Conservative columnist Star Parker, who’s known for embracing creationism over evolution and who has called public schools godless “cesspools,” is fond of declaring that America faces mutually exclusive religious vs. secular existential alternatives, and only the religious option can save the country. Of same-sex marriage, she wrote in 2013 that it contradicts biblical tradition, which she insists our laws must be based on, and concluded: “We have only two options. Turn back to where we belong or watch the continuing collapse of our country.” Implying we “belong” in a biblically dominated state.

Last month she reprised this theocratic-leaning dialectics by insisting that secularism in government is changing “what America is about” and then declared another of her stark choices by asking: “Are we going to be secular and socialist or a God-fearing free people?”

This latter rhetorical query assumes that only the God-fearing can be free, and it intimates that secular government is not what America is about. Both are demonstrably untrue. When the Founders tackled the issue of religious freedom—arguably the single most distinguishing component their new experiment in liberty would embrace—they advocated relentlessly for a secular government. Not to diminish religion or religious freedom but to protect it. They knew that societies tend to descend into turmoil, even self-destruction, when the power of a religious institution is aligned with the government.

Moreover, on a practical level, there is no intrinsic equation between religiosity and freedom. It can, quite often, be quite the contrary. Past popes labeled freedom of conscience anathema if it led one to question church doctrine. Religious leaders were among the defenders of slavery in the 1800s and among the critics of the civil rights movement in the 1960s. Today we see increasing efforts to restrict rights and discriminate against others under claims of “religious freedom.” Because they don’t conform to her biblical worldview, Parker herself opposes same-sex marriage, abortion, birth control and divorce—even though all are matters of individual liberty.

On the other hand, non-religious people and entities are often freedom’s major defenders. In generations past, freethinkers were among the leaders in the abolitionist and women’s suffrage movements. Today the American Humanist Association lists among its aspirations the upholding of “equal enjoyment of human rights and civil liberties.” Noted humanist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Andrei Sakharov defended liberties at great personal cost in Soviet Russia.

The point here is not to say that either the religious or the secular have monopolies on protecting or constricting freedom, or on representing the best or worst in our nature. There are always good and bad players in any given cohort. But to suggest that only a God-fearing stance is compatible with freedom does not hold up to scrutiny. To suggest that the continuing viability of America requires turning back the clock to an imagined biblically dictated government does not square with history. Indeed, the Framers specifically sought to prevent that very thing.

Parker sees our polarization and concludes deference to religion is the only way to affirm “what the nation is about.” She quoted Abraham Lincoln’s observation that a house divided against itself cannot stand, and so, she said, we have to make “hard choices.” But instead she presents us the “secular and socialist” vs. “God-fearing free” dichotomy. That’s not a hard choice. It’s a false one.

“ Of all the tyrannies that affect mankind, tyranny in religion is the worst.” .....Thomas Paine

Imagine a 1960’s Twilight Zone episode in which a physician discovers that a popular and profitable home safety product is actually a deadly macroscopic communicable disease agent. Despite horrific public events, more and more people find the marketing so compelling, and the product so attractive, that they not only seek out the pathogenic agent but also pay handsomely for it. Meanwhile, after scientifically demonstrating the danger and exposing a rapidly unfolding epidemic caused by the product, the physician is discredited by personal attacks. Intimidating product supporters stalk the physician, and suppliers bribe government officials to prohibit all physicians from initiating any conversation that might warn others about the pathogen. Eventually, our physician is forced to silently treat the casualties of the epidemic, without hope of ending it. It’s an inescapable conundrum—a common feature of the Twilight Zone.
Since 1968, more Americans have been killed by gunfire in the United States than have been killed since 1776 in all the combined wars America has fought.1 More than 87 Americans die of gunfire daily, more than in any other “first world” nation2, with 90% of women and 91% of children killed by gunfire in 23 advanced nations shot in the US.3 About 50 people in the United States commit suicide with a handgun daily,4 and a study of death records from Seattle over six years5 found that a gun in the home was 18 times more likely to kill the gun owner, a family member, or friend than an intruder (excluding gun suicides).

The National Physicians Alliance reports: “Deaths due to accidental shootings are three times more common in homes with guns,” “89% of accidental gun deaths among children occur in their own homes,” and “73% of children under age 10 reported knowing the location of their parents’ firearms, while 36% admitted they had handled the weapons.”6 In 2015, an American was more likely to be killed by a toddler with a gun than by a terrorist with a gun.7

In April 2015, the Annals of Internal Medicine published “Firearm-Related Injury and Death in the United States: A Call to Action From 8 Health Professional Organizations and the American Bar Association.”8 The call to action proposes: “universal background checks,” “elimination of physician ‘gag laws’,” “improved access to mental health care,” and a mechanism to report “patients who are displaying signs that they might cause serious harm to themselves or others.” The publication also advocates “robust research about the causes and consequences of firearm violence and unintentional injuries” and “restrictions for civilian use on the manufacture and sale of large-capacity magazines and firearms with features designed to increase their rapid and extended killing capacity.” The authors of the “call to action,” including the American Bar Association, designed the recommendations to be Constitutional.

We may not live in a black and white Twilight Zone episode, but we do appear to live in a society in which: guns present a massive public health threat, Second Amendment freedoms often at least appear to quash all other freedoms, and elected representatives routinely appear to preferentially serve the interests of anyone and everyone making a suitable “donation.” As long as America’s elected representatives appear to prefer political “donations” over public health, our national tragedy of gunfire and lack of basic gun safety will continue.

1.http://www.politifact.com/punditfact/statements/2015/aug/27/nicholas-kristof/more- americans-killed-guns-1968-all-wars-says-colu/
2.http://annals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2151828
3.http://www.thetrace.org/2016/01/us-gun-deaths-versus-other-countries-2016/
4.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24302479
5.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3713749
6.blog/20http://npalliance.org/13/06/29/doctors-guns-medical-gag-laws/
7.http://www.snopes.com/toddlers-killed-americans-terrorists/
8.http://annals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2151828

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April, 2006

Good? Evil? How can you know?  by Groff Schroeder

Earthrise  by William Edelen

An Easter Blockbuster  by Janet Brazill

March, 2006

Fairness for Churches  by Dr. David Eller

Fear, Faith, Discrimination and Diversity  by Dr. David Eller

If Abortion Becomes a Crime  by Groff Schroeder

A Marriage Proposal by Janet Brazill

January, 2006

Freethinkers Speak Across the Ages

The Truth Has Not Been Tried by Len Schwee

Triumph of Reason: Astronomy by Groff Schroeder

December, 2005

Subdividing and Wall Building by Marsha Abelman

Its Christmas Isn't It? by David Eller

Some Child Left Behind by Julianza Shavin-Katz

Why can't we all be Japanese? by Martin Foreman

November, 2005

Following our Founders Vision by Janet Brazill

Is America Waging a "Just" War? by Groff Schroeder

October, 2005

Triumph of Reason: Taxation by Groff Schroeder

Sacred Sperm by Jan Brazill

Homophobics and Leviticus by William Edelin

What is a Freethinker? by Dan Barker

September, 2005

Surviving Institutional Reality by Charlie Webb

Triumph of Reason: The Profession by Groff Schroeder

August, 2005

Intelligent Design or Intelligent Deception by Charlie Webb

A Woman's Worth by Jan Brazill

Religious Litmus Tests by Marsha Abelman

A Gift from God?  by Groff Schroeder
The Dogma Delusion   by Phil Stahl

What We Stand For  by William Edelen
We are the Nones  by David Gleeson

April, 2004
Thumbs Up for Women's Rights   by Marsha Ableman
Marriage, History, and Culture  by Dr. David Eller

March, 2004
Intolerance  by William Edelen
Bibles for Students?  by Jan Brazill
MLK and the Separation of Church and State  by Dr. Charlie Webb
More Passion, Less Reason  by Dr. David Eller

February, 2004
Truth, Faith, and Fiction  by Len Schwee
Thinking Outside The Cave  by Dr. Carlos Bertha
Triumph of Reason: Birth Control  by Groff Schroeder
Hiding Atheism?  by Phil Stahl

January, 2004
Hitler's Religion  by John Patrick Murphy
Recalcitrant Politicians  by Jan Brazill
Side of Religion  by Dr. David Eller
Snow Under a Full Moon  by William Edelen
Prayer and Healing In America  by Dr. Charlie Webb

December, 2003
The Santa Code  by Dr. David Eller
Merry Mithra-mas  by Dr. David Eller
Steven Weinberg  by William Edelen
Fear of Liberalism?  by Dr. David Eller

November, 2003
Raising The Level of Religious Literacy  by William Edelen
Evolution or Confusion?  by Phil Stahl
Triumph of Reason: Conservation  by Groff Schroeder

October, 2003
Mind Your P's and Quotes  by Steven Mahone
Marriage Amendments  by Jan Brazill
Deleting God  by William Edelen
Knowing and Believing  by Len Schwee
Forbidden Love  by Dr. Charlie Webb

September, 2003
Exposing the Myth Of Hell  by Phil Stahl
Triumph of Reason: Medicine  by Groff Schroeder
Moore Religion for Everyone  by Dr. David Eller
Visitors and Palm Trees  by William Edelen
Out 'Yonder' (Published in CS Gazette)  by Steven Mahone

August, 2003
Our Origin and Destiny  by Len Schwee
Triumph of Reason: Logic  by Groff Schroeder
Legislating Morality  by Dr. David Eller
The Bright Stuff  by Dr. Daniel Dennett

June, 2003
A Radical Agenda  by Frank Withworth
Triumph of Reason: The Scientific Method  by Groff Schroeder
Summer Solstice  by William Edelen
The Perfect Business  by Len Schwee

May, 2003
Curing the Disease of Fundamentalism  by Dr. Charlie Webb
Vote: Why Bother?  by Groff Schroeder
City Council Tackles Sin  by Jan Brazill
Mother's Day and the Bible  by William Edelen

April, 2003
Ed's Revelation  by Steven Mahone
Season of Dying Gods  by Dr. David Eller
Mythological Continuity  by William Edelen
Liberty, Morality, and Enslavement  by Len Schwee

March, 2003
Think For Yourself  by Dr. Charlie Webb
America: The Balancing Act  by Dr. Louis Guzman
Which God? Whose Trust?  by Dr. David Eller
A Day to Honor Courage  by Jan Brazill

February, 2003
In the 'Name' of Science  by Steven Mahone
Galileo 2003  by Dr. David Eller
Biblical Literacy  by William Edelen
Darwin and the Wisdom of Our Ancestors  by Dr. Charlie Webb
Our Cosmic Conscience  by Dr. Louis Guzman

January, 2003
Missionar-rogance!  by Dr. David Eller
Religious Freedom Day?  by Groff Schroeder
'PC' Greetings  by Jan Brazill
Better Ideas Are Forbidden  by Len Schwee

December, 2002
Jefferson's 'Wall of Separation'  by Bruce Monson
Solstice In The Canyon  by William Edelen
Danger, Beauty, and Belief  by Dr. David Eller
EC - The Best Kept Secret  by Lenox Powell

November, 2002
Science, Religion, and Politics  by Groff Schroeder
Implausible Claims  by Jan Brazill
Why Materialism?  by Phil Stahl
Evolving Creationism  by Dr. Charlie Webb

October, 2002
The Jesus Box  by David Eller
Biblical Scholars ... Defined  by William Edelen
Using God's Money  by Dr. David Eller
Liberty and Conformity  by Len Schwee

September, 2002
In Your Hour of Need  by Groff Schroeder
God and Country  by William Edelen
'Special Rights' for Religion  by Jan Brazill

August, 2002
Women Stand Against Fundamentalism  by Rebecca Hale
Got Science?  by Groff Schroeder
Fear of Diversity  by Dr. David Eller
Evolution Redux  by Phil Stahl

July, 2002
Beyond Prejudice: Mean People Suck  by Dr. Charlie Webb
Divided We Fall (Published in CS Gazette)  by Steven Mahone
God in Pledge Establishes Religion  by Groff Schroeder
Proud to be Known as Liberal  by William Edelen

June, 2002
The Catholic Predicament  by Phil Stahl
The Joy of Unbelief!  by Jan Brazill
An Open and Shut Case  by Dr. David Eller

May, 2002
A Good Life  by Dr. David Eller
The Demon-Possessed Woman and The Kindly Deacon  by Bruce Monson
Mind Viruses and Memes  by Phil Stahl
Some Pray, Some Perspire  by Steven Mahone

April, 2002
The Crux of the Problem is Faith Itself  by Len Schwee
Creationism is Make Believe  by Dr. Charlie Webb
If Abortion Becomes a Crime  by Groff Schroeder
Earthrise  by William Edelen

March, 2002
Religiosity and the Brain  by Phil Stahl
Attach of the Megachurches  by Dr. David Eller
Accuracy of My Columns Confirmed  by William Edelen
Piety and Patriotism  by David Eller
A Religious Conversation With Mark Twain  by Dr. Charlie Webb

February, 2002
Got Humanism?  by Steven Mahone
Prayer as Magic  by William Edelen
The Ultimate Terrorist  by Doris Drisgrill
Founding Presidents Not Christian  by William Edelen

January, 2002
Christianity: A 6000-year History?  by Steven Mahone
Post Hoc Miracles  by Bruce Monson
Invisible Bonds  by Jan Brazill

December, 2001
A Zen Jesus for Christmas  by William Edelen
But Wait, There's More!  by Groff Schroeder
What I Want For Christmas  by John Patrick Murphy
Humanist Values  by Phil Stahl
Free of the Biblical God  by William Edelen

November, 2001
Christian Reconstructionism: Threat to Liberty  by Jan Brazill
Believers and Unbelievers  by Dr. Charlie Webb
Is Faith the Answer?  by Doris Drisgrill
Christian Terrorism  by William Edelen

October, 2001
No Faith in PBS  by Steven Mahone

September, 2001
Homophobic Trauma  by William Edelen
A Challenge to Christians  by Rebecca Hale
The Grace of Reason  by Dr. David Eller
Can We Be Different?  by Groff Schroeder

August, 2001
No Miracles Required  by Bruce Monson
Hookers for Heaven  by Dr. Charlie Webb
Humanism 101  by William Edelen
Separation of Church and Medicine  by Jan Brazill

July, 2001
The 10 Commandments are Moral Fossils  by Charlie Webb
Mark Twain and Religion  by William Edelen

June, 2001
World Peace Now  by Jan Brazill
Abortion  by William Edelen

May, 2001
Reflections on the National Day of Prayer  by Rick Clark
"Noebel" Intentions  by Steven Mahone

April, 2001
The Worst Deception  by Charlie Webb
The Moon and Resurrection  by William Edelen

March, 2001
Mr. Nanny  by Steven Mahone
Bush and Moses  by William Edelen
The Power of Hatred  by Jan Brazill

Other Past Articles
Fear's Natural Enemy  by Steven Mahone
The Evolution of Morality  by Doris Drisgrill
A Sin To Be Me  by Steven Mahone
Unscientific Creationism  by Rick Clark
Correcting The Crime Of Marijuana Prohibition  by Charlie Webb
The Eternal Debate  by Steven Mahone
Abortion: The Forbidden Word  by Charlie Webb
When Religion Dictates Medicine  by Jan Brazill
Love and Truth in the New Millennium  by Charlie Webb
A Moral Existence  by Steven Mahone
Atheism and Freethought in the U.S. Military  by Rick Clark
In God We Trust  by John Patrick Murphy
A Cafeteria Pope  by Jan Brazill
The Apology of John Paul II  by John Patrick Murphy

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