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Vo1. 30 No. 3 Published by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. April 2013 Ohio ACLU, FFRF rebuff school’s Jesus ‘switcheroo’

A month after the Freedom From substantially similar display.” Religion Foundation and the ACLU of The devotional painting titled “the Ohio sued the Jackson City School Dis- Head of Christ” was prominently dis- trict over a portrait of Jesus in a middle played on an entrance wall at Jackson school, the district moved it to Jackson Middle School. High School. The Jesus painting was moved The ACLU of Ohio and FFRF March 13 to the high school near its thwarted the overt attempt to elude the Fine Arts Department. The school Constitution by filing an amended le- board adopted a policy in February gal complaint in early April, adding as designating the high school space and plaintiff “Sam Doe 4,” who has a minor the middle school foyer as “limited child attending Jackson High School, public forums.” and “Sam Doe 5,” a student who at- At the portrait’s new location in a tends Jackson High School. Also filed public area at Jackson High, it’s en- is a motion for a temporary restraining countered by nearly 700 students, fac- order and memorandum in support of ulty, staff and community members. the motion. The school board meets at Jackson FFRF Senior Staff Attorney Rebecca High, and the school hosts a variety of Markert first complained Jan. 2 about other events there that are open to the the unconstitutional painting. Super- public. The Jesus portrait in Jackson, Ohio, has been moved from the middle school to intendent Phil Howard refused to re- The district also announced, a claim the high school, where it hangs in the hallway going to and from the cafeteria. move it, warning “it would take a court not previously made, that it did not order to remove the picture.” The law- even own the portrait, saying that it was put it up in 1947 in the high school. In The plaintiffs note that district em- suit was filed Feb. 6 on behalf of several owned by the Hi-Y Club, a Christian 2004, the high school moved to a new ployees, not high schoolers with the local plaintiffs, all parents of children service club at the high school. building and the previous building be- Hi-Y Club, removed the portrait from or students in the district. The suit Howard, a co-defendant, told The came the middle school. No middle the middle school, transported it to sought removal of the portrait and a Associated Press that the portrait was school clubs claimed to own the por- the new location and affixed it to the permanent injunction barring “any moved at the request of the club, which trait. Continued on page 5 Has Pennsylvania Religious Right no shame? State rep attacks FFRF suit, plaintiff rights

Pennsylvania state Rep. Tim Krieger gion Foundation, which would have a ject of harassment. Last fall, a man dent. has introduced a bill in the General As- chilling effect on plaintiffs and state/ posted this message on the “Keep the She noted the long, documented sembly directly in response to current church lawsuits. Ten Commandments at Valley High history of threats and reprisal against litigation by the Freedom From Reli- House Bill 922 would outlaw the use School” Facebook page, which has Establishment Clause plaintiffs, most of pseudonyms in litigation challeng- 1,200 followers: recently against Jessica Ahlquist, who ing religious symbols on public prop- “I’m sure if we look up the bitch became persona non grata when she erty. she probably has a facebook account filed suit and won a federal court rul- Inside This Issue In a memo to representatives seek- or a facebook page for her ridiculous ing against religion in her Rhode Is- ing co-sponsorship, Krieger cited law- group and we can slam the shit out of land high school. Student suits by FFRF and local families chal- the bitch.” Jessica at one point last year was at- activist lenging two Ten Commandments Another commenter asked wheth- tending school under police escort, relates monuments, donated by the Fraternal er “the families involved” have been and was subjected to cyberbullying, painful Order of Eagles, in front of public identified, adding, “Someone needs to including death and rape threats and experience schools. send that group back to Wisconsin with even threats against her younger sib- Krieger, who graduated from one of several black eyes!” Plaintiffs’ counsel lings. Page 3 the defendant school districts, says he have also received harassing messages. A Pennsylvania pastor weighing remembers the Ten Commandments Given the community reaction, parent in on FFRF’s litigation addressed the monument at Connellsville Junior plaintffs are fearful their children will Connellsville Eagles Club on March Freethought High School. be subjected to religious bullying, ha- 27, telling them that in filing to remove poet FFRF is suing over a second com- rassment at school and by the public, the monument from the junior high, laureate’s mandments monument in front of Val- and efforts to drive them out of the FFRF is “trying to destroy our country,” spring sonnet ley High School in the New Kensing- community. according to a news report in the Daily ton-Arnold School District. A social media comment about Courier. Page 4 The students and parents, with one FFRF’s unnamed Connellsville plain- Rev. Ewing Marietta, a leader of the exception, filed using pseudonyms be- tiffs stated, “These people need [to be] “Save the Ten Commandments” group, Giving thanks cause of community hostility and fear drug onto the nearest street and shot.” called the court battle “ground zero.” 65 years later of retaliation. Some of the children A common refrain is that the plaintiffs The newspaper reported that the pas- to Vashti represented in the suit are elementary must move out of the area. tor “drew parallels” seemingly compar- McCollum students. “These legislators need to put their ing FFRF with Nazi Germany and com- FFRF has received many hateful religious views aside and understand mandments backers with the United Page 12 comments. Marie Schaub, the only that protecting children from harm is States allies during World War II. named plaintiff in FFRF’s New Kens- a paramount interest of the state,” said Ironically, the bill will have no im- ington challenge, has been the sub- Annie Laurie Gaylor, FFRF co-presi- Continued on page 10 Page 2 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin April 2013 Photo: Annie Laurie Gaylor Meet an Icelandic Activist

Name: Hope Knutsson. freezing point but rarely goes below Where I live: Reykjavik, Iceland. that. There’s a lot of strong wind here Where I was born: Born and raised which can make it feel colder. Howev- in Brooklyn, N.Y., of Russian, Hungar- er, Iceland is surrounded by the Gulf ian, Polish and German descent. I have Stream, so it’s warmer than people dual citizenship: Icelandic and Ameri- imagine because of the name. We don’t can. get much snow in Reykjavik, and when Family: Husband, Einar Knutsson; it comes, it usually melts within hours. son, Tryggvi Einarsson; daughter, Katla In summer the temperature is around Einarsdottir. 60 degrees, sometimes higher. We have Education: B.A. in psychology and midnight sun from June through Au- philosophy, master’s in occupational gust, which is fabulous. The darkest therapy. months are from the end of November Original occupation: Psychiatric oc- through late January, when we have cupational therapist. just under five hours of true daylight Career: Founder and president of with an hour or so of twilight on either Sidmennt, the Icelandic Ethical Hu- side of that. The Northern Lights are manist Association. breathtaking and magical! How I got where I am today: I’ve Person in history I admire: Thomas been a social activist all of my adult Paine and Carl Sagan. I think that us- life, first in the U.S. and then in Ice- ing reason and critical thinking are land, where I’ve started and led various positive approaches to life and help organizations and movements (a men- move humankind forward. Promoting tal health association built on a self- the scientific method and populariz- help, empowerment model, an Eng- ing scientific knowledge are noble and lish-speaking foreigners association, inspiring endeavors. a multicultural council and a secular A quotation I like: It’s good to have Hope Knutsson in Reykjavik botanical garden. humanist association). I established a an open mind but not so open that civil confirmation program for teenag- your brains fall out. anyone believed them. schools, to change laws and regulations ers and have been coordinating it for • Science thrives on unanswered ques- Instead of “thank God” or “God at the local and national level so that 25 years. tions. Religion, in contrast, thrives on bless you,” I say: “Thank goodness” all life stance [worldview] perspectives, Civil confirmation is a secular alter- unquestioned answers. and “gesundheit.” as well as nonreligious spiritual or phil- native to religious confirmation and • Insanity is continuing to do the same Why I’m a freethinker: Majoring in osophical alternative organizations are exists in all the Nordic countries and thing over and over again and expect- philosophy and psychology in under- treated equally, and to educate the some other European nations. It con- ing to get different results. (Einstein) graduate school helped me to build on public about freethought, skepticism, sists of a course mainly about ethics, • I cannot believe in a god who wants the tendency that I already had. philosophy, science, religious freedom human rights, human relations, critical to be praised all the time. (Nietzsche) Ways I promote freethought: The and secularism. thinking and related subjects followed • If you don’t pray in my school, I organization which I helped to estab- Conducting secular and humanist by a festive graduation ceremony. won’t think in your church. lish in 1990 and of which I have been ceremonies also contribute to these Where I’m headed: I’ll continue to • You can’t have everything. Where president for many years, works to get goals. work for complete religious freedom, would you put it? religious indoctrination out of public separation of church and state and a • The belief that some cosmic Jewish secular society in Iceland. zombie can make you live forever if What’s it like to live in Iceland? I’ve you symbolically eat his flesh and tele- lived here 39 years. The population is pathically tell him that you accept him FFRF welcomes 27 Lifetime Members only 320,000, and everyone knows al- as your master, so he can remove an most everyone else or is related. There evil force from your soul that is pres- are advantages and disadvantages to ent in humanity because a rib-woman The Freedom From Religion Foun- fornia, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Mas- that. was convinced by a talking snake to dation is delighted to announce 27 sachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New There are some wonderful things eat from a magical tree; makes perfect new Lifetime Members. They include Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, about Iceland: It is a Nordic social de- sense! one new “Lifer” who prefers not to be South Carolina, Virginia, Washington mocracy. It has no military. Nobody’s These are a few of my favorite named and: and Wisconsin, plus one ex-pat living tax money is spent on building bombs things: Irish traditional music and oth- Dennis Appleton, Dr. Lloyd Da- in France. or training people to kill. About 86% er folk music, classical music, midnight vidson, J. David Eisenberg, James Lifetime Memberships are offered of homes are heated by cheap geother- sun, northern lights, trees, frogs, sala- Fanning, Dennis Fox, John Gehan, on an individual basis for $1,000 desig- mal energy. There are no nuclear pow- manders, newts and efts. April Knutson (gift from John Gehan nated as a membership or membership er plants and little pollution. We have These are not: People jumping to via the Elizabeth A. Ewen’s John E. renewal. A Lifetime Membership guar- many volcanoes, hot springs, geysers conclusions with little evidence; ex- Forichette Memorial Trust), Wendy antees never another a renewal notice, and waterfalls. treme nationalism, which I view as a Goldberg, Alan Goldberg, Eric Grelle goes into rainy day savings, and like all Icelandic is an archaic, difficult and destructive and divisive force. (who joined via a Combined Federal dues and donations, is deductible for very limited language with only around My doubts about religion started: Campaign donation), Stuart Grief, Dr. income-tax purposes to the fullest ex- 90,000 words, compared with close to I grew up in a secular home and am Lloyd A. Jones, Dr. Lawrence S. Lerner, tent of the law. a million in English. I can read, speak grateful for not having been indoctri- Kay T. Lilland, John Long, Alan Mar- FFRF sends its warm thanks to and understand it well, but even after nated with religion. My parents sent golin, Housam Moursi, Dr. Hal E. Ott, “Anonymous,” John, Albert, Laurie, 39 years I need other people to correct me to Sunday school for one winter Catherine Partyka, Don Phalp, Josh Hal, Jay, Jeff on behalf of Josh, Don, everything that I write. when I was 8, and I remember think- Robertson (gift from his father, FFRF Catherine, Hal, Housam, Alan, John, The climate is temperate. In winter ing that all those bible stories sounded member Jeff Robertson), Jay Sorensen, Kay, Larry, Lloyd, Stuart, Eric, Alan, the temperature hovers around the like fairy tales. I couldn’t believe that Hal Webre, Laurie Webre, Dr. Albert Wendy, John on behalf of himself and Yuen and John Zavodni. April, Dennis, James David, Lloyd and States represented are Arizona, Cali- Dennis!

A Note to Notify Us of Freethought Today Members published by Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. Your Address [email protected] • FFRF.org Your address label shows the expira- tion date of your membership in FFRF, Change Promptly! P.O. Box 750 • Madison WI 53701 Email: [email protected] which includes your subscription to (608)256-8900 • FAX (608)204-0422 Don’t miss a single issue! If you Freethought Today and “Private Line.” move, notify us directly and Editor: Bill Dunn, [email protected] If it says April 2013 or earlier please re- Production Editor: Scott Colson new! Your prompt re­newal ($40-single promptly. The Post Office does mem­ber­ship; $50-household; $100 sus- not forward third-class mail. Executive Editor: Annie Laurie Gaylor taining; $25-student) saves us time and FFRF cannot be responsible for re- Contributing Editor: Dan Barker post­age, and is tax-deductible. Free­­­ placing back issues if we have not Contributors: Philip Appleman, Don Ardell, Janet Brazill, Judy Ellis, Sarah been notified prior to your move. thought Today is published 10 times a Eucalano, Judith Lynne Hanna, Nicole M. Jacobsen, Hope Knutsson year, with combined issues in Jan/Feb Back issues, while they last, may April 2013 and June/July. Send to FFRF, Box 750, be ordered for $2 each. Madison WI 53701, ffrf.org/donate The only freethought newspaper in the United States April 2013 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 3

2013 Paul J. Gaylor Memorial Student Activist Award A. Roe: 12 years later

Nicole has received FFRF’s 2013 Paul J. were very much aware of my identity. Gaylor Memorial Student Activist Award of While I was brought up to keep my $1,000, sponsored by Annie Laurie Gaylor. mind open and my heart considerate, it seemed to me at the time that some of my peers were raised to believe that By Nicole M. Jacobsen people who didn’t attend church and believe in God were sinners, and I was “Tolerance is giving to every other human no exception. being every right that you claim for your- Just as my parents kept their lawsuit self.” — Robert G. Ingersoll a secret from me to keep me safe, I kept from them the parts of my school day that involved my hair being pulled and my fingers being shut between In April of 2001, A. Roe was 10 years locker doors. Girls who I thought were old. Living in Dayton, Tenn., she was my friends called me names I wouldn’t faced by very few challenges in her life repeat even at my age now. While Nicole M. Jacobsen, aka A. Roe. other than weekly spelling homework school board members and religious or the panic of making it home before activists bashed my parents’ character the inevitable flicker of streetlights. in the local newspaper, their offspring A. Roe was alone for bigger reasons In elementary school, A. Roe and exiled me with the same blind rage to than she thought she would ever her younger sister B. were taught many the other end of an empty cafeteria. substantial life lessons: how to tie their A. Roe was alone for bigger reasons understand. shoes, to share with others, and once than she thought she would ever un- each week before recess, they learned derstand. The fact that she was bullied how to accept Jesus Christ as their lord daily to such a terrifying level over such 30 minutes a week in three public schools Judge R. Allan Edgar ruled for the plain- and savior. Impressionable as they were grown-up issues was incomprehensible during school hours by bible students from tiffs in 2002, writing “This is not a close young, A. and B. brought home many to her at the time. Bryan College (motto: “Christ Above All”). case.” His decision was upheld in 2004 by of these lessons. In 2004 my parents moved our It was chartered in 1925 in Dayton after the the 6th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. A. would pray to God every night family to Boone, Iowa, and eventually 1925 Scopes “monkey trial” to memorialize See page 12 for more on the case’s 65th that her peers would stop bullying her won the lawsuit for the amount of a William Jennings Bryan, the lead attorney anniversary. because of the Native American heri- single dollar bill. While I was occasion- arguing against the teaching of evolution. tage that made her skin a little darker. ally made fun of for having braces, or During bubble baths, B. sang the catchy blushing at the sight of a high school tunes she learned in school, her sweet crush, it was nothing compared to the Survey: 20% in U.S. say ‘no religion’ voice singing, “Our God is an awesome relief I felt by being able to finally iden- God — he reigns from Heaven above.” tify myself openly as belonging to an The “Bible Education Ministry” atheist household without judgment. American religious affiliation is at among females; 21% of whites, 17% of classes that I sat through every Wednes- I celebrated my 22nd birthday in its lowest point since tracking started African Americans and 14% of Latinos day in my public school were in blatant February as Nicole M. Jacobsen — A. in the 1930s, according to analysis of said “no religion.” disregard of my First Amendment Roe a distant memory. However, when new survey data by researchers from rights, and as those laws were much be- our family friend Dan Barker asked me the University of California-Berkeley The secular community is fearful of yond my understanding at that age, my to tell my story, it felt like it was just yes- and Duke University. One in five Amer- seeming to proselytize. When giving parents sought justice for me and my terday that I cried in a bathroom stall icans surveyed in 2012 said they had talks on college campuses, I used to siblings. over religious intolerance I didn’t un- no religious preference, more than avoid personal discussions of my athe- I learned about Doe v. Porter, the law- derstand. double the number reported in 1990. ism. But over the years, I have changed suit my parents eventually filed against I don’t condemn the wonderful The survey asked, “What is your my mind because such diffidence con- the school board with help from the people of my hometown or those who religious preference? Is it Protestant, tributes to the false image of the athe- Freedom From Religion Foundation, treated me poorly in the past. It’s quite Catholic, Jewish, some other religion, ist as someone whose convictions are not from my parents but from my the opposite; their memory has helped or no religion?” removed from ordinary experience. It peers on the playground. The moniker me grow as a person. I still keep in con- Sociologists analyzed data on reli- is vital to show that there are indeed “A. Roe” was used to represent me in tact with some of those old classmates gious attitudes as part of the General atheists in foxholes, and wherever else court, as well as to hide my identity to to this day, and it’s just another re- Social Survey, a biannual poll conduct- human beings suffer and die. protect me from the Christian majority minder to me that there is no right or ed by NORC, a research institute at the FFRF Honorary Director Susan Jacoby, that was our God-fearing community. wrong when it comes to religion. University of Chicago. “Blessings of atheism” Unfortunately for that little girl, her Peace is truly found in acceptance Researchers found that 20% of a na- Dallas Morning News, 1-13-13 name was also her curse. Unbeknownst and tolerance of another, no matter tionally representative group reported to my mother and father, my classmates what their beliefs. no preference. The figure was 8% in 1990 and 5% in 1972. Corrections Nicole still lives in Iowa and is complet- Study authors said they are careful ing her studies toward certification as a to distinguish the survey category of In “Meet a foxhole atheist” Include FFRF pharmacy technician. The case she writes “no [organized] religion” from “athe- [March13] George H.W. Bush was so eloquently about is John Doe, Mary Roe ists,” who made up 3% of those inter- erroneously referred to as President In Your Estate and the Freedom From Religion Founda- viewed last year. About 8% said they Richard Nixon’s vice president. tion v. Rhea County School District, which were raised with no religion. Also in March, Wallis Warfield Planning was filed in federal court in 2001. Nash- Other results: 40% of self-identified Simpson was identified as marrying ville attorney Alvin Harris, an FFRF Life liberals claimed “no religion” com- the former King Edward VI of the Arrange a bequest in your will or Member, ably represented the plaintiffs’ pared to 9% of conservatives; “no reli- United Kingdom. She married the for- trust, or make the Freedom From challenge of K-5 religious instruction for gion” among males was 24% and 16% mer King Edward VIII. Religion Found­ation the benefi- ciary of an insurance policy, bank account, or IRA. It’s easy to do. For related information Freedom From Religion Foundation (or to request a bequest What Is a brochure), please phone P.O. Box 750 • Madison WI 53701 • (608) 256-8900 • ffrf.org Annie Laurie Gaylor at Freethinker? (608) 256-8900. What is the Freedom From Religion Foundation? free-think-er FFRF n. A person P.O. Box 750 Founded in 1978 as a national organization of freethinkers (atheists and agnostics), who forms Madison WI 53701 the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc., works to keep state and church separate and to educate the public about the views of nontheists. opinions The Foundation’s e-mail address is [email protected]. Please include your name and about religion on the basis Freedom Depends physical mailing address with all e-mail correspondence. of reason, independently Foundation members wishing to receive online news releases, “action alerts” and of tradition, authority, or on Freethinkers “Freethought of the Day” should contact [email protected]. established belief. Page 4 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin April 2013 Heads Up A Poetry Column by Philip Appleman

A note from the poet: Here in New York City we’ve been waiting for spring ever since spring “began” March 20 — but day after day we’re faced with more of the same: freezing cold, gusty winds, clouds, and snow or rain — and they say there’s more to come. So, being the oldest guy in the neighborhood, I feel obligated to assure you from loong experience, that despite appearances, spring will indeed come along, one of these days, and then we’ll all break out our bikinis and skip around picking wildflowers. I urge you not to despair, just hang in there with blind faith, and know that it’ll hap- pen. Really, really! That’s the wisdom of old age. Take heed, youngsters. I sign off with a poem acknowledging the bright promise of spring, although it seems to be a poem about summer. It’s my take on Shake- speare’s sonnet 18 (“Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?”), a poem I’m sure you know by heart. (You don’t have to memorize this Overheard version!) So take heart, hang in, have courage. — The Ancient Mariner The here and now is all you have, and port, Iowa if you play it right, it’s all you need. ABC News, 3-14-13 Sonnet 18 ½ The late Texas Gov. Ann Richards, (for Margie) quoted and portrayed by Holland Tay- I’d pity the poor lady who is married lor in the one-woman show “Ann” at to a Catholic priest. Catholics have very Who, me? Compare you to a summer’s day? Lincoln Center high demands on their priests. Heck, no, it’s hot and sweaty here — and hey, New York Times, 3-8-13 Joseph Whittel, pastor at St. Paul in Chains Catholic Church, Waterford, The days are getting shorter anyway. Halfway into their two-week annual Conn., where the previous pastor was Summer can’t be counted on to stay. meeting, delegates to the [U.N.] Com- arrested for possessing child pornog- mission on the Status of Women fear raphy But you’re no winter day, I’m sure of that: they will not be able to agree on a final Waterford Patch, 3-14-13 communique, just like last year. Who You’re not all blow and bluster, slop and splat, is to blame? Delegates and activists are People like to read small, happy mes- You never blew off anybody’s hat. pointing fingers at the Vatican, Iran sages while sitting on the toilet. The Compared to summer, winter’s one spoiled brat. and Russia for trying to eliminate lan- vast majority of the feedback has been guage in a draft communique asserting positive. Our intention was to spread that the familiar excuses — religion, love and joy, not religious messages. Sometimes you’re sweet like autumn, turning gold, custom, tradition — cannot be used by Christina von Trampe, spokeswoman With moods from kinda warm to kinda cold, governments to duck their obligation for a Finnish company criticized for to eliminate violence. putting bible quotes on Lambi brand Sometimes a little shy, and sometimes bold, Editorial, “Unholy Alliance: The Vati- toilet paper But amber leaves will never make you old. can, Iran and Russia work to block Reuters, 3-4-13 global standards on protecting wom- Other seasons may yet play a part, en” People with Parkinson’s disease even New York Times, 3-12-13 have a tendency to lose their interest But you are always springtime in my heart. in religion — a change more readily © Philip Appleman Violence against women must be seen considered philosophical than patho- Freethought Today is honored to publish this new poem. as a human rights issue, and that has logical. According to research by Pat- nothing to do with culture or religion. rick McNamara, Ph.D., of Boston Uni- Inga Marta Thorkildsen, Norway’s gen- versity School of Medicine, people with Philip Appleman is Dis­tinguished Professor­ Emeri­tus at In­ der equality minister PD report significantly lower levels of dia­na Uni­ver­si­ty. His published volumes of poetry in­clude New York Times, 3-12-13 interest in religion. Brain scans show Perfidious Proverbs and Other Poems: A Satirical Look at that this lack of interest coincides with the Bible (2012), Darwin’s Ark (new 2009 edition) and Catholicism has never excelled at let- changes in the prefrontal cortex but Karma, Dharma, Pudding & Pie (2009). His nonfiction ting nonbelievers live as they believe does not correlate with depression, work in­cludes the widely used Norton Critical Edition, they should. The right to legal abor- age, education, intelligence or medica- Darwin, and the Nor­ton Critical Edition of Malthus’ Es- tion, for one, will be a ruthless field tion. say on Pop­ulation. His poetry and fiction have won many awards, including of that battle: “Our” pope will surely Article, “Losing Religion?” a fellowship in poetry from the National­ En­dow­ment for the Arts, the Castag- never allow his own country, where le- Neurology Now, Dec. 2012/Jan. 2013 nola Award from the Poetry Society of America, the Humanist Arts Award from gal abortion remains severely limited, the American Humanist Association and the Friend of Darwin Award from to set a bad example. Here, as every- The mission of the Freethinking Frogs the National Center for Science Education. His work has ap­peared in Har­per’s where, the Vatican is a main lobbying is to organize, unite, educate and serve Magazine, The Nation, The New Republic, The New York Times, The Paris force for conservative, even reaction- students and student communities that Review, Partisan Review, Poetry, and The Yale Review.. ary, issues. An Argentine pope can promote the ideals of scientific and bring this power to uncharted heights. critical inquiry, democracy, secularism, “God Is an Argentine,” op-ed by novel- and human-based ethics. We envision ist Martin Caparros a future in which nontheistic students New York Times, 3-15-13 are respected voices in public dis- Your Weekly Antidote to the religious right course and vital partners in the secular Americans don’t appreciate the vast movement’s charge against irrational- TUNE IN TO powers that investigating magistrates ity and dogma. have in Europe. It only takes one who Statement of a new group at Texas FREETHOUGHT RADIO wants to make a name for him or her- Christian University [mascot, Horned self to issue an arrest warrant for the Frogs] seeking recognition from the produced by the former pope. Fort Worth school Freedom From Religion Nicholas Cafardi, canon lawyer and Facebook, 2-28-13 Foundation Hosted by Dan Barker and professor at Duquesne Law School in Annie Laurie Gaylor Pittsburgh, “Victims raise legal ques- Extensive discrimination by govern- tions about retired pope” ments against atheists, humanists and Broadcasts and streams Saturdays at 11 a.m. Central, Progressive Talk The Mic 92.1 FM, Madison, Wis., and over several other stations. WTOP, 3-5-13 the nonreligious occurs worldwide. Statement to the United Nations’ Hu- iTunes or podcasts archived at: ffrf.org/news/radio One-Lung Rabbi Feels Kinship With man Rights Council by the Internation- One-Lung Pope al Humanist and Ethical Union, which Slightly irreverent views, Headline on news story about Pope has 120 member bodies in 45 countries news, music & interviews Francis I and Henry Jay Karp, rabbi at Reuters, 2-25-13 Temple Emanuel synagogue, Daven- April 2013 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 5 Newdow, FFRF challenge ‘In God We Trust’

The Freedom From Religion Foun- ing against Jews, Catholics, women, dation and 19 other plaintiffs are suing blacks, Latinos, Asians or any other mi- the U.S. Treasury for stamping “In God nority group would never be tolerated. We Trust” on currency in defiance of FFRF previously challenged the the godless and entirely secular U.S. motto in a lawsuit in 1994 taken by at- Constitution. torney Robert R. Tiernan in Colorado. FFRF Honorary Director Mike New- The 10th Circuit federal judge dis- dow is acting as legal counsel in the missed FFRF’s lawsuit on the grounds lawsuit, which was filed Feb. 1 in the that it was not a religious phrase. FFRF U.S. District Court for the Southern had commissioned a poll in 1994 of 900 District of New York. Plaintiffs include individuals which found that a majority Rosalyn Newdow, Mike’s mother and found the words “In God We Trust” to a longtime FFRF member and numis- Pre-1957 “clean” currency, minus the religious tampering. be religious, to endorse a belief in God matist who has stopped buying coins and to endorse religion over atheism. to collect because the godly phrase on [come] one) was chosen by a distin- another but also prohibited from endors- The poll is entered into the new law- them offends her. guished committee of Jefferson, Ad- ing religion over nonreligion. The place- suit’s exhibits. FFRF’s case caught the The legal complaint, a tour de force ams and Franklin. ment of a theistic ideal on our nation’s eye of Michael Newdow, a California of historical research, unequivocally Newdow cites statements by mem- currency violates this stricture and is emergency room doctor who “moon- shows that there was a purely religious bers of Congress who expressed hope therefore unconstitutional,” said FFRF lights” as an Establishment Clause purpose and intent behind placing that the proselytizing message on U.S. Co-President Dan Barker. litigator, and in part inspired his land- “God” on U.S. coinage. currency would spread worldwide. “As Anne Nicol Gaylor, FFRF’s prin- mark challenge of “under God” in the “In God We Trust” first appeared on Pennsylvania U.S. Rep. Herman P. cipal founder, has always put it, ‘In God Pledge of Allegiance. a coin in 1864 after a crusade by Rev. Eberharter said, “[T]he American dol- We Trust’ isn’t even accurate. In order Newdow won a major victory be- M.R. Watkinson. He wrote Treasury lar travels all over the world, into every to be accurate, it would have to say ‘In fore the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Ap- Secretary Salmon P. Chase, noting such country of the world, and frequently God Some of Us Trust,’ and wouldn’t peals in 2002, which ruled that public recognition was important to “relieve gets behind the Iron Curtain, and if it that be silly?” Barker added. schools should stop using the religious us from the ignominy of heathenism.” carries this message in that way I think The plaintiffs point out that the pledge. It was vacated on the basis of The complaint alleges that the re- it would be very good. I think that is motto is discriminatory, necessarily ex- his standing in 2004. ligious motto, a Johnny-come-lately one of the most compelling reasons cluding nonbelievers and others who “We greatly admire Mike’s never- adopted only in 1956, is proselytizing, why we should put it on our currency.” don’t believe in one god. The phrase say-die perseverance, his dedication discriminatory and an establishment Eberharter added, “[T]he princi- falsely links citizenship to piety. In to our country’s secular roots and his of monotheism in violation of the Es- ples laid down by God and the teach- the words of Supreme Court Justice pro bono representation of FFRF and tablishment Clause of the First Amend- ings of our way of life should be kept Sandra Day O’Connor, that sends the our membership,” added Annie Laurie ment. Congress voted to require the alive in the hearts and minds of our “message to members of the audience Gaylor, FFRF co-president. motto on all currency in 1955, and it friends enslaved behind the Iron Cur- who are nonadherents ‘that they are “You’re not truly educated as a sec- first appeared on bills in 1957. tain.” outsiders, not full members of the po- ularist until you’ve read Mike’s very Many Americans mistakenly assume The plaintiffs, Newdow alleges, are litical community and an accompany- thorough summary of the secular his- our founders chose “In God We Trust” forced to proselytize, by an Act of Con- ing message to adherents that they are tory of the United States, and the his- as a motto, but for most of U.S. history, gress, for a deity in which they don’t insiders, favored members of the politi- tory of religion on coins and currency,” our money was as free of religion as believe whenever they handle money. cal community.’ ” she adds. our Constitution. The original secular “Our government is prohibited As Newdow points out in the com- See: ffrf.org/uploads/legal/IGWTCom- motto “E Pluribus Unum” (from many from endorsing one religion over plaint, a similar provision discriminat- plaint.pdf Ohio ACLU, FFRF rebuff school’s Jesus ‘switcheroo’

Continued from front page rie Gaylor. dent handbook lacks a procedure for cided by the 6th Circuit appeals court “It doesn’t matter which public creating new clubs on currently unrep- in which the court held it’s impermis- building the portrait is in. It’s an un- resented interests, creating “de facto, sible to place a copy of the same ‘Head ‘This is a transparent constitutional endorsement of religion viewpoint discrimination” in terms of of Christ,” a famous portrait by Warner effort to shake off a on the part of a public school,” said access to the limited public forum. Sallman, in a public school hallway Nick Worner, with the ACLU of Ohio. The facts of the case are nearly with trophy cases. lawsuit.’ — Annie Laurie FFRF and the ACLU allege that dis- identical to those in a 1994 case de- play of the portrait infringes on the Gaylor, FFRF co-president plaintiffs’ First Amendment right to freedom of religion, causing them to question whether their religious be- State/Church Bulletin liefs will be respected by the school dis- high school wall with permanent bolts. trict. The display forces them to view At the school board’s March 12 a portrait representing religious views Atheist officer sues Judge to library: meeting, Howard acknowledged that promoted by the district that differ religious supervisors Unblock websites the limited public forum policy was from the way they choose to view reli- new and that the portrait violates the gion and morality. The American Civil Liberties Union U.S. District Judge E. Richard Web- Establishment Clause if it is govern- The school district actions have “no of Puerto Rico filed a suit March 9 on ber ruled March 5 that the Salem ment speech. legitimate secular purpose.” behalf of Alvin Marrero Mendez, 38, [Mo.] Public Library must stop block- “We have to respect the rights of “None of the rationales offered by an atheist police officer who refused ing access to websites related to Wicca the club,” Howard is quoted as say- the school board can obscure what to take part in Christian prayers at his and other minority religions. ing. “Failure to do so might open the any reasonable observer would recog- precinct. Defendants are four top po- “Even libraries that are required by district to even another lawsuit — this nize: 1) that the prominent display of lice officials. federal law to install filtering software time by the H-Y Club” — or violate the a portrait of Jesus in a school hallway is Marrero alleged his supervisors to block certain sexually explicit con- Constitution by “turning the portrait government speech 2) that the display once led a prayer in a mall parking lot tent should never use software to pre- into government speech.” and maintenance of the portrait en- during an incident. The 14-year de- vent patrons from learning about dif- Howard claimed that “it’s student dorses one particular religion; and 3) partment veteran was demoted after ferent cultures,” said Tony Rothert, an speech, not government speech.” and that the school board acted with a filing a complaint, stripped of his gun, attorney for the American Civil Liber- The plaintiffs suspect that the dis- predominantly religious purpose when made to wash patrol cars and act as a ties Union of Eastern Missouri. trict hoped FFRF and the ACLU of it accepted, installed and displayed the messenger. According to the St. Louis Post-Dis- Ohio, which had a middle school portrait of Jesus Christ at Jackson City The line between state and church patch, the suit said the library’s Nets- plaintiff and others with standing to High School.” can get blurred in Puerto Rico. Two weeper software blocked sites such sue, wouldn’t be able to find a plaintiff The plaintiffs charge that the so- years ago, the Treasury Department as the official webpage of the Wiccan who attended the high school. called “limited public forum” is a organized a Catholic Mass, complete church, the Wikipedia entry for Wicca, “This is a transparent effort to shake contrivance, lacking any evidence of with altar, in the building’s lobby. Astrology.com and the Encyclopedia on off a lawsuit, and we’re grateful to the a written or well-established prelitiga- Prayer circles have been held at the Death and Dying, which has entries on high school student and parent of a tion policy for such usage. Two of the Supreme Court, and in March 2012, death and death rituals for several cul- student who have come forward to school’s only three noncurriculum-re- former Police Chief Emilio Diaz Colon tures and religions. ensure the challenge continues,” com- lated clubs are Christian-based organi- promoted more than 470 officers at a mented FFRF Co-President Annie Lau- zations. The Jackson High School stu- ceremony in a church. Page 6 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin April 2013 Hortons hears a worldview, or two There’s life after debates but not death

By Dan Barker some of the cups are printed with prize FFRF co-president announcements to lucky winners. When I finished my coffee, I did the same thing, after Currie, one of the atheist students, showed me the arrow on the cup pointing to where the prize On March 7, at the University might be. When I rolled up the rim, of Windsor in Ontario, Canada, I de- surprise! I won a free caffe latte. FFRF Co-President debated March 7 with Rev. Joe Boot at the University of bated the question “Is There Life After Maybe that doesn’t sound like a big Windsor. Here, Dan gathered with members of the Windsor/Essex County Death?” It was sponsored by the Wind- deal, but when I held that cup up to the Atheist Society. Back (from left) are Chris, Pat, Kristen, Jamie, Currie, Derek, sor/Essex County Atheist Society and audience, they were impressed. “This is Shawna Scott (society president), Dr. Gordon Drake, Dan Barker, Doug, (front) Intervarsity Christian Fellowship. More proof of the power of nonprayer,” I an- Andrew, Satpreet, Jordan, Hamid, Joshua, Rob and Joe. than 400 people attended, including nounced. “I did not pray to win, and I FFRF members who drove many miles. won!” The event started 90 minutes late Joe did finally show up, around 8:30, Misdirection: ‘Is there life after death?’ because Joe Boot, my opponent, had surprisingly composed after his long a car accident on the way. His car was day, and gave his opening statement. became ‘Is atheism absurd?’ badly damaged but he wasn’t hurt. (He When it was my turn to speak, I walked did not have a “near death” experi- over and handed the cup to Joe, as a ence.) gift. Not having heard my story, he was a cosmos with no meaning. But with I was sorely tempted to reply that He does believe that “all things work a bit perplexed, but quickly asked “Did God, we can entertain the existence of I would rather be a cereal box than a together for good,” and for some rea- I win?” The crowd loved it! soul, spirit, immaterial objects such as flake, but you can see from the video son his God, who controls everything, mind and consciousness that can exist that I bit my tongue in mid-sentence. thought it was important to inconve- apart from the body. I think it looks better if the mud slings nience hundreds of people, some of “We are more than the sum of our from only one side. whom had traveled a long distance. parts,” he insisted, “and more than During cross-examination, I asked Boot, a native of England, is senior pas- mere matter in motion.” Joe to define “spirit.” He sidestepped tor at Westminster Chapel in Toronto And that was it! A debate on one the question by claiming that my ma- and founder of the Ezra Institute for topic was morphed by sleight of hand terialistic biases automatically exclude Contemporary Christianity. into something else: “Is there life after a nonmaterial definition, and anyway, We managed to fill up the hour and death?” became “Is atheism absurd?” we naturalists don’t know how to de- a half with some impromptu speeches. fine “energy.” Shawna Scott, who represented the Burden of proof unmet He claimed that consciousness is an atheist group, gave a brief talk about immaterial object, while I insisted that her organization’s activities. Shawna is When it was my turn, I quickly point- it is not a thing at all: Consciousness the student who successfully stopped ed out that this was not an either-or and mind are labels for functions of graduation prayers at the university contest between two exclusive world- an organ that cease to have meaning and received an FFRF scholarship views, a kind of cosmic multiple choice when the organ stops operating, just award for her activism. test. He was making a truth claim — like software stops running when you An Intervarsity organizer then spoke “There is life after death” — and in any unplug the computer. about its efforts to publicize the mes- debate, the burden of proof is on the Science has shown us the complete sage of Jesus on campus. The modera- Paucity of evidence shoulders of the one making the claim. dependence of consciousness on the tor of the debate, Dr. Gordon Drake, a Joe and I both believe in the exis- brain. I pointed out that asking if there theistic physics professor, spoke about The debate was a good show, as tence of the natural universe, but he is life after death is like asking if diges- the complete compatibility (he thinks) these things go. Joe Boot was articu- believes in something extra — that tion continues to exist after the stom- of science and religion. late, attractive and feisty, which makes there is a supernatural realm popu- ach disappears. Still stalling for time, I got up and for a much better event than some lated by immaterial personalities. We Questions from the audience were described FFRF’s history and legal ac- other debates I have done where the both admit that human beings are bio- astute, directed at both of us. Up to tivities, mentioning that, at that very opponent mainly lectures, or worse, logical organisms in a natural environ- that point I would say that Joe had moment, Co-President Annie Laurie where we agree on too many issues. A ment, but he believes that we are also been keeping his head up, speaking Gaylor was in Champaign, Ill., to take debate should be a contest. something more than that — souls, articulately (if not coherently), but part in the 65th anniversary celebra- But intellectually, it was extremely spirits, immaterial entities. when a question was asked about evo- tion of the McCollum Supreme Court disappointing. I had prepared careful- We both start from naturalism, lution, that’s when he lost the debate, victory, a legal precedent that removes ly, and my notebook was stuffed with where we agree, and argue from there. as I heard from many members of the religious instruction from U.S. public information to rebut attempts to pro- My skepticism about his additional audience. schools. I deliberately steered clear of vide evidence for the afterlife, includ- claims about the universe is not based He asserted that humans are a spe- the debate topic so as not to prejudice ing near-death experiences and the on an opposite worldview, but on the cial creation, that all species were cre- the audience. supposed resurrection of Jesus. But Joe default view that we both share, which ated as separate kinds by God, and that But I did offer one proof of the truth only mentioned these in passing, and he is trying to enlarge. there are serious problems with natural of atheism. I held up a red paper cof- said they were not the real issues. He If I claim I’ve invented a perpetual selection. “Darwin himself wondered fee cup from Tim Hortons. Little did I offered no evidence at all for life after motion machine, and you ask me for where all the transitional fossils were,” realize how powerful that symbol was death, admitting “the paucity of em- proof, it would be me like saying “Prove he exulted, apparently not realizing before that audience. I learned from pirical evidence.” that I didn’t.” that much work has been done since some of the locals that the restaurant Instead, he based his whole case on Not only did Joe fail to meet the Darwin first announced his ideas. chain is one of the closest things to na- the supposed philosophical weakness- burden of proof, he did not even step After the debate, about 20 of us tional pride the Canadians celebrate es of naturalism and atheism and sim- up to the plate. He did not accept any went to an Ethiopian restaurant and these days and is tied in with Horton’s ply asserted that the God of Christian burden of proof at all. He even admit- talked until way after midnight. Shaw- 24-year National Hockey League ca- scripture is the best explanation for “a ted, “we don’t have a debate here.” na handed me a gift from the group reer. He founded the chain, Canada’s universe of meaning,” and since God Apparently, the way to show that — not a Tim Hortons cup, but an el- largest, before dying in 1974 at age 44 exists, then his promise of eternal life there is life after death is to simply beat egant personalized pen that I can use in an automobile accident. must be true. up on atheists. Quoting Christopher to autograph books and sign FFRF le- Before the debate, while the room He thinks we have to choose be- Hitchens, I replied, “That which can gal letters. was being set up, some of us had gone tween one of two worldviews: 1) natu- be asserted without evidence can be This event was their first large pub- to the Hortons on campus for coffee ralism, where all reality is one, and 2) dismissed without evidence.” lic meeting, and because it was so suc- and snacks. I ordered a medium regu- dualism, where reality is split between The debate was much more than cessful, they are energized to do more lar coffee, which they handed to me that which is created and that which is that, of course — broader if not deep- activities on campus promoting rea- in that red paper cup. At the table I not. (Are you a one-ist or a two-ist?) er. We dove into epistemology and defi- son, science and real human morality. noticed that one of the students had He admitted that his worldview has nitions. I accused him of equivocation, There may not be life after death, but taken the lid off his own coffee cup assumptions and biases, but claimed and he replied by claiming that my with so many smart, concerned activist and was rolling up the curved top rim. that they are no worse than the athe- simplistic, old-fashioned, worn-out and students like the Windsor/Essex Coun- “Darn, I didn’t win anything,” he said. ist’s assumptions and biases. Without biased naturalistic diatribe was nothing ty Atheist Society, there is certainly life Tim Hortons has a contest where God, the universe is an “absurdity,” more than “cereal box atheism.” after debates! April 2013 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 7 Let’s observe Dec. 25, but not as Christmas

The New York Times’ “Room for Debate” Photo: Timothy Hughes the Northern Hemisphere have greet- directed citizens when to worship! Our series Feb. 13 included this op-ed by FFRF ed this seasonal event with festivals of legal victory did not deny state workers Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor. The se- light, gift exchanges and feasts. The a half-day off. Instead, workers get to ries addressed the question, “Should the U.S. federal government’s description of choose their own half-holiday instead have more or different official holidays?” Christmas as a federal holiday claims: of being told by their government to “Decorating houses and yards with worship. It is not the business of our lights, putting up Christmas trees, giv- secular government to celebrate any- By Annie Laurie Gaylor ing gifts, and sending greeting cards one’s “holy days.” Accommodate, yes. have become holiday traditions even Recognizing the winter solstice for many non-Christian Americans.” would violate no constitutional pro- But it is the Christians who stole vision. Accommodating family time, If I had my druthers, Christmas Christmas. We don’t mind sharing the universal weariness during our darkest would not be a federal holiday. It’s a season with them, but we don’t like days and allowing our national “well” no-brainer. The First Amendment cat- their pretense that it’s the birthday of to fill up after a hectic year — these egorically states, “Congress shall make Jesus. It is, if anything, the birthday would indeed serve secular purposes. no law respecting an establishment of of the Unconquered Sun. The winter Let’s hear it for Family Day! religion.” FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor solstice has astronomical significance Clearly, designating the date upon all Americans can mark, without refer- Besides Gaylor, others answering the which Christians observe the birth of guay has long celebrated Dec. 25 as ence to their religious beliefs. question were Khyati Joshi, associate pro- their messiah as a federal holiday is Dia de la Familia. Option 2: Make Dec. Should we compound the current fessor of education at Fairleigh Dickinson making a law respecting an establish- 21 (the winter solstice), not Dec. 25 constitutional violation by turning mi- University (“Keep Christmas, and add other ment of religion and placing govern- (Christmas), the federal holiday. The nority religious observances into feder- faiths’ holy days”); Mark Rienzi, senior mental weight behind Christianity. shortest, darkest day of the year is al- al holidays? Banish the thought! Think counsel at the Becket Fund for Religious Would I have U.S. citizens forgo ready a natural holiday, so why not how unworkable (given the hundreds Liberty and professor of constitutional law end-of-the-year festivals or miss out on make it a federal holiday as well? of religious “holy days”) that would be. at the Catholic University of America (“Sec- a federal day off? Not for the world. I The winter solstice is, after all, the The Freedom From Religion Foun- ular reasons to mark religious days”); and would propose one of two remedies. reason for the season. It signals the re- dation successfully overturned a stat- Norman Ornstein, resident scholar at the Option 1: Rename Dec. 25 as some- birth of the sun and the natural new ute declaring Good Friday to be a state American Enterprise Institute (“No need for thing secular like “Family Day.” Uru- year. For millennia, our ancestors in holiday in Wisconsin. This statute even an election holiday; vote on the weekend”).

Sixth Circuit censors criticism of religion in FFRF case

A federal appeals court ruled Feb. fact completely ignored by the appeals Photo: Andrew L. Seidel the affairs of our people, it is to be 25 that a Michigan mayor can censor court. done by individuals and groups, not nonreligious speech, while continuing FFRF’s winter solstice sign, specifi- by the Government. This necessarily to endorse a nativity scene in the city cally coined to counter religious dis- means, first, that the dogma, creed, atrium in Warren. plays on government property, reads: scruples, or practices of no religious A three-judge panel of the 6th Cir- “At this season of the Winter Solstice, group or sect are to be preferred over cuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled against let reason prevail. There are no gods, those of any others.” the fight by FFRF and its local member no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. Douglas added, “The First Amend- against censorship at Christmastime. There is only our natural world. Reli- ment commands government to have “The Sixth Circuit incorrectly char- gion is but myth and superstition that no interest in theology or ritual; it ad- acterized this case as a ‘religious sym- hardens hearts and enslaves minds.” monishes government to be interested bol on government property,’ when in The panel found the holiday display in allowing religious freedom to flour- reality this case is about free speech,” to be government speech, but failed to ish — whether the result is to produce noted FFRF Senior Staff Attorney Re- reconcile this decision with its recently Catholics, Jews, or Protestants, or to becca Markert. decided Satawa ruling in May 2012. turn the people toward the path of Mayor James Fouts routinely placed That allowed a private individual to Buddha, or to end in a predominantly a nativity scene in the Warren Civic erect a large nativity scene on the me- Doug Marshall at the 2012 FFRF Moslem nation, or to produce in the Center, a primary municipal build- dian of a highway in Michigan, calling convention in Portland, Ore. long run atheists or agnostics. On mat- ing also containing the public library. it a public forum. Douglas Marshall ters of this kind government must be FFRF and member Douglas Marshall placed a banner last December on the neutral.” of Warren wrote letters protesting the median, but it was tampered with and nativity display supposedly secularized In 2004, FFRF won a solid 6th Circuit display. later stolen. the religious message. victory in Doe v. Porter, a case success- On Dec. 8, 2010, Fouts wrote FFRF Judge Jeffrey Sutton, who wrote the Sutton also quoted Justice William fully challenging devotional religious that “all religions are welcome to cel- opinion, is considered one of the most O. Douglas declaring in Zorach v. Clau- insruction taught by bible students in ebrate their religious seasons with a conservative 6th Circuit judges. All son, “We are a religious people whose elementary schools in Dayton, Tenn. display in city hall.” Marshall tried in three judges were appointed either by institutions presuppose a Supreme Be- (See a story on page 3 about the expe- vain repeatedly to get permission to Presidents George W. Bush or George ing” in a 1952 case. But Sutton failed riences of one of the child plaintiffs.) place an FFRF winter solstice sign in H.W. Bush. A New York Times analysis to add that in the very next sentence, “We extend our warmest gratitude the building’s atrium. of appeals court appointees last fall Douglas added, “We guarantee the to plaintiff Douglas Marshall and to Fouts called FFRF’s sign “highly of- showed that 63% of appointments to it freedom to worship as one chooses. We our pro bono counsel Danielle Hes- fensive” and without intended irony were made by Republican presidents. make room for as wide a variety of be- sell,” said FFRF Co-President Dan compared FFRF’s request to place the FFRF had asked the court to enjoin liefs and creeds as the spiritual needs Barker. sign saying “there are no gods” to put- the mayor from barring the FFRF sign of man deem necessary.” The appeals court did not accept ting up a “sandwich board saying that and to find that the city had violated Douglas explained his statement in FFRF’s petition for an en banc review there is no Santa Claus.” Fouts stated, FFRF’s and Marshall’s rights. McGowan v. Maryland in 1961: “[I]f a in the Warren case. A request for en “I cannot and will not sanction the des- Sutton wrote that “a government religious leaven is to be worked into banc review was rejected. ecration of religion in the Warren City may provide benefits to faith-based en- Hall atrium.” tities if the benefits are available to sec- “We’re not a Christian nation,” said ular and religious entities alike,” clear- FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gay- ly contradicted by Fouts’ action, or Women Without Superstion lor. “Under our secular constitution, “may invoke the divine through words No Gods — No Masters city governments are forbidden to and symbols if they have religious and Edited by Annie Laurie Gaylor endorse one religion over another, or historical meanings or faith-based and The Collected Writings of Women Freethinkers of the religion over nonreligion, much less solemnizing effects, and in the process Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries to sit in judgment of what is or isn’t a offer at most incidental benefits to any The first anthology of women freethinkers, featuring more ‘desecration’ of religion.” one faith or to faith in general.” than 50 activists and writers critical of religion. Includes FFRF filed the lawsuit after Fouts The decision makes no note of biographical sketches, selected writings, 51 photographs, invited other individuals and groups Fouts’ declaration of the atrium as a and full index. Members — $24 by mail to place items in the atrium and af- public forum for religion but decides Non-members — $30 by mail ter the mayor denied FFRF’s request the case based on the Lynch v. Donnelly Or shop online at: ffrf.org/shop based solely on its solstice message — ­a decision, which held that reindeer by a Page 8 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin April 2013 FFRF action gets polls moved from church

With the help of activist member about the displays and was confronted Kurt Bocksenbaum, FFRF has gotten by the church president, who said that a polling place in Brown Deer, Wis. the religious displays would not be tak- moved from St. Paul’s Evangelical Lu- en down while the church was used as theran Church to a new community a polling place. center. FFRF Staff Attorney Patrick Elliott During the spring 2011 election, had sent a letter on Bocksenbaum’s citizens who voted at the church were behalf to village officials July 14, 2011, confronted by religious symbols such asking them to move the polling place as a Latin cross and a painting of Je- to a secular location. Elliott wrote, “The sus, which loomed directly over voting Village Board has the great responsibil- booths. Bocksenbaum asked Village ity of assuring compliance with elec- Manager Russell Van Gompel to re- tion laws and selecting polling places move or cover up the religious displays accessible to the public but which will Voters in Brown Deer, Wis., will no longer face this cheesy Jesus image while while the polls were open. remain free of intimidation.” filling out their ballots. After consulting with legal counsel, After looking into alternatives, the Van Gompel removed the display. Re- village’s attorney stated that a planned At a Feb. 18 meeting, the board room where voting was held.” portedly, church officials immediately community center would be used for unanimously approved moving the FFRF sent a letter of thanks to the protested and put the display back up. voting once construction was com- polling place to the community center, board for making the change. During the July 2011 recall elec- plete. In the interim, Bocksenbaum citing “controversy over having some tions, Bocksenbaum complained again voted by absentee ballot. religious pictures on the wall in the Evolution-bashing schools head backs off

An Oklahoma Although Cole said he has “a degree Seidel added, “I believe in love, in school district super- ‘Evolution is as in science,” he argued against evolu- family and in making the most of this intendent instruct- tion. He also asked Seidel whether he’s life because it’s the only one we have. ed teachers not to much a fact as a believer and sermonized, “What hap- In short, I am an atheist.” promote religion in gravity.’ pens when you die, if you’re wrong? If Seidel called Cole’s assertion that classrooms after cor- I’m wrong, when I die I just die, but if secularism causes school shootings respondence with — Andrew Seidel you’re wrong, when you die —” “appalling,” adding, “Murder rates are the Freedom From He also said “the further we sepa- actually lower in more secular nations Religion Foundation. rate God from our schools the nearer and higher in more religious nations A concerned fam- Andrew Seidel we bring violence and evil.” where belief in God is deep and wide- ily in the Wynnewood contacted Superintendent Randy Cole Seidel responded, “Evolution is spread. And within America, the states Public Schools District contacted FFRF in a Feb. 28 letter which cited numer- as much a fact as gravity,” and called with the highest murder rates tend to with concerns about a sixth grade ous Supreme Court cases showing that it “disturbing” that a superintendent be highly religious, such as Louisiana teacher displaying posters with bible public schools can’t promote religion. does not “believe in” evolution. He rec- and Alabama, but the states with the quotes and promoting Christianity to Seidel noted that “the First Amend- ommended Cole read books by Rich- lowest murder rates tend to be among students at Wynne Middle School. The ment is not a license for uncontrolled ard Dawkins and Jerry Coyne. the least religious in the country, such social studies teacher attacked evolu- expression at variance with established Seidel then addressed Cole’s con- as Vermont and Oregon.” tion and misinformed students that curricular content” and that courts descending question: “Please under- In a March 6 email, Cole said he the U.S. Constitution, an entirely secu- have upheld the termination of teach- stand that my personal beliefs have no instructed district principals to hold lar and godless document, is derived ers who violate the Establishment bearing on the illegality of the Carters’ meetings by the end of the week on the from the bible. Clause. actions. But since you asked, I believe topic of not promoting religion in the A parent had complained to the On March 4, Seidel received an of- in the First Amendment. I believe in classroom. He added, “You raise some principal, who is married to the of- ficial email from Cole, who conceded protecting minorities from the tyranny good and interesting points, as I said, fending teacher. The principal re- the teacher should not have placed re- of the majority. I believe that religion it would be foolish of me to argue with moved the posters but insisted it was ligious posters in her classroom. Cole is the single most divisive force on this a lawyer.” the teacher’s “First Amendment right” said he told her to “stay strictly with the planet, and that it has no place in our Seidel said Cole got one more thing to talk about her personal religious information presented in the book.” public schools. I believe that ideas wrong: “It’s not foolish to argue with views with students. But he volunteered that student-led should be subjected to reason, debate a lawyer; it’s foolish to argue with an FFRF Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel prayer is constitutional. and inquiry, not blindly accepted.” atheist.” FFRF halts multiple state/church violations

By Sarah Eucalano didn’t drop the dis- Carolina soccer coach FFRF makes bibles count. Festival drops discount Halasz, an atheist, won’t lead prayers history in Oklahoma attended Mexican Fi- A soccer coach at a Charleston, S.C., The Gideons will no longer dis- for Catholic Mass esta on Aug. 26 and suburb high school will no longer lead tribute New Testament bibles to fifth- Mexican Fiesta in Milwaukee will no wasn’t able to get the prayers before matches, and coaches graders in the Grove [Okla.] School longer give festival-goers discounts for discount, which led to at all middle and high schools in the District. Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel attending Catholic Mass per the terms Staff Attorney Patrick district will review guidelines on state- requested in an Oct. 19 letter to Board Patrick Elliott of a settlement with Richard Halasz, a Elliott filing a com- church separation. Chairman Jim Rutter on behalf of con- Wisconsin FFRF member. plaint with the state’s A concerned parent of a student cerned parents that the district should The annual festival, held on the Equal Rights Division. at Ashley Ridge High School in Sum- stop the illegal distribution of bibles. Summerfest grounds, had discounted According the settlement, “future merville told FFRF that the coach led “The Gideon practice is a usurpa- entrance tickets for attending Mass on Mexican Fiesta promotions will not be prayers before matches and at the an- tion of parental authority, and can the grounds before the festival opened timed to coincide with times of entry nual banquet. pose safety risks when children have to the general public. or exit of the annual Mass.” Organizers Staff Attorney Patrick Elliott sent a to run a gauntlet of aggressive adults The regular rate at the gate was $13, apologized to Halasz and gave him an March 6 letter to Superintendent Jo- hawking religious literature on school but Mass attendees were charged only $8 refund. Halasz agreed to withdraw seph Pye in order to get the violations property,” Seidel noted. $5. FFRF first objected to the discrimi- his complaint and he and FFRF waived corrected. The Grove Board of Education has natory discount Aug. 14, informing recovery of any attorneys’ fees. Pye responded March 12: “[The changed its policy to exclude external organizers it violated Wisconsin’s pub- “I’m thankful to the Freedom From coach] was directed to cease leading sources from distributing materials. lic accommodations law. A week later, Religion Foundation for standing up or directing prayer immediately, and Rutter confirmed in a Jan. 7 email that FFRF advised organizers it would file a for our First Amendment and civil he gave his assurance this would be the the policy prohibits bible distribution. complaint with the state if the festival rights,” Halasz said. case.” • • • April 2013 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 9

Cross Timbers Elementary School in ever, three students who chose not to Tecumseh, Okla., is reviewing its policy were forced to do homework in the Cities’ prayer breakfast promotions are toast on bible distribution after fifth-graders principal’s office. were given Jehovah’s Witness bibles at The parent tried to make headway school. They were told to write their with other school officials, but they The city of Springfield, Ill., and website and local media reported names inside the bibles and take them expressed surprise and took offense its mayor will no longer be associ- city financial sponsorship. home. at the idea of her atheism. Later, her ated with an annual prayer breakfast FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel told daughter was made to sit in the hall- after action by FFRF and citizens of Gaylor sent a letter to Brown on May Superintendent Tom Wilsie in an Oct. way when carolers came to the class Springfield. 8 asking him to refrain from spon- 26 letter that schools have a constitu- because “Mom might get mad,” the Senior Staff Attorney Rebecca soring religious events while acting tional obligation to remain neutral teacher said. Markert sent a letter Nov. 13 to in the official capacity as mayor. toward religion. Seidel said the dis- Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel wrote Mayor J. Michael Houston outlining Gaylor noted that private groups trict should not allow anyone to enter Jan. 9 to Superintendent Gary Jones to how the event violated the Establish- may host such breakfasts and invite schools to distribute religious litera- object to the religious song and mis- ment Clause. She asked Houston to public officials to attend as individu- ture. treatment of the child. He called for refrain from using public resources als, but that public officials may not Wilsie responded Jan. 7 to say the the teacher to be disciplined for her to promote the breakfast. sponsor religious events. materials distribution policy is under unacceptable and juvenile behavior. Markert received a response Nov. FFRF filed an open records re- review. Jones responded Jan. 11, stating that 8 that in the future an independent quest for city records of the 2012 principals and music teachers have group not affiliated with the city will prayer breakfast to learn what gov- been instructed to be more selective run the prayer breakfast. ernment resources were used. God no longer copilot in choosing songs and were told not to • • • The city’s legal counsel respond- place any child in a situation in which FFRF curtailed government en- ed that references to the prayer on USAF plane they feel uncomfortable or ostracized. dorsement of a mayoral prayer breakfast have been removed from The U.S. Air Force removed a “Com- breakfast in Jacksonville, Fla. Mayor the city’s website and that Brown has mando Prayer” from the side of one of Alvin Brown held an Interfaith Cele- been advised on what activities are its aircraft after Staff Attorney Andrew Schools warned about bration on April 20, 2012. The event constitutional. Seidel sent a Feb. 25 letter on behalf lunchtime prayer was promoted on the city’s official of a concerned service member to the commanding colonel. Two grade schools in Albertville, “Service members have the constitu- Ala., have been reminded by FFRF that Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things lumbia Baptist Association came to her tional right to decide how or whether teacher-led prayer is unconstitutional. through Christ who strengthens me.” children’s school. to observe religious practices,” Seidel Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel told Su- Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel wrote The school routinely held prosely- said. “While non-Christians and non- perintendent Frederic Ayer in a Jan. 7 Director Thomas Wisnieski on Jan. 4: tizing assemblies. Around Christmas believers are fighting to protect the letter about parental complaints over “The message implies Jesus is an im- time, a teacher gave students handouts freedoms for all Americans, their free- prayer before lunch. portant element in the rehabilitation with bible verses, told them about “the doms are being trampled upon.” Seidel has been notified that Ayer of the patient. When one is healed by true meaning of Christmas” and ref- In a March 8 email, the complain- sent a letter Jan. 14 to all administra- doctors using taxpayer funds at this erenced a local church. After talking ant informed FFRF that the prayer was tors and teachers asking them not to federal hospital, the patient is invited with teachers, the parent received a removed. ask, lead or direct students to pray or to credit the Christian god.” note and conflicting information from to set aside class time for students to Wisnieski responded that the verse the teacher about a “History of Easter” pray. was removed and said he asked super- assembly. Tenn. teacher bios visors to avoid inappropriate postings. She then contacted Superintendent Tom Pitchford in a March 4 letter, re- can’t endorse religion Ohio town ‘crossed’ FFRF stands up to questing religious activities be stopped. FFRF, acting on line on building Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel also sent behalf of a local bullying bus driver Pitchford a letter on March 6: “The complainant, has FFRF has successfully petitioned the [church’s] attempt to insinuate them- stopped religious town of Stratton, Ohio, to remove a FFRF stopped religious bullying in selves into public schools by camou- content from being large display of a Latin cross from its Honolulu of students who identify as flaging their purposes as ‘history’ does posted on school dis- Municipal Building. Two large crosses, gay or lesbian. Two female Pearl City not make the assemblies legal. That a trict websites in Jack- one Latin and the other Greek, were High School students were reprimand- baby was born of a virgin and a person son, Tenn. Proselytiz- prominently displayed on the building ed by their bus driver for public dis- rose from the dead after three days are ing messages will no Rebecca Markert façade. plays of affection while riding the bus. matters of faith, not history.” longer be allowed Senior Staff Attorney Rebecca Mark- They were harassed twice in December. Seidel also said allowing students to on teachers’ bio- ert wrote Oct. 16 to Mayor John Abdal- During the first incident, the driv- opt out is not an option, because it ex- graphical sections in Jackson-Madison la to ask that the unconstitutional en- er pulled the bus over and asked the cludes students and leads to bullying. County Schools. dorsement of Christianity be removed. girls if they were both female and then In a March 7 conversation, Pitch- Senior Staff Attorney Rebecca Mark- A Stratton resident confirmed in a told them to separate because she was ford told the parent the “History of ert wrote a July 9 letter to Superinten- Dec. 17 email to FFRF that both cross- Christian and did not approve of their Easter” assembly was cancelled, along dent Thomas White to request that the es had been removed. He said secular behavior. Several days later, the driver with all future religious assemblies. religious messages be scrubbed from decorations were added to the build- yelled at the girls when one leaned her the schools’ websites. She criticized ing to celebrate the winter holidays. head on the other’s shoulder, reiterat- All godly hope gets the teachers’ endorsement of Christi- Honor Society forced ing her Christian connection. anity on Web pages. Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel con- swooped from Swope Markert cited teacher messages to go prayerless tacted Kathryn Matayoshi, state De- from the website such as, “I see teach- partment of Education superinten- A publicly funded ing as my ministry and Christian out- Utah’s Iron County Schools will dent, in a Dec. 11 letter , asking her to health clinic in Inde- reach to our community,” as well as no longer allow prayers to be given conduct an immediate investigation of pendence, Mo., will no direct quotes from the bible. at school-sponsored events. FFRF re- the incidents. “The bus driver’s behav- longer post religious Markert received word Jan. 22 that ceived a complaint from a concerned ior creates a hostile and intimidating plaques and decora- the district has updated its policy to in- parent that there were two student-led environment for LGBT students and tions on the walls. A clude “District staff will not post quotes prayers given at Canyon View High non-Christian students, who now know client at Swope Health from religious texts or post informa- School’s National Honor Society in- that their driver demands conformity East contacted FFRF tion about their personal religious mis- duction ceremony in Cedar City. with [her] particular sect,” Seidel about the displays Liz Cavell sion or calling, while on the district School officials participated in the wrote. “This behavior is nothing short near the check-in and network.” prayer, bowing their heads. The parent of bullying.” other areas. reported that such incidents are fre- James Kauhi, director of Student Staff Attorney Elizabeth Cavell con- quent in schools. Transportation Services, responded tacted Dave Barker, Swope Health Ser- FFRF puts an end to Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel wrote Jan. 16 to say that an investigation was vices president and CEO, in a March religious bullying Sept. 19 to Superintendent Jim John- under way and that the woman driver 5 letter, asking the company to respect son, who responded Jan. 7 that he had was relieved of driving duties. patients’ diverse religious views. On A school in Sulphur, Okla., will no cautioned principals that prayers are March 10, the complainant informed longer require students to take part in not to be given during school events. FFRF that the religious postings were plays and songs with Christian themes. School won’t include removed. A concerned second-grade parent at Christ off the wall religious ‘history’ Sulphur Elementary School contacted FFRF finds foxhole FFRF when her daughter’s class sang a at Florida VA facility An Alabama Baptist church will no song in a play held Dec. 6 with refer- longer use school assemblies on the atheists for school ences to “the reason for the season” in A Veterans Administration medical “History of Easter” and the “History of the “form of a baby boy.” center in Lake City, Fla., removed a bi- Christmas” to proselytize students. A Assemblies at Lawrence B. Mor- When the parent discussed the ble verse from a waiting room wall after concerned parent of two young chil- ris Elementary School, Jim Thorpe, problem with the principal, she was FFRF contacted the facility on behalf dren in the Houston County Schools Pa., will no longer include organized told no child had to participate. How- of a local complainant. The verse was system contacted FFRF after the Co- Continued on next page Page 10 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin April 2013

Continued from front page Wood, special assistant to the president prayer. FFRF was contacted by a con- for charter schools, urging that schools It Pays to Complain cerned parent after a Veterans Day as- must remain neutral toward religion sembly included opening and closing and remove religious rituals from grad- prayer by a chaplain. uation ceremonies. Senior Staff Attorney Rebecca Mark- Wood said March 11 that he would Secular students succeed at Ripon ert wrote Superintendent Barbara inform the school board about the vio- Conway on Nov. 21. Markert noted that lation and make sure “they understand Ripon College’s Secular Student lar. Any form of religious speech at prayers alienate nonreligious members that religious rituals are not allowed at Alliance chapter in Ripon, Wis., has public events suggests otherwise. of the school and mislead children into graduation ceremonies or any other successfully petitioned the adminis- As such, we contend that prayers at believing only religious people serve in school-sponsored event.” tration to confine religious speech events violate Ripon’s stated goals the military, while citing the statistic and prayers to the school’s optional of teaching students of diverse in- that about 23% percent of military per- baccalaureate ceremony. No more terests. Furthermore, we believe it sonnel identify as having no religious Texas coach ordered prayers will be heard at the campus- goes directly against one of Ripon preference. to stop prayer wide commencement ceremony. College’s core values: ‘Differences “These prayers further perpetuate Ripon College, privately founded of perspective, experience, back- the myth that there are no ‘atheists in Football games at Stephenville [Tex- in 1851, originally had formal ties ground, and heritage enrich the foxholes’ and that the only veterans as] High School frequently included with the Presbyterian and Congre- college. Relationships are sincere, worth memorializing are Christians,” postgame prayers led by coaches, in- gational churches but cut them in friendly, welcoming and support- Markert wrote. cluding a coach putting his hands on a 1868. Its first six presidents had cleri- ive.’ ” The district’s attorney responded player’s head as the coach prayed. cal backgrounds, but the school has The students noted that “having March 14 to say that the violation will Staff Attorney Elizabeth Cavell long been religiously unaffiliated. ‘interfaith’ or ‘nondenominational’ not recur and that all outside entities wrote a letter of complaint March 13 Professor Steve Martin, an FFRF invocations does not solve the main making presentations in the district to Superintendent Darrell Floyd: “Par- member and the college’s Commu- problem. Such prayers still show a “will not engage in offending behav- ents trust their children to the coach’s nication Department chair, helped clear preference for belief over non- ior.” charge, and the coaches through their students draft the petition to the belief, religion over no religion, and own example must be sure that ath- commencement planning commit- theism over atheism.” letes are not only treated fairly but also tee. He’s also the group’s faculty ad- The petition further noted the FFRF plagues teacher imbued with a sense of community and viser. value of tradition, but added the col- who proselytized camaraderie.” The petition begins, “We, the un- lege “has had no affiliation with any Floyd said in a March 17 response dersigned, respectfully request that church or religious group for at least Students at Harrison Elementary that the district “will take immediate religious speech be removed from 150 years. We believe it is time our School in Riverside, Calif., weren’t re- action to stop all school-sponsored commencement ceremonies and public ceremonies reflect our secu- quired to complete a religious home- prayers occurring at district events.” other public events. The college’s lar mission and values. Thank you work assignment after Staff Attorney mission and values are entirely secu- for considering our request.” Andrew Seidel sent a letter of com- plaint. Wall of separation A concerned parent contacted FFRF topples ‘Firewall’ after a sixth-grade teacher assigned errors one pastor made while “solving” Jan. 16 to say that no school official will homework that treated religious A high school in Haysville, Kansas, a math problem about King Solomon encourage students to accept a bible. events, such as the biblical 10 plagues will no longer invite clergy to prosely- and gold. on the Egyptians, as historical facts. tize students after getting Staff Attor- On March 13, FFRF was informed Assignments also required students to ney Andrew Seidel’s March 9 letter that the school will end “Firewall.” School to teachers: read the bible and copy the Ten Com- to Superintendent John Burke. The Don’t lead prayer mandments. school’s religious class, called “Fire- Renee Hill, director of elementary wall,” was held every Wednesday in the School can’t encourage A concerned parent contacted FFRF education for Riverside Unified School school during the lunch period. Staff bible acceptance after a kindergarten teacher at Clay El- District, responded Feb. 27 to say stu- members frequently attended and so- ementary School in Clay, Ala., required dents would not be required to turn in licited students to do the same. Posters FFRF has put an end to another case students to learn a prayer and recite it the assignment and would not be pe- advertising the class were hung around of the Gideons peddling bibles to chil- several times during the school year. nalized if they choose not to complete the school, and food was provided to dren in public schools, this time in Bar- Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel con- it. entice students. tow County, Georgia. tacted Superintendent Stephen Nowl- One of the pastors, after quoting co- A parent of a student at White El- in on Feb. 5, requesting he end the piously from the bible, told students, ementary contacted FFRF in Septem- unconstitutional teacher-led prayer. School won’t repeat “A life lived with God is more valuable ber with concerns that her child was Nowlin responded Feb. 12 to say the play on nativity than anything you can achieve.” coerced by the Gideons to take a bible. teacher has been told she must stop Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel con- Students were also encouraged by the leading prayer and that all teachers in A winter program at Jackson El- tacted Superintendent John Burke on principal during morning announce- the district have been instructed not to ementary School in Santa Ana, Calif., March 9, calling the inappropriate ar- ments to take one. lead prayers. that included a 15-minute play reenact- rangement “predatory conduct [that] Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel ob- See all legal victories online: ing Jesus’ birth naturally didn’t sit well should raise many red flags.” jected in October to Superintendent ffrf.org/legal/other-legal-successes with a parent, who contacted FFRF. Seidel corrected several calculation John Harper, who finally responded The play was performed and narrated entirely by students and included chil- dren in praying positions reciting lines such as, “God told Mary she was going to have a baby.” State rep attacks FFRF suit, plaintiff rights Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel wrote Superintendent Thelma Melendez de Continued from front page Santa Ana on Jan. 7 about the obvious pact on the type of legal challenges stantial public interest in ensuring that kowiak, St. Vincent College law pro- and egregious constitutional violation. it seeks to regulate. Both of the Ten litigants not face such retribution in fessor, told the Pittsburgh Tribune- The district’s attorney responded Commandments cases were filed in their attempt to seek redress for what Review. “I think the legislation would March 1 by letter, admitting that the federal court. they view as a Constitutional violation, be challenged immediately as being nativity play was inappropriate and as- “One would expect that elected leg- a pure legal issue.” unconstitutional,” he said. suring FFRF that the district has taken islators would have a basic understand- McVerry also issued a protective In FFRF’s 2012 challenge of the measures to make sure similar perfor- ing of government and know that they order March 28 limiting disclosure of Pennsylvania Assembly’s “Year of the mances do not happen in the future. lack the ability to regulate the First the plaintiff’s identities. FFRF and its Bible” resolution, U.S. District Judge Next holiday season, district staff will Amendment and the federal judiciary,” attorneys had asked that disclosure be Christopher Conner dismissed the be reminded about the Establishment added Gaylor. The U.S. Supreme Court limited to an appropriate district em- case on jurisdictional grounds but took Clause. promulgates the Federal Rules of Civil ployee who could verify school enroll- the House to task. Procedure, not state legislatures. ment by the plaintiffs’ children. The Connor wrote that his rebuke of leg- Judge Terrance McVerry of the district fought to be able to disclose to islators was “directed to the blatant use Jesus prayer out at U.S. District Court for the Western any former or school staff. The judge of legislative resources in contraven- Michigan school District of Pennsylvania issued an or- ruled that only members of the school tion of the spirit — if not the letter — der in December allowing the plain- board and superintendent may know of the Establishment Clause.” At the 2012 graduation for West tiffs in FFRF’s New Kensington case to the identities, but must keep them con- He continued, “At a time when the Michigan Academy of Arts and Aca- proceed using pseudonyms. McVerry fidential. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania faces demics, a public elementary charter found that community members had FFRF and its attorneys plan to pro- massive public policy challenges, these school in Spring Lake, a pastor deliv- expressed threats of violence and os- ceed with a similar request for pseud- resources would be far better utilized ered a Christian prayer that referenced tracism and ruled: onyms and a protective order in Con- in meaningful legislative efforts for the Jesus. “The Court finds that this basis nellsville. benefit all of the citizens of the Com- Senior Staff Attorney Rebecca Mark- upon which the Does fear disclosure If Krieger’s bill is passed, it likely monwealth, regardless of their reli- ert sent a letter March 8 to Timothy is substantial and that there is a sub- wouldn’t stand for long, Bruce Ant- gious beliefs.” April 2013 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 11 Denying contraception is new form of rape

sequential,” one should consider the this 5,000-year-old biblical thinking. avowed religiosity of these candidates They cannot And some are serving in our U.S. Con- and their source: the bible. gress! We find that rape is a prominent bear to see Members of Congress and others theme in the Old Testament, some- women with the working to oppose the Affordable Care times used by an avenging male whose Act’s mandate to provide contraceptive honor has been stained. The end re- power to control coverage to women are reflective of sult is a total degradation of women, this antiquated way of thinking. They with utter disregard for the trauma of reproduction. cannot bear to see women with the rape (see Judges 19: 22-29). power to control reproduction — that There are many examples through- has always been a man’s role. It practi- out that part of the bible of women be- two daughters which have not known cally defines his “manhood.” ing allotted to captors without regard man: let me, I pray you, bring them out Withholding contraceptives pre- for the women’s feelings. Virgins were unto you, and do ye to them as is good vents a woman from being able to con- considered booty of war, to be kept in your eyes; only unto those men do trol her sexuality, so it becomes anoth- alive for the troops’ pleasure (Judges nothing. . .” er way to dominate women. 21:10-12). This story of Lot’s offering up his lit- Perhaps these senators and repre- In Numbers 31:17-18, soldiers are tle girls for mob pleasure is much more sentatives, like actual rapists, enjoy told: “But all the women-children, that revolting than the possibility of men at- the power such action gives them. Ac- have not known a man by lying with tacking men, but one never hears reli- cording to the description of “power him, keep alive for yourselves.” Judges gionists express revulsion at this part of rape,” such control “feeds their issues 5:30 tells of dividing the spoils of war, the account. Indeed, they regard Lot of mastery, strength, authority and ca- saying there must be a damsel or two as a hero for saving the angels from pability.” By Janet Brazill for each man. molestation, and they use this fable Contraception, it seems, has be- Perhaps this is what is meant by “le- as a basis for their current opposition come a “pawn of power” to those mem- gitimate rape?” to homosexuality. Never mind the two bers of Congress, and withholding its In II Samuel 12:11-14, we read that children brutally attacked. availability has become a new way to R ape became a familiar word the Lord punishes David by giving his We should be appalled by such rape women. in the last election, sometimes with a wives to his neighbor to rape in broad tales, and recognize them as stories modifier of “legitimate.” That defini- daylight. Then he forgives David’s of primitive civilizations whose “Lord” FFRF member Janet Brazill is a retired tion is not found in the recognized cat- “sin,” but kills the baby that resulted represented their own undeveloped computer systems analyst living in Colorado egories, which list anger rape, power from that sin as a punishment to David. morals. Today, any father offering his Springs, Colo., often called the Vatican of rape, sadistic rape and gang rape. One of the most horrifying stories in daughters for prostitution would be Evangelicalism. She has been long involved The abortion discussion also men- the bible is found in Genesis, Chapter sentenced in a court of law, since co- in fighting the Religious Right there, as well tioned rape, with some candidates in- 19. Two angels disguised as men visit a ercion of any sexual act is no longer as the Catholic Church, on reproductive sisting that a raped woman should be man named Lot. A mob surrounds his condoned by society. This shows that rights. forced to continue the pregnancy. home, demanding that Lot turn over morality has clearly evolved since bib- For more on the bible’s subjugation of To understand why the subject of his guests to them. Quick-thinking lical times when “rape” was a way to women, read Woe to the Women: The Bible rape was brought up so much in this Lot, no doubt fearing heavenly wrath “subordinate.” Tells Me So by Annie Laurie Gaylor, avail- election, and why the raped woman’s if he did as they demanded, proposes Sadly, however, our current culture able at ffrf.org/shop/. fate was often treated as being “incon- a substitute plan: “Behold now, I have still has many members dedicated to

State/Church Bulletin

Rapists blame women on women documented that day by an hour. “They told people I had a is “like a demon,” he said, wondering human rights groups, six women were bomb on my abdomen to stop anybody why anyone should sympathize with for Egypt assaults hospitalized, one was stabbed in her from rescuing me,” she said. those “naked” women who “went On the two-year anniversary on Jan. genitals and another needed a hyster- The victims got no sympathy from there to get raped.” 25 of the Egyptian revolution, at least ectomy. Hania Moheeb, 42, a journal- hardliners. “Sometimes,” said Adel 18 women were sexually assaulted dur- ist, said in a TV interview that a group Abdel Maqsoud Afifi, a lawmaker and ing a demonstration against the gov- of men surrounded her, stripped off ultraconservative Islamist, “a girl con- Dawkins cancellation ernment in Tahrir (Liberation) Square her clothes and violated her for 45 tributes 100% to her own raping when lawsuit settled in Cairo, the symbolic heart of the minutes. she puts herself in these conditions.” 2011 revolt against former President Yasmine Al Baramawy said she was “You see those women speaking like Wyndgate Country Club of Roch- Hosni Mubarak. circled in November by attackers who ogres, without shame, politeness, fear ester Hills, Mich., agreed to an undis- The New York Times reported stripped her clothes off with knives in or even femininity,” said Sheik Abu closed settlement Feb. 26 with the Cen- March 25 that due to the 18 attacks the square and drove her around for Islam, a TV preacher. Such a woman ter for Inquiry for breach of contract and violating civil rights laws by can- celing a CFI event in October 2011 at which atheist biologist Richard Dawk- In memoriam: Jerry Dincin, 1930–2013 sin was to appear. “We’re very pleased with the out- Jerry Dincin, 82, Highland Park, Ill., He received a bachelor’s degree from which is unfortunate.” come of this case, which we regard as died of prostate cancer in a Highland Brooklyn College, a master’s in sociol- In 2005 he became active in the Fi- an unqualified vindication of the rights Park hospice on March 26, 2013. ogy from Case Western Reserve Univer- nal Exit Network, which has the goal of nonbelievers,” said Ronald Lindsay, Jerry was an innovator in the field of sity and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology of allowing competent adults to end CFI president. “We are confident it will psychiatric rehabilitation, a nationally from Northwestern University. their lives on their own terms if they send a strong message that as much known activist in the death-with-dignity In 1958 he began work at New York are suffering from irreversible illness as this country now rejects discrimina- movement and a committed member City’s Fountain House, a psychiatric or intractable pain. “I was an exit guide tion based on race, sexual orientation of the Freedom From Religion Foun- rehabilitation center that served as a 14 times, and I never did anything but and religion, so must we reject just as dation. He and three other members model for many facilities in the U.S. In be there as a witness. I felt like I was giv- strongly discrimination against those of the Final Exit Network were charged 1965 he moved to Chicago to take over ing the biggest gift possible to a fellow with no religion.” last year in the 2007 death of a Minne- an organization called Threshholds, human who was suffering deeply — the CFI believes it may be the first time sota woman who committed suicide. A which had a staff of four. When he re- gift of your compassionate presence.” that federal and state civil rights laws judge recently declined to dismiss the tired in 2002, the staff had grown to As network president from 2009- have been successfully invoked by non- indictment but ruled Minnesota’s law 900 and the facility had become a pre- 12, he encouraged the group to use believers in a public accommodations against “advising” suicide was unconsti- mier psychiatric rehabilitation center. billboards for advertising, an idea he lawsuit. tutionally overbroad. He was diagnosed with cancer in said he got from FFRF’s billboard cam- The club justified breaking the con- He was born Aug. 20, 1930, in 2001 just two weeks after marrying paign. tract by stating “the owner does not Brooklyn, N.Y., to Herman and Re- Suzanne Streicker, who survives him. Survivors also include a sister, four wish to associate with certain individu- nee Dincin, émigrés from Russia and “I wasn’t prepared to die, and I didn’t children and seven grandchildren. als and philosophies.” A club repre- Rumania. When his father died when like my attitude about death and dy- FFRF extends its sincerest condo- sentative cited concern over Dawkins’ Jerry was 16, he and his mother took ing,” he later said. “Our culture avoids lences to Jerry’s family and friends. appearance on “The O’Reilly Factor” a over the family furniture business. the subject and treats it like a taboo, few days before. Page 12 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin April 2013 Giving thanks for the McCollum decision Photo by Charles “Stretch” LedFord By Annie Laurie Gaylor ‘ Separation means separation, not something less.’ We don’t pray at the Freedom From Religion Foundation, naturally. — Justice Felix Frankfurter But not one workday goes by that we fail to give thanks — to the McCollum family for winning a landmark ruling of eternal separation’ — Elihu Root’s on the separation of state and church. phrase bears repetition — is one of the March 8, 2013, marked the 65th anni- vital reliances of our Constitutional versary of McCollum v. Board of Educa- system for assuring unities among our tion, a decision noting that the “wall people stronger than our diversities.” between Church and State . . . must be The precedent against religious kept high and impregnable.” instruction and devotions in public McCollum is a decision which en- schools remains “high and unimpreg- dures, protecting schoolchildren and Jay Rosenstein, Annie Laurie Gaylor, and Dannel nable,” thanks to McCollum and the personal conscience throughout the McCollum at the 65th anniversary celebration of the many cases against school prayer that land. historic McCollum v. Board of Education decision. followed it. But it must be noted that In the ruling, the Supreme Court the Supreme Court has egregiously de- struck down the practice of religious viated from those principles in its 2001 instruction as part of the school day Good News Club v. Milford Central School in public schools in Champaign, Ill. District decision. Vashti McCollum brought the dramat- ic lawsuit after her son Jim was targeted Evangelism industry for not participating. Soon the entire family found themselves targeted. In A major child evangelism industry is the face of bitter defeat in two lower permitted to set up shop in our public courts, social shunning, hate mail, re- schools and take advantage of their ma- prisals against herself, her family, her chinery, truancy laws and classrooms to children, and her cat, Vashti never wa- Vashti McCollum then; Jay Rosenstein now. conduct evangelism clubs of indoctri- vered. She was rewarded with a historic nation. What the court stopped during 8–1 decision in her favor. this legal storm, survived, thrived, be- the title for Dan McCollum’s book the school day, it now blesses as soon as FFRF daily invokes the McCollum came an attorney, teaches constitu- about his mother’s case, The Lord Was the bell rings at the end of the school precedent in our legal letters of com- tional law in his semi-retirement and is Not on Trial. Dan attended the event day. plaint over state/church violations in a Lifetime Member of FFRF. He’ll be and spoke briefly from the audience. The Good News Club decision was public schools. The 1948 decision is speaking at FFRF’s 36th annual con- bad news that cannot be squared with the bedrock upon which rests all other vention in Madison, Wis., on the week- The decision Justice Black’s analysis of what is imper- Supreme Court rulings on the Estab- end of Sept. 27–29, 2013. missible under McCollum, nor can the lishment Clause, particularly those In quite a vindication, Jim’s younger Justice Hugo Black wrote the main Supreme Court’s green light on school against religious encroachments and brother, Dannel, was elected three- opinion, concluding: “Here not only voucher funding. We have our work devotions in public schools. (FFRF time mayor of Champaign. are the state’s tax-supported public cut out for us. literally invoked the direct McCollum Vashti died in 2006 at age 93 before school buildings used for the dissemi- As Vashti wrote in the epilogue of precedent in Doe v. Porter, our 2004 vic- the release of the 2010 documentary nation of religious doctrines. The State FFRF’s reprint of One Woman’s Fight: tory in the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of bringing her case to life, “The Lord also affords sectarian groups an invalu- “The McCollum case represents only Appeals nixing devotional instruction Is Not on Trial Here Today,” edited able aid in that it helps to provide pu- one of many bricks in the wall separat- taught by bible students in Dayton, and produced by University of Illinois pils for their religious classes through ing church and state. But now that I Tenn. (See story on page 3.) media professor Jay Rosenstein. The use of the state’s compulsory public am eighty years old, others must step One of the great privileges of being film, which took more than five years school machinery. This is not separa- forward to lay the bricks and defend a part of FFRF has been meeting and to make and carefully traces the Cham- tion of Church and State.” the wall.” working with so many champions of paign battle, won a Peabody Award Four justices, represented by Justice Nothing could inspire more state/ the First Amendment. It was an honor and has aired on many PBS stations. Felix Frankfurter, issued a strong con- church activism than reading (or re- to meet Vashti and her husband, John Remarkably, Rosenstein did all the currence. Frankfurter wrote: reading) One Woman’s Fight. Vashti won (“Pappy”), who died in 1984, and their filmwork himself, hiring help only for “Separation means separation, not the big one. Take a moment to savor sons Jim and Dannel, who remain com- some of the editing. something less. Jefferson’s metaphor this strong ruling, then go to work to mitted to championing the Establish- I was invited to a celebration of that in describing the relation between defend its precedent. ment Clause. decision in Champaign, the city of ori- Church and State speaks of a ‘wall of My mother and I first made Vashti’s gin, where Vashti brought her brave separation,’ not of a fine line easily Annie Laurie Gaylor, with her mother acquaintance in the late 1970s, shortly and unpopular challenge and where overstepped. The public school is at Anne Nicol Gaylor, FFRF president emerita, after founding FFRF. Always intrepid, Rosenstein teaches. The University of once the symbol of our democracy and is a co-founder of FFRF. Since late 2004, Vashti was famous for traveling solo Illinois at Champaign-Urbana appro- the most pervasive means for promot- Annie Laurie and her husband, Dan Bark- and adventurously with the local popu- priately aired the film to celebrate the ing our common destiny. In no activ- er, have been FFRF co-presidents. Annie lation around the world in her golden 65th anniversary. ity of the State is it more vital to keep Laurie is author of Woe to the Women: The years. She entertained more than one Rosenstein’s documentary captures out divisive forces than in its schools, to Bible Tells Me So and editor of the anthol- FFRF convention with her beautifully the drama and the scope of this deci- avoid confusing, not to say fusing, what ogy Women Without Superstition: No Gods photographed travelogues. sion for posterity, and is a poignant les- the Constitution sought to keep strictly — No Masters, both published by FFRF and Vashti and her sons were inter- son for today. apart. ‘The great American principle available at ffrf.org/shop. viewed for FFRF’s 1989 film “Champi- He interviewed Vashti in the last ons of the First Amendment.” (Watch year of her life, as well as other fam- the half-hour film, featuring prime ily members, and prime players on sources talking about their Supreme both sides of the issue, making an un- Court victories, at FFRF’s YouTube forgettable contribution to the cause One Woman’s Fight channel.) of understanding the importance of by Vashti McCollum keeping divisive religion out of public Celebrate 65th anniversary of McCollum ruling! Family of fighters schools. He was kind enough to invite me as Historic legal battle to a Supreme Court In 1993, FFRF received permission a representative of the Freedom From victory removing religious instruction from Vashti to reprint her remarkable, Religion Foundation to be on the post- timely and engaging book One Woman’s screening panel, which also included from the public schools. Fight, first published in 1951, but long Ken Paulson, president of the First out of print. FFRF’s reprint (available Amendment Center; Adam Schwartz, 240 pages, with photographs. at ffrf.org/shop) includes fascinating senior staff counsel, ACLU of Illinois; $15.00 postpaid by mail family photographs and the text of the and Daniel Hamilton, professor of $20.00 nonmember by mail Supreme Court decision, with a fore- law and history, University of Illinois word by Anne Nicol Gaylor, and a per- School of Law. ffrf.org/shop sonal epilogue by Vashti, then age 80. The film’s title comes from a famous Jim, the small boy at the center of remark at the trial, which also formed April 2013 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 13 FFRF member sues city over Christian flag

Steven Hewett, an FFRF Lifetime council meeting that he “needs us to Member and foxhole atheist from pray for him.” North Carolina, is suing the city of King Responding to complaints by for violating the U.S and state constitu- Hewett and Americans United, the tions by displaying Christian symbols as council voted in September 2010 to part of the Veterans’ Memorial it built remove the Christian flag, but the re- in 2004 in its public Central Park. moval was temporary. The city, with Hewett, represented by Americans help from the Alliance Defending United for Separation of Church and Freedom, a Religious Right law firm, State, brought the suit in November then created a “limited public forum” 2012 in U.S. District Court for the Mid- in which a flagpole was reserved for a dle District of North Carolina after first rotating group of preapproved flags. trying to get the city to remove the sym- But the result of the lottery was that bols in 2010. He’s a former police offi- the Christian flag flew at the memorial cer and military veteran who served in for 47 weeks in both 2011 and 2012. Afghanistan, where he was awarded the The suit calls it “a sham public forum.” Combat Action Badge and the Bronze Recently, the Texas-based Liberty Star. He’s lived in King since 1999. Institute, another conservative Chris- The suit, which has caused an up- tian advocacy group, filed a motion roar among the city’s 7,000 residents, to intervene in the suit on behalf of says the city “intensified its promotion American Legion Post 290. of Christianity” by adding to the me- In a statement, Hewett said, “I morial in early 2010 a “shadow” statue proudly served alongside a diverse of a soldier kneeling and praying be- group of soldiers with a variety of dif- fore a cross. Tax dollars paid for the ferent religious beliefs. The city of addition as well. King should be honoring everyone When Hewett first objected, King’s who served our country, not using city manager warned him he would their service as an excuse to promote a answer “to God and Jesus Christ upon single religion.” [his] death.” The mayor stated at a city The suit is Hewett v. City of King. Steven Hewett stands at the display in King, N.C., which includes a Christian flag (left) and a soldier kneeling before a cross. Celebrating 123-year-old case Weiss ‘Edgerton’ case held bible reading unconstitutional

More than 70 years before the U.S. Supreme Court declared prayer and bible devotionals in public schools un- ‘ constitutional, the Wisconsin Supreme There is no such source and cause of strife, quarrel, Court issued a clarion call to keep divi- sive religion out of the schools. fights, malignant opposition, persecution, and war, Known as the “Edgerton bible case,” the lawsuit was brought by Catholic res- and all evil in the state, as religion. Let it once enter idents, taxpayers and parents outraged over the practice by teachers of reading our civil affairs, our government would soon be the King James Bible to pupils, without destroyed. Let it once enter our common schools, they comment, during school hours. As Roman Catholics, they consid- would be destroyed.’ ered the Protestant version incomplete and incorrect, felt the Catholic Church — Justice Orton, Supreme Court of Wisconsin was the only “infallible” interpreter of Weiss v. District Board, March 18, 1890 scriptures, and that the reading of oth- er versions of the bible by teachers led to “dangerous errors.” The parents argued that because the maintain any ministry, without con- tination and eternal punishment — concurrence, included these lines, oft- Edgerton school was public, such prac- sent, nor shall any control of, or inter- amounted to sectarian instruction. recited by the Freedom From Religion tices led to the misuse of state funds to ference with, the rights of conscience In concurrences, Justices John Cas- Foundation: support a place of worship, in violation be permitted, or any preference be soday and Harlow Orton wrote that ‘There is no such source and cause of the Wisconsin Constitution. given by law to any religious establish- reading the bible in public schools of strife, quarrel, fights, malignant op- In a narrative that sounds familiar, ments or modes of worship.” forces taxpayers to support a place of position, persecution, and war, and all the school board had responded that Lyon noted many differences be- worship, and that the use of state trea- evil in the state, as religion. Let it once students were “at liberty to withdraw tween the King James and Douay ver- sury funds must be entirely secular. enter our civil affairs, our government during such reading if they desire to sions and ruled that passages read at The reading of the bible is viewed by would soon be destroyed. Let it once do so.” They also insisted “that every the Edgerton schools ­— concerning many, if not most sects as the essence enter our common schools, they would person has the right to read the bible the divinity of Jesus Christ, predes- of worship. Orton, in his eloquent be destroyed.’ and interpret it for himself,” therefore the Catholic Church could not be the only “infallible” interpreter. A majority opinion in State ex. Rel. Weiss v. District Board by Chief Justice Religious child care restrictions set William P. Lyon, issued on March 18, 1890, noted that the Wisconsin Con- Under terms of a lawsuit settlement children’s rooms without their con- the ACLU of Kentucky and Americans stitution, Article X, Section 3, clearly March 20, child care agencies that con- sent, and religious materials will be giv- United for Separation of Church and states that “no sectarian instruction tract with the state of Kentucky will be en only to children who request them. State. shall be allowed” in public schools. forbidden to discriminate against chil- The suit, filed in 2000, alleged pros- Since 2000, the Baptist-affiliated Lyon also cited Art. I, Section 18, which dren based on religion or to pressure elytizing at Sunrise Children’s Services, ministry has received more than $100 guarantees “the dictates of conscience them to participate in religious wor- a contractor affiliated with the Ken- million in government funds. In fiscal shall never be infringed; nor shall any ship or instruction. Publicly funded tucky Baptist Convention. Taxpayers 2011, the state paid $14.8 million of person be compelled to attend, erect agencies and foster homes also will be challenging the state were represented the ministry’s expenses of $24.7 mil- or support any place of worship, or to barred from placing religious items in by the American Civil Liberties Union, lion. Page 14 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin April 2013

They Said What??

God is speaking, and it’s time to listen. even the existence of God. It’s about I will stand up for the Ten Command- the [atheist’s] pleasure of guilt-free ments in my courtroom and in the an- sexual sin. Christianity threatens that nex. freedom by saying that fornication and Montague County Judge Tommie Sap- lust are morally wrong, and that God pington, supporting a monument at will hold them accountable. the courthouse as a way to stop a long Evangelist Ray Comfort, on the real drought reason atheists rebel against his teach- Wichita Falls Times Record News, 2-14-13 ing Skepticism Examiner, 2-25-13 [Parents need to be stricter or] we’ll be looking at caskets week after week We prayed. There was jubilation. after week. I know you don’t want to Public school science teacher John hear this, but it’s the truth: God allows Freshwater, Mount Vernon, Ohio, ex- things to happen for a reason. This is a pressing comfort with how his appeal love wake-up call. If you don’t wake up for being fired for proselytizing stu- now, it’s going to get worse and worse. dents was presented before the state Phillip Shealey, pastor of Greater Ap- Supreme Court ostolic Faith Church in Warren, Ohio, Columbus Dispatch, 2-27-13 This would seem to be a very fundamental(ist) tying God’s love to the deaths of six misunderstanding of atheism, wouldn’t you say? The teens in a car accident The thing that prompted me, Bryan, is church, in Midwest City, Okla., was founded in 1943 and Youngstown News, 3-19-13 the four groups that are actively work- added a “cry room” in 2004, according to its website. ing to secularize and destroy America: Can demonic spirits attach themselves humanists, atheists, militant homosex- to inanimate objects? The answer is yes. uals and Muslims. fast at the Theodore Roosevelt Dining that the man in the White House is a But I don’t think every sweater you get American Family Radio host Alex Mc- Facility, Fort Hood, Texas devil from hell? from Goodwill has demons in it. [He Farland, explaining to Bryan Fischer Fort Hood Sentinel, 3-14-13 Radio host Rick Wiles, on how the ac- laughs.] But in a sense, your mother’s of AFA his Project 2026, named for the tor playing Satan in “The Bible” mini- just being super cautious, so hey, it isn’t 250th anniversary of the Declaration I don’t believe they intentionally por- series bears an uncanny resemblance gonna hurt you any to rebuke any spir- of Independence trayed the Lucifer character to look to the president its that happen to have attached them- afa.net, 2-27-13 like Mr. Obama. I think God guided rightwingwatch.org, 3-20-13 selves to those clothes. the hand of the makeup artist and Rev. Pat Robertson, answering a teen I’m going to have a great day and more blinded the eyes of everybody on the The following colors must be avoided: whose mother told her she needed to to come because of the sermon. It was movie set while it was being recorded, A. Red. B. Nude. C. Orange, yellow or pray over items she bought second- great for the soldiers and I think it and the spiritual blinders were re- green, in bright shades. D. Gold, silver hand helped with the division’s camaraderie. moved Sunday night when the pro- or shining cloth. “The 700 Club,” 2-25-13 Sylvia Phipps, wife of Maj. Gen. War- gram was broadcast nationally on the Rabbi Shlomo Aviner, Jerusalem, dress ren Phipps Jr., First Army Division History Channel. How many clues do code for women and girls The issue here isn’t about evolution, or West commander, on a prayer break- we need from heaven to understand ynetnews.com, 1-6-13

Sharing the Crank Mail

Below are “Best in Crank Mail” entries, print- article about you proposing to the government ed as received, commenting on FFRF’s work to rename Christmas to “Family day”. This na- nationwide to keep state and church separate. tion was founded and started on Christian Everybody’s a critic these days! principles found in the Holy Bible. I am a very strong, and powerful man, I can take on anyone slam: Whats wrong you assclown afraid of Is- in a fight, and win. I have taken on people bigger Crank mailer Max tried to get cute with a virtual billboard. lam? You screwwballs have nothing to say or than you and won. Good day, God bless you. do to that fucked up piece of pig shit so called — Jay Sanders. Child of God, Brother to Jesus, religion that teaches to kill everyone thats not American Patriot, NRA Supporter like them. Where you fucks at on them hum. you ‘Jesus Loves all of you even if in the end bunch of chicken shits — David Lupton No Subject: All of ypu people are going STRAIGHT to hell. The sooner the better you he has to send you into the depths of hell.’ Rapid City prayer: We are a group of Wealthy FREAKS. FUCK OFF — Tonya Haas citizens of South Dakota, and many who not reside outside of South Dakota. We have in- stay out: Yall need to stay out of the affairs in people involved in organizations like yours MOTHERFUCKERS. IF YOU DON”T LIKE IT formed certain Rapid City politicians that we pickens sc we aint hurtin anyone and noone are focused on hate and anything ungodly THE FUCK OUT!!! IT”S VERY SIMPLE HAVE stand ready to provide significant financial sup- here minds the praying b4 meeting — Butch or against God. I find that the majority of all SOMEBODY WITH BRAINS EXPLAIN IT TO port to defend their religious practices, views, Mcailster you people are cowards, just like the ACLU. YOU! — Mike Griffin, Avon, Indiana and opinions. Please feel free to pursue any P.S. Ron Reagan wasn’t properly displined as and all legal action you feel is necessary to at- Back off: I laugh as you burn in hell you lib- a child, he rebelled to get his name thrown out IN GOD WE TRUST ON MONEY: So,you don’t tack the citizens of Rapid City, but be prepared eral faggot bastards tired of hearing more about there. He would’ve been better off to jump in like In GOD We Trust on the money ? JESUS for lengthy and expensive legal costs, as we freedom from religion than I do religion you front of a train. — Eric is Pissed and he’s makinga COMEBACK and will fund any and all state court action, as well fucks are the only ones pushing you views on when he does COME BACK and he will I hope as federal court action. God Bless Freedom of anyone. Ps burn in hell you godless fucks and Christianity: Why can’t you mind your own he strikes you heathens down and sends you Religion! — Our Lord Jesus Christ, Sioux Falls, back off. — Worst Nightmare business and stayed your evil asses in WI Who straight to hell.You will not get into the Happy South Dakota do you think you are??? You are nothing but the Zone I’m tired of people tearing down everything for the people who are raping and killing are scum of Hell. You are nothing but COWARDS! that stands for something.You’re allSICK — Ann hello: Tell me something. how do I get freedom country: u say this country is not christian or If you don’t love it then leave it! ­— Jesus Christ, Smith, New Orleans from your group? No good atheists. All I can say goddly. you all are full of shit are four father left Pickens, South Carolina is God help you. you people are going to need england so they could worship god without all The jesus portrait: the building is not the school it. — Jason Hamilton politics. its funny christianity is the only religion freedom from you: What Highschool Cheer- its the people as a body that make the school, that is be tooking out of stuff. and for your info, leaders put on their banners at football games, and when those people are attending school KISD: As a Christian Mom I stand By Kountze the women so many years ago that started all seems like you people don’t have anything else they are not the state property they are free citi- Lions as You try take away God from Us NewY- thisso long ago. ended up getting her head to do except start trouble . So go crawl under a zens, thank god,why dont you realize that your ork is legalizing full term abortions! Get Your Pri- cut of and was a athist and her son turns into rock . — Bret Butler worldview is a belief system and that eventually orities straight!—Erin Tanner, Lumberton, Texas a preacher and that carma. and now theres a the argument you use against christianity will be muslim run the country in the ground and you all your BS about currency: i hope there is a god used against your belief system because we will Christmas: Annie Laurie Gaylor is a real dum- are try to hurt any one you can but carma get u and he gives all your members and their families show that it is more intolerant than recognized bass. She thinks that because the government alive or dad.and i am not christian and believe cancer religion,s soon your beliefs will be hate sppech recognizes Christmas as a holiday that the gov- in christianity so go bit one — Adam Phillips, for your intolerant views, think about that — Da- ernment is passing a law to respect the estab- Greenville, South Carolina Your scumbags: You stupid scumbags will lose vid Williamson, Mira Loma, California lishment of religion. The ‘Establishment of Re- and I will write another email when you do to ligion’ part of the First Amendment means that About being Ungodly: Is your organization all laugh right at your ignorant asses. While I know Jesus christ: You came to a Christian Congress can’t create a ‘Church of America’ about being completely Godless and getting you will roast for eternity, it gives me great plea- Community,and pushed your demands on us. I similar to Britons ‘Church of England’ at the time people to follow satan instead of God, I’m con- sure to tell every single one of you that you are don’t understand why people are afraid of you before the American Revolution. This stupid fused. Separation of church and state is being the lowest form of scum. — AB Brown, Gato- people. When Jesus comes back, you all will be bitch needs to get her head out of her oriface. misinterpreted completely, its me being able rade, Wisconsin afraid then. — Chris Sheehan So GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF YOUR ASS to pray anywhere I find myself a school, sen- YOU STUPID BLONDE BITCH!!!! :-) — William ate floor, congress or even in the oval office. Go to Russia or China!: If you don’t want god religion: This is MY country founded on chris- Burge, Iowa Cowardly as most of you are I doubt you will in a god fearing country go home to Russia or tianity and GOD! If you don’t like it, don’t listen engage someone like myself. Jesus Loves all CHina! This country is based on religious free- or look at it OR MOVE THE HELL OUT OF Prominent Atheist Activist Calls Gov’t Ob- of you even if in the end he has to send you dom and beliefs. Nuff said. — In God We Trust HERE!!! Quit wasting the time and money of servance of Christmas Unconstitutional: into the depths of hell. We are all born with legal suits trying to stop religious beliefs and Dear Mrs., Annie Laurie Gaylor, I just read this an innate sense of right and wrong and I think Get A FUCKING LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!: YOU DUMB practices in the country. April 2013 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 15

State/Church Bulletin

County board ordered plaintiff Teresa Meredith, Indiana State Teachers Association vice presi- to stop prayers dent. “It’s still, at the end of the day, U.S. District Judge Michael Urban- funding religious instruction” with tax ski ruled March 27 that the Pittsylvania dollars, she said, according to Reuters. County Board of Supervisors violated The New York Times reported the First Amendment rights of ACLU March 28 that 17 states offer 33 pro- of Virginia client Barbara Hudson by grams that let parents use taxpayer opening meetings with exclusively money to send their children to pri- Christian prayers. vate schools, according to the Ameri- “This ruling sends a clear message to can Federation for Children, which localities that government officials may advocates for vouchers and tax-credit not impose their own religious beliefs scholarship programs. on the entire community by leading Earlier in March, Alabama Repub- sectarian prayers at public meetings,” lican Gov. Robert Bentley of Alabama said ACLU of Virginia Legal Direc- signed tax-credit legislation similar to tor Rebecca Glenberg. “The Supreme Arizona’s law. “Refusing to hire a qualified job body hasn’t affiliated itself with Chris- Court and the 4th Circuit Court of Ap- “This movement is doing more than applicant because his religious beliefs tianity. That most of the prayers are peals have ruled repeatedly that our threaten the core of our traditional do not comport with those of the em- Christian is merely due to demograph- right to religious liberty precludes the public school system,” said Timothy ployer’s leadership is illegal, even if ics, wrote Judge Diarmuid O’Scannlain government from expressing favor for Ogle, executive director of the Arizona the for-profit company purports to for the court: “The City cannot control one set of beliefs over others.” School Boards Association. “It’s push- have a religious mission or purpose,” which religious congregations settle In August 2011, Hudson notified ing a national policy agenda embraced said Barbara Seely, regional attorney within its limits.” the ACLU that the board started each by conservatives across states that are for EEOC’s St. Louis District Office. The court added that asking judges meeting with a Christian prayer deliv- receptive to conservative ideas.” “The evidence in this case suggested to decide what amounts to a sectarian ered by board members on a rotating widespread religious discrimination reference “not only embroils judges in basis. Hudson sued after the board said throughout the company, not just its precisely those intrareligious contro- it wouldn’t change its practice. Split appeals court Oklahoma locations.” versies that the Constitution requires In February 2012, Urbanski granted approves vouchers Seely said if Voss doesn’t change its us to avoid, but also imposes on us a a preliminary injunction to Hudson hiring practices, “we will be back in task that we are incompetent to per- and ordered the board to stop “invok- A Colorado appeals court ruled 2-1 court again.” form.” ing the name of a specific deity asso- on Feb. 28 that a voucher plan adopted Editor’s note: What part of “in Jesus’ ciated with any one specific faith or by the Douglas County School District Courts dismiss suits name” did the judges not understand? belief in prayers given at Board meet- is constitutional. The “Choice Scholar- ings” while the lawsuit was pending. ship Pilot Program” offered vouchers challenging ACA N.D. abortion laws The board has since opened meetings worth $4,575 to 500 students at reli- U.S. courts have dismissed for lack with silent prayer. gious and other private schools. of ripeness 16 out of 18 religious chal- severest in nation After mediation ordered in Decem- To be eligible for state per-pupil lenges to the Affordable Care Act’s Arkansas lost its No. 1 ranking for ber failed, Urbanski issued his opinion. educational funds, Douglas County contraceptive coverage mandate. In a least-friendly state for reproductive • • • still counted these children as “public March 22 ruling, an Ohio federal court choice after only three weeks on top. By reciting only Christian prayers to school students,” attending an imagi- denied challenges by Franciscan Uni- On March 26, North Dakota Republi- open meetings, the Brentwood, Md., nary school that exists only on paper, versity of Steubenville and the Michi- can Gov. Jack Dalrymple signed a bill Town Council violated the U.S. Consti- according to the American Civil Lib- gan Catholic Conference. banning abortion once a fetal heart- tution, Americans United for Separa- erties Union of Colorado, which sued The court concluded: “The ‘safe beart is detectable, which occurs at tion of Church and State said in a fed- along with Americans United for Sepa- harbor’ provision, which protects about six weeks. Arkansas’ new law cut eral lawsuit filed Feb. 26. Plaintiffs are ration of Church and State on behalf Plaintiffs from enforcement present- the Roe v. Wade guideline of 24 weeks in local residents Dolores Pomerleau, a of parents. ly, coupled with ongoing process to half to 12 weeks. Catholic, and Anne Christine Warden, When the suit was filed, 18 of the amend the ACA regulations to address Fetal heartbeats are detectable at six a Buddhist. 23 approved voucher schools were re- Plaintiffs’ concerns, which is substanti- weeks only by using an invasive, trans- According to the complaint, Mayor ligious. ated by the recently published NPRM, vaginal ultrasound. Heartbeats can be Roger Rudder usually opens council Judge Steve Bernard dissented, writ- makes the harm Plaintiffs allege un- heard at 10 to 12 weeks with an abdom- sessions by leading the Lord’s Prayer. ing, “[The Colorado Constitution] likely to ever occur.” inal ultrasound. Those in the audience are asked to prohibits public school districts from In Eternal Word Television Network v. Dalrymple also signed a bill requir- stand and join in. channeling public money to private re- Sebelius, an Alabama federal district ing abortion providers to get admitting Since AU first protested, the coun- ligious schools. I think that the Choice court dismissed a similar challenge privileges at a local hospital, which cil agenda was changed to call the in- Scholarship Program is a pipeline that March 25. could force the closing of the state’s vocation a “moment of silence and/or violates this direct and clear constitu- U.S. District Judge Audrey Fleissig only abortion clinic in Fargo. prayer,” but the recitation of the Lord’s tional command struck down a Missouri law March 14 He also signed a third bill to ban Prayer stayed. that exempts so-called moral objectors abortion for purposes of sex selection Employer’s religious from providing mandatory contracep- (the first such law in the U.S.) or be- Indiana high court tive coverage. Fleissig cites a provision cause of genetic defects such as Down preference illegal in the U.S. Constitution declaring that syndrome. OKs voucher scheme federal laws take precedence over con- The New York Times reported the The U.S. Equal Employment Op- tradictory state laws, according to The reaction of Republican state Rep. Bette The Indiana Supreme Court voted portunity Commission reported settle- Associated Press. Grande, primary sponsor of the “heart- 5-0 on March 26 to uphold the broad- ment on March 19 of its lawsuit against The anti-abortion group Campaign beat” bill. “This is just a great day for est school voucher program in the U.S. Voss Lighting in Tulsa, Okla. Pending Life Missouri denounced the ruling as babies in North Dakota,” said Grande, A family of four with an annual income court approval, Voss will pay $82,500 “a radical departure from America’s a Methodist director of Christian edu- of $64,000 a year is eligible for vouch- to Edward Wolfe and “undertake speci- tradition of religious freedom.” cation and co-chair of the American ers worth up to $4,500 per child. fied companywide actions designed to The state’s Republican-led Legis- Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) Opponents had sued to block the prevent future religious discrimina- lature overrode Democratic Gov. Jay in the state. Law critics say it has no program because almost all of the tion.” Voss has 21 locations in 12 states. Nixon’s veto in order to enact the law. chance of withstanding a federal court voucher money has gone to religious According to the suit, Voss adver- Our Lady’s Inn, a St. Louis Catholic challenge. schools. That doesn’t matter as long as tised for an “operations supervisor” group that provides homes and coun- The newspaper also reported that parents decide where to use the tuition on the website of a Tulsa-area church seling for pregnant women, supported Arkansas state Sen. Jason Rapert, who vouchers, the court said. attended by a company supervisor. the bill. pushed his state’s ban, runs a Christian “Whether the Indiana program is Wolfe, who had relevant experience missionary society and preached at lo- wise educational or public policy is not but didn’t attend the church, applied cal churches. Liberty Counsel, affili- a consideration,” Chief Justice Brent and had two interviews, one with the 9th Circuit upholds ated with Rev. Jerry Falwell, has offered Dickson wrote. The program is con- incumbent supervisor, who recom- city’s Jesus prayers legal help to defend the North Dakota stitutional because it doesn’t directly mended hiring Wolfe. and Arkansas laws. benefit religious schools, wrote Dick- The suit alleged that most of a sec- In Rubin v. City of Lancaster on Lawmakers also gave final approval son, “but rather directly benefit lower- ond interview, with the branch man- March 26, a three-judge panel of the in March to a proposed “personhood” income families with school children.” ager, dwelled on Wolfe’s religious ac- 9th Circuit appeals court unanimously amendment to North Dakota Consti- The U.S. Supreme Court used simi- tivities. He was asked to name every struck down a challenge to the Califor- tution. The resolution states: “The in- lar reasoning in a 2002 ruling uphold- church he’d attended, where and when nia city’s practice of opening council alienable right to life of every human ing a voucher program in Cleveland. he was “saved” and if he “would have a meetings with sectarian prayer. being at any stage of development “Just because the Indiana Supreme problem” coming into work early for The court ruled that Christian ref- must be recognized and protected.” Court said it’s OK by our constitution bible study before clocking in. He was erences aren’t prohibited by the Estab- It will be on the 2014 general elec- doesn’t mean this is a good idea,” said not hired. lishment Clause as long as a governing tion ballot. Page 16 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin April 2013 A close encounter of the Baptist kind

returned to have clients sign their pa- with ass-kickin’ fried chicken and end- pers and was invited to come early and A tidal wave ed with sweet potato pie. But I digress.) join them for lunch. Ever mindful of of ignorance I took my lunch back to the table, the public relations aspect of my job, where Pastor Tom was already gnawing I agreed, even though I knew it would threatened to on his weenie. He’d been joined by a involve a whole lot of talk with an invis- breathtakingly unattractive mother/ ible friend. engulf me. daughter combination. They were Arriving at 11:30, I was given “the intensely relaying to the pastor how book,” a blue binder containing the they’d been trying to get this black man words to about a gazillion hymns. The people about coming to Jesus, and I named Ernest, apparently a neighbor, gathering of 25 was singing a cappella, don’t know whether it’s a sin or what, to see the light and how God had sent never noticing that all the songs had but sometimes I have a hard time get- them to witness for him. the same tune with different words. I ting the message across. I had a hard time maintaining an sat in the back and smiled a lot. ME: Maybe they don’t share your appetite during this discourse because This was followed by Pastor Tom belief system. a tidal wave of ignorance and supersti- leading a prayer for all the people they HIM: What? tion kept coming up over the edge of were praying for that day, including a ME: Maybe they have a different the table, threatening to engulf me. mechanic’s mother whose name they faith. I, for instance, am a Buddhist. Finally, lunch was over and I pulled didn’t know — presumably, God would HIM: A what? my six clients to the other end of the be able to sort that out. ME: A Buddhist. room and got them through the pro- More singing. A woman with some HIM: I’ll talk to you later. cess without a hitch. When it was over, By Judy Ellis sort of neck problem, her head cast Pastor Tom returned to lead us all in and God had been asked several times toward her left shoulder, rose up and another prayer, this one for the food, to bless me, I departed, confident that began to read a lengthy parable about which sorely needed it, consisting as it I was safe to wander the planet for an- God opening and closing doors and did of a very boiled weenie in a squishy other day or two. For several years, I had a grant that windows, but she seemed semi-literate generic bun with squeeze-packet con- Florida FFRF member Judy Ellis lives in required me to give presentations to and had a lot of trouble getting it out. diments that must have dated from St. Petersburg. Her family’s move there in groups of underprivileged people and In the midst of it, a man with “that World War I. The mustard came out 1980 from the New York City suburbs was senior citizens about powers of attor- look” in his eye got up and walked over like a brick. a culture shock of the first magnitude. Up ney and living wills. Those interested to me. He was the only one in the room Accompaniments were either north, she didn’t know anyone who believed could sign up to get free documents. who had BYO’d a bible, always a bad canned three-bean salad or slumgul- in God. Now she was in a place where the The program took me into all sorts of sign. He asked for a few of my business lion, a word Pastor Tom could not get first question is always, “What church do places I never would have otherwise cards, and we had the following dia- his mouth around. Dessert was sponge you go to?” She is a retired paralegal, occa- wandered, including trailer parks, re- logue: cake with watery, partly defrosted sional author and third-generation atheist. tirement homes and churches. HIM: It won’t be obvious to you now strawberries and Cool Whip. (Lunch She devotes considerable time to managing One lovely spring day, I gave a pre- why I need these cards, but God will with the black Baptists was a much bet- a large homeowners’ association, a job that sentation at a Baptist church in Pinellas make it clear to you. ter affair. Those women can cook! I dovetails perfectly with the vow she made Park, Fla. (aka KKK country just north ME: OK. still have fond memories of one feast in when she retired to become a professional of St. Pete). A couple of weeks later, I HIM: You know, I talk to a lot of a little church in Palmetto that started pest. Satire: Infidels’ aid effort crashed by police

Like so much of religion, what follows is fic- the field, I’ve never of a Tylenol pill — tarian assistance to besieged patients at tion, except for the data quoted from Time come across a group 100 sell at retail for St. Anthony Hospital. magazine, which is factual. The “incident” of people who $1.49; $13,702 for On Thursday, the infidels showed at KFC was reported in The Onion, which have gone so long an injection of 600 up with signs and a wide variety of is satirical. without a proper milligrams of Ritux- over-the-counter drugs such as as- meal,” Dominguez imab that cost the pirin, boxes of Band-Aids, adhesive said. (See “U.N. hospital less than tape, dressing gowns, water bottles and By Don Ardell Aid Workers Dis- $3,000 — a markup other items that would be donated to tributing Food To of about 400%.) hospital patients at no charge. Patients Malnourished KFC • Tax-exempt, who accepted these items would save Customers,” The “nonprofit” hospi- hundreds, quite possibly thousands of R ecently in St. Petersburg, Fla., Onion, 3/6/13.) tals have become dollars by avoiding being billed for the a group of about three dozen infidels Volunteers distribut- the most profitable same products at inflated prices. staged a curious demonstration at a ed fruits, vegetables, businesses in nearly Unfortunately, the free distribution nonprofit Catholic hospital. The ac- grains, nuts and oth- every town where program was terminated shortly after it tion by the nonbelievers was designed er plant-based nu- they exist, and are began. It seems that hospital adminis- to give the lie to an oft-heard charge trients to desperate run by the most trators called police, demanding that by fundamentalist Christians that, patrons. richly compensated the infidels be dispersed and removed without a belief in a god who punishes But the infidels executives. from the property (something about wrongdoers with eternal torture, there were unsure what to Don Ardell • Nonprofit hos- restraint of trade). can be no morality or decency. distribute and where pitals put demands Still, the media, alerted in advance, Christians decry atheists because, until someone brought the latest issue on taxpayers to a degree “unequaled were present during the distribution they affirm, why be good if you think of Time magazine to their attention. anywhere else on Earth.” About 20% of humanitarian assistance by the free- that there is no cosmic gendarme who The Time exposé (Steven Brill, “Bit- of U.S. gross national product goes for thinkers, and many interviews were sees all, knows all and judges all in the ter Pill: Why Medical Bills Are Killing medical care, twice that of other devel- aired on local stations. Later, the pro- next life — and smites those who per- Us,” 2/20/13) was of the nonprofit oped countries. testers convened for a debriefing, at formed dirty tricks in this one? health care sector of our economy. The • In every measurable way, this which all agreed that their mission had The infidel demonstration at St. An- story shocked the infidel group and led predatory system fails to produce bet- been accomplished. thony Hospital, one of Florida’s largest to a resolve to do something to help ter health outcomes than are seen in Asked by one reporter if anyone ex- faith-based health care institutions, was Americans oppressed, exploited and other countries. pected to be rewarded in the next life inspired by a report of a protest event often financially ruined by rapacious, How does this happen, the infidels for this or any other good deed, none at a KFC (formerly Kentucky Fried out-of-control mad dogs of unfettered wondered? Then they read that the responded in the affirmative. Chicken) in Forest Lake, Minn. There, capitalism. They learned the following U.S. health care industry has spent well However, most of the supplies gath- United Nations aid workers reportedly from the Time exposé: over $5 billion lobbying Congress since ered to assist unfortunate patients en- delivered much-needed “real” food to • The U.S. “health” system is a prof- 1998, about two and a half times more tering the proverbial lion’s den are still critically malnourished patrons. it-driven, sickness management indus- than any other industry, including the on hand, so look for further humani- A quote from Gloria Dominguez, try posing as a health care resource. defense industry. tarian efforts in the weeks to come at U.N. humanitarian affairs director, • Time’s line-by-line analysis of costs Something had to be done to help nonprofit hospitals near you. deeply touched many of the atheist for products used in hospitals depict- the victims of this ghastly system. group members, who decided that ed a veritable gold rush of overbill- Where better to start than close to Florida FFRF member Don Ardell has a they, too, must do something of a hu- ing to a grotesque degree. (Examples home? That’s when the idea came to doctorate in health and public policy and manitarian nature. “In all my years in include $1.50 for a generic version the infidels to provide a bit of humani- publishes the Ardell Wellness Report online. April 2013 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 17

‘Naked Truth’ on adult entertainment Theocrats eager to legislate morality

By Judith Lynne Hanna It is irrelevant to help draft and defend restrictive laws. Most prominent is Tennessee-based them that their Scott Bergthold, likened to an old-time snake oil salesman riding the circuit. laws and proposed I have seen him in courtrooms every- My first lessons about the where reading from a hymnal of spin Christian assault on exotic dance be- laws violate to defend challenged regulations he gan in 1995 when I was asked to be drafted to destroy the adult hospitality an expert witness in Seattle in a First federal and state business. Double dipping, perhaps? Amendment court case related to exot- Part of the mobilization effort is an ic dance. They wanted me to apply the constitutions. “electric church” network of preachers same approach that I used when I stud- who appear on some 1,300 radio and ied dance in African villages and cities TV stations and claim audiences of up and U.S. schools and concert theaters. ened masculinity. to 130 million and profits of $500 mil- Being a strong free speech advocate, Men’s uncontrollable nature is due, lion to billions. An “e-army” inundates Judith Lynne Hanna and excited to apply my knowledge to says Christian Right author Tim La- legislators with emails for or against a world I did not know, I agreed. Haye, to their “constant production proposed bills. Voter guides are sent to are far less than going to court after I had to break through “Washington of sperm and seminal fluid.” The male churches, and prayer groups transform a bad bill becomes an even worse law. Together Against Pornography!” dem- sex drive is “almost volcanic in its latent into political action committees. Anti- Organizations such as the Associa- onstrators to begin to discover what ability to erupt at the slightest provo- club combatants also engage in physi- tion of Club Executives (ACE) and its went on inside exotic dance clubs. cation.” Women are “candles among cal threats and assaults on property. statewide chapters have had some suc- Men, women and children picketing gunpowder” and must dress so as not Opponents are well-armed with fi- cesses. Voters in Scottsdale, Ariz., and the club held screaming banners of to “blow up the fire of men’s lust.” nancial and communication resources. Seattle overturned restrictive city or- denunciation. A Christian church was Because sexuality outside of mar- According to a 2012 report by Ameri- dinances, not wanting to be known as behind the opposition. In the more riage is threatening, SPACR has “pru- cans United for Separation of Church “moral scolds.” than 100 successive cases nationwide dential” lifestyle rules that interdict and State, James Dobson’s Focus on In Atlanta, smack in the bible belt, that I conducted research for, a pas- behaviors believed to lead a person to the Family brought in $104.4 million. business trumped the religion. The In- tor or church group was spearheading perdition, e.g., eliminate adult caba- With a budget of $14.8 million, Tony ternational Poultry Exposition (known efforts to wipe out the alleged “moral rets to avoid being tempted by them. Perkins’ Family Research Council lob- affectionately as Chicken Pluckers of cancer” of “toxic” exotic dance. Yet it’s The notion is that after the fall, hu- bies for the Christian Right agenda. America), which is the city’s largest a form of dance, art and theater that mans were left with a powerful sinful Pat Robertson’s Christian Broadcast- convention, told the city that if it in- communicates within its own aesthetic. nature, so prudent Christians must ing Network operated with $435 mil- terfered with exotic dance clubs, they What I keep learning frightens me and keep themselves from drifting astray. lion in contributions. Donald Wild- would move the convention. is under most people’s radar. mon’s American Family Association The industry is under the worst Legislatures and local governments Attack strategies has a radio empire with revenues of unrelenting attack in its history, with respond to vocal constituents, often a $18 million annually. At the top of the draconian regulations implemented “segment of the politically active Chris- Prominent in the Christian Right heap was Jerry Falwell Ministries/Lib- or being considered in several states. tian Right” (SPACR) that wants to elim- is dominionism, a political religious erty University/Liberty Counsel with Kansas, Kentucky, Alaska, Alabama, inate adult entertainment. The impli- movement that has what its leaders call $523 million. Nevada, Iowa and Georgia are expect- cations are frightening for all of us who a grand design to supplant our consti- Jeff Sharlet in his 2008 book, The ed to introduce their own Community believe in freedom from religion. tutional democracy with a scripture- Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Defense Acts, as they are known. A glut Biblical injunctions concerning based Christian governing elite. Politi- Heart of American Power, speaks of an of new “sin taxes” is likely to follow. the use of the body, modesty, a male- cal activism is considered a duty. “invisible” association in Washington, The implications are frightening for female polarity and patriarchy are why A website of one active Christian D.C., organized around public men, all of us who believe in freedom from SPACR is hostile to strip clubs. So too Right group says: conservative Republicans, would-be religion in an American democracy. are beliefs about the inherent uncon- “Welcome to the Citizens for Com- theocrats. The Family has operated un- This campaign is a lens through which trollable nature of men. Consequently, munity Values of Indiana Website. der many guises; its Fellowship Foun- to view a broader effort of a minority to “sexual jihadists” are struggling to reor- Citizens for Community Values is an dation alone has an annual budget of impose its views and supplant the Con- ganize American life and impose their educational organization devoted to nearly $14 million. stitution with a bible-based theocracy. own political organization, a scripture- protecting families from the harms SPACR attempts to strip the First, Why should we care about a racy based theocracy. Some current legisla- of the porn/sex industry in all of its Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments, form of entertainment? Professor and tors are members of SPACR, seeking to forms. . . . We believe that there is a corset the exotic dancer, microman- attorney Nadine Strossen pointed out destroy the separation of church and great culture war for the soul of our age businesses and dismantle the club in 1995: state. It is irrelevant to them that their nation being waged by many kinds of industry through local and state gov- “Once we cede to the government laws and proposed laws violate federal sexual revolutionaries that oppose the ernment actions and “street” tactics the power to violate one right for one and state constitutions. Of course, principles governing human sexual re- (like those against abortion clinics). I person, or group, then no right is safe some members of the Christian Right lations established by God.” could go on about this steamroller, but for any person or group. So when we eschew political engagement and Expansion of state control over sex- I think you get the idea. defend sexual expression, we are really choose to engage in fighting poverty, uality is a key to creating a salutary en- Not surprisingly, some politicians, making a stand not only against a spe- for example. vironment for their children and mak- especially at election time, use caba- cific kind of censorship . . . but human The SPACR views exotic dance as ing way for their ideal state. SPACR rets as a red herring to divert attention rights in general.” perilous to the biblical patriarchal so- fights adult entertainment by harness- from government failure to cope with cial order: The “ungodly” exotic dance ing an organizational network fueled the real problems of education, crime, Maryland FFRF member Judith Lynne clubs destroy femininity and under- by technology, money, lawyers, public health and traffic. Hanna has a Ph.D. in anthropology from mine men because they draw women relations outfits and “researchers.” Columbia University and is affiliate senior out of the home and into “demimonde” From Psalm 127, an emphasis is Playing defense research scientist in the Department of An- (a class of woman not considered re- placed on militaristic imagery. Chil- thropology at the University of Maryland in spectable because of indiscreet or pro- dren become the arrows of the par- Who is trying to stop this jugger- College Park. She’s the author of eight books miscuous behavior) employment. ents, part of their tools of war, in order naut? Free speech advocates, consum- on dance and society, has served as an ex- Single dancers compete with mar- to go out against the enemy. The lan- ers and involved businesses fight back pert witness in more than 100 court cases ried women for men’s attention and guage is filled with metaphors about to preserve the separation of church and appeared recently on “The Colbert Re- admiration, challenging their self- the use of excessive force and violence and state. The problem is an unending port.” Her latest book is Naked Truth: Strip esteem, and with men economically, against God’s enemies. Christians’ task marathon, not a sprint. Clubs, Democracy and a Christian Right challenging their sense of masculin- is to recruit soldiers in the army of Je- The costs of proaction — e.g., (University of Texas Press, 2012). Her web- ity. Thus the outrage when a “pas- sus Christ. Clergy are known to speak quashing bills before they surface — site is judithhanna.com. sive,” “modest” woman steps out of of themselves as generals or admirals the domestic realm into the public and their evangelist followers as power- arena where she shamelessly removes ful warriors. Sample Copies for $2 her clothing and moves her nude, or SPACR lobbies local governments Recruit a Member: semi-nude, body for sexual fantasy, to pass adult cabaret restrictions to Send $2 with the name and address of each person you wish to receive a sample commercial purpose and economic drive them out of business. Members copy of Freethought Today to: independence. Existence of the exotic of SPACR burrow into government FFRF, P.O. Box 750, Madison WI 53701 dancer signals the males’ insufficient as “holy hires” or get elected so they Freedom depends upon freethinkers surveillance (only the husband should can legislate and adjudicate against (Please specify whether the individual is a freethinker.) see the woman’s nude body) and weak- exotic dance. Attorneys are hired to Page 18 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin April 2013

Black Collar Crime Blotter Compiled by Bill Dunn ‘I expect you to do Arrested / Charged what we’ve always Mark A. Hooper, 42, and Susan A. Hooper, 40, Mt. Jewett, PA: Endangering the welfare of done, and that’s children. Mark Hooper, pastor of Cobb Street Baptist Church in Johnsonburg, and his wife cover for each other.’ are accused of starving their 9-year-old adopted daughter between May 1, 2011, and Feb. 11, ­—Pastor Glenn D. Barton 2013, when the girl ran away. State Trooper Mary Gausman said the girl at Second Baptist Church, is charged with mo- weighed about 31 pounds. Source: Courier- lesting a 9-year-old girl at his home. Court docu- Express, 3-20-13 ments alleged Jung told police he sexually as- Darin L. Evans, 41, Dover, OH: 11 counts of saulted another young family member 22 years criminal sexual assault and 2 counts of aggra- ago when she was 10, but didn’t admit his guilt vated criminal sexual abuse. Evans is accused in the current case. He was in the Army for 18 of abuse allegedly taking place in 2004-06 when years. Source: CBS Chicago, 2-23-13 he was associate pastor of West Suburban Susan M. Droessler, 54, Columbus, WI: Community Church, in Elmhurst, IL. Felony theft of more than $10,000 in a business A senior pastor at the church read Evans’ let- setting. Droessler, secretary and bookkeeper ter of confession to the congregation in Febru- for St. Jerome Parish and School, is accused ary. He also apologized to the female who made of using parish money for personal expenses, the allegations. He also served on the Elmhurst dating to 2007, and enrolling herself in full-time Commission on Youth and worked with Young girl and is listed as “noncompliant” on the state the teens at church and allegedly took them to benefits she was never entitled to that amount- Life, a Christian high school group. Source: my- sex offender website. Source: KCTV, 3-11-13 vacant hotel rooms. He’s also accused of sell- ed to more than $88,000. Source: Portage Daily surburbanlife.com, 3-19-13 Ted Simpson, 83, Solihull, UK: Suspicion of ing marijuana to youth group members. Source: Register, 2-22-13 Artelino Vallada, 36, Toronto: 4 counts sexual activity with a minor. Simpson, a priest KTLA, 2-28-13 John K. Lawlor, 54, Everett, WA: Commer- of sexual assault and 2 counts each of sexual based at a Franciscan friary, had close ties with Haden Conrad, 32, Chesapeake, VA: Com- cial sexual abuse of a minor. Lawlord, pastor at interference and invitation to sexual touching. Our Lady of Compassion primary school. puter solicitation of a child under 15. Haden, First Baptist Church, is accused of arranging to Vallada, pastor at Jesus Christ the Open Door A police spokesman said Simpson “is cur- pastor at Chesapeake Avenue United Method- meet a person he believed was a 16-year-old Church, is accused of molesting 4 females as rently on police bail while inquiries continue.” ist Church and Chesapeake Police Department girl for sex. He’s offered his resignation to the young as 14 between November 2010 and Jan- Source: Birmingham Mail, 3-7-13 chaplain, was arrested after search warrants church. uary 2013. There may be other victims, police Robert Kondratick, 67, Venice, FL: Grand were served on his home and office during an Court documents allege he responded to an said. Source: cp24.com, 3-15-13 theft. Kondratick, pastor at Holy Spirit Orthodox investigation by the Internet Crimes Against online “Casual Encounters” ad in which a detec- Robert A. Lyzenga, 56, Lafayette, IN: 5 Church, allegedly and fraudently wrote out 28 Children unit. He allegedly exposed himself on tive posed as a girl “full of energy” who wanted counts each of child exploitation and voyeurism. checks totaling $54,000 to “Cash” or to himself. a webcam. Source: WAVY, 2-28-13 to be paid for sex. Source: Seattle Times, 2-22- Charges stem from an investigation last year He’d asked for blank checks to pay church ex- Marukudiyil C. Velan, 64, Brick Township, 13 in which cameras were found hidden inside penses. NJ: Velan, pastor at Visitation Catholic Church, Chaim Halpern, 54, Barnet, UK: Suspicion women’s bathroom stalls at Sunrise Christian His salary was $3,673 a month, and he was was arrested in July on 3 criminal counts but of sexual assault and suspicion of perverting the Reformed Church, where Lyzenga was pastor. reimbursed for medical insurance and received has now been indicted by a grand jury on sev- course of justice. Halpern, rabbi at an Orthodox Videos from the church were allegedly found an automobile allowance. Kondratick was the eral more sexual contact charges involving 3 al- synagogue in Golders Green, and 3 other men, showing females as young as 5 in the stalls subject of a similar probe at a church in New leged victims, an adult and 2 children. Source: ages 25, 62 and 64, are allegedly involved in in various stages of undress. Source: WANE, York in 2007 but no criminal charges were ever Brick Patch, 2-28-13 abuse cases in the north London community. 3-14-13 filed, an affidavit said. Source: News-Press, Gaetano Incardona, 73, Siracusa, SIC: In- Halpern denies he’s acted inappropriately Hank D. Guilliams, 42, Siloam Springs, AR: 3-6-13 cardona, pastor at Madre di Augusta Catholic with women. Source: BBC, 2-21-13 4 counts of 1st-degree sexual assault. Court Aaron E. Springer, 27, Lancaster, PA: Church, is accused by a 21-year-old congrega- documents allege Guilliams admitted during 1st-degree misdemeanor corruption of minors. tion member of groping and kissing her during Pleaded / Convicted treatment in a Tennessee rehabilitation facility Springer, youth pastor at First Assembly of confession. Source: Sud Italia News, 2-28-13 William Finnegan, 59, Castleford, UK: that he’d molested a 16-year-old girl at Eastgate God, allegedly had sex with a 16-year-old fe- Emilson S. Correa, Niteroi, Brazil: Correa, Guilty of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl Church of Christ when he was pastor there 2 male member of his youth group about 10 times a priest in the Archdiocese of Niteroi, is under on Easter Sunday 2012. During the trial, his years ago. at church or in his vehicle on church property investigation on allegations of sexual abuse of 3 lawyers told the court Finnegan, a Catholic According to the probable cause report, the between November 2011 and July 2012. He minor girls from his parish. He’s been suspend- priest, has been secretly married for 13 years to alleged victim told police that Guilliams’ wife admitted to the incidents, the complaint states. ed from his duties. a woman he met in Cyprus in 1999. “told the young girls in the church not to dress Source: Lancaster News, 3-6-13 An alleged victim, now 19, claims the abuse He denied touching the girl’s buttocks and provocatively to prevent Doug Guilliams from Nemani Ravouvou, aka Nemesio Kolikoli, started when she was 13. forcefully kissing her, but a jury of 9 women and lusting after them.” Lautoka, Fiji: 8 counts of rape and 10 counts of A police spokeswoman said Correa “ac- 3 men found him guilty by 11-1. Source: Brad- Another alleged victim, now 17, said she indecent assault. Ravouvou, a Catholic priest, knowledged he maintained consensual sexual ford Telegraph & Argus, 3-15-13 heard the pastor’s wife make similar comments. “has been questioned and is the prime suspect relations with the woman and her 15-year-old Matthew D. Feeney, 44, Cottage Grove, Source: KARK, 3-13-13 in a series of alleged rape cases,” said police friend, but denied he committed any kind of MN: Pleaded guilty to 2nd- and 4th-degree crim- Eusebio Martinez, Edinburg, TX: Crimi- spokesman Naina Ragigia. There’s more than 1 abuse with the 10-year-old girl.” inal sexual conduct. Feeney, former Catholic nal mischief. Martinez, pastor of Holy Family alleged victim, he said. The spokeswoman said the woman and a youth leader at the Church of St. Joseph in St. Catholic Church, was allegedly caught on video Archbishop-elect Peter Loy Chong said, 15-year-old friend videotaped a man they said Joseph, was accused of molesting 2 brothers, drilling holes in a family’s car tires. Court docu- “Rape is an intrinsically evil act. If someone was the priest having sex with them. The wom- ages 9 and 14 when the alleged assaults start- ments said he was stalking Martin Villanueva by does wrong then they should be prepared to an alleged her father gave her the camera to ed. Feeney was also owner and casting director sending him text messages telling him where he face the consequences.” Source: Fiji Times, record the encounter as evidence. Source: AP, of a talent management company when he first was at and installed a GPS tracking device un- 3-6-13 2-27-13 came in contact with the boys’ family in 2007. der his wife’s car. Glenn D. Barton, 62, Kilgore, TX: Aggra- An unidentified pastor, 32, of Judah African He was convicted in 1992 of 4th-degree The diocese has suspended Martinez during vated sexual assault of a child. Barton, senior Revival Mission Church in Kya Sand, S.AFR, criminal sexual conduct while he was a counsel- the investigation. Source: KGBT, 3-13-13 pastor of Calvary Way Church, allegedly started was arrested for allegedly raping a 13-year-old or at a Catholic youth camp. Source: St. Cloud Julio Guarin-Sosa, 43, a Colombian Catho- molesting a child in 2009. The boy told workers girl 5 times in October-December 2012. Times, 3-12-13 lic priest, is charged with molestation of a minor, at a children’s advocacy center that Barton put The girl’s mother told police the pastor be- Hafiz Khan, 77, Miami, FL: Guilty by jury sexual battery and illegal entry in connection his hands in the boy’s pants and later forced him came a family friend and often visited their of 2 counts each of conspiracy and providing with an alleged incident at a residence in Yuba to perform sex acts on regular occasions. home. He allegedly told the girl he was sick and material support to terrorists. Khan, a Muslim City, CA, where he’d been called to perform a The complaint said, “Victim provided law en- that having sex would make him well. imam, was recorded by an FBI informant alleg- private Mass. forcement an audio conversation to support the The mother said she discovered text mes- edly expressing support for the Taliban and sent Guarin-Sosa, who was filling in for his va- outcry. The defendant is heard to state, ‘I expect sages on her daughter’s phone, including one $50,000 to Pakistan. Khan testified he sent the cationing brother as pastor at a Lodi parish, you to do what we’ve always done, and that’s of comfort from the pastor to the girl, who had money for family, charity and business reasons. told police he was asked by a 16-year-old girl’s cover for each other.’ ” complained of “feeling sore.” Source: The Star, Source: AP, 3-4-13 family to speak to her privately. They went into Calvary Way operates a day care and a K-12 2-26-13 Ryan J. Muelhauser, 55, Cambridge, MN: a bedroom, sat on a bed and held hands in school. Source: Longview News-Journal, 3-6-13 David James, 29, Las Vegas, NV: 9 counts Pleaded guilty to 2 counts of criminal sexual prayer, according to Guarin-Sosa, who claims Michael Elder, 53, Oklahoma City: 1st- of lewdness with a child under 14 years old. conduct. When the alleged incidents occurred, he only hugged the girl afterward and kissed her degree murder. Elder, senior pastor at Cross Police said James used bible study classes at Muelhauser, pastor at Lakeside Christian cheek near her mouth. Source: KXTV, 3-12-13 Baptist Church, is accused in the fatal shooting “several different religious centers” to gain ac- Church, was helping the victim with his “homo- Jason L. Ray, Jackson, TN: Theft. Ray, of Gary Davidson, 27, who was his son-in-law. cess to victims. sexual tendencies,” the complaint said. secretary/treasurer and youth pastor at First Police said Davidson was shot as he tried He was earlier charged with 10 counts of During the assaults, occurring over 4 to 5 Assembly of God, is accused of taking at least to pull his estranged wife from a moving truck. sexual assault with a minor under 14, 2 counts months, Muelhauser told the victim he was $60,000 from the church’s general fund be- Elder is jailed without bond. Source: AP, 3-5-13 of sexual assault with a minor under 16 and “hearing the Lord tell him what to do.” Source: tween May 2011 and December 2012. Source: James “Alex” Gillespie, 48, Middleton, WI: 10 counts of lewdness with a minor under 14. WCCO, 2-28-13 WBBJ, 3-12-13 2 counts of sexual assault of a child. Gillespie Source: Review-Journal, 2-26-13 Philip Jacobs, 63, Saanich, BC: Guilty of Marguerite Kloos, 54, Cincinnati: Ille- was director of music ministry at St. Luke’s Lu- Derrick W. Jones, Seneca, SC: Unlaw- sexually touching a person between the ages of gal voting. Kloos, a Catholic Sisters of Char- theran Church. Senior Pastor Roger Eigenfeld ful conduct toward a child. Jones, bishop and 14 and 18. Jacobs, a Catholic priest, is accused ity nun, is charged with forging her deceased said Gillespie has been fired. senior pastor at the Church of God in Seneca, of molesting a boy he was tutoring at St. Joseph roommate’s signature on an absentee ballot. The complaint states a 14-year-old runaway was suspended from pastoral duties after his the Worker School in Saanich in 2000-01. The roommate had requested the ballot, which boy visited Gillespie at home late at night to daughter, 16, told investigators he punched her He also served Ohio parishes in the past came in the mail a few days before she died. have sex. The boy allegedly posed as being 18. and threw her on the floor during an argument. and taught philosophy at the Pontifical College Kloos has resigned as a dean at the College A Mount Horeb police sergeant, Dennis Police found her bloodied and bruised at her Josephinum in Columbus. He was accused of of Mount St. Joseph, where she was also an Jenks, 44, is charged with repeated sexual as- boyfriend’s home. Source: WBTW, 2-25-13 several incidents of sexual misconduct there associate professor in the Department of Reli- sault of a child involving the same youth, whom Ryan B. Tyna, 42, Hudson, OH: Soliciting but wasn’t criminally charged. When the Ohio gious and Pastoral Studies. Source: cincinnati. both defendants met through social media, and criminal tools. Tyna, head girls basketball allegations were made public in 2002, Jacobs com, 3-12-13 court documents say. Source: WKOW, 2-28-13 coach at Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy, resigned from St. Joseph’s. He was arrested in George Spencer, 48, Kansas City, MO: Louis J. Bristol, 28, Carpinteria, CA: Multi- was among 12 men showing up at a motel after 2010. Statutory sodomy, forcible sodomy, 3 counts of ple counts of child molestation, child rape, lewd responding to a police ad offering a 30-minute Another complainant testified Jacobs never child molestation and 2 counts of sexual mis- acts upon a child and furnishing an illegal sub- session with a 20-year-old woman for $100. touched him sexually but said he told him “The conduct involving a child. Allegations stem from stance to minors. Bristol allegedly used his posi- Tyna also teaches social studies at a public penis is a muscle. I want you to flex that muscle incidents with a 13-year-old girl in February tions as youth pastor at Carpinteria Community school. Source: fox8.com, 2-25-13 three times with me.” Source: Victoria Times 2012 when Spencer was associate pastor at the Church and assistant manager at Holiday Inn Donald R. Jung, 59, La Grange, IL: Preda- Colonist, 1-27-13 Greater Works CME Church. Express to molest 2 female juveniles. He met tory criminal sexual assault. Jung, head pastor Michael Wilkerson, 47, Pottstown, PA: Spencer was convicted in 1998 of raping a April 2013 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 19

Guilty of mortgage fraud. Wilkerson, pastor of has agreed to pay $700,000 to brothers Todd er use. Source: saukvalley.com, 3-15-13 New Millennium Life Restoration Fellowship, re- ‘Mr. Johnson shared and Troy Merryfield for sexual assaults by a Hayden Vaverek, former pastor at Our Lady cruited congregants and their families to act as now-defrocked priest, Fr. John P. Feeney, of Lourdes Catholic Church in Greenwood, SC, “straw purchasers” of real estate, which resulted that for many years in 1978. A jury had awarded the brothers that has had “his priestly faculties withdrawn,” ac- in fraudulently obtaining $6 million in loans from amount last May but a judge overturned the ver- cording to the Diocese of Charleston. Diocesan Chase Manhattan. he has struggled dict due to juror misconduct. A new trial was set officials said sexual misconduct between Gow Wilkerson’s wife, Joyce, pleaded guilty to for this May. and a minor allegedly occurred more than 15 assisting in the scheme by writing checks to the with a persistent sin The diocese was also ordered in November years ago: “[N]o parishioners of that parish were “straws” and posing as co-purchaser at settle- to pay $500,000 to a Nevada man molested by involved in the reported allegation.” ment. Source: Phoenixville Patch, 2-26-13 Feeney in the 1980s. It’s appealing that judg- Gow started working in 2011 for the Catholic Edward Fairley, Paterson, NJ: Guilty of issue.’ ment. Near East Welfare Association based in New attempted murder, stalking, terroristic threats — Letter to parents Feeney assaulted the Merryfields at St. York City. Source: Fox Carolina, 3-10-13 and possession of a weapon for an unlawful Nicholas Parish in Freedom when they were 12 The Vatican has defrocked 3 Massachu- purpose. Fairley, pastor at Koinonia and Chris- and 14 years old. He was sentenced in 2004 to setts priests for alleged sexual abuse. David tian Ministries, was charged with stabbing his guilty to 8 counts of fraud related to his ser- 15 years in prison and was released in 2011. He Blizard, Thomas Kane and Robert Shauris mistress, who was also his associate pastor, 28 vice as a priest at the Catholic Cathedral of the was defrocked in 2005. may not function as priests in any capacity, said times and leaving her for dead. Fairley repre- Blessed Sacrament and Sacred Heart Parish. Todd Merryfield lives in Port Washington. Bishop of Worcester Robert McManus. They sented himself at trial, even cross-examining He wrote checks on parish accounts totaling Troy lives in Virginia. They accused the diocese were removed from the ministry, respectively, Simone Shields-Oliver, his lover-turned-victim. about $150,000 over 5 years and spent most of fraud for moving Feeney from parish to par- in 1988, 1993 and 1995. Source: International They’d become intimate before he was mar- of the money gambling, court documents said. ish without revealing his sexual history. Source: Business Times, 3-5-13 ried and kept seeing each other afterward until Source: New Zealand Herald, 2-27-13 Journal Sentinel, 3-20-13 Keith O’Brien, 75, a cardinal and head of Shields-Oliver got engaged and tried to break Caesar Belchez, Bonneauville, PA: 11½ to The Catholic Diocese of Joliet, IL, will re- the Scottish Catholic Bishops Conference, off the affair. Source: Christian Post, 2-26-13 23 months in county prison, 14 years’ probation lease as part of a lawsuit settlement more than who in November resigned and admitted he’d Stanley Wilkinson, 61, Rochester, MN: and restitution of $384,750 to the Catholic Dio- 7,000 internal documents that reportedly show committed sexual indiscretions, is now accused Pleaded guilty to intentional discharge of a fire- cese of Harrisburg. Belchez, pastor at St. Jo- every one of its bishops since the 1950s has of groping a man at a party in Rome the day arm that endangers safety. Wilkinson, a Sev- seph the Worker Parish, pleaded guilty to theft been aware of accusations of about 15 dioc- O’Brien became a cardinal in 2003. enth-day Adventist pastor, fired 2 shots through by unlawful taking and access device, occurring esan priests molesting children. His accuser, a London priest, is said to have the door with a pistol at an intruder at his home, between June 2006 and June 2011. David Rudofski was among 3 plaintiffs in the complained to the Vatican last year, allegedly but it turned out it was his granddaughter, 16, Belchez admitted he used money donated to settlement. He alleged he was molested at age speeding O’Brien’s departure, which came after who was hit in the neck but will recover. Source: the parish and parish credit and debit cards for 8 while making his first confession toFr. James separate allegations from the 1980s. Three of KARE, 2-25-13 his personal use. Irregularities were uncovered Burnett in the 1980s. The settlement includes the 4 men making allegations are active priests. when he was transferred to Dallastown. Source: an undisclosed amount of money for Rudofski O’Brien, who didn’t participate in the conclave Sentenced Evening Sun, 2-26-13 and a written statement from Bishop R. Dan- to select the new pope, said he will retire from Jack Schaap, 55, Hammond, IN: 12 years Gregory “Jamie” Coots, Middlesboro, KY: iel Conlon admitting Burnett’s sexual abuse of public life. Source: Daily Mail, 3-3-13; The Tele- in prison and 5 years’ probation after pleading 1 year probation for violating the exotic animals Rudofski, Daniel Shanahan and another man graph, 3-14-13 guilty to taking a minor across state lines with statute. Coots, pastor at Full Gospel Tabernacle whose identity hasn’t been made public. Ray Johnson, superintendent of Grace intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. Ham- in Jesus’ Name, was pulled over in Tennessee The diocese has updated its website to list Christian Schools, Medford, OR, resigned after mond, pastor of the 40,000-member First Bap- for having dark-tinted windows when the officer 34 priests who have had substantiated or cred- working with Grace Christian since 1976. A let- tist Church, had an ongoing sexual relationship spotted boxes with 3 rattlesnakes and 2 copper- ible allegations of abuse made against them. ter to parents from the board said “Mr. Johnson with a 17-year-old congregation member. head snakes. Coots uses snakes in his church Source: Joliet Patch/CBS Chicago, 3-13-13 shared that for many years he has struggled At one point the married pastor wrote to her services. The snakes, which he bought for $800 The Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles with a persistent sin issue.” that their relationship was “exactly what Christ in Alabama, were confiscated. will pay about $10 million to settle 4 cases of The letter didn’t name the sin but said it “is desires for us. He wants to marry us + become Coots was charged in 2008 for having 74 alleged abuse by now-defrocked priest Michael clearly in direct contradiction to biblical princi- eternal lovers!” snakes in his home. Source: UPI, 2-26-13 Baker, who told Cardinal Roger Mahony near- ples, the leadership requirements for First Bap- Schaap also reportedly texted the girl often, ly 30 years ago he’d molested children. The tist Church, and the Christian lifestyle agree- as many as 662 times in one month. Source: Civil Lawsuits Filed cases were from 1974 to 2000. ment that all school employees sign.” Source: Chicago Tribune, 3-20-13 St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Mount Cle- Two suits claimed Mahony, who retired in Mail Tribune, 2-26-13 Arthur Schirmer, 64, Reeders, PA: Life in mens, MI, the Archdiocese of Detroit and Fr. 2011 as archbishop and has been publicly re- [Editor’s note: Sue M., Oregon, wonders if prison without parole on a conviction of 1st-de- Michael Cooney are being sued for alleged fail- buked by his successor, didn’t do enough to the sin was eating oysters, wearing mixed fibers gree murder. Schirmer, a United Methodist pas- ure to protect a 14-year-old girl. stop Baker. However, Mahony was allowed to or working on the Sabbath.] tor, was accused of beating his second wife to The suit alleges Michael Lentini, 19 in go to Rome to vote for a new pope. The Catholic Archdiocese of Anchorage, death in 2008 with a crowbar and staging a car 2011, sexually assaulted the girl at a pancake Two brothers who are plaintiffs will get $4 AK, announced its starting the process to de- accident to cover it up. He’s also awaiting trial breakfast at the church. Both were church million each, and 2 others will get nearly $1 mil- frock Fr. J. Michael Hornick for alleged inap- for the death of his first wife in 1999. Source: members. Lentini pleaded guilty to 3rd-degree lion each. Church documents show Baker met propriate sexual contact with 5 women. WHTM, 3-18-13 criminal sexual conduct and was sentenced to with Mahony in 1986 and confessed to molest- The archdiocese suspended Hornick in Jan- George A. Smith, 75, Kinkora, PEI: 11 2 years’ probation. ing 2 boys over 7 years, but he wasn’t removed uary 2011 after an allegation. Since then, 2 oth- years in prison after pleading guilty to 38 counts Before the assault, the girl’s parents had from ministry until 2000. er women have come forward with accusations of sexual and indecent assault involving 13 chil- confronted Lentini, his family and church offi- “I hope the new pope defrocks the cardinal,” from when they were minors. Hornick served in dren between 1969-89. Smith was suspended cials about Lentini’s inappropriate communica- plaintiff Michael Duran said at a courthouse Anchorage for more than 40 years. from his duties as a Catholic priest at a Prince tions, including photos he sent the girl. Source: press conference. Source: AP, 3-12-13 The first accusation against him came in Edward Island parish in 2010 when charges Macomb Daily, 3-11-13 1997, after which he was sent to a treatment fa- were made. Legal Developments Mordechai Rachminov, 69, Queens, NY, cility. He could face criminal charges for the new Victims were often altar boys or children of An unidentified Israeli Hasidic rabbi, 70, is being sued by Gavriel Barukh, who alleges accusations. Source: Alaska Dispatch, 2-25-13 families involved with churches where Smith who fled to the U.S. amid sex abuse allegations, the rabbi botched a 2011 bris and removed part Msgr. John Allard, pastor at St. Agatha and served. The court was told Smith would ply is expected to return to Israel. of his 8-day-old son’s corona glandis. The suit Precious Blood Catholic parishes in Woonsock- boys with alcohol. At times they would wake up An Army Radio report said a follower of the claims that Rachminov assured Barukh that the et, RI, has acknowledged he abused a minor in while Smith was molesting them. Source: CBC, rabbi alleged he saw him naked with a woman child did not need to see a doctor despite the 1981 and has resigned from both churches. 3-14-13 during a purported “purification session.” Other apparent damage. Source: Queens Chronicle, In a statement, the Diocese of Providence, Robert E. Ruark, 65, Suisun City, CA: 18 followers allegedly threatened the man to keep 3-7-13 apologized for the abuse. The male victim re- years in prison and a $10,000 fine after plead- quiet. A plaintiff from Alberta, who alleges an un- portedly decided not to press charges, although ing guilty to 19 felony counts related to molest- Another man told Army Radio, which is run identified, now-dead Catholic priest molest- the statute of limitations has expired. Source: ing children while he was pastor at St. Timothy by the Israel Defense Forces, that his 15-year- ed him in the early 1970s when he was 10 and Valley Breeze, 2-25-13 Orthodox Church. Ruark must serve 85 percent old daughter told him the rabbi grabbed her the priest taught at St. Mary’s Boys School in Dennis Druggan, president and rector of St. of his sentence before becoming eligible for pa- breasts as he kissed her. The girl’s sister al- Edmonton, is suing for $475,000. Defendants Lawrence Seminary High School in Mount Cal- role. leged he molested her 3 years earlier when she are the Salesian Society, Archdiocese of Ed- vary, WI, has been removed from public ministry He was originally charged with more than 30 was 17. Source: Times of Israel, 3-11-13 monton, Fr. Joseph MacNeil and Fr. Anthony due to allegations of sexual misconduct involv- counts involving children as young as 13 and Richard J. McCormick, 71, New Rochelle, Jordan. ing a minor in Montana more than 25 years ago, sometimes photographing them naked, police NY, former head of the Catholic Salesian Broth- The plaintiff alleges the priest told him his according to a statement from the Capuchin said. Source: Vacaville Reporter, 3-12-13 ers of Don Bosco, had more rape charges add- parents “would die and go to hell” if he told Province of St. Joseph. A second complainant Kenneth L. Miller, Stuart’s Draft, VA: 27 ed to previous ones involving alleged abuse of them. Source: Sun News, 3-7-13 came forward after the initial complaint. months in prison for abetting parental kidnap- a boy who was 9 and 10. Another suit against Pennsylvania Catho- St. Lawrence is an all-male college prepara- ping. Miller, head of a Beachy Amish-Mennonite The new indictment charges McCormick lic leaders has been filed on behalf of 3 former tory boarding school with about 225 students. church, was released pending appeal, which raped a boy between the ages of 7 and 9 in students at Bishop McCort High School who al- Druggan will be encouraged to live a life of could take 2 years. He was convicted for help- 1981-83 in Ipswich, MA. McCormick has been leged Brother Stephen Baker molested them. prayer and penance in a suitable friary. Source: ing Lisa A. Miller (not related) flee to Nicaragua living since October at the Vianney Renewal Baker taught religion and was baseball coach Fond du Lac Reporter, 2-19-13 with her daughter, 7, in 2009. Center near St. Louis, which has a program for and athletic trainer. Ms. Miller was applauded by conservative pedophile clergy. Source: Salem News, 3-7-13 Other Baker, 62, fatally stabbed himself in the Christians for refusing to allow court-mandated Terry Greer, pastor at Gardendale-Mt. In the run-up to electing a pope to replace heart Jan. 26 at a monastery where he’d been visits with the girl from her other legal mother, Vernon [AL] United Methodist Church, was re- Benedict XVI, the Chicago-based Survivors living since 2000, the year Franciscan officials Ms. Miller’s former partner in a civil union in leased from the hospital and taken to jail. He’s Network of those Abused by Priests released a were told Baker was accused of sexually abus- Vermont. After the couple split, Miller became charged with his wife’s murder and attempted “Dirty Dozen” list of papal candidates SNAP ing students. a born-again Christian and denounced lesbian- murder of their daughter in their home Jan. 10. considered the worst in terms of exposing cor- Defendants include the school, the Francis- ism. Source: N.Y. Times, 3-4-13 The daughter got away and called police, who ruption and working with victims of clergy sex cans and the Johnstown-Altoona Diocese. Leib Glanz, 54, Brooklyn, NY: 45 days in arrived to find Greer in the bathroom stabbing abuse. Not until 10 days before Baker killed him- prison after pleading guilty to defrauding the himself multiple times. Source: WBRC, 3-4-13 On the list was New York Cardinal Timothy self did the allegations become widely known. federal government of $36,000 in Section 8 Dolan, who headed the Milwaukee archdiocese That’s when Boston attorney Mitchell Garabe- housing subsidies. Rabbi Glanz is a leader in Allegations from 2002-09. He was recently deposed about dian announced he’d negotiated settlements the Satmar Hasidic community and a prison Ronald Pickering, a now-deceased Catho- clergy sex abuse in the archdiocese’s bank- for 11 former students of Baker’s at different chaplain. lic priest, allegedly groomed young Australian ruptcy case. schools. Source: WBKN, 2-25-13 His brother, Menashe Glanz, 51, also was boys sexually by using money, alcohol and cig- Dolan was joined on the list by Cardinals “John Doe I” is suing Mark A. Broussard, part of the fraud scheme, and was sentenced to arettes, according to testimony at a parliamen- Sean O’Malley of Boston, Donald Wuerl of 57, Duson, LA, alleging the Catholic priest 6 months in prison and 6 months’ home confine- tary inquiry into clergy sexual abuse. Raymond Washington, Andres Rodriguez Maradiaga of “raped and sexually molested, abused and ex- ment. Source: N.Y. Times, 2-28-13 D’Brass, an altar boy at St. James Parish in Honduras, Norberto Rivera of Mexico, Marc ploited [him] on a daily basis during his preado- Lowe Dongor, 37, Fitchburg, MA: 2½ years Gardenvale, VIC, in 1979-83, said he was mo- Ouellet of Canada, Peter Turkson of Ghana, lescent years from 1985 to 1988,” court papers in prison, suspended, and 5 years’ probation lested frequently by Pickering for 4 years. George Pell of Australia, Tarcisio Bertone of say. after pleading guilty to possessing child pornog- Some victims used money Pickering gave Italy, Angelo Scola of Italy, Leonardo Sandri Defendants include the Vatican, the Archdi- raphy and theft. Dongor was a priest at St. Jo- them to buy heroin, a fact known to the priest, of Argentina and Dominik Duka of the Czech ocese of New Orleans, Archbishop Gregory seph’s Catholic Church who fled in 2011 to his according to testimony. Source: The Age, 3-4- Republic. Aymond and the Diocese of Lake Charles. native Philippines after porn was found on his 13 “We want to urge Catholic prelates to stop Doe seeks $18 million in damages. computer and collection money turned up miss- pretending that the worst is over regarding the Broussard also faces 10 counts of sex crimes Removed / Resigned ing. He returned to the U.S. in November. clergy sex abuse and cover-up crisis. Tragically, against 3 boys, including aggravated rape and John Gow, pastor of St. Patrick Catholic Worcester Bishop Robert McManus has the worst is almost certainly ahead,” SNAP’s aggravated oral sexual battery. Source: The Ad- Church in Dixon, IL, has been suspended. A let- asked the Vatican to defrock Dongor. Source: statement said. Source: Journal Sentinel, 3-6- vocate, 2-25-13 ter from Msgr. Eric Barr, vicar of the Diocese of Boston Herald, 2-28-13 Rockford, said Gow “will not be returning” to the 13 John Fitzmaurice, 57, Christchurch, NZ: Civil Lawsuits Settled parish. The letter said the diocese has been told Email: [email protected] 2 years and 3 months in prison after pleading The Catholic Diocese of Green Bay, WI, that authorities are investigating Gow’s comput- Page 20 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin April 2013

Letterbox

France’s ‘Cartesian Member embarks on doubt’ attracted ‘Lifer’ worthwhile crusade

Having been a subscriber for quite I expect to use my 2012 tax refund awhile and seeing your excellent work for one life membership — my own. around the U.S., I’ve decided to be- Last year I added, by paying their first come a Lifetime Member. Enclosed is year’s dues, two new regular members. a check for $1,000. I am adding two more regular mem- Though I was born in Chicago and bers this year, when I pay for my Life raised in a Catholic, conservative Re- Membership. I can only afford one publican family, I lost interest in going Life Membership, having just started a to church in my teens. But it wasn’t practice last May 1. until I attended the University of Wis- But I am determined to find two fel- consin-Madison (class of 1963) that my low atheists every year and introduce eyes were truly opened. I’m constantly them to FFRF by paying their first year’s Loom and doom reminded how proud I am of Madison dues. It’s my own little membership Ron Fredrickson, California, says his friend in Illinois noted this scene in — starting with the Vietnam War pro- crusade. I hope to see many of them, Northbrook. Word play is certainly more fulfilling than word pray. tests in the 1960s, then FFRF, The On- with my encouragement, become Life ion, occupying the Capitol, etc. Members as well. My wife Mary (also a Chicagoan I have come to the conclusion that Missouri listeners love A: The number of people involved. reared Catholic, all the way through to one can no more compartmentalize Freethought Radio John Fox Loyola University) and I moved perma- the irrationality of superstitious belief California nently to France in 1972. It wasn’t just in one’s mind than one could compart- We’re now into our sixth month the food that won us over, but the pro- mentalize a malignancy to one’s lungs. of airing Freethought Radio, and the gressive social system and the Cartesian The inescapable, unavoidable me- response from our listeners contin- What lands a person on doubt the French were so free to ex- tastasis of irrationality to other aspects ues to be overwhelmingly thumbs-up. press. We raised three children, none of one’s thinking — if one is truly able Your show is rapidly becoming one of freethought calendar? baptized. Only about 15% of French to swallow the bunkum of religion — KOPN’s most popular additions. On I enjoy looking over the freethought attend religious services regularly. The affects one’s choices in politics, eco- March 3, our community celebrated calendar every month. I cut that part percentage of Catholic attendance is nomics, relationships, health care KOPN’s 40th anniversary. Our station out of the paper and keep it. That even lower. choices, etc. is the fifth-oldest community radio way when I am asked, “Name me one I earned a Ph.D. in literature from The premature death of our spe- station in the U.S. and was the first to atheist who has ever amounted to the Sorbonne in 1980, and Mary and cies is writ large in the foolishness of serve a population of under 100,000. anything,” I can hand them a book of I have enjoyed teaching careers until those who think salvation from a ghost I’ve also recently inaugurated my names of famous people. our recent retirements. is coming, and that a bad end, if ob- own show, “The Skeptical Eye,” a pro- How does one qualify to have their Here’s wishing you all the best for tained, is part of the plan of a deity gram that looks at both science and name placed on the calendar? Does your continuing good work to keep who “loves” us. pseudo-science. a person have to be an atheist or just church and state separate. As to the New Testament, I agree, it Thanks for the great work, and for someone who had ideas that are sup- John Long is the most widely sold, unread book also joining our KOPN family at this ported by and important to freethink- France in the world. My Christian friends are incredible moment in our history. Our ers? often surprised, both by my knowledge station manager, David Owens, also I ask because as I look at the names of the utter insanity of this cruel text sends greetings. every month, I notice names of people Please help stop ‘IGWT’ and by the prevalence of writings by John Betz who I know are atheists. But other (and my hand cramps) Paul — that miserable, misanthropic, Board President, KOPN names are of people who are obviously misogynistic masochist who, like Jesus Columbia, Mo. not atheists. I was so pleased to learn FFRF and and God, is also likely merely mythical. Ronald Gardner Michael Newdow have filed a lawsuit “I am mad as hell and I’m not going Attorney Seidel’s help California against the U.S. Treasury to remove “In to take it any more,” as Paddy Chayef- Editor’s note: Full documentation on the God We Trust” from our currency. This sky wrote in the movie “Network.” I re- was indispensable views of illustrious figures included in the is something we must succeed at this fuse to let inanity go unanswered. I am writing to acknowledge the monthly freethought calendar may be found time to uphold the First Amendment Thank you so much, Annie Laurie, outstanding effort and performance at ffrf.org/news/day, which includes a directive that our government cannot Dan, all the staffers and fellow mem- of Andrew Seidel, who recently as- short biography, freethought credentials and should not endorse religion over bers and supporters of FFRF. I’m so sisted me with a complaint against and a quote. All freethinkers, atheist or not, nonreligion. glad I found you. Saint Johns River State College and its are welcome in Freethought of the Day. Oc- Having this on our currency and as John Steinberg, M.D. practice of handing out materials of a casionally, when we have no freethinker’s the country’s official motto is not only Maryland religious nature (the New Testament birthday to feature, a believer’s relevant blatantly unconstitutional, but is one section of the bible) at our nursing quote is featured. Sign up today to get this of the most divisive actions ever taken pinning/graduation ceremonies. service delivered daily to your inbox. by our federal government. (I’m also What ‘childish things’ While I happen to be a practicing getting a hand cramp from having to Christian, Mr. Seidel appreciated my blacken that out on my paper money!) did Paul put away? concerns regarding the separation of Dad’s quote punctured Please accept a donation for your Re “Psalm 23:4 piques most online church and state, and he effectively legal fund to assist in this effort. Please interest” [Jan/Feb13], I wish Chris- and persuasively argued for the termi- bubble of faith let me know if there is anything our tians would carefully analyze 1 Corin- nation of the practice. He always took Re the Clergy Project panel article FFRF Metropolitan Chicago Chapter thians 13:11, their fifth-favorite bibli- my calls or promptly responded to [March13] on the struggle of faith-free can do to help. cal passage, in which St. Paul wrote, emails, and when I met personally with “pulpiteers,” I promptly thought of Tom Cara “When I was a child, I spake as a child, school administrators (as a current a quote my father had pasted on the President, FFRFMCC I understood as a child, I thought as a student, there was some level of con- cover page of Joseph McCabe’s A Ratio- Illinois child: but when I became a man, I put cern regarding possible retribution), nalist Encyclopedia: away childish things.” he coached me through those conver- “After my talk to a group of minis- Reasonably, putting away childish sations and helped me to confidently ters in an Eastern city, one of them said Sharing some wealth things should include recognizing as ri- pursue and bring the matter to a satis- to me, ‘When you said you had diffi- and Freethought Today diculous the notion that a snake spoke factory conclusion. culty in reconciling some of the things to a woman in her language (Genesis He also wrote an articulate and con- we say and do with the teachings of I’ve enclosed three checks: 1) Life 3:1-6), or that a donkey spoke to a man vincing letter on my and FFRF’s behalf Jesus, were you implying that some of Membership for Laurie Webre, $1,000; in his language (Numbers 22:28-30). and called the college. Mr. Seidel is us do not believe in God?’ Being only 2) Life Membership for Hal Webre, The bible is replete with ridiculous an asset to his profession and, I’ll pre- a layman I hesitated but did reply, ‘I $1,000; 3) extra Freethought Today stories that only innocent little chil- sume, to your organization as well. had not meant to put it just that way, subscription. $20. Laurie and I are dren could be led to believe. Yet, al- Maggie Arnold but since you ask it, yes, that is what pleased this year to be able to upgrade though St. Paul never abandoned be- Florida I meant.’ I braced myself against de- our memberships to Life status. lief in such nonsense, he brags that as nunciation for presuming to criticize The extra subscription gives us an a man, he “put away childish things.” a man of God. The shock was greater extra Freethought Today that we share If Paul were alive today, I’d like to A delusion, religion and than I anticipated — and different! or give away to friends or those who ask ask him what childish things he put a cult walk into a joke Looking around the circle of earnest about FFRF. Keep up the good work. away. men in the room, my questioner chal- Laurie and Hal Webre David Quintero Q: What’s the difference between a lenged, ‘Brother, you don’t know the Florida California delusion, a cult and a religion? half of it. At least a third of us do not April 2013 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 21

no longer popeless, and, the conclave when confronted with evidence that it stove is once again smokeless. is wrong. The result is cognitive rigid- Richard W. Fletcher ity and a deep need to deny that one Texas holds erroneous beliefs or has done something stupid or wrong. This is true of all beliefs but it seems Glad FFRF challenging particularly pertinent to religious be- liefs. Most religious adherents will not mountaintop Jesus even listen to anything that challenges Two weeks ago, we were skiing at their beliefs and will demonize any Big Mountain outside Whitefish, Mont. who try to offer conflicting ideas. You couldn’t imagine my surprise when This is a result of cultural indoctri- I started off on the first run of the day nation or as some call it, brainwashing. and was met by a big frickin’ Jesus stat- We, in the U.S. are doing it, and it is ue. I couldn’t believe my eyes. So the working its way into our political land- Interstate 25 next time down, I stopped and took a scape in a dangerous way. The Muslim “Praise gets stale when it needs to be imported,” writes Tom Walters, Colorado, good look. There was also a sign there, world, through the aggressive support about this big rig rolling near Longmont. “I’ve been told that anti-abortion and I think it said it was placed by the of the Saudis, is doing an even better messages of that size with pictures of aborted fetuses have also been seen on Knights of Columbus (who else?) and job of it than we are. The result is an trucks along I-25. I guess they give Focus on the Family something to cheer dedicated to veterans (apparently they ever increasing populace ready to do about when they hit Colorado Springs.” didn’t ask me!). anything to further its own brand of I wondered at the time if FFRF knew religious intolerance. believe in God!’ And out of the utter dren to a level they should not hope to about this and couldn’t remember see- Dale Oliver silence that followed, not a man pres- overcome in adulthood. ing anything about it in Freethought Texas ent lifted his voice in denial.” Andrew Keahiolalo Today. But then there have been so It was attributed to Alfred P. Haake, Florida many violations it’s easy to lose track. a noted Ph.D. economist (source: Then my latest edition arrived and you Study: Religion helps What’s Wrong with Religion, by Karl B. (still) couldn’t imagine my surprise ‘rationalize’ crime Justus, a Protestant chaplain in the Pa- Can we accommodate upon seeing the article that not only cific theater in World War II). do you know about this but are fight- As per the March 10 New York Daily In my dad’s hand was written this religion at times? ing to have it removed. Bravo! This News, a study in the academic journal quote: “He who feels punctured must I learned something from the Jan/ monstrosity has no place or business Theoretical Criminology suggests that have been a bubble.” Feb13 issue, namely, the term “accom- being there. I don’t need Jesus looking far from causing offenders to repent of Right on, Bill Maher! modationist.” From the context I take over me while skiing or any other time. their sins, religious instruction might Stay as you are and keep super it to mean a freethinker who will gener- J.E. Hill actually encourage crime. strong. ally tolerate any religious practice that Washington The author surveyed 48 hardcore David Alspaugh does not too violently offend the prin- offenders in the Atlanta area to deter- Wisconsin ciple of separation of church and state. mine what effect religion may have on Distributing bibles in public schools is Reader weighs in on their behavior. They learned that the clearly unacceptable. firmly packed pound criminals “seemed to go out of their Student activists On the other hand, such phenome- way to reconcile their belief in God appreciate support na as the “National Christmas Tree” or Thank you for publishing Al “The with their serious predatory offending. the decoration of the White House in Pie Man” Schneider’s letter [March13] They frequently employed elaborate My brother and I would like to thank Christmas-y fashion, strike me as harm- pointing out that a pound of brown and creative rationalizations in the FFRF for the very generous scholar- less and even rather attractive (though sugar is the same regardless of wheth- process and actively exploit religious ship you offered us. We feel lucky not both are on federal property). er it is firmly packed. It demonstrates doctrine to justify their crimes.” only to live in a place where religion This brings me to my question: In perhaps the best trait shared by most As the authors noted, many of those is kept out of the public setting, but freethought circles, is “accommoda- freethinkers: the ability to look with surveyed used their understanding also where people are willing to fight tionist” understood to be a pejorative? fresh eyes at routinely accepted and re- of faith to justify their own criminal to keep it that way. Does it imply someone who is too will- peated “truths” or instructions. behavior. Some quotes from the God- It is an honor to receive your student ing to accept religious displays that a Yes, it makes a difference if a volume fearing deviants, including murderers: activist scholarship, and we appreciate stricter interpreter might find offen- measure (such as a cup) is packed or • “God has to forgive everyone, even the support of the FFRF in protecting sive? loose, but a weight measure (in this if they don’t believe in him.” the separation of church and state in In general I support the policies of case, a pound) is indeed identical • “Jesus knows I ain’t have no the future. FFRF. However, there is the risk of fall- whether it is compressed or fluffy. It’s choice, you know? He know I have a Mayan and Balen Essak ing into the same trap as religion and akin to people who get red-faced insist- decent heart. He know I’m stuck in the Wisconsin drawing one’s lines too narrowly. ing a ton of lead weighs more than a hood and just doing what I gotta do to David M. Shea ton of feathers. survive.” Maryland We need more people in this world • “Like if I go rob a dope dealer or Brainwashing children Editor’s note: The word makes me see red who see with fresh eyes and scan every- molester or something, then it don’t to hate ‘the browns’ and Neville Chamberlain with an umbrella. thing they are told, even little details count against me because It’s like I’m (Kidding, sort of.) People no doubt line up (where god is supposed to be), with a giving punishment to them for Jesus. You are all doing such great work. at different points along the continuum, but “Really?” That’s God’s will. Oh, you molested I’m doing all I can financially and in one thing tends to be true: Give the persecut- Joan Reisman-Brill some kid? Well now, I’m sending Cool other ways to support you. ed (in their own minds) theocrats an inch, New York over to get your ass.” Historically, we always find poetry in and they’ll take a mile. Most secularists are The authors conclude “there is the front lines alongside the brave en- merely asking for a level playing field. reason to believe that these rational- emies of repression. I was inspired af- Executive editor’s note: FFRF has never Evangelicals’ target: izations and justifications may play a ter watching a TV special on religious sued over an x-mas tree. If they put a cross criminogenic role in their decision brainwashing of children. I related it to on it, that would be different. “Accommoda- knitting community making.” my own experience as a child, remem- tion” has legal import, and FFRF examines Unbelievable: I received a promo- I guess most Americans would say, bering a time I was taken to church af- each complaint on a case-by-case basis. The tional email from Vogue Knitting mag- well, at least these young men aren’t ter we’d seen some news on the Middle vast majority of our legal letters deal with azine in which they invite me to donate atheists. Then they might really be East. proselytizing by public schools and govern- to World Vision, an evangelical aid or- dangerous! I asked a lady at church, otherwise ment bodies. We have a record 12 ongoing ganization (that partners with mind- Dennis Middlebrooks very sweet and charming, about what lawsuits all of substance. See ffrf.org/legal/ control bible cults like Xenos Christian New York I’d seen on the news. Her demeanor challenges/ongoing-lawsuits. Fellowship). changed to one of vile disdain. “The Can’t I be involved with a freaking browns” is what she called them, and knitting magazine without being solic- Religious oaths seem her son piped right up as well with slurs Popeless to smokeless: ited by evangelicals? Geesh. It’s every- about browns and gays. The adults downright hapless where! clearly unconstitutional looked at him with such pride and he Kathy Bonham Thanks to David Hansell from Wis- smiled back, basking in their pleasure. On March 13, the world was pope- Ohio consin for his March letter to the edi- less. Was the very survival of our planet tor pointing out the obvious hypocrisy To Browns hopeless? Then, to the rescue, the car- of the swearing-in ceremony in which You watch me proud as I coil dinals conclaved! It suddenly seemed, Religious rigidity the president swears to uphold the con- cold, violent, bold— the world would be saved! They made stitution (including separating church To browns and all stepped forward, a decision and then they white-smoked breeds intolerance and state) while keeping his hand on back, lain, or jumping— us! And then, Pope Francis, came out Social psychology holds to be a hu- the bible and saying “so help me God.” My talons grow, my hatred flows— and spoke to us. man universal, the tendency to reject After reading the letter, I couldn’t To these I cannot possibly know. Those in the Vatican, mostly, had anything that challenges the validity stop wondering why this public oath is stayed. They genuflected and prayed of your beliefs, and instead to protect supposedly constitutional. Is the very They are breeding hate in their chil- and prayed. The Earth, now secure, is and defend what you believe even Continued on next page Page 22 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin April 2013

FFRF co-sponsors UW-Madison freethought event Letterbox Atheists, Humanists and Agnostics Co-sponsors were the Freedom From @ UW-Madison organized and hosted Religion Foundation, Secular Student Freethought Festival 2 on the Univer- Alliance and Center for Inquiry. Continued from previous page sex marriage in Illinois, which is close sity of Wisconsin campus March 8-10. act of keeping the hand on the bible to passing such a law. The young man during the oath not clearly violating asked all the usual questions: educa- the Establishment Clause? The bible, tional level, sex, years living in Illinois, as a Christian symbol, sends an unques- age, etc. Of course, I told him that I tioned message. The phrase “so help didn’t feel it was anyone’s business ex- me God” only reinforces the religious cept for the married couple. context. Then, amazingly, he asked me my How come we can stop prayers at religion, and I said atheist. He paused football games, remove bible-pushing a second. “Never heard of that,” he from public schools, etc., but we allow said. the highest of all elected officials to I said, “Oh come on, with all the exercise religious rituals during one of information out there on the Inter- the most public events paid by our tax net? Man, you must be teasing me. dollars? Are there no grounds for legal You sound like a young man. Pollsters actions prohibiting the use of religious are fairly intelligent people, probably symbols and phrases during public above average, and you’re telling me oath ceremonies? you’ve never heard the word atheist?” Lukas Steinke “No sir, I haven’t.” South Carolina I couldn’t believe my ears. We are in Editor’s note: FFRF very publicly con- for a long haul. tacted President Barack Obama after the Joseph Cunningham election, asking him to follow the oath or Illinois affirmation in the Constitution, which has no reference to a bible or “so help me God.” FFRF was party in 2008 to a federal lawsuit Hard to see how brought by Michael Newdow to enforce to FFRF Co-President Dan Barker spoke at the festival and at a rainy rally at the secular oath and to stop inaugural prayer. God’s not a fraud State Capitol. He’s rousing the crowd with “This is what an atheist looks like!” The suit was thrown out. FFRF has contact- I have been thinking a lot about the ed every president-elect since its formation in Newtown, Conn., killings and need 1976, reminding them of the secular oath/ a little help. It’s been reported that affirmation. many people have “turned to God” Members may sign up to receive news in the aftermath of the tragedy in an releases and Action Alerts via their online attempt to understand it and to offer Membership Profile or by emailing info@ well-intentioned prayers of support for ffrf.org (asking to receive such alerts). Free- the victims and their families. dom depends on (activist) freethinkers! However, the “God” of Christianity, Judaism and Islam (take your pick) is supposed to be omniscient, which What do you say to a means that he/she is the possessor of infinite knowledge and wisdom. muddled thinker? Therefore, I would have to assume A recent Huffington Post article [by that “God” was fully aware of the tragic physicist Max Tegmark, “Religion, Sci- event that took place on Dec. 14 before ence and the Attack of the Angry Athe- it happened. ists”] resulted in an interesting dia- I can think of only four possible logue between two commentators, the reasons why this horrible event did, in religious one ending the banter with fact, happen: Freethought on the move this: “If you believe god doesn’t exist • “God” knew what was about to The Atheist Pride Parade, part of Freethought Festival 2 at the University of without proof, that’s faith as well.” happen but was powerless to prevent it. Wisconsin-Madison, wends its way down State Street on March 9 toward the FFRF is my go-to for responses to • “God” knew what was about to Atheist Pride Rally at the State Capitol. such blather; any suggestions for a re- happen and could have prevented it sponse to that one? but chose not to. Mark Kelley • “God” not only knew what was California about to happen but actually caused Editor’s note: Andrew Seidel, FFRF’s go- it to happen (despite the fact that 28 to “skeptician,” says, “This looks like a job people lost their lives, Pat Robertson for Bertrand Russell’s celestial teapot. It is can give you many reasons why this impossible to prove a negative, but that does might be so). not mean the conclusion that something does • There is no “God,” and we can not exist rests on no evidence. Nobody can attribute the tragedy to the inconceiv- disprove that a teapot orbits Earth, controls able actions of a mentally ill person the tides and created each species. But there who had access to weapons of mass de- is no evidence to suggest such teapot exists. struction. Moreover, we have mountains of scientific I have trouble understanding how evidence to show that the moon’s gravita- any rational person can believe in op- tional pull controls the tides and that evolu- tions 1, 2 or 3. Obviously, prayers to an tion is responsible for speciation. Therefore, impotent and powerless “God” (option it is reasonable to conclude that the teapot 1) could never be answered, and who FFRF Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel (right) visited with attendees after his idea is ridiculous. It does not require a leap could possibly worship the “God” of presentation “The Greatest Story Ever Sold: America’s Judeo-Christian of faith, only an application of logic. options 2 or 3? Heritage.” “The same applies to the idea of god. What am I missing here? And please, There is no evidence to suggest a god exists, do not resort to the “ye of little faith” and science provides excellent answers based or “works in mysterious ways” copouts, on evidence to many of our questions. There- which only allow one to comfortably fore, it is reasonable to conclude that no god avoid using the intelligence with which exists without any use of faith.” they were born. I choose option 4, with the hope that we (society) can work tirelessly, ‘You’ve never heard by whatever pragmatic and humane means necessary, to prevent such trag- the word atheist?’ edies in the future. Last evening I received a call from a Howard J. Horton Jr. pollster concerning opinions on same- North Carolina

Freethought Festival photos by Ingrid Laas Staff Attorney Elizabeth Cavell (left) visits with festival browsers at FFRF’s informational table. April 2013 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 23

Ann Arbor, Mich. Happy 87th, Joe! “Did Jesus Rise From the Dead?” was the title of Dan Barker’s presentation FFRF Officer Joseph Cunningham, Illinois, holding his treasured “Unsaved” March 11 at the University of Michigan. It was organized by the Secular Student mug, turned 87 years young on April 8. He planned to celebrate with a visit Alliance chapter. From left, back, are Jon, Lucas, Destin, Dan Barker, Alex, from his children, who live on the West Coast and arrived in time “to see the Niki, Mary, (front) Forrest, Britney, Monica Harmsen (chapter president), millions of blooming daffodils I have been planting along Highway 4’s steep Rachel and Chris. banks so they will show up better. I planted a few hundred thousand over the past 25 years, but now with the multiplying effect, there are millions. This the best ‘life after death’ thing I could think of.” Freethought Today sends birthday wishes to Joe and best wishes to his wife, Dan goes to college Norma, who is 95 and in a nursing home. Both Joe and Norma have been longtime officers and are retired teachers. Photo: The Daily Reveille

New Orleans FFRF Co-President Dan Barker spoke Feb. 22 on “Morality: What’s God Got To Do With It?” at the University of New Orleans. The The answer is ‘not event was sponsored by the New bloody likely’ Orleans Secular Humanist Association (NOSHA). Freethinkers gathered FFRF Co-President Dan Barker gave a afterward for dinner at the home of presentation titled “Did Jesus Really NOSHA President Emeritus Harry Rise From the Dead?” Feb. 21 at Greenberger (standing at left). Louisiana State University in Baton Standing next to him is William Rouge. The event was organized by Gatreaux. Charlotte Klasson (seated, Atheists, Humanists and Agnostics middle) is current NOSHA president. at LSU. From left, front, are Chad Connie Gordon (with glasses, left of Thibodeaux (AHA president), Dan Charlotte) is NOSHA treasurer. Jim Barker, Athena Lietzau, (standing) Dugan (glasses, behind and to Dan’s Ellen Farrar, Dennis Kendelbacher, left) is vice president. Chad Matise is Kyle Aycock, Victoria Thompson, next to Jim. Dave Schultz (with cup) is Taylor Simon (vice president) and on Dan’s right. Jack Holloway (treasurer). FFRF on the road FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor with outgoing Grand Valley Secular Alliance student director Ellen Lundgren, at a March 14 speech before the student club on the campus of the Grand Valley State University, Allendale, Michigan. For Women’s History Month, Annie Laurie was asked to talk about “The harm of religion to women.” Ellen is graduating this spring with a degree in graphic design, and will be working with the Secular Student Alliance this summer. University of Photo: Vince Lauria Southern Mississippi Central Michigan FFRF Co-President Dan Barker talked about “Losing Faith in Faith” University (his personal story of moving from FFRF Co-President Dan Barker preacher to atheist) Feb. 23 at the spoke March 10 in Mount Pleasant, University of Southern Mississippi in Mich., about his background and the Hattiesburg. The event was sponsored Foundation’s work. The event was by the Secular Student Alliance at organized by the Dogma-Free Society USM. The crowd was pleased to at CMU. Society President Cory hear from Dan that “Hattiesburg” Kinne is at Dan’s right. anagrams to “Atheistburg.” From left are Caleb Dykes, Joshua Smith, Scott Mobile, Alabama Jones, Nathan McNair, Laura Yurka, FFRF Co-President Dan Barker debated Catholic theologian Robert Fastiggi Chaz Burrows, Emma Strong, Dan (bottom, right) Feb. 24 on the question “Is Religion A Positive Force For Barker, Matthew Lance and Melanie Society?” The Secular Student Alliance at the University of South Alabama Green. organized the event. Page 24 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin April 2013 ‘Jill & Julia Show’ to open event 36th national FFRF confab Sept. 27-29 in Madison Shelley Segal’s signature freethought song is “I Don’t Believe in Fairies.” The Freedom From Religion Foun- r e p r o d u c t i v e Collum v. Board of Education decision by dation will host its 36th annual nation- rights and creator the U.S. Supreme Court by airing the al convention on the last weekend in of the famous V.I. Peabody Award-winning documentary September at the Concourse Hotel, 1 Warshawski detec- “The Lord Is West Dayton St., in downtown Madi- tive series, which Not on Trial son, Wis. revolutionized the Here Today,” Jill Sobule and Julia Sweeney will mystery world. directed by Jay team up for a delightful set that mixes Paretsky took R o s e n s t e i n , witty songwriting with witty repartee ill just before FFRF’s 2012 Portland and with an and social commentary. Author, play- conference and will be accepting her a p p e a r a n c e wright, actress and comedian Sweeney Julia Sweeney (left) and Jill Sobule award a year late. Her memoir, Writing from Lifetime (“Letting Go of God”) intersperses co- will enlighten and entertain FFRF in an Age of Silence, chronicles her jour- Member Jim medic improv and stories in between convention attendees. ney from Kansas farm-girl to New York McCollum. Jim songs by Sobule, who wrote the title Times bestseller, and includes social was previously song for Sweeney’s DVD, “Letting Go team up with Shelley for a few songs. commentary. named an FFRF of God.” Honored with Jemila Bey worked “Champion of “Saturday Night Live” alum Sweeney the first Richard for a decade as pro- the First Amend- has a new book, If It’s Not One Thing, and Beverly Herm- ducer and editor at ment.” It’s Your Mother, on parenting and be- sen Student Activ- National Public Ra- Rooms may ing parented. ist Award of $5,000 dio on such shows as be booked now Sobule broke new ground in 1995 will be 19-year-old “Morning Edition,” at the Con- when her recording “I Kissed a Girl” Zack Kopplin, a “All Things Con- course for the convention rate of $149 was the first Top 40 hit to deal with Louisiana student sidered” and “Talk plus tax single, double, triple and qua- overtly gay themes. Known for fanciful activist who’s made of the Nation.” She druple. Phone 800-356-8293 toll-free storytelling and satire, she’s releasing national news in hosts the weekly ra- or 608-257-6000 locally, or register on- a new album with the string quartet his work to repeal dio show, “The Sex, Politics and Reli- line indicating you are with the Free- Ethel. She also writes commentary on a stealth creationism law in his home gion Hour: SPAR with Jamila,” airing dom From Religion Foundation room Huffington Post. state. His repeal effort has been en- on AM 1390 in Wahington, D.C., and block. The registration number to ver- Also entertaining will be Australia’s dorsed by 43 Nobel laureates, among AM 1430 in New York City. ify the room block is 211725. freethinking and talented young song- others. Zack persuaded the New Or- A stand-up comedienne, Bey says The event will include an afternoon stress and singer Shelley Segal, who ac- leans City Council to vote unanimously she enjoys the stage because it’s a social reception with plentiful hors companies herself on guitar. Segal sang to support repeal of the Louisiana Sci- cheaper hobby than scrapbooking. d’oeuvres on Friday, early registra- at the Reason Rally and has released a ence Education Act of 2008. He ap- She’s currently working on a book that tion and FFRF staff workshop presen- freethought CD, “An Atheist Album.” peared in March on “The Bill Moyers critically examines the role religion tations (attorneys and media). The Her signature freethought song, “I Show.” He’s a sophomore history ma- plays in the lives of African-American convention formally opens at 7 p.m. Don’t Believe in Fairies,” makes a cam- jor at Rice University. women. She frequently writes and lec- Friday (concluding with a complimen- eo on FFRF’s new musical CD “Adrift Receiving a Freethought Heroine tures on state/church and religious is- tary cake reception) and continues on a Star,” featuring Dan Barker and Award will be mystery writer Sara Pa- sues. through Saturday night. friends. FFRF Co-President Dan Bark- retsky, an ardent supporter of separa- The convention will celebrate the Two optional group meals are of- er will also entertain at the piano and tion of state and church and women’s 65th anniversary of the landmark Mc- fered, the Saturday Non-Prayer Break- fast and the banquet dinner. Friday dinner and Saturday lunch are on your Freedom From Religion Foundation own. The membership and Board of Director meetings take place Sunday 36th Annual National Convention morning (just to be sacrilegious), ad- journing by noon. Sept. 27–29, 2013 Plan ahead and book now to avoid Concourse Hotel disappointment! Register online: 1 W. Dayton St. ffrf.org/outreach/convention No. registering Madison, Wisconsin Menu _____ FFRF Member registration(s) @ $65 per person ...... $_____ The Saturday Non-Prayer Breakfast _____ Non-member spouse or companion accompanying member @ $70 .. $_____ is the plated Classic Breakfast: scram- _____ Non-member registration(s) @ $110 ...... $_____ bled eggs with roasted breakfast pota- (or join for $40, save $5!) toes, bacon, seasonal fruit cup, juice, _____ Student registration(s) @ $25 ...... $_____ coffee and tea and chef’s pastry basket. Vegetarian option is broiled tomato in- _____ Saturday Non-Prayer Breakfast @ $20* per person ...... $_____ stead of bacon. Vegan and gluten-free ____ Classic ____ Classic Vegetarian ____Vegan/gluten-free will receive chef’s choice version. The _____ Saturday Night Dinner @ $45* per person ...... $_____ cost is $20, including 20% gratuity and ____ Chicken ____ Salmon ____ Vegetarian ____ Vegan 5.5% sales tax. If gluten-free, please specify. The Saturday Banquet Dinner will be a choice of traditional breast of tur- * Meal prices include 20% gratuity and 5.5% sales tax Total enclosed $______key, salmon or seasonal ravioli. The turkey is accompanied by andouille Make checks payable to “FFRF” or register online: ffrf.org/outreach/convention corn bread stuffing, whipped potatoes, cranberry relish and smoked apple- FFRF Attn: Convention P.O. Box 750 Madison WI 53701 giblet gravy. The vegetarian ravioli is filled with sautéed squash. The atlantic salmon Name(s) Please include names of all registrants for nametags (farmed) includes roasted red pota- toes with asiago, and lemon-creamed spinach. Address Entrées include fresh bakery breads, coffee and hot and iced tea, garden greens and chocolate roulade cake. City/State/Zip Phone/e-mail (in case we have a question about your registration) Saturday dinner is $35, including gra- tuity and tax.