Nice! (Interesting that the Mormon Church is doing a media blitz showing ordinary Mormon folks - "I'm . . . . . and I'm a Mormon"). Same need, really, to cut through the obfuscation that divides us.
I actually don't see it as quite the same need, although I do see it as a related need -- witness Mitt Romney's fitness for office being questioned by virtue of whether or not Mormons are "real" Christians.
However, although I could be wrong, I really doubt Romney's ever had to worry about being fire-bombed out of his house for being a Mormon, or about losing custody of his kids, etc.
And let's face it, he's in public office. Something this whole "dabble-gate" farce has brought to the fore is that being a Pagan, in most parts of the country, automatically means you can kiss any hope of elected office good-bye. Even though the Constitution forbids a "religious test" for office. (Check out some of the coverage at the Wild Hunt.)
On related-but-different, the Mormon Church has quite a bit less of my sympathy right now, because of their major campaign against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people: not only were they major funders of California's recent Proposition 8, and of the court battle Perry vs Schwarzenegger to uphold Prop 8; but on top of that, in the wake of the flurry of news coverage of recent teen suicides and of horrible bullying -- including religious bullying -- of LGBTQ teenagers, Boyd Packer, a well-known and respected Mormon minister has preached a really awful sermon that fully supports religious bullying and abuse of lesbians, gay men, bisexual women and men, and transgender women and men. Me, I have problems with this. What's more, the Mormon Church is supporting him completely.
So, no, the Mormon Church doesn't have much sympathy from me right now.
I know quite a few Pagans in Delaware, having been involved in regional Pagan networking and community with them in the Delaware Valley.
They, and my sister and brother Pagans everywhere in the US, have my outrage, not just from O'Donnell's behavior, but the news coverage that belittles our family of religions.
(Looks down.) Er, where did that soapbox come from? Mary Ellen, that rant was not directed at you. Forgive me.
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I like it!
ReplyDeleteNice! (Interesting that the Mormon Church is doing a media blitz showing ordinary Mormon folks - "I'm . . . . . and I'm a Mormon"). Same need, really, to cut through the obfuscation that divides us.
ReplyDeleteI actually don't see it as quite the same need, although I do see it as a related need -- witness Mitt Romney's fitness for office being questioned by virtue of whether or not Mormons are "real" Christians.
ReplyDeleteHowever, although I could be wrong, I really doubt Romney's ever had to worry about being fire-bombed out of his house for being a Mormon, or about losing custody of his kids, etc.
And let's face it, he's in public office. Something this whole "dabble-gate" farce has brought to the fore is that being a Pagan, in most parts of the country, automatically means you can kiss any hope of elected office good-bye. Even though the Constitution forbids a "religious test" for office. (Check out some of the coverage at the Wild Hunt.)
On related-but-different, the Mormon Church has quite a bit less of my sympathy right now, because of their major campaign against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people: not only were they major funders of California's recent Proposition 8, and of the court battle Perry vs Schwarzenegger to uphold Prop 8; but on top of that, in the wake of the flurry of news coverage of recent teen suicides and of horrible bullying -- including religious bullying -- of LGBTQ teenagers, Boyd Packer, a well-known and respected Mormon minister has preached a really awful sermon that fully supports religious bullying and abuse of lesbians, gay men, bisexual women and men, and transgender women and men. Me, I have problems with this. What's more, the Mormon Church is supporting him completely.
So, no, the Mormon Church doesn't have much sympathy from me right now.
I know quite a few Pagans in Delaware, having been involved in regional Pagan networking and community with them in the Delaware Valley.
They, and my sister and brother Pagans everywhere in the US, have my outrage, not just from O'Donnell's behavior, but the news coverage that belittles our family of religions.
(Looks down.) Er, where did that soapbox come from? Mary Ellen, that rant was not directed at you. Forgive me.