Christians suing Christians

Rev. Mark Harris has posted some ideas about the Episcopal Church property disputes, where members of the Church that find they can't stay there want to leave (which is fine with me, go in peace and serve God is my feeling about that), but also take church property with them. Harris says:

So why all the fuss about Christians suing Christians? Well, the answer is simple. The object of the fuss is to make the various dioceses of the Episcopal Church who have entered into civil action against groups who wish not only to leave the church but take the silver feel guilty, and particularly guilty as concerns an understanding of Scripture. The fuss gets nicely packaged as the good guys – those who are true believers against the bad guys – those who consistently misuse Scripture. The accusation of scandal and unscriptural actions is invoked; they say, "See, The Episcopal Church, that terrible gang, is even taking us to court!- how unscriptural!" (Look, he's oppressing me!!" -- Monty Python and the Holy Grail -rr). Liberal and progressive Christians dislike the criticism that we are not too well versed or understanding of Scripture. The hope is that we will then back off.

I see no reason to give in to this ploy.

Scandal is real, but it is not the litigation that is the scandal (although there can indeed be scandalous litigation) it is the misery of schism that is the scandal....

It may be of some comfort to remember that the child in the burning building, or her family, are not particularly interested in the color of the firefighters who run in to save her, or their gender, or sexual preferences, or their class or caste, or whether or not they are suing the pants off one another, only that they work together at that far edge of their other agendas, focused on the child.

I just hope it doesn't come to that here in South Dakota, where I would hope we have more important things to do: feed the hungry, clothe the naked, comfort the distressed. Unfortunately, there are (apparently) some so-called "Anglican" folk in these parts that feel that way... and claim "oppression" because the entire church is not stopping their many missions to sign up to their narrow point of view. This is actually an un-Anglican point of view, hence the quotes.

My hope and prayer is either they or the people around them will keep their eyes on the ball instead of being antsy for "a good fight." I honestly feel that our calling is to do something else than fight about the gay thing, so I hope they just give it a rest.

Todd Epp has some good advice today

on SD Watch...

go hug your kids sister, brother, mom, dad... and tell them you love them. Tell your spouse you love them. Do something nice for someone else. Life is too damn short and unpredictable not to.

Pridefest 2007

Here are a few pictures of the PrideFest, with captions!


At left is the Center West booth with all their nifty Pride great, at the right is a tent shared by Integrity South Dakota (that would be me) and Equality South Dakota.


Shawn Warner (left) from the Victory Fund and Adam Bass of GLAAD came from points afar (Washington DC, and Los Angeles, respectively) to share useful information about political campaigns, effective messaging to the press, and other useful topics.


A surprise entry was from Lee Thiel, who with her family came and presented information from the Matthew Shepherd Foundation. It was great to meet them and hear about their work. The Foundation is currently pushing hard to get hate crimes legislation through the U.S. Congress, despite a misinformation campaign by opponents such as the Family Policy Council.


The steering committee of a new issues organization in South Dakota, Equality SD, presented the board of directors which will meet for the first time next week. The board includes yours truly as well as notable Mount Blogmore commentator (and Republican!) Don Frankenfeld. It was a pleasure to meet Don in person... and he had some great words to say about why Republicans and the LGBT community stand to gain by working together.


Singer/songwriter Linda Boyle was the headliner for the entertainment. She hails from Chicago and is a fabulous, inspiring musician. My spouse called her "the honorary Mom of the Pridefest," and in her Mom-like way gave me permission to buy and wear one of the "Free Range Lesbian" T-Shirts she gave to Equality SD to sell. Linda lives in the Black Hills a few months of the year with her partner. NOTE: Linda will be performing with our own Mike Reardon at the Dahl Fine Arts Center on August 9. It was a thrill to meet Linda, and even more of a thrill to hear that she and her partner follow this blog!!!! Hi Linda!


There was much fun and some silliness in the later afternoon, with a a performance by the Mirage belly-dancers, and excellent dancing in the evening (sorry, no pictures of that, it was too dark!).




A good time was had BY ALL! I hope everyone can come next year... most likely a one-day event, the third Saturday in July 2008. Mark your calendars; location to be determined...

South Dakota Pride 2007 will ROCK

It's Saturday and Sunday, out at Whispering Pines Campground, 30 minutes west of Rapid City out Rimrock way....

This is the fourth annual PrideFest and is sponsored by the Center West, with lots of help from many others.

I'll be there representing Integrity USA, The Center West, and Equality South Dakota. A lot of hats to wear!! Maybe I'll pick up a nice rainbow one to add to the collection at the Pride Store.

Hope to see you there!

SD Pride 2007 Blog | Equality SD | Press (Rapid City Journal)

SiCKO *will* show in Rapid City

From Don Kelley of the Black Hills Indpendent Film group:

I don't know if our bugging them during the last couple of weeks was a factor, but we wanted to let you know that we just got word that Rapid City's Carmike 10 will begin showing SiCKO tomorrow (Fri.)

Showtimes are: 1:10 and 1:10 (adults $5.75); 7:10 and 9:45 (adults $8.25)

This is great news, as you may have read in the RCJ recently that the showing of this movie locally was not a done deal. Media consolidation and all.

If you haven't seen Michael Moore telling Wolf Blitzer where to go, and share my frustration with CNN, do see this exchange. Just what we've been wanting to hear for a while.

P.S. Happy Blogosphere Day!

Thune votes no on cloture, motion fails

It's official. Thune has voted no on cloture... where's the up or down vote he held so dear when he was in the majority, on something so inconsequential as a Federal marriage amendment? Hypocrisy in the highest order.

His speech last night was an absolute embarrassment to this state, referencing Fox News propaganda and attacking a fellow Senator for never having traveled to Iraq when that senator's son is serving there. Thune was described as "tall and tan," that's about all they can say about him. I'd add "outrageously out of touch with reality."

We must replace Thune in 2010, soundly.

Update: A rough text transcript was posted on the DailyKos live blog, and here is some video to watch, if you have a strong stomach. Especially see the despicable Thune/Webb exchange at 2:34 into the video. Remember Sen. Webb is a career military guy who has a son serving in Iraq... and Thune DID NOT SERVE.

The Radical Rocks At Hills Alive!

Last weekend I had the pleasure of helping out at Hills Alive, a Christian music fest in Rapid City. My church, St. Andrews Episcopal Church, helped out with hospitality, greeting folks and handing out programs. We are happy to be there although of course we have some theological disagreements about a few things. It was great to see some old friends, like John Ligtenberg of Love, INC, a really great Christian ministry, that like Hills Alive, has supporters from people of faith from all over the spectrum.

I ran into Rev. Dale Bartscher at the SD Family Policy Council tent, who you may remember left his post as senior pastor of First Christian Church to fight against SD women's right to make their own medical decisions in 2006. He's now working part time for the Focus On The Family agenda in South Dakota. We had a nice chat. He's a perfectly nice guy, but I could help but grieving a little for all the damage SDFPC and FOF have done while trying to do good. The whole state is still pissed at each other about the abortion fight, and they will be trying for a rematch. I invited Pastor Dale to the PrideFest next weekend. We agreed that we are both for families, in the final analysis, even if we don't agree on many details.

My favorite performer was Sarah Kelley, who I heard preach on Sunday afternoon. She had good words of comfort that I really appreciated, and you can imagine how easy this crowd could make me cranky. I really liked Ms. Kelley's message, and her singing was really great. She has a massive tattoo on the top of her foot, which takes guts. Ouch. After a conservative Christian friend told me she didn't like Sarah's off-stage behavior, I simply had to buy one of her CDs.

It was really fun, and I had a great time there.

But, Bob Ellis, where were you? Would have been fun to touch base... maybe next year.

Pridefest 2007 this weekend

All are welcome to this event a week from Friday!

SOUTH DAKOTA PRIDE FESTIVAL 2007

The fourth annual South Dakota Pride Festival is being held at The Whispering Pines Campground in the Black Hills of South Dakota on July 21st and 22nd.

The Pride Festival is an annual event that brings together members of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender communities, their friends, families and supporters from all over South Dakota to celebrate pride, freedom and respect for LGBT people everywhere.

Set up will begin on Friday evening July 20th staring at 4pm. People are free to come and camp Friday evening. Festivities will kick off at approximately 10am on Saturday.

Headlining this year’s event is Linda Boyle, singer, songwriter from Chicago. Linda sings a variety of music from folk and pop to ethnic and modern. Linda will be performing Saturday evening at approximately 6pm.

In addition there will be dancing in the meadow starting at 8pm on Saturday. Equality South Dakota will be participating in this year’s event and will be running several carnival style booths to raise money for their ongoing efforts to advocate, to support and to protect the rights of LGBT people in South Dakota.

Many other organizations and vendors will have information tables and be selling items at the Festival.

Sunday will be set aside as a spiritual celebration; a telling of our stories by those participating in the Festival and an opportunity to connect with the various organizations helping with the festival.

Representatives from several national and regional organizations will be present to give workshops and advice on various issues of importance to LGBT people in South Dakota.

There will be games and contests for all ages. Camping is available. For more information visit the web site at: http://pridefestsd2007.blogspot.com/

The Center West located at 3601 Canyon Lake Dr. Suite 4 in Rapid City is sponsoring the Pride Fest this year; Phone # 605-348-3244.

The Center West and The Center East in Sioux Falls in cooperation with the South Dakota Department of Health will be offering free HIV testing at the Pride site again this year.


For more information contact:
Michael Coats, Director
The Center West
Rapid City, SD 57702
605-348-3244
E-mail: mmcoats@thecenterwest.org

Push polling for 2008 has officially begun

From a dear friend in Aberdeen a preview of things to come...

There were about 6 very leading questions regarding my stance on whether I would support a number of amendments to the constitution in 2008 dealing with abortion, marriage and adoption of children. A number of loaded questions were asked something like this "Would you vote for an amendment that would limit adoption of children only in the case of a married man and woman and not allow adoption by pedophiles, polygamists, homosexuals, bigamists and various criminals" among others which I can't quite remember but LGBT people were grouped with the creeps of society.

Another amendment question would prohibit underage children from making decisions without parental consent. Questions were asked regarding the prevention of abortion for "birth control" purposes.

The only question that seemed somewhat legitimate pertained to removing term limits of legislators.

At the end of the call I asked the interviewer who was conducting the survey and she said she was employed by a survey agency out of New York. She didn't know or couldn't tell me the group who wrote the questions but it was obvious to me that these questions were from a group that is already beginning to plant in peoples minds the importance of further restriction against anyone with liberal stances on social issues.

Gentlemen... start your auto-dialers!