Archive for Religion
Esther Awesomeheimer
Posted by: | CommentsRep. John Lewis:
“We hurt our fellow citizens and our community when we deny gay people civil marriage and its protections and responsibilities. Rather than divide and discriminate, let us come together and create one nation. We are all one people. We all live in the American house. We are all the American family. Let us recognize that the gay people living in our house share the same hopes, troubles, and dreams. It’s time we treated them as equals, as family.”
John Lewis was a young leader of the Civil Rights Movement. He was 23 years old when he spoke at the 1963 March on Washington.
Dr. James Lawson:
“Gays and lesbians have a more difficult time than we did. We had our families and our churches on our side. All too often, they have neither.”
Rev. Dr. James Lawson is a distinguished United Methodist pastor who worked side-by-side with Dr. King training the young people who staged the lunch counter sit-ins and the Freedom Rides.
Andrew Young:
“I’d be disappointed if we did not approve this resolution. I think it would be consistent with our historic spirit of fairness and justice. But it also would be consistent with the spirit of grace and mercy as the path to peace and that you judge not that you not be judged.”
Andrew Young speaking about a United Church of Christ resolution affirming same-gender marriage equality. Young, a close friend of Dr. King during the civil rights movement, is a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and mayor of Atlanta.
Julian Bond:
“That’s why when I am asked, ‘Are gay rights civil rights?’ my answer is always, ‘Of course they are…Rights for gays and lesbians are not ’special rights’ in any way. It isn’t “special” to be free from discrimination — that’s an ordinary, universal entitlement of citizenship.”
“They deserve the law’s protection and they deserve civil rights too. Sexual disposition parallels race — I was born black and I had no choice. I couldn’t and wouldn’t change if I could. Like race, our sexuality isn’t a preference — it is immutable, unchangeable, and the Constitution protects us against prejudices based on immutable differences.”
Corretta Scott King:
“I still hear people say that I should not be talking about the rights of lesbian and gay people and I should stick to the issue of racial justice… But I hasten to remind them that Martin Luther King, Jr., said, ‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere’ … I appeal to everyone who believes in Martin Luther King, Jr.’s dream to make room at the table of brotherhood and sisterhood for lesbian and gay people.”
“Homophobia is like racism and anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry in that it seeks to dehumanize a large group of people, to deny their humanity, their dignity and personhood. This sets the stage for further repression and violence that spread all too easily to victimize the next minority group.”
“We have to launch a campaign against homophobia in the black community.”
Pastor Keith Ogden:
“They’re trying to justify that it’s a civil right, and in our estimation it’s not a civil right.”
Mayor Terry Bellamy:
“I’m not going to support the motion. I’m not going to support it now and I’m not going to support it when the information comes back.”
Asheville’s Finest
Posted by: | CommentsJustin Parker, Asheville City employee:
“The revealed law is the Bible. That is our culture. That is our background as a nation and as a state…the Supreme Court of the United States has even called the United States a Christian nation. You cannot say that this argument today is totally aside from religion. My religion and Christianity as the Supreme Court has said…we are a Christian nation. My religion says that the purpose of government is to promote good and to quelch evil, and it also says that a homosexual lifestyle is sin. Therefore…you are naturally going to exclude some religions in this proposal…by taking this proposal you take the risk offending religions that are more in concomitance with the history of this nation.”
Rev. Hamilton Fuller, Church of the Advocate:
“…If we were to do a theological poll among…this community, my experience suggests that it would be as varied as there are people. This is a Liberty and Justice and Civil Rights issue.”
Mayor Terry Bellamy:
“I’m not going to support the motion. I’m not going to support it now and I’m not going to support it when the information comes back.”
Brother Bigot
Posted by: | CommentsFrom Yale University Divinity School’s Black Church Homophobia: What to Do About It?
“The Black Church community’s obstinate stance in regard to issues surrounding gay and lesbian rights is most striking when one considers both the historical black struggle for social equality and the Black Church’s prominent role within that struggle. It appears inconsistent, if not hypocritical, for the Black Church to be in the forefront of racial justice concerns, yet resistant, if not repressive, when it comes to the rights of non-heterosexual persons.”
From Rev. Dr. Kenneth Samuel, senior pastor of Victory for the World in Stone Mountain, Ga., and vice chair of the African American Ministers Leadership Council:
“Certain text in the Bible, as we know, had been used to support slavery in America for over 200 years,” he said. “Certain texts have been used to justify patriarchy and sexism,…militaristic warfare, beating of children…. We have toxic text in the Bible that needs to be interpreted in the light of the truth, and…from the light and lenses of the all-inclusive love of Jesus.”
“I am also proud to announce my support for an important piece of legislation introduced in both Houses of Congress last month — the Domestic Partners Benefits and Obligations Act of 2009. This legislation will extend to the same-sex partners of Federal employees the same benefits already enjoyed by the opposite-sex spouses of Federal employees…Extending equal benefits to the same-sex partners of Federal employees is the right thing to do. It is also sound economic policy. Many top employers in the private sector already offer benefits to the same-sex partners of their employees; those companies recognize that offering partner benefits helps them compete for and retain the brightest and most talented employees. The Federal Government is at a disadvantage on that score right now, and change is long overdue. As Americans, we are all affected when our promises of equality go unfulfilled. “
Mayor Terry Bellamy:
“I’m not going to support the motion. I’m not going to support it now and I’m not going to support it when the information comes back.”
On Invocations
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There’s been some controversy about government meetings beginning with prayer. Buncombe County’s Attorney Michael Frue warned Commissioners that they were opening themselves up to lawsuits unless they discontinued the ritual. The issue comes to City Council tonight, and I look forward to hearing more about the legal points that brought the practice under scrutiny. Aside from avoiding legal ramifications -
I believe that moving to a moment of silence will allow for each individual to pray in the manner she or he deems best or simply to take a few deep breaths.
As a part of my Presbyterian and Quaker upbringing, I appreciate the fact that people do not require a government-sanctioned intermediary to have a relationship with the divine. Having watched religious divides scar nations, I appreciate that our government doesn’t presume to elevate one set of sacred beliefs above another.
Government is an act of cooperation among all the people. Choosing particular religious prayers or invocations needlessly marginalizes, while silence allows for a community expression available to all.
Fair Play
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©2009 David Cohen • david@cohencidents.com
Top Thirteen Local Political Stories of 2009
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Pic lifted from Jason Sandford
With all these Top Ten lists floating around the internets, I thought I’d toss another reflective log on the fire. Add your own top stories in the comments, and you get bonus points if you put together a Top Ten Local Political Stories of the Decade.
Buncombe County Commissioners and Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce come out in support of I-26 Alternative 3. After the strong design work from the Asheville Design Center and unanimous support from the City Council, it looked like our community might move the mighty DOT to create something that actually works for Asheville. When the CoC and 3 of 5 County Commissioners swung in the direction of Alternative 3, further delay was guaranteed.
See the rest in ReadMoreLand… Read More→
Happy Birthday, Jesus
Posted by: | CommentsThis post is an annual affair. Enjoy.
The face of Jesus of Nazareth
“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirini-us was governor of Syria. And all went to be enrolled, each to his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn” – Luke 2:1-7
“Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” – Matthew 5:43-45
History: “The middle of winter has long been a time of celebration around the world. Centuries before the arrival of the man called Jesus, early Europeans celebrated light and birth in the darkest days of winter.”
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In Scandinavia, the Norse celebrated Yule from December 21, the winter solstice, through January.
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In Germany, people honored the pagan god Oden during the mid-winter holiday. Germans were terrified of Oden, as they believed he made nocturnal flights through the sky to observe his people, and then decide who would prosper or perish.”
Here’s a great book with every quote ever attributed to Jesus.
Happy Christmas/Holidays to all of you from a gaggle of grateful Hooligans.
Welcome, David Cohen!
Posted by: | CommentsWe’re tickled to welcome renowned political cartoonist David Cohen to the site as a regular contributor. For us locals, David needs no introduction. For those of you unfortunate enough not to live here in the mountains, his work has appeared in many national publications and graces the pages of our own Asheville Citizen-Times newspaper twice weekly.
You can contact David by clicking here or through his Facebook page, which contains a bunch of his great artwork. Welcome, David…we’re looking forward to your talents!
Cecil Nation Open Thread
Posted by: | CommentsCan’t start a thread these days without it being about Cecil, so I reckon I’ll just put a dedicated post up. Councilman Bothwell is going to do a lot of media appearances over the next few days. He wrote about his personal beliefs at his home blog. In an email, Cecil let folks know about these media events:
Monday, Dec. 14: 9:45 p.m., Rachel Maddow (MSNBC)
Tuesday, Dec. 15: 8:30 a.m. Bill Press (880 The Revolution, in Asheville: Air America Network)
Wednesday, Dec. 16: 5 p.m. Matt Mittan (570 AM, Asheville)
For both of you who have no idea what this is all about, I would recommend either Googling “Bothwell atheist” or skipping the whole scene.
Have at it.
