HA, 4/2/07: It's risky to be a non-believer - USM Forum -- Message Board

info · Status: Offline

HA, 4/2/07: It's risky to be a non-believer

Atheist · Status: Offline

info wrote:

http://hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070402/OPINION03/704020336/1014/OPINION

...On the other hand, this is how coerced school prayer effects me. As a faculty member at the University of Southern Mississippi, I am required to attend at least one graduation ceremony each year and at these ceremonies there are always two prayers. ...

Thanks for posting this, Info. I almost posted Professor Greene's letter this morning, but I recalled my other post upset some on this board.

The comments in the H.A. to the Thames article has much hate thrown at the "liberal" and "lazy" professors. This letter will surely reinforce those views by some in the public.

I recommend the reading of "The God Delusion", by Richard Dawkins to increase understanding of what is happening concerning this topic.

BAD · Status: Offline

One comment stated..."I believe in the "greatest good of the greatest number". Why should the majority have to bend to the will of the few?"

To answer...I believe it was Jesus Christ who recommended leaving the flock for a single sheep. Of course the greatest good of the greatest number was probably best put forth by Spock in Star Trek II (The Moby Dick episode) or was that Dickens???

LVN · Status: Offline

I read Kate's letter as well, and am puzzled as to why she chose to write it now. I am also puzzled as to what "risk" she feels she undertakes.

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Update: Ok, I'm not reading closely enough. I see where she explains. However, I question whether her "risk" is quite as dramatic as she seems to think.
Atheist, on the other hand, may really be at risk, if he keeps messin' wit' me. wink

-- Edited by LVN at 17:43, 2007-04-02

Atheist · Status: Offline

LVN wrote:

I read Kate's letter as well, and am puzzled as to why she chose to write it now. I am also puzzled as to what "risk" she feels she undertakes.

}}}}}

Update: Ok, I'm not reading closely enough. I see where she explains. However, I question whether her "risk" is quite as dramatic as she seems to think.
Atheist, on the other hand, may really be at risk, if he keeps messin' wit' me.

-- Edited by LVN at 17:43, 2007-04-02

LVN, did you notice that I refrained from referring to the "Christian Taliban" ? smile

To answer your other question, I believe Kate is responding to "...Donald James' letter concerning prayer in public schools", that was in the H.A. recently.

I always stood at graduation when asked, but I didn't bow my head. (I didn't have the guts of Kate Greene. cry

) Theists really are unaware of the pressure atheists are under. I know of professionals in Hattiesburg who are both regular church goers and who are atheists. They fear being found out because it would kill their business/practice.

Reporter · Status: Offline

Check out the comments on the letter here:
http://forums.hattiesburgamerican.com/viewtopic.php?t=4760

LVN · Status: Offline

Can you guys think of the head bowing or standing thing as a matter of manners? Suppose I go to visit a religious site, or even a home of a friend where shoes are removed. I remove them. Personally, I don't say grace in restaurants, but when I'm with people who do I bow my head with them. When women journalists are in the Middle East, they cover their heads. It's not acquiescence with the underlying belief, it's respect for the people around you. It's courtesy.

Does everything have to be a statement?

Atheist · Status: Offline

LVN wrote:

Can you guys think of the head bowing or standing thing as a matter of manners? Suppose I go to visit a religious site, or even a home of a friend where shoes are removed. I remove them. Personally, I don't say grace in restaurants, but when I'm with people who do I bow my head with them. When women journalists are in the Middle East, they cover their heads. It's not acquiescence with the underlying belief, it's respect for the people around you. It's courtesy.

Does everything have to be a statement?

LVN, who or what am I respecting when I stand? That is what isn't clear to me. I agree with you about the "statement". That is why it should be a moment for "silent reflection". But if it is a statement that is clearly a prayer, for what am I standing? Your example about a "religious site" or the "home of a friend" doesn't apply to this public event at a publicly funded institution.

To see my point, I would love to be at the next graduation and have the person leading the "meditation" say, "Please kneel and face East for silent meditation". Surely, out of respect, all would perform as asked. smile

Please don't tell me the customs of the majority rule. They are using my tax money for the microphone to state a prayer to one religion's supernatural fantasy.

LVN · Status: Offline

I had a long serious post here, and then I said . . . . well, never mind what I said.

-- Edited by LVN at 00:57, 2007-04-03

Atheist · Status: Offline

It appears those d*amn, liberal university professors have stirred up more trouble and are making people think.

H.A.--Equating atheism with morality
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070403/OPINION01/704030337/1014/OPINION

H.A.--Buddhist values miss the point
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070403/OPINION03/704030338/1014/OPINION

-- Edited by Atheist at 07:57, 2007-04-03

Southern Belle · Status: Offline

As we all know, this "dead mule" has been kicked around for centries and will continue to be kicked. (Poor dead mule)

I am a Christian yet I consider Dr. Greene to be a dear friend of mine for a number of years. I have a number of friends who are non-believers. I can understand how Kate may feel because she lives in the middle of the Bible Belt. However I consider that individual remains sitting or possibly do not bow their heads is only following their heart. I have worked with other professors on campus who feel the same as Kate.

However to consider it a "risk"? I don't think it is a risk but merely stating your belief or non-belief. Even if schools colleges or universities asked for a "moment of quiet reflection," some individuals would still say that the time was set aside for Christians.

Personally, I believe there are more important issues in the world that we should all be concerned about.

Lily · Status: Offline

capt.xhm10204031738.mideast_syria_us_pelosi_xhm102.jpg?x=242&y=345&sig=cTrnWSwdWjeT3kk5uvS0WQ--

What religion is this woman? Where is this woman?

-- Edited by Lily at 14:43, 2007-04-03

Atheist · Status: Offline

Lily wrote:

What religion is this woman? Where is this woman?

-- Edited by Lily at 14:43, 2007-04-03

My powers of acute observation and reason tell me she is in a cold region.

Oh!..... that was religion?.............. Never mind. smile

LVN · Status: Offline

Hmm, reminds me of seeing Laura Bush (a Methodist) wearing a mantilla while meeting the Pope.

Southern Belle, good reply.

Polyonymous · Status: Offline

I know! I know! House Speaker Nancy Pelosi currently in Syria.

Sorry, for a minute I thought we were playing one of the old board games.

Date: Apr 7, 2007

H.A.Letter--Some do pray for those who don't

http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070407/OPINION03/704070333/1014/OPINION

"...I believe this country was founded with the majority rule as our way of deciding most if not all decisions." ... " As for teaching our children what you want them to learn of constitutional law, this has pretty much been done for years by who knows how many teachers."

(P.S. Read the comment to ths letter that points out the error here and for a correct way to reason about this issue.)

Date: Apr 7, 2007

RE: HA, 4/2/07: It's risky to be a believer

Date: Apr 10, 2007

RE: HA, 4/2/07: It's risky to be a non-believer

Date: Apr 12, 2007

H.A. Letter--Student defends her law teacher

http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070412/OPINION03/704120374/1014/OPINION