Photos from 2019 convention in Madison

“There are ways in which theism is a parasite. It infects and it influences,” said Anthony Pinn, who won FFRF’s Emperor Has No Clothes Award. The award is reserved for public figures who take on the fabled role of the little child in the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale and “tell it like it is” about religion. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

Phil Session of Texas talks with other members during the open house reception. (Photo by Chris Line)

Madelyn Hettinger, left, and Christine Hettinger, both of Wisconsin, enjoy the Betty Bowers routine on Oct. 18. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

FFRF members’ eyes are glued to the stage during Rachel Laser’s talk on Oct. 18. From right are Aleta Ledendecker, Dustin Daniels, George Iddon and Julie Iddon. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

Lifetime Members Eric Lawrence and Board Member Todd Peissig handled the selling of “Clean Money” tickets. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

Cartoonist Steve Benson draws a caricature of Americans United President Rachel Laser in the lobby of the convention hall. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

Jacob McGee covers his eyes as he draws a name from the bin held by Astoria Goldsby to determine a winner of a “clean money” bill. The term refers to money printed before 1957, which did not contain the words “In God We Trust.” (Photo by Chris Line)

FFRF Director of Communications Amit Pal introduces Avinash Patil. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

The smiles of Pam and Steve Solomon of Missouri show their enjoyment. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

“They say America is going awry because of secularism,” said Jeremiah Camara. “That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.” Camara’s most recent movie is “Holy Hierarchy: The Religious Roots of American Racism,” which was screened during the convention. (Photo by Chris Line)

“Patriotism has no religion,” said Andrew L. Seidel. “America invented the separation of state and church. It’s time for us to reclaim that heritage and bury the lie that America is a Christian nation.” Seidel is FFRF’s director of strategic response and author of The Founding Myth. (Photo by Chris Line)

Author and convention honoree Professor Anthony Pinn has a chat with a guest. (Photo by Chris Line)

“We want to put government on a secular and rational basis and that’s why we got our First Amendment,” said U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., holding his Clarence Darrow Award while giving an acceptance speech via video on Oct. 18. The award, including a bronze statuette, recognizes civil libertarians, those who promote science and evolution and/or freethought, as Darrow advocated. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

The FFRF legal staff includes, from left, Patrick Elliott, Eleanor Pressler, Dante Harootunian, Brendan Johnson, Madeline Ziegler, Whitney Steffen, Rebecca Markert, Sam Grover, Ryan Jayne, Chris Line, Andrew L. Seidel and Mark Dann. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

FFRF Office Manager Jackie Douglas, Freethought Today Editor PJ Slinger and Bookkeeper Eleanor McEntee help check people in at the registration table. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

“Trying to get into politics has been a huge hurdle for atheists everywhere,” said Hemant Mehta. “If you ask people under 30 if they would vote for someone who is an atheist, it is now over 70 percent.” Mehta won FFRF’s “Nothing Fails Like Prayer” and is shown with FFRF Director of Strategic Response Andrew L. Seidel. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

FFRF Co-President Dan Barker reads off the name of a winner as emcee Buzz Kemper announces it to the audience. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

Beth and Cal Huizenga of Wisconsin stand with the silicone likeness of Charles Darwin in the Freethought Library on the third floor. (Photo by Chris Line)

FFRF IT Director James Phetteplace handled much of the audio-visual details of the convention. (Photo by Chris Line)

Cheryl Kolbe was presented with the Nothing Fails Like Prayer award by Freethought Today Editor PJ Slinger. The award is for a freethinkers who gives a secular invocation at a public meeting in lieu of a religious prayer. She was also recognized for making nontheism a protected class in Portland. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

FFRF Co-Presidents Annie Laurie Gaylor and Dan Barker emcee the convention. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

Alec Loftus, who helps with FFRF PR, gestures behind the “Not Afraid of Burning in Hell” cutout. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

Buzz Kemper takes a photo of Damien AtHope of Indiana and FFRF’s Andrew L. Seidel in front of a sign that AtHope made.(Photo by Ingrid Laas)

FFRF Legal Assistant Whitney Steffen and FFRF Store Manager Astoria Goldsby help work the registration tables. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

Convention guests check out the food and treats table in the auditorium. (Photo by Chris Line)

Deven Green performs as Mrs. Betty Bowers, America’s Best ChristianTM, giving God an annual performance review. “Sadly, we are going to have to give God an exit interview. Look on the bright side, it’s not as if anyone will notice,” she said. “The only thing American Christians ignore more than Jesus is science.” (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

FFRF Co-President Dan Barker signs a book for Mary Summers of Missouri. (Photo by Chris Line)

Douglas Marshall of Michigan talks with FFRF Director of Governmental Affairs Mark Dann. (Photo by Chris Line)

Zenaido Quintana and Philip Lentz, both of Arizona, and Debbie Allen, acting executive director of the Secular Coalition for America, are all smiles prior to the start of the convention. (Photo by Chris Line)

In charge of selecting the winning tickets from the clean money raffle were (from left) students Seth Pelletier, Sitav Nabi, Sidney Novak, Jacob McGee and Dustin Daniels. Special thanks to Todd Peissig and Eric Lawrence (See page 5) for handling all of the raffle ticket sales during the convention. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

The view outside the convention center at night shows the Wisconsin State Capitol lit up. (Photo by Chris Line)

Andrew Bradley took to the podium by himself to deliver a more personal take on religion. “What is the difference between an atheist and an evangelical Christian? An atheist is honest about not following Jesus,” he said. “Politics and religion have so much in common! And no, not just the lies. There is also the narcissism. And the hypocrisy! And while the narcissism is fun, the really fun thing to write about is the hypocrisy.” (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

This year’s winners of the clean money drawing are, from left: David McDonald, Michael Fullmer, Greg Jarrell, Tamara Brenner, Ko Rimar, Erin Louis, Carolyn Crites, Larry Wright, Debbie Allen (acting director of the Secular Coalition for America), Rob Moore and Nancy Colgan. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

FFRF Editorial Assistant Bailey Nachreiner-Mackesey, left, and FFRF Bookkeeper Eleanor McEntee work the registration tables at the convention. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

FFRF members get checked in at the open house at Freethought Hall in downtown Madison, Wis., prior to the start of the convention on Oct. 18. (Photo by Chris Line)

FFRF Communications Manager Lauryn Seering works the social media during the convention. (Photo by Chris Line)

Trae Crowder holds his Emperor has No Clothes award from FFRF at the start of his comedy show. (Photo by Chris Line)

“Trump and the American fundamentalists have cut a deal,” said Jeff Sharlet. “The deal was power, strength, total commitment.” Sharlet spoke about his book The Family and the Netflix documentary series of the same name. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

FFRF Legal Intern Eleanor Pressler, right, looks through a pile of T-shirts to see if there is one the right size for Paulette Ennis of Illinois. (Photo by Chris Line)

FFRF Co-President Dan Barker interacts with Bradley Bienz of Illinios while playing the piano to open day two of the FFRF’s 42nd annual gathering at the Monona Terrace and Convention Center in Madison, Wis. (Photo by Chris Line)

Buzz Kemper shows off the grand prize $100 bill, which was won by Erin Louis of California. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

FFRF Associate Counsel Sam Grover, Alan and Ko Rimar of Minnesota get cornered for a photo. (Photo by Chris Line)

Comedian Trae Crowder, whose “Liberal Redneck” video series has garnered millions of views online, speaks to the FFRF crowd on Oct. 19 to close out the Saturday portion of the convention. (Photo by Chris Line)

Rahul Malhotra of New Jersey asks a question during the Q&A session following Anthony Pinn’s speech on Oct. 19. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

“No one in a cult ever thinks that they are in a cult,” said Amber Scorah. Scorah is the author of Leaving the Witness, which tells of her journey away from Jehovah’s Witnesses and how she handled the death of her young child after she stopped believing in God. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

Larry Tanner of Connecticut and Sara Dynan of Florida enjoy a coffee break between programs. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

“Those who are most protective of religion are those who profit the most from it,” said Jacob McGee, who was the second-place winner of FFRF’s essay contest for high school students. (Photo by Chris Line)

Orange juice, Mimosas and treats were available for members who stopped by the open house. (Photo by Chris Line)

Filmmaker Jeremiah Camara holds the attention of the others at his table. (Photo by Chris Line)

Roman, Ashley and Joshua Johnston of California look over some of the books for sale. (Photo by Chris Line)

Laurence Moore, who co-authored Godless Citizens in a Godly Republic with Isaac Kramnick, is professor emeritus at Cornell, where he was professor of American studies. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

“When you are in a minority religion, you are acutely aware of the critical importance of the separation of church and state, and Unitarian Universalists are definitely a minority religion,” said “Forward” Award honoree Nancy Northup, left, president of the Center for Reproductive Rights and a Unitarian. FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor presented the award, a statuette designed by sculptor Zenos Frudakis to recognize those moving society forward. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

Glenn Hindbaugh of Michigan next to Liz and Bob Srinivasan of Wisconsin. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

“At all levels of government, we need to recognize the separation of church and state,” said U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Wis. Pocan earned the Champion of the First Amendment award, which was presented to him by FFRF Co-President Dan Barker, whom he invited to give an invocation before the House, resulting in a court battle. Pocan vowed to carry on that fight. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

FFRF Board Chair Stephen Hirtle stands with FFRF Director of Governmental Affairs Mark Dann and FFRF Programs Manager Kristina Daleiden at one of the merchandise tables. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

“Monarchy and religion: I’m not big on either of those two things,” said author Sarah Vowell to FFRF Co-President Dan Barker during their conversation on Oct. 18. “Religion was almost our undoing at the beginning. As we know, that continues to be a sticking point.” (Photo by Chris Line)

Cartoonist for FFRF’s new “Heaven” video Kati Treu with her mom, Lisa Treu, FFRF’s director of first impressions. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

Gourmet cupcakes were served to the guests following the performance by Mrs. Betty Bowers on Oct. 18. (Photo by Chris Line)

FFRF Video Producer Bruce Johnson and FFRF Director of Operations Lisa Strand take a short break during the convention. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

Seth Pelletier and Sitav Nabi, who won a convention travel scholarship, grab a moment with Camp Quest Director Kim Newton and Secular Student Alliance CEO Kevin Bolling, who held a workshop for convention leaders. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

“I have to take responsibility for my mistakes,” said Aline Pham. “I must have drive, not dogma.” Pham was the first-place winner of FFRF’s essay contest for high school students. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under Canada, above Mexico, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all,” quipped Isaac Kramnick, a historian and professor of government at Cornell. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

Bradley Bienz, son of Leslie Bienz of Illinois, and Cosima Hensley, daugher of Mika and Ed Hensley of Kentucky, play together. (Photo by Chris Line)

“An award titled with the world ‘courage’ becomes complimentary to our work,” said Avanish Patil, left, who won the Avijit Roy Courage Award. “In the course of our civilization, we have lost many freethinkers.” He was introduced by Amit Pal, FFRF’s director of communications. The award goes to an individual or group working toward the spread of rational and logical discourse, and recognizes creative and heroic individuals who have persisted, despite hurdles, in their work to promote science, logic and humanist ideas. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

Performing a skit: Deven Green with Andrew Bradley, the creator and writer of the material for Betty Bowers. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

FFRF’s Executive Board of Directors met the day before the convention. On the board are (from left, front row): Director Jim Zerwick, Secretary Stef Moritz, Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor, Co-President Dan Barker and Director Sue Kocher. Back row: Chair Stephen Hirtle, Treasurer Steve Salemson, Director Cheryl Kolbe, Director Mike Cermak Jr. and Director Todd Peissig. The governing board members, elected by the large advisory body of State Representatives, serve three-year terms. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

FFRF Attorney Ryan Jayne plays the Diane Uhl Steinway grand piano for guests in the Charlie Brooks Auditorium on the fourth floor of Freethought Hall. (Photo by Chris Line)

FFRF’s State Representatives gathered at the Monona Terrace Convention Center on Madison, Wis., during the convention for their annual meeting. Front row (from left): Randy Pelton, Ohio; Dianne Cooper, Iowa; Bonnie Stormo, S.D.; Gary Stormo, S.D.; Sheri Bender, Ind.; Stef Moritz, Wis.; Claudette StPierre, Colo.; Dan Barker, Wis.; Annie Laurie Gaylor, Wis.; Dianne Centa, Ohio, Julie Iddon, Wash.; Douglas Marshall, Mich.; Mike Cermak Jr., Pa.; Todd Peissig, Wis.; Steve Solomon, Mo.; and Mikel Hensley, Ky. Back row: Sue Kocher, N.C.; Steve Trunk, Calif.; Jack Egger, Ga.; Lance Bredvold, Mont.; Steve Salemson, Wis.; Robin Buckallew, Neb.; Linda Josheff, Wis.; Charles Bender, Ind.; Sue Schuetz, Wis.; Tom Cara, Ill.; Philip Lentz, Ariz.; Paul Novak, Iowa; Ken Eck, Minn.; Sheridan Chapin, N.Y.; George Iddon, Wash.; Cheryl Kolbe, Ore.; Aleta Ledendecker, Tenn.; Judy Saint, Calif.; Nick Sheridan, Md.; Kevin Gough, Conn.; Ed Hensley, Ky.; Marc-Andre Lachance, Ontario; Stephen Hirtle, Pa.; and Tom Waddell, Maine. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

“We need to keep conveying that nontheists and nonreligious people are just as moral and as principled as religious people!, said Rachel Laser, president of Americans United. “The Constitution is on our side. The demographics are changing. We are smart, we are strategic and we are committed.” Laser was presented with the Henry Zumach Freedom From Religious Fundamentalism Award, which comes with a plaque and a check for $10,000, funded entirely by Henry Zumach, who presented it, along with FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor. The award money went to Americans United. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

Steve and Amy Bean of Minnesota laugh during Trae Crowder’s performance on Oct. 19. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

“Both Narendra Dabholkar and Avijit Roy were killed for their work, for their writings, and for their nonbelief,” said activist Rafida Bonya Ahmed, introducing Avinash Patil. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

Americans United President Rachel Laser shares a laugh with Ron Blake of California. (Photo by Chris Line)

“I realized that there was a need to be filled [for black atheists], and just like nothing fails like prayer, nothing fails like just sitting back and waiting for something to be done by somebody else,” said Freethought Heroine Mandisa Thomas, president of Black Nonbelievers. Standing with her is Gean Taylor of Georgia. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

FFRF’s Mark Dann “prays” with Mrs. Betty Bowers (Deven Green) after the conclusion of Bowers’ comedy routine on Oct. 18. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

John Hutchinson and Lori Bass, both of Wisconsin, relax during a break in the convention. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

A view of Lake Monona from the Monona Terrace and Convention Center during the buffet dinner on Oct. 18. (Photo by Chris Line)

Avinash Patil performs a “miracle” at the beginning of his acceptance speech for the Avijit Roy Courage Award. (Photo by Chris Line)

“Liberal Redneck” comedian Trae Crowder checks out his Emperor Has No Clothes award after performing a comedy routine to close out the convention on Oct. 19. (Photo by Ingrid Laas)

Photos from 2019 convention in Madison

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