Special 'Ears' (Or Drugs)
Needed To Hear
Ashley Peacock
From: "Ashley Peacock"
To: "Positive Atheism" <editor@positiveatheism.org>
Sent: Wednesday, May 09, 2001 1:17 PM
Subject: More than the drugs.
"It needs hope for the future, not looking back all the time toward a past that is dead, which we trust will be far surpassed by the future that our intelligence can create." -Russell
Has it been surpassed yet? Has the hope been fulfilled? Between fear and desire, what causes me to love you? Take note of how you will sleep tonight.
Ash
From: "Positive Atheism Magazine" <editor@positiveatheism.org>
To: "Ashley Peacock"
Subject: Re: More than the drugs.
Date: Wednesday, May 09, 2001 4:36 PM
I don't understand your question. Please elaborate.
Cliff Walker
"Positive Atheism" Magazine
Five years of service to
people with no reason to believe
From: "Ashley Peacock"
To: "Positive Atheism" <editor@positiveatheism.org>
Sent: Wednesday, May 09, 2001 5:19 PM
Subject: Re: More than the drugs.
Cliff,
Thanks for your prompt response. I suppose my questions were almost rhetorical, probing at best. My apologies for the vagueness. I want you to know that I agree on the points of unnecessary dogma and injurious systems...but isn't this something like a perfect design to thwart belief? I have lived as an atheist and a theist...I am neither. I am a believer. Who among the unbelievers has ever tried to live as one...under the experimental parameters of an "a=a" being "there is a God." I admit that faith makes no sense, as it is by definition confirming the unseen. But this formula has yet to fail me. Just a thought. Thanks so much for your time. Still, let me know about your rest.
Take care,
Ash
From: "Positive Atheism Magazine" <editor@positiveatheism.org>
To: "Ashley Peacock"
Subject: Re: More than the drugs.
Date: Wednesday, May 09, 2001 8:04 PM
I have lived as an atheist and a theist...I am neither.
No wonder your first letter made no sense to me: one cannot simultaneously be "A" and non-"A"; one cannot neither have nor lack a god belief: one either has a god belief (is a theist) or one does not have a god belief (is an atheist). As the "Bullwinkle" announcer said during a certain political campaign, "You can't have both." And in this situation, you can't have neither, either. Even if you are a blithering idiot, unable to even form the concept of gods in your mind, you lack a god belief and are, by default, an atheist.
Perhaps after studying some articles on simple logic, you would be able to communicate your ideas in a way that enables the rest of us to understand what you are trying to say.
You are welcome to your private beliefs, to be sure; we would never dispute that. However, if you wish to discuss those views with others, especially if you wish for us to take them into consideration as views we might also like to hold, you will need to learn how to communicate those ideas effectively, and then to refine your arguments in support of those views. Many of those who write here can at least express their views, even if they lack the skill of defending those views. Your problem is that after two letters, I am still at a loss as to what you're even trying to say. And trying to understand what people are trying to say is my vocation.
Cliff Walker
"Positive Atheism" Magazine
Five years of service to
people with no reason to believe
From: "Ashley Peacock"
To: "Positive Atheism" <editor@positiveatheism.org>
Sent: Wednesday, May 09, 2001 10:10 PM
Subject: Re: More than the drugs. Hey, Cliff-
Thanks again for the prompt reply. I appreciate your advice, though could do without the bitterness. I assume you are a busy person, so I'll cut to the chase. My basic point is that you seem to attack doctrine, and at your most enlightened you reject only, as you say, a concept of God. God is not a concept, and a belief in God is not theism, whatever Yale might tell you. Cliff, how can God be creator and destroyer? How can Jesus be the beginning and the end? How can the devil be God's greatest lover and His greatest enemy? It's all right there in your heart...the more one (believer or not) puts God into a box the further he is from experience with (or in) God. And if we're going to make life-or-death assertions it should be about experience, not reason or "views". I just think it might help to deal more with reality, not logic. Five senses can only get you so far. Thanks for your time. No need to reply; as I said, you're probably busy. I'm not writing out of pride or injurious intent...just want you to know that you're loved.
Best,
ash
From: "Positive Atheism" <editor@positiveatheism.org>
To: "Ashley Peacock"
Subject: Re: More than the drugs.
Date: Wednesday, May 09, 2001 10:17 PM
Bitterness? To even respond to stuff like this and ask for clarification is, to me, an act of courtesy.
Like I said, you do well to learn how to make yourself understandable if you wish for people to consider your opinions.
Have a nice life: as far as we can tell, it's the only one we get.
Cliff Walker
"Positive Atheism" Magazine
Five years of service to
people with no reason to believe
From: "Ashley Peacock"
To: "Positive Atheism" <editor@positiveatheism.org>
Subject: Those with ears...
Date: Thursday, May 10, 2001 12:31 AM
Those with ears...
Hey, Cliff-
I apologize if I added any negativity to your day. Please accept my thanks for your time and energy.
Best,
Ash
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.