Palin's church torched

[Daniel]

Palin's Wasilla AoG church was torched over the weekend. Get ready for the outcry from religious conservatives against gay people.

http://www.towleroad.com/2008/12/palins-wasilla.html

It really isn't just a culture war anymore, is it?

Violence never helps the cause. That's what stands out to me about this situation. Getting mad is one thing. Taking violent action? That sets things back. Of course, the assumption is going to be that those 'bad gay people' are to blame. And you know, that could be true. Then again, it might be a crazy straight person. Whatever the sexuality of the person or persons who took matters into their own hands, it's a really stupid thing to do. This kind of thing only hands the opposition more ammunition.

The cries about religious persecution are going to be very loud for the next couple of weeks.

I suggest all those making this assertion go see the movie MILK. That will give one needed perspective.

[Matt Algren]

It's already started. I saw two bloggers yesterday ranting about the militant homosexual activists who wanted to kill women and children. Granted, they were pretty heavy-duty nutjobs, but I'm sure Dobson and the like will be hammering this soon enough.

It's worth noting, of course, that the local fire department and police department haven't commented on possible suspects.

[Unmasked]

How sad...what if the gay community rose up to rebuild the church? It probably would never happen, but can you imagine the message that would send? It's easy to burn, but what would they say if we built it?

[Daniel]

How sad...what if the gay community rose up to rebuild the church? It probably would never happen, but can you imagine the message that would send? It's easy to burn, but what would they say if we built it?

No harm in offering assistance. And I say that as a former AoG who plans on never darkening that kind of church door ever again.

Would be good to offer/help rebuild even though the gay community may not be to blame.

[scott snedeker]

How sad...what if the gay community rose up to rebuild the church? It probably would never happen, but can you imagine the message that would send? It's easy to burn, but what would they say if we built it?

Brilliant! Perhaps even Soulforce could have a drive for donations! This could be an incredible opportunity!

[alphie]

I suggest all those making this assertion go see the movie MILK. That will give one needed perspective.[/QUOTE]

Yes - absolutely - I am going to see MILK tomorrow with my parents.

Thanks and Peace to all of you,
alphie

[Matt Algren]

Just make sure you aren't seeing it in a Cinemark theater. They gave $10,000 to the Prop 8 people. Go here (http://www.cinemark.com/) to find out which theaters to avoid.

I haven't seen MILK yet. To be honest, I'm not sure I want to.

[tymejumper]

We already talked about this at my house. I figured that it would not be too long before that homophobic church found a way to use religion against us once again. It was probably some PETA group or something that did it in protest against hunting and all the gun retoric. Maybe it was faulty wiring or something like that.

[Unmasked]

The Animal Liberation Front seems more likely to do something like this, with Palin shooting wolves from helicopters and such.

[Bethany4Love]

Wow, that's horrible. It's horrible in the fact that "undeserved negative attention" turned into "I'm going to burn your church down". That is definitely not the way to get that "undeserved negative attention" turned positive... only makes it worse. Sad people.

[tdogg]

No harm in offering assistance. And I say that as a former AoG who plans on never darkening that kind of church door ever again.

Would be good to offer/help rebuild even though the gay community may not be to blame.

Actually this is a brilliant idea. Tough due to economical times, but what if we set up a fund of some sort - those who can, donate. Those who can afford the time better, offer to help rebuild. But we must designate it as a GLBT charitable fund specifically for rebuilding Palin's church.

Tough to do given her anti-gay attitude. But definitely responding to the hate with love, especially if something is done before the ugly rhetoric begins.

[antiochian]

I'm just as sorry as any of you to hear that a house of worship has been destroyed, and I'm all for charitable causes, but I would never ever donate money towards rebuilding the church of an actively homophobic religious community, and put my money into a new pulpit from which they can spew more lies about us. Never.

[Gennee]

No harm in offering assistance. And I say that as a former AoG who plans on never darkening that kind of church door ever again.

Would be good to offer/help rebuild even though the gay community may not be to blame.

I agree with you both on this. It could break down barriers (or so-called barriers) between the groups.

Gennee

:dove: