Vandals attempt aggravated arson on FFRF billboard

A group of vandals recently attempted to maliciously burn a holiday billboard placed by the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) reading “Keep Saturn in Saturnalia,” placed in response to religious advertising, using gasoline. ‘Tis the season for secular and atheist organizations in the United States to advertise – mainly in response to religious messages and […]

Appearance on Post Rapture Looting podcast

I was recently interviewed for episode 60 of the Post Rapture Looting podcast which is now available for streaming and download! I discussed my recent atheist and church/state activism which includes — but is not limited to — my objection to government-led prayer at Wilkes-Barre City Council meetings, banners (1, 2) I had placed on […]

Why I object to government-led prayers at Wilkes-Barre City Council meetings

I addressed Wilkes-Barre City Council during the public comment section of their June 13, 2013 meeting voicing my opposition to prayer offered by Councilwoman Maureen Lavelle at council meetings. I urged council members — speaking on behalf of the NEPA Freethought Society — to cease their divisive, inappropriate, coercive, exclusionary, unnecessary, and unwelcome religious rituals. […]

Protesting May 2 “Circle the Square with Prayer” event

Post event reporting will be available the evening of 5/3/13 – JV Last week, I saw a banner erected on Wilkes-Barre’s Public Square recognizing the National Day of Prayer and promoting an upcoming “Circle the Square With Prayer” event — hosted by the National Day of Prayer Committee of NEPA — in which Northeastern Pennsylvanians […]