Comment

Comment by Little Name Atheist on August 21, 2009 at 12:30pm

I wrote yesterday; a much shorter message than your pal Michael. If I felt that Penn & Teller were singling out Catholicism, I'd take issue with them. However, they seem to be equal opportunity exposers.

Comment by Chrys Stevenson on August 21, 2009 at 5:52am

My friend, Michael, from myspace just sent me a copy of the email he sent. I think he's done a fabulous job!

"Good Evening Mr. Blank,

In response to the outrage expressed by the Catholic community regarding Penn and Teller's upcoming episode on the Vatican (to be aired on August 27th), I am writing you to pledge my full-fledged support of Penn and Teller's "Bullshit!" show.

I've been an avid fan of their "Bullshit!" show for the past 5 years now and the thought of having them petitioned off the air just because their views don't coincide with the overwhelming majority's seems rather unfair and unconstitutional. After all, if religious folks like Pat Robertson can have their own shows on other cable networks, then why can't atheists have theirs? And if the expression of their views can be protected by the First Ammendment, then why shouldn't an atheist's be as well?

While I personally may not agree with everything that religious right openly claims and promulgates, I do enjoy the controversy that they generate as it only encourages me to think more critically and independently for myself. And while there are many times when I feel that I've just about heard enough of their rhetoric and oftentimes honestly wish that they would simply cease to exist, without them, there would be no one to challenge us or to encourage us to be stronger. Not to mention, I've found a far more effective method of keeping these folks off of my television set than any petition, protest or letter-writing campaign ever will: I simply CHANGE THE CHANNEL! Why can't these Catholics see it the SAME way?

In all fairness, this is all I can ever really ask: Just a little balance of perspective which allows your audience the opportunity to THINK more rationally about the views expressed.

If you hold critical thinking and independent thought in as much a high regard as I do, then I would seriously and most humbly implore you to carefully reconsider any decisions that the Catholic community is pressuring you to make.

Thank you for your time in reading my letter, and I look forward to MANY more seasons of Penn and Teller's "Bullshit!" on Showtime.

Yours very sincerely and respectfully,
Michael .....

Comment by Chrys Stevenson on August 21, 2009 at 2:58am

@Méabh - A Penn & Teller 'disappearing' trick, you think?

Comment by Little Name Atheist on August 21, 2009 at 12:56am

I just clicked on that link to "Catholic Online" and got this message: "Catholic Online is temporarily offline for emergency network maintenance".

Comment by Little Name Atheist on August 19, 2009 at 10:28pm

Thanks for the email address, Cap'n Krusty.

Comment by Jennifer W on August 19, 2009 at 9:30am

Ha! Where have they been? Penn and Teller has been bashing all religions since season 1!

I'll send an email as well.

BTW, they had a sweet episode on Lie Detectors

Comment by Daley on August 19, 2009 at 8:34am

I sent a short and sweet mail.
Thanks for the heads up. I do love their show whenever I happen to see it.