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| Anti-gay demonstrator Fred Phelps comes
to Woodbury, Minnesota - and raises funds for diversity programs
[5-9-01]
Woodbury High School, in the St. Paul suburb where your Web-Weaver
toils, was the site Monday morning of a demonstration by the Rev. Fred
Phelps, the notorious leader of the group that visits churches and
meetings (including last year's General Assembly) carrying their
"God hates fags" placards.
It all began when a Woodbury student wore a tee-shirt to school a few
weeks ago proclaiming "Straight Pride." Asked to change his
shirt or leave the school because it might be offensive to some
students, the young man, sophomore Elliott Chambers, and his family
eventually brought suit against the school for its violation of freedom
of expression.
One reason for Phelps' interest was the fact that the high school is
making an effort to provide "safe rooms" where gay students
can talk with faculty members. (This is a fairly recent effort; a few
years ago the school was sued by a number of students for anti-gay
harassment which was not prevented or otherwise discouraged.)
Respond
Minnesota, a Twin Cities gay and lesbian support group, solicited
pledges from people of any amount per minute of Phelps' protest, which
lasted less than an hour and a half. The pledges yielded nearly $2,000,
which will be given to the school's Student Council to support diversity
programs.
The major Twin Cities media have largely ignored the protest, but
there's a
report in the Woodbury Bulletin.
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Some blogs worth visiting |
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Voices of Sophia blog
Heather Reichgott, who has created this new blog
for Voices of Sophia, introduces it:
After fifteen years of scholarship and activism,
Voices of Sophia presents a blog. Here, we present the voices of
feminist theologians of all stripes: scholars, clergy, students,
exiles, missionaries, workers, thinkers, artists, lovers and
devotees, from many parts of the world, all children of the God in
whose image women are made. .... This blog seeks to glorify God
through prayer, work, art, and intellectual reflection. Through
articles and ensuing discussion we hope to become an active and
thoughtful community. |
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Witherspoon’s Facebook page
Mitch Trigger, Witherspoon’s
Secretary/Communicator, has created a Facebook page where
Witherspoon members and others can gather to exchange news and
views. Mitch and a few others have posted bits of news, both
personal and organizational. But there’s room for more!
You can post your own news and views, or initiate
a conversation about a topic of interest to you. |
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John Harris’ Summit to Shore blogspot
Theological and philosophical reflections on
everything between summit to shore, including kayaking, climbing,
religion, spirituality, philosophy, theology, politics, culture,
travel, The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), New York City and the
Queens neighborhood of Ridgewood by a progressive New York City
Presbyterian Pastor. John is a former member of the Witherspoon
board, and is designated pastor of North Presbyterian Church in
Flushing, NY. |
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John
Shuck’s Shuck and Jive
A Presbyterian minister, currently serving as
pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Elizabethton, Tenn., blogs
about spirituality, culture, religion (both organized and
disorganized), life, evolution, literature, Jesus, and lightening
up. |
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Got more blogs to recommend?
Please
send a note, and we'll see what we can do! |
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Plan now for our 2010 Ghost Ranch
Seminar!
GHOST RANCH SEMINAR
July 26-August 1, 2010
WE’RE
ALL IN THIS TOGETHER
CONFRONTING THE STRUCTURES OF INJUSTICE |
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If you like what you find
here,
we hope you'll help us keep this website going ... and growing!
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