Action without discussion is dangerous. Discussion without action is futile.

On Saturday, June 28, at 12:00 noon, Michigan Atheists met at Anonka Witch Museum at 119 N State St in Caro, Michigan to protest ongoing discrimination against Anonka and her family.

Many readers are already familiar with some of the events leading to this protest, but for those who aren't, the following is a summary of how a First Amendment case became a Fourteenth Amendment one, as well as a possible RICO (statutes applied in cases of conspiracy/organized crime) case.

In December of 2001, Anonka, the owner of a museum that brings to light the dark history of Christian discrimination toward witches, Atheists, and other people labeled heretics, stood up in a meeting to protest a nativity display on Caro city property. In response, the Tuscola County Commissioners who were conducting the meeting told her that she had no right to be there, then proceeded to ridicule and denounce her in front of all citizens in attendance.

There was no doubt that the nativity scene as displayed in 2001 did not fit inside constitutional boundaries. It stood alone, completely funded by the city, representing only the Christian view of the season surrounding Winter Solstice. The Tuscola County Commissioners took their cue from recent Supreme Court decisions and added some decorations to the display, such as toy soldiers. As a result, the case Anonka and her lawyer, Jean-Marie Hansen, brought into Federal Court in regard to Establishment Clause violations was dismissed. However, the discrimination remained.

Because of evidence brought before the court and because of apparent outbursts in the courtroom, the court decided that the Fourteenth Amendment case had merit. This decision is an important breakthrough for Anonka and Atheists everywhere.

Anonka describes herself as an Atheist, even though the press often describes her and her daughter as witches, almost always using "the witches" instead of their names in articles. If anyone needs strong evidence that Anonka is a self-proclaimed Atheist, they need only observe the tattoo on her wrist that labels her as such. She proclaimed it loudly at the Godless March on Lansing, while delivering a powerful, emotional speech to the 79 people in attendance. Because the court papers also describe her as an Atheist, a victory in this case means that Atheists are protected as a group under the Constitution.

Currently, there is a boycott of Anonka's museum and store in Caro. Businesses have posted crosses in their windows in a display of protest against Anonka's actions in regards to the nativity scene. Anonka and her family receive death threats. Their property has been vandalized and even stolen -- with the theif / theives having left religious tracts behind. Anonka, however, remains strong; she even says that she is stronger now than she was in the beginning. She has stood up through it all, speaking out more loudly with each discriminatory act.
Anonka has created a museum that showcases atrocities committed by the Christian church. It is a powerful reminder of the danger posed by religion combined with government. To all those who think 'It couldn't happen here', I say, 'Think again - it already is.'

Greg Reich
Caro Protest Chairman
The Christian Inquisition used torture routinely to obtain confessions. Here boiling oil is poured into the victim's mouth as a clergyman takes notes. After being subjected to such abuse, the confessions must have consisted of screams of pain and writhing in agony.

Millions of people throughout history have been maimed, tortured, and killed in the name of religion, but the Christian Inquisition is of particular importance to us today. The Christian church still exists and could lapse into barbarism, hate, and intolerance again. Simply read the words of its hate-mongers:

Randall Terry , founder of Operation Rescue:
“I want you to let a wave of hatred wash over you. Yes, hate is good… Our goal is a Christian Nation. We have a Biblical duty; we are called by God, to conquer this country. We don’t want equal time. We don’t want pluralism. ”

Jerry Falwell, founder of the Moral Majority: “Just give me the Supreme Court.”

Ralph Reed, former executive director of the Christian Coalition:
“I do guerrilla warfare. I paint my face and travel at night. You don’t know until you’re in a body bag. You don’t know till election night.”

Pat Robertson, GOP presidential candidate, 1988:
“When the Christian majority takes over this country, there will be no more satanic churches, no more free distribution of pornography, no more abortion on demand, and no more talk of rights for homosexuals. After the Christian majority takes control, pluralism will be seen as immoral and evil and the state will not allow anyone to practice it. ”
Be afraid - be very afraid - of Christian fundamentalists.

Be afraid of fundamentalists of ALL religions.
left - Another popular torture device of the Christian Inquisition. Imagine being strapped to this rack, arms tied above your head, ankles bound.

Then wrists and ankles pulled apart, spikes ripping into your flesh, breaking bones, and then you are asked to confess your heresy. Once you confess your heresy you are forced to implicate others - or the pain continues.

Once your confession is over, the Christian church confiscates your home, your belongings, and moves on to the next victim. The clergy and local government officials will enjoy your money and belongings, leaving your family destitute.

Then, as today, human corruption and greed is everywhere, even - no, especially - in the church.

right - Clergy members observe as yet another "confession" is obtained.

How long would you last suspended naked from your wrists, with a 100 lb stone bound to your ankles, being beaten and cut as you hang helplessly before your accusors?

Who of your neighbors or coworkers implicated you to the clergy? How well do you trust your neighbors and coworkers? Do any of your coworkers or neighbors hold a grudge against you? Do any of your extended family members covet your belongings? Have any of these people made deals with the clergy to get you out of the way and split your estate?

Do not laugh. These very things happened throughout Europe. Corruption is everywhere and must be guarded against jealously. Government and religion will expand their powers to the very limits the people allow - and then some.
The following pictures show even more methods of barbaric torture and killings perpetrated by the Christian church. Human corruption and plain superstitious idiocy - such as the belief in witchcraft - debased the church and turned Europe into a meat grinder of human flesh.

Then, as now, human beings were capable of the most horrendous atrocities imagineable - all in the name of a god.

A free society cannot exist under such circumstances. The separation of state and superstition (i.e. church) must be jealously guarded. Remember, persecution not only CAN happen here, it IS.

As you view these images, notice how clergy and government officials are working together to conduct the torture. Government and church is a deadly combination.
America - land of the free. Is this your idea of freedom? Keep religion out of government!
left - Note the cross on the blade. Did you know the Christian church made beheading devices? Religion run amok.
below - A swarm of flies surround the victims of a public display of Christian "justice". How would you like your children to walk by corpses on the way to church? Is that "family friendly" ?
below - The cruelest cut. Soldiers of Christian justice literally saw a living person in two. Since we know there is no afterlife, Atheists work to make the world here and now a utopia. Fundamentalists care only for the afterlife. What a cruel lie.
above - Clergy members use the water test to find out if a woman is a witch. Rational people know witchcraft is a fairy tale - it simply doesn't exist - just like devils, goblins, god, and all other supernatural mumbo-jumbo don't exist. When government and religion mix, people die. Freedom cannot exist under such circumstances. Mixing of religion and government is completely unAmerican.
above - Welcome to your new home, for the last days of your miserable life once you are accused of anti-Christian behavior.

How would you like to live in a society in which ANYONE could condemn you to a horrible death - merely through accusation. No proof was needed.

Remember, Christian hate & violence exist today. Just ask Anonka in Caro, Michigan. She runs a museum that shows historical truths about Christianity - and has received death threats as a result. The KKK is a Christian organization. Hitler was a Christian. Human beings can corrupt anything. We must keep religion out of government. Otherwise, welcome to your dungeon.
above right - A fee schedule for the services of the executioner of the city of Bonn.

By the early 17th century, witch hunting had become a regular industry. Kangaroo courts of the inquisition traveled the land. Imbeciles were induced to denounce persons for acts of witchcraft, then these poor victims were hauled into the torture chamber, and forced to confess to a laundry list of outrageous charges. The accused would be sentenced and executed, their possessions were confiscated by the court.

Before their demise, the unfortunate "witch" had to denounce others, who were in turn tortured, and so on. In this fashion, the Inquisition emptied entire counties of their population. In Bonn, the expenses for the services of the executioner had apparently gotten out of hand, and this fee schedule was instituted.
"Onward Christian soldiers"

Never again! We've had enough blood.