Today’s Witch Hunts

August 15, 1998

I protest Chief-Snoop Kenneth Starr and his tax-funded witch-hunt into private lives. I voted for Bill Clinton for President, not for sainthood.

Whatever Bill and Monica did or didn't do, as consenting adults alone in Bill's home, I sure don't want my taxes used to find out. If the religious crazies can use the force of government to pry into his private life in his own home, can prying into yours and mine be far behind?

If this is what 'one nation under god" is supposed to mean, it is really quite dangerous stuff. How many strong, talented people are deciding not to run for public office because they don't want their privacy violated?

The same religious maniacs are now running national ads about changing someone's sexual orientation through prayer. Where do they get this foolishness? It would be funny, if it weren't dangerous.

¶

How many strong, talented people are deciding not to run for public office because they don’t want their privacy violated?

¶

Heterosexual folks don't change their sexual orientation when they pray, so why do they think it works for homosexuals? What if homosexuals prayed for heterosexuals to change, instead?

If prayer really changed sexual orientation, wouldn't it be weird? Pray, Flip, Pray, Flop, Pray, Hetero, Pray, Homo -- back and forth with each prayer!

How much better proof is there that prayer is a one-way conversation? Nothing fails like prayer.

This prayer silliness would be hilarious if the religious crazies weren't so frighteningly, deadly serious. If they can freely harass the President's heterosexuality, and other people's homosexuality, is anyone safe?

If prayers and witch-hunt threats won't produce the desired results, there are always the rack and the stake, which may not be so far away after all.

Gentleman Jim Heldberg is National Affiliation Director for American Atheists, and lives in his favorite city, by the bay.

Copyright © 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 by American Atheists.