NoGodBlog.com

Faith Leaders from Across the Commonwealth to Declare it’s Time to “Insure PA Now”!

PHILADELPHIA: On Sunday, May 18, more than 1,000 congregations representing faiths from across Pennsylvania will focus their sermons on the need to expand the access to affordable, quality healthcare. This is the second statewide clergy day focusing on healthcare. The first “Justice for All” event, held in February featured 247 congregations.

“Providing access to affordable, quality health insurance isn’t just a ‘public policy’ question, it’s a moral question,” said Pastor Bill Devlin, the leader of the statewide faith coalition. “Every faith believes that it is critical to care for our physical being as well as spiritual need. Without access to care, too many people are unable to do that – and that is morally wrong.”

During this weekend’s events, the need for healthcare reform will be highlighted during services across Pennsylvania . At each location, congregants will be asked to add their name to the growing list of Pennsylvanians who demand that elected officials enact real healthcare reform now. Elected officials will be presented with the names of their constituents who support immediate healthcare reform.
...
In March, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed “Pennsylvania Access to Basic Care” (PABC) (SB 1137), a plan that will provide access to care for almost 250,000 uninsured adults. The plan will also provide special grants to small employers to help them cover the costs for their employees and protect Pennsylvania ’s physicians by extending state help for their insurance premiums. The bill awaits action in the state Senate.

Pennsylvanians United for Affordable Healthcare is a 501(c)4 organization dedicated to improving the access to affordable, quality healthcare. To learn more or to join our coalition, visit www.insurepanow.org

Although we are not a faith organization, this is NOT a faith issue. However, I DO agree that THIS is what churches should be doing -- uniting to help all people without pushing religion.

We DO need healthcare reform (not just in PA), and this effort seems to be right on the money.

A number of e-mails and comments have been received criticizing the Board of Directors of American Atheists for its dismissal of Ellen Johnson as President. Acting President Frank Zindler has been answering at least some of these critics as time has allowed.

In reply to one person who suggested that the dismissal was rash, precipitous, or even without cause, Zindler replied:

"Thank you for writing to American Atheists concerning the dismissal of President Ellen Johnson. Please be assured that this was not an action that was taken lightly or without an immense amount of agonizing on the part of all members of the board. Two special meetings of the Boards of Directors of American Atheists, Inc., and its four affiliated American Atheists corporations were held for the purpose of allowing Ms. Johnson to discuss policies concerning which she and the boards disagreed. For reasons known only to Ms. Johnson, she did not take part in those meetings and did nothing to resolve the issues in question. Consequently, at a third special meeting of the boards, a majority of the directors felt it their fiduciary responsibility to remove Ms. Johnson from the office of President, although she has not been removed from membership on the boards themselves."

Several critics have argued that it was unfair or even treacherous to dismiss Ms. Johnson while on her civil-rights march to Mississippi. Zindler's reply was

"Concerning Ms. Johnson's 'Bill Moore March' through Alabama and Mississippi, I must inform you that this was carried out without the sponsorship of American Atheists, Inc. For complex legal reasons, the Board of Directors had instructed her not to do that in any way that would give the impression that the action was an official activity of American Atheists, Inc."

Several of Zindler's letters have contained the following paragraph:

"I hope you will understand that most of the members of the boards of directors are seasoned Atheists with long experience in American Atheists, Inc., going back to an early period in the career of Madalyn Murray O'Hair. We care deeply for the organization she founded and wish to see it prosper. We honor her memory and seek by all legal means available to advance her cause -- the cause of Atheist civil liberties, separation of state and church, and the liberation of the human mind. We feel now more than ever that this is the most important Atheist organization in America -- not only in what it is trying to do but also in what it is in fact doing."

One writer has even alleged that the boards dismissed Ellen for reasons of power or personal gain, to which Zindler replied:

"Your assertion that the Board dismissed Ms. Johnson 'for seemingly no better reason that to exercise power' is particularly troubling, as it presumes either that we acted out of whim -- i.e., with no compelling reason of fiduciary responsibility -- or that we somehow will enjoy personal gain from this painful action. I cannot expect you to believe that we did in fact have important reasons of fiduciary responsibility for the simple reason that I am not at liberty to tell you what those were. However, as for the second assumption -- that of personal gain from exercise of power -- I would have you know that all the Directors of the Board serve without salary, as do the Secretary and Treasurer. Although Ms. Johnson as President did receive a very modest salary, as Acting President I am serving without pay -- as I have done for 13 years as Managing Editor of American Atheist Press (itself a full-time job).

"I will be Acting President probably for only five or six months, until a new President can be selected. Nevertheless, I hope you will stay with us and help us in our fight against the forces of ignorance and superstition -- not only through my brief tenure in an office I never sought, but also into the future with whomever succeeds me."

Zindler also has expressed gratitude for Ellen's accomplishments in many of his replies, for example "I agree with you perhaps more than you can appreciate that Ellen Johnson has been a brilliant and effective leader of the Atheist movement and has made many extremely important contributions to the cause of reason, Atheist civil liberties, and separation of state and church."

This is very good, and very important, and the AU had a great press release, so here it is.

Religious Groups Remain Free To Make Decisions About Marriage In Keeping With Their Theology, Says AU's Lynn

The California Supreme Court decision in favor of same-sex marriage respects the boundaries between religion and government, says Americans United for Separation of Church and State

In a May 15 decision, the court majority held that the state constitution mandates that same-sex couples have the same right to the benefits of civil marriage as opposite-sex couples.

The justices made clear, however, that the ruling applies only to civil marriages. Religious communities remain free to marry same-sex couples or not, in keeping with their theology.

Said the court, “[A]ffording same-sex couples the opportunity to obtain the designation of marriage will not impinge upon the religious freedom of any religious organization, official, or any other person; no religion will be required to change its religious policies or practices with regard to same-sex couples, and no religious officiant will be required to solemnize a marriage in contravention of his or her religious beliefs.”

The court cited Article I, Section 4 of the state constitution, which says in part, “Free exercise and enjoyment of religion without discrimination or preference are guaranteed” and “The Legislature shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.”

The Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director, said, “This decision is an important victory for church-state separation. The court majority made it very clear that civil marriage is a secular institution governed by principles of freedom.”

“The court also made it clear that no congregation can be forced to marry people in violation of their theological standards,” Lynn continued. “That’s a strong reaffirmation of religious liberty.”

One important note that I feel has been ignored in the issue: If churches can not be forced into marrying gay couples because it violates their religion, cannot the same be said for churches that WANT to marry gays? Shouldn't the Unitarians (or someone else) be speaking up here, demanding the right to marry gays, under their Constitutional right to freedom of religion?

The only true solution to the Gay Marriage issue is to separate a religious institution from a civil one. Any church should be able to marry anyone, or refuse to do so, based on religious grounds. But the STATE MUST "join" any two adults who so desire. That's the only way everyone gets what they want.

http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/ObamaonFaith.pdf

I sat in a hotel bar last night watching their big TV screen, when the news pops up with Senator Obama "going Christian". A brochure with the Senator standing in front of a huge cross, touting "Faith and Morals" was plastered on the screen, and I felt the bile in my belly begin to boil.

TRUE: In the above-listed PDF he gives sturdy lip-service to the separation of church and state, which is more than I can say for any other candidate (HILLARY!).

I just can't stomach when politicians literally promote prejudice by linking religion and morality. I feel offended at a deep and profound level when they unflinchingly throw secular people to the side and push their Jesus down everyone's throat.

To be clear, I'm not complaining that he is a Christian, or that he SAYS he's a Christian, but when he USES Christianity and the LIE that morality and religion are linked JUST to get elected, I feel betrayed. Yes. That's the word.

I took my wife and friend to Van Halen last night in the Izod Arena, which used to be the Continental Arena,and everyone still calls "Meadowlands".

The good news is they were great! Eddie, Alex,and David together played like the old days, and Eddie's kid Wolfgang (who looks like Valerie Bertinelli with short hair) kept up well.

But EDDIE is still the star of the show, and made sounds with his guitar I didn't know a guitar could make.

Rock on, gentlemen!

Funny though... I used to be able to hear the keys "click" when I typed on my keyboard.

For Immediate Release: May 13, 2008
Contact: Anne Singer, 202-271-4679

Religious Right Tries, Again, to Impose the Ten Commandments on American Citizens

The Secular Coalition for America Responds

On May 8, 2008, the Reverend Rob Schenck held a press conference in Washington, DC in an effort to drum up support for a Congressional resolution declaring an annual National Ten Commandments Weekend. Schenck also called on the Supreme Court to issue a definitive ruling allowing the public display of the Ten Commandments in its decision on the Utah case of Pleasant Grove City v. Summum, a case the Court takes up this fall.

Schenk is President of Faith and Action, “a Christian outreach whose mission is to challenge Capitol Hill with Biblical Truth and change the nation one policy maker at a time.” Joining Rev. Schenck at the press briefing in front of the Supreme Court were the Reverend Patrick J. Mahoney of the Christian Defense Coalition and William J. Murray of the Religious Freedom Coalition. All three groups are active in national politics and are part of the larger conservative religious movement.

Schenk told his audience, “Religious freedom is the first and most important of all freedoms,” and that “the Ten Commandments unify all Americans.”

In response to this renewed effort to pass a Ten Commandments Weekend resolution, originally introduced in 2006, the Director of the Secular Coalition for America, Lori Lipman Brown, issued the following statement:

“Someone should ask Rev. Schenck how he can say he supports religious freedom when his goal is clearly to undermine religious freedom in our country. Apparently Rev. Schenck is unable or unwilling to see the hypocrisy of his position.

“Calling on Congress to endorse the Ten Commandments flies in the face of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the Constitution. The Establishment Clause states that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion" and yet the first few Commandments demand the worship of only one god. The First Amendment also protects the free exercise of religion, but the Commandments prohibit it by prescribing even the act of uttering God’s name, not to mention how we get to spend our weekends.

“Furthermore, imposing the Ten Commandments on citizens by forcing them to pay with their tax dollars for their presence and maintenance in public places also flouts the First Amendment; asking the Supreme Court to allow the public display of biblical laws is fundamentally un-American.

“The Ten Commandments are not unifying. They are, in fact, divisive in the way they privilege a few religions and reject the rest and would, if sanctioned by our government, condemn the tens of millions of Americans who don’t believe in a god. America prides itself on religious diversity, and our government must never tell us how – or whether – to worship. Anyone looking for ten rules to rally around need look no further than the Bill of Rights.”

*

The Secular Coalition for America is the national lobby for atheists, humanists, freethinkers and other nontheistic Americans with the unique mission of protecting their civil rights. Based in Washington, DC, its full-time lobbyist and support staff engage public policy makers and the media to increase the visibility and respectability of nontheistic viewpoints and to protect and strengthen the secular character of our government as the best guarantee of freedom for all. Information is at www.secular.org .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdVucvo-kDU

I love this video. Check it out, and post your favorites here!

No, I didn't. I just forgot to post about it.

I got my wife and mother some flowers, and my "daughter bought Mommy some earrings" (Translation: Daddy bought earrings and daughter took the credit).

The thing about Mothers is they are used to kids being late for Mother's Day. So here I am moms. Happy belated Mother's Day.

The Atheism Tapes
to Contribute to the MAAF

An article in the New York Times last Saturday brought to our attention the intolerance in the U.S. armed services of soldiers who do not subscribe to traditional belief systems. Specialist Jeremy Hall, a member of the Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers (MAAF), was sent home last November after being threatened by other soldiers for his secular views, and has filed suit in federal court alleging that his right to be free to act according to his conscience had been violated. Read More
In an effort to support Jeremy Hall and his fellow atheists valiantly serving the United States, Alive Mind has partnered with the MAAF on the The Atheism Tapes (featuring Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Colin McGinn and others). Throughout the month of May we are offering 20% off the DVD in honor of Memorial Day, and will donate $3 from each purchase to the MAAF to support atheists in our military.
Purchase The Atheism Tapes for yourself and your friends this month and show your support for the issues you care about. Just visit the Alive Mind Store, add your item to cart and enter coupon code: ATMAAF20

I'm really happy to have been able to view and review the Atheism Tapes. This two-DVD set presents itself as the "leftovers" of the "Brief History of Disbelief", which included interviews from Dennett, Dawkins, Arthur Miller, etc. But in reality this is far more than the set of "deleted scenes".

What is presented in The Atheism Tapes are jewels of knowledge -- rare and valuable. To say I learned something is an understatement, as each speaker presented an interesting view of the world and how religion & Atheism play their respective roles. The fact that they are further helping the Cause with this promotion is a cherry on top.

I loved this DVD, and I'm sure to watch it over and over again.

When I tell people that last summer I volunteered at an American summer camp designed for the children of atheists, agnostics and other non-believers, I get very mixed reactions. Some even react as if I were trying to abolish religion, brainwashing children with my “liberal agenda”, or force communism on the innocent little ones. So, now that Camp Quest is due to arrive in the UK in 2009, I feel I should set the record straight.
Camp Quest is a non-profit organization that provides residential summer camps for children of those who choose not to believe in a god, and who want their children to learn the values of critical thinking, philosophy and science. It is the first summer camp of its kind in North America, started in 1996 by Edwin and Helen Kagin as an alternative to the pro-theist policy of the Boy Scouts of America.

http://www.theyorker.co.uk/news/features/1733

This article was written by our own Samantha Stein, who hopefully will be expanding Camp Quest to England next year. In the mean time, check out this article.

If you have camp-age kids, this is a great idea. The kids have a GREAT time and make long-term friends with Atheists (they won't be the only Atheists anymore). This is NOT "Atheist Camp". It's simply a camp where Atheism is viewed as a positive thing. There is no no "pushing Atheism". Kids will learn about famous Atheists, do science experiments, and talk about religion to some extent. I'd say it's 95% "just camp" (my theistic wife is comfortable with it).

I'll be sending my daughter to CQ Ohio this year, and for the first time I won't be a counselor, instead deciding to spend a romantic week alone with my wife. I'll miss the kids, though.

At any rate, there are several Camp Quests out there, so please check out www.camp-quest.org for a location near you.

Don't prosecute prostitutes

Re " 'D.C. Madam' found hanged," May 2

As a lawyer who defends women arrested for prostitution, I see how devastating it is for a woman to be convicted for crimes that should not be regarded as violations of the law. I am not surprised that a conviction with a six-year prison sentence, for activities that hurt no one, could drive someone like the "D.C. Madam" to take her own life. Deborah Jeane Palfrey has now become a martyr in the cause of expanding personal freedom.

Laws criminalizing prostitution among consenting adults are among the most hypocritical and oppressive in the criminal justice system. Just look at the high-ranking political figures who were among Palfrey's clients. How much time should they do behind bars? Does society want to drive these men to commit suicide too?

The best lesson to take away is that prostitution among consenting adults should no longer be a punishable crime. No more women or men should ever again hear the jail doors slam shut because of buying or selling adult sexual pleasures.

Edward Tabash

Our own Eddie Tabash had this published in the LA Times, and it got me thinking. I've often asserted that gay rights, death with dignity, and abortion rights all mainly stood under the umbrella of the Separation of Church and State. I wonder now, as I think about it, if prostitution (as described above) also falls into this category.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Rep. Vito Fossella of New York acknowledged on Thursday that he fathered a child from an extramarital affair, answering questions that arose from his arrest on drunken driving charges last week.

"My personal failings and imperfections have caused enormous pain to the people I love and I am truly sorry," said Fossella, a Republican, who has three children with his wife in Staten Island, N.Y.

Fossella's private life came under scrutiny after he was arrested last week in the Virginia suburbs of Washington. Police said his blood-alcohol level was twice the legal limit, and he could face a mandatory five days in jail if convicted.

When Fossella was pulled over, police said he told officers that he was going to see his daughter in the area. That prompted questions about who the daughter was.

"I have had a relationship with Laura Fay, with whom I have a 3-year-old daughter," Fossella said in his statement. It was Fay who got him out of jail after the arrest.

The disclosure clouds Fossella's political future. He faced a surprisingly tough re-election challenge in 2006, and Democrats were hoping to unseat him this year.

Statement Regarding Ellen Johnson

A specially called, and properly noticed, meeting of the five Boards of Directors that together comprise American Atheists, was held on April 29, 2008.

All members of the five boards were personally present via telephone at that meeting, including the President Ellen Johnson.

By a majority vote of the Board of Directors of American Atheists, Inc, and by a unanimous vote of the Board of Directors of two of the other four corporations, Ellen Johnson was involuntarily removed from the office of President of American Atheists, Inc. and from the office of President of the other four corporations.

The bylaws of each of the five corporations permit the removal of the President by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.

Out of deep respect for Ellen Johnson’s many services to American Atheists, in deference to her privacy, and with the desire that her Presidency be remembered favorably by history, American Atheists asks that this statement be accepted without calls for further explanation.

Be assured that the action taken was in the best interests of the organization and of its membership.

Frank R. Zindler, Acting President

American Atheists, Inc.; Charles E. Stevens American Atheist Library & Archives, Inc.; Society of Separationists, Inc.; United Secularists of America, Inc.; and American Atheists General Headquarters, Inc.

To Friends of Ellen Johnson and Members of American Atheists

Ellen Johnson is no longer President of American Atheists for personal reasons. It would be inappropriate for American Atheists to comment further on this matter as we await a public statement from Ms. Johnson.

Frank R. Zindler, Acting President

American Atheists, Inc.

Ellen is welcomed to post on this blog at any time.

We have a new leader and a new direction, and it's your turn to say what you like/ dislike about the organization. Let Frank and the Board know what you think! We want to know!

Ready? Go!

Here are some videos and blog post from recent events...

NDOP Protest in Texas
http://youtube.com/watch?v=LkG9NR4uoO8

Pope Protest Washington DC
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6021177945043581737&hl=en

Bill Moore Walk
http://alabamaatheist.org/fw2k8

(May 3) - Conservative Christian leaders who believe the word "evangelical" has lost its religious meaning plan to release a starkly self-critical document saying the movement has become too political and has diminished the Gospel through its approach to the culture wars.

The statement, called "An Evangelical Manifesto," condemns Christians on the right and left for "using faith" to express political views without regard to the truth of the Bible, according to a draft of the document obtained Friday by The Associated Press.

"That way faith loses its independence, Christians become `useful idiots' for one political party or another, and the Christian faith becomes an ideology," according to the draft.

Well... I don't think I can disagree with that. Christianity today is far from what it was even 20 years ago, and the backlash against recent changes has brought many converts to the movement.

Will this document do anything? Absolutely not. Words hold no weight compared to money and power.

The Christians will continue to give up their morality in a desperate attempt to retain/regain power, and we will continue to reap the benefits as we watch an ancient mythology crumble before our eyes.

AMERICAN ATHEISTS

To members and Supporters of AMERICAN ATHEISTS...

Dear friends,

I want to take this opportunity to tell you about some of the important changes now taking place at American Atheists.

Following over 13 years of outstanding service to American Atheists and the cause of State-Church Separation, Ellen Johnson is no longer President of the organization.. Her tenure in this position was marked by some of the most amazing and historic events in our movement's history. She stepped in following the tragic disappearance of our founder, Madalyn Murray O'Hair and her family, and oversaw the relocation of the American Atheist Center and Charles E. Stevens American Atheist Library and Archives (CESAALA) to New Jersey. She organized the Godless Americans March on Washington, and brought together our nation's diverse and sometimes fractious community of Atheists, Freethinkers, Secular Humanists and other nonbelievers. She testified twice before the National Commission on Civil Rights, and made hundreds of media appearances on prime time and cable news TV programs. Ellen also mobilized Atheists and other secularists throughout the nation to speak out on the vital First Amendment issues of our time. And with all of this, she managed to coordinate the hectic daily activities here at the American Atheist Center.

In the spirit of obtaining all that she (and any other Atheist) can from one life the elegant, energetic and outspoken Ms. Johnson will now focus her passions on anew adventure. Just what that might be we do not yet know. We know, however, that it will be something splendid!

Ellen, who will remain on the Board of Directors, is succeeded by long-time member Frank Zindler.

There have been three presidents of American Atheists since its founding over four decades ago -- Madalyn Murray O'Hair; her successor and son, Jon Garth Murray; and since 1995, Ellen Johnson. They left, as the saying goes "big shoes to fill." We are confident that Frank is fully prepared for this new challenging role. He has a distinguished academic career as a former biology professor, linguist and bible-era historian. He has authored numerous books and articles dealing with a wide range of subjects, everything from the alleged historicity of Jesus to the on-going controversy over teaching creationism in our public schools. His tenure as an activist with American Atheists goes back over 30 years. Frank is a nationally-recognized speaker and debater, and has served as an eloquent spokesperson for our organization.

Frank Zindler will serve as President Pro Temp until a suitable replacement for this office is found. The day-to-day operations at the American Atheist Center will continue -- and so will our activism!

Other Officers and Directors will be staying on as well. Dave Silverman, who has done an outstanding job as our Communications Director, will continue to be the "public face" of American Atheists, working closely with Frank to make sure that our message gets out to the media and others who shape public opinion. Board member Edwin Kagin will remain in his important post as National Legal Director, The American Atheist magazine and all of the other benefits of membership will continue. And so will our efforts to represent you in the important fight for state-church separation, Reason and the civil rights of Atheists.

We're hitting the ground running, folks! The baton is passed -- and we'll continue our all-important work.

Thanking you in advance for your support!

The Board of Directors, AMERICAN ATHEISTS

It's difficult to get a protest going on a work day.
But, it's on!

There will be a peaceful protest of the National Day of Prayer at City Hall in Orlando , Florida. Location, 400 S. Orange Av. Orlando ,Florida.
When, May 1st Thursday, 12:00 (Noon) to 1:00 P.M.
It's only one hour but bring water and sunblock Try to arrive a little early. I'll be wearing a bright orange shirt to help you find me. If necessary, call my cell at 352-217-3470.
Afterwards we will go to lunch. Location will be decided later by vote.

Greg McDowell
American Atheists State Director for Florida