FreeThinkers of Fort Smith

A society in support of church/state separation

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Jerry is now a member of FreeThinkers of Fort Smith
November 6
Russell Foust is now a member of FreeThinkers of Fort Smith
October 19
Jeff and Julie Reagle joined FreeThinkers of Fort Smith
September 27
Cassie is now a member of FreeThinkers of Fort Smith
September 6

Members

  • Julie Reagle
  • Jack Harris
  • Russell Foust
  • Phillip D Grimes
  • Jeff
  • Jerry
  • Randall "Doc" Fleck
  • Cassie
  • William Dusenberry
  • Lance Lockwood
  • staci holloway
  • ed lahosifrenz
  • Mason

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Bill Maher video links

Watch the full version of Bill Maher's Film, Religious

courtesy of Atheist Nation.
 

Notes

New website for Rogers

FreethoughtNWA, the Rogers AR atheist group, has redesigned its website... KOOL.

Please fee free to sign in and take part.  FreeThoughtNWA.com

Created by Randall "Doc" Fleck Aug 30, 2009 at 5:29pm. Last updated by Randall "Doc" Fleck Aug 30.

"RR" gets attention.

Reprinted from email:

Facilitators and friends of Recovering from Religion:
We just got our first media mention in a blog by the former religion editor of the Kansas City Star.  Here is the link:  
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Created by Randall "Doc" Fleck May 22, 2009 at 11:52am. Last updated by Randall "Doc" Fleck May 22.

Something NEW... Four State Network

When you take another look at the main page of our website, in the left hand column, you'll see a badge that says: "four state freethought network"... In the top menu bar you'll see a new tab "Region"... These are links to a brand new forum connecting Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma.  Give it a try.......... It's KOOL.  
Thanks to Randy Hurl of Joplin Freethinkers. Continue

Created by Randall "Doc" Fleck May 13, 2009 at 9:41am. Last updated by Randall "Doc" Fleck May 16.

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How to Write an Anti-Atheist Hit Piece

Reward_of_the_Atheist.jpgDisclaimer: I am using the article referenced in this post to demonstrate the point I am trying to make about the manner in which the sort of anti-atheist hit pieces with which we are all too familiar are written. I am not claiming that the author of this particular article was necessarily trying to write such a piece. For all I know, the author is an atheist trying to raise public awareness about the subject of his article.

I draw your attention to a recent article written by Fred Swegles for The Orange County Register. If you read the article, you will see the extremely common set up for an anti-atheist hit piece perfectly illustrated.

The Set Up

Swegles' story deals with a resident of his city, San Clemente, asking questions about whether a promotional banner erected by the city violates separation of church and state. The banner depicts part of the San Clemente Presbyterian Church, including a Christian cross that is part of the church.

The good news is that the city manager evidently consulted an attorney, decided that the citizen had a point, and asked the Chamber of Commerce to replace the banner.

The Protagonist

Now we meet Lynn Wood, chief executive of the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce. She agreed to remove the banner but "is saddened by it." The key in introducing the protagonist is to depict him or her in the most sympathetic way possible but also in such a way that the audience will not just empathize but will also become enraged over the wrong he or she suffered. Let's see what Swegles comes up with for our example:
With what just happened at Fort Hood and the war in Afghanistan and Iraq,” she said, “I think it’s sad that we can be focused on a banner and not looking at the big picture of what’s going on in this world.
Wow! Fort Hood, Afghanistan, and Iraq! Perfect images to inflame an audience. Not only is this citizen, not overtly labeled an atheist, doing something petty but also something that might somehow harm our troops!

The Villan

Just who is this depraved individual? It turns out to be local resident, Susan Pierce, who had the nerve to suggest that this banner might not be appropriate given that pesky church-state separation and all.
Can public funds be expended for church and religious symbol display?
Oh no she didn't! She has some explaining to do, but naturally, she "could not be reached for further comment." Obviously, she is hiding something, right?

Maybe what she is hiding is a desire to threaten our way of life. We are then told that banners just like this one have been used in San Clemente for 5-6 years. We're assured there is nothing wrong with such banners. And then...wait for it...we're told that this is the first time anybody has complained.

Summary

What I am suggesting here is that there is a fairly simple formula to stories designed to enrage the public and that we see it used in most anti-atheist hit pieces. I am not kidding when I say that this is the fourth such article I have read today that used exactly the same formula even though the context and players were different. I selected this article as my example because it was the one least likely to be viewed as a hit piece, and yet, it still illustrates the formula perfectly well.

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Formation of a new Regional Forum

Started by Randall "Doc" Fleck Apr 24.

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Welcome to Fort Smith discussion board

Started by Randall "Doc" Fleck Mar 31.

 
 

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