On Activism: “Thank you for all the hard work both of you put in to get the sex ed curriculum changed in Brevard. The kids will finally be getting the right information. It makes me very happy to see grass roots efforts pay off in such a big way!” Sue Idtensohn, President/CEO of Planned Parenthood of Greater Orlando, thanking Nall and Kevin Aplin of the Brevard ACLU for their assistance in the campaign to reform Brevard county’s abstinence only sex-education curriculum. (August 15 2007)
“I never got a chance to thank you for your support in defeating the anti-immigrant ordinance in Palm Bay. You really gave it to them when you spoke. I am so happy to have found an ally in a PFAW member and community leader in the Space Coast. PFAW is committed to progressive causes in your area and I look forward to working with you in the future…. Please extend my thanks to all of your friends at Brevard NOW and Space Coast Progressive Alliance. I look forward to working with you and your organizations in the future.” Nicole Palilonis, People For the American Way (August 21 2006)
“…your help in this whole matter has been essential, and is very much appreciated. Thanks much.” Kerry Kornblatt, (formerly of) Americans United for the Separation of Church and State regarding Nall’s assistance in the organization’s efforts to stop the Brevard County School Board from unnecessarily holding high school graduation at area churches in violation of the separation of church and state. (July 21, 2005)
On Writing:
“I write this letter to praise both Jeff Nall for writing his wonderful article, "Overcoming Antagonistic Atheism to Recast the Image of Humanism" (July/August 2006), and the Humanist for publishing it. Too often, the trend of movements is to creep toward self-righteousness and intolerance…. Writings such as Jeff Nall's are what keep people like me involved in the Humanist movement. Keep up the good work of promoting neighborly love as well as science.” Martha Knox, letter to the Humanist editor (September 2006)
“‘Overcoming Antagonistic Atheism to Recast the Image of Humanism’ (July/August 2006) is one of the most important articles to appear in The Humanist in many years. My fifty-plus years of experience as a humanist activist leave no doubt that mere religion-bashing and waving the flag for atheism is a dead end for humanists, a primary cause of isolation and ineffectiveness. Only by concentrating on the positive -- our concern for social justice, protecting the environment, defending civil liberties and democratic values, protecting church-state separation and reproductive choice, promoting science, reason, and public education, etc -- can humanism gain respect and influence.” Edd Doerr, Past President, American Humanist Association
“Congratulations to Jeff Nail for identifying a reason why some people aren't joining Humanist organizations….We've seen what religious fanaticism has done to the world and wonder why these people don't see their role in perpetuating it. Often it's difficult to be diplomatic when discussing these issues with "believers" but Nall correctly suggests that it's imperative. Steve Schwartz, letter to the Humanist editor (September 2006)
“More generally, the point you make about forging alliances between atheists and non-Christian religious groups has much to recommend it. In particular, by focusing on the political question of how to organize campaigns to maintain the separation between Church and state, you show up the more philosophical debates about science vs. God for the dogmatic clashes they so often are.” Dylan Evans, Senior Lecturer in Intelligent Autonomous Systems,
Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences
University of the West of England, commenting on Nall’s journal paper, “A New Vision for Freethought”
"I just finished your piece and I like it very much….your work is much needed!" Corey Dolgon, Editor of Humanity & Society, official journal of the Association for Humanist Sociology, and chair of the Worcester State College Department of Sociology, commenting on Nall’s journal paper, “A New Vision for Freethought”
On Speaking:
“Our thanks to you and April for making the trip so you could speak to us! It was wonderful to hear your ideas and views and to see the passion you have for your subject and work. It was definitely inspiring and thought-provoking.
Thought you'd like to know...we have a form that service attendees can fill out to provide feedback on our UU Sunday programs. You received the highest ratings on the form for items related to the guest speaker: 1) Speaker made a clear point in a well-organized talk, 2) Speaker was easy to understand and hear, 3) Topic was intriguing, inspiring, or educational, 4) Topic related to Unitarian Universalism and its principles. Janet Haden-Baker, hair of the Sunday Services Committee at Friendship Place, Rockledge Unitarian Universalist congregation.
"Jeff's inspirational message of hope and civic engagement, and his 'philosophy of perpetual revolt,' were enthusiastically received by a standing-room only crowd at one of the Space Coast Progressive Alliance's recent monthly socials. We look forward to hearing more from this dynamic young leader." Cammie Donaldson, Action Social Projects Co-Chair, Space Coast Progressive Alliance
"That was a really interesting meeting. That young man -- he has really grown a lot." Richard Manchester (Richard has devoted his life, as he says, to choosing between syphillis and gonorrhea in politics, and has, understandably, become a real cynic & pessimist, so a compliment from him is both rare and significant)
“Thank you so much for a fantastic presentation, we so appreciate you coming to speak to us….If you would be willing, we would love to have you come back in 2008.” Betsy Malone, Vice-president of the Humanists of Georgia (November 19 2007), commenting on Nall’s November talk on “Antagonistic Atheism” at the organization’s monthly meeting, on November 17 2007, in Roswell, Georgia.
“I agree with you on almost every point you made. Your references, quotes and statistics were a great help and are resources that I will be able to use to prepare talks in this area for the future. I hope you don't object if I reference your work in my own talks and writing on the same topic. Thanks for one of the best presentations at the entire conference.” Ross Hamilton Henry, Humanist Minister, Chair of The Humanist Institute Recruitment committee, commenting on Nall’s presentation of his paper, “A New Vision for Freethought,” at the 2005 Secular Student Alliance conference
