Representative tries to put the fear of God in atheist (Rep. Monique Davis - D-Chicago)

Chicago Tribune ^ | 4/06/08 | Eric Zorn

[Libloather]

Representative tries to put the fear of God in atheist
Read Eric Zorn's full post: Rep. Monique Davis to atheist Rob Sherman: `It's dangerous for our children to even know that your philosophy exists!'
By Eric Zorn | Change of Subject
April 6, 2008

Did you hear about the state legislator who last week blasted a Lutheran minister during a committee hearing for spewing dangerous religious superstitions, and then attempted to order the minister out of the witness chair on the grounds that his Christian beliefs are "destroying what this state was built upon"?

Of course you didn't, because it didn't happen and would never happen. Not to a Christian, not to a Jew, not to a Muslim or to anyone who subscribes to any faith.

**SNIP**

But you probably also didn't hear about what actually did happen:

Rep. Monique Davis (D-Chicago) interrupted atheist activist Rob Sherman during his testimony Wednesday afternoon before the House State Government Administration Committee in Springfield and told him, "What you have to spew and spread is extremely dangerous . . . it's dangerous for our children to even know that your philosophy exists!

"This is the Land of Lincoln where people believe in God," Davis said. "Get out of that seat . . . You have no right to be here! We believe in something. You believe in destroying! You believe in destroying what this state was built upon."

Apparently it's still open season on some views of God.

Outside of Change of Subject, where I posted a transcript and the audio, Davis' repellent, un-American outburst received no attention whatsoever.

[wastedyears]

Reading to the end of what was excerpted here, I’m still quite confused about who is in the right and who is wrong.

Was the article really written that poorly?

[weegee]

I ask you to consider what the outcry would have been if a lawmaker had launched a similar attack on the beliefs of a religious person.

Apparently because an atheist activist spouted off against a religious person (or person's religious views) it was okay but the contrary from a legislator TO an activist in audience in public office was somehow "wrong".

Sherman didn't budge, continued his testimony related to Gov. Rod Blagojevich's oddly misdirected $1 million grant intended for Pilgrim Baptist Church, (story) and later told me he "felt like Rosa Parks."

And that leads me to this blog post of "meanwhile back at the ranch" about some $1million grant intended for a church that went to a mismanaged(?) private school:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-pilgrim-church-grant-03apr03,1,831514.story

But apparently this has now shifted focus to a story of a Democrat politician telling an atheist that his antitheistic views could be dangerous to children.

I'm still lost on this one myself. I guess the blogger thinks that everyone is up on the "continuing saga" of point the finger, I mean Change of Subject.

The hearing to probe the grant came after the Blagojevich administration steered $1 million to the private Loop Lab School to make good on the governor's pledge to help Pilgrim Baptist Church rebuild after a fire. Instead of giving to the church, the money went to the school, which rented space from the church.

Since this is Illinois. And the governor is involved. what does Barack Hussein Obama think of it? Any of it?

[skr]

The article leaves out why the atheist was there and what he was saying.

[skr]

Thank you for the information.

[Ken H]

From a 2005 article:

Illinois State Representative Receives 4-H Alumni Award

-snip-

Rep. Davis is serving her 10th term as State Representative from the 27 th District in Chicago.

She is Chairperson of the Appropriation-General Services Committee and is Vice-Chairman of the Elementary and Secondary Education committee. In addition, she serves on the Appropriation-Higher Education, Financial Institutions, Public Utilities, and Registration and Regulation Committees.

Rep. Davis is a lifelong resident of Chicago and has two children. She was formerly a teacher and administrator in the Chicago Public Schools. She has served as a coordinator for the Chicago Board of Education and as a training specialist with the Chicago City Colleges.

In addition to her involvement with several community and charitable organizations, Rep. Davis is a member of the NAACP, Operation Push, Phi Delta Kappa, Trinity United Church of Christ, Chicago Urban League and Beverly Area Planning Association.

--http://www.4-h.uiuc.edu/events/054hdayalum.html

[Riverman94610]

It would be VERY interesting to see this “Good Christian”woman’s position on right to life issues!
Why do I get the weird notion that she votes along ultra liberal Democratic lines on this issue and many more.
Someone in Illinois correct me if I’m wrong.

[Ken H]

In addition to her involvement with several community and charitable organizations, Rep. Davis is a member of the NAACP, Operation Push, Phi Delta Kappa, Trinity United Church of Christ, Chicago Urban League and Beverly Area Planning Association.

That's Reverend Wright's church!

[Ken H]

Let's ask Reverend Jeremiah Wright, LOL!

[Riverman94610]

Could very well be a connection there as the previous poster pointed out.

[Mr. Silverback]

Of course you didn't, because it didn't happen and would never happen. Not to a Christian, not to a Jew, not to a Muslim or to anyone who subscribes to any faith.

Sure it wouldn't, Eric. Sure it wouldn't. Don't you just want to pat him on the head?

[Mr. Silverback]

I have no use for atheism, but where does a member of that church get off telling anyone they’re ruining the country and offering dangerous philosophies children shouldn’t hear?

[Gondring]

The article leaves out why the atheist was there and what he was saying.

Exactly. How could they let an atheist even hold elected office, let alone serve on a committee and give testimony!?!

</sarc>

[Gondring]

I have no use for atheism, but where does a member of that church get off telling anyone they’re ruining the country and offering dangerous philosophies children shouldn’t hear?

I commend you, sir, for asking this question.

[Ken H]

She sounds like a real player in Chicago and Illinois politics, so Obama would be acquainted with her on that alone.

Since she attends Obama's church as well, I would think she must certainly be a FOO (Friend of Obama).

[Mr. Silverback]

Thank you, FRiend. This is my fight, and the fight of every Christian. If there is a Hell, Jeremiah Wright speaks for it.

And the odds-on favorite to be the next president calls him “teacher.”

[Ken H]

Obama Decries His Pastor's 'Inflammatory' Comments (Mar 14, 2008)

-snip-

Illinois State Rep. Monique Davis (D-27th) is a member of Wright's former congregation. She says that some comments like using a profane expletive invoking God have been taken out of context.

"I don't think he meant God d--- America but I think he feels disappointed sometimes in the way America has acted in the past," Davis said.

--http://cbs2chicago.com/politics/obama.jeremiah.wright.2.677540.html

[Ken H]

Agree. My guess is that this was an attempt to steer attention away from the questions surrounding the funds.

I suspect if it had been a Republican rather than an atheist, she would have harangued him about Bush or Big Oil.

[Mr. Silverback]

I think you’ve hit it right on the head, sir.

[Inyokern]

bump