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Post by Ravenlock on Dec 20, 2003 13:17:07 GMT -5
Just wanted to get some input on this from our peeps. When we were gathered last week for Jason's going away dinner at Kang's, the phrase "Nothing is sacred" just kinda popped out and I'm thinking the concensus at the table was we should change to that.
So, should our flyers, website, t-shirt say: "MSU Freethinker Alliance. Nothing is sacred." or "No dogma. Just open minds."
Vote, discuss, and be merry! And if you don't like either, don't be a non-constructive wanker by shooting both down - give us a new idea. ;D
~Roger "everybody just say ahhh" Smith
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Post by Seany-D on Dec 20, 2003 13:25:30 GMT -5
I think that "nothing is sacred" sounds rather bellicose, while the former motto as a sound bite would more likely draw people to attend a meeting.
So, I'll vote for the first, but I'll put on my thinking cap and muse over another motto.
Sean "I am more than content with the state of mind I am in" Davis
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Post by Rama on Dec 20, 2003 14:53:59 GMT -5
I'd like to be an unconstructive wanker and suggest we change it to "We have 110% wang". I'd also like to shoot down both ideas.
(Pssst, I voted for the new one)
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Post by Valvilis on Dec 20, 2003 16:24:43 GMT -5
It was mine... I had no choice.
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Post by Ravenlock on Dec 20, 2003 22:56:13 GMT -5
I think that "nothing is sacred" sounds rather bellicose, while the former motto as a sound bite would more likely draw people to attend a meeting. So, I'll vote for the first, but I'll put on my thinking cap and muse over another motto. Sean "I am more than content with the state of mind I am in" Davis I can certainly see the point you make, Sean. While I don't wish to appear like an angry monkey on speed, I do feel a certain ... moxie ... can be constructive. Hence my abstinence from voting at this point. I'm just not sure. (also notes that MSUFA's most enthusiastic members are behind the new motto) ~Roger |
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Post by the anti-myrmidon on Dec 20, 2003 23:59:51 GMT -5
I voted for the first motto, as I really do not care for the second as a phrase for group advertising. I agree with Sean's previous points. The new phrase has an overly negative connotation, at least as far as the group itself is concerned. The double meaning will be lost on the vast majority of people outside of the group. Whether or not we as individuals hold anything sacred is beyond the point. "Nothing is sacred" is a jab, however indirect, at views held by many people. Just as I prefer not to be inundated with religious messages suggesting that I am misguided or foolish on basis of my beliefs, so I would prefer not to do the same to others.
Any moxie that might be demonstrated in adopting the new motto would be far more counterproductive than constructive. We are already trying to encourage the acceptance and consideration of non-minority viewpoints (church-state separation, non-traditional religious views). An overly "moxic" phrase would simply give people a reason to give us the brush-off without actually thinking of the validity of our views on their own merits.
Furthermore, if the motto is to be appearing on our t-shirts and other paraphernalia, then I would definitely prefer the original motto. If the idea is to actually wear the shirt in public, then the first motto will be less likely to encourage unpleasant encounters with overly zealous individuals who feel a strong need to press their views on those who are different.
As a matter of personal beliefs, I do not like "nothing is sacred" as a motto. While I may not believe in anything that might be viewed as sacred, I do not dismiss the possibility that something of that nature may exist. Despite my frustrations with various believers of the sacred, I would not deny them respect with regards to the right of holding those beliefs as strongly as they do. I only care about how their actions affect others.
I don't expect everyone to agree with me, indeed, it would not surprise me if most did not. But I would like to think that MSUFA remains open and welcoming to everyone regardless of belief, and regardless of the views of the main core of members. "Nothing is sacred" is, in my opinion, not supportive of that idea.
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Post by Valvilis on Dec 21, 2003 9:13:20 GMT -5
1) "The double meaning will be lost on the vast majority of people outside of the group."
2) "... the first motto will be less likely to encourage unpleasant encounters with overly zealous individuals who feel a strong need to press their views on those who are different."
3) "... deny them respect with regards to the right of holding those beliefs as strongly as they do."
I agree with all of these, but weren't you supposeed to be arguing con?
Seriously though, mostly valid points. Maybe everyone should just wait, try to come up with a few more, and take it to the vote at next semester's second or third meeting (after those that will never come back go away). Democracy (en mass) may not work at all in the US, but that's no reason for the FA to give up on it.
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Post by FishBait on Dec 21, 2003 22:52:16 GMT -5
yeah, i think we need a new option, but i can't think of any
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Post by AnonymousUser on Jan 4, 2004 2:49:35 GMT -5
surfing the web, i came across these
"Embrace Reality"
"If it feels good, do it!"
"Whenever you find that you are on the side of the majority, it is time to reform."
--Mark Twain
"If you want a country run by religion, move to Iran."
thats my contribution
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Post by Valvilis on Jan 4, 2004 10:42:50 GMT -5
"Come one, come all. It's a prick-on-a-stick revival! So load up your shotgun, kiss you cousin goodbye, and hop in your pickup, fellow toothless Christians. The lord said, 'the meek shall in inherit the earth,' hell if I know what it means, but I'm sure it's good for us! What are you waiting for? Now is the time of our lord! Come on down! (Don't forget to record the race though!)"
What do you think? A bit much to fit on a t-shirt, but I think it rolls off the tounge nicely.
No? How did I know you'd say that? Fine...
"MSUFA, to hell with it!"
"Suck my cross..." He he he.
"And the lord so loveth the world that he gave his only begotten son and said, 'he soever shall believeth in him, will believe in just about anything.'"
"God spoke to me last night, he said you're wrong."
A simple two column table, the left has a list of secular killers and madmen and their deathtolls, the right has the names of homocidal/genocidal/fricken insane Christians and their deathtolls. You know, the crusades, the inquisition, the witch hunts, the holocaust, etc. It comes out to hundreds of millions, we could even put in parenthesis the estimate of each event's casualties that were women, children, and the elderly. At the bottom, each column is added up (with the right side horrifically higher) and then it just says, "Christianity kills"
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Post by DanielChristopher on Feb 22, 2004 13:48:27 GMT -5
Hi, I just discovered this group and so am curious. As for a motto, here are a few ideas:
Doubt is sacred.
The skeptics shall inherit the earth.
Man has one mouth, and that is doubt.
Better to deny the truth then accept it uncritically.
Test all things; cling to what is reasonable.
Love life, and do what you will.
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Post by ebonywnd on Feb 22, 2004 17:04:16 GMT -5
Hello...those are pretty good ideas. Better than anything I have come up with....but then again, I haven't really even tried, so that is no comparison.  I like # 2 and 5. -Laura |
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