VaporTrail Posted February 27, 2014 Report Share Posted February 27, 2014 http://www.patheos.com/blogs/progressivesecularhumanist/2014/02/after-threats-and-harassment-nc-teen-abandons-atheist-group/ This is really, very disappointing that it happened at a public school. No one deserves death threats because of their beliefs. After threats and harassment, NC teen abandons atheist group February 26, 2014 By Michael Stone 193 Comments Sad news: After suffering threats and harassment a North Carolina teen has been forced to abandon her efforts to form a chapter of the Secular Student Alliance at her public high school. 15-year-old Kalei Wilson waged a brave and determined battle against school administrators at Pisgah High School to form the group. Indeed, the decision to allow the atheist club was made only after significant pressure was brought to bear by the Secular Student Alliance (SSA), the Freedom From Religion Foundation and the American Civil Liberties Union. However, fearing for the safety of her family, last night Wilson announced that she is bowing out. The following excerpts from posts to Wilson’s GoFundMe page help tell the story: I’m nervous about the first meeting this week. This morning I brought some flyers to hang up at school but I don’t think they will remain on the walls long. We have permission to post them but if the people who continue to message me with horrible stuff sees them, I bet they tear them down. This morning I was called “Satan” by one Christian girl who first called me a “dumb c&^t b*&^h!” I know what I’m doing is right but it’s scary… And then last night this post appeared: It saddens us to report that due to the numerous threats and the verbal attacks on Kalei along with the vindictive witch-hunt to hurt the reputations of affiliated local groups and our own family, Kalei will not be continuing with the group. We have contacted GoFundMe and requested they return your generous donations. They have assured us that your funds will show back up in your respective accounts within 3 to 5 days. Your love and support are priceless and we apologize in letting you down. It was our single goal to support Kalei in her efforts to start the much needed SSA club. However, we never expected our family and friends to be sought out and demonized. Please know that we recognize the importance of the club but we can not justify our involvement with the risk of our families safety and well being. Hemant Mehta at Friendly Atheist sums it up well: No one — atheists, Christians, anyone — should have to deal with this sort of retaliation from other people because of who they are or what they believe. The whole episode is a sad and painful reminder of the formal and informal persecution, intimidation and harassment that atheists, agnostics and other freethinkers often must face. It is also a stinging indictment of the hypocrisy, the arrogance, and the cruelty of the Christian community at large. One can only wonder, where were the so called “good Christians” while this teen was being threatened and harassed? Kalei Wilson, Pisgah High School Secular Student Alliance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LogicIsForSquares Posted February 27, 2014 Report Share Posted February 27, 2014 She should be a good fearing woman.....or fucking else! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrownsKidd Posted February 27, 2014 Report Share Posted February 27, 2014 I'm curious, what's the point of the group anyways? What would they do in their meetings and sessions together? What added value does it bring to an educational institution? Maybe a feeling of belonging I guess. It's douchebaggery that she be treated like that by anyone though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westside Steve Posted February 27, 2014 Report Share Posted February 27, 2014 I'm curious, what's the point of the group anyways? What would they do in their meetings and sessions together? What added value does it bring to an educational institution? Maybe a feeling of belonging I guess. It's douchebaggery that she be treated like that by anyone though. The point of the group is, in my opinion, much like most groups of adolescent kids. To get attention with contrary behavior. By the way after all the pissing and moaning you guys do about cals slanted sources this website is from, what, the He Man deity haters club? WSS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westside Steve Posted February 27, 2014 Report Share Posted February 27, 2014 I'm curious, what's the point of the group anyways? What would they do in their meetings and sessions together? What added value does it bring to an educational institution? Maybe a feeling of belonging I guess. It's douchebaggery that she be treated like that by anyone though. The point of the group is, in my opinion, much like most groups of adolescent kids. To get attention with contrary behavior. By the way after all the pissing and moaning you guys do about cals slanted sources this website is from, what, the He Man deity haters club? WSS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LogicIsForSquares Posted February 27, 2014 Report Share Posted February 27, 2014 The point of the group is, in my opinion, much like most groups of adolescent kids. To get attention with contrary behavior. By the way after all the pissing and moaning you guys do about cals slanted sources this website is from, what, the He Man deity haters club? WSS They have a link directly to the kid's fundme account. You can go there and read what is going on. It isn't like the links that Cal puts up that some nut job just keeps using his own ramblings as references for his new ramblings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gftChris Posted February 27, 2014 Report Share Posted February 27, 2014 The point of the group is, in my opinion, much like most groups of adolescent kids. To get attention with contrary behavior. By the way after all the pissing and moaning you guys do about cals slanted sources this website is from, what, the He Man deity haters club? WSS I was thinking the same! the 'progressive secular humanist' website might have a slightly skewed version of events. So I dug a little. Here's a completely impartial *ahem* write up of the group a week ago: http://www.christianpost.com/news/nc-high-school-allows-atheist-student-group-after-pressure-from-natl-organizations-114786/ For some reason I can't find a write up of the latest turn of events from anywhere else? The OP's link basically quotes the original source (the little girl's website) in full, though, so there's that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DieHardBrownsFan Posted February 27, 2014 Report Share Posted February 27, 2014 http://www.patheos.com/blogs/progressivesecularhumanist/2014/02/after-threats-and-harassment-nc-teen-abandons-atheist-group/ This is really, very disappointing that it happened at a public school. No one deserves death threats because of their beliefs. After threats and harassment, NC teen abandons atheist group February 26, 2014 By Michael Stone 193 Comments Sad news: After suffering threats and harassment a North Carolina teen has been forced to abandon her efforts to form a chapter of the Secular Student Alliance at her public high school. 15-year-old Kalei Wilson waged a brave and determined battle against school administrators at Pisgah High School to form the group. Indeed, the decision to allow the atheist club was made only after significant pressure was brought to bear by the Secular Student Alliance (SSA), the Freedom From Religion Foundation and the American Civil Liberties Union. However, fearing for the safety of her family, last night Wilson announced that she is bowing out. The following excerpts from posts to Wilson’s GoFundMe page help tell the story: I’m nervous about the first meeting this week. This morning I brought some flyers to hang up at school but I don’t think they will remain on the walls long. We have permission to post them but if the people who continue to message me with horrible stuff sees them, I bet they tear them down. This morning I was called “Satan” by one Christian girl who first called me a “dumb c&^t b*&^h!” I know what I’m doing is right but it’s scary… And then last night this post appeared: It saddens us to report that due to the numerous threats and the verbal attacks on Kalei along with the vindictive witch-hunt to hurt the reputations of affiliated local groups and our own family, Kalei will not be continuing with the group. We have contacted GoFundMe and requested they return your generous donations. They have assured us that your funds will show back up in your respective accounts within 3 to 5 days. Your love and support are priceless and we apologize in letting you down. It was our single goal to support Kalei in her efforts to start the much needed SSA club. However, we never expected our family and friends to be sought out and demonized. Please know that we recognize the importance of the club but we can not justify our involvement with the risk of our families safety and well being. Hemant Mehta at Friendly Atheist sums it up well: No one — atheists, Christians, anyone — should have to deal with this sort of retaliation from other people because of who they are or what they believe. The whole episode is a sad and painful reminder of the formal and informal persecution, intimidation and harassment that atheists, agnostics and other freethinkers often must face. It is also a stinging indictment of the hypocrisy, the arrogance, and the cruelty of the Christian community at large. One can only wonder, where were the so called “good Christians” while this teen was being threatened and harassed? Kalei Wilson, Pisgah High School Secular Student Alliance God has punished her by giving her acne. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MLD Woody Posted February 27, 2014 Report Share Posted February 27, 2014 I mean, if it is a story that actually happened then there you go. Cal generally posts opinion pieces from right wing sites as fact. The commentary by the author in the link my be biased, by the story seems to have actually happened. The point of the group could have been support of others that think like this. I mean, considering the backlash she received, it seems like many may not want to express their disagreement with Christianity. An atheist club though would show them there are others though. I realize there are good religious people out there, but this is another good example why I think we're better off without religion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MLD Woody Posted February 27, 2014 Report Share Posted February 27, 2014 God has punished her by giving her acne. Insightful Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VaporTrail Posted February 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2014 The point of the group is, in my opinion, much like most groups of adolescent kids. To get attention with contrary behavior. By the way after all the pissing and moaning you guys do about cals slanted sources this website is from, what, the He Man deity haters club? WSS While some groups exist that only act to get attention ie. trading bibles for porn in a smut for smut campaign, there's no indication that this is what she was planning on doing with the group. As the leader of a group like this that got national media attention without alienating anyone, both the groups that do act like assholes and people like you who are assuming every atheist club is out to cause trouble really bother me. Being a non-believer in certain areas can be lonely and depressing, creating an environment where you can't be honest with yourself or your peers. It's complete bullshit that you're equating the desire to hang out with like-minded individuals to antisocial behavior. I created the group at a religious school and half of the people who showed up to our meetings were religious, which was great because it actually fostered discussion among the two groups of students instead of it being us, the atheists, vs them, the theists. Many students in my club joined the group in secret, for fear of being disowned by their parents and I'm damn proud to have given these kids a forum to voice their opinions. The majority of these groups are formed to create a safe place where you can be honest about your beliefs without fear of retribution. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westside Steve Posted February 27, 2014 Report Share Posted February 27, 2014 Just a tip from an old hippie. If you are seriously worried about retribution for your beliefs I'd imagine it would be a good idea not to form a club centered around those beliefs and advertise its existence. Also since I believe that true Christians should expect to take some shit, as it says in the Bible they will, then I'm not going to lose much sleep over the horror that you and your atheist buddies go through on a daily basis. Also are we talking about groups of people with non traditional add possibly anti social ideas forming together into their own groups where they can empower themselves against regular society? Hey weren't we just talking about the Ku Klux Klan??? WSS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westside Steve Posted February 27, 2014 Report Share Posted February 27, 2014 PS if she were a little bit cuter I might have joined her stupid fucking club if I was a kid! WSS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MLD Woody Posted February 27, 2014 Report Share Posted February 27, 2014 PS if she were a little bit cuter I might have joined her stupid fucking club if I was a kid! WSS ..... Come on now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VaporTrail Posted February 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2014 Just a tip from an old hippie. If you are seriously worried about retribution for your beliefs I'd imagine it would be a good idea not to form a club centered around those beliefs and advertise its existence. Also since I believe that true Christians should expect to take some shit, as it says in the Bible they will, then I'm not going to lose much sleep over the horror that you and your atheist buddies go through on a daily basis. Also are we talking about groups of people with non traditional add possibly anti social ideas forming together into their own groups where they can empower themselves against regular society? Hey weren't we just talking about the Ku Klux Klan??? WSS Go ahead and trivialize it, but these are serious issues to some of my peers. Luckily for me, my Catholic parents didn't care too much (my mom was a little upset), but there are people out there whose families would cut off communication if it was known they took part in our meetings. You're just being an asshole. Why does the existence of this group automatically put you on the defensive? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Cysko Kid Posted February 27, 2014 Report Share Posted February 27, 2014 Does the school have an official religious club? If not take your Athiest club meetings back to Dennys and hot topic and stop being a douche. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VaporTrail Posted February 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2014 Does the school have an official religious club? If not take your Athiest club meetings back to Dennys and hot topic and stop being a douche. They have plenty, and being a religious institution, they have every right to refuse to recognize a club for atheists. That being said, I think it's an anti-academic move that's ultimately bad for the school. I'm more concerned as to why they allow an LGBT group, Islamic groups, Jewish groups, and Campus Democrats while drawing the line for us. Like I said, the group served two purposes - a safe place for secular students and a forum to foster discussion and reduce the stigma that secular and religious students can feel toward each other. They claimed that we were anti-faith, even though half of our members were religious. *shrug* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Cysko Kid Posted February 27, 2014 Report Share Posted February 27, 2014 Atheism is a direct insult to a religious institute. Would you go to a gay institution and start a straight peoples only club? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MLD Woody Posted February 27, 2014 Report Share Posted February 27, 2014 Except his group wasn't atheists only... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VaporTrail Posted February 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2014 Atheism is a direct insult to a religious institute. Would you go to a gay institution and start a straight peoples only club? The administrations at DePaul University (Catholic) and California Lutheran University, among other religious institutions would disagree with you as there are recognized secular student orgs at these places. Your example isn't a fair comparison for the reason Woody pointed out. Anyways, my issue was that WSS immediately went on the defensive and labeled the group as anti-social just because it's an organization for secular students. I don't think that's fair either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Cysko Kid Posted February 27, 2014 Report Share Posted February 27, 2014 Still I think you're not seeing this very clearly. It's definitely an antagonistic move Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MLD Woody Posted February 27, 2014 Report Share Posted February 27, 2014 Still I think you're not seeing this very clearly. It's definitely an antagonistic move No it is not, for the reasons Vapor listed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Cysko Kid Posted February 27, 2014 Report Share Posted February 27, 2014 If its a religious institution it is antagonism. Why would you choose to go to a religious school anyway when its not difficult to find a liberal arts school probably made up of 80 or more percent athiests? This is just being an assholr to try and prove a point and I have no sympathy for it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VaporTrail Posted February 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2014 If its a religious institution it is antagonism. Why would you choose to go to a religious school anyway when its not difficult to find a liberal arts school probably made up of 80 or more percent athiests? This is just being an assholr to try and prove a point and I have no sympathy for it Good discussion. Thanks for bothering to read what I had to say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MLD Woody Posted February 27, 2014 Report Share Posted February 27, 2014 Lol no its not. You honestly think this girl is just trying to be an asshole? She is also 15, I'm guessing she has no say in where she went to school. Maybe it is the closest school or best school in the area. You don't know each individual situation for why someone that isn't religious is at a religious school. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VaporTrail Posted February 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2014 I think he's referring to my situation. FYI, I was religious when I first started. That changed as I went through it. As for why I still went there it's because they pay me to conduct research that can impact the field of medicine. Not to mention the friends I've made. I don't hate my alma mater. I just really disagree with the "don't like it, leave it" attitude, and I felt that this group was something the campus community was lacking. Seeing as we had a diverse group that was more active than the majority of groups on campus, I'd say it was a success regardless of what the diocese decided. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DieHardBrownsFan Posted February 27, 2014 Report Share Posted February 27, 2014 Hopefully you will find the lord again as you mature and go through life's trials. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Cysko Kid Posted February 28, 2014 Report Share Posted February 28, 2014 I think he's referring to my situation. FYI, I was religious when I first started. That changed as I went through it. As for why I still went there it's because they pay me to conduct research that can impact the field of medicine. Not to mention the friends I've made. I don't hate my alma mater. I just really disagree with the "don't like it, leave it" attitude, and I felt that this group was something the campus community was lacking. Seeing as we had a diverse group that was more active than the majority of groups on campus, I'd say it was a success regardless of what the diocese decided. No I was referring to her. It just seems like a douchey, attention whore-y, antagonistic thing to do. It's not right to threaten her but I'd definitely call her out as being a self important hipster. Just go to college and you know don't try to make a bunch of waves. If you went to a school that were super liberal and started a tea party group you'd get nothing but heat and blowback. I'm not sure why she'd expect anything less. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VaporTrail Posted February 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2014 No I was referring to her. It just seems like a douchey, attention whore-y, antagonistic thing to do. It's not right to threaten her but I'd definitely call her out as being a self important hipster. Just go to college and you know don't try to make a bunch of waves. If you went to a school that were super liberal and started a tea party group you'd get nothing but heat and blowback. I'm not sure why she'd expect anything less. She started the group at a public high school. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MLD Woody Posted February 28, 2014 Report Share Posted February 28, 2014 Hopefully you will find the lord again as you mature and go through life's trials. el oh el Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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