Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Buffman · 08-07-2002, 04:22 PM

Just as Toto suggested, why not see if you can post a tasteful sign right next to it advertising where "Freethinkers" can meet and reason together? If they refuse to allow you to post your invitation, then you might have cause to take the issue further.

GaryP · 08-07-2002, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Buffman:
<strong>Just as Toto suggested, why not see if you can post a tasteful sign right next to it advertising where "Freethinkers" can meet and reason together? If they refuse to allow you to post your invitation, then you might have cause to take the issue further.</strong>

Thanks, Buffman and Toto. There is a humanist group in Columbus. So that is a good idea.

4th Generation Atheist · 08-08-2002, 02:41 PM

Nice to ask them to put the Freethinkers' group on the list, but making a big fuss about the presence of the flyer is likely to just make it look like atheists are a bunch of dickheads....it's not saying you have to go, after all. I think it is more like an Eat-at-Joe's sign, and the printing fees charged to taxpayers (if they are in fact so charged; maybe a church group came in and left them there for free) are likely minimal.

But I think the Freethinkers' group thing is a good idea. There may be people looking for one, after all.

Arrowman · 08-08-2002, 07:29 PM

Sorry, I think you're over-reacting. A flyer headed "Worship at the church of your choice" is not a command to worship. If they had a flyer listing all the local Bridge clubs headed "Play Bridge at the club of your choice" would you have interpreted that as a direction to play Bridge? I don't think so. Not at all worth pursuing.

GaryP · 08-08-2002, 07:59 PM

I know that it is just a common phrase. But acceptance of this phrase is so pervasive that we don't even think of it as the imperative statement it is.

You are correct that if someone told me to play bridge, I would just laugh it off. And actually this was almost a tongue in cheek post for me.

But if one thinks of what it is really saying, it could indeed be interpreted as a command to worship.

They certainly are not saying if you want to worship, do, if not, that's OK too. It says "Worshipat the church of your choice."

Arrowman · 08-08-2002, 10:15 PM

<Gee, I'd have to be a real dog-with-a-bone argumentative prick - or a post slut - to take this discussion any further

>

Quote:

But if one thinks of what it is really saying, it could indeed be interpreted as a command to worship.

No, I think that "what it is really saying" is an projection of the reader's (your) own sensitivity to the CSS issue. The only difference between the Bridge example and this, is that you are not sensitive to the notion that the State might require you to play Bridge. Personally, I think it would be a good idea if more people played Bridge!!!!

Cheers,
Arrowman
- who is approaching 1,000 posts but promises not to take this any further

[ August 08, 2002: Message edited by: Arrowman ]</p>

GaryP · 08-09-2002, 03:17 AM

You are correct on that!

PS--May your 1000th post be a memorable one.

Arrowman · 08-11-2002, 04:51 PM

Yeah, I skipped right past #666 without noticing.

I intend to take more care at the next milestone!

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08-07-2002, 04:22 PM	#11
Buffman Beloved Deceased Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: central Florida Posts: 3,546	Just as Toto suggested, why not see if you can post a tasteful sign right next to it advertising where "Freethinkers" can meet and reason together? If they refuse to allow you to post your invitation, then you might have cause to take the issue further.

08-08-2002, 02:41 PM	#13
4th Generation Atheist Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Tower of Ecthelion...by the Starbuck's Posts: 1,815	Nice to ask them to put the Freethinkers' group on the list, but making a big fuss about the presence of the flyer is likely to just make it look like atheists are a bunch of dickheads....it's not saying you have to go, after all. I think it is more like an Eat-at-Joe's sign, and the printing fees charged to taxpayers (if they are in fact so charged; maybe a church group came in and left them there for free) are likely minimal. But I think the Freethinkers' group thing is a good idea. There may be people looking for one, after all.

08-08-2002, 07:29 PM	#14
Arrowman Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 1,358	Sorry, I think you're over-reacting. A flyer headed "Worship at the church of your choice" is not a command to worship. If they had a flyer listing all the local Bridge clubs headed "Play Bridge at the club of your choice" would you have interpreted that as a direction to play Bridge? I don't think so. Not at all worth pursuing.

08-08-2002, 07:59 PM	#15
GaryP Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Lancaster, OH Posts: 1,792	I know that it is just a common phrase. But acceptance of this phrase is so pervasive that we don't even think of it as the imperative statement it is. You are correct that if someone told me to play bridge, I would just laugh it off. And actually this was almost a tongue in cheek post for me. But if one thinks of what it is really saying, it could indeed be interpreted as a command to worship. They certainly are not saying if you want to worship, do, if not, that's OK too. It says "Worshipat the church of your choice."

08-09-2002, 03:17 AM	#17
GaryP Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Lancaster, OH Posts: 1,792	You are correct on that! PS--May your 1000th post be a memorable one.

08-11-2002, 04:51 PM	#18
Arrowman Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 1,358	Yeah, I skipped right past #666 without noticing. I intend to take more care at the next milestone!

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