http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/27/us/rh ... _LO_MST_FB

A federal judge ruled this month that the prayer’s presence at Cranston High School West was unconstitutional, concluding that it violated the principle of government neutrality in religion. In the weeks since, residents have crowded school board meetings to demand an appeal, Jessica has received online threats and the police have escorted her at school, and Cranston, a dense city of 80,000 just south of Providence, has throbbed with raw emotion.

State Representative Peter G. Palumbo, a Democrat from Cranston, called Jessica “an evil little thing” on a popular talk radio show. Three separate florists refused to deliver her roses sent from a national atheist group. The group, the Freedom From Religion Foundation, has filed a complaint with the Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights.

American Christians have the same superstitious leanings as the Nazis as depicted in Raiders of the Lost Ark. Remember that, in the film, the Germans believed that to carry the ark before their advancing troops would ensure victory as if by magic, as was the case in the scriptural adventures of the ancient Hebrews.

American Christians have been trained to react viscerally to any affront to the faith in public life. This is due to their certainty that God will curse this nation unless we officially honor him, and will bless us if we do.

The problem with gays in the military is the same. In spite of conservative complaints about "morale" and "Combat readiness", the real issue is whether God will fight on the side of an army that includes an element of unrighteous defilement. Don't be fooled by their public objections to this fact; I am telling you what they talk about in church when they think no one is listening.

Good for her. The religious reaction to this is disgusting. As is Rep. Palumbo's calling her calling Jessica “an evil little thing” on radio.

(Come Monday I'm calling his office to complain. Even though I don't live in RI)

orpheus wrote:Good for her. The religious reaction to this is disgusting. As is Rep. Palumbo's calling her calling Jessica “an evil little thing” on radio.

(Come Monday I'm calling his office to complain. Even though I don't live in RI)

the religious reaction? you have no basis for that.

Mick wrote:

orpheus wrote:Good for her. The religious reaction to this is disgusting. As is Rep. Palumbo's calling her calling Jessica “an evil little thing” on radio.

(Come Monday I'm calling his office to complain. Even though I don't live in RI)

the religious reaction? you have no basis for that.

Maybe it was the spacebadgerous reaction? The collectors of Amusing Oddities reaction? A kickback by the Society for the Preservation of Wall Hangings?

Also: I should say that some reactions have been outright shocking:

http://jesusfetusfajitafishsticks.blogs ... stian.html

Look at some of those Twitter comments.

Fenrir wrote:

Mick wrote:

orpheus wrote:Good for her. The religious reaction to this is disgusting. As is Rep. Palumbo's calling her calling Jessica “an evil little thing” on radio.

(Come Monday I'm calling his office to complain. Even though I don't live in RI)

the religious reaction? you have no basis for that.

Maybe it was the spacebadgerous reaction? The collectors of Amusing Oddities reaction? A kickback by the Society for the Preservation of Wall Hangings?

My problem is with the definite article. We have no reason to think that such reactions characterize the religious reactions. they dont for me.

I take your point that there are religious people who do not object to this decision, but you'd have to admit that the negative hand-wringing is largely or entirely through a perceived affront to religious sensibilities (and am backing out to let Orpheus respond if he wishes as your point was to him).

No, Fenrir took the words - quite accurately - out of my mouth.

I'm sorry, though, Mick, if I've offended you. I certainly understand your point.

In before the no true Scotsman Fallacy

What a loving religion.. sheesh

It is against the Constitution Of The United States
and for that reason should be removed since a place of
learning cannot also be a place of worship simply because
they are mutually incompatible. I defend to the death the right
of anyone to hold any views whatsoever - and without any exception
but indoctrination and education do not mix and what is sad here is the
level of abuse - a girl needs a police escort because of her democratic right
to freedom of speech ? In America ? You are wrong - that sort of thing does not
happen there does it ? To all those Christians who hate what she is doing may I refer
you to the words of Jesus : do unto others as you have them do unto you - something whole
heartedly I agree with him on - if only the Golden Rule was practised as often as it was preached

Merge?

The fundraiser for her college funds has reached over $36,000. I contributed some, even if it wasn't as much as the current average of $26.