My latest hero: Who heard Sister Helen Prejean on NPR last night?

[Richardo]

All Things Considered at about 5:45 (CST)

What a great interview - she described a run-in with Scalia at the New Orleans airport and how she answers the bible-thumpers when they quote scripture to her justifying the death penalty.

My favorite quote (paraphrase): "These guys are usually Christians - I ask them why they aways cite the Old Testament instead of the teachings of Jesus, who, after all, was executed by the state and whose last words were "Forgive them Father, they know not what they do." SLAM!

She's got a new book out ("The Death of Innocents") about the wrongful execution of two innocent men in Louisiana.

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?userid=mHu1JdP9zH&isbn=0679440569&itm=1

[prodigal_green]

1. Excellent point

Sheesh, I'd never thought of that. The entire faith is based on the death penalty.

[Be Brave]

2. I've seen her on Bill Moyer's Now, and I really like

this articulate nun.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

3. KICK

Good point! Killing is NOT the Christian thing to do.

[CottonBear]

4. I cried when I heard Dobie's story. n/t

[Richardo]

11. "I don't wanna eat with them..."

"After dinner, they're gonna KILL me."

Such dignity, really.

[CottonBear]

16. That's what got me. Oh so sad. n/t

[GreenPartyVoter]

5. Thanks for letting me know about her

-------------------------------------
Would Jesus love a liberal? You bet!
http://timeforachange.bluelemur.com/

[idiosyncratic]

6. It was a wonderful interview. She and Sister Chittester are my

new heroes. We need more like them . . .


Since women were the ones who stood up on January 6, and since these women are confronting this Administrations policies . . . I'm just wondering,

"Where are the men?"


Don't flame me, just asking . . .

[Toucano]

7. It was excellent.

She really shot a big hole straight through Scalia's argument.

He's such a mentally challenged person!

on edit: add link for those who missed it.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4280885

[Sgent]

8. I have always

liked the Catholic Church clergy/nuns. They have more intelligence about this religion thing than 50 fundy churches together. I don't always agree with them (obviously), but the church's belief in free will and saved by works fits well with me -- and is true to the old testament.

Fundies always seem to be the Church of Paul, rather than the Church of Christ.

[Richardo]

9. Nicely put, Sgent...

Paul vs Christ: that's it in a nutshell. :thumbsup:

[Richardo]

10. Thanks for that link, Toucano.

:thumbsup:

[PA Democrat]

12. Now that is a quote worth remembering

"These guys are usually Christians - I ask them why they aways cite the Old Testament instead of the teachings of Jesus, who, after all, was executed by the state and whose last words were "Forgive them Father, they know not what they do."

Thanks Richardo!

[Richardo]

13. Listen to the link on NPR to get the real quote...

...she's sOOOO much more articulate than my poor memory gives her credit for...

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4280885

[PA Democrat]

15. Thanks for the link Richardo n/t

[bloom]

14. That is good

I've heard her other times - she is a great speaker - she convinces me, anyway. :)

[heidiho]

17. Why do fundies always quote the Old Testament?

When they want to make a point about homosexuality, etc. rather than preach the teachings of Jesus? She is absolutely right and I heard her last week on Hardball.

She is the real deal. I loved the movie Dead Man Walking and loved Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn in the leads.

[Sgent]

18. Interesting bit on homosexuality

in the OT.

There is no prohibition AT ALL against lesbianism.

Most of the rest of the prohibitions are against male gays, and only if read very, very carefully in the right fundy light.

For years the prohibition against gay marrige in Jewish circles was the inability to "go forth and multiply". With the availability of in vitro fertilization & egg/sperm/uterus donors, over 80% of Jews have no problem with homosexuality in a monogomous relationship.

Also, there is no prohibition against polygamy in the OT, just by Paul (but this is a different issue obviously). Jews only took on the prohibition in their Oral Law (not written) in european cultures to better fit in. Amongst Sephardic Jeudiasm and Karkite, polygamy was/is still practiced. Isreal didn't stop recongizing it until the 60's, and still, all old marrige was grandfathered.

[Bluebear]

19. "Dead Man Walking" was, of course, her book

For those unfamiliar with her, she is a wonderful person and advocate/counsellor for death row inmates in Louisiana.