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Vo1. 30 No. 10 Published by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. December 2013

Round 1 in federal challenge FFRF, Gaylor, Barker win ‘parsonage exemption’ suit

The Freedom From Religion Foun- purchase a home, and, in a practice dation and plaintiffs Annie Laurie Gay- known as “double dipping,” may then lor and Dan Barker won a significant deduct interest paid on the mortgage ruling Nov. 22 in federal court declar- and property taxes. ing unconstitutional the 1954 “parish Crabb issued a 43-page decision exemption” benefiting “ministers of declaring 26 U.S.C. §107(2) unconsti- the gospel.” tutional. Quoting the Supreme Court, The challenge, filed in September Crabb noted, “Every tax exemption 2011, has far-reaching ramifications constitutes subsidy.” for up to 83% of ministers who receive Crabb wrote, “Some might view a a housing allowance. (Read a story on rule against preferential treatment as the clergy outcry against this decision exhibiting hostility toward religion, but on page 17.) equality should never be mistaken for “May we say ‘Hallelujah?’ ” said Gay- hostility. It is important to remember lor. She and Barker are FFRF co-presi- that the Establishment Clause protects dents. “The judge agrees with us that the religious and nonreligious alike.” Congress may not reward ministers for “The court’s decision does not fighting a ‘godless and anti-religious’ evince hostility to religion, nor should Sacramento billboard campaign, see pages 11–13. movement by letting them pay less in- it even seem controversial,” said Rich- come tax. The rest of us should not pay ard L. Bolton, FFRF’s attorney in the more because clergy pay less.” case. “The court has simply recognized Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals when the disadvantaged churches and ministers The government has 60 days to the reality that a tax-free housing allow- IRS sued Rev. Rick Warren of Saddle- is not a secular purpose and it does not appeal. While enjoining Treasury ance available only to ministers is a sig- back Church. Warren had claimed all produce a secular effect when similarly Secretary Jacob Lew and IRS Acting nificant benefit from the government or nearly all of his California housing disadvantaged secular organizations Commissioner Daniel Werfel from and is unconstitutionally provided on costs for several years as a tax-free par- and employees are excluded from the enforcing the tax break, U.S. District the basis of religion.” sonage allowance. benefit.” Judge Barbara Crabb for the Western The benefit to clergy is enormous, The 9th Circuit was poised to rule She added, “Under defendants’ District of Wisconsin stayed her ruling saving an estimated $2.3 billion in tax- against Warren, so Congress imme- view, there would be no limit to the until the conclusion of any appeal, as is es in the years 2002-07 alone, accord- diately passed the Clergy Housing Al- amount of support the government typical in significant cases. ing to a 2002 statement by U.S. Rep Jim lowance Clarification Act of 2002 to could provide to religious groups over The law allows “ministers of the gos- Ramstad, R-Minn., cited in Crabb’s rul- moot the case. From 2002 on, the law secular ones.” pel” paid through a housing allowance ing. Clergy may use the housing allow- restricted the parsonage exemption to Crabb invoked the Supreme Court’s to exclude that allowance from taxable ance for rent or mortgages and home “reasonable rental value.” 1989 case, Texas Monthly Inc. v. Bull­ income. It is not a tax “deduction” but improvements, including furnishings, The 1954 bill’s sponsor, Rep. Pe- ock, calling exemptions for religious is a tax exclusion. Ministers may, for property taxes and maintenance. ter Mack, D-Ill., argued that ministers instance, use this untaxed income to In 2002, a case went before the 9th should be rewarded for “carrying on Continued on page 17 such a courageous fight against this [godless and anti-religious world move- Have a very Super Solstice ment].” Inside This Issue Judge: No secular purpose Seymour Chwast’s “I agree with plaintiffs that §107(2) Memorable does not have a secular purpose or ef- Moments in fect,” wrote Crabb, adding that a rea- Monotheism sonable observer would view it “as an Page 7 endorsement of religion.” Crabb wrote that “the exemption provides a benefit Emperor Has to religious persons and no one else, No Clothes, even though doing so is not necessary but boy, Dan to alleviate a special burden on reli- Savage does gious exercise.” All taxpayers are burdened by taxes, Pages 8–9 Crabb noted. “Defendants do not iden- tify any reason why a requirement on ministers to pay taxes on a housing al- Religious lowance is more burdensome for them well-wishers’ than for the many millions of others healing wishes Staff gathered ’round FFRF’s traditional winter solstice display in the Wisconsin who must pay taxes on income used for unwelcome Capitol. Kneeling are Annie Laurie Gaylor and Andrew Seidel. Standing (left) housing expenses.” are Dan Barker, Scott Colson, Katie Daniel, Lauryn Seering, Bill Dunn, Liz Crabb rejected the claim that the Page 10 Cavell, Sam Grover, Alexis Palmer, Dayna Long, Lisa Strand, Yuna Choi, Patrick 1954 law was necessary to eliminate Elliott and Jackie Douglas. (Not pictured is Rebecca Markert due to maternity “discrimination” against ministers not leave.) living in parsonages. “A desire to assist Page 2 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin December 2013

Warren Brackmann and Gary Whittenberger standing up for secularism in the Gary Whittenberger with a portion of FFRF’s Tallahassee display. halls of government. FFRF’s ‘capital’ signs at three state capitols

The Freedom From Religion Foun- placed there six years ago. FFRF mem- dation by early December had placed ber Steve Foulke, driving eight hours freethinking winter solstice signs in- roundtrip, placed the sign Dec. 1 in ad- side three state capitols — in Illinois, vance of the religious ceremony when Florida and Wisconsin — to counter the crèche was put up. nativity scenes there. “We’re here on our soapbox to pro- When a nativity scene was unexpect- claim the good news of Jesus Christ,” edly placed by Religious Right groups said the president and chief legal in Florida for the first time, FFRF went counsel of the Thomas More Society, to work, obtaining a permit, ordering Julia Zanoza, chair of the Springfield banners and a stand. Tallahassee FFRF Nativity Scene Committee. She said the members Gary Whittenberger and goal is to celebrate the “birth of Jesus Warren Brackmann placed the display Christ” and to promote “private ex- Dec. 5. The banner depicts the “nativ- pressions of religious faith in the pub- ity” of the Bill of Rights (Dec. 15 is Bill lic square.” of Rights Day), and founding fathers Also participating in the prayer- gazing in adoration at a Bill of Rights ful event was the notorious Bishop parchment on a crib. The Chicago Steve Foulkes on his way into the Thomas Paprocki, of the Springfield area chapter FFRF designed the ban- Illinois Capitol with FFRF’s solstice Catholic Diocese, who was introduced ner, which was also erected in Daley sign. by Zanoza as a “pro-family warrior.” Pa- Plaza. (See story on page 3.) FFRF’s “may reason prevail” mes- procki notoriously held an “exorcism” The manger scene was placed with sage was also placed in the Wisconsin on Nov. 20 to protest same-sex mar- great religious fanfare, hymns and Capitol in Madison for its 18th visit the Capitol by a Wisconsin division of riage being signed into law in Illinois. prayer in the capitol in Tallahassee: during the month of December. Focus on the Family. At the manger ceremony, Paprocki “We are not trying to offend anyone, The solstice message was composed FFRF’s display, crafted by Staff At- preached that gay couples must have but we are taking a stand for Christ in by Anne Nicol Gaylor, Foundation co- torney Andrew Seidel, features a baby a true definition of love, and that the Christmas, a stand for truth and reli- president emerita, and says: who is black and female, as Botticelli’s truth is not a thing but a person — Je- gious freedom,” said Pam Olsen, who “At this season of the Winter Sol- Venus declares, “It’s a girl.” The “wise sus Christ, hence making clear the Re- organized the event. “And what better stice, may reason prevail. men” are atheists and scientific giants ligious Right import of the “baby Jesus” place to do this than the heart of our There are no gods, no devils, no an- Charles Darwin and Albert Einstein, depicted. state government.” gels, no heaven or hell. plus “wise woman” Emma Goldman,a Focus on the Family has announced FFRF begs to differ. “We don’t think There is only our natural world. with humorist Mark Twain and found- a goal to get nativity scenes in all 50 there should be religion or irreligion Religion is but myth and supersti- ing “father” Thomas Jefferson thrown state capitols. “If a devotional nativ- in any State Capitol, but if they’re go- tion that hardens hearts and enslaves in for good measure. The sign declares ity display is allowed, then there must ing to start allowing religion and call it minds.” “Celebrate the Solstice, The Reason be ‘room at the inn’ for all points a public forum, then certainly the non- Joining the classic sign is FFRF’s for the Season.” of view, including irreverency and religious point of view should be there, tongue-in-cheek “natural nativity FFRF placed Anne Gaylor’s wording freethought,” said Gaylor. too,” said Annie Laurie Gaylor, FFRF scene,” which was unveiled in 2011 to in the Illinois Capitol in Springfield Thanks to Staff Attorneys Patrick Elliott co-president. challenge a manger scene placed in in reaction to a manger scene first and Andrew Seidel for coordinating permits.

Freethought Today Notify Us of A Note to Members published by Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. Your Address [email protected] • FFRF.org Your address label shows the expira- P.O. Box 750 • Madison WI 53701 Change Promptly! tion date of your membership in FFRF, (608)256-8900 • FAX (608)204-0422 Email: [email protected] which includes your subscription to Editor: Bill Dunn, [email protected] Don’t miss a single issue! If you Freethought Today and “Private Line.” If move, notify us directly and it says December 2013 or earlier please Production Editor: Scott Colson promptly. The Post Office does renew! Your prompt re­newal ($40-sin- Executive Editor: Annie Laurie Gaylor not forward third-class mail. gle mem­ber­ship; $50-household; $100 Assistant Editor: Lauryn Seering FFRF cannot be responsible for re- gung-ho; $25-student) saves us time Contributors: Philip Appleman, Yuna Choi, Seymour Chwast, Brent Nicastro, and post­age, and is tax-deductible. placing back issues if we have not Joan Reisman-Brill, Marty Rush, Dan Savage, Andrew L. Seidel, been notified prior to your move. Free­thought­­ Today is published 10 times Gary Whittenberger Back issues, while they last, may a year, with combined issues in Jan/Feb be ordered for $2 each. and June/July. Send membership or December 2013 rene wal to FFRF, Box 750, Madison WI The only freethought newspaper in the United States 53701, ffrf.org/donate December 2013 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 3

Freethought solstice display up in Chicago

FFRF and its Metropolitan Chicago Statue of Liberty. A copy of the Bill of chapter unveiled a unique “winter sol- Rights, which was adopted on Dec. 15, stice” display the last week of Novem- 1791, is in a manger. ber in Daley Plaza to balance the tradi- A life-sized nativity scene was first tional and divisive nativity scene there. placed in Daley Plaza, at Dearborn and The 8½-foot-tall lighted “A” stands Washington streets, in 1985 by the so- for “atheist” and “agnostic” and is one called “God Squad.” After ACLU litiga- of Richard Dawkins’ inspirations. tion, a federal judge ruled the plaza a Beside it is a colorful, irreverent public forum in 1989. banner depicting a different kind of Look for the “A” display on Dear- nativity scene: the birth of the Bill of born Street near the menorah and Rights. It depicts Benjamin Franklin, crèche. Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and the

Freethinkers gathered by the unveiled banner Nov. 26 in Daley Plaza.

Bob Hunter (left) and Tom Cara of the FFRF Metropolitan Chicago Chapter with the solstice banner at North School Park in Arlington Heights. The disclaimer was required this year by the Park District under its newly adopted public forum guidelines. The chapter’s “founding fathers” sign also went up in front of the Niles Village Hall just before Thanksgiving.

“A” for atheist, agnostic and effort in Daley Plaza. “At this season of the Winter Solstice, we celebrate the birth of the Unconquered Sun — the TRUE reason for the season. As Americans, let us also honor the birth of our Bill of Rights, which reminds us there can be no freedom OF religion, without having freedom FROM religion in government.”

Include FFRF In Your Estate Planning

Arrange a bequest in your will or It was a special day for another reason for Alexa Kane (left), who turned 14 on trust, or make the Freedom From Nov. 26 and came with her dad, Evan, who is chapter vice president. Religion Found­ation the benefi- ciary of an insurance policy, bank account, or IRA. It’s easy to do. For related information Freedom From Religion Foundation (or to request a bequest brochure), please phone P.O. Box 750 • Madison WI 53701 • (608) 256-8900 • ffrf.org Annie Laurie Gaylor at FFRF supporter Kathi Wise lives up to (608) 256-8900. What is the Freedom From Religion Foundation? her surname, without a doubt. FFRF P.O. Box 750 Founded in 1978 as a national organization of freethinkers (atheists and agnostics), Madison WI 53701 the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc., works to keep state and church separate and to educate the public about the views of nontheists. Reminder The Foundation’s e-mail address is [email protected]. Please include your name and January/February is a Freedom Depends physical mailing address with all e-mail correspondence. Foundation members wishing to receive online news releases, “action alerts” and combined issue to be on Freethinkers “Freethought of the Day” should contact [email protected]. received in February Page 4 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin December 2013

Heads Up A Poetry Column by Philip Appleman

Exorcism

Come out of that blighted body, you Sunday spooks, you poisonous prayers, you creepy confessions — Begone, you soporific sermons, you caterwauling choirs — Come out of there, you pious praises, you grinning greetings and fawning farewells — Get out of that body, the lot of you, Overheard and off to the graveyard with Pluto and Zeus! You heard that right, you sultans of saintliness: Article (2): Islam is the state religion, the U.S. Constitution. And now they and Arabic is its official language, and have to pay a price — albeit with tax- We’re kicking your ashes out of here! the principles of Islamic Sharia are the payers’ dollars — for their foolish, We’re putting an end to your End Times! main source of legislation. cowardly, and illegal decision. (Taxpay- Section of proposed new Egyptian ers pay the district’s insurance premi- We’re putting a curse on your curses! Constitution ums, which likely will go up at least in We’re putting a stop to stupidity! Religion Clause, 12-8-13 part because of the stupidity that the district has displayed in this matter.) And So if there is enough evidence to war- The ACLU and the Freedom From We’re putting the X back in Xmas! rant belief in the Quran or the works of Religion Foundation should be com- L. Ron Hubbard or that Moses parted mended for upholding the law and the Red Sea, we ought to believe those the rights of religious minorities in this things. There isn’t sufficient evidence, case. All blame should go to the school Acts of God and that’s why people invoke faith. You board and those who egged them on would not need to invoke faith if you in their unlawful, intolerant, and hope- have sufficient evidence. less course. When heaven bares its teeth and snarls, Peter Boghossian, philosophy instruc- Online comment by J.C. Sommer on earth trembles at what’s coming: yesterday tor and author of “A Manual for Creat- the successful suit to remove a Jesus ing Atheists” portrait in a school in Jackson, Ohio the typhoon, today the quake, tomorrow Religion News Service, 11-19-13 Columbus Dispatch, 11-30-13 the tornado -- warnings that just like the trees and the houses, we’re God don’t make no junk. First her pastor convinced her to quit Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, speak- her job to do full-time ministry at the temporary. ing to the Iowa Faith & Freedom Coali- church. Now the pastor is pressuring Now in a stricken land tion in Des Moines my wife to sow a financial seed into the Des Moines Register, 11-10-13 ministry, which would mean tapping ten thousand miles away heavily into our savings. they’re searching the rubble Every day is a day that we’re full of life. Comment by “Sick of These Preach- for children, fathers, wives, We’re with our families, we see sun- ers” to “Ask Tamara: Pastor is Ruining rises, sunsets. We eat, we breathe, we My Marriage!” and food -- water -- food have art. It’s a total, total celebration Lee Bailey’s Electronic Urban Report, 11-4- before it’s all over. of every single day. Calling someone 13 who loves every day of their life “angry” seems a little bit odd. It depends on your luck. You can be The suffering is never over. Author Penn Jillette, rebutting a Chica- an atheist and tell people and nothing go radio host who asked if Every Day Is can happen to you. Or you can be fired The sorrow isn’t over. An Atheist Holiday was an “angry” title from work, your life can be destroyed, It goes on chicagoist.com, 11-9-13 acts of violence can be taken against and on you. It depends where you are, the In his book Profiles in Courage, John circle of people around you. For me, and on F. Kennedy talked about how impor- the people at work don’t know. The here in our hearts. tant it is for public officials to educate people at school didn’t know. You have public opinion rather than pander to to keep your opinions to yourself. It’s a public opinion that has not been in- stressful situation. © Philip Appleman 2013 formed by the facts. In this situation, Ayman Emam, 28, Cairo, who started Freethought Today is honored to publish these new poems. the school board chose to pander to the Egyptian Atheists Community on Philip Appleman is Distinguished­ Pro­fessor Emeri­tus at In­ a boisterous crowd instead of educate Facebook, on how atheists are threated dia­na Uni­ver­si­ty. His published volumes of poetry in­clude them concerning the requirements of Al Jazeera, 11-18-13 Perfidious Proverbs and Other Poems: A Satirical Look at the Bible (2012), Darwin’s Ark (new 2009 edition) and Karma, Dharma, Pudding & Pie (2009). His nonfiction YOUR WEEKLY ANTIDOTE TO THE RELIGIOUS RIGHT work in­cludes the widely used Norton Critical Edition, Darwin, and the Nor­ton Critical Edition of Malthus’ TUNE IN TO Essay on Population­ . His poetry and fiction have won many awards, including a fellowship in poetry from the National­ En­dow­ FREETHOUGHT RADIO ment for the Arts, the Castagnola Award from the Poetry Society of America, the Humanist Arts Award from the American Humanist Association and the produced by the Friend of Darwin Award from the National Center for Science Education. His Freedom From Religion work has ap­peared in Har­per’s Magazine, The Nation, The New Republic, Foundation Hosted by Dan Barker and The New York Times, The Paris Review, Partisan Review, Poetry, and The Annie Laurie Gaylor Yale Review.. Broadcasts and streams Saturdays at 11 a.m. Central, Progressive Talk The Mic He and his playwright wife, Marjorie Appleman, are both “Afterlife” Members 92.1 FM, Madison, Wis., and over several other stations. of the Freedom From Religion Foundation. They recorded an excerpt of “Noah,” iTunes or podcasts archived at: ffrf.org/news/radio New and Selected Poems, which is available for sale from FFRF for $23 ppd, The Norton Critical Edition, Darwin, is $22 ppd., Karma, Dharma, Slightly irreverent views, Pudding & Pie, $27 ppd., Darwin’s Ark, $23 ppd., and Perfidious Proverbs, $20 ppd. (ffrf.org/shop/). news, music & interviews December 2013 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 5

Special thanks to Very Kind Florida Donor and Professor Erickson FFRF sends ‘thank you to all’ for building donations

The listing below reports donations for $5,000, MA Michele Glenn, $100, MD Update: Gary Grubb, NJ, previously FFRF’s building expansion fund received Linden Bland, $5,000, Alberta, Canada Robert Leonard, $100, CA listed as Anonymous, has since granted from Nov. 5 to Dec. 5, 2013. It is not cumu­ Susie & Gary York, $5,000, NH $1 – $99 permission to acknowledge his $100 lative except for the total. Donations received $1,000 – $4,999 Anonymous, $60, CA contribution by name. before Nov. 5 were listed in previous issues. Anonymous, $2,000, CA Anonymous, $50, CA No donors will be identified by Freethought Today will list subsequent do­ Carsten Smidt Ph.D., $1,000, UT Anonymous, $50, CO name without express permission from nations in future issues. Jeff Baysinger, $1,000, CO Michael M.T. Henderson, $50, KS the donor. (If you plan to donate and John Steinberg, $1,000, MD Rufus Taylor, $50, TX would like such recognition, please $100,000+ Anonymous, $1,000, FL Shannon & Kristie Fore, $50, AK be sure to check the box on the dona- Extremely Kind Donor, $198,997.87, Anonymous, $1,000, IN Stefanie Moritz & Vince Jenkins, $50, tion coupon mailed to you or online at FL Anonymous, $1,000, TX WI https://ffrf.org/ffrf-building-fund-contribu­ (This donor’s cumulative building Anonymous, $1,000, WI Stephen Humphrey, $50, NH tion-page granting such permission or fund contribution now totals a re- $100 – $999 Anonymous, $25, IN enclose a note giving permission with markable $432,990.02. His identity Marilyn Ewing, $500, CO Elaine & Eric Stone, $25, CA a mailed check.) will be revealed on the fourth-floor Scott Dittman, $500, CA Ron Arnon, $20, MI If you gave a gift designated to the auditorium to bear his name.) Anonymous, $300, MI Anonymous, $10, CA building fund by or before Nov. 5 that Harold Erickson, $125,000, NC John Phelps, $225, GA Kathi Houghton, $10, MI doesn’t appear to be reflected in this (The third-floor public relations Charles Saxton, $200, AR Michael Seliga, $10, MN or previous monthly issues, please con- wing will bear Professor Erickson’s Anonymous, $150, IL Mr. Doug Goldman, $10, NC tact FFRF so that we may check our name.) Anonymous, $100, CA John Fostvedt, $5, WI records and publish your gift. Please Anonymous, $100, NY contact Katie Daniel at (608)256-8900 $5,000 – $10,000 Daniel Mahala, $100, NY from 9-5 CDT weekdays or email katie@ Anonymous, $10,000, AZ Dave Burrier, $100, OH Subtotal: $366,197.87 ffrf.org. Alfred & Karolina Johnson, $5,000, WI Gary Guillen, $100, FL New cumulative total: Ellery Schempp and Arlene Germain, Joe Piesco, $100, CO $1,647,113.64 Religious liberty is for people, not corporations FFRF calls for boycott of Religious Right Hobby Lobby

The Freedom From Religion Foun- can choose consciously whether she a Christian nation. FFRF was censored dation calls on proponents of separa- will or will not be a mother.’ ” by only one newspaper during that tion of state and church to boycott Hobby Lobby’s founder objects to ad campaign, the Daily Oklahoman, (and “girlcott”) Hobby Lobby, a na- Plan B (the “morning-after” pill) and which shares hometown “pride” with tional retail craft store chain. Hobby ella (the “week-after” pill), and two Hobby Lobby. Lobby characterizes itself as a Chris- types of intrauterine devices. “These FFRF also fact-checked Hobby tian company, with 561 stores, 21,000 abortion-causing drugs go against our Lobby’s 2013 full-page ad. To view employees and revenues of more than faith,” Green told NPR. the interactive exposé researched $2.28 billion a year. “What next?” wonders Gaylor. “Je- by attorney Andrew Seidel and de- Hobby Lobby’s website notes it’s hovah’s Witnesses employers claiming signed by Harvard Law School in- committed to “Honoring the Lord in insurance coverage of blood transfu- tern Charles Roslof, scroll to the all we do by operating the company in sions violates their company’s religious Sept. 3, 2013, press release at: a manner consistent with biblical prin- rights? Scientologists refusing man- ffrf.org/news/news-releases. ciples.” dates for mental health coverage? Em- “We ask other secular and feminist FFRF is calling the consumer boy- ployers do not have the right to impose organizations to join us in speaking cott in response to Hobby Lobby’s re- personal religious views upon employ- out against religious control of wom- ligiously motivated role in challenging ees by denying workers basic health en’s bodies,” said FFRF Co-President the Affordable Care Act’s contracep- care benefits.” Dan Barker. “Hobby Lobby needs to tive mandate. The Supreme Court on Major medical groups submitted a find a different hobby than imposing Nov. 26 accepted a case involving Hob- brief on behalf of the government in ‘biblical values’ on women employees. by Lobby, which opposes some forms the Hobby Lobby case, noting that the “Exercise your freedom — and shop FFRF’s July 4th ad countering Hobby of contraception based on the reli- morning-after pill is not an abortion somewhere else!” Lobby’s disinformation campaign. gious views of its founder David Green, and cannot stop pregnancy after fer- a preacher’s son. tilization takes place, but instead pre- “The foundation of our business has vents ovulation. been, and will continue to be strong More than 70 lawsuits have been values, and honoring the Lord in a filed in federal court, at least a third by manner consistent with biblical princi- Roman Catholic dioceses, challenging ples,” a statement on the Hobby Lobby birth control coverage benefits. FFRF Mark Your Calendar! website reads, adding that it closes on spoke out strongly last year against the Sundays. interference of U.S. Catholic bishops Announcing . . . The 10th Circuit U.S. Court of Ap- against the contraceptive mandate, peals agreed with Hobby Lobby that running a full-page ad in The New corporations have the same religious York Times and several other news- Raleigh, N.C. FFRF Mini-Convention rights as individuals. Other, more rea- papers, advising, “It’s time to quit the Weekend of May 2-3, 2014 sonable courts such as the 3rd Circuit, Catholic Church.” (after National Day of Reason, er, Prayer) have held that “for-profit, secular cor- On Nov. 1, the U.S. Court of Ap- Sheraton Raleigh Hotel porations cannot engage in religious peals for the District of Columbia ruled 421 South Salisbury Street exercise” and that a business owner’s 2-1 in favor of the Catholic owners of Raleigh, North Carolina religious rights do not allow that own- two Ohio produce companies who op- er to impose his religion on his busi- pose the contraceptive mandate. Some ness’s employees. That decision, Con­ of its delivery trucks bear signs saying, estoga Wood Specialties Corp. v. Sebelius “It’s not a choice, it’s a child.” In the (3rd Cir., July 26, 2013), will also be majority opinion, Judge Janice Rogers reviewed by the Supreme Court Brown, a George W. Bush appointee, “Corporations don’t have a right said the company would be forced to 37th Annual National Convention of conscience, women do,” says Annie be “complicit in a grave moral wrong.” Weekend of October 24-25, 2014 Laurie Gaylor, FFRF co-president. “As FFRF ran two dozen full-page news- Millennium Biltmore Hotel - Los Angeles Margaret Sanger pointed out long ago, paper ads this year countering Hobby 506 South Grand Avenue ‘No woman can call herself free who Lobby’s annual disinformation cam- Los Angeles, California does not own and control her body. No paign, in which it places hundreds of woman can call herself free until she ads on July 4 claiming that America is Page 6 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin December 2013

FFRF legal victories

Be on the lookout for B-SHOC, Sons of Thunder, magician/ motivational speaker Jason Alvarez Lookadoo lookalikes (sponsored by Faith Assembly), and Youth Alive-7 Project (with Brian Pruitt Critical thinking won a solid victory Motivational), to name a few. recently when faith-based speaker Jus- “It’s important that school districts tin Lookadoo was publicly berated for remember their constitutional obliga- a presentation described as sexist that tion to remain neutral toward religion was given at Richardson High School and to properly research any perform- in Richardson, Texas. er before inviting them to speak before Students used social media to ex- a captive student audience,” advised press their disapproval, adopting the Grover. hashtag #lookadouche when making Too often it falls to students to re- statements about the misogynistic port violations and to be vocal in ex- views portrayed in Lookadoo’s pre- pressing their disagreement with mes- sentation. Subsequent to Lookadoo’s sages being conveyed. performance at Richardson, FFRF had “FFRF has a homework assignment sent open records requests to George for school administrators: Perform due West Independent School District and diligence when bringing speakers to Canadian Independent School Dis- public schools. A little homework can trict, where Lookadoo was scheduled go a long way toward preventing Loo- to perform on Nov. 19 and Dec. 11, kadoo-like disasters,” added FFRF Staff respectively. Attorney Patrick Elliott. Both districts responded with infor- mation that Lookadoo’s performances had been canceled. Whether the dis- FFRF ends school’s tricts will be refunded the money they ‘daily devotions’ an Oct. 24 letter to Superintendent emony earlier this year. paid (over $3,000 in the case of George Rodney Thompson: “The prayer at dis- In his Oct. 3 letter to Superinten- West) remains to be seen. Until shortly Until October, Hokes Bluff High trict in-service meetings appears to a dent Peggy McKinney, Seidel noted after the Richardson fiasco, Looka- School in Etowah County, Ala., started reasonable observer to be an endorse- that prayer at any event endorsed by doo’s website also advertised perfor- mornings with student-led recitations ment of religion, particularly Christi- the school, regardless of whether it mances early next year at Eagle Moun- of bible passages over the intercom, a anity. This is exactly the type of govern- takes place before or after school, is tain Independent School District, practice approved by school adminis- ment endorsement that is prohibited illegal. “Federal courts consistently Saginaw, Texas; Tonawanda Middle tration. A concerned student reported by our Constitution’s Establishment strike down school-sponsored prayer and High Schools, Tonawanda, N.Y.; the practice to FFRF, and Staff Attor- Clause, and could also be perceived as in public schools because it constitutes various schools in Scottsboro, Ala.; and ney Andrew Seidel sent a letter Sept. workplace harassment.” a government endorsement of reli- a student council conference at Lufkin 24 to Superintendent Alan Cosby. An attorney representing the dis- gion, which violates the Establishment High School in Lufkin, Texas. “Nothing in the law prevents stu- trict responded Nov. 19: “While there Clause of the First Amendment and in- “The chilling reality is that Looka- dents, teachers or school employees was no blessing or prayer offered as terferes with the personal conscience doo’s strategy of masquerading as an from freely exercising their religion part of a program or included as a for- of students.” expert in order to disseminate his re- on their own time and in their own mal part of the in-service, an employee There were also allegations that ligious ideology to public school stu- way,” wrote Seidel. “But a public school did offer a blessing for the food before the administration had discriminated dents is not unique,” noted Sam Gro- itself must not broadcast a decidedly the employees ate the meal. There was against the Secular Student Alliance ver, FFRF constitutional consultant. religious message to a captive student certainly no intent to offend any em- by delaying approval of an SSA chap- FFRF has received complaints about audience, thereby isolating and ex- ployees. Further, in order to avoid any ter for more than six months and com- many “Lookadoo lookalikes” (no, Guy cluding those students who are non- misunderstandings in the future, the plaints that the Christian club received Fieri, we don’t mean you). Christian or nonreligious.” FFRF has district will not offer a blessing before preferential treatment. A number of religious groups go not received a reply directly from the the meal.” “As you are no doubt aware, the into schools under the guise of offer- district regarding the illegal readings, Equal Access Act requires schools to ing sex education, anti-drug and other but the complainant informed us, “As treat all noncurricular clubs equally,” secular programming. Once in the of now they have not been doing ‘daily Chain stops discount warned Seidel. schools, these noncredentialed per- devotions.’ ” for church bulletins While the administration denied formers routinely insert a religious any wrongdoing, legal counsel in- message into their talks or exploit the Luna’s Friendswood, a Mexican formed FFRF on Oct. 22 that the opportunity to speak before a captive No more ‘blessings’ at restaurant with six different locations school has dropped prayers from the audience to invite all students to a school meetings in Texas, has stopped offering a 10% ceremony “in the interest of not hav- proselytizing evening program, usually discount to dine-in customers who pre- ing misleading programs or confusion held at a church. FFRF successfully ended prayers sented a current church bulletin on in the future.” FFRF has written letters about pub- during annual in-service meetings for Sundays. The school claimed the delay in SSA lic school performances by the Chris- transportation employees at the Berke- FFRF Staff Attorney Liz Cavell and approval was due to a “coincidental tian ministry group You Can Run But ley County School District in South constitutional consultant Sam Grover change” in administration and logisti- You Cannot Hide (and the band Junk- Carolina. sent a letter Oct. 10 to the owner, ex- cal inconvenience. yard Prophet), Team Xtreme (part of The complainant informed FFRF plaining that under the federal Civil Youth With A Mission), Team Impact Staff Attorney Patrick Elliott that for- Rights Act, places of public accommo- (which also performed at Richardson mal prayer had become a part of the dation are not allowed to discriminate Just say ‘Aloha’ to ISD), The Power Team, Go Tell Min- mandatory event in the current and on grounds such as race, color, religion football prayers istries (with BMX biker Rick Gage), preceding years. Elliott addressed the or national origin. Christian hip hop musician Kryst Lyke, unconstitutionality of the practice in “Your restaurants’ restrictive promo- Prayers are dropped from pregame tional practices favor religious custom- routine in Oregon high school (Octo- ers, and deny both customers who do ber 29, 2013) not attend church as well as nonbeliev- The Aloha [Ore.] High School ers the right to ‘full and equal’ enjoy- football team will no longer include ment of Luna’s Friendswood,” FFRF’s prayers in its pregame routine, thanks letter said. to a concerned student who reported On Nov. 8, Luna’s responded, stat- the practice to FFRF Staff Attorney An- ing, “As of Nov. 4, this ‘discount’ has drew Seidel. been eliminated.” Seidel sent a letter of complaint Oct. 25 to Superintendent Jeff Rose. “As a general matter, it is illegal for a Ohio school strikes public school to organize, sponsor, or prayer after letter lead religious messages at school ath- letic events,” noted Seidel. FFRF advised the administration of The principal informed FFRF on Western Brown High School in Mount Oct. 29 that the team has eliminated Orab, Ohio, to stop including prayers prayers and any faith-based rituals be- at school events after a concerned par- fore games. The school is part of the Powered by Porsche, not prayer ent informed Staff Attorney Andrew Beaverton School District. “I think the message is clear, but have NOF8H anyone else does,” writes Florida Seidel that prayer was part of the Na- Thanks to intern Yuna Choi for help member Dwayne Free about his GR8 plate. tional Honor Society induction cer- compiling victories. December 2013 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 7

Overheard

During the service, attendees munity service projects they Florida Judge Russell Healey Abraham Foxman, Anti-Defa- McMahon, an atheist, cancel- stomped their feet, clapped had started in L.A. which resulted in the appeals mation League national direc- ing his sponsorship of aspiring their hands and cheered as News story on the Sunday As- court ordering the defendant tor, on Bush’s speech to the pro golfer Jeff Cochran Jones and Evans led the group sembly, which envisions “a to be resentenced by a differ- Messianic Jewish Bible Insti- theblaze.com, 11-25-13 through rousing renditions of godless congregation in ev- ent judge tute in Dallas “Lean on Me,” “Here Comes ery town, city and village that Florida Times-Union, 11-7-13 Politico, 11-11-13 One sign that caught the at- the Sun” and other hits that wants one” tention of the local newspaper took the place of gospel songs. Associated Press, 11-11-13 We were disappointed to learn The bible does not specifically was the message I put up after Congregants dissolved into that former President George speak about sequester cuts, or Michael Jackson died last year. laughter at a get-to-know-you You’re a good Catholic fellow W. Bush has decided to move any other fiscal proposal or It read: THE KING OF POP IS game that involved clapping as I am. That’s not the way ahead with his plan to speak funding law enacted by the DEAD. THE KING OF KINGS and slapping the hands of the Catholic people — that’s not at a fundraising event for U.S. Specific directions for tax STILL LIVES. person next to them and ap- the way anybody with morals an evangelical proselytizing policy are never spelled out in Darrel Brandon, pastor at Clay plauded as members of the — should do anything. group whose stated goal is to scripture. City [Ill.] Christian Church, audience spoke about com- Statement at sentencing by convert Jews to Christianity. Rob Schwarzwalder, Family “How I devise my church sign Research Council vice presi- messages” dent, “God and the IRS: What CNN, 5-20-10 the bible can teach us about tax policy” If you want to do something Washington Post, 11-11-13 about the climate, you want to do something about the God is still there. The Filipino weather, there is only one soul is stronger than any ty- thing that we can do to affect phoon. climate or affect weather and Fr. Lito Capeding, pastor of that is to pray to Yahweh. Shrine of the Holy Cross, Bryan Fischer, American Fam- Daphne, Ala., on Typhoon ily Association Haiyan “Focal Point With Bryan Fischer,” Mobile Press-Register, 11-12-13 9-13-13

All politicians now have the [Los Angeles Cardinal Roger] moral obligation to work for Mahony and his aides insisted the repeal of this sinful and on secrecy even when lives objectionable legislation. We were at risk. In one case, the must pray for deliverance from archdiocese was informed that this evil which has penetrated a man dying of AIDS had been our state and our church. having sex with a parish priest, Thomas Paprocki, bishop who in turn was abusing high of the Catholic Diocese of school students. At the time, Springfield, Ill., announcing the average life expectancy af- he’ll offer “prayers of suppli- ter an AIDS diagnosis was 18 cation and exorcism” Nov. 20, months. Yet church officials the day when Gov. Pat Quinn did nothing to alert the priest was scheduled to sign a same- or the students. sex marriage bill into law Newspaper story on cover-ups State Journal-Register, 11-14-13 of sex abuse by clergy Los Angeles Times, 12-1-13 Paprocki might consider di- recting that exorcism toward I want to wish everyone a re- his own heart. He might be ally, really merry Christmas, surprised at what demons fly happy Hanukkah, all the holi- out. days —all you infidel atheists Columnist Neil Steinberg, not- out there, I want to wish you ing that 47% of Catholics at- the very best also. I don’t know tended Mass once a week in what you celebrate during the 1974 compared to 24% now holiday season, I myself cel- Chicago Sun-Times, 11-17-13 ebrate the birth of Christ, but it’s your choice, and I respect If I won the lottery and could your choice. If you want to cel- afford to live in Manhattan, ebrate nothing, and just get no one would care, but here, together with friends, that’s I can have an effect. Not to good, too. All the best. create more atheists, but to Brian Pallister, Conservative simply create a place that the Party of Canada member, secular can call home. I would speaking in the Legislative never say that I am the answer Building for DeRidder [La.], but for Winnipeg Free Press, 12-2-13 this community I know I am the question. I’m sure that right-wing ad- Jerry DeWitt, former evangeli- vocacy groups raise of a lot cal pastor who stayed in De- of money this time of year by Ridder to “minister” to athe- hyping a fake war on Christ- ists and the secular community mas. But the truth is that the The Daily Beast, 11-17-13 First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution already protects I looked up the verse Jeff put schoolchildren’s religious on the bag [Philippians 4:13, freedom — whether they are “I can do all things through Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Christ who strengthens me”] Hindu or none of the above and had to laugh. How can — and nothing that the Texas someone so smart be so gull- Legislature passes is going to ible? The idea of trusting or improve on what the Found- believing that someone has ers gave us. control over your future is the Terri Burke, executive direc- definition of insanity. I will tor, American Civil Liberties continue to trust people I’ve Union of Texas, on the new actually met to help chart my Texas “Merry Christmas” law course. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12-7- Virginia businessman Brian 13 Page 8 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin December 2013

FFRF 36th annual convention award — Emperor Has No Clothes Savage’s ‘perfect Catholic family’ fell apart fast Photography by Brent Nicastro Acclaimed author, gay rights advocate We should and nationally syndicated columnist Dan Savage graciously accepted FFRF’s Emperor acknowledge Has No Clothes Award at the 36th national convention in September in Madison, Wis., the unknowable, where he gave these remarks (edited for print). embrace ambiguity and think for ourselves.

that isn’t in quite as much conflict. But for me, faith fell apart because I figured that if the church was this wrong about me — well, it stood to rea- son that the church was wrong about other stuff. The church, this human institution, was pretending to know things that no human being could pos- sibily know. And it’s generally a bad idea to trust people who pretend to know the un- Dan Savage accepting his statuette from FFRF’s Dan Barker. knowable, to take things — hugely consequential things — on faith alone. talk about how great her mother was mia Foundation, General Motors, Il- Better to acknowledge the unknow- and how important and meaningful linoisan of the Year, Chicagoan of the able, embrace ambiguity and think for her column was. And me, being the au- Year, medallions, plaques, tchotchkes. ourselves — and date boys. thor of the rudest and dirtiest sex ad- One award had been given to her by I call myself agnostic or an atheist, vice column in the world, would dump the pope when he visited Chicago in but sometimes I have to admit to be- all over Ann Landers and say that she the 1960s, which now sits on my man- By Dan Savage ing an agnosti-theist because, well, I do sucked. tel. There is something in my house cross myself on airplanes. I flew here that a pope has touched, and it’s not a today and crossed myself. I have a su- 10-year-old boy. Imagine that. perstitious hangover. It’s actually the When people ask me during my col- In the early 1980s, the Catholic Remember Ann Landers? I’m sure people who do lege speaking gigs — often I get a card, cable channel in Chicago did a spe- all of you do. I was talking to some- especially when I speak in the South — cial on my family because we were the body in their 20s just yesterday, and I believe in God “Do you believe in God?,” it’s a game “perfect Catholic family.” My dad was mentioned Ann Landers and she said for me to just read that question and an ordained deacon and my mom was “Who?” Sometimes, people in their 20s who have some say “Nope” and go right on to the next a lay minister. They ran Catholic mar- make me feel as old as I am, which is question. Because it’s the people who riage encounter sessions in Illinois and 49, and also make me feel like slapping explaining to do. do believe in God who have some ex- Wisconsin and Indiana. All four of them. plaining to do, not those of us who do their children had been confirmed in Anyway, about 10 years ago, I went not. the church. I was in the seminary. I was I will take a photo of my Emperor going to be a priest. I can be an asshole, but I’m not award sitting next to the award from My dad was also a Chicago homi- going to go on a radio program with the pope on my mantel and post it on cide detective. So, sort of a “gun in someone’s grieving daughter and talk Instagram. Thank you all very much the pulpit” perfect Catholic family spe- about how horrible her mother was. for this, it’s very meaningful. I can’t ex- cial. Two years later, sitting around the Also complicating the producer’s press it enough. kitchen table with my mom and my sib- scheme was the fact that I loved Ann I was told to not run my mouth too lings, we laughed at the idea of the tele- Landers and her column. I didn’t al- long because they wanted some time vision program returning and doing a ways agree with her, but who always for Q&A, which is my preferred format “Where are they now?” special. My fa- agrees with anybody? I don’t always in everything. So I’m happy to answer ther had left and divorced my mother agree with myself! Sometimes I read any questions. and had been defrocked as a deacon. columns I wrote 10 years ago and I I’d come out of the closet. My brother think, “What was I smoking? Or think- Q&A with Dan Savage Billy, my oldest sibling, had gotten a ing? Or smoking and thinking?” preemptive vasectomy. We had birth I wanted Margo’s “permission” to Q. Would you take $500 for the control in the house. There had been go to the auction because I knew it desk? abortion. My mother was sleeping with would get written about as somehow A. No! I have to write my column on a married man. disrespectful. I’m really embarrassed it for four more decades so that there By that time, when I was 17 or 18, I to say this, but I took $10,000 in cash to is a hundred or 80 years of sex column- was a hardcore agnostic because I had the auction. I took that much because ing and advice columning at this desk. a lot of questions. It was my sexuality I thought I’d be bidding against the Then maybe the Smithsonian will want that brought me into conflict with my Smithsonian for her desk, on which so it. faith. I was inquisitive and, ironically, much had been written about the cul- Q. How much cash did you have left my parents encouraged their kids to ture, sexual mores and relationships after the auction? question authority. From a very early to an auction of Ann Landers’ effects. over the decades. A. About $9,200. So I took my moth- age, I had been asking the inappropri- Her daughter, Margo Howard, had So I took all this money, thinking, er to lunch. ate or awkward questions. packed up her mother’s big condo “Oh, it’s going to be me versus the Q. Was it weird having that much in In some ways I’m so grateful for on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago after Smithsonian because they’re going to cash? being gay despite the chaos that that she died. I read about the upcoming want to put her desk next to Archie A. That felt stupid, carrying that caused when I was 15, 16, 17 years old. auction in the paper. Included was the Bunker’s chair in the museum, but I’m much money around. I felt very “First If I hadn’t been gay, I sometimes won- desk on which Landers had written her going to get it and take it home.” World and starving orphans” at that der if I would’ve questioned my faith. advice column — for 40 years. And I I bought Ann Landers’ desk for moment. But what can you do? You But my sexuality was the thread that thought, I want to have that desk. $197. I know, right? No one was there give a gay dude a lot of money and he’s — once I began to pull on it — ulti- I had just gotten a book deal that from the Smithsonian bidding against going to spend it on stupid stuff. Like mately unraveled the garment of faith paid a stupid amount of money, so I me. this jacket! and irrational belief. Not all gay people called Margo. We’d been on the radio Then they began to auction off all Q. Will you tell us more about the do that. Some gay people, after realiz- together after Ann died. A producer of Ann Landers’ many awards and It Gets Better project? What motivated ing their faith is in conflict with their put us on together to pit us against honorary degrees, from the American you? sexuality, move on to some new faith each other. They thought Margo would Cancer Society, the American Leuke- A. The story behind why I started it December 2013 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 9 Photography by Brent Nicastro We don’t jump But telling my very traditional par- ents I was gay in the early 1980s meant fully formed out telling them that I would never marry, never have kids. I would have a margin- of the backs of al career if I had any career at all, and that I could never be a Marine. gay bars at age And here we are in just the course of my adult life, since age 18, and I am 21, pride beads married to the same guy for 20 years. We have a 15-year-old son that we around our necks. raised from birth together. Now I can be a Marine. I don’t want to be a Ma- rine, much to the relief of the United States Marine Corps. But the kind of is a downer. A 15-year-old kid named gay people who could be Marines and Billy Lucas killed himself in Greens- would like to be Marines and would be burg, Ind. He’d been very brutally bul- good Marines can now be Marines and lied in middle school and high school serve openly. because he was perceived to be gay. I need to talk to the next Billy Lucas He’d never come out to anyone as gay, before he harms himself, but I would so he may not have been gay. Not all never get an invitation to a high school victims of anti-LGBT violence and bul- to speak to that kid, the queer kid, who ents to do. ing us of “recruiting” or being pedo- lying are gay, but he likely was gay. most desperately needs to hear from They threatened to disown her, philes. You can’t! The culture has to “Gaydar” is strong with middle LGBT adults. Kids who are queer are at throw her out of the house, cut off all stop pretending that there is no such schoolers and high schoolers. “Good” four times greater risk for suicide. That her contact with her siblings and not thing as queer kids. Because there are. Christian kids said because he was sick doubles if their parents are openly hos- pay for her education if she didn’t go We don’t jump fully formed out of the and sinful, God hated him. They said tile. into counseling at their megachurch. backs of gay bars at age 21, pride beads he was going to hell and might as well That is why I say that Tony Perkins They said she had to take it back — not around our necks. get it over with. [Billy was found hang- [of the Family Research Council] sits be a lesbian. So I kept saying on TV, “game over.” ing from the rafters in his grandmoth- on a pile of dead gay children every So she did what so many queers be- We’re going to talk to your queer kids er’s barn.] I wrote about it from a place day when he goes to work. He encour- fore her have done. She lied to her par- whether you want us to or not. And I of real rage. ages parents to do what he damn well ents under duress and told them that would say we’re going to talk to your I get really weepy when I try to talk knows doubles the already quadrupled she was mistaken, that she was not a les- queer kids whether preachers, teacher about this. His parents created a Face- risk of suicide for their queer kids. bian, that she was confused. She went or parents like it or not. And she wrote, book memorial page for him, and the Then he points to the suicide rate that home from her counseling session this Texas kid, that not only were the same kids who had been bullying him he’s helping to drive up as proof that and put up a poster of Justin Bieber, videos giving her hope for her future, went to the Facebook page to celebrate the gay “lifestyle” is unhealthy and dan- because that’s as close to lesbianism they were giving her hope for her par- his death, to call him a faggot again gerous. as she could get for a while. (I’m not ents. Because she was seeing people and to say in front of his grieving par- I would never be able to get permis- making fun of effeminate boys. Any- whose parents were like hers and had ents that they were glad he was dead. I sion from that parent who’s following one who’s ever met anybody I’ve ever came around. She was seeing parents wrote about that from a place of white Tony Perkins’ lead to speak to their dated knows that effeminate boys are like my parents, who came around. hot rage. kid, to tell them that things get better. my favorite.) Right? I was reading the comments on a Then it occurred to me on the train She wrote me at [my column] Sav- What she said at the end of her let- blog post I’d written, which drew simi- to JFK that I’m in the YouTube/Face- age Love to tell me that she was watch- ter, which changed the way I talk about lar outrage and fury. A woman whose book/Twitter era and no longer need- ing It Gets Better videos on her phone, the It Gets Better project on television, handle is Despicable Me cut through ed permission to speak to queer kids. in her bed, in her bedroom, under was just so shattering. everyone’s anger by writing, “I wish I I could record a video, use my col- the covers in her parent’s house in the She said, “Every day I get up and go had known you, Billy, and had been umn and my podcast to encourage middle of the night. That was what we downstairs and I look at my mother able to tell you that things get better. other adults to make videos, upload wanted to do. We kicked down her par- and my father and I love them for who Rest in peace.” them to YouTube and encourage kids ents’ front door, marched into their they’re going to be in 10 years.” That “things get better” kind of gut- to watch them. And bring the LGBT daughter’s bedroom and climbed into Terry and I made one out of 150,000 ted me, along with that desire to have youth support group to that kid whose bed with her. We brought the queer “It Gets Better” videos. We made one, had a chance to speak to him, because parents would never allow them to at- youth support group to her, the one but because so many other people things do get better. And they have got- tend one. And it worked. her parents wouldn’t let her attend. made them and shared their stories, ten better — at a macro level for LGBT She said that it was helping. She was we convinced her that that was pos- people and at a micro level personally A girl in Texas seeing families of gay people, bi peo- sible, even for her family. And one day, for so many of us in our lives after es- ple, and trans people, whose families her parents are going to thank us for caping high school. The letter that most sticks with me had the same reaction as hers, coming what we did for their daughter. was from a 15-year-old lesbian kid in around. She was seeing lesbians with She is the success story of It Gets Bet- Vicious ‘family’ values Texas. I usually don’t say the name families of their own and wives and ter. That we reached that kid, at that of the state, so don’t remember that. children and colleagues who respected moment and gave her what she needed When I came out to my parents in Growing up in a shitty state with a them and friends who loved them for to get through it but also gave her the the early 1980s, I was not just telling my shitty governor. (See, I could have said who they really were. insight that allows her to love her par- mom and my dad. I was not just burn- Wisconsin, which is a wonderful state It was giving her hope for her fu- ents at a time when they are failing her. ing them with mental images that took with a shitty governor!) ture, and it was getting her through And incapable of loving her. them years to stop seeing. They could She came out to her parents be- this time when she was being pushed Thank you very much! look at my sister’s boyfriend without cause she was being bullied and need- toward suicide by her parents. seeing his dick in her mouth, but they ed their support. She was perceived to couldn’t look at mine, couldn’t make be a lesbian, which she is. She went to ‘Game over’ the same leap with my boyfriend for a her parents and came out to them, and while. they did what Tony Perkins tells par- You can’t stop us anymore by accus- Photo: Andrew L. Seidel Photography by Brent Nicastro Page 10 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin December 2013 Religious well-wishers’ healing wishes unwelcome

I was ‘saved’ for a how we should be thankful that things aren’t worse. We would have been glad higher purpose: to accept “productive” support that didn’t come with invisible (but audi- to reaffirm my ble) strings attached. Many people told me my accident atheism. is a clear sign that I was saved for a higher purpose. I agree. That purpose is to reaffirm my atheism, to serve as tions could be extremely beneficial to an example that with excellent medical nonbelievers in times of adversity (as care, wonderful family and friends and well as good times, such as weddings taking responsibility for ourselves, we and births), if they could simply dis- can survive and thrive after traumatic pense with all the god talk and focus episodes — without resorting to piety on what would truly be helpful. in moments of weakness. Like doing only things that would I want to spread the good news: Peo- lighten the load rather than add to it. ple who rally around injured associates My husband and I expended a lot of can help them get back on their feet energy fielding phone calls and polite- faster if they skip the prayers and focus ly fending off or entertaining prayer- on things that really help. I would also ful visitors when what we both really remind people to always be super care- needed was rest and time to take care ful crossing the street, no matter what Joan Reisman-Brill on her first day back at work as a of ourselves. the light says. volunteer gardener assistant in Central Park. It would be great if nonreligious That’s my mission, and I choose to people could, like our religious coun- accept it. It’s not impossible. By Joan Reisman-Brill scars as reminders. terparts, instantly hook up with help- Weeks after I was out of the hospital ing hands — without anyone blather- New York FFRF member Joan Reisman- and “out of the woods” in terms of se- ing about God’s mysterious ways and Brill writes a humanist column titled “The rious health risks, I received an email from the family rabbi, who had just On June 30, at the very end of a heard what happened. She (yes, she!) lovely vacation in Spain, I was struck by apologized for not being aware sooner a Barcelona city bus, which came to a and asked if there was anything I need- Saint-Johnson wedding stop on my feet (crunch), then backed ed. I said no thanks, we’re doing fine. off (double crunch). I was bleeding And that, I thought, was that. from the head, scraped on one side, But last weekend my husband was bruised on the other, and my feet were in the synagogue and mentioned my throbbing. accident to a woman who is aware of Although I never completely lost my godless views. She asked him if this consciousness (and accurately told the experience had changed my tune, and emergency medics my name, where I he reported, “Not at all.” (I’m told I’m was and that I thought my feet were hard-headed, in more ways than one.) broken), for a while I literally didn’t Then we got a call from a synagogue know what hit me. committee lady we’ve never met. She After a round of medical imaging, it had just been told (by that woman) was determined that my brains and ribs about my injuries. The committee were intact, but I had fractured multi- wanted to send food and social services ple bones in both feet and had a very and visitors — strangers! — to pray nasty “road burn” on one ankle near over me immediately. I did my best to the bone. I was told that if it became convince the nice lady that I’m literally infected, I could lose that foot. After a back on my feet already. FFRF’s Greater Sacramento Chapter president, Judy Saint week back in the U.S., it did become Minutes later, we got a call from (right), and her new wife, Kathy Johnson. infected and I was hospitalized for four another woman, who basically runs days of IV antibiotics, followed by skin the synagogue. She wanted to double- Not only are same-gender marriages other and on our integrity as thought- graft surgery. check with us because the committee happening to the chagrin of funda- ful people, even referring to the Good Although my husband practices lady was arranging to unleash all that mentalists everywhere, but our own Books of Shakespeare, Miguel de Cer- Judaism and we have friends who stuff upon us, despite the fact that we Greater Sacramento Chapter presi- vantes, and Douglas Adams. are devout Christians, I’m an atheist had firmly declined. dent, Judy Saint, seen here with her The soloist, Andi Griffith, rewrote — something I don’t hide, but I also This time my husband succeeded new wife, Kathy Johnson, joined in the the lyrics to Leonard Cohen’s “Halle- don’t constantly advertise. Despite do- in calling off the dogs. But he also as- vanguard movement, themselves. Un- lujah” especially for this secular, long- ing all we could to head it off, we were sured everyone that the rabbi had per- able to wed five years ago when they fought lesbian wedding: a real tear-jerk- inundated with religious friends and sonally been in touch with me, so no were ready, due to religious money and er. The first song by the live band, “We acquaintances (even people I thought one could accuse her of being remiss fear-mongering behind Prop 8, they Are Family,” drew the entire gathering disliked me because of my atheism) av- in her duties. We’d hate to get anyone happily tied the knot before a gather- of 70 guests immediately to the dance idly praying for me in synagogues and in trouble because I didn’t want an ing of almost 100% freethinkers Octo- floor. Laughs were had, most had churches and sending cards, flowers, avalanche of well-meaning but unwel- ber 24. tears, the few believers were educated, gifts and platitudes. come outpourings. This Very Secular Wedding, as Judy but what surprised Judy and Kathy the It’s not that we have that many calls it, felt more like a celebration and most was the thunderous and non-stop friends or are particularly beloved, it Chicken soup helps whom? party. Held in a beautiful community standing ovation they received. Guests just seems to be what religious people center, officiated by renowned ERA ac- all said they were overwhelmed by the are conditioned to do. People told me Just as I have a need to do commu- tivist Cleo Kocol, a good friend of the “real” aspect of the evening — eschew- how I should thank God that I wasn’t nity service as much as the community couple’s [and a Lifetime FFRF Mem- ing tradition where appropriate, and killed, that I sustained no additional needs my service, I’m sure these lovely ber], many words were spoken reflect- above all, loving all around in the most damage, that my injuries would heal people require unfortunate souls to ing our earthly dependence on each beautiful secular way. “all in good time.” whom they can bring chicken soup and When I said I wasn’t thankful to any prayers for their own fulfillment. Imag- god who would throw me under a bus, ine how disappointing it would be for but that I was thankful for the excel- a prayer group to rush over and find lent care my husband and I had pulled me up and about. I’d have to drag the together, the worshippers didn’t seem wheelchair out of the closet and sit in it to hear. with a pained smile to make them feel I abandoned my wheelchair and good about themselves. Then after the crutches after 10 weeks and started prayers, I’d leap up and declare myself walking without as much as a cane. I miraculously healed. Hallelujah! am now going up and down stairs and Although I hardly think the “caring hills with increasing ease and decreas- community” component is sufficient ing discomfort, and I expect to be fully cause to convert anyone, the kind of recovered soon, with just a couple of services typical of religious organiza- December 2013 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 11

Record 55 nontheist billboards unveiled in December FFRF sponsors ‘non-sacramental’ Sacramento billboard blitz

What do nonbelievers do during the their head, such as 20-year-old Reace FFRF has taken month of December in Sacramento, Niles’ message of “I’m an atheist, and its “out of the Calif.? They “come out of the closet” I’ve never been happier,” and Sacra- closet” public re- very publicly. mento student Noel Navarro, who has lations campaign. The Freedom From Religion Foun- a message for Oprah Winfrey: “I’m not Previous cities in- dation and its new Sacramento chap- a believer, and life is still awesome!” clude Madison, ter unveiled the largest freethought Quilters and friends Karla Sprandel Wis. (where FFRF billboard campaign ever launched and Susan Myers, Sacramento secular is based), Tulsa, in one area: 55 affirmative billboards humanists, show off their quilts and Raleigh, Colum- placed throughout California’s capital their philosophy: “No gods, no devils, bus, Phoenix and city and suburbs. The personalized bill- no worries.” Other playful messages Spokane. A simi- boards each feature the smiling face include Rancho Cordova homemaker lar campaign also and unapologetically forthright view of Maggie Johns’ quip: “I don’t believe in went up last year an area nonbeliever. Odin, either.” in Portland, Ore., The motto of the campaign is “Many While most participants self-identify featuring local faces make Enlightenment work.” as atheists, some prefer the description freethinkers saying More than 55 participants are actually of agnostic, humanist or secular hu- “I’m secular and involved, since some of the messages manist. There’s even one “Pastafarian,” I vote” and “This feature couples, friends or families. Sacramento tech support worker Eliza- is what an atheist Newlywed Judy Saint, chapter di- beth Porter, a devotee of the whimsical looks like.” rector, is featured with her wife, Kathy Flying Spaghetti Monster. The campaign’s Johnson, saying: “Reason. Equality. Do- The 55 billboards became national objective is to re- ing Good. — All without gods.” (See news in late November, even before veal to communi- their billboard on opposite page.) they went up. Nearly all reporters ties the diversity They’re one of six featured couples. turned to religious leaders for com- of nonbelievers Making the world better is a com- ment. Sacramento Catholic Bishop within their ranks. mon theme. Other themes are believ- Jaime Soto of the Cathredral of the “Many people have met, do business has about 3,000 in California. ing in and trusting oneself and human- Blessed Sacrament told Fox affiliate with and are friends with atheists — FFRF sends “awed thanks” to pro- ity (rather than a god), embracing KTXL that the billboards were “pro- but don’t realize it,” Gaylor added. fessional photographer Matt Martin, healthy skepticism, promoting science paganda.” One local imam called the It’s also a chance for freethinkers to who volunteered his services, and is and living, loving, being moral and do- affirmative messages an “attack” on his openly express themselves. In Decem- pictured on a board with his wife, Kim- ing good without god. As Sacramento faith. ber, Gaylor noted, the views of non- berley, who is also an atheist. Their teacher Liz Shoemaker, put it, “I be- “We’re proud of our Sacramento Christians, especially nonbelievers, are message: “Integrity and compassion lieve in people, not gods.” chapter and its comfident member- often suppressed. “Those of us who are require no gods.” Other messages are simply plain- ship,” said FFRF Co-President Annie free from religion, who work to keep FFRF also warmly thanks Judy spoken: “Reasonable faith is a contra- Laurie Gaylor. “We had to lease more dogma out of government, science, Saint for superb coordination and en- diction in terms,” says aerospace engi- boards from a second outdoor com- medicine and education, have a lot to ergy, and all participants for making neer Bryson Sullivan. pany just to keep up with the demand.” offer society.” freethought history! Some turn religious testimonials on Sacramento is the sixth city to which FFRF, with nearly 20,000 members, Page 12 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin December 2013 December 2013 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 13 Page 14 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin December 2013

FFRF’s Barker debates bible school dean

By Gary Whittenberger among five options: “definitely yes, probably yes, can’t decide, probably no, and definitely no.” The definition of “God” used in the A question long discussed survey was one commonly held among around campfires, in caves, dorm halls, believers in the “Abrahamic faiths” and churches, classrooms, coffee shops and one which the debaters had agreed various other settings throughout his- to use prior to the debate. “God” was tory is “does God exist?” And so it was defined as “a being, intelligent agent, on Sept. 10 at the Challenger Learning or person who is all-knowing, all-pow- Florida freethought Center in downtown Tallahassee, Fla. erful, and perfectly good, who created From left at the Tallahassee debate were Gary Whittenberger, Dan Barker, Arguing for the affirmative position the cosmos and is the supreme moral Bryan O’Neal, Mark Hohmeister and a representative of Ratio Christi. was Bryan O’Neal, professor of theol- authority.” ogy and dean of faculty at the Moody Audience members were also asked thought it was a tie. invited to be debate co-sponsors, two Bible Institute in Chicago. Taking the near the conclusion “Who won the de- The most surprising result came declined and three never responded. negative position was Dan Barker, an bate?” from the theists, among which 37.9% Of approximately seven other religious evangelist turned atheist and co-pres- Before the debate, 21.3% of those thought O’Neal won, 31% thought groups invited to be co-sponsors, only ident of the Freedom from Religion who completed the survey answered Barker won and 24.1% thought it was one (Ratio Christi) agreed to support Foundation in Madison, Wis. Debate they were theists or believers in God, a tie. Almost as many believers per- O’Neal and the debate’s goals. moderator was Mark Hohmeister, as- 5.1% said they were agnostics or un- ceived Barker as the winner as thought This general lack of support seems sociate editor of the Tallahassee Demo- decided, and 71.3% identified as athe- O’Neal won. inconsistent with a well-known bible crat. ists or nonbelievers. Overall, 11.8% For those who changed their belief verse (1 Peter 3:15): “But sanctify The event was hosted by the Center thought O’Neal won the debate, 69.9% about the existence of God, changes Christ as Lord in your hearts, always for Inquiry-Tallahassee. Co-sponsors thought Barker won and 11% thought were in small increments, as might being ready to make a defense to ev- included Ratio Christi, Freethink- it was a tie. Given the composition of be expected in a 150-minute debate. eryone who asks you to give an account ers’ Forum, the Unitarian Universal- the audience, this result was not too Twenty of 24 (83.3%) who changed for the hope that is in you, yet with ist Church of Tallahassee, Tallahassee surprising. their minds did so by only one lev- gentleness and reverence.” Atheists, First Coast Freethought Soci- el. For example, the most common These survey results are consistent ety, Humanists of Florida Association, Minds were changed change to “Does God exist?” was from with a general U.S. trend toward secu- Joan Patterson, Neil Mooney and Rich- “probably no” to “definitely no.” larization. On religious issues, most ard and Elaine Hull. Although most people (82.4%) One surprising and rather disap- people are not changing their minds For more than two hours, the debat- didn’t change their opinions about the pointing fact was that before the de- but some are, and among those who ers vigorously defended their positions existence of God from before the de- bate, the religious community of Talla- are, most are becoming less religious. before an audience of 175 and after- bate to afterward, 24 persons (17.6%) hassee did not come forward to support ward answered audience questions and did. Of these individuals who had a O’Neal even though he is an articulate FFRF member Gary Whittenberger is a engaged in informal discussions and change of mind, 16 (66.7%) changed apologist and a Presbyterian. Of five lo- retired psychologist and current secretary of book signings. in the direction of diminished belief cal Presbyterian churches which were the Center for Inquiry–Tallahassee. Seventy-eight percent of the audi- in God, four (16.7%) changed in the ence completed an opinion survey con- direction of increased belief, and for sisting of one question posed before four others (16.7%), the direction of the debate and two questions posed change was ambiguous. after the debate. They were asked to For those who began the debate answer the question “Does God ex- as atheists, 3.1% thought O’Neal ist?” (pre- and post-debate), choosing won, 84.5% thought Barker and 8.2% thought it was a tie. For the agnostics (who marked “can’t decide”), 14.3% fa- vored O’Neal, 57.1% fa- vored Barker and none

Meeting up in Jacksonville were Mark Renwick, Dan Barker, Carrie Renwick and Earl Coggins. Carrie and Earl are vice president and president, respectively, of the First Coast Freethought Society. Marci Whittenberger, Dan and Gary Whittenberger.

Warren Brackman (left) took photos and with his partner Marilyn drove Dan to Dan with Nathaniel Hall and Charleen (Charlie) Rose Case. and from Jacksonville. December 2013 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 15

State/Church Bulletin

Religious music flap meeting. The funds will come from the Community Preservation Act, brings hate mail The town opposed the injunction, Kathleen Williams, superinten- claiming the practice is common state- dent of the Wausau School District in wide: “The Massachusetts Historical Wisconsin, was subjected to a spate Commission has funded at least 12 re- of threatening, mostly anonymous, habilitation and restoration projects of phone calls and emails after the district historic churches since 2002.” limited the amount of religious music that holiday programs could have. Some were full of invective and ob- Religious ‘Friends’ back scenities, Williams told the Daily Her- discrimination ald. One person called her at home and said she had a lot of trees in her Oregon gay marriage opponents Marquee Madness yard and “wouldn’t I [Williams] look announced Nov. 21 they’ve filed a pro- good hanging from one.” posed ballot measure to let businesses Frank Gordon, Pennsylvania, points while thinking of Abraham Lincoln saying, Williams added, “The classic irony refuse to provide services at gay cer- “How many legs does a dog have if you call the tail a leg? Four. Calling a tail a to me, is that all this ugly email, hoping emonies that violate owners’ religious leg doesn't make it a leg.” I’m hurt, all is in the name of Christ.” beliefs. A motion at the Nov. 11 school “We are deeply concerned that even board meeting to require Williams to Oregon elected officials are becom- The United Coalition of Reason Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma is write a letter of apology to the commu- ing hostile toward religious freedom,” filed a lawsuit Nov. 26 against the Port suing to get it removed. nity failed 7-2. Teresa Harke of Friends of Religious Authority of Allegheny County, Pa., for Brady Henderson, ACLU-Oklaho- She said the intent of the music Freedom told The Oregonian. Harke initially accepting and then refusing ma legal director, said the best solution review procedure was not to quash is also communications director for to run $5,700 worth of bus ads in the would be to ban all religious displays. Christmas but to ensure all students the Oregon Family Council, a group Pittsburgh area that would have said, “But if the Ten Commandments, with felt comfortable in participating in mu- opposing the proposed initiative to le- “Don’t believe in God? You are not its overtly Christian message, is allowed sic programs, whether they are Chris- galize same-sex marriage. alone.” The ads were scheduled to run to stay at the Capitol, the Satanic Tem- tian or not. Jeana Frazzini, executive director from Dec. 12, 2011, to Jan. 11, 2012. ple’s proposed monument cannot be FFRF Staff Attorney Patrick Elliott of Basic Rights Oregon, said in a state- “We tried to support the Port Au- rejected because of its different reli- sent a letter Oct. 10 to explain to the ment that “while we are all entitled thority by buying ads,” said Nicole Cur- gious viewpoint.” board why religious music in public to our religious beliefs, those beliefs rivan of Pittsburgh CoR. “I take the bus schools is problematic. FFRF also sent don’t entitle any of us to discriminate to work every day in my personal effort an action alert urging area members to against others, or disobey laws that are to support them. But we also want to be Cake OK for dog tell the board that the music curricu- already in place to ensure that every- treated with the same fairness, dignity marriage, not gays lum shouldn’t make religion its pri- one is treated equally.” and respect as other groups. We just mary focus. Rachel Cryer and Laurel Bowman want the Port Authority to run our ads. Judge Robert Spencer of the Colo- of Portland filed a complaint with the We want nonbelievers to know they’re rado Office of Administrative Courts labor commissioner in August against not alone.” ruled Dec. 6 that Masterpiece Cake- Mass. taxes paying for Sweet Cakes by Melissa. Bakery own- shop in Lakewood unlawfully dis- church rehabs ers Aaron and Melissa Klein have said criminated against David Mullins and they don’t want to provide services for Judge won’t block Charlie Craig by refusing to sell them a Ten residents of Oak Bluffs, Mass., same-sex weddings because of their re- church graduations wedding cake. suing to block the town from using tax- ligious beliefs. Masterpiece owner Jack Phillips al- payer money to restore stained glass In November, Hawaii and Illinois U.S. District Judge Ross Anderson legedly told the couple that selling windows at Trinity Methodist Church, became the 15th and 16th states to le- Jr. denied a motion Dec. 3 for a pre- them a cake would be against his reli- were thwarted by Superior Court Asso- galize same-sex marriages. Twenty-nine liminary injunction to block Greenville gious beliefs. ciate Justice Richard Moses. states still have constitutional amend- County schools in South Carolina from The American Civil Liberties Union Moses ruled against the motion for ments banning them, and ballot chal- holding events in places of worship and of Colorado said the decision noted a preliminary injunction, saying “there lenges for 2014 and 2016 are being allowing student-led prayer. Anderson evidence that Phillips was willing to has been an insufficient showing of a readied in Oregon, Arizona, Colorado, said the American Humanist Associa- take a cake order for the “marriage” of likelihood of success on the merits.” Michigan, Nevada and Ohio. tion’s allegations made “a mountain two dogs but not for the commitment Notice of the decision was mailed Nov. out of a mole hill.” ceremony of two women, and that he 25, reported the [Martha’s] Vineyard According to the Greenville News, would not make a cake for a same-sex Gazette. UCoR sues Pittsburgh the judge also told an AHA attorney couple’s wedding celebration “just as Oak Bluffs voters approved the for ad rejection that “with all due respect and apolo- he would not be willing to make a pe- $32,000 outlay at the April 2013 town gies,” he’d never heard of the Wash- dophile cake.” ington, D.C.-based nonprofit founded Sara Neel, ACLU staff attorney, said, in 1941. “Masterpiece Cakeshop has willfully The suit was filed Sept. 4 on behalf and repeatedly considered itself above of John and Jane Doe and their minor the law when it comes to discriminat- Overheard child after Mountain View Elementary ing against customers, and the state in Taylors held graduation in the cha- has rightly determined otherwise,” pel of North Greenville University, a Christian school. Two student speakers Religious assemblies were asked to write a prayer for the cer- stopped in Miss. emony, according to the suit. The American Humanist Associa- tion and the Rankin County [Miss.] Will Satanists get School District have settled a lawsuit Capitol monument? filed in April over allegations that high school students were forced to attend The New York-based Satanic Temple a religious assembly. In a court filing has asked state officials in Oklahoma Nov. 22 in U.S. District Court in Jack- to be allowed to submit designs for a son, the school district agreed to com- monument to honor “the historic/lit- ply with its Religion in Public Schools erary Satan” to be placed near the Ten Policy adopted in July. Commandments display at the Oklaho- The suit was brought on behalf of a ma City Capitol, The Associated Press 16-year-old Northwest Rankin junior. A reported Dec. 8. video provided to The Associated Press Temple spokesman Lucien Greaves purportedly of the assembly showed a said one design involves a pentagram student talking about the role Jesus has and another would be an interactive played in his life. The suit described as- All the bibles were labeled as fiction. It seemed bizarre to me. display for children. He estimated the sembly presenters as representatives Caleb Kaltenbach, Discovery Church pastor, after finding “$14.99 Fiction” stick- cost at about $20,000. of Pinelake Church, the largest South- ers on every bible at a Costco store in Simi Valley, Calif. [Costco later apolo- A privately funded, $10,000 Ten ern Baptist church in Mississippi. The gized.] Commandments marker was placed church denied taking part in the as- United Press International, 11-19-13 at the Capitol in 2012. The American sembly. Page 16 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin December 2013

Kansas City atheists’ sage with the people we serve that ‘God loves you, and you are not alone.’ It Newsnotes help not wanted seemed to us that this group probably The Kansas City Atheist Coalition would not want to deliver those meals.” Catholic bishops sued couver Sun. Pat O’Brien, a CFI Cana- was told by the Kansas City Rescue Mis- Atheist Coalition President Josh da board member, said CFI may file a sion that nonbelievers couldn’t help Hyde posted on the group’s website over care denial complaint with the British Columbia deliver Thanksgiving food to the poor that the mission told the coalition it The American Civil Liberties Union Human Rights Tribunal. and elderly. “would not be a good fit” for its chari- and the ACLU of Michigan have filed a In October, LifeSiteNews.com re- “We are an unapologetically Chris- table work. lawsuit against the U.S. Conference of ported that Pattison designed a bill- tian organization, and we always have Larocco confirmed that each meal Catholic Bishops on behalf of Tamesha board called “Signs for Life.” The ad been,” said Julie Larocco, develop- and food box contained a religious Means, a pregnant woman who miscar- showed the head of a fetus and the ment officer. Larocco told the Kansas message. ried and was denied appropriate care words “Abortion: Aren’t we forgetting City Star, “We want to share the mes- by a Mercy Health Partners hospital in someone?” Muskegon. “If they don’t like controversial ads,” According to a Dec. 2 ACLU press O’Brien said, “they certainly ran anti- release, Means rushed to Mercy Health abortion ads in Halifax.” Sharing the Crankmail when her water broke after 18 weeks of Pattison is the third-largest privately pregnancy. “Based on the bishops’ re- held company in Canada. According ligious directives, the hospital sent her to Funding Universe, comedian Bob home twice even though Tamesha was Hope once called British Columbia a in excruciating pain; there was virtually suburb of Jim Pattison [who gives mil- no chance that her pregnancy could lions of dollars to Christian schools survive, and continuing the pregnancy and other Christian entities]. posed significant risks to her health. “When Tamesha returned to the hospital a third time in extreme dis- Christian student body tress and with an infection, the hospi- head is atheist tal once again prepared to send her home. While staff prepared her dis- Eric Fromm, student body president charge paperwork, she began to de- at Northwest Christian University in liver. Only then did the hospital begin Eugene, Ore., “came out” as an athe- tending to Tamesha’s miscarriage.” ist in an article in the school’s online The directives prohibit “pre-viabili- newspaper, said a Nov. 7 story in the A sampling of the voluminous crank mail re- Upon reflection: I was going to contribute to cently received by FFRF, printed in all its gram- your group, but after rationally thinking about ty” pregnancy termination, even when Eugene Register-Guard. “I don’t have matical glory: it, I don’t believe you actually exist. I’ll put the there’s little or no chance that the fe- to hide anymore,” said Fromm, 21. “I checkbook away. — Yes Abs tus will survive, and the life or health of know that people accept me for who I You say there is no afterlife: One day when a pregnant woman is at risk. am.” you stand before Jesus himself and look into his Hoover High School church graduation: all knowing eyes ready to be judged and cast Some anonymous person complained about In the Beacon Bolt story, commu- into hell-fire you will know then that there is af- this ceremony? I find that hard to believe. If the nications major Fromm, baptized Lu- terlife. But also if you die before that and the person truly complained, they should come out City turns down theran and raised Methodist, wrote, instand you die you will drop into the pits of hell- from behind the coward’s cloak of anonymity “I couldn’t force myself to believe in fire itseld instantly. You should talk to a doctor and face the people of North Canton’s Class of atheists’ $3K check that while resusitating a dieing man he heard 2014. The ceremony has now been relocated to God.” the man as he regained conscienceness began an inferior facility that is a dinosaur in a terrible Friendly Atheist blogger Hemant Student reaction has been mixed, to scream “I’m in hell pull me out” and begged section of downtown Canton. Because of your Mehta’s charitable check for $3,000 was he said. Some peers have stopped talk- the Dr. to not let him die. That doctor was an organization, my son’s 89 year old grandmother, returned, not for insufficient funds, ing to him, others have ridiculed him, atheist until then, but he became a believer af- who is oxygen dependent and in a wheelchair, ter seeing the fear in that man’s face shaking will not attend his graduation as she considers but because of political cowardice that but a surprising number have been horibly. — Homer Bentley, Texas it too much of a burden on us to get her back shows the divisiveness of religion. supportive. and forth and into the facility. Keep that in mind Mehta, 30, Naperville, Ill., a pub- Michael Fuller, NCU vice president Christmas/winter sulstice: Why aren;t you as you high five each other over this “victory”. lic school math teacher (and FFRF for enrollment and student develop- brave enough to attack other religions like Is- — Drew Gonyias, North Canton, OH lam, Satanism, Buddhism etc. Are you really member), sent the check to the Mor- ment, called Fromm “a man of very that gutless that you only pick on Christianity, religous freedom: You will never win. Our faith ton Grove Park District after a local high character and respect. He’s a the religion you know won’t attack you back. I in GOD as christians will ALWAYS trump your American Legion post dropped its great advocate for our student body, pity you as you must be miserable bastards. lack of it. Enjoy this short life...hell fires burn $2,600 annual subsidy because a park which is exactly what he’s supposed to — Gary Hooper, Kemp, Texas hot...you’re not against BB-Q right? — JoLynn Bolden board member refused to stand for be and do. Free thought: Your organization is setup al- the Pledge of Allegiance. In October, “If we all had our wishes, we wish most exactly like a church ie: your president/ Your wrong: I thought that I had seen it all in Commissioner Dan Ashta took a public Eric would be a strong Christian man,” copresident are your pastor and his wife, then this End Time generation, but now what I am stand against the pledge, saying no one Fuller added. “We’re an open and wel- your vice presidents are top deacons or elders, seeing from our Atheistic community is the worst then you have the rest of your deacons and by far. There has always been unbelievers, and should have to pledge allegiance to any come community, and we meet stu- staff that work at the church during the week be- as we get closer to the tribulation, the bible government, adding that people with dents exactly where they’re at.” tween services. Just thought you should know. predicts that this situation want get better but religious objections shouldn’t have to Fromm said he still attends chapel — Monroe Smith II, Bryan, Texas worse. However, in previous generation atheist feel isolated for not standing. meetings almost every week. “I use it understood that you can’t have democracy with Hypocrites: Some police officers decided they out Jesus and the bible, so they respected what In an email to Mehta, Park District as my own personal time, to gather my wanted to march against violence with some the religious community did for the world by giv- Executive Director Tracey Anderson thoughts.” people of faith. Your group ihreatened a law ing hope to the hopeless. A belief in God is what said the board “has no intention of suit against the police department? Who the helps a drunk, put down the bottle after 20 years becoming embroiled in a First Amend- f**k do you think you are? I’m not even a full of hard drinking, and helps a prostitute, give up Breyer’s cryptic remark blown christian. I was once an athiest, on my there life of selfish, pursuits to live a saintly life ment dispute.” way converting to Christianity. Take your threat- with Jesus. If life is so great without God why Ashta is a lawyer specializing in con- fuels speculation ened lawsuit and shove it up your ass. ­— RYAN not move to atheistic China, or Russia were stitutional law, according to the Chica- MCGAHA there a dictator telling you what to wear, and go Tribune. Mehta said his fundraising Is Supreme Court Justice Stephen how to wear it. — Jordan Wells, Indianapolis Hell: Have fun in HELL.....it is HOT....JESUS effort was in appreciation of Ashta’s Breyer a closet atheist? A comment SAVES YOU FROM THIS!!!!!! — John Thomp- You are all fuck heads: Go die! — Jesus Christ, stance. by Breyer, who is Jewish, during Nov. to, California [email protected], 1234 Fuck YOu “I know everyone who gave money 6 oral arguments in Town of Greece v. PL. 101 Suite Fuck YOu, Sacramento, CA wanted to help the Park District make Galloway, a government prayer case, fu- separation of church and state: Satan would be proud as you have followed every deceit ur assholes: u r ass==== and penis lickers. — up for that injustice that happened,” eled speculation he may be. possible. i mourn for your soul as i looked at bart simpson, 10 dick drive, irwin, pennsylvania he said. “Unfortunately, the Park Dis- Breyer’s remark came after Catholic the site. I am glad that you help people as this trict would rather lose money than Justice Antonin Scalia asked a lawyer is good, but other than that, it is scary. I pray to bill boards: How dare you push your commu- take the charity of atheists and their for the town, “What is the equivalent the only true God that you may return to truth nist ideals off on my children. Its your business if as you once knew or at least participated in. — you are atheists, but my business when you put supporters.” of prayer for somebody who is not re- Paul Somner up nasty dirty bill boards for my children to see. ligious?” The lawyer, Thomas Hungar, If your the children of the devil that is your busi- had trouble formulating an answer, ac- Pathetic: The name GOD or a cross or com- ness, but don’t try to push your nasty evil views Ad company refuses cording to the Huffington Post. mandments on a building needs to be removed on all of us. — sharon howard, madera, calif. because it offends you? Bunch of damn cry ba- skeptical billboards Breyer then appeared to suggest bies. Don’t look at it when you go by. Religion of- Check Your Selves: Check your selfs an tread that Scalia’s question may have been fends you but a strip club doesn’t or a xxx video lightly. i have names — [email protected] Billboard ads planned to be placed directed at him. “Perhaps he’s asking store doesn’t? So its ok for your children to look in Vancover by the Centre for Inquiry me that question and I can answer it at strip clubs or porn movie stores. Wow what God loving: i learned about your bogus bullshit great parents you are. I don’t see you suing any trying to look at some news you are not news Canada were rejected by the advertis- later,” Breyer said. satanic cults or these groups that sacrifice live you are not america maybe you you would be ing agency Pattison Outdoor. The ads The story said, “Nonbelievers have animals. ­— Paul Smith better off in russia,maybe iran i have no respect showed a woman and the words “Jenn responded with excitement to the pos- for you or your rights if you notice i did nt call you 13:1 Praying won’t help. Doing will. sibility that Breyer may not have a reli- To Dan Barker: We say Merry CHRISTmas at out you called us out get over it and go ahead our house and no it’s not a myth. It turns out and get out of our good country nazi trash like Without God. We’re all good.” gious faith at all.” that the winter solstice you reference is not on you have ruined america for all of us. — good Pattison Outdoor didn’t respond to Breyer’s daughter is an Episcopal Christmas Day, something you may or may not ol religious arky a request for comment from the Van- priest. know. — d w December 2013 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 17

FFRF, Gaylor, Barker win ‘parsonage exemption’ suit

Continued from front page In 1921, Congress passed a law al- FFRF and its plaintiffs have been found lowing ministers to exclude from gross to have preliminary standing in a chal- publishers from having to collect state income the rental value of housing, lenge to the IRS for failure to enforce sales taxes “unjustifiable awards of as- such as a parsonage, received as part church electioneering restrictions. sistance to religious organizations.” of compensation, saying it was for the FFRF has also been found to have “If a statute imposed a tax solely convenience of the employer. Since standing to pursue its challenge of an against ministers (or granted an ex- FFRF does not provide Gaylor and IRS provision which exempts church emption to everyone except ministers) Barker with a house, FFRF voluntarily denominations from an annual report- without a secular reason for doing so, dropped that portion of its challenge. ing requirement that applies to all oth- that law would violate the Constitution The far-ranging ruling makes inter- er 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations, just as §107(2) does,” Crabb reasoned. esting reading, even working in Robert essentially shielding them from public Ingersoll’s maxim, “With soap, baptism accountability. Other cases pending is a good thing” (included on FFRF’s Read the ruling: “Debaptism Certificate”). ffrf.org/legal/challenges/ongoing- Crabb dismissed as implausible the FFRF has three federal lawsuits lawsuits#id-12512 government’s bizarre argument that against the IRS for preferential treat- atheists Gaylor and Barker could “con- ment of religion versus irreligion. ceivably” qualify as “ministers of the gospel.” The government put forth that argument seeking to deny them standing and thus get the challenge Georgia chief pushing religion dismissed. Gaylor and Barker, as directors of an educational organization advocat- Police Chief Gary Jones in Harlem, sume that they will always be truthful. disseminate such sentiments, he must ing atheism and freethought, earned Ga., has apparently been using the Doing these very things just may save do so on his own Facebook page. “He standing because they have not been Department of Public Resources Face- the life of your child. Fathers you are cannot use the machinery of the gov- entitled to claim the housing allow- book page not only to proselytize but the head of the home and God will ernment, or even his own title, to push ance FFRF designates for them, while to promote his church and even the hold you accountable.” people to live in accordance with his any “minister of the gospel” may do so corporal punishment of children in In another post, Jones said, “I am religion or go to church.” for promoting religion. the name of Jesus. certainly not trying to turn this into a Jones wasn’t apologetic about ad- Crabb’s decision noted that Trea- FFRF Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel so-called religious site. However since vertising the church he attends. “I sury Secretary Donald Regan wrote a sent a letter on Nov. 21 to David Sward, my last posting about 30 minutes ago, will continue to post and most of the 1984 memorandum advising repeal director of the Harlem Department of my wife called and said our 5 year old people in Harlem are of Christian be- of §107 because there “is no evidence Public Safety, about Jones’ egregious daughter was eating breakfast this lief and I’ve gotten a lot more support that the financial circumstances of conduct. morning and plainly told her mother than the people that don’t support it.” ministers justify special tax treatment.” Jones’ Facebook posts include re- that she wanted to accept Jesus as her “The solution is simple,” wrote Se- Ministerial compensation may be low marks such as, “No, it is not reason- Savior and ask him into her heart. Her idel. “Jones must stop using a govern- compared to other professions, but able to strike a child with a bat or some mother prayed with her and afterwards ment office to promote his personal “not compared to taxpayers in gen- other object, but you can use a belt and she said this means I am going to heav- religion.” eral.” The recommendation was with- strike their rear-ends. Parents be nosy, en now.” FFRF has about 380 Georgia mem- drawn after clergy protests. check behind your kids and never as- Seidel’s letter said if Jones wishes to bers. Clerical press indignant Crabb ruling ‘sends shockwaves through religious community’

What would taxpayers save if FFRF and blogger, told Forbes, “No reason- taxes or require pastors to dig deep hold.” ultimately wins its challenge of the par- able, thinking Southern Baptist minis- to see if they are able to absorb these The Rabbinical Assembly: “[Disal- sonage exemption and the housing ter can avoid one conclusion in all of taxes.” lowing the exemption would put many allowance tax benefit for ministers is this: The manner in which our housing Southern Baptist Convention: “The rabbis] at risk of losing their homes,” abolished? allowance has been used borders on clergy housing allowance isn’t a gov- said Rabbi Julie Schonfeld, executive The congressional Joint Committee clergy malpractice. A growing subset of ernment establishment of religion, vice president of the international on Taxation reports that the exemp- ministers who are very highly paid and but just the reverse,” claimed Russell group of Conservative rabbis. “Owing tion amounts to $700 million a year in who live in multimillion dollar man- Moore, president of the SBC’s Ethics to dramatic increases in housing costs lost revenue. The committee doesn’t sions are able to exclude hundreds of & Religious Liberty Commission. “The across America, many of our syna- break down in-kind housing, provid- thousands of dollars from income taxa- allowance is neutral to all religions. gogues are located in areas where the ed for in §107(1), which the decision tion. Without it, clergy in small congrega- cost of a home in walking distance of doesn’t affect, and §107(2), which the “Do we really think it fair to shift tax- tions of all sorts would be penalized the synagogue is out of reach of any decision declared unconstitutional. es from wealthy clergy living in man- and harmed.” rabbis’ salary or the synagogues’ re- “Church-owned parsonages have sions to the less highly compensated? GuideStone Financial Resources: sources to pay them. Homes were pur- gone out of favor in the last several de- Surely not. Add to that the practice of GFS, a financial division of the South- chased taking into account the exemp- cades, so I would put a fair estimate of churches ordaining ministry associates ern Baptist Convention, called the tion to make the budget work.” the effect of this decision at about half in administrative or peripheral church housing allowance “the most impor- Religious Action Center of Reform a billion per year,” said Forbes contrib- jobs solely so that they can be qualified tant tax benefit available to ministers.” Judaism: “[The Reform movement is] utor Peter J. Reilly. for the housing allowance.” President O.S. Hawkins said Guide- confident in the end that we will be Religious News Service calculated Stone would join a legal brief support- able to protect the financial well-being it could reduce the take-home pay of Sampling of reaction ing the allowance when the case is ap- of our clergy and our synagogues,” said some pastors by up to 10%. RNS er- pealed. Rabbi David Saperstein, director. roneously reported only 44,000 clergy FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie “This decision, while not unantici- Jewish Federations of North Amer- would be affected. Christianity To- said, “The reaction of the religious pated, is sadly symptomatic of our cul- ica: “The parsonage allowance has a day found that 84% of senior pastors press to our court victory reveals how ture today,” Hawkins said. “We count it long-standing history in the United get a housing allowance of $20,000 to deeply the idea of clergy prerogative a privilege to be an advocate for those States, as a demonstration of the great $38,000 in added (but not reported) and privilege runs. They truly believe who have given their lives to ministry, importance our nation places on the compensation to their average base sal- clergy should not have to pay their fair and we will not forsake our mission to role of clergy in American civil life,” ary. The base salary of a full-time senior share of taxes.” undergird those who so faithfully serve said William Daroff, the group’s chief pastor in 2012-13 ranges from $33,000 Evangelical Council for Financial our churches and ministries.” Washington lobbyist. to $70,000, according to Christianity Accountability: The decision is “send- Family Research Council: “We have “Congress quickly and virtually Today. ing shockwaves through the religious seen many courts over the years at- unanimously came to the defense of ABC-TV reporter Stuart Watson has community. tempt to banish God in various ways the parsonage allowance when it was been investigating the impact of the “This ruling in effect would force from the public square, but this case in subject to attack over a decade ago, parish exemption on megachurch pas- clergy of nearly every religion across particular reveals a level of supreme ar- and we are certain that it would, with tors such as Steve Furtick, a Charlotte, America to pay additional taxes, re- rogance,” said President Tony Perkins our support, again protect this provi- N.C., pastor who’s building a $1.6 mil- gardless of faith or creed. This will ei- in a statement. “Once again, Judge sion that has been part of the fabric of lion residence. ther force congregations to increase Crabb has neglected to consult the our tax law and civil society for almost William Thornton, a Georgia pastor clergy compensation to offset these Constitution that she has sworn to up- 100 years,” Page 18 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin December 2013

Black Collar Crime Blotter A lawsuit al- Compiled by Bill Dunn leges Smith was drunk several times Arrested / Charged at services, includ- Wiley G. Leverett, 53, Centerville, GA: Ag- ing at youth camp. gravated sexual battery, 3 counts of child moles- The suit claims he tation and 4 counts of sexual battery. Leverett told a church staffer is pastor of Solid Rock Community Church and to transfer a “sig- owns Leverett’s Auto Sales in Warner Robins. nificant amount of Sheriff’s Capt. Randall Banks said 4 alleged funds from one of victims, as young as 8, have been identified. All TCAP’s bank ac- are girls. Source: macon.com, 12-4-13 counts” after he Jules Derosier, 56, Pembroke Pines, FL: and his wife Kim, Grand theft for allegedly stealing 11 checks the church admin- totaling $2,690 and depositing them in his per- istrator, were fired. sonal bank account. Bank surveillance video Source: NBC Co- showed Derosier, who is pastor of New Life As- lumbus, 11-4-13 sembly of God, depositing at least 10 of the 11 Bradley S. Bie- checks that were written to the church. Source: ganski, 57, Pine- Sun Sentinel, 12-3-13 dale, AZ: Indicted Jonathan D. Masteller, 23, Kinzers, PA: on sexual moles- 4 counts of involuntary deviate sexual inter- tation charges in- course, 3 counts of indecent assault, 2 counts volving 2 alleged of sexual abuse of children and 1 count each victims. He oper- of aggravated indecent assault, corruption of ates Kingdom Flight minors and unlawful contact. Masteller, a youth the 1990s that he’d pleaded guilty to child sex- books. Ranch, a Christian pastor at Community Gap Church and a junior ual abuse in 1988 in Baltimore. He was ordered A public corruption unit has been investi- foster home for Native American children. high boys basketball coach, is accused of re- to pay a 15-year-old female victim $500,000 in gating Metzger for several months. Police also A sheriff’s report said 2 girls of elementary- peated sexual assault of a 13-year-old boy. damages in a civil suit. suspect he tried to suborn witnesses. Source: school age reported Bieganski touched their pri- He allegedly had sexual contact with the Markey, who represented the girl, said he Haaretz, 11-18-13 vate areas while they were bathing and alleged teen at least 6 times since September. Source: gave conviction information to the seminary Ronald Lauber, 55, North Platte, NE: Ob- he’d done the same to others. Six Apache girls lancasteronline.com, 12-3-13 “solely to let them know that they are teaching a structing a police officer. Lauber, senior pastor living at the ranch were removed by social ser- Florencio Garces, 70, Borja, Spain: Sus- rapist — that they are going to make a rapist a at Harvest Christian Fellowship, was cited while vices. picion of misappropriating funds, money laun- minister. I never heard back from them.” Source: being ticketed for violating an animal-at-large “We believe in demonstrating Christ’s love dering and sexual abuse. Garces, pastor at the Huffington Post, 11-23-13 ordinance for allegedly letting a dog run free. through our actions by meeting physical needs Catholic parish of Santuario de la Misericordia, Gary Adkins, 52, Lenore, W.VA: 2 counts According to a news report, “Lauber insisted and by building long-term relationships,” says is suspected of embezzling $310,000 of church of 3rd-degree sexual assault and sexual abuse that the officer take him to jail and, at one point, the facility’s website. Source: USA Today, 11- funds. The scheme allegedly involved 5 oth- by a person in a position of trust of a child. Ad- turned around and placed his hands behind his 1-13 ers. Details of sexual abuse allegations weren’t kins, former pastor and youth leader at Parsley back to be handcuffed. As the officer attempted made public. Source: Digital Journal, 12-3-13 Bottom Freewill Baptist Church, is accused of to reason with Lauber, he stated that he was not Pleaded / Convicted Frank G. Klep, 70, Sunbury, VIC: Pleaded Roy D. Harriger Sr., 70, Johnson Creek, molesting his 7-year-old niece in 2012. going to cooperate and began to walk toward guilty to rape, attempted buggery and 12 counts NY: 2 counts each of incest and 1st-degree The child alleged that Adkins made her “play his residence. When the officer ordered Lauber of indecent assault. The former Catholic priest course of sexual conduct against a child and 4 with his belly button” and touch his genitals in- to stop, he continued walking. As a result, the admitted molesting 14 students while he was counts of first-degree sodomy. Harriger, pastor side his pants. officer placed Lauber under arrest for obstruc- principal at Salesian College Rupertswood in at Community Fellowship Church, is accused of The girl’s mother told police her daughter tion of justice.” Source: The Telegraph, 11-16-13 the 1970s and ’80s. alleged crimes in 2000-01 when he was pastor asked repeatedly if she was “nasty on the inside Andrew Hamblin, 22, LaFollette, TN: Pos- Klep was ordained in 1972 and defrocked in of Ashwood Wesleyan Church in Lyndonville. and out” and asked God to forgive all her sins. session of class I wildlife (wildlife inherently 2006. He was convicted in 1994 of indecently State Police Lt. Kurt Schmitt said the alleged Another family member, now 28 and living in dangerous to humans). Hamblin, pastor of the assaulting 2 victims and pleaded guilty in 2005 victims, a male and a female, were between 7 Indiana, later made similar allegations. Source: 60-member Tabernacle Church of God, was to 14 counts of indecently assaulting boys. and 9 years old at the time. Schmitt said the Floyd County Times, 11-23-13 cited for having 53 venomous snakes that he Source: AAP, 12-2-13 number of alleged victims dating back to 1974 Mark Huberty, 43, Maplewood, MN: 4th- “handles” during church services. Chris A. Phillips, 51, Mechanicsville, VA: is “approaching 10.” Source: Buffalo News, 11- degree criminal sexual misconduct. Huberty “That is my God-given right in the United Pleaded guilty to theft. He was accused of em- 27-13 has resigned as pastor at Church of the Presen- States; if God moves on me to take up a ser- bezzling $87,000 from Advent Christian Church, Jeremy Grinnell, 40, Grand Rapids, MI: 2 tation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the wake pent, I can take up a serpent,” Hamblin said to where he was youth pastor, to pay off a woman felony counts of surveilling an unclothed person. of allegations by a married woman “under his a crowd on the courthouse steps before arraign- who was blackmailing him. The woman, who Grinnell, an assistant professor of systematic spiritual care” they had sex for in her home, at ment. He has appeared on the National Geo- advertised her services online, threatened to theology at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary the church and in Huberty’s car. graphic reality show “Snake Salvation.” Source: make public the photos of them having sex, and pastor at Bella Vista Church, is accused Huberty met with the woman in 2008 for WBIR, 11-16-13 prosecutor Angela O’Connor said. Source: of using a ladder to look through a 37-year-old counseling after the death of a family member. Avery Hanna, Augusta, GA: Theft. Hanna, Times-Dispatch, 11-25-13 woman’s bedroom window to watch her having An affidavit said he set up rules to allow touch- assistant pastor at St. Mary on the Hill Catholic John M. Altizer, 55, Roanoke, VA: Guilty by sex with her male partner. ing above the waist and with clothes on, but lat- Church, is accused of stealing about $1,700 in jury of 2nd-degree murder. Altizer, an ordained Kent County Undersheriff Jon Hess said the er the rules changed and he would take off his petty cash, candle money, tithes and poor box minister who counsels inmates between stints partner saw Grinnell, who then allegedly took pants so she could touch his genitals. Huberty money from the church office. Hanna, a native of over-the-road trucking, was convicted of the off. He came back the next night and was con- allegedly told her sex like that was only a venial Bahamaian who was just ordained in June, is on shooting death of his stepson, Gabriel F. Go- fronted by the partner. Hess said Grinnell told sin. Source: Star-Tribune, 11-21-13 administrative leave. Source: WJBF, 11-11-13 mez, 31. officers he came to the residence to pray for the David A. Neese, 57, Sheboygan, WI: Felo- Yoram Abergel, Netivot, Israel: Extortion When he learned his wife Delia was letting woman. Source: WOOD-TV, 11-27-13 ny theft. Neese, an elder at First Presbyterian and vote tampering. Abergel, a senior ultra-Or- Gomez to stay at their house while he was out of Larry Clark, 61, Buena Vista, VA: 6 counts Church, is charged with stealing 4 cases of thodox rabbi who heads a Talmud studies net- town, tensions flared, all caught on tape: “I will of taking indecent liberties with a child and 2 handbells valued at $10,500 from the church work with thousands of students, was arrested snap his friggin’ neck, watch him hit the ground counts of endangering the morals of a minor. and pawning them. A California man told church while boarding a plane to China. and piss on his sorry ass,” the pastor shouted Clark, pastor for 12 years at Pentecostal Out- officials that bells he bought on eBay had labels He allegedly conspired with reputed mobster on the recording played in court. Source: Roa- reach Church, is accused of molesting several with the church’s name on them. Source: She- Shalom Domrani to threaten Yaakov Ifegan and noke Times, 11-20-13 teen boys in 2011-12. boygan Press, 11-21-13 other rabbis who supported a mayoral chal- Eric Dejaeger, 66, pleaded guilty to 8 Clark was convicted of embezzlement in Dylan Mays, 43, Bardstown, KY: Theft lenger of the incumbent. Source: failedmessiah. counts of sexual assault against young Inuit 1982 and larceny in 1983. Source: WSLS, 11- by unlawful taking. Mays is accused of using com, 11-10-13 students while he served as a Catholic Oblate 26-13 church credit cards to buy numerous firearms, Larry Clark, 61, Buena Vista, VA: Acting Order priest between 1978-82 in the Canadian Ronald Lawrence, 76, McAlester, OK: 19 firearm accessories, ammunition, tools and with cruelty and causing injuries to children and Arctic hamlet of Igloolik. He is being tried on 68 counts of sexual abuse. A woman now in her electronics, including iPhones and computers, 2 counts of knowingly and intentionally taking other abuse counts. 40s accused Lawrence, an elder at Kingdom from 2009-13. Source: WAVE, 11-20-13 indecent liberties with a child under the age of Dejaeger was supposed to be tried in 1995 Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, of raping her in his Yakov Y. Roth, Monsey, NY: Visa fraud. 18 with lascivious intent. Clark, pastor at Pente- but he returned to his native Belgium. In 1995, bathtub when she was 8. Roth, a Hasidic rabbi, allegdly lied on his appli- costal Outreach Church, is accused of molest- he’d just finished a 5-year sentence, most of it Two other accusers, also in their 40s, have cation in August that he’d never been arrested ing 2 male minors in his home in 2011. Source: served in a halfway house and on probation, for come forward with similar allegations. Lawrence or convicted or a crime. News-Gazette, 11-10-13 sexual assaults of children. He lived in Oblate told police he has been “disfellowshipped” from But he’d actually just finished serving a 16- Alex E. Thompson, Crestview, FL: Child communities before being extradited in 2011. the the church due to the allegations. Source: year sentence in 2013 on a 1997 conviction in neglect without great bodily harm. Thompson is A girl testified how, when she was between KJRH, 11-26-13 Tel Aviv for raping a child relative, the complaint pastor at Harvest Vineyard Ministries, where of- ages 5 and 9, Dejaeger repeatedly assaulted Andrea Lewis, 54, Shreveport, LA: 3 counts said. Source: NY Post, 11-20-13 ficers found nearly 80 people, including convict- her in a church building. “I was crying. I didn’t of transportation of a minor with intent to engage Scott Gilliam, 42, Olive Hill, KY: Conspir- ed felons and sex offenders, living with children, know how to stop him. He was really strong. I in illegal sexual activity. Lewis, pastor of Act on acy to distribute oxycodone and possession of said Crestview Police Chief Tony Taylor. was trying to think of any way I could to make Faith Ministries, allegedly took 3 girls under age oxycodone with intention to distribute. Gilliam, Police have heard allegations of food stamp him stop.” 18 to Texas and had sex with them between pastor of Holiness Tabernacle Church, was ar- misuse and residents living in servitude, Taylor She said she got him to stop by defecating, January 1994 and December 2000. rested with Brandon Logan, 28, who faces simi- said, adding that further charges may be pend- after which he took her to a river that was mostly Lewis also directs the church choir. The girls lar charges. ing. Source: News Bulletin, 11-7-13 frozen and left her alone. were allegedly molested on choir trips. Source: More than $1 million in currency and as- Brian M. Norris, 29, Chesapeake, VA: 4 Authorities also confirmed they have an WAFB, 11-25-13 sets were recovered. “Tens of thousands of pills counts of indecent liberties by a custodian. arrest warrant out for Oblate priest Joannis Ray S. Teets, 66, Springhill Township, PA: were being shipped through this organization,” a Norris, for 6 years a youth minister at Western Rivoire, who served in the Rankin Inlet area Indecent assault, unlawful restraint, interference police spokesperson said. Source: Ledger Inde- Branch Baptist Church, allegedly had inappro- between 1968-70. He then left Canada for Avi- with custody of children, corruption of minors, pendent, 11-17-13 priate relations with minors. It’s believed there gnon, France. Source: Toronto Star, 11-18-13 unlawful contact with a minor, concealing the Yona Metzger, 60, Jerusalem: Bribery, are 2 victims. Stephen Shield, 53, Lancaster, UK: Guilty whereabouts of a child, child luring, stalking money laundering, obstructing an investiga- Head Pastor Walter Black said Norris has by jury of 3 counts of indecent assault. Shield, and criminal trespass. Teets, pastor at Fallen tion and fraud. Metzger, former Ashkenazi chief been placed on administrative leave. Source: dean at Lancaster Catholic Cathedral, was ac- Timbers Community Chapel, is charged with rabbi of Israel, allegedly accepted bribes of WAVY, 11-6-13 cused of sexually assaulting a male in the pres- molesting an 11-year-old girl who attended the money and goods from heads of various non- Bennett Smith, 49, Columbus, OH: Menac- bytery at English Martyrs Church between 1985 church. profit groups while he was chief rabbi. Millions ing and telecommunications harassment. Smith, and 1992 when the victim was between the The girl alleged to police that Teets took her of shekels allegedly changed hands. former senior pastor at The Church at Polaris, ages of 18 and 24. in a shed behind her home and touched her Police said Metzger stashed about $200,000 had a congregation member file for a protection The victim told the court he felt sickened that genitals and put her hand inside his pants. with his sister in Haifa. A search of his home al- order against him. The church, which fired him Shield celebrated Mass within hours of abusing Attorney Stephen Markey III said he notified legedly turned up $11,300 hidden in various in August, also wants a restraining order. the Kentucky Baptist seminary Teets attended in him. He said he feared he wouldn’t be believed December 2013 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 19

if he complained because Shield had trained at congregation member. Source: WPSD, 11-13- A federal jury in Delaware awarded $2.4 mil- Alleged victims of sexual abuse held a press a prestigious seminary in Rome. Source: Eve- 13 lion to Brian Elliott, 44, Cedar Knolls, NJ, after conference to condemn the Catholic Diocese ning Post, 11-15-13 Dale Richardson, 49, Summerville, SC: 20 finding that Damian Galligan, a Marist Catho- of Providence, RI, for failing to properly inves- Todd M. Edwards, 49, Murrieta, CA: Plead- years in prison for convictions of 3 counts each lic brother teaching in New York, molested him tigate 831 allegations over the past 20 years. ed guilty to sexual battery and sexual penetra- of kidnapping and 1st-degree criminal sexual from 1977-83, starting when Elliott was 8. Jeffrey Thomas of Massachusetts and Hel- tion with a foreign object. Edwards, bishop of conduct. Richardson, pastor of Freedom Free Galligan is 86 and lives in a Missouri retire- en McGonigle, a lawyer from Connecticut, al- the Menifee Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ Will Baptist Church, was accused of kidnap- ment facility. It’s believed he has no significant leged they were raped as children by Brendan of Latter-day Saints, was also charged with ping, binding and raping 3 women in separate assets to pay the award. Jurors also heard tes- Smyth, an Irish priest who was at Our Lady of dissuading a victim from reporting a crime, a incidents in 2010-11. timony from Peter Marghella, another alleged Mercy Church in East Greenwich from 1965-68. charge which is likely to be dropped in a plea Judge Maite Murphy told him at sentencing Galligan victim who’s the new director of the He died in prison in 1997 in Ireland. The vic- agreement. that while his victims, who were all prostitutes, New York State Office of Emergency Manage- tims want state and federal authorities to start Prosecutor Amy Barajas said the sexual put themselves in dangerous situations, they ment. Source: News Journal, 11-19-13 an in-depth investigation. Source: Providence penetration occurred in November 2006 and in- didn’t deserve to be kidnapped and forced to Journal, 11-21-13 volved a girl who was then 16. The next incident have sex at gunpoint. “You were the pastor of Legal Developments The Catholic Diocese of Marquette, MI, an- Gerald Howard, whose name was Carmine was in February 2012 when the victim was 18. a church. Rather than healing the people who nounced sexual abuse allegations have been Sita when he was a priest at St. Aloysius Catho- Mormon bishops are volunteer lay clergy, not most needed it, you took advantage of them in made against Bernard Van de Schueren, a lic Church in Jersey City, NJ, appears headed ordained. Source: Press-Enterprise, 11-13-13 the most horrible way.” Source: Post & Courier, Jesuit priest who died in 2009. Allegations stem for trial in Missouri on 2 counts of kidnapping David F. Dzermejko, 65, Braddock, PA: 11-13-13 from an incident with a boy that reportedly took and 3 each of forcible sodomy and attempted Pleaded guilty to possession of child pornogra- David W. Smith, 35, Poquoson, VA: 3 years place in 1989 at St. Michael Parish in Marquette. forcible sodomy. Authorities allege he molested phy. Dzermejko, a retired priest and former pas- in prison and 30 years’ probation after pleading Source: Upper Michigan’s Source, 11-15-13 3 minors in Boonville between 1984-87. tor of Mary, Mother of the Church in Charleroi, guilty to 10 counts of possession of child por- Three more people allege they were mo- He was sentenced in 1983 in New Jersey to used the screen name “Lord Winchester Cuth- nography, which he viewed in his pastoral office lested as children at homes operated in the 5 years’ probation for molesting a 17-year-old. bert Thurston VII” and uploaded an image of a at Trinity Lutheran Church. Investigators found 1960s by Jewish Care Victoria in Melbourne, He changed his name after leaving a treatment naked, prepubescent boy to the Internet, said images of girls aged 6 to 11 engaged in sexual Australia. Jewish Care has reported allegations facility. Assistant U.S. attorney Carolyn Bloch. acts with men, according to court records. He to authorities, said its president, Mike Debinski. A Virginia man allegedly molested by How- She said his collection contained images, is married with 3 school-age children. Source: The Australian Jewish News quoted Ana ard in Missouri received $600,000 in 2009. He’s but no videos, of pre-pubescent and post-pu- Virginian-Pilot, 11-6-13 Loughman, who is leading an investigation into has been jailed in Missouri since 2010. Source: bescent boys naked or involved in sex acts. Larry Williams, 49, and Carri Williams, 42, child sexual abuse in Sydney, saying, “We have Jersey Journal, 11-26-13 Dermejko told investigators he’d been viewing Sedro-Woolley, WA: 28 and 37 years in prison, information that people who may have been German Catholic Bishop Franz-Peter Te- child porn “for perhaps the last 10 years” and respectively, on manslaughter and homicide by victimized may have entered into agreements bartz-van Elst, 53, of Limburg, the so-called said he went to Thailand several times to meet abuse convictions in the death of their adopted for payment with other people not to disclose, “bishop of bling,” has paid a fine of $27,000 teen boys for sex. He was removed from public daughter Hana, 13. The couple used biblical report or come forward.” Source: Haaretz, 11- to end a case for lying under oath. He was ac- ministry in 2009 but never criminally charged. discipline techniques found in the controversial 14-13 cused by prosecutors of making false state- Source: Post-Gazette, 11-7-13 child-rearing book To Train up a Child by Mi- Tribal authorities on the Rosebud Indian ments about a 1st-class flight he took to India Finian Egan, 71, Sydney: Pleaded guilty to chael and Debi Pearl. An adopted boy was also Reservation in South Dakota are investigating to visit slum dwellers. Source: Deutsche Welle, 7 counts of indecent assault and 1 count of rape abused. The couple have 6 biological children. alleged sexual abuse of children by Clarence 11-18-19 for attacks on girls aged 10 to 17 in the 1960s, Judge Susan Cook said the 2 adopted chil- Vavra, a Catholic priest who retired in 2003 and Circuit Judge Robert Dierker upheld his own 1970s and 1980s while he was a Catholic priest. dren “fell into a black hole. At the bottom of that lives a block from a school in New Prague, MN. order in a civil suit against Joseph Ross, a de- He was removed from public ministry in 2011. hole they did not find the land of milk and honey. Supervisory special agent Grace Her Many frocked Archdiocese of St. Louis priest. A victim told of being assaulted in the church They found the land of frozen vegetables and Horses said authorities are trying to find several The suit alleges Ross molested a 5-year-old sacristy when she was 10 and living at St. Mar- water-soaked sandwiches.” men who may have been molested as boys in girl in 1997 and continued the abuse until 2001. tha’s Institution For Disadvantaged Girls. “Fa- Reports said the children were beaten, the 1970s. Vavra admitted in a May 1995 psy- Dierker ruled in May that the archdiocese must ther Egan pulled me onto his knee, he put his starved and made to endure cold weather as chological evaluation that he’d attempted to produce 20 years’ worth of records for any of its hands up my dress, pulled down my underwear part of a fundamentalist Christian regimen of anally rape a South Dakota boy. The report was employees who had complaints of sexual abuse and put his hands into my vagina. He had an corporal punishment. Source: examiner.com, stored in the vicar general’s filing cabinet at the against them. The archdiocese argued that was erection.” 11-3-13 chancery of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and too long. Dierker stood by 20 years for clergy The woman alleged he told her she had Minneapolis. but reduced the time for non-clergy employees beautiful hair, leading her to ask a nun to cut Civil Lawsuits Filed Church officials never contacted police “Jane Doe,” a suburban Chicago woman, to 5 years. it off. “I thought if I didn’t have nice hair, he about admissions in the report. Source: MPR, has filed suit against Cherie Carlson for al- In a separate case, Ross was convicted of wouldn’t be interested in grabbing hold of me.” 11-12-13 leged sexual abuse in the 1990s when Carlson sexually assaulting an 11-year-old boy during Source: Morning Herald, 11-4-13 Authorities in Boulder County, CO, criticized worked at the North Side Gospel Center in Chi- confession in 1988. Source: Fox St. Louis, 11- but haven’t charged 5 officials of Vineland cago and the Awana Summer Camp in Fredo- 15-13 Sentenced Church in Longmont for covering up alleged Steve Harding, 61, New Palestine, IN: 2 nia, WI. Carlson now teaches middle school in New Jersey Catholic priest Michael Fugee, sexual abuse of a teen girl by youth pastor Ja- years in a community corrections program and 1 Buffalo Grove, IL. 52, will petition the Vatican for permanent re- son Roberson, 35. year of probation after pleading guilty to sexual The plaintiff alleges Carlson began molest- moval from the priesthood but will not face crimi- Roberson faces 3 abuse counts and is on misconduct with a minor. Harding was a United ing her, including oral sex and penetration, nal prosecution under a court-approved agree- administrative leave. His father, Walter Rober- Methodist youth pastor, school board member when she was 16. “I am very passionate about ment which includes no unsupervised contact son, is senior pastor. The church ignored a court and wrestling coach when the 2 incidents with Jesus,” says Carlson in a YouTube video during with minors for the rest of his life. order to turn over records of its internal inves- a girl allegedly occurred, the first when she was a religious seminar she was conducting. A jury convicted him of criminal sexual con- tigation, said police Detective Brannon Winn 13 and staying overnight in Harding’s home. The plaintiff told “NBC5 Investigates” she tact in 2003 but the conviction was reversed on in a report. Only after contempt charges were Source: Indianapolis Star, 12-4-13 considered Carlson her spiritual mentor. “It appeal due to improper jury instructions by the threatened did the church turn over documents, Quentin L. Respress, 44, Reynoldsburg, started with holding hands while praying and trial judge. A 2007 memorandum of understand- Winn said. OH: 5 years’ probation and $54,000 restitution her hand would touch my leg and move from ing required Fugee to undergo counseling and The alleged victim, now 24, worked for the after pleading guilty to theft and forgery. Res- there. We met at her parents’ house for a movie stay away from children. church and told police her relationship with Rob- press, pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church, and she put her hand down the top of my shirt In announcing a consent order signed by erson started when she was 15 and continued told the judge at sentencing that “At no point and fondled me. Fugee to avoid retrial, prosecutor John Molinelli for 7 years. Source: Christian Post, 11-10-13 did I ever seek to maliciously take from God’s “She said she was showing me God’s love. rebuked Newark Archbishop John Myers for The Archdiocese of Baltimore said it’s co- church.” Eventually the physical demands became con- failure to monitor Fugee. “If something like this operating with a probe of Michael Kolodziej, Congregation member Edna Payne dis- stant. Sometimes maybe 4 times a week,” Doe were to ever happen again, I have no intention a Franciscan friar who taught at Curley High agreed, telling Respress, “You robbed us blind. alleges, saying she didn’t tell anyone for fear of relying on the archdiocese to monitor these school in Baltimore from 1975-79. Kolodziej, You have demonstrated uncontrollable greed.” Carlson would kill herself. Source: NBC Chi- priests.” Source: Star-Ledger, 11-11-13 69, who most recently served a Catholic par- Source: Columbus Dispatch, 12-4-13 cago, 11-26-13 Shaun M. Ross, 32, Clay, NY, was put in ish in Jonesboro, GA, was suspended after a Slawomir S., 49, Rawa Mazowiecka, Po- “John Doe 27,” a Minnesota man in his 30s, charge of children’s programs at Victory Chris- former student alleged he was molested while land: 8½ years in prison for molesting 5 boys has filed suit against St. John’s Abbey, former tian Center in North Syracuse while facing mo- wrestling with him. Source: AP, 11-7-13 under age 15. The priest allegedly gave the Hastings priest Francis Hoefgen, the Archdio- lestation charges stemming from 2008 when he Gleb Grozovsky, 34, a Russian Orthodox boys money and put minutes on their phone cese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis and St. was director of student ministry at Calvary As- priest and former rector of a St. Petersburg cards. Source: AP, 12-2-13 Luke Institute of Silver Springs, MD, a treat- sembly Church in Walkersville, MD. parish, is being sought on allegations he sexu- Dannie Carter, 55, Madison, WI: 2½ years ment facility. Ross is scheduled to be tried in January ally assaulted 2 girls ages 9 and 12 who were in prison and 3 years’ probation for soliciting a Hoefgen, now 63, admitted to police in 1984 in Maryland on 2 counts of sexually abusing a attending a religious summer camp in June on child for prostitution and 90 days for disorderly that he sexually abused a minor, then was as- minor. He and his wife Brandi have been living the Greek island of Kos. Source: AFP, 11-6-13 conduct. Carter, a deacon at Christ the Solid signed the next year to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton with his father, senior pastor at Victory Chris- Rock Baptist Church, allegedly told a 17-year- in Hastings after an evaluation at the institute, tian Center. The church’s Facebook page an- Removed / Resigned old congregation member at her home in Sun said plaintiff’s attorney Jeff Anderson in a state- nounced, “We are excited to announce that Ireneusz Chodakowski, pastor at St. Pe- Prairie in 2012 that he would give her money for ment. Shaun and Brandi Ross will be assuming lead- ter’s Catholic Church in Kenosha, WI, was put sex. The girl locked herself in a bathroom and The plaintiff alleges Hoefgen, who left the ership in our children’s ministry. Bring your chil- on administrative leave and might not return to called her aunt, who called police. Source: State ministry in 1992, assaulted him in Hastings. dren this Sunday for Kidz Revolution! They will the congregation. A church deacon said that Journal, 11-28-13 Source: Pioneer Press, 11-19-13 love it!” Source: syracuse.com, 11-9-13 Chodakowski had exercised “a lack of good David K. Allen, 51, Gatesville, TX: 30 years The family of a Pennsylvania man who died A judge ruled that James Schook, 66, a ter- judgment.” in prison after pleading guilty to arson causing of a drug overdose at age 26 in October is suing minally ill Catholic priest accused of abusing 2 Police confirmed they were investigating a death for a 2011 mobile home fire in which his the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Msgr. Wil- boys at a Louisville, KY, church in the 1970s, is case involving a priest who had been removed wife died. Gates, pastor at New Life Church of liam Lynn and the man’s alleged abuser, Fr. not too sick to stand trial March 31 on sodomy because of his use of Facebook. Chodakowski Restoration, married a 28-year-old woman after Robert Brennan. charges. belongs to the Marians of the Immaculate Con- his wife Paula, 54, died. Perjury charges were The late Sean McIlmail’s mother, Deborah, A doctor called by prosecutors testified ception, an order based in Stonebridge, MA. dropped against Megan Allen in exchange for alleges Brennan’s abuse lasted 4 years and Schook, who has skin cancer and other ail- Source: Fox 6, 11-21-13 her husband’s guilty plea. Source: Killeen Daily started when Sean was 11. The criminal case ments, can “rationally participate in his defense.” Kevin Duggan, pastor of St. James the Herald, 11-20-13 against Brennan was dropped after Sean’s Schook came to court using a walker, but a wit- Less Catholic Church, Jamesburg, NJ, was put Lee Moore, 48, Mercer, PA: 9 to 25 years death. Source: CBS, 11-14-13 ness testified she’d seen him recently without on leave due to an allegation of sexual assault in prison on convictions of involuntary deviate Craig Mateer, Orlando, FL, is suing World one at Panera Bread. Source: AP, 11-7-13 of a developmentally disabled adult about 20 sexual intercourse, unlawful contact with a mi- Hope Inc. and Orlando Baptist Pastor David The Minnesota Supreme Court voted 4-1 to years ago in Woodbridge. nor, statutory sexual assault, corruption of a Janney to get back the $117,000 he donated. deny a new trial for Christopher Wenthe, 49, a “Father Duggan adamantly denies these minor and indecent assault. Moore was pastor Mateer alleges World Hope diverted some of Catholic priest convicted of 3rd-degree criminal charges,” said the Most Rev. Paul Bootkoski of of Mercer United Methodist Church when the the money he donated for 2 Kenyan chicken conduct for having sex with a 21-year-old fe- the Diocese of Metuchen. Duggan has been in abuse occurred from 2004-08. farms into Janney’s personal bank account. male parishioner he was counseling in St. Paul. the Guest House rehabilitation facility in Roch- Moore allegedly found the victim, then 13, Source: 11-3, Orlando Sentinel The decision reversed an appeals court ester, MN, the past 4 months for treatment of watching pornography and told him he wouldn’t ruling that held the conviction was “based on alcoholism, Bootkoski said. Source: Edison get in trouble if he let Moore perform sex acts on Civil Lawsuits Settled evidence that was excessively entangled in Sentinel, 11-11-13 The Archdiocese of Chicago has agreed him. Source: Sharon Herald, 11-16-13 matters of religion” and thus violated the Consti- Email: [email protected] to pay $2.3 million to a young man molested by Robert Byars, 33, Benton, KY: 8 years in tution. Source: MPR, 11-7-13 Fr. Daniel McCormack between 2004-06. The prison after pleading guilty to unlawful transac- archdiocese will also release files Jan. 15 on tion with a minor. The former Walnut Street Bap- Allegations McCormack and 29 more priests who allegedly Board members at Davis Memorial Church tist youth pastor was originally charged with 15 sexually abused children. of God in Christ in Grand Rapids, MI, have counts of unlawful transaction with a minor and McCormack was defrocked in 2007 and asked Pastor Eric Slack, 60, to resign due to 5 counts each of sodomy and rape, each in the pleaded guilty to molesting several boys at St. alleged but unspecified financial irregularities. A 3rd degree. Agatha’s Catholic Church. Source: UPI, 11-27- police spokesman said a detailed forensic anal- He was charged after police got a complaint 13 ysis is under way. Source: WOOD TV, 12-4-13 Byars was having sex with a 16-year old female Page 20 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin December 2013

Letterbox Parsonage legal victory the siege preparations, but were de- feated by the soldiers. is great news Soldiers pursuing the defenders back into the city were able to enter be- FFRF’s victory in the parsonage ex- fore the gates could be closed, and the emption lawsuit is truly exciting. It’s massacre began. By the time the no- great to know that in this fundamental- bles and Amaury arrived, no one was ist religious country of ours, there are waiting around for his approval of the still judges who have the honesty, un- butchery, which was well under way. derstanding and courage to stand up Second, the story might be a distor- for the First Amendment. tion of something far nastier. Contem- I’m so excited about this momen- poraries said the crusade leaders had tous decision that I feel compelled to adopted a policy of terrorism toward make an additional donation to FFRF. the Albigensian population. Histori- I leave it up to you to decide whether ans agree that this would explain the your greater need is to have this al- extreme, unrestrained brutality of the located to the building fund or legal crusaders toward any resistance. Ohio member Al Schneider wore his FFRF T-shirt to the Creation Museum on fund. (You can be sure that this case Mass slaughter of women and chil- Veterans Day in Petersburg, Ky., where he got in free (saving $30) as a 1981 Air will be appealed and that you will have dren and, most notably, clergy, was Force retiree. An employee spent some time trying to convince Al of the literal significant legal expenses going for- not normally condoned then (not that truth of the bible. “He wasn’t very convincing. Otherwise all I got was some ward.) it didn’t occur at times). At Beziers, puzzled glances. I’m planning on going back on Christmas Eve, when everyone Paul Newman the nobles stopped the looting of the gets in free, with a group from Freethought Dayton.” Indiana city (they were entitled to much of its • • • wealth), but made no attempt to stop Heartiest congratulations on and the killing, not even of priests in the thanks for your second victory in the churches. A deliberate policy of terror- lief? The current case before the Su- ship. IRS “parish exemption” suit. I realize ism seems likely then. preme Court shows just how divisive We certainly didn’t feel that we re- that it’s only the second step (the first William Sierichs Jr. this issue has become. People are free ceived good service from this dealer- one having been granting of standing) Louisiana to pray whenever and wherever they ship. They withheld information about in what may be a very long process, but want; let each individual decide when the car that would have been apparent it is an extremely important achieve- or if prayer is appropriate. in their own supposed mini inspection ment, and all secularists are indebted God on money is Even when communities invite a va- that they bragged about, things that to FFRF. riety of speakers, it seems that the ma- our own mechanic found for us. They Ken Crosby definitely sacrilege jority of invocations end up sectarian. still have not contacted us to thank us Texas I appreciated David Quintero’s let- If necessary, a moment of silence could for our business, which I would think • • • ter about In God We Trust on money, be observed, so each person could fol- would be standard procedure. It was I’ve never been prouder to be an especially the Teddy Roosevelt quota- low their own conscience. Prayer and clear to us that they were glad to be FFRF member. I just read about the vic- tion calling it “dangerously close to proselytizing should never be part of done with us because we were too tory declaring the parsonage exemp- sacrilege.” I contend that it is sacrilege. public meetings, especially consider- much work and demanded a fair price. tion unconstitutional. I immediately Christians claim in their bible that Je- ing the increasing diversity of our pop- The Christian craft store chain Hob- posted it on Facebook and declared sus threw money changers out of the ulation. by Lobby and a Mennonite company myself a proud FFRF member. temple, but insist that approval of God Keep church and state separate, for called Conestoga Wood Specialties are Thanks so much for what you do! should appear on our nation’s money. the benefit of everyone. in the news, with the Supreme Court Jacqueline Bichsel If that isn’t sacrilege, to say Alan Remington agreeing to hear their challenges to Illinois nothing of a galloping con- Iowa the Affordable Care Act. We abhor the tradiction, exactly what is it? efforts of these and other companies to Get out your Sharpies, people! prevent their female employees from Beware of ‘history’ as Kathleen Yagelo Believers won’t give receiving contraceptive care. We won- Michigan der if there is such a thing as a “free- Barton tells it me a straight answer thinker’s buying guide.” I enjoyed reading Zack Kopplin’s I have been an atheist most of my We are making a donation of 1% story [Nov13] about opposing the Catholic care hazardous life; religion never made sense to me at of our recent car purchase to your le- teaching of creationism in the public all. When I was in high school, I would gal fund with hopes of offsetting our schools, but it also provoked some ad- to women’s health hear them pray at football games and “Christian emissions” and assuaging ditional concerns. Kids who are being A Michigan Catholic hospital’s will- wonder why God would intervene in a our guilt. We hope we can inspire oth- taught creationism as science are prob- ingness to let a young woman almost silly football game but not to stop the er FFRF members who find themselves ably also being taught David Barton’s die rather than tell her the risks of con- murder of a innocent child or any of in similar situations to do likewise. fantasies as American history. tinuing a dangerous pregnancy and the other bad stuff going on in this Becky Hall and Bryan Fish If this alternate “history” is taught sending her home is an outrageous ex- world. Minnesota to too many kids, we may be setting ample of allowing the Catholic Church If football is more important to him ourselves up for a future where the to exert control over medical practices. than a child’s life, then he is not worth Christian nation believers gain enough Since the Catholic Church insists praying to, much less worshipping. Quietly doing good support to attempt constitutional on establishing and maintaining hos- That’s when I started to be an atheist. amendments. pitals that serve the general public, It’s so simple. I can’t understand why for goodness’ sake Lee Helms they should be required to serve the they can’t see that. I have talked to You might find this article [on the Michigan best interests of the general public. For many religious people about this, and real reasons for religious charitable way too long, these hospitals have been none of them can give me a straight giving] interesting. Julie and I give to able to hide behind the sectarian cur- answer. the local food bank. We also support October illustration tain of Catholic dogma in the render- Keep up the good work. We must do Doctors Without Borders and Burn- ing of medical services. all we can to keep religion out of the ers Without Borders [a Burning Man needs explanation As to these bishops’ layers of insu- government. charity] and make sandwiches for the I’ve been enjoying Edward Sorel’s lation from responsibility for this case, Charles Saxton homeless without any attachment to “Memorable Moments in Monothe- let us hope that they can be peeled Arkansas any organization. When they ask what ism.” His October 2013 illustration re- away, just as they have been in child organization we are from, we just say quires two historical qualifiers. abuse cases! from Point Roberts, Wash. He uses the story that papal legate Jim McCollum Donation is ‘penance’ Keep up the good work. Arnaud Amaury authorized the mass Arkansas George and Julie Iddon slaughter of the population of the for Christian emissions Washington Cathar-held southern French city of Due to the demise of two very old Beziers on July 22, 1209, without trying Will supreme being cars, we have had to shop for a car for to separate the loyal Catholic residents the first time in 10 years. Because we Billboards, being on from the Cathar “heretics,” declaring, repair our roads? wanted to make an intelligent choice “Kill them all, God will know his own.” An Iowa member’s letter answering an and with limited time and a financial board from Sacramento First, scholars consider this story to editorial promoting government prayer was need to wrangle the best deal, this pro- We are all thrilled about our new be fiction. When the crusaders reached published Nov. 22 in the Cedar Rapids Ga­ cess took over a month, and we had to chapter in Sacramento and the amaz- Beziers, the nobles, including Amaury, zette (appropriately on the 50th anniversary wrap it up before the wrath of baby Je- ing billboard campaign. We’re so set up camp some distance away while of President John F. Kennedy’s death): sus brought us a blizzard, ice storm or grateful to all of you for honoring us the common soldiers began the siege Why include prayer with any sort of tornado. with this huge effort. Thank you! works. Some of Beziers’ defenders sor- government meeting? Will a supreme We reluctantly chose to go with a Janet Thaw, board member tied out the main gate to try to disrupt being fix our roads or provide tax re- professed “Christian” used car dealer- California December 2013 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 21

Life Member: ‘Thanks ture, murder, rape, slavery, theft, child for the memories’ abuse and animal cruelty. He regards women as property and of little value. I have truly enjoyed being a Life Gays are to be murdered. Member of your outstanding organiza- I also read books by Dan Barker, An- tion over these past many, many years. nie Laurie Gaylor, Richard Dawkins, A great big thank-you goes to Annie Christopher Hitchens, Sam Harris, Laurie and Dan for their numerous Daniel Dennett, Ruth Hurmence kindnesses over the years, for taking Green, John Loftus, Jason Long and the time to read and print many of my many others. This research confirmed essays and for simply being there. You my decision to remain an atheist. are a great team. Since religion is such a worldwide For your remarkable contributions fraud, I think my best way to help is to reason and freethought, every think- through your organization. Thanks for ing person in Hometown USA takes all your courageous hard work. their hat off to you. Continued success Linden Bland in all your endeavors, projects and ven- Alberta, Canada tures. Norman LeClair Florida Student thankful for Septuagenarians: Now’s essay honorable honor Thank you for awarding my essay an No debaptism needed the time to be ‘Lifer’ honorable mention. It’s an honor to John Smail, proud FFRF Lifetime Member of Berkeley, Calif., became an Enclosed is my $1,000 check for my be recognized by an organization that equally proud grandfather Aug. 31 to Marie Antonia Shearing, who has the Lifetime Membership. Your organiza- does so much good for the much at- potential to become a fifth-generation freethinker. As a teen, her maternal tion is a breath of fresh air and I ap- tacked group that is humanists. great-great-grandfather, Oscar E. Lawrence, fled Sweden and the Lutheran preciate all that you do. Nathan Stevens Church to become a U.S. labor activist, progressive politician and avowed My acceptance of religion long Texas atheist. Oscar’s children and grandchildren were raised without religion, while ago changed to appreciation for what Marie’s parents, Margaret and Jake (pictured), were married in a humanist people can do. So I understand, at ceremony. age 77, that some of my friends need FFRF ‘most effective’ to do good acts through their church. But really, the church is only a group at getting job done scientific limitations and embrace sci- appealing to some higher power. But of individuals, some good, some not so I’m grateful for all the organizations entific uncertainty. I wonder how all silent and with heads bowed, while oth- good. that protect freedom from and of re- that would come out in words we can ers pray, nonbelievers reflect on how I loved Philip Appleman’s poem ligion. The ACLU, Americans United swallow one at a time? marginalized and ridiculous we, who “Thank You God” in the November is- for Separation of Church and State, Whatever limitations there are on reject supernaturalism, deities and sue. the Council for Secular Humanism science, they are current only because dogma, are made to feel in these cir- Barbara Bond and People for the American Way are now is now, not some time past. They cumstances. Colorado all excellent. FFRF is the most recent were current back then, too. To em- Yet, without consideration or regard • • • group I joined (over 20 years ago). brace scientific uncertainty is to em- for our worldview from friends, neigh- Please find enclosed a check for You are the most recent, but you are brace religion. That’s the way they like bors and co-workers, we’re repeatedly $1,000 for Lifetime Membership to the most effective at getting the job it. coerced into public prayer. It’s im- help keep up the vital work fighting done for all of us. Here is my contri- This study of nonbelief might well posed on us, intentionally and with a for church-state separation. It is vital bution to help continue what you are be done better by another group. larger, objectionable purpose: encour- to keep them separate, as the religious building. Robert McCurdy aging and reinforcing Christian faith. mindset leads inevitably to wars, pov- Floyd LeBouton Pennsylvania Mostly we tolerate and endure these erty ignorance, etc. The history of the Michigan impositions. We know all too well the world shows that is so. negative social and employment conse- Even though I turned 72 on Dec. 11, Did ‘friendly’ quences which anyone who openly ob- I still work to support the good work Watch out lawbreakers, jected to or publicly disrupted prayer that FFRF does and will continue as Jesus dream up hell? would surely suffer. So, are we cowards? long as I live. we’re everywhere! A few years ago I had a job in a bank I hope and think not. Rather, consider Raymond Borkowski Enclosed is my check for the FFRF building as an operating engineer (op- and embrace that with each indignity California legal fund. I’d tell all who support the erating boilers and chillers for com- we absorb, we become more resolute First Amendment that “FFRF Legal” fort control). One Sunday afternoon, and determined — observing, assess- (yes, it should be a show) is where you my relief came in and saw me reading ing, planning and gaining strength. Rereading the bible get bang for your buck. Jerry Coyne’s book Why Evolution Is The we pick our battles, at the times I read the case updates in True. Somewhat derisively, he asked if and places of our choosing. sealed the deal Freethought Today, and I especially I thought we came from “pond scum.” Even if at some point we successfully Enclosed is my donation of $5,000 love the excerpts from letters sent to He then blurted out something convince a majority of people that sec- to your building fund. I’m a Canadian, hapless mayors and school superinten- about the bible. I reminded him of tarian public prayer is unconstitutional an atheist and Lifetime Member of dents, nailing down the pertinent law the two most commonly known bible and un-American, many Christians will your fantastic organization. I was born in crisp language (minus the snark I’d stories: God drowning everyone in the not readily abandon the practice. They into an Anglican family and was admin- be guilty of.) world except for eight people and kill- would “rather fight than switch.” We’ve istered the Sacrament of Holy Baptism I love when they have no wiggle ing all the firstborn of Egypt before the already seen examples of how some at the age of 3 months, before I could room and start howling. Best of all was Exodus (for which there is no archaeo- prayer supporters react to challenges: have any say in the matter. I believe I the superintendent caught in a second logical proof). by offering even more outrageous first became an atheist when I was be- round of violations who complained I also told him that there’s no men- prayers and competing to see who can ing confirmed at about age 12. that FFRF must have moles in his build- tion of hell in the Old Testament, and say “Amen” the loudest. I believe it was the Second Com- ing. You bet, we’re everywhere! that nice, “friendly” Jesus dreamed that We should work in hopes of seeing mandment that first aroused my sus- I’ve never been prouder to be an one up. He blurted out, “How do you the day when public prayer is widely picion that religion just could not be FFRF Lifer. know about the bible?” considered to be politically incorrect. true. How could a good God punish Dave Pitts I know enough about it, I replied. Public prayer advocates are many in children to the third and fourth gener- Ohio John F. Oman number and are well-financed and ation for something their parents did? Michigan firmly entrenched. They will not step It meant I might just have to suffer for aside without a fight. But if we are to ef- what my great-grandfather did. Even at Nonbelief study story fect change, battle and fight we must! age 12, it made absolutely no sense. Speak up to stop Until recently, for the most part, we A few years ago at age 71, I decided seriously flawed have allowed prayer supporters to cow I should reevaluate the whole subject The October item “Where do you government prayer us into submission. Enough! We must to be certain of my decision since it fall on the nonbelief scale?” is not a Prayer, so public, pervasive and ac- stand up, speak out and be the change would not be all that long until the mo- scale. It’s a set of conclusions drawn by cepted in American society, is a holy we seek in America. ment of truth, the end of my life. At a research group. It reads a lot like a and wholly superstitious and purpose- Gary McIntyre that time I read the bible from cover kind of horoscope. I do not find myself less ritual, an absurd diversion from Kentucky to cover. How anyone reading the bible in any of the categories, so they missed whatever business may be at hand. Un- can call it the “good book” is beyond something, maybe a lot. fortunately, for many of us, at gather- my imagination. The Old Testament in Under “seeker/agnostic,” people ings or functions, we hear those words, Faith is believing particular depicts God as the most de- are described as always searching for that ominous call, “Let us pray.” spicable, cruel, grotesque being I ever the scientifically wondrous and expe- Mostly we’re polite and respectful what you know ain’t encountered in fiction or nonfiction. rientially profound confirmation of while others pretend, even if they truly He participates and/or condones tor- life’s meaning. They recognize current believe to be communicating with or so — Mark Twain Page 22 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin December 2013

Meet a Michigan Member Eggnostics in spirit

Name: Eric C. Sand- writing and reading ­— greatest inven- This is by far the absolute best egg nog ever. It is guaranteed to turn your ers. tion in history. religiously-oriented friends into egg-theists, (or at least egg-nostics). The secret is Where I live: Ma- A quotation I like: There are a the light, foamy texture combined with a decadently rich taste. You will never be comb County, Mich. bunch. Ecclesiastes 9:11. 1 Corinthians satisfied with store-bought cartons again. Hope you like it! — Sugarboy (a big fan Where and when I 13:2. Matthew 25:40. Henry James on and admirer of FFRF) was born: Detroit, Jan. the three things important in human 19, 1950. life (all end in “be kind”). World’s Best Holiday Egg Nog Education: Two semesters at Wayne “People said there was one law for State University; the full course at Elec- the rich and one law for the poor, but 12 eggs tronic Computer Programming Insti- it wasn’t true. There was no law for 1 pt. whipping cream tute, Detroit (1971); variety of trade those who made the law, and no law 1 lb. powdered sugar courses from McCormack & Dodge for the incorrigibly lawless. All the laws 1 qt. low fat milk and IBM, along with lots of on-the-job and rules were for those people stupid 2 tbs. vanilla training. enough to think like Cockbill Street Occupation: First I was a kitchen people.” (Terry Pratchett) Separate eggs. Whip whites until thick and foamy. (Whites will not whip boy at a Girl Scout camp, then every- And lastly, Abraham Maslow: “He if speck of yolk is present). thing from short-order cook and pizza that is good with a hammer tends to In separate bowl, whip yolks, adding 1 cup milk. Blend powdered sugar delivery boy to mainframe computer think everything is a nail.” into yolk mixture. Add remaining milk. operations, to 20 years’ mainframe These are a few of my favorite In another bowl, mix cream and vanilla to whipped cream consistency. computer programming to cabbing, things: A companion who listens. Foley Gently fold all ingredients into large bowl. and now retail service in a gun shop. that means it [accurate sound effects]. Enjoy straight or with brandy and nutmeg as desired. How I got where I am today: Luck. Tenderloin (skillet fried). Meatloaf My bum knee got me out of the Army that’s meatloaf. Snacks unconcerned on a medical discharge after being with nutrition. Beautiful women who drafted in spite of a doctor’s note, but love to eat and drink. A book, or a my discharge was a week too early to movie, that is its own story. Any pis- qualify for G.I. benefits. As a result, tol with inverse rails. Folks who carry I never finished a degree and lost a concealed, unconcerned with fashion. Look with dread house. While a student at computer Manual transmissions. Air condition- school, though, I met a fellow who ing (thank Willis Carrier)! wound up recommending me for pro- These are not: Wal-Mart. Nutri- on the Book of Fred gressively better jobs in information tious “snacks.” Religious people who technology. do not know God, let alone Her shoe Finally, my job was eliminated, and size. Teachers who don’t. Cooks more I was invited to go someplace where concerned with presentation than with (The following letter by FFRF member alive. And I was my lack of a degree would not be im- comfort. Parents who shouldn’t. Gov- Marty Rush was printed Nov. 5 in The afraid of dying. portant. Then an acquaintance was ernments. Mountain Mail in Salida, Colo. It’s part Fred has fired from the job I now hold. That’s My doubts about religion started: of an ongoing debate between Marty and a changed all only half of the story. I know no one up My childhood researches into the art local fundamentalist Christian.) that. Now my there likes me. and science of shoplifting led to me life has mean- Where I’m headed: Short term? I’m being sentenced to read the Revised Dear Editor: ing. I under- going to find out whether my invest- Standard Version from cover to cover. You have to admire Ide Trotter for stand how I ment choices, along with Social Securi- The content was my first real brush his everlasting effort to convert me to fit into Fred’s ty and what earnings I can garner, will with formal English literature, but it Christianity. The effort is unnecessary, cosmic design. support me the rest of my life. Long did not persuade me that its writers however, since I already believe in a Plus, I get to term? Recycling, obviously. knew anything that I didn’t. It was just higher power. I know it sounds crazy, talk with the Persons I admire: Anyone who can too inferior to really imaginative fic- but I have an omnipotent imaginary guy who creat- Marty Rush stay cool while his tectonic plate heads tion, such as the works of Heinlein or friend and he runs the universe. ed it all. Pretty hellward — haven’t known that many Conan Doyle. His name is Fred. cool. such people, certainly not admirable What I wished for as a child: Real Fred created everything that exists But people have doubts about me, ones. proof that I was important to someone from nothing between 6,000 and 14 and about Fred. They say Fred doesn’t Not personally known? Writers Bob else — important for a reason unique billion years ago. Which pretty much exist. They think I’m having some kind Heinlein and Louis L’Amour, Medal to me. makes him omnipotent. of hallucination. of Honor winners Audie Murphy and Ways I promote freethought: Speak- I say Fred is imaginary because no I beg to differ. I’m confident in the Rodger Young, cartoon creators R. ing and writing to anyone and every- one really sees him but me. truth of Fred’s existence. I know Fred Crumb and Michael Maltese, and sing- one, always the truth as closely as I can Not that I see him in the normal is real, and I can prove it. ers Eddie Van Halen and Janis Ian. discover it. way. No, Fred is more like — a pres- It’s in the Book of Fred. Plus the person who first thought up ence. I can feel him sometimes, flow- The Book of Fred was written, a long ing through me. But even without time ago, by someone who apparently seeing him face to face, I know Fred is had the exact same omnipotent imagi- In Memoriam real. nary friend as me. The Book of Fred I talk to him. And he talks to me. says that Fred created the universe. It Bly Allen, 1920–2013 In fact, we have regular conversations, lists Fred’s rules for ethical living and Fred and I. recounts Fred’s many miracles. Freethought Today is very sorry to ling her manner and time of death was Fred tells me all kinds of things. It’s all there in black and white. report the death of longtime FFRF realized as she passed away peacefully How to judge right from wrong. What Sadly, my friends dispute the truth member Bly Marion Allen, 93, Al- under hospice care within days of leav- goals I should have in life. Even what of the Book of Fred. But as it says in the toona, Wis., on Nov. 1, 2013. ing her independent living situation. to eat for breakfast sometimes. But it’s book, “Anyone who disputes the truth Born in Lindsborg, Kan., on July Bly will be dearly missed and is sur- more than that. of the Book of Fred is way stupid and 12, 1920, Bly was one of nine chil- vived by her daughter, Sarah (Ted) Fred has also revealed the secrets eternally damned.” dren born to Eben and Dora (Her- Welter; stepson, Michael (Christine) of the universe to me. How he created Of course, I’ve been adding to the man) Johnson. She married Roy Allen Allen; son-in-law, Steve Arnold; three our world. And how it will end. (In a book all the new stuff Fred is telling in 1957. Roy was a widower with two grandchildren, Kate (Dave) Ullman, violent cataclysm, unfortunately.) Fred me, so I have the true updated word of young children, Michael, 8, and Peggy, Charles and John Welter; and two sis- has a plan for humanity, you see. Fred (if anyone’s interested). 7. They were married 45 years. ters, Wanda Block and Minnie Beck. My friends are concerned about my Personally, I’d hate to be caught un- Bly earned a B.A. in 1946 from She was preceded in death by hus- belief in Fred. Maybe it’s the sudden- prepared when Fred finally gets fed up Marymount College in Salina and an band, Roy Allen, and daughter, Marga- ness of it. and destroys the world. He’s going to M.A. in 1950 from the University of ret (Peggy) Allen. I just found Fred last week. Before do it, too. Chicago. She was assistant dean of Bly attended many Wisconsin-based that, life was truly bleak. Outwardly, But omnipotent imaginary friends women and a counselor for 20 years at FFRF conventions and was an occa- I seemed OK, but inside, I was miser- are like that, as Ide could certainly tell Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. sional visitor at Freethought Hall over able. I didn’t know why I was even you. Her passion for education continued two decades. Anne and Annie Laurie throughout her life. She was an avid Gaylor and FFRF staffers recall many reader, gardener and political activist lovely conversations with Bly, an ardent and loved to write about her memories freethinker and supporter of state/ What Is a Freethinker? of growing up on a farm in a Swedish church separation. free-think-er n. A person who forms opinions about religion on the community. She was a member of the A Unitarian Universalist memorial basis of reason, independently of tradition, authority, or established Unitarian Universalist congregation service was held Nov. 10 in Eau Claire. belief. in Eau Claire. Her dream of control- December 2013 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 23 FFRF on the Road

FFRF Co-President Dan Barker debated John Mark Reynolds, Houston Baptist University provost, Nov. 9 in Houston on “Does God Exist?” Dan also was musician of the day at Houston Oasis (a freethought group), where he spoke at a luncheon. From left are TC Smythe, Janey-Ali Rizvi, Dan Barker, Mike Aus (former pastor and Clergy Project member), Sara Sheppard, Lynae Vingle and Stephanie Rona. Sara was the fourth-place winner in FFRF’s 2013 high school essay contest.

FFRF Co-President Dan Barker debated Bryan O’Neal, theology department dean at Moody Bible Institute, Dec. 3 at Loyola University on whether God exists. It was sponsored by FRFF’s Metropolitan Chicago Chapter and the new Layola Secular Student Alliance. From left are SSA members Marta Kondratowicz, William Hendrickson, Andrew Kletzien (Loyola SSA president), Bryan O’Neal, moderator and Chicago Tribune columnist Eric Zorn, chapter president Tom Cara and Dan Barker. About 200 people attended. An exit poll showed about 61% identified as nontheist, 35% as theist and 4% undecided.

Dan Barker spoke Dec. 5 to the Secular Alliance at William Paterson University in Wayne, N.J. From left, back are Erika Dragonetti, Andre Astete (vice president), William Stone (public relations), Rebecca Beighley (treasurer) and Stephanie Organ (secretary). President Joseph Snider is in front with Dan.

Dan Barker spoke Dec. 7 to the Princeton [N.J.] University Society of Humanists in McCormick Hall on “Can We Be Good Without God?” He’s pictured with Leo Kang.

“The Battle of Church and State” was the title of Dan Barker’s Dec. 8 address to about 90 Red Bank Humanists in Red Bank, N.J. From left are Paul Auer, Tim Zebo, Carol Auer, Eric Seldner, Stephen Mitchell, Adam Green, Trudy Lagan, Irma Lester, Pat Barr and Ron Steelman. All are members of the board or programming committee. Ron and Eric founded RBH, and Stephen is current president.

Dan Barker spoke Nov. 16 in Mexico City at the annual conference of Ateos y Librepensadores Mexicanos Asociación Civil, which works on behalf of atheists and to maintain a secular government. From left are Ariel Albarrán, Liliana Bazet, Gino Bichicchi, Luis Mochán, Geovanni Avila, Gricha Raether, Gabriel Gómez, Rafael Tejada, Diana Sanchez, Humberto Diaz, Ana Luisa Carrasco, Mr. Mochan’s wife, Carlos Julio Pino, Gerardo Romero, Paulina Sanchez, Beto Cedillo, Armando Coronado, Veronica S. and Antonio Lemus. Gerardo is the group’s founder. Diana is the current president. Appleton, Wis. FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie on Diversity Affairs. Spoke on “Women Without Supersti- Women Without Superstition: No tion” Nov. 6 as part of Women’s Em- Gods–No Masters is also the title of an Dan Barker spoke Dec. 6 about state/church separation to the Secular Student powerment Week at Lawrence Univer- anthology edited by Gaylor of women Alliance at Brookdale Community College, Linville, N.J. Samantha Klaus (left) sity, Appleton, Wis. She was invited by freethinkers in the 19th and 20th cen- is club president. Behind Dan is Brian McNamara, anthropology professor and the Secular Student Alliance affiliate, turies. The book is available at ffrf.org/ faculty adviser. Adam Green and Brian are to Dan’s left. working with the school’s Committee shop. Page 24 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin December 2013 FFRF welcomes 25 Lifers, 4 After-Lifers

The Freedom From Religion Foun- Robert Stachnik. A most generous dation is delighted to announce 25 New York couple who prefer not to be New Lifetime Members, 2 After-Lifers, named doubled their previous After- and 2 “Post-After-Lifers,” representing Life Membership in December as well. 15 states plus the District of Columbia. Along with the District of Columbia, Two anonymous New York After- states represented are Arizona, Califor- Lifers became Post-After-Lifers with a nia, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Il- $10,000 donation. linois, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachu- Thank you and welcome to our new- setts, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, est Lifetime Members: Kamesh Aiyer, Texas and Wisconsin. Bernard Barwick, Greg Bernstein, Low- Lifetime Memberships are $1,000 ell Blankfort, Barbara Bond, Howard per individual designated as a member- Deutch, Stan Deutsch, Fred Dix, Jef- ship or membership renewal, go into a frey Harvey, Peggy Henderson, Robert rainy day reserve account and ensure Karsh, Karl Kuhn, Clorine Law, Tom never another renewal notice. After- Link, Sybille Redmond (gift from a Life Memberships, which are slightly kind member who prefers anonymity), tongue in cheek, are $5,000 per indi- Jonathan Reel, Jay Rosenstein, Donald vidual and are a membership category Salter, Kenneth Schmidt and Marie C. for those who want their membership Logue and Dr. Peter Lynn Vachuska. to live after them. All donations to Additionally, FFRF warmly thanks FFRF, a 501(c)(3) educational charity, Dr. Harold Saferstein, himself a Life- are deductible for income-tax purpos- time Member, for gifting four new Life- es to the fullest extent of the law. time Memberships: Rebecca Beltran, FFRF is very close to surpassing LuAnn Dahlman, Arizona state Rep. 20,000 members in North America Juan Mendez and Linda Wendler. and is grateful to all members of any Additionally, FFRF wecomes two category. After-Life Members: Lyle E. Black and

Atheist out of foxhole What do these scientists have in common? Longtime Wisconsin FFRF member Ken Proulx, 89, holds his World War II dog tag, in which he has drilled a third hole — to remove the “C” identifying him against his will as “Catholic.” Ken carries the corrected tag on his key chain.

Marie Curie Edmund Halley

Charles Darwin

Richard Dawkins Carl Sagan Steven Pinker Honorary President of the Freedom From Religion Foundation They have rejected the supernatural.* They have worked to improve world. Luther Burbank this Donald C. Johanson * 93% of elite scientists reject belief in a personal god or human immortality. (Nature, Vol. 394, No. 669, 1998) For details on these and other famous freethinkers, visit ffrf.org/news/day. Join the Freedom From Religion Foundation, the nation’s largest association of freethinkers (atheists and agnostics) working since 1978 to keep state and church separate. Phone for a sample of our newspaper, Freethought Today. Help reason prevail. 1-800-335-4021 FFRF.ORG FFRF is a 501(c)(3) organization that educates, broadcasts, publishes and litigates to defend the First Amendment. ------FFRF • P.O. Box 750-P • Madison WI 53701 • ffrf.org/donate ❑ I would like to join. (Dues & donations are tax-deductible. Membership includes 10 issues of Freethought Today newspaper.) ❑ I would like to give a tax-deductible gift to the Freedom From Religion Foundation’s Legal Fund. Annual Dues: ❑ Individual: $40 ❑ Household: $50 ❑ Sustaining: $100 ❑ Life Member: $1,000 ❑ “After Life”: $5,000

Happy Birthday! Name Phone/Email Address/City/State/Zip Make check payable to “FFRF” (U.S. $$ only). Or join online at ffrf.org/donate. FFRF President Emerita Anne Gaylor, who turned 87 on Nov. 25, is pictured FFRF protects membership confidentiality and does not divulge, rent, sell, or give away its mailing list. at her apartment in Madison, Wis., with her son Ian and daughter-in-law Nancy McClements, who created the luscious lemon cake with mascarpone-whipped cream frosting. These ads all ran in Scientific American.