Ku Klux Klan, Conservatives to Protest Methodists over gays

[Generic Other]

Ku Klux Klan, Conservatives to Protest Methodists
By TIM WHITMIRE, AP

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Sept. 2) - The usually placid retreat center for the United Methodist Church at Lake Junaluska may soon find itself at the center of a summer storm. Conservative groups and the Ku Klux Klan were planning to protest a weekend meeting at the lake of Methodists who want gays welcomed in all aspects of church life.

Officials at the conference center were setting aside separate areas for protesters, counter-protesters and the Klan. The local sheriff's department also planned to set up a command center at the lake.

"We've made some plans in case something does happen - basically having local and state people on call," Haywood County Sheriff Tom Alexander said. "We just hope that everybody can do what they need to do and make this a safe event for everybody."

The meeting hosted by the Chicago-based Reconciling Ministries Network was to start Friday and has also drawn complaints from fellow United Methodists who don't believe such a meeting should happen at the church-owned conference and retreat center in western North Carolina.

About 20 Klan members from Georgia, Texas, North Carolina and elsewhere were expected, said J.J. Harper, Imperial Wizard of the Cordele, Ga.-based American White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. He said they will not wear robes and hoods.

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[Gruenemann]

1. You know you must be doing something right...

...when the Klan pickets you. Now if the UMC would just show some moral courage and really accept gays into all roles in the church...

[Blue-Jay]

2. Fundies, meet Klansmen. Klansmen, meet Fundies....

Oh, that's right! You two are already well-aquainted. Silly me!