American Atheist Magazine

AMERICAN ATHEIST
A JOURNAL OF ATHEIST NEWS AND THOUGHT

SECOND QUARTER 2024
Courage & Connection

in Philadelphia
Celebrating our community with a
bold vision for the future
Why Kate Cohen Our Ambitious Plan Perspectives

is an Unapologetic for the to Promote
Atheist Next 60 Years Understanding
SECOND QUARTER 2024
VOL. 62 – NO. 2
In This Issue
3 Quick Hits
4 President’s Letter: Rising to the Moment
5
5 Our Bold Plan for the Next 60 Years of
American Atheists
10 Friendship, Fun, and Freethought in

Philadelphia
15 The Pawns Become Queens: Hard Truths

from Survivors of Religious Oppression
18 A Renewed Sense of Purpose and

Belonging
19 The Fight to End Forced Marriage
21 Escaping the Cult of ISAAC
23 Humanists at Risk: Assessing

Humanists International’s Global
Support Program
25 Evangelicals vs. Empathy
27 Kate Cohen: Why I Am an Atheist
29 Our Kate’s Picks
10
30 In Memoriam: Daniel Dennett
American Atheist Magazine

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Editor-in-Chief
Melina Cohen
Managing Editor
Paul Fidalgo
Contributing Editors
Nick Fish, Martina Fern
Production Manager
Martina Fern
15
Editor Emeritus
Frank R. Zindler
All content is published in good faith. The views expressed

reflect the authors’ opinions and do not necessarily
reflect the views of American Atheists, which accepts no
liability for any loss or damage of any kind caused by this
publication and cannot guarantee any claims made by
authors or advertisers.
© 2024 American Atheists, Inc. All rights reserved.

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QUICK HITS
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

American Atheists and Allies Defeat Push for
House Foreign Affairs
Public School Chaplains
Committee Accuses State
Department of Promoting In 2023, Texas became the first state to enact a law allow-
ing religious chaplains to provide support services, includ-
Atheism Abroad
ing mental health counseling, to students in public schools.
A trio of House Republicans Similar proposals appeared this year in more than a dozen
have spent nearly two years and states, prompting American Atheists and a coalition of civil
an unknown amount of taxpayer rights organizations and faith leaders to speak out in opposi-
resources investigating a $500,000 tion. In March, three open letters were released to highlight
grant to Humanists International. the dangers of allowing chaplains in public schools and urge
Committee Chair Mike McCaul (R-TX) lawmakers to reject these bills. More than 200 chaplains
has led the McCarthyesque effort, from 40 states signed one letter, writing, “As trained chap-
accusing the State Department of using lains, we are not qualified to address the needs of public
tax dollars to “expand atheist networks school students that these proposals purport to address.”
abroad.” The 2021 grant in question Installing chaplains in public schools threatens to harm
amounted to less than one-thousandth students and further erode the separation between religion
of one percent of the department’s and government. Additionally, most of the bills introduced
budget and was titled “Promoting and this year lacked even basic requirements or regulations for
Defending Religious Freedom Inclusive these roles, with at least one going so far as to grant immu-
of Atheist, Humanist, Non-Practicing nity to chaplains.
and Non-Affiliated Individuals.” “Our nation’s students need evidence-based services from
Advancing pluralism and interna- qualified mental health professionals—not religious instruc-
tional religious freedom is a core objec- tion, recruitment, and coercion,” said American Atheists
tive of United States foreign policy, and president Nick Fish. “Without sufficient safeguards in place
the State Department has long worked for students’ wellbeing and constitutional rights, this legisla-
with international groups to monitor tion could open the door to discrimination against students
religious abuse, prevent discrimina- the chaplains deem objectionable, including those who are
tion against religious minorities, and nonreligious.” American Atheists and its allies defeated
promote tolerance in South and Central these bills in every state where they were introduced
Asia, North Africa, and the Middle with the exception of Florida and Louisiana. Meanwhile,
East. school districts in Texas have overwhelmingly declined
In a May 2024 letter, McCaul and to adopt the policy, save for one charter school network.
other committee members claimed
atheists and humanists living abroad Alito’s Anti-Democratic Ideology is Supremely
do not “face real persecution.” In fact,
Troubling
millions of nonreligious people around
the world are subject to state-sanc- Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito is again facing calls
tioned violence and oppression. for impeachment after he was recorded saying the nation
Blasphemy and anti-conversion laws, should return “to a place of godliness” and photographs
like those in Nigeria, are often used to surfaced showing the Appeal to Heaven flag on display at
enact harsh penalties against people his New Jersey beach house. The flag has been around since
who do not follow the majority religion. the Revolutionary War, and the phrase “appeal to heaven”
American Atheists issued a state- is attributed to John Locke, who wrote about a duty to over-
ment denouncing the committee’s throw unjust rule even if it requires violence. In the last
mischaracterization of Humanists decade, the flag was resurrected from historical obscurity
International’s work: “Religious free- by the New Apostolic Reformation, an anti-democratic and
dom is a universal human right. It is religious extremist faction that wants to transform—by
not, as they seem to think, a cudgel to any means necessary—the United States government into a
be wielded against disfavored groups Christian theocracy. Both the Appeal to Heaven flag and the
for political gain.” inverted American flag (which Alito was caught flying two
You can read more about the work of years ago at another residence) are associated with the “Stop
Humanists International later in this the Steal” campaign and were carried by insurgents during
issue on Page 23. the January 6, 2021 attack on the United States Capitol.
Ethics experts have expressed serious concerns about the
Justice’s association with these ideological symbols, espe-
cially as he has declined to recuse himself from proceedings
related to the former president or the attempted insurrection.
SECOND QUARTER 2024 AMERICAN ATHEIST | www.atheists.org | 3

PRESIDENT’S LETTER
Rising to the Moment

A vision for the future, a plan of action.
S
ince the earliest days It clarifies and explains our values I’m honored to work with such dedi-
of American Atheists, as an organization, spelling out cated staff, board members, volun-
our opponents have the “why” that’s at the core of our teers, and members, like you, who
accused us— the orga- work representing atheists and share these values and our vision
nization and atheists other nonreligious people. And for a better future.
at large—of not believ- these values will help you, as a Now let’s get it done.
ing in anything, being out of step member of this organization, hold
with American values, and wanting us accountable.
to “ban” religion. I’ve been with American Atheists
A lt hough W hite Christian for more than a decade now, and I’m
nationalists have often intention- tremendously proud of the work
ally distorted our views and goals, we’ve done together. This plan will
it’s also true that too many people help us continue that work while
simply don’t know what it means to adapting to a rapidly changing
be an atheist in America or what is landscape and the many threats Nick Fish
President
actually on the agenda for a group our community, our nation, and American Atheists
like American Atheists. our world already face today. The
That’s why I’m so proud of the strategies laid out in this plan are,
strategic plan our Board of Directors we believe, our best path to protect-
has just approved. If you were ing civil rights, advancing political
at our 2024 National Convention equality, achieving social inclusion,
in Philadelphia, you’ve already and empowering atheists and other This plan will allow
gotten a first look at our plans for nonreligious people through advo-
the future. Now, in this issue of cacy, education, and community us to meet the
American Atheist, I’m excited to building. challenges of the next
share it with all of our members. Most critically, this plan will
This strategic plan is the culmi- allow us to meet the challenges 60 years—including
nation of more than two years
of hard work by members of our
of the next 60 years—including
confronting the existential threat to
confronting the
board, our staff and volunteers, and, our democracy posed by the White existential threat
crucially, the hundreds of members Christian nationalist movement.
and supporters who shared their We’re excited to put our values
to our democracy
thoughts and feedback throughout into action and build a truly posed by the White
this process. people-powered, human-centered
Our plan not only articulates a movement that takes the kind of
Christian nationalist
compelling vision for the future, it bold actions necessary to accom- movement.
lays out our approach to get there. plish our mission. And, as president,
4 | AMERICAN ATHEIST | www.atheists.org SECOND QUARTER 2024

Planning for the
Next 60 Years
We’ve developed a strategic vision that outlines what
we aim to achieve, how we plan on getting there, and
the values that will guide us along the way.

MISSION & VISION
We’re working for a

better future.
Our Vision
We envision a pluralistic society
where atheists and nonreligious
people can participate fully without
discrimination or stigma, and all
people are guaranteed equality.
Our Mission
Our mission is to protect civil rights,
advance political equality, achieve
social inclusion, and empower atheists
and other nonreligious people through
advocacy, education, and community
building.

OUR VALUES
These values are in our

DNA—as an organization
and as a community.
Bold Inclusive Adaptive People-Centered

We believe in the power of We appreciate the breadth of We approach our work with We cultivate connection between
action, recognizing that the human experience. We curiosity and open minds, individuals and communities,
meaningful change requires strive to create a welcoming seeking new knowledge to better acknowledging that building
more than words, ideas, or and inclusive environment, in understand the changing world meaningful relationships
aspirations. We are fearless and which the inherent dignity and around us. We maintain a high creates opportunities for
unrelenting in our advocacy worth of all people is embraced level of expertise by embracing empowerment, change, and
efforts to confront barriers to and valued, and where everyone challenges, learning from our a sense of belonging. We
civil rights of atheists, never is invited to participate and experiences, and developing recognize the transformative
wavering in our commitment to contribute. evidence-based solutions using power of finding meaning in the
effect real change. rigor, the scientific method, and here and now.
critical thinking.
Collaborative Authentic Freedom Future-Oriented

We embrace building bridges, We align our actions with We are committed to protecting We believe that we have an
recognizing that by aligning our our values and communicate freedom of conscience and opportunity to contribute to
efforts, resources, and expertise, with honesty, integrity, and expression. We believe that a better future, recognizing
we can break down barriers, transparency. We foster an secular democracy, including the collective responsibility
address complex challenges, environment where everyone is the separation of religion we share in driving positive
and create positive, lasting encouraged to be their authentic and government, is the best change. We anchor our actions
change. self. safeguard of those rights. and decisions in a long-term
perspective with a focus on
leaving a positive legacy for
future generations to continue
the work.
Learn more at
future.atheists.org

Build Capacity
Our power is in our people.
This is how we’re going to get it done. We have the greatest volunteers and grassroots leaders there are. Now
is the time for us to invest in them. That means building resources,
creating opportunities for more people to get involved, and developing
new leaders from all across the country.
It also means continuing to grow and diversify our membership base and
reinforcing our foundation of financial support so American Atheists can
continue its work for another 60 years.
Secular Government
Protecting religious equality and the civil rights of atheists by rebuilding
FOCUS AREAS
the wall of separation between religion and government is what we’ve

done for the past 60 years.
But we can no longer afford to just play defense in the courts. We’ll
work to build capacity in states to pass bold, innovative legislation
that advances equality and protects our rights. We’ll engage the legal
system, beyond just filing lawsuits, to impact the law. And we’ll build
relationships with national coalitions, local advocates, and policymakers
to influence laws at every level of government.
Break Down Barriers

Legal equality isn’t enough. It’s up to us to foster societal, cultural, and
institutional acceptance of atheists and other nonreligious people.
We’ll work to end the discrimination atheists still face in the workplace,
in healthcare, in education, in our families, and in all other areas of our
daily lives. We’ll create activism opportunities that normalize atheism
and encourage civic engagement. And we’ll show that church-state
separation—and protecting the rights of atheists and other nonreligious
people—is a key issue in the fight for civil rights.
Promote Understanding
People need to know about the tremendous breadth of experiences
faced by atheists and nonreligious people in America. And they need to
understand our community and the issues we care about.
That means collecting and publishing data about atheists and
nonreligious people. But beyond just the facts and figures, we will tell the
stories of our community. Americans need to hear directly from us about
how these issues impact our daily lives and how we’re working to make
our world a better place.
Foster Community
Vibrant, robust, and lasting communities for atheists and other
nonreligious people are a vital lifeline for many all across the country.
We will help groups get started—and keep going—by creating resources
for leaders. Plus, we’re going to train and mentor grassroots activists
from across the country and create opportunities for connection and
collaboration. And we’ll make sure members of our community always
have a voice in our work.

FROM OUR BOARD CHAIR
More Than Words On A Page

These are scary times, but American Atheists stands
ready to lead the way.
I
n 2013, the Washington Post far more than just words on a page. organizations are decreasing their
wrote a piece commem- As a woman, an atheist, and a support for grassroots efforts, we’re
orating this organiza- longtime LGBTQ+ advocate, it was doubling down. We are, after all, a
tion’s 50th anniversary. It important to me that our planning people-powered movement. While
concluded with our former process engage a group as diverse some nonprofits go through the
president saying, “It is as our secular community—not motions of strategic planning to
a different world since Madalyn, only including our thousands of just create a document, we utilized
and it’s a different world because of members and dozens of allied orga- this process to build consensus with
Madalyn.” We’ve now celebrated our nizations but also the critics and existing partners and a coalition of
60th year, and those words are still detractors that weren’t in the same future allies.
true—maybe even truer—today. room, let alone in our corner. We’re forging ahead, reener-
When we started this process, we Why? Because it will take every gized and with a clear sense of direc-
were intentional about doing things one of us to overcome what’s ahead. tion. I know we can count on you to
differently—not only because this We have a good idea of what’s continue supporting our efforts. To
organization is one-of-a-kind but coming because we can see what’s quote Madalyn, “An atheist believes
because the landscape we’re oper- already arrived: A vast political that deed must be done instead of
ating in is fundamentally differ- divide is growing wider every day. prayer said.”
ent. Our country has changed, our Trust in public institutions is at an Sam McGuire, our National
community has grown, and so, too, all-time low. Ideological extremists Field Director, puts it even more
must we change and grow. have gained power and are seeking succinctly: Let’s do the thing.
There’s no doubt Madalyn Murray even more. Our constitutional rights
O’Hair was masterful at capturing and the very notion of democracy
the media’s attention. But meet- are being abandoned at an acceler-
ing the challenges we face today ated pace.
and anticipating the ones we’ll face These are scary times. And Jen Scott
tomorrow requires us to invest in American Atheists stands ready Board Chair
new ways of reaching more people, to lead the way through them. We American Atheists
and inspiring more action than ire. are already fortunate to have a
We must focus on building a relat- team of dedicated and passionate
able, coalitional, and functional experts both on our staff and on
infrastructure to effect change. the ground. Our local groups are a
Let me assure you: This plan is source of great power. While other

CONVENTION 2024 Photos by Josiah Mannion for American Atheists
Friendship, Fun,
and Freethought
in Philadelphia
This year’s National Convention was particularly
special for speakers and attendees alike.
by Sam McGuire

Journalist and author Kavin Senapathy
T
he American Atheists The convention also featured community, recognizing their hard
National Convention several practical workshops and work throughout the year. Perhaps
is always full of stimulating panel discussions. most meaningfully, attendees came
exciting and mean- These sessions allowed attendees together for a service project, pack-
ingful experiences, to delve deeper into specific issues, ing 25,000 meals for a local food
a nd t h is yea r ’s such as the separation of church and bank, demonstrating their sincere
convention held in Philadelphia state, strategies for effective activ- commitment to helping those in
was particularly special, providing ism, and the intersection of atheism need.
a unique opportunity to build mean- and politics. The more intimate and The convention also featured
ingful connections with others in the interactive format of these sessions a vibrant exhibitor hall, showcas-
secular movement. Held over four facilitated lively discussions and ing many local and national athe-
days, the 2024 convention brought provided valuable insights for those ist groups, popular podcasters,
together a diverse group of speakers looking to become more active in and vendors selling cool merchan-
and attendees of all ages and from their communities. dise. The exhibitor hall is always a
a wide variety of backgrounds— A number of special events bustling hub of activity, conversa-
atheists, agnostics, humanists, offered a variety of fulfilling experi- tion, and the forging of new connec-
and freethinkers—all united by a ences. A charity game night fostered tions that strengthen our movement.
commitment to secularism. a fun and relaxed atmosphere, Simply put, the American
Speakers included movement allowing attendees to bond over Atheists Convention in Philadelphia
leaders, celebrated authors, legal friendly competition while support- was a brilliant success that had a real
experts, dedicated activists, and ing a good cause. An awards dinner impact on everyone who took part.
more who delivered insightful honored activists in the atheist It provided a platform for educa-
presentations on a range of topics, tion, discussion, and networking, all
such as the threats to democracy within a supportive and welcoming
posed by White Christian national- Simply put, the environment. Attendees left feeling
ism, compelling cases for advocacy American Atheists inspired and energized, ready to do
on the issues that matter to atheists the work of advocating for secular
and secularists, and deeply moving Convention in values in their own communities.
personal stories of those who had Philadelphia was a We hope we will see all of you in
the courage to break away from Minneapolis in 2025! 🅐
oppressive religious beliefs and brilliant success that
institutions. Speakers and attend- had a real impact on Sam McGuire is National Field
ees alike have told us they found Director of American Atheists.
the presentations enlightening and everyone who took
inspiring. part.

PHOTOS FROM AACON2024
Top Left: Leo Igwe of the

Humanist Association of
Nigeria presents “A New Pact for
Atheism in the 21st Century”
Top Right: Social worker Andrés

Gonzales discusses how religion
affects mental health
Middle Left: Salon writer

Amanda Marcotte talks about
the insidious rise of “tradwives”
Middle Right: Three happy

attendees socializing
Bottom: Attendees enjoying one

of the main stage presentations

PHOTOS FROM AACON2024
Top Left: Attendees volunteer to pack 25,000 meals for a local food
bank
Top Right: Seráh Blain and Kevon Cameron describe the work of
the Nonprofit Industrial Complex, raising funds for international
humanist groups working to feed their communities
Middle Left: Paul Golin, Executive Director of the Society for

Humanistic Judaism
Middle Right: Gayle Jordan talks about Recovering from Religion

with an attendee in the exhibitor hall
Bottom: Attendees listen to a compelling presentation
American Atheists thanks Josiah Mannion

for his outstanding photography at
the 2024 National Convention!

A WORD FROM THE EDITOR
Stories of Courage and Connection

by Melina Cohen
A
to our work. These stories are a age to share their words with us.
s one of the newer
demonstration of our commitment In doing so, they promote un-
faces at American
to be Inclusive, People-Centered, derstanding, expose disturbing
Atheists, this year’s
Collaborative. They are a record truths, and challenge us all to do
convention was my
of the breadth of the nonreligious more to make our communities—
first. Having lived
experience in America. They re- and our world—a better, safer, and
my whole life as a
mind us there is incredible value more empathetic place. I hope
we’ll listen. 🅐
nonbeliever in the Midwest, it’s a
in that diversity. They repudiate
sad (though not uncommon) truth
those who legislate otherwise and
that I know more about being with-
those who suggest there is no com- Melina Cohen is Editor-in-Chief of
out community than being within
munity without church. And they American Atheist and Communications
one. Still, I knew it when I saw it, and Director of American Atheists.
are a testament to the robust and
it was good.
vibrant network of individuals and
I reveled in witnessing—and be-
organizations we’re building.
ing a small part of—this summit of
Community depends on un-
mutuality (which is all too uncom-
derstanding, and to understand
mon). I passed people engaging Lae rn erom abtuo teh
we must listen. Maybe, like me,
in respectful debates, overheard
you were raised nonreligious. Or rago nizanstoi edntoim
new friends exchanging contact
perhaps, like 85 percent of respon- in this :eius
information, and watched vol-
dents to our 2020 Secular Survey,
unteers pack thousands of meals
you were raised in a Christian Unchained At Last: A survivor-led
for strangers. And despite all our nonproffit organization dedicated to
household. No matter how each of
differences, every attendee I met ending forced marriage and child
us came to be an American Athe- marriage in the United States.
or speaker I heard shared a strong
ist, we all have something to learn www.unchainedatlast.org
sense of purpose and responsibili-
from these stories.
ty to build a better future. What is
I’ll caution you: Some of them Recover ing from Relig ion:
that if not a community? Providing support and resources
aren’t easy to read. They re-
So, before I’d even left Philadel- to people coping with doubt,
count horrific abuses endured in seeking answers about reli-
phia, I knew this issue of American
highly oppressive religious envi- gion, and living without faith.
Atheist needed to highlight some of www.recoveringfromreligion.org
ronments. These authors share
the voices we heard there, as well
their experiences vulnerably,
as others from around the world. Humanists International: The
humanly—the grief, alienation, g loba l represent at ive body
In the coming pages, you’ll read
and self-doubt. But they also talk whose mission is to build and
the words of a renowned religion support the worldwide human-
about the transformative power of
reporter, a forced-marriage sur- ist movement, championing
community—of finding strength, human rights and secularism.
vivor, a former old-order Menno-
clarity, and hope in connecting www.humanists.international
nite, and more. But like our Board
with others.
Chair, Jen Scott, wrote, “These are
Each of this issue’s contributors The Clergy Project: Providing
more than words on a page.” support, community, and hope
had a unique journey to arrive
As you saw earlier in this issue, to current and former religious
in these pages, but they have in professionals who no longer
promoting understanding and
common an extraordinary cour- hold sup er n at u r a l b el ief s.
fostering community are central www.clergyproject.org

The Pawns Become Queens
Hard Truths from Survivors of
Religious Oppression
by Sarah Stankorb
G
enerations of believers have been taught
gossip is a sin. After years of reporting on
women who have broken out of high-con-
trol religious environments, I can’t help
but think this is because church leaders
learned how dangerous “women talking”
can be to pristine pastoral reputations when their esteem
is built on lies and cover-ups.
I’ve had women tell me that when they were raped by
their pastor, their rapist claimed it was God’s will.
I’ve had a mother tell me how the pastors in her
church told her that not forgiving the boy who molested
her two-year-old would be a sin and treated her pain and
resistance as though it were on par with what the boy had
done to her child.
I’ve spoken to people raised as girls inside Christian
patriarchy who were told they must submit to their father
until they are married and then move under the author-
ity of their husband. These girls’ lives are arranged like
chess pieces—the smallest, least powerful ones. They are
pawns.
It’s as though their church leaders don’t know that
the pawns that survive become queens.

Believers, atheists, and everyone in
between find common ground when
faced with the triple tragedies of spiritual
manipulation, histories of abuse, and
institutions too interested in self-
protection to hold predators to account.
As a religion reporter who survivors, too. I don’t especially care what other
specializes in writing stories of I met a woman whose family people believe. I’m equally curi-
survival—people who evolve within had been upended by some of the ous (though differently concerned)
a church and those who run and same evangelical texts that wreaked to talk to someone who waxes on
never look back—I was curious to havoc for many of my sources. I about prophecies as I am to learn
attend American Atheists’ annual met a man who wanted to share my the life story of a friendly atheist.
convention and share my work, book with his mother who is still a The woman who wanted to know my
including my book Disobedient believer. It’s too late, he felt, to tear views appeared thrilled that I wasn’t
Women: How a Small Group of Faithful out such a vital part of her iden- interested in ripping up religion for
Women Exposed Abuse, Brought tity, but he also seemed to feel they the sake of doing so and was also
Down Powerful Pastors, and Ignited might find common ground shar- disinterested in convincing people
an Evangelical Reckoning. In some ing a book that confronts the danger of any theological view.
audiences, I meet former church- of high-control spirituality and lifts After years reporting these
goers who are nervous to tell me up those brave enough to fight back stories, I know there’s too much at
how they can no longer walk into a against abuse. stake. That’s what I’ve learned from
sanctuary. They tell me about their Another woman quizzed me communities of women who have
abusive Pentecostal upbringing. I’ve about my thoughts on religion, organized over the past two decades
had someone in their eighties whis- trying to discern whether I was to expose church abuse. Believers,
per to me that they were abused over overtly opposed to it, a believer, or atheists, and everyone in between
a half-century prior, with a burning what else. As a reporter I need to find common ground when faced
look that made me wonder if I was remain objective, and as a person with the triple tragedies of spiritual
the first person they’d ever told.
Often, I sense a pull to toe old rules.
I can feel them struggling to over-
come lifelong training that taught
them not to speak ill of the church.
But wrongdoing, exposed plainly
and truthfully, deserves to be held
to account.
At American Atheists’ conven-
tion, however, I suspected I would
find folks who no longer tread so
lightly around the reputations of
their former churches. What I found
were people who were compassion-
ate to survivors of spiritual trauma
because some of the atheists who Sarah Stankorb signs books at the American Atheists
gathered in Philadelphia were National Convention. Photograph by Josiah Mannion

(toward the start of the Millennium),
I had a similar experience. I had
been a good church girl who wanted
to become a minister, but then
a collision with evangelicalism
destroyed my faith. I didn’t know
anyone else who had been part of a
faith group and then gave it all up.
But as I started sharing my own story
on a tiny blog, I found others shar-
ing similar stories. They too lived
Sarah Stankorb speaks to the American Atheists
National Convention. Photograph by Josiah Mannion in regions where atheism seemed
rare. But as people started seeing
echoes of their story all across the
manipulation, histories of abuse, people discovered they weren’t the web, the impulse to keep disbelief
and institutions too interested in only ones who were abused in their quiet began to evaporate. Sharing
self-protection to hold predators to childhood homes—what was coded the truth of the matter with strang-
account. I see allies I don’t often see as “discipline” justified by the books ers created new communities.
elsewhere in this country: conser- of evangelical leaders like Focus on The American Atheists National
vative churchgoers who warn about the Family’s James Dobson. Women Convention was a more tangible
high-control religion partnering who were coached to serve God by version of that network-building, a
up with atheists who share their producing as many babies as their readily observable manifestation of
concern. And because these are all bodies would allow discovered such connections. I found an assem-
people who were raised in commu- they weren’t the only ones who felt blage of people from all across the
nities that seek dominion—over exhausted, depleted, and treated as country with a vested interest in
women, queer people, non-white mere vessels, not human beings. freedom of expression and a neces-
races—they see the looming threat Those who needed to escape found sary eagerness to protect all of us
of Christian nationalism for what others who had done so. Those from forces that currently seek to
it is: the logical culmination of the who had been abused discovered impose their dominionist impulses
Christian right’s investment in faith patterns that spanned denomina- on this country. Many of the attend-
and politics of high-control. tions and parachurch groups. ees and speakers I met had already
They hope truth punctures that Then they used the internet to lived under the pain and oppression
control. organize. of those forces within the church,
One of the most powerful forces Before the internet, people were and they are ready to speak the hard
in exposing abuse within religious easier to isolate and control. Fear of truths. 🅐
environments has been the inter- ostracization was more powerful.
net. On old-school message boards As someone who came out as a Sarah Stankorb is the author
and blogs, then later social media, nonbeliever in my early twenties of the national best-seller
Disobedient Women. The award-
winning, Ohio-based writer’s work
has appeared in publications
I found an assemblage of people with a including The Washington Post,

The New York Times, Cosmopolitan,
vested interest in freedom of expression

O Magazine, Marie Claire, Vogue,
Glamour, Slate, The Guardian, The
Atlantic, and Salon. She writes
and a necessary eagerness to protect all about religion, politics, feminism,
technology, and the public good.
of us from forces that currently seek to
impose their dominionist impulses on
this country.

A Renewed Sense
of Purpose and
Belonging at
the American
Atheists
Convention
Randall Martin speaks to the American Atheists National Convention
by Randall Martin
I
f you had told me fifteen think of them as my second family.
years ago—when I was To see people in the I’ve been attending American
most deeply entrenched audience weep at my Atheist conventions for four years
in my religious views and now, and it has been incredible to
lifestyle—that I would be story and to get hugs see it grow with so many new faces
a speaker at an atheist from those for whom year after year. It’s a breath of fresh
convention, not only would I have air to be in an environment in which
laughed at you, but I would proba- my story resonated people can be completely them-
bly also have said a prayer for you
that night.
gave me a feeling selves, to be able to open up without
judgment and condemnation. It’s
Yet there I was, a featured speaker in my heart that I deeply inspiring to see a crowd take
at the 2024 American Atheists the time and effort to pack food for
National Convention, as part of the
had never felt before the less fortunate at the food drive
“Hidden in Plain Sight” presentation and certainly not simply for goodness’ sake, and
in which I and my fellow speakers not the promise of some heavenly
discussed the issues that have been something I ever got reward. It reaffirms my belief that
plaguing the Amish, Mennonite, from any church. there is most definitely still good out
and other Anabaptist communities there in this world.
for decades. This event gave me the their stories of abuse, shunning, American Atheists’ conventions
opportunity to meet many others— and oppressive church rules over- always help bring me a sense of
speakers and attendees alike—who lapped with many of the dictates renewal, and the 2024 convention
have had their share of struggles in we were compelled to follow in the was truly smashing. My sincerest
high-control religious communities Mennonite church. thanks to all the people behind the
and cults. Seeing the wonderful people scenes who make it all possible and
To see people in the audience from the Recovering from Religion to all those who gave me a platform
weep at my story and to get hugs organization is always one of my to share my voice. I will be forever
from those for whom my story reso- favorite highlights of any event like grateful. 🅐
nated gave me a feeling in my heart this, as they have been instrumental
that I had never felt before and in my journey to find new friends, Randall Martin is an ex-
certainly not something I ever got discover a fresh outlook on life, and Horning Mennonite from
Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
from any church. Engaging with feel a genuine sense that there are
the ex-Jehovah’s Witnesses was a people who care and are ready to
particularly special experience, as help at any given moment. I like to

PERSPECTIVE
A Child in an Adult Nightmare:

The Fight to End Forced Marriage
by Fraidy Reiss
I
t was the word of God. including Hurst, and hundreds of with a spousal age difference, that
That ’s what Rebecca organizations, including American should have been considered a sex
Hurst’s husband would Atheists, to ban child marriage— crime.
tell her when he forced marriage before age 18—in every We are promoting simple,
himself on her despite her U.S. state, territory, and district. common-sense legislation to make
cries of pain. We started this movement in the marriage age 18, no exceptions.
She was 16 years old, a high 2015, at which time child marriage Such legislation costs nothing and
school junior—until he made her was legal across the U.S. and harms no one but eliminates what
drop out. She was one of hundreds of happening at an alarming rate: the U.S. State Department calls
thousands of girls across the United Our first-of-its-kind study showed a “human rights abuse,” and the
States suffering unspeakable harm 300,000 minors were entered into United Nations calls a “harmful
because of outdated marriage-age marriage in the U.S. between 2000 practice,” because it destroys nearly
laws. and 2018, and nearly all were girls every aspect of a girl’s life.
The suffering must end. wed to adult men. At least 60,000 And yet, although we have
I am a forced marriage survi- marriages occurred at an age, or convinced legislators in exactly 13
vor and the founder and executive
director of Unchained At Last, a She was 16 years old, a high school junior—until
survivor-led nonprofit organization
determined to end forced and child he made her drop out. She was one of hundreds
marriage in the United States. We at
Unchained lead a growing national
of thousands of girls across the United States
movement for which we have part- suffering unspeakable harm because of
nered with hundreds of survivors,
outdated marriage-age laws.

Our country’s marriage-age laws—or
lack thereof—not only legalize but
actually incentivize the international
trafficking of minors under the guise
of marriage.
states and two territories to pass this out years after her marriage that the couple will reside. That means
legislation since 2015, legislators in her mother had secretly planned men in 37 states can legally import
the rest of the country have rejected, it with Hurst’s husband, a 22-year- child brides from overseas. And it
watered down, or refused even to old man they had met at church, out means girls in most of the U.S.—as
entertain it. of concern that Hurst was veering young as age zero in four states—
We do not know of any major reli- off the “correct spiritual path” and can legally be forced to marry adult
gion that condones forced marriage headed for a “life of damnation.” men overseas who get a visa, a path
or child marriage; indeed, Christian, Regardless of the motivation for to citizenship, and a child bride.
Jewish, and Muslim faith leaders child marriage, it creates a night- In other words, at the state
across the U.S. have joined us to urge marish legal trap, as Hurst learned and federal level, our country’s
legislators to set the marriage age at age 16. Even the most mature marriage-age laws—or lack thereof—
to 18. 17-year-old does not have the rights not only legalize but actually incen-
But some parents and religious of adulthood and therefore faces tivize the international trafficking of
leaders do not share that conviction. overwhelming legal and practical minors under the guise of marriage.
My own forced marriage in New barriers if they try to escape from We cannot allow the suffering
York City, for example, took place parents planning an unwanted Hurst and so many others have
within the insular, fundamentalist wedding for them or from an abusive endured to continue. Please join
Orthodox Jewish community, where spouse. Taking basic steps such as Unchained At Last, American
forced and child marriage remain leaving home, getting help from Atheists, and our other allies in our
the norm. Rebecca Hurst found an advocate, entering a domestic effort to convince legislators to ban
violence shelter, retaining an attor- child marriage in the remaining 37
ney, or seeking a protective order U.S. states, three territories, and one
300,000 minors were entered are difficult if not impossible for district.
into marriage in the U.S. minors. And, in many states, despite “We are here to advocate for
between 2000 and 2018, and being allowed to marry, minors are those who have no one to stand up
nearly all were girls wed to not allowed to file for divorce. for them,” Hurst said, “and no one
adult men. “I was a child stuck in a very adult who will fight for them. 🅐
legal nightmare,” Hurst said. “I had
At least 60,000 of those no one advocating for me or my right Fraidy Reiss, a forced marriage
marriages occurred at an to stay a child.” survivor turned activist, is the
age that should have been founder and executive director of
Today, federal law does not spec- Unchained At Last, a survivor-led
considered a sex crime.
ify a minimum age to petition for nonprofit organization working
or be the beneficiary of a foreign to end forced and child marriage
Child marriage remains in the U.S. through direct
legal in 37 U.S. states, three
spouse or fiancé, but does allow the services and systems change.
territories, and one district. government to approve spousal or
fiancé visas involving minors if the
marriage is legal in the state where

PERSPECTIVE
Escaping the Cult of ISAAC

by Rhys Hagan
I
t had been a year since International Strategic Alliance of entice me further into the lifestyle
I last saw my family. I Apostolic Churches. They separated they had designed, they claimed to
was a rifleman with the themselves from religion, even have had prophetic visions of me
Australian Army at the Christianity, to form a propheti- marrying their daughter. But I was
Combat Training Centre, cally inspired movement based on still well behind in grasping their
spending a year obey- insights only passed down to God’s new, dogmatic philosophies.
ing orders, engaged in march- chosen elite. These apostolic congre- To be the figurehead they had
ing routines, weapons drills, and gations followed a self-proclaimed intended, I would need to adopt an
making beds my NCO’s could prophet who had visions of his ideol- intensive routine which would be
bounce a coin on. Still, the wide eyes ogy taking over through “a divine determined by my pastor and his
and strange rumors that passed to attack on the nation.” wife, who increasingly called the
me from family and friends piqued The website of their leader, shots. Under her guidance, I would
my curiosity—I’d missed something Jonathan David, outlines a “National attend counseling sessions and
big. Strategy” in which they plan to build church meetings multiple times per
I had left a small Christian “apostolic bases” in targeted coun- week to hone my capabilities as one
church that, while ambitious, was tries to “divide those nations into of the chosen elites.
still grounded in what I believed regions to effectively penetrate and The sessions became personal
to be community values and self- ‘conquer’ them.” and intimate, eventually turn-
less ideals. I returned to a church I had a lot of catching up to do. ing into massages to facilitate the
that had joined a radical, inter- The pastors of my small-town “laying on of hands,” which I was told
national net work spurred to church had been grooming me was an important part of communi-
indoctrinate the broader commu- for years to eventually take over cating divine powers. While there
nity: the ISAAC Network or the as leader of their congregation. To was never overt sexual interaction,

the power dynamic of leader and church had begun circling among to them for so long and then leav-
subordinate crossed into invasive my family and friends. However, we ing them meant I lacked the abil-
territory. I would eventually learn weren’t prepared to leave without ity to feel or offer any fundamental
that many of the young men in the making some attempt to appeal to human attachment.
church had been subjected to the reason, in the hope that the leaders A tumultuous final act led to a
same treatment by the pastor’s wife. would see the corrupted ideology calm ending, however. After leav-
Yea rs passed, a nd I was that beguiled them. But discussions ing the church, I saw little of them
constantly struggling to keep up were perceived as dissent. Dissent and spent a couple of years sifting
with the impossible, ever-changing was met with berating and ostra- through the lessons the pastors had
standards. My disillusionment led cization. As our attempts to open taught me, sorting fact from fiction.
me to begin probing for evidence- dialogue failed, their grip tightened, I did my best to take with me the
based answers about some of life’s unwilling to let go of the acolytes important lessons and leave behind
bigger questions, about my identity they created. the manipulation. It brought me to
and purpose. Having these things One Saturday night, after a three- an unsurprising conclusion: I actu-
rooted in faith was no longer enough hour sermon, a boy of about twelve ally can love.
for me, and I began expecting more. was seen talking back to his mum. The years since my separation
This only sent me further toward the The pastor’s wife launched a verbal from the cult have been kind. I can
fringes of the evangelical sect. offensive at the child, enraged by once again pursue creative expres-
For weeks on end, we were his disrespect. But her vitriol was sion—something that was discour-
expected to appear at the church heightened further when she saw aged in the church—and I have
for intensive worship sessions, and the symbol on his t-shirt—a skull— finally completed my second book
sermons were moved from Sunday which to her was an emblem of which grapples with the themes of
morning to Saturday evening. These the undead and demonic worship. indoctrination and radicalization. I
were strategies intended to elimi- Gripping the boy’s ankles, she explore my own extortion through
nate any opportunity for followers pulled him from his seat and repeat- the story of a Roman church owner
to socialize outside of the fold. edly dropped him on his head. She who blackmails Jesus into saying
My concerns grew with each screamed and prayed in tongues he’s the son of God to increase
sermon. Whispers of leaving the until raising her eyes to look around donations.
the room to find me. While on the surface the story
“Help me,” she said. may seem abstract, it is so personal
Gripping the I realized then that she was
convinced she was the victim. The
to me that I may not be able to sepa-
rate its themes from who I am as a
boy’s ankles, child’s shirt was an affront to all writer, as a brother, as a husband,
things holy, and she was the only and as a person. 🅐
she pulled him one willing to do what was neces-
sary to exorcize this indisputable
from his seat evil.
Rhys Hagan is author of
the novels Sovereignty and
Hunting Taylor Brown.
and repeatedly I refused.
I condemned her actions. Soon
dropped him on after, I informed them of my deci-
sion to leave the church. She told
his head. me my departure could only mean
one thing: I can’t love. Being so close

PERSPECTIVE
Humanists at Risk
Assessing the Impact of Humanists International’s Global
Support Program for Persecuted Humanists and Atheists
by Emma Wadsworth-Jones
I
n 2021, motivated by the belief is impossible. the Taliban took over Afghanistan
growing human rights Our work on the End Blasphemy in August 2021, individuals would
crisis in Afghanistan, Laws campaign has found that outs- often apply on behalf of a group of
American Atheists orga- poken humanists and atheists who atheists.
nized a series of fundrais- criticize religion can be sentenced Prior to the Taliban’s takeover,
ers which successfully to death for “blasphemy” in seven we received the highest volume
raised $4,000 to support Humanists countries worldwide. There are also of requests from Pakistan—about
International’s Protect Humanists at currently 57 countries which may 20 percent. Applications from
Risk campaign. The program is still penalize blasphemy with a prison Bangladesh, where freethinkers
active and remains in high demand, sentence and 25 which impose a have faced violent reprisals since
with the number of requests fine. 2015, have also been consistently
received each year consistently Given this context, it’s unsurpri- high. Applications from the Middle
outstripping capacity to provide sing we routinely hear from nonre- East/North Africa region accounted
tailored support. ligious people forced to hide their for around 50 percent of requests.
Working to ensure humanists, beliefs entirely in order to avoid In August 2021, at the height
atheists, and the nonreligious are state-sanctioned punishment or of the crisis, applications from
no longer at risk for their beliefs or vigilante violence. With limited Afghanistan exceeded 80 per year.
identity is one of our key priorities resources available, we generally The number of Afghans reaching
at Humanists International. We have to prioritize those at highest out for help has dropped slowly over
believe everyone should have the risk and whom we believe we are the past few years, in part because
right to practice and express their best positioned to help. For this those that remain find it harder to
beliefs without fear of discrimina- reason, all applications for support reach out or to flee. They may also
tion or persecution. are assessed against a set of stan- have a lower level of English profi-
Sadly, our latest Freedom of dard criteria. ciency in order to access the neces-
Thought Report found that 70 percent Since the program was officially sary resources.
of the world’s population lives in launched in 2020, we have received Although we are not able to
countries where the expression of at least 894 requests for assistance provide tailored support to every
humanist values is severely repres- from 767 different people in at least applicant, everyone who reaches
sed and where the full realization of 67 countries. This is a conservative out to us is provided with an array
one’s right to freedom of religion or estimate considering that when of information to cover different

To date, we have helped 354 diffe- Following intensive campaigning
70 percent of the world’s rent people with tailored support, and a long legal battle, on April 5,
population lives in and many of them have received 2022, Mubarak was convicted of 18
support over several years in multi- counts of causing a public distur-
countries where the ple forms, including emergency bance under Sections 210 and 114 of
expression of humanist grants, letters of support for asylum the Kano State Penal Code, respec-
values is severely claims, campaigning initiatives, the tively. He was given a sentence of 24
identification of pro bono lawyers, years in prison, which shocked the
repressed and where advocacy with representatives of global humanist community.
the full realization of State governments or internatio- Since then, working closely
nal institutions, such as UN Special with Mubarak and his legal team,
one’s right to freedom Rapporteurs, and more. Humanists International has
of religion or belief is We have also helped people been supporting his legal appeal.
impossible. access a total of approximately Although the process has been
$120,000 to cover subsistence and/ subject to some delays, in May we
needs. This includes information or relocation costs, medical or legal learned his sentence had been redu-
about security and wellbeing, relo- expenses. ced from 24 to five years.
cation, asylum, grants, and various In 2020, Nigerian human rights As a result of the appeal, Mubarak
other organizations and networks activist and President of the now has one year left of his sentence
who may be able to help. Humanist Association of Nigeria, to serve; however, the state still has
The more in-depth support Mubarak Bala, was arrested from the opportunity to appeal. We will
we provide requires additional his home and held without charge continue to monitor the situation
evidence and verification to support for more than a year. He faced char- closely and will work to support
someone’s case. The cases we take ges before the Kano State High Mubarak until his safe release. 🅐
on for this kind of support tend to Court in connection with a series
be the most complex, and we often of Facebook posts he was alleged to Emma Wadsworth-Jones is
expect they may need various forms have made, which were deemed to Casework and Campaigns Manager
at Humanists International.
of support over a longer period of have caused a public disturbance
time. due to their “blasphemous” content.
Map showing the average severity of persecution of humanists and atheists

by country, from Humanist International’s 2023 Freedom of Thought Report.

PERSPECTIVE
Evangelicals vs. Empathy

by Catherine Dunphy
S
tanding outside the Catholics make up about 30 percent each religion’s “theology of salva-
door to your neigh- of the Canadian population, eclips- tion.” For Catholics, good works
b or ’s home, you ing all other Christian denomina- and deeds play an important role in
might notice one or tions. Only 23 percent of Americans gaining access to the afterlife. The
two things about the are Catholics, according to Gallup, Protestant ethic dismisses good
household, such as which might not seem like much of works and adheres to the position
how often their dog barks, if the a difference until one considers that that salvation comes only through
morning toast has been burned, or almost half of the U.S. population is divine grace. In other words, it
if someone chronically loses their Protestant, about 49 percent, versus doesn’t matter what you do; if you
house keys. For Canadians like me, a little over 12 percent in Canada. don’t get into heaven, you’re the
there are many things we’ve noticed There is also a notable difference problem.
over the years about our neighbors in the number of “nones,” the reli- The second is church organiza-
to the south. From this Canadian’s giously unaffiliated, with Canada tion or structure. In Catholicism, the
point of view, there is a marked at about 35 percent and the U.S. at Church and its priests are necessary
difference between our two societ- about 26 percent. intermediaries that interpret, vali-
ies when it comes to empathy. I’m What do religious demographics date, and communicate the teach-
curious about that disparity, and have to do with empathy? To answer ing of the Bible and the will of God.
like any good neighbor, I’m also this question, we have to take a Given the years I spent in seminary
worried about what it might bode peek into the ideological positions studying biblical scholarship, I
for the neighborhood. of both theological perspectives. A submit that anyone who reads the
One of the primary differences research paper by Bemito Arruñada Bible would benefit from under-
between the United States and of the University of Barcelona, standing the historical, social, and
Canada is their religious ideolo- “Protestants and Catholics: Similar political contexts in which it was
gies. Both countries are predomi- Work Ethic, Different Social Ethic,” written and for whom. Without
nantly Christian, though the United published in The Economic Journal in this knowledge one might be open
States is a bit more so at 63 percent, 2010, provides some helpful context. to fantastical interpretations such
with Canada at 53 percent. Perhaps Formulating four major criteria, as those spun by evangelical minis-
more significant is which kind of Arruñada assesses the differences ters and their fixation on all things
Christians are dominant in each in ethics between Catholicism and demonic. (I’m looking at you, Book
country. According to its census, Protestantism, beginning with of Revelations.)

That said, in Protestantism there evangelicals are gunning for SEL. beliefs, favor socialism over capital-
is no intermediary needed, as the If at first you struggle to see ism, and push[es] them to believe
Bible is considered an independent the problem with an educational that racial, gender or class identity
authority unto itself and open to pedagogy focused on the mental matters more than unifying as a
individual interpretations, partic- health and resilience of children, human race.”
ularly in terms of how salvation is you’re not alone. For proponents of What a sad perspective, to so
achieved. Perhaps you can already SEL, this methodology focuses on vehemently reject a well-researched
see how this could be problematic. building interpersonal relation- curriculum that helps children
The third criterion looks at ideo- ships and emotional regulation. It navigate a tumultuous world, helps
logical enforcement. Catholicism is challenges and supports students students manage their mental
blanketed in ceremony that empha- as they work to access and under- health, and helps reduce bullying.
sizes the potential and need for stand their emotions, providing Whether or not America’s evangel-
moral development. This focus on them with resources to articulate icals realize it, they are the ones
one’s progress toward grace begins these emotions, and then support playing a game of identity politics,
with baptism, then to first commu- to manage and resolve conflicts and claiming the moral high ground
nion and confession or penance. interpersonal challenges. due to ideological perspectives and
Each sacrament is a rung in the Journalist Claire Lamen explored enshrining “rugged individualism”
ladder of internal moral develop- evangelical antipathy for SEL in an as a tenet of faith. It is the unchecked
ment for Catholics. Protestantism article for The Cut in 2022, and found influence of the Protestant work
narrows its focus to external expres- that the crux was the ways in which ethic that sees capitalistic consum-
sions of divine grace, such as health, social-emotional learning upsets erism as a sign of divine grace.
wealth, and social ranking. An evangelicals’ ideological apple The untethered idea that SEL and
emphasis on mutual social control cart. If we consider the ideological empathy are bad things that must be
and adherence to ideological homo- differences between Catholics and stopped is, in my estimation, one of
geneity in Protestantism reinforces Protestants, we can see how the the saddest things to emerge from
the impulse to monitor one anoth- latter’s demand for strong adhesion twenty-first century evangelical-
er’s behavior for compliance. to a biblically prescribed social ethic ism. From where I sit, I can’t help
The last assessment criterion might get in the way of SEL’s aim but worry that for so many of my
reviews the impact that these ideol- to teach students to respect differ- American neighbors, the idea of
ogies have on social interactions. ences. The ideology of incultura- empathy inspires not warmth and
Catholics prioritize family and close tion in Catholic theology provides hope, but fear and rage. 🅐
friends. The Protestant view is that a bit more wiggle room regarding
a strong social ethic necessitates perspective-taking and respecting Catherine Dunphy is a writer, poet,
mutual social controls. differences…but only just. and women’s rights advocate. She
is the author of From Apostle to
Empathy is a prosocial skill, Lampen quotes one Utah parent Apostate: The Story of the Clergy
one that is intentionally culti- who complained that SEL propo- Project. In 2022, Dunphy founded
vated in social-emotional learning nents “want to use SEL to repro- the Kimberley Project, a Canadian
charity and nonprofit that works
(SEL) curricula. Empathy has four gram our children into social justice to prevent violence against
primary interrelated dimensions: activists for particular causes.” They women through early intervention
empathetic concern, perspective claimed these programs make kids educational programs. She lives
outside Toronto with her family.
taking, empathetic visualization, “reject familial cultural or religious
and empathetic personal distress.
Unless we are impacted by some
antisocial pathology, most of us Whether or not America’s evangelicals realize
have experienced each of these it, they are the ones playing a game of identity
dimensions of empathy in one
way or another. Empathy building politics, claiming the moral high ground due
programs play a crucial role in inter-
personal relationships and commu-
to ideological perspectives and enshrining
nity building, and yet American “rugged individualism” as a tenet of faith.

WHY I AM AN ATHEIST
Why I Call Myself an Atheist
I’ve never found it true. Even

when I was a child in synagogue
Leave “agnostic” for
saying prayers and singing songs the literalists, the
of praise (the Jewish God demands
heaps of it), I always thought God believers who have
was a character rather than an doubts, and the
actual being.
Why did I start life outside the nonbelievers who
bubble of belief even though I was are being polite. I’m
technically raised inside it? Maybe
because my father was an English an atheist.
Kate Cohen is a Washington professor and my head was full of
Post contributing other literary characters. Maybe
columnist and author of
We of Little Faith: Why
because my parents didn’t believe— the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia,
I Stopped Pretending to not really. I never witnessed them churches and crosses dotted the
Believe (And Maybe You praying to God outside of prescribed rolling farmlands as plentifully as
Should Too), from Godine.
ceremonial times, and they never cows. Christianity was so perva-
scolded their children with refer- sive in that part of the world as to
God is a human invention. We ence to Mosaic Law or instructed us be almost invisible—until, that is,
made him up—we’ve been making with Bible stories. Maybe because a horse-drawn buggy pulled up in
versions of him up for millennia— I was always a writer. An observer. the next lane, carrying Mennonites
because life is difficult and death I watched my congregation pray— in bonnets and black hats. Being
is scary. Naturally people want to watched myself pray—rather than Jewish in this context meant being
believe that someone is in charge feeling what I imagined people felt different, but acceptably so; we
and that, contrary to the evidence when they genuinely prayed. existed recognizably within the
before us, we won’t truly die. For whatever reason, I didn’t have dominant mythos.
I am in no way scornful of these to reason myself into being an athe- I was not thinking any of this
desires; I am awed at the effort that ist. It was just always there, in my when I decided not to tell anyone I
has gone into satisfying them. The understanding of God as a made-up didn’t believe. In fact, “decided” is
characters and plots, the regu- thing. the wrong word. I just instinctively
lations and rationalizations, the What I did have to reason myself sought love and approval and care-
books explaining why this story is into was saying I was an atheist. fully guarded my interior life.
the true story and the books arguing Why would I do that? I was a good As the years passed, I was more
no, actually, this other story is the student, a good daughter, a good conscious of pretending to believe
true one. The paintings! The hymns! girl. What could possibly inspire and also more ambivalent. I didn’t
The costumes! The tortured expla- me to pipe up after my family lit the feel great about lying or mislead-
nations for why the (supposedly just sabbath candles and say, “Just to be ing or withholding—wherever I
and good) Main Character permits clear, this ‘Adonai’ we’re thanking is currently landed on the spectrum of
...torture. pretend, right?” dishonesty—but I imagined I’d feel
I find it impressive, fascinating, I don’t think so. worse about coming clean because
moving. Just not true. Outside our little congregation, in people would think less of me. “In

In a country that grants all kinds of privileges and
exemptions to religious institutions, that regards
religious belief as uniquely ineligible for criticism,
that behaves as if “God’s will” were pertinent to
public policy... I’m going to say I’m an atheist.
God We Trust,” said my money; Up—and come up fifty-fifty. That’s that behaves—despite the vaunted
“one nation under God,” said the not how I feel. I look around me, and protections of its First Amendment—
Pledge of Allegiance; “God Bless I see a long history of religions that as if “God’s will” were pertinent to
America,” said even the politicians have been downgraded to myth— public policy...I’m going to say I’m
that I respected. Whether or not or worse, literature; a grand vari- an atheist.
my country was tolerant of diverse ety of currently active God stories, I’m a secular humanist, too, a
faiths, it absolutely presumed faith each of which, if true, would render nonbeliever, and a cultural Jew. But
was a fundamental element of good the others invalid; and no concrete “atheist” is the clearest, least apol-
citizenship. evidence of any God, each of whom ogetic term, so “atheist” is what I
What finally convinced me to is conveniently invisible, inaudi- will call myself until the threat of
give up being a good girl was the ble, and inscrutable. So I’m pretty Christian Nationalism subsides.
desire to be a good parent. confident concluding—without Until we get our reproductive rights
I found I couldn’t lie to (or mislead technically knowing—we’ve collec- back. Until U.S. public schools are
or withhold information from) my tively made up comforting “truths” fully secular and U.S. health care
children. My job was to teach them about the nature of existence. Leave is based on science and not on
to navigate the world, but how could “agnostic” for the literalists, the the supposed opinions of a char-
they navigate a world they didn’t see believers who have doubts, and the acter in a book. Until Americans
clearly? Worse, how could they navi- nonbelievers who are being polite. stop presuming that every good
gate a world when the people they I’m an atheist. American—ever y good girl—
trust the most are purposely misin- Why choose a term at all, though? believes in a supernatural being
forming them? Why make a point of it? I don’t go who controls the universe.
So I felt a grave responsibility to around calling myself nonQAnon I know none of that will happen
tell my children the truth as I saw or a nonastrologist or a Holocaust- right away. But the more we call
it. I told them God and religion were acknowledger. Why claim a label ourselves “atheists,” the sooner it
human inventions. And that is when that identifies me as someone who will. 🅐
I truly began thinking of and calling hasn’t accepted a counterfactual
myself an atheist. view of the world?
Why didn’t I call myself an The answer is, of course, context.
agnostic? Technically, we are all It never occurs to me to insist on the
not-knowers. What we don’t know essential roundness of the earth, but
for sure vastly surpasses what we at a flat-earth convention, I would
do know for sure. God’s existence call myself a glober. In a coun-
cannot be proven, and neither can try that grants all kinds of privi-
his nonexistence. leges and exemptions to religious
But to say one is an agnostic is institutions, that regards religious
to imply that one has weighed the belief (at least the Christian kind)
options—God Is Real vs. God Is Made as uniquely ineligible for criticism,

OUR KATE’S PICKS
Book: To the Lighthouse by

Virginia Woolf (1927)
The nature of life, the passage of Kate Cohen offers some
time, the cruelty of mortality, the
fundamental unknowability of classic and contemporary
other people, and the consolations
of love and art. It’s all here in one of recommendations for what
the most achingly beautiful novels
in the English language. Plus it’s to read and watch this
short, often funny, and features a
character nicknamed “the Atheist.” summer.
Warning: Prepare to float around in
a poetic state for days after reading.
Book: Unshrinking by Kate Series: Reservation Dogs on

Manne (2024) Hulu (2021)
Fiction is my first love, but I also This series follows four indigenous
love a good argument, and Manne teenagers in rural Oklahoma. The
makes a thorough, convincing, tone feels completely fresh: heavy
er udite-but-enter ta ining case and light, tragic and funny, real and
for dismantling diet culture and surreal. The show is many things,
battling fatphobia. This is a system one of which is a fascinating look
we exist inside of and sometimes at religion. It takes seriously but
have trouble seeing clearly. Sound wears lightly the traditional ritu-
familiar? Warning: Prepare to be als and beliefs that help connect
annoyed with casual diet talk and the community. Warning: You will
body comments, which you’ll start miss these characters at the end of
to notice everywhere. the series.
Series: We’re Here, Season 4, Film: The Zone of Interest,

on Max (2024) directed by Jonathan Glazer
(2023)
Drag queens travel across America
to encourage locals to perform in An astounding work of art about
drag shows—a mission that takes the family life of the commandant
on special resonance—and risk—in of Auschwitz, which mostly takes
the wake of anti-drag legislation. place in a pleasant home just
Religion is, of course, both subtext outside the camp wall. Watch it to
and text here, as are the politics that make yourself think about what is
should inspire atheists to mobilize. happening right now and what we
But I also recommend the show for are managing not just to ignore but
its matter-of-fact assertion that to enable and even profit from. See it
there are queer people everywhere, to appreciate how powerful art can
whether visible or not. Sound famil- be. Warning: Let’s just say, I don’t
iar? Warning: You’ll need tissues. want to see it again.

Photo by Kevin Reed (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)
to the establishment of the Clergy

Project in 2011, an organization that
provided a safe, anonymous online
space exclusively for religious lead-
ers who no longer have supernat-
ural beliefs. In 2013, Dennett and
LaScola co-authored a book on the
project, Caught in the Pulpit: Leaving
Belief Behind. Stories from the Clergy
Project inspired the stage play The
Unbelieving, which debuted in New
IN MEMORIAM York City in 2022.
In contrast to his efforts to make
Daniel Dennett (1942-2024) the world more welcoming to athe-
ists, his magnanimity did not
Paul Fidalgo
always extend to other marginal-
ized groups. In the last few years
I
of his life he expressed some hurt-
t wasn’t too long ago that thwart progress, and deny reality. fully regressive positions, in partic-
being an openly atheist But where the other writers levied ular when boosting a transphobic
public figure was, more confrontation, Dennett offered author’s book and engaging in tropes
or less, simply not done, but curiosity. His 2006 book Breaking about “self-righteous partisanship”
there was a moment in the the Spell: Religion As a Natural and “bullying” on the part of trans
middle-aughts that forced Phenomenon is not an anti-religion people.
a conversation about how religion manifesto, but rather it is a series of Dennett’s life’s work was, of
wasn’t the unmitigated force for questions, eloquently asked. Why did course, about much more than being
good it was so often assumed to be, humans adopt religious beliefs? Why an openly atheist public figure. He
and about the large number of good, do we still cling to them in the age of was a philosopher of the mind who
smart people who simply didn’t science? What purpose does religion sought to understand and explain
believe in any of it. seem to serve? What else might fulfill the workings of human conscious-
That moment was the emergence its perceived functions? ness and free will. He was a critic of
of a phenomenon that came to be It is perhaps because of this what he saw as the postmodernist
known as “the New Atheism,” a term less confrontational approach that approach to truth claims, adopting
popularized by journalist Gary Wolf Dennett never reached the same the term “deepity” for an idea that
in a 2006 Wired article profiling athe- levels of celebrity as his fellow seems on the surface to be profound,
ist intellectuals who had recently “horsemen.” He largely agreed with but is actually trivial. In his latter
written books criticizing religion the criticisms leveled at religion, but years, he sounded dire alarms
and religious belief, one of whom more of his energy seemed directed about the threat posed by artifi-
was Tufts University philosopher at understanding what was behind cial intelligence. He authored more
Daniel Dennett. it, rather than merely denouncing it. than a dozen other books including
The New Atheists brought intel- Dennett not only played a major Consciousness Explained, Darwin’s
lectual heft to their critiques of reli- role in normalizing atheism in the Dangerous Idea, and his final work,
gion, and often an undercurrent of broader culture, but helped reveal the memoir I’ve Been Thinking, which
rage and exasperation that in the to the world the prevalence of athe- was published in 2023.
twenty-first century, human civiliza- ism among practicing clergy who Daniel Dennett died on April 9,
tion was still promoting the unques- felt compelled to hide their nonbe- 2024, at the age of 82. 🅐
tioning belief in and allegiance to lief. Dennett partnered with qual-
Bronze Age mythologies, fictions itative researcher Linda LaScola Paul Fidalgo is managing
that serve to subjugate women, to carry out the pioneering stud- editor of American Atheist.
silence dissent, justify violence, ies on this phenomenon, which led

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AMERICAN ATHEIST

A JOURNAL OF ATHEIST NEWS AND THOUGHT

Courage & Connection

Why Kate Cohen Our Ambitious Plan Perspectives

4 President’s Letter: Rising to the Moment

10 Friendship, Fun, and Freethought in

15 The Pawns Become Queens: Hard Truths

18 A Renewed Sense of Purpose and

19 The Fight to End Forced Marriage

21 Escaping the Cult of ISAAC

23 Humanists at Risk: Assessing

25 Evangelicals vs. Empathy

27 Kate Cohen: Why I Am an Atheist

29 Our Kate’s Picks

All content is published in good faith. The views expressed

© 2024 American Atheists, Inc. All rights reserved.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

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Rising to the Moment

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We’re working for a

6 | AMERICAN ATHEIST | www.atheists.org SECOND QUARTER 2024

These values are in our

Bold Inclusive Adaptive People-Centered

Collaborative Authentic Freedom Future-Oriented

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the wall of separation between religion and government is what we’ve

Break Down Barriers

8 | AMERICAN ATHEIST | www.atheists.org SECOND QUARTER 2024

More Than Words On A Page

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Top Left: Leo Igwe of the

Top Right: Social worker Andrés

Middle Left: Salon writer

Middle Right: Three happy

Bottom: Attendees enjoying one

12 | AMERICAN ATHEIST | www.atheists.org SECOND QUARTER 2024

Middle Left: Paul Golin, Executive Director of the Society for

Middle Right: Gayle Jordan talks about Recovering from Religion

Bottom: Attendees listen to a compelling presentation

American Atheists thanks Josiah Mannion

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Stories of Courage and Connection

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16 | AMERICAN ATHEIST | www.atheists.org SECOND QUARTER 2024

I found an assemblage of people with a including The Washington Post,

vested interest in freedom of expression

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18 | AMERICAN ATHEIST | www.atheists.org SECOND QUARTER 2024

A Child in an Adult Nightmare:

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20 | AMERICAN ATHEIST | www.atheists.org SECOND QUARTER 2024

Escaping the Cult of ISAAC

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