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This blog is the work of an educated civilian, not of an expert in the fields discussed.

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Rev. Joe (Candidate Without a Prayer)

Herb Silverman fits the bill of a "character," a PH.D. math professor, who only wears suits to class on Halloween (his choice clothing is t-shirts and shorts, probably sensible in South Carolina) and is the sort of person that likes to invite Jehovah Witnesses into his home.  As a favorite t-shirt notes, smile, there is no hell!  This is a great face for the Secular Coalition and atheism in general -- has the brains to reason, but the pleasant personality that even your garden variety evangelical might like him.

I am half-way through his new book, a pleasant nice guy biography explaining his upbringing (Orthodox Jew with a controlling mother**), path to adulthood (such as learning how to change a light bulb) and public exposure as a leader of the movement (including his run as governor of South Carolina to challenge its religious test; he lost, so was deemed not to have a claim, but did finally get his notary license, long after the issue seemed to be settled in the courts*).  In the process, he freely talks about both religion and sex, the easy going summary of various relationships in its fashion as liberal minded as the religious ones.

It is a pleasant read that teaches as well in a gentle way that often leads to the best results. He is a math professor and even provides a bit of education there in his usual down to earth way.  His sense of humor is even seen in the table of contents -- he skips Chapter 13, noting there are three numbering systems -- English, metric and hotel, choosing the third.  Overall, it shows that you can be an atheist who evangelizes in one's own way without being of the sort that turns me off, the aggressive type that appears to me to ridicule believers.

Respect is a better approach.

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* The author notes that the religious test is a blatant violation of Article VI, but that provision concerns federal offices ("under the United States," like the President has pardon power regarding offenses "against the United States") and clearly didn't moot every state religious test, particularly in the states remaining with established churches. 

The Fourteenth Amendment led to states having the same requirements, however, which also went the other way -- ministers could not be barred from office either.  The true liberty position, one the author shares, would honor both sides of the coin here.

** The family dynamic adds a human angle.  Finishing the book, I found the math chapters a tad boring.  I find math okay -- liked doing proofs. Overall, I recommend the book.