God Squad Weighs In
Local Conference to Promote Unity
City Beat, page 11
Ace Magazine, Lexington, KY
July 1996



Converting the Jews and beating the hell out of Mickey Mouse appear to be the two biggest resolutions to come out of the recent Southern Baptist Convention in New Orleans. At issue are the immortal souls of the Jews (who are all going straight to hell according to the Baptists), and the Disney Company's tolerance of alternative lifestyles, notably evidenced by "Gay Day at Disney" and the company's corporate policy of extending health care coverage to the same sex partners of its employees. Proving it is a small world after all, Mayor Miller has proclaimed July "Religious Unity Month" in Lexington, in recognition of the first local religious unity conference. God knows we could use one.

Given the paucity of dissenters among the 14,000 Baptist conventioners who voted on the Disney-bashing resolution, a judgmental person might conclude that the good God-fearin' Baptists would like nothing better than to see gays and lesbians dropping dead in the streets every time they get sick. (Local Baptist ministers did not return phone calls for comment, so that assessment couldn't be confirmed.)

It's worth remembering that Jesus (for those raised in the Christian tradition) was pretty clear in his admonitions against judging others (that whole bit about casting the first stone and all). So for those who've long since lost sight of what they were taught in Sunday School, a big dose of tolerance and understanding may be just what the doctor ordered.

An ad hoc committee, concerned with a rise of misunderstanding and intolerance between various faith communities in Lexington, organized the "The Many Faces of the Spirit," the city's first religious unity conference. Workshops include such topics as "Thomas Merton and the Art of Ecumenism" and "An Introduction to Zen Meditation."

The conference is intended to provide opportunities for dialogue between people with different approaches to spiritual matters. This includes both interdenominational and inter-faith communication and understanding. Organizers hope the project will offer a forum for dialogue in a context which will promote understanding rather than conflict or debate.

The event will be July 19-20 at the Newman Center.
For info, call 276-0477.



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