Hi Carla,

Your friend, Troy Conrad, who is doing The Comedy Jesus Show at the Fringe, is staying with us at our house near Augsburg College.  I am boycotting Manna Fest because it was set up in competition to the Fringe.  Funny that a "spiritual" play festival would act so unethically.

Your premise is wrong:  Atheists don't "deny" the existence of gods. That would be to assume gods exist.  Are you "in denial" of the existence of pink unicorns?  Also, you talk about a "conversation."  Do audience members really get to respond to you during your play?

Sincerely,
Ann Atheist
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 Hello Ms. Atheist,

Thank you for reaching out and writing this letter.

I'm not from around here so I'm not familiar with all the political misgivings of Manna Fest and the Spiritual Fringe.  From my understanding, it was originally a BYOV in the fringe and it was only this year with the new director that the entities became separate.  It is also my understanding that it will not be held at the same time next year.  "Competition" was never the goal.  We are all learning.

As far as my piece is concerned...
"Where do you go after you deny God?"  Actually that question is lifted from the script.  It comes after the little girl stands up to God and refuses to be "raptured".  So it's not actually denying the existence of God, but rather standing up to Him.  And I say "Him" because that was my container for god that I was taught.  Maybe I should look at the promotional material and try another tact.  The piece is quite layered and very good if I do say so myself.   And it's really more about the reconciliation between what you are told and what you experience... Or what happens to a woman when religion and education collide.

As far as converstaion goes, I often have "talk backs" after a show.  I've found that people are stimulated and like to talk about it with me.  For this venue, there is a room just off the atrium where we can gather and chat.

Would you come if I offered you a comp?  Then you wouldn't be supporting Manna Fest, just taking a look, on their dime.  I have two comps for you and a friend if you'd like to come.  Friday at 7pm or Sunday at 2:30pm.  I'll put them at the door with the box office person with your name on it.

Thanks again for initiating.
Blessings (from one human to another),
Carla Damaris Grant

P.S.  I love pink unicorns.
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 Hi Carla,

Well, I didn't mean to step on your case so hard.  I appreciate the comp. but we already have Fringe shows lined up for Friday and on Sunday I start volunteering at an atheist summer camp for kids.  

Questioning "god" is a good start and Julia Sweeney's play "Letting Go of God" is a nice finish (available now on CD and later this year on DVD).

Your play sounds interesting.  You should apply to get into the Fringe next year and we'll definitely put it on our schedule.

Best wishes,
Ann Athiest
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Hey Ann,

Just so you know, I did apply for the fringe.  And so did the other shows in Manna Fest.  That's how it came about.  It was originally a BYOV of the fringe, but Robin decided that it was curated rather than a special lottery.  The previous director did not share her view.  But she has to make the fringe her own and there it is.

Thanks for the free advice.  And here's some for you.  Questioning "in general" is a good start rather than assumptions.  You decide how you'd like to finish.

It's been quite fun chatting with you. Thanks for being a bright spot in my day.

Carla