Howard Thompson (Gofreemind),Editor
Number 2: November 18, 1995
"All the news we care about, but never see in Christianized media."
Note that one of these folders may go away in the near future, as they are duplicate efforts.
There are "Dating," "Marriage," "Teen," and "Fellowship" folders that carry discussions of relationships, life conundrums and the occassional flirting, if you want a respite from dogged Christian rhetoric
A recent drive by the American Atheists address revealed an apparently abandoned effort.
The one storey brick building is encircled by a wire fence and sports a "For Sale" sign. Madalyn told the Austin American-Statesman months ago the building would be sold. Her announced plan was to relocate from Austin.
Madalyn's organization has been in decline for years. She sued a San Diego free thought foundation in the mid 1980s in an attempt to gain access to a multimillion dollar bequest. She lost the case and the court assessed monetary penalties against AA. In 1991, she disbanded her local chapters, which eventually reorganized as the Atheist Alliance, Atheists United, and Atheist Network organizations. The American Atheist magazine ceased publication several years ago.
Conversations with former AA members reveal conflicting feelings about Madalyn. Her abrasive manner is always mentioned. Her misrepresention of information is mentioned - the word "prevarication" came up more than once. Yet, all give honor to her efforts to keep atheism in the public eye and fight against the harm of religion. She is seen realistically, but with regret that she was not a more honorable and effective leader.
Wherever Madalyn is, material realism is vibrant and strong in the minds of free thinkers.
There are new organizations and new leaders to service and defend the realist community. New ideas, new energies, and new young atheists are coming forward with increasing frequency. We should look upon Madalyn's failure not as an end, but as an opportunity to develop atheist community and issues beyond her vision. We are not one person. We are the free minds that hope for a sane, rational, progressive, and humane human culture free from ravages of religion.
Yes, we ARE going for the silly targets, it's more entertaining that way. Results will be pulished in the next issue, which will also be posted in the Atheism News and Announcements folder.
All kinds of reasons why atheism is better will be considered - humor, sarcasm, serious, pensive, touching, etc. Oh, maybe the humorous will be preferred, with really clever shots at xian madness running a close second.
E-mail contest entries to Gofreemind@aol.com with a Subject of "Atheism is better contest."
From: AnChrBigot
To: Gofreemind
An unsolicited testimonial to my worldwide meanness.
-----------------
Forwarded Message:
Subj: Lambykins
Date: 95-11-08 01:18:36 EST
From: Tmancer2
To: AnChrBigotWOW that lamby is ONE SICK PUPPY!!! But congratulations are in order....you sir ..yes you....are the only person lamby has taken time out of his diatribes to respond to.
CONGRATULATIONS! You got under the little Bastich's skin. I bet I could write a best selling psychiatric paper with one or two interviews with this dude. I think tha t sooner or later we will be reading a news article saying Jim Jones Junior here and his fawning (read butt licking) disciples have gone on a murder/suicide spree. If I met him in person I think I would shoot him on principle. I will be joining the fun in the World is Ending Repent folder since he actually reads the posts in there...
Tmancer<-----readying ammunition----giggling
hysterically---anticipating
much fun
Church and State is the montly publication of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, which used to have "Protestant" as part of its name. The organization is mostly Christians and Jews opposed to church entanglements in government. There little magazine is a fairly good summary of national news on church-state separation issuse with mild exposes on the Religious Right. New subscriptions are only $10.00. You can contact them at amerunited@aol.com. Tell them we sent you.
"We need to do more than win an election or win the House or win the presidency, my friends: we need to make this beloved country of ours God's country once again."
Republican presidential candidate Pat Buchanan at the Christian Coalition 1995 Road to Victory Conference, as reported in the October 1995 issue of Church and State."I want to be invisible . . . I paint my face and travel at night. You don't know it's over until you're in a body bag. You don't know until election night."
Ralph Reed, Director of the Christian Coalition, from the Virginian Pilot and Ledger Star, 11/9/91."The strategy against the American radical left should be the same as General Douglas MacArthur employed against the Japanese in the Pacific . . . blast the individuals out of their power bunkers with hand-to-hand combat. The battle to regain the soul of America won't be pleasant, but we will win it."
Pat Robertson, from Pat Robertson's Perspectives, April/May 1992."I want you to let a wave of hatred wash over you. Yes, hate is good... our goal is a Christian nation. We have the biblical duty, we are called on by God to conquer this country. We don't want equal time. We don't want pluralism,"
Randall Terry, Director of Operation Rescue, from The News Sentinel (Ft. Wayne, IN) 8/16/93.
From: JOHNSON WM
Thanks for the info! For your info I am a Humanist, completely
non-theistic!! Aggressive out-reach is essential and I support it 100%!!!
I'm looking forward to "chatting" and some correspondence.
From: Free2Think (Jim)
TERRIFIC -- what else can I say? I found the newsletter both
hilarious and informative -- a rare combination. Keep up the good work
and thanks for including me in the mailing!
From: PandoraVA
Thank you so much! It was good to hear how many people there are who
think (sort of) the way I do. Keep it coming; this kind of thing
restores my hope for the human race.... (Irony intended) &;->'
From: JPHUF
Thanks much, great stuff. Been in the room a few times, but not the
big day. My announcement: BRING ON THE XIANS, THE LION IS HERE !
From: DragonMoon (Marey)
Having not checked my mail in weeks, I'm glad to see atheism alive a
nd well. Please keep me posted as I love the company of fellow
freethinkers. I only tried the chat line once and it seemed dismal but
perhaps I'll try again.
Thanx for being
From: Headwrench
As one who worships at the alters of the two great Gods, Darwin and
John Naisbitt, I really appreciate hearing from some others that get sick
of the mystical trash foisted off on the masses. Keep up the good work.
From: Zeususe (Eric)
I have always been an atheist. Religion has always bothered me, par
ticularly since I have traveled to the South Pacific and have seen Its
effects there. I am also concerned with environmental issues since Earth
is all we have. I have never been a par t of an Atheist organization
since I am not much of a joiner, although I believe the Ath eist cause
should be furthered. I also found the Atheist club on AOL, and I will use
it.
Thank for your efforts.
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