We talk to James Deem, organizer of Charlotte Pop Fest (Sep 24-25), a power pop music festival in North Carolina. Why should freethinkers care about a pop music fest? Because in an unprecedented partnership, proceeds from CPF will benefit the Richard Dawkins Foundation. In fact, Richard Dawkins himself will speak in Charlotte in October.
After the sign-off, stay tuned for James Deem performing the XTC classic “Dear God.” Visit JamesDeem.com for info on how to download a copy for yourself!
Also, David asks for advice on behalf of a friend in what we’re calling The Texas Preschool Dilemma.
Plus: Lots of feedback!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Dragon*Con is only three weeks away! Four day memberships are $90 (plus Ticketmaster charges) through August 15th. After that, you’ll have to buy tickets at the door ($100 for four days, less for other packages). American Freethought will record a live podcast at 11:30AM, Saturday, September 5th with the Skeptics Track.
We (meaning John and David and respective redheads) will also be attending the Star Party at Agnes Scott College in Decatur, GA on Thursday, September 3rd. The Star Party is organized by the Atlanta Skeptics, will feature dinner, drinks, an opportunity to chat with Phil Plait (Bad Astronomy) and Pamela Gay (Astronomy Cast podcast), and stargazing through the Bradley Observatory telescope. Proceeds go to the American Cancer Society in honor of the late Jeff Medkeff (Blue Collar Scientist).
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David is podcasting new episodes of Secular Nation, including episodes on Mormon homosexuals and an essay from Nathan Phelps (estranged son of Fred Phelps, leader of the infamous Westboro Baptist Church). AtheistAlliance.org/podcast.
Interested in science fiction? Then check out John’s other online project, SciFiDimensions.com.
Theme music by Body Found.
Recorded August 12, 2009. Hosted by John C. Snider and David Driscoll.
You asked for feedback regarding Christian daycare. From the age of 3 to 6, 1970-1974, I was abandoned by my parents 5 days a week to be taken care of by the daycare staff at Crestwood Baptist Church in Oklahoma City.
It was a very traumatic experience for me, so much so that during my teenage years I used to drive to that neighborhood and park next to the church, and cry. I thought about killing myself in the playground, I guess to send a message to my parents.
The staff at the daycare were very cruel. At naptime, they would come and check to see if the children lying on the cots were actually asleep, and if we weren’t, we would be spanked. I was a bed-wetter, so I didn’t dare sleep, because if I wet myself I would have to wear the same clothes the rest of the day. I learned to control my breathing and make the right sounds to make them think I was asleep. I was constantly listening for the sound of the mean lady coming. If I was caught crying, I would be punished, so I learned to cry so quietly that no one could hear.
If I said anything that they considered “bad words”, I would be taken to the bathroom and have my mouth washed out with soap. I can still remember what that liquid soap tasted like. Sometimes I will encounter that same smell at a restroom while travelling and have a little flashback.
We had scheduled bathroom times. We would have to stand in line outside the bathroom, and be sent in one at a time. I wasn’t supposed to flush, so they could check to see if I had really gone to the bathroom. If the water didn’t look yellow enough, they would yell at me, and I would try to make them believe that it came out clear. Often, they wouldn’t believe me, and would make me drop my pants to the floor, and try to pee again.
In class, we would color pictures of Jesus and Bible stories. If I used the wrong colors, like giving Jesus green hair, I would be punished. There were times when the teacher would leave, and we would start having fun and talking and laughing too loud. When she came back, she would make us be quiet for the rest of the day, and if anyone was caught talking, she would put masking tape on their mouth.
Humiliation and shame were the methods of control. We were never allowed to forget how bad we were. We were encouraged to tell on each other. The older kids would take advantage, and lie about the younger kids to get them in trouble.
I think I could have endured all of this much easier if my parents at least would have cared, but they never listened to any of my complaints, even when I begged them not to make me go back there. It was the only daycare that was on my mother’s bus route to work, so I just had to put up with it. And my father was too busy being a wife-beater, and my mother too busy trying to avoid being beaten, to pay much attention to my needs.
This was 35 years ago, I hope that in the meantime things have changed for children in daycare, but I see news headlines from time to time that make me doubt it. At least I was never raped.
After listening to the section on Christian daycare I would like to suggest checking out the Unitarian communities. They are “churches” without dogma but with guiding principles and are welcoming to all including atheists, humanists, pagans, wiccans, pantheists, Buddhists and whatever. As an atheist secular humanist I find it to be an oasis here in the midwest. We have a number of atheists with children in our church community and support is provided for children from nursery to high school based on the Unitarian Universalist principles.
Site for the seven principles (note that god is not mentioned or needed):
http://www.uua.org/visitors/6798.shtml
Here is a way to find a congregation in your area;
http://www.uua.org/aboutus/findcongregation/index.php
UU is an uncommon denomination that could be a good community for atheists families.