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Vo1. 30 No. 1 Published by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. January/February 2013 Photo: Andrew Seidel Churches exempt from filing fee, annual reporting FFRF sues IRS over preferential treatment of churches

Ending 2012 with a bang, the Free- exempt nonprofits to file “detailed, in- dom From Religion Foundation filed a trusive, and expensive annual reports federal lawsuit Dec. 27 to challenge the to maintain tax-exempt status, but such Internal Revenue Service’s preferen- reports are not required for churches FFRF Co-Presidents Annie Laurie Gaylor and Dan Barker show off the tial treatment of churches in applying and certain other affiliated religious mountain of 990 Forms FFRF has filed, which churches are exempt from. for and maintaining tax-exempt status. organizations,” the complaint notes. The IRS exempts churches and cer- “Why should churches be exempt The “preferential treatment of In January/February 2013, FFRF tain other religious organizations from from basic financial reporting require- churches” directly benefits churches, filed a high-profile lawsuit seeking to paying expensive application fees and ments?” asks Annie Laurie Gaylor, while discriminating against other enforce the IRS’ non-electioneering filing the onerous annual Form 990 re- FFRF co-president. “Equally impor- nonprofit organizations, including code against churches. quired of nonchurch nonprofits. FFRF tant, why would churches not wish to the plaintiffs, “solely on the basis of In late August, U.S. District Judge and Triangle FFRF v. the IRS was filed in be accountable?” religious criteria,” FFRF’s complaint Barbara Crabb ruled that FFRF and U.S. District Court, Western District of Gaylor adds, “Having tax-exempt asserts. This “results in obligations im- three of its directors have standing to Wisconsin. status is a great privilege, and in ex- posed on secular nonprofits, including proceed in a challenge of the 1954 FFRF, a national state/church change for that privilege, all other the plaintiffs, that are not imposed on “parish exemption” act of Congress. watchdog with more than 19,000 non- groups must file a detailed report an- churches.” That law, enacted to reward ministers religious members, and its chapter, the nually to the IRS and the public on FFRF asks the court to find the for fighting what the law’s author, U.S. Triangle Freethought Society in North how we spend donations.” church exemptions a violation of the Rep. Peter Mack, called “a godless and Carolina, are challenging the prefer- “The unfairness of this is so over- Establishment Clause of the Constitu- antireligious world movement,” per- ential application and reporting ex- whelming,” says FFRF President Emer- tion’s First Amendment and the equal mits “ministers of the gospel” to de- emptions to churches. ita Anne Nicol Gaylor, who in FFRF’s protection rights of the Due Process duct payment designated as a housing FFRF and its North Carolina chap- early years personally prepared the an- Clause of the Fifth Amendment. FFRF allowance from taxable income. ter are 501(c)(3) nonprofits that paid nual forms. “Churches are allowed to seeks to enjoin the IRS from continu- All three lawsuits were filed in U.S. fees of several hundred dollars in order play by different rules.” ing to exempt churches and related or- District Court, Western District of Wis- to apply for tax-exempt status and must Form 990 requires detailed reports ganizations from the application and consin, and were brought on behalf of annually file the annual Form 990. on revenue and functional expenses, annual reporting required of all other FFRF by attorney Richard L. Bolton. The IRS requires nonchurch tax- activities, governance, management, 501(c)(3) nonprofits. “We thank the Triangle Freethought how groups fulfill their mission and This is FFRF’s third ongoing lawsuit Society for joining FFRF in this impor- what proportion is spent on programs, against IRS practices involving prefer- tant challenge,” adds FFRF Co-Presi- Inside This Issue management and fundraising. ential treatment of churches. dent Dan Barker.

FFRF releases new FFRF’s ‘Jackson Jesus’ protest music CD Page 3 makes waves in Ohio The Freedom From Religion Foun- its schools. The district must remove dation’s formal request that a middle the picture of Jesus at once,” Markert school in Jackson, Ohio, remove a wrote. Boghossian prominent painting of Jesus from its Her letter cited a 1994 decision by convention entrance has created shockwaves lo- the 6th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, speech cally. which ruled that an identical portrait Senior Staff Attorney Rebecca Mark- of Jesus could not be displayed in a Pages 12– 13 ert wrote a letter of complaint Jan. 2 to public school. Ohio is part of the 6th the Jackson City Schools on behalf of a Circuit. complainant protesting the painting’s The Jackson School Board decided presence at Jackson Middle School. Jan. 8 to not remove the devotional Since sending the letter, FFRF has image. Superintendent Phil Howard been contacted by other families with told more than 300 emotional backers Caption contest children in the schools distressed over of the painting who attended a board winners the violation. meeting that the picture would stay. “Courts have continually held that He claimed it was lawful because it was Back Page public schools may not display reli- a gift from a student group and “has Purportedly part of a public middle gious messages or iconography. It is historical significance.” school’s “Hall of Honor,” Jesus illegal for Jackson Middle School to Channel 10 News reported on the appears to reign above all. post religious images on the walls of Continued on back page Page 2 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin January/February 2013 Photo: Tom Stringfellow Meet a Staffer

Name: Scott B. Colson. dation — how could I pass that up? Where and when I was born: Neen- What I do here: If it’s jammed, I un- ah, Wis., 1984. I’ve spent most of my jam it. If the lights on a machine start life in Appleton and Madison. blinking, I unblink them. I produce Education: University of Wisconsin- the newspaper (not the content, ex- Madison, B.S. in philosophy. cept for this gem). I build Web pages, What I want to be when I grow up: manage the artwork for campaigns and The Don, El Jefe, El Capo. occasionally work on ads. I help with I spend a lot of time thinking about: the radio show and podcast. Progressive politics, brewing beer, rev- What I like best about it here: Tea olutionary economics, music. time, all of the time; random acts of I spend no time thinking about: I jazz and baking. guess I haven’t thought about it. No What sucks about it: There are not topic is off limits. enough hours in the day to fight all My religious upbringing was: Barely that’s crazy out there. Catholic. My catechism teachers were Things I like: Peanut butter, post- parents of other students who had a modernism, prog rock. hard time answering so many of my Things I smite: Piety, papacy, pelf- “gotcha” questions and double binds. tocracy. [pelf (n.) money, esp. when My doubts about religion started: gained in a dishonest or dishonorable Very early. I think it was during second way] grade that I told my parents I thought Favorite quote about freethought: the whole thing was some weird power “Atheism is not a drama, but the phi- No stranger to speaking out trip. losopher’s serenity and philosophy’s How I came to work at FFRF: An achievement.” (Gilles Deluze and Felix Scott Colson introducing ‘Emperor Has No Clothes’ recipient Cenk Uygur at opening for website development and Guattari, What Is Philosophy?) the 2010 National Convention in Madison, Wis. desktop publishing at an atheist foun-

FFRF intern brings write stuff Meet an Intern

Name: Sarah Eucalano. right in. Where and when I was born: Mil- Something funny that’s happened at waukee, April 6, 1992. work: At the Winter Solstice party, Dan Family: Mom, Patty; dad, Brian; and sang a song from South Park with a cho- an older sister, Lara, 24. rus that inserted the f-word between Education: Pursuing a bachelor’s in Merry and Christmas. Also, FFRF still journalism and international studies at uses a typewriter for some tasks. I had the University of Wisconsin-Madison. to use it once and got a kick out of it. My religious upbringing was: Ro- My writing interests are: I write for man Catholic. the city news beat for the UW Badger How I came to work at FFRF as a Herald, which I enjoy. I also write short journalism intern: I belong to Athe- stories and poetry in my free time. ists, Humanists & Agnostics at UW- Three writers I admire: Mark Twain, Madison and answered an email FFRF Margaret Atwood and Douglas Adams. sent about intern opportunities. I love These three words sum me up: Prag- being a part of AHA. The discussions matic, honest and passionate. that happen there and the awareness Things I like: People who think for the organization raises are great. I sent themselves and have integrity. I also FFRF an email hoping I’d be able to enjoy running, reading and riding my help them out with their mission and bike. gain some writing experience. Things I smite: Dane Cook’s stand- What I do here: I write up legal vic- up comedy. I also hate it when people tories and Freethought of the Day and use the phrase “you know how they do whatever else FFRF needs me to do. are.” I hate it when people think they What I like best about it: I love can look down on or make assump- writing and working with the peo- tions about people who aren’t white, ple at FFRF because they are all nice white collar, suburban or formally edu- Journalism intern Sarah Eucalano (left) runs a marathon in Superior, Wis. and intelligent. I also love all of the cated. freethought stickers, comics, quotes Fun fact: I ran my first marathon and pictures that are all over the walls. this summer, the Paavo in Hurley, Wis. Everyone at FFRF is a freethinker, and My time was 3:43, a good 15 minutes most people are tea drinkers, so I fit faster than Paul Ryan’s actual time.

A Note to Members Send Us Your Freethought Today published by Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. Your address label shows the expira- Address Change P.O. Box 750 • Madison WI 53701 tion date of your membership in FFRF, which includes your subscription to Promptly! (608)256-5800 • FAX (608)204-0422 Freethought Today and “Private Line.” [email protected] • ffrf.org Don’t miss a single issue! If you If it says any month in 2012 or January Editor: Bill Dunn move, notify us directly and or February 2013 please renew! Your Executive Editor: Annie Laurie Gaylor prompt re­newal ($40-single member­ ­ promptly. The Post Office does ship; $50-household; $100 sustaining; not forward third-class mail. Contributing Editors: Dan Barker, Katie Stenz $25-student) saves us time and post­ FFRF cannot be responsible for re- Production Editor: Scott Colson age, and is tax-deductible. Free­­­thought placing back issues if we have not Contributors: Phil Appleman, Peter Boghossian, Ben Kauffeld, Andy Ngo, Today is published 10 times a year, with been notified prior to your move. Andrew L. Seidel combined issues in Jan/Feb and June/ Back issues, while they last, may January/February 2013 July. Send to FFRF, Box 750, Madison be ordered for $2 each. WI 53701. The only freethought newspaper in the United States January/February 2013 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 3

FFRF releases its third music CD Barker grounded in reality while ‘Adrift on a Star’

The Freedom From Religion Foun- for his Christian musicals for children, dation released its third musical CD in has now written scores of freethought January, “Adrift on a Star,” featuring songs in what he calls “reverse pen- Dan Barker and friends. The title song ance.” is Barker’s arrangement of a Yip Har- Other new songs in the album in- burg poem. clude “Get Off Your Knees (And Get The album’s showpiece is “Poor Lit- to Work),” dedicated to “Gov. Rip Van- tle Me,” a collaboration between Bark- Perry Winkle, who has slept not 30 but er, who wrote the lyrics, and Charles 2,030 years,” “Reason,” inspired by the Strouse, the Broadway icon (“Annie,” D.C. Reason Rally, and Dan’s humor- “Bye Bye Birdie”), who’s also an atheist ous “Unfaithful.” Dismissing belief in a who received FFRF’s Emperor Has No deity, the lyrics say: “I want you to know Clothes Award in 2011. it isn’t me — it’s you.” “I had the pleasure of sitting next to Susan Hofer, a talented jazz vocalist Dan also recorded “Experiment,” a lit- phone on several songs, and FFRF Charles at the 2011 FFRF convention in Madison, Wis., performs Dan’s jazz tle-known paean to science and critical member Buzz Kemper, announcer of dinner,” says Dan. “We chatted about ballad, a love song, “It’s Only Natural,” thinking by Cole Porter, who was non- Freethought Radio, engineered the al- music, the many Broadway and other inspired by Richard Dawkins’ book religious. By popular request of FFRF’s bum at Audio for the Arts in Madison. composers who are nonreligious, and Unweaving the Rainbow, which makes a staff, Dan recorded a G-rated version FFRF members may order the CD he said if I sent him some lyrics, he plea to integrate science and art. The of “Merry F&*#ing Christmas” from “Adrift on a Star” for a discounted $15 would put them to music. So I did and song has been oft-requested since Dan “South Park.” postpaid ($20 postpaid for nonmem- he did. It’s truly a collaboration, be- wrote it in 2006. Cameo appearances include Austra- bers). “Adrift on a Star” joins FFRF’s cause Charles threw away about half of He’s also set to music several poems lian freethought/feminist troubadour two previous CDs, featuring Barker my lyrics, and it’s a much better song by Harburg from Rhymes for the Irrever­ Shelly Segal, who graciously gave FFRF and friends. “Beware of Dogma” is also for it!” ent, a collection of verses reprinted by permission to include her haunting available for $15 to members. What’s left are subtly humorous lyr- FFRF. Another musical icon, Harburg, song “I Don’t Believe in Fairies,” and The 34-song “Friendly Neighbor- ics and rich music blended into a win- a nonbeliever who openly scoffed Joe Taylor, formerly a Christian rock- hood Atheist,” with many contempo- ning song. at religion, wrote “Somewhere Over er, who recorded his first freethought rary and historic freethought songs, Dan, who had a musical ministry as the Rainbow” and “It’s Only a Paper song, “Be Still My Child,” for the al- also featuring Kristen Lems, is available an ordained minister before “seeing Moon,” among many, many enduring bum. for $20 to members via the mail or ffrf. the light” and is still receiving royalties classics. Also included is “It Ain’t Necessar- org/shop/music. (Note: The online shop To showcase many of Harburg’s wit- ily So,” sung by Hofer and arranged by calculates postage based on weight and ty rhymes about religion, Dan set them Dan with a local band. Bonus tracks in- location, so final online price may vary to music in “Somewhere Over the Pa- clude a few extras. slightly from mail catalog price.) per Moon,” performed as a duet with FFRF Rob Shepherd plays the saxo- Hofer. Dan also performs Harburg’s song “One Sweet Morning,” a lovely but rarely recorded peace anthem with a freethought perspective. The music is by Earl Robinson (“Joe Hill”). Dan set plaintive music to poet and lyricist Philip Appleman’s cautionary “In a Dark Time,” written in the mid-2000s. Shelly Segal Photo: Jefrey Yardis

Philip Appleman

Susan Hofer Include FFRF In Your Estate Planning

Arrange a bequest in your will or trust, or make the Freedom From Religion Found­ation the benefi- ciary of an insurance policy, bank account, or IRA. It’s easy to do. Joe Taylor “Poor Little Me” collaborators Dan Barker (lyrics) and Charles Strouse (music). For related information (or to request a bequest brochure), please phone Freedom From Religion Foundation What Is a Annie Laurie Gaylor at P.O. Box 750 • Madison WI 53701 • (608) 256-8900 • ffrf.org (608) 256-8900. Freethinker? FFRF free-think-er n. P.O. Box 750 What is the Freedom From Religion Foundation? Madison WI 53701 A person who Founded in 1978 as a national organization of freethinkers (atheists and forms opinions agnostics), the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc., works to keep state about religion and church separate and to educate the public about the views of nontheists. Freedom Depends on the basis of reason, The Foundation’s e-mail address is [email protected]. Please include your on Freethinkers name and physical mailing address with all e-mail correspondence. independently of Foundation members wishing to receive online news releases, “action tradition, authority, or alerts” and “Freethought of the Day” should contact [email protected]. established belief. Page 4 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin January/February 2013 Heads Up A Poetry Column by Philip Appleman

To the River (Benares)

For one burning moment we were snarled together under the winding-sheet: you, the boy with blistering eyes, the brown water-carrier, the milky lady who walked like a rani and sniffed, and all of us. The sun was boring through the sheet, through our eyelids. Strapped cold to the litter, we hunched on hired shoulders downhill toward the river, where, Overheard in the whitest white we ever wore, skinny legs fretting the husky logs, we would flame to a fine gray ash. I have prayed before not to have an- often surprising to most Christians, To the equanimity of peacocks other child, but the condom worked King James I was a well-known bisex- our passing made no tremor; better. ual. Though he did marry a woman, under the nim and tamarind Giselle Labadan, roadside vendor in his many gay relationships were so burnt eyes died in dusty faces, Manila, on a new law opposed by the well-known that amongst some of his monkeys cried abstract abuse, Catholic Church in the Philippines that friends and court, he was known as temples turned their walls on us, provides public funding for contracep- “Queen James.” It is in his great debt camels wet the earth, tion and honor that we name the Queen and only children stared, that games and sun Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 1-8-13 James Bible so. could come to this. Publisher’s statement on new bible All of us While I was younger, my father drank translation, “edited to prevent homo- suddenly a lot. There was abuse in the home. phobic misinterpretation” shrieked through the sheet: My brother committed suicide in 2001. amazon.com, 11-27-12 My voice is the language of God! So at some point you start to say, “Why My skin is the color of heaven! does all this stuff happen to people?” This report confirms that the code is My knowledge makes towers and temples! And if I pray and nothing good hap- 10 times the size of the bible with none My pity, My passion, My deeds! pens, is that supposed to be I’m being of the good news. No one heard. tried? I find that almost kind of cruel U.S. Rep. Dave Camp, R-Mich., chair- And in some ways. It’s like burning ants with man of the House Ways and Means even now, as the litter twists along, a magnifying glass. Eventually that gets Committee, on a new study of the U.S. one of us is still there, just too hard to believe anymore. tax code swaying to the smug chanting of the mourners, Rigoberto Perez, 30, raised as a Sev- U.S. News & World Report, 1-10-13 moving toward fire on the holy river, enth-day Adventist, “More Young Peo- one of us. ple Are Moving Away From Religion, Man, this is weird for me too — to be © 1996 Philip Appleman But Why?” in a room where I don’t recognize a Reprinted from New and Selected Poems, 1956—1996. NPR “Morning Edition,” 1-15-13 single person. And you call yourself a Christian nation. . . . I am totally cool Between banning gay marriage and with hookers. Fishermen and hookers. Philip Appleman is Dis­tinguished Pro­fessor Emeri­tus at In­dia­ requiring school prayer, too many leg- I got a whole fishnet motif going. na Uni­ver­si­ty. His published volumes of poetry include­ Perfidi- islators are intent on turning Indiana Matt Gubser, portraying Jesus in the ous Proverbs and Other Poems: A Satirical Look at the Bible into a religious state as repressive, in- “Holiday Heathens” comedy show at (2012), Darwin’s Ark (new 2009 edition) and Karma, Dharma, tellectually stultifying and ultimately the Punch Line in San Francisco Pudding & Pie (2009). His nonfiction work in­cludes the widely insulting of their own God as any on Religion News Service, 12-13-12 used Norton Critical Edition, Darwin, and the Nor­ton Critical the planet. It’s time for them to learn a Edition of Malthus’ Essay on Population­ . His poetry and fiction new R: Reality. The bible has outsold Fifty Shades of have won many awards, including a fellowship in poetry from the Columnist/reporter Phil Wieland, op- Grey and Justin Bieber’s autobiography Na­tional En­dow­ment for the Arts, the Castagnola Award from the Poetry Society of posing a bill by the state Senate’s Edu- to top the Norwegian bestseller charts America, the Humanist Arts Award from the American Humanist Association and cation Committee chairman to let pub- this month for a second year in a row. the Friend of Darwin Award from the National Center for Science Education. His work lic schools require daily recitation of The new Norwegian translation of the has ap­peared in Har­per’s Magazine, The Nation, The New Republic, The New York the Lord’s Prayer bible has held the top spot for 54 out Times, The Paris Review, Partisan Review, Poetry, and The Yale Review.. Northwest Indiana Times, 1-11-13 of the last 56 weeks. He and his playwright wife, Marjorie Appleman, are both “Afterlife” Members of Christian Today, 12-18-12 the Freedom From Religion Foundation. They recorded an excerpt of “Noah,” New and Wise atheists make no moral claims, Selected Poems, which is available for sale from FFRF for $23 ppd, The Norton Critical seeing good and bad randomly spread I’ve explained to them that some peo- Edition, Darwin, is $22 ppd., Karma, Dharma, Pudding & Pie, $27 ppd., Darwin’s among humanity regardless of faith. ple believe God is waiting for them, Ark, $23 ppd., and Perfidious Proverbs, $20 ppd. (ffrf.org/shop/). Humans do have a hardwired moral but I don’t believe that. I believe when sense, every child born with an instinct you die, it’s over and you live on in the for justice that makes us by nature so- memory of people you love and who cial animals, not needing revelations love you. I can’t offer them the comfort Your Weekly Antidote to the religious right from ancient texts. The idea that mo- of a better place. Despite all the evils rality can only be frightened into us ar- and problems in the world, this is the TUNE IN TO tificially, by divine edict, is degrading. heaven — we’re living in the heaven Polly Toynbee, outgoing president of and it’s the one we work to make. It’s FREETHOUGHT RADIO the British Humanist Association not a paradise. The Guardian, 12-16-12 Julie Drizin, Takoma Park, Md., quote produced by the in “Atheist parents comfort children Freedom From Religion I noticed something interesting. Those about death without talk of God or Foundation Hosted by Dan Barker and two guys disagreed on everything, ex- heaven” Annie Laurie Gaylor cept the fact that I was going to hell. Washington Post, 12-22-12 Doug Krueger, an atheist and profes- Broadcasts and streams Saturdays at 11 a.m. Central, Progressive Talk The Mic 92.1 FM, Madison, Wis., and over several other stations. sor at NorthWest Arkansas Community It’s an opportunity to get out of the College in Bentonville, on sharing an cold, have a cigar and learn some bible. iTunes or podcasts archived at: ffrf.org/news/radio office with a Catholic and a Baptist Larry Gilbert, member of a Missouri when he was a Ph.D. student Synod Lutheran bible study group that Slightly irreverent views, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 1-10-13 meets at Cigar Cigars, Rocky River, news, music & interviews Ohio Commonly known to biographers but Cleveland Plain Dealer, 1-18-13 January/February 2013 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 5

Over 150 legal victories for FFRF in 2012!

In 2012, the Freedom From Religion Foundation and its four staff attorneys impressively won more than 150 sig- nificant legal victories using education and persuasion, without having to go to court. FFRF received more than 2,460 re- quests (whew!) last year for help from members, or members of the public, over entanglements between state and church. FFRF officially doubled its staff attorneys in 2012, going from two to four, to handle the caseload. They or FFRF’s co-presidents sent 1,005 formal letters objecting to state/ church violations last year. It may take many follow-up letters to get results, and those follow-up letters are not in- cluded in the letter count. The majority of FFRF legal letters involve religion in the public schools, followed by prayer at government meetings such as city council or county board meetings. Two-thirds of FFRF’s FFRF staff attorneys from left: Patrick Elliott, Liz Cavell, Rebecca Markert and Andrew Seidel. Photo by Andrew Seidel. victories involved ending violations in public schools, which FFRF prioritizes. Prayer in schools is the largest sub- • The Kannapolis City Council information to the local Catholic dio- Ongoing litigation category within school complaints. (N.C.) ended prayers before meetings, cese. FFRF also sent letters of complaint to replacing the prayers with a moment • Peach County senior center em- These victories are in addition to more than 100 government bodies or of silence. ployees will no longer pray with their FFRF’s litigation. FFRF has filed well departments over prayer. Most involve • FFRF secured the right of students charges or read the bible to them at over 60 lawsuits since it began, winning city or county board prayer, but there at Walton High School in Marietta, meal times and special occasions. many significant victories, and through are also many complaints over city- Ga., to start a “FACT” group (Free- • The Assessment Appeals Board December 2012 had nine ongoing law- hosted prayer breakfasts and prayer thinkers for Cooperation Acceptance in San Francisco implemented proce- suits. In 2012, FFRF successfully settled proclamations. and Trust) after the school had denied dural changes to eliminate the use of a two additional lawsuits: its challenge of their right to create the student group. religious oath when swearing in parties a cross on a water tower and other city Top 10 states for violations • After months of debate, the Ell- at hearings. property in Whiteville, Tenn., and its (most FFRF complaint letters): wood City Borough Council (Pa.) vot- • COLT bus system in Scranton, Pa., challenge removing a Ten Command- ed to remove a long-standing nativity discontinued the practice of displaying ments poster from a high school in 1. Florida display in front of the borough’s mu- “God Bless America” on their electron- Giles County, W. Va., brought with the 2. Texas nicipal building. ic tickers after FFRF wrote to them in ACLU of Virginia. 3. Tennessee • Five Pennsylvania school boards February. FFRF last year won an appeals court 4. Georgia (Big Spring, Octorara, Greencastle- • FFRF halted (or stopped for the decision in Colorado state court in 5. North Carolina Antrim, Eastern Lancaster, Grove City) future) illegal Gideon bible distribu- which a judge agreed with FFRF that 6. California dropped prayer before board meetings tion in public schools in Magnolia, the governor’s Colorado Day of Prayer 7. Wisconsin after letters from FFRF. Ark., Boydton, Va., Robertson County, proclamations are inappropriate. 8. Ohio • FFRF stopped future religious as- Tenn., and Grant County, Ky., among Last year, FFRF filed four new law- 9. Alabama semblies by Dave Walton (braggingforje­ other public school districts. suits: challenging Ten Commandments 10. Pennsylvania sus.com/) at a Tennessee middle/high • The University of Tennessee-Chat- monuments in front of two schools in school. tanooga discontinued its long tradition Pennsylvania (two separate federal law- Top ten issue areas: • FFRF’s letter of complaint resulted of prayer before its football games af- suits), challenging graduation prayer in removal of a cross from a Nebraska ter continued pressure. in a South Carolina high school, and 1. Schools state park and outside a park ranger’s • FFRF persuaded the Cobleskill- its highly popular challenge of non- 2. Government Prayer home in George Wyth State Park on Richmondville Central School district enforcement by the IRS of its ban on 3. Miscellaneous Iowa state property. (N.Y.) from using school facilites for church electioneering. 4. Holiday Displays • FFRF’s letter of complaint resulted religious worship. FFRF works with a number of liti- 5. Religion in the Workplace in Washoe County Libraries in Nevada • FFRF was able to address several gation attorneys, including some pro 6. Election Law Complaints remaining open on Easter Sunday. complaints regarding the inappropri- bono, with staff attorneys providing 7. Crosses • FFRF stopped mayoral sponsor- ate use of government emails, putting help. 8. Prayer Breakfasts ship and coordination of monthly a halt to religious messages at four dif- Congratulations to FFRF’s diligent 9. Church Bulletins prayer breakfasts in Augusta, Ga. ferent agencies. and committed staff attorneys Rebec- 10. National Day of Prayer • The City of Tucson, Ariz., rescind- • FFRF stopped numerous prayer ca Markert, Patrick Elliott, Andrew ed a grant to the Catholic Church of violations and other religious indoctri- Seidel, outgoing attorney Stephanie 2012 legal victories $1.1 million to fix a building it had nation at schools around the country. Schmitt and new intake attorney Liz abandoned after FFRF’s letter of com- • FFRF had a total of 11 victories Cavell. Also deserving of much credit These include but are not limited plaint, records request, and action in 2012 ending church bulletin dis- are FFRF’s 2012 law clerks: Ken Earl, to: alert to FFRF members in Arizona. counts, in which restaurants or places Susan Lund, Dustin Clark, Maddy • The Federal Election Commis- • In another faith-based victory, the of public accommodation were ille- Ziegler, JJ Rolling, Ben Zich, and un- sion, in response to a complaint filed West Linn, Ore., City Council rescind- gally discounting meals or tickets for dergraduate volunteer interns Svein by FFRF in 2008, found that the Colo- ed a $1,300 grant to a local church and those bearing church bulletins. These Hoexter, Brendan Moriarity and Calli rado group Informed Catholic Citizens removed paid, government employees are violations of the Civil Rights Act. Miller. violated election laws in issuing a robo- from the church’s advisory board after Many complaints from 2012 and Your membership and additional call by a priest who advocated for the a letter from FFRF. earlier are still actively being pursued, donations designated for the Legal election of John McCain. • Thanks to FFRF, Catholic Social with other victories pending. Fund help pay for this substantial liti- • The Kiel Area School District Services of Augusta, Ga., will no longer Although not all complaints can gation and the work of staff attorneys. Board of Education (Wis.) voted down receive free lawn maintenance from be acted on, FFRF’s attorneys try hard Special thanks to Board Member Les- a proposal to teach “alternative theo- the U.S military. to respond to bonafide state/church ter Goldstein, who created an intern- ries of the origins of man within the sci- • A family court in Jackson, Mo., has queries. FFRF also hosts an extensive ship endowment with the help of other ence curriculum” after FFRF pressured reprimanded a pastor for hijacking a State/Church FAQ: ffrf.org/faq/state- FFRF members setting aside a mini- the board to follow case law prohibit- secular class meant to teach divorced church mum of $5,000 a year to help pay for ing such instruction in public schools. parents how to help their children and Before contacting FFRF, you may internships. • An FFRF complaint prompted injecting it with his religious rant. The wish to check out the FAQ. Complaints Henrico County (Va.) officials to drop court is looking for other teachers and over state/church violations may be Many thanks to Senior Staff Attorney the 25-year-old tradition of offering sites other than his church. sent via the online complaint form: Rebecca Markert for her very thorough legal meeting prayers before Board of Su- • Bret Harte Union High School ffrf.org/legal/report report which provided the details for this ar­ pervisors meetings. (Calif.) will no longer release student ticle. Page 6 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin January/February 2013

Meet a Friendly Member

Making math and atheism friendly

Person in history I ad- mire: It’s always inspiring to hear about those who challenge the status quo to make things better for various minority groups. I’ve been fortunate to meet a number of atheists who have done sort of con- sciousness-raising in our own movement. FFRF ‘Spotlight’ airs thousands A quotation I like: “If you want to get something done, ask a busy person.” of times on public TV These are a few of my fa- vorite things: My students, great books, crossword The Freedom From Religion Foun- 699 times with 142 station airings. puzzles, “The Daily Show,” dation’s inaugural feature production The two shows each reached more Twitter. for use as educational filler on public than 3.6 million public TV viewers, These are not: People television affiliates aired more than according to the Nielsen ratings. Mar- whose sole purpose in life is 1,430 times over three months in late kets airing one or both of the spots to put other people down. 2012. This is the first such segment included high population airings such My doubts about reli- featuring discussion of freethought, as New York City and Los Angeles, as Name: Hemant Mehta. gion started: When I started atheism and focusing on the specific well as a diversity of smaller markets Where I live: Naperville, Ill. high school. It turned out my parents’ dangers of mixing state and church. nationwide. In the Salt Lake City area, Where and when I was born: Just religion (Jainism) couldn’t withstand The four-minute “Spotlight on for instance, served by five area public outside of Chicago, 1983. tougher scrutiny. Freethought and the First Amend- TV affiliates including in Provo, FFRF’s Education: University of Illinois- Instead of “thank God” or “God ment” featured interviews with FFRF spots ran 62 times last fall. Chicago, 2004, double major in math/ bless you,” I say: Gesundheit. Co-Presidents Dan Barker and Annie The broadcasts are audited by biology; DePaul University, 2010, Why I’m a freethinker: It’s empow- Laurie Gaylor. The longer version, Nielsen only for the first 3 months master’s in math education; national ering when you know the truth about over five minutes, included a bonus in- after the show is released. But FFRF’s board-certified teacher, 2012. something the majority of the country terview with “secularity” expert, sociol- two “Spotlights” may continue to air Occupation: High school math is completely wrong about. ogist and author Phil Zuckerman, pro- for years as filler. teacher. Ways I promote freethought: I fessor at Pitzer University, Claremont, View the videos at FFRF’s YouTube How I got where I am today: After blog at FriendlyAtheist.com to spread Calif. Local public TV affiliates were Channel. The shorter “abridged” ver- leaving medical school in order to be- news and stories about atheism. I am given the option to use either spot, or sion is at bit.ly/WmTCP2. come a teacher, I had some free time a board member for the Foundation both, as fillers. The longer “TV” version with Zuck- and began working closely with the Beyond Belief and work to encourage For the first time in the history of erman is at bit.ly/P8TZfT. Secular Student Alliance and also start- other atheists to give money to secular Spotlight Productions, more affiliates A “bonus track” version of nearly ed my website, FriendlyAtheist.com. Both charities. ran the longer version, “a compliment seven minutes, which includes ad- of those experiences have helped me I serve on the Advisory Board of to Phil Zuckerman,” says Gaylor. The ditional footage with Dan Barker, is develop into an activist, and I hope to the Secular Student Alliance because longer version aired 731 times in 136 prominently featured at FFRF’s web- keep improving on that in a variety of they focus on helping young atheists. station airings. The short version aired site, ffrf.org and at bit.ly/V7kan5. ways! To promote my ideas, I’ve written a Where I’m headed: Thankfully, not few books, the most recent of which is downward. called The Young Atheist’s Survival Guide. Psalm 23:4 piques FFRF welcomes 33 most online interest ‘Lifers,’ 2 ‘After-Lifers’ According to a Jan. 3 story in The will forgive their sin, and will heal their Christian Post, out of nearly 7 mil- land.” lion visits last year to King James Bible 7. Jeremiah 29:11 — “For I know The Freedom From Religion Foun- Hampshire, New York, Nevada, North Online, the most-viewed bible verse the thoughts that I think toward you, dation gratefully announces two new Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, was Psalm 23:4 — “Yea, though I walk saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, “After-Life” Members: Justin Hinckley Washington, Washington, D.C. and through the valley of the shadow of and not of evil, to give you an expected and Susie J. York. Wisconsin. death, I will fear no evil: for thou art end.” FFRF is also delighted to welcome Individual Lifetime Members are with me; thy rod and thy staff they com- 8. Ephesians 6:12 — “For we wres- 33 new Lifetime Members joining at $1,000 designated by the donor as fort me.” tle not against flesh and blood, but year’s end or to start the New Year on a membership or renewal, go into a No. 2 was Philippians 4:13 — “I can against principalities, against powers, a freethinking note: Kenneth Averill, “rainy day” endowment and mean nev- do all things through Christ which against the rulers of the darkness of Georgia Bazemore, Ph.D. (gift from er another renewal notice for the kind strengtheneth me.” this world, against spiritual wickedness Daniel and Margaret Carper), Larry donor! The slightly tongue-in-cheek Coming in third was the New Testa- in high places.” Brown, Dr. Kris Byron, David Civic, $5,000 “After-Life” category of mem- ment’s John 3:16 — “For God so loved 9. 2 Timothy 1:7 — “For God hath Robert Collins, Matthew C. Cooper, bership (which can be chosen in addi- the world, that he gave his only begot- not given us the spirit of fear; but of Geoffrey Dietz, Ken Gelinas, T. Augus- tion to or in lieu of a Lifetime Mem- ten Son, that whosoever believeth in power, and of love, and of a sound ta Gordon, William Gray, Mark Hall, bership) is for those who want their him should not perish, but have ever- mind.” Glenn Hardie, Jeffrey W. Herrmann, donation to “live after.” lasting life.” 10. Genesis 1:2 — “And the earth Kenneth and Benjamin Huey, Margi Warmest thanks to Susie, Justin, The rest of the top 10: was without form, and void; and dark- Jones, Dan and Kelle Lloyd, Trigg Christopher, R. Kelly, Harry, Jim, A. 4. Genesis 1:1 — “In the begin- ness was upon the face of the deep. Louthen, James Moniz, R.C. Nemer, Joanne, Isaac, Deb and Erick, Gary, ning God created the heaven and the And the Spirit of God moved upon the Joanne Omang, Gary Payne, Erik and Joanne, R.C. James, Trigg, Kelle and earth.” face of the waters.” Deb Raettig, Isaac Schlueter, A. Joanne Dan, Margi, Benjamin and Kenneth, 5. 1 Corinthians 13:11 — “When I Siegla, Jim Stolz, Harry Sutton, R. Kelly Jeffrey, Glenn, Mark, William, T. Au- was a child, I spake as a child, I under- Editor’s note: The website shipoffools. Wagner and Christopher Will. One gusta, Ken, Geoffrey, Matthew, Robert, stood as a child, I thought as a child: com, which pokes fun at Christianity, new “Lifer” preferred not to be an- David, Kris, Larry, Margaret and Dan- but when I became a man, I put away asked readers in 2009 to submit their nounced by name. iel, Kenneth and “anonymous”! childish things.” favorite “worst” bible verses in a project U.S. states and Canadian provinces Dues and donations to FFRF are 6. 2 Chronicles 7:14 — “If my peo- called Chapter & Worse. represented are Arizona, British Co- deductible for income tax purposes to ple, which are called by my name, shall No. 1: St. Paul’s advice in 1 Timothy lumbia, California, Florida, Georgia, the fullest extent of the law. humble themselves, and pray, and seek 2:12, in which he says: “But I suffer not Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, New my face, and turn from their wicked a woman to teach, nor to usurp author- ways; then will I hear from heaven, and ity over the man, but to be in silence.” January/February 2013 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 7 Freethinking dad explains atheism to fourth-graders

By Ben Kauffeld I spoke first in general terms about One girl gasped in whether or not atheism is a religion. For some kids, that it’s not was a hard shock when I said concept to take on. Several asked up Imagine standing in front of your that I don’t pray. until the end of my presentation, “Now, child’s elementary school classroom which god do atheists believe in?” and explaining to 30 kids why you Others were “with” the concept don’t believe in God, why you don’t the school organized a series of field quickly though, and I had some ex- pray and why you don’t think there’s trips that took the kids to a Catholic pected suggestions from the kids when a heaven. church, an Islamic mosque, a Mormon I asked, “What are some reasons why Thinking back on my own public temple and a Hindu temple. They had people choose not to believe in a god schooling, in an environment where tours and presentations by the leaders. or a religion?” everyone was assumed to be a believ- It made me wonder how much peo- One boy enthusiastically ventured er (typically a Christian believer) and ple back in the U.S. might flip out if a that there are many gods out there and with our almost universal hesitancy teacher suggested such a comparative someone might not know which one to discuss religion so as not to offend learning experience for their children. is “right.” A girl said that people may someone else, it’s pretty hard to imag- Anyway, my son (who has been raised have never seen a god in front of them. ine doing this. It’s what I did, though, in the open, freethinking, if perhaps a I agreed with the kids about these ideas as a guest speaker in my son’s fourth- Ben Kauffeld in Ghana. The online bit anti-religious environment of our and also added a bit on philosophical grade class in Accra, Ghana. CIA World Factbook breaks down that home) thoroughly enjoyed the visits. arguments, though perhaps not sur- I’ve been working in Ghana for a nation’s religiosity like this: Christian I took a bit of humor out of his reac- prisingly this aspect didn’t take too couple of years. I’m stationed here 68.8% (Pentecostal/Charismatic tion that the best part was seeing gi- much hold with a young crowd. with my family. Generally, one can say 24.1%, Protestant 18.6%, Catholic ant, painted statues of Ganesha, the Then I turned to the things that that Ghana is an overwhelmingly reli- 15.1%, other 11%), Muslim 15.9%, elephant-headed Hindu god. atheists do “believe” in, with a caveat gious country (predominantly Chris- traditional 8.5%, none 6.1%, other It seemed fantastic to me that my that there isn’t a universal view. I talked tian, but with a Muslim minority). 0.7% (2000 census). son’s open-minded teacher was willing a bit about science and its ability to em- Here, as in many parts of Africa, re- to give equal time to a nonreligious power people to understand the mys- ligious faith is entwined in nearly every own “beliefs.” viewpoint. He was aware from my son’s teries of the universe around them on aspect of life and society. People com- My son attends a private interna- unhesitant reportage about our fam- their own, without some godly expla- monly greet you with “God bless you,” tional school in Accra. It has about ily’s views, so the teacher invited me nation. and it’s very common to see shops with 1,000 students in K-12 who hail from to be a guest speaker on atheism one I talked about humans having ratio- names like “God’s Grace Motor Re- more than 30 countries. Most of the afternoon. nal minds and the ability to know what pair” and “Blood of Christ Hair Salon.” parents are expatriate diplomats, busi- is wrong and right and to treat people I’m not kidding — you can see a hun- ness leaders and wealthier “elite” Gha- Which is atheists’ god? kindly and with respect — all without dred signs like this every day. naians. The school does not have a needing a religion to point the way. As you can imagine, for an atheist religious orientation, and my wife and I was somewhat uncertain about The most rewarding part perhaps and freethinker, it can sometimes be I have been very pleased with how the what to say. This was the first time that were the 20 or so enthusiastic questions an awkward environment. Since my school focuses on the holistic develop- I would speak publicly about my non- that the kids raised, along with their job requires me to work closely with ment of the individual. belief. Knowing how impressionable expectant hands. They asked about my government and private sector orga- The fourth-grade class had been (and perhaps how easily offended) upbringing, if we go to church, if I pray nization leaders in an often high-level studying what they call a “unit of in- children this age are, I felt I needed to anyone, what I think about heaven capacity, I generally keep my opinions quiry” about human culture and be- to tread carefully so as not to make an and people who have died (whew, on faith and religiosity like cards held liefs. They have examined traditions unintended attack on any child’s faith. that’s a touchy one with kids you don’t close to the chest. and customs of various cultures, often I did a bit of research, turning to know!) and also a bit about the history So when I received a request to using specific examples from the diver- the Internet for simple definitions and of atheism. speak at my child’s school about athe- sity of the students’ homes. resources about explaining atheism One girl gasped in shock when I ism, my first thoughts were cautionary Most recently, the class started ex- to kids. I found some sites and videos said that I don’t pray because I don’t about some kind of backlash. I decid- amining religion ­— looking at belief about freethinking parenting, but I think there is anyone to pray to. Some ed though that I owed it to my son to systems, “sacred” texts and places of think this is an area that we as nonbe- of the kids were also wide-eyed when I stand up and speak boldly about my worship. Almost unbelievably to me, lievers could develop further. said that only a short while ago in Eu- rope and America, and to this day in some areas, people can be attacked or They Said What? murdered for saying they don’t believe in God or the prevailing religion. You worry about the goings-on in Wis- ries these people. It’s the life-changing building during winter break When a child asked about my son’s consin, and we will pray for you and power of Christianity and the light of Star Press, 1-3-13 belief, I was more hesitant, feeling that God will give you some sense. truth it shines on the sins of the world, concerned that the welcoming open- Commissioner Tucker Dorsey, Bald- exposing the lies being propagated by How often do we see girls and mature ness of this dialogue might have later win County, Ala., responding to FFRF’s the media, the politicians and the uni- women going around scantily dressed repercussions for him from students letter about prayers at commission versities of this nation. and in provocative clothes? They pro- with less-open minds. I told his class- meetings Column by country singer Charlie Dan- voke the worst instincts, which end in mates that I wanted my son to have an AL.com 12-14-12 iels, “There Ain’t No ‘X’ in Christmas” violence or sexual abuse. They should open and exploring mind and to make CNS News, 12-19-12 search their consciences and ask: Did decisions for himself about what he be- Laws, the only redoubt of secularism, we bring this on ourselves? lieves or chooses not to believe. I hope will not suffice. Let us all return to our There’s one thing we know that works, Fr. Piero Corsi, pastor of the Catholic that religion-focused bullying is not places of worship and pray for help. and it’s prayer. parish of San Terenzo, Italy, part of a something he has to contend with. Above all, let us pray for our children. John Lee, Muncie, Ind., part of a Chris- Christmas message posted on the door At the end, the class clapped and Texas Gov. Rick Perry, statement on tian group which was let in to pray in of the church thanked me, and the teacher expressed President Obama’s executive actions every Muncie Community Schools TheJournal.ie, 12-27-12 how great it was to have this exposure governor.tx.us, 1-16-13 to atheism. I’m sure the kids probably moved right on to recess and sports A student came up to me at a gradu- and (hopefully) some studies or home- ation and said not only did he get a Overheard work, but I do hope they took away a scholarship to college but that the bit more enlightened and accepting course changed his life. Principals talk On their bare backs, the women had religious text and therefore doesn’t view of nonbelievers and atheism. about how students carrying their bi- painted “In Gay We Trust” and “Shut need to make excuses for such. An I hope also that my son is encour- bles down the hall have improved hall Up.” atheist doesn’t claim that anyone who aged by my own boldness to openly behavior to a point that teachers as News story about four women who doesn’t believe like they do will be pun- talk about these ideas among others, hall monitors are no longer necessary. went topless in St. Peter’s Square dur- ished forever. An atheist doesn’t aban- and that he is strengthened in find- Phil Murphy, public school board ing an appearance by Pope Benedict, don reason for convenience or fear ing his own understanding and path member in Ozark, Ala., contending who “appeared not to have been dis- of death. An atheist doesn’t dismiss through nonbelief or belief, as he may that a bible as literature course would turbed” science for childish myths. An athe- choose in the days and years ahead. reduce school shootings Belfast Telegraph, 1-13-13 ist takes the universe as it is without Dothan Eagle, 1-8-12 magic. FFRF member Ben Kauffeld is a Foreign An atheist is no more necessarily moral James Kirk Wall, Wheaton, Ill., “Why Service officer with more than 20 years of ex­ It’s not the separation of church and or better than a Christian or Muslim. be an atheist?” perience in international development and state — which, by the way, is NOT in The difference is an atheist isn’t tied ChicagoNow, 1-7-13 humanitarian assistance projects. any of our federal papers — that wor- to an ignorant, dated and immoral Page 8 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin January/February 2013 Judge rules FFRF’s commandments case may proceed

U.S. District Judge Terrence McVer- trict over the prominent placement of tions between the cases, most nota- and thus the ‘foreclosure’ argument is ry ruled Jan. 22 that FFRF’s challenge a Ten Commandments monument at bly, that the Supreme Court has ruled unavailing at this time.” to a Ten Commandments monument Valley High School. The district sought against Ten Commandments displays The court issued an order in De- in front of a Pennsylvania high school to dismiss the case by claiming that it in the school context. cember that allowed three of the plain- will go forward. McVerry rejected a had been “foreclosed” by the Supreme McVerry’s opinion stated that the tiffs to proceed using pseudonyms, motion to dismiss by the New Kensing- Court’s Van Orden v. Perry decision in First Amendment claim “has sufficient finding that there was a substantial ton-Arnold School District and issued 2005, which allowed a similar monu- merit under our current jurispru- public interest in protecting them an order that directs the district to file ment on the Texas Capitol grounds to dence.” He noted that at this prelimi- from retribution from upset members an answer to the plaintiffs’ complaint. stand. nary stage, “there is no meaningful evi- of the community. The court will hold FFRF and two families filed suit in FFRF’s brief argued that there are dence to support the School District’s a scheduling conference in February. September 2012 against the school dis- significant factual and legal distinc- attack on the merits of Plaintiffs’ case Honorable mentions: High school essay contest

The students all received $250 awards. My proudest moment as a freethink- that I wasn’t religious. Put simply, I just went a little something like this: You Special thanks to John Moe and Dean and er was inviting my former congrega- wasn’t. However, around seventh and can’t take an electrical plug and plug it Dorea Schramm for underwriting. tion to a benefit I held, in the name eighth grade, certain events occurred into another one. It has to be plugged of humanity, after the 2010 Haiti earth- that brought my attention to religion into a socket. Similarly, a socket can’t Mission for humanity quake. I proved that it does not take and its effects in society. receive another socket. It has to receive a zealot or a missionary to change the My dad came back into my life in a plug. Therefore, homosexuality is world, but as Margaret Mead said, “It middle school. He and I were never wrong. Obviously, the plug represents takes a small group of thoughtful, com- able to form a relationship before this the male reproductive organ, and the mitted citizens.” time. He had gotten himself in order socket represents the female reproduc- That night, I gave back to Haiti the and met a woman whom he soon mar- tive organ. The “logic” here was that if sandwiches I had stolen from it. ried. As a result, I would go down to putting a plug into a plug or a socket When I am asked, “Are you doing it their house and visit every other week- into a socket is wrong, then the same with a church?” I quietly reply, “No. I end. principle must apply to humans. I in- am on a mission, but I am not a mis- My dad had gotten back into going stantly saw how fallacious and absurd sionary.” to church by this point. His wife and this was. To use this analogy, you have Cheyenne Tessier, 18, Hudson, N.H., is her children were religious as well, so to assume that the only thing that mat- enrolled at The George Washington Univer­ all of them went to church. They would ters in a relationship is sex, which is an sity in Washington, D.C., to study interna­ bring me along. I didn’t really have a odd assumption for a typically anti-sex tional affairs and Arabic. choice. They just made me go. If I ever group of people to make. voiced the fact that I didn’t want to go, But the absurdity of the argument By Cheyenne Tessier Light bulb in the pews I would risk hearing a lecture about isn’t what bothered me. The primitive how I’d go to Hell if I didn’t partici- and old-fashioned conclusion (that pate in their religion. This continued homosexuals are bad) isn’t what both- My knees were sore. I got down and throughout middle school. ered me. It was the fact that everyone prayed for wind, joining hands with My previously religiously apathetic in the room blindly bought into the dirty-faced working men and the long- self was dissipating. Now that I was blatantly illogical argument. No one skirted women. And the wind came. regularly being exposed to religion, I gave it a second thought. They just ac- It was a miracle, I convinced myself, was starting to form opinions of it. And cepted it because the preacher said it. a missionary in a hell-stricken place, honestly, I didn’t like it. I completely This moment was a critical one for the daughter of two devout Christians. disagreed with all the things I would me. I would consider myself to have Yes, I was blessed. hear in the sermons. I couldn’t stand been a budding freethinker at the We were told not to give our food to the hate that the preachers would time, as I was forming my own opinion the starving children because it would spout about nonbelievers, homosexu- of religion and its teachings through start a riot, so we gave them bibles, tell- als, and so on. On the whole, I just reason, even if I was just starting out. ing them this is the right way. Do not couldn’t understand why people would Looking back on that day, I’m proud live with the devils of your ancestors, buy into this stuff. of my refusal to accept the preacher’s children. We played and danced. Eventually, in eighth grade, a par- words at face value. I think religion has Then we sat on the air-conditioned ticular sermon at church caused my its place in society, but I do not like its bus and ate sandwiches and drank By Zach Gowan logical faculties to finally kick in (they potential to brainwash people. Fortu- soda, but the children could not drink would improve and enhance over the nately, I was able to escape that brain- their bibles. Soon the girls would turn following years, but this was when rea- washing and from that point on, I can to prostitution to feed themselves, but I was raised by my mom, who never son truly started to play a role in my think for myself. God was with them, so we gave them exposed me to a particularly religious opinion of religion). It was a sermon Zach Gowan, 17, was born in Phila­ bibles as if we offered salvation to a environment. As a result, I never re- about homosexuality and how it’s sup- delphia and is attending the University of system that was, in the first place, pol- ally found myself subscribing to any posedly a sin. The preacher used an South Carolina in Spartanburg to major in luted by missionaries. religion. I never thought about the fact analogy to demonstrate the point. It English. We didn’t give them work, only scripture. We didn’t heal their water supply, only offered a prayer for their souls. And then we came home, our Madison committee rejects funding work done. I hung my Haitian flag above my bed. Many nights I stared at that flag, praising myself as a hero. But of religious ‘pregnancy center’ doubt is the greatest of infections, and soon I was overcome with questions. I attended church less and less. I A city commit- Jan. 17, to oppose the government fi- and deed.” could not think about the evil I had tee in Madison, nancing, which would extend $550,000 FFRF’s letter highlighted CareNet’s done by starving a community for Wis., voted Jan. 17 in low-interest loans to CareNet for a religious programming and argued some faraway god, who didn’t laugh or against helping new 36-unit apartment building. that any secular objectives could not be learn or die of malnourishment. finance housing Elliott wrote, “We are very con- separated from evangelical Christian If there were no heaven and no owned by CareNet cerned that these funding grants will programming. hell and no God, I wonder if we would Pregnancy Center ultimately be used to subsidize an The committee voted 5-2 against share our food and water and shelter of Dane County, evangelical Christian and anti-abortion funding the project. City staff had instead of our “wisdom.” I wonder if all an evangelical anti- ministry and will not further the pur- initially recommended committee ap- the love, focused away from the skies abortion group that Patrick Elliott poses of the designated funds.” proval. and onto humanity, would be enough ministers to pregnant women. The letter noted that CareNet’s ap- Even if the financing had been ap- to eliminate hunger and educate every FFRF Staff Attorney Patrick Elliott plication did not disclose the group’s proved, it was unclear how CareNet child to care for our Earth instead of wrote to the Madison Community De- purpose, which is “to share the love would abide by nondiscrimination pro- our unreachable skies. velopment Block Grant Committee on and truth of Jesus Christ in both word visions required for city contracts. January/February 2013 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 9

FFRF Legal Victories

Michigan letter results A concerned student alerted FFRF that at an event that was mandatory for in prompt solution some students, faculty members led After an early childhood program attendees in several Christian prayers. assistant sent home an inappropri- Senior Staff Attorney Rebecca Markert ate religious gift with students, the wrote to President Bonita Jacobs: “In- Monroe County (Mich.) Intermediate cluding prayer at events at which atten- School District is ensuring that school dance is mandatory is coercive, embar- policy will be followed by the assistant rassing, and beyond the scope of our and other staff in the future. public university system.” The faculty member works with Julia Anderson, state senior assistant children as young as 4, some of whom attorney general, responded Dec. 13 are disabled, and distributed a gift of that Jacobs would “remind [all faculty Play-Doh to children, along with a let- and staff] that prayers shall not be in- ter containing religious references and cluded in university-sponsored events.” urging people to pray. The letter was titled “CHRISTmas is Jesus’s Birthday” and opened, “So FFRF stills Wisconsin for the Jesus gift you could be like this student bell-ringers play dough, and let Jesus mold & shape facilities retained the American Center Church hold Sunday services and fre- Your Life so Jesus Can use you for His FFRF was able to intervene before for Law & Justice, a Religious Right le- quent events at Republic Alternative Glory!” The letter encouraged parents students at the Medford (Wis.) Area gal group founded by Pat Robertson, High School. The church was allowed to find a church that teaches about Je- Middle School were sent to ring bells to object to the proposed changes. to use the kitchen, gym, stage and ex- sus. to raise money for the Salvation Army. Despite that opposition, the board tra rooms. It also had free use of build- FFRF Senior Staff Attorney Rebecca The Salvation Army’s stated mission amended its policies Dec. 17, adding ing supplies and custodial services and Markert wrote Jan. 7 to Superinten- is “to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ “Gatherings for the purpose of holding was allowed to store religious items, dent Randy Monday about the illegali- and to meet human needs in His name religious worship services” to its list of including an 8-foot wooden cross that ty of proselytizing to children in public without discrimination.” It has 11 prohibited uses of school facilities. was left on display in the cafeteria. school. She noted it was irrelevant that Christian “articles of faith” and is bla- Senior Staff Attorney Rebecca Mark- the assistant included the disclaimer tantly discriminatory to gay people. ert sent a letter Oct. 19 to Superinten- “this is my belief & my gift & is not pro- After a concerned parent contacted FFRF letter gets Iowa dent Sonia Lark, pointing out that the moted by the school in any way.” FFRF, Staff Attorney Patrick Elliott sent park cross removed religious symbols left in the school Assistant Superintendent Elizabeth District Administrator Pat Sullivan a demonstrated “district preference for Taylor replied the next day to say that letter Dec. 13 pointing out that “while A house inside George Wyth State religion over nonreligion, and Christi- the employee was told about the inap- it is laudable for a public school to en- Park near Waterloo, Iowa, will no lon- anity over other religions.” propriateness of her actions and her courage young students to become ac- ger include a display of a lighted Latin The school district responded Oct. violation of school policy that states tive and involved in their community,” cross. 23 that the cross and other religious teachers or supervisors must approve the Salvation Army is “an overtly Chris- A local complainant reported to items were removed or covered. The items sent home with students. tian organization.” FFRF that a large cross was affixed to district further informed FFRF on Jan. Parents were also notified that the Elliott asked Sullivan to inform staff the garage of a park ranger’s home 3 that the church would now have to staff member had violated school pol- “that they may not continue with their owned by the state in the park. The pay for custodial services and rental of icy. plans to solicit funds for the Salvation cross was highly visible at night from space. Army during the school day.” the highway and within the park. Sullivan responded Dec. 17 that the Senior Staff Attorney Rebecca Mark- 3 boards ditch prayer Gideons groups out school was no longer planning to send ert wrote Dec. 14 to the Iowa Depart- students to ring bells. ment of Natural Resources: “While it after FFRF letters after FFRF complaints is appropriate for the park ranger to Gideons International representa- display personal religious items inside Three governmental bodies, two in tives will no longer be allowed in Grant FFRF tackles coaches’ his home, it crosses the line when he California and one in Georgia, have County Schools, Williamstown, Ky., to prayers in Ohio chooses to display Christian symbols halted meeting prayers after receiving distribute bibles as a result of a com- on the exterior of his home,” Markert letters from FFRF Staff Attorney An- plaint from FFRF Senior Staff Attorney Coaches at Spencerville High said. drew Seidel. Rebecca Markert. A concerned parent School in Ohio will no longer pray with Markert received a phone call Dec. Seidel wrote the Plumas County contacted FFRF after her child was tak- their students after Senior Staff Attor- 19 from the DNR that the ranger had Board of Supervisors, Quincy, Calif., in en out of class to receive a bible. ney Rebecca Markert’s Nov. 6 letter to been directed to remove the cross. August and sent several follow-ups be- Markert pointed out that by allow- Superintendent Joel Hatfield, inform- fore receiving a reply from the county’s ing Gideons to distribute bibles, the ing him that “a public school coach’s counsel Jan 16 that the board voted district was “impermissibly endorsing participation in a team’s prayer circle School replaces hymns Jan. 15 to stop the practice. “[T]he religion by placing its ‘stamp of ap- is illegal and inappropriate.” with secular songs invocation will be removed from the proval’ on the religious messages con- Hatfield responded Dec. 17: “As agenda, and the county will not solicit tained in the bible.” superintendent, I have informed our Main Street K-3 School in Shelbyville, invocation speakers.” Superintendent Ron Livingood re- coaches that they are to no longer lead Ill., removed two Christian hymns from The city of Santa Clara, Calif., which sponded Nov. 30 and said that he had their athletes in prayer.” its holiday concert after receiving an previously had sectarian Christian met with district principals and in- FFRF letter. A concerned parent con- prayers and excluded a Hindu offici- structed them not to permit Gideons tacted FFRF after learning her child’s ant, has abandoned its prayers for a in schools or on school property. School changes policy concert included “Mary Had a Baby” “values statement” after getting a No- Markert sent a similar letter Nov. after FFRF complaint and “Go, Tell it on the Mountain.” vember letter from Seidel. 19 to Robertson County Director of In a Dec. 17 letter to Superinten- The language is pious but doesn’t Schools Daniel Whitlow in Springfield, The Cobleskill-Richmondville Cen- dent Denise Bence, FFRF Co-President overtly address a supernatural being: Tenn., responding to a distressed par- tral School District in New York banned Annie Laurie Gaylor said it’s “wholly “As we gather, we humbly seek bless- ent whose child was ostracized for not groups from using school facilities for inappropriate for public schools to ings upon this meeting. May we act taking a Gideon bible. religious worship after FFRF urged it to perform songs of Christian worship in with strength, courage and the will to Whitlow responded Jan. 8 that all adopt a revised policy. a public school setting.” perform our obligations and duties to administrators had been notified that FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Bence responded Dec. 21 that the our people with justice to all. Let us bible distribution was against district Gaylor sent a Dec. 3 letter informing songs would be taken out of the pro- seek wisdom so that we may act in the policies. the school board that prohibiting the gram and replaced with secular holi- best interests of our people, our neigh- use of school buildings for worship was day music. bors and our country. All this we ask so Georgia university “in line with current law [as applied in we may serve our community with love the 2nd Circuit] and is the best policy FFRF stops church’s and grace, putting their needs before ends staff prayer option.” all.” Gaylor detailed how start-up church- free school ‘lunch’ The city of Forest Park, Ga., received North Georgia College & State Uni- es often take advantage of low rental an FFRF letter in September and sever- versity, Dahlonega, Ga., will no longer fees to “get a foot in the door” while Alma (Mich.) Public Schools will al follow-ups before City Manager John be including prayers at university-spon- collecting church donations on pub- now require a church using its facili- Parker responded curtly Jan. 10: sored events after receiving an FFRF lic property, which amounts to “what ties to pay a rental fee and remove “The city of Forest Park no longer letter of complaint last October. The many of us consider taxpayer subsidy religious items left scattered around a participates in prayer during meetings school is one of six senior military col- of congregations.” district school. of the City Council.” leges in the U.S. A church that had been using school The district let Alma Vineyard Page 10 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin January/February 2013

The greatest story ever sold Debunking the Christian nation myth Photo: Andy Ngo By Andrew Seidel That religion is Andrew Seidel, FFRF staff attorney, gave divisive is probably this speech accompanied by PowerPoint (edited here for print) in October at FFRF’s not a controversial 35th annual convention on Oct. 13, 2012 in Portland, Ore. claim to make here.

I’d like to thank Dan and Annie chose to erect the wall of separation Laurie for asking me to speak here between church and state. You’ve all today. It’s quite an honor to share the probably heard the quip that if we’re a stage with such illustrious speakers. I’d Christian nation, you might as well call also like to take a moment to thank us a white nation. That’s a very effec- all the FFRF members out there. Your tive argument to make. The idea that generosity and support make my job they were all Christian and therefore possible, and I absolutely love my job. founded us as a Christian nation is ab- Today I want to discuss two things: solute nonsense. One, the idea that we’re founded as a When I set out to debunk the Chris- Christian nation. When you hear that tian nationalist fallback argument, argument, you may debunk it using, it took me a while to discover what a say, the Treaty of Tripoli, which most of Judeo-Christian principle is. It turns you are probably familiar with, which The second thing to note about Moreover, the Declaration of In- out the best answer comes from Harry says we’re not founded in any sense on these changes is their effect. That dependence has two principles that Truman, president during McCarthy’s the Christian religion. Or maybe you religion is divisive is probably not a Judeo-Christianity is directly opposed rise to fame. Known for being a plain cite the First Amendment or the fact controversial claim to make here. to: When you have a tyrannical gov- speaker, he occasionally used vulgarity. that religious oaths are constitutionally The founders were well aware of this. ernment, it’s a “duty” and a “right” Arguably, the most vulgar thing he prohibited or that the Constitution is James Madison in the “Federalist Pa- to throw off that government; and it ever said was, “The fundamental basis entirely godless. pers, Number Ten” wrote that the zeal explicitly states that governments are for all government is in the bible. It When you use those facts to refute of different opinions concerning reli- instituted by the people, not by the started with Moses on the mountain.” their first argument, your opponent gion has divided humankind into par- magistrate, not by the king. The bible He then mentions the New Testament will fall back on the second argument, ties and enflamed mutual animosity. directly contradicts these two ideas. and the Ten Commandments. which is that we’re founded on Judeo- This is one of the reasons the found- The Book of Romans in the New Let’s compare the Judeo-Christian Christian principles. Typically, you’ll ers wanted to keep religion out of Testament says, “There is no authority principles in the bible and the Ten hear three arguments as to why we are government. The original motto was except that which God has established. Commandments to our nation’s found- founded as a Christian nation: “In God “E pluribus unum” (from many, one). The authorities that exist have been es- ing principles. We Trust” or “One nation under God” The Christian nationalists erased that tablished by God.” The Old Testament (these silly little phrases always seem unifying theme and put their divisive, Book of Daniel says basically the same The commandments to come up), the Declaration of Inde- religious theme in its place. thing: “The Most High has sovereignty pendence made us a Christian nation, The same thing happened with the over the reign of mortals and gives it to First, which commandments? There and the claim that the founders were pledge. It’s even more striking because who He will.” are four different sets of Ten Com- all Christian. they actually divided the indivisible These principles behind Judeo- mandments in the bible. The first set You obviously know that “In God We and then injected religion. Christianity are fundamentally in con- is given to Moses on the mountain. He Trust” and “One nation under God” flict with the principles that the Decla- comes down the mountain and finds are not from the founding era. The Natural law ration of Independence lays out. his followers worshipping a golden former first appeared on one coin in calf. They are breaking one of the com- 1863 and was required on currency When discussing the Declaration Founders’ faith mandments, a commandment they don’t only in 1956 and the latter was added of Independence, the Religious Right know about yet. His response is to smash to the Pledge of Allegiance in 1954. typically focuses on four phrases from George Washington died in 1799. the commandments on the ground The timing of these late additions is it: “the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s The next year, Mason Weems, a par- in anger and slaughter 3,000 of his telling. Lincoln had declared martial God,” “their Creator,” “the Supreme son, wrote a book about him, a book in friends, brothers and neighbors. Mark law in 1863, the year the battle of Get- Judge of the world” and “Divine Provi- which we get the myths about the cher- that term for later — friends, brothers tysburg was fought. Habeas corpus was dence.” Notice that not a single one of ry tree and about Washington praying and neighbors. suspended in 1861 for the first time these is Christian. There’s no mention in the snow at Valley Forge. There’s no God orders Moses to make a new in U.S. history. Brothers were killing of Jesus or Yahweh or the God of Abra- evidence to suggest either happened, set and promises to sweep all of the brothers, and the country was literally ham. and the prayer story didn’t actually current residents off the land in favor tearing itself apart. It’s at this “propi- There are two competing views on come out in Weems’ book until some- of the Israelites. So the second set is tious” time that Christian nationalists natural law. The first is that laws or thing like the 34th edition. sealed with the promise of genocide, — a phrase I’m going to use to de- rights are given to us by a divine being. These claims are reminiscent of and in that set, God lays claim to all the scribe anybody who claims that we’re a The second is that we have rights be- Mormons posthumously baptizing firstborn of Israel. The third set is sub- Christian nation — push their religion cause we’re human. people — claiming that the founders stantially similar to the first, and the on us all. We know which one of these Thom- were all Christian and therefore we’re fourth set is just a list of people who When Treasury Secretary Salmon as Jefferson was talking about because a Christian nation. It’s also incredibly are cursed. P. Chase ordered James Pollock, U.S. he wrote about natural law in several rude. These men and women sacrificed Any given bible cannot agree on Mint director, to make the change on other places. A great quote from his an awful lot — lives, blood, treasure — which 10 are the 10. Actually, differ- one coin, he wrote: “We claim to be opinion of the French treaties: “Ques- and it just ignores that and attributes ent religious traditions do not agree a Christian Nation. . . . The time for tions of the natural right are triable by to God this monumental achievement. on how the commandments should be this or the introduction of a similar their conformity with the moral sense More importantly, what the found- numbered or translated either. Such motto is propitious. ’Tis an hour of Na- and reason of man. Those who write ers thought personally about God or discrepancies may seem like small dif- tional peril and danger, an hour when treatises on natural law can only de- Jesus is irrelevant to the nation itself. ferences, but when you couple unshak- man’s strength is weakness, when our clare what their own moral sense and Religion does not claim ownership able certainty with a claim to hold the strength and our nation’s salvation reason dictate.” over other ideas generated by a mind. ultimate truth, everything, no matter must be in the God of Battles.” Human rights — natural law — are For instance, there’s no such thing as how small, matters. There is no such The same thing happened in the discoverable by reason. This is most Jewish blue jeans. We just call them thing as a small religious difference. 1950s during the height of McCarthy- certainly not a divine idea of natural blue jeans, even though they were in- Which set? I’m going to use the first ism and the “Red scare,” marked by law. Jefferson also said in 1774 that “a vented by Levi Strauss. Same thing with set, the one that people are most famil- witch hunts for nonbelievers and com- free people claim their rights” — they vaccines. They’re not Jewish vaccines, iar with because of Charlton Heston. munists, blacklists, loyalty oaths and ar- are “not a gift of the chief magistrate.” they’re just vaccines. Algebra is just al- We’ll use the Protestant version. rests. Chief Justice Earl Warren at the I think that would also include they are gebra, not Muslim math. First Commandment: “I am the Lord time said that if the Bill of Rights were not a gift from God. People have to as- Whatever the founders chose to your God, you shall have no other gods put to a vote it would lose. sert those rights. do in their private lives, publicly they before me.” This obviously conflicts January/February 2013 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 11

an effect or influence on our nation’s influencing legislation concerning sex the whole.” In Common Sense, Thomas principles, unless somebody can cor- in the U.S. It’s also a shameful history. Paine wrote about the importance of rect me later. In Loving v. Virginia, the Supreme “securing freedom and property to all Court in 1967 overturned miscege- men, and above all things, the free ex- Six through nine nation laws banning interracial mar- ercise of religion, according to the dic- riage. One law was justified like this: tates of conscience.” I’m going to group these next few “Almighty God created the races white, People are required to believe this together and come back to adultery at black, yellow, Malay, and red and nonsense by their bible, but they are the end: “You shall not kill; don’t steal; placed them on separate continents.” allowed to believe nonsense because and don’t bear false witness against Condemnation of homosexuality is our nation cherishes freedom and has your neighbor.” firmly rooted in Judeo-Christian “mor- enshrined it, not obedience, in our These commandments are not Ju- al” standards. Finally, a Supreme Court founding documents. deo-Christian at all. They are univer- ruling in 2003 in Lawrence v. Texas over- The Golden Rule? Here’s a list sal principles that apply to absolutely turned sodomy laws in 14 states. Again, [PowerPoint slide] of Golden Rules everyone. All successful societies have Christianity had a very shameful influ- that predate the Judeo-Christian tra- discovered them. ence. dition. Jesus is down there at No. 14. Secondly, the Judeo-Christian inter- Tenth Commandment: “Thou shalt Hillel is down there at No. 12. We have pretation is actually less moral because not covet thy neighbor’s house.” Again, found equivalence of the Golden Rule it is not universally applied, but ap- read the commandment fully: “or as far back as 2000 B.C.E. in Egypt. with the First Amendment’s guarantee plied only to one’s “neighbor.” fields, nor his male or female slaves, It’s arrogant for Christian nationalist of free exercise of religion, but it also In the original Hebrew transla- nor his ox or ass, or anything that be- Judeo-Christians to claim as their own conflicts with Article VI of the Consti- tions, there are no punctuation marks, longs to him.” a rule that is universally known and not tution. The Constitution specifically no paragraph breaks, no line breaks. Women are chattel. Slavery is con- even original to their tradition. says that it, not God, is the supreme law These commandments could be read doned. This is thought crime. Big Hell is definitely a Judeo-Christian of the land. so that “against your neighbor” applies Brother is watching. Christopher principle. More properly, it’s a Chris- This commandment conflicts with to all the preceding commandments Hitchens was very fond of pointing this tian principle because Jesus invented the constitutional Supremacy Clause starting with “you shall not murder.” out. This completely conflicts with the hell. In the Old Testament is a place and the First Amendment. So it did not So it could mean, you shall not mur- First Amendment. called sheol, which was a place for the have an influence because it conflicts. der your neighbor, you shall not steal To sum up the Ten Commandments dead to go but not a place of eternal Second Commandment: “You shall from your neighbor, you shall not lie and their influence on our nation’s torment. not make for yourself an idol.” But to your neighbor. I submit to you that founding: they either have no influ- On the other hand, the bible de- read the unabridged commandment, that’s actually the better reading. ence, being in conflict with our found- scribes hell as where “The worm dy- which continues, “for I the Lord thy Who is your “neighbor?” In Leviti- ing principles or have a shameful influ- eth not and the fire is not quenched.” God am a jealous God punishing the cus, “any of your people” is how they ence. It’s described as a burning wind, fiery children for the inequity of the parents define neighbor. “Stand against the oven, unquenchable fire, furnace of until the third or fourth generation.” blood of your neighbor,” “your peo- Hell cruel, unusual fire, eternal fire and eternal punish- This conflicts with the First Amend- ple,” “the sons of your own people,” ment. You should get the sense that ment again. You can make as many “your countrymen.” It’s only the peo- Obedience is a theme that runs hell is hot and it’s eternal. idols as you want, but the Constitution ple who believe in the same God as through the whole bible. In the annihi- The Eighth Amendment prohibits also directly prohibits punishing chil- you, your co-religionists. That’s what lation of Sodom and Gomorrah, when cruel and unusual punishment. Need dren for their parents’ crimes. Article neighbor means in the Old Testament. Lot and his wife are fleeing, Lot’s wife I say more? III: “No attainder of treason shall work Immediately after getting these disobeys the angelic command to not The Supreme Court has actually a corruption of blood.” That means if commandments, the Israelites commit turn around and look. She disobeys said that being locked in a jail cell with you are guilty of treason, only you will genocide after genocide. But none of and is turned into a pillar of salt. a five-pack-a-day smoker is cruel and receive punishment, not your children, the slain are Israelites. So they are not And obviously, Isaac and Abraham, unusual, so I think that hell most cer- and certainly not your grandchildren actually breaking the “don’t kill” com- the sacrifice, the murder of a child, is tainly qualifies. and great-grandchildren. mandment if it only applies to Israel- often held up as the ideal for obeying Finally, the Judeo-Christian prin- This also conflicts with our prin- ites. God. This is fundamentally opposed to ciple: Vicarious redemption, that Jesus ciple of justice that only the guilty are “You shall not commit adultery.” our nature and founding principles. died for your sins. This is a total and punished. The Seventh Commandment actually Edmund Burke wrote: “In this complete abrogation of personal re- Third Commandment: “Thou shall did have an influence. I don’t think character of the Americans, a love of sponsibility. Our entire system of jus- not take the name of thy Lord thy there can be any doubt that Christian- freedom is the predominating fea- tice is founded on the idea that people God in vain.” I claim that this is void ity has an incredibly powerful history ture which marks and distinguishes are responsible for their own actions. for vagueness. Under the 14th Amend- Illustration: Jessi Taylor But abrogation of personal respon- ment, laws have to be simple enough sibility is the central tenet of Christian- for people to understand them, so that ity. This conflicts with the central tenet they know what action is being prohib- of our system of justice and govern- ited. ment. You can imagine how this would I’ve asked this of a number of peo- go: The defendant gets on the stand ple and get different answers. The best and admits to raping children but says, I’ve heard is that it prevents people “It’s OK, your honor, I’ve accepted Je- from swearing an oath and then violat- sus as my savior and he forgave my sins, ing that oath. It fails to give adequate so you don’t need to punish me.” guidance. Quite obviously, this also I’d like to leave you with this quote runs afoul of freedom of speech. from James Madison. It’s my favorite Fourth Commandment: “Remem- quote and is on my wall at FFRF. It’s ber the Sabbath day to keep it holy.” how I motivate myself every day: Again, read the whole commandment: “It’s proper to take alarm at the first “You shall do no work neither shall experiment on our liberties. We hold your male or female slave. In six days this prudent jealousy to be the first the Lord made the heaven and earth duty of all citizens, and one of the no- and sea and all that is in them.” blest characteristics of the late revolu- First of all, we’re supposed to be tion. The free men of America did not celebrating because a God who is all- wait till usurped power had strength- powerful took six days to make the ened itself by exercise, and entangled earth and on the seventh day he had the question in precedence.” to rest? I call this celebrating lazy om- I hope that I’ve given you some nipotence. mental ammunition to counter the Most importantly, this command- pernicious notion that we are a Chris- ment sanctions slavery. We do have tian nation or founded on Judeo-Chris- to concede the bible has had a severe tian principles. We must prevent that influence on the history of slavery. Ev- myth from growing and becoming en- ery original justification for continu- tangled in precedent. ing the practice came from the bible. Thank you. We can concede that to the Christian Andrew Seidel graduated magna cum nationalists. They are welcome to this laude from Tulane University Law School shameful influence. and has completed a master of laws at Den­ Fifth Commandment: “Honor thy ver University’s Sturm College of Law. He father and mother.” I don’t really like practiced law in Colorado before joining this commandment, not because I Delaware artist Jessi Taylor’s painting makes the point that “the ‘God Fearing FFRF as a constitutional consultant in don’t want to honor my mother and fa- Freedom Loving American’ is a mythical creature. This super-eagle symbolizes 2011. He became a member of the Wiscon­ ther, but I think it should be simply to the unity of church and state incarnate. He seems quite confident about it, but sin Bar in May 2012, and serves as one of honor people. This really didn’t have he can’t even fly!” Her website is jessispencer.com/. four staff attorneys. Page 12 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin January/February 2013 Think: What would make you into a believer? Atheism is not an immutable, timeless truth. Atheism is a conclusion.

to answer this question may help you modeling. It shows that modeling is a to hold your beliefs less tenaciously. key component in eliciting behavior In philosophy, there’s a term “dox- change. One of my favorite questions astic closure.” It’s an esoteric term even to ask believers is a variation of Matt Peter Boghossian was introduced by Catholics use transmutes into human among seasoned philosophers. Many McCormick’s Defeasibility Test: What FFRF Co-President Dan Barker at FFRF’s flesh and becomes the physical body of philosophers use this in a specialized, would it take for you to lose your faith? 35th annual convention on October 13, Christ? technical way. This is a reasonable question, and 2012, in Portland, Ore. Or that women should be put in I use the term in ways that accord when I ask it, I expect a clear answer. cloth bags and occasionally beaten? with how it’s percolated into public dis- It’s also a diagnostic tool that enables After our convention was fully What would it take for you to believe course. Doxastic derives from the an- me to quickly ascertain the degree to booked, we realized that you have a na- that through faith, Jesus Christ can cient Greek “doxa.” It basically means which one is doxastically closed. tionally known freethought celebrity heal people of any and all ailments? belief, but another meaning is how But beyond this, when I’m asked right here. Peter Boghossian happens Or that the Easter bunny is a real entity things look or appear to me. what it would take for me to have faith to be not only an FFRF member, but that hides colored eggs? Or that you go If someone is doxastically closed, or to believe in God, I respond that he’s on the new billboard that you saw to a happy place after you die? that means that their beliefs are im- these are reasonable questions. I always last night, “This is what an atheist looks Why is it important to answer the mune to revision. Doxastic pathologies give a direct, blunt and honest answer. like.” question, “What would it take for you are ubiquitous in the realm of faith In order for us to answer this question, Peter is an instructor of philosophy to believe?” There are two reasons. and religion. we must first make sure that we’ve at Portland State University. They want First, it’s important so that we don’t be- My current research involves look- asked it of ourselves. We must take a to corrupt the morals of the young come what we’re fighting — doggedly ing at mini-dialectical interventions dose of our own medicine. I would nev- people, right? [“Socratic” laughter]. certain, closed-minded, epistemologi- with people to help separate faith from er hold a person of faith to a different He has a teaching pedigree spanning cally arrogant, dogmatic and religious. its host — to help people to lose their epistemic standard than I would hold more than 20 years and 30,000 stu- Being genuinely open to revise or to faith and to become more rational. myself. Neither should you. dents. change your beliefs is an attitudinal The second reason being able to I want to be clear that there are obvi- His fundamental objective is to disposition. answer this question is important is be- ously no guarantees. Just because one teach people how to think, how to The American Philosophical As- cause it helps us to model the behavior can state what it would take to believe think through what often seems to be sociation’s Delphi Report on critical that we want the faithful to emulate. or disbelieve a particular proposition intractable problems. His publications thinking noted, “Willingness to revise If we want the faithful to be less dog- doesn’t mean they’ve suddenly experi- can be found in Dialogos, the Philoso- a belief is a core attitudinal compo- gedly certain, less closed-minded, less enced some doxastic openness and are pher’s Magazine, Skeptical Inquirer, nent of an ideal critical thinker.” Be- dogmatic, then this is the behavior that willing to revise their beliefs. Inside Higher Ed, Essays in Philoso- ing trustful of reason is another critical we need to model. If we want the faith- Sometimes we engage someone phy, Federal Probation Journal and a component.” ful to be trustful of reason and willing who’s argued poorly for their position, host of other popular and academic Being able to state explicitly what it to revise their beliefs, then we need to but because of dialectical training, we journals. Peter is working on a book would take for you to believe or disbe- show them by example. can immediately think of a counterar- that’s coming out soon, which will be lieve in a particular proposition creates There’s an entire line of literature gument to offer for the same conclu- called A Manual for Creating Atheists. spaces, cognitive spaces, openness in on change and modeling behavior. sion or a better argument, a much Here is Dr. Peter Boghossian. your beliefs. Even thinking about a way Sometimes it’s referred to as pro-social stronger argument. We should provide people with arguments for their con- clusions that are even better than the By Peter Boghossian. Ph.D. Photo: Andrew Seidel ones they’ve offered. When I’m having a discussion about faith, I don’t want to have a conversa- tion with a straw man. I want to have a Thank you. It’s a true pleasure conversation with a real person who’s to be here, and I’m incredibly grate- giving me powerful arguments that ful for the work of the Freedom From have emerged from their experiences. Religion Foundation and for you here If they can’t provide that, then I’ll pro- today. Earlier speakers talked about vide it for them. an audience full of their best friends. One of the strengths of philosophi- I feel that I’m among my people and cal training is that it enables you to do among people that I like and respect. this. It’s also one of the strengths that Thank you also for the work that you comes from leading an examined life. do in your communities to make them This is the thing that we should try to more thoughtful and rational. I have model. This is another component of over two-and-a-half decades of experi- street epistemology. ence teaching in prisons and crowded public universities and in the streets. I Matter of attitude call it street epistemology. One lesson I’ve learned is walking Having a closed belief system is a the talk. That’s what I’m going to talk complex problem. One part of it is that about today. our brains trick us into thinking that we’re open-minded. Michael Shermer Street epistemology has some wonderful work on this in The Believing Brain. Our brains trick What would it take for you to be- us into thinking that we’re willing to lieve? Well, to believe in what? What revise our beliefs, that we’re willing to would it take for you to believe in a reconsider when we’re not. particular religion? What would it take Confirmation bias is part of this. for you to be a believing Christian? We have a natural predisposition to go Or what would it take for you to be- with our own ideas, to go with the way lieve that the communion wafer that things appear to us, but we get stuck January/February 2013 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 13 Photo: Andy Ngo in appearances. We confirm our own We don’t believe biases. An example of this would be the in God because bones of Christ. Whenever I ask some- one of faith, a Christian, “What would there’s a complete it take for you to lose your faith?,” of- ten I’m struck when they say, “The lack of evidence. bones of Christ.” I used to believe that when people said that to me, they weren’t being sin- cere. I no longer believe that. I think Or maybe if I could be shown that that’s a result of a different sort of epis- I was harboring a mistaken view about temological pathology. Look, let’s say reality in regard to women. Maybe, for that I had a bag, and I brought a bag example, if they were malevolent enti- in here, and instead of this conference, ties, some kind of extraterrestrials bent this is the Apologists’ Conference. on destroying humanity. This is the I plop the bag on the table and I say, sort of evidence that one would need “These are the bones of Christ. I went to warrant belief in these claims. to Jerusalem, had a great time, went on Regardless of the specific belief an archaeological dig.” Those bones that’s being examined, in all of the would be examined with far more scru- cases, what’s important is to sincerely tiny than what the faithful use to be- think about answering the question. lieve their current set of beliefs about This is a way that we can nudge our- Jesus and the resurrection. They would selves to think more clearly and more do everything to falsify that claim. rationally. Just stating that we’re will- This shows that the problem of why ing to revise our beliefs if shown suf- people hold preposterous beliefs is not ficient evidence, or if given sufficient a matter of a skill set. It’s not because reason, is not enough. We must be able they lack critical thinking skills or be- to state exactly what it would take for cause they don’t know their beliefs are us to believe or to disbelieve a given absurd. It’s a matter of attitude. proposition. We need to model the The faithful don’t have the appro- change that we want to see in the faith- priate attitudinal dispositions, like a ful. There’s a lot of work to be done trustfulness of reason and willingness to help people to lose their faith and to revise their beliefs. This is also why to embrace reason. This is one step in we need to help them to break through that direction. It’s possible for virtually these delusions by modeling the behav- everyone to lead a life free of delusion. ior in ourselves. To facilitate this, think back to one You may be thinking that I’ve placed of the definitions of belief from the an undue burden upon you. There are Greek. We need to move from appear- just too many issues, too many ideas to ance and opinion to knowledge. We consider what it would take to change also need to model the attitudes that one’s beliefs on all of these issues. I possessing these skills and attitudes. Yet fee with LSD. The philosopher David are necessary to provide people with don’t think it’s an undue burden. This one could be an atheist and not pos- Hume has an interesting comment on hope. is what it means to live a thoughtful sess these skills and dispositions. That miracles. He says that there’s stronger But the hope we offer is a tough and examined life. is, one could be a doxastically closed reason to doubt the testifier than to hope. It’s not born of platitudes. It It’s the ability to reason through atheist. This should not be an intellec- trust the testimony. won’t make you feel better right away. problems, to evaluate evidence, to gen- tual or attitudinal aspiration. I’m not sure I would trust this per- But it takes away a false view of real- erate counterexamples, to clearly state Atheism is not an immutable, time- ception. It may be that no perception, ity and offers a genuine hope, a hope why we believe or don’t believe, to re- less truth. Atheism is a conclusion. It’s or no feeling state, would lead me to that’s based on reason and rationality vise your beliefs, to use the results to in- a conclusion one comes to based on an conclude that God exists. Instead, I and the tools of science. form our decisions to make better lives honest and thoughtful examination of would need argument or reason. It’s a hope your own efforts of and form better communities. reasons and evidence. thoughtfulness and an examined life In the next [PowerPoint] slide I’ve What would it take? will help contribute to that — a hope What is atheism? compiled a comprehensive, histori- offered through walking the talk. cal and contemporary list of all of the But let’s suspend that for a moment Thank you. I’m not arguing that this is some- evidence and all of the reasons that and go with the example. What would thing that has to be immediate. If one should consider when examining it take for me personally to believe in FFRF member Peter Boghossian is an someone asks you what would it take whether or not there’s a god or gods. God? Well, the stars spelling things out instructor of philosophy at Portland State for you to believe, if you don’t know, [Blank slide, laughter and applause.] to people in different languages would University. His main focus is bringing the just say you don’t know, that you’ll There is no evidence. Nada. Zip. Noth- be interesting. “I am God, believe in tools of professional philosophers to people in think about it and get back to them. ing. me” in Arabic. a wide variety of contexts. Email: pgb@pdx. An indispensable goal is to be free This is why I don’t believe in God. I also want predictions. I’d want, I edu; Twitter: @peterboghossian from bad reasoning, faulty epistemolo- It’s not for ideological reasons. Dan don’t know, something about the fu- gies and from the attitudes that lead to mentioned his debate with Dinesh ture, someone to solve Goldbach’s religion. What’s not important is to be D’Souza recently. We don’t not believe [mathematical] conjecture, I’d want an atheist. It is important to be a per- in God, as D’Souza claims, because something that I could latch my hands Photo: Andy Ngo son who trusts reason, who formulates we’re angry. I’m not angry. Dan, are on to. This is the way I would approach reason on the basis of reliable evidence you angry? the problem. These are the tools that and who’s genuinely willing to recon- Dan: “Not with you.” [Laughter.] I would bring to bear on how to think sider. We don’t believe in God because through the problem. Atheism is a natural consequence of there’s a complete lack of evidence. The communion wafer transforms But this shouldn’t deter us from pro- into the body of Christ. I’m going to viding answers as to what it would take combine this with the next one of faith Photo: Andrew Seidel to believe in God, to believe in lepre- healing. We can turn the tools of sci- chauns, or to believe in any other prop- ence on these questions very easily. osition. There’s a famous line, “Why doesn’t So let’s revisit the questions, the is- God heal amputees?” The tools of sci- sues that we’ve looked at this morn- ence are quite easy in these cases. What ing. I will honestly say what it would is more difficult is when we enter the take for me to believe in these things. moral realm. What would it take for Physicist Lawrence Krauss has an inter- me to believe that we should put half esting debate with William Lane Craig, of our population in cloth bags and where Krauss said, “If God wanted you beat them? Well, this is an astonish- to believe in its existence, you’d walk ingly difficult question. outside, you’d look up at the sky and If I could be shown that my core there it would be. And the stars would value of gender and racial egalitari- realign themselves and say something anism was a cultural artifact, and that like, ‘I am God. Believe in me.’ ” somehow forcing women into bags and If that happened to me, I would beating them was actually in their own doubt my sanity. I would think that interest, and somehow contributed to somehow I was the victim of a delusion, the well-being of society, that would re- or one of my students spiked my cof- ally be something. Page 14 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin January/February 2013 Honorable mentions: Graduate/mature student essay contest

Humanity, individuals An example of this process of con- supposed to be a celebration of new- to vote in the name of God. straint: religious organizations fighting found democracy, yet citizens who over religion to not have to include contraceptive don’t adhere to fundamentalist Islam Anastassia Smorodinskaya, 25, was FFRF awarded Antwon a $250 schol­ coverage in insurance plans for their live in fear of losing their rights to born in Moscow, Russia. She moved to the arship, thanks to an essay competition en­ employees. These organizations are religion. Decades of civil unrest and U.S. at age 6 and grew up in the quiet col­ dowed by Professor Brian Bolton. forgetting about the right of the indi- bloodshed in Syria, Lebanon, Israel, lege town of Middlebury, Vt. She graduated vidual to make her own choices. They Iran and Pakistan should steer the U.S. from Eckerd College in 2008 as a commu­ are confining their employees to lim- away from letting power fall into the nications major and theater minor. She’s ited choices in the types of health ser- hands of theocrats. enrolled in Columbia University’s master’s vices available to them. I am even starting to see an un- program for broadcast journalism. If politicians continue to show favor- healthy partnership of church and state itism to religious groups, citizens risk in my native Russia, a nation which less losing the rights that generations have than 100 years ago denounced all re- fought for and the freedoms that make ligion in favor of atheism. The nation Wanted: Separation of America the great country that it is. has started using the Russian Ortho- state, church Laws must be uniform for all. dox Church to justify blatant viola- In this election year, we need to let tions of human rights and freedom of politicians know that just because a speech, as made evident by the impris- FFRF awarded Justin a $250 scholar­ religious doctrine says it is acceptable onment of the female punk band Pussy ship. to beat children, we will not stand for Riot. Putin’s government is making an child abuse. We need to let politicians example of Pussy Riot for anyone else know that we do not need to make who dares speak out against Putin, but concessions for religious organizations is doing so under the guise of defend- that want to modify laws so that they ing religion. By Antwon Kennedy can limit the health care options of In turn, the church has shocked those caught under their vise. the international community by siding If we concede on one issue, the with Putin’s dictatorial regime instead stage will be set for more concessions of practicing the Christian notion of The need for separation between until we are a nation under the laws of forgiveness. This scenario shows how religion and government is as impor- a particular religious doctrine. Our cit- mixing religion and politics can lead tant today as it has been since the in- izens, in fear for their lives, will begin to loss of civilian freedom and to the troduction of the Establishment Clause to flee just as the Pilgrims did centuries corruption of religious institutions in 1789. History shows that combining ago from England. themselves. the two entities can have dangerous We do not need to repeat a past that In America, the lines are blurring, consequences. The Pilgrims, for exam- did not work. That is why in this elec- as made evident by nearly every hot- ple, when King James came into power, tion year, we need separation between button issue debated by rival political almost lost their lives after voicing their religion and government. parties. The most obvious example is concerns about the Church of England legalization of same-sex marriage, an and had to flee to avoid persecution. Antwon Kennedy, 32, Marietta, Ga., is issue that should be treated as a ques- Justin Vacula was the sole protester Today, religious interests still want a junior working toward a bachelor of busi­ tion of human rights, but instead has at the June 8 Catholic rally at to influence public opinion and poli- ness administration degree in finance at been argued by politicians on the basis Courthouse Square in Scranton, Pa. tics. A preacher recently spoke out in Kennesaw State University. of populist religious morality, showing favor of physically abusive corrective blatant disregard for the Establish- By Justin Vacula actions toward children, backed by bib- ment Clause. lical teachings. Religious organizations Women’s rights to birth control and are opposing contraceptive coverage Theocracies are family planning have also come under in their employees’ insurance plans. deadly to freedom scrutiny from conservative Christians These actions endanger our youth and who, tragically, are gaining leverage in Four recent Establishment Clause strip individuals of their right to choice FFRF awarded Anastassia a $250 schol­ the Republican Party. issues in Pennsylvania — legislation in family planning by placing the de- arship. When I see religion making its way declaring 2012 “The Year of the Bible,” cision-making process in the hands of into political debates, scenes from sectarian governmental prayer, coer- religious groups. the dystopian novel “The Handmaid’s cion of citizens who dare to remain CNN reported: “Sean Harris, the Tale” by Margaret Atwood spring to seated for governmental prayer, and in- pastor of Berean Baptist Church in mind. It depicts the U.S. after it has tentions to fund religious schools with Fayetteville, North Carolina, told his been taken over by an extreme funda- taxpayer monies — should convince congregants in his sermon on April mentalist Christian group that strips Pennsylvanians that they need separa- 28, ‘Dads, the second you see your son women of their rights and forces them tion of religion and government. dropping the limp wrist, you walk over into roles of pious servitude. Lawmakers seemed to neglect Sec- there and crack that wrist.’ He contin- It is ironic that while many Ameri- tion 3 of the state Constitution, which ued, ‘Man up, give them a good punch, cans fear losing their freedom to Is- states, “All men have a natural and in- OK. You’re not going to act like that. lamist groups like al-Qaida, they are defeasible right to worship Almighty You were made by God to be a male blind to the fact that Christianity is God according to the dictates of their and you’re going to be a male’ ” slowly seeping into the pores of gov- own consciences,” and “no human au- The pastor later claimed he was ernment, with equal potential to do se- thority can, in any case whatever, con- misunderstood, saying he wasn’t ad- rious damage to constitutional rights. trol or interfere with the rights of con- vocating abuse of homosexual chil- It would behoove all Americans to science, and no preference shall ever dren. What is certain is that combin- keep in mind that we must vote for be given by law to any religious estab- ing church and state would give the the candidate who best protects our lishments or modes of worship.” government power to support and constitutional liberties and not for one The “noncontroversial” resolution uphold the pastor’s words because the whose decisions will be based on the declaring “The Year of the Bible” said By Anastassia Smorodinskaya bible states in Proverbs 22:15, “Folly is moral compass of a particular religion. there was a “national need to study bound up in the heart of a child, but Rev. Otis Moss III said it best in a ser- and apply [its] teachings,” and claimed the rod of discipline drives it far from mon he delivered to his Baptist congre- that “renewing our knowledge of and him,” and in Proverbs 23:13, “Do not gation in Chicago: faith in God through holy scripture withhold discipline from a child; if you During the recent presidential “To claim that the president of the can strengthen us as a nation and a strike him with a rod, he will not die.” election, it became clear that we as a United States must hold your theologi- people.” Both passages confirm the accep- nation are moving further and further cal position is absurd. He is president “The dictates of conscience” in tance of child abuse. Even more so, the away from our constitutional right to of the United States, not president of the Constitution were trampled on greatest argument for the bible’s stand- the separation of church and state. the Baptist Convention, not president because the resolution took sides on point on child abuse is that God sent Most disheartening is that with so or bishop of the sanctified church. He theological issues and recommended his son to Earth so that people could many examples of failing theological is called to protect those who are Jew religious actions. abuse him and hang him on a cross. governments throughout the world, and gentile, male and female, young Another obvious example of reli- Mixing religion with politics is a rec- American politicians and citizens alike and old, gay and straight.” gion and government being a danger- ipe for the reversal of human choice turn a blind eye to the fact that God That powerful statement perfectly ous mix is the constant stream of un- and liberty. If politicians give in to the and government are indeed a very dan- sums up the way Americans need to constitutional sectarian governmental demands of a set religion, we face be- gerous mix. look at government. Sadly, the fact that prayer during House of Representa- ing confined to the constraints of the Mideast nations serve as prime ex- Moss felt compelled to make the plea tives sessions. Many contain specific religious doctrine at hand. amples. The elections in Egypt were shows that too many are still inclined references to Christianity, with Jesus January/February 2013 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 15

I was made to feel com/user-justin-vacula. Justin was also a plaintiff in FFRF’s like a political lawsuit challenging “The Year of the Bible” in Pennsylvania. He recently spent a lot of outsider. time getting FFRF’s Winter Solstice banner included in the Wilkes-Barre Public Square holiday display. The banner was vandal­ ized and later reinstalled. Christ dying on a cross to save people from sin, Jesus Christ as “Lord and sav- ior,” “God in heaven” and “the maker Government for the of heaven and earth.” people, not the god Unconstitutional prayers also exist in a background of coercion directed at citizens who dare to remain seated FFRF awarded Ashley a $250 scholar­ during prayer. Individuals, before ship. entering the guest chambers, view a prominent sign which encourages people to stand for prayer. Then the House speaker asks people to stand. No clue On one occasion, I remained silent- Texan Tracie Harris’ “Atheist Eve” cartoons are featured on the Atheist ly seated while taking notes on a tablet. Community of Austin website: atheist-community.org/atheisteve/ An armed security officer approached me and repeatedly asked me to stand to “show respect.” Two requests — and Mormon churches. Proposition 8, birth control to women. All of this in a from the House speaker and a sign — the amendment to the California Con- country where being pregnant is more were not enough. stitution that overturned the right to dangerous and more expensive than Another insidious foray by lawmak- gay marriage, raised over $40 million, in many other industrialized nations. ers concerned a school voucher pro- $20 million of which came from Mor- Even bills to make the life-saving, can- gram in which public funds, instead of mons. At the urging of their church, cer-preventing HPV vaccine manda- By Ashley Miller funding public schools which must ed- Mormons provided over half the funds tory have been vetoed out of fear that ucate children regardless of their reli- that helped Proposition 8 pass. When it would encourage girls to have sex; in gious upbringing or belief, would fund the California government was alerted South Carolina, the governor vetoed a private schools. Many are religious and to this, not only did the LDS church bill that would allow schools to simply exist primarily to indoctrinate impres- Religion, in the hands of the not lose its tax-exempt status, they were tell parents the vaccine exists. These sionable minds, compel students to power hungry, is a dangerous thing, fined only $5,000, practically an invita- bills are so cavalierly anti-woman; wom- participate in school-led prayer and and you’ll find few groups more power tion to do it again. en are dying in this country because of teach “young Earth creationist” doc- hungry or more religious than U.S. Churches use this money to pro- religious interference. trine instead of sound science. politicians. That only one member mote their choices for judicial nomina- And, before you blame this entirely When I peacefully protested a rally, of Congress admits to being a nonbe- tions. Justices in South Carolina have on the religious right, the Democrats holding a sign calling for separation of liever speaks volumes about the useful- given reading assignments from the are guilty as well. President Obama church and state, at which pious politi- ness of professed religious devotion for bible as punishment for crimes as seri- prevented Plan B from becoming over- cians assembled to urge lawmakers to those seeking office. ous as vehicular homicide. Of the nine the-counter, despite the recommenda- vote for the school voucher program, Politicians fall all over themselves to justices on the Supreme Court, six are tions of the medical community, pri- I was told that I should go back to my prove their support of religion. In the Roman Catholics and three are Jewish, marily because he wanted to avoid the “community of privilege” and send my past decade, Congress has unanimous- in a country that is 24% Catholic and Christian backlash. Democrats are just children “to whichever school I wanted ly reaffirmed “In God We Trust” as the 2% Jewish. These judges ensure the as afraid of the repercussions of upset- to whether they be atheist schools or national motto three times. Countless bench is biased in favor of religion and ting the godly, and just as interested in not.” bills are presented with hopes of win- that bias encourages decisions like Citi- getting their money. That was said to me from the po- ning the religious base. Even if spon- zens United, which allows the religious Before you despair, there is good dium by state Sen. Anthony Williams, sors don’t think they will pass, they to spend unlimited funds on pushing news. The non-religious population who angrily added, “By the way, this want credit for proposing them. their political agenda. is growing and becoming more vocal is my rally, not yours,” and “These are Sincere or cynical, politicians know Churches use this money to push and actively fighting the destruction of our dollars, not just yours. These are that pandering to the religious gets religion into the public classrooms separation of church and state. There our children, not yours. These are our them votes and, just as importantly, of America, to make sure after-school are things we can do to fight back. school systems, not yours, and by the gets them money. The relationship programs have access to children, to We can support organizations like the way, this has nothing to do with separa- between religious money and the state remove evolution and Thomas Jeffer- Secular Student Alliance, Secular Co- tion of church and state.” has always been problematic, but never son from schoolbooks, and to force alition for America, Freedom From Re- At the voucher rally and with the more so than it is today. And fighting non-religious students to listen to and ligion Foundation, and the many other coercion I faced for staying seated against that relationship is never more participate in prayers on secular cam- secular institutions in our country. We for governmental prayer, I was made important than in an election year. puses. Religious exemptions don’t just can vote for the candidates that don’t to feel like a political outsider. A cli- Every year, the churches of America hurt the education of young people; pander to the religious, if they can be mate of divisiveness — pitting citizens get $71 billion in tax breaks thanks to they can also lead to disease and death. found. And, if they cannot be found, against lawmakers acting in pious un- very generous exemptions. The Amer- In many states, religious schools are we can follow the lead of people like constitutional manners — was created ican taxpayer has to cover the lost rev- exempt from government oversight, Pete Stark and Cecil Bothwell, and run in which I, as a citizen of Pennsylva- enue, forcing the population to subsi- which has led to deaths of children for office ourselves. Our Constitution nia, while peacefully objecting to that dize organized religion. Churches pay through poor care and negligence. clearly states that God and government which I saw as unconstitutional, was no property taxes, write off housing Churches use this money to pro- do not go together, and we must fight poorly treated. expenses for their clergy, do not pay mote their hatred for women. In 2011, for a government that is truly represen- If lawmakers had remained neutral sales tax on anything they sell, and do there were 1,100 bills about reproduc- tative of “we the people,” all of us, not on matters of religion while acting in not pay taxes on the money they earn. tive rights introduced at the state level. just those under the command of a fic- their official capacities to serve all citi- US churches own $400 billion in un- There were bills that force women to titious and very wealthy deity. zens, there would have been no divi- taxed land and the Church of Scien- accept a transvaginal exam to get an siveness. tology alone earns over $500 million abortion; that have nearly gotten rid of Ashley Miller, 28, grew up in Litchfield, The above situations create a com- untaxed dollars annually. Donations abortion clinics altogether in states like S.C., and attends the University of South pelling case for freethinkers, and to these churches are written off indi- Mississippi; that allow doctors in Arizo- Carolina as a second-year Ph.D. candidate. even religious Pennsylvanians, to be viduals’ taxes, even if those churches na to lie to women if they think it will She holds a master’s in radio, film and tele­ concerned with matters of separation spend little money on charitable works prevent them from having an abortion; vision production from Florida State Uni­ of church and state. Establishment -- churches, unlike other charitable or- that charge women with manslaughter versity and B.A. in film studies from Emory Clause violations are especially griev- ganizations, don’t have to publicly dis- for having miscarriages; that allow doc- University. ous in election years because pander- close what they use the money for; they tors and pharmacists to refuse to give ing politicians are seeking votes while are automatically exempt. lawmakers who otherwise would object So, what do the religious use the to the violations may not because they money for? Rather than focusing on Recruit a Member fear losing support from their constitu- charity, they have used their untaxed ents. income to wage war on our secular Sample Copies for $2 Constitution, to try to force the Chris- Send $2 with the name and address of each person you wish Justin Vacula, Exeter, Pa., 23, is a tian version of Sharia law onto the to receive a sample copy of Freethought Today to: graduate student at Marywood University American people. FFRF, P.O. Box 750, Madison WI 53701 studying mental health counseling. He has Churches use this money to support a bachelor’s in philosophy and psychology their campaigns against gay marriage. Freedom depends upon freethinkers from King’s College, is active in the NEPA Groups like Focus on the Family are (Please specify whether the individual is a freethinker.) Freethought Society and blogs at examiner. funded almost entirely by the Catholic Page 16 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin January/February 2013

Black Collar Crime Blotter Compiled by Bill Dunn ‘[Rabbi Weberman] Arrested / Charged took this young girl Jaison Kollannur, Kochi, IND: Kollannur, a Catholic priest and former secretary of the Kerala Catholic Youth Movement, surrendered with a fiery spirit and to authorities to face charges of smuggling un- skilled laborers into the U.S. he broke her.’ Kollannur and 3 other former KCYM offi- ­—Assistant D.A. Linda cers are under investigation after a complaint was lodged by the U.S. Consulate in Chennai Weinman about an alleged attempt to smuggle Indians into Houston. was “a hot girl” and she should wear short skirts “The accused, including the priest, faked and heels to work. Calls became more sexual in certificates to support that 42 persons were nature. He never identified himself. experts working in the education sector,” said Police said they identified Andonie through Amose Mammen, assistant commissioner of his cellphone number. He told police he called the Kochi Crime Records Bureau. about 25 women, mostly women he knew from Police said Kollannur allegedly offered jobs his work at the church. Source: Reading Eagle, to Catholic youths in exchange for 155,000 ru- 12-12-12 pees ($3,000) each. The Kerala Catholic Bish- Willie Demps, 69, Pensacola, FL: 3 counts ops Council has dismissed him. Source: The of child abuse. Demps, a pastor and adminis- Hindu, Eurasia Review; 1-19-13 trator at S.L. Jones Christian Academy, was Stanley Wilkinson, 61, Rochester, MN: ages of 11 and 17 from 1986-94 in Cork and of St. Bernadette Catholic Parish, is accused of charged after a student told a grandparent that Felony intentional discharge of a firearm that County Limerick. Source: Irish Times, 1-10-13 sexually touching a 29-year-old man who came Demps paddled and punched her and after po- endangered safety. Wilkinson, a Seventh-Day Aryeh Goodman, 30, East Brunswick, NJ: to him for counseling. Source: Washington Post, lice observed physical evidence. Source: North- Adventist Church pastor, fired 2 shots from a 12 counts of indecent assault of a person less 12-19-12 Escambia.com, 12-12-12 pistol, hitting his 16-year-old granddaughter in than 13 years of age. Goodman, the son of a Jason Laws, 44, Albion, IL: Theft of over Otis B. Jetter, 70, Indianapolis: 3 counts the neck after mistaking her for an intruder. The rabbi, is accused of molesting a boy when he $100,000 from a place of worship and 2 counts of child molesting. Jetter, pastor at Pilgrim Mis- girl was living with her grandparents and didn’t was 12 in 2001 at Camp Manachem in Pike of forgery. Laws, administrative pastor at the sionary Baptist Church, is alleged to have en- tell them she was leaving the house. Source: County, PA, where Goodman was a counselor. House of Prayer, is accused of embezzling gaged in multiple sex acts with a boy starting AP, 1-18-13 Goodman is director of Chabbad of East more than $300,000 from his former church. when he was 12. The alleged victim is now 29. Kevin Wallin, 61, Bridgeport, CT: Conspir- Brunswick, which focuses on educating chil- Source: Courier & Press, 12-18-12 The man said he came forward because he ing to distribute 500 grams or more of a sub- dren. Source: NJ.com, 1-8-13 Gregory D. Forehand, 40, Chesapeake, saw Jetter driving a boy to church several times. stance containing methamphetamine and 6 M.M. Sharma, 55, East Delhi, IND: Rape. VA: Indecent liberties with a child. Forehand, Source: WISH, 12-10-12 Sharma, a Hindu priest, summoned the alleged youth pastor at Real Life Christian Church, was counts of possession with intent to distribute Pleaded / Convicted methamphetamine. Msgr. Wallin is former pas- victim, in her early 30s and married to another indicted by a grand jury for allegedly molesting priest, to his home on the pretext of preparing 3 teens between 1999 and 2006. Larry M. Bollinger, 67, Stanley, NC: Plead- tor of St. Augustine Catholic Church, where he ed guilty to illicit sexual conduct. for which he was stripped of his priestly duties in May after sweets to offer in temple on New Year’s Day. He A police detective told reporters that children allegedly threatened the woman afterward “with would often stay at Forehand’s home during was indicted last May. Bollinger was pastor at allegations of cross-dressing and having sex in Christ’s Evangelical Lutheran Church when he the rectory were investigated. He then bought dire consequences” if she told anyone. Source: church events. Source: WAVY, 12-17-12 Mumbai DNA, 1-7-13 Robert C. Hester, 27, Allentown, PA: 9 and his wife left in 2004 for Haiti to work with an adult specialty store called Land of Oz that the Lazarus Project, a mostly Lutheran ministry sells sex toys and X-rated DVDs. Bruno M. Tucci, 70, Salisbury, MD: 4th-de- counts of writing insufficient funds checks. Hes- gree sex offense and child abuse by custodian. ter wrote the checks on the accounts of Pneu- that runs a vocational school and medical clinic. Wallin and four others are charged with sell- According to an indictment, the alleged mis- ing meth to undercover federal agents. Wallin Tucci, a priest with the Allentown [PA] Catholic ma Life Center and Maranatha House of Ref- Diocese, was removed from active ministry in uge and Recovery, two churches he operated conduct took place in 2009. Four victims were was selling as much as $9,000 worth a week, identified, but Bollinger was charged for mis- authorities said. Source: N.Y. Daily News, CT 2002 and defrocked in 2007 after abuse allega- in Allentown. Checks totaled $11,700. Source: tions. Morning Call, 12-17-12 conduct with 2 girls, ages 11 and 12. Source: Post; 1-17-13 WCNC, 10-18-13 William Hughes, 71, Spartanburg, SC: He’s now charged with molesting a boy in Charles Saviers, 78, Eufala, OK: Posses- Ocean City, MD, in August 1981. Source: Morn- sion of child pornography. Saviers is listed as Neil Doherty, 69, Miami, FL: Pleaded no Criminal sexual conduct with a minor and con- contest to lewd or lascivious molestation, lewd tributing to the delinquency of a minor. Hughes, ing Call, 1-2-13 pastor at several McIntosh County churches. Joel K. Hodges, 31, Fultondale, AL: Elec- Source: KJRH, 12-14-12 acts in the presence of a child and sexual bat- a pastoral staff volunteer the past 7 years at tery on a victim younger than 12. Doherty, a re- Restoration Church, is accused of molesting a tronic solicitation of a child and traveling to meet Clarence T. Taylor, 26, Columbia, PA: So- a child for an unlawful sex act. Hodges is con- licitation to commit sexual abuse of children, tired Catholic priest, has a long list of accusers 15-year-old girl. in alleged incidents going back to the 1970s. A sheriff’s report said the girl alleged that temporary worship leader at Gardendale-Mt. unlawful contact with a minor and criminal use Vernon United Methodist Church. Source: N. of a communications facility. Taylor, associate Several civil cases involving him have been Hughes persuaded her to go home with him af- settled out of court. The first case that went to ter church and drank some alcohol there. She Jefferson News, 1-2-13 pastor at Church of God in Christ, is accused of Meilech Schnitzler, 37, Brooklyn, NY: trying to set up sex with a boy, 15. Source: Fox a jury ended with a $100 million award to the told deputies the next thing she remembered victim. Source: Miami Herald, 1-13-13 was waking up and putting her pants on. Felony and misdemeanor assault, menacing, 43, 12-14-12 criminal mischief and criminal possession of a Steve Harding, 60, New Palestine, IN: Child Archie L. Evans, Conway, SC: Pleaded Pastor Tony Cribb said Hughes’ duties in- guilty to mail fraud and structuring financial cluded helping with hospital visits, running weapon. Schnitzler, a fishmonger and Hasidic molestation and sexual misconduct with a mi- Jew, is accused of throwing bleach in Rabbi nor. Harding, youth pastor at United Methodist transactions to evade reporting requirements. errands and making bank deposits. Source: Evans, pastor of Tilly Swamp Baptist Church, WYFF, 1-15-13 Nuchem Rosenberg’s face the day after Rab- Church, is accused of engaging in sexual activ- bi Nechemya Weberman was convicted of 59 ity twice with a 13-year-old girl whose parents ran a Ponzi scheme in which church members Terry Greer, 54, Gardendale, AL: Murder and others lost $2.5 million, according to court and attempted murder. Greer. senior pastor counts of child sexual abuse. [See conviction considered him a family friend. story on next page.] Harding has also been a wrestling coach documents. at Gardendale-Mt. Vernon United Methodist Evans also operated nonprofit companies Church, is charged with murdering his wife, Rosenberg is an outspoken advocate in the and school board member. Source: Indianapolis ultra-Orthodox community for sexual abuse Star, 12-14-12 called Pale Productions and Pale Ministries. Lisa, 52, an elementary school teacher, and The former published his book Nature’s Pairs: shooting at his daughter, Suzanna, 18, who victims, including criticism of District Attorney Isrom Perry-Johnson, 33, New Albany, IN: Charles Hynes for failure to prosecute. 3 counts of 2nd-degree sodomy. Perry-John- The Demise of Homosexuality. Source: Myrtle grabbed the gun and ran to a neighbor’s house, Beach Online, 1-9-13 authorities said. Hynes said charges against Schnitzler are son, pastor at Prince of Peace Missionary Bap- “a clear message that anyone who would seek tist Church, is charged with molesting a male Wilbert Brassfield, 48, Charlottesville, VA: Greer then stabbed himself in the chest and Guilty by jury of 3 counts of embezzlement. neck with a kitchen knife but is expected to re- to intimidate someone opposed to the uncover- age 14 or under, who alleged the incidents took ing of sexual abuse in the Orthodox community place in 2010. Source: Courier-Journal, 12-21- Brassfield was accused of taking more than cover. Police Chief Mike Walker would not spec- $10,000 from the accounts of Courts of Praise ulate on a motive. Source: Times Daily, 1-14-13 will face serious criminal charges, and if convict- 12 ed, I will ask for the maximum jail time.” Source: Filimone H. Mone, 59, West Valley City, UT: Christian Fellowship, where he was pastor. He Charles A. Denton, 59, Palmyra, TN: 2 was also a police officer. counts of rape. Denton, associate pastor and N.Y. Times, 1-12-13 Failure to report abuse of a child. Mone, pastor James MacCaline, 75, Cary, NC: Misde- of Tongan United Methodist Church, is accused If a plea agreement is followed at sentenc- guitarist at Bethel Baptist Church and a retired ing, he’ll be fined $7,500 but serve no jail time. police sergeant, is accused of raping a 34-year- meanor larceny. MacCaline, known as Jimmy of failing to promptly report allegations of abuse Mac, an usher for 20 years at St. Michael the of minors in the congregation by an older boy Source: newsplex.com, 12-21-12 old mentally disabled woman. Source: The Ten- Joseph Ostrowski, 28, Wilkes-Barre, PA: nessean, 1-11-13 Archangel Catholic Church, is charged with several years ago. stealing an undetermined amount of money The complaint said the alleged perpetrator, Pleaded guilty to child pornography, interstate Thomas Bouklas, 64, Holbrook, NY: Pos- extortion and cyber stalking. Ostrowski was sessing a sexual performance of a child. Bouk- from collection baskets. then about age 14, lined children up so each After getting a tip, police set up 10 hidden could take a turn performing oral sex on him. head football coach at Holy Redeemer High las is a retired teacher and former soccer coach School, a Catholic Diocese of Scranton school. at St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School in cameras during Christmas Eve, Christmas Day Source: Salt Lake Tribune, 12-12-12 and Sunday Masses and added $20 bills to the Dennis W. Myers, 52, Blue Springs, MO: He was arrested after posing as a female on West Islip. Facebook to trick male teens into emailing nude Bouklas’ attorney, Arshad Majid, claimed his collections after copying serial numbers. Receiving a video of child pornography over “It was while the collection was going on the Internet and possessing child pornogra- photos, according to an arrest affidavit. He then client had only one suspect image on his com- used the images to extort victims into sending puter. “We believe this is a mistake and a mis- right inside the church, as the basket was be- phy. Myers, worked as a youth pastor at Christ ing passed and the money was palmed into his United Methodist Church in Independence be- more photos, a ploy called “sextortion.” understanding.” Source: Newsday, 1-11-13 A complaint said Ostrowski engaged in Wendel Palmer, 44, Ft. Washington, MD: hand and then into his pocket,” said police Capt. fore working in the same position at a church Dave Wullf. Source: WRAL, 1-2-13 in Arkansas. such conduct from 2006-12. Some alleged vic- 1st-degree child sexual abuse. Court papers tims were adults. A plea agreement calls for a allege the abuse occurred while Palmer was Timothy Murray, 62, Novi, MI: Download- He was charged in 2011 with statutory sod- ing child pornography. Murray, former pastor at omy, attempted enticement of a child, 1st-de- 25-year prison sentence and lifetime parole. youth choir director at Bethel Temple Church of Source: Times-Leader, 12-19-12 Christ Apostolic Inc. He’s also a 22-year D.C. St. Edith Catholic Church in Livonia, allegedly gree child molestation and 2 counts of sexual admitted to federal agents his preference is misconduct involving a child and has yet to go Caleb D. Hesse, 52, Yucca Valley, CA: police officer. Pleaded guilty to 5 counts of lewd and lascivi- Palmer allegedly would tell his victim to stay 13-year-old boys. to trial on those charges. The videos on his computer “contained im- Court documents allege Myers got 2 girls ous acts with a child. He admitted to molesting with him in the pastor’s office while the other 5 boys under age 14 between 1988 and 2012. choir members went to a store. ages of minor boys between the ages of ap- intoxicated and offered them $100 to have sex proximately 6 to 16 years olds displaying their with each other before taking nude photographs Hesse was a 1st-grade teacher and a youth The assaults started when the girl was 11 group volunteer at Evangelical Free Church. All and allegedly continued for 2 years. She told genitals in a (suggestive) manner and/or engag- of them. Source: The Examiner, 12-12-12 ing in sexual contact with other minor boys and/ Aron Andonie, 47, Kenhorst, PA: Harass- of the alleged abuse occurred during church investigators there were “too many incidents to youth group outings. Source: Hi-Desert Star, count.” Source: Washington Post, 1-9-13 or adults,” the complaint said. ment, lewd communication and stalking. Ando- He was removed from public ministry in 2004 nie, pastor of Spring Valley Church of God, a 12-19-12 Vincent Mercer, 66, Kilkenny, IRE: 39 Charles Agbu, 58, Carson, CA: Pleaded counts of sexual assault. Mercer, a Dominican on allegations of sexual abuse of a minor 3 de- Romanian congregation, is accused in alleged cades earlier. Source: Detroit News, 12-20-12 incidents involving female victims. guilty to money laundering and conspiracy to Order priest not serving in active ministry, is commit health care fraud. Agbu, pastor at Pil- charged with molesting a juvenile between the Luis F. Henao, 40, Springfield, VA: Sexual Court documents said he called a woman at battery. Henao, a Colombia native and pastor work shortly after she was hired, told her she grim Congregational Church, paid patient re- January/February 2013 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 17

cruiters to convince Medicare beneficiaries to ual satisfaction,” said Magistrate Jenny Pillay. across state lines to have sex, petitioned the give him their information in exchange for power ‘I was, uh, hot. I Source: IOL News, 11-30-12 U.S. District Court to impose the minimum sen- wheelchairs. tence of 10 years due to stress and depression Agbu would then bill Medicare for the wheel- Civil Lawsuits Filed from allegedly working up to 100 hours a week. like to drive around Larry Tomczak, associate pastor at Bethel chairs without delivering them to his clients. Schaap, pastor of First Baptist Church, was World Outreach Church, Brentwood, TN, was Source: L.A. Times, 12-18-12 exhausted at the time of the relationship, said a naked.’ named in a lawsuit filed against leaders ofSov - John W. Fitzmaurice, Addington, NZ: sentencing memorandum filed by his attorney, ereign Grace Ministries, which he co-founded Pleaded guilty to 6 counts of financial fraud — Fr. Peter Petroske Paul Stracci. in the 1980s. when he was pastor at Cathedral of the Blessed “Unfortunately, for a four-week period during The suit alleges Tomczak, of Franklin, TN, Sacrament and Sacred Heart Catholic Parish. tiny Deliverance Evangelical Church there lists the summer of 2012, he acted in a manner con- and other church leaders covered up sexual Total money involved was nearly $128,000. him as a bishop and senior shepherd. Source: trary to the entire balance of his life by engag- abuse in the denomination and at a Christian “I understand there was gambling involved,” News-Record, 1-4-13 ing in sexual activity with a young woman with school in Gaithersburg, MD, in the 1980s and said Bishop of Christchurch Barry Jones. Peter Petroske, 57, Dearborn, MI: $1,200 whom he had only recently come to counsel,” 1990s. Source: One News, 12-12-12 in fines and costs, 1 year probation and atten- Stracci wrote. The girl turned 17 during the re- Tomczak is also accused of repeatedly as- Daniel Drinan, 64, Reno, NV: Pleaded dance at thrice-weekly AA meetings after plead- lationship. saulting “Carla Coe” with plastic and wooden guilty to indecent exposure. Drinan, a defrocked ing no contest to charges of impaired driving He was also being treated for chronic and sticks, starting when she was a child and con- Claretians Order priest, was arrested after au- and disorderly/obscene conduct. Petroske, pas- acute prostate inflammation that led to his “ab- tinuing for more than 20 years. The suit alleges thorities said he exposed his genitals while tor of Sacred Heart Catholic Parish, was naked errant” behavior, Stracci wrote. Source: Chris- he beat Coe’s bare buttocks when she was an viewing pornography on a Southwest Airlines and alone in his vehicle when pulled over. His tian Post, 1-5-13 adult, which Tomczak denies. flight. Three flight attendants saw the incident. blood-alcohol reading was 0.09. A group of influential Haredi rabbis in Is- The Little Handbook on Loving Correction, Source: Reno Gazette Journal, 12-11-12 “I was, uh, hot. I like to drive around naked,” rael signed a public letter opposing extradition for sale on Tomczak’s website, advises parents Nechemya Weberman, 54, Brooklyn, NY: he told an officer responding to a citizen’s 9-1-1 of Yitzchak Shuchat, a Chabad hasid who fled to spank children with sticks. Source: USA To- Guilty by jury of 59 counts of sustained sex call. Source: WANE, 1-2-13 Brooklyn, NY, in 2008 for Canada and Israel af- day, 11-15-13 abuse of a child and endangering the welfare Bartley Sorensen, 63, Churchill, PA: 97 ter allegedly beating a black honors student in a The late William Walker, former pastor of of a child. Rabbi Weberman, an ultra-Orthodox months in prison and a $25,000 fine after plead- what was called a hate crime. First United Methodist Church in Eugene, Jewish community leader, was convicted of mo- ing guilty to receiving and possessing visual de- Israel’s High Court of Justice recently or- OR, is accused in a suit of molesting the un- lesting a young girl, now 18, who had come to pictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit dered Shuchat’s extradition, but the order to be named alleged victim, now in his late 30s, when him with questions about her faith. The abuse conduct. Sorensen, pastor at St. John Fisher effective must be signed by within 60 days by he was 11 years old and his family attended the started when she was 12 and continued for 3 Catholic Church, had thousands of explicit im- Justice Minister Ya’akov Ne’eman, an Orthodox church. years. ages on his office computer, which a church Jew who favors a theocracy in Israel. Source: The suit seeks $4.5 million from First United “The defendant took this young girl with a fi- employee saw him looking at. Source: Reuters, failedmessiah.com, 12-21-12 Methodist. Walker died from AIDS in 1992. He’s ery spirit and he broke her,” said Assistant D.A. 1-2-13 believed to have infected his wife, who died in Linda Weinman. Lavel Schwartz, 61, Brooklyn, NY: 1 year Allegations 1990. The alleged abuse occurred in 1984, 5 The [Jewish Daily] Forward reported alle- The girl, now married, testified for 4 days. and 1 day in prison for conspiring to launder years before Walker was diagnosed with AIDS. gations from 14 men that Rabbi George Fin- She said Weberman would take off her clothes, $200,000 to $400,000 he believed to be from A 2010 article in Church Executive maga- kelstein abused them while he was employed force her to perform oral sex and reenact scenes illegal activities. zine said the Methodist Church spent $100 mil- at Yeshiva University High School for Boys in from porn films. She didn’t know what to do; he He’s the last of 5 rabbis to be sentenced in lion dealing with clergy sexual misconduct in Manhattan, NY, from 1968-95. Three men al- was a well-respected member of the community Operation Bid Rig, the biggest federal investi- the previous 10 years. Source: Register-Guard, leged abuse by Rabbi Macy Gordon, a Talmud and she was “a piece of dirt.” gation into fraud and corruption in New Jersey 1-3-12 teacher there from 1956-84. They are Modern Weberman testified he “never, ever” abused history. Source: nj.com, 12-27-12 Yaakov Weiss, 32, Loudonville, NY, found- Orthodox rabbis. the girl. Source: AP, 12-10-12 Darrell V. Moore, 47, Jacksonville, FL: er of Chabad of Colonie and Chabad Hebrew After the story broke, Finkelstein resigned James Boutilier, 57, Indian River, MI: 5 years in prison after pleading guilty to lewd School, is being sued by 2 families for alleged from the Jerusalem Great Synagogue and Gor- Pleaded guilty to 4th-offense OWI. Boutilier, and lascivious assault involving 2 minor girls at sexual assault in 2007 and subsequent defama- don was placed on leave from teaching at the pastor at Wesleyan Community Church, was Greater Refuge Temple. tion. Rabbi Weiss has admitted having inappro- Orthodox Union’s Israel Center in Jerusalem. stopped after his car crossed the center line Circuit Judge Adrian Soud also criticized the priate physical contact with 2 boys, both age 13. Both men deny the allegations. several times. His blood-alcohol level was 3 victims’ family and church for shunning them He was convicted of misdemeanor child en- The story quoted 3 former students who said times the legal limit. after they reported the incidents and denying dangerment in 2010 when he admitted physical they could feel Finkelstein’s erect penis dig into Prosecutor Daryl Vizina said Boutilier was them “what the church’s name claims to the contact with boys while naked in a small pool, them after he talked them into wrestling with verbally aggressive with officers and at the time world. That should have been their refuge.” known as a mikvah, used for ritual purification. him. A former student said Gordon sodomized of the arrest was out on bond from a charge of The victims, now 18 and 24, asked for the Weiss had been charged with sexual abuse him with a toothbrush. Multiple other allegations stealing a bottle of vodka from a store. Source: maximum 15-year term. The younger girl testi- — the indictment said he touched his penis to were made after the story ran. Cheboygan Daily Tribune, 11-27-12 fied Moore hugged her to his lap and his hands started “to roam to places of my body that no- the children’s buttocks — when he took the plea. Finkelstein’s behavior was “an open secret Sentenced body should be touching.” The older victim said Parents were upset with the sentence of 60 in the Modern Orthodox world,” the paper said, Richard Williamson, 72, London: Found she felt his aroused state during his hug. days and 3 years’ probation and said they hope but Finkelstein was never publicly questioned in guilty of incitement to hate and fined $2,400 for Another church member, Paul K. Groover, the civil suit will hold Weiss accountable in a 27 years at the school. Source: The Forward, Holocaust denial by a German court. The charge 56, awaits trial on 3 counts of sexual battery. way the criminal justice system did not. Source: 12-20-12 against the British Catholic cleric stemmed from Groover is the son of the church’s bishop, Gen- Albany Times-Union, 12-26-12 a 2008 interview he gave to a Swedish TV chan- Removed / Resigned tle Groover Sr. Moore is the bishop’s son-in-law. Barry Meehan, ordained in the Catholic nel, in which he called the murder of Jews in gas Civil Lawsuits Settled Source: jacksonville.com, 12-21-12 The Catholic Archdiocese of San Antonio, priesthood in 1978, resigned as pastor of St. chambers “lies, lies, lies.” Source: JTA, 1-17-13 Carlton F. Davis, 55, Gary, IN: 4 years’ pro- TX, settled for an undisclosed amount a suit by Timothy’s Church in Warwick, RI, due to a “cred- Darrell Coffman, 31, Terre Haute, IN: 6 bation and 400 hours of community service after a Floresville man who alleged he was 12 when ible” allegation of sexual abuse from more than years’ in-home detention and 2 years’ probation pleading guilty to neglect of a dependent. Davis, Fr. Louis P. White started to molest him in the 25 years ago, the Diocese of Providence an- after pleading guilty to sexual misconduct with a former pastor of New Hope Missionary Baptist late 1970s. White was defrocked in 1989. nounced. Source: NBC 10, 1-14-13 minor. Coffman, youth pastor at Promised Land Church in Gary, admitted he held his 7-month- After White didn’t appear in court for the start Tom Donovan, pastor of St. Aloysius Cath- Apostolic Church, had multiple sexual encoun- old son under scalding water in 2005, causing of a trial, state District Judge Cathleen Stryker olic Church in Springfield, IL, is on voluntary ters with a 15-year-old boy in his youth group. deep burns on his legs, feet, groin and buttocks. issued a $180 million default judgment against leave of absence after he got stuck in a pair Source: WTHI, 1-15-13 Davis, a married father of 4, was fired after him. of handcuffs at the rectory and called 9-1-1 to Brandon J. Carter, 34, Gastonia, NC: 22 allegations he’d fathered children by 2 parishio- The suit accused the archdiocese of cover- get police help. “I’m going to need help getting months in prison after pleading guilty to taking ners, including the scalded boy. ing up White’s alleged abuse of the boy in 1976- out before this becomes a medical emergency,” indecent liberties with a child and kidnapping. Prosecutor Aleksandra Dimitrijevic asked for 77 when he was a pastor at Sacred Heart Cath- Donovan said in the call. Carter was youth and music minister at Mt. Zion prison: “Mr. Davis is not, in the state’s eyes, a olic Church. Source: Express-News, 1-8-13 Police said the priest was wearing an orange Baptist Church in Cherryville, where he was pillar of the community. He’s a fraud.” Source: The Catholic Diocese of Burlington, VT, jumpsuit and a leather bondage mask with a gag asked to resign. Post-Tribune, 12-19-12 settled for an undisclosed amount in a suit by a in his mouth and was cuffed behind his back. The girl was 13 in 2004 when the offense Bradley W. Moss, 38, Hickory, NC: No less California plaintiff who alleged he was molested “Pastor Donovan stated that he put himself in occurred at her home. She was asleep on the than 13 months and no more than 25 months as an altar boy in 1974 by Fr. Edward Paquette this configuration and does this for [sic] time to couch and woke up to Carter fondling her. “One (suspended), 36 months’ probation and sex of- in Rutland. time,” the report said. “He stated this time he put question is burning my mind,” the victim said to fender registration for 30 years and pleading Paquette, Westfield, MA, is defrocked and the handcuffs on with the keyhole up instead of Carter at sentencing. “Why? Why me? Why did guilty to taking indecent liberties with a child. was not named as a defendant. The diocese down, to where he can uncuff himself.” you do it?” He didn’t look at her. Source: Gaston Moss, pastor at Victory Empowerment Center paid $17.6 million in 2010 to settle 26 lawsuits The diocese has been tight-lipped about Gazette, WSOC; 1-9-13 International, admitted communicating inappro- alleging clergy sexual abuse; 19 of them named the matter, saying only that Bishop Thomas Travis Branstetter, 31, Logan, OH: 6 priately with a 13-year-old girl. Paquette as the alleged molester. Source: Free Paprocki granted Donovan’s leave request. months in prison on each of 3 counts of gross Moss, who has 5 children, denied kissing Press, 1-8-13 Spokeswoman Kathie Sass wouldn’t say if he’s sexual imposition to be served concurrently, or touching the victim sexually, but documents staying at a church-affiliated location. Source: $3,000 fine and sex offender registration for said he admitted pining for a certain body part. Legal Developments Illinois Times, 1-4-13 15 years. Branstetter, a Church of the Naza- Ernest Willis, 54, Gilford, NH, sentenced Source: Hickory Record, 12-18-12 Congregation Gemiluth Chassodimas in rene youth pastor, was accused of molesting a to a minimum of 15 years in 2011 for raping a Haley Dossor, 71, Kirton, UK: 22 months in Alexandria, LA, won’t renew a 1-year contract 13-year-old girl from his church about 10 times 15-year-old member of his fundamentalist Bap- prison after pleading guilty to 6 counts of inde- with its spiritual leader Jonathan L. Cohen, while they were on hunting trips. Source: Athens tist church, has appealed his conviction to the cent assault involving 2 boys. One victim was 33. “It just didn’t seem we should continue to Messenger, 1-8-13 state Supreme Court. He alleges statements he 13. employ a spiritual leader who made some mis- Ervin S. Witmer, 51, Owen, WI: 1½ years made to his pastor shouldn’t have been allowed Dossor, a retired, married Anglican priest, representations,” said congregation President in prison after pleading guilty to 2nd-degree at his trial. admitted molesting another boy 15 to 20 times Marilyn Wellan. sexual assault of a child. Witmer was pastor The trial got national attention because Pas- but was not charged for that. Officials at Ziegler School of Rabbinical at Church of the Brethren in Stanley until 2001 tor Chuck Phelps made the pregnant girl apol- Prosecutor Charles Myatt said Dossor ran a Studies in Los Angeles said Cohen completed and is a district manager for Choice Books, He ogize to the congregation before she was sent youth group at St. Mary’s Church in Hadleigh, the program but “was never ordained by our was charged with sexually assaulting a 15-year- to live with a Colorado couple she didn’t know. Suffolk, in the early 1990s, where he was known school.” Source: The Town Talk, 12-17-12 old boy he met online and arranged to meet at Source: AP, 1-15-13 as being “touchy-feely.” Source: BBC, 12-17-12 Eugene B. Lewis Sr., 46, pastor at First Super 8 in Fitchburg. Witmer knew the boy had Child pornography charges against Ru- Curtis Mathews, 51, Hopewell, VA: 10 Church of Christ in Wilkes-Barre, PA, was fired been molested by his uncle, said Circuit Judge dolph C. Bullman, 68, were dropped after a years in prison after pleading guilty to 5 counts in the wake of allegations he and his wife, Amy Rebecca St. John, noting that Witmer revictim- deferred prosecution agreement was approved of using an electronic communication device Lewis, defrauded people financially by falsely ized the boy by claiming he was counseling him by the prosecutor. to facilitate sex with a minor. Prosecutors said claiming she had cancer. and then had a “moment of weakness.” Bullman, pastor at Risen Christ Catholic the pastor of Springfield Baptist Church set up “They say she doesn’t have cancer. We held Witmer’s “About Me” on the church’s web Church in Evergreen, MT, was charged with a fake Facebook account to contact teen girls. A a fundraiser and they think it is bogus,” Eugene site says, “Enjoy living life to the fullest as a felony sexual abuse of children after a hand- girl’s guardian tipped police off. Source: WTVR, Lewis said. follower of Jesus being a husband, father & held game console Nintendo DS he reportedly 12-13-12 One person who bought raffle tickets and grandfather, with many friends.” Source: State sold was found to contain photos of nude boys. Adhyatma A. Amithananda, 57, Durban, made other donations commented that “Noth- Journal, 1-8-13 Detectives then allegedly found more images of SA: Life plus 15 years in prison for 6 counts of ing was adding up. She looked amazingly well.” Lloyd T. Alston, 32, Greensboro, NC: 1 boys on his personal computer. rape, 2 counts of sexual grooming, and creating, Both Lewises have other troubles with the year in prison after pleading guilty to using a The 3-year agreement calls for Bullman to publishing and possessing child pornography. law. He’s charged with leaving the scene of an computer to solicit sex from a former student in get counseling, meet with a spiritual support Amithananda, a Hindu priest, sexually groomed accident after hitting a parked car, and she’s Virginia. After leaving his junior high teaching group, have his computer checked every 6 a 12-year-old girl on Skype by showing her im- charged with falsely obtaining food stamp and job in 2009, Alston used social networking to months, be screened for use of antidepressants ages from the Kama Sutra. medical assistance benefits and failing to re- engage in sexually explicit conversations with and to not be in a position of authority over any The girl had epilepsy with chronic seizures. port income from her work at All About Dance. the girl and asked for nude photos. The girl told person under the age of 18. Source: Daily Inter Amithananda told her the rapes were part of the Source: Times Leader, 12-12-12 her father. healing process. “You cold-bloodedly turned her Lake, 1-7-13 After resigning at the school, he moved to Jack Schaap, 54, Hammond, IN, who plead- into a pliable object from which to derive sex- Email: [email protected] Greensboro. The website of the Greater Des- ed guilty to taking a teen girl from his church Page 18 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin January/February 2013

featured Rick Santorum. The church targeted by residents for their nonreli- State/Church Bulletin donated $5,000 to the campaign gion, the station reported Dec. 26. against legalization. “They said, ‘She is a sinner. She’s going to hell and she’s going to burn Indiana rep pushes of Hutterites to pay workers’ compen- forever,’ ” said Brigit Smith-Clarke, 84, sation insurance for jobs outside the Teacher has bible who started a group called Atheists school Lord’s Prayer colony is not an unconstitutional intru- but no job now Anonymous. Indiana state Sen. Dennis Kruse, sion into religion. It started with 16 members two years R-Auburn, filed a bill which would let The 4-3 decision upholds a 2009 You’ve got to love how this story starts: ago and has grown to nearly 100 se- public schools have students recite the law. The Associated Press reported that “Just moments before the Phillipsburg niors. Smith-Clarke said people are Lord’s Prayer daily. The bill received Montana has about 50 Hutterite colo- [N.J.] Board of Education voted Jan. calling her things such as “anti-Christ” first reading Jan. 9. nies with about 100 members each. 14 to terminate a substitute teacher and “Jew-lover.” She said she was raised SB 251 states that “the govern- Many have expanded into nonfarm who showed a student a bible, a sud- Christian but “is tired of pretending.” ing body of a school corporation or ventures, including construction, and den downpour of rain could be heard “I think it’s a big place and people the equivalent authority of a charter are able to bid lower than private firms hitting the roof of the middle school do all sorts of things,” said activities school may require the recitation of because of their communal living ar- meeting area.” The WFMZ-TV report- coordinator Michelle Chaffee. “It’s not the Lord’s Prayer at the beginning of rangements. er further mused, “Was there some sort typical of what we see here normally.” each school day. The prayer may be of message to be gleaned from this me- Chaffee says it’s the A-word that is recited by a teacher, a student, or the teorological event?” the problem. “That has turned a lot of class of students.” Silence substituted The board had just unanimously people off.” It further states, “If the governing for ‘offensive’ prayer approved, with abstentions from three body or equivalent authority requires new members, Superintendent George the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer un- Boyle County’s Fiscal Court in Dan- Chando’s recommendation to termi- U.S. House proclaims der subsection (a), the governing body ville, Ky., has voted to stop starting its nate substitute teacher Walter Tutka Darwin Day or equivalent authority shall deter- meetings with prayers. Instead of a three months after he was removed mine the version of the Lord’s Prayer prayer on Jan. 22, there was a moment from teaching. Last fall he is alleged U.S. Rep. Rush Holt, D-N.J., intro- that will be recited in the school corpo- of silence. to have told a middle school student, duced H.Res. 41 declaring Feb. 12 as ration or charter school.” Harold McKinney, judge executive, who was last in line to leave class, that Darwin Day in recognition of “the im- The bill lets students or “the stu- said he received a camplaint from a “the last will be first, and the first will portance of science in the betterment dent’s parent” choose to not partici- person who found the prayer offensive. be last” and showed him the passage in of humanity.” pate. “After I looked at it, thought about it, his personal bible. Holt, who has a doctorate in phys- The South Bend Tribune in a Jan. the way to do this is to say we’re not The board wouldn’t disclose the ics, introduced the resolution to honor 11 editoral called the bill a bad idea going to impose Protestant prayer on reason for removing Tutka from the Charles Darwin’s 204th birthday: and urged Gov. Mike Pence to veto it those who may not believe in that way,” substitute list for the rest of the year. “Whereas Charles Darwin’s theory if the Legislature passes it, predicting McKinney told WTVQ in Lexington. of evolution by the mechanism of natu- that “long years of legal challenges The board was also concerned Neighbors target ral selection, together with the monu- would certainly drain the state treasury about legal costs if they kept praying. skeptics in senior living mental amount of scientific evidence and end in defeat” if it became law. he compiled to support it, provides hu- Louisiana board deals Some seniors living at La Costa Glen manity with a logical and intellectually Domino’s founder: retirement community in Carlsbad, compelling explanation for the diver- blow to creationism Calif., told KERO News they’re being sity of life on Earth. . .” Birth control ‘immoral’ The Orleans Parish School Board Tom Monaghan, devout Catho- in New Orleans voted unanimously lic and founder of Domino’s Pizza, is Dec. 18 in favor of two policy amend- Marquee Madness suing the federal government over ments proposed by outgoing president mandatory contraception coverage in Thomas Robichaux. the new health care law. Monaghan One amendment added “zero toler- called contraception a “gravely im- ance” to the parish’s “bullying, intimi- moral” practice, according to the suit, dation, harassment and hazing” policy. in which he and Domino’s Farms, Ann The other addressed concerns about Arbor, Mich., are plaintiffs. mention of creationism, intelligent According to a Dec. 15 post on design and “revisionist history” in text- Domino’s Facebook page, Monaghan books. sold the company in 1998: “His views The textbook selection update are not our views, nor are his actions in said: “No history textbook shall be ap- any way related to our actions.” proved which has been adjusted in ac- A Wikipedia entry says Bain Capi- cordance with the State of Texas revi- tal bought Domino’s in 1998, netting sionist guidelines nor shall any science Monaghan about $1 billion, before it textbook be approved which presents went public in 2004. creationism or intelligent design as sci- ence or scientific theories.” It also applies to teachers: “No Egyptian atheist gets teacher of any discipline of science three-year sentence shall teach any aspect of religious faith as science or in a science class. No A Cairo court sentenced atheist Al- teacher of any discipline of science Obviously! ber Saber, 27, to three years in prison shall teach creationism or intelligent Deb and Paul Lindsey comment on this scene in Marathon, Fla., “Full of nuts? Dec. 12 for blasphemy and contempt design in classes designated as science Really? No kidding!” for religion. Alber was accused of post- classes.” ing clips online of the short film “In- nocence of Muslims,” which sparked violent and deadly protests throughout Wash. pastor prays the Middle East. against gay marriage “This is an outrageous verdict and sentence for a person whose only Washington state’s opening legis- ‘crime’ was to post his opinions on- lative session in Olympia got off to a line,” Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui of Am- rocky start Jan. 14, reported the Seattle nesty International told The Associ- Times. ated Press. In his invocation, Rev. Jon Sanné Saber, while awaiting trial, was at- prayed for the strengthening of mar- tacked by other prisoners while guards riage “as You ordained it for our good allegedly looked the other way. He’s and Your glory.” appealing the sentence. “Egypt is a reli- “Completely inappropriate,” said gious state,” he said. “If you disobey the Sen. Kevin Ranker, D-Orcas Island. norms, you get judged and sentenced.” “Regrettable,” said Seattle Sen. Ed Murray, the Democratic leader. They said all pastors are told in advance to Montana high court keep prayers nondenominational and Mixed message rules against Hutterites nonpolitical. Ellen Lewis took this photo in Minnesota in summer 2011. “The message Sanné, pastor of Calvary Chapel, might just cause any reasonable, thinking Christian (is there such person?) to The Montana Supreme Court ruled hosted a rally at the church against reconsider and question their faith. For this atheist, it reaffirms my nonbelief Dec. 31 that forcing the Big Sky Colony marriage equality in September wich with an exclamation point.” January/February 2013 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 19 Make it Great, not Good, Friday!

In Memoriam

Michael Deanhardt, 1936–2012

years called “the most prayed for man in Anderson” due to his ongoing cam- By Gary McIntyre On March 29, paign to get local government boards the day known to stop praying at their meetings. He as Good Friday was also a committed activist on be- to Christians, half of civil rights, abortion rights, la- It’s encouraging to see our secu- public attention, bor rights and separation of state and lar movement growing and gaining popular discus- church. strength. We are meeting, networking, sion, social prac- The Anderson Independent Mail in organizing, participating and prolifer- tices and media a profile mentioned “the faded bum- ating. coverage world- per sticker on his pickup read: ‘When As our numbers increase, so does wide will focus the rapture comes, can I have your membership in the growing number on the Christian truck?’ ” of secular organizations. We are receiv- myth — Jesus dying on the cross, then In a 2008 column in that paper, ing national and international media rising from the dead to save human- Deanhardt wrote: “We are not willing attention, with the important message kind from sin. Most of us don’t get this to cede the moral high ground to the of reality-based alternatives to lives and at all, but what an opportune time for fundamentalists of the religious and minds dimmed and shackled by the in- nontheists and secularists to plan, or- political right who are using the lan- fluences of religion and its myths and ganize and publicize a nationwide, or guage of faith, religion and politics to superstitions. even worldwide, effort to encourage advance a narrow-minded, mean-spirit- Each day, friends, neighbors and fel- those of like mind to “come out” en ed agenda, which is built on what we low citizens who share our worldview masse. Michael Christopher Deanhardt, consider to be immoral values of intol- are standing up, speaking out and ac- We can create a back story now to 76, Anderson, S.C., died Dec. 19, 2012, erance, exclusion, division, discrimina- cepting their role in what may be the next year’s Good Friday, one which en- at the Rainey Hospice House. tion and repression.” most important and consequential courages public discussion, facilitates He was born Oct. 7, 1936 in An- He is survived by his wife of 55 years, social change in the history of human- conversations and provides nontheists derson to Melvin and Ellen (Wilson) Anita Story Deanhardt, five children, kind. It is the evolution and transition with the opportunity and moment to Deanhardt and worked as a self-em- nine grandchildren, five great-grand- from a world of mythological beliefs openly join us in this most important ployed mason. children, two brothers and two sisters. and practices toward lives, societies of social change movements. Deanhardt, a longtime FFRF mem- FFRF offers its sincerest condolenc- and nations founded upon science, Good Friday? No, it will be a Great ber and man of good humor, was for es to Michael’s family. facts and reason. Friday! We can own this. Great Friday Many of us seem to lack the perceived can become our annual, purposeful, freedom, social support or opportunity secular response and alternative to yet James Schiller, 1937–2012 to make our freethought known to oth- another religious holiday. ers. Yet, freethinkers today are much We have the message. We have the James Joseph Schiller, Denver, died manists of Colorado and the Freedom like those minority groups which have resources. We have this opportunity. Dec. 6, 2012. He was born in in 1937 in From Religion Foundation. “FFRF was gone before us to proudly proclaim St. Louis, Mo. very important to James and remains their identity, become recognized and Gary McIntyre, a Kentucky resident most He attended New York University, very important to Susan,” notes Tim ultimately accepted as equals in the po- of his life, was “saved” while growing up where he met his wife, Susan. They Bailey, Humanists of Colorado presi- litical process and to claim their right- Baptist. He started to question religion in lived in New York while he attended dent and FFRF member. ful place in society. college and remembers giving a Speech 101 the New School for Social Research, A humanist celebration of life me- Nothing is more important to our presentation on “something you feel strongly where he obtained his master’s degree. morial is being planned for March and future success than for nontheists about.” It was titled “Why I Am Not a Chris­ He earned a post-master’s at Johns will be announced. Condolences can to “come out” to their families and tian” and drew mostly negatives reactions. Hopkins University. be mailed to Humanists of Colorado, friends, their coworkers and commu- He considered himself an agnostic much His first teaching position was in Box 461112, Glendale, CO 80246, or nities. One has to wonder, for each of his adult life but now says atheist and hu­ Atlanta. James and Susan lived in Bal- emailed to humanistsofcolorado@mind­ one of us who is openly nontheist, manist more accurately describes his world­ timore for 23 years and then in the spring.com. how many of our family members and view. Gary joined FFRF in the mid-1980s Denver area for 22 years. Their daugh- In lieu of flowers, donations can be friends secretly share our rejection of after seeing Dan Barker on a television ter, Julia, and grandson, Nicolas, live in made to FFRF, Box 750, Madison, WI religion and dogma? morning show. New Zealand, which was a favorite va- 53701. cation destination for James and Susan FFRF’s sincerest condolences go out for many years. to the Schiller family. James was a member of the Hu- Ann E. Zindler, 1935–2012 ‘Do good on Good Friday’ Ann Elizabeth Zindler, 77, Colum- 1983. Ann became the principal artist bus, Ohio, died of metastatic breast and art and layout editor for Ameri- In the spirit of 19th century free- truly good day, if all freethinkers in the cancer at her home after a heroic bat- can Atheist Press. She devoted her thinker Robert Green Ingersoll, who country would be visibly helping.” tle of more than four years’ duration. life to the advancement of reason and wrote, “Hands that help are better far FFRF overturned a statute making Ann Hunt was born Feb. 25, 1935, in with her husband, Frank, labored to than lips that pray,” FFRF annually Good Friday a state holiday in Wiscon- Ann Arbor, Mich. She studied art and guard the wall of separation between challenges freethinkers to set an ex- sin. But in all too many regions, there biology at Eastern Michigan University. state and church. She was a member ample for religionists by ‘doing good are still government-fostered holidays She managed a women’s dormitory at of Planned Parenthood and NARAL, on Good Friday.’ for Good Friday. FFRF encourages you the University of Michigan before mov- Zero Population Growth, the Audubon The annual challenge was inau- to take advantage to donate blood, do- ing in 1967 after her marriage in 1964 Society and American Atheists. gurated in the early 1990s by Pat nate a free afternoon to the needy or to New York, where she worked as a Survivors include her husband of Cleveland, a founder of the Alabama other worthy causes. glasswright known for her acid-etched 48 years, Frank, an FFRF member; a Freethought Society, FFRF’s longest- You may want to advertise your stained glass creations. daughter, Catherine; and three grand- running existing chapter. “good deeds” on FFRF’s online mem- She served as joint director of the children; all of Columbus. “It’s not that freethinkers aren’t bers-only forum or on our Facebook Central Ohio Chapter of American FFRF offers its sincerest condolenc- good every day,” says active volunteer page. Atheists after moving to Columbus in es to the Zindler family. Pat. “But this will be a way to make it a Page 20 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin January/February 2013

Letterbox

3 troublesome themes result, and it is the First Amendment permeate crank mail which the local opposition denigrates when it dismisses the result as some In reading the November crank sort of bizarre misapplication of jus- mail, three principal themes seemed tice. to permeate almost all the letters. First, After a church-state violation is rem- no argument is made and no evidence edied, these communities have an op- given to support religious belief; in portunity (and in this country of laws, fact, no letter even addressed the ques- a civic duty) to turn the resolution of tion of how truth is to be determined. a contentious dispute into a learning Second, the main thrust of letters is moment for the citizens who must live that “this is the way we’ve always done by these laws. They would do well to try things around here,” with no mention to heal the rift caused by the conflict of reason or moral value. This is the and to remind the citizenry of the very Pulpit politickin’ same line that was offered in defense American values embodied in our First Amy Frakes spotted this church marquee in Cynthiana, Ky. of segregation (recall “our Southern Amendment. way of life”), and is descended from Instead, to their enduring shame, Member pin you sent really caught me for Mormon Bishop Mitt Romney to the defense of slavery. these strident individuals, immune to by surprise. I do appreciate that badge excommunicate a woman after she al- Third, many contain either implicit the notion that they might not speak of honesty and will wear it proudly. ready left the Mormon Church. or explicit threats of physical violence for God, and oblivious to how un- Now that you have quite a project at She could not just leave the church; against anyone who might venture into American their intolerance is, follow hand, I shook the piggy bank energeti- she had to be punished. By excommu- this supposedly religious territory. This their loss by doubling down on their cally and, lo and behold, a few dollars nicating her even after she left means reinforces the age-old relationship be- spiteful and vitriolic demonization of fell out. Best wishes to all of you in your all of her Mormon family and friends tween religion and power: those who outsiders. commendable pursuits. can have nothing more to do with her. win the battles or wars proclaim that a To FFRF members in such commu- Tom Johnson It is like putting her in isolation. deity assisted them, which, by twisted nities, I say: Please don’t let the petu- Colorado Baptizing his long-dead atheist logic, is sufficient to establish the real- lant provincialism of uneducable bul- father-in-law is weird. Mormons are ity of their deity. lies resonate throughout the region as Religions are waging taught they are to have as many chil- David Bushler a final declaration of local intolerance dren as they can because they are to New York and xenophobia. Let your voice, not war on nonbelievers take over the world. Do you think they • • • theirs, be the last one heard on the Religious leaders complain of “the will pass the Catholics one day? The latest issue was another winner, opinion pages. war on religion” whenever they can’t They are not allowed to drink alco- but aren’t they all? I love the crank And if a school in involved, urge bully others into giving them what they hol or coffee. Maybe they can hook up mail which you so boldly reprint show- them to invite credentialed speakers to want, even at the cost to everyone else’s with the Muslims who are taught alco- ing these incredibly ignorant people a school assembly after the dispute is civil and human rights. Let’s not for- hol and dogs are unclean. And so it for what they clearly are. If they rep- over so that the spirit and function of get that religions started the “war” in goes, on and on. resent religion, I’ve made an excellent the First Amendment might be better the first place. Irene Stephenson, Life Member choice. understood and respected by thinking All’s fair in religious wars, and the California Don Blair people. ends justify the means, to advance the Florida Fred Shortz, Life Member kingdom of God. Whenever blind faith Zealots marred Connecticut trumps reason and evidence, there Calif. retirees donate are consequences. The costs can be so internship at Okla. God either heartless high that we must not allow them to be water board 2012 surplus to FFRF unchallenged. We are a group of elderly people or imaginary figure The addiction to and respect for re- I was very interested to read in the (average age 75) who believe that reli- I am happy to learn that FFRF’s ligions is disrupting education, critical October Freethought Today about gion is, on balance, not good for chil- building expansion can go forward. thinking, rational discourse, our legal prayers that were stopped at the Okla- dren and other human beings. We live Two years ago I gave $500 for the ex- system and human rights. Its intransi- homa Water Resources Board, where I in Rossmoor, Calif., a retirement com- pansion. Here is another $500. I’d give gence is blocking progress. worked for two years in the late 1990s, munity of 9,000 people. Our group has more if I could. The work you do to Carl Scheiman, Lifetime Member It was almost more like working for a 98 active members, and our email list keep religion out of government is so Maine church than for a scientific agency! has 186 names of other “interested” important. It was very common when we were people. I have been an atheist most of my Thank you for traveling for my boss to grab my hands At the end of each year we donate life. Even if there were a God, what before a meal and say grace. People whatever is left in our treasury, after good is “He or She” to just ignore all the best issue ever there referred to each other as “broth- expenses, to an atheist cause. Some of this awful stuff going on like the school I have been getting Freethought To- ers in Christ,” and there was no escape our members already belong to FFRF. shootings? Surely, He’d do something day for several years but find this last is- from the relentless torrent of religious At our last meeting, we voted to con- if He were real. Need no Ph.D to see sue the best ever. As a member of a mi- piety that surrounded me. Since I was tribute $300 (check enclosed) to FFRF that. nority (an atheist in the South), I often an intern hoping for a permanent job, to recognize what you are doing to free Charles Saxton feel overwhelmed and downtrodden, I wasn’t in a position to say anything American minds from the fog of reli- Arkansas but getting your publication always re- (the job was never forthcoming; I dis- gion. news my spirit, vigor and conviction. covered they did not give permanent Please accept our congratulations Wondering about I was particularly inspired by the ar- jobs to people with two X chromo- on your good work. We hope next ticle written by student activist Shawna somes, but that’s a whole other story). year’s contribution will be larger. future of our species Scott and continue to marvel at the I learned a lot during that intern- Richard Golden ’Tis the season for Reason’s Greet- strength of Jessica Ahlquist, whom I ship. I was very much an accommoda- California ings again, and for another modest do- had the pleasure of meeting at your tionist when I arrived there, but not nation to your most worthy cause, that convention in Hartford, Conn. by the time I left. I wish I had known Life Member proud of intelligence and sanity. Someday, I I got a kick out of Dan Barker’s ar- about you when I was trapped in my hope to be able to offer you more, such ticle about Christians “stealing” Christ- boss’s office listening to a long, gory, to lend a hand as $666, ho ho ho. mas. It’s so amusing that Christians are graphic description of “The Left Be- Enclosed please find the fourth and It’s hard to believe the tiresome re- so convinced they’ve got it right, the hind” series. Watching this mild-man- final payment for my Life Member- ligious bigotry and ignorance reported little thieves! The crank mail always nered, kind man working himself into ship. I am so happy and proud to be in each issue of Freethought Today tickles me. By the last one, I’m usually a froth of delight over the tortures that able to complete this membership and and to tell if we’re making much head- in tears of laughter from the idiocy of awaited many of his neighbors and help with your very important work. way from year to year. Is there any fu- the brainwashed bigots who are so con- friends was a real awakening for me. A. Joanne Siegla ture for a species that, despite having a vinced they have all the answers. What Listening to another friend, a man Ohio complex brain, feels the need to invent fun! with a master’s degree in zoology, de- an imaginary being and then lives in You’re always a welcome shot in the scribe the reality of demonic possession ‘Outsiders’ force locals fear of being punished and eventually arm! horrified me. But the worst moment sacrificed by its own delusional inven- Jack M. Reed came when I heard a man I considered to obey the law tion? North Carolina a friend inform me that, yes, if God I am so disappointed by stories Judy Loewen told him to kill me, he would have to about unenlightened and unrepen- Alberta, Canada Maybe Mormons, kill me, because killing was moral and tant local officials who complain about good when God ordered it. At the those “outsiders” (FFRF) who “force” Shaking the piggy Muslims should merge? time, my life was in his hands as I rid- the community to end some local vio- In his acceptance speech for the Em- ing in a truck he was driving. lation. Of course, it’s the First Amend- bank for worthy causes peror Has No Clothes award [Nov12], I am glad that you have managed to ment (not FFRF) which “forces” the The solstice card and Lifetime Richard Dawkins said it made no sense put a stop to the illegal prayers at the January/February 2013 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 21

OWRB. I just wish I thought it would good comes from blind faith. humanist on the roster of speakers but protected by the church hierachy de- bring more comfort to those individu- It took us several months to make also hoping to hear President Obama spite the fact he molested an estimated als who have taken my place as the ones the decision to donate to your funds. speak. There was none and he did not. 200 boys over 20 years. hiding under their desks (figuratively) We were not sure that some of the bat- But when Rev. Adam Hamilton, a Murphy was never defrocked and to avoid sparking a religious incident tles being fought were necessary. But it United Methodist pastor from Kansas, was buried in his priestly vestments af- that could become unstable and dan- has become apparent that a line must said, “. . . one nation, indivisible, with ter showing no remorse. Incredibly, he gerous. be drawn in the sand for the welfare of liberty and justice for all,” I was amazed. justified his crimes as “curing” his vic- Robin Buckallew the whole human race. If the vast ma- He was not reciting the pledge, but he tims of homosexual tendencies. Nebraska jority of people’s belief systems teach was clearly making a point. Cardinal Josef Ratzinger (now Pope them to live in a fantasy world, real This was only one day after Myrlie Benedict XVI)) is revealed as long Realizing ‘no good world problems can’t be addressed, Evers-Williams, in her layman’s invo- complicit in the cover-up. His fury at which in turn breeds ignorance, intol- cation at the inauguration itself, said, reporters questioning him about his comes from blind faith’ erance, hate and apathy. “We now stand beneath the shadow protection of a sex abuser and mor- This last year has been an awaken- If the very best that we can do is keep of the nation’s Capitol, whose golden phine addict cardinal is telling. His ing for my husband and me. Through them from usurping our freedoms, we dome reflects the unity and democracy predecessor, John Paul II, and the Vati- much reading, struggling and arguing must fight hard and meet them with re- of one nation, indivisible, with liberty can as a whole, come across as no bet- at times among ourselves, we finally re- sistance at every battle line. and justice for all.” ter. William Donohue of the Catholic alized what we knew all along: Religion Darla Horn So that’s two Christian heroes in the League is exposed as a liar and apolo- is for people who do not wish to think. New York space of two days, each willing to risk gist. Although this was a relief at first, the P.S. My husband insisted on sending the wrath of the righteous. In a shocking scene, one of Mur- reality began to set in, as so many oth- $104 because that’s $2 for every week Sigrid R-P Smith phy’s victims tells how a nun tricked ers have vocalized. in the year. I think this is left over from Connecticut him into signing a settlement docu- As time passed, more education and his church tithing days. By the way, our ment in which he stated he had sinned awareness began to open our eyes and only other donations are to the Red Clergy abuse against the Milwaukee Archdioscese the picture became uglier to the point Cross, SPCA and Get the Money Out for bringing the allegations to light. of being grotesque. It is now difficult (getmoneyout.com/), a secular group documentary exposes Most of the people in the film are to not make the connection between dedicated to getting money out of poli- corruption Catholics, including clergy repulsed religion and the difficulties we see ev- tics. by the cover-up but stonewalled when erywhere. What once seemed harmless The documentary “Mea Maxima they tried to stop the abuse. now has become foul and is polluting Refreshing in D.C: Culpa” is an extraordinary film that Parts of the film are hard to take, everything it touches. exposes the moral bankruptcy of the but it’s worth the discomfort. It should One of our arguments: I would say, Nation not under God Catholic Church in covering up sex be shown at every freethought conven- “No, it matters what people believe, I’m a Lifetime Member of FFRF as is abuse of children by clergy over the tion. and it’s not fine with me when they my husband. Although I was born and centuries. Subtitled “Silence in the Dennis Middlebrooks believe lies.” That seemed narrow- raised as an atheist, I listened to the House of God,” it focuses on the hor- New York minded to him (and sometimes even prayer service at the National Cathe- rific abuse of deaf children in Wiscon- to me), but I am certain now that no dral in Washington, hoping to find a sin by Fr. Lawrence Murphy, who was Sharing the Crank Mail Jesus said to ‘kiss his ass’

Below, a representative sampling of re- a bad place THEN GET THE FUCK OUT cent emails from “loving Christians,” usually in ASSHOLES and leave high school kids out response to news coverage of FFRF’s state/ of it! GET A LIFE AND LEAVE THE REST OF church work. Grammmar and spelling are un- US ALONE!!! TAKE YOUR UNHAPPINESS corrected. Warning: Some language and sug- SOMEWHERE ELSE AND STOP TRYING TO gestions are X-rated. WRECK EVERYTHING THAT IS GOOD AND WHIOLESOME IN THIS GREAT COUNTRY! — Jackson Middle School: LEAVE THE Geoff Ackley, Hartland, Wis. SCHOOL ALONE OR YOU CAN JUST PLAIN LEAVE THE COUNTRY!! GOD BLESS AMER- read this: do everyone a favor and just kill ICA you are not American. — Laura Chastain, yourselves . Would be no great loss to anyone . Riviera Beach, Fla. you are a bunch of self-centered narrow-mind- ed assholes that force your beliefs on everyone Jesus: Jesus said to kiss his ass!!! And burn else . who gives a fuck what you think — Joe in hell!! — C.R., Hickory, N.C. Public, Texas Mixed message “Glory to the newborn King” was the message on the front of this card from Your the reason: Your group is one of the Who cares: u people have got to be the big- Farwell, Mich. rason United States Of America is in the moral gest bunch of fucking losers that I have ever decay that is is!!! You take the foundation that encountered. There are no negative effects of we were founded on out of my Country! Take a society that has a moral religious base. Go to Stay out of our schools business: YOU your leftest lawsuits and go hug your bulshivik a gov’t funded housing project and you will see AITHEST LIBERALS ARE THE REASON WHY president! — “Michigan” lazy immoral bums that today’s society thinks it THE SHOOTING AT BOTH SANDY HOOK is fair to takeuchi money to support these lazy ELMENTERY AND COLUMBINE HAPPENED Communists: Yes,you all are a pawn of the bums. It would be my guess that you and your AND IF YOU KEEP IT UP WITY WANTING TO Communists and the Socialist Obama adminis- kind support an incompetent idiot lik — James TAKE CHRIST OUT OF SCHOOLS AND EV- tration. — Guy Melton, Okla. Eck ERYTHING ELSE YOU ALL ARE GOING TO BE CONDAMNED TO AN ETERNITY IN HELL Really?: You people are all a bunch of fuck off: you fucking people need to mind WITH THE DIEVL YE GENERATION OF VI- a$$holes, and are exactly what is wrong with your own fucking back yard not any one elces PERS! — Colin Stanley this country. Hope you all end up in hell, like the i have photos of you people defacing others rest of the heathens. — Mike Dufala, Easley, property and im sending them to world news — Jackson county ohio: Stay out of jackson S.C. “Shit Head” county with your anti Christian views. We don’t respect you. And I don’t know one person in this A Disgusting Bunch of Bastards: May- Information: You do realize you work for Sa- county that has any use for you or your opin- be the time has come for the country to have tan right? You think you are a free thinker, but ions. God bless you and have a nice day. — Freedom from you “Freedom From Religion” he has you right where he wants you. Repent, Carl Detty, Oak Hill, Ohio bunch of warped bastards. — David Marcontell, before it’s too late. — Brian Jones Midlothian, Texas Jackson Ohio: Keep your nose out of our Nativity Scene Athens,Tx: Why don’t you schools leave up the picture of Jesus. If we Happy Solstice: MERRY CHRISTMAS AND keep your Yankee bullshit outta TEXAS. No- had more pictures of him in schools maybe we GOD BLESS....YOU WORTHLESS MOTHER- body here gives a damn about what you think. would have less shootings in schools. How dare Just like Obama? FUCKERS!!!!! — Ryan Ragsdale you but in. “Jesus is the reason for the season!” exclaims Jeanette Jones from parts Jackson, Ohio: I am going to start off by From Seattle: Merry Christmas pinheads. hell: hope you have fun in hell my granny is unknown. the devil and she is gonna make you pay for not saying this organization needs to stay out of Merry CHRISTmas: Your group is useless. minding your own damn business if you don’t Southern Ohio, especially schools. So mind — Erik Czarnik like it don’t go around it what the hell if I want your own damn business, which should be at Religion: If a picture of Jesus bothers your to go to the capitol and see the ten command- the very least in Wisconsin not all the way down group so much, then don’t go where it is. I think rights: you crackpots make me sick the U S ments you are violating my civil rights because I here in Southern Ohio. — Eric Castle, Ohio that is what is wrong with our younger genera- constitution says freedom OF religion not from cant and will sue your ass in court so its a never tions today, some idiots, like your group don’t religion.I find you crackpots very offencive so ending battle hurry up and die so the us na- Staying out of Ohio: TO WHOM IT CON- have anything better to do than remove GOD GORW UP — Rick Marsh, Kan. tive americans can have our land back and our CERNS, YOU ARE A WISCONSIN BASED, from the classrooms. — Anna Brown, South rights. — Steven Flowers NOT FOR PROFIT(BUT GETTING MY TAX Shore, Ky. worthless: your group is as unAmerican DOLLARS)BUSINESS. IF YOU DO NOT AP- as you can get and bent on the destruction of freedom from religion: You now have your- PROVE OF A PICTURE OF MY SAVIOR, I Hipocrits: Not having a picture of Christ is America. Do you remember One Nation Under selves to blame for what happened in Connecti- HAVE AN IDEA,KEEP YOUR ASSES IN WIS- an illegal endorsement of atheism. I want sepa- God, if you don’t like it GET OUT. cut.....you want more freedom from religion, CONSIN AND DON’T WORRY ABOUT WHAT ration of your church from my state. Such Hyp- or freedom from God I should say? You are to WE ARE DOING IN OHIO! — Bobby McKenzie, ocrits — Spencer Mason, Salt Lake City, Utah Chambersburg Glee Club: If this is such blame. — David Hess Ohio Page 22 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin January/February 2013

Despite being called “spoilsports” by a local resident, members of FFRF’s Metropolitan Chicago Chapter say that posting the banner in North School Park in Arlington Heights went without a hitch. Front, from left, are Bob Elmore, Bob Hunter, Liz Calato, Kathi Wise, Dan Hamilton, (back) Fred Dix, Steve Foulkes, Brian McCaskill, Tom Cara, Rich Pope and Chris Calato.

Thanks to Board member Darrell Barker, FFRF’s Winter Solstice banner was erected for a second year to counter a large nativity display outside the Washington Capitol in Olympia. Barker applied for and received a permit to keep the display up until the end of the year. Religion “hardens hearts and enslaves minds” declared FFRF on its banner challenging a nativity scene on government property near City Hall in Prineville, Ore. Local supporter Sarah Fierbaugh erected the banner on behalf of FFRF and its Oregon members. FFRF’s December battle of the banner

Three volunteers helped post FFRF’s solstice sign on Boston Common in Boston on Dec. 17. Zachary Bos (left), Gabriel McDonald and Ellery Schempp, Lifetime Member and Supreme Court victor, did the honors. Unfortunately, the banner was stolen a few days later. “Mary Dyer was hanged on Boston Common in 1660 for daring to preach tenets of the Quaker religion, and some residents perpetuate that tradition of intolerance by carrying off our Boston Common banner,” said FFRF Co-President Dan Barker.

Victory! The city council in Cheboygan, Mich., moved a nativity display from public property instead of giving FFRF equal time during the winter holiday season. Rather than let FFRF’s “Let Reason Prevail” banner stand in a public park with the Kiwanis Club’s nativity scene, the council voted Dec. 18 to ban all displays in Washington Park — except for FFRF received a permit from the city of Manassas, Va., for its “Let Reason secular displays by the Chamber of Commerce and the Opera House. Prevail” banner to counter a nativity scene. It was placed by a local supporter City Attorney Stephen Lindsay warned the council about denying FFRF’s on Dec. 19 in Nelson Park next to a crèche. A report was filed with police Dec. request if it permitted the nativity and facing potential litigation which 29 after the banner was stolen. Zip ties attached to the posts were all that were “the city cannot win.” left. January/February 2013 Madison, Wisconsin Freethought Today Page 23

From left: Sean Cunningam, Shelly Colanduno, Matt Newcomb and Jason Shainline. “Keep Saturn in Saturnalia” is the 19-foot message the Freedom From Religion Foundation would have liked to share with Pitman, N.J., residents this holiday season, but the group was stonewalled by borough officials. The state/ church watchdog was unable to obtain a permit, even though the Knights of Columbus was allowed to reinstall its “Keep Christ in Christmas” display on public property without a permit.

Justin Vacula, a graduate student, FFRF member and student essay honorable mention awardee, coordinated the placement of a solstice sign in Public Square in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Shortly after a city worker placed FFRF’s banner, an identified man brazenly and in front of TV cameras cut the cords. Vacula immediately filed a police report. After he and FFRF repeatedly protested police and city inaction, Vacula was told by an officer that the vandal would be charged with disorderly conduct and criminal mischief. A police report verified the charges. The photo at right shows how FFRF’s banner was left dangling for 3 weeks before the city reattached it.

A thief or thieves in Warren, Mich., stole this solstice banner several days after FFRF placed its solstice banner in City Park in Streator, Ill. Last holiday season, it was placed on public property. It was vandalized the day after it was put FFRF Staff Attorney Patrick Elliott protested the crèche being on public up, when one of the steel fence posts it was attached to was removed. FFRF property. Locals took issue with the nativity itself and the blatantly Christian members Gary Fromm (left), Howard Flake, Douglas Marshall and Bruce sign next to the display that read, “Unto you is born the Savior Jesus Christ the Kopetz installed the banner before its theft. FFRF warmly thanks Douglas Lord.” Marshall for all his hard work. Page 24 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin January/February 2013 FFRF protests ‘Jackson Jesus’ in public school Continued from front page “And it’s good to see that there are still people in our community that are “tense” and heated meeting, with par- willing to stand up and speak out for ents booing those who opposed the Christ,” he told a reporter. painting’s presence, and cheering and The devotional painting in ques- applauding the board’s decision. tion, formally titled “Head of Christ,” “It is still violating the United States was painted by Warner Sallman in Constitution and must be removed 1941. According to the Sallman official immediately,” said a parent, who was website, the painting has been repro- loudly booed. duced more than 500 million times. Since FFRF wrote its letter, the The Gospel Trumpet County, later FFRF Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel had his “nonbaptism by fire” Jan. 18 ACLU of Ohio has joined the fight. Warner Press, became the principal on “The O’Reilly Factor,” speaking in opposition to religion’s inclusion ACLU litigation coordinator Drew distributor of the painting and other in the presidential inauguration. Although you would never know it from Dennis said: “The fact that this portrait Sallman images. Andrew’s expert appearance, this was his first-ever TV interview. has been hanging for many years does Sallman also painted popular im- not change the fact that it promotes ages titled “Christ at Heart’s Door,” one set of religious beliefs at the ex- “Christ in Gethsemane” and “The Lord Factoring in the Constitution pense of all others. Public school dis- is My Shepherd.” He enrolled in bible plays that advance one particular reli- school and was encouraged to paint gious tradition are neither welcoming, by a dean who said, “Sometime I hope nor inclusive for those who may have you give us your conception of Christ. So help me Zeus! – other beliefs.” And I hope it’s a manly one. Most of The “Jackson Jesus” painting is the our pictures today are too effeminate.” focal point, segregated by itself, of a so- Sallman said about his work, “I give called “Hall of Honor” at the school. It God the glory for whatever has been O’Reilly v. FFRF reportedly was given to the school in accomplished by my efforts to bring 1947. joy and happinss to people throughout “I’m certainly not going to run the world.” Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel, carrying on a long FFRF tradition of pro- down there and take the picture down Dan Barker, FFRF co-president and testing the use of the bible and an oath to God at presidential swearings- because some group from Madison, a former evangelical minister, is famil- in, sent an appeal to President Barack Obama immediately after he was Wis., who knows nothing about the iar with the painting, having encoun- reelected, asking him to “go by the book” (the Constitution, not the bible). culture of our community or why the tered it himself in countless Christian FFRF has asked every president since its founding, starting with Jimmy picture is even there, wants me to take churches. “It boggles the mind that Carter, to eschew the bible and “So help you God” at presidential inaugura- it down,” Howard told WKKJ. in 2013, a public school superinten- tions. The U.S. Constitution, in Article II, Section 1, Clause 8, specifies: A Christian-right group based in dent and school board would not un- “Before he enters on the execution of his office he shall take the follow- Texas known as the Liberty Institute derstand that a devotional painting ing oath or affirmation: ‘I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully announced Jan. 11 that it had been of Jesus, called ‘The Head of Christ,’ execute the office of president of the United States, and will to the best “retained” by Jackson City Schools as — identical to millions hanging in of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United legal counsel. A Facebook group was churches and Sunday school class- States.’ ” started to support the school board’s rooms around the country — may not Missing from those instructions is any reference to the bible or God. In position, garnering more than 11,000 be part of a ‘Hall of Honor’ or be post- response to Andrew’s letter, Fox TV invited him to debate archconservative “likes” by Jan. 7. ed at the entrance of a middle school.” pundit Bill O’Reilly. Andrew clearly won, but you be the judge by viewing it Joe Hensler, who started the Face- (Further developments in what will at bit.ly/VkzMcl. book page, dubbed himself president be an ongoing story will be reported in Andrew said (amid numerous interruptions by the host) in response to of Citizens of Jackson County for Jesus. the March Freethought Today.) O’Reilly’s claim that the “overwhelming majority” of Americans want the bible in the inauguration: “That’s actually not accurate. The Freedom From Religion Foundation’s membership has exploded over the past five years. We have 19,000 members now; 19% of this country now consider themselves nonreligious; 35% of this country under the age of 30 consider themselves nonreligious. The demographics are shifting.” He also pointed out that the will of the majority is irrelevant and the bible is barbaric: “The Bill of Rights exists to protect the minority from the tyranny of the majority. We are a nation of laws and neither our laws nor our morality are founded upon the bible. Religion gets its morality from us, not the other way around. . . . The bible exhibits a Bronze Age morality that treats women as chattel, human beings as property and punishes innocent children for the crimes of their parents to the third and fourth generations, and that’s just the first set of Ten Commandments!” The subject of Martin Luther King Jr. came up briefly, since Obama swore on one of his bibles, giving Andrew an opening to quote from King’s famous letter from the Birmingham jail criticizing the “pious irrelevancies and sanctimonious trivialities” of many white churches. Read Andrew’s letter (Nov. 9, 2012) and FFRF Co-President Annie Lau- rie Gaylor’s statement about the Inaugural (Jan. 20, 2013) at ffrf.org/news- releases/.

Overheard

God is great. expansion of ungoverned ares, the Shouted by militant Islamists arriving proliferation of weapons, the disorga- at an Algerian gas field where workers nization of police and security services were taken hostage and forced to wear in all these countries — it’s been a real explosives, with the death toll exceed- boon to jihadists. ing 60, including militants Robert Malley, Middle East and North New York Times, 1-19-13 Africa director at the International Cri- sis Group Caption contest winners are! The Second Amendment Comes From New York Times, 1-20-13 God. In no particular order: “Shop Hunters Farm & Hardware for everyday Savings.” Protest sign at a rally of 600 gun own- We pray that you will bless us with your (Linda Allewalt, Kentucky); “It turned out that Jesus wasn’t much of a carpenter, ers at the Texas Capitol in Austin continued presence, because without either.” (Eric Thomas, North Carolina); “Local residents had little interest in Associated Press, 1-20-13 it, hatred and arrogance will infect our maintaining religious symbols after they were removed from public property.” hearts. (Becca Challman, Delaware). They each win a $25 credit in FFRF’s gift shop It’s one of the darker sides of the Arab One of many remarks offending free- (ffrf.org/shop) and a “clean,” pre-In God We Trust $1 bill. FFRF thanks all who uprisings. Their peaceful nature may thinkers made by Rev. Louis Leon dur- entered and especially photographer J.E. Hill, Washington (also a prize winner), have damaged al-Qaida and its allies ing his benediction at President Barack for the contest idea and great photo. (Winners will all be getting a note in the ideologically, but logistically, in terms Obama’s ceremonial swearing-in mail about prize details.) of the new porousness of borders, the CNN, 1-21-13