Winning law Reproductive Secularism doesn’t student essays rights are critical destroy society published human rights or moral order PAGES 10-14 PAGES 15-17 PAGE 23

Vol. 36 No. 10 Published by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. December 2019 ‘IM GOD’ Court OKs license plate A federal court on Nov. 13 cleared the way for a Kentucky man, backed by the Freedom From Religion Foundation and the ACLU of Kentucky, to obtain a personalized license plate reading “IM GOD.” In November 2016, FFRF Member Ben Hart filed a lawsuit after he was denied the personalized license plate. Kentucky Division of Motor Vehicle officials, who have approved several religious personalized plates, refused Hart’s request, initially calling his “IM GOD” license plate message “obscene or vulgar.” Later, the state said the plate was rejected because it was “not in good taste.” While residing in Ohio, Hart had a similar license plate (pictured below). The lawsuit, filed on Hart’s behalf by FFRF and ACLU of Kentucky, challenged the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s denial of his plate based on statutory viewpoint restrictions that govern religious, anti-religious or political messages. “The Commonwealth [of Kentucky] went too far,” the U.S. District Court for the Eastern Court of Ken- Cartoon by Steve Benson I’m thankful to finally tucky resoundingly For all we do, this wall’s for you (and everyone) have the same opportunity ruled in favor of Hart. “ “To allow such plates The Freedom From Religion Foundation is proud to help in the fight to keep strong the wall to select a personal message as ‘IM4GOD’ and ‘LU- of separation between state and church. And it’s because of you, our members, that we can for my license plate just VGOD’ but reject ‘IM make a difference, brick by brick, day by day. FFRF wishes you a happy Winter Solstice and a as any other driver. GOD’ belies viewpoint prosperous new year! — Ben Hart neutrality,” the court stated. “Regardless, the court concludes that in this case, [the statute governing such license plates] is an unrea- Charity rating group: FFRF is tops sonable and therefore impermissible restriction on Mr. Hart’s The country’s premier nonprofit charity score. “Less than 1 percent of the thousands of First Amendment rights.” rating organization has just attested that the charities rated by Charity Navigator have earned FFRF celebrated the ruling. Freedom From Religion Foundation belongs to perfect scores,” says the organization’s website. “As the court affirmed, the denial of Ben Hart’s choice an amazingly exclusive club. FFRF is, in fact, only one of three charities in of a license plate was pure discrimination,” says FFRF Co- “We are proud to announce Freedom From the human and civil rights category with a 100 President Annie Laurie Gaylor. “We are delighted that the court Religion Foundation has earned our 10th con- percent rating. realized the bias the state of Kentucky was displaying toward secutive four-star rating,” Charity Navigator Even in comparison with other reputable nonbelievers.” President and CEO Michael Thatcher recently charities, FFRF emerges ahead. For instance, The ACLU of Kentucky also welcomed the judgment. informed FFRF in a letter. “Only 2 percent of it has a better score than either the National “Today’s ruling makes clear that Mr. Hart’s personalized the charities we evaluate have received at least Coalition Against Domestic Violence or the plate request was denied based on reasons that violate the First 10 consecutive four-star evaluations, indicating Electronic Privacy Information Center, both Amendment of the United States Constitution. In light of the that Freedom From Religion Foundation out- highly regarded nonprofits. court’s ruling, we expect the Transportation Cabinet’s license performs most other charities in America. This FFRF is elated at this mark of confidence. See Plate on page 7 exceptional designation from Charity Navigator “We consider ourselves responsible stewards sets Freedom From Religion Foundation apart of our members’ money, and we’re delighted from its peers and demonstrates to the public that Charity Navigator has confirmed that,” says its trustworthiness.” FFRF Co-President Dan Barker. “It’s affirming That’s not all. Charity Navigator has placed to have this assurance for our supporters about FFRF in the tiny fraction of charities attaining how careful FFRF is in utilizing their contribu- a 100 percent accountability and transparency tions for important work.” FFRF saves Wis. county $50K a year Racine County defunds contacted the county to raise constitutional concerns about the funding and to ask for all Christian youth group relevant records pertaining to the religious Racine County in Wisconsin has nixed its boondoggle. funding of a Christian youth group after the In its initial response to FFRF, the county Freedom From Religion Foundation objected defended its funding of Youth For Christ to taxpayer money going to an unambiguously because it stated that “Racine County believes sectarian organization. in a comprehensive and holistic approach Racine County had been bestowing its largesse to rehabilitation and knows that individual Ben Hart shows off his Ohio “IM GOD” license plate. When he on a group called Youth For Christ since 2013 success is based upon all seven dimensions moved to Kentucky, the state would not allow him to use that to the tune of tens of thousands of dollars each of wellness — spiritual wellness being one of phrase because it was deemed “obscene or vulgar.” But on Nov. 13, year ($100,000 from 2013 to 2016 and $50,000 a federal court ruled that the state “went too far” in censoring him. per year since then). In July of this year, FFRF See County on page 7 Page 2 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | December 2019

FFRF’s signs of the season IN MEMORIAM Suzan Barker was an Unfettered Freethinker FFRF Mem- assistant. ber Suzan Palmer According to her obituary in the Shel- Barker, 71, died ton-Mason County Journal, “She was en- on Oct. 7 by sui- amored with cats, and was the proverbial cide because of ‘cat lady,’ once having 39 in her own per- her depression. sonal ‘no-kill sanctuary.’” She was down to She was born three cats at the time of her death. Nov. 18, 1947, to She loved reading because it “satisfied John Morris and her insatiable curiosities.” The obit Imogene Davis continued, “A fiercely loyal woman to in Oklahoma. her husband and family, she was known Suzan Barker Suzan was mar- to often say ‘at the end of the day, it’s all ried to Darrell about family!’” Barker, brother of FFRF Co-President Suzan was a lifelong atheist and a liberal Photo by Chris Line Dan Barker, for 29 years. She lived Democrat, a member of FFRF, Unfettered FFRF’s annual Winter Solstice exhibit is up in the Wisconsin Capitol in in Shelton, Wash., for the past 10 Freethinkers of South Sound and Olympia Madison for the 24th year. The gilt sign contains a secular note, composed years. She worked as a certified nurse Sunday Assembly. by the late Anne Nicol Gaylor, FFRF’s principal founder, and reads: “At this season of the Winter Solstice, may reason prevail. There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world. Religion is but myth and superstition that Teacher, author, farmer hardens hearts and enslaves minds.” And, for the fifth year, FFRF has included its Bill of Rights “nativity” in the Capitol rotunda. The irreverent cutout by artist Jacob Fortin depicts Charles Dedic dies at 83 Founders Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and George Washington FFRF Member in 1962. He taught high school English gazing in adoration at a “baby” Bill of Rights while the Statue of Liberty Charles Edward and journalism in Newberry and Escana- looks on. Both exhibits are up throughout December. Dedic died on ba, Mich., for more than 30 years, retiring FFRF Legal Fellows Brendan Johnson, left, and Dante Harootunian helped Oct. 19 at the age in 1990. During his entire working career, place the signs in the Capitol, along with FFRF Legal Assistant Whitney of 83. he also operated a family dairy farm. Steffen and Staff Attorney Chris Line. He was born Charles enjoyed writing, hunting, fish- Dec. 20, 1935, in ing, and playing the card game sheeps- Perkins, Mich., on head. He self-published eight books, the farm where many detailed biographical and historical he lived most of short stories, mostly nonfiction. his life. He served Charles is survived by five chil- Charles Dedic on active duty in dren, five grandchildren and nine the Army from great-grandchildren. 1954 to 1957. Af- He was preceded in death by his wife ter returning from the Army, he attended Annette (Engman) Dedic and his daugh- Northern Michigan University, graduating ter, Kimberly (Danny) Long. Steve Hoffman dies at 70 Former FFRF Member Steven Gary Hoffman died May 6. He was born Jan. 7, 1949. His online obituary was short: “Steve made this world a better place. It is a huge loss that he is no longer with us. He has been described by many as a gentle, smart, FFRF is honoring the Bill of Rights in the Granite State this holiday season. witty, loving man, passionate about social justice and For the second year in a row, FFRF members have set up a freethinking philanthropy. He lived in Seattle for 35 years but was holiday display in New Hampshire’s capital. The exhibit, erected outside the originally from Long Island, N.Y.” He is survived by his Capitol building in Concord, is FFRF’s 6-foot-tall Bill of Rights “nativity.” Steve Hoffman partner Judy Blank of California. Many of FFRF’s other chapters and members are also placing unholy holiday signs and banners on public property (although not in time for this issue). They will appear in the January/February issue. Freethought Today caption contest winner!

Congratulations to Jerry Levasseur of Ohio for winning FFRF’s caption contest from the November issue. For his winning essay, he wins an Published by Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. FFRF T-shirt. The winning caption is: Separation P.O. Box 750 Madison WI 53701 of Church and Taste. [email protected] FFRF.org Top runners-up include: Santa & P 608.256.8900 F 608.204.0422 Uncle Sam: “Please, Mary, just call him an Immaculate Conception and EDITOR PJ Slinger [email protected] don’t ask for DNA tests.” — Joan EDITOR EMERITUS Bill Dunn Hendricks of Wisconsin. EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER Annie Laurie Gaylor Nativity Naiveté — David Lofvers of New York. GRAPHIC DESIGNER Roger Daleiden of Florida. Which one of you is the baby COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Amit Pal Ho Ho Holy Crap! — Diana daddy? — Kathy Hudson of Florida. CONTRIBUTORS Waddell of Colorado. Thanks to all who participated. Let us pray that no one catches If you’ve taken any photos that you Steve Benson, James Haught, Ingrid Laas, Chris Line, Erin Louis, Bailey on to the fact that we are ALL imag- think would be good for this contest, Nachreiner-Mackesey, Nancy Northup, Jake Swenson, Helen Wolfson inary characters! — James Perine please email them to [email protected]. The only freethought newspaper in the United States December 2019 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 3 Everyone’s a skeptic about claims of others

Waco and Appalachian serpent-handlers. I assume that everyone reading this rejects each of those sacred, divine, reli- gious beliefs — beliefs that have been holy to many followers. Moreover, if the same questions were put to almost any church congregation, a similar reaction would occur. Believers generally think that other people’s gods and miracles are bogus, but their own gods and miracles are genuine. By James A. Haught So, everyone is a skeptic, at least about sa- cred claims that are alien to them. re you a religious believer or a Now, let’s get to the bottom line: The doubter? Let’s find out. I’ll cite heart of religion is worship of supernatural Asome sacred, holy, divine, religious invisible spirits, plus belief in an afterlife in tenets, and you decide if you believe them. supernatural invisible heavens. Priests call • Aztec priests sacrificed about 20,000 these dogmas the great religious “truths.” people a year to many gods, including an Do you think spirits and heavens really ex- invisible feathered serpent. Do you think ist? Or are you a skeptic? an invisible feathered serpent wanted Some educated modern theologians human lives offered to it? Or are you a blow a smokescreen around church skeptic? creeds, contending that they’re merely • Muslim suicide volunteers who flew symbolic, not literal. They say God actually airliners into the World Trade Center and is the unknown force of the universe. Well, the Pentagon left behind a testament say- Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Jesus will descend from the sky with an army of I don’t know what caused the Big Bang ing they were martyrs for Allah and would angels to battle Satan and his army of demons. and put awesome power inside atoms — go instantly to the “women of paradise.” but I don’t assume that I should worship it. Do you think the 9/11 terrorists are now you believe it? Or are you a skeptic? millions — of women into confessing that Or theologians say that God actually in heaven with beautiful female nymphs? • Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that, they flew through the sky, changed into an- is the innate affection residing inside hu- Or are you a doubter? any day now, Jesus will descend from the imals, copulated with Satan, and the like. man hearts: God is love. I’m glad that hu- • Mormons teach that Jesus came to sky with an army of angels, and Satan Then the confessors were executed under mans have more kindness than sharks and America after his resurrection? Do you will emerge from the ground with an the bible’s command that “Thou shalt not rattlesnakes and cheetahs and hawks do, agree? Or are you a skeptic? army of demons, and they will fight the suffer a witch to live.” Do you think the but I figure it stems from psychology that • Time after time, Catholic throngs re- Battle of Armageddon, which will kill church was right to obey this sacred scrip- evolved through eons. The smokescreen port seeing apparitions of the Virgin Mary most of humanity. Do you agree? Or are ture? Or are you a doubter? obscures the clear, plain words of creeds. (although she never appears to Jews, Mus- you a doubter? • Ancient Phoenicians sacrificed little I don’t think Jesus was talking about atom lims or Protestants). Do you think a divine • A central belief of Catholicism is that boys to Adonis — and ancient Canaan- power or human goodness when he told Virgin Mary makes herself visible occasion- when bells are rung and prayers are chant- ites sacrificed children to Moloch. Do you followers to pray to “our Father, which art ally to Catholics? Or do you doubt it? ed, the communion host wafer magically think an invisible Adonis and Moloch want in Heaven.” • In ancient Greece, even at the time turns into the actual flesh of Jesus, and the children killed in their behalf? Or are you Occasionally, an erudite believer tells of the great philosophers, priests sacri- communion wine miraculously becomes a skeptic? me: You’re too literal-minded. Church ficed thousands of sheep, goats, pigs, dogs, his physical blood. Do you believe this • Tibet’s Buddhists believe that when members don’t really believe in gods, horses, bulls and other animals to gods on Doctrine of Transubstantiation? Or are an old Lama dies, his spirit enters a baby devils, heavens, hells, angels, miracles Mount Olympus. Do you think a moun- you a skeptic? boy just being born somewhere. The faith and all that magic. Creeds and scriptures taintop Pantheon wanted animals killed? • The bible says that everyone who remains leaderless for several years, until are just allegorical, never meant to be Or are you a doubter? works on the Sabbath must be put to searchers find the boy who received the taken literally. But this approach boggles • Today, Florida’s Santeria worshippers death. Do you think Sunday workers old Lama’s spirit and reinstall him as the me. Why would people say one thing but sacrifice dogs, goats, chickens, etc., and should be killed? Or do you doubt this old Lama in a new body. Do you believe mean something else? Why would bil- toss their bodies into waterways. A Miami holy scripture? that dying Lamas fly into new bodies? Or lions subscribe to faith, knowing that it police water patrol fishes out the corpses. • Millions of American Pentecostals are you a doubter? isn’t factually true? Do you think Santeria gods want animals spout the “unknown tongue,” which • Evangelist Pat Robertson said his A final point: Logic proves clearly killed? Or are you a skeptic? they contend is the Holy Ghost speaking prayers deflected a hurricane from his that there cannot be a loving, merciful, • Millions of Hindus pray over the linga, through them. Do you think the third headquarters at Virginia Beach, and powerful, fatherly creator as espoused by a stylized model of Shiva’s erect penis. Do member of the Trinity makes these noises? faith-healer Oral Roberts said a 900-foot- most churches. If an “intelligent design- you think an invisible Shiva wants his phal- Or are you a skeptic? tall Jesus appeared before him. Do you er” made everything in the universe, he lus venerated? Or are you a doubter? • Scientologists say that each person has believe these reports by holy men? Or are devised breast cancer for women, leuke- • The Unification Church preaches a soul that is a “Thetan” that came from you a skeptic? mia for children, Down syndrome and all that Jesus visited Master Moon and told another planet millions of years ago. Do I could go on — through the Hare the other horrible diseases. He devised him to convert all people as “Moonies.” Do you believe this religious doctrine? Or do Krishnas who chant to Lord Krishna to earthquakes, tornados, tsunamis and you doubt it? the Supreme Truth members who plant- similar killers — including the future star • In China in the 1850s, a Christian con- ed nerve gas in Tokyo’s subway to the Fla- death that will incinerate Earth. He de- vert said God appeared to him, told him gellants, who whipped themselves bloody signed owls to rip rabbits apart, and boa ‘IN REASON WE TRUST’ he was a divine younger brother of Jesus, in an attempt to soften divine wrath, to constrictors to crush pigs, and spiders and ordered him to “destroy demons.” He the Swami Rajneesh followers who put to trap flies. No human would be cruel Self inking stamp launched the Taiping Rebellion, which salmonella germs in Oregon salad bars enough to invent all these horrors. If a killed an estimated 20 million people. Do to the Millerites, who waited on moun- god did it, he’s a fiend, not a loving, mer- you think the insurrection leader really taintops for the end of the world, to the ciful, all-powerful father. was a deity? Or are you a skeptic? Thugs, who strangled victims for the god- In philosophy, this is called the Problem • During the witch hunts, inquisitor dess Kali, to the “channelers” who spout of Evil. It first was articulated by Epicurus, priests tortured thousands — perhaps voices of the dead, to Jonestown and who wrote: “Either God wants to abolish evil, and cannot — or he can, but does not want to. If he wants to, but cannot, he is impotent. If he can, but does not want to, Freedom from Religion Foundation he is wicked. If, as they say, God can abolish evil and God really wants to do it, why is P.O. Box 750 • Madison, WI 53701 • (608) 256-8900 • FFRF.org there evil in the world?” What is the Freedom From Religion Foundation? The Problem of Evil doesn’t disprove 006980 Founded in 1978 as a national organization of freethinkers (atheists and the existence of a hateful, vicious God — Carefully crafted to stamp out agnostics), the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc., works to keep state but it disproves the kindly omnipotent cre- and church separate and to educate the public about the views of nontheists. ‘god’ on U.S. currency. Good ator proclaimed by churches. FFRF has more than 30,000 members. FFRF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and for up to 2000 impressions. So, it’s obvious that everyone on Earth donations are tax deductible for income tax purposes. is a skeptic, even though billions of people $18 postpaid — Item#ST01 FFRF’s email address is [email protected]. Please include your name and physical worship daily, and it’s obvious there can’t mailing address with all email correspondence. be a loving creator. Call 800/335-4021 FFRF members wishing to receive online news releases, “action alerts” and James Haught is editor emeritus of West Online ffrf.org/shop “Freethought of the Day” should contact [email protected]. Virginia’s largest newspaper, The Charleston Gazette. Page 4 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | December 2019 OVERHEARD

A sincere religious belief against vacci- Church was never part of our relation- HEADS UP nation should have the same weight as ship. And we found that we really en- a sincere belief in whatever Jenny Mc- joyed our friends’ weddings not held in A Poetry Column By Philip Appleman Carthy says. Discrimination bolstered by churches. New Year’s Resolution bible verses is just like the regular kind. Janet Belland, in the article by Jean Hop- And when those beliefs conflict with laws fensperger, “Weddings a less religious Well, I did it again, bringing in that protect other people’s health or civil affair.” According to The Knot, a nation- that infant Purity across the land, rights, the believer shouldn’t get to wave al wedding planning website, religious welcoming Innocence with gin a magic wand to make the law disappear. institutions hosted only 22 percent of Kate Cohn, in her op-ed, “What’s so spe- weddings in 2017, which is down from 41 in New York, waiting up cial about ‘religious belief’?” percent in 2009. to help Chicago, Washington Post, 10-6-19 Minneapolis Star Tribune, 6-29-19 Denver, L.A., Fairbanks, Hon- olulu—and now Knowledge is always power. If you’re As long as evangelicals continue to install the high school bands are alienating Dallas, afraid to take a course because you’re and celebrate religious bigotry in power and girls in gold and tangerine worried it’ll change your beliefs, that’s out of fear, portraying all nonbelievers not a very good sign. as threats coming to get them, things are have lost all touch with Pasadena, Nadia Muraweh, outreach director for going to get much, much, worse. and young men with muscles and missing teeth the Muslim Students Association of Ari- Tyler Broker, in his article, “A religious are dreaming of personal fouls, zona State University, on some students bigot in power plays the victim,” regard- and it’s all beginning again, just like not wanting to take courses on religion. ing Attorney General William Barr’s those other Januaries in The State Press, 10-4-19 statements about religion and secular- instant replay. ism. (See page 23.) Consider for a moment how inappro- Above the Law, 11-5-19 priate it is for But I’ve had enough [William] Barr, It is, simply, bigotry enshrined in law; of turning to look back, the old of all people, to cruelty written into statute. Church post-morteming of defeat: have given such a and state are currently the very oppo- people I loved but didn’t touch, speech. The Con- site of separated; they are dancing a friends I haven’t seen for years, stitution guar- delirious tango, with LGBTQ rights antees freedom trampled underfoot. . . . This is the strangers who smiled but didn’t speak—failures, of religion; the new way of expressing anti-LGBTQ failures. No, nation’s chief law prejudice. Without explicitly stating I refuse to leave it at that, because enforcement of- that you hate LGBTQ people, or wish somewhere, off camera, ficer has no busi- to deny them equality, you can say that January is coming like Venus CC BY-SA 3.0 ness denouncing you’re upholding your religious liber- up from the murk of December, re- Paul Krugman those who exer- ty or freedom instead. cise that freedom Tim Teeman, in his column “Let’s call virginized, as innocent by choosing not to endorse any religion. ‘religious freedom’ by its real name: of loss as any dawn. Resolved: this year Columnist Paul Krugman in his article, poisonous, anti-LGBTQ bigotry.” I’m going to break my losing streak, “God Is Now Trump’s Co-Conspirator,” Daily Beast, 11-5-19 I’m going to stay alert, reach out, writing about how, in a speech, Attorney speak when not spoken to, General William Barr denounced “the If nothing else, government-sponsored read the minds of people in the streets. threat to America posed by ‘militant secu- Christianity creates a caste system based larists,’” whom he accused of conspiring on religion. For the government to align I’m going to practice every day, to destroy the “traditional moral order,” itself with one and only one religion is to stay in training, and be moderate blaming them for rising mental illness, send a message that (a) there is one true in all things. drug dependency and violence. religion and (b) adherence to that reli- All things but love. The New York Times, 10-14-19 gion is the approved way be a true citizen of the polity. All those who do not bow (New and Selected Poems, 1956-1996) It has always struck me as strange that a their heads with the government do not narrative about genocide — Noah and the belong in the same way (or at all). . . . This © Philip Appleman ark — should be employed as a children’s encouragement of Christian nationalism story. As the other boys and girls in Sunday is completely avoidable. There is no need school focused on the cuteness of the res- for government-sponsored Christianity. cued animals, I remember thinking about University of Miami School of Law the mass of humanity desperately clawing student Caroline Mala Corbin, in her Philip Appleman is a Dis­tinguished Pro­fessor to get into Noah’s boat. article “The Supreme Court’s facilitation Emeri­tus at India­ ­na Uni­ver­si­ty. He is editor of Michael Gerson, in his column, “White of white Christian Nationalism.” the Norton Critical Edition of Darwin. He and evangelical Protestants are fully dis- Alabama Law Review, 10-20-19 Photo by Brent Nicastro Brent by Photo his playwright wife, Marjorie Appleman, are robed. And it is an embarrassing sight.” both “After-Life” Members of FFRF. The Washington Post, 10-29-19 I suspect that one of the reasons we’re not hearing much from Democratic op- Other books by him, available at shop.ffrf.org, include Karma, Instead of doing something substantive eratives about dealing with the God gap Dharma, Pudding & Pie and Darwin’s Ark: Poems by Philip Appleman. and helpful, we’re trying to politicize a tree. in this election cycle is because they think Wisconsin Democratic state Rep. Jonathan it matters less and less. Sure, frequent at- Brostoff, commenting on how the Republi- tenders continue to vote Republican, but can-majority Legislature spent time voting there are fewer and fewer of them — and to call the holiday tree in the state Capitol more and more Nones. rotunda a Christmas tree rather than using Mark Silk, in his article “Do the Demo- FFRF welcomes 24 new Life that time to pass gun control bills. crats have a religion problem?” Members, four After-Lifers Washington Post, 11-12-19 Religion News Service, 10-31-19

FFRF would like to thank and wel- as L. Johnson, David C. Kloss, Peter Yip Harburg, come its 24 newest Lifetime Members Larsen, Pam LeMay, Barbara Miller, from his book: Rhymes for the Irreverent and four After-Life Members. Louise S. Montgomery, David Osher, The four new After-Life Members are Edwin Rogers, Patrick Rollins, Melissa Bapu Arekapudi, Kirk L. Jacobson, John Shepherd, Rebecca Vecoli, Lissa Wal- Lopez and Kenneth A. Schmidt. The Af- ter, Lindsay D. Wheeler (gifted by Dr. ‘My religion is to make people laugh.’ ter-Life category is a $5,000 membership Jim H. Wheeler), Dr. Tyler H. Wheeler —Yip Harburg designation for those who want their do- (gifted by Dr. Jim H. Wheeler) and Dan nation to live on after them. C. Yarbrough. Lyricist of ‘Over the Rainbow,’ ‘Paper Moon’ The new $1,000 individual Lifetime States represented are Alaska, Cali- and ‘Brother Can You Spare a Dime?’ Members are Alexander Alexiou, Noral fornia, Colorado, Connecticut, Geor- Baughman, Dr. Fred O. Butler, Dennis gia, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, T. DeDomenico, Dr. James R. Flowers, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Illustrated by Seymour Chwast, published by FFRF Brian S. Fouse, Jon Galehouse, Diane Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Buy it from FFRF online — ffrf.org/shop Eigsti Gerber, Joseph R. Giganti, Thom- Washington and Wisconsin. December 2019 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 5 IN THE NEWS In U.S., decline of even if they’re factually wrong. Ohio House Bill 164, known as the Christianity continues THE ONION POLL Ohio Student Religious Liberties Act, in- In the past decade, the number of The Onion, a satirical news site which has no problem skewering cludes a clause that reads: “Assignment people who describe themselves as religion, has had a weekly “What do you think” poll for decades that asks grades and scores shall be calculated us- Christian has dropped 12 percentage a news-related question. The humorous responses are written by Onion ing ordinary academic standards of sub- points, according to Pew Research Cen- staffers and the “respondents” have made-up names and occupations stance and relevance, including any le- ter polling from 2018 and 2019. (which can be as funny as the responses). Here is a recent poll that gitimate pedagogical concerns, and shall Currently, 65 percent of American caught FFRF’s eye. not penalize or reward a student based adults describe themselves as Christians, on the religious content of their work.” down from 77 percent a decade ago. Poll: Fewer Americans Identifying As Religious That potentially means that students Meanwhile, the religiously unaffiliated The share of Americans who identify as atheist or agnostic has risen can’t be marked down for an answer share of the population, consisting of 9 percent in the past decade in tandem with a 12 percent drop in the that is in line with their religious beliefs, people who describe their religious iden- percentage that identifies as Christians, the Pew Research Center found. even if it contradicts the best science. tity as atheist, agnostic or “nothing in What do you think? The Ohio Senate has a Republican particular,” is at 26 percent, up from 17 majority and the governor is also Repub- percent in 2009. “That means God “I’m tired of fair- “Yeah, I thought I felt lican, so its chances of passage are high. According to the survey, 43 percent of has no choice but to weather believers who God’s omnipotence U.S. adults identify with Protestantism, accept my half-assed jump ship at the first waning the last couple Foreign aid to be based down from 51 percent in 2009. And one- devotion.” sign of a massive child- of years.” on religious freedom? in-five adults (20 percent) are Catholic, Laura Martin molestation cover-up.” Brett Ryder down from 23 percent in 2009. Mean- • Taffy Puller Stephen Sheehan • Culture Enthusiast Aides to President Donald Trump are while, all subsets of the religiously unaf- • Shoe Resoler drafting plans to condition U.S. aid to filiated population (the “Nones”) have other countries on how well they treat seen their numbers swell. Self-described their religious minorities, according to atheists now account for 4 percent of U.S. Rasean Johnson claimed in a 2017 law- In addition, Americans are more likely an exclusive report in Politico. adults, up modestly but significantly from suit that he was demoted in retaliation to say that churches and other houses of The proposal is expected to cover 2 percent in 2009; agnostics make up 5 for complaining that his supervisor Shei- worship currently have too much influ- humanitarian and development as- percent of U.S. adults, up from 3 percent a la Beale pressured him to become more ence in politics (37 percent) rather than sistance and could also be broadened decade ago; and 17 percent of Americans religious and criticized him to others for too little (28 percent). to include American military aid to now describe their religion as “nothing in being a “nonbeliever.” other countries. Politico writes: “If particular,” up from 12 percent in 2009. The lawsuit claims the city and his China leads world in the proposal becomes reality, it could supervisor violated Johnson’s right to percentage of atheists have a major effect on U.S. assistance freedom of religion under Title VII of in a range of places, from Iraq to Viet- Bangladeshi court indicts the federal Civil Rights Act. From World Population Review, the nam. Its mere consideration shows how 8 in publisher’s death Attorneys for the city have agreed to six countries with the highest percentage much the White House prioritizes re- pay $298,000 to Johnson and $267,000 of populations identifying as atheists are, ligious freedom, an emphasis critics A court in Bangladesh indicted eight to his attorneys in the case, Smith Steiner in order: China, Japan, Czech Republic, say is really about galvanizing Trump’s men for the murder of Faisal Abedin Dee- Vanderpool of San Diego. France, Australia and Iceland. evangelical Christian base.” pan, a former publisher of atheist author A key claim in the lawsuit is that city Approximately 40-49 percent of Chi- Avijit Roy’s works. (Roy was hacked to officials retaliated against Johnson for fil- na’s population says that they’re atheists. death in 2015.) ing a grievance in 2015. An investigation Confucianism, which is one of China’s Report: Pence’s office Deepan was found dead in his office in prompted by the grievance determined oldest philosophical systems, is notable for favored Christian groups October 2015. He was killed by members that his complaints about his supervisor its lack of a belief in a deity. of the group Ansar al Islam. Another pub- had merit. In the United States, approximately 10 Over the last two years, political pres- lisher of Roy’s books was also attacked that percent identify as atheists or agnostics, sure, particularly from the office of Vice day, but survived. Survey: Americans want which is an all-time high. Approximately President Mike Pence, had “seeped into Judge Majibur Rahman read out the religion out of politics 40 percent of those atheists/agnostics are aid deliberations and convinced key charges to six of the suspects, who plead- ages 18-29, and 37 percent of them are decision-makers that unless they fell in ed not guilty. Another two remained fugi- Adults in the United States are clear ages 30-49. Millennials and Gen Z are the line, their jobs could be at stake,” ac- tives, and the judge issued arrest warrants in their belief that religious institutions most racially, ethnically and religiously cording to a report by ProPublica. for them. should stay out of politics. Nearly two- diverse generation. Out of the 96 coun- The efforts to influence USAID thirds of Americans in the new Pew Re- tries ranked, the United States ranked funding sparked concern from career search Center survey say churches and oth- 32nd for highest percentage of atheists. officials, who worry the agency risked Religious discrimination er houses of worship should keep out of violating constitutional prohibitions case settled for $565K political matters, while 36 percent say they on favoring one religion over another. should express their views on social and Ohio students’ beliefs They also were concerned that being San Diego is paying out $565,000 in a political questions. And three-quarters of may usurp science facts perceived as favoring Christians could religious discrimination case in which a the public expresses the view that church- worsen Iraq’s sectarian divides. supervisor allegedly urged workers to at- es should not come out in favor of one The Ohio state House of Representa- USAID regulations state that awards tend church, said nonbelievers will “go to candidate over another during elections, tives has passed legislation critics say will “must be free from political interference hell” and said supporters of same-sex mar- in contrast with efforts by President Trump allow public school students to get full or even the appearance of such interfer- riage aren’t “children of God.” to roll back existing legal limits on houses marks on science tests if their answers ence and must be made on the basis of of worship endorsing candidates. reflect “sincerely held religious beliefs,” merit, not on the basis of the religious affiliation of a recipient organization, or lack thereof.” What Is a Freethinker? View daily quotes at ffrf.org/day freethinker n. Televangelist White joins 1 A person who forms opinions Trump administration about religion on the basis of reason, FREETHOUGHT OF THE DAY independently of tradition, authority, Paula White, a “prosperity” televange- or established belief. list based in Florida and personal pastor to President Trump whom he has known “I think organized religion can since 2002, has joined the Trump ad- have a mind-debilitating e ect, ministration in an official capacity. White will work in the Office of Pub- Lead Us Not Into because there is an exclusivity Penn Station — lic Liaison, the official said, which is the Provocative Pieces that can shut you out from being division of the White House overseeing By Anne Gaylor open to the world, to people, and outreach to groups and coalitions or- A must-have for ganizing key parts of the president’s any freethinker, this energy, and love and acceptance.” base. Her role will be to advise the ad- gracefully readable ministration’s Faith and Opportunity book contains Gaylor’s classic writings. Initiative, which Trump established last year by executive order and which aims —Published by FFRF. 80 pages / PB Aaron Rodgers to give religious groups more of a voice Buy it from FFRF online Interview, ESPN The Magazine (2017) in government programs devoted to issues like defending religious liberty ffrf.org/shop © 2019 Freedom From Religion Foundation Photo by Mike Morbeck / CC 2.0 and fighting poverty. Page 6 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | December 2019 FFRF NEWS Wis. DOJ drops chaplaincy program so FFRF drops suit FFRF is pleased to report that the in good standing of a faith group. Yet Wisconsin Department of Justice has they weren’t required to be profes- dropped its unconstitutional chaplain- sional mental health providers, or be cy program and, therefore, FFRF has licensed or otherwise regulated by the dismissed its lawsuit in federal court. Wisconsin Department of Safety and FFRF filed suit a year ago against Professional Services, like other men- then-Wisconsin Attorney General Brad tal health professionals. FFRF noted Schimel, after he announced a state- that atheists and other nonbelievers wide Department of Justice chaplaincy was excluded from serving, and the program staffed by six male ministers, program gave nonreligious DOJ em- all from conservative Christian faiths. ployees no option other than to re- By definition, the program excluded ceive counseling from religious clergy. persons who could provide secular Schimel was subsequently defeat- counseling to DOJ employees, includ- ed by Josh Kaul. The DOJ and Kaul ing atheists and another nonbelievers. recently dropped the chaplaincy pro- Although the chaplaincy itself was gram in favor of what the DOJ terms unpaid, the men were under the di- an “Employee Support Team.” rection of a paid DOJ chaplaincy pro- “We are reassured that the DOJ has gram coordinator, and had received taken FFRF’s concerns seriously, but training and reimbursement at taxpay- we will continue to monitor how EST er expense. Duties included providing is run. If only ministers and religious “spiritual guidance” to DOJ employees counselors fill these positions, we will and their families. continue to pursue this as an establish- The complaint noted that the pro- ment of religion,” said FFRF Co-Presi- gram set up a religious test as a con- dent Annie Laurie Gaylor, who along dition for employment: Chaplains with Co-President Dan Barker, was a had to be ordained or licensed clergy plaintiff in the case. Pastor burns copy of Founding Myth

Oblivious to the disturbing con- strategic response. “Locke may have notations of his act, a pastor on Oct. burned a copy of The Founding Myth, 23 on social media burned a copy but he admitted that he cannot com- of a FFRF attorney’s new book on prehend the basic history and facts Christian Nationalism. in the book.” After Pastor Greg Locke vehe- Seidel’s new book asks a sim- mently denounced FFRF’s freethink- ple question: Did Judeo-Christian ing ad featuring Ron Reagan during principles positively influence the FFRF, others file brief in a Democratic primary debate, Seidel founding of the United States? Se- sent Locke a copy of his book The idel argues that America was not Founding Myth: Why Christian Na- founded on Judeo-Christian prin- religious liberty case tionalism is Un-American for his edi- ciples and that this is a good thing fication. Locke chose to respond to because Judeo-Christian principles, FFRF is weighing in on the most im- In Espinoza v. Montana Department of Seidel’s gesture by especially those portant state/church case — concerning Revenue, the Christian parent plaintiffs denouncing it in central to the governmental funding of religious edu- are claiming they have a right, under an ignorant video Locke fails to Christian Nation- cation — before the U.S. Supreme Court the free exercise of religion clause of rant (“there is no understand something alist identity, are this term. the First Amendment, to raid state mon- history of America “ thoroughly op- that FDR explained some In its concise 18-page friend-of-the- ey to send students to Christian schools. without God,” he posed to the prin- 80 years ago: ‘Books court brief filed in November, FFRF, FFRF’s brief argues that the plaintiffs opined). He then ciples on which joined by other secular groups, cogently have it backward: “Religious liberty is torched the book cannot be killed by fire.’ the U.S. was built. argues that true religious liberty would imperiled in this case. But this case is in a perhaps inad- — Andrew L. Seidel “Seeing my be imperiled if the court strikes down a not about discrimination; it is about gov- vertent homage to book burned — a provision of Montana’s Constitution that ernment-compelled support of religion. the dystopian clas- book I spent eight prohibits official funding of religious ed- Every Montana citizen has the right to sic Fahrenheit 451. The final shot in years researching and writing — ucation. “If this court . . . invents a consti- not be taxed to fund religion.” The brief his video is that of The Founding Myth brought on an odd mix of feelings,” tutional right for religion to dip into the also asserts, “Religious freedom means burning on the gravel in, presum- adds Seidel. “Certainly, I experi- public purse, state-church relations will that no citizen can be compelled to sub- ably, his driveway. enced the revulsion and horror any be altered drastically,” FFRF warns. sidize a religion that is not their own. FFRF is appalled but not com- thinking person has when witness- The case involves a neo-voucher law If this court abandons this basic prin- pletely surprised at Locke’s over-the- ing a book burning, but I’ll also ad- passed by the Montana Legislature to ciple, we will have reached a disastrous top act. mit to a touch of pride. I set out to provide a dollar-for-dollar tax cred- moment in American history: the era of “Locke fails to understand some- write a book that destroys the Chris- it, up to $150, for donors supporting government-compelled tithing.” thing that FDR explained some 80 tian Nationalist identity, and this scholarships for private schools. Near- years ago: ‘Books cannot be killed by Christian Nationalist recognized the ly 90 percent of Montana’s private fire,’” says Seidel, FFRF’s director of threat . . . without even reading it.” schools promote a religion. The Mon- Just Pretend: A Book For tana Department of Revenue, invoking Young Freethinkers Montana’s constitutional prohibition on funding religion, later issued an ad- By Dan Barker Illustrated Woe to the Women: ministrative rule restricting tax credit by Kati Treu American Infidel: Robert G. Ingersoll The Bible Tells Me So eligibility for scholarships to nonreli- Revised and By Orvin Larson By Annie Laurie Gaylor gious private schools. Three Christian adorably illustrated classic. Prof. Larson writes A concise, easy-to-read parents, represented by the pro-vouch- book that will challenge er Institute for Justice, sued. The Mon- This fun book with affection and explores myths respect of this your concept of the tana Supreme Court in late 2018 ruled and religion from a freethought point illustrious 19th bible as “a good book.” Illustrated. against the parents, invalidating the of view, and promotes critical thinking. century freethinker. entire tax credit scholarship program Color Edition! Published by FFRF —Published by FFRF. 264 pages / HB and ruling that the “no aid” provision —Published by FFRF. 316 pages / PB in the state constitution disallows di- Buy it from FFRF online Buy it from FFRF online Buy it from FFRF online rect or indirect payments for sectarian ffrf.org/shop ffrf.org/shop ffrf.org/shop education. December 2019 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 7 FFRF: Don’t ban abortion in Wisconsin FFRF, based in Madison, Wis., is calling has been detected), and Alabama has on the Wisconsin Legislature to finally passed an outright ban. State legislators in overturn the state’s archaic 170-year-old Tennessee, Pennsylvania and South Caro- statute criminalizing abortion. lina are currently advancing bans on abor- The 1849 law could go into immedi- tion after six weeks of pregnancy. ate effect should the U.S. Supreme Court FFRF says that it’s long overdue for overturn Roe v. Wade or if it decides to Wisconsin citizens to demand the imme- throw the decision-making on abortion diate repeal of Wisconsin’s shameful crim- rights to state legislatures. inal abortion law. The only opposition In November, FFRF placed a month- to abortion rights is religious in nature, long message on a 12-by-25-foot billboard FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor in Madison about five blocks from the Wis- points out, which makes “abortion a state/ consin Capitol. The dramatic billboard church issue.” bears a Handmaid’s Tale-esque likeness of FFRF started in Madison in the late a woman holding a “Help” sign, drawn 1970s, after the experience of FFRF’s by Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Steve principal founder, Anne Nicol Gaylor, in Benson. The billboard urges, “Don’t let it crusading for abortion and contracep- happen here.” It adds: “Pass Wisconsin’s Photo by Chris Line tive rights, which opened the eyes of the Abortion Access Protection Act now.” A billboard placed by FFRF at the corner of West Washington Avenue and Park Street mother/daughter duo to the dangers of State Rep. Lisa Subeck and state Sen. in Madison, Wis., calls for protection of abortion rights in Wisconsin. religious control of government. Fred Risser have introduced this act in “We realized that the battle for wom- the Legislature, but no further action has retained recklessly outdated statutes on nedy, anti-abortion legislatures are rush- en’s rights would never end, unless we got been taken on it so far. Wisconsin physi- the books also criminalizing abortion. ing to pass as many restrictions as possible at the root cause of the denial of those cians who perform abortions would go to With the addition of Brett Kavanaugh to overturn Roe v. Wade. This year alone, rights — which is the unwarranted influ- prison for up to six years under the crimi- to the Supreme Court, replacing the pro- eight states have passed bans based on ges- ence of religion over our laws and social nal statute. At least eight other states have choice swing voter Justice Anthony Ken- tational age (often before the pregnancy policy,” says Gaylor. Capitol tree FFRF blasts Wis. Bible Week resolution The Wisconsin Assembly voted Nov. corporal punishment of children. 12 to recognize Thanksgiving week as Dedicating a week to the bible direct- should be for National Bible Week in Wisconsin. ly endorses Christianity over other reli- Imagine the uproar were the Legisla- gions, thereby telling non-Christian citi- everyone ture to promote “National Quran Week zens we are second-class citizens for being in Wisconsin.” It is equally wrong for leg- the “wrong” religion. Legislators need to The Wisconsin State Assembly, by a islators to promote their own religion’s catch up with the changing demograph- vote of 64-30, adopted a resolution Nov. 12 so-called sacred text. ics. Pew recently announced that fully 26 declaring the decorated tree in the Cap- It’s a fundamental American principle percent of adult Americans are “atheists, itol rotunda be called a “Wisconsin State that the government may not take sides agnostics or no particular religion.” The Christmas tree.” The same resolution was over religion. last census in Dane County, Wis., where passed by the Assembly in 2007, but died Unfortunately, over the years, theo- Madison is located, puts the nonreligious in the Senate. crats have opportunistically picked the at 54 percent — more than half the pop- Obviously, calling it a “Christmas” tree period around Thanksgiving as a time to ulation. pins the decoration to one religion’s ho- demand that government adopt religious The resolution’s sponsors are free as liest day. Labeling it a holiday tree, which resolutions. private citizens to celebrate a week pro- it was called since 1985 until 2010, sig- The bible these legislators seek to moting the bible. They are not free to nals inclusion. Former Gov. Scott Walker Photo by Corey Coyle / CC3.0 place on a pedestal promotes conduct misuse their civil authority to sanction broke with tradition by piously dubbing The Wisconsin State Assembly voted to that modern society would be appalled the bible or any other religious text. The it a “Christmas” tree. Current Gov. Tony rename the Capitol rotunda holiday tree at. It condemns to death blasphem- resolution’s sponsors should open up Evers decided that it should go back to be- a “Christmas” tree. ers, apostates, gays — even “stubborn the Wisconsin Constitution, and remind ing called a holiday tree. sons” and women who are not virgins themselves that Article 1, Section 18 Kudos to the governor for also call- ence class. They don’t realize that the real on their wedding night. It says women forbids them from interfering with the ing for a “Celebrate Science” decoration reason for the season is the astronomical are only worth two-thirds of men and “rights of conscience” or showing “any theme. Students are invited to make the event known as the Winter Solstice — the reviles them as “unclean.” It sanctions preference . . . by law to any religious es- ornaments, so Evers deserves praise for shortest, darkest day of the year, celebrating slavery, rape in wartime, and the severe tablishments or modes of worship.” turning this into an educational moment. for millennia in the Northern Hemisphere In recent years under Walker, cut-out man- with festivals of light, tree decorating, yule ger scenes had even turned up at the tree. logs, gift exchanges and other festivities. Plate The legislators piously voting for this They should go back to history class, Continued from page 1 resolution should themselves go back to sci- too. The Puritans actually banned the ob- servance of Christmas Day, knowing full plate review process will respect the same opportunity to select a personal well all the secular trimmings associated First Amendment moving forward,” message for my license plate just as Correction with it had pagan roots. says ACLU of Kentucky Legal Director any other driver,” says Hart. “There is While the Assembly “gotcha” votes may Corey Shapiro. nothing inappropriate about my view In the November issue of Free- seem laughable, there is a darker side to FFRF and ACLU of Kentucky that religious beliefs are subject to thought Today, Neil Heacox’s them. The impetus is clearly Christian member Ben Hart is a Postal Service individual interpretation.” name was misspelled. He was the Nationalist, with legislators misusing their retiree and married to his middle- ACLU of Kentucky Attorneys ninth-place winner of the gradu- civil, secular authority to endorse and school sweetheart. Although raised in Corey Shapiro and Heather Gatnarek ate/“older” student essay contest. promote their own religious views and so- a religious family, he began to question represent Hart alongside Rebecca FFRF apologizes for the mistake. called holy book over other religions, and religion as a child and now identifies Markert, Patrick Elliott and Colin over nonreligion. as an atheist. McNamara of the Freedom From “I’m thankful to finally have the Religion Foundation. Donate to FFRF while you shop! County Continued from page 1

those components.” This response FFRF praises the county’s adherence was unacceptable to FFRF, since it’s to constitutional principles, albeit a tad unconstitutional for Racine County to belatedly. AmazonSmile allows you to support FFRF fund religious activities, even if it was “We commend Racine County’s every time you make a purchase — at no cost to you! describing them as providing “spiritual realization that it wasn’t being a good wellness.” steward of taxpayer funds,” says FFRF Visit smile.amazon.com The county recently seems to have Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor. “The had a change of heart, however. It has tens of thousands of dollars that was and select the Freedom From Religion Foundation finalized its 2020 budget and will not being given away to a Christian group to donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to FFRF. be handing out money to the Christian can now be used for the benefit of all group. Racine County residents.” Page 8 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | December 2019 FFRF VICTORIES

By Bailey Nachreiner-Mackesey Illinois A religious assignment will not be Alabama FFRF saves Wis. town $10K used again in a Barry school following a Auburn City Schools will not allow FFRF has persuaded the city of It is unconstitutional for Fitch- complaint from the FFRF. a teacher to continue promoting bible Fitchburg, Wis., to not give away thou- burg taxpayers to be forced to sup- A concerned Western Community study in her capacity as a school employ- sands of taxpayer dollars to a church port religious events of this sort, School District #12 parent reported to ee, after hearing from FFRF. project with stealth religious goals. FFRF had reminded the city. In a FFRF that their child was assigned to A concerned parent reported that a A concerned Fitchburg resident letter to Mayor Aaron Richardson, read and respond to “10 Truths Middle teacher at Wrights Mill Road Elemen- had contacted FFRF to report that the FFRF Staff Attorney Ryan Jayne had Schoolers Should Know.” This list of tary School was advertising a “Fifth city granted $10,000 to Chapel Valley requested assurances that the city “truths” includes advice, such as “base Grade Bible Study” to students, dis- Church for four local events as part of would terminate any existing con- your identity on the one thing you’ll tributing flyers about the bible study the Healthy Neighborhood Initiative. tracts related to this project with never lose — God’s love,” “God made and using her school email account In its application, the church explic- the church, would not provide reim- you different for a reason, and what to manage communications regarding itly assured the city that these events, bursements for these religious events sets you apart plays into His plan for the bible study. called the Daniel Project, were “NOT that have not already been paid and you,” and “Jesus Christ has 12 followers. FFRF Attorney Chris Line wrote to for religious purposes.” However, the would not award any taxpayer funds Adolph Hitler has millions.” the district’s attorney urging leader- church’s subsequent discussions of to this church in the future. Addi- FFRF Legal Fellow Dante Harootu- ship to ensure that its staff no longer the Daniel Project showed that the tionally, FFRF’s letter noted, the city nian wrote to Superintendent Jessica use their position to promote religious events were, in fact, designed specifi- leadership should have flagged this Funk, requesting that these materials events like bible studies. cally for church members to promote policy violation on its own. be pulled from the curriculum, as it The district’s attorney wrote in re- their religious beliefs to members of FFRF’s diligent sleuthing paid demonstrates an unconstitutional sponse, “It is the policy of Auburn City the community, particularly “peo- dividends for Fitchburg taxpayers. endorsement of religion in a public School to ensure the adherence to ple that would never step foot in a “The city has not issued a re- school. Establishment Clause jurisprudence, church.” The church emphasized imbursement to Chapel Valley Funk sent a letter of response assur- including the refrain of a school or that the purpose of these events was Church for their Healthy Neigh- ing FFRF that “the usage of ‘10 Truths teacher from endorsing religious orga- not merely secular, but was a “strate- borhoods grant and does not plan Middle Schoolers Should Know’ was nizations or groups.” gic” attempt to “pray and minister” to to,” the Fitchburg mayor recently inadvertent, a one-time occurrence, those in attendance. emailed FFRF. was not approved by the district and Alabama the material will not be used in the After FFRF intervened, religious future.” The book has been removed leaders will no longer be allowed to use from the classroom. a mandatory school event in the Fort California that youth pastors or representatives from Payne School District to proselytize to After hearing from FFRF, Santa Clara area churches had regularly been granted Indiana students. County has plans to remove a cross from unsupervised access to Flagstaff Academy The Northwestern School Corpo- A Fort Payne High School parent re- the O’Connor Hospital building. students during their lunch break. The ration in Kokomo took immediate ported that the school hosted a manda- A Santa Clara County resident in- pastors appeared to be operating in as- action to ensure that students’ rights tory camp for marching band members. formed FFRF that the county recently sociation with Young Life, a Christian or- of conscience were being honored in The school solicited volunteers from purchased the hospital building and that ganization whose mission is “introducing its district following an FFRF letter of the community to provide dinner for it still retains a large Latin cross affixed adolescents to Jesus Christ and helping complaint. the students. The complainant report- to the front of the building. The Latin them grow in their faith.” FFRF Attorney A community member reported to ed that the first group to provide a meal cross is apparently left over from when Chris Line wrote to the district’s attorney, FFRF that coaches from Northwestern for students was a local church. Church the building was a Catholic hospital. urging it to discontinue the practice. Middle School led a prayer circle of stu- members were allowed to speak with stu- FFRF Legal Fellow Dante Harootuni- The attorney wrote in an email re- dents from Tipton Middle School and dents during the meal about the church an wrote to Santa Clara County’s Counsel sponse to FFRF that “if the allegations in Northwestern Middle School during a and its facilities in an effort to recruit James Williams informing him that, now the letter are true, the district agrees that football game between the two schools. students to attend. that the building is government-owned, they are not acceptable for any school According to the complainant, all play- FFRF Attorney Chris Line wrote the religious display must come down. within the district, including a charter ers were required to be a part of it. to the district to ensure that future Williams wrote in a letter of response school. As such, the district has direct- FFRF Legal Fellow Dante Harootu- school-sponsored events do not include that the county “has plans to implement ed Flagstaff Academy to investigate the nian pointed out to the district that church members recruiting, proselytiz- a number of updates to the hospital to allegations, cease allowing such practic- it’s illegal for public schools to lead ing or praying with students. reflect the change in ownership, one es if they have occurred, not permit any their teams in prayer, and urged the The district’s attorney sent a response, of which includes removal of the Latin such practice now or in the future, and district to stop all coach involvement informing FFRF that Fort Payne City cross on the front of the building.” update any policies to be consistent with in prayers occurring within any district Schools and the band director recognize the law, so much so that such activities athletic programs. that the church leader should not have California are not permitted at the school.” Superintendent Kristen Bilkey re- been allowed to speak to students at the A Chino Valley Unified public school sponded to FFRF, outlining actions event and “no further similar statements will no longer hold an event inside a local Florida the district has taken to address the by religious leaders were made through- church following an intervention by FFRF. A Christian ministry, FutureNow, will complaint. The director of athletics out the remainder of the band camp, A concerned parent reported to FFRF not be asked back to Nassau County organized a meeting of all North- nor at any other school-sponsored event that each year Chino Hills High School Public School District after it invited stu- western School Corporation coach- since that time.” holds its Senior Awards Night at Inland dents to an event that featured prosely- es “to inform and educate about the Hills Church. The district had apparent- tizing and an altar call. Establishment Clause of the First Arkansas ly contracted with Inland Hills Church All students at Fernandina Beach Amendment.” An Arkansas school district will cease for this purpose and was paying to use High School were instructed to report promoting a religious event after receiv- this space. to the gym during the school day, where ing a letter from FFRF. The use of churches for public school FutureNow led an hour-long assembly. Include FFRF In A concerned Greenwood School programming is inappropriate and un- FutureNow representatives reportedly Your Estate Planning District parent reported that Westwood constitutional, FFRF Attorney Chris discussed drug and alcohol use, bullying Elementary School had been promot- Line pointed out to the district. and abstinence and repeatedly urged ing religious events and speakers on its FFRF asked the district to no longer students to “come back tonight” to the Arrange a bequest in your will official Facebook page, including a “See host school events at churches and in- evening event to “make plans for their or trust, or make the Freedom You at the Pole” event. Photos indicated stead select public facilities for all future lives.” Students were further enticed to From Religion Foundation the that outside religious leaders were par- events. The district’s attorney sent a re- attend the evening event by promises of beneficiary of an insurance ticipating in this event, as well. sponse to FFRF with assurances that the prize giveaways. policy, bank account or IRA. FFRF Attorney Chris Line wrote to event has been moved. In partnership with the ACLU of Superintendent John Ciesla, informing “Be advised that Chino Hills High Florida, FFRF Associate Counsel Eliz- IT’S EASY TO DO! him that “See You at the Pole” is a Chris- School will not hold its 2019-2020 se- abeth Cavell sent a letter to the dis- For related information tian-oriented prayer rally organized nior awards night at the Inland Hills trict urging it to discontinue allowing (or to receive a bequest each year around a bible verse and that Church,” wrote Margaret A. Chidester, a self-proclaimed group of evangelists brochure), please contact: for the public school to endorse involve- the district’s attorney. even one-time access during school ment is unconstitutional. hours to recruit students for a religious Annie Laurie Gaylor The district’s attorney responded, in- Colorado conversion event. at (608) 256-8900 info@ rf.org forming FFRF that district staff will take St. Vrain Valley School District in District Superintendent Kathy Burns appropriate measures to ensure that Longmont has been directed to investi- responded that district leaders, along “neither district personnel nor any third gate a serious pattern of state/church vi- with principals, are reviewing and re- parties other than its students will plan, olations at Flagstaff Academy, a charter vising procedures for future assemblies ro ps initiate, organize, promote or partici- school in the district. and that the district has no plans for Fu- o frhrs pate in such events in the future.” A Flagstaff Academy parent reported tureNow assemblies. December 2019 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 9

Kansas “North Central Area Schools will no Students in Wabaunsee USD 329 Time for a hunger strike longer allow the graduating classes of will no longer be required to wear our high school to include an invoca- school-distributed clothing that fea- tion or benediction,” Wendy Granquist, tures religious iconography, thanks to the school’s business manager, wrote FFRF. in a letter of response to FFRF. “Our A parent reported that Maple Hill middle/high school principal will meet Elementary in Alma was donating with the advisors for the class of 2020 T-shirts depicting a version of the Lat- to inform them of the letter and the in cross by a Christian organization constitutional violation that happened called Thrivent. The complainant re- during graduation 2019.” ported that students were instructed to wear these T-shirts on a field trip North Carolina the next day. The district then posted A religious video has been removed a photo of its students wearing these from the driver’s education curriculum shirts, promoting Christianity and a in the Johnston County School District Christian organization on its official in Four Oaks. Facebook page. A district parent reported that FFRF Attorney Chris Line wrote to a teacher at South Johnston High the district to ensure that the district School played a video that included will no longer allow its staff to promote religious content for students taking and endorse religion by asking stu- a school-sponsored driver’s education dents to wear religious imagery a part class. The video apparently involved an- of school-sponsored activities. Frank Cornella sent us this photo of a marquee in Springfield, Mo. He writes, other teacher in the district discussing District Superintendent Brad “And vice versa?” Christianity and Jesus while telling the Starnes sent a response letter, inform- tragic story of her daughter’s death in ing FFRF that the photo of students an automobile accident. wearing the T-shirts had been taken off ments. The parent also reported that ter of response recognizing the validity FFRF Attorney Chris Line wrote to social media and that district staff were the high school allowed Jon Isaacs, a of FFRF’s state/church concerns. the district’s attorney asking the district notified of their duty to remain neutral pastor with a local Baptist church, spe- “We agree that [secular entities] to remedy this constitutional violation. toward religion. cial access to the football team to lead should have the opportunity to demon- The attorney sent a response assuring players in a pre-scrimmage devotional. strate the risks they face and the need he had looked into the complaint and Kentucky FFRF Legal Fellow Dante Harootu- for state assistance in protecting the fa- talked with the school principal. The The Clinton County School District nian wrote a letter of complaint to the cilities they use,” Deputy Legal Counsel video is subsequently no longer being in Albany has addressed problemat- district’s attorney Larry Bryson urging Christopher Mincher wrote to FFRF. used in class. ic endorsement of religion within its it to promptly correct these violations. “We have therefore expanded the el- schools after receiving a complaint Bryson has informed FFRF in a letter igibility for the grants, now named Oklahoma from FFRF. that the superintendent has discussed ‘Protection Against Hate Crimes,’ to Any future performers invited to FFRF was alerted to the fact that the complaints with the administration. include all nonprofit organizations and Guthrie Public Schools will be specifi- both Clinton County High School and The Ten Commandments displayed communities at risk of such violence.” cally instructed to refrain from prosely- Clinton County Middle School pro- have been removed and the local pas- tizing messages, after getting a warning moted a recent “Bring Your Bible to tor will no longer have access to pray Michigan from FFRF. School Day” on official district social with the football team. The school district in Harper Woods A Guthrie Junior High parent report- media pages. has reaffirmed its district policy regard- ed that the school required students to FFRF Legal Fellow Dante Haroo- Maryland ing religious promotion at staff meet- attend an assembly where they listened tunian wrote to Superintendent Tim The state of Maryland has expanded ings after intervention from FFRF. to a bluegrass band called Pearlgrace & Parson urging the district to avoid fur- eligibility requirements for its Protect- A Chandler Park Academy School Co. The group reportedly played sever- ther Establishment Clause concerns ing Religious Institution Grants to in- District employee reported that district al religious songs and spoke to students by removing these posts from its social clude secular nonprofits. leadership had impermissibly orga- about spreading Christianity. media pages and refrain from posting The state of Maryland had allocated nized and led prayers during staff meet- FFRF Attorney Chris Line wrote to further religious messages to official up to $3 million in state funds to be ings. The complainant reported that Superintendent Michael Simpson, re- school social media pages. paid directly to religious nonprofit or- during the first week of the school year, questing that Guthrie Public Schools Parson sent a letter of response in- ganizations to the exclusion of secular Chandler Park Academy Middle School refrain from sponsoring inappropriate forming FFRF that the posts have been nonprofits. principal Charles Rencher instructed and unconstitutional assemblies in the removed and that “a training has been FFRF Legal Fellow Brendan John- everyone in attendance to bow their future, and that the district ensures no scheduled on Nov. 26, 2019, to train ad- son wrote to the Maryland Governor’s heads and pray to “whichever god we future assemblies from outside groups ministrators and staff on First Amend- Office of Crime Control & Prevention choose” at a mandatory staff breakfast. contain an underlying proselytizing ment rights and schools.” Deputy Director of Grants Mary Abra- FFRF Legal Fellow Dante Harootu- message or agenda. ham pointing out that this program nian wrote to Board of Directors Pres- The district’s attorney informed Kentucky impermissibly excludes nonreligious ident Barbara Wyndler, reminding her FFRF that the district will warn per- Multiple instances of unconstitution- nonprofits and risks funding religious of the district’s obligation to remain formers about any songs or statements al proselytization have been resolved activities. FFRF requested that the pro- neutral toward religion. that contain proselytizing messages, in Jackson County Public Schools in gram be opened to all eligible nonprof- Wyndler informed FFRF that district and that they must only choose songs McKee. its — not just religious entities — and employees have been reminded they that are purely secular in nature. A district parent reported that Jack- that the funding be limited to entirely must adhere to the district’s policy ex- son County High School contained at secular purposes. plicitly forbidding proselytizing at staff Tennessee least two displays of the Ten Command- The office’s legal counsel sent a let- meetings and events. “Staff members Campbell County Schools in Jacks- shall not use prayer, religious readings, boro has discontinued promotion of a or religious symbols as a devotional ex- bible study release time program. Freethought Matters ercise or in an act of worship or celebra- A district resident informed FFRF A weekly half-hour TV talk show produced by FFRF tion,” the policy reads. “The Academy that Jacksboro Middle School has been shall not function as a disseminating impermissibly promoting a bible study An antidote to religion on the airwaves and Sunday morning sermonizing agent for any person or outside agency release time program. According to the Freethought Matters TV Talk Show airs in: for any religious or anti-religious docu- complainant, the school provided all Watch our show Chicago WPWR-CW (Ch. 50) 9:00 a.m. ment, book or article.” students with permission slips for their every Sunday! Denver KWGN-CW (Ch. 2) 7:00 a.m. parents to sign allowing them to partici- Houston KUBE-IND (Ch. 57) 9:00 a.m. Michigan pate in the program, and promoted the Los Angeles KCOP-MY (Ch. 13) 8:30 a.m. North Central Area Schools in Pow- program on the school’s official Face- Madison, Wis. WISC-TV (Ch. 3) 11:00 p.m. ers will no longer allow graduating book page. Minneapolis KSTC-IND (Ch. 45) 9:30 a.m. classes to include an invocation or ben- FFRF Legal Fellow Dante Harootuni- New York City WPIX-IND (Ch. 11) 8:30 a.m. ediction in their graduation programs. an wrote to Campbell County Director Phoenix KASW-CW (Ch. 61) 8:30 a.m. North Central Area Junior/Senior of Schools Jennifer Fields, informing (Ch. 61 or 6 or 1006 for HD) High School reportedly scheduled the district it must cease its involvement Portland, Ore. KRCW-CW (Ch. 32) 9:00 a.m. two prayers at the class of 2019 with the bible study release program, as (703 on Comcast for HD or Ch. 3) Photo by Chris Line graduation ceremony which were it constitutes an unconstitutional gov- Sacramento KQCA-MY (Ch. 58) 8:30 a.m. Visit FFRF’s YouTube Channel both listed in the official program ernment endorsement of religion. to watch the shows. Seattle KONG-IND (Ch. 16) 8:00 a.m. for the event. Legal Fellow Colin Fields responded to FFRF’s con- (Ch. 16 or Ch. 106 on Comcast) McNamara wrote to Superintendent cerns with an email assuring that the Washington, D.C. WDCW-CW (Ch. 50) 8:00 a.m. Bruce Tapio, requesting that the school that posted the permission slip district immediately cease scheduling and release time reminder on its Face- Go to: ffrf.org/freethought-matters for more information prayer at graduation ceremonies and book page “has been asked to remove any other school-sponsored events. the post.” Page 10 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | December 2019 FFRF awards $11,250 Inaugural law students essay contest winners FFRF is proud to announce the six First place winners of the inaugural essay contest for Christina Lowry, 27, William & Mary law school students. Law School, $4,000. Law school students were asked to Second place write up to 1,000 words on the topic of Jessica Gaudette-Reed, 31, University “What’s wrong with religious exemption of Florida Levin College of Law, or refusal laws?” FFRF paid out $11,250 to $3,000. the top six winners of this contest. Third place The FFRF Board has since voted to Nneka Ewulonu, 24, University of make this an annual competition. In the Georgia School of Law, $2,000. future it will be known as the Cornelius Fourth place Vanderbroek Memorial Essay Competition Nicholas Bratsos, 25, University of for Law Students. (See Page 19 for details.) Wisconsin-Madison Law School, $1,000. “We want to start reaching out to and Fifth place rewarding law students interested in Nick Ormes, 24, Indiana University protecting the Establishment Clause of the Maurer School of Law, $750. First Amendment,” says FFRF Co-President Sixth place Annie Laurie Gaylor. Nick Beachy, 23, Harvard Law School, $500.

FIRST PLACE Religious refusal laws in mental health care

FFRF awarded Christina $4,000. adherent’s sincerity is intrusive and fur- bills at issue can cause increased mental ther entangles government with religion. distress for LGBTQ+ individuals. By Christina Lowry And when government grants are not H.B. 4357 and S.B. 85 come at a time withheld from exempted organizations, when the need for mental health care is n recent years, a spate of “religious taxpayer dollars essentially fund discrimi- acute nationwide. The problem is exac- refusal” bills have been considered by nation. This is the case in the second bill, erbated in large rural states. Only four Inational and state legislatures. These S.B. 85, which permits mental healthcare counties in Texas meet a suggested popu- “conscience clauses” have sought to allow providers to refuse to provide treatment, lation-to-psychiatrist ratio. In 95 percent businesses and professionals to operate if doing so violates the provider’s beliefs, of Texas counties, at least one site, and based on sincerely held religious beliefs, and shields them from administrative and often the entire county, is designated a including refusal of service. In the wake state-imposed consequences. shortage area for mental health profes- of the Obergefell v. Hodges and Masterpiece Religious refusal bills rely on a sionals by the federal Health Resources Cakeshop cases, these bills have often ex- free-market assumption that the people and Service Administration. Texas pub- plicitly and implicitly targeted LGBTQ+ denied service may lic school counsel- individuals for this discrimination. simply find an alter- ors oversee nearly Two such bills were introduced in native — S.B. 85 pro- Tasking courts double the recom- the Texas Legislature this spring and tects counselors only with assessing a religious mended number are currently under consideration by as long as the provid- “ of students. There adherent’s sincerity is committees. The first, TX H.B. 4357, er refers the patient simply are too few intrusive and further entangles shields mental health providers from Christina Lowry elsewhere. But such mental health care professional disciplinary action and civil alternatives are not government with religion. providers, which liability for providing counseling based With such a diverse field of needs and always feasible, espe- — Christina Lowry allows them to turn on their sincerely held religious beliefs. treatments, it follows that conversion cially so in the case away patients be- The second, TX S.B. 85, permits mental therapy is far from the only type of re- of these bills. First, cause of religious health providers and counselors to refuse ligiously influenced mental health care health care is starkly different from most beliefs, counter to medical ethics, inhib- to provide any service that would violate that H.B. 4357 could encompass: Imag- consumer goods — denial of a wedding iting patient access to an already scarce, their sincerely held religious beliefs. Both ine a marriage counselor who believes cake may be hurtful, but denial of treat- and desperately needed, resource. have potentially dangerous ramifications divorce is sinful, or a social worker who ment for mental illness can be deadly. Christina, 27, graduated from Washington for LGBTQ+ Texans. believes children should not be raised Second, mental health care is a scarce re- & Lee University in 2014 with a B.A. in Ger- The LGBTQ+ community has long by LGBTQ+ parents. State-sponsored source to begin with. The need for mental man and religion. She commissioned in the U.S. had a fraught relationship with mental addiction counselors already teach that health care is especially pronounced in the Army, serving tours in Korea and Germany be- health care. Until 1973, homosexuality drug use is a moral weakness: Five of the LGBTQ+ communities. LGBTQ+ adults fore returning to Virginia for law school. Chris- was defined by the American Psychiatric 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous men- are more than twice as likely as straight tina is now a third-year student at William & Association as a mental illness. Despite tion God (or a higher “power”). AA’s adults to experience a mental illness, and Mary Law School. She serves as the president efforts by the psychiatric community in reported effectiveness has come under 40 percent of transgender individuals at- of the Military & Veterans Law Society, vice the ensuing decades to end the stigma, scrutiny, with some studies finding less tempt suicide in their lifetime — a stagger- president of the Women’s Law Society, and is a variety of pseudoscientific “conversion than a 10 percent success rate, yet courts ing nine times the rate of the American a graduate research fellow with the Center for therapy” practices abound throughout routinely order AA attendance for drug- population. Ironically, living under dis- Legal and Court Technology. After graduation, the United States. The evidence indicates and alcohol-related offenses. While criminatory religious refusal laws like the she plans to return to the Army as a JAG officer. these practices are at best ineffective, and proponents suggest some faith-based at worst can cause permanent harm. remedies, like AA, are a viable form of Conversion therapy is widely condemned treatment, they should not be confused NOTHING FAILS LIKE PRAYER by the medical establishment. Eighteen with empirically researched and proven states have banned the practice for mi- methods. If health care providers are nors, and a 2015 ruling may pave the not forthcoming with the beliefs and CONTEST 2020 way for adult victims to be recompensed methods underscoring their treatments, through state anti-fraud statutes. But, if patients are left at risk and, under H.B. Our goal is to see secular citizens flood government meetings with enacted, H.B. 4357 would protect Texas 4357, with no recourse when injured. secular invocations that demonstrate why government prayers are conversion therapy providers from such Protecting ineffective and harmful unnecessary, ineff ective, embarrassing, exclusionary, divisive or fraud and malpractice suits, as long as the treatments, solely because the counselor just plain silly. counseling stems from a religious belief providing them does so from religious that homosexuality should be “cured.” conviction, dangerously upends the bal- The individual who gives the best secular invocation will be invited Mental health care is an extensive ance between religious freedom and pa- to open FFRF’s annual convention in 2020, receiving an expenses- field. The Texas legislation covering tient health and safety. This imbalance be- paid trip to San Antonio, Nov. 13-15, 2020, along with a plaque and mental health includes behavior analysts, tween the rights of service providers and an honorarium of $500. Deadline: August 1, 2020. addiction counselors, family therapists, the rights of the public they serve are just marriage counselors, nurses, physicians, one problem inherent in religious refusal MORE INFO AT: sex offender specialists, corrections of- bills. Exemption requests may be based ffrf.org/nothing-fails-like-prayer ficers for the mentally handicapped, on convenience rather than conviction, and social workers in its definitions. yet tasking courts with assessing a religious December 2019 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 11

SECOND PLACE Texas’ dismantling of the wall of separation

FFRF awarded Jessica $3,000. Far from an anomaly, the Free to Be- followed a reliable, deferential standard. lieve Act is one of dozens of religious The court has not yet decided a case By Jessica Gaudette-Reed refusal bills introduced this year. Like regarding religious exemption from its counterparts, the Act precommits generally applicable law for private per- exas House Bill 135 (also known the state of Texas to heightened consid- sons seeking to refuse service based on as the “the Free to Believe Act”) eration of free exercise claims, which by their religious beliefs. In fact, the court’s Tcreates a statutory right to dis- itself is not necessarily an egregious consti- refusal to hear a Washington case that criminate. The bill is broad enough to tutional violation. However, in the forms parallels Masterpiece Cakeshop may point have contemplated all of the recent con- that these religious exemption bills have toward a less generous interpretation of troversies surrounding the tensions be- taken, states are not just expanding the free exercise claims than proponents of tween LGBTQ+ rights and religious lib- rights enjoyed by their citizens so as to religious exemption laws would hope. erty, and it denies the rights of a person lift them from the floor of the Constitu- Equality becomes a precarious idea — to bring a claim against an entity when tion, they are actively passing legislation especially for the religious — when it is “sincerely held religious beliefs” are cit- that enhances protections for some at conditioned on exemption from gener- ed as the reason for refusal of accommo- the cost of abrogating federally recog- ally applicable laws. dation or service. nized protections of others. The most central legal issue with reli- The pending legislation preempts Under even the most generous of gious exemption laws was noted by Justice protections passed in municipalities, analyses, religious exemption laws in Scalia in Employment Division v. Smith, who promotes a singular worldview in which their current forms violate the right to stated in the majority opinion that allow- “marriage is or should be recognized as Jessica Gaudette-Reed privacy, personal autonomy and free- ing exceptions to every state law or regu- the union of one man and one woman; dom of association as recognized in lation affecting religion “would open the and the terms ‘male,’ ‘man,’ ‘female,’ those who make free exercise claims. Roe, Obergefell, Romer and Lawrence. This prospect of constitutionally required ex- and ‘woman’ refer to an individual’s Those most likely to be refused ser- is not their only flaw. Religious exemp- emptions from civic obligations of almost immutable biological sex as objectively vices are members of the LGBTQ+ tion laws, as imagined by these bills, are every conceivable kind.” Much in the determined by anatomy and genetics community, but they are by no means also ahistorical. In the history of reli- same way that the court refused to grant at the time of birth,” and unquestion- the only targets of gious exemption, certiorari for Arlene’s Flowers v. Washington ingly concedes to religiously motivated this legislation. Ob- not even Masterpiece in 2017, the court respected the federal- discrimination in employment, health servers of minority Cakeshop — a case ism issues raised by requests for religious care, and public accommodations. religions, women, A law favoring one heralded by the exemptions based on neutral, generally On its face, the Free to Believe Act homeless persons, “worldview over all others that evangelical right as applicable state law. A law favoring one seems to only disadvantage government intersex persons denies the right to relief for a recognition of the worldview over all others that denies the by preventing its intrusion into religious and children are those who are injured by that supremacy of their right to relief for those who are injured conscience. If it created a statutory plan also in the cross- same law is hardly neutral. worldview despite by that same law is hardly neutral, and to remove the government from the hairs. The bill ex- its narrow, proce- even the conservative court may find endorsement or burdening of religious pands protection — Jessica Gaudette-Reed dural ruling — rec- that these laws violate the Establishment practice, it would strike a balance of rec- for refusals based ognizes the right of Clause. The unqualified deference to in- ognizing the importance of religion to on religious objec- a place of public ac- dividual conscience gives believers per- many while simultaneously protecting tions while directly contracting protec- commodation to discriminate based on mission to violate laws that are central to the rights of those who may be targets tions for others by creating a special their religious beliefs. a just and equitable society. of religious refusal. However, the bill class of persons exempt from following In Supreme Court jurisprudence, re- Jessica, 31, is a third-year law student removes a right of action from private laws of general application. Far from a ligious exemptions have generally been at the University of Florida Levin College persons, thus eliminating a forum for re- precommitment to allow free exercise held to apply only to exemptions from a of Law. She attended Portland State Uni- solving grievances, and raises the level of without fear of governmental interfer- narrow class of civic duties: the draft, mu- versity as an undergrad and got a B.A. in judicial scrutiny a court must use when ence, it is an imposition of a popular nitions manufacturing, unemployment history and an African Studies certificate. adjudicating free exercise violations. belief onto disadvantaged groups. Ac- benefits, mandatory school attendance Prior to attending college, she served in the This has the effect of holding religious cess to scarce public resources — such past eighth grade, and providing contra- U.S. Army. In addition to serving as the conscience at a higher level of scrutiny as sheltering, adoption, medical care — ceptive coverage under a generally appli- editor of the Florida Journal of Interna- than minority rights and requires judi- is conditioned on an individual’s acqui- cable insurance mandate. All of these ex- tional Law, she is chair of the LGBT Bar cial deference in cases brought by other escence to the religious tyranny of the emptions stretched only to the margins Association’s Florida and Puerto Rico Law constitutionally protected classes against majority. of where the state’s interests began and Student Congress.

THIRD PLACE The historic weaponization of religion

FFRF awarded Nneka $2,000. There is a long and storied history Advocates in anti-miscegenation cases of religious freedom being used to relied on Protestant interpretations By Nneka Ewulonu advocate for bigotry. Religion and of religion and race to bolster their biblical interpretations helped prop up claims on society’s natural order. rogress is often conceptualized the institution of slavery. Many white Throughout American history, white as an arrow piercing forward people at the time used Genesis to Christians have weaponized freedom of Pthrough obstacles. In reality, so- show that different races of men were religion to advocate for the continued cial progress in the United States has created separately and unequally; others marginalization of oppressed groups. involved centuries of pushing and pull- used the mention of slavery in the bible American courts have historical- ing. Perceived decreases in societal as evidence of God’s approval of it. ly been slow to protect civil rights, but power are met with resistance. From While abolitionists also used religion to progress has still been achieved at all Jim Crow laws after the end of slavery advance their cause, the prevailing view levels of the court system. With cases to the rise of the tea party after the was that the abolitionists were taking such as Brown v. Board of Education and election of President Obama, those an extremist position on the bible. Loving v. Virginia, the Supreme Court with power tend to tighten their grip in With the abolishment of slavery, these has dragged American society kicking backlash against the marginalized. racist sentiments remained and were and screaming into a more progressive Religion has often been offered, applied to combat racial integration. future. In previous cases, the Supreme at best, as a reason for those in power Segregationists subscribed to the same Court established a test for when the to retain their place in society and, at ideas of black people being inherently government may infringe upon a citi- worse, been used to discriminate against Nneka Ewulonu inferior to white people and argued that zen’s religious liberties. “First, the statute marginalized groups of people. With forced integration violated their sincerely must have a secular legislative purpose; freedom of religion enshrined in the in this country, but so, too, is the right held religious beliefs surrounding race. second, its principal or primary effect First Amendment of the Constitution, to life, liberty and property. Religious While not explicitly stating resistance to must be one that neither advances nor the question of whose rights prevail refusal bills should not be enacted segregation as their goal, the timing of inhibits religion . . . finally, the statute — the religious or the marginalized because they weaponize the First the rise in private Christian schools makes must not foster ‘an excessive government — has been encountered frequently Amendment to harm marginalized it clear that religion and racism were entanglement with religion.’” throughout American history. Freedom people, and specifically the LGBTQ deeply intertwined in this era. Interracial of religion is an important cornerstone community in recent times. marriage was met with similar resistance. See Ewulonu on page 12 Page 12 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | December 2019

Ewulonu right to worship how they choose. marginalization of others. Like with slav- out American history, society has ebbed Religious rights laws are, in reality, ery and segregation, this country must and flowed in terms of progress in the Continued from page 11 religious refusal laws. They come into reject the notion that equality conflicts realm of civil rights. At times, society With the adoption of the Religious direct conflict with the rights of mi- with individual religious liberties. An has led this change from within; other Freedom Restoration Act of 1993, or norities, especially the LGBTQ pop- individual’s religious right should not times, the government or courts have RFRA, the law shifted to require a com- ulation. Georgia confer the right intervened on behalf of a minority pelling government interest. This stat- Senate Bill 221, like to discriminate. A group. Religion has been used both to ute stated that the government may not the federal law that sincerely held re- advance equality, but often times also to While religious rights infringe upon a person’s exercise of inspired it, allows ligious belief that oppress the marginalized. Previous civil religion, even with laws that are gener- for a tyranny of the “should be protected, they African-Americans rights issues make it clear that religion ally applicable, unless the government majority at the ex- must not come at the cost of are inferior would cannot be an excuse to discriminate demonstrates that the law “1) is in fur- pense of a minority the marginalization of others. not be tolerated in against others. While sexuality is not therance of a compelling government group. The 22,000 — Nneka Ewulonu the modern era; a a federally protected class yet, Ameri- interest; and 2) is the least restrictive LGBTQ couples in belief that LGBTQ ca must learn from previous fights for means of furthering that compelling Georgia now find individuals are equality and recognize that religion government interest.” This language themselves beholden not to their own shameful, no matter how sincerely held, does not supersede civil rights. has gone on to inspire many religious religious ideals, but to the religious should be equally untenable. In an ef- Nneka, 24, is a second-year student at the rights bills at the state level. beliefs of those in power and around fort to protect individual religious lib- University of Georgia School of Law with an Georgia Senate Bill 221, also known as them. This country was founded in part erties, courts have failed to advocate for interest in reproductive justice, drug policy, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, to “establish justice” and “promote the the equally important rights of margin- and LGBTQ rights. As an undergrad, she adopted the exact language of RFRA. general welfare.” It is patently unjust alized individuals, such as the LGBTQ also attended the University of Georgia, While these laws may seem facially neu- for certain segments of the population community. where she majored in French and biology. tral or even beneficial, these laws focus to be treated differently on the basis of America is a microcosm of differ- Nneka has worked closely with the Roosevelt more on giving religious individuals the immutable characteristics. ing religions, ideals and cultures. The Institute throughout her educational career right to refuse service to others rather While religious rights should be pro- beauty of this country lies not in homo- and has experience in researching and than protecting an individual’s private tected, must not come at the cost of the geneity, but in its differences. Through- writing public policy.

FOURTH PLACE Why religious refusal laws tip the scale

FFRF awarded Nicholas $1,000. against discrete and insular minorities.” Indeed, as Justice Kennedy observed Notable factions of the population have in Lawrence, for centuries there have been By Nicholas Bratsos been denied this so-called “suspect class” powerful voices to condemn homosexual designation, but in some cases the court conduct as immoral. The condemnation ouse Bill 4497 is currently in com- apparently does not sufficiently trust the has been shaped by religious beliefs, con- mittee in the Texas Legislature. political process to completely foreclose ceptions of right and acceptable behav- HThe bill forbids the state from protection for certain groups. In Romer v. ior, and respect for the traditional family. terminating, excluding or taking any Evans, for example, the court prohibited For many persons these are not trivial similar adverse action against a person the Colorado Legislature from passing a concerns but profound and deep con- for denying individuals marriage-relat- law that would have prevented any city, victions accepted as ethical and moral ed goods and services, such as wedding town or county from taking any legisla- principles to which they aspire and which planning, floral arrangements, and cake tive action to recognize LGBT individu- thus determine the course of their lives, or pastry artistry, out of a “sincerely held als as a protected class. Importantly, the however, the issue is whether the majority religious belief or moral conviction.” court stated that it was a fair inference may use the power of the state to enforce Importantly, such belief or moral con- that the “broad language of the [law] . these views on the whole society. viction is exclusively defined as “the . . deprives gays and lesbians even of the Overall, religious refusal laws serve belief or conviction that marriage is or protection of general laws and policies to maintain division in our society should be recognized as the union of that prohibit arbitrary discrimination and allow for discrimination against one man and one woman.” The bill pro- in governmental and private settings.” vulnerable populations. These laws, vides a legal defense for individuals who Nicholas Bratsos Romer later provided guidance in Law- with the majoritarian bias underlying are terminated, excluded, etc., by the rence v. Texas, which struck down the them, have the potential to effectuate government for exercising their sincerely observer [believes] a challenged govern- criminalization of sodomy, and eventual- real citizenship harms. LGBT individ- held religious belief or moral conviction. mental practice conveys a message of en- ly Obergefell v. Hodges, which struck down uals’ political and social standing will Texas House Bill 4497 does not prop- dorsement of religion.” state bans on gay marriage. be jeopardized for simply exercising erly balance religious rights and the civil Texas House Bill 4497 violates the Es- Like the prejudicial legislation that constitutional rights. and equal protection rights of members tablishment Clause of the First Amend- has come before it, House Bill 4497 Nicholas, 25, is a third-year law student at of the public most likely to be refused ment. The bill fails the Lemon test be- unjustly discriminates against LGBT in- the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He also goods and services, namely, LGBT indi- cause: 1) the purpose of the bill is to dividuals. Although homosexuals have attended UW-Madison as an undergrad, fin- viduals. There are numerous reasons why express the state’s not been held as a ishing with a degree in psychology and legal this bill, and similar bills discriminating acceptance of ven- “discrete and insu- studies/criminal justice. He moved to Wiscon- against LGBT individuals, are unlawful. dor discrimination Religious refusal laws lar minority,” like sin in 2013 from Salt Lake City. “Growing up First, this bill violates the Establishment against LGBT cou- serve to maintain division Romer, Texas will as a religious minority in a heavily religious Clause, which states that “Congress shall ples; 2) the effect “ need a more refined community made me keenly aware of secular in our society and allow make no law respecting an establishment of the bill will likely for discrimination against bill that fairly bal- marginalization, and led me to be involved of religion.” This bill expressly provides be rampant, explicit ances the religious with the AHA student organization in under- that the state will allow discriminatory denial of wedding vulnerable populations. rights of individuals grad,” he writes. He hopes to pursue a career in acts perpetrated because of a particularly goods and services — Nicholas Bratsos and the Equal Pro- civil rights activism. defined religious belief or moral convic- for LGBT couples, tection rights of the tion. Second, this bill and others like it and, potentially, LGBT community. empower suppliers to unlawfully discrim- growing division and animosity towards The bill, as it is written, is unnecessari- inate against LGBT individuals. homosexuals in general; and 3) the bill ly broad, as protecting the belief that RECRUIT A MEMBER First, courts typically use the Lemon explicitly aligns the state with one par- marriage should be the union of one test to analyze whether statutes violate ticular religious belief, signaling an ap- man and one woman does not require Sample copies for $2 the Establishment Clause. The Lemon proval of one faith over others. Further, allowing suppliers to deny gay couples Send $2 with the name and test examines: 1) the purpose of a state the bill explicitly and unequivocally wedding goods and services; the baker address of each person you action; 2) the effect of a state action; and conveys a message of endorsement of need not attend the ceremony, celebrate 3) whether the action fosters an exces- one particular religious belief. For all of at the reception, or otherwise condone wish to receive a sample copy sive entanglement with religion. This these reasons and more, legislation such the marriage. Those with sincerely held of Freethought Today to: test was designed to analyze the “three as this presents a dangerous step toward religious beliefs may continue to advo- main evils against which the Establish- state-endorsed religion, the very offense cate that same-sex marriage should not FFRF ment Clause was meant to afford pro- that the Establishment Clause was meant be condoned, but they may not use legis- P.O. Box 750 tection: ‘sponsorship, financial support, to protect against. lation as a weapon in doing so. Madison, WI 53701 and the active involvement of the sover- Second, Texas House Bill 4497 in- Religious refusal laws strive to protect eign in religious activity.’” Justice Sandra fringes on the Equal Protection rights religious convictions that enrich and ful- Please send us only names Day O’Connor synthesized this test into of LGBT individuals. Equal Protection fill many peoples’ lives. But, protection of of likely supporters what is called the “endorsement test,” violations are subject to strict scrutiny religious belief does not require that the Freedom depends upon freethinkers which simply asks whether “a reasonable review if legislation causes “prejudice state enforce it. December 2019 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 13

FIFTH PLACE Persecuting same-sex couples under law

FFRF awarded Nick $750. bring a civil claim against “a law, policy, or refused due to a belief that only marriage adverse action” that would require them between a man and woman is proper By Nick Ormes to perform a marriage ceremony. according to some higher power, that Same-sex couples already face discrim- would be legal. All of these laws provide he U.S. Supreme Court has held ination in other sectors of society, and this a unique right to religious persons to re- that marriages of opposite-sex history of discrimination implies that this fuse to comply with the law that does not Tand same-sex couples must be bill is meant to limit same-sex marriages. exist for secular views. afforded “equal dignity” before the law. There is a long history of discrimina- Further, all of these laws grant a right This clear command has not stopped tion against same-sex couples in Texas. to discriminate on religious grounds, many states from trying to curtail access The Texas House of Representatives sometimes in blatant violation of the to same-sex marriage, usually under the once proposed legislation that would law. These bills generally allow religious moniker of “religious freedom.” These have stripped government employees refusals for a variety of civil rights, usu- religious refusal or conscience clause who granted a same-sex marriage of their ally targeting minorities. In addition to bills are aimed at restricting a variety of jobs and benefits. The state criminalized inviting discrimination against same-sex civil rights, but those aimed at limiting same-sex intimacy. Even the Texas attor- couples, the Texas bill adds a new subsec- same-sex marriages are abundant in state ney general’s opinion following Obergefell tion to existing Texas law. The purpose legislatures. demonstrates this history. of this subsection is to guarantee that One such bill was recently filed in the This bill’s true purpose is to limit discrimination on the basis of sexual ori- Texas Legislature, ostensibly to protect same-sex marriages, not to protect re- entation is allowed. Sexual orientation is the religious freedom of state officials Nick Ormes ligious freedom. The bill protects “sin- not a protected class under current law, who can perform marriage ceremonies. cerely held religious beliefs” without any but this bill is aimed toward encouraging The bill is currently in committee in both wrote an opinion on the constitutionality consideration of countervailing interests. religious persons to discriminate against branches of the Texas Congress. The bills of judges and clerks refusing to perform The bill requires a court overseeing a same-sex couples. have nearly identical language, except marriages based on religious beliefs. This case brought against an official for re- In sum, the Texas bill would create an that the House version allows recusal for opinion concluded that a judicial officer fusing to perform a marriage to ignore inequitable balance between the religious “sincerely held religious belief or consci- could refuse to perform a same-sex mar- the civil rights of expressions of entious objection,” while the Senate ver- riage ceremony if another authorized a same-sex couple judicial officials and sion only allows recusal for “sincerely held official was available to perform the cere- entirely. It denies This bill’s true purpose is the civil rights of religious belief.” Texas law authorizes any mony. While this position fails to consider judicial relief to to limit same-sex marriages, not same-sex couples. justice or judge of the state as a person the civil rights of same-sex couples fully, same-sex couples. “ First, the bill to protect religious freedom. able to perform marriage ceremonies. it provides some type of accommodation If the bill’s main would prefer a The Senate bill fails to strike an appropri- between religious rights and civil rights. purpose was to — Nick Ormes judge’s religious ate balance between the religious rights The balance that this bill creates would protect religious beliefs over a same- of state officials and the civil rights of significantly burden same-sex couples’ expressions, then it sex couple’s right those most likely to be affected by this bill: right to marry while granting far too much could require a judge to provide reason- to marry. Second, the history of targeting same-sex couples. power to the religious rights of judicial able accommodations to the couple. It same-sex relationships in Texas and the There are three primary issues with officials. The bill gives no consideration could, at the very least, require that there lack of protection given to same-sex cou- the bill: It protects religious expression to whether another official is available to was one official who is available to per- ples indicates that the thrust of this law is to the exclusion of the civil rights of perform the marriage. It would be entirely form the ceremony if other officials re- to limit same-sex marriages, not protect same-sex couples, it targets same-sex possible for Texas to have counties where fuse to marry same-sex couples. Instead, religious expression. Lastly, this bill and marriages and provides no relief to any no judicially overseen same-sex marriages there is no protection offered to any cou- other “conscience clause” bills grant a dan- couple denied a marriage, and it raises occur. While this may be an extreme ple refused by a judge. gerous religious privilege and empower re- the religious beliefs of elected judicial situation, the bill would clearly allow it. The “religious protection” of these ligious persons to use religion as a weapon. officials above current law. In fact, the bill would insulate judicial conscience clause bills creates a privilege Nick, 24, attends the Indiana University Religious expression already enjoys officials from paying civil damages if this unique to religious persons. Sticking with Maurer School of Law and attended Indiana broad protections under current law, situation did exist. It even would protect the Texas bill, if a judge refused to marry University as an undergrad, earning a B.S. in including providing reasonable accom- that judicial official from being subject to a same-sex couple based on the official’s psychology. He grew up in Crown Point, Ind., modations based on religious beliefs. “a law, policy, or adverse action of [the] sincere belief that civil marriage is re- but said his move to the college town of Bloom- Following the Supreme Court’s decision state” by claiming as a defense that it stricted to a man and woman, that would ington “really opened me up to other ways of in Obergefell, the Texas attorney general violates this bill. A judicial official can even be illegal. However, if that same official thinking and people of different backgrounds.”

SIXTH PLACE The religious exemption epidemic

FFRF awarded Nick $500. ing “freedom of conscience” and “reli- When my grandfather started gious liberty.” You can usually spot these elementary school, some diseases were By Nick Beachy bills from their bland and seemingly just a part of growing up. In his time, inoffensive titles, from “religious liber- nearly every child in America could ike all good Mennonites, my ty directives” to “conscience clauses.” expect to spend part of their childhood grandfather was a pacifist. Not just Apart from the rhetoric, these laws have either covered by measles, swollen Lon Sunday mornings — he was the nothing in common with the religious from mumps or stricken by polio. most peaceful man I have ever known. exemption that protected my grandfa- Thanks to the wonders of modern As a farmer and a school bus driver, he ther. These new “exemptions” are not medicine, by the time my grandfather always had a gentle smile to spare for exemptions at all. They are privileges was driving a school bus of his own, his a relative, a neighbor or a student on — government-granted rights to harm students were protected from these his bus. others in the name of religion. diseases. The bible attributes about When the Selective Service tried In its support of religious exceptions, 40 miraculous healings to Jesus of to draft him into the Korean War, my the Trump administration has sided Nazareth. By biblical standards, then, grandfather responded that his com- with doctors who deny their patients vaccines are a mega-miracle, making mitment to nonviolence was non-ne- contraceptives, Christian adoption pro- millions of people healthier. gotiable. Fortunately, United States viders who won’t work with Jewish vol- Vaccines are most effective when law recognizes a religious exemp- unteers, and federal contractors who they are widespread. That’s why in tion to the draft. This exemption al- refuse to follow federal anti-discrimina- every state, the law requires parents to lowed many young Mennonites of my Nick Beachy tion laws. Similar exemptions are being vaccinate their children before sending grandfather’s generation to stay out drafted in statehouses across America. them to kindergarten. This prerequisite of the war as conscientious objectors. the government shouldn’t shove one While these laws are wrong, the most protects children who are vaccinated The peace-loving Mennonites served into their hands. But recently, lawmak- dangerous religious exemptions are and, just as importantly, protects in other ways, working at hospitals, ers around the country have started to those with life-threatening consequenc- immunocompromised children who schools and nursing homes. pass a new kind of “religious exemption” es for people who desperately need the can’t be vaccinated. Legally mandated I have no problem with this kind of law. When announcing these bills, legis- law’s protection. The religious exemp- vaccine requirements, along with the religious exemption. If a person’s con- lators often use the same language used tion to the vaccine requirement is a science tells them not to pick up a gun, to defend conscientious objectors, prais- perfect example. See Beachy on page 14 Page 14 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | December 2019 Strong Backbone Student Activist Award Fighting religious entanglement at school Mary received $1,000 from FFRF for this award, which is performed its next song. Although I have strong beliefs, I seemed to roam freely around my school. In one instance, endowed by a member who prefers anonymity. did not want to be singled out among my peers or judged a youth group leader sat next to me at lunch and initiated by my decision to leave. It was a lose-lose situation. conversation. I couldn’t help but wonder why this strange By Mary Ferguson My parents and I wrote a letter to the superintendent adult was hanging out at my lunch table. I also recalled that in May 2016. He suggested we work through the high the school board routinely prays before its board meetings. am a recent high school graduate from southwest Mich- school principal first. We did that. The principal imme- FFRF immediately notified the school of its church/state igan. Throughout high school, I struggled to fit in with diately forwarded the email to the teacher. She reiterated violations in an official letter and it is currently working to- Ithe conservative Christian culture. Religion was in my that the solution was to have me sit out the sermon or do ward a solution. classroom, cafeteria and integrated in the school board. an alternative community singing event on my own. After Although I often face backlash for my actions, speaking During my four years there, I was a member of the meeting with the principal again, we were clear that this out about my school is something that I am proud of. I’m school’s Women’s Chorale and Honors Choir. My class- was not an acceptable solution. The proposed solution hopeful that permanent changes will be made and future mates and I were required to attend multiple Christian was only directed toward me and never formalized as a students will be free from church/state entanglements. Reformed Church services and perform various hymns. At school policy. “My parents are both freethinkers and I grew up in a secular the service, we sat as a captive audience and listened to the My parents met with the superintendent after this and home,” Mary writes. “It was always comforting knowing that my sermon. I felt uncomfortable, as the beliefs expressed were he seemed to agree that the situation was unacceptable. parents would love and support me for whatever I chose to believe very different from my own. On one occasion, the pastor However, nothing was ever done to address the issue. or follow. My family is pretty average, the only difference between was preaching derogatory messages about people in the It was at this point that I decided to contact FFRF. my family and a Christian family is that we sleep in on Sundays. LGBT community. After discussing the choir situation, I proceeded to After college, I want to attend law school. I am passionate about I spoke with my teacher and was told that if I was un- mention other potential church/state violations. I had no- civil liberties, church/state separation in particular, and intend to comfortable, I could leave and rejoin the choir when it ticed that youth group leaders and members of the church help protect them someday.” (“Mary Ferguson” is a pen name.) Persistence pays off as representative signs bill that call said that the person I needed to speak to was out. Helen Wolfson She offered to give him my name, phone number and email, but she refused to give me his name. I waited an- I had become frustrated trying to get U.S. Rep. G.K. other week or so before I called the Durham office yet Butterfield, D-N.C., to co-sponsor H.R. 1450, the Do No again. This time, the person promised to call the legisla- Harm Act. This bill would prevent people from using tive assistant in D.C. She said if I didn’t hear from him the their religion to harm others, and it seemed to me that next day to call her back and she’d put me on hold and Butterfield would want to support it. get him on the phone for me. I had begun calling his Washington, D.C., office in Luckily, she didn’t have to do that. On Oct. 29, while I March. When I asked if Butterfield would co-sponsor the was enjoying some frozen yogurt with my husband and a bill, I was told someone would get back to me. But, no one friend, my phone rang. It was Butterfield’s legislative assis- did. I called again in April. The person I needed to speak tant, who had called to tell me that he had spoken to the to was apparently out of the office, but I was assured that congressman and that they were starting the paperwork my concerns and my phone number would be passed on to make him a co-sponsor. By the morning of Oct. 31, his to him. Weeks passed. I heard nothing. name showed up on the co-sponsor list. Luckily, FFRF Attorney Andrew L. Seidel was sched- Helen Wolfson It took a while, but the success was incredibly sweet. uled to appear in Raleigh on May 10 as part of his tour for I’m confident that the face-to-face meeting was the turn- down and created a one-page fact sheet that I sent off to his new book, The Founding Myth. I resolved to get to the ing point. Once I’d visited, the local people knew who I Seidel for review. He put Butterfield’s office to shame by event early so I could ask him for advice. I’m a shy person, was. I’d been transformed from a disembodied voice on replying to me the very next day. To my delight, he gave so it speaks to my passion on this issue that I approached the phone into a person with a face! Rep. Butterfield has me a thumbs up on my fact sheet. him and asked how to get the congressman’s office to take his own priorities, and this particular item was not among me seriously. He suggested I visit the local office, armed The next week, I called the office in Durham, N.C., to them. The key was to get his legislative staff in D.C. to put with a one-page fact sheet about the Do No Harm Act. set up a meeting. They referred me to a form on their web the issue in front of him — and the local staff became our He offered to have someone at FFRF review the fact sheet page, which was somewhat painful to navigate. But records allies and made that happen. after I’d written it. show they acknowledged my request on Aug. 22. Later, The thrill of achieving my goal of getting another co- But the idea of visiting my representative’s office gave someone called me, and we set up a meeting for Sept 11. sponsor on the bill had me dancing around the outdoor me butterflies. So, instead, I called the D.C. office again At that meeting, my husband and I met with two peo- table at the frozen yogurt place! At the time, that one and complained that I’d called twice before and received ple who made it clear that they were not legislative staff, co-sponsorship seemed like the most important thing to no response. I was advised to submit my request in writ- but simply a conduit for getting information to the legis- me. In retrospect, however, I realize that what’s equally ing through the form on its web page, which I did. About lative staff in D.C. Our ask was that Butterfield co-sponsor important is that if I was able to raise awareness about this two weeks later I got a generic email from Butterfield. He the legislation or let us know exactly why he wouldn’t. We issue, I can do the same for other issues. At the rate the thanked me for taking the time to contact him about “this left them each a copy of my fact sheet. (I also emailed it current administration is working to tear down the wall matter” and encouraged me to keep in touch on “this or to them so they’d have working links to the references.) between state and church, I’m sure there will be plenty of other issues.” I might as well have written to him about They said if we didn’t hear back in two or three weeks, we opportunities, unfortunately. property values on the moon! should ping them. Both the local people and the legislative representative At some point, even a shy person has had enough. But Three weeks later, I called the Durham office and said in D.C. encouraged me to stay in touch, and believe me, by now it was nearly June, and our summer was partic- that I hadn’t heard anything yet. The person I spoke to I intend to! Next time, I think I’ll start with a visit and a ularly busy, so I put the project on hold for a couple of said that he’d call Washington and inquire. He also sug- fact sheet. months. When things settled down in August, I buckled gested that I call Washington. The person who answered FFRF Member Helen Wolfson lives in Durham, N.C. Beachy Continued from page 13 hard work of medical professionals, ons before putting them on the school state repealed its vaccine exemption. But grandfather’s conscientious objection to effectively eliminated diseases like bus. Unsurprisingly, this has caused many in my home state of Ohio, politicians are war was a courageous personal choice, measles by the beginning of the 21st of the diseases of my grandfather’s youth doubling down on this reckless legisla- these new exemptions do not protect the century. The religious exemption to explode once again. tion. House Bill 132, introduced earlier religious rights of parents, doctors and threatens to collapse this structure by If a discriminatory baker refuses to this year, would force schools to tell every priests. They hurt children, women and allowing some parents to opt out of serve a customer, the customer might be parent about Ohio’s vaccine exemption. gay Americans. the system. able to go to another bakery. If a minis- Couched in the language of “freedom” I might not follow my grandfather’s This would not be as much of a prob- ter refuses to solemnize a gay couple’s and “informed choice” (as these religious religion, but I still think that we should lem if not for the anti-vaccination move- marriage, perhaps other officiants will. exemption laws so often are), this bill love our neighbors. When it comes to ment. Despite being debunked again and But a child can’t choose different par- could create a new epidemic by extend- the exemption epidemic, a little bit of again, “anti-vaxxers” continue to claim ents. And say what you want about mea- ing the reach of the vaccine exemption. Mennonite compassion could be the that vaccines cause autism, among oth- sles, mumps and rubella, at least they The legislators who expand the vac- cure we need. er equally unverified claims. (It certainly don’t discriminate. They will kill anyone cine exemption are advocating for dis- Nick, 23, is a second-year student at the doesn’t help that our president has pre- if given the chance. They don’t care ease and death. Around the country, Harvard Law School. As an undergraduate viously alluded to this nonsense.) The about a child’s religion. other politicians are using the same student, he attended the University of Arizona religious exemption allows anti-scientific Some states are starting to catch on to religious justifications as an excuse for and earned a degree in philosophy, politics, conspiracy theorists to turn their school- the problem. After anti-vaxxers caused a equally harmful discrimination in med- economics, and law (PPEL). Nick comes from children into miniature chemical weap- resurgence of measles in New York, the icine, childcare and business. While my a historically Amish and Mennonite family. December 2019 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 15 Forward award winner Reproductive rights are critical human rights This is an edited version of the speech giv- deeply grateful to have the privilege of en by Nancy Northup on Oct. 18 at FFRF’s working with my colleagues at the Cen- national convention in Madison, Wis. She ter for Reproductive Rights. It is our was introduced by FFRF Co-President Annie mission to promote reproductive rights Laurie Gaylor: as fundamental human rights that every I’m delighted that we have Nancy government in the world must respect Northup and the Center for Reproduc- and protect and fulfill. tive Rights serving as champions for re- The Center for Reproductive Rights productive freedom in the United States works in the United States, but also and abroad. Nancy Northup has served around the world in Latin America, Af- as president of this leading reproductive rica, Asia, Europe and at the U.N. We rights legal center since 2003. Under her work on issues ranging from access to leadership, it has performed game-chang- contraception, access to essential obstet- ing litigation work that has transformed rics care, safe and legal abortion, and ad- how reproductive rights are understood dressing gross violations like child mar- by courts, government and human rights riage and forced sterilization. We bring bodies, such as the United Nations. If you strategic litigation into state and federal look at so many of the major court battles courts, into national courts outside the over abortion rights today, you will find United States, and to human rights bod- the Center for Reproductive Rights de- ies. We build legal networks with partner fending those rights and cases. organizations to ensure that there are a Nancy Northup was the founding di- cadre of lawyers around the world work- rector of the Democracy Program at the ing to ensure that every person has the Brennan Center for Justice in New York dignity and right to decide about their at the NYU School of Law. She was a reproductive health and lives. prosecutor, a deputy chief of appeals in And, I’m proud to say that, in the last the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the South- year, we had over 870 lawyers from 55 ern District of New York and a law clerk countries who were working with us to for the Honorable Alvin B. Rubin out of make sure that reproductive rights were the U.S. Court of Appeals of the 5th Cir- advanced as fundamental human rights. cuit. She has taught constitutional law as And we’re gonna keep building that. an adjunct professor at NYU Law School and Columbia Law School. Some basic facts She is a graduate of Brown University There is so much politics and parti- and Columbia Law School and she was a sanship around reproductive health that Kent Scholar there and managing editor we forget that at the heart of the mat- of the Columbia Law Review. ter there are some basic biological and We are pleased to give Nancy North- medical facts. I know this is a group that up this Forward Award. loves facts. Here’s the first fact: Women and men By Nancy Northup Photo by Ingrid Laas have different reproductive systems. Nancy Northup, president of the Center for Reproductive Rights, speaks to the FFRF Women risk their health and their lives hank you so much for the Forward convention audience on Oct. 18, in Madison, Wis. to give birth and bring new life into this Award. At the Center for Repro- world and men do not. Think about it. Tductive Rights, we say “fight for- not really a hotbed of freethinking. My I am passionate about the separation We are so busy talking about the politics, ward.” So we’re going to be very proud parents decided to join the Unitarian of church and state and passionate we don’t get back to basics for men to to have this. I was delighted and also a lit- Universalist church. I grew up all over about the ability of women to lead lives genetically contribute to the birth of a tle amused when I was contacted about the country because we moved around of equality and dignity. Wherever you child. They need to contribute sperm, receiving this award from the Freedom a lot. I was born in Indiana, but grew look, whether it’s in the United States or and I’m told it’s not very painful! From Religion Foundation. Delighted, up in both western New York, New York around the world, you can see this im- For women to contribute to the birth because I am a fierce City, the heart of Tex- position of specific religious beliefs on of a child, they need to contribute an advocate for the sep- as, the Sacramento public policy and law when it comes to egg, which may just be part of their aration of state and A change in who sits on valley of California, sexuality, reproduction, gender and the monthly process, or by in vitro fertiliza- church. And amused the Supreme Court should and Connecticut. And role of women. tion. It may be a much more elaborate because, well, truth “ wherever we went, the So, again, thank you very much for and painful process once a pregnancy is not mean a change to our be told, I’m a church constitutional rights. Unitarian Universalist this award. And thank you for the bed- established. A woman then undergoes lady. I have attended Church was the one rock commitment to our Constitution nine months of gestating an embryo, church all my life. It — Nancy Northup constant in our lives that all of you have to equality, to liber- then a fetus and eventually, hopefully, a is where you’ll usually because it was a place ty, to freedom of conscience and to the find me on a Sunday morning. that we could go and find people who separation of state and church. I’m also See Northup on page 16 I was born and raised a Unitarian Uni- were willing to be open-minded and sup- versalist. It was my mother who brought port each other. our family to the Unitarian Universalist When I got to college, I took freely to faith. She grew up in a small town in going to church and I’ve just kept on go- Connecticut, where my great-grandpar- ing. I’ve been a Sunday school teacher, ents had immigrated from Sweden. She president of my congregation, and, even was brought up in a very strict Swedish to this day, a deacon. So, what a surprise Lutheran home, but she was always inde- to be contacted about winning this award. pendent minded. Growing up, my moth- But here’s the thing: When you are er was always telling me the story of how in a minority religion, you are acutely “under God” got into the Pledge of Alle- aware of the critical importance of the giance; how it wasn’t there when she was separation of church and state. And a little girl and didn’t think it belonged Unitarian Universalists are definitely a there when she was older. She decided minority religion. There are only about that, despite her conservative upbring- 200,000 of us in the United States. We ing during the Great Depression and are vastly outnumbered by Catholics, World War II, as an adult, she would find Protestants, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, a religion that fit her freethinking. Hindus, and, yes, atheists and agnostics. I was born in Kokomo, Ind., which is Being part of a minority religion, I’m highly attuned to when the government is wielding its power of the state to pro- To watch Nancy Northup’s mote a particular religious view. And nowhere is it more evident that convention speech, go to ffrf.us/ the government is wielding a particular Photo by Ingrid Laas northup religious view than in the area of sexu- Nancy Northup was presented the Forward Award by FFRF Co-President Annie al and reproductive health and rights. Laurie Gaylor on Oct. 18. Page 16 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | December 2019

Northup sneak around the Constitution’s guar- anteed right to abortion by using an Continued from page 15 underhanded means to gut abortion ac- cess in the state. Louisiana’s admitting full-term baby. Every step of those nine privilege law was designed for one pur- months carries physiological, biological pose: to shut down the clinics, so that and hormonal changes and risks to the even if Roe v. Wade stays on the books, woman’s health and life. there will be nowhere for women in If all goes well and she carries that Louisiana to go. What was proved in baby through to term, she still needs the Texas case (and we proved it again to deliver that baby, either through the in the Louisiana case) is that hospitals birthing process or through Caesarian can deny admitting privileges to doctors section surgery. Many things can go who provide abortion care for any rea- wrong: hemorrhage, infection, danger- son, even for reasons related to ideolog- ously high blood pressure, obstructed ical opposition. delivery. Maternal deaths can happen Louisiana women will be devastated during pregnancy and labor and they if this law is allowed to go into effect. can happen during delivery. They can There would be one doctor in the state happen in the weeks following child- to provide care for the 1 million wom- birth without access to prenatal and life- en of reproductive age. Low-income saving obstetrics care. Women can and women, women of color and rural do die. Even with access to care, some women will be the most impacted. The maternal deaths will happen. overwhelming majority of women who That women die in pregnancy and seek abortion care in Louisiana are low childbirth has been true throughout his- income, and 70 percent are women of tory. And it’s still true today. How high color. that risk is depends on access to health The state of Louisiana is just flat- care and social determinants of health. out in open defiance of the Supreme Photo by Chris Line In Nigeria today, one of every 21 women “We want to see that the Supreme Court is not going to be playing politics with our Court’s 2016 precedent. The facts, the will die in connection with pregnancy. fundamental rights,” Northup said. law, the Constitution have not changed In Italy, that risk is one in 50,000. Think in the last three years. Two justices of about that difference. There is nothing and legal abortion. In this country be- early as six weeks in pregnancy. Georgia the Supreme Court have changed in the biologically different about women in fore Roe vs. Wade and throughout the is an example that hit the news again. last three years, but a change in who sits Nigeria than women in Italy. What’s dif- world today where abortion is not legal They’d been enjoined and, while they on the Supreme Court should not mean ferent is their socio-economic circum- and they don’t have access to care, wom- are clearly unconstitutional, what these a change to our constitutional rights. stance and their access to health care. en will die. Those facts tell you that for states are trying to do is to get a test case These admitting privileges laws do In the United States, we rank at the people who can get pregnant, the ability back up to the U.S. Supreme Court. nothing to improve the health and safe- bottom of the developed world in terms to control one’s fertility and make deci- As you may have recently heard, the ty of women who seek abortion care. of our maternal death rates. One in sions once pregnant is necessary. Wom- court announced that it is taking an abor- Abortion is one of the safest procedures 3,000 is the risk of maternal death in the en’s control of fertility is not just about tion case from Louisiana. But before I tell that a person can have. It has a compli- United States. And those numbers are life and health. It’s you about that case, cation rate near zero. The Constitution much worse for women of color in New also about our right I’m going to take you demands that our fundamental rights York City, where I live. African-American to bodily autonomy, Wherever you look, back just three years, cannot vary from state to state. A law de- women have 12 times the risk of mater- dignity, conscience, you can see this imposition to June 27, 2016. The clared unconstitutional in Texas has to nal deaths as white women, so the bot- equality, non-discrim- “ Center for Repro- be unconstitutional in Louisiana. of specific religious beliefs tom line, wherever you live, is that preg- ination and the right on public policy and law ductive Rights won So, that’s what’s at stake in this case. nancy carries risks to health and life. to be free from cruel, the most important And we need to be sure everybody knows That is one reason why contracep- inhumane and de- when it comes to sexuality, abortion rights case about it. And that’s where you come in. tion was so revolutionary for women. grading treatment. reproduction, gender in a generation. The We need you to be talking about this Without access to contraception, the av- The Center for Re- and the role of women. name of that Texas case. We need the Roberts court to erage sexually active heterosexual wom- productive Rights has — Nancy Northup case is Whole Woman’s know that people are aware that it’s the an would have about a dozen children. won cases in human Health v. Hellerstedt. same case, that it can’t be distinguished. She would go through the pregnancy rights courts ruling It was whether states We want to see that the Supreme Court experience with those risks to health that the denial of abortion can be cru- could pass unnecessary and unjustifiable is not going to be playing politics with and life again and again and again and el, inhumane and degrading treatment. and burdensome regulations on abortion our fundamental rights. One in four again and again and again and again It’s also about our ability to further our clinics that masked as health and safety women in the United States will have an and again, which is why access to contra- education and to participate fully in regulations, but was really an underhand- abortion. Seven in 10 Americans sup- ception is so fundamental to women’s the economic social and political life ed attempt to close the clinics. port Roe vs. Wade and believe that abor- health and lives. of the nation. And it is for all these rea- One such regulation in the Texas tion should be safe and legal. sons that, since 1973 here in the United case would have required that every We just need to make that support visi- Women’s control, rights States and in nations around the world abortion provider have admitting priv- ble. There is so much stigma, harassment So, not only is contraception essen- and in human rights bodies, courts find ileges in a local hospital within 30 miles and even violence around this issue that tial, but so is the ability to access safe that reproductive rights are, in fact, of the clinic. That requirement was very it can be hard sometimes to share one’s critical human rights. Yet, as everyone effective in the state of Texas because it own experience or to even share one’s knows, reproductive rights and abor- was almost impossible for doctors who views. I know that this group knows all tion rights in particular remain a con- provide abortions to get admitting priv- about stigma and I know that you are all tested issue here in the United States. ileges. The Supreme Court looked at about standing up to stigma and standing We are still fighting for access to safe the law. They found it had no basis in up and being clear about your values and and legal abortion. We are still fight- advancing any health reason and it had clear about what you stand for and clear ing about whether employers can raise a huge burden on women’s access and about what you believe. objections to including contraception they declared it unconstitutional. Together we can build a nation where in their health plans for their employ- people are able to make decisions about ees. We’re still fighting about compre- Identical law their reproductive lives without coer- hensive fact-based sex education in Now, the Center for Reproductive cion and discrimination and with dig- schools. And, for heaven’s sakes, we Rights is again before the Supreme nity and with their own conscience, not still hear politicians objecting to having Court on the exact same issue. Louisi- someone else’s religion. Your partner- obstetrics care covered in basic health ana has a law that is identical to the one ship and collaboration in this effort are programs. In recent years, states have in Texas, that doctors must have admit- critical. passed hundreds of restrictions on ac- ting privileges within 30 miles of a local Thank you for this award and thank cess to abortion. hospital. The name of this case is June you for everything that you do. Now, most of these restrictions fly Medical Services v. Gee. The law is identi- under the public radar, but this year it cal. It’s identical in language, it’s iden- was hard to have them escape notice. tical in impact and it’s identical in not Alabama banned abortion all together, having any medical basis. In fact, Loui- Want to see more photos from criminalizing doctors with fines and siana lawmakers admitted that it was an the 2019 national convention? with imprisonment up to 99 years. It’s identical law to Texas when it thought Ingrid Laas gallery: ffrf. been enjoined, and it is not enforced. Texas was going to win that Supreme I always think it’s important to remind Court case. Louisiana lawmakers mod- us/2019ingridphotos Photo by Ingrid Laas people of that, because if you live in Al- eled their very law on the one in Texas Chris Line gallery: ffrf.us/ Northup holds her Forward Award, abama, we want you to know that clinics after they saw the effect that the law was chrisphotos which is given annually by FFRF to a are open. having closing clinics. person who helps move society forward. Other states also banned abortion as Louisiana, with this law, is trying to December 2019 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 17 Nancy Northup answers your questions Here is an edited version of some of the ques- Cheryl Kolbe from Oregon ly no way to distinguish it from a case ideology and how that affects your het- tions to and responses from Nancy Northup What specifically can we do to influ- three years ago. At a time when we do erosexual marriage, which you’re go- following her speech on Oct. 18 at FFRF’s na- ence people about the need for abortion not need more of our institutions of gov- ing to wait for before having sex. These tional convention in Madison, Wis. Northup is rights? ernment undermined, our faith in the classes are terrible and they fail. president of the Center for Reproductive Rights. Supreme Court rests on this decision. I think sex ed is such a great issue For background on some of her responses, please Nancy Northup • • • for everybody to get involved in in their read her speech on the previous two pages. I always feel like starting local. Start own communities. There are lots of en- with your family, start with your friends. Kim Newton from Virginia try points to be able to be involved in re- Mark Shults from Wisconsin But then, of course, please support I’m also a Unitarian and a facilitator productive rights issues. And I think the I read an article recently that was very the Center for Reproductive Rights, for Our Whole Lives, which is a compre- sex ed one is great because you can start disturbing. The writer was citing rapid support Planned Parenthood, support hensive sex ed curriculum. I’m also ex- programs like the Our Whole Lives sex increases in STD (sexually transmitted other organizations that are out there ecutive director of Camp Quest, which ed program that can be done in commu- disease) rates in the country and I sus- doing the fight. is a national secular freethinking camp nity centers and elsewhere. pect this is because the availability of Contact your state representatives network. Sex education has been an If our kids have healthy ideas about health clinics for women is being taken and your elected officials in Washing- increasingly important conversation in sexuality, if they have the facts that they away. Do you have any figures on this, or ton. You have a champion in Wisconsin. our camp communities. I wonder if you need to know, and if they figure out are you tracking this phenomenon? I know you’re not all from Wisconsin, could speak to the work of the Center their own standpoint, it’s kind of like but Sen. Tammy Baldwin is one of the for Reproductive Rights around increas- religion. Everyone has a right to come lead co-signers of the Women’s Health ing sex education in schools. Could you to their own standpoint about what they Protection Act, which would be a fix if share a little bit more on how we can think about sexuality and the role it will Roe were to be overturned. It’s to attack help encourage our local school boards have in their lives. It’s like having your the kind of laws like Texas and Louisi- to change their curriculums? own standpoint about a religion. I think ana have. We are up to 212 co-signers it’s actually a great issue for everybody to in the House, so we ought to be able to get educated on. get a hearing and get it passed in the • • • House this year. We need new congressional legislation Cynthia Nelms-Byrne from Iowa to back up the Constitution. Educate I wonder if you’ve ever heard of the people and advocate around that. And 2018 film called “Ask for Jane.” It’s an make sure you also say “thank you” to your independent film telling the story of a pro-reproductive rights representatives at group of young women in college who the state level and federal level, because started an underground network to pro- they often say that when they go to vide abortions to women in need. And Washington, they don’t hear from our they just call this anonymous phone and people. They hear from the other side ask for Jane and Jane would give them all the time. So, don’t underestimate the the name of an abortion provider. But power of saying “thank you for standing their abortion providers kept getting ar- up” to your elected officials. rested and thrown in jail. One of them, Photo by Ingrid Laas • • • before he went to jail, taught them how Mark Shults from Wisconsin asks Nancy to perform abortions. And they did and Northup about the rise in STD rates. Pam Schaar from Wisconsin they never had any fatalities of the preg- My question is in regard to Justice nant women. I would recommend the Nancy Northup Brett Kavanaugh. I’ve seen a little in- movie to anybody, if you can find it. It is very disturbing. It’s like a 50 formation, but there’s not been a huge Photo by Ingrid Laas percent increase in the last year or movement to impeach Kavanaugh. I Kim Newton from Virginia wonders two, but I don’t have those figures don’t know if there’s any weight to that about sex education curricula. specifically. I think the Guttmacher or how fearful we should be of the pow- Institute, which has done tremen- er he might have. I’ll listen to whatever Nancy Northup dously good research on reproductive you feel comfortable commenting on During the Bush administration, the health care issues, probably does. I’m regarding him and reproductive rights. curriculum was based on abstinence-on- sure that it’s a combination of the loss ly. We looked at ways that we could sue of clinics and the lack of importance Nancy Northup on that. Those classes are so discrimina- put on sex education. We are a very We’re gonna be arguing before every tory because these abstinence-only pro- funny country about sex. We’re funny single justice on the Supreme Court. I grams basically tell people “don’t have because, on the one hand, it’s every- don’t want to characterize any of them sexual intercourse and you won’t get where and it drives advertising and individually. The Center for Reproduc- pregnant.” That’s not a full semester’s so forth. On the other hand, we have tive Rights did take a position for the worth of education. I spent time reading this religious backdrop in the country first time in our history opposing then- these programs and they’re unbeliev- that doesn’t allow us to have full sex Judge Kavanaugh’s appointment to the able what they have to be built upon. ed in the schools. That’s another fac- Supreme Court because we felt that It is a very thinly veiled promotion of tor that we should be looking at. he had a record on ruling on abortion a religious view of the role of men and • • • rights issues and other reproductive women in the family, where the husband rights issues that was not consistent with is head of the house and where women strong protections. need financial support. But we are still going to be arguing They literally had slides in that class to every single justice about why they where the teacher was supposed to bring MOVING? need consistency with their opinion in cold spaghetti and frozen waffles. And Photo by Ingrid Laas from 2016 [Whole Woman’s Health v. Hell- they talk about how girl’s brains are the Cynthia Nelms-Byrne from Iowa tells erstedt]. Chief Justice John Roberts needs cold spaghetti because they are more Northup and the audience about an to know that the integrity of his court is interconnected and the boy’s brains are abortion-rights movie called “Ask for on the line if it were to change a ruling frozen waffles because they are more Jane.” that is so clear cut that there is absolute- compartmentalized. They teach gender Don’t miss your next issue of Nancy Northup Freethought Today Thank you for sharing that. And it FFRF’s does remind me of another thing that Please notify us of your ‘Freethought you can do. About 17 states cover Med- address change promptly! icaid abortions from their state coffers. email: [email protected] Matters’ mug But many states do not. And there are abortion groups around the country or phone: 1-800-335-4021 A meaningful message and the logo of FFRF’s new TV show. Ivory that raise money. You’ve got several FFRF cannot be responsible for imprint on tapered burgundy, 8 fl. oz. here in Wisconsin that raise money to replacing back issues if we have not American- made mug. help pay for low-income women’s abor- been notified prior to your move. tions or pay for their travel. And that $20 postpaid — Item#MU02 is a very good way to get involved with The U.S. Post Office does not other activists who are doing something forward third-class mail. Call 800/335-4021 or order online ffrf.org/shop in their communities. It helps build a really strong community around this. Page 18 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | December 2019 LETTERBOX Closed minds won’t Ordinary people can change over Founding Myth The Maine event break free from religion

Do you really think that giving a The October/November issue of Free copy of Andrew L. Seidel’s book The Inquiry has an article by Zara Kay titled, Founding Myth to each member of Con- “Why apostasy laws won’t stop the rise gress will change anything? I envy your of ex-Muslim women.” She explained optimism! that her website, “Faithless Hijabi,” was Can we expect that any of those designed to give ex-Muslim women a fo- legislators (several of whom are prob- rum where they can share the stories of ably closet atheists) will risk losing their struggles anonymously. their constituents’ trust and their She writes: “I began receiving stories votes by exposing them to the truth, from women who had left Islam no mat- and thereby crushing their cherished ter the cost and wanted to have their legends? voices heard.” Sadly, those who believe that ours is I thought it would be appropriate for a Christian nation will remain unshak- Freethought Today to publish stories en in that doctrine and will keep their that feature the experiences of people closed minds tightly shut to knowl- A $1,000 grant from the Freedom From Religion Foundation was recently breaking free from other religions, and edge. And politicians, like priests, will donated by the FFRF Maine Chapter to the Litchfield Food Bank. The president how enormously significant it would be take advantage of their ignorance. of the Maine Chapter, Tom Waddell (third from left in the photo), organized the to reveal that apostasy from Islam does Trust me, the Red Sea will open donation to the newly opened facility. take place among ordinary people. The sooner than their closed minds. experiences of these women need to be The money was used for a new utility sink at the site, and the remainder, $845, David Quintero more widely known. will be used to purchase more than 5,200 pounds of food to be distributed to Monrovia, CA F. Bruce Robinson its clients. New shelves were also needed, so Waddell and his wife donated Maryland two sets of shelves, thereby saving more grant money for food purchases. Zuckerman a great guest on ‘Freethought Matters’ Convention again was I also enjoy the informative, enter- clearly does not in its most ardent sup- successful, interesting I loved the “Freethought Matters” taining, thought-provoking and often porters, then why would anyone look show with Phil Zuckerman as guest. He amusing articles, essays, photos and to religion for such guidance? This Thank you for a wonderful conven- was such a well-spoken guest and had poetry in Freethought Today. I always makes people look elsewhere and, tion and for the “ungodly” amount of great energy! look forward to receiving it. hopefully, to a place where logic and work FFRF does to make sure it’s suc- Daniel Graves Among my favorite features are the reason is the foundation for a moral cessful, interesting and on schedule. California student essays. It’s truly encouraging and ethical life. We should hope that I enjoyed hearing from the Afri- and uplifting to know there are so the Religious Right continues to dig can-American speakers. It’s one thing Editor’s note: See page 23 for Zucker- many bright, questioning, insightful its own grave. to hear about the black experience man’s column titled, “Secularism doesn’t young people among us. Peter Hall from white people, but it’s quite anoth- destroy society or moral order.” And, of course, there are the Oregon er to hear it from the black perspective. invariably droll letters in Crankmail. We need more of these speakers. Finding out about FFRF The writers remind me of the wry and Also, someone suggested that FFRF or- wise observation by Jonathan Swift: “It’s Thanks to John Murphy, ganize outside trips and events for conven- was ‘pleasant surprise’ useless to attempt to reason a man out other sex abuse survivors tion attendees. In my opinion, FFRF has of thing he was never reasoned into.” enough to do at this time. Perhaps FFRF I’ve enclosed a check to become a Amen! Oops, I mean, right on! I recently learned that an attorney can make suggestions, but there is enough Lifetime Member of FFRF. Marcia Goodman who represents victims of sex abuse by online information about any city for an I’ve been a member since 2012, California Catholic priests asked Colorado law- attendee to look at and plan for. when I first heard about it on the makers to drop the statute of limita- We usually stay a day or two longer “Norman Goldman Show.” It was such tions on those crimes. Joe McGee, Car- when we attend a convention that is a pleasant surprise that there was an Religious Right hurting ol Clear, Cate Stover and John Murphy held out of town. This gives us extra organization like FFRF. itself all on its own were witnesses and are survivors. time to see the sights of the city. Kudos to Andrew L. Seidel for The I have known John Murphy for Sue Schuetz Founding Myth, which I have read twice It occurred to me, after Attorney many years. John is a Lifetime Mem- Wisconsin (my memory is like a sieve) and I will General William Barr spoke about how ber of FFRF and, 28 years ago, was keep it nearby as a defense weapon secularism was destroying religion one of the founders of the Colorado against the “Christian nation” folks. and its values, that it is actually quite Springs Chapter. He has been very Convention in Madison Thank you for all the hard work you different. Trump and his supporters active fighting for separation of state was a wonderful time do to protect our Constitution and the in the Religious Right are actually and church. First Amendment. doing more to destroy their religion Colorado’s Amendment 11, known This is just a note of thanks and ap- Noral Baughman than we could. We should think of the as “Murphy’s Law,” was a referendum preciation for another great conference. Washington election of Trump as, ironically, a gift on taxing churches, which was on the We agree that the highlights were from God for the freethought move- ballot in the 1990s. He had his own ra- Student essays show ment. People of a new generation are dio show and has spoken nationally. seeing a group of lying, cheating peo- I just want to thank these heroes for A note to FFRF Members there’s hope for future ple speak of how obedience to their their service and all they do for those religion has made them who they are. of us whose lives have been affected by Don’t miss a single issue of I first learned of FFRF early last year Anyone with any thought at all would this very abusive religion. Freethought Today & Private Line! while watching the TV ad featuring see this as a reason to reject religion. Gary King, director of FFRF’s Colorado Ron Reagan. The legal battles FFRF If religion is supposed to result in a Springs Chapter wages in support of the principle of moral and ethical life, and it quite Colorado separation of church and state are greatly appreciated. If the expiration date of your FFRF Your weekly antidote to the Religious Right membership on your address label ADRIFT ON A STAR - Music CD says December or earlier . . . FREETHOUGHT RADIO Please renew now! Irreverent FFRF Memberships: selections PODCASTS AND BROADCASTS $40 single; $50 household; by Dan Barker, $100 gung-ho; $250 sustaining Yip Harburg, FIND OUT MORE: rf.org/radio Memberships are tax deductible! Charles Strouse, Cole Porter, Gershwin — Hosted by Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor — and others. Slightly irreverent views, news, music & interviews Freethought Today is published 10 times a year.

Photoshop # Buy it from FFRF online P.O. Box 750White • Madison, WI 53701 ffrf.org/shop ffrf.org/o December 2019 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 19

Sarah Vowell, Anthony Pinn and Amber Air Force religious record Scorah. And we continue to be inspired Where do you ‘Freethought’? by Bonya Ahmed. Also, we love the won- doesn’t show the real me derful piano playing. (Thanks, Dan!) I read with interest John Compere’s Donna Silver and George Savage column, “The war on military religious Wisconsin freedom,” because it reminded me of my own battle with the USAF. I enlisted in 1961 and was sent to- All religions are evil Lackland Air Force Base in San Anto- and bloodthirsty nio, Texas, for basic training. Prior to our uniform issue, we had to complete I am proud to say that I’ve been an a number of forms. One form asked us atheist for over 10 years and am loving for our religious affiliation. I wrote, “No every minute of it. I definitely do not need religious preference.” God to be good. I was raised as a Roman The sergeant reviewed all of our Catholic and after a while, I started to forms and when he got to mine, read ask questions of the priests and nuns. Of it, studied it and asked for me. He course, I never received an honest answer, growled, “What’s this crap about no re- only some mumbo-jumbo about the make- ligious preference, huh?” believe jackass in the sky who is loving and When I explained that I didn’t be- caring. After reading many things about lieve in any religion, the assistant train- religion, I’ve come to the conclusion that ing instructor stepped in and said, ALL religions are evil and bloodthirsty. When cruising the oceans, we often bring reading material along to “O’Donahue, come with me.” We went Eugene T. Bernascone fill the time during those idle days at sea. Freethought Today is filled with into the latrine, where he ran water in New Jersey comprehensive articles and up-to-date relevant news we cannot get from other the sink, grabbed a handful and threw sources, making it the perfect newspaper to accompany us on our vacations. it in my face. “There,” he said. “Now Here we are overlooking the Lahaina Harbor in Maui, Hawaii, where you can you’re a damn Catholic. Get back in Coincidences happen, see our cruise ship in the background. the ranks!” both good and bad David and Susan Lofvers Sometime later, our military ID Florida cards were issued, and, sure enough, I recently watched a rerun of “Forensic I was branded a Catholic. Later, our Files.” This episode featured the story of Editor’s note: FFRF on occasion runs photos of members with their issue of Free- dogtags were issued, but this time they the Sunset Limited derailing accident that thought Today and where they are reading it (if it’s away from their homes). Send your were stamped “Lutheran.” My friend occurred in Alabama on Sept. 22, 1993. photos and descriptions to [email protected]. said I should get that straightened out. The accident was caused by the train I said, “Screw ‘em! If I’m killed, I’m tracks on the bridge being severely com- dead and that’s it. Why should I care promised when a heavy barge collided dar training, the pilot made a wrong would have lit up along the tracks, alert- what they do with my body. Let them with the rail bridge shortly before the turn and entered the Big Bayou Canot ing the train to stop. figure it out!” train was to cross. The resulting derail- (which was considered unnavigable). Why am I retelling this story? Be- So my records will show that I was ment and crash killed 47 people and in- The barge struck the bridge just 8 min- cause any time there is even a small possibly the only Catholic Lutheran to jured another 103. It is one of the deadli- utes before the train arrived. chain of coincidences that lead to a serve in the United States Air Force. est train crashes in American history. 3) When the barge struck the bridge, good outcome, Christians cheer and Terry O’Donahue Leading up to the crash, there were a the pilot actually thought he ran claim that God just performed a mira- Wisconsin few unfortunate coincidences: aground. In fact, when he looked at the cle. The fact is, coincidences happen. 1) The train had been delayed for radar screen, he mistook the bridge for Sometimes the outcome is tragic, some- repairs, putting it 30 minutes behind another barge. Had he known, he could times the outcome is great. But, Chris- Donating to FFRF can schedule. have alerted the authorities that the rail tians shouldn’t kid themselves that the help in many ways 2) Shortly before the accident, a bridge was compromised. good outcomes are the result of God. barge being pushed by a towboat was 4) When the barge hit the bridge, They are just coincidences. Period. My purpose in sending a donation being piloted by a man who wasn’t instead of severing the tracks, it instead G. Howard Allen was due not so much that I am an trained in how to read radar. Because severely bent them. Had the tracks been California avowed atheist as it is to make people of the dense fog and the lack of ra- severed or pulled apart, a warning light everywhere aware that there are a large number of people who are atheists and Prison secular group that it is entirely acceptable to be one, thanks FFRF for its help and I hope FFRF can be a major factor Announcing . . . in accomplishing that. My thanks to you are long overdue. An even more important issue to me 2020 Cornelius Vanderbroek Memorial Since 2014, FFRF has, in one way or is the separation of church and state. another, repeatedly come to our rescue. Seems like an almost impossible task, Essay Competition for Law Students First Associate Counsel Sam Grover, then but I am happy to know that there are Legal Fellow Colin McNamara and Co- serious efforts to accomplish it. FIRST PLACE — $4,000 Presidents Annie Laurie Gaylor and Dan Beware of dogma: This sticker you SECOND PLACE — $3,000 Barker, and now Attorney Chris Line. included with your thank-you card is THIRD PLACE — $2,000 We’re a bit like Blanche DuBois in “A very thought-provoking, as dogma is the OPTIONAL HONORABLE MENTION(S): $500 Streetcar named Desire” — we are always source of much conflict in the world. depending on the goodwill of others. It reminds me of a sentence I came Goodwill is a rare commodity. across many years ago. It consists of only TOPIC: I greatly appreciate the contribution three words, but it is the most profound “Are ‘No Aid’ Clauses Constitutional?” of the freethought DVD collection and sentence I have ever encountered. I your written permission to view them. still think about it sometimes and am Prompt: The Supreme Court will decide an important case involving the separation This resource is adding weeks to the lifes- amazed at how powerful it is if given se- of state and church during the 2019-2020 term. In Espinoza v. Montana Department of pan of our Secular Humanist group! rious thought. Perhaps you are familiar Revenue, the court will address whether a decision by the Montana Supreme Court Joseph Night with it: “Think beyond belief.” prohibiting state aid for tuition at religious schools based on the state constitution’s Mike Durfee State Prison Gerald Handy “No Aid” clause violates the Free Exercise Clause. Many other states have similar “No South Dakota Colorado Aid” clauses that prohibit taxpayer money from going to religious schools. Please write an essay exploring one legal argument defending the constitutionality of Montana’s “No Aid” provision, or rebutting one argument that the clause is unconstitutional. No need to recount the facts of the case. FFRF’s classic Eligibility: Open to all ongoing law school students attending a North American law school. You remain eligible to enter this contest if you will graduate from law school ‘Freethinker’ mug by spring or summer of 2020. You are not eligible to enter if you will be starting law school for the first time in the fall of 2020. Our classic ‘Freethinker’ mug has Word limit: 1,500 words (not including footnotes). been re-created. White imprint on classic blue, matte finish. 13 oz. Deadline: Fill out application and submit your essay no later than midnight, March American-made mug. 15, 2020. Application site contains other requirements and details. You will be notified by early summer if you win. $20 postpaid — Item# MU01 To apply: ffrf.us/lawessay Call 608/256-8900 or order online ffrf.org/shop Page 20 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | December 2019 BLACK COLLAR CRIME

isn’t subject to the statute of limitations because of a people, including his parents. rape against a minor. Cantarero, pastor at Iglesia Compiled by Bill Dunn state law that states the “passage of time” does not The church discovered the irregularities in Sep- Pentecostal Principe de Paz, met the alleged victim bar prosecution of sexual battery of a child. Source: tember 2018 after getting a notice it was in default in January and offered her a room at the church Clarion-Ledger, 10-16-19 on its mortgage. Source: Winston-Salem Journal, because “she was too young to live alone,” an Arrested / Charged Erick A. Ortenblad, 34, New London, MN: 10-8-19 affidavit said. Raul A. Sanchez, 41, Casper, WY: Domestic Theft by swindle. Ortenblad, pastor of Experience Nicholas A. Martin, 24, Belmont, NC: Felo- He allegedly offered to pay for her clothes, rent battery, 7 counts of aggravated assault and 2 counts Christ Church, is charged with bilking an elderly nious indecent exposure to a minor and 4 counts and school if she kept quiet and told her that “her of strangulation of a household member. Sanchez, couple out of $70,000 after allegedly telling them each of indecent liberties with a minor and contribut- demons had provoked him.” Source: NY Daily pastor of Living Rock Foursquare Church, is ac- in 2017 he wanted to buy a church property in Will- ing to the delinquency of a minor. Martin was music News, 9-25-19 cused of severe physical and emotional abuse of a mar on short notice. and youth pastor at N. Belmont Church of God and Rick Iglesias, 64, Butler County, PA: 3 counts woman for 14 years during their relationship. He allegedly told them he would repay them lived next to the church when the alleged crimes oc- of 1st-degree criminal sexual conduct with a juve- An affidavit of probable cause said he “routinely” when his home in Texas was sold. The day after he curred between October 2018 to September 2019. nile when he was senior pastor at Pleasant Valley punched and kicked the victim and that one of his deposited the check, he transferred $55,000 to his Martin, who is married, is accused of plying Church in Winona, MN, between September 2010 “favorite” things to do was grab her by the hair father’s account at the same bank to repay a debt. a 14-year-old girl with alcohol before assaulting and May 2012. He resigned in July as pastor at Or- and slam her head against a car window. Another The church’s website appears to have been deacti- her several times. Three other alleged victims chard Hill Church, Wexford, PA. woman from outside Wyoming, whose allegations vated. Source: Grand Forks Herald, 10-15-19 came forward after his arrest. Source: Rock Hill According to a complaint, the victim was as- aren’t part of the charges, described to police a Jeff Berry, 55, Franklin, TN: Indecency with Herald, 10-6-19 saulted multiple times in Iglesias’s residence be- similar pattern of abuse. a child by contact. Berry is accused of sexually Curtis R. Brown, 55, Albuquerque, NM: tween the victim’s freshman and sophomore year The woman alleged that in 2012 when she was abusing a 14-year-old boy in 1996 while working Criminal sexual penetration and criminal sexual in high school. It’s alleged that the sexual acts pregnant, Sanchez choked and punched her and at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church in Abilene, TX, contact of a minor. Brown, pastor at Grace Bap- occurred weekly and involved masturbation and that several weeks later she miscarried. The affi- and leading worship for tist Church for 18 years, penetration. Source: Winona Daily News, 9-24-19 davit described an undated incident in which he various church groups. Pi- allegedly admitted to a Angela Cheatwood, 41, Anniston, AL: Wire allegedly made her strip naked in his office at the oneer Drive Baptist is also 5-year-old boy’s family fraud. Cheatwood, bookkeeper for Sacred Heart nonprofit disability services agency he also worked where fugitive day care ‘This person I trusted that he molested him sev- of Jesus Catholic Church and School, is accused at. Source: Star-Tribune, 10-29-19 worker Jeffrey Forrest, preyed on the innoCence eral times during recent of stealing $448,000 from the parish by writing un- Aristotle A. Esguerra, 44, Madison, WI: Felony 47, wanted for aggravated “ sleepovers at Brown’s authorized checks and taking money from school abuse of a child with the intention to cause bodily sexual assault of a child, of a boy attached to home. fundraisers and donations. Source: al.com, 9-24-19 harm. Esguerra was a music teacher at St. Jerome used to work. his hospital bed.’ The boy told police that Brendan Williams, 78, Lawrence, NJ: Sexual Catholic School in Columbus in December 2018 The complainant, now he and Brown, who is a rel- assault/criminal sexual contact on a victim under when he is accused of striking a 7-year-old student 35, told police Berry’s — victim of ex-priest ative, would play with their the age of 13. Williams was pastor at St. Veronica hard enough in the thigh during class to leave a abuse started when he Thomas Ericksen penises in the “man cave” Catholic Church in Howell when his alleged crimes bruise. He was fired 3 days after the incident, which was in middle school: “He until they would “squirt” occurred between 1997-99, the state attorney gen- was reported the same day to Columbus police. turned out all of the lights and that penetration was eral’s office said. Source: nj.com, 9-20-19 After hitting the child, Esguerra allegedly whis- and had candles instead; involved. The boy’s father David Rosenberger, 52, Millville, PA: Theft pered, “I won’t be here next year because of what I he had us both lie on the floor next to each other in told police he would spend every Tuesday after by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property and just did to you,” the complaint said. He believed the the dark to watch a movie...” Another alleged victim school at the home Brown shared with his wife, who forgery. He is pastor at New Testament Assembly student had been misbehaving. Source: WKOW, later said Berry molested him in a similar setting. is suffering from liver failure. Source: KOAT, 10-4-18 of God Church, where he’s accused of stealing 10-25-19 Source: KTXS, 10-14-19 Brandon R. Russell, 27, E. Liverpool, OH: Sex- over $252,000 between 2011-19. Source: WOLF, Keith J. Collins, 58, and Carolyn C. Collins, Norman Hudson, 58, Memphis, TN: Attempted ual battery. According to a September grand jury 9-19-19 70, Ridley Park, PA: 45 counts of theft, conspiracy, murder, aggravated rape, especially aggravated indictment, from June 1, 2011 through Jan. 1, 2014, Vincent DeLorenzo, 80, a former Michigan receiving stolen property and failure to make re- robbery, especially aggravated burglary, especially Russell, pastor at an unidentified church, engaged Catholic priest extradited from Florida in May, faces quired dispensation of funds. Keith Collins is senior aggravated kidnapping and illegal possession of a in sexual conduct with a minor who was a member a new criminal sexual conduct charge for allegedly pastor and his wife is executive pastor of Church of credit/debit card. Hudson, pastor at Do You Believe of the church. Source: Salem News, 10-2-19 assaulting a 5-year-old boy in 1987 after a funeral the Overcomer. Outreach Ministry, is charged with forcibly entering Paul Cain, 65, Houston: Sexual abuse of a service he officiated for the boy’s family. Gloria F. Byars, 58 — Carolyn Collins’ sister — his neighbor’s home, stabbing her in the neck, pour- child and sexual assault of a child. Cain, pas- DeLorenzo was charged in May with criminal faces 760 counts in a financial scheme in which the ing an insecticide down her throat and raping her. tor of New Canaan Missionary Baptist Church, sexual conduct for reaching into another boy’s pants trio are accused of embezzling $1.09 million from It’s alleged Hudson forced her to give him her allegedly assaulted a girl multiple times in 2018 and fondling his genitals. On many occasions when 112 elderly victims through court-appointed guard- bank card pin number that he used to steal money when she was 13. they were alone, DeLorenzo would “first pray and ianships. from her account. Source: WMC, 10-13-19 Cain denied any sexual contact and when con- then insert his finger into [the boy’s] anus,” court re- The Collinses also operate Pinnacle Guardians Kenneth R. Sullivan Jr., 35, Lexington, fronted with copies of explicit messages he alleged- cords state. He was removed from ministry in 2002 LLC. The Church of the Overcomer’s website calls NC: Securities fraud and 2 counts of obtaining ly sent her told police, “Well, when you’re dealing after abuse complaints involving a different child. it “the church for people who don’t go to church.” All property by false pretenses. Sullivan, treasurer with that person it’s harmless because she initiates The statute of limitations was tolled because he of the alleged victims are over age 60. Source: Daily at Grace Presbyterian Church, allegedly misap- most of that kind of stuff.” Source: KPRC, 9-26-19 left the state. Source: mlive.com, 9-17-19 Times, 10-23-19 propriated over $260,000 from the church and Octavio Cantarero, 42, Gaithersburg, MD: 4th- Jonathan Skolnick, 37, Bronx, NY: Multiple Victor Mateo, 63, Yonkers, NY: 2nd-degree took about $170,000 in retirement money from 4 degree sexual offense and attempted 2nd-degree charges related to production and possession of murder, 1st-degree manslaughter, 3 counts of crimi- child pornography. Skolnick, associate principal nal possession of a weapon and 2 counts of endan- at Salanter Akiba Riverdale Academy, a Mod- gering the welfare of a child. Mateo, pastor at the ern Orthodox day school, allegedly posed as a Christian Congregation of the Redeemer Church in teen girl online in March to communicate with a the Bronx, is accused of running over his recently 14-year-old boy. estranged wife Noelia Mateo, 58, when she walked The boy was then convinced to send sexually out of her house Oct. 3, said Bronx District Attorney explicit photos of himself to fake email addresses Darcel Clark. such as girlwholikesyou@protonmail that were Neighbors and her 11- and 9-year-old grand- controlled by Skolnick. He told police there were children watched as she then hid under her own “approximately 20 to 25 victims,” most of whom car, which he drove over her before hacking her were minors, the complaint said. Source: NY with a machete. He was arrested a week later af- Post, 9-17-19 ter driving her car to Pennsylvania. Source: lohud. David Weltman, 29, Skokie, IL: 2nd-degree com, 10-22-19 sex abuse. Weltman is accused of abusing an Timothy J. Hallows, 61, Kaysville, UT: 8 counts underage Hebrew student between February and of sexual exploitation of a minor. Hallows, bishop of March at Hillel House in Iowa City, IA, where he was the Wellington Ward in the Kaysville Mormon Stake, executive director. “admitted to distributing child sexual abuse material During the investigation, an officer spoke to an during online communications while using Skype. acquaintance of Weltman’s, who alleged to police Hallows admitted to owning an unknown amount that Weltman admitted being sexually attracted to of images of child sexual abuse, but estimated the children between the ages of 7 and 12. Source: numbers over 100,” an affidavit said, adding he Press-Citizen, 9-13-19 refused to take a polygraph exam with questions about sexual contact with children on camping trips. Pleaded / Convicted Source: Deseret News, 10-21-19 Amy Hutton, 41, Nutter Fort, W.VA: Embezzle- Shauna Haile, Rogersville, MO: Pleaded guilty ment. Hutton, secretary at Bridgeport Presbyterian to theft and forgery. Haile, secretary for 13 years at Church, allegedly moved $87,000 in church funds to Harvest Community Church of the Nazarene, was her personal checking account between November arrested after the church discovered about $80,000 2018 and August 2019. Source: WDTV, 10-18-19 was missing. Mary Ann Lee, 75, Cleveland, GA: Felony theft Court records said Haile told investigators the by taking. Lee, who resigned in May as secretary thefts started when she accidentally used a church at Central Baptist Church in Gainesville, is accused debit card instead of her own and when she real- of taking $44,213 in church funds between January ized it wasn’t detected, she kept taking more money. 2015 and August 2019. Source: AP, 10-17-19 Police began investigating in August after an au- David Reiter, 50, South Park, PA: Pleaded dit revealed missing money. “This took place during guilty to theft, receiving stolen property, forgery, a time period when others were employed and the access device fraud, tampering with records and current staff suspects previous employees pock- unlawful use of a computer. Reiter, administrator eted money that could possibly be over $150,000,” since 2001 at Westminster Presbyterian Church in said Cpl. Jessica Van. Source: Gainesville Times, Upper St. Clair, hid the theft of $1.2 million by im- 10-17-19 personating employees at audit firms and falsifying Elizandro Salazar-Montoya, 46, Carpenters- accounting data. ville, IL: Criminal sexual assault and 4 counts of His wife, Connie Reiter, 44, is charged with 2 aggravated criminal sexual abuse. He’s accused felony counts of receiving stolen property. Source: of assaults on a victim under age 18 when he was Tribune-Review, 10-16-19 pastor at Iglesia Apostólica de Elgin between Nov. 1 Daniel F. Heath, 33, Wilson, NC: Pleaded guilty and Dec. 1 of 2018. Source: WGN, 10-17-19 to enticing and coercing a minor to engage in illegal Dural R. Ragsdale, 71, Vicksburg, MS: Felo- sexual activity. Heath, associate pastor at First Bap- ny fondling. The grand jury indictment alleges the tist Church, admitted in federal court in Texas that abuse occurred between Jan. 1, 1974 and Dec. he knew the victim was under 18 and living with her 31, 1975 with a victim under age 14 when Rags- parents when he asked her to take photos and vid- dale was a youth minister at Iuka United Method- eos of herself engaging in sexually explicit conduct ist Church. and sending him the images. District Attorney John Weddle said the charge Prosecutors said Heath made the girl “submit” to December 2019 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 21 him, including what to wear and obtaining his con- Doe’s attorney Richard Serbin said she sued sent before touching her own body. He traveled to instead of accepting the diocese’s offer of $88,100 Texas to visit her in February. Source: Baptist News from its victims compensation fund. Her mother was Global, 10-11-19 housekeeper at the rectory. Jeriah Mast, 38, Millersburg, OH: Pleaded guilty A state grand jury report detailed how the dio- to 2 counts of gross sexual imposition for molesting cese first received complaints about Pierce in 1972 2 underage males between 1999 and 2008. A plea but let him remain in the ministry until 1997 and how agreement dismissed 12 counts involving several he allegedly told a 10-year-old boy in 1969 that he other victims. had to submit to sex “in order to be saved and go to Mast admitted the abuse occurred for about 15 heaven.” Source: Tribune-Review, 10-9-19 years in Ohio and Haiti, where he worked for Chris- The Diocese of Providence, RI, former Bish- tian Aid Ministries of Berlin, OH, a missionary group op Louis Gelineau, current Bishop Thomas Tobin supported by Mennonite, Amish and other church- and St. Anthony Catholic Church in N. Provi- es. A Haitian court is seeking Mast’s return to that dence are being sued by Philip Edwardo, a former country. Source: Post-Gazette, 10-9-19 altar boy who alleges now-deceased St. Anthony Patrick Casey, 56, Westland, MI: Pleaded guilty pastor Philip Magaldi molested him at least 100 to aggravated assault after a jury was unable to times in the late 1970s and early 1980s. reach a verdict on a charge of criminal sexual con- A new law gives victims up to 35 years after they duct. Casey, pastor at St. Theodore of Canterbury turn 18 to file suits against “perpetrator defendants.” Catholic Parish, was accused of a sexual encounter That’s not the case for nonperpetrators, such as in his office in January 2013 with a man, then in his churches or agencies that supervised the offender, 20s, who professed to be gay and was seeking to but the suit argues that the enabling hierarchies are receive the sacrament of confession. also perpetrator defendants like the getaway driver The archdiocese of Detroit dismissed Casey in a robbery. Source: Boston Globe, 10-3-19 from the clerical state on Aug. 1, 2018. Source: Fox Trail Christian Fellowship in Eagle Point, OR, 2 Detroit, 10-7-19 is being sued by a woman who alleges she was Kenneth S. Marshall, 37, Mathews, VA: Guilty molested multiple times between 2008 and 2009, by jury of felony forcible sodomy. Marshall, youth starting when she was 14, by Jacob Durrett, then pastor at Cornerstone Fellowship Church, was 23, who led a church youth group. It’s alleged the charged with assaulting a 15-year-old boy who at- nesses. Cleburne County Sheriff Chris Brown said Christian Center despite his 1990 sexual assault church failed to protect the plaintiff and several other tended the church and is a special ed student. It 6 other people came forward as the trial neared. conviction. The 5 years will be added to his 5-year girls despite knowing about their complaints. allegedly occurred June 10, 2018. Source: KLRT, 10-9-19 sentence last March for child endangerment and Durrett was arrested in 2015 and pleaded not The boy told his teacher the next day and in- Lothar K. Krauth, 81, Great Falls, MT: 5 years criminal sexual contact for molesting a 15-year-old guilty but took his own life before the case could go vestigators determined he had not showered that in prison after pleading guilty to receiving child por- girl in 2014. to trial. Source: KOBI, 10-3-19 morning and was still wearing the clothing he slept nography. Prosecutors said Krauth, pastor at Our He also has a 1988 criminal sexual contact con- in. A forensic test revealed DNA on his penis that ap- Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church from 1989-2014, viction. Source: nj.com, 9-24-19 Civil Lawsuits Settled peared to match Marshall’s DNA profile. The odds received thousands of images of child porn, includ- Martin P. Ramos, 45, Fresno, CA: 270 days in of the DNA coming from someone other than Mar- ing children as young as 2 or 3. Source: AP, 10-4-19 the county jail and 4 years’ probation after plead- The Archdiocese of Seattle, St. Benedict’s shall was 1 in 7.2 billion, prosecutor T.C. Bowen III Barton Burron, 73, New Edinburgh, Ottawa: 2 ing no contest to oral copulation of a person under Abbey and the American-Cassinese Congrega- told the court. Source: Virginian-Pilot, 9-26-19 years in prison and payment of $1,000 a month for 18 and misdemeanor child molestation. Ramos, an tion of Benedictine Monasteries paid $225,000 to Daniel Greer, 79, New Haven, CT: Guilty by jury the rest of his life as part of a $490,000 restitution elder at a Jehovah’s Witnesses congregation, was settle a Washington state suit alleging sexual mo- of 4 counts of risk of injury to a minor. Complainant order on a fraud conviction for stealing money from charged in 2017 with crimes against a 17-year-old lestation by John Forrester, a priest from Atchison, Eliyahu Mirlis, now 31, testified Greer repeatedly St. Luke Lutheran Church, where he was volunteer girl who attended the church. KS, serving as assistant pastor of All Saints Catholic raped and molested him when he was a student at treasurer and bookkeeper for 30 years. Ramos mentored the girl and they exchanged Church in Puyallup and 3 other parishes in the mid- the rabbi’s Yeshiva of New Haven from 2002-05. In his victim impact statement, Pastor Brian “inappropriate” photos before their relationship to late 1970s. Forrester died in 2002. “That’s what I do with my kids. It’s fine. Don’t King said Burron soured King’s relationship with turned physical, police said. Source: Fresno Bee, The archdiocese also settled a suit for $250,000 worry about it,” Greer allegedly told Mirlis after their many parishioners by blaming him for the church’s 9-20-19 involving 2 members of the Christian Brothers of first encounter at Greer’s home when Greer fed financial situation while Burron tried to cover his Stacy L. Sindleri, 35, Johnstown, PA: 6 months Ireland, Frank Delamere and William Donohue, him nuts and wine before kissing him and groping tracks. “It was a betrayal by someone that I and in jail after pleading guilty to theft by unlawful taking who were accused of sexual abuse in the 1960s at his crotch. many others considered to be a friend.” Source: for stealing just over $250,000 from St. Clare of As- Briscoe Memorial School, an orphanage and board- Greer faced 8 felony counts but Judge Jon Al- Ottawa Citizen, 10-4-19 sisi Catholic Church, where she was parish secre- ing school in Kent. The school closed in the 1970s. ander threw out all 4 sexual assault charges when Victor Trevino Sr., 47, Lansing, MI: $400 in tary. She wrote dozens of checks to herself from the Source: News Tribune, 10-3-19 he determined prosecutors mistakenly chose a fines and court costs and 80 hours of community church’s accounts between March 2016 and March time-barred definition of 2nd-degree sexual assault service for failure to report child abuse allegedly 2018, according to a criminal complaint. Source: Legal Developments and the statute of limitations had run out. committed by his son, Vic- Tribune-Democrat, 9-17-19 The U.S. District Court in Hartford awarded tor Trevino Jr., 22, a youth Moeiletafa Mauga, 64, The Catholic Church, Boy Scouts of America Mirlis $21.7 million in punitive and compensatory pastor at Bread House Irvine, CA: Time served and other California institutions will face a flood damages in 2017 in his civil suit. Source: Yale Daily South, a bilingual ministry Fr. Pierce allegedly (102 days), 5 years’ pro- of lawsuits that could force bankruptcies due to a News, 9-25-19 where his father and mother told the 10-year-old he bation, 262 days’ home law taking effect Jan. 1 that gives victims of child- hood sexual abuse until age 40 (up from age 26) to have respectively been pas- “had to submit to sex confinement and $227,152 Sentenced tor and first lady since 2004. restitution after pleading sue. It also gives victims of all ages 3 years to sue. Source: WILX, 10-3-19 ‘in order to be saved guilty to embezzling that About 1,000 suits, the vast majority against the Elozer Porges, 46, New York City: 2 years in Cedrick McMillian, 34, and go to heaven.’ amount from First Christian Catholic Church, were filed when California lifted prison and a $150,000 fine after pleading guilty to Prichard, AL: $1,500 fine Church of Garden Grove the statute of limitations for a year in 2003, recalled wire fraud for submitting false documents to the fed- plus court costs. McMillian, while she was church sec- John Manly, who has represented Olympic gold eral government from 2013 to 2016 stating that at- pastor of New Heritage retary. She used church medalist Aly Raisman and other gymnasts. risk students at Central United Talmudic Academy in Community Church and operator of Heritage Fu- debit cards to regularly withdraw cash from 2013- “I think you’re going to see organizations that Brooklyn were being served meals they never got. neral Home, was found guilty of charges related to 17. Source: mynewsla.com, 9-16-19 have been essentially engaging in systemic crimi- The academy is paying back $3.2 million in restitu- illegal operation of a cemetery for burying 14 people nality by protecting pedophiles are about to be ex- tion to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. in a place not certified as a cemetery. Civil Lawsuits Filed posed. It’s not just the Catholic hierarchy, it’s private Prosecutors said the funds were actually being He and funeral home director Joseph Bonner schools, it’s public schools, it’s physicians,” Manly used to host social events for adults and for bat also face criminal charges of corpse abuse for fail- The Catholic Diocese of San Diego is being said. He predicted 5,000 to 10,000 lawsuits under mitzvahs and bar mitzvahs in a banquet hall. Ex- ure to correctly seal caskets and bury them at the sued by 3 women who allege molestation in the ear- the new law. Source: AP, 10-14-19 penditures included about $800,000 for chicken. proper depth. McMillian was convicted in 2012 ly 1960s by Gregory Sheridan, a priest who died The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of “That’s a lot of chicken, your honor,” Assistant for having sex with a 14-year-old female relative. in 1991. He is on a 2018 list of priests credibly ac- New York’s appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court fell U.S. Attorney Erik Paulsen told U.S. District Judge Source: WREG, 10-2-19 cused of abusing children. on deaf ears as the court denied certiorari. Califor- Nicholas Garaufis at the sentencing hearing. Co-de- Hurmiz Ishak, 66, Sterling Heights, MI: 4 years Plaintiff Cathie Ray told reporters she can still nia plaintiff “J.W.” sued the society in 2013 and in fendant Joel Lowy also pleaded guilty and awaits in prison for criminal sexual conduct. Ishak, a sub- feel Sheridan’s tongue in her ear and licking her 2015 was awarded over $4 million by a Riverside sentencing. deacon and sacristan at St. Joseph Chaldean Cath- neck while she helped him organize his stamp col- Superior Court jury, an award upheld by a state ap- Porges, the father of 11, is still drawing $100,000 olic Church, was convicted of assaulting a 14-year- lection when she was 9. Her parents would drop her peals court. annually from the academy despite doing no work old boy at the church in 2017. off on Saturdays at the rectory. She said Sheridan The suit alleged J.W. was 9 when she was as- on its behalf. Source: NY Post, 10-25-19 Jurors heard from 2 other alleged victims, a teen would bounce her up and down on his lap until she saulted in 2006 by Gilbert Simmental, a Jehovah’s Benjamin Field, 28, Maids Moreton, England: girl and an adult woman, who testified he acted in- felt an erection, which occurred about twice a month Witnesses elder, while hosting a pool party for his Life in prison with a minimum of 36 years after being appropriately with them. The adult was a teen at the for several years. Source: KNSD, 10-18-19 daughter at their home. Simental was given a rep- convicted of killing retired teacher Peter Farquhar, time and was allegedly told by her mother to keep Juan Ricardo Torres is suing the Diocese of rimand after confessing to church leaders but law 69, in 2015 in order to inherit his house and mon- quiet so she wouldn’t be ostracized and “treated Sacramento on claims he was sexually assaulted enforcement was only notified after J.W. told her ey. Field was an Anglican Church warden in the like damaged goods” by the Chaldean community. as an altar boy at age 15 in 1983-84 by Jose Pinal school principal a year later. He was found guilty Diocese of Oxford. Anglican wardens are parish Source: Free Press, 9-29-19 Castellanos, pastor of Sacred Heart Catholic Par- of 3 counts of lewd and lascivious acts on a child administrative assistants. Source: The Guardian, Hector D. Mendoza-Vela, 42, Fremont, CA: ish in Gridley, CA. The suit includes a letter written and sentenced in 2008 to 45 years to life in prison. 10-18-19 56 months in prison after pleading no contest to 5 by diocesan attorney Louis Desmond that indicates Source: Friendly Atheist, 10-10-19 Yehuda Ben David, 70, Ashdod, Israel: 4 years counts of lewd or lascivious acts on a child age 14 former Bishop Francis Quinn approved a request by in prison on a conviction of sexually assaulting sis- or 15. The native Salvadoran was accused of mo- Pinal to start working in Cuernavaca, Mexico, after Other ters aged 8, 12 and 14 at the synagogue where he lesting a boy about 30 times from June 2016 to De- 4 boys had alleged abuse. was rabbi. He was also ordered to pay 150,000 cember 2017 while he was pastor at Corpus Christi Current Bishop Jaime Soto said in a statement Bryan G. Fulwider, 59, Altamonte Springs, FL, shekels ($43,000) in damages to the girls, who Catholic Church. Source: Mercury News, 9-27-19 that he’s ashamed of “the transfer of a recognized was found dead of an apparent suicide Oct. 29 at didn’t realize for a long time that he was molesting Thomas Ericksen, 72, Minneapolis: 30 years in perpetrator. ... This was a grave failure of judgment his home. He faced 30 counts of sexual battery their siblings. prison after a jury found him guilty of sexually as- and a betrayal of trust.” Source: KCRA, 10-15-19 by a person in a position of custodial authority to Ben David was convicted of indecent assault in saulting boys in the 1980s while he was pastor at The Archdiocese of New York, St. Sylvester a person less than 18 years of age. Fulwider, most 1997 but was only sentenced to 5 months’ commu- St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Winter, WI. Sawyer Catholic Church in Concord and Msgr. Edward recently a United Methodist pastor, was charged nity service. Source: Haaretz, 10-11-19 County authorities had known of sexual assault al- Weber are defendants in a suit filed by Arne Haugh- with assaults between 2005-10, starting when the Phillip J. Buckson, 32, Boiling Springs, SC: legations against Ericksen for 35 years before his wout, who alleges he was assaulted at least 150 girl was 14 and he was senior minister at First Con- 10 years in prison and 5 years’ probation after arrest in November 2018. times in 1978-83 when he was an altar boy and We- gregational Church of Winter Park. pleading guilty to 2 counts of criminal sexual con- At least 11 men claimed abuse by Ericksen, ber fondled his genitals, forced him to perform oral He also co-hosted a weekly radio show called duct with a minor age 11 to 14 for multiple assaults who was removed from the priesthood in 1988. sex and sodomized him. “Friends Talking Faith With the Three Wise Guys,” on a girl while he was pastor at Cleveland Chapel One man alleged he was assaulted at age 9 while When Haughwout threatened to call the police, which aired on Orlando’s NPR affiliate. The co- Baptist Church. in Holy Cross Hospital in Merrill with a broken fe- Weber allegedly told him he would never be able to hosts were nominated as finalists in February for The girl alleged Buckson impregnated her twice mur. Ericksen took advantage of that, he told the see his brother again if he told anyone. He has been the Orlando Sentinel’s “Central Floridian of the after they started having intercourse in October court: “I was so young that I remember I had an put on leave as director of the archdiocese’s director Year” award “because of their attempts to use faith 2015 when she was 13. Both times she had abor- Incredible Hulk robe and a favorite stuffed animal. of priest personnel. Source: silive.com, 10-12-19 to unite the community.” tions. Source: The State, 10-10-19 This person I trusted preyed on the innocence of a The Diocese of Greensburg, PA, is being In a phone call recorded by the victim and Roderick G. Watkins, 57, Heber Springs, AR: boy attached to his hospital bed.” Source: Wausau sued by “Jane Doe,” who alleged she was raped shared with police, Fulwider told her there “was 80 years in prison after a jury found him guilty of Daily Herald, 9-26-19 by George Pierce, pastor of Holy Family Catholic never anything salacious or bad about it and you sexual assaults dating as far back as 2010 on 3 Shawn Butler, 53, Hillsborough, NJ: 5 years Church in Seward, starting when she was 10 in were always too damn mature for your own good.” boys and a girl ages 6 to 16 while he was an elder at in prison for violating Megan’s Law by working 1973 or 1974, with assaults continuing for about 4 Source: Orlando Sentinel/WFTV, 10-29-19 the Heber Springs Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Wit- as a youth minister and counselor at Eternal Life years. Pierce died in 2009. Email: [email protected] Page 22 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | December 2019 FFRF ON THE ROAD

The Women of Color Beyond Belief conference, which took FFRF Associate Counsel Liz Cavell, second from right, attended place in early October in Chicago, included organizers Sikivu the “When Rights and Religions Collide” conference in New Hutchinson, author and activist with Black Skeptics Los Angeles; York City on Oct. 19. Liz Moss, also with BSLA; and Mandisa Thomas, president and founder of Black Nonbelievers. Not pictured is Bridgett “Bria” Also pictured, from left: Sarah Haider, executive director of Crutchfield, who, with Mandisa and Sikivu, was a major organizer. Ex-Muslims of North America; Malkie Schwartz, founder of Footsteps, the first organization in North America to assist The WOCBB conference was the first secular forum focused people leaving the ultra-orthodox Jewish community; Liz exclusively on the perspectives and work of women of color who Cavell; and Torah Bontrager, founder of the Amish Heritage are atheists, agnostics, humanists, freethinkers and skeptics. Foundation, which assists the Amish who wish to leave their The Freedom From Religion Foundation was proudly the largest religion. financial co-sponsor of the two-and-a-half-day event, which The conference aimed to address the tension between the included a diversity of topics and breakout sessions covering protection of religious freedom and the rights of individual issues such as secular parenting, reproductive rights and persons. It was produced by the “Rights and Religions Forum,” secular organizing. Stay tuned for information on 2020’s follow- a nonprofit co-founded by Haider, Schwartz and Bontrager. up conference!

FFRF Legal Director Rebecca Markert, conference organizer Staffing FFRF’s table at the Women of Color Beyond Belief Mandisa Thomas, and FFRF Co-Presidents Annie Laurie event: Jasmine Lopez, Rebecca Markert, Annie Laurie Gaylor and Dan Barker pose in front of the Women of Color Gaylor, Josiane Martinez and Alec Loftus (plus Dan Barker, Beyond Belief conference logo backdrop. behind the camera).

CRANKMAIL Whew! What a month for Crankmail! FFRF pored of Bible prophecies have been fulfilled. Odds of this religion, just a reality. I respect that gift emmencely! is that you guys are religion to because your claim is over hundreds of hate-filled letters and emails this happening are astronomical and nearly impossible. Not a religion. GIFT. — Richard Royal against God so you’re exactly hypocritical to the very month, most of them in reference to FFRF’s Ron Reagan Actually to truly be an atheist, you must know every- Urgent Please Read!!!!: Now that i have thing you want to be free from or you claim to be sell- ad or FFRF’s complaint against the judge in the Amber thing in the world to truly eliminate any possibility your attention please and i speak for a number of ing freedom to.I know you guys aren’t that smart and Guyger case. Printed as received, expletives included. that there is a God. This is why the practice of athe- people saying this please grow the fuck up you guys I don’t expect you to be able to figure it out. — Roy Your ad in the Democratic debate: In ism is mathematically and logically absurd. It actually seriously filed a complaint because a judge gave guy- Youngs your ad you stated that you weren’t afraid of burn- cannot exist from a logical standpoint. It’s like joining ger (the female who killed her neighbor) a bible.... Fuck your Organization!!: First off, Fuck ing in Hell. Well, just because your not afraid doesn’t a club that believes 2+2=5....very sad. — Paul James are yall people like 9 years old or something yall just your damn group and second of all, I will make sure mean that you will not burn in hell it just means that Mr. Reagan’s ad: Mr. Reagan and other mem- pathetic with nothing else to do with your miserable your Foundation gets shut down.. There are a lot Satan has you so blinded to the fact that you as well bers of the FFR Organization. What if you are wrong ass lives and are now trying to make another person more of us than you. I would like to file a complaint. as me has a sinful nature and God loves you more and there is a Hell? Just in the outside chance there all kinds of stress and misery cause you guys are a You pussys are just buttburt because people call you than you love yourself that he suffered, bled, and is a Hell, have you studied what it will be like? Just for bunch of uptight butthurt ass people i guess that say- out!! — T.J. Maddox died to pay your sin debt to keep you from going to fun, take the time to study what Scripture says about ing “misery loves company” is true as fuck nowadays Your nonsense: I am sick and tired of you hell. That’s how much he loves you. I believe hell is it. You don’t want to even take a chance that you will — David Turner constantly stepping on others rights. You are con- down inside the earth and volcanoes are proof of it go there. Your ad is frightening, at the very least. — Pending litigation: The staff of this organi- stantly trying to takenreliguon from everyone. Just and one day it will burn up this whole earth while Jenny Johnson zation clearly has no firm grasp on the law, especially because you do not believe doesnt give you the right believers are with God in safety forever. AS SOON AS Your fictional organization: Please stay SCOTUS decisions about the right to pray, preach, to try and destroy ours. You are nothing but a bully YOU DRAW YOUR LAST BREATH YOU WILL BE BURN- off the air. Your recent ad during the Democratic de- proselyte, and other such activities by both elected and you all should be ashamed of yourselves. This is ING IN HELL ALIVE FOREVER, TOO LATE FOR YOU bate was quite embarrassing for you. I agree with the officials, employees of the government and regular my statement, no need for a reply, I wouldn’t give you THEN. — Homer Bentley right for you to express your opinion. But Reagen’s fi- citizens. Either stop persecuting belivers in ways that the time of the then day. — Sherri Newlon rob reagan: Just so you know, because you nal commit, well, lets say I was embarrassed for him. violate their rights or this prophet of God (yes that You: Stay the fuck out of my business you self have no testimony of Jesus Christ, you will not burn Let me give you a short education. You do not have would be me) will file suit against this organization righteous disgusting pathetic losers. How fucking pa- in HELL, you get to be with sex offenders, murders, the right to freedom from religion. And separation of which in the end would be devistating as the Lord thetic are you to step in where you have no right and serial killers, Hitler & all the scum of the earth. This is church and state is not in the constitution. It was the God will bring about its ruin through said suit. Stop start shit. I dare anyone of you to come to my house guaranteed, you have the right to express your opin- result of a Supreme Court case. — Robert Shomody pursuing evrrything on your own and only take cases and spew your fucking hatred. You will be praying ion, that opinion follows you till you meet your cre- I’m confused: Confused. INDIA term ‘ rights from those who complain and seek legal assistance for God to save you. I hope each and everyone of ator, just like everyone else!!! — Kenneth Stout and rituals & religious ideology won’t goal. USA on a valid claim. — Robert Tessen you fear for your and your family’s lives everyday for Atheism does not exist-pride does: So church Sunday won’t reach goal. My problem is so You are whacko: I want to start a non profit your disgusting activities. Fuck all of you and I hope sad to see that this exists. Mathematically, scientifi- basic it is hard to discredit. No Religion claim owner- called, freedom from Freedom from religion foun- to read about all of your worthless lives ending soon. cally now points to a creator. Plus, approximately half ship. My daily breath on auto-pilo..I consider a Gift No dation maybe you can help me out. the problem is — Tim Dunn December 2019 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 23 Secularism doesn’t destroy society or moral order

This article first appeared on Salon.com al violent crime rate has gone down by and is reprinted with permission. 51 percent! Clearly, secularism isn’t the hindrance to moral social progress Barr By Phil Zuckerman would have us believe. At the individual level, while religiously n October, in what New Yorker col- active people do volunteer and donate umnist Jeffrey Toobin called “the more money to charity than their secular Iworst speech given by an attorney peers — at least in the United States, general of the United States in modern if not elsewhere — secular people are history,” Attorney General William Barr notably moral in other ways. They are, offered a lecture at Notre Dame Law on average, less racist, less ethnocentric, School in which he denounced secular- less homophobic, less militaristic, less ism as a “social pathology” that destroys authoritarian, and less likely to hit their the “moral order.” children than their religious peers. They After blaming secularists for a host are also more likely to support women’s of contemporary problems — including equality, reproductive rights, sane gun depression, drug control, death with dignity, animal overdosing and welfare and efforts to fight climate violence — Barr change. Finally, atheists are significantly explained that underrepresented in prison. without belief in But how can secular people be moral Shutterstock image a “transcendent if they don’t believe in God? Easy. Con- Attorney General William Barr said that without religion, there can be no “moral Supreme Being” trary to Barr’s perspective, morality did culture.” and adherence not start with the bible. Human commu- to “God’s eternal most religious countries. In fact, those Minnesota. nities began constructing ethical codes law,” the “possibil- countries with the highest murder rates Of course, such correlations don’t of conduct long before the world’s major ity of any healthy — such as Jamaica, Honduras, Guatema- prove that secularism causes these more religions arrived on the scene. And that’s community life la, Colombia, and Brazil — are extremely positive outcomes experienced by less because morality first developed during Phil Zuckerman crumbles.” Unless religious, while those countries with the religious societies. But they do knock our long evolutionary past, when coop- we follow “God’s instruction manual,” he lowest murder rates — such as Iceland, the knees out of Barr’s thesis that secu- eration, honesty, and altruism increased sermonized, there will be “real-world con- Canada, Slovenia, Norway, and the Neth- larism is a destructive force. For if secu- group survival. Concomitantly, our sequences for man and society” — con- erlands — are among the most secular na- larism resulted in moral deterioration, brains long ago developed neurological sequences that are not pretty, but quite tions in the world. Heck, Singapore and then highly secular societies would be pathways and peptides that enhanced grim. For without religion, there can be the Czech Republic are among the least decaying bastions of crime and misery, our ability to be empathetic and com- no “moral culture” and society will inevi- religious nations on earth, while Brazil while the strongly religious would be passionate — the two fundamental cor- tably fall prey to humanity’s “capacity for and the Philippines are among the most shining beacons of liberty and harmo- nerstones of a moral orientation. We’ve great evil.” God-worshipping, yet the latter group’s ny. But we find just the opposite reality: also learned how to treat others through Such hackneyed assertions are not murder rates are over 10 times higher The nations with the best overall quality socialization and enculturation. And new. Pious people of power have been than the former’s, and the crime rate of of life are among the most secular coun- our innate ability to think, reflect and scapegoating the nonreligious for cen- never-been-Christian, strongly secular Ja- tries in the world. And while numerous reason has consistently led most of us to turies, characterizing nonbelievers as pan is 80 times lower than El Salvador’s, factors account for the differing degrees the basic, universal ethical principle that threats to the nation, and declaring that a Catholic nation neck-deep in worship of societal well-being — factors that have we ought to treat people the way we our- without religion, there can be no moral of Barr’s “Supreme Transcendent Being.” nothing to do with religion or secular- selves would like to be treated. social order. And like those before him Similar correlations hold within our ism — that’s exactly the point. Societies Although religion preaches many who have made such claims — from Newt own country: On almost every measure of thrive or fail because of their social pol- moral precepts, it by no means holds Gingrich to the prophet Muhammed — societal well-being — from poverty rates icies, laws, economic opportunities, civil a monopoly on them. Ethical life William Barr is wrong. to STD rates to DUIs — the most secu- institutions and government regulations abounds well beyond the confines of When lots of people in a given society lar states tend to fare the best, while the — not because of their faith in God, or church, bible and belief in gods. Those stop being religious of their own accord, most religious tend to fare the worst. For lack thereof. who actively scapegoat the secular as such organic secularization does not re- example, among the states with the high- Historical analysis is also relevant. pathologically immoral are purposeful- sult in the evaporation of morality in soci- est gun violence and murder rates, many The so-called “rise of the Nones” has ly spreading fear, and division — and, ety, nor national decay. For instance, the are among the most religious — e.g., occurred over the last five decades, with in so doing, violate the very moral ori- most secular countries in the world today Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Missou- both God-belief declining and the per- entation they claim to champion. fare much better on nearly every mea- ri, Oklahoma, West Virginia, and Arkan- centage of Americans claiming no reli- FFRF Member Phil Zuckerman is a profes- sure of peace, prosperity, and societal sas — while among those with the lowest gious affiliation skyrocketing, from less sor of sociology and secular studies at Pitzer well-being — including infant mortality, gun violence and murder rates, many are than 5 percent up to 26 percent today. College. He is the author of several books, life expectancy, educational attainment, among the least religious states, such as And yet, over the course of those same including Living the Secular Life, What It economic prosperity, freedom, levels New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, New decades, America’s poverty rate has Means to be Moral, Society Without God and of corruption, and so forth — than the York, Washington, Massachusetts, and precipitously declined, and the nation- Faith No More.

None to be found here

Make your own nontheistic cyber billboard at FFRF.org/unabashed and you might win an “Unabashed Atheist” tee, like Cathy Clark (above) did.

Women Without Superstition “No Gods—No Masters” Edited: Annie Laurie Gaylor By Ruth Hurmence Green Collected writings of 50 A Missouri grandmother women freethinkers of debunks the bible as the 19th & 20th centuries no one has debunked it ( 51 photographs ). since Thomas Paine.

—Published by FFRF. 696 pages / HB —Published by FFRF. 440 pages / PB Gary Berger sent us this image of a marquee from a church in Rogers, Ark. “I think it means ‘smart people’ (nonbelievers) are a threat to their church?” Buy it from FFRF online he writes. ffrf.org/shop Page 24 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | December 2019 Christmas is a time to celebrate the sun

By Erin Louis tree and all the presents were gone, the special dinner and treats, and even the lights on the house were re- fter the beauty of autumn fades, the leaves depart placed by the stern words of a man in a silly outfit. from the trees, and all but the hardiest of flowers Not until I was an adult did I learn of Christ’s A die, a celebration brings light and warmth to the thievery. The true meaning of the holiday came to darkness and chill of winter. Gathering with friends for light in the form of education. I discovered to my de- feasts and gift giving, a holiday in the dead of winter light that Christ didn’t really have much to do with seems just the thing to bring hope, happiness and a the origins of the holiday. It turns out it was just a sense of appreciation to an otherwise barren time of convenient way to get the otherwise unbelieving pa- year. It’s a time for renewal and gans to unwittingly worship a man they had thought optimism as we head into the was just a man by using the semantics of the words new year. Lights and colorful “sun” and “son” to confuse the real reason for cel- decorations brighten the shad- ebration. Christians even had the nerve to rename ows and remind us of all the the holiday, effectively hiding its true roots. It was good we have in our lives. then that I could effectively take back the holiday For thousands of years, hu- from the guy who stole it. mans in the Northern Hemi- Photo by Mimka, Shutterstock Today, I celebrate Christmas the way it was intend- sphere have celebrated the ed. The lights on the house, a fresh cut tree, gifts shortest day of the year and the mans he himself created by orchestrating the birth of and a special dinner with friends and family appear birth of the new solar year. In his son. Despite the fact that early Christians believed to mirror the Christmases of my past, with one thing Erin Louis other words, they celebrated that Christ was actually born on Jan. 6, it seems that missing — Christ. Christmas has so much more mean- the birth of the sun. the yule holiday was the perfect time to be usurped by ing to me now that it is free from the ridiculous dog- When I was a child, growing up in a Catholic fami- Christ. While the priests in church remind us how kind ma that was such a blight on the beautiful celebration ly, we also celebrated a birth — the (alleged) birth of God was to have done this to save our wretched souls it was intended to be. Looking back on the past year Jesus Christ, the son of God. In southern California, from the hell he himself created for us, the disturbing that was, and then looking forward to the year ahead where things rarely freeze over, even in winter, Christ- message was hidden in the midst of all the blessings of with hope and optimism is the reason for Christmas mas time was a big deal. It was a time to be reminded materialism. now. Even though we still call it Christmas, Christ has how humans were so inherently rotten that God had As I sat through the Christmas prayers on a cold, no influence over it anymore. The holiday is once to plant his seed in the belly of a virgin so that his off- hard wooden bench, my mind kept drifting to San- again a warm spot in the cold of winter. It is a time spring could be ultimately tortured to death to make ta Claus, and the candy-filled sock hanging from the to be grateful for family and friends, and a time to be up for the sins of humankind. And there are presents mantle. Dreams of enormous amounts of sugar and proud of the hard work it took all year to bring the and lots of food. toys filled my head. The excitement of the lights, songs feasts and gifts to the table. Christmas is once again a As the pagan yule holiday breaks up the winter with and Christmas cartoons seemed magical and endless. time to celebrate the sun. celebration and gratitude, Christ breaks up the cele- Until, of course, it was time to stand, kneel or sing, FFRF Member Erin Louis lives in California with her hus- bration with guilt and shame. It’s a time to be grateful then all the wonderful trappings of the holiday were band and son. She’s a classically trained pastry chef, writer that God showed mercy to the hopelessly flawed hu- once again stolen by Christ. In my child’s mind, the and unabashed atheist.

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