Chicago Tribune columnist Eric Zorn reported that commitee member Rep. Monique Davis (D-Chicago) interupted Sherman's testimony, and the following exchange ensued:
Davis: I don't know what you have against God, but some of us don't have much against him. We look forward to him and his blessings. And it's really a tragedy -- it's tragic -- when a person who is engaged in anything related to God, they want to fight. They want to fight prayer in school. This is one of the most disgraceful treatments of a citizen testifying before a legislative committee I have heard of anywhere in the country. Now usually on this site, if we report on a display of bigtory on the part of a politician or elected official, it is mostly likely to be a Religious Right Republican. But this episode underscores that the views and harsh attitudes of the Religious Right are sometimes present in the Democratic Party as well. So for the record, let me just say that Rep. Davis' neotheocratic claim; her vague Christian nationalism; her overt anti-atheist bigotry, and her abuse of her legislative post to attack Rob Sherman's atheism, is an attack on the absolute right of individual conscience of all Americans. The Constitution, the law, the broad culture of religious pluralism that seeks to foster mutual respect among our infinitely different views -- makes no distinction between religious believers and non-beleivers. Rep. Davis owes Rob Sherman; all atheists; fellow Democrats; and all Americans a hearfelt and profound apology. Update [2008-4-8 14:55:11 by Frederick Clarkson]: Rob Sherman wrote in to correct some factual errors. I have done so and am glad to get the story straight. Update [2008-4-10 10:21:29 by Frederick Clarkson]: Rob Sherman reports that Rep. Davis felt the heat of national blog and national media exposure and the outrage of constituents, and called to apologize. Her apology was accepted.
The NeoTheocratic Bigotry of a Democratic Legislative Leader in Illinois [corrected and updated] | 11 comments (11 topical, 0 hidden)
The NeoTheocratic Bigotry of a Democratic Legislative Leader in Illinois [corrected and updated] | 11 comments (11 topical, 0 hidden)
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