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And with their fragile and delicate fingers, this causes considerable pain. And since we love and respect them dearly, we choose to save them from such pain so that they can continue to bake us cookies." Your's truly, The Editor in Chief. The following letter was a response from a message I left in an atheists"guest book" on his web site. I just said, "hey" to show that Christians (at least the ones who are not church leaders) do NOT hate atheists. Letter 1a: Hey... what is the correct URL for your webpage? Need to fix my guestbook. Ted Dear Ted, Thanks for asking! It is: http://www.oocities.org/blindfools Now, as I (the Editor in Chief) was reading your letter, Frank (our resident atheist) also read your letter and became visibly upset. He demanded that I let him address you. So, the following is from Frank . . . Dear THEOdore, I know you that are young (27 or so) and probably haven't learned all there is to know about the world. And I know that our education system is on the decline. Therefore I am not going to hold you soley responsible for the blatant mistake. It is concerning your name. Did you know that Ted is short for Theodore? Did you know that Theodore means "DIVINE gift"? I certainly hope that you DIDN'T know! You can see for yourself at: http://www.parenthoodweb.com/parent_cfmfiles/babynames.cfm Other words with the "theo" prefix include: theocracy, theology, and theosophy. Yuck! Now, I trust that with this new information you will immediately have your name legally changed. I know that you don't want to give any credence to religion in any form (whether Greek or otherwise) what-so-ever. I look forward to hearing what your new name will be. Sincerely. Frank's brain Letter 1b: First of all, 27 isn't that young... second, how is my education on the "decline"? I'm glad my page had an effect on you. =) I really don't know or really seem to care how they come up with the meanings of the names on that webpage- it doesn't concern me. I actually inputted about 10 different names and most of them seemed to refer to some type of theism. I know why my mother named me as she did. Thus, what a webpage tells me about how it feels the meaning of my name is really has no impact. I was named as I have, and it wasn't up to me. I can't think of a better name, anyhow. It's what I'm used to. I don't see a reasonable relationship between my viewpoint of life and the name I was given. I didn't name myself, so I'm not giving any "credence" to religion, or however you feel about that. And again, I'm glad that my page has offended you so much so that you would feel motivated to help me with my life - apparently, somewhere, you actually liked it. Was it the Jesus (blow pop) picture or the wonderful comics? I would ask if it was the content, but with the email I received from you, I wouldn't extract from that the conclusion that you actually read the page. Ted. =) A larger brain. Dear THEOdore, Frank's brain here . . . I agree that you had no choice of your name in the beginning. And it was never meant as a comment on your female parental unit. And actually, we have no choice in anything really since every event in the universe is natural, and every natural event is caused by preceeding natural events and current natural events cause later ones. All natural events make up the whole process that is occuring. And we can't claim any independence from this process (like "choice" of "will"), for that would be "unnatural" or "supernatural." And we both know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the unnatural and/or supernatural do NOT exist. We are trapped in this chain reaction which controls us like a piece of wood floating down a river. Such as you reading this letter now; it was caused by preceeding events and here you are. We are at no liberty to alter any natural event in this chain reaction because that would be un/supernatural. Also like your education level; it was determined by your: A) genes (which were determined by your genetic source code donor's genes, and their genetic source code donor's gene's, and so on), B) the work ethic shoved down your throat by your parental units (which would be determined by this list of factors as well), C) location at time of education (America or Antartic [brrrrr]) D) time of education (late 20th century or neanderthal times [Og invents the wheel]) E) quality of instructors (which would be determined by this list of factors as well), F) your brain's functioning processes (have they been altered by a tumor, drugs or a head injury while thrashing [skateboard lingo] without the proper head protection device, etc.) One's intelligence level is never anything to be proud nor ashamed of. It is because of what was. But, you do NOW have the ability to alter your name. You are old enough to have it legally changed. You are at a crossroads... So here is what it boils down to: Do the factors listed above, which have shaped your brain, determine that you will change your name from a theistic one to a non-theistic one? That only remains to be seen. My brain seems to think that yours should if we are ever going to loosen the stronghold of religious people. We have to attack it (non-violently) with everything we have (mentally) and leave nothing to Chance! Or else why fight it anyway? I remain hopeful, Frank's brain. Letter 1c: I thought you were being sarcastic and attackful with the name deal. I don't know you - so perhaps with all the intelligence you attempt to get others to believe you possess, maybe some PR skills wouldn't hurt when attempting to convey an idea in a specific, meaningful manner. I'm not too sure how my mother would feel about me changing my name of which she likes. And I certainly wouldn't know of another name I would possibly call myself. I fail to see how doing so would have any effect on the theistic community. Perhaps you're out to put notches on your belt for people you have convinced to change their names. I think you'll have better luck with another, more gullible group of people. Ted (still) From the Editor in Chief: We have no response to this last letter. Frank was so disturbed by this one that he went outside to smoke a cigarette. And we haven't seen him sense. Be on the lookout for a sky-blue Gremlin driving erratically. Letter 2: Hello! You have been invited by the RingMaster, freppley, to add your web site to the Yahoo! WebRing... On Yahoo! WebRing, similar sites are grouped together in Rings and linked to each other by a simple navigation bar. Rings are created and maintained by the RingMaster, who determines the look and feel of the Ring, approves sites submitted to the Ring, and encourages others to join. Dear Ringmaster Freppley Thanks for the offer to join your web ring. Most of us were excited at the invitation and wanted to join. However, all venture offers must be reviewed and voted on by our "Genesis Seminar", the group currently re-translating the book of Genesis. They usually vote on such matters by placing white (yes) or black (no) marbles in a box then opening it up and counting the marbles to determine the outcome. But prior to the vote process, an argument broke out about where to eat lunch. And before we knew it, marbles were flying everywhere! While this was going on, our Sergeant at Arms (the subjective apologist) was cowering in a corner mumbling over and over, "This isn't so bad. This isn't so bad." And Miko may lose an eye. As you can determine, we are all a bit shaken up and will have to get back to you later. Thanks for the invite, Editor in Chief.

Issue III

Letters Policy:

Basically the only thing we have to officially say is this, "Your letter may be directed to another member of the staff, rather than I, the Editor in Chief, answering it. This is done to insure that you get the most highly qualified answer that we can possibly give.

Also, sometimes I am on vacation every week or so.

And I, the Editor in Chief, reserve the right to edit all letters posted. Sometimes the "colorful" language has to be omitted or changed which would be distinguished by italicized (parenthesis) because it it causes nice elderly church ladies thump their Bibles too hard.

And with their fragile and delicate fingers, this causes considerable pain. And since we love and respect them dearly, we choose to save them from such pain so that they can continue to bake us cookies."

Your's truly,

The Editor in Chief.

The following letter was a response from a message I left in an atheists"guest book" on his web site. I just said, "hey" to show that Christians (at least the ones who are not church leaders) do NOT hate atheists.

Letter 1a:

Hey... what is the correct URL for your webpage? Need to fix my guestbook.

Ted

Dear Ted,

Thanks for asking! It is: http://www.oocities.org/blindfools

Now, as I (the Editor in Chief) was reading your letter, Frank (our resident atheist) also read your letter and became visibly upset. He demanded that I let him address you.

So, the following is from Frank . . .

Dear THEOdore,

I know you that are young (27 or so) and probably haven't learned all there is to know about the world. And I know that our education system is on the decline. Therefore I am not going to hold you soley responsible for the blatant mistake.

It is concerning your name.

Did you know that Ted is short for Theodore?

Did you know that Theodore means "DIVINE gift"?

I certainly hope that you DIDN'T know!

You can see for yourself at:
http://www.parenthoodweb.com/parent_cfmfiles/babynames.cfm

Other words with the "theo" prefix include: theocracy, theology, and theosophy. Yuck!

Now, I trust that with this new information you will immediately have your name legally changed. I know that you don't want to give any credence to religion in any form (whether Greek or otherwise) what-so-ever.

I look forward to hearing what your new name will be.

Sincerely.
Frank's brain

Letter 1b:

First of all, 27 isn't that young... second, how is my education on the "decline"?
I'm glad my page had an effect on you. =)

I really don't know or really seem to care how they come up with the meanings of the names on that webpage- it doesn't concern me. I actually inputted about 10 different names and most of them seemed to refer to some type of theism. I know why my mother named me as she did.

Thus, what a webpage tells me about how it feels the meaning of my name is really has no impact. I was named as I have, and it wasn't up to me. I can't think of a better name, anyhow. It's what I'm used to.

I don't see a reasonable relationship between my viewpoint of life and the name I was given. I didn't name myself, so I'm not giving any "credence" to religion, or however you feel about that.

And again, I'm glad that my page has offended you so much so that you would feel motivated to help me with my life - apparently, somewhere, you actually liked it. Was it the Jesus (blow pop) picture or the wonderful comics?

I would ask if it was the content, but with the email I received from you, I wouldn't extract from that the conclusion that you actually read the page.

Ted. =)
A larger brain.

Dear THEOdore,

Frank's brain here . . .

I agree that you had no choice of your name in the beginning. And it was never meant as a comment on your female parental unit.

And actually, we have no choice in anything really since every event in the universe is natural, and every natural event is caused by preceeding natural events and current natural events cause later ones.

All natural events make up the whole process that is occuring. And we can't claim any independence from this process (like "choice" of "will"), for that would be "unnatural" or "supernatural."

And we both know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the unnatural and/or supernatural do NOT exist.

We are trapped in this chain reaction which controls us like a piece of wood floating down a river. Such as you reading this letter now; it was caused by preceeding events and here you are.

We are at no liberty to alter any natural event in this chain reaction because that would be un/supernatural.

Also like your education level; it was determined by your:

A) genes (which were determined by your genetic source code donor's genes, and their genetic source code donor's gene's, and so on),

B) the work ethic shoved down your throat by your parental units (which would be determined by this list of factors as well),

C) location at time of education (America or Antartic [brrrrr])

D) time of education (late 20th century or neanderthal times [Og invents the wheel])

E) quality of instructors (which would be determined by this list of factors as well),

F) your brain's functioning processes (have they been altered by a tumor, drugs or a head injury while thrashing [skateboard lingo] without the proper head protection device, etc.)

One's intelligence level is never anything to be proud nor ashamed of. It is because of what was.

But, you do NOW have the ability to alter your name. You are old enough to have it legally changed. You are at a crossroads...

So here is what it boils down to: Do the factors listed above, which have shaped your brain, determine that you will change your name from a theistic one to a non-theistic one?

That only remains to be seen. My brain seems to think that yours should if we are ever going to loosen the stronghold of religious people. We have to attack it (non-violently) with everything we have (mentally) and leave nothing to Chance! Or else why fight it anyway?

I remain hopeful,
Frank's brain.

Letter 1c:

I thought you were being sarcastic and attackful with the name deal.

I don't know you - so perhaps with all the intelligence you attempt to get others to believe you possess, maybe some PR skills wouldn't hurt when attempting to convey an idea in a specific, meaningful manner.

I'm not too sure how my mother would feel about me changing my name of which she likes. And I certainly wouldn't know of another name I would possibly call myself.

I fail to see how doing so would have any effect on the theistic community.
Perhaps you're out to put notches on your belt for people you have convinced to change their names.

I think you'll have better luck with another, more gullible group of people.

Ted (still)

From the Editor in Chief:

We have no response to this last letter. Frank was so disturbed by this one that he went outside to smoke a cigarette. And we haven't seen him sense.

Be on the lookout for a sky-blue Gremlin driving erratically.

Letter 2:

Hello!

You have been invited by the RingMaster, freppley, to add your web site to the Yahoo! WebRing...

On Yahoo! WebRing, similar sites are grouped together in Rings and linked to each other by a simple navigation bar.

Rings are created and maintained by the RingMaster, who determines the look and feel of the Ring, approves sites submitted to the Ring, and encourages others to join.

Dear Ringmaster Freppley

Thanks for the offer to join your web ring. Most of us were excited at the invitation and wanted to join.

However, all venture offers must be reviewed and voted on by our "Genesis Seminar", the group currently re-translating the book of Genesis.

They usually vote on such matters by placing white (yes) or black (no) marbles in a box then opening it up and counting the marbles to determine the outcome.

But prior to the vote process, an argument broke out about where to eat lunch. And before we knew it, marbles were flying everywhere!

While this was going on, our Sergeant at Arms (the subjective apologist) was cowering in a corner mumbling over and over, "This isn't so bad. This isn't so bad."

And Miko may lose an eye.

As you can determine, we are all a bit shaken up and will have to get back to you later.

Thanks for the invite,
Editor in Chief.