Letters to the Editor
Sept. 16, 2009
HNN Readers React
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(Re: Humanist Legal Center Reminds Court of Cross's Religious Meaning, Humanist Network News, Aug. 19, 2009, and Letters to the Editor, Humanist Network News, Sept. 2, 2009.)
More "Cross" Opinions
I agree with the comments about an instrument of torture being the weird symbol of the Christians. And see how fond they are of it – wearing it around their necks. I think it is for many a superstitious good luck symbol. For others, a plea to be regarded as good (expecially the girls), or as part of western society.
Personally, I am not altogether proud to be a member of western society, but I do value our hardwon freedom to comment on the irony of the "join our club, and wear an instrument of torture" phenomenon.
The saddest part is that thousands were routinely tortured that way, and we do not give a thought to them. Sad to be reminded so of our cruelty to each other – and from time to time I even say this to someone wearing a crucifix.
And talking of the "stations of the cross", how many know that the victims of this form of torture were required to carry only the crossbar (which was heavy enough). This is because the pole was already there. To facilitate matters the holes were ready in the ground – and used time and again – I think as often as once a week, on Friday. Perhaps others know more. It does worry me that children in Catholic schools are overwhelmed with these images.
–Maia, New Zealand
I look at the Christian cross and see nothing more than the letter "t" except that the christian 'cross' is a piece of wood that doesn't have a curl at the end of it and the cross piece of wood, goes straight across the top part of the wooden. I see the 'cross' so-called….as an oversized four-by-four with another four-by-four nailed to the original piece.
–Carol Harrison, Ontario, Canada
Political Correctness
(Re: Who's the Unlikely Hero?, Humanist Network News, Sept. 2, 2009)
Speech becomes "political correctness" when individuals feel forced to censor how they really feel in order to conform. That's a kind of thought police that isn't keepin' it real. But speech isn't "political correctness" when it comes from a humanistic desire to treat people as we think they wish to be treated, an effort to show respect.
That's just common decency.
–Roy Speckhardt, Washington, D.C.