Freethought & Rationalism Archive

YoursTrulyBeth · 09-19-2002, 12:22 PM

If anybody is able to attend, please email ti IllinoisFreethought@hotmail.com

THE CHICAGO READER SHOULD NOT BE BULLIED INTO CENSORING MATERIAL!

PLEASE SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE CHICAGO READER AND THE FIRST AMMENDMENT.

AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR THE DEFENSE OF TRADITION, FAMILY AND PROPERTY CALLS FOR �RALLY OF REPARATION� ON THE FRONT STEPS OF THE CHICAGO READER.

The American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property (TFP), a group formed of Catholic Americans became offended at a cartoon published in the Chicago Reader on June 2, 2002. The cartoon was a satirical view of the Papacy and the Catholic Church. The American TFP felt it was a grave insult to God and all Catholics.

The American TFP requested an apology and a written commitment from The Chicago Reader that it will �never again publish such blasphemies.� This request was not granted.

The American TFP claims to be very concerned about every aspect of American life and they were formed to resist, idealistically, the liberal, socialist and communist trends of the times. They seem, however, to have forgotten that Freedom of Speech is a very large part of American life.

Whatever one thinks of The Chicago Reader or the cartoons they publish, The Chicago Reader should not feel pressured, by this or any other group, to censor material published within its pages. Americans can decide for themselves whether or not they wish to read this or any other publication.

We ask that you strongly support The Chicago Reader during this �Rally of Reparation� on September 25, 2002 and in the future.

Date: Wednesday, September 25, 2002
Time: 11:45 am to 1:15 pm, 10:30 am assembly time
Place: The Chicago Reader
11 East Illinois Street
Chicago, IL 60611

Source: <a href="http://www.tfp.org/index.html" target="_blank">http://www.tfp.org/index.html</a>, The American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property

{link edited by Toto}

[ September 19, 2002: Message edited by: Toto ]</p>

4th Generation Atheist · 09-19-2002, 12:49 PM

Welcome, YTB! But there's something amiss with your link.

YoursTrulyBeth · 09-19-2002, 12:50 PM

Let's try this one..... No comma.

<a href="http://www.tfp.org/index.html" target="_blank">http://www.tfp.org/index.html</a>

Toto · 09-19-2002, 01:16 PM

My first impulse was to say that this involves private pressure on a newspaper, not governmental action. But we are also the default forum for activism, and this is activism.

The protest by TFP is described here:

<a href="http://www.tfp.org/what_we_do/index/chicago_reader.htm" target="_blank">Funny Papers Are Not Always Funny</a>

and

<a href="http://www.tfp.org/what_we_do/index/chicago_reader_protest.htm" target="_blank">TFP Announces Rally in Chicago </a>

Quote:

When newspapers print items unfit to print, it is time for readers to voice their protest. That is exactly what Chicago Catholics will be doing at the offices of the Chicago Reader on September 25. The American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property (TFP) and its affiliate America Needs Fatima campaign announced today a rally of peaceful protest and reparation in front of the paper�s downtown office.

The noontime rally will attract many Catholics in the business district who were outraged by Garret Gaston's comic titled "La Petit Camera, Papal Makeover," carried in the June 22 edition of the Chicago Reader. Among other things unprintable, it portrayed the Pope dispensing "red hot birth control pills," saying, "we were just kidding about Original Sin" and proposing a "new recipe for communion" using chocolate chips.

"This cartoon managed to ridicule not just one part of our Faith but many.� says C. Preston Noell, head of the TFP's Chicago Bureau campaign. "That�s why we expect to see hundreds of protesters, praying the rosary and peacefully protesting against this outrage."

Chicago Reader is an "alternative" weekly newspaper with a circulation of over 133,000, available at over 1200 locations in the Chicago area.

The TFP's America Needs Fatima campaign has already sent tens of thousands of protest packages to its friends and supporters across the country. They are sending protest postcards to the Chicago Reader. The TFP web site is also coordinating a massive e-campaign. Readers are participating by sending protest emails to the Chicago Reader, and forwarding the message to everyone they know.

�It�s important for the news media to know blasphemy is not news or entertainment but an offense to God and those who love Him,� affirms Mr. Noell.

Holy spam! That page allows you to send a canned email to the Chicago Reader by filling out a form.

I bet the CR just deletes them.

TFP describes itself as "counter-revolutionary" and maintains an "anti-blasphemy" center, which protested the film "Dogma".

I tried to find more information on the founder of TPF and found<a href="http://www.kelebekler.com/cesnur/storia/gb00.htm" target="_blank">this site</a>, which I have not evaluated thoroughly. I know CESNUR as an interesting resource on "new religions", which does not appear to be a tool of the Catholic right.

Quote:

CESNUR . . .is intimately linked to another organisation called "Alleanza Cattolica". The ideology of the latter is entirely based on the teachings of Plinio Corr�a de Oliveira, a Brazilian extremist and self-styled "prophet", founder of a "crusade" against agrarian reform and "Communism" which openly calls for the implementation of a world-wide "Christian" regime based on Medieval hierarchy and repression. This "crusade" is called Tradition, Family and Property (TFP). In the meantime, while waiting for the Kingdom to come, this organization is happy to work together with the US "New Right" around the world and around the clock.

Often accused of being a cult, T.F.P. in 1985 started promoting the notions that CESNUR currently promotes - that there is a worldwide "anti-cult conspiracy",

and <a href="http://www.kelebekler.com/cesnur/storia/gb11.htm" target="_blank">here</a>, which makes Plinio sound like a candidate for the Weekly Nutwatch.

brighid · 09-23-2002, 06:30 AM

Why do these things always take place in the middle of the work day? There have been many such things I have wanted to attend, but it is difficult to do so when it requires taking a day off to do so!

Brighid

YoursTrulyBeth · 09-23-2002, 06:47 AM

I understand completely. I guess that is why it was set up that way by the protesters. I can't even be there, for the same reasons as you. I can't take the time off of work right now either. I am getting the meeting places set, flyers printed and making sure signs are made. There are lots of ways to help, and maybe the next time, it can be a Saturday or Sunday. If you are in Illinois, join the new community and get on the email list at <a href="http://groups.msn.com/IllinoisFreethought" target="_blank">http://groups.msn.com/IllinoisFreethought</a> for any new events, meetings or chats.

Amazon · 09-24-2002, 10:13 AM

I work in downtown Chicago, and am giving serious thought to attending this counter-rally. I have been designing my sandwich board in my mind, and writing down all the brief messages that would apply.

I think I will go with a front and back sandwich board, and possibly a double-sided hand-held sign that says something like these phrases:

If your mythology cannot withstand question or parody, then it is very weak, indeed.

Freedom of speech applies to everyone, not just people who agree with you.

Do you require censorship to protect your faith?

You do not have the right to not be offended.

Oddly enough, I was about to trot on over to the office supply store close to here that I know sells poster board. I was hoping for the stiff, insulated kind, but I think they only have regular poster board.

Nevertheless, I think that I am going to try to show up tomorrow.

If anyone feels that my phrases listed above are too confrontational and hostile to be constructive, please tell me. I do not want to compromise our cause due to ill-planned actions.

Gooch's dad · 09-24-2002, 10:31 AM

Too hostile? No way! I think all of those signs would be perfectly appropriate!

Let us know how it turns out, ok?

-Kelly

YoursTrulyBeth · 09-24-2002, 10:34 AM

Hey Amazon, It is your freedom of speech too! I have no problems with any of those phrases. Not at all. The only requirement that the Chicago PD has stipulated is that our signage doesn't obstruct the walkways. That is about it. I appreciate the support that you are lending, in any form that it takes. What kills me is that I can't be there to see all of this.
Thank you for your support, and your sandwich boards!!
Beth

YoursTrulyBeth · 09-24-2002, 10:41 AM

Oh, Assembly time isn't until 11:30!!!! Unless you want to be there at 10:30. I'm sure some people will be coming early. The "oposition" won't be there until 11:30, bases on their press release, so the need to be there an hour before them is probably unnecessary. The PD is asking that we rally on Illinois on the west of State Street, as the other guys are going to be east of State Street.
Beth

09-19-2002, 12:22 PM	#1
YoursTrulyBeth Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Glen Ellyn, Illinois Posts: 13	Counter-Demonstration in Chicago, 9/25/02 If anybody is able to attend, please email ti IllinoisFreethought@hotmail.com THE CHICAGO READER SHOULD NOT BE BULLIED INTO CENSORING MATERIAL! PLEASE SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE CHICAGO READER AND THE FIRST AMMENDMENT. AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR THE DEFENSE OF TRADITION, FAMILY AND PROPERTY CALLS FOR �RALLY OF REPARATION� ON THE FRONT STEPS OF THE CHICAGO READER. The American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property (TFP), a group formed of Catholic Americans became offended at a cartoon published in the Chicago Reader on June 2, 2002. The cartoon was a satirical view of the Papacy and the Catholic Church. The American TFP felt it was a grave insult to God and all Catholics. The American TFP requested an apology and a written commitment from The Chicago Reader that it will �never again publish such blasphemies.� This request was not granted. The American TFP claims to be very concerned about every aspect of American life and they were formed to resist, idealistically, the liberal, socialist and communist trends of the times. They seem, however, to have forgotten that Freedom of Speech is a very large part of American life. Whatever one thinks of The Chicago Reader or the cartoons they publish, The Chicago Reader should not feel pressured, by this or any other group, to censor material published within its pages. Americans can decide for themselves whether or not they wish to read this or any other publication. We ask that you strongly support The Chicago Reader during this �Rally of Reparation� on September 25, 2002 and in the future. Date: Wednesday, September 25, 2002 Time: 11:45 am to 1:15 pm, 10:30 am assembly time Place: The Chicago Reader 11 East Illinois Street Chicago, IL 60611 Source: <a href="http://www.tfp.org/index.html" target="_blank">http://www.tfp.org/index.html</a>, The American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property {link edited by Toto} [ September 19, 2002: Message edited by: Toto ]</p>

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09-19-2002, 12:49 PM	#2
4th Generation Atheist Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Tower of Ecthelion...by the Starbuck's Posts: 1,815	Welcome, YTB! But there's something amiss with your link.

09-19-2002, 12:50 PM	#3
YoursTrulyBeth Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Glen Ellyn, Illinois Posts: 13	Let's try this one..... No comma. <a href="http://www.tfp.org/index.html" target="_blank">http://www.tfp.org/index.html</a>

09-23-2002, 06:30 AM	#5
brighid Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: somewhere in the known Universe Posts: 6,993	Why do these things always take place in the middle of the work day? There have been many such things I have wanted to attend, but it is difficult to do so when it requires taking a day off to do so! Brighid

09-23-2002, 06:47 AM	#6
YoursTrulyBeth Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Glen Ellyn, Illinois Posts: 13	I understand completely. I guess that is why it was set up that way by the protesters. I can't even be there, for the same reasons as you. I can't take the time off of work right now either. I am getting the meeting places set, flyers printed and making sure signs are made. There are lots of ways to help, and maybe the next time, it can be a Saturday or Sunday. If you are in Illinois, join the new community and get on the email list at <a href="http://groups.msn.com/IllinoisFreethought" target="_blank">http://groups.msn.com/IllinoisFreethought</a> for any new events, meetings or chats.

09-24-2002, 10:13 AM	#7
Amazon Regular Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Chicago area Posts: 210	I work in downtown Chicago, and am giving serious thought to attending this counter-rally. I have been designing my sandwich board in my mind, and writing down all the brief messages that would apply. I think I will go with a front and back sandwich board, and possibly a double-sided hand-held sign that says something like these phrases: If your mythology cannot withstand question or parody, then it is very weak, indeed. Freedom of speech applies to everyone, not just people who agree with you. Do you require censorship to protect your faith? You do not have the right to not be offended. Oddly enough, I was about to trot on over to the office supply store close to here that I know sells poster board. I was hoping for the stiff, insulated kind, but I think they only have regular poster board. Nevertheless, I think that I am going to try to show up tomorrow. If anyone feels that my phrases listed above are too confrontational and hostile to be constructive, please tell me. I do not want to compromise our cause due to ill-planned actions.

09-24-2002, 10:31 AM	#8
Gooch's dad Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Madison WI USA Posts: 3,508	Too hostile? No way! I think all of those signs would be perfectly appropriate! Let us know how it turns out, ok? -Kelly

09-24-2002, 10:34 AM	#9
YoursTrulyBeth Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Glen Ellyn, Illinois Posts: 13	Hey Amazon, It is your freedom of speech too! I have no problems with any of those phrases. Not at all. The only requirement that the Chicago PD has stipulated is that our signage doesn't obstruct the walkways. That is about it. I appreciate the support that you are lending, in any form that it takes. What kills me is that I can't be there to see all of this. Thank you for your support, and your sandwich boards!! Beth

09-24-2002, 10:41 AM	#10
YoursTrulyBeth Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Glen Ellyn, Illinois Posts: 13	Oh, Assembly time isn't until 11:30!!!! Unless you want to be there at 10:30. I'm sure some people will be coming early. The "oposition" won't be there until 11:30, bases on their press release, so the need to be there an hour before them is probably unnecessary. The PD is asking that we rally on Illinois on the west of State Street, as the other guys are going to be east of State Street. Beth

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