Because my children are not yet in school, I understand that I am now free to remain “blissfully ignorant” of the extent to which religion is impeding true learning in our public schools. But at least I know where in the world (here! and your new column!) to go for an opinion I can respect.

Thank you!

Excellent choice to include a column by Noell of AgnosticMom in your newsletter. There is a terrible void of perspective writing about agnostic family living in the United States – - the easily sited presumption by the religious culture is that we do not thrive because we lack the moral fortitude to be strong, joyful, loving families.
I myself feel a growing pressure to start a running commentary on my experience of family living from the vantage of scientific humanism. The lack of this perspective in the blogsphere is astounding!
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a small section on what I mentioned about Barnes and Nobel on this comment thread
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Science must be brought into the mainstream – children and families must be comfortable discussing its current events and marvelous discoveries from the realm of reality. These are issues that are relevant now, and for all of us!
Humanism in all its forms must not be invalidated as a fringe group of rebelious students, or codgers with too much time on their hands and bad experiences with the church – any more than it should be associated with scientists that are sequestered away (understandibly) from popular culture and mainstream thinking.
Focusing on families and raising our children to think rationally is of utmost importance if our country is going to continue to enjoy any freedoms whatsoever.
Until a time when our culture takes responsibility for what is known in science – Jefferson and Franklin would make fantastic perpetual energy sources as they roll in their graves.

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can you tell I’m glad yet?
R

I was at Barnes and Nobel today – and they moved the Science section, they also reduced it in size. They moved it over near blank journals – where no other literature exists – somewhere west of the bargain books!
There is ONE shelving unit of science books (not including the specific section on physics)! That is 33% the amount of space they give to ‘religious fiction’ (possible oxymoron) – and roughly 20% of the space ‘devoted’ (literally?) to religious books. At Barnes and Nobel! The religion shelves are all centrally located in the store, as well – with a good 6 or so signs leading you to them.
Its unnerving to enter a huge ‘secular’ bookstore and see that the history, and science sections barely add up to the amount of space allotted for religious books.

End of complaint.

Congratulations! Do keep us posted as to when your material is available – we were here first !