There Must Be Something in the Air.
Or maybe it’s in the water. I don’t know what it is but it’s very disturbing the way hate-filled politicians have been coming out of the woodwork of late. This time it’s not a homophobe but an atheist hater. You may have heard already about State Representative Monique Davis (D-Chicago) who unleashed her fury on atheist Rob Sherman recently. Friendly Atheist has the original story (see his site for important links):
Outspoken atheist Rob Sherman, who (with his daughter) filed a lawsuit that eventually put a stop to the Mandatory Moment of Silence, was back in the Illinois General Assembly on Wednesday.
He was there arguing Governor Rod Blagojevich’s $1,000,000 grant to the Pilgrim Baptist Church — which was given to them via the more secular Loop Lab School. (Shadiness all around.)
Anyway, he got into an exchange with Rep. Monique Davis (D-Chicago).
Below is a video that includes audio of the exchange between Sherman and Davis.
What an interesting perspective Davis has. It’s dangerous for children to know atheism exists? That’s like saying it’s dangerous for them to know cold exists–for what is cold except the absence of heat? And atheism is nothing more than the absence of theism. It’s only those who lack conviction in their own, or others’, faith who fear what a little knowledge will do.
Then there was the insinuation that Sherman was wrong for pursuing cases regarding the “moment of silence” in the schools when he wasn’t addressing guns in schools. Who is Davis to talk when millions upon millions of Christians spend infinite time, money and effort on fighting LGBT rights yet none on fighting poverty, homelessness or war?
Moving on now, Friendly Atheist has an update
Illinois State Rep. Monique Davis recently said to atheist Rob Sherman: “It’s dangerous for our children to even know that your philosophy (atheism) exists!”
The audio of the exchange was picked up and circulated, and the story (which was brought to the public’s eye by Chicago Tribune reporter Eric Zorn) has made its way through the blogosphere.
It’s made its way to the mainstream media, too.
Tonight, MSNBC news anchor Keith Olbermann named Davis his nightly “Worst Person in the World.”
Thanks to Spazeboy, we have a video!
Visit Friendly Atheist to see the MSNBC video, which is brief but good.
Should you be inclined to contact Rep. Davis (though I’ve heard she hasn’t responded to anybody yet) you can do so at:
Representative Monique D. Davis
1234 West 95th Street
Chicago, IL 60643
(773) 445-9700
(773) 445-5755 FAX
