Land Of The Free!
Christine Lehman
From: "Christine Lehman"
To: "Positive Atheism" <editor@positiveatheism.org>
Sent: September 13, 2001 4:02 PM
Subject: Land of the Free!
Hi, Cliff,
This morning, after reading the latest accounts of the tragedy in New York, watching the news, and wondering what's next, I checked my e-mail and found the following charming little missive addressed to my "Atheist Gal" page:
I'm sorry you feel this way. You know a lot of times people's reaction to Jesus is based upon their relationship to their own father. How is your relationship w/your own father? Take a few minutes and evaluate your relationship w/him. See if there is some parallels between that and your outlook on God. You may be surprised. Please don't be upset w/this email, I mean no harm or insult. |
I sent "Ivan the Terrible" the following in response:
I think you ought to be ashamed of yourself, sending me this. This is America, the land of the free. Especially now, when so many of our loved ones have died at the hands of fanatical religious terrorists, you ought to be thanking your God that you live in a free country, where people like me are free to express our beliefs and our opinions without fear of reprisal. Think about it. |
It may sound corny but I was so angry. Since our President has declared tomorrow a "National Day of Prayer," I think it's even more important to remind people that those of us who don't pray are Americans too.
What do you think?
Christine Lehman
aka "Atheist Gal"
From: "Positive Atheism" <editor@positiveatheism.org>
To: "Christine Lehman"
Subject: Re: Land of the Free!
Date: September 13, 2001 7:15 PM
Let's respond, first by sending out letters to the editor and to our public officials. Secondly, let's be willing to commit the ultimate crime of criticizing religion in the wake of all this.
Cliff Walker
Positive Atheism Magazine
Six years of service to
people with no reason to believe
Material by Cliff Walker (including unsigned editorial commentary) is copyright ©1995-2006 by Cliff Walker. Each submission is copyrighted by its writer, who retains control of the work except that by submitting it to Positive Atheism, permission has been granted to use the material or an edited version: (1) on the Positive Atheism web site; (2) in Positive Atheism Magazine; (3) in subsequent works controlled by Cliff Walker or Positive Atheism Magazine (including published or posted compilations). Excerpts not exceeding 500 words are allowed provided the proper copyright notice is affixed. Other use requires permission; Positive Atheism will work to protect the rights of all who submit their writings to us.