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Vol. 34 No. 3 Published by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. April 2017 FFRF sues Texas judge over prayers in courtroom The Freedom From Religion Foundation and three individuals are filing a federal lawsuit to stop a Texas justice of the peace from imposing prayers at the start of each court session. FFRF, with three plaintiffs directly affected by Judge Wayne Mack’s religious rituals, filed suit in late March in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas in Houston. They are asking the court to rule the Montgom- ery County courtroom prayer practice a vio- lation of the Establish- FFRF Staff Attorneys Sam Grover (left) and Patrick Elliott stand in front of the U.S. Capitol during their ment Clause of the First recent lobbying trip to Washington, D.C., to “Educate Congress.” Judge Mack Amendment. Mack, as Montgom- ery County justice of the peace, has jurisdiction over minor misdemeanor offenses and lesser civil Seeking Capitol gains matters. Montgomery County is north of Hous- ton, and its county seat is Conroe. For this trip, we had two major issues we ad- One of the plaintiffs, an FFRF member who FFRF attorneys lobby in D.C. dressed with legislators. goes by “Jane Noe” in the legal complaint, has ap- to advance secular issues The first was FFRF’s opposition to the repeal or peared before Mack on official business. The com- undermining of the Johnson Amendment, which plaint notes: “Ms. Noe is an atheist. She does not By Sam Grover and Patrick Elliott President Trump promised to do throughout his believe in any supernatural higher power, and be- campaign and at the National Prayer Breakfast in ing subjected to religious prayer by a government If Woody Allen was correct that “showing up is early February. official violates her sincerely held beliefs.” 80 percent of life,” then fellow FFRF Staff Attorney This is the regulation that prevents 501(c)(3) Plaintiff Jane Doe is a licensed attorney who Patrick Elliott and I have been living large in Wash- nonprofits and churches from advocating for or has appeared before Mack on at least four sep- ington, D.C. against any candidate for office. Removing this re- arate occasions. While Doe is Christian, she “ob- In early March, Patrick and I spent three days striction would turn churches into financially un- jects to a government official telling her when or on Capitol Hill, showing up at all 100 Senate of- accountable political action committees and would how to pray.” fices and an additional 139 House offices, armed funnel money away from nonprofits’ charitable Plaintiff John Roe is a self-employed attorney with data, legal analysis and policy arguments. Our purposes and into campaign coffers. who regularly represents clients in front of Mack, goal was to advance secular issues and put a posi- tive face on freethought on behalf of FFRF. See Capitol on page 7 See Mack on page 7 FFRF wins Indiana nativity performance suit An Indiana court has handed down Each show closed the show.” The court issued a declaratory judg- a resounding victory to FFRF and the with a 20-minute Accordingly, ment that the nativity performances ACLU — and the First Amendment. depiction by stu- The school’s present the school’s pre- were unconstitutional. The declara- The U.S. District Court for the North- dents of the story filings offer no argument in 2015 version of the tion serves to put the school district on ern District of Indiana, South Bend Di- of the birth of Je- defense“ of the constitutionality Christmas Spec- notice that if it returns to this version vision, made its final decision on March sus Christ. of this version of the show. tacular, and the of the nativity performance in the fu- 6, striking down a nativity performance “The manner — Judge Jon DeGuilio version initially ture, “the plaintiffs can swiftly return as it existed for the past 45 years at the in which the proposed for 2015, to court and seek appropriate relief,” Performing Arts Department of Con- living nativity violated the Estab- which would undoubtedly cost the cord High School in Elkhart, Ind. scene was presented and its context lishment Clause. Through 2014, during school district. The court also awarded Each December for nearly half a within the show combined to create an this segment, students at the high nominal damages of $1 to each of the century, the department had planned, impermissible message of [religious] school portrayed “the Virgin Mary, Jo- local plaintiffs — one student and two produced and staged several perfor- endorsement,” U.S. District Judge Jon seph, the Three Wise Men, shepherds, parents — for each exposure to the mances of a large event called the DeGuilio ruled. “The school’s present and angels, while staff read passages 2014 show. “Christmas Spectacular.” One element filings offer no argument in defense of from the New Testament,” notes the had remained largely unchanged: the constitutionality of this version of original complaint. See Nativity on page 7 Page 2 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | April 2017 Philosophy is his drive, love is his goal Name: Art Mielke. yearly trips to the Adirondack moun- I can attempt to plot marker events in Where I live: Point Richmond, in tains of New York, where much of my my past, my move away from belief has the California Bay area. personal history is rooted; train trav- been gradual, fitful, with residual ele- Where and when I was born: Syra- el; old episodes of “The Bob Newhart ments of belief coming to the surface, cuse, N.Y., in 1949. Show” and the British series “Rumpole especially in times of emotional pain Family: I am the oldest of four chil- of the Bailey”; feeling appreciated by when the comforts of religion beckon. dren. My father was a Presbyterian the occasional student I have taught. I can’t leave off without an addi- clergyman active in urban affairs and These are not: The constant pres- tional contextual remark. The rise to committed to the separation of church ence of cellphones; the lack of re- prominence in this country of conser- and state. My mother, a trained school spect for science; the dumbing down vative and evangelical Christian belief psychologist, kept our home life to- of higher education and the lack of took me by surprise. I was still trying gether and held leadership roles in respect for book learning in general; to digest the work of earlier mainline the PTA of the school we attended. grade inflation; willful illiteracy in theologians like Reinhold Niebuhr Sundays meant church attendance: a all its forms; speeding and distracted and “boundary” thinkers like Tillich, worship service in the morning and motorists; strident religious absolut- when the thought culture I was living youth fellowship in the evening. ists; political leaders who put their in and seeking to live by just about Education: I received a degree in party above their country and whom went extinct. I had no idea so many philosophy from Bucknell, a Master Art Mielke history will likely judge to have been of my fellow Americans thought dino- of Divinity from Yale Divinity School, moral cowards. saurs and humans roamed the earth a master’s in counseling psychology MEET A MEMBER My doubts about religion started: As together. I am sure much of the plea- from Lewis & Clark, and Master of Phi- the oldest child of a pulpit preacher, sure I get reading contemporary books losophy and Ph.D. degrees in religion I am now, on a regular basis, comfort- I grew up with the unsettling thought on atheism comes from their authors’ from Syracuse. I was also briefly a grad- ably ensconced in real estate I own, in that there was something major that ability to showcase the various super- uate student in theology at Oxford. my solarium reading chair with a good God wanted from me. At its worst, stitions and stupidities that energize However, I should go on to mention book, a glass of wine, and a view of the I wondered to myself in bed at night fact-free religious belief in our time. that it was my diploma in advanced San Francisco skyline. I have arrived. I whether I was actually tasked with be- Before I die: I want to be in love diesel from the Wally Thor School of am obviously headed toward the great ing Jesus come back to life. This wasn’t again. That’s putting it simply. But I’m Trucking in Whittier, Calif., that al- boneyard that awaits all of us, and at egotism or megalomania or spiritual OK with that. If someone were to ask lowed me to make enough money to 67 feeling this more than ever. In the arrogance. I’ll call it what it was: an me whether anything was missing from own a home and to not feel economi- meantime, I continue to enjoy teach- overpowering, guilt-provoking, and my life — rich and satisfying for the cally stranded with a solid formal edu- ing and hope to do that for some years debilitating conviction of personal re- most part as it’s been, with more than cation but no place to use it to earn a to come.. sponsibility in the face of God’s (and my share of advantages and opportu- respectable living. Person in history I admire: Scot- no doubt my father’s) expectations for nities to be healthy, safe, and able to Occupation: I am presently a part- tish philosopher David Hume was a what I would do with my life. pursue personal goals and ambitions time community college instructor trenchant and devastating critic of My more overt doubts started in — it’s that I don’t have a “honey.” The in psychology and philosophy in the religious belief. What he writes about philosophy class at college. My philos- greater San Francisco Bay Area, with miracles, for example, has made belief ophy teacher (whom I still write to 45 consolations of philosophy are many, additional teaching experience at in them difficult ever since for careful years later) got me thinking what were but the longing for love remains. two four-year institutions nearby. thinkers. at times uncomfortable and destabiliz- Ways I promote freethought: I pro- Earlier in my career, after dropping Quotation I like: I’m going to cheat ing thoughts about the religious con- mote freethought most often and I out of Oxford, I worked temporary and supply two. The first belongs to victions I held to but had never chal- hope most effectively in my work as a jobs in Cleveland before getting mer- American journalist H. L. Mencken, lenged. This process of deconstructing philosophy instructor at a community chant seaman’s papers and shipping though the precise wording, if not the familiar religious parameters contin- college. I can’t think of any work that out on the Great Lakes ore boats for sentiment conveyed, has apparently ued at Yale Divinity School where I is more suited to the development the better part of a year. Later, after morphed over the years. Mencken’s searched in secular philosophies for of careful, critical and questioning a stint as a teacher at a tony private observation hits home in the here and a description of the human condi- thought about who we are as humans academy, I was a delivery driver for a now of our current political climate of tion that was consonant with what my and what our life on the planet might bottled water company in Los Angeles. misinformation and first-rate buffoon- Christianity had taught me about who be about. I often reference my own But the trucks there were too small for ery: “No one ever went broke underes- we are and how we are made. Perhaps experience as a young college student my ambitions. At age 30, with my Wal- timating the intelligence of the Ameri- Christianity was true by another name, learning to challenge the received wis- ly Thor diploma and my commercial can public.” My second quotation is by I wondered. dom I learned at home and in church. license in hand, I went to work driving that marvelously engaging and scan- Even though I went on to a year-long I have also been moved — largely by 18-wheelers around the Los Angeles dalously pugnacious Enlightenment internship in a parish church, ministry my growing conviction of the urgency area. For the next 25 years, off and on figure Voltaire, and goes roughly like was not going to work if I couldn’t get of our nation’s crisis around the pres- and in different parts of the country, this: “May God, if there is one, save my behind the message. And I couldn’t, ervation of the separation of church I worked as a truck driver. Mostly, I soul, if I have one.” I love Voltaire’s wit though over time I developed an inter- and state — to include FFRF in my es- hauled gasoline to service stations and and sarcasm! est in learning to be a psychotherapist, tate planning. commercial accounts. I had wanted to These are a few of my favorite and saw connections, thanks to theo- I wish you had asked me: What I disappear into the American working things: Engaging conversations about logian Paul Tillich, between grace as wrote my Ph.D. dissertation on. My class, and I think I did a pretty good issues and ideas; walks and bike rides Christians have understood it and ac- work was titled, “Christians, Feminists job of it. along the water’s edge near my home; ceptance in a therapeutic relationship. and the Culture of Pornography.” Where I’m headed: After some years sipping wine and settling in on the What strikes me now, years later, Let’s just say there were very few dull of what felt like very unsettled living, couch with a newly purchased book; about the doubt business, is that while moments in the research archives!

‘A-negative’ message

Published by Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc.

P.O. Box 750 Madison WI 53701 [email protected] FFRF.org P 608.256.8900 F 608.204.0422

EDITOR P.J. Slinger [email protected] EDITOR EMERITUS Bill Dunn EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER Annie Laurie Gaylor GRAPHIC DESIGNER Roger Daleiden COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Amit Pal CONTRIBUTORS Philip Appleman, Dan Barker, Jeff Brinckman, Daniel C. Dennett, Photo by Sue Schuetz Patrick Elliott, Sam Grover, Molly Hanson, Eryn Johnson, Ingrid Laas, FFRF Member Sue Schuetz of Wisconsin found this marquee on the side of Lauri Lebo, Chris Line, Michael Nugent, Lauryn Seering, a building in Newell, Ohio, while driving back from the FFRF convention in Andrew Seidel, Henry Zumach Pittsburgh. “I thought people would like to see the total ridiculousness and distastefulness of this message,” Schuetz wrote. The only freethought newspaper in the United States April 2017 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 3 Vouchers bad for students, taxpayers Program’s main beneficiary is mostly private religious schools A cornerstone of America is our “common school” — free, publicly supported schools open to all children regardless of social class, religion, eth- nicity, gender or country of origin. America forged the very concept of universal education. Another foundation of our republic is the guar- antee of government accountability to citizens about where their taxes go. Yet another bedrock of our republic is the cher- ished principle of separation between church and state. Our secular nation was founded in part by ref- ugees seeking a country where government could not dictate which church or church school they must attend or support. James Madison successfully opposed a Virginia bill to subsidize religious edu- cation, calling it wrong to force a citizen to expend even “three pence” in support of any religious es- tablishment. In warning of this proposal, Madison advised, “It is proper to take alarm at the first exper- schools that reaped millions, while students with wide vouchers were implemented in Wisconsin, 75 iment on our liberties.” disabilities were not provided a bona fide education. percent of voucher recipients had already attended Many Americans are alarmed at proposals to de- • Voucher schools have minimal testing and re- a private school. fund public schools, where 90 percent of students porting requirements. In Milwaukee, voucher schools are enrolled, in order to fund private schools. Pro- operated for decades without taking statewide tests. How do they operate? ponents of vouchers, in openly seeking to “privat- Once testing began in 2011, results showed that pub- Some voucher-subsidized elementary schools set ize” education, are attacking American principles. lic school students outperformed voucher students. up shop in office and industrial buildings that lack Public schools, while often being defamed as poor or a safe place for students to play outside. By contrast, Money to religious schools failing by voucher advocates, have been held to far public schools offer safe recreation areas for students. The vast majority of private schools are religious- higher standards than voucher schools. • A teacher at one school in Milwaukee reported ly affiliated. Vouchers almost entirely benefit exist- • New research reveals “private school vouchers that students were served ramen noodles with hot ing private schools with overtly religious missions, may harm students who receive them.” A study of sauce and a cup of water for lunch before the school which integrate religion into every subject. the Indiana voucher program found no improve- was removed from the National School Lunch Pro- • In the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program, 100 ment in reading scores and “significant losses” in gram. This could not happen in public schools. percent of the schools registered to participate in math. A study of Louisiana’s voucher program also • Some voucher schools have failed to provide text- the 2017-18 school year are religious schools, with found negative results in reading and math for books to students. 160 Christian schools participating out of a total of voucher students. The Thomas B. Fordham Insti- • Some voucher schools have a “science” curricu- 163 registered schools. tute, a pro-voucher think-tank, published a June lum that claims to refute “the man-made idea of evo- • In Indiana, 99 percent of the schools partici- 2015 study of the Ohio voucher program, finding lution”; many others simply ignore evolution. Public pating in the school voucher program are religious that “students who use vouchers to attend private schools, by contrast, may not preach creationism and schools. In a 2016 survey by the Friedman Founda- schools have fared worse academically.” must provide science classes that cover evolution. tion, the number one reason cited by parents for choosing a voucher school was due to its religious Increase taxpayer costs Protecting rights of states environment/instruction. President Trump has promised to implement a $20 Decisions on education funding and policy have • In North Carolina, 92 percent of students at- billion federal school voucher scheme that will take traditionally been left to state and local governments. tend religious schools that receive public money money from our public school system and funnel it to The Trump proposal would involve massive federal through opportunity scholarships. private schools. interference and intervention of state and local gov- • According to a 2017 study by Daniel Hungerman • Once voucher programs are in place, politicians ernments. Education programs often rely on states to of the University of Notre Dame, “the typical parish have changed the rules to allow for rapid voucher manage federal grants that are then provided to local accepting vouchers received more money through expansion. schools. Any federal voucher program will surely in- that avenue than from offertory donations.” • Vouchers create a dual-education system where volve state agencies and direct state policy. However, taxpayers are paying for both a public system and a many state constitutions wisely prohibit the state from Lack accountability secondary voucher system. providing aid to religious schools. Federal voucher The lack of oversight of voucher schools encour- • Vouchers have turned self-sufficient churches legislation must not infringe on these state constitu- ages widespread fraud and mismanagement. into publicly subsidized institutions. tional protections. Taxpayers cut the checks to voucher schools, yet have no say in how they are run. Public schools Aren’t about ‘choice’ Subsidize discrimination are managed under democratically elected school The voucher movement is not truly a movement Our public school system is a pluralistic institution boards that assert public oversight. Citizens have championing “choice” or lifting up disadvantaged where all students are welcome regardless of their no means to review voucher school records, attend students. background or religion. Voucher schools are heavily meetings or otherwise gather information about • Polly Williams, a Democratic African-American segregated on the basis of religion. school operations or provide input. Where public lawmaker in the Wisconsin Legislature, worked with Voucher schools have few barriers to prevent them money goes, public accountability should follow. conservatives to inaugurate Wisconsin’s Milwaukee from discriminating in hiring or student admissions on • The voucher program in Milwaukee, which voucher program in 1990. Vouchers were sold to the basis of disability, religion, or sexual orientation. is the longest running in the country, stands as her as a way to benefit low-income and minority While receiving a bad rap, struggling public schools a prime example. More than $139 million in tax children in Milwaukee via the “Milwaukee Parental whose tax source is being raided to finance private money over a 10-year period has gone to Milwau- Choice Program” to attend private secular schools. schools, must accept and educate all-comers. Notably, kee voucher schools that were eventually removed The Bradley Foundation, a voucher partner, soon public schools must provide a free and appropriate ed- from the program for failure to meet requirements lobbied to expand the program so students could ucation to students with disabilities. related to finances, accreditation, student safety attend religious schools. The overwhelming num- and auditing. ber of students now attend religious schools and Don't mix church and state • Florida’s McKay scholarship program has been many are not needy. Williams charged in 2013: Voucher schemes are a backdoor means of funding the subject of widespread fraud by unaccountable “They have hijacked the program.” religious schools with taxpayer money, undermining • Wisconsin voucher the principle of separation of state and church on advocate George Mitch- which our country was founded. They benefit those ell callously revealed denominations that have the most private school in- Percent of voucher schools that are religious his agenda when he dis- frastructure in place. missed Williams as “use- While vouchers were a “windfall” for Catholic di- ful to the school choice oceses, researcher Hungerman noted, they “cause movement because of significant declines in church donations and church Indiana North Carolina Wisconsin* her race and her party spending on non-educational religious purposes.” affiliation.” Congress should reject vouchers and protect 99% 92% 100% • In practice, vouchers public education, heeding the wise words of father do not remove students of U.S. Constitution, James Madison, who noted: from struggling public “Religion and government will both exist in greater schools. Vouchers often purity, the less they are mixed together.” Read and *Wisconsin Parental Choice Program replace privately funded share this brochure (including footnotes) at ffrf.org/ education. When state- caseagainstvouchers. Page 4 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | April 2017 HEADS UP OVERHEARD A Poetry Column By Philip Appleman Repealing the Johnson Amend- personal religious beliefs as a free ment will not be a pure blessing for pass to violate the law or the basic civil LAST-MINUTE MESSAGE FOR A TIME CAPSULE churches. There could be many un- rights of others. intended consequences that would Sarah Warbelow, legal director at the I have to tell you this, whoever you are: be harmful to churches. Churches Human Rights Campaign, in state- that on one summer morning here, the ocean would be smart to oppose repeal. ment after Washington Supreme Trump and the Republican Congress Court rules against discriminating flo- pounded in on tumbledown breakers, are not doing churches any favor if rist in same-sex wedding case. a south wind, bustling along the shore, they fulfill this promise. New York Times, 2-17-17 Jesuit Father Thomas Reese, from whipped the froth into little rainbows, the column “Repealing the Johnson I’m not religious. and a reckless gull swept down the beach Amendment: Legal and Ecclesiological But if I was, I can’t as if to fly were everything it needed. Problems.” imagine what I’d National Catholic Reporter, 2-9-17 think if this was I thought of your hovering saucers, my minister. looking for clues, and I wanted to write this down, I am an atheist. I Actor Zach Braff, am not worried responding to a so it wouldn’t be lost forever — about party lines. I tweet from Mike that once upon a time we had look at the facts. Huckabee, who is New Hampshire a Christian min- meadows here, and astonishing things, State Rep. Brandon Zach Braff ister and former swans and frogs and luna moths Phinney, a Repub- governor of Ar- and blue skies that could stagger your heart. lican, after being kansas, that said, “Watch celebs spew asked by blogger ignorant political venom at Oscars?? We could have had them still, Hemant Mehta to Nah, think I’d rather have a colonsco- and welcomed you to earth, but Brandon Phinney describe himself. py. Both happen from same location.” Mehta called Phin- Twitter, 2-26-17 we also had the righteous ones ney “the highest-ranking openly athe- who worshipped the True Faith, and Holy War. ist politician in the GOP.” I think it’s very im- When you go home to your shining galaxy, Friendly Atheist blog on Patheos.com, portant for all of us 2-20-17 to recognize one of say that what you learned our great strengths from this dead and barren place is There are many is for people to be Catholics who are able to worship to beware the righteous ones. like this and they the way they want cause scandal. How to — or not wor- © Philip Appleman. many times have ship at all. I mean, From New and Selected Poems, 1956–1996 we all heard peo- the bedrock of our Philip Appleman is a Dis­tinguished Professor­ Emeritus­ ple say, ‘If that per- freedom. at India­ na­ Univer­ ­sity.­ He is editor of the Norton Critical George W. Bush son is a Catholic, it President George Edition of Darwin. His published volumes of poetry include New and Selected Poems: (1956-1996), Perfidious Proverbs is better to be an W. Bush, after being asked by Matt and Other Poems: A Satirical Look at the Bible (2012), atheist.’ Lauer about what he thinks of Trump’s Darwin’s Ark (new 2009 edition) and Karma, Dharma, Pope Francis Pope Francis, on position on Islam. Pudding & Pie (2009). His newest book is The Labyrinth: Catholics who lead Today Show, 2-27-17 God, Darwin and the Meaning of Life. He and his playwright “double lives” by not living within the wife, Marjorie Appleman, are both “After-Life” Members of teachings of Catholicism. They can discriminate based on FFRF. Phil’s books: ffrf.org/shop. Washington Post, 2-23-17 religion or disability or language needs. That is the exact antithesis of A panel at the Conservative Political a public school. Action Conference conference is ti- Lily Eskelsen García, president of tled: “If Heaven Has a Gate, a Wall and the National Education Association, FFRF welcomes 26 new Extreme Vetting, Why Can’t Ameri- speaking about private and religious ca?” Skeptics, heathens, and Stephen schools during a discussion on school Hawking might say: “Well, you know, vouchers. Lifers, After-Lifer because heaven is a fairy story.” But New York Times, 3-1-17 FFRF is happy to announce and wel- Fellow Life Member Hal Saferstein skeptics, heathens and Stephen Hawk- come 26 new Lifetime Members and generously donated five gift member- ing are not in charge of the U.S. Evan- I feel I have no one After-Life Member. ships to: Chris Appleton, Brian Cala- gelical fundamentalists like Vice Presi- choice but to re- Robert Chanaud is FFRF’s most way, James Fuchs, Ellen Gittleman and dent Mike Pence, who doesn’t believe sign if I am to re- recent After-Life Member. That is a James Osborn. in evolution, are. tain my integrity. tongue-in-cheek donation category of Individual Lifetime Memberships Arwa Mahdawi, in an op-ed titled [The lack of ac- $5,000 for those who want their dona- are $1,000, designated as membership “Heaven has ‘extreme vetting’? When tion] is a reflection tion to “live on” after them. or membership renewal, and are de- Republicans legislate from the Bible.” of how this whole FFRF would also like to thank its ductible for income-tax purposes, as The Guardian, 2-22-17 abuse crisis in the 26 new Lifetime Members: Neil Bald- are all dues and donations to FFRF, church has been win, Richard Blanchette, Keith Bostic, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. It ensures no More than a third of Americans un- handled: with fine Laurence J. Cohen, Bernard Dworski, more renewal notices and goes into a der 50 now say they have no religion. Marie Collins words in public James Eberhardt, Tom Gallagher, Bill rainy-day fund. Some even call themselves atheists, and contrary ac- Guse, Charles Hanson, Glen Harris, The states represented by the new- long the most distrusted minority in the tions behind closed doors. Louis Hecht, Joseph Heery, Trudy est members include: Alabama, Arizo- U.S., who now outnumber Mormons. Marie Collins, a member of a commis- Hughes, Ben Ives, Terry Kassnel, John na, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Change is going to come. sion advising Pope Francis on ways Kelso, Neil Polzin, Adam Schwartz, Florida, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Ne- Editorial: “The Guardian view on Amer- to protect minors from sexual abuse Terry Spalding, Prasad Vankineni and vada, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Virgin- ican Christianity: change and decay.” by the clergy, who resigned from the Robert Zadra. ia and Washington. The Guardian, 1-15-17 panel, citing what she called “cultural resistance” from the Vatican. People should also never use their New York Times, 3-1-17 Freedom from Religion Foundation P.O. Box 750 • Madison, WI 53701 • (608) 256-8900 • FFRF.org What is the Freedom From Religion Foundation? RECRUIT A MEMBER Founded in 1978 as a national organization of freethinkers (atheists and agnostics), the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc., works to keep state and church sample copies for $2 separate and to educate the public about the views of nontheists. FFRF has more than 27,000 members. FFRF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofi t and donations are tax Send $2 with the name and address of each person you deductible for income tax purposes. wish to receive a sample copy of Freethought Today to: FFRF’s email address is info@ rf.org. Please include your name and physical mailing address with all email correspondence. FFRF • P.O. Box 750 • Madison, WI 53701 FFRF members wishing to receive online news releases, “action alerts” and — Please send us only names of likely supporters “Freethought of the Day” should contact info@ rf.org. Freedom depends upon freethinkers April 2017 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 5

FFRF’s Strong Backbone Student Activist Award Sitting down for her rights Cierra Fields is cancer are not ready to. Rapists count on our She is also a jingle dancer and enjoys survivor, rape survivor silence and I refuse to be silent.” dancing at pow wows. Fields has been a delegate to the Fields plans to attend college in the who fights for everyone United Nations 58th Commission on fall. While already accepted to six col- Cierra received a $1,000 Strong Back- the Status of Women, a 2016 White leges, she is still waiting to hear from her bone Student Activist Award endowed by a House Changemaker, and was hon- top picks, including Harvard, Stanford, kind octogenarian FFRF member from New ored at the United States of Women by Mount Holyoke, Brandeis, Vassar, Welles- York, who prefers to remain anonymous, First Lady Michelle Obama. ly, MacAlester, Haverford and Amherst. and donates the scholarship fund annually In March, she attended the Youth Because she stood for the Consti- to celebrate his birthday. Summit in Washington, D.C., as a tution by sitting down for the pledge, Despite being just 17 years old, Cier- member of the board for Raliance, a FFRF is proud to offer her the Strong ra Fields has a long history of fighting group that is pushing to “end sexual Backbone Award. back, standing up, and most recently, violence in one generation.” “I was shocked when this happened sitting down for her rights. Despite much of her time spent in because I had not had a teacher go Fields, a high school senior in Fort Cierra Fields, an Oklahoma high her activism, Fields is also an award-win- this far before,” Fields wrote. “Sadly, Gibson, Okla., was removed from her school senior, says she was removed ning Southeastern Woodland textile she didn’t want to hear about the First classroom for refusing to stand for or from her classroom on Feb. 28 after artist who specializes in twinning fab- Amendment or West Virginia School State say the Pledge of Allegiance on Feb. 28. refusing to stand for or say the Pledge ric and netting. She creates traditional Board v. Barnette or my personal beliefs. “After I said I was not going to par- of Allegiance. feather capes worn by her ancestors, I hope that my story gives others the ticipate, my teacher raised her voice as well as traditional clothing from the courage to take a stand for what they and said she refused to educate ungod- Nation in Oklahoma, is a two-time mel- 18th century to modern tribal dress. believe in, too.” ­— PJ Slinger ly and unpatriotic students,” she told anoma survivor who, at age 12, began the Indian Country Media Network. volunteering for the Cherokee Nation Fields said that the teacher took Comprehensive Cancer Control Pro- her into the hallway, “in direct view of gram and the American Cancer Society some of the students,” and yelled at Cancer Action Network. Fields about how the teacher’s father When Fields was 14, she was honored missed a year of her life in Vietnam as a Champion for Change by the Cen- and how her husband was an Afghan- ter for Native American Youth in Wash- istan war veteran. But Fields’ father is ington, D.C., by Sen. Byron Dorgan for also a military veteran, who served 10 her cancer prevention work. “This hon- years in the U.S. Army. or allowed me to expand my message to “So when this teacher removed me a national Native population and I be- from class, questioned my beliefs, and gan traveling across the U.S. talking to berated me about disrespecting her fa- Native youth,” she wrote. ther/husband’s military service while Then, at age 15, she was raped. also telling me that I dishonored my “I had become a part of one of the own father, she apparently did not most appalling statistics in America,” know who she was unloading on,” Fields wrote. “One in three Native Fields wrote in an email to FFRF. women are raped in their lifetimes. “My parents have raised my sister Think about that. One in three. But and me to know our rights and to fight I have the most amazing parents and for our beliefs at all times, even when support system. I reported my rape im- no one else does. Thankfully, my par- mediately and successfully prosecuted ents also believe in freethinking. They my rapist, who also is now an appalling may not necessarily agree with all my statistic, too. Only two out of 100 rap- thoughts or ideas, but honor the fact ists are ever convicted of their crime.” that they are my thoughts and ideas. Her activist genes kicked into Obviously, my parents support my de- overdrive. cision to sit quietly and resist the teach- “I began speaking out as soon I er’s shaming/bullying behavior.” could,” she wrote. “Rape has such a It’s not just sitting for the pledge stigma and taboo overtones. I refused that has gained Fields her notoriety. to hide because I did nothing wrong. I Cierra marched for Native American Rape Survivors and the Violence Against Fields, a member of the Cherokee now speak out for those who cannot or Women’s Act at the Women’s March in Oklahoma in February. FFRF’s student essay competitions offer $30K FFRF is delighted to unveil its four students in the Michael Hakeem Me- 2017 annual student essay competitions. morial Contest. College students are This year, FFRF is establishing a new es- asked to write essays of 450-650 words say competition to encourage freethink- due by July 1, with winners announced ing students of color, the David Hudak in August. Memorial Contest, as a fourth perma- Graduate students (to age 30) and nent category. The contest will rotate “older” undergrads (ages 25-30) are annually between age groups. asked to explore “Why religious liber- FFRF has long offered essay compe- ty shouldn’t mean the right to impose titions for college-bound high school your religion on others.” The essay seniors, for ongoing college students should be 600-750 words in length, and for graduate or “older” under- must be received by July 15, with win- grads, awarding a total of more than Dorea Schramm also offer a bonus of a nonbeliever, this would be it.” The ners announced in September. FFRF $30,000 in scholarships. $100 to any winner who is a member William J. Schulz Memorial Contest is indebted to retired Professor Brian “We have considered these contests, of a secular student club at time of is open to all. The David Hudak Me- Bolton, who endows this annual con- which encourage and reward young entry. All eligible entrants will receive morial Contest for Students of Color, test. View the online application con- freethinkers, to be one of FFRF’s a choice of a school-year member- debuting this year, has a similar top- taining the prompt and more require- most important forms of outreach,” ship in FFRF or freethinking book or ic tailored to the experiences of stu- ments at ffrf.org/studentessay. says FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie product. dents of color. Both contests for high FFRF wishes to thank Pitzer College Gaylor. FFRF has introduced a major inno- school seniors have June 1 deadlines Professor Phil Zuckerman, author of Each of the contests offers six vation this year by creating a stream- and word limits of 350-500 words, “Living the Secular Life” and a fore- awards: first place — $3,000; second lined process. Students will be asked with winners announced in July. View most expert in secularity, for brain- place — $2,000; third place — $1,000; to fill out an online application and the online application containing the storming essay topics for high school fourth place — $750; fifth place — upload their essays in PDF format. prompt and more requirements at ffrf. and college students. $500; sixth place — $400. FFRF also FFRF is asking college-bound high org/studentessay. FFRF is appreciative of members offers optional honorable mentions school seniors to write on the topic: “My morals do not come from God, who make the effort to contact local of $200. To encourage student activ- “If there was one thing I could tell they come from . . .” is the open-end- high schools, colleges and universities ism, Florida FFRF members Dean and my family or a believer about why I’m ed topic offered to ongoing college to help publicize the competition. Page 6 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | April 2017 FFRF NEWS Church-funding case being appealed FFRF is appealing a constitutionally of tax dollars to repair or maintain olate Article I, Paragraph 3 of the New keeps the balance even disappears.” dubious New Jersey judgment that al- churches. FFRF, with Steketee, a taxpay- Jersey Constitution that guarantees: “nor Despite this nod to FFRF’s important lows for taxpayer funding of churches. er in Morris County, contested more shall any person be obliged to pay tithes, work, the court dropped the ball by In January, a New Jersey state court than $4.5 million in grants to churches taxes, or other rates for building or re- holding that Morris County taxpayers ruled that tax dollars could be utilized since 2012 by the board’s Historic Pres- pairing any church or churches, place can be forced to support churches, says to repair or maintain churches, despite ervation Trust Fund. FFRF specifically or places of worship, or for the mainte- FFRF's Elaine and Eric Stone Legal Fel- a state constitutional provision barring challenged $1.04 million in allotments nance of any minister or ministry, con- low Ryan Jayne. such use. FFRF has asked the New Jer- to Presbyterian Church in Morristown trary to what he believes to be right.” FFRF is confident that the appeals sey Superior Court’s Appellate Division to allow “continued use by our congre- In her opinion in January, N.J. Su- court will uphold New Jersey taxpayers’ to overturn this opinion and uphold gation for worship services,” and allot- perior Court Judge Margaret Goodzeit rights. the state’s constitution. ments to St. Peter’s Episcopal Church recognized “FFRF’s mission and its The lawsuit is being handled by at- FFRF and member David Steketee to ensure “continued safe public access endeavor to promote a healthy separa- torney Paul S. Grosswald. FFRF Staff filed suit in late 2015 against Morris to the church for worship.” tion of church and state. Without orga- Attorney Andrew L. Seidel and Legal County, challenging public grants FFRF contends the grants clearly vi- nizations like the FFRF, one check that Fellow Ryan Jayne are co-counsel. FFRF objects to cross in Florida city hall FFRF is requesting that a cross be of the political community,” to quote moved from Florida city hall’s com- the U.S. Supreme Court. The cross mission chambers to a more appro- has an exclusionary effect, mak- priate private location. ing non-Christian and nonbeliev- A large Latin cross is on display ing residents of Longwood political within the commission chambers of outsiders. the Longwood City Hall building. “The city is clearly privileging The cross is approximately 3 feet tall Christian veterans over others,” says and across its center it says, “We Will FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gay- Never Forget Their Sacrifices,” ap- lor. “It’s perpetuating the old myth parently to memorialize veterans. that there are no atheists in foxholes, Reagan ad airs on MSNBC FFRF has no objection to honor- a falsity exposed by the thousands of ing veterans, but maintains the cross servicemembers and veterans who An ad recorded by Ron Reagan invit- Founding Fathers intended. Please sends several troubling messages. It are part of our organization.” ing viewers to join FFRF has aired for the support the Freedom From Religion endorses religion over nonreligion. first time on some of the nation’s most Foundation. Ron Reagan, lifelong And it indicates that the government prominent news commentary shows. atheist, not afraid of burning in hell.” cares only about Christian veterans “Morning Joe” and the “Rachel MSNBC had previously refused to — and disdains the service or deaths Maddow Show” on MSNBC ran the run this commercial. The ad aired 16 of non-Christian and nonreligious ad off and on throughout March. The times on MSNBC in March. veterans. 30-second spot also returned to CNN FFRF has also placed the ads on CNN, “A majority of federal courts have during the same time period. where it will run a total of 16 times on held displays of Latin crosses on pub- In the ad, Reagan, the progressive “CNN Newsroom,” “The Lead with Jake lic property to be an unconstitution- son of President Ronald and Nancy Tapper” and “The Situation Room.” al display of religion,” FFRF Manag- Reagan, says: The ad had previously been refused ing Staff Attorney Rebecca Markert “Hi, I’m Ron Reagan, an unabashed by CBS, NBC, ABC and Discovery Sci- writes in a letter to Longwood Mayor atheist, and I’m alarmed by the intru- ence, although it had aired on some Joe Durso. “The inherent religious sion of religion into our secular gov- regional network markets, as well as display of the Christian cross is unde- ernment. That’s why I’m asking you to CNN and Comedy Central. However, niable and is not disguisable.” support the Freedom From Religion a previous FFRF ad featuring John F. Plus, the cross conveys a signal to Foundation, the nation’s largest and Kennedy has run on MSNBC, CBS and the nearly 30 percent of Americans most effective association of atheists other networks. Thanks to donors ear- who are not Christians (including and agnostics, working to keep state marking FFRF's advertising fund for the 23 percent who are not religious) and church separate, just like our making the ads possible. that they are “not favored members

Oppose bible as W.Va. 'state book' FFRF wants blasphemy FFRF charges that a pro- yny, homophobia, genocide, posed bill in West Virginia to slavery and intolerance of non- ordinance struck down anoint the bible as the “official believers. The state that has FFRF wants a blasphemy law in a town in Oklahoma state book” is unconstitutional. been home to authors such as taken off the books. A few state legislators have Pearl S. Buck, Booker T. Wash- FFRF was contacted by a concerned local citizen recently introduced House Bill ington and Henry Louis Gates about an ordinance in the city of Edmond that criminal- 2568, which would designate Jr. should have no trouble izes blasphemy against Christianity. The city of Edmond “The Holy Bible” as the “offi- choosing a more appropriate Code of Ordinances states: "It shall be unlawful and an cial state book of West Virgin- state book that creates no First offense for any person to circulate any literature or use ia.” FFRF calls this proposal an Amendment conflicts. any language within the corporate limits of the City of outrageous attempt by zealous If the West Virginia bill Edmond, that casts profane ridicule on God, Jesus, or legislators to force Christianity passes, the Legislature invites Christianity, which in its common acceptance is calculat- upon all West Virginians, re- a lawsuit not unlike the one ed to cause a breach of the peace or an assault." gardless of their religious — or filed earlier this year by the This ordinance, like all blasphemy laws, violates the nonreligious — preferences. FFRF against bible classes in First Amendment. “The Supreme Court has long recog- The proposed bill is both il- Mercer County in the state. nized that the First Amendment ‘mandates governmen- legal and fiscally irresponsible, In its federal suit, FFRF notes tal neutrality between religion and religion, and between as it would almost certainly federal and state constitutions. that it is not the government’s religion and nonreligion,’ ” FFRF Staff Attorney Andrew result in a preventable lawsuit And the General Assembly’s role to promote one religious Seidel wrote to Edmond City Attorney Stephen Murdock that would cost state taxpayers Fiscal Review Committee had book over others or religion in February. dearly. A virtually identical bill estimated that the inevitable generally over nonreligion. FFRF adds that while it may be permissible to put a that the Tennessee Legislature lawsuit could have cost Tennes- Encouraging citizens to read restriction on speech that is calculated to cause a breach approved not long ago (wisely see more than $100,000. and learn from the bible is not of the peace or an assault, it is not permissible to extend vetoed by the governor) was The “good book,” as FFRF a goal to be pursued by those this restriction only to speech that ridicules God, Jesus, declared by the state’s attor- notes, is a misnomer, as the bi- holding secular government or Christianity. ney general to violate both the ble is rife with violence, misog- positions. April 2017 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 7

Mack THEY SAID WHAT? Continued from page 1 “is religiously unaffiliated and objects tor,” outlining his credentials, advertis- Mack entering the courtroom before I resent being controlled by a small to being subjected to religious prayers” ing the church he is from and where it is the prayer. Notably, Mack now has the organization whose sole purpose is to in a courtroom. located. The guest chaplain often reads courtroom doors locked prior to the attack the foundation that this country All three felt compelled to remain in or sermonizes from the Christian bible, chaplain-led prayers. Those seeking to is built on. the courtroom during Mack’s prayers then asks everyone to bow their heads avoid the prayer and re-enter the court- Lynn Wiese, Santa Clara, Calif., resi- at risk of jeopardizing their cases and and pray. All prayers witnessed by the room must draw attention to themselves dent, after FFRF successfully sued to careers, or their clients’ cases. plaintiffs have been Christian in nature. by knocking on the courtroom doors. have the city remove a 14-foot tall cross Mack is a graduate of the Jackson FFRF sent a complaint letter to Mack The legal complaint asserts that due from a public park College of Ministries, where he ma- in 2014 asking him to cease his court- to his “considerable influence and pow- Santa Clara Weekly, 2-20-17 jored in theology. He ran for justice room prayers, but did not receive a re- er as a justice of the peace, Judge Mack of the peace in 2014 on a platform of ply. In October 2014, FFRF Attorney exerts coercive influence over those Because that helps keep the devil out. reinstituting religious values within the Sam Grover filed a formal complaint in his courtroom, effectively compel- Wilmington, N.C., City Council Member office, partly by implementing a chap- with the Texas State Commission on Ju- ling their participation in his religious Samuel L. Guy, announcing that he plans laincy program. He established a vol- dicial Conduct, whose investigation last- practice.” FFRF is seeking a judgment to sponsor a resolution to bring prayer unteer chaplaincy program within his ed over a year. In November 2015, the enjoining Mack from opening his court back to the start of council meetings first weeks of office. He also holds an- commission declined to discipline Mack, sessions with prayer and declaring his Wilmington News Journal, 2-13-17 nual Christian Faith & Freedom Prayer citing lack of authority to decide wheth- actions a violation of the Establishment Breakfasts, announcing at the 2014 er the practice violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. It’s not indicative of any one religion. breakfast: “As the Justice of the Peace, Clause, but cautioning Mack to end or FFRF and its plaintiffs are being rep- We’re just asking that a higher power I will bring the Prince of Peace to work substantially change the practice. resented by FFRF Staff Attorney Sam look down on council and allow us to with me every day.” By spring 2015, Mack inaugurated Grover, with Attorney Patrick Luff of make the proper decisions. Before Mack starts each of his court some changes, having the bailiff in- the Luff Law Firm in Kerrville, Texas, Wilmington, N.C., City Council Mem- sessions, he introduces a “visiting pas- troduce the prayer practice prior to serving as local counsel. ber Robert Williams Wilmington News-Journal, 2-13-17

Nativity Happy 80th anniversary, Eliasons! For far too long Christians have re- Continued from page 1 mained quiet while nonbelievers have slowly eroded our values and the decay FFRF had added to its challenge the of the family unit. It is high time that district’s 2015 “fix,” in which students our leaders step up and help us return sang about 20 minutes of devotional to the values that built this great coun- Christmas songs, along with one Cha- try. nukah song and one Kwanzaa song, as North Carolina state Sen. Chuck Ed- a static nativity display sat on stage. De- wards, in a comment posted at the bot- Guilio disappointingly ruled that this was tom of an article describing how the permissible. words “In God We Trust” were added FFRF and the ACLU will be appealing to the facade of the Henderson County that portion of the ruling. Courthouse “This was a clear-cut case of a school Hendersonville Lightning, 2-24-17 district imposing Christianity on the stu- dent body,” says FFRF Co-President An- Our father is crying in heaven. MSN- nie Laurie Gaylor. BC, CNN airing FFRF’s Ron Reagan en- FFRF has brought the suit in conjunc- dorsement ad. tion with the ACLU of Indiana and the Michael Reagan, son of Ronald and national ACLU. Attorneys on the case brother to Ron, after viewing Ron’s “Not include Sam Grover and Ryan Jayne of afraid of burning in hell” ad for FFRF FFRF, Gavin Rose of the ACLU of Indi- Twitter, 3-2-17 ana, and Daniel Mach and Heather L. FFRF Members Alton and Marjorie Eliason celebrated 80 years of marriage Weaver of the ACLU. FFRF v. Concord recently. The couple, now ages 99 and 101, were married Nov. 10, 1936, Just like Jesus said, “The poor will always Community Schools, Case No. 3:15-cv- in Brewster, N.Y. Alton worked at Pratt and Whitney and for the USPS. He be with us.” . . . There is a group of peo- 00463, was in the U.S. District Court for and Marge owned Northford Cleaners for several years and delivered the ple that just don’t want health care and the Northern District of Indiana, South New Haven Register for the town of Northford for 25 years. They have two aren’t going to take care of themselves. Bend Division. children, five grandchildren, 12 great-grandchilden and two great-great U.S. Rep. Roger Marshall, when asked grandkids. about Medicaid expansion. Kansas City Star, 3-8-17 Capitol Continued from page 1 Our second goal was to alert legis- discussed. We distributed literature encouraging to see that staff members ligious education. I responded by mak- lators to the ways that school vouchers or met with staffers from the Senate had a genuine interest in what we were ing it clear that my lack of belief did and education tax credits funnel tax- Finance Committee, Senate Judiciary, saying. not stem from a place of ignorance. payer money to religious institutions. House Education and Workforce, and Of course, we were not the only ones Because I remained respectful and We presented data from Wisconsin’s House Ways and Means. active on Capitol Hill. One of the most thoughtful while presenting my case, statewide voucher program showing We walked an estimated 31 miles interesting aspects of our work in D.C. my would-be converter came away with that fully 100 percent of the private over three days, hauling stacks of in- was seeing who else was there to lobby. some pointed questions to consider schools benefitting from the program formation for distribution. We were I imagined ahead of time that we were and some assumptions to re-evaluate. are religious schools. (For more on school joined on our final day by Stephen Hir- most likely to see corporate lobbyists Just showing up, representing athe- vouchers, see page 3.) tle, chair of FFRF’s Executive Board, in congressional office waiting rooms. ists in a positive light and letting politi- We scheduled meetings with 17 who helped open doors for meetings But I was pleasantly surprised to find cians know that we’re politically active offices during our trip: Sen. Bernie with three additional offices. that constituents and other advocacy is huge. And you don’t have to travel Sanders (I-Vt.), Sen. Chuck Schumer organizations were out in force. to D.C. to make that happen. Your (D-N.Y.), Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.), What we learned We saw activism by firefighters, dis- state representatives have local offices. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Sen. Patrick writes: ability rights advocates, and a sorority Your congressional representative has Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Sen. Cory Book- First, it was important that we had dedicated to service and programs that at least one office in your district and er (D-N.J.), Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Co- a focus on one or two specific issues. help the African-American community. your senators most likely have offices lo.), Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), Sen. Amy With that targeted focus, we were able Sam adds: throughout the state. Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Sen. Patty Mur- to have informative discussions with What I was most struck by during Sending emails is good. Calling is ray (D-Wash.), Sen. Sheldon White- staff members who were directly re- our office visits was how important it is great. But if you’re passionate about house (D-R.I.), Sen. Claire McCaskill sponsible for creating policy on those to put a positive face on atheism. Even an issue, or just want to remind your (D-Mo.), Sen. Robert Casey (D-Pa.), issues. today, publicly identifying as an athe- representative that he or she has Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.), Rep. Mike Second, it is the perfect time to lob- ist can lead to some strange looks or nontheistic constituents, then make an Doyle (D-Pa.), Rep. Ron Kind (D-Wis.) by on key legislation that impacts the stranger conversations. appointment and show up in person. and Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.). secular community. With new propos- While I was waiting for a meeting FFRF warmly thanks Life Member Ste- Beyond what we scheduled in ad- als by the Trump administration raised in Sen. Ted Cruz’s office, I struck up a phen Uhl and other donors for making vance, we finagled an additional seven in Congress, our visit was timely. For conversation with a lobbyist from Tex- possible the Educate Congress lobbying cam- face-to-face meetings just by showing example, several congressional staff as, who took it upon herself to try to paign. A total of $95,230 was raised, with up. We also met with committee staff members said that they were actively educate me on salvation. She wasn’t Uhl, a former priest, contributing $32,500 for the offices where the bills we’re working on reports related to vouchers rude, but the clear implication was that of that expense partly as a generous match- concerned about will most likely be and our information was helpful. It was I must be an atheist due to a lack of re- ing grant. Page 8 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | April 2017 FRFF VICTORIES FFRF dashes school’s religious events A Florida school district has prom- dren approached by unknown adult ised to safeguard state/church neu- religious leaders at their child’s public trality after admitting to FFRF that it school lunch. blundered in the case of a religious film. FFRF requested a written assurance A few months ago, Gulf Breeze High that the Santa Rosa County School Dis- School and Gulf Breeze Middle School trict would not grant outside groups in Gulf Breeze, Fla., publicized “I’m access to students during the school Not Ashamed,” a faith-based movie day to promote religion. that uses the 1999 Columbine shoot- The school district acknowledged ing to plug Christianity and disparage that proper school protocol had not atheism. FFRF learned that adult mem- been followed. bers of “The Dash,” an outside group “The allowance of a parent of one boosting the film, were permitted in- of the students of the club to pass out side the school to distribute event fli- tickets during the lunch period at the ers to students during the school day, middle school was not in keeping with among other violations. practice and has been appropriately Public schools may not promote re- religion,” FFRF Legal Fellow Ryan in this case, a Christian message.” addressed,” Wyrosdick replied. The ligious movies, including by granting Jayne wrote to Santa Rosa County Dis- These school visits apparently took school district “has taken the concerns adult-led religious groups like The Dash trict Schools Superintendent Tim Wy- place without parental knowledge or of FFRF seriously and through the pro- access to students during the school day rosdick. “When a school allows repre- consent, FFRF added. Allowing rep- cess of reviewing these concerns, it has to invite them to such a movie, FFRF sentatives of an adult-led faith-based resentatives of The Dash to distribute taken the opportunity to review perti- emphasized to the school district. group to recruit students for a religious tickets to a religious movie usurps nent laws, policies and procedures with “It is well settled that public schools event, it has unconstitutionally entan- the authority of the parents, some of the administration and staff at the sites may not advance, prefer or promote gled itself with a religious message — whom surely do not want their chil- that were immediately affected.”

By Molly Hanson science classes. The handout used cre- Sheriff’s department en a “choice” whether to take a bible ationist rhetoric and introduced stu- before returning to class. dents to common creationist beliefs. deletes religious page FFRF Staff Attorney Sam Grover Georgia school won’t In a letter to the district on Feb. The Matagorda County Sheriff’s wrote to school district Superinten- allow proselytizing 7, FFRF Staff Attorney Sam Grover Department in Texas will no longer be dent Clark Ealy on Jan. 26 to ensure informed the school district that at- posting religious messages online after that the teacher would not be per- tempts to smuggle religion into sci- FFRF stepped in. mitted to illegally facilitate a bible ence classrooms as “alternative theo- A local county resident informed distribution while representing the ries” had failed in court. FFRF that the department had regu- district. “Courts have consistently held that larly been posing religious messages, On Feb. 15, Oakwood Principal Josh creationism is a religious concept with- such as bible verses and prayers, on its Symank wrote back to assure FFRF that out scientific merit,” wrote Grover. Facebook page. While the posts were “under no circumstance” would the “We worry that Sevarino is similarly prompted by the untimely deaths of teacher be taking students to receive attempting to present creationism as a two department employees, FFRF Staff bibles. He also informed FFRF that he A Christian organization won’t be viable scientific alternative to evolution Attorney Sam Grover informed Sheriff would be discussing the incident with allowed to continue proselytizing stu- through a classroom assignment.” Frank Osborne and the department in the entire campus during an upcom- dents during lunch hours at schools in Grover went on to express FFRF’s a letter sent Feb. 8 that public endorse- ing faculty meeting to guarantee that the Baldwin County School District in concern over an advertisement to par- ment of religion was an inappropriate all staff understand and comply with Georgia after FFRF got involved. ents for a private religious ministry pro- way to mourn the tragic events. the constitutional separation between FFRF was informed that members gram which had been distributed via Osborne replied on March 6 church and state. of Young Life, a religious organization email by a school district staff member. informing FFRF that the deputy who Furthermore, Symank wrote that whose mission involves “introducing Crawford responded on Feb. 21 to ran the Facebook page containing his administrative team would be sta- adolescents to Jesus Christ and help- inform FFRF that Mr. Sevarino’s assign- the religious posts had been asked to tioned on the day of the bible distri- ing them grow in their faith,” had ment was intended to be in line with discontinue the site. bution to make sure that no students been permitted to attend lunches at curricular goals and not to advance escorted by faculty would meet with Oak Middle School and Baldwin High a religious message. The district also Texas school gets First the Gideons. School. During the lunches, members took action to ensure that no staff Amendment lesson of the group would befriend students member would promote an exclusively FFRF stops promotion and recruit them for club meetings. religious event in the future. of creationist ‘science’ These were “WyldLife” meetings, a group with the goal of converting stu- FFRF ends Christian Promotion of false, creationist “sci- dents to Christianity. music at Texas school ence” will no longer be undermining FFRF Legal Fellow Madeline the education of students in the Rusk Ziegler wrote to Baldwin County A teacher at a Texas public high Independent School District in Texas. School District Superintendent No- school will no longer be evangelizing A concerned school district com- ris Price on Nov. 23, 2016, to voice students by forcing them to listen to munity member brought it to FFRF’s FFRF’s objection to the unique access religious music in her class, thanks to attention that the Rusk Junior High the Christian ministers were given to FFRF’s involvement. School principal had gathered stu- evangelize students during the school A concerned student contacted dents in the school auditorium in the day on school property. FFRF about a teacher at the Trenton middle of the school day to view an On Feb. 16, the district’s attorney High School who would broadcast a anti-evolution video. The video fea- office responded to inform FFRF that Christian playlist from Spotify over tured religious arguments against ob- the school district administration had loudspeakers in the classroom. FFRF Students at a Texas school will jective scientific information about the talked to the members of Young Life, Staff Attorney Sam Grover wrote to the not be coerced into receiving bibles process of evolution. One such argu- who had been voluntarily tutoring stu- school district to ensure that the dis- as part of a misinformed lesson on ment was that whales could not have dents, to tell them they are not to dis- trict not allow its employees promote “free speech” after FFRF contacted evolved to survive deep water pressures cuss religion during tutoring sessions. their personal religious beliefs to stu- the College Station Independent and that, therefore, the biblical god dents during the school day. School District about the constitu- must have been the creator. School’s ‘debate’ over “It is inappropriate for a public tional violation. FFRF Staff Attorney Sam Grover creationism ended school teacher to promote religion It was brought to FFRF’s atten- wrote on Feb. 23 to inform the district during class, regardless of whether that tion that a social studies teacher at that it is illegal for the public school to Faculty in a Texas school district will promotion is part of a lesson plan,” Oakwood Intermediate School had teach students creationism, intelligent no longer be weaseling Christianity wrote Grover to Trenton Independent announced to students that the class design or any other religiously based into its curriculum after FFRF attor- School District Superintendent Rick would be participating in the spring- story as an alternative to evolution. neys took action. Foreman on Feb. 28. time Gideon bible distribution to Rusk ISD Superintendent Scott Da- Mark Sevarino, biology teacher at Foreman responded on March 1 learn about the First Amendment. vis wrote back on March 13 informing McKinney North High School, had informing FFRF that the situation had The activity was to involve walking FFRF that the situation had been inves- distributed a written assignment to stu- been investigated and the teacher had off of school property to a crosswalk tigated and the high school’s principal dents setting up two sides of a debate agreed to stop playing Christian music where the Gideons would be handing had been directed to cease showing about whether to teach creationism in immediately. out bibles. The students would be giv- creationist videos. April 2017 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 9 IN THE NEWS Evangelicals feel discriminated against

Poll shows they think category.) it’s worse for them In the survey, white Catholics and than Muslims white mainline Protestants were both in line with the American average: White evangelicals, the group that Each group was roughly twice as like- voted overwhelmingly for Donald ly to say Muslims face discrimination Trump in the presidential election, compared to how they see the Chris- believe that there is more discrimina- tian experience. tion against Christians than Muslims Among the white evangelical Prot- in the United States. estants, 57 percent said there’s a lot of That group was the only group to discrimination against Christians, but believe the discrimination was higher only 44 percent said the same thing against Christians, according to a re- about Muslims. cent poll by the Public Religion Re- Historical data shows white evan- search Institute. gelicals perceive even less discrim- Overall, respondents were twice as ination against Muslims now than likely to say Muslims face discrimina- they did a few years ago. When this tion as they were to say the same about question was asked in a 2013 PRRI Christians. Democrats were four times survey, 59 percent of white evangel- more likely to see Muslim discrimina- are against Muslims, compared to can population, compared to Chris- icals said they think Muslims face a tion, and non-religious people more the 13.6 percent against Catholics, tians’ 70 percent, these numbers are lot of discrimination. As late as Oc- than three. Protestants, Mormons and other even more glaring. (Jews, the group tober 2016, 56 percent said this was In terms of crimes, Muslims fare Christian denominations combined. of people who are most likely to be the case. In February of this year, far worse than Christians: 22 per- Considering that Muslims make up the target of hate crimes, were not that number had dropped by 12 per- cent of religiously motivated crimes less than 1 percent of the Ameri- included in the PRRI survey as a centage points.

Pope cuts penalties Arkansas bill allows Invocation invitation but he said the broad discretion the agency used in this matter makes it for pedophile priests promotion of creationism rescinded before meeting difficult to win. A bill filed in the Arkansas State The secular group that was sup- In a related story, FFRF and AC- House, would “allow public school posed to give the opening invocation LU-Kentucky are representing FFRF teachers to teach creationism and in- prior to the Escambia County Commis- member Ben Hart after Kentucky telligent design as theories alongside sioners meeting learned their invita- Department of Motor Vehicle offi- the teaching of the origins of the earth tion had been rescinded just moments cials denied him a license plate say- and the theory of evolution.” earlier. ing “IM GOD.” “That’s literally all it says, in ut- Andre Ryland of the Humanists of ter defiance of the Supreme Court’s West Florida was invited to give the Pope Francis has been slammed by ruling against the teaching of cre- invocation at March 2 meeting by Muslims asked about sex abuse survivors for cutting penalties ationism and a federal court’s ruling Commissioner Grover Robinson. But for pedophile priests. against Intelligent Design — both of before the meeting started, Robinson wife-beating on form The pope is said to be applying his which were seen as illegally advanc- stated that he would give the invoca- Muslims hoping to meet with an Okla- vision of a “merciful church” to sex of- ing religion instead of teaching cred- tion himself because Ryland planned homa lawmaker during a special event fenders by reducing punishments to ible science,” writes Hemant Mehta to include “other people” in his invo- had to first fill out a controversial ques- weaker sentences, such as a lifetime of in his Friendly Atheist blog. “Notice cation and then publicize it. tionnaire about Islam that included in- prayer and penance. Church officials that the bill doesn’t even bother giv- “He censored my right to give that quiries such as “Do you beat your wife?” revealed that Pope Francis overruled ing lip service to the creation myths invocation per the Supreme Court rul- Oklahoma State Rep. John Bennett advice given to him by the Vatican Con- of any non-Christian religion. It’s all ing Galloway v. Greece and I think he’s asked his constituents taking part in the gregation for the Doctrine of the Faith about advancing Christianity, which made a mistake,” Ryland said. state’s third annual Muslim Day — in about two priests, allowing them to be means it has nothing to do with which Muslims have the opportunity to punished by a lifetime of prayer. science.” interact with state legislators at the capi- Marie Collins, an abuse survivor and tol — to fill out the questionnaire. founding member of Francis’ sex-abuse ‘Athe1st’ license plate The nine-part questionnaire includes advisory commission, expressed dismay Judge censured for not denied in Indiana questions such as, “The Koran, the sun- that the congregation’s recommended performing ceremony na of Mohammed and Sharia Law of all penalties were being weakened. schools says that the husband can beat She said: ‘All who abuse have made On March 7, his wife. Do you beat your wife?” a conscious decision to do so. Even the Wyoming Bennett, a former U.S. Marine who those who are pedophiles, experts will Supreme Court served in Iraq and Afghanistan, made tell you, are still responsible for their ac- censured a news in 2014 when he made anti-Mus- tions. They can resist their inclinations.’ state judge for lim comments on social media, later publicly stating adding that Islam is a “cancer in our na- her refusal to tion that needs to be cut out.” 'Religious freedom' bill perform same- now law in Kentucky sex marriage The Indiana Bureau of Motor ceremonies, Vehicles denied a man’s request to Archdiocese to mortgage Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin signed a citing religious have a personalized plate that read land to pay victims bill into law on March 21 that allows Neely objections. “Athe1st.” student organizations at public schools By a 3-2 vote, the court said Ruth The agency turned down Chris The Archdiocese of New York is seek- and colleges to potentially bar LGBTQ Neely, a magistrate in the small Bontrager’s request in a letter with- ing approval for a $100 million loan — people from joining. northwestern Wyoming town of out citing specific reasoning, The using valuable land behind St. Patrick’s The law, Senate Bill 17, is being Pinedale, violated the state’s code of Elkhart Truth reported. The letter Cathedral as collateral — to pay victims touted as a way to protect public school judicial conduct. states that the agency can deny a of sexual abuse by clergy. students from repercussions if they ex- The court said she must either personalized plate if it has a conno- The church says in paperwork filed press unpopular religious or political “perform marriage ceremonies tation offensive to good taste or de- in Manhattan Supreme Court that it beliefs at school. The bill also bars regardless of the couple’s sexual cency, would be misleading or if the will mortgage the land across the street school officials from interfering with orientation,” or decline to perform agency considers it improper. from the church. the way religious or political student any marriage ceremonies at all. “The BMV’s online tool said that The victims are barred from bringing organizations select their members In a letter to the state’s judicial it fit the criteria to be on a plate and claims in court due to the state’s statute based on their own principles or reli- ethics advisory committee, Neely I paid for it,” Bontrager said. “So I of limitations. Currently, victims must gious beliefs. wrote, “Homosexuality is a named was a little surprised when I got the come forward by the age of 23 — or else The legislation stems from a 2015 sin in the bible, as are drunkenness, denial letter.” their attackers can dodge prosecution. decision to remove references to Jesus thievery, lying, and the like. I can no Bontrager said he believes the Attorney Jordan Merson estimated Christ from a student production of “A more officiate at a same-sex wedding denial was religiously motivated. He that $100 million would not cover the Charlie Brown Christmas.” than I can buy beer for the alcoholic.” can appeal the bureau’s decision, full cost of all the settlements. Page 10 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | April 2017 Freethought Heroine Award A brush with death paints joyous life

Lauri Lebo’s speech was given Oct. 8 at day throughout the trial over who was FFRF’s 39th annual convention in Pitts- right and who was wrong. And who, as burgh. She was introduced by Stephen Hir- I tried to make him understand, was tle, chair of FFRF’s Executive Board: lying for Jesus. Lauri Lebo is an author, radio sta- I chose to include his story and my tion owner and former reporter from relationship with him in my book as a Harrisburg, Pa., where she was the mirror to the divide that was, and sadly, principal local reporter covering the still is playing out in Dover and across Kitzmiller v. Dover trial in 2004-05 while the country. working for the York Daily Record. But I’m going to talk about him You may have caught her in the today. And my reason for doing so is Nova documentary “Judgment Day: because of our shared genetic makeup Intelligent Design on Trial,” where and a recent experience that had led she was prominently featured, both me back to his death. because of her coverage and because For the past couple months, I have her father, who owned Christian radio been wrestling with two weighty con- station WWII-AM in Harrisburg, sided cepts — the price of putting one’s faith with the Dover School Board in the in God over science; and can one still controversy. find meaning as an atheist in a near- She’s an award-winning journalist death experience? and helped reopen murder cases from But I digress. the 1969 race riot in York, Pa. She My father was a devout Christian wrote her book, The Devil in Dover, from who chose faith in God over science. the perspective of a local resident and He ignored the pleas of his wife and local reporter and the trial’s effects on children to see a doctor. He believed the community. in faith healing and, so, each time he The impact of the Dover case pro- experienced the pain in his chest, he pelled Lauri into activism, and she’s prayed it away. One week after Judge now a spokeswoman for the Pennsylva- Jones issued his decision, my father nia State Education Association. She’s was in Cumberland County prison, also served on the board of the ACLU witnessing to one of the prisoners Photo by Ingrid Laas Pennsylvania. there. He put his head down on his Lauri Lebo tells the FFRF convention crowd about her close calls with death The topic of today’s speech will bible. And died. during her speech on Oct. 8, 2016. change a bit, because Lauri nearly died Ten and a half years later, on June this summer and is going to talk about notion. Its defenders claimed it was a honestly believed that we had entered a 15, just like my father, I also died. I was an atheist’s perspective of a near-death rival to the theory of evolution, but, new era of reason and enlightenment. clinically dead three times, in fact. experience. in fact, it was revealed in federal court Look where we are now. After a four-mile run that felt terrif- It’s my honor to present Lauri Lebo to be nothing more than revamped The trial was life-changing for me. It ic, I began to feel a twinge in my chest. with FFRF’s Freethought Heroine creationism. took my life in directions that I never Within an hour, I was unable to speak Award. Thirteen parents and teachers, de- expected to go. And, as a person who due to the pain in the center of my fending the First Amendment, stood was never particularly interested in sci- chest, and my husband was racing me By Lauri Lebo up to their local school board’s reli- ence before, it changed the way I look to the hospital. gious bullying and sued the district. at the world. I walked into the emergency rooms hank you for having me here. For those who might not remember, I was writing about the trial and and was quickly hooked up to an It’s such an incredible honor. I the case made national and interna- the amazing testimony from the sci- EKG. A doctor looked at the results Tmean, to be in the same compa- tional news. The day of the decision, entists, parents and teachers, writing and said, “You’re having a heart at- ny as Butterfly McQueen — in 1989, there were news crews from Italy and about the political divide in the Do- tack.” To which I responded, “That’s FFRF named her the first recipient of Germany. And the plaintiffs were ver community and the school board not possible.” this award. heard on newscasts in New Zealand members’ clear religious motivations, About 10 minutes later, my clothes “They say the streets are going to be and Indonesia. as well as the religious motivations ripped off, and hospital staff running beautiful in Heaven. Well, I’m trying Back then, I was the education re- of the Discovery Institute, which has around like ants, I felt my arm go to make the streets beautiful here. . . porter for the York Daily Record. I long led the campaign at the nation- numb and the light in the room . When it’s clean and beautiful, I think covered the trial and the events that al level to sneak creationism into sci- beginning to turn gray. Someone America is heaven. And some people took place in my backyard. I was so ence classes through craftily written said, “She’s going under,” as someone are hell.” enthralled with this story that I left my legislation. else rushed in and led my husband Wow. Is that one still relevant, huh? newspaper to write a book about it — I also wrote about my father, who out of the room. My husband left the Eleven years ago, the school board The Devil in Dover, which was published ran a fundamentalist Christian radio room without turning around, and in Dover, Pa., rewrote its science cur- by the New Press. station and with whom I fought every I realized he didn’t know what was riculum to include the concept of in- After my book was published, I telligent design. In 2005, it became wrote for Religion Dispatches and oth- the first constitutional test case of the er publications, covering these kind of culture war issues. For the past five years, I’ve worked in communications for PSEA, the teachers’ union. And I’m THE DEVIL IN DOVER an executive officer of the Pennsylva- An insider’s story of nia ACLU Board of Directors. Dogma vs. Darwin Things haven’t changed By Lauri Lebo Quite a few years have passed and a whole lot has happened since then. But in so many ways, things haven’t changed. Perhaps the biggest irony, at least for me, was that after Judge John Jones’ decision, I honestly thought we had reached the high-water mark of the crazy. The Terri Schiavo case had just been defeated that summer. Hur- ricane Katrina had just happened. And Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton would soon be campaigning for the presidency — who both promised to steer us away from the religious zeal- Buy it from FFRF online otry that had appeared to have taken Photo by Ingrid Laas shop. rf.org hold in the wake of 9/11. Lebo is presented with FFRF’s Freethought Heroine award by Stephen Hirtle, When Obama was elected in 2008, I FFRF’s Executive Board chair. April 2017 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 11 happening — that I was dying. before the pain came rushing back. I ple who argue against climate change, of gratitude so powerful that I cry. I was overwhelmed by the whirl of ac- even as Hurricane Matthew bears down catch myself dancing sometimes for Near-death experience tivity around me, as people rushed to on them. no reason whatsoever, which looks What came next I can only describe their tasks to keep me alive. The fact that I understand it was weird in the grocery store. I am dream- as a near-death experience. For almost This is what the science says may my brain firing off dopamine and ing and planning of all the wonderful everyone, a near-death experience have happened to me: noradrenaline perhaps in a desper- things that I haven’t yet done, but that is interpreted as a glimpse at the af- Noradrenaline is a stress hormone ate attempt to stay alive rather than a I have another chance to do. Like, for ter-life. But how can you be a secular produced in a section of the mid-brain glimpse of the afterlife doesn’t make instance, organize a trip to the Galapa- person and have a near-death experi- highly connected with other brain re- what I saw any less beautiful. Or less gos with my wonderful friends made ence? Right? But is there another way gions that mediate emotion and mem- meaningful. No less than the fact that during the Dover trial. I am struggling to process it? ory, such as the amygdala. love is a reaction of oxytocin and other to hold on to that feeling. I don’t want I find it risky to discuss what came Also, a lot of drugs, such as ket- hormones triggered by our DNA. to let this go. next with others because the couple amine, can mirror the euphoria often And that the people who stood up And honestly, talking about it helps times I’ve shared it, they’ve tended to described in near-death experiences. for the First Amendment in Dover, Pa., remind me. So thank you for letting interpret it through this worldview. I Ketamine triggers the opioid systems did it out of a sense of altruism formed me talk about it. had mentioned it to one dear friend, in the brain and causes hallucinations from our evolutionary need to pass on It’s wonderful to be in a room filled who I now know is a Reiki master, and and “out-of-body” sensations. The our genetic material. with people who understand that we she immediately gave me the book, same systems can be triggered natural- As I poked around different peer-re- don’t need an afterlife to live rich full Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon’s Jour- ly in animals when under attack. viewed studies and papers on near- lives here now on this Earth. ney into the Afterlife. death experiences, I ran across a men- Thank you. Which, I’ll be honest, made me feel My faith is in science tion in The Lancet that people who I will end with an Emily Dickinson disconnected from her. But I feel this Because I put my faith in science, have legitimate near-death experiences poem that FFRF put on the side of pub- [convention hall] is a safe space to in an amazing medical team at Harris- are likely to report having the same ini- lic buses in 2009: share. burg Hospital, and because I listened tial sense of well-being after cardiac ar- Faith is a fine invention While I didn’t have the light, or to my family, I get to be here today. But rest six months after. So far, this is true When gentlemen can see the dead relatives, I did have a sense for so many people who I’ve talked to, for me. But microscopes are prudent of soaring, bodiless, over a vast lush that isn’t enough. I’ve had several peo- I continue to be struck by feelings In an emergency! green landscape. It was so beautiful. ple argue with me over this. That my And I can recall that sense of move- three clinical deaths are proof of God’s ment. Of looking down and seeing the existence. landscape rushing by below me. I keep thinking, if God really wanted The moment I came back, I awoke me to live, why did he make that poor to feelings of euphoria and well-being medical team work so damn hard? washing over me. I don’t know if I have I was told that I was one of three ever been so blissfully happy. I tried cardiac arrests at the hospital just that to describe these experiences to my night. I don’t know who lived and who doctor and the nurses. I asked them, died. But I’m going to bet that the “Where am I?” And the doctor said, odds weren’t good that we all made it. “Your heart stopped and we brought While I’m a nice person and I try to you back.” do good things in this world, I’m not In that moment, I was so annoyed comfortable with this notion that God with them. I wanted to go back to fin- liked me better than the other people ish whatever it was that I had been ex- who came in that night. That’s actually periencing. “I had the most awesome a pretty scary concept. dream,” I told them. I tried to talk My heart breaks for those who put about it. Thankfully, they were preoc- all their faith in God, and all of us who cupied with other things, like keeping have paid the price for this refusal to me alive. Because my heart stopped accept the science and reason — like two more times in surgery. my father. Like the parents who refuse Photo by Ingrid Laas So many details I can’t recall, even to vaccinate their children and realize Lebo signs books for and chats with Bonnie Selterman and Wes Bieritz following though I struggled to remember them their mistake too late. And for the peo- Lebo’s speech at the convention. CRANKMAIL

Once again we dip into the darker side of the should be attacked also, and you are destroying correspondence we get at FFRF. The following hope in majority of people. You are a greedy, unjust diatribes are presented to you, unedited, some organization and should be defended. You should X-rated, as they came to us. be ashamed of yourselves but I am sure that you You are scum: During the inquisition there were have no feelings. You are on the same level as a se- people like you who thought the nasty things they do rial killer. — Kathleen Hoffman-Tripp would succeed. Temporary success does not guaran- God is going to get you!: Hate to be you when tee permanent success, You will never get that but we to rapture comes and it will come or when you die will. Just wait and see. Like all Bad things, you will for Hell is real and I hope it works out for you. Heav- fail. — Jeffrey Palm en is a much better place to be! — Wesley Soper Crosses across America: Just wanted y’all to don’t force it on anyone else. My son isn’t forced to cowards that you are! — Phyllis Freeman Jefferson County, Mt. Vernon, IL: Now while know we are getting ready to start a drive to have take Bible in school and neither is any other stu- It’s all about you: You had and still have reli- I’m not going to speak for the Sherriff or the county all our Christian Brothers in this Country to place dent so stop trying to remove christian rights from gion (not faith in Jesus Christ) but now you are wor- as a whole, I will speak for me and my family. GET crosses in their front yards and Businesses. You our children based upon parents with no morals. shipping at the alter of liberalism and how much YOUR DAMN NOSE OUT OF OUR COUNTIES BUSI- are in the minority. We are the majority in this — Melissa Blankenship blood (unborn) has been sacrificed there? Free NESS!. I’m hoping that you read that last sentence Country. Get ready we’re getting ready to go Na- bibles in schools: I will say this and only say it think on that. — Dennis Roberts and understood that by me putting something in tion wide on the Internet. — Chris Littlejohn as a favor to you pieces of shit from one human be- Ha ha!: You’ll be lucky to survive a trump pres- CAPS, I’m pretty much yelling my thoughts to you Separation of church and state: I am praying ing to another. normal americans grow very weary idency. Let alone the new groups of pissed off vet- and this organization. You all have some damn for each of you by name, that your eyes will be of people like your organization stands for. a day erans. Not that either will attack you directly, but nerve (damn wasn’t the word that I was thinking opened to who the Lord Jesus Christ really is. You grows near when my countrymen may just decide you’ll slowly but surely be dismantled and fade of), telling those of us in this county what we can should all take seriously...Proverbs 21:30 “There enough is enough and that you and your ilk are a into that atheist abyss. Good luck with that. That and can’t do. So tell your legal team, to go find a is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can suc- clear and present danger to the constitution and and your tiny penises. Look it up. Research says short cliff and take a big leap. I wouldn’t want them ceed against the LORD.” The FFRF will not succeed spirit of America as well as dealing with a judicial that athiests have .5 in smaller penises than their to get REALLY hurt, but just so that they get their against the LORD. Please forward this to all of your system that has gone of the reservation and decid- religious bros. Haha science sucks for you. — Jeff minds off us down here. — Paul Rainwatwer board. — Steve Tasson ed to use case law in a lego block style to build on Chenowerth Douchebag liberals like ffrf: Come to my town Respect: You are trying to remove religion off decision after decision until the actual constitution Anti-fascist fascist: You fucking scumbags will and try that atheist shit and get sent home in a the face of the earth because of your beliefs.So is destroyed. I wish to impress upon you are very never win!! That Christian flag will fly and I’ll even bodybag.... — Ed Stanford once every symbol of religion is removed whats close to that edge of a cliff form which the sleeping come to your offices and walk inside draped in that Hell is a real place!: Freedom from religion next kill all the people that are Christians because giant may be awoken and you will rue the day. — flag. Come try and strip it from me. Freedom of YES, but not Freedom from the Holy Scriptures they don’t have your beliefs. I really feel sorry for Ryan Renshaw Speech you soulless cocksuckers and you will not from a Hebraic Perspective. Get out the Old Ver- you. — Dan Sladick Observation: CHRISTIANS DON’T INSIST THAT tread on that! — Steve Lombardi sion of King James and go back and see where you your organization: Since when do the minority YOU PARTICIPATE, SO DON’T ASK US TO PARTICI- us cosntitution: Americans are sick and tired missed it ask the HOLY SPIRIT TO GUIDE YOU INTO over ride the majority? It appears your group has PATE IN YOUR ATHEIST PRACTICES. YOU HAVE NO of your organization destroying America. We are THE TRUTH THE WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING nothing better to do than meddle in oth people’s GOD SO WE FEAR NO RETRIBUTION FROM (NO- not afraid of you and we will NOT give in to your or- BUT THE TRUGH. Hell is a real place created for the lives. Threatening headline grabbing litigation, GOD). CHRISTIANS DO HAVE A GOD,..ONE WHO ganization, at all costs! Any court agreeing with you Satan and his demons even this evil cohort is afraid a lawsuit that will cost everyone but your organi- DECIMATES REBELLIOUS ENEMIES. THE DEVIL AND is declared incompetent and we will NOT comply of HELL. Hell’s torment are in degrees and no one zation precious limited dollars, is typical of whiny HIS DEMONS BELIEVE IN GOD AND SHUDDER. TAKE with their rulings. The Bible is FACT, not an opinion. will be able to stand them. I was given a spiritual spoiled children. It will be enjoyable seeing you A LESSON FROM THE PAST. — JC Forbes Evolution is fiction, get over it. Do what is right and gift in the early 1970s and told Holy Spirit that I did continue to whine as you’re cast aside on Judge- IN God We Trust: It is my right to display an “In disband your organization, you are NOT welcome not want that gift. He let me experience a degree ment Day. Burn in hell you atheist bastards. — Julio God We Trust” sign in the Mt Pleasant Post Office. It in the USA, your organization is a cancer on hu- of hell, and I wish that on NO ONE!!! PLEASE DO A Cortez is YOUR right not to look at it. I suppose you don’t manity and should be removed. — Michael Henton INVESTIGATION OF HOLY SCRIPTURES FROM THE belle plaine: why don’t you people just mind carry currency in your billfold or pockets either. WE Constitution: Your organization is a shame and HEBRAIC PERSECTIVE AND NOT FROM TRADITION. your own fucking business? — Kevin Deters HAVE A PRESIDENT NOW, that will allow me to pro- is disrespectful to the constitution - except for your YOU DO NOT WANT ANY PART OF HELL!!! PLEASE!!! Sickening: This country was built by God, fess JESUS is ALIVE and in HIM we trust! You just beliefs. Never have i been so disgusted with people — Ada Brown founded on God and if you don’t wanna believe keep on coming in and sneaking around like the attacking religions for no reason. Atheism religion Page 12 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | April 2017 FFRF convention speech On truth, transparency and saying grace

Daniel C. Dennett’s speech, edited for saying grace was, “I will not utter false- space, was delivered on Oct. 8, 2016, at hoods, but have no objections to mak- FFRF’s 39th annual convention in Pitts- ing meaningless statements.” burgh. He was introduced by Linda LaScola, I think Ayer was dissimulating here, who, along with Dennett, is one of the found- too. Especially if you know any philos- ing members of the Clergy Project: ophy and if you’ve ever read Language, I know most of you already know and Truth and Logic by Ayer, you know he had admire Dan Dennett. But after listening lots of objections to uttering meaning- to his bio that I’m going to read, you’ll less statements. That’s the whole point of understand why I was so impressed to the book: It’s much more honest to utter be collaborating with him. Professor falsehoods that might be corrected than Dennett is one of the Four Horsemen to utter meaningless statements. But it of the New Atheism and co-director passed for a while and got him over the of the Center for Cognitive Studies at embarrassment of saying grace. Tufts University. He’s an honorary FFRF director and earned FFRF’s Emper- Saying grace or Has No Clothes Award in 2005. He So what was the New College grace? received the Erasmus Prize in 2012 in Very simple. “Benedictus benedicat.” Amsterdam, which is the highest award How many of you, just in the spirit of that’s given in the Netherlands. And he Photo by Ingrid Laas going along, will now repeat after me, received the American Humanist of the Daniel C. Dennett delivers his keynote address to the FFRF convention audience “Benedictus benedicat”? [Many in the Year Award in 2004. His books include on Oct. 8, 2016, in Pittsburgh. audience say it.] How many of you re- Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural long-range worry. that Hume didn’t mean it. And I think fuse to do that? [Hands go up.] You say Phenomenon, Darwin’s Dangerous Idea, A philosopher whom I much admire what he was doing was creating a use- that at the beginning of the meal and Consciousness Explained, and the soon- and have been friends with for 40 years ful crutch — exaggerating the triviality then at the end of the meal — “Benedic- to-be-released From Bacteria to Bach and is Philip Kitcher. He’s at Columbia and of saying a few words so that the young to benedicatur.” Now let’s translate that Back: The Evolution of Mind. He has re- a book has just been published called man could not only continue with his into English and see if you really want to ceived two Guggenheim fellowships, a The Philosophy of Philip Kitcher. It’s a post, but do so with a relatively clear say it. “May the blessed one bless us, may Fulbright fellowship and a fellowship bunch of essays about his work with re- conscience. Hume, I’d like to think, the blessed one bless us.” Are you hap- at the Center for Advanced Studies and sponses from him. And I have a piece in was in fact a very generous-minded and py with that? Anybody? Let us bless the Behavioral Science. As you’ve already it called, “What to Do While Religions sensitive man, and he felt for the young blessed one. [Few in the audience say heard, he’s co-founded the Clergy Proj- Evolve Before Our Very Eyes.” man and contrived it.] That’s interest- ect and he and I co-authored Caught Philip is what Jerry Coyne would call a way of giving him ing, isn’t it? You’ll in the Pulpit: Leaving Belief Behind. It’s a a “faitheist.” “I’m an atheist, but . . .” a counter-illusion Where should we draw the line say it in Latin, but great pleasure to introduce to you my Philip is an atheist, but he has more to salve his con- you won’t say it in between simple courtesy . . . and colleague, Daniel Dennett. than a soft spot for religion. He claims science as he con- English. Isn’t that to be on the same page as you and me. tinued espousing capitulation into hypocrisy? sort of a fetishistic By Daniel C. Dennett We all want to see religion evaporate, the illusion that he response? I mean, if not in our lifetimes, then in the life- was being paid for. are you supersti- hank you all for being here. Ten times of our children or grandchildren. And Richard Dawkins, in his recent tious or something? Of course, now years ago, a number of us — Rich- He is quite clear that that is his goal, second volume of his autobiography, that you know what it means in English, Tard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Chris- too, and he’s a good atheist, but he’s tells a story about New College, the col- you’re less likely to say it. But just to topher Hitchens and I — wrote books very concerned with how we get there. lege where he has been a fellow for many show you that this is on a sliding scale, I that later became called the books of It’s like the question of how do you years. It’s a very ecclesiastical place. It has want to try one more and see how many the Four Horsemen. We were all re- pull off a Band-Aid? He wants to do it a fabulous chapel, a world famous choir of you will go along with this. sponding to the same thing, what you very gently and slowly, gently and slowly, and many very distinguished academics. “Allahu Akbar.” It’s not just “Allah might call the theocratic rumble that we gently and slowly. And I say, rip it off. It is one of the jewels of Oxford. In the is great,” but “Allah is greater.” Great- heard in this land. And I wonder if you Get it done and then we can go on with book, Dawkins tells about one of his du- er than your government, greater than remember how scary that was. our lives. And I don’t think it’s obvious ties when he was subwarden, which was your god. Greater. Are you comfortable I remember when Breaking the Spell what the right answer is, but I do say he saying grace at some meals. What should saying “Allahu Akbar”? No. Neither, by came out. There were presumably hasn’t convinced me. he do? He said grace. the way, is Richard. I asked him and he smart, knowledgeable, savvy people in There were people who objected, said he would not say it. He would say New York and the West Coast and else- Dissimulation who said it was hypocritical of him to do “Benedicto benedicatur,” but he would where who advised me that I was going My favorite philosopher of all is Da- this. He said he didn’t think it was hyp- not say “Allahu Akbar.” It’s because of his to have to get an unlisted phone num- vid Hume. My colleague Dennis Ras- ocritical. So where should we draw the view of the difference between Islam and ber, have bodyguards, wear a bullet- mussen, in a forthcoming book, The line between, as he puts it, a matter of the kind of Christianity exemplified by proof vest. And I didn’t know they were Infidel and the Professor, writes of the phi- simple courtesy like removing your shoes the Church of England in New College, wrong, but they were. The rising theo- losophy of Hume: when entering a Hindu or Buddhist tem- which is, of course, about as vitiated and cratic surge was much more of a paper “In 1764, a friend asked Hume for ple, and capitulation into hypocrisy? watered down religion as you could pos- tiger than we realized. advice about the case of a young cler- Dawkins, in his book, quotes his col- sibly have: The Church of England. As But what I want to talk about is a gyman whose religious beliefs were wa- league A.J. Ayer, the philosopher who the joke goes, somebody says, “Are you vering and who was deliberating about was also the professor of logic in New religious?” “No, we’re C of E.” whether to give up his orders. Hume College. And Ayer, the famous atheist I submit that our reluctance to say- BREAKING THE SPELL counseled him not to, given that reliable and logical positivist, his defense for ing grace is not because we had any occupations were so difficult to come by Religion as a for a man of letters. As for the young Natural Phenomenon man’s scruples, Hume acidly respond- ed, ‘It is putting too great a respect on By Daniel C. Dennett the vulgar and on their superstitions to pique one’s self on sincerity with regard to them. Did ever one make it a point of honor to speak truth to children or mad men? I wish you were in my pow- er to be a hypocrite in this particular. The common duties of society usually require it, and thus the ecclesiastical profession only adds a little more to an innocent dissimulation or, rather, simu- lation without which it is impossible to pass through the world.’ ” As usual, Hume is a master writer. But I think Hume was dissimulating here. This was not in a published pa- Buy it from FFRF online per. This was in a letter to a friend to Photo by Ingrid Laas shop. rf.org pass on to this poor young man who Dennett answers a question from an audience member after his speech. had taken holy orders. And I think April 2017 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 13 superstitious ideas about blasphemy might be right even if Parker isn’t. the epistemological environment in or anything like that. It’s that once which all organizations must survive. they’ve become sacred to some group A new transparency Here’s an arresting fact: In Ireland, a of people, we know that saying them If the Cambrian explosion was trig- generation ago, there were three priests without meaning them is going to be gered by the old transparency, we are for every parish. Today, there are three offensive to some people or seem to now inaugurating the era of the new parishes for every priest. That’s about a give support. transparency. It’s not just the internet; 10-fold decline. And most of the priests And so the formula itself becomes it’s cellphones and television. It’s what’s are old. an object of attention that people fight happened in the last 50 years. And the over and even, in the end, kill over. And hypothesis is that it’s going to be even Downsides to transparency I want to know how this happens. First more tumultuous and at a much faster Now, we may applaud the transpar- of all, let me say, I don’t know. But I pace than the chaotic scramble to avoid ency and think that all the institutions have an idea. extinction that faced all life forms when that have thrived in the darkness, and Stephen Jay Gould’s book Wonderful the Cambrian explosion happened. because of the darkness, will go extinct. Life is about the Cambrian explosion, Collaberating with the MIT computer Good riddance to them. But it may be the incredible scientist Deb Roy, I a bad thing. When we move from epis- blossoming of new coauthored (in Sci- temology murkiness into transparency, life forms about Suddenly it’s very hard to entific American in Photo by Ingrid Laas where there are no trusted authori- 350 million years keep secrets. We seem to be March of 2015) a Daniel C. Dennett ties, there’s no pope, there’s no king, ago. From the be- living in a post-secret age. piece called “Our best thing to happen to atheism since there’s also no Walter Cronkite. ginning of life, it Transparent Fu- Darwin. Atheists, African-American or Mutual knowledge does not endow continued on for ture. No Secret is otherwise, know that we are not alone.” anybody on the planet with that sort about 2 billion years. And then we have Safe in the Digital Age. The Implications Which nicely brings up the mutual of reliability today. And what we have the famous eukaryotic revolution. And for Our Future Are Downright Darwin- knowledge aspect. It’s very important moreover is this sort of reputation suddenly, by evolutionary standards, ian.” (That is not our title, that’s Scientif- not only that I know you’re an atheist arms race. What organizations and in- over a few million years, we had this tre- ic American’s title.) and you know I’m an atheist, but I know dividuals are beginning to realize is it mendous outpouring of novel forms of So the idea is that the great change that you know that I’m an atheist, and doesn’t matter how good a job you do, life unlike anything we see today. in our world, triggered by the media you know that I know that I’m an athe- if somebody else decides to destroy your What triggered the Cambrian explo- inundation, can be summed up in a sin- ist, and so forth. reputation or credibility, all your good sion? Nobody knows. There are differ- gle word: transparency. We all can see And this mutual knowledge is actual- fact-gathering may go for naught. ent theories. One that I want to intro- farther, faster, cheaper, easier than ever ly very important and it is made possible As usual in arms races, offense is duce to you, if you haven’t heard about before, and we can be seen. And this by the new transparency. And it gives us cheaper to design and develop than de- it before, was developed by the Oxford makes a tremendous difference. a sort of recursive hall of mirrors. fense. And, to my knowledge, nobody zoologist Andrew Parker and presented The epistemological murk of pre-sci- Here’s an example: In 1975, let’s has yet developed a defense against in his 2003 book, In the Blink of an Eye. entific civilization is being replaced by say, there were many thousands of malicious reputation challenges. And He argues that the main trigger of all transparency. All the institutions that people who knew of a priest who had that’s a very frightening prospect. No- of this tremendous evolutionary design have developed in civilizations — not sexually abused a child. But almost tice that science as a whole is probably work that happened was in response just churches, but governments, armies, no one knew that others knew. Today, our best, strongest candidate. to the shallow ocean becoming chem- banks, industries, clubs, families, corpo- hundreds of millions of people know That’s one of the best reasons to ically more transparent. Light could rations, all human groups with projects that hundreds of millions of people get behind science, and to announce get through. And whereas there hadn’t — up until now have evolved in a rela- know that thousands of priests have our support. But don’t go overboard. been any eyesight, eyes evolved very tively epistemologically murky environ- sexually abused children. It’s that mu- Don’t make the mistake of worshipping quickly. And as soon as they evolved, ment. It’s been easy to keep secrets. And tual knowledge. The fact that people science, but respect science for what it this set off an incredible arms race of suddenly it’s very hard to keep secrets. not only know it, but they know that does respectably. And, to those who are invention and counter-invention. New We seem to be living in a post-secret age. others know it, and those others know critical of science, I love to point out to methods of locomotion, methods of Now some people think this is won- that others know it. them, particularly when they describe hiding and seeking, predator-prey inter- derful. And, in fact, as anybody who And this changes the whole world of to me one scientific misdemeanor or actions, camouflage, evasive behavior. knows any game theory will tell you, you those agents in that setting. This is why another — somebody who’s faked some And the driving force of all of this was absolutely do not want to reveal your the Catholic Church is now having a data and been caught, for instance — I the sudden transparency of the medium plans if you are in any sort of a compet- very hard time recruiting priests. Young say right, and who discovered that? Who in which life then existed, permitting itive situation. You have to keep your men have to add to their concerns the proved that this was fraudulent? The long-distance perception and making own plans and intentions secret. You likelihood that a lot of people are go- self-policing of science is what’s done it, locomotion a much more potent tool. cannot be an effective agent unless you ing to view them with suspicion if they and religion has nothing like it. Before that, you had very little chance have a nontransparent boundary within enter the priesthood, simply because of So what do we do? I think we’ve of seeing very far because your sense or- which you can conduct your planning the common mutual knowledge of all heard from several people what to do. gans pretty much simply told you what and your moves in the world. of that abuse. We should do good under the banners was happening at your surface and you In the Cambrian explosion, most of secularism. Not just say we’re good, sort of groped around in the mud. Mutual knowledge of the exotic forms went extinct. Of but show it. Show, don’t just tell. Like Parker’s theory is not known to be This transparency that’s coming course they all didn’t. Every non-plant the members of FFRF are doing in so right or wrong. He’s had to adjust it to is in many regards a good thing, and and non-fungus that’s alive today is de- many ways and I want to encourage you respond to some objections. I’m not say- I don’t want to say it isn’t. It’s a very scended from the creatures that were to do it again, and more. Thanks for ing we should accept it, but I am saying good thing. I like to quote A.J. John- alive then. your attention. let’s use it as a hypothesis on which we son, development director of American So which organizations will go ex- To read Dennett’s full speech, go to ffrf. can model another hypothesis, which Atheists, who said, “The internet is the tinct? The mutual knowledge changes org/dennett.

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Freethought Today is The Post Office does not published 10 times a year. forward third-class mail. Photo by Andrew Seidel FFRF cannot be responsible for replacing FFRF Staff Attorney Sam Grover recently asked his girlfriend of two years, back issues if we have not been Elise Malzer, if she would marry him. “She said that she’d be OK with that,” notified prior to your move. Sam jokingly remarked about her response. Elise is preparing to become an P.O. Box 750 • Madison, WI 53701 OBGYN and is currently the president of Medical Students for Choice at the ffrf.org/donate UW Medical School in Madison, Wis. No date has been set for the wedding. Page 14 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | April 2017 FFRF convention speech The origin of the Henry Zumach Award This speech was delivered at FFRF's 39th annual con- vention in Pittsburgh, Pa., on Oct. 8, 2016.

By Henry Zumach

was born in 1942. In the United States at that time, it was common for women to be paid less than men Ifor the same job, and women were refused pro- motions. A number of states had laws that allowed homosexuals to be imprisoned. Many states and mu- nicipalities required businesses to close on Sundays and some “holy days.” In some parts of the country, if a black man looked at a white woman’s face while passing on a sidewalk, he might be killed in a public hanging by members of the Ku Klux Klan, a Protes- tant denomination. In other countries, those kinds of practices, and some even more egregious (such as the Holocaust) were commonplace. “Sincerely held” religious beliefs were the justi- fication. I am sure that everyone here is aware that similar conditions are still common in many of the countries where religion and government are not separated. I gradually came to realize that many of the things I was taught during five years attending Photo by Ingrid Laas Catholic schools did not make any logical sense, Hank Zumach, left, presented FFRF Co-Presidents Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor with the Henry H. and were, in fact, contrary to the basic teaching of Zumach Award, including a plaque and $10,000 gift to FFRF. Hank donated $100,000 in February 2017 to FFRF “treat others as you want to be treated.” I became to endow the new award. more and more supportive of the need to separate the powers of religion and government and appre- ciative of those who were willing to publicly oppose ning we had about 30 people in a La Crosse living Islamic fundamentalist teachings and even repeat- the most egregious laws and practices. But I had room and 22 of us joined the FFRF in the lawsuit. I edly published drawings depicting Mohammed’s no interest in getting involved and was happy to accepted the role of spokesperson for the plaintiffs appearance. In spite of the killings and bombing, simply enjoy my retirement. and the lawsuit became the largest Tribune story Charlie Hebdo refused to back down and contin- One morning in 2002, I read the headline story two years in a row. ues its proud activism. in the La Crosse (Wis.) Tribune about the feder- I mention this story in part to explain how it be- I am very pleased and proud to announce that al lawsuit that had been filed gan that I became aware of the FFRF and I are in the process of working out the by FFRF and a local couple Freedom From Religion Foun- details of a plan that FFRF will oversee and ad- to force the removal of a Ten Damn. That’s too bad, dation, its founder Anne Nicol minister the Zumach Award in the future. To that Commandments monument because that religious mon- Gaylor, and the now co-presi- end, over the next two years, I expect to donate from a city park in downtown dents, Annie Laurie Gaylor and $200,000 to begin to permanently fund the award. ument“ does not belong on La Crosse. The article de- Dan Barker. I also intend to make the fund the recipient of the scribed that the lawsuit was to public property. Someone As time passed, I began to assets in my will. The money will be invested in a be dropped because the hus- should do something to keep consider how I might be able stock market index fund to ensure its long-term band of the couple who were the lawsuit going. Damn. to encourage and support the viability. As you all can easily imagine, the laws and the plaintiffs had died and the — Henry Zumach activism of the “Sue Merciers” regulations for such an activity are complicated, widow was unwilling to contin- in other parts of the country but we are working out the details. It is my hope ue as the lone plaintiff. and world. I am not wealthy, that some of you may decide to join me in this I said to myself: “Damn. That’s too bad, because but I am financially secure. A year ago, I made the effort. that religious monument does not belong on pub- commitment to annually award $10,000 to an indi- I do not have to go into any details with this au- lic property. Someone should do something to vidual or organization that has taken actions that dience as to the incredible work done by FFRF and keep the lawsuit going. Damn.” diminish the influence of fundamentalist religion. its talented staff members. I am here today to an- And then it happened. This weird question kept I emphasize the word “fundamentalist.” nounce that this year’s Henry Zumach Award for popping up in my mind: “Hank, why don’t you be I am calling it the Henry H. Zumach Award for diminishing the influence of fundamentalist reli- that someone?” And I could not come up with a Freedom From Fundamentalist Religion. Work- gion is being given to the Freedom From Religion good reason why not. So, I phoned the widow, Sue ing with the American Humanist Association, last Foundation. FFRF, under the leadership of Annie Mercier, and asked her if she would be willing to year the Henry H. Zumach Award went to Charlie Laurie Gaylor and Dan Barker, has been doing an continue if other people were willing to join the Hebdo, the publishing company in Paris that was outstanding job of opposing the imposition of var- suit as plaintiffs. After Sue said she would consider attacked by Muslim fundamentalists because Char- ious religious beliefs on others. it, I began making phone calls and by Monday eve- lie Hebdo repeatedly printed articles critical of Helping to fight religious fundamentalism

Name: Henry (Hank) Zumach. MEET A MEMBER Where I live: Just south of La Crosse, Wis., on the Mississippi River. A quotation I like: “Always re- Where and when I was born: La member that silence gives consent.” Crosse in 1942. — U.S. Rep. James Clyburn of South Family: Son Todd Zumach, daugh- Carolina. ter Kelly Johnson, 25-year domestic These are a few of my favorite partnership with Betty Hammond. things: Friends, biking, perennial gar- Education: Bachelor’s degree from dening, supporting progressive politi- UW-La Crosse, with psychology and cal values. business administration majors, plus These are not: Irrational political some master’s degree credits. leaders, fundamentalist religious values. Occupation: Retired from careers My doubts about religion started: At working in human resources, teach- age 12. ing industrial safety laws and owning Before I die: I am glad to be work- of residential roofing company. ing with FFRF to promote the Henry Military service: Marine Corps. H. Zumach Award. Person in history I admire and why: Ways I promote freethought: Those who had the courage to con- Co-founded the 150-member La front bigotry and discrimination, in- Crosse Area Freethought Society, and cluding Anne Nicol Gaylor. founded the Henry H. Zumach Award. Hank Zumach enjoys a happy moment with his partner Betty Hammond. April 2017 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 15 Gorsuch: No assisted suicide or abortion?

is consistent with the common law and Supreme Court long-standing medical ethics.” Notice the phrase “private per- nominee’s book sons.” Gorsuch thinks the state, not a private person, is justified in taking on assisted suicide human life for capital punishment shows his leanings and during wartime. His views in this book establish Gorsuch as firmly pro- By Dan Barker death penalty. As a conservative, Gorsuch assigns e don’t know for sure what high respect to historical and legal views Neil M. Gorsuch (Presi- precedent: “One of the central pur- W dent Trump’s Supreme Court poses of this book,” he writes, “is to nominee) holds on a number of cru- identify and explore the strengths and cial social issues. But we can learn a lot weaknesses of the legal and moral ar- by reading between the lines. guments deployed by those who seek Gorsuch has never decided a case to overthrow existing laws against those dealing with abortion and has appar- practices.” [Emphasis mine] ently not publicly articulated his views Insisting that “all human life is on the topic. However, Trump vowed intrinsically valuable,” Gorsuch at- to his supporters that he would appoint tempts to weaken (or eliminate) the Supreme distinctions between assisted suicide Supreme Court nominee Neil M. Gorsuch Court jus- and euthanasia, between euthanasia tices who and eugenics, and between eugenics gesting a hidden agenda. “The right to man good,” he writes, “it is far from will over- and homicide. die sometimes appears to morph into the only one, and it is impossible to turn Roe v. “Is there really any meaningful a duty to do so.” say that it should always be preferred Wade. Since moral distinction that can be drawn The centerpiece of Gorsuch’s book to other basic, innate goods that are Gorsuch between assisted suicide and euthana- is Chapter 9, “An Argument against themselves entirely independent and is a con- sia?” he asks. (Some of us would say yes, Legalization.” It is here that he makes sufficient reasons for action—like the servative because assisted suicide always involves his inviolability-of-life case. “If human freedom and equality of one’s coun- originalist a decision by the patient.) His argu- life qualifies as a basic good, it follows trymen, the liberty of others, or one’s (like his ment appears to be “assisted suicide = that we can and should refrain from faith in God.” predeces- euthanasia = eugenics = murder.” actions intended to do it harm.” In case you think that sentiment sor Antonin While arguing that this is entirely Gorsuch makes a number of com- might allow for the life and priva- Scalia) who secular, Gorsuch uses Christian histo- ments that resonate with anti-abortion cy of a pregnant woman to also be Dan Barker has decried ry as a precedent: arguments. “Even a “basic good,” remember that he is judicial ac- “Though the bible if a certain degree only talking here about the right of a tivism and has never spoken favorably nowhere explicit- His confirmation as a of arbitrariness competent adult to withhold medical about abortion, we can assume that he ly forbids suicide, judge would give him a vote to or uncertainty is treatment. is no friend to women’s rights. from its earliest retard“ the adoption of rational tolerable and per- Proposing a “middle way,” Gorsuch Although Gorsuch converted to days Christiani- haps even inher- might appear to have some moder- and humane regulations Episcopalianism, he was raised Cath- ty taught against ent in many poli- ate impulses: “The inviolability-of-life olic, and attended Christ the King the practice.” He honoring the choice of gravely cy decisions,” he principle allows us to chart what is, in Roman Catholic school and then quotes Thomas or terminally ill patients. writes, “it is simply a very real sense, a ‘middle way’ be- Georgetown Preparatory School, a Aquinas: “[Sui- — Dan Barker not acceptable tween the extremes of treating life as Jesuit high school. His mother, Anne cide] wrongs God, when we are de- a mere instrumental good and treating Gorsuch Burford, whom he has always whose gift life is ciding who is and it as something that we must preserve defended, has been described as “fer- and who alone has power over life is not treated as fully human.” at any cost — affording, in the process, vently anti-abortion.” and death.” He claims that Christian- He elaborates elsewhere: “Once significant liberty to patient and doctor Regarding his views on contracep- ity had an “influence on the common we open the door to excusing or jus- alike to discontinue or apply palliative tive rights, we do know that as a jus- law’s initial view of suicide” (although tifying the intentional taking of life treatment even in circumstances where tice on the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of he later admits that this is “at best a as ‘necessary,’ we introduce the real death is foreseen as a certainty.” How- Appeals, he sided with Hobby Lobby’s matter for speculation”). possibility that the lives of some per- ever, notice that this “middle way” does argument that a corporation can have After surveying historical prece- sons (very possibly the weakest and not allow for assisted suicide, only for “religious rights” that trump the right dent, Gorsuch concludes: “There is most vulnerable among us) may be the right to refuse medical care. This of women employees to choose their no meaningful historical antecedent deemed less ‘valuable,’ and receive principle would not seem to apply to own form of contraception. The U.S. for a right to assistance in suicide and less protection from the law, than the life of a pregnant woman, if the fe- Supreme Court went on to affirm the euthanasia.” others,” he writes. tus is viewed as a person. decision in its disastrous 2014 ruling. That phrase “weakest and most Needless to say, with several states It is clear that Gorsuch will embrace Mostly a legal treatise vulnerable” sounds like anti-abortion adopting death-with-dignity measures, the Religious Right’s campaign to re- Most of Gorsuch’s book is a careful talk. It would certainly apply to an em- it’s inevitable Gorsuch, if confirmed, define religious liberty as the right to and comprehensive legal treatise, ac- bryo or fetus if you think the fetus is a will be asked to vote on challenges impose religious dogma on others. knowledging that there are differences person. (And most people who grant to such legislation. It’s clear he We can also try to discern his views of opinion (in society as well as the personhood to fetal life do so for the would rule against these laws. His on abortion and human life by analyz- courts) and good reasons for overturn- religious reason that they believe “en- confirmation as a judge would give ing his 2006 book, The Future of Assisted ing precedent as society changes (for soulment” takes place at conception.) him a vote to retard the adoption Suicide and Euthanasia. The tome is an example, in Loving v. Virginia, which Gorsuch doesn’t appear to explic- of rational and humane regulations expansion of his doctoral dissertation overturned anti-miscegenation law). itly address the concept of person- honoring the choice of gravely or at Oxford. In the book, Gorsuch makes But he links eugenics to the modern hood, but he does point out: “In Roe, terminally ill patients. arguments that sound like they were movement to legalize abortion and to the Court explained that, had it found At the end of the book, Gorsuch cut and pasted from a “pro-life” tract. the decline of religion: “Skepticism of the fetus to be a ‘person’ for purposes leaves no doubt: “Recognizing human He opposes assisted suicide based on traditional authority, the rise of the le- of the 14th Amendment, it could not life as intrinsically, not instrumental- the “basic good” of the “inviolability of gal right to privacy in the form of birth have created a right to abortion be- ly, valuable . . . would rule out assist- life.” That kind of talk dovetails with control and abortion rulings, and the cause no constitutional basis exists for ed suicide and euthanasia, though the rhetoric of anti-abortionists. feminist movement all led to renewed preferring the mother’s liberty inter- it would not lead to, and should not debate over the appropriate balance ests over the child’s life.” (Notice that be confused with, a vitalist’s view that Making a secular case? between collective and individual he uses the weighted term, “mother,” measures must always be taken to Although the overwhelming oppo- rights. . . . At the same time, the in- instead of “pregnant woman.” Preg- keep human beings alive; to the con- sition to assisted suicide and abortion fluence of religion began to decline in nant women should only be referred trary, it would leave significant room comes from the Religious Right, Gor- much of the Western world. Euthana- to as “mothers” if they already have for individual autonomy, restricting such goes out of his way to insist that sia advocates sought to take advantage children.) state interference only to cases where he is making a secular case. He pro- of this changing cultural climate.” an intent to help kill is present.” poses “an argument for retaining ex- Gorsuch agrees that the modern Sends strong message If we replace the words “assisted isting law on the basis that human life eugenics movement (since World War If we connect these “right to life” suicide and euthanasia” with “abor- is fundamentally and inherently valu- II) is less extreme, focusing on physi- comments with Gorsuch’s belief that tion,” and “human beings” with “preg- able, and that the intentional taking cian-assisted suicide rather than eutha- faith in God is also a “basic good,” this nant women,” this becomes a chilling of human life by private persons is al- nasia, but he warns that “strains from sends a powerful message to Catho- statement. ways wrong” assuring us that this argu- the early euthanasia movement have lic and evangelical anti-abortionists. Dan Barker is co-president of FFRF. ment, “based on secular moral theory, never completely disappeared,” sug- “While life is certainly one basic hu- Amit Pal contributed to this article. Page 16 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | April 2017 A secular state is best for all citizens

By Michael Nugent states promote religion. Atheist states nal values. The World Values Survey, promote atheism. Secular states conducted by social scientists, suggests any people misunderstand the promote neither. that as individuals move from sur- difference between atheism Secondly, secularism allows reli- vival values to self-expression values, Mand secularism. Both are forces gious people to focus on preparing which are triggered by investments for good, but for different reasons. for whatever next world they believe in health, education, communication Atheism can mean actively believ- in, based on applying faith to their technologies and democracy, societies ing gods do not exist, or passively not beliefs about divine revelations, and it move from traditional religious values believing gods exist. Most atheists be- allows the state to focus on governing to secular rational values. lieve gods exist only as ideas in the this world, applying reason to the best How do we achieve state secular- minds of humans. Most atheists are available evidence. ism, in Ireland or elsewhere? We open to new evidence that we might Thirdly, secularism can combine need to remove from the Constitu- be mistaken. with human rights standards as a tion religious oaths for president and Secularism can mean philosophi- foundation stone on which we can judges, and the crime of blasphemy. cally focusing on the natural world, build a liberal de- We need a gov- or politically separating church and mocracy. This can, ernment that does state. Many religious people support in turn, combat The happiest countries are not start each day political secularism. other threats from secular liberal democracies. with a prayer asking Atheist Ireland, of which I am such ideologies as the Christian God chair, believes that reason and sci- Michael Nugent fascism and total- to direct every word ence are more reliable ways of under- itarianism and communism and the of our parliamentarians. standing reality than are faith and re- Muslims, who they claim are not real unregulated free market. We need secular state schools that ligion, and that morality is a natural Muslims. And it funds all schools to Secularism also has many practical teach children freedom of thought, process based on evolved attributes discriminate against teachers based advantages. The happiest countries based on human rights, and without re- such as empathy, compassion, coop- on religion. are secular liberal democracies, in- ligious segregation or indoctrination. eration, reciprocity, fairness, justice We promote a secular education cluding Scandinavian countries and We need secular state hospitals and reason. system, where state-funded schools Northern European states. based on compassion, human rights But we respect the right of others will treat all children equally, without In general, secular countries have and the medical needs of patients, to believe differently, as long as the reference to the religious or nonreli- lower rates of homicide, juvenile and and not on religious ethics. state does not assist any group to im- gious beliefs of their parents. early adult mortality, STD infection International trends are clear. The pose their beliefs on others. Secular schools will not ignore re- rates, teen pregnancy, and abortion. developed world is relentlessly becom- Today, the Irish state funds Cath- ligion; they will teach children about Studies published by social scientist ing more secular, with some funda- olic schools that evangelize the chil- religions and beliefs in an objective, Phil Zuckerman and others have shown mentalists fighting a rearguard action dren of atheists into Catholic beliefs, critical and pluralist manner, while that atheists and secularists are typical- against it. against their conscience. It funds respecting everybody’s human rights. ly less nationalistic, less prejudiced, less Ireland and the world will follow Church of Ireland schools that insist Political secularism is a force for racist, less dogmatic, less ethnocentric, that trend, and the sooner we attain Evangelical parents must prove their good in three ways. less closed-minded and less authoritar- a secular state, the better it will be for church is genuine before their child Firstly, secularism protects ian; and more politically tolerant and religious and atheist citizens alike. can attend school. everybody’s freedom of conscience more supportive of gender equality, Michael Nugent is an FFRF member It funds Sunni Islamic schools and religion and belief by staying women’s rights and gay rights. and chair of Atheist Ireland. that discriminate against Ahmadi neutral between them. Religious There is a pathway to secular ratio- This article first ran in the Irish Times. Be loud and proud of your freethinking

By Eryn Johnson When someone asks us where we neighborhood gentrification effort. Go go to church, why should we pause for play piano or sing or play checkers at a o all my fellow secular rays of sun- even a moment’s hospital or nursing shine, I must pose the following hesitation before home. Just make Tquestion: What would it take to we say, “I’m an Go do something adorable sure when you do it get you out of the house to commune atheist, so I don’t that the credit goes today in the name of atheism with like-minded people, share in intel- go to church”? to altruism and not or“ secular humanism. ligent discourse and get a free “Separa- Why should we some imaginary al- tion of State and Church” bumper stick- bend and bow to — Eryn Johnson mighty being. If er, graciously provided by FFRF to help brainwashed be- people thank God combat the local authorities plastering lievers who mostly for what you’ve “In God We Trust” on their patrol cars? wouldn’t know a biblical passage if it done, kindly correct them. I ask because apparently not even were quoted to them by a talking snake? We don’t have to be obnoxious, but free food and an open bar can drag I still actively advocate what I call we do have to be open and we cannot folks out into the open here in the “adorable atheism.” Go do something be apathetic. We have to be beacons to panhandle of Florida (aka Lower Al- adorable today in the name of atheism those forced into corners and closets. abama). Whenever I’ve hosted spe- or secular humanism or fill in the blank There are so many hoping for a time cifically secular events at my house, I Eryn Johnson with your favorite brand of godlessness. when they will not be persecuted for have always had guests aplenty. Howev- Volunteer at your local humane so- their lack of belief. er, this time I was asking people to be ly atheist or even participated in such ciety or homeless shelter. Take on a ser- We have to make that time now! open about their nontheism. an event. vice project like a highway cleanup or a Eryn is an FFRF member. I was asking them to put a bumper While I constantly preach the im- sticker on their car and maybe even take portance of being openly atheist, I re- a picture. When I first asked how many alize that is an unaffordable luxury for people would be interested in a sticker, some. In fact, after a period as an open more than 35 responded, wanting at group, which led to the growth, the least one. I knew, when push came to majority decided to close it again after shove, it would be less than that, but I a local school teacher was outed by a never guessed that fewer than 20 people troll who had slipped in unnoticed. would show up and only three would The teacher’s fate with the school dis- be willing to take pictures of themselves trict is still pending as I write this. with their stickers proudly displayed on We can’t let this continue. The Re- their vehicles. ligious Right has bullied nonbelievers For some perspective here, I belong into corners and closets for far too to a closed/private atheist group that long. Given the recent election results, in two years has grown from 12 to 250 we may very well be in a political climate members. I have had several discussions where all three branches of government with people who expressed genuine might just be fine with tearing down Jef- fear that either their jobs or their stand- ferson’s wall of separation. Photo by Eryn Johnson ing in the community or their families Why should we be ashamed of em- Johnson was able to get a few people to take one of FFRF’s bumper stickers and would be in jeopardy if they were open- bracing logic and reason? attach it to their vehicles. April 2017 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 17 They’re playing our secular song FREETHOUGHT BOOKS The following are books by FFRF members By Jeff Brinckman Predetermination on the topics of religion or freethinking. FFRF does not do traditional book reviews. ver the holidays, it’s hard to category avoid Bing Crosby’s “White “Born to be Wild” (1968) by Step- OChristmas,” a classic that for penwolf. “Like a true nature’s child, The Arrogance of Religious decades has indoctrinated millions of we were born, born to be wild, we can Thought: Information Kills Americans with a Christian message. climb so high, I never wanna die. Born Religion Sadly, in our land of freedom, religion to be wild, born to be wild.” has insidiously infiltrated all aspects of “I Was Made to Love Her” (1967) By William A. Zingrone culture, including music. by Stevie Wonder. “Don’t you know I $16.99 (paperback) The following are some of the pop- was made to love her, built a world all Lulu Publishing 2016 ular songs from the 1960s and ’70s around her, yah, hey, hey, hey” that promoted God, Jesus, spirits, an- A provocative, challenging and irrever- gels, souls and heaven. ent exposé of the Love category obnoxious arro- As the ’60s began, the Highwaymen Jeff Brinckman sang “hallelujah” for “Michael” (1961) to “All You Need Is Love” (1967) by gance inherent in “row the boat ashore.” That was followed believes he sees, no wise man has the the Beatles. “All you need is love. All to- all religious think- by the Singing Nun, who used French to power to reason away. What seems gether now. All you need is love. Every- ing: condemning sing “Dominique” (1963). Do you recall to be, is always better than nothing, body. All you need is love, love. Love is one another to the number of times the Impressions re- there’s nothing at all, but what a fool all you need.” eternal torment, peated the word “Amen” (1964)? believes he sees.” “What the World Needs Now” relegating wom- During the Vietnam War, the Byrds (1965) by Jackie DeShannon. “What en and gays to expropriated biblical lyrics to write, Existentialism category the world needs now is love, sweet second class citi- “Turn, Turn, Turn” (1965), and two love. It’s the only thing that there’s zenship, dividing years later, Dionne Warwick promised “Dust in the Wind” (1978) by Kansas. just too little of.” humanity into ar- to “Say a Little Prayer” (1967). “Dust in the wind, all we are is dust in “Put A Little Love In Your Heart” bitrary factions, sexual repression, de- The heavenly harmony of the Beach the wind. Dust in the wind, everything (1969) by Jackie DeShannon “Think nial of knowledge, promoting delusions Boys proclaimed “God Only Knows” is dust in the wind.” of your fellow man, lend him a help- of god and the afterlife, upholding pho- (1966), as the provocative O.C. Smith “Is That All There Is?” (1969) by Peg- ing hand. Put a little love in your ny patriarchal authority, claiming eter- had the gall to say: “God didn’t make gy Lee. “When that final moment comes heart, you see, it’s getting late. Oh, nal truth without evidence, and child ‘Little Green Apples’” (1968). and I’m breathing my last breath, I’ll be please, don’t hesitate. Put a little love indoctrination. The dramatic Righteous Brothers saying to myself, is that all there is? Is in your heart, and the world will be a skipped over the concept of soul, as that all there is? If that’s all there is, my better place, and the world will be a The Beatin’ Path: A Lyrical they belted out “Soul and Inspiration” friends, then let’s keep dancing, let’s better place, for you and me.” (1966). Sam and Dave followed with break out the booze and have a ball, if Guide to Lucid Evolution “Soul Man” (1967), as the Box Tops that’s all there is.” Best Deist Morality By John B. Lane topped it off in “Soul Deep” (1969). category $18 (paperback) Merrille Rush’s “Angel of the Morn- ‘I Think, Therefore I Am’ Global Arts Ltd 2017 ing” (1968) reinforced a spiritual myth. category “Desiderata” (1971) by Les Crane. The Edwin Hawkins Singers shouted “You are a child of the universe no less The Beatin’ Path levels a look at both out “Oh Happy Day” (1969) as they gave “I Am, I Said” (1971) by Neil Dia- than the trees and the stars . . . be at the enemies of hu- the impression they were actually there mond. “I am, I said, to no one there, and peace with God, whatever you conceive man progress and “when Jesus walked.” The group Ocean no one heard at all, not even the chair.” him to be.” the better angels told us to “Put Your Hand in the Hand” “I Got a Name” (1973) by Jim Croce. of our nature. The (1971) of “the man from Galilee.” “Like the pine trees lining the winding Fatalism category cast of this collec- Norman Greenbaum believed we road, I got a name, I got a name. Like tion includes the were going up to the “Spirit in the the singing bird and the croaking toad, “Que Sera Sera (Whatever Will Be bird who wouldn’t Sky” (1970), theorizing, “that’s where I got a name, I got a name.” Will Be)” (1956) by Doris Day. “Que fly, Flim and Flam, you’re gonna go when you die.” sera, sera, whatever will be, will be. The Galileo, Moondog- “Knocking on Heaven’s Door” (1973) Knowledge category future’s not ours to see, que sera, sera. gie, George Orwell, was written by Bob Dylan, as the Righ- What will be, will be.” Charles Darwin, teous Brothers reported that our fall- “Both Sides Now” (1968) by Judy “The Way It Is” (1986) by Bruce young Hector, and en rock stars were in a “Rock & Roll Collins. “I’ve looked at life from both Hornsby. “That’s just the way it is, some the alchemist’s Heaven” (1974). Eric Clapton shed sides now, from win and lose and still things will never change. That’s just the apprentice. Presented in short bursts “Tears in Heaven” (1992) for his de- somehow, it’s life’s illusions I recall, I way it is, ah, but don’t you believe them.” of truth, The Beatin’ Path is an illustrat- ceased child. really don’t know life at all.” FFRF Member Jeff Brinckman is a retired ed, inspirational kaleidoscope of poetry Judy Collins added her version of attorney living in Madison, Wis. and prose, of heroes and villains, of hu- “Amazing Grace” (1971). George Harri- mor and of hope. son presented “My Sweet Lord” (1970) and cried out: “I really want to see you, re- ally want to be with you, really want to see The War on Women: you, Lord, but it takes so long, my Lord.” Get your own freethought music An Ecological, Historical, So let’s turn it around and have Socio-Political and some fun with this. Here are my secu- lar nominees: Religious Synthesis By P.D. Lingenfelter Highby No Afterlife category $19.99 (paperback); $3.99 (ebook) Xlibris Corporation 2013 “Imagine” (1971) by John Lennon. “Imagine there’s no heaven, it’s easy Highby cuts apart the 5,000-year his- if you try, no hell below us, above us For your freethinking listen- and historic freethought music tory of the war on women so that she only sky.” ing pleasure, FFRF has three is mainly performed by Barker. can decode and “Let’s Live For Today” (1967) by music CDs: “Beware of Dogma,” Who says “atheists don't got no explain the an- the Grass Roots. “Sha la la la la la live “Adrift on a Star” and “Friendly music”? cient — delib- for today, and don’t worry ’bout to- Neighborhood Atheist.” The title track of “Adrift erately difficult morrow, hey hey hey Sha la la la la la, All three are available from on a Star” features Barker and elitist — his- live for today.” FFRF’s online store (shop.ffrf.org). performing an arrangement torical jargon for “Beware of Dogma” includes of the Yip Harburg poem of the sake of the Logic category 16 songs by a variety of performers, the same name. The album’s intelligent gener- including Pete Seeger, John showpiece is “Poor Little Me,” al reader. Highby “The Logical Song” (1979) by Su- Lennon, Bob Dylan and FFRF a collaboration between Barker, shows how the pertramp. “Watch what you say or Co-President Dan Barker, among who wrote the lyrics, and war on women they’ll be calling you a radical, liberal, others. Broadway icon Charles Strouse always played fanatical, criminal.” “Friendly Neighborhood Athe- (“Annie,” “Bye, Bye, Birdie”), out as parallel to a war against na- ist” is FFRF’s first music CD, a an atheist who received FFRF’s ture, as well as a class war. Therefore, Belief category two-disc set with 34 total songs. Emperor Has No Clothes Award the war devalues nature, slaves and The contemporary, original in 2011. lower-class men, as well as women. It “What a Fool Believes” (1979) by applies to Darwinian vs. Creationist ar- the Doobie Brothers. “But what a fool guments, too. Page 18 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | April 2017 LETTERBOX

the publication and the descriptions Scheiman’s column Words to live by of the work of the Foundation impressed me greatly. was refreshing to read While most of the content I read the article “Adventures with understandably focuses on the U.S., my atheist cap” by Carl Scheiman the issues your foundation address three times (in the January/ are very evident in Canada, as well. February issue) and I’m so gratified Congratulations on your creativity and that it was printed in Freethought courage. I will be supporting you and Today. It gave me hope that I’m not hoping for your continued success in alone. the years to come. Carl so eloquently wrote about his David MacKinnon surprise at the positive reaction he Ontario, Canada received from blue collar and service workers commenting on his “U.S. Atheist” hat. I haven’t been surprised Religious freedom law by that reaction for a long time. I don’t wear any clothing proclaiming front-page worthy my atheism. However, if the subject On page 13 of your January/Febru- of religion comes up in any form, ary issue, there was an article, “FFRF I am quick to let everybody within applauds law protecting nontheists.” Photo by Lauryn Seering earshot know that I have no belief It showed a photo of President Obama FFRF’s electronic marquee on the side of Freethought Hall in downtown in any unseen entity — that I am an signing the Frank R. Wolf Internation- Madison, Wis., displays apt phrases from freethinkers and public figures. atheist and proud of it. al Religious Freedom Act into law on Recently, while playing in a poker Dec. 16, 2016. tournament in Las Vegas, I engaged I had been unaware that for years in conversation with the fellow bution of funds between the rich and quote: “Republican officeholders have groups such as FFRF had been ask- sitting next to me. In the course the poor in our public school system blasted nondiscrimination ordinances ing for an amendment to the original of conversation, he asked me what — and fight those who want to replace . . . as contravening nature and Chris- 1998 law to acknowledge that nonbe- church I attended. I replied that I it with a corporate-run system, or one tian morality.” I have written before lievers deserve the same protections don’t belong to or follow any religion that favors the “advancement of God’s about how religious dogma says that as religious citizens. and that I’m a freethinking atheist. Kingdom.” there can be no true morality without I think that the article should have He had a sheepish look on his face as Students should not be taught reli- religion. To me, this shouts that peo- been front-page news. he digested that information. gious dogma (creationism) disguised ple are basically bad and unable to C. David Church However, the fun news is that two as science with taxpayers’ money. do the right thing without a system of Michigan other fellows at the table piped up Nor should they be bombarded with rewards and punishments. Therefore, that they, too, were atheists. One sanctimonious litanies of prudery — I question the content of a supposed was a local fellow who I have since such as “abstinence only” to prevent heaven, when basically bad people are ‘Cross’ lawsuit by befriended and is also a Lifetime pregnancies and STDs. Instead, their rewarded for following someone else’s Member of FFRF. sexual education should reflect reali- dictates. AA misguided Jerry Foreman ty. And their classes should not begin Is salvation based on the lines of I agree wholeheartedly with Susan Nevada with a prayer. thought that one reads in the Crank- Jacoby’s criticism of the American Parents who want to send their chil- mail section of the newspaper? From Atheist lawsuit against the so-called dren to religious or charter schools this I could surmise there is no heav- “Ground Zero Cross.” It just so hap- Second coming of Christ, should pay for that choice with their en, only levels of hell! pened that these beams’ dimensions own money — and keep their hands Jack Pedigo closely resembled a traditional cross, Crankmail and Texas out of my pocket. After-Life Member and benefited from subsequent I once wrote to Dan Patrick, lieu- David Quintero Washington trimming. tentant governor of Texas, that he did California As Jacoby noted, the “cross” pro- not have to worry about the second vided comfort to many of the work- coming of Christ, because you have Albuquerque chapter ers engaged in the months-long to have a first before you can have a Satanic display next to clearance of millions of tons of de- second. He is more concerned with thanks FFRF for help bris under hazardous conditions. toilets than with religion. Please don’t FFRF’s doesn’t help Just want to let you know that in As we now know, a good num- ask how toilets became the number I’m dismayed by Preston Smith’s January our chapter sent out FFRF bro- ber of these workers were exposed one priority. actions in setting up a pentagram in chures (“Top 10 Public School Church/ to toxic substances and have either I would also like to say that I cer- a city park (as detailed in the Janu- State Violations”) to 160 elementary, since died or are suffering from seri- tainly enjoy reading the Crankmail ary/February issue). I believe his ac- junior high and high schools in the ous chronic conditions. I will not be- section. I believe some of these people tions are counterproductive and hurt Albuquerque Public School system. grudge the right of these people, or must have an IQ of somewhere in the FFRF’s cause. We also included a letter from our vice their surviving family members, to high 30s. Our goal should be to convince our president, Kristen Gandy, and our chap- find whatever solace they can from And, yes, I, as a freethinker, am religious friends that we are good peo- ter brochure that we developed several the presence of the “cross” in the very much a loner here. But I like it ple, that we are moral, upright, honest years ago. Ground Zero Museum. that way; it saves answering a lot of and fair — and not a threat. Smith’s We continue to run an active chapter Incidentally, I have visited the dumb questions. in-your-face provocation sends an en- and especially appreciate your support museum and was surprised to Jack H. Henley tirely different message: that we are for the billboard you purchased for us discover that far from being given Texas not people they would want to get to in November. a prominent place of honor among know better and we are most definite- Ron Herman the numerous exhibitions, the ly a threat. He could achieve roughly New Mexico “cross” was located at the very end Public schools need the same results by spitting at people of the museum, right near the exit, as they left church. lumped in with several other items. to remain secular It may be gratifying to poke some- Keep on fighting the It was duly noted that the “Cross” Most of us remember Jaime Es- body in the eye, but we really need was just a crossbeam that provided calante, the high school math teach- empathy and goodwill. This is not great fight, FFRF! comfort to many excavation workers, er whose untiring efforts helped to how you win hearts and minds. I hope I am proud to be a member of such but which also became a subject of launch poverty-stricken young people FFRF will not allow itself to be asso- a fine organization, and appreciate all controversy. It was a balanced and into successful careers. ciated with such negative activities in the hard work you folks are doing. objective presentation of an object I have one question: In how many the future. Fight on! with clear historical relevance to the religious, charter or government John Mosley Gill G. Kanel aftermath of 9/11. voucher-funded schools did Mr. Es- Utah California The contention that its presence calante teach? The answer, of course, After-Life Member constitutes discrimination against is none. atheists or represents a violation of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos New Canadian member the Establishment Clause is absurd. doesn’t even try to conceal her desire Morality and religion The misguided lawsuit only served to “advance God’s Kingdom” by pro- impressed with FFRF to reinforce the sadly widespread moting parochial schools and those are strange bedfellows I am a new member of the Founda- image of atheists as unpatriotic, that are run by for-profit education In the March 2017 issue of The At- tion. I live in Canada. mean-spirited and petty. companies. lantic there is an article titled “Red Last week, I received my first copy Dennis Middlebrooks We must demand an equal distri- State, Blue City.” In it appears the of Freethought Today. The quality of New York April 2017 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 19

Is Trump fulfilling a invocations. Dear respected friends at Indivisible, decades-old prophecy? Thank you so much for all you do. I In the “They Said What?” section of am finding the Indivisible Guide very the March issue, you include a com- helpful and inspiring. ment from James Robison that Trump However, I am asking you to con- is “an answer to prayer.” sider advising Indivisible groups to re- During the early 1980s, People for frain from using religious invocations the American Way had a fundrais- to open public meetings that are in- ing infomercial which included this tended to include a diverse audience. soundbite from a Robison sermon: I was recently disappointed and “Let me tell you something else about deeply hurt when I attended a town the character of God: If necessary, hall meeting that was wonderful in ev- God would raise up a tyrant, a man ery way except for one very significant who might not have the best ethics, to issue: They began with invocations protect the freedom interests of the from half a dozen different religious ethical and the godly.” representatives. Prayers to Jesus, to More than 30 years later, some Allah, to the Hindu gods, to the God might see that as a prophecy and, that it is assumed everyone believes in perhaps, a sign of what Robison was by different names. It was very much praying for. disorienting and painful to me and, I Andrew C. Jones have reason to believe, to many others Michigan present. When I stood up to speak on be- ten, to be able to use logic to defend as to the constitutional limits on their half of the separation of church and Doctors Without Borders their position and be open to other religious activities. Without diver- state as embodied in the First Amend- perspectives. sion from the necessary legal actions, ment of the Constitution, and asked impartial, independent Sage Herald could more be done in educating the the non-present senators how they I am writing to provide more infor- New York public by use of various media, direct- planned to uphold the First Amend- mation about how Doctors Without ed especially to those groups and re- ment, I got the loudest and most sus- Borders (DWB) decides when to speak gions which are most ignorant of what tained applause of any of the 20 or out publicly in response to policy issues. Life Membership can religious freedom really means? so questioners. I was surprised and DWB takes a public position when There are at least two messages that pleased at that moment to know that policies affect our patients and their help you keep fighting should be broadcast more widely: I was not as alone as I had felt during access to medical care or when they I should have become a Life Mem- 1. Freedom of religion does not the prayers. undermine the response to humani- ber long ago. mean freedom to impose religious The prayers, or “invocations,” be- tarian emergencies or global health I believe my membership is due soon beliefs or specific behaviors on those fore legislative sessions, town hall challenges. and here’s something I should have who don’t share those choices. meetings, city council meetings have Regardless of which political party done years ago. With this $1,000, please 2. The “good without God” mes- become so pervasive that the Indivisi- controls the White House, DWB has institute a Life Membership for me. sage defends against the widespread ble organizers of our local gatherings chosen to speak out based on the in- You do a wonderful job and I think misunderstanding of atheists who seem to assume that this practice is terests of our patients rather than on you will have your hands full for do, in fact, manage to behave ethical- normal, appreciated, and even neces- ideological grounds. the next four (hopefully not eight) ly and morally without supernatural sary. When I asked them “why all the More than half of DWB programs years. guidance. prayers?” they told me that they were worldwide are assisting people fleeing Joseph M. Heer Thanks for hanging in there in this simply trying to be inclusive — and conflicts, including those in Syria, Ye- Massachusetts increasingly challenging time. that they were themselves nonbeliev- men and Somalia. A staggering 11.4 Trudy Hughes ers! Well, I definitely did not feel in- million Syrians have fled their homes, Colorado cluded, and clearly, neither did many but most of them remain trapped in Need to broadcast of the people who applauded my the country. President Trump’s execu- church-state separation comments. tive order, if reinstated, will effectively message more widely No need for invocations Please recognize that more than prevent people caught in war zones The looming horrors of the presi- 20 percent of this country now affil- from leaving, directly endangering dency make this a good time to send at secular meetings iates with no religion, many of them their lives. you an extra donation. I very much FFRF Board Member Sue Kocher of the young—this is the future. The Nones, As an independent and impartial appreciate the work you’ve done. Triangle Freethought Society sent the fol- whether they call themselves nonre- medical humanitarian organization, It is appalling that it is necessary to lowing note (edited for print) to Indivisi- ligious or agnostic or atheist, are a we will engage with the Trump admin- go into so many churches, schools and ble, a group that resists the Trump agenda, large and growing group and we are istration as part of our efforts to raise county clerks’ offices to educate them after a meeting she attended began with six being excluded by our government— awareness of how U.S. policy can affect which is now taking a turn toward the- the international response to humani- ocracy in truly alarming ways. tarian crises. Medical cadaver apparently ‘died for us’ I am asking you to please urge your Jason Cone followers to keep meetings secular Executive director unless they are explicitly aligned with Doctors Without Borders and speaking to a particular religious Editor’s note: Nonbelief Relief donated a group. No religious group is being total of $40,000 to Doctors Without Borders excluded by refraining from prayers, in 2015 and 2016. but there will ALWAYS be multiple groups with different beliefs being ex- cluded no matter how many speakers We need to do better job stand up to pray. Please, let’s nip this in the bud because I feel it will seri- of educating, explaining ously harm this important movement. As we become more aware of the We must remain secular, we must fo- great divide in worldview among cit- cus on science, human morality, and izens of this country and realize just rational thinking, and we must take how profound it is, it seems like a good responsibility for change rather than time to think about how to bridge this beseeching for help from deities. gulf and repair some of the damage Sue Kocher that has derived from the confronta- North Carolina tion of opposing forces tearing our so- ciety apart. Let’s think about how we can do a One of these medical students from the class of 1899 at the Medical FFRF helps maintain better job of explaining the separation College of Virginia was Dr. Maury Linkous. This picture was given to me by of church and state, and how we live Dr. Linkous’ granddaughter, Janet Russell, a freethinker. democracy, Constitution life without a belief in God to those Such irreverent treatment of a cadaver — putting a cigarette in its mouth I am making this donation because who do not understand, and whose — in anatomy lab would be strongly discouraged nowadays, but speaking I find that your work is so important misconceptions are frightening to from experience, it still goes on. Adding to the irreverence is the message in the maintenance of our democra- themselves and others. carved into the side of the dissection table: “He died for us.” cy based on our Constitution. Please Let’s also think about ways our so- I can’t quite make out the nail-prints in his palms, though. I wonder keep up the good work. Although you ciety can more effectively educate where he’s been kept all these years, since he vanished from his tomb? are vilified by some, I really hold your even those for whom these things Dr. Jon Hauxwell work in highest regard. may not come easily, to express them- Kansas Dr. Robert Zadra selves in a way that allows others to lis- California Page 20 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | April 2017 BLACK COLLAR CRIME

Church, is accused of sexually touching a 16-year- Compiled by Bill Dunn old boy at the church on multiple occasions when Batista was 19. Source: nj.com, 2-8-17 Arrested / Charged Ronald H. Paquin, 74, Boston: 29 sexual mis- conduct counts involving 2 minor males Paquin al- Oren Paris III, Springdale, AR: Mail fraud and legedly molested while serving as a Catholic priest 9 counts of wire fraud. Paris, president of Ecclesia in Maine in 1984-89. Paquin pleaded guilty in 2002 College, a bible school founded by his parents, was in Massachusetts to 3 counts of child rape of an al- indicted in connection with several bribery and tar boy and was released from prison in 2015. His kickback schemes that included GOP state Sen. release was controversial because while he admit- Jonathan Woods. ted molesting 14 boys, he was only charged with Woods allegedly directed $200,000 from Ar- having a single victim. Now living in a homeless kansas’ general fund in 2013 to Ecclesia, which shelter, he was defrocked in 2004. Source: Boston then wrote a $50,000 check to a consulting firm Globe, 2-7-17 created the day before by a mutual friend of Par- Three Buddhist monks in Myanmar were is and Woods, who then transferred $40,000 to arrested after more than 4 million methamphet- Woods. Two days later, Ecclesia’s board approved amine pills were found in Shwe Baho monastery. a $25,000 bonus for Paris. U. Arsara, aka Min Naing, had been stopped earlier The indictment alleges that Paris texted Woods, with 400,000 tablets in his vehicle. Pyin Nyar Nan- saying, “Good selling point to conservative legisla- da and Khone Na La were later arrested. Source: tors is that [Ecclesia] produces graduates that are BBC, 2-6-17 conservative voters. All state and secular colleges Christopher King, 51, Long Beach, NY: 5 produce vast majority liberal voters.” Woods re- counts of possessing a sexual performance by a plied, “Agree.” child and 2 counts of 7th-degree criminal pos- Ecclesia’s board issued a statement after the in- session of a controlled substance. King, pastor dictment backing Paris, calling him “a godly lead- at St. James of Jerusalem Episcopal Church, was Photo courtesy of Arkansas Times er” who acted with integrity. Source: Inside Higher allegedly found possessing videos of children as Ed, 3-6-17 Oren Paris III, Ecclesia College president (center), with Heidi and Ted Cruz. young as 2 being subjected to sex acts, 40 Xanax Vaishakh Pallikkattil, 20, Madukka, India: pills and 12 grams of crystal meth. Source: NY Post, illicit sexual conduct with a minor. He’s accused of son, 34, St. Leonard, MD: Theft between $10,000 Rape. Pallikkattil, who was filling in temporarily for 2-4-17 the priest at a Hindu temple, is accused of assault- traveling to Haiti more than 40 times from 2004-13 and $100,000, theft scheme $10,000 to $100,000 ing a 70-year-old widow and temple employee, and molesting at least 4 girls between ages 6 and and misappropriation by a fiduciary. Carson is Pleaded / Convicted who went to the hospital, which informed police 14, first as a volunteer orphanage missionary and also charged with altering or concealing physical Robert Genevicz, 67, Stratford, CT: Pleaded of the alleged incident. Source: New Indian Express, later after he and his wife founded Joy in Hope Min- evidence. Holcomb, pastor of Crossroad Christian no contest to 1st-degree larceny and conspiracy to 3-6-17 istries and started their own facility. Church, and church bookkeeper Carson were fired commit larceny. Pastor Genevicz allegedly fleeced Rowland G. Foster, 71, Lebanon, PA: Failing Investigators also interviewed 4 Floridians who last summer. 2 parishioners at Stratford Baptist Church out of to report child abuse. Foster, pastor of Faith Taber- alleged Pye sexually assaulted them as children Holcomb’s alleged unauthorized debit card nearly $400,000. His alleged accomplice, gospel nacle, a faith-healing church, was charged after his between 1996-99. Source: KXAN, 3-1-17 purchases and cash withdrawals total $69,700 singer Doraine Reed, 56, awaits trial on larceny granddaughter, Ella Grace Foster, 2, died of pneu- Mohammed Karamat, 45, Foleshill, England: and Carson reportedly stole over $17,000. Source: charges. monia in November. Her parents, Jonathan Fos- 4 counts of assault by beating. Karamat, imam at SoMdNews.com, 2-22-17 The church recently agreed to settle a lawsuit ter, 34, and Grace Foster, 32, are charged with in- Noorul Islam Jamia Mosque, is accused of assault- Benoni “Jon” Enciso, 49, Boyne City, MI: brought by one of the victims for an undisclosed voluntary manslaughter and child endangerment. ing children. Source: Coventry Telegraph, 2-28-17 Possession of child sexually abusive material, sur- amount. Source: CT Post, 3-1-17 Rowland Foster “had reasonable cause to sus- Robin Vadakkacheril, 48, Kottiyoor, India: veillance of an unclothed person, eavesdropping Marion Milton-Otis Toehay Sr., 83, Carnegie, pect that the victim died due to a failure to obtain Rape of a minor. Vadakkacheril, pastor of St. Sebas- and using a computer to commit a crime. Enciso, OK: Pleaded guilty to 10 counts of lewd acts with a adequate medical care,” the complaint said, be- tian Catholic Church, allegedly raped and impreg- director of family life at Stutsmanville Chapel, is ac- child shortly before his trial date. Toehay, pastor of cause the day after he anointed her she died, and nated a 16-year-old girl, who gave birth in January. cused of recording an 18-year-old woman and her Washita Full Grace Church, was accused of molest- although Ella was talking very little and “sounded Seven others (including nuns, hospital personnel 15-year-old sister in the shower at his home. The ing a 7-year-old girl who attended the church with sick,” neither he nor her parents sought medical and the superintendent of the orphanage where family was visiting from out of town. He was their her grandmother, a longtime friend. help. The couple has 6 more children. Source: pen- the child was taken) face cover-up charges. former pastor. Source: WPBN, 2-23-17 An affidavit alleged she found him and the girl nlive.com, 3-3-17 The priest also tried to implicate the girl’s fa- Michael Ulmer, 53, Henderson, TN: Sexual with her underpants pulled down in Toehay’s of- Zachary S. Almarode, 25, Stonewall, LA: 2 ther and was planning to flee to Canada, authori- battery and 2 counts of rape. Ulmer, pastor of Beth- fice after a worship service. The girl alleged he had counts of possession ties said. Source: Hindu- lehem Baptist Church, is accused of assaulting an rubbed her genitals and had been “every Sunday of child pornography. stan Times, 2-28-17 18-year-old student from the high school where since she was 5 years old.” Source: Lawton Consti- Almarode, youth pastor Michael T. Jans- he’s a teaching assistant with an in-school suspen- tution, 2-21-17 at Salem Baptist Church Every time I drank co, 24, Clayton, NC: sion program. He’s also her pastor. Stefan A. Deliramich, 30, Williamstown, for about 3 years, al- Statutory rape. Jansco, She told police she sometimes cleans Ulmer’s vodka and Clamato juice, W.VA: Pleaded guilty to 2 counts of distribution and legedly had the materi- youth coordinator at house and alleged he tied her hands with rope in his which“ you provided in large Elizabeth United Meth- office-garage and ran the rope through a hook in the display to a minor of obscene matter after original- al on a cellular device. ly being indicted on 14 counts. Deliramich, a youth He’s married and has 2 quantities, I became sad. odist Church, knew the ceiling before raping her. Source: WBBJ, 2-21-17 pastor at First Baptist Church, allegedly used fake children. 15-year-old girl from the Sylvestre O. Obwaka, 44, Rogers City, MI: 1st- — victim of Yvon Arsenault Instagram and SnapChat accounts and posed as a Cade Brumley, church. The complaint and 3rd-degree criminal sexual conduct. Obwaka, 16-year-old boy between April 2015 and February DeSoto Parish Schools said a deputy on pa- a native Kenyan and pastor of St. Ignatius of Loyola 2016. Source: Marietta Times, 2-9-17 superintendent, said trol found the couple in Catholic Church, is accused of assaulting a 28-year- Brandon Blackmore and Gail Blackmore, school officials had asked Almarode in February to various stages of undress in a vehicle at 2:30 a.m. old man at the priest’s residence while he slept on Bountiful, British Columbia: Guilty of facilitating cut down on the number of his visits because he parked at an elementary school and that Jansco Feb. 1. The man was staying there overnight. Pros- sexual interference or sexual touching for taking was coming to campus so often. told officers he was 18. Source: WTDV, 2-27-17 ecutor Joseph Kwiatkowski said the alleged victim their underage daughters to the U.S. in 2004 to be “Real nice guy when you meet him but to me Shefqet Krasniqi, 51, Pristina, Kosovo: Tax is also a priest. Source: mlive.com, 2-21-17 married to members of the Fundamentalist Church there’s layers in there,” said Scott Peeples. “And I evasion and inciting hatred and national, racial Thomas Collett, 67, Edinburgh, IN: Battery. of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The 13-year- picked up on the layers that I wouldn’t trust him and religious intolerance. Krasniqi, imam of the Collett, pastor of First Baptist Church, is accused of old was delivered to now-imprisoned sect leader around my kids.” Source: KSLA, 3-3-17 Grand Mosque, allegedly used prayer and social repeatedly punching Michael Hill, a former parish- Warren Jeffs, then age 48. The Blackmores are Joshua M. Ball, 29, Bedford, KY: Issuing a bad media in 2013-14 to urge “others to go to the con- ioner, in the face. now estranged. Source: Canadian Press, 2-3-17 check greater than $200 and misdemeanor assault flict zone in Syria and Iraq and later commit terror A police report alleged Hill and his wife made and battery. Ball, pastor of Grace House Ministries, acts.” Source: AP, 2-27-17 obscene gestures at Collett earlier in the day while Sentenced is charged with writing a bad check for $270 to pay Jimmy Orick, 68, Jacksboro, TN: 3 counts he was standing at Waffle House and that Hill had the electric bill. His church and homeless shelter each of aggravated statutory rape and statutory sent him an unwanted text message. Collett told Richard D. Calderwood, 53, Carbondale, KS: closed in February. rape by an authority figure and 2 counts of sexu- police he later saw Hill’s car parked at a house 3 years’ probation after pleading no contest to 2 The nondomestic assault arrest occurred the al battery by an authority figure. Orick resigned where he got out to confront him. Source: The Re- counts of aggravated indecent solicitation of a same day and is unrelated, police said. Source: as pastor of Mountain View Independent Baptist public, 2-21-17 child. Calderwood, a volunteer at Grace Communi- News & Advance, 3-2-17 Church after a 16-year-old girl who lived with him Giorgi Mamaladze, Tbilisi, Georgia: Conspir- ty Church and Cultivate Community Church, would Benjamin W. Nelson, 27, Waco, TX: 2 counts of for 3 months told her mother about the alleged acy to murder. Mamaladze, an Orthodox Christian have to serve 32 months in prison if he violates sexual assault of a child and misdemeanor deadly incidents, of which she has audio recordings, the priest, was arrested with cyanide in his suitcase at probation. conduct. Nelson, the married pastor at Peoria Bap- complaint said. Source: News Sentinel, 2-27-17 the airport en route to Germany. Irakli Shotadze, The original complaint listed 2 counts each of tist Church, is accused of assaulting a 13-year-old Michael Lewis, 51, Grants Pass, OR: Rape, sod- prosecutor general, told journalists Mamaladze aggravated criminal sodomy and aggravated inde- girl. An affidavit said the girl’s mother went outside omy and sexual abuse. Lewis, pastor at Christ Fellow- was headed to Berlin to meet with Georgian Ortho- cent liberties with a child under 14 years old involv- looking for her and found her and Nelson having ship Church, which closed in November, is charged dox patriarch Ilia II, 84, who is recuperating from ing children ages 4 and 6 when it was filed in 2014. sex in a parking lot next to her house. After the girl with assaults on a girl from the church when she was gall bladder surgery. Source; The Guardian, 2-13-17 Calderwood and Grace Church are also being got out, Nelson allegedly tried to back over the 15 last year. Source: KTVL News, 2-23-17 James G. Crawford, 55, Redding, CA: 22 sued by 4 plaintiffs, including 2 minors. The church woman. Robert Marsicek, 75, Milwaukee: 3 counts of counts of lewd and lascivious conduct with a child is accused of negligent supervision. Lead pastor He’s also enrolled at Truett Seminary. The 1st-degree child sexual assault. Marsicek, a Salva- and 9 related misdemeanor counts. Crawford, pas- Travis Van Meter denied that Calderwood was a church website says he has “equipped generations torian Catholic priest, is accused of incidents at St. tor of Westside Church of Redding, is accused of congregation elder, as the suit contends. Source: of college students to follow Jesus faithfully for the Pius X Grade School from 2007-10. A 15-year-old improperly touching girls, now ages 17, 16 and 11, Capital-Journal, 3-6-17 rest of their lives.” Source: Express-News, 3-1-17 girl went to Wauwatosa police in December with al- and other inappropriate behavior over a 7-year pe- Mauricio Aguilera-Garcia, 56, Salem, OR: 37½ Juan Gregorio Rocha Romero, pastor of a Nic- legations he assaulted her starting in 1st grade. He riod. Source: Record Searchlight, 2-10-17 years in prison after pleading guilty during his trial araguan evangelical church, and 4 congregants was removed from public ministry in 2013. David M. Akin, 49, Texarkana, AR: Aggravat- for rape, sodomy and sexual assault. Aguilera-Gar- were arrested in connection with the death of Vil- The complaint says Marsicek was asked by in- ed sexual assault of a child. Akin, part-time pastor cia, pastor at Our Father’s House, changed his plea ma Trujillo Garcia, 25, a mother of 2 who died in vestigators if he was attracted to children sexually at First United Methodist Church and a Texarkana after testimony by his victim, who said she was 13 February of injuries from an exorcism. Police and and that he replied not to the point he would want fire captain, was arrested in connection with an al- when he first molested her. news reports said the exorcism apparently turned to have sex with them “but in a sexual manner in- leged November incident with a 5-year-old girl his He was convicted of assaulting a 12-year-old into a trial by fire in order to expel a demon. She sofar as your groin . . . begins to be the dictator.” daughter was babysitting. in 1985 but wasn’t listed on the sex offender reg- died after suffering burns on 80% of her body. Her Source: WITI, 2-23-17 An affidavit said that a week later, the child’s istry. Oregon’s first such law was enacted in 1989. sister found the body bound and naked in a ravine Samuel Vidal Jr., 40, Palm Bay, FL: Lewd and mother noticed an infection near her vagina and Source: Statesman Journal, 3-2-17 9 days later. lascivious molestation. Vidal, pastor of Restoration it was determined she had gonorrhea. The child’s Robert D. Smith, 45, Lancaster, PA, and Cyn- Romero denied he had ill intent and told re- Church of God International, is accused of touch- father alleged she told him Akin put a blanket over thia A. Ebersole, 63, Denver: 2 years’ probation porters Garcia fell into the fire after the demon was ing a 15-year-old girl inappropriately in April 2016. her head before touching her. Source: KTHV, 2-9-17 and, respectively, 90 hours’ community service and expelled. Source: Washington Post, 3-1-17 The church has since closed. Source: Florida Today, Luis F. Batista, 21, Perth Amboy, NJ: 3rd-de- mandatory reporter’s training; and 60 hours’ com- Daniel J. Pye, 35, Ashtown, AR: Traveling in 2-22-17 gree endangering the welfare of a child. Batista, a munity service and anger management classes. foreign commerce with the purpose of engaging in Michael S. Holcomb, 41, and Rayanne Car- volunteer at religion classes at Holy Trinity Catholic Smith, pastor at Church of the Nazarene, didn’t April 2017 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 21 report Ebersole for slapping a 14-month-old boy’s ments to have sex. Source: KTRK, 2-9-17 months in jail last year, then released on probation. David Von Bergen Sr., 60, Alton, IL, a Zion Lu- face 3 times and holding her hand over his mouth Joseph Hemmerle, 74, Louisville, KY: 7 years Arrington, a teacher, has been charged with child theran Church elder, could have his home seized if while he was crying at Grace Point Learning Acade- in prison after a jury found him guilty of indecent abuse by a guardian. the court grants a prosecutor’s motion. Von Bergen my, the church’s day care where she taught in No- or immoral practices with a child under 15. Hem- The suit alleges students were handcuffed faces multiple charges that he made secret videos vember 2015. Source: WTHM, 2-28-17 merle, a Catholic priest on leave since 2014, was or duct-taped naked inside a 10-by-4-foot room of children and adults in church bathrooms and Gerardo Silvestre Hernández, Oaxaca, Mexi- charged with committing the offenses at his sum- as punishment and had to go to the bathroom in changing areas in 2015. The home is owned by Von co: 16½ years in prison for corrupting minors while mer camp in the 1970s. Source: Washington Times, a bucket. Before they could get out, they had to Bergen and his wife and is not currently mortgaged. serving as a Catholic priest in several parishes serv- 2-9-17 memorize bible verses. The state closed the school Von Bergen is in jail. Susan Von Bergen is be- ing indigenous populations. Silvestre was found Raymond S. Cheek, 85, Perth, Australia: in 2014 and took 19 children into custody. Source: lieved to be living in the home. The filing states she guilty of plying victims with alcohol, showing them 2 years in prison after a jury found him guilty of Washington Post, 2-7-17 “knew or should have known of the illegal activi- pornography and molesting them. The crimes took sexually abusing 5 boys between 1955-85. Four ty taking place at the property” and that during a place in 2009-10 but numerous others allegedly came forward after the former Anglican priest was Civil Lawsuits Settled search, officers overheard him tell her “they found occurred earlier but were ignored. Source: Catholic charged for a 1985 incident in which he undressed Former priest Arthur Perrault, who vanished the child porn, and I don’t know what else.” News Service, 2-27-17 an altar boy and rubbed himself against his back. from his New Mexico Catholic parish in 1992 after Illinois law allows asset seizure if child porn of- Yona Metzger, 63, Jerusalem: 4½ years in pris- After the assault he told the boy: “Forget being accused of sexual abuse, was ordered to pay fenses took place on the property and may occur on after pleading guilty to fraud, breach of trust about what happened because no one would $16 million after failing to defend himself in a suit as the result of civil action before a trial on criminal and tax offenses. Metzger, chief Ashkenazi rabbi of believe you. God doesn’t believe liars.” Cheek’s filed by Kenneth Wolter, a former altar boy who’s charges. Source: News-Democrat, 2-6-17 Israel, was accused of accepting nearly $2.6 million lawyer Jonathan Davies said he has “growing re- now 35. Allegations in bribes, keeping about $2 million for himself and morse” and is terrified of dying in prison. Source: Perrault, 79, taught English in Tangiers, Mo- paying the rest to accomplices and charitable orga- Perth Now, 2-9-17 rocco, but was fired in May after school officials Iain D. Campbell, 53, Isle of Lewis, Scotland, nizations. Source: JTA, 2-23-17 John T. Lee, 51, Millsboro, DE: 30 years in learned of the allegations. Wolter testified in Jan- had affairs with 7 female congregants at Point Free Yvon Arsenault, 74, Aldouane, New Bruns- prison for production and distribution of child por- uary that he wanted to send Perrault a message Church, his widow alleged after he hanged himself wick: 4 years in prison after pleading guilty to nography. Lee, a former Catholic priest and Navy on behalf of his 38 known victims “and the silent in January. The Free Church split from the modern 9 counts of molesting boys as a Catholic priest officer, was court-martialed in 2007 and served 2 people who haven’t come forward.” Church of Scotland in 1843. between 1971-80. years for using his position as a priest to prey on Perrault sent a letter to the court in November Anne Campbell, 54, reportedly has given the “​I’m not here to promote religion,” said Justice lower-ranking servicemen and failing to tell a sex denying his guilt and claiming he has no assets be- church the women’s names and wants them ex- Zoël Dionne, imposing sentence, “but these people partner he was HIV-pos- sides an Air Force chap- pelled from the congregation. According to an wanted a life of faith, and because of these inci- itive. lain pension. Source: unidentified source, “It is said Anne was suspi- dents it became something sour.” A forensic exam of Albuquerque Journal, cious about Iain’s activities, and confronted him One victim in a statement said he thought of his computers turned Forget about what 2-17-17 at the manse allegedly after finding compromising Arsenault as “a God on earth” as a child, but lat- up tens of thousands happened because no one The Jehovah’s Wit- emails in his computer trash files.” Source: Daily er, “Every time I drank vodka and Clamato juice, of child porn images ness Congregation, Mail, 3-6-17 which you provided in large quantities, I became and videos, along with would“ believe you. God Spring Grove, PA, set- sad.” Source: CBC, 2-24-17 13,000 texts and direct doesn’t believe liars. tled a suit for undis- Finances Kelly A. Fischer, 45, Oak Creek, WI: 14 days in chats on his phone. closed terms filed by — Raymond Cheek to victim The Diocese of New Ulm, MN, filed for bank- jail with work release and 3 years’ probation after Source: News Journal, Stephanie Fessler, Lan- ruptcy, the 14th U.S. Catholic diocese to do so due pleading guilty to theft/business setting. Fischer, 2-8-17 caster, who alleged she to claims of sexual abuse by clergy. The diocese is who served in several administrative capacities Bruce Leonard and was sexually assaulted defending 101 lawsuits involving alleged abuses at Grace Lutheran Church, was accused of steal- Deborah Leonard, New Hartford, NY: 10 years as a teen for 2 years, starting in 2002 or 2003, by mostly from the 1950s through the 1970s. The fil- ing about $96,000 over a 4-year period from the and 5 years, respectively, in prison for their roles in church member Terry J. Monheim, who was in her ing is the fairest way to compensate victims while church. Her purchase of Garth Brooks concert tick- the 2015 church beating death of their son Lucas, late 40s at the time. continuing operations, said Bishop John LeVoir, ets in March 2016 with a debit card led to her down- 19, and injury of their son Christopher, 17, during a Monheim pleaded guilty in 2012 to indecent as- who apologized to victims. fall. Source: WITI, 2-20-17 12-hour “counseling session” to convince them to sault of a person less than 16 and corruption of mi- The diocese serves about 55,000 Catholics and Paul Monahan, 83, Council Bluffs, IA: 30 days repent their sins and stay as members of Word of nors and was sentenced to 3 to 23 months in York follows the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis in jail suspended on each of 5 counts of invasion of Life Christian Church. County Prison. Co-defendants are Monheim and and the Diocese of Duluth into bankruptcy. Arch- privacy, 1 year unsupervised probation and sex of- Seven others, including the church’s pastor, the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New bishop John Nienstedt was forced out in 2015 fender registration for 10 years. Monahan, a retired were also found guilty and were sentenced in sepa- York. Source: pennlive.com, 2-14-17 over his handling of the scandal. He was bishop in Catholic priest and school principal, didn’t testify rate hearings. Source: Yahoo! News, 2-7-17 The Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago has set- New Ulm from 2001-07 and reportedly lives in re- at his trial but said he’ll appeal the sentence. tled a lawsuit accusing defrocked priest Daniel tirement in Napa Valley, CA. Source: Reuters, 3-5-17 Testimony showed that while at a high school Civil Lawsuits Filed McCormack of sexual abuse for $2.3 million. The track meet in April 2016, he entered the restroom The Catholic Archdiocese of Hartford, CT, plaintiff alleged he was 12 when he was twice mo- Removed / Resigned 9 times and stood next to boys at urinals, despite is accused in a suit filed by a former altar boy in lested by McCormack when he served St. Agatha’s Police in New Ulm, MN, are investigating allega- others being open, while staring at their genitals. Guilford of ignoring pedophilia by priest Daniel Parish. He wasn’t a parish member but lived in the tions of sexual misconduct by Catholic priest His lawyer said frequent restroom visits were due McSheffery, who died in 2014. The plaintiff, now area and often went to a nearby basketball court to Sam to a medical condition and that he looked down 49, alleges he was abused about 250 times from play pick-up games. Wagner, assigned to the Cathedral of the Holy Trin- because of a crick in his neck. Source: World-Her- 1977-82. McCormack was permanently removed from the ity in 2014-16 before he was moved to a Sleepy Eye parish. Investigator Jeff Hohensee said no charges ald, 2-17-17 The archdiocese settled 8 suits against McShef- priesthood in 2007 and pleaded guilty that year to have been filed. Jacques Faucher, 80, Ville de Gatineau, Que- fery as part of a $22 million settlement in 2005 child molestation. Source: Chicago Tribune, 2-7-17 A Diocese of New Ulm statement said Wagner bec: 12 months’ house arrest for molesting altar involving 43 plaintiffs and 3 more priests. Source: is on leave pending the investigation into “inap- boys in the 1960s and ‵70s when he was pastor at Hartford Courant, 3-1-17 Legal Developments Notre Dame des Anges Catholic Church in Ottawa. propriate personal behavior.” Source: Mankato Free Tomas A. Camacho, 83, Northern Mariana Is- James Dokos, 64, Chicago, a priest convict- Faucher earlier had his bail revoked for visiting a Press, 2-12-17 lands, bishop emeritus of the Catholic Diocese of ed in 2016 for embezzling over $100,000 from An- Daniel Sikowitz, Frederick, MD, resigned as restricted section of a community pool 96 times Chalan Kanoa, is being sued by Melvin Duenas for nunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Wauwatosa, rabbi of Congregation Kol Ami after admitting he where children were present. allegedly raping him repeatedly in 1971-74 when WI, had his conviction reduced to a misdemeanor. “He should just have had jail time,” a victim violated the code of ethics of the Central Confer- said, “case closed.” Source: CTV, 2-16-17 ence of American Rabbis, said a statement from Derrick R. Trump, 28, Nokesville, VA: 1 year the Reform synagogue’s board of directors. The vi- in prison after pleading guilty to indecent act with olations weren’t illegal and didn’t involve children, a child by a custodian. Trump, Greenwich Presbyte- said Joanna Sieger, board president. Source: News- rian Church youth director, had sexual intercourse Post, 2-9-17 with a 16-year-old girl multiple times last May after he became a “father figure” to her when her parents Other were separating and Trump’s wife was pregnant. A mass grave containing about 800 human Head pastor Don Meeks told police Trump had remains ranging in age from 35 weeks to 3 years taken and taught educational courses about sexual was discovered at the former Bon Secours Mother harassment. Source: Fauqiuer Times, 2-15-17 and Baby Home in Tuam, Ireland, a Catholic or- Saeed Abedini, 36, Boise, ID: 180 days in jail phanage that closed in 1961. The Mother and Baby with all but 5 days suspended, $1,000 fine with Homes Commission’s report said the bodies may $500 suspended and 2 years’ unsupervised proba- have been placed in underground chambers orig- tion after pleading guilty to violating a restraining inally used to hold sewage. order in May taken out by his estranged wife. He The probe started in 2014 after historian Cath- was also ordered to stay at least 300 yards away erine Corless tracked down death certificates for from Naghmeh Abedini’s home and have another nearly 800 children who had lived there. Only a sin- party bring their children back and forth. gle burial record was found. Saeed, a Christian pastor sentenced to 8 years The Bon Secours (“Good Help”) order pledged in prison in 2012 in Iran for evangelizing, pleaded to cooperate with the continuing investigation of guilty to domestic abuse in Idaho in 2007 and re- other homes operated by the nuns. Corless crit- ceived 90 days suspended. Source: Idaho States- icized the pledge as “the usual maddening non- man, 2-14-17 sense. They must apologize and take responsibility Christopher D. Beam, Shubuta, MS: 5 years in for what happened there.” Source: AP, 3-3-17 prison after pleading guilty to lustful touching of Marie Collins, an Irish survivor of clergy sex a child and enticing a child under 18 with an elec- Duenas was an altar boy. Other defendants include He was sentenced last year to a year’s probation abuse, resigned from Pope Francis’ Pontifical Com- tronic device for sexual purposes. Beam, pastor at retired priest Louis Brouillard and several John and 40 hours of community service. The reduc- mission for the Protection of Minors. “I have come Evergreen Baptist Church and a substitute teacher Does. Negligent supervision, hiring and reten- tion means he’ll continue to avoid jail if he pays a to the point where I can no longer be sustained by and bus driver at Beat 4 Elementary School, kissed tion and breach of fiduciary duty are also alleged. $5,000 fine within the next year. hope. As a survivor I have watched events unfold and fondled a 12-year-old girl in the school bath- Source: Saipan Tribune, 2-14-17 Church attorney Scott Taylor said the church with dismay” she wrote in a statement. room after texting her to meet him there. Source: Raimeir Clay, 43, Newark, NJ, is being sued reached an out-of-court settlement with Dokos last “The reluctance of some in the Vatican Curia to WDAM, 2-13-17 by a male inmate at Rikers Island for alleged sexual year but wouldn’t give details. Source: Chicago Tri- implement recommendations or cooperate with Roy Harriger, 73, imprisoned in 2015 in New abuse. Clay is a corrections guard and co-pastors bune, 2-22-17 the work of a commission when the purpose is York for molesting his grandchildren, was sen- St. Mark’s Free Will Baptist Church with his wife. John I. Fleming, 73, a former priest in both the to improve the safety of children and vulnerable tenced to serve 2 to 5 years on a similar conviction The still-incarcerated plaintiff alleges Clay or- Catholic and Anglican churches, lost his appeal be- adults around the world is unacceptable. Is this re- in Pennsylvania for years of sexual abuse of a fe- dered him to masturbate several times in his cell fore the High Court of Australia that he didn’t en- luctance driven by internal politics, fear of change, male family member in the 1990s. Harriger, a Meth- while he watched and sometimes put on a latex gage in predatory sexual conduct with 2 minor fe- clericalism which instills a belief that ‘they know odist pastor, will serve the time concurrently with glove to grope him. Source: NY Daily News, 2-9-17 males while he was an Anglican priest. He was first best’ or a closed mindset which sees abuse as an his earlier sentence. Source: WIVB, 2-10-17 Susan Gayle Clark, Tim Arrington and the ordained in 1970 but converted to Catholicism in inconvenience or a clinging to old institutional at- Jeremiah L. Busby, 39, Houston: 25 years in Seventh-day Adventist Church have been sued 1987 and was ordained in 1995, although married titudes?” prison after pleading guilty to online solicitation of by 2 former students at Miracle Meadows, a Chris- with 3 children. His wife was later revealed to be an Collins called it “devastating in 2017 to see that a minor. Busby, founder of PhoenX Ministries, was tian boarding school for wayward youth in Salem, alleged victim. these men still can put other concerns before the caught in a sting in which he asked an undercover W.VA. The students allege they were handcuffed to A lower court ruling branded Fleming as a mor- safety of children and vulnerable adults.” Source: agent for oral sex, thinking the agent was a 14-year- beds, raped and beaten. al coward for his actions. Source: The Advertiser, National Catholic Reporter, 3-1-17 old girl. He asked for photos and made arrange- School founder Clark, 71, was sentenced to 6 2-9-17 Email: [email protected] Page 22 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | April 2017 IN MEMORIAM Annenberg Freethinker was pilot, bequests large noted lawyer FFRF donation FFRF Gung-Ho Member Ted An- Scott Rosien of San Francisco died nenberg, 88, died of stomach cancer at his home on Nov. 23, 2015, at the on Oct. 3, 2016, at his home in New age of 68 due to prostate cancer. York City. Ted attended New York He was born May 4, 1947, in Los An- Military Academy, then New York geles. An attorney by training, Rosien Scott Rosien University, prior to receiving an ap- was also a master contractor and inte- pointment to the U.S. Naval Acade- rior decorator for more than 40 years. my. Upon graduation, he reported He visited more than 40 countries on in Fresno. to Pensacola for flight training. He Ted Annenberg four continents. During his travels, he According to his obituary in the Los earned his wings in 1951, and was counsel of F.W. Woolworth Compa- pursued his love of vintage travel and Angeles Times, “He held strong opin- based in Japan and patrolled the Ko- ny. After retirement, Ted served as industrial posters, 1940s and 1950s pot- ions, had no room for the foolish or rean waters. He also served in the an American Bar Association arbitra- tery, modernist furniture and Middle irrational and always kept allegiance Philippines, where he patrolled the tor and volunteered as a small-claims Eastern rugs and textiles. Rosien was an to his own sturdy ways of thinking. He Formosa Straits. After resigning his court arbitrator in New York City. He insatiable reader and a food aficionado. could be sardonic — even acerbic — commission in 1955, Ted attended volunteered for a number of years He attended UC-Berkeley in 1966- though never at anyone’s expense, Columbia University School of Law, teaching reading and math to adults 67 and completed his undergrad- only at the absurdities of life.” where he was a member of the Law at Literacy Partners, and as a medi- uate studies at UCLA. He obtained FFRF is most touched and grate- Review. He served in the legal de- ator at the Better Business Bureau. his law degree from Hastings Law ful that Rosien, who was not an active partment of several corporations, He is survived by Jan, his wife of 67 School in San Francisco. He then member at the time of his death, re- including Union Camp Corporation years; his son Matthew and daughter- worked in Washington, D.C., in the membered FFRF with a bequest of and Standard Brands. Ted retired in in-law Krista; and grandsons Alex and legal publishing business, then with $50,997.26, which was received in 1993 as vice president and general Nicholas. the Social Security Administration March 2017. SECULAR INVOCATIONS

we do with our speech and actions. common goal of making Maine a better you to use facts, reason and logic, tem- Melissa Tate Occasionally, we may even retaliate place for all of its citizens. pered with compassion and empathy, when we fear losing something we feel This secular invocation will be no dif- in making your decisions, today and Waterloo, Iowa should be ours. We, all of us, have in- ferent, but I will not ask you to bow your every day. I ask you to discard partisan herited a system that privileges white- heads to a “higher power.” Instead, I ask dogma and to weigh, without bias, the City Council ness but finds itself facing changing de- you to look around at the learned men merits of the various proposals being mographics and a broader culture that and women assembled here today, and made, and to refrain from denigrating is increasingly multicultural. rely on your collective character, hones- persons with whom you may disagree. March 6, 2017 First, let us have compassion for ty and integrity for guidance in making Finally, in the words of a Buddhist Thank you, Mayor Hart and Coun- ourselves and each other as many of decisions that fulfill the intent of the homily; “May (you) become at all cil Members for the opportunity to de- us struggle to come to terms with these Maine Constitution, specifically “to pro- times, both now and forever; A pro- liver tonight’s Humanist invocation. I changing times. mote our common welfare.” tector for those without protection; A am especially Second, let us come together Every member here was elected to guide for those who have lost their way; honored as I through rational thought and scientif- represent the interests of a diverse com- A ship for those with oceans to cross; A just became ic inquiry to find answers on to how to munity in terms of age, socioeconomic bridge for those with rivers to cross; A a first-time grapple with the issues of our day and status, race, sexual orientation, gender sanctuary for those in danger; A lamp homeowner to make decisions that are in the best identity and religious beliefs or secular for those without light; A place of ref- in Waterloo. interest of the people of our great city. principles. Representing diverse constit- uge for those who lack shelter; And a I love Wa- Thank you. uents requires one to be truly inclusive servant to all those in need.” terloo for Melissa Tate is a member of the Eastern and tolerant. All of your constituents Thank you. its contrasts Iowa Atheists and represents Humanism in want the same things: economic oppor- Tom Waddell, president of FFRF and beauti- the Cedar Valley Interfaith Council. tunity, decent housing, good schools Maine, writes: “I wrote part of and deliv- ful blends and a health care system that meets the ered the secular invocation to the Maine of the rural needs of all people living in Maine. We House, but it was Ron Lewis from FFRF Melissa Tate and urban, never argue about these common goals, Maine who was largely responsible for the success and struggle, the black and the Tom Waddell what we argue about is the strategy we final version, especially the Buddhist hom- white and everything in between. Most use to attain them. ily. Thanks, Ron, for making me sound prayers and invocations in this room Maine House I ask you then to put aside any per- good. I also want to thank State Rep. Kent begin with a request to bow your heads sonal and political differences in these Ackley for nominating me to give the sec- and close your eyes. I would like to ask divisive times and to work together for ular invocation and for that request to be instead that you take the opportunity to Feb. 7, 2017 the benefit of Maine as a whole. I ask granted as a matter of course.” look around the room at all of us here Good morning. I am Tom Waddell, in this moment dedicating ourselves to president of the Maine Chapter of the working toward improving the lives of Freedom From Religion Foundation. the people of our city. For this is an in- Thank you all for the personal sac- NOTHING FAILS LIKE PRAYER vocation of our collective ability to use rifices each rational thought, empirical evidence of you have and compassion to make the best pos- made to be CONTEST sible decisions for our community. a member We call on each other to reflect on of the Maine Our goal is to encourage secular citizens to flood government our behavior as individuals and as a House. Your meetings with secular invocations that demonstrate community. We call on ourselves to be personal why government prayers are unnecessary, ineff ective, compassionate with each other as we commitment struggle together to embrace change. to Maine’s fu- embarrassing, exclusionary, divisive or just plain silly. Let us have compassion for each other ture is much The “best” secular invocation will be invited to open FFRF’s as we come to terms with what it means appreciated. annual convention, receiving a free trip to Madison, Wis., on to collectively hold the belief that we live Tom Wadell And thank in a meritocracy and therefore we un- you for the the weekend of Sept. 15–17, 2017, along with a plaque and an derstand that our successes came about opportunity honorarium of $500. through hard work and that we are de- to give the first of many inspiring secular fined by our obstacles and struggles, but invocations to the Maine House. Tradi- MORE INFO AT: we are never asked to see how we are at tionally, invocations have served to en- ff rf.org/nothing-fails-like-prayer least equally defined by our privileges. courage lawmakers to put aside political Sometimes we may be blinded by differences and, under the guidance of our privileges and not realize the harm a “higher power,” work together for the April 2017 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY Page 23

Freethought Festival 2017

Dr. Lindsey Doe, a sexologist and video Comedian and radio host Brian Babylon speaks to the Nicole Niebler, president of AHA of blogger, did a live rendition of her Freethought Festival crowd at Gordon Dining Hall and Event UW-Madison, introduces a speaker popular YouTube show, “Sexplanations Center on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus on at the convention. Live!” during her portion of the festival. March 4. The festival, sponsored in part by FFRF, is hosted by the Atheists, Humanists and Agnostics of UW-Madison.

Photo by Ingrid Laas FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor spends a Festival attendees check out FFRF’s Freethought Today Editor PJ Slinger stands moment with Marie Schaub, a plaintiff in FFRF’s lawsuit information table with posters, stickers, with his daughter, Cassidy, who is vice against a Pennsylvania school district for having a Ten brochures and issues of Freethought president of AHA of UW-Madison. Commandments monument on school grounds. Schaub Today. and FFRF won that lawsuit recently. Schaub was one of the speakers at Freethought Festival. Photos by Chris Line

Photo courtesy of Reid Nicewonder Irreverent musicians Thomas Roberts, Shelley Segal, Buck Bowen, Roy Zimmerman and Dan Barker showed up for LogiCal in Los Angeles on Jan. 15.

Include FFRF Yip Harburg, from his book In Your Estate Planning Rhymes for the Irreverent Published by FFRF A Nose Is A Nose Is A Nose

Arrange a bequest in your will or trust, or make the Freedom From Religion Foundation the bene ciary of an insurance policy, bank account or IRA. It’s easy to do. For related information (or to Mother, Mother, request a bequest brochure), Tell me please, please phone Annie Laurie Did God who gave us flowers and trees, Gaylor at (608) 256-8900. Also provide the allergies? FFRF member Douglas Marshall, director of the Reason Station in Warren, Mich., provided this photo that shows Doug Scoda and Joyce Uitti working the table, which P.O. Box 750 Buy it from FFRF online now includes a safe-sex campaign to reduce STDs and unwanted teenage pregnan- Madison, WI 53701 shop.ffrf.org cies. With the cooperation of health officials, the Reason Station made available free condoms to students under the age of 21. The station counters a prayer booth. Page 24 FFRF | FREETHOUGHT TODAY | Madison, Wisconsin | April 2017 FFRF’s 40th national convention Join us for an unbelievably good time Sign up now for reduced hot beverages, Mimosas or Champagne Zimmerman, an American satirical rate for the weekend of in the lovely fourth-floor auditorium singer-songwriter and guitarist with featuring a beautiful grand piano. a repertoire of irreverent songs, and Sept. 15-17 in Madison An optional relaxing boat cruise with FFRF Co-President Dan Barker at the FFRF is proud to be hosting its 40th buffet lunch on Madison’s Lake Mono- piano with his own repertoire, plus national convention in Madison, Wis., na starts at 10:45 a.m. Friday. You’ll be Forward! Marching Band. this year, which will include high-pro- out on the water for two hours, with a file personalities, a tour of FFRF’s great view of the Monona Terrace and Hotel info Freethought Hall and a two-hour boat Convention Center, returning to shore Reserve rooms now to avoid dis- cruise around Lake Monona. at 1 p.m. Although walkable, a shuttle appointment! The Hilton Madison The convention takes place the week- bus will be offered. Monona Terrace, 9 E. Wilson St., is the end of Sept. 15-17, largely at the lakeside Recently added to the list of speak- official convention hotel and closest to Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Monona ers are science educator Cara Santa Monona Terrace. Rooms are $183. Call Terrace Convention Center in Madison, Maria, renowned sculptor Zenos Fru- 608-255-5100 to make a reservation for Wis. Early-birds signing up for FFRF’s dakis and 12-year-old activist Kelly Hel- the “Freedom From Religion Founda- 40th conven- ton, plus a roster of victorious state/ tion” group rate. (Go to ffrf.org/conven- tion get a dis- church plaintiffs. tion2017 for information on two other counted rate of Santa Maria is a Los Angeles area hotels with blocks set aside for FFRF only $40! Sign Emmy and Knight Foundation Award Zenos Frudakis guests, plus online registration and ex- up now using winning journalist, science communi- tra details on menus, speakers, etc.) the form below. cator and host of the weekly science Previously announced speakers A pre-con- podcast, “Talk Nerdy with Cara San- include: General schedule vention open ta Maria” and cohost of the popular Michelle Goldberg, Brooklyn, au- Convention registration opens at 2 house of FFRF’s “Skeptics’ Guide to the Universe.” thor, columnist for Slate and frequent p.m. at Monona Terrace, with snacks impressive She’ll receive FFRF’s Freethought MSNBC commentator on the Reli- and opening talks you won’t want to Freethought Heroine Award. gious Right. miss between 3-5 p.m. For Friday din- Hall, in down- Frudakis, of Philadelphia, is an Maryam Namazie, an Iranian-born ner, sign up for the optional first-ever town Madison award-winning sculptor of public mon- secularist and human rights activist, FFRF Tailgate Party, (featuring Forward! just blocks Cara Santa Maria uments, portrait statues, busts and commentator and broadcaster living in Marching Band), serving up Wisconsin from the con- figurative sculptures. He’ll be talking London. She will be receiving the 2017 tailgate favorites from 5-6:45 p.m. in the vention site, about creating his newsmaking statue Henry H. Zumach Freedom From Fun- convenient lakeside Grand Terrace. The will be host- of Clarence Darrow, to be installed in damentalist Religion Award. evening program begins Friday at 7 p.m., ed from 9:30 July on the lawn of the Rhea County Harvard’s Steven Pinker, FFRF’s ending with complimentary cupcakes a.m. to noon Courthouse, site of the Scopes Trial, in honorary president, a cognitive scien- and beverages in the Grand Terrace. Friday. Mingle Dayton, Tenn. tist, psychologist, linguist, and popular The convention resumes Saturday with others, Helton, a seventh-grader from Ken- science author. with the optional Non-Prayer Breakfast meet staff and tucky, will give a short talk about her As always, FFRF’s legal team will at 8 a.m. The morning program starts visit FFRF’s activism, including sitting down for present its yearly Accomplishments at 9:30 a.m. After a two-hour lunch on monument to the Pledge of Allegiance (which led to panel, reporting the inside scoop on your own (with an optional “Grab and Atheists in Fox- others to do the same), and successful FFRF’s 2017 legal cases. Go” Box Lunch available) the program holes (military efforts to get her public school to stop Other annual events include the resumes at 2 p.m. The dinner banquet and veterans). playing religious songs. “Non-Prayer Breakfast,” the annual is followed by the “clean money” draw- Kelly Helton Take a souve- Next month we will announce those drawing for “clean,” pre-“In God We ing, evening speaker and entertain- nir photo with the life-size mannequin to be named Freethinkers of the Year, Trust” currency and the opportunity to ment. Sunday morning features the of Charles Darwin in Freethought Li- an award reserved for state/church browse FFRF book and sales tables. annual meetings of members and state brary. Enjoy complimentary pastries, complaints, and other speakers. Entertainment will be by Roy representatives, ending by noon.

Number Registering Cost Friday Tailgate Party Bu et (Dinner) ___$32 $____ 5:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. __Regular __Vegetarian SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 Non-Prayer Breakfast ___$20 $____ 2017 Convention Registration Form & Info __Country Breakfast __Veggie Breakfast “Grab and Go” Box Lunch ___$20 $______Chicken Sandwich __ Veggie Sandwich Registration Fees Saturday Dinner ___$40 $____ ⊲ Early Bird Deadline: Register for only $40! Prices rise $20 June 1. ⊳ __Chicken Wellington __Portobello Wellington (veggie) Number Registering Cost Member ___$40 $____ Total $_____ If you have allergies or other dietary restrictions not accommodated by the above Spouse or Companion ___$45 $____ meal selections, please note those here: (non-member accompanying member) Return with payment to: Child/Student with ID ___Free $____ FFRF, Attn: Convention | P.O. Box 750 | Madison, WI 53701 Non-member ___$95 $____ Names of all registrants Or join for $40 and save money!

Meals / Events Names of all registrants FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 Address City / State / ZIP Freethought Hall Open House ___Free 9:30 a.m. to Noon. Please RSVP, tickets required. Phone Email Betty Lou Cruise on Lake Monona ___$50* $____ 10:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. *includes lunch bu et and bus to dock from Hilton and FFRF o ce and back. Credit Card Number Expiration Date / Security Code Children 12 months old or younger – Free. __Regular __Vegetarian Signature Contact information for in-house use only.