Angelia, the email address for Tom didn't all show in your post. And, should we write to him? and/or just respond online to Ms. Peacock?
Here is what I have come up with so far: In response to Ms. Peacock and in support of the column on a moment of silence, it appears that we must resort to basic education and review the meaning of discrimination. In context, rather than her personal definition, discrimination means “unfair treatment of a person, racial group, or minority”. In this case, theists and non-theists alike who do not wish to participate in public displays of cult-like activity. To give one very simple example: IF instead of a Christian centered and motivated ‘moment of silence’ I demanded that all in the class do an “OM”, sit in full lotus and then chant a few wonderful stanzas in Tibetan, would Ms. Peacock retain her self-restraint when it comes to not calling discrimination and/or ‘hokey ritual’? She, of course, wouldn’t have to participate in it! To reiterate, discrimination is exactly what the very few say it is PRECICELY because they are in the minority that is being discriminated against! This seems so easy to understand and is too often missed by fanaticism. Clearly I come from an era prior to Ms Peacock’s. It was in the days when people were both well educated enough and wise enough to know that anyone can practice any form of religion they wished to at any time. We just had the grace and wisdom to know that this sort of practice was either: 1. to be done alone 2. in a group of similar belief, or 3. silently and internally when/if in public. During the same era, the ONLY prayer in the Midwestern schools where I lived was done in private sect specific schools, never in public schools for the obvious reasons. I also remember having to relearn the Pledge of Allegiance while in grade school. I had originally learned it WITHOUT the phrase about god. This is a relatively recent invention. Adding that phrase was and still is quite confusing and cumbersome for me. Oh, and “our country was doing great”[r] back then long before Ms. Peacock came on to the scene! Clearly these days are over. Fanaticism is raising its ugly head all over the globe and the US is not special in this respect. I will leave it to others to share the ‘rest of the story’ (the facts about crime, dropouts, respect etc.) which are well known and in direct opposition to her posted historical belief system. Apparently the educational system failed Ms. Peacock miserably! Ms. Peacock can have a ‘break’ and be silent as much as she wishes…at home, in public, any place at all! It is her wish of imposing her will rather than divine will upon others that is the issue here. On Sep 7, 11:37 am, "Angelia Stinnett" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Here's tom bohs' (the editor) e-mail address. You can send your responses > directly to him. [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > > On Sun, Sep 7, 2008 at 8:15 AM, Clogtowner <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > Hi y'all - I'm on the road at the moment, but I'd love to respond. > > Would someone please post a direct link to submit a letter to the > > editor? Thank you in advance. > > > On Sep 7, 7:27 am, "Angelia Stinnett" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > wrote: > > > Hello Team, > > > > There was a derogatory letter to the editor about non believers in the > > > Jackson Sun today. I hope you will put her in her place by writing to > > > letters to the editor in rebuttal. > > > > Go to the Jackson Sun website and then to opinions, then to letters to > > the > > > editor. Her name is Kathi Peacock. > > > >www.jacksonsun.com > > > > Atheist power, activate!!!!!! > > > > Angelia- Hide quoted text - > > - Show quoted text - --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Memphis Freethought Alliance" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/memphisfreethoughtalliance?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
