From: S.A.M., Esq. d/b/a Sherry
Date: Apr 19, 2007 2:52 PM
Have you seen this drivel? I would post a link to the article here, but MySpace won't let me. I wrote an e-mail to the article's author, Jeff Jacoby, who is seriously misguided. I posted my e-mail to him here, just in case you were interested

"Mr. Jacoby: I am astounded as to how misguided your views are in your article, "Why We Need Religion." Why do people go to the local clergy for help? Because they have been led to believe by said clergy that only those who subscribe to a religious/spiritual way of life are capable of being selfless and altruistic. This, unfortunately, is more proof of the undeniable brainwashing that religion has done to people of faith and our culture in general. Why were those pastors "stick[ing] their necks out" in the local communities when no one else would? Maybe it's b/c of two little things that religion is, and always has been, about: proselytizing, as well as indoctrinating future churchgoers who will eventually willingly hand over their hard-earned, tax-free money. I am not demeaning the religious charities that do provide services to the needy. However, there is usually an ulterior motive behind such charities: converting people. At least when secularists/atheists give to charity, you know they're doing it simply because it's the right thing to do, and not b/c they wish to proselytize or force other people to think their way.

You seem to forget that the evil atrocities we've seen in the terrorist attacks on 9/11 and other similar bombings are the direct result of "faith based initiatives." Furthermore, religion is why women always have been, and always will, treated as second-class citizens. Religion is why so-called heathens are afraid to speak their minds by running for office (Atheists are the most distrusted minority, according to a recent poll). Religion is why many "witches" were burned at the stack in Salem. Religion is why we had the Crusades. Religion is why countless people are beheaded in the Middle East. Religion is why many women choose to refrain from using contraceptives b/c it's against the word of God, even though our world is overpopulated, most of whom die at an early age anyway b/c of malnutrition, poverty, or disease. Religion is why many people don't donate to AIDS charities b/c it's a disease that affects only those who sin and thus deserve it: aka gay people.

Religion is why many third-world women have their clitorises forcibly removed in Africa. etc. etc. etc. The list goes on and on, sir, and for you to not acknowledge this embarrassing list of atrocities attributable to blind, ignorant faith is proof positive of how ignorant you truly are.

Here's a question for you to ponder, kind, "holier than thou," sir: If we atheists/agnostics/secularists are so unabashedly evil - which you impliedly, unapologetically opine in your article, then why is it that we weren't responsible for any of the above?

Sherry

P.S. Why didn't God save those poor kids who were viciously murdered in the Virginia Tech massacre? Perhaps He couldn't hear their prayers b/c he was listening to his iPod. Or, perhaps He was too busy speaking to Cho, who hoped that he would, like Dylan and Eric of Columbine infamy (yes, he mentioned both of these fine individuals in his videos sent to NBC), be "martyred."

P.P.S. Get your facts straight regarding Hitler's non-existent secularism/atheism. History books will remind you that Hitler was a Roman Catholic who greatly admired Martin Luther, who was known for hating the Jews. Furthermore, he penned the following telling passage in his autobiography, Mein Kampf: 'I am convinced that I am acting as the agent of our Creator. By fighting off the Jews. I am doing the Lord's work.' I rest my case."