Convention

24 Pages·2017·4.89 MB·English

Denver FFRF Schools’ troubled Safe and
chapter puts history with legal abortion
up 12 billboards religion continues is pro-life
PAGE 7 PAGE 16 PAGE 12
Vol. 34 No. 4 Published by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc. May 2017
Poundstone
Visiting the ark park on a lark
joins lively
lineup at
convention
FFRF is excited to announce that well-known
comedian Paula Poundstone, an “out” atheist, will
perform at its 40th annual convention.
Poundstone joins Nation columnist, writer and
poet Katha Pollitt as two of the latest additions
to the impressive
convention lineup
for the weekend of
Sept. 15-17 at the
Monona Terrace
FFRF Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel recently took a tour of Ken Ham’s $100 million Ark Encounter in Convention Cen-
Kentucky. Despite Ham’s reports to the contrary, attendance has been way below projected numbers, ter in Madison,
and, according to Seidel, the ark is filled with logical and scientific impossibilities, including dinosaurs! Wis.
See Seidel’s story on page 13. View the digital ad at ffrf.org/ark-ad. Poundstone is
one of America’s
top comedians.
Taking on the Internal Revenue Service She is listed in
Comedy Central’s
list of “100 Great-
est Stand-Ups Of
Ministerial housing Paula Poundstone
as the estate of President Emerita requires complex determinations All Time” and has
allowance goes before
Anne Nicol Gaylor, were denied relating to the tenets, principles also won an Amer-
court once again a similar benefit, although FFRF and practices of those churches ican Comedy Award for Best Female Standup
designates a housing allowance that provide their clergy with cash Comic. She routinely identifies as an atheist in
FFRF has filed a federal brief for them. Attorney Rich L. Bolton, housing allowances.” her performances. Among Poundstone’s claims
supporting its long-running who authored the brief, writes, The IRS and several churches to fame is her regular appearances as a panelist
challenge of the preferential tax “The Supreme Court has refused that intervened in the case filed on on NPR’s funny weekly news quiz show, “Wait
treatment that the IRS provides to allow government to preferen- March 8 for summary judgment. Wait . . . Don’t Tell Me.”
to ministers of the gospel. tially favor religion with tax breaks FFRF’s response brief debunks In 2016, Paula voiced the character “Forgetter
FFRF’s brief, filed before U.S. that are not generally available to many of their claims. Both the IRS Paula” in Disney/Pixar’s Academy Award-winning
District Judge Barbara Crabb in other taxpayers.” and the churches contend that animated feature film, “Inside Out.” In June 2016,
Madison, Wis., on April 5, forceful- Besides the direct advancement the housing allowance, passed by her first double-live CD, “North By Northwest:
ly argues that the IRS is discriminat- of religion, the housing allowance Congress in 1954, is on par with Paula Poundstone Live!” debuted at No. 1 on both
ing by allowing clergy — and only fosters excessive government en- housing provided more generally Amazon’s “Hot New Releases – Nonfiction” and
clergy — to exclude cash payments tanglement with religion. FFRF “for the convenience of the em- “Comedy CD” lists.
for housing from taxable income. points out: “In order to ensure that ployer.” But FFRF counters: “The In 1992, she became the first woman to host the
FFRF Co-Presidents Dan Barker this preferential tax benefit is lim- historical evidence indicates that prestigious White House Correspondents dinner
and Annie Laurie Gaylor, as well ited to religious officials, §107(2) See Housing on page 9 See Convention on page 24
How I won $1,000 betting on the Antichrist
By Derek Mathias guy so that he wouldn’t forget about our deal. And
on Jan. 20, as you know, I won the bet. Of course,
A few months ago, one of the many fundamen- I was disappointed that we now have a wee-handed
talist Christians I’ve argued with on YouTube tangerine tweet monkey as our president, but at least
claimed that President Obama is the Antichrist, I had $1,000 coming to me from my fundie oppo-
and that he would seek a third presidential term. nent. To his credit, with a little appeal to his honor,
Being aware of how our government works, I im- he sent the money.
mediately bet the guy $1,000 that Obama would step This bet was about teaching a lesson, not about
down after his second term. My fundie opponent was enriching myself, so I wanted to donate the mon-
hesitant, but I challenged him to have the courage of ey to a worthy organization. To that end, I’ve sent
his convictions and put his money where his mouth a $1,000 donation to the Freedom From Religion
is. He finally agreed to take the bet, but with one Foundation to become a Life Member . . . because
change: If he won, he wouldn’t take my money, but I I just like the poetic justice of fundies helping to
would instead have to delete all of my anti-theism vid- finance an atheist organization.
eos and never make another such video ever again. Unfortunately, the only lesson my opponent learned Derek Mathias shows off the $1,000 he won betting
Of course, I agreed immediately. a fundamentalist Christian that President Obama
As the weeks went by, I kept up a dialog with the See Antichrist on page 5 would not take a third presidential term.
Page 2 | | Madison, Wisconsin | May 2017
FFRF FREETHOUGHT TODAY
Anthropolo-gee, this is interesting!
Name: Sue Kocher. hooked on travel and language learn-
Where I live: Raleigh, N.C. ing. I realized no one was hiring eth-
Where and when I was born: Grand nographers anymore, so I would more
Rapids, Mich., in 1956. likely wind up teaching Anthropology
Family: I am second oldest of five 101 somewhere and being pressured to
children — one of the smaller Catho- publish. The question was how to sup-
lic families in our neighborhood at the port myself and still be able to live in in-
time. My father was a devoted Catholic teresting places. The answer was to get
and deacon, but he died of a heart at- a master’s degree in teaching English
tack at 48, when I was 8 years old. My as a Second Language. Which I did, at
mother returned to waitressing and the University of Hawaii — those were
raised us on her own, with the help of some wonderful years! After my grad-
Social Security and veteran’s benefits uate studies, I taught academic English
— my father having served as a radio- reading and writing in Japan, Australia
man in WW2. It was a bit rough some- and Turkey over a period of 12 years.
times, but we had what we needed. Along the way I married a Turk, and we
I have lost two siblings — my el- moved from Istanbul to North Carolina
der sister to illness, my baby sister to in 1996 — both of us ready for a career
estrangement. She no longer speaks change. I’ve been here ever since — he
to me except to spew anger and ha- moved on after an amicable divorce.
tred because of my atheism and liber- Occupation: I work at a large cor-
al politics. Fortu- poration that pro-
nately, I still have duces complex an-
two siblings that I alytics software for
love and enjoy: my various industries
dear brother (who around the world.
is also an atheist) I started as a tech-
and a younger sis- nical editor, and
Sue Kocher, left, taunts a Westboro Baptist protester with her sign.
ter (also atheist, eventually worked
though not very out a niche for Fathers by a man who was supposedly around him, and knew how lucky he
“out” or thoughtful myself as corpo- taking orders from God — but who was to have experienced it for even a
about it). rate terminologist. was really just a man. day, much less for a long lifetime.
Education: I had What I do is main- I kept a churchy journal when I was Quotation I like: Anything by Doro-
a wonderful men- tain a database of in third grade at Catholic School — thy Parker. Here’s one: “The cure for
tor in my child- terms, definitions someone had stolen it and ditched it boredom is curiosity. There is no cure
hood who helped and usage stan- in the boiler room, where it was found for curiosity.” Also, anything by Jack
me navigate the dards that we use and returned to me 20 years later! I Handy. Here’s one: “If a kid asks where
mystical waters of in our software and didn’t write in it much — mostly about rain comes from, I think a cute thing
college applica- documentation. I the reptiles and amphibians I caught to tell him is ‘God is crying.’ And if he
tions and financial Sue Kocher get to interact with and kept as pets, or how much I dis- asks why God is crying, another cute
aid. Thanks to her, people in all areas liked the bully at school who tripped thing to tell him is ‘Probably because
I was accepted into a small liberal arts and levels of the company and it keeps me so that he could see my underwear of something you did.’”
college, tuition-free, and graduated in me on my toes. under my plaid uniform skirt. But I These are a few of my favorite things:
1979 with a major in anthropology. I be- My doubts about religion started: found one page that stated, “Oh, how Finding an interesting creature and
came aware of the Looking back, I I love Jesus!” and I chuckled to myself, knowing what it is — or finding out
Peace Corps, and MEET A MEMBER realize that I had remembering how I wrote those words what it is. I love growing, eating and
thought that would doubts at a very on Pascal’s wager — not believing it, sharing edible plants. Zoos, especial-
be a wonderful way to live and learn in young age. I don’t remember ever but covering my bases just in case. ly if they’re well designed and full of
a completely different culture before really believing in Santa Claus; I re- My first anthropology class was “enrichment” stuff. Walks in the woods
pursuing my studies in anthropology. member pretending to believe. It was life-changing, because there I learned with my dogs. My dogs, period. Calling
I fancied being an ethnographer like the same with religion. My mother how vastly different human cultures my hens and seeing them all run at me
Margaret Mead. Ha! So I went to Thai- had tried to continue our father’s re- are, how it’s possible for people to with their stomping, swinging gait, like
land as a volunteer for two years, work- ligious tradition, sending us to paro- hold completely different views of re- so many little fluffy dinosaurs.
ing in family planning and village de- chial school through the fifth grade. ality and spirituality, and to be entirely These are not: Climate change and
velopment in the poor provinces of the But her heart wasn’t in it, and looking convinced that “ours is the one, only weirdly scary weather. The continuing
Northeast. I also worked in the Cambo- back, we kids were all pretty much pre- and best” way to see the world. Study- pretense on the news and in conver-
dian refugee camps that were hurriedly tending our way through Mass, con- ing the cargo cults of Melanesia, which sations that there’s time to do some-
erected along the border after the end fessions, and the rest of it. I remem- were so bizarre and irrational, I real- thing about it later. Our reactionary
of the Vietnam war, during the genocid- ber making up sins in the confessional ized that my own childhood religion Republican leaders in North Caroli-
al campaign of the Khmer Rouge. because I either felt I hadn’t sinned was equally bizarre. I began to see all na. People getting away with negli-
How I got to where I am today: Those enough to waste the priest’s time, or religions as culture-bound artifacts, gent homicide or murder caused by
two years in Thailand changed my life in I just couldn’t remember them all. I serving various social and political in- religious fervor. People who run over
so many ways. I gave up my plans for an remember thinking how silly it was to terests, and no divine purpose. turtles trying to cross the road, or who
academic career because, by then, I was be assigned 20 Hail Marys and 10 Our When I lived in Thailand, I dabbled honk at me when I stop traffic to ush-
a bit with Buddhism. But when I saw er the critter to the shoulder.
Buddhism in practice, and met re- Before I die: I want to see the Grand
vered monks who lazed around smok- Canyon, Machu Picchu and the
ing and eating like kings, and who Galapagos.
sold amulets of themselves for good Ways I promote freethought: My
luck — I was disillusioned. work with Triangle Freethought So-
Published by Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc.
It wasn’t until I moved to North ciety, of which I am a founding mem-
Carolina and became involved with ber, is my approach toward thinking
P.O. Box 750 Madison WI 53701
skeptics groups, and later joined an globally while acting locally. I think
[email protected] FFRF.org
atheist meetup, that I realized: That’s it’s imperative that we normalize
P 608.256.8900 F 608.204.0422
what I am! I am an atheist! And the atheism if we are to have any hope
more I learn, the more proud I am of replacing religion with reason.
EDITOR P.J. Slinger [email protected]
with this identity. I’ve dabbled in activism through var-
EDITOR EMERITUS Bill Dunn Person in history I admire: Oh, ious groups and for various causes,
EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER Annie Laurie Gaylor there are so many. But Anne Nicole but now I consider atheist activism
GRAPHIC DESIGNER Roger Daleiden Gaylor, principal founder of the FFRF, the most economical way to spend
feminist, activist, crusader for reason, my activist time. Virtually every issue
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Amit Pal
is right up there. She was a pioneer, that I care about — social injustice,
CONTRIBUTORS
intelligent and fierce. Richard Feyn- income inequality, homophobia, cli-
Ingrid Andersson, Philip Appleman, Dan Barker, Patrick Elliott, Cidney Fisk, man was a pretty awesome guy. He was mate change, nukes, war, environ-
Sam Grover, Jim Helton, Kelly Helton, Nicole Niebler, Molly Hanson, brilliant, he was hilariously funny, and mental degradation, erosion of abor-
Sue Kocher, Chris Line, Lauryn Seering, Andrew Seidel, Jake Swenson, he genuinely cared about the human tion rights, you name it — is aided
Linda K. Wertheimer race and about all life on our beau- and abetted by religious belief, and/
The only freethought newspaper in the United States tiful planet. Most of all, he was filled or by the rich and powerful who use
with wonder and awe about the world religion to further their aims.
May 2017 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | Page 3
FREETHOUGHT TODAY
Darrow statue to inherit the lawn
‘Scopes Monkey Trial’ world’s eyes and ears to a small town
in Tennessee.” “
defense attorney to If today you can take a thing like evolution and make it a
But many people in the conservative
crime to teach it in the public school, tomorrow you can make it
be honored in July town are not in favor of the Darrow
A statue of “Scopes Monkey Trial” statue, writes Benton. a crime to teach it in the private schools, and the next year you
defense attorney Clarence Darrow will “Bill Hollin, a 23-year Rhea County can make it a crime to teach it to the hustings or in the church.
join that of his legal counterpart in the commission veteran, is opposed to the
— Clarence Darrow, “Scopes Trial” courtroom speech, July 13, 1925
1925 case outside the famous court- Darrow statue because of his own reli-
house in Dayton, Tenn., this summer. gious beliefs and because he sees no
Darrow is the lawyer who defend- reason to celebrate the man who lost
ed John T. Scopes against creationist the trial and whose opponent contrib-
prosecutor Williams Jennings Bryan, a uted so much to Dayton. ‘There’s a lot
three-time presidential candidate. of people in the community that op-
The sculptor is Zenos Frudakis, pose it,’ Hollins said.”
who is a member of FFRF and will “That’s strange, to put a statue of a lib-
speak at FFRF’s 40th annual conven- eral in Dayton,” Mike Scott told the Times
tion in Madison, Wis., the weekend Free Press. “But you can’t tell which side
of Sept. 15-17. The installation of the is the right unless you see the left.”
statue is expected to take place on In July 1925, Dayton High School
July 13, with the dedication on July teacher John T. Scopes went on trial
14. That is also the first day of the for violating state law by teaching that
Scopes Trial Play and Festival. human beings evolved from a “lower
A sculpture of Bryan was installed in order of animals.” Scopes was convicted
2005 and is on the south side at the front and fined $100, but the decision was re-
of the Rhea County Courthouse. The versed two years later by the Tennessee
Darrow statue will be placed adjacent to Supreme Court. The case raised debate
the Bryan statue on the north side. on issues such as separation of church
“Ralph Green, president of the and state, academic freedom and the re-
Rhea County Historical and Gene- lationship between science and religion.
alogical Society, said the statue will In 1977, the National Park Service
make for a more complete story of named the Rhea County Courthouse a
the trial,” writes Ben Benton of the National Historic Landmark.
Chattanooga Times Free Press. “He The events of the trial were made
said it lends authenticity to the play, into the 1960 movie, “Inherit the
which relies ‘about 90 percent’ on Wind,” a fictionalized version of the
the trial transcripts. Green said his- trial starring Spencer Tracy as the Dar-
torical society members felt Darrow row character and Fredric March as
would balance the story and give vis- the Bryan character.
itors to Dayton a look at the ‘two gi- Please look for more information on this
ants,’ who faced off over topics that Darrow statue project in FFRF’s May ap- Sculptor Zenos Frudakis stands next to his statue of Clarence Darrow, which will
still stir controversy and drew the peal, arriving via U.S. mail. be placed outside the Rhea County Courthouse in Dayton, Tenn., this summer.
Sign up for FFRF Darrow celebration July 13 in Chattanooga
You’re cordially invited to Freedom Register for Darrow 15 and July 22-23, at the Rhea County Turkey Gravy
From Religion Foundation’s Clarence Courthouse, 1475 Market St., Dayton, Marinated Pork Shoulder, Carolina
Dinner Party now!
Darrow Dinner Party in Chattanooga TN 37321. Space is limited! Clear BBQ
on Thursday, July 13, celebrating the Registration per person is $45, Reserve promptly to avoid dis- Slow Cooked Roast Beef, Pan Sauce
installation that day of a statue of the which covers the “Southern Exposure appointment. Classic Mac n’ Cheese with Aged
famed Scopes Trial litigator in Day- Buffet,” 20 percent service charge and Cheddar & Gruyère Cheese
ton, Tenn. The dinner party will be 9.25 percent state tax. See menu below. Southern Exposure Beer Braised Collards
followed with the public dedication of Registration will be cut off on Wed., Sweet Potato Mash with Brown
Dinner Buffet
the statue in Dayton on Friday. Dayton July 5, or when capacity is reached. Sugar-Maple Butter & Pecans
is about 40 miles from Chattanooga. Register online at ffrf.org/Darrowdinner. $45 includes 20 percent service Fried Green Tomato Slices, Roasted
That Friday also marks the first day Or register by phone at: 800/335-4021 charge and 9.25 percent state tax Red Pepper Chèvre Remoulade Corn-
of the 29th annual Scopes Trial Play Central weekdays. Confetti Cole Slaw bread Muffins, Honey Butter | Yeast
and Festival. You may wish to top off Three Bean Salad Rolls | Biscuits
the day by go- Courtesy hotel block Panzanella Salad (Chattanooga Includes coffee, tea, sweet tea, & des-
ing to the reen- Sourdough) serts: Strawberry Short Cake | Banana
– reserve now!
actment of the Cajun Fried Turkey Breast, Blackened Pudding | Fried Apple Pies | Pecan Pie
Scopes Trial play, While rooms last, the Chattanoo-
performed an- gan Hotel, 1201 Broad St., Chattanoo- Return with payment to be received no later than July 6 to:
nually in the his- ga, Tenn., site of the dinner party, is FFRF, Attn: Darrow Party, PO Box 750, Madison WI 53701
toric court-house holding a courtesy block of rooms on
Clarence Darrow Celebration Dinner Party
where the Scopes Thursday and Friday, July 13-14. Make
Trial took place your own reservations, using the code Thursday, July 13, 6:30 PM
in Dayton. The “Clarence Darrow Party.” (FFRF’s event
Chattanoogan Hotel. Chattanoonga, Tennesee
historic court- webpage, ffrf.org/Darrowdinner, will also
Nicole Jacobsen
house and mu- link directly to the hotel registration
Number Registering Total Cost
seum may be toured, and was desig- while rooms last.) Register promptly to
nated a National Historic Landmark avoid disappointment. Other nearby Southern Exposure Buffet Ticket _______$45 $_______
in 1977. hotels include the Marriot and Stay-
Appropriate for vegetarian Make check payable to: FFRF
Talented sculptor Zenos Frudakis bridge. The rate of $149 plus tax in-
(see story above) will give a short vi- cludes free WiFi.
sual presentation at the dinner party Downtown Chattanooga has a lot of
Names of all registrants
and FFRF Co-President Dan Barker charm, offers attractions and easy walk-
will entertain at the piano. Special ing, a variety of restaurants, an aquar-
Address City / State / ZIP
guest will be Nicole Jacobsen, who ium, a riverfront, an art district and
grew up in Dayton and whose family pedestrian bridge.
members were the unnamed plain- Phone Email
tiffs in FFRF’s federal lawsuit ending Scopes Trial play tickets
a legacy of the Scopes trial — weekly
Credit Card Number Expiration Date / Security Code
bible instruction in the public schools Purchase tickets directly from the
by bible students from William Jen- Tennessee Valley Theater at 423.365.
nings Bryan Bible College. FFRF and PLAY (7529), Website: scopesfestival. Signature Contact info for in-house use only
the brave family won the case at the com. (Tickets were not yet available *Includes 20% service charge & 9.25% state tax
district level and at the Sixth Circuit for sale as of press time.) The play is
Court of Appeals in 2004. conducted over two weekends, July 14- Or register online at ffrf.org/Darrowdinner
Page 4 | | Madison, Wisconsin | May 2017
FFRF FREETHOUGHT TODAY
Crosses removed from
HEADS UP
public school windows
A Poetry Column By Philip Appleman
A SIMPLE EXPLANATION FOR EVERYTHING
By Jeremy Wood
When the Syrians came down like a wolf on the fold,
Ahab of Israel sharpened his sword, On the morning of Sunday, Feb. 12,
And soon the Jordan was running with blood. while playing with my kids at the play-
ground of our neighborhood public
Why did they kill?
elementary school in Hobbs, N.M.,
They killed for the Lord.
I noticed some crosses in a window
When Muhammad ran off to Medina, he swore facing the playground. This area of
the school is mostly offices and large
He would roar back to Mecca, this time with a horde
rooms, but since most of the rest of the Photo by Jeremy Wood
Of warriors thirsting for infidel gore. Two crosses are seen in a public
window was blocked, I wasn’t sure what
Why did they kill? room the crosses were in. My children elementary school window in Hobbs,
N.M. Jeremy Wood complained and
They killed for the Lord. and I go to this park often, and this is
had them removed.
the first time we had seen the crosses.
When the Pope’s Inquisition put thousands in chains,
The next morning, I went to the She said she would “let them know.”
Their bodies were broken and branded and gored, school and asked if they were aware of The next day, noticing the cross was
And the innocent perished in spasms of pain. the crosses in the window and that the still in the classroom window, I called just
Why did they kill? presence of the crosses was a violation to make it clear that I wasn’t going to just
of the Constitu- go away, and this is
They killed for the Lord.
tion. The woman IT PAYS TO COMPLAIN when I first started
When the Puritans filled all New England with dread, explained that she feeling like I was
Hunting down women whose thoughts they abhorred, was unaware of them and that my de- getting the runaround. I went to school
scription of where they were outside district website and found that Lopez was
They strung up the witches until they were dead.
would not be sufficient for her to ascer- actually assistant to the superintendent
Why did they kill?
tain where they might be in the build- and that TJ Parks was superintendent.
They killed for the Lord. ing, and that my only option would be I emailed Parks and Lopez remind-
to call the district administration office. ing them that all Americans are entitled
Now our Born-Agains tell us God gives them the word:
So I called there and, after explain- to the same freedoms and asking them
Send infidels off to their blazing reward!
ing the situation to the receptionist, to uphold the Constitution. Happily,
So far-away rivers are running with blood. was transferred to Terry Lopez, who the crosses were removed soon after.
Why are we killing? introduced herself as the superinten- This was an eye-opening expe-
dent. Lopez informed me that she rience. I approached for help oth-
We kill for the Lord.
would look into the matter. er people who have claimed to be
© Philip Appleman. That first set of crosses was, thank- friendly toward nonbelievers and
From New and Selected Poems, 1956–1996 fully, removed that afternoon. Unfor- was laughed at and told, “People ar-
Philip Appleman is a Dis tinguished Prof essor Emerit us at tunately, while walking home, I noticed en’t gonna go for that around here.”
Ind ian a Univ er sit y. He is editor of the Norton Critical Edition that another cross had popped up in While I am thrilled that the superin-
of Darwin. His published volumes of poetry include New what appeared to be a first-grade class- tendent upheld the Constitution, this
and Selected Poems: (1956-1996), Perfidious Proverbs and
room. I called and thanked Lopez for whole situation has showed me exactly
Other Poems: A Satirical Look at the Bible (2012), Darwin’s
the removal of the first cross and ex- how precarious our position is as non-
Ark (new 2009 edition) and Karma, Dharma, Pudding & Pie
plained that another had popped up. believers in a tiny town.
(2009). His newest book is The Labyrinth: God, Darwin and
the Meaning of Life. He and his playwright wife, Marjorie
Appleman, are both “After-Life” Members of FFRF. Phil’s books: ffrf.org/shop.
OVERHEARD
FFRF welcomes 26 new
You already have on issues without endorsing specific
religious protec- candidates for office.
tion. Why would George O. Wood, general superinten-
Lifers, two Immortals
you push this bill dent of Assemblies of God.
out that does ab- Religion News Service, 3-30-17
solutely nothing?
FFRF is pleased to announce and L. Long, David McRorey, Stephen Mer- All you’re doing This bill makes a mockery of religious
welcome its 26 newest Lifetime Mem- shon, Nancy Pennock, Jill Preotle, Sam is trying to divide freedom by allow-
bers and two new Immortals. Stark, Jr., James Walker, Janice I. Welch, people. And I’m ing public officials
Jack Pedigo and Dr. David Herbert and Scott K. Welch (no relation). just not going to to discriminate
have joined the ranks of Immortals, Individual Lifetime Memberships tolerate it. against virtually
which is a designation for those kind are $1,000, designated as membership Virginia Gov. anyone who fails to
Photo by Edward Kimmel
members who have contacted FFRF to or membership renewal, and are de- Terry McAuliffe, meet their person-
Terry McAuliffe.
report that they have made provisions ductible for income-tax purposes, as after vetoing two al moral standards.
for FFRF in their estate planning. are all dues and donations to FFRF, Republican-backed bills aimed at Kathy Miller, pres-
Our 26 new Lifetime Members a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. It ensures no protecting religious groups that op- ident of the Texas
are Bapu Arekapudi, Tom Beckwith, more renewal notices and goes into a pose same-sex marriage. Freedom Network,
Michael J. Briggs, Martha W. Carter, rainy-day fund. Richmond Times-Dispatch, 3-23-17 discussing Texas
Charles Cedergren, Dr. John A. Daven- The states represented are Califor- Senate Bill 522,
Kathy Miller
port, James W. and Karen T. Dearborn, nia, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Illi- This idea that the sins of our past which would allow
Naomi Diamond, Larry S. Duggan, Mi- nois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michi- are a byproduct of some general so- county clerks to
chael Epsteen, Dr. Edward C. Field, Cin- gan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, cietal failing, rather than being the opt out of signing marriage licenses for
dy Gross, Richard B. Hartman, James K. New York, Tennessee, Utah, Washing- inevitable outcome of a church-run, gay couples if the clerk in question finds
Haynes, Kayla Koeber, Joe Leslie, Max ton, West Virginia and Wisconsin. state-supported policy of punishing that doing so would violate “sincerely
women for out-of-wedlock pregnan- held religious beliefs.”
cies also finds an echo in the highest Houston Press, 4-3-17
What is the Freedom From Religion Foundation? levels of government.
Sadhbh Walshe, writing in response to Science and truth remarkably always
Founded in 1978 as a national organization of freethinkers (atheists the almost 800 children who died and need advocacy against the forces of
and agnostics), the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc., works to were buried in a mass grave outside a nostalgia and fear and irrationality. . . .
keep state and church separate and to educate the public about the former home for unwed mothers run At the end of the day, policy has to be
views of nontheists. by Catholic nuns in Tuam, Ireland. guided by facts and truth. . . . I repre-
The New York Times, 3-30-17 sent one of the most educated districts
Foundation members wishing to receive online news releases, “action
in the country. And so, I think my con-
alerts” and “Freethought of the Day” should contact info@ff rf.org.
If we begin to endorse candidates, stituents expect this of me.
Please include your name, email and physical mailing address.
then we are politicizing the church, U.S. Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut,
diluting our message, and bringing who has proposed commemorating the
unnecessary division among our peo- birth date of Charles Darwin.
ple. It is sufficient that we can speak Danbury News Times, 4-13-17
May 2017 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | Page 5
FREETHOUGHT TODAY
A meeting of the freethinking minds
FFRF proud co-sponsor
opher A.C. Grayling, singer Shelly
of two-day event in Segal, columnist for Charlie Hebdo
Zineb El Rhazoui (who was out the
London on July 22-23
day of the massacre), and and Irani-
Notable freethinkers from around an-born rights activist Maryam Nama-
the world will come together this sum- zie, who organized the prestigious
mer in London for a weekend of dis- conference. Namazie will be receiv-
cussions and debates on freedom of ing the Henry H. Zumach Freedom
conscience and expression. From Fundamentalist Religion Award
The International Conference on at FFRF’s 40th annual conference in
Freedom of Conscience and Expres- Madison the weekend of Sept. 15-17.
sion in the 21st Century will be held (See pages 23-24 for FFRF conven-
July 22-23 and is co-sponsored by the tion details and information.)
Freedom From Religion Foundation, The conference will highlight the
among several other organizations. voices of people on the front lines of
FFRF Co-Presidents Annie Laurie resistance — many of them persecuted
Gaylor and Dan Barker will among and exiled — as well as address challeng-
the more than 60 people scheduled es faced by activists and freethinkers. It
to speak or perform during the con- will also elaborate on the links between
FFRF is one of the co-sponsors of the International Conference on Freedom of
ference. Discussions will include top- democratic politics and free expression
Conscience and Expression in the 21st Century, which will be held July 22-23 in London.
ics such as censorship and blasphemy and conscience, promote secular and
laws, freedom of and from religion, rights-based alternatives, and establish
apostasy, the limits of religion’s role priorities for collective action. Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tur- Equal Rights Now, Fitnah, National
in society, LGBT and women’s rights, Speakers will come from dozens of key, Tunisia, United Kingdom, Ukraine, Secular Society, One Law for All, Rich-
atheism, secular values and more. countries around the world, including United States and Yemen. ard Dawkins Foundation for Reason
Other noted speakers include Algeria, Bangladesh, Canada, Egypt, The conference is sponsored by and Science, Southall Black Sisters,
activist, blogger and writer Bonya France, India, Iran, Iraq, Iraqi Kurdis- FFRF, Atheist International Alliance, and Secularism is a Women’s Issue.
Ahmed (who spoke at FFRF’s 2016 tan, Ireland, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mo- Bread and Roses TV, Centre for Sec- For more information or to sign up
convention in Pittsburgh), scientist rocco, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Pales- ular Space, Council of Ex-Muslims of to attend the conference, go to secular-
and author Richard Dawkins, philos- tinian Territories, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Britain, Culture Project, Euromind, conference.com.
Antichrist
A winning pose
Continued from page 1
is not to make bets with me. But there
is an important lesson here that we can
all take away from this: If people make
essentially impossible but testable claims
based on the bible or any other scrip-
ture, then bet them $1,000 that it won’t
happen. If they’re hesitant, goad them
by appealing to their convictions. After
all, their religion teaches them not to
doubt their beliefs:
• James 1:6 — But let him ask in
faith, with no doubting, for the one
who doubts is like a wave of the sea that
FFRF Member Marie Schaub stands in the spot is driven and tossed by the wind.
where a Ten Commandments monument stood • Matthew 21:21 — And Jesus an-
for decades outside Valley High School in New swered them, “Truly, I say to you, if
Kensington, Pa. Schaub was the plaintiff in you have faith and do not doubt, you
FFRF’s victorious lawsuit against the school will not only do what has been done to
district, challenging the monument on school the fig tree, but even if you say to this
grounds. It was removed on March 21. mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown
into the sea,’ it will happen.”
• Matthew 14:31 — Jesus immedi-
ately reached out his hand and took
Vandalism not unexpected outside Creation Museum
hold of him, saying to him, “O you of
little faith, why did you doubt?”
It’s galling to them when an athe-
By Jim Helton ning the protest of the opening of the Ark Encounter last ist is more willing to put his certain-
July, we were surprised to discover that the highway in ty on the line than they are. Not only
When the Tri-State Freethinkers originally thought front of the life-size “replica” ark was available to be ad- should you end up with some money
about adopting a highway, I could think of no opted. So, we adopted that one as well. you can use to do some good, but you
better place to do it than in front of Ken Ham’s We will continue to clean up after Ken Ham on the may even teach someone that claims
Creation Museum in Petersburg, Ky. We have been clean- highways and in our local schools. based on faith are indistinguishable
ing the highway for four years now. Jim Helton is president of the Tri-State Freethinkers. from claims based on fantasy.
As a group, we do about 40 volunteer projects every Oh, and one last thing: Thanks,
year. By far, our members’ favorite event is cleaning the Obama!
highway leading to the Creation Museum. We adopted Derek Mathias, who creates antitheistic
the highway as a way for us to clean up the environment, YouTube videos with the username
as well as let the people know driving by that there are “Underlings,” is from California and also
rational people living in Kentucky. a member of FFRF’s Greater Sacramento
When Ham first saw our signs, he wrote a blog post that Chapter. Thank you, Derek!
basically thanked us for keeping the highway clean, but
also said that we Losing Faith in Faith:
were still going
From Preacher to Atheist
To be perfectly honest, I’m to burn in hell.
surprised it took this long for He also sent
How Dan “threw out
us the following
someone to vandalize our signs. the bathwater and
invite: “For our
discovered there is
part, we would be A vandal threw paint on the Tri-State Freethinkers Adopt-
no baby there.”
willing to meet with these local freethinkers and chat with A-Highway sign in Kentucky, but members painted the
them. Let’s establish a dialogue and have a free exchange lettering back on. “We were unable to remove the paint By Dan Barker
of ideas.” We tried to take him up on his offer, but as of from the sign, so we just painted over it,” Jim Helton said.
today, Ken Ham has not sat down with us. “I actually like the paint blotch remaining on the sign. It is Buy it from FFRF online
To be perfectly honest, I’m surprised it took this long a reminder of the all the work we have to do in order to be shop.ff rf.org
for someone to vandalize our signs. While we were plan- treated with equality and respect.”
Page 6 | | Madison, Wisconsin | May 2017
FFRF FREETHOUGHT TODAY
Are one-quarter of Americans atheists?
New study puts number acknowledge any specific condition.
The other half of participants got
of nonbelievers
the same list, but with one statement
much higher than added: “I believe in God.”
By comparing the responses be-
previously thought
tween the groups, the researchers
Trying to figure out how many Amer- could then estimate how many people
icans who don’t believe in God is a don’t believe in God. (Because both
tough undertaking for any researcher. groups should, in theory, have a sim-
Asking people simply if they are athe- ilar number of vegetarians, dog own-
ists doesn’t generate a correct number, ers, etc., any increases in the number
researchers say, because many people of agreed-to statements from the first
think the word “atheist” is too negative group to the second should be re-
and don’t want to be associated with it. flective of the number of people who
But even asked if they don’t believe in don’t believe in God.)
God, the number of respondents is still Gervais and Najle replicated the
likely highly under-representative of cent,” Gervais said. Gervais and Najle have submitted study with a second sample of 2,000
the actual number, because people, in Most reputable polls have shown their results to the journal Social Psy- participants, and got similar results to
general, aren’t willing to divulge that that about 10 percent of Americans chological and Personality Science. the first study.
information openly. don’t believe in God, and that num- To get a more accurate reading on As for the veracity of this research,
But two psychologists from the Uni- ber has been growing every year. But the number of atheists, Gervais and the psychologists admit that it does
versity of Kentucky think they have no poll has ever made the leap to say Najle set up a test of 2,000 people. have a wide margin of error, but they
found a better method. And their re- that a quarter of the population are Half of the participants were asked do stand by their contention that the
sults are surprising. atheists, although a quarter identifies to read through a list of statements number of reported nonbelievers
Will Gervais and Maxine Najle have as “nonreligious.” such as “I am a vegetarian” or “I own a around the country has been continu-
determined, with a somewhat high “There’s a lot of atheists in the dog.” Instead of answering yes or no to ally underreported.
margin of error, that 26 percent of closet,” Gervais said. “If they knew each, the participants only had to write “In time, we’ll hopefully be able
Americans are atheists. there are lots of people just like them down the number of statements that to refine our methods and find oth-
“We can say with a 99 percent prob- out there, that could potentially pro- were true for them. Using this meth- er indirect measurement techniques,”
ability that it’s higher than 11 per- mote more tolerance.” od, participants don’t have to directly Gervais says.
FFRF protests NASA religious grant
FFRF is again protesting a wrongful • Formulating a “Christian re-
NASA grant of more than $1 million in sponse” to scientific studies on
taxpayer money that was largely used morality,
for religious purposes. • Developing a new model of bibli-
In May 2015, NASA’s astrobiology cal interpretation.
program awarded $1.108 million to • Relating themes from First Cor-
the Center of Theological Inquiry for inthians, a book in the Christian bi-
“an interdisciplinary inquiry on the so- ble, to astrobiology.
cietal implications of astrobiology, the • Reconciling a potential astrobiol-
FFRF sends
study of the origins, evolution, distribu- ogy discovery with Christian theology.
tion, and future of life in the universe.” • Looking at how astrobiology
rebuttal to Air
Center Director William Storrar stat- would affect the Christian doctrine of
ed at the time, “The aim of this inquiry ing through these pages, Seidel and redemption.
is to foster theology’s dialogue with as- FFRF’s legal interns made two startling • Examining Christian ethics National Guard
trobiology on its societal implications, discoveries: First, there was damning and Christian doctrines of human
enriched by the contribution of scholars evidence confirming that the grant obligation. After a concerned guardsman in-
in the humanities and social sciences.” was indeed unconstitutional, violating • Looking at societal implications formed FFRF that ceremonies at the
FFRF sent a letter last year question- the separation of state and church. of astrobiology with “theological Pease Air National Guard Base regular-
ing the grant. The principal thrust of And, second, NASA Technical Offi- ethics.” ly schedule chaplains to deliver Chris-
the grant was theological. The grant cer Mary Voytek, the official manag- • Writing a monograph on Chris- tian invocations at mandatory gather-
was patently unconstitutional, FFRF ing the grant, has had a questionable tian forgiveness. ings, FFRF urged the base to remove
asserted, since government-funded sci- and likely unethical relationship with “We are informing NASA that it prayers from the ceremonies.
entific studies of theology create state- Storrar. cannot constitutionally fund theolo- However, even after FFRF Staff At-
church entanglements. With the NASA money, the Center gy,” Seidel writes to NASA Astrobiolo- torney Sam Grover noted that such
As part of its investigation, FFRF of Theological Inquiry hired 11 theo- gy Institute Director Penelope Boston practices are unconstitutional, the
requested records from NASA. Af- logians — 10 of them Christian — and in his recent letter. “The Supreme New Hampshire Air National Guard
ter several denials by the agency and only one actual scientist. That wouldn’t Court has explicitly held that refusing commander responded that religious
many appeals by FFRF Staff Attorney be problematic if they were doing sec- to fund scholarships for theology is promotion would continue.
Andrew Seidel, FFRF finally obtained ular work, but they weren’t. The work not religious discrimination under the “While base chaplains have the right
about 550 pages of records. Comb- proposed for the grant included: First Amendment.” to freely exercise their religion, they
do not have a constitutional right to a
Two Ohio officials sacrifice their government-sponsored microphone or
to impose their religion on guardsmen
jobs to uphold First Amendment attending a mandatory event,” wrote
Grover to Commanding Officer Colo-
FFRF applauds the courage of two local Ohio officials who nel James Ryan. “Halting chaplain-led
sacrificed their positions to uphold the First Amendment. prayer at base events should offend no
The village of Carey’s Mayor Armand one. Guardsmen and military chaplains
Getz and Law Director Emily Beckley took will remain free to practice their religion
the initiative to stop the Lord’s Prayer and on their own time, in their own way.”
the Pledge of Allegiance from being recit- Absurdly, 17 members of Congress
ed at Village Council meetings. signed an ill-informed letter penned
Shockingly, the pair received so by Rep. Doug Collins and Sen. James
many threats for their admirable ac- Lankford in support for the Air Na-
tions that they resigned on April 1. had wisely given a legal opinion that the council dispense tional Guard’s constitutional violation.
And, sadly, the Village Council passed a with prayer to avoid any potential lawsuit. Grover wrote to Collins condemning
resolution on March 20 to again intro- “It’s stirring to actually find examples of public officials the congressional advocacy for govern-
duce the Pledge, as well as a moment of jeopardizing their positions for the sake of the Constitution,” ment endorsement of Christianity. The
Armand Getz
silence, before each meeting. says FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor. “We are in awe decision to continue mandatory prayers
Getz has served our nation with four of Mayor Getz and Law Director Beckley.” contradicts the original purpose of mil-
years of active duty, saying his military background “serves Getz and Beckley had the correct perspective; the Carey itary chaplains, Grover wrote, which is
to strengthen my resolve.” He said, “If I thought for one Village Council is mistaken. to accommodate the free exercise of re-
minute that someone could conscientiously object to one or “Reciting the Lord’s Prayer at each Village Council meet- ligion by creating opportunities for ser-
both the prayer and Pledge of Allegiance and not suffer any ing is unconstitutional,” FFRF Legal Fellow Ryan Jayne vice members to voluntarily participate
adverse consequences, I would have left it alone.” Beckley wrote in a March 30 letter to the Carey Village Council. in religious exercises.
May 2017 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | Page 7
FREETHOUGHT TODAY
FFRF & Denver chapter
place 12 billboards
FFRF and its Metro Denver Chap- is based in the city.
ter placed a dozen timely billboards However, Gorsuch is not in harmony
throughout the Denver area for a with the sentiments of his fellow Colora-
month-long run in March. dans. He is out of step with voters in his
The billboards proclaim, “The only state, who last November overwhelming-
wall we need is between church and ly passed Proposition 106 — the End of
state.” Life Options Act — making it one of six
“We want the people of Denver and states to pioneer rational and compas-
Colorado to know that there is an or- sionate death-with-dignity legislation.
ganization that will stand up and fight In one of his most egregious ver-
for the constitutional principle of the dicts, Gorsuch ruled in 2013 that Hob-
separation of church and state,” says by Lobby had a religious right to deny
Denver Chapter Director Claudette women workers forms of contracep-
St.Pierre. “At no time in the histo- tion that its founder opposes. The U.S.
ry of the United States have our First Supreme Court went on to uphold that
Amendment rights possibly been more ruling, giving Hobby Lobby, a for-prof-
threatened than they are today.” it corporation, a religious exemption
FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie from following the Affordable Care Members of FFRF’s Metro Denver Chapter show off one of the dozen billboards
Gaylor cites newly confirmed Supreme Act’s contraceptive mandate. it and FFRF placed in the Denver area in March.
Court Justice Neil Gorsuch as a threat Gaylor calls Gorsuch’s position “un-
to secular government and individual tenable,” saying “religion cannot be al- ment Clause of the First Amendment for more than a century as a metaphor
liberties, given his “natural law” philos- lowed to trump women’s rights.” to the Constitution “erects a wall of to explain the Establishment Clause.
ophy derived from religious principles. The famed “wall of separation” separation between church and state.” “We hope that this billboard cam-
Denver residents are particularly phrase harks back to a letter that Jefferson wrote the letter knowing it paign will highlight the need to keep
familiar with Gorsuch and his judi- President Thomas Jefferson wrote the would become precedent, first clearing that ‘wall of separation’ imperme-
cial leanings, since he sat on the 10th Baptists of Danbury, Conn., on Jan. it with his attorney general. The U.S. able to the threats we will continue to
U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which 1, 1802, explaining that the Establish- Supreme Court has used the phrase face,” adds St.Pierre.
Nonbelief Relief gives $10K to combat famine
FFRF’s charitable arm gives to
$20,000 for Syrian relief and $10,000 for relief in Sudan.
UNICEF to help efforts in Somalia
• $25,000 to the Women’s Medical Fund, co-found-
Nonbelief Relief, a nonreligious humanitarian ed by the late Anne Nicol Gaylor, who was the FFRF’s
agency, is giving $10,000 to UNICEF for famine relief principal founder. The Women’s Medical Fund is an
efforts in Somalia. seum being built at the site of the Charleston, S.C., all-volunteer nonprofit based in Wisconsin and is be-
International aid officials recently announced wharf where more than 100,000 enslaved Africans were lieved to be the longest continuously operating abor-
that they are facing one of the biggest humanitarian brought through at the main port of entry in North tion rights charity in the nation.
disasters since World War II. Both drought and war America. The museum, expected to be completed by Nonbelief Relief was incorporated in 2015, with
have devastated Somalia. Up to four famines — in 2019, will illuminate their lives, history and descendants. the Freedom From Religion Foundation as its sole
Somalia, South Sudan, Nigeria and Yemen — are • $10,000 to Open Doors for Refugees (via Center member, and a board created to carry out the do-
breaking out at once, endangering more than 20 mil- for Community Stewardship), which has a $100,000 nations. It seeks to remediate conditions of human
lion lives, according to The New York Times. fundraising goal for 2017 to aid displaced Syrians suffering and injustice on a global scale, whether the
“Those of us who are not religious care deeply and other refugees in Madison, Wis. result of natural disasters, human actions or adher-
about this world, our only world,” says Nonbelief • $10,000 to the World Food Program (USA), affili- ence to religious dogma.
Relief Director Annie Laurie Gaylor. “We appreciate ated with the United Nations, “where needed most to Donations to Nonbelief Relief, which are deduct-
UNICEF’s work in Somalia and nearby nations, and ameliorate starvation, hunger and malnutrition.” Many ible for income-tax purposes, may be made via FFRF
we want to help it save lives.” of the starvation “hot spots,” such as Afghanistan, Syria, by designating Nonbelief Relief in the donation drop-
Other donations made by Nonbelief Relief in Iraq, Nigeria and Yemen have religion-based terrorism, down. Your donation will enable Nonbelief Relief
2017 include: warfare or disruption contributing to starvation, notes to continue to make humanitarian donations in the
• $5,000 to the International African American Mu- Nonbelief Relief. Last year, the charity gave the agency name of nontheism and freethought.
Quotable quotes from a nonagenarian atheist What Is a Freethinker?
freethinker n.
1 A person who forms opinions
about religion on the basis of
reason, independently of tradition,
authority, or established belief.
ADRIFT ON A STAR
— Music CD —
Photo by Dan Barker
Ken Proulx, 91, one of FFRF’s most august members, is pictured
with Annie Laurie Gaylor, FFRF co-president.
Here are some of Ken’s words of wisdom:
“Instead of the cross, the symbol of the Catholic Church should
Irreverent selections by
be the rack and the stake.”
“If they would take these words ‘heaven’ and ‘paradise’ and put Dan Barker, Yip Harburg,
them under the microscope of aisles, they’d realize they’ve only got Charles Strouse, Cole
noise, a disturbance of the air, nothing more.” Photo by Chris Line Porter, Gershwin & others.
“There isn’t a single writer who makes a reference to this Editorial Assistant Molly Hanson sits in the
Jesus character when he was pulling out all these party tricks Ken Proulx Cupola on the fourth floor of
Buy it from FFRF online
with fishes and loaves of bread. There isn’t an ounce of evidence FFRF’s newly expanded Freethought Hall in
shop.ff rf.org
Jesus even existed. People invent their own gods.” downtown Madison, Wis.
Page 8 | | Madison, Wisconsin | May 2017
FFRF FREETHOUGHT TODAY
FFRF VICTORIES
FFRF gets police station prayer display removed
A huge prayer display has been removed from a sage to . . . nonadherents’” that they are not full
Wisconsin police station thanks to FFRF intervening members of the political community, to quote the
on behalf of the Constitution. U.S. Supreme Court.
A concerned area resident contacted FFRF to Citizens interact with and rely on law enforcement
report that the Onalaska Police Department had a officers during some of the most urgent and vulnera-
large religious display on the wall of a public room in ble times of their lives, FFRF reminded Trotnic. The
a local police station. Onalaska Police Department’s religious display con-
It is laudable for the police department to recog- veyed a message to nonreligious citizens that they
nize the challenges officers face and to promote com- weren’t favored members of the political community.
passion and courage in law enforcement. But these Law enforcement must be even-handed and avoid
sentiments should not be couched in the religious any appearance of bias toward some citizens or hos-
message that a god should be the officers’ “guide” in tility toward others.
their work, and is responsible for their success and FFRF requested that the prayer display be re-
safety, FFRF asserted. moved immediately. The Onalaska Police Depart-
“Displaying ‘A Police Officer’s Prayer’ in the po- to Onalaska Police Chief Jeffrey Trotnic in January. ment recently informed FFRF that it has acceded to
lice station demonstrates a preference for religion “By endorsing belief in a god, the Onalaska Police the organization’s request.
over nonreligion on behalf of the Onalaska Police Department sponsors a religious message, which is “Dear Mr. Jayne: The item in question has been
Department,” FFRF Legal Fellow Ryan Jayne wrote ‘impermissible because it sends the ancillary mes- removed,” Trotnic wrote back.
By Molly Hanson Wyatt responded on March 20 that California schools’
the sign listing Orchard Church ac-
religious promotion ends
Florida teacher stops tivities would no longer be displayed
starting in March and that all refer- Two instances of unconstitutional re-
praying with students
ences to Orchard Church would be re- ligious promotion by staff in California’s
Florida’s Walton County School moved from the sign once the school Del Norte County Unified School District
District put an end to classroom year ends in May. were brought to FFRF’s attention.
prayers in its public elementary A weekly bulletin distributed to staff at
school after FFRF got involved. New Mexico museum film Del Norte High School and put on dis-
A concerned district family in- play in the school’s hallway contained a cutout of a soldier kneeling and a
to be properly replaced
formed FFRF that a teacher at West religious saying at the end which read: Christian cross.
DeFuniak Elementary was imposing Starting this spring, the Bradbury “Your talent is God’s gift to you. What FFRF Managing Staff Attorney
prayer on her third-grade class. The Science Museum in New Mexico will you do with it is your gift back to God.” Rebecca Markert and CFI Vice Pres-
year before, the teacher had been do- show a new film to replace a movie FFRF was also informed that at the dis- ident Nicholas Little wrote to the
ing the same with her second-grade that unnecessarily endorsed religion trict’s Bess Maxwell Elementary School, a Alto Downtown Development Au-
class. FFRF was told that she was lin- and distorted historical fact. cafeteria worker had handed out pencils thority to express concern over the
ing her students up against a wall to FFRF was informed by several con- to students on Valentine’s Day with notes religious display to honor all veter-
sanitize their hands and then pray- cerned citizens across the country attached reading “Jesus [heart]’s You and ans, especially when 25 percent of
ing with them before lunch. When of religious imagery in a movie be- I Do Too!” military personnel identify as atheist
the family addressed the concern ing shown at the Bradbury Science FFRF Legal Fellow Madeline Ziegler or agnostic.
with the school principal, she failed Museum, which is a part of a gov- wrote to Del Norte County USD Super- Markert and Little pointed out
to take action. ernment-run laboratory. The movie, intendent Jeff Harris on March 17. that the memorial sent out a message
FFRF Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel “The Town that Never Was,” displays Harris wrote back that day, inform- that the government only cares about
sent a letter Feb. 28 to WCSD Super- religious iconography and prayers to ing FFRF that the high school principal the deaths of Christian soldiers and
intendent Russell Hughes. Catholic deities in its first two min- had dealt with the religious wording in not non-Christian or nonreligious
Hughes responded on March 3 utes, apparently to contrast Catholi- the bulletin and that the district admin- soldiers.
that he would begin the recommend- cism with the Nazi regime. istration was addressing the inappropri- The organizations were informed
ed investigation. FFRF was later in- “The clumsy attempt at contrast is ate gift given out on Valentine’s Day. on March 29 that the memorial had
formed that classroom prayers had a distraction that happens to endorse been removed and would not be
ended. religion in an inappropriate man- Prayers silenced by reinstalled.
ner,” wrote Co-Presidents Annie Lau-
FFRF in Georgia school
FFRF shuts off Colorado rie Gaylor and Dan Barker to Brad- Montana youth minister
bury Science Museum Director Linda Two teachers at Jones-Wheat Ele-
school’s marquee deterred from schools
Deck in November 2016. mentary School in Georgia’s Decatur
FFRF Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel County Schools District will no longer Religious leaders will no longer be
sent a follow-up letter to Linda Deck be teaching students to pray after FFRF permitted to prey upon school chil-
on Feb. 21 asking for the religious got involved. dren for proselytization in Montana’s
imagery to be edited out. Deck re- A concerned parent contacted Missouri’s Forsyth R-III Schools after
sponded on March 14 that a more ap- FFRF to report that their child had FFRF raised alarm.
propriate history film would replace recited prayers at home that they had It was brought to FFRF’s concern
“The Town that Never Was.” learned in school. It was discovered that a youth minister, Jeffrey Bar-
that multiple teachers at the school rikman, from First Baptist Church,
Soccer coach to stay had been engaging in the prayer was given special access to students
practice resulting in the indoctrina- at Forsyth Middle School. Barrik-
hands and prayer-free
tion of schoolchildren. man had been allowed onto school
A California high school soccer FFRF Legal Fellow Madeline grounds as a “visitor,” a privilege he
Thanks to FFRF, a Colorado public coach will be keeping his hands and Ziegler contacted Decatur County used to sit and speak with children
high school’s digital marquee will no blessings off athletes after FFRF blew Schools Superintendent Tim Co- during lunch. Back in 2015, the dis-
longer display advertisements for Or- the whistle on the constitutional foul. chran on January 18. trict had been put on notice of sim-
chard Church. It was brought to FFRF’s attention After receiving Ziegler’s letter, ilar recruitment tactics by First Bap-
Since 2012, Prairie View High by a concerned community member FFRF was informed that Cochran tist Church.
School has permanently displayed the that the coach was leading his players held a meeting with all district ad- On March 31, FFRF Staff Attorney
sign promoting a Christian message. It in prayer before games, which involved ministrators to remind each employ- Patrick Elliott cautioned the school
was donated by the church as a way of the “laying of hands” ritual. ee of the prohibitions on religious district against its unconstitutional
showcasing the unconstitutional part- FFRF Legal Fellow Madeline Ziegler expression set forth by the Establish- endorsement of First Baptist Church
nership between the school and Or- wrote to Los Banos Unified School ment Clause. and allowance of evangelization
chard Church. District Acting Superintendent Dean during the lunch period.
For years, the high school has al- Bubar on March 24. After receiving Michigan town removes “This predatory conduct is inap-
lowed the church to use its building for Ziegler’s letter, the district looked propriate and should raise many red
religious memorial
religious services, and now the church into the matter and discussed the First flags,” Elliott wrote to Superinten-
plans to strengthen this alliance by Amendment violation with the coach. FFRF and the Center For Inquiry dent Jeff Mingus.
building its own facility next door. Bubar wrote to inform FFRF on March were informed by a local resident of Mingus responded on April 7 in-
FFRF Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel 30 that the coach assured the district Alto, Mich., of an unconstitutional forming FFRF that adjustments had
wrote to School District 27J Superin- he would refrain from promoting or cross memorial monument at Alto been made to ensure that school vis-
tendent Chris Fiedler on March 1. participating in religious rituals during Veterans Park. itors do not violate the separation of
District General Council Janet K. the next soccer season. The memorial displayed a black religion and school.
May 2017 | Madison, Wisconsin | FFRF | Page 9
FREETHOUGHT TODAY
Supreme Court leans
Times Square shows FFRF video ad
over slippery slope
Missouri preschool case
ground violates the First Amend-
could be bad news for ment. “No one is asking the church
to change its beliefs,” she said. “If the
state-church separation
issue is discrimination based on reli-
gion, what about the benefits that go
In what could be a dangerous to churches? There’s plenty of people
precedent, the Supreme Court of the who would think the tax exemption
United States appeared to lean to- goes too far.”
ward breaking down a portion of the When Ginsburg asked the church
state-church wall that has prevented attorney if it could “demand as a
religious institutions from receiving matter of federal constitutional right
public money. that the playground be funded, even
FFRF is promoting its secular video message — “The only wall we need is A Missouri day care and preschool though they have an admission policy
between church and state” — in giant lettering on a digital board that is 56 owned by Trinity Lutheran Church that favors members of their church?”
feet wide and 29 feet high, in the heart of Times Square at 1500 Broadway. had requested a grant from a state he said, “Yes.”
The message is looping several times per hour from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m., and will fund to help re- Washington Post columnist Dana
air at least 5,460 times over a three-month period. The animated board was furbish a play- Milbank thinks the lawsuit is anoth-
designed by FFRF Graphic Designer Roger Daleiden. ground’s black- er attempt by conservatives to chisel
“With so many political developments preoccupying Americans, we topped surface away at the Establishment Clause of
don’t want the constitutional principle of separation between state and with rubber par- the First Amendment.
church to be overlooked,” says FFRF Co-President Dan Barker. “With ticles. Missouri’s “It was about interest groups whose
the appointment of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court, the Constitution, like business model depends on perpetu-
Establishment Clause is in danger.” those in 38 oth- ating the culture wars trying to fright-
er states, prohib- en people into thinking Christianity
its sending tax is under siege,” he wrote. “It was a
Ruth Bader
Texas Gov. Abbott files for money to church- springtime version of the annual ‘war
Ginsburg
es and church on Christmas.’”
schools. When The case could lead to a major shift
protective order in FFRF case
the state denied in the law on church schools and pub-
the funds, the lic funding. Lawmakers in many states
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has filed for government official, he is protected school sued. have been pushing hard for vouchers
a protective order in an ongoing FFRF from having to testify. The motion also On April 19, and scholarships to allow public funds
case that challenges his censorship. asserts, “Governor Abbott has no unique most of the Su- to support religious schools.
FFRF received a state-issued permit personal knowledge of any fact that is in preme Court jus- It was unclear from the argument
to place, in response to a Christian na- any way relevant to this dispute.” tices showed signs whether the justices would rule broad-
tivity scene, an exhibit in the Texas Cap- Last year, U.S. District Court Judge that they would ly in favor of church schools or focus
itol in December 2015 honoring the Sam Sparks ruled that FFRF’s case be willing to al- narrowly on the playground because it
Sonia Sotomayor
Bill of Rights and winter solstice. against the governor in his official and low funds to go had nothing to do with worshiping or
Abbott ordered the exhibit re- individual capacity could proceed. this project, con- teaching religion.
moved, calling the display “tasteless After initially issuing the censorship tending it is not specifically religious It initially appeared that the case
sarcasm” and claiming that FFRF was letter, Abbott tweeted, “Mocking the in nature and would therefore be dis- might resolve itself when Missouri’s
seeking to “mock our nation’s Ju- Capitol Nativity Scene is Offensive. I crimination based on religion. Only new Republican governor, Eric Greit-
deo-Christian heritage.” Demand Removal of Satirical ‘Nativity Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ruth ens, announced that the state would
The motion, filed April 17, seeks to Scene’ from Capitol.” Bader Ginsburg indicated they felt it no longer deny grants to church
prevent Abbott from being deposed in FFRF will file a response to the pro- was a slippery slope that should not be schools, thereby making the case
the lawsuit that FFRF filed after its free- tective order motion, asserting that crossed. seemingly moot. But the justices pro-
dom of expression was muzzled. Abbott is subject to a deposition in the Sotomayor said she did not see ceeded as if the case were still under
Abbott’s motion for a protective case. The case is scheduled for a trial in how the state’s refusal to fund a play- the previous state policy.
order asserts that as a high-ranking October 2018.
Housing
Pussy hats galore
Continued from page 1
§107(2) was actually intended to pro- near-hysterical outcry from churches
vide a financial benefit to religious and ministers, with practically every
clergy without regard to any ‘unique’ denomination, including the Unitar-
housing relationships.” The princi- ians and liberal Jewish, filing briefs
pal sponsor, Rep. Peter Mack, argued against FFRF. FFRF has referred to the
during hearings, “Certainly, in these case as “David vs. Goliath” because vir-
times when we are being threatened tually all religious groups weighed in
by a godless and anti-religious world against FFRF’s challenge to religious
movement we should correct this dis- privilege.
crimination against certain ministers In 2014, the 7th U.S. Circuit Court Photo by Laryn Seering
of the gospel who are carrying on such of Appeals ruled that Barker and Gay- FFRF member and hardworking volunteer Linda Josheff (center) offered
a courageous fight . . . caring for our lor did not have standing to bring the to knit feminist pussy hats for interested staffers. Taking her up on
spiritual welfare.” case because they hadn’t yet sought her kind offer, pictured (from left with Linda) in the Anne Nicol Gaylor
FFRF and its members first brought a refund of their housing allowance Lobby of FFRF’s office, Freethought Hall: FFRF Editorial Assistant Molly
suit to challenge the housing allow- from the IRS. Accordingly, Barker and Hanson; Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor; Director of First Impressions
ance in 2009 in the U.S. District Court Gaylor filed for a tax refund in 2015 Lisa Treu, Bookkeeper Eleanor McEntee and Publicist Lauryn Seering.
for the Eastern District of California. and were denied a housing allowance
The case was later moved to Wisconsin, by the IRS.
after the U.S. Supreme Court issued a In a June 27, 2016, letter the IRS
RECRUIT A MEMBER
decision in another case limiting who stated, “IRC Section 107 specifically re-
may challenge certain government tax quires that to exclude a housing allow-
expenditures. ance from income you must be a min-
sample copies for $2
In 2013, U.S. District Judge Barba- ister of the gospel. The IRS does not
ra Crabb ruled in FFRF’s favor, find- have the authority to interpret this to
ing that the clergy housing allowance include anyone other than those who Send $2 with the name and address of each person you
was unconstitutional. She wrote that meet this definition.” This proves the wish to receive a sample copy of Freethought Today to:
“the exemption provides a benefit point FFRF is attempting to make in its
to religious persons and no one else, lawsuit. FFRF • P.O. Box 750 • Madison, WI 53701
even though doing so is not neces- The case, Gaylor v. Lew, Case No. — Please send us only names of likely supporters —
sary to alleviate a special burden on 3:16-cv-00215-bbc, is before Judge Bar-
religious exercise.” bara Crabb, U.S. District Court, West- Freedom depends upon freethinkers
The decision provoked a national ern District of Wisconsin.
Page 10 | | Madison, Wisconsin | May 2017
FFRF FREETHOUGHT TODAY
IN THE NEWS
Church may form own police force?
Despite FFRF objection,
cials could be used to cover up crimes. school entity.
FFRF has notified Alabama Public Experts have said such a police de-
Alabama Senate OKs bill
Safety and Homeland Security Com- partment would be unprecedented in
The Alabama Senate has voted to mittee Chairman Allen Treadaway and the United States.
allow a church to form its own police other members of the major problems “The Alabama Statehouse is hurtling
force. with the bill. down an extremely slippery slope,” says
Lawmakers on April 12 voted 24-4 to “Our Founders sought to move FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gay-
allow Briarwood Presbyterian Church away from this violence by relegat- lor. “A constitutional wreck is in the
in a Birmingham suburb to establish ing government and religion to sep- offing unless it changes course.”
a law enforcement department. The arate spheres,” FFRF Staff Attorney The ACLU of Alabama also urged
measure now goes to the House, and if Andrew Seidel wrote. “Authorizing lawmakers to vote no to the Briarwood
it passes there, as expected, it will go to a church police force is precisely the police force.
Gov. Kay Ivey for her signature. unconstitutional unification of re- “Vesting state police powers in a Briarwood Presbyterian Church
The church says it needs its own ligious zeal and secular power they church police force would violate
police officers to keep its school and sought to avoid.” the Establishment Clause of the First essarily carve out special programs for
4,000-person congregation safe. The state has given a few private Amendment,” Randall Marshall, the religious organizations and inextrica-
Critics of the bill argue that a police universities the authority to have a po- ACLU’s acting executive director, bly intertwine state authority and pow-
department that reports to church offi- lice force, but never a church or non- wrote in a memo. “These bills unnec- er with church operations.”
Court: Texas Board can
amount to harming a human being. • 17 percent of all people believe explicitly clear the rights to religious
begin with prayer The court said in its ruling that Hin- the biblical story of the resurrection expression that students and teachers
dus had “deep faith” in the two rivers and word-for-word. have in public schools, regardless of
A federal appeals court ruled on they “collectively connect with them.” • 31 percent of Christians believe their faith.
March 20 that a Texas school board the biblical story of the resurrection, But Democrats worry the measure
may begin its meetings with student- Facebook threatened for rising to 57 percent among “active” goes beyond existing protections of
led prayers. Christians (those who go to a religious religious freedom and violates the con-
blasphemy in Pakistan
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Ap- service at least once a month). stitutional separation between church
peals rejected an appeal by the Amer- Pakistan’s government wants social • 50 percent of those surveyed did and state. They also fear it could lead to
ican Humanist Association, which said media networks, including Facebook, not believe in the resurrection at all. students and teachers being ostracized
the practice by the Birdville Indepen- to remove material deemed insulting • 20 percent of nonreligious peo- or discriminated against if they’re of
dent School District violated the First to Islam or the Prophet Muhammad. ple say they believe in some form of non-Christian faiths or nonreligious.
Amendment’s prohibition of a govern- Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif warned life after death.
ment establishment of religion. that those posting such content would • 9 percent of nonreligious people Virginia governor vetoes
Birdville’s school board, since 1997, be “strictly punished.” believe in Jesus’ resurrection, 1 percent
‘religious freedom’ bills
has let students open meetings with “If we do not get a response from of whom say they believe it literally.
statements that were usually prayers, social media, I do not care about any- Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe struck
often referring to Jesus and asking au- one, there is nothing greater than our Indiana man receives down two Republican-backed bills
dience members to pray. faith,” Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar aimed at protecting religious groups
‘ATHE1ST’ license plate
Writing for the appeals court, Cir- Ali Khan said. “If social media and es- that oppose same-sex marriage.
cuit Judge Jerry Smith said the matter pecially international social media stays A man who was initially denied an In- McAuliffe, a Democrat in the last
involved legislative prayer, because a on this route, then we will have to take diana license plate reading “ATHE1ST” year of his four-year term, vetoed the
school board was “more like a legisla- strong action regarding social media.” now has the personalized plate. bills, calling them “another attempt to
ture” than a classroom. He did not specify what action The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehi- stigmatize” LGBT Virginians.
might be taken. Those convicted of cles denied Chris Bontrager’s first re- “You already have religious protec-
Majority of states has blasphemy can face the death penalty quest in February without citing a specif- tion. Why would you push this bill out
under Pakistani law. ic reason. The bureau’s denial letter to that does absolutely nothing?” McAu-
all-Christian delegations
Bontrager noted the agency could refuse liffe said. “All you’re doing is trying to
A recent Pew Research Center anal- Quarter of UK Christians a personalized plate if it had a connota- divide people. And I’m just not going
ysis of the 115th Congress compiled by tion offensive to good taste or decency, to tolerate it.”
say no Jesus resurrection
CQ Roll Call shows that more than half was misleading or deemed improper. Republican leaders have said the ve-
the states (28) have delegations that A quarter of people who describe toes show McAuliffe’s disinterest in work-
are composed entirely of Christians. themselves as Christians in Great Brit- Florida Senate votes for ing with the Legislature and have argued
These delegations range in size from ain do not believe in the resurrection some of the bills aren’t as divisive as the
religious expression
three members to 38. In none of these of Jesus, a survey commissioned by the governor makes them out to be.
states is the general population more BBC suggests. Florida’s public schools would have to
than 86 percent Christian. However, almost one in 10 people of let students lead religious prayers during By 2035, Muslim births to
Other findings show that: no religion says they do believe the Eas- the school day and at school-sanctioned
overtake Christian ones
• Even though less than half of all ter story, but it has “some content that events, under a proposal that the state
American adults are Protestant, six should not be taken literally.” Senate approved recently. Worldwide in the next 20 years, the
states have delegations that are 100 A fifth of nonreligious people believe State Sen. Dennis Baxley heralded number of babies born to Muslims is
percent Protestant. in life after death, the poll suggests. his bill as a way for lawmakers to “take expected to surpass the births from
• Catholics, who make up 31 per- The survey also shows: a stand for liberty,” because it makes Christian parents, although there will
cent of Congress and 21 percent of still be more Christians in the world.
the adult population, are included Muslims now account for 24 percent
Belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ in UK
among the congressional delegations of the world population, compared
of all but 11 states. % of people asked about the Bible story of Christ rising from the dead with 31 percent for Christians.
• There are 20 states that have at But a new study by the Pew Research
least one non-Christian member of General public All Christians Active Christians Center found that due to higher fertil-
Congress. ity rates and a relatively young popula-
tion, the share of babies born to Mus-
Sacred rivers in India Believe Bible version lims is growing.
So while 31 percent of all births be-
given human status
tween 2010 and 2015 were in Muslim
A court in northern India has giv- Believe (but not as in Bible) families as compared with 33 percent
en the Ganges and Yamuna rivers the in Christian ones, the proportions are
status of “living human entities.” Both expected to be nearly equal at around
rivers are considered sacred in India by Do not believe 225 million in the early 2030s.
the majority Hindu population. People who identify with no reli-
The high court in the Himalayan gion, who now make up 16 percent of
state of Uttarakhand said this would Don’t know the world population, had 10 percent
help in the “preservation and conser- of the world’s babies during that peri-
vation” of the highly polluted rivers. od. But in four decades, 9 percent of
0 20 40 60 80 100
It added that the “legal status” en- babies will be born to the religiously
sures that polluting the rivers would now Source: ComRes survey of 2,010 British adults for BBC local radio unaffiliated.