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THE ATHEIST VOICEBI–MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF THE METROPLEX ATHEISTS

SEPTEMBER 2004, VOLUME 2, NUMBER 5

Jeremy Leaming AMERICANS UNITED

Like an annoying ditty one can't erasefrom the mind, 'Ten CommandmentsJudge' Roy Moore continues surfacing inpublic forums to air his strident anti-FirstAmendment views.

For the second time in recent months,the former Alabama Supreme Court chiefjustice appeared before a congressionalcommittee to tout a court-stripping billhe helped write, dubbed the “Constitu-tion Restoration Act of 2004.” The billwould strip the federal courts of theirpower to find government acknowledg-ments of religion a violation of the FirstAmendment. The measure also threatens

judges who do consider such cases withimpeachment.

Moore, who was kicked off theAlabama Supreme Court in 2002 forrefusing to follow a federal court orderto remove a Ten Commandments monu-ment from public display in the state'sJudicial Building, offered his usual over-wrought arguments in favor of the bill,H.R. 3799.

“For over 50 years, the federal courts havesteadily eroded our first freedom, the free-dom of conscience, and have attempted toreplace the Godly foundation upon whichthis country was built with a foundation thatespouses the philosophy of secular human-ism, demanding people's ultimate allegianceto the state rather than God,” Moore told the

House Judiciary subcommittee.As is his wont, Moore blasted “anti-

religious zealots” for spurring the federalcourts to strip God from the publicsquare. He also claimed that the Found-ing Fathers would take great offense fed-eral court decisions that have barredschool-sponsored prayer from class-rooms, especially in light of all the fed-eral government agencies and stategovernments that have in some formacknowledged God.

“You see, we're erasing our history rightunder your noses in this Congress, rightunder your watchful eye,” Moore told theHouse panel.

‘Commandments Judge’ resurfaces on Capitol Hill

Continued on page 11

HOUSTON ATHEIST SOCIETY

Members of the Houston Atheist Societypraised Federal Judge Sim Lake's decisionto remove the bible display from the westentrance of the Harris County Civil Courtsbuilding downtown.

Local real estate agent Kay Staley filedthe suit against Harris County in August of2003. The marble and granite monumentwas erected in the late 1950s as a tribute toWilliam Mosher, a Christian philan-thropist who supported the Star of HopeMission. The display is unique in that it isthe only one in the nation which features acomplete King James bible under glass.The monument was maintained by the Starof Hope, but its upkeep was abandoned inthe late 1980s, and the display case satempty for 7 years. Passersby used it as atrash receptacle.

Continued on page 12

Houston Atheist Society applauds removal of bible display

2 SEPTEMBER

Secular humanists are often accused ofnot espousing a “positive” philosophy, ofsimply denying the existence of the super-natural while resigning themselves to ameaningless andjoyless life.Indeed, I wasonce a guest on aradio talk showtogether withSkeptic publisherMichael Sher-mer, when thehost incredu-lously observedthat we seemedto be prettyhappy people“for being skep-tics.”

I don't knowwhere this stereotype comes from, otherthan the deeply entrenched prejudices ofpeople who think that there is meaning inlife only if somebody up there shows akeen interest in the details of their sexualpractices. But I know how to once and forall debunk the myth: let us briefly exam-ine the obviously humanistic philosophyembodied in the work of one of the mosthappy-going groups of people I've evercome across, the British comedians col-lectively known as “Monty Python” (Gra-ham Chapman, John Cleese, TerryGilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, andMichael Palin). My analysis will be con-fined for the moment to the Monty Python(henceforth, MP) songs, leaving adetailed study of their movies and TVproductions to a more appropriately aca-demic venue.

Every philosophical analysis needs to

start with good questions, and MP doesjust that in the appropriately titled TheMeaning of Life (from the homonymousmovie):

“Why are we here? What's life all about? Is God really real, or is there some doubt?”

And as any good philosopher would do,MP does not provide us with simplistic,canned, answers, but rather with alterna-tives to seriously ponder:

“Is life just a game where we make upthe rules ...

Or are we just spiraling coils,of self-replicating DNA?”

Which shows an understanding of boththe problem of relativism in morality andof Richard Dawkins' concept of the selfishgene.

Monty Python does appreciate alterna-tive, even religious, viewpoints, as we canevince from several passages of EverySperm is Sacred (from the movie “TheMeaning of Life”):

“I'm a Roman Catholic,and have been since before I was bornAnd the one thing they say about Catholics,is they'll take you as soon as you're warm ...You don't have to have a great brain ...You're a Catholic the moment Dad came.”

Which implies a view of sex that one canfind developed at length in several

Encyclicals by various Popes, or can beclearly summarized in MP's system as:

“Every sperm is sacredevery sperm is greatIf a sperm is wastedGod gets quite irate.”

However, one could argue, make fun ofGod all you like, but in the end isn't itrather obvious that He is responsible forthe beauty of creation, arguably one of themost important things that give meaning toour life? This is, of course, the well knownargument from design, presented at length,for example, by William Paley in his 1831book, Natural theology: or, Evidences ofthe existence and attributes of the Deity,collected from the appearances of nature.Naturally, David Hume had alreadydebunked the argument in his 1779 vol-ume, Dialogues concerning natural reli-gion. Hume, pointed out that one needs toconsider not just the good stuff that Godallegedly made, but also the rest. WhichMP summarizes very eloquently (and in alot fewer words than Hume) in All ThingsDull & Ugly:

“All things sick and cancerous,all evil great and small,all things foul and dangerous,the Lord God made them all.”

Never was the argument from evil againstthe existence of God more aptly presented.But MP does not limit itself to what Fran-cis Bacon called the pars destruens of theirphilosophy. They go on with a pars con-struens by elaborating an alternative view-

Do you know of any Church/State separation violations?Some things to look for are the posting of the ten commandment in public (government) buildings including

public school buildings, city parks, municipal buildings, and libraries.

To voice your concerns, please email the Metroplex Atheist Director:director@metroplexatheists.org

Rationally Speaking:

Monty Python's guide to philosophy

Dr. MassimoPigliucciATHEIST ALLIANCE

Continued on page 10

3SEPTEMBER

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CHUCKY D IS HERE!

Sam Felder AMERICANS UNITED

In this heated election year, Jerry Falwelland his allies on the far right are workingto confuse America's pastors about tax law.In late July, the Lynchburg, Va.-based tele-vangelist wrote to churches telling themnot to worry about federal tax law.

Under the headline, “NO CHURCH HASEVER LOST ITS TAX-EXEMPT STA-TUS,” Falwell wrote, “Every Americanpastor, as a tax-paying citizen, is free toexpress his views and opinions.”

Falwell also claimed that the IRS rarelyenforces the “no politicking” rule, implyingthat churches should not worry about it.

As the election draws near, a church inTampa, Fla., has learned the hard way thatFalwell is wrong. The First Baptist Churchof College Hill was preparing to host apolitical forum but had to rethink its planat the last minute. The Rev. Abraham

Brown had received a letter from the IRSearlier that day asking about politicalactivity at the church on behalf of aDemocratic candidate for public office.

This is just the latest evidence that theIRS takes seriously provisions of federaltax law forbidding partisan politicking bytax-exempt groups, including religiousorganizations.

Falwell certainly ought to know that. In1993, his “Old Time Gospel Hour” wasrequired by the IRS to pay $50,000 in backtaxes for diverting charitable contributionsinto a political action committee that soughtto elect congressional candidates. The min-istry also had its tax exemption revokedretroactively for the years 1986-87.

Pat Robertson's Christian BroadcastingNetwork suffered a similar fate in 1997.

The IRS provides clear guidance on thisissue. Clergy should examine those simpleguidelines and then obey them. It's ineveryone's best interest.

IRS reminds churches not to break law

4 SEPTEMBER

Kim L. ColeGUEST COLUMNIST

"I've never read the bible," someoneonce said to me. "I already know that it'snot true, so what's the point?"

Interesting question. Why have I, asan atheist, read the bible? Why would Ibe interested in the details of beliefsthat I don't share? The answer to that istied in with the reason that I am fasci-nated by the legends and myths ofancient people. It is the same reasonthat I collect fairy tales and folk beliefsfrom around the globe. People are end-lessly interesting. Their cultures andtheir actions are infinitely varied.Whether we like it or not, the reason fora large percentage of those actions isbelief. Religion, even. Why did theancient Egyptians bury their dead theway they did? Religion. Why did"witches" die in Salem? Religion.

These are two vastly different situa-tions, but both motivated by the samedesire to placate or entice a god or godsthrough their actions. Ever since menfirst believed there were divinitieswatching over them they began to adjusttheir behavior and their way of lookingat the world. Therein lies the fascination.What is it that guides and shapes civi-lization? A ruler's whims? Riches orhardships? How much of the above isdue in whole or in part to religion? Wewill never know unless we study peopleand their beliefs.

"But," I hear you say, "What does thathave to do with the bible?"

For an atheist in the United States, every-thing. The population of our country isoverwhelmingly religious. The reigns ofgovernment, both local and federal, areheld mostly by Christians. Many of theChristians are, or profess to be, of a funda-mentalist nature.

We encounter Christians on a daily basis.They make laws that govern our lives.They hold a multitude of positions thatmay or may not agree with our own. Rea-sonable discourse can be all but impossibleif the people involved do not understandeach other.

I'm not saying that you have to believewhat Christians believe. I don't. But I dothink that you ought to at least know whatthey believe, and understand it. One reasonis that I don't think knowledge is ever a badthing. When you learn, you grow. Anotherreason is that Christians can begin to seemless menacing when you understand theirmotivations.

An example: It can be very frustratingfor an atheist when someone (who knowsyour beliefs) tells you that they will prayfor you. It comes across as if they areattempting to invalidate your beliefs infavor of theirs. I won't try to tell you thatyou shouldn't get upset. Your feelings arethere, whether they should be or no. Butit might help if you understand that theysee prayer as a truly caring act that onedoes for

someone they are worried about, orwhom they love. Most Christians wouldnever view prayer, or the offer of prayer, asa hostile act.

It is my view that with this in mind itbecomes easier to tell the Christian "Nothank you," and perhaps to explain tothem your view of the offer. It alsobecomes easier to debate with Christians,if that is an activity you enjoy. Debating

someone is always easier if you under-stand their point of view.

Finally, understanding helps to avoidthat one truly terrible thing born of dif-ferences. Stereotypes. It's easy to say,"Christians are like this," and "Christiansare like that." I've even fallen prey to thisone a time or two. If you really under-stand Christianity in its varied forms,you come to understand that Christiansare not one homogenous group with thesame thought and behavior patterns.Christians are, like anyone else, individ-uals with their own thoughts and beliefquirks.

So we see that there are many differentreasons for studying religion and belief.The pathways that take mankind frombelief to action are fascinating, and haveinfinite possibilities. It also helps you as aperson, as a debater, and as a human beingto have a greater understanding of thosearound us. This is especially true whenthose around us are often the ones in con-trol.

Reprinted with permission from Kim L. Cole“Kimmy's Atheist Site” © –2002–http://www.positiveatheist.com

Studying Belief: Why would atheists study belief and religion?

© © AFP/CORBISAFP/CORBIS

5SEPTEMBER

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AMERICANS UNITED

Religious Right allies in Congress are quietlytrying to alter the tax code to permit church-based electioneering in advance of November'selections to help right-wing candidates, Ameri-cans United for Separation of Church and Statehas charged.

At issue is a 50-year-old provision in federaltax law that bars non-profit groups, includinghouses of worship, from endorsing or opposingcandidates for public office.

U.S. Rep. Walter B. Jones (R-NC) has repeat-edly introduced legislation to repeal the meas-ure, but the House has shown little interest in it.The Jones bill was voted down in October of2002, and Jones has not been able to engineeranother vote since then.

Frustrated, Jones and his supporters are insist-ing that his measure be inserted into a corporatetax reform bill. According to a report in TheHill newspaper, 131 members of the Houseback the Jones effort and have written toSpeaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) pressing foraction. They want to put the change into theomnibus tax bill during conference negotia-tions.

Meanwhile, in the Senate, U.S. Sen.Charles Grassley (R-IA) is also pushing foradoption of the change during the conferenceprocess.

“This is a backdoor ploy to recruit America'shouses of worship into partisan politicking,”said Americans United Executive DirectorBarry W. Lynn. “Jones and his allies can't winon the floor of either house, so they're tryingthis scheme to circumvent the legislativeprocess.”

Lynn noted that Jones has been upfrontabout the partisan nature of his goals: Hebelieves repealing the no-politicking rulewill lead to the election of more conservativeRepublicans.

In a column published in July, ReligiousRight leader Paul Weyrich observed, “Jonesis...convinced that the passage of his bill meansthe difference between victory and defeat forthe president and many Senate candidates. Oneprime example is his colleague Rep. RichardBurr, who is running for the seat vacated bySen. John Edwards, the Democratic vice-presi-dential nominee.”

Lynn said that while Jones frequently wrapshis bill in lofty rhetoric about free speech, hisreal goal is to use churches to engineer electionvictories for Religious Right candidates.

“This bill has nothing to do with free speech,”said Lynn. “It is merely a vehicle for Jones andhis supporters to build church-based politicalmachines. He would corrupt the mission of thechurch by changing the focus from the spiritualto the political.”

AU blasts backdoor effort to pass “Church Politicking” bill

“This bill hasnothing to do withfree speech. It is

merely a vehicle forJones and his

supporters to buildchurch-based politicalmachines. He wouldcorrupt the missionof the church bychanging the focus

from the spiritual tothe political.”

Barry W. LynnAMERICANS UNITED

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

6 SEPTEMBER

I had a guy tell me that Buddha andMohammed were both dead as a door-nail,but Jesus rose again. He's the only onewho came back to life, so his must be thetrue belief. –S.L.

I can recall the claim that the use of A.D.and B.C. were proof that Jesus was real,after all we wouldn't use them for our cal-endar if he wasn't. They thought this argu-ment was quite brilliant until I pointed outthe fact that he had just proved that theRoman and Norse gods were also real. –S.C.

I was having a discussion with a fellowin my office about the existence of godswhen he started getting frustrated. Thenhe looked out the window and pointed ata car on the street and asked, “did some-one make that car?” I responded, “I'mpretty sure that car was constructed bymen and machines in a factory some-where.” So he said, “well there ya go.”And walked out as if that settled the argu-ment.

Of course, I didn't let him get away withit. I followed him back to his office andtook the argument to it's logical conclu-sion. Of course then they have to claim thattheir god is exempt from the rule and cantherefore be the sole thing in the universethat didn't have a creator.–R.C.

There just has to be something else” isthe weirdest that anyone has said to meface to face. Of course, the response to thatis, “Uh... No there doesn't.”–A.D.

I just had this conversation last weekwith a gal at work who tries to convert meon a regular basis. In exasperation(because I'm just so darned uncoopera-tive), she finally asked me, “What wouldit take to convince you there's a God?” Itold her it would take a bona-fide miracle.She asked me to give her an example. Isaid, “One person whose cancer goes intoremission. That is NOT a miracle; it's the

nature of the disease. The whole cancerward at the local hospital – instantlycured. That would be a miracle.” Sheproceeded to tell me that if that's what itwould take, that's what would happen.She promised that everyone in the cancerward at the local hospital would be cured“within three years” and that she would atthat point call me on the phone and say, “Itold you so!”

I didn't ask her why, if it were possible torequest – and receive – a miracle on theorder of dozens being instantly cured ofcancer, would she choose to use thispower for the sole purpose of convincingone person of the existence of God ratherthan, for instance, as a humanitarian ges-ture to end the suffering of the sick anddying! (And she couldn't narrow the timeframe down more accurately than a three-year span?)

I told her I wouldn't be holding mybreath.–L.M.

Just the other day, one of my co-workerssaid that “it's more about believing and notthinking.” Hmm...I guess that's what theymean by “blind faith.”–D.R.

Yeah. One of my friends says “you don'tneed faith if you have facts” and “you don'tneed facts if you have faith.”

Or how about Martin Luther's “Whoeverwants to be a Christian should tear the eyesout of his reason . . .

You must part with reason and not knowanything of it and even kill it; else one willnot get into the kingdom of heaven.”

And, of course, my personal favorite“When you are sure you are right, youhave a moral obligation to impose yourwill on anyone who disagrees with you,”Thomas de Torquemada, grand inquisitorof the Spanish Inquisition–C.V.

I had to mention the guy that claimed thatthe earth was flat (like it says in the Bible)because we don't see people standing ontheir heads, and that that was logical proof.

But then, he was the same one whoclaimed that god used different color dirt tocreate the different races.

Of course, there are the ones that saythat The Bible proves god's existencebecause (A.) the Bible is god's word, andit's god's word because (B.) it says sobecause, (back to A.) etc. –C.C.

Once, when I was the host of the ACA'sweekly public access call-in TV show, wehad a caller insist that the story of Moseswas true because, “they even made amovie out of it”.–J.D.

In a recent email conversation with alocal pastor, I explained several ways inwhich theism appears to be inherently irra-tional. He couldn't refute my arguments,and he couldn't come up with any rationalarguments favoring theism, so he took adrastic measure I never anticipated -- heredefined “rational”!

Some choice quotes:“So the issue of rationality has to do with

whether or not you are thinking spiritu-ally.”

“Keep in mind, the term 'real world' isalluding to the physical universe only. Notthe spiritual (which is equally, if not more,real).”

“If you don't believe the Scriptures thenwhatever alternative you come up with issimply fascinating theory and thereforetruly devoid of intellectual virtue.”–S.R.

I pronounce the judgement of God uponyou! You will face His Bema Throne! Theonly way to stop this judgement is if yourepent and turn to GOD ALMIGHTY inthis hour!”–M.W.

Most try to first run through the gamut ofthe ordinary you will bur in hell to Jesusloves you. Then they usually try to guiltyou by saying they are only interested inhelping you.–E.P.

Ask-an-Atheist: “What is the strangest claim that someone has madeattempting to convince you that their religion is the right path to follow?”

7SEPTEMBER

ATHEIST ALLIANCE

The terms “evolution” and “natural selec-tion” are often used interchangeably,which confuses an already complex sub-ject. Both ideas are challenging to under-stand, but in different ways, on differentscales.

“How Whales Walked Into the Sea,” byFaith McNulty tackles the tougher chal-lenge of explaining evolution itself - in kidterms, no less - by tracing the ancestry of asingle modern animal, the whale, as itevolved from a wolf-like land mammalover the course of twenty million years.

Such a book would have been mostlyconjectural just twenty years ago; the fos-sil intermediaries that filled in the blanksin whale evolution are brand-spanking newdiscoveries, mostly made in the 1990s inPakistan and Northern Africa. This book,then, has the distinction of being a chil-dren's science book that's well ahead ofmany high school and college textbooks.

McNulty begins by noting that modernwhales have always been a curiosity:warm-blooded, live-bearing, air-breathingcreatures living in the sea. It's the ultimatefish-out-of-water story - or nonfish-IN-water story, I suppose. Each two-pagespread takes a single, easy-to-follow evolu-tionary step, providing hypotheses for hownatural selection may have spurred thedevelopment of each new form. Looking tosupplement depleted resources on land,Mesonychid chases fish into ever-deeperwater; those with broader feet swim furtherand deeper, securing a selective advantagethat leads to offspring with ever-broaderextremities. Mesonychid eventuallyevolves far enough to speciate to Ambulo-cetus, “the walking whale,” an animal moresuited to water than land, then to Rodhoce-tus, “the hardly-walking whale,” whose

limbs are almost entirely flipper-like. Thenext fossil form, Dorudon, still has tinyvestigial hind legs, though they are utterlyuseless and destined to disappear with time.And perhaps most captivating of all in thisclear sequence are the vestigial structuresof the modern whale - still possessed oftiny leg bones, though now completelyinternal, and of a complete wrist/hand/fin-ger skeleton within the front flippers.

The lexicon may seem too hard for kids -if you don't know kids. I have seen anentire preschool classroom of four-yearolds gleefully spitting out “Diplodocus!

Euocephalus! Archaeopteryx!” as theteacher's pointer moved from one creatureto another on a wall poster. For reasons I'veyet to fathom, kids just lap up these mas-sive Latin monikers without a hiccup.McNulty takes full advantage of this abil-ity and of their magnetic attraction to pre-historic life, using accurate terms andunderlining such critical elements as timescale and the logic of natural selection. Theresult is a book that is likely to send par-ents' voices trailing off in wonder as theyare reminded just how lovely and com-pelling the evolutionary process is.

Book Review: How Whales Walked Into the Sea

Are you searching for Atheists in the metroplex?

Join in the discussions at the DFW Atheist Talk group.groups.yahoo.com/group/DFWAtheistTalk/

8 SEPTEMBER

VATICAN CITY Coordinated attacks in Baghdad and

Mosul killed at least seven people,wounded more than 30 and shocked thenation's Christian minority. Pope John PaulII said the attacks Roman Catholicchurches in Iraq during worshipservices weredeplorable.

“At the sametime, I hopethat all believ-ers in one merci-ful God will unite indeploring every formof violence and willcooperate for thereturn of harmony inthe tormented Iraqiland,” said the pope.

NEW YORK, NYWomen rabbis in the

Conservative branch ofJudaism earn less than theirmale counterparts and hold fewertop jobs in synagogues, according to a newstudy on gender equity.

Male rabbis on average earn $119,000 insalary and benefits, compared to women'saverage of $77,000, the survey said. Asalary gap persists when a more directcomparison is made between men andwomen rabbis in comparable jobs.

UBAHU-EZIKE, Nigeria Nigerian police have arrested 30 witch-

doctors in a raid on fetish shrines in Anam-bra state where over 50 decomposingbodies and 20 human skulls were discov-ered, a police spokesman said. The head,genitals and other vital parts had been sev-ered from some of the bodies, found in ateak forest in Okija village, a sign theymay have been killed for ritual.

Ritual killing is common in some parts ofNigeria where many people believe theycan become instant millionaires by usinghuman organs to make potent charms.Many Nigerians mix traditional religionswith Christianity or Islam.

Police said preliminary investigationsshowed that the victims died after the sor-

cerers engaged them in an animist ritual.They said that a small group of “highpriests” had exploited the traditional reli-gion and turned it into a big money-spin-ning operation.

“They have been using the shrines toextort money from innocent people. They

ride the best cars inthe community

and build fine,fine houses.

N o b o d yd a r e s

challengethem, not

even the tradi-tional ruler.” As part of the

ritual, police saidthe victims pledged

their property, includ-ing bank accounts, to a

deity upon their death.Their relations weremade to believe theywould also die if they

refused to give up the property.

BLANTYRE, Malawi A Malawian court convicted a Catholic

priest and a nun of disorderly conductThursday after they were caught engagedin a sexual act in a parked car with tintedwindows. Passers by alerted police atLilongwe International Airport after theparked Toyota Corolla, which had tintedwindows, began shaking in what policedescribed as “a funny manner.”

BELFAST, IrelandA mechanical digger was smashed into a

Catholic bar in a flash point district ofBelfast, in an attack that local politiciansblamed on Protestants.

Windows were smashed and some struc-tural damage done, police said, but no onewas injured. A fire started but was quicklyput out. “A number of people were insidethe bar at the time but they managed to getout,” a police spokeswoman said. “A largecrowd had gathered outside but policerestored calm with the assistance of localcommunity representatives.”

“I have no doubt that the loyalist hooli-gans responsible for this attack set out toheighten tensions in the area between thetwo communities, and I am calling on peo-ple in my community to remain calm in theface of this aggression,” he added.

LAGOS, NigeriaTwo policemen were shot and two more

stabbed during a raid on an Islamic sectengaged in wife-swapping in the northernNigerian state of Kebbi. Sect membersarmed with guns, daggers and bows andarrows attacked police and governmentworkers who were sent to destroy thegroup's base.

“They were debasing the morality of ourcommunity and the teachings of Islam byprostituting their wives in such a way,”said Kebbi State police spokesman. “Theyattacked the workers, and the police calledin reinforcements. An hour-long battlecommenced, two of our men were shot andtwo stabbed. Some of the members of thesect were also injured in the fight,” headded.

LITTLE ROCK, ARThe Roman Catholic bishop of Little Rock

has outlawed bingo in his diocese to complywith state law that deems most forms ofgambling illegal. Bishop J. Peter Sartainwrote to pastors and administrators in hisdiocese of more than 100,000 Catholics,telling them to stop the games, which arebanned by the state Constitution. Only pari-mutuel wagering at race tracks in HotSprings and West Memphis are allowed.

“We're all stunned,” said the Rev. TomByrne of Conway's St. Joseph CatholicChurch and School, where bingo has supple-mented the budget for 27 years. “We don'tget any tax support. Tuition is never enoughto meet the expenses. Doing without it orfinding an alternative is going to be diffi-cult.”

The antigambling law until recently waswidely ignored, with churches and charita-ble groups sponsoring games as policelooked the other way. But the RandolphCounty sheriff recently started a crackdown,threatening to prosecute a Catholic churchand another bingo operator in his area.

Nuts in the news

9SEPTEMBER

VANCOUVER, WAA father who allegedly tried to circum-

cise his 8-year-old son in the bathroomafter reading selections from the Bible hasbeen charged with first-degree assault of achild.

Edwin Bruce Baxter, 33, was charged ina Clark County Superior Court. If con-victed, Baxter faces at least 10 years inprison.

According to a probable-cause affidavit,Baxter told sheriff's deputies he tried tocircumcise his son with a knife Friday afterreading Genesis 17 and Exodus 4 - bothpassages refer to the procedure. Baxter tolddeputies he had no medical training.

Baxter, of Ridgefield, is married withnine children. The parents have beenreported in the past for allegedly failing toenroll their children in school, said DougLehrman, Vancouver administrator for thestate Department of Children and FamilyServices.

Atlanta, GAAmericans do not have a fundamental

right to sexual privacy, a 2-1 decision ofthe 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appealssaid. The split panel upheld an Alabamalaw - nearly identical to one in Georgia -that made the sale of sex toys a crime pun-ishable by up to a year in prison.

The decision extends an emerging divi-sion in the court over sexual rights, withJudges Stanley F. Birch Jr. and RosemaryBarkett leading opposing factions.

Birch maintains that although the U.S.Supreme Court struck down a Texas lawcriminalizing homosexual sodomy, the jus-tices have not decided fully that sexual pri-vacy is a fundamental right protected bythe Constitution.

Barkett claims that the court is refusingto apply the sodomy decision to laws thatviolate people's right “to be left alone inthe privacy of their bedrooms.”

TAMPA, FLThree Tampa city council members

Kevin White, Mary Alvarez and Rose Fer-lita left their seats rather than listen toMichael R. Harvey, a member of Atheistsof Florida who had been invited by councilmember John Ding felder to offer the invo-cation.

Before Harvey spoke, White pushed tocancel the invocation.

“We have never had people of an atheistgroup represent Americans,” White said.“And I don't think it is appropriate in thissetting.” White's motion to cancel the invo-cation failed 2-4, supported only by himand Alvarez, who called White “verybrave” for making the effort. “I just can'tsit here and listen to someone that does notbelieve in a supreme being,” Alvarez said.

SPARTANBURG, SCThe Great Falls Town Council has agreed

to fight a decision by a three-judge panelof the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appealsthat bars using the name of Jesus Christ inprayers before meetings.

The council agreed unanimously Thurs-day to ask for a rehearing at the court. “Ithink we are doing what the majority of thepeople in our town would like for us todo,” Great Falls Mayor H.C. Starnes said.

But legal experts say it's a long shot.“Unless the decision is further reviewed oraltered, this is the binding constitution rulein this region,” said Andrew Siegel, anassistant professor of law at the Universityof South Carolina School of Law.

In 2001, Darla Kaye Wynne, who prac-tices the Earth-centered Wiccan religion,sued the Great Falls Town Council forinvoking Jesus Christ during meetings.Wynne said council members used theprayers to draw attention to her religiousbeliefs and ostracize her.

Great Falls hasn't used the name of JesusChrist in prayers since August when U.S.District Judge Cameron McGowan ofRock Hill ruled the prayers violated theFirst Amendment's establishment of a reli-gious clause.

“We are not using the name of Jesus inour prayers now because of a judge's deci-sion,” Starnes said. “But we want to.” Thecourt decision has caused some local gov-ernment leaders to deliberately disregardthe decision.

ATHENS, GreeceA former Irish priest pushed Brazil's Van-

derlei de Lima off the road when he wasleading the Olympic marathon. The manwas arrested and taken into custody.

“The man says he is Irish, he is alsodrunk. He had been to a taverna earlier,” apolice source told Reuters.

The prior Sunday, Horan was said to bewearing a kilt and beret and on a whiteshirt he had pinned the words “The GrandPrix Priest. Israel Fulfillment of ProphecySays The Bible. The Second Coming isNear.” He had a Star of David attached tohis kilt.

After being pushed into the crowd, a gri-macing De Lima got away from the spec-tator and rejoined the race, holding his leg,with around 15 minutes to run, and soonlost the lead to Italian Stefano Baldini. Bal-dini won the race and De Lima took thebronze.

TEMPTED?www.metroplexatheists.org

10 SEPTEMBER

point based on what one could think of asthe cosmic perspective. Consider, forexample, the Galaxy Song (from “TheMeaning of Life”):

“Whenever life gets you down, Mrs. Brown ...Just remember that you're standing on a planet that's evolvingand revolving at 900 miles an hour ...In an outer spiral arm, at 40,000 miles an hourof the galaxy we call the Milky Way.”

But why - you may ask - would astron-omy matter to our sense of everyday life?Obviously, because it helps to:

“remember when you're feeling very small and insecurehow amazingly unlikely is your birth.”

Which doesn't mean the cosmic perspec-

tive avoids scathing social criticism:

“And pray that there's intelligent life somewhere up in spaceBecause there's bugger all downhere on Earth.”

Despite such apparently negative view ofhumanity, the optimistic character ofMonty Python's brand of secular human-ism emerges most clearly in Always Lookon the Bright Side of Life (from the movie“Life of Brian”). Consider, for example,the following exhortation:

“If life seems jolly rottenthere's something you've forgottenand that's to laugh and smile and dance and sing.”

So much for humanists being a joylessbunch! And the song doesn't lack deepphilosophical forais, as in:

“For life is quite absurd

and death's the final word ...Enjoy it -it's your last chance anyhow.”

Not to mention this quintessential, andrather mathematically accurate, summaryof human life:

“I mean -- what have you got to lose?You know, you come from nothingyou're going back to nothing.What have you lost? Nothing!”

Something to ponder, the next time thatroad rage is about to overcome youbecause yet another jerk on an SUV cutyou off without using a turning signal.

Dr. Pigliucci is an Associate Professor atthe University of Tennessee in Knoxville,where he teaches ecology and evolutionarybiology. For more information visitwww.rationallyspeaking.org.

Jeremy Leaming AMERICANS UNITED

Religious Liberty Cherished, Not Under-stood

Although a clear majority of Americanscherish their religious liberties, too manyof them don't recognize the importance ofkeeping government and religion separate,according to a new poll from a Virginia-based nonprofit.

The survey, released today by the Coun-cil for America's First Freedom (CAFF),finds that 52 percent of respondents rankedreligious freedom above other fundamental

rights, such as freedom of the press and theright to assemble.

More than 80 percent of the respondentssaid they would not support a national reli-gion and 84 percent said that religious lib-erty is as important or more so than whenthe right was first established in the late1700s. Furthermore, 59 percent told theCAFF pollsters that it is important tounderstand other religions.

The same survey, unfortunately, revealsthat a large number of Americans do notbelieve keeping religion and governmentseparate is necessary to ensure religiousliberty for all and are not aware of where

their fundamental right to religious free-dom emanates from.

Almost half, 49 percent, said that there iseither no need for maintaining church-stateseparation or that the doctrine should be lessstrictly interpreted. More than half, 53 per-cent, did not know that the Constitutionensures religious liberty. Forty-seven percentcorrectly answered that the First Amendmentprotected religious liberty for Americans,while 32 percent pointed to the Declarationof Independence and 9 percent said thesource was the Ten Commandments.

Clearly, church-state separationists havea sizeable educational task ahead of them.

Religious liberty cherished, not understood

Python – From page 2

Are you searching for Atheists in the metroplex?

Join in the discussions at the DFW Atheist Talk group.groups.yahoo.com/group/DFWAtheistTalk/

11SEPTEMBER

Joining Moore's call for the court-strip-ping measure, H.R. 3799, was formerRepublican Congressman William Dan-nemeyer who lambasted the federal courtsas out-of-control and lauded Christianright activist David Barton as one of thenation's foremost scholars on church-stateseparation. Barton is head of a Texas-basedChristian Right group that argues for “therestoration of the constitutional, moral, andreligious foundation on which Americawas built.”

The subcommittee did hear testimonyfrom two professors who said the bill is anaffront to the separation of powers that isdetailed in the Constitution.

“This bill is a transparent attempt todiminish if not eliminate the status of cer-tain constitutional decisions of Article IIIcourts [federal courts] as constitutionallaw, to weaken the independence of thefederal judiciary, and to subject certainconstitutional claims and claimants to dis-parate treatment,” said Michael J. Ger-hardt, a professor at the William & Marylaw school.

Arthur D. Hellman, a professor at theUniversity of Pittsburgh law school,urged the subcommittee to reject theH.R. 3799, saying it would unjustlydenying Americans access to federalcourts.

“Ours is a pluralistic nation, closelydivided on many issues,” Hellman said.“Depending on the time and the circum-stances, anyone can be part of a minority.The availability of an independent federalcourt, with power to hear everyone's con-stitutional claims, is a source of reassur-ance to all.”

Chairman Lamar Smith, R-Texas, sidedwith the arguments presented by Moore,but scheduled no vote on the bill. TheAssociated Press reported that “virtuallyno chance” for passage of the measureexists this year.

In June, the Senate Subcommittee on theConstitution heard from Moore during ahearing on alleged hostility toward religionin the public square.

Commandments Judge – From page 1

To the “Atheists in foxholes”proudly serving the United States:

Thank you for your unselfishsacrifice so that we may all live in a safer world.

Iraq:

Brian McIntosh, USMC

Shawn Ruzek, USMC

12 SEPTEMBER

Order your Atheist Textbook Covers for School

10 for $10 + Shipping20 for $15 + Shipping30 for $20 + Shipping

To order visit: www.metroplexatheists.org/cover–order.htm © © AFP/CORBISAFP/CORBIS

In 1995, County Judge Robert Eckelsand District Judge John Devine, bothChristian activists, launched a campaignto refurbish the display and placed anew bible in the case. They made cleartheir intent to “bring Christianity backto the law.” Judge Devine said that heconsiders the bible “a book of law.”“This refurbished display was clearlynot a tribute to William Mosher,” saidKeith McCaffety, founding president ofthe Houston Atheist Society. “JudgesEckles and Devine were very straight-forward about their inappropriate intentto push their extremism into the court-room. We are proud of Judge Lake forseeing this.”

“For all religious liberals and non-believ-ers,” said Arthur Fay, a founding directorof HAS, “this ruling is a tremendous vic-tory in that it supports the cherished Amer-ican belief that religious expressionsbelong on private property. Only the radi-cal Christians and the Religious Right willhave a problem with this decision as theyseek to force their religious symbols on allthe rest of us on public property.” “His

[judge Lake's] decision is consistent withother verdicts upholding the constitutionalseparation of church and state,” saidJimmy Dunne, former president of theHumanists of Houston. “We should all bethankful that our constitution requires thatgovernment and religion be separate.Hopefully the county will not waste anymore of our tax dollars appealing thisproper decision to higher courts.”

“The county could appeal,” said attorneyRandall Kallinen, who represented Ms.Staley, “but they really don't believe they'llwin. They [Eckels and elected CountyAttorney Michael Stafford] are just doingthis to keep themselves in the public eyeand get reelected.”

“There is the possibility of reversal bythe 5th Circuit, but I doubt it would hap-pen,” said Erik Heymann, a foundingdirector of the Houston Atheist Society andan attorney. “Judge Lake is one of the mostrespected judges in this part of the country,very well versed on law, and a devoutChristian to boot, so there's no chance oftrying to paint Lake as biased. Assumingthe 5th Circuit sides with Lake, then thecounty will have to decide if it wants toappeal to the Supremes. My guess is that

the Supremes will not take the case, sinceit is fairly fact-specific.”

“Then it will be up to Eckels to see if hewants to stare down the feds and ignore theorder,” said Heymann. “A very dangerousgambit, and I'll guess that Eckels won'thave the stomach for it. After all, when themonument is removed, he can always hidebehind the argument that, well, those med-dlesome feds made him do it.”

“The real value of a suit like this,” saidKeith McCaffety, “is getting the danger-ous religious nuts to show their true col-ors, and this case definitely made thathappen. Eckels and Devine are clearlynot neutral when it comes to religion.They have repeatedly affirmed that theywill use their personal religious beliefswhile on the bench, and they have nobusiness being there.” “Their [Eckels andDevine's] followers have already startedmaking threatening phone calls and e-mails,” added McCaffety. “The HoustonAtheist Society had nothing to do withthis case. Kay Staley isn't even a memberof ours, but the Christian Right willblame us nonetheless. I, for one, don'tmind. We founded the HAS for this verypurpose.”

Houston – From page 1

13SEPTEMBER

TRADITIONAL MARRIAGEDespite the emotional rhetoric, “Tradi-

tional Marriage” is not under attack inAmerica. “Marriage Protection” implies thatexpanding the legal definition of a civilunion somehow harms conventional mar-riage. I think family is the bedrock of societyand the foundation f civilization, of whichtraditional marriage has been a very impor-tant part. In light of the various statistics thatput the divorce rate at around 50% and a2003 Rutgers study that 40% of marriedAmericans as not happily married, perhapswe need some alternatives. It just surprisesme that traditional marriage has fallen to thepoint where it is need of an amendment tothe United States Constitution to prop it up.

The only thing being attacked here is theposition that only certain configurations offamily can be rewarded the governmentseal of approval. This is a religious issuethat has once again been turned into apolitical one. I know for a fact that thosewho seriously advocate alternatives to con-ventional marriage are not in any way ask-ing religions to alter their beliefs. Thosereligions that have a problem with thealternatives can choose, as a group, to sim-ply not allow it “on their watch”.

It is wrong to write marriage doctrinesand religious ritual into the constitution,thus forcing a particular version of familyon the rest of society. Perhaps this isanother case of organized religion believ-ing that it has the only rational course forsociety to follow in order to produce posi-tive results and using the power of the gov-ernment to make sure everyone followsthat course.

Families come in many forms and itshould be the government's job to identifythose structures that work, and not limititself by religious doctrine. The alternativesavailable to establish family units are notgoing away, regardless of how much legis-lation is thrown in its path. To modify theConstitution of the United States to codifya religious view of what constitutes familyis an insult to our Constitution and turninga blind eye to alternatives. Perhaps thosealternatives could work to help some of themany victims created by our limited viewof what constitutes a legal family. Theimproved definition of family should estab-

lish parental rights and responsibilities,grant next-of-kin status for such purposesas medical decisions, and insure legalrights with regard to property and taxes.

We should also be working harder toaddress those problems that make it hardfor any family to be successful. Lets talkabout getting families out of poverty,enhancing air quality, demanding cleanerfood, better education for failing schools,affordable health care, and using our taxdollars wisely. Contemplate the possibili-ties for beneficial programs to help familiesin light of the expected $200,000,000,000(yes Billion) we are likely to spend in theInvasion/Occupation of Iraq in service ofAmerica's petroleum addiction.

If you have not registered to vote, do ittomorrow. Please be an informed voter anddon't forget to ask for a receipt, you mightneed it.BUDDY M.

“TRUE” CHRISTIANWhy don't you guys believe in God?Is it because you guys are so blind and you

want to hang on to your fairy tales of that evo-lution crap!? I get tired of you people alwaysmaking hate sites about my and our God!

We Christians don't go around makinghate sites about Buddhists, Satanists, orAtheists. What are you people going to saywhen God judges you?

At the end of the world you all are goingto be judged according to what you havedone here on Earth. Not to mention scien-tists even found out there was and still is aHell, are you going there? And don't say“Yeah I'm looking forward to it that'swhere I belong” or “I'm going to party for-ever” or even “There is no Hell!”

Because there is a Hell in the center of theEarth, and I certainly am not going there.Hell is a place of torments, did you knowJesus talked about Hell more than Heavenhe took it very seriously.

And then you say if there is a God then heis supposed to be loving so he wouldn'tthrow me in Hell. Well guess what, Hewould because God is also holy so it wouldbe unjust to let people with sin in Heaven.Besides what makes you think he will letyou in Heaven when you say all of thisblasphemy about him?

Here is what you would say when you getto heaven: “Please God let me into heavenI know I did wrong but cant a loving Godgive forgiveness for my sins!?” Here isGod “Okay come in!”

Do you think its going to happen thatway? No!

Here it is again: “Please God let me intoHeaven I know I did wrong but cant a lov-ing God give forgiveness for my sins!?”Here is God “Depart from me ye cursedinto everlasting fire prepared for the Deviland his Angels!!”

That is what he would say, he never knewyou, and why would he know hatersbelieve me I hate Atheists! But I'm E-Mail-ing you because I'm concerned for everysoul out there!

By the way you should stop trying to makebible believing Christians believe there isno God because there is and they know it!

If you do convert a Christian to an Atheistthen they weren't really a Christian! TheBible has NEVER EVER been provedwrong so stop trying no one can figure outGod it's impossible! Only those with theHoly Spirit can possibly know what he says.

And I'm ending on this note: In the Apoc-alypse (end of the world) I fully intend togive my life for God in case I'm left here!

Well so long have a nice After-Life!STEVEN HUNTER

DOWN UNDERIn Australia we are partly amused and

partly frightened by the irrational piety thatseems to permeate American society. Fun-damentalism seems to be not limited tosmall backward sections of the populationbut has infiltrated the ruling elite. Scary,considering the immense power in thehands of your leaders.

That's why your courageous stand againstreligion is so welcome.TED RIETHMULLER

LETTERS POLICY: All submissions become exclusive prop-erty of The Atheist Voice. By e-mailing tothe editor, you acknowledge & agree thatany message you send may be made pub-lic. All letters may be edited for length orclarity. Please submit letters to editor@metroplexatheists.org

Letters to the Editor

BUSINESS MEETINGRegular Monthly Meeting:What: Meeting to decide general

business of the group and todiscuss current events.

Date: Third Sunday of the monthTime: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PMPlace: Heritage Park

217 Main St. at Second St.,Irving

SOCIAL MEETINGS

Atheists Meetup Day:What: Meet with other local Atheists to

talk about your beliefs.Date: Third Tuesday of the monthTime: 7:00 PMPlace: TBA; For locations near you

visit: atheist.meetup.com

J. Gilligan's:What: “My dinner with Atheists,” social

time with a bunch of heathens.Date: Every WednesdayTime: 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM

Place: J. Gilligan's Bar & Grill (Meeton the grill side)400 E. Abram Street, Arlington

Humanist Church of N. TX:What: All the things you want in a

church, without the gods.Date: Third Saturday of the monthTime: 11:30 a.m. Place: Unitarian Universalist Church of

Oak Cliff 3839 W. Kiest Blvd, Dallas

MARG:What: The Metroplex Atheists Reading

Group discusses selected books.For the latest book, visit:www.metroplexatheists.org/read/

Date: Third Sunday of the monthTime: After the regular meetingPlace: Heritage Park

217 Main St. at Second, Irving

CONFERENCETX Atheist & Agnostic:What: Atheist Community of Austin

hosts a conference with specialguest Michael Newdow. Formore info. visit www.atheist-community.org/taac/

Date: October 8 - October 10Time: TBAPlace: Holiday Inn Town Lake

20 North InterregionalAustin, 78701

MEDIA

Atheist Network:What: Atheist internet radio. To listen

visit: www.atheistnetwork.comDate: October 8 - October 10Time: TBAPlace: Wherever you have access to

broadband internet

To have your events listedemail:The Atheist Voice Editor ateditor@metroplexatheists.org

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THE ATHEIST VOICE is a bi–monthly publication of Metroplex Atheists. For more information, please visit our website: www.metroplexatheists.org

To submit an article or letter to the editor, please email us.The Atheist Voice Editor: editor@metroplexatheists.org

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WHYDOWEFIGHT?“Because we must. Because we have the call. Because it is nobler to

fight for rationality without winning than to give up in the face ofcontinued defeats. Because whatever true progress humanity makes is

through the rationality of the occasional individual and because any oneindividual we may win for the cause may do more for humanity than a

hundred thousand who hug superstition to their breasts.”

– Isaac Asimov, when asked why he fights religion with no hope for victory