Faith Leaders Press Conference in favor of Tolerance and Civility

Members of the Rhode Island State Council of Churches, lead by Rev. Dr. Don Anderson, speak out in favor of civility and discourse in the aftermath of the decision by a Federal Judge to remove a "prayer banner" from the auditorium wall of Cranston West High School. There is also a call to stop the harassment of Jessica Ahlquist, and a call to reaffirm the principle of separation of church and state and the Constitution of the United States.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Jessica Ahlqust
• prayer banner
• Cranston
• Cranston West High School
• Rev. Don Anderson
• Rev. Leigh McCaffrey
• Rev. Betsy Garland
• Rev. Dr. David Brown
• Rev. William Zelazny
• Rabbi Peter Stein
• Iman Farid Ansari
• Rev. Gene Dyszlewski
• Rev. Marie Carpenter
• Rev. Matthew Kai
• Rev. Dr. Duane Clinker
• Rabbi Amy Levin

[MardasMan]

It's nearly all non-catholics, who would have thought that?

[LionRampantdouglas]

While it may not have been the most intelligent thing to invoke the name of God, it is a faaar better manner of invoking Gods name then I am very certain many of Cranston have done recently when it comes to Jessica. Attacking these religious leaders for their *praising* of her actions is tasteless, grow up.

[pchamney]

The vitriol aimed at Jessica Ahlquist has been appalling. It is to her credit that her responses have been so mature, thoughtful and graceful. Here, nearly all the speakers showed not just compassion but understanding of the constitutional issue involved. I am an atheist. I have read the bible from cover to cover, more than once. I have yet to feel safe enough to 'come out' in my views to some people I know, due to the discrimination so rampant among conservatives. That, too, is appalling.

[oakaveli]

@quirkyrecords exactly.

[quirkyrecords]

the use of religious rhetoric and stories from religion are always too sickly, this isnt about religion, and the words from the theists are cringeworthy and annoying.

there is no support for what jessica did here. no one says jessica did the right thing, they are just trying to calm down their congregation so their church doesnt look bad,

this is a face saving exercise, not a support of the constitution.

[GodVlogger]

@wimsweden Exactly! Why invoke your God in what is supposed to be a tribute to someone who doesn't believe in your god?

It would be like me saying the following as a tribute to Rev. Don Anderson for having created this event:

"Clearly the Flying Spaghetti Monster (FSM) God has worked through Rev. Don Anderson is guiding him to create this great event. I thank Rev. Anderson for allowing himself to be a vehicle for FSM's love of Rhode Island and humanity."

[wimsweden]

31:54 "God will give you the grace to be able to say 'I do forgive you'."

Just a tip. Next time you want to honour the courage of an atheist, don't say that. Jessica doesn't believe in the existence of your god.

[GodVlogger]

Rev. Don Anderson put on a fantastic program, but then at 31:40, in the home stretch, he had to PRAY for Jessica that GOD would GIVE her the grace to forgive those who have harassed her.

It was like he couldn't resist speaking in a way that imposed his (mythical) God upon her, and his (imaginary) God's gifts upon her.

It would have been MUCH more powerful and in keeping with the program to end by saying he was hopeful and confident Jessica herself probably already possesses graciousness.

[GodVlogger]

This is the most I have been able to listen to Faith leaders talk in a LONG time.

In one sense these faith leaders are AWESOME, yet in another way it is sad that declaring religious tolerance and civility is so unusual or exceptional.

They serve as role models for School Boards, Christians & Jews & Muslims & politicians at other places where religious differences occur. 

[strippervolcano]

That brought tears to my eyes. I hope the rest of Cranston joins in. Take the banner down and move on.