Msg # 465
Date: 08 Mar 92 18:52:03
From: Christopher Baker
To: Jim Mason, Cwm, Et Al
Subj: A_THEIST Echo Guidelines repost [annotated for comprehension]
____________________________________________________________________________
Since there appears to be a mite of confusion amongst some of the
participants in this Echo, the following is the annotated version of the
Guidelines which will be available as a file for request under the name:
A_ECHO-A.RUL anytime except 0100-0130 ET and Z1MH.
-------- A_THEIST Echo Guidelines - The LONG form ----------
Basic Disclaimer:
[to disabuse anyone of any other ideas of what this Echo is for]
This Echo operates under the premises espoused by American Atheists, Inc.,
but is in NO WAY connected to that organization other than the Moderator's
paid membership. This Echo does not represent American Atheists, Inc., nor
does it claim any link to those founders and writers of that organization.
[this Echo is not an official organ of the above organization but likes]
[the way they operate and believes in what they do.]
The opinions expressed in this Echo are those of the writers identified in
the header of each message. No other responsibility is expressed or implied
for the content of the messages in this Echo.
[you write it - you're responsible for it. not me.]
This Echo does not exist to promote so-called 'freethought' groups or
publications [Freedom From Religion Foundation, American Humanist
Association, American Rationalist, Prometheus Books, Atheists United,
Humanist Quest for Truth, etc.] other than the goals of American Atheists,
Inc., as stated below. Promotion of those groups will be considered
'off-topic'. Participants from those groups are welcome to post so long as
they remember that prohibition and stick to rationales without advertising.
Publication of reading material or periodicals sources will not be
considered off-topic.
[the above groups may not use the Echo to advertise but may post lists.]
Echo facts:
[facts are verifiable truth in capsule form.]
This Echo is Hosted and Moderated by Christopher Baker from Rights On!,
FidoNet Node 1:374/14, in Titusville_FL_USA. Anyone desiring a link to this
Echo should contact their local Backbone links. The Echo is now available
on the Zone 1 Backbone and is sent to Zone 3 through 3:681/857 and to Zone 2
through 2:243/11 via a gate at 1:102/901.
[this is who and where.]
This Echo provides a forum for the discussion of atheism and free thought.
It is not a sounding board for rabid anti-religionists or for
fundamentalist dogmas intended to 'save our souls' from the power of an open
mind.
[this is not a comparative religion debate Echo. it is not a religion]
[flaming Echo. preachers may not bring their unverified beliefs in here.]
[criticism of religion based on facts is permitted without flaming.]
NOTE:
[pay attention.]
Those who wish to engage in religious debate outside the scope of the
separation issue are directed to the HOLYSMOKE Echo from 1:152/20 or one of
the other religious criticism Echos.
[arguing basic tenets of faith are outside the scope. go elsewhere for it.]
The subject of proof or non-proof of any god or gods is off-topic in this
Echo. As atheists we know the existence of god or gods is unproven and
unsupportable by logic, reason or scientific proof. The debate of existence
of god or gods is unnecessary and unwelcome. Go to HOLYSMOKE or a bible Echo
for such debate. In this Echo, there is no god or gods nor has there ever
been nor will there ever be.
[don't clutter up the Echo with endless debates over god or gods.]
The subject of changing the name or scope of this Echo from the posted name
and scope will be considered off-topic and not permitted. Anyone who finds
the Echo does not meet their expectations of what should be discussed is
encouraged to start one of their own that does.
[if you think you can make a better Echo, then go make one and shut up.]
Proselytizers and preachers of the 'gospel' will be unwelcome if they cannot
debate without resorting to 'you must believe this' or 'you must have faith'
or 'you will all fry in hell', etc. Such outbursts will result in the links
to the offending system being cut if the Sysop of that system cannot prevent
future outbursts of that type.
[things such as verifying the bible by using the bible for example are out.]
Personal attacks will not be permitted. Participants will confine themselves
to ideas and facts and avoid personality clashes or ego wars. Private
messages are not permitted. Sysops are expected to restrict this Echo to
public messages only.
[no name calling, mud-slinging, nor perseveration of same ad infinitum.]
In the discussion of atheism, the following definition will be the
operational precept of the Echo:
[why this Echo exists and how it defines itself]
a-theism = free of religion.
[without religion or religious influence, dogma or preaching]
Aliases are not permitted. It's time for atheists to come out of the closet.
[take some responsibility if you think you can.]
Handles may be used so long as they are not used to avoid responsibility for
the attached posts, are normally used in other Echos, and where the actual
identity of the person under the handle is available upon request to the
Sysop of the posting system or the Moderator of this Echo.
[if it isn't safe to declare, then use this method for safety but not to]
[launch irresponsible flaming or personal attack while hiding behind it.]
The President [Jon Murray] and Editor Emeritus [Madalyn O'Hair] of American
Atheists have been invited to participate in this Echo. Anyone desiring
membership or more information about the organization may write to Jon
Murray at: American Atheists, Inc., P.O. Box 140195, Austin, TX, 78714-0195.
Their telephone is: (512) 458-1244, 0900-1700 CT.
[they were invited if they choose to link in.]
Echo Purpose:
[basic reasons for having this Echo on your system]
1. Stimulate freedom of thought and inquiry concerning religious dogmas
and practices;
[discuss what religions are up to without religious influence]
2. Collect and disseminate information on all religions and their
histories;
[provide a place to list this info without interference from religionists]
3. Advocate and labor for the complete and absolute separation of
church and State;
[inform and alert to what needs to be done to achieve separation]
4. Advocate and labor for a thoroughly secular system of education
available to all;
[provide info on religious intrusion into public schools]
5. Encourage development and acceptance of a human ethical system
stressing the responsibility of individuals to society;
[demonstrate religion is a poor source of ethics and suggest something else]
6. Develop and propagate a social philosophy in which man/woman is
the central figure who alone must be the strength of humanity;
[work to make humans responsible to each other and the planet and not some]
[mythical and extraterrestrial figurehead]
7. Promote the study of arts and sciences for the enrichment of
human life.
[deal with the real world and not the imaginary ones]
"Atheism may be defined as the mental attitude which unreservedly accepts
the supremacy of reason and aims at establishing a life-style and ethical
outlook verifiable by experience and the scientific method, independent of
all arbitrary assumptions and creeds." American Atheists, Inc.
[cast off superstition and operate from facts]
The current list of primary Echo link points is as follows:
[this where the Echo can be obtained.]
1:374/14 [Host/Moderator], [Zone 1] Backbone, also available via the PODS.
Zone 3 is linked through 3:681/857. Zone 2 is linked through 2:243/11 by
way of 1:374/14 as Gate.
[these are the systems responsible for moving the Echo around.]
Sample files of the A_THEIST Echo and a listing of Atheist files are
available from 1:374/14 as A_THEIST.ZIP or the magic filename of ATHEIST.
An ASCII archive of all previous traffic in this Echo is available as
A_ECHO1.ZIP, A_ECHO2.ZIP, and A_ECHO3.ZIP. These are added to each time
traffic is purged in this area.
[files available for download or by file request that amplify and support]
[the premise of this Echo and offer samples to those considering it]
File requests are honored anytime except 0100-0130 ET and Zone 1 ZMH
[0500-0600 EDT; 0400-0500 EST].
[call any time but the above and your request will be successful.]
Welcome to a new dawn in unrestricted thinking! [grin]
[unrestricted by religious dogma or interference for the purposes stated]
[above; unrestricted by superstition or the bleatings of the superstitious.]
TTFN.
Chris
[salutory ending to all my messages implying nothing but the end of story.]
[any questions? [grin]]
-------- End of Annotated Guidelines Repost ---------
TTFN.
Chris
--- DB A1047.26/001027
* Origin: Rights On!-Host/Moderator of A_THEIST-Titusville_FL_USA (1:374/14)
Return to The Skeptic Tank's main Index page.
The views and opinions stated within this web page are those of the
author or authors which wrote them and may not reflect the views and
opinions of the ISP or account user which hosts the web page. The
opinions may or may not be those of the Chairman of The Skeptic Tank.