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Orange County Atheists |
Hi there folks! Use this thread for any and all relevant discussions, questions about the group, announcements, etc.
Posted by mikebdoss at September 3, 2008 11:58 AMMike, looks like there are some spamming hits on the July and August Open Threads.
Maybe others.
JohnG
For those of you here to discuss "In God We Trust" in Yorba Linda, take a look at the thread we had for Villa Park's IGWT discussion - there's a lot of good suggestions on how to fight it. Then come back here and discuss any new ideas.
Yorba Linda's council report on the topic is available at http://www.ylonline.org/export/MG36921/AS36953/AI37526/DO37552/DO_37552.pdf - take a read to get the gist of what they want to do.
Posted by: Michael Doss at September 15, 2008 11:49 AMThank you Michael. I've sent a letter similar to the one that I sent to the Villa Park City Council. I appreciate you keeping everyone informed. I will try to make it to the meeting. Please keep up the good work!
Posted by: Pamela Mayhew at September 15, 2008 12:19 PMfrom: Pamela Mayhew-Dos Santos
to: Jan Horton
Tue, Sep 16, 2008 at 9:30 AM
Re: FW: Please vote against resolution 2008-3953
Ms. Horton,
Thank you for your email. No, I am not a resident. I do, however, support local businesses when I visit Yorba Linda which I do quite frequently.
Knowing that a percentage, albeit small, of the city taxes that businesses pay will go towards such inappropriate signage in a government building would clearly be a slap in the face to all those who are Buddhist, Hindu, Atheist or other non-monotheists in your community.
It's a proven statistic that those with higher education rely less on the supernatural for guidance. Since Yorba Linda has a high percentage of college-educated people, it is likely that many of those same people are atheists.
The true question here is: To offend, or not to offend?
I again urge you to vote against resolution 2008-3953. The choice, and responsibility, is yours.
Thank you,
Pamela Mayhew
On Tue, Sep 16, 2008 at 7:43 AM, Jan Horton wrote:
Dear Ms Mayhew,
I can appreciate your viewpoint. May I ask if you are a Yorba Linda resident? I know this topic is one that invites comments from many throughout the nation.
Sincerely
Jan Horton
From: Pamela Mayhew-Dos Santos
Sent: Monday, September 15, 2008 12:15 PM
To: Mail to All Council
Subject: Please vote against resolution 2008-3953
Dear Yorba Linda City Council Member:
Unfortunately, I am unable to appear at your meeting tomorrow evening, but I respectfully request that this email be read aloud when appropriate.
I am writing to encourage you to vote against the measure to display "In God We Trust" on city property. Although I appreciate the councils' desire to appease community members who believe and trust in a God, I find it offensive and inappropriate to display such personal religious beliefs on city property.
As council members, you have a responsibility be guided by laws, both federal and state, that have been passed by your predecessors. You were elected to make decisions for the community based on reason, logic and experience. To separate church and state, especially in the decision-making process, is paramount in your duty as a community leader. Although the analysis you received states that it is not illegal to post the phrase, it also does not specifically state that you are required to. It, therefore, relies on each of your good judgment to make this decision for the benefit of the entire community; a community that includes Buddhists, Atheists, Hindus, and other non-monotheists.
Please do not support a measure that declares to those who enter city property that, as community leaders, you believe (although you may) that an "invisible, omnipotent, force" is who "we" should rely on for guidance when reason, logic, and experience fail. In my opinion, that belief and reliance is embarrassing.
In God - "in some mythical being whose existence or non-existence has yet to be proved or disproved by modern scientific evidence - like Big Foot, the Loch Ness Monster, the Tooth Fairy, Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, dragons, and monsters."
We Trust - "I don't trust in a God. I trust reason, logic, and experience to guide me."
If you must post the foregoing phrase, I respectfully request that the following be appended immediately after: "Just kidding! We really trust in our ability to reason, use logic, and our combined experience to make decisions that benefit the entire community."
Very truly yours,
Pamela Mayhew
Posted by: Pamela Mayhew at September 16, 2008 09:34 AM