I think a pre-K child is unlikely to go home and say "Hey mom, a gay dude read to us today." I suspect the visit by Thrasher would not have come to the priest's notice without a parent complaint. The initial complaint may have been something totally unrelated to the author's sexuality, but once the visit came under scrutiny, the sexuality became an issue. Of course, the preist messed up by posting a vague public apology which would only cause speculation. In my own experience, I once gave a tour of a Chinese Garden to a group of home schooled children. One aspect of the decorative rocks was that the rocks were thought to absorb the sounds around them. I said something about the rocks having heard dinosaurs. Someone complained afterwards that the kids became afraid of rocks spying on them. After reflecting, I think the actual problem may have been saying the rocks and/or dinosaurs were too old for Bible literalists. The volunteer coordinator did not want to know what I actually said or didn't say.
When you lose a job and find yourself temporarily displaced, they profile the person. They will find ways to ticket or jail people. Eventually, when they get back on their feet, the city made some money off them, because they have to pay up to get their license back & other things. It's terrible.
Corporal punishment in public schools - yet another of literally hundreds of reasons to leave red states. And now I can add Oklahoma to the growing list of states I won't visit, step foot in, or allow my disposable income to be spent within - along with TX, FL, TN, AL, MO. The list just keeps a-growin'.
I really appreciate your covering these horrific “Christian” garbage. I had no idea and now feel I have learned so much. Raised Methodist and from early bible studies I questioned and was shut down.
Regarding the first story, I always hate the argument where someone says if you're not beating your children you're not disciplining them. They're other ways to discipline them.
Did baby Jesus cry all those hundreds of years Catholics and Protestants slaughtered each other during England's historical religious wars? What about the wars between Christians and Muslims? Did baby Jesus cry during those too?
Dominic is just a regular guy who happens to be Gay. Big Deal ! I happen to be a Queer Catholic myself. Most people at the church I attend have no idea because I don't believe anyone that I am not in a relationship with has any need to know. The priest of the church knows, and he has no problem with me.
Small criticism that someone else probably already told you. Amicus is pronounced with a soft “i”, like am-ick-us. It’s not the only ridiculous religious amicus brief out there, so I won’t be surprised if you need to pronounce this word again.
