiving the therapies that would change legal privileges of marriage.” homosexuals into heterosex- The case, Stan Baker, et. al. v. State of Vermont, et. al., began uals. She says that homosex- with a complaint by three same-sex couples who had been denied uality is “against the moral precepts of Judaism.” marriage licenses. But Paramount’s interest Chief Justice Amestoy declared that “the underlying purpose of in her is offensive to many marriage is to protect and encourage the union of committed couples in the entertainment indus- and that . . . the statutes should be interpreted broadly.” He explicitly try, which employs many rejected state arguments that marriage law should “send a public mes- homosexuals. One executive sage that procreation and child rearing are intertwined.” Ultimately, said Schlessinger was not Amestoy concluded, “the State is constitutionally required to extend a “happy addition to the to same-sex couples the common benefits and protections that flow family.” Of note: she seems from marriage under Vermont law,” but left it up to state legislators to have no objection to working for a company that how this shall be achieved. Should legislators respond by enacting an offers benefits to same-sex explicit gay-marriage statute, the federal Defense of Marriage Act, domestic partners. which lets states refuse to recognize same-sex marriages from other states, will face its harshest test to date. —Andrea Szalanski —Tom Flynn

22 FRONTLINES House of SIDE LINES

Representatives Matt Cherry ZEUS VS. JESUS — Modern-day wor- shippers of the ancient Greek gods have had a row with the follow- ers of one of those younger gods— Jesus. Seems that Christians wanted to have a millennium celebration in the 2,500-year-old Parthenon, but this proposal insulted the adherents of Chaplain Flap Zeus et al. “The Parthenon, temple to Rocked by Athena, is a sacred place of Greek reli- gion,” said Nikolaos Tziotis, secretary The Republican leadership of the Do I think that’s part of it? I do.” of the Committee for the Recognition U.S. House of Representatives is O’Brien, who is a professor of polit- of the Greek Religion of the Twelve defending itself against charges of ical science at Marquette University’s Gods. “It is the greatest blasphemy religious bigotry in the wake of an Center for Government in Washington, for songs of another religion to be heard there and we will not allow it.” ugly sectarian flap over appointing a D.C., told the Associated Press that he The celebration went ahead anyway, new chaplain. believes pressure from the religious bringing in much needed revenue to An 18-member House committee Right spiked his candidacy. “I just kind the city of Athens. divided equally between Republicans of felt that I was going to have some trou- and Democrats met for months last ble with the Evangelical Right because NEW YORK DROPS WELFARE year to find a replacement for retiring they . . . likely had a different candi- PSYCHICS — Unemployed New York psychics face an uncertain future. In chaplain James D. Ford. The committee date, “ he said. O’Brien asserted that, January 2000, New York City stopped considered 40 applicants and recom- during one interview, Repre­sentative using its welfare-to-work program to mended three finalists. The leading con- Richard Shimkus (R-Ill.) noted that the recruit telephone psychics for the tender, according to several committee other chaplains had had families and Psychic Network. In the previous members, was the Reverend Timothy J. wanted to know if O’Brien was “of good nine-months, 15 people were recruit- O’Brien, a Roman Catholic priest. moral character.” (A spokeswoman in ed by the Psychic Network with the But in late November House leaders Shimkus’s office denied the charge.) aid of public funds. We are shocked to announced that the job was being given The priest also told the Times that think that the Psychic Network didn’t to the Reverend Charles Parker Wright, during his second interview he ran see this misfortune coming. a Presbyterian minister. The New York into an “evangelical Protestant line of LOUISIANA LEGALIZES FORTUNE- Times reported that Wright was the questioning” from Republicans. One TELLING — Perhaps New York’s out- choice of House Speaker Dennis Hastert member asked him to name three Bible of-work seers could move to New (R-Ill.) and Majority Leader Dick Armey passages by which he lives his life and Iberia, Louisiana. After 17 years, the (R-Tex.). Hastert and Armey, along another wondered if his clerical collar southern Louisiana town of 31,800 with Minority Leader Richard Gephardt would be divisive. has been forced to lift its 1982 ban (D-Mo.), an O’Brien supporter, were Americans United for Separation on palm reading and fortune tell- ing. A federal judge said the ban given the task of making the final selec- of Church and State (AU) suggested undermined First Amend­ment rights. tion. an easy way to end the controversy: Lawyers for New Iberia argued that Several Catholic House members abolish the congressional chaplaincy. the ban protected the public against cried foul, asserting that O’Brien had In a Decem­ber 6 letter to Hastert, fraud and unfair trade practices. been the victim of religious prejudice. (A AU Executive Director Barry W. CHRISTIAN ROCK BAND BLOWS UP Catholic chaplain served in the House Lynn said the wrangling in the House STADIUM — In what is believed to briefly prior to the Civil War, but in would be almost inevitable “when a be an American concert industry first, modern times the job has always been government post is devoted solely to Christian rock group Newsboys is tour- held by a Protestant minister.) “As a religious matters.” ing with its own inflatable arena. The member of the House and a member Wrote Lynn, “To select a clergyman 3,500-seat venue will be set up on of the committee and as a Catholic, from one tradition (and reject all those fairgrounds or in parking lots during a I’m offended and resentful,” Repre­ from other traditions) is virtually cer- 66-date trek that began February 18. sentative Anna G. Eshoo (D-Calif.) told tain to unleash charges of favoritism. “Playing in arenas is fine, but some the Washington Post. “After all is said The answer is not to try to improve the fans are uncomfortable coming there,” and done, Speaker Hastert and the selection process, but to abolish the singer Peter Furler said. “Some pre- fer concerts at large churches, but majority leader squandered a very rare post of House chaplain. Such a move others refuse to go to a church that’s and unique opportunity to highlight, to would be in keeping with the church- not their denomination.” Fans are not showcase, bipartisanship. I don’t think state separation principle provided in encouraged to bring their inflatable the entire thing is an anti-Catholic bias. our Constitution.” Lynn also appealed

23 fi spring 2000 FRONTLINES

for abolishing the office on financial Ironically, James Madison, consid- SIDE LINES grounds, noting that the chaplain’s ered the father of the Constitution, office has an annual budget of $132,000, strongly opposed congressional even though few House members actual- chaplains. Writing in his “Detached LORD’S PRAYER CAUSES PUKING — ly attend the opening prayers. Memoranda” after he left political The most coveted (and lucrative) spot Atheist Madalyn Murray O’Hair life, Madison called taxpayer-support- in British pop music is the “Christmas challenged congressional chaplains in ed chaplains a “palpable violation of Number One.” Thanks to a last-minute an unsuccessful lawsuit in 1982. Two equal rights, as well as of Consti­ buying campaign by Christians, the years later, the Supreme Court, ruling tutional principles.” best-selling single for Christmas 1999 in a separate case, Marsh v. Chambers, through into the new millennium was upheld taxpayer-funded chaplains in —Rob Boston The Lord’s Prayer sung to the tune of state legislatures. Many church-state “Auld Lang Syne” by veteran British observers believe it is unlikely crooner Cliff Richard. that the current conserva- The song—which struggles to fit tive high court would the words to the tune—was the sub- reverse that ruling and The study of U.F.O.’s is ject of much abuse and derision. BBC declare chaplains in fundamentally different from other Radio declared it too awful to play. Congress unconsti- things like Falun Gong and qigong . . . Pop star George Michael declared it tutional. This is a purely scientific field. . . . “vile” and “exploitative of people’s Dr. Paul Kurtz, religion.’’ Sir Cliff Richard—one of —Jin Fan, engineer and head of the Dalian U.F.O. Research Britain’s most vocal Christian evan- Council for Secular Society in northeast China, speaking about the recent Humanism founder boom of UFO sightings in that country gelists—conceded the song has some and noted humanist phi- musical limitations: “If someone said losopher, filed a lawsuit in to you there was the Lord’s Prayer 1984 seeking the right to deliv- set to ‘Auld Lang Syne,’ you’d want to er nontheistic opening remarks before puke,” he told the Guardian newspaper.­ Congress, but the effort was rejected by GOD AND THE GRAMMYS — Grammy the federal courts. 2000 host Rosie O’Donnell had her hands full during the telecast when some winners took issue with her attempt to joke about God’s role in their success. O’Donnell later attempt­ - W W W W W W W ed to finish off the debate by noting E E E E E E that, with all the serious problems in the world such as hunger and AIDS, A Scouting Troop for God doesn’t care whether Whitney Houston wins a Grammy. Gays and Lesbians CYBER CONFESSIONS — A cyber-con- fessional has been launched that allows sinners to unburden their souls he Boy Scouts of America await er Bonte Minnema, there is a need on the Internet. “This is between you the U.S. Supreme Court’s rul­ for a community group to organize and God and your privacy is total- Ting on their appeal to the New “empowering, supportive programs” ly respected,’’ says the introduction Jersey Supreme Court’s decision like the troop because homosexual to the Internet Web site at: www. that it cannot exclude homosexuals youth have a high rate of suicide and theconfessor.co.uk. The site assures from leadership positions. Mean­ homelessness. cyber-sinners that whatever they say while, individuals and groups such Minnema says that the Canadian will be erased when the confession is as Scouting For All are organizing response has been positive, but the over. No priests see the confessions, and going public to protest Scout­ well-intentioned group has attracted and there are no demands for pen- ing’s position that belief in God is the attention of American Reverend ance. required for membership. But the Fred Phelps. Charging that it was The Roman Catholic Church has biggest strides may be being made “recruiting Canada’s youth to filthy condemned the idea. “This is not in Canada. lives of sin and shame,” he threatened what Catholics would understand as What is thought to be the first to stage a public protest, but backed off confession. Confession cannot be Scouting troop for gays and lesbians when he learned that a counter-demon- done by telephone, e-mail or proxy,’’ has been formed by Scouts Canada. stration was being planned. a church spokesman told the Daily The 129th Troop of Toronto will serve Telegraph newspaper. ages 18 to 26. According to co-found- —Andrea Szalanski

free inquiry 24 FRONTLINES

porters continue to see political advantage Leading Republican candidates George W. Fanning the in fanning the flames of superstition. Bush and John McCain have said that the state should decide the issue. Meanwhile, Flames of —Matt Cherry many of McCain’s South Carolina support- ers are vocal and influential defenders of Superstition The Confederate battle flag flies over the flag. On the Martin Luther King, Jr., holi- Charan Shah lit three candles on the day, January 17, 46,000 people marched funeral pyre and then tied the train of Confederate in Columbia to protest the flag, the larg- the wedding dress she was wearing est demonstration in the city’s history. to the leg of her dead husband. As the Flag Unfurls Several athletic events, family reunions, funeral pyre began to blaze she calmly and convention group groups have can- jumped into the flames. Her family looked Controversy celed visits to the state. According to the on in pride as the 45-year-old widow NAACP, 130 conventions and more than burned to death in the ancient rite of sati. the South Carolina Statehouse in 100 family reunions have turned away The date was November, 1999. Columbia. Many of its supporters claim from South Carolina. State tourism offi- Tens of thousands of devout Hindus that it was raised there in 1962 to help cials estimate that the boycott has cost are now making pilgrimages to Charan commemorate the 100th anniversary of the state $7 million in lost revenue last Shah’s shrine in the Indian state of Uttar the Civil War. Many of its detractors assert summer. Adding to the problem, state and Pradesh. Hindu traditionalists believe that that it was hoisted in racist defiance of the business officials claim that some busi- through her act of literal self-sacrifice Civil Rights movement. Flag advocates nesses refuse to relocate or expand due to Charan Shah was transformed into a god see it as away of embracing Southern her- the flag controversy. with the power to heal the sick. Her family itage. Its critics see it as a symbol of white While many identify with the flag as a has launched a fund drive to build a tem- supremacy. symbol of Southern heritage, the Ku Klux ple on her cremation site. Many opponents of the flag believe it Klan and racist skinhead groups have Some Indian women’s organizations is wrong to display it anywhere on the appropriated it to represent white power. believe that Charan Shah’s self-immolation Statehouse grounds. Many flag support- The polls show that a majority are in favor was a symptom of a politically motivated ers want to move it from the Capitol to of moving the flag. crusade to resurrect Hindu traditions. a Confederate soldier’s memorial on the The ruling Hindu Nationalist Party (BJP) Statehouse grounds. Leading Democratic —Norm R. Allen, Jr. government originally came to power by presidential candidates Al Gore and and riding a wave of Hindu-chauvinism and Bill Bradley have publicly opposed the flag. anti-Muslim sentiment. Many of its sup- TIME TO PRAY FOR A BETTER PRAYER STUDY Nicholas Humphrey reports in the December 25 issue of New Scientist that a famous prayer study may be curiously botched. The study, report- ed in the Archives of Internal Medicine, Volume 159, had claimed that, of 1,013 randomly picked patients in a Coronary Care Unit, those who were prayed for had better clinical out- comes than those who were not. But the study also mentioned that several patients were removed from the study because they had spent less than 24 hours in the Unit, and it took at least that long to get the prayers going. However, chi-square tests of the improvement among the two groups were not that different in their results. Humphrey concludes that either the study was faulty—for exam- ple, it was not random and instead assigned less-sick patients to the prayer group—or it produced evi- dence that prayer works even before it has begun. “Readers should take their pick of these two interesting alternatives,” he advises. Toles ©2000 The Buffalo News, Reprinted with permission of Universal Press Syndicate. All rights reserved.

25 fi spring 2000 LETTERS

More Endorsements for Humanist Manifesto 2000

The following individuals have No one I know of has the command of In addition, I eagerly support the added their names to the list of sign­ the English language, the breadth of impending formation of the new “Secular ers to Humanist Manifesto 2000: A Call knowledge, experience, talent, intel- Coalition” and will happily volunteer for for a New Planetary Humanism by Paul ligence, and motivation necessary to any regional efforts in Hawaii. Kurtz (see the Fall 1999 and Winter write Humanist Manifesto 2000 and Mitchell Kahle 1999/2000 issues of Free Inquiry). to secure so many worldwide endorse- Former President and Founder of ments—except Paul Kurtz. This is Hawaii Citizens for the Separation I am happy to endorse the Manifesto a crowning achievement of a distin- of State and Church and share its optimism. More empha- guished life of service to humanism and Honolulu, Hawaii sis should be placed humanity. Human beings are “perfectly imperfect” on the importance Bill E. Forney and so is the Manifesto. I still strongly and indeed, the Tulsa, Oklahoma support this inspiring documents as a right of every child U.S.A. principled framework that should guide to receive a Dewey- Congratulations. You the human pursuit of justice, equality, like, problem-solving did a magnificent job and peace for humankind. Consider me education, with much that those of us who an enthusiastic signer. greater emphasis on have committed a Richard P. Lipka understanding scien- lifetime to humanism Professor of Education tific method and the can be proud of. Pittsburgh State University fostering of critical Gordon Gamm Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania thinking. If this could Chair, Boulder be brought about then Although an atheist for 68 of my 75 International our optimism would years, I have just found Free Inquiry. Humanist Institute be fully justified. Its getting very lonely out there, and I Ronald C. Cave Having read Human­ am greatly encouraged by your orga- Former Chief ist Manifesto 2000, nization and publications. And now the Inspec­tor of Schools I write to express Manifesto! I am wholeheartedly in favor Cambridge, England my wholehearted support for the var- of it. ious sentiments and values described D. Stuart MacRobbie, m.d. My prediction: After the first millennium therein. I congratulate those involved in Sequim, Washington of municipal communities, the second drafting this significant document, and of the nation states, we will enter a We’d like to commend you and the other it is my hope to see its ultimate adoption third millennium of the global commu- people that provided input on Humanist by the citizens of the world. nity. Conflicts will no longer be settled Manifesto 2000, and we agree with your Glenn M. Hardie between nations but between social proposal for a new secular coalition. Former President, British Columbia groupings, between the haves and the Edgar L. Mangelsen Humanist Association have-nots. Weta W. Mangelsen Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Hopefully, our present excessive Larry C. Mangelsen materialistic wealth will be replaced by Having had sufficient time to consider Salton, City, California a wealth of cultural creativity and pro- the Humanist Manifesto 2000, I hereby I am glad to receive your invitation to ductivity. However, a self-induced disas- acknowledge my unequivocal congru- sign Humanist Manifesto 2000. It will ter that wipes out all previous cultural ence and personal endorsement. be a honor to for me to sign it. achievements is not inconceivable either. My only criticism is the omission M.A. Paz y Mi`no Richard R. Ernst of any mention of the failed “war on Lima, Peru Nobel Prize, Chemistry 1991 drugs,” which is clearly one of the most Laboratory for Physical Chemistry unreasonable actions undertaken by I agree almost completely with every- Zurich, Switzerland government in the modern era. (Continued on page 62)

free inquiry 26 The Road to Humanism

ere on the rim of the 21st century, we can now perhaps see better the his- H toric moral force and importance of humanist ideals—free inquiry, human rights, democracy, reason, science, secularism. So in the following pages, we take both the long and short view. In the long view, we highlight some of the events in the last 1,000 years that have helped to dramatically increase the influence of humanis- tic values, events that have changed the world. In the short view, we examine one small but meaningful slice of this history—the birth and 20-year story of Free Inquiry and its impact on the world of ideas and the human condition.

27 fi spring 2000

On Entering the Third Decade: Personal Reminiscences

A Humanistic Journey

Paul Kurtz

his year marks the twentieth anniversary of Free Inquiry magazine and its sponsoring organization, the Council for Secular Humanism (CSH). This is Ta propitious time to reflect on the circumstances that led to the founding of Free Inquiry, to touch on some exciting highlights of the past two decades, and to project ahead to our third decade. I say this in light of the fact that the Council has become the leading humanist organization in North America, and its umbrel- la organization, the Center for Inquiry (CFI), now represents the largest freethought movement in the history of this country and one of the strongest in the world—over 100,000 readers and supporters of our various publications and activities.

The Creation of Free Inquiry and the Council for Secular Humanism

Free Inquiry was founded in 1980—at a time when secular humanism was under heavy attack in the United States from the so-called Moral Majority. Indeed, Ronald Reagan’s presidential

29 fi spring 2000 campaign was sparked by the unremitting American Atheists organization was one demonization of secular humanists. The of the rare exceptions in criticizing reli- religious Right claimed that there was a gion; but she had so discredited atheism “secular humanist conspiracy” and that by intemperate attacks on believers and FIRST the public schools and universities, the unbelievers alike that unbelief had few courts, the media, labor unions, and liberal responsible defenders on the national DECADE organizations, such as the American Civil scene.2 Liberties Union (ACLU) and the National Three people in particular persuaded me Education Association, were all dominated to found Free Inquiry: George and Virginia by the secular humanist outlook; and its Olincy, who headed the Andrew Norman Secular Humanist detractors insisted that this influence had Foundation in Los Angeles and were stal- Declaration issued. to be rooted out. At that time almost no wart defenders of the ACLU and the rights

Free Inquiry founded; first one on the national scene was prepared to of atheists in America (they journeyed to issue, Winter 1980, admit that he or she was a secular human- Buffalo to urge me to enter into the fray), published. ist, let alone to defend or even define secu- and Gordon Stein, editor of The American lar humanism. Rationalist and a staunch exponent of “Science, the Bible, and I had just come off of ten provocative freethought and atheism. A fourth per- Darwin” conference. years as editor of The Humanist maga- son whose judgment I valued most highly zine. I had quadrupled the circulation, but was my former professor at New York “Religion in American I had resolved never again to edit a maga- University, the philosopher Sidney Hook, a Politics” conference. zine run by an organization (the American defender of human freedom and a critic of Humanist Association). I was reluctant to totalitarianism. He thought that this project James Madison Memorial leap into the fray again, because I found was eminently worthy of pursuing and he Committee founded to com- humanist board politics debilitating to the urged me to proceed. memorate James Madison creative process and to free expression; Accordingly, I agreed to go ahead with and Religious Liberty and though I am sure that this was unintended this new venture and to devote my time mount campaign to establish and that board members believed in free and energy to it. I was primarily interest- Madison Home as a national inquiry, in principle at least.1 ed at that time in creating a new journal monument. In view of the serious threat that the of opinion, not in creating an organiza- intemperate attacks on secular human- tion—this attitude of mine would change Academy of Humanism ism posed to our democracy, I had been over the years. founded. urged by dozens and dozens of colleagues And so both the Council for Democratic “Armageddon and Biblical to create a new magazine forthrightly and Secular Humanism (in 1996 renamed Apocalyptic: Are We Living in defending the secular humanist viewpoint, to the simpler Council for Secular 3 the Last Days?” conference. one that was nonreligious and secular and Humanism) and Free Inquiry were made no bones about it. I should add that launched. We adopted the neutral term Religion and Biblical I was accustomed to controversy, for I free inquiry for the magazine because we Criticism Research Project had founded Prometheus Books in 1969— were committed first and foremost to the initiated. now the leading publisher of humanist, need to defend free inquiry into all areas of skeptical, and atheist literature in the human interest; and we believed that, even Committee for the Scientific world—and I was also instrumental in though religion had a powerful influence Examination of Religion founding the Committee for the Scientific in the public square, free inquiry into its founded, Gerald Larue, Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal claims was largely verboten in America chairman. (CSICOP) in 1976, devoted to critically (and still is). Secular Humanist Bulletin exposing claims of the paranormal. Its I should also add that we started this founded. magazine, the Skeptical Inquirer, edit- venture from scratch with almost no cap- ed by the distinguished science writer ital, except for a modest three-year grant “Jesus in History and Myth” Kendrick Frazier, did not deal with reli- from the Olincys, later extended another conference. gious claims per se unless empirical facts two years. This was supplemented by a were at issue, and it was not concerned grant from another foundation, which for- “Faith Healing Investigations” with ethical and social issues. Unfor­ tunately has made our survival possible. project launched, with James tunately, all of the humanist organizations I wished to serve as editor of FI without Randi. and publications in the United States con- any compensation whatsoever, but George sidered themselves to be “religious,” even Olincy insisted that I receive a salary, though nontheistic. Religious humanists however small ($12,000 per year), which  were hesitant of openly criticizing reli- I accepted reluctantly the first few years, “Ethics in Conflict: Biblical gion (or the paranormal), for they feared then began donating it back; and in the vs. Secular Morality” con- it would expose humanism to the charge last 13 years I have received no compensa- of atheism. Madalyn Murray O’Hair’s tion whatever. This was primarily a labor

free inquiry 30 BEST OF HUMANISM

of love. Included in this chorus of denunciation The first issue of Free Inquiry was were well-known preachers such as Pat ference. published in the fall of 1980. It contained Robertson, Jerry Falwell, Jimmy Swaggart, Secular Humanist Friendship A Secular Humanist Declaration, which and Tim LaHaye, and a wide range of pol- Centers announced. First I drafted and which was endorsed by 58 iticians who echoed the same refrain. For Center founded in Western leaders in thought and action worldwide, example, Senator Jeremiah Denton (R-Ala., New York. including Isaac Asimov (the famous sci- chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on ence-fiction writer), Francis Crick (DNA Security and Terrorism) declared that what Free Inquiry and Paul Kurtz discoverer), the eminent philosophers we were about was “an unAmerican and sue in Federal Court con- A. J. Ayer and Sidney Hook, Albert Ellis unconstitutional drive to establish secular cerning opening of Congress 4 (noted psychologist), Joseph Fletcher, humanism as the state religion.” with a prayer. B. F. Skinner (the Harvard psychologist), These preposterous charges were to be Barbara Wootton (member of the British tested many times in subsequent years in Federal Judge Brevard Hand House of Lords), and others. the courts and school districts across the in Alabama bans secular We stated that “the first principle of land. It was based in part on a footnote to humanist textbooks. Paul democratic secular humanism is its com- the Supreme Court decision in Torcaso v. Kurtz and Free Inquiry con- mitment to free inquiry. . . . This applies Watkins (1961) written by Justice Hugo test in open court. not only to science and everyday life, but Black which stated that secular human- First Secular Sobriety to politics, economics, morality, and reli- ism and Ethical Culture should have the gion.” We observed that “countless mil- same rights as religions such as Buddhism Group announced by lions of thoughtful persons have espoused and Taoism. This was not a ruling by the Jim Christopher in Los secular humanist ideals.” We deplored Court, only a footnote. Angeles. Becomes Secular “the growth of intolerant sectarian creeds One especially serious challenge to sec- Organizations for Sobriety that foster hatred.” “It is possible,” we ular humanism occurred when Federal (SOS). maintained, “for human beings to lead District Court Judge Brevard Hand in Robert Ingersoll Birthplace meaningful and wholesome lives without Mobile, Alabama, ordered some 45 books in Dresden, New York, the need of religious commandments or (by Daniel Boorstin, A. H. Maslow, John purchased by CODESH. the benefit of clergy. . . . Secular human- Dewey, and others) to be removed from Plans to create a museum ism places trust in human intelligence the public schools because they expressed announced. rather than divine guidance.” “the religion of secular humanism.” He was We were pleased by the immediate responding to a suit brought by 624 par- “Roman Catholicism positive reception that Free Inquiry ents against the school board. I was asked Confronts the Modern received. The Declaration made the front to appear in court in Mobile by 12 parents Secular World” conference. page of the New York Times, and it was who disagreed with his ruling. People for covered by hundreds of newspapers and the American Way and the ACLU brought A Declaration of magazines worldwide. In the second and me to defend secular humanism. I labeled Interdependence: A New third issues of Free Inquiry we carried this charade as “The New Inquisition in Global Ethics issued by the excerpts of columns of some of our crit- the Schools.”5 Attorney Ronald Lindsay, Academy of Humanism, fall, ics, including Patrick Buchanan (he later on behalf of the Council, entered an amic­ endorsed by IHEU. FI hosts called me “Mr. Secular Humanist” and us brief. We argued that secularism was IHEU World Congress. invited me on “Crossfire” on two occa- embodied in the Constitution and that sions), Phyllis Schlafly, Roscoe Drum­ humanism pervaded all aspects of modern “The Case for Active mond, John P. Roche, Edwin P. Morgan intellectual and cultural life. To seek to Voluntary Euthanasia” (who was complimentary), and other well- extirpate it is to repeal the modern world. issued. known commentators. The ruling by Judge Hand (we called him Andreí Sakharov welcomed the “Unlearned Hand”) was subsequently to U.S. and received Secular Humanism Is Not overturned by an appeals court. the IHEU Distinguished a Religion There were numerous other challenges Humanist Award. The first decade of Free Inquiry examined to secular humanism; for example, those a wide range of topics, but our primary who wished to teach creationism alongside  focus was threefold: First, we dealt with of evolution in the schools often changed what had become a controversial political/ that to teach evolution alone was “to estab- legal issue in the United States during the lish the religion of secular humanism.” Morris D. Forkosch Book first half of the 80s. This was the charge Interestingly, John Whitehead, founder of Award established for best that “the religion of secular humanism” the Rutherford Institute, who later emerged humanist book. Arthur N. dominated the major institutions of the as a key figure in the Paula Jones case Strahler wins for Science and United States, and that this was a viola- against President Clinton, played a key role Earth History: The Evolution/ tion of the First Amendment because it in pursuing this legal challenge. Creation Controversy. Best constituted the establishment of a religion. This issue has lessened in recent years.

31 fi spring 2000 We maintained throughout that humanism chairmanship of Professor Gerald Larue article series awarded to Paul was an ethical, philosophical, and scientif- (of the University of Southern California) Edwards for his “The Case ic viewpoint, and not a religion. This posed who directed this line of research. Among against Reincarnation” in FI. a legal difficulty in one sense, because the distinguished scholars who participated Vatican/Humanist Dialogue although the Council held a 501(c)(3) were John Robinson, Randel Helms, John held September 30–October educational exemption from the start, all Priest, Morton Smith, Carl Meyers, Vern 2, 1988, in Amsterdam other humanist organizations in America Bullough, Robert Alley, Joe Barnhart, David (IHEU) with FI editors in hold a religious exemption. Noel Freedman, R. Joseph Hoffmann, John attendance. During this first decade we entered Allegro, Van Harvey, John Hick, and later into several other legal challenges. Ronald Hector Avalos and Robert Price. George D. ”Living Without Religion: The Lindsay sued the House and the Senate Smith wrote a series of important articles Good Life vs. the Afterlife” chaplaincies on our behalf because on the Mormon Church. Among the popular conference. we requested that a secular humanist themes that were discussed in the pages (myself) be allowed to open the Congress. of Free Inquiry were the Resurrection, the Special invitation to readers We would provide some moral instruction Virgin Birth, how the Bible was written, of FI to become Charter to the Congress (which we thought was of etc. Many of the conferences we convened Associate Members of need of it!), but since we refused to engage were immensely significant, such as the CODESH. in prayer we were denied that right. We conference on “Armageddon and Biblical First Atheist/Humanist took this up to the First Federal Appeals Apocalyptic” at the University of Southern Dialogue held in Moscow by Court. But our petition was turned down California, Los Angeles in 1984; “Jesus IHEU, with participation of FI by a vote of 2 to 1, with Ruth Bader in Myth and History” at the University of Ginsburg, later appointed to the Supreme Michigan in 1985 (where we were picketed editors Court, supporting our position. by Lyndon La Rouche’s US Labor Party); Announcing the founding Free Inquiry began sponsoring national the discussion of “Ethics in Conflict: Biblical of African Americans for conferences on this theme. We met at the vs. Secular Morality” at the University of Humanism, Norm Allen, National Press Club in Washington, D.C., Richmond in 1986; and the conference on director in 1983 to commemorate James Madison’s “The Vatican and Catholic Doctrine” at birthday, and we established the James American University in Washington, D.C., Dedication of Robert Madison Memorial Committee.6 This con- in 1987.8 Ingersoll Memorial ference defended liberty of thought and Free Inquiry devoted several issues Committee conscience and the separation of church to examining claims of the faith heal- and state. Many distinguished personali- ers. James Randi played a key role here, ties contributed: Daniel Boorstin (librari- exposing deception and outright chica- an of Congress), Henry Steele Commager nery. Among those investigated were (noted historian), Senators Sam Ervin, W. T. Grant, Pat Robertson, Ernest SECOND Lowell Weicker, and others. Another con- Angley, David Paul, Peter Popoff, and later ference was held at the State University of Morris Cerullo. This received consider- DECADE New York at Buffalo campus in Amherst, able national media attention, for it was New York, on “Science, the Bible, and the first time that the blatant excesses Darwin” in 1982.7 Interestingly, the pres- of religion were exposed in this way. A “An African-American Humanist ident of the university, Steven Sample, high point was when Randi demonstrated Declaration” issued by African recounted to me that he had received more on Johnny Carson’s “Tonight Show” how 9 Americans for Humanism letters and telephone calls of complaint Peter Popoff bilked the public. Popoff’s about our meeting on campus than any- so-called messages from God were com- thing he could remember. His response municated backstage by his wife via a was to defend academic freedom: we had secret radio receiver in his ear! This entire every right to meet on campus. faith-healing charade later inspired Steve A second major issue that concerned us Martin’s satirical movie, Leap of Faith. Media Project of Center for in the first decade of Free Inquiry was our The third basic issue that Free Inquiry Inquiry announced by Tom call for the critical examination of religion. examined was the question of whether or Flynn, director, Inquiry Media Because the Bible was being used as a not it is possible to be moral without a Productions. 13-part series for political weapon, it was important that it belief in God. This was in response to the distribution be open to critical public scrutiny. Thus irresponsible charges leveled against sec- Free Inquiry brought to its pages a great ular humanists that we were “pernicious,” Alliance of Secular Humanist number of distinguished biblical scholars, “immoral,” and allowed “anything to go.”10 Societies (ASHS) announced. and it devoted several conferences to the We tried to make it clear that, though sec- 22 groups listed. theme. Indeed, we eventually founded the ular humanists may be agnostics, atheists, Committee­ for the Scientific Examination or skeptics about the God question, they Secular Humanist Aid and of Religion in 1984 under the consummate are deeply committed to ethical values and

free inquiry 32 BEST OF HUMANISM

moral responsibility. often in cooperation with the International Relief Program (SHARP) listed, These early years were most excit- Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU). There spring, for aid to victims of nat- ing, for we were able to bring to our was an important dialogue, for example, ural disasters. Later changed pages many of the intellectual leaders between the Vatican and humanists held to Secular Humanist Aid and of thought and action. The International in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, in the Relief Efforts (SHARE). Academy of Humanism was founded in fall of 1988.12 Beginning with the IHEU 1983 on the 500th anniversary of the World Congress held in Amherst in 1988 International Development Inquisition and the 350th anniversary of (which over 1,000 people attended), we Committee listed. the trial of Galileo, and it included in its began to initiate dialogues between Soviet fold many of the leading humanist think- atheists and humanists. At that Congress “A Eupraxophy Agenda” ers of the world. Sidney Hook appeared in “A Declaration of Interde­pendence: A published. many issues of Free Inquiry, consistently New Global Ethics” was issued by the Forkosch Book award defending democracy and attacking total- International Academy of Humanism.13 I to Stephen Jay Gould itarianism. The famous philosopher Karl subsequently visited Moscow four times as for Wonderful Life. Adolf Popper criticized B. F. Skinner’s endorse- communism was breaking up, in an effort ment of the Secular Humanist Declara­ to establish a new Center for Inquiry and Grünbaum for best article. tion and would not sign it because of that. a new humanist organization. Throughout Plans for CODESH’s new His reasons were that Skinner did not this decade we defended Andreí Sakharov headquarters, Center for believe in freedom. In the same issue B. F. (the noted Soviet dissident), and in 1988 Inquiry, announced.­ Phase I: Skinner replied. Similarly, Sidney Hook I had the honor to present him with the 5,700-square-foot farmhouse and Corliss Lamont engaged in debate International Humanist Award on his first and office building ($420,000 about the relationship of humanism to trip to New York.14 goal). Phase II: Expanded communism. The noted Harvard professor Center, $1.5 million. (Total E. O. Wilson appeared in Free Inquiry sev- Eupraxsophy: Converting capital goal of $1,920,000). 2.5 eral times defending sociobiology and bio- acres of land purchased. diversity. There was a significant debate a Magazine to a on the return of the sacred among Daniel Movement “Humanism and Liberty” Bell, Joseph Fletcher, William Bainbridge, As the first decade of publishing Free conference. and myself. Many distinguished authors Inquiry began to draw to a close, it became Phase I of Center for Inquiry were represented over the years in our clear that we needed to enlarge our focus opened. Phase II campaign now pages: Ernest Nagel, Albert Ellis, Thomas and to transform ourselves from a magazine Szasz, Carl Sagan, Brand Blanshard, to a movement, national and worldwide in refocuses. Richard Kostelanetz, Marvin Kohl, scope. New issues were emerging on the Forkosch awards to Steve Garrett Hardin, Paul MacCready, Daniel horizons. Reagan and Thatcher had domi- Allen for Steve Allen on the Maguire, Jan Narveson, H.J. Blackham, nated the political process in both the U.S. Bible, Religion, and Morality, Robert Rimmer, and others. In the first and Britain in the 1980s. By the end of the decade we ran interviews with important and to Richard Taylor for “The decade, communism in Russia and Eastern American Judiciary as Secular authors: Isaac Asimov, Francis Crick, B.F. Europe had collapsed. Fundamentalism Priesthood.” Skinner, Corliss Lamont, Steve Allen, and was growing worldwide. At the same time Jayne Meadows. Free Inquiry attempted global capitalism and American triumphal- “Challenges to Humanism,” to remain on the cutting edge of moral ism were on the ascendancy. the inaugural meeting of issues. We consistently defended the need In the 1990s, although the attacks on the Society for Humanist to stabilize world population; we defended secular humanism were restrained, the Philosophers, August abortion and gay rights. Vern and Bonnie influence of the Christian Coalition and 23–24, Brock University, St. Bullough, veteran editors of Free Inquiry, the religious Right became stronger than Catharines, Ontario. were supporters of Free Inquiry from the ever, particularly in the conservative wing start. They contributed a series of arti- of the Republican party. And much to cles on responsible sexual morality and our surprise, new levels of spirituality Coalition of Secular Humanism invited John Money, Robert Francoeur, entered into the public square; this was and Freethought announced: Rob Tielman, Sol Gordon, and others to everywhere heralded by the mass media. CODESH, Prometheus Books, contribute. Also noteworthy is the fact Professions of piety became a common- SOS, Humanist Association that Free Inquiry was the first magazine to place synonym for American patriotism. of Canada, Rationalist open its pages to Dr. Jack Kevorkian (and Even liberal democrats sang in the hal- Association, Institute for Derek Humphry), who defended assisted lelujah choir; as belief in angels and mir- First Amendment Studies, suicide and voluntary euthanasia; and acles grew, religion seemed to be gain- Mexican Association for Ethical it issued the “Case for Active Voluntary ing added momentum. The principles of Rationalism. 11 Euthanasia,” drafted by Gerald Larue. the Enlightenment, which FI represented, During its first decade Free Inquiry seemed beleaguered by the attacks of both “Humanism and Changing helped initiate several important debates,

33 fi spring 2000 religionists and postmodernists. the same theme.16 Here Tim Madigan, the Traditional Values” confer- A key question unsettled us: In the face new executive editor of Free Inquiry, and ence. of the virtually uncontested growth of reli- myself argued that secular humanists need FI staff defends abortion clinic giosity and the apparent marginalization to be involved in face-to-face communica- under assault from Operation of religious dissent, what role could the tion, and that human beings need to belong Rescue, April 20–May 1. estimated 8 to 13% of the American pub- to congenial communities. Vern Bullough lic who identify themselves as religious aptly called these “Friendship Centers.” CODESH announces sale dissenters—including many of the leading I decided to see if I could come up of booklets for “Celebration scientists and intellectuals—play in the with a new term, and so I introduced and Ceremonies for Secular future? The challenge was hurled at us: eupraxophy, made from the Greek roots Humanists.” Could a person who did not believe in God eu— “good, well”; praxis—“conduct, play a significant role in society, be moral- practice”; sophia—“scientific and philo- Free Inquiry format ly responsible and a good citizen; could he sophical wisdom.” Eupraxophy refers to redesigned. or she find life meaningful in a naturalistic a set of convictions and practices that “World Overpopulation universe? Our answers, of course, were in provided a cosmic outlook (naturalistic and Environment,” a state- the affirmative. and nontheistic) and ethical guidance to ment from the Academy of Already in the late 1980s there were life (drawn from human experience, not Humanism. calls from our readers to help organize from ancient religious documents), and I an opposition, or at least to organize local argued that we need to fulfill many of the Announcing the opening of the grass-roots secular humanist groups. As functions of traditional religion. I received Robert G. Ingersoll Museum, we traveled around the country we heard more mail on that issue than anything after two years of construction. similar complaints—from Mobile and else before or after. Many people loved the Atlanta to Salt Lake City and Cincinnati, new term. Others complained that they Gordon Stein appointed Director from Colorado Springs to Dallas—“We had difficulty in pronouncing it. I replied of Center for Inquiry Libraries feel isolated and alone. Every other street that we needed a new term, and that new to catalogue and acquire books corner has a church or a temple. We find terms are being coined every day in the for the new Freethought and this oppressive. Why can’t the human- Information Age; after all, Christianity Humanist Library. ists organize effective communities where and Marxism were in their own day “Fundamentalist Assaults on like-minded secularists, humanists, agnos- neologisms. In deference to this concern Liberty” conference. tics, and atheists meet together in fellow- about pronunciation, however, I have since ship?” added an s; so it is now eupraxsophy (pro- Humanist–Mormon Dialogue The courageous village atheist often nounced u-prax-sophie).17 The point is that stood alone in proclaiming his iconoclasm; we need to go beyond philosophy, “the love Statement, “In Defense of but it is difficult for most individuals to do of wisdom,” to the practice of wisdom; and Secularism,” issued. so without some supporting system. Thus beyond the specialized sciences, to draw we decided to encourage and assist the the implications of the scientific outlook to CODESH announces new organization of secular humanist commu- life. Although secular humanism is ethical, award, “Secular Humanist nities. We did this first in Western New it seeks to address the meaning question Mentors,” for leaders. York (the Amherst/Buffalo area); and then and to provide an existential alternative in Albany, New York; Fort Lauderdale; to theism. In any case, eupraxsophy is Kansas City; Washington, D.C.; Los not a religion, for it does not worship a Angeles; and elsewhere. A new movement deity, emphasize piety, or have a dogmatic was forming. Though we often lacked suffi- creed. Ground-breaking for the cient financial resources, we were creating If we are to succeed, I maintained, we new Phase II addition to the a network of nonreligious humanists who need to take new directions for secular Center for Inquiry, held May were committed to working cooperatively humanism. Heretofore, most humanist 21. together. Today there are now some 90 organizations developed chapters or soci- secular humanist groups in North America eties, where people would typically gather Antony Flew received Forkosch and they are growing rapidly. once a month and hear a learned discourse, Award for Atheistic Humanism, An immediate charge was heard from usually criticizing God or immortality. This Robert Lane Fox for his article within: Are you becoming a religion, some- is no doubt important. But we need to on Noah’s Ark. thing you declared you would not do? Are address the central question: If God is dead our critics correct about that? With this (there is no evidence that He ever lived), the Plans for Center for Inquiry challenge in mind I set about to draft a key option for us is the fact that humans Library announced. “Price of blueprint for an alternative, nonreligious, are alive, and the great challenge is for Reason Campaign,” goals: secular, and humanist movement. Thus I each and every person to live a full life, 3,000-square-foot library to published the book Eupraxophy: Living enriched, creative, and exuberant. We need house up to 25,000 books with without Religion.15 We later devoted a a positive and affirmative message. And we future expansion to 50,000 special issue of Free Inquiry magazine to need also to deal with needs that emerge

free inquiry 34 BEST OF HUMANISM

for all age groups and at all stages of life: to appreciate the nature of the sciences. books. Need endowment of moral education (without religion) for chil- Moreover, it does not deal with religion $800,000 ($400,000 from dren; programs for high school and college or seek to provide an ethical alternative. CODESH), plus $500,000 to students, for families, for singles, retirees, Nevertheless, both CSH and CSICOP share build library and provide funds and seniors. We need to provide a place some common premises, namely our com- to celebrate the rites of passage, to offer mitment to science and reason. for acquisitions. rational-emotive therapy counseling, to cul- The second decade of CSH thus has Total capital needs: $1,300,000 tivate an appreciation for the sciences and been devoted to further building the secular (1/2 CODESH). the arts, and above all to provide a support humanist movement. It has been extreme- “Defending Reason in system and offer a congenial meeting place ly active in hosting regional institutes and an Irrational World” (with for shared experiences. seminars throughout North America. In CSICOP), announcement Secular humanist eupraxsophers share the last decade the CFI Institute (a joint that $4.2 million has been a common core of basic beliefs: (1) we are project of CSICOP and CSH) was devel- raised of $3.9 million target. committed to using critical thinking and oped in order to train secular humanist 20,000-square-foot total space. scientific methods to test claims to truth; mentors, skeptical leaders, and to develop (2) we reject the ancient mythological a “think tank.” “Averroës and the tales of theists, for they do not satisfy the Our plans to build a unique free­ Enlightenment,” first confer- criteria of evidence and reason; (3) we thought, humanist, and skeptical library ence of secularists held in interpret both nature and human nature were announced earlier in the decade; and Cairo, Egypt, December 5–9, in naturalistic and evolutionary terms; I am happy to say it is now the strongest 1994. IHEU and CODESH (4) we cherish affirmative ethical values: such library in the world, with over 30,000 sponsored effort to apply secu- we wish to maximize individual freedom volumes and journals. larism to Islamic world. and autonomy, we believe in the common During this period the Alliance for moral decencies, and ethical excellencies; Secular Humanist Societies evolved to “The Good Life: A Humanist and (5) our social philosophy emphasizes coordinate the growing number of secular Perspective” conference. our commitment to democracy and the humanist groups. The Secular Humanist Center for Inquiry grand open- need to develop a genuine planetary com- Bulletin (edited by Tom Flynn) became munity that transcends divisive ancient, the newsletter of the Council, which was ing. Phase II completed, June ethnic, religious, and racial loyalties. opened to Associate Membership. 9–10, Amherst, N.Y.

Thus, the original effort to publish sim- We also initiated African-Americans for Free Inquiry cosponsors ply a magazine had been transformed into Humanism, under the leadership of Norm conferences in Madrid at an organization in which CSH plays a vital Allen, in 1989, and developed it during the the founding of the Spanish role. Although Free Inquiry is basic to our second decade. This is devoted to enhanc- Rationalist Humanist entire effort, since it defines issues of con- ing an awareness of humanism, critical Association. Meetings of cern to humanists, we have gone beyond thinking and self-reliance among African new organizations in Delphi, that; we have brought humanism to the Americans, the most religious minority in Greece, and San José, Costa public square where people actually live America. and work. Similarly, in the late 1980s we also cre- Rica. ated Secular Organizations for Sobriety Building Centers for Matt Cherry appointed (SOS) under Jim Christopher, and con- CODESH Executive Director. Inquiry tinued to support its growth throughout As our original focus was being reformu- the second decade. This unique self-help lated, it became apparent to us that, if we group is interested in coping with alcohol are really to achieve our goals, namely to and drug addiction. It is an alternative Center for Inquiry West provide an alternative for secularists and to AA, for it does not require belief in a opens in Los Angeles, July 7, humanists in our society, we would need “higher power.” SOS has led to the for- cosponsored with CSICOP. to build institutions that would last, and mation of hundreds of groups all over the Headquarters of SOS as well. this entailed the building of actual centers United States and across the world. where people could meet. Thus, in cooper- During this period we also opened the “Defending Church-State ation with CSICOP and Skeptical Inquirer Robert G. Ingersoll Museum in Dresden, Separation,” Queen Mary, magazine, we announced at the beginning New York. Ingersoll (1833–1899) was the Long Beach, California, of the second decade our goal to create the leading agnostic of the nineteenth cen- November 4. first Center for Inquiry (CFI) in Western tury. The Council purchased the home “In Defense of Freedom of New York. The skeptical movement now where he was born in 1986 and refur- Conscience: A Cooperative has 100 groups worldwide. Its goals are bished and opened it as a freethought Baptist/Secular Humanist not the same as the goals of CSH—it museum in 1993. Declaration” published, FI. is concerned primarily with examining Last but not least is the creation in 1996 claims of the paranormal, in criticizing of the Campus Freethought Alliance (CFA) Announcing a new “Fund for fringe science, and in educating the public under the leadership of Derek Araujo,

35 fi spring 2000 Amanda Chesworth, Austin Dacey, and brought to our pages interviews with Peter the Future” with completion of others. The purpose of CFA is to develop Ustinov, Barbara Ehrenreich, Arthur C. Center for Inquiry. Four new secular humanist groups on various col- Clarke, John Searle, Svetozar Stojanovic, goals listed — New Endowment lege and university campuses throughout Robert Muller, Wole Soyinka, Camille Fund: the United States. Allied with the CFA is Paglia, Patricia Churchland, Daniel 1. Moral Education and Critical the Young Freethinkers Alliance (YFA), Dennett, and others. We also attempted Thinking — for adults and chil- an organization devoted to developing sec- to present some of the leading scientists dren ular humanist groups in high schools and and thinkers of the day, including Antony 2. The Institute for Inquiry secondary schools throughout the country. Flew, Paul Edwards, Adolf Grünbaum, 3. Media Outreach/Rapid Mario Bunge, Richard Taylor, Albert Ellis, Response More on Free Inquiry’s E.O. Wilson, Arthur Caplan, Tad Clements, 4. The Libraries Second Decade Thelma Lavine, and Richard Rorty; as well as well-known writers such as Nat $10 million for CODESH over Free Inquiry, the key battleship in the Hentoff, Wendy Kaminer, Steve Allen, Alan 10 years, and $10 million for humanist flotilla, continued to provide the Dershowitz, and Christopher Hitchens. CSICOP intellectual case for secular humanism In our judgment, Free Inquiry has The Center for Inquiry: Critical all during our second decade. Although emerged as the leading humanist jour- we were not being challenged directly Studies in Religion, Ethics nal in the world. Our focus has been on the barricades, as in the first decade, and Society at Westminster international. We have presented articles nonetheless the so-called culture wars College, Oxford, England, about belief and unbelief in various coun- continued, and the values that secular announced — with a series of tries: Britain, France, Germany, Ireland, humanists cherish were bitterly contested. seminars. the Netherlands, Norway, Israel and the This involved a continued assault on the Middle East, Egypt, Slovakia, Russia, CODESH announced that it “right to choose.” We have consistently Poland, Romania, Yugoslavia, Serbia, would like to train people to defended the right of privacy, autonomy, Ghana, Nigeria, and China. Of special perform secular celebrations and personal self-determination. We have interest were our articles dealing with the and ceremonies, and will defended abortion, euthanasia, feminism, defenders of human rights in post-Marx- embark on offering celebra- sexual freedom, and homosexuality, which ist Eastern Europe, such as Alexander were all under attack. But we also stated tions and ceremonies. Dubcek (Czechoslovakia) and Mikhail our support of family values, though we Gorbachëv (Russia). And we brought to Kansas City Eupraxophy wished to enlarge the idea of the family so our pages the views of humanist leaders Center opens new office at that it was more inclusive. from throughout the world: Rob Tielman the United Labor Building. It During this decade, the Council con- (Netherlands), Levi Fragell (Norway), will begin disseminating infor- vened two important dialogues—between Mrs. Indumati Parikh and V. M. Tarkunde mation about CODESH and Mormons and humanists in Salt Lake City, (India), Jean-Claude Pecker and Yves CSICOP. and Baptists and humanists in Richmond, Galifret (France), Harry Stopes-Roe and Virginia. They were the first such dia- Jim Herrick (Britain), Henry Morgentaler Center for Inquiry hosts first 18 logues ever held. (Canada), and from the United States welcoming celebration, for We also dealt with a number of issues Warren Allen Smith, Khoren Arisian, Jonathan Kurtz, Jr. on the frontiers of scientific research such Howard Radest, Robert Tapp, Edd Doerr, as bioethics, transplants, and cloning. We and others. One area of considerable sig- also dealt with cosmology: Does a big bang nificance today is the resurgence of Islam. imply a first creator? Astronomers Alan We devoted many articles to this issue to Hale, Victor Stenger, and Jean-Claude Expanded “Fund for the Future the critical examination of the Koran and Pecker, and philosophers Adolf Grünbaum Islam, with the help of well-known Muslim Program” announced. and Quentin Smith, debated the issue. The dissenters: Ibn Warraq, Marvin Zayed, International Development attacks on Darwinism intensified during Armen Saginian, and Taslima Nasrin. Committee chaired by Paul the decade and we devoted space to exam- In the late 1990s we supplemented Kurtz, changed to International ining the idea of “intelligent design.” This our publication with Family Matters, a thesis was criticized by Richard Dawkins, Secretariat for Growth and newsletter edited by Jan Eisler, and Philo, Eugenie Scott, Michael Ruse, and oth- Develop­ment, to continue to edited by Lewis Vaughn, a theoretical jour- ers. We also analyzed the meaning of develop humanism throughout nal published by the Society of Humanist “consciousness.” Adam Carley, Patricia the world. Philosophers. All during the 90s we made Churchland, Daniel Dennett, and others great strides in building CSH. The Center Announcing the formation offered naturalistic theories based on the for Inquiry International was opened in of the Campus Freethought latest scientific research. 1995 in Amherst, New York (in cooperation Alliance for universities and Free Inquiry continued to provide a with CSICOP) in magnificent new quar- colleges. First meeting in forum for many of the best-known authors ters. Plans were announced to open new in America. In the second decade we Centers in Los Angeles (Center for Inquiry

free inquiry 36 BEST OF HUMANISM

West) and Kansas City (Center for Inquiry to defend the rights of unbelievers. We Amherst, N.Y. Midwest). Plans for other Centers are in deplore the constant efforts to drive secu- various stages of development in other lar humanism from the public square. We Name of CODESH changed to cities across North America, including are concerned that the rights of religious Council for Secular Humanism. Tampa Bay; Albany, New York; Toronto; dissenters are again threatened through- New Jersey/New York; and elsewhere. In out the world by zealous disciples of the Timothy Madigan named editor addition, we supported the launching of Parties of God. These concerns were found of Free Inquiry, Lewis Vaughn executive editor. Complete Camp Quest (under the Kagins), a secular in the first issue of Free Inquiry in 1980, camp for adolescents and teenagers. and they are felt again as we enter our redesign of Free Inquiry Another exciting new development was twentieth year in the year 2000. begins. the launching of a new public-access tele- “Global Humanism for the vision series, The Humanist Perspective, Looking Ahead Cyber Age” conference, moderated by Joe Beck and produced by I wish to conclude this overview by reflect- with IHEU. Tom Flynn, which is now airing in a dozen ing on the challenges that Free Inquiry cities across the continent. and the Council will face in the coming First Camp Quest. We also have developed cooperative decade. The first question that needs to “Declaration in Defense of working relationships with humanist groups be addressed is whether or not Free Cloning and the Integrity in other countries of the world: Russia Inquiry will survive. I do not mean to be (where we established a Center for Inquiry a Jeremiah of doom. Indeed, I very much of Scientific Research,” in Moscow), Mexico (we helped to found hope and expect that we will survive. International Academy of the Humanist Society there), Peru, China, Nevertheless, we need to ask whether Humanism. Serbia, Poland, Nepal, India, and elsewhere. there will be a role for small dissenting New journal, Philo, announc- We closed the decade by issuing magazines in the future. es publication. Published Humanist Manifesto 2000, which provided We face two challenges: First, the for the Society for Humanist a planetary bill of rights and responsibili- growth of vast media conglomerates make ties for the twenty-first century. This doc- it very difficult for niche magazines to Philosophers. ument, which has been widely discussed in compete in the present economic climate. Family Matters under the press, already has been translated into Five global media conglomerates in the direction of Jan Eisler ten languages and has been endorsed by United States now control 80% of the book launched. many distinguished humanists, including business (two of these are foreign). Similar 16 Nobel Prize-winners. concerns apply to the magazine business. CFI Moscow launched. A basic scientific question that has Newsstand sales are declining as inde- concerned us is, Why do people believe pendent bookstores and newsstands are “Science and Religion” in religion? The Council has devoted two rapidly disappearing. It is very difficult conference. national conferences to this theme. The to afford the heavy promotion costs nec-  first was held at the New York Academy essary to maintain, let alone increase, “Why Does Religion Persist? of Sciences in New York City in December circulation. Substantial advertising reve- Faith, Culture, and the Brain” 1998,19 and the second, “Why Does Religion nues are limited. Most serious magazines conference. Persist?,” was held in Chicago, Illinois, such as ours today run at a deficit. Added in May 1999.20 In my view there may be to this is the emergence of the Internet, a genetic predisposition (the transcen- which siphons off circulation. There are dental temptation) in some people for numerous apocalyptic prophecies about religiosity—though it is absent or muted in the fate of publications in the next decade. others. In any case, reason and cognition Are they exaggerated or will they under- are the best instruments for moderating mine dissenting magazines such as ours? I or deflating the excesses of overbelief. In first raised these questions in Free Inquiry the last analysis our best hope is critical in 1995, “Is This the Beginning of the intelligence, which nourishes science and End of the Age of Books?”22 The trends philosophy. But we need also to provide a that I anticipated seem to be intensifying. genuine secular and humanist alternative. Increasingly the mass media panders to We have been troubled throughout the the lowest common denominator. Today it decade by the question, “What is the future is willing to devote the lion’s share of its of secularism in America and the world?” time to selling spirituality and the para- In 1994 we issued a statement defend- normal, rather than promoting scientific ing the separation of church and state.21 rationalism and humanism. Humanism draws its vitality from the First If the secular humanist movement is to Amendment. We have within the past year survive we have to go back to the drawing established a new First Amendment Task boards, as I have suggested. We cannot Force under the leadership of Tom Flynn depend on the vicissitudes of media sen-

37 fi spring 2000 sationalism. That is why I have argued secular state.23 Neohumanists­ will need and especially with Thomas Flynn, a key that it is urgent that we develop local to undertake in the future the political leader of the movement, and Anthony and regional grass-roots eupraxso- action necessary in order to preserve Battaglia, director of development. I plan phy Centers for Inquiry and Human and enhance our democratic society. to continue working for humanism, Free Enrichment, which will appeal to the Inquiry, and the Council, but I wish to hearts and minds of men and women A Personal Note: concentrate on basic long-range poli- who reject theistic religions yet wish to The Changing of the cy questions, the overall editorial direc- lead an affirmative life. tion of FI, and resolving our continuing The freethought movement until now Guard financial deficits. I am pleased to report has not been able to build a viable mass I have been deeply involved in the that we also have a dedicated Board of base of support. If it is to do so, it must humanist movement for over 35 years. Directors concerned with ensuring our have sufficient dramatic appeal, it must I have done battle gladly and willingly; future. be able to inspire people, and it must but I recognize that eventually there will It has been a great 20 years. I have generate a deep-felt commitment. We have to be a changing of the guard. My enjoyed every moment of it. It has been need to criticize the dominant sacred efforts in the past decade have been to a pleasure and an honor to serve the cows of our culture and to cultivate crit- build and strengthen the new institu- cause. It is the continuous encourage- ical intelligence, but, more, we need to tions that we have created. In the past ment and support of our readers that provide meaningful alternatives. This, three years, I have gradually reduced has made this work exhilarating. I believe, we can do—for humanism in my daily involvement in Free Inquiry and Ideas can be powerful; they do have one sense expresses the deepest stream the Council and we have tried to secure consequences. We need to convince peo- of modern culture: it focuses on science, younger leaders for the movement. We ple that they should embrace the power reason, freedom, and democracy, which have a talented and enterprising new of humanism and that this can be lib- grew out of the Enlightenment. And it editor, Lewis Vaughn, who (working with erating for both the individual and the expresses values that are profoundly the editorial board) selects what goes society. If we move in this direction, I relevant to the present human condi- into the magazine. They have been able believe that humanism can grow in the tion. It is time that humanism translates to draw upon the skills of the managing next century and become truly global in its high ideals to the concrete experi- editor, Andrea Szalanski. The Council impact. fi ences of ordinary men and women. The is also now in the capable hands of its secular humanist says: Each person dynamic new executive director, Matt has one life to live; the option is not to Cherry, who is responsible for overseeing escape from life but to live it fully. Life its programs. These individuals work can be exciting, rewarding, a source closely with other members of the staff, of exuberance and happiness here and now. But we need to create a truly open no. 3 (Summer 1985); 7, no. 1 (Winter Notes society, in which the conditions of social 1986/87); 8, no. 1 (Winter 1987/88). justice can prevail. We need to extend 1. My dear friend and colleague Joseph 9. FI 6, no. 2 (Spring 1986); 6, no. Fletcher, the venerable Episcopal theolo- 3 (Summer 1986); 14, no. 1 (Winter the possibilities for the good life to all gian-turned-humanist, urged me to leave 1993/94). members of the planetary community. the board of “humanist bishops,” as he 10. At one point Pat Robertson’s That is our challenge: Can we togeth- called them, which I eventually did. “700 Club” sent a television crew to er build a powerful new movement, 2. In my judgment, Madalyn Murray had interview me on secular humanism for a 30-minute special. The attack was directly involving individuals? Can we made a great contribution in her early years in defending and criticizing the hypocrisy of so vicious that the producer, Larry help them to shed the chains of illusion religion, but she became in her latter years Quesenberry, who did the original foot- and enter into a new glorious humanist embittered, and she turned against her erst- age, resigned in protest. FI Vol. 1, no. 3 future? while colleagues on the freethought front. (Summer 1981): 38–39. There is a second major threat What a tragedy that she and her family have 11. FI 9, no. 1 (Winter 1988/89). apparently been murdered. 12. FI 9, no. 1 (Winter 1988/89). to humanism. And that is the effort 3. The term democratic was used only 13. FI 8, no. 4 (Fall 1988). expended by fundamentalist and ortho- to contrast it sharply with totalitarian 14. FI 9, no. 1 (Winter 1988/89); 10, dox religions to turn the clock back. forms of humanism. no. 2 (Spring 1990). Religions possess enormous economic 4. Free Inquiry 1, no. 3 (Summer 1981): 15. Amherst, N.Y.: Prometheus Books, 1989. Paperback edition issued and political power and they exert their 5. FI 7, no. 1 (Winter 1986/1987). 6. Under the leadership of Professor in 1994 as Living without Religion: influence on many fronts, not only in Robert Alley and A.E. Dick Howard, we Eupraxophy. the United States but throughout the convened several other meetings over the 16. FI 9, no. 2 (Spring 1989). world. Thus we must be prepared to do years in honor of the Bill of Rights. We 17. Or better yet, you-PRACKS-a-fee! battle for humanism by building a new were especially proud in being instrumen- 18. FI 9, no. 1 (Winter 1988/9); 10, no. tal in having the Madison homestead in 2 (Spring 1990). grass-roots organization, and by con- Montpelier, Virginia, gifted to the United 19. FI 19, no. 3 (Summer 1999). vincing tens of millions of people about States as a national monument. Members of 20. FI 19, no. 3 (Summer 1999). the viability of the humanist message. the committee included former presidents 21. FI 14, no. 2 (Spring 1994). Although­ humanists may support differ- Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford. See FI 3, 22. FI 14, no. 1 (Winter 1993/94). 23. FI 18, no. 4 (Fall 1998); 19, no. 2 ent political candidates and party plat- no. 3 (Summer 1983). 7. See FI 2, no. 3 (Summer 1982). (Spring 1999); 19, no. 3 (Summer 1999); forms, we need to organize a new sec- 8. See FI 4, no. 3 (Summer 1984); 3, 20, no. 1 (Winter 1999/2000). ular coalition to defend the pluralistic

free inquiry 38 BEST OF HUMANISM Two Decades of FI:

Great commentary, analysis, and quotes from previous issues A Retrospective

think that it’s an honorable thing to ne of the great tragedies of mankind change your mind occasionally. I don’t is that morality has been hijacked “I think it’s a sign of weakness or lack of “O by religion. So now people assume integrity. I believe men are united by their that religion and morality have a necessary doubts and separated by their convictions. connection. But the basis of morality is really Therefore, it’s a very good thing to have very simple and doesn’t require religion at all. doubts. Doubts are the greatest spur to activity It’s this: ‘Don’t do unto anybody else what you that I know of.” wouldn’t like to be done to you.’ It seems to me that that’s all there is to it.” —Peter Ustinov Warren Allen Smith’s Interview with Peter —Arthur C. Clarke Ustinov, Summer 1995 A Chat with Arthur C. Clarke on “God, Science, and Delusion,” Spring 1999

believe strongly that the humanistic worl­ “When I began to study he sources of “I dview of regarding the Koran, the holy book Calcutta’s woes humanity as one’s main of Islam, I found many “T and miseries are reference point, main goal, the very overpopulation and highest value is inher­ unreasonable ideas. The that the church says is no ent in human nature. On women in the Koran were problem, and the mass the other hand, we have to treated as slaves. They were influx of refugees from admit that human nature nothing but sexual objects.” neighboring regions that is not one-dimensional. have been devastated by Coupled with the good, the —Taslima Nasrin religious and sectarian humane, is the opposite. “One Brave Woman vs. warfare in the name of We have all come across Religious Fundamentalism,” God. So those who are ideas and acts that are Winter 1998/99 believers owe Calcutta big very remote from human­ time, they should indeed be ism. It is conditions and working to alleviate what social relations in which humans find them­ they are responsible for. But the pretense that selves that are partly responsible for that. But they are doing so is a big fraud.” in spite of that, we could say that anti- —Christopher Hitchens humanism contradicts the essence of Homo An Interview with Christopher Hitchens on sapiens.” Mother Teresa, Fall 1996 —Mikhail Gorbachev “A Victory for Humanity,” Winter 1997/98

39 fi spring 2000 he answer to the question ‘Will —Alan M. Dershowitz Secularism Survive?’ is assuredly in “Upholding the Wall of Separation,” “T the affirmative. Secularism as an ide­ Spring 1991 ology will likely be even more culturally mar­ umanism puts its ginalized in the decades ahead, but for some primary concentra­ Americans it will continue to “H tion on humankind provide what they believe to be as far as changing the world the most plausible explanation is concerned. Naturally, in a of reality or the best protec­ “To a child who is free society one is perfectly tion against what they take to six, or even twelve, at liberty to pray to super­ be the threatening excesses of human creatures for mate­ religion. Or both. no prayer recited in school rial things, but the material At their best, the true believ­ will be truly voluntary.” things we actually get in fact ers in secularism continue —Senator Lowell P. come from other humans or to affirm the possibility and Weicker, Jr. from our own efforts. A deity importance of universal rea­ “The Bible or the Constitution,” has never yet created an son, and that can be a basis Summer 1983 orphanage, a hospital, a con­ of alliance with all of us who vent or other religious insti­ want to resist the cultural tution. So humanists, for the deconstructionisms, secular most part, simply leave the and religious, now on the question of divine inspira­ ascendancy in our common life, and especially tion to one side, and approach things from a in the universities.” more practical point of view.” —Richard John Neuhaus —Steve Allen “Will Secularism Survive?,” Summer 1992 “The Frailty of Reason,” Winter 1988/89

he fight for the separation of church n regard to self-ac­ and state is a struggle that never ceptance, it seems “T stays won; it is a “I clear that devout struggle that will always religionists cannot accept continue. That’s why the themselves just because Council for Democratic and they are alive and because Secular Humanism and “Humanists retain they have some power to our collective work is so their anti-theological enjoy life. Rather, ortho­ important. . . . We are con­ principles and do not dox theists make their stantly fighting a minority accept the frequent claim self-acceptance contingent struggle. We sometimes that humanism is on their being accepted fool ourselves into think­ itself a religion.” by the god, the church, ing we may become a the clergy, and the other majority. Never believe —Corliss Lamont members of the religious that. Because the moment “Naturalistic Humanism,” denomination in which we think we’ve won the Winter 1986/87 they believe. If all these battle, the opposition will extrinsic persons and come from behind—they things accept them, then will come from directions and only then are they that we can’t suspect, and able to accept themselves— they will beat us. And the great experiment in which means that these religionists define separation of church and state will be over. themselves only through reflected appraisals Because this is an experiment—that’s all it is, of god and other humans. Fanatical religion, and that’s all it can ever be.” for such individuals, almost necessarily

free inquiry 40 BEST OF HUMANISM

winds up with lack of unconditional self-ac­ no proof for their dogmas. They accept no final ceptance and instead, with a considerable arbiter of governmental or moral standards degree of self-abasement and self-abnega­ except their own arrogant elitism.” tion—as virtually all the saints and mystics —Phyllis Schlafly have found.” “The Secular Humanist Declaration: Pro and —Albert Ellis Con, What Is Humanism?,” Spring 1981 “Is Religiosity Pathological?,” Spring 1988 hat Kurtz & Co. seek is the expur­ here are a great many problems and gation from public education of difficulties in developing and imple­ “W traditional religious beliefs about “T menting a program of moral educa­ the nature of man—and their replacement tion in our schools and homes. But, if our aim with the tenets of secular humanism. To be is to develop reflective men and women who exact—and to quote Sen. Jeremiah Denton of are prepared to accept responsibility for the Alabama—what Kurtz is about is an ‘un-Amer­ moral choices they make, at no point will the ican and unconstitutional’ drive ‘to establish injection of religious faith facilitate the pro­ secular humanism as a state cess.” religion.’” —Sidney Hook —Patrick Buchanan “God and Morality,” Winter “The Secular Humanist 1986/87 “There is something Declaration: Pro and dishonestly self-serving Con, America’s Coming in the tactic of claiming Religious War,” am an atheist, out and that all religious beliefs Spring 1981 out. It took me a long are outside the domain “I time to say it. I’ve been of science.” an atheist for years and ecular humanists years, but somehow I felt are not attempt­ —Richard Dawkins it was intellectually unre­ ing to ‘expurgate’ “When Religion Steps “S spectable to say one was an traditional religious atheist, because it assumed on Science’s Turf,” beliefs from the public knowledge that one didn’t Spring 1998 schools. Religious have. Somehow it was better attitudes pervade the val­ to say one was a humanist or ues and the outlook of a an agnostic. I finally decided large number of teachers. that I’m a creature of emotion as well as of The teaching of evolution in science classes, the reason. Emotionally I am an atheist. I don’t reading of novels that fundamentalists consider have the evidence to prove that God doesn’t ‘obscene,’ and exist, but I so strongly suspect he programs in sexual education do not mean that doesn’t that I don’t want to waste my time.” the ‘religion of secular humanism’ is being estab­ lished. Intemperate religious critics of the public —Isaac Asimov schools, in effect, seek to repeal the modern world. “Interview with Isaac Asimov,” Spring 1982 They are undermining the integrity of science in so far as they seek to dictate the content of biology textbooks and the science cur­ umanism recognizes and accepts riculum. They are imposing their own abortion, euthanasia, suicide, and all narrow conception of literature and the arts varieties of ‘sexual exploration’ and “H when they insist on the removal of books from immoral ‘lifestyles.’ Humanism works for the schools and libraries. Educators of diverse reli­ establishment of a ‘secular society,’ a ‘social­ gious denominations and backgrounds support ized economic order,’ world government, mili­ the independence of the sciences and the human­ tary disarmament, and population control by ities and the viability of an enriched educational the government. The secular humanists offer experience for students.”

41 fi spring 2000 FI Editors’ Picks The Last 1,000 Years

Humanistic ideals can be traced back to the dawn of civilization, but they have flourished more in the past 1,000 years than ever before. When the rights of human beings gain respect, when democracy is nourished, when science and reason expand human knowledge, when secular ideas arise and influence the world, humanism blossoms. The following is a catalogue of events that have signaled dramatic growth in the influence of these humanist ideals in the last millennium. The list, which is neither exhaustive nor exacting, has been selected by Free Inquiry editors. It reminds us that, if the past prepares the future and there is thus a further flowering of humanism, the next thousand years may be more promising than many humans believe. —Eds.

not the Earth, as the center of the The birth of economics (1770s). Based universe, Copernicus discredited on post-mercantilist view of what con- scripture as a guide to the cosmos stitutes wealth, work of Adam Smith and paved the way for all future devel- and others reduces effective powers opments in astronomy; vindicated of royalty while encouraging industri- empirical inquiry over Aristotelian al, commercial growth. authority as a means of determining Publishing of Edward Gibbon’s truth. “Decline and Fall” (1776–1788). Implicated Christianity and its hos- tility toward intellectual inquiry in the fall of Rome; popularized idea that religion could be responsible for sweeping, negative social conse- quences. “Convictions Malthus introduces modern notion Albert Einstein of overpopulation (1798). First to are more suggest that overpopulation posed a TECHNOLOGY dangerous genuine threat; pioneer in advocating for deliberate management of human & SCIENCE enemies of population’s size. Scholastic Awakening (1050–1200). truth than lies.” Rosetta Stone found (1799). Enabled Revived tradition of analytical inqui- translation of Egyptian hieroglyphs; ry; sparked foundation of Europe’s —Friedrich later scholars would demonstrate first universities. Nietzsche, that many Christian beliefs and prac- First recorded use of a compass Thus Spoke tices have Egyptian roots. Publication of Darwin’s “Origin of for navigation, in China (1117). Zarathustra Navigational tool not dependent on Species” (1859). Its naturalistic star observations expands range, reli- account of the origin of life made a ability of sea travel. fully nontheistic worldview credible Marco Polo travels to China (1298). to millions. Creates new Western awareness of Quantum Theory developed (1900– lands and peoples to the east. 1930). Established modern under- Johann Gutenberg invents mov­ standing of the subatomic universe; able-type printing press (1450). The Scientific Revolution (1600– freed scientific naturalism from The Bible is first book to be mass-pro- 1700). Galileo, Newton, Kepler dependence on strict determinism. duced. demonstrated the power of empirical Publication of Einstein’s theories of Publication of Copernicus’s “On inquiry to explain phenomena; under- “Special and General Relativity” the Revolutions of the Heavenly cut scripture-based views of the uni- (1905, 1916). Revolutionized phys- Spheres” (1543). Positing the sun, verse and humanity’s place therein. ics; stunning confirmations of certain

free inquiry 42 BEST OF HUMANISM

Einsteinian predictions smoothed the First commission of a work of art way for public comprehension of the by a secular patron (1434). Ended new physics. Roman Catholic Church’s monopoly Invention of the computer (ENIAC, over creation of artworks in the West. 1946). Electronic computing would The Renaissance (1450–1550). In art, usher in the so-called Third Industrial music, architecture, and politics, Revolution while flattening social and established humanity rather than commercial institutions and democra- God, this world rather than the next, tizing access to information. as the focus of human endeavor. Discovery of DNA (1953). Paving the Work of Shakespeare and Christopher way for unlocking the genetic code, Marlowe (late 1500s). With their “double helix” discovery also closed vivid characterizations, these great off one of the mysteries believers com- plays popularized the idea of individ- monly assigned to exclusive control of ual personalities, not fate or the gods, the deity. as primary shapers of events. Amino acids produced in test tube Poet Percy Bysshe Shelley attacked John Stuart Mill for his atheism (1811). Though Islam. Demonstrated applicability of expelled from Oxford for co-publish- rational inquiry to the study of all ing The Necessity of Atheism, Shelley subjects, including religion. became West’s first open atheist to Publication of Maimonides’ “Guide to enjoy successful literary career. the Perplexed” (1176). First great Poet Edward FitzGerald’s discovery secularizing, demythologizing work in and translation of Omar Khayyam’s the Jewish tradition. Rubaiyat (1859). Popularized a “In Praise of Folly” by Erasmus pub­ life-affirming, this-worldly viewpoint lished (1509 English edition 1549). rooted in a non-Christian culture. Pioneering critique of theology and Harlem Renaissance (1920s). First clericalism. distinctly African American voices Machiavelli’s “The Prince” (1513). in music and literature to win pres- Though ruthless, this guide for rulers tige, recognition among mainstream was the first to portray government critics. as a secular exercise best judged by its results, not by the dictates of PHILOSOPHY religious law. William Shakespeare & RELIGION Work of Montaigne (mid–1500s). His essays encompassed every aspect­ of Averroes (1126–1198) life and established autobiography as (1953). Demonstrated partial path- applies skepti­ a humanistic literary form. way by which life might arise from cism to study Publication of Hobbes’s “Leviathan”­ nonlife without divine intervention; o f (1651). Its notion of the social con- enhanced plausibility of strict natu- tract rooted the ruler’s power not in ralism among popular audiences. divine sanction, but in the consent of Space Exploration begun (1957). the governed. Ushered in unprecedented era of Literary and philosophical contri­ growth in scientific knowledge and butions of Voltaire (1694–1798). (for a time) public appreciation of Pre-eminent essayist, dramatist science. Advent of genetic engineering (1973). For first time, humans can influ- ence—as well as be influenced by— their genetic endowments. First test-tube baby born in England (1978). Extends human control over our own biology; confirms the new, mutual independence of sex and reproduction. ARTS & LITERATURE

43 fi spring 2000 (1779). This posthumous work lev- “Woman’s Bible,” vol. I (1895). First eled a withering attack, still powerful influential work to recognize the dam- today, against belief in miracles and age done by traditional Christianity religious supernaturalism generally. to women’s rights, autonomy, self-im- Publication of Mary Wollstonecraft’s age. “Vindication of the Rights of Freud’s speculations about the psy­ “Finally we shall Women” (1792). Pioneering wom- chology of religious belief (1920s). place the sun en’s rights treatise introduced key Though largely discredited today, feminist concepts, inspired many they made popular the idea of seek- itself at the 19th-century suffragists. ing this-worldly explanations for reli- center of the Publication of Thomas Paine’s “The gious phenomena. Age of Reason” (1794). This deis- Dewey’s “Experience and Nature” Universe. All this tic critique of Christian doctrine has (1925) and “Recon­struction in probably guided more inquirers out Philosophy” (1948). Set forth an is suggested by of their faith than any book save the influential naturalistic conception of the systematic Bible. science, art, and values. Defense of utilitarianism by Jeremy Publication of Bertrand Russell’s procession of Bentham (late 1700s) and J.S. Mill “Why I Am Not a Christian” (1927). events and the (mid–1800s). Popularized idea that Next to the Bible and Paine’s Age of moral precepts should be judged by Reason, perhaps the most effective harmony of the their consequences rather than by text for encouraging Christians to whole Universe, their conformity to pre-existing, often outgrow their faith. religious, norms. Development of logical positivism if only we face Schopenhauer’s denunciations of (1930s). Favored empirical science the facts, as religion (1818–1851). Popularized over metaphysics; popularized idea a wholly this-worldly view that that religious statements are inher- they say, ‘with acknowledged the importance of will ently meaningless. both eyes open.” and emotion as well as reason. Publication of Simone de Beauvoir’s Ludwig Feuerbach publishes the “The Second Sex” (1949). Launched —Nicholas “Essence of Christianity” (1841). second-wave feminism, inspiring Copernicus, On This influential work portrayed Millett, Friedan, Steinem, and others. the Revolutions Christianity as inhumane and pio- Creation of aesthetic existentialism neered accounting for its origins and by Jean-Paul Sartre and his cir­ of the Heavenly persistence on psychological grounds. cle (1950s). Popularized idea that Objects J.S. Mill’s “On Liberty” (1859). instead of depending on religious or Unequalled defense of liberal politics social institutions, people are respon- premised on the value of personal sible for their own lives. autonomy, choice, and individuality. Marx’s “Das Kapital” (1867–1894). Proposed a wholly secular model POLITICS and philosophe, his writings and his of history, economics, and religion, & LAW life exemplified the inquiring, icon- a rallying point for both reformers oclastic Enlightenment sensibility. and dictators whose influence on the The Crusades (1096–1251). Christ­ Popularized­ profound arguments twentieth century (for good and ill) endom’s failure to dislodge Muslims against the tenets of Christianity. would be immense. from the Holy Land engendered pop- Activity of French philosophes (mid Birth of biblical “higher criticism” ular skepticism about God’s will and 1700s). Montesquieu, Voltaire, (early 1800s). Demon­strated that church authority. Diderot, Rousseau, d’Alembert, d’Hol- scripture could be subjected to his- Signing of the Magna Carta (1215). bach, Condorcet, and others popular- torical analysis like other ancient First great transfer of power, from an ized Enlightenment ideals of reason, texts—and convinced many literate autarchical monarchy to the landed empiricism, and humanism in the Europeans that most religious claims gentry, presaged later transfers of arts, sciences, and politics. are untrue. power to the people as a whole. Locke’s “Letter on Toleration” (1689). Nietzsche’s “Thus Spoke Zarathustra” Peace of Augsburg (1555). Ended wars Pioneering statement that religious (1883). Popularized idea of the death of religion within Germany; first cau- belief is a matter of individual con- of God; compelling statement of nine- tious step toward religious pluralism science (though Locke rejected toler- teenth-century Western mind contem- and self-determination. ation for atheists). plating the new vistas revealed by dis- Netherlands’ Treaty of Utrecht signed Writing of Hume’s “Dialogues covering the bankruptcy of religion. (1579). Freed from domination by Concerning Natural Religion” Elizabeth Cady Stanton published Spain, the Netherlands established

free inquiry 44 BEST OF HUMANISM

human rights as a guiding principle of American democracy. Abolition of the slave trade by the U.K. (1807). First renunciation of slav- ery by a major Western slaveholding power; set stage for abolition in the U.S. 56 years later. “We hold these Revolutions of 1848. Unsuccessful rev- olutions paved way for later demo- truths to be cratic reforms in Europe; freethink- self-evident: ing refugees from failed revolutions streamed to America, where many that all men and made important contributions. women are creat- Abolition of slavery in America (1863). End of world’s largest system of legal ed equal.” Simone de Beauvoir —Seneca Falls Women’s Rights itself as a haven of freedom and tol- Convention, erance. Declaration of Edict of Nantes (1598). Established Sentiments civil rights of Protestants in Catholic France. Treaty of Westphalia (1648). Ended the Thirty Years’ War, forged lasting peace between Europe’s Protestants and Catholics, and diminished power tion of international conflicts in a of Holy Roman Empire. thoroughly secular setting. British Act of Toleration (1689). Laid U.N. Universal Declaration of Human foundation for modern freedom of Rights (1948). Extended Western- religion in England. style concept of inherent individual Signing of the “Declaration of rights as an ideal for the world com- Independence” (1776). Based on Thomas Jefferson munity. Enlightenment concepts and Locke’s U.S. Supreme Court decision in Lemon political philosophy, asserts primacy slavery struck a blow for human free- v. Kurtzman (1971). Establishes a of individual self-determination over dom, set stage for African-American relatively objective test for identifying the powers of monarchy. struggle against racism. unconstitutional church-state entan- Madison’s “Memorial and Remon­ Worldwide woman’s suffrage move­ glements. strance” (1785). Articu­lated new ment (early 1900s). Agitated for Roe v. Wade (1973). Legalized abortion American ideals of religious liberty political equality, reform of other in first and second trimesters, ending and separation of church and state. social and religious structures that reign of illegal abortion as the #1 Passage of the Virginia Statute of unfairly disadvantage women. killer of women of childbearing age. Religious Liberty (1786). Com­posed Kemal Ataturk launches a strictly sec­ Collapse of communism in Soviet by Jefferson, Madison, and George ularist republic in Turkey (1923). Union and Eastern Europe (1980– Mason; established the same concept Recognized that secular republican- 1990). Demonstrated bankruptcy of of religious freedom expressed three ism, not Islamic tradition, offered Marxist central planning before the years later in the Bill of Rights. best framework for modernizing his power of humanistic values and indi- French Revolution (1789). Popularized country. vidual initiative. democratic concepts of liberty, equal- Scopes “Monkey Trial” (1925). ity, and fraternity; affirmed power of Focused national attention on the SOCIETY & the people to overthrow both monar- evolution controversy; though teacher chy and church. Scopes was convicted, evolution won EDUCATION Adoption of the U.S. Constitution in the court of public opinion, deal- Boom in European exploration (late (1789). Established first nation ing creationists a loss they took six 1400s). Increased the wealth and explicitly based on Enlightenment decades to recover from. power of Western states; paved way ideals of individual freedom and Formation of the United Nations for widespread understanding of the self-determination. (1945). First enduring world body world as a whole. Ratification of the U.S. Bill of Rights provides a forum for social service, Publication of first volume of the (1791). Established the primacy of economic development, and resolu-

45 fi spring 2000 French “Encyclopedie” (1751). importance of learning and culture Edited by Diderot and d’Alembert, the as tools for improvement of African- Encyclopedie was both a magisterial Americans’ lives. overview of human knowledge and a Margaret Sanger opens first birth con­ soapbox for Enlightenment ideals. trol clinic (1916). Pioneered idea First major utopian text, by Charles that family size should be a woman’s choice; opposed religious control over reproduction, promoted decoupling of reproduction from the sex act. Environmentalist movement (late 1960s). Expanded human moral con- cern to encompass the biosphere. Gay Rights Movement (mid 1970s). Eroded power of antipathy toward homosexuals based primarily on Old Testament doctrine. Nuclear disarmament movement Martin Luther King, Jr. (1980s). Sought—and helped to truly worldwide movement for human betterment. U.S. Civil Rights Movement (mid- 1950s). Sought to extend human rights defined by Mill, Locke, and Jefferson to African Americans in fact Frederick Douglass as well as in theory. Release of “Humanist Manifesto II” Fourier, published (1808). Utopians (1973). Update of 1933’s Humanist fearlessly questioned existing polit- Manifesto I was endorsed by numer- ical, economic, social arrangements ous intellectual, social, political lead- and encouraged experimentation ers, won high visibility for humanist with alternative ways of living. movement. Institution of public education (late Issuing of “Secular Humanist 1800s). Moved responsibility for edu- Declaration” (1980). Updated cation from churches to government; Humanist Manifestos I and II; sig- encouraged ideal of secular educa- naled emergence of a self-conscious tional system that treats children of Margaret Sanger secularist wing within American all religions (and none) alike humanism. Frederick Douglass’s abolitionism win—five decades of forebearance Free Inquiry founded (1980). Would (1841–1865). Former slave became from use of nuclear weapons in anger. become world’s largest-circulation, the world’s foremost orator against Legalization of euthanasia in The most influential English-language slavery, a lifelong crusader for reform. Netherlands (1993). Extended humanist publication. Women’s Rights Convention at power of self-determination to the Founding of the Council for Secular Seneca Falls (1848). Initiated first final stages of the individual’s life. Humanism (1980). Would become wave of women’s rights movement Animal Rights movement (1970s). the largest, most active humanist that ultimately won women suffrage. Extends the moral concern granted organization in the United States. Robert Ingersoll’s lecture tours (1872– sentient entities to include higher ani- Issuing of “Humanist Manifesto 1899). The “Great Agnostic” brought mals as well as humans. 2000” (1999). Third successor to his critique of religion to every large 1960s Women’s Rights Movement. 1933’s Humanist Manifesto updates American city, giving hundreds of Where previous women’s rights humanist social, ethical commitments thousands their first—or only—expo- movement had won women the vote, for the coming millennium. fi sure to freethought ideas. the 1960s movement sought parity Founding of the Rationalist Press between­ men and women in all areas Association (1899). Disseminated of life. important freethought works through- Signing of “Humanist Manifesto I” out the English-speaking world; espe- (1933). Emergence of American cially influential on development of humanist movement. humanism in India. Founding of the International Publication of DuBois’ “The Souls of Humanist and Ethical Union Black Folk” (1903). Stressed the (1952). Crystallized humanism as a

free inquiry 46 BEST OF HUMANISM

SOME OF

47 fi spring 2000 Happy 20th Anniversary, Free Inquiry Greetings from the best and the brightest

In its first two decades of publica­ There is one human species; and we have offering its own brand of salvation—are tion, Free Inquiry has enjoyed and been got to fight for its unity; hence, we need to vying to colonize the public mind. I dis- grateful for the support and editorial condemn all causes of xenophobia, racial cussed this phenomenon in 3001: The contributions of many of the world’s hatred, discriminations of all sorts in way Final Odyssey, where I described reli- leading thinkers. We print below the of life and economical conditions, all over gion as the “Madness of Mankind” from comments of many of them—some very the world. Teaching humanism to young- which it shall be cured sometime in the moving—on this occasion. We appreci­ sters, doing scientific research, develop- third millennium. According to my story, ate them all, and hope our association ing various sorts of culture, in the spirit by 3001, none of today’s religions and will continue for many more decades. of free inquiry—these are the only ways to faiths will survive except as anthropolog- fight the evils that are piling up in front of ical or historical curiosities. I am glad to add my voice to the chorus the world. Long life to Free Inquiry, which While it lasts, however, myopic reli- of praise for Free Inquiry on the occasion defends firmly these values. gious fanaticism can do a great deal of its 20th anniversary. It has been and I Jean-Claude Pecker, Professor of of damage. This is why the task for FI hope will continue to be a principal source Astronomy, College de France, remains unfinished. I wish it all success of light in the thin strip of dawn that slow- Paris, France in the coming century. ly, painfully pushes back the night. Sir Arthur Clarke, CBE, Colombo, Edward O. Wilson, University Research The academic philosophy journals these Sri Lanka Professor at Harvard University and days seem mired in technical papers Honorary Curator in Entomology, that are comprehensible only to readers In a society where the overwhelming Cambridge, Massachusetts who understand quantum mechanics and majority believes that a beneficent deity modern symbolic logic. Free Inquiry is a takes a personal interest in their lives— It is a most encouraging message for happy exception. It is filled with articles right down to their weight problems and the millions upon millions of patriotic and review about topics that are timely, the outcome of football games —Free Americans without any formal religious important, and above all understandable. Inquiry is one of the few refuges for the affiliation, who behave honorably and I wouldn’t miss an issue. sane. generously without any expectation of Martin Gardner, Author and Social Critic, Barbara Ehrenreich, Author, Sugar Loaf rewards or punishments in an afterlife, Hendersonville, North Carolina Key, Florida which Free Inquiry has been offering for 20 years now. The message? “You are not On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of I warmly congratulate Free Inquiry on alone!” Well done, well done. the founding of Free Inquiry, I would like its 20th anniversary. The magazine has Kurt Vonnegut, Author, New York, to extend my congratulations and best been interesting in its reporting and stim- New York wishes to the magazine’s editorial staff ulating and provocative in its attitude. It and the Council for Secular Humanism. has greatly deepened my knowledge and Already, 20 years of Free Inquiry. For two decades FI has been a voice understanding of the religious situation Fortunately, millennia of free inquiry, in of reason precisely at a time when it was in the U.S.A. and an appreciation of the primitive societies, as well as in indus- in short supply everywhere. The value of environment in which humanists find trialized cultures, have brought mankind secular humanism has never been great- themselves there. to a clear conscience of its universality. er, when hundreds of faith groups—each I send the magazine my warmest good

free inquiry 48 BEST OF HUMANISM

wishes for the next 20 years. Robert Boston, Assistant Director of discussion about the principles of secular Sir Herman Bondi, Church College, Communications, Americans United for humanism? Cambridge, United Kingdom Separation of Church and State, If Free Inquiry ceased to exist, it would Washington, D.C. have to be reconstructed. There is no I set these few observations to paper the more outspoken magazine that examines morning after seeing a sobering and dis- As America’s foremost naturalistic philos- the soundness of the very foundations of turbing documentary on PBS Television, opher, John Dewey would be as grateful a secular, progressive, and democratic a program documenting in heart-wrench- as I am for Free Inquiry’s two decades of culture. No other magazine, except for ing detail Serbian war crimes committed leadership in effectively continuing the the Skeptical Inquirer, debunks so per- against the Muslim inhabitants of the struggle against ignorance, superstition, suasively and with such zest the postmod- nation formerly known as Yugoslavia. and religious intolerance. ernist nonsense rampant in our colleges. The tragedy in Serbia is not one in Jo Ann Boydston, Distinguished There is no freer middle-brow tribune, at which one side is all-evil and the other Professor Emerita, Southern Illinois once scholarly and popular. has a monopoly on virtue. The forces of University at Carbondale, Carbondale, Mario Bunge, Foundations & Philosophy Islam, too, are angrily on the march in Illinois of Science Unit, McGill University, many parts of the world and part of that Montréal, Canada tragic story is that organized religion is at We applaud and are comforted by the heart of it. the efforts of the Council for Secular How much one hopes that the influence of Steve Allen, Entertainer, Author, Van Humanism staff in that they have begun humanism will spread in this new century, Nuys, California and sustained an organization of people I scorn to talk about “millennium”—a who promote rational thought. misunderstanding based on legend. The Free Inquiry: two simple words. Robert E. Brown, M.D., Margaret B. world is so greatly in need of tolerant and Of these two words, free is in my Brown, Holtwood, Pennsylvania reasoned discussion, not, on the one hand, opinion, the most important. It stands for: the irrationalities of dogmatic faiths; or on “not in bondage to or under the control Twenty years is a relatively short time in the other the sound-bite slogans of too of another,” “unrestricted, unimpeded, a lifespan, but somehow Free Inquiry has many of the politicians or the sincere but not restrained or fixed,” “spontaneous, passed through the various crises of birth, unreasoned inanities of ordinary people unforced, frank, unreserved” and “having childhood, and teen age to a full vibrant saying, “Well, that’s what I feel—you can’t personal rights and racial and political adulthood, nurtured and encouraged by argue with that, can you?” liberty.” its ever-growing family of readers. It has Bernard Crick, Professor Emeritus of During the last 20 years Free Inquiry, become the voice of freethought opinion Politics, Birkbeck, College, University of in promoting our humanist ideals, has in the United States and one of the major London, United Kingdom proven to combine integrity, tolerance, ones in the world. It has been controver- fairness, and morality to achieve better sial, articulate, persuasive, aggravating, Congratulations to the entire staff of Free worldwide understanding with respect for and at the same time a beacon of human- Inquiry past and present. You are my the meanings of another. ist thinking and opinion. It has been at link to the sane and rational. At one time The last two decades of this century the cutting edge in defining the issues Free Inquiry was the best magazine of were a good start for Free Inquiry. Let’s and problems facing the twentieth-cen- the secular humanist movement. Now it is go on with compassion during the next tury skeptic and in offering guidance to doubtless the best magazine that can be millennium. humanists in an uncertain world. It has purchased. FI meets my needs in its direc- I wish you luck! been humorous, cantankerous, and uplift- tion, texture, content, and good humor. Pieter V. Admiraal, M.D. Ph.D, Rijswijk, ing and in the process succeeded in go-­ Cartoonist Don Addis has never faltered; The Netherlands ing beyond the fondest dreams of its he sees the irony of our condition, a spe- early founders, of which I was one. cial and ongoing cheer to him from his Free Inquiry magazine is many things: Congratulations on entering the third neighbor in Euprax­sophyville. My person- thought-provoking, controversial, and decade of existence and being well poised al thanks to all of you for enriching my life inspiring. But here’s one thing it never is: to make FI a dominant voice in the twen- and making it possible to expose others to dull. For 20 years Free Inquiry has been ty-first century. our life stance. at the vanguard of promoting and protect- Vern L. Bullough, Visiting Professor, Jan Eisler, Vice President, International ing intellectual and philosophical free- University of Southern California, Humanist and Ethical Union, St. dom, and the country is better off for it. Westlake Village, California Petersburg, Florida Free Inquiry is especially important at this point in our national life because it Suppose Free Inquiry ceased to exist. I have subscribed to Free Inquiry since speaks boldly in favor of the secular state. Who would monitor the gradual erosion its founding 20 years ago and have saved The religious Right and assorted right- of our secular society? Who would expose every issue. I relish its fearless, forthright wing newspaper columnists like to blast the self-deceptions and frauds in all reli- criticism of religion and superstition and the notion of secular government, blam- gions? Where could one read rational its championing of humanism, reason, and ing it for nearly every imaginable social debates over whether or not religion science instead. With its changed format ill. Free Inquiry has always understood and science are “non-overlapping mag- and broadened scope and social concerns that only a government that is neutral on isteria,” as Steve Jay Gould has recently in recent years Free Inquiry has become religious matters can protect the rights of argued to the dismay of some of us? an even more interesting and stimulating believers and nonbelievers alike. Where would one learn about the ongoing magazine. It has done much to advance

49 fi spring 2000 humanism and freethought. Humanists and like many another liberal thinker, I rection to reincarnation, from the argu- are indebted to it. am grateful that it exists and says things ment from design to the argument from Arthur Engvall, Cupertino, Calif. that are unpopular but deserve to be morality, the essays and reviews in Free heard. Inquiry have shown the fallacies, errors, I come from a country in which during the Morton Hunt, Author, Gladwyne, and confusions characteristic of religious first 20 years of Free Inquiry “the church Pennsylvania belief. At the same time its essays and by law established” has been—in more reviews have upheld religious tolerance, than one sense—in secular decline. So We should all be grateful for Free Inquiry the separation of church and state, free perhaps the most constructive thing I can in this time of religious extremism and speech, and human rights and dignity. say on this happy occasion to fellow sec- the threat to true humanistic values. As No doubt the millennium will bring ular humanists is that we must continue one who grew up in Southern Methodist both new religious absurdities and new to do what little those in what were once fundamentalism, I had a long journey. The attacks on secular humanism. However,­ the lands of Christendom can do to spread first issue of FI was of enormous help to My best wishes for the next 20 years and ideas of secular enlightenment into the me, and each subsequent issue has helped the next millennium! still largely closed lands of Islam. me to reinforce all my current values and Michael Martin, Professor Emeritus of Antony Flew, Professor Emeritus of thinking. Happy Birthday. May the future Philosophy, Boston University, Boston, Philosophy, Reading University, United of humanism be bright for us all. Massachusetts Kingdom Edward D. Jervey, Professor Emeritus, Radford University, Radford, Virginia I wish to congratulate the publishers and Free Inquiry is a solid rock of reason and editors of Free Inquiry on the 20th anni- questioning in a whirlpool of passionate On the 20th anniversary of Free Inquiry versary of the magazine’s founding. I nonsense and violent extremism. It is a I would like to express my great appre- think that Free Inquiry has over the years necessary quiet place for thought, a place ciation of your magazine. It has played been a beacon of light and reason at a where we might not always find truth, but an important role for the maintenance time of rapid and historic changes. With always do find honest approaches to it. and strengthening of humanist ideals and so much ignorance and anti-scientific bias Marilyn French, Author, New York, resisting the many assaults against them, promoted by traditional religions, it is New York from wherever they came. more than ever necessary to have a pub- I hope the magazine will continue to lication like Free Inquiry that will bring I’m delighted to add my voice to the cho- flourish and develop. More power to you! compassion and reason to the many prob- rus in offering best wishes to Free Inquiry George Klein, M.D., Karolinska Institutet, lems facing humankind. in the new millennium. I literally cut my Stockholm, Sweden My best wishes for continued success humanist teeth on FI. Free Inquiry helped and expanding influence. coax me out of that paradoxically densely In a time when various forms of funda- Henry Morgentaler, M.D., Toronto, populated yet lonely closet. Having been mentalism and communalism are spread- Canada a closet atheist for a decade, and being ing out in our world, supported by post- completely surrounded by fundamentalist modernist claims defending the equal In the United States 88% of the people Chris­tians, it was not an easy exit; and value of all views and norms and thus claim never to have had any doubts about more than once I did an about face and attempting to annihilate the role of veri- the existence of God. The death penalty is slipped back inside, soundly slamming the fiable-falsifiable knowledge, Free Inquiry used liberally. The United States is now door behind me. Enter Free Inquiry (into plays a crucial role in promoting secular giving the smallest share of its money my life, not my closet). thinking that is a sine qua non condition to the world’s poorest. Homelessness is So it is an honor indeed to be included for the protection of human rights in dem- extensive in its own land while, with 5% in this special issue. Happy birthday, Free ocratic societies. of the world’s population, it consumes Inquiry! I wish you a most prosperous Ioanna Kuçuradi, Ankara, Turkey 25% of the world’s resources. In such a new millennium. And may you continue wilderness, Free Inquiry plays a useful to be a beacon of light and hope for many On its 20th anniversary, Free Inquiry shines role. Keep up the good work. future generations of scared little clos- as a humanist beacon of liberty, democra- Kai Nielsen, Emeritus Professor, et-dwellers. cy, and science for the 21st century. Department of Philosophy, University of Judith Hayes, Author, Valley Springs, Thelma Z. Lavine, Clarence J. Robinson Calgary, Calgary, Canada California Professor of Philosophy and American Culture Emerita, George Mason It is very important to have a humanist Who will be the outstanding humanist University, Fairfax, Virginia journal that cannot be dismissed by its philosophers when there is a fortieth critics as nothing but propaganda. Free anniversary? Who will be our leader then? Standing as a beacon of sanity and ratio- Inquiry satisfies this condition, by far. Current celebration should stimulate con- nality in a world teeming with religious Its writers are of obvious talent, both in cern for the future, planning and action. madness, dogma, and preposterousness, their power of describing situations in the Youth must be encouraged, and move- for the last 20 years Free Inquiry has present and the past and in presenting ments such as the Campus Freethought provided an indispensable instrument, not arguments. I have no hesitation in citing Alliance must be supported. only for the defense of secular humanism, it as a learned journal. Paul A. Humphrey, Raleigh, North but for the deflation and refutation of John Passmore, Philosopher and Carolina religious doctrines and arguments. From Historian, Australian National Free Inquiry is a voice in the wilderness, Mormonism to Judaism, from the Resur­ University, Canberra, Australia

free inquiry 50 BEST OF HUMANISM

The fourteenth to the sixteenth centu- of humanism as a generally accepted The real significance of “free inquiry” is ry birthed the Renaissance followed by philosophy. In that process Free Inquiry that it enhances our obligation to the wel- the Enlightenment in the seventeenth will continue to play its significant role in fare of all others on our planet, indicates and the Romantic era in the century popularizing humanist ideas and ideals. the direction forward in a nondogmatic and beyond. And who combines the best V.M. Tarkunde, Senior Advocate spirit, and criticizes religious fundamen- elements of these persuasions but our Supreme Court, Noida, India talisms on a scientific basis. own Paul Kurtz, who, with many helping Within this context, Free Inquiry hands, launches the Age of Planetary Free Inquiry has for two decades been helps name a new outlook emphasizing Humanism offering in­formed, compas- in the forefront in exposing the assaults the universal values of freedom and cre- sionate choices to create ourselves and on human dignity and democratic values ativity. our civilizations. Congratulations Paul, inflicted by reactionary forces. For the Mourad Wahba, President, Averröes and Staff, and indeed all of us who advance new century, however, I suggest that Enlightenment International Association, this refreshing worldview. we orient ourselves towards some more Cairo, Egypt Douglas G. Reid, Kissimmee, Florida positive goals. Too often humanist lit- erature resembles the declamations of I came across a reference to Free Inquiry The humanist movement in Poland owes a a society for the promotion of atheism, for the first time when I read an adver- special debt to Free Inquiry and personal- reducing its effectiveness. Humanists tisement announcing its launch in the ly to its editor, Professor Paul Kurtz, who certainly have no objection to believing New York Review of Books, presumably has inspired and helped us to develop the in God. The outstanding humanists of in 1980. Its stated goals of free inqui- movement. We consider FI to be the exem- history have been theists. Socrates, John ry, separation of church and state, the plar of a humanist magazine—ambitious, Stuart Mill, William James, and Thomas ideal of freedom, ethics based on criti- interesting, and instructive. Jefferson come to mind. Spinoza, the cal intelligence, and above all religious I express the common feelings of pioneer in biblical criticism, considered skepticism, and its defense of reason in all Polish humanists by wishing Free the existence of God to be an intellectual general, spoke directly to my heart and Inquiry—as we wish in Polish to our close certainty. Today there are many liberal mind. I was awed by the list of distin- friends celebrating an anniversary—Sto churches and pastors who, sometimes at guished individuals who endorsed the lat! (Live for 100 years). considerable personal sacrifice, promote Secular Humanist Declara­tion pub- Barbara Stanosz, Editor, Bez Dogmatu, humanist ideals by feeding and clothing lished in the first issue of Free Inquiry; I Warsaw, Poland the poor, attacking third-world despo- had admired many of these intellectuals, tisms, defending gay rights, and so on. philosophers, and writers, such as Isaac Congratulations! May Free Inquiry con- We should join hands with these instead Asimov, W.V.O. Quine, and A.J. Ayer, for tinue as a unique venue where rational of appearing to attack the convictions many years. thought is applied to every layer of human that inspire their work. The subsequent issues of Free Inquiry concern. Richard Taylor, Professor Emeritus of kept me afloat among the ocean of irra- Vic Stenger, Professor of Physics and Philosophy, Union College, Interlaken, tionalism whose tidemark seemed to get Astronomy, University of Hawaii New York higher and higher. In its pages I felt among kindred spirits. And it has sus- Congratulations to Paul Kurtz and to Free Twenty years is usually reckoned a gen- tained me over all these years, and that Inquiry on its 20th anniversary. World­ eration and for publications too often surely would be praise enough for any wide, you have become the present-day describes an arc of degeneration once journal. authority on secular humanism, and it is an initial raison d’etre becomes subor- Ibn Warraq the high level of optimism about humanity dinate to opportunistic marketing. But that pleases us the most. FI has maintained its ability to provide Outside the lecture hall where I was Robert Stevenson, Daytona Beach, intellectual fresh air and to sculpt and to present my contribution to the First Florida resculpt its central idea that sane and International Symposium on “Jesus clear thinking need not rest on fear of and the Gospels” (Ann Arbor, 1985), In the name of the Humanist Group the universe or capitulation to the mythic Chris­tian demonstrators displayed ban- in Belgrade I would like to extend our and gaseous authorities often thought to ners with the words “Hitler Too Had heartfelt congratulations and thanks to supervise it. Because it is forced to con- His Professors” and “Close Down Free Paul Kurtz, other editors, and the whole front again and again the peculiar para- Inquiry.” That this injunction was itself staff of Free Inquiry. Since its inception dox that technological development and decidedly Hitlerian obviously did not it has been our indispensable literature. scientific refinement are not parallel to occur to those promulgating it, and With­out it our worldwide humanist move- intellectual clarity and candor, it illumi- they were equally unaware that Hitler’s ment would not have by far been what it nates repeatedly its difficult challenge to Professors included Christian theolo- actually is. avoid self-righteousness and ideology— gians. Free Inquiry has provided, and Professor Svetozar Stojanovic, that subtle form of brain disease. And of will continue to provide, the adequate Chairperson, Humanist Group and course it is up to that special challenge and necessary response to the intoler- Director of the Institute for Philosophy and surely will continue so for yet anoth- ance and the misleading propaganda that and Social Theory, Belgrade, Yugoslavia er 20 years. this incident typified. Lionel Tiger, Professor of Anthropology G.A. Wells, Professor Emeritus, I have every reason to hope that the Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Univer­sity of London, next century will see the development Jersey United Kingdom fi

51 fi spring 2000 Faith, Hope, and Clarity

Looking for meaning in all the right (and wrong) places

American Dream, Andrew Delbanco takes a look at the Lewis Vaughn major sources of meaning that have driven Americans and engendered hope. He maintains that meaning—what he calls a “sustaining narrative”—is necessary to keep at bay “the s this all there is?” So asks a recent New lurking suspicion that all our getting and spending amounts to York Times article reporting on spiritual dis- nothing more than fidgeting while we wait for death.” content among a new crop of successful and He identifies three such narratives: Self, God, and Nation. “Iprosperous Americans. As the economy has boomed, they’ve Self is the narcissist’s quest for personal gratification, now worshipped the Almighty Self, offering unto it CDs, PCs, and widespread in the land and, Delbanco believes, ultimately ATVs, and now these egoists are wondering if they’ve missed empty. Its symbols are corporate logos, and its eventual result something important. Maybe on the way to Blooming­dale’s they is a pervasive sadness. God, Delbanco says, is the Christian passed up some deeper transcendent meaning. Maybe at the narrative of our early history, when religion suffused so much end of a long day of riding a bull market they’ve realized that of life, both public and private, providing a framework upon it’s not the economy, stupid. Now they’re shopping around, the which to hang the joys and terrors of a strange land. Nation is article says, looking for something in the spiritual line. the secular notion of the “state as the source of justice, mercy, And the line is crowded. In books, magazines, movies, and hope.” God is replaced by the idea of “citizenship in a and television, spirituality is big. But then, occasional spikes sacred union.” This narrative has its roots in Enlightenment of interest in spirituality have always been big in America. rationality, was nurtured by Lincoln and Whitman, and— Sociologists may be at a loss to explain why they happen as according to Delbanco—ran out of steam in the 1960s. they do, but there is no mystery about why they happen at all. Delbanco believes that all of these sources of meaning have Such numinous blips are a subset of the broader pursuit of lost their power to generate hope. He hints at a possible meaning, which is endemic among creatures that have evolved replacement for them but never quite delivers. to the level of personhood. In fact, it can be plausibly argued But he does offer another reminder that hope runs deep that meaning is the energy that helped spark such evolution. and moves us far—and that we should be careful when Meaning makes hope possible. It provides a reason for living we handle such a valuable commodity. So why is it that in and, sometimes, a reason for dying. It can power a Great Delbanco’s treatise—and in most current discussions of Awakening, an Enlightenment, a theory of relativity, a Koran, meaning and hope—the two most fundamental questions are and a Leaves of Grass. seldom seriously considered? The cheeky, profane, politically It can also run a nation. In the new book The Real incorrect queries are: Is this alleged source of meaning real? and Are the premises of this narrative true? Lewis Vaughn is Editor of Free Inquiry and co-author (with Theodore Schick) of the college textbook Doing Philosophy. Shopping for Hope

52 Rational queries like these are resisted or ignored everywhere. I can imagine half the world shouting, “Why not?” Why Inquiring whether someone’s deepest hopes (especially those shouldn’t we reach for comfort—even the comfort of a chi- laced with spirituality) are based on falsehood or fantasy is mera—to give life some meaning and steel us against black no way to make friends. People tend to react with dismay or thoughts of mortality and emptiness? astonishment, as though you had asked them to justify a good It’s difficult to see how you could derive comfort from a mood that has come over them. Imagine! Asking if someone’s belief you know to be false. But let’s say that you do believe, theological, spiritual, or philosophical premises are justified! without good reason, that some proposition is true, and you’re When it comes to the most important issues of our lives, “Don’t soothed by that belief. In fact, you’re willing to live your whole ask, don’t tell” is standard policy. The supposed pointlessness of breaking this taboo follows from various epistemological views—that When it comes to the most important is, from notions about the nature of issues of our lives, ‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’ knowledge. One is relativism, the idea that truth is relative to individ- is standard policy. uals or cultures, so that a belief is true if an individual or culture says it’s true. It’s therefore silly to ask whether any worldview is life guided in part by this inspiring proposition. What’s wrong objectively true because there is no objective truth. with that? Well, nothing—if you don’t mind diminishing one of All of this is quite inviting except that no one can make the things that helps make you a person. A person is someone something true just by believing it to be true. In addition, the with full moral rights and the capacity to make free, rational relativist view leads to many absurdities—for example, if rela- choices. That is, persons can know things and choose which of tivism were true, every individual or culture would be infallible, them is really important in life. But when persons undermine and disagreement among them would be virtually impossible. this power—by believing without good reason—they diminish Faith—or, belief without evidence—also forestalls any seri- an essential property of personhood. They may be more com- ous questions about meaning in life. It’s thought that, because fortable—but are somehow smaller. faith is an alternative way of knowing (alternative to reason Philosopher Robert Nozick illustrated this point once in a and commonsense, the modes known to be generally reliable), thought experiment. Imagine that you’re hooked to a machine no one can question its conclusions on rational grounds. You that supplies you with ready-made sensory experiences. You either believe or you do not. Rational resistance is futile—and think and feel that you’re writing a novel, making a friend, and so are doubts about the worldview that faith endorses. But doing a thousand other pleasant things. But you’re actually as with relativism, believing doesn’t make it so. Knowledge is just floating in a tank while the machine does its work. You are more than belief—even more than true belief. (A lucky guess is happy, blissful, believing that you are directing your own life true belief, but few would think that it constitutes an instance and choosing freely all the time. So you stay hooked up for life. of knowledge.) Knowledge requires that there also be some Does anyone really think that such a life would not be indication—justification, good reasons—that a belief is true. diminished? That it would be meaningful? Being in the tank Faith can give rise to grand doctrines, high cathedrals, lucky is not utopia. It’s hell. Nozick’s little story shows that being guesses, and warm feelings in hard times—but not knowl- happy is not enough. Fantasy is not enough. Being hermetical- edge. To believe otherwise is to have a very odd conception ly sealed from woe is not enough. Being a person and living a of what knowledge is. Faith’s notorious disengagement from meaningful life means making real choices. While in the tank justification, perhaps more than any other, helps explain the you can’t make any real choices because you’re disengaged incredible multiplicity of religious belief. from reality. You’re not an authentic person; you’re a replica Then there’s the comfort factor, which may be better of a person. If somehow you came to realize the full implica- than anything else at squelching important questions about tions of your situation, I think that you would rise out of the meaning and hope. In the anxious hours of night, in the awful tank, unplug the electrodes, and walk off to meet the real moments before terrible news comes, a hoary myth gives world—and encounter its real pain, real darkness, and real you comfort and hope—and so you believe, or try to believe, meaning. And never look back. Fantasy can be a wonderful clinging to the principle that New Age gurus make explicit: “If thing, except when it’s mistaken for reality. it feels good, it must be true.” Thus the comfort factor can be more persuasive than a stack of reasons. Getting Real In his recent New Yorker article, “The Future of Faith,” Can a realist/rationalist do any better at finding meaning in John Updike raises this issue in a particularly poignant way. the real world? Yes, but not by looking to the narrative of Self. He acknowledges the irrationality of religion, muses on how On empirical grounds alone it seems not to be very sustaining Christianity, like the universe itself, is “winding down, grow- at all, at least not long-term. But it must be rejected on even ing thinner and thinner,” and calls the world’s faiths “tired, stronger grounds. It’s not true. It reduces to moral egoism, grotesque, irreplaceable.” He wonders how anyone not born which flies in the face of our considered moral judgments. into Christianity could ever take it seriously. Yet he clings to Philosophers shot this horse a long time ago. the dusty rituals of his Protestant youth and draws on a tenu- The God narrative also fails. I can find no indication that it ous faith to counter bouts of existential dread. His implication is anything but an attractive detour. The notorious failure of all is that faith is credentialed by the protection it offers from the arguments for this narrative renders this hope hopeless. Worse, common mortal terrors that lurk just out of sight. the problem of evil is more than just an irritant to theists who

53 fi spring 2000 must apologize for God’s behavior—it has evolved into a well- for knowledge, which has enthralled and energized the likes of honed argument against any traditional God narrative. It is an Aristotle and Darwin and Curie and Einstein and Russell (who excellent indication that the God narrative is not actual. characterized his search for knowledge as a never-ending This is terrible news for those who think that the only way spiritual quest). To paraphrase Carl Sagan, there are plenty of to have a meaningful life is to follow God’s plan. But even this wonders in the universe that will knock your socks off without idea is unfounded. What if, as Nozick once suggested, God’s having to invent them. Some people say that their soul’s thirst plan for you and all other humans is purely culinary. That is, cannot be slaked by anything as arid as science. I believe what if God intended for you to serve as food for some alien them. And I believe those who say that chasing the Holy Grail species—his real chosen people? If you follow God’s plan and of knowledge quenches their thirst just fine. become a people burger for some intergalactic snack attack, All of the best narratives transcend the individual, being would this make your life meaningful? Would you, as the alien larger than life and death. When these looming dreams become knife and fork hover over your head, rejoice that God’s plan for powerful, when they inspire us with their magnitude and glory, you is finally being fulfilled? Obviously, simply doing what God they pull us into the realm of the spiritual. And, best of all, they wants won’t guarantee that your life will be meaningful. On the are real. Many believe that the only satisfying narratives are other hand, there is no plausible reason why self-conscious, those that cannot be rationally supported. I cannot help thinking rational, free persons like us cannot create their own meaning. that this view often derives from a simple failure of imagination. Matthew Arnold noted forlornly that “the sea of Faith” had In short, there is no news here. The real dreams have not receded, and the wisdom of men had dissolved. He was left to changed. Most of us would still give our lives and our fortunes find meaning in another’s heart, the last remaining enclave in pursuit of some hallowed cause of justice, rights, knowl- of hope. Arnold was right about faith but was too pessimistic edge, love, or beauty. about its replacement. So let’s ask the impertinent questions, and if they lead to There is, for example, the narrative of Nation. It’s based further questions about how to judge the answers, so be it. It on the central concerns of morality—justice and rights, ideals would be wonderfully shocking to pick up the New York Times that are bigger than the egoistic self. To not be concerned and read that Americans are debating the epistemological about rights and justice is to be in conflict with our consid- worth of faith, relativism, subjectivism, and science. Such ered moral judgments. Because the search for these is part of debates could easily ascend into serious explorations of the moral life, they are at least plausible candidates for sources of real and the true. If this unlikely event were to happen, I would meaning and hope. They offer positive possibilities that have hope that people would conclude, as Socrates might have, that sustained some of the finest minds and hearts in history. The the unreal life is not worth living. fi fight for justice and universal rights has been the most power- ful sustaining force in the lives of our greatest heroes. But these ideals are only some of many that have always sustained creatures in need of hope. There is also the search New Books for free inquiry readers

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free inquiry 54 THE FI INTERVIEW

Mind, Morality, and An interview with Steven Pinker Evolution

Steven Pinker, Professor the 1950s, so that ideas like “signals,” “feedback,” “data of Brain and Cognitive structure,” “memories,” “programs,” and so on can make Sciences and Director of sense of mental phenomena that were formerly considered the Center for Cognitive too airy-fairy to study scientifically. Through most of the first Neuroscience at Massa­ half of the century, the behaviorists said that mental entities chusetts Institute of Tech­ like dreams, images, plans, memories, emotions, and desires nology, is one of the most were unobservable and hence tantamount to appealing to influential scientists fairies or Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny or occult spirits. of our time. Along with Then along came the computer, which you can’t make sense of numerous technical writ­ without talking about stored memory and programs—indeed, ings on visual perception and on the origins, structure, even desires, in the sense that you might say the computer is and acquisition of language, Professor Pinker has pub­ “trying to print” but can’t because it doesn’t “know” where lished widely on such topics as language and society, evo­ the printer is. There are no elves inside your computer. This lutionary theory, human sexuality, and religion. He is the immediately suggests that we can make sense of mental enti- author of four books on language, a comprehensive over­ ties in terms of information, computation, and feedback. view of contemporary cognitive psychology, and many Evolution is the other major breakthrough in understand- contributions to magazines such as Time, Nature, Slate, ing the mind. Aspects of the mind that were previously thought and the New York Times. Pinker’s acclaimed Language to be utterly capricious and inexplicable often have a logic Instinct and How the Mind Works established his reputation when reverse engineered; that is, when examined in terms as a popularizer of science on a par with Richard Dawkins of what reproductive benefits they could have brought to our and Carl Sagan. ancestors on average. Recently, Professor Pinker has become an outspoken FI: This union of the computational model of the mind defender of the controversial new research tradition and contemporary evolutionary theory is often called known as “evolutionary psychology,” which sees the mind “evolutionary psychology.” In your view, what exactly is as an assembly of many functionally specialized parts— evolutionary psychology committed to, both methodologically often called “modules” or “Darwinian algorithms”—that and substantively? were shaped by natural selection among our ancestors. Pinker: The only real commitment is the methodological In this interview, he talks with Free Inquiry staffer Austin one that hypotheses about human psychology should be Dacey about language, evolution, the mind, morality, reli­ linked to evolutionary considerations. This is an idea that gion, and politics. was first stated by the ethologist Niko Tinbergen, who said that a complete explanation of a behavior should account for its proximal causation, that is, the neural and psycho- logical mechanisms that cause it right then and there; for its development in the ontogeny of the organism; for its REE INQUIRY: In the opening of How the evolution in the phylogeny of the organism, that is how it Mind Works, you claim that many questions derived from earlier forms; and in terms of its adaptive about the mind’s working have recently been function, that is, why natural selection gave rise to it. Fupgraded from utter mysteries to tractable scientific prob- Minimally, evolutionary psychology is simply committed lems. How has this been done? to that program; it is simply a way of linking psycholo- Steven Pinker: Partly by importing ideas from the theory gy to other sciences, in this case, evolutionary biology. of computation into psychology, which has been done since Everything else, such as the claim that the mind has many

55 fi spring 2000 complex parts, has to be defended on empirical grounds. I reasonable side, but it’s utterly inaccurate. think there are empirical grounds for it, but it is not essen- What is the motive for opposing evolutionary psychology? tial to the enterprise by definition. Part of it is political. In the manifesto against socio­biology FI: So, if we found that the mind is not modular, but is that Gould and others coauthored in the New York Review instead a single general-purpose computer or a small collec- of Books there was the direct accusation that sociobiology tion of such computers, this wouldn’t amount to the failure of leads to deplorable political implications, such as that human the evolutionary psychology program? groups might differ from each other biologically, that repug- Pinker: The term evolutionary psychology is ambigu- nant behavioral tendencies like war and rape and clannish- ous. One sense of evolutionary psychology is the one I just ness might be natural, hence, good, and that individuals might described, the desire to connect psychology to evolutionary be excused from their personal responsibility if behavior were biology. A more specific version says that the mind has many given an evolutionary or genetic explanation. parts, and that the design of many of those parts can be But all of those are non sequitors. First, a universal explained in terms of natural selection and adaptation. So, human nature could be the product of the evolutionary pro- the broad version is really a methodological approach. It is a cess, and differences between groups could be completely due meta-scientific desire to unify all of the sciences. The narrow- to the environment. er one is an empirical hypothesis that would be refuted if it Second, whether or not a behavior has an evolutionary turned out that one general-purpose learning algorithm could explanation says nothing about whether it’s morally desirable. account for all our thoughts and feelings. Indeed, many things that we find in nature are morally neutral FI: Many commentators on evolutionary psychology con- or repugnant. That could include some human desires. So, sider it sociobiology by another name. Could you compare and there’s no need to commit the naturalistic fallacy and say that contrast the two? anything we find in nature is good. Pinker: There is a lot of continuity. People ran away from Third, there is nothing about evolutionary explanations of the name “sociobiology” because its critics had done such a behavior as opposed to any other kind of explanation that is good job of stigmatizing it that you could say at a conference, necessarily deterministic or that absolves people of responsi- “Oh, isn’t that just sociobiology?” as if that by itself were a ref- bility. Hilary Clinton explained her husband’s philandering, utation. When a word has been tainted that much, sometimes in terms of upbringing: he was caught between two bitchy the best strategy is just to let the critics have it and come up women, his mother and his grandmother, and acted out his with a new name so that you can at least get a hearing for conflict by sleeping around as an adult. I think the expla- ideas. nation is preposterous as a bit of psychology, but the point But there also is a difference in approach. Sociobiology is that she was criticized for absolving or excusing her hus- was behavioristic. It looked for the adaptive value of behav- band’s behavior. I think that’s unfair in her case; it’s unfair ior. If you saw something that was puzzling to a Darwinian; in the case of the alternative: an evolutionary explanation. say, people adopting children or being celibate, or throwing Criticisms of this kind confuse explanation with exculpation. themselves on a grenade to protect their platoon mates, you It’s a confusion that can be equally applied to evolutionary looked long and hard for some subtle Darwinian explanation and nonevolutionary explanations. So, it’s an error to say of that behavior. The main point of evolutionary psychology is that evolution in particular is a way of excusing bad behavior. that this is misguided. The regularities are the thoughts and FI: Environmental determinism is determinism nonetheless. emotions that we have. How they translate into overt behavior Pinker: Exactly. is a much more complicated and intractable problem which FI: Concerning the first response to the charge of repug- depends on crucially on a person’s individual history and the nant political implications, some critics, such as evolution- set of circumstances that they find themselves in. ary biologist David Sloan Wilson, have pointed out that the FI: Another continuity between evolutionary psychology postulation of a universal human nature is an independent and sociobiology is that the former is as controversial as the empirical hypothesis—and one that is currently not terribly latter was. A couple of years ago, in a long article in the New well tested—rather than a conclusion that is guaranteed by an York Review of Books, Stephen Jay Gould called evolution- evolutionary psychological approach. ary psychologists “Darwinian fundamentalists.” You leapt to Pinker: It is certainly true that it is an empirical hypoth- their defense. What underlies Gould’s fierce opposition to the esis. I don’t think that has been untested because there have program? been many cross-cultural surveys that show that human Pinker: The term Darwinian fundamentalists was a universals run far deeper than was previously supposed. But dishonest rhetorical trick intended to paint the people Gould it shouldn’t be a dogma either that humans have much in com- disagrees with as extremists. It’s completely inaccurate. No mon or that the differences between them are environmental. one who calls himself an evolutionary psychologist claims Those are both empirical claims. that natural selection is the only explanation of evolution FI: As for the naturalistic fallacy, is it enough to say that in general or human psychology in particular. In my own an “is” does not imply an “ought”? For instance, sociobiologist case, for example, I argued that some of the human activi- E. O. Wilson for the most part didn’t simply attempt to read a ties we consider most profound and consequential may be moral code off of the human genome. Rather, he contended that by-products of natural selection rather than targets of nat- it would be massively inefficient and thus socially irresponsible ural selection, that is, adaptations. For example: music, the to go against the grain of our nature, whatever sociobiology arts, religion, philosophy, the content of dreams, and many reveals it to be. What do you think of this strategy? other things, I suspect, are not adaptations at all. It is a bit of Pinker: Virtually any reasonable ethical system will take positioning [by Gould] in order to try to paint himself as the into account human desires and human psychology. It is

free inquiry 56 exactly true that you can’t read what is ethical directly off of correlate in brain activity, and that we don’t need any extra human desire, but it has to be taken into account. So, I would causal ingredient. agree with that strategy. Trying, in a sense, to deconstruct religious belief, to show FI: We have been discussing the politicization of evolution- how it arises out of parts of our mind that evolved for other ary psychology. How might your views on language and the purposes, does in some sense undermine the subjective com- mind impact our conception of ourselves and our ways of life pellingness of religious explanations. If you can show that in general? there is a good reason why we are tempted to think about Pinker: Whenever an idea from science is applied to poli- souls and spirits, then that is an alternative explanation to the tics, society, and so on, there is not a direct, logical implica- hypothesis that they really do exist. tion, but it is one set of facts that has to be integrated with our In particular, I think the core of belief in spirits and gods values and other facts in order to work out the implications. and souls and saints and so on, is the fact that we have There’s no automatic consequence, but rather a way of enrich- a rather special mode of thinking that we apply to other ing our discourse. humans; namely, what psychologists call the “theory of The new view of the mind would deny that there is a dis- mind.” In this case, “theory” refers not to a scientific theory creet moment in time in which the mind comes into existence. but rather to the intuitive theory that we all tacitly follow, That is relevant to debates on abortion and euthanasia. It which is that other people’s behavior is best explained not in would force us to look to richer criteria for when we want to clockwork terms, but in terms of beliefs and desires that we call this continuous process of brain development or brain can’t observe directly, though we can infer from their behav- death the creation of a person or destruction of a person. ior. So when I try to predict what you’ll do, I don’t think of The more general idea of a human nature speaks to polit- you as a wind-up doll or a billiard ball on a table, but I try ical theory. It matters whether human nature is infinitely to figure out what you want and what you know and predict malleable and therefore ought to be programmed by the state your behavior from that. Given a mind that’s capable of or whether society arises out of the countless compromises attributing minds to other people, it’s a short step to positing among individuals, each acting according to intrinsic beliefs minds that aren’t linked to any body at all, and that would be and desires. It speaks to education: whether we can see educa- ghosts and souls and spirits, if the mind that you attribute is tion as a process of the child naturally blossoming or unfolding floating free of anything in the material world, or animistic a set of abilities that will allow the child to master the subject beliefs in cases where a mind is attributed to an object like a matter of the modern curriculum, or whether the mind, having tree, or a mountain, or an idol. evolved to do some things well and other things not so well, FI: In closing, could you explain the basic thesis of your might have to be stretched and trained and practiced in order latest work, Words and Rules: The Ingredients of Language, to acquire those skills that it did not evolve to do well, such as that the vast expressive power of language owes to two written language or formal mathematics. “tricks”: memorized words and combinatorial grammar? FI: What about the ramifications of a mature evolutionary Pinker: The problem that the book addresses is how we psychology for religion? Your comments on religion in How are able to express such a vast range of ideas just by mak- the Mind Works could be taken as skeptical of religion since ing noises with our mouths, and the suggestion is that there they attempt to explain the persistence of religions in purely is not one trick, but two. One is the trick of the memorized naturalistic terms. Do you accept this characterization? word, what Ferdinand de Saussure called the arbitrary Pinker: Absolutely. One explanation of why people in sign; that is, the ability to memorize associations between all cultures have religious beliefs is that there exists a God, sounds and meanings. The word duck, for example, doesn’t there exist angels, there exists souls, and the mind evolved an look like a duck, or walk like a duck, or quack like a duck, adaptation for grasping those realities. My approach is very but we can use it to convey the idea of a duck because we different. It is a puzzle about human psychology that we do have all memorized a linkage between that sound and that tend to make sacrifices to placate entities that don’t exist, to meaning. But we don’t just blurt out individual words. If we take one example; that time and energy are devoted to pray- did, we would be restricted to the fixed list of ideas that ing to gods, divining the future, ascertaining things through our language has vocabulary for. But we combine them into nonmaterial channels, whereas one might have thought sentences in which the meanings of the sentences can be that the mind’s energy would be deployed to actual physical computed from the meanings of the individual words and causation in the real world. I start from the fact that that is a the way they are combined, and we do that according to puzzle and, relying on the work of other people—in particu- some shared algorithm or rule system. And that’s the sec- lar Pascal Boye and Dan Sperber—try to show how religious ond trick behind language. belief might emerge as a by-product of parts of the mind that FI: Following Words and Rules, what is next for you? evolved for other purposes. Pinker: I am planning a book called The Blank Slate: FI: Do you think that such explanations challenge or under- The Denial of Human Nature in Modern Intellectual Life, mine traditional religions in any way? exploring the reasons that human nature became a taboo Pinker: I think that a century of neuroscience and cogni- topic among respectable people in the twentieth century; tive neuroscience challenges the traditional religious belief how that idea is going to have to give way to discoveries from of an immaterial soul that enters the body at the moment of neuroscience and cognitive science and evolutionary biolo- conception, that pulls the levers and reads off the dials of the gy, and how it is not a threat to values in the way that people brain, and that leaks out at the moment of death. I consider have feared. Indeed, we can have a richer, more defensible it a significant fact that as far as we can tell, every aspect set of values, taking into account human nature rather than of human experience—every emotion, every thought—has a denying it. fi

57 fi spring 2000 The ‘Miracle’ at Knock The anatomy of a hoax

Melvin Harris nock is no more than a tiny village in County Mayo in the Irish Republic. Yet it boasts a fully staffed interna- tional airport, built at the cost of some five million Irish pounds! Today, shoals of pilgrims visit the place. And it was the high spot of the present pope’s visit to Ireland. KSo what makes Knock so very special? The answer lies in a strange event that happened in the summer of 1879. A “wonderous, miraculous, heavenly vision” appeared at Knock on the evening of August 21, 1879. The sun had been absent all day and by 8 o’clock it was dark and gloomy, with heavy rain lashing down. And then, so 15 witnesses said, the south gable of Knock Church became bathed in a pool of light. Inside this pool, three silent and still figures were seen. In the center facing the witnesses was the Virgin Mary, in white robes, with a brilliant crown on her head. On her right side, facing in, his hands together, stood St. Joseph. On her left, facing outwards, was St. John Evangelist, dressed as a bishop, complete with mitre. And one other thing of note: a small altar, bearing a lamb and cross, stood at St John’s side. This rigid tableau was surrounded by a mass of diffused light, devoid of sharp edges, and shaped more like an earth-hugging cloud than a frame. It remained on display for something approaching two hours.

free inquiry 58 When reports of this apparition reached the Church author- wall by a skillful artist using one of the many “phosphorescent ities they set up a commission to investigate. Then, on October substances” then available! 8, commissioners appointed by the Archbishop of Tuam gath- The magic lantern theory was dismissed by secular investiga- ered at Knock and took depositions from the witnesses. These tors as well. Joseph Bennet of the Daily Telegraph for one, gave depositions differed on a number of points, but they all spoke good reasons for such a dismissal. He found only two places that of the same, basic details. There was significant agreement were fit to conceal a projector. One was a dilapidated wall about that the figures looked like life-sized statues. Indeed the four feet high, quite near the gable. The other was a schoolhouse housekeeper to Archdeacon Cavanagh and the first person at a much greater distance. But the wall had been climbed over to see the “vision” stated that: “On passing by the chapel, by the witnesses, who would have seen the lantern’s glare. The and at a little distance from it, I saw a wonderful number of gable of the schoolhouse was windowless and without signs of strange figures or appearances at the gable, one like the B. V. cracks or holes from chimney to foundation. Mary, and one like St. Joseph, another a bishop. . . . I Not mentioned by Bennet, but crucial to this whole ques- was wondering to see there such an extraordinary tion of direct, external projection, is the visibility group; yet I passed on and said nothing, thinking of any beam that passes through an air that possibly the Archdeacon had been sup- space teaming with suspended particles. plied with these beautiful figures from Dublin We see this everyday in cinemas, very or somewhere else, and that he had said noth- much so if smoking is allowed. And in ing about them, but had left them in the open the case at Knock, there was nonstop rain air; I saw a white light about them. . . .” throughout the whole of the life of the images. Here it is worth noting that housekeeper Any beam projected from outside that church Mary McLoughlin was so unimpressed by her would have had its path made plain by the sighting that she simply went on her way to call myriads of raindrops. Apart from that, any of on a Mrs. Biernes and stayed talking with her the viewers moving close to the wall would for half an hour before retracing her steps. have blocked the beam and shattered the imag- The “strange figures” were not even men- es. The deception would have been detected tioned during the whole of that half hour. The apparition picture prepared for the within minutes. Why? Because they seemed no different reconstruction, by Maureen Gavin-Harris. from the many holy statues that stood in many churches. The Modern-Day In short, they struck her as solid, manmade effigies decked Investigation out with the traditional symbolic garments and trappings When I first looked at Knock I noted the strange fact that endorsed by the Catholic Church. Archdeacon Cavanagh had been told of the vision but had But Mary McLoughlin was wrong. She was not looking at failed to leave his house and view things for himself. That three-dimensional figures at all. What she saw were flat images, seemed to exonerate him from taking any active role in a displayed on a flat wall. The illusion of solidity was created by hoax. But could this be evidence of an attempt to distance the contrast between the distinct, mod- himself from events organized by accom- eled, figures and their formless, luminous, plices? If so, why the need for a manufac- background. tured miracle? So were the images no more than I am a practical, multi-skilled, investi- photographs of statuary? Were they gator with my own light engineering work- made as transparencies and projected as shop. So I put the question of motive to magic-lantern slides? Now these are not one side and looked at the mechanics and modern suggestions; those very questions science of the 1870s. Were there ways of were raised at the time. Indeed, a fort- working such a stunt? Was the technology night after the testimonies were taken, a advanced enough to sustain a bright image team of Church investigators arrived at for almost two hours? Did the structure of Knock to put the magic lantern theory to the Church itself offer any clues? the test. Yes, the optical and mechanical devel- This team was headed by Dr. Francis opments of that time made it perfectly Lennon, Professor of Physics at St. Knock Church soon after the “miracle.” The possible to operate a magic lantern from Patrick’s College, Maynooth. After tests wooden shrine and the planking on the gable inside the church. And oblique projec- the Professor dismissed the idea of a were added after August 21, 1879. tion through the gable window could cast magic lantern hoax but favored a bizarre an image down onto the gable wall. And theory that the images could have been painted on the gable yes, it was possible to keep the lantern’s burner going for about two hours. But did the internal structure of the church Melvin Harris is a professional investigator working make this possible? I studied all the known data and discov- mainly behind the scenes for television production com­ ered that, hidden behind the altar, lay a small room used as a panies. He has worked on 38 of the Arthur C. Clarke televi­ sacristy. The rear wall of this room was, in fact, the “miracle sion programs. He is the author of The ITN Book of Firsts, gable” itself. The front wall of this room only rose as high as Investigating the Unexplained (Prometheus Books), and the sill of the window in the gable. So a plank laid across the three books dealing with different aspects of the Jack the top of this wall and fixed to the inside brick of the sill could Ripper murders. provide a level platform for a projector.

59 fi spring 2000 Since such a projector needed to be used once only, it could into the Atlantic. . . .” be made as a lightweight collapsible device, and brought in In 1879 the government had its hands full with widespread concealed in a provisions box. The lens could have a huge rent boycotts, often enforced by threats, or violence. So nat- aperture, since color correction and urally, it saw it as vital to support edge definition was of no importance. It those with authority who spoke out could then capture every scrap of light. against such “subversion.” Now, the And the light itself could be generated good Father Cavanagh was thankfully by either a gas burner or electric bat- outspoken, but his boldness had put teries. Either form of power could be him under threat. Nothing but a mira- provided on the spot by quite simple cle could gain the loyal priest immunity chemicals and apparatus, all well-de- from the seething anger of the rebels. scribed in the many popular scientific So a miracle came. It made the priest books of the time. extra-special; a man apart from all oth- Small-scale experiments confirmed ers; a man under the protection of the my reasoning; then a full-scale demon- Mother of God! He was home, safe and stration became possible when Granite dry, without lifting a finger! Productions decided to feature the So who did it? Only one body in all Knock “miracle” as part of its “Arthur Ireland had the workshop facilities, the C. Clarke’s Mysterious Universe” series. practical knowledge of optical devices, It was not possible to find an Irish the surveying experience, the premises church to film in, so a full-sized replica needed for secret tests and experi- of the Knock gable was constructed, as ments; in short, all the items needed to a flat, and erected in a field near Cork. create such a hoax: that was the British My artist wife drew the images for the Army. This tool of the government was lantern slide. A Victorian magic lantern well able to organize the whole event, was loaded with the slide, then placed smoothly and on its own. And in the behind the gable window. A rod sol- Salvation by magic lantern foreshadowed by Scribner’s eyes of the beneficial priest it became Magazine in 1871. dered to its lens-mount was set to carry an event that was justifiable for the a small mirror out through a window diamond, at sill level. The short-term “greater good” and even more so, for the long-term mirror itself was placed at an angle, so that it could intercept the greater glory of God’s Church on Earth. fi beam of the lantern and redirect it downwards onto the gable. When filming, the Auxillary Fire Service provided a convinc- Notes ing artificial rainfall and, through this rain, all those present witnessed the sudden appearance of the Virgin Mary on the 1. The filmed event can be seen on Discovery Channel tele- vision. The reconstruction was not flawless. since the blackout gable wall.The vision was life-sized and surrounded by a glow of material for the gable window had been mislaid and it was not light. No give-away beam probed through the air and the gable possible to secure the right focal-length lens in time. Thus we could be approached at close quarters without disturbing the had to concentrate on one image instead of all three. The com- image. The 1879 experience had been duplicated beyond doubt. mentary was made in my absence and mistakenly reports the lantern as being operated by the priest. 2. One of the small, leaded, diamond-shaped panes of the The Motive gable window could be pried out quite easily to allow the pas- But why Knock? Here the researches of David Berman have sage of the pivoted mirror on its arm. It could later be replaced proved invaluable. In the Dublin Castle state papers, he with very little effort. unearthed a confidential intelligence report of a huge mass 3. The distortion of the images due to the oblique angle was no problem. It was easy to compensate for by tilting the meeting held at Knock on June 1, 1879. In the eyes of the gov- easel of the copying camera. The resultant squashed-up image ernment, subversion was rife at that time in Mayo and there elongates when projected obliquely and regains its natural pro- was a real threat to authority and landed property. Thus the portions. (This technique was well known in 1879.) Knock rally was seen as an open challenge. And the theme of 4. The hoax may well have been inspired by an illustrated short story that ran in Scribner’s Magazine in July 1871. The this rally? It was a public protest against the pro-government hub of this story was a planned onslaught by discontents on a views of Archdeacon Cavanagh! large isolated cabin, lived in by an outspoken eccentric. The Speaker Sheridan attacked the priest first: “Father Cavanagh aim was to blow up the cabin. But this aim was thwarted by had endeavored to stamp them as blackguards, he had done the use of a magic lantern that cast images against the wooden everything to brand them (cries down with him—cut off his sup- gable. The first image was of a bas relief of a female with a child in her arms. The discontents (Catholic to a man) saw this plies). He should not trample on the people who hoped to benefit as the Virgin Mary and fell on their knees. Within minutes they their Country. He referred to one man by name [O’Kane] . . . were up and in flight, as the image was replaced by one of a and said that he was actually drawing money and purchasing pantomime-style devil. From then on the old man lived safe in arms. . . .” When O’Kane spoke he said: “Father Cavanagh had a house that was “guarded by the Holy Virgin and the Devil in partnership.” made a wanton attack on him who wished to see his country 5. Unfortunately David Berman (a philosophy lecturer at free. It was said they were Fenians—if that means haters of Dublin University) in the Freethinker of October 1979, coupled British Rule they were all Fenians. Did Father Cavanagh wish to his important findings with the theory of direct projection from be reconciled to British Rule? . . . No police station was required a magic lantern sited in the schoolhouse. But this is untenable at Knock. . . . They should resist the invaders and drive them for the reasons set out in this article.

free inquiry 60 Lyng­zeidetson, S. Por­teous, J.A. Haught; American Naturalism, P.H. Hare, R. Rorty, P. Romanell; CATCH UP ON WHAT Secularization in Turkey, I. Kuçuradi; Marking Life’s Milestones: New Directions for CODESH, YOU’VE MISSED IN J.W. Willson, M. Cherry. Fall 1995, Vol. 15, no. 4—Consciousness Revisited, D. Dennett, P. S. Churchland, J. Delgado, N.W. Smith, A. Carley; Bertrand Russell Remem­ bered, T.J. Madigan, M.J. Rockler,­ J.M. Novak, G.G. Leithauser, J. Shosky, M. Kohl, A. Ryan, BACK N. Griffin; Humanism and Medical Ethics, R. Taylor and R. Goss. ISSUES Summer 1995, Vol. 15, no. 3—Remembering­ World War II, P. Kurtz, P.A. Pfalzner, G. and E. • 20% discount on orders of 10 or more • $6.95 each Klein, V. Freud, K. Baier; The Wandering Jew and the Second Coming, M. Gardner; Is There a Need Winter 1999/2000, Vol. 20, no. 1—Myth & Men, Wole Soyinka. for Fantasy? T.J. Madigan, M. Matsumura, C.W. L. Vaughn, R.M. Price, M.D. Thomas; Why Getting Summer 1997, Vol. 17, no. 3—Cloning Humans, Faulkner, D. Berman, K. Marsalek, B. Kosko, R. It Right Matters, D.C. Dennett; Are the Media T.J. Madigan, R. Dawkins, R. A. Lindsay, R.T. Hull; Handy, B. Zamulinski, E. McGovern. Killing Democracy?, R.W. McChesney; Interview Exposing the Religious Right’s ‘Secret’ Weapon, Spring 1995, Vol. 15, no. 2—The Many with Cynthia Tucker; Beyond All Reason, R.B.Tapp. G. Alexander-Moegerle; Can Science Prove that Faces of Feminism, T.J. Madigan, C. Paglia, Fall 1999, Vol. 19, no. 4—Humanist Prayer Works? H. Avalos; Morality Requires God S. Jordan, R. Sheaffer, J. Sherven, J. Sniechowski, Manifesto 2000: A Call for a New Planetary . . . Or Does It? T. Schick, Jr.; Interview with J.K. Taylor, E. Smeal, R. Braidotti, B. Smith, E.R. Humanism; Medical Ethics, T.J. Madigan, Albert Ellis; When Humanists Embrace the Arts, J. Klein, C. Gray; Secularism and Enlightenment C. Clements, Interview with Arthur Caplan, Herrick; What’s Wrong with Relativism, L. Vaughn; in Islamic Countries,­ P. Kurtz, I. Kuçuradi, V.L. L. Purdy; Reason, Sex, and Science, W. Kaminer; Secularists, Rise Up and Celebrate! R. Greeley. Bullough; Poland Today: A Challenge for Secular Planet Vatican, T. Flynn; Can You Go to Heaven? Spring 1997, Vol. 17, no. 2—Tampa Bay’s ‘Virgin Humanism, M. Hillar, J. Wolenski, B. Stanosz; A T. Schick, Jr. Mary Apparition,’ G. Posner; Those Tearful Icons, Bicentennial Glance at the Age of Reason, F. Smith. Summer 1999, Vol. 19, no. 3—The Science of J. Nickell; The Honest Agnostic, J.A. Haught; Winter 1994/95, Vol. 15, no. 1—Opus Dei and Religion, T. Flynn, P. Kurtz, L. Tiger, M. Hunt, The Freedom to Inquire, G.D. Smith, D. Berman, Secret Societies, T.J. Madigan, M. Mendez- B. Hunsburger, G. Bishop; Interview with George L. Hickman, S. Porteous, R. Riehemann, M. Acosta, J. Puertas Fuertes, K. Steigleder, Carlin; The Night I Saw Jesus, R. Taylor; Father’s Bunge; W.K. Clifford’s Continuing Relevance, T. DiNicola, R. Arnold, P. McWilliams, S. Presley, Day, P. Zeppetello. T.J. Madigan; The Goldhagen Controversy, E.D. J.A. Haught; The Challenge of Exoevolution, H.J. Spring 1999, Vol. 19, no. 2—World Population,­ Cohen; On Witchcraft, H. Sebald, P. Stevens, Jr., Birx; Harold Camping and the Stillborn Apoca­lypse, P. Kurtz, R.W. Brown, L.R. Brown, D. Brown, The Incredible Flimflams of Margaret Rowen, Part E.D. Cohen; The Humanist Movement­ in Romania, C. Wahren, C. Lasher, F. Kissling; a Chat with 3, M. Gardner. E. Dragut; Religion and Secular Humanism in the Arthur C. Clarke; Science and Sensibility, Part 2, Winter 1996/97, Vol. 17, no. 1—Eutha­nasia Slovak Republic, J. Celko; Concern for Human R. Dawkins; Why Postmodernism Is Not Pro­ Policy at the Crossroads, R.A. Lindsay, P.A. Rights in Europe: The Balkanic Context, J. Pecker; gressive, B. Epstein. Admiraal; Catholic Primate Clings to Evolution, Reason and Rationality,­ S.M. D’Agostino. Winter 1998/99, Vol. 19, no. 1—The McCarthyites H.J. Birx; The Pope, Evolution, and the Soul, Fall 1994, Vol. 14, no. 4—Rekindling Humanity’s of Virtue, P. Kurtz; Family Values, M. Cherry, V.L. M. Bunge; Humanist World Meets in Mexico City, Love Affair with Science and Technology, T.W. Bullough, R. Boston, M. Matsu­mura; Profile in M. Cherry; Humanism in Eastern Europe, T.J. Flynn; New Conceptions of the Mind, F. Crick, Courage: Taslima Nasrin, M. Cherry, Members Madigan, A. Flis; Student Freethought Group, M. Hunt, A.L. Carley; The Promethean Attitude, P. of the Academy of Humanism, S. Rushdie, FI D. Araujo; Universal Declaration of Humanist Kurtz, B. Mazish, B. Kosko, M. More, L.A. Hickman, Interview; Science and Sensibility, Part 1, Values, A. Solomon; Camp Quest 96, V. Uchtman; M. Kohl, T.J. Madigan; The Humanism of Albert R. Dawkins; God and the Philosophers, Part 3, The Infomedia Revolution, P. Kurtz; Dr. Persinger’s­ Camus, J. Lowen; Secularism Down Under, R. P. Edwards; Trying to Prove the Bible Is Pro- God Machine, I. Cotton. Dahlitz; Religion as a Human Science, L. Ksarjian. Woman, L. Ksarjian. Fall 1996, Vol. 16, no. 4—Defining Humanism: Summer 1994, Vol. 14, no. 3—Do Children Fall 1998, Vol. 18, no. 4— Postmodernism, M. The Battle Continues, P. Kurtz, D.A. Noebel, M. Need Religion? A. Szalanski, T. Malone, Cherry, E.O. Wilson, J. Bricmont, V.L. Bullough, Matsumura, S. Porteous, M. Olds, T. W. Flynn, K. Marsalek, R. Greeley, B. Clark, G. Larue, X. Li, T. Schick, Jr., H. Siegel; Interview with John J.E. Smith, T.J. Madigan, R. Firth, H.A. Tonne, L. M. Matsumura, E. McGovern, L. Kuhmerker, T.J. Searle on Artificial Intelligence; God and the Mondale; The Enlightened Cynicism of Ambrose Madigan, N. Howe; ‘The Humanist,’ W.A. Smith; Philosophers, Part 2, P. Edwards; Bill of Rights for Bierce, G. Odden; The Incredible Flimflams of Ghana and Humanism, V.L. and B. Bullough; Unbelievers. Margaret Rowen, Part 2, M. Gardner; Gordon Sowing the Seeds of Secular Humanism in Mexico, Summer 1998, Vol. 18, no. 3—Re-Discovering­ Stein—In Memoriam, J. Nickell, P. Kurtz; India, M. P. Lopez-Zaragoza; Was Ayn Rand a Humanist? Happiness, M. Matsumura, P. Kurtz, M. Csiks­ Cherry, L. Fragell, C. Hitchens. J. Walker; Biblical Contradictions Regarding zentmihalyi, J.F. Schumaker, T.J. Madigan, Summer 1996, Vol. 16, no. 3—The Unlimited Salvation, T. Drange. D.B. Ardell; God and the Philosophers, Part 1, Cosmos—A Personal Odyssey, A. Hale; New Spring 1994, Vol. 14, no. 2—Overpopu­ P. Edwards; Clergy and the Sin of Silence, G.A. Age Physics, V. J. Stenger; In Honor of Bonnie lation and Contraception, T.J. Madigan, R.T. Larue; Notorious Notary, H. Silverman. Bullough, G.A. Larue, P. Kurtz; Abortion, V.L. Ravenholt, B. Johnson, V.L. and B. Bullough, S.D. Spring 1998, Vol. 18, no. 2—Science vs. Religion, Bullough, H. Morgentaler, S. Porteous, F. Digby, Mumford, R.V. Liew, J. Narveson; Are Rudolf M. Cherry, P. Kurtz, R. Dawkins, E.C. Scott, N. Hentoff, N.W. Smith, J.K. Taylor, T. W. Flynn; Steiner’s Waldorf Schools ‘Non-Sectarian’?, R. P. Feynman, B. Ehrenreich and J. McIntosh, Religious Belief in America, H. Tonne, G.R. D. Dugan and J. Daar; Mary at Medjugorje: A P. Atkins, M. Ruse, H. Bondi, Q. Smith, Bergman, L. Conyers, P.D. Harvey; Post-Marxism Critical Inquiry, H. Avalos. M. Matsumura; Interview with Conor Cruise and Humanism, S. Stojanovic´, L. Yong-Sheng. Winter 1993/94, Vol. 14, no. 1—Faith Healing: O’Brien on Thomas Jefferson; Free Will, L. Vaughn Spring 1996, Vol. 16, no. 2—Do We Need God Miracle or Mirage? P. Kurtz, P. May, H. Avalos, and T. Schick, Jr.; The Shroud of Turin, J. Nickell. to Be Moral? J. M. Frame, P. Kurtz; Religion in N.R. Allen, Jr., J. Randi; Are We Approaching the Winter 1997/98, Vol. 18, no. 1—The Humanist the Public Schools, A. Szalanski, V.L. Bullough, End of the Age of Books? P. Kurtz; State and Church Hope, T.J. Madigan, P. Kurtz, M. Cherry, M. E. Tabash, J.B. Massen, J. Barnhart, M.J. Rockler; in Modern Germany, H. Sebald; Jesus Through the Matsumura, M. Gorbachev, Members of the The Incredible Flimflams of Margaret Rowen, Part Looking Glass, R.J. Hoffmann; An Interview with Tai Academy of Humanism; Mother Teresa’s House 1, M. Gardner; Strange Bedfellows: Mormon Polyg­ Solarin; Was John Demjanjuk ‘Innocent’? J. Nickell; of Illusions, S. Shields; A Scientist and a ‘Saint,’ amy and Baptist History, G.D. Smith; The Lost Matilda Joslyn Gage, L.K Porter. J. Hayes; Farewell to God, C. Templeton; Can a Robot Encyclical against Penicillin, C. Durang; Beat the Fall 1993, Vol. 13, no. 4—More on the ‘Incredible Have Moral Rights? T. Schick, Jr.; Dumping Limbo, Odds, D. Olincy; Paul Edwards on Nietzsche, Discovery of Noah’s Ark,’ G. A. Larue; Should “Voltaire”; An Interview with Barbara Ehrenreich. Freud, and Reich, W.A. Smith; Humanism­ and Secular Humanists Celebrate the Rites of Passage? Fall 1997, Vol. 17, no. 4—Sexual Freedom, Human Malleability, T.J. Madigan. Winter 1995/96, Vol. 16, no. 1 To order, or for a complete listing T. J. Madigan, W. McElroy, L. Sloan, R.A. Tielman, —Humanism of our back issues V.L. Bullough, J.A. Haught; Islam and Women’s and Tolerance, T.J. Madigan, R. Muller, Rights, N.R. Allen, Jr., I. Warraq, S.J. al-Azm, J. Pecker, P. Kurtz, M. Roan, M. Downey, CALL T. Nasrin; A Humanist Education, J. Nickell; Is M. Cherry, P. Stevens, Jr.; The Challenge from the Faith Good for You?, H. Avalos; Interview with Religious Right, N.R. Allen, Jr., R. Bellant, A.E. 800-458-1366 (Letters cont’d. from p. 26) would, if generally implemented, assure Dr. John Xanthopoulos the future of the human species as best Academic Dean thing that is written. However the next possible. Every rational-minded person Head of Upper School step of implementing some of these in the world would subscribe to it if the Grandview Preparatory School ideas seems to be more problematic. We adjunct insistence upon atheism were Boca Raton, Florida deleted. Its incorporation is a grievous need a plan for its implementation. I salute the Manifesto and take aim to tactical error. . . . Richard J. Roberts do my part in seeing that its lofty objec- Proponents of the humanist concept New England Biolabs tives are realized. would have far more success in attract- Beverly, Massachusetts David Tyler ing adherents if an agnostic approach Lafayette, Louisiana I wish to endorse Humanist Manifesto were taken, thereby encouraging the 2000. Thank you. sympathy of religious peoples whose And: Marge Rogatz personal beliefs are not denied, as well Dr. Roberto Llanos Rosalyn Heights, New York as those who personally insist upon an Psychiatrist I have read Manifesto 2000. I think it is atheistic stand. After all, most of the Asociación Peruana de Bioetica, Peru an outstanding statement of objectives humanist precepts are embraced by Dr. Juan Rivera Palomino for humanity and I would like to be ideals of most religions. Why reject the Philosopher recorded as an endorser of the document. many millions of religious people who Instituto Superior Pedagogico Peter Rogatz, M.D. would endorse an agnostic humanism San Marcos, Peru Rosalyn Heights, New York if the door were opened to them? Dr. Mariano Quero Hobart M. Smith Psychiatrist Human progress mostly depends on Boulder, Colorado Cable Canal de Noticias, Peru the development of modern science and technology. In China, we have the idea A comprehensive and significant doc- Rob Buitenweg of “Ren” as the relationship between ument! Professor, Humanist University human beings and their respective posi- Ruoshui Wang Utrecht, Netherlands tion in the universe. I believe there is Beijing, China Thomas R. Cech no contradiction between scientific and I would like to congratulate you for the Nobel Laureate, Chemistry and transcendental philosophy. Since they fine job that has been done in writing Distinguished Professor belong to two different fields, according Humanist Manifesto 2000. This result, Univ. of Colorado at Boulder to Kant and Husserl. so effectively written and presented, Boulder, Colorado Ye Xiu Shan turned out to be the high point during Institute of Philosophy, The Chinese Nadine Gordimer the recent meeting of my graduate class Academy of Social Sciences Nobel Prize, Literature 1991 in Global Education at Florida Atlantic Bejing, China Johannesburg, South Africa University. To it I wish to add my own Lavanam Humanist Manifesto 2000 is a remark- congratulations for this outstanding Atheist Center ably thorough catalogue of the highest achievement in the course of human Vijayawada, India ideals of human interrelationships that events. Soonnu M. Nalladaroo World Institute of Peace Education The Russian Humanist Society and the and Research International Academy of Humanism India Dr. Klaus von Klitzing cosponsor a conference at Nobel Laureate in Physics, 1985 Max-Planck-Institut für St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia Festkörperforschung June 13–18, 2000 Stuttgart, Germany Topic: Michael Smith Biotechnology Laboratory, University Science, Humanism, and the Planetary Value of British Columbia System of the Third Millennium Vancouver, B.C. Canada Speakers: Valerií Kuvakin, Yuri Solonin, Kenneth Marsalek Garry Abelev, Paul Kurtz, Matt Cherry, Founding member, Washington Area Jan Eisler, Harry Stopes-Roe, and others. Secular Humanists Washington, D.C. For registration details, contact: Matt Cherry, Joseph Levee Council for Secular Humanism, Board Member, Council for Secular PO Box 664, Amherst, NY 14226-0664 Humanism Cincinnati, Ohio

free inquiry 62 Larry Jones lenged. We cannot let the future of our I was delighted to read that once again Board Member, Center for Inquiry nation of our world be dictated by reli- you were proposing a secular coalition. East Greenbush, New York gious bigots. The harm this would cause What attracted my eye, of course, was Robert Worsfold would be tremendous. at the bottom of the pile of putative Board Member, Council for Secular A secular coalition would bring some groups you would welcome in associa- Humanism of the best minds to tackle the problems tion I found us religious humanists. It Saddle River, New Jersey we all confront today. shows a generosity of spirit to include I salute any effort to bring about us whom for so long and so vehemently David L. Heneban such a coalition and, even though finan- you have scorned. As one of the last two Board Member, Center for Inquiry cially poor myself, I would do what I surviving founders of the Fellowship Rochester, New York could to support such an organization. (now Friends) of Religious Humanists, David Tyler I appreciate it. My brother survivor is Strong Support for Lafayette, Louisiana Lester Mondale. Secular Coalition

We publish below a sampling of the avalanche of mail we have received An Open Letter: in support of a secular coalition, which Paul Kurtz first proposed in “Humanist Politics: The Need for a Defining Evolution New Coalition,” FI, Fall 1998.—Eds. The following letter was drafted for Associa­tion for the Advance­ Many of my associates, friends, and I the National Association of Biology ment of the Sciences would be pleased to join and support your Teachers (NABT) by biologist It has recently come to our atten­ proposal to establish a secular coalition. Massimo Pigliucci and was sent to tion that the NABT, with the sup­ Please, and by all means, continue your the NABT board together with 100 port of the NCSE, has changed its difficult but very important work. signatures. It addresses the redef- statement defining what evolution Ken Jarmolow inition of “evolution” by the NABT. is. This change apparently was at Oak Ridge, Tennessee Afterwards, a committee of some of least in part the result of pressures these signers, including evolutionary from the Christian Fundamental­ I would love to join this and be of any biologists William Provine (Cornell), ist movement. We strongly urge assistance possible. I don’t have an Richard Lewontin (Harvard), your organization to reconsider income of my own so all that I can Douglas Futuyma (Stony Brook), such a change, and to defend sci­ devote is my time, but that I have plenty Bryan and Deborah Charlesworth entific and educational principles of. (Edinburgh), Nick Barton (Edin­ in the face of public or partisan Rafael Langer burgh), Chris Simon (University of pressure of any kind. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Connecticut), Mitch Cruzan (Uni­ Our feeling is that this was an versity of Tennessee), David Rand unfortunate decision, which can A secular coalition? Let’s get it on today! (Brown University), Linda Maxon potentially mislead the American K.O. Saeuple (University of Iowa), and Pigliucci public and which yields undue Phoenix, Arizona worked on a new definition which authority to the already over­ was submitted to the board. The new whelming political and religious Of course a secular coalition would be definition read: a wonderful idea! As my letter states pressure over science that has been in the winter edition of FI, I have been The diversity of life on earth is the mounting in this country in recent outcome of evolution: a natural years. The NABT and the NCSE, as a rabid rabble-rouser in defense of the process of temporal descent with separation of church and state. I would genetic modification that is nondi- well as the scientific community do whatever possible to further such rectional, except for human inter- at large, have an inalienable right an idea. vention, and is explicable by prin- and a peremptory duty to defend ciples of physical and biological rationalism and open inquiry. the Dominic P. Sondy science including natural selection, North Muskegon, Michigan changing environments, chance, proposed change of the statement and historical contingencies. simply betrays such high ideals I certainly do agree that a new secular at their core. The significance of The board considered and reject- coalition needs to be brought into being. the change is far greater than just ed the proposal. With religious Right groups exercising dropping two controversial words, undue political influence over our poli- To: The National Association of since it represents the first wedge tics and culture, such an organization is Biology Teachers, National of a movement intended to sur­ badly needed. Center­ for Science­ Educa­ reptitiously introduce religious There are forces of social regression tion, and the American teachings into our public schools. at work today that need to be chal-

63 fi spring 2000 I think you may have better luck berships (even the Christian Coalition) gathering up disparate groups like would suggest. The vast majority of Become a Skeptics Society Member the religious humanists if your “coa- politicians and those who actively sup- and receive the highly lition” was called something like a port them tend to avoid doing or say- acclaimed “Free­thought Organization” or “United ing anything that might alienate the Humanists.” What you are proposing religious. I am happy to learn that you sounds to me more like a membership are still eager to combat this feature of SKEPTIC group than a coalition. Coalition gener- American political life by forming a sec- ally assumes corporate bodies like the ular coalition, and I would be pleased to “…the best journal in the field.” National Association of Manufacturers. support such an organization. —Stephen Jay Gould The Christian Coalition, made up of George Englebretsen “stimulating and provocative” individuals and not nonprofit organi- Professor of Philosophy —Carl Sagan zations, is a misnomer, probably inten- Bishop’s University tionally so for alliteration. I want you Lennoxville, Quebec, Canada “a first rate job promoting science to know I appreciate your efforts on all & rationality”—John Rennie, our behalfs. I think you have a very good idea, set- Editor-in-Chief, Scientific American Farley W. Wheelwright ting up a political coalition of secular “One of 1997’s best magazines’’ San Miguel de Allende, Mexico humanists and others who are not Rigid —Library Journal Right. It would be good to have a way to “clearly superior…gutsy!” I’ve been an activist for 20 years and a communicate and discuss ideas; possi- —Edward O. Wilson freethinker for 20 more. I’ve seen the ble a Web site or a bulletin board-style religious Right in various forms rise and site. fall and rise again. I’ve also seen the I’m not a Ph.D., but I support secular Left attempt to rise. Humanist Manifesto 2000. No it isn’t I’ve gone to many presentations and perfect, and we’ll all have some things seminars over the years. I get all fired to say about it, but it’s better than up thinking our time has finally come, saying nothing—and much better than things are going to change, people are any position statements I’ve seen on the finally going to wake up in sufficient same subjects, expressed or implied, enough numbers to turn the tide. from other groups. Time’s running out; For sample But then I go home and reality hits. it’s time to get real. articles, In the lap of a major political party is Sharon Horton back issues and where secularists should plan to spend Grand, Rapids, Michigan more, visit our their upcoming years. If we can’t get Award Democrats to clear their heads, what’s You admitted a floundering of the orig- Winning Web Page the use? We at least have to try. inal approach when you tried to form http://www.skeptic.com/ When an issue is raised with your a coalition of individuals committed to name on it, do your homework and get SAVE OVER behind it. If the right issues aren’t being raised, or the right spin isn’t being $10 OFF OUR given, state your case before the peo­ USUAL RATES ple. That’s what democracy is all about, or so I’ve been told. The greatest need at this point is for you bigwigs to get off your high horses and begin to speak the language of and motivate to action the middle majority of potential warriors. Otherwise we’ll all be buried in the same dirty grave. MasterCard qYES! Hard and heavy political activism by I would like a secular humanists working at the grass- subscription to roots and on up is all I see that stands VISA® Skeptic magazine a chance of protecting secular values in which includes a the new millennium. Anything less, at membership this stage, is fluff and distraction. in the Skeptics Society. Dennis Coyier Mail your check or charge card number to Skeptics Society, P.O. Cottage Grove, Wisconsin Box 338, Altadena, CA 91001. Or FAX us at 626/794-1301. For The power of Right-wing religious orga- information phone 626/794-3119, nizations in American political life is e-mail: [email protected] far greater than the sizes of their mem-

free inquiry 64 the same goals. Since 90% of the peo- be equally irrelevant. The only issue ple believe in God, it would be suicid- that would get to the voters is that I am al for this new coalition to emphasize a godless person, and do the citizens or “advertise” atheism. People always of the state really want such a person believe what they want to believe. You in the state capitol making important want to focus on a number of core decisions? I am not saying that there issues: separation of church and state, are no such people in politics; I am commitment to a secular democracy, saying that, if so, they got elected by and equal rights for both believers and keeping that part of their background a unbelievers. The Constitution already secret. Europeans will and have elected provides all three, so no believer will known atheists to the highest positions contest those or has to be “convert- of office. In this country, our time has ed” to those principles. Schools already not yet come. Reader teach this, even religious schools. The At the present time, it is very diffi- separation of church and state is a cult to get the political system on our Services myth, because religion instills a certain side, but it is still possible. Once we TO SUBSCRIBE OR RENEW belief and a certain attitude that is often get tagged as heathen extremists, this • Call TOLL FREE 1-800-458-1366 (have reflected in a person’s political opinion. will no longer be true. And that is why I credit card handy). If you want to make this new secular oppose your idea. • Fax credit-card order to 1-716-636-1733. coalition a political group, you would We are making progress. It just hap- • E-mail: [email protected] have to state its principles in a political pens at an incredibly slow pace. And • Internet: secularhumanism.org credo much shorter and simpler than there is so much more to be done. • Mail: FREE INQUIRY, P.O. Box 664, the Manifesto 2000. I understand that. Be patient. Leave Amherst, NY 14226-0664 In a comment on Manifesto 2000 something for our children to accom- • Subscription rates: $31.50 for one year, Sir H.W. Kroto (“Commendations and plish. Although victory is not inevitable, $53.50 for two years, $72.50 for three Comments,”­ FI, Winter 1999/00) wrote: the odds are on our side. The Christian years. “The Internet promises to provide, for Coalition is fractured, science contin- CHANGE OF ADDRESS the first time, the possibility of effec- ues to put theologians in retreat and, • Mail changes to FREE INQUIRY, tively coordinating the efforts of the if human cloning becomes a reality, ATTN: Change of Address, P. O. Box large number of people with a common this will finish them off. And the polit- 664, Amherst, NY 14226-0664 cause.” This requires involvement of ical mood of the country is shifting. • Call Customer Service: 716-636-7571. “ordinary” people. It also involves the Meanwhile, keep publishing your won- WEBSITE establishment of a Web site that should derful magazine and all of us exercise be kept totally separate from FI. the privilege of voting. That’s about all • FREE INQUIRY’s homepage is hosted John van Huizum any one person can do. by the Council for Secular Humanism at Acton, California Kenneth P. Miller secularhumanism.org. Mexico, Missouri BACK ISSUES I would like to say that I’m strong- • $6.95 each; 20% discount on orders of 10 ly opposed to your idea of using the Paul Kurtz replies: or more. Call 800-458-1366 to order or to political system to advance the causes ask for a complete listing of back issues. of humanism. There exists a paradox I agree with you that secular human­ REPRINTS/PERMISSIONS that you apparently don’t see: If your ists, atheists, and agnostics are the • To order reprints of articles or to request idea could possibly work, it wouldn’t be pariahs of American society. But permission to use any part of FREE needed. Most secular humanists under- why should we accept that fact? Why INQUIRY, write to FREE INQUIRY, stand the importance of our political not try to change public opinion? As ATTN: Permissions­ Editor, P.O. Box system and the impact that legislative you say, many unbelievers have been 664, Amherst, NY 14226-0664. efforts and judicial rulings have on our elected to public office in Europe, WHERE TO BUY FREE INQUIRY agenda. Thus it would make more sense with nary a dissent. Why not in • FREE INQUIRY is available from select- to encourage secular humanists to run America? We should openly try to do ed book and magazine sellers nationwide. for political office. After all, who could something about that dismal fact. be trusted more than one of us to look I have decided to begin by sup­ ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS after our own political interests? In my porting an atheist candidate who is • Complete submission guidelines can be own case, I like and understand poli- running for the Assembly in the State found on the Web at secularhumanism. tics and would, indeed, love to run for of California: Eddie Tabash. This is org. a state office, and I suspect that some being done independently of FI or the • To request guidelines by mail, write to of my fellow humanists have similar Council for Secular Humanism. It is a Author Guidelines, FREE INQUIRY, aspirations. coalition of individuals. Perhaps you P.O. Box 664, Amherst, NY 14226-0664. But if I ran for any public office high- will wish to support this effort. • All article submissions should be addressed to: Article Submissions, er than dog-catcher, it would not matter ATTN: Lewis Vaughn, FREE INQUIRY, what issues I was for or against, and the P.O. Box 664, Amherst, NY 14226-0664. party supporting my candidacy would

65 fi spring 2000 CHURCH-STATE UPDATE

ball-game prayers. The full Fifth Circuit Court later upheld that ruling. Kentucky Passes The high court will limit its review to the question of football game prayers, so its decision, expected in June, may do nothing to reconcile contradictory Anti-Atheist Law federal court graduation-prayer rulings that allow student-led graduation prayer in Texas, Mississippi, and Louisiana, but Tom Flynn forbid it in nine Western states.

? Oral Arguments Focus on Tax Funds hurch-State Update tracks con- zations to work together for the com- for Parochial School Equipment.­ In tinuing developments in import- mon good.” Among the topics covered December the U.S. Supreme Court heard Cant federal, state, and local are clergy crisis counseling in public oral arguments in Mitchell v. Helms. At church-state issues. Each item is pre- schools, religious mentoring programs, issue is whether federal funds can be ceded by an up arrow (�) or a down school use of religious-owned facilities, used to provide educational hardware, arrow (�), based on the story’s implica- and released-time religious education. including computers, to parochial schools. tions for separation of church and state Though constitutionally cautious, the Supreme Court precedents permit fund- and the rights of the nonreligious. guidelines encourage public schools to ing textbooks and bus service for both pursue as much cooperation with reli- private and public schools. But a recent �Kentucky Passes Anti-Atheist Law gious groups as the law allows. Fifth Circuit decision forbade giving paro­ . . . Inspired by Camp Quest! Legis­ The guideline was billed as a succes- chial schools computers; books can be lation that has passed in the Kentucky sor to Religion in the Public Schools: A prescreened for religious content, but ver- house would amend state anti-discrimi- Joint Statement of Current Law, pub- satile computers could easily be diverted nation law to permit religious organiza- lished in 1995 by a spectrum of religious, to schools’ religious missions. Questions tions to refuse to transact business with civil liberties, and educational groups posed by the Justices made clear that the persons or organizations lacking belief with White House support. The coali- case is being viewed as a precursor to in a Supreme Being. Religious organiza- tion has shrunk: the 1995 statement broader voucher cases in the future. tions would still be forbidden to discrim- had 36 authors or endorsers, includ- inate based on race, creed, or sex. But ing the American Civil Liberties Union, � Supreme Court Lets Vermont they could discriminate against atheist Amer­icans United for Separation of Anti-Voucher Ruling Stand. The qua atheists. Amazingly, the bill was Church and State, and the American U.S. Supreme Court declined to inspired by Camp Quest (CQ), the Council Humanist Association. The new guide- examine a Vermont Supreme Court for Secular Humanism-affiliated summer line was co-authored or endorsed by just decision barring tax funding for reli- camp operated by the Free Inquiry Group 15 groups, all but one of them religious gious school tuition. In letting the of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. or educational in character. Look for fbo state’s refusal stand, the high court Four years ago, CQ organizers rented colonization of public schools to accel- creates no precedent. camp facilities from Bullittsburg Baptist erate. Assembly, which requested the new legis- �Louisiana Takes the Silence Out lation so it would never have to face such �High Court O.K.s Maryland Easter­ of Prayer. Ever thought “silent prayer” besmirchment again. Closings. The Supreme Court has let laws are Trojan horses? Louisiana stand Maryland’s law mandating pub- lawmakers amended a law authorizing �Revised Guidelines Promote Public lic school closing from Good Friday to “silent prayer or meditation” in public School-Religious Partner­ships. A new Easter Monday. An appeals called the law schools by (you guessed it) deleting guideline published by educational and a pragmatic response to anticipated high the word silent. Now the good news: religious groups and promoted by the absenteeism over a holiday weekend. the Louisiana Civil Liberties Union and U.S. Department of Education helps This decision sets no precedent; a chal- Americans United have sued, calling the public schools structure cooperative lenge to Indiana’s Good Friday law is still new law unconstitutional and challeng- programs with so-called faith-based pending before the high court this term. ing pervasive Christian activities at a organizations (fbos). Public Schools target high school. and Religious Com­muni­ties: A First ? High Court Will Rule on Football Amendment Guide presents “consti- Prayer. The U.S. Supreme Court �Illinois Tax Credit Challenge tutional principles and guidelines” to announced that it will hear a Texas case Dismissed. A major legal challenge to “enable schools and religious organi- concerning student-led prayer at public Illinois’s new tuition tax-credit law was school football games. A February 1999 dismissed less than a month after being Tom Flynn is coordinator of the decision by a panel of the U.S. Fifth Circuit filed by a coalition of civil liberties, edu- Council for Secular Humanism’s cational, and taxpayer groups. The pecu- First Amendment Task Force. Court of Appeals allowed “solemnizing” prayer at graduations, but banned foot- liar law makes tuition tax credits avail-

free inquiry 66 able only to about 60% of Illinois families, Christ representatives were told to go Ganulin charged that when federal offices, excluding those with taxable incomes home, and the office has remained closed postal facilities, and banks are ordered below $20,667, prompting one activist to ever since. “The First Amend­ment pre- closed on December 25, that constitutes condemn it as “welfare for the haves.” vents public universities . . . from taking an impermissible establishment of the actions that have the effect of endorsing Christian religion. In a short and peculiar �Ohio Voucher Program Axed. U.S. religion or that foster excessive entangle- ruling, Judge Dlott called Christmas both District Judge Solomon Oliver, Jr., ment between government and religion,” a religious and secular holiday. She also struck down Cleveland, Ohio’s school wrote university vice president Melvin C. appended nine stanzas of original nursery voucher program. Ruling in Simons- Terrell. Three cheers. rhyme, includ­ing “The court will uphold/ Harris v. Zelman, a case brought by Seem­ingly contradictory causes/Decree­ a coalition of civil liberties and edu- �Silverman Wins in Game 2. Last ing ‘The Establish­­ment’ AND ‘Santa’/Both cational groups, Oliver decided that issue, we reported Pennsylvania atheist worthwhile ‘CLAUS(es)’!” Ganulin will the voucher plan violates church-state Carl Silverman’s defeat in his effort to appeal. separation by funneling tax dollars into end a “church bulletin” discount promo- religious schools. tion by the Hagerstown (Maryland) Suns �75% Favor Posting Decalogue in minor-league baseball team. Faced with a Schools. In a 1999 Gallup poll, a huge �Ten Commandments Fever Sweeps likely state appeal and fresh federal court majority—75 percent of respondents— Nation. Today’s fast-growing effort to action by Silverman, the team agreed to said they would favor displaying the Ten display the Decalogue in public schools a surprise settlement. Instead of giving Commandments in public schools and and buildings goes under the slogan discounts to patrons who come to Sunday making schools more available for after- “Hang Ten.” Believers hope to circum- games carrying church bulletins—effec- hours use by religious groups. vent 1980’s Supreme Court ban on public tively restricting the discounts to practic- school Decalogue displays. In Val Verde, ing Christians—the Suns will now offer �Ex-Jesuit’s Harassment Suit Will California, the school board scrapped a “Sunday Family Bulletin Day,” in which Proceed. For the first time, courts will plan to “hang ten” in district offices only the discount would be offered to fans hear a sexual harassment lawsuit against after the ACLU sued. Harrisburg, Illinois, presenting “any church, house of worship, a religious organization. As reported last is hanging ten and hanging tough, keep- civic or nonprofit bulletin.” issue, ex-seminarian John Bollard said ing Decalogues in school offices despite he was sexually harassed for five and ACLU threats. ACLU suits are pending �San Francisco Cross to Remain. An one-half years while attending a Berkeley, against two counties and a school dis- atheist group lost its challenge against San California, Jesuit seminary. The Ninth trict. Indiana’s legislature has authorized Francisco’s sale of a 103-foot Christian U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled display of the Decalogue in any state- cross to a private group. Rather than that his suit against the Society of Jesus, owned building. Georgia’s legislature is dismantle the 66-year-old religious monu- a Roman Catholic religious order, may considering a bill that would withhold ment atop Mount Davidson, the City of San go forward. Courts have refused to sec- state funds from public schools that fail Francisco sold the cross and a one-third ond-guess religious organizations’ hiring to post the Commandments. High­lights acre parcel of land surrounding it to a and firing of clergy, citing free exercise from the fringes: in Altoona, Penn­sylvania, coalition of Armenian American organiza- protections. But the Ninth Circuit held a strange compromise will result in the tions for $26,000. The cross is now official- that a sex harassment suit involves mat- Decalogue’s being displayed only in the ly a monument to Armenians massacred ters of fact and law, not doctrine. library, for a limited time and flanked by a by Turks during World War I. Two athe- copy of the Council’s own “Affirmations of ists sued, asking that the sale be voided �Gore Calls the Nonreligious Humanism.” A Scottsburg,­ Indiana, school as a sham designed to preserve the cross “Arrogant,” “Intimidating.” We should has gone God one better by writing and in violation of the U.S. and California con- have such power! Appearing on CBS’s posting its own 11-point code of conduct; stitutions. Federal judge Maxine Chesney “60 Minutes” in December, Vice Presi­ an ACLU suit is expected. Meanwhile, ruled the sale legitimate. dent Al Gore had nothing kind to say a federal judge ruled against atheist about the nonreligious. When corre- activists in Elkhart, Indiana, declaring �Davis, California, Schools Slam Door spondent Lesley Stahl asked him wheth- that a six-foot granite tablet depicting on Scouts. Add Davis, California, to the list er he was born-again, Gore responded: the Decalogue can remain before the city of municipalities that no longer cooperate “I am. It—it—it’s sometimes lampooned, hall because it is part of a larger display with Scouting because of discrimination you know. And I think the—what I call whose themes include justice and the legal against gays and the nonreligious. Davis the anti-religious view—it sometimes system. scout troops will no longer be allowed the tends to the arrogant and to the intimi- use bulletin boards, Parent-Teacher Asso­ dating side of—of making people who do �College Closes Campus Ministry . . . ciation newsletters, or student folders for believe in God feel kind of like they’re, Just Because It’s the Right Thing to recruiting purposes. you know . . .” Do. Call it a secular miracle. No one com- “Being put down?” Stahl supplied. plained, no one sued. Northeastern Illinois �Flippant Ruling Dismissed Christ­ “Yeah, yeah. And I—I—I just don’t—I University simply closed its Interfaith mas Suit. U.S. District Judge Susan don’t like that.” fi Office of Campus Ministry because it was Dlott cavalierly dismissed a suit chal- the right thing to do. Late in September lenging federal recognition of Christ­mas. Catholic, Hindu, and Church of God in Freethinking Cincinnati attorney Richard

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protection. African Americans and Religion In Haiti, enslaved West Africans practiced vodou, and passed the reli- gion to their descendants. By the early Norm R. Allen, Jr. sixteenth century, large numbers of slaves were brought into the nation. In 1697, the Treaty of Ryswick granted Varieties of African American Religious Experience, by Anthony Pinn the French control of western Haiti (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1998, ISBN 0-8006-2944-9) 242 pp., (or Hispaniola). The Spanish Crown cloth $20.00. maintained control of the eastern half. The Spaniards and the Catholic Church advocated missionary work. Due to the n Varieties of African American gions objectively and discusses how lack of religious leaders and the terrain, Religious Experience, Anthony each deals with the problem of evil. He however, they were not very successful. IPinn examines “extrachurch” or does not, however, offer critiques of the Conversely, the French had very little non-Christian African-American “reli- various religious views on this topic. He interest in proselytizing, and the slaves gious” traditions including Voodoo, merely attempts to explain the ideas as had opportunities to develop their reli- Santería, Islam, and humanism. (Pinn a point of entry for the examination of gious traditions. steadfastly maintains that secular non-Christian religions, thereby bring- In 1685, the Code Noir was passed. humanism is a religion.) He argues that ing about a broader understanding of The law governed “the social, politi- black religious scholarship focuses pri- black history. cal, and religious life of all the French marily on Christianity, thereby neglect- colonies throughout the world” (p. 16). ing the diversity of African-American Past and Present Beliefs Under the Code, slaves were subjected religious experience. This book is an Pinn does a very admirable job of explor- to forced baptisms and religious edu- attempt to at least begin a major dis- ing the history and sociology of indige- cation. African religious practices were cussion surrounding the importance of nous African religions, rituals, cultural prohibited. Moreover, “Regulations making black religious studies more practices, and so forth. He examines imposed in 1758 and 1777 further inclusive. these belief systems without a hint of enforced the Christianization of slaves Pinn argues for a new way of discuss- Western arrogance or condescension by controlling the space in which slaves ing religion. All discussion of religion and challenges the claim of many schol- moved: under penalty of death, slaves does not necessarily lead back to the ars that black slaves in the United were not to meet except in the presence black church, as many black religious States only gathered to foster Christian of a priest, and were not allowed to scholars imply. Due to the fragile nature beliefs and practices. For example, gather near the home of their master of cultural memory and artifacts, schol- he quotes the scholar Charles Joyner: and in remote places” (pp. 16–17). ars should not assume that Christianity “Many slaves in the South Carolina Nevertheless, African cultural necessarily dominated at slave gather- and Georgia lowcountry continued to practices endured. Enslaved Africans ings. Like many religious scholars, he embrace African supernatural beliefs mixed Christian beliefs with indig- argues for a “hermeneutic of suspicion,” that were not incorporated into African enous African beliefs and customs. understanding that religious ideas have American Christianity but instead per- The persistence of vodou bothered the been often misunderstood by scholars. sisted in a kind of parallel stream” (p. Catholic Church. In time, however, the He believes that archaeological meth- 35). Pinn also notes that many slaves Church recognized vodou unofficially, ods applied to theology are useful in and former slaves gave testimonies “to though vodou practitioners had to work questioning long held and deeply cher- alternative forms of religious expres- in secrecy to avoid punishment from ished cultural assumptions and deep- sion alive on plantations” (p. 36). Some intolerant Christians. Vodou devotees ening theological reflection. He repeats of them were polytheists, and indige- used Catholic saints interchangeably his call for “nitty gritty hermeneutics” nous African religious beliefs persist in with African deities. For example, the discussed in Why, Lord? He explains, the U.S. today. God Legba was associated with Christ “Simply put, nitty gritty hermeneutics He begins with the Voodoo religion, or St. Peter. The God of Agriculture, is an interpretative tool comfortable which comes from West Africa. It orig- Zaka, was associated with St. John the with [cultural] disrup­ ­tion. . . . It recog- inated among the Dahomey people, in Baptist. The River Goddess, Aziri, was nizes that the act of interpretation, like what is today known as the nation of associated with the Virgin Mary. Thus, love-making, is unpredictable, passion- Benin. The Dahomean religion has a practitioners of vodou could practice the ate, and messy—without apology” (p. major god with lesser deities. The gods religion while avoiding persecution from 199). are called vodun. Christian fanatics. Pinn is not a polemical writer. He The Dahomeans believed that the life American religionists tried to com- seeks to examine and understand reli- force does not end with death. It con- bat voodoo (the U.S. version of vodou), tinues to live through ancestors. When but the religion persisted. Pinn relates: Norm Allen is director of African ancestors are remembered, supported, “With the successful Haitian revolution, Americans for Humanism. and honored, they provide guidance and many slave owners fled to Cuba, only

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to be expelled in 1809. Roughly ten Berber traders and nomads. Muslims, embraced orthodox Islam. Others— thousand slaves then made their way to including Berbers, launched a success- including Minister Louis Farrakhan— New Orleans, bringing with them their ful holy war against nonbelievers in left and tried to continue the program of vodou tradition” (p. 38). Christians tried West Africa. By the twelfth century Elijah Muhammad. to demonize the religion, and outlawed C.E. Islam had become widely accept- Pinn discusses the problem of evil certain voodoo dances, but the religion ed in Ghana. Timbuktu had become a and the Nation of Islam. According continued to grow. major Islamic learning center in Mali. to Elijah Muhammad, it was the will The vodou/voodoo tradition deals Many enslaved Africans brought to the of God that whites enslaved blacks. with the problem of evil much more Americas were Muslims. Suffering, on an individual and group rationally than do the world’s most In the twentieth century, offshoots level, is enlightening and redemptive. influential monotheistic religions. In the of Islam gained influence among blacks As God’s chosen people, suffering pre- indigenous African religious system, throughout the U.S. Timothy Drew pares blacks for glory. Nothing in the good and evil occur naturally. God does (Noble Drew Ali) founded the Moorish world can take place without God’s not inflict suffering upon human beings. Science Temple of America in 1925. The permission. According to Farrakhan, Evil and misery do not exist because group established temples in Harlem, white supremacists have merely fulfilled human beings are born into sin. Human Detroit, Pittsburgh, Phila­delphia, and prophecy. beings will not be eternally punished other cities. At its peak, the organiza- in Hell for their earthly sins. As Pinn tion’s membership reached as many as African-American Humanism relates: “Some experiences we would 30,000. Ali believed that Christianity Pinn gives a good overview of the his- prefer not to have, but in the long run had failed black people in the U.S. He tory of humanism. He quotes the great we must learn from them and seek to considered Islam to be the original reli- black educator Benjamin E. Mays: “The maintain balance in order to make life gion of black people, and the only one Negro’s incredulity, frustrations, agnos- as rich as possible” (p. 55). capable of liberating them. He claimed ticism, and atheism do not develop as Pinn discusses the Yorùbá religion that blacks were originally “Asiatics” of the results of the findings of modern in Cuba (Santería) and orisha worship Moorish descent, and should be known science nor from the observation that in the United States. The Yorùbá peo- as Moorish Amer­icans. Terms such as nature is cruel and indifferent; but pri- ple make up one of the largest ethnic Negro, black, colored, Ethiopian, and marily because in the social situation, groups in Nigeria. They are also found African were considered to be degrad- he finds himself hampered and restrict- in Togo and Benin. In their religion, the ing and inaccurate. The use of “slave” ed” (p.160). god Olódùmarè is the creator and ruler names—particularly last names—only Pinn shows that slaves scoffed at of the universe. Because he is respon- dehumanized black people. The names religion upon noting the inconsistency sible for maintaining the universe, he “El” or “Bey” were used in place of their between professed Christian love and does not have time to interfere in human given surnames to emphasize the sup- the practice of chattel slavery. They affairs. Yet he exists in this world in posed historical connection to Morocco. questioned not only the supposed good- the form of àse (divine energy). This Chris­tianity was said to be the white ness and justice of God, but also the energy is assembled in the form of the man’s religion. Islam was for Asiatics, existence of God. The author notes orìsa—the gods that are in contact with or olive-skinned persons. that the works of Thomas Paine and human beings. The religion has hun- In 1930 W.D. Fard (also known as Robert Green Ingersoll influenced black dreds of deities. Believers come closest Master Wallace Farad Muhammad and thinkers and activists such as James to the orìsàs through spirit possession. 100 other aliases) started the Nation Weldon Johnson and Eldridge Cleaver. The contact between human beings and of Islam. He was highly critical of the He demonstrates that influential black the gods comes through Èsù (Eshu- Bible, though he used it as evidence of humanists were involved in the Black Elégbá), the messenger of Olódùmarè. his divinity. For example, his followers Power Movement and the major black Èsù is a divine trickster, and could be claimed that his birth was predicted in liberation organizations such as the dangerous. Though missionaries linked the Book of Revelation (18:1). He also Student Non-violent Coordinating him to Satan, the Yorùbá believe he drew upon teachings from the Jehovah’s Committee (SNCC) and the Black has the potential for both good and Witnesses and Freemasonry. Like Ali, Panthers. He discusses black involve- harm, depending upon the sacrifices Fard referred to blacks as Asiatics. ment in the Unitarian Universalist and actions of the believer. After the mysterious disappearance Association and other groups of reli- Within Yorùbá religion, there is no of Fard, Elijah Poole (later known as gious humanists. problem of evil. The gods do not inflict Elijah Muhammad and numerous other Pinn covers African Americans for suffering upon people to teach them les- aliases) eventually took over leadership Humanism and the African-American sons. Suffering is a natural phenomenon of the Nation. Humanist Declaration issued by the and requires no theological explanation. After Elijah Muhammad died in organization in 1990. He adequately Islam has had a profound impact 1975, there were several splits in the demonstrates that humanism has had upon modern African-American intellec- movement. Most members remained a profound impact upon black thinking tualism and activism. By the ninth cen- with Muhammad’s son, Wallace Deen and activism, and is a positive vehicle tury c.e. Islam had been spread through- Muhammad. The latter Muhammad for human liberation. out much of eastern Africa by Arab and changed the group’s theology and Humanists understand that the idea

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of an infinitely good God is inconsistent Muslims trying to explain the existence of blacks than with the blacks that with the existence of human suffer- of black suffering. One would think that need help the most. They have formed ing. James Baldwin believed that, if most thoughtful blacks would find the loose alliances with white supremacist God exists and allows blacks to suf- theodoices of these two major religions groups such as the old American Nazi fer, he must be white. However, Pinn morally and intellectually offensive. Party and the White Aryan Resistance. writes, “Humanism resolves the prob- Moreover, these religions have been Throughout the 90s they served as lem of evil through an appeal to human used to oppress blacks for centuries. apologists for Muslim slavers in Sudan. accountability. Humans have created The subjection of black people and the Despite their constant professions of the conditions presently encountered subsequent religious rationalizations black pride, they are clearly not entire- and humans are responsible for chang- for their oppression continue to spell ly comfortable with being black. One ing these conditions” (p. 185). disaster for those seeking to fully liber- has to wonder why NOI members are According to Pinn, African American ate black people. so furious over white supremacy if, humanists realize that human-centered The views of the NOI are particu- according to their worldview, the exis- thought and activism are necessary for larly confused and depressing. Though tence of white supremacy is part of human liberation. But black humanists the NOI bills itself as a fiercely pro- the divine plan. NOI theodicy makes tend to be pragmatic meliorists rath- black organization, many of its reac- a mockery of black life, and ultimate- er than blindly optimistic do-gooders tionary beliefs are clearly harmful to ly, harms serious efforts to eliminate because blacks have suffered so great- black people. The NOI teaches that black oppression. ly as a group. Yet apathy is not an blacks should be proud of their ances- In the future, Pinn will discuss option. That would only lead to further try, history, physical traits, and so other non-Christian African-American oppression. forth. Yet they embrace a bizarre fan- religious traditions. His work should Islam and Christianity continue to tasy history in which a mythical race of go far in challenging the hegemony of grow among blacks throughout the blacks were not burdened with wooly Christocentric scholarship in the field of world. Ironically, however, humanism hair, thick lips, and flat noses. Rather religious studies. fi and the indigenous African religions than embracing terms such as African that Pinn covers have no problem of or African American, NOI members evil with which to contend. Yet this is still point to Asia as the home of their the most glaring, serious, and unsolv- ancestors. Furthermore, they often able problem for black Christians and identify more closely with the enemies

Lower Saxony to maneuver Lüdemann A Biblical Scholar Breaks Out out of his chair in New Testament at the prestigious University of Göttingen. But Lüdemann devotes the body of the Robert M. Price book to a very helpful set of examples of sayings and stories of Jesus that critical scholars dismiss as inauthentic, using The Great Deception, And What Jesus Really Said and Did, by Gerd each to illustrate the battery of crite- Lüdemann (Amherst, N.Y.: Prometheus Books, 1999, ISBN 1-57392- ria whereby such decisions are made, 688-4) xxv + 114 pp. $16.95. e.g., by the Jesus Seminar, in which Lüdemann and I are colleagues. Then n a recent review of Gerd Lüde­ tradition, as long as one were scrupu- he shifts gears to demonstrate how the mann’s Heretics: The Other Side lously honest. I posed the question of same criteria may be used to vindicate I of Early Christianity, I challenged whether Lüdemann’s apparently invul- an admittedly much smaller number the author to rethink his residual alle- nerable adherence to Christianity, even of sayings and stories as authentic. I giance to Christianity. He had already in a very denatured form, was itself an must confess my astonishment at the declared his absolute refusal to take ref- indefensible piece of intellectual dis- optimism of Lüdemann and the majority uge in any of the traditional ambiguities honesty. What was left that was spe- of Jesus Seminar scholars in regard to and cheats of Christian apologetics, cifically Christian in his stance or his this class of supposedly unimpeachable whether liberal or conservative, but he identity? Why not simply fly the banner Jesus materials. Let us review most of maintained that one’s Christian identity of Enlightenment ideals? His book The Lüdemann’s “authentic” examples. could survive any amount of debunking Great Deception marks Lüdemann’s The three Lukan beatitudes (Luke of the New Testament and Christian courageous decision to do just that. 6:20b–21), promising eventual vindica- The book includes the author’s con- tion to the poor, the hungry, and the Robert M. Price is a member of the fessional “Letter to Jesus” (in which weeping, might indeed stem from a Jesus Seminar and professor of he pretty much kisses off the savior), a historical Jesus. Compared with this Biblical Criticism at the Center for document that, published solo in 1998, version, Matthew’s expanded, spiritual- Inquiry Institute. prompted the Protestant faculty of ized version (Matt. 5:3–12) is certainly

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to be judged secondary (“the criterion of have to let this one go as very likely sorcerer-priests of Pharaoh duplicate development”). But then the vindication being a borrowing from Jewish prayer. them until one final miracle which they of the poor is a cardinal Lukan theme, Lüdemann accepts this much of despair of copying and admit, “This is so much so that one must always sus- Matthew 19:28, “In the regeneration, the finger of God!” (Exod. 8:19). “Your pect its appearance to be redactional in you who have followed me will also sit sons” are the exorcists of the Pharisee origin. Lüdemann says the three beati- on twelve thrones judging the twelve sect, and they correspond to Pharaoh’s tudes make no sense as products of the tribes of Israel.” But compared with henchmen, while Jesus is the new Moses, early church, but they do: the famous the version preserved beneath Luke’s a plainly Christian bit of Christology. Judaic Christians of Jerusalem called reworking in Luke 22:28–30, which does And the absolute divide between Jesus themselves “the Poor” (Ebionites), and not have “twelve” before “thrones,” and and Judaism, as Lüdemann recognizes the saying may be a self-congratulation thus applies to all faithful Christians (as elsewhere, also presupposes a situation on their part, attributed to Jesus. in 1 Cor. 6:2; 2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 2:26–27), well after the time of Jesus. Mark 14:25, “Truly I say to you, I the Matthean version must be chalked Mark 3:27, “But no one can enter shall not drink again of the fruit of the up to “development.” As such it is plain a strong man’s house and plunder his vine until that day when I drink it new in that it arose as a Jesus-pedigree for the goods unless he first binds the strong the Kingdom of God,” Lüdemann makes college of 12 apostles. man; then indeed he may plunder his authentic. Albert Schweitzer thought “I saw Satan fall like lightning from house,” supposedly stems from the exor- so, too, and dismissed the traditional heaven” (Luke 10:18)—authentic? cistic ministry of Jesus (from which, Words of Institution about the body and Lüde­mann thinks so “since it cannot however, as Lüdemann admits, no reli- blood as later liturgy. Fine; there is the be derived from primitive Christianity.” able stories survive!). By comparison development criterion again. But an But then what about the similar vision- with the “finger of God” saying above, earlier version may also be inauthentic. ary account in Rev. 12:9–12, where the this one benefits by virtue of the crite- Form criticism bids us seek a setting in seer John sees pretty much the same rion of development, because “binding church life for each bit of Gospel materi- thing? It might be Jesus’, true, but it the strong man” presupposes an alto- al, and here I suggest we have the text of might be anyone else’s. gether different rationale for exorcism: a vow of abstinence from wine made by Bultmann himself defended Matt. binding the power of Beelzebub, prince each baptized Christian, at least within 12:28/Luke 11:20 as certainly bonafide of demons, to the magician’s own use in the more ascetical branches of early Jesus. Lüdemann agrees: “But if it is by order to despoil him of his subjects, the Christianity. the finger [Matthew has “spirit”] of God possessed demoniacs. Here, in other Of the Lord’s Prayer, Lüdemann that I cast out demons then the Kingdom words, Jesus is made to defend the accepts the single petition “Thy king- of God has come upon you.” This is very practice the other saying has him dom come.” True, compared with overt- the second half of the unit that begins, repudiate! And it may be authentic, but ly Christian terminology that speaks of “If I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by as in so many other cases, it may simply the coming of Jesus himself at the end whom do your sons cast them out?” be a case of rival Christian positions of the age, this is more primitive. But as The saying cannot be authentic. First, it polemicizing against one another, each Lüdemann himself admits, the petition represents a complex midrashic paral- ascribed to Jesus to gain clout. is cut from the same cloth as well known leling of Jesus with Moses in Pharaoh’s “He rebuked Peter and said, ‘Get ancient Jewish prayers. By the “criteri- court, where Moses performs miracles behind me, Satan! For you are not on the on of difference” (or dissimilarity) we to authenticate his mission, but the side of God but of men”’ (Mark 8:33). While Free Inquiry is not enough . . . You need a cheap pocket light to go with it.

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