Persecution by religion still prevalent

Religion is not truth or law.... It is only a personal belief. Belief is not fact...belief is subjective and cannot be proven. What can be proven is that Jesus is a (fictional) figurehead for a patriarchal mode of control which subjugates women and minorities, continuing the age old practice of bestowing straight white men with power, prestige and God's "blessing" to go forth, conquer and save the lowly sinners in the Lord's name.

The more time I spend studying Christian history, the more and more grateful I am to be an Atheist. Christainity and all of the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Islam, Caholicism, etc...) have a sordid past (and present) full of murder, torture, political manipulation, abuse of women, abuse of children, abuse of power, lies, closeted homosexuality, pedophilia, extortion, genocide and cultural defamation. All the while operating under the proclaimed tenets of Love and Service in God's name. Now don't get me wrong, I know that there are many people who are Christian who do great things in the world. But these good deeds could be done under any banner. The good deed comes from the human being who chooses to do it...credit to God is unnecessary and in my opinion, undermines the beauty and power of the human spirit.

Repent Amarillo is the perfect example of an egomaniac using intolerance and maniacal zealot behavior to shame and blame particular lifestyle choices for all the Evil in the world. Well I'll tell you what Mr. Grisham, ... if you truly believe that your spiritually justified intolerance and hate are the way to the Truth and the Light then good luck.

The Bible is just a book. Written by powerful men, for powerful men. It is 2010...and the secular movement of educated individuals seeing all the ways that religion has poisoned the world is growing. I am glad that organizations like Repent Amarillo are helping to speed up this awakening, both in our community and across the country.

"notes that some individuals had received death threats, envelopes containing a powdery white substance, confrontational phone calls, threatened boycotts, and vandalism. Some witnesses said they would not testify if the trial were broadcast...."

Now SCOTUS has agreed to consider whether names of people signing ballot-initiative petitions (in this case, to repeal Washington State's same-sex domestic partnership law) should be kept secret "to protect the signers' right to engage in political speech and political association". It seems petition signers in Washington fear "threats, harassment, and reprisals" if their names get released under Washington State public records laws. Ninth Circuit judges had ruled against Protect Marriage Washington's suit, opining that signers hadn't been promised confidentiality and that transparency of elections was at stake, but SCOTUS stayed that ruling pending its decision.

As this second case about protecting anti-gay-rights activists wends its way through SCOTUS, one can almost remember those bygone times when it was gays who worried about violence from homo-phobic straights instead of vice versa. Did these cases really belong in America's highest court? Did blocking broadcast of legal proceedings when everyone already knew who was scheduled to testify really make any sense? Has SCOTUS become completely politicised?

Good job, Andrea.

To the anonymous poster, who didn't have the backbone to sign his name, get this: Your illiterate post is responding to a "Staff Editorial." Reporter has nothing to do with it. Left wing, right wing or chicken wing has nothing to do with it. It's an opinion piece.

To the Amarillo College community and particularly the staff of the Ranger: The Amarillo Independent ran an in-depth multi-media series on Repent Amarillo recently. In addition, a couple of stories followed having to do with Repent Amarillo. If you read those pieces, you will get a balanced view of how dangerous this group is. I have concluded they will stop at nothing to hurt those whose beliefs they don't approve.

While they have denied they use license plates to track down and out swingers, information mysteriously appears linking certain people to the swingers club. As recently as this week, people posting on the Globe-News had their screen names revealed by an other poster, emaster101. That's the screen name for Russell Shane Grisham, David Grisham's son. A lawyer finally convinced the AGN to remove those posts.

As to the younger Mr. Grisham, he has a criminal record for computer crime. He claims he doesn't use his "cracking" or hacking skills for evil. Everything he does is in the name of the Lord and to bring people closer to Christ. An interesting investigative piece for Ranger reporters might to to track down the young Mr. Grisham and find out what he is doing with his time.

The entire Repent/Raven group claims that they are warriors for Christ and they use this rationale for their activities. They will also say they do not break the law. They come close and, frankly, I have to wonder if some of the local constabulary cuts them some slack. I believe they think they are above the law, although they may say differently, like the fact they haven't been charged with anything -- yet.

David Grisham frequently refers to how early Christians were persecuted and martyred. I suggest he wants to escalate confrontations so he and his flock are attacked and he can claim martyrdom at the hands of anti-Christian people.

The ProNews7-KVII poll showed a lack for support for Repent at first, but the longer the poll stayed up, the closer it got. The trouble with the poll is that a voted could be counted more than once. I don't know to what extent people really do or don't support Repent/Raven. But they are starting to look a lot like Westboro Baptist Church to me, and I don't think Amarillo wants that label hung on it.

George Schwarz, Publisher and Editor
The Amarillo Independent
www.amarilloindy.com