The Freethinker magazine is the world’s longest-running atheist journal, and freethinkers strive to build their opinions on the basis of facts. Geri Jensen’s request to the New-Herald to include Freethinker articles in the Spiritual Reflections column is absurd. Atheist do not believe in the supernatural, which is the basis for “spiritual reflections” so how could they possibly contribute a column about something in which they know nothing about and do not even believe in?
The News-Herald strives to reflect the diversity of the community. If members of other religions submitted essays, I am sure that the editor would consider including their thoughts. But I suspect that there have been no submission by members of other religions. If atheists were honest about their beliefs, they would reclassify themselves as “a religion.” Then Geri and her friends could write spiritual columns rather than letters to the editor.
Geri’s letter is a subtle attack on the insensitivity and harm done by Christianity to people in general, using the cross of Jesus and the American flag as examples. While we understand that symbols are meaningless for atheists, for many in Cook County these symbols have personal and spiritual meanings. The life each person lives, their family and national history, make these symbols worthy of honor and respect.
I have found that when a person criticizes another’s actions, they are often guilty of the same wrongful action. Geri’s examples of insensitivity and harm are matched by her insensitivity and disrespect towards her friends and neighbors in Cook County.
As usual, Geri would promote the atheistic good-for-a-very-few viewpoint by removing a cross from a hospital, depriving many other patients the spiritual comfort they may find in this symbol.
The patient’s distress over the crucifix in the hospital and Geri’s unkindness in her letter towards her neighbor’s beliefs, are actually expressions of spiritual unrest in her life. We will pray that spiritual gifts for peace and kindness fill her, and other atheists, with love for all people, and that they will do good to others, not harm, all the days of their lives.
Chuck Flickinger
Hovland
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