A Letter to the Editor by someone in the Helena, Montana area
This is support?I read, with some interest, the article regarding a group of Christians from Kansas who are coming to Helena to protest against various community churches and their "support" of homosexuals. As a gay man living in this community for the past 30 years I was perplexed to learn that indeed there was so much support for my lifestyle by the various religious institutions singled out by the "Reverend" Fred Phelps. I didn't realize, for example, that the Catholic Church was so supportive of me. But if you read between the lines of what Monsignor Kevin O'Neill stated: "…(the Catholic Church) does not discriminate against the sexual orientation of the individual" I think everyone knows what that means. Frankly, I'm glad that there is a hate-filled group coming to this town to protest my life. I would much rather deal with a group like this, that I know where they are coming from, than with an organization like the Catholic Church that subverts its message and meaning with hidden agendas and rhetorical dogma.Robert B
Jan 10, 2005
Jan 7, 2005
4 out 5 news sites did not mention Killen was a Preacher
A 79-year-old preacher is arrested in Mississippi for a murder that happened 40 years ago. Edgar Ray Killen is accused of taking part in the 1964 Ku Klux Klan killing of three civil rights workers. The case was dramatized in the 1988 movie "Mississippi Burning." Jerry Mitchell is a reporter with The Clarion-Ledger in Jackson, Mississippi. He's covered the story for the last 15 years. NPR's Renee Montagne speaks with Jerry Mitchell, a reporter with The Clarion-Ledger in Jackson, Miss. about the case.
Amazing.
40 years later, finally an attempt for justice. I love the fact there is no statute of limititions for murder. Only bad thing is this man has been able to live without punishment for so long.
Amazing.
40 years later, finally an attempt for justice. I love the fact there is no statute of limititions for murder. Only bad thing is this man has been able to live without punishment for so long.
Jan 6, 2005
Newdow, the most hated man alive today
It appears Michael Newdow will replace Madalyn Murray O’Hair as the most hated person in America if he hasn't already.
I myself have written a couple of letters to the editor concerning the pledge. So I am familiar with this issue.
The pledge is one of the many xtian hot buttons like evolution, gay marriage, and abortion.
These are a few of the many reasons why the republicans won in 2004. The republicans love this stuff. They pretent to be surprized, amazed and horrified, but in reality they are rubbing thier hands together with glee.
I'm not saying Mr. Newdow should stop trying to restore the pledge, I support his effort. I just wish the "media" would stop using negative terms to decribe him, such as the "Under God" foe.
Media liberal bias my ass. (It may have been once, but not anymore) They should call him a hero for defending the constitution. A brave man for standing up for his rights as an American citizen. The xtians complain of percecution, they should try standing on the court house steps or the street corner and yell "I'm an athiest!" See what kind of reaction they get from the people on the street. When a preacher stands on his soap box, and he may be a bit radical. Everyone, most everyone will tolerate him, its his right..... But if its a liberal with a unpoplur message, what happens? How dare they, glares, the finger, spitting, even a fist fight if the message is particularity offensive.
So much for my ranting today, here is the lastest news concerning Mr. Newdow.
'Under God' foe sues again over pledge
Atheist joined in suit by other parents
Thursday, January 6, 2005 Posted: 10:29 AM EST (1529 GMT) SAN FRANCISCO, California (AP) -- An atheist who sued because he did not want his young daughter exposed to the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance has filed another lawsuit -- this time with other parents.
Michael Newdow won his case more than two years ago before a federal appeals court, which said it was an unconstitutional blending of church and state for public school students to pledge to God.
In June, however, the Supreme Court dismissed the case, saying Newdow could not lawfully sue because he did not have custody of his elementary school-aged daughter and because the girl's mother objected to the lawsuit.
In the latest challenge filed Monday in Sacramento federal court, eight co-plaintiffs have joined the suit, and all are custodial parents or the children themselves, Newdow said.
The plaintiffs' names have been withheld from the lawsuit.
"It's because of the potential adverse impacts of having your name on a case like this. That's why they are not named," Newdow said Wednesday.
He had promised to refile when the Supreme Court dismissed his case this summer.
"I want this decided on its merits," said Newdow, a doctor and a lawyer, who again is the attorney in the latest pledge case.
Although the Supreme Court sidestepped the broader question of separation of church and state when it tossed the case, Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist wrote separately that the pledge as recited by schoolchildren does not violate the Constitution. Justices Sandra Day O'Connor and Clarence Thomas agreed with him.
A fourth justice, Antonin Scalia, removed himself from the case after making off-the-bench remarks that seemed to telegraph his view that the pledge is constitutional.
Rehnquist wrote that the phrase "one nation under God" is more about ceremony and history than about religion. He likened the phrase to the motto "In God We Trust" on U.S. currency, and to the call that opens each session of the high court itself: "God save this honorable court."
Vickram Amar, a constitutional scholar at Hastings College of the Law, said that "this case starts with a 0-4 handicap from the Supreme Court's point of view. Lower court judges are not going to be oblivious to that" when they consider the issue.
No court date has been set.
I myself have written a couple of letters to the editor concerning the pledge. So I am familiar with this issue.
The pledge is one of the many xtian hot buttons like evolution, gay marriage, and abortion.
These are a few of the many reasons why the republicans won in 2004. The republicans love this stuff. They pretent to be surprized, amazed and horrified, but in reality they are rubbing thier hands together with glee.
I'm not saying Mr. Newdow should stop trying to restore the pledge, I support his effort. I just wish the "media" would stop using negative terms to decribe him, such as the "Under God" foe.
Media liberal bias my ass. (It may have been once, but not anymore) They should call him a hero for defending the constitution. A brave man for standing up for his rights as an American citizen. The xtians complain of percecution, they should try standing on the court house steps or the street corner and yell "I'm an athiest!" See what kind of reaction they get from the people on the street. When a preacher stands on his soap box, and he may be a bit radical. Everyone, most everyone will tolerate him, its his right..... But if its a liberal with a unpoplur message, what happens? How dare they, glares, the finger, spitting, even a fist fight if the message is particularity offensive.
So much for my ranting today, here is the lastest news concerning Mr. Newdow.
'Under God' foe sues again over pledge
Atheist joined in suit by other parents
Thursday, January 6, 2005 Posted: 10:29 AM EST (1529 GMT) SAN FRANCISCO, California (AP) -- An atheist who sued because he did not want his young daughter exposed to the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance has filed another lawsuit -- this time with other parents.
Michael Newdow won his case more than two years ago before a federal appeals court, which said it was an unconstitutional blending of church and state for public school students to pledge to God.
In June, however, the Supreme Court dismissed the case, saying Newdow could not lawfully sue because he did not have custody of his elementary school-aged daughter and because the girl's mother objected to the lawsuit.
In the latest challenge filed Monday in Sacramento federal court, eight co-plaintiffs have joined the suit, and all are custodial parents or the children themselves, Newdow said.
The plaintiffs' names have been withheld from the lawsuit.
"It's because of the potential adverse impacts of having your name on a case like this. That's why they are not named," Newdow said Wednesday.
He had promised to refile when the Supreme Court dismissed his case this summer.
"I want this decided on its merits," said Newdow, a doctor and a lawyer, who again is the attorney in the latest pledge case.
Although the Supreme Court sidestepped the broader question of separation of church and state when it tossed the case, Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist wrote separately that the pledge as recited by schoolchildren does not violate the Constitution. Justices Sandra Day O'Connor and Clarence Thomas agreed with him.
A fourth justice, Antonin Scalia, removed himself from the case after making off-the-bench remarks that seemed to telegraph his view that the pledge is constitutional.
Rehnquist wrote that the phrase "one nation under God" is more about ceremony and history than about religion. He likened the phrase to the motto "In God We Trust" on U.S. currency, and to the call that opens each session of the high court itself: "God save this honorable court."
Vickram Amar, a constitutional scholar at Hastings College of the Law, said that "this case starts with a 0-4 handicap from the Supreme Court's point of view. Lower court judges are not going to be oblivious to that" when they consider the issue.
No court date has been set.
Jan 5, 2005
The Montana Human Rights Network "The Good Guys"
Travis is the man!
I wish he could use an assistant.
He does what I do, but gets paid to do it.
Keep up the good work!
I find the Constitution Party down right frightening.
What the Constitution Party is
By TRAVIS McADAM - IR Your Turn - 12/29/04
It would seem that every angle of the hotly-contested legislative race in House District 12 has been covered. The press reported on the recount, the litigation, and the political fallout, as Democrat Jeanne Windham and the Constitution Party's Rick Jore battled for a spot in the Montana House of Representatives.
A significant point, however, was missed. By appointing Jore to the seat, Gov. Judy Martz awarded a fringe political party with a place in the Montana Legislature. Jore is generally described as a "conservative" like Martz, but there is more to the story. There are reasons that members of the Constitution Party have failed to hold state-level office anywhere in the country.While both the Montana and national Constitution Parties like to wrap themselves in God, country and flag, their real agendas are radical. Howard Phillips founded the national Constitution Party in 1992, combining Christian Reconstruction with themes of the militia movement. Reconstructionists believe that civil law should mirror Old Testament biblical law, meaning capital punishment should be extended to gays, lesbians, blasphemers, and adulterers. People who are not "Christian enough" could be denied citizenship, or worse, be executed. The party also promotes "New World Order" conspiracy theories similar to those of the militia movement. The Constitution Party of Montana expanded Phillips' premise. Michael Heit, founder of the state party, proudly proclaims he hasn't paid income taxes since 1987 and is trying to get rid of his Social Security number. Both of these are hallmark practices of groups like the Montana Freemen. In the past, party activists have supported "unorganized militias," a term used by groups like the Militia of Montana in attempts to claim constitutional legitimacy. The current party chairman, Jonathan Martin, brings Religious Right ideology to the table. He and followers regularly picket the Great Falls Planned Parenthood clinic, carrying placards featuring pictures of allegedly aborted fetuses. In the past, both Martin and Heit have lambasted Montana Right to Life for being too moderate.In 2000, Rick Jore joined the Constitution Party. At the time, he was an incumbent Republican representative from Ronan. He left the GOP, saying he needed to belong to a party reflecting his own values. After losing his re-election campaign, Jore hit the Constitution Party speaking circuit, peddling the idea that the GOP is too liberal and no different from Democrats.Jore and the Constitution Party are part of an ultra-conservative faction criticizing the Montana Republican Party's ideology. They insist the GOP is marching towards liberalism, or worse, socialism. This notion is patently absurd, as the Montana Republican Party is widely considered one of the most conservative state parties in all of the country. By choosing Jore, Martz has placed the Constitution Party and Republican conservatism on the same level.Martz says she based her decision on the numbers, so let's take at look at them. There are 5,997 registered voters in HD 12. Jore's vote total comes out to about 26 percent of that population. That is hardly a mandate, which left Martz to choose between the representative of a right-wing, fringe party and a moderate Democrat. Her decision reverberates with partisan political sentiment. Wanting to keep Republicans in control of the House, Martz provided legitimacy to the Constitution Party, something the party had been unable to do on its own. For short-term political gain, Martz has allowed Montana conservatism to take another gigantic step to the right.Travis McAdam is the research director for the Montana Human Rights Network. The Network can be contacted at P.O. Box 1222, Helena, MT 59624.
I wish he could use an assistant.
He does what I do, but gets paid to do it.
Keep up the good work!
I find the Constitution Party down right frightening.
What the Constitution Party is
By TRAVIS McADAM - IR Your Turn - 12/29/04
It would seem that every angle of the hotly-contested legislative race in House District 12 has been covered. The press reported on the recount, the litigation, and the political fallout, as Democrat Jeanne Windham and the Constitution Party's Rick Jore battled for a spot in the Montana House of Representatives.
A significant point, however, was missed. By appointing Jore to the seat, Gov. Judy Martz awarded a fringe political party with a place in the Montana Legislature. Jore is generally described as a "conservative" like Martz, but there is more to the story. There are reasons that members of the Constitution Party have failed to hold state-level office anywhere in the country.While both the Montana and national Constitution Parties like to wrap themselves in God, country and flag, their real agendas are radical. Howard Phillips founded the national Constitution Party in 1992, combining Christian Reconstruction with themes of the militia movement. Reconstructionists believe that civil law should mirror Old Testament biblical law, meaning capital punishment should be extended to gays, lesbians, blasphemers, and adulterers. People who are not "Christian enough" could be denied citizenship, or worse, be executed. The party also promotes "New World Order" conspiracy theories similar to those of the militia movement. The Constitution Party of Montana expanded Phillips' premise. Michael Heit, founder of the state party, proudly proclaims he hasn't paid income taxes since 1987 and is trying to get rid of his Social Security number. Both of these are hallmark practices of groups like the Montana Freemen. In the past, party activists have supported "unorganized militias," a term used by groups like the Militia of Montana in attempts to claim constitutional legitimacy. The current party chairman, Jonathan Martin, brings Religious Right ideology to the table. He and followers regularly picket the Great Falls Planned Parenthood clinic, carrying placards featuring pictures of allegedly aborted fetuses. In the past, both Martin and Heit have lambasted Montana Right to Life for being too moderate.In 2000, Rick Jore joined the Constitution Party. At the time, he was an incumbent Republican representative from Ronan. He left the GOP, saying he needed to belong to a party reflecting his own values. After losing his re-election campaign, Jore hit the Constitution Party speaking circuit, peddling the idea that the GOP is too liberal and no different from Democrats.Jore and the Constitution Party are part of an ultra-conservative faction criticizing the Montana Republican Party's ideology. They insist the GOP is marching towards liberalism, or worse, socialism. This notion is patently absurd, as the Montana Republican Party is widely considered one of the most conservative state parties in all of the country. By choosing Jore, Martz has placed the Constitution Party and Republican conservatism on the same level.Martz says she based her decision on the numbers, so let's take at look at them. There are 5,997 registered voters in HD 12. Jore's vote total comes out to about 26 percent of that population. That is hardly a mandate, which left Martz to choose between the representative of a right-wing, fringe party and a moderate Democrat. Her decision reverberates with partisan political sentiment. Wanting to keep Republicans in control of the House, Martz provided legitimacy to the Constitution Party, something the party had been unable to do on its own. For short-term political gain, Martz has allowed Montana conservatism to take another gigantic step to the right.Travis McAdam is the research director for the Montana Human Rights Network. The Network can be contacted at P.O. Box 1222, Helena, MT 59624.
Hell and judgment Day again! And again
In the following article it says some (really) intense people from Kansas are coming to Montana. I've got to write a letter to the editor about this one. It's an anti-gay church group that goes around harassing liberals/specifically gays. They worship the idea of hell and eternal damnation.
I noticed they bring up judgment day. But as usual, in the same article they talk about people being in Hell now. So again I ask, what is judgment day? I thought that's when God judges each and everyone that has ever walked the earth. "the resurrection of the dead", maybe they thing only saved Christians go straight to heaven and those liberal Christians and other infidels go straight to hell, skip the judgment. That must be it. Um.
I will need to research this idea further.
Here is the newspaper article
Anti-gay group to picket UM, local churches
By Martin J. Kidston - IR Staff Writer - 01/05/05A Kansas church group that abhors homosexuals and claims "God's hatred is one of His holy attributes" is planning a religious protest in Helena next month, targeting several area churches, the Montana Supreme Court, and the University of Montana.
The Westboro Baptist Church, based in Topeka, Kan., gave notice in a fax Monday of its intention to picket Helena's "pro-gay" churches, as well as the "(homosexual)-infested" University of Montana.
"We need to be sure the people of Helena call to mind that there is a God, a standard, and a day of judgment, and it's not OK to be gay," Shirley Phelps-Roper, a member of the Westboro Church, said in a phone interview Tuesday.The six Helena churches targeted by the group are the Calvary Baptist, St. Helena's Cathedral, St. Peter's Episcopal, St. Paul's United Methodist, Our Redeemer's Lutheran, and First Presbyterian."You can put this mess right at their doorstep," Phelps-Roper said of the six churches. "They've carried the big lie that God loves everyone. Does he love those people that have been burning in Hell since the flood? These churches have enabled the sin that plagues this generation."
The group called its arrival in Helena a "religious protest and warning" that was initiated by a Montana Supreme Court ruling that found that gay and lesbian partners of the Montana university system have the same right to health insurance benefits as their heterosexual partners.The group's fax included a picture of the Montana Supreme Court, along with a reference to that court as the "People's Republic of Sodom."Travis McAdam, research director at the Montana Human Rights Network in Helena, said the Westboro Church is led by Fred Phelps, the father of Phelps-Roper — one of his 13 children.Many of the church's congregants, which Phelps-Roper placed at 100, are related to Phelps by blood, according to the Anti-Defamation League.Phelps, along with his family, has made a career protesting gay and lesbian issues around the country, including the funeral of gay murder victim Matthew Shepard. The Southern Poverty Law Center has classified the church as a hate group."Communities have resoundingly rejected these people," McAdam said. "They're generally treated with scorn by the mainstream, and they're not able to generate much sympathy and support locally. They're really the nastiest of the anti-gay groups that are out there."St. Paul's United Methodist Church, one of six churches targeted by the group in Helena, said it will stand by its Doctrine of Social Principles despite the group's attack.Robyn Morrison of St. Paul's said those principles view both homosexuals and heterosexuals as being equal in sacred worth."All persons need the ministry and guidance of the church in their struggles for human fulfillment, as well as the spiritual and emotional care of the fellowship that enables reconciling relationships with God, with others, and with self," Morrison read from the doctrine.Morrison said St. Paul's would likely meet with the five other Helena churches to formulate an appropriate response to the group's protest."We're embarrassed by it for other Christians," Morrison added.Monsignor Kevin O'Neill, of the Helena Diocese, called the group reprehensible and labeled its statements as vile and hate-filled."They don't seek to reside within the truth," O'Neill said. "Theirs is a narrow, bigoted mind, and you have to pray for them."O'Neill said that while the church does not condone or promote the homosexual lifestyle, it does not discriminate against the sexual orientation of the individual.The group's language, he said, is troublesome."The church does not condone this type of response," O'Neill said. "What they represent is indefensible."The fax distributed by the Westboro Church goes on to thank God for the Indian Ocean tsunamis "that swept 20,000 Swedes and other (homosexual) perverts into Hell."Phelps-Roper said the disaster was God's intention to punish a "filthy, disobedient generation.""Who do you think sent that earthquake and tsunami that killed all those people," she said. "If your message doesn't line up with the scriptures, then it's not God's message."The Westboro Church has gained the attention of equal-rights groups, including the Anti-Defamation League. The church's protest signs often bear such statements as "Hell is real: Ask Matt" — a referring to the death of Shepard.The ADL said the group's fliers, such as that received Monday, typically emphasize the race or religion of those it believes are gay. This, according to the ADL, suggests that the church's hate goes beyond it's abhorrence for homosexuals."What appears to be anti-gay rhetoric is often a vehicle for the church's anti-Semitism, hatred of other Christians, and even racism," the ADL said.
I noticed they bring up judgment day. But as usual, in the same article they talk about people being in Hell now. So again I ask, what is judgment day? I thought that's when God judges each and everyone that has ever walked the earth. "the resurrection of the dead", maybe they thing only saved Christians go straight to heaven and those liberal Christians and other infidels go straight to hell, skip the judgment. That must be it. Um.
I will need to research this idea further.
Here is the newspaper article
Anti-gay group to picket UM, local churches
By Martin J. Kidston - IR Staff Writer - 01/05/05A Kansas church group that abhors homosexuals and claims "God's hatred is one of His holy attributes" is planning a religious protest in Helena next month, targeting several area churches, the Montana Supreme Court, and the University of Montana.
The Westboro Baptist Church, based in Topeka, Kan., gave notice in a fax Monday of its intention to picket Helena's "pro-gay" churches, as well as the "(homosexual)-infested" University of Montana.
"We need to be sure the people of Helena call to mind that there is a God, a standard, and a day of judgment, and it's not OK to be gay," Shirley Phelps-Roper, a member of the Westboro Church, said in a phone interview Tuesday.The six Helena churches targeted by the group are the Calvary Baptist, St. Helena's Cathedral, St. Peter's Episcopal, St. Paul's United Methodist, Our Redeemer's Lutheran, and First Presbyterian."You can put this mess right at their doorstep," Phelps-Roper said of the six churches. "They've carried the big lie that God loves everyone. Does he love those people that have been burning in Hell since the flood? These churches have enabled the sin that plagues this generation."
The group called its arrival in Helena a "religious protest and warning" that was initiated by a Montana Supreme Court ruling that found that gay and lesbian partners of the Montana university system have the same right to health insurance benefits as their heterosexual partners.The group's fax included a picture of the Montana Supreme Court, along with a reference to that court as the "People's Republic of Sodom."Travis McAdam, research director at the Montana Human Rights Network in Helena, said the Westboro Church is led by Fred Phelps, the father of Phelps-Roper — one of his 13 children.Many of the church's congregants, which Phelps-Roper placed at 100, are related to Phelps by blood, according to the Anti-Defamation League.Phelps, along with his family, has made a career protesting gay and lesbian issues around the country, including the funeral of gay murder victim Matthew Shepard. The Southern Poverty Law Center has classified the church as a hate group."Communities have resoundingly rejected these people," McAdam said. "They're generally treated with scorn by the mainstream, and they're not able to generate much sympathy and support locally. They're really the nastiest of the anti-gay groups that are out there."St. Paul's United Methodist Church, one of six churches targeted by the group in Helena, said it will stand by its Doctrine of Social Principles despite the group's attack.Robyn Morrison of St. Paul's said those principles view both homosexuals and heterosexuals as being equal in sacred worth."All persons need the ministry and guidance of the church in their struggles for human fulfillment, as well as the spiritual and emotional care of the fellowship that enables reconciling relationships with God, with others, and with self," Morrison read from the doctrine.Morrison said St. Paul's would likely meet with the five other Helena churches to formulate an appropriate response to the group's protest."We're embarrassed by it for other Christians," Morrison added.Monsignor Kevin O'Neill, of the Helena Diocese, called the group reprehensible and labeled its statements as vile and hate-filled."They don't seek to reside within the truth," O'Neill said. "Theirs is a narrow, bigoted mind, and you have to pray for them."O'Neill said that while the church does not condone or promote the homosexual lifestyle, it does not discriminate against the sexual orientation of the individual.The group's language, he said, is troublesome."The church does not condone this type of response," O'Neill said. "What they represent is indefensible."The fax distributed by the Westboro Church goes on to thank God for the Indian Ocean tsunamis "that swept 20,000 Swedes and other (homosexual) perverts into Hell."Phelps-Roper said the disaster was God's intention to punish a "filthy, disobedient generation.""Who do you think sent that earthquake and tsunami that killed all those people," she said. "If your message doesn't line up with the scriptures, then it's not God's message."The Westboro Church has gained the attention of equal-rights groups, including the Anti-Defamation League. The church's protest signs often bear such statements as "Hell is real: Ask Matt" — a referring to the death of Shepard.The ADL said the group's fliers, such as that received Monday, typically emphasize the race or religion of those it believes are gay. This, according to the ADL, suggests that the church's hate goes beyond it's abhorrence for homosexuals."What appears to be anti-gay rhetoric is often a vehicle for the church's anti-Semitism, hatred of other Christians, and even racism," the ADL said.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
