Origins 2002 was our third consecutive year at the Columbus, Ohio-based gaming convention. We think it's safe to say that it was our best year ever. Rhonda and I spent the 4 day event with our pals Mike-and-Noelle and Scott-and-Shannon. We played in more game tournaments than ever, demoed a lot of great games, bought a lot of great games, and met a lot of cool people. (Mostly.) I'll put together a picture gallery soon, but in the meantime, I want to present a great letter we found in a local free newspaper, Columbus Alive. It's the kind of thing that 99% of the populace doesn't think about, which is usually exactly the kind of thing my posse is interested in.
Speaking of posses, here's a quick rundown of how we did in our tournaments: Rhonda won one game of Chrononauts in the preliminary rounds, but that was not enough to continue. Scott similarly won a single Chrononauts game. Rhonda also reached the Apples to Apples semi-finals. Noelle and Mike both bailed out of a Scrabble final (for reasons I'll speak on later.) Mike got all the way to the last game in a Hearts tournament. I reached the Doomtown quarterfinals and was mowed down by previous Doomtown champ Killer Kerry. Full reports on the way... now here's an excerpt from the article, written by Joseph C. Sommer..
Dear editor:
It is disturbing that Christian fundamentalists seem to be quite successful in promoting belief in hell through their popular Hell House in Cedar Hill, Texas [Film, June 6]. Believing in hell can be very harmful to individuals and society.
By teaching children there is a God who will send people to eternal torture in hell, fundamentalists promote the view that violence is an acceptable method of dealing with problems. After being taught that a just and loving God will inflict extreme and unnecessary violence on humans, it is natural for the followers of this God to conclude that they may behave in a similar manner.
The deist and American patriot Thomas Paine referred to the development of that type of attitude when he said: "The belief in a cruel God makes a cruel man."
(several paragraphs point out how kind and benevelent people may be placed in hell, according to the beliefs of fundamentalists, such as homosexuals. And, I can safely add, athiests, people of other religions, etc. The point being that people who did no wrong are doomed to eternal hell by fundie beliefs.)
But fundamentalists tell people they can remain insensitive to the plight of suffering billions throughout eternity. The effect of this instruction can be to perpetuate and increase indifference toward those hurting and deprived in this world.
Additionally, the doctrine of hell can literally terrorize children who may be concerned that they are unable to live up to the many onerous demands set by certain fundamentalists churches. A tremendous amount of fear and anxiety can result from the belief that, at any moment, one's soul might be sent to eternal torture.
(the letter continues, and ends with a quote from 19th century agnostic Robert Ingersoll.)
