Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Ed Weathers · 05-01-2003, 08:02 AM

Recently someone linked the II site to the site of The Memphis Flyer (www.memphisflyer.com), where I recently wrote a column called "The Empty Box: It has to be said--religion is a dangerous thing." The response has, quite simply, amazed me. The Flyer is getting 50 emails a day, nearly all of them in support of the article, from folks like you on this site. I've tried responding to each emailer individually, but now there are too many. Is this posting a good place to thank everybody?
I'd also like to say a few other things to all the freethinkers out there who have written nice things to me:
1) I have not been deluged with hate mail from the believers. In fact, I've received only one email that consigns me to hell. I have heard from a few Christians, but only that one was angry. The others were thoughtful and respectful. I hope we all find encouragement in that. I am a bit discouraged that the column did not reach as many on the Religious Right as I had hoped.
2) I have not lost my job. Besides the column for the Flyer, I teach at a university here in Connecticut, where I live. (I write for the Memphis Flyer because I lived in Memphis for many years, and people know me there.) I appreciate the concern of all of you who are worried about me.
3) It didn't take much courage to write the column, although I did think about it for a couple of days before submitting it. Maybe I'm dense, maybe I'm naive, but in my circle, which includes a lot of writers and very well-educated people, expressing nonbeliever views is an accepted practice, even in rooms where the vast majority are believers. I know that's not the case everywhere. I wish all of you could feel comfortable to express your nonbelief in your own community.
4) Several of you have asked if you could reprint or pass around the article. Please feel free to do so. Several of you also expressed a wish that such a piece could appear in larger mainstream newspapers. I am submitting it to a few, but I wouldn't expect anything--more because it's too long for most op-ed pages than because of what it says.
Anyway, thanks to all of you who liked the article. You've made my year. My email is edweathers@peoplepc.com if you'd like to get in touch with me directly.

livius drusus · 05-01-2003, 09:16 AM

Welcome Ed! I searched for the thread linking to your article but to no avail. I suspect it was posted in our General Religious Discussions forum and am therefore moving this thread there. Please feel free to introduce yourself in the Secular Lounge should you feel the urge.

Maverick · 05-01-2003, 09:29 AM

Link to original thread in SL&S

I will post a link there to this thread.

livius drusus · 05-01-2003, 09:46 AM

You know, I didn't even think to check SL&S. Sorry about that Ed.

Shake · 05-01-2003, 09:55 AM

OK, I know I said in the thread in SL&S that I would email the author, but since he's decided to grace us with his presence, I'll do it publicly here.

That is a great article! I'm glad to hear that you've had plenty of positive responses. Add me to the list of its fans. I read it and printed a hard copy to keep with all of the other great stuff that I've found over the past few years and decided was worthy of saving in print. Kudos for your bravery in writing such a piece. It is encouraging that there hasn't as yet been a large backlash against you. Anyway, welcome to II, and please, keep up the good work!

Philosoft · 05-01-2003, 10:18 AM

Welcome to our quasi-community, Ed. I'm pleased that you decided to take up my (and presumably others') offers to introduce yourself here. You obviously have much to offer the non-believing community, and I hope you can stick around.

~Jason aka Philosoft

elanah · 05-01-2003, 02:20 PM

Glad to hear about all the positive responses, and welcome to II, Ed!

B34RZ0R · 05-05-2003, 08:21 PM

YAY

Welcome Ed!!!!!!!
YOU REWL!!!
BE WELL
*Bear*

Ed Weathers · 05-06-2003, 06:41 AM

Boy, are you folks enthusiastic--and widespread. I've been getting about 50 emails a day from skeptics like yourselves who liked my "Empty Box" piece. Lately I've even started getting them from Canada and Great Britain. Wish I could respond to everybody individually. Thanks to all.
Still very little response from the Religious Right, though I still get an occasional respectful letter from a believer who wants to discuss the issues. No hate mail to speak of except for one letter early on.
I think it's important that we all try to speak our skepticism whenever and wherever we can. Have courage. Sure, there are some kneejerk religious types who will spew venom at you, but there are more who will listen and, at worst, disagree respectfully. Mostly, what I've learned from all this is that it's important to let each other know that there are others who feel as we do--not all of them on the nonbeliever web sites.

05-01-2003, 08:02 AM	#1
Ed Weathers Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: connecticut Posts: 11	thanks to everyone Recently someone linked the II site to the site of The Memphis Flyer (www.memphisflyer.com), where I recently wrote a column called "The Empty Box: It has to be said--religion is a dangerous thing." The response has, quite simply, amazed me. The Flyer is getting 50 emails a day, nearly all of them in support of the article, from folks like you on this site. I've tried responding to each emailer individually, but now there are too many. Is this posting a good place to thank everybody? I'd also like to say a few other things to all the freethinkers out there who have written nice things to me: 1) I have not been deluged with hate mail from the believers. In fact, I've received only one email that consigns me to hell. I have heard from a few Christians, but only that one was angry. The others were thoughtful and respectful. I hope we all find encouragement in that. I am a bit discouraged that the column did not reach as many on the Religious Right as I had hoped. 2) I have not lost my job. Besides the column for the Flyer, I teach at a university here in Connecticut, where I live. (I write for the Memphis Flyer because I lived in Memphis for many years, and people know me there.) I appreciate the concern of all of you who are worried about me. 3) It didn't take much courage to write the column, although I did think about it for a couple of days before submitting it. Maybe I'm dense, maybe I'm naive, but in my circle, which includes a lot of writers and very well-educated people, expressing nonbeliever views is an accepted practice, even in rooms where the vast majority are believers. I know that's not the case everywhere. I wish all of you could feel comfortable to express your nonbelief in your own community. 4) Several of you have asked if you could reprint or pass around the article. Please feel free to do so. Several of you also expressed a wish that such a piece could appear in larger mainstream newspapers. I am submitting it to a few, but I wouldn't expect anything--more because it's too long for most op-ed pages than because of what it says. Anyway, thanks to all of you who liked the article. You've made my year. My email is edweathers@peoplepc.com if you'd like to get in touch with me directly.

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05-01-2003, 09:16 AM	#2
livius drusus Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Selva Oscura Posts: 4,120	Welcome Ed! I searched for the thread linking to your article but to no avail. I suspect it was posted in our General Religious Discussions forum and am therefore moving this thread there. Please feel free to introduce yourself in the Secular Lounge should you feel the urge.

05-01-2003, 09:29 AM	#3
Maverick Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Green Bay, Wisconsin Posts: 6,367	Link to original thread in SL&S I will post a link there to this thread.

05-01-2003, 09:46 AM	#4
livius drusus Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Selva Oscura Posts: 4,120	You know, I didn't even think to check SL&S. Sorry about that Ed.

05-01-2003, 09:55 AM	#5
Shake Contributor Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Folding@Home in upstate NY Posts: 14,394	OK, I know I said in the thread in SL&S that I would email the author, but since he's decided to grace us with his presence, I'll do it publicly here. That is a great article! I'm glad to hear that you've had plenty of positive responses. Add me to the list of its fans. I read it and printed a hard copy to keep with all of the other great stuff that I've found over the past few years and decided was worthy of saving in print. Kudos for your bravery in writing such a piece. It is encouraging that there hasn't as yet been a large backlash against you. Anyway, welcome to II, and please, keep up the good work!

05-01-2003, 10:18 AM	#6
Philosoft Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Southeast of disorder Posts: 6,829	Welcome to our quasi-community, Ed. I'm pleased that you decided to take up my (and presumably others') offers to introduce yourself here. You obviously have much to offer the non-believing community, and I hope you can stick around. ~Jason aka Philosoft

05-01-2003, 02:20 PM	#7
elanah Regular Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Waukesha, WI Posts: 309	Glad to hear about all the positive responses, and welcome to II, Ed!

05-05-2003, 08:21 PM	#8
B34RZ0R Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Lost in the Ether, Minnesota Posts: 1,436	YAY Welcome Ed!!!!!!! YOU REWL!!! BE WELL Bear

05-06-2003, 06:41 AM	#9
Ed Weathers Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: connecticut Posts: 11	Boy, are you folks enthusiastic--and widespread. I've been getting about 50 emails a day from skeptics like yourselves who liked my "Empty Box" piece. Lately I've even started getting them from Canada and Great Britain. Wish I could respond to everybody individually. Thanks to all. Still very little response from the Religious Right, though I still get an occasional respectful letter from a believer who wants to discuss the issues. No hate mail to speak of except for one letter early on. I think it's important that we all try to speak our skepticism whenever and wherever we can. Have courage. Sure, there are some kneejerk religious types who will spew venom at you, but there are more who will listen and, at worst, disagree respectfully. Mostly, what I've learned from all this is that it's important to let each other know that there are others who feel as we do--not all of them on the nonbeliever web sites.

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