Religious leaders decry church rally for Alito

[Thom Little]

Ministers from Philadelphia, New York and Washington today denounced plans for Sunday's nationally televised rally at an African-American church on North Broad Street, with one calling its occurrence on the eve of confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Samuel A. Alito a play by religious conservatives "to gain control over the one branch of government they don't now control."

U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum (R., Pa.), conservative minister the Rev. Jerry Falwell and Christian broadcaster James Dobson are among those scheduled to speak at the 7 p.m. gathering at Greater Exodus Baptist Church, which is to be aired on Christian television and radio stations and simulcast to churches.

"Justice Sunday III: Proclaim Liberty Throughout the Land" was organized, according to the Family Research Council, "to educate people of faith on how the judiciary impacts their lives and to show how activist judges seek to end all mention of God in the public square."

But clergy members who spoke to reporters in a conference call this morning said they see the event as something far more alarming: an attempt to rally public support for a judge whose presence on the high court could threaten religious freedom, abortion rights and efforts to curb discrimination.



http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/13566598.htm

[Zenlitened]

1. Encouraging, I guess.

Though the article gives just about no details.

[Demit]

10. There will be protests. Here's another article from Will Bunch--

"...The event, inside the predominantly black Greater Exodus Baptist Church, is aimed mainly at winning support for Bush's Supreme Court pick, Samuel Alito. But locals will probably pay more attention to an appearance by Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, walking a political tightrope between fundamentalist supporters and the moderate voters he'll need to win re-election in November.

...

Virginia Davis, the spokeswoman for Santorum's campaign, said she did not have advance information on what the senator would say during his appearance.

But that didn't stop a spokesman for his chief Democratic rival, state Treasurer Bob Casey Jr., from blasting his appearance.
"It's no surprise that Rick Santorum is spending time with Jerry Falwell, since they have both made a career of supporting divisive ideology rather than common sense solutions," Casey campaign spokesman Larry Smar said. "After all, Falwell has said that he would vote for Santorum for president."

The Casey campaign isn't the only critic of the event. A coalition of progressive groups, including AIDS activists from ACT UP Philadelphia, is planning to protest outside the church."

http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/news/local/13561906.htm

[Zenlitened]

13. Hmmm... no mention of religious leaders protesting in that article.

It does kind of seem too good to be true -- will wait and see.

[BOSSHOG]

2. Grounds for an automatic no vote

for his confirmation. Time to resurrect separation of church and state and tax exempt status of churchs. If dobson wants to play politics then he should pay his fair share. If a Senator had balls, this upcoming stunt would be the end of alito's chances.

[politicaholic]

3. Welp, time to start taxing the Christian church I guess...

this is clearly trying to sway public opinion toward one political ideal.

What?...nothing's going to happen?...but...

[buddysmellgood]

12. Amen

[Ian David]

15. Forget taxing them. They're fucking enemy combatants. n/t

[napi21]

4. I didn't know it was an African-American Church!

I truely hope the members see through this scam!

[politicaholic]

6. But white conservative judges have only done good for African Americans...

for a long time! Since...

like...

November.

[napi21]

8. November? What year?

It wasn't any recent years that I know of!

[politicaholic]

9. The year 2123...

I'm from the fuuuuuuture, you will forget what we just spoke abouuuuuuuuut...now!...

[napi21]

11. Yes Leader. I just saw your image in my crystal ball!

Message is secure!!!!

[BR_Parkway]

5. I wonder what would happen if I just showed up and swore I had sex

with either Falwell or Dobson (uuuggh, ick)

Seriously, if the accusation was made, what could they say besides it wasn't true, which everyone would suspect them to say anyhow. My word against theirs. If I were broke, they couldn't even sue for defamation. Wonder how much $$ the Enquirer or similar would pay for the exclusive rights to that story. Wouldn't be that hard to figure out where they'd been lately, lonely in their hotel room, away from the family....

Was thinking about it when the Rev (Closet Homo) Latham was loudly yelling his "I was set up, I was on my knees to PRAY" - what would happen if someone just plain ass set up one of these Radical Clerics

[pro_blue_guy]

16. That's kind of offensive.

Those people are not worthy enough to be called gay; even if they are gay. Falwell and Dobson are not quality people! But who am I to judge; I don't like to hold grudges against people :)

[bluerum]

7. Shouldn't the IRS be looking at these people? n/t

[tinymontgomery]

14. No, too busy

Their to busy looking up the political affilations of the normal tax payers so they can investigate them instead of the loonys trying to ruin the country.