Ron-I read this article recently and it reminded me of you.
http://blogs.tampabay.com/superbowl/2009/02/street-preacher.html
February 01, 2009
Street preachers cheering for God outside stadium As thousands of fans began the trek north on closed-off Dale Mabry toward Raymond James Stadium, they were bombarded by street preachers and witnessers for religions.
At one corner, a man and a young girl handed out the book, "The Way to Happiness: A common sense guide to better living." When this reporter asked what religion he promoted, Ron Marquis, 53, of Clearwater, responded, none.
"Your survival is important to me," he read, reading the inside of the book before saying, "We're all here aren't we?"
He said about 30 percent of fans he hands the book towards, takes them.
Just feet away from him, along a green chain link fence were at least 20 of the books he had given fans, who had stuck the books into the fence to get rid of them. On the back of the book was a stamp: "Church of Scientology of Tampa."
Further up, a group of man yelled out, "Free Super Bowl Trivia cards." On the front, it asked several questions such as "How much did the first Super Bowl ticket cost?" On the back were answers, along with a Bible message.
Adjacent to the stadium were rows of street preachers, some using microphones, decrying hell and urging folks toward Heaven.
One man wearing a sandwich board that read "God is angry with you," yelled out, "Anyone want a ticket to heaven?"
A Steelers fan yelled back, "If you want a ticket to heaven, he'll give you a hell of a deal." Everyone around him laughed.
Justin George, Times staff writer.
You probably do not remember me because we have not seen each other in over thirty years. I remember you well and used to work with you in the ‘Mock-up Shop’ in Atlanta. I vividly remember assembling cabinets in the hot and dusty shop that you and Dave Oullette had started. After work, we would all study at the mission on Paces Ferry Place. I admired you back then. You were a quiet person with a calm confidence that reflected an inner serenity that I so desperately wanted.
You probably do not remember me. My name, if it was ever mentioned after my departure, was mud. I have no doubt that I was viewed as a ‘degraded being’ or suppressive person. Back then we were friends. Today, when I look for friends still ‘in’ it appears that only you and Dan Austin are still active. What ever happened to Dave Oullette? Can you mention his name without a trip to the ethics officer? What about Art Collianni, Tom Davis, Robin and Bridget Conant, Jim and Becky (forgot their last name), and Debbie Hartzell? What about all the others that have come and gone? How did you feel when you heard that Peter and Doran Greene had been declared? Peter had been friends with LRH for over twenty years-how could he have not known? Did that make any sense to you?
In case you are interested, I am doing fine. I make a decent living and provide a good home for my family. I don’t worry about every nickel of my disposable income being ‘regged’ to wage war against the ‘enemy de jure’. Thirty years ago, I knew that I would never be able to attain my goals in scientology unless I completed my education. I went to law school confident that, after achieving fame and fortune, I would return to the bridge that I quietly left. Instead, I realized that it was all a lie-a cruel hoax played on a gullible young man that knew better than all the well-meaning people that tried to steer him in a different direction. After passing the bar, they wanted me back and tried to ‘recover’ me. I was finally ‘worthy’ of being a scientologist. Today, I hide this part of my past. It is one of the few things in my life that I am truly ashamed of-that I could have been so gullible.
How did you feel when the reporter asked you what church you represented? Why didn’t you proudly proclaim your membership in the church of scientology? Why did feel that you needed to lie? Did that make you feel a little like Judas when he denounced Christ-or was this an ‘acceptable truth’ told for the greatest good? Are your children also ashamed of their (your) religion? I remember handing out brochures and selling Dianetic books with you at Stone Mountain one sunny Saturday afternoon. We were not ashamed of our religion. We were happy to talk about scientology back then. What has changed that you are now afraid to tell people you are a scientologist?
Have you read the comments others have written about you in the news article? How did it make you feel when your ‘fifteen minutes of fame’ were denigrated by the mocking laughter of anonymous? You were and are my friend. I do not mock you; I pity you and hope you will join us soon.
Thirty years ago we dreamed of being ‘clear’ and ‘OT’. Have you crossed the bridge yet? In the thirty years that you have been involved with the church, how far up the bridge have you gotten? I have seen your name listed as a donor to the IAS, the ideal Orgs in Atlanta and Tampa-but have not achieved the state of ‘clear’? Are you on target for your goals?
I hope you and your family will safely leave this insidious cult. What will happen if your wife leaves the church without you-will you speak to her? What will happen if your children leave the church without you-will you speak to them? If you leave the church without your family, will they speak to you? Why should any person have to ask or answer such questions about their religion?
If you do, there are friends that you know and friends you will meet on the outside waiting for you. Until that time, stay well and be happy.
Skydog
http://blogs.tampabay.com/superbowl/2009/02/street-preacher.html
February 01, 2009
Street preachers cheering for God outside stadium As thousands of fans began the trek north on closed-off Dale Mabry toward Raymond James Stadium, they were bombarded by street preachers and witnessers for religions.
At one corner, a man and a young girl handed out the book, "The Way to Happiness: A common sense guide to better living." When this reporter asked what religion he promoted, Ron Marquis, 53, of Clearwater, responded, none.
"Your survival is important to me," he read, reading the inside of the book before saying, "We're all here aren't we?"
He said about 30 percent of fans he hands the book towards, takes them.
Just feet away from him, along a green chain link fence were at least 20 of the books he had given fans, who had stuck the books into the fence to get rid of them. On the back of the book was a stamp: "Church of Scientology of Tampa."
Further up, a group of man yelled out, "Free Super Bowl Trivia cards." On the front, it asked several questions such as "How much did the first Super Bowl ticket cost?" On the back were answers, along with a Bible message.
Adjacent to the stadium were rows of street preachers, some using microphones, decrying hell and urging folks toward Heaven.
One man wearing a sandwich board that read "God is angry with you," yelled out, "Anyone want a ticket to heaven?"
A Steelers fan yelled back, "If you want a ticket to heaven, he'll give you a hell of a deal." Everyone around him laughed.
Justin George, Times staff writer.
You probably do not remember me because we have not seen each other in over thirty years. I remember you well and used to work with you in the ‘Mock-up Shop’ in Atlanta. I vividly remember assembling cabinets in the hot and dusty shop that you and Dave Oullette had started. After work, we would all study at the mission on Paces Ferry Place. I admired you back then. You were a quiet person with a calm confidence that reflected an inner serenity that I so desperately wanted.
You probably do not remember me. My name, if it was ever mentioned after my departure, was mud. I have no doubt that I was viewed as a ‘degraded being’ or suppressive person. Back then we were friends. Today, when I look for friends still ‘in’ it appears that only you and Dan Austin are still active. What ever happened to Dave Oullette? Can you mention his name without a trip to the ethics officer? What about Art Collianni, Tom Davis, Robin and Bridget Conant, Jim and Becky (forgot their last name), and Debbie Hartzell? What about all the others that have come and gone? How did you feel when you heard that Peter and Doran Greene had been declared? Peter had been friends with LRH for over twenty years-how could he have not known? Did that make any sense to you?
In case you are interested, I am doing fine. I make a decent living and provide a good home for my family. I don’t worry about every nickel of my disposable income being ‘regged’ to wage war against the ‘enemy de jure’. Thirty years ago, I knew that I would never be able to attain my goals in scientology unless I completed my education. I went to law school confident that, after achieving fame and fortune, I would return to the bridge that I quietly left. Instead, I realized that it was all a lie-a cruel hoax played on a gullible young man that knew better than all the well-meaning people that tried to steer him in a different direction. After passing the bar, they wanted me back and tried to ‘recover’ me. I was finally ‘worthy’ of being a scientologist. Today, I hide this part of my past. It is one of the few things in my life that I am truly ashamed of-that I could have been so gullible.
How did you feel when the reporter asked you what church you represented? Why didn’t you proudly proclaim your membership in the church of scientology? Why did feel that you needed to lie? Did that make you feel a little like Judas when he denounced Christ-or was this an ‘acceptable truth’ told for the greatest good? Are your children also ashamed of their (your) religion? I remember handing out brochures and selling Dianetic books with you at Stone Mountain one sunny Saturday afternoon. We were not ashamed of our religion. We were happy to talk about scientology back then. What has changed that you are now afraid to tell people you are a scientologist?
Have you read the comments others have written about you in the news article? How did it make you feel when your ‘fifteen minutes of fame’ were denigrated by the mocking laughter of anonymous? You were and are my friend. I do not mock you; I pity you and hope you will join us soon.
Thirty years ago we dreamed of being ‘clear’ and ‘OT’. Have you crossed the bridge yet? In the thirty years that you have been involved with the church, how far up the bridge have you gotten? I have seen your name listed as a donor to the IAS, the ideal Orgs in Atlanta and Tampa-but have not achieved the state of ‘clear’? Are you on target for your goals?
I hope you and your family will safely leave this insidious cult. What will happen if your wife leaves the church without you-will you speak to her? What will happen if your children leave the church without you-will you speak to them? If you leave the church without your family, will they speak to you? Why should any person have to ask or answer such questions about their religion?
If you do, there are friends that you know and friends you will meet on the outside waiting for you. Until that time, stay well and be happy.
Skydog