#NuclearSemiotics

[thechurchoftheatom]

A Sermon for March 5th: Cleansing the Body, Protecting the Future

Brothers and Sisters in the Atom, our faith is one of knowledge, responsibility, and preparation. We do not turn away from the realities of radiation—we acknowledge them, we understand them, and we take action to ensure our safety and the safety of those around us. Today, we turn our focus to decontamination: the process of removing radioactive particles from our bodies and surroundings. This is not only an act of survival but a sacred duty to protect ourselves, our communities, and future generations.

A Reading from the CDC’s Decontamination Guidelines

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides clear steps to follow if you have been exposed to radioactive material:

Remove Outer Clothing: Taking off your outer layer of clothing can remove up to 90% of radioactive contamination. Be careful not to shake the material loose. Place contaminated clothing in a plastic bag, seal it, and store it away from people and pets.

Wash Your Body: If possible, take a shower using soap and shampoo. Do not use conditioner, as it can cause radioactive material to adhere to your hair. If a shower is not available, wash exposed skin with plenty of soap and water at a sink. If no running water is available, use a moist wipe or damp cloth to clean your face, hands, and uncovered areas.

Clean Openings and Crevices: Blow your nose, wipe your eyelids, eyelashes, and ears with a wet cloth to remove any particles.

Change into Clean Clothes: Clothing stored in a closet or drawer, away from radioactive dust, is safe to wear.

These actions may seem simple, but they can mean the difference between prolonged exposure and safety. When we take these steps, we are not just protecting ourselves—we are ensuring that our presence does not endanger others.

A Sacred Practice for the Future

In the future, if we establish physical places of gathering, these acts of decontamination will become part of our sacred tradition. Before entering a place of worship, we will cleanse ourselves—not just as a precaution, but as a ritual. This will serve as both a practical safeguard and a symbol of our commitment to protecting life. Just as ancient traditions required purification before entering holy spaces, so too will we require decontamination before gathering in communion.

It is important to note that this ritual decontamination will always be a private act. Each individual will cleanse themselves in solitude, ensuring both dignity and effectiveness. This is not a communal experience but a personal practice, a moment of reflection and responsibility undertaken before joining others. The only exception shall be if an individual requires assistance to wash themselves as a result of age or disability. In this instance, help should be given out of compassion for the individual and our greater community.

This is how we ensure that knowledge does not fade. If one day, the understanding of radiation diminishes, the practice of decontamination will remain—a warning embedded in ritual, passed from one generation to the next. Even if the reason is forgotten, the act will endure.

A Call to Action

This week, take time to reflect on preparedness:

Read the full CDC Decontamination Guide and commit these steps to memory.

Ensure you have the supplies needed for decontamination: soap, clean water, wipes, and a change of clothing stored in a protected place.

Discuss the importance of decontamination with those close to you. Make sure they, too, understand how to reduce exposure in the event of contamination.

Closing Words

We are stewards of knowledge and protectors of the future. Let our actions reflect that duty. May we go forth prepared, understanding that in cleansing the body, we also preserve life. Let this wisdom endure, not just in words, but in practice.

Go forth and be radiant.