That "Stomp out Atheists" Letter to Editor earlier this year was a Hoax

[RobertSeattle]

I recall several threads here on it - we were duped. Grrrr.

http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/atheists.asp

As the Clarion explained in a later editorial, however, the letter was a joke, one that did not originate with its sender: Weeks later we received the following letter from Ms. Shannon:

"While I've been thoroughly entertained by the overwhelming number of passionate responses to my January 29th letter, it should probably be noted that, as at least one writer speculated, it was a complete joke. I think it has run its course and at this time space in the Letters to the Editor section should be reserved for more important issues."

Now we were angry. Numerous attempts to contact Ms. Shannon proved the letter was a hoax, and we stopped printing any letters referring to hers. Shortly afterward, we received a letter from a person telling us the same letter was found in a blog from a woman from South Carolina, and he sent us the Web address.

We wanted our readers to know the story behind the letter.

[Warpy]

1. The attribution was a hoax. Somebody wrote the letter, though

and the sentiment does exist out there.

Preachers of a certain variety love to whip up hatred and atheists are favorite targets.

[TheUniverse]

2. Even though it was a hoax,

It war really printed in the Newspaper. So I would assume the editor appreciates that viewpoint.

[northernsoul]

3. How can a statement of opinion be a hoax?

I think of a hoax as the deliberate misrepresentation of facts. In this case the only fact that was misrepresented was the authorship of the sentiments expressed.