Winners of the What ‘government This is what essay contest for schools’ critics happens in a college students really mean voucher school PAGES 10-15 PAGE 16 PAGE 17

Vol. 34 No. 8 Published by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. October 2017 Katherine Stewart FFRF’s 40th: Freethinking, fun, fanfare and friends!

Photo by Andrew Seidel A member of the Forward! Photo by Ingrid Laas Marching Band performs Photo by Chris Line Comedian and atheist Paula Poundstone shows off her during FFRF’s Tailgate Party Comedian Julia Sweeney regales the audience with her Emperor Has No Clothes Award and the stool she autographed on the Monona Terrace humorous takes on religious-themed movies during her following her 90-minute comedy routine on Sept. 15. rooftop on Sept. 15. convention speech on Sept. 16.

Photo by Ingrid Laas Renowned cognitive scientist Steven Pinker, FFRF’s honorary president, speaks to the crowd of more than 700 on Sept. 16, giving them a sneak preview of his upcoming book, Enlightenment Now. Members from 48 states, plus D.C., the UK and Canada attended FFRF’s 40th National Convention at the Monona Terrace and Convention Center in Madison, Wis. For more photos from the convention weekend, please see the special eight-page pullout section inside this issue. Timely FFRF suit proceeds against church politicking FFRF has filed an amended com- Trump has repeatedly claims “stops” plaint to buttress the Johnson Amend- the Johnson Amendment as it applies ment even as the House has taken mea- to churches. Trump’s executive order sures to weaken it. directs the IRS “to exercise maximum The Johnson Amendment even- enforcement discretion to alleviate the handedly bars any 501(c)(3) organiza- burden of the Johnson Amendment, tion, including churches, from using which prohibits religious leaders from tax-deductible donations for political, speaking about politics and candidates partisan purposes. The House of Rep- from the pulpit.” resentatives on Sept. 14 quietly passed In late August, the Department of a budget provision to defund enforce- Justice, seeking to dismiss FFRF’s legal ment of the amendment as it pertains challenge, contradicted Trump’s con- to churches. (As of the publishing of tention that he’s overturned the John- this issue of Freethought Today, the son Amendment. The department Senate had yet to take up a similar filed a document saying, “The order measure.) does not exempt religious organiza- FFRF filed its original lawsuit the tions from the restrictions on political day of President Trump’s May 4 exec- FFRF’s “You’re Sued” photo illustration was used by FFRF in press releases, news utive order on religious liberty, which See Suit on page 2 releases and videos referring to its lawsuit against President Trump. Page 2 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | October 2017 Norma Cunningham to celebrate 100th birthday!

Norma Cunningham, a long-time doctor — and five grandchildren: puzzles, and cooking. A few years ago, member of FFRF, is celebrating her Andrew, Sarah, Benjamin, Grace, Norma entered the Southwestern Il- 100th birthday on Oct. 28. and Alex. (Joe has just retired from linois Spelling Bee contest and won Norma and her husband, Joseph, FFRF’s Board after serving for more first place, often correcting the host’s are Life Members of FFRF, and both than three decades.) pronunciation of various words. have served on the Executive Board Norma and Joe spent many years Norma spent many happy hours almost from its formation. traveling with their children, going entertaining family and friends over She grew up in St. Louis, where to all 50 states plus Canada; also vis- large elaborate meals at her beauti- she was the valedictorian of the large iting Europe, Scandinavia, Russia, Ja- fully set dining room table. She also Cleveland High School class of 1935, pan and China. was a recipe tester for Betty Crocker, and earned a full four-year scholar- Norma used her fluency in Ger- sending in her comments and sugges- Norma Cunningham ship to Washington University in St. man to translate the detailed diaries tions on improving the originals. Louis. Norma earned a Bachelor of 1944. She worked in the Mascoutah and letters of her great-grandfather, She loves flowers, particularly ros- Arts degree in 1939, and the same High School for 31 years, teach- Herman Steines, and great-great es, enjoys visiting the Missouri Botan- year received the Jesse Bar Fellow- ing Latin, German and English. At uncle, Frederick Steines, who immi- ical Gardens, and is skilled at flower ship Award, with which she acquired Mascoutah, Norma was chair of the grated from Germany, records which arranging with blooms from her gar- a Master’s degree in Latin in 1940. school’s Fine Arts department, also they compiled from 1830-1835. den. Norma’s favorite TV program is She also is a member of the Phi Beta served on the Mascoutah Library These documents were printed into “Jeopardy!” She recently got all five Kappa honor society. In addition, she board for many years and as a mem- two large volumes and were donat- of the week’s Final Jeopardy ques- served as co-chair of the Arts & Sci- ber of the Literary Society. ed to the Missouri Historical Society, tions correct. ences Century Leadership Club of In December 1953, she married the St. Louis City Library, and many Norma has resided at the Silver Washington University. Joseph Cunningham, who was also a relatives. Creek Assisted Living home in Mas- After graduation, she taught in teacher at Mascoutah High School. Her other interests include read- coutah for the past five years, where St. Louis area schools for four years They have two daughters — Kathryn, ing classical literature, listening to she will host family and friends at her before moving to Mascoutah, Ill., in an attorney; and Linda, a medical classical music, working crossword 100th birthday celebration. FFRF welcomes 26 Lifers, 3 After-Lifers, 1 Immortal FFRF is pleased to announce its 26 on” after them. David Nickel, Dennis Porter, Eugene Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Mon- new Lifetime Members, three new Af- FFRF’s 26 new Life Members are: Provost, David Roberts, Melanie A. Rush, tana, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas, ter-Lifers and one new Immortal. Douglas Barnes, Michael Botlo, James William Sierichs Jr., Pamela Solomon, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin and West The three new After-Lifers are: Barba- Blase, Dorothea Case, Brian Cook, Cher- George Vacek and Rick Zawada. Virginia. ra Foster (gifted by John Mosley), Karla ry Day, George Dunstan, Donna Doug- Individual Lifetime Memberships are The new Immortal is Professor Paul Martin and Dr. Steven L. Solomon. Af- las, Robin Ferguson, Richard Gordon, $1,000, designated as membership or Newman. Immortals is a designation ter-Life Memberships are a tongue-in- Linda Jackson, Richard Johnson, Roman membership renewal, and are deduct- for those members who have contacted cheek donation category of $5,000 for D. Johnston, Tim Larmour, Rick McCol- ible for income-tax purposes. FFRF to report they have made provi- those who want their donation to “live lum, Cheryl McCutcheon, Katie Muhler, States represented are California, sions for FFRF in their estate planning. Suit Continued from page 1 campaign activity applicable to all son Amendment: “This executive about it create great harm in percep- groups and individuals are political tax-exempt organizations.” order directs the IRS not to unfairly tion, FFRF contends. Nan Aron, who outsiders.” The Justice Department averred target churches and religious organi- heads the Alliance for Justice, com- The complaint notes that when that FFRF “misunderstands the pur- zations for political speech.” prised of more than 100 diverse non- Trump hosted a six-hour meeting with pose and the effect” of the order. Trump has made similar statements profits, expressed concern that the or- evangelical leaders this summer — “Clearly, it’s Trump who misunder- elsewhere. der “sends threatening signals about which included the laying of hands stands his authority,” responds Annie “I’ve gotten rid of the Johnson how certain religious speech and reli- on the president in the Oval Office Laurie Gaylor, FFRF co-president. Amendment,” Trump told Christian gious institutions might be allowed to — religious leaders made policy sug- FFRF concurs that Trump doesn’t Broadcasting Network founder Pat skirt laws imposed on others.” gestions. One such recommendation, have the authority to selectively un- Robertson on July 12. “You know, you The intended message is that the by Tony Perkins, president of the dermine enforcement of a duly enact- couldn’t speak politically before; now IRS will no longer enforce the John- Family Research Council, was to ban ed U.S. law or to engage in invidious you can.” He added that it is “going son Amendment against Christians, transgender people from serving in discrimination against secular tax-ex- to be a great thing for Christianity, be- particularly evangelicals, who are be- the military. Within days, Trump an- empt groups. lieve me.” ing encouraged to electioneer, to the nounced his transgender military ban Nevertheless, as FFRF’s amended News story after news story declared detriment of secular nonprofit groups via tweet and without first consulting brief documents, Trump continues to that Trump was allowing or making it held to a more rigorous standard of military leaders. send “a loud message to the religious easier for churches to engage in polit- enforcement. As a result of the executive order, community” that it may openly violate ical activity. Reuters, for instance, ran FFRF warns, “The president’s churches and religious organizations the Johnson Amendment. Trump told a headline saying, “Trump order frees speech and actions convey a mes- will be encouraged to blatantly and the Faith and Freedom Coalition on tax-exempt churches to be more polit- sage of pure religious endorsement, deliberately flout electioneering re- June 8 that he had delivered on his ically active.” which indicates that religious officials strictions, including during the up- campaign message to stop the John- His executive order and statements are political insiders, while secular coming 2018 elections. Caption contest winner! Congratulations to Alfie Kohn for winning FFRF’s Caption Contest from Published by Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. the September issue. P.O. Box 750 Madison WI 53701 The winning caption is: “And the tooth shall set you free.” Alfie will re- [email protected] FFRF.org ceive an “Unabashed Atheist” T-shirt. P 608.256.8900 F 608.204.0422 The top runners-up, in no particu- lar order, are: EDITOR P.J. Slinger [email protected] • Holy Molars! — Roger Dumas EDITOR EMERITUS Bill Dunn • When you’re our customer, we’re EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER Annie Laurie Gaylor all in the same boat. — Barbara Weber. GRAPHIC DESIGNER Roger Daleiden • Tooth Fairy on Staff — Jim Dunn COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Amit Pal • All dental plans accepted, especial- ly flood insurance. —­ ­ Robyn Merchant CONTRIBUTORS Thanks to all who participated. We Marianne Arnini, Philip Appleman, Dan Barker, will have another contest in an upcom- Molly Hanson, Ingrid Laas, Chris Line, Tim Nott, Andrew Seidel, ing issue. If you have any non-copy- Katherine Stewart, Jake Swenson, Lisa Treu right-protected images (most likely that you took yourself) that you think The only freethought newspaper in the United States would be good for a caption contest, please send them to [email protected]. Photo by Dan Barker October 2017 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 3 Who’s to blame for natural disasters? By PJ Slinger the coast to Houston, Texas . . . Boom, orget climate change. Forget poor here it comes, now it’s underwater. Wa- civic planning. ter is a sign of judgment and cleansing. F You wanna know what really Is now not the time for the voice of the caused Hurricane Harvey to devastate church to rise up and declare, ‘Let’s Houston? Or Hurricane Irma to up- stop killing the babies!’” end Florida? Yeah, it was God. An an- Regarding Hurricane Harvey, tel- gry God. evangelist Jim Bakker declared “This But the real blame lies elsewhere, of flood is from God,” punishment for course. the former mayor of Houston attempt- According to many on the Religious ing to subpoena ministers’ sermons. Right, God is upset with abortion and/ Pastor Rick Joyner, who joined Bakker or the LGBTQ community in this on his show, agreed that these huge country. Therefore, he took out his storms don’t “happen by accident.” vengeance on Houston and southern Florida (for what- What about other ‘sins’? ever reasons, but So how come it’s always the LGBTQ certainly none community or abortion that’s at fault? having to do with God doesn’t seem to care about many the fact that they other “sins” when it comes to his ma- are coastal areas jor natural disasters. You don’t hear of prone to flood- people claiming that a deadly tornado ing after a major Houston deserves divine retribution. “Unless you repent, you will likewise was because God was mad at people for storm). In 2015, city voters soundly struck perish,” Swanson continued. “And re- stealing. For those re- down an anti-discrimination bathroom pairing your houses in Houston after a God isn’t very discerning in his ability ligious conserva- law with support from many conserva- hurricane is useless if you’re just going to mete out punishment, either. You’d PJ Slinger tives who think tive Christian groups and leaders.” to go to hell.” think an omnipotent being might be that God is upset with the gays and In her article, Winston also listed Ah. There it is. able to better pick and choose who suf- abortion, do they truly believe that if several other storms that were appar- And then there’s Christian radio fers though his weather catastrophes. our country would somehow stop all ently God’s wrath. host Rick Wiles. He blamed the hurri- We’re all familiar with the biblical abortions and magically end homo- “Usually, their logic revolves around cane on Houston’s “affinity for the sex- flood story, where God killed nearly ev- sexuality, these horrific storms would LGBT themes — Buster Wilson of the ual perversion movement.” ery animal and human on Earth, so yes, cease to occur in the United States? American Family Association claimed “This is a proud city that, in recent he’s being a bit more choosy here. But God sent Hurricane Isaac to stop an years, has boasted of its allegiance, its still, he’s killing the anti-choicers along Believers were quiet annual LGBT festival; the Rev. Frank- dedication, its devotion to the homo- with the pro-choicers. He’s flooding In the immediate aftermath of Har- lin Graham blamed Hurricane Katrina sexual/lesbian agenda,” Wiles said on the homes of evangelical straight white vey, which caused tens of billions of on ‘orgies’; and Catholic priest Ger- his TruNews radio program. men along with lesbians and gays and dollars in damage and the deaths of at hard Wagner called Katrina ‘divine ret- And Dave Daubenmire, the former the transgendered. least 60 people in the Houston area, ribution’ for New Orleans’ tolerance Ohio high school football coach who And, finally, these people who claim the zealots were surprisingly quiet. of homosexuality,” Winston wrote. was given the title “America’s Most to speak as if they know God’s mind Kimberly Winston of Religion News Christian Football Coach” by Forbes clearly aren’t afraid of the hypocrisy Service even wrote a column about it. And here it comes magazine, blamed Harvey on the for- inherent in their proclamations. After She wrote that Peter Montgomery, a Her column was rendered moot mer lesbian mayor of Houston — and all, the true believers’ ultimate answer senior fellow at People for the Amer- shortly thereafter, however. abortion. (Annise Danette Parker was to anything is, “God works in mysteri- ican Way, said “the reaction from the “I think that the entire state of Texas mayor of Houston for six years, start- ous ways.” usual finger-waggers ‘is different this and the entire United States of Amer- ing in 2010.) Instead of saying that hurricanes time around.’” ica needs to take note of this, and re- “How’s it working out for them right Harvey and Irma were those unknow- Why was that? alize that there is a God in heaven,” now?” Daubenmire asked of Houston able mysteries, they claim to know ex- “One theory is that Texas, with a pastor Kevin Swanson said on his radio residents. “Here’s a city that has boast- actly what God was thinking. But if a few exceptions like the famously liber- show. “He brings his judgments and he ed of its LGBT devotion, it’s affinity child from a religious family is stricken al Austin, is a Religious Right strong- calls nations to repentance, as he is do- for the sexual perversion movement in with cancer and dies, they fall back on hold,” Winston wrote. “Gov. Greg Ab- ing right now.” America. They’re underwater.” the “mysterious ways” answer. bott is very popular with conservative Swanson said Harvey was, among But he wasn’t done. Apparently it’s only mysterious Christians, so perhaps they are less other things, punishment for Texas fail- “Isn’t it amazing? Katrina slammed if you can’t blame abortion or the willing to suggest God is unhappy with ing to pass its “bathroom bill,” which New Orleans — we know about voo- LGBTQ community. him. Another theory is that Christian would have restricted transgender peo- doo and the darkness in New Orleans,” PJ Slinger is the editor of Freethought To- conservatives don’t want to suggest ple’s access to public restrooms. he said. “Then it moved right down day and a Lifetime Member of FFRF. Nonbelief Relief awards over $100K in aid Nonbelief Relief, FFRF’s nonreli- unrestricted designation for its work main purpose is to provide contraceptive FFRF’s executive board as a separate gious humanitarian agency, announced providing medical clinics in the United choices internationally. 501(c)(3) nonprofit to remediate condi- Sept. 21 the disbursement more than States to the underserved, largely peo- • $30,000 to World Food Program tions of human suffering and injustice, $100,000, including relief for victims of pled by volunteers. USA, for top spots currently requiring and to provide a charity under the ban- Hurricanes Irma and Maria and of the • Nonbelief Relief previously donated famine relief, which include Nigeria, ner of freethought. Mexican earthquake. $10,000 to the Greater Houston Com- Sudan and Yemen, and whose lives and Nonbelief Relief has no ulterior mo- To aid people affected by Hurricanes munity Founda- food supply is cut tive of “conversion” to freethought. But Irma and Maria, Nonbelief Relief has tion in the name of off or imperiled in giving aid in cases of natural disaster designated: atheists and agnos- Nonbelief Relief was created by Boko Haram and mass suffering, it does have a le- • $10,000 for ConPRmetidos, a Puer- tics, following trop- to remediate conditions of and other religious gal purpose: to challenge the IRS’ dis- to Rican secular charity. ical storm Harvey. militants. criminatory favoritism of churches and • $10,000 for UNICEF, which is on • To aid recov- human suffering and injustice, • $3,000 to church charities, which are exempted the ground across the Caribbean and ery and victims af- and to provide a charity under Atheists Fight Hun- from accountability. All other 501(c)(3) Florida to support children affected by ter the earthquake the banner of freethought. ger, an adjunct of groups, including FFRF and Nonbelief the devastating hurricanes. in Mexico in the PAStAHCon, the Relief, must file an annual, detailed tax • $10,000 divided into four local or name of nonbelief, upcoming annual return in order to sustain tax-exempt statewide Florida charities: Women’s Nonbelief Relief is giving $5,000 to Di- October conference of PA State Athe- status. Nonbelief Relief has notified the Fund of Miami-Dade; Second Harvest rect Relief, Inc. ist/Humanist Conference. IRS it will not file any forms churches or Food Bank of Central Florida; Neighbor- In other fall grants, Nonbelief Relief • $10,000 is being held in reserve to church charities are exempted from. hood Health Clinic (Naples, Fla.) and gave: re-up a project with Foundation Beyond To ensure your donation to Nonbe- Boca Helping Hands. All work in the • $10,000 to Population Services In- Belief for a campaign to help women ac- lief Relief remains deductible for in- affected areas of Florida and are highly ternational, endorsed by ethicist and cused of witchcraft in Africa. come tax purposes, you may donate to rated by Charity Navigator. well-known atheist Peter Singer’s group, • $10,000 for Team Rubicon, which Nonbelief Relief at ffrf.org/donate. Only • $5,000 designated for hurricane The Life You Can Save. That gift is a re- provides disaster relief by pairing mili- donations so designated will be used for relief to Remote Area Medical Corps, sponse to President Trump’s expanded tary veterans with medical professionals. Nonbelief Relief. Nonbelief Relief has which is receiving an additional $5,000 global gag order. Population Services’ Nonbelief Relief was created by no administrative or other overhead. Page 4 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | October 2017 Space enthusiast HEADS UP embraces life, wisdom A Poetry Column By Philip Appleman PHILOSOPHY 1. BLAISE PASCAL Pascal, reflecting tearfully On our wars for Holy Pigeon, Said, “Alas, we do evil most cheerfully When we do it for religion.”

2. RENE DESCARTES The unruly dactyls and anapests Were thumping their wild dithyrambic When Descartes with a scowl very sternly stressed: Gregory Kanel “I think, therefore iambic!” Name: Gill Gregory Kanel These are not: Ignorance, intol- Where I live: I have lived in Orange erance, injustice, televangelists, me- 3. THOMAS HOBBES County, Calif., my entire life, the last ga-churches, creationists, liars. 26 years in Fullerton. Currently, it is My doubts about religion started: Better at thinking than loving, just my 18-year-old cat Meg sharing my When I was about 10. Every evening I He deserved his wife’s retort: home with me. would watch the news about the Vietnam Where and when I was born: Febru- War. They would discuss how many sol- On their wedding night, she told him, “Tom, ary 1959 in Fullerton. diers were killed or wounded. This con- That was nasty, brutish—and short!” Family: I am lucky enough to have tinued for years and years. I asked myself freethought in-laws if there was a God, —Philip Appleman, and family mem- R why would he let bers. My 91-year- this happen? Why Karma, Dharma, Pudding & Pie old mother-in-law, didn’t he put a stop © Philip Appleman. Alice Haddock, and her partner of 40 to all the killing? I also saw violence in From New and Selected Poems, 1956–1996 years, Arthur Ellard, my niece Devri the streets, and at colleges here in Amer- Speaks and my great-nephew Ulysses ica. I saw segregation and hate. These Philip Appleman is a Dis­tinguished Pro­fessor Emeri­tus Mariner, and many more nephews and are the kind of things I couldn’t believe at India­ ­na Univer­ ­si­ty. He is editor of the Norton Critical nieces. I have no children. would happen if there was a God. Edition of Darwin. His published volumes of poetry Education: K-12 in the Anaheim Before I die: I want to see, in person, include New and Selected Poems: (1956-1996), Perfidious School District. Age 18 and up: The America’s newest rocket with people Proverbs and Other Poems: A Satirical Look at the Bible rough-and-tumble school of business on board, launched from Kennedy (2012), Darwin’s Ark (new 2009 edition) and Karma, and life. Space Center. I would also like the ma- Dharma, Pudding & Pie (2009). His newest book is The Occupation: I’ve been a small busi- jority of this planet’s energy to be pro- Labyrinth: God, Darwin and the Meaning of Life. He and ness owner for 31 vided by renew- his playwright wife, Marjorie Appleman, are both “After- years. I own the able sources. Life” Members of FFRF. Phil’s books: ffrf.org/shop. Kanel Corpora- By the age of 10, I came Ways I promote tion, a machine freethought: Indi- shop specializing to realize that religion and the rectly, by support- in aerospace and church“ had played a dominant ing FFRF through medical products. role in shaping the world I was my contributions. OVERHEARD How I got living in, and not for the good. Also, I certainly where I am to- — Gregory Kanel don’t refrain when One of the things that we have to re- scarf when she returns to Afghanistan day: Strong free- asked about my member is that this is a public meet- wearing curve-hugging costumes. thought parents, thoughts on reli- ing, it’s a public facility. We need to New York Times, 8-20-17 Vern and Jeanine. gion and my athe- make sure we’re open to all. I think They are gone now. A proud public ed- ism, whether it is by someone at my we do have to be careful that we’re not I think organized ucation with thoughtful and tenacious front door or in other social settings. seen as promoting any particular faith. religion can have a teachers. A desire to never stop learn- I wish you’d have asked me: Why It’s an emotional topic. People have mind-debilitating ing, and, most importantly, listening to did I join FFRF? As a student of history, very deeply held beliefs, but I do think effect, because there wise people. even by the age of 10, I came to realize we have to remember and respect the is an exclusivity that Where I’m headed: I am not sure that religion and the church had played minority voices that may or may not can shut you out where I am headed, but whatever the a dominant role in shaping the world I believe the way any one of us believes. from being open to future holds for me, I am going to em- was living in, and not for the good. From Clark County (Wash.) Council Member the world, to people, brace it with enthusiasm and a smile the Crusades to the Inquisition to the Julie Olson, prior to the council voting and energy, and love on my face. witch hunts, the unspeakable human to allow anyone, including the nonreli- and acceptance. Person in history I admire and why: cruelty that religion has served upon Aaron Rodgers gious, to give pre-meeting invocations. Aaron Rodgers, for- Carl Sagan. I grew up during the space humankind needs to be recognized and The Columbian, 8-22-17 mer NFL and Super Bowl MVP of the age, humanity’s first adventures into stood up to, because it continues today. Green Bay Packers. space. Sagan connected this exploration FFRF has the courage and conviction I We have people ESPN, 8-30-17 with the science of cosmology and as- appreciate to meet this challenge. After of many different tronomy. He made those subjects cool, becoming aware of FFRF through your faiths. We want the When you’re accustomed to religious just like him. Calm and articulate, Carl ad in Scientific American magazine, I chamber to be wel- exceptionalism, pluralism can feel like made me see the world and the universe joined your fine organization with great come for everybody persecution. in a new way. I came to understand that pleasure. Keep up the wonderful work who wants to speak. Sandi Villarreal, in the column, we are truly stardust, and so is everything you do. It wasn’t something “What’s Behind White Evangelical this planet is made of. Our world is a The Constitution is on our side. to put on the walls. Anxiety?” grain of sand in the ocean of space. We Warren Gubler, Sojourners, 10-26-16 live on a cosmic outpost, and there will The Born Again Skeptic’s mayor of Visalia, be no resupplying us. We need to take Warren Gubler Guide to the Bible Calif., on the city It is not only evolution. Evolution is care of what we have and each other. council voting down a motion to have a test case. It is about rationality — Carl Sagan was the messenger and I lis- the motto “In God We Trust” posted about whether the curriculum should tened. Thanks, Carl. By Ruth Hurmence Green inside council chambers. be built on whatever the government A quotation I like: “Imagine there’s no A Missouri grandmother Visalia Times-Delta, 8-22-17 chooses to be the proper values. heaven, it’s easy if you try. No hell below debunks the bible as Ali Alpar, an astrophysicist and pres- us; above us only sky.” — John Lennon no one has debunked it The mullahs are the enemy of the Af- ident of Turkey’s Science Academy, These are a few of my favorite since Thomas Paine. ghan people, the enemy of happiness. condemning the country’s decision things: Hugs, family, music, cooking, Afghan singer and international pop to no longer teach evolution in its my space collection, learning new BuyBuy it it from from FFRF online online star Aryana Saeed, a London-based schools. things, reading, football, baseball, the shop. shop.ffrf.org rf.org feminist who refuses to don the head NPR, 8-20-17 ocean and the forest. October 2017 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 5 IN THE NEWS Number of white Christians shrinking in U.S.

Less than half of the U.S. population • There are 20 states in which no re- now consider themselves white Chris- ligious group comprises a greater share tians, a stunning and seismic shift from of residents than the religiously unaffili- 40 years ago, according to a recently re- ated. These states tend to be more con- leased survey on religious identity. centrated in the Western United States, The study also shows that less than although they include a couple of states half of all states are now majority white in the Northeast. Christian. Just 10 years ago, 39 states had • The cultural center of the Catholic majority white Christian populations. Church is shifting south. In 1972, rough- The 2016 “America’s Changing Reli- ly seven in 10 Catholics lived in either gious Identity” study, released Sept. 6 by the Northeast (41 percent) or the Mid- the Public Religion Research Institute, is west (28 percent). Today, a majority of the largest survey of American religious Catholics reside in the South (29 per- identity ever conducted. It included a cent) or West (25 percent). sampling of more than 101,000 Ameri- • Jews, Hindus and Unitarian-Univer- cans from all 50 states. salists stand out as the most educated The biggest change from the past to groups in the American religious land- the present is, not surprisingly, genera- scape. More than one-third of Jews (34 tional in nature. percent), Hindus (38 percent), and Uni- “The young are much less likely to be- tarian-Universalists (43 percent) hold lieve this is a ‘Christian nation’ or to give • White Christians are now less than Christian groups. At least one-third of Mus- post-graduate degrees. Notably, Muslims preference to Christian identity,” said half of the public. Only 43 percent iden- lims (42 percent), Hindus (36 percent), are significantly more likely than white Daniel Cox, PRRI’s director of research. tify as white and Christian, and only 30 and Buddhists (35 percent) are under the evangelical Protestants to have at least a “Young people and seniors are basically percent as white and Protestant. In 1976, age of 30. Roughly one-third (34 percent) four-year college degree. inhabiting different religious worlds. It is roughly eight in 10 (81 percent) Amer- of religiously unaffiliated Americans are • Nearly half of LGBT Americans are no longer the case among young people icans identified as white and identified also under 30. religiously unaffiliated. Nearly half (46 that being religious is necessarily a posi- with a Christian denomination. • The Catholic Church is experienc- percent) of Americans who identify as les- tive attribute.” • White evangelical Protestants are ing an ethnic transformation. In 1991, bian, gay, bisexual or transgender are reli- Robert P. Jones, PRRI’s CEO and au- in decline, along nearly nine in 10 giously unaffiliated. This is roughly twice thor of The End of White Christian Amer- with white mainline (87 percent) Cath- the number of Americans overall (24 per- ica, said one of the biggest changes is Protestants and It is no longer the case olics were white, cent) who are religiously unaffiliated. the loss of many of the white evangelical white Catholics. among young people that non-Hispanic, • White Christians have become a Protestants. Fewer than one in compared to 55 minority in the Democratic Party. Fewer being“ religious is necessarily “This report provides solid evidence of five (17 percent) percent today. than one in three (29 percent) Demo- a new, second wave of white Christian de- Americans is a a positive attribute. More than half (52 crats today is a white Christian, com- cline that is occurring among white evan- white evangelical — Daniel Cox percent) of Catho- pared to half (50 percent) one decade gelical Protestants just over the last de- Protestant, but they lics under the age earlier. Only 14 percent of young Dem- cade in the U.S.,” he said. “Prior to 2008, accounted for near- of 30 are Hispanic. ocrats (age 18 to 29) identify as white white evangelical Protestants seemed to ly one-quarter (23 percent) in 2006. • Self-described atheists and agnostics Christian. Forty percent identify as reli- be exempt from the waves of demograph- Over the same period, white Catholics account for a minority of all religiously giously unaffiliated. ic change and disaffiliation that were dropped five percentage points from unaffiliated. Most describe themselves as • White evangelical Protestants re- eroding the membership bases of white 16 percent to 11 percent, as have white secular. Atheists and agnostics account main the dominant religious force in the mainline Protestants and white Catholics. mainline Protestants, from 18 percent to for about one-quarter (27 percent) of all GOP. More than one-third (35 percent) We now see that these waves simply crest- 13 percent. religiously unaffiliated Americans. Near- of all Republicans identify as white evan- ed later for white evangelical Protestants.” • America’s youngest religious groups ly six in 10 (58 percent) religiously un- gelical Protestant, a proportion that has Among the major findings of the are all non-Christian. Muslims, Hindus affiliated Americans identify as secular, remained roughly stable over the past study: and Buddhists are all younger than white someone who is not religious. decade.

Washington county ment of Finance and Administration. “astonishingly widespread” world- seven years, $10,000 in damages and opens invocations to all The law also requires the motto to wide, with many laying down dispro- issuing them an apology. appear in any public building that’s portionate punishments ranging from During processing, Deputy Clerk In the state of Washington, the maintained or operated by state funds. prison sentences to lashings or the Debbie Allen slammed the paperwork Clark County City Council on Aug. 22 death penalty, the author of a report on the desk, said she was a Christian and unanimously approved a resolution Trump voters: Christians, on blasphemy announced. called the couple an “abomination” in a allowing groups or individuals “hav- whites most oppressed Iran, Pakistan and Yemen score rant that continued for several minutes, ing no religious affiliation” to offer worst, topping a list of 71 countries according to court documents. Another a brief statement prior to the start of Public Policy Polling’s newest with laws criminalizing views deemed clerk joined in, shouting that it was Al- the meeting. national survey finds that Donald blasphemous, found in all regions of len’s “religious right” to harass the cou- The guidelines also allow any group Trump’s supporters think whites and the world, according to a comprehen- ple, according to the complaint. or individual to request a moment of Christians are the most oppressed sive report issued in August by the silence in place of an invocation. groups of people in the country. U.S. Commission on International Re- Most in Britain say Earlier versions of the revisions The PPP survey shows about 40 ligious Freedom. they have no religion drew concerns from some secu- percent of voters approve of the job The bipartisan commission called lar-minded residents of the county Trump is doing compared to 53 per- for repeal of blasphemy statutes, say- More than half of the British public and FFRF that they improperly ex- cent who disapprove. ing they invited abuse and failed to (53 percent) say they are not at all reli- cluded non-religious people from of- The poll also shows some of his protect freedoms of religion and gious — a figure that has increased by fering an invocation. supporters agree with some of the be- expression. five percentage points since 2015 and liefs that inspired white supremacists by 19 percentage points since 1983, Arkansas mandates ‘In to rally in Charlottesville, Va. Asked Lesbians win $10K in when just three in 10 people deemed God We Trust’ motto what racial group they think faces the suit against county clerk themselves non-religious. most discrimination in America, 45 The news has prompted renewed A new law in Arkansas says that el- percent of Trump voters say it’s white A deputy clerk in Gilmer County, calls for the government to cut the ementary and secondary schools shall people, followed by 17 percent for Na- W.Va., allegedly chastised Amanda amount of public money going to the display a framed picture or poster of tive Americans. Abramovich and Samantha Brook- church and reduce the church’s influ- “In God We Trust” above an American Asked what religious group they over as the clerk processed their mar- ence in society. flag in their libraries and classrooms. think faces the most discrimination in riage license, calling them an “abom- The decline in religious affiliation is But taxpayers won’t be fronting the America, 54 percent of Trump voters ination” and telling them God would hitting the Church of England particu- bill for the new displays. Act 911 states say it’s Christians, followed by 22 per- “deal” with them, according to a com- larly hard, with the number of people they either have to be donated from cent for Muslims. plaint filed in the U.S. District Court considering themselves Anglican hav- a private organization or purchased for the Northern District of West ing halved since 2000 — at just 15 per- with funds made available through Blasphemy laws on books Virginia. cent. Young people were particularly voluntary contributions to the local in one-third of nations A year and a half later, the Gilmer underrepresented, with just 3 percent school boards or the Building Author- County clerk’s office is paying the two of those aged 18-24 describing them- ity Division of the Arkansas Depart- Laws prohibiting blasphemy are women, who have been together for selves as Anglican. Page 6 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | October 2017 FFRF NEWS FFRF tells Rubio to silence his bible tweets

FFRF has taken on Florida Sen. Mar- informed of “Marco Rubio the senator, co Rubio for regularly tweeting bible not Marco Rubio the private citizen.” verses. FFRF’s letter lays out a compelling Rubio uses Twitter, the popular so- case, based on copious legal prec- cial media website on which he has edent, that government actors are nearly three million followers, to com- not confined to making official state- municate with constituents and keep ments only from one platform, and them informed about his official duties that Rubio’s personal Twitter account as “U.S. Senator for Florida,” as the ac- would be perceived by readers as pri- count biography describes him. marily a platform to update Rubio’s Rubio is not tweeting “an errant senatorial duties. bible verse or two, but more than 60 The simplest solution “is to stop bible verses in three months. That’s “We have no issue with people read- accounts of people who assume gov- tweeting bible verses or any other reli- enough verses to tweet the entire Book ing and discussing the bible,” notes ernment office can become accounts gious message,” FFRF suggests. Either of Jude. Twice,” writes FFRF’s Director Seidel, “The road to atheism is littered that appear to speak for the govern- that, or Rubio can remove all traces of of Strategic Response Andrew Seidel, with bibles that have been read cover ment, unless these officers carefully his public office from the @MarcoRu- also a constitutional attorney. to cover. But it is not for the govern- distinguish their public and private bio Twitter account. One of Rubio’s tweets, quoting ment in our secular republic to pro- roles. The @MarcoRubio account has Adding a little religious authority to Exodus 10:21, suggests that the solar mote one religious book over others or not been scrupulous or thorough in appeal to the good senator, FFRF con- eclipse on Aug. 21 was a sign from God. to promote religion over nonreligion.” this regard.” cludes by suggesting that Rubio might Darkness is the second to last plague In anticipation of Rubio claiming FFRF documents that @MarcoRu- consider rereading Matthew 6:5-6, in the biblical god inflicts on Egypt, be- that this is his personal social media bio is tied to Rubio’s identity as a gov- which Jesus condemns public displays fore sending the final plague to mur- account, FFRF explains why that argu- ernment actor, and has almost exclu- of piety. der every firstborn male. ment fails: “The private social media sively been used to keep constituents FFRF questions transfer of park land with cross

FFRF is greeting with guarded op- ert, “but there are serious issues with timism an announcement by the city these type of land transfers.” of Neosho, Mo., about how it is reme- In a statement, City Attorney Steve dying a state/church violation. Hays writes: “The city of Neosho, tak- FFRF had sent a complaint letter ing into account the concerns of one in May, informing the town that its of our citizens, the current findings display of a cross of law as it relates at Big Spring to stand alone Park runs afoul We are pleased the city is religious sym- of constitutional moving in the right direction, bols on public law, which bars but“ there are serious issues with land and appre- displays of reli- these type of land transfers.” ciating the costs Submitted photo gious symbols on which could be This cross in Neosho, Mo., at Big Spring Park, is about 60 feet long and lies in — Rebecca Markert public property. incurred due to the side of the hill, where it is illuminated every night. The city announced The large lengthy court pro- that it was transferring the land from public ownership to the Save Our cross, approximately 60 feet in ceedings, has taken actions which it Heritage Foundation. length, lies on the side of a hill at the believes satisfactorily resolve the is- public park and has been illuminated sue at hand.” nage, in compliance with legal dic- prime real estate.” every night by the city. Markert sent a letter to the city ex- tates. Without fences and disclaim- Markert sent an accompanying On Sept. 7, the city announced it pressing concern that the transfer, if ers, the transfer does not relieve the open records request seeking records has transferred the land containing handled with intent to “save the cross,” continued perception of government on communications between the pri- the cross to the Save Our Heritage rather than fairly and openly, may be endorsement. vate foundation and the city, copies Foundation. “a legally problematic sham remedy.” It is not clear, FFRF notes, wheth- of city codes or policies governing “We are pleased the city is mov- Notably, FFRF is seeking assur- er the city sold or gave away the the sale of city property, and other ing in the right direction,” notes ances that the divested parcel be land. “The city must ensure that it records related to the proposal to sell FFRF Legal Director Rebecca Mark- enclosed and contain disclaimer sig- is getting a fair market price for this or transfer the land.

South Dakota prison gets freethought books FFRF just made another 11-book do- four project applications later, after ad- to which money can be donated for nation to a freethought prison group. ditional letters from FFRF in 2015 and group events and the purchasing of This time it’s 2016, and after the inmate’s transfer to reading materials. to the newly the Mike Durfee State Prison, his Secu- “I need to thank both FFRF and As- formed Secular lar Humanist Study Group was ultimate- sociate Attorney Sam Grover for all the Humanist Study ly approved in May 2017. The group time and energy spent helping estab- Group at Mike had four members at its first meeting lish a secular humanist study group in Durfee State in June, but the group has been grow- the South Dakota state prison system,” Prison in South ing rapidly since then — after being al- the inmate writes. “I would also like to FFRF Memberships: Dakota. lowed to advertise its meetings — and it thank Dan Barker and Sam for the con- $40 single; $50 household; FFRF has had 15 members participate at its most tribution of books for our group library. $100 gung-ho; $250 sustaining now donated a recent meeting in mid-August. “Unfortunately, as much as I would total of 44 free- The Secular Humanist Study Group love to beg for books to build up our Memberships are tax deductible! thought books Sam Grover at the prison has been given a one-hour library, we are only allowed to re- to four differ- weekly time slot for group meetings in a ceive financial contributions for the Freethought Today is ent correctional centers in the United small classroom. It has been allowed to group, and that leaves me feeling published 10 times a year. States. establish two official secular holidays, uncomfortable.” FFRF first wrote to the South Dako- which it will observe with special meals He wrote back a few weeks later to ta Department of Corrections in May on Feb. 12 (for the birthday of Charles update FFRF on the book donations. 2014 about an inmate who was seeking Darwin) and Sept. 17 (in honor of the He said two of the books have to be P.O. Box 750 • Madison, WI 53701 to form this group within the South Da- signing of the U.S. Constitution). It has returned because the illustrations are ffrf.org/donate kota State Penitentiary system. At least also been designated a group account “not sufficiently prude enough.” October 2017 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 7 FFRF files Supreme Court brief against travel ban FFRF has filed an amicus brief against unpopular religious minori- before the U.S. Supreme Court op- ties. This impermissible intent is an posing President Trump’s travel ban unconstitutional endorsement and on immigration from several Mus- advancement of religion and fails the lim-majority countries. Supreme Court’s so-called Lemon test. FFRF argues that the executive The history and effect of this exec- order, “Protecting the Nation from utive order conveys Trump’s message Foreign Terrorist Entry into the loud and clear: “We don’t want them United States,” issued on Jan. 27 this here.” The executive order effectively year and then reissued on March 6, establishes Christianity as a favored re- violates the Establishment Clause of ligion and Christians as favored mem- the First Amendment. FFRF notes bers of society, while overtly discrim- that the order’s underlying purpose inating against Muslims. The Trump is religious: to ban a religious minori- administration has engaged in a cam- ty (Muslims) and to favor Christians. paign of religious discrimination and The brief also makes the contention favoritism that will not stop until the that the travel ban contravenes Arti- Shutterstock/Rena Schild Supreme Court unequivocally strikes cle VI of the U.S. Constitution, which asserts. “Executive Order 13780 sul- asylum seekers, or 0.0006 percent down its religious purpose as uncon- prohibits a religious test for office. lies that history with a ban on travel of the 700,522 admitted from 1975 stitutional, FFRF concludes. It would create precedence that targeting six majority-Muslim nations through 2015, later committed acts FFRF’s lead counsel for the amic- could be used to target not only reli- and motivated by the religious make- of terror. us brief is its Legal Director Rebecca gious minorities, but also the signifi- up of those countries.” Consistent public statements by Markert. The state/church watchdog cant minority today that identifies as The order is not tailored to address the Trump administration coloring wants to thank Immigration Law At- nonreligious. the president’s supposed purpose, the executive order as a “Muslim torney Huma Ahsan for approach- “Never in the history of the United FFRF maintains. Less than a quarter ban” suggest an underlying religious ing it about the brief and inspiring States have our immigration policies of Muslim-Americans involved in vio- purpose. Clear repeated statements it to get involved, and Russell Busch, and procedures been used to deny lent extremism of any kind have fam- by the president show the order was a summer law clerk with FFRF from opportunity to religious groups and ily ties to the six countries designated motivated by a desire to give prefer- the University of Michigan, who also to favor a particular religion,” FFRF in the order. And, in fact, only four ence to a religion and to discriminate helped with research and drafting. Coach prayer ruling by 9th Circuit lauded The termination of a public school a captive audience of school children the parameters laid out in the Consti- ing and fundamentally misunderstands coach who was fired for proselytizing who depend on his good will for playing tution — coaches can’t impose prayer the law,” FFRF Staff Attorney Andrew was just upheld by the 9th U.S. Court time, access to scholarships and more. on students. Seidel wrote. “Several other federal of Appeals. He was ordered to stop praying with stu- Kennedy was eventually placed on courts have examined this precise issue As an assistant football coach at the dents on Sept. 17, 2015. administrative leave and was not re- and all have come down on the side Bremerton School District in Washing- FFRF backed up the district when hired the following year. Kennedy then of students’ right to an education free ton, Joe Kennedy abused his position, Kennedy hired First Liberty Institute, sued and sought a preliminary injunc- from proselytizing and not on the side often praying with students on the field. a Religious Right law firm, to repre- tion against the school system. of a predatory adult seeking to use a po- On Aug. 23, the 9th Circuit ruled in sent him. Kennedy announced that he As the lawsuit progressed, First Lib- sition of power to impose their religion favor of the school district, finding that would pray at the game despite the dis- erty Institute sought to fundraise off the on other people’s children.” Kennedy “took advantage of his posi- trict’s order. coach’s case. It portrayed him as perse- The court ruled: “Kennedy spoke as tion to press his particular views upon In an Oct. 15, 2015, letter, FFRF cuted, creating a circus-like atmosphere a public employee when he kneeled and the impressionable and captive minds urged the district to stand by its earli- around the case. FFRF chastized the 47 prayed on the 50-yard line immediately before him.” er decision to prohibit a coach from members of the Congressional Prayer after games while in view of students and The school district told Kennedy praying with students. FFRF Staff At- Caucus for grossly mischaracterizing parents. Kennedy therefore cannot show that he could not use his position as a torney Madeline Ziegler asked the su- the law in a 2015 letter to the district. a likelihood of success on the merits of school employee to promote religion to perintendent to continue upholding “The Prayer Caucus’ letter is mislead- his First Amendment retaliation claim.” FFRF calls out Sixth Circuit for prayer ruling What Is a Freethinker? FFRF is blasting a ruling by an freethinker n. appeals court that blesses Christian The majority opinion rests 1 A person who forms opinions prayer at governmental meetings. on the same convoluted appeals about religion on the basis of The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals to ‘tradition’ and ‘history’ used reason, independently of tradition, in Cincinnati issued on Sept. 6 a di- to justify other legislative authority, or established belief. vided decision declaring constitu- tional the practice of opening meet- prayer practices. ings with prayer by the Board of Commissioners in Jackson County, Mich. The ruling unfortunately re- on the county’s Solid Waste Planning versed an earlier decision by a three- Commission and the Board of Public judge panel declaring the practice Works. unconstitutional. Board members call for prayer was rejected. While the In a footnote, the 6th Circuit MOVING? on a rotating basis deliver prayers at founders of our nation were, at best, majority ruling acknowledges that Don’t miss your copy of the start of each meeting. The de- of mixed opinion on governmental its decision runs counter to the 4th cision even notes that these prayers prayer, James Madison, the prima- Circuit’s decision in Lund v. Rowan

Moving? Don’t miss a single issue of Freethought Today are “generally Christian in tone and ry author of our godless and secu- County, handed down in July, which often ask ‘God,’ ‘Lord’ or ‘Heavenly lar Constitution, weighed in solidly ruled that county commissioner-led Notify Us of Father’ to provide the Commission- against congressional chaplaincies. prayers violate the Establishment Your Address Change ers with guidance.” Six judges, including Chief Judge Clause by impermissibly advancing The majority opinion rests on the Guy Cole, laudably dissented from religion. Far from clarifying the law, same convoluted appeals to “tradi- the majority opinion. The dissent the 6th Circuit decision muddies the Promptly! tion” and “history” used to justify oth- notes that the Jackson County Com- waters for the rest of the country. er legislative prayer practices. Such missioners “refused to allow any FFRF continues some major chal- EMAIL [email protected] unpersuasive arguments are reject- non-Commissioners to give prayers . lenges to government prayer. FFRF’s ed by courts when addressing other . . in order to avoid hearing prayers ongoing challenges include lawsuits historically accepted practices, such they would not like.” When a mem- against courtroom prayer imposed by The Post Office does not as slavery or the denial of women’s ber of the public voiced an objec- a justice of the peace in Montgomery forward third-class mail. suffrage. The court assertion that tion to the prayers, one commission- County, Texas; prayer by the Chino FFRF cannot be responsible for replacing “the Framers considered legislative er “made a disgusted face . . . and Valley School District in California back issues if we have not been prayer a benign acknowledgment of turned his chair around, refusing (now before the 9th Circuit); and notified prior to your move. religion’s role in society” minimizes to listen” and another called the ob- censorship of opening invocations the divisive nature of prayer, going as jecting citizen a “nitwit.” This repre- by nonbelievers in a case with Amer- far back as the Constitutional Con- hensible behavior culminated in an icans United and the ACLU in Bre- vention, when Benjamin Franklin’s objecting citizen being denied a seat vard County, Fla. Page 8 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | October 2017 FFRF VICTORIES By Molly Hanson Gideon bibles after FFRF sent a warn- ing to the school district over the constitutional violation. Superintendent won’t It was reported to FFRF that teach- lead prayers in Texas ers at West Fountain Elementary FFRF was able to get a superinten- School in Wichita Falls, Texas, had dent to stop leading prayers at school-re- lined students up and escorted them lated functions. out to the edge of school property to FFRF learned the superintendent of receive a bible from the Gideon Soci- Crosby Independent School District in ety, a male proselytizing group. Crosby, Texas, had led a prayer at an FFRF Staff Attorney Sam Grover awards ceremony for students and led wrote to Wichita Falls Independent similar prayers at Crosby High School School District on March 17, inform- graduation ceremonies. ing the district that advancing the Furthermore, it was reported that Gideon’s religious mission was a con- the school was regularly scheduling stitutional violation of the separation prayers to be announced over public between church and state. loudspeakers before home football FFRF was informed on Sept. 5 that games. Executive Director of School Adminis- FFRF Staff Attorney Sam Grover tration Debby Patterson had addressed wrote to a legal representative of the FFRF Associate Attorney Sam Grover Spartan Area Regional Transit Agen- the violation by sending an email to dis- school district on July 12, informing the sent a letter to the Glen Rose Indepen- cy General Manager Luis Gonzalez re- trict staff, reminding them of the guide- district of its constitutional violations. dent School District superintendent to sponded Aug. 25, informing FFRF that lines regarding sidewalk bible distribu- Grover also explained that it is illegal ensure that the school district would the transit system would no longer be tion. Patterson informed the staff that for a public school to include prayer at not continue to illegally promote reli- closed on Good Friday. the Gideons are never to be allowed on school athletic events. gion, encouraging Glen Rose Elemen- school property to distribute bibles. On Aug. 11, a representative of the tary to partner with secular organiza- Virginia school division school district informed FFRF that the tions in the future. ceases staff prayers California school district had agreed to meet its legal ob- A legal representative of the school expels prayers ligations to remain religiously neutral. district replied on Aug. 18, informing A Virginia school division in Smith- FFRF that the district would request field will no longer include prayer in its Missouri school coach that Glen Rose Elementary School part- mandatory employee convocations. won’t give prayers ner with different, non-religious organi- It was reported to FFRF that every zations going forward. year at the Isle of Wight County School Division convocations, a guest speaker Ohio school won’t teach would lead the staff in a Christian prayer. creationism anymore At the 2016 convocation, the speak- er had asked employees to stand up if FFRF and Americans United have they believed in Jesus Christ during the ensured that creationist myths will no prayer. FFRF Senior Attorney Patrick El- longer be taught at an online Ohio pub- liott wrote to Superintendent Jim Thorn- lic charter school based out of Akron. ton Aug. 23, requesting that the division A concerned parent of an Ohio Dis- end the unconstitutional prayers. A California elementary school will tance & Electronic Learning Academy Thornton responded Aug. 28, in- no longer be including prayers in its student contacted FFRF to report the forming FFRF that the 2017 convo- graduation ceremonies after receiving school’s biology classes include a unit cation speaker had been told not to a warning from FFRF. on “biogenesis” that teaches the bibli- pray, which he had complied with. A concerned parent informed FFRF cal view of creation. The class readings Thornton further informed FFRF that that an elementary graduation cere- for this unit reportedly include young- going forward the division planned to mony at Blochman Union School Dis- Earth creationist Walter Brown’s book, eliminate convocation speakers from trict in Santa Maria, Calif., included In the Beginning: Compelling Evidence for outside organizations to avoid future an invocation and benediction led by Creation and the Flood, which was pro- violations. a local pastor. moted exclusively by Brown’s own reli- The prayers had begun with the FFRF has put the kibosh on coach- gious ministry, the Center for Scientific FFRF gives Alabama pastor instructing the audience to bow led prayers at a school district in Shel- Creation. school lesson on law their heads in prayer, and had thanked bina, Mo. In a letter sent to Ohio Distance & and praised “Father God,” “Lord God,” It was reported to FFRF that the South Electronic Learning Academy Superin- An Alabama school district will not and “Our Heavenly Father.” FFRF Staff Shelby High School football coach, tendent David Bowlin on July 24, FFRF be promoting religious events, thanks Attorney Elizabeth Cavell wrote to the Rob Wilt, was leading prayers with stu- Staff Attorney Sam Grover informed the to FFRF’s involvement. school district on June 29 requesting dent-athletes after games last year. academy that the Supreme Court has FFRF was informed that Fairview that future graduations do not include FFRF Staff Attorney Patrick El- struck down the teaching of “scientific High School in Cullman, Ala., had unconstitutional prayer. liott wrote to the Shelby County R-IV creationism” in public schools. Grover used its televised morning announce- Superintendent Doug Brown re- School District superintendent on May also noted that federal courts have con- ments to advertise a religious event, sponded Aug. 30, assuring FFRF 11, warning that it is illegal for public sistently rejected other efforts to under- the “Decide” Youth Rally, which took that both the invocation and bene- school athletic coaches to lead their mine evolution or to supplement its place in January at the public school. diction would be removed at future teams in prayer. FFRF requested that teaching with religious ideology in the The event was also mentioned in the graduations. the district take action to ensure Wilt public schools. school’s morning announcements for would cease praying or organizing Bowlin responded to FFRF Aug. several days leading up to the event, prayer with athletes. 24, writing that all the public school’s including one with a promotional vid- Include FFRF FFRF was informed in August that teachers had been reminded that using eo from a pastor speaking at the event. In Your Estate Planning Wilt and other staff had received train- religious materials for any reason is pro- FFRF Legal Fellow Chris Line wrote ing by the school legal counsel on their hibited in public schools. to Cullman County Schools Superin- obligation to keep religion out of school tendent Shane Barnette Aug. 28 in- events. South Carolina transit forming him that the advertisements to run on ‘Good Friday’ had impermissibly entangled the Arrange a bequest in your will FFRF pushes for secular school and district with a religious or trust, or make the Freedom school supplies Thanks to FFRF, a South Carolina viewpoint and violated the principle From Religion Foundation transit system will be up and running of state and church separation. the bene ciary of an insurance FFRF has ensured that an elemen- on Good Friday. The schools superintendent re- policy, bank account or IRA. tary school in Texas will no longer be It was reported to FFRF that the Spar- sponded Aug. 28 to inform FFRF that It’s easy to do. partnering with a religious organization tanburg Area Transit System in South he would address the violation appro- for school supplies. Carolina did not run on the Christian priately with the administration and For related information (or to request a bequest brochure), It was reported to FFRF that Glen holy day, Good Friday, on April 14. ensure that the law was followed in the please contact Annie Laurie Rose Elementary School in Glen Rose, FFRF’s Legal Director Rebecca Mark- future. Gaylor at (608) 256-8900, Texas, had partnered with a Christian ert wrote to the transit system general info@ rf.org organization, School Tool Box, to sell manager on May 18 informing the city Texas school shuns school supplies to parents through the that it is an unconstitutional promotion Gideons from campus Freedom depends organization’s website. The school was and favoritism of Christianity to shut on freethinkers advertising School Tool Box’s services down the transit services for this Chris- Students at a Texas elementary and, indirectly, its religious mission. tian holiday. school won’t be herded to receive October 2017 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 9 Hoosier favorite state-church protector? FFRF! FFRF was able to remedy three trict that such religious promotion ported to FFRF that school events in tizing students with bible verses after state-church violations in Indiana in was a constitutional violation and re- the district often included scheduled FFRF contacted the school. the past several weeks. questing that the coach refrain from prayers and that staff members were A community member informed encouraging religious activities or regularly encouraging and participat- FFRF that a science teacher at Cen- Mission completed taking students on mission trips in ing in student prayer. FFRF wrote to ter Grove High School in Greenwood the future. Superintendent Shawn Price on June was regularly displaying bible verses A public school soccer team won’t FFRF received a response on Aug. 15 2, informing him that these practices on his classroom projector while stu- be attending coach-organized religious from the new superintendent at the dis- are illegal entanglements of state and dents were entering the class. FFRF mission trips after FFRF took action. trict, who wrote that immediate action church. FFRF requested that immediate wrote to Center Grove Community A local resident informed FFRF would be taken to correct the legal vio- action be taken by the school district to Schools Superintendent Richard Ar- that the NorthWood High School lation and assured FFRF that the school ensure that district-sponsored events do kanoff on Jan. 27, warning the dis- girls’ soccer team, part of Wa-Nee wouldn’t promote or sponsor religious not include prayer in the future. trict that teachers displaying daily bi- Community Schools in Nappanee, activities going forward. FFRF was informed Aug. 31 that ble verses in a classroom violates the Ind., had gone on a mission trip to the school district had taken steps to constitutional prohibition of schools Panama in June. The trip had been Prayer expunged comply with the constitutional prin- not advancing or endorsing religion. organized by the team’s head coach, ciples of separation of church and The teacher’s displays created the ap- Phil Ummel, along with a mission A school in Hope, Ind., will not be state in the future. pearance that the school district pro- organization named SCORE Interna- scheduling prayer into school-spon- moted the bible’s religious message. tional. Ummel had publicly promot- sored events after receiving a letter Averse to the verses FFRF was informed Sept. 3 that the ed the trip and encouraged the girls from FFRF. school district had corrected the vi- to go as a team. On June 28, FFRF A parent within the Flatrock Haw- A teacher at a high school in olation immediately after having re- sent a letter informing the school dis- creek School Corporation in Hope re- Greenwood, Ind., will not be prosely- ceived FFRF’s legal letter. FFRF helps relieve ‘Aimless’ prisoners FFRF has ensured that religious people with stimulant use disorders,” tests are no longer part of the Virgin- yet these inmates were not incarcer- ia correctional system. ated for drug- or alcohol-related FFRF received multiple reports, offenses. Instead of using Matrix as from more than one correctional in- an addiction recovery tool, prison stitution, that Virginia’s nonreligious administrators appear to have been inmates were being penalized on using it to promote religion to “Aim- their COMPAS Assessments for indi- less” inmates. cating that they do not participate in In practice, the Matrix program organized religion. COMPAS Assess- was being led by instructors who fo- ments are given during inmates’ an- cused the program on the 12-step nual review processes in order to eval- system of recovery championed by uate areas that need improvement or Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), which attention prior to inmates’ release. is inherently religious. While the In the “Goals” category, inmates had worksheets claim that “None of the been designated as “Aimless,” based 12-step programs are religious” and on selecting “Mostly Disagree” to the that “Each person decides for him- two following statements: “I plan to self or herself what the term ‘higher attend religious activities regular- power’ means,” federal courts have ly when I am released,” and “I have consistently disagreed, ruling that found a religion or spiritual path the Alcoholics Anonymous 12-step Bible verse removed from school that I truly believe in.” model is inherently religious. A local resident informed FFRF that sages or iconography in public schools.” Being designated as “Aimless” FFRF’s concerns about the COM- a bible verse was on display above the Religion is a divisive force in public often led to additional burden- PAS Assessment and the Matrix pro- front desk at Comanche Elementary schools, FFRF added. The religious dis- some programs being added to an gram have been addressed. School in Comanche, Okla. It read: play at Comanche Elementary was par- inmate. For an inmate who consci- “The Virginia Department of Cor- “Welcome, The Lord bless you and ticularly inappropriate given the young entiously elected not to participate rections has decided to remove [the keep you. Num. 6:24.” and impressionable age group that the in organized religion and did not problematic] questions from the “Public schools may not advance, school serves. consider himself or herself to be [COMPAS] questionnaire,” Virginia prefer, or promote religion,” FFRF Le- Comanche Public Schools agreed “spiritual,” the choice presented was Senior Assistant Attorney General gal Fellow Chris Line wrote to Coman- with FFRF’s contention and reacted unworkable. and Chief of the Correctional Litiga- che Public Schools Superintendent swiftly and appropriately. To compound the problem, some tion Section Diane M. Abato recently Terry Davidson. “This display violates “Please be advised that the display inmates designated as “Aimless,” confirmed to FFRF. “The [Matrix] this basic constitutional prohibition by has been removed,” Davidson recently were being assigned by prison offi- manuals will have any references to creating the appearance that the dis- replied in an email. “It is always our in- cials to the problematic Matrix pro- 12-step programs removed, and staff trict prefers religion over nonreligion. tent to be fully compliant with the Con- gram. Matrix is designed to provide will continue to be trained not to re- Courts have continually held that school stitution and I appreciate your letter “intensive outpatient treatment for fer to 12-step programs.” districts may not display religious mes- making us aware of this violation.” Utah school pledges to follow Constitution FFRF has notched a victory in Utah for the free- “The Supreme Court ruled over 70 years ago that The school district has found FFRF’s rationale so dom of conscience. compelling a student to participate in the Pledge of persuasive that it has made its own parallel case for FFRF was contacted by a concerned parent regard- Allegiance infringed upon a student’s First Amend- the freedom to dissent in its response. ing a serious constitutional violation occurring in ment rights,” FFRF Legal Fellow Chris Line wrote to “Teachers need to teach students to show re- the state’s Canyons School Dis- Canyons School District Super- spect for any student who chooses not to partici- trict. On the first day of school, intendent James Briscoe. pate by modeling that respect themselves,” states Maureen Howe, a math teach- Multiple courts have FFRF added, “Multiple courts the district’s general counsel, Daniel Harper, in er at Hillcrest High School in reiterated that students have have reiterated that students his reply. Midvale, Utah, singled out and a constitutional right not to be have a constitutional right not The letter acknowledges that Utah state statutes rebuked a student for choosing forced to participate in the to be forced to participate in and state board of education regulations forbid to remain seated during the Pledge of Allegiance. the Pledge of Allegiance and compelling a student to stand up for the Pledge of Pledge of Allegiance. The com- that any punishment adminis- Allegiance. plainant reported that when her tered in reaction to a student “Ms. Howe has indicated that she will no child didn’t stand for the pledge, Howe approached exercising that right violates the Constitution.” longer require students to stand for the Pledge of the child and told her she needed to be respectful That’s why students may not be singled out, re- Allegiance in the future,” the letter says. “Principal and stand. buked, told they must stand, or otherwise penalized Leavitt has sent out an email to all of the teachers Howe’s action was a violation of the Constitution, for following their freedom of conscience, FFRF at Hillcrest High School reviewing Utah law FFRF informed the Canyons School District. contended. regarding the Pledge of Allegiance.” Page 10 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | October 2017 FFRF awards $11,200 2017 essay contest for college students The Freedom From Religion Founda- late Michael Hakeem, a sociology profes- tion is proud to announce the 18 win- sor who was an FFRF board chair and ac- ners of the 2017 Michael Hakeem Me- tive atheist known by generations of Uni- morial College Essay Contest. versity of Wisconsin-Madison students for College students were asked to write fine-tuning their reasoning skills. a personal persuasive essay about why FFRF thanks Dean and Dorea their morality does not come from Schramm of Florida for providing a$100 religion or God. bonus to students who are members of After carefully reviewing more than a secular student club or the Secular 160 essays, FFRF awarded seven top Student Alliance. The total of $11,200 prizes and 11 honorable mentions. reflects those bonuses. Listed below are the winners, the FFRF has offered essay competitions college or university they are attending to college students since 1979, high Gabrielle Goldworm, Seton Hall College and the award amount. FFRF has paid school students since 1994 and graduate University ($750) Michael Brown, Dartmouth College out a total of $11,200 in award money students since 2010, and this year made Catherine Evans, James Madison for the contest this year. Fourth place (tie) permanent a contest directed specifically University First place Hampton Gibson, University of to freethinking students of color. Nicholas Giurleo, Tufts University Max Stinson, University of South Oklahoma ($750) In the September issue, FFRF an- Jordan Green, University of Arizona Carolina Upstate ($3,000) Fifth place nounced the 17 winners of the William Melissa Juarez, University of California- Second place Violet Richardson, University of Schultz High School Essay Contest and the Fresno $10,150 it awarded to those students. In Jacey Anderson, Washington State Wisconsin ($500) Anne Mickey, Arizona State University University ($2,000) the August issue, FFRF announced the 14 Sixth place Chenoa Off, Russell Sage College winners of the David Hudak Memorial High Third place Kaylee Payne, University of Virginia’s Mackenzie Schneider, Smith College School Contest for Students of Color and Jamie Moffa, Washington University College at Wise ($400) Omolola Smith, University of Vermont the $10,050 it awarded to those students. School of Medicine ($1,000) Honorable mentions ($200 each) Katelynn Thompson, University of Georgia The graduate student essay winners will Fourth place (tie) Christopher Bednarcik, North Central The college contest is named for the be announced in the November issue.

First Place The most reliable form of morality FFRF awarded Max $3,000 for his first- I wore the shirt to my classes the next is based on what feels right to you, and place essay. day. When I sat down at a desk in my psy- that’s just . . . unreliable.” chology class, the girl in the seat next to I pondered that statement that night. By Max Stinson mine read my shirt and promptly moved I thought about my morality, the things to the other side of the room. This was a I considered to be wrong and the things s an African-American child growing girl with whom I’d conversed and even I considered to be right, and why I held up in the Bible Belt, I was given only had a few study sessions. Why was she those opinions. Eventually, I figured it out. A one option for a religion to follow: suddenly so repulsed? My morals are based on treating peo- Christianity. The amount of Jesus-relat- At lunchtime that day, I spotted her, ple like people — that is, treating people ed instruction I received was suffocating; eating alone. I took a deep breath and sat in the way that causes the least harm and people of other religious groups (or those at her table without asking permission. the most good. Morality should be based without religion) were demonized both in She seemed nervous, fumbling with her on a recognition that all people intrin- Max Stinson my church and at home. fork in one hand and fidgeting with the sically deserve the right to life, liberty, At the age of 7, I began asking questions, cross dangling from the chain of her neck- property and health care; thus, murder is of stripping people of their rights based something that was strongly discouraged lace with the other. I wasted no time with wrong because it violates a person’s right on things as trivial as skin pigmentation, in my church. By age 11, I decided there pleasantries. to life, and volunteering to charity organi- gender, and sexual orientation, and those was not enough evidence for the “truth” of “Why’d you run from me this morning?” zations is good because it helps to secure centuries of oppression were justified by the bible, or the existence of the god there- I asked, attempting to make eye contact, the rights of others. using the bible. in. By age 17, I realized that there wasn’t but failing to capture her shifting gaze. This type of morality, one that is based An equality-based moral code is one enough evidence for the existence of any “I didn’t run,” she said in defense. “I just on people rather than a book, is superior that disallows such injustice, and there- gods, and declared myself an atheist. kinda . . . well, you know, I’m a Christian. I to one that is based on a religious text. fore is the most reliable form of morality. During my freshman year of college, just can’t hang out with someone who has Slavery, rape, and child abuse are deemed Max, 19, is from Spartanburg, S.C., and an on-campus organization held an event no morals.” immoral by our society, but are permitted is a sophomore at the University of South called “Destereotyping Day.” They handed “I have plenty of morals,” I respond- or even encouraged in the holy books of Carolina Upstate. He is a member of the out T-shirts with the words, “I am . . . but ed, fighting to keep my temper under countless religions worldwide. Following Upstate Freethinkers Club, president of the I am not . . .” with blank spaces after the control. “You can be moral without the basis of what is fair has no downside, university’s Gay-Straight Alliance, a tutor in ellipses, which were to be filled with a mi- having a religion.” except to those who wish to oppress. the Writing Center, and a published poet. nority group and a stereotype associated “I mean, sure, you can.” She finally let The purest morality is one that is based He is looking to publish his first novel within with that group. Mine read, “I am an athe- her eyes meet mine. “But there’s no basis on fairness, and this is the moral code to the year. After graduation, he plans to pur- ist, but I am not a moral reprobate.” for it. Mine is based on the bible. Yours which I subscribe. America has a history sue a Ph.D. in English.

Second Place My dog is more than just my co-pilot FFRF awarded Jacey $2,000 for her essay. Everyone has a job to do and it’s im- ly), but we both do our best to proper- portant to work hard at your job. ly acquaint ourselves with people we By Jacey Anderson In the case of my canine companion, meet and form social connections. I’ve it seems to be guarding the yard against found that it’s much more difficult to did not construct my morals in the pew squirrels, while mine is to achieve all fear or dislike people if I truly take the of a church or find them crouching be- that I can in school. But I have found that time to get to know them, particularly Itween psalms in the bible — rather, harnessing genuine enthusiasm for your in the divisive times that we live in. A they arose primarily from the time I have work goes a long way in accomplishing simple open-minded conversation can spent with my dog (which, suspiciously, it. My dog’s commitment to his job ad- mean the difference between parting in is “God” spelled backwards). mittedly puts mine to shame, but I con- anger or camaraderie, and my dog has My dog has proven to be a teacher of stantly strive to emulate his dedication. repeatedly shown me that the latter is infinite patience and enthusiasm, and It’s important to get to know people infinitely preferable. has imparted countless pearls of wis- before you form opinions about them. Treat those around you with re- dom about how to live and treat others My dog accomplishes this with admi- spect, because they might be having a that serve as my guiding philosophy to rable tenacity by sniffing butts. I try to bad day and bite your face off. Jacey Anderson and her dog, Blink this day. The most profound of his teach- use conversation (people tend to react Fortunately, my dog has never been ings are as follows. poorly if you imitate your dog too close- a victim of this particular happenstance, Essays continued on next page October 2017 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 11

but his awareness of the possibility en- a freshly used litter box or whatever trying day, my dog tries to help by be- dog puts his whole heart into our time courages him to approach unfamiliar sit- seizes his immediate attention. My stowing big, slobbery kisses or dutifully together and I strive to do the same by uations with caution and consciousness. nose is less adept so I take a more met- bringing me some crusty, worn toy. While internalizing these priceless lessons. No Think how many times we as individu- aphorical approach, I have little use for the holy book can match the warmth a glance als, communities, or even nations have but I observe the objects themselves, from his warm chocolate eyes imparts, failed to treat those around us with dig- simple joy that my A simple gesture to I am always touched and I would not have it any other way. nity and respect and how many conflicts dog derives from someone who is suffering by the gesture. It is a Jacey, 19, is from Lynwood, Wash., have arisen because of this. Following the walk we take can“ mean the world even gentle yet invaluable and attends Washington State University, a simple philosophy of recognizing that every day and think if it seems trivial to us. reminder that, often- where she is majoring in animal science. you do not exist in a vacuum and that the that, perhaps, I also times, a simple gesture She is planning to become a veterinarian —Jancey Anderson perspectives of others have value does a have an obligation to someone who is suf- with a specialty of wildlife medicine. Jacey great deal to improve relationships and to appreciate this fering can mean the has been active in groups including 4-H, avoid causing unnecessary offense. endlessly fascinating world that I have world even if it seems trivial to us. National Honor Society, Hi-Q, Key Club and Life is not just about work — smell barely begun to understand. Lastly, treasure the time you spend ZooCorps. She was a National Merit com- the roses! We are at our best when caring for with the ones you love. mended Scholar and was salutatorian of Or, in my dog’s case, a bread crust others. Life is unpredictable and no guar- her high school class. She is a member of dropped days ago by the neighbor kid, When I wearily return home after a antees of future happiness exist, so my the Secular Student Alliance. Third Place Following in my father’s footsteps

FFRF awarded Jamie $1,000 for this essay. yearned for moral guidance. way he treated his patients. He greeted I found this guidance not from any everyone as if they were his friends, and By Jamie Moffa religion, but from my father, a secular treated them all with the utmost care humanist. He taught me how to show re- and respect. The compassion and accep- was raised Catholic. When I was grow- spect and kindness to everyone, not just tance he showed to patients of all races, ing up, my mother took my siblings and in his words, but through his actions. His economic situations, genders, political Ime to church every Sunday. We learned humble conviction in his ideals provided affiliations, and religious beliefs touched “God’s teachings,” many of which per- me with the best something deep within me, a knowledge tained to morality and how we ought to possible founda- that this was the sort of behavior I wanted treat others. tion for my own to emulate in my own life. Despite my early doubts about God’s ex- morals, better As I grew older, I had many discussions istence, many of these teachings rang true than any religion with my father about religion, and ex- for me: that we ought to treat our neighbors could have ac- pressed my doubts about my belief in God as we would like to be treated, be accepting complished. and the hypocrisy I saw in the church. He Jamie Moffa and respectful towards others, practice for- Ever since I was never pushed me to abandon the beliefs I giveness, and selflessly give our time and young, I admired had grown up with. Instead, he simply lis- of some God, but out of knowledge that money to those less fortunate seemed like my father, a hard- tened to my doubts, and discussed human- what he was doing was right, and dedica- obvious moral guidelines. Frederick Moffa working man de- ism — his guiding philosophy — with me. tion to improving humanity as a whole. Yet I saw precious few examples of my voted to his family He told me that humanism is a faith in It is his moral example I follow as I church’s leaders and parishioners living and dedicated to his work as an optome- the accomplishments of people, and the make my own way in the world, proud to according to these teachings. Instead of trist. His first lesson to my siblings and me basic goodness within our fellow men and call myself a secular humanist, and, more treating their neighbors with kindness, I was that family comes first, and he lived women. He explained that to be a human- importantly, his daughter. saw judgment and intolerance. Instead up to that with every fiber of his being. He ist is to treat others with respect, kind- Jamie, 22, is from Granby, Conn., and of acceptance and respect, I saw outright showed that he cared in small ways, like ness, tolerance and to look for rational attends Washington University School of hostility and condescension toward wom- always being home to have dinner with and effective solutions to the problems Medicine. She graduated in May from the en, LGBTQ people, and people of other the family, and larger commitments, like faced by humanity. University of Connecticut with a degree in (or no) faiths. Instead of forgiveness, I coaching most of our youth sports teams. As he explained this over many years physiology and neurobiology in the honors saw people shamed for breaking from the On top of being an excellent parent, he and many more conversations, I could see program. She earned a full scholarship to church’s teachings. also owned his own optometry practice. that his moral code was not merely words. UConn for her exemplary academic career Observing this, the noble teachings As a child, I spent many afternoons at his My father truly lived the lessons he spoke and leadership potential. She volunteered of the Catholic Church fell flat for me; I office and got to see the amazing work he every day of his life. He gave to charity, in Hartford at the Hospital for Special Care couldn’t accept the morals taught by a did there. I was fascinated by the medical did good deeds, and showed devotion to as a recreational aide. She was also a hypocritical institution. However, I still aspects, but what stood out more was the his family and his work, not in the name member of the UConn Marching Band. Fourth Place (tie) Morality of God doesn’t hold up to scrutiny FFRF awarded Hampton $750 for his not to my peers — for fear of generating confronted with a litany of divine decrees essay. outrage and being reproached. This has mandating slaughter, war, genocide, sub- lessened with age, but I still occasionally jugation and slavery, torture, raping and By Hampton Gibson find myself in situations where I’m effec- pillaging, misogyny, tribalism, intolerance, tively forced to swallow my objections for persecution of dissidents, greed, corrup- trust that it wouldn’t come as news to the sake of tact and propriety. Feeling so tion and hypocrisy — to name a few. any FFRF member if I were to remark ideologically isolated that it’s as though To read the history of religion, in other Ithat religion is without merit and you’re virtually sequestered from human words, is to read a history of God com- almost certainly false: Jesus casting out sympathy isn’t congenial to a healthy manding inhumanity toward others. Only devils into a herd of pigs and Muhammed psychological development or forging when one is enlightened to this hateful ascending to paradise on a winged meaningful relationships, especially in history of butchery and bloodlust can one horse are both absurd. One finds Carl one’s youth. see Dostoyevsky’s claim as morally and in- Sagan’s dictum “extraordinary claims The idea that God is the necessary bed- tellectually vacuous. require extraordinary evidence” useful in rock on which to ground morality is one Historical criticism aside, the notion that dismissing religion altogether. Hampton Gibson that many people are sympathetic to, but morality collapses into nihilism without Likewise, I assume it’d be trivial for me to it’s one that ultimately doesn’t survive the God is just bad philosophy. And even most observe that religion’s encroachment into effective — way to combat this public sen- rigors of historical or philosophical scruti- religious people are compelled to realize the public sphere (e.g., giving creationism timent is by continuing to oppose religion ny. Christopher Hitchens actually flipped this when asked the following question: a platform alongside evolution in public as an irrational and untenable enterprise. Dostoyevsky’s classic adage, pointing out How would you behave differently if you schools) must be thwarted. Such things, There’s a symbiotic relationship between it’s not the case that without God every- found out there is no God? Chances are, to us, are a given, but the prejudices religious belief and prejudice toward thing is permitted. To the contrary, Hitch- their morals wouldn’t suddenly collapse atheists face are seldom discussed. atheists. Hence, if we see a decline in re- ens said, only with God can the most vile into nihilism or depravity. They would still Fyodor Dostoyevsky put forth the fol- ligion, we will also see a decline in hateful and wicked things be permitted — and be, as it were, “good without God.” lowing idea in his novel, The Brothers attitudes toward atheists. done with conviction. Hampton, 21, is from Norman, Okla., Karamazov: “If God does not exist, every- The greatest challenge I’ve faced as Far from encouraging its devotees to and attends the University of Oklahoma, thing is permitted.” Dostoyevsky’s idea an atheist has been having my honest ex- conduct themselves morally, religion in- where he is majoring in philosophy and that without God there can be no morality pression and free inquiry stifled, particu- stead offers its adherents the ultimate con- Judaic studies. He plans to pursue a Ph.D. still pervades public opinion, fueling the larly when I was younger. I dared not voice viction that they are commanded by God. in philosophy, but also is interested in re- stereotype that atheists are immoral. any questions or doubts about religion Indeed, to read the history of any religious ligious studies, particularly historical and The most obvious — and perhaps most — not to my parents, not to my teachers, tradition (or even scripture itself) is to be textual criticism of the bible. Page 12 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | October 2017

Fourth Place (tie) Empathy, not God, is basis for morality FFRF awarded Gabrielle $750 for her es- I remember sitting in class in third men in my town had converted in order say. grade, refusing to apologize to a girl who to marry hot women who wouldn’t sleep claimed that a joke I had made had been with them otherwise. By Gabrielle Goldworm attacking “her God,” and having my par- Many of the most staunch believers ents called because of it. I can remember were former abusers, drug addicts or t is not an exaggeration to say that my my first boyfriend, a Mormon, dating me basic misanthropes who found them- father and I were likely the only “true” because I was a form of rebellion, and selves at rock bottom and climbed onto Iatheists in my town. I grew up in a red knowing that his parents hated me, even the pedestal of organized religion so that state — one of the reddest, in fact. Idaho though they would never say it. they could look down on the nonbeliev- was one of only four states that would Kids hate feeling left out, and nothing ers, those still “fumbling in darkness,” have still gone red had Millennials voted makes for a less attractive friend then and shake their heads. en masse, and like most deeply red states, someone who doesn’t even perceive the I never did drugs in high school. I nev- life there comes with a healthy dose of universe in the same manner as you. er stole, never bullied and never treated guns, gumption and God. One would think that all this would someone differently because of what they There were two big groups in my tiny have worn me down. Actually, it was quite believed. I cannot say the same for most town of Sandpoint: the Mormons and the opposite. I firmly believe that growing of my God-fearing peers. My morals come the Mennonites, though the Jehovah’s up in that environment reinforced my from empathy and a deep desire to see the Witnesses could give them a run for their Gabrielle Goldworm money. conviction that you don’t need God to human race succeed and better itself, influ- have morals, and you certainly don’t need enced by my family and close friends. Then there was the odd Lutheran, Sandpoint, Idaho, but growing up differ- to be a nonbeliever to lack them. I do not “hate” the concept of God; I Baptist, Catholic, or pseudo-spiritual hip- ent admittedly made it hard. The Mennonite men in my town consider myself ambivalent. But I didn’t py dippy church that housed all the non- Growing up atheist made it even harder. walked around in modern clothing, need God to be a good kid, and I don’t committal folks scattered across the land- I can remember in shining detail what scape. In Sandpoint, even if you weren’t smoking, drinking and swearing all they need him to be a good adult. it felt like at age 6 to tell my classmates religious, you were spiritual. liked, while their wives and daughters Gabrielle, 19, is from Sandpoint, Idaho, that I didn’t believe in God, and have My parents moved to this picturesque trailed behind them, dressing and speak- and attends Seton Hall University, majoring town from the East Coast, bringing with them look horrified or confused. I can re- ing like something out of “Little House in international relations. She enjoys writing them a cynicism that made them stick member what it was like to have mission- on the Prairie.” Many of the Mormons in and reading fiction and nonfiction, especial- out like sore thumbs and that made me aries show up on my doorstep every other my high school were hardcore potheads, ly regarding atheism. After graduation, she come off as just a bit odd to my spiritual, weekend and ask me if I was sure I didn’t who smoked and snuck out to eat coffee hopes to work in the field of national security western classmates. I was born there; I want to just change my whole perception ice cream at the beach as their own form and travel around the world. She is a member grew up in the pretty incubator that was of reality. of teenage rebellion. Many of the Mormon of the Secular Student Alliance. Fifth Place Caring, compassion are the moral standards

FFRF awarded Violet $500 for her essay. those among the ranks of believers, and negative and nihilistic lens, I and many frequently in the name of God, this as- others take this to mean that we are all By Violet Richardson sessment appears patently unfair. responsible for making our time and the Conflating piousness with morality is time of those we live with as positive as grew up in a household that could ac- far more dangerous than the choice to live possible. In recognizing that our own life curately be described as “godless.” I a life without religion. To do so allows for is finite, we can recognize that the same Iwas not educated by religious schol- the justification of wrongdoing by those is true for every other living creature and arship or kept in line with reminders of who claim to act in line with the word of that they all deserve to experience the divine consequences. I was not set on their god. To do so opens the door for pre- same happiness and security that we a path of righteousness paved with bi- emptive persecution of anyone deemed want in our own lives. ble stories nor was my sense of justice a nonbeliever, whether that is how they If we are to live but once, we should do instilled on the basis of any god’s will. identify themselves or not. so in a loving and generous way. Choosing As such, I do not believe that the moral Personally, I do not consider myself a a life of positivity, of caring for your com- code that I follow can be credited to God. believer. I do not discount the possibility munity as you care for yourself, is the best Instead, my understanding of right and that a higher power may exist, but if so, way to not only dispel the negative stereo- wrong has been formed via the choice to that truth has failed to reveal itself to me. types surrounding “godlessness,” but it is practice empathy and compassion in my Though I sometimes long for the comfort also the best way to set an example for any- everyday life. When considering my own Violet Richardson of believing that everything happens for one who wants to live their lives in a mor- behavior, I imagine how it will affect the a reason, that I am watched over by a al way. My morals do not come from God, people around me rather than how it will do not believe that those outside of their kind, all-knowing being, and that I am they come from understanding this fact. be judged by God. I imagine the feelings religion, or any other religious following, destined for an eternity of happiness in Violet, 22, is from Madison, Wis., and at- of others based on how I would feel in have the ability to lead just and moral the afterlife, I have yet to be convinced. tends the University of Wisconsin, majoring their shoes. I do not need a cosmic mid- lives. Godlessness is associated with vio- Regardless of whether we possess in international studies and political sci- dleman to tell me that I possess no right lence and chaos, which leads atheists and immortal souls, each of us is given the ence. She is currently spending a semester to make other people suffer. agnostics to be stereotyped as dangerous opportunity to make the best of our fi- abroad in France. She hopes to attend law Despite what I consider to be an in- undesirables. Given humanity’s long his- nite time as the people that we are. In- school to become a lawyer to help people herent human trait, many people of faith tory of war and aggression committed by stead of viewing this reality through a who are vulnerable and disadvantaged. Sixth Place Morality exists within ourselves, not religion FFRF awarded Kaylee $400 for this essay. fallacy alive and well and endlessly frus- personal moral compass, but is simply trating nonbelievers. What, then, is a my acknowledgment that there is little By Kaylee Payne person to do when faced with the myth to no evidence of the existence of mys- that morality solely belongs to, and is a tical deities. The skeptical side of me ne would think it would be easy direct result of, religion? refuses to believe anything without suf- enough to discount the notion that Part of the difficulty of dispelling this ficient proof. Oa person who is religious is inher- idea is how firmly ingrained it is in the Nor do I believe that thousand-year- ently more moral than anyone else. After public consciousness. old texts written in the context of differ- all, there are many cases, both historically Revealing that I am an atheist has ent times are a reliable source for my and in the modern day, of religious indi- been at times met with revulsion. Other morals. Never mind that behaving in viduals who are dishonest or cruel. times, well-meaning but tactless individ- a moral manner only because of com- Yet bringing up this point general- uals can’t help but express shock that mands in an ancient book is a rather du- ly earns a rebuttal along the lines of someone “as nice as I am” fails to harbor bious attitude. Rather, I don’t feel I need “They’re not actually representative belief in any sort of deity. It doesn’t seem any excuse to treat my fellow human of the religion if they do those things,” to occur to such people that perhaps my helping to keep the “No True Scotsman” lack of faith has nothing to do with my Essays continued on next page Kaylee Payne October 2017 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 13 beings well beyond the fact that I am one Some, though, use their pain as inspira- ry’s villain, who worked at every turn to concerned with nothing but deriding all of them, and am capable of feeling an tion to become better people, to work harm them. No deity told me to be con- members of the other party as stupid and emotion that pre- to create a world cerned with the welfare of others; I do so immoral, and such behavior benefits no sumably has been where no one else completely of my own free will. one. Whether morals are from within or present since the We are all the heroes of our has to suffer as they However, as time has passed, I’ve are claimed to be derived from a god, the days of our earliest own stories, but also the support- did. I hope to fall in found that fewer and fewer people who important thing is that they are based on ancestors: empathy. the latter category. know me express dismay at my lack of goodwill, something the world could al- “ing characters of someone else’s. Every person We are all the faith upon learning of it, despite living in ways use a little more of. who has ever lived —Kaylee Payne heroes of our own a rural area where my beliefs are at odds Kaylee, 19, is from Fort Blackmore, has been hurt. stories, but also the with most people’s. Perhaps it is just a Va., and attends University of Virginia’s They have experi- supporting char- matter of learning to look past such trivial College at Wise. She is working toward enced misery and suffering and the un- acters of someone else’s, and when the differences as religious beliefs in order earning certification in teaching English fairness of the world. I am no exception. people I have known reflect back on the to see what really matters: how we treat as a second language (ESL). She plans to Some in such a position become bitter sagas that are their lives, I wish that they others. spend her junior year in Chile and then and hard, and close their hearts off to all. will find no reason to see me as their sto- I’ve seen both theists and atheists alike work in the Peace Corps after graduation. FFRF College Student Essays honorable mentions

Christopher Bednarcik Michael Brown Catherine Evans Nicholas Giurleo Jordan Green

Anne Mickey Chenoa Off Makenzie Schneider Omolola Smith Katelynn Thompson

FFRF awarded $200 to each of the honor- approach, I try not to harm others. on a divine, generational immortality and me when I was obedient and taking no- able mention winners. Their essays are I’m an atheist because following a re- proliferate absolutist ways of thinking as tice when I chose the wrong. excerpted here. vealed religion based on the existence of a dominant social force. This allows anti- Choose the Right was confirmation a deity that I cannot prove exists doesn’t quated ideas to stunt social development that my lifestyle was dictated by the make sense to me. I’m an atheist because for centuries, leading to oppression of mi- words of God, while everyone else was religious texts don’t hold up to reasoning nority populations. choosing the wrong. My decisions had al- Reason can and science. Mathematics describes the It became clear to me that religious ready been made for me, and I just need- world the way it is. We don’t need the god codes are genuinely inadequate to di- ed to follow the plan. solve moral of an ancient text to guide us. rect society because their perversion of Over time, though, CTR started to lose Christopher, 19, is from Lockport, Ill., morality convolutes the “moral” course some of its weight. I started to question and attends North Central College. He is of action, and fundamentally deals in ab- what it was that made an action “right” problems majoring in mathematics and plans to be solutes that do not allow for diversity of and what made my non-Mormon friends’ a high school math teacher. He is an Illinois thought. actions “wrong.” I started to realize that By Christopher Bednarcik State Scholar and a member of the Nation- I discovered agency, embraced my friends based their decision-making al Society of Leadership and Success. empathy, and leveraged my experiences on similar grounds, yet they ultimately Asserting that one’s morals should with racism, homelessness, and trauma came to different conclusions. come from God requires a person to first to create a moral code that put humanism For example, I was taught that homo- believe that God exists, and if so, believe The truth and compassion above any ethereal, sexuality was wrong, and it was not until that God actually cares whether we’re imagined restrictions on who deserves to I met people who identified as queer that moral or not. be treated as a human being. I began to recognize the moral ambiguity Most followers of religion, especially in about morals Michael, 21, is from Hanover, N.H., and of this belief. My “Choose the Right” moral the United States, believe that God does attends Dartmouth College. He had a compass is always present, but it evolves exist and that he communicates his rules set me free tumultuous time growing up in the foster when I meet people who cause me to for appropriate living through the bible. care system, but overcame those struggles question my ideas of right and wrong. However, upon personal examination, and is now seeking a degree in biology. Morals come from within, shaped By Michael Brown I’ve determined that the bible is not an Eventually, Michael would like to earn a by experiences and interactions. They acceptable moral compass. I was told that all were equal in God’s degree in osteopathic medicine. evolve through feelings of empathy and I think the best source of morality is eyes, but I was despised for my mixed her- guilt, imbued by the society of which we human reasoning, structured around itage. I was told that God’s plan shouldn’t are a part. They guide decision-making, skepticism and a scientific approach to be altered with medicine or vaccinations, Choose the though our ideas of right and wrong vary solving complex ethical issues. yet when the pastor needed a triple by- dramatically. We should focus on outcomes of our pass, it was found to be within both God’s Though its meaning has changed, behavior — the consequences. Rather will and the church’s pocketbook. Right and will never stop changing, the phrase than seek solutions through a revealed By the time I was removed from my “Choose the Right” still reflects how I religion, we should ask ourselves whether home, placed in the foster care system By Catherine Evans strive to live my life. our actions are just and fair. Who, if any- and ultimately emancipated, I had real- Catherine, 20, is from Herndon, Va., and one, will be harmed by my actions? ized that morals are inherently human Choose the Right. CTR. attends James Madison University. She When I encounter a tough decision, I creations. I stripped away my religious Those three letters held a significance is involved with the university’s College take a cost-benefit approach. I ask myself upbringing and sought to form my own to me growing up, whether I was singing Democrats organization. She is majoring if my actions would violate any of my per- code of conduct, without the threat of about them in Mormon children’s songs in rhetoric and technical communications sonal virtues, and if not, I apply a variety eternal damnation. or wearing them around my finger on a and will graduate a year early from the of other frameworks, such as utilitarian- When we attach morals to godliness, child-sized green ring. A daily reminder Honors College at JMU. ism or individual rights. By taking a broad the interests of a single perspective take that God was always watching, blessing Essays continued on next page Page 14 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | October 2017

Essays Continued from previous page

rality, and the world around us proves it: attends the University of California-Fresno. to him, she had a photo of the Buddha, Countless nonbelievers exhibit good mo- She was raised as a Jehovah’s Witness un- and on her bedside table was a little stat- Helping as rality through their everyday treatment of til she became an atheist at 15. She is seek- ue of the Hindu elephant god Ganesh. others and charitable work. Additionally, ing to become a registered nurse and then In my room, I had my saviors: Charles a matter of most modern theists will reject at least hopes to become a nurse practitioner for Xavier of the X-Men, Doctor Who, Cap- a few tenets of their respective religious women’s health or pediatrics. tain Jean-Luc Picard of the Starship En- texts (like slavery, marriage laws, cruel terprise. With them stood their people course punishments), indicating that they have — some women, some men, some blue, some set of morals independent of the re- One nation, each one unique. These were my he- By Nicholas Giurleo ligion that compels them to do so, even if roes, the ones showing me how to fight they don’t explicitly recognize it. discrimination, to value education, to One day, two female missionaries For all my neuroscience books and under understand friendship, to cherish life had approached me, trying to hand me a deliberative discussions and philosophy and listen to my own moral compass. pamphlet. I noticed one of the women, as classes, I have yet to find some evidence Voldemort My mother is a very spiritual person, the other was talking, had very noticeably compelling enough to merit religious be- and when I told her I was a nonbeliever, and suddenly become pale. She took a lief. her eyes grew sad. She seemed to think step back and seemed extremely disori- I think the best thing nonbelievers can By Anne Mickey that because I am an atheist that I could ented. As I asked her if she was OK, she do to combat negative stereotypes about not see the astonishing beauty of our ex- collapsed onto her their morality is to One day during my junior year of high istence. On the contrary, I marvel every knees. do good, and be school, it occurred to me that standing day at the immensity of the universe, at Her companion I’m no Christian. I’m just seen doing it. Pro- for the daily Pledge of Allegiance went the complexity of living organisms. immediately pan- a guy with a conscience. viding positive ex- against my beliefs as an atheist because I’ve seen religion bring a commu- amples of secular nity together through hard times. But icked and backed “— Nicholas Giurleo I had to pledge to away in fright. I morality might the nation “under I have also seen knelt down and compel others to God.” The next day, religion throw my The fact that I’m a good, lifted the woman’s head up. She didn’t look at nonbelievers and form new opin- I continued sitting gay friend out on lose consciousness, but she seemed very ions — and new (synaptic) connections. while the pledge kind and fair person is not in the streets. I have weak. I reached into my bag and offered Jordan, 20, is from Reynoldsburg, Ohio, was recited and spite“ of my atheism; rather, had religion tell her water and a granola bar. I stayed with and attends the University of Arizona. She was immediately it is at least partially me what decisions her until two police officers arrived. is studying for two degrees: neuroscience reprimanded by my because of my atheism. I cannot make for & cognitive science, and creative writing. my own body. I “Thank you. It is so comforting to teacher. — Anne Mickey know that there are good Christians like She has traveled to several countries My teacher took have seen religion you in the world who go out of their way and is planning to study abroad at some offense at my (non) start fights over to help their brothers and sisters in need,” point during college. She hopes to earn a action, believing I was being disrespectful the name of the man in the sky. Religion she said. graduate degree in neuroscience and have toward U.S. troops, which was absolutely is the world’s greatest oppressor. I smiled and said, “You’re welcome, a career as a scientific researcher. not my intention. I took the issue to the My most beloved moral is truth. I ma’am, but I have to say, I’m no Christian. school administration, which threatened don’t need a god to know hurting others I’m just a guy with a conscience. Hard to me with discipline if I continued to sit is immoral. I don’t need a god to know believe an atheist could do something during the pledge. what kindness and charity is. I don’t good for a stranger?” Before she could ‘Good Book’ When I was making my case, I asked need a god to help someone. respond, I turned and disappeared back them how they would feel if the pledge in- Chenoa, 19, is from Crestone, Colo., into the flow of Boston’s pedestrian traf- stead said “one nation, under Voldemort,” and attends Russell Sage College. She fic. clearly a referring to the villain from the Harry Pot- enjoys traveling, singing jazz, skiing and Regardless of who you are — the ter series. My point was that they would river rafting. She plans to be an occupa- staunchest nonbeliever or the pope him- misnomer likely feel uncomfortable standing up, tional therapist and working with spe- self — it was morally right to help. I do putting their hands over their hearts, and cial education school children. what I perceive is morally right because I pledging their allegiance to the Dark Lord By Melissa Juarez place value in acting unselfishly and help- Voldemort — a fictional character who’s ing those in immediate need. downright evil — day after day, and that Nicholas, 20, is from Medford, Mass., I was an active Jehovah’s Witness, this was how I felt. Falling into and attends Tufts University. He is study- better known as the person who knocks In the end, I reached a compromise ing international relations and hopes to on your door at 9 a.m. on a Saturday to with my school that if I stood for the attend law school to study international preach to you. My life was highly regulat- pledge for the rest of my junior year, I the dogma law. He is a member of the Model United ed by the cult-like organization, so natu- would be placed with a fourth-period Nations team, and actively involved in the rally I believed everything I was taught teacher during my senior year who would trap History Society and Alliance Linking Lead- until I actually started reading “The Good allow me to sit without punishment. ers in Education and the Services. Nicholas Book.” So much immorality (and even amo- By Mackenzie Schneider has interned at the United Nations Associ- In my reading of the bible, I discov- rality) has been rooted in religion that I ation of Greater Boston and the Edward M. ered, to my dismay, that Jehovah was find it ridiculous to believe that morals Kennedy Institute for the U.S. Senate. the bad guy. This discovery triggered an originate in any sort of belief in a higher Contrary to popular belief, I am not onslaught of research on my part, which power. The fact that I’m a good, kind and an atheist because I’m angry with God. I led me to discover scientific and logical fair person is not in spite of my atheism; don’t believe in God; how can I be angry impossibilities, other immoralities, and rather, it is at least partially because of my with an entity that I don’t believe exists? Plasticity a multitude of contradictions all found in atheism. Also, nothing traumatic happened to what I thought was God’s perfect word. Anne, 20, is from Scottsdale, Ariz., and me that caused me to lose faith in God. By age 15, I realized that I was an athe- attends Arizona State University. She is pas- And my atheism wasn’t motivated by my helps tune ist. sionate about civil rights and many consider sexuality nor did anyone’s death cause However, for most of my life, I was her a “social justice warrior.” She hopes to me to question God. our morality taught that religion possessed a monopo- serve in the AmeriCorps Public Allies pro- I considered the fact that since Chris- ly on morality and that you couldn’t be an gram after graduation before having a career tians are able to so easily dismiss every upstanding person without God. Conse- as an advocate for marginalized people and other religion in the world, I ought to be By Jordan Green quently, when I realized I was an atheist, communities. able to dismiss Christianity just as easily. my new mission was to find out why we So I did. In the study of neuroscience, there is are viewed as such immoral people and At 16, I dismissed the “necessity” of a concept called “plasticity.” Plasticity to truly accept that my own morals do not religion, and decided I would live my life refers to the brain’s ability to change and come from God, but from someone who I don’t need how I see fit and follow the morality that rewire itself — even through adulthood is very real — me. I decide upon. In the years since then, I — through new experiences and learned Although it was lack of evidence that have developed a working definition of skills. made me select the terribly stigmatized a god to help morality. I think experience can influence not word “atheist,” I will never forget what Morality for me means doing my best just a few of the trillions of synaptic con- made me start questioning: My morality someone not to harm others and providing empa- nections in the human brain, but whole clashed with the very book I was sup- thy and understanding. people. From my own life, I can say that posed to be getting my morals from. The issue with religion is that it relies my morals do not come from a god, but Trying to reconcile my morality with the By Chenoa Off on dogma to maintain strength. This are shaped from a conglomerate of ex- teachings in the bible felt like trying to dogma allows hatred for people who are periences including the family in which I mix oil and water. It just couldn’t be done. When I was a child, my mother had different to fester. It’s why the Westboro was brought up, places I’ve been, books So, I removed the oil and now flow freely a painting on her wall of her savior; he Baptist Church believes that its mem- I’ve read, and more. as water, thanks to freethought. had light hair and a crown of thorns that bers’ behavior is moral. Religious belief is not needed for mo- Melissa, 21, is from Madera, Calif., and caused blood to drip down his face. Next However, atheists are not exempt October 2017 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 15 from falling into dogma, either. I have drugged and committed into a psychi- learn how to exist. Within me was the the expression that seems to curtain met atheists who are so firm in their be- atric institution in Kano, Nigeria, for ex- hope of finding fulfillment without de- every face when the word “atheist” is liefs that they actively try to make theists pressing his lack of belief in a deity. This lusion. I looked internally for what re- mentioned. No decent, God-fearing feel like idiots. launched a wave of mained after reli- soul wants to spend too long with a Perhaps the first step in reversing inquiry within me gion was taken out heartless nonbeliever. negative stereotypes about nonbelievers that no religious Within me was the of the equation and To people like this, it seems that book or organiza- found true morality is combatting our own dogma. Recog- hope of finding fulfillment the only thing keeping humanity from nizing the value that someone’s beliefs tion could answer without hypocrisy. depravity, crime and death itself is adequately. without“ delusion. Omolola, 22, is may have for them and being willing to a centuries-old doctrine housed in a admit that you may be wrong can help Later that year, — Omolola Smith from Lagos, Nige- leather-bound book. They harbor the facilitate a more peaceful and tolerant I boarded my ria, and attends cynical belief that the only thing keep- environment for all. flight headed for the University of ing humankind from doing wrong is a Mackenzie, 21, is from San Antonio and the Home of the Free, where I would Vermont. She has lived in England, South fear of retribution. Personally, I pre- attends Smith College. She is an English be introduced to a human right I did Africa, Nigeria and the United States. fer being a decent person just for the Omolola plans to become a civil engi- and philosophy double major. She has not know I was denied: freedom of sake of it, and I don’t need the threat neer and eventually would like to pursue served two years on the Smith College thought. of eternal damnation to keep me out of Still, every Sunday, I found myself a doctorate in physics. Social Justice and Equity Committee. She trouble. suspending reason for the sake of the enjoys painting and drawing. Perhaps it’s unfair that the onus of church and its teachings, which re- proving morality falls to nonbelievers, mained an important part of my routine but people have always disliked things and identity. With each passing around Morality that they don’t understand. Therefore, of the flesh and blood of God, I knew I it is important for atheists and nonbe- Morality was being untrue to myself. Then I said it out loud for the first attainable lievers to try to show by example that without time in a phone call to Kudzie, my child- morality is not synonymous with piety. hood friend. “I just don’t believe this to all Morality is not the watchful eye of sh*t,” I said. a god weighing one’s every decision on a scale of righteousness. Morality is hypocrisy He let out his familiar bubbly laugh By Katelynn Thompson and confessed his own recent loss of independent from any one creed, and By Omolola Smith faith. We spent the next half hour ner- Growing up in a small town, where equally attainable to all. vously laughing at each other for all the God is great and Jesus is the reason, it Katelynn, 24, is from Hanover, Pa., things we once believed. was hard to admit to atheism. and attends the University of Georgia. The idea of a person without a god or When I ended the phone call, the For me, atheism was less a choice She is seeking her second bachelor’s some gods was entirely incomprehensi- lightness of our conversation was soon than a realization. Religion is a purely degree, this one in linguistics and com- ble to me growing up in Lagos, Nigeria. followed by an existential crisis. I spent cultural construct, and wields only as parative literature. Her first degree is in Such persons were vilified by others in the next week mourning the faith I had much power as its society allows it. anthropology. She is a writer and aspir- my society. possessed my whole life. After a while, I started to refrain from ing novelist and hopes to have a career In 2014, Mubarak Bala was forcibly I realized I could either give up or re- mentioning my beliefs at all, dreading in language conservation. THEY SAID WHAT? Ron Reagan ad returns to

I believe that God If elected, I will do everything in my ‘Rachel Maddow Show’ is starting a new power to bring this evil to an end and An ever-popular FFRF ad featuring NBC, ABC and Discovery Science. thing and because take executive action to ensure that a presidential son recently returned to FFRF has previously been able to place the time is short be- all Oklahomans are equally protected, premier television. it on some regional network markets, fore Christ comes including the preborn. I will disregard The commercial with Ron Reagan as well as on CNN and Comedy Central. again to this Earth, any unjust rulings or perversions of inviting viewers to Reagan has received FFRF’s Emperor he is giving every- the U.S. Constitution that claim that join FFRF aired Has No Clothes Award and addressed one one more there is a right to murder preborn hu- over several weeks FFRF’s national convention in Madison Michele Bachmann chance. man beings in the womb. on one the nation’s two years ago. He has publicly identified Michele Bachmann, former U.S. rep- Dan Fisher, Oklahoma Republican gu- most prominent himself for years as an atheist. resentative, now Skyline Church’s bernatorial candidate. news commen- The commercial has spawned a pop- “pastor to the U.N.,” predicting the Rewire.com, 9-19-17 tary programs, the ular FFRF T-shirt, lapel pin and a soon imminent return of Jesus. “Rachel Maddow to be announced “virtual billboard” for Right Wing Watch, 8-16-17 Show” on MSNBC. social media use. He’s been raised up by God because In the 30-second FFRF advertising is made possible God says that he Ron Reagan spot, Reagan, the by kind contributions from members. I advise this atheist group not to cause raises up and plac- progressive son of Donations to FFRF are deductible for uneasiness, particularly among Mus- es all people in President Ronald and Nancy Reagan, income-tax purposes. lims who reject atheism. places of authority. says: Malaysian Inspector-General of Po- It is God that rais- “Hi, I’m Ron Reagan, an unabashed lice Khalid Abu Bakar, who says the es up a king, it is atheist, and I’m alarmed by the intru- JUST PRETEND country’s constitution recognizes Is- God that sets one sion of religion into our secular gov- A freethought book for children lam as the official religion without any down and so when ernment. That’s why I’m asking you to provision for atheism. you fight against support the Freedom From Religion A fun book allowing Free Malaysia Today, 8-16-17 the plan of God, Foundation, the nation’s largest and children of all ages to explore myths Photo by Kamau360 you’re fighting a- most effective association of atheists like Santa Claus and Paula White gainst the hand of and agnostics, working to keep state compare them with Someone who engages in LGBT be- God. and church separate, just like our ideas like the existence of God. havior — I don’t Televangelist Paula White, President Founding Fathers intended. Please know what the sci- Trump’s key spiritual adviser, claim- support the Freedom From Religion By Dan Barker ence is on this, I ing that opposition to Trump is oppo- Foundation. Ron Reagan, lifelong Buy it from FFRF online think it’s still out sition to God. atheist, not afraid of burning in hell.” shop. rf.org — but as far as we Right Wing Watch, 8-21-17 FFRF’s ad has been refused by CBS, know, LGBT behav- ior is a choice they make. So we’re be- Churches in Texas ing asked to pro- should be entitled Freedom from Religion Foundation vide constitutional to reimbursement P.O. Box 750 • Madison, WI 53701 • (608) 256-8900 • FFRF.org Photo by Alex Hanson protections for be- from FEMA Relief Sam Clovis havior, a choice Funds for helping What is the Freedom From Religion Foundation? in behavior as op- victims of Hurri- posed to a primary characteristic. cane Harvey (just Founded in 1978 as a national organization of freethinkers (atheists and agnostics), the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc., works to keep state Sam Clovis, conservative radio host, like others). and church separate and to educate the public about the views of nontheists. nominated by Trump to be the “chief President Trump The Foundation’s email address is [email protected]. Please include your name scientist” for U.S. Department of Ag- President Trump in a tweet. CNN, riculture. 9-9-17 and physical mailing address with all email correspondence. CNN, 8-21-17 Foundation members wishing to receive online news releases, “action alerts” and “Freethought of the Day” should contact [email protected]. Page 16 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | October 2017 What ‘government schools’ critics really mean

Roots of the phrase lie of God’s will in market economics. not in libertarianism ‘Theonomy’ economics but in Someone who found great inspira- tion in Fifield’s work, and who con- Confederate rebellion tributed to his flagship publication, Faith and Freedom, was the Calvin- This op-ed first appeared in The New ist theologian Rousas J. Rushdoony. York Times on July 31 and is reprinted with An admirer, too, of both Hodge and permission. Dabney, Rushdoony began to ad- vocate a return to “biblical” law in By Katherine Stewart America, or “theonomy,” in which power would rest only on a spiritu- hen President Trump pro- al aristocracy with a direct line to posed his budget for “school God — and a clear understanding of Wchoice,” which would cut God’s libertarian economic vision. more than $9 billion in overall educa- Rushdoony took the attack on tion spending but put more resources modern democratic government into charter schools and voucher pro- right to the schoolhouse door. His grams, he promised to take a sledge- 1963 book, The Messianic Character hammer to what he has called “failing of American Education, argued that government Friedman’s legacy Robert Lewis Dabney, was not happy the “government school” represent- schools.” The libertarian tradition is in- about it. An avid defender of the bibli- ed “primitivism” and “chaos.” Public That is debted, above all, to the Chicago cal “righteousness” of slavery, Dabney education, he said, “basically trains harsh language economist Milton Friedman, who railed against the new public schools. women to be men” and “has leveled for the places published a hugely influential 1955 In the 1870s, he inveighed against its guns at God and family.” most of us call paper, “The Role the unrighteous- These were not merely abstract ac- public schools, of Government ness of taxing his ademic debates. The critique of “gov- and where in Education.” A The point of calling public “oppressed” white ernment schools” passed through a nearly 90 per- true believer in schools ‘government schools’ brethren to pro- defining moment in the aftermath of cent of Amer- the power of free is to conjure the specter of vide “pretended the Brown v. Board of Education deci- ican children markets to solve pathologically inefficient, education to the sion of 1954, when orders to deseg- get their edu- all of humanity’s power-mad bureaucrats. brats of black pau- regate schools in the South encoun- Katherine Stewart cation. But in problems, Fried- pers.” For Dabney, tered heavy resistance from white certain conser- man argued that the root of the evil Americans. Some districts shut down vative circles, the phrase “government “government schools” are intrinsi- in “the Yankee theory of popular state public schools altogether; others pro- schools” has become as ubiquitous as it cally inefficient and unjustified. He education” was democratic govern- moted private “segregation acade- is contemptuous. proposed that taxpayers should give ment itself, which interfered with the mies” for whites, often with religious What most people probably hear money to parents and allow them to liberty of the slaver South. programming, to be subsidized with in this is the unmistakable refrain of choose where to spend education dol- tuition grants and voucher schemes. American libertarianism, for which lars in a marketplace of freely compet- Secular culture Dabney would surely have approved. all government is big and bad. The ing private providers. This is the intel- One of the first usages of the Many of Friedman’s successors point of calling public schools “gov- lectual foundation of DeVos’s voucher phrase “government schools” occurs in the libertarian tradition have ernment schools” is to conjure the proposals. in the work of an avid admirer of Dab- forgotten or distanced themselves specter of pathologically inefficient, But the attacks on “government ney’s, the Presbyterian theologian A. from the midcentury moment when power-mad bureaucrats. According- schools” have a much older, dark- A. Hodge. Less concerned with black they formed common cause with the ly, right-wing think tanks like the er heritage. They have their roots in paupers than with immigrant papist Christian right. As for Friedman him- Mackinac Center for Public Policy, American slavery, Jim Crow-era segre- hordes, Hodge decided that the prob- self, the great theoretician of vouch- the Heartland Institute and the Ac- gation, anti-Catholic sentiment and lem lay with public schools’ secular ers, he took pains to insist that he ton Institute have in recent years a particular form of Christian funda- culture. In 1887, he published an in- abhorred racism and opposed race- published screeds denouncing “the mentalism — and those roots are still fluential essay painting “government based segregation laws — though he command and control mentality” of visible today. schools” as “the most appalling engin- also opposed federal laws that pro- “government schools” that are “pris- Before the Civil War, the South ery for the propagation of anti-Chris- hibited discrimination. ons for poor children.” All of these was largely free of public schools. tian and atheistic unbelief, and of have received major funding from That changed during Reconstruction, antisocial nihilistic ethics, individual, Rearmed Christian right the family of the education secretary, and when it did, a former Confed- social and political, which this sin-rent Among the supporters of the Betsy DeVos, either directly or via a erate Army chaplain and a leader of world has ever seen.” Trump administration, the rhetoric donor group. the Southern Presbyterian Church, But it would be a mistake to see of “government schools” has less to this strand of critique of “govern- do with economic libertarianism ment schools” as a curiosity of Amer- than with religious fundamentalism. Church promotes atheism? ica’s sectarian religious history. In It is about the empowerment of a fact, it was present at the creation rearmed Christian right by the elec- of the modern conservative move- tion of a man whom the Rev. Jerry ment, when opponents of the New Falwell Jr. calls evangelicals’ “dream Deal welded free-market economics president.” We owe the new cur- onto bible-based hostility to the sec- rency of the phrase to the likes of ular-democratic state. The key figure Tony Perkins of the Family Research was an enterprising Congregational- Council — also bankrolled in its ear- ist minister, James W. Fifield Jr., who ly years by the DeVos family — who, resolved during the Depression to in response to the Supreme Court’s show that Christianity itself proved ruling allowing same-sex marriage, “big government” was the enemy of accused “government schools” of in- progress. doctrinating students “in immoral Drawing heavily on donations sexuality.” Or the president of the from oil, chemical and automotive ty- group Liberty Counsel, Anita Staver, coons, Fifield was a founder of a con- who couldn’t even bring herself to servative free-market organization, call them “schools,” preferring in- Spiritual Mobilization, that brought stead to bemoan “government indoc- together right-wing economists and trination camps” that “threaten our conservative religious voices — creat- nation’s very survival.” ed a template for conservative think When these people talk about tanks. Fifield published the work “government schools,” they want you of midcentury libertarian thinkers to think of an alien force, and not an Ludwig von Mises and his disciple expression of democratic purpose. A Reddit user posted this photo on the social media platform recently, Murray Rothbard and set about con- And when they say “freedom,” they showing why spacing between words is important. vincing America’s Protestant clergy mean freedom from democracy itself. that America was a Christian nation Katherine Stewart is the author of The in which government must be kept Good News Club: The Christian Right’s from interfering with the expression Stealth Assault on America’s Children. October 2017 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 17 This is what happens in a voucher school A former student tells Every day the same Every day in Metropolitan Baptist of her six dismal years Academy was exactly like the last. In in an unaccredited describing one day to you, I’m really portraying seven years’ worth of days religious school that were all exactly the same. Each morning, we would go up to the sanc- By Marianne Arini tuary for “chapel.” We would first pledge to the American flag and then ducation vouchers allow parents turn to face the Christian flag. We to choose what type of school would then recite: Etheir child goes to. I pledge allegiance to the Christian Often, parents choose to send their Flag, child to a religious school, and this And to the Savior, for whose King- diverts public dollars from accredit- dom it stands, ed public schools into unaccredited One Savior, crucified, risen and religious schools. My parents chose coming again, to send me to a fundamentalist Chris- With life and liberty for all who tian school from grades 7 through 12 believe. to “protect” me from the dangers of Next, we would have to pick up the public school. bible in front of us, lay our hand on it Here’s the bizarre, behind-the- and say, scenes account of what transpired in “I pledge allegiance to the bible, that school God’s holy word. I will make it a lamp and likely what unto my feet and a light unto my path. occurs in many workbooks, created by the Southern doing in our paces, we put up a tiny I will hide its word in my heart that I other religious Baptist fundamentalist fountainhead, American flag into the hole on the top might not sin against God.” schools across Bob Jones University, a place famous of our desk to signal that we needed to After that, we’d sing “Onward the country. for its sexism, racism and homophobia. ask a question. Christian Soldiers,” complete with all I attended Our subjects were math, language When the principal had a moment, the “us vs. them” military motifs. “On- a one-room arts, history, science and either New he would come by, take down the flag, ward Christian soldiers, marching as school in the or Old Testament survey. Math was and try to answer the question. Most of to war, with the cross of Jesus going on basement of the only subject that bore any resem- the day was spent waiting for our flags before!” Or, some days, it was, “The our church blance to the standard curriculum of to be answered. The principal was the Lord’s Army,” with the lyrics, “I may in Brooklyn, public schools. In the history paces, I only “teacher” we had, only he didn’t never march in the infantry, ride with Marianne Arini N.Y. Our desks learned a version of American histo- have a teaching degree. He was a phar- the cavalry, shoot the artillery. I may were lined up ry in which the forefathers were por- macist by trade. never zoom on the enemy, but I’m in in one large room. The children aged trayed as having exactly the same reli- Once we reached a self-test in a the Lord’s Army.” 5 through 11 were kept on one side gious beliefs as present-day Christian pace, we completed it, and then were When we sang the words: “march in and adolescents aged 12 though 18 fundamentalists, and in which the Ho- required to get up, go to the scoring the infantry,” we would have to march were on the opposite end. locaust never happened. We learned table, look up the answers in the score in place; ride in the Cavalry, we had Spanish from videotapes, and the key, and score the test. Before we to pretend we were riding a horse and Oppressive basement school secretary taught us typing on could get up, we had to insert a tiny bounce up and down; and “shoot the Once one descended the steps into some old typewriters. We were taken Christian flag into the hole on top of artillery,” we had to pretend we were the basement, he or she was usually to the public park twice per month to our desks. If you haven’t seen a Chris- shooting off a machine gun. struck by the sheer oppressiveness of play volleyball as our “gym class.” tian flag, it’s white with a blue box in After our half-hearted singing, we’d the space. There were only four win- the left-hand corner and a red cross in- sit through a 45-minute sermon in dows, and they were eye level with the Self-expression banned side the blue box, signifying the blood which we were castigated for being sin- pavement outside, the only view being That was it. There wasn’t any art, that, according to the New Testament, ful, evil creatures, all of who owed ev- people’s feet as they walked by. The creative writing, music, drama, clubs was drained from Jesus’ body when he erything to God who sent his son to be fourth window was eye level with the or dance. All creative self-expression was crucified on the cross. The Chris- murdered for us. dirt of the church graveyard. was strictly forbidden. We were taught tian flag alerted the principal that we The church could get away with The beige walls, linoleum floors that the self, our selves, could not be needed his permission to get up. He all this because the school was unac- and dropped ceilings all had a plain, trusted. We were inherently sinful would eventually come over, take our credited. When I asked why the school worn-out look to them that wasn’t from birth. Newborn babies were sin- flags down, and grant us permission. If didn’t seek accreditation, I was told enhanced by the florescent lighting. ful. Since we could not trust ourselves, we had to use the bathroom, we had to that if the school complied with an Nothing adorned the walls. Student we should only trust God, or rather, use the Christian flag again to obtain accrediting institution, it would have work was never displayed, and there the fundamentalist Christian idea of permission. to change its curriculum to include were no pictures or artwork of any God. Anything that was not directly Upon the completion of each pace, evolution as a valid theory and would kind exhibited. connected to their patriarchal God or we had to take a test at the testing ta- permit people who are not Christians The maximum enrollment for this their interpretation of the bible was ble, a long brown folding table. If we and possibly homosexuals to work in school was 50 students. Most of the deemed unworthy of any time, and passed the test, we received a star to the school. time, the number ranged anywhere so, the lessons in each pace, no matter put on our personal, plastic-covered Even as a 17-year-old, that sounded between 35 and 45 students. We were what the subject, were always skewed star chart, which hung inside each of ridiculous to me. each jailed off in our dull, brown cu- to contain bits and pieces of religious our cubicles. Other than these three When I was 17, 10 of the 13 girls bicles that were partitioned on both propaganda. instances, we were not allowed to in the school became pregnant, since sides, and were strictly forbidden to We did not discuss what we learned stand up and walk around. We were there was no sex education and abor- speak to each other. in these paces; we were just supposed not allowed to leave the building at tion was not an option because we We didn’t have teachers, lessons, to accept it all as fact. We were handed any point. We had two 15-minute had had it drilled into our heads that blackboards or dialogues about what a goal chart every Monday, which had breaks and a lunch break, during it was murder. Once those children we were learning. Instead of lessons the days of the week marked out on which we’d gather around to talk, were born, these girls went on govern- taught by professionals trained in it. Every student was required to write starved for communication. At 2:30, ment assistance and lived at or below their subject areas, we were given five down a goal of completing three to the day was declared over — after the the poverty line. “paces,” one for each subject. These five pages in each subject per day. If we principal prayed. The vast majority of the students paces were thin, poorly designed had a question about the work we were who attended this school remain Chris- tian to this day. For me, witnessing the American Infidel: brainwashing, fear and control tactics, What is the Freedom From Religion Foundation? Robert G. Ingersoll and the many lives ruined was enough to convince me of the great threat reli- Founded in 1978 as a national organization of freethinkers (atheists gious schools are to our youth, and the By Orvin Larsen and agnostics), the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. with sanity of our country. 29,000 members, works to keep state and church separate and to Prof. Larsen writes It’s imperative that we work hard to educate the public about the views of nontheists. with a ection and keep the separation between church respect of this Foundation members wishing to receive online news releases, “action illustrious 19th and state, and keep public money out alerts” and “Freethought of the Day” should contact info@ff rf.org. century freethinker. of these religious schools. Please include your name, email and physical mailing address. FFRF Member Marianne Arini of Arizo- Buy it from FFRF online na teaches writing and critical thinking to shop. rf.org college students; her writing can be found at mariannearini.com/blog. Page 18 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | October 2017 LETTERBOX

Inspiration on the way the word “atheist” and define them- selves by what they do believe. They home from the market could easily call themselves rationalists I love all the good work you do. or naturalists. It’s so sad that so many people are Religion began as a primitive form delusional. of philosophy. When philosophy Here’s a bit of doggerel I wrote on evolved away from religion, it incorpo- the way home from the market: rated the best of religion. For example, Here’s a truth I’d like to share: the “golden rule” is common to both There’s no such thing as answered religion and philosophy. Philosophy prayer hasn’t supplanted religion, only im- If you get what you prayed for, proved upon it. You’re full of praise. John Morgan If you don’t, Wisconsin “He works in mysterious ways.” Allan Provost Florida It’d be tough to take away Good Friday holiday Definition of ‘Christian’ In the August issue, a letter writer says that Good Friday should not be pretty well sums it up observed as a civic holiday. One-sentence definition of a Chris- In Maryland, the Friday before Eas- tian: A Christian is one who believes Telegram from Darrow a cherished family relic ter has been a civic holiday since colo- in a male god who had himself born nial times. on Earth in human form in order to As a belated contribution to your celebration of the unveiling of the I’m pretty sure the governor isn’t have himself killed to induce himself Clarence Darrow statue in Dayton, Tenn., I send you a copy of a treasured going to change a 300-year-old tradi- to forgive humans for committing the relic from our family history. Charles M. Child was my grandfather and a tion because I object. If FFRF wants to sins he knew they would commit, hav- prominent professor of zoology at the University of Chicago from 1895 send a letter of complaint, I wish you ing decreed that otherwise they would to 1934. He gladly agreed to testify, but was not called on during the trial. success. spend eternity being tortured in a hell Andrew M. Findlay David M. Shea he had created for the purpose, even Virginia Maryland though he loves them all; still, in spite Editor’s note: Among FFRF’s many suc- of his self-sacrifice, most of them will cessful lawsuits is one removing Wiscon- spend eternity being tortured in that The first thing that struck me when from other members like the one I de- sin’s Good Friday state holiday. hell anyway, especially those who don’t I saw the high school essay winners is scribed above (or simply a list by type believe in a male god who . . . (and so that most of them are women. But I of vendor) it would be an incredible on, over and over), and yet has the gall was not surprised. Religion is oppres- resource for us all. Not all evangelicals are to talk about common sense. sive to women. Robert Laub Barbara G. Walker I can’t believe how many reverends Missouri tied to hate speech Florida place all the responsibility of maintain- Kudos to the Liberty University ing a marriage and happy home on alumni who have returned their di- women. It is ridiculously stupid, and Christian references plomas in protest of university Pres- Old Testament far too many women still are unhappy ident Jerry Falwell, Jr.’s unwavering and suffer. are ubiquitous in U.S. support of Donald Trump — and was taken directly So to the essayists, stay strong and The article in the August issue re- Trump’s conflating peaceful protest from Sumerians wise, know you are not alone and never garding the removal of a Christian with white supremacist violence. surrender the moral high ground just cross from a public park in Pensacola Falwell, like his father, practices I wish people would read more than because someone is religious. and the resulting comment from Fox a very odd form of Christianity. In the Jewish history book known as the Floyd Thompson News contributor Todd Starnes prove his worldview, turning a blind eye to Old Testament. They would discover Ohio that we have a huge task ahead of us. racism and white supremacy is OK. how much the Israelites plagiarized According to Starnes’ reasoning, Falwell, Trump and their evangelical from the older cultures. FFRF’s next targets should include supporters live in a world of racial History began when the Sumerians We should try to know hundreds of towns, cities, rivers, moun- parsing. I say this as someone who invented writing. Anything before that tains and national parks that contain was force fed fire and brimstone hys- is prehistory and can only be deduced where our money goes any reference to Saint, Santa, Santo teria and evangelical hypocrisy in my by archaeologists. The first Letterbox item in the Au- or San. Your legal staff would have life- youth. The Sumerian story of Gilgamesh is gust issue, titled “Secular company long security. Today, I’m an older (white) guy, known as the world’s first literature. In stands out among religious ones,” is When I lived in Washington, Mount much closer to my seventh decade it, the story of the flood first appears. most instructive. It illustrates that we St. Helens was nearly in my backyard. than sixth. I was raised in a funda- The flood story was then “borrowed” inadvertently spend our consumer dol- I also lived in Santa Fe, which is at the mentalist church and well versed in by many subsequent cultures, each lars daily in support of those who would base of the Sangre de Christo (Blood its unorthodox religious practices: changing the survivors’ names to fit fundamentally do us harm, or who, at of Christ) mountains. I now reside speaking in tongues, frantic “holy their language. the very least, support causes that we as on the banks of San Luis River (in rolling,” faith healing, revival tent It may come as a surprise to know secularists know to be harmful. San Diego County), just south of Los rallies, and dire fear of “666.” how little the Israelites changed the My eye-opener came when my insur- Angeles. I’m also quite familiar with its pul- story to “make it their own.” ance company recommended a large, Christian references are embla- pit politics. We still use Sumerian inventions to- well-known automobile body shop to zoned on our money, in public meet- During the 1964 presidential cam- day, without giving a thought to who handle my repair claim after an acci- ing facilities, in government swear- paign, our ministers’ sermons were started them: writing, schools, librar- dent. I subsequently did use that com- ing-in ceremonies and pledges to our largely devoted to scaring the bejesus ies, mathematics, astronomy, law, judg- pany for the work. flag. Jesus has been granted a national out of the congregation — if Roman es, irrigation, to name a few. Later, as I was driving by its facility, holiday, and even a sneeze warrants the Catholic John F. Kennedy is elected Phyllis Bullmer I noticed huge 6-inch white letters on requisite “God bless you.” president, the pope would move his North Carolina the back window reading, “In God We Eradicate Christianity from the pub- headquarters to the White House Trust” on the owner’s truck. Had I seen lic, Mr. Starnes? Give me a break. and assume the presidency. that earlier, I would never have spent Warren Dunn Also, there was the not-so-subtle To the essay winners: my dollars at that company, and now I California ministerial racism. vigilantly watch (and listen!) whenever The ministerial message was iron- Stay strong and wise possible to determine a vendor’s reli- ically both opaque and clear: Cauca- Congratulations to all the 2017 stu- gious proclivity. Should atheists define sians are the superior race; it’s in the dent essay winners! Boycotting businesses such as Home bible. I am a 51-year-old disabled black Depot, Chick-fil-A, Hobby Lobby and themselves differently? I can’t say all evangelicals are like man. I was introduced to Christianity others is easy, but assessing smaller I have come to realize that the term the Falwells. Clearly, the brave action in the form of Sunday school, but my contractors who come into your home “atheist” is meant to cast nonbelievers taken by the Liberty University alum- parents never forced religion on us. or others who provide services to us in a negative light by defining them ni demonstrates that evangelicals can They made us feel responsible for our daily takes some effort and alertness based on what they don’t believe. It distance themselves from their lead- direction in life. My overall belief since . . . but it is worth it. is meant to imply that they have no ers’ hate speech. childhood is that everything the bible If we could generate local databas- beliefs. Paul Bartlett claims to teach is already in our hearts. es so that members could see reports I think nonbelievers should reject Wisconsin October 2017 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 19

FFRF will spend my I love Freethought Today and Lots of freethinking at Burning Man happily read it cover to cover on air- money better than IRS planes, hoping it might influence As a supporter of FFRF and the great somebody to question their faith. work it does, I have gone as far as be- Cheryl McCutcheon coming a Life Member. Now I have Wisconsin reached an age that requires me to withdraw money from my IRA and pay income tax on it. I would rather FFRF Pre-meal ‘grace’ can than the IRS get that money. It is won- derful that any IRA money sent to you have lasting effects can be balanced against the tax I owe I just read about your secular in- on my withdrawal. You will do such a vocation contest, and thought you better job of spending it! might enjoy this story of my saying Enclosed is a check for $5,000. Please grace before a meal. upgrade my membership to Afterlife. Many years ago, my evangelical Since I do not have an actual afterlife, I friend and her husband came to visit. can have this virtual one that I can enjoy We sat down to dinner, which I while I live. cooked and served in my house, and Keep up the wonderful work! the husband immediately began a Karla Martin long come-to-Jesus type of grace. Washington When he finally said, “Amen,” they picked up their forks to eat. I smiled and said that if they could Ask believers questions say their grace, I could say mine. to get them thinking FFRF Lifetime Members Julie and George Iddon hold up a recent copy of Shocked I would say a grace, they Freethought Today at the Burning Man festival, which was held Aug. 27 bowed their heads and I said, “Gen- I said to a friend, “Do you realize the through Sept. 4 in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert. The Iddons go by Artemisia tle Beings, we thank you for dying only reason you are not a Jew or a Mus- and Braveheart during the festival, which attracts tens of thousands for us that we might live. We shall lim is simply because you were raised by of people to Black Rock City, “a temporary metropolis dedicated to strive to do you honor as you become Christians?” He asked me, “Why do you community, art, self-expression, and self-reliance,” according to the human.” care what I believe about religion?” Burning Man website. In 2016, the Burning Man census showed under A few years later, she and I were I told him it’s because I care about “Religion and Spirituality” that 71.5 percent of “Burners” (Burning Man having lunch together in a crowd- him and am trying to free him from attendees) have no religion. Further broken down, Burners are made up of ed restaurant. Now, back in the day, the constraints of religious belief. I those who claim themselves to be religious (6.1 percent), spiritual but not when I was a good bible-toting Bap- told him all the religious people I know religious (46.5 percent), atheist (24.8 percent), agnostic (14.7 percent) and tist, I had learned to pray quietly. who have become atheists say they are deist (0.8 percent). Her, not so much. She wanted to be leading happier, more fulfilling lives. sure everyone within earshot knew And that they also say things like: “I she was a good Christian. This time, feel as if a weight has been lifted off she turned to me and asked if it of my shoulders,” or “Now, for the first way to becoming atheists. For some, it New Life Member excited would be all right with me if she said time in my life, I have total freedom of is a fairly easy transformation, while yet grace. I smiled and said, “Sure. Then both thought and action.” for others, it is sadly, one of the most about FFRF’s work I’ll say mine.” I also know formerly religious peo- difficult things they ever do. I am excited to become a Lifetime Alas, no one in the restaurant had ple have thanked those who have ei- So I am hoping I have started him, Member! a chance to hear mine. But we also ther done or said something which as I have others, to seriously think I’m very proud of the excellent weren’t subjected to hers. caused them to begin to seriously think about why they believe what they do. work that FFRF is doing, including Lenora Good about their religious beliefs. Once they Neil C. Reinhardt suing Trump over his religious liberty Washington do begin to question, they are on their California executive order. CRANKMAIL

Caution: Reading these unedited emails Marco Rubio: If you don’t like Senator Ru- Taking our religious rights away: Close op- You and satan: Satan coms to deceive, steal, can leave you frustrated, or laughing in tears. bio’s Tweets, don’t read them. Surprise, even con- erations of your organization — Timothy Flowers kill, and destroy. Islam comes to deceive, steal, School prayer: Sick Nazi pigs, jesus isn’t a lie gressmen have first amendment rights. — Jack Remove plague at school: Atheist is cryba- kill, and destroy. FFRF comes to deceive, steal, kill, and those children deserve the truth. — Alexan- Wohner by..stupidity ..Lets GOD judge them ..DUH — Tena and destroy. Day of the Lord begins Yom Kippur dria Ledgerwood Prayer: I’m very blessed from God and all He Markham in 2017. Fire comes now for one year and you will Church and state: Iran and other Mulim has done for me and my family. I have 5 children Freedom OF religion: While we all sure have die during this upcoming year. Once you die, then countries are run by Muslim leaders, using Koran that are actively serving the Lord and 11 grandchil- the freedom to believe how we want, your article comes your judgment day before the Messiah and law, so why can’t this country be run by Christian dren that will be brought up to do the same. If you almost left me speechless. How sad and unhappy then to the lake of fire and brimstone. The Bible leaders, using Bible law? Good Christians would don’t like what the born again believer do, move you must be. So intolerable of prayer and Christi- brings hope and joy to millions and all you want not cause us to lose any political rights — like the out the the United States. I will be praying that y’all anity. And your understanding of the 1st Amend- to do is destroy it so fire comes down from Heaven Muslims do, so STOP trying to separate Church at ffr get saved. My heart goes out to your children ment really shows your ignorance. You don’t even in 5778 for the Millennium to begin at Sukkot 5779 and State! — Steve Clark missing out on the blessings of Christmas and Eas- quote it right. It says, Freedom OF Religion, not (Feast of Tabernacles 2018 — John Ashcraft ter. Maybe I should sue y’all for trying to destroy Freedom From Religion. From and of have two LEAVE PEOPLE ALONE: Leave people Losing Faith in Faith: America — Lorira Loomis different meanings. And this is the LIE people alone. Stop being little whiney snowflakes. YOU Franklin highschool: The only way you have believed. And this lie has wreaked havoc in are the ones taht disrespect others, not the other From Preacher to Atheist could assist me is by removing yourself from the our schools; look what’s going on with our youth way around. Bunch of whiney little babies who planet. You wanna threaten to sue some high- and young adults: violence, riots, no respect for want things just the way THEY want it and can’t school girls cause of a banner they made? Free- authority, and the list goes on. After trying to take handle it when one teeny ounce of life doesn’t go By Dan Barker dom of religion and speech thise girls are not Christ out of the “public square/school,” look at their way. Grow up. Get the hell out of town. — How Dan “threw bothering anyone. If it bothers you all that bad get the world around you now. I truly feel sorry for you Jane Dorzweiler hit by a fucking truck. — because evidently you’ve never experienced the I love the signs out the bathwater Christian Bryant The signs in Oconomowoc: FFAF: If you want freedom from religion, that’s blessing that comes from serving Jesus Christ... and if you fruit cakes don’t stand down. I will put and discovered your business: however; you and your buddy satan and to know Him and His love on a personal level. up 4 more signs. Please find something worth there is no need to keep your split tongues, reptilian eyes, and — Deb Erickson while to do — Shawn Miller baby there.” side-nared noses to yourselves. FFAF (Freedom Alabama: I noticed your address is Wisconsin. Treason!: I am declareing freedom from reli- From atheist Foundation) — Kevin Jepsen How about keeping your comments in Wisconsin. gion a terror group for threatening he right to free- YOU!: Why do you spend all your time and We know our rights in Alabama. And for the record, dom of religion and i am accusing freedom from Buy it from FFRF online efforts fighting something you don’t think exists?! I’m offended by your organization’s purpose and religion of treason of the constitution.freedom shop. rf.org “Every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall con- mission. So according to your statements, stop from freligion is the enemy of the united states of fess that Jesus Christ is Lord.” — Phil Merhalski pushing your beliefs on me!! — Traci Roberson america from this day forward — John Bowman Your weekly antidote to the Religious Right RECRUIT A MEMBER FREETHOUGHT RADIO sample copy for $2 each PODCASTS AND BROADCASTS Send $2 with the name and address of each person you FIND OUT MORE: rf.org/radio wish to receive a sample copy of Freethought Today to: — Hosted by Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor — FFRF • P.O. Box 750 • Madison, WI 53701 Slightly irreverent views, news, music & interviews — Please send us only names of likely supporters — Freedom depends upon freethinkers Page 20 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | October 2017 BLACK COLLAR CRIME

Compiled by Bill Dunn Pleaded / Convicted John Wilson, 70, Keighley, England: Guilty Arrested / Charged by jury of 18 counts of sexual and indecent assault Four unidentified Israeli rabbis were arrest- against 6 women and girls while he was pastor of ed on suspicion of fraudulently obtaining police Liberty Pentecostal Church between 1980 and “fitness certificates” and passing exams enabling 2010. His wife, Mary Wilson, 79, and his assistant them to qualify for the post of “City Rabbi.” pastor, Laurence Peterson, 59, were convicted of The suspects are alleged to have obtained cer- aiding and abetting indecent assault and conspira- tification by various fraudulent means, including cy to commit indecent assault. falsifying scores of tests they never took, using im- Wilson told police he was amazed by how many postors to take their exams or appealing directly to women had evil spirits inside them and that God the examiner to give them passing grades. Source: told him to “go into the womb to release evil spir- Arutz Sheva, 9-6-17 its” and perform “internal ministries.” Michael R. Hands, 51, Easton, NY: Criminal His first victims were 2 orphaned sisters in their sex act, use of a child in a sexual performance, sex- mid-teens, said prosecutor David McGonigal: He ual abuse, endangering the welfare of a child and would shout “Come out in the name of Jesus” as possessing and distributing child pornography. he assaulted the younger sister. Hands, a former Catholic priest on Long Island who McGonigal told the court that not long after was defrocked after a 2003 sodomy conviction in- Wilson married a couple, the wife came to him for volving a 14-year-old boy, is charged with assaults counseling, and from 1990-98 he tried to “help” her on a teen boy he met online in July. with her “sexual demons.” Wilson would tell her to He lives and works at Easton Mountain, a resort “spit out” the demons after she performed oral sex that bills itself as a sanctuary and retreat “created on him, McGonigal told the jury. Source: Daily Mail, by gay men as a gift to the world.” Source: Post-Star, 9-1-17 9-5-17 Barbara L. Snyder, 59, West Salem, WI: Plead- Matthew J. Phelps, 28, Raleigh, NC: Murder. ed guilty to wire fraud and filing a false income tax Phelps is charged in the Sept. 1 stabbing death of return. Snyder, secretary and accounting clerk at his wife, Lauren Phelps, 29, in their bedroom. On St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Onalaska, admitted his 911 call to police, he said, “I had a dream and stealing $832,000 from the church between 2006 then I turned on the lights and she’s dead on the and 2015 and underreporting her income from the floor. . . . I took Coricidin Cough & Cold because I embezzled proceeds. Prosecutors said much of the know it can make you feel good and sometimes I money went for gambling. Source: WXOW, 8-28-17 can’t sleep at night.” Nikolay Kalka, 75, Parma Heights, OH: Guilty They were married Nov. 11, 2016. “Oh my God,” by jury of kidnapping and 2 counts of gross sexu- Phelps told the dispatcher. “Oh God. She didn’t al imposition. Kalka, a Ukrainian-born pastor of deserve this. Why?” He’s described as an aspiring an unspecified denomination, was convicted of preacher in several news stories but worked for a groping a 10-year-old girl at a public pool in March. lawn service. His Facebook page says he graduat- According to the prosecution, the girl and her ed in 2011 from Clear Creek Baptist Bible College, 10-year-old friend were swimming and splashed formerly Clear Creek Mountain Preacher School in water on Kalka, who splashed back and asked Pineville, Ky. A friend told a reporter Phelps came them to come over to him. They instead moved to from a conservative Christian family. a different part of the pool. There was no mention of Phelps in his wife’s Later, as the victim swam by, it’s alleged he grabbed her and set her on his lap for about a min- obituary, which used her maiden name Hugelmai- Peter Green, Deborah Green, Joshua Green tist Church in Bicester. Source: BBC, 8-17-17 ute. Kalka testified he didn’t grope her but said he er, or during her funeral service. Source: News & and Stacey Miller, Fence Lake, NM: All are mem- José F. Bernal, 52, N. Richland Hills, TX: 2 held her head under a water fountain to teach her Observer, 9-1-17 bers of the Aggressive Christianity Missions Train- counts of continuous sexual assault of a child. He’s a lesson about splashing people. The girl’s friend Abdullah el-Faisal, 53, St. James, Jamaica: ing Corps. Peter Green faces 100 counts of criminal accused of assaults on 2 female juveniles between tried to pull her away but couldn’t. Soliciting or providing support for an act of terror- sexual penetration of a minor. Charges against the 2007-13 while he was their pastor at Tabernaculo He faces up to 20 years to life in prison because ism and 4 related counts. El-Faisal, a Muslim cleric others include child sexual abuse, bribery of a wit- de Vida, a Pentecostal church in Ft. Worth. Source: the kidnapping charge carries a sexual motivation known for advocating jihad, was indicted in New ness and not reporting a death. Star-Telegram, 8-16-17 enhancer. The girl’s mother said she thinks the po- York on charges he assisted an undercover officer Deborah Green and her husband James Green Kenneth Blake, 52, Kingston, Jamaica: Rape, tential sentence is too harsh. Source: Plain Dealer, pretending to be trying to join ISIS in Syria. He was started the sect in 1981 in California. It’s self-de- forcible abduction, grievous sexual assault, sexu- 8-17-17 arrested in Jamaica and faces extradition. scribed as “aggressive and revolutionary for Je- al touching and sexual intercourse with a person a defrocked He was imprisoned in England from 2003-07 for sus.” The investigation started in 2015 after 2 mem- under 16 years old. Blake, pastor of Harvest Tem- Gerald Ridsdale, 83, Australia: Australian Catholic priest already imprisoned for promoting violence and later deported from Ken- bers who left the commune told authorities that ple Apostolic Church, is accused of assaults on a sexual assaults on over 50 children, pleaded guilty ya to his native Jamaica, where he has continued Miller’s 12-year-old son had died of an infection in 12-year-old girl and impregnating her when she to molesting 12 more children. Victims include 11 proselytizing. Source: NY Times, 9-1-17 2014. was 14 while he was dating her mother. Source: Ja- boys and a girl he assaulted between 1962-88. Amanda Weiss, 28, Kingston, NY: Grand larce- According to arrest warrants, no one took the maica Gleaner, 8-15-17 Twice the girl’s father took her to Ridsdale at ny, scheme to defraud, falsifying business records, boy to the hospital, even though pus was leaking Robin Knox, 52, Nashville, TN: Indecent ex- the church in Ballarat. “[The 10-year-old’s] father criminal possession of a forged instrument and from his forehead and he’d lost his ability to speak posure. Knox allegedly displayed his genitals July carried her to the confessional booth and took her stolen property. Weiss, assistant administrator at and move his right side. He was buried on the prop- 22 to a woman smoking a cigarette outside Clean clothes off her, then carried her to the altar and lay St. Joseph Catholic Parish, allegedly stole almost erty. The sheriff’s office said about 18 children still World Laundry. Surveillance video recorded it, an her down,” crown prosecutor Jeremy McWilliams $69,000 from accounts of the church and a parish live in the commune. Source: AP, 8-22-17 affidavit said. said. Ridsdale then assaulted her. priest over a span of about 20 months. Source: Phillip Miles, 66, Conway, SC: Carrying a Knox moved to Nashville in April from Rus- “I feel like a piece of meat handed around for Times Herald-Record, 9-1-17 weapon in a restricted place. Miles, pastor of Christ sellville, KY, where he taught Sunday school and anyone to take a bite of,” she said in a victim im- Eugene Katcher, 71, Canton, MI: 3 counts of Community Church, was arrested at an airport af- preached as a seminarian at Trinity Episcopal pact statement read by McWilliams. Source: The larceny in a building. Katcher, who retired in July ter security found an unloaded .380-caliber hand- Church. His LinkedIn account said he served in Age, 8-15-17 as pastor of Resurrection Catholic Parish, allegedly gun in his bag. Miles said he was on his way to a 2003-04 as director of the school of business at : Pleaded stole collection plate and votive candle donations religious conference in Kentucky and “completely Belmont University, Tennessee’s largest Christian Daniel Hoffman, 31, Jenison, MI guilty to 2 counts of criminal sexual conduct. Hoff- and numerous items of property, including com- forgot the gun was in my bag.” college. Source: The Tennesseean, 8-12-17 man, youth pastor at Alive Ministries, was charged munion wine and a TV between February 2016 and Miles was jailed for several months in 2008 in Christopher L. Stansell, 48, Princeton, with assaults between 2003-08. July 2017. Source: Detroit News, 8-31-17 Russia on charges of bringing ammunition into the W.VA: Embezzlement of more than $10,000. In a search warrant affidavit, a detective wrote Wayland Y. Brown, 74, a defrocked Catholic country during a missionary trip. Source: myrtle- Stansell, pastor of First Christian Church, al- that Hoffman was being treated in a hospital for priest convicted of child sexual offenses in Mary- beachonline.com, 8-19-17 legedly deposited into his personal accounts a “psychotic break” in October 2016, and he told land, is now charged in Jasper County, SC, with 9 Elozer Porges, 43, and Joel Lowy, 29, Brook- multiple checks written to and by the church, a nurse that he first fondled the victim when the counts of criminal misconduct with a minor (sexual lyn, NY: Mail fraud and conspiracy to commit mail said State Police Sgt. M.S. Haynes. Source: Daily boy was 6 and he was 17 or 18. The victim told the battery) involving 2 boys between 1978-88. and wire fraud. Porges and Lowy, director and as- Telegraph, 8-10-17 detective it happened at Hoffman’s house, in his Chris Templeton alleges he was a victim when sistant director, respectively, of Central United Tal- Elvin Taveras Durán, Villa Mella, Dominican camper and at Camp Ao-Wa-Kiya, where Hoffman he was in 7th grade. “He raped me right on my mudic Academy, were indicted for bilking a federal Republic: Suspicion of murder. Durán, pastor of was a counselor. Source: WOOD-TV, 8-14-17 mom and dad’s couch. I can still see the fibers of meal program out of $3 million in 2013-15 by sub- Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Parish, is accused of the couch pressed up in my face. I can still feel it mitting claims for meals never served. fatally stabbing Fernely Carrión Saviñón, a 16-year- Civil Lawsuits Filed like it was yesterday.” The men claimed they were serving suppers old altar boy, Aug. 4. Templeton received a $4.5 million settlement 5 nights a week at 3 of their schools. Bus drivers The boy was last seen alive by a taxi driver who The Catholic Church on Guam and separate in 2016 from the Savannah Diocese for covering up at the Wythe Avenue yeshiva told a reporter that gave him and Durán a ride. His body was found defendants have now been sued by 104 plaintiffs his abuse. Source: WSAV, 8-28-17 school is dismissed by 4:45 p.m. and no supper is by the side of a road. It’s also believed they were for molesting them as children, with 16 priests James Irwin, 68, Plymouth, IN: Promoting served. Source: NY Post, 8-18-17 involved in a sexual relationship. Source: Catholic named as abusers. Louis W. Rink, who died in prostitution, dealing a controlled substance, deal- Mohammad Jammal, 49, Denmark: Mak- News Agency, 8-10-17 2013, is the latest to be accused. The alleged victim ing a substance represented as a controlled sub- ing comments deemed threatening, insulting or Marcin A. Nurek, 37, Boonton, NY: Endanger- claims Rink molested him when he was 10. Source: stance and 2 counts of patronizing a prostitute. degrading to a group of persons because of their ing the welfare of a child and criminal sexual con- USA Today, 8-29-17 Irwin directs Care and Share Ministries and is a for- race, color, national or ethnic origin, belief or sexu- tact. Nurek was ordained July 1 as a Catholic priest The Mormon Church has been sued by 3 Native mer Methodist pastor who’s now retired. His wife is al orientation. Jammal, a Danish imam, is accused but is now on administrative leave. Nurek, an im- American plaintiffs who allege the church failed to also a retired pastor. of calling homosexuality “unnatural” and “com- migrant from Poland in 2015, is accused of putting protect children from sexual abuse. Thousands of Court documents say that on Aug. 3, “Infor- parable to having sex with animals” in June 2016 his hand under a girl’s skirt and fondling her but- Indian children, mostly Navajos, participated in mant A asked Irwin ‘what do I have to do to get a remarks to newspapers after the shootings in Pulse tocks on Aug. 3 while telling her she was sexy. The a church foster program from the late 1940s until room?’ Irwin responds ‘just lay there in front of me nightclub in Florida. girl is 13 or older but younger than 16. Source: Daily about 2000. naked.’ “The remarks were so gross that we want the Record, 8-7-17 A Navajo woman identified as “A.H.” said at a “On 8/17/17 Informant C was given ‘two white courts to rule whether Danish law has been violat- Eugene Haminda, 38, John Laing Township, press conference in Phoenix that she told her local oval pills later identified as a schedule II narcotic ed,” state prosecutor Jan Reckendorff said. Source: Zambia: 2 counts of murder. Haminda, pastor of bishop about abuse by her foster father in Mesa, drug as a payment for a sexual act to occur the fol- Deutsche Presse Agentur, 8-18-17 Door of Heaven Ministry, is accused of causing the AZ, but was told to keep quiet and that it would lowing week.’ ” Source: WNDU, 8-25-17 Robert J. Dando, 53, UK: Assault of a male by deaths of his 10-year-old stepson and 9-year-old be handled. Another Navajo woman identified as David Pugh, Phillipsburg, KS: Indecent liber- penetration, 8 counts of indecent assault of a boy nephew, who died from head trauma. “The pastor “J.C.” alleges she was molested in Enterprise, Utah. ties with a child and sexual exploitation of a child. and 2 counts each of assault of a boy by touching, whipped the two male juveniles after he discov- A Crow woman identified as “Jane Doe 1” alleges Pugh resigned in May as pastor of First Assembly rape of a boy and sexual assault of a male. ered that some money was missing in the house,” she was abused 4 times by her foster grandfather of God Church. Allegations stem from between Allegations are from 1986-2009 in England and alleged police spokesperson Esther Mwaata Katon- in Chelan County, WA. November 2016 and March 2017. Source: KWCH, Wales when Dando was a senior minister at Worces- go. Source: Times of Zambia, 8-8-17 Five other suits against the church have been 8-23-17 ter Park Baptist Church, Surrey, and Orchard Bap- filed since 2016 on behalf of Navajo tribal members. October 2017 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 21

Source: AP, 8-16-17 Allegations The Basilian Fathers of Toronto, Canada, are being sued for $3 million by a 53-year-old Connecti- Telling it like it is! Abel Perez, a Chilean Marist Catholic brother, cut man who alleges he was molested by Freder- molested at least 14 minors at the order’s schools ick Cahill, a Catholic priest who died in 1983. The from the 1970s until 2000, according to a Marist plaintiff, first name Brian, accuses Cahill of abusing statement sent to parents and teachers. “These him sexually for several months in 1981 when he acts cannot be repeated ever again in our commu- was a student at Bishop Grandin High School in nity,” said the Aug. 8 statement, which said Perez Calgary. admitted the abuse to his superiors in 2010 and Brian alleges Cahill took him to an empty was later transferred to Peru. Knights of Columbus summer camp because “he The Associated Press reported that the case wanted to show me something. He laid on top of would be investigated by prosecutors dealing with me. He told me he had the same experience when sex crimes and domestic violence. he was younger from a priest with red hair who Asked about Perez’s future, Brother Mario Varo- loved him and respected him and got him into the na said he would remain a Marist even if convicted. priesthood. I froze. The next thing I knew he undid “You have to have mercy and also worry about the my pants.” Source: Calgary Herald, 8-11-17 abuser,” Varona told CNN Chile. “Abel Perez is a per- Brentwood Academy, Brentwood, TN, and son. He has all our respect despite what he’s done.” several employees are being sued for $30 million Source: AP, 8-30-17 by a Nashville parent and her son, who allege the Miguel Luna, a Texas Catholic priest ordained Christian prep school downplayed sexual assaults in 1982 and removed from ministry in 2013, has and refused to report them to police. allegedly admitted to sexual misconduct with a Four 8th-grade students are accused of assault- young girl in the 1980s, said a statement from the ing the boy during the 2014-15 academic year when Diocese of El Paso. The woman reached out to the he was 12. Headmaster Curtis Masters allegedly diocese in November 2016. told him to “turn the other cheek” and “everything “We have informed the El Paso Police about this in God’s kingdom happens for a reason.” case, about Luna,” said Bishop Mark Seitz: “They’re The suit claims that after a football game, stu- ready with their Crimes Against Children that respond dents restrained “John Doe” and put their buttocks Photo by Larry Peplin and would help any victims who come forward to on his face and their scrotums on or in his mouth. “I thought this sign was unusually candid for a church, any church,” writes them after this notification.” Source: KVIA, 8-21-17 It’s also alleged that in January and February 2015, Nana Dar, 67, Steven Dar, 37, and Richard Dar, 2 boys barred entrance to the unsupervised locker FFRF Member Larry Peplin, of the sign from St. Clair Shores, Mich. 41, Pune, India, are accused by a parishioner at Em- room while another boy forced his penis into Doe’s manuel Church Assembly of God of misappropriat- mouth and between his buttocks. Source: The Ten- ing church funds by creating a bogus trust. Nana nessean, 8-9-17 has a heart for evangelism, spiritual growth and 8-21-17 Dar, the church pastor, and his sons are accused of Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian building families,” says a cached version of its web- Amado Miranda, 68, Sugar Land, TX: 12 years fraud dating to 2007. Church, San Diego, and pastor Bryan Stamper are site. Two other victims testified they were subject- in prison after a jury found him guilty of 2 counts Vikas Waghmare, an attorney representing the defendants in a suit filed by youth minister Dawn ed to similar grooming and molestation in their of indecency with a child. Miranda fled to Mexico 82-year-old parishioner, alleged the family kept false Neldon, who alleges Stamper sexually harassed teens. Source: nwfdailynews.com, 8-25-17 in 2004 after being indicted for fondling a 9-year- records and used the church’s name to promote her and that she was forced to resign in August be- Kevin Gugliotta, 55, Mahwah, NJ: 11½ to 23½ old girl’s genitals at Agape International Baptist their business that catered food and beverages and cause she complained about it. Neldon was hired months in jail, with credit for 10 months already Church, where he was pastor from 1997 to 2001. provided entertainment for celebration events such in 2008. served. Gugliotta, pastor of Holy Spirit Catholic Source: Avalanche-Journal, 8-10-17 as weddings. Source: Pune Mirror, 8-14-17 The complaint alleges that on a church bus trip, Church, was charged with 20 counts of possession Jon M. Paquette, 57, Birchwood, WI: 3 years’ Mitchell Olson, Kimball, MI, is being investi- Stamper called Neldon “honey, baby, and sweet- of child pornography and 20 counts of disseminat- probation, $1,300 restitution, maintain absolute gated for alleged criminal sexual conduct in 2016 heart” and compared his body to a Lamborghini ing images of children involved in sexual acts. He sobriety and no contact with his former church or involving a member of Grace Ministry Center, that “couldn’t be kept in the garage.” pleaded guilty to 1 dissemination count in return any of his victims. Paquette, pastor at Trinity Lu- where Olson is lead pastor. Justine Morden, 19 at It’s also alleged he had her dance with him in for 39 others being theran Church, admitted breaking into 4 homes to the time, went to police in June. front of the congregation during his first sermon, dismissed. steal pain medication, including the residence of a “We will review the statute to see if the facts commenting on her clothing, kissing his biceps and Court documents couple he knew from the church who had installed alleged are in violation of Michigan law and then calling them “pythons.” show he told proba- a video camera after a previous burglary. Source: we will move forward with the review,” said county Neldon claims he later ran up to her while tion officers he felt WQOW, 8-8-17 prosecutor Mike Wendling singing a song from “Grease” and tried to dance God was attacking Morden had sought counseling from Olson, provocatively with her. She said she would raise him when he lost Legal Developments who is married with 5 children. She said she agreed her arms to avoid touching him. Source: San Diego poker tournaments he could come to her apartment at night to anoint Reader, 8-8-17 Warren S. Jeffs, 61, the imprisoned leader her with oil to cleanse her of her sins and get closer and games, and he of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of got “revenge” by to God. The police report states: Civil Lawsuits Settled Latter-day Saints, was ordered by a Utah judge “Olson then asked if he could put the oil on collecting pornogra- to pay $16 million to Elissa Wall, whom he forced her breasts, [she] said yes and Olson put his hand The Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut settled phy depicting boys to marry his cousin Alan Steed in 2001 when she down the front of [her] shirt making skin to skin a suit for an undisclosed amount in which a wom- as young as 8 or 10. was 14. Jeffs also pressured Wall to have children contact with [her] breasts. . . . Olson then put his an alleged she was sexually assaulted at age 12 at Source: Pocono Re- with Steed. Several miscarriages and a stillbirth Kevin Gugliotta hand down the back of [her] pants and made skin St. Peter’s Church in Milford by the pastor’s adult cord, 8-25-17 followed. to skin contact with [her] buttock cheeks. Olson son Jesse Osmun. The parish and former pastor Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, 50, Sirsa, In- Jeffs is serving life plus 20 years in Texas for then asked if he could put oil on [her] pubic area, Andrew Osmun are co-defendants. dia: 20 years in prison after a court convicted sexually abusing 2 girls he married as plural [she] responded yes. Olson then put his hand down Jesse Osmun is serving a 15-year prison sen- him of raping 2 women at his ashram in 2002. wives. One gave birth at age 15. the front of [her] pants and made skin to skin con- tence for sexually assaulting girls between the ages After Singh, leader of Dera Sacha Sauda — a Wall’s attorney, Alan Mortensen, said they will tact with [her] pubic region.” of 3 and 6 at a school in South Africa while he was in breakaway sect of Sikhism — was convicted, riots pursue church assets in several states and Mexi- Former assistant pastor Justin Mcburney stated the Peace Corps. The suit alleged he assaulted the broke out that left at least 38 people dead and co. “It’s so the church feels the pain of what their in the report that Olson told him “the oil bottle had plaintiff in 2007. Andrew Osmun was pastor from property looted and burned. doctrine has been as to the rape of young girls.” broken, getting oil all over. Olson said it was possi- 1999 to 2012. Seven members of his security squad were Source: UPI, 9-6-17 ble his hand had slipped and his hand might have Jesse Osmun allegedly admitted to his father charged with sedition and attempted murder for Sam Wagner, a Catholic priest from Sleepy gone in her pants.” in 2007 that he had assaulted the plaintiff, but it an attempt to free him at the court. A lawyer for Eye, MN, was barred by a judge from contacting a Morden alleged Olson told her that because she wasn’t reported to police and he later joined the the victims said “40 to 50 women” have come for- teen girl or her family until August 2019. The New had committed sexual sins he would have to anoint Peace Corps. Source: CT Post, 8-24-17 ward with rape allegations. Source: Times of India, Ulm Police Department started investigating his the sexual parts of her body. 8-28-17 relationship with the girl in early 2017 but has sus- Sentenced A church member at Hillside Wesleyan Church Rose Amadasun, 49, London: 16 months in pended it without charges. It could be reopened if said when she was 15 in 2001, she attended a Wayne Buchanan, 62, Southwest Harbor, jail, suspended on good behavior, 150 hours com- new allegations surface. Wagner was ordained in “pureness” overnight for girls to talk about keep- ME: 1 year in prison after pleading guilty to pos- munity service and 25-day rehabilitation course 2014 and first served in New Ulm. ing their virginity. “[She] recalled Mitch Olson do- sessing sexually explicit material involving chil- after pleading guilty to 5 counts of child cruelty. The restraining order request filed by the girl’s ing the message and talking about him and his wife dren under age 12. Buchanan resigned as pastor Amadasun, pastor of Shine Forth Evangelistic Min- mother said they exchanged 1,500 Facebook mes- having sex together and breaking a couch,” the re- of Tremont Congregational Church and St. Bren- istry, was charged with hitting children with a belt sages between March 2015 and December 2016. port said. Source: Times Herald/WXYZ, 8-10-17 dan’s Anglican Mission in 2016 and was defrocked and wires while shouting “Jesus” as punishment It also detailed medical treatment supposedly after being charged. for misbehaving in June 2016. Source: metro. received by the girl as a result of the relationship. Removed / Resigned Buchanan was active in boy scouting and at one co.uk, 8-22-17 Wagner “continues to break it off but keeps com- time was president of the Katahdin Area Council of Francis Brophy, 87, Brisbane, Australia: 8 ing back,” the request said. Source: Mankato Free William Aitcheson, 62, Fairfax, VA, is on vol- the Boy Scouts of America. Source: WABI, 8-28-17 years in prison with parole eligibility in August Press, 8-28-17 untary leave as pastor of St. Leo the Great Catholic Terry W. Dobbs, 54, Yorktown, IN: 13 years 2019 after a jury found him guilty of molesting Geronimo Aguilar, 47, a Virginia Protestant Parish after disclosing he belonged to the Ku Klux in prison with 4 years suspended after pleading 9 “vulnerable and marginalized” boys at an or- pastor sentenced to 40 years in prison in Texas, Klan 40 years ago. He was convicted in 1977 of a guilty to sexual misconduct with a minor and child phanage between 1978-83. The court heard how had his final appeal of child molestation convic- criminal misdemeanor and sentenced to 60 days in solicitation for having a sexual relationship with a in 1982 Brophy, a member of the Catholic De La tions denied. The victims were 11 and 13. jail and 4 years’ probation for burning a 7-foot cross 15-year-old member of Old Fashion United Baptist Salle Brothers, sodomized a boy who had gone “How do we know that the harlot didn’t lead in the yard of Barbara and Phillip Butler in 1977 in Church, where he was pastor. The girl had gone to him for guitar lessons. Source: Brisbane Times, him [on]?” his uncle, Mel Aguilar, asked when College Park, MD. At the time he was a 22-year-old to him for counseling about personal problems in 8-21-17 “Pastor G” was sentenced in 2015 for assaults in student and “Exalted Cyclops” of a Klan chapter. July 2016. Mark M. Brown, 74, Hamilton, New Zealand: the 1990s. Source: WRIC, 8-23-17 He said images from the white nationalist rally Prosecutor Doug Mawhorr said Dobbs once got 26 months in jail after pleading guilty to indecent Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner signed a bill remov- in Charlottesville reminded him of a time he’d pre- “down on bended knee” and proposed to her, giv- assault on a boy aged 12 to 16, attempted sod- ing the statutes of limitation for sexual abuse fer to forget. The Diocese of Arlington granted his ing her a ring and declaring her his “promise wife ... omy and indecent assault on a male. The 3 victims crimes. Previously, victims had to report crimes leave request “for the well-being of the Church and so the sex could be legitimized.” ranged in age from 6 to 16 in the late 1970s and ear- within 20 years after they turned 18. The legisla- parish community.” Dobbs’ wife testified there was “blame to be ly 1980s. Brown was jailed for 15 months in 1990 tion, opposed by the Catholic Church, went into In a later statement, the diocese said “a free- shared” by her husband and his victim. Dobbs’ for sexual offenses against altar boys at St. Mary’s effect immediately. Source: AP, 8-13-17 lancer reporter, who introduced herself as a pa- son said the girl’s parents shouldn’t have let her Catholic Parish. An unidentified Ethiopian imam at An’Nur rishioner, contacted the Diocese and stated that meet alone with his father. Source: Star Press, One boy testified that when he was 9 and Mosque, Winterthur, Switzerland, should re- she learned that Father Aitcheson’s legal name 8-25-17 vomited in church, Brown took him to a separate ceive an 18-month suspended sentence and be matched that of a man arrested in the 1970s.” Larry M. “Mike” Thorne, 53, Ft. Walton building where he started throwing up again in banned from the country for 15 years for inciting “He came forward only after he was going to be Beach, FL: 30 years in prison after a jury found a toilet. Brown rubbed his back as he vomited, violence, prosecutors told a Swiss court. He was exposed,” said the Butlers’ attorney Ted Williams. him guilty of lewd and lascivious battery and sex- then started fondling his genitals. Brown’s sister arrested in 2016 and the mosque was closed in He was sentenced for mailing threatening letters ual battery on a victim between the ages of 12 and was a nun who taught at an Auckland orphanage, June but a trial is still pending. Video surfaced in to Martin Luther King Jr.’s widow, Coretta Scott King, 18. Thorne, pastor of Abundant Life Church, was which Brown frequently visited. The boy testified October 2016 in which he “called for the murder and for several cross burnings. He was also ordered charged with having sex, including intercourse, that Brown told him what happened was “our of Muslims who refuse to participate in communal to pay the Butlers $23,000 in damages but never has. with a girl starting when she was 14 and ending special secret” and if he told anyone, he would prayer.” He’s also accused of distributing online The diocese said it’s working with Aitcheson to make when she was 17. be separated from his siblings, who were also images of executions and working without a per- restitution. Source: CBS News, 8-23-17 The church was founded by his parents. “Mike wards of the orphanage. Source: Waikato Times, mit. Source: swissinfo.ch, 8-11-17 Email: [email protected] Page 22 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | October 2017

FFRF improves experience FRO OO The following books have been re- online for our members ceived by FFRF members on the topics of religion or freethinking. FFRF does not do traditional book reviews. By Tim Nott The Beatin’ Path: A Lyrical t FFRF, we are always looking for ways to improve our mem- Guide to Lucid Evolution Abership experience. In the Au- By John B Lane gust issue of Freethought Today, we $18.00 (paperback) unveiled the Unpleasant Companion website (unpleasantgod.ffrf.org), the Which part of the human mind will fi- first of a series of updates to FFRF’s nalize our fate? The part that wrote the digital offerings. Gettysburg Ad- This time around, we’re lifting dress — or the the curtain on a part that mur- much bigger proj- dered Abra- ect that began back ham Lincoln? in the summer of The Beatin’ 2016: our new and Path levels a much-improved look at both online member- the enemies of ship system. The human prog- system has allowed content and features. We are hard at password. ress and the FFRF to enhance work building FFRF’s digital future. Follow the on-screen instruc- Tim Nott better angels our service to mem- If you would like to help test our tions to receive an email that will of our nature. bers and will also allow for the devel- digital products and give feedback on guide you through recovering your Presented in short bursts of truth, this opment of new features for members products under development, send information. book is an illustrated, inspirational to enjoy. an email to [email protected] (WARN- • How do I retrieve my username kaleidoscope of poetry and prose, of The system went live on March ING: Virtual hard hat required!). and password? heroes and villians, of humor and hope. 1, and we have spent the last few We anticipate there will be ques- Same as above. You will receive months getting all of our staff com- tions about the new login. As always, slightly different instructions based fortable with the new features. Now you can contact FFRF with member- on what info you are missing. The Miracle Myth: Why we are ready to launch a self-serve op- ship concerns at [email protected] or call • I’m logged in! What can I do? Belief in the Resurrection tion for making donations, renewing the main office line. But, here are There are several member infor- one’s membership, and updating in- some Q&As members might find mation features available. One can: and the Supernatural Is formation, such as change of address. helpful. • Donate, manage recurring dona- Unjustified To access these features and more, • Don’t I already have a login? tions, and review donation history.* our members will need to login with If you created your login on or af- • Renew membership and update By Larry Shapiro an account username and password. ter March 1, then yes. Logins created household member information. $27.95 (hardcover); We understand that keeping track on the prior version of our member • Update your profile information $15.49 (Kindle) 2016 of logins for all the services our mem- database did not transfer correct- and communication preferences, Columbia University Press bers use can be overwhelming. To ly as the method by which we keep including how you’d like to receive ease the pain, we have tried to make your password encrypted has been Freethought Today. Helping us to think more critically about the system as user-friendly as possible upgraded. • Check on your event registration our belief in the improbable, this book — and we’re always open to feedback • How do I create a new-fangled information. (That might have been casts a skep- on how to make the system better! login? helpful last month!) tical eye on Plus, we are focused on making the Go to ffrf.org and click the “Mem- • Get the email content that mat- attempts to login a valuable tool. ber Login” button in the top-right ters to you. (See photo below.) justify belief Here are some highlights: portion of the screen (see image of * We are still transferring dona- in the super- • While FFRF has always had an website at the top of the article). tion history from our previous mem- natural, laying option online to donate, join and re- Click the “Forgot Password?” link bership database. If you notice some- bare the falla- new, our new, reliable login feature to retrieve either a username or a thing amiss in your history, send an cies that such makes those processes much faster email to [email protected]. attempts com- and easier. No need to type in your Tim Nott is FFRF’s digital product mit. Through contact information since it is already manager. stored in the system. arguments • Members can also update per- and accessi- sonal information like a change of ble analysis, Professor Larry Shapiro’s address, updates to communication investigation reminds us of the impor- preferences — including email sub- tance of evidence and rational thinking scriptions, and managing household as we explore the unknown. members any time of day or night. All of this also makes the organi- zation more efficient, since less data Our Lady of the entry means fewer typos. We pride Hot Mommas ourselves on our extremely low ad- By Rex Quinn ministrative overhead. $29.95 2017 In addition to what is already available, the login will be a mem- In his book, a comedic novel of reli- ber’s pass to all-new, members-only gious satire, the author tells a tale of the handmaid of Mary, the mother of Woe to the Women: Yip Harburg, God. But it’s from his book: Rhymes for the Irreverent The Bible Tells Me So not “as bliss- fully idyllic Candle Power as everyone By Annie Laurie Gaylor has been led A concise, easy-to-read Why fret about a little scandal? to believe.” book that will challenge Go to church and light a candle. “When will your concept of the she ever learn bible as “a good book.” Yip Harburg wrote the lyrics for that the only Illustrated. 264 pages. ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ ‘April in Paris’ way of finding Buy it from FFRF online & ‘Brother Can You Spare a Dime?’ inner peace Buy itshop.ffrf.org from FFRF online is through unshackling the bond of shop. rf.org Buy it from FFRF online - shop. rf.org hate by forgiving and not, for example, torching the police station?” October 2017 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 23 Government free from religion is best These are the remarks FFRF Co-President ad hoc roadblocks — which he has Dan Barker made to the Religion News Asso- not done with other guest chaplains, ciation convention on Sept. 7 in Nashville, and which I actually passed — Con- Tenn. FFRF was a co-sponsor of the event. roy finally said that the “prayers” be- fore Congress must address a “higher Dan Barker power.” In the draft of my invocation, which I sent to him, I point out that in see that Pat Boone is registered for the United States, there is no power this conference. I accompanied Pat higher than “We, the people.” I Boone on the piano once, back in As an officer of our secular gov- the early ’70s at a huge Christian rally ernment, Conroy’s denial violates the in Phoenix. At the time, I was an as- Constitution, which declares there sociate pastor in a California church, shall be “no religious test” for public leading music worship and preaching. office. I am certain Pat Boone would never We are also suing President Trump have imagined that that young man at over the executive order he signed on the piano would go on to become the the National Day of Prayer, assuring co-president of the largest association religious leaders — after promising of freethinkers in the country, or that to “repeal the Johnson Amendment” Presenting at the Religious News Association convention on behalf of FFRF were, he would work with Richard Dawkins, — that they are now free to politick from left, Andrew Seidel, Rebecca Markert, Amit Pal and Dan Barker, pictured Daniel Dennett and Linda LaScola to from the pulpit. As you may know, in with RNA Director of Marketing Wendy Gustofson. Seidel and Markert gave a legal co-found The Clergy Project, which the government’s motion to dismiss panel and Pal spoke briefly. helps ministers, priests, rabbis and our lawsuit, it admits that Trump got imams to leave the pulpit after they educate the public about the views of that creates an “out group.” The First it wrong. His executive order does have abandoned belief in the super- nontheists. Not only are we people Amendment, which prohibits any gov- nothing, changes nothing, and actual- natural. I call it “Save a Preacher.” who are personally free from religion, ernmental action “respecting an es- ly upholds the Johnson Amendment, After that rally with Pat Boone, I but we also think the First Amend- tablishment of religion” — was written which most religious organizations went on to pastor in two more church- ment mandates that our government precisely to protect the minority from say they like. In any event, we think all es. I was a missionary to Mexico, a should be free from religion. the “tyranny of the majority,” as John nonprofits should be treated equally cross-country evangelist, and a Chris- I met Anne and Annie Laurie Gay- Adams and James Madison put it. by the IRS. tian songwriter with Manna Music, lor on Oprah Winfrey’s talk show in Which is why we are also challeng- Word Music, and Gospel Light Publi- 1984. Annie Laurie and I were mar- Not just an ‘out group’ ing the unfair IRS code that allows cations, for whom I wrote vacation bi- ried in 1987, and in 2004, she and I I’m sure everyone in this room “ministers of the gospel” to exclude ble school musicals. In fact, I am still were elected co-presidents of FFRF. knows that the fastest-growing reli- their housing expenses from income, receiving royalties for some of those Today, with almost 30,000 mem- gious identification in the country lowering their tax liability. When I songs. bers, FFRF has a staff of 25, including is nonreligion. Currently, about a was a minister working for a church, In 1983, after 19 years of preach- nine full-time attorneys. In the last fourth of the nation is nonreligious, a religious nonprofit, I got a nice tax ing, I lost faith in faith. I threw out the two years alone, we have won eight and if we look at younger people, at break. But now that I work for FFRF, a bathwater and discovered there is no lawsuits, not to mention stopping Millennials, one-third do not identi- secular nonprofit, I no longer get that baby there. hundreds of state/church violations fy with religion. This is clearly not an advantage. The government should every year without going to court, sim- “out group.” Our nonbelief is just as not be picking sides. Beginnings of FFRF ply by writing letters to government precious to us as religious belief is to FFRF came into existence in the and school officials. church-goers. Don’t stereotype atheists mid-’70s, initially as a result of femi- Contrary to what you might hear, When writing about nonreligion, nism. Anne Gaylor, FFRF’s principal Complaints come to us we atheists and agnostics are not “wal- be careful that you do not unwittingly founder, had been working for years Contrary to what you may have lowing in despair,” leading sad, empty stereotype atheists. We sometimes see for birth control, abortion rights and read, we are not roaming the country lives. We simply don’t see any good headlines such as “Atheists outraged women’s equality. During her activism, looking for violations. We don’t have evidence or hear any good arguments by city prayer” or “Nonbelievers fu- she noticed that the main organized to. The complaints come to us — for a god. rious at nativity scene,” portraying opposition to women’s rights was re- thousands every year — usually from But more important, we don’t see us as a bunch of angry thin-skinned ligion. The church was in league with nonbelievers or people in a religious any need for a god. In this country, malcontents whose feelings are so the government, putting the brakes minority who are subjected to unwant- there are tens of millions of good easily hurt. In reality, we are defend- on progress. ed governmental religious intrusion. people — and around the world, it ing a precious American principle. So in 1976, the year of the bicen- We are not fighting religious free- is hundreds of millions — who lead When Trinity Lutheran Church sued tennial, Anne and her college-age dom. We don’t complain about nativi- meaningful, moral, joyful, productive, the state of Missouri over its refusal daughter, Annie Laurie, formed a lo- ty scenes in people’s front yards or the hopeful, loving and charitable lives to pay for playground equipment, did cal group in Madison, Wis., working Ten Commandments at a Christian without religion. Nonbelievers are the headlines scream, “Lutherans out- from their dining room table. After school. We don’t climb church stee- songwriters and authors. We are in the raged over state denial!”? hundreds of people joined the group, ples to remove crosses that are visible police force, the fire department and When you are looking for balance, the Freedom From Religion Founda- for miles. the military. We are educators and en- be sure that it goes both ways. I once tion became a national educational We only sue the government. tertainers, scientists and scholars, ac- flew to Seattle to be a guest on a TV nonprofit in 1978. There is a difference between free tors and artists, reformers and revolu- show to talk about atheism, and when FFRF has two purposes: 1) to keep speech and government speech. If the tionaries, doctors and dancers, nurses I got to the set, I discovered that not state and church separate, and 2) to government promotes any religion, and Nobel Prize winners, filmmakers only was the host unsympathetic, but and philosophers. there was also a minister, priest, and We have an annual “Nothing Fails rabbi — no joke — on the stage with NOTHING FAILS LIKE PRAYER Like Prayer” contest. In light of the me, all of whom were very talkative, Greece v. Galloway decision that al- crowding me down to only a minute lows prayer at city council meetings or two to make my case. as long as atheists are also welcome, When that same show does a sto- CONTEST we encourage nonbelievers to deliver ry about religion, do they bend over a secular invocation at governmental backwards to invite an atheist or secu- Our goal is to see secular citizens flood government meetings with events that include prayer. Each year, lar humanist — even just one? — for secular invocations that demonstrate why government prayers the winner is flown to our annual con- “balance”? A couple of years ago, An- vention to deliver their secular invoca- nie Laurie went on a Fox News show are unnecessary, ineff ective, embarrassing, exclusionary, divisive tion to us, in person. to talk about one of our lawsuits, or just plain silly. and found that she was on with three The person who gives the best secular invocation will be invited Current lawsuits long-winded theocrats — Bill Dono- to open FFRF’s annual convention in San Francisco, from Nov. 2-4, And that touches on one of our cur- hue, Todd Starnes and a priest, not to 2018, receiving an expenses-paid trip, along with a plaque and an rent federal lawsuits. Although the Su- mention the hostile host Sean Hann- preme Court and local governments ity — leaving her time to squeeze in honorarium of $500. recognize that atheists can participate only a quick sentence or two. That was in solemnizing a public meeting, the unfair and unbalanced. U.S. House of Representatives does But, that is free speech in the pub- MORE INFO AT: not. The chaplain of the House, Fa- lic sphere. In the public square, how- ff rf.org/nothing-fails-like-prayer ther Patrick Conroy, has rejected the ever, a secular government that is free request of Rep. Mark Pocan to invite from religion is our best hope for a me to deliver a secular invocation be- world with less violence and more fore Congress. After putting up many understanding. Page 24 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | October 2017 Freethought wedding of Joan and Steve

FFRF Treasurer and State Rep. Unity candle Steve Salemson and Joan Wallace were Carl Sagan said, “We are all star married on Aug. 19 in Freethought stuff.” And, in a very real sense, we are Hall, FFRF’s office in Madison, Wis., all little stars, each one burning and in a romantic, nonreligious ceremo- reburning the energy from the sun, ny. FFRF Co-President Dan Barker was radiating the energy of life in our own the officiant at the service, held in the way. Today, Joan and Steve are shining Charlie Brooks Auditorium. Here is for each other. True love embraces the transcript of the ceremony: the differences between two burning stars — allowing each to contribute to Prelude the warmth and light that the fire of Joan’s niece, Rose Wallace-Smith, family life radiates — but it also am- will perform “The Song of Wandering plifies the spark, creating a flame that Aengus,” by W.B. Yeats, accompanied is brighter and stronger than when by her parents, Joan’s sister Donna the two were separate. Wallace on the fiddle and brother-in- Now, will the ringbearers, Zoe Al- law Curt Smith on the guitar. ice Salemson and Connor Patrick Knuffke, please join us. Introduction A marriage and a wedding are two Rings separate things. A marriage is a person- Joan: Steve, with this ring, I pledge al, private thing. A wedding is a public FFRF Treasurer Steve Salemson and Joan Wallace exchange wedding my love. event, an announcement to the world. vows, with FFRF Co-President Dan Barker officiating. Steve: Joan, with this ring, I pledge Joan and Steve have invited you to this my love. wedding because they value each one Vows of you and want you to witness their love and to celebrate with them as they (A poem by e.e. cummings) join their lives together. Their lives are Joan recites: intertwined in the fabric of many other i carry your heart with me(i carry it in lives, and they cherish that fabric. my heart)i am never without it(anywhere i go you go,my dear;and whatever is done Invocation by only me is your doing,my darling) An invocation is when we ask the Steve recites: help of someone outside of our- i fear selves. Today, we are going to ask no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want you, the family and friends of Joan no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true) Pronouncement and Steve, to give your support, and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant Now that Joan and Steve have approval, and love, as well as your and whatever a sun will always sing is you publicly pledged their love to each intelligence, experience, and good Both recite together: other before this community of wit- will to this new marriage. here is the deepest secret nobody knows nesses, I hereby pronounce, by the (here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud authority vested in me and in accor- Song and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows dance with the laws of the state of Now, Joan’s sister Carol Wallace higher than soul can hope or mind can hide) Wisconsin, that they are husband will perform the song “Gracias a la and this is the wonder that’s keeping the stars apart and wife. Vida,” by Violeta Parra, accompanied i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart) Joan and Steve, you may now have by Curt Smith on the guitar. your first kiss as a married couple. Now Joan and Steve would like ‘Sermon’ everyone to take hands in a circle I [Dan Barker] belong to a tribe of and join them a simple Balkan line Native Americans, the Lenni Lenape. dance representing the connections Part of the tradition of my ancestors is that bind us all together. to view life as a cycle, as a series of re- peating seasons rather than a straight Closing line of history. In the book of Ecclesias- I want to close with these words tes, we find these words: by “The Great Agnostic,” Robert G. “To everything thing there is a sea- Ingersoll: son, and a time to every purpose un- “Love is the only bow on Life’s der the heaven. A time to be born, and dark cloud. a time to die; a time to plant, and a It is the time to pluck up that which is planted . morning . . A time to weep, and a time to laugh; and the eve- a time to mourn and a time to dance.” ning star. It So, now Joan and Steve would like shines upon to perform for you a lovely Israeli cou- the babe, ple dance, “Dodi li.” and sheds Where does the cycle start? At Joan and Steve performing an Israeli wedding dance. its radiance what point do we say, “This is the on the qui- beginning”? et tomb. It Today is that beginning. is the moth- The wedding cake er of art, Promises inspirer of Joan, will you have Steve to be your poet, patriot and philosopher. wedded husband, to share your life “It is the air and light of every with him, and do you pledge that you heart — builder of every home, kin- will love, honor, and care for him in dler of every fire on every hearth. It tenderness and affection through all was the first to dream of immortality. the varying experiences of your lives? It fills the world with melody — for music is the voice of love. Joan: I will. “Love is the magician, the en- Steve, will you have Joan to be your chanter, that changes worthless wedded wife, to share your life with things to Joy, and makes royal kings her, and do you pledge that you will and queens of common clay. It is the love, honor, and care for her in ten- perfume of that wondrous flower, derness and affection through all the the heart, and without that sacred varying experiences of your lives? FFRF”s marquee celebrated the occasion. passion, that divine swoon, we are less than beasts; but with it, Earth is Steve: I will. heaven, and we are gods.” 40TH ANNUAL | SEPTEMBER 15-17 | MONONA TERRACE CONVENTION CENTER

A

B C

D

E F

(A) The Forward! Marching Band performed for FFRF convention guests during the Tailgate Party dinner on the rooftop of the Monona Terrace and Convention Center in Madison, Wis., on Sept. 15. The Wisconsin State Capitol looms in the background. (B) FFRF Co-President Dan Barker sings and plays the piano during the Friday evening welcoming session. (C) The wildflowers on the rooftop gardens made for a nice backdrop for photographer Ingrid Laas and sculptor Zenos Fudakis during the Tailgate Party. (D) Rows of chairs were in place prior to the start of the convention. (E) FFRF sold many of its “Unabashed Atheist” pins during the two days. (F) Flowers brightened up the open house at Freethought Hall. (G) FFRF Attorney Liz Cavell describes G one of FFRF’s legal victories during her presentation as part of the “Legal Accomplishments” portion of the convention.

Photos by Ingrid Laas, Chris Line & Andrew Seidel Page 2 2017 Convention Special Section November 2017

Freethought Hall

A member peruses a book in the Open House Lifetime Member Francois Boucher Joel B. Landon and Wanda Y. Beers kneels over his engraved brick in the Freethought Library. Rose Zerwick Memorial Garden and Courtyard.

FFRF Director of First Impressions Lisa Treu, right, welcomes Michael and Guests check in to the conference in the Anne Nicol Gaylor lobby of Freethought Hall Carolyn Golojuch of Hawaii to FFRF’s open house in Madison, Wis. on Friday, Sept. 15, during the all-morning open house, with more than 450 visitors!

Lifetime Member Claudette StPierre of Colorado holds Life Members Diane and Stephen Uhl of Arizona chat a discussion with FFRF Communications Coordinator Judy Bell and Brian Cislak, both of Wisconsin, make with FFRF Attorney Ryan Jayne. The legal wing is Lauryn Seering and FFRF Editorial Assistant Molly named for Diane and the new studio for Stephen. Hanson in the Patrick O’Reiley editorial wing. a Mimosa toast in the Charlie Brooks Auditorium.

FFRF Legal Fellow Chris Line takes a photo of K.C. and FFRF Lifetime Members, from left, Stefan and Jane George Naidl and Barbara McClelland of Arkansas Krishnaveni Goranthla of Indiana posing with FFRF’s Shoup of Wisconsin, Dr. Rachel Shoup and Joe stand in front of the Atheist in Foxhole monument life-like Charles Darwin mannequin in the freethought Rogers, both of California, enjoy the warm September in the Rose Zerwick Memorial Garden and library. weather in the Rose Zerwick Memorial Courtyard. Courtyard.

FFRF Staff Attorney Ryan Jayne takes a break from playing the Steinway piano, a gift from Diane Uhl, to talk with a member.

Photos by Ingrid Laas November 2017 2017 Convention Special Section Page 3

FFRF’s Annual ‘Clean Money’ Drawing

The winners of this year’s “clean money” Harris of Wisconsin, and $1 Series 1935E, Laura Rothkopf of Pennsylvania, $10 are: Lifetime Member Judy Lansky of donated by JoAnn Kremers of Minnesota; Series 1934A, donated by Warren Smith Arkansas and Carolyn Golojuch of Hawaii, Lifetime Member Aleta Ledendecker of of New York; Lifetime Member Tom who each won four Buffalo nickels from Tennessee, $2 Series 1928G, donated by Kozlovsky of Wisconsin, $20 Series 1934A, 1934-1937, donated by Steve Dippolito Raymond Greebank of Ohio; Shane Scott, donated by Ray W. Johnson of Nevada; of Colorado; Nancy Brehm of Arizona, $1 $2 Series 1928D, donated by Lamar and Lifetime Member Larry Wright of Illinois, Series 1935G, donated by Paul Swanson June Hankins of Texas; Lifetime Member $50 Series 1950E, donated by Lynne Hills of Minnesota Atheists; Lifetime Member Larry Tanner of Connecticut, $5 Series of Connecticut; and grand prize winner Matthew Sypherd of Illinois, who won 1934D, donated by Charles and Sheri Carolyn Golojuch (again!), $100, Series both a $1 Series 1935F, donated by Nancy Bender of Indiana; Lifetime Member 1934, donated by “a Tennessee member.”

“Clean money” drawing emcee Buzz Kemper speaks with, from left, Sidney Novak, Mulan Blum and Kelly Helton as they picked winners from the chances wheel. FFRF Co-President Dan Barker announced the winners, and FFRF Editorial Assistant Molly Hanson, right, helped with the wheel. Winners (see above) won money that was printed prior to 1957, when the words “In God We Trust” were added. Thanks to Todd Peissig and Eric Lawrence for handling ticket sales.

Meet the Freedom From Religion Foundation’s Executive Board Front row: Annie Laurie Gaylor and Dan Barker, co-presidents.

Middle row: Stef Moritz, secretary; Jim Zerwick, director; Cheryl Kolbe, director; Joseph Cunningham, outgoing director.

Back row: Mike Cermak, director, Stephen Hirtle, chair; Steve Salemson, treasurer; Todd Peissig, director.

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FFRF Awards

Maryam Namazie’s dramatic convention speech had the audience Author Katha Pollitt, the respected and influential columnist for The in rapt attention as she detailed the horrors of being a secularist in Nation, received FFRF’s Forward Award. Katha is an FFRF honorary Muslim countries. She is a London-based ex-Muslim, an Iranian-born director. secularist, feminist and human rights activist. Maryam received the $10,000 Henry H. Zumach Freedom From Fundamentalist Religion Award from the very benefactor himself.

Cara Santa Maria, an award-winning journalist, science Paula Poundstone accepted the Emperor communicator, television personality, and podcaster Freethought Today Editor PJ Slinger, left, presents Has No Clothes Award from FFRF Co- of “Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria,” received FFRF’s Tom Waddell with 2017’s Nothing Fails Like Prayer President Dan Barker. Freethought Heroine Award from FFRF Legal Director Award, for his freethought invocation before the Rebecca Markert. Maine House.

Jesse Castillo, left, was named one of Marie Schaub was named one of FFRF’s FFRF’s “Freethinkers of the Year,” as a Jerry Bloom was named one of FFRF’s “Freethinkers “Freethinkers of the Year,” as the successful plaintiff in FFRF’s successful lawsuit of the Year.” He was the plaintiff in FFRF’s successful plaintiff in FFRF’s lawsuit against a Pennsylvania against Brewster County, Texas, to remove lawsuit versus the city of Shelton, Conn., filed to stop school district over a Ten Commandments Christian crosses on police vehicles. FFRF censorship of FFRF’s winter solstice display. He’s monument outside her daughter’s school. Attorney Sam Grover presented the award. pictured with FFRF Attorney Ryan Jayne. Attorney Patrick Elliott bestowed the award. FFRF’s 2017 State Representatives

FFRF’s State Representatives gathered Dan Barker, Wis.; Stephen Hirtle, Pa.; Williamson, Fla.; Ed Hensley, Ky.; Aleta Ledendecker, Tenn.; Kevin at the Madison, Wis., convention to Michael Cermak, Pa.; Fairfid Caudle, Cheryl Kolbe, Ore.; Steve Salemson, Gough, Conn.; Robin Buckallew, Neb.; participate in their annual meeting. N.Y. Wis.; Dianne Cooper, Iowa; Steve Gary Stormo, S.D.; Stef Moritz, Wis.; Front row (seated): Douglas Marshall, Back row: Cheryl Hofbauer, Ill.; Trunk, Calif.; Paul Novak, Iowa; Ken Bonnie Stormo, S.D.; Sheridan Chapin, Mich.; Todd Peissig, Wis.; Mikel Claudette StPierre, Colo.; Chris Eck, Minn.; Stefan Shoup, Wis.; Jane N.Y.; Rob Moore, Wis.; Darrell Barker, Hensley, Ky.; Annie Laurie Gaylor, Wis.; Calvey, Wis.; Ken Hofbauer, Ill.; David Shoup, Wis.; Pamela Morris, Mont.; Wash. Photos by Ingrid Laas November 2017 2017 Convention Special Section Page 5

Convention Speakers

Brent Michael Davids’ speech was titled, “Do You Kelly Helton, 13, a middle school student, earned Know an American Indian Atheist?” Davids is a FFRF’s Thomas W. Jendrock Student Activist citizen of the Mohican Nation and a multi-award- award for taking a stance against religious winning composer of concert music and film scores. promotion in her school.

Zenos Frudakis, the renowned sculptor, spoke to the FFRF convention Kimberly Veal’s convention speech was titled, “Metamorphosis.” She is the crowd about how he created the Clarence Darrow statue for FFRF that president of People of Color Beyond Faith, and of the Black FreeThinkers now sits on the lawn of the Rhea County Courthouse in Dayton, Tenn. Radio Network.

Comedian Julia Sweeney, the final speaker, dissected several Steven Pinker, FFRF’s honorary president, gave the audience a recent religious-themed movies she watched (so we didn’t have to!) preview of his upcoming book, Enlightenment Now, showing how and had the audience laughing at the silliness of it all. the world has progressed in almost all measures of health and prosperity, due in part to humanist values.

Michelle Goldberg held the audience’s attention for an hour on Roy Zimmerman performed several of his irreverent songs for the the topic of “Donald Trump and Christian Nationalism.” She is the convention attendees. He has written a series of satirical musical newly appointed columnist for The New York Times. revues and toured extensively at the nation’s major folk venues.

Photos by Ingrid Laas Page 6 2017 Convention Special Section November 2017

FFRF Staff & Volunteers

FFRF’s Attorney Liz Cavell, Program Communications Director Amit Pal, Assistant Kristina Daleiden and Digital left and Freethought Today Editor Product Manager Tim Nott are all Emeritus Bill Dunn take a stroll outside smiles at the start of the convention. during the Tailgate Party.

Administrative Assistant Monica FFRF administrative staff welcome members to the convention and got Legal Fellow and Photographer Chris Schwartz listens to a member at the them checked in. From left, Director of Operations Lisa Strand, Administra- Line and Attorney Patrick Elliott work check-in table at the Monona Terrace tive Assistant Monica Schwartz, Director of First Impressions Lisa Treu, the literature table, which included Convention Center. Membership Manager Jackie Douglas and Bookkeeper Eleanor McEntee. copies of Freethought Today.

Video Director Bruce Johnson Photo by Andrew Seidel checks the sound levels during a FFRF’s legal team includes Patrick Elliott, Madeline Ziegler, Rebecca Markert, Sam Clerical Assistant Renee Oberhart speech. Grover, Liz Cavell, Andrew Seidel and Ryan Jayne. works a sales table.

Membership Manager Jackie Douglas chats Buzz Kemper handles all the audio during the convention. FFRF Volunteer and Board Member Todd with a member during check-in. Peissig works the “Clean Money” table, offering tickets for members to have a chance to win pre- “In God We Trust” money.

Communications Director Amit Pal, Attorney Sam Grover FFRF Co-Presidents Annie Laurie Gaylor and Dan Staff members, from left, Editorial Assistant Molly and Legal Fellow Colin McNamara helped sell books, Barker emceed the 40th annual convention. Hanson, Legal Assistant Whitney Steffen, Attorney including Steven Pinker’s Better Angels of Our Nature. Ryan Jayne, Communications Coordinator Lauryn Seering and Freethought Today Editor PJ Slinger gather for a photo at a sales table.

Photos by Ingrid Laas and Chris Line November 2017 2017 Convention Special Section Page 7

Convention Moments

Members of the Forward! Marching Band perform on the Monona Terrace rooftop (above and at right) during the Tailgate Party dinner.

Photo by Chris Line Lifetime Member Henry Zumach, right, stands with his grandson, Kyle Heisler. Ed and Mikel Hensley, co-presidents of FFRF Henry has endowed the Freedom From Donald Ardell of Florida gets animated during the “Moment of Kentucky, brought their daughter Cosima to Fundamentalist Religion Award, which Bedlam” at the Saturday “Non-Prayer Breakfast.” her second convention. this year went to Maryam Namazie.

Photo by Andrew Seidel Enjoying the warm Madison weather during the Tailgate Party are, from left, FFRF Board Member and Lifetime Member Todd Peissig of Wisconsin, Members laugh at the antics of the Forward! Marching Band during Life Member Eric Lawrence of Illinois, Board Member Stephen Hirtle of the Tailgate Party on Sept. 15. Pennsylvania and Board Member Michael Cermak of Pennsylvania.

Bumper stickers, books, pins, T-shirts and a whole lot more During the convention, science communicator Cara were for sale during the convention. Santa Maria, standing, hosted a town-hall style televison production for FFRF featuring members from all over the country. Photos by Ingrid Laas I stand with Darwin!

Photos by Chris Line Convention speakers Maryam Namazie (above), Brent Michael Davids (center) and Cara Santa Maria (right) were all happy to get their photo taken with the life-size mannequin of Charles Darwin in the Freethought Library. Page 8 2017 Convention Special Section November 2017 Freethinkers ‘ahoy’ FFRF’s convention shoves off with Madison lake tours

The Betty Lou, as seen from the motoryacht Excellabella, on scenic Lake Monona.

About 150 FFRF members enjoyed relaxing and scenic boat rides on a beautiful day prior to the start of the convention on Friday, Sept. 15. FFRF rented all four Betty Lou Cruise boats simultaneously: the Betty Lou, the Betty Lou II, the Grand Mariner and the Excellabella. Two of the boats traversed Lake Monona, which included gorgeous views of the Monona Terrace and Convention Center, site of FFRF’s convention, and two others cruised Lake Mendota on the other side of Madison’s isthmus. A delicious lunch of clam Passengers board the Betty Lou and the Excellabella at chowder, sandwiches, salads and dessert bars were included. the Machinery Row boat launch site on Lake Monona.

“We hope to put sunshine in your smile and spring in your heart.” —Betty Von Rutenberg Steve and Sheila Schmitz have their picture taken as a yacht Conventioneers chatting with ‘Clarence Darrow’ sculptor approaches the Monona Terrace Convention Center on Lake Zenos Frudakis (right) seated on the bow of the Excellabella. Monona.

Two convention attendees enjoy a cup of Betty Lou’s Guests relax on the open bow of a yacht on Lake Monona. Nautical embellishments warm the interior of one famous clam chowder. of the four yachts.

A convention-goer takes it all in from the FFRF cruise guests seated on the upper deck of the The comfy interior of one the Lake Monona yachts with foredeck of the yacht Excellabella. snacks served (right). Excellabella enjoy a spirited discussion. Photographs by PJ Slinger