Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Dark Jedi · 08-01-2002, 09:51 AM

I have the ear of a very influential person in the Presbyterian church system. I was wondering:

What would you think of an endorsement by the Presbyterian church, essentially acknowledging our right to be heard, and to differ from the mainstream in a free country.

What if we can get similar endorsements from other religious powers, such as Jewish, Hindu, Moslem, various christian sects, etc?
Not to validate what is rightfully ours, but to acknowledge that those rights extend to everyone, and always have.

Such a strong backing could lean the nation's support or sympathies our way. Then our lawmakers would have no choice but to acknowledge us, thus setting a precedence for lobbying power. To ignore us would be to oppose or publicly disagree with many of their own pocket liners, err, constituent lobbying groups.

Autonemesis · 08-01-2002, 09:56 AM

I'm all for it. But AA want endorsers who declare themselves godless.

CaptainDave · 08-01-2002, 05:27 PM

A rejection of an endorsement by the Presbyterian church would be foolhardy and a public relations nightmare. I suggest you contact the AA directly on this if you have not already done so.

recovering xtian · 08-02-2002, 08:53 AM

..and let us know what the response is, please.

Dark Jedi · 08-02-2002, 11:12 AM

Just to clarify: Said endorsement has not been offered, I just have a possible ear to let them know the facts of the march and the reasons behind it.
As liberal as they are, it is entirely possible they would endorse it.

I will contact the AA and ask their take on it.

Gooch's dad · 08-02-2002, 11:32 AM

I think it would be great if a church like the Presbyterians would endorse the Godless Americans march. What's the problem?

If the Million Man March (which was advertised as being in support of African Americans) were endorsed by B'nai B'rith, would that have been a problem? Of course not. It is solidarity--one group showing support for another.

Ron Garrett · 08-02-2002, 12:19 PM

PCUSA has regularly engaged in some pretty severe controverisies for the sake of inclusiveness, feminism and multi-culturalism. Even a statement from them in support I think would be great.

4th Generation Atheist · 08-02-2002, 12:56 PM

I think that would be great news, especially if a number of other theistic groups followed suit; it would underscore the message of "just being another group of Americans, with rights like any other."

What AA might say about it I have no idea. If they make a huge fuss about rejecting it, the whole affair will look---dare I say it---sectarian and will turn off a lot of people from supporting or even attending the march. Then we'll wind up with the worst possible outcome: an unmediagenic little bunch of outcasts making our civil rights look like a divisive issue right before Election Day.

Even so, I don't think anyone can be stopped from making a public statement in support of the event, or in support of those the event represents....

08-01-2002, 09:51 AM	#1
Dark Jedi Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Afghanistan Posts: 4,666	Godless March question.. I have the ear of a very influential person in the Presbyterian church system. I was wondering: What would you think of an endorsement by the Presbyterian church, essentially acknowledging our right to be heard, and to differ from the mainstream in a free country. What if we can get similar endorsements from other religious powers, such as Jewish, Hindu, Moslem, various christian sects, etc? Not to validate what is rightfully ours, but to acknowledge that those rights extend to everyone, and always have. Such a strong backing could lean the nation's support or sympathies our way. Then our lawmakers would have no choice but to acknowledge us, thus setting a precedence for lobbying power. To ignore us would be to oppose or publicly disagree with many of their own pocket liners, err, constituent lobbying groups.

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08-01-2002, 09:56 AM	#2
Autonemesis Contributor Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: I've left FRDB for good, due to new WI&P policy Posts: 12,048	I'm all for it. But AA want endorsers who declare themselves godless.

08-01-2002, 05:27 PM	#3
CaptainDave Regular Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Florida Keys Posts: 119	A rejection of an endorsement by the Presbyterian church would be foolhardy and a public relations nightmare. I suggest you contact the AA directly on this if you have not already done so.

08-02-2002, 08:53 AM	#4
recovering xtian Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: texas Posts: 37	..and let us know what the response is, please.

08-02-2002, 11:12 AM	#5
Dark Jedi Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Afghanistan Posts: 4,666	Just to clarify: Said endorsement has not been offered, I just have a possible ear to let them know the facts of the march and the reasons behind it. As liberal as they are, it is entirely possible they would endorse it. I will contact the AA and ask their take on it.

08-02-2002, 11:32 AM	#6
Gooch's dad Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Madison WI USA Posts: 3,508	I think it would be great if a church like the Presbyterians would endorse the Godless Americans march. What's the problem? If the Million Man March (which was advertised as being in support of African Americans) were endorsed by B'nai B'rith, would that have been a problem? Of course not. It is solidarity--one group showing support for another.

08-02-2002, 12:19 PM	#7
Ron Garrett Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: United States Posts: 1,657	PCUSA has regularly engaged in some pretty severe controverisies for the sake of inclusiveness, feminism and multi-culturalism. Even a statement from them in support I think would be great.

08-02-2002, 12:56 PM	#8
4th Generation Atheist Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Tower of Ecthelion...by the Starbuck's Posts: 1,815	I think that would be great news, especially if a number of other theistic groups followed suit; it would underscore the message of "just being another group of Americans, with rights like any other." What AA might say about it I have no idea. If they make a huge fuss about rejecting it, the whole affair will look---dare I say it---sectarian and will turn off a lot of people from supporting or even attending the march. Then we'll wind up with the worst possible outcome: an unmediagenic little bunch of outcasts making our civil rights look like a divisive issue right before Election Day. Even so, I don't think anyone can be stopped from making a public statement in support of the event, or in support of those the event represents....

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