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Vol. 29 No. 1 Published by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. January/February 2012

Judge rules in favor of Jessica Ahlquist Rhode Islanders go ape over prayer; freethinkers show floral support

The stream of hate and profan- was “closed on the requested delivery ity previously aimed at Rhode Island day” (which was Wednesday, Jan. 18) teen Jessica Ahlquist increased by and said “ I am not able to fill this.” multitudes in the wake of a federal • The Madison florist was contacted judge’s order to permanently remove by Twins Florist in Cranston on Jan. 18 a Christian prayer banner at Cranston via Dove Network: “I will not deliver to West High School. She received death this person.” threats and numerous obscene com- • Flowers by Santilli in Cranston was ments directed at her online after the contacted by phone. The owner, upon Jan. 11 decision was released. hearing the name of the recipient, said The 8-foot-tall banner, currently he would rather not get involved and covered with a tarp while the School arship award last year and spoke at refused to fill the order. “We chose Committee of the city of Cranston and FFRF’s 34th national convention in not to make the delivery because first the city of Cranston decided whether October in Hartford, Conn., five days of all, most important, it’s our belief to appeal the judge’s ruling, is titled before Lagueux heard arguments in system,” Claudia Colardo-Santilli told “School Prayer,” addresses “Our Heav- the case in which she was the plaintiff WPRI News. enly Father” and ends with “Amen.” in an ACLU suit seeking removal of the • Seeking to go outside Cranston, “No amount of debate can make the banner. the Madison firm contacted Green- School Prayer anything other than a FFRF announced on Jan. 19 the cre- wood Flower & Garden in Warwick, prayer, and a Christian one at that,” said ation of its Atheists in Foxholes Sup- which agreed to accept the order, U.S. District Judge Ronald Lagueux in port Fund, with Ahlquist receiving a then called back saying patrons were a 40-page opinion. “Its opening, call- $10,000 scholarship as the fund’s first phoning and emailing threatening to ing upon the ‘Heavenly Father,’ is an recipient. She was also awarded $2,000 by President Ronald Reagan. boycott his business, so he refused the exclusively Christian formulation of a from FFRF in January for her student State Rep. Peter Palumbo, D-Crans- order. monotheistic deity, leaving out, inter activism. She’s being treated as a pari- ton, went on WPRO to call Ahlquist an FFRF filed a formal complaint Jan. alia, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, ah by many classmates and adults and “evil little thing.” He also called her a 19 with the state of Rhode Island Com- and atheists alike.” has expressed a desire to graduate ear- pawn “being coerced by evil people. . . mission for Human Rights, alleging “il- Ahlquist, 16, received FFRF’s Thom- ly from high school and attend college She’s being trained to do this.” legal discrimination based on religion” as Jefferson Student Activist schol- out of state. FFRF sent an Action Alert protesting for failure to fill the order. Senior Staff Banner supporters argued it was Palumbo’s vicious attack: “If anything Attorney Rebecca Markert cited the more historic and artistic than reli- is ‘evil,’ it is your inflammatory words state law that says it’s unlawful for a gious. In his decision, Lagueux called contributing to a situation in which place of accommodation to deny ser- the tradition argument “a murky and an entire community, if not state, ap- vices “on account of religion.” Inside This Issue dangerous bog. While all agree that pears to be arrayed against one young, Markert added, “Twins Florist vio- some traditions should be honored, brave and diminutive teenager. Your lated this statute when it refused the Prayer others must be put to rest as our na- reckless and unprofessional words as order by FFRF and it stated in its re- hazardous to tional values and notions of tolerance an elected state official endanger Jes- fusal that it would not ‘deliver to this pilot’s health and diversity evolve. At any rate, no sica’s standing and her security in the person.’ ” FFFRF is filing a separate Page 5 amount of history and tradition can community.” Continued on page 3 cure a constitutional infraction. The Court concludes that Cranston’s pur- Florists just poses in installing and, more recently, say no voting to retain the Prayer Mural are Student not clearly secular.” FFRF Co-Presi- activist David Bradley, 65, who wrote the dent Annie Laurie prayer in 1960 when he was in seventh Gaylor, wishing to proud to grade, told the Westerly Sun that he’s send a bouquet of be ‘out’ “absolutely incensed, disenfranchised roses to congratu- Page 11 and outraged. It’s just one more ex- late Ahlquist on the ample of secularism eroding the fabric court victory, con- of America.” tacted a shop Jan. 17 The class of 1963, the school’s first in Madison, Wis., to Freethought graduating class, had Bradley’s prayer assist with delivery. Heroine printed on heavy paper and hung it in The results: 2011 the auditorium as a gift to the school. • Floral Express, Bradley called Ahlquist a “trained in Cranston, on Pages 12–14 seal.” On WPRO Radio, Bradley said, Wednesday mes- “It’s a shame that some judge with an saged the Madison appointment out of a Cracker Jack box shop via Dove Net- Atheist Clem Wiechecki frames FFRF’s first-ever can make a ruling like that.” Lagueux, work, an electronic billboard in Rhode Island. See Page 23 for more on the 80, was appointed to the federal bench order service, that it billboard. Page 2 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin January/February 2012 Photos: Brent Nicastro In Memoriam James F. Crow, 1916­ – 2012

James Franklin Crow, 95, Madi- “I take a great deal of pride in this, of son, Wis., died of congestive heart course. But this usually happens after failure Jan. 4, 2012, at Capitol Lakes you’re dead. And I’m refusing to take Retirement Community. The world- the hint.” renowned evolutionary biologist and He told the convention audience population geneticist was a University that he believed neither in gods, devils of Wisconsin-Madison professor for 48 nor “intelligent design.” In closing he years and a Lifetime Member of the said: Freedom From Religion Foundation. “I want to say a little bit about evo- Meet a Volunteer Crow was born Jan. 18, 1916, in lution and religious belief. My main

Phoenixville, Pa. His father was a bi- personal reason for nonbelief is: Why Photo: Dan Barker ology teacher at Ursinus College, would an all-powerful and especially then moved to Friends University in benevolent creator permit so much sin Wichita, Kan., where James grew up. and suffering? Most evolutionists are He received a bachelor’s degree from nonbelievers, but they all aren’t. My Friends and did graduate studies at the favorite quotation on this subject, and University of Texas, where he earned a often he is very quotable, is from Ber- Ph.D. in genetics in 1941. After seven trand Russell. He was asked one time, years at Dartmouth College, he moved ‘Bertie, suppose that you’re totally to UW-Madison, where he stayed until wrong about this? Suppose you die and the end of his career. there really is a God and you’re taken He met his future wife, Ann Crock- up to the Pearly Gates, what would ett Crow, at the University of Texas, you say?’ Russell answered instantly, ‘I where he played viola and she played would say, “God, why didn’t you give us clarinet in the student orchestra. She better evidence?” ’ died in 2001. He played viola with “Well, let me finally end this tirade, the Madison Symphony Orchestra for this screed, by asking do you need to many years. He performed at a concert be a nonbeliever to study evolution? Of to celebrate his 90th birthday. course not! There are religious people He was a Fellow of the Royal Society who study evolution. I don’t think Scott Carney’s shirt notes that evolution is “All in the Family.” Go to of London and the Japan Academy, a there’s anyone among them, though, evogeneao.com for a good discussion of evolutionary genealogy. member of the American Philosophi- who takes the Old Testament literally. cal Society, the World Academy of Art For myself, I believe you don’t have to and Science, the American Academy of be a nonbeliever to be an evolutionist, Name: Scott Carney. made a loud noise and alarmed peo- Arts and Sciences, the National Acade- but I think it helps.” Where I live: De Pere, Wis. ple. The chair was old (and maybe not my of Medicine and the National Acad- Another UW colleague, Profes- Where I was born: Green Bay, Wis. ready for my 6-foot-6-inch frame), so it emy of Sciences, where he has chaired sor Emeritus James Coors, who is an Family: Ann and Michael, mom and wasn’t entirely my fault. several committees, including one to FFRF Executive Council member, dad; two older brothers, Dan 25, Matt My day job is/was/will eventually study forensic uses of DNA fingerprint- paid tribute to Crow in introducing 24. be: I’m pursuing an international rela- ing. That committee’s report helped him to the convention. Coors noted My religious upbringing was: Catho- tions degree and will work in either the legitimize use of DNA testing in court. his colleague’s many professional lic. private or public sector. “When the National Academy of achievements that broke new scientific Why I volunteer for FFRF: I had Education: I finished my first year at Sciences wanted an exemplary report ground, then spoke to Crow’s human- some time to kill until I leave for school Carroll University in Waukesha, Wis., lucidly written and completed on time, ity, calling him “a man who lights up in New Zealand, so I thought I would last year. I’m currently waiting to go it always called on Jim to chair it,” said every room with his smile.” offer my services for a good cause! to school at Victoria University of Wel- UW colleague Seymour Abrahamson “Dr. Crow was a downtown Madison What I do here: Organize member- lington in New Zealand. I will be there in the journal Genetics, a comment re- fixture who still went to the university ship cards, shred paper, fold cards, for three years to obtain my degree. ported in The New York Times’ Jan. 10 daily,” said FFRF Co-President Annie handyman around the building. These three words sum me up: story on Crow’s legacy. Abrahamson is Laurie Gaylor. “He remained vibrant, What I like best about it: I am able to Spontaneous, outgoing, worldly. married to Wisconsin Supreme Court tuned in and productive till the end.” see how many state/church violations My freethought heroes are: Dan Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson. “We are fortunate to have known happen on a daily basis and how much Barker, Richard Dawkins, Michael His most recent honor was the estab- him and are honored by his interest in it disgusts me. Being around positive Shermer and the late Christopher lishment in 2009 of the James F. Crow the Foundation,” added Co-President people who are making a difference is Hitchens. Institute for the Study of Evolution Dan Barker. always a pleasure as well. Things I like: Being around any at UW-Madison. When Crow was an Survivors include a son, Franklin; Something funny that’s happened body of water! Working out and any honored speaker at FFRF’s annual na- two daughters, Laura Crow and Cath- at work: The first day of volunteering, outdoor activity. tional convention in 2010 in Madison, erine Rasmussen; six grandchildren; I was eating lunch upstairs in the con- Things I smite: Religion, church, he joked about that use of his name. and two great-grandchildren. ference room and broke a chair, which “GOD.” A Note to Members Send Us Your Freethought Today Address Change published by Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. Your address label shows the expira- P.O. Box 750 • Madison WI 53701 tion date of your membership in FFRF, which includes your subscription to Promptly! (608)256-5800 • FAX (608)204-0422 Freethought Today and “Private Line.” [email protected] • ffrf.org Don’t miss a single issue! If you If your label shows January/February or Editor in Chief: Bill Dunn move, notify us directly and earlier, your membership has ex­pired. Executive Editor: Annie Laurie Gaylor Your prompt re­newal ($40-single mem­ promptly. The Post Office does Contributing Editors: Dan Barker, Katie Stenz ber­ship; $50-household; $100 sustain- not forward third-class mail. ing; $25-student) saves us time and FFRF cannot be responsible for re- Production Editor: Scott Colson post­age, and is tax-deductible. Free­­­ placing back issues if we have not Contributors: Philip Appleman, Melvin Brantley, Dylan Galos, thought Today is published 10 times a been notified prior to your move. Rebecca Newberger Goldstein, Jeff Yardis year, with combined issues in Jan/Feb Back issues, while they last, may January/February 2012 and June/July. Send to FFRF, Box 750, be ordered for $2 each. Madison WI 53701. The only freethought newspaper in the United States January/February 2012 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 3 Florist shop won’t be intimidated ‘Matter of fairness, decency’ Sean Condon and Stephanie cause of her, legally expressed, opin- Ewart-Condon operate Glimpse ion? What about housing? How about of Gaia, a floral business in Put- fuel when her car is close to empty and nam, Conn. When no one else it’s a frigid evening? What about medi- would deliver FFRF’s flower order cal care? to Jessica Ahlquist, Glimpse of Gaia Let’s go one step further and imag- Judge rules in favor (glimpseofgaia.com/), gladly did. (Gaia ine that it is you or your loved one who is the primordial Earth goddess in needs to purchase something, but is Greek mythology.) denied the opportunity because the Sean Condon said the business seller doesn’t like your beliefs. Is this of Jessica Ahlquist received two negative emails and 96 the kind of society in which you would positive ones. He responded to them want to live? all. His response to the negative ones: Of course companies can deny ser- Continued from front page Andrea Iannazzi warned that anyone vice for certain grounds, but not any complaint with the commission against speaking ill of Ahlquist “clearly does Thanks for writing. I realize that grounds. A store can refuse to sell Flowers by Santilli. not understand the intent of the ban- the Cranston West prayer banner products that they know you will use il- Unbelievably, other shops noted on ner and will be asked to leave,” add- lawsuit and resulting abuse of Jessica legally. They can deny service if you are a Facebook page that “I stand with the ing that even if she doesn’t agree with Ahlquist has been a heated issue in belligerent or intoxicated et cetera. Cranston florists,” seeking public sup- Ahlquist, “we can all recognize her Rhode Island. I am sure that you re- However, they cannot deny you service port. bravery for standing up for what she spect our Constitution and the laws because they don’t like how you think. “They must grow ’em mean in believes in.” which prevent discrimination on the This is not just a matter of opinion, it Rhode Island,” commented Gaylor. ABC-6 in Providence reported that basis of race, gender and religion. I is the law. FFRF was forced to go to an out- Ahlquist was under police protection understand that you disagree with Ms. Those laws are here to protect us. of-state business, Glimpse of Gaia, in during and after school. Mayor Allan Ahlquist’s position on the banner, so Our Bill of Rights guarantees fair treat- Putnam, Conn., which not only agreed Fung said he supports the banner but I would invite you to perhaps think ment of everyone, even against the will to deliver the flowers but threw in a said there’s no money for an appeal. about it another way. of the majority. It is a foundational second bouquet with its own message: Superintendent Peter Nero said the Imagine that instead of asking to premise of our great country. We have “Glimpse of Gaia fully supports our district has a legal budget of $150,000. take the banner down, she had asked rights. We’ve been incredibly lucky First Amendment and will not be bul- “I put no money into this budget re- for a Secular Humanist expression to to have been born with those rights, lied by those who do not. Here’s to garding any litigation in the banner be put up. Perhaps next, some Islamic hard won by our forebears. I think we you, Jessica Ahlquist.” (See sidebar on issue.” students could request a prayer ban- should respect and protect them. Glimpse of Gaia.) At the board meeting in the audi- ner that reflects their beliefs. Like- Thanks for your interest and atten- FFRF heard from people from as far torium, Ahlquist was led in and out wise, Hindu students could ask for tion. — Sean away as Sweden and Denmark wishing by police. The crowd sang “God Bless something to represent them. Perhaps to support Ahlquist, with some saying America” and Christian hymns. (In his Evangelicals would want a banner to It was a simple matter to decide to they would be ordering flowers for her decision, Judge Lagueux said a March distinguish from the Catholic message. deliver FFRF’s order, Condon said by from the Connecticut shop. board meeting on the issue “at times I am sure you see the problem this cre- email Jan. 22. “We don’t discriminate resembled a religious revival.) ates. I suspect you would agree that or give in to intimidation. While we Ball in school’s court Ahlquist urged the committee not we don’t want the walls of our public agree with Ms. Ahlquist and FFRF, to appeal. She noted that Lagueux is a space littered with competing dogma, we would make a delivery for senders A major factor in the School Com- Catholic and conservative. “This is not all of which would need to be paid for and recipients with whom we vehe- mittee’s decision whether to appeal is about religion. This is about the Consti- and maintained by those same public mently disagree. It’s a matter of fair- the cost. That doesn’t matter to people tution and it always has been. Religion institutions. Instead we have private ness and decency.” like Lisa French, who according to does not have a place in public school space, including your place of worship, What is driving people’s anger? the Cranston Patch was removed from and this country was not founded on car, home, Facebook and Twitter pages “It is not merely simple bigotry, al- the Jan. 17 board meeting for rushing the idea of Christianity and Christian et cetera, which you can use as you like though this is surely the foundation,” members and throwing fistfuls of cash principles. It was founded on the idea to express your beliefs, whatever they Condon said. “Our public education at them to spend on an appeal. “Here’s of religious freedom. If you want to de- may be. has, for decades, neglected to effec- your money. If you don’t defend the fend the Constitution, you will remove I would like you to imagine another tively teach civics. Our technology banner, you will not be reelected,” the banner.” small change to this situation. Instead makes hurling insults and threats easy French shouted, “any of you!” An esti- The board’s next scheduled meet- of flower delivery being denied, it was while simultaneously insulating the mated 250 people attended. ing is Jan. 25 (the day after this issue something more important. Should sender from the immediate conse- School Committee Chairwoman went to press). this young lady be denied food be- quences. Our news media is such that careful assessment is now reserved for niche markets, while cursory exami- nation and irrational self-righteous- ness are rewarded with higher ratings reedom rom eligion oundation F F R F and bigger paychecks. Our politics Include FFRF P.O. Box 750 • Madison WI 53701 • (608) 256-8900 • ffrf.org are dominated by sound bites and In Your Estate buzzwords, often with the intent to What is the Freedom From Religion Foundation? mislead. Planning “Many of our fellow citizens don’t Founded in 1978 as a national organization of freethinkers (atheists and have the skills they need to temper Arrange a bequest in your will or agnostics), the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc., works to keep state their emotional response, but instead trust, or make the Freedom From and church separate and to educate the public about the views of nontheists. have it inflamed in a variety of ways. Religion Found­ation the benefi- The Foundation’s e-mail address is [email protected]. Please include your We have a growing gap between those ciary of an insurance policy, bank name and physical mailing address with all e-mail correspondence. of us who use reason and fact to make account, or IRA. It’s easy to do. Foundation members wishing to receive online news releases, “action decisions and those who employ emo- For related information alerts” and “Freethought of the Day” should contact [email protected]. tion and opinion. If we hope to im- (or to request a bequest prove the situation, we’ll need to be brochure), please phone more vocal, but still polite, in oppos- Annie Laurie Gaylor at ing the slow degradation of our rights (608) 256-8900. and civil discourse.” FFRF In a Providence Journal online P.O. Box 750 poll Jan. 19 (one vote limit per per- Madison WI 53701 son), readers weighed in on whom they agree with: Freedom Depends Florist who delivers to Ahlquist: 80.6% (8,611); Florists who refuse to on Freethinkers Declare and share your nonbelief in FFRF’s online “Out of the Closet” campaign! deliver to Ahlquist: 16.0% (1,705); ffrf.org/out Makes no difference: 3.5% (372). Page 4 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin January/February 2012 Heads Up A Poetry Column by Philip Appleman

New Year’s Resolution

Well, I did it again, bringing in that infant Purity across the land, welcoming Innocence with gin in New York, waiting up to help Chicago, Denver, L.A., Fairbanks, Hon- olulu — and now the high school bands are alienating Dallas, and girls in gold and tangerine have lost all touch with Pasadena, Overheard and young men with muscles and missing teeth are dreaming of personal fouls, and it’s all beginning again, just like I hate that “God par- Msgr. Thomas Brady, to whom Good those other Januaries in ticle” term. The Higgs Shepherd Catholic Church dedicated [boson] is not en- its Christmas tree lighting in Brooklyn, instant replay. dowed with any reli- N.Y. gious meaning. It is ri- New York Daily News, 1-3-12 But I’ve had enough diculous to call it that. of turning to look back, the old Pauline Gagnon, a Ca- You’ve been asked to leave, and you post-morteming of defeat: nadian physicist work- didn’t. You can preach on your own people I loved but didn’t touch, ing at the Large Hadron Collider to property. You can preach on a street friends I haven’t seen for years, find if the theoretical particle exists corner. But you’re not allowed to strangers who smiled but didn’t speak — failures, Lansing State Journal, 12-27-11 preach here because this is a captive failures. No, audience. I refuse to leave it at that, because I understand that if we rent to one re- Darren Meyer, California Highway Pa- ligious group, we have to rent to them trol officer, before arresting two men somewhere, off camera, all. But I still don’t like it. I’m going at the Hemet DMV office, an action for January is coming like Venus to put up a sign in front of the gym, which he’s being sued up from the murk of December, re- “If you don’t pray in my school, I won’t Valley News, 1-6-11 virginized, as innocent think in your church.” of loss as any dawn. Resolved: this year Richard Sloan, a trustee of the La- Among the blessings, four Protestant I’m going to break my losing streak, gunitas [Calif.] School District, which pastors laid hands on the Republican I’m going to stay alert, reach out, co-owns the gym where Catholic Youth governor, who begins his second term speak when not spoken to, Organization leaders are asking basket- Monday, and prayed for him to lead read the minds of people in the streets. ball players to gather at center court to the state with wisdom and faith. I’m going to practice every day, pray before games News story on preinaugural prayer ser- Marin Independent Journal, 1-7-12 vice at a Baton Rouge Catholic cathe- stay in training, and be moderate dral for Louisiana Gov. Piyush “Bob- in all things. We convened with the idea that the by” Jindal All things but love. Founding Fathers had it right. The sep- Opelousas Daily World, 1-8-12 © 1996 Philip Appleman aration of church and state, the estab- Reprinted from New & Selected Poems, 1956-1996 lishment of the U.S. as a secular nation The belief that reli- — those two concepts are our watch- gious institutions have Philip Appleman is Dis­tinguished Pro­fessor Emeri­tus at In­ words. We don’t want government to the right to feed at the dia­na Uni­ver­si­ty. His published volumes of poetry in­clude impose a religion, and we don’t want government trough Perfidious Proverbs and Other Poems: A Satirical Look at government to impose no religion. We while rejecting any the Bible (2012), Darwin’s Ark (new 2009 edition) and want government to be silent with re- government rules is Karma, Dharma, Pudding & Pie (2009). His nonfiction gard to religion. the glue of the lobby- work includes­ the widely used Norton Critical Edition, Troy Boyle, Elsmere, Ky., co-founder ing alliance between Darwin, and the Nor­ton Critical Edition of Malthus’ Es- of the National Atheist Party the Catholic bishops and right-wing say on Population­ . His poetry and fiction have won many Washington Post, 1-3-12 evangelical Protestant leaders — an awards, including a fellowship in poetry from the National­ En­dow­ment for odd coupling that has never before ex- the Arts, the Castagnola Award from the Poetry Society of America, the Hu- He even asked me, “Dad, if this guy at- isted in American history. manist Arts Award from the American Humanist Association and the Friend tacked me, why would they dedicate a “Spirited Atheist” Susan Jacoby, in her of Darwin Award from the National Center for Science Education. His work tree to him?” final column, which she is giving up to has ap­peared in Har­per’s Magazine, The Nation, The New Republic, The Comment by father of a 14-year-old concentrate on writing a book New York Times, The Paris Review, Partisan Review, Poetry, and The Yale boy who alleges he was molested by Washington Post, 12-28-11 Review.. He and his playwright wife, Marjorie Appleman, are both “Afterlife” Mem- bers of the Freedom From Religion Foundation. They recorded an excerpt of “Noah,” New and Selected Poems is available for sale from FFRF for $23 ppd, The Norton Critical Edition, Darwin, is $22 ppd., Karma, Dharma, Pud- Your Weekly Antidote to the religious right ding & Pie, $27 ppd., Darwin’s Ark, $23 ppd., and Perfidious Proverbs, $20 ppd. (ffrf.org/shop/). TUNE IN TO FREETHOUGHT RADIO

produced by the Recruit a Member Freedom From Religion Foundation Hosted by Dan Barker and Sample Copies for $2 Annie Laurie Gaylor Broadcasts and streams Saturdays at 11 a.m. Central, Progressive Talk The Mic Send $2 with the name and address of each person you wish to 92.1 FM, Madison, Wis., and over several other stations. receive a sample copy of Freethought Today to: iTunes or podcasts archived at: ffrf.org/news/radio FFRF, P.O. Box 750, Madison WI 53701 Freedom depends upon freethinkers Slightly irreverent views, (Please specify whether the individual is a freethinker.) news, music & interviews January/February 2012 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 5 Atheist in foxhole memory Prayer hazardous to pilots’ health

I had elementary training in prayers, but Leon had a master’s degree.

runway heading. Still accelerating at full power, he crashed into parked air- craft along the runway but was unhurt. Leon was deeply troubled by the crash and declined to go on another ferry flight. In about two days the fleet arrived. Melvin Brantley during primary flight What had been an empty lagoon was training in 1943 at the Naval Air filled with three carriers, four cruisers, A North American FJ-4 Fury, the aircraft Melvin flew to break the sound barrier. Station near Livermore, Calif. two battleships, about 20 destroyers and 30 service ships along with ammo, By Melvin Brantley fleet oilers, refrigerated, etc. — a com- He was reverting back to his initial signed to a six-pilot team. One mem- Lt. Cmdr. U.S. Navy, retired plete supermarket for the fleet. flight training. He was told if the nose ber was an outstanding athlete. He is right, apply opposite rudder and the also had an “attitude” and would not same thing if the nose was left. This conform. He rejected all criticism with is true, but he never figured out that either denial or by saying, “I have God The belief that “God is on our when the nose was coming close to in my cockpit.” I appealed to the com- side” can be deadly. straight ahead, opposite rudder must manding Officer to have him removed In June 1944, I arrived at Eniwetok, be used to stop the swing. from the team. My request was rejected a small coral atoll in the western Pa- It quickly came to me that Leon had with a review of my record and a man- cific. I had finished the Navy’s aircraft not really learned to fly. He asked to date to “train him.” carrier-based fighter pilot training and hold hands while he prayed. He asked One night off the Korean coast on had orders as a God to guide his limbs so he could a four-plane mission in snow showers, replacement pilot to join Fighting safely complete the required maneu- we were on our descent. The problem Squadron One aboard the USS York- vers. His prayer shocked me. I had el- pilot radioed for me to turn my lights town. The other pilot assigned to Fight- ementary training in prayers, but Leon on bright as he had lost sight of me. ing One was Leon L. Cyphers, whom I had a master’s degree. He asked God I immediately ordered him to climb, shared a tent with while we waited for for guidance on aircraft control that but he repeated his request. I again or- our ship to arrive. he should have already mastered hours dered him to climb. When we arrived, base operations ago, It was obvious he was a danger to There were no more radio transmis- was soliciting volunteers to help ferry himself and everyone in his path. sions. no debris found the next day. I new aircraft from Majuro Atoll, a re- Melvin Brantley in 1960 as executive I saw him the next morning at feel he flew into the water looking for plenishment base about 1,000 miles officer of the Navy’s first COD breakfast. He was in good spirits and the lights of our formation in defiance East. I readily volunteered, but Leon (Carrier Onboard Delivery) thanked me for my support. I was not of my order to climb. declined. Friendships came quickly Squadron, VRC-40. convinced that the prayer had the ef- His faith failed to save him. and easily at that time. Generally, when two fighter pilots got together, the talk Leon and I packed our belongings Melvin Brantley was born in 1921 in turned to flying, gunnery ballistics or and reported aboard to our units. Our Colorado, where his father was a chicken women, but Leon talked about his fam- briefings were intense. Our flight dis- and egg wholesaler. After moving to Oregon, ily. He was married and had two chil- cipline was worrisome for Leon. This Melvin grew up in the trucking business. He dren, one a newborn. He dwelled for meant when taking a wave-off from the enlisted in the Navy during World War II five minutes on his baby daughter’s LSO (landing signal officer), we were and earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, fingernails. to turn right or left and fly away from five Air Medals, racked up 7,500 hours of After a few days, Leon decided to the ship a few hundred feet so as not to pilot time and completed 525 carrier land- join the ferry group. I briefed him on worry the bridge that you might crash ings (190 at night), all accident-free. procedures on the way over. Everything into it. We were told we would get two Gout forced his military retirement in went smoothly and he taxied out, two refresher flights. The third flight would 1964. He then worked in various manage- planes ahead of me. Because the taxi- be in the combat zone. We were cau- ment positions and real estate sales. After ways were crushed coral, loose coral tioned that a combat-ready fighter with his two daughters and son finished college, was everywhere, and our full-power en- drop-fuel tank and full ammo required Melvin retired to a roving motor home. He gine checks were restricted to the start- a higher landing approach speed and has 11 grandchildren and four great-grand- ing takeoff point on the runway. Our that overall performance was sluggish. children. instructions were, when cleared for I finished my first flight and I went Lt. Cmdr. Brantley conducts takeoff, to position on the runway, per- below to our ready room. The duty of- personnel inspection as VRC-40 form a magneto check, then go to full ficer announced that one pilot was hav- executive officer. Losing Faith throttle. Then, if the engine was run- ing trouble getting aboard. I suspected ning normally, to release the brakes it was Leon. He finally came in but fect he felt, so I went to our command- and commence the takeoff. crashed into the barrier. In two flight ing officer to tell him of my fears. I In Faith: When Leon was doing his engine attempts, his damaged aircraft count was promptly dismissed with a warn- From Preacher check, he let one wheel roll slightly. was eight. ing on procedural steps to take in the When he released the brakes, he was Leon asked after dinner if we could future: first go to the division officer, To Atheist headed off the side of the runway. He talk in private. He started unloading the squadron safety officer, etc. I never by Dan Barker next did a series of corrections, but all his fears and was crying. He told me saw my friend again. On July 11, he got “An arsenal for each time he let the nose swing by the what happened on the takeoff crash. slow in his landing approach, applied skeptics. power to wave-off, went into a torque A challenge to roll, hit the water and cartwheeled un- til the plane sank. believers.” Leon died because he believed his prayers were going to be answered. What Is a Freethinker? Hardback, 342 pp., There is no doubt in my mind that the free-think-er n. A person who forms opinions with photos. main cause of the accident was the sub- Member price: $20 about religion on the basis of reason, independently stitution of faith for proficiency. FFRF, PO Box 750, Madison WI 53701 Nonmembers:ffrf.org.shop/books/ $25 of tradition, authority, or established belief. During the Korean War, I was as- Page 6 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin January/February 2012 FFRF making a scene about nativity displays pays off

In December, FFRF renewed its FFRF work made complaint from 2010 over the Ellwood City, Pa., nativity scene that was annu- settlement possible ally placed in front of the Ellwood City The Chesterfield County School municipal building. In response to District board, Chesterfield, S.C., vot- FFRF’s complaint and potential litiga- ed 6-3 Jan. 12 night to adopt a settle- tion, the Borough Council voted 4-2 to ment agreement to end the practice remove the nativity display from gov- of school-sponsored prayer, preaching ernment property for future years. and religious activities aimed at stu- The favorable conclusion was sur- dents. prising given that the community held The agreement, subject to court re- a large rally earlier in the month to view, would end a lawsuit filed by the keep the display. Initially, officials in- ACLU of South Carolina on behalf of vited FFRF to send its Winter Solstice a student and his father who objected banner to be placed near the nativity. to religious activities at New Heights FFRF sent the banner, but the offer to Middle School in Jefferson and at oth- place it was rescinded. er district schools. At a Dec. 19 council meeting, Bor- The violations first came to light ough Attorney Edward Leymaire pre- publicly in 2011 due to the efforts of sented the board with the two options: FFRF, which worked with several lo- keep the display and include the FFRF cal complainants in preparing letters banner or maintain the display this protesting the activities. The violations year and move it to private property included a Sept. 1 school assembly fea- next year. The council voted to move turing Christian Chapman, a preacher the display in 2012 and all future years. and evangelist, and Christian rap artist Council President Anthony DeCarbo B-SHOC, The initial letter Sept. 19 by voted in favor of moving the nativity to Senior Staff Attorney Rebecca Markert private property because, “We took an Persistence pays off was followed by several other formal oath to uphold the Constitution of the FFRF Lifetime Members Maria and Edward Susterich were initially stopped by complaints pointing out constitutional United States and of the state of Penn- security from bringing FFRF’s sign into the Milwaukee courthouse in December. violations, along with Freedom of In- sylvania.” The sign was temporarily confiscated. After further discussion, the facilities formation Act requests. Mayor Anthony Court disagreed management director allowed it to be placed in a “free-form display area” that The district canceled a student as- with the decision and attempted to required no permit. sembly featuring a presentation by a rescind the vote. About 100 people at- FFRF Staff Attorney Patrick Elliott had contacted the county in advance to faith-based drug rehabilitation cen- tended the Jan. 10 meeting to support seek approval. FFRF also wrote a letter of complaint in 2010 to the Milwaukee ter after Staff Attorney Stephanie putting the display back on borough County Board protesting the devotional display in the lobby every December. Schmitt’s Oct. 17 letter on behalf of a property, but the council refused to Then-County Executive Scott Walker helped private individuals first place the local complainant. The assembly was revote. Councilwoman Judith Dici said, crèche in the rotunda in 2009. FFRF’s letter went unanswered. set for Oct. 27 at New Heights Middle “The vote is done and over with. Let’s School. look toward 2012.” Court of Appeals ruled on a similar Elliott wrote, “It should go with- The district also responded to an FFRF was inundated with complaints case, Doe v. Indian River School District. out saying that, if the allegations are FFRF open records request for the in December from citizens objecting In August, the 3rd Circuit ruled against founded, it is highly inappropriate lease agreement and fee schedule for to nativity displays at courthouses, city the school district. for a public school teacher to demean B-SHOC’s performance at McBee High parks and even in school buildings. FFRF Staff At- a student’s religious beliefs or lack of School on Oct. 28, a staff development, FFRF sent more than 25 letters of com- torney Stephanie belief by likening them to a cartoon no-student day. The school leased the plaint about displays last holiday sea- Schmitt followed up villain. [The teacher]’s alleged state- gym, canteen and restrooms for $210 son. In other instances, FFRF attorneys with a Nov. 15 letter ments and these displays exceed not ($15 an hour), from noon to 2 a.m. requested records from local govern- to Cornwall-Leba- only the bounds of courtesy, but also ments to learn their display policies. non, noting the deci- the bounds of the First Amendment.” “Challenges to these longstanding sion in Doe v. Indian Two days later, FFRF received a let- FFRF displaces Illinois traditions that violate the Constitu- River. On Nov. 30, ter from the school district’s attorney, Baby Jesus song tion can take time to resolve,” noted 2011, school attor- advising that “the referenced displays Stephanie Staff Attorney Patrick Elliott. Several neys confirmed that have been removed from the class- The Sandburg Elementary School’s Schmitt municipalities that received FFRF com- “there has been no room and appropriate directives have winter concert in Wheaton, Ill., will no plaints about nativity displays in both prayer at the beginning of any subse- been conveyed that protect religious longer feature at least one Christian 2010 and 2011 came to either remove quent public School Board meetings. freedoms.” Furthermore, “[w]hile the song. them or now allow all displays, includ- Cornwall-Lebanon School District is outcome of the investigation is confi- Before FFRF’s Dec. 2 complaint, ing FFRF signage. abiding by this Third Circuit decision.” dential,” the district was investigating Sandburg Elementary hosted a musi- the allegations against the teacher. cal program in November at which Pa. district agrees FFRF ‘goes Grinch’ A solid victory for the Constitution. children performed the Christian tune FFRF ends prayer “There Was a Little Baby” (“They laid to abide by law on Texas violation him in a manger, oh my Lord.”) in Carolina school District parents were concerned In September 2010, a student FFRF Staff Attor- that sectarian songs were being taught complained to FFRF about prayer be- ney Patrick Elliott’s Clifdale Elementary School in Glen- in a public school by a public school fore Cornwall-Lebanon School Dis- Dec. 14 letter to dale, S.C., will no longer schedule teacher. FFRF wrote to Superintendent trict board meetings in Lebanon, Pa. the South Texas In- prayer during assemblies. Brian Harris, calling attention to the Prayers were most often Christian in dependent School District residents complained to constitutional violation. nature. District in Mercedes FFRF after learning that a child was On Dec. 27, Harris responded: Senior Staff Attor- about a proselytiz- asked by school officials to lead the “Please know that the song in question ney Rebecca Markert ing teacher resulted school in a prayer at a Nov. 11 Veter- was pulled from the program before wrote to the district, in action by the dis- an’s Day ceremony. In a Nov. 17 letter the performance and replaced with a informing them “it trict, including an Patrick to Clifdale Superintendent Jim Ray, secular song choice. This piece of mu- is beyond the scope investigation of the Elliott Staff Attorney Stephanie Schmitt re- sic will not be used again.” of a public school teacher. sponded to this gross violation of the board to schedule According to FFRF’s complainant, a First Amendment and exploitation of prayer as part of physics teacher at South Texas Science an elementary school student. Woe to the Women its monthly meet- Academy put up a nativity scene in The school district’s legal counsel The Bible Tells Me So ings.” Markert cited Rebecca his classroom for “people of my faith, replied Dec. 8: “Dr. Ray is aware of the By Annie Laurie Gaylor a strong case from Markert fellow Christians.” He also put up a prohibitions on such prayers at school- Delightfully the 6th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals “Grinch Who Stole Christmas” display sponsored events and has met with illustrated by (Coles v. Cleveland Board of Education), for “every other religion, people who the principal of Clifdale to make cer- Alma Cuebas, it contains a valuable which struck down prayers at school aren’t Christians,” according to the tain that there is no misunderstanding compendium of board meetings as violative of the First complainant. about proper protocol in the future, more than 200 Amendment. The grade 9-12 academy is part of such as having a student offer a mo- sexist verses. In response, the board refused to the school district and is geared to ment of silence.” Members — $16 change its practice, opting to instead students pursuing careers in science, Non-members — $20 wait to see how the 3rd Circuit U.S. technology and engineering. Shop online at: ffrf.org/shop January/February 2012 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 7 Clergy Project participant: His ‘call’ turned out to be wrong number

Secular jobs are not easily come by for former pastors.

to a secular humanist position as well. We are raising our young son to value critical thinking, rational discovery and humanitarian compassion. My personal journey is far from complete. In fact, I am only beginning Earth is billions of years old, not just now to understand ourselves? The an- to discern where I go from here. I do a few thousand. Humans have demon- swer varies for each person. not identify myself as an atheist, since My name is Craig. I’m a for- strably evolved from earlier species. Only recently, I have finally found atheism is a statement about what one mer pastor, and I’m not alone. In fact, If the church had been wrong on the my way out of the ministry, through does not believe. That label is fine for there are dozens, hundreds, perhaps geocentricity of the universe, couldn’t meaningful work with a nonprofit -or many, but for me it is more important even thousands of ministers across all it also be wrong on issues such as evolu- ganization. It’s not a perfect fit, but to define myself by what I do believe. denominations in the U.S. who are tion, cosmology or sexual orientation? it’s far better than staying where I was. I am working to rebuild my life reaching the same conclusion that I How could the bible’s claims ever be But many pastors are still trapped, an- based on critical thinking, naturalism have reached: I can no longer intellec- trusted? guished by the uninformed criticism and humanism. I am reshaping my eth- tually or ethically maintain a belief in Possibly the final issue that con- coming from the atheist community, as ics around what is best for the human the supernatural. fronted my supernaturalist beliefs was well as by the attacks coming from the community, rather than what is arbi- My path to this point was long and the problem of evil and suffering. The religious community. trarily dictated by ancient texts. I am gradual. I grew up in a loving, sup- common evangelical position that evil I was fortunate to become involved rediscovering what it truly means to be portive home, with parents who were is due to the fallen nature of human- in the Clergy Project since its very early human — not made in the image of a never fundamentalist or demanding. ity, which spills over to affect the in- days. The community and camaraderie god, but formed as an integral part of The Christianity I knew was one of love nocent, was no longer sustainable for I have found on the forum have literal- the beautiful, unfolding story of evolu- and grace. My formative theology was me. If God could do anything, why ly kept me going on some days. It is an tion. a balance between classic Wesleyanism would God allow the will of sinners to invaluable resource for those who are And for me, that is enough. and mild versions of the Charismatic triumph over the will of the righteous? still enslaved to a system that no longer movement. I intensely studied all major models makes any sense in their lives. Craig lives with his family in the south- After college and a few years of mar- of theodicy [why a “good” God allows And, fortunately, my wife is in full east United States. For more information riage, I experienced what I felt to be evil] that have ever been proposed, agreement with my change in outlook, on the Clergy Project, go to clergyproject. a call to pastoral ministry. I know now and none of them held any water for and has undergone her own transition org/. that the guiding “signs” I received were me anymore. All models and analogies due to confirmation bias on my part, eventually fell apart, and suggested a yet I accepted the “call.” I entered into god who was either impotent, evil or what would be over 15 years of minis- uncaring. None of those options was Wisconsin city votes try as the senior pastor of a couple of viable for me. medium-sized evangelical churches. That left only one conclusion: Early on, even while in seminary, I God, or at least the God I had always encountered challenges to my faith. imagined, was not possible. My super- to stop praying The first came, ironically, through a natural beliefs were gone. For the past deeper study of the bible. I was con- couple of years, I struggled over where The Ashland, Wis., City Coun- “[Constituents] are concerned fronted for the first time with higher this left me as a pastor. For pastors like cil, convened as a committee of the about the separation of church and biblical criticism, and I learned that myself, the choices are not often clear whole, voted 9-2 on Jan. 10 to replace state,” Councilor Linda Scott said Jan. the biblical text that I had always taken and easy, and the way out is often hard prayer at meetings with a moment of 12 in the Ashland Current. as the revealed word of God was filled to obtain. silence, which was the practice be- The prayers left such a bad taste in with editorial, historical, textual and I finally decided that since there are fore Mayor Bill Whalen took office Councilor Joyce Kabasa’s mouth that ethical problems. not many churches that are open to a in April 2010. Whalen has ties to the she would leave council chambers un- Yet I accepted the resulting on- fully nontheistic religious interpreta- Christian ministry Intercessors for til they were finished. “I don’t think slaught of cognitive dissonance as a tion, I had to leave the ministry. But America, which promotes prayer to religion should be a show of force.” test of my faith. I immersed myself in this would prove to be a challenge of preserve what it calls America’s Chris- A Jan. 19 Current editorial called biblical apologetics to deal with my its own. tian heritage. the switch to silence “good news.” confusion, and this was enough to sat- Secular jobs are not easily come by FFRF Senior Staff Attorney Re- The paper said although Whalen’s isfy me for a while. for former pastors. Many employers becca Markert first wrote Whalen and prayers may have started with good Gradually, over the next decade or simply don’t understand what goes the council last July 14 to object to the intent, “their evolution over time so of serving as a pastor, other issues into earning a master of divinity de- exclusively Christian invocations. She seems to have taken a different tack. became more threatening to my faith. gree. That degree requires nearly tri- followed up with a letter faxed to city . . . Councilors are right to say that The doctrine of hell became more and ple the credit hours of most master’s officials Jan. 10, the day of the vote to doing away with governmental prayer more difficult for me to sustain. This degrees and demands competence return to silence. The full council still would allow for meeting preparations was due mainly to my learning that the in such disciplines as administration, has to formally approve the commit- without prompting controversy.” whole concept of hell is an amalgam of business, counseling, public speaking, tee of the whole decision. Greek mythology mingled with Jewish literary criticism, ancient languages, apocalypticism. The illogical and inde- marketing, financial management, hu- fensible nature of the idea of hell led man resource management, etc. me eventually to maintain a universal- This knowledge, combined with the FFRF sidelines Kentucky prayer ist position, yet I still retained a belief experience and discipline many pas- FFRF won out over athletic prayer in again took issue with pregame prayers, in a supernatural God. tors possess, would be invaluable to Inez, Ky., for the second time. The first only this time before basketball games. As I continued to serve in ministry, most employers. Unfortunately, many victory at Sheldon Clark High School The prayers were student-initated and other challenges began to emerge. I employers don’t yet understand this. was last fall after the school sanctioned broadcast over the intercom system. was cut deeply by the incompetency The ethical quandary of staying in illegal prayers over the public address Markert wrote a Dec. 21 letter asking and ineptitude of many religious lead- the ministry as an unbeliever can be system before both football games. SCHS again to end school-sponsored ers that I had met. Certainly, all people devastating. Yet, we are often faced Senior Staff Attorney Rebecca Mark- prayer. are subject to failure, yet I wondered with the higher ethical requirement ert first wrote to the School District on In a Jan. 10 letter of reply, Triplett why the Holy Spirit had not been able of feeding our families and providing Sept. 6, 2011. Two weeks later, FFRF re- wrote: “[I] was assured that the princi- to create a more mature church lead- a healthy transition for the congrega- ceived a response from School District pal understood the correct procedure ership. tions we serve. Added to this is the ex- Attorney John Triplett, who claimed ‘no school supported prayer at school The supernatural claims of the bible istential crisis that many pastors face; the prayers weren’t being said before events’ and was assured that this would were the next to fall. The scientific re- after investing our lives in a worldview games. not happen in the future at either or cord demonstrated clearly that the that no longer rings true, how are we A few weeks later, local complainants any other events at the school.” Page 8 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin January/February 2012

FFRF Complaints FFRF schools Maine on tee, a move that likely killed the resolu- tion. Thanks to Andrew Seidel, Consti- prayer caucus tutional consultant, for his work on the Maine memo. FFRF sent an educational memo Jan. 23 to Gov. Paul LePage and the Maine Legislative Prayer Caucus to highlight FFRF warns about the historical fallacies, contradictions prayer in schools and inaccuracies in the “Call to Prayer for Maine” signed on Jan. 17. In a Jan. 10 letter of complaint to The memo represents a viewpoint Mayor John DeStefano of New Haven, What a (l)ark shared by the 25% of Maine citizens Conn., FFRF cautioned against “tak- Ron Herman, FFRF Albuquerque chapter director, saw this in Flagstaff, Ariz., who self-identify as nonreligious. The ing an unconstitutional proposal to and writes: “So, the message is don’t trust professionals because the Titanic memo discusses how the caucus is a ‘put prayer back in schools’ seriously.” ran into an iceberg, but trust prayer because of an ancient myth about a boat misuse of civil power and how it ig- Newly elected City Clerk Ronald Smith that carried every animal (and all the plants that wouldn’t survive underwater) nores the 45 million Americans who proposed prayer as a technique to and all their food until the planet dried out! Don’t raise your children to be “do not draw hope, strength, or com- lower crime rates at his inauguration professionals, just teach them mythology.” fort by supplicating to invisible means ceremony. of support.” “Mr. Smith is offending large num- “It is a perversion of history to claim bers of young people and their parents that our Constitution stems from ‘faith- with such inappropriate pronounce- based principles,’ ” the memo said. ments. In claiming that prayer would “Our government is based on the idea, lower crime, Mr. Smith is implying that an anti-biblical idea, that ‘Govern- nonbelievers are criminals, an idea ments are instituted among Men, deriv- that is at once insulting and ignorant,” ing their just Powers from the consent wrote Annie Laurie Gaylor, FFRF co- of the governed.’ Both the Declaration president. of Independence and the Constitu- Studies have shown that there is no tion repudiate the idea of a god-given scientific data to support Smith’s claim government. The Prayer Proclamation tying heightened crime rates to non- renounces the democratic ideal in fa- theism. One study found atheists are vor of the divine right to rule that our only 0.2% of prisoners, highly under- country rebelled against in 1776.” represented. The Maine Legislative Prayer Cau- FFRF’s letter cited research by cus is affiliated with Pray USA, an ini- prominent sociologist Phil Zucker- tiative of the Congressional Prayer man, who says, “Murder rates are ac- Caucus Foundation Inc., which seeks tually lower in more secular nations to “preserve the Judeo-Christian heri- and higher in more religious nations You’re very welcome! tage of our nation and protect Ameri- where belief in God is deep and wide- Joey Carabetta, treasurer of the Triangle Freethought Society in North Carolina, can religious liberty.” spread. And within America, the states spotted this Dec. 26 in Rocky Mount, Va.: “Finally, a church promoting reason!” More than 150 people, including with the highest murder rates tend to [Editor’s note: The church website says it observes the Sabbath on Saturday. So about 50 legislators — mostly Repub- be highly religious, such as Louisiana they can sleep in on Sunday?] licans and a few Democrats — par- and Alabama, but the states with the ticipated in a ceremony Jan. 18 to an- lowest murder rates tend to be among cal campaign. He violated IRS regula- cross after it was erected in the weeks nounce that Maine is the sixth state to the least religious in the country, such tions by voicing his support for Mi- leading up to Christmas. The cross is formalize a legislative prayer group. as Vermont and Oregon.” chele Bachmann,” wrote FFRF Senior illuminated at night and visible from “Not only is it untrue that our ‘rights “The purpose of schools is to edu- Staff Attorney Rebecca Markert in the Interstate 294. come from almighty God,’ as the proc- cate, not to promote religion. School- IRS complaint. “The display of a cross on govern- lamation declares, it is a shameful ne- children are young, impressionable The race for the Republican nomi- ment buildings and water towers has gation of the true cost of freedom,” and vulnerable to adult and peer pres- nation had been a topic of interest long been found to be a violation of FFRF’s memo said. “This idea ignores sure,” Gaylor said. “The exercise of at Jubliee Family Church for several the Establishment Clause,” wrote FFRF the sacrifice of those who gave their religion must be left to the individual weeks prior to the Iowa Caucus. Tvedt Staff Attorney Patrick Elliott. lives to secure our freedom and by at- and religious education left to the fam- had previously personally endorsed Earlier in December, FFRF brought tributing to God what our forebears ily.” Bachmann and Tvedt had given a po- suit against Whiteville, Tenn., on be- worked so hard to achieve denigrates The letter cited other studies de- litically themed sermon series, “Spirit half of one of its members who object- what is arguably the greatest human bunking Smith’s “insulting” smear of of Big Government.” Tvedt also urged ed to crosses at the Whiteville munici- triumph in all of history — our coun- nonbelievers. “In fact religious belief the congregation to “Choose a Leader pal building and on the water tower. try.” is linked to immorality. The unwhole- of Biblical Standards.” “The government must stay out of FFRF also debunked the idea that some doctrine of ‘original sin’ can be- No church statement indicated the religion business. Private individu- “In God We Trust” somehow lends cre- come a self-fulfilling prophecy. Rejec- other Republican candidates had ever als remain free to celebrate holidays as dence to the “Christian nation” myth tion of religious claims is intellectual been invited to address the congrega- they see fit,” noted Elliott. and instead shows that the motto is the and respectable,” Gaylor added. tion. divisive result of fearmongering. “The The IRS strictly prohibits 501(c)(3) FFRF Alert protests Prayer Caucus offensively and incor- FFRF files complaint organizations, which include churches rectly asserts that people need religion and other religious organizations, from franking misuse to be moral. This statement shows far about church rally taking part in political campaigns. more about those who ascribe to it than Video taken after the service (avail- FFRF sent an Action Alert to mem- those who don’t (and it’s not pretty).” FFRF filed a complaint in early Janu- able on C-SPAN) captured Bachmann bers in December about U.S. Rep. FFRF invited the Prayer Caucus “to ary with the Internal Revenue Service lobbying for votes: “I’m glad you came Diane Black, R-Tenn., who sent an in- get off your knees and get to work.” over questionable campaign interven- this morning. I’d love to have your vote appropriate religious message to her The Associated Press reported Jan. tion activities at Jubilee Family Church on the 3rd.” constituents Dec. 24. Her letter started 23 that four Republican Mississippi in Oskaloosa, Iowa. “FFRF respectfully requests that the with “Wishing You a Merry Christmas. state senators introduced a resolution Rep. Michele Bachmann appeared IRS commence an immediate inves- . . Even if I’m not supposed to” and to create a Legislative Prayer and Min- at the church in what appeared to be a tigation to determine whether Pastor ended with a rant in support of reli- istry Caucus. quest to garner last-minute votes, days Tvedt violated IRS regulations prohib- gion and her dislike for the Franking The resolution said the caucus before the Iowa Republican Caucus. iting Jubilee Family Church from par- Commission. would “encourage, train and support On Jan. 1, she arrived to a crowd bear- ticipating in and/or intervening in a “Franking” is a tax-supported “free legislative leaders in every field who ing “Bachmann for President” signs political campaign,” wrote Markert. postage” privilege for members of Con- believe in the power of prayer and min- and buttons. A table at the back of the gress. Franking resources may only be istry, and to highlight the vital role that church displayed election material. used to inform constituents of an im- prayer and Judeo-Christian principles Pastor Bill Tvedt and Bachmann Water tower crosses portant matter. Taxpayers should not have played in the history of our Na- addressed the Sunday worship service draw FFRF scrutiny have to subsidize communications that tion and our state in strengthening the with a mixture of campaign rheto- pander to religion. fabric of our society, at all times consis- ric and prayer. Tvedt’s final remarks FFRF sent a Dec. 20 letter of com- Franking law “prohibits the use of tent with the progress of our state and to Bachmann were, “God bless you, plaint to Mayor Patrick Kitching in the frank for any card or message ex- with the well-being of our fellow Missis- you’re awesome.” Alsip, Ill., asking for removal of an pressing holiday greetings for any tra- sippians.” “Pastor Bill Tvedt inappropriately unlawful Latin cross that is displayed ditional holiday, for example, Christ- Without debate, the Senate sent the used his position as pastor of Jubilee annually on the village water tower. mas, Easter and Thanksgiving.” resolution back to the Rules Commit- Family Church to intervene in a politi- An area resident took issue with the January/February 2012 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 9 Photo: Brent Nicastro Goodbye Hitch, and thank you

By Andrew Seidel mind-forged mana- cles of religion. “You don’t so much as become an The only immor- atheist as find out that’s what you are. tality any person can There’s no moment of conversion. You hope to have is in the minds of our don’t suddenly think ‘I don’t believe friends and family and in the words this anymore.’ You essentially find you we pass on. Hitch had an almighty gift don’t believe it.” for both writing and speaking. Fortu- Christopher Hitchens said the above nately, he left us a library of literature in an interview with Sally Quinn. Like and debates. Tonight, I’ll watch you so many of his words, this really hit trounce the Catholic Church, raise a home for me. On Dec. 15, freethought glass of Johnny Walker Black and toast lost a giant. Christopher Hitchens died you, Hitch. at age 62. He leaves a hole in FFRF’s Thank you for all you have done. Honorary Board that no one can fill. I’m going to miss you. Hitch is one of my three favorite writers, along with Oscar Wilde and whole host of other adjectives that friend. His writing demolished the Andrew Seidel is the newest member Mark Twain. I started each week by writers with more talent and more crumbling walls of my religious cogni- of FFRF’s legal team and our first consti- reading his Slate.com articles and ea- knowledge of Hitch as a man will use tive dissonance. Thousands of people tutional consultant. He joined FFRF in gerly awaited any Vanity Fair pieces or to describe him. When I read Hitch, realized that they were atheists and November. Read or listen to Hitchens’ “God new videos of his debates. His article I wished I could write like him. When gathered the courage to say so because Is Not Great” speech at the 2007 FFRF on the Ten Commandments inspired I heard him speak, I wished I could of his words. Without a doubt, that will convention: me to write a law review article compar- sound like him. be his greatest legacy. Though he died, ffrf.org/outreach/convention/past- ing the Decalogue to our Constitution. Though I never met him personally, his ideas will endure and help free conventions/ffrf-2007-convention- He was prolific, witty, brilliant and a it was hard not to feel like Hitch was a thousands of future readers from the speeches/

same-sex couples the right to seek civil cal perspective,” said Warren Blumen- unions, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch re- feld, a professor in the department of State/Church ported. curriculum and instruction. “This was Illinois oversees the foster care sys- basically a Sunday school course where tem but contracts 80% of cases to pri- the students are getting university SCOTUS denies In a Durant Daily Democrat col- vate agencies, many of which are faith- credit, and what that does is it lowers appeals in prayer cases umn, Sen. Josh Breechen, R-Coalgate, based. the standards of our university.” wrote: “I have introduced legislation Catholic agencies refuse to license The U.S. Supreme Court on Jan. requiring every publicly funded Okla- same-sex couples in civil unions as fos- Indiana judge OKs 17 refused to give government bodies homa school to teach the debate of ter parents and say the law impinges more freedom to open sessions with creation vs. evolution using the known on their religious freedom. That’s dis- religious vouchers prayers by denying to hear appeals in science, even that which conflicts with criminatory against gays and lesbian, Indiana Superior Court Judge Mi- a North Carolina case — Forsyth County Darwin’s religion.” the state says. chael Keel upheld the state’s school v. Joyner — and a Delaware case, Indian Tim Kee, a teacher in Marion, said voucher law Jan. 13, rejecting argu- River School District v. Doe. High court upholds he was turned away by Catholic Chari- ments that the largest such program in Religion Clause summarizes the first ties three years ago when he and his the nation unconstitutionally uses pub- case: “The 4th Circuit, in a 2-1 decision, ministerial exception longtime partner tried to adopt a lic money to support religion. held that the prayer policy of a county On Jan. 11, the U.S. Supreme Court child. “We’re both Catholic, we love Keele ruled the program is consti- commission violated the Establishment unanimously upheld the right of reli- our church, but Catholic Charities tutional because it gives scholarship Clause even though the policy was neu- gious organizations to hire and fire closed the door to us. To add insult to vouchers to parents and doesn’t direct- tral on its face. All congregations in clergy and other mission-related em- injury, my tax dollars went to provide ly fund schools. The Associated Press the community were invited to send a ployees without government interfer- discrimination against me,” Kee told reported that Indiana State Teachers religious leader to lead an invocation ence. The New York Times. Association President Nate Schnellen- at one of the commission meetings. In Hosanna-Tabor v. EEOC, the court berger said opponents will keeping As implemented, however, 80% of the ruled that employees hired to carry out County funding for fighting the law. prayers referenced Jesus and no non- the mission of a religious organization Christian religious leader ever offered are barred by the First Amendment Jesus Fest contested Florida prayer bill the invocation.” from suing over employment discrimi- The ACLU of West Virginia sent a In the Delaware case, justices left in- nation. It marks the first time the court letter Dec. 20 to the Harrison County advances in Senate tact a 3rd Circuit decision that barred has endorsed the so-called ministerial Commission objecting to the $2,000 The Florida Senate Rules Commit- prayers at Indian River School Board exception to employment protections per year county funding each of the tee voted 12-2 on Jan. 23 in favor of meetings in Selbyville. The three-judge that has generally been accepted by last five years for Jesus Fest in Clarks- Senate Bill 98 allowing school boards panel likened the meetings to school lower courts. burg. They call a religious event aimed to adopt policies “allowing the use of graduations, which the Supreme Court The case involved a Lutheran teach- at promoting Christianity. an inspirational message, including said in 1992 couldn’t be a forum for er who sued for wrongful dismissal. The commission is studying the is- prayers of invocation or benediction, organized prayer, unlike legislative in- sue, Commissioner Ron Watson said at secondary school commencement vocations. Gov. Beshear rejects the Charleston Daily Mail. exercises or any other noncompulsory Jesus Fest organizer B.K. Vanhorn student assembly.” Anti-evolution bills hospital merger said the county funds others festivals. The legislation specifies that “the Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear said “And you don’t have to be a Christian purpose of this act is to provide for the pushed nationwide he opposes the planned merger of to come to Jesus Fest.” solemnization and memorialization Oklahoma Senate Bill 1742 is the the University of Louisville Hospital, of secondary school events and cer- sixth anti-evolution bill of 2012, ac- Jewish Hospital & St. Mary’s Health- Iowa faculty stops emonies, and this act is not intended cording to the National Center for Sci- Care, and Saint Joseph Health System. to advance or endorse any religion or ence Education. Two bills each in New Beshear has concerns about religious sham biblical course religious belief.” Hampshire and Missouri and one in influence on care at the state-owned A proposed course titled Finance The bill further says inspirational Indiana have also been filed. university facility exerted by Catholic 290X: Biblical Insight into the Man- messages will be given by students and The Oklahoma bill requires the Health Initiatives, the parent of Saint agement of Business/Organization at school personnel may not participate. state Board of Education to help teach- Joseph, which would have owned 70 Iowa State University in Ames was can- Benjamin Stevenson, ACLU of Florida, ers and administrators promote “criti- percent of the proposed 14-hospital celed after faculty members objected, called the bill unconstitutional politi- cal thinking, logical analysis, open and network, the Chronicle of Philanthro- the Iowa State Daily reported Jan. 16. cal theater. “Legislators will score po- objective discussion of scientific theo- py reported Jan. 3. Professor Roger Stover proposed litical points at the expense of school ries including, but not limited to, evo- the course last semester, pointing to boards that actually implement such lution, the origin of life, global warm- Illinois Catholic charity companies such as Chik-fil-A and Hob- a policy and are left to defend it in ing, and human cloning” on request of by Lobby, which “openly display their court.” local school districts. The bill also lets doesn’t extend to all use of spiritual and often Christian FFRF wrote letters and sent action teachers “use supplemental textbooks Catholic Charities in Springfield, principles in their organization.” alerts on what it called a mischeif mak- and instructional materials to help stu- Ill., said Jan. 9 that it will transfer its “This is a public institution where we ing and unconstitutional proposal. See dents understand, analyze, critique, foster care staff, foster parents and can teach world religion, but we can’t our news release: and review scientific theories in an ob- children to other child welfare agen- promote it. This class was promoting it ffrf.org/news/releases/florida-bill- jective manner.” cies because of a state law that gives and looking at it through one evangeli- sanctions-unlawful-prayer/ Page 10 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin January/February 2012 In Memoriam Lee R. Hren, 1940-2011

Lee Roy Hren, University of Illinois in 1975. He prac- 71, of Newton, Ill., ticed in Texas and Iowa before settling died Oct. 2, 2011. in Newton. Lee was a dentist, Lee loved his dogs (the last one Air Force veteran being Pluto) and traveling, especially and Lifetime FFRF to Costa Rica, where he visited many member. He was a times. He served in the U.S. Air Force lifelong freethinker for six years and rose to the rank of and attended several captain. national FFRF conventions. Lee was married briefly once but Solstice scene in the Evergreen State Born Sept. 9, 1940, he graduated had no children. He enjoyed activities FFRF member Darrell Barker stands by the Winter Solstice banner he erected from Illinois State Normal in 1962 with with his brother Bob (another free- Dec. 20 at the Washington Capitol grounds in Olympia to counter a large a teaching degree in physics and chem- thinker) and his nieces/nephews Bar- nativity display erected there for several Decembers. Darrell, who improvised istry and received his D.D.S. from the ry, Julie and Dave. the sturdy frame himself, was previously involved in posting the same message inside the State Capitol in 2008. The FFRF gold sign was stolen, vandalized and recovered, so Darrell has taken special pains to safeguard the new banner. The sign successfully created such a firestorm that the governor barred public displays inside the Capitol. Many thanks to Darrell, who is the brother of FFRF Co-President Dan Barker. FFRF puts on a ‘Capitol’ Solstice event Photos: Scott Colson

Holding them accountable Members of Hawaii Citizens for the Separation of State and Church, PFLAG- Oahu and Hawaii Pacific University’s Secular Student Alliance protested the Catholic Red Mass celebrated by Bishop Larry Silva of the Diocese of Honolulu on Jan. 19. FFRF member Holly Huber (right) of HCSSC and the other protesters (several not pictured) were directly across the state from Our Lady of Peace Cathedral. Red Masses are a Catholic tradition that mix politics and religion.

They Said What?!

Governor Romney over a long political other planets? — Mrs. D.A. career has earned the title: “Dangerous A: No, the bible doesn’t directly ad- Homosexualist” — one who constantly dress the question of whether or not advances the militant anti-religious, an- there is life on other planets. It doesn’t ti-society, immoral homosexual agenda say there is, nor does it say there isn’t; to the detriment of family people. it’s simply silent on the subject. In- Rabbi Yehuda Levin, Rabbinical Alli- stead, the bible’s focus is on this world, ance of America and how we can know God’s will for World Net Daily, 12-30-11 our lives right now. If there is life else- where in the universe, then you can Alcohol does things to people. When be sure that God created it and put it you have so much, gin makes you sin. there. . . . She had a lighter, but it wasn’t like Q&A in “My Answer” column she was trying to light me up or some- Chicago Tribune, 12-28-11 thing. She wasn’t trying to kill me. She’s a Christian lady. Wherefore David arose and went, he Dennis Phinisee, Indianapolis, on be- and his men, and slew of the Philistines ing doused with rubbing alcohol by two hundred men; and David brought FFRF hosted an “equal time” Winter Solstice celebration at noon Dec. 23 in the his wife Esther, who has a prior man- their foreskins, and they gave them in Wisconsin Capitol rotunda. FFRF put on an irreverent and lively celebration of slaughter conviction and is a registered full tale to the king, that he might be the “real reason for the season” to counter the numerous religious concerts in violent sexual predator the king’s son-in-law. And Saul gave the Capitol. About 200 area freethinkers turned out to eat sugar cookies, drop The Indy Channel, 12-29-11 him Michal his daughter to wife. off food donations to Second Harvest food bank and hear a concert. 1 Samuel 18:27, “Wednesday-Weird- Entertaining (top photo) was FFRF Co-President Dan Barker, a piano player Q: Do you think we’ll ever know if Bible-Verses and being careful of how and songwriter who has produced two musical CDs — “Friendly Neighborhood there’s life on other planets? My 8-year- we use single bible verses” by Dan Kim- Atheist” (a double CD), and “Beware of Dogma.” Dan performed his “Solstice old son (who is fascinated by space ball, Vintage Faith Church, Santa Cruz, Tribute,” and a song for children about the passage of time. Special guest Ken travel) asked me this question, but I Calif. Lonnquist (with guitar), a Madison songwriter, performed his crowd-pleasing didn’t know how to answer him. Does dankimball.com, 12-14-11 “O Isthmus Tree,” and the pair teamed up for Lennon’s “Imagine” and “Auld the bible say anything about life on Lang Syne.” January/February 2012 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 11

FFRF student activist awardee Proud to be ‘out’ about his lack of belief

Dylan Galos gave these remarks Oct. 8, 2011, at FFRF’s 34th national convention It was interesting

in Hartford, Conn., where he received a All Photography by Jeff Yardis $1,000 student activist award for his work how many hateful with FFRF’s “Out of the Closet” billboard things were said campaign in Columbus, Ohio. by the religious By Dylan Galos community.

religious beliefs with colleagues or co- I want to start by thanking the Free- workers. So I was really quite surprised dom from Religion Foundation. It’s to find out what a warm reception I got an honor to receive this scholarship. from people with whom I volunteer at a I thought about calling my speech suicide crisis line and people I worked “Good without God” or “Teleportation with in the public health department without magic,” but I really just want to at the university. talk a bit about my thoughts about this It’s so important now after I’ve par- whole thing. ticipated in this that I am open about Yesterday as I was coming to the ho- my lack of belief, or what I do believe tel on the shuttle bus from the airport, in, because people make a lot of as- the driver asked what I was here for. I sumptions. People assume that if some- told him I was here for a conference, one does something that is labeled in and he kept asking more questions. our society as heroic, they’re religious. I’ve been living in the Midwest for so If someone’s a police officer, if some- long that I really didn’t want to come one’s in the military, if someone’s a forward with anything. Then, I told doctor, people always tend to make the By my saying that I’m an atheist, aren’t always true. him it was the Freedom From Religion assumption that this person is some- I’m a good person without God, some- Just because the person that you Foundation. how religious. how that’s me trying to proselytize, meet is friendly or educated or knows He asked for more details. I said that The main thing is that that we should that somehow we’re all trying to ruin something about religion doesn’t one of the main things the group does be open about who we are, because not religion or something just by being mean that they are religious, and it’s so is advocate for separation of church everyone has to believe in God to have ourselves. By saying that I’m an athe- great to see and meet so many other and state. He started talking about how ethics. I think that personally it takes a ist, somehow that diminishes someone people who think similarly. Thank you. it would be horrible if churches start lot more courage and a lot more intro- else’s belief in their own religion. I being taxed. spection to find your own ethical code think that’s ludicrous. Dylan Galos, who recently earned his I said, “Well, if churches can influ- in life without having it ascribed to you Christian groups tried to say that master’s in public health from Ohio State ence public policy, then why shouldn’t by a book that you’re following. this was an attack on the black commu- University, has an undergraduate degree they be taxed? Why are they tax-free It’s important to have experience nity, or on the black church, because from New Mexico State University in biol- if they’re influencing government and to think for yourself and find it happened to be on a black church’s ogy. He’s enrolled in the Ph.D. public health policy?” The conversation pretty much your own way to know what’s right and property. I’m also black, so therefore program at the University of Minnesota. ended there. wrong and to think about moral situ- the Freedom From Religion Founda- As a student in Columbus, he was active The main thing I want to talk about ations in a context of gray instead of tion is now trying to undermine the with the Student Secular Alliance. His is the context of my billboard, which things being so black and white. I think African-American community. Well, “Out of the Closet” billboard had to be re- says, “I can be good without God.” It’s that’s something that we all value here, the mole is here in our terrorist cell located twice, once at the behest of a church all in that context of freedom from re- and it’s something that I’ve found to since atheists are the most distrusted which owned the land the billboard was on. ligion. It’s interesting that it’s always in be so great as I’ve come out as an athe- group in the United States, and I guess FFRF discovered that the church had not the context of religion that one person ist, as I’ve come out as a secular hu- it’s out in public now. been paying property taxes on that parcel, in the blogosphere talked about how manist. I’ve met so many other people It’s an honor to see all of you here. and its complaint to the city remedied that they didn’t like the quote so much just who think similarly. It’s an honor to be It’s an honor to receive this scholar- situation. Then a businessman complained because it’s still in the context of God, here today in such a large community ship. I think that we should all be open about the billboard on his property, and it and how being an atheist or being a and to know that the community is out because it’s just better to have people was moved to a third home! Dylan did a lot freethinker in this country is always in there. understand that the assumptions they of positive media, and the censorship of his the context of God. You can’t just be It was interesting how many hateful make about the person that they meet message engendered lots of publicity. who you are; it’s always in the context things were said by the religious com- of being the opposite of religious. munity. I had my contact information I guess that was the main reason that blocked, so I didn’t hear any of them I participated in the billboard cam- personally, but the community was say- paign. I’m usually quite a shy person, ing that this was somehow an attack on and I don’t talk very much about my churches.

Posing with FFRF staffer Melanie Knier. Page 12 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin January/February 2012

Freethought Heroine 2011 Strong resistance to God’s existence Convention photography by Jeff Yardis

Rebecca Newberger Goldstein, author of 36 Arguments for the Existence of God: A We were actively Work of Fiction, gave this speech Oct. 8, 2011, at FFRF’s 34th national convention discouraged in Hartford, Conn., where she was named from going on to Freethought Heroine 2011. college.

that in my high school instead of hav- ing pop quizzes we used to have pop hemline inspections. This was in the late ’60s, so hemlines were showing plenty of leg. We were supposed to be wearing our skirts down to mid-calf. Teachers would come in to check our hemlines, and if it was a little too short, you were sent home. But this was only the external tzniut, the external modesty — inducing body shame, of course, but that was not the worst of it. Far more invidious was the Rebecca Newberger Goldstein accepting her “Freethought Heroine” plaque internal inculcation of female modesty, from Annie Laurie Gaylor, FFRF co-president. which meant doing nothing to attract undue attention to oneself, including terhood in accepting this award. I’m was considered radical. One medieval in one’s very speech. I mentioned how reeling from the sense of unreality. sage had written that, rather than have hard I struggle for the words that man- By Rebecca Newberger Goldstein My sense of unreality derives from girls ever study from the holy books, age to be both precise and startling. my birth family, which is Jewish and it would be better for the books to be Well, this inclination of mine, espe- strictly Orthodox. I come on my pater- burned. cially the startling part, was actively dis- nal side from a long line of rabbis and We didn’t study the Talmud, which couraged. Thank you so much for that in- of rabbis’ wives. I never want to forget is the intellectual zenith in Orthodox There is a Talmudic prohibition troduction. Not only do you have the the rabbis’ wives. I like to fantasize that Judaism. It’s the menfolk’s highest against a woman’s voice; the prohibi- best music of all freethinking organi- maybe there were some freethought pride, the very means of conferring tion is known by the Hebrew phrase kol zations, but you also have the best way heroines hidden among them. status, so that the best in Talmud are isha, the voice of a woman. Men out- with words: “Freedom from Religion My father, who was from Poland, simply the best, full stop. Talmudic side her family can’t hear her voice be- Foundation,” “The Emperor Has No had rabbinical ordination but he was brilliance is the standard used even in cause it is in itself, the Talmud says, an Clothes Award,” “Freethought Hero- too self-conscious about his accent to arranging marriages. An outstanding instrument of seduction. The law has ine.” These words have a playfulness to sermonize for American worshippers Talmudic scholar, no matter what his been interpreted by almost all schol- them that only underscores their seri- and in general lacked confidence. So other failings, can get a very desirable ars to cover only the singing voice of ousness and honesty. he became a cantor instead, as a result bride. women. Actions are very important, but so of which he could barely support his Especially when I was younger, I In my family, this was a very active are words. I’m a writer, so I would nev- family. We were as poor as synagogue would play in my mind with the coun- issue. Since my father was a cantor, er say that words are cheap. Searching mice. We were four children. I was in- terfactual: “What would it have been we were all musical. My older sister in for the right words — words that are auspiciously positioned in the middle like if I had been born a boy?” I know particular had a voice that might have precise but also startling — certainly of three girls, and the oldest was a boy, that I might have become immersed made her known in the greater world costs me dearly. So I just want to savor, which has great significance in a family in the world of Talmudic scholarship, had she not been born an Orthodox for a moment, the flavor of these words like mine. which happens to be a world of intel- female. that you’ve applied to me: freethought There were high intellectual expec- lectual ethereality and deftness in split- It was such an extraordinary voice heroine. They’re very sweet on my tations placed on my brother, who was ting a hair at least 20 different ways that she was actually given voice les- tongue. expected to carry on the family tradi- — which is, I confess, just the sort of sons by my parents, very peculiar in My being named a freethought tion of producing Talmudic scholars, intellectual exercise that I’ve often our background. When her teacher heroine is a small vindication of one and my brother did, in fact, become enjoyed as an analytic philosopher. heard her sing, she said, “I have very of the core assertions of Steven Pinker, a rabbi, which reminds me of one of I think I would have made a rather little to teach Minda. God taught her who just spoke to you and humorously my favorite jokes. Question: “Why was good Talmudic scholar, but, being a how to sing.” But that voice, which was described himself as the warm-up act Jesus the perfect Jewish son?” Answer: girl, I didn’t get the chance, which I’m professionally trained, was never heard for me. Steve, in his defense of human “He lived at home for a long time, he now grateful for. outside our house or outside her own nature and his rejection of the blank- went into his father’s line of work, his Tzniut, female modesty, on the oth- household when she got married. She slate metaphor for the human mind, mother thought he was god, and he er hand, was stressed to such an extent used her voice strictly to sing lullabies has stressed the genetic contribution thought his mother was a virgin.” not only in our generic human nature Unlike my brother, I was a girl, and but in our individual natures as well. as a girl there were no expectations for When it comes to nature or nurture, me other than that I be sweet and doc- it’s not a matter of either/or, as Steve ile, unassuming and modest. Modesty, has told us again and again in his best- or tzniut as it’s called in Hebrew, is the selling books, but nevertheless nature premier virtue indoctrinated into Or- does often exert a very surprising he- thodox females. gemony over nurture. It turns out to be nature over nurture in numerous Girls gone mild surprising ways. This assertion of Steve’s means a I’d attended an all-girls school in lot to me because there was absolutely Manhattan, an extreme all-girls school, nothing in my nurturance that would by which I mean extremely backward. have led me to have ever been associ- It was a member of a loose confedera- ated with an organization like FFRF, tion of schools that were started in Eu- much less being honored by it. I was rope about 100 years ago called Bais reared to look in horror at all of you Yaakov schools. These schools were godless people. In fact, in some sense, considered progressive at the time the a priori improbability of such an when they were first instituted, since, honor being conferred on me has in- although Orthodox, they instructed Autographing books with Steven Pinker at FFRF’s 2011 national convention in duced in me a strong feeling of impos- girls in some of the sacred texts. This Hartford. January/February 2012 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 13

My last book was called 36 Arguments ‘Are you actually for the Existence of God: A Work of Fic- tion. When I was on my book tour, they saying that you’re would often leave off that very impor- an atheist?’ tant subtitle, so it was just, 36 Arguments for the Existence of God, and I would of- ten have very enraged audiences. They thought I was going to be delivering a mourn the loss. While I was studying rejoinder to Dawkins and Hitchens. philosophy, I came to understand (and I actually had interesting discussions I have to say for me this understand- with the audience, and there was one ing had the feel of salvation), that it is woman, in the Free Library of Philadel- no sign of moral or spiritual strength phia, who said, “Are you actually saying to believe that for which one has no that you’re an atheist? Why would you evidence, neither a priori evidence as just come out and say something so ter- in math, nor a posteriori evidence as in rible about yourself?” It was as if I had science. Quite the contrary. Religious just said that I eat babies for breakfast. epistemology has it all backward. I ended up having probably one of What I took from my philosophy the greatest dialogues of my tour, or classes, the persistent if unstated norm, maybe of my life, with that outraged is that it’s a violation almost immoral woman. As we went back and forth, it in its transgressiveness to shirk the re- became clearer to her that she and I sponsibilities of rationality. There are had common ground, that both of us to her children, or to sing her prayers proven, and since it contradicted the obligations that are placed on us by believed in objective morality and had in synagogue under her breath, trying story of creation that we all knew was being propositional creatures who are similar ideas about what was right and hard not to let her love of music take true, we should learn the theory for able to formulate truth-valued proposi- wrong. Babies for breakfast was defi- over so that her voice might soar. our test and then we should forget all tions, to consider them, to reflect on nitely out. Kol isha is almost always interpreted about it. But instead I promptly forgot them, to assert them or deny them, At the book signing at the end, she as referring to a woman’s singing voice, all the holy nonsense I had to learn just and then to act on our considered be- handed me a little scrap of paper and but there is a Talmudic discussion as to as soon as the test was over, while the liefs when those beliefs are such as to said, “Well, I don’t agree with what you whether it extends even to a woman’s theory of evolution shined on in me as support actions. say, so I’m not going to buy your book, speaking voice. I quote here from the the luminous model of a thoroughly Bertrand Russell said about the but you seem like a nice lady so I want Journal of Halacha (Jewish law): “Pe- satisfying explanation. practice of postulating in mathemat- your autograph.” I considered that a rusal of the Talmudic sources thus es- We were actively discouraged from ics: “The method of postulating what great triumph. She came away thinking tablishes the undisputed principle that going on to college, especially those we want has many advantages. They that she’d met a a nice, albeit godless, a woman’s voice is erva” (an instrument among us who were considered the are the same as the advantages of theft lady. of sexual incitement), “but leaves un- best students. Instead we were urged over honest toil.” clear whether a speaking or a singing to go to a seminary that was connected One can very easily adapt Russell’s Three dozen arguments voice is intended. And, in fact, some with the high school and was a sort of statement about postulating in mathe- authorities do ban even the speaking way station to bide our time until the matics — and it’s an adaptation I know In this book, although it’s a novel, I voice of a woman.” all-important event in our lives, which that he wouldn’t mind (uncompro- attach an appendix which gives 36 ar- To come from a background like would be getting married. But I did go mising atheist that he was) — so that guments for the existence of God, but that, in which such questions are even to college, and eventually, after I got it describes not what’s so wrong about with all of their fallacies. I lay them out debated, even if the more liberal in- married — I got married very young postulating in mathematics but what’s in the way that we philosophers like to terpretation which prohibits only a the first time — I transferred to - Bar so wrong about an epistemology that do, very clearly, stating the premises woman’s singing voice is accepted, is to nard College, Columbia University, sacralizes faith, which is what religious and then showing what’s wrong with have a very special set of problems in which is the place where I was born epistemology does. So to paraphrase each of the arguments. attaining one’s personal freedom from into consciousness. It was the first time Russell: The practice of believing on There are all the classic arguments religion. I experienced what it was like to have faith what we want has many advantag- that philosophers and theologians Imagine, if you can, how difficult it is my nature nurtured. es. They are the same as the advantages have been debating for a long time: for me to speak up, the special hurdle I could study anything I wanted, of theft over honest toil. the cosmological argument, the on- of convincing myself to overcome the even the subjects considered mostly I’ve been hanging around these tological argument, the teleological embarrassment of undue attention, for boys, which were math and physics. atheist circles for a while now, and it argument, the moral argument. I also whether it’s in the fray of philosophi- I have to say I was a little disappointed seems to me, especially coming from wanted to formulate the vaguer and cal combat — and philosophy happens that that category — subjects that were the background I do, that some of my more emotive lines of reasoning that to be one of the most combative aca- considered mostly for boys — existed fellow atheists sometimes underesti- I’ve never seen explicitly formulated, demic fields — or before an audience even outside of that insular world that mate the intellectual sophistication of so I have — for example, the “argu- such as this one. Then, of course, I’m I was trying so hard to escape from, but religious believers, speaking of them ment from answered prayers” and the a writer, and writers are supposed to be at least I could study those subjects. all as if they’re just dimwitted. They’re “argument from the intolerability of engaged at least as much in self-pro- Nobody was saying I couldn’t, nobody wrong in this, and I know that they’re insignificance.” motion as they are in writing. This busi- was going to burn the books before I wrong, because there are people in my The point of the novel, the story- ness of self-promotion is an especially got to study them, and my professors family whose IQs I would match against telling that precedes the appendix, is difficult aspect in the life that I’ve cho- were encouraging. anyone’s. They’re not dimwitted, and that religious faith and religious ad- sen for myself, given my background. Then there was philosophy, which they know how to reason. herence, at least in my quite intimate This was my nurturance, and it was I got into because I was interested in They don’t require that we enlight- experience with them, very often have intensified in that high school, that philosophy of science and philosophy ened ones point out the fallacies of little to do with arguments. None of abominable high school that I went to. of math. I was learning very strange their religious arguments, because they the Talmudic scholars in my family put and baffling things in my physics eschew religious arguments. They’ve much faith in any arguments. There Forget about evolution classes, especially quantum mechan- got an epistemology that makes reli- are believers who see through these ics, and I wanted to understand what gious arguing appear as naive in their arguments just as well as you and I do. It was, however, a state-accredited these theories meant, what they were eyes as it is in ours. Continued on next page school, which meant — and I have to saying about reality. There are out- say hallelujah — that we were required standing questions in the foundations to take the New York State Regents of quantum mechanics — they exist exam. I am so grateful for that accredi- still — and often when I would ask my tation, because it meant that there was professors, I would get a version of the some control over the secular curricu- answer that you sometimes get in phys- lum. I consider those religious schools ics classes when you ask what does this which don’t have accreditation, and all mean: Don’t ask what it all means; there are a slew of them, to be a form shut up and calculate. of child abuse. I wish they could be out- I was also interested in questions lawed. about foundations of mathematics. In 10th grade, when I took biology, Mathematics is so different from all our rabbi/principal came in and sol- other knowledge. It’s a priori — we can emnly spoke to us on the first day of prove things conclusively. Mathemati- class to warn us that the teacher, who cal results are immune to empirical was a moonlighting public school teach- revisions, and this delighted but also er — almost all of the secular teach- baffled me. So math, too, led meto ers were moonlighting public school seek out some philosophy classes. teachers — was required to teach us But I found far more in these classes the theory of evolution because it was than I could ever have anticipated. I going to be on the Regents’ exam, but found a way to completely distance my- it was only a theory, which means un- self from religion, to lose it and never Page 14 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin January/February 2012

temology shared by both science and The practice of in the situation. You only think the philosophy, demanding compelling cheating is justifiable because it’s you reasons, that are compelling to every- believing on faith who will be performing it. And utilitar- body who submits herself to reason, ians, in asking us to consider the great- which get at what “objectivity” means. what we want est good for the greatest number, ask us to perform a similar distancing from Beware of philosophy has the same the pull of the self, in which you view yourself as just one among many, and Here’s something that Bertrand advantages of theft it’s the consequences for everybody Russell really did say, without any — not just yourself — that constitutes paraphrasing: “A habit of basing con- over honest toil. the moral aspect. So deontologists and victions upon evidence and of giving consequentialists, as divided as they to them only that degree of certainty are on important issues, still build on a which the evidence warrants would, if common understanding of the nature it became general, cure most of the ills and expanding upon, building on of morality. Just as there are disagree- from which the world suffers.” each other’s work — just as scientists ments among scientists on the correct There’s an ethics to epistemology, build on each other’s work. And just as interpretation of quantum mechanics, there’s an ethics to taking our beliefs practitioners in the sciences have had but still they all know how to use it, and seriously to demand objectivity. This their practical and beneficial effects, nobody but a fool would say there’s is a continuous theme in philosophy, furthering the flourishing of human no established knowledge here just from Plato on, and it’s why the spirit lives, so too have practitioners in the because controversy remains; so, too, of philosophy has always been seen as abstract work of moral reasoning, fur- there’s a tremendous amount of agree- inimical to the spirit of religion. thering the flourishing of human lives. ment among philosophers, and no- These epistemological and ethical Philosophers have been hard at body but a fool would deny that there considerations are part of the sphere of work, laying out arguments that clarify is shared genuine knowledge about the Continued from previous page reason even though they’re not strictly the objective nature of morality, laying nature of morality secured through part of science, but rather of philoso- out arguments that extend the intrin- philosophical reasoning. And this se- Rather, they put their faith in faith, phy. We shortchange reason when we sic value of life to previously excluded cured knowledge has impacted on the which is what I mean by “religious epis- identify reason only with the empiri- groups — women, people of different world outside of professional philoso- temology.” cal sciences. Reason has science at its races and religions, children, even ani- phers, gradually changing opinions Epistemology is the area of philoso- disposal, but it has more than only sci- mals — using rigorous reason, show- and sensibilities. It’s impacted even phy that has to do with knowledge it- ence. We have more in our arsenal. We ing the inconsistency of conferring in- the moral sensibility of religion, so that self. What counts as knowledge, what have philosophical reasoning as well. trinsic value on some lives — certainly people read the bible differently now, kinds of grounds we need in order to And realizing the greater resources of one’s own! — and not on others. And according to moral arguments that have license to believe. There’s an al- reason undermines the great chasm the force of the rationality of these have been brought to them through most ethical or normative component which is supposed to exist between rigorous arguments gradually trickles secularism. It’s because of secular phi- to epistemology, just as in questions of facts, on the one hand, and values, on down. losophy, at least as much as because of ethics, having to do with the evaluation the other. People may not be able to repro- secular science, that all but the most of standards, of what counts as right. Many religious accommodationists duce the exact abstract logic of the fundamentalist of religious believers In ethics, we consider the standards exploit this alleged distinction, most philosophers, but their moral sensibili- resort to claiming that the bible is, in for evaluating actions and determining famously, Stephen Jay Gould, who ties have been transformed neverthe- various places, to be interpreted meta- the right sorts of actions. In epistemol- magisterially proclaimed the existence less. This process has helped to move phorically, as much when it talks in ogy, the normative questions revolve of the “nonoverlapping magisteria” us along, painfully slowly and often re- moral ignorance about slavery as when around the standards for evaluating (often abbreviated as NOMA). I think gressing, but still slowly going further it talks in scientific ignorance about beliefs. What counts as the right sorts this phrase is nonsense, but it sounds in the process of moral progress. It’s the creation of the world in six days. of grounds for beliefs? Do you have to awfully good. a lovely aspect of our species that we The division between facts and val- have grounds at all, and for all one’s These two nonoverlapping magis- don’t enjoy the feeling of being caught ues that Gould’s touted NOMA sup- beliefs? teria that Gould laid out are both, he in inconsistency, and so much of our posedly rests on is a false division. Facts Philosophy has been concerned said, mutually exclusive and co-jointly moral abominations involve inconsis- have been established in the world of with these sorts of questions from the exhaustive categories of propositions. tency, which it has fallen to philoso- values, secured through sound ethi- very beginning, from Plato 2,500 years On the one hand we give to the author- phers to point out. cal reasoning. For example, it’s a fact ago. It was Plato who stressed, as phi- ity of the empirical science the domin- that slavery is wrong. It’s a fact despite losophers have continued to stress, ion over all facts, facts of the matter, Secular moral arguments the fact that no religion was able on how conscientious we ought to be in propositions which are either true or its own, without the input of secular these matters of belief, as much as in false. There’s a lot of disagreement among philosophical arguments, to discover our actions — and not only because be- On the other hand, we give over to philosophers, who are split into the that fact. liefs are implicated in our actions but the authority of religion dominion of camps of Kantian deontologists and It’s a fact that slavery is wrong de- because the truth itself is important, all values, which presumably do not Millsian utilitarians. The two camps spite the many laws concerning the and there are so many ways in which concern propositions which are either argue whether there are certain acts keeping of slaves that are to be found we get duped. true or false. This distinction between — torture, for example — which are in the books of Leviticus and Deuter- Plato stressed how many irrational facts and values lines up, Gould says, intrinsically immoral, no matter what onomy, just as it’s a fact that the voice and subjective forces are always lying in with the distinction between science good results might ensue from them, of a woman, whether speaking or sing- wait to take the place of good grounds, and religion. It’s religion, in other or whether an act’s moral character de- ing, is not to be regarded as in itself a these dark forces of the ego that in- words, which is to tell us how we are to rives from its consequences. sexual incitement. And if it is so regard- cline us toward wishful thinking and live our lives, what are the values that There is substantive controversy ed, that’s not the moral problem of the fantasizing, coming up with visions of matter, what it is to live a life well-lived. here, but that shouldn’t blind us from woman who’s speaking. It is, rather, the the world that flatter our own senseless According to NOMA, there is no seeing the far more fundamental con- problem of the men who can’t hear it sense of self-importance in this world, work for reason to do here at all. So sensus. Both the deontologists and the as anything but sexualized. so that we come up with worldviews, we have to leave it to the authorities of utilitarians are joined to a common In any case, I thank you very much with weltanschauungen, that, flattering religion and religious codes of ethics. sense of what the moral point of view for listening to this woman’s voice. our own egos, incline us toward divi- Someone like Gould can think that is--an entirely secular understanding siveness. reason has nothing to say on matters of of the moral point of view as requir- Rebecca Newberger Goldstein is a philos- The demand for compelling and value only because, with a certain de- ing an effort of distancing from one’s opher and novelist. She received her Ph.D. objective reasons to believe arises as a gree of arrogance not unknown to sci- own particular identity. That you hap- in philosophy from Princeton University way to combat these self-deluding ten- entists, he equates reason with the em- pen to be you -— as important as that and taught philosophy for most of her life. dencies. Religious epistemology, with pirical sciences, which makes it almost is to you ­— is of minimal moral conse- She is the recipient of many awards for both its enshrining of faith, rejects the epis- unavoidable then to hand over to the quence. Everybody else happens to be her artistic and scholarly works. In 1996 authority of nonreason, also known as themselves as well, and feels about that she was named a MacArthur Fellow (the religion, all things having to do with self as fervently as you do about yours. “genius” award). She is the author of six Losing Faith value. Kant’s famous categorical imperative novels, including 36 Arguments For the In Faith: NOMA ignores the long history go- — that before you perform any action, Existence of God, The Mind-Body Problem From Preacher ing back to Plato and Aristotle and on- you should try to perform this test in and Properties of Light: A Novel of Love, ward to Spinoza and Hume and Kant your mind: could you universalize it, Betrayal and Quantum Physics, a book of To Atheist and into our own day, which has been make it a rule for everybody to follow short stories, Strange Attractors, and two by Dan Barker steadily offering us trickle-down argu- — is getting at the distancing from award-winning nonfiction books: Incom- “An arsenal for ments establishing the foundations of the strong pull of the self, a distancing pleteness: The Proof and Paradox of Kurt skeptics. morality in reason. Steve gave away a which is of the essence of the moral Gödel, and Betraying Spinoza: The Ren- A challenge to little bit of how I think that this is ac- stance. If you want to perform some egade Jew Who Gave Us Modernity. She believers.” complished in his own talk, the sorts act­ — say cheating somebody out of his has retired from teaching to write full time of arguments which don’t belong to fair share — and you find you wouldn’t and lecture. Hardback, 342pp., photos. the empirical sciences but rather to be able to universalize it, then what Member price: $20.00 FFRF, PO Box 750, Madison WI 53701 moral reasoning, that professional you’ve revealed is that you’re giving Non-member price: $25.00 philosophers have been developing too much weight to your own identity January/February 2012 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 15

Sharing the Crank Mail

A sampling of recent com- always be legal. I believe there HELL. — John Casale, Warren, Majority rules bitch!! I’m sick ments to FFRF from the Chris- should be a law against parents Ohio to DEATH of fucking idiots like tian righteous, printed as re- like you and your members from you who are offended by what ceived: being able to procreate. — your Texas Nativity scene makes THE MAJORITY happy mama you guys are pussies lol. and THE MAJORITY has to Voice mail to Dan Barker grow up and get a real job cave for you, FUCK YOU!! I have a message for you. MERRY CHRISTMAS — Ron Perry MOVE TO RUSSIA!! WHen you Jesus said “Go fuck yourself, FROM ATHENS TEXAS are burning in Hell...YOU’LL you fucking dick!” ­— 520 Frank- I pray that you will change Texas BELEIVE!! — Larry Pickett, Sun lin Ave. your thoughts and ways soon, You fucking morons need to Lakes, Ariz. for you to will have ever lasting worry only about your own black Hello life in burning he’ll and damna- area! Come to Normal and try Atheists Are Bastards Gov. Scott Walker wishes tion. GOD LOVES YOU — Kim that shit and you’ll wish you You stupid atheist Bastards you all a very Merry CHRIST- Farguson didn’t! — Rob Mauer, Normal, are really insane Bastards mas!! — Billy Cyrus Ill. for thinking it is any of your Go fuck yourself business that there are nativ- gutter Athens Texas has NOTHING TEXAS ity scenes set up in the public If you do not like Christmas to do with you faggat whores so For the sake of the Lord’s squares. You stupid atheist Bas- and Church go fuck yourself and I know this will not chage any- people, please join your species tards shove it up your damn ass I will continue the believe and thing it makes me feel better in Hell. — Betty Ramerez crossways. — Michael Mazar will not stand for some panty — John Doe waste to interfer with my live or Stick it up- well you know Ahens Texas Nativity any one else’s. If you do not like your WRONG!!!!!: GET where scene it close your motherfunkin eyes REAL!!!! Im now going to put a reli- You bastards stepped on or shut your door and crawl back You have no right to force gion theme in my yard. and print your dicks by screwin with Tex- under a rock gutter slut., — L.B. your unfounded views on any- you web site so my bird can shit as! — Ron Loven, Mesquite, one! You want a fight with on it ha ha — [email protected] Texas Inside this card from Texas it said, SANTA CLAUS: God is Great Christ’s followers, well you’ll get SATAN CAL(L)s U! Did you answer him? God is the most beautiful one. — Tony Hill Shitheads A Fool\’s Errand being. There are angels, devils Fuck you and stay out of my Your ‘god’, Nobama, is about (you are an example of one), Your organization sucks!!! religion asses — John@play- as popular as a Shy-Town, junk- heavn and hell. That is your fu- You all need to get a life: boy.com, San Diego, Calif. yard dog, right now. Yes, I’ve ture home. also saw pictures of Fuck you and your attempts lived in beautiful Wisconsin, you, you look like a slut. Have to stop freedom of religion. Saw the article about Ath- and such mini-brain, minor- you had sex with any childrem ity delusions, are quite rare, — Enjoy Hell ens Texas lately? Go fuck yourself. God save in some Madison & Mil- Know that as an atheist yow Bless America Nd keep Christ waukee hovels. Also worked in you r STUPID are an Enemy of God. Not a in Christmas. Ps Go to hell Shy-Town’s South Side com- you have a FUCKIN STU- good place to be for Eternity. — Santa Claus bat zone, where your hero was PID org. you need to move to — Carol Polischak another country we do noit want raised. What a bombed-out, Christmas time burned-out, marxist, hell-hole. you in our country because we SAD STATE OF AFFAIRS You’re a miserable fat, cunt, — Gary Hurd, Mineral Wells, llove GOD, and he will punish You are all a bunch of you’re afucking disgrace to the Texas you some way — mike cannon whackjobs. You pick a fight, do human race and you smell of not cry when you get your asses piss. PS merry Christmas and God is Great You people suck dick handed to you. You do not own God Bless — Saint Nick I will pray for God to send Hell won’t be hot for you. You this country either. Go be miser- you directly to hell which unfor- people are fucking tools. — Matt able somewhere else along with tunately will be a step up from Sample issue of fuckyou the tree huggin liberals, and gay Madison. — Jesus Christ Freethought Today marriage proponets. MERRY I pray daily that all you self State/Church Quiz re- CHRISTMAS — Jeff Hankins ATHESIS SCUMS SHOULD righteous bastards die of long sponse painful lingering illnesses. You Your silly quiz is wrong, and Rotten Apples: Athesis DIE! will be in hell. — Ken books you know it. I am NOT Chris- Rotten apples in a baslet, Im coming after your group tian, but I hate you filthy ass just take a athesis drop them with a mighty Pen., Lets begin Texas Nativity Scene rapers with every thing I have. on the ground and let them rot to tell the true stories how athe- Dear FFRF Maggots Dan FUCK YOU, and FUCK COM- where they belong,.IM LOOK- sis scums love to rape kids! the Carnival Barker, Annie Get MIE ATHIESTS!!!! Eat my shit, ING FORWARD TO THE — Wnkinc Wnkinc Your Atheist Gun Gaylor, your and fucking kill your selves, DAYS I CAN PUNCH ATHE- atheist mom and Company: My, NOW, you fucking child molest- SIS IN THE FKN FACE!!! THE Athens, Texas my, we all got our panties in a ers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FUCK YOUR DEVEL IS COMING AFTER you stupid dumbfucks. you wad, don’t we? A man named GAY NIGGER, lil barry NIGGER YOUR GROUP! IMMEDIATLY!! ignorant assholes. STOP at- Adolf would be proud as well BOY soetoro, too. — Kurt An- — Wnkinc Wnkinc tempting to impose your values as Stalin and Mao. You guys derson, Ogden, Utah on THE MAJORITY OF THE have bastardized the Constitu- Religion POPULATION. now, lets see tion to serve your own wicked You are assholes Keep your noses out of other how many of you pathetic SOB’s This history lesson for FFRF was postmarked agenda. Enjoy your solstice try to take advantage of any day You people are very sick people’s beliefs. You’re like the Memphis, Tenn. season, Gaylord and company. assholes. Do not contact me re- gays, complaining about want- off work due to all the Good May your solstice stockings be peat, don’t do it. — M Chierepko ing to be accepted but not ac- People. FUCK YOU. FUCK... all filled with coal and hot air, and cepting other views. BACK THE of you. — Thomas Acton of course, unwadded panties. YOU ARE A MUSLIM FUCK OFF. —­ Anna Davis — NK in NW Indiana Dear Dan, We know that you Athens, Texas are really a muslim! Don’t pre- Athens Texas Why don’t you inept mo- They Said What? atheistism tend that we don’t know. Your I propose, that when you at- rons stay the hell out of Texas! I OPPOSE HOMOSEXUAL real name is Mohammed Atta. tended school, Ms. Gaylor, you Maybe you need a large hunk BEHAVIOR, RACE MIXING, ­— DJ Via either skipped math class alto- of cheese shoved up your ass? WEED SMOKERS,COERCION gether, or, if not, you were either Us Texans will be happy to help I want the full portrait of evolution and the peo- @WALL STREET, CORRUPT God still loves you, but I’m drunk or stoned at your desk, or all of you out with that. — Jeff CONGRESS, ACLU, LYING Lewellen, Texas ple who came up with the ideas to be presented. not that perfect... Fucking idiots! both...! It’s painfully obvious to It’s a worldview and it’s godless. Atheism has MEDIA.... — gt chisholm — Guy Fawkes me that you are ‘freeloaders’ to the economy and a Pain in the athens tx: been tried in various societies, and they’ve been Sample issue What a bag of dicks Ass to Christians everywhere! annie . Shut the fuck up! We pretty criminal domestically and internationally. Fuck you faggots — JHF Fuck you. Go back to the You do not work, you do not hold don’t need to hear from dumb The Soviet Union, Cuba, the Nazis, China today DJFJ, Beverly Hills, Calif. cunts running a scam. — Steve slimy hole you came from. a REAL job to speak of, and yet; — they don’t respect human rights. As a gener- — Mark Jackson you’ve this sense of entitlement, Sloan, Madison, Wis. Merry Christmas! reserved only for the working al court we should be concerned with criminal I just wanted to let you know We\’re coming class, placing demands upon Subject: fuck you. ideas like this and how we are teaching it. . . . that I and most of the rest of We’re coming.... Christ and them to bend toward your wish- Who the fuck are you to Columbine, remember that? They were believ- the majority of people believe file a human rights suit for alil his troops. — guesswhat@ es, OR ELSE...! You can go to ers in evolution. That’s evidence right there. that you and your members christiscoming.net HELL as far as I’m concerned. teenage cunt who has no rights are insignificant shreds of hu- ­— Mr. Rick Schlecht, U.S. cuz she is a fucking skank who N.H. state Rep. Jerry Bergevin, R-Manchester, man debris, using air that real Army/U.S. Air Force, retired has no right to impede on the on his bill requiring school to teach evolution as Texas Nativity Scene people could use. I believe you rights of the rest of people in a theory and include “the theorists’ political and and your members being, are Fuck you all. In GOD we that school fuck all you commu- trust,Merry Christmas,burn in Athens Texas ideological viewpoints and their position on the reasons why abortion should FUCK YOU and your 17%!! nist bastards burn in hell fuckas — [email protected]” concept of atheism.” Concord Monitor, 12-29-11 You faggots You fags need to grow up My answer to that was we always need a Jesus and get a real job! Who gives a shit if the govonor of az supports candidate. the national prayer day. Take GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum, the fuckin tampon out of your telling a New Hampshire town hall how he re- ass and find something else to sponded to an interviewer saying, “We don’t cry about you baby back bitch! It’s liberal jews like yourself that need a Jesus candidate, we need an economic are ruining this country! nigger- candidate.” A sampling of the hate speech and death threats directed at Jessica Ahlquist, 16. [email protected] ABC News, 1-5-11 Page 16 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin January/February 2012

Graduate/Mature Student Essay Contest Honorable Mentions

them. But most of the time, they are the First Amendment’s Establishment and secular humanists do not believe A Personal just reminders of what we are no lon- Clause: “Congress shall make no law in God. ger, or at least of what we are not sup- respecting an establishment of reli- The government we build together Constitution posed to be. gion, or prohibiting the free exercise should represent all of us without giv- A law was passed in 2006 which al- thereof.” In largely Christian America, ing preference to any single group. We lows women to have an abortion in separating religion from government are united in our belief in education, three instances: rape, to save the moth- meets with resistance from some Chris- freedom of speech, equality, democ- er’s life or if the fetus has a serious mal- tians. racy, liberty, justice, a healthy economy formation. A city mayor tried to open The primary source of resistance and the pursuit of happiness. a clinic to help women in these situ- stems from failing to understand why We can pursue those values together ations. But the Catholic Church has separation is necessary in a pluralistic publicly without favoring or alienating stopped the clinic from operating for society and how it protects everyone. anyone’s private beliefs. two years. There are many reasons why mod- I think we all should write a Per- ern promotion of the Establishment Chris Redford, 29, Lawrence, Kansas, sonal Constitution to guide our lives. I Clause has been perceived as an attack has a B.S. in computer science and is con- am a good citizen. I pay taxes, I respect specifically against Christians. One is tinuing as a Ph.D. candidate at the Uni- the law, I vote, and I help my commu- that most modern legal disputes per- versity of Kansas. He has a passion for nity. I do not believe in heaven or hell. taining to the Establishment Clause are substantive dialogue and negotiation. The I do not believe someone “up there” is meant to abolish practices established focus of his dissertation is the use of compu- watching my every move. I am a good by Christians. State-sponsored prayer tational argumentation as a tool for conflict person not because I fear punishment, in schools, the National Day of Prayer, resolution. but because I have natural compassion. teaching intelligent design or creation- Compassion is what differentiates ism, inserting “under God” into the us from other species. We act justly be- Pledge of Allegiance, changing the na- Crumbling wall By Ana-Margarita López-Ospina cause we believe this is the only way to tional motto to “In God We Trust” and live in society. We accept the law under adding it to our currency, placing Ten threatens basic which we live, not because we like it, Commandments monuments on pub- FFRF awarded Ana-Margarita $200 for her but because we know we have to orga- lic property. Each was proposed and rights essay. nize ourselves in order to get more har- promoted by Christian citizens. mony in our day-to-day lives. So the issue is framed: the religious By Robin Spoehr In any scenario, you can separate versus the godless, the Christians ver- your values from your beliefs. I urge sus the nonbelievers. It’s seen as one FFRF awarded Robin $200 for her essay. I come from a Third World country public figures to proclaim freethought side having their personal, secular con- in the Western world, which means we and show the values in which we live victions present in government and the look up to the United States of Amer- and how we live them. That way, we can other side having their own personal, ica. We dream about being you when prove that you do not have to believe religious convictions suppressed. For The state-church wall of separation we grow up. In my country, Colombia, to behave, and that you do not have all the controversy, the U.S. govern- is in danger, largely due to conserva- we are celebrating our new Constitu- to show your personal faith to be clear ment is largely secular. Christians ask tive Christians. Many U.S. citizens want tion’s 20th anniversary. about who you are and be respected. why can’t the government represent church and state to be more inter- It was huge for us that just 20 years both sides? twined and, in support of this danger- ago the state and the Catholic Church Ana-Margarita López-Ospina, 36, a na- The answer: There are more than ous idea, falsely claim that the U.S. was split up, at least on paper. The young tive of Medellín, Colombia, is in her first two sides in a pluralistic society where founded as a Christian nation. They people achieved it. They organized year of graduate school at New York Uni- religious identities abound. When commonly cite the Declaration of In- themselves to promote the new order versity, where she’s pursuing a degree in Christians see daily prayer over the dependence as evidence. and they made it. They won that battle creative writing in Spanish with a focus on school intercom abolished, they may The preamble states: “We hold against the traditional power, at least fiction writing. She has previously earned perceive it as an attack on Christianity. these truths to be self-evident, that all on paper. The truth is that paper can degrees in international business and liter- But in reality, it’s protection for non- men are created equal, that they are deal with anything, but real changes ary hermeneutics. Christian students, who enjoy the same endowed by their Creator with certain have to take place inside us, inside the protection because they will never inalienable Rights, that among these people. have to endure a Muslim prayer over are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of We should see these acts of words Separation the intercom or sit through a reading Happiness.” and declaration as a divorce. Some- of the Quran at their graduation cer- Many use the creator reference times, a divorce is just a piece of paper protects us all emony. They will never have to listen to justify the Christian nation claim. because the spouses still love each oth- to a Scientologist teacher explain how The wording mentions a creator but er. That is what happens in our coun- modern psychology is invalid because doesn’t specify a specific religion or in- tries: We have a paper that says the mental health is a matter of reaching dicate the Christian god in any way. It state has separated from religion, but a higher thetan level. They will never is not unreasonable to define the term the people are still very religious. Most have to listen to a Jain teacher explain creator as “nature,” which makes the of the time, they even use their creeds how evolution is false because all crea- phrase mean that as human beings we to get votes. tures have perpetually reincarnated have certain rights, which were not giv- In the last election in Colombia, souls that have always existed. Time en to us by anything other than the fact there was a presidential candidate who will never be spent on these activities. of our birth. Indeed, Thomas Jefferson was an agnostic, which his opponents Time will only be spent on the com- did not want to mention a creator at and the churches repeatedly used mon values held by all students — the all; the wording was changed later by against him. Everyone has the right to secular values. the Continental Congress. their faith, even a president, but they The word “secular” has been used Furthermore, the U.S. Constitu- should keep their faith as part of their pejoratively by believers to denote an tion, our actual governing document, private life. I respect symbols and ritu- anti-religious sentiment. In reality, the makes no mention of Christianity or als, but I also think that the person who dictionary definition of the word is even the concept of a supernatural cre- is a symbol of a secular state should “denoting attitudes, activities or other ator being. In fact, the only mention of wear their crucifix or Star of David un- things that have no religious or spiri- religion at all comes in the Establish- der their clothes. By Chris Redford tual basis.” ment Clause, which states, “Congress On the 20th anniversary of the Co- When a public official makes an ap- shall make no law respecting the estab- lombian Constitution, all the speeches Chris received $200 from FFRF for his prize- peal to “the common bonds of our hu- lishment of religion, or prohibiting the thanked the Catholic god for all the winning essay. manity” and “the pursuit of knowledge free exercise thereof.” progress in implementing the Great and good will,” he or she is expressing One example of how religion in Law, even when this Great Law says a sentiment that can be appreciated government is harmful is the issue of we are a secular state now. It has been universally by all people, regardless of gay rights. There’s simply no rational, two decades, and still in all the govern- religious beliefs or lack thereof. But secular basis for denying gay couples ment buildings there is a Catholic sym- “Separation of church and state” when a Christian public official ap- the right to have their relationships bol to welcome you. I admit they are in the U.S. refers to a phrase attrib- peals to “our unity as children of God,” recognized by the state. Twelve states sometimes beautiful pieces of art, and uted to Thomas Jefferson and quoted the sentiment cannot be appreciated prohibit same-sex marriage by law, and as such we should admire and enjoy by the Supreme Court in interpreting universally, because Buddhists, Jains 29 constitutionally bar it. January/February 2012 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 17

In the News

Gaylor, Barker join requests to return to work after Misty munication is sacred.” Founder Isak Horner died in January 2007, 31 days Gerson, a philosophy student, said the March Reason Rally after she home-delivered a stillborn fe- church has more than 3,000 members. Nineteen humanist groups are plan- tus. ning for a Reason Rally on March 24 Police officials, friends and family on the National Mall in Washington, pleaded for weeks with Horner to get Poll: Would you D.C. help for Misty, the Kansas City Star vote for atheist? Go to reasonrally.org for a complete reported Jan. 8. He claims she didn’t list of speakers and entertainers, which want medical attention. She was a Lee’s A phone survey conducted Dec. 15 includes Richard Dawkins, PZ Myers, Summit police dispatcher. by Poll Position asked 1,133 registered Tim Minchin, FFRF Co-Presidents An- Horner was fired in 2008 for failure voters, “Would you vote for a U.S. pres- nie Laurie Gaylor and Dan Barker, Tas- to contact the medical examiner to idential candidate who was an atheist?” lima Nasrin, James Randi, Greta Chris- report the death. Reports said he and The poll found 58% said no, 27% tina, Jamila Bey, Bad Religion, Jamie friends spent 14 hours trying to raise said yes, and 15% were undecided or Kilstein, Hemant Mehta, David Silver- Misty from the dead. had no opinion. man, Todd Stiefel, Roy Speckhardt and Misty’s brother, Brian Pierson, said Democrats (36% yes, 45% no) and many more. he went to see her as she lay dying, but independents (35% yes, 49% no) were In Perry v. Schwarzenegger (the Cali- Jessica Ahlquist, successful plain- was threatened by Caleb Horner and more inclined than Republicans (12% fornia Proposition 8 case), Chief Judge tiff in a Rhode Island case against the his friends. “He didn’t feed her, didn’t yes, 78% no) to say they’d vote for an Vaughn Walker ruled: “Moral disap- Cranston School District over a prayer get her a doctor and kept her family atheist to be president. proval, without any other asserted state banner, will also speak. away. He should have been [criminal- interest, has never been a rational basis The free rally, which starts at 10 ly] charged.” for legislation. Tradition alone cannot a.m. and ends at 5 p.m., is slated to Ultra-Orthodox males support legislation.” be the largest secular event in history. spit on girl, 8 The issue of personal freedom and The goal is to unify, energize and em- Fetal personhood religion in government extends to bolden secular people nationwide. See pushed in states Naama Margolese, 8, is another vic- public education. In the 1987 case Ed- page 24 to attend an FFRF dinner party tim in the struggle in Israel over reli- wards v. Aguillard, the Supreme Court before the rally. Arkansas Attorney General Dustin gious extremism. A Dec. 27 New York held that teaching creationism in pub- McDaniel rejected on Jan. 3 a pro- Times story told how ultra-Orthodox lic schools violated the Establishment posed constitutional amendment that men spit on Naama on her way to Clause. Since then, 11 states have made Birth control gets would ban some abortions. McDaniel school in Beit Shemesh and called her the teaching of creationism in public federal victory cited ambiguities in the measure sub- a prostitute because her modest dress schools an issue, with five states adopt- mitted by Personhood Arkansas. He did not adhere to their very strict dress ing standards that promote teaching The Obama administration an- said the text was misleading about the code. creationism or intelligent design. nounced Jan. 20 it will give religious relationship between the amendment Riots broke out in the area where In 2005, U.S. District Judge John groups another year to comply with and federal law. her tormenters are thought to have Jones III, ruled in Kitzmiller v. Dover a rule requiring employers that offer The president of Personhood Ar- come from. Hundreds of men and School District, a landmark case, that employees health insurance to include kansas, Preston Dunn Jr., said the boys poured out of a synagogue and a intelligent design “cannot uncouple coverage of birth control without out- amendment will be resubmitted. “We seminary holding signs calling for the itself from its creationist, and thus re- of-pocket costs. However, the Washing- are determined. We will try to over- exclusion of women. ligious, antecedents.” ton Post reported, the rule and types come any obstacles that come before The right to practice one’s religion of employers covered by it remain us.” If the proposal is certified, Person- is an important one. But citizens also unchanged, which angered groups hood Arkansas would have until July 6 Can’t convert ’em? have the right to choose not to prac- like the U.S. Conference of Catholic to collect 78,133 signatures. Then kill ’em! tice a religion. Separation of church Bishops, which want a permanent ex- Efforts are underway in at least and state is a cornerstone of living in emption for employers who think Jesus seven states to adopt fetal personhood “Left Behind 4: World at War” went a free society, and therefore must be would hate birth control. laws via constitutional amendments, on sale in the U.S. just in time for defended. The delay option isn’t available to including Wisconsin, according to Christmas. It’s the latest video game religious institutions that already of- NARAL Pro-Choice America. Voters in based on Rev. Tim LaHaye’s Left Be- Robin Spoehr, 24, Neenah, Wis., is an fer contraception coverage, including Mississippi and Colorado defeated per- hind series of novels. M.S. student in medical laboratory science many Catholic universities and hospi- sonhood initiatives in 2011 and 2010. Players assume the role of Christian at Rush University in Chicago. He earned tals in states that have their own birth Federal lawmakers are circulating simi- gang members roaming post-apocalyp- a B.S. in genetics, cell biology and develop- control requirements. lar measures. tic Manhattan, according to publiceye. ment from the University of Minnesota and While most Catholic leaders oppose org. To score points and advance to is pursuing a career in vaccine or drug de- birth control, about 98% of sexually higher levels, players must convert as velopment. active Catholic women use contracep- Sect: ‘Western many Jews, atheists or others who serve tion, according to the Guttmacher In- education is sinful’ the Antichrist. If unable to convert the stitute, a New York group that supports nonbelievers, players may kill them. the use of contraception, the Wall Shortly before 8 a.m. Dec. 25, a Toy- Christian video game publisher Left Overheard Street Journal reported. ota stopped in front of St. Theresa’s Behind Games Inc. is offering a free Catholic Church in Madalla, near the demonstration model to churches. Nigerian capital Abuja, just as hun- “We see it as a beacon of light that In order that each student recognize Indonesian beaten for dreds of worshippers were coming out. could shine in the dark world of vid- the importance of spiritual develop- Facebook post The driver then suddenly plowed into eo games,” said Director of Outreach ment in establishing character and the crowd and the vehicle exploded, Ministries Jerome Mikulich. becoming a good citizen, the govern- An Indonesian civil servant who Der Spiegel reported. At least 39 peo- ing body of a school corporation or posted “God does not exist” on his ple died. the equivalent authority of a charter Facebook page was taken into protec- President Goodluck Jonathan, a Hawaii, Delaware school may require the recitation of tive police custody afer being badly Christian, called it “an ugly incident.” extend civil rights the Lord’s Prayer at the beginning of beaten, the Jakarta Globe said Jan. 19. Boko Haram, a Muslim sect whose each school day. The prayer may be The man, identified as Alexander, 31, name means “Western education is sin- CNN reported Jan. 2 on same-sex recited by a teacher, a student, or the now could lose his job or be jailed for ful,” claimed responsibility for the at- couples in the first minutes of New class of students. up to five years unless he accepts one tack. Year’s Day in Honolulu becoming the Indiana Senate Bill 251, which directs of six official state religions. first in Hawaii’s history to enter into local boards to choose the preferred Alexander said he was born a Mus- civil unions. version of the prayer but allows stu- lim but stopped all religious activities Swedish Kopomists say “We really don’t want to wait any dents to opt out in 2008. CRTL+C is sacred longer, because we have been together www.in.gov, 1-9-12 for 33 years waiting for the opportunity Since 2010, the Swedish group Ko- and our rights and everything that goes In response to the statement, “I believe Cop whose wife died pomi has been trying to gain official with it,” said Donna Gedge, who was the Earth is approximately 6,000 years needlessly sues recognition as a religion to remove with her partner Monica Montgomery. old,” 34% of pastors strongly disagree. the legal stigma from file-sharing. Ac- Delaware also on Jan. 1 became the However, 30% strongly agree, 9% Caleb Horner, a police officer in cording to PC World, the Missionary seventh state to recognize same-sex somewhat disagree, and 16% some- Lee’s Summit, Mo., whose wife died at Church of Kopomism is now officially civil unions. what agree. home without seeing a doctor, has sued registered in Sweden. Two churches are suing Hawaii state LifeWay Research 2011 survey of 1,000 the city, claiming he was fired because Kopomi is Swedish for “Copy Me.” officials over the law: Emmanuel Tem- U.S. Protestant pastors of his religious beliefs. Horner alleges Kopomists hold CTRL+C and CTRL+V ple the House of Praise and Lighthouse Baptist Press, 1-9-12 the department refused his repeated as sacred symbols and believe “com- Outreach Center Assembly of God. Page 18 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin January/February 2012

Black Collar Crime Blotter

Compiled by Bill Dunn Arrested / Charged Laura Lee Salazar, 39, Maryville, TN: Con- spiracy to commit statutory rape by an authority figure, sexual battery by an authority figure and 7 counts each of statutory rape by an authority figure and sexual battery by an authority figure. Salazar was a youth leader at Lord’s Disciples Ministries of Whosoever Will. The indictment said she and her husband, Michael Salazar, engaged in unlawful sexual penetration and sexual contact with 3 teen girls in 2008 when they were in the 8th or 9th grade. Michael Salazar, also a church youth leader, pleaded guilty in 2010 and was sentenced to 20 years. All 3 girls testified they were in love with him. Source: Knoxville News Sentinel, 1-10-12 Anthony L. Drumgoole, 26, Rochester, NY: assault of a child and indecency with a child by Taylor, ministry leader of musicians and youth tion Ohel Yaacob, using his network of religious Kidnapping, armed robbery and 4 counts of fi- sexual contact). Hernandez, aka Pastor Javier, worship coordinator at Born Again Church of charities to illegally launder $1 million for a nancial transaction card fraud. Drumgoole, pas- held services in private homes in the Austin area God in Christ, was charged after a father report- man who turned out to be a federal informant. tor at Free From All Chains Outreach Ministry for a nondenominational church with no name. ed to police that his son was molested. At least Source: Washington Post, 1-4-12 Inc., is accused of robbing a man at knifepoint in Earlier, 4 women alleged Hernandez molested 3 other alleged victims have come forward. Daniel Ledford Jr., 28, Flagstaff, AZ: A year the restroom at Buffalo Wild Wings in November them as children, going back to the 1990s. Source: Bay News 9, 12-13-11 in jail for sexual conduct with a minor. The youth in Myrtle Beach, SC. The new charge is from a woman who al- Uriel Ojeda, 32, Redding, CA: 7 counts of leader at Lamb of God Bible Church admitted He’s also charged in Rochester with 2nd- leges he abused her when she was 7. Source: lewd and lascivious acts with a child younger having a sexual relationship for several months degree criminal impersonation stemming from American-Statesman, 12-27-11 than 14. Ojeda, pastor at Our Lady of Mercy with a 16-year-old female church member. Led- a traffic stop. Source: Democrat & Chronicle, Bede R. Jagoe, 77, Chicago: Criminal Catholic Church, allegedly had sex in 2007-09 ford was arrested after he accidentally sent a 1-10-12; WMBF News, 1-9-12 sexual abuse. The Dominican Catholic priest, with a female victim. text message to a church employee. Source: Daniel Acker Jr., 49, Alabaster, AL: 4 assigned to the chapel at Midway Airport, is Bail was set at $5 million due to fears he’ll Ariz. Daily Sun, 12-23-11 charges related to child sexual abuse. Acker, an charged with making an advance toward a man flee to his native Mexico. When it was later re- Phillip Joubert, 50, Queens, NY: 5 years elementary teacher, was arrested after a former who attended services before a flight. duced to $700,000 and he was freed, about 50 in prison for sexual assault of his 13-year-old female student accused him of molesting her Prosecutors allege Jagoe tried to kiss the supporters released balloons at the jail. daughter. The pastor at Community Baptist 3 times in 2009. Then another alleged victim man and grab him in an elevator after services. Ojeda is one of the few Spanish-speaking Church was acquitted of rape and incest charg- came forward to accuse him of multiple assaults Source: Chicago Tribune, 12-25-11 priests in the Diocese of Sacramento. Source: es. starting when she was 11. Police said he admit- Arnold Mathis, 40, Winter Haven, FL: 5 Salem Statesman Journal, 12-6-11 A former church member called Joubert ted molesting at least 20 children through the counts of sexual battery. Mathis, pastor at High- “Satan’s server,” adding that the Jouberts have years. er Praise Ministries, is accused of engaging Pleaded / Convicted made no major improvements to the building for Nicholas Dimitris, 37, Asheville, NC: He was cleared in 1992-93 of similar allega- in oral sex with a 14-year-old boy 6 years ago years. “They just lined their pockets.” Source: Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud as tions while he was teaching and also working when Mathis was pastor at Saint City Power Queens Chronicle, 12-22-11 a “straw borrower” (stand-in for real recipient) as a youth pastor at Westwood Baptist Church. and Praise Ministries. Luiz M. Barbosa, Raimundo Gomes, and to get an $825,000 bank loan. Dimitris leads C3 Beverly Watson said she remembers a neigh- Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd called Edilson Duarte, Algoas, BRA: 21 years, 16 Church, a charismatic congregation affiliated borhood girl saying Acker molested her then. Mathis “a monster. Arnold Mathis was the mas- years and 16 years, respectively, in prison. The with Christian City Church International. Watson recalled an incident when Acker al- ter of grooming. He had grooming children Brazilian Catholic priests were convicted of mo- Prosecutors said he also recruited others legedly gave a test to the alleged victim’s class down to an art.” lesting altar boys and buying their silence with to serve as straw borrowers. Source: Citizen- that contained a question about the color of the Mathis had to register as a sexual offender money and threats. Times, 1-9-12 girl’s underwear. after a 1997 conviction for which he served 4 One victim taped a sex act between Barbo- Cyprian Meier, 67, Bismarck, ND: Pleaded Watson said after Acker was accused, the years. Judd added, “The shock of this investiga- sa and another victim, which was posted online guilty to exploitation of a vulnerable adult. Mei- First Baptist Church of Pelham held spaghetti tion is, he’s already a sex offender, he’s already and sold at street fairs. Source: AP, 12-20-11 er, who was forced to resign in 2005 as pastor suppers to raise money for his support. “We been to prison, and he’s still a youth pastor or Jeremy Fulton, 29, Manhattan, NY: 22 of Spirit of Life Catholic Church for spending held a candlelight vigil for the victim, and five associate pastor? That’s terrible.” Source: Cen- years in prison on sexual abuse charges, in- parishioners’ money, admitted making unau- people came,” Watson said. Source: WBRC tral Florida News 13, 12-18-11 cluding rape, for molesting 5 girls who attended thorized transactions totaling $29,000 from ac- News, Shelby County Reporter, 1-5-12 Jasmine “J” Omar Brown, 29, Mesa, AZ: Mariners’ Temple Baptist Church, where he was counts of a paralyzed man he was providing Gwanda K. Tribbet, 47, Springfield, IL: Ag- 2 counts of sexual conduct with a minor and youth minister. home health care for. The man died Dec. 3. gravated criminal sexual abuse and criminal 3 counts of child molestation. Brown, a youth “I trusted my most prized possession in your Source: Bismarck Tribune, 1-4-12 sexual assault. Tribbet, described as the “first minister at Family of God Christian Fellowship, hands, my daughter, and you stole her inno- Michael Moynihan, 59, Greenwich, CT: lady” of Lively Stone Temple, where her hus- who also worked as a teacher’s aide for special- cence,” said one woman at sentencing. Source: Pleaded guilty to obstructing a federal investi- band is pastor, is accused of having intercourse needs children, is charged with molesting a ju- AP, 12-20-11 gation. Moynihan, who resigned in 2007 as a with the couple’s 16-year-old foster child. venile male at summer church camp. Source: DieuGrand Jacques, 40, Boynton Beach, priest in the Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport, was The boy and another male foster child were Ariz. Republic, 12-15-11 FL: 10 years in prison for lewd and lascivious charged with using $300,000 of parish money to moved to a different home after her arrest. The Bartley A. Sorensen, 62, Churchill, PA: 4 molestation. Jacques, pastor at New Alliance pay personal bills. alleged crimes came to light when a police of- counts of possessing child pornography. Soren- Haitian Church, was convicted of assaulting the He was stripped of his priestly authority in ficer happened on them in a parking lot by the son, pastor at St. John Fisher Catholic Church, girlfriend of one of his church members. He was 2008 after the diocese learned he shared a New rose garden of a public park. admitted storing images of naked prepubescent counseling the girl for relationship and family York City apartment with another man and failed Police said Tribbet admitted having sex 3 or boys having sex with other boys or men, the problems. Source: Palm Beach Post, 12-14-11 to end the association. Source: AP, 12-14-11 4 times with the boy in the month he’d lived with complaint said. Christopher Wenthe, 47, St. Paul, MN: 1 James M. Donaghy, 53, Lisburn, N.IRE: the family. Source: Peoria Journal Star, 1-4-11 He was arrested after an employee said she year in jail for criminal sexual conduct. Wenthe, The Catholic priest was convicted of 2 counts Jose Davila, aka Fr. Alexis, 53, San Diego: saw him watching porn on a church computer. pastor at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church, of attempted buggery and 18 counts of indecent Suspicion of sexual assault. Davila, associate An arrest affidavit said the female employee was sentenced for sexual contact with a female assault. He was charged with molesting a fellow pastor at St. Jude’s Shrine of the West, is ac- saw an image of a boy who appeared to be 5 to parishioner 17 years his junior. seminary student and 2 altar boys. cused of assaulting a 20-year-old woman at his 10 years old, naked from the waist down, under Judge Margaret Marrinan called Wenthe “an One of the incidents allegedly occurred the home. Police wouldn’t say if she was a member the caption “Hottie Boys.” Source: Pittsburgh extremely narcissistic individual.” night before Donaghy was ordained, another of St. Jude’s. Source: KGTV-TV, 1-3-12 Post-Gazette, 12-14-11 He became involved with the woman, then while Donaghy’s superior lay dead in the rec- Arthur Pearson Sr., 38, Grand Rapids, George A. Smith, Truro, NS: 13 counts of 21, when counseling her for an eating disorder tory. Source: Belfast Telegraph, 12-15-11 MI: Embezzlement. Pearson, pastor at Pilgrim gross indecency, 11 of indecent assault on a and past sexual abuse. Prosecutors said he Rest Missionary Baptist Church, is suspected of male, 7 of sexual assault, 4 of unlawfully com- Sentenced introduced her to anal sex after showing up at stealing more than $200,000 from the church, mitting a gross indecency and 3 of unlawfully Kevin McAuliffe, 59, Las Vegas, NV: 37 her apartment with Vaseline. Source: Pioneer which discovered the shortfall after finding assaulting with intent to commit an indictable months in prison and $650,000 restitution. Press, 12-14-11 questionable expenditures in an audit. Source: offense. The Catholic priest is accused of mo- McAuliffe, a Catholic priest, pleaded guilty to Wood TV, 1-3-12 lesting 9 boys over 20 years in 6 Newfoundland mail fraud and falsifying document and told the Civil Lawsuits Filed At least 21 young Haitian men are suing Joe David Bray, 46, Chickasha, OK: DUI parishes. court he had a weakness for casinos and video Douglas Perlitz, Fairfield University (a Jesuit and assaulting an officer. Bray, a Pentecostal He was removed in May 2010 from St. Mala- poker. school in Iowa), former school chaplain Paul pastor, was stopped for speeding and running chy’s in Kinkora, PEI. Source: Canadian Press, Judge James Mahan credited him for ac- Carrier, the Society of Jesus and the Haiti a stop sign. Police said he used Axe body spray 12-14-11 cepting responsibility but chastised him for Fund Inc. The men allege Perlitz, 41, sexually after he was stopped with a bottle of McCormick Edward Demoreta, 30, and Ricardo Na- “hedging his bet” by blaming the theft on a abused them while they lived at a Cap Haitien vodka with the seal broken on the front seat. varro, 27, Mulberry, FL: Respectively, 3 counts gambling addiction. Source: National Catholic facility for the needy. According to the complaint, Bray told the of- of lewd battery on a victim between 12 and Reporter, 1-17-12 Perlitz, once hailed as a hero at the school, ficer, “You’re gonna pay when you’re judged and 15 years old, and 3 counts of lewd or lascivi- Michael C. Fewell, Gorseinon, WALES: was sentenced to nearly 20 years in prison in I’m going to tell God how much of a f----ing a-- ous behavior with a victim between 12 and 16 £500 fine and banned from driving for 2 years 2010. Perlitz took homeless boys off the street hole you are, you mother------.” years old. The men were both youth pastors at for driving with excess alcohol. Fewell, a Catho- and gave them education, meals and a place Police Major Elip Moore said Bray also tried First Assembly of God Church and are accused lic priest, was reported swerving and driving er- to sleep. to kick out a window of the squad car. Source: of molesting the same female, who was also ratically. A breath test showed he had 3 times “When I met Mr. Douglas, he appeared to KFOR-TV, 1-1-12 Demoreta’s student at Florida Virtual School. the legal limit. us like Jesus Christ himself come to rescue Darlene Vodvarka, 57, Oak Creek, WI: 2 Source: Orlando Sentinel, 12-14-11 Fewell’s lawyer told the court that the night us,” said Francilien Jean-Charles, who was 12 counts of felony theft of more than $10,000. Paul Kim, 39, Chino Hills, CA: Felony willful he was arrested, he had visited a terminally ill when he was taken off the street by Perlitz and Vodvarka, secretary at St. Matthew Catholic cruelty to a child. Kim is charged with beating a parishioner and drank some alcohol with her. brought to the school. Source: CNN, 1-7-12 Church is accused of enbezzling more than boy, 15, with a metal pole because his parents Source: South Wales Evening Post, 1-12-12 Stephen E. Galiher, a pastor employed by $200,000 from the church, where she’s worked caught him smoking. Kim works at Emmanuel Christopher Iruke, 61, Los Angeles: 15 Pat Robertson’s Trinity Broadcasting Net- for 14 years. Lutheran Church in La Habra, where parents years in prison and $6.7 million in restitution on work, and TBN are being sued by the family of According to the complaint, the fraud in- take their children to Kim to be disciplined, of- health care fraud and conspiracy charges for David Rhodes, 71, who died 6 months after af- volved falsifying payments for “scrip” gift cards ficials said. bilking Medicare. Iruke and his wife convinced ter being hit by by Galiher in a TBN-owed BMW merchants donated and which were sold to The boy’s severe bruises were noticed by churchgoers at the couple’s Arms of Grace in Costa Mesa, CA. raise funds. Source: Milwaukee Journal Senti- his teacher. Source: Daily Mail, 12-13-11 Christian Center to give them personal informa- Galiher was found guilty in 2010 of driving 3 nel, 12-27-11 Darryl L. Taylor Jr., 25, Auburndale, FL: 3 tion used to open fraudulent medical equipment times over the blood-alcohol limit and causing Francisco A. Hernandez, 53, Austin, TX: counts of lewd molestation of a child under 12, supply operations. Source: AP, 1-9-12 injury. He received 5 years’ probation and 120 2nd-degree indecency with a child by contact 8 counts of lewd molestation of a child 12 to 16 Eliahu Ben Haim, 60, Long Branch, NJ: 5 days in jail. (following earlier charges of aggravated sexual and 2 counts of lewd battery of a child under 15. years in prison. Ben Haim, rabbi at Congrega- January/February 2012 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 19

Removed / Resigned ‘You’re gonna pay Gary Craanen, Racine, WI, resigned from a 30-year career as a religion teacher at St. Cath- when you’re judged erine’s Catholic High School after abuse allega- Overheard tions dating to the late 1970s were raised. The and I’m going to author of an upcoming book about sexual abuse in the Diocese of Trenton, N.J., notified St. Cath- Exactly what kind of people imprison dependence and Constitution for a re- tell God how much erine’s officials of allegations involving Craanen. responsible citizens for using what God fresher. Pastors, stay home and preach The book alleges Craanen solicited 2 teen of a f----ing a-- boys for sex and performed a sexual act in front said is good? the Gospel rather than being precinct of one of them while he was vice principal and Letter to the editor from Stan White, captains. hole you are, you at Divine Word Seminary in Bordentown. Au- Dillon, Colo., “Legalizing marijuana David Gushee, Mercer University thor Bruce Novozinsky will self-publish the book has biblical support,” citing Genesis professor of Christian ethics [don’t mother------.’ through Amazon in May. Novozinsky went to school with the alleged victims. 1:12, “And the earth brought forth laugh!], op-ed, “Christian politics cre- — Pastor Joe David Bray The Racine Police Department is conducting grass, [and] herb yielding seed after his ate unholy alliances” an investigation based on information provided kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose USA Today, 11-6-11 by St. Catherine’s staff. Craanen did not want to seed [was] in itself, after his kind: and Rhodes’ family alleges TBN “turned a blind be present during the investigation and retired, eye” to Galiher’s drinking problem and contin- said Brendan O’Brien, St. Catherine’s spokes- God saw that [it was] good.” At this point, the archdiocese has be- ued to employ him and provide him with a car. man. Source: Journal Times, 1-18-12 Port Huron Times Herald, 1-8-12 come an alumni association for former Source: L.A. Times, 1-4-12 Lt. Col. Moshe Ravad, chief chaplain of Isra- assistant district attorneys. “John Doe HT,” VA, is suing the Catholic el’s Air Force, was fired after making what some Women should be seen and heard. Archdiocese of Philadelphia lawyer Diocese of St. Cloud [MN] and a former dea- saw as misogynistic comments. Rabbi Ravad, con, Michael Weber, accusing Weber of sexual in charge of a program to recruit ultra-Orthodox New Israel Fund posters advocating Robert Welsh, denying that a new abuse and the diocese of covering it up. Jews, said he feared for the volunteers’ “piety” equality, singalongs and concerts fea- policy ordering whistleblowers to talk Attorney Jeff Anderson said at least 3 male if they were forced to attend mixed-sex military turing women to counter ultra-Ortho- to church officials before reporting a victims have accused Weber of molesting them events, including events where women sang. dox Jewish prohibitions against women crime is meant to protect sex abusers in 1968-70. The Virginia man accuses Weber of The military had for some time quietly ex- abusing him when he was 6 on a camping trip cused Haredi men from attending mandatory in public in Israel Philadelphia Inquirer, 12-21-11 his family took with other Catholic families. As a functions when women were present. After New York Times, 1-15-12 deacon, Weber wore a Roman collar. that was made public, the policy was reversed, After months of dedicated prayer and The suit alleges that a Caritas Family Ser- bringing on Ravad’s comments. Source: Re- One of my neighbors . . . turned to endless negotiation, Our Lady of TMZ vice Agency counselor told the boy’s parents uters, 1-10-12 he had treated Weber for pedophilia. Weber Gabino Zavala, 60, an auxiliary bishop in me and asked how I was. “Fair to mid- has revealed her ultimate secret. She was laicized by the Vatican in 1972. Source: St. the San Gabriel region of the Catholic Arch- dling,” I responded. “And you?” I que- has communed with the tarnished Cloud Times, 12-13-11 diocese of Los Angeles, resigned after it came ried. “I’m very sad that Christopher saints, Norma Jean et al. Legal Developments to light he has a secret family, including 2 teen Hitchens died,” he said. “A great loss. Description of Lindsay Lohan’s nude children. The children live with their mother in Darrell Gilyard, Jacksonville, FL, finished There was no one like him,” he said. pictorial his 3-year prison sentence for sex crimes another state. against 2 girls in his congregation at Shiloh Met- “Let us pray for all those impacted by this He uttered a deep sigh and turned Playboy, January 2010 ropolitan Baptist Church and began serving 3 situation and for each other,” Archbishop Jose back toward the elevator door momen- years’ probation. As a registered sex offender, Gomez said in a letter. Source: Reuters, 1-4-12 tarily before he continued, “Well, may- Faith had a place in every locker room I Jeremiah Healy resigned as head of the he listed a hotel as his address. be Bertrand Russell.” was in. When I played for the New York “I’m happy to have that dark part of my life Columban Fathers missionary society’s opera- over,” Gilyard said. tion in Chile after 2 men reported alleged abuse Metropolitan Diary entry by Harriet Giants, team owner Wellington Mara, a After his 2009 conviction, he admitted fa- to the society. Forman, New York City devout Catholic, invited half the priests thering the child of a woman who accused him A native of County Kerry, IRE, Healy was New York Times, 1-16-12 in New York City into the locker room known as “Padre Derry” in Chile, where he’d of raping her during a 2004 counseling ses- before games. Sometimes it was hard sion, court documents showed. Source: Florida worked since 1981. Times-Union, 1-3-12 Claudio Ramos alleged Healy molested him For lack of a better term, let’s normal- to find my teammates among all the Bad Girl Bailbonds, Las Vegas, NV, is offer- when he was 16. “[W]hen we were alone, he ize, even secularize, our approach to priests. I’m sure Mara hoped it would ing a $10,000 reward for information leading to abused this confidence I had in him.” the next election. Ask all candidates somehow help the team win, but it was Another alleged victim, Jorge Salas, said the arrest of Otis Holland, 55, pastor at United to drop the God talk. Recognize and never enough to get us into the play- Faith Church. Holland jumped $30,000 bail a when he was 23, Healy told him he would teach year ago after being charged with sexually as- him “new sexual techniques, and with all this I reject all forms of religious pandering. offs. saulting 3 girls under age 16. One alleged victim would be protected from women.” Source: Irish Punish candidates who make base ap- Hall of Fame quarterback Fran Tarken- was 7. Source: AP, 12-26-11 Echo, 12-14-11 peals to religious tribalism. Evaluate ton, son of a Pentecostal Holiness min- Thomas C. Lombardi, 62, Fort Wayne, IN, Michael J. Kelleher, 83, Winston-Salem, candidates according to their past per- ister, “Does God Care Who Wins Foot- NC, confessed to touching a 14-year-old boy was removed as pastor at St. Joseph Catho- in 1977 while at Our Lady of the Annunciation lic Church-Hessen Cassel after an allegation formance and current policy proposals ball Games?” Catholic Church in Albemarle, according to of sexual abuse of a minor. Fort Wayne-South related to the major challenges facing Wall Street Journal, 1-12-12 new court documents. The priest was arrested Bend Bishop Kevin Rhoades, in a letter to pa- our nation. Read the Declaration of In- in 2010 on 2 counts of indecent liberties with a rishioners, wrote that the church’s “commitment child. The male victim alleges Kelleher molested to the safety of our children and young people” him repeatedly in the rectory. Source: WBTV, required Lombardi’s removal pending the out- 12-6-11 come of canonical process. Source: Journal Gazette, 12-7-11 Theocracy Alert! Allegations Brendan Doyle, Jefferson City, MO, was put A new report says thousands of children suf- on paid administrative leave by the Diocese of fered sexual abuse in Dutch Catholic institu- Jefferson City after “inappropriate Web pages” At this point in the game, the candi- Will Americans vote for the best can- tions during the past 65 years, and church offi- were found on the priest’s computer at Helias dates in the GOP primary don’t have didates, or are Americans just scared cials knew but failed to adequately address it or Catholic High School, where he teaches. the time or the money for subtlety. of more Obama failures and willing to help victims. Release of the report was followed Deacon Dan Joyce, diocesan spokesman, by an apology by Wim Eijk, archbishop of Utre- said Doyle reported a suspected virus on the They will light a fire and stand by a settle for anything, including Mormon cht, who said the revelation “fills us with shame computer. “Out of an abundance of caution, Fa- burning bush in order to send a signal Mitt Romney? Mormonism is a false and sorrow.” ther Doyle’s computer was forwarded onto a law to evangelicals, “I’m one of you, vote cult that doesn’t follow the biblical Abusers included clergy and laypersons, enforcement agency for further review.” Source: for me.” Jesus. Romney brought Massachusetts said the report, putting the number of victims as California Democrat, 11-30-11 high as 20,000. About 800 persons, about 100 Piotr Bialkowski, 36, Suffolk, VA, resigned Mark McKinnon, Republican media away from God. still alive, were named in the complaints. as pastor of St. Mary of the Presentation in strategist, “Appealing to Evangelicals, Pastor Steven Andrew, president of About 29% of the population of 16 million Suffolk and Church of the Good Shepherd in Hopefuls Pack Religion Into [Iowa USA Christian Ministries, San Jose, identified as Catholics in 2008, making it the Smithfield after being charged with assault on a caucus] Ads” Calif., urging people to vote for either largest religion in the country. Source: AP, 12- women who alleges she gave birth to his child. 16-11 Police spokeswoman Debbie George said New York Times, 12-28-11 Michele Bachmann or Rick Santorum Brooklyn, NY, authorities have arrested 85 Bialkowski is accused of slamming the woman for president. people in the Orthodox Jewish community on against a wall in her home. The woman’s friend In these difficult times, we cannot Christian Newswire, 12-28-11 child sex abuse charges in the last 3 years. D.A. pulled Bialkowski off her, the police report said. abandon the core values that define us Charles Hynes said 38 cases have been closed, The child is 2 years old. with 14 convictions and 24 dismissals. Diocese of Richmond Bishop Francis as unique — We are One Nation, Un- How can you have judgment if you The rest of the cases are pending under a DiLorenzo said Bialkowski “confirmed that the der God. have no faith? How can I trust you with program called Kol Tzedek, or Voice of Justice, accusation is true.” Source: Virginian-Pilot, 12- Prepared text of Mitt Romney’s victory power if you don’t pray? which tries to get victims to speak up about 6-11 abuse. Source: Jewish Daily Forward, 12-11-11 speech in the New Hampshire GOP GOP presidential candidate Newt Gin- presidential primary grich at a debate in Las Vegas, Nev. Wall Street Journal, 1-11-12 youtube.com, 10-19-11

FFRF Factoid

In 2011, FFRF’s Legal Department sent 565 letters of complaint (up from 358 in 2010), according to Rebecca Markert, senior staff attorney. These letters went out to govern- ment agencies in 47 states, includ- ing the District of Columbia. The top states were 1) Texas; 2) Wisconsin; 3) California; 4) Michigan; and 5) Ohio. Page 20 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin January/February 2012 Letterbox

‘As atheist as the day I was born’ I find great comfort and pride in what the FFRF is doing, bringing us all together. The billboard campaign is a brilliant way to attract members, and I make a point of donating to the cause every year at this time, besides being a Lifetime Member since 2005. I am en- closing a donation on behalf of mem- ber Richard Halasz’s T-shirt project. I keep some nontracts and Gideon New York City practicality bible stickers in my purse for traveling. When FFRF Co-President Dan Barker was a believing minister, he often prayed My fondest wish is to find a bible in a to find a parking space. Now, decades later, he finally gets an answer to his hotel room that has already been “doc- side the Capitol — brilliant! It makes prayers! Dan and Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor (who took this photo) tored” by a rational person. My library me, your friend and neighbor, proud spotted this billboard promoting a parking garage as they were hiking along the is filled with books by Dan Barker, (once again) to be a citizen of this new High Line walkway through Chelsea at 17th Street in New York City in early Richard Dawkins, Judith Hayes, Rob- great town and state. January. ert Buckman, Sam Harris, etc., and no Merija Eisen subject is off limits for me in any dis- Wisconsin 16 than it does at 60. insist you must also share them insist cussion. I’m quite happy to challenge For some 50 years I was a victim of on sending you religious Xmas cards. authority and expound on the virtues what I call the Pascal/Graham Syn- These are the same believers who of thinking for ourselves, as opposed to Clergy Project brings drome — in other words, fear. Cou- would slam the door on the Jehovah’s believing any old crap that we’re fed. pled with my inherent lack of self-con- Witnesses on their porches, or turn I’ve also written dozens of letters to doubt to fore fidence, it made me a hypocrite for all ice-cold in the presence of a Mormon the editor of our local rag, stirring up Women in general, and mothers in those years. Finally I could stand it no or atheist, or revile a Muslim. Yet they controversy over the years, and getting particular, can often be heard boasting longer (I hate hypocrisy) and made don’t “get it” that you couldn’t care less lots of positive feedback (when they about their “instinct.” After reading the break. It has been the most intel- what they believe. deign to print my letters). The cus- “When faith no longer moves moun- lectually rewarding and liberating ex- And still, every year, we are expected tomized plate on my truck says, “Free- tains” [Dec11], I realized we atheists perience of my life. to shut up and accept their “gift” as if thinker — no gods, no masters,” and have a special “instinct.” So congratulations, Jessica. You’ve we wanted it, just about everywhere we everyone here knows I’m as atheist as For example, even before I had any got a 44-year headstart over me, and go, inundating our communications, the day I was born. proof, I instinctively knew that there I’m sure you’ll make good use of it. as they O.D. on their addiction. No Our eldest daughter (37) chose had to be more than a few priests and If humanity is to be saved from self- other religion — Muslim, Jewish, Mor- to embrace Christianity, and she’s other ministers of god who no longer destruction, it will not be by God. It mon, Buddhist, etc. — demands that opened a few eyes in the church with believe in the supernatural. And I was will be through the efforts of people we go along with such insistence. her honesty and intelligence (she’s right! like you. And they say that we are joy-killers had her eyes opened to the hypocrisy How commendable that in just the Jerry Brown and persecute their religion if we don’t and idiocy in the church, too). She’s a past nine months, more than 125 cler- California allow them to bully their way into our good ambassador when the sheltered gy have abandoned superstition to em- public schools and other public places! flock is often curious about us hea- brace intellectual honesty and join the Reinvigorated at 82 Carl Scheiman thens and needs to be enlightened. We newly established Clergy Project. Con- Lifetime Member don’t let the subject come between us, sidering all the knowledge and logical by FFRF efforts Maine or destroy the love and respect we have arguments that have exposed religion Last year, you surpassed yourselves for each other. as a fallacy, I wonder how many thou- in so many intelligent, clever and inge- Amazed, dismayed by Judy Loewen sands of priests, monks, nuns and oth- nious ways that I am inspired to donate Alberta ers who outwardly devote themselves again to encourage further efforts. religion pushers to god are living a lie? I love the lawsuits you have brought Here you have our Winter Solstice Imagine the despair that surely af- and the Ohio complaint that cost the letter that mentions a few incidents in Priceless: FFRF helps flicts these doubters. They face, each church its tax-free status for commer- the lives of an old geezer and his wife day, the torment of knowing they are cial property. As a Lifetime Member, of 59 years. I want to tell you that I’ve Montanans find Jesus! trapped and shackled in a prison of age 82, I feel reinvigorated in my ef- enjoyed Freethought Today telling It’s always a tough decision on how falsehood, from which not many can forts and more incensed by the stupidi- of your downright patriotic efforts to to split up the Winter Solstice donation escape. ties brought on by religion than ever. keep religion out of government and — all such great projects! David Quintero I see in my awful local newspaper schools. I’m constantly amazed and My daughter tells me the Mountain California much ado from family who have had dismayed at the number of so-called Jesus shrine issue back in Montana re- • • • someone recently die. They advertise religious types who make the Black ally got the rednecks stirred up. (Actu- The Clergy Project article brought to tell the dead person (in heaven) of Collar section and the sad display of ally most of them didn’t even know it memories of a Catholic priest I met at their grief, and to god, who is clearly ignorance and illiteracy found in the was there before.) a camp where we spent our summers in not omniscient, since he needs an ad hate mail. Keep up the good work! the early 1950s. He confided to me that to advise him/her. On the other hand, it is so reward- Marle Brandt he was a priest and no longer believed I enclose $200. ing to read about your young people Washington what he preached and wished he could Jo-Ann Miller who tell their interesting stories of in- leave the church, but wasn’t capable of Colorado dependent thought and future plans. even pushing a broom in a factory, hav- We old-timers, World War II veterans Keep wall to show ing spent his entire life from altar boy New York Times ad if you please, have done most of our to priest in the church. planning, and as the letter says, try to respect for all Alton Eliason much appreciated keep body and soul together while en- It gives me great pleasure to submit Connecticut I thought the full-page New York couraging the likes of you to keep do- my payment for a Lifetime Member- Times ad was stunning! The lyrics by ing the good work. ship on this Winter Solstice. Dan are brilliant. Enclosed please find a check aimed I’ve been a member since 2009 and Young freethinker I’ve been sending out the Winter along the lines of Life Membership have observed the impressive amount Solstice cards that I got at the FFRF for use as best you see fit, preferably of work done by Annie Laurie, Dan shows us the way conference. It’s wonderful to have an toward keeping religion out of schools and the staff on our behalf. Thanks for I much enjoyed Photo: Jeff Yardis alternative to all those sugary sweet and government. giving us a collective voice defending reading Jessica cards and religious image cards. Best At age 88, I’m happy I could man- the principle of separation of church Ahlquist’s speech wishes for a successful, happy and age to round up enough to send it to and state. [Nov11]. I greatly healthy New Year. you after reading about all your efforts, Happy Winter Solstice admire her for Fairfid Caudle, Life Member as well as those of some of our fine Respect for all having the courage New York young people, and the intransigence Between church and state at 16 to do what of a good many others. Keep a wall. I couldn’t bring Believers overdose Tom Johnson Ron Locatelli myself to do until Colorado California I was 60: publicly on own addiction • • • • • • acknowledge being Jessica Ahlquist Sincere and well-meaning persons I want to let you know that as a fairly Love your Natural Nativity Scene in- an atheist. That takes a lot more guts at (or not) who enjoy their beliefs and well-educated fan of your excellent or- Page 21 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin January/February 2012 ganization and newspaper, I am struck no proof of anything physical or was onto something. Oh well, I’ll think by the singular degree of paucity of vo- real. about that tomorrow. Maybe. cabulary of the average Christian letter • You had the Inquisition; what Howard Horton Jr. writer. They are certainly so Christian kind of religion do you have now? North Carolina in sentiment. They seem to have great Glad to get out. I am free. difficulty in appropriately expressing AA, not religion, themselves, or in communicating their I feel very proud of being a Lifetime precise message. As an active atheist, I Member in such a great organization. my higher power simply want to submit, as an example, Keep up the good work. We have a I am an FFRF member and have a more appropriate letter of praise for tough battle in 2012. May reason pre- been an active member of Alcohol- your wonderful newspaper. vail! ics Anonymous for many years. I feel Donald Havis Virgil Buss Jr. I am alive and well because of the un- California Illinois derstanding and direction shown to Editor’s note: The diocese sent Mr. me by the men and women in AA. I FFRF helps assure Buss a one-line reply: “Dear Sir, You didn’t have to believe in any god, sign are not eligible for excommunication any pledge or pay any money. I was minority voices heard according to Canon 1323. Sincerely in desperate enough to give it a try and FFRF Staff Attorney Rebecca Mark- Christ, Monsignor John C. Fritz.” year-in-review/. it worked. ert helped me last Christmas season A letter writer [Dec 11] stated that with an issue I had with the city of admitting being powerless over alco- Waltham, Mass., which had a crèche on God theory simply Robert Burns tribute hol “beats down the sufferer.” But it public property. We both exchanged doesn’t. I recognize the reality of my letters of complaint with the Mayor’s defies logic much appreciated problem. Whatever alcoholism is, I’ve Office. I would like to share with readers my Thank you, Annie Laurie and Dan, got it. I cannot safely take that first I want to thank you for all of the favorite argument against the illogical for a lovely year-end podcast. Being drink and proved that to myself thou- help. I’ve been keeping my eye on the god theory. Scottish and away from home for a sands of times. park. All of the other secular holiday It is more likely that the universe while, it was so nice to have that tribute If there is an organization less cult- decorations went up, and while they sprang into existence spontaneously, to Robert Burns. like than AA, I don’t know about it. did put up a crèche, this year they left out of nothing, than it is that a god Burns is not often recognized in There is no leader or overarching or- out the holy angel and the reference to sprang into existence out of nothing the freethought-humanist movement. ganization.There are literally no rules, “Glory to God,” so I think we definitely and then created the universe out of I once wrote a humanist booklet for only “Traditions” members are asked made a difference! nothing. The former calls for only one schools in which I included many of to follow. If they do not follow them, I recently renewed my membership, marvel, whereas the latter calls for two his writings. there is no retribution. Even the core as I always do, because I really appre- marvels. It is more likely that one mar- June Maxwell of the AA program, the 12 steps, are ciate the work the FFRF does. It feels vel occurred than it is that two did. Island of Jersey suggestions, not orders. Members are great to have my voice heard even And it is impossible to conceive of expected to be part of the world, to en- though I’m in the minority. a god as having always existed. This joy life, not turn their backs on family Thanks again and Reason’s Greet- would meant that you could go back in Design scheme was and friends as cults demand. ings! time a million years for every grain of I felt I needed help because I had Mary Brock sand on Earth, which would not be a not so intelligent failed on my own to stay sober. AA be- Massachusetts drop in the bucket, and the god would Let’s see now (and please bear with came my higher power. So began a 39- then be floating around in empty me here). At last count, our universe year journey of an atheist in AA. I stay space, thinking about creating some- contains about 100 billion galaxies, sober by continually looking at myself, Illinois diocese gets thing. each with 100 billion stars, more or less. where I should try to improve, making The god theory is impossible. If you do the math, there are roughly amends to those I have hurt and help- debaptism notice Robert A. Bloomes 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 (that’s ing others. If this is Jonestown stuff, I sent the Catholic Diocese of Rock- Kentucky 22 zeroes!) stars in the universe. Of pass the Kool-Aid. ford, Ill., my debaptismal certificates course, not all of these stars have habit- AA is a self-help group, not a re- signed by Dan Barker. The bishop only able planets in orbit around them, but ligion. AA doesn’t keep statistics on sent a one-line answer back to me. He Year in Review well we know that many stars do support who comes, goes or stays. A success probably said to himself, “We are los- solar systems like ours. The current rate isn’t part of its thinking. Many ing more money.” worth viewing estimate of earth-like planets in our are forced to attend AA meetings by This is what I sent him: I have been out of the U.S. for average-sized Milky Way galaxy alone is courts, their families or employers. Dear Sirs: several months, as I live and work in at least 50 million. AA does not endorse this practice, but I have been an atheist since I other countries. Upon my return two We also know of at least one planet there are no rules on who can attend. graduated from Boylan Catholic weeks ago, I found in my mail a gift of that does (currently) support life. Some Some forced individuals will stay and High School in 1964. I went to Dan Barker’s “Night at Nakoma” mu- would have us believe that it is the only find help. Most will drift away quickly Boylan for three years, and the sic CD that you sent as a thank-you. I one, a special place created just for us. after the pressure is off. only god I ever saw or heard and want to express my appreciation for If it is, then I’d have to say that having FFRF and AA are both trying to free talked about was money. your superb musical talent. This is an to create 5,000,000,000,000,000,000 men and women from a type of bond- I am an atheist, freethinker, outstanding CD, and I have listened (or so) habitable planets in the uni- age, be it fables or alcohol or drugs. humanist, realist and refuse to to it at least 50 times already. It is rare verse just to get the right one for us FFRF does not need to endorse AA nor talk to dead people (that is, pray to find any music album of any genre seems a little inefficient (dare I say in- does AA want any endorsement. to some saint). where every track is exceptional, but ept?) on the part of the “designer.” As John Finnegan I have not gone to church for this one does it! Mark Twain observed, that would be Ohio probably 40 years (unless some Your album is a great conversation like building the Eiffel Tower for the P.S. An AA tradition is remaining relative dies; I do have respect for piece and a way for me to introduce sole purpose of supporting a thin layer anonymous at the media level so that them). I would like to get off your people to FFRF. I play your music on of paint (us) at the top. no one is deemed a spokesperson, records as a Roman Catholic per- my home theater system when I have Now let’s take a closer look at our which I am not. If you must use full son. I do not want to be counted friends over. The first group of people fragile little planet Earth and the life names, you have my permission. as one of you. to visit asked, “Is that Liberace I hear it supports. We know from DNA analy- I am sending you my debaptis- on the piano?” To which I replied, “No, sis and a rigorous examination of the mal certificate from the Freedom it’s the great Dan Barker!” and I show fossil record that the number of plant Thoughts on Pinker from Religion Foundation. them the CD case with your picture and animal species alive today repre- • Hitler was a Roman Catholic. and introduce them to the FFRF web- sents only about 10% of the total num- research on violence • Pope Pius XI and Pope Pius site. ber of species that have ever inhabited Steven Pinker’s excellent research XII knew about the concentra- Also, I want to commend you for Earth. With approximately 2 million [“Rationality Reduces Violence,” tion camps. the excellent “Freedom From Religion (or more) multi-cellular species alive Dec11] on the evolution of violence • Jesus was killed by the Ro- Foundation: 2011 Year in Review” You- today, including the one that suppos- over the ages clarifies the relationship mans (Italians now), not the Jews. Tube video. Watching it made me feel edly was “made in the image of,” this between rationality and violence and • Talking to dead people and honored and proud to be a Life Mem- means that at least 18 million species is much needed in today’s ongoing thinking they understand you is ber. of plants and animals of obviously in- debate with religion. However, while mental deficiency. Wishing a happy Solstice Season ferior “design” (or they might still be I agree with most of his conclusions, • Holy communion means and New Year to the entire FFRF team. with us) have had to pack their bags there are two which I have difficulty drinking human blood and eat- I love you all. and leave the planet forever, ”Jurassic with and would like to offer my views ing human flesh, which is canni- Sean Wilks Park” notwithstanding. in the spirit of collaboration. balism! Washington Now I am aware of the old adage The first concerns the proposition • Ten cents buys a bowl of rice Editor’s note: View the Year that says “practice makes perfect,” but that Judaism was founded “in large for the poor starving children of in Review video at youtube.com/ wasn’t the “designer” supposed to be part” on the rejection of human sac- the world, but yet you keep build- watch?v=q6Y3AmgTQvA or search for perfect in the first place (I’m sure I rifice, while the second regards the ing churches that cost millions of “Freedom from Religion Foundation: heard that somewhere)? Seems like an evidence that atheism was implicated dollars. 2011 Year in Review” at youtube.com. awful lot of wasted time, energy and in more deaths than religion. While I • You have faith, which needs For a PDF review, go to ffrf.org/about/ DNA to me. Unless, of course, Darwin Continued on next page January/February 2012 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 22 Meet a Member

Ready for firey flames FFRF members and firefighters Ron and Ryan Hettinger, Madison, Wis., pictured during a recent visit to FFRF’s offices.

A woman (left) lectures Debbie Allen (center) at a Christian rally for the Mount Soledad cross. Debbie, counterpicketing a January 2011 rally, featuring prayers, songs of praise, politicians and preachers, reacting to the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruling that the cross was indeed a religious symbol, and must be removed from public property. Name: Debbie Allen. groups. Where I live: Downtown San Diego. Where I’m headed: I’d like to be More specifically, on the 27th floor of hired as executive director of a U.S. a high-rise with a view of the ocean to freethought organization. the west, mountains to the east and Person in history I admire: Susan Mexico to the south. I feel like I live B. Anthony for her devotion to several Truth be told in a treehouse with a bird’s eye view of causes that have, in every instance, ad- Jason Thomas, Georgia, writes that it looks like this Savannah church has not the jungle! vanced civilization and changed mil- seen a lot of use lately. Would that make it useless as well as meaningless? Where and when I was born: San lions of lives for the better. Diego, 1956. On my mother’s side, A quotation I like: I have two. “Cau- my great-great grandfather moved tious, careful people, always casting here in 1902 to work at the lighthouse about to preserve their reputation and on Point Loma. On my father’s side, social standing, never can bring about Letterbox my great-grandparents moved from a reform. Those who are really in ear- Boone, Iowa, to start a business. nest must be willing to be anything or Family: I’m married to a loving and nothing in the world’s estimation, and patient man who enthusiastically (and publicly and privately, in season and Continued from previous page been believers in god. The total num- financially) supports my volunteer out, avow their sympathy with despised ber of killings caused by them totals work in the freethought movement. and persecuted ideas and their advo- agree that Judaism has been the least about 1 billion [1,2] or about 20 times I never had children of my own, but cates, and bear the consequences.” violent of the Abrahamic religions, the number used by White and Pinker. have several wonderful nieces and (Susan B. Anthony) nevertheless you don’t see this in one One believer, Genghis Khan, in fact, nephews whom I love to pamper. “With all due respect, then, to the very important aspect of its scripture, murdered some 40 million [3]. Since Education: Humboldt State Uni- metaphysicians and religious idealists, the story of Abraham and Isaac. these killings occurred over vastly dif- versity, B.A.; UC-Santa Barbara, edu- philosophers, politicians, or poets: Abraham, the father of Judaism, ferent time frames, eras and technolo- cational psychology M.A.; doctoral The idea of God implies the abdica- showed little reluctance to follow the gies, they cannot be rigorously com- work (all but dissertation) in clinical tion of human reason and justice; it is command of Yahweh that he sacrifice pared. Yet the proposition by religious psychology at the California School of the most decisive negation of human his son. It was Yahweh, not Abraham, apologists such as D’Souza [4], Warren Professional Psychology. I also studied liberty, and necessarily ends in the en- who stopped the sacrifice. If Judaism [5] and Donohue [6] that religious abroad one year in Macedonia when it slavement of mankind, both in theory was founded on a principle of nonsac- deaths constitute a miniscule propor- was part of Yugoslavia. This was a life- and practice.” (Michael Bakunin) rifice of humans why is this key biblical tion of those caused by atheist dicta- altering opportunity to broaden my These are a few of my favorite story of the willingness of the founder tors is a falsehood being used to vilify knowledge of another culture, society things: The beach, reading, dancing, of the religion to kill his children for atheism and nonbelievers. and political system. the Beatles, Motown, R&B, films, my god’s sake still revered and taught to It is a desperate attempt by guilty Occupation: Psychotherapist and iPad. young people? religionists to smear us because we are clinical researcher in neuropsychol- These are not: People who promise The message to children is that the the only group on the planet that dares ogy, now retired. to do something, then disappear. religion and god of your parents are to oppose the tyrannical rule of reli- Military service: None, but I finally My doubts about religion started: more important than even your lives, gion and refuses to grovel before their established the first-ever meeting of Early in elementary school. I remem- and that you had better keep this faith “royalty” and “king.” humanists on a military base in San Di- ber lying in bed wondering, “If god or else! An implicit of threat of vio- Eric A. Stone ego. We met Jan. 13 at Marine Corps created the world, who created god?” lence based on sacrifice has been and New York Air Station Miramar. By the time I was in eighth grade, I was is still being used to convey the dire How I got where I am today: I’ve a self-identified atheist. consequences to children of not fol- [1] The Luxury of Protest. Everyone ever always been the kind of person who Why I’m a freethinker: Because I lowing the parents’ faith. in the world. 2011; behance.net/gallery/ wants to be involved — in student gov- love to learn about the world by ap- Regarding the comparison of deaths Everyone-Ever-in-the-World/591921 [2] Quentin, Blog at Wordpress. Deaths ernment, music groups, volunteering plying reason, logic and the scientific due to atheism and religion, I think Over History: Religious and Non- for causes and organizations. I’ve also method. I am determined that “Truth” that the numbers that Pinker cites Religious. 2011; bookrate.wordpress. been relatively progressive and con- should not be determined by authority, [based on Matthew White’s Great Big com/2006/07/22/deaths-over-history- cerned about civil rights and human tradition or other dogmas. Book of Horrible Things] are based on an religious-vs-nonreligous/ rights. Ways I promote freethought: unfair comparison. This holds atheism [3] Wikipedia. Genghis Khan. 2011; I converted to Reform Judaism, as Through my leadership positions in as responsible for all the killings done en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genghis_Khan an atheist, in my 30s. This was inspired secular groups mentioned above. I’m by atheists but does not hold religion [4] Stone EA. Anti-atheism hate blog of by a desire to be part of a community a certified humanist chaplain, orga- responsible for all the killings done by Dinesh D’Souza being spread high school actively working for social justice. I nizer of the Recovering From Religion god-believing leaders. students. 2011; atheistnexus.org/forum/ topics/anti-atheist-hate-blog-being-spread- served two terms on the board of direc- meetup, atheist blogger and leader The latter number cited by Pinker to-schools-by-dinesh-d-souza tors of my synagogue. While becoming of a task force to create a San Diego (48 million) is only that fraction spe- [5] The Friendly Atheist. Rick Warren more involved in leadership positions freethought/humanist center. cifically killed in the name of religion Explains the New Atheism. 2009; patheos. in the Jewish community, I was also be- I never pass up an opportunity to or for heresy, which is a small propor- com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/04/12/ coming acquainted with various athe- fight for civil rights and scientific lit- tion of the total killed by all believing rick-warren... ist, humanist and secular organizations eracy. I’m also a passionate atheist who leaders. If one is going to hold atheism [6] Atheist Oasis — A Rational Refuge. and joined them all. I’ve been director thinks that nonbelievers must become responsible for all the acts of atheists, Bill Donohue — Atheists must apologize of the San Diego Coalition of Reason more influential in every aspect of our one must also hold religion responsi- for Hitler. 2011; atheistoasis.wordpress. since 2009 and also head two other culture and society. ble for all the acts of believers. Virtually com/ local chapters of national humanist all leaders of the past 3,000 years have Page 23 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin January/February 2012 It’s the hammer of justice

Joe Chavez (right) and “Black Jesus” pose after putting up FFRF’s Winter Solstice banner Dec. 23 at the Gladwin County Courthouse in Gladwin, Mich. Joe said the hammer came in handy to install the posts and as a photo prop. “I thought it would be symbolic (Jesus nailed to a cross) and also for Thor’s hammer. Oddly, no Christians were around to stone us as per their instruction manual (aka the bible).” FFRF has been sending nativity scene complaint letters to the Gladwin County Board for more than a year. The decision to include the freethought banner was a direct result of a Dec. 6 ultimatum by FFRF Staff Hello, Rhode Island freethinkers! Attorney Stephanie Schmitt, who advised the county to either remove the unconstitutional Christian display or open the grounds as an open forum to Members of FFRF and the Humanists of Rhode Island gathered Jan. 15 in front other holiday displays, including secular ones. of FFRF’s first billboard of 2012, and its first caveat on election-year theo- politics. FFRF has placed more than 700 billboards in 34 states since late 2007. This was its first billboard in Rhode Island. The 14x48-foot billboard is highly visible off Interstate 295 at Route 2 in Warwick. It will stay up until March. The photo shoot was arranged by FFRF member Steve Ahlquist (uncle of teen state-church litigant Jessica Ahlquist) and FFRF member Debbie Flitman, who scouted the billboard site). Steve is kneeling, front row, in suit and tie, and Educating Indiana Debbie is beside him with Gus the dog. A smiling Jessica Ahlquist is in the second row, third from right. The photo was taken only days after Jessica’s Jan. 11 resounding federal court victory ordering her high school to remove a prayer banner (see front page story). Debbie Weisman Claise (standing, wearing a scarf at far right in the second row) was the student plaintiff in the historic 1992 Lee v. Weisman Supreme Court 5-4 decision, which ruled that prayers at public school graduations are unconstitutional. Debbie and her parents, Daniel and Vivian, and her sister Merith, the original complainant, were honored as Freethinkers of the Year at FFRF’s 1992 convention in San Antonio, Texas.

FFRF co-ed day care

FFRF member Greg Stuart stands in front of one of three FFRF billboards put up in December in Brookville, Ind. The billboards say “Reason’s Greetings from the Freedom From Religion Foundation” and “Imagine No Religion.” FFRF sent several legal letters of complaint in 2010 about a nativity scene at the Franklin County Courthouse in Brookville. The town owns a large nativity display and set it up in the middle of the lawn with a flagpole in the center. An angel and star affixed to the pole appeared to be sprouting from the manger scene. The display was illuminated at night with no other decorations nearby. FFRF found the juxtaposition of the flagpole with a Christian manger scene particularly disturbing, saying that it appeared to tie Dexter Markert (left) and Clara Douglas visited the FFRF office on the same patriotism to Christian beliefs. Franklin County made some nominal moves last day. Dexter, 3 months, is the son of Senior Staff Attorney Rebecca Markert and Christmas (photo above) to better comply with Supreme Court rulings, moving Michael Markert. Clara, 5 months, is the daughter of Office Manager Jackie reindeer closer to the crèche and moving the display away from the flagpole. Douglas and Matt Douglas. January/February 2012 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 24 FFRF brings new Arizona prayer challenge

The Freedom From Religion Foun- this state shall ever be molested in per- private evangelical Christian organiza- FFRF’s federal suit against Brewer’s dation, its Valley of the Sun chapter son or property on account of his or tion.” prayer proclamation was dismissed on and several FFRF members and Mari- her mode of religious worship, or lack Brewer also issued a Day of Prayer Dec. 9, 2011, when District Judge Ros- copa County citizens brought suit Jan. of the same.” for Arizona’s Economy and State Bud- lyn Silver ruled that the plaintiffs did 4 against Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer, FFRF Co-President Dan Barker said get in 2010 encouraging “all citizens to not have standing to bring the Estab- challenging her annual Arizona Day of that all citizens, not just nonbelievers, pray for God’s blessings on our State lishment Clause challenge. The order Prayer. have an interest in protecting their and our Nation.” did not address the merits of the case The new lawsuit focuses on two rights of conscience. “This suit was “Exhortations to pray in official gu- or state constitutional claims. protections in the Arizona Constitu- brought by Arizonans who identify as bernatorial proclamations, directed at FFRF criticized the ruling and vowed tion. Article II, Section 12, provides: atheists, Christians, Muslims and Bud- all the citizens of the State of Arizona, to continue to challenge this violation “No public money or property shall dhists.” including these plaintiffs, promote of the constitutional rights of its nearly be appropriated for or applied to any Brewer issued an Arizona Day of and endorse religion, thus advancing 500 Arizona members. religious worship, exercise, or instruc- Prayer proclamation each of the last religion in violation of the Arizona “We warmly thank our diverse plain- tion, or to the support of any religious three years. The legal complaint says, Constitution,” FFRF asserted in its le- tiffs and Arizona Attorneys Richard establishment.” “These days of prayer coincided with gal complaint. Morris and Marc Victor who are tak- Article XX, Section 1, provides: the Christian-based National Day of The suit asks the court to declare the ing this lawsuit on FFRF’s behalf pro “Perfect toleration of religious senti- Prayer proclaimed by President Barack prayer proclamations unconstitutional bono,” said Annie Laurie Gaylor, FFRF ment shall be secured to every inhabit- Obama, and as promoted by the Na- and to issue an injunction against fu- co-president. ant of this state, and no inhabitant of tional Day of Prayer Task Force, a ture ones. FFRF sues Michigan city over banner denial On behalf of a Michigan member, lishment of Christianity and denial of Marshall of Warren, a named plaintiff. the law. FFRF filed a federal lawsuit Dec. 22, equal protection under the law by the FFRF protested the nativity display in FFRF asks the court to find that the charging Mayor James Fouts of Warren city of Warren. the atrium more than a year ago, even- city has violated the rights of FFRF with government censorship of its non- The mayor had responded Dec. tually receiving a response on Dec. 8, and its member, and to award nomi- religious views and unlawful endorse- 21 to a demand letter sent by attor- 2010, in which Fouts wrote that “all re- nal damages and reasonable attorney’s ment of religion. ney Danielle Hessell with a letter that ligions are welcome to celebrate their fees. FFRF sought to enjoin the mayor called FFRF’s sign “highly offensive.” religious seasons with a display in City Annie Laurie Gaylor, FFRF co-pres- from continuing to establish religion Fouts, amusingly, compared FFRF’s Hall.” Marshall tried in vain repeatedly ident, commented, “The mayor ap- “by allowing public displays of only re- request to place its sign saying “There to obtain permission to place the FFRF pears to operate under the mistaken ligious symbols” and to order him to are no gods” to putting up a “sandwich sign there. belief that he’s a mini-pope or reli- allow placement of FFRF’s Winter Sol- board saying that there is no Santa The complaint called Fouts’ denial gious grand pooh-bah who may use stice display. Claus.” Fouts stated, “I cannot and will of a permit to Marshall “an unconsti- his secular office to bless or veto reli- FFRF v. City of Warren was filed in the not sanction the desecration of reli- tutional, content-based restriction on gious expression. Using government Eastern District of Michigan, Southern gion in the Warren City Hall atrium.” plaintiffs’ expression in a traditional power to promote religion and hinder Division, by the firm of Butzel Long in The complaint summarizes the public forum.” The mayor’s preference criticism of religion is tyrannical, and is Bloomfield Hills, which is represent- chronology of the mayor’s endorse- for the nativity display, and discrimina- precisely what our secular Constitution ing FFRF and its member plaintiff pro ment of religion and censorship of the tory practice against the plaintiffs also prohibits.” bono. FFRF alleges censorship, estab- views of FFRF and its member Douglas denies them equal protection under FFRF welcomes 31 ‘Lifers,’ 4 ‘After-Lifers’

The Freedom From Religion Foun- thaway, Julie Iddon, William Kohn, Ed- dation is delighted and grateful to an- ward H. Kolner, Russell La Claire, San- nounce many new and end-of-the-year dra Laurenson, Ron Locatelli, Linda Lifetime and After-Life Memberships. Mahan, Shyama Mandal, Marla Shane Generous After-Lifers, who contrib- McCain, Jake Pittman (gift from his uted $5,000 designated as a member- mother, Donna Pittman), Ross Ruben- ship or renewal so their donation “may stein, Ethan Ruby, Richard Sandler, live after,” include: Matthew Stark, Richard Thomas, Sha- Philip Appleman, Marjorie Apple- ron Thompson, Jeremiah Walker and Meet up with FFRF in D.C.! man, William Davis and Paul Fishkin. A. James Watt. The 31 new Lifetime Members, who States represented are: Arizona, kindly donated $1,000 each designated California, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, You’re invited to attend an FFRF night, March 24. Ask for “FFRF.” as a membership or renewal, include: New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dinner Party preceding the Reason To contact the Phoenix Park Hotel, Richard Boardman, Sally Bradford, Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Rally at the elegant Phoenix Park Ho- 520 N. Capitol St. NW, phone 800-824- Virgil Buss Jr., David Carroll, Ian Chart, Washington and Wisconsin. tel at 6 p.m. Friday, March 24. A $55 5419 or make reservations at 202-638- Gerald (Jerry) C. Cummings, Geoffrey All dues and donations to FFRF, an banquet dinner can be ordered via 6900. It’s holding rooms through at Dietz, William Fagan, Andrew Filipow- educational 501(c)(3) charity, are de- FFRF, taking place at the pretty Irish- least Thursday, Feb. 23, for FFRF. Or ski, Michael Grabe, Ryan Grisso, The ductible for income-tax purposes. run hotel. See the registration form on register online with the hotel using the Yip Harburg Foundation, Wayne Ha- inside back wrap or sign up online at code 16515. ffrf.org/outreach/reasonrally. To reserve rooms at the Washington The dinner party will be be host- Court Hotel, 525 New Jersey Ave. NW, ed by Dan Barker and Annie Laurie phone 800-321-3010 or 202-628-2100 Gaylor, with Dan entertaining at the and mention “FFRF.” The cutoff, for Mark Your Calendar! piano with a new “Reason” song and now, is Monday, Feb. 27. freethought favorites. FFRF will have a table on the Mall and Co-Presidents Dan Barker and An- 35th Annual FFRF Convention D.C. accommodations nie Laurie Gaylor will speak at the rally. If you would like to march to the Weekend of October 12–13, 2012 Both the Phoenix Park Hotel and National Mall on Saturday, March 25, the Washington Court Hotel by Union with an FFRF contingent, plan to meet Portland, Oregon Station, one block from the U.S. Capi- Dan and Annie Laurie in the lobby of tol (and around the corner from each the Phoenix Park Hotel at 9 a.m. Hilton Portland & Executive Tower other), are holding a modest number Please check back periodically for 921 SW Sixth Avenue of rooms for FFRF members. Both updates and any new announcements hotels are offering $139 plus tax for at: Friday night, March 23, and Saturday ffrf.org/outreach/reasonrally