Democratic Church Purge Part II: Action (East Waynesville Baptist Church)

[Pirate Smile]

Democratic Church Purge Part II: Action
by georgia10

Fri May 6th, 2005 at 05:43:53 PDT

Fresh Thread & Action Items. Please, stop by the original thread here. Lots of great comments there.
Yesterday, on the National Day of Prayer, we learned that the East Waynesville Baptist Church in North Carolina essentially kicked out its Democratic members. Nine members were "excommunicated" and 40 other members of the 405 member church resigned in protest.

From libnnc over at DU:

"One of the local women who got excommunicated said on TV that it was like a cult. Another man who got excommunicated said that the rest of the congregation stood up and applauded as the Democrats were told to leave."

You can see video of the news segment here, here(thanks Bob Hopkins), here (thanks Christopher Bair) and here (thanks to by foot). Read the blurb of the story on WLOS's site here.

Diaries :: georgia10's diary :: :: Trackback ::
The minister, Chan Chandler, is around 31 years old. Apparently, he told the members of the church that if they voted for John Kerry or were Democrats, they were against the church. They had a choice to "repent" their sin or leave.

Why should we care? Because this is more about a rogue (hopefully!) church in North Carolina. We have a duty to stand by and support our fellow Democrats and liberals. We have to stand up for Democrats of faith and against the politicization of religion.

Yesterday, we were shocked and outraged. Today, we act.

To that end, I urge all to take the following action:

1. Contact the IRS. Let's make a paper trail.
2. Contact the ACLU in North Carolina at this address: [e-mail]
3. Write a letter to the local newspaper.
4. Contact North Carolina Senators Burr and Dole and urge them to denounce this discrimination:

Richard Burr (R-NC)
[phone]
online contact form

Elizabeth Dole (R-NC)
[phone]
online contact form

5. Contact Minority Leader Harry Reid. He should know about this.

Harry Reid (D - NV)
[phone]
online contact form

6. Contact your local media and the national media as well:

7. Contact the East Waynesville Baptist Church itself. Let's be polite, but let's tell them how wrong their action is:
175 Woodland Drive
Waynesville, NC
828-456-6841

The minister's address/number is being floated around online. PLEASE don't call him up directly at his home.

We can't let outrage fatigue curb our action on this. This is part of a wider pattern of discrimination against liberals and progressives:

Yesterday alone, we saw not only the expulsion of Demcrats from this one church, but also:
*Church and pro-life groups have pressured to deny a Judge communion, reportedly because he allowed a 13 yrd old to have an abortion .link. (thanks to route66 for the tip)
*Kansas Governor Sebelius was to give a commencement speech, until she was "uninvited" because of pressure from the Archibishop because she's pro-choice. Read Ohiocrat's diary here.

We can dismiss it as those "crazy fundies" or we can come to the aid of our fellow Democrats and declare that intolerance--whether it be in a church hall or the halls of Congress--is unacceptable to the Democratic Party.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/5/6/84353/67437

Earlier DU thread breaking the story http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3604552

[coloradodem2005]

1. Despicable.

Absolutely despicable.

[bowens43]

2. I disagree with

'this is more about a rogue (hopefully!) church in North Carolina'.

This is not just about a rogue church.

It's MUCH bigger then that . This another indication of the fundamentalist extremist's desire to replace our way of government with a theocracy. These are VERY DANGEROUS people. The pose a MUCH greater threat to our freedom then Islamic fundamentalists. Because these people are Christan fundamentalists , the press and the people will be more inclined to allow them to achieve their agenda. No one wants to appear to be 'anti-Christan'. These despicable actions by so called Christians must not be allowed to stand.

[Batgirl]

15. yep, in the same way the Schaivo case

wasn't just about a particular brain dead woman, this isn't about this particular congregation.

Both cases illustrate that religious fundamentalists are authoritarians who claim a divine right to not just control how everyone lives, but how they vote, and even the very thoughts inside their heads.

Decent, non-loony Christians should be looking at this purging as a canary-in-the-coal-mine warning that something is really wrong with those of their leaders -- and their unquestioning followers -- who have such distorted, hateful, exclusionary views.

This version of religion is grotesquely twisted, and those who perpetrate and approve of these kinds of actions are in the grip of one of the greatest Evils. They don't love true Christian values. They don't love Jesus, but cynically use Him as a trump card in a quest for authoritarian political power. I'm convinced they don't even really care about the brain dead and the fetuses. What they really love is that intoxicating, but oh so illusory, feeling of superiority and self-righteous judgmentalism.

[Jawja]

18. Yes, remember now the

GOP are calling the Dems "the OTHER faith." This is deliberate.

[SheepyMcSheepster]

3. kick!

:kick:

[dolo amber]

4. I'm sure phoning Liddy will do *loads* of good

Bet she gets right on that... :eyes:

/former North Carolinian

[Pirate Smile]

6. I think getting it in the media is the key. Send it not just to the

standard newspapers and news TV stations but also, of course, The Daily Show, Letterman, Leno, etc.

Olberman could do a great segment between this and Cheney's referring to Democrats as the "other faith" and having the audience repeatedly parrot his term.

[kysrsoze]

9. If you want media attention - gather a big protest against the church

It may not end up pretty, but will get attention.

[seabeyond]

5. this is not rogue.....with this demand from cheney WHAT

other faith is. i want a definition of other faith

frist justice sunday

this is what it is

[Pirate Smile]

7. Along with DeLay and other attacks on Federal Judges for the

Schiavo fiasco - and the Pharmacist refusing prescriptions, etc. It is everywhere.

[Hugin]

8. Tax time!

Not to mention some FEC action.

I quite frankly don't care what a church does as long
as they pay their taxes.

[CO Liberal]

10. My E-Mail to the North Carolina ACLU

Like many others across America, I am deeply saddened and disturbed by the recent actions of the East Waynesville Baptist Church to excommunicate its members who are Democrats or who do not support George W. Bush. This is a totally improper mixing or religion and politics, which has deprived many people of their right to worship as they choose, which is a right guaranteed by the First Amendment of the constitution.

And legal pressure that can be brought to bear on this church to make the see the error of their ways would benefit ALL Americans.

[DemocracyInaction]

11. May I also suggest contacting Al Sharpton, Jessie Jackson, etc.

...because we, quite frankly, know that much of the Southern Baptist churchs are evolving around a core dirctly linked to keeping blacks out of the white churches and providing "baptist" schools that exclude blacks. In so many ways, this is flaunting ye olde segregation again. Let them get by with this and what kind of actions will they take next??? Will they declare 'black churches' non-Christian because they are predominently Dem and thus invite abuse and attacks ( a la pre-civil rights movement) onto the blacks. Please contact Black leaders. Thanks

[DemocracyInaction]

13. Want to add a PS to my post: contact the So. Baptist headquarters

How about contacting whomever is the head of the Southern Baptists (which is a positively HUGE group) and demanding an apology, clarification, statement, etc. Make them put up or shut up. This could be THE moment when we are able to bring this whole damn thing to a head in this country and show people just what kind of vipers are crawling through the churches these days.

[Pirate Smile]

17. Good idea. I was just thinking we need to contact progressive religious

leaders. Jim Wallis popped into my mind.

[mmonk]

36. Definitely better to contact them than

Liddy Dole or Burr. They're dedicated rightwingers even if the right decides to violate constitutional principles.

[madrchsod]

12. fine- if they don`t want democrats

those people can go elsewhere and find a "church" that they will be comfortable with. i`m sure the good people will be more than happy to make up the offerings that those evil democrats made.
we fight the crazies by showing them and others, that like christ,every man, woman, and child is equal in the eyes of god...
really -what would jesus do?-what did jesus do against the same people in his day?

[libnnc]

14. Here's what breaks my heart about this whole thing

After I saw the video clip and Russ Bowen's original piece on my tee-vee news here in Winston-Salem--those people who were thrown out were elderly folks who had been faithful members of that church for over 30 years. These people had been members since BEFORE the preacher WAS EVEN BORN!!

How DARE he bully and intimidate these folks!! I was brought up to respect my elders--OR ELSE! I'm not sure what kind of upbringing Chan Chandler had, but I'm sure he wasn't raised to be nasty and hateful to elderly people.

I don't know where he got the idea that it was okay to misuse his authority. He has abused and hurt these people in my hometown.

That, I cannot abide.

[seabeyond]

16. and their peers, stood and applauded their rejection

from the church

fellowman

[deutsey]

19. Kudos to the 40 who resigned in protest

[seabeyond]

20. ya, kudos......about damn time

my friends and loved ones stop justifying and excusing this behavior and stand up for me within their church, or they become accessories. just done with this shit. i demand more

[G_j]

25. I believe one of the ousted members said

to paraphrase: I was raised to worship God not a preacher.
anyone have the quote?

[derby378]

32. Respect for your "betters" is something you need to "unlearn"

Remember, this man is the enemy now. He has turned his back on his nation, on his church, and on his God.

[SnowGoose]

21. What if a Dem goes in anyhow?

What if you or I or one of the disfellowshipped people showed up for services (constructively)? Would the pastor call the cops and have them arrested for trespassing? On what grounds - don't churches allow visitors? Can they allow some visitors and not others?

I'd love to see how that would play out (especially in court).

[dogday]

26. Now there is an idea

Sunday Service should be packed with Democratic from all over. Let's see how they like it. What are they going to do, kick everyone out? Bring a video camera and get it on tape....

[Bozita]

22. This still doesn't compare to Pope Ratzinger's fatwa against Kerry

No sacraments for pro-abortion politicians. That was a direct attempt at influencing an American presidential election.

This Baptist pastor sounds like a Ratzinger wannabee.

He's got a long way to go, but he is off to a strong start.

[seabeyond]

27. good you brought this up., i believe this is the new popes

intention. i dont believe it will stop at this one church. i think we have been given many statements from many of these people saying this is exactly what they want to do. so for me to listen to them, isnt my problem. i get to say, this is what they are saying they want to do

[demosincebirth]

50. Comparing the Pope with this jerk is a rebuke to

many progressive Catholics, which I am one, on DU. Lets not make dividing statements and forget our goal as Progressives and Democrats.

[seabeyond]

66. i think the pope will be trying to kick you,

the progressive out of your church. i will be the one standing with you saying it is your religion.

no, i am on your side. i will be supporting you.

but the fact remains that i think this is the intent and goal of the new pope. only time will see. i can easily be wrong. who is to know. merely putting out an opinion.

personally i would like to see, support and help the catholics become the progressive church they have always been in the past.

it doesnt have to be a divide. only if you chose to take it as one. that isnt my intent, nor goal

[alcuno]

69. You can drive them out but you can't force them out.

There just is no way to kick Catholics out of the Church because we aren't tied to a building or a pastor, but rather to the faith.

[demosincebirth]

74. Come to my church in Oakland, St Columba,

and see how progressive the the church is. You might learn how socially active most parishes are.

No one gets kicked out. Some chose to leave the faith, but thats their choice

[atreides1]

78. I Have A Question For You

What will your church do should they get an order to stop being progressive and to follow church doctrine to the letter?

The Pope already has a history of being against progressive members of the church, both ordained and lay persons.

He also has appointed Cardinal Sodano as his Secretary of State, and Cardinal Sodano is a very good friend with the former dictator of Chile, and failed to speak out about the disappearances that occurred
under the Pinochet government.


The reality of the situation is that one day you and other Catholic progressives will have to make a choice, to either follow your faith,
or to march in lockstep with the church, because one day they will be completely separate entities.

But then again, the day may come when all who believe and who are progressive, will have to make that same choice

[EVDebs]

68. See post #67 QUICK

and also read Steve Wohlberg's book End Time Delusions. You'll be surprised at who most Christians in the Reformation thought the antichrist/beast was...The Papacy.

The End Times pre-trib doctine is basically the Jesuits 'futurist' eschatology, designed to get the finger pointed off the Pope.

It's no wonder they would want to use the measures of 'witch-hunt' tactics (they worked so well for them in the past, don't you think ?). Only this time they've got supposedly 'Protestant' denominations helping them !

History is repeating itself. We need to nip this in the bud.

[G_j]

29. sure it does!

because it is just a more blatant and obvious manifestation of a larger movement. Fundamentalist churches have been pushing RW politics everywhere across the country. This preacher, Dobson, Robertson, Frist etc. are all part of the same picture.
IMO, they have had far more of an impact than Ratzinger.

[mmonk]

38. He didn't call for excommunication

[leftofthedial]

23. definitely contact the IRS

this is no longer "religion"

[zbdent]

24. Does the church videotape their services?

I know that the church I used to go to did.

I wonder if a court order would carry any weight.

They probably "lost" that tape, if they do.

[DS1]

28. Too bad we can't get medieval on them and brick the ones still inside in

:eyes:

[Name removed]

31. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[DS1]

41. I can't possibly fathom was this was deleted

[Pirate Smile]

72. I've noticed a few posts that got deleted when they weren't offensive or

divisive in any way. :shrug:

[johnaries]

30. The SBC is having their Annual Meeting in June in Nashville.

http://sbc.net/redirect.asp?ci=699&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Esbcannualmeeting%2Ecom

It will be at the Gaylord Entertainment center.

How about we organize a Big Protest of all of their actions!

[paparush]

33. Segment on NPR this morning about...

4 Christian law schools founded by Falwell and Pat Robertson (and 2 other schools) Cranking out 600 lawyers a year who's goal is to change policy, become judges, and write law based on Christian beliefs.

Totally smart/scary approach by the religious right.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4632072

[fishwax]

34. yeah, that is a really smart tactic

and i'm frightened by signs of effectiveness so far.

[progressoid]

40. Oh great - that just brought me down

two schools that opened up in the fall of 2000, the Ave Maria School of Law, a new Catholic law school in Michigan, and Patrick Henry College, a new evangelical college for home-schooled kids....

oy

[DanCa]

35. Let's make like samson

Break the jaw bone of an ass, and than rip the temples down.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

44. I suggest using the jawbone of an elephant instead. (nt)

[mitchum]

54. YES!!!

[donsu]

37. kick

nt

[Bozita]

39. Thom Hartmann's talking about this "church" now

[ultraist]

42. Excellent OP!

Thank you from NC! DU ROCKS! :yourock:

I'd also suggest to contact the NC Democratic Gov, Easley, since Dole and Burr are Repugs. I'll have to look up who the Congress Reps are for that area, they may be worth contacting as well.

http://www.governor.state.nc.us/


I just heard this story reported on CNN!

[libnnc]

43. Another Mom report

Just got off the phone with her to give her a heads up about story on CNN. She says the whole town is torn up about this. This is a huge deal folks. The nine people who have been kicked out are regular, civilized, nice people who just want to worship in their church. They probably don't agree with Dem politics, but couldn't bring themselves to vote for Bu$h.

I hate that the world is hearing about Waynesville this way, but I love my hometown and what this preacher did was wrong--way wrong. Waynesville is beautiful and the people are the best you'll ever meet anywhere. Good, hard-working, give you the shirt off of their backs kind of folks who believe in doing what's right by your neighbor.

This insanity must end. We need to take back our country, one small hamlet at a time.

libnnc
edit to add: this is the website for Folkmoot USA, NC's only international folk dancing festival held each summer in Waynesville. Folk dancing groups from all over the world come to Waynesville each year to perform. Its a wonderful way to bring the world to Western North Carolina.
www.folkmoot.com

[Pirate Smile]

46. Thanks libnc. I know this is hard for you but it helps to know what

exactly is going on on the ground. If you find out more, please let us know.:hug:

[txaslftist]

48. The shirt or the sheet?

[SheepyMcSheepster]

55. no need for that

really, it is not productive at all to categorize western NC as klan members.

[txaslftist]

57. Sorry. I Klan't help myself.

People say the exact thing about Lubbock.

"Great people, salt of the earth, give you the shirt off their backs..."

conveniently forgetting that the last lynching here wasn't so long ago.

[SheepyMcSheepster]

59. i mean really what is your point?

that everyone in western NC/wayensville are racists?
that most are racists?
that some are racists?

what is your point?

why do you say the things you say, what purpose does it serve?

i assume you type what you type to communicate your feelings about people in the area, so just come out and say it, please characterise the people of this area in a more direct way and stop beating around the bush with a snide remark.

how do you really feel?

[txaslftist]

60. How about don't be an apologist for your region.

Lubbock has a lot going for it, just as, I'm sure, Waynesville does. Hell, I lived in Waco during the Davidian deal, and the same could be said about Wacoans, great folk, always courteous, friendly and selfless as hell, give you the shirt off their back.

The problem was, in Waco, just like here in Lubbock, people kept on lynching folks, burning crosses, tying gays to tailgates and draggin' 'em and all that crap. In Vider, not far from here, they posted the sign that said, "N**R, DON'T LET THE SUN SET ON YOU IN VIDER". Still, ask anyone whose been there. "Nicest folks in the world, very polite, give you the shirt off their back".

My very best friend in the world, a fantastically imaginative, sensitive, kind and gentle person is from a town in Mississippi where one of the last southern lynchings took place. The First Baptist Church of his town is the largest congregation going (it is SBC). In Lubbock the biggest and gaudiest and most influential church is the First Baptist Church (SBC). In Waco the biggest and gaudiest and most influential church is the First Baptist Church (SBC).

The folks who spend all damn day being the 'nicest folks you'd ever want to meet' support the death penalty wholeheartedly, hate democrats and liberals with a passion they still reserve for African Americans. They hate dancing, drinking, and anyone who ain't a baptist with an almost otherworldly passion.

So no, it doesn't surprise me that a baptist church in North Carolina did this hideous thing to some of its members. And YES. I DO think it represents something ugly that lurks throughout the south and probably throughout this country.

So that's why I said "Shirt or Sheet?" Because every time I hear that "give you the shirt off their back" comment it has been in association with some southern town where the people are far from pure.

[SheepyMcSheepster]

62. my problem with your response is

that you are making generalisations about people based on where they live. i don't see how that is any different than making generalisations about people because of what race they are.

that is my problem.

you attempt to classify a population simply by their location.

but whatever, do what you like.

i am curious as to what percentage of the population you believe to be racists. you don't have to answer that because i assume we will not come to an agreement.

i understand why you feel the way you do and why you say what you say, but i don't agree with it and i feel that it is counterproductive.

that's just me.

we will have to agree to disagree.

take care. :hi:

[txaslftist]

63. I'm making generalizations, sure...

...but not uneducated ones. I took several things into account. First of all, I've been following threads about this excommunication all day, more or less, and a few things have impressed me. One is that there is some sort of liberal enclave in or near Waynesville, surrounded by, to put it generously, sticksville.

Secondly, you've got a Southern Baptist Church that is active and fairly prosperous looking (at least from the pix I've seen). The only reason the SBC was founded was in opposition to the non-SBC Baptist's anti-segregation position in the post-bellum days. Ergo, at least at the origin of the church, there was an element of racism.

Thirdly, you've got, apparently, a majority of the congregation applauding when the democrats are kicked out. That is, frankly, the kind of courtesy I expect from Southern Baptists once the veneer of manners is withdrawn.

As far as the percentage that is racist, I have no idea. I've lived in Milwaukee as well as in the south, and I actually found more racism in the wealthy suburbs there than I ever encountered in Texas. On the other hand, southerners have a way of getting really, really clannish and mean about outsiders that you simply do not encounter in the North. In the northern parts of the midwest (Chicago, Milwaukee, etc.) you will NEVER hear a white person casually drop the N word into a conversation, even if there are no blacks present.

You WILL hear it in the south, even from folks who profess not to be racist. You can imagine that there is no call to be makin' sheet comments when talking about southerners or southern baptists in particular, but I disagree. It is important, especially to our liberal yankee friends that make up the majority of this sites readership, that we at least are honest about these things.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

61. youre fuckin funny

seriously funny.

and trust me I've been in Florida a long time and I love to hear a good Floridian joke. because there's always so much truth wrapped up in a joke.

[bear425]

45. This story will be covered on Countdown with Keith O tonight!

------------------------------------------------------
Tonight on Countdown
------------------------------------------------------

"Yesterday, on the National Day of Prayer, we learned that the East Waynesville Baptist Church in North Carolina essentially kicked out its Democratic members. Nine members were "excommunicated" and 40 other members of the 405 member church resigned in protest." (Daily KOS http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/5/6/84353/67437

Countdown w/ Keith Olbermann broadcasts LIVE at 8 pm et, and the count is never complete without you. Join us.

[understandinglife]

47. "The United States is in no sense founded upon the Christian religion."

- GEORGE WASHINGTON


www.missionnotaccomplished.us - STOP THE ATROCITIES; INDICT AND PROSECUTE BU$H AND ALL THE OTHER WAR CRIMINALS

[EVDebs]

67. That's right on the money. Washington was a Freemason and

so were most of the rest of the Founding Fathers. They'd seen Europe go through the Reformation and St Bartholomew's Day Massacres, etc. etc.

Freemasonry was a 'morphing' of the persecuted Knights Templar. Who better to fight the papists than a group founded by the Pope and then persecuted by the Pope. This group had the last laugh though and guys like Geo. Washington, Simon Bolivar, Giusseppe Garibaldi, and many more, were Freemasons...and revolutionaries.

The koolaid drinkers weren't invited to their Boston Tea Party !

[Roland99]

70. More quotes from our Founding Fathers and others...

Thomas Jefferson: "It does me no injury for my neighbor to say there
are twenty gods or no God. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg."

Thomas Paine: I do not believe in the creed professed by the Jewish Church,
by the Roman Church, by the Greek Church, by the Turkish Church, by the
Protestant Church, nor by any Church that I know of. My own mind is my own
Church.

Roger Williams: God requireth not a uniformity of religion.

Thomas Jefferson: The day will come when the mystical generation of Jesus,
by the Supreme Being as his Father, in the womb of a virgin, will be
classified with the fable of the generation of Minerva in the brain of
Jupiter. But we may hope that the dawn of reason and the freedom of
thought in these United States will do away with this artificial
scaffolding, and restore to us the primitive and genuine doctrines of
this most venerated Reformer of human errors.

James Madison: During almost fifteen centuries the legal establishment
known as Christianity has been on trial, and what have been the fruits,
more or less, in all places? These are the fruits: pride, indolence,
ignorance, and arrogance in the clergy. Ignorance, arrogance, and
servility in the laity, and in both clergy and laity, superstition,
bigotry, and persecution.

Thomas Jefferson: I do not find in orthodox Christianity one redeeming
feature.

John Adams: The divinity of Jesus is made a convenient cover for absurdity.
Nowhere in the Gospels do we find a precept for Creeds, Confessions, Oaths,
Doctrines, and whole carloads of other foolish trumpery that we find in
Christianity.

Thomas Paine: Of all the tyrannies that affect mankind, tyranny in
religion is the worst."

Abraham Lincoln: The Bible is not my Book and Christianity is not my
religion. I could never give assent to the long complicated statements of
Christian dogma.

And finally....

Benjamin Franklin: As to Jesus of Nazareth, I think the system of Morals
and his Religion, as he left them to us, the best the World ever saw or
is likely to see; but I apprehend it has received various corrupting
Changes, and I have, with the most of the present Dissenters in England,
some doubts to his divinity.

"As the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion ..." from the Treaty of Tripoli, signed by John Adams, June 10, 1797.

"Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God; that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship; that the legislative powers of the government reach actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should `make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between church and State." Thomas Jefferson, in his historic Danbury letter, January 1, 1802

"Who does not see that the same authority which can establish Christianity, in exclusion of all other Religions, may establish with the same ease any particular sect of Christians, in exclusion of all other Sects?" James Madison, in "Memorial and Remonstrance", 1785

"The number, the industry, and the morality of the priesthood, and the devotion of the people have been manifestly increased by the total separation of church and state." James Madison, March 2, 1819

"Neither a state nor the Federal Government can, openly or secretly, participate in the affairs of any religious organizations or groups and vice versa. In the words of Jefferson, the clause against establishment of religion by law was intended to erect 'a wall of separation between Church and State." The U.S. Supreme Court, 1947



And these feeble minds:

"They have kept us in submission because they have talked about separation of church and state. There is no such thing in the Constitution. It's a lie of the left, and we're not going to take it anymore." Pat Robertson, adressing the ACLJ, 1993

"The national government ... will maintain and defend the foundations on which the power of our nation rests. It will offer strong protection to Christianity as the very basis of our collective morality." Adolf Hitler

[ultraist]

49. I wonder if this story would have gotten national coverage

had bloggers not emailed and alerted the MSM? Doubt it.

I heard the story on CNN, KO posted about it, it was talked about on at least two major radio shows.

[libnnc]

58. pesky bloggers running amuck strike again

[Coastie for Truth]

51. We have two rights - and the right to protect those two rights

The two rights are:

Amendment I - Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Let's set this down in concrete-- Congress shall make no law:
(1) respecting an establishment of religion, or
(2) prohibiting the free exercise thereof

And when push comes to shove - we have the absolute right to protect ourselves from an "establishment of religion", and from the prohibition of "the free exercise thereof."

And, in Liberal and Progressive and in Blue State circles, it's the "Forgotten" and "Maligned" Amendment --

Amendment II - A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

You tell me that I can't worship my God in my way - but have to worship your God your way----


POW

[Mrs_Beastman]

52. found the phone number for the church

surprise, no one is answering. I'm so angry. Chimpy needs to get some balls and set people strait that he used extreme Christians and their congregations for their vote. Yes, he placates them with little laws they want, while striping the US of Social Security and such.

[Coastie for Truth]

53. Thank God there are still Christian Churches LEFT

Like and its Pastor . I hope East Waynesville Baptist Church is an abberation.

[G_j]

56. AP story:

(Russ Bowen, WLOS)
http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/myrtlebeachonline/news/local/11582657.htm

[Az_lefty]

64. I love the sound of Democrats taking to the streets...

it sounds like....Victory.

[snowbear]

65. Pirate Smile,

Thank you so much for compiling all of that information for us! :hug:

It took me forever to get through to the church number (evidently they're still getting calls ;) ), but I was persistant and it finally rang.

Others on here are correct! :o The "beep" after the message is INCREDIBLY long!

[Pirate Smile]

71. Geogia10 did it over at DailyKos but I posted it over here so more

people could see it. :)

[mikedevilsfan]

73. Crap no Malloy tonight

I was really hoping to hear him rant on this....
M

[nedbal]

75. Even Freepers don't support this pastors action

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1398148/posts?page=46#46

[snowbear]

77. nedbal..

You mean only "some" Freepers do not agree with it. Did you read a great deal of those replies?

Many of them absolutely agree and are giddy over it. :thumbsdown:

[Patiod]

79. Again, why do I even go over there and look at that spew?

"Listen, for every church that is led by a Taliban leader (a female lesbian leader), there are 10s of thousands more that are sound."

WTF?

:banghead:

[snowbear]

80. I know what'cha mean..

And while I'm sure nedball is a great person.. How they could give an overall comment that even Freepers think it's wrong is beyond me.. :wtf:

The majority of comments were PATHETIC!

On a brighter note.. It's GREAT to read how many of that church's members have filed lawsuits! http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/2381962p-8759950c.html :toast:

[spooky3]

76. I'm furious that I pay more taxes so that this "church" pays none.