Exhausted, but very happy

Anyone who has ever worked on a project over a lengthy period of time I'm sure will identify with the feelings you have as the project winds to a close. It's a mixture of joy and sadness.

As I write this, literally thousands of people are sitting in theaters all across the country watching something that I helped produce. It's like waiting in the reception area waiting for news about the new baby. Will it be healthy? Will it grow into something meaningful? Will it make a difference in the world?

No one ever does a project like this alone, but it certainly is fun to be part of the team!

The reviews are in from the Washington Post -- Together for the Cause of Separation -- and they are very good. Reports are coming from other media outlets as well -- We’re with Tom Jefferson,’ celebs say. But the real reaction I'm waiting for is the one from the audience. What do they think? How will they react to all the information given to them? Will they take the challenge and engage in asking the 10 Questions of political candidates this election season?

Only time will tell.

Another Great Night!

The lights have been turned off, the mic's put back in their cases, and the studio is now quite. But just a couple of hours ago it was filled with everyday citizens sharing their personal stories about their battle to safeguard separation of church and state.

I sat back stage with Lindy Maddox, an absolutely charming woman from Alabama, there to tell her story about standing up to Judge Roy Moore who -- under cover of night -- brought a Ten Commandments monument into a judicial building

All the windows had been shot out of her house. Her parents, who were battling cancer, were harassed, most of her legal clients took their business elsewhere -- but when I asked her if she planned to leave the area she said "no. If I leave there will be no one to fight for what's right." What an amazing woman, and an amazing amount of courage she has.

Dr. Susan Wicklund, who for years was the only doctor providing abortion services in a THREE STATE AREA, talked about the "Lambs of Christ" who would follow her daughter into her public school and hand out fliers saying "Sonia's mother is a baby killer." They would place concrete barrels in front of her driveway, to prevent her from entering or leaving her property. She would have to literally climb into the trunk of a car to exit an airport, because if these zealots saw her, they would block the car and actually chain themselves to the axle to prevent her from getting to a clinic.

Dr. Wicklund is one of the most caring physicians I have ever met. She is the kind of doctor who treats the "whole" patient. If she senses that a woman is being pressured into having an abortion (by a partner or family member), she encourages the woman to take the time necessary to make her own decision about whether or not to have an abortion.

Dr. Wicklund understands that treating the whole woman means understanding that she might need to have an abortion for her economic well being, her chance to finish school (or get an education at all), and her mental well being if she is simply not ready to be a mother.

I've known this wonderful woman for 16 years, and have tremendous admiration for her and the work she does. The photo above of Susan at a NOW press conference in 1996, was taken by me. If you haven't done so already, pick up a copy of her book "This Common Secret."

And just so you know, there were some men in the show! Matthew LaClair challenged his high school teacher history teacher who taught his students there were dinosaurs on Noah's Ark! Or as Barry Lynn would say "the kind of guy who thinks The Flintstones is a documentary." He has such poise for someone so young. Just amazing.

And David and Ryan Antoon, father and son, who shared a dream that Ryan would follow in his father's footsteps and attend the Air Force Academy. They are a father and son who clearly love each other dearly, and love their country. When David attending the Academy the focus was on "leadership." Developing young men into leaders. When Ryan arrived the focus has shifted to developing "warriors." And the diversity of religions had shifted to a focus that was almost exclusively evangelical. Ryan, with the full support of his father, decided against attending the Academy.

They are speaking out about this to anyone who will listen because they are deeply concerned about an entity within our government, charged with protecting and defending our citizens AND our Constitutional guarantees actually doing just the opposite! I'm pretty tired, so this might not be coming out exactly as it should, but the assault on our courts and our military should be frightening to everyone.

If you are reading this I hope you live near one of the 37 cities that will show the program on Wednesday night. You can check the First Freedom First web site for a theater near you.

Historic Simulcast For Church-State Separation Coming to a Theater Near You

I'm particularly proud of this event, as it's something I've been working on it for a few months now. This simulcast offers a unique opportunity for citizens across the country to hear directly from individuals who have placed themselves on the front line in the battle to protect our Constitutional guarantee of church-state separation.

On Wednesday, March 26, Actors, musicians and comedians will join church-state activists from across the country to put church-state separation on the national agenda during the 2008 election season.

In movie theatres in 37 cities across the nation, people will gather to learn about the threats to church-state separation and to demand that presidential hopefuls and candidates for other offices answer questions about key issues dealing with individual freedom. A list of 10 great questions to ask candidates will be featured.

Titled “Everything You Always Wanted to Know about the Separation of Church and State … but Were Afraid to Ask!,” the program is being hosted by First Freedom First, a joint project of Americans United for Separation of Church and State and The Interfaith Alliance Foundation.

Celebrated actor and filmmaker Peter Coyote will emcee the program, which is to include a performance by special guests, The Bacon Brothers (actor Kevin Bacon and his brother Michael).

Other actors and celebrities participating include Michael J. Fox (“Family Ties” and “Spin City”), Jack Klugman (“The Odd Couple” and “Quincy, M.E.”), James Whitmore (“The Shawshank Redemption”), Wendie Malick (“Just Shoot Me!”), Dan Lauria (“The Wonder Years”), Catherine Dent (“The Shield”), stand-up comedian and Air America host Marc Maron, singer/songwriter Catie Curtis and singer/satirist Roy Zimmerman.

In addition, Americans who have fought for individual freedom will tell their stories, including: Bryan and Christy Rehm (who fought creationism in Dover, Pa. science classes), Matthew LaClair (a New Jersey high schooler who exposed religious indoctrination at his school), Roberta Stewart (an Afghanistan War widow who fought for equal rights for Wiccan veterans), Dr. Susan Wicklund (who wears a bullet-proof vest to provide reproductive services in underserved areas) the Rev. Madison Shockley (pastor and reproductive rights advocate), David and Ryan Altoon (who oppose fundamentalist proselytism at U.S. military academies), Melinda “Lindy” Maddox (who successfully sued Alabama “Commandments” Judge Roy Moore) and Susan Jacoby (author of The Age of American Unreason).

It is my firm belief the power of the blogosphere can help get people, who may have never heard these stories before, into one of the 37 theaters. From the presidential campaigns to city council races, candidates need to hear why protecting our Constitution and Bill of Rights matters!

What's your question?

Questions that deserve answers

As some of you might know, I'm involved with the First Freedom First campaign (full disclosure). But even if I weren't, I would still think it important to find out where candidates stand on the important matter of safeguarding separation of church and state.

First Freedom First has launched an advertising campaign, encouraging people to ask all the candidates questions about their views on church-state separation. TV ads are up in New Hampshire as you read this:




Here are the questions that I would ask:

• Leaders on the religious right often say that America is a “Christian Nation.” Do you agree with this statement?



• Do you think Houses of Worship should be allowed to endorse political candidates and retain their tax exempt status?



• Do you think public schools should sponsor school prayer or, as a parent, should this choice be left to me?
  
  
• Would you support a law that mandates teaching creationism in my child's public school science classes?



• Do you think my pharmacist should be allowed to deny me doctor-prescribed medications based on his or her religious beliefs?



• Will you respect the rights of those in our diverse communities of faith who deem same-gender marriage to be consistent with their religious creed?



• Should “faith-based” charities that receive public funds be allowed to discriminate against employees or applicants based on religious beliefs?



• Do you think one’s right to disbelieve in God is protected by the same laws that protect someone else’s right to believe?



• Do you think everyone's religious freedom needs to be protected by what Thomas Jefferson called "a wall of separation" between church and state?



• What should guide our policies on public health and medical research: science or religion?

So what would you ask?

Please feel free to share this with others, and urge everyone to visit the First Freedom First web site and sign the petition.

Respect for all families

It seems that First Freedom First, and others, have a new partner promoting respect for all families. Check out the latest news from Disney!

Disney Opens Fairy Taile Weddings Program to Same Sex Couples

The Walt Disney Co., known for its family friendly stance, has given a stamp of approval to the controversial subject of gay marriage.

In a dramatic change of policy, Gay couples who have been previously barred from participating in Disney's lavish "Fairy Tale Wedding" package were granted such rights at all Disney parks including its cruise line.

"We are updating our Fairy Tale Wedding guidelines to include commitment ceremonies," Donn Walker, a Disney spokesperson was quoted as saying. "This is consistent with our policy of creating a welcoming, respectful and inclusive environment for all of our guests."

The shift is said be in response to criticism of the barring of the program from a gay website afterelton.com. Conversly, religious conservatives have accused the Disney company of promoting the gay agenda which includes acceptance of "gay days" when the park is inundated with gay tourists.

"We are not in the business of making judgments about the lifestyle of our guests. We are in the hospitality business and our parks and resorts are open to everyone," Walker said.

Corporations that do the right thing deserve to hear from us. Here is how to contact Disney:

Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons at Disneyland Resort: 714.956.6527
Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons at Walt Disney World Resort: 321.939.4610
or via their websites here or here.

Tag: Blog Against Theocracy

Blogswarm Against Theocracy Easter Weekend

Hey, if you're not doing anything over Easter ... or even if you are ... why not join in the "Blog Against Theocracy" blogswarm! Read more about it at Blue Gal and Neural Gourmet, and thanks to Tengrain at Mock, Paper, Scissors for the cool logo!

It's no secret that I'm a BIG FAN of First Freedom First -- a joint project of Americans United for Separation of Church and State and The Interfaith Alliance Foundation. So if you would like topic ideas for your posts, simply go to their web site and look under the "resources" section. OR, click one of the issue buttons under the photo at the top of the home page for info on that topic.

Join the fun!



Technorati Tags:blog against theocracy

Celebrate International Women's Day

March 8th, International Women’s Day, was first observed in the early 1900s. It’s a day to celebrate the achievements of women and to call attention to the struggles still faced by far too many women both here in the United States and globally.

Policies set in the United States can have far-reaching effects for women worldwide. Many of the issues addressed in the First Freedom First petition have direct impact on women’s lives:

First Freedom First supports the right of women to:

• Be free to make their own reproductive health decisions in keeping with their own beliefs.
  
• Make decisions about end of life issues.
  
• Be free from discrimination based on religion.
  
• Benefit from scientific research based on sound scientific principles.
  
• Have their families respected if their partner happens to be of the same gender.

First Freedom First appreciates the support of the nearly 130,000 people who have signed the petition. They understand the importance of safeguarding separation of church and state and protecting religious liberty.

There are powerful forces on the Religious Right who are busy organizing their supporters. Those of us who support separation of church and state must not let down our guard. I urge you to join First Freedom First in celebrating International Women’s Day by inviting the women in your life to visit First Freedom First and add their names to the growing list of petition signers!

Share this with your mothers and sisters, your daughters, your aunts and cousins, and your friends. Share this with all the important women in your life, and encourage them to join with you to safeguard separation of church and state and protect religious liberty.

High Court hears challenge to flawed Bush analysis

Tomorrow morning the US Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Hein v. Freedom From Religion Foundation. Many of us will be outside the court at a rally.

The case being argued is not just about whether the White House can spend money to promote religion through its ‘faith-based’ initiatives. The question before the Court is actually whether or not we will continue to be able to make sure that the government respects our Constitutional rights.

Separation of church and state is the first freedom outlined in the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights is meant to ensure that all Americans, regardless of their race, religion or gender, are afforded certain “inalienable rights”. In other words, the Bill of Rights is a promise of protection for you and me against governmental abuse.

The Constitution and the Bill of Rights were written to protect us … NOT the administration. Therefore, we MUST have the power to make sure they are upheld.

Who better understands when a right is being violated than the people directly affected? Who is most likely to sound the alarm? The answer is obvious.

In Hein v. Freedom From Religion Foundation, the Bush administration is urging the Supreme Court to overrule the 7th U.S. Circuit of Appeals and other federal courts that have upheld taxpayer challenges to government expenditures on religion.

This wouldn't be the first time the Bush administration’s analysis is flawed … it's definitely an attempt to block us from fighting for our constitutional rights.

We not only have a right, we have a duty to insure that our Constitutional rights are protected

The Justices simply must uphold precedent that allows taxpayers to sue when the government uses tax dollars for religious purposes -- if there is any justice at all. Government funding of religion is not only improper, but unconstitutional.

The courthouse door must never be slammed in the face of Americans who are merely trying to maintain their … OUR … constitutional rights.

Friends and First Freedom First

How delightful it is to be able to mix work and play ... something I've had the pleasure of doing since 1990, when I became a full time activist.

One of the best things about being an activist is thinking that you might, in some small way, leave this world a little better than it was when you came into it. It's also a great way to channel your energy when you think our leaders are taking this country in the wrong direction.

My mantra has always been: Don't agonize, organize!

The BEST part about being an activist, however, is the people you meet along the way and the friendships you make. Two new friends are Blue Gal and Tengrain at Mock, Paper, Scissors, and I'd like to give a shout out about the support they have given to the work I do for my day job.

Blue Gal is a great mentor and advocate for separation of church and state. Her posts promoting our First Freedom First project to safeguard separation of church and state have sent close to 25,000 people to the First Freedom First web site.

It was through Blue Gal that I found Mock, Paper, Scissors. I had the pleasure of meeting Tengrain on Friday, and anyone listening to our conversations might have thought we'd known each other for years ... it was that comfortable. Tengrain covered an event First Freedom First held in San Jose.

If you haven't yet visited the First Freedom First web site and signed the petition, please do. And if you are posting about the project, please let me know!