Report from this DUer who attended Waynesville, NC Baptist church today:

[chomskysright]

About 7 press people there: AP; CNN; Asheville Citizen Times newspaper; local Sinclair station who did the original recording of the older/ ousted members of the church, etc.

I stood there with my sign:

"Who would Jesus exclude" wearing my BUCK BUSH T-shirt.

The other side of my protest sign read: "Fristians are not Christian" and there was a reference to www.democraticunderground.com.

Many of the Press knew about DU. I suppose it is becoming something of a reference point.

The woman from Charlotte who is writing a book, Southern Cross(es?) was there also.

Should be around, that picture, with those signs. I glued a bunch of glitter on them hoping for a photo-op.

About 30 older people and their associated families stood around from about 10:30 until just before the church opened its doors. Their attorney was there, hanging out with the press with their cameras, in this sleepy little town. The neighbors and Waynesville police were watching from afar. I walked up the road to speak with 3 of the neighbors; across the board people were interested and seemed to be in agreement that the church 'been a messin where they shouldn't been a messin.' One woman stated that many of the church members had stayed away today, anticipating that there would be trouble.

We sat down to a lot of singing (4 full verses of "How Great Thou Art") and the pastor emphasizing that there 'will be a business meeting on tuesday evening and ONLY MEMBERS will be welcome and able to vote.' (I guess that excludes the 9 who were dis-membered and the reportedly 40 who walked out in support of them.

Clearly, he was throwing down the gauntlet.

I couldn't stay for all that preachin' and so stood outside with the press people who were pretty funny to hang with.

I used it as a consciousness raising opportunity. The press asked me about why was I here (concern re: fundamentalism intruding into the public life too much of the time).

I handed out some talking points re: Charles Taylor (R-NC: Western NC) and Senator Frist's voting record, making the point that I did not understand why many people would vote against their own best middle-class interests.

Will be interesting to see what gets picked up.

Great that DU was in all of this.

[amazona]

1. nice job and nice report

I look forward to seeing pix if you find any online. :toast:

The conservation movement is a breeding ground of communists
and other subversives. We intend to clean them out,
even if it means rounding up every birdwatcher in the country.
--John Mitchell, US Attorney General 1969-72

[stevedeshazer]

66. You made the news!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1455783

[dissent1977]

82. Thank you!

I was glad to see someone made it, I only wish I could have joined you.

[TriMetFan]

Good Work and Good for You.

Wish I could have been there.:yourock:

[harpo]

62. yeah...YOU ROCK!!!

:patriot:
:applause:
:woohoo:
:yourock:
:headbang:

:toast:
O8)

[Reverend_Smitty]

2. Good for you!

Gotta give em hell and don't let these bastards get away with politicizing religion. I'll be looking for that story!

[Zenlitened]

3. Great work! Thanks for being on the front lines for us.

:yourock:

[skoppa]

21. I can't believe...

...that you have a link for Carl Sagan. I love it!! :headbang:

[Zenlitened]

74. Another Sagan fan -- cool! Welcome to DU.

:hi:

[skoppa]

79. Thanks for the welcome.

[NMDemDist2]

4. thanks for the report! n/t

[Jade Fox]

5. Thank you!

[Totally Committed]

6. Thank you for your activism

on this subject, and the consciousnesses you raised while you were there!

TC

[Califooyah Operative]

7. awesome. thank you. nt

[La Coliniere]

8. You truly do.....

the Lord's work. Thanks for your activism.

[ClassWarrior]

9. Great job! Let us know what gets covered.

NGU.

[carpediem]

10. great job! thanks for doing that.

these people were kicked out, but a lot of other progressive minded people have quietly left their own churches due to feeling "like we don't belong" Maybe this experience will show some people how wrong it is to have a church cross this line... probably not, but I can hope.

On Easter we tried a new church, we have been searching for a while, and it was all hellfire and brimstone, with Schiavo thrown in. We left early when he said people who were on the side of letting her peacefully die in that case were working for satan. Ugh. This was on Easter for crying out loud. He made it quite clear without saying 'get out' that our views wouldn't be welcome.

I am still a Christian, but am not and never will be a Fristian. I find it very sad that this is the state of the church today.

I really appreciate your taking a public stand on this.

[faithnotgreed]

14. thats right carpediem... this isnt Christianity as i know it

good that youre keeping the faith even in this environment

[AmBlue]

30. Your story is mine, carpediem...

Except I didn't go on Easter... I've become so disenchanted with the whole rotten mess, I don't have the energy for it right now.

Our religion has been hijacked.

[Cha]

36. Wow! Horrific experience on Easter

for you and your family.

I don't go but I've heard the Unitarian Universalist Church is the best for being Liberal. I'm really impressed with what I've heard about them.

[mmonk]

42. I guess that's one thing

good about a Catholic church. No politics, just the mass, liturgy and the readings for that particular day. No matter what the politics are of the bishops, I don't have to hear emotional politics.

[FreedomAngel82]

49. My church is the same way

The preacher does a lot of good lesson's and he's never mixed the two or anything that has been going on in the world. He keeps the two VERY much seperated which is nice for me, my mother and brother who all voted John Kerry and despise Bush and his ilk. Of course in class it's different and you can talk about whatever you like and in my college class everybody but my brother and I are pro-Bush. I've been trying to speak up but haven't had the opportunity yet. But I'm definietly working on getting my courage up to speak out on things I disagree with.

[Chemical Bill]

53. The last time I went to a Catholic service....

It was all anti-women stuff about abortion. I don't mean to be disrespectful, but how can you support that? You can give money to soup kitchens and homeless shelters without the middlemen (and I do mean men).

Bill

[mmonk]

59. Strange

I've never been to mass and have the priest talk about abortion during it. There are projects to avoid abortion and such, sure. Nobody's claiming otherwise the church's position. So I can support what I say very well thank you.

[AuntieM1957]

81. Look More Closely!

The new pope is all into politics -

you may not be paying enough attention -

just because they're not screaming it at the pulpit doesn't mean they're not political.

denying communion, etc. - still political acts

These people are truly dangerous - all of them.

In my mind, they are the folks that Jesus cast out of the temple and the Pharisees of our time.

And I for one am no longer going quietly along with them.

I will no longer remain silent while they round us up and take us to the gas chambers.

[DARE to HOPE]

73. Hellfire and brimstone--on EASTER???!!!!!

Next year find a church that does Lent and Holy Week as well as Easter. It seems that some Protestant churches have lost Easter altogether--I mean, what brighter day of Resurrection and hope is there?!!

In the Lutheran church we celebrate Easter for a "week of weeks," that is, 7. And the homily MUST be based on the Gospel lesson (ie, "GOOD NEWS!") All the hymns of hope and joy, love and forgiveness, peace and healing--hope against hope--leave NO ROOM FOR HELLFIRE!! Jesus already conquered death and the devil!!

If that isn't a sign that these "churches" are 180 degrees off of God's own message, I don't know what is.

[Gothmog]

11. Way to go and thanks for the report

The NYT story seems to indicate that pastor was backing down. Your report is different in that the Pastor appears not to be backing down. It will be interesting to see what happens.

[FreedomAngel82]

50. From this story it seems

that this pastor is just a flipflopper. Tells people privately one thing and publically says another to save his ass. Go figure. Typical fundie republican.

[faithnotgreed]

12. thank you for being a respectful intelligent prepared activist - aka DU

the best of...

[oldtime dfl_er]

13. Great report

these jerks need to lose their tax-exempt status.

www.cafepress.com/showtheworld

[RandomKoolzip]

15. Thanks for representin',

[stillcool]

16. Wow! Feel like I have front-row-seats here!!...

Tell me again why people listen to the corporate media?

[cry baby]

17. The rev said in the media that it was a misunderstanding...

see here:http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1454656

Guess he doesn't want the heat that has come from this. It seems he was lying, though, to the press. Seems from your report that he really wants them gone.

[Tesla]

24. He only mis-spoke

Why do liberals want to call that lying????

[cry baby]

25. LOL!

[FreedomAngel82]

51. Well since he lied

wouldn't that be a sin? Shouldn't he be repenting?

[MuseRider]

18. Thank you

for being there and doing what you were able to do. We all need to be ready when the opportunity arises and you were. Great report, let us know if you hear any more.

[Pithy Cherub]

19. Thank you for going

and reporting the facts. You did very well. The new proposed preacher political-tax free speech legislation should be a subject by the media.

Interesting the "press" had heard of DU. Glad a DUer posted!

[shade]

80. way to go, chomskysright!

Sounds like you had fun. ;)

And Cherub -- as far as that legislation goes, I could see that backfiring on them. Not all churches are conservative. My best friend is a VERY liberal pastor at a Church of the Brethren in the Baltimore area, and I could see him speaking out more on issues if he didn't have to worry about tax exempt status. He can't be the only one, and there ARE plenty of liberal denominations out there; they just don't get much attention because they're not fundie nutjobs.

[bvar22]

20. Good Job!!!!

Did any of the Media ask you about the word "FRISTIAN".

I would like this term to go mainstream.

[wryter2000]

22. Thanks for doing that

:yourock:

[yorkiemommie1]

23. good on you for dong this!

thanks!

[sarcasmo]

26. If the some of the press people are aware of DU then we should be able to

get some of these stories into MSM. I noticed that Olberman ran with the story, so that means we are doing grass roots work here.

[ooglymoogly]

27. thanks for representing us

the good standing up against evil....beware false prophets

[Joey Liberal]

28. Nice Work!

Thank you!

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

29. Kudos!

Looking forward to the pix... :D

[libnnc]

31. excellent job! wish I could have been there

[AuntiBush]

32. Good for you! Congrats!

You make a fellow Du'er proud. Thanks. Will see if CNN airs this.

[blm]

33. Glad you were there. Did the Charlotte Observer show up?

They said last Friday that they would.

[Nothing Without Hope]

34. Great stuff! You say the press knew of DU - how did they react to us?

This is a wonderful report - we have feet on the ground there, real representation by someone who can voice what many of us feel and be heard while watching what is really happening. And talking to the Press! I am so curious about what they think we are - wild-eyed conspiracy nuts or something more positive, as we see ourselves. They didn't appear to treat you with disdain or condescension, if you found them good to hang with.

Your news is very valuable to compare with what we hear from the media and the quotes of this nasty minister.

I really like the term FRISTIAN. Perfect!

Very, very well done - looking forward to the pix!
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[Cha]

35. Well, I'm so proud of you,

chompskysright!

Way to get out there and make your feelings known!

Thanks for bringing DU into ..only the best political message board on the web!

[FrenchieCat]

37. Yeah for activism and for this report...

It's what can make the difference....people like you acting as front line soldiers for the cause of Democracy!

[ChiciB1]

38. Hey Good Job!!

Good to hear that DU seems to getting it's message out. I've been thinking that we here have had some impact and hope to see more members join.

Been away for a while because COMCAST'S modem wouldn't work. I had called several times and they told me I would have to get a new one. Well that means I was to wait til Monday. Today I called again hoping to get a more knowledgeable tech and he got me connected!

Hated being away!

Again... kudos to you and thank you so much from down here in Florida!

[UrbScotty]

39. Woohoo! Good for you!

Keep up the good work!

[rndmprsn]

40. great job man...

and good report...i live in baltimore MD, but have been in NC for the past week and its been interesting to watch this play out here.

[Just Me]

41. REAL reporting!!! Thank you so much!!!!

The pastor sounds like a real butthole :grr:

[mmonk]

43. Great work

:thumbsup:

[Wheezy]

44. It's great he announced the meeting for Tuesday

That will hopefully keep this story in the news a few more days.

Thanks for the report.

[Mich Otter]

45. Thanks for going there.

And thanks for your report.
I feel like you were there to stand up for ideas many of us believe in but couldn't be there to speak ourselves. It is great that you could be there.

[GreenPartyVoter]

46. THANK YOU! You are wonderful! *hugs*

[RAF]

47. Nice report

Thanks

[FreedomAngel82]

48. Great report and thank you for sharing!

I hope this guy gets thrown out of the church and I'm glad people are waking up and realizing what's going on. Maybe this will help us get back on track to where we were going with Clinton's years. A lot of people don't realize what's going on in the country until it hits close to home.

[JohnLocke]

52. Good job, man. Keep it up!

:yourock: :yourock: :yourock:

[NJCher]

54. you're terrific, chomskysright

Thank you for taking time out of your day to prepare for and to go be there on the frontlines. This action has a lot of people very upset and there's no way this guy should be allowed to continue with his insanity without being challenged.


Cher

[Catherine Vincent]

55. Good for you representing DU!

But maybe you should have worn a different anti Bush shirt since you were in church?:-)

[blue neen]

56. That was gutsy of you and sooo wonderful.

I admire that.

[KoKo]

57. Wow...thanks for the report and for being there!

:yourock:

[Disturbed]

58. Thanks and good report.

Liberal Christians should keep standing up to the RWinger Fundies and not allow them to claim Jesus as their own. Although I am not a Christian, I very much believe his teachings were great and that most RW Christians don't have a clue as to what Jesus was about.

[blondeatlast]

60. Think of the great info we get here; right from ground zero.

On this story alone, we've had THREE or even more DUers offering us the story from as close to ground zero as could be.

NEVER think that even just posting on DU doesn't make a difference.

Thank you, chomskysright, thank you indeed.

As long as we have this outlet, they can't defeat us. Believe it!

[snowbear]

61. Chan's Clan..

chomskysright: Were there any articles or news stories about the media showing up?

I've searched high and low and all I can find are the dippy articles about how he was there today, but pretty much kept a low profile.

I can't believe the media would even quote him saying "nothing he said was politically motivated" ... x( ..Ok, ok, maybe I can believe they'd print that..

Just wondering though if there's any stories on the net anywhere about the media showing up?

Thank you so much for going there today! :) Where's the coverage though? :(

[Dr Fate]

63. Fantastic activism- thank you! n/t

n/t

[Contrary1]

64. You got your photo op...

at least on my evening news. (Indianapolis) I saw you.
Wish I could have been there standing right beside you.

You did us proud!

[orleans]

65. tank you for being there and taking your time to go

now how do we get their 501 tax exemption status removed since they are obviously bringing politics into the mix?

[snowbear]

67. Chomsky,

Did anyone happen to get any photos of you? Wow.. what an incredibly awesome photo that would be on here!!!! :grouphug:

[atre]

70. I didn't TIVO, but I did see that sign on the news

nm

[davidinalameda]

68. Brava!!!!!

and ditto to what everyone else said

[Erika]

69. Agreed. Thank you for attending.

And being so reasonable and dignified.

[ms liberty]

71. It was on Charlotte NC news at 6PM on the ABC & NBC

stations. It was a very short - like 2 min. - blurb with no pictures or video. Just the anchor reading the piece. They both said that the (ex?)members were in church with their lawyers, the pastor said it was a misunderstanding, he had invited them to return to the church but they (the news station) didn't know what the (ex?)members were going to do.

How many DU'ers and/or others showed up to protest? My husband and I talked about riding our motorcycle up and attending the protest (we're about 2 hrs away) but we already had plans to take his mom out for Mothers Day.

Great work chomskysright...kudos to ya

[burrowowl]

72. Beautiful and a Brilliant

Protest!

Hope you've got some pix to post!

:yourock: :yourock: :yourock: :yourock: :yourock:

[SheepyMcSheepster]

75. saw your picture in the citizen-times

thanks for going out there!

:yourock:

[katinmn]

76. Wow! Thank you!!

[Catshrink]

77. Cool! Congratulations on a great report!

and for making the news.

Pictures?????

[realFedUp]

78. that's one way to get talking points to the press

they might like finger sandwiches next time too...
:-)

good activism!

[calimary]

83. If anyone doubts that democracy still lives, or that DU is poorly

represented, they should think again - and read your account.

You did us ALL proud. Not just us here in the DU community, but ALL progressives, liberals, and lovers of TRUE liberty and bare, unspun un-republi-CON-ized democracy everywhere.

You are a woman of faith.

You are a beacon of truth.

You are a tower of strength.

You are a model of courage.

Could you be cloned?

Congratulations! You take my breath away!

[LiberallyInclined]

84. "Fristians are not Christian" sign was on ABC World News tonite-

i recognized it from your post.