Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Jobar · 07-09-2002, 06:10 PM

An old friend of mine runs the presses for the local newspaper. He called me minutes ago, to warn me that my letter (below) will be on the front page- in red.

`To the editors, Manchester Star-Mercury:

As a lifelong resident of Meriwether County, I must say it has been a very long time since I have seen an editorial page so steeped in vitriol and open hatred as your July 3 issue.

John Kuykendall's and Billy Bryant's commentary on the recent 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision, concerning the Pledge of Allegiance, reminded me forcibly of some of the editorials I recall seeing back in the early 1960s, when the South was going through the agonizing process of desegregation. Some of the editorials back then would not be allowed into print today- because of the massive wave of protest which would engulf your newspaper, from both blacks and whites.

As an atheist myself- yes indeed, there *are* some in Meriwether County, some of them lifelong citizens like me- I applaud the Ninth Court decision. Not because I am offended by the word 'God', or by anyone else praying, or because I am a Communist. (If I am anything politically, looking back over my lifetime voting record, I suppose I am a Democrat. But I have also voted for Republicans, and more than a few Libertarians. Never have voted for a Communist!)

I applaud this decision because I am an *American* who treasures the freedoms which every generation of Americans have had to struggle for. Remember the VERY FIRST SENTENCE of the Bill of Rights-

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercize thereof..."

In 1954, when McCarthy led the House Committee of Un-American Activities on its witch hunt for 'commies', the Congress passed a law adding 'under God' to the Pledge. THEY PASSED A LAW RESPECTING AN ESTABLISHMENT OF RELIGION! Oh, not because McCarthy and co. wished to demonstrate their piety, or to honor the God they installed in the Pledge. It was to point up the difference between themselves and the "godless Commies"! Pretty darn impious, if you ask me.

The Ninth Court decision is an attempt to correct this blatant violation of the very first of the Bill of Rights. It is not an attempt to forbid worship, even public worship. (Although, didn't Jesus supposedly say something about worshipping in a closet?...) No storm troopers will invade the schools and *force* people to not say 'under God' as part of the Pledge. In fact, every single one of us has the right to refuse to say the Pledge at all- so said the Supreme Court, back in 1943, if I recall correctly.

If the United States lives up to its own laws and ideals, and goes back to the Pledge as it was said prior to 1954- "...one nation, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all."- not only atheists like me will feel vindicated and once more a full part of our society. All the many people who are American citizens, and worship Allah or Rama or Vishnu, or venerate Buddha or Confucius- all of us will not feel called upon by some offical pledge (and the Pledge of Allegiance is exactly that) to place ourselves under the rule and mercy of a God in which we do not believe.
I repeat- I am not offended by the mention of god nor am I offended by people practicing their First Amendment rights.
I *am* offended by the government taking a side on the issue of god's existence. I am offended that the president's idea of common sense judges are those willing to ignore the constitution to advance Christianity. I am offended that a senator, a democrat no less, can suggest that if atheists do not like their second class status they can leave, and still keep his job. I am offended that no politician condemned the death threats against Dr. Newdow.
I am offended that Cal Thomas can get away with suggesting the pledge ruling is a worse blow than the 9-11 attacks. I am offended that demanding our government remain neutral is seen as intolerance but demanding government validation of one's beliefs under the threat of violence is seen as exercizing one's civil rights. I am offended by those who are offended by liberty and justice for ALL.
John Barnes, Jr.

My 15 min. of fame appears to loom over me! Quite excited- and of course *extremely* nervous. Well, if it is printed unexpurgated, I won't bitchaboutit...

One of the last sane · 07-09-2002, 06:18 PM

Great letter. Congratulations.

Krieger · 07-09-2002, 06:22 PM

Gratz Jobar!

emphryio · 07-09-2002, 06:26 PM

I have seen a surprising number of editorials that support the ninth court's ruling.

Your's is pretty good. I hope things go well.

GaryP · 07-09-2002, 06:26 PM

Excellent letter! Thanks for putting your viewpoint out there. It certainly takes a certain amount of courage to speak up during the present climate. <img src="graemlins/notworthy.gif" border="0" alt="[Not Worthy]" />

Buffman · 07-09-2002, 06:54 PM

Beautifully crafted. Accurately stated. Well done.

Jobar · 07-09-2002, 07:21 PM

Thanks folks- I want to also thank Chad, one of our recent new members, who posted an excellent statement in RR&P. I cribbed the last couple of paragraphs- starting at "I *am* offended"- from him. It was a more powerful ending than the one I wrote to my senators, and my sincerest flattery to Chad, if he reads this!

Hedwig · 07-09-2002, 07:30 PM

Excellent letter! Right on!

RufusAtticus · 07-09-2002, 10:22 PM

Good letter. I wonder what my fiance's family will think. (Some of whom live in Manchester. Two of them preachers.)

~~RvFvS~~

brighid · 07-10-2002, 04:19 AM

Good for you Jobar! Excellent letter.

Brighid

07-09-2002, 06:10 PM	#1
Jobar Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: secularcafe.org Posts: 9,525	Red letters! An old friend of mine runs the presses for the local newspaper. He called me minutes ago, to warn me that my letter (below) will be on the front page- in red. `To the editors, Manchester Star-Mercury: As a lifelong resident of Meriwether County, I must say it has been a very long time since I have seen an editorial page so steeped in vitriol and open hatred as your July 3 issue. John Kuykendall's and Billy Bryant's commentary on the recent 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision, concerning the Pledge of Allegiance, reminded me forcibly of some of the editorials I recall seeing back in the early 1960s, when the South was going through the agonizing process of desegregation. Some of the editorials back then would not be allowed into print today- because of the massive wave of protest which would engulf your newspaper, from both blacks and whites. As an atheist myself- yes indeed, there are some in Meriwether County, some of them lifelong citizens like me- I applaud the Ninth Court decision. Not because I am offended by the word 'God', or by anyone else praying, or because I am a Communist. (If I am anything politically, looking back over my lifetime voting record, I suppose I am a Democrat. But I have also voted for Republicans, and more than a few Libertarians. Never have voted for a Communist!) I applaud this decision because I am an American who treasures the freedoms which every generation of Americans have had to struggle for. Remember the VERY FIRST SENTENCE of the Bill of Rights- "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercize thereof..." In 1954, when McCarthy led the House Committee of Un-American Activities on its witch hunt for 'commies', the Congress passed a law adding 'under God' to the Pledge. THEY PASSED A LAW RESPECTING AN ESTABLISHMENT OF RELIGION! Oh, not because McCarthy and co. wished to demonstrate their piety, or to honor the God they installed in the Pledge. It was to point up the difference between themselves and the "godless Commies"! Pretty darn impious, if you ask me. The Ninth Court decision is an attempt to correct this blatant violation of the very first of the Bill of Rights. It is not an attempt to forbid worship, even public worship. (Although, didn't Jesus supposedly say something about worshipping in a closet?...) No storm troopers will invade the schools and force people to not say 'under God' as part of the Pledge. In fact, every single one of us has the right to refuse to say the Pledge at all- so said the Supreme Court, back in 1943, if I recall correctly. If the United States lives up to its own laws and ideals, and goes back to the Pledge as it was said prior to 1954- "...one nation, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all."- not only atheists like me will feel vindicated and once more a full part of our society. All the many people who are American citizens, and worship Allah or Rama or Vishnu, or venerate Buddha or Confucius- all of us will not feel called upon by some offical pledge (and the Pledge of Allegiance is exactly that) to place ourselves under the rule and mercy of a God in which we do not believe. I repeat- I am not offended by the mention of god nor am I offended by people practicing their First Amendment rights. I am offended by the government taking a side on the issue of god's existence. I am offended that the president's idea of common sense judges are those willing to ignore the constitution to advance Christianity. I am offended that a senator, a democrat no less, can suggest that if atheists do not like their second class status they can leave, and still keep his job. I am offended that no politician condemned the death threats against Dr. Newdow. I am offended that Cal Thomas can get away with suggesting the pledge ruling is a worse blow than the 9-11 attacks. I am offended that demanding our government remain neutral is seen as intolerance but demanding government validation of one's beliefs under the threat of violence is seen as exercizing one's civil rights. I am offended by those who are offended by liberty and justice for ALL. John Barnes, Jr. My 15 min. of fame appears to loom over me! Quite excited- and of course extremely nervous. Well, if it is printed unexpurgated, I won't bitchaboutit...

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07-09-2002, 06:18 PM	#2
One of the last sane Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: hereabouts Posts: 734	Great letter. Congratulations.

07-09-2002, 06:22 PM	#3
Krieger Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: ... Posts: 2,191	Gratz Jobar!

07-09-2002, 06:26 PM	#4
emphryio Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: WV Posts: 4,369	I have seen a surprising number of editorials that support the ninth court's ruling. Your's is pretty good. I hope things go well.

07-09-2002, 06:26 PM	#5
GaryP Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Lancaster, OH Posts: 1,792	Excellent letter! Thanks for putting your viewpoint out there. It certainly takes a certain amount of courage to speak up during the present climate. <img src="graemlins/notworthy.gif" border="0" alt="[Not Worthy]" />

07-09-2002, 06:54 PM	#6
Buffman Beloved Deceased Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: central Florida Posts: 3,546	Beautifully crafted. Accurately stated. Well done.

07-09-2002, 07:21 PM	#7
Jobar Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: secularcafe.org Posts: 9,525	Thanks folks- I want to also thank Chad, one of our recent new members, who posted an excellent statement in RR&P. I cribbed the last couple of paragraphs- starting at "I am offended"- from him. It was a more powerful ending than the one I wrote to my senators, and my sincerest flattery to Chad, if he reads this!

07-09-2002, 07:30 PM	#8
Hedwig Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 3,921	Excellent letter! Right on!

07-09-2002, 10:22 PM	#9
RufusAtticus Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NCSU Posts: 5,853	Good letter. I wonder what my fiance's family will think. (Some of whom live in Manchester. Two of them preachers.) ~~RvFvS~~

07-10-2002, 04:19 AM	#10
brighid Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: somewhere in the known Universe Posts: 6,993	Good for you Jobar! Excellent letter. Brighid

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