Supportive Words

[trevor]

I just received this email from a member of the Humanists Association of Manitoba.  It brightened my day, so I thought I would share it with all of you.

    My name is Ivan and I am a retired teacher and a member of the Humanist Association of Manitoba. I learned about your group from our bulletin. I know that Barry will make a presentation to your group shortly.
    I am outside of the group of your potential members, but I was really very pleasantly surprised by your existence. I want to wish you a lot of success. I strongly believe, that groups like yours are necessary and after reading your webpage I think that you have a good chance to make a group of like minded friends in this sea of the believers of all kinds. It would by nice if anybody believed whatever they wish, if only they would not organize and form strong groups influencing laws of the country which then force other people to live by their rules. Consequently there is no alternative but to form groups to push back. It is even more important that young people like you and the other members of your group do it.

Big thanks to Ivan for the encouragement.  I think the sentiment he expressed is one we all share; we have no problem with believers who keep their beliefs private.

[Steven]

Yeah, it's always good to receive encouragement, especially in an endeavour such as ours.

When I tell people about this group, some of them roll their eyes and say something to the effect of "Why can't you just leave religious people be? What did they ever do?". I explain that we are perfectly okay with people holding their different beliefs so long as they don't force them on others. But as soon as a group takes its beliefs to the public sphere and tries to legislate them, that is where we take issue. And if no one ever speaks up, out of fear of offending someone, then these powerful groups may get their way.

[Katie]

"Why can't you just leave religious people be? What did they ever do?".

I hate it when people pull that. "What did they ever do?" Can I get a list? Are people that ignorant of history, both modern and distant?

That aside, why is it wrong to have a group just to meet and talk with those who share similar beliefs? They wouldn't use that tone with other religious groups, so why take that attitude with people who don't have a religion?

Thanks Ivan for the kind words, if you're still lurking.

[Brennan]

Well tell Ivan I appreciate the encouragement, everyone loves encouragement

I agree fully with what Steve said. I'm absolutely okay with everyone holding their own personal system of beliefs. I also don't think that personal religious views are exempt from healthy criticism.