I receive updates from a local atheist group about it’s local efforts. Having solved our other problems they now struggle to eliminate prayer from city council meetings. They’re recording the cable broadcasts and screening them to see if anyone prays. They’re taking turns attending City Council meetings to ensure that no praying occurs unless all faiths and lack-of-faiths are represented equally.
This is pretty ridiculous. Atheist or not, I’m tempted to organize round-the-clock group silent prayer in the gallery of these meetings just because I’m so irritated at this business. Freethought isn’t about being free from active thought.
In my show, I mention that we all have to talk to our own crazies. This is what I’m talking about. Christians are not responsible for this. I and my fellow sane atheists are.
Let me be clear. Opposing the saying of prayers in a City Council meeting is silly. Such prayer is of absolutely no importance. Taking serious action to eliminate it is not something I as a Humanist and atheist support. There are far more important things to do.
I have emailed the group about this, but I have a feeling it won’t help.
So, yeah, I’m trying to talk to my crazies as well. My email to them is below. Do you think it’s too much?
Howdy, ya’ll!
Justin McKean, here. You haven’t seen me around for a while as I’ve been really busy and am still sans vehicle. I’d love to see more downtown meetings, yeah?
I have a suggestion. While monitoring the City Council’s potential prayer perpetrations our volunteers might take advantage of the opportunity to ask why six of the seven community centers they are closing are in North Tulsa. Why is this budget cut not being spread around? They might also ask why the mayor’s staff is remaining at current levels when we can’t afford cops or firemen. Or what steps they’re taking to encourage entrepreneurship, which would help our economy. Or what they’re doing to create a full fledged public university in Tulsa, which would also encourage economic growth.
I know it’s desperately important to keep tabs on whether or not they occasionally try to talk to their deities, so, you know, kudos for being on top of that. If you guys can find a minute while you’re there could ya’ll help with some of these other initiatives, too? We could use the assistance.
I’ve included links to other Tulsa organizations who are in need of volunteers as well. Loads of Believers™, Astrologers, Wiccans and such like are represented in these efforts. I don’t see as many of us. There’s tons of work to do. It’d be cool to see more Humanists and atheists involved. So, if you have some time, click on one of those links and ask how you can pitch in, yeah?
Thanks a bunch!
Justin McKean
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Living Arts of Tulsa (livingarts.org)
United Way of Tulsa (http://www.tauw.org)
Tulsa Opera (www.tulsaopera.com)
Goodwill of Tulsa (http://www.goodwilltulsa.org)
Sustainable Tulsa (http://www.sustainabletulsa.org)
Tulsa City-County Library (http://www.tulsalibrary.org)
