Vol. 32 No. 4 Published by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. May 2015 Oklahoma AG smears FFRF, misleads public After the Freedom From Religion organizations bully you or any other Foundation sent letters to 26 Oklaho- official in this State into restricting the ma school districts about illegal bible religious freedom the Founders of this distribution, state Attorney General country held dear.” Scott Pruitt went on the offensive (you Seidel responded to Pruitt the next can take that two ways). day, informing him that several districts Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel’s Feb- contacted by FFRF already had such ruary complaint letters objected to let- policies, but decided to “revisit the wis- ting Jamison Faught (son of state Rep. dom of these forums” after FFRF asked George Faught) and other Gideons for equal time. International members distribute bi- “It is obviously far easier for an bles to fifth-grade students during the Oklahoma student to get hold of a bi- school day. FFRF educated the districts ble than it is to get hold of criticisms of on the law and advised them that if the bible, which FFRF will seek to pass they continued to allow third-party dis- out in every public school forum that tributions, FFRF would seek to distrib- is opened under your offer,” Seidel ute its literature. wrote. “If the goal of the Oklahoma Faught had bragged on Facebook Attorney General’s Office is to allow about being allowed to distribute bi- public schools to be used to distribute bles “at every school in McIntosh, Ok- atheist messages, then this is a brilliant mulgee and Ofuskee counties except idea.” one or two. Last year, the Checotah However, he added, “FFRF prefers principal not only personally took us to that public schools focus on education each classroom, but he helped us hand rather than serve as a venue for divisive them out!” religious debates.” In response to the letter, sever- It’s not the first time Pruitt has al schools ended their open forum smeared FFRF. Last year, in discussing policies, with at least one superinten- the Internal Revenue Service’s inaction dent confirming he did not know the against pulpit politicking, he claimed Jake Swenson Photo Gideons had been allowed into the FFRF “is unabashed in its desire to de- Home, sweet home schools. Gideons typically operate by stroy” free speech and the First Amend- Shown in his new home at FFRF’s Freethought Hall, “Mr. Darwin” has evolved deliberately avoiding superintendents ment’s free exercise clause. from an idea by his creator Csam Wheatley into reality. See page 9 for the story. and school boards, seeking permission from lower-level, less-informed staff. In his response letter April 14 to Marshall enforces law without a badge superintendents statewide, Pruitt smeared FFRF and trumpeted false City Hall in Warren, Mich., got a lot claims about government’s hostility to- more reasonable on April 28 thanks ward religion. to activist and FFRF member Douglas “Schools have a right to enact neu- Marshall, who was finally allowed to tral policies that allow all viewpoints set up a “reason station” in the build- on religion to thrive,” Pruitt wrote. “As ing atrium after a legal battle for equal the Attorney General of Oklahoma, I treatment. will not stand idly by while out-of-state For years, the city let volunteers at a “prayer station” inside City Hall dis- tribute religious pamphlets and offer to pray and discuss their religious be- Inside This Issue liefs with passersby. Marshall submitted an application in April 2014 to city of- Jessica ficials to reserve atrium space two days Ahlquist: a week for a reason station, where he Wag more, would offer to engage in philosophical bark less discussions with those who expressed page 8 an interest in a secular belief system. Photo by C & G Newspapers But less than two weeks after it was From left, Sally Sayes, Chris McLaughlin, Douglas Marshall and David Wallace submitted, Marshall’s application — in Warren, Mich. Marshall said it’s up to those who approach to ask questions if although nearly identical to the one they want. “We’re not here to proselytize.” Tony Pinn: submitted by the church sponsoring New life, the prayer station — was rejected by and State and the American Civil glad we were there and said he specifi- feelin’ good Mayor James Fouts. In his rejection let- Liberties Union filed suit on behalf cally came to welcome us. A few others page 12 ter, Fouts accused Marshall of “intend- of Marshall in July 2014. The suit was came up and stated that they were also ing to deprive all organized religions settled in February, with the city agree- nonbelievers.” of their constitutional freedoms or at ing to treat nonbelievers and believers Local and major media, including least discourage the practice of reli- equally. the Detroit Free Press, covered the Celebrating gion.” (Fouts called FFRF “un-Ameri- The reason station will be open and opening. Linda Jackson, 74, told the FFRF’s new can” after FFRF sued him and the city staffed from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays Free Press she stopped to pray but said, building in late 2011 over a nativity scene.) and Thursdays. On opening day, about “It’s a public place. I guess all are wel- page 15 Noting that the atrium was estab- eight people expressed interest, Mar- come, whether they believe Jesus is the lished as a public forum, FFRF, Ameri- shall said. “One lady thanked me for reason or they don’t.” cans United for Separation of Church my persistence. One man said he was Page 2 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin May 2015

Meet a legal staffer

when appropriate. I also handle my own substantive caseload, which includes complaints involving governmental “In God We Trust” displays, public parks, post offices and civil rights/public accom- modations complaints. What I like best about it: Working with my friends, practicing constitu- tional law and screwing with the gov- ernment. What gets old about it: The daunt- ing volume of complaints, working with limited resources and people threatening to kill us. I spend a lot of time thinking about: Places I’d like to travel, how to better myself, home improvement projects. Elizabeth Cavell I spend little if any time thinking about: Sports and fantasy sports. Name: Elizabeth Cavell. My religious upbringing was: Catho- Where and when I was born: New lic. I attended Catholic school until my York, N.Y., in July 1983. family moved to Florida when I was in Education: B.A., University of Flori- fifth grade. da; J.D., Tulane University Law School. My doubts about religion started: I Family: Spouse, Andrew Seidel; son, was never very engaged with religion Oliver; and Moose, our dog. as a kid. Homilies never made sense to How I came to work at FFRF: I me, and I never felt socially or intellec- worked as a public defender in Colo- tually connected to my church, but I rado after law school. After a couple of was expected by my family to partici- years there, my husband Andrew had pate in the rituals and sacraments. an opportunity to work for FFRF so Like many Catholics, hypocrisy and we moved to Madison. I took the Wis- abuse made me lose all respect for the consin bar exam and was working part- church. And like many Catholics, as an time providing legal support at FFRF adult I did not practice Catholicism in when the former intake attorney left to any way. Once I was in college and law take a job at a local firm. I was hired to school, reading the religious skepti- replace her. cism of others, I gave up any religion. What I do here: I am the intake at- Things I like: Summer in Madison, torney, which means I supervise the visiting new places, laughing with my processing of complaints by our ad- husband, narrating my dog’s thoughts. ministrative assistant. I also process in- Things I smite: Bullying, violence coming complaints myself. I speak with and corruption. complainants who contact FFRF about In my golden years: I hope to be potential state/church violations, as- traveling with my husband or living at sess each complaint and assign com- my future beach or lake house. plaints to attorneys for further action

Welcome to ‘After-Lifer,’ 29 Life Members The Freedom From Religion Foun- ern, Debbra Ward, John E. Wiley, Mary dation is delighted to welcome Jack E. Will, Dr. Jeffrey Lee Wolfgang and Pedigo as our newest “After-Life Mem- Karl Womer. ber,” a tongue-in-cheek category for States represented are Arizona, Cal- those who’d like their membership to ifornia, Colorado, Connecticut, Flori- live on after them. da, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, FFRF also gratefully announces 29 Massachusetts, Maine, Nevada, New new Life Members (two prefer ano- York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, nymity): Sally Alger, Aubrey Ayash, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Vir- Stephen Davis, Joellen de Berg, Oak ginia and Wisconsin. Freethought Hall visit DeBerg, John E. Fenn, M.D., Robert Individual Lifetime Memberships New York members Joan Reisman-Brill and Leon Brill visited FFRF on April 20 Field, Paul Freemont Smith, Jr., Mi- are offered for $1,000 as a membership while touring the University of Wisconsin-Madison, which is one of the schools chael Halderman, Mark Hall, Dr. Da- or membership renewal, and individu- that accepted Leon as an incoming freshman. Joan, who occasionally lends her vid Allen Herbert, Nicholas Hilpipre, al After-Life Memberships are $5,000. wit and wisdom to FFRF’s “Ask a Skeptic,” says Leon has tentatively decided to James Kauffman, Durl Kruse, Janice E. They mean never another renewal attend Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs but could change his mind, pend- Myers, Rahn Pitzer, Patrick Poe, John- notice and go into a rainy-day reserve ing other offers. As evidenced by his Harry Potter Hogwarts sweatshirt, Leon is ny Poole, Richard Ralston, Kenneth fund. All dues and donations to FFRF interested in literature, film, video and computers. Rowe, James West Ruffin, Steve South- are tax-deductible.

Freethought Today A Note to Members Notify Us of Your published by Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. Your address label shows the expiration ADDRESS CHANGE date of your membership in FFRF, [email protected] • FFRF.org which includes your subscription to Promptly! P.O. Box 750 • Madison WI 53701 Freethought Today and “Private Line.” (608)256-8900 • FAX (608)204-0422 If it says May 2015 or earlier please EMAIL [email protected] Editor: Bill Dunn, [email protected] renew! Your prompt renewal ($40-single Don’t miss a single issue! If you Production Editor: Jake Swenson mem ber ship; $50-household; $100 move, notify us directly and Executive Editor: Annie Laurie Gaylor gung-ho; $250-sustaining) saves us promptly. The Post Offi ce does time and post age, and is tax-deductible. Contributors: not forward third-class mail. Freethought Today is published 10 times FFRF cannot be responsible for Philip Appleman, Kevin Kruse, Jessica Ahlquist, Anthony Pinn, Dan Barker, a year, with combined issues in January/ replacing back issues if we have Ingrid Laas, Lauryn Seering, Andrew Seidel, Maddy Ziegler, Sam Grover February and June/July. Send membership or renewal to: not been notifi ed prior to your May 2015 FFRF • P.O. Box 750 • Madison, WI 53701 move. Back issues, while they last, The only freethought newspaper in the United States ff rf.org/donate may be ordered for $2 each. May 2015 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 3 FFRF’s ‘Nonbelief Relief’ donates $10,000 to Nepal The Freedom From Religion Foun- shocks measuring from magnitude-5.6 Dan Barker, quoting Robert G. Inger- Borders for its donation, FFRF reserves dation has made a $10,000 donation to magnitude-6.3. Within a few hours, soll. the right, as the Nepalese disaster and from its new Nonbelief Relief Fund to the government confirmed 36 people “There are many established secular needs unfold, to designate donations help earthquake-ravaged Nepal. FFRF were killed and at least 1,117 injured. charities that respectfully serve people for Nonbelief Relief for another or ad- is evenly splitting the donation be- FFRF is launching Nonbelief Relief in need regardless of religion, whose ditional secular relief charities helping tween the United Nations World Food so that its members and other nonreli- purposes are to help — no religious the Nepalese. Program and Doctors Without Bor- gious donors have the opportunity to questions asked, no bibles thumped Generous nontheists who’d like ders, both of which rate well as secular give under a secular umbrella. As the or other hidden-agenda proselytizing,” their donation to be made under such charities. Richard Dawkins Foundation for Rea- noted Co-President Annie Laurie Gay- a secular umbrella may select “Non- The death toll from the 7.8-mag- son and Science has long pointed out, lor. Belief Relief” under FFRF’s donation nitude earthquake April 25 and after- nonbelievers are as (or more) gener- Nepal is 80% Hindu and 20% Bud- dropdown at ffrf.org/get-involved/do- shocks moved past 8,000 in early May. ous as the religious, but have lacked dhist, all the more reason to avoid nate/. Donations, fully tax-deductible, More than 8 million people were af- infrastructure to give as a group under any hint of proselytizing by U.S.-based will be forwarded as promptly as pos- fected. On May 12, a magnitude-7.3 the secular name. charities, she added. sible to a secular charity meeting real quake was centered near the Chinese “The hands that help are better far While FFRF chose the UN World needs in the real world. border followed by at least five after- than lips that pray,” said Co-President Food Program and Doctors Without

city council meetings. FFRF’s “friend of “It’s wonderful to see students the court” brief supports Beaton’s posi- standing up for their rights and tak- FFRF legal activism tion that prayers at government meet- ing an active interest in upholding the ings violate the Constitution. Constitution,” said FFRF Staff Attorney Florida council FFRF argues that the California Con- Andrew Seidel. stitution provides extensive protection The university told FFRF on April 15 nixes godly motto of state/church separation, broader that it was reviewing the complaint. After protests by local activists and a than that required by the Establish- letter from FFRF, the Venice, Fla., City ment Clause, and that the government Church signs down Council voted 5-2 on April 28 against should refuse to lend its “prestige and displaying “In God We Trust” in its power” to religion by endorsing reli- at L.A. high school chambers. gious practices. David Williamson, head of the Cen- The brief also criticizes U.S. Su- tral Florida Freethought Community, preme Court decisions in Marsh v. a chapter of FFRF, spoke at the meet- Chambers and Greece v. Galloway, which ing, as did Marie Glidewell of the Gulf upheld legislative prayer. The cases re- Coast Humanists Association. The ject legal principles in favor of relying Sarasota Herald-Tribune reported that on a misguided view of history, alleges about 20 supporters of the display also FFRF, urging California courts to re- showed up. fuse to incorporate flawed reasoning “This is not a chamber of the major- into state law. ity, it is a chamber of all,” Williamson told the council. Florida students FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor sent the council a letter April Vatican vanquisher support FFRF bible 27: “Posting ‘In God We Trust’ inter- Dan Salemson puts the squeeze on St. verse protest feres with citizens’ rights of conscience Peter’s Basilica. Dan and his family and is a misuse of city property for the live in Rome and can see St. Peter’s Gator Freethought and Humanists benefit of a system of religion.” (the world’s tallest dome at 448 feet on Campus, two student groups at the The proposal was just the latest in a from basilica floor to the top of the University of Florida in Gainesville, series of nearly identical efforts pushed cross) from the roof of their apartment sent a letter to university President W. Church advertising at University High nationally by a California-based group building. Steve Salemson, Dan’s dad, is Kent Fuchs in support of FFRF’s April School in Los Angeles. called In God We Trust ~ America Inc. FFRF Executive Board treasurer. 13 objection to a bible verse inscribed Its aim is to display the phrase “in every on a new business school building. The Los Angeles Unified School city and county chamber in America.” In addition, the district “will be re- Heavener Hall has a bible verse on District removed church advertising Such campaigns show why the minding all teachers of their legal obli- an archway reading, “He has shown from school grounds after Staff Attor- phrase, adopted by Congress in 1956 at gation to teach only material that is in you, O man, what is good. And what ney Andrew Seidel informed the dis- the height of the McCarthy era, should the State adopted Standard, or Curric- does the Lord require of you? To act trict March 6 that four permanently not be a national motto because it ex- ulum, or Board approved.” justly and to love mercy and to walk posted signs at University High School cludes a large percentage of the popu- Dawkins Foundation CEO Robyn humbly with your god. Micah 6:8.” on Texas Avenue near Santa Monica lation, Gaylor said. Blumner praised the anonymous stu- In an April 23 letter, the two groups Boulevard violated the Constitution. dent for bringing the situation to said, “We, as students and staff of the “When a school permanently dis- FFRF, Dawkins group light. “That student helped bring evi- University of Florida, feel that the plays a banner on its property advertis- dence-based science back into a public quote promotes Judeo-Christian be- ing a church, it has unconstitutionally expel creationism school classroom hijacked by religious liefs over all other beliefs on campus, entangled itself with a religious mes- The Freedom From Religion Foun- teachings.” and that this alienates members of the sage, here a Christian message,” Seidel dation and the Richard Dawkins Foun- University of Florida community, such wrote. dation for Reason and Science were FFRF weighs in on as ourselves, who do not hold the same FFRF’s local complainant report- successful in getting a science teacher beliefs and encourages discrimination ed on March 27 that the banners had in Arroyo Grande, Calif., to stop teach- California prayer case against ourselves and other individuals been removed. ing creationism. The groups sent a let- FFRF filed an amicus brief April 22 of different faiths, creeds and beliefs.” ter that sparked an investigation by the in a case over government-sponsored The organizations, which have Lucia Mar Unified School District into prayer in Eureka, Calif. In Beaton v. about 45 active members total, request- lessons on creationism by Brandon Pet- Eureka, city resident and atheist Carole ed the verse be replaced with “a more Include FFRF In tenger at Arroyo Grande High School. Beaton filed suit over prayers that start secular, encompassing inscription.” Your Estate Planning In an April 29 email to Staff Attor- ney Andrew Seidel, Assistant Superin- Arrange a bequest in your will tendent for Human Resources Chuck or trust, or make the Freedom Fiorentino reported that he and the Freedom from Religion Foundation From Religion Found ation the school principal met with Pettenger on bene ciary of an insurance policy, P.O. Box 750 • Madison, WI 53701 • (608) 256-8900 • FFRF.org April 23 and told him “to immediately bank account, or IRA. It’s easy to do. For related information (or to cease using [creationist materials] and What is the Freedom From Religion Foundation? not to instruct at all on the topics of request a bequest brochure), please creationism, intelligent design, or any- Founded in 1978 as a national organization of freethinkers (atheists and phone Annie Laurie Gaylor at agnostics), the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc., works to keep state thing related.” (608) 256-8900. and church separate and to educate the public about the views of nontheists. They also told Pettenger he must FFRF • P.O. Box 750 adhere to state-adopted science stan- The Foundation’s email address is info@ rf.org. Please include your name Madison, WI 53701 dards and that anything outside those and physical mailing address with all email correspondence. standards needed approval. Creation- Foundation members wishing to receive online news releases, “action alerts” Freedom Depends on Freethinkers ist material was also removed from his and “Freethought of the Day” should contact info@ rf.org. school district Web page. Page 4 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin May 2015 Heads Up Overheard A Poetry Column by Philip Appleman I began to fear for mine and my son’s having halved from 22% as recently safety when I read “run her out of as 1989. This is a lower participation town” and “snitches end up in ditch- rate than in England and Wales, and is es.” I have the comments in an email, not much higher than in anti-clerical but I’d have to go through hundreds France. The number of marriages cel- Serpent of comments to find them. I feared for ebrated in German Catholic churches, my son when the parents all had their meanwhile, fell from 116,000 in 1990 kids carry their bibles to school one to 44,000 in 2013. The delicate backbone smashed, day, to prove a point. Kids are mean. News story, “Why the German Church I couldn’t let my son face that kind of is rich and arrogant” it lived till sundown; then ridicule for not having a bible. UK Catholic Herald, 12-11-14 its mate came for revenge. “Lea,” mother of a third grader in Duncan, Okla., who received death The line I’m draw- The long muscle threats after complaining to the school ing is that there when her son came home with a Gide- are religions and glistened: on bible his teacher distributed in class belief systems, and “Your eyes shall be opened, Atheist Analysis, 4-28-15 objective truths. And if we’re go- you shall be Sorry, Mayor Nenshi, but faith has no ing to govern a role in the public square. None. The country, we need as gods, knowing good public square is made up of a widely to base that gov- and evil.” diverse group of people, of various or ernance on objective truths, not your even no faiths. personal belief system. “You are no snake,” Columnist Naomi Lakritz, taking issue Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, with the Calgary mayor’s support of interview in which he says Scientology she told him. “You government prayer after the Canadian makes as much sense as Christianity are pure superstition—go Supreme Court banned it The Daily Beast, 3-31-15 Calgary Herald, 4-16-15 hypnotize a bird During one lecture, a student asked a Could we start with a poem? Could we question I’ve heard many times: “If we or suck the milk from goats. Go, start with a K’naan [rap] song? I don’t evolved from monkeys, why are there or I’ll give you a backache, too.” know. still monkeys?” My response was and Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi, after is always the same: We didn’t evolve He slithered off, limp as liver, the council voted 11-4 to abide by the from monkeys. Humans and monkeys court’s decision evolved from a common ancestor. One swearing to find some weaker time Calgary Herald, 4-27-15 ancestral population evolved in one out there in the orchard, direction toward modern-day mon- Our state’s oath of office — the same keys, while another evolved toward and the storms he would conjure then one these lawmakers swore to uphold humans. The explanation clicked for upon their inauguration — condemns most students, but not all, so I tried an- would wreck that greenery this silent boycott. By taking office, all other. I asked the students to consider and stand a guard there, blazing, public servants promised to “faithfully this: Catholics are the oldest Christian and impartially” support both the U.S. denomination, and so if Protestants with a sword. and Iowa constitutions. In this case, evolved from Catholics, why are there lawmakers may have done what they still Catholics? Some students laughed, © Philip Appleman. felt was faithful. But their statement, some found it a clarifying example, From the book New and Selected Poems, 1956–1996 far from impartial, was an embarrass- and others were clearly offended. Two ment to the religious tolerance they days later, a student walked down to Philip Appleman is a Dis­tinguished Professor­ Emeri­tus at In­dia­na Uni­ver­si­ty. His should be upholding. the lectern after class and informed published volumes of poetry in­clude Perfidious Proverbs and Other Editorial, “Lawmakers’ walkout over me that I was wrong about Catholics. Poems: A Satirical Look at the Bible (2012), Darwin’s Ark (new Wiccan prayer is shameful hypocrisy,” He said Baptists were the first Chris- 2009 edition) and Karma, Dharma, Pudding & Pie (2009). His berating the boycott of a pagan invoca- tians and that this is clearly explained nonfiction work includes­ the widely used Norton Critical Edition, tion by half of the Iowa House Repub- in the bible. His mother told him so. I Darwin, and the Nor­ton Critical Edition of Malthus’ Essay on Pop­ lican caucus asked where this was explained in the ulation. His poetry and fiction have won many awards, including a Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil, 4-15-15 bible. He glared at me and said, “John fellowship in poetry from the Na­tional En­dow­ment for the Arts, the the Baptist, duh!” and then walked Castagnola Award from the Poetry Society of America, the Humanist Religious leaders away. Arts Award from the American Humanist Association and the Friend of all faiths are James Krupa, University of Kentucky of Darwin Award from the National Center for Science Education. struggling to find biology professor, “Defending Darwin” His work has ap­peared in Harper’s­ Magazine, The Nation, The ways of keeping Orion Magazine, April 2015 New Republic, The New York Times, The Paris Review, Partisan Review, Poetry, and their institutions The Yale Review. going, and one When a legislative body is endorsing of the themes a practice that is so heavily associated He and his playwright wife, Marjorie Appleman, are both “After-Life” Members of the emerging from with religion, it can certainly make Freedom From Religion Foundation. Phil’s books: ffrf.org/shop. the surveys they people nervous. conduct is that Andrew Hoover, American Civil Lib- creed should be de-emphasized and erties Union of Pennsylvania legis- loyalty and community should be fos- lative director, opposing a state Day Tune in to tered. of Prayer resolution by Rep. Thomas Daniel C. Dennett, Tufts University Caltagirone, D-Reading FREETHOUGHT RADIO Center for Cognitive Studies co-direc- phillymag.com, 4-7-15 tor, “Why the Future of Religion Is Your weekly antidote to the religious right Bleak” For now, it seems like the majority of Wall Street Journal, 4-26-15 Indians are destined to spend their BROADCASTS AND STREAMS lives singing songs in praise of vari- SATURDAYS AT 11 A.M. CENTRAL In 1990, there were 316 priests in active ous gods. I’m happy to be in the tiny ministry in the Diocese of Scranton. To- minority of those who call themselves PROGRESSIVE TALK THE MIC 92.1 FM | MADISON, WI day there are 130. In 1990, there were atheists. It doesn’t bother me that I am AND OVER SEVERAL OTHER STATIONS 44 men preparing for priesthood. To- in disagreement with about 200 family day, there are nine. There will be one relations. Einstein, Feynman, Hawking ITUNES OR PODCASTS ARCHIVED AT ordination to the priesthood in the di- and Weinberg are some of the physi- FFRF.ORG/NEWS/RADIO ocese this year and five retirements. cists who share my lack of belief, while Pennsylvania Catholic Bishop Joseph most prisoners in America believe PRODUCED BY THE FREEDOM FROM RELIGION FOUNDATION Bambera, video address to parishes in god. Needless to add, the figure is HOSTED BY DAN BARKER AND ANNIE LAURIE GAYLOR Hazleton Standard Speaker, 4-14-14 probably even higher in Indian pris- ons. A survey by the German bishops’ con- Writer Sachi Mohanty, “Difficult to be Slightly irreverent views, news, music and interviews ference this summer found that weekly unbeliever in religious India” Mass attendance is now a mere 10.8%, Hindustan Times, 5-3-15 May 2015 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 5

Meet a ‘couple’ of members

Kendal J. Taylor prayerful word. Name: Kendal J. Taylor. I remember the night it all came Where I live: In Petoskey, on the apart for me. I lived in the par- northern tip of the Lower Peninsula of sonage next door to the church, Michigan. and on a Saturday night I went to Where I was born: My family was the church to pray for the Sunday living in Leslie, Mich., but I was born morning service. I left the lights off at Mercy Hospital in Jackson. Under and knelt at the altar at the front of Catholic rules of the day, if there had the auditorium. It was a large, cav- been a problem during my birth and ernous building and as I prayed, the choice came down to saving my my words echoed around the high mother or me, I would never have ceiling and came back to me. I known her. thought, “No one is listening to this, Family: My partner and wife, Chris- I’m talking to myself!” I stopped tine, lets me live with her and for that speaking, stood and walked out the she should receive some important door with just one thought in mind, award like the Nobel Peace Prize. We “I have to get out of this business.” each have children and grandchildren And in 1976 I did. by previous marriages but they are all I stumbled along for years never off doing their own thing. feeling quite comfortable with my de- Christine and Kendal Taylor are also involved with community theater. Here Education: Leslie High School, cision to ditch God. Then, somehow, they were part of a video promotion for a historical tour of the cemetery in graduated in 1957. I took a couple of about 10 years ago, I came across Rich- which they played a pioneer couple. stabs at community college but had ard Dawkins’ wonderful book The God a hard time staying centered. Then Delusion. At last I saw what I had done Christine Taylor they needed a “moral compass” and in the 1960s, I came face to face with was not a horrible mistake for which I Name: Christine Taylor. could choose their own direction lat- conservative, fundamental Christianity would spend an eternity in hell. I had Where I live: Petoskey, Mich. er on. I had also determined that the and embraced it warmly. I enrolled in made a conscious decision to embrace Where I was born: South Haven, local Catholic school was much better an Independent Fundamental Baptist truth and escape a world of falsehoods Mich., the oldest of six children. academically than the public schools. seminary in 1967 and threw myself into and deceit. What a relief! I could look Family: Husband Kendal, the love of When my youngest son was in fifth it completely: student body president at the beauty of the sky and not worry my life, and two sons. grade, he started some discussions with and yearbook editor and graduated that Big Daddy was scowling back. Occupation: I have worked for many me and then the priest about the ex- second in my class. I began to wonder if there were oth- years in the behavioral health care istence of god. It was conflicting with Occupation: Through the years, I ers who had taken a similar path or, management and human resources his desire for logical thinking. Both my have had more occupations that I can perhaps, had never believed the big fields. I have my eye on retirement in a sons stopped practicing Catholicism count on all my fingers and toes, but lie. I searched online and found the few years. My favorite job has been and when they were in high school. currently, at age 75, I work full time for Freedom from Religion Foundation. I will always be, mother to my wonderful After my first husband initiated a the family division of circuit court in joined immediately and began to talk two boys. divorce, I turned to the church even the county where we live. to my Catholic wife about my thrilling How I got where I am today: I was more, adding volunteer activities and Military service: I volunteered for discoveries. A few months after joining, raised in a strict Catholic family with Pentecostal services. A year later, I de- the U.S. Army in 1958 and spent two we enlisted FFRF’s help to spread the frequent contact with both sets of termined that in spite of doing every- years at Fort Knox, Kentucky. After ba- word and held the first meeting of the grandparents and extended family. thing that I was told I was doing right, sic training. I spent a few months as a Freethought Association of Northern My mother’s people were Catholic, so my divorce was final. All my prayers and broadcast specialist, producing broad- Michigan (FANM) on April 10, 2011. holidays were big celebrations at our church-centered activities hadn’t saved casts about Fort Knox for local radio Where I’m headed: At that first house and included going to Mass. My me from this fate. I was mad at god stations. FANM meeting, five brave people father’s people were various Protestant and abandoned the Catholic faith. My One cold and rainy morning, the showed up, having no idea what they denominations. Catholic friends and family still hope headquarters company was standing at were getting into or where it might When I was younger, I would visit my that I will someday get over this phase, attention as the commanding officer go. We went around the table and told father’s mother in the summer and she but I will never return to religion. barked orders. From a window in the our stories of nonbelief. We have been would invite me to go to church. I start- A few years later, I met my second building behind us came a call, “Hey, meeting the second Sunday of each ed to notice the pastor often said de- husband. Based on Catholic doctrine, could you hold it down out there; we’re month ever since and have added a rogatory things about Catholics in his I knew that if I married this divorced sleeping in here.” It was a building oc- monthly meeting called “Skeptics in sermons. One time after services, I was man I would be excommunicated. I cupied by the 158th Army Band. I said, the Pub.” standing next to my grandmother and was not going to allow anyone to tell “That’s where I want to be.” I asked my For two years, Christine and I led one of her friends came up and asked me not to marry this wonderful, loving mother to send me my trumpet, prac- FANM as it took surprisingly steady her if I was one of the “lost souls.” man. So I decided to step away from ticed up, auditioned and got a transfer baby steps. We have twice outgrown (Grandmother had introduced me as Catholicism and gradually accepted to the band and spent my remaining our meeting space. I still serve on the one of her Catholic grandchildren.) I that I am a nonbeliever. Army time with the band. board. was only 11 but I understood that I was Over the years, occasionally I was How I got where I am today: My Person in history I admire: I would not really welcome there. That was the visited by different church missionaries mother’s father was a Methodist evan- have to choose Richard Dawkins. His last time I went to church with her. (Jehovah’s Witness, Baptist, etc.). They gelist, so when she married my dad she works define humankind and evolu- I attended Catholic elementary, always started out, “Are you saved?” I went in the opposite direction. You tion. The God Delusion changed my life. high school and even four years of at a usually responded, “Yes, I am a recover- know, the really bad stuff like drinking A quotation I like: “Don’t tell your Catholic university. I thought about be- ing Catholic and I am not interested.” alcohol, dancing and playing cards. problems to people: 80% don’t care coming a nun. That was probably due A couple years ago, a local pastor She occasionally sent me to Methodist and the other 20% are glad you have to being the wallflower, ugly duckling, knocked on my door and asked if I went Sunday school down the block. them.” — Lou Holtz, ESPN sportcaster “no date for prom” type of girl, that is to church. I replied, “No, my husband Even during the time I was in sem- and retired football coach until I got to college. Once I started and I are both atheists.” He reacted inary, I began to have doubts about These are a few of my favorite dating, I determined that being a nun like I had hit him and said that he had what I was being taught. Some of it things: Playing golf with my wife, ball- would not be a positive thing for me — never met an atheist before and made made no sense at all to my logical side. room dancing, kayaking and cruising something about that vow of chastity. a hasty retreat to his car. I felt satisfied I told myself it was just the old devil in our beautiful yellow 2003 Chevrolet It was an all-girls college. Freshman with finally admitting to someone that whispering in my ear. I would have to SSR with the top down. year (1969) was all about succeeding I was not a believer. What a relief! exercise faith and put the doubts out These are not: Pet peeves — the old- in a learning environment for women. Before I die: On my bucket list is of my mind. I learned to ignore the er I get, the fewer there are. But by sophomore year, the college al- travel to Europe. I enjoy cooking and thoughts that said to me, “This is a My doubts about religion started: lowed 10 Catholic seminarians to come would love to cook my way across Italy bunch of baloney.” Shortly after I entered seminary. on campus for classes. By my junior and France. I would love to learn more After graduation and ordination, I Before I die: Shucks, if I live long year, the college went co-ed and cam- about those cultures. began to pastor Baptist churches and enough there will be nothing left on pus life was never the same. Ways I promote freethought: My eventually found my way to Ventura, my bucket list. A quotation I like: “Knowing what’s husband and I started talking about Calif. The doubts continued, so I de- Ways I promote freethought: Main- right doesn’t mean much unless you our respective nonbelief early in our cided to keep track of answered prayer tain membership in FFRF, support and do what is right.” Teddy Roosevelt is marriage. I was very supportive of his (mine and others’) to prove God’s ex- work with FANM and be a good exam- credited with this quote, which mirrors idea to start a freethought group in our istence and omnipotence. What hap- ple of a nonbeliever. what I strive to do in my personal and community. That group’s first meeting pened was quite the opposite. What my I wish you had asked: Now that you professional life. was a positive, yet scary, statement for study revealed was that no prayers were have come to an understanding of the My doubts about religion started: both of us. being answered. In the cases where truth, how do you feel about your years In my adulthood. I had stepped away I am happy to report that we are still something happened after a prayer, in the religion business? I am ashamed, from the Catholic Church in my 20s. active with this group as well as others it was pure coincidence and logically ashamed that I could have been so But once I had children, I felt the need supporting the separation of church would have happened without a single gullible. to bring them us as Catholic. I felt that and state, locally and nationally. Page 6 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin May 2015 A Christian nation? Since when?

merce and the National Association of culated monthly magazine and a week- eral justices of the Supreme Court. “No Manufacturers led the way, promoting ly radio program that eventually aired country or civilization can last,” Justice this ideology’s appeal in conferences on more than 800 stations nationwide. Tom C. Clark announced at his 1949 and public relations campaigns. Gen- It even encouraged ministers to preach consecration, “unless it is founded on erous funding came from prominent sermons on its themes in competitions Christian values.” businessmen, from household names for cash prizes. like Harvey Firestone, Conrad Hilton, Liberals howled at the group’s con- E.F. Hutton, Fred Maytag and Henry flation of God and greed; in 1948, the R. Luce to lesser-known leaders at U.S. radical journalist Carey McWilliams de- The Garden of Steel, General Motors and DuPont. nounced it in a withering exposé. But Eden, Graham In a shrewd decision, these exec- Mr. Fifield exploited such criticism to utives made clergymen their spokes- raise more funds and redouble his ef- informed revival men. As Sun Oil’s J. Howard Pew not- forts. ed, polls proved that ministers could Meanwhile, the Rev. Abraham attendees, was a Kevin Kruse will be speaking at FFRF’s mold public opinion more than any Vereide advanced the Christian liber- upcoming convention. Turn to back other profession. And so these busi- tarian cause with a national network paradise with ‘no page for details. nessmen worked to recruit clergy of prayer groups. After ministering to through private meetings and public industrialists facing huge labor strikes union dues, no appeals. Many answered the call, but in Seattle and San Francisco in the The following was first published March three deserve special attention. mid-1930s, Mr. Vereide began building labor leaders, no 14 in The New York Times Sunday Review prayer breakfast groups in cities across snakes, no disease.’ and is reprinted with permission. ‘Pagan statism’ America to bring business and polit- The Rev. James W. Fifield — known ical elites together in common cause. By Kevin M. Kruse as “the 13th Apostle of Big Business” “The big men and the real leaders in and “Saint Paul of the Prosperous” — New York and Chicago,” he wrote his Enter Billy Graham emerged as an early evangelist for the wife, “look up to me in an embarrass- The most important clergyman for cause. Preaching to pews of million- ing way.” Christian libertarianism, though, was A merica may be a nation of be- aires at the elite First Congregational In Manhattan alone, James Cash the Rev. Billy Graham. In his initial lievers, but when it comes to this coun- Church in Los Angeles, Mr. Fifield said Penney, IBM’s Thomas Watson, Nor- ministry, in the early 1950s, Mr. Gra- try’s identity as a “Christian nation,” reading the bible was “like eating fish man Vincent Peale and Mayor Fiorello ham supported corporate interests so our beliefs are all over the map. — we take the bones out to enjoy the La Guardia all sought audiences with zealously that a London paper called Just a few weeks ago, Public Policy meat. All parts are not of equal value.” him. him “the Big Business evangelist.” Polling reported that 57% of Republi- He dismissed New Testament warnings In 1942, Mr. Vereide’s influence The Garden of Eden, he informed cans favored officially making the Unit- about the corrupting nature of wealth. spread to Washington. He persuaded revival attendees, was a paradise with ed States a Christian nation. But in Instead, he paired Christianity and the House and Senate to start week- “no union dues, no labor leaders, no 2007, a survey by the First Amendment capitalism against the New Deal’s “pa- ly prayer meetings “in order that we snakes, no disease.” In the same spirit, Center showed that 55% of Americans gan statism.” might be a God-directed and God-con- he denounced all “government restric- believed it already was one. Through his national organiza- trolled nation.” He opened headquar- tions” in economic affairs, which he in- The confusion is understandable. tion, Spiritual Mobilization, founded ters in Washington — “God’s Em- variably attacked as “socialism.” For all our talk about separation of in 1935, Mr. Fifield promoted “free- bassy,” he called it — and became a In 1952, Mr. Graham went to Wash- church and state, religious language dom under God.” By the late 1940s, powerful force in its previously secular ington and made Congress his congre- has been written into our political cul- his group was spreading the gospel of institutions. Among other activities, he gation. He recruited representatives to ture in countless ways. It is inscribed faith and free enterprise in a mass-cir- held “dedication ceremonies” for sev- serve as ushers at packed revival meet- in our pledge of patriotism, marked ings and staged the first formal reli- on our money, carved into the walls of gious service held on the Capitol steps. our courts and our Capitol. Perhaps That year, at his urging, Congress es- because it is everywhere, we assume it tablished an annual National Day of has been from the beginning. Prayer. But the founding fathers didn’t “If I would run for president of the create the ceremonies and slogans United States today on a platform of that come to mind when we consider calling people back to God, back to whether this is a Christian nation. Our Christ, back to the bible,” he predict- grandfathers did. ed, “I’d be elected.” Back in the 1930s, business leaders Dwight D. Eisenhower fulfilled that found themselves on the defensive. prediction. With Mr. Graham offering Their public prestige had plummet- scripture for Ike’s speeches, the Repub- ed with the Great Crash; their private lican nominee campaigned in what he businesses were under attack by Frank- called a “great crusade for freedom.” lin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal from above His military record made the general a and labor from below. To regain the formidable candidate, but on the trail upper hand, corporate leaders fought he emphasized spiritual issues over back on all fronts. They waged a figura- worldly concerns. tive war in statehouses and, occasional- As the journalist John Temple ly, a literal one in the streets; their cam- Graves observed: “America isn’t just a paigns extended from courts of law to land of the free in Eisenhower’s con- the court of public opinion. ception. It is a land of freedom under But nothing worked particularly God.” Elected in a landslide, he told well until they began an inspired pub- Mr. Graham that he had a mandate for lic relations offensive that cast capital- a “spiritual renewal.” ism as the handmaiden of Christianity. Although Eisenhower relied on The two had been described as soul Christian libertarian groups in the mates before, but in this campaign they campaign, he parted ways with their were wedded in pointed opposition to agenda once elected. The movement’s the “creeping socialism” of the New corporate sponsors had seen religious Deal. The federal government had rhetoric as a way to dismantle the New never really factored into Americans’ Deal state. But the newly elected pres- thinking about the relationship be- ident thought that a fool’s errand. tween faith and free enterprise, mostly “Should any political party attempt to because it had never loomed that large abolish Social Security, unemployment over business interests. But now it cast insurance, and eliminate labor laws a long and ominous shadow. and farm programs,” he noted private- Accordingly, throughout the 1930s ly, “you would not hear of that party and ’40s, corporate leaders marketed a Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research again in our political history.” Unlike new ideology that combined elements A remake of “The Ten Commandments” in today’s “U.S. is a Christian nation” those who held public spirituality as of Christianity with an anti-federal lib- era might have Charlton Heston delivering the tablets directly to American a means to an end, Eisenhower em- ertarianism. Powerful business lobbies colonists. The movie came out in 1956 (or MCMLVI), at the time when God was braced it as an end unto itself. like the United States Chamber of Com- being inserted on currency, a new national motto and the Pledge of Allegiance. Continued on next page May 2015 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 7 Members tell AARP: Prayer is not ‘primal’ FFRF sent an Action Alert to members for prayer to nonexistent goddesses, but I cringed at your article on prayer. April 17 asking them to set AARP maga- demons, witches, shamans or gods. However, I do want you to know that I zine straight about its February/March So while I’ve recently received mul- am a believer. I believe in being a good article entitled “The Paradox of Prayer: tiple invitations to join AARP, I really person, and that being a good person A Pilgrimage.” Commenting on the arti- do not wish to be associated with the takes the expenditure of time, energy cle, Editor-in-Chief Robert Love wrote, “I kind of religious nonsense printed in and money. learned that prayer is a primal human in- your February/March magazine. Feel Now, if you are a good person, a fair stinct that crosses faiths and cultures, and free to pitch again for my member- person and a good editor, you will so- extends even to those who don’t believe in a ship when I turn 60. Maybe by then licit an article from a freethinker/ag- personal God.” He also claimed, “We older there will be fewer old Catholics, Mor- nostic/atheistic organization and pro- Americans are a prayerful people.” mons, Christians, etc., who currently vide balanced reporting. — Charles Members responded in droves to the alert. reference their “faith” to deny basic Golden, California Below are some excerpted responses to AARP: civil rights to gays and lesbians, deprive • • • women of access to health care options I’m a member of AARP and an athe- What were you thinking? I don’t and dumb down evidence-based sci- ist. Can anyone seriously believe there know about primal, but your state- ence education to pander to in your is a great being somewhere, holding ments about prayer strike me as prim- magazine. Cheers! — Bill Griesar, Or- puppet strings, making humankind itive and poppycock. While I have not egon do its bidding? Read about any of the prayed for about 65 years, I have talked • • • • • • atrocities being done to women and to myself on occasions, such as when I Take it from me, there are lots of Please give those of us who rely on children in countries torn apart by reli- read your ludicrous statement in sup- people (older and not) who do not ourselves the respect that we have been gion. Do you think a loving God of any port of supernatural thinking. I said, pray. To insist that prayer extends to forced to give “believers.” How about kind would let these things happen to “Don, are you hallucinating. Did he those who don’t believe in a personal an article on the many successful, ful- a human being, especially an innocent really write that?” God is incorrect. It is disrespectful. if filled beings in the past and present child? I think not. — Charles James, Is it your goal to reposition AARP not absurd, to claim nonbelievers find who have no need of prayer to keep New York as a faith-based seniors organization? I meaning in prayer. As an AARP mem- ourselves happy. You have a very good • • • ask that you give equal time in the next ber, I have become disenchanted with magazine, but this was uncalled for. As an AARP-age atheist, I do not issue to reason, critical thinking, free- your magazine. It was once of value, ­— Rose White, AARP member since pray and please don’t make unwarrant- thought and science, and apologize but now it is mere fluff. — Lois Martin, 1998, Hawaii ed assumptions about people like me. for insulting the good sense of so many California • • • — Tom Hays, California AARP readers. — Donald B. Ardell, • • • I found your article about prayer to Florida I am an older person, a member be distasteful to my wife and I, both • • • of AARP, and so is my wife. We know atheists, but thought it was just more I am a senior citizen, age 81, and many people our age. None of us is of what we always experience — a I have two longstanding beliefs in re- prayerful. I do not appreciate you us- mainstream publication trying to iso- gard to prayer and religion: “Nothing ing your position as editor-in-chief to late people who don’t voice the official Christian nation? fails like prayer” (Unknown), and “Re- engage in proselytizing. Prayer is not views. We are both 75 and have been Since when? ligion is the worst disease of mankind” primal. No one is born with any man- AARP members for a long time. Please (Ayn Rand). ner of religious belief. It is taught to leave religion out of your magazine so Continued from previous page Faith is believing that an entity ac- people as children, an indoctrination. we all feel included. — Peter and Mar- tually exists without any proof or evi- — Graydon Wilson, Vermont ilyn Werbe, Michigan ‘One nation under God’ dence. Whenever a “prayed for” person • • • • • • Uncoupling the language of “free- “miraculously” recovers, a scientific In the summer of 2008, I was mauled I have never prayed, except as a dom under God” from its Christian explanation can always be found to by a bear, which tore my face off be- child, and that was only under duress. libertarian roots, Eisenhower erected explain the recovery. — John Dunn, fore I was able to fight it off and drive Though I would fight for the right of a bigger revival tent, welcoming Jews California myself down a mountain for help. As it others to pray, it is not something I and Catholics alongside Protestants, • • • was attacking me, I can assure you that would never chose to do myself. It’s and Democrats as well as Republicans. I believe humankind should get off “prayer” was the very last thing on my deeply offensive for you to assume that Rallying the country, he advanced a its knees and get to work instead of pre- mind. (Nor did my life flash before me, all elders are exactly like you. Atheists revolutionary array of new religious tending it can suspend the natural laws nor did I see some Baby Jesus come to are proud, thinking people, and we ceremonies and slogans. of the universe or alter reality through carry me home.) I find your conten- have maintained our beliefs in the face The first week of February 1953 set wishful thinking. Please devote part of tion “prayer is primal” hugely offensive of great prejudice. We don’t deserve to the dizzying pace: On Sunday morn- an upcoming AARP magazine to the to the very real calculus that ultimately be treated as nonexistent. — Andrea ing, he was baptized; that night, he joy and freedom of relying on human saved my life. Natalie, New York broadcast an Oval Office address for ingenuity and of being a nonreligious The fact that the Independent Book • • • the American Legion’s “Back to God” senior citizen. — Kevin Larkin, South Publishers Association deemed my With age comes to some the wisdom campaign; on Thursday, he appeared Carolina memoir Chomp, Chomp, Chomp: How I to stop believing in imaginary friends with Mr. Vereide at the inaugural Na- • • • Survived a Bear Attack and Other Caution- and illusory dei ex machina as solutions tional Prayer Breakfast; on Friday, he As a longtime member of AARP, I ary Tales worthy of its Benjamin Frank- to problems. Please devote a similar instituted the first opening prayers at a was appalled to read [Robert Love’s lin Award for autobiographical and amount of space in an upcoming issue cabinet meeting. comments]. I do not believe in a per- inspirational book of 2015 should tell to those AARP members who are not The rest of Washington consecrat- sonal god and I have never prayed in you that not all of us seniors fall prey “prayerful” but are instead rational in ed itself, too. The Pentagon, State De- my life. — Edward F. Rockman, Penn- (sorry,) to this nonsensical abdication confronting the inevitable pains of life. partment and other executive agencies sylvania of personal responsibility. — Allena — Julia Whitsitt, South Carolina quickly instituted prayer services of • • • Hansen, California • • • their own. In 1954, Congress added You are wrong! Prayer is taught, • • • “Prayer: A Pilgrimage” was, I hope, a “under God” to the previously secular left over from from the cave-man days. Prayer is what is often done by peo- story of your own personal life search- Pledge of Allegiance. It placed a simi- I am 76 years old and haven’t prayed ple who aren’t willing to contribute es. If it was meant to be any more than lar slogan, “In God We Trust,” on post- since I learned how to read and aban- anything else to a situation. They be- that, I take it as a personal insult, as age that year and voted the following doned Mormonism. Actually, I did pray lieve they have done something mean- well as lacking in factual or logical year to add it to paper money; in 1956, once. When I was in graduate school, ingful, when in fact they haven’t ac- statements. Please, I wish to read no it became the nation’s official motto. my mother told me that praying would complished jack. I don’t go out of my more faith-based proselytizing in our During these years, Americans were help me pass a very hard test. So, I got way to criticize people who have a re- magazine, the magazine for all Ameri- told, time and time again, not just that down on my knees, folded my hands in ligious conviction unless and until, as cans over 50. — Jere Miles, Florida the country should be a Christian na- front of me, closed my eyes and said, you do, they stomp on what I believe, • • • tion, but that it always had been one. “Dear Heavenly Father, please help me as you did. I am an atheist, happy with my They soon came to think of the United with tomorrow’s test so that I won’t [ex- I just renewed my membership in choice to be without belief in God or States as “one nation under God.” pletive] it up. Amen.” It didn’t help, I AARP and now I’m sorry I did. You are gods, and consider prayer a foolish They’ve believed it ever since. got a C+. — Frank W. Knell, Arizona incredibly disrespectful to lump all of waste of time. I say, “Have at it if it • • • seniors us into the same bag. — Jerry makes you feel better,” but please stop Kevin Kruse is a professor of history at I turn 50 in May, and I’m part of a Foreman, 73, Nevada trying to include people like me in your Princeton University and the author, most generation that is a lot less religious • • • illusions. If you are a Christian, Muslim recently, of One Nation Under God: How than perhaps the majority of your I found the comments regarding or Jew, the main theological difference Corporate America Invented Christian current membership. I teach science, prayer to be offensive and even silly. The from me is that I believe in one less America. Professor Kruse is a featured my husband and I are married, with majority of older Americans may believe god than you. Kindly desist from theo- speaker at FFRF’s 38th national convention two teenagers, and while we loves and participate in prayer but there are logical preachments in AARP. — Ron Oct. 9-11 in Madison, Wis. (See back page stories, we’re also interested in an ev- plenty of us who know that nothing, ab- Weinert, 81, Arizona for more convention details.) He was also idence-based understanding of the solutely nothing fails like prayer, and • • • a recent guest on Freethought Radio. Go world, as opposed to unsupportable, that is statistically quantifiable. — Ste- I usually enjoy reading my copy of to ffrf.org/news/radio/shows and scroll “supernatural” belief systems that call phen P. Driscoll, Massachusetts AARP and find much good advice, down to May 2. Page 8 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin May 2015

FFRF convention speech, Los Angeles, October 2014 Activist Ahlquist: Wag more, bark less

to understand my perspective a little was dead set on changing my mind. Generally speaking, these people ar- bit better. So I started to analyze why. The most insight she ever gave me was en’t bad; they just don’t care. What exactly made this something that when she said, “So it’s technically ille- It’s important to make ourselves people were receptive to? gal, but why do you care so much?” more likable and more receptive to Initially I was very concentrated on At first it really irritated me that she those who would otherwise not know the actual legal aspects, for obvious would have such little regard for the about us. It’s actually very interesting reasons. It’s a prayer in a public school. importance of the First Amendment — for me because the secular communi- When I attended the first school com- it protected her as well. But now I actu- ty found me. I had no idea that it ex- mittee meeting about the prayer, I ally want to thank her for helping me isted, and I can’t be sure that I would brought some index cards. On them I to understand a perspective I hadn’t have ever found it on my own. There wrote “separation of church and state, before. To many people out there, was nothing that was appealing about the First Amendment” and a few oth- it’s sad to say, the law doesn’t actually it to a 16-year-old girl from Rhode Is- er precedents. I thought that was like, matter at all. In a way I almost feel like land. But now that I’m aware that this proof. I was 15. Being so naive, I actual- that’s the majority of people today. It’s is something that needs to be done, I ly believed that would be enough, that really hard for us to wrap our minds feel like I’m in a better place to appeal they would be like, “Oh well, obviously around it, because we’re all very aware to younger people, and to different it’s illegal. We’ll just take it right down, of how important it is, but we can’t ex- people. no problem.” pect for everybody to be just like us. Another example is actually on my You all know that’s not what hap- phone, because it’s on Facebook. This Ingrid Laas Photo pened at all. But I was entirely gen- gives me goose bumps when I read it. Jessica Ahlquist uine and I went into it with an open To many people I’ve never before been able to have an mind. I didn’t plan on speaking that example that so clearly demonstrated Sam Erickson, FFRF student intern: night but after hearing so many peo- out there, it’s sad my point. I got a message. Actually, I Jessica Ahlquist has already done more to ple speak and get it so wrong so many was getting many messages on Face- protect state/church separation than many times about how this is a Christian to say, the law book. They were threatening my life, of us do in a lifetime. When she was 17, nation and we should want prayers in threatening to beat me up. It got to a a judge ruled in her favor that a school our schools, I did decide to speak and doesn’t actually point where, as was mentioned before, banner depicting a prayer at her Rhode Is- attempted to make my points several police were escorting me to my classes land high school violated the Establishment times. It felt like nobody was listening. matter at all. because my classmates were using Twit- Clause. The ruling in 2012 infamously In fact, they all had their own in- ter to threaten me. Shortly after I had prompted a local legislator to brand her an dex cards with “facts” that were com- won the case, a girl wrote: “evil little thing.” At one point, she was go- pletely contrary to mine. I was getting We actually don’t need to change ing to school under police escort. FFRF tried frustrated, and without even knowing them in order to have them be more “Hey, I know I was part of the whole to send her flowers but not a single florist it, I realized that being right isn’t actu- receptive to us. You can’t change who Twitter rampage against you, but I’d would deliver them. ally enough. Just because you’re right a person is, but you can change the like to apologize for the hurtful things Since then, Jessica has won many hon- doesn’t mean that people will believe way they are going to see you. It’s our that I did say. I was kind of just going ors from the secular movement, including it or care. responsibility to come up with ways to along with it for the sake of being a goof- FFRF’s Thomas Jefferson Youth Activist That night I “came out” as an atheist appeal to that person who doesn’t even ball and because my friends were doing Award [$2,000] and a $10,000 schol- while not really knowing what it meant know what the First Amendment says. it and encouraging me to do it as well. arship from FFRF’s Atheists in Foxholes or how controversial it was. I put my We should make our ideas, our per- Still, that doesn’t give me an excuse to Support Fund. She addressed the Reason cards away and spoke from my heart. spective, relevant to them. I’m not go- treat someone like that and say such ig- Rally in Washington in 2012 shortly after I talked about how excluded I felt as ing to try to say that now that I’ve told norant and downright stupid, hurtful she won her lawsuit. This is Jessica’s third a secular student by a prayer that was you this, it’s going to be super easy. It’s and disgusting things. I’m sure you get appearance at a national FFRF convention. obviously Christian hanging in a public not, and I struggle with it all the time. countless amounts of mail on here every- Her stories offer inspiration for me to con- school. Now, instead of just patting me My classmate eventually told me that day, whether it be fan mail or hate mail, tinue the work that I’m doing and for other on the head and telling me I should she doesn’t really get what “the whole but looking back on the fool I made of students to continue their work as well. check my facts and dismissing me, they big deal is with the whole prayer thing” myself, I wanted to give a sincere apol- had to prove they weren’t discriminat- and “who cares if it’s illegal?” But she ogy for the things myself and my friends By Jessica Ahlquist ing against me. That was a much hard- had to admit that I didn’t deserve the said to you. I recently saw some news seg- er thing to do, especially considering I hate and hostility I was getting and also ments about your case, and I’ve come to had been called a witch and a satanist admitted that I was in the legal right. believe that what you did was really the at the meeting. That seemed to be how most peo- right thing, and I support it completely. Thank you so much. I’m sure a lot ple felt. This shows us that many times, As I looked on from afar, watching how of you have come to these events be- Secular campaigning taking a more personal or emotional adults, people’s parents, and even polit- fore and have seen me speak. Previous- There are three main categories in approach can be very hard to disagree ical figures ridiculed you, I realized how ly, I was just sharing my story. I spoke secular campaigning, “campaigning” with. In this case, it was the death horrid it really was. I’m so very sorry. For the first time about my case before it meaning a lawsuit or cause being pur- threats and hate mail that I was being a 16-year-old kid, only two years younger had actually been ruled on. The sec- sued. The categories that I came up sent on a very regular basis. It was very than me, I’m sure you’ve achieved more ond time was after we’d been success- with are in a way very similar to ethos, hard for people to try to ignore that. than I will achieve in a long time and I ful. pathos and logos. Instead, I called After some time I started to feel like them (1) legal and historical, (2) emo- I was missing the bigger picture and tional and personal and (3) logical and started to wonder what could actually scientific. be learned from my experiences. At At first I thought that those catego- the end of just about every talk that ries described the best way to argue I gave for about two years, somebody with people, that if you have a cause, or would say, “OK, so what can we do?” I in this case the prayer banner lawsuit, didn’t really have an answer to that un- you could take different approaches. til recently. For example, in my school committee After analyzing some of the various meeting, I felt that I was getting abso- aspects of what I’m going to call my lutely nowhere trying to debate actu- “campaign,” I started to see a pattern. al legal fact and history. So I tried to Ultimately, my lawsuit and activism change it into more of an emotional had been successful. As I look back on and personal story. That made it very it today, the main thing that made it different for them. I don’t think they successful wasn’t just the actual legal knew that I had that card, and when I success; it was a lot of the social aspects played it, they didn’t really know how as well. to respond. When I first started advocating for You can pursue legal or historical or removal of the prayer, it felt like every- scientific activism or you can take the body hated me and I didn’t have any more emotional route, which is sort of allies. I’m glad to say that by the end, what my story did for people. When I I don’t know if that was the case any- was in 11th grade, I was taking a U.S. more. It felt like a lot of people had, history class. Every day after class, this Andrew Seidel Photo not an epiphany, but they had come one girl would always wait for me. She Jessica Ahlquist at the 37th annual national convention in October 2014. May 2015 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 9

really respect that. Thank you for doing ple who were willing to admit it. ple in the world who don’t even have outside our community. I don’t see the right thing and not giving up, even I’ve learned that when you give an parents. Who am I to be asking for what good it does to try so hard to be when idiots like me tormented you. Keep interview, or when you put yourself out help when there are so many people a very single-minded community. Part up the awesome work.” there publicly as an atheist, you’re not out there who need help more? One of what makes this beautiful is that we talking to the interviewer, who, by the thing led to another, and I ended up can all have our own perspectives and way, is probably going to be out to get deciding for myself that I didn’t be- approaches. you and have a very single-track con- lieve in God at all. That was a much If we’ve learned anything from pre- One thing led to versation, ask you irrelevant questions more receptive thing to say than to try vious movements, diversity is never and trick you into saying things that to explain all the problems logically a bad thing. Different ideas, people another, and I you don’t really want to say. with faith and even just singling out and approaches are only going to help ended up deciding Then you’re done with the inter- Christianity. us communicate with an even larger view and realize you haven’t actually I just explained my perspective. group of people. I have been given for myself that said anything that you wanted to say. I didn’t try to tell anybody that they so many wonderful opportunities to You’re actually talking to the people shouldn’t believe what they believed. travel and speak, and it has given me I didn’t believe watching the interview, not the inter- It was very much, “This is me, this is such a unique perspective that I’m very viewer. It’s very hard to keep that in my personal view of things.” In a lot of thankful for. in God at all. mind while you’re in the middle of it. ways, I feel the emotional or personal Now for that question, “What can we I was just a kid. It was something that I approach is one of the most effective, at do?” Well, we can focus on improving had to learn the hard way. least because we probably already have public relations with people outside of To me that’s what this is all about. The best way to communicate with won over all the people who are going this community. We can start by rec- When it comes down to it, are we re- people who do not want to be recep- to be won over by scientific debates. ognizing our weaknesses and working ally looking to just sue everybody into tive to our ideas, who don’t even know The people who are science-minded really hard to fix them. We can smile liking us? No, we’re here because we what an atheist is, is to put it in the probably already got to those conclu- more. We can go into it as 15-year-old need to defend our rights, encourage most basic terms possible. I gave a live sions on their own. girls who have no idea what to expect science and have people become more interview on CNN one day, and the in- Of course though, the science and and just pretend that we are blissfully receptive to us and our beliefs. Those terviewer asked me why I didn’t believe logic category is important, but it is unaware that atheists are hated. are really the three things that I think in God. I could have said many, many very well-covered here [at the conven- Just go into it saying, “Yeah, I’m an we want in the world, and I think that things, but instead of taking the scien- tion]. I didn’t really have that many op- atheist, is that OK?” It’s much harder the three categories really explain that tific route, instead of explaining that portunities to speak about that. to hate that. It’s much harder to be ag- in a much easier and simpler way. there isn’t any science that supports it This brings us back to the move- gressive toward somebody who is very, I did a lot of interviews, for two years and the bible has lots of fallacies, etc., ment itself. I’m going to be totally very likable. I was doing interviews several times a etc., I just explained that when I was honest with you. I think that the sec- We can really just focus on showing month. I had people telling me that about 10 years old my mother had be- ular community spends far too much the world how lovable atheists are and I was just wasting my time with those, come ill with a mental illness. time fighting over and debating silly how good we are without God. I sin- but obviously it was extremely effective. I explained that for the first time in details that don’t actually matter to cerely believe that is the best direction That girl’s message on Facebook was my life, I had started praying and then anybody but us. A lot of the issues that our community and movement can be not the only one. There were others started to feel guilty because if I had a I see and hear us discussing don’t ever going in. Thank you. similar to it, and those are just the peo- sick mother, you know, there are peo- end up reaching the ears of anybody Unique art finds home in new FFRF library The evolution of ‘Mr. Darwin’

knew that he was demonized in some that Csam has allowed FFRF to give Mr. circles so I decided to portray him in Darwin a home,” said Annie Laurie the way that I imagined he’d look if he Gaylor, FFRF co-president. A standing were greeting a friend. I hoped that plaque positioned near Mr. Darwin after seeing my portrait, people would notes that the acquisition was made be more likely to see him as a real man possible by Michael Cermak, who with warmth and humanity.” originally gave the largest donation in Csam estimates that Mr. Darwin has FFRF’s first attempt to add a library to already been viewed by tens of thou- its original building. sands, since he lent out him out to be The property owner next door op- a centerpiece at secular booths at the posed the construction, so FFRF even- Kentucky State Fair for several years. tually was able to negotiate purchase He was “born” five years ago, originally of the decrepit apartment building, as a bust. which it has replaced with a four-story Mr. Darwin’s head and hands are (plus lower-level mailing area) addi- foam rubber with a silicone skin. The tion finished earlier this year. rest of his body is sculpted from foam Generous donors Wanda Beering rubber over a wood and metal arma- and Joel Landon gave $100,000 for li- Sam Grover Photo ture. Csam realized the bust he had brary construction, which is joined to Pictured with “Mr. Darwin” at Freethought Hall is a family of his admirers created would have much greater im- the addition but still sits atop FFRF’s (from left): Kai, Hannu and Ingrid Andersson and Karolina Johnson. pact atop a complete figure. The head original building, as first planned. “We and hands are sculpted in clay, from wanted Mike’s original support to be “Mr. Darwin,” the lifelike creation the origins of the human race.” which Csam made molds, pouring in a immortalized, too, because that sup- of talented artist Csam Wheatley, Csam (pronounced “Sam”) Wheat- thin layer of silicone to form the skin. port was so gratifying and because we Louisville, Ky., now graces the Joel ley thoroughly researched details “Once the skin had cured, I filled kept Mike waiting a lot longer to see B. Landon and Wanda Y. Beers Free- about Charles Darwin before con- them with foam rubber. Then I re- the library go up then we’d anticipat- thought Library on the third floor of structing the figure. He stands a little moved them from the molds and ed!” Annie Laurie said. Freethought Hall, FFRF’s national of- over 6 feet, as the naturalist did in real cleaned them up. Then I painted Please come and get your photo tak- fice in downtown Madison, Wis. life. Csam caught Darwin’s slight stoop, them. Then the fingernails and eyes en with Mr. Darwin at the open house The acquisition of Mr. Darwin was and his piercing blue eyes, dimmed a were painted and installed. Then dif- Friday morning, Oct. 9, preceding officially celebrated at a May 2 event, little by age. ferent hair colors were blended, and FFRF’s 38th national convention at “Tea with Mr. Darwin,” in the new Char- He originally designed Mr. Darwin the hair was curled as appropriate, Monona Terrace Convention Center. lie Brooks Auditorium. Area members “for my personal collection,” adding, punched into the skin, and cut.” enjoyed dainty hors d’oueuves and en- “I wanted to find a subject who had a Csam cut pieces of foam rubber tertainment by the clever satirist and very rich skin texture (such as wrinkles, and glued them onto the armature, songwriter, Roy Zimmerman. He ac- pores, age spots and moles) and whose then sculpted them to give the body companied himself on guitar and sang face had a lot of character. Darwin fit its final shape. Then he installed the “Creation Science 101,” “The Wedding the bill. My great admiration for him hands, which he said were the most of Church and State” and other apro- and the availability of high quality (for intricate and time-consuming part. He pos tunes. its time) photos of him sealed the deal. took great care to reproduce every fa- FFRF Co-President Dan Barker was “I researched him to find out what cial mole and wrinkle. Wanting “some the warm-up act on the Diane Uhl the real man was like. I learned that he of my DNA to be part of this project,” Steinway concert piano, performing was a very loving husband and a doting Csam placed one of his eyelashes into Sam Grover Photo “It’s Only Natural,” with its reference father and that he was known to laugh one of those moles. Guess which of Csam’s body parts is “Thanks to Mr. Darwin for showing us so hard that he’d even slap his knee. I “We’re so delighted and honored forever part of “Mr. Darwin.” Page 10 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin May 2015 Legal victories shore up wall of separation

FFRF gets sexist dent didn’t know a certain bible verse. Church trailer, awards The school principal and another man posters removed also handed out bibles to students as venue remedied Lincoln High School in Manitowoc, they left school. Volusia County Schools, DeLand, Wis., took down sexist prom posters In a March 30 letter, Staff Attorney Fla., remedied state/church violations sponsored by a Catholic health care Andrew Seidel detailed the problems after getting a Feb. 5 letter from Staff provider and a “crisis” pregnancy cen- with the school employees’ conduct: Attorney Andrew Seidel. FFRF re- ter after FFRF Staff Attorney Sam Gro- “Public schools have a duty to ensure ceived a report that Spruce Creek High ver sent an April 29 complaint letter. that ‘subsidized teachers do not incul- School in Port Orange let a church The poster featured a silhouette of cate religion’ or use their positions of leave a trailer with a church ad on it a girl in a dress made out of words sug- authority to promote a particular reli- in a school parking lot all week. The gesting supposedly desirable qualities gious viewpoint.” school also scheduled its senior honors for women, including “quiet, gentle In an April 7 response, Superinten- awards program at a Baptist church. and classy.” The Crossing of Manito- dent Aaron Espolt said the bible dis- Chief counsel for the district re- woc County, a Christian anti-abortion tribution was done without his knowl- sponded that the trailer would be re- group, and Holy Family Memorial, edge, adding that future distributions moved entirely or have its message cov- which offers faith-based health services would not be permitted. In addition, ered during the week. The district will and is operated by the Franciscan Sis- the administration addressed bible use a secular location for the awards ters of Christian Charity, sponsored the reading with the teacher, which Espolt program in future years. poster message. said would “prevent any future inci- The complaint was picked up by There was no corresponding poster dents.” FFRF cures school’s national media, with many stories theme for male students at Lincoln religion addiction pointing out the poster implied that High School in Manitowoc, Wis. Student screening girls who had sex had no character Students at Central Freedom School and would no longer embody quali- moved from church in Mankato, Minn., will no longer be ties named in the poster. Senior Kelsey California official The Tea Area School District, Tea, required to attend religious Alcoholics Schindl met with Principal Luke Val- won’t endorse prayer S.D., will end its practice of holding Anonymous programming. itchka to ask if she could put up post- a mandatory kindergarten screening Central Freedom, a public alterna- ers countering the “shaming” message A Solano, Calif., County supervisor at a local church. In an April 9 letter tive school for students with chemical but was refused. will no longer officially participate in a of complaint, Staff Attorney Patrick dependency issues, required AA meet- “The insinuation that if you do have prayer breakfast. Staff Attorney Andrew Elliott wrote, “This practice forces ings during the school day. Students sex, then you don’t have any charac- Seidel wrote Supervisor Linda Seifert parents and children, who may be of who refused to attend might be found ter any more is a horrible message to on April 1, objecting to her participa- varying faiths or none at all, to enter a “resistant” or otherwise noncompliant. send,” Schindl said. “I’m not endorsing tion in the Vallejo Prayer Breakfast: Christian house of worship in order to “Public school programs may not teen sex, but you’re not a bad person if “It is unlawful under the First Amend- be screened to attend public school.” encourage or require student recog- you do and you’re not a bad person if ment for a government employee to Superintendent Jennifer Lowery re- nition of a ‘greater power’ and that you don’t.” attend the event in an official capacity plied April 29 that the screening would students turn their lives over to God,” Grover wrote, “When a school dis- or to place official government seals on be moved to a district facility. wrote Staff Attorney Patrick Elliott, ref- trict allows a private religious organi- publications of the event.” erencing some of AA’s famous 12 steps. zation to advertise on the walls of its Seifert responded April 6, saying Praying Iowa coach FFRF’s complainant reported that school, it entangles itself with the re- she would not authorize the use of her several changes were being made, in- ligious message being advertised. As it title and the county seal as a sponsor told to stop cluding no further 12-step meetings stands, Principal Valitchka appears to or participant in future prayer events. Staff Attorney Patrick Elliott wrote held at the school. The district su- have denied students the right to ad- the Ankeny, Iowa, Community School perintendent confirmed the changes vertise a message on the same topic as Georgia teachers District on Feb. 11 about a football April 16. the religious advertisements currently coach illegally praying with his stu- on display solely because their message can sit out pledge dents. “We ask that you ensure coach- Virginia ‘release time’ is an opposing viewpoint.” The principal at Greenbrier Ele- es are not leading, organizing, invit- Manitowoc Public School District mentary School, Evans, Ga., will no ing, encouraging or participating in punishment barred Superintendent Marcia Flaherty re- longer make teachers participate in prayers with their teams in the future.” Nottoway, Va., Public Schools stu- sponded April 30, denying that the the Pledge of Allegiance to “set an ex- Superintendent Bruce Kimpston dents who do not attend religious “re- posters were religious but confirming ample” for students. responded April 16 that the district lease time” will no longer be forced to they were taken down. “The Supreme Court ruled over 70 provided guidelines to all high school clean rooms or do extra homework. At years ago that compelling participa- activity directors to give to coaches: least one student at Blackstone Prima- Missouri school drops tion in the Pledge of Allegiance was “Ankeny CSD respects the separation ry School who didn’t participate in a constitutionally impermissible,” wrote between government activity and reli- religious class off-campus was required ‘character assembly’ Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel in a letter gion. While we are grateful for any as- to sweep and dust classrooms until the After FFRF objected to inappro- to the district. “Employees should not sistance our sports teams may receive, other students returned. In addition, priate religious references at a public be singled out, rebuked or otherwise we understand that sponsoring reli- class instructors reportedly pressured school assembly in Branson, Mo., the penalized for following their freedom gious practices is not an appropriate nonparticipating students to attend. district has taken steps to ensure future of conscience.” school function.” Continued on next page assemblies will be religion-free. Columbia County Schools Superin- Last October, Branson Junior High tendent Sandra Carraway responded School hosted a “character assembly” soon after, informing FFRF that the sponsored by the Fellowship of Chris- district “recognize[s] and support[s] tian Athletes. A former football player our inability to compel anyone to par- offered to pray with students, told them ticipate in the Pledge of Allegiance,” to give all their problems to Jesus and and would educate the principal on handed out football cards with a testi- the law. monial about how God and Jesus had helped him through difficult times. FFRF shuts down Staff Attorney Patrick Elliott wrote the district March 27: “Providing a Oklahoma proselytizing school assembly with religious content Students in the Cleveland, Okla., by a Christian speaker gives the ap- School District will no longer be sub- pearance that Branson Public Schools jected to bible distributions and harass- endorses that speaker’s religious mes- ment from teachers about religion. sage.” FFRF received a complaint that a Superintendent Doug Hayter re- teacher at Cleveland Intermediate sponded April 3 that the administra- School read aloud to the class from a tion discussed policies regarding neu- bible. When the complainant’s child trality toward religion with the school asked her to stop because “not ev- principal and would “review these eryone believes the same thing,” the guidelines with our entire administra- teacher allegedly refused because it tive team to ensure knowledge and full was “her personal reading material.” compliance.” The teacher later reportedly singled out the student, saying she bet the stu- May 2015 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 11 What I learned fighting public school bible distributions

FFRF Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel’s literature with a message the district choose option #1 and close the forum, column below was first published May 5 disliked — and that vetting was only which they eventually did in February by Hemant Mehta’s Friendly Atheist as a applied to us. (The district actually ad- 2015. guest post. mitted it did not vet the bible.) What have we learned? By Andrew Seidel ‘Lucien’s Law’ Lesson #1: Despite the court opin- Even though we were not given time ion declaring the case moot, it was an to participate in the 2014 distribution, unqualified success for FFRF and our the court declared the case moot. But chapter, CFFC. We sought to close When bibles were distributed more importantly, the distribution fo- the bible distribution forum, and it is in Orange County, Fla., Public Schools rum was still open. Sure, we could fi- closed. in January 2013, I wrote a letter to the nally distribute our message, but that Lesson #2: Apparently, the temple’s school district on behalf of FFRF ask- was not our primary goal. coloring book is scarier than atheist ing them to “halt all distributions.” From the first letter we sent, we literature. Perhaps we atheists are not Earlier this year, the district finally made it clear we were trying to “halt all the most-hated group in America after banned all such distributions, but only distributions,” from the bible to atheist all. Or perhaps we’re only less feared after we sued. literature. So we wanted a way to test — because Satan does run hell. On May 4, the 11th Circuit U.S. the forum, to ensure that it was truly Lesson #3: This strategy is portable. Court of Appeals handed down the fi- fair and open to all. Other school districts around the coun- nal word on the case, which has essen- That’s why I called my friend Lucien try allow bible distributions. Just this tially been over since the school board Dan Barker Photo Greaves at the Satanic Temple in July year, two Oklahoma districts, Okemah voted in February to give FFRF what it Andrew Seidel 2014. Lucien agreed that, if the bible and Checotah, told FFRF that bible asked for 28 months ago. Basically, the is being distributed, kids should hear distributions occurred as part of open court said the case was moot because With the help of our local chap- about the messages of other religions forums. In that case, I informed them, the school district changed its mind. ter, the Central Florida Freethought as well, including the Satanic Temple. FFRF would like to use the forum and Endings are a time for reflection, Community, and its founder David Like FFRF, Greaves thinks that schools would be telling some friends. They and I learned several lessons litigating Williamson, FFRF asked to distribute should stick to educating students and closed their forums within a month. this case. But to understand the les- secular literature. The district insisted not give space to adults to prey on oth- Lesson #4: Groups trying to distrib- sons, you need to understand exactly on vetting the literature and censored er people’s children. But he’s not will- ute bibles in public schools are not what happened. FFRF tries to resolve much of it. For instance, one book was ing to let bible thumpers monopolize thinking clearly. (Shocking, I know.) state/church complaints through edu- prohibited because its message that those forums. Bibles are the most widely available cation. We only resort to lawsuits when Jesus was not crucified or resurrected When the temple asked to distribute book in this country, if not the world. the government ignores us or defends “is age-inappropriate for the maturity its wonderful coloring books in public It is incredibly easy for students to get a First Amendment violations as legiti- levels of many of the students in high schools, the backlash was harsh, imme- bible, but it’s much harder for students mate. Hence, our January 2013 educa- school,” even though the district-ap- diate and predictable. It was so pre- to get literature critical of the bible. tional letter to the district asking them proved bible claims that Jesus was cru- dictable that David Williamson, also When these groups infiltrate public to halt all bible distributions. cified and resurrected. So FFRF sued a plaintiff in the case, coined a new schools, they are forced to declare an The district refused. It claimed that in federal court. phrase: “Lucien’s Law.” open forum, which also brings in the it had an “open forum” where any out- On Jan. 3, 2014, the district told Lucien’s Law states that govern- atheists. Which message will have a big- side group, including FFRF, could dis- FFRF its literature could be distributed ments will either (1) close open fo- ger impact on students: the one they tribute any literature, including bibles, and that the deadline for submitting rums when the Satanic Temple asks to hear for the hundredth time or the on school property. FFRF’s position has new material for vetting was Dec. 31, speak, or (2) censor the Satanic Tem- one they hear for the first time? always been that these forums should 2013. Yes, you read that correctly. They ple, thereby opening itself to legal li- If religious literature is being dis- be closed. But if bibles are going to told us three days after the deadline. ability. It is, as Hemant Mehta has not- tributed in your schools, report the be distributed, FFRF thinks students Moreover, the district kept the same ed, “like the nuclear option of church/ violation to ffrf.org/legal/report/. If you should also get literature that criticizes broken vetting process in place — the state separation cases.” think handling 3,500 state/church the bible. same person, same procedures and the By November 2014, it became clear complaints every year is impressive, same unbridled authority to prohibit that the school board was going to join FFRF. Legal victories Continued from previous page bow our heads for the blessing.” A stu- “Allowing release-time instructors to dent then led a prayer. cajole primary students despite their Attorney Philip Hartley responded parents’ objection is impermissible. April 20, confirming that the incident Forcing nonparticipating students to had occurred as described. He report- partake in punitive exercises like dust- ed that after talking to the teacher, ing and sweeping, rather than enrich- the school was confident it would not St. Elmo, Ill., Junior and Senior High School has removed a series of four reli- ment activities, is downright coercive,” happen again. gious signs from school property after getting a complaint last November from wrote Staff Attorney Patrick Elliott in Staff Attorney Sam Grover. The signs on a fence next to the road said, “Plow an April 14 letter. Vet center religious His Land / Plant The Seed / Love Our God / Follow His Creed.” After two The district responded the next follow-up letters, Superintendent Deborah Philpot responded April 17 that the day, saying that what FFRF described sign removed signs were removed in February. as happening was not consistent with Louis A. Johnson Veterans Admin- school policy and that teachers had istration Medical Center, Clarksburg, FFRF reins in FFRF’s student complainant was been advised of those concerns. W.Va., has taken down a religious told written permission from a parent sign. A veteran contacted FFRF to re- Georgia baccalaureate and “a valid excuse” would be required Teacher told no port that while at the center to have Mount Zion High School in Car- to skip the ceremony. his photo taken for an ID card, he rollton, Ga., will have no further in- Assistant Superintendent Terry more class prayer encountered a sign saying each day volvement in a baccalaureate ceremo- Jones replied April 30, noting that the Dawson County School District was “a gift from God” positioned near ny. FFRF Attorney Madeline Ziegler district made changes to ensure it was in Georgia took corrective measures the camera. lodged a complaint with the district meeting legal requirements. FFRF’s about a teacher planning prayer at a FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie April 28 about a teacher in charge of complainant confirmed that the teach- class Christmas party. Staff Attorney Gaylor sent a letter of objection Feb. 10 planning the baccalaureate, a religious er was no longer in charge of the bac- Andrew Seidel wrote an April 8 letter noting that 23% of military personnel ceremony for graduates to be held at calaureate, practice was no longer held after a complainant reported that a currently choose “no religious prefer- a church. A pastor was slated to speak during the school day, and the school first-grade teacher at Robinson Ele- ence” when asked. and seniors were being pulled out of made it clear that the ceremony was mentary in Dawsonville told students The center’s director responded class to learn Christian worship songs completely voluntary. and parents at the party, “Now let’s all April 22 that the sign had been removed. to sing at the ceremony. Page 12 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin May 2015

FFRF convention speech, Los Angeles, October 2014 New life for me and I’m feelin’ good

Anthony Pinn, the first African-Ameri- In the pulpit can to hold an endowed chair at Rice Uni- So, with my mother’s permission versity, spoke at FFRF’s Los Angeles conven- and a big smile on her face, I mount- tion last fall. He has advanced degrees from ed the pulpit. I led hymns, collected Columbia and Harvard universities and the offering, said prayers, opened the is a professor of humanities and religious church doors. I was a little minister studies at Rice and research director at the with a very different role. I couldn’t Institute for Humanist Studies. His books go to the store alone. I had to be in include Why, Lord? Suffering and Evil in the house when the streetlights came Black Theology (1995), The End of God- on, but in the context of that church Talk: An African American Humanist I had a certain type of authority sim- Theology (2011) and Writing God’s Obit­ ply because I said, “I’m going to be a uary: How a Good Methodist Became a preacher.” Better Atheist (2014), available from FFRF. Eventually that minister left and org/shop. another came, and he left, and then this young guy arrived from Philadel- By Anthony Pinn phia who was known for “growing” churches. This church needed to grow, because now it was affiliated with the African Methodist Episcopal denomi- I am delighted to be here with you nation, the oldest black denomination and I want to thank my new friends in the country. Folks told him, “Tony from FFRF for this invitation. I turned has a call on his life. He’s going to be 50 this year, in May. I’ve been a bit too a minister.” He said, “Hmm, I’ll check lazy for a midlife crisis, but it has given this out.” me opportunity to think. At age 12, I preached my first ser- My life divides fairly evenly between mon, my trial sermon. The real test two diametrically opposed positions on of a sermon is not how many people life. I’m one who believes that there are get happy with you. The real test of a certain elements of human existence, sermon is how many people come to our movement through the world, that Christ as a result of what you’ve said. are best expressed through the poet- For that first sermon, all about fire and ic. So I’ll help you get a sense of what brimstone, three people came, so I was these two poles, these two contradic- on my way. tory stances entail, and tell it through I went through the process, meet- song. I won’t sing the songs, but I’ll tell Ingrid Laas Photo ing with church leaders, proving this you what they are. Anthony Pinn calling. I can’t go to the store alone, The first phase of my life is rough- but I’m leading people to Christ. I’m ly summed up by the hymn “Amazing Buffalo. They moved to Buffalo be- to the rest of us. counseling people on issues I don’t Grace.” Some of you may know this: cause Bethlehem Steel was in [nearby] My mother and my sister went to really understand, on topics I couldn’t “Amazing grace/how sweet the sound/ Lackawanna, which meant opportuni- service one Sunday when I didn’t go. necessarily pronounce. that saved a wretch like me.” Written ty, a good paycheck, a good life. They got home and announced they My grandmother told me, “Look, in 1779, the same year that enslaved I remember as a child going to had joined the church. I’m thinking, I’m so proud of you, but understand Africans in Connecticut petitioned for church with my grandfather in Lacka- Linda’s older, but there’s nothing she this. I would not make use of an attor- their freedom. wanna, to a small Baptist church. He gets to do that I don’t do. Next Sunday, ney that didn’t have a J.D. Nor would I The second phase, the second 25 was one of the deacons. We’d go to I’m in church; I play my games and make use of the services of a physician years, is better summed up by this Sunday school, and we’d listen to Sun- take a little nap and then ask my moth- without an M.D. And my grandson hauntingly beautiful song first pub- day school lessons that really had noth- er what those people are doing walking will not be a preacher without proper lished in 1964, the year of my birth, ing to do with our inner-city lives. But up to the front of the church. She said, training.” but was really given “oomph” and we listened to these stories and some- “They’re joining the church.” I knew education within my fam- classic significance in 1965 when Nina how they were connected to scripture I think, “Well OK, I want to do ily had always been important and Simone decided to sing it. One of the that we didn’t quite understand. that, too.” So I walk to the front and at this stage, I knew that beyond the lines [from “Feeling Good”] is this: Then came the big service, the ser- announce my name, “I’m Anthony B.A. I would have to get profession- “Freedom is mine/and I know how I vice for the adults. We had our own way Bernard Pinn and I came to join this ally trained for ministry. I decided, feel/it’s a new dawn/it’s a new day/it’s of entertaining ourselves. Each child church.” And that was the beginning. along with my mother, that it would be a new life for me and I’m feelin’ good.” on the row got a hymnal and you’d We had a new family, it provided a most beneficial for me to be in an ed- The second phase is marked by a close your eyes and open up the hym- cultural network; it provided social ucational environment with folks who certain type of lucidity or awareness, nal quickly and you’d look. The goal networks; and, it was a space in which were like-minded. The public school a way of recognizing and honoring was to eventually land on the same we could breathe, a space in which we system was not going to cut it. I had to what my grandmother told me as she hymn, and if you landed on the same could have a bit of comfort in what sent me off to college. She said, “Tony, hymn, it was great joy and then you seemed to be a death-dealing society. walk through the world knowing your moved on to the next challenge. It was a space apart, away from all of footsteps matter.” Life is embodied The final challenge was going to the madness. It was a space away from At age 12, I in how you interact with others, and the restroom and staying away for an my grammar school teachers who real- the sorts of relationships you form or extended period and being able to ex- ly didn’t give a damn about me. As long preached my don’t form have impact. You’re not in plain the absence. Now sometimes this as I stayed out of trouble, didn’t create this alone; you’re not doing this simply worked, sometimes it didn’t. Some- waves, everything was good. It doesn’t first sermon, my for yourself. Move through the world times my grandfather would catch us. matter if he’s learning anything or not. trial sermon. knowing your footsteps matter.” All he had to do was look. It was just But this was a different space in which I’ve spent 50 years moving between that look, behind those rather thick, my talents were assumed, and pushed. these two poles, which is nothing any- cloudy glasses, and you knew that was The minister also taught Sunday one would have anticipated for me. My it. school. One Sunday after the lesson he be in the world but not of it, and this family was part of the Great Migration, We stayed at that church until my asked a typical question, “What do you school was not helping. the movement of African-Americans mother decided it wasn’t a proper en- want to be when you grow up?” There So, I transferred from City Honors, a into southern and northern cities af- vironment. She didn’t want us growing were the typical responses: “I’m going program for gifted students, to a small ter the Civil War through the mid-20th up in a church in which women were to be president; I’m going to be a doc- Southern Baptist high school outside century, looking for opportunity and a second-class citizens, where wom- tor; I’m going to be a lawyer.” He got Buffalo. It was a feeder program for in- way of integrating themselves into U.S. en could clean but couldn’t preach. to me and I said, “I’m going to be a stitutions like Bob Jones University and life. We started attending a small church preacher.” I’m not quite certain why I [Jerry Falwell’s] Liberty Baptist. Need I My mother’s family moved from much closer to home. This church said it. I’m not sure I anticipated what say more? Halifax, N.C., to Buffalo, N.Y. My would eventually affiliate with the Af- his reaction was going to be, but I said I spent three years there, unlearn- grandparents were college educated, rican Methodist Episcopal Church, but it. He looked at me and said, “OK, we ing critical thinking skills and embrac- but that didn’t mean much. My father’s when we arrived it was independent. start next Sunday.” So the games were ing scripture. Now it was time for col- family moved from Dinwiddie, Va., to My mother loved it, and it made sense over for me. lege. I knew I couldn’t stay in Buffalo May 2015 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 13 because I was surrounded by folks who wasn’t getting the job done. On some didn’t say “seminary;” it was “ceme- most. There were lots of things I was had limited ambition, and I needed Sundays when it was just too much, I’d tery,” where good religious ideas go to willing to be, but I was not going to be more than that. It just so happened get dressed in my suit, make my way to die. a hypocrite. I could no longer stand in that my minister had been transferred the train station at 116th Street and I was a youth minister at a small the pulpit preaching what I did not be- to a rather large church in Brooklyn, Broadway and let the train pass. I’d sit church in Roxbury, in Boston. They lieve. N.Y., Bedford-Stuyvesant. I took this as down and the next train would come, were just integrating some of the public I contacted the minister and said, a sign from the Lord to go to school in and I’d let it go. The third train would housing there, like the Mary Ellen Mc- “I’m done. I won’t be on the staff New York, so Columbia University was come and I’d let it go. Cormack development. A clear marker anymore, I just can’t do it.” I’ve got my place. I’d get on the next train and make of economic need was the park across to think; I’ve got to process; I’ve got I arrived thinking I’m going to set my way to 59th street to get on that the street from the church. It had met- to figure out what religion is and if this world on fire for Christ and lead famous A train into Brooklyn and al nets on the basketball hoops, which it can matter in any shape or form. I people to Jesus, but I was in for a sur- I’d let one pass. I’d look at the clock cut fingers and required tetanus shots. contacted my bishop and surrendered prise. I’m taking classes in biblical and I’d let another one pass, and I’d The park was home to kids having fun my ordination. I said, “I’m no longer studies and these folks are treating the look again and perhaps I’d need to but also home to drug deals and pros- involved in AME ministry.” bible as if it’s simply a piece of litera- let a third pass. I wouldn’t get on the titution. It didn’t matter to me what people ture. They did not appreciate a deeper train until I was fairly confident that I thought because I had to live with in- understanding of scripture. could get to Brooklyn late enough not tegrity. It didn’t matter to me if I lost I’m also meeting people who prac- to have to participate in the service. family or friends. I had to live in the tice other faiths with devotion and I’d make that slow walk down to the I’d left the church, world in a way that I could respect. without apology. It doesn’t matter to church, walk in and sit in the back. Af- but I’d entered I had to be true to what my grand- them that from my perspective they terward I’d tell the minister, “Doc, I’m mother told me, “Move through the are going to hell. This was the thing sorry, the train.” a much larger world knowing your footsteps matter.” that really got me: Some of these folks I was still committed to ministry, but I remained interested in religion. who are on their way to hell treated me my idea of God was changing radical- community. It was a force that needed to be wres- consistently better than so many of the ly. It went from the idea of a god who tled with and understood as a cultural Christians I encountered. They didn’t breaks into human history and makes development that shaped world events talk about me behind my back. They things happen to a god who works by I asked the minister what we could in some profound ways. From my per- weren’t looking for me to slip up and persuasion, what my mother described do in the context of our preaching to spective, if we could get people to think prove that I was human. as that small, still voice, attempting make a difference. He told me, “Pinn, critically about the world, we were set. to get us to do the right thing. I was let the people get happy with you.” But If we could give them effective commu- Youth pastor moving from this kind of evangelical I’m not happy, because I’m not mak- nication strategies, they could make Bedford-Stuyvesant wasn’t gentri- fundamentalist position to something ing a difference. Young people from some things happen. That was my next fied in 1982. It was an area deeply trou- more along the lines of the social gos- the church are literally dying. They phase. bled by economic want and need, and pel, but it still wasn’t getting it done. can’t get out of gang activity because I’d finished the Ph.D. and spent people found ways to pacify that want I was still going to be in ministry, but of where they live. James Baldwin said, time trying to understand this all and and need. In the early ’80s, crack co- I had to figure out a way to do this. My growing up in Harlem, that it became give greater attention to the ways in caine became a way of doing this. It’s model eventually became Adam Clay- clear to him that you had to belong which humanism and atheism have in- cheap, readily available and numbs the ton Powell Jr., for whom the church to something. You couldn’t survive in fluenced life in the United States be- pain. and theology were about sociopolitical that environment without belonging to yond white folks. It was a bit of a novel I’m at a church in the middle of and economic change. something. He said, “You could belong thought, that you folks don’t own this. this, and we’re saying nothing that to the drug dealers, you could belong But it surprised people, so I needed eased life for these folks. I’m working Divinity school to the pimps, or you could belong to to spend time understanding the na- with young people who are finding it My church family thought I had the the church. I’ll pick the church.” ture and meaning of religion, how easier to plan out their deaths than to answers, but I had questions, questions I had nothing to say that made a dif- this functions — religion particularly, think about a bright future. They’re I couldn’t share because the minister ference, and I beat myself up for a long in the form of theism. I also wanted to struggling with this in the basement of is supposed to know the answers, or time and then realized that it wasn’t give attention to how atheism and hu- a church that believes it has “the way.” know to get them. So I had to leave, me; it was this faith that had nothing to manism function within the context of I had nothing to say that really made and I wanted to go to a place where contribute to the life circumstances of racial minorities. much of a difference, even in terms of my sense of ministry would not mat- these folks, nothing that would make I’d left the church, but I’d entered a basic life circumstances and needs like ter at all, where it was about learning a damn difference in how they lived much larger community, kind of nebu- sex education. and critical thinking skills, so I decided Monday through Saturday. It wasn’t lous in nature, but a larger community. I was the youth minister, 18 or 19 Harvard Divinity School was the place me; it was the faith. I was convinced from that moment for- years old, so one of my responsibilities to go because they didn’t really care I’m wrestling with this, trying des- ward that humanists and atheists, even was to provide these young people with about Jesus. perately to hold onto something of within my African-American communi- a way to think about their sexual wants When I told church family that I theism, but it reached a point where ties, are legion. and desires. I had this one statement was thinking about going to Harvard I had to make a decision. Do the peo- Thank you. So I think we have time that was going to transform life for Divinity School, they’d ask, “Why do ple matter, or is it the tradition that to chat, yes? them and make it easy to avoid sexual you want to go to the cemetery?” They matters? I decided the people matter sin. This is what I would say, with a rath- Audience questions er stern but caring and compassionate Q. I’ve often wondered why blacks look on my face: “You can do whatever seem to be interested in religion out of you want, whenever you want, [pause] proportion to their numbers. Is it his- knowing that Jesus is in the room with tory, and slavery, or a feeling of hope- you.” lessness or hopefulness or what? And I’m thinking, damn, this is bril- A. I knew this question was coming. liant! In reality, I had nothing to say It’s not always first, because folks typi- that made a difference for their life cally have to kind of warm up to it, but circumstances. They were confronted I always get this question. There are with the same sort of dilemma that two things I want to say on this. First, the writer Richard Wright describes we have to think in more complex ways in terms of his own life. In Black Boy concerning religion. I want to make a he says, “Look, if I’d encountered distinction between religion, which is a the church before I encountered the kind of binding together, and theism. harshness of the world, the songs and From my perspective, the real prob- the sermons would have meant some- lem is theism, not religion. They over- thing to me.” lap but are not identical. There are a va- Wright says he encountered the riety of reasons why African-Americans world first, and the church could not over time would embrace theism. One, fix the suffering he felt. I gave them folks with power had it, and if these nothing that really made a difference, folks with power had this thing, maybe Monday through Saturday, and this this thing could get African-Americans was becoming difficult for me because something. I wanted to be a person with integrity. There are pragmatic reasons for em- It reached a point where I just couldn’t bracing it, but we cannot forget that al- do it. There was a kind of dissonance though Christianity within the context that I just couldn’t deal with. of African-American communities, This was my solution: I was sup- and the U.S. in much larger terms, has posed to be at the 6 a.m. service every done a lot of damage, there are ways in Sunday. That was not a challenge be- which, in a rather flat way, it spurred a cause I thrived on very little sleep. But demand for personhood. not having anything to say that made You cannot take away from the a difference, a theology that was ane- Ingrid Laas Photo Christian faith in African-American mic at best and perverse at worst, just Anthony Pinn speaks at the October national convention in Los Angeles. Continued on page 14 Page 14 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin May 2015 Tony Pinn: New life, feelin’ good Continued from previous page give racial minorities in the United they needed to move to, played by the forms of privilege are the ones we typi- communities the slave revolts. Nat States a soft landing place, which in- rules. Still, they couldn’t capture the cally forget, but think about it this way. Turner, Denmark Vesey, Gabriel Pross- volves doing more than just critiquing American dream. When you go to buy a car, and you’re er — all ministers. So it’s an incom- the traditions they’re leaving. Give It reaches a point mid-1980s, and deciding on how much to spend and plete process that forces them to sur- them something positive. they say, forget this. They’ve lost cul- what model to get, do you ever take render something of themselves, but Q. Where can I get your reading list tural connections; they’ve lost social into consideration how often you’d be there are ways in which it involved a for any of the classes you teach? I’m re- networks. So they decide they’re going followed by police if you get a certain push for personhood. ally interested in what you’ve studied. to reconnect and the way to reconnect vehicle? I do. Because a luxury vehicle Let’s also think about it this way: A. Email me at [email protected] and easily is to join a church. You get cul- is going to expose me to “driving while There would be little reason for Afri- identify the conversation in the subject tural connection and opportunities black,” and white friends don’t always can-Americans to assume that human- line. I’m much better at email and text for kids to learn something about Af- notice this. ism and atheism provide a softer land- messages than phone calls, I’m a text rican-American culture. You get social I’m driving down Highway 45 in ing place. I hear so many humanists messaging pro. networking. You get business networks. Houston and police officers are run- and atheists celebrating Thomas Jef- Q. I wanted to bring up the subject Now, lots of these folks join and un- ning the plates behind me. They don’t Continued from page 13 that the gentlemen did earlier, about derstand that the sermon is the price leave until, darn, the plates are clean. ferson. “This is one of our dudes; he’s African-Americans being dispropor- they pay for these connections, but There are things that not every U.S. cit- one of us.” But as soon as you say that, tionately religious. I was wondering they’re not buying what the minister is izen has to take into consideration. If you have linked humanism to slavery. about a way to get more minorities saying. We don’t really know how many you go into a restaurant, and they seat This is the man who says “This far, but in general to come out of the closet. African-Americans are “sure enough” you near the restrooms, what reasons no further,” because freeing slaves will It seems particularly rough for mi- theists. We know how they respond to go through your mind? I’ll tell you mess up Virginia and mess up the na- norities to come out of the closet. I’d surveys, but we don’t really know be- what goes through my mind! tion. Again, as soon as you embrace like to to come up with a better way cause they’re in these churches for a Soft forms of privilege, things you him, you’ve linked humanism to slav- of recruiting. variety of reasons. don’t have to worry about, but things ery. A. It seems to me, and I think there’s If we want them to come out, give that racial minorities in the U.S., of Too many humanists and atheists evidence to support this, that the them a soft place to land. That soft necessity, out of survival, have to be believe disbelief, nontheism, is a pro- churches in the context of the United place has to allow more than just a cri- concerned about. So recognize these phylactic against nonsense. Because I States declined numerically after the tique of the traditions they’re leaving. forms of privilege, work through these don’t believe in religion, I cannot be civil rights movement, and that’s not Meet their needs, give them networks forms of privilege and their ramifica- guilty of racism, classism, sexism or ho- just black churches. In terms of black and give them a sense of community. tions. Understand something about mophobia. This is a problem because churches, there was an upswing in the It also means folks who dominate these the communities you want in your or- it doesn’t allow us to take these issues 1980s, in part because the black mid- organizations have to be able to give ganizations. Humanists and atheists seriously. dle class hit the ceiling. They played something up. are people who read, so read some- And African-American nonbelievers by the rules after the civil rights move- You have to recognize that you have thing about Africa-Americans, and are in the shadows looking at you wres- ment, went to the schools that they to break free of illusions. Privilege learn something about us. tling with these issues in an inadequate were told they needed to go to, moved comes in two forms — soft, and what And then African-Americans might fashion. So give them an alternative, into the neighborhoods they were told I would reference as hard. The soft be interested.

‘Nones’ increasing, They said what?

Pew poll shows No matter how much good you be- signed permission slip from the parent stow upon a woman, she will deny it. is required. The Associated Press reported May The number of Jews rose from 1.7% to Her selfishness drives her to deny it. Wayne Pelts, board member of Bible 12 on a 2014 Pew Research Center poll 1.9% percent of Americans from 2007- This holds true for all women, wheth- in the Schools, a program in which the that says 56 million Americans are re- 14. er Western, Arab, Muslim, Jewish or bible is taught as literature and history ligiously unaffiliated. Between 2007 The study put the number of Cath- Christian. This is the nature of women. in Mercer County Public Schools, West and 2014, the number of Americans olic adults at 51 million, about 20% of Imam Mohamed Khattabi, sermon at Virginia who described themselves as atheist, the population, compared to about Aicha Mosque in Montpellier, France Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 4-27-15 agnostic or of no particular faith grew 25% in 2007 — or just over one-fifth France 24, 3-29-15 from 16% to almost 23% percent. The of the U.S. population, a drop of about number of self-described Christians 3 percent over seven years. In 2007, In our church, the last four cycles we’ve dropped from 78% to 71%. Catholics made up about one-quarter probably had almost 100% of our peo- We want them to know we’re behind According to the poll, conducted in of Americans. ple vote. In our local county, we con- them 100% and saying “God bless Blue English and Spanish, 31% of “nones” Greg Smith, Pew associate research trol the Republican Party pretty much Bell” says it all. said they were atheist or agnostic, com- director, said the findings show “sub- — our church and another church. Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale, Hous- pared to 25% percent in 2007. The stantive changes” among the religious- Bill Tvedt, pastor at Oskaloosa Jubilee ton, organizer of a prayer vigil support- poll found that while mainline Protes- ly unaffiliated. He said secular groups Family Church, commenting on Iowa ing the ice cream company whose liste- tant and Catholic numbers dropped, have become increasingly organized to pastors’ influential role in presidential ria-tainted product killed three people the number of evangelicals rose slight- counter bias against them. politics and sickened seven others in Kansas ly to 62 million. “Nones” now are the second Minnesota Public Radio, 4-5-15 click2houston.com, 4-25-15 Muslims and Hindus each make up largest “affiliation” less than 1% of the U.S. population. So, Hillary, are you going to answer any Prayer is something we should be doing questions about why dismembering all the time, especially public schools. I children in the womb should continue recall when I was in elementary school, to be the policy of the nation of which we had prayer and [the] Pledge of Al- It paid to complain you want to be president? And if you legiance every day. What happened to cannot respect the life of a little baby, those days and why has it gone? The Michigan Association of Civil substitute will no longer be allowed sub how are we to expect you to respect City council member Leonard Gomez, Rights Activists (MACRA), founded by for Hart Public Schools. We followed ours? In 2016 and beyond, the people supporting a National Day of Prayer Mitch Kahle and Holly Huber, FFRF the formal complaint process that of God have to elect public servants proclamation for an event at City Hall Life Members, had another success in PESG provides and we communicated who know the difference between serv- in Grantville, Ga. April when a substitute teacher at Hart clearly with PESG that Mr. Meersma is ing the public and killing the public. Newman Times-Herald, 4-29-15 High School in Hart was ousted as a not allowed to substitute at Hart Public Amen! sub for distributing religious materi- Schools,” Platt said in a press release. Texas Catholic priest Frank Pavone, Father, I want to lift up this road bond als. MACRA alerted the district April 6 A demonstration planned in sup- column headlined “Hillary Clinton to you and just ask you to help the peo- about the violations. port of the teacher never took place, tops the blindness list” ple realize this county has got to have The teacher was supplied as a sub- Platt said. renewamerica.com, 4-14-15 ways to get around. stitute by Professional Education Ser- “[W]e will be reminding staff of the Mary Hammer Menzel, Montgomery vices Group (PSEG), a staffing compa- importance of honoring the issue of In the elementary schools, participa- County, Texas, prayer opening a coun- ny. “The substitute had, in fact, done the separation of church and state,” tion rate averages 97% per school. Our ty commission meeting at which she some things and passed out materials Platt said. The district will also add students love the high-energy bible called bond opponents “tools of Sa- with religious information and some the topic to “start of the school term” stories that are enhanced with tons of tan” specific references to entries in the bi- staff discussions in the fall and consid- visuals. We have great bible teachers. Montgomery County Courier, 4-6-15 ble,” Superintendent Mark Platt told er putting together a “do’s and don’ts” The bible program is in 16 elementa- the Ludington Daily News on April 14. handout for subs. ry schools and three middle schools. “As a result of the investigation, the Student participation is voluntary. A May 2015 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 15 Freethought isn’t free, wow did FFRF supporters come through!

Photographed in the Charlie Brooks Auditorium, fourth floor of FFRF’s new addition, are current staff and interns. Seated from left: Director of Operations Lisa Strand; Co-Presidents Annie Laurie Gaylor and Dan Barker, Attorney Rebecca Markert. Row 2: Legal Publicist Maddy Ziegler, Editorial Assistant Dayna Long, Legal Fellow Kat Paige, Director of First Impressions Lisa Treu, Legal Assistant Calli Miller, Communications Coordinator/Executive Assistant Laura Seering. Back row: Freethought Today Editor Bill Dunn, Legal Extern Jarvis Idowu, Membership/Office Manager Jackie Douglas; Attorney Patrick Elliott; Legal Extern Ryan Jayne, Graphic Designer Jake Swenson, Attorneys Sam Grover and Andrew Seidel. Thanks to Andrew for arranging the photo. Calli Miller (right) holds photo, yet to be framed, of the late Harry Lonsdale. Page 16 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin May 2015

In the News

Court deals blow The last time anyone was charged under the law was in 1933, when writ- to Canada prayer er Arnulf Øverland was acquitted of charges stemming from his lecture ti- The Supreme Court of Canada tled “Christianity, the tenth plague.” ruled unanimously April 15 in Ottawa that elected officials don’t have the right to pray at public meetings. The Sentences for case stems from a 2007 complaint by Farkhunda’s death Alain Simoneau about city councilors praying before meetings in Saguenay, Afghanistan’s Primary Court in Ka- Quebec. Mayor Jean Tremblay, who bul sentenced four men to death by argued that Catholicism was part of hanging on May 6 for the March 19 Quebec’s heritage, was ordered to stop mob killing of Farkhunda Malikzada, reciting prayers. 27, after she was falsely accused of “The recitation of the prayer at the burning the Quran even though she council’s meetings was above all else was a devout Muslim. Eight others were legislation. We don’t need to put the the pregnant woman’s (or girl’s) life. a use by the council of public powers sentenced to 16 years in prison. bible beside salamanders, tulip poplars The girl weighs about 75 pounds. to manifest and profess one religion The Associated Press reported: and ‘Rocky Top’ in the Tennessee Blue Benitez denied he’s the father. “I’ve to the exclusion of all others,” the Su- “Chilling mobile phone videos record- Book to appreciate its importance to been with tons of women, and I nev- preme Court ruled. “A neutral public ed the horror of the last moments of our state.” er got anybody pregnant.” During the space free from coercion, pressure and Farkhunda’s life, as she was punched, investigation, the girl’s mother was ar- judgment on the part of public author- kicked, beaten with wooden planks, rested for allegedly enabling her abuse. ities in matters of spirituality is intend- thrown off a roof, run over by a car Transit system ad About two births a day occur among ed to protect every person’s freedom and ultimately set afire on the banks of bans spur debate girls aged 10 to 14 in Paraguay (pop. and dignity, and it helps preserve and Kabul River.” 6.8 million). Many are the result of sex- promote the multicultural nature of The mens’ trials were broadcast The American Civil Liberties Union ual abuse by relatives and stepfathers, Canadian society.” live across the country. Police are also of Pennsylvania filed a federal lawsuit according to the government. Simoneau was awarded about being prosecuted for neglecting their April 28 against the County of Lacka- $24,000 in damages. duties. wanna Transit System (COLTS) for re- fusing to let the Northeastern Pennsyl- Ga. teacher out vania Freethought Society advertise on over comments Greece doesn’t Decalog law passed its buses. The rejected ads said “athe- apply in North in Arkansas ists” along with the group’s name and Nancy Price Perry, a Dublin, Ga., website. middle school teacher who told her Carolina Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson At first, COLTS claimed it barred students in March that President signed a bill April 8 requiring the ads “promoting” or “attacking” reli- Barack Obama isn’t a Christian, has U.S. District Judge James Beaty secretary of state to arrange for a pri- gion or intended to spark public de- been removed from the classroom and ruled May 4 that the Rowan County vately funded Ten Commandments bate. But the suit alleges it has allowed will retire at the end of the school year. Commission in Salisbury, N.C., violat- monument to be placed on the Capitol ads from religious groups, a political Dublin Schools Superintendent ed the U.S. Constitution by opening grounds in Little Rock, the Arkansas candidate and a blog with links to an- Chuck Ledbetter on April 28 an- meeting with sectarian prayer. Beaty Democrat-Gazette reported. The bill ti-Jewish websites. In 2014, COLTS did nounced Perry’s retirement and apol- ruled that the board’s “practice fails to easily passed in the Republican-dom- accept a Freethought Society ad after it ogized to students and parents, report- be nondiscriminatory, entangles gov- inated Legislature, 27-3 in the Senate removed the word “atheists.” ed the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ernment with religion, and over time, and 72-7 in the House. “It’s hard to advertise effectively “It is not the place of teachers to establishes a pattern of prayers that While the law says the monument if we’re not allowed to use the word attempt to persuade students about tends to advance the Christian faith “shall not be construed to mean that ‘atheists’ to say who the NEPA Free- religious or political beliefs,” Ledbet- of the elected Commissioners at the the state of Arkansas favors any par- thought Society’s members are or who ter said. “In doing so, the teacher was expense of any religious affiliation un- ticular religion or denomination over we’re trying to reach,” said spokesper- wrong and that has been communicat- represented by the majority.” others,” Rita Sklar, ACLU of Arkan- son Justin Vacula. ed to her.” The American Civil Liberties Union sas executive director, said the ACLU Reggie Shuford, executive director WMAZ reported that Stephanie and of North Carolina in its suit alleged is considering a lawsuit because “we of the ACLU of Pennsylvania, said: Jimmie Scott, parents of a student, al- that 97% of the prayers delivered by think it’s a religious document and to “Once you open up a space for speech, leged in a complaint that Perry said, “If commissioners between 2007 and 2013 say otherwise is disingenuous. It’s divi- you have to let everyone in equally.” your parents voted for Obama, they’re were specifically Christian. sive and excludes people of non-Abra- • • • evil and I don’t see how your parents Beaty held that Rowan County’s hamic faiths and no faith from feeling” could vote for someone that’s Muslim,” prayer “falls outside of the prayer prac- welcome at the Capitol. New York City’s Metropolitan then challenged students to prove tices approved” by the U.S. Supreme An ACLU lawsuit challenging a Transportation Authority on April their Christianity. Court ruling in Town of Greece v. Gallo- similar monument at the Oklahoma 29 banned all political ads on its sub- way. In Greece, N.Y., the town invited Capitol is pending before the state Su- ways and buses after a judge ruled the clergy and laypersons to deliver prayers preme Court. American Freedom Defense Initiative Third atheist in a nondiscriminatory fashion, he and Pamela Geller could place an ad dies in attack said, while in Rowan County, only com- with the phrase “Hamas Killing Jews” missioners delivered prayers. Tennessee GOP on buses. Ananta Bijoy Das, 33, a secular blog- kills state bible bill The new policy means any ad that ger, was hacked to death on the way to demeans or disparages a person or work at a bank May 12 in Sylhet, Ban- Norway repeals The Tennessee Senate voted 22-9 on group will be barred, reported CBS gladesh’s fifth-largest city. It was the law banning April 16 to send a bill making the bible New York. “Advertisements expressing third such attack this year. the official state book back to commit- viewpoint messages” will no longer be Police Commissioner Kamrul Hasan blasphemy tee, effectively killing it a day after the accepted, said Jerome Page, MTA gen- told Agence France-Presse that four House passed the bill sponsored by eral counsel. masked attackers pounced on Das. As reported by Religion Clause and freshman Rep. Jerry Sexton, R-Bean “They chased him down the street Sputnik News, the Norwegian Parlia- Station. and first attacked his head with their ment repealed the country’s blasphe- Senate Majority Leader Mark Nor- 10-year-old denied machetes and then attacked him all my law in early May. The law had stat- ris, R-Collierville, opposed the bill, re- Paraguay abortion over his body,” Hasan told Agence ed: “Any person who by word or deed ported The Tennessean. “All I know is France-Presse. publicly insults or in an offensive or that I hear Satan snickering. He loves The government in majority-Catho- Colleagues said Das was an atheist injurious manner shows contempt for this kind of mischief. You just dumb lic Paraguay is refusing to let a pregnant who wrote for Mukto-Mona, a website any creed whose practice is permitted the good book down far enough to 10-year-old who was allegedly raped by formerly moderated by Avijit Roy, a in the realm or for the doctrines or make it whatever it takes to make it a her stepfather have an abortion. CNN Bangladeshi-born U.S. citizen mur- worship of any religious community state symbol, and you’re on your way to reported the girl’s mother brought her dered in Dhaka in February. Das also lawfully existing here, or who aids and where he wants you.” to the hospital April 21 because of ab- was an editor for the quarterly maga- abets thereto, shall be liable to fines “I am a Christian, but I am also a dominal pains. It was determined she zine Jukti (Logic) and headed the Syl- or to detention or imprisonment for a constitutionalist and a conservative,” was 22 weeks pregnant. het science and rationalist council. term not exceeding six months.” Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, R-Blountville, The mother told authorities she Support for repeal came in the wake said in a statement. “It would be fis- believes her husband, 42-year-old Gil- of the Charlie Hebdo massacre in Par- cally irresponsible to put the state in berto Benitez, is the father. Paraguay, is in February. Repeal was opposed by a position to have to spend tax dollars which is about 90% Catholic and 6% several Christian groups. defending a largely symbolic piece of Protestant, allows abortion only save May 2015 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 17

AIDS research and other secular char- million in 2012 to settle a federal case ities. Members may apply to become of discrimination for giving bad loans Freethought ‘church’ wedding officiants, which are per- to African-Americans, Hispanics and formed for free. women. Since then, they have also In rejecting the document, the no- been sued by Los Angeles, Cook Coun- protests bank’s bias tary questioned whether Whiteside was ty, Ill., and a group of pregnant women really the “owner” of the church. “No- for discrimination.” Fargo Bank to task for refusing to nota- taries may not reject a customer with a rize a church document. Whiteside, an valid ID,” said Whiteside. “It’s the law, FFRF Life Member, said the refusal by and the National Notary Association the Las Vegas branch bank amounted makes it clear in their code of conduct. to discrimination against atheists and The only explanation for what Wells was backed by Wells Fargo’s corporate Fargo did is discrimination.” office, where the protest by seven sec- The protest and events leading up to ular groups was held. More than 100 it received extensive media coverage, people picketed over two days. all of which was positive, said church Whiteside has legally founded the spokesman Johnny Monsarrat. KLAS- church, which stemmed from a 2010 TV Evening News gave the protest two gathering at atheist comedian Penn minutes, he said. “Note that the Wells Jillette’s house, with “a funny name Fargo rebuttal fails to give any reason “Hail Bacon, Full of grease, The and a serious mission” to protest how for the refusal and is basically a per- Lard is with thee,” starts the church’s religious organizations get special priv- sonal attack. That’s what you resort to The United Church of Bacon’s Fourth prayer “Hail Piggy.” ileges under the law, including tax ex- when you have nothing else to say.” emption. Montserrat noted that in the rebut- Commandment. “Normalize religion: The “congregation” now has about tal, the company touted its “history of We oppose special privileges in the Nevada Bacon Prophet John 4,000 members. The church claims supporting and serving the needs of law for religious organizations. There Whiteside led an April protest by sec- no tax-exempt status and through do- a widely diverse customer base.” That is nothing about people of faith and ular groups, including Whiteside’s nations has raised about $160,000 in flies in the face of facts, he asserted. their groups that makes them better United Church of Bacon, taking Wells 2014-15 to benefit autism, cancer and “Actually, Wells Fargo paid $175 than secular nonprofits.”

We were driving around town and I was My child, Timmy Yu, I say unto you Overheard showing them how the banks scroll bi- thus: I have heard your prayers, and ble verses across their marquees, and now I shall answer them. No, you can- they were just like “This is amazing.” not get out of your wheelchair. Not So, as far as I’m concerned, the free I know God sometimes says “No” when Neil Carter, a teacher and former ever. throws, victories, losses, thrills and dis- we ask for something in our prayers. evangelical in Mississippi who blogs on “God Answers Prayers Of Paralyzed appointments will be shared equally by But if He really loved us, wouldn’t He “Godless in Dixie,” describing his in- Little Boy” the just and unjust, believers and unbe- always answer our prayers with a “Yes?” terview for a “CBS Sunday Morning” The Onion, 12-9-98 lievers. Even atheists make baskets and Question from Mrs. G.H. to “Ask Rev. segment titled “Atheists: In godless- win games. Graham” ness we trust” But of course many Christians are Minnesota columnist Lynn Hummel, Bowling Green Daily News, 4-20-15 Jackson Clarion-Ledger, 4-21-15 highly fact resistant when it comes to “March Madness and the power of their certainty that the Founders sim- prayer” The Indiana Office of Tourism Devel- Compassion, the ability to recognize ply cribbed our Constitution from the Detroit Lakes Tribune, 4-8-15 opment is partnering with the Indiana pain in others, should move you to bible, rather than following Enlighten- Economic Development Corp. on this want to do what you can to help others ment ideals and carefully attempting You walk into coffee shops like Star- initiative to restore Indiana’s image af- to better their lives and to help them to blend and perfect Roman and Brit- bucks in the morning and you’re go- ter the recent political controversy sur- feel better. If you don’t feel that, I think ish models. It really seems as if they ei- ing to see a group of people with the rounding RFRA. you might want to talk to a doctor. ther haven’t ever read either the Con- bible open. Jake Oakman, tourism official, on a $1 FFRF member Kelly McCauley, panel- stitution or the bible, or both. Mark Pettus, associate pastor, Church million appropriation to a public re- ist at Ask an Atheist in Huntsville, Ala., Michael Christian, Haverhill, Mass., of the Highlands, Birmingham, Ala., lations firm to create ads to show the answering the question, “If there’s no letter to the editor, “Nation was born “Inside the Most ‘Bible-Minded’ City state welcomes gays higher power, how do you know right in Enlightenment, not the bible” in America” Chicago Tribune, 4-13-14 from wrong?” Eagle-Tribune, 5-3-15 Time, 4-6-15 The Huntsville Times, 4-22-15 We’re not out to make more atheists. The most important finding in Barna’s After controlling for the geograph- We’ve had to deal with people trying Now, do people in offices have preach- report is that women are joining the ic location of the school, the type of to convert us. But discourse is good. ers coming into their place of business, atheist community by the millions. In school and the demographics of the Nothing is better for your beliefs than interrupting their work? No. They have 1993, just 16% of nonbelievers were students being tested, the Lubienski to have them challenged. to do it before or after work. As a team women, but in 2013 that number was study clearly shows that students who Chance Parker, president of Campus and an organization, you’ve got to try 43%, representing a nearly threefold attend traditional, K-12 public schools Atheists and Agnostics, on “Ask an to minimize those distractions, period. leap. outperform students who attend both Atheist Day” at Indiana University– Former New York Knicks coach Jeff Adam Lee commentary on the Bar- charter schools and private religious Purdue University Fort Wayne Van Gundy, quoted in a story on how na Group’s “2015 State of Atheism in schools, irrespective of denomination Journal Gazette, 4-16-15 all 30 National Basketball Association America” study (although student achievement was teams have volunteer chaplains The Guardian, 5-3-15 lowest in private, conservative Chris- I am a 12-year-old atheist attending The New York Times, 4-24-15 tian schools). a Christian all-girls’ school. Before I Like a Pringles ven- Report by the Center for Tax and Bud- joined, I posted an atheist picture on a Pinhead-sized Bible goes on show in dor sounding an alarm get Accountability which found “no social media site. I thought it was fine, Jerusalem about obesity, Pope compelling reason to subsidize Indiana until a teacher asked to speak with me. Headline on a story about a Hebrew Francis fashioned him- school vouchers with public taxpayer Apparently, a few of my peers had dug version of the bible which has 1.2 mil- self a feminist last week.” dollars” up the picture and were concerned lion letters imprinted on a gold-plated Columnist Frank Bruni, Indianapolis Star, 4-16-15 enough to show it to her. She asked me silicon chip “Catholicism underval- to delete it. What should I do? BBC News, 4-26-15 ues women” The priest allegedly favored sexual Question to actor Molly Ringwald, who The New York Times, 5-6-15 role-play scenarios in which his lover writes an advice column on “love, fam- Somebody call for a sheriff. played the disciple Judas Iscariot and ily or life in general” M. Teresa Sarmina, Philadelphia Com- I don’t need no Arab or Muslim or had to atone for his betrayal of Jesus by The Guardian, 4-17-15 mon Pleas Court judge, refusing bail whoever telling me what to do or us becoming his slave. for Msgr. William Lynn during his ap- here in the county what to do about News story on the removal from minis- We, the family of Rabbi Yitzchok Dovid peal of a prison sentence for endanger- praying. If they don’t like it, stay the try of a Catholic priest by the Archdio- Groner OBM [Of Blessed Memory], ing the welfare of children by covering hell away. cese of Taranto, Italy are very sorry for what has occurred to up clergy sex abuse Carrol Mitchem, Lincoln County Board The Daily Mail, 4-8-15 those who were the victims of sexual The Inquirer, 4-30-15 of Commissioners chairman, saying abuse while they attended the Yeshivah that because all of the North Carolina In the beginning Kanye created the Centre Melbourne when our father I suspect that anyone that looks at this county’s 102 churches are Christian, heaven and the earth. was the senior Rabbi. will realize this ain’t kosher. only Christian prayers will be allowed News story on The Book of Yeezus, a bi- Open letter to abuse victims from Mir- Dallas attorney David Finn, on Preston- to open commission meetings. ble that replaces every mention of God iam Telsner, Yossi Groner, Chaim Tzvi wood Baptist Executive Pastor Mike WBTV Charlotte, 5-9-15 with singer-songwriter Kanye West’s Groner, Rivkah Yurkowicz and Mendy Buster’s email to 2,500 church families first name Groner, whose father died in 2008 in which he endorsed five political can- buzzfeed.com, 4-3-15 failedmessiah.typepad.com, 4-20-15 didates by name WFAA-TV, 5-1-15 Page 18 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin May 2015 Black Collar Crime Blotter he was a youth volunteer at Immanuel Baptist Compiled by Bill Dunn Church. Zahl is accused of using duct tape to tie a 14-year-old boy’s hands behind his back be- Arrested / Charged fore pulling down his pants and underwear. On James Osborne, 55, Granville, NY: 3rd-de- a second occasion, Zahl is accused of asking gree grand larceny. Osborne is charged with the boy to undress and climb in the trunk of a taking over $3,000 from Bible Baptist Church vehicle. coffers in Ghent between June 2010 and June He’s also accused of having a different al- 2014 while he was pastor there. leged victim get out of a hot tub, undress and Prosecutor Paul Czajka alleged Osborne sit naked in the snow. Source: WSAW/WMTV, stole the money to pay personal expenses. 3-27-15 Source: Times Union, 5-1-15 Rix Thorsell, 27, Wheaton, IL: Theft from James E. Crawn, 45, Idaville, IN: 2 counts a place of worship. Thorsell, youth pastor at 1st of child molesting, sexual misconduct with a Congregational Church in Des Plaines, alleged- minor and child solicitation. Crawn, pastor at ly stole about $400 worth of voucher cards for Faith Baptist Church, is accused of molesting the needy from Hope’s Front Door, a charity 2 males, both under age 16 when the alleged working out of the church. offenses occurred. Source: Rensselaer Repub- Thorsell was seen using some of the cards lican, 4-30-15 and others were found in his possession, a Corey D. Butler, 34, DeKalb, IL: Posses- statement from prosecutors said. Source: Sun- sion and dissemination of child pornography. Times, 3-27-15 Butler, pastor at Jesus Is the Way Christian Indecent liberties with a child, 3rd-degree sexu- cellence, Nyack College is the place for you!” Ahmad H. Osman, 52, Tustin, CA: 2 counts Center, allegedly had hundred of images on al exploitation of a minor and statutory rape/sex Its sports teams, formerly the Fighting Parsons, of performing lewd acts on a child under 14. Os- a computer in his bedroom, where they were offense with a person aged 13, 14 or 15 by a are now called the Warriors. Source: WABC, man, pastor of the Indo-Chinese Islamic Center shared online from Feb. 28-March 2. person at least 6 years older. Hollifield was fired 4-13-15 in Santa Ana, is accused of molesting 2 girls, The church meets at the Holiday Inn Express as youth and outreach pastor at Piedmont Bap- Constance G. Fortune, 61, Los Angeles: ages 9 and 6, at a private home. and at the Holmes Student Center at Northern tist Church after being charged, according to a Financial elder abuse and 3 counts of grand Authorities allege Osman lured the girls into Illinois University. Source: Daily Chronicle, 4-29- post on the church website, “for abusing a child theft. Fortune, an employee, trustee and former a room where he was supposedly praying and 15 and violating the church’s trust and policies.” spokesperson for First AME Church, is accused that the 9-year-old girl later told a family mem- An unidentified former Catholic priest, Arrest warrants allege he encouraged teen of bilking seniors, including many church mem- ber what happened. Source: Orange County 70, Granville, New South Wales: 2 counts of girls to engage in sexual activity. Source: Char- bers, out of more than $100,000. Register, 3-27-15 sexual assault and 17 counts of indecent as- lotte Observer, 4-18-15 Fortune, a licensed insurance agent, al- Vladimir Sosa, 38, Bronx, NY: Rape, sex- sault. He was arrested after an investigation of Gerardo Lopez, 60, Orange Walk Town, legedly collected premiums and fabricated bo- ual misconduct, sex abuse and endangering a 2014 complaint from a girl allegedly assaulted Belize: 4 counts of producing child pornogra- gus documents to fool clients into thinking they the welfare of a child. Sosa, a pastor at Iglesia while he was a priest in 1986. phy. Lopez, pastor of Boca de Poder Evangel- had policies. Source: Insurance Journal, 4-13- Metodista Libre el Remanente and a police offi- It’s alleged that 7 more children have been ical Church, was arrested after a woman gave 15 cer, met the 16-year-old alleged victim through identified as his victims from 1975-92. Source: police nude photos of her daughters, ages 3 and Seven members of an Idaho family, some the church’s youth program. NSW Police, 4-29-15 10, that were allegedly on Lopez’s cell phone. of whom are in a band called Matthew 24 Now “He abused his two positions of authority, Massimo Luculano, Vercelli, Italy: Solic- The woman alleged she was in a relation- (aka Busking in the Son), a bible verse refer- both public and vestal,” Assistant D.A. Joelle iting sex from minors and sexual assault. Lu- ship with Lopez and that he coerced the girls to ring to the End Times, were charged in Yavapai Morabito said. The girl’s mother had found “dis- culano, a Catholic priest in the Archdiocese of pose after they had all been swimming. Source: County, AZ, with aggravated assault on a po- turbing” texts on her phone and went to police. Vercelli, is accused of molesting a 14-year old Belize News, 4-17-15 lice officer, hindering prosecution, riot and re- Source: NY Daily News, 3-25-15 Italian boy and 2 foreign boys, both age 17. James E. Simmons Jr., 64, Malaga, NJ: sisting arrest. A family member, Enoch Gaver, Archbishop Marco Arnolfo said in a state- 2nd-degree sex assault, criminal sexual contact 21, died after being shot by police. A police offi- ment that Luculano had been suspended. He and endangering the welfare of a child. Sim- cer and another family member sustained gun- offered “affection and prayers to the families mons, pastor at New Life in Christ Ministries in shot wounds. ‘Many of us are praying that may be implicated.” Malaga, is accused of molesting a girl starting Police had responded to a complaint from Luculano also allegedly claimed to be a when she was 17 and continuing the abuse for an employee about an incident inside the store. God will bring Michael physical therapist, then met minors online and several years. The family had recently left Boise and was living offered them gift phone cards, soccer shoes and Church members are standing behind Sim- in a Chevrolet Suburban in the parking lot. Vid- to complete repentance money. Source: Press TV, 4-25-15 mons, according to a video posted online. “We eo showed a violent confrontation in which offi- Gratien Alabi, 45, Cà Raffaello, Italy: Mur- want to let Satan know and the world know that cers were tackled, struck and put in chokeholds while he’s in prison.’ der. Alabi, a Catholic priest, is charged with the we love our pastor,” Elder Freddie Alexander when they tried to separate family members. — Carole Green, Pastor Michael death of Guerrina Piscaglia, 50, a parishioner said to applause from parishioners. Source: Source: Daily Mail, 4-11-15 Sperou’s ex-wife who vanished in May 2014. nj.com, 4-16-15 John-Mark Wilson, 45, Brookland, AR: Detectives said Alabi and Piscaglia ex- Aracely Meza, 49, Balch Spring, TX: Se- Possession of child pornography. Wilson, pastor changed numerous text messages and phone rious bodily injury to a child by omission. Meza of Brookland Church of Christ, was terminated calls, including on the day she disappeared and her husband, Daniel Meza, 42, co-pastors after his arrest for allegedly having sexually ex- during a walk. Media reported he allegedly had at Iglesia Internacional Jesus es el Rey, alleged- plicit images on his computer, a church official Pleaded / Convicted computer images of nuns in lewd poses, which ly starved a 2-year-old boy to death because said. Source: AP, 4-9-15 he told police were sent to him by religious Aracely Meza said he was possessed by de- Eric Isaiah Adusah, 28, London: Murder. James Staley, 40, Wentzville, MO: Pleaded women with whom he corresponded online. mons. Daniel Meza and the boy’s parents, Lili- Adusah, pastor of Global Light Revival Church, guilty to 4 counts of wire fraud. Staley, pastor Source: ibtimes.com, 4-24-15 ana and Zenon Aparicio, may also be charged. is accused in the death of his wife, Charmain of Passion for Truth Ministries in St. Charles, Bruce Fehr, 54, Savannah, GA: Sexual ex- The Aparicios are believed to be in Mexico. Speiers, 41, a native of Scotland, who was admitted bilking 16 investors out of $3.3 million ploitation of children. Fehr, rector of St. Francis Documents said the boy was deprived of found dead of a heroin overdose in a hotel bath- while keeping $570,000 for himself. of the Islands Episcopal Church, is accused of food for 25 days and that after he died, Aracely tub in Koforidua, Ghana, 3 days after her hus- Assistant U.S. Attorney Dianna Collins said downloading child pornography. Meza led a resurrection ceremony which follow- band had returned to London. She was reported elderly victims invested because he was a “nice Fehr was ordained in 2013 and, according to ers recorded on video. to be 3 months pregnant. Adusah is in custody religious man.” She added, “Seniors tend to be the church’s website, works there with his wife, The affidavit said she told police God ordered in Ghana. Source: Ghana Web, 4-6-15 more trusting and give people the benefit of the a former attorney with the Florida Department of her to make the child fast because he “had de- Francisco Moran, 57, Clinton, CT: Risk of doubt, particularly people who hold themselves Children and Families. Source: WJCL, 4-23-15 mons.” A church member allegedly told police injury to a minor and 2 counts of each of 4th-de- out as religious leaders.” Domingo O. Isidro, 43, Edcouch, TX: In- she tried to feed him but the Mezas stopped her. gree sexual assault and coercion. Moran, pas- Staley was a licensed insurance agent from decency with a child. The incident with a girl Source: Dallas Morning News, 4-15-15 tor at Good Samaritan Church, is charged with 1999 to 2008, when he formed an investment from the congregation allegedly took place in Robert Whittaker, Snellville, GA: Exploita- assaults on an underage teenager and an adult firm. He claimed to adhere to the “Christian December when Isidro was pastor at Iglesias tion of a disabled adult and violating probation. last summer on separate occasions at a private roots movement” that emphasizes returning to Victoria en Cristo. Whittaker, founder/pastor of Be Encouraged residence. the first Christians’ walk of faith and obedience Police Chief Eloy Cardenas said, “The first Ministries, is accused of using a parishioner’s Both alleged to police that Moran threatened to the Torah. Source: Post-Dispatch, 4-30-15 one is usually the hardest. Once people start to credit cards for his personal use, with charges to have them deported if they reported the as- Mendel Epstein, 69, Lakewood, NJ, Bin- see, and I’m talking about the alleged victims, totaling over $14,000. Police Chief Roy White- saults. Source: Hartford Courant, 4-3-15 yamin Stimler, 39, and Jay Goldstein, 60, that somebody else spoke out, that usually head said Whittaker “offered to care for” a Patrick Carrick, 56, Swissvale, PA: Pos- both of Brooklyn, NY: Guilty of conspiracy to triggers a domino effect in cases like these.” church member with short-term memory loss session of child pornography. Carrick, an elder commit kidnapping. All 3 men are rabbis caught Source: KRGV, 4-22-15 while his wife worked the night shift. Source: at First Presbyterian Church and chairman of in an FBI sting in which husbands were threat- Wagdi Y. Iskander, 52, Calgary, Alberta: Journal-Constitution, 4-14-15 the Christian Education Ministry, ordered about ened and beaten to convince them to give their Sexual assault and sexual interference with Frederick Daack, 54, West Paducah, KY: 30 explicit videos from 2007-11, said a state- wives religious divorces called “gets.” a child under 14. At the time of the alleged Unlawful use of an electronic device to pro- ment from Attorney General Kathleen Kane. Testimony was heard about the beatings of 5 abuse in 1994-95 during counseling sessions, cure a minor in a sexual performance. Daack Source: WPXI, 4-3-15 men in 4 separate incidents between 2009-12. Iskander was pastor of Arabic Baptist Church. is charged with inappropriate phone calls and Ransom E. Howard Sr., 47, Port Arthur, Source: nj.com, 4-21-15 The alleged victim was then 11 and first came texts with a minor who attended Milburn Chap- TX: 3rd-offense driving while intoxicated. How- Yoshiyahu Pinto, 41, Ashdod, Israel/New forward to police in 1996, when he and his fam- el Cumberland Presbyterian Church, where ard, pastor of Rock Island Missionary Baptist York City: Pleaded guilty to bribery, offering ily decided not to press charges but have it re- Daack was an elder until last year. Church (who also teaches 6th-grade social bribes and obstruction of justice. Pinto, an Or- solved through the church due to the boy’s age. Daack’s alleged offenses came to light studies at a public school) slid off the road in a thodox rabbi who heads Mosdot Shuva Israel, Iskander was an active pastor until 2012, ac- during an investigation of Michael Parsons, 2008 Cadillac Escalade and refused to take a admitted to bribing high-ranking police officials cording to authorities, who reopened the case the church’s youth pastor, who faces 2 counts field sobriety test or submit to a blood sample. to head off allegations against Pinto of money that year after the man contacted them with the of 3rd-degree rape and 22 counts of electron- A grand jury indicted him in November, but the laundering and other suspect financial practic- same allegations and witnesses were reinter- ic solicitation of a minor allegedly involving a school wasn’t aware of the charge, a spokes- es. viewed. Source: Calgary Herald, 4-20-15 16-year-old girl in his youth group. Source: person said. Source: KBMT, 3-31-15 Forbes Israel named Pinto as one of the Hien Minh Nguyen, 55, San Jose, CA: 14 WPSD, 4-14-15 Jon C. “Chris” McKinney, Terre Haute, 10 wealthiest rabbis in Israel in 2012. Source: counts of bank fraud and 4 counts of tax eva- Kurt G. Ludwigsen, 43, Nyack, NY: 100 IN: Misdemeanor battery. McKinney, pastor at Haaretz, 4-14-15 sion. A federal grand jury indicted Nguyen, a counts of illegal sexual contact, including forc- North Terre Haute Christian Church, is accused Catholic priest and director of the Vietnamese ible touching and sexual abuse involving 14 of pepper-spraying another driver in an argu- Sentenced Catholic Center, for failing to report $1.1 million alleged victims who were members of the girls ment about the other man’s allegedly unsafe of income between 2008-11. softball team at Nyack College, where Lud- driving. Source: WTHI, 3-30-15 Michael G. Sperou, 64, Happy Valley, OR: He’s also accused of depositing at least 14 wigsen was coach until being fired in March. Zachary Zahl, 23, Middleton, WI: 3 counts 20 years in prison after being found guilty by checks totaling $19,000 meant for the center’s From the evangelical school’s website: “If of child enticement and 2 counts of false impris- jury on 3 counts of unlawful sexual penetration. account into his personal account. Source: San you are interested in receiving a Christian ed- onment. Zahl, most recently a youth volunteer Sperou, founder/pastor of North Clackamas Bi- Francisco Chronicle, 4-20-15 ucation in an environment that will prepare you at High Point Church in Madison, is charged ble Community, was convicted of molesting the Benjamin R. Hollifield, 25, Salisbury, NC: to do all that God has called you to do with ex- with alleged incidents in 2012 in Wausau, where daughter of a church member in the 1990s. Six other girls also alleged he molested them but May 2015 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 19

the statute of limitations had expired. They tes- Benedict, St. John’s Abbey and St. John’s tified at his trial. Preparatory School in Collegeville, MN, on the The girls and their parents lived communally ‘After each time I was sexually abused, I had to eve of trial. He alleged church and school offi- with Sperou. Judy Sperou, his current wife and cials knew of Tarlton’s attraction to boys as far mother of alleged victim Amy Robinson, told the go to confession to him and confess my sin of back as the 1950s but let him teach until 1990. jury she doesn’t believe her daughter. Four oth- Bramlage alleged abuse by Tarlton in 1977 er parents have discounted their daughters’ al- impurity.’ ­— ‘AYB,’ testifying that Fr. Reginald Durham raped her when he was 14. legations and remain in church leadership roles. over 100 times At least 4 others have sued Tarlton, who has “I’m very happy the girls got justice,” said admitted in depositions to heavy drinking. “In Carole Green, Sperou’s former wife and former Louisville, the drinking got worse; at one point church member. “Many of us are praying God as youth pastor at St. John the Baptist Church with his friend John Stingemore of molesting I was drinking a quart of scotch a day. I did very will bring Michael to complete repentance while for drinking. Though he’d gone on church-re- the boy. Stingemore, manager of the home, died little work in the school, and was in an alcoholic he’s in prison.” Source: AP, 4-30-15 lated trips overseas and in the U.S., he denied before trial. haze must [sic] of the day.” Godwin Moffat, Esit-Eket, Nigeria: 3 years having sexual contact with juveniles. Judge Alistair McCreath said McSweeney As part of the settlement, Bramlage’s at- in prison on 37 theft convictions for stealing 56 Authorities found computers and storage “has a voyeuristic interest in children, either in torneys released the names of 18 other clergy electrical transformers meant for distribution to devices with photos and videos of children as seeing them unclothed, or in seeing them sex- deemed “likely to have offended minors.” De- communities. Moffat, pastor of an unidentified young as 4 engaged in graphic sexual activity. ually abused by others.” Source: BBC, 3-27-15 tailed files will be released in coming months. Christian church, was also a member of the Ni- Source: Sheboygan Press, 4-8-15 Source: St. Cloud Times/WHAS, 4-28-15 ger Delta Development Commission, through Matthew Boos, 25, St. Louis Park, MN: 90 Civil Lawsuits Filed Two municipalities with ties to the Fun- which he received 90 transformers. Source: days in jail and 3 years’ probation for soliciting damentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Lat- Pulse Nigeria, 4-27-15 a child with an electronic device. Boos, youth James Goings is suing William Davies, ter-Day Saints were ordered by a federal judge Adam Metropoulos, 53, Bangor, ME: 12 pastor at River Valley Church in Savage, admit- Abundant Life Pentecostal pastor, and his to pay the state of Arizona $2.18 million in attor- years in prison with 5½ years suspended and ted to using his job to start online conversations son Matthew Davies for $950,000 in McMin- ney fees in connection with a 2014 civil rights 3 years’ probation after being found guilty of with about 15 underage girls by setting up fe- nville, OR. Goings claims he was excommuni- case in which a couple settled their suit for $3 4 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and male personas on profiles. cated and defamed in front of the congregation. million. Ronald and Jinjer Cooke sued the twin pleading guilty to possession of sexually explicit The mother of a girl under age 15 found a Previously, he’d complained to the Oregon Bu- cities of Hildale, UT, and Colorado City, AZ, for materials and violation of privacy. Metropoulos, message traced to Boos in which he asked the reau of Labor and Industries that Davies didn’t refusing to provide utilities because they weren’t pastor at St. George Eastern Orthodox Church, child if she was bi-curious and would send na- pay overtime or failed to pay at all for landscap- church members. Source: Salt Lake Tribune, denied molesting a 15-year-old altar boy in ked photos. ing work done by his Christian Academy stu- 4-25-15 2006-07. Superior Court Justice Ann Murray The complaint said Boos, who is married, dents. Three former students at Bishop McCort said at sentencing she didn’t believe Metropou- asked for photos from girls as young as 12. Eight teens filed wage and hour complaints. High School, Johnstown, PA, settled their los’ testimony. Source: KSTP, 4-6-15 The state ordered the Davieses to $4,464 to the suits against the Catholic Diocese of John- His guilty pleas involved possession of Roy Harriger, 72, Albion, NY: 15 years in students. Source: News-Register, 5-3-15 stown-Altoona for $50,000 each in which they about 400 sexual images, including many show- prison after a jury found him guilty of sexual Two men are suing the Catholic Archdi- alleged molestation by Brother Stephen Bak- ing children, and secretly recording a woman in abuse of 2 of his grandchildren while he was ocese of Louisville, KY, Fr. James Schook er, a Franciscan friar who fatally stabbed him- the shower who was visiting him. Source: Daily pastor at Community Fellowship Church. and Sr. Eleanor F. Tierney, claiming they self in the heart in 2013. News, 4-27-15 “It started with me when I was a kid and I’m were sexually abused by Schook in the 1970s More than 80 students at Bishop McCort Damien K. Bonner Sr., 33, Tulsa, OK: 23 his sister,” Nona Blackchief said. “And I’m his and the church failed to protect them. Schook settled earlier for a total of $8 million. Baker, years in prison and a $20,000 fine for convic- son,” George Harriger said. “And he messed was convicted last year of molesting one of the who worked as an athletic trainer at the school tion by a jury of 2 counts of lewd molestation. with me and then my son.” plaintiffs and is serving a 15-year sentence. His from 1992 to 2001, killed himself 9 days after Bonner, pastor at Galilee Baptist Church, was State Police Sgt. Michael Notto said 15 al- attorney successfully argued that the other man the Diocese of Youngstown settled with 11 acquitted of 7 counts. He was charged with mo- leged victims have been identified. Source: was of legal age when the “relationship” began. abuse victims of Baker in Warren, OH. Source: lesting 3 teen parishioners on 9 occasions. TWC News, 4-6-15 Source: WLKY, 5-1-15 Tribune-Democrat, 4-15-15 He was found guilty of having intercourse Johnny Botello, 78, Wichita Falls, TX: 10 Israel and Chaya Gutman of Florida are The Diocese of Joliet, IL, agreed to pay with a 14- to 15-year-old girl from Galilee and years’ deferred adjudication [charge dismissed suing Marsha Stern Talmudical Academy in $4.14 million to settle 14 suits filed by male groping another girl at Mt. Zion Church, where with completed probation] after pleading guilty Manhattan, NY, for falsely claiming the high plaintiffs alleging 5 priests molested them as he was youth pastor. to indecency with a child by sexual contact. The school is a safe place for students to send children from the 1960s to 1980s. The girl, now 16, testified they had sex about plea stemmed from a 2013 incident when Botel- youths. “This is the first case in which a parent Steven Janik, now 61, alleged he was 13 or 17 times and said Bonner once gave her a pill lo took an 11-year-old girl into his Assembly of has sued a school for deceptive practices based 14 when a priest interviewed him about a rec- when she expressed worry about being preg- God church office and put his hand under her upon the school’s retention of known sexual ommendation for the seminary. “[O]ne of the nant. Source: Fox23/Tulsa World, 4-27-15 blouse. predators,” said their lawyer Kevin Mulhearn. first questions he asked was, did I know what John Calnan, 76, West Cork, Ireland: Another alleged female victim, now 38, tes- The Gutmans allege their son was sexual- testicles were? . . . He asked me if I knew what 3 years in prison with 1 year suspended af- tified Botello inappropriately touched her and ly abused in the 1980s by Rabbi George Fin- masturbation was. I did not. He took out a book ter pleading guilty to sexually assaulting a girl kissed her on the mouth when she was between kelstein, a former principal, and Finkelstein’s and showed me.” during her first confession in 1989 when he was the ages of 11 and 13 and later had intercourse friend Richard Andron. One boy was told to take off his clothes and a Catholic priest and she was 7. wear a loincloth so the priest could practice giv- Sgt. Maurice Downey told the court Calnan ing funeral rites, court records said. digitally penetrated the girl while hearing her The priests named in the settlement are confession, according to her 2013 complaint. James Nowak, Michael Gibbney, Lawrence She alleged he also appeared to be doing Gibbs, Myles White and Fred Lenczycki. something to himself at the time. Source: Chicago Tribune, 4-14-15 Calnan’s release date for earlier sentences of sexual assault of a minor male and a minor Legal Developments female is July 2017. He was removed from the ministry in 1992. Source: Irish Times, 4-24-15 The Catholic Diocese of Helena, MT, post- John K. Councilman, 45, Pascagoula, ed on its website the names of 80 individuals MS: 20 years in prison, 15 years’ probation and (priests, sisters and laypersons) identified by $32,000 in fines after pleading guilty to 2 counts 362 victims as sexual abusers between the of sexual battery and 4 counts of touching of a 1930s and 1970s. In March, a U.S. bankrupt- child for lustful purposes. cy judge approved a $20 million plan to settle Police Det. Kim Stevens testified Council- the claims, most alleged to have occurred at the man told the girl’s parents they were studying hands of Jesuit priests and Ursuline nuns. the bible. “It was a long grooming process,” The settlement also calls for Bishop George Stevens said. “He’d known her 12 years of her Leo Thomas to send a written apology to vic- 14-year life.” tims. A clergy abuse suit against the Diocese Stevens testified he assaulted the girl ina of Great Falls has about 60 plaintiffs and is in storage shed while they read bible verses. He the discovery phase. Source: Ravalli Republic, used scripture to justify having oral sex and in- 5-1-15 tercourse, Stevens said. Source: Sun Herald, The Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles 4-20-15 released the last batch of clergy sex abuse files, Annamalai Annamalai, 49, aka Dr. Com- consisting of 2,400 pages, 8 years after a $660 mander Selvam and Swamiji Sri Selvam Sid- million settlement with victims. The documents dhar, Norcross, GA: 27 years and 3 months on 11 priests bring to 205 the number of files in prison for 34 convictions of tax fraud, bank with her 3 times. She said she kept silent out of Other former students have alleged being that have been unsealed to settle over 500 civil fraud and bankruptcy fraud. Annamalai, leader fear her family would be destroyed and because raped by Rabbi Macy Gordon, a teacher ac- claims. of the (now bankrupt) Hindu Temple of Georgia, she thought it was “her fault” for dressing a cer- cused of sodomizing one alleged victim with The last files were kept on priests who be- was also ordered “to not engage in any spiritual tain way. Source: Times Record News, 4-3-15 a toothbrush and toothpaste in a dorm room. longed to the Carmelite, Servite and Redempto- service for compensation.” Josh Swain, 34, Carbondale, IL: 6 years Source: NY Post, 4-20-15 rist orders and worked in Los Angeles. Source: Annamalai offered spiritual guidance in in prison for theft, aggravated identity theft and “John T. Doe 24” and “John M. Doe” filed AP, 5-1-15 exchange for money but added unapproved loan fraud. Swain, pastor of The View Church, suits seeking $300,000 each in damages from The Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld charges to clients’ credit cards. Source: Jour- was also ordered to repay $18,500 to the the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago. They the 2012 conviction of Msgr. William J. Lynn, nal-Constitution, 4-13-15 church, a $40,000 loan obtained without author- allege sexual abuse by convicted pedophile and 64, Philadelphia, the first U.S. church official Jerry D. Francis, 42, Dayton, OH: 120 days ity by the church and $17,775 to a credit card defrocked priest Daniel McCormack when he ever prosecuted over his handling of sex abuse in jail, 5 years’ probation and restitution for the company for an account he opened up in the was pastor of St. Agatha Parish. complaints. Lynn approved the transfer of Fr. $67,000 stolen from Great Hope Community name of a church member. Source: The South- One man alleges he was abused between Edward Avery despite knowing about abuse Church in New Carlisle, where he was pastor. ern, 3-30-15 2001-06, starting when he was 7. The other al- complaints. The vote was 4-1. His wife, Tamra Francis, faces counts of theft Mike Overd, 50, Taunton, UK: Fined $300 leges he was molested twice in 2001 when he Lynn had served 18 months before being and complicity to commit theft. She has filed for and $1,800 in costs and compensation for us- was 14. Source: Sun-Times, 4-10-15 allowed to live under house arrest in January divorce. ing threatening or abusive words or behavior. during his appeal. Sentencing Judge M. Teresa The couple also operated Mayhem & Mys- Overd, a Christian street preacher who uses a Civil Lawsuits Settled Sarmina denied his request not to return to pris- tery dinner theater at the Spaghetti Warehouse loudspeaker, was charged with calling homo- on until all appeals were exhausted. in downtown Dayton. Source: Daily News, 4-9- sexuality an “abomination.” “John Doe 187” settled for undisclosed terms “Somebody call for a sheriff,” Sarmina said 15 Overd was unrepentant after sentencing. his suit against the Catholic Archdiocese of before leaving the bench. Source: The Inquirer/ Darin Evans, 43, Elmhurst, IL: 10 years in “I’m going to go straight back now and preach.” Philadelphia in which he alleged being sexually Tribune-Review, 4-30-15 prison after pleading guilty to criminal sexual as- Source: The Independent, 3-28-15 assaulted as an altar boy at Incarnation of Our Ronald D. Joling, 71, and Dorothea J. sault. He was accused of sexual contact with a Michael J. Havrilla, 46, St. Mary’s County, Lord Parish by William Ayres, who was a semi- Joling, 72, Coquille, OR: Federal judges is- girl over a 4- to 5-year period, starting when she MD: 18 months in jail suspended and 3 years’ narian from 1996-99 before being ordained. sued arrest warrants for the couple, who failed was 16. At the time, he was her youth pastor probation after pleading guilty to 2nd-degree The archdiocese also settled a suit filed by to appear in court to face charges of knowingly at West Suburban Community Church. Source: assault for molesting a preteen girl in 2008 as “John Doe 10,” who alleged he was molested by filing false liens. The Jolings, who are married NBC Chicago, 4-10-15 a youth leader with Faith Bible Church. He was Fr. Martin Satchell in the 1990s at St. Aloysius and lead Hope Covenant Reformed Church, Calvin D. Gideon, 54, Plymouth, WI: 3 charged with touching the girl under her clothes Academy in Bryn Mawr. Satchell was defrocked call themselves “sovereign citizens.” They’re years in prison and 3 years’ probation for con- at a residence. Source: SoMdNews, 3-27-15 in 2005. Ayres was suspended in 2010. Neither accused of filing retaliatory liens against offi- victions on 10 counts of possession of child por- Anthony McSweeney, 68, London: 3 years was ever charged criminally due to the statute cials involved in their 2014 convictions for hid- nography. He also was ordered to pay $3,442. in prison for sexual abuse of a 15-year-old boy of limitations. Source: The Inquirer, 4-30-15 ing more than $2 million from the IRS over 19 Gideon at first denied having the charges, at Grafton Close Children’s Home in 1979-81. Troy Bramlage, Sauk Rapids, MN, settled a years. Source: oregonlive.com, 4-25-15 called porn “disgusting” said said he’d been fired McSweeney, a Catholic priest, was charged suit against Fr. Allen Tarlton, the Order of St. Continued on page 22 Page 20 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin May 2015

Schools should ditch Letterbox all religious holidays I recently read “When Every Day Is Pledge-free student they will have funds left over. Use this a Religious Holiday” and enjoyed the ‘made my heart soar’ lucre wisely. As my dear old dad would concept [in a Wall Street Journal col- say, “Don’t spend it all in one place!” umn by Boston University religion pro- I wait in anticipation for your pa- Keep up the great work! fessor Stephen Prothero] that schools per to arrive. (I found FFRF less than Oak DeBerg and Joellen DeBerg should recognize no religious holidays. a year ago.) Your paper has wrapped its Colonels, U.S. Air Force (ret.) After all, school taxes go to support warm, thought-provoking arms around Texas these holidays. I certainly don’t want me. I’m a 62-year-old grandmother • • • my tax dollars going to support this who didn’t come out till my late 50s. Because I have a terminal disease kind of madness. Shawnee Bakker Photo I most appreciate the youths who and I’m 81 years old, this Life Member- I enjoy your efforts in publishing have the intelligence and guts to speak ship may not have a very long duration. Countering problem Freethought Today. Keep up the good up. Their comments and essays make I wanted my obituary to include a state- reasoning work. me wish I also had that inner resilience ment that I was a Life Member of FFRF. Nick Bakker, Hawley, Pa., hopes the Stephen Kozerowitz and bravery to have done as they have John D. Dunn billboard he’s sponsoring brings some Illinois done at a much earlier age. The April California inspiration to area freethinkers (and article by Ewan McCartney [“Seat- perspiration to church members!). Platinum Rule tle student sits for pledge”] made my Editor’s note: Much love and thoughts of Nick is generously funding a heart soar! Keep it coming. comfort to you, John. Life is not fair. billboard and local newspaper ads outshines the Terri Hassig for six months. golden one West Virginia • • • I have never been overly religious. It I’d like to encourage expansion of just didn’t seem real or logical to me. just happen at random. Now you may Ms. Hansmann’s advocacy of the “the ‘After-Lifer’ decries I thought of religious people as harm- contend that Kushner was just trying to Golden Rule” [April15]. It’s a good need for carrot, stick less “do gooders.” That view changed exonerate God from responsibility, but moral guideline in a culture that is ho- I am one who feels ultimate morality after I started to receive Freethought I do consider it a true common-sense mogeneous. It’s reasonable to expect lies in the maintenance and preserva- Today. I now realize how insidious the approach to natural disasters. others to want to be treated as we want tion of this planet’s life-support system. Christian religion is in the U.S. ’Nuff said, and thank you for your to be treated. But even in a homoge- Twenty years ago I was awakened to the I also see how politically conserva- declaration that Ted is certainly a man neous culture, to practice the intent of destructive role in dismissing life in the tive Christians are trying to push their of great common sense! the rule you would need to think how here and now for some ethereal, future moral agenda. This makes your work Ted Utchen you would like to be treated if you were world. Religion supplies the justifica- so vital that I feel compelled to become Illinois in the other’s position. tion for the violence to the inhabitants a Lifetime Member. My hope is that An adolescent, in interacting with of Earth, and guns provide the means. someday FFRF can become an interna- an adult, would be expected to treat The conundrum I see in religious tional organization. God is, where else, that adult differently than a fellow ado- morality is that it presupposes humans Ken Rowe only in your head lescent. In America we can’t expect to as evil. We cannot exhibit correct be- Tennessee In The God Delusion, Richard Daw- only interact with people who have our havior unless it is backed up with a kins makes a compelling case for not spiritual beliefs or moral values. I be- supreme being wielding a carrot and indoctrinating children with their par- lieve our society would be better off if a stick. If we are inherently bad, than I’ve no regrets about ents’ religious beliefs. He advocates we practiced the Platinum Rule: “Treat how can we inherently be deserving abandoning religion teaching kids how to think, not what others as they would like to be treated of a reward? I also ask how is it that I was so pleased to see the April ar- to think. I count myself lucky that my (within our own moral guidelines).” one life form can supersede the life of ticle by Wendy Russell about coming parents were free from religion. This Jim Vokac the universe? Isn’t that pride of which out as an atheist. I have had reasonably freedom helped me to express my Missouri goeth before a fall? similar experiences. Although I have thoughts on the deity I grew up hear- We live on a progressive island in not been met with any outright hos- ing about at school. the San Juan Archipelago in the Salish tility, I have been met with extremely 3-D printer replicating Sea near the northwest U.S. border. cold shoulders and a reticence to have Between Two Temples FFRF legal staff? Many of our friends are God-free and a discussion. As a child I would wonder In every issue of Freethought Today, about half a dozen are FFRF members I agree that some people are quite Where is it that God dwells? I read about scores of FFRF legal team on our island of 2,300. We have had relieved to learn that someone shares Is it up above the thunder initiatives, ongoing efforts and victo- no conflicts with our identity and are their opinions and beliefs. They appear or in nature’s hills and dells? ries. The same handful of staff names open with it. to immediately “relax” by knowing they pops up in case after case, and each We also belong to SERVAS Inter- are not alone. I have no regrets that I At last I came to understand seems to be working on dozens at a national, a travel/peace group. There have abandoned religion. He does not live out there. time, everywhere at once. are some religious members but the Thanks for your inspiration. You are His abode is closer than Could FFRF possibly have a 3-D group’s theory that cultural exchange the greatest! most people are aware. printer churning out copies of its law- opens one’s mind and its mission of Jack Red yers? I don’t want to say it seems like an promoting peace makes it easy and North Carolina Between two temples His house is wrought army, because that would imply some necessary to proclaim God-free status. where He was born and reared, kind of war. And I don’t want to say I am honored to, again, raise my ap- where often wish engenders thought — “miraculous” or “supernatural.” preciation to the FFRF movement and Kudos for Madison’s in the space between our ears. So I’ll just have to say “thank you” to give at the “After-Life” level. atheist protections the legal staff. However you do it, you Jack Pedigo I am so pleased with the work FFRF Tom Schlicht sure are doing a superhuman job, and Washington does. I love your balance of activism, Wisconsin you are appreciated! legal tactics, publicity, public outreach P.S. For the past 21 years, Free- Joan Reisman-Brill and resource sharing. I am particularly thought Today is the only newspaper I New York FFRF gives thanks for pleased at the creation of a new pro- read from cover to cover. I often read new Lifetime Members tected group in Madison! from it in my PLATO classes. I am enclosing my check for $1,000 Dr. John A. Wagner Indiana freethinkers for Lifetime Membership. I want to ex- New York place essay contest ad tend my gratitude for your excellent Make decisions based Our little freethinkers club in Mad- work in spreading the “good news” on law, not religion ison, Ind., took your high school essay and fighting to maintain separation ‘Nonbelief I’m a 70-year-old grandmother of contest information to the local news- between church and state. Relief’ rescues five concerned about inserting religion paper, the Madison Courier, to have Janice E. Myers irresponsible God into politics, government and schools. it published. I was nervous about how Colorado I respect others’ religious beliefs but they would react to it, but they treat- • • • “Nonbelief Relief,” with its poetic don’t want them forced on me. ed us about like anyone else would be My wife and I, both age 72, have of- rhyme, is a nice name for FFRF’s new The government does not belong in treated and it appeared in the paper. ten said we would like to be Life Mem- charitable fund. But more importantly, our bedrooms, nor should politicians We would sure like to know if any- bers but put it off, saying our meager from our standpoint philosophically, make decisions based on their reli- one from this area sends in an essay. savings should eventually go to our we are indeed making progress. There gious beliefs instead of on the law. Roy Heron daughter. But we finally realized, “Hey, have been hardly any references at all More important than religion is the Indiana we put her through college and her job to God in connection with the horrific way we treat others and live our lives. Editor’s note: Roy’s group generously pays her more than we make. So what Nepal earthquake. I believe it is up to the government to spent $220 of its $400 treasury for an ad the heck. (I almost said ‘what the hell’ I have to go along with Rabbi Har- help those in need and that a true be- to get the contest information in the paper. but then realized there is no hell.)” old Kushner, who told us in his fa- liever would believe greed is a sin. What a deal for FFRF! The organi- mous book, When Bad Things Happen to Edna Birch zation gets the money near the end of Good People, that there are some things New Jersey our expected life span. When we croak where God has no role at all, and they May 2015 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 21

Readers weigh in on to do that. Any compassionate person cultural Judaism will speak up against hate, whether it is racism or homophobia or other prej- In April’s Letterbox, “total atheist” Jerry udice. Oster sought input from nonpracticing Jews Incidentally, for any secular Jewish on how they deal with their heritage and parents who might want to teach their anti-Semitism. Several readers responded to children their heritage without indoc- Mr. Oster. Responses were edited for space: trinating them in theism, my friend We are exactly the same. I am a Judy Seid wrote a book, God-Optional 79-year-old militant atheist who was Judaism. It offers a historical, rather born Jewish. I laugh at and criticize Or- than religious, approach to celebrating thodox Jews for their stupidity and de- the Jewish holidays. sire to live as their ancestors lived over Thank you, FFRF, for your ongoing 3,500 years ago. efforts to protect the Establishment While I believe that organized reli- Clause. Our entire Bill of Rights is in Hwy. 31, Athens, Texas gion is the stupidest, most disgusting, danger of becoming a quaint, obsolete “Boy, was I disappointed when I looked up the website and found that it was just destructive and hateful institution ever historical document. I am afraid, with- an ad for a Christian church,” says Al Wagner, Texas. (Senior Pastor Mark Allen, created by humanity — and it was cre- out the constant effort of groups like with a biblical studies degree from Liberty University, lists among his favorites: ated by humanity — I react violently to ours. TV show, “Duck Dynasty,” Actor: Clint Eastwood, Place in the World: Israel.) anti-Semitism, as it leads to the execu- Linda Palter tion of human beings based on their Michigan beliefs and not on their actions. • • • Jason G. Brent I’m a 73-year-old Jew who likes my Nevada heritage. I love the food, the humor • • • and assorted “shtick” that is part of Whereas most religions have grown Jewish culture but at an early age, even and endured by coerced and/or invit- before my bar mitzvah, I knew that I ed conversions, Judaism has survived was an atheist at heart. Of the “big largely because it created a distinctive three” religions, I find that Judaism ethnic culture that was only shared is the one that allows for some critical with those born into that culture. And thinking, which is likely why there are while some Orthodox sects tend to cast what seems to me to be a rather high a jaundiced eye on Jews who do not percentage of Jews who are atheists. Barling, Arkansas make the same commitment or ob- I am also offended by anti-Jewish be- “Judge not? I just had to turn my truck around and get a picture,” writes Amy serve the same cultural mores, in the havior and rhetoric. I have never seen Hall, Arkansas. “us vs. them” realities of anti-Semitism, bigotry and hatefulness expressed by Jews tend to stick together. atheists and agnostics. It always comes It should be clear to Mr. Oster and from those who usually are proud to others that, just as Jews themselves may declare their belief in some unseen be completely irreligious, anti-Semites deity. do not denigrate Jews simply because Clearly, atheism isn’t a religion, so of religious differences. They hate Jews we shouldn’t say our religion is athe- because of the very cultural/ethnic ism. When I was in the Army when I “otherness” and familial descent that was 17, they put NO PREFERENCE have always defined Judaism. So it is on my dog tags. I couldn’t argue with completely not surprising that Mr. Os- the Army. But when I was hospitalized ter would feel compelled to respond a couple of years ago, the designation to anti-Semitism even as he himself is NONE perplexed the admitting clerk, Jewish only in ethnicity. Or, as my sis- who tried to insist that some word con- ter once famously retorted to a person noting religious belief had to be placed who accosted her with a “Jews for Je- in the box. I explained that I didn’t Got guilt? sus” sign, “Just remember that when give a tiny %$*@ what she put down “I smile each time I drive by on my way to work,” writes Thomas Kindle about they come to put us in the ovens, your because the answer was still NONE. this marquee in Grover Beach, Calif. ass is going to be there right next to I hope to meet you, Jerry, in Madi- mine!” son for this year’s Main Event. Maybe Jews need have no compunction we can share a nosh together. about feeling and expressing loyalty to Gerald L. “Jerry” Foreman Judaism any more than a Puerto Rican Nevada Protestant, Puerto Rican Jew or Puerto • • • Rican atheist can take pride in being Although I’m not a Jew, I sympa- Puerto Rican. thize with your people’s long history of Jim Fingeroth suffering. Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, in New York his book Jewish Wisdom, convinced me • • • that Jewish ethics are far above those of I was raised as a Conservative Jew Christianity. And in that respect, I con- but gradually changed to agnosticism sider it a pity that Christianity didn’t and then to atheism. I still feel cultural- remain a sect of Judaism. ly and ethnically part of Judaism. Nevertheless, I don’t consider an- I know a number of Jews, who while ti-Semitism and anti-Zionism synony- still identifying as Jewish, are atheists. mous. Rather, I agree with those Jews, My late mother, for example, while a both in Israel and here in America, member of a Reform synagogue, ad- who think of Israel as a police state mitted to me that she had been an designed to repress Palestinians. Isra- atheist for years, as was her husband. el is now much like South Africa when Many Jews participate in activities for apartheid was the law of the land. social and cultural reasons and have I praise you, Mr. Oster, for having given up on the idea of a god. abandoned your tribal god and re- Dr. Charles Falkowitz placed him with your trust in reason. New York Long ago, I also abandoned my fami- • • • ly’s god, Jesus, along with all of Christi- I am a year younger than Jerry and anity’s superstitions. became an avowed atheist six or seven In my opinion, only reason (togeth- years ago after being a doubter for a er with a love of peace and a diligent long time. I have had the same prob- effort to unite humankind as brothers) lems dealing with anti-Semites. I would can bring forth a better world. We non- love to correspond with him. believers have much work to do. Dan Jacobson David Quintero California Californiax • • • If asked my religion, I might say I am a Jewish secular humanist or culturally Jewish. As for objecting to anti-Semi- tism, surely you don’t have to be Jewish Page 22 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin May 2015

Black Collar Crimes Continued from page 19 seas to promote an illegal activity. Source: AP, was removed as parish priest by the Catholic sage. Jeffery A. Stallworth will not have to reg- 4-8-15 Diocese of Tuticorin after being accused of as- “OMG, you have to be the dumbest f*cking ister as a sex offender in Mississippi after his saulting the parish priest in Kudankulam last liberal c*nt I’ve heard yet,” the email said. “Get criminal record was expunged in Maryland, the Allegations April. The diocese is investigating the allegation. off the drugs bitch, and go check yourself into Mississippi Supreme Court ruled 6-3, reversing Source: The Hindu, 5-2-15 rehab. LOL. Or better yet, you’re pretty hot. So a lower court’s 2013 order requiring registration. Retired Australian nurse Mary Adams, 64, The Episcopal Diocese of Maryland an- how about if I come over and rape you with a Stallworth, pastor of Anderson United Meth- told the Royal Commission into Institutional Re- nounced that Bishop Heather E. Cook, 58, few of my friends. WHEW! At least I won’t have odist Church in Jackson, MS, pleaded guilty sponses to Child Sexual Abuse about alleged has accepted a “sentence of deposition” that re- to worry about you calling the police.” Source: in 2002 to sexually assaulting a woman at her emotional, physical and sexual mistreatment by moves her as an ordained priest. Bishop Katha- La Crosse Tribune, 4-1-15 Maryland home. Maryland expunged the con- Catholic nuns and priests at St. Joseph’s Or- rine Jefferts Schori said the removal stems from Alfredo Rosa Borges, Campos de Goyta- viction in 2010. Source: AP, 4-17-15 phanage in the 1950s and 1960s. Adams testi- Cook’s involvement in a hit-and-run crash in cazes, Brazil, was suspended from his duties The South Dakota Supreme Court ruled fied that when she 12, she told a visiting priest Baltimore that killed bicyclist Thomas Palermo as pastor at Santo Antonio Catholic Church 2 women’s claims of sexual abuse decades about abuse only to have him try to have sex in December. She’s pleaded not guilty to man- after being seen standing naked in front of a ago by a St. Francis Mission staffer on the with her. slaughter, DUI and leaving the scene of an ac- mirror in photos which were posted online by Rosebud Indian Reservation should go to trial. Boys who tried to run away were publicly cident and other charges and goes on trial June a woman alleged to be his mistress. Borges is The high court reversed a circuit court, which flogged and bedwetters were made to stand 4. Source: Baltimore Brew/WBAL, 5-1-15 known for his sermons stressing abstinence had ruled the suits were barred by a 2010 law with soiled sheets over their heads, alleged Ad- Earl Simone, 69, Huber Heights, OH: Sim- and has called sex outside marriage a “serious change. Source: AP, 4-16-15 ams, who has received $20,000 from the Dio- one, pastor at St. Peter Catholic Church and moral disorder as normally it leaves aside and The California 1st District Court of Appeal cese of Rockhampton and the Sisters of Mercy. administrator at 4 other parishes in Dayton, abandons the procreative aspect.” Source: AFP, cut $8.6 million in punitive damages from the “AYB,” 67, testified she was raped more than said in a letter to parishioners he was retiring 3-31-15 amount a jury awarded a woman who was mo- 100 times by Fr. Reginald Durham, starting for medical reasons. Police spokesman Sgt. lested by a Jehovah’s Witness she was pros- when she was 11. “After each time I was sexu- Charles Taylor said allegations of what “may be Other elytizing door to door with. She still will get $2.8 ally abused, I had to go to confession to him and a substantial” amount of missing money at St. million from the Watchtower Bible and Tract confess my sin of impurity.” Source: Sky News, Peter are being investigated after the Archdio- Minnesota Public Radio received a Peabody Society of New York for alleged failure to warn 4-14-15 cese of Cincinnati completed an internal review. Award for excellence in broadcast journalism for North Fremont congregation members that The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Source: Beacon Journal, 4-21-15 “Betrayed by Silence,” its July 2014 docu- Jonathan Kendrick had molested his step- Board, Mississauga, Ontario, and the Archdi- Bishop Robert W. Finn, 62, resigned as mentary about child sexual abuse. The investi- daughter. ocese of Toronto failed to tell the public about head of the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. gation “took listeners inside the child sex-abuse The court ruled that the congregation failed allegations Fr. James Roth sexually assaulted Joseph. Pope Francis accepted the resignation scandal in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and to properly supervise Kendrick and was respon- a child in Michigan in 2001 when he was 9 and under the code of canon law that lets bishops Minneapolis, uncovering among other things sible for leaving him alone with Candace Con- that the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales deemed resign before age 75 for illness or other “grave” how the archbishop who headed the committee ti during a 2-year period starting in late 1994, the allegations credible. reasons making them unfit for office, the Vatican that wrote the U.S. Catholic Church’s landmark when she was 9. Conti alleged he molested her Roth, 61, died Feb. 11 of an insulin over- said. abuse policy — the Charter for the Protection several times a month after they rang doorbells dose, which the Oblates believe was a suicide, Finn in 2012 became the highest-ranking of Children and Young People — not only failed together. although the coroner hasn’t made a final ruling. U.S. clergyman convicted of a crime related to to follow it but participated in cover-ups,” the The jury awarded her an additional $4.2 mil- A note was found confessing to the allegation, the church’s decades-old pedophilia scandal. awards committee said. lion in damages against Kendrick, who’s unable which the Oblates gave to police. He was convicted of failing to report suspected “Betrayed by Silence” won the Alfred I. du- to pay. Source: San Francisco Chronicle, 4-15- The school board and the archdiocese were child abuse by Fr. Shawn Ratigan and sen- Pont Award earlier this year. Source: Pioneer 15 told but the public wasn’t, a newspaper investi- tenced to 2 years’ probation. Ratigan pleaded Press, 4-20-15 Andrew McCormick, 58, Pottstown, PA, gation revealed. Source: Toronto Star, 4-10-15 guilty to producing child pornography and is Jill Gover, 54, Moreton, UK, hanged her- will not be retried for molesting a 10-year-old serving 50 years in prison. Source: Kansas City self in a woodshed after it was alleged she’d altar boy in 1997 after 2 juries couldn’t reach Removed / Resigned Star, 4-21-15 stolen over $200,000 from Holy Rood Church, a verdict. David Wendt, Onalaska, WI, resigned as where she was warden, and as bookkeeper for Fr. Robert “Bud” DeGrand was removed At his first trial last year, it was revealed he pastor at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in the village of Wool, an inquest revealed. Gover from public ministry by Bishop Thomas Paproc- was twice reprimanded for having boys in his La Crosse after being accused of sending an also allegedly embezzled money as trustee of a ki, Catholic Diocese of Springfield, IL, after private rooms. The last jury hung March 11. obscene email to Milwaukee blogger Claire Van wealthy colleague’s trust fund. the Diocesan Review Board unanimously found Source: philly.com, 4-11-15 Fossen, who had criticized police for allegedly An accounting showed she had debts of an allegation of sexual misconduct with a mi- A federal indictment added 2 more alleged targeting African-Americans. over $340,000 and kept them hidden from her nor was credible. The board asked DeGrand victims to the case against Pennsylvania Cath- A March 27 email confirmed as being from husband. She killed herself 2 days before a and his accuser to take lie-detector tests. His olic priest Joseph Maurizio Jr., 69, accused Wendt’s Yahoo address asked whether the scheduled meeting with church vicar Rhona accuser was willing to but DeGrand wasn’t and of “sexual tourism” with minors in Honduras and sender and friends should drop by to rape Floate to discuss the discrepancies. Source: UK refused to meet with Paprocki or the board. possessing child pornography. The indictment Van Fossen. First Lutheran President Mick Mirror, 3-26-15 Source: Effingham Daily News, 5-4-15 includes 3 counts of transferring money over- Schwedler confirmed that the email address is Email: [email protected] William Santhanam, Punnaikayal, India, Wendt’s but said he denied sending the mes-

ISAM: THE MUSLIM HORDE IS COM- YOUR SITE: i hear again trying to stop you Sharing the Crank Mail ING TO KILL AND DESTROY. I’VE WRITTEN if you are not for God then you are against him OTHERS LIKE RUSH, AFTER WE DEPORT like the people in noahs time and you see what THE MUSLIMS, WE CAN GO BACK TO NOT God did to them. — Linda May This edition of the crank mail, printed as re- Dillingham School District: It is absolutely LIKING EACH OTHER. WITH OUR HEADS Against Wisconsin school choice: Don’t ceived, is brought to you by vehemence and vitriol. unacceptable regarding your demand letter to WHERE THEY BELONG, ON OUR SHOUL- know what to say...fuck you, you’re an embar- remove crosses from our local school district. DERS. — Ken Roberts rassment to the state. — Matt Freedom From Religion Foundation... is one This is unacceptable and goes against the con- why you are wrong: the very first page of Go.To.Hell: You bastards are going to die big pile of horse manure! My real opinion of you stitution of the United States of America. Our your site you claim that all or most major so- out with your feminist practices and toxic com- is that you are ANTI-AMERICANS and that you schools were founded on Christianity. — Karri cial thought progress whatever were done by munity. Enjoy seeing big Christian families in- should be LEGALLY EXPELLED from this coun- Phillips, Sherman, Texas non believers. Hello the very founding of this herit Canada & US. Die of cervical cance3r. try, which unfortunately GIVES you the RIGHT.... saten has a kingdom too: Who do you countery all believers cept Ben F. anti slavery — Suq Madiq, 13 fuck you die of cancer ave- to be as PUTRID as you ARE! — Stan Knowles think created Heaven & Earth???? In the book started by Christians Jonas Salk had faith in nue, London Atheists: You cannot stand it when others of Genius God declared the Earth as HIS prop- God as did Bill W. founder of aa ever heard of didn’t think you were real: man, you are have a belief in a higher Being than the devil erty!!!! It’s ok if you chose hell!!!! But why take Higher Power todays greatest relief group Sa- the STUPIDEST GROUP I have EVER heard of. you scumbags worship. I own a business and people with you? You’re desperate for compa- maritans Purse The Granms that guy Billys fam- I had NO CLUE a group this STUPID was real. I would never higher one of you fucking atheist ny! There’s ONE GOD & WE MUST ALL COME ily Jackie Robbinson Jesse Owens Lincoln Dr Dude. America Was FOUNDED ON THE GOS- bastards. GO FUCK YOURSELVES YOU SA- TO HIM THROUGH HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN King Roy Ennis need anymore. — David Wad- PEL OF JESUS CHRIST. HELLLLLLLLLLLL- TAN LOVING ASSHOLES. — Ken Brown SON JESUS CHIRST! — wynterb33 sworth, Tuckerton, N.J. LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. i only heard Hell: I would encourage you to give up your of your stupid group cuz I am reading Todd beliefs in atheism and submit yourselves to the Starnes’ book, Godless America. So, I’m Jenny love of God in Christ Jesus. I am begging you to and I am a Christian and I just wanted to tell you do this, because I had a small experience with how STUPID this ‘group’ is. How anti-American. hell in the early and middle 1990’s. Because wow. go jump off a bridge or better, move to Iran of this experience, I believe that hell exists. — or Iraq or somewhere where they LIKE to be op- Rock Peterson, Madison, Wis. pressed. — Jenny CHRISTIAN, Tennessee this is for you, ffrf:

RECRUIT A MEMBER sample copies for $2 Send $2 with the name and — Corey Stewart address of each person you wish to receive a sample copy of Freethought Today to: Religion classes not mandatory FFRF Atheist Veronica Abbass handed out cards like this May 11 near St. Peter Catholic P.O. Box 750 Reminder Secondary School in Peterborough as part of Secular Ontario’s campaign to inform Madison, WI 53701 the public about the section of the Ontario Education Act which says: “[N]o person June/July is a who is qualified to be a resident pupil in respect of a secondary school operated by (Please specify whether the individual is a freethinker.) a public board who attends a secondary school operated by a Roman Catholic board combined issue shall be required to take part in any program or course of study in religious educa- Freedom depends upon freethinkers tion on written application to the Board [by the student, parent or guardian].” May 2015 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 23 FFRF on the road

David Diskin Photo Sacramento Freethinkers, Atheists and Nonbelievers FFRF’s chapter sponsored a fun, free (but not fun- free) event April 17 at the Reason Center featuring Co-President Dan Barker on keyboard with the Unofficial Greater Sacramento FFRF Chapter Band (aka Sgt. Barker’s Lovely Hearts Club Band). At Dan’s right are drummer Joe O’Loughlin and guitar- ists Murray Powers, Judy Saint (chapter president) and John Lucas.

Jakub Mosur Photo ©2015 San Francisco The Secular Student Alliance at San Francisco State University on April 16 hosted Dan Barker, who spoke on the topic “Can we be good without God?” (Hell, yes!) From left are Keith Eveslage, Steve Sun (treasur- er), Connor Kessler (public relations coordinator), Dan Barker, Billy Oertel, Tyler Woodward (vice presi- dent) and Virginia Jaynes (president).

Ashland, Oregon FFRF Co-President Dan Barker spoke April 20 at Southern Oregon University about . . . well, you can read. (Although Dan’s fame preceded him to the extent that there was no need to put his name on the poster!) At left is Giovani Castaneda Velasco of the university’s Secular Student Alliance, which sponsored the event. At right is FFRF Life Member Len Eisenberg, who makes the evolution shirts and Washington, D.C. Sacramento City College caps available at ffrf.org/shop and at evogeneao.com. Len, a geologist, gave Dan a tour of Crater Lake, Simon Davis, Center for Inquiry–DC treasurer, and “The importance of state-church separation” was at 1,943 feet the deepest U.S. lake. He and his wife Melody Hensley, CFI–DC executive director, wel- FFRF-Co-President Dan Barker’s topic April 13 in comed Co-President Dan Barker to CFI’s “Voices of Sacramento, Calif. From left are Aisha Shah, Chris Karen also endow FFRF’s Thomas Jefferson Youth Reason” event April 12 to talk about his new book Life Lee, Amber, Taylor Ramsey, Dan Pemberton (SSA re- Activist Award. Driven Purpose at Busboys and Poets (named for free- gional campus organizer), Don Button (faculty advis- thinking poet Langston Hughes) at 5th and K streets. er and FFRF member), Dan Barker and Jim Naylor.

Ed Kolbe photo Chapter board members pictured with Annie Laurie Gaylor are Wes Mahan, Kim Peterson, Chris Nichol- son, Cheryl Kolbe and Sean McCoy.

Nate Hilman photo Nate Hilman photo Portland, Oregon Lifetime Member Amy Cox, an FFRF staff member Portland State University Freethinkers and FFRF’s Portland Area Chapter sponsored a talk April 25 by in the 1990s, surprised Annie Laurie by showing up FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor on “The Battle of Church and State and Its Impact on Women.” at the Portland event. Amy recently moved to Port- From left are student activists Marko Balogh, Rachael Black, Colt Taylor, Annie Laurie, chapter director land to start a business with Josh Middleton (snap- and founder Cheryl Kolbe and secular club director Addie Lass. Addie, with FFRF, was responsible for the ping a photo of the reunion) and Dawn Griffin, removal this year of Gideon bibles from public university lodgings. pictured at right. Page 24 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin May 2015

38th annual national convention, Oct. 9-11, Madison, Wis. Atheist Reagan also not afraid to revel in Madison

Ron Reagan, there are additional rooms at the Sher- ers are: former police officer and Afghani- the “unabashed aton Madison Hotel, 706 John Nolen Kevin M. Kruse, the Princeton Uni- stan war veteran returned home with atheist, not Drive, which provides a free shuttle to versity professor of history whose new a Combat Action Badge and Bronze afraid of burn- and from the convention center every book, One Nation Under God: How Corpo- Star, only to find a Christian flag flying ing in hell” who half hour from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sher- rate America Invented Christian America, at the Veterans Memorial in King, N.C. recorded FFRF’s aton rates are $139 single/double/ is creating a lot of excitement. He re- In December, following a long court much-censored triple/quad. Make your reservations cently appeared on NPR’s “Fresh Air” battle taken on his behalf by Ameri- TV ad, will key- at 1-800-325-3535 and let them know with Terry Gross, and has authored or cans United, the city agreed to stop note its 38th na- you’re with “Freedom From Religion.” co-edited four other books. His White flying the Christian flag and to remove tional conven- You may wish to arrive Thursday Flight: Atlanta and the Making of Modern a cross from a kneeling soldier statue. tion at Monona in order to tour the “reborn” Free- Conservatism (2005), won several prizes. Steven is a Lifetime FFRF Member. Terrace Community and Convention thought Hall Friday morning, which is Dan Barker, FFRF co-president, FFRF staff attorneys will give a de- Center in Madison, Wis., on the week- six blocks from the convention center. will also speak about his newest book, tailed presentation on their major end of Oct. 9–11, 2015. An informal open house will be held Life-Driven Purpose: How an Atheist Finds accomplishments in ending state/ The convention center, designed from 9–11:30 AM. Please indicate if Meaning, an answer to Rick Warren’s church entanglements in 2015. Oth- by Frank Lloyd Wright, is next to Lake you plan to attend on the registra- Purpose-Driven Life, and will autograph er speakers and honorees will be an- Monona and is two blocks from Wis- tion form, to help ensure FFRF orders books. Dan, a talented pianist and nounced in future issues. consin’s impressive State Capitol and enough refreshments. songwriter who has recorded three You have a chance to receive an next door to the convention hotel, the Enjoy rolls, juice, coffee and tea and music CDs for FFRF, will also entertain expenses-paid trip to the convention. Hilton. (There’s a memorial along the socializing in the Charlie Brooks Audi- throughout the conference. If you persuade your prayerful local lake near the convention center noting torium, top floor, where a short video Douglas Marshall will receive a Free- governmental body to let you to give that singer Otis Redding and six mem- presentation on the building and FFRF thinker of the Year Award as the local a secular invocation, you can enter bers of his band died there on Dec. 10, will play. Staff members will be post- plaintiff in FFRF’s most recent federal FFRF’s Nothing Fails Like Prayer con- 1967, when their plane plunged into ed throughout the building to greet, court victory, forcing the town of War- test (see details on page 15 or at ffrf. the lake’s icy waters.) answer questions and make sure you ren, Mich., to permit him to put up a org/outreach/nothing-fails-like-prayer). Reserve your hotel room now to don’t get lost! Reason Station to counter an ongoing The award includes opening a session avoid disappointment at the Hilton If you ordered a paving stone, look prayer booth that dominates the atri- of the conference with your secular Madison Monona Terrace Hotel, 9 E. for it in the Rose Zerwick Memorial um of his city hall. words and a $500 award, plaque, trans- Wilson St., room rate $169 single or Garden & Courtyard, or your vestibule Anita Weier will be honored as Free- portation and accommodations at the double, by phoning toll-free 1-866-403- tile in the entry. Major donors’ names thought Heroine for introducing a his- convention. 8838 or 1-608-255-5100. The group will be found in the Wall of Honor and toric ordinance to make “nonreligion” FFRF will honor major donors who name is Freedom From Religion Foun- Donor Wall in the Anne Nicol Gaylor a protected class in Madison, Wis. Wei- made possible the expansion of Free- dation and the group code is FFRF. Lobby. Every donor will be listed in a er, former city editor for The Capital thought Hall at Saturday’s dinner, Book online at ffrf.org/convention2015 book on the reception desk. Times, served as an alderperson for which will also include the annual — go to the hotel site section, which Due to time and staff constraints, two terms. Her “first of its kind” ordi- drawing for “clean money” (pre-“In links directly to reservations. The cut- this will be the only time to tour during nance passed with no dissent on March God We Trust”). off is Sept. 7, or as long as rooms last. the convention. 31. See the registration form, below left For those who are driving in or don’t Speaker lineup Steven Hewett will be honored with for costs. mind staying away from downtown, Joining Reagan as confirmed speak- FFRF’s Atheist in Foxhole Award. The

General schedule Freedom From Religion Foundation’s After the Friday morning tour of Free- thought Hall will be a 2–4 p.m. reception with complimentary appetizers in the 38th Annual Grand Terrace at Monona Terrace, with legal and other workshops. Friday dinner National Convention is on your own. The formal program opens at 7 p.m. October 9–11, 2015 Friday, ending with complimentary des- sert and hot beverages. The convention Madison, Wisconsin resumes Saturday with an optional Non- Prayer Breakfast buffet at 8 a.m. The morning program starts at 9:30. After a Return with payment to: FFRF, Attn: Convention, P.O. Box 750, Madison, WI 53701 two-hour lunch on your own/sightseeing break, the program resumes at 2 p.m. An CONVENTION REGISTRATION NUMBER REGISTERING COST optional banquet dinner will be followed by evening speaker/entertainment. FFRF member(s) _____ x $60 $______Annual meetings of the member- ship and the state representatives are Non-member spouse or companion accompanying a member _____ x $65 $______Sunday morning. Non-member(s) _____ x $100 $______Menu (Save $5 by becoming an FFRF Member. $40 Individual Membership) Saturday’s Non-Prayer Breakfast is the Lakeshore Breakfast Buffet: orange Student(s) _____ x $10 $______juice, fresh-cut fruit, Wisconsin cheese and chive scrambled eggs, rosemary wedge potatoes, home-baked petite FOOD REGISTRATION pastries and muffins, coffee, tea or milk All meals but vegetarian are gluten-free. Indicate number of orders per entrée and check if you have gluten-free requirements. and option of bacon. $20, including 20% Saturday Non-Prayer Breakfast Buffet _____ x $20* $______service charge and tax. Saturday’s banquet dinner includes a Saturday Night Dinner _____ x $40* $______choice of Champagne Tilapia, with cham- pagne mushroom sauce, Yukon Gold po- ___Champagne Tilapia ___Cranberry Chicken ___Vegetable / Vegan Strudel tato wedges, lemon garnish; Vegetable ☐ Gluten Free ☐ Gluten Free ☐ Gluten Free Strudel (zucchini, yellow squash, carrots & peppers in a delicate filo pastry atop *Includes 20% Gratuity & Sales Tax red pepper coulis, served with mush- room polenta); or Wisconsin Cranberry Total $______Chicken, boneless chicken breasts with dried Wisconsin cranberries, baked with Number planning to attend Freethought Hall Open House, Oct. 9, 9–11:30 am. _____ vermouth sauce and served with garden rice pilaf. $40, including service charge and tax. A Chef’s Vegan Option will also be Name Please include names of all registrants available. All offerings are gluten-free ex- cept the vegetarian strudel & dessert. Dessert is Chocolate Lush Cake, Address City / State / ZIP a flourless chocolate cake laced with real punch and finished with Irish Crème Anglaise. Specify if need Phone / Email gluten-free dessert. Contact information for in house use only.