Freedom of Religion vs Freedom From Religion: Never These Paths Should Cross

.......03.24.07....[C]2007 by Richard L Zorek........It was Pearl S Buck who is quoted as having said, "When men destroy their old Gods, they will fimd new ones to take their place."

I am reminded of that as I have read some of the dialogue on various internet blogs in light of the Kansas City Star's publication of the articles about First Family Church written by Judy L Thomas. The articles did not deal with any theological issues of the church, but largely suggested a lot of financial irresponsibility on the part of its leader, Dr Jerry Johnston. As I have said before many times, I cannot defend or not defend the allegations. The articles left a lot of questions unanswered and left a lot of possibilites which will have the blanks filled in by the imagination of whoever is reading it and however they want it to be understood. And there is wide variety of "imaginations" who are offering their opinions.

I, of course, believe in free speech and free press. But, I also believe in the freedom to question that motivation. Why would the KC Star include the information that Judy L Thomas is a member of the Methodist Church of Resurrection? A moot point considering the focus of the article. Not if the Star wished to fuel a "war" between the two congregations which are far apart from each other on the political and doctrinal extremes. Thomas, as I wrote in an earlier article, is the co-author of a book (Wrath of Angels) which basically suggests that anti-abortion activists are violent because of frustration (She lived in Wichita during the time when "Operation Rescue" was very active in the area). Johnston, of course, is an outspoken leader against abortion in the Kansas City area. Though none of these things were mentioned in the article, it just wreaks of a suspicious motive. However, imagine the Star articles working to the real extreme and First Family Church is dissolved (not likely, of course, but what if?). Will that stop the "anti-abortion" movement? No, of course not.

Extinguish ones church leader and they will find another. At least as long as freedom of religion remains free in America. To me, that is what is at issue with the article. Those who are not part of First Family Church, nor believe as they do, jump on the bandwagon to see it "exposed." What, then, will stop another writer with another agenda from exposing your church or religion for whatever they wish to "expose?" Let him who is without sin cast the first stone? Or, he who lives in a glass house....... This is where the ground becomes dangerous and the need to proceed needs to be with utmost caution.