Rhode Island State Council of Churches Will Come Out to Support Jessica Ahlquist

This is pretty awesome actually. 

I know some of “us” pitch fits when “civility” and “tone” are called to one’s attention, but just because they must always take a back seat to the facts presented doesn’t mean it’s always okay to be nasty. Sometimes one just has to step back and say “whoa, hang on, NOT cool.” I’m glad there are people on the other side who agree this went too far. Jessica is awesome and religious people willing to call out other religious people are awesome. 

Wow. I am genuinely surprised to hear this. Too often the moderate Christians do nothing while the hateful, bigoted Christians are being nasty towards atheists. I look forward to footage of this press conference tomorrow.

About Time.  I thought I was used to people spouting off with no clue of the basic facts.  (Maybe we need a new word for that, like, “Victoria Jacksoning”)

But when you combine the utter lack of knowledge of the facts (“The ACLU has overstepped its bounds, maybe it’s time to strip the ACLU of all Federal funds”) and where some of it’s coming from (State Reps), I never cease to be amazed.

to be fair, that exact ACLU line didn’t come from a state rep, but I have no reason to believe it couldn’t.

No True Scotsman in 3…2…1…  😉

It should be entitled “In defense of the Constitution” instead. I’d be surprised if they actually come out in support of the judge’s decision rather than just spout a lot of “let’s play nice” pabulum.

Even though it should never be the burden of those anyone in any group to answer for what others say, it is heartening to see a group of moderates not only express their support but also hold an interfaith conference to do so.  The fact is, there are plenty of religious individuals who think it’s not the place of a school to sponsor the messages of any faith, despite the spin that often casts any individual of any religious denomination in a condemning light.

I don’t know for sure, correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m guessing these aren’t Evangelical churches. . .

I’m willing to give them a tentative congratulations ahead of time. I think it would be great if they came out with a full on defense of the separation of church and state, but if they merely limit themselves to harshly condemning the treatment Jessica has gotten that’s OK for me as well. 

I think that defending someone who disagrees with you on an issue from radicals that agree with you is a good stance.  It’s also not easy to do, since many on your own side will

condemn you for giving aid and comfort to “the enemy’.

There does exist a slight risk that they will take the opportunity to make it a “pox on both your houses’ situation, saying something like “What Jessica did was wrong, but those threatening her are also wrong”, which would sour the matter, but I tend to doubt it. What I expect is that they’ll say something along the lines of  “No matter what your position is on the court case, nothing can excuse such reprehensible behavior towards a young girl and we as faith leaders condemn it as contrary to our religious values”. If that’s what they say, that’s good enough for me.

I’m not entirely sure Voltaire’s sentiment would expand to “I disagree with what you have to say, but will defend to the death your right to sue me for saying it” in modern times.

So often we criticize religious moderates for turning a blind eye to the abusiveness of the fundamentalists.  For once, it appears that at least a few of them are taking a stand against it, and it’s very gratifying to see it.  I hope that what is actually said at the press conference is as positive as the announcements indicate it might be.  I’m looking forward to seeing what they actually say.

Not just the churches:

http://news.providencejournal.com/breaking-news/2012/01/plaintiff-in-1s.html

 I suspect this more about spin control for the hate being spewed by Xians, and the Council of Churches getting free exposure and getting their “good word out” about their organization/religion than it is about supporting Jessica Alquhist. Let’s see what they actually say before we heap praise upon them. It sounds good up front, but I’m cycnical enough to suspect alterior motives here. Free exposure and way to get the “good word” out about their organization to thousands of people. What do you want to bet they open and/or close this whole affair with a prayer?

Aaand the Catholic response

  “When cultural icons, religious symbols or traditional moral values are challenged, it is understandable that individuals will respond in a very intense and emotional way.  In the same way that atheists are frustrated with public references to God, people of faith are frustrated with having to defend their beliefs from persistent secular, atheistic attacks,” said Bishop Thomas J. Tobin.
   “Nonetheless, resorting to personally insulting and even threatening language in such public controversies is totally unacceptable, especially when it is directed at a young person such as Jessica Ahlquist who has every right to promote her beliefs and express her opinion.”

“promote her beliefs”?  Like, “That’s unconstitutional”?http://www.dioceseofprovidence.org/?id=14&uudis=257 

It’s sad that a Catholic bishop would be so ignorant of his own religion’s history with public education in this country. There was a time when Catholics would have been grateful for “persistent, secular” school environments because it meant that their children weren’t being indoctrinated in the ways of Protestantism.