The founder of Camp Quest, crusader against the Creation “Museum”, former blogger at FtB, invigoratingly ferocious lawyer defending atheism, Edwin Kagin, has died. He was one of those fellows with an amazing force of personality, and strong views that he’d gleefully argue over.
There was a news segment on him a few years ago. The snide tone trolls who are interviewing him are a good example of what he fought against.
I’ve been officially de-baptized by Kagin himself; I also stayed at his home the night before my visit to the Creation “Museum”. He was a wonderful guy, and will be missed.
Not by Answers in Genesis, though.
I’m sorry to hear. My condolences to his friends and family
Oh, I’m so sorry for his family and friends. He made a good mark on the world that will not be soon forgotten.
I liked his blog when he was here. I was sad to see him go.
Camp Quest is a wonderful thing, and a lasting legacy. My condolences to his family and friends.
May his memory inspire many.
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Chas #6
I’m willing to bet that there was alcohol involved.
Chas @ 6:
Why I’d think someone of your vaunted intellectual abilities, if he hadn’t already heard of this, could figure out how to find the information, assuming that’s what you wanted, and not just to be an ass. Here, let me help you:
Kagin de-baptizing.
Thanks for the snide response! But actually, the meaning of that punctuation mark was to question the point of the ritual.
Here, if I’m an ass already: that’s a fucking stupid ritual.
Condolences to the family. Sympathies to all the friends.
De-baptism sounds found, especially if there’s alcohol involved – don’t think it needs an actual point. *shrug*
Yes, de-baptism is a stupid,silly ritual. It was part of the stupid, silly social party after a long day of conference meetings — with a bar and people having stupid, silly conversations.
No one took it seriously. It was an evening where we mocked the stupid silliness of sprinkling water on people’s heads (or drying water off of their heads), no one was required to do it — and there wasn’t even any social shunning if you demurred! — and no one had any illusions that there was magical power in a hair-dryer.
Kagin also mocked Jewish rituals by blowing a ram’s horn, mocked the Confederacy by making me a genuine Kentucky Colonel, and spent most of his life puncturing goofy beliefs. And that was the point…not to create a new atheist ritual.
Anyone who’s not clear on the obvious yet: the point of the fucking stupid ritual was to show that baptism is a fucking stupid ritual.
I guarantee you, most people don’t get that. We need more Kagins to spell it out, apparently.
And really, is a thread about the death of the man the place to discuss this?
Condolences to all his friends and family. I’m sorry to be just now learning about him — he seems like a good guy, and Camp Quest is a great legacy to leave in the world. Good memories of silly mock-rituals and having goofy fun — also a good legacy.
I met Ed Kagin a few times and had a chance to talk to him. Friendly and funny. He was also an excellent speaker.
So sad to read this.
Thanks for your novel and amazing insight! If it weren’t for your superior intellectuality, we would never perceive that a ritual explicitly built to be stupid and silly in order to mock another stupid and silly ritual (baptism) does, in fact, look stupid in silly! I stand in awe of your intelligence!
The world is a little poorer today.
My condolences to his family and friends.
My condolences Edwin’s family and friends.
I’m just amazed that we’re this far into the comments section without somebody calling him a cishet colonizer. Must’ve been a real standup guy if we can’t even imply he once wore a fedora.
My sympathies to his family, friends, and associates.
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Sorry to hear. My condolences as well.
it takes zero intelligence to have an opinion. (floosh)
Not an appropriate place to be an ass, so could everyone who feels like acting like an asshole tonight move somewhere else, please?
Seconding Beatrice.
Thirding Beatrice.
And his NRA membership?
Clearly they just can’t help themselves.
Rey:
So it seems. It’s pathetic, assholism being such a priority.
Sorry to hear he’s dead. My condolences to his friends and family.
Sincere condolences to Edwin’s family and friends.
We will miss you, Edwin Kagin.
I’m sorry to hear this. I remember his blog fondly.
Adding my condolences to his family and friends.
My condolences. I just happen to have my wallet out for Stollznow’s payday donation. I think I’ll make a Camp Quest contribution as well.
Here’s the link if anyone else has a mind to http://www.campquest.org/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=1