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Jerry Johnston Researches Reason Rally 2016: Teddi Fishman


My crew and I were filming at the Reason Rally in Washington DC when we interviewed a woman dressed up as the Flying Spaghetti Monster. Under the costume was Dr. Teresa (Teddi) Fishman, the Director for the International Center for Academic Integrity, an Academic Center housed within the Rutland Institute for Ethics at Clemson University. Before completing her Phd, she also worked as a police officer and deputy sheriff. The voice from the spaghetti noodles said this:

“So I believe in education that is not interfered with by religion and that’s what the Flying Spaghetti Monster is all about. It’s not attacking religion, but it is attacking the idea that religion should replace science.”

“And what do you hope this event would accomplish?”

“One of the things I hope it accomplishes is to let people know that atheists have ethics, they have morals, they care about lots of causes and they’re good people. I mean you don’t have to have a religion to be a good person.”

Oftentimes, men and women accept the lie that religion and science are incompatible. Evidence of such belief can be seen as millennials leave their faith in millions to form the growing number of religiously unaffiliated nones. Can you defend your morals, your religion or your worldview? Cristie Jo and I are producing a documentary with supplemental resources to equip churches and individuals to defend our Christian faith.

Teddi Fishman is the Director for the International Center for Academic Integrity.


Researchers, Drs. Jerry and Cristie Jo Johnston, are Executive Producing a quick-paced film via trans continental, staccato interviews documenting the shocking rise of the non-religious.