Junk Mail

Not even a week into the New Year, and I've already received an e-mail from a friend urging me to sign a petition in support of bringing prayer back into public schools and that a posse of godless liberals are lobbying the FCC to prohibit religious programming of any kind over our airwaves. Did the State take control of public airwaves in the country while I was on break, or isn't it still the case that any wingnut can buy airtime and proclaim his or her godduggery to any and all that has the stomach to listen? Oh, and evidently some show called "Touched by and Angel" was cancelled because it was about God--not because it was a cringe-inducing, treacly and platitudinous steaming pile of crap.

Now, this friend who sent me the e-mail is as lovely and well-meaning as a person can be, but I fear that she may be like many lovely and well-meaning Christians who hear claptrap like "the Constitution was based on the 10 Commandments" and believe it to be true. So, I couldn't just delete the thing and let it go. Instead, I spent 15 minutes of my life that I'll never get back crafting a delicately worded rebuttal to the following e-mail bilge--the godless liberal that I am.

For your reading pleasure: the unedited text of the afore mentioned bilge:

Subject: Fw: Prayer in Schools.....!!!!!
Subject: Dr. Dobson and CBS ResponseDr. Dobson & CBS Response

Apparently we are to be allowed to watch TV programs that use every foul word in the English language, but not the word "God." It will only take a minute to read this and see if you think you should send it out DR. DOBSON'S PLEA FOR ACTION CBS discontinued "Touched by an Angel" for using the word God in every program. Madeline Murray O'Hare, an atheist, successfully managed to eliminate the use of Bible reading from public schools a few years ago. Now her organization has been granted a federal hearing on the same subject by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Washington, DC. Their petition, Number 2493, would ultimately pave the way to stop the reading of the gospel, our Lord and Savior, on the airwaves of America. They got 287,000 signatures to back their stand! If this attempt is successful, all Sunday worship services being broadcast on the radio or by television will be stopped. This group is also campaigning to remove all Christmas programs and Christmas carols from public schools! You as a Christian can help! We are praying for at least 1 million signatures. This would defeat their effort and show that there are many Christians alive, well and concerned about our country. As Christians we must unite on this. Please don't take this lightly. We ignored this lady once and lost prayer in our school and in offices across the nation Please stand up for your religious freedom and let your voice be heard. Together we can make a difference in our country while creating a way for the lost to know the Lord. Please press "forward", and forward this to everyone that you think should read this. Now, please sign your name at the bottom ( you can only add your name after you have pressed the "Forward"). Don't delete any other names, just go to the next number and type your name and state. Please defeat this organization and keep the right of our freedom of religion. REMEMBER: Our country was founded on freedom of religion and our Constitution is based on the 10 Commandments. Agree or Delete: Instructions to sign are at the bottom. PETITION FOR PRESIDENT BUSH PETITION TO REINSTATE PRAYER IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS:

(I f you don't forward the petition and just stop it, we will lose all these names. If you do not want to sign it, please forward it to everyoneyou know. Thank you!!! To add your name, click on "forward". You will be able to add your name atthe bottom of the list and then forward it to your friends. Or copy & paste. TO THE 3,000TH PERSON: SEND IT ON TO THE FOLLOWING E-MAIL ADDRESS: President@WhiteHouse.gov