How can Religious Freedom be at Risk in a Town called Independence?

Submitted by Laura on Fri, 07/08/2011 - 5:53pm

Today, the Washington Post carried the story of the Grayson County government denying our permit to build the Peace Pentagon. The interview took place months ago, so I have had plenty of time to ponder the pros and cons of making this story more public. The article is well-written and balanced … but you can make up your own mind on that score: http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/proposed-interfaith-retreat-center-i...

As a result of this article, I have been contacted by a number of people, including: a member of Iraq Veterans for Peace (http://www.veteransforpeace.org/); a woman who wrote the Daily Show and The Colbert Report to get me on TV; another woman who recounted her most recent encounter with an intolerant Evangelical; and the producer for Radio Islam in Chicago, who has invited me and John Whitehead of The Rutherford Institute to be on the air tonight at 7:00 pm (Eastern time) (http://www.radioislam.com/).

Sadly, however, I have not heard from anyone in Independence, except for a few brave friends who have courageously stood beside me since this controversy first erupted in June, 2010. Incidentally, when I say a “few brave friends” I am talking less than a dozen people! So I ask:

While I certainly appreciate the calls and emails of support from around the country, I am still puzzled that the people of Independence cannot find their way to support Oracle’s Constitutional right to build an interfaith retreat center.

I pray for the day when people of all faiths are able to embrace one another in spiritual unity. And as Americans, we should pledge to lead the way. But first, we will have to accept the Truth set forth in Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s upcoming book: God Is Not a Christian (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/desmond-tutu/god-is-not-a-christian_b_8699...).

Please help Oracle build the Peace Pentagon: http://theoracleinstitute.org/donation

Comments

Well Wishes

- Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 08/19/2011 - 11:35pm.

I would like to express our best wishes for your endeavours in Grayson County. It takes a tremendous amount of courage to stand up to people who are determined to quash your beliefs and eradicate your right to answer your own spiritual calling--especially when you're making your stand in a place where people feel that the rest of the world is not watching. People commit the most heinous crimes when they believe no one is looking... My advice would be to make sure the good people of Grayson know the world is watching--and that they will have to answer for their actions.

Morgaine, ADO

Laura George vs. Grayson County

- Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 07/25/2011 - 4:41pm.

Below is the letter I sent to The Roanoke Times on July 13, 2011:

To the Editor:
I was truly appalled after reading your article concerning Laura George's interfaith retreat and the about-face taken by Grayson County. It is obvious to me that the Grayson County Planning Commission had given a green light to Ms. George's educational center only to be unduly swayed by certain religious groups.
I am certain that the original framers of the constitution did not intend for any particular religious group to be able to say who could or could not practice their own religion, even in Grayson County! I found it especially disturbing that a responsible public official such as the sheriff would attempt to label her Oracle Intitute as "another Branch Davidian compound". Seriously, what does he really know about the Oracle Institute or even the Branch Davidians for that matter? I suspect few of those who chose to protest against the retreat have a clue what it's really about but I suspect it's based on fear that it is different from their own religion. It is not only hypocrisy but unconstitutional.
Perhaps those opposed to Ms. George should pray for true enlightenment, then maybe they would learn to "Love thy neighbor as thyself". I'll take peace over ignorance any time.

William T. Smith

...And one thing leads to another !

- Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 02/01/2012 - 1:30pm.

What an interesting world we live in today! After having submitted the above letter to The Roanoke Times I came to The Oracle Institute's web site here and was SO impressed with all I read and learned that I felt I must contact Laura. Well folks, after quite a bit of back and forth correspondence and reading her most wonderful books, The Truth and The Love, I quickly realized what a courageous, intelligent, dedicated and gifted person Laura is so I felt more than compelled to join The Oracle Institute. I am now a volunteer in the capacity of writing some freelance articles for The Oracle Institute and I very much look forward to developing an ongoing dialogue with all who come here. By the way folks, we are now listed in the communities directory of The Fellowship of Intentional Communities, of which I am a member. It is a truly wonderful organization and you can check them out online at ic.org. Truth, Love and Light to all! Dod Smith

Many People, same journey

- Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 07/09/2011 - 4:36pm.

I am but one of a number of people on the same spiritual journey: folks who have found that as they get older, the religion they were raised to believe in no longer fits. Folks who discover the hypocracy and are trying to discover the truth about God. There is but one God who serves all faiths, many paths to the same end. I have been searching to start a "church" that would embrace all people, free everyone from the God of fear and retribution and discover the God of light who is glorified by all of creation. I would like to talk to and join with like-minded people. More and more frequently I encounter people who are traveling the same road of discovery or questioning. Who else is out there?

We're out here!

- Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 9:12am.

I know many people like you. I'm one of them. If it weren't for people like Laura, we would have to keep hiding for fear of being called names, refused jobs, and have our neighbors shun us. She is one of the people trying to change this. We are all good people, searching for God on our own terms. Religion without Politics, just the Love of Light and Goodness. There are many of us waiting for this country to recognize our right to Worship in the Church of OUR choice, not theirs. Still waiting for our Freedom of Religion. Still waiting...

COMMUNISM??????

- Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 07/09/2011 - 11:17am.

"The “Peace Pentagon” will be a place of interfaith study and worship, and a research center for issues of social justice."

SOUNDS LIKE COMMUNISM!!

Imagine this

- Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 9:23am.

Imagine you've been a Christian all your life and you move to a new city. They have lots of churches, but none of them are Christian. You and your family and friends want to start a Christian Church so you can worship there. BUT the town council says you can't do that because people around there won't like it. You're not like them. They come to the planning meeting and call you a heretic, a witch, refuse to shake your hand or talk to you. Doesn't sound good does it? You'd try to change it wouldn't you?

You need to pick up a Dictionary

- Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 8:59am.

Look up Communism.
My ancestors fled Europe to gain Freedom of Religion, and are still being oppressed. You are afraid of anyone who doesn't think exactly like you. That is called being paranoid (look it up also). No one is trying to take away YOUR beliefs, they are just fighting for theirs. Do you think Jesus asked the sick and blind what religion they were in before he healed them? No, he only asked that they have FAITH!
The people at Oracle have faith, and a lot of hope that they will be allowed to practice it.

Definition of Communism

- Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 07/11/2011 - 7:12pm.

You may benefit from reading our Constitution and Bill of Rights.
Nothing communist about religious freedom - in fact the opposite.
It is communist countries that restrict religious expression.

Laura

THIS IS BULL!!

- Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 07/09/2011 - 10:13am.

WHERE'S THE IRS? WHY ARE NON-PROFIT SO CALLED RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS ALLOWED TO PROFIT? WHAT KIND OF SCAM/SHAM IS THIS??

There is no profit beyond freedom and knowledge

- Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 8:45am.

Why ask where the IRS is when it comes to a group that wants to help people find God on their terms? Does anyone in Fundamentalist religion question the 700 Club? Billy Graham? the Empire of Jerry Falwell?
Those groups, and many others, funnel MILLIONS of your dollars to LOBBYISTS in WASHINGTON! Do you really believe that God needs money? Do the preachers live in single-wide trailers behind modest churches? No, they are wealthy and political. Open your eyes! The Oracle does not seek wealth or political power. They only seek FREEDOM OF RELIGION.

Were Is Your Name Anonymus?

- Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 07/09/2011 - 2:25pm.

Brave and Noble Anonymous, were is your name.

My name is Daniel Michael.

I am of What some call an Alternative religious Leaning.

You say were is the IRS I say were is your name.

If you are going to Troll good people you mine as well use some kind of name.

Good Luck Laura

- Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 07/09/2011 - 2:31pm.

I just recently heard of this Group Laura, Good luck to you.

It amazes me how some people are ruled By fear and absolutism.

How is it that people are intimidated by other folks Worshiping in the way they choose ?

It is strange to me, I simply am not offended by someone being Christian BUT Some (not all) Christians just can not Tolerate others.

Anyway before I rant (haha!) good Luck to you and Blessed Be