Letters to the Editor
JamieO
Published Letters: 40 Editor's Choice: 6
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As an American Indian, I thought the "Chief" Wahoo one was funny
[Read the article: Tom the Dancing Bug]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Now if we can get the real-life teams to end this somewhat accepted modern day minstrel show, I will be happy.
And yeah, listen to Mrs. Butterworth's voice. WASP as all hell.
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Yes, the Creation Museum is silly, but....
[Read the article: Inside the Creation Museum]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]some of you who are labeling all Christians with these kooks are really no different than the freerepublic morons who present crime statistics as proof that all blacks are criminals. There is a disturbing trend by those like Sam Harris and Richard Dawkins to label religious moderates as just as bad as fundamentalists. They also talk about the elimination of religion.
Let's cut to the chase here - how would you that want religion gone achieve this goal? By outlawing religion? By persecuting people for their beliefs? How is that even vaguely different from Jerry Falwell? I am a Christian who sees value in all religions. I also am American Indian who participates in a traditional drum group. We perform at powwows, it's rooted in spirituality. I know many of you would sneer in contempt at this, but by ending religion, would you also end this. How do I know Sam Harris isn't just an atheist Custer?
I also see much value in science and understand stuff like this museum is wrong. But this museum debate is part of a larger discussion on religion, and the face of atheism that Sam Harris and Richard Dawkins present is terrilby ugly. However, unlike them, I will refuse to lump them with the millions of atheists who disagree with my beliefs but at least respect my right to practice them.
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ELYDOG.......
[Read the article: Inside the Creation Museum]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]First things first, as an American Indian who struggles daily with the misperceptions of our culture, the drum group I participate in is not a "drum circle." We get that all the time, unfortunately, and the problem with it is too many people associate that with what you see in the parking lot at a Ratdog or Phish show. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but we have enough problems with well-meaning folks screwing up our culture. I am not attacking, I am educating.
Your bringing up Custer as a Christian and mentioning the atrocities and opinions of Christians of the past speaks to what I was saying in my letter back on page 15. Stuff like past crimes and crazy museums with hotties Adam and Eve hangin' with the brontosaurs has as much to do with me and other moderate Christians as a black gangster performing a drive-by has to do with Barack Obama. It's simply lazy thinking.
Should we have turned down the kind offer of the local Mennoite church to let us practice our drum songs in their basement because they are Christian and so was Custer? Of course not. I no more blame them for Custer than I think all atheists are as shrill and rude as Richard Dawkins when he makes personal insulte to those he dieagrees with during debates.
And for those who call me stupid and a sheep for believing in God, I am not an idiot. Yes, I take that personally. I can imagine you that think this are saying "don't be so sensitive, I didn't mean you." That's the path of a coward who doesn't have the cajones to back up their blanket statements. I suppose Salon's Anne Lamont is also a sheep and a moron? Once again, I go back to a common theme - despite what Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris believe, we are not all fools and to blame for stuff like this museum, Jerry Falwell, and fundamentalist violence.
And finally, ELYDOG, Harris and Dawkins certainly seem to me like they want religion eliminated.