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H. L. Mencken's Opinion
Regarding
Born-Again Christians?
Robert Hadley

From: "Robert Hadley"
To: "Positive Atheism"
Subject: Mencken quote re: born-again Christians
Date: Tuesday, 9 November 2004

Mr. Cliff Walker,

Thanks for the great site.

I've always loved H. L. Mencken, his succinct quotes and unapologetic manner. Have you ever come across this quote (paraphrase) that I've heard attributed to him?

(Sorry for the poor paraphrase!)

I heard it from a professor once, but have not been able to find it. Any ideas?

Thanks again.

Regards,
Bob

From: "Positive Atheism"
To: ""Robert Hadley"
Subject: Mencken quote re: born-again Christians
Date: November 23, 2004

Bob,

I strongly doubt this one's claim of authenticity. It's quite lame, to say the least, being more of a gratuitous insult than an observation that one one would expect from the pen of the most painstakingly consummate and uncompromising attentive social critics America has ever produced, fastidious in his attention to detail. I hesitate to call it "hatemongering" although that's what this thing boils down to.

H. L. Mencken was wa-a-ay too sharp to settle for the humor profession's equivalent of the music industry's "throw-away lines."

Herb Caen, the late columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle, did make the following observation regarding our friends the Born-Agains:

I have a lapel button that goes like this:

If you find the Mencken quip and can verify it, however, let me know. I'll double-check its authenticity (just because I find it so un-Mencken-like) and put it up anyway.

Take care!

Cliff Walker
"Positive Atheism" Magazine
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    to people with no reason to believe