Wow. Just… wow.
I don’t know where to begin.
A few days ago, a student at the University of Central Florida attended mass at his Church. During communion, when the wafer was placed into his mouth, instead of eating it, he took it and walked out. Catholics went nuts; even after he gave it back, the Catholic League (more on them in a moment,) said
We don’t know 100% what Mr. Cooks motivation was. However, if anything were to qualify as a hate crime, to us this seems like this might be it.
We just expect the University to take this seriously. To send a message to not just Mr. Cook but the whole community that this kind of really complete sacrilege will not be tolerated.
Overreacting much? Actually, that kind of sacrilege will be tolerated, especially in America, where freedom of religion (and from religious persecution) is guaranteed by the constitution. Of course, the fanatics don’t quite see it that way, and the poor kid has been getting death threats. Because that’s what turning the other cheek means in America.
Oh, and just so we’re clear: stealing a cracker is a hate crime, but sending death threats? Oh, that’s perfectly acceptable, rational behaviour. If you don’t like the person. And if he’s stolen your magic lunch.
Enter PZ Myers, who, as usual, wrote about it the way it is, in a piece entitled It’s a Frackin’ Cracker. As usual, he pulled no punches in describing the mob as what they are: well… a mob. He also offered to desecrate a communion wafer, if anyone would send him one. Cue a rapid switch of target on the part of the Catholic League; they’re now engaged in a full-on offensive on PZ. Not for anything he’s done, but for something he said he’d do. To a cracker. Apparently conspiracy to wound a biscuit is a cardinal sin if you’re an insane Catholic – and Bill Donohue, the leader of the Catholic League, certainly counts.
So – to get to the point – the Catholic League are trying to stir up a good ol’ fashioned witch hunt, and are inundating PZ with hate mail and death threats, and his employer with demands that he be fired. This is, to be frank, unacceptable. All PZ has done is exercise his right to freedom of expression, and he’s being targeted by a hate campaign. So what to do? Start up a support campaign, that’s what.
PZ is asking that people write a short note of support to President Robert Bruininks of his University – the University of Minnesota, Morris – and I second his request. PZ is one of the more outspoken voices of reason on the internet, and it would be a shame if he were made to suffer unduly for something as simple as expressing his opinion. If you’re a rational person, even if you’re religious, and don’t agree with PZ, please consider writing a note in support of his right to express himself without fear of being victimised.
I already have. Here’s what I wrote:
Dear Sir,
I’d like to take this chance to add a note to the probably hundreds you’ve already received in support of PZ. He’s a great writer, a great educator, and a credit to your institution.
It’s true that he’s outspoken, and that he pulls no punches in expressing his opinions. That is not a crime, and if Bill Donohue and his supporters restrained themselves to responding in kind then there would be no problem. The fact that they have not, that they have resorted to a campaign of mass harassment, of death threats, and trying to cost PZ his job - in short, a campaign of terrorism - merely underlines why it is so important that we have people like PZ who are unafraid to call these people out on their hypocrisy, and to criticise their unacceptable behaviour in public.
I hope that the incoherent screaming of the mob will not prejudice you against PZ in any way, and that he will be allowed to continue to bring credit to your institution amongst free-thinkers and rationalists across the globe.
Sincerely,
Will Goring,
Reading,
United Kingdom.