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Welcome to the August 2024 newsletter,
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(Betsy, it's September!?) Yes, it's late. I apologize! I have a good reason, I swear. Keep reading...
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The Secular Grief Care Package is here!
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$78.00
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This care package pairs with the book Grief for Atheists and extends the book contents with supportive activities and tools. It provides a warm, science-based approach to support non-believers as they incorporate grief into their lives.
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Silicone Bracelet Giveaway!
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I would love to hear what you think! Please take this quick survey (it's 7 questions) to be entered in a drawing for the silicone bracelet of your choice.
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This is a link to the survey (opens in a new window). Your feedback is so valuable for our community!
All survey submissions will be entered for a drawing to win the silicone bracelet of your choice! We have less than 40 subscribers so you have a really good chance of winning! Please don't forget to tell me how to reach you if you win.
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I was honored to join members of the Triangle Freethought Society for a grief workshop on August 24.
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Please reach out if you would like more details!
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I missed a really special August birthday last month. James Randi, better known as "The Amazing Randi" - a magician, escape artist, and tireless debunker of pseudoscience and paranormal claims. Born on August 7, 1928, in Canada, Randi lived by the principle:
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"I want to be, if I can, as sure of the world--the real world--around me as is possible."
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As a stage magician, Randi may have actually exposed more illusions than he created. He co-founded the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (now part of the Center for Inquiry) and dedicated his life to exposing charlatans who preyed on vulnerable people.
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One of Randi's most famous investigations exposed televangelist Peter Popoff, who claimed to receive divine messages and heal ailments like diabetes, cancer, and arthritis. Randi revealed Popoff's elaborate scam on The Johnny Carson Show in 1986, demonstrating how Popoff used hidden earpieces and pre-show research to appear "divinely inspired." This expose led to Popoff's bankruptcy the following year, though sadly, he later resurfaced with new scams.
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Personal Life and Coming Out
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On stage, Randi was larger than life, but beyond his public persona, Randi had a huge heart and served as a foster parent for several children throughout his life. Randi also came out as gay in 2010 at the age of 81. He married his dearest love, Deyvi Peña, after 27 years together in 2013.
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A Call to Action from Randi
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Randi's work reminds us of the importance of critical thinking and standing up against fraud. As he said:
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"When you see harm being done to people, to the environment, to the progress of knowledge, and decide to ignore it and just walk away - when you are capable of giving form to arguments and solutions on such matters - I find it literally despicable."
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The Need for Secular and LGBTQ-Affirming Foster Parents
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Randi's experiences as both a foster parent and a gay person spotlight a need in our communities. Currently, many foster homes and state partnerships for foster care are run by religious organizations. In some states, anti-LGBTQ+ individuals are allowed to foster LGBTQ+ children. You can read a first hand account here.
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I have opened my doors to kids in need and seen the transformation that can take place when a child has a loving and stable home base without conditions.
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As secular and LGBTQ-affirming individuals, we all have an opportunity to make a significant difference in children's lives by becoming foster parents ourselves. By providing loving, accepting homes, we can ensure that all children, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, have a safe and nurturing environment to grow.
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Other Ways To Do Something
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If full-time fostering feels like too big of a commitment, there are other ways to support kids in your community:
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Check with your local school district for mentorship opportunities.
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Serve as a guardian ad litem (GAL) for children in the foster care system. GALs are court-appointed advocates who protect the interests of minors or legally incompetent individuals. It places you in their corner to get them the care and services they deserve from someone who likes them without conditions.
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Like Randi, we can all make a difference. Whether it's through calling out BS, helping others, or providing unconditional support to a child in need, we can all use our story to make the world a little better.
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Do you know someone who would enjoy this newsletter? Sharing is caring!
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