Hey, I get email too
Ian | 27 October, 2008 | 07:00Here’s the messages I’ve received so far regarding secular convocation, not counting what’s been said in the letters to the editor of various papers, or comments on this blog. I also choose to publish any information I get from people who send the “Bad” or the “Ugly.”
First The Good:
Just read about your work regarding secularizing UofA convocations. Well done!
Keep up the good work!
Kris
UofA’s Atheist and Agnostic Group,
I recently received an “update” from Student Group Services indicating that you take
offense to the use of “god” in the admission read by the chancellor during graduation
ceremonies.I sincerely believe that each of us must make the effort to work against and defeat the
prejudice that underlies the media in our culture and learn to be accepting of “the
other.” Diversity in opinion is something to be embraced. Congratulations to you on
taking a stance to allow everyone, including atheists and agnostics, myself included, to
receive the University acceptance in their own way – and leave religion out of it!Keep the University secular… but allow the students to privately believe whatever
they’d like.Best of luck,
Aaron A.E.
Thank you!
I’m just a random student who wants to say that I’m really appreciative of your work trying to get us a secular convocation next year.
atheism
I recently read a news article about you at the U of A, trying to remove “god” from the convocation ceremonies. I wanted to give you my support in your most honourable and intelligent effort.
For far too long, rational intelligent people have stood by while theists have gained power and endoctrinated the masses. It really has to stop. If you went around saying you’re an educated adult who believes in santa, the tooth fairy, or the flying spaghetti monster, you’d be admitted to a psych ward and treated. But somehow, if you hear god’s voice in your head, you’re not considered psychotic? Give me a break. Only with positive action, such as what you’re trying to do, can we one day, as a species, outgrow these infantile beliefs.There will always be people against you, but don’t be deterred. What you are doing is the right thing, and those who have any capability of independent rational thought will surely back you!
I read about the group in the journal a few days ago. The article said there was going to be a meeting this coming monday about changing the line from the convocation. When/where is this meeting? I’d be very interested in attending and providing support.
The Bad
UNIVERSITY
HEY,
I GOT YOUR NAME IN A NEWS ARTICLE ON YAHOO…….IF YOU ARE THE SAME IAN BUSHFIELD….ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY AWARDS….YOUR PARENTS MUST BE SO PROUD OF YOU!………..YOU WILL SOMEDAY HAVE TO ANSWER FOR ALL YOU DID IN LIFE….I JUST HOPE GOD HAS MORE TIME FOR YOU THAN YOU DID HIM
The Ugly
God-Free Convocation
Shut the fuck up. You dont believe in God, good for you, enjoy your time in hell but while your here keep your mouth shut.
Is that an indicative sample that roughly represents the proportion of emails you’ve been getting? If so… I’m surprised.
So far those are almost all of the emails I’ve gotten. I posted all the bad and ugly, and there’s been a few more good ones.
The Letters page of the Edmonton Journal today however featured a full page of letters trying to bash from. With everyone from the Lutheran chaplain and the pastor of Church on 99 to average citizens of Edmonton and Spruce Grove.
That “ugly” one is amusing. The writer clearly gave up on rationally defending his position – perhaps because he couldn’t come up with any reasoned argument for it.
Gotta love the obnoxious capital letters in that one letter… it’s a great way to get your point across constructively!
Thanks for providing facebook links to them…
*Devious Smile*
I love how believers have this fixation with punishment in the afterlife. If god was so angry why doesn’t he just come down right now and deal with you? Great work and happy to support you Ian!
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