Public Baptism Sparks Controversy

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/South/06/02/baptism.ban.ap/index.html

RICHMOND, Virginia (AP) -- The Rev. Todd Pyle thought it was the perfect spot to baptize 12 new members of his church. The river was calm and shallow, and there was a shaded area offshore for people to stand.

"It was a very serene place," he said. "It was special."

But officials at the Falmouth Waterfront Park, a public park just outside Fredericksburg, weren't pleased. They tried to break up the ceremony, claiming it might be offensive to nearby swimmers or other people using the park. Pyle was able to finish the baptism, but then he was asked to leave.

The incident has outraged free-speech advocates.

<snip>

The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia also said in a statement: "If the park rules allow people to wade and swim in the river, then they must allow baptisms in the river."

----------------------------------------------

So I wonder if the bastard Freepers are going to bitch about the ACLU this time around too?

[truthspeaker]

1. that's pretty messed up. As long as they weren't naked what's the problem?

[JHB]

10. And if they were...

...what's still the problem, except maybe aesthetically?

[Alerter_]

2. this is nonsense

It's a public park. Good for the ACLU, they have it right, as usual.

[patrice]

3. If they weren't causing a nuisance they should have been left alone.

I just hope the Pagans get down to that river and do some public ritual too.

[Walt Starr]

4. That was a ridiculous stance for the park to take

not to mention unconstitutional.

[Servo300]

5. I doubt it.

>>So I wonder if the bastard Freepers are going to bitch about the ACLU this time around too?<<

I doubt it -- after all, the ACLU took Rush's side on the controversy about his medical records.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

11. I know

I just get pissed when I hear the fucking fundies bitch about the ACLU even though they've proven time and time again that they are not on anyone's side and that they are truly fighting to uphold the Constitution.

[libcurious]

13. Maybe fighting

to uphold some parts of the Constitution they agree with or interpret it to mean, that is why they get such a bad rap.

[Burma Jones]

6. Bet it was a set up

Make up a controversy, damn those secular hoomanists, the Democrats will have us all worshipping Satan.....

[Alerter_]

7. it's a conspiracy!

It was a conspiracy with fundies to take over the ACLU!

[MountainLaurel]

15. My first thought

But upon reconsidering it, I think it might be an overreaction based on past experiences. Fredericksburg is now the border between "Northern Virginia" and the rest of the state. The county might be especially sensitive because of past clashes between fundies and someone who didn't appreciate being told at a parent-teacher meeting that she was a godless heathen. (Not that I necessarily know of such incidents, but it wouldn't surprise me in the least.)

[LizW]

8. That's very strange

I grew up in a southern town on the Tennessee River, and we used to see baptisms in the river all the time. All the small, rural Baptist churches came to the river to baptize. They believe in complete immersion and there's no other place to do it.

I wonder why the other people got all bent about it? Live and let live.

[bluestateguy]

9. There is no constitutional right to not be offended

They can have their baptism in the river, just as a group performing a satanic ritual can peacefully do what they want to do too.

[beyurslf]

12. The anti christian liberal union? they just want to take all of

religion out of society, don't you know?

[Viking12]

14. Paging Bill O'Reilly....Mr. Bill O' Reilly....

The coward will not cover this story. It doesn't fit in with his scripted spin, ACLU=Bad Jesus=Good.