Re: God worse than Stalin
Subject: Re: God worse than Stalin
From: Barrett Brown <barriticus@gmail.com>
Date: 3/14/10, 21:59
To: Terry Scoggins <wtscoggins@bellsouth.net>

Mr. Scoggins-

I have written in opposition to Islam before, and most of my writings against religion are the sort that encompass Islam as well as I generally don't single out particular variants. I do write more about Christianity, as do many other Western atheists, simply because Christianity is of greater relevance in the West. Also, contempt for the unethical dictates of Islam is already widespread in the U.S. in particular, so there is even less need to single it out relative to Christianity or Judaism.

I understand that there is a great deal of hypocrisy on the part of certain liberals who bash Christianity while opposing any bashing of Islam. I am not really a liberal, though, and of course there are some liberals who are reasonably fair in applying their standards to Islam as much as they do to Christianity. I also understand that it is irritating to see contempt for Christianity expressed in the popular media to an extent one does not find with regards to Islam and to be told that you must be tolerant of the views of others; I don't ask for anyone to be "tolerant" of any beliefs one considers to be wrong or destructive or otherwise undesirable.


Regards,

Barrett Brown



On Sun, Mar 14, 2010 at 8:37 PM, Terry Scoggins <wtscoggins@bellsouth.net> wrote:

Mr. Brown,

Not society as a whole. Christianity has survived many attempts over the last 2000 years. Each threat was withstood and our faith was stronger for it. My concern is for the individual person. Someone reading your article, whose faith is weak or still forming.

 

I have a strong belief in our Constitution. This belief includes the freedom of speech. You have the right, and obligation, to inform the public. I do ask for you to consider this. Would you pen an article stating the same about Allah as you did about our Christian God. You see, it seems that Christianity is fair game these days. While I believe Christ, and God are the one and only true faith, I do not hate are wish ill of other religions. But I am tired of seeing my faith slaughtered in the press daily while being told I must respect other beliefs.

 

Thank you for your time. I will continue to read your postings and articles as I try never to have a closed mind. If you permit I may correspond in the future on other topics.

 

 

W. Terry Scoggins

770-318-9082

 

 

 

From: Barrett Brown [mailto:barriticus@gmail.com]
Sent: Sunday, March 14, 2010 10:58 AM


To: Terry Scoggins
Subject: Re: God worse than Stalin

 

Mr. Scoggins-

 

I appreciate the apology, although it is unnecessary, as I understand that you view me as someone who does harm to society by way of perpetuating ideas that you deem to have a negative effect on those who read them, and anger is a noble sentiment in such a case. I understand that you mean well; I hope you will understand that I also mean well, even if you think I am completely wrong.

 

Regards,

 

Barrett Brown

 

On Sun, Mar 14, 2010 at 10:48 AM, Terry Scoggins <wtscoggins@bellsouth.net> wrote:

Probably the same thing you tried to accomplish with your article about God. But after thinking about it, I apologize for calling you an idiot. That was wrong. Your article attacking God was also wrong. You lead people down the wrong path with your lack understanding.

 

Again, I apologize for my knee-jerk reaction of name calling.

 

From: Barrett Brown [mailto:barriticus@gmail.com]
Sent: Sunday, March 14, 2010 10:30 AM
To: Terry Scoggins
Subject: Re: God worse than Stalin

 

Mr. Scoggins-

 

What did you hope to accomplish by this e-mail?

 

Regards,

 

Barrett Brown

On Sun, Mar 14, 2010 at 10:25 AM, Terry Scoggins <wtscoggins@bellsouth.net> wrote:

You dear sir are a true idiot, and a lost idiot at that.

 

W. Terry Scoggins

770-318-9082