Thank you for the article.

I'm not a fan of testing school children (here in Virgina the Standards of Learning test does at least have the acronym SOL), but if states are going to do it, at least they can require a knowledge of the history of horrors that led to us seeing the necessity for separation of church and state. I hope the book lays out this history. I am talking somewhat through my hat in that I see the necessity without knowing the history very well, but some need to have it spelled out more than others.

As a student of fanaticism, I find any new knowledge helpful. Particularly interesting is coming to an understanding of how fanaticsm plays out and has meaning in the individual. That is, we know that fanatics do these grand crazy things, but what is going on in them that they choose these religious and political means in the driven hope to realize meaning and purpose in their lives, at our expense? Not that the book is attempting such an explanation, but I always appreciate a study of fanaticism that at least takes a good swing at it. What, after all, is fanaticism about? in the context, too, I would add, of, What, after all, is life about? And how can religion, spirituality, atheism, and politics share real meaning and, as well, co-exist non-fanatically?

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Good article. I gather from it that, historically, Buddhist reciprocity with Burmese government has resembled the stated attitude of the Chinese, that their government, in order to be legitimate, satisfy what is called the Mandate of Heaven. It should be clear by now to the present rulers of both countries that the Mandate of Heaven requires their people to have the right to vote in free fair multi-party elections.

It could be called as well the mandate of egolessness, or doing the obvious right thing, or being fair.

Lets call the bluff of our freedom president, who wants the rich to be free to do what they want, and the poor to be free to vote for the rich and the rich only. Let's push the little turd to actually support real freedom in Myanmar and China, specially since it's the Mandate of Fucking Heaven.

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Given that tasteful (in their way) 13 year old boys have led me to the gift of They Might Be Giants, you might consider that your daughter is bringing you a comparable gift. You won't have to give up your atheism any more than I've given up my love of the fucking Stones.

Though evangelical Christianity can be over the edge, Jimmy Carter seems to make it work for him. At the least your daughter probably gets comfort there and a feeling of wholeness. Though these can turn fanatical, they need not. They are real needs for any child. If you are loving with her, and can be fair and firm (not a monster or a sap), you can provide, if you aren't already, an environment of comfort and wholeness.

About you going to hell, reassure her that Jesus said to Pharasees (who might seem hell-bound to many fundamentalists), "The kingdom of God is within you." Cite Luke 17:21. Tell her Jesus says you're loaded with God. You don't have to explain the god part. Or you could say that your god is nothing; or creativity; whatever. All she really needs to hear is that Jesus says you're fine; that people loaded with God don't fry.

I think too of an Emerson quote: "In my dealing with my child, my Latin and Greek, my accomplishments and my money stead me nothing. They are all lost on him; but as much soul as I have avails. If I am merely willful, he sets his will against mine, one for one, and leaves me, if I please, the degradation of beating him by my superiority of strength. But if I renounce my will, and act for the soul, setting that up as umpire between us two, out of his eyes looks the same soul; he reveres and loves with me." Scratch the word soul, if you want, and substitue egolessness, which can be enjoyed atheistically. You and she, I'll bet, have experienced each other this way.

12 Step groups warn against the debating society. Not that intelligent conversation is ever discouraged, but that there are ways in which debating can be an egolessness buzz kill. It is said, "We will intuitively know how to handle situations that used to baffle us." The next line is a God line, but you don't spill a drop of integrity working this kind of thing atheistically.

Maybe find a church across the street from a coffee shop you like that's open Sunday.

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It took me a very long and difficult time to come up with my own 1-2-3 of how I might successfully date: 1) The point of it all is to get to know her. 2) I have all the supplies I need to make this work. 3) Keep my sense of humor for when it might be useful.

My very long and difficult time happened to include therapy. Looking back, getting to know her might have been more difficult before I got to know myself.

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