Shake

I have a subscription to the weekly paper of the town I lived in while growing up, even though I live only 15 minutes away now. In this week's issue was an article about how the town observered the Nat'l Day of Prayer (NDOP).Wow! Two whole dozen?! Anyway, read on:Yeah, god won't answer just one or two people.That's all you can do?!? Why? Have you committed a felony, therefore depriving yourself of voting rights? I know that what I can do is write/call my governmental representatives to let them know how I feel. I can more powerfully express myself at the ballot, by voting for candidates that I feel will best help the economy and the country as a whole. You can participate actively in campaigning for a candidate or party or donate money to their causes. You keep on praying, and I'll keep on voting and we'll see who gets their issues taken care of!

Further on, another town resident, happy at the diversity of the group had this to say:Well, it's good to see that someone recognizes that (the first part of the sentence). I was glad to see that in print, as it will hopefully remind some folks that this isn't a strictly Xian nation.

The article tried to stay fairly objective, actually, and I was OK with it for the most part. That is, until I came across another residents' comment: As if there were any connection between the two! :banghead:

This part really set me off, and I will probably write a letter and submit it to both the town paper and the city's (although the city only allows 175 word editorials, while the town asks that you limit your letters to 300 words). I plan to mention that

1. the "celebration" of the NDOP is unconstitutional
2. the NDOP does not provide the sort of unity that we need in these times
3. Matthew 6 says that prayer should be done in private...

Hmmm... did I forget anything? I also thought about linking the unity issue to the also-unconstitutional motto, In God We Trust. I've stated before here on II that I believe we should return to the all-inclusive "E pluribus unum" as our national motto, as I feel that no one could find any fault with it. I was thinking of course of mentioning that last quote above, and reminding folks of the pedophilic priest scandal (considering I have enough space). Whatcha think?

I'll be sure to put the letter up here once it's composed.

Thanks for letting me rant a bit. I feel better already.

wade-w

This looks more like a Church-State Seperation & Secular Activism topic.

Jewel

"Hands that help are far better than lips that pray" -- don't remember the source, but it pretty much sums it up for me.

I agree with you, Shake. Keep voting, keep writing to the folks in office, keep volunteering. There's plenty we can do to make a difference.

Praying may help those 2 dozen people feel better, but that's all it will do.

JonathanChance

Robert Ingersoll said that.

Jewel

Ahh yes. Thanks!

admice

Good for you, Shake, for all you do!

Regarding the one who said "turn from god and toward violence" you might point out it was 2 christians (Bush, Rumsfeld) who initiated the Iraq war, continuing a long tradition. Oh, and theists carrying out terrorism, murdering Palestinians, murdering Israelis. All theists.

Doesn't it make you proud to be an atheist.

PopeInTheWoods

Go for it, Shake! Let me know if it reaches the D&C or your hometown rag (Finger Lakes Times, perchance?).

Andy

DMB

I would advise against mentioning paedophile priests. It's over-egging the pudding and not strictly relevant. Try to come across as ultra-polite and reasonable. It's OK to rant here, but if you want to win over non-atheists you don't want to confirm anti-atheist prejudices.

The Naked Mage

As a variant of this, you might say, "Two hands at work can accomplish more than a thousand clasped in prayer."

Same idea, but more eloquently-expressed, IMO. Kudos to whoever built on Rob's clever little phrase; t'wasn't me.

Jewel

I really like that!. I sense a new email signature...