anni
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Post by anni on Dec 26, 2010 19:07:35 GMT -8
As I was telling Brian at the corner Friday, I haven't posted any of my recent pieces representing the atheist viewpoint in our local daily's religion column ("In Theory"), because I think it isn't really on topic for the basic organizing principal of our message board, peace.
But weird things are happening with the column lately. I don't know if due to censorship, disorganization, or just the painful, slow but inevitable collapse of daily print journalism, my latest 2 offerings didn't make it into the Glendale News Press. Along with the responses they did print this week was the dreaded (to me anyway, I certainly never follow up on these notes), "For more responses, see glendalenewspress.com"
Where however Saturday's "In Theory" has yet to appear as of today. Is it something I said? No female contributors made it into the truncated print version, is it sexism?
However, the column also first appears on Thursdays in a neighbor city's weekly [La Canada Valley Sun], yet another LATimes tentacle, and they've been steadily posting everything.
So here I am, between the LDS and the Unitarian pastors, spouting my unbelief and working in a reminder that we're still at war:www.lacanadaonline.com/entertainment/tn-vsl-intheory-20101222,0,6679173,full.story Here's a chance to follow our own Roberta in or out of print!
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Post by Sharon W on Dec 26, 2010 20:52:13 GMT -8
I was planning on reading Roberta's response online - thanks for reminding me and providing a link!
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Post by anni on Dec 27, 2010 14:24:42 GMT -8
Here's Roberta's piece from the La Canada Valley Sun (in case they take it down before you see it):
Q. According to a survey conducted by the Public Religion Research Institute in partnership with the Religion News Service, Americans are split almost 50-50 what to say this holiday season — "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays." Some Christian leaders and conservative commentators have declared "Happy Holidays" as a secular war on Christmas and say the greeting secularizes what should be a religious celebration. Others say it's a non-exclusive phrase that is better suited to a multicultural and multi-religious society. Do you think this is true, or do you think either phrase is applicable in this day and age?
I think that anyone with enough human feeling as to offer a greeting of the season, or any greeting, for that matter, deserves to have it accepted in the spirit in which it is given, with an open heart, without criticism or obsessively searching for hidden meanings. I also think that “Happy Holidays” and “Season's Greetings” are friendly, inclusive shorthand, useful at a time of year when holidays abound and we may not know what a person celebrates exactly, but we want to (or are told by an employer to) greet them anyway. What can be the harm, except apparently to the terminally Scrooge-like? What I think even more strongly is that it is a big non-issue. Looking at the full questionnaire, I see that respondents were given two choices, or could refuse to answer. “It doesn't really make a whole lot of difference to me,” or “In a world full of serious trouble and pain, you want to ask me about this? Give me a break!” weren't there. Let's run the survey again with these choices offered. And mostly, I think using the word “war” to describe an imaginary assault, a problem wholly manufactured by politically-motivated fringe elements waging a cultural struggle against non-existent opponents, is itself an affront to those all over the world enduring the real sacrifices, hardship and suffering that war brings.
Roberta Medford Atheist Montrose
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Post by Brian on Jan 28, 2011 0:00:25 GMT -8
The latest In Theory column in the La Canada Valley Sun features five local clergy -- including Pastor Paige -- and our favorite atheist Roberta writing about the Arizona law to restrict the free speech rights of a so called church that protests against homosexuality at funerals. It only took one sentence before someone invoked the old fire-in-a-crowded-theater canard. What surprised me was that the Unitarian minister supports the ban. The best lines, however, come from Roberta, "We needn't squelch their rights or be silent ourselves," and from Paige, "Use free speech wisely. Listen carefully." Here's the link to the full page: www.lacanadaonline.com/news/opinion/tn-vsl-intheory-20110127,0,1295986,full.story Somewhat impertinently, let me say that the funniest line I heard all month was by Ricky Gervais at the close of the Golden Globes broadcast: "I want to thank God for making me an atheist."
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Post by Brian on Mar 29, 2011 23:00:59 GMT -8
I missed this In Theory column last month in the La Canada Valley Sun when Roberta was out of town because I didn't anticipate her contributing from the road. I admit that I only read the column because of her, Pastor Paige and Levent Akbarut of the Islamic Congregation of La Cañada Flintridge. Their perspectives about the uprisings in the Arab world are timeless: www.lacanadaonline.com/news/opinion/tn-vsl-0224-intheory,0,5898572,full.story The ads are fun. For the link above, I got one for "Women's Muslim Swimsuits." Last week's In Theory -- titled "Is the idea of heaven and hell 'toxic'?" -- produces "Buy Pictures of Jesus." They're framed and I can save more than 60 percent with free shipping. How much if they're autographed? Changing topics: At the banner Monday (beautiful and fun as always), Jeanne and Bruce were saying we haven't had a "curve ball" in too long.
How about Monday 4/4, MLK assassination anniversary? I won't be able to participate in much beside the regular vigils until May, the way things are going at work. But hopefully others on and off the message board will want to gather on the corner for a Curveball -- that's a vigil scheduled when the shopping park association doesn't remove the American flag every Friday to protest us -- especially on this nationwide day of action.
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Roberta
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Post by Roberta on Mar 30, 2011 20:39:56 GMT -8
The ads are fun. For the link above, I got one for "Women's Muslim Swimsuits." Last week's In Theory -- titled "Is the idea of heaven and hell 'toxic'?" -- produces "Buy Pictures of Jesus." They're framed and I can save more than 60 percent with free shipping. How much if they're autographed? Brian I have just the project for you after tax season when you have nothing to do. I got asked today about contributing to a spiritual advice (ala Dear Abby) column. It is your jokes they need! Can't wait to tell you about it at the corner!
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Post by Sharon W on Jul 30, 2011 0:20:46 GMT -8
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Post by Roberta on Jul 30, 2011 7:13:48 GMT -8
yes, thanks for posting. The author of the article "interviewed" me by email. I don't recall my Code Pink membership coming up at all and was surprised to see him state flatly that I am not a member. I don't know whether I am or not, but I have given money and joined in many of their actions.
Being Code Pink is more a state of mind anyway, and if you don't want to be misquoted, don't talk to reporters, is what I've concluded.
I'm glad to see such good coverage for ending the wars!!!
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Post by Sharon W on Sept 4, 2011 15:41:33 GMT -8
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Post by anni on Sept 4, 2011 17:33:15 GMT -8
Like the Popeil Pocket Fisherman, there's more...Roberta's is at the bottom of page 3 but then, at the top of page 4 is another wonderful letter from Pastor Paige, equally well thought out and maybe someday put back into practice. Not soon enough, I. M. (not so) H. O.
Thanks for sharing this, Sharon...
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