http://www.randi.org/jr/2006-10/100606case.html#i4
Welcome News
"Reader Justin Bauer, of Fayetteville, Arkansas, sent me a letter that
I just can't resist putting up here for examination. As I've said
before, it's encouraging letters like this that keep us at the JREF
plugging away at our jobs. It's always good to know that we're getting
through to our intended audience, and, inadvertently, often to some of
those folks who we haven't specifically targeted. This provides me
with a bit of a glow that I swear is probably visible around me for at
least a day or two...
I recently graduated from college and to this day I can't forget the
first, and so far the only, time I've had the privilege of listening
to one of your lectures. It was when I attended Arkansas Governor's
School in Conway, Arkansas, at Hendrix College, the summer before my
senior year in High School.
Randi comments: see www.hendrix.edu/AGS/
I was born and raised Catholic and attended a private Catholic school
for ten years, although I've never really considered myself religious.
Even though there was always a doubt about the accuracy and even
existence of the mysticism I was faced with on a day-to-day basis, it
was also still hard for me to not believe there was that "something"
out there. In other words, I was torn for the longest time about
religious beliefs. And then I met you at Arkansas Governor's School. I
remember actually feeling depressed afterwards, as I expressed to a
close friend, because I realized that this life truly is the only life
I have to live. It was that strong desire that my existence will go on
for all eternity that had kept me from thinking logically about life,
and I then understood why so many people simply cannot give up that
wishful thinking. But once I got over the fact that this life, as in
my life on Earth, was the only one I had, and it was my responsibility
to myself to make the best of it for both myself and those I care
about, I felt the burden of my childhood lifted. For the next few
years I thought very thoroughly about life and the universe, and about
why people believe certain things. I am now an atheist and am enjoying
life more than ever before. I visit your site frequently, and when I
find permanent housing I plan to subscribe to Skeptic Magazine.
Unfortunately, my current computer lacks a scanner, so I am unable to
scan and send you the picture I took of myself with you, plus two
playing cards I had autographed by you. But nevertheless, I want to
thank you for everything you've done for me, and everything you've
done for this world. I heard via Skepticality radio that you had
double bypass surgery but that you are recovering well. I'm glad to
hear your health hasn't got the best of you yet, and I wish you better
health for many, many years to come.
I have to admit to Justin that I didn't remember him specifically, but
I certainly do recall my visits to the Arkansas Governor's School.
Those events are among the most important in my life, having the
opportunity of meeting — and influencing — bright young people who are
willing to listen and brave enough to make lifestyle changes if they
see fit to do so. I'm happy to see that Skepticality — which can be
accessed at www.skepticality.com — is on Justin's list of places to
go. Do make a visit there.
(As a side note, I must admit that I capitalized the word "Earth" in
the foregoing quotation. I have a bit of a private campaign going on
in which I propose that our Moon, Sun, and home planet — being proper
names for specific items — should be capitalized. I can write about "a
moon of Jupiter," but Callisto — no, not the nymph! — is one of those
specific items. When I write about an ET "visiting Earth," I don't
mean an extraterrestrial playing in the mud...)"
More good stuff on http://www.randi.org/jr/2006-10/100606case.html
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