Thursday, July 10, 2008 | Reason : In the News | print version

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PLEASE WRITE IN SUPPORT OF PZ MYERS

by Richard Dawkins, PZ Myers, Pharyngula

PLEASE WRITE IN SUPPORT OF PZ MYERS.
By Richard Dawkins

Readers of yesterday's thread "It's a Goddamned Cracker" will be aware of somebody called Bill Donohue, whose grasp of reality is so poor that he can't tell the difference between a wafer and Jesus. The shrieking hysteria of Donohue and other Roman Catholics over the temporary removal of a communion wafer from a church service epitomises all that is ridiculous in the religious mind.

Today's development is that Donohue is now inciting a witch-hunt against PZ, and is trying to whip up Roman Catholics to write to the President of the University of Minnesota, urging him to sack PZ. We need a massive counter flood of letters in support of PZ Myers. Please write, bearing in mind PZ's two requests:-

1. Please use your own name, not a pseudonym
2. Please take care to write in a good, literate, adult style, in order to increase the contrast between the letters of support and the incoherent, juvenile flaming that will doubtless characterise the letters from the Catholics.

For details of the address to write to, see Pharyngula, here (or PZ's post below)
http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2008/07/fight_back_against_bill_donohu.php

Please rally round and show support for PZ, in the face of this hysterical latter-day Grand Inquisitor.

Thank you

Richard

(PZ's post follows)

Reposted from:
http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2008/07/fight_back_against_bill_donohu.php

So far today, I have received 39 pieces of personal hate mail of varying degrees of literacy, all because I was rude to a cracker. Four of them have included death threats, a personal one day record. Thirty-four of them have demanded that I be fired. Twenty-five of them have told me to desecrate a copy of the Koran, instead, or in some similar way offend Muslims, because — in a multiplicity of ironic cluelessness — apparently only some religious icons must be protected, and I would only offend Catholics because they are all so nice that none of them would wish me harm. I even have one email that says I should be fired, that the author would like to kill me, and that I only criticize because Catholics are so gentle and kind.

Oh, and of course, the university president's office has also received lots of mail demanding my immediate ouster (keep in mind, though�Catholics are no threat to anyone at all.) I don't know how much, but since Donohue published the president's email address and not mine, I imagine it's much greater than what I've seen. Those lovely Dark Age fanatics at the Catholic League have started a write-in campaign to start up an inquisition.

So no poll-crashing today. Instead, I would appreciate it if you would write a short note to President Robert Bruininks in support (he's going to hate me for this). I have to ask for a few constraints, though: only do so if you are willing to sign a real name to it — most of the complaint mail I'm getting uses fake names, making it much less persuasive — and that, unlike the religious screeds I'm seeing, you take the time to proofread and send him something that at least looks like a high school graduate wrote it, which will put you way above the level of the hate mail. Be polite and rational, too!

If you really want to impress, send him regular mail at this address:

President Robert H. Bruininks
202 Morrill Hall
100 Church Street S.E.
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Bill Donohue has a loud, braying voice, and he's already trying to stir up a witch hunt. We need a counter-campaign from the secular community.

Posted: Thursday, July 10, 2008 | Permalink

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1. Comment #208046 by rod-the-farmer on July 10, 2008 at 2:26 pm

E-mail sent to the Pres......

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2. Comment #208048 by Matt H. on July 10, 2008 at 2:27 pm

I would send him an email, but I have no idea what to write! After all, the guy could be a Christian himself.

All luck to PZ though, personally I think he's brilliant.

Other Comments by Matt H.

3. Comment #208050 by Ian Bamlett on July 10, 2008 at 2:28 pm

PZ - Done, (by e-mail), with my full name and address given.

Oh and this:

I even have one email that says I should be fired, that the author would like to kill me, and that I only criticize because Catholics are so gentle and kind.

Superb!

Other Comments by Ian Bamlett

4. Comment #208053 by Ian Bamlett on July 10, 2008 at 2:32 pm

Matt7895...

Just keep it polite and positive in support of PZ rather than negative in attack of those calling for PZ's firing.

Just my two cents...

Other Comments by Ian Bamlett

5. Comment #208060 by Richard Dawkins on July 10, 2008 at 2:36 pm

Please join this letter writing campaign, bearing in mind PZ's request to be polite and literate, and to use our own names, not pseudonyms.

Richard

Other Comments by Richard Dawkins

6. Comment #208068 by Cyril on July 10, 2008 at 2:45 pm

I just wrote to the President as follows:
Dear President Bruininks,

I am writing in defense of P Z Myers regarding the controversy with certain Catholics and others of similar persuasion in the matter of communion wafers (crackers).

While religious authorities and spokespersons have no problem denigrating other human beings, homosexuals for example, they become highly irrate if anyone dares to consider their own beliefs and rituals equally abhorent or at the very least meaningless and without rational basis.

Any effort of these people to demand the dismissal or censure of P Z Myers through their self righteous furvor should be totally disregarded by the University.

I hope you will consider this plea in your deliberations.

Other Comments by Cyril

7. Comment #208070 by Ascaphus on July 10, 2008 at 2:47 pm

Something like

To:
President Robert H. Bruininks
202 Morrill Hall
100 Church Street S.E.
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN 55455

I have read about the threats against one of your employees, P.Z. Myers, and I am writing in support of any actions you need to take in order to protect Dr. Myers and others who may be the target of physical violence and slanderous campaigns due to religious irrationality. I trust that Dr. Myers and others will be given full right of response to any accusations against them.

I wish to thank Dr. Myers for continuing to point out the dangers of unchecked religious thought and behavior in our society.

Thank you,

Will that do?

Matt

Other Comments by Ascaphus

8. Comment #208075 by Agathodemon on July 10, 2008 at 2:52 pm

Sent email in support. Bill Donohue is an ass, and braying defines him perfectly. There is a wonderful YouTube video in which he wants to take Christopher Hitchens and fight him [probably behind a bar]. During the exchange he repeatedly says that when an Irishman speaks an Englishman must be quiet. If he represents the Catholic League, the organization must be very hard up for brains.

Other Comments by Agathodemon

9. Comment #208077 by Steve Zara on July 10, 2008 at 2:55 pm

Comment #208060 by Richard Dawkins

Would contributions from those of us who aren't in the USA help?

Other Comments by Steve Zara

10. Comment #208079 by testonepatella on July 10, 2008 at 2:56 pm

I have just sent an email to President Bruininks and hope many others will too.

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11. Comment #208081 by Ian Bamlett on July 10, 2008 at 2:59 pm

Comment #208077 by Steve Zara

Would contributions from those of us who aren't in the USA help?

I can't see Richard asking us to write if he hasn't done so already, and he's not in the USA.

:-)

Other Comments by Ian Bamlett

12. Comment #208082 by Richard Dawkins on July 10, 2008 at 3:00 pm

I don't know, but I have just written. It surely couldn't do any harm, and I think it would probably help in showing that PZ Myers has a high international reputation.

Richard

Other Comments by Richard Dawkins

13. Comment #208083 by Am I Evil? on July 10, 2008 at 3:01 pm

Email sent, with pleasure. And I'm in the UK - I think worldwide emails would only add to the support. Go for it Steve!

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14. Comment #208084 by rushfan2112 on July 10, 2008 at 3:01 pm

Once again the Catholic league is a source of amusment. If it's not chocolate jesus, it's going after a guy who insulted what goes best with a bowl of chili.

I am waiting for Nabisco's responce to the hubbub. LOL

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15. Comment #208087 by Am I Evil? on July 10, 2008 at 3:08 pm

Just reading some of the comments on the Pharyngula blog, the nice 'wouldn't hut a fly' catholics are coming out with the death threats already.

Just as bad as the Islam Cartoons to be honest.

Other Comments by Am I Evil?

16. Comment #208089 by al-rawandi on July 10, 2008 at 3:08 pm

I think he should take the Catholics to court and demand that they PROVE that the cracker is actually Jesus. Because desecration of sacred symbols is not illegal, so they have to prove it is like Jesus' eyelid or something.

Other Comments by al-rawandi

17. Comment #208090 by lordfenriz on July 10, 2008 at 3:10 pm

Email sent:

President Bruininks,

I fully support Professor PZ Myers and his recent blog post that condemns the ridiculous antics of the Catholic League. Professor Myers' blog, Pharyngula, provides a refreshing drop of reason into the reeking and stagnant pool that is the American public square, which is overflowing with religious superstition. Professor Myers is an important voice. Religious fanatics, emboldened by our country's rights concerning freedom of conscience, seem to confuse respect for an individual's right to follow his/her conscience with respect for the ideas formed by his/her conscience. This common misconception shelters dangerous ideas from criticism and is the essence of the privacy and liberty fallacies discussed in Austin Dacey's great book, "The Secular Conscience." According to Dacey, "The result of these misconceptions about privacy and freedom is a culture unwilling or unable to sustain a real public conversation about religion, ethics, and values. What culture can survive without that conversation?"

Wolf S. von Pankow

Palo Alto, California

Other Comments by lordfenriz

18. Comment #208092 by righton on July 10, 2008 at 3:11 pm

Do you really think the president of a university is going to fire PZ because some catholics are sending him letters?

Other Comments by righton

19. Comment #208096 by BaldySlaphead on July 10, 2008 at 3:15 pm

Email sent, with pleasure.

Other Comments by BaldySlaphead

20. Comment #208097 by dom1234 on July 10, 2008 at 3:17 pm

Dear President Robert H. Bruininks,

I am writting you this e-mail to support one of your employees and his blog, Dr. PZ Myers, in his action for "cracker's equal rights". I believe that equality and freedom of speech are the basis of our democratic society, and that no craker is above or under others crakers. Therefore, I hope you will take into consideration this aspect in your decision about complaints that some Catholics made about him (and his view that an Eucharist is not worthy of making threat of physical violence on people).

I am also worried about death threats that Dr. Myers received (I hope these threats will be considered in the procces).

With all due respect,
Dominique Poulin, Quebec city, Quebec, Canada.

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21. Comment #208099 by Am I Evil? on July 10, 2008 at 3:19 pm

@18 - Righton

Perhaps not, but I think PZ still deserves our support for giving an opposing voice to the mindless treadmill of religion. If they want to conduct a witch-hunt (so very them), then the least we can do is express our support.

At least, so say I.

ps - would love to see that inbox right now!

Other Comments by Am I Evil?

22. Comment #208100 by Spinoza on July 10, 2008 at 3:19 pm

Mr. Donohue's statement speaks for itself:

It is hard to think of anything more vile than to intentionally desecrate the Body of Christ.

Sure, that follows when your mental capacity is described by the first five words of that statement.

Other Comments by Spinoza

23. Comment #208101 by Telf on July 10, 2008 at 3:20 pm

Excellent work everyone. I shall compose and send mine directly.

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24. Comment #208104 by Goldy on July 10, 2008 at 3:20 pm

Email sent - from NZ :-) Should have sent a postcard instead, methinks... something for his wall or fridge door ;-)

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25. Comment #208105 by Spinoza on July 10, 2008 at 3:21 pm

take the time to proofread

... based on the examples I've seen in the comments here, the directions are not being followed very well.

(Just saying...)

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26. Comment #208107 by maton100 on July 10, 2008 at 3:23 pm

Bill has had enough Honey Grahams. The party is over big boy.

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27. Comment #208108 by 8teist on July 10, 2008 at 3:23 pm

Hell, I am so naive I did`nt even realize that cato-holics were cannibals .

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28. Comment #208109 by ivellios on July 10, 2008 at 3:24 pm

#208068 by Cyril

You forgot to use the spell checker.

abhorrent
irate
fervor

correct spellings

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29. Comment #208110 by Ian Bamlett on July 10, 2008 at 3:24 pm

Comment #208099 by Am I Evil

Perhaps not, but I think PZ still deserves our support for giving an opposing voice to the mindless treadmill of religion

Yes, exactly my view.

Too many academics will not raise their head above the parapet in my opinion; especially in America where they really need to do so.

Those that do need our complete support.

Other Comments by Ian Bamlett

30. Comment #208111 by Paula Kirby on July 10, 2008 at 3:25 pm

I have emailed too.

The line in Bill Donohue's diatribe that stood out most for me was

[PZ]is responding to what happened recently at the University of Central Florida when a student walked out of Mass with the Host, holding it hostage for several days [My emphasis]

A cracker was held hostage? I do hope it didn't crumble under the pressure.

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31. Comment #208112 by somersetsimon on July 10, 2008 at 3:26 pm

Would contributions from those of us who aren't in the USA help?

I don't know, but I have just written. It surely couldn't do any harm, and I think it would probably help in showing that PZ Myers has a high international reputation.

Richard

PZ certainly has a high international reputation, but one that is slightly disconnected from his employer at the university. The university is surely aware of what PZ gets up to and would have said something earlier if they thought that his extra-curricular activities may cause embarrassment to them.

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32. Comment #208115 by maton100 on July 10, 2008 at 3:30 pm

Who wudda thunk Christ Crispies were so controversial?

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33. Comment #208117 by Forti on July 10, 2008 at 3:32 pm

Here's 2 words from an ex-Catholic: GO PZ!

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34. Comment #208118 by Ian Bamlett on July 10, 2008 at 3:35 pm

I wonder how long it will be before a You tube video appears showing someone doing something unspeakable to a christ cracker?

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35. Comment #208119 by phasmagigas on July 10, 2008 at 3:36 pm

re donohue/hitchens

During the exchange he repeatedly says that when an Irishman speaks an Englishman must be quiet. If he represents the Catholic League, the organization must be very hard up for brains.

I remember that well, it summed up perfectly what an unsophisticated, ignorant, little redneck that guy is, he isnt even Irish of course, he just guessed that would render him immediately popular with 1000's of equally rednecked ignorant Americans with a trace of irish ancestry.

Other Comments by phasmagigas

36. Comment #208120 by Cyril on July 10, 2008 at 3:37 pm

Comment #208109 by ivellios

Thank you for pointing out my spelling errors. I hope President Bruininks won't downgrade my meaning!

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37. Comment #208121 by phasmagigas on July 10, 2008 at 3:39 pm

A cracker was held hostage? I do hope it didn't crumble under the pressure.

I heard a noise from my cupboard earlier, it was the ryvitas discussing the kidnapping.

Other Comments by phasmagigas

38. Comment #208123 by phasmagigas on July 10, 2008 at 3:40 pm

i still dont get this, kidnapping is dreadful but cannibalism is OK.

Other Comments by phasmagigas

39. Comment #208125 by b0ltzm0n on July 10, 2008 at 3:43 pm

I'd say it's probably best to just make sure and make the title of your email to the point. Something like:

"In support of Associate Professor Myers"

or something to that effect. Likely the prez isn't going to take the time to read thousands of emails, but may be forced to scroll through all the email headers.

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40. Comment #208127 by Dhamma on July 10, 2008 at 3:52 pm

Sure, Paula apparently wrote, but do they care if foreigners write?

If I could help PZ I'd love to write, but I don't want to do it if foreigners are ignored.

Edit: Sorry, I saw other foreigners have written too, now.

Other Comments by Dhamma

41. Comment #208128 by riemann on July 10, 2008 at 3:53 pm

From Turkey, written, sent and friends are encouraged to participate. Hope it'll make a difference.

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42. Comment #208129 by Quine on July 10, 2008 at 3:55 pm

I am in.

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43. Comment #208130 by Auraboy on July 10, 2008 at 3:55 pm

And an email sent as well, with all the gilded language only a failed English graduate can muster. I felt it was best to keep solely to an expression of respect and support for P Z Myers and his work than an anti-religious tirade, though it was sorely tempting.

This sort of thing really shouldn't ever be necessary. How sad.

Other Comments by Auraboy

44. Comment #208132 by the great teapot on July 10, 2008 at 3:59 pm

Now, remember children, your real name and always be polite.

Spinoza, you made me laugh, now there's a first.

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45. Comment #208133 by BeyondBelief on July 10, 2008 at 4:00 pm

If you have the patience to hunt for it, there is a great 8-10 pages of "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy, in which his two teenage protagonists suffer through a Catholic CCD class. The nun in charge debates the merits of chewing the host, vs. letting it dissolve gently.

"You don't want to be chewing the Lord!! Hasn't he suffered enough already!"

I would laugh harder except, I've been in those classes with Irish nuns leading the story telling. Reality. Stranger than fiction.

Other Comments by BeyondBelief

46. Comment #208134 by Epinephrine on July 10, 2008 at 4:04 pm

Email sent:

Dear Dr. Bruininks,

It has come to my attention that there has been a certain degree of ruffled feathers following Dr. Myers' blog post about the abuse that a university student was subjected to after deciding to leave church with a sanctified host. The uproar and calls for action are of course frivolous, and have nought to do with Myers' paedagogical abilities, research, nor do they reflect badly on the university in the least.

I stumbled upon the Pharyngula blog several months ago, as I enjoy science blogging and have an interest in evolution, and it has been an enjoyable read; Myers' posts about religion can be entertaining, and religion has (and deserves) no special immunity to criticism. As a Canadian, I enjoy freedom of expression, much in the manner of your freedom of speech I would assume, and when there is a situation as ridiculous as this one (a student receiving death threats over some unleavened bread) it certainly deserves attention and ridicule.

Myers has posted asking that readers concerned for him should write to you, to express our support. I fully support Myers' right to criticise the follies of religion, as well as his continued posting on science topics, in which he participates in educating the public, sharing his knowledge, experience, and perspective freely for the benefit of others. I wish I had the time, energy, and skill with language that he displays regularly, that I might emulate him and take up the role of public educator as well. A professor willing to share so freely, and so clearly dedicated to improving the public understanding of science is clearly an asset to the university, showing a dedication to teaching and his subject matter that is inspirational.

Sincerely,

(Real name)

Other Comments by Epinephrine

47. Comment #208135 by Mango on July 10, 2008 at 4:04 pm

This wasn't on a University server and he doesn't force his students to adopt his beliefs, so I don't see how he as a tenured professor could be forced out.

Other Comments by Mango

48. Comment #208136 by catskill on July 10, 2008 at 4:05 pm

How ironic that a letter to a University head in defense of a free thinker against religious persecution has to be addressed to "Church Street".

Other Comments by catskill

49. Comment #208138 by 8teist on July 10, 2008 at 4:08 pm

So was Hannibal Lecters real crime only one of being a freelance cannibal,of needing a little variety in his diet?

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50. Comment #208139 by Stella on July 10, 2008 at 4:12 pm

Done.

Dear President Bruininks,

I am writing in support of Dr. P. Z. Myers, in the wake of the Catholic League's out-of-proportion and inquisitional calls for his silencing.

A Texan and graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, as well as the University of York (UK), I have to admit the only thing I know about the University of Minnesota is that PZ Myers is on the faculty there. His blog, Pharyngula, contains some of the most accessible, timely, and fascinating discussion about contemporary biology on the Internet. I believe it is also one of the most read blogs by a Minnesotan, in any subject.

Aside from these reasons, I shouldn't have to point out that the University of Minnesota taking any action against Dr. Myers, who - as an Associate Professor - surely has tenure, would be a betrayal of its mission as striving "to sustain an open exchange of ideas in an environment that embodies the values of academic freedom, responsibility, integrity, and cooperation"; never mind making itself the pitied laughingstock of academia. To allow a shrill group of partisan irrationalists to dictate the boundaries of the discourse or to influence the depth of scholarship at UMN (or, indeed, in the wider society) would be unthinkable.

Please make a record of my support of Dr. Myers. His work and writing on evolution and popular science in general are extremely important at this time, when the obstinate, calliopean voices of anachronistic minds are doing everything in their power to stifle real debate and real science. They want throw a dark shadow over the Enlightenment, and you are in a position to stand in their path.

Many thanks for your time,

Stella Realname

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