Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar
Indignant Toward Religious Right
RECEIVED Wed., July 7, 2004
Dear Editor:
On July 4, 2004, I attended a program on the grounds of the Texas State Capitol building by the Christian coalition Take Up. This group believes it was their patriotic duty to specifically call attention to the danger which gay marriage presents, not only to the hallowed institution of heterosexual matrimony, but to future generations of innocent children.
I'd been advised that a counterdemonstration by a group named Soul Force would take place, silently utilizing the nonviolent method advocated by Gandhi and MLK Jr.
Upon arrival, the rally was under way on the Capitol steps with a sermon being delivered by a young African-American preacher. I didn't detect the presence of Soul Force, and found a shady spot. The preacher made it clear (not only) homosexuals need God's saving grace. A small group acted up, chanting "liar, liar" when any speaker castigated gays. This preacher "concluded" with the Lord's Prayer. However, this wasn't quite sufficient; he continued another 15 minutes with another sermon-prayer.
I'd finally identified a member of Soul Force by her "I Can't [marry]" T-shirt, passing out fliers. The family to which she gave one near me littered the lawn with it, so I retrieved it. The rest of the rally I stood aloof in the sun with my back to speakers and entertainers, not applauding the patriotic platitudes and rolling my eyes during a particularly weepy prayer.
As the rally ended and the Take Up folks began dissipating, Soul Force was evidenced in the very middle, comprising at least half of the total crowd. I felt proud and appreciated the presence of both protest groups, the silent and the confrontational. And I am indignant toward the religious right, which does not recognize the civil nature of matrimony and cannot distinguish its idea of sin from crime.
On July 4, 2004, I attended a program on the grounds of the Texas State Capitol building by the Christian coalition Take Up. This group believes it was their patriotic duty to specifically call attention to the danger which gay marriage presents, not only to the hallowed institution of heterosexual matrimony, but to future generations of innocent children.
I'd been advised that a counterdemonstration by a group named Soul Force would take place, silently utilizing the nonviolent method advocated by Gandhi and MLK Jr.
Upon arrival, the rally was under way on the Capitol steps with a sermon being delivered by a young African-American preacher. I didn't detect the presence of Soul Force, and found a shady spot. The preacher made it clear (not only) homosexuals need God's saving grace. A small group acted up, chanting "liar, liar" when any speaker castigated gays. This preacher "concluded" with the Lord's Prayer. However, this wasn't quite sufficient; he continued another 15 minutes with another sermon-prayer.
I'd finally identified a member of Soul Force by her "I Can't [marry]" T-shirt, passing out fliers. The family to which she gave one near me littered the lawn with it, so I retrieved it. The rest of the rally I stood aloof in the sun with my back to speakers and entertainers, not applauding the patriotic platitudes and rolling my eyes during a particularly weepy prayer.
As the rally ended and the Take Up folks began dissipating, Soul Force was evidenced in the very middle, comprising at least half of the total crowd. I felt proud and appreciated the presence of both protest groups, the silent and the confrontational. And I am indignant toward the religious right, which does not recognize the civil nature of matrimony and cannot distinguish its idea of sin from crime.
Sincerely,
Kenney C. Kennedy
Kenney C. Kennedy
