Letters to the Editor
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Dawkins in making progress
"First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win."
-- Mahatma Gandhi
He's moved up to stage two and being ridiculed as the "village atheist".
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A Parent
Salon writers and readers, please get a clue.
You are living in a nation filled with people that are faith-based.,/i>
Do you really think we don't know that?
So, when you run stories on the wonders of gay-marriage, abortion on-demand or fringy theories on why God may not exist or Jesus' real name might be Harry, you have a problem:
- More people will tune you out.
Do you think homosexuality is an abomination?
If so, then which scriptural passages do you reference in support of that belief?
This is a problem for you, and frankly, for me.
See, I'm a "born-again liberal." I agree on liberal policy issues in general, vot Democratic, but time and time again, you slap me in the face with some drek like this story, which most serious religious scholors would quickly slice to ribbons.
I don't see you attempting to cast aspersions on the interview, instead you are attacking your fellow readers.
It's fine for you, the writers and readers of Salon, to believe what you want. Worship trees, the Yellow Pages, or yourselves (which is what Athiests do).
And you evidence for believing that atheists worship themselves is what, exactly?
But could you give me a break? Could we agree to disagree on religion and put it by the side. I'm fine with that! I'm NOT fine with a constant stream of stories from Salon that forces me to tune you out.
What is wrong with the story? In the first place, no one is forcing you to read the story, if you don't like the headline, then don't click on the link. That's what I do, I only read a fraction of the stories in Salon.
Sure, I read the stories, I have no problem with debate. But really. How about the stories about how faith is doing GOOD? How about stories about Christians who are helping feed, clothe and help millions of homeless accross America and throughout the world? How about that?
Do Christians not have their own publications for that sort of thing? Why do those who do not share you faith have an obligation to help proselytize for it?
Could you take a break from thrashing religion? The main result is to keep liberals out of power.
Look at the election results from 2006.
Because here's what's happening, right now and from now on unless you get a clue:
- Most faith based people will keep voting for the GOP because even though they LIE about what they are going to do, even though they LIE when they talk about how they want to help people and all that, at LEAST they don't make fun of my faith. At least they make the pretense of honoring God.
It's no mistake that the group that Jesus the Christ most roundly and often denounced was the hypocrites.
You truly would rather vote for liars, wolves in sheep's clothing, simply because they mouth platitudes which you find comforting?
You, you worshipers of Self, care nothing, really for True Believers. You think it's your duty to bring me down to your level.
Once again you make the charge that atheists worship themselves with not an iota of evidence for your assertion.
I'm sick of it.
That is your right.
If you ever want to win back the Presidency and get out of Iraq, slow down Global Warming or make headway on issues that ALL liberals can agree on, you're going to have to give up on this issue- eliminating Faith. It won't work. The USSR spent 70 years trying it, using harsher methods than you are using it. Heck "back in the day" Christians were boiled in oil and it didn't shake their faith.
I'll just point out that in the 1990 census 8.4% of the population identified themselves as no religion/agnostic/atheist and in 2001 the same group was 15% of the population. It rather looks as if we are gaining ground.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_the_United_States
You're not going to shake mine with a constant stream of anyone you can find to make light of my God.
You're just going to piss me off and drive me back to the GOP.
If you would rather hang out with liars and hypocrites, be my guest.
That's the ONLY thing you'll get out of this.
Are you LISTENING?
Sure, but your message appears to be one of bigotry.
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Judas as CFO
Jesus was probably the most misunderstood teacher in history. He preached to people about the kingdom of heaven. He could just as well have discussed nuclear psysics. It requires spiritual maturity to understand what Jesus taught. Nirvana or illumination does not occur because you believe your teacher is your savior. You must understand your true nature; Jesus said the truth shall set you free.
It appears Judas, CFO, was dependable. He handled finances for the group. He obeyed Jesus without question. He didn't ask "why?".
The real question is, why would Jesus want to be turned over for crucifixion? Was he unhappy? Was this a death wish? Most spiritual teachers don't want to quit after 3 years. Maybe he was disgusted. Maybe he was tired of beating a dead horse. Did he believe that his death would result in a religion of delusion? My guess is, he just gave up. Yogis can leave the body at will, yet Jesus wanted his death to go down in history. But for what?
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elaine pagels
as someone who has had the very big honor to regularly hear the great scholar elaine pagels - usually at the aspen institute, as well as to become friends - i find it absolutely outrageous to mention a mis-leading pot-boiler like the da vinci code in the same breath as her name & her work.
to listen to elaine - if one is an agnostic, as i have been - is to amazingly actually find oneself ready to believe again in God: a realistic, extremely intelligent & loving God.
christopher english walling