Letterbox (September 2026)
Please add this note to the ‘Thank You’ section
So, here I am cruising from Greenland to Iceland reading my Freethought Todays (which I leave all over the ship for others to enjoy), and I thought I really should write a note to FFRF and say, “Thanks for everything you do.”
I enjoy being a Lifetime member and so appreciate the work you are doing for our country. Maybe next to the Crankmail you could list the “Thank You” mail for all of us who love FFRF!
S.P.
Colorado
Is there a ‘Woke Jesus’ and a ‘MAGA Jesus’?
I think there are two Jesuses. First there’s the “Woke Jesus” of the Beatitudes who fed the masses, healed the sick and raised Lazarus from the dead. Then there’s “MAGA Jesus,” as described in Paul’s letters and Revelation. MAGA Jesus doesn’t want to help anyone; he just wants to condemn you to hell for disobeying him.
So, there are either two Jesuses (Jesui?) — one good and one evil — or there is only one Jesus and he has multiple personality disorder.
T.B.
Colorado
My Catholic school had one redeeming quality
Donald Ardell’s thoughts about graduating from and supporting his Catholic high school in the June/July issue struck a chord with me. Like Ardell, I am a graduate (1973) of a Christian Brothers’ high school, namely De La Salle Collegiate, then in Detroit, now in Warren, Mich. I also receive solicitations for donations and appeals to join the alumni association, but while I do keep in contact with some of my classmates, I have yet to donate to the school for many of the same reasons that Ardell does not.
My experience differs from his in one important respect, though. I was taught about other religions while attending DLS. Brother James had us read “Siddhartha” by Herman Hesse. This opened up a whole new world for me and gave me a much different outlook on the role religion plays in our lives.
I often joke that my parents did Catholicism a disfavor by sending me to De La Salle. The brothers there taught me how to think about things critically, and once you start thinking critically, it’s difficult to believe nonsensical things. Believing things on “faith” is the exact opposite of dealing with things in thoughtful, rational ways. That’s why I no longer consider myself to be a Catholic.
D.R.
Michigan
‘Atheist’ is a perfectly appropriate word
I disagree with Dr. Robert Pierce’s argument rejecting the term “atheist” in his article “‘Reasonist’ is a better identifying term.” I don’t define myself or my beliefs by the perceptions and prejudices of others nor am I intimidated by their stigma or discrimination. If that were the case, I would have succumbed to the intense pressure to belong to the false religion I was raised in.
Unlike “humanist,” “freethinker,” “agnostic” or “reasonist,” “atheist” is clear and concise, not inaccurate or untrue. The dictionary defines reasonable as “moderate, not extreme.” In the context of our theism-saturated culture, believing in reality, facts and proven science is unfortunately not regarded as moderate, but extreme. Being without theism is no more defining yourself in the negative than being without superstition, prejudice, misogyny, racism or cancer.
Less is more. I happily explain — to those who think atheism is prosaic — the overwhelming sense of wonder and joy that I feel every day knowing that I am connected to all life forms on this planet through a last common ancestor, and how that knowledge impacts my daily life and moral philosophy.
B.W.
Oregon
June/July issue was enjoyable, informative
I really enjoyed the June/July issue of Freethought Today, especially Dr. Robert Pierce’s idea of using the term “reasonist.” Great point —we don’t name ourselves after something we’re not. I’m a brunette, not a “non-blonde,” and I’m a grammarian, not a non-astronaut!
And, the article about childhood marriage was also informative.
I do have to object to something in one of the letters, though. I’m not “free to believe what I want to believe.” I WANT to believe in an omniscient, omnipotent, benevolent deity, but that doesn’t mean I’m able to do so!
M.W.
Maryland
Dossey column was very powerful testimony
I just want to thank Daniel Dossey for the most powerful article about leaving Christianity that I have ever read. He words it so beautifully and so accurately that I felt every word. I, too, grew up in a very conservative, religious background, and although my pathway after leaving was very different, the feelings and the considerations articulated by Daniel hit the mark exactly. Amazing writer, amazing insight. Thank you, Daniel.
R.C.
Oregon
U.S. atheists are as American as apple pie
In 1987, President George H.W. Bush stated, “I don’t know that atheists should be considered citizens, nor should they be considered patriots.”
Recently, in a conversation with a neighbor, the president’s comment came up. Without hesitation, my neighbor said atheism was all about nihilism, gloom and absurdity.
“I would welcome a God-fearing cannibal into the neighborhood before I would tolerate an atheist,” he said. It was truly breathtaking how much ignorance, arrogance and bigotry my neighbor could pack into so few words. I’ve always wondered why some people portray atheists as individuals who lack moral values, believe in nothing and are not good Americans.
Like other Americans, atheists love their families and their country, respect the Constitution, serve in the military, vote, pay taxes, watch Monday Night Football and love their dog. Many atheists have died in battle defending their country, and their country has honored many of them with medals and burial at Arlington National Cemetery.
Because atheists don’t believe in gods or the supernatural doesn’t mean they believe in nothing. For instance, they believe that the Earth is more than 6,000 years old, isn’t flat, and that a naked lady never carried on a loquacious conversation with a serpent in the enchanted garden. They do believe, however, in the magnificence of nature, rainy spring days, and that a good deed done is better than a prayer said.
To my knowledge, American atheists have never advocated, initiated or supported any holy wars, crusades, inquisitions or witch burnings. Not surprisingly, it’s been many in the clergy, and the ignorant, who have been responsible for keeping the embers of hate burning against atheists for centuries.
It was not atheists that blew up Planned Parenthood clinics or flew planes into the World Trade Center. When atheists start burning down churches, when atheists declare open season on children and start sexually abusing them the way many in the clergy have done for countless decades (and continue to do), then let’s talk about how atheists are eroding the foundation of our morality and are not good Americans.
B.A.
Florida
Courts back Christians, but not all religions
A Washington Post article (“Rastafarian’s loss bucks recent trend of expanding religious freedom”) misses the obvious. Rastafarians are not Christians. Almost all recent court decisions, lower and Supreme Court, favor the benefit of one religion — Christianity. As shown in Oklahoma and Texas, Christian schools may receive tax money, while Jewish or other religions remain well separated from the state.
G.H.
Maryland
Texas teachers could use bible ruling for fun
Bible reading in Texas! Hmm? Wait, this could be as fun as a reverse Easter egg hunt or snipe hunt! Why?
The teacher could choose a selection of miracle stories. Students would list every miracle they find — walking on water, calming a storm, walking through a locked door. Students would get points for accurate identification and clear explanation.
Then they could rank the miracles into one of three categories: Most plausible (natural or coincidental); moderately plausible (extraordinary, but possible); least plausible (physically impossible, symbolic or mythic).
Then they would write a paragraph answering: “How does the level of plausibility affect your interpretation of the story?”
No student would be graded on belief or disbelief. All evaluation would be based on analysis, not theology. Students could disagree respectfully and show their reasoning.
Extra points could be awarded for most bizarre disappearance, most dramatic unrecognizable appearance, most confusing parable, most physically impossible feat, most mythic transformation, most contradictory portrayal. They would have to justify their reasoning.
It would be literary analysis, not indoctrination.
B.C.
Indiana
