Complimentary Copy Join FFRF Now! Vol. 28 No. 7 Published by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. September 2011 Mississippi school ignored own policy FFRF short- circuits P.A. prayer This is what an atheist looks like! FFRF staff, volunteers and members from the Madison, Wis., area are among those pictured in this “just for fun” photo he Freedom From Religion at the Wisconsin Capitol. All are modeling FFRF’s newest “Out of the Closet” T-shirt, which is available in sweatshop- T free, unisex and women’s fitted tee versions for $20 postpaid at ffrf.org/shop. Foundation’s letter of complaint on behalf of Mississippi FFRF members and supporters of secular government Aug. 10 letter to Superintendent Mil- of the loudspeaker prayers. Two days is committed to following the law to DeSoto County Schools in Hernan- ton Kuykendall objected to prayer over later, Treadway met with the School and to protecting the freedoms do, Miss., rankled residents, many of the loudspeaker at athletic events and Board. After the meeting, the paper of all students, both those who whom responded like pit vipers. Did prayer at high school graduations. “It is quoted Treadwell: “Our current policy wish to exercise their religious school officials realize that prayer at also our information and understand- is not to have prayers at football games, freedoms and those who prefer football games and other sporting ing that students are often encouraged and we’re going to abide by that which not to exercise those rights. events was against the law and the dis- by their teachers to pray before meals. we believe the law to be. We will not Treadway told the Times-Tribune trict’s own policy, but choose to look Our complainant also informs us that a have prayer over the P.A. The princi- that he knew that FFRF had contested the other way until called on it? prayer each year at the graduation cer- pals have all expressed they are aware such prayer elsewhere. “I was aware FFRF’s complaint dominated TV emony, some led by students and some of the law and intend to abide by it.” that other districts in Tennessee and news and headlines for at least two led by you, the superintendent. We This is the district’s policy on reli- Mississippi had received the letter and weeks in August in Hernando and understand these prayers are mostly gion, adopted in 2008: was expecting something this year or nearby Memphis. Christian-based prayers.” next year.” Staff Attorney Stephanie Schmitt’s Schmitt noted that it’s illegal for a School administrators, teach- Under mounting pressure from reli- public school to organize, sponsor and ers and staff shall take a neutral gious people, Superintendent Kuyken- lead prayers at athletic events, and that approach regarding the promo- dall made this public statement Aug. the U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly tion of prayer or other religious 24. “In my opinion, most people do Inside This Issue struck down formal teacher or school- activities in schools or at school- not realize that this organization out of led prayer in public schools. “More sponsored events. They cannot Wisconsin doesn’t really care if we have importantly, the Supreme Court has interfere with students exercising prayer in our schools. They see an op- Happier struck down pregame invocations even their religious rights as permitted portunity to try and accuse us of break- without God — when they are student initiated.” by law and they cannot tell or sug- ing the law and therefore give them a College essay The nation’s highest court has also gest to students that they should chance to sue our district and win a winners struck down prayers at public high pray or participate in religious Continued on page 3 Page 8 school graduations, noted Schmitt, cit- activities. Prayer over the inter- ing Lee v. Weisman and other cases. “It is com or at school-related activi- FFRF victories no defense that graduations are events ties shall not be allowed except end at which participation or attendance as specifically stated above. Stu- is voluntary. Courts have summarily dents may begin the school day Last violations rejected arguments that voluntariness with a brief period of quiet re- Pages 6–7 excuses a constitutional violation.” flection of up to 60 seconds. This Call to “The law is clear. High school grad- is not intended to be a religious uations must also be secular to protect service or exercise. Administra- 2011 “Above us the freedom of conscience of all stu- tors, teachers and staff should only sky” dents.” not conduct themselves in any FFRF On Aug. 20, the Desoto Times- manner that would suggest that Steven Pinker Page 13 Tribune reported that Kuykendall this period of quiet reflection is a had asked the school’s attorney, Keith time of prayer but should remain Convention Treadway, to investigate the legality neutral in this activity. The Board See back page Page 2 Freethought Today Madison, Wisconsin September 2011 Meet a Legal Intern Name: Laura A. Steigerwald. reason I’m an atheist. Where and when I was born: New How I came to work as an FFRF Year’s Eve 1979 in Brookfield, Wis. I legal intern: I’ve been a freethinker grew up in adjacent Elm Grove and since about age 14 when I refused to moved back to Brookfield when I was participate in the Catholic sacrament 14. Elm Grove is an ultra-conservative, of confirmation. Accelerating the pro- wealthy area known for large Catholic cess around that time was witnessing families. It’s where my father grew up the aftermath of my dad leaving my as the eldest of nine children. I’m sure mom for a much younger woman and if it were legal to build a fence around the hypocrisy of them confessing their a village, Elm Grove would. “sin” and receiving communion right Family: My mother’s side is made after they got married, as if nothing up of hardworking, liberal Democrats, had ever happened. and my father’s side is the complete op- My mom saved an Isthmus [weekly posite. I’m much closer to my mother’s newspaper] article with Dan and Annie side. I have one brother, who married Laurie on the cover and showed it to a Lutheran a year ago. It was quite sad me. That’s how I became familiar with to witness the controversy stirred up by FFRF. Then I began following FFRF my militant Catholic aunts (both mar- and all the great things they do. I ap- ried to Lutherans) over my brother plied for an internship and feel super- marrying a Lutheran. Apparently, he lucky to have gotten one. will not go to the same heaven as his What I do here: I help out the staff wife because Catholics go to a higher attorneys with various tasks. I do re- level of heaven? I’m sure they have search on the Internet and draft letters computers in heaven, so they can prob- and emails. ably Skype. At least now I don’t have to What I like best about it: I love the explain why I’m an atheist. confidence I have that no one here will Laura Steigerwald has put her “Cat-lick” roots behind her. Education: I went to Catholic grade judge me for my nonreligious beliefs school, where I was teased and tor- or my sexual orientation. I love being that), motorcycles, jet skis, boats, water Life and all the awesome people I work mented for my weight and for being surrounded by freethinkers and LGBT skiing, “Up North,” movies, NPR and with. a tomboy. After years of my parents allies. I also love working with Staff Wisconsin Public Radio, Rachel Mad- Things I smite: Narrow minds, dog- fighting over it, they let me transfer in Attorney Patrick Elliott, because he is dow, computers, the Constitution and ma, oppression, homophobia, sexism, seventh grade to public school, where super-nice and patient. Then again, the Internet (which, if it were a play- racism, pollution, genocide, theocra- the teasing stopped. I got my associ- everyone here is super-nice. I’m also ground, Google would be the most cies, sunburn, hot and humid weather, ate’s degree in computer information learning a lot about the Establishment amazing, multi-functional jungle gym things that smell bad, blue cheese, systems from Waukesha County Tech- Clause and First Amendment. on it). green olives, the Religious Right, FOX nical College and then transferred to Something funny that’s happened: I like UW-Whitewater and all the News, Rush Limbaugh, tripping and Carroll University. The package that came with “SEE U amazing professors I’ve had there, and falling over nothing, slow computers The entire time I was in school, I IN HEL” scrawled on the outside. At I love my job at Office of Residence and broken printers. worked in information technology at a least this person admits that he or she medium-sized, global company based is going to hell! Maybe in his or her re- in Milwaukee. After several years work- ligion, bad spelling is a mortal sin? ing in IT, I decided to pursue a legal My legal interests are: Labor and FFRF welcomes 8 new career. In May, I graduated with a bach- employment law (discrimination, EEO, elor of business administration in hu- ADA, worker’s comp, unemployment, man resources and legal studies from labor contracts, etc.), constitutional the University of Wisconsin-Whitewa- law, criminal law and immigration law. Lifetime Members ter. I will start law school this fall at I want to fight for the “little guy.” UW-Madison.