Emperor Has No Clothes Award

George Carlin - 2001

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 to play the game of politics, let them pay admission like everyone else." "I'm completely in favor of the separation of Church and State. My idea is that these two institutions screw us up enough on their own, so both of them together is certain death." Carlin inspired the Freedom From Religion Foundation's "Emperor Has No Clothes Award," honoring public figures who "tell it like it is" about religion, although his schedule did not permit acceptance in person.

Janeane Garafalo - 2001

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 just seems very man-made to me. There are so many theories, and not everyone can be right. It's human nature to need a religious crutch, and I don't begrudge anyone that. I just don't need one." (Showbiz, August 1995)

Andy Rooney - 2001

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 television [of Steve Allen] were well done but none mentioned what ended up being an obsession with Steve. He was a student of the Bible and a dedicated atheist intent on proving the Bible was a seriously flawed book that many people who profess to live by it, don't know or understand."

In his 1999 book Sincerely, Andy Rooney, he included a final section called "Faith in Reason." In it he reprints a thorough letter about his agnosticism and freethought views. Sample quotes:

"I don't differentiate much, except in degree, between people who believe in religion from those who believe in astrology, magic or the supernatural."

"We all ought to understand we're on our own. Believing in Santa Claus doesn't do kids any harm for a few years but it isn't smart for them to continue waiting all their lives for him to come down the chimney with something wonderful. Santa Claus and God are cousins."

"I just wish this social institution [religion] wasn't based on what appears to me to be a monumental hoax built on an accumulation of customs and myths directed toward proving something that isn't true."

"Christians talk as though goodness was their idea but good behavior doesn't have any religious origin. Our prisons are filled with the devout."

"I'd be more willing to accept religion, even if I didn't believe it, if I thought it made people nicer to each other but I don't think it does."

Ted Turner - 2001

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 also a notable philanthropist who pledged $1 billion to the United Nations in 1997, has described Christianity as "a religion for losers." He publicly chastised Pope John Paul, welcoming him to the "20th century" in 1999, and calling the Ten Commandments "a little out of date."

According to the New York Post (March 8, 2001), Turner mentioned his shock at seeing several CNN Washington newsroom employees with ashy crosses on their faces on Ash Wednesday: "Shouldn't you guys be working for Fox?" he asked them.

Jesse Ventura - 2001

Former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura created a firestorm with his Playboy interview (Nov. '99), in which he said: "Organized religion is a sham and a crutch for weak-minded people who need strength in numbers." As governor, Ventura several times refused to proclaim a "Day of Prayer" and otherwise rejected entangling state and religious rituals.