What I discovered is that religion is a construct of man, used to keep populations in order, or fearful, so that the rich and powerful can stay rich and powerful. There is not one shred of evidence for the existence of god, or allah, or buddah, or shiva or thor or zeus or jesus. And I don’t follow things that haven’t been proven.

So you are upset because I don’t want you proselytizing on my daughter’s blog, or crediting the supernatural with saving my daughter, where a natural explanation is all too evident and real. Well I’m sorry Doug, you should respect my beliefs and if you truly are a christian, then you should forgive me. Or are you the kind of christian who gets to judge people, even though your bible says you aren’t supposed to? If I wanted to take advantage of my daughter’s illness for personal gain, I certainly wouldn’t do it by letting the 85% of the readers of this blog, who believe in the man in the sky, that I am an Atheist. But see I have principles, my beliefs are so grounded in truth, that I could never commit an act of fraud like that because it would undermine the foundation of all I believe. So instead there are people who will read that we are a secular family, that Ella will be raised with no religious oppression in her life (not by me anyway) and they will choose not to help our family, based on my beliefs.

That is not only totally unchristian and is the very definition of hypocrisy, but it only serves to reinforce my belief that religious people live in a fantasy world where things like truth, facts, honesty, and real compassion, can have their definitions manipulated to serve their own very selfish needs.

The burden of proof Doug, is on you, not me. You claim there is a god who put the nurses and surgeons in that hospital to save my daughters life and that prayers and miracles, not my daughters body healing and biological chemistry, are actually to credit…Then, prove it. I’m not angry, I’m just not going to stay silent, that’s how all Atheists should be, as we have all the facts and proof on our side. We should be vocal and always ready and able to debate those facts, when faced with claims of supernatural acts. I’ve read your bible, but have you ever read Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, Sam Harris, Charles Darwin? I doubt it. Anyway, you already disrespected me by leaving your message of god and prayers, when I clearly stated that I did not want to see those messages, so obviously you are just an asshole who will do what he wants, regardless of how it affects people.

Respect should be the basis of our civilization, unfortunately people like Doug screw that up, so instead we live in a chaotic world, with war and murder and child abuse, theft and slavery. Thanks Doug.

I too, have no intentions of offended you. If anything, because I AM a Mother, and truly understand your “feelings,” as a Father, all I WANT is for Ella to be able to go home and be with you again. I want for her outcome to be that she is able to say, “I Love You, Daddy!” which has already happened.

Please give yourself a break, and Ella as well. Recovery from any kind of surgery always has it’s time limit. And worrying about the future, when one cannot “see” the future, is not going to do you or her any justice.

In our program, we remind ourselves daily the serenity to except the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can, and the wisdom to know the difference, one day at a time.

From day one, the doctors and nurse staff who have been involved in Ella’s surgery and recovery are certainly living proof that they were put here to be Ella’s saviors. They are truly gifted, and I am ever so grateful that they have all been there for you.

Hang in there Glen, and remember, One Day At A Time.

Peace Be With You,
Sara

Nicki

We can avoid offending one another if we understood more about each other. I can prove science saved Ella’s life, I have the operating room report post surgery. Can any of you prove that your prayers did anything for Ella? There is a giant scar on the back of Ella’s head to prove that her skull was opened. Proof is everything, faith is fiction.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JDCHPF8m7g&feature=related

But I wish to thank all of you who have sent your thoughts, support and love to Ella and her family during these difficult times. You are WONDERFUL people…!! Thank you, always, for being there for them….

Lin

I’m downstairs in Long 6 with my daughter Grace (from Aveah Malesa’s class). She just had surgery on Thursday and is recovering now. W’ell be here for a week or so. I know that what we go through with our daughter does not compare to the nightmare you have been living for the last several months, but I just wanted to let you know that there are some Sonoma County locals downstairs going through the weird, altered hospital living reality too. Unfortunately, the “hospital life” is more familiar than we would wish it to be.

Anyway, our thoughts are with you. You guys have stayed amazingly strong for your little girl!

Kelly