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She had a TV show that I watched in the early - mid 1990s called The Atheist Forum. It was on a county run public access channel where I used to live. I thought it was a hoot! I didn't know any atheists (I still don't in real life) and I found it a pleasure to listen to someone who shared my views. I watched it every week for a few years but sometimes it was repeated.
Her son Jon and adopted daughter Robin also were on the show. Jon was the regular co-host. Robin was very funny and only on occasionally. Both were also murdered.
I'm a true-crime (and serial killer) addict, so I watch the Investigation Discovery Channel. A few weeks ago I saw a pretty good documentary they had on her history and her murder. It's part of their "Disappeared" series.
Yes, there was a lot of turmoil within the organization she founded because of her strong personality, but she didn't deserve to die the way she did. I am a theist, also, but I believe very strongly in the separation of religion and government, and she had the balls to start speaking out and get the conversation going those many years ago.
I followed their disappearance and one thing that always puzzled me was it appeared (to me at least) when they were held captive there were chances to escape.
Did the show bring that up? From what I remember they weren't murdered right away. They were kidnapped first.
I followed their disappearance and one thing that always puzzled me was it appeared (to me at least) when they were held captive there were chances to escape.
Did the show bring that up? From what I remember they weren't murdered right away. They were kidnapped first.
Yes, they kept them in a motel room, and at one point the son flew across the country with one of the kidnappers to get money. It's a weird story.
To be honest, I think she did more good than harm.
The damage she did to atheism with her abrasive, unattractive, nasty personality will fade in time. It has already faded to effective non-existence.
But her taking forced prayer out of school was one of the biggest victories we've ever had, and it has probably saved untold numbers of kids from being religiously indoctrinated inside of our public schools.
Not every hero wears a pretty face, as unfortunate as that may be. But I think her victory in the schools outweighs, by far, any PR damage her personality may have done.
To be honest, I think she did more good than harm.
The damage she did to atheism with her abrasive, unattractive, nasty personality will fade in time. It has already faded to effective non-existence.
But her taking forced prayer out of school was one of the biggest victories we've ever had, and it has probably saved untold numbers of kids from being religiously indoctrinated inside of our public schools.
Not every hero wears a pretty face, as unfortunate as that may be. But I think her victory in the schools outweighs, by far, any PR damage her personality may have done.
"The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones." (William Shakespeare)
You know thinking back on those days it is evident to me that only part of her efforts really got the publicity. Well that's what I remember.
Looking back she was a bit ahead of others when it came to assessing some of the issues that would be on the headlines in our day. And the one she worked on was arguing for freedom of religion and freedom of no religion.
Thing is perhaps everybody heard what they wanted to hear. I only heard the latter. And it is evident also that it didn't do atheism any good to be linked up with political enemies. Strike against. Her dalliance with communist Russia no doubt didn't help and turned many against her here in the U.S.
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