The rag program is a wonderful and often misunderstood entity. Keep in mind that the YMCA is concerned with people’s PRINCIPLES, not their BELIEFS. It doesn’t matter if someone believes that Jesus is their co-pilot, or just a fictional creation — do they believe in the principles of Honesty, Responsibility, Respect and Caring? Do they live like a ragger; true to the creed and to their challenges? Can they understand the examples of the character of Jesus?

These are the important issues. The rag program is very personal, and it isn’t anyone’s place to tell you what your rag means to you.

The trickiest rag to counsel as an atheist is the silver. A dedication to christian principles is not easy for one who denies christ, but to view it in such shallow terms is to completely miss the point. The principles of the life of jesus are universal. Egalitarianism, personal sacrifice, service, love, and compassion are all themes of the life of jesus. I like to refer to the Beatitudes (Sermon on the Mount) when counseling the silver.

That’s all that comes to mind right now. Good luck, and please, feel free to ask if you need anything. I am here to serve, and my challenge for my white rag is to be a lifelong keeper of the point, and custodian of the rag society.

Logos Invictus Lux Lumina,