Comments on: Ellen Johnson Steps Down as American Atheists President http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/05/02/ellen-johnson-steps-down-as-american-atheists-president/ by Hemant Mehta Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:13:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: Pacotheus http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/05/02/ellen-johnson-steps-down-as-american-atheists-president/#comment-193600 Pacotheus Mon, 30 Jun 2008 19:18:26 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/05/02/ellen-johnson-steps-down-as-american-atheists-president/#comment-193600 Something happened about which we remain unaware. Most likely - judging from other situations in which these sorts of things happen - the AA board made some kind of decision about the future of the organization with which Ellen did not agree. Might have been all sorts of things - to become more activist, to become more activist or elss activist on one or another issue, or maybe even to openly support or not support Obama or McCain (as a nonprofit, it "can't" support either but it certainly could indicate which one it believes would be more state-church separation-friendly), etc. Maybe in a few months or years someone will talk and we'll find out what happened. Something happened about which we remain unaware. Most likely – judging from other situations in which these sorts of things happen – the AA board made some kind of decision about the future of the organization with which Ellen did not agree. Might have been all sorts of things – to become more activist, to become more activist or elss activist on one or another issue, or maybe even to openly support or not support Obama or McCain (as a nonprofit, it “can’t” support either but it certainly could indicate which one it believes would be more state-church separation-friendly), etc. Maybe in a few months or years someone will talk and we’ll find out what happened.

]]> By: Stephen Bauer http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/05/02/ellen-johnson-steps-down-as-american-atheists-president/#comment-167566 Stephen Bauer Wed, 21 May 2008 00:17:09 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/05/02/ellen-johnson-steps-down-as-american-atheists-president/#comment-167566 Dear Reader, I liked Ellen. A lot of us Atheists' even ones that were not members of American Atheists felt she spoke for us. I feel you are making a mistake in not being more forthright in describing what occurred. When atheists do not feel that they have been given enough information to make up their own mind they become angry at the person/s withholding that information. When you refuse to explain to us what happened ; our default position is going to be that " you fired our friend without even telling us what she did wrong ". If you do not care what Atheists' think of you then your actions are fine, it is your organization and you can do as you please. If you do not want a hostile attitude from Atheists', then I suggest you be honest with us and tell us why you fired Ellen. . You know it is only a matter of time before everyone knows anyway. (This is the internet ) The only difference it will make is how the " Board of Directors " and ultimately " American Atheist" is perceived by us. " The OWL ". Dear Reader,
I liked Ellen. A lot of us Atheists’ even ones that were not members of American Atheists felt she spoke for us.
I feel you are making a mistake in not being more forthright in describing what occurred.
When atheists do not feel that they have been given enough information to make up their own mind they become angry at the person/s withholding that information.
When you refuse to explain to us what happened ; our default position is going to be that ” you fired our friend without even telling us what she did wrong “.
If you do not care what Atheists’ think of you then your actions are fine, it is your organization and you can do as you please.
If you do not want a hostile attitude from Atheists’, then I suggest you be honest with us and tell us why you fired Ellen.
. You know it is only a matter of time before everyone knows anyway. (This is the internet )
The only difference it will make is how the ” Board of Directors ” and ultimately ” American Atheist” is perceived by us.

” The OWL “.

]]> By: Friendly Atheist » A Bit of Info on the American Atheists Decision http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/05/02/ellen-johnson-steps-down-as-american-atheists-president/#comment-165587 Friendly Atheist » A Bit of Info on the American Atheists Decision Fri, 16 May 2008 21:45:24 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/05/02/ellen-johnson-steps-down-as-american-atheists-president/#comment-165587 [...] Atheists, answers a few questions (as best he can) about former president Ellen Johnson’s dismissal: “Thank you for writing to American Atheists concerning the dismissal of President Ellen [...] [...] Atheists, answers a few questions (as best he can) about former president Ellen Johnson’s dismissal: “Thank you for writing to American Atheists concerning the dismissal of President Ellen [...]

]]> By: Friendly Atheist » How Would You Change American Atheists? http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/05/02/ellen-johnson-steps-down-as-american-atheists-president/#comment-161562 Friendly Atheist » How Would You Change American Atheists? Tue, 06 May 2008 22:00:46 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/05/02/ellen-johnson-steps-down-as-american-atheists-president/#comment-161562 [...] a new leader, American Atheists is in a transition [...] [...] a new leader, American Atheists is in a transition [...]

]]> By: erf stone http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/05/02/ellen-johnson-steps-down-as-american-atheists-president/#comment-160849 erf stone Mon, 05 May 2008 10:07:05 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/05/02/ellen-johnson-steps-down-as-american-atheists-president/#comment-160849 Please be aware, all, that Ellen Johnson was fired and there was nothing amicable about it. It was done in a very hurtful way, while she was in the midst of her Freedom Walk. It would be nice to have the correct facts on these blogs. While, yes, she is still a Board member, one has to wonder how long that will last? Whether or not her continued time as President was best for the organization or not, this was a very inappropriate and, as said, hurtful way to fire her. I hope the Board shows better judgment in selecting a new President (who, BTW, should NOT be Frank Zindler - a dedicated, devoted atheist but the wrong man for this job). Please be aware, all, that Ellen Johnson was fired and there was nothing amicable about it. It was done in a very hurtful way, while she was in the midst of her Freedom Walk. It would be nice to have the correct facts on these blogs. While, yes, she is still a Board member, one has to wonder how long that will last?
Whether or not her continued time as President was best for the organization or not, this was a very inappropriate and, as said, hurtful way to fire her. I hope the Board shows better judgment in selecting a new President (who, BTW, should NOT be Frank Zindler – a dedicated, devoted atheist but the wrong man for this job).

]]> By: Rose http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/05/02/ellen-johnson-steps-down-as-american-atheists-president/#comment-160628 Rose Sun, 04 May 2008 19:45:51 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/05/02/ellen-johnson-steps-down-as-american-atheists-president/#comment-160628 <blockquote>No real reason is given. But there doesn’t seem to be any animosity or bad blood.</blockquote> Doesn't it seem a little odd that she would resign in the middle of the Freedom Walk? Puzzling... I hope more information will be available soon...

No real reason is given. But there doesn’t seem to be any animosity or bad blood.

Doesn’t it seem a little odd that she would resign in the middle of the Freedom Walk? Puzzling… I hope more information will be available soon…

]]> By: Friendly Atheist » Are There Any Volunteers Near Cranford, NJ? http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/05/02/ellen-johnson-steps-down-as-american-atheists-president/#comment-160614 Friendly Atheist » Are There Any Volunteers Near Cranford, NJ? Sun, 04 May 2008 19:00:12 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/05/02/ellen-johnson-steps-down-as-american-atheists-president/#comment-160614 [...] If you live in or near Cranford, NJ and have a little bit of time to spare, please consider helping American Atheists as they go through their transition period. [...] [...] If you live in or near Cranford, NJ and have a little bit of time to spare, please consider helping American Atheists as they go through their transition period. [...]

]]> By: blackskeptic http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/05/02/ellen-johnson-steps-down-as-american-atheists-president/#comment-160404 blackskeptic Sun, 04 May 2008 01:50:57 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/05/02/ellen-johnson-steps-down-as-american-atheists-president/#comment-160404 I hope they get a nicer looking website soon. I hope they get a nicer looking website soon.

]]> By: Hemant Mehta http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/05/02/ellen-johnson-steps-down-as-american-atheists-president/#comment-160284 Hemant Mehta Sat, 03 May 2008 17:53:44 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/05/02/ellen-johnson-steps-down-as-american-atheists-president/#comment-160284 <blockquote>Does AA have any elected positions, or are the officers all self-appointed?</blockquote> As far as I know, the positions are appointed. It might be done differently now; I'm not sure.

Does AA have any elected positions, or are the officers all self-appointed?

As far as I know, the positions are appointed. It might be done differently now; I’m not sure.

]]> By: vjack http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2008/05/02/ellen-johnson-steps-down-as-american-atheists-president/#comment-160261 vjack Sat, 03 May 2008 15:58:19 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/2008/05/02/ellen-johnson-steps-down-as-american-atheists-president/#comment-160261 Maybe you should run, Hemant. Maybe you should run, Hemant.

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