But Yet I Know
What I'm
Talking About
Ross Wells
From: "Ross Wells"
To: "Positive Atheism" <editor@positiveatheism.org>
Sent: September 29, 2001 6:03 PM
Subject: Re: Special Word of Thanks; September Print Edition Begins
I enjoy reading your mail.
There are so many things I would like to get involved in but lack a way of writing it down. I am a true atheist surrounded my Mormons and Bible thumpers. I call in to local talk shows with my opinion, saying the religious majority doesn't give me the right not to have to listen to a prayer -- but to no avail!
I want to help but I keep telling myself that I am to illiterate to to help out the cause. I really don't care what others believe, but when it takes away my freedom I get pretty riled.
Hang in there. You have made a big impression on me!
Ross
From: "Positive Atheism" <editor@positiveatheism.org>
To: "Ross Wells"
Subject: Re: Special Word of Thanks; September Print Edition Begins
Date: September 29, 2001 8:36 PM
We don't have to express ourselves literately, we just need to be counted.
The only time literacy really counts is if part of your argument involves how well-educated you are. This is why I usually take poorly written letters from people claiming to be so educated and post them as is.
Other than that, it's like that mid-'70s Funk song from War, called "Why Can't We Be Friends?"
Some times I don't -- speak right |
In any event, practice makes perfect.
Well, not necessarily perfect, but if you practice your lines, you can call in and deliver them quickly and people will be able to understand what you are saying. If you know what the host is going to say in objection, you can create and practice your responses for those as well.
Anybody who knows how to talk fluently, like on a talk show, has practiced like this. If what you think will help is to call the talk shows and relay some of the points that people make on the PAM Forum, then get your friends together and practice, practice, practice. In lieu of friends, you can use a tape recorder. I know, because I have a slight speech problem myself. I speak as well as I do speak because I spent dozens of hours in front of a tape recorder when I was younger. Today I sing, and this helps me to be able to read a script as well as anybody can.
Finally, you can always write to us and we'll fix your letter up just fine. Any newspaper worthy of journalism fixes up the letters of their readers before printing them (except, as I mentioned above, some of the arrogant braggarts who are trying to come off as highly educated -- which you're not doing and I don't see you doing). All you gotta do is ask and we'll fix it up for you.
Cliff Walker
Positive Atheism Magazine
Six years of service to
people with no reason to believe
From: "Ross Wells"
To: "Positive Atheism" <editor@positiveatheism.org>
Subject: Re: Special Word of Thanks; September Print Edition Begins
Date: September 30, 2001 1:43 AM
Thanks for your reply. I going to start working on something, I'll let you know.
Ross
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