Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Amazon · 06-07-2002, 11:11 AM

You know, that book about the girl at Columbine High School who was supposedly shot after being asked if she believed in God, and she said yes?

They're handing it out for free near my building in downtown Chicago.

A coworker of mine came by, showed me the book, and asked if I had read it. I don't think he was trying to sway me - actually he didn't seem to know the story at all. But he had read the first couple pages, and said he was really moved. I mentioned to him that I think the story was written using more than a little artistic license, and that the event may not have happened the way most people think it did. I said that the focus on her martyrdom was more propaganda than anything else.

I also offered to send him some links to forum discussions about the book. I did a search here on II for "She Said Yes", but I'm not getting good results. I feel certain that I have seen at least one thread in the last year that dealt almost exclusively with that story and that book.

Does anyone know of a thread about this story?

I would prefer to not send him a thread on a different subject that only mentions the book briefly, because he might think I'm trying to influence him with my views.

He said he thought he would read the book anyway, and I said, "by all means! No reading is wasted." Of course, without an opposing viewpoint, he might just believe that whole pile of trash. He's too nice and intelligent a guy for me to let that happen.

Thanks everybody.
I'm going to keep looking.

Mageth · 06-07-2002, 11:30 AM

Here's a good <a href="http://www.salon.com/news/feature/1999/09/30/bernall/" target="_blank">Salon</a> article about the "she said yes" myth and the book.

IvanK · 06-07-2002, 11:32 AM

Get as many of 'em as you can and toss 'em in the nearest trash recepticle. That's what I do with Chick tracts and other matter that might fall into the hands of the impressionable.

As for debunking the canard that Cassie Bernal was shot by two atheists because she was strong in her Christian faith, the information <a href="http://www.positiveatheism.org/mail/eml9844.htm#CASSIEHOAX" target="_blank">here</a> really ought to be just about definitive:

Quote:

The investigators got one story from one kid, Joshua Lapp, that the alleged Bernall-Klebold dialogue occurred, but Lapp later admitted he never saw Bernall, but only thinks he recognized her voice. When asked to point out which table Bernall was under, he pointed out a table under which Valeen Schnurr, and not Cassie Bernall, had been hiding.

The story that Schnurr relates is that Klebold asked Schnurr if she believed in God and Schnurr said yes. At which point, Klebold spared Schnurr. Meanwhile, Emily Wyant, the gal who was under the same table with Bernall, says that Bernall was not asked if she believed in God, but was (understandably) cowering under the table saying, "Dear God. Dear God. Why is this happening? I just want to go home." Emily answered Cassie in a hushed voice, "I know. We all want to get out of here." Suddenly, Klebold slammed the top of their table, said "Peekaboo," and looked under the table at both girls. "Then he looked at her, and he shot her," Emily said.

(None of us would know any of this except for the fact that the Bernall family has sold 300,000 books, and that her tale is broadcast across America, even being recited on the floor of Congress for the purpose of passing pro-Christian, anti-everybody else legislation.)

Amazon · 06-07-2002, 11:39 AM

Mageth and IvanK,

Thank you so much.
I have already passed on the information and will pass on any more that is provided here by other posters.

I have a feeling that I will be sending a lot of these links out to coworkers, now that this blasted book is fresh in people's minds once again.

Godless Dave · 06-07-2002, 11:54 AM

Think these people would be as deeply moved if you wrote a book about a Dark Ages pagan who, when asked by a Christian mob if he believed in Odin, said yes and had his head lopped off?

Oxidizing Material · 06-07-2002, 05:36 PM

I do not think they would sir. I do not think so indeed.

Undercurrent · 06-07-2002, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Amazon:
<strong>
They're handing it out for free near my building in downtown Chicago.
</strong>

Look on the bright side -- They wouldn't be handing it out for free if there was still money to be made. Similarly, Tim LaHaye's "Mind Siege" is now selling for $1.99 in a the bargan bin at Hastings. They probably have tonnes of unsold copies they can't get rid of any other way.

m.

GaryP · 06-07-2002, 06:52 PM

On a related note: Can anybody confirm that one of the killers (Klebold?) had attended a Jewish Passover service just a few days before the shootings?

I heard this someplace but can't recall where.

GaryP · 06-07-2002, 07:08 PM

Here's another link casting doubt about the "She said yes" story.<a href="http://www.positiveatheism.org/writ/casshoax.htm" target="_blank">positive atheism</a>

cydonia · 06-07-2002, 10:32 PM

Whether she really said yes or no, shame on anyone who would suggest that her death was more significant than any of the other innocent people killed that day!!!!

06-07-2002, 11:11 AM	#1
Amazon Regular Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Chicago area Posts: 210	They're Passing Out "She Said Yes" You know, that book about the girl at Columbine High School who was supposedly shot after being asked if she believed in God, and she said yes? They're handing it out for free near my building in downtown Chicago. A coworker of mine came by, showed me the book, and asked if I had read it. I don't think he was trying to sway me - actually he didn't seem to know the story at all. But he had read the first couple pages, and said he was really moved. I mentioned to him that I think the story was written using more than a little artistic license, and that the event may not have happened the way most people think it did. I said that the focus on her martyrdom was more propaganda than anything else. I also offered to send him some links to forum discussions about the book. I did a search here on II for "She Said Yes", but I'm not getting good results. I feel certain that I have seen at least one thread in the last year that dealt almost exclusively with that story and that book. Does anyone know of a thread about this story? I would prefer to not send him a thread on a different subject that only mentions the book briefly, because he might think I'm trying to influence him with my views. He said he thought he would read the book anyway, and I said, "by all means! No reading is wasted." Of course, without an opposing viewpoint, he might just believe that whole pile of trash. He's too nice and intelligent a guy for me to let that happen. Thanks everybody. I'm going to keep looking.

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06-07-2002, 11:30 AM	#2
Mageth Contributor Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Deep in the heart of mother-lovin' Texas Posts: 29,689	Here's a good <a href="http://www.salon.com/news/feature/1999/09/30/bernall/" target="_blank">Salon</a> article about the "she said yes" myth and the book.

06-07-2002, 11:39 AM	#4
Amazon Regular Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Chicago area Posts: 210	Mageth and IvanK, Thank you so much. I have already passed on the information and will pass on any more that is provided here by other posters. I have a feeling that I will be sending a lot of these links out to coworkers, now that this blasted book is fresh in people's minds once again.

06-07-2002, 11:54 AM	#5
Godless Dave Contributor Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: With 10,000 lakes who needs a coast? Posts: 10,762	Think these people would be as deeply moved if you wrote a book about a Dark Ages pagan who, when asked by a Christian mob if he believed in Odin, said yes and had his head lopped off?

06-07-2002, 05:36 PM	#6
Oxidizing Material Banned Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Somewhere where I don't know where I am Posts: 2,069	I do not think they would sir. I do not think so indeed.

06-07-2002, 06:52 PM	#8
GaryP Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Lancaster, OH Posts: 1,792	On a related note: Can anybody confirm that one of the killers (Klebold?) had attended a Jewish Passover service just a few days before the shootings? I heard this someplace but can't recall where.

06-07-2002, 07:08 PM	#9
GaryP Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Lancaster, OH Posts: 1,792	Here's another link casting doubt about the "She said yes" story.<a href="http://www.positiveatheism.org/writ/casshoax.htm" target="_blank">positive atheism</a>

06-07-2002, 10:32 PM	#10
cydonia Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: southern california Posts: 1,002	Whether she really said yes or no, shame on anyone who would suggest that her death was more significant than any of the other innocent people killed that day!!!!

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