Ruth (“Dixie”) Jokinen Memorial Introduction by Catherine Fahringer: Most of you know that I live in San Antonio, Texas. We have one newspaper. Our one newspaper loves to put the …
Outreach
Katha Pollitt
Katha Pollitt, poet, author and columnist of the “Subject to Debate” biweekly column in The Nation, was the second convention recipient of the Freedom From Religion Foundation’s “Emperor Has No …
Richard Dawkins
Distinguished British scientist, author and atheist Richard Dawkins, who was scheduled to accept an “Emperor Has No Clothes Award” on Sept. 22, 2001, at the Freedom From Religion Foundation convention, …
George Carlin
The salty, Grammy award-winning stand-up comedian has appeared in 11 HBO specials since 1977, often skewering religion. Typical quips: "When evolution is outlawed, only outlaws will evolve." "If churches want …
Janeane Garafalo
The actress, comedian, former Saturday Night Live player and political commentator has publicly stated her lack of religion on many occasions, including witty stand-up routines. She said of God: “He …
Andy Rooney
CBS commentator Andy Rooney has frequently made irreverent comments in his "60 Minutes" commentaries, columns and books. In November 2000, he reminded readers: "The obituaries in the newspapers and on …
Ted Turner
Ted Turner, founder of Cable News Network, "tells it like it is" about religion and is regularly called on the Christian carpet for his candor. The TV mogul, who is …
Jesse Ventura
Former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura created a firestorm with his Playboy interview (Nov. 1999), in which he said: “Organized religion is a sham and a crutch for weak-minded people who …
Gabriel Carlson
2000 Ruth (“Dixie”) Jokinen Memorial Gabriel Carlson, a recent graduate of the University of Minnesota, earned a degree in Religious Studies, Philosophy and Rhetoric. At the time he received his …
