I saw a giant group of Christians swinging big Jesus flags and singing Jesus songs in front of the courthouse and city hall in Pack Square Park [recently]. This is inappropriate and should be stopped, unless other religious groups are also allowed — or encouraged — to worship in front of our symbols of governance. If that is not going to happen, then that church has no business planting Jesus at the feet of our supposedly secular government buildings.
— Chris Burgher
Asheville
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You mean citizens were using a public park to express their views? What in the world makes you think other groups can't do the same?
By indy499
07/20/2011
"...that church has no business planting Jesus at the feet of our supposedly secular government buildings."
Then don't buid public parks adjacent to government buildings.
Or, maybe we should ban ALL right of public [removed]religious or otherwise) from zones around these buildings. Christians can stop preaching and the Hippies/BoBos stop protesting every social cause in the book. We can all be muzzled into blessed silence together and leave BIG BROTHER to run our world free of the bleating of the serfs.
By Big Al
07/21/2011
"This is inappropriate and should be stopped, unless other religious groups are also allowed — or encouraged — to worship in front of our symbols of governance."
Well, that's the thing. City Council has not banned any religious group from doing this, nor has it discouraged them to. Therefore, ANY group has a right to do this on the park. So be quiet. You're just mad because you don't like people of faith, and deep down you don't want them to exist or have the same rights you do. You just won't admit it.
By slycos
07/21/2011
Unless they are "swinging big Jesus signs and singing Jesus songs" in the Courthouse and City Hall with official approval, then I don't see a problem. It is public property, no?
Just get a "giant group" of atheists to wave big Satan signs and sing Satan songs and they'll neutralize each other.
By Dionysis
07/21/2011
Slycos says: "You’re just mad because you don’t like people of faith, and deep down you don’t want them to exist or have the same rights you do".
In light of your statement, I agree with you that any group (or individual) has a right to free speech on public property, but I have two questions about which I always wonder when I hear the phrase "people of faith."
(1) Who exactly do you consider "people of faith"?
(2) Who exactly do you consider "people not of faith"?
By Betty Cloer Wallace
07/21/2011
I'm sure the letter writer is fine with loud protests where the American flag is desecrated. Where Marxists whine that "the middleclass" is being assailed when government unions are asked to tighten their belts like everyone else.
This is a free country. Christians are welcome to peacefully demonstrate like everyone else. You may even want to try church some Sunday.
By Bill Miller
07/22/2011
I'd just like to point out that Atheists don't believe in Satan either.
By brebro
07/22/2011
"I’d just like to point out that Atheists don’t believe in Satan either."
That's right, but they wouldn't have to if the intent was to quiet the thumpers. Of course, the result could be some kind of melee instead.
By Dionysis
07/22/2011
I'm betting on the melée thing, if Chris Pontius' experiences with a similar experiment were any indication:
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm68/ladiesman365/pontius-devil.jpg
By brebro
07/22/2011
I think if Jesus had a picnic he'd have Tofu Pups and a peanut-butter and lentil sandwich, maybe on rye.
By Ashevegasjoe
07/25/2011
Being a non-believer I could care less who is using the park to protest anything ... I do believe this letter is a joke though!
By dpewen
07/25/2011