I am not an atheist, but was deeply impressed by your honesty on NIGHTLINE and fully support you in your honesty.

Furthermore, I empathize with your convictions, and, although I am convinced that rational persons can come, rationally, to even opposite conclusions in all areas of human life/culture (not only regarding religion), feel that you are acting more honourably and decently than perhaps the majority of people do in publicly expressing your rationally, from your own experiences, openly propounded atheism. It is very sorrowful for me to hear that you have received obscene and threatening communications from not only irrational, but cruel - and, in the cases of death threats, criminal - persons. I am extremely grateful for your honesty, although, again, I myself am not an atheist.  Of the Russian Orthodox Faith, I surely feel that, if for no other reason but your most honourable honesty, you are to be admired far more than religious, agnostic or atheist individuals who do not speak out openly for what they have rationally concluded to be true. You have every right to express yourselves and I thank you for doing so. It is an ethical and moral abomintion when those who disagree with you send you obscenities and threats; it is an ethical an moral abomination that you must hide, to protect your very lives, in an unidentified, bunker-like studio.  I hope the day will come when you will be free to share your convictions without fear, and without facing threats.  Now, sadly, you cannot.  Still, I sincerely hope that the day will come when you can.  You have my deep respect and profoundest hopes that you will soon be free to be yourselves, to express yourselves freely, and to engage in dialogue both with those who share your views and with those who do not freely.Laughing

Thanks very much!

Thanks very much!

I thank this man for his

I thank this man for his thoughtfulness and compassion. I'd like the nay-sayers to read this one...

The Enlightenment wounded the beast, but the killing blow has yet to land...

Susan's picture

If Only...

If only the theists who send those tidbits could be a little more like this person, the world would be a much nicer place.

What a lovely post that is.

Thank you.

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todangst's picture

Glad to hear from from you,

Glad to hear from from you, thanks for striking a balance against the irrational types: unfortunately they tend to be more vocal.

"Hitler burned people like Anne Frank, for that we call him evil.
"God" burns Anne Frank eternally. For that, theists call him 'good.'

And thank you very much!

We need more honest, committed, and vocal people like yourself in this world.  I am grateful for people like yourself, and committed to helping to insure your freedom of expression of your convictions in any way I can, whether I agree with them or not. I cannot comprehend persons who threaten, curse or judge others because our opinions or rationales may differ!

I thank you, too, sir, for your thoughtfulness and compassion.

I remain furious, indeed, outraged, that you cannot express your convictions openly and freely; as Tennyson wrote: "There is more faith in honest doubt, believe me, than in all the creeds." Thank you for your kindness.  I do hope you have reported all threats to the proper authorities.  I was brought up in Southeast Asia; I do not understand the dreadful oppression you face in the United States of America...isn't it supposed to be a democracy, with complete separation of religion and state?  Be strong!

Indeed, if Only

more people were like you, kind lady, this world would be a much more wonderful place.  Thank you for your lovely post, and be strong! Nobody has the right to oppress, threaten or hurt anyone for honest convictions like yours who harm no-one; I agree with many atheists on many more points than I do with cruel religious persons.  Your convictions are valuable, a rational part of the human condition, and we all need to listen to them, and hear them out, even if, in the end, we do not agree on all things. Thank you!

 

And thank you, sir.

I look to honest, rational persons like yourself to help me learn how to be more vocal in protecting the rights of all humane persons like yourself to express your convictions, to have them heard...I have much to learn from your courageous honesty, and am appalled that you are receiving terrible messages.  The threats are criminal, and should be reported to the authorities of your nation.  Why is it that some are so murderous, and at the same time claim to believe in a "god" who is, according to their own faiths, is merciful and loving? They are the ones who are living in a hell of hatred and fear, not honest atheists.

Susan's picture

Serafim Evgenie wrote: Why

Serafim Evgenie wrote:
Why is it that some are so murderous, and at the same time claim to believe in a "god" who is, according to their own faiths, is merciful and loving? They are the ones who are living in a hell of hatred and fear, not honest atheists.

How very eloquent! That sums it up very nicely.

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