Backhanded Award Proposed
For Willful Misrepresentation
Gregory Tinker
From: "Gregory Tinker"
To: "Positive Atheism" <editor@positiveatheism.org>
Subject: PA-via_Positive_Atheism_Index
Date: Wednesday, January 10, 2001 4:04 PM
Hey, I got an idea. How about issuing something like a "Certificate of Religious Bigotry and Willful Misrepresentation of Voters" to lawmakers who do stupid shit like give that golden hockey puck thing to the pope, or other people that they deem as having a message that the rest of us ought to be listening to? It could be just like those certificates we used to get in grade school for perfect attendance and such. They could hang it on their refrigerators.
Seriously, they could be faxed with a short explanation for why that person(s) is/are receiving the award. We'll keep track to see who gets the most.
I'm trying not to think of how many people could have been fed by the money used to buy that golden hockey puck, not to mention flying 15 people (plus families?) to Rome for a stop-over on their trip, etc. Fuckheads.
Greg
From: "Positive Atheism Magazine" <editor@positiveatheism.org>
To: "Gregory Tinker"
Subject: Re: PA-via_Positive_Atheism_Index
Date: Wednesday, January 10, 2001 5:29 PM
We are not quarreling with their issuing this honor to the pope (although the Roman Catholic regime, throughout the centuries, has perfected totalitarianism more keenly any we've ever heard of). We cannot bar anyone from qualifying for this honor (although this pope, more than any of his predecessors, has accomplished more to thwart the Roman Catholic tendency toward totalitarianism).
Our beef, here, is with the language "godless totalitarian regimes." Like Mayor Carollo in the Elian Gonzales situation, they have equated atheism ("godlessness") with evil. They have used the concept of atheism as a symbol of vilification.
It would be no different had they honored someone for vanquishing certain unsavory business practices -- but then, in their speech, described those practices using a specific racial stereotype.
My point is that had they vilified the "totalitarian regimes" as Jewish, for example, there'd be hell to pay. These jackasses would be out of work by this afternoon if they'd even suggested equating some evil with having dark skin.
As for the certificate, let's get to work on it. Bigotry? Maybe. I'd like to be more subtle (a la the Golden Fleece Award) and point toward their haughtiness -- their superiority complex.
Cliff Walker
"Positive Atheism" Magazine
Five years of service to
people with no reason to believe
From: "Gregory Tinker"
To: "Positive Atheism" <editor@positiveatheism.org>
Subject: Re: PA-via_Positive_Atheism_Index
Date: Wednesday, January 10, 2001 5:44 PM
We are not quarreling with their issuing this honor to the pope (although the Roman Catholic regime, throughout the centuries, has perfected totalitarianism more keenly any we've ever heard of).
Nor am I.
although this pope, more than any of his predecessors, has accomplished more to thwart the Roman Catholic tendency toward totalitarianism.
This is not exactly a compliment. I view pope JP's actions as similar to what "dubya" did with the election, promising bipartisanship and "compassionate conservatism" but then giving us John Ashcroft. Go to WWW.stopashcroft.org. Spread the word!!! Sorry, had to get my plug in.
My point is that had they vilified the "totalitarian regimes" as Jewish, for example, there'd be hell to pay. These jackasses would be out of work by this afternoon if they'd even suggested equating some evil with having dark skin.
Of course. I agree with just about everything you have said. My point is that I'm not disagreeing with giving the award to the pope per se (and I should have clarified this), but the way in which the award was given unmasks their prejudice and purpose. It is nothing more than the pat-each-other-on-the-back mentality, using our tax dollars. The language belies the purpose of this supposedly glorious humanitarian award. Maybe I will go to the US Congress website and see if any of the 15 on the trip were Catholic. Hmmm. As for the award, I myself think that in order to get their attention we can't be wishy-washy. Something really in-your-face, like the Big Brother Awards, named for George Orwell. (See attachment for pic. I got it off the Scientific American website, it should be virus-free.) I'll get back to you on that.
Greg
From: "Positive Atheism" <editor@positiveatheism.org>
To: "Gregory Tinker"
Subject: Re: PA-via_Positive_Atheism_Index
Date: Wednesday, January 10, 2001 5:59 PM
I have sent a dispatch, requesting ideas, and suggesting two things: (1) something humorous, a la Proxmire's Golden Fleece; (2) that the award deal specifically with vilifying evil at atheists' expense. I would give the first one, retroactively, to Mayor Carollo, and the next one to the members of this Congressional Committee (I hear that the Senate version did not contain this language).
Cliff Walker
"Positive Atheism" Magazine
Five years of service to
people with no reason to believe
From: "Gregory Tinker"
To: "Positive Atheism" <editor@positiveatheism.org>
Subject: Re: PA-via_Positive_Atheism_Index
Date: Wednesday, January 10, 2001 6:18 PM
Good. Regardless of how in-your-face it ends up being, it should definitely be something fun. After all, it really is only the religious extremists with no sense of humor, so no matter what we send they will be offended. Everyone else will just chuckle.
Greg
From: "Positive Atheism" <editor@positiveatheism.org>
To: "Gregory Tinker"
Subject: Re: PA-via_Positive_Atheism_Index
Date: Wednesday, January 10, 2001 6:28 PM
My sentiments exactly. Too many atheists of the organized variety fail to see that most rank-and-file theists are potential allies in our war against the real problem: fundamentalism. This is why I'd like this to be something that even theists can enjoy and support.
Now: a metaphor for vilification?
Cliff Walker
"Positive Atheism" Magazine
Five years of service to
people with no reason to believe
From: "Gregory Tinker"
To: "Positive Atheism" <editor@positiveatheism.org>
Subject: Re: PA-via_Positive_Atheism_Index
Date: Wednesday, January 10, 2001 6:44 PM
We can have multiple types for multiple kinds of "offenses"
The Blinding Light of Righteousness Award -- personal fav for this issue
Certificate of Messianic Emulation
Excessively Righteous Cause Award
God-On-A-Stick Award (probably too mean)
Narrow Paths for Narrow Minds Award
Certificate of Rampant Homophobia and Closeted Same-Sex Attraction
The Divine Right of Creeps Award
The Torquemada Inquisitor of the Year
Just a few to get started. Having many types to give out might be a good thing too. Right now I'm just throwing out names. I'll write back later with more about a possible "refined" purpose for different awards if you're interested. But I gotta get work done!
Greg
From: "Positive Atheism" <editor@positiveatheism.org>
To: "Gregory Tinker"
Subject: Re: PA-via_Positive_Atheism_Index
Date: Wednesday, January 10, 2001 7:21 PM
Right now, I'm interested specifically in pointing out the practice of vilifying evil by calling it "atheism." This, to me, is a big issue that even atheists tend not to notice.
I'm also interested in something funny enough for mainstream theists to enjoy (that is, aimed specifically against fundamentalism). I also want it to be funny in a non-exclusive fashion: some sort of metaphor or play on words.
These other "awards" can be ready to go as the need arises, but I want to make this point while the issue is still fresh in our minds.
Cliff Walker
"Positive Atheism" Magazine
Five years of service to
people with no reason to believe
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