Unitarian Forgiveness
guest blogged by NonnyMouse
I am a Unitarian.
That should be such a simple, insignificant statement of fact, nothing more than just another box on a census form to tick. Today, however, it feels more like a war cry.
This is a difficult post for me to write because my emotions are so knotted it's hard to make sense of what I feel. I am ashamed to admit that my first, overwhelming emotion was intense anger - not so much at Jim Adkisson, the man who walked into a Unitarian church in Knoxville and opened fire on innocent people, killing two and injuring eight more. That happens, unfortunately, with all too frequent regularity in America these days, and for a depressingly repetitive litany of reasons - depression, frustration, confused anger and overlooked or ignored mental illness. The Adkisson killings is not an uncommon event these days.
What is, however, was his target - Unitarians. Members of a church renown for its pacifism, compassion and tolerance. We welcome anyone - men and women of any colour and nationality, of any religious or ethnic background, or sexuality. We even welcome conservatives.
My anger instead is concentrated on those people who callously use such vulnerable people, stirring up their bigotry and discontent, egging them to acts of violence. People like Michelle Malkin, Michael Savage, Bill O'Reilly, and Rush Limbaugh who have made lucrative careers out of liberal-bashing. People who write things like "Liberalism is a Mental Health Disorder", "Let Freedom Ring," and "The O'Reilly Factor," - all literature found in Adkisson's home after the shooting. People like Ann Coulter who advocated attacking liberals with baseball bats. The hate-filled spewage from the right-wing media mavens is and should be held accountable for inciting such acts of violence and murder, those heartless, soulless, conscienceless opportunists who have gleefully participated in encouraging the Adkissons of America to take out their anger and hatred and frustration on liberals.
People died. Good people, decent caring loving people, with friends and families. They had names: Linda Kraeger and Greg McKendry, a sixty-one year old woman and a foster father who heroically sacrificed his life to save children and his fellow congregation. They had friends and family and people who loved them and will grieve for their loss.
I make my living writing, words are my stock and trade. I have no words adequate enough to express my utter contempt and loathing at this moment for every rabid talk show host and every smarmy pundit who ever espoused the killing or injury of another human being because of his or her political beliefs. If I could, I'd have every single one of them arrested as accessories to murder. The blood on their hands is not metaphorical any longer - it's real. And they know it, if the bizarre backpedalling of the Malkinesque-ilk is to be believed, so desperate to distance themselves from such actual blood and death that they can shamelessly claim Adkisson is really a liberal trying to discredit conservatives. Despicable.
The blogosphere is already ripping into that moral sickness that has so pervaded the rightwing that such acts have become not only possible, but excusable - a couple posters on the Free Republic had little sympathy for the dead; what kind of Christian church, after all, not only accepts gays but would even think of putting on a production of ‘Annie'? Grounds enough for mass murder, to that warped mindset.
But... I am a Unitarian.
And in the wake of the anger is pride. Despite my sadness that people were targeted for their choice of church, I have never before been so proud to be a Unitarian, as well as a liberal. Those liberals the rightwing continue to denigrate as weak-kneed cowards proved to be anything but. McKendry was the first to confront Adkisson, to stop him from going any further into the church, before several men rushed Adkisson after several shots had been fired, his victims already covered in blood. They have names too: A history professor, John Bohstedt, and Jamie Parkey, just ordinary people. But people who still prove the very best in America still exists. ‘Someone grabbed the gun and we just kind of dog-piled him to the floor', Parkey said. His wife, Amy, described Adkisson - not as a villain, not as an evil man, not with hatred - but as ‘a man who was hurt in the world and feeling nothing was going his way. He turned the gun on people who were mostly likely to treat him lovingly and compassionately and be the ones to help someone in that situation.' I wept when I read those words.
Because... I am a Unitarian.
I was born and raised in a faith that teaches tolerance and acceptance and forgiveness. At the moment, it's quite difficult for me to live up to the tenets of my faith, but I've lived my entire life following them, if sometimes imperfectly. Hate is easy. Blame and criticism and anger and revenge are easy. It's what those talk show hosts and political pundits and politicians on the right have exploited to cultivate their poisonous atmosphere - and I don't want to be anything like them.
So I will choose the hard way. I will try to forgive the Adkissons of the world who have been manipulated and conned into violence. I don't think I'm quite ready yet to forgive the Coulters and the O'Reillys and the Malkins and the Limbaughs of this world just yet... but I will try to work on not hating them quite as much as I know they hate me. It's a step. Maybe tomorrow I can do better.
Today Our Kid forwarded me an email from Cilla Raughley, the UUA's District Executive, sent out to congregational ministers, religious educators, and board presidents. In it she pleaded for calm, patience and wisdom. And asked that Unitarians might want to wear UU T-shirts or jewelry to show their solidarity with those who share our religious values, whether they are Unitarians or not. She also asked that anyone wishing to send a remembrance card on behalf of Greg McKendry and his widow, Barbara, could do so: Tennessee Valley UU Church, 2931 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919-4624, as well as to the neighbouring Westside Unitarian Fellowship, 616 Fretz Road, Knoxville, TN 37919-1604, which is where Linda Kraeger would have normally been on a Sunday morning.
And if a reminder was ever needed why I am and will always be a Unitarian, it is that during the candlelight service held in memory of those who died, a few of the children who had been performing in the cast of ‘Annie' broke into song. They sang ‘Tomorrow', in a heart-wrenching reminder that the sun will come out tomorrow.
hate mongers like you mentioned should be tried for treason
This should appear in every major newspaper.
Beautiful post. Unitarians are brave people, especially in this day and age. The heroism in that church should not be forgotten.
You are much more forgiving than I am. The fact MSM isn't reporting on this anymore is telling. If this was a different circumstance, the media would pounce. The fact is this man had literature that bashed Liberals. If it were the other way around the story would be on 24/7.
We can all show our solidarity by getting a writing campaign going, to write to the sponsors of Rush Limbaugh, Michael Savage, Bill O'Rielly and the rest of the people with Media posts who preach to that segment of Americans who are weak of mind their messages of Hatred and Bigotry.
Money is the root, if these Media "stars" start to get their Sponsorships yanked they will change their tunes.
Thank you so much for the addresses, and please know, this tragedy breaks all our hearts too.
Reich-wingers breed terrorists.
Conservatism = terrorism.
We are with you.
We are all Unitarians now.
What a beautiful sentiment by speaking truth for those who died.
While I consider myself atheist I once attended a UU church with a friend in Washington DC that was visited by Thomas Jefferson. The experience was more spiritually overwhelming than any of the Catholic Masses I ever attended growing up.
Nicely written.
The hate mongers DID have a hand in this. They can deny it all they want but that doesn't change anything. When you do everything but put the gun in the hand of a nutjob, you are responsible. Maybe deep in their black hearts they know they have done wrong... But I doubt it. The right wing pundits seem to have no moral center of any kind.
Don't apologize or feel bad for your anger.
I am opposed to the death penalty, but when asked, I've made it clear I wouldn't want to be asked my opinion regarding a criminal that had harmed someone in my family. I'm human... you're human... it happens.
Nicole Belle - I have, when I can stomache it, have tried to kindly go after those right wingers who are riping into the UUC by reminding them that
1. They have always been a liberal church http://www.uua.org/aboutus/index.shtml
even when they were two separate churches, the Unitarians and the Universalists
2. One of our founding fathers and 2 of our presidents were Unitarians
Our 2nd president, John Adams and our 6th president, John Qunicy Adams
And they and their wives are buried in United First Parish Church (Unitarian) in Quincy, Massachusetts
http://www.ufpc.org/
I know they are stunned, because they think our presidents have all been various shades of Baptist. But when they take shots at the UUC they are taking shots at their own country's history. Which they know precious little of. The UUC is a very important part of this country's founding and our history.
[Not to pick nits, but nonny mouse wrote this piece. Nicole's name is there because she put it up on the site-Sitemonitor]
Has there been any response from Billo or Hannity about this situation? I'm curious. Has MSM asked them about their opinions? Has anyone at least tried to question them? I feel so depressed.
♫..Bangkok Bob..♫ @ 5:
Damn right! Use their own playbook against them. Make the sponsors afraid that we are going to boycott their products. Watch how fast they dump their sponsorships! It's all about the money.
I am a Unitarian.
Jesus Christ!! That's amazing.
Christians actually behaving like christians.
Q: How do Unitarians proselytize?
A: They ring your doorbell and run away and let you figure it out for yourself.
We cannot afford to lose our sense of humor when things are tough. Especially about ourselves. Loving and compassionate, I have found more solace and joy in the Unitarian Church than any other. It's alway a relief to be able to worship without imaginary friends.
nonny, you are always so eloquent...thank you so much for writing and posting this! I'm not a Unitarian but have friends who are. So many of us here grieve with you.
I took a deep breath and checked Dobson's website, even the archives from earlier this week...not a word about this tragedy. That this didn't even mention this shouldn't have surprised me, but it did.
The bush administration has fostered so much of the hate...I will try to forgive as well...one day at a time...
This was a wonderful piece. My mother is an atheist that never attend any church until her early 60's. Then she found the Unitarians and never misses a Sunday. Even when we travel she finds the local congregation and goes. They are wonderful people who live the words they speak.
Beautifully said. Your words are inspiring and also cut to the heart of the problem.
I am *not* a Unitarian, but I salute and honor your faith and your ideals.
Carol @ 6:
Amen to this.
Chad Castagan, Nicholas Bartha, Jim Adkisson...all reich-wing terrorists created by the hate spewed from the O'Racist's and Coulter's of the world.
P.D. @ 4:
I'm asking the same question.
Where is the coverage?
Liberal media my ass.
MSM is pathetic. This story should be examined. Now they're talking about Obama's arrogance. WTF! I wish November could come sooner.
Simon White-Thatch Potentloins @ 15:
Hells yeah, and in the meantime, arm yourselves. There are more of these whackos just biding their time. I betcha!
I am a Unitarian-Universalist. The Universalist part refers to our belief in universal salvation. For everyone.
Johnny2BadObamaCavedOnCampaignFinance @ 17:
Unfortunately, the bush "christians" don't consider Unitarians "christians" and are therefore disposable.
People who consider any of their fellow humans disposable are not headed for hell...they're already there.
bushisaliar @ 1:
They should be sued. Of course these cowardly riech wing blowhard bullies will hide behind their first amendment right of free speach for spewing their violence inciting hate but maybe, just maybe, a "librul" justice somewhere will see they are in part responsible and that their freedom of speach crosses the line when it incites violence against innocent Americans and hit them and the networks that employ them up for a hundred million or so in damages to be paid to the families of the victims.
Thank you nonnie! I'm not a Unitarian but I am Christian and you speak for me as well. Peace and prayers your way.
P.D. @ 25:
They [the MSM] should be talking about their own stupidity because the comment is question was so ridiculously cherry-picked. Idiots.
Johnny2BadObamaCavedOnCampaignFinance @ 17:
Like the inquisitions and the crusades. Some things never change.
Ruthless@29, you are right, By bringing a lawsuit the media would have to focus on the debate of the actions of these right-wingers. But so many times MSM fails us. They will hire big time lawyers to bully the plantiffs and force them to take a cash settlement. Just ask Billo and the Andrea chick(Sorry, I cant think of her last name)
also Nicole -
One Sunday morning in the 1980's a transient walked into the church my great cousin was a minister at (probably still is) and opened fire (Emporia, KS). My great cousin was at the pulpit preaching at the time.
I understand your pain. Don't apologize for your anger ... actually why don't you post this on Daily Kos to receive even more exposure . . . really you should.
Johnny2BadObamaCavedOnCampaignFinance @ 17:
Although some UU's consider themselves xtian, many, if not most, are not.
I am a Secular Humanist and when i am in the States I have to look for groups and find out through the proverbial grapevine for where there will be a meeting. It's kind of a moving meeting because of this sort of thing.
The Secular Humanist on the west Coast were pretty much out in the open, but in the East and South East you have to not show up on the Radar.
That statement I wrote in italics has a world of meaning.
Here in Chiang Mai we meet and advertise our meetings in the local paper and have never had any negative response, only thanks yous from the people who come.
"Hate is easy. Blame and criticism and anger and revenge are easy."
So, so true. Thank you, Nicolle. Your post made me cry.
Did you hear Tuesday nights guest on The Daily Show telling Jon Stewart that gun sales in Texas are up by 10% because they are fearful that the "wrong" people will be elected in November and they wanted to have the advantage, because they are armed and we aren't. I cried.
We aren't seen as citizens of the same country with common desires and goals. We are seen as enemies to be eliminated, just like the folks in Guantanamo Bay.
This is what the Republican party, the Lee Atwaters, the Karl Roves and the Richard Nixons of this party have wrought.
No wonder Atwater begged for forgiveness on his deathbed.
Ruthless People @ 29:
First ammendment, true, but the Supreme Court also said that it doesn't give you the right to yell "Fire!" in a crowded movie house.
I have to admit that I did cry when I read this item. PD Says, you are correct. The fact that a "conservative" killed "liberals" seems to the reason the story has died with the msm, had it been the reverse we would be hearing this story until the election in November. I am a non believer myself but have found some solace with UU sermons that are broadcast on WQXR in the New York Metro area on Sunday morning. I have no answers as to the why of what happened. I am proud of the blogger, NonnyMouse, who put my thoughts into those words. Words fail me now, I am overcome by a need to cry and never stop. All I can say is that I hope those who died can find peace, as well as those who were wounded, and those who mourn their loss will also find peace and understanding.
lilysmom @ 38:
The people in power now ARE the wrong people.
It's time to stop fooling ourselves. Talk radio haters continually hide behind their 1st amendment rights as if it's there to divide the very country it attempts to preserve.
There is no way to stop the this lynch mob type rhetoric but to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine to rebut this out-of-control hate speech.
Reagan did this country a HUGE disfavor by trashing it in 1987 and by 1988, Limbaugh was spewing his hateful garbage nation-wide.
Call your congressmen and women. It's the only way!
The real disgrace is that these people are spewing this hatred for MONEY! It is very lucrative, just look at the deal that Limbaugh recently got for his contract.
ONE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There is gold in that hatred. For the talent, for the producers, for the syndicators, for the networks, for the advertisers, for the station owners. Producing hatred is profitable, that is why MSM will not ignore it, reject it or renounce it. They are too busy getting rich from it.
Boycott those product which advertise on these programs, and let them know that you are doing such. Beleive me, no company wants that, and soon the money will dry up, and subsiquently these shitheads.
♫..Bangkok Bob..♫ @ 41:
OF J. Goebbles
The United States is an empire in decline. Built on the expectation that Americans would be driving cars cheaply forever. Now that this is distinctly no longer the case. It's time that the Working Class Right realizes this.
Oh I was WRONG 4 Presidents of the US have been Unitarians, Thomas Jefferson and William Taft (the 3rd and 27th president respectively)
.
also to help rebut those right wingers . . . . the UUC in our nations history
Louisa May Alcott (1832–1888)[4] Author of Little Women.
Ethan Allen (1738–1789) Author of Reason the Only Oracle of Man, and the chief source of Hosea Ballou's universalist ideas.[5]
Clara Barton (1821–1912) Universalist[8] [11]
E. E. Cummings (1894–1962) Poet and painter [3]
Buckminster Fuller (1895–1983) [3]
Horace Greeley (1811–1872) Universalist[8] (if you're going to Colorado for the convention, Greeley, CO is named after him)
Julia Ward Howe (1819–1910) author of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic."[11]
Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) Unitarian[27]
Paul Newman (1925-) Actor, film director
Linus Pauling (1901–1994) Nobel Laureate for Peace and for Chemistry
Christopher Reeve (1952–2004) Unitarian Universalist[29] [12]
Paul Revere (1735–1818)[4]
William Howard Taft (1857–1930)[4] [15]
Kurt Vonnegut (1922–2007)[35] [12]
Daniel Webster (1782–1852)[15]
Frank Lloyd Wright (1867–1959) Among Wright's architectural works were Unity Temple in Oak Park, Illinois, and First Unitarian Society in Madison, Wisconsin.[36] [4] [3]
source http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Unitarians%2C_Universalists%2C_and_...
L.A. Confidential @ 46:
If they do ever actually realize that the end of their delusions of 'freedom' have been compromised, I expect 'em to attack liberals, for discovering the climate changes that make their lifestyles untenable, and they'll come huntin' us with guns, dogs and ropes...
Ruthless People @ 29:
Sued my ass! These hatemongering fascists need mob justice if ya ask me! Give 'em the ol' Mussolini treatment.
And for those who say I'm just like them for saying that, which is your right, obviously...but I don't think people like that are gonna stop until they're dead. They're NOT innocent Americans by any stretch of the imagination. They are ANTI-AMERICAN by their very nature, hiding behind the Flag and the cross.
These people need to be made examples of. Maybe the next reichwing blowhard who hates this country will think before he starts spewing hate.
How long before we have brown shirts roaming the streets beating up anyone who looks different. And don't expect help from the police. They're too busy assaulting bike riders.
Any one notice how the media is not really touching this?
There is coverage but when Columbine, the Amish shooting and Virginia tech happened there was so much coverage
The blamed Marylin Manson, Goths, videos games basically anything they thought was evil
But now someone who is Conservative and thinks liberals are evil kills innocent people.
now he does not speak for all the right
but it shows a breed of hatred that needs to be addressed.
Now i don't like to blame others because this is obvious a deeply disturbed man but when Rush Limbaugh encourages riots. He needs to be called out and fired for encouraging violence.
lilysmom @ 44:
WE NEED to arm ourselves!
Let us not forget to point out that it did not require firearms to stop the killer.
magical thinking is childish...it's time for the world to grow up. it's nice to want to believe in santa claus but news flash...he's not real.
My thoughts and prayers go out to all those effected by this senseless act. I myself am not Unitarian but I agree with them that, you love the sinner and hate the sin. The church is for all sinners. Jesus did not come for the "righteous" but for the sinners. Lord bless all of you.
woody, tokin librul @ 48:
The result, pretty soon into that process, will be social breakdown and political upheaval. Every tattoo freak out there who has been prepping for his own starring role in some kind of comic book armageddon will finally get his chance to shine.
i only recently discovered a unitarian church in my area and after reading its mission and philosophies, for the first time i saw how "christian" a church could be... no biggotry, hate, rapture, just a global sense of humanity, something that has long been missing from many organized religions. thank you for difficult, yet inspiring post. its again, simply unwillingness to seek to understand others that drives another senseless act of violence.
...it took a reload timeout to stop the maniac.
Thanks so much, NonnyMouse, for such a wonderfully written and heartfelt tribute, not only to those who were struck down and injured, but to all of us who are proud to call ourselves liberal and to those who also call themselves Unitarians. It's because of the tenets you hold dear in your religion and your philosophy that make me happy to be a member of the human race. There's times when I question that, but your blog today was a beautiful reminder of what we're really here for. One thousand thank-yous for your compassion, love, and empathy for all of us...
Freakaloin @ 54:
You'll have a ways to go to make 77% of the world's population from the Arctic to Tierra del Fuego, from Pitcairn Island to the Canaries, drop their beliefs and religions overnight. And then there's the question of what will fill the void religion plays in a lot of societies...
I'll give you a hint, no guarantees it would be much, if at all, better.
Freakaloin @ 54:
And you're welcome to say so at a UU church!
While I agree that these hate-mongers should be brought to justice, I'm at a loss to figure out how. See the problem is that we are pacifists and as such we eschew violence. On the other hand the hate-monger will not come to justice voluntarily (over their dead bodies in fact.)
So what are we to do? Arm the police and send them out to do a gun battle on our behalf to bring these criminals to justice? Is that maintaining our pacifist values? Or do we just try to reason with the hate mongers and get them to give up their hatred in a non-violent way?
The Right Wing: Hate Is Our Only Belief.
Hosea Ballou was a Universalist circuit preacher in the early 19th c. There were not enough preachers to go around in the early days of our country, so some preachers travelled from congregation to congregation.
Hosea encountered a very disraught farmer at one of his stops.
"My son has lost his way," lamented Farmer Jones to a sympathetic Ballou.
"He goes into town every night and carouses and fornicates. All of the other preachers say that my son will go to hell and burn for an eternity," he said.
"I know that I have not been a very good father, but I don't want my son cast into everlasting flame."
Hosea pondered for a moment. Then he said, "Meet me on the main road from town tonight at midnight. We will meet your son as he returns from his revels."
Midnight found Farmer Jones and Hosea Ballou at the side of the road.
"We need to build a big bonfire in the middle of the road," said Hosea.
Puzzled, the farmer helped Hosea gather a great stack of deadfall branches, logs and kindling in the middle of the road.They lit the kindling, and soon had a roaring fire blazing away.
"Now, come hide in the trees with me while we wait for your son," Hosea said.
A short while later, the farmer's son came swaying down the road, barely able to walk and singing a raunchy ditty at the top of his voice. He stopped and looked in wonder at the fire blocking the road.
As he drew nearer, Hosea whispered, "Now, Farmer Jones, you must sneak up behind your son and push him into the flames!"
Farmer Jones looked at Hosea in horror and said, "I would NEVER push my son into a fire! Are you mad!?!"
Hosea Ballou looked at Farmer Jones and said, " You have admitted that you are not the best father. How is it that an admittedly imperfect father would refuse to cast his son into the flames, and yet expect the Perfect Father of All to do so?"
Here endeth the lesson.
It's always great to come across a post like this that moves me. I am reminded everywhere that people are under considerable stress, both socially and financially. We cannot always remain composed, but I believe in kindness, not as a religion, just for the sake of our fellow people. Truth, kindness, compassion, creativity, inquisitiveness, and many other qualities are exhibited by people everyday, but seldom receive attention. My heart goes out to the victims and two cards will go out to the victims' families and communities.
A friend of our family once told me that crying was very therapeutic, and I agree. Sometimes, instead of lashing out in anger, a soothing and lengthy release of tears enables one to re-connect with the feelings that are directed at building back the bonds that we should be cherishing as communities all throughout this country. For the hate speech cloaked as talk show news and such, ignoring it is my current policy, and like businesses that don't make money anymore, because they reap death and destruction, they shall sink into the sea and be forgotten forever as useless and creepy.
I recall the shooter that killed those kids in the Amish community not too long ago. The mainstrream media was *astonished* that they forgave the shooter. In times of greatest need, the most courageous aren't the ones shooting back, but those unarmed, risking their lives for the benefit of everyone else, attempting to show the errant souls that humanity is not lost amidst the deepest sorrows or darkest moments. I say smile, for as life passes us by, it's worthwhile to share some happiness, which is without price or supply/demand curve. The investment is worth it.
Much love,
k
clytemnestra @ 47:
You forgot John Adams and John Quincy Adams. Their Church in Quincy, Massachusetts, where they are buried, flies rainbow flags.
I am a Unitarian.
Thank you for writing this. My family lives in The South, and we sometimes feel like we have crossed the battle lines of the "culture war". It is horrifying to see real bullets flying in that war. It makes me afraid that a member of my family could also be a target for a hate crime. But more than anything, I want to teach my son to stand up proudly for his beliefs, and I hope they will be liberal values like my own. For this reason, I plan to take my family to attend church at the TVUUC as soon as we can do it.
If Unitarian-Universalists hold any common beliefs, and I really believe we do, one of them must be a belief in the power of human communities to join together in opposition to evil.
I'm a Unitarian too. Attacking a Unitarian Church is like invading Switzerland. Unitarians are the most neutral of all religions, accepting of all. There are some really sick people out there.
In my diocese the bishop - who might be described as a little "off" - won't allow certain progressive Catholic speakers. They are so very dangerous it seems. People like Bishop Gumbleton who spoke of repenting of the treatment received by his gay brother or Sister Helen Chittester who called us to prophetic ways of being - called us to justice are simply too dangerous for thinking people to hear. So - those lovely Unitarians opened their church and the Catholics gathered there. Recently several women were ordained ( against all the rules of the church and with a great huffing and puffing from the hierarchy) and it happened - in Unitarian Churches in Boston and St. Louis. (I might add that the bishop in St. Louis had spies present and recently fired and excommunicated a Sister of Charity for her presence at that Unitarian church - he could "prove" she was there) Archbishop Burke in St. Louis is sort of the Bill O'Reilly in Catholic circles. Bill O'donahue might be considered the Sean Hannity.
Now, I'm reading a book called "the Power of forgiveness" after watching the accompanying film. It's about how hard forgiveness really is and how powerful it is when it actually happens. I want to forgive the Malkins, O[reillys, etc, but cannot, because they do not yet understand that their actions and words create violence. I recognize the man that is Bill O'Reilly - a man so broken by early abuse that the only thing left is the shadow of the abuser. And in recognizing that - I can begin to forgive him. See that sort in prison, but usually they don't have a network and their actions become so criminal we lock them up.
For many years - the work of Rene Girard has been about desire and about how we gather. We gather around the outsider - the one who is different and we feel righteous in doing so. Those special groups who gather everyone without exception - well - he Unitarian church would be an example of that kind of gathering that needs no scapegoat.
I hang on to my own religious tradition because there is a well of goodness there - it is simply hidden by those who want to be in charge and are in charge of rules. I'm glad the Unitarians exist because the Catholics in my town would not be whole without them.
Every single time I go to a peace rally, a meeting to talk about why Americans torture, a political rally for the pacifists among us, the people present are Unitarians, Catholics, Methodists, and others.
The people that curse us - well - they are simply broken and have found a religion to support that brokenness instead of healing it. I don't hate the shooter. What I hate is the matrix of rhetoric that supports and justifies such a shooter. It is not evangelical or pentecostal or Baptist or Catholic - that matrix is none of the above. It is simply brokenness that connects with the the emphasis on vengeance instead of forgiveness. It is pain that that never encounters love. Oh, my - this incident has struck me because for the last eight years - this matrix is my country.
clytemnestra @ 13:
I remember when the United First Parish started flying a rainbow flag outside their church. All sorts of hate-mongers came out and said John Adams would never have approved of homosexuality. Um... HELLO!? He was a UU, I'm sure even if he didn't feel comfortable with homosexuals he would still have tolerated them with justice and peace.
This makes me want to join the Unitarian church. What a beautiful group of people!!!!
Forget the RW conspiracies. Here is your answer.
Beautiful words. I've often thought that were I religious I would attend a Unitarian congregation. Your words reinforced this feeling for me. I'm also a liberal and proud.
displaced @ 62:
I'm no pacifist...I'm no warmonger either, I believe in defending ones self and loved ones and property with gusto...
I for one, would father fight and die for my beliefs, than not fight and be killed for them anyway....we really need to prepare for the worst, hope for the best, and also hope like hell we never need to defend ourselves from these troglodytes. But we just might.
Get armed people...better to have it and not need it, than the other way around.
We can try to reason with them sure...I've tried...very few are even open to the idea that they could possibly be misguided about anything. Yeah, try to reason with them, with one hand open in friendship, the other on your gun.
Thank you Nicole and thanks to C&L for continuing to follow this (we live abroad and rely on C&L as one of our daily sources to link to the world)
WE ARE UNITARIAN-UNIVERSALISTs (my 5 member family and apparently many C&L bloggers!)
The pain always cuts deep with terrorist acts like this one. What my own children ask is "Why can't other people believe in the right for others to freely seek/practice their religion without being threatened?" Indeed, it is one of the UU tenets (see below).
From the Www.uua.org site...
There are seven principles which Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote:
* The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
* Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
* Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
* A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
* The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
* The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
* Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
Unitarian Universalism (UU) draws from many sources:
* Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life;
* Words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love;
* Wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life;
* Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves;
* Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit.
* Spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.
These principles and sources of faith are the backbone of our religious community.
Last updated on Wednesday, April 23, 2008.
in PEACE/Paz from the Dominican Republic,
Chris
How ironic. These beautiful words display an ultimate contradiction in right-wing beliefs and behavior.
The religious right uses Jesus Christ as its poster child; yet Unitarians, with their kindness toward their enemies and a willingness to embrace all manner of beliefs, personify Christ's message more succintly than any other people of faith do. If this crazed killer is sentenced to death for his crime, Unitarians will no doubt be leading the way in seeking a commutation of the sentence.
If O'Reilly, Limbaugh, Coulter and the rest of the right-wing haters are forever diminished by this, the two brave Unitarians will not have died in vain.
peaceful easy feeling @ 71:
Of course he wasn't part of any conspiracy...but he did listen to and read right wing hatemongering propaganda...coincidence? Maybe...maybe the catalyst his pickled brain needed to go over the edge.
How's that go. "A whole lot of ugly produced by an endless parade of Stupid"
liberalMcSuuuurgeNmoderation @ 76:
Sorry, but that conspracy theory is as ridiculous as video games being responsible for Coulmbine.
In the words of the great Chris Rock, "What ever happened to CRAZY?"
There is indeed a lot of love in this world. For instance, as I look out my window, I see two doves fucking.
I fail to see the difference between what happened here and Cristal Nacht in Germany. In both cases, the people who were perpetrating the violence immediately blamed the victims and used any excuse, no matter how absurd, to justify the crime. Many in the US think the reference to Nazi Germany is over used and not appropriate to the current conditions in the US. I think anytime a country becomes controlled by fascists who suspend constitutional rights as they see fit, use their power to illegally marginalize any opposition and stoop to violence when they become desperate are exactly like the German and Italian people in the 1930's. The only way fascism wins, is when normally good people ignore it and allow it to take control of the country. We can't even be certain the upcoming election will not be stolen like the last two.
I really hope I'm wrong, but I don't think anyone in America would lift a finger if we woke up on Nov. 5th with President elect McBush.
This is unrelated folks, but beware of a bogus email being forwarded by your older relatives that claims Obama blew off the troops in Afghanistan. I replied to them with this link:
http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/afghanistan.asp
Remember the name Jeffery S. Porter. Hopefully he will get reprimanded for lying like a chickenshit.
Michael Reagan, Melanie Morgan, Ann Coulter, and Pat Robertson are among the rightards I can remember calling for someone's murder, always someone on the Left. I dunno if Hannity, Bill-O. or the Savage Weener have called for 'popular' executions of this stripe. But they ALL suggested it wouldn't be a really terrible thing...
L.A. Confidential @ 46:
You forgot to mention how Obama stole your food stamps and kicked your granny.
There are haters on both the right and the left. The reason Amanda Marcotte drives this boy and quite a few others on the left batshit crazy is precisely because she's an in-your-face hater who wanted to send the wholly innocent Duke lacrosse players to jail simply because they were white male jocks so the rape accusations must be true and fuck the evidence. Generally, Pandagon is a festival of unintelligent stereotyping. Yet instead of getting ostracized by the left she gets promoted by the liberal blogosphere while her critics are mocked.
How about one single standard for both sides? If you get caught extolling hateful bullshit you get treated like a jerk by your would-be allies as well as those on the other side of the fence. Make sense?
Bismarck @ 81:
Or in the case of my family, younger relatives.
so the freepers can question "Annie" but not Justice Sunday - why am I not surprised ?
bravo Nonnymouse - and prayers for the congregation
♫..Bangkok Bob..♫ @ 5:
Agreed!
Jay @ 78:
See the problem with your line of reasoning is that video games typically don't involve killing real life groups. Sure there are aliens, or zombies, or fictional nations, etc., but there is yet to be a video game out there where you spend your days killing liberals. (Maybe Left Behind but that is mostly fictional too.)
Meanwhile the right-wing commentators specifically say that SOMEONE should kill liberals. I don't think they're suggesting that someone go kill fictional characters. If their books had no more truth than The Davinci Code then I wouldn't be so quick to blame them for this massacre.
I live in Knoxville and must say that superficially it is a town of Bush Republican Baptists. What I think proves that Americans are better than that is the outpouring of love and support that this congregation and others who benefit from its ministries have received in the wake of this tragedy. Sad thought, that it takes this kind of outrage to cut through the politics and dogmatism to remind us of our compassion.
woody, tokin librul @ 82:
Remember Bill Orally inviting terrorists to blow up the San Francisco memorial to firefighters, Coit Tower? I also seem torecall Billo talking about having people taken out and shot, but I can't remember the context.
Bismarck @ 81:
Thanks for the link. I heard about this on Sirius Left yesterday. Once again, reich-wingers fall on the wrong side of an issue and clearly have zero concept of facts and reality. One would think they would get sick of it by now.....guess not.
Thanks for the great post.
My brother is a member of the Knoxville church and thankfully was not in the sanctuary during the attack. Since I'm not a UU, I can be more vociferous about my despisement of the right-wing haters whose words took seed and grew in the weak mind of the shooter. Just as extremist left-wing views helped lead the weak-minded of the Weathermen to violence, the Hannitys and Coulters are culpable for this man's action.
It's now literally open season now on liberals. It's time to reclaim the dignity of that word from the MSM and talk-weasels who've usurped it.
Great post NonnyMouse. Thank you.
My wife and I were married at TVUUC in 1980. I remain aghast at what just happened, though, long ago when we attended there, I often heard the place described as "a bunch of commies, queers, and atheists" by local rednecks.
clytemnestra @ 34:
Keith Olbermann needs to read this on air.
liberalMcSuuuurgeNmoderation @ 76:
Plenty of hate-mongering happening on both the far left and far right. The vast majority of us, who are primarily tolerant and peace-loving folks, are unfortunately caught in the middle.
A beautiful piece (peace?) of writing. Cheers to Crooks and Liars for elevating the discourse by "printing" it. Hopefully this horror is some sort of turning point - back towards sanity.
Well said NonnyMouse. TVUUC is my church. I do want to add that Reverend Buice is the most wonderful speaker as well as others who have been taking his place while he was on sabbatical. I wonder what would have happened if Mr. Adkisson had actually gone to our church and listened to the service or listened to a sermon on line. I have never been among a more tolerant and unconditional group of people in my life.
I know exactly where this guy was standing when he shot those wonderful and caring people because my husband and I usually sit on that side. He would have walked in by the huge pipe organ that the congregation found in an old building and lovingly restored. He was right in front of the glassed in room that mothers take their children when they are fussy or crying - where some mothers were that day. The children would have been in front performing the play up in front. Vickie Masters our wonderful music director would have been playing the piano or conducting the children as they sang.
The irony is that this church would have welcomed this guy as part of their congregation. Now he won't get that chance. Since this is classified as a federal hate crime then he well might end up in the supermax ADX prison in Florence, Colorado among people with whom he has more in common. People like Eric Rudolph, Ted Kaczynski, Omar Abdel-Rahman , Zacarias Moussaoui, and at one time, Timothy McVeigh, who also killed and injured some friends of mine when I lived in Oklahoma. Timothy McVeigh was so overcome with the harsh conditions there that he begged for the death penalty. Then as now, I believe that the intolerance, hate, and vitriol of right wing media who supposedly do it for entertainment value instead feed into the fears and insecurities of these people.
I have heard that these media people are able to spew this awful stuff without a corresponding answer because of the suspension of the Fairness Doctrine. From the wikipedia entry, it looks like reinstating the Fairness Doctrine should be one of the goals of our new Congress in 2009. We now have a very good reason to do so.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairness_Doctrine
An open letter to Sean Hannity, and another good read on this terrible tragedy.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/evan-derkacz/open-letter-to-sean-hanni_b_1...
I went to a UU service last night with my fiance' who is a member. They held a candlelight vigil for the fallen. I went because thought I'm an Atheist I believe many of the things that the UU's teach ( they don't preach - there is a difference ) even if I don't ascribe some supernatural or spiritual meaning to them. The UU's accept that and they accept that even someone like me has something to offer. I went to show my support for an institution that is good for society even if they wrap their social policy up in a cloak of 'spirituality' to make it easier for some to deal with.
The service was solemn but not tearful though you could tell some people were hurt and somewhat frightened by what happened. Some were angry and I can't blame anyone for that. I would be too. But didn't let their anger and grief and fear get the better of them. They honored the dead and celebrated the courage of the congregants that jumped Adkisson and took him down. The addressed the hatred and desperation and fear that motivated the man but they didn't condemn him nor did they try to place the blame on anyone. They merely gathered to support each other in a time of sadness and fear, which is precisely what communities are supposed to do - support each other.
One thing that struck me is that throughout the entire service the front and back doors to the sanctuary were wide open. There were no armed security guards. No gun toting church members. No calls for vigilante justice. No chest beating or bravado. Even during this time of tragedy, the UUs were trying to understand to adapt, deal with the tragedy, and to move on. The Reverend ( a woman, I might add ) even asked the question "Why should we continue to support things like social justice and civil marriage and civil rights if we are to be targeted for our beliefs like this?" and the answer was simple. "Because it is the right thing to do."
That's the way human beings are supposed to behave towards each other.
Personally, I hope Adkisson gets the chair for what he did. It won't bring back the two people he murdered in cold blood and it probably won't stop the next right wing nutjob who decides to take the failures of his life out on some innocent people. It will, however, make sure that Adkisson never does anything like that again.
Ultimately the best possible deterrent for anyone wanting to copy his actions won't come from the law nor will it come from vigilante justice or gun toting jahoos. It'll come from the bravery of those UU's who decided on their own that they weren't going to die like sheep because some asshole decided he didn't like what they had to say. There's something we can all learn from that example.
bigmike601 @ 43:
Let them know how long you've boycotted Fox News (hopefully, you've all boycotted Fox by now) and you will continue to boycott their products as long as they support this type of hate-speech. Same with all of the other facsist hosts.
The ironic thing is that Christ Jesus was probably about as liberal as they come. He gathered a bunch of minimum-wage workers, a former tax collector, and a prostitute (we'll set aside the likelihood that Mary Magdalene was probably a priestess). He railed against the status quo, challenged the Scribes and the Pharisees on points of doctrine, but found time to feed the hungry and cure the sick whilst pursuing His Ministry.
Today, he'd be on Sean Hannity's 'Enemy of the State' list, because the homeless and the hungry are a liberal conspiracy, the signs of everyone expecting a free ticket. He'd be denounced by Bill O'Reilly, who would question the motives of a man who hangs out with prostitutes. Coulter would tell us Christ isn't a true Christian and that he needs to be perfected. Or that he needs to be smacked with a baseball bat.
Lost is the fact that they're no different than the folks who sought to crucify him. They'll take their Barabbas (or Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rice, Libby, Gonzales, or whatever) and hand the other guy off to be tortured. They don't see it.
Their personal savior is a guy who will come down from on high and kick liberal ass. Bring on the Rapture and all the gays and lesbians and pagans and secularists are gonna burn in hell, and they'll be partying on and saying I Told You So while riding the Rapture Bus to their eternal reward.
I'd check to make sure the driver ain't got cloven hooves. That brimstone smell ain't burning brakes.
If I had to join a church, it would be UU. I responded much the same as you did. The demonization of compassion. Nice move, right-wingnuts.
Jay @ 78:
Hmm...that is a good point. However. Having grown up with a family member who was severely bi-polar, sometimes her psychotic episodes, were triggered by external stimuli...sometimes books, sometimes tv shows...thankfully they were never violent.
What great writing, this needs to be read by so many of the hate mongers out there!
I have a very hard time not expressing hate towards these close minded people, reading this reminds me think how compassion and love for everyone, even for the ones that hate, is so important. This is the kind of compassion our great American hero MLK tried so hard to convey to all in his speeches and writing, it is nothing short of inspiring! Thanks NonnyMouse!
Of course he wasn’t part of any conspiracy…but he did listen to and read right wing hatemongering propaganda…coincidence? Maybe…maybe the catalyst his pickled brain needed to go over the edge.
What if his trigger had been Randy Rhodes' broadcasting about killing the President? Or a screening of Shooter? Or Jeremiah Wright preaching about the government creating AIDS to kill black people? Or George Soros calling the current administration a bunch of Nazis?
I don't mind the criticism of Savage and Coulter and the rest of that merry band of rabble-rousers. They say outrageous things because they are entertainers, and that sort of provocative speech is as entertaining today as it was when Howard Stern or George Carlin or Lenny Bruce started their careers. In each case, it isn't hard to find those who found these entertainers' speech inappropriate and over the line.
If you advocate for the silencing of Coulter and Savage, you also advocate for the silencing of every entertainer who uses politics as a focus of his or her act. Is this really the road you want to walk down?
This guy was crazy. He shot up his ex-wife's church not because Savage and Coulter told him to, but because he was crazy. If you want to live in a world where nobody can ever say anything provocative for fear that a crazy man will use it as motivation, you go right ahead. Just don't drag me into it with you; I'd like to be able to speak my mind, even if it means having to hear idiots speak theirs.
peaceful easy feeling @ 95:
Well...I may be mistaken. But I certainly think it's a good idea to arm ourselves and be prepared...JUST in case.
I consider myself tolerant and peace loving also, but that doesn't mean I'm gonna let someone who isn't bully me around. Or worse.
Squid @ 105:
You're right...you're absolutely right...it just pisses me off.
People just suck sometimes...
The blogosphere is already ripping into that moral sickness that has so pervaded the rightwing that such acts have become not only possible, but excusable - a couple posters on the Free Republic had little sympathy for the dead; what kind of Christian church, after all, not only accepts gays but would even think of putting on a production of ‘Annie’?
Coulda been worse; it could've been a production of "Boys In the Band."
Or even this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzlkvI9EZeA
Laura @ 102:
When this news was first announced there was one wingnut on the thread here calling us wingnuts.
I told him that was flat-out wrong.
They're the wing-nuts, and we're the moonbats.
I'm surprised no conservatives are arguing that this wouldn't have happened if the congregation was packing.
ysbaddaden @ 108:
I'm still at a loss to understand how gay and lesbian people negatively affect my life one iota.
I really hope I’m wrong, but I don’t think anyone in America would lift a finger if we woke up on Nov. 5th with President elect McBush.the one and only job of the SCUM is to make it seem its close enough that nobody takes to the streets when bombin john is 'elected'
Nichole
I want to thank you for this post, too, and add a couple of comments.
This was a hate crime, the same as if someone who hated Jews had gone into a synagogue and opened fire. That is the law under which this criminal should be tried.
I must say that the congregants who tackled Adkisson, took his gun, and wrestled him to the floor should be celebrated as heroes.
And what about hating the perpetrator? Don't we always hate what harms those we love, respect, and admire? We wouldn't be human or loving if we didn't. I never feel guilt about this kind of hatred -- I think it's part of love. True forgiveness is possible when the perpetrator experiences remorse and pays the consequences. But to go on with life not abandoning one's hope or values is even greater. There's no reason why people can't experience all of these things at the same time.
We, at least, see the cause of such hatred splintering our society, and in the end, that is where we must address our efforts. I agree that the sponsors of Malkin, Hannity, O'Reilly, and Limbaugh's media time should be boycotted and vehement protests sent to them. Don't forget the stations and cable companies that allow these jerks on the airwaves, either. Demand that they be removed from the programming.
Don't let the Unitarians shoulder this burden alone. Indeed, we are all either Unitarians or Adkissons in the end.
[Not to pick nits, but nonny mouse wrote this piece. Nicole's name is there because she put it up on the site-Sitemonitor]
BobbyG @ 111:
Because, silly, they're clearly enjoying life more than you!
I'm sorry I have no compassion for this killer who hated a concept, liberalism, so much he murdered two people and could of destroyed more. Justice demands that either life in prison or the death penalty be given to this scumbag to make an example of this to other nuts out there who would think of doing something similar. It is weak to forgive this kind of hatred, weak and a mistake. I have more respect for left wing values than that.
franklin j @ 115:
I think we should 'forgive' the demented, in-bred cracker4/loser and let him languish the rest of his life in some white-aryan gang in prison where with any luck he'd get shanked...
But forgive Hannity, Bill-o, Savage/Weener? Fuck dat. They need their knuckles jellied so badly they'd hafta write with a stick tied to their fuukin heads...
No. 44 @ 37:
DrChrisHE @ 75:
anney @ 113:
clytemnestra @ 34:
Just to be clear, this post was written by NonnyMouse, not myself, and she deserves all credit for it.
clytemnestra @ 34:
I'll agree, post on daily KOS. please.
displaced @ 116:
Also, because they have waaaaay better taste than you will ever have.
And they'll look better longer (no babies)...
The Bush Administration is in solidarity with the Unitarians. They think we should attack Iran in response to the church shootings.
liberalMcSuuuurgeNmoderation @ 107:
I don't agree with Soros...they're not Nazis...they're FASCISTS!
Though I STILL stand by my idea, that those who aren't against owning guns for self defense should do so, not only for your own protection, but for the protection of those who would not own a gun.
I hope I'm wrong...I REALLY REALLY do...but it SEEMS to me that we are being increasingly targeted by the radical rightwing extremists.
Is it such a bad thing, to defend yourself against those who would love to see us wiped off the face off the planet?
I mean seriously...what IF this is the beginning of some sort of Nazi/Fascist like action against us? We know what happened with all that business...would it not be prudent to stop it before it starts? Not necesarily through violent means, but if, after all else fails....it may be our only recourse.
Nicole Belle @ 119:
I knew that and appreciate your posting it here. She certainly does deserve the credit and I hope she reads these posts.
Before anyone kicks the first amendment too much.... It's meant to protect *everyone*, whether we like their speech or not. That being said, inciting violence is not, I believe, covered by first amendment protections, much like yelling "fire" in a crowded theater.
But for some reason, all I can think of is "This is Howard W Cambell, Jr, the last free American..."
Nicole Belle @ 119:
Ooops. Thank you, NonnyMouse!
I'm a Knoxvillian, born and bred, and my heart breaks for you and the rest of the congregation. I commend you for your attitude of forgiveness. It would be a struggle for me, if I were in your shoes.
woody, tokin librul @ 121:
OK, y'all, I see. Thanks.
Uh, those things affect me negatively precisely how?
;)
Beautifully written, beautiful sentiment.
However, "I Am A Unitarian", simply means you are another person who needs some sort of label to describe themselves, thus EXCLUDING those who choose NOT to label themselves. Religion of ANY sort, no matter how "tolerant" one feels their particular sect may be, is by definition INtolerant of other viewpoints. I've been to a Unitarian church. If I choose to NOT follow their worshipping format, choose NOT to "donate", and buddha forbid, choose NOT to sing along with their insipid music, I am thus an outsider and meant to feel UNwelcome.
You can convince yourself all you'd like that you "belong" to some fantastic and perfect entity of inclusion, but in fact you don't. You wanna impress me? Try making a go of life "belonging" to nothing but yourself. That's impressive.
Squid @ 107:
Well, not entirely. This is over at the AlterNet story:
Carol Smallwood, a longtime acquaintance of Adkisson’s, said he hates “'blacks, gays and anyone different from him,” which is also consistent with right-wing ideology. In a four-page note Adkisson left in his car, he explicitly noted his hate for the “liberal movement” — the Unitarian Universalist church is well known for its liberal stances on homosexuality, civil rights, opposition to war, women’s rights, and multiculturalism. While another major cause of Adkisson’s rage was his inability to find work and having his foodstamps reduced, Knoxville Police Chief Sterling P. Owen IV noted "[Adkisson] did express frustration that the liberal movement was getting jobs."
Are there any good lawyers out there itching to take these A-holes to court? I think putting O'Reilly, Malkin and Coulter in civil court to defend themselves for the complicity in this incident would be a hell of a good time.
I don't think you'd win, but it sure would be fun.
Squid @ 105
I see where you're coming from, I really do...but these hate mongers on print, tv, radio, and the net are NOT entertainers...they consider themselves reporters, or news people, NOT entertainers.
They are INCITING violence. Period. That's illegal. And they should be taken down for it. Preferably by legal means of course.
Earlier when I said they should all be given the Mussolini treatment. Harsh? Yes...but when was the last time fascism reared it's ugly head in Italy? But seriously, that should be the ABSOLUTE last resort. And I tell ya...if the shit hits the fan in this country...like a revolution or something. Then and only then would such a thing be possible and acceptable IMHO.
I hope it doesn't come to that. I hope this country corrects itself through peaceful means.
I am a Quaker, and I share your pain. It could as easily have been one of our Meetings attacked.
We are commanded to love one another, and that is often all too difficult in the face of these attacks, but it is the only thing which can eventually put an end to them. In the words of John-Paul II: The most faithful disciples of Christ have been builders of peace, to the point of forgiving their enemies, sometimes even to the point of giving their lives for them.
There is no way to peace. Peace is the way.
wow. just....wow!
these conservative commentators (i don't think they are actually conservative, but some warped morphed hybrid, as their principals are so far away from the conservative revolution of Nixon and Regan) are really just lonely people with low self esteem... what a miserable life to be such a hater all the time....
Thank you for the powerful words.
As a professor of mine commented many years ago: "How many conservatives were shot at Kent State?"
1 Bullit @ 58:
No, actually it took a few seconds for the crowd of people to realize that the explosion they heard wasn't part of the play they were watching. Then they rushed the dickhead en-masse.
I'm a Unitarian-Universalist and an atheist, and I have never been so proud to be part of the UU church as I am to share it with Greg McKendry and his congregation.
Notable about the materials found in Adkisson's home is that they are all mainstream texts, printed by major publishers.
Twenty years ago when this kind of tragedy occurred, the killer's home would be found to contain mimeo'ed densly-typed screeds and underground manuals for bomb-making. Nowadays the same content receives an ISBN and an author's tour.
Jesus loved and accepted everyone. That, in and of itself, should be enough for the so-called Christians who espouse hatred for those who are different from their accepted norms.
Wonderful post, Nicole Belle. I agree with whomever said it should be published in the major newspapers.
It was Nonnymouse, posted by Nicole.
Albatross @ 138:
I mean no disrespect whatsoever, Albatross, I'm just simply curious: you attend church but you're an atheist? Is it so you can participate in the social work that this church performs?
Again, I'm just curious. :)
Albatross @ 140:
My apologies. I guess I should learn to read more closely.
Hey Mick,
Do you hav eany good links from your Hosea Ballou story? My mother's maiden namen was Ballou and my brother is researching the geneology.
Jim @ 129:
I don't know what Unitarian church you went to but it's obviously not the ones I've been do. I'm an Atheist and I don't donate money to churches . I'm also not a joiner. I've never been made to feel unwelcome or like I didn't have something to offer or like the only thing the UU's wanted was my money or my ass in the pew ( actually they didn't have pews ) and last night the Reverend asked people to sing but also added "Or don't sing if that is your choice". I don't sing and nobody so much as looked sideways at me in judgment. Perhaps you went to one of those new fangled Southern Baptist Universal Unitarian churches.
Or perhaps you're full of shit, have a chip on your shoulder and a need to impress people with how 'unique, independent and strong' you are and that's why you feel excluded. But that's ok because you're still welcome to go to a UU sanctuary and nobody is going to condemn you, demand money or tell you you are wrong. Despite the fact that you are.
I am not religious. I was sent to an Episcopal school and was never drawn to Christianity or any other religion. My wife is a Unitarian, and I have found this group to be some of the most enlightened people I have ever met. They really are the first people who would reach out and help this guy, because that's what truly compassionate people do.
AustinAvery:
I'm aware of the perpetrator's reading habits and complaints. My point is that these books and complaints are arbitrary: the root cause of this event was the man's untreated mental illness. If he'd been an animal-rights activist or a Marxist or a Libertarian, chances are that he'd still have gone on a rampage; it just would have been against a different target.
Again, I don't have any problem with criticism of right-wing authors; the proper response to "dangerous" speech has always been to counter it with other speech. My problem isn't the criticism, it's the calls to have these people silenced. I find it troubling that so many commenters here think suppression of speech is a good thing. (In truth, I think that these commenters fail to realize that such suppression is as likely to be used against their friends as their rivals.)
McSurge:
I see where you’re coming from, I really do…but these hate mongers on print, tv, radio, and the net are NOT entertainers…they consider themselves reporters, or news people, NOT entertainers.
I disagree. They're in show business, and they know it. They're on even footing with those who write best-sellers like "Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them" and "Stupid White Men," or who host shows like "The O'Franken Factor" and "Countdown."
Besides which, I'm leery of seeing rules whereby provocative speakers are allowed on certain shows and channels and not on others. Would it be okay for Coulter to appear on The Colbert Report, but not Fox and Friends? I'm not sure who I'd trust to make those rulings.
Squid @ 146:
Ok...fair enough...what, then are we to do?
liberalMcSuuuurgeNmoderation @ 147:
I'm no christian...so I'm against turning the other cheek.
E in MD @ 144:
I agree...I don't think the UU's are exclusionary one bit.
they are by their very nature, an inclusive bunch.
Jim @ 129:
Wonderfully intolerant of some people that you clearly know nothing about. The UU Church has no creed of set beliefs. You can be an athiest, as I am, and go to a UU Church service and people will celebrate you for your atheism. You can go every week, never drop a dime in the plate, never become a member and you will be welcomed every week.
Kurt Vonnegut quipped, and I must paraphrase," I am a Unitarian when and if I choose to be anything."
Maybe you should, Buddah forbid, check yourself. And since I am a "lapsed Unitarian" I am quite amenable to referring to yourself as a "self-important, intolerant weasel;-)"
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