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Acknowledgments
Many thanks are due many people for their participation in this writing. First and foremost my greatest thanks go to my then wife, Vickie L. Patterson, Ph.D. Perjurer or Saint? could easily be considered co-written by her when acknowledging her endless hours devoted to assisting me, editing, and providing me crash courses in grammar, writing, and editing. That proved the easy part, for she also spent many hours with me as I pondered points and discussed them with her. Other times, she expertly served as a "sounding board." This she did while maintaining a part-time job, her doctoral studies, domestic duties, being a parent to our pets, a daughter to her parents, a daughter-in-law to my mother, a sister-in-law to my brothers, and toughest yet, living with me. However, Perjurer or Saint? is a product of my opinions and perspectives. I am quite bold and unashamed in them. Therefore, I assume sole responsibility for the writing’s content, charges and potential offensiveness. Though she respects and often admires my views, they should not necessarily reflect on her. Perjurer could not have been completed without her expert skills, and more importantly, her encouragement.
Further acknowledgment goes to James H. Fort, Jr. His character since 1992 demonstrated Christianity need not be synonymous with fanaticism and hatred. Had I never met Jim, I would not have been open to Pat Swindall. Thanks Jim, you are a good friend.
Craig Thomas, a former employer, and Ann Price, Ph.D. also role modeled sane Christianity.
Ann's, Alfred Illingworth's, Ray Knisely's, Julienne Rapp's and Barbara Lucas's early proofing of my draft and encouraging words convinced me to write on.
Dr. Edward M. Buckner of The Atlanta Freethought Society (AFS, an organization of anti-theism activists) warrants a thank-you with a sort of twist. Ed convinced and encouraged me to attempt a new skill--writing, and start with My Appeal to the AFS. I do not think he intended that my writing continue on to such a work as this, for I present much criticism for many of his political values. However, Ed is a freethinker and would certainly agree with anyone sharing their views.
Perhaps you have noticed there has been no mention of my mother. Well, I do enjoy some country music, and this would not be a full acknowledgment without my "Ma." If the old saying, "last but not least" has never had any truth, it does here. Though she was reared Catholic, she has always instilled in me an appreciation for looking beyond face value. True, she proved no role model for Catholicism, yet she always professed a belief in God. I abandoned Catholicism long ago. So did she. Yet her insight to seeing beyond the immediate set the stage for me to accept James Fort, Craig Thomas, Ann Price, and Pat Swindall. They are not evil, fanatical people. My Ma, though at least deistically theistic, has been realistic. She taught me to question everything. Thank you, Ma. I love you. This writing, however, reveals that during its composing I converted to Christ. Ma shortly after followed suit.
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