Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The Resistance · 08-05-2002, 05:23 PM

My letter to the editor got published in the Star Tribune!

<a href="http://www.startribune.com/stories/1519/3137867.html" target="_blank">First Amendment Hero</a>

This could prove to be a problem because I've not revealed myself to my family as an atheist. They themselves are not likely to see it, but I bet a co-worker or other family member will see it and point it out. (Although technically nothing in the letter says I'M an atheist)

Zimyatin · 08-05-2002, 05:54 PM

Not only will your family find out that you are an evil, god-hating atheist, but I, as a member of our great Attorney General's TIPS program, will report you to the proper authorties for being anti-american! Christians founded this country, you know. It's in Article VI, Section 6, Clause 6 of the Constitution.

BTW, good letter!

[ August 05, 2002: Message edited by: Zimyatin ]</p>

Batman · 08-05-2002, 06:12 PM

Excellant letter. An Atheist and a Packer fan, outstanding! Doesn't get any better than that! Go Pack Go!

CaptainDave · 08-05-2002, 07:23 PM

The Resistance,

I find it ironic that you admire Jesse Ventura and yet are concerned that a member of your family may discover that you are an atheist. Do you think any of them are afraid you might discover that they are Christian?

I don't agree with everything that Jesse Ventura says but there is something about him I absolutely love. The guy is his own person. No bullshit. No sugarcoating. He's the first politician that I'm aware of who doesn't put votes or image above his principles. Read his books. It's incredible that a public official would reveal about himself what Jesse reveals - with no embarassment or apology. This is me. Take it or leave it.

Follow his example. Stand proud, my friend.

The Resistance · 08-08-2002, 02:34 PM

Obviously I've been rolling the dice a little with my atheism. Apparently, to my pleasant surprise, no one that I've talked to has made the connection. I don't hide my enthusasiam for Jesse, so I suppose no one was surprised when I turned in that letter.

Of course, my father, who while Catholic is far more tolerant than most, was the only one to comment on it. My mother has been too busy with my grandfather in the hospital. I've hardly seen her in the last month.

The true test will be this weekend when I see my family (in Church no less).

As I've stated before, I plan on remaining mostly in the closet until I move out of my parents home. Hopefully soon. Until then I keep at least one foot in.

4th Generation Atheist · 08-09-2002, 12:20 PM

Um, did Ms. Schmidt have dark hair and take Tae Kwon Do classes in St. Paul during the late '80s?

I seem to remember being in such a class with a Melissa who was a police officer for the MPD....

If it's not the right person, never mind. For obvious reasons I rather hope it wasn't.

Sorry for your loss.

[ August 09, 2002: Message edited by: 4th Generation Atheist ]</p>

Grizzly · 08-09-2002, 04:42 PM

4GA - I think you read the wrong letter. Read the third one down.

Grizz

4th Generation Atheist · 08-12-2002, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Grizzly:
<strong>4GA - I think you read the wrong letter. Read the third one down.

Grizz</strong>

Ah yes, you're probably right

; reading the correct one, I'll agree about Ventura. Pretty much the only well-known pol who picks up on our issues.

Little story: Even though I moved from Minnesota years before his election, I still obtained one of those "our governor can beat up your governor" T-shirts---one of the things about this area is that no matter how long you live here, you're from wherever you lived before. (There just aren't as many "natives" here as most places.) So even right after the results I had people asking me if I'd voted for Ventura, people who knew perfectly well I was no longer a resident of Minnesota!

Anycase, I'd say no, I'd voted for Glendening (who won that year in Maryland; opposition was a nasty "social" conservative) and people who were Maryland residents would ask me what I'd had against Ventura! Sorry for the non-sequitor; it's just a little illustration of the level of political cluelessness one finds in this country. Sigh.

Anycase, I found it flattering that I had enough reputation as a civil libertarian for people to think that.

So I got the T-shirt; it goes with my atheist stuff.

08-05-2002, 05:23 PM	#1
The Resistance Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Minnesota Posts: 571	First Amendment Hero My letter to the editor got published in the Star Tribune! <a href="http://www.startribune.com/stories/1519/3137867.html" target="_blank">First Amendment Hero</a> This could prove to be a problem because I've not revealed myself to my family as an atheist. They themselves are not likely to see it, but I bet a co-worker or other family member will see it and point it out. (Although technically nothing in the letter says I'M an atheist)

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08-05-2002, 05:54 PM	#2
Zimyatin Regular Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Michigan Posts: 308	Not only will your family find out that you are an evil, god-hating atheist, but I, as a member of our great Attorney General's TIPS program, will report you to the proper authorties for being anti-american! Christians founded this country, you know. It's in Article VI, Section 6, Clause 6 of the Constitution. BTW, good letter! [ August 05, 2002: Message edited by: Zimyatin ]</p>

08-05-2002, 06:12 PM	#3
Batman Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Nortwestern Connecticut Posts: 35	Excellant letter. An Atheist and a Packer fan, outstanding! Doesn't get any better than that! Go Pack Go!

08-05-2002, 07:23 PM	#4
CaptainDave Regular Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Florida Keys Posts: 119	The Resistance, I find it ironic that you admire Jesse Ventura and yet are concerned that a member of your family may discover that you are an atheist. Do you think any of them are afraid you might discover that they are Christian? I don't agree with everything that Jesse Ventura says but there is something about him I absolutely love. The guy is his own person. No bullshit. No sugarcoating. He's the first politician that I'm aware of who doesn't put votes or image above his principles. Read his books. It's incredible that a public official would reveal about himself what Jesse reveals - with no embarassment or apology. This is me. Take it or leave it. Follow his example. Stand proud, my friend.

08-08-2002, 02:34 PM	#5
The Resistance Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Minnesota Posts: 571	Obviously I've been rolling the dice a little with my atheism. Apparently, to my pleasant surprise, no one that I've talked to has made the connection. I don't hide my enthusasiam for Jesse, so I suppose no one was surprised when I turned in that letter. Of course, my father, who while Catholic is far more tolerant than most, was the only one to comment on it. My mother has been too busy with my grandfather in the hospital. I've hardly seen her in the last month. The true test will be this weekend when I see my family (in Church no less). As I've stated before, I plan on remaining mostly in the closet until I move out of my parents home. Hopefully soon. Until then I keep at least one foot in.

08-09-2002, 12:20 PM	#6
4th Generation Atheist Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Tower of Ecthelion...by the Starbuck's Posts: 1,815	Um, did Ms. Schmidt have dark hair and take Tae Kwon Do classes in St. Paul during the late '80s? I seem to remember being in such a class with a Melissa who was a police officer for the MPD.... If it's not the right person, never mind. For obvious reasons I rather hope it wasn't. Sorry for your loss. [ August 09, 2002: Message edited by: 4th Generation Atheist ]</p>

08-09-2002, 04:42 PM	#7
Grizzly Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 2,936	4GA - I think you read the wrong letter. Read the third one down. Grizz

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